"Ugh... Ah...?"
Rei woke to the sunlight streaming through the window. For a moment, he couldn't quite place his surroundings and glanced about the room.
When he realized he was lying in a bed so luxurious that it surpassed anything he had ever used, including his time on Earth, he remembered where he was.
"Right... I ended up staying at the castle last night."
He muttered the words as he looked down at the index finger of his left hand. There, he saw a black ring that evoked the image of the night despite it only being morning.
"The Ring of the New Moon, huh? I don't feel any different, personally."
Among standard magic items, there were those designed to disguise one's magic power. However, when Rei attempted to use such items, they were typically unable to contain his massive magic power. The effects would fail to manifest, or worse, the items would simply shatter.
As someone without the ability to sense magic power, Rei didn't have a personal sense of the change. However, after being given the Ring of the New Moon, he had tested another magic item with a similar effect, only for it to crumble to dust, unable to withstand the pressure of his magic power.
"Anyway, if wearing this ring lets me deceive those who can sense magic power, it's a lucky find. Refusing the Fighting Tournament runner-up prize wasn't a bad call, either. Since I already received that Metal Card, taking anything else might have led to complications."
He spoke to the empty room as he savored the feel of the bed. It supported his full weight with a softness that possessed just the right amount of resilience.
In the end, Trajist had asked him last night what he wanted for his runner-up prize, but given the gravity of the Metal Card, Rei had declined.
He continued to admire the Ring of the New Moon while enjoying the bed's comfort. He had stayed in a detached palace within the castle grounds while acting as Frizion’s guard, but the bed there had been quite ordinary.
...Of course, "ordinary" was a relative term based on the standards of the Imperial palace.
Because the detached palace was intended for Frizion's use, and it was assumed she would rarely spend the night there herself, the furniture hadn't been of the highest quality.
In comparison, the room where Rei now woke was a castle's guest room—and one reserved for the highest class of distinguished guests at that. Naturally, it contained only the finest furniture. For Rei, sleeping in such a bed was a singular experience.
"I wonder if they'd let me take this bed as part of the reward?"
As he was entertained by the thought, a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in."
At Rei's invitation, a maid entered. "Beautiful" was the only word appropriate to describe her. She looked to be slightly older than Rei.
Trajist had assigned this maid to attend to him personally. He had even been told that she could serve as a nighttime companion if he so desired, but Rei couldn't exactly agree to that with Vihera around, so he had treated her as an ordinary maid.
"Pardon the intrusion, Rei-sama. Regarding breakfast, Lady Vihera was wondering if you would care to join her..."
Rei gave a small nod, feeling oddly satisfied that she used the title "Lady Vihera" instead of "Her Highness Vihera."
"I see. Is breakfast ready now?"
"No, she requested that you join her in about thirty minutes."
"...Knowing Vihera, I expected her to demand we eat immediately."
The maid offered a small smile at Rei's words as he scratched his head.
"Since it is a meal with a gentleman, perhaps Lady Vihera requires time for her preparations?"
"Preparations? It's just breakfast, not a formal dinner. I wouldn't think there's much to prepare for."
"That is where you are mistaken, Rei-sama. You truly do not understand a woman's heart. A woman wishes to look her absolute best—especially for the one she holds dear."
Due to Vihera's own conduct, her feelings for Rei had already become common knowledge. Between that and her natural popularity, the topic had practically swept through the castle.
Frizion, as it happened, was among those who had helped spread the rumors.
"Well, anyway, I get the point. I need to get myself ready as well, so I'll leave the arrangements to you. Also, have you heard anything about Seto?"
When the decision was made for Rei to stay at the castle, Seto’s accommodations had naturally become a point of discussion. Very few people in the castle had ever interacted with a gryphon.
The few exceptions were those who had served in the Mercurio Army, and Rei had entrusted them with the creature's care. Then again, Seto was far more intelligent than the average human. When Rei told the gryphon he was staying at the castle, it hadn't made a fuss; it simply followed the keepers to the provided stables and settled down on the straw.
Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—the number of horses in the castle had been reduced due to the civil strife, so there was no need to cram Seto in with other animals.
When Rei asked about Seto's welfare, the maid's smile widened slightly.
"From what I have heard, he consumed a breakfast equivalent to that of nearly twenty humans."
"...He's certainly taking advantage of the situation to eat his fill."
Seto usually had a hearty appetite, but even then, the gryphon generally showed restraint—eating until it was about eighty percent full. However, perhaps judging that such reserve was unnecessary here, it was eating to its heart's content.
And these weren't simple rations for a beast, but proper meals prepared by the castle's cook. Initially, the cooks had been disgruntled when told to prepare dishes for a tamed monster rather than a human. However, after seeing how happily Seto ate during last night's banquet, they had become quite enthusiastic about the task.
"Many people originally perceived gryphons as terrifying monsters, but after seeing him act so affectionately... and he seemed to enjoy the food so much."
Realizing this maid was likely one of those responsible for Seto, Rei continued to chat excitedly about his partner while he finished his preparations.
"Did I keep you waiting?"
"No, I only just arrived myself."
When the maid guided Rei into the room, he found Vihera sitting in a chair, sipping black tea. As a former member of the Imperial Family, her every gesture was steeped in elegance. However...
(In the middle of the castle, and in the morning, no less... this outfit is completely out of place. It’s a bit too stimulating.)
Rei took his seat at the breakfast table while stealing glances at Vihera. She was clad in thin raiment more suited to a dancer or a prostitute—an outfit clearly designed to entice men.
"Good morning, Rei."
"Yeah, morning. So, what's with the breakfast invite?"
"...Listen, Rei. You'll be leaving the Imperial Capital in a few days, won't you? And I'll be heading to Exil. Is it really so strange to want to spend even a little more time with the person I love?"
Vihera's blunt declaration caused the maids waiting in the corner of the room to beam. Much like Frizion, Vihera was beloved by the common people. It was only natural for them to be intensely interested in her romantic life.
The maid who had escorted Rei was no exception, exchanging silent looks of excitement with her colleagues.
"...Well, if that's what you want, Vihera, I don't mind."
Rei muttered his response before turning his attention to the table. In the Bestia Empire, black bread was the staple, but the basket on the table was filled with freshly baked white bread. It must have come straight from the oven just before his arrival. Rei reached for a piece of the appetizing bread.
Seeing this, Vihera caught the eyes of the maids. Taking the hint, they left the room to fetch the remaining dishes.
"So, you're leaving the castle today, then?"
Vihera asked the moment she and Rei were alone. Rei nodded without a second thought.
"Yeah. The people from the Mobile Unit who are coming to Gilm with me have been preparing since the banquet ended last night. Fortunately, they're all from the Imperial Capital or nearby, so it shouldn't take them long to get ready."
"I see. I intend to travel with you as far as the border. Do you have any objections?"
Whether heading to Exil or Gilm, the path to the border was the same. It was a classic display of Vihera's womanly heart—she simply wanted to stay by his side until the last possible moment.
Rei, failing to notice the subtext, assumed she simply preferred traveling in a familiar group rather than alone and nodded easily.
"Sure, that's fine by me. The only issue is how we'll stay in touch. I can't keep staying here at the castle... but as for inns in the Imperial Capital, I only know the Eternal Sky Inn."
The Eternal Sky Inn was the most prestigious establishment in the Bestia Empire. It was not only incredibly expensive but also the sort of place that required reservations months in advance.
"So, what will you do? Stay at the castle?"
"No, I'll just find a random inn somewhere in the city. Or maybe I'll help the guys moving to Gilm in exchange for a place to stay."
As he spoke, the maids returned with the rest of the meal. They laid out a spread of salads, soups, various side dishes, and fresh fruit.
There were meat dishes as well, but they had been carefully tailored for the morning. The meat had been steamed to remove excess fat and was served with a light sauce made from fruit. There were also several dishes featuring fish, vegetables, and eggs, all designed to be refreshing enough for breakfast. ...Though the volume was immense.
Of course, this was because Vihera had accounted for Rei's appetite and instructed the head cook to prepare extra.
"Now then, let's eat."
At Vihera's word, they began. As expected of a meal prepared by the head cook of the Imperial palace, every dish was exquisite, and Rei began consuming them one after another.
Vihera, accustomed to the sight, chatted with him casually as she ate, but the maids were another matter entirely. Rei didn't have an especially large frame, and his features were refined enough to be called a girlish face. Setting aside his personality and manner of speaking, his appearance was pleasant to look upon.
Seeing such a person polish off enough food for four grown men was a shock they couldn't quite hide. Vihera, however, simply watched him with a smile.
"You certainly have a healthy appetite, as always."
"The food here is great, after all."
"Fufu, thank you. I'll be sure to tell the head cook later."
The sight of the food vanishing in the blink of an eye while they held a peaceful conversation was, in many ways, quite bizarre.
"By the way, I'm going to Exil, but you're returning to Gilm, right?"
"Yeah, that's the plan. ...Wait, isn't that why the guys in the Mobile Unit are getting ready?"
"No, I know that. I mean... if you're heading back to Gilm now, you'll be staying there until spring, right?"
"Probably. Unless something extraordinary happens."
"Extraordinary?"
"Well, for instance, if the Bestia Empire decides to invade the Kingdom of Mireana again."
"That won't happen. Probably... Though, knowing Father's personality, I suppose I can't say it's impossible. At the very least, I don't think Mercurio has any intention of doing such a thing."
Rei shook his head as Vihera spoke through a mouthful of salad.
"You know how it is, right? Mercurio may have won the civil strife and secured the position of the next successor to the throne, but he is still only the successor. If the current Emperor decides to do something, Mercurio might try to stop him, but he lacks the authority to do so definitively. ...And the current Emperor is a hardliner when it comes to the Kingdom of Mireana."
It was an unalterable fact.
Rei had succeeded in his goal of establishing a pro-Kingdom of Mireana faction inside the Bestia Empire. Moreover, he had placed the person in the position of the next successor to the throne at its center.
However, if the Emperor, Trajist, decided to declare war on the Kingdom of Mireana, Mercurio could only offer his opinion; he could not force a cessation of hostilities. To stop him by force would require a repeat of the recent civil strife.
...Except this time, the opponent would be Trajist himself, not Schuls.
If one were to ask if they could win against Trajist, the answer was almost certainly no. If they attempted a coup, the National Army—which had remained neutral this time—would undoubtedly side with the Emperor, and the other nobles would likely follow suit.
It wouldn't be a staged conflict like the one that had just ended; it would be a total war where the losing faction could expect to be slaughtered to the last man.
"...I'm praying it doesn't come to that."
Rei's murmur hung in the air of the breakfast room. Vihera nodded in silent agreement.
(If it does happen... my job will be to threaten the Bestia Empire's rear.)
Considering his own capabilities as a force specialized in wars of annihilation who could operate independently, the strategy formed naturally in Rei's mind.