Vanadin Avenue.
It was the name of the road leading from the imperial palace straight to the Triumphal Arch in the eastern sector of the imperial capital.
True to its name, the Triumphal Arch was a gate through which victorious armies marched upon their triumphant return.
After winning a campaign in distant lands, an expeditionary force would return to the capital, pass beneath the arch, and proceed toward the imperial palace.
From the gate's positioning to the avenue itself, every detail had been carefully calculated to create a grand victory parade route.
Tracing further back in history, there was a popular theory that the first emperor had built it as a straight, unbroken road so he could easily escape in a direct line if the capital ever fell. However, since a straight road would make pursuit just as simple for an enemy, this remained nothing more than folklore.
Mounted on my steed, I was currently marching down that very avenue.
Soldiers flanked me to the front and rear.
I advanced with my vanguard and rearguard secured by troops clad in glittering, ceremonial armor.
Lining both sides of Vanadin Avenue, vast throngs of citizens had gathered, raising cheers so thunderous they shook the air.
The Emperor departs for war—this was the parade for my personal campaign.
The main force of the Imperial Army had already advanced to the front lines, meaning nearly all the troops present here were ceremonial guards.
For that reason, their attire was flamboyant and heroic, utterly ill-suited for real combat.
Ill-suited for a battlefield, yes, but visually top-tier.
The citizens of the imperial capital had been whipped into a fever pitch of excitement by the honor guard's spectacle.
"Is that His Majesty the Emperor? He's so young, yet so dignified and handsome!"
"The previous emperor was dashing, but our current His Majesty is every bit as fine a man!"
Intermingled with the roaring cheers, voices praising me as Emperor echoed from all directions.
Since adoring cheers were built upon the people's sense of security, I was quite pleased with the parade's effect.
"Oooooh!"
"What in the world?!"
"The horse! The horse is glowing gold!"
As we continued marching, sweat began to pour from the white steed beneath me. Blending with its white coat, the horse's flank started radiating a brilliant golden sheen.
At that sight, the crowd's cheers surged to an even higher pitch.
It erupted into a deafening roar on an entirely different level, akin to the rumbling of the earth itself.
Startled by that colossal roar, the ranks of ceremonial cavalry surrounding me broke formation.
Their mounts grew skittish, on the verge of stampeding.
"Steady. Keep moving forward."
The white steed beneath me reacted similarly, threatening to rear up on its hind legs and whinny at any moment.
Anticipating this, I drew the reins and pressed my stirrups into its flanks, calming the beast down.
As a result, while the surrounding cavalry were thrown into disarray, I alone proceeded without missing a beat.
"Look at that rein work! The Emperor is incredible!"
"Hmph, that's just because he's got a fine horse."
"Are you an idiot? Haven't you ever heard the saying, 'No man on the saddle, no horse beneath it'? That's not just skill—you can't pull off a feat like that unless you know everything there is to know about horses!"
Amidst the citizens' praise, I advanced further down Vanadin Avenue.
The people's frenzy overflowed from an unshakeable faith in the Empire's inevitable victory.
Marching through that fervent atmosphere, I passed beneath the Triumphal Arch and eventually emerged outside the capital.
Waiting beyond the city gates was the Divine Palanquin.
"I have been awaiting your arrival."
Oscar stood beside the Divine Palanquin.
Prince Regent defending the imperial capital—that was his current post.
That was why he had come out this far to see me off.
I dismounted from my horse and stood before Oscar.
"Good work. I leave the rest to you."
"Understood, Your Majesty..."
Passing by Oscar as he bowed deeply, I headed toward the Divine Palanquin.
Dominated by rich crimson hues, the palanquin was as spacious as an entire room.
While the framework was wooden, all four sides were draped in sheer silk curtains.
Carried by dozens of bearers, it was a vehicle designed to flaunt majesty in a vastly different manner than a warhorse.
Although lowered to the ground, its platform was still considerably elevated.
Using the prepared ladder, I climbed aboard and settled inside.
"Depart."
I issued the command from within the palanquin.
The order rippled across the entire army in an instant.
Hoisted onto the bearers' shoulders, the Divine Palanquin slowly began to move forward.
I stole a quick glance backward.
Oscar remained bowed low, seeing me off.
I had done everything within my power.
I had set things up so I could react appropriately whether Oscar made a move or stayed his hand.
Naturally, it was best if nothing happened, and praying for just that, I departed from the imperial capital.
"Thank you for your hard work, Your Majesty."
Inside the palanquin, Alice, who had boarded ahead of time, spoke up.
Holding a tightly wrung cloth, she offered it to me.
"Good work to you too. Heh."
I chuckled softly and took the cloth.
"Did I do something amusing?"
"No, I just realized it's been a long time since I last wiped my own face."
Smiling, I wiped my face with the cloth she had handed me.
It had probably been about twenty-five years since I last did this myself.
In my previous life, doing such tasks on my own was second nature, but ever since being reincarnated as Noah, the Thirteenth Imperial Prince, I had always had maids and court ladies attend to it.
In fact, not lifting a finger was what defined nobility; doing it yourself was considered practically beneath one's station.
Alice, completely unaware of this, reminded me of who I had been decades ago, which felt refreshingly novel in a roundabout way.
"I-I'm so sorry! I didn't know..."
"No, I understand. It was just amusing to me; I'm not blaming you."
"Um... would it be better if I did it for you?"
"Let's see... please do so next time."
"Understood!"
Alice balled her hands into fists, pumping herself up with an eager gesture.
"Now then, would you sing for me right away?"
"Yes! What sort of song would you like?"
"Let's see. A song that is alluring... something to entice a man."
"Yes... Ah?!"
Though she nodded at first, Alice gasped and caught her breath.
It wasn't at my spoken words, but at the text I had manifested.
Since spoken words could be overheard by the attendants outside, I used Huwawa to form floating letters in the empty space between Alice and me.
To make it seem as though I am infatuated with you and descending into depravity.
That was the message I had spelled out.
Once I confirmed that Alice had seen and understood it, I dismissed Huwawa and stored her back into the ring.
"Your Majesty... that was amazing..."
"Was it?"
"I understand. I shall sing."
With that, Alice drew a small harp from her luggage beside her.
It was a compact, highly portable instrument.
After testing the tuning of the strings for a brief moment—she began to sing.
Without playing the harp at first, using only her raw voice.
"...!"
I caught my breath.
Music inherently possesses narrative structure.
And stories have an order of progression.
Yet, Alice's singing voice skipped right past the narrative buildup, as though launching straight into the climax.
Although it was an a cappella performance, it resonated in my chest more powerfully than any instrument-backed melody ever could.
It sounded intensely painful, intensely sorrowful.
Her delivery felt as though she were desperately wringing out every emotion buried deep within her.
Listening to it sent a shiver straight through my soul.
Following that striking beginning, the melody of the harp began to flow.
Alice's delicate, pale fingers danced across the strings, weaving the notes together.
"Hmm."
I nodded in appreciation.
At the same time, I noticed something amiss.
Turning only my head, I called out to the eunuch standing in the corner of my vision.
"We have stopped."
"...Ah! M-My deepest apologies!!"
Snapping back to his senses, the eunuch bowed in a panic and relayed the marching order.
To my astonishment, the entire army had ground to a halt, utterly entranced by Alice's singing.
The command rippled outward like a wave, and the march resumed.
I allowed myself to sink back into Alice's song.
Lounging against the armrest within the room-like palanquin, I gestured for the eunuch, who had retreated to a respectful distance, to approach.
"Did you call for me, sire?"
"Wine, and some appetizers to go with it."
"Right away, sire."
Receiving my command, the eunuch scurried off to prepare them.
Before long, wine and fine dishes were brought one after another onto the moving palanquin, flowing like a continuous stream.
It was a luxury exclusive to the Emperor, something not even imperial princes could ever enjoy.
I made a deliberate point of flaunting it for all to see.
Wetting my lips with wine, I glanced at Alice.
At the same time, I looked out at the surrounding soldiers.
From their expressions, I could tell the emotional shock had yet to fully dissipate.
That opening vocal had possessed enough raw power to shake their hearts to the core.
"...How convenient."
Muttering under my breath, I waited for Alice to finish the piece.
When the song concluded, Alice looked over at me, her cheeks flushed.
Her eyes were striking and full of life.
"Well done. Come closer."
"Y-Yes."
"Pour me some wine."
"U-Understood."
Setting down her harp, Alice came to my side and poured the wine just as commanded.
I accepted the cup with deliberate, relaxed grandeur.
☆
Night fell over the encampment.
The Emperor's personal pavilion was vast enough for a commoner family of ten to live in comfortably.
In fact, it was spacious enough to swallow an entire commoner house whole.
Inside that tent, Alice and I sat facing each other.
During the day on the Divine Palanquin, I had her sit beside me and pour drinks like a tavern's poster girl, but now we sat across from one another with a table between us.
"You worked hard today."
"N-No, not at all. Did I... do well enough?"
"More than enough. Especially the way you began that first song—"
Pausing to think for a moment, I decided to ask.
"It was marvelous—however..."
"Eh? W-Was something wrong with it?"
"No, I fully acknowledge your talent and ability. But a song that shakes people's hearts to such a degree isn't something one can simply deliver on command. It is like a masterstroke blade forged with every ounce of a renowned swordsmith's soul—that sort of phenomenon."
"Um..."
"If my assessment is correct, even if you were asked to replicate it, it's not something you could easily reproduce. Am I wrong?"
"...You are incredible, Your Majesty. You see through everything."
"I see. Do you understand yourself why you were able to pull it off?"
"Um..."
Alice began to fidget.
She looked as though it were terribly difficult to put into words.
"If it's hard to talk about, you don't need to force yourself."
"N-No. It's not that. It's just... a-all the feelings I've held inside until now..."
"Hm?"
"I simply sang as if releasing every built-up emotion inside me all at once, and it ended up coming out like that..."
"Hahaha, I see."
Looking up at the canopy, I laughed heartily.
"Then it makes complete sense. That opening was your life itself, was it not?"
"Yes..."
Alice lowered her head slightly, blushing in embarrassment.
If it truly was her life itself, it was best not to pry any deeper.
"You have my thanks. That actually helped me out quite a bit."
"Eh? What do you mean?"
"Many of the soldiers were deeply moved by that opening verse. More than a few became your devoted admirers in that single instant."
"Was... that really the case?"
Alice asked, genuinely surprised.
I was slightly surprised myself that she hadn't noticed the effect she had on her surroundings.
"Yes. Some of them looked as though they were revering you like a religious idol. Quite impressive."
"No way..."
"Which is precisely why I took advantage of it."
"Eh?"
Her embarrassment vanished, replaced by an inquisitive look that asked, What do you mean? as she stared at me.
"Right after you finished singing, I had you pour my wine."
"Ah, yes."
"Because of that, the surrounding soldiers glared at me with quite a bit of resentment."
"I-I am so sorry."
"No, that's fine. In fact, I engineered it to happen that way."
"Eh?"
"I treated you like a mere tavern girl without showing the slightest sign of being moved, even by a song like that. Without a doubt, rumors will spread that I am a vulgar emperor indulging purely in wine and women."
"Ah..."
Realization struck Alice.
It seemed she had remembered the true purpose of her role on this campaign.
"Indeed. That is why I brought you along. Being so deeply moved by your song was unexpected, but I made use of the situation all the same."
"Incredible, Your Majesty... calculating that far ahead in a mere instant."
"It was only possible thanks to that song of yours."
Saying so, I looked at Alice with a straight face.
"You were a great help. Thank you."
"Please, it was nothing..."
Alice blushed again, overcome with bashfulness.
"Because of that, you will be staying here with me every night from now on."
"Y-Yes! I understand. I am prepared for it!"
"Haha, there is no need to be so tense."
Seeing Alice brace herself with fierce determination, I smiled.
"You only need to remain here. You won't even need to sing, so it should be far easier than your usual work."
"Y-Yes."
"With that said—I will step out for a while."
"Eh? Where to?"
"Just for a bit. I will return before dawn."
"Ah, understood..."
Alice nodded.
In stark contrast to her earlier resolve, she suddenly wore a strangely lonely expression.
"What's the matter? Is something wrong?"
"Eh? N-No, it's nothing at all."
"...Are you sure?"
"Yes! Have a safe trip."
Alice saw me off, visibly pulling herself together.
She clearly had something on her mind, but it wasn't the sort of thing I could drag out by force.
If I caught on to the specific reason and asked, "Is it this?" she would probably confess, but otherwise, no matter how much I probed, she would hide her true feelings—it felt like that kind of matter.
Since I had no time to dig into it right now, I decided to leave it for later.
"Well then, I'm off."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Leaving Alice behind in the tent, I stepped outside into the night.