Arkana nodded and lightly patted her back.
"Then it's fine."
What is?
She looked at him quizzically, but Arkana rely smiled.
The next day.
The group set out for the Imperial Palace in a prepared carriage later in the morning. In the central region, the snow was now lting, with water dripping from every eave. The road the carriage traveled was muddy, causing frequent jolts.
"The weather has improved a lot," Sigrid said, peering out of the shaking carriage window. Beramund sighed and replied:
"Coming back from the north, this feels like a different world."
"Indeed. I wonder if Arkana is cold?"
Sigrid asked Arkana, who had just returned from the desert. Arkana shook his head.
"The temperature inside the Ice Tower doesn't change much. But the desert was hot."
"Really? Weather is so strange, isn't it?"
Bump—!
The carriage shook violently, making them bounce in their seats. She said seriously:
"I wish we were riding horses."
"I agree."
"I can't ride, so that's out of the question for ."
Surprised by his words, Sigrid turned to Arkana.
"You can't ride a horse?"
"I've never had the need to. I'm not a knight, after all..."
He said, blinking his green eyes exaggeratedly, and Sigrid replied, "I see—"
"Then should I teach you? Horseback riding."
"Really? That would be great."
"Yes, I'll teach you."
Watching Sigrid make this promise, Beramund grumbled:
"You two get along well."
"We're friends, after all."
Sigrid's puzzled response left him unsure whether to be happy or sad. Beramund rested his chin on his hand and turned his gaze to the window. Sigrid awkwardly glanced at him once before lowering her eyes to her knees.
Despite the silence, the carriage continued on, soon reaching its destination. As they disembarked, Sigrid let out a short "Ah."
It was the garden where she had t the Crown Prince before.
"This way."
However, the direction Beramund pointed to was different from before. Arkana looked around the vast garden and let out a small exclamation of admiration.
As the muddy ground clung to her feet, Sigrid followed behind Beramund, thinking that while she didn't mind kneeling herself, she hoped Arkana wouldn't have to.
They arrived at a greenhouse.
It had a similar atmosphere to the place she had visited with Lowengrin and Marie-Chez before. The difference was that the ceiling was much higher, and there were birds?
The sound of birds could be heard from various directions.
"So people are starving, yet here are birds in a greenhouse."
At the cold voice, Sigrid glanced back to see Arkana wearing a cynical expression.
"I quite agree."
Hearing the voice, Sigrid turned and gave a slight bow.
"Your Grace."
Duke Fienscha looked over the group. He smiled kindly at Sigrid and said:
"It's been a while, Lady Ankertna."
"Yes, I hope you've been well."
"I'm in good health. Then, the person standing next to you must be..."
"This is my friend and magician, Arkana."
Arkana gave a slight nod to the duke, who returned the gesture. A magician was a figure worthy of respect, even without formal courtesies.
"I am Reginald Fienscha."
"I'm Arkana."
"Co in, all of you."
A voice called from inside. The group passed through the greenhouse path, which seed like an artificially created forest, and arrived at the inner area. Arkana narrowed his eyes, thinking, 'As expected—'
In the center of the greenhouse stood a crystal fountain, and in front of it, carpets and sofas were arranged to create a salon-like atmosphere.
Serios was standing in front of the fountain. Seeing an unfamiliar person next to him, Sigrid tilted her head. Serios spoke:
"Welco, Lady Ankertna. And—"
As Serios turned his gaze to Arkana, trailing off, Arkana gave a slight bow and introduced himself.
"I am Arkana, Your Highness."
"Welco, Master Arkana."
Serios gestured, inviting them to sit.
The cheerful sound of water flowing from the crystal fountain could be heard. After everyone except Sigrid and Beramund had taken their seats, Serios finally sat down in the most prominent position.
"So of you may not have t this person before. This is the Duke of Lunatil."
"I am Ravis Lunatil. Lady Ankertna, Master Arkana."
'Ah, so this is Beramund's brother—! The one said to be so capable!'
Sigrid stared at him until their eyes t, then quickly lowered her head.
"I am Sigrid Ankertna of the 1st Imperial Guard."
"Sigrid... Is your nickna Siri?"
At Ravis's question, Beramund let out a groan, while Sigrid tilted her head and replied, "Yes, that's right."
"I see."
Ravis smiled gently.
"I've heard a lot about you."
"Is that so?"
"There are many rumors about a female Master. Seeing you in person, you're even more beautiful than the rumors suggest."
"Thank you."
In truth, she preferred to be praised for her swordsmanship rather than her beauty, but she didn't want to embarrass Beramund's brother by saying so.
"Siri's swordsmanship is even more impressive than her face."
Beramund interjected sowhat reproachfully, and Ravis quickly added:
"Of course, I'm sure that's true."
Sigrid gave Beramund a slight smile. Serios looked between her and Beramund, cleared his throat, and said:
"The reason we've gathered today is to hear your story, Master Arkana. You say other magicians might have joined hands with His Majesty?"
"That's correct."
Arkana nodded. He took out a pitch-black fragnt from his chest. Seeing it, Sigrid clenched her fist reflexively.
"What is this?"
At Serios's question, Arkana replied:
"It's a part of the armored knight that attacked Beramund and Sigrid."
"Armor?"
Both Ravis and Fienscha looked puzzled. Serios said, "Ah."
"I haven't explained the situation to these two yet. Beramund, if you would."
Beramund nodded and said:
"When we were pursuing Prince Rudinal, His Highness was being chased by a knight in black armor. The armor was completely empty inside."
"Empty inside the armor? You an only the armor was moving? And this— it's black, but it's not Berada steel."
Duke Fienscha picked up the fragnt. Berada steel had a blue tint, but this was as black as charcoal.
"It's ordinary iron infused with magic. To make it move like a puppet, you see."
"Magic..."
Everyone looked at it with wonder.
"The main power source to move it is an Aura Core."
At these words, Duke Fienscha almost dropped the fragnt but managed to set it down calmly. Ravis's face contorted involuntarily.
"An Aura Core? Then does that an an Aura user is involved?"
"No, it's not that— it ans they stole an Aura Core from a Master."
Beramund shrugged and said:
"In cases like mine, where the Core is in the back of the hand, it might be easier. They'd just have to cut off the arm."
He briefly raised his right hand, then lowered it.
"But if a Master disappeared, rumors would spread quickly, wouldn't they?"
Beramund raised the question.
"It might not be from recent tis. It seems to be older than we thought."
Arkana said, raising his head and continuing:
"In any case, as long as they're using sothing like this, we should assu there's a magician behind it. That is, if you really think His Majesty has set this trap."
"I'm certain."
Serios answered.
"No one but Father could manipulate Rudinal like this."
His voice faltered when ntioning Rudinal, but Serios took a deep breath and said:
"If a magician and His Majesty have joined forces, what could they be planning? The limit of my imagination is sothing like the Achtschwietz, using them as a personal guard."
"When all those in power gain more power, isn't there one thing they all desire?"
Arkana said quietly. At these words, Serios stared at him blankly before whispering defeatedly:
"Really? Is that possible?"
"I'd like to say 'it's possible,' but the price is not light. The price of life is usually life."
"Huh—"
Serios fell into thought. Sigrid couldn't follow the conversation at all and looked at Arkana with a puzzled expression. Noticing her gaze, Arkana whispered softly:
"Immortality."
"Immor—"
Sigrid was at a loss for words.
"His Majesty's dreams are quite grand indeed."
Duke Fienscha muttered, leaning back into the sofa. Ravis sank into deep thought.
"So it ans absorbing the lives of others? If that's the case, certainly— a large-scale purge would be waiting."
"No, it seems there's sothing else waiting before that."
Serios twisted the corner of his mouth upward.
"I was wondering why he suddenly gathered a personal guard and what he planned to do with them. Then I heard an interesting piece of news."
"What is it?"
Duke Fienscha asked.
"It seems he's planning to demolish the slums."
Sigrid gasped. The atmosphere in the greenhouse changed instantly. Even the birdsong that had sounded peaceful until now seed like a requiem.
"Demolition won't be easy, will it?"
Ravis said, tilting his head as if trying to change the mood.
"There have been several attempts citing illegal construction and such, but didn't they all end in failure?"
"But it would be different if there were subversive elents hiding there."
At Sigrid's words, everyone's gaze turned to her. Sigrid looked at the floor for a mont before raising her head.
Now— how did she sweep through the slums?
"They'll say that people who have rebelled against His Majesty the Emperor are hiding in the slums. Then they'll issue a notice for uninvolved people to leave the area, search everywhere, and put pressure on them."
"But for people whose livelihoods are there, would they leave so easily?"
At Duke Fienscha's words, Sigrid shook her head and said:
"That's not important. After the announced period ends, those who remain are rebels against His Majesty."
"I see."
Ravis nodded. He continued:
"Then there's no need for rcy. Everyone left is a rebel. So they'll sweep through with the personal guard, is that it? If they resist, they'll beco rioters instead."
"Yes."
Sigrid answered softly.
Even as she spoke, Sigrid found it strange.
How could she have handled things like that without ever doubting?
She had never once thought that the people who remained might not be rebels.
When His Majesty said rebels were hiding in the slums, she believed they were hiding there, and when he said to burn it down, she burned it. And only now was she considering that it might not have been true.
Was this too late?
Or not too late?
'Either way, this ti I'll definitely try to stop it.'
Sigrid thought as she raised her head. Fienscha tapped his knee a few tis, then said:
"But for that, don't they need actual rebels who have risen against His Majesty?"
Ravis nodded and looked at Serios.
"Do you think His Majesty will use Prince Rudinal to fabricate this fact?"
"Probably. An accident occurred during the inspection. Soone is rebelling against His Majesty. And this happened while moving from the north to the west?"
As Serios turned his gaze to Duke Fienscha, the duke grinned. It was a wolf-like smile.
"I see, so that's how it is. A rebellion in the west."
Ravis raised a finger, pointing at Serios. It was a rude gesture, but Serios simply looked at the Duke of Lunatil. Ravis said:
"And a Crown Prince dreaming of overthrowing the throne in alliance with the west, I suppose. Sadly, the internal whistleblower who pleaded about his brother would be Prince Rudinal."
The atmosphere froze.
"That's what I would do if I were in that position."
Ravis lowered his hand.
"Indeed, Prince Rudinal is known to be close to the Crown Prince, so the impact would be significant."
Duke Fienscha added. Serios crossed his legs with a hardened expression. As everyone's gaze focused on Serios, he smiled and raised his head.
"So you're telling
to order the disposal of my brother with my own mouth?"
"You'll have to make so decision, Your Highness."
Duke Fienscha said with a calm expression. Ravis shrugged.
"I'm sorry, but I don't want to act on my own by reading your mood, then be interrogated about why I did such a thing, and end up being pushed aside."
"That's quite brazen of you to say, Duke Lunatil."
Ravis responded with "Is that so?" and closed his mouth.
'Honestly, I don't think it's too much, considering it's coming from soone who put another's brother in danger for the sake of his own.'
Ravis was still in an unforgiving mood.
The Lunatil ducal family had always adhered to principles and never excessively sought power. They knew that was the way to last long alongside those in power. And as dukes, the only position above them was the throne, but generation after generation, the Lunatils had never been greedy for such power.
If Erial or Beramund hadn't been on the Crown Prince's side in the current tug-of-war between the Emperor and the Crown Prince, Ravis would have been enjoying a leisurely ti in his domain, unconcerned with these matters.
'Ah, I want to spend ti with l.'
Recalling his modest dream, Ravis spoke to Serios again:
"Do you think Prince Rudinal won't betray Your Highness?"
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