"...Hmm, a most interesting tale."
Cesar Valois, the Crown Prince of the Celuroa Kingdom, gave a nod of evident displeasure after listening to what Fritz, Gloria, Cynthia, and Rita had to say.
Following their run-in with the rude advanced-level soldier, the Crown Prince had requested their company, and the group had followed him. They had been brought to his secondary residence in the noble district, situated between the fourth and fifth rings of the city's massive walls.
As he listened to the story of how Rita had been sold into slavery to compensate for insufficient taxes, the Crown Prince grew quietly incensed.
"To begin with, slavery itself is illegal here. I have been troubled since that soldier on the ferry first uttered the word 'slave.'"
(...If this continues, the people will not only lose their loyalty to the crown, but some will likely flee the country altogether. Why does no one realize that this is a direct drain on our national power...?)
Moving past his frustration, Cesar addressed a request to the group.
"Since you came by way of Telurus, I assume you passed through the Kingdom of Egerea. Could you tell me what you observed there?"
He immediately realized he had phrased it poorly and corrected himself.
"No, forgive me. I am not asking for military intelligence on Egerea. How should I put it... yes, I would like to hear our country's reputation as viewed from the outside."
This phrasing made it much easier for Fritz and the others to speak freely.
"Well... it is seen as a technologically advanced nation," Fritz offered.
"Ho, it is an honor to hear that from Fritz-dono of the Shouro Empire. I understand your own nation has been developing various new technologies as of late?"
"Yes, well... while we are developing things, much of it might simply be what was gifted to us."
"Hmm? What do you mean by that?" Cesar asked, tilting his head.
"Does Your Highness not know the name of the Lord of Kunlun, Lord Jin Nidou?"
"No, no, of course I know of him. He is the world's only Magi Craft Meister, after all."
"Then I am sure you can understand that, in his presence, any other technology seems lackluster by comparison."
At those words, Cesar closed his eyes and leaned back deeply into his chair.
"...So it truly is as they say. I am not in a position where I can easily obtain outside information, so such reports rarely reach me."
"Even for you, Your Highness...?"
Fritz was astonished by the revelation that even the Crown Prince of a major power was subject to such strict information control.
"Heh, it is the reality of the situation, so there is no helping it. Though I am the Crown Prince, I have little power beyond being first in the line of succession... No, it might be an exaggeration to say I have none, but compared to my father, the King, it is practically non-existent."
Cesar gave a self-deprecating laugh. "What else? Are there any other rumors?"
"Are you aware of the incident that occurred recently at the ruins in the Former Leonard Kingdom?" Gloria was the one who spoke up this time.
"...No, I am not. Would you mind sharing?"
"Certainly. I believe it was late January. The location was the Soldrake Ruins. Five hundred golems were discovered there..."
She recounted the friction between the Kingdom of Egerea's golem recovery unit and the Celuroa Kingdom's Frontier Corps, the emergence of the Giga Ants, and the total annihilation of the Frontier Corps. Having spent time recovering in the Kingdom of Egerea, she knew the details well.
"...What...? Such a thing happened...?"
The Crown Prince rested his head in his hands, looking down as if dejected. "...Father, what are you thinking...?"
He let out a heavy sigh before looking up again. "...I thank you for sharing this valuable information. If you do not mind, would you consider staying here tonight? I guarantee your freedom, of course."
"I have no objection, but..." Fritz began. The Shouro Empire had no history of conflict with the Celuroa Kingdom, so he was relatively at ease. Gloria and Cynthia, however, were in a different position. The Klein Kingdom was perpetually engaged in skirmishes with Celuroa and its vassal, the Kingdom of Franz.
"I guarantee the safety of Gloria-dono and Cynthia-dono as well, upon my honor as a prince."
"...Then we shall gratefully accept your hospitality," Gloria said, though she still hesitated slightly.
Given the circumstances, it was doubtful they truly had the option to refuse. A faint smile returned to Cesar's face.
"I see, thank you. I shall provide a modest welcome. And if possible, I would like to hear more of your stories."
As the hour grew late, the evening proceeded to baths and then dinner. At the dining table, Cesar brought a young girl with him and introduced her to the group.
She had rare, jet-black hair, even rarer crimson eyes, and skin so pale it was almost translucent. She looked to be about eight or nine years old—closer to a young child than a girl. She gave a textbook bow and then retreated half a step behind Cesar, remaining entirely silent throughout.
"I found her by chance near the Nubari Mine. She was in a wretched state when I discovered her, and she didn't even remember her own name. It seems she still hasn't regained her memory."
Behind Cesar, the girl cast her eyes downward sadly.
"I wanted to ask you all—do you recognize her, or know of any clues that might help identify her? As you can see, her hair and eye colors are quite distinct. Have you ever met anyone with similar features who might be a relative?"
Fritz, Cynthia, and Rita all shook their heads. Only Gloria stared at the girl with a tense, guarded expression.
"...I see. That is a shame."
"However, if we come across any clues in the future, we will be sure to let you know," Fritz promised on behalf of the group.
"I would be most grateful."
The girl gave a silent, polite bow of her head.
＊ ＊ ＊
After dinner, Fritz and the others were not subjected to any further interrogation and were allowed to relax in their assigned guest rooms.
"...Whew."
"I'm feeling a bit mentally drained, I must say."
Fritz let out a sigh, letting his guard down.
"I never imagined we would meet the Crown Prince and be invited to stay in his villa like this," Cynthia added, looking equally exhausted. Rita had already succumbed to her fatigue and was sound asleep on the bed.
"But didn't you think that child was strange?"
Cynthia nodded at Fritz's question. "Yes. I felt... a certain sense of discomfort."
"Discomfort, yeah. That's probably the best word for it. But regardless, it's a pity she's lost her memories," Fritz muttered, his brow furrowed. "I wonder... my sister might be able to do something."
"You mean Elsa-dono...?"
"Yeah. She'll likely be coming to the commemorative ceremony with Jin-dono, so I'll try asking her then."
"That sounds wise. I think it would be best if the request came from you, Fritz-dono," Cynthia agreed.
"We might also be able to get her to remove Rita's tattoo while we're at it."
"Ah, right. Just as Shia says. Fritz-dono, I'd like to ask you to include that in your request as well," Gloria said, entering the conversation.
"You don't even have to ask."
Fritz noticed that Gloria's expression was more somber than usual and felt a prickle of concern. "Gloria-dono, is something the matter? Do you feel unwell?"
Gloria raised her eyes and began to speak slowly. "...That girl's name... it might be Arshel."
"Gloria-dono, you know her?"
"Yes. But she is too different from the Arshel in my memory..."
Gloria proceeded to tell them about the monster tamer she had encountered in the mountains of the Klein Kingdom, between Rakuno and Doppa.
"...Hmm... A giant earwig... a Gigantoavrum, you say?"
"I'm not certain if they are the same person. Their temperaments are night and day. But their appearances are identical. Perhaps they are twin sisters."
"As I recall, she called herself 'Puppet Arshel.' If I hadn't been saved by Deus Ex Machina-dono back then, I wouldn't be standing here now."
"Hmm, Maquina-dono, eh?"
The conversation shifted to the topic of Deus Ex Machina. He was the same individual who had rescued them from the monster known as a Copy at the Botzfa Ruins. Gloria had been unconscious at the time, but Cynthia had seen him clearly.
"He's supposed to be Jin-dono's senior apprentice, right?"
"Yes....I wonder if he's been invited to the ceremony as well?" Gloria asked, a trace of hope in her voice.
"Hard to say. Unlike Jin-dono, his identity is a mystery and no one knows where he operates. They wouldn't know where to send an invitation, and I doubt they'd want to invite someone so suspicious anyway."
"That's likely true."
The topic returned once more to the girl, Arshel.
"In any case, Gloria-dono, I think it would be best to convey your concerns to the Crown Prince."
"I agree. I will speak with him properly tomorrow."
Fritz glanced out the window. It was already pitch black outside, likely around seven in the evening.
"Well then, I'm going to get permission from the Prince to head out for a bit."
"To do what... ah, the matter with the Golias?"
"That's the one. They're likely waiting at the shallows, so I need to go update their instructions."
As he walked down the corridor, he reached a door guarded by four sentries. It was the entrance to the Crown Prince's quarters. Fritz had one of the guards announce him and was granted an audience.
"Hmm, the Golias? I've a bit of an interest in them myself. Would you mind if I accompanied you?" Cesar suggested, catching Fritz off guard. "If I am with you, passing through the city walls will be much simpler."
"That is true..."
After a moment's consideration, Fritz agreed to let him come. They were going to be publicly revealed at the ceremony anyway, so there was no longer any need for secrecy—and they had certainly been drawing enough attention on the road as it was.
"Then, if you please."
And so, Fritz set out into the night, accompanied by Cesar and two of his guards.