The room was about twenty tatami mats in size—quite spacious by Rei Saiki’s standards. However, for a room gathering the Emperor of the Bestia Empire and his children, it was better described as cramped.
Present in the room were the Bestia Empire Emperor, Trajist Gnose Bestia, as well as Second Prince Schuls, First Princess Frizion, and Third Prince Mercurio. Perhaps serving as both guards and lieutenants, Amare stood beside Schuls, Angela Luxinowa was with Frizion, and Theoreme accompanied Mercurio. Behind the Emperor stood several men clad in visibly luxurious armor.
(Come to think of it, Vihera doesn't have a lieutenant or a guard... No, I suppose she doesn't need one in the first place.)
She possessed enough strength to defeat an Alias Holder A-Rank adventurer; to someone like Vihera, an average guard would be nothing more than a nuisance. If something were to happen, a guard who only served as dead weight couldn't truly be called a guard at all.
(In that sense, am I the one expected to play the role of her guard?)
Rei briefly entertained the thought, but regardless of guard duties, almost everyone in the room was unarmed. The only exceptions were the ten or so knights standing behind Trajist. Even from Rei’s perspective, these knights seemed quite capable; they were likely the Imperial Guard Knights charged with protecting the Emperor's safety. Furthermore, given that they wore equipment Rei could easily identify as top-tier, they undoubtedly held significant rank even among the Imperial Guard.
(They're the Emperor's guards, so I guess that's natural... I don't think they were around during the Fighting Tournament, though.)
Rei recalled the tournament and quickly understood why. At that time, Noise had been right by the Emperor’s side. With Noise, who held the status of the Emperor's personal friend, standing by, no fool would have dared to try anything funny.
(In that case, I've become a target of vigilance since I'm the one who technically beat Noise... I see. That explains the unusually intense glares I’ve been feeling. Even with my weapons taken away, I still have my trump card, the Flame Emperor's Crimson Armor.)
Of course, the fact that he was an adventurer belonging to the Kingdom of Mireana was likely another reason for their caution.
With these thoughts in mind, Rei turned his gaze toward the Imperial Family sitting on the sofas in The Center of the room alongside Vihera. As he did, a sudden question occurred to him.
"Vihera, aren't yours or Frizion's mothers here?" he asked in a low voice.
Vihera gave a small nod. "My mother and Mercurio’s mother have already passed away, but Big Brother Schuls's mother is still alive. However, in the Bestia Empire, the Imperial Consorts basically have no political power. At least, that's how it's supposed to be on the surface. This is technically an Imperial Family gathering, but in reality, it's about politics, so they aren't here."
"...That's also strange. Normally, a house that produces an Imperial Consort or a Concubine would gain considerable power, wouldn't it?"
"Do you really think Father would let that happen?"
With those few words, Rei understood everything. The man named Trajist possessed a staggering presence. Rei had known that much ever since hearing the Emperor's speech during the Fighting Tournament. It was impossible to imagine such a man allowing an Imperial Consort to act as she pleased.
"What is the matter? Come closer. I summoned you because I wished to hear your words directly."
Trajist, seated on a single-person sofa, called out to Rei and Vihera. Even they could not ignore the Emperor's prompting, and they moved toward the center of the room. Rei felt the Imperial Guard Knights watching his every move with extreme vigilance, which made him feel a certain sense of admiration. Though, his admiration wasn't for their attitude toward him, but rather for the fact that none of them seemed particularly surprised by Vihera's provocative clothing—a detail that showed Rei was a bit eccentric himself.
Rei and Vihera moved to the center of the room and gave a deep bow.
"It has been a long time, Father. I did not expect you to summon me after I had fled the country..."
"Nice to meet you, Emperor Trajist. I am Rei, a B-Rank adventurer belonging to the Kingdom of Mireana."
He had interacted with Mercurio, Schuls, and Cabajid as Vihera's... as a friend's brothers, but he apparently felt he couldn't do the same with the Emperor of the Bestia Empire. It was also true that he felt taking such a casual attitude here could potentially lead to an international incident.
"Hmph. I am glad to see Vihera is well. However, is that outfit not quite poisonous to a man's eyes?"
At Trajist's words, Frizion narrowed her eyes. She was scolding Vihera with her gaze, asking why she would appear in such a state in a place like this.
"Fufufu. Certainly, if I were still the Second Princess, I might have worn a dress... but currently, I am not royalty, merely an adventurer. I came in this attire to demonstrate that."
At Vihera's words, Schuls opened his mouth as if to say something... but before he could, Trajist's laughter echoed through the room.
"Hah-hah-hah! I see, I see. If you recognize yourself as an adventurer, then so be it. To be honest, I had high expectations for you as well. It seems Vihera has become a vessel that exceeds even my expectations. Truly delightful."
Laughing, Trajist picked up a glass of wine from the table in front of his sofa. He drained it in one gulp and poured another himself. Next, his gaze turned toward Rei.
"This is the first time we have met this close, is it not?"
"Yes. I apologize for the Award Ceremony Incident."
"Think nothing of it. Noise did not attend either, after all. If anything, thanks to your absence, it was a delightful turn of events where neither the Champion nor the Runner-up attended the ceremony. Besides... you were already busy at that time, were you not?"
"...I'm not sure what you mean."
Rei feigned ignorance, understanding that his actions had been completely seen through, yet knowing he couldn't simply admit to them.
Watching Rei, a ferocious smile appeared on Trajist's face. Though that was the only change in his expression, the atmosphere Trajist exuded shifted significantly. A spiritual weight was directed at Rei—a pressure so intense it could almost be felt physically.
(I see. So this is... Emperor Trajist.)
The sensation he received from Trajist was the same as what he had felt during the tournament... No, because they were close and Trajist's gaze was fixed solely on him, the presence was far more intense than what he had witnessed back then. It was certainly no trick of his imagination that his impression of a lion from that time felt even more vivid now that he was looking at the man before him.
"Father. Could you please stop provoking Rei so much? You are aware of how strong he is, aren't you? Knowing you, Father, you surely gathered information on this side during the Civil Strife."
Vihera's voice rang out, breaking the tense atmosphere that had filled the room. At the sound of her voice, Schuls wore a look of disbelief and shock, Frizion let out a sigh as if saying it couldn't be helped, and Mercurio smiled as if thinking as expected of Big Sister. The three had different reactions, but thanks to them, the air in the room turned more peaceful.
"I see. He truly does seem to be a person of significance. ...Crimson Rei, was it? Tell me. Do you have any interest in entering service to the Bestia Empire? If you do, I shall promise you treatment befitting your status."
Rei couldn't help but be surprised by the sudden offer. Knowing the damage he had dealt to this country, he had never expected the Emperor himself to extend such an invitation. In fact, seeing the others in the room wearing expressions of varying degrees of shock, he could see just how out of left field the suggestion was.
However, it was not uncommon to try and win over an opponent one would rather not have as an enemy. Precisely because he was a troublesome foe, his strength would be reliable if he could be brought in as an ally instead.
In Rei’s case specifically, the story that he had defeated Noise was widespread. Rei himself had never admitted to it, but it was a fact that Noise had departed from Rei’s presence. And the Subjugation Army Soldiers had witnessed that scene. Given not just his actual strength but his reputation as well, it was only natural for the Emperor of the Bestia Empire to want to recruit him.
Understanding that... or rather, because he understood, Rei shook his head.
"I'm sorry. I—no, I have no intention of entering service to the Bestia Empire. Not just the Bestia Empire, but I have no intention of entering service to any country or any noble. ...At least, not for now."
"...Ho. You remain composed even after refusing my invitation. You have quite the nerve. Truly, you are the one who fought his way to the Finals of the Fighting Tournament. I have begun to want you in earnest. What is required in the Bestia Empire is strength in every sense of the word. Is it not difficult for someone like you to live within the Kingdom of Mireana?"
"It might be that way in the Royal Capital. However, I usually live in the Frontier, in Gilm. I won't say there are no people there who try to use their rank against others... but even so, they are few and far between."
The face of a certain merchant who had once tried to use his influence to steal Seto or his Misty Ring passed through Rei’s mind. That man hadn't been a noble, but he had still held great power in the city of Gilm. Yet even that man had ultimately been ruined by Rei’s hand. Though, it wasn't as if Rei had plotted it; it could be said that the merchant had simply brought it upon himself.
(Come to think of it, a Bestia Empire Alchemist was involved in that. That was the first time I fought a Beast Soldier directly, too.)
Rei suddenly looked back on the past with nostalgia. In reality, it had only happened about a year ago, but the events that had occurred during that year were so dense that he naturally felt as though it had been a very long time.
"Hmph. Why do you loathe serving those in power so much? Most people I know wish to serve the state to gain the status of a noble and aim for even higher heights."
"I understand that many people aim to go higher, but I have no interest in political power. Besides, does the Bestia Empire not also have Noise, who has no interest in power?"
"Hah-hah-hah. That is true. However, one could also argue that is precisely because Noise is an S-Rank adventurer, of which only three exist in the world."
Trajist exchanged words with Rei as his laughter rang out, but a pressure-like aura began to gradually seep out from his body once more.
"Are you saying that because one has power, one can carry out their own will?"
"You are not wrong. Because Noise has that power, no one can reproach him for moving as he pleases. ...Provided, of course, that he does not violate the law."
"That's true."
No matter how much strength might be everything, if someone clearly broke the law, the Bestia Empire could not afford to allow it.
"...Now then, we have drifted off topic. In any case, the Bestia Empire currently requires strength. You understand that, do you not?"
They had lost the Spring War, and civil strife had broken out within the country. Furthermore, his words likely included the fact that an adventurer belonging to the Kingdom of Mireana had been the runner-up in the tournament.
It was close to a coincidence that Rei had been involved in all of those things, but it was also a fact that the perception that the Bestia Empire was nothing to be feared was spreading to neighboring nations. Even if it hadn't gone that far, there were those who were beginning to think they might be able to win even if they challenged the Bestia Empire to war. The Empire was beginning to be looked down upon by neighboring countries and vassal states.
Of course, Trajist had allowed the recent civil strife to occur knowing that. He felt there was no problem because he had gained a stronger Next Successor to the Throne as a result.
However, that was a separate issue; if left as it was, there was no guarantee that vassal states or countries they had previously occupied would not start independence movements. If he could have brought Rei into their fold, it would have been the best outcome for Trajist, but his offer of service had been refused.
"In that case... how about becoming an Honorary Noble? I shall grant you no territory, and you need not do anything special; it is a noble title in name only... but you will be able to move freely within the Bestia Empire. Yes, I shall grant you the title of Count."
Taking a sip of wine, Trajist spoke as he stared at Rei with the gaze of a predator that would never let its prey escape.