Several days had passed since they departed the Brissa Plain. The group continued along the highway, and much to Rei’s relief, the bandit and monster attacks he had anticipated never materialized. Finally, they reached a vantage point where the Imperial Capital came into view.
"...The Imperial Capital, huh? I was just here a little while ago, but it feels like it happened in another life," Rei muttered, gazing at the distant city.
As he had said, it hadn't been that long since he arrived as Frizion’s escort. Yet, seeing the capital again felt like a homecoming after an eternity. It was a testament to just how dense and hectic his time with the Mercurio Army had been.
"Captain Rei, Lord Theoreme is calling for you. He wants to discuss the Triumphal Parade Incident."
A voice suddenly called out from behind him. Rei turned to see Paelnix. While his expression remained as stern as ever, the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth suggested he was just as glad to be returning to the capital. They had spent enough time together for Rei to pick up on those subtle shifts in his demeanor.
"Understood. I’ll head back for a bit. Take command while I’m gone."
"Sir!"
Nodding as Paelnix gave a formal reply from atop his horse, Rei softly patted the back of Seto’s neck. Seto understood Rei’s intent instantly; with a soft trill, the Gryphon wheeled around. The horses of the nearby Mobile Unit didn't panic or bolt; after spending the last few days in close proximity to Seto, they had finally grown accustomed to him.
Rei moved against the flow of the advancing army, heading toward the center where the leadership and high-ranking officials were gathered. As they passed, soldiers from the Mercurio Army waved or leaned in to get a better look at the Gryphon’s charming face. However, the combined force didn't just consist of Mercurio’s men; the Subjugation Army was there too.
In fact, the former Subjugation Army made up the majority of their numbers. Many of those soldiers still looked upon Rei and Seto with a mixture of terror and awe. Broadly speaking, Seto’s popularity had taken a noticeable hit.
"Guru..." Seto trilled sadly, watching several soldiers stiffen in fear as they passed.
Rei reached up and stroked the back of the Gryphon's neck.
"We were enemies until a few days ago. It can't be helped. Here, eat this and cheer up."
Rei pulled some dried meat from the Misty Ring and offered it to him. Seto caught the meat in his beak and tossed it back, letting out a trill that sounded a bit more spirited than before.
(He's certainly easy to please... well, as long as he's happy, I'm happy. I definitely don't want to see a sulky Seto.)
Loving Seto as he did, Rei had no desire to deal with a grumpy partner. Seto tended to look away while clearly wanting Rei's attention—looking back, then looking away again the moment their eyes met. He wanted to talk, but he also wanted Rei to know he was upset. While that kind of pouting was cute in its own way, Rei didn't want the mood to linger.
His spirits restored by the snack, Seto continued weaving through the ranks until they reached the center of the column. Rei spotted Mercurio, Theoreme, and the others traveling on horseback. One of the knights guarding the perimeter approached them.
"Captain Rei, His Highness Mercurio is waiting for you. Please, pass through."
The knight maneuvered his horse to the side, opening a gap for Seto. Since most of the army was marching on foot, the horses weren't moving quickly. Even so, the knight’s ability to control his mount so effortlessly while maintaining pace was proof of why he had been selected for Mercurio's guard. Furthermore, despite not having spent much time around Seto, the knight's horse didn't show any signs of agitation. It proved that these men were the genuine elite—warriors who could hold their own against the Mobile Unit.
"Thanks."
Exchanging a brief greeting, Rei approached the group consisting of Mercurio, Theoreme, Vihera, and Tilleul. Surprisingly, Digma was also among them, though no one seemed to object to his presence. It was a result of the personal popularity and respect Digma commanded as the 'Water Dragon.' Since he had already conceded defeat, the consensus was that he wouldn't pull any stunts at this stage.
A significant number of nobles were traveling in carriages like Frizion, but many followed the lead of Mercurio and the others by remaining on horseback. Mercurio wasn't forcing anyone to ride; he did so to show everyone that he was the one leading the army. At the same time, his sister Vihera preferred the freedom of a horse over being cooped up in a carriage, and he simply wanted to spend time with her.
"Ah, you're here. ...Now then, can we get straight to business?"
"I heard there was an issue with the Triumphal Parade?"
"Yes. Regarding the Triumphal Parade Incident..."
Mercurio started to explain, but Theoreme spoke up to interrupt him.
"His Highness Mercurio, if I may..."
"...Right. I'll leave it to you."
"Thank you."
Theoreme bowed to Mercurio and turned his gaze to Rei. There was a visible hesitation in his eyes, as if he found the news difficult to deliver. Sensing a bad premonition, Rei urged him to continue with a look.
"Regarding the Triumphal Parade... under the original plan, the Mobile Unit was supposed to lead the vanguard. However, that position has been changed to another unit."
"...Why? As of yesterday, we were leading the procession."
"It was a request from the castle. Specifically, from Lord Peshe the Chancellor."
At Theoreme's words, Rei recalled the man he had met while negotiating his entry into the Fighting Tournament. He was a morbidly obese, bald man with a catfish-like mustache. Based on appearance alone, he looked like a stereotypical incompetent noble, but the fact that he served as the Chancellor of the Bestia Empire meant he was undoubtedly a man of great capability.
"And the reason?"
"This is a Triumphal Parade, after all. Having people from another country lead the way was deemed a blow to the nation's face. He gave other reasons as well, but that was the primary concern."
Immediately following the end of the civil strife, Mercurio and Theoreme had been in constant contact with the Imperial Capital. There were those in the army who could use summoning magic or were tamers; they had cooperated with those who had tamed flying monsters or birds to send messages back and forth. Given the scale of the conflict, the capital was desperate for information, and the power balance within the Bestia Empire Upper Management was shifting rapidly.
The Bestia Imperial Army had been deeply shaken by the defeat of Schuls, the candidate they supported. Even so, the fact that they hadn't neglected their duty of monitoring neighboring countries showed they still possessed the pride of being the nation's defenders.
"...I see."
Rei nodded, sensing the political weight of the decision. He closed his eyes for about ten seconds as if deep in thought before speaking again.
"Alright. I'll ask just in case—this doesn't mean the Mobile Unit is being excluded from the Triumphal Parade entirely, does it?"
If that were the case, he absolutely wouldn't accept it. Facing Rei's sharp gaze, Theoreme shook his head.
"Of course not. The Mobile Unit is one of the most elite units in this army. There is no way we would bar them from participating."
Rei nodded at the assurance.
"Then it's fine. I have some personal thoughts on the matter, but this is a Bestia Empire affair. As long as you don't intend to slight the Mobile Unit, I won't complain. ...However..."
"I know. We will ensure the Mobile Unit is handled appropriately regarding rewards. It’s true that the Wyvern Incident caused a stir, but you have more than made up for it with your merits since then."
"...Then it’s fine. What about the order?"
Just as he said, Rei wasn't entirely thrilled, but he understood this matter involved the future of a superpower like the Bestia Empire. Because he understood the stakes, he didn't press the issue.
"I'm sorry, Rei. Personally, I wanted the Mobile Unit to have a prominent position," Mercurio said.
Rei shrugged his shoulders slightly. Even though he had won the civil strife, Mercurio was still only being treated as the Next Successor to the Throne. Compared to a veteran Chancellor who enjoyed the Emperor's deep trust, his position was currently weak due to his lack of a political track record.
(If His Highness Cabajid had won, it might have been a different story,) Theoreme thought to himself.
Unlike Mercurio, Cabajid had been performing his duties as the First Prince for years. Because of that history, even the Chancellor couldn't afford to disregard him. In comparison, while Mercurio clearly had the talent, it was natural for his standing to be weaker given his lack of experience.
(However... that is only for now. I don't know how the Chancellor and the other nobles see His Highness Mercurio, but if they think he's nothing more than a figurehead who knows nothing, they will eventually regret it. I'm looking forward to seeing their faces when that time comes.)
Regardless of Theoreme's inner thoughts, Rei patted Seto's neck once the discussion was over. Having no further business, he prepared to leave. However, someone came chasing after him.
"Rei, is there nothing for me?"
As Vihera muttered sulkily, Rei gave her a slightly troubled look.
"It's not that there's nothing... you're going to come see me during the breaks anyway, aren't you? I didn't think I needed to go out of my way to talk to you right in front of Mercurio."
"Honestly... would it kill you to learn a little more about how a woman's mind works?" Vihera asked with a sigh.
Rei looked surprised by her reaction. At his blank expression, Vihera sighed again.
"Oh, whatever. ...More importantly, Rei, you're going back to the Kingdom of Mireana once the Triumphal Parade is over, right?"
"Yeah, that's the plan. Though it looks like it'll take quite a while to actually get back to Gilm."
Since several members of the Mobile Unit and their families wished to accompany Rei, he would be traveling by carriage with a group of twenty or thirty people. Such a large group meant a slow pace was unavoidable. When he explained this, Vihera nodded understandingly.
"I heard about the plan from Theoreme. If I could, I'd want to go to Gilm with you, but..."
Her trailing words made it clear she couldn't join him.
"Are you staying in the Bestia Empire?" Rei asked.
Even if Mercurio was the confirmed successor, there would surely be those who looked down on him politically. Furthermore, there were likely factions that hadn't participated in the civil strife and might refuse to recognize him. Rei wondered if she was staying to help handle those elements, but Vihera shook her head.
"No, I'm someone who ran away from this country. It's fine during an emergency like this conflict, but under normal circumstances, it's better if I'm not here."
"...Won't Mercurio be lonely?"
"Probably. But since he's going to be the Next Successor to the Throne, he can't just keep relying on me. Besides, Theoreme is here, so I'm not worried about his safety."
"The Beast Soldiers, huh."
The group known as Beast Soldiers were the only ones Theoreme could command. Those deformed soldiers, who had been such a massive force for the Mercurio Army during the war, were currently absent from the column. A tiny few served as Mercurio's personal guard, but they didn't exist as a formal unit within the marching order.
Originally, Mercurio had intended to include the Beast Soldiers in the Triumphal Parade, but the Beast Soldiers themselves had told Theoreme that they didn't want to stand out. Given their appearance, it was an understandable request, and there was also the tactical advantage of not showing off the full extent of their power to the public. The Beast Soldiers had proven their strength, but that strength was only truly known to those who had faced them directly. While information would eventually leak, keeping them out of sight would allow people's attention to drift toward more sensational topics.
"Anyway, putting that aside... what are you going to do?" Rei asked.
"I'm thinking of going to Exil. I want to check in on Byune..."
Vihera answered Rei's question with a slightly regretful expression.