Around the same time, in a room at the Arnea, a luxury hotel in the Imperial Capital.
"We have been expecting you. Please, come inside." "His Highness is waiting within."
To the Imperial Guards in plain clothes standing before the suite, Ren was already recognized on sight. After they prompted him to enter, Ren placed his hand on the doorknob. Upon stepping inside, he saw Radius seated at a desk located at the far end of the spacious drawing room.
Radius was dressed in an outfit Ren had never seen before. Though he had removed his jacket, he was wearing the Imperial Military Academy uniform.
"It is rare for you to arrive exactly on time," Radius remarked. It wasn't that Ren was late, but rather his usual habit. "Is it?" Ren asked. "Usually, you arrive ten minutes early. I am not complaining; I simply found it unusual." "I’m not bothered. Besides, I was just placing an additional order for some reference books I’ll need for the Third Exam."
Ren walked across the room and took a seat on the sofa. Radius looked up and raised an eyebrow. "The Third Exam? Ah, so the results of the Second Exam arrived." "Yep. Thanks to your help, Lady Licia and I both passed." "That was a foregone conclusion. It wouldn't have been strange if the two of you were the top-ranking students." "I appreciate the confidence, but I feel like I'll get caught off guard if I let my guard down." "Don't be absurd. If there is any chance of that, it would only be during the Third Exam. As for the Final Exam, it seems to me you won't even need to take it." "Even so, I plan on giving it my all."
Radius set down his pen and stood up, a pleasant expression playing across his face. "How like you. I find the virtue in those words quite agreeable." He then looked at Ren. "What about lunch?" "Not yet," Ren replied. Radius walked over to a table near the sofa and rang a small bell. Within minutes, several light snacks suitable for eating while working were brought into the room.
"That was fast," Ren noted. "Nobles are often pressed for time. The Arnevelde Company has a policy to ensure such meals are delivered with haste." "I see. In that case, I won't hesitate." Since the hotel staff were under Radius's direct oversight, Ren felt he could speak freely.
"So, what's next?" Ren asked. "As I mentioned, we are heading to Erendil. I intended to meet you there, but it seems your visit to the capital was solely for those reference books." The scorched remains under investigation had been transported to a research institute about six hours away from the capital. Ren had heard about this beforehand. The institute was a location he had seen on maps but had never been able to enter, so he was feeling a bit excited—even though Radius had warned him that the chances of finding new information were slim.
"Since you're here, let me show you what I was working on just now." Radius stood up, walked back to his desk, and returned to the sofa with a stack of documents. "You may read these." "Are you sure? Is it okay to show the Third Prince's work so casually?" "That is a misconception. This is not official business for the Imperial Family; it is simply a summary of a personal investigation. Even Ulysses is not involved in this." "Heh... then I'll take a look."
Ren started to reach for the papers with a snack in his hand, then paused. He thought it might be rude, but Radius waved him off. "Do not worry. I am the only one here." Requested to remain casual, Ren did not hold back. He kept his snack in one hand and looked over the documents on the table. Radius watched him, looking satisfied.
"Oh... I think I see why you were looking into this." "Having read it, what do you think, Ren?" "I'm curious to see what's hidden behind these results." "Hmm. Then I shall tell you more later."
They finished their meal and conversation about ten minutes later. "Well then, it is almost time to depart. Once we reach the Magic Ship, I would like to finally change." "That's right. Why were you in your uniform anyway?" "It is a weekday, so I was at the Academy. Those attending the party in Gargazia were absent, but that has nothing to do with me." Ren nodded and left the room with Radius. The two boarded a carriage in secret, heading toward Erendil without exposing themselves to the public. They boarded a civilian Magic Ship while keeping their identities hidden, and several hours passed.
It was around the time the horizon began to turn a deep madder red. "Ren, look down," Radius said suddenly, nodding toward the window. They were in a luxurious cabin, the kind reserved for high-ranking nobility. While they had separate rooms, they had been spending the flight together in conversation. Ren looked out at the scenery below.
"Is that Gargazia?" "Indeed. That large building there should be the hotel where Lezard and the others are staying." "Ah, right. That looked like the most high-end place in town." "Had you already researched the hotel prices?" "Well... something like that," Ren sidestepped the question. He stared down at the city, unaware of what was currently unfolding within that hotel.
"So..." Sera Riohalde groaned, clutching her head. She was inside a private, reserved salon within the luxury hotel. "Why did it turn out like this!?" she shouted, her voice echoing through the room. However, there was no cause for alarm. The salon operated on a strict reservation system that barred entry to anyone else—even the hotel staff. The entire block of time had been booked under Ulysses's name until the end of the party.
"What do you mean 'why'? It's because we were invited to the same party," Licia replied calmly. "Yes... I am sorry for surprising you," Fiona added. Answering Sera's outburst were the two beautiful maidens. "I! Know! That!" Sera snapped. "Seeing each other is one thing! What I’m talking about is why our three families ended up having dinner together, and now only us daughters are stuck here in a separate room!"
Not long ago, everyone had met by the elevators in a state of mutual confusion. At the suggestion of Ulysses, who acted with his usual nonchalance, the Ignat, Riohalde, and Clausel families had shared a meal in a private room.
(I’m sure the Ignat and Riohalde families have all sorts of motives...) Licia thought. The Clausel family could hardly refuse Ulysses's invitation, and they had no intention of engaging in political mind games at the table. However, the other two families were a different story. Given that they belonged to opposing factions but both maintained ties to the Clausels, it wasn't surprising that they would try to size each other up, especially following the Great Clock Tower Incident.
(Marquis Ignat is a sly one. By inviting us first, he made it impossible for the Riohalde family not to be concerned.) It was unclear if Ulysses was probing Elck's feelings or if he was simply enjoying the sight of the man being nervous. Only Ulysses knew for sure.
As for why the three girls were currently separated from their fathers... "I've rented out the salon, so the three of you should go and have a nice chat!" Ulysses had said, making a proposal that was remarkably difficult to decline.
"Isn't it fine to just talk? You're overreacting, Sera," Licia said. "Am I the only one!? I mean, Licia, you've been way too calm since dinner!" "There's no reason to make a scene," Licia replied. There was no point in getting worked up when it wouldn't change anything.
Furthermore, it was clear from Licia's demeanor that she had met Fiona and Ulysses several times before. Sera realized this immediately, but the details of those meetings—or what had transpired during the Clock Tower incident—had not been mentioned during dinner. Even Elck, the head of the Riohalde family, hadn't dared to ask Ulysses directly. One didn't simply walk into a headache by questioning a man like Ulysses Ignat.
Sera let out a resigned sigh and took a bite of cake, trying to soothe her nerves with the sweetness. She looked at the two girls conversing so naturally in front of her. "I wonder if we should be talking about the same things our fathers are," Sera suggested. "What do you mean?" Licia asked. "The reason they sent us away. They're probably discussing troublesome noble politics, but don't you think they're also talking about the money?" Sera looked confident, but Licia and Fiona simply exchanged a confused glance.
"Do you know anything about it, Lady Fiona?" Licia asked. "No. I don't recall my father mentioning anything." Sera leaned in to explain. "Apparently, there was a suspicious flow of money within this large-scale project." Fiona looked intrigued. "Has a public investigation already begun?" Sera's posture stiffened slightly when addressing Fiona. "Probably not yet. If a formal audit had started, I don't think they'd be having a party." "I see. So discussions are taking place among those who are aware of the situation." If Elck held that information, it was likely he was conducting his own private inquiry. Licia and Fiona both assumed that Ulysses was undoubtedly aware of it as well.
"If you're both curious, should I go and eavesdrop for a bit?" Sera asked. "You mean going to where the three of them are talking?" Licia raised an eyebrow. "Is that... maybe a bad idea?" Sera's confidence faltered. No one said it out loud, but if she went there, she would have to face Ulysses Ignat. It wasn't just a matter of whether it was rude; it was a matter of whether Sera had the courage. Realizing this, Sera looked away and began to whistle poorly.
Fortunately, the awkwardness didn't last long. Ten minutes later, their fathers returned.
After returning to her father's suite shortly before dinner, Licia gave a smooth account of her time with the other girls. When her father, Lezard, finished listening, she brought up the topic she had remembered. "Father, have you heard anything about a strange flow of money?" Lezard paused. "...Who did you hear that from?" "So you did know about it." Lezard gave a tired shrug and motioned for Licia to sit on the sofa before sitting across from her. "I've been taking precautions to ensure I don't get dragged into it. For self-defense, of course."
He began to organize the information to explain it to her. "First, let's go over the project details again." In Gargazia, the Magic Ship Dock had been expanded by fifty percent. Numerous nobles and merchants, including Lezard, had contributed ideas and funds to create a mutually beneficial trade hub. New docks had been built in distant territories, and roads had been improved to facilitate merchant travel. Much of this was based on Lezard's proposals, as the expansion was necessary to handle the increased traffic.
"Large-scale construction was required, and massive amounts of materials were ordered," Lezard explained. "And that's where the suspicious part is?" Licia asked. "Yes. It's a massive undertaking involving countless financiers and merchant guilds, so it's easy for things to get lost, but still..." Lezard had noticed something concerning in a sector that didn't even involve him. Despite being a lower-tier noble, he was so competent that even Ulysses acknowledged his skill. That was why he had caught the discrepancy.
"I noticed an unnecessary flow of cash between a certain merchant guild and a landowner." "A landowner?" "Yes. During the road reorganization, Viscount Gargazia bought some land from a long-standing landowner to bypass a mountain. But it didn't stop there. Afterward, money was being transferred between that merchant guild and the landowner for no apparent reason. There was no record of land being bought or sold between them." "Did no one else notice?" "Normally, simple embezzlement is caught eventually. But this time, they were clearly taking steps to cover their tracks."
To obscure the source of the funds, the money was moved through donations to various institutions, trades in volatile precious metals, and real estate deals. According to Lezard's findings, they had even used grain trading across international borders. It was a complex, clever web designed to hide exactly where the capital was going.
"I can't believe you were able to figure all that out, Father..." "I've gained a bit of experience as a noble, that's all. I didn't go looking for trouble, but once you've seen enough, these things tend to stand out." Just as Ren was growing at a monstrous pace, Lezard was also honing his strength in the political arena. Licia smiled, proud of her father.
"The guild is called the Norman Company. The amount of money involved was far beyond their actual scale." "It sounds very shady," Licia remarked. "Doesn't it? They might be involved in some illicit business, or perhaps they're preparing for it. In any case, a proper investigation will likely start soon—if it hasn't already." Lezard gave a wry smile.
After their trip to the research institute, Ren and Radius returned to the Magic Ship. They would be staying there for the next two nights, and since Radius had booked premium quarters, it was quite comfortable.
"So, just burnt remains in the end," Radius sighed, sitting on a wooden stool by the window. Ren sat across from him. "Well, we kind of expected that." The remains of the Tyrant of the Corrupted Sky were indeed nothing but cinders. The research team had been looking for traces of drugs or magic that might have been used to summon the creature over Erendil, but so far, they had found nothing. Despite Radius's Analysis skill, he insisted on traditional research as well. However, today's results only confirmed the creature's known biological traits.
"They said more results would be out tomorrow. We can wait for those before making a decision," Ren suggested. "You're right. I just feel bad for having you come along for nothing." "Don't worry about it. I'm learning a lot just by listening to you." It was the truth. Being able to hear Radius's information firsthand was a valuable opportunity for Ren.
"If you like, we could even head to Gargazia now," Radius offered apologetically, knowing the chances of finding anything tomorrow were slim. Ren shook his head. "No, I'll wait until the business here is done." "Are you sure?" "Yeah. If I break my promise to you, Lord Lezard will scold me—kidding, mostly. But since I'm already here, I'll see it through." "You have my thanks. We'll head to Gargazia tomorrow, then. We should make it in time for the party." "Wait, you're coming too?" "I won't be attending the party. I just want to speak with Lezard now that he’s a Viscount—and see Ulysses's face while I’m at it." "Ah, so Lord Ulysses is just a 'by the way' thing." The two shared a laugh. Outside, the world was blanketed in darkness. Radius stared out at the night, his expression thoughtful.
"Would you mind talking for a bit longer?" "I'm not sleepy yet, so go ahead." Radius turned back to him. "It’s a continuation of that story I told you in the capital. I just received a report on my investigation." "The investigation into the... oh, the strange money flow?" "Exactly. I was wondering why that company paid out such a massive sum. Well, my subordinates just made an interesting discovery." "That was fast." "Fortunately, yes. Since the research institute was a bust, we might as well talk about this to pass the time." "I'm all ears. Both topics are interesting."
Pleased by Ren's interest, Radius began to detail the new information. As Ren listened, he felt his throat go dry and reached for the glass on the table to take a drink.