Videre did her best to keep the urge to click her tongue from showing on her face as the Imperial Guard Knight approached.
As the ultimate shield for the Emperor, these knights possessed the authority to bar any suspicious figure from entering the castle. They certainly could not overlook an adventurer responsible for the Bestia Imperial Army’s defeat in the Spring War and the recent annihilation of an entire Subjugation Army.
Every Imperial Guard Knight was chosen for their exceptional skill. Even the White Rose Knight Order could not afford to clash with them carelessly—not just because of their physical prowess, but because of the political fallout of crossing the Emperor’s direct subordinates.
However, in this instance, Dune felt the pressure even more acutely than Videre. Dune had a long history of misdeeds, most notably a string of robberies disguised as transit tax collection just before the Fighting Tournament. Thanks to the Civil Strife and the backing of a certain influential figure, he had escaped with mere probation—but being caught in a fresh scandal so soon would be disastrous.
If it were just an ordinary guard, Dune could have used his position as Schuls’s subordinate to hush things up. An Imperial Guard Knight was a different matter. They had the power to condemn him without mercy, even if he served Schuls. To Dune, a dispute with an Imperial Guard Knight was a nightmare scenario that risked exposing every crime he had ever committed.
While Dune despised the righteous Videre and longed to see her face weep in humiliation, he had no intention of clashing with the Emperor’s guard to make it happen. At least, not right now.
Damn it, what a pain, Dune thought. Why the hell is an Imperial Guard Knight, who usually stays cooped up deep within the castle, coming out here?
Hiding his irritation, Dune dismounted and forced a smile to welcome the knight. The members of the White Rose Knight Order, Videre, and Rei all followed suit, dismounting to wait for the man to reach them.
The Imperial Guard Knight in his mid-30s swept his gaze over the group before speaking. "What is the meaning of this commotion? Do you intend to start a brawl in front of the castle? If so, as an Imperial Guard Knight, I must take appropriate measures."
"No, nothing like that," Dune replied smoothly. "I just happened to spot an acquaintance and was giving them a quick greeting. Isn't that right?" He directed a pointed gaze toward Videre.
"...Yes. It is as that man says," Videre replied. She was loath to play along with Dune, but Rei was with them. If the knight discovered his identity, the consequences would be dire. Grudgingly, she chose the lesser of two evils.
The other knights of the White Rose Knight Order understood their captain’s silence and kept their peace. Dune was actually the one most surprised by her cooperation; the Videre he knew would never have backed his story. His eyes widened in shock, which the Imperial Guard Knight immediately noted.
"Are you all hiding something?" the knight man asked, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the group. Finally, his gaze landed on Rei.
Had Rei been standing with Dune’s rough crowd, the knight might have overlooked his attire. Dune’s subordinates were a mismatched lot. But Rei stood directly behind Videre, positioned among the knights of the White Rose Knight Order. Within their sea of beautiful white metal armor, a single robed figure stood out like a sore thumb.
A stroke of luck amid the crisis was Rei’s slight build and youthful, girlish face. Thanks to those features, the Imperial Guard Knight had mistakenly identified him as a woman. Still, the sight was far too suspicious.
"You there in the robe," the Imperial Guard Knight commanded. "Lower your hood and show me your face."
Rei remained silent, his mind racing. Should I go on a rampage? No, that would make coming here meaningless. Should I show my face? Dune hasn't recognized me yet, but if he looks closely, he might. Run? That would only prove I'm guilty.
He looked toward Videre, but she was equally paralyzed. She was more panicked than Rei; if their association with Crimson was discovered, it would be a catastrophe. She considered calling for Angela, the Commander of the White Rose Knight Order, or even Her Highness Frizion...
She was just about to open her mouth in a desperate attempt to deceive the knight when a voice rang out.
"What’s the matter? Why the fuss?"
The voice was cool and refreshing, a sharp contrast to the Imperial Guard Knight’s oppressive tone. Everyone turned toward the source and gasped.
Cabajid stood before them.
"His Highness Cabajid!?" Videre hurriedly knelt. The others followed, and Rei, not wanting to draw attention, knelt as well.
"It’s fine," Cabajid said. "I am here incognito, so I would prefer you not be so formal."
At his word, the group stood. It was a relief to Rei that the guard accompanying Cabajid was the female knight Pelfeel rather than Blatta or Rhodos. Otherwise, a scene would have been inevitable. Pelfeel had seen Rei from a distance during the tournament, but she failed to recognize him now. The Dragon Robe's concealment effect made it look like a common garment, and her own preconceptions told her that Rei could never be here in the Imperial Capital.
"So, what were you doing? This is the center of the Bestia Empire. I would prefer no unnecessary commotions."
"Ha! Actually, those two were in such a foul mood they looked ready to draw steel," the Imperial Guard Knight explained.
Cabajid nodded and looked at Videre and Dune. He glanced briefly at Rei, but his expression remained unreadable. "I see. I cannot tolerate such a scene being made here. ...Now, tell me, did you truly intend to do such a thing? Surely not. You simply got a bit too heated in your conversation, didn't you?"
It was a gentle question that carried the weight of an absolute order. Videre and Dune had no choice but to obey.
"Yes. It is exactly as His Highness Cabajid says."
"We got a bit too heated. My apologies."
Cabajid nodded in satisfaction, then turned to the Imperial Guard Knight. "That settles it. You don't mind, do you?"
"But... your Highness, the robed person remains suspicious. Perhaps we should verify their identity?"
"It’s fine. Since they are with Videre, that person must be Frizion's guest. There is no need to worry about such trivialities. ...Isn't that right?"
"Yes! This person is undoubtedly Her Highness Frizion's guest," Videre affirmed.
"See? A member of the knight order directly under Frizion says so. There’s no need to be so sensitive. ...I trust you won't do anything strange inside the castle either?"
The question was directed at Rei.
What struck Rei most in that moment was Cabajid’s eyes. They were deep—impossibly deep. It felt as though the man was staring directly into his soul, seeing through his disguise entirely. Does he know my identity? Should I strike now? Rei thought for a heartbeat, but he realized that doing so would only doom Frizion, Mercurio, and Vihera.
"Of course," Rei replied shortly.
Apparently satisfied, Cabajid turned to Pelfeel. "Now then, I’m sorry to have taken up your time. Next... it was about Rhodos, was it not?"
"Yes. Even in this short time, he has become considerably stronger. He possesses first-class talent, so it is only natural."
"I see. He is indeed the son of a high-rank adventurer. ...Wouldn't you agree?" Cabajid directed the question toward Videre, but his eyes remained fixed on Rei.
Rei felt a surge of internal confusion. Has he really noticed me? Is it even possible to see through the Dragon Robe's concealment effect without Seto here? If he knew, would he really be chatting like this? Is it just a coincidence?
Despite his inner turmoil, Cabajid gave no sign of taking action. He had mentioned Rhodos’s name, the person who had fought Crimson in the finals, almost too casually. Rei couldn't tell what the man was thinking.
Videre, struggling for a response, simply nodded. "Rhodos showed great power during the Fighting Tournament. It is only natural that he would possess such talent."
"That's right. He held his own to some extent against that Crimson. ...Pelfeel, how well could the current Rhodos fight against Crimson?"
"I have never seen Crimson's full power, so I cannot say... Even their match in the finals was limited to the arena stage."
"I see. Is that how it is? ...Oh, my apologies. I shouldn't be chatting here. I am quite a busy man. Forgive me, I shall take my leave. ...And please, do not let me catch you starting brawls in front of the castle again."
Without waiting for a reply, Cabajid departed with Pelfeel.
The group watched them go in silence. The Imperial Guard Knight was the first to snap out of it. He gave Rei a final, lingering glare before turning to Videre and Dune. "Listen, do not cause trouble inside the castle. If I catch you again, I will not be so lenient." With that, he walked away.
Dune was the next to go. He pointedly clicked his tongue at Videre, gave her a hateful look, and rode off with his subordinates.
Finally, only Rei and the White Rose Knight Order remained.
"We made it through, Captain Videre," one of the knights exhaled.
"Yes. I never expected His Highness Cabajid to provide a helping hand."
"If that's what it really was..." Rei murmured, still unsettled by the Prince's gaze.
"Pelfeel, I want you to tighten the surveillance on Frizion," Cabajid said as they walked.
"More than we already are?"
"Yes," Cabajid replied with a faint smile. "I expect there will be a move within the next few days."