"I see. It’s certainly true that many members of the Mobile Unit are adventurers or mercenaries rather than career soldiers. I can't stop people like that if they want to follow Rei of their own accord. Even for the regular soldiers, there's no issue if they leave their nobles’ service through the proper channels—provided they do so honorably. Though... speaking for our side, it is a shame to lose them."
Theoreme answered Rei’s question.
At present, the entire force—encompassing both the Mercurio Army and those of the Subjugation Army—had converged on the Mercurio Army Main Camp. Everyone was busily carrying out orders as the factions integrated.
Amidst the chaos, Rei had mentioned that members of the Mobile Unit were expressing a desire to accompany him to Gilm... and into the Kingdom of Mireana. To his surprise, Theoreme had been receptive. Rei, fully expecting pushback, stared at him in disbelief.
"That's unexpected. I didn't think you'd give permission so easily."
"If you forcibly restrain someone who is deeply devoted to a specific individual, there is a high possibility of unnecessary trouble occurring. Besides, the final decision lies with His Highness Mercurio. I can only put in a good word for them. —Ah, you there! As for the supply materials for that unit, repurpose the stock brought from the Main Camp. That’s right, prioritize the food; provide a generous amount. And for the White Rose Knight Order? Yes, that will do. What about His Highness Schuls's Cavalry Unit? Handle it the same way."
Theoreme continued to fire off rapid-fire instructions to those around him even as he spoke. Watching him work, Rei knew he could never manage such multitasking.
"Moreover, I'm not saying this purely out of kindness," Theoreme continued. "If we have people in the Kingdom of Mireana who are intimately familiar with the Bestia Empire, we might be able to avoid resort to brute force the moment a problem arises between our nations, don't you think?"
"Well, that's true. However, if they take the Bestia Empire's side too much, they might be cold-shouldered even in Gilm, so they'll need to keep things in moderation."
"I understand. I'll make sure they’re properly cautioned. However... even if they do move to the Kingdom of Mireana, there will be a lot of prep work. I imagine the group will grow quite large. Not everyone who wants to accompany you is a bachelor, right? Ah, regarding that detail, please coordinate with His Highness Schuls's Lieutenant."
Rei sighed and nodded at Theoreme’s point. Naturally, some members of the Mobile Unit were married or had families. Even those who weren't married often had lovers.
While not every single person would make the move to Gilm, a significant number surely would. This meant an escort to Gilm would be necessary. Originally, Rei had intended to fly back to the Kingdom of Mireana and return to Gilm in one go by riding Seto, but he couldn't very well abandon the members of the Mobile Unit who wanted to come with him.
(It looks like it’ll take quite a while to get back to Gilm. Still, considering Rhodos's situation, it’s not entirely a bad thing.)
Rhodos was still in a coma and had yet to wake up. Rei had been torn about how to transport him. One of Seto's peculiarities was the strict weight limit for passengers on his back. While he could manage a single petite woman or perhaps two small children, anything more made stable flight impossible.
On the other hand, if Seto carried something in his beak or gripped it with his front legs, he could lift weights that a normal Gryphon could never manage. Since a normal Gryphon could fly without issue even with two or three adults on its back, this was likely a unique trait of Seto's, born of the Beast Magic used to create him.
Regardless, Rei had been considering the grim last resort of wrapping Rhodos in a bundle and having Seto carry him home via his front legs. However, that was bound to be hard on the boy’s body. The season was changing; the first snow could fall any day now. Moving through the high-altitude air, which was far colder than the ground, would be detrimental to a comatose patient.
Compared to that, being able to settle Rhodos in a wagon provided by the people accompanying Rei to Gilm was a welcome alternative.
(The only real downside—and it was a big one—is still the Gamelion.)
According to adventurers in the Mobile Unit, there were regions even in the Bestia Empire frontier where Gamelions supposedly appeared. However, Rei couldn't justify prioritizing his own appetite and leaving Rhodos in his current state, and the people following him to Gilm didn't have the luxury of time either.
If they missed their window, the snow would set in, and they would have to wait until spring to depart for the Kingdom of Mireana. While the cold wouldn't bother Rei thanks to his Dragon Robe, and Seto wouldn't mind a bit of snow as an A-Rank Monster Gryphon, the others wouldn't be so lucky.
Rei couldn't postpone the departure for months just for a taste of meat.
"I have no choice but to give up, huh."
"Hmm? On what?"
Theoreme looked up from his work as the words inadvertently escaped Rei’s mouth.
"No, it’s just... I wanted to hunt a Gamelion and secure some meat once this civil strife was over. It's about time for their peak season, isn't it?"
"...I think talking about 'peak seasons' for a monster like that is a bit much," Theoreme muttered with a wry smile.
In reality, a Gamelion was a Rank-C Monster. It was an opponent that an entire Rank-C Party would only just barely be able to match. If a mob of novice adventurers tried to attack one, they would simply be trampled. In that sense, Theoreme’s reaction was perfectly reasonable.
(Though, for an Alias Holder like Rei and a creature like Seto—who is an A-Rank Monster and a Rare Species recognized as an S-Rank equivalent—a Rank-C Monster is likely an opponent of no consequence.)
As the thought crossed his mind, Theoreme remembered a warning he had been too busy to give.
"Rei, regarding Seto... word is spreading that he's a Rare Species Gryphon."
"I figured."
Even when cornered by Noise, Rei had used Seto’s skills quite ostentatiously. He hadn't expected to keep it a secret. That was why he had simply embraced it and used Seto’s abilities flashily throughout the war.
"But is anyone really going to try anything? Especially after seeing what Seto and I are capable of."
The Subjugation Army had quite literally felt the power of Rei and Seto with their own bodies. Even within the Mercurio Army, they were recognized as the Prince’s greatest assets. Anyone with a shred of sense would know better than to meddle with them.
Theoreme shook his head. "The nobles who were actually on that battlefield wouldn't dream of such a foolish thing. However, there are nobles in the Bestia Empire who didn't participate in this civil strife—some who couldn't, some who wouldn't, and some who weren't allowed to. Those people will hear of your abilities second-hand, but one cannot truly understand that kind of power just by listening to stories."
"...So you're saying there's a chance those types might make a move?"
"Unfortunately, yes. Anyone with even a bit of sense for information would steer clear, but there are always those with 'special ears' who only believe what is convenient for them and disregard what isn't."
At Theoreme’s words, images of certain nobles from the Noble's Faction crossed Rei’s mind. Not people like Elena, but the typical, arrogant aristocrats convinced of their own infallibility. It was a plausible concern.
"And you think those people might target me?"
"Yes. I think... no, I am certain they will. I just want you to know that those individuals do not represent the consensus of the Bestia Empire. Myself, His Highness Mercurio, and Her Highness Frizion feel nothing but gratitude toward you. we have absolutely no intention of becoming your enemy."
Rei could hear the sincerity in Theoreme’s voice. In truth, the Bestia Empire had just barely finished its internal conflict, and its national strength was depleted. Under such circumstances, the last thing Theoreme wanted was to become the enemy of a man who possessed Seto’s extreme mobility.
If Rei was so inclined, he could launch one-sided attacks on any city that wasn't specifically designed with magical fortifications. The Flame Tornado that was his trademark could move at will, easily incinerating small towns and villages. Furthermore, the Flame Emperor's Crimson Armor skill he had mastered during the conflict could allow him to dismantle an entire army alone.
To stop a man like that, the Empire would have to deploy someone on the level of Noise. Even then, the collateral damage to the surrounding area would be catastrophic. Rei was not an opponent any nation could afford to antagonize.
(Besides... if the Empire becomes Rei's enemy, Lady Vihera will undoubtedly take his side.)
Of course, Vihera would likely feel conflicted, caught between her kin and the man she loved. But if the conflict started because the Bestia Empire attacked Rei first, the blame would be clear. Vihera wouldn't hesitate to lend Rei her strength.
The fact that they had been able to conclude this civil strife before the end of the year with a victory for the Mercurio Army was undoubtedly due to Rei’s performance. They might not have lost without him, but the war would have certainly dragged on past the new year—perhaps even for years.
If the fighting had lasted that long, the Imperial Army’s role as a deterrent against neighboring nations would have weakened, likely inviting foreign intervention. At the same time, the King's Faction in the Kingdom of Mireana—the largest of the three great factions and long-time rivals of Bestia—would have almost certainly made a move, independent of the Neutral Faction and Noble's Faction that Theoreme’s group was nominally allied with.
Rei had already passed along the intelligence from Elena regarding the King's Faction being contacted by Bestia’s subordinate states and remnants of conquered nations.
"So, the Bestia Empire won't interfere regardless of how I handle the people who come after me?"
"Correct. Although, obviously, we would have to step in if things go too far."
"...For example?"
Theoreme answered immediately, not even looking up from the paper he was writing on.
"Let’s see... for example, if you were to slaughter every single member of the noble's house that attacked you."
"...Just what kind of person do you think I am?"
"Crimson, aren't you? The one who dismantled the Subjugation Army with a Flame Tornado and that Flame Emperor's Crimson Armor thing."
Faced with the undeniable truth, Rei was at a loss for words. Whether it was the Spring War or this civil strife, he knew exactly how many lives he had taken. He couldn't argue.
Perhaps if he still possessed the spirit of a normal person from Japan, he would have been agonized by the weight of those deaths. However, Zephyle had tempered his soul to adapt to this world. Because of that, while killing an enemy still caused him a twinge of guilt, it was only a twinge.
(Wait, if that's the case, what about Cabajid? He was definitely from Japan too. It wouldn't have been strange for him to have an aversion to taking lives—unless he had some kind of mental adjustment like I did. Or... did he just get used to it while growing up as Imperial Family?)
Rei tilted his head as he pondered, but since he couldn't exactly ask Theoreme about it, he changed the subject.
"Anyway, I can assume the civil strife is officially over now, right?"
"Hmm? Ah, yes. It's a fact that it ended this quickly thanks to you, Rei."
"Then I can expect a proper reward, right?"
"Indeed. You can look forward to it. I intend to prepare a reward commensurate with Rei's performance. I have a specific Magic Item in mind that should prove quite useful to you. However, as for the actual delivery, that will have to wait until after the Triumphal Parade. Is that acceptable?"
Rei thought about it for a moment, then gave a firm nod.