Returning to the Imperial Capital after so long, Rei immediately noticed that the crowds were thinner than they had been during the Fighting Tournament. Since his mental image of the city was defined by that event, it was only natural that the streets felt somewhat desolate to him.
Of course, this was still the capital of the Bestia Empire. Countless people still bustled about, and its status as a massive metropolis remained an undeniable fact. Even so, the change was palpable.
"The population has decreased considerably," Videre muttered.
She had spoken in a low voice, so likely only Rei, riding behind her, caught the words. Rei understood the general situation perfectly well. The cause for the decrease in the Imperial Capital's population was undoubtedly the Rebel Army—their own side.
It was only natural. The Rebel Army was approaching, albeit gradually. To be precise, they had established a camp just outside the borders of Count Obrisin's Territory where the movement had formed, and they had not advanced from there yet. However, with rumors circulating that they had already crushed a Subjugation Army, the common folk were understandably gripped by fear.
If there was any saving grace, it was that the Rebel Army was led by Mercurio, the Third Prince. Since he was a member of the Imperial Family, many believed he would not want to inflict damage upon the Imperial Capital itself.
In that regard, they were correct. Mercurio’s true targets were Schuls and Cabajid; he had no intention of ravaging the city. A man who intended to become the next Emperor would never willingly engage in actions that would earn the permanent hostility of the masses.
(Though if the capital becomes a battlefield, all that goes out the window,) Rei thought, swaying with the horse's gait as he turned his gaze toward the palace.
Even with the vastness of the city, the palace’s majesty was immense. Its towering silhouette had been visible from the moment they passed through the main gates. Videre must have noticed Rei gazing at the structure, for she spoke without slowing her horse.
"Lord Rei, is it all right if we head straight for the palace?"
"Hm? Oh, yeah, that’s fine. But... is it really okay for me to go along so openly? Surely they'll check my identity before we enter. We got through the city gates thanks to the White Rose Knight Order's influence, but if my true identity is revealed now, won't your position be compromised? I can take care of myself regardless."
Rei didn't think any number of common soldiers could stop him, and the same went for the knights. If things went south, his plan was simple: use Flame Magic and run amok with the Death Scythe. However, he didn't particularly want to cause a bloodbath inside the Imperial Capital. He had no grudge against the residents—with a few exceptions—and he disliked causing pointless casualties among non-combatants.
Furthermore, he couldn't use the Firestorm, his true trump card, without Seto. He also wanted to avoid drawing unnecessary hostility toward Mercurio or Vihera.
Videre met his concern with a confident smile. "Please, leave that to us. Despite how we might be viewed, we are members of the White Rose Knight Order under the direct command of Her Highness Frizion. Unless we behave in a highly suspicious manner, we aren't questioned much. Even the more pedantic nobles wouldn't want to get on Her Highness's bad side. Besides, I'm not taking you to a restricted area."
"...I suppose that makes sense."
No matter if Rei was an ally sent by Mercurio—or rather, precisely because he was—there was no way he would be led to a high-security zone immediately. Accepting her explanation, Rei asked with a look where she intended to take him.
"Even in the palace, there are sections where people rarely set foot. Don't you think such a place would make an excellent hideout?"
"I see. With a castle that massive, I’m sure there are plenty of blind spots. I can work with that."
"Precisely. Well, now that we have a plan, let’s move."
Videre signaled to the knights under her command, and the group proceeded through the streets toward the heart of the city.
(There are definitely fewer stalls than during the tournament,) Rei noted, observing the shops from his vantage point.
During the Fighting Tournament, tourists had flooded in from all over the Empire and even neighboring countries. Merchants had set up stalls and open-air shops everywhere to capitalize on the boom. Now that the tourists were gone, the merchants had followed suit. For Rei, the memory of a city so crowded it was hard to walk was still dominant. He also felt a slight pang of worry that finding good food might be harder with fewer vendors around.
As he looked around with a sigh, Videre glanced back at him. She wore a wry, apologetic smile.
"Lord Rei, I'm sorry, but please try to keep still. It seems my horse is getting a bit restless."
"Hm? Oh, sorry."
Rei apologized and went back to surveying the city using only his eyes. In truth, the horse was extremely tense because it could smell Seto on him. Even if not as sharp as a dog's, a horse’s sense of smell is quite powerful. The animal knew that the passenger on its back was steeped in the scent of Seto—an existence from an entirely different dimension.
The horses of the White Rose Knight Order were all terrified of Rei, and the one Videre rode was no exception. Having the source of its terror shifting around on its back was almost more than the beast could handle. Once Rei stilled himself, the horse seemed to settle slightly, much to its own relief.
The group continued their march, and gradually the cluttered streets gave way to neatly organized, upscale districts. The palace was close.
(Heh... so it’s like this.)
Rei had visited the palace once before with Daskar's Entourage, but they had traveled in a closed carriage then. This time, being on horseback allowed him to take in every detail of the route. As they followed the road toward the palace, they passed several ornate carriages.
"...Tch!"
A sudden click of the tongue broke the silence. Rei was surprised to realize the sound had come from Videre. He knew her as a polite, disciplined warrior, so he hadn't expected such a display of annoyance.
The reason became clear an instant later. Several cavalrymen had moved to block their path.
"Dune..." Videre spat.
Rei tilted his head at the name. It sounded familiar. He peeked out from behind Videre's shoulder to get a look at the man's face and remembered immediately.
This was the man who had been extorting "tolls" from travelers when Rei was first heading toward the Imperial Capital. During that encounter, the Vice-commander of the Unicorn Knight Order had stepped in to settle the dispute.
(To think I'd run into him here. This is quite different from what the Chancellor described... Is the civil strife letting men like this run loose?)
Rei frowned. He had encountered Dune not far from the capital before, so it wasn't impossible to see him here, but there was a bigger problem: Dune had seen Rei's face before.
Of course, the circumstances were different now. Seto, the biggest giveaway of his identity, wasn't here. Rei was also wearing the Dragon Robe, which had a concealment effect, and he kept the hood pulled low. To a casual observer, he just looked like an ordinary rookie mage. Still, the fact that they had met before gave Rei a lingering sense of unease.
His attempt to stay hidden behind Videre seemed to draw Dune's attention instead. Being on the same horse as the commander made him an easy target for observation. Dune stared intently at the hooded figure.
"...Lady Videre. Who is the mage? Hard to tell under that robe... though considering the company, I assume it's a woman?"
"I see no reason to tell the likes of you. More importantly, what are you doing blocking our way? Does a mere unit commander have business with me? And drop the mock-politeness."
Dune’s expression twisted at the jab. Videre had judged it better to draw his ire toward herself—since they already despised each other—rather than let him focus on Rei, but she had clearly struck a nerve.
"Hah! You're a unit commander just like me, yet you act so high and mighty." Dune glared at Videre, his tone shifting from fake courtesy to raw thuggery.
(He spoke exactly like this the last time, too,) Rei thought.
"The same?" Videre asked, her voice dripping with contempt. "I am a unit commander of the White Rose Knight Order under the direct command of Her Highness Frizion. You are a unit commander of a pack of small-time crooks. I would prefer you didn't group us together."
Rei nodded inwardly. From what he had seen of the man, Videre wasn't exaggerating.
(He claimed to be under the Second Prince's protection... Why would someone like Schuls keep a man like this around? If the first Subjugation Army was meant to purge the incompetent, why wasn't he sent with them? Does he have some value I'm not seeing?)
Rei glanced at the other White Rose knights. Their expressions mirrored Videre's disgust, and several were already resting their hands on their hilts. Dune's subordinates were the same—grinning provocatively, but ready to draw and strike at a moment's notice. The tension was at a breaking point. It was clear these two groups had a long and bitter history.
"So, Dune. Why have you gone out of your way to block us? Or is this an order from His Highness Schuls?"
"Hardly. I just thought I'd say hello to an old face. Haven't seen you around lately; where have you been hiding?"
"Why should I tell you anything? If you're going to spout nonsense, get back to work and try not to be a nuisance to the public."
"Hah! Rich, coming from you."
Dune sneered, and the air between them grew even heavier as they locked eyes...
"What is going on here!"
A sharp voice rang out just as the tension threatened to snap. The speaker wore luxurious metal armor, clearly marking them as someone far above an ordinary gatekeeper or soldier.
"An Imperial Guard Knight? Of all people..." one of Videre’s knights whispered.
(Imperial Guard Knight? Yeah, he looks the part.)
Rei watched the man approach. This was his first time seeing one. He hadn't encountered them during his previous visit or at the tournament. The Imperial Guard Knights were the Emperor’s personal protectors, and fortunately, when Rei had seen Emperor Trajist before, none had been present. This was a true first encounter.
"This is bad," Videre whispered under her breath, her voice tight with concern.