The First Princess Faction forces, led by Frizion, advanced along the highway.
Even including the supply unit, they numbered only about five hundred, allowing them to maintain a much faster pace than a larger army. Their speed was likely bolstered by the fact that the group consisted almost entirely of hand-picked elites.
As the First Princess Faction moved toward the Rebel Army’s position, they eventually spotted an opposing force in the distance, arrayed in formation as if waiting for their arrival. No, there was no "as if" about it—they were waiting in earnest.
The march came to a halt, and two figures stepped forward as messengers.
Rei and Angela Luxinowa. Both were among the most capable combatants in Frizion's army—though, strictly speaking, Rei was not a member of her forces, but a guardian dispatched from the Rebel Army.
"I see. Now that I’m actually looking for them, there are quite a few lurking in the woods," Angela whispered as they moved toward the ambushing unit. "They’re doing an excellent job of masking their presence. I never would have noticed them if you hadn't spoken up, Rei."
Her gaze remained fixed on the road ahead, but she kept a portion of her awareness directed toward the grove along the highway.
"Normally, it’s hard to focus elsewhere when there’s a clear enemy right in front of you," Rei replied. "Using a distraction is a cliché, but it’s a cliché because it works. Though, looking at them now, I don't get the feeling the other side expects to settle everything right here."
The vanguard of the blockade consisted of heavy infantry in full plate armor, clutching spears and shields. Archers stood behind them, with cavalry further in the rear. Their formation was neatly arranged.
However, the soldiers' expressions were taut. Frizion was immensely popular with the common folk, and many of these men likely adored her. Being forced to oppose her in open hostility clearly weighed on them.
Then there was Angela. The White Rose Knight Order was composed entirely of female knights and was often romanticized as a "secret garden." As the commander who ruled that garden, Angela had no shortage of admirers herself, despite being slightly older than the typical recruit.
And above all, there was the figure riding on the back of the gryphon, Seto, with the two-meter-long Death Scythe resting on his shoulder. Every soldier present knew exactly who he was: Rei, the B-Rank Adventurer with the alias Crimson. Rei approached the massive line of soldiers without a hint of intimidation, his mere presence overwhelming the rank and file. Angela showed the same steel, but in terms of pure name recognition, Rei’s reputation was far more daunting.
As the two reached the midpoint between the armies, two figures emerged from the blockade to meet them. Rei’s eyes widened. He didn't recognize the man leading the pair, but the other was a familiar face.
"Rhodos..."
Hearing his name, Rhodos turned his gaze toward Rei.
(What is this?)
Despite responding to his name, Rhodos’s expression didn't change at all. Normally, he would have shown some kind of reaction, but now his face was a blank mask.
The man walking in front of Rhodos directed a far more intense glare at Rei. "...So you're Crimson. I’ve seen you from a distance, but this is the first time I've stood this close."
Rei sensed the venom in the man's voice and tightened his grip on the Death Scythe's shaft. He was ready to move the instant the stranger acted.
"I seem to have quite a grudge against me. I've given this country plenty of reasons to hate me, so I suppose I shouldn't be surprised."
"I have more than enough resentment to go around. You have no idea how much I've looked forward to the day I could pay you back."
It was rare to be hated with such intensity. Rei wondered if they had truly met before, but the man’s face didn't ring a bell. The stranger’s identity was revealed not by Rei’s memory, but by Angela.
"Blatta, won't you let us through?"
"Angela. I'm more interested in Crimson than you right now." Blatta spared the knight a brief glance before returning his focus to Rei.
Angela felt a twinge of unease. She and Blatta served opposing princes, so they were hardly friends, but they were acquaintances who would usually exchange professional pleasantries. Blatta’s singular fixation on Rei felt unnatural.
The reason for his obsession became clear a moment later. Blatta glared at Rei and broke into a grin that seemed genuinely joyful.
"As I said, I've been waiting for this. I’m going to teach you personally about the resentment I hold... the shame of being unilaterally trampled while unable to do a single thing."
Angela immediately understood. He was talking about the time Rei had decimated the Subjugation Army. Rei realized it as well, meeting Blatta’s stare with a sharp smile of his own.
"Come to think of it, there were several people who tucked their tails and ran during that battle. So you're a survivor."
"Yeah, that's right. I ran like a dog that day. I even abandoned my comrades to save my own skin."
"Comrades... Ah, Sobul."
The image of the man captured at the Rebel Army’s position crossed Rei’s mind. Blatta’s expression flickered with annoyance for a second before he regained his composure.
"Whatever. You want us to let you pass, but we can't. You understand how this works, right? All that's left is to clash. Any objections?"
"...You’re certain you won't step aside?" Angela asked. "There's no need to exhaust your forces here in a pointless fight."
"It’s better than letting you join the Rebel Army and letting their numbers grow," Blatta countered.
His resolve was absolute. Angela realized that no amount of talk would make him withdraw.
"More importantly," Rei interrupted, "my acquaintance over there is acting strange. What happened to him?"
"Hmm? Ah, Rhodos? He went through quite a lot to get strong. He decided he didn't care if he threw everything away for the chance to kill you."
"...Rhodos, is that true?" Rei asked.
He was troubled by what he saw. Rhodos had always been competitive, but the boy staring at him now was unnervingly still. It wasn't just that he was calm; his face was utterly devoid of life.
"Rhodos, answer me."
"It's useless," Blatta scoffed. "I told you, he threw it all away. That includes his heart."
"...What did you do to him?"
"Who knows? Why would I tell you? Besides, why worry about a traitor? He turned his back on you to join us. He’s none of your concern."
Rei went quiet for a moment, then looked Blatta in the eye. "Even if he's a traitor, he's still the son of the adventurers who looked after me. Tell me how to bring him back."
"Hmph. He chose this himself. I wouldn't know how to 'fix' him. Though, I suppose if his wish to kill you is granted, he might go back to the way he was."
Rei sent a sharp, silent glare at Blatta. Beside him, Angela’s gaze turned cold.
"You've changed, Blatta," she said. "You were always obsessed with battle, but you never used to sink this low."
"I suppose I have. Having your life destroyed tends to change a person. So, what’s it going to be? Are you going to surrender? I’m hoping you say no."
"Of course we won't. Lady Frizion’s mind is made up. If you stand in her way, we—her swords—will destroy you."
Blatta smiled at Angela’s declaration. "Well said. That’s more like it. In that case, we're done talking. Everything else will be decided by strength. Let's go, Rhodos."
Blatta turned and headed back to his lines, followed by the expressionless Rhodos. Rei watched their retreating backs until he noticed Seto watching him with concern. He reached out and stroked the gryphon's head to reassure it.
"Guruuu..." Seto purred, still worried.
To Seto, Rhodos was an annoying brat it had disliked since their first meeting. It didn't particularly care what happened to him, but it knew Rei felt differently. Rhodos was the son of Elk and Min. Even if the boy had chosen this path himself and had to bear the responsibility for his own actions, Rei couldn't simply ignore it.
"Rei, are you all right?" Angela asked.
"Yeah. Honestly, it would be a lie to say I hadn't expected something like this." Rei replied quietly.
He began to strategize. If he's been brainwashed, I just have to find a way to break it. I don't have the skills for that, but maybe Elk can find someone who does through his connections as an A-Rank Adventurer.
Refocusing on the task at hand, Rei nodded to Angela. "Let's go back. Frizion is waiting, and we can't afford to give them the initiative. Our numbers are too small for us to be reactive."
"You're sure you're okay?"
Angela followed Rei back to Frizion’s carriage. Her horse seemed restless, sensing the threat radiating from Seto, and she stroked its neck to calm it as they rode.
"It’s probably best if you handle those two, Rei," she noted.
"I’d appreciate that, at least where Rhodos is concerned. Though it doesn't look like Blatta is going to let me walk away either."
"Hehe. Popular men have it rough."
"It's not the kind of popularity I’m looking for."
Angela felt relieved to see that Rei was keeping his head. They reached the carriage and gave their report.
"My apologies, Your Highness Frizion. They refused to withdraw. We’ll have to fight our way through."
"...I see. It’s a shame, but I suppose they can't afford to back down either. Very well. I've entrusted the rear to Marquis Lognos, so we don't have to worry about the followers. Angela, you lead the charge against the main line. As for the ambushers in the woods... Rei, can I count on you?"
Rei nodded. Seeing the blockade begin to advance, Angela swiftly issued her orders. The First Princess Faction was about to fight its first engagement of the civil war.