As the meeting concluded inside the magic ship, a voice drifted across the room to the assembled guests.
"We will be arriving at the Sky Garden shortly, everyone."
It was a servant of House Clausel.
Lezard, the host of the evening, offered his final thanks to the guests, his voice echoing through the hall. Minutes later, the magic ship began its descent and moored at the Sky Garden. Among the nobles filing out one by one was Richter Leonhardt.
Once the last guest had departed, Lezard finally allowed himself a long exhale.
"And that’s the end of today's duties."
He turned to Ren and Licia, thanking them for their assistance throughout the day. They had intended to return to the manor immediately, but Lezard proposed a change of plans.
"Why don't the three of us stay for a quiet, light meal? It would be a waste to leave the magic ship so soon. There is plenty of food left, so let's eat before we head home."
"Yes, gladly," Licia said.
"Understood. I would be honored to join you," Ren added.
The two readily accepted and took their seats at a table to enjoy a late-night snack. The night view of Erendil was as breathtaking as ever. The Great Clock Tower, the site of last year’s massive disturbance, stood out even more than usual, brilliantly illuminated by festive lights.
The intimacy of dining with only trusted companions began to wash away the day's fatigue.
"Will you both be able to rest well tonight?" Lezard asked.
"I hope so," Licia replied. "But I'm so exhausted I'm worried I'll oversleep."
"Me too," Ren admitted. "I thought the days leading up to the festival were busier, but strangely, today felt more draining."
"That’s how it goes," Lezard said with a knowing smile. "No matter the occasion, the actual event is always the most exhausting part."
"I suppose it was the same for you then, Father."
Unlike the formal standing party from earlier, they sat properly and ate at their own pace. Free from the scrutiny of other nobles, they enjoyed the dishes brought to them in a relaxed atmosphere, just as they did back at the manor.
"Speaking of which, Father," Licia said, "Ren and I were talking about Roses Kaitas the whole time."
"Ah, that is a truly formidable seal. I’ve seen it several times for work, but was this the first time for you two?"
Since Lezard frequently traveled by magic ship, he had often viewed the seal from the sky. Even then, he had only seen it a handful of times. While Roses Kaitas wasn't particularly far by air, it was located in a remote, rugged region. Though an old highway existed, it was rarely used for anything other than approaching the sanctuary. It was a place of wild beauty, nestled among valleys, mountains, and lakes—a destination the magic ship's standard routes seldom crossed.
"It’s been quite active lately, but I expect it will be especially crowded on the sixth day," Lezard noted.
"The area around Roses Kaitas?" Licia asked, blinking in surprise.
Lezard nodded. "The Elfen Church Choir is scheduled to visit. They will be praying for the souls of all those who fell on the battlefield, seeking the salvation of the Main God Elfen."
"The choir's singing... I’m a bit curious to hear it myself," Licia murmured.
"It’s a rare opportunity. Perhaps you two should go listen to them."
Licia and Ren exchanged a look. According to Lezard, the choir would arrive at Roses Kaitas on the morning of the sixth day of the Lion King Grand Festival. By then, their duties on the Executive Committee would be much lighter than they were today. However, it was only a passing suggestion—something to consider if they had the time and the chance arose.
Once they finished their light meal, the three reunited with Weiss, who had been standing guard outside the ship, and prepared to head down to the ground floor of the Sky Garden.
Just before they left, Ren glanced up at the upper level of the docks where the ship was moored. He looked toward a dock door that was usually kept sealed.
"Mr. Verrich is still working at this hour?"
In that dock sat the magic ship Lemuria, a vessel Verrich had built long ago. It had been nearly destroyed due to poor maintenance by the Imperial Family, but Verrich was currently using Asval's Horn to restore it into a masterpiece superior to its original form.
As Ren looked up, Verrich poked his head out from the entrance. He seemed to have noticed Ren. From a height of dozens of meils, he looked down without a hint of vertigo.
"Ho ho! The work over here is going perfectly!"
"Thank you! But please don't lean out so far, it’s dangerous!" Ren called back.
"Hah? This is nothing... oh, fine then!" Verrich laughed once more before retreating back into the shadows of the dock.
"He seems as energetic as ever, Lord Verrich," Licia remarked.
With their business concluded, the four of them—including Weiss—began the walk through the Sky Garden toward the ground floor and the carriage waiting to take them home.
Everything with the committee is going well, and I even got to see Roses Kaitas, though it was a bit blurry, Ren thought, stretching his back.
He felt certain he would fall asleep the moment his head hit the pillow. His only concern was whether his stamina would hold out long enough to take a bath. It would be a disaster if he fell asleep in the tub.
"Ren, don't you dare fall asleep in the bath," Licia said suddenly.
"...How did you know what I was thinking?"
"I’ve told you many times—I’ve known you long enough to guess exactly what's on your mind." Licia held up an index finger, a beautiful, clear smile on her face. "Be careful, okay?"
The next morning, Ren woke up in his room and tilted his head in confusion.
He felt as though he had been dreaming, but the memories were gone. While forgetting dreams was common, today it left a strange, lingering weight in his heart.
"What was that...?"
Still puzzled, he checked the clock and saw it was a bit earlier than his usual wake-up time. After getting dressed and leaving his room, he happened upon Licia in the hallway.
She looked equally perplexed, appearing deep in thought.
"Lady Licia, is something the matter?" Ren asked as he approached.
"Oh... no, it’s nothing. Truly, it’s not a big deal."
Her evasive tone caught his interest. He offered a small joke to lighten the mood.
"You didn't happen to have a strange dream too, did you?"
"Wait... Ren, you too?"
It was meant to be a throwaway comment, but her reaction changed things. Ren’s eyes widened, and the two moved closer to one another, peering into each other's faces from a distance much smaller than their usual polite gap.
"Do you remember anything about it?" Ren asked.
Licia shook her head immediately. "I don't know. But it’s been bothering me so much that I feel like I'm being silly..."
"I feel the same. I know I saw something, but I can't recall a single detail. Yet I can’t stop thinking about it."
They stood there for a moment, but there was nothing more to be said. They eventually chalked it up to a strange coincidence. After all, dreams were fleeting things, and trying to analyze them further seemed more eccentric than the dreams themselves.
Ren and Licia shared a small, wry smile and moved on with their morning.
The second day of the festival was quieter than the first, allowing them more time to relax at the Academy Headquarters.
According to reports from the various venues, the students of the Imperial Academy were progressing steadily through their events, further cementing the school's prestigious reputation. This was especially true for the Martial Arts Tournament, where every academy representative had advanced.
This trend continued through the third and fourth days. Even by the fourth day, when only the most elite combatants remained, the academy students held their ground.
Prince Radius sat in his carriage, organizing these reports as he headed toward the headquarters just as he had every morning. The carriage was luxuriously appointed, befitting a royal of a great empire. Mirei sat beside him, while Estelle sat across from them.
A summer breeze drifted through the open windows, but Radius remained composed, ignoring the heat as he scanned his documents. Even as they pulled up to the plaza in front of the headquarters, his expression didn't change.
"I'll wait outside for you, Highness nya," Mirei said.
"My apologies."
Normally, Mirei would have stepped out followed by Radius. Today, however, Radius remained seated while Mirei disembarked alone.
Estelle, watching from the opposite seat, raised an eyebrow. "Is something wrong? Do you have other business, Your Highness?"
"I do. Right here."
"Here? Inside the carriage?"
Radius nodded and set his documents aside. He closed the window and snapped his fingers, activating a magic tool that generated a cool breeze to keep the cabin comfortable.
Then, a high-pitched ring echoed in their ears. Estelle recognized the sound immediately.
"You’ve soundproofed the carriage... May I ask the meaning of this?"
A similar tool had been used when Ren and Licia were abducted by Jelququ. It was a device that managed sound within a specific space, and this time, it was set to ensure not a single word leaked outside.
Estelle’s expression became grave as she looked at the Prince.
"What are you doing?" Radius asked.
His voice was calm, but it carried a weight that filled the small space.
"What am I doing? I don't follow, Your Highness."
"You know exactly what I mean. I have gone to great lengths to set this stage. You must realize by now, Estelle, that I have seen through your facade."
Radius met her gaze with a steady, unwavering look. His voice was regal and held no room for hesitation.
"You seemed quite busy over the holidays, Estelle. Which is only natural, of course. With the Lion King Grand Festival returning to the capital, the Lion Sanctum must have been overwhelmed with security negotiations."
"...No, it wasn't quite like that."
"Don't be humble. I understand perfectly well how busy you were. In every possible respect."
Estelle, who had reflexively tried to deny it, felt the sheer force of the boy's presence. He was simply looking at her, yet she felt a sudden, overwhelming urge to confess everything. Even if it concerned the Emperor’s most classified orders.
"Fine," Radius said. "Let me rephrase the question."
He leaned in slightly, his eyes never leaving hers.
"What were you doing in Erendil during the holidays?"
Estelle didn't so much as twitch. She simply tilted her head in a display of practiced, perfect confusion—a gesture so natural that it betrayed not a single hint of the truth.