Ren headed for the Imperial Capital immediately after arriving in Erendil because of Lezard’s work schedule. They moved with such haste that they didn't even stop at the Erendil manor.
The magic train, powered by mana stones, was incomparably faster than any horse. In what felt like the blink of an eye, Ren arrived in the heart of the empire.
The scenery there felt strangely nostalgic, a familiar sight to his eyes.
Railway tracks designed to receive magic trains from across the country fanned out in a wide arc. The central station, where these tracks converged, sat like a monument in the middle of the main boulevard. Elevated railways branched out to navigate the city, weaving a complex transit network throughout the vast capital.
Divided into numerous districts, the Imperial Capital was dozens of times larger than Clausel, boasting an endless sea of houses and buildings.
Gigantic luxury inns famous across the continent stood alongside renowned research institutes. The headquarters for countless guilds were centered here, and the city housed more prestigious schools—starting with the Imperial Academy—than one could count on one hand.
Then there was the Noble District, where the mansions of high-ranking nobles formed a truly breathtaking vista.
Of course, Ren didn't see all of this just from the station.
Only a fraction was visible from the multi-story platform. Stepping off the magic train, Ren let out an audible breath of admiration. "Whoa..."
He moved through the crowded platform and looked up at the furthest reaches of the city from a railing. He wanted to see the symbol of the Imperial Capital, the landmark that sat at the very end of the straight road ahead.
"The capital is vast, isn't it?"
Weiss spoke as he came to stand beside him.
Ren, who had already been struck by wonder in Erendil, looked even more stunned now. "It's... beyond anything I imagined. Seeing it with my own eyes is completely different from seeing it on a screen. I'm just in awe."
"Hm? A screen?"
"N-No! Nothing! Forget I said anything!"
Ren immediately regretted his slip of the tongue.
Shaking off the embarrassment, he refocused on the capital's centerpiece.
Most major cities in the great nation of Leomel possessed a building that served as their symbol. However, it would be presumptuous to even compare those to the structure that stood before them—the true symbol of Leomel itself.
The Imperial Castle.
Aside from its numerous outer shell towers and side towers, a cluster of spires soared high into the heavens. Arched walkways were suspended impossibly far above the ground, connecting the complex, pale-gray masonry. The design represented the ultimate pinnacle of architectural mastery, a structure so ethereal it didn't seem to belong to the world of mortals.
It was a crystal of mystery, a place where one could believe gods resided without the slightest doubt.
"Every time I come here, I think the same thing—that the Imperial Castle alone could probably cover most of Clausel," Licia said, joining them.
"Weiss really is amazing, isn't he? To think he used to work in that castle when he was young."
"Come to think of it, Weiss-sama, weren't you a Royal Guard back then?" Ren asked.
Weiss had mentioned it during Licia’s birthday party last year. As Ren recalled this, Weiss gestured to the sword at his hip.
"This is a blade bestowed upon me by His Majesty. I received it from the Emperor himself in the audience chamber while I was still a Royal Guard."
Ren was curious about how Weiss had ended up serving the Clausel family after such a prestigious career. However, the mood didn't feel right for questions. A look of melancholy had settled on Weiss’s face as he spoke of his past.
(I’ll save that for another time.)
Ren decided to read the room.
The group, accompanied by several other knights, headed to their lodging.
While the Imperial Capital had no shortage of legendary luxury inns, they chose a place that was high-quality without being ostentatious, primarily because it offered guaranteed security.
They weren't staying at the Erendil manor because the upcoming party was an evening event, and these gatherings typically lasted until very late at night.
Ren visited Lezard’s room and took a seat on a plush sofa.
"I'll have to ask you to wait until quite late tonight. Are you truly alright with that?" Lezard asked.
"Please don't worry about it. I was the one who asked to come along. Waiting alone isn't a problem at all."
"I see. Thank you. I'll take you up on that, then."
Lezard, sitting across from him, bowed his head apologetically. Ren quickly urged the Baron to look up.
"If you need anything, just inform the knights. If you'd like to explore the city, I can arrange a guide for you."
"Would it be alright if I walked around on my own?"
"Hm? Well, I’m concerned you might get lost without someone to show you the way."
At this point, the question of whether or not Ren needed a guard was almost moot. Ren had been investigating monsters in the Eastern Forest alone and had just survived the ordeal in the Baldur Mountains. In a city crawling with patrol knights, there was little to fear.
"I'll be fine. I only plan to stay on the main streets and in the larger districts."
"I suppose that's true. Very well, then."
With that settled, Ren stood up to leave. As he stepped into the hallway, Licia appeared from the room next door. Her room was adjacent to her father's, with Ren’s located just beyond hers.
"Oh, Ren. Were you talking with my father?"
"I was just asking if I could explore the capital by myself for a bit."
"Must be nice. I want to go too."
"You can't. You're going to be busy with preparations and getting dressed, Licia-sama."
"I know... I already know that."
Licia pouted, her lips curving into a dissatisfied frown. "I'll make sure to give Marquis Ignat your regards."
"I appreciate it," Ren said. It pained him to see her looking so lonely, clearly wishing they could go out together. "If you'd like... maybe next time, you could be the one to guide me through the city?"
Licia’s face instantly lit up. "————Yes! Leave it to me!"
A radiant smile graced her face at Ren’s consideration, and she felt her heart begin to race like a bell. She almost reached out a hand toward his back as he turned to leave, but she stopped herself. Tonight’s party was an important occasion. Marquis Ignat would be there, and she needed to stay focused.
"Ren is always the one helping me... I have to do my part properly too."
Steeling her resolve, Licia watched him until he was out of sight before heading into her father's room.
Parties held at the mansions of the capital's nobility were always spectacularly lavish.
The gardens of the grand estate were crowded with elegant carriages and clusters of nobles. The sight of gentlemen and ladies in their finest attire created a brilliant tableau. Bathed in the madder red of the setting sun, it was the very picture of high society.
Lezard and Licia moved through the crowd, exchanging greetings with nobles from their own faction, as well as those from the Hero Faction and the Imperial Faction.
Licia was the constant center of attention. Her beauty, which some described as enough to topple a kingdom, drew every eye in the room. Even in a gathering filled with stunning noble daughters, she was regarded as someone extraordinary.
"Phew..."
After a relentless series of introductions and pleasantries, Licia finally caught a moment to breathe. Seeing his daughter's exhaustion, Lezard smiled over his glass.
"Tired already?"
"Yes. I feel as though my smile is starting to twitch."
"To be honest, me too. I’m fairly certain my cheeks will be sore tomorrow."
"Fufu, oh, Father."
Hosting a party in Clausel was one thing, but facing a gauntlet of high-ranking nobles was quite another. The two shared a quiet laugh, poking fun at their own lack of social stamina.
As they spoke, another noble approached them. Unlike the previous encounters, this was someone Licia could speak with comfortably.
"Good evening, Baron Clausel."
The newcomer was Sera Riohalde, whom Licia had reunited with earlier that spring. As the daughter of a Heroic Archduke family, she was a natural fixture at such events.
"Lady Riohalde, it has been some time. I heard my daughter caused you some trouble recently. I truly don't know how to apologize."
"U-Ugh... it—it wasn't trouble! Please, don't worry about it!"
Lezard was referring to the duel at the knight station in Erendil. Even if Sera had been the one to initiate it, Lezard felt the need to apologize formally given his rank. He wasn't being sarcastic, but the reminder was a bit painful for Sera, who had suffered a crushing defeat at Licia’s hands.
"And where is your father this evening, Lady Riohalde?"
"He's elsewhere, speaking with the Hero Faction."
"Is it... quite alright for you to be seen with us?"
"Don't give it a second thought. I told him firmly not to follow me over here to avoid any faction-related friction."
Licia and Lezard shared a look, wondering if that was entirely appropriate for a daughter of her standing. Regardless, they were grateful for her consideration and her desire to keep politics from ruining their conversation.
"So, Sera, what brings you over here? Surely it wasn't just to get away from your father."
"Not really. If I’m being honest, I’m just as tired as you are, Licia. I figured we’d both have an easier time if we stuck together."
Sera’s cheeks indeed showed signs of weariness. Like Licia, her striking appearance made her a prime target for socialites and suitors, which had likely kept her busy all evening.
"I thought you were used to these parties, Sera."
"I am. That doesn't mean I don't get exhausted."
The two girls laughed and lightly clinked their glasses together. They took a few sips of fruit juice to quench their thirst.
"I didn't get to ask back in the spring, but what kind of training are you doing in Clausel, Licia?"
"It's nothing special. I just practice my swings in the garden."
"Is... is that really it?"
"Yes. Isn't it, Father?"
Lezard, who had been listening quietly, nodded. "Indeed. Aside from her lessons with our knights, Licia only really spars with the son of a knight who serves our household."
Lezard wasn't trying to hide anything, and Sera could sense the sincerity in his words. This only deepened her confusion.
"No way... You’re that strong without ever knowing defeat?"
Sera was stunned. As a member of the Riohalde family, she had been given a world-class education in swordsmanship since she was a toddler. Her father, the Heroic Archduke, had hired legendary swordsmen from across the empire to tutor her. The status of a Heroic Archduke was generally treated as equivalent to a Marquis, and their lineage gave them the influence to summon the greatest knights in the land.
Yet Licia claimed she lacked any such formal background. Sera couldn't understand how she could be so powerful, but then Licia spoke again.
"I experience defeat every single day," Licia said. Her voice wasn't boastful or overly modest; it was simply a statement of fact.
"You mean... against yourself? Like a mental image?"
"No. Against a boy. Though I don't consider him an enemy."
"So you imagine a boy stronger than you and fight him in your head?"
"No, he's a real boy. The one my father just mentioned."
Sera recalled Lezard’s words about the knight's son. She brought her glass to her lips and drained the fruit juice. She stood there, dazed, until a servant refilled her glass and moved on.
Sera took another sip before finally managing a word. "What?"
The delay was because it had taken that long for the information to actually register.
"You look surprised, but I’m serious. He's a boy the same age as us."
"B-But... that just means you’re losing to him in close matches, right? Like, a near-miss?"
"Not at all. He holds back against me, and I still lose miserably every time."
"————!?"
Sera was utterly speechless. Seeing her shock, Licia simply gave a small, graceful smile.