CH 532

Inside Rei’s room at the Golden Wind inn, Rei tilted his head involuntarily and spoke up after Theorem, also know as Flash, spoke of rescuing the third prince, Mecurio.

「Rescue? In other words, you want to rescue someone who has been captured for some reason?」

At Rei’s words, Theorem nodded with a cold gaze.

「Yes. However, to be exact, he hasn’t been imprisoned for committing a crime.」

「That’s right. He’s not the type to do something stupid. ……What could have happened that you need to look for me?」

Even Vihera didn’t seem to think that her younger brother, Mecurio, would be imprisoned.

There was a hint of turmoil in her eyes.

If she had exchanged information with Theorem before meeting up with Rei, it would have been fine, but after arriving at the Golden Wind inn to wait, Rei and Elena had arrived shortly after, which meant they had no time to exchange information.

Hearing Vihera’s words, Theorem looked at Rei before speaking.

「Crimson, it was this man’s actions that created the situation where His Highness Mecurio was imprisoned.」

Hearing Theorem’s words, Vihera turned to look at Rei involuntarily……before nodding in agreement.

「……So, I see. He took responsibility for the Spring War.」

「Yes. Originally, the responsibility for defeat should have gone to General Kastom, and by extension, to the Second Prince’s faction. However, as a result of political manipulation on their side, the entire blame was placed on me as a member of the Third Prince’s faction, and as a result, His Highness Mecurio. We took countermeasures……but were unable to do anything about it in the end.」

「The result was imprisonment?」

「……Correct.」

At Rei’s words, Theorem nodded while gritting his teeth.

「My brother’s situation aside, what about my sister?」

Vihera asked about the First Princess, who was also her half sister.

Unlike Vihera, she was almost powerless in terms of combat strength, but in exchange, she was smart and had advised the Bestir Empire on several beneficial national policies.

She was a sister with a gentle and graceful personality.

However, her work and shown that she wasn’t just a kind person.

The Demon Soldiers that Theorem had under his control had all been thanks to the cooperation of the First Princess.

That said, the result could be considered ironic. As it established a connection between Mecurio and the First Princess, the result loss in the war against the Mireana Kingdom meant that she was also held responsible for the defeat.

「Even Her Highness Frizione is now in a situation where she cannot make a move.」

Theorem shook his head slightly with a sad expression in his eyes.

If he had been able to get the cooperation of the First Princess, Frizione, he wouldn’t have come to ask for cooperation from Vihera, which costed his a large number of people and money to secretly investigate.

For Theorem, Vihera’s existence, with her immense strength, could serve as a secret safety net for Mecurio’s attempt to become emperor.

「……So what do you want me to do? I don’t want to hear all the troublesome words, so just tell me what you need me to do.」

Hearing those words, Theorem turned away from Vihera as he looked at Rei.

「Vihera-sama, before that, please tell me. Vihera-sama and Crimson……no, Rei, what kind of relationship do you two have?」

Vihera replied with a blush in her pale cheeks at the direct question she had not been expecting.

「That is……he’s the person I like.」

Hearing those words, Elena’s cheeks twitched slightly, but Vihera didn’t seem to notice, or let it go if she did. In any case, Theorem continued the conversation.

「Is that the case? So, you’re not lovers yet? 」

「Of course not.」

At those words, it was Elena, who had been quietly listening in from next to Rei, who immediately declared.

Originally, she had no intention of interfering, partly because the matter concerned the situation of the Bestir Empire’s royal family. But, if Vihera attempted to be recognised as Rei’s lover, she would intervene. She couldn’t let that happen.

「……You seem to be well liked by attractive people.」

As Theorem said that, his eyes showed a faint tinge of sympathy.

Whether it was Elena or Vihera, both of them were beautiful enough that no one would object to calling the two of them peerless beauties.

However, at the same time, one was known as the General Princess and daughter of Duke Kerebel, the leader of the Aristocratic Faction that held the second largest influence in the Mireana Kingdom. The other was a battle maniac and a member of the royal family of a long standing hostile nation, which they had gone to war with just last spring.

Compared to their good looks, both of them were women with many tricky issues behind them.

However, Rei just shrugged his shoulders at Theorem’s words as he replied with a smile on his face.

「I don’t have a problem with that. Also, just saying……you should get on with your story.」

「Ahem, right. The story itself isn’t complicated. We, the Third Prince’s faction, are trying to rescue His Highness Mecurio, who is currently imprisoned, as I mentioned before.」

When Theorem reached that point, Rei interjected.

「That’s the point. Why are you forcing yourself to make a move here? Certainly Mercurio might……」

「His Highness Mecurio.」

「I’m not from the Bestir Empire though. If anything, I’m from the Mireana Kingdom, which is hostile with the Bestir Empire, but……well, it’s fine. It’s a waste of time to keep going off topic.」

Letting out a small sigh, Rei continued as he decided to just accept the situation for now.

「It might be very important to you that His Highness Mercurio is imprisoned. But does that mean you need to force things here?」

「That is true. Certainly, under normal circumstances, that would be the case. However, according to the information we have obtained, there are people working to have His Highness Mecurio disinherited at the end of this year. If it were just imprisonment or house arrest, I would have endured it. However, if he is going to be disinherited, I will not stand idly by.」

Saying that much, he turned to Vihera as if not wanting to say something before eventually giving up.

「……Even more so, the person pushing for the disinheritance is either His Highness Kabarjid, His Highness Mercurio’s older brother, or His Highness Schluss…… There have also been reports that they’re running an organisation controlling things from behind the scenes.」

「Wait, Theorem. Is this true? Are you sure?」

It was Vihera, not Rei or Elena, who raised her voice when she heard those two names.

「Are those two such a surprise?」

In response to Rei’s question, Vihera took a few sips of fruit juice to calm herself down before speaking again.

「Since Theorem called them ‘His Highness’, you can probably guess who they are, right? The First and Second Princes.」

「……So that’s it.」

Rei seemed to show an expression of understanding at Vihera’s words.

If it was a power struggle between members of the Royal Family, then it was true that there would be some who would be willing to be merciless and cruel to their own relatives……no, rather, because they were their own relatives.

「I can understand that Prince Mercurio’s life will be in danger if he isn’t helped. I can also understand looking for Vihera’s help and that I am the cause for this situation. But why are you bothering to tell me all this? ……This is a serious situation and you aren’ one to just tell people because they want to know. And you’re also saying this in the presence of Elena, a noble belonging to the Mireana Kingdom.」

Normally, if Rei had been the one to ask for more information, he wouldn’t have expected Theorem to go into so much detail.

However, Theorem was now explaining everything as he sat in front of Rei.

Because of that, it was inevitable that there had to be some reason for it.

His thoughts must have been understood by Theorem. Giving a slight nod, Theorem turned to Vihera for a moment before speaking.

「To put it bluntly, the Third Prince’s faction is small in terms of power. ……It might be easier to understand if I said it was like the Mireana Kingdom’s Neutral Faction. In order to rescue His Highness, we need some kind of hidden ace. It would be even more convenient if it was a hidden ace big enough that it couldn’t be dealt with simply. And, it would best if we could convince everyone that we are not working together with them.」

Having said that much, even Rei understood what Theorem wanted to say.

A huge hidden ace that could help the Third Prince’s faction……and more precisely, one who had no cooperative relationship with Theorem.

Theorem was, of course, referring to Rei.

「Originally, I had come to Exil to ask Vihera-sama to take on that role. But you were also here, Rei.」

「……So, it would be more convenient if it were me.」

Theorem nodded slightly at Rei’s response, which held slight disbelief.

「Honestly, I have no intention of getting involved in another country’s disputes……」

Vihera placed the cup of fruit juice she had been holding in her hands onto the table as she bowed her head deeply at Rei.

She spoke as Rei watched her purple hair drop down due to gravity.

「Putting aside the issue of my status, Mecurio has always been my cute little brother. Please help me……to save him. Of course, I will help you in this matter, but I stand out in many ways. As a former royal, there are many nobles who will recognise my face if I return to the Imperial Capital.」

Rei nodded at Vihera’ words, as she raised her head after speaking slowly.

Even in the Mireana Kingdom, Vihera’s beauty was on par with Elena’s. She also had matching strength compared to Elena, who had absorbed an Ancient Dragon’s magic stone, as well as an exceptional figure.

On top of her status as a member of the Royal Family, there was no reason she wouldn’t stand out.

After Vihera finished speaking, Theorem followed up.

「Let me add, your status is an adventurer. Unlike Lady Kerebel over there, you are technically not part of the Mireana Kingdom. In that case, I don’t think you’ll have any problems accepting a job in the Bestir Empire.」

「This is a big deal.」

Elena sharply interjected.

Like her words, her gaze was sharp as she looked at Theorem.

「Rei is an adventurer, that’s for sure. There is no doubt about that. However, he killed a large number of the Bestir Empire’s soldiers during the Spring War. Since that is the case, if Rei went over to the Bestir Empire, he will definitely be attacked by those with a grudge against him. To you, he would just be useful in distracting the eyes of those imprisoning your lord.」

「……To be honest, no one who participated in the war would want to mess with Rei. Rather, they would run away immediately if they saw him.」

「If they were on the battlefield and saw his ability firsthand, that’s probably true. But other than that……if they were an acquaintance of someone who died, wouldn’t their hatred prevail over their fear?」

Elena paused for a moment before continuing on as she glared at Theorem.

「Besides, Rei is currently regarded as the biggest military force that Margrave Rowlocks has in the Mireana Kingdom. If Rei were to go to the Bestir Empire, it would definitely cause trouble for Daska-dono.」

Hearing Elena’s words, Theorem looked at Rei, silently asking if that was all true.

Rei was at a loss for a moment at the question. Considering the favours he had received from Daska, it was hard for him say it wasn’t true. He was also aware of the fact that Daska had given him a great amount of help.

「If Rei really wants to help out Vihera and Theorem in rescuing His Highness Mecurio, he should at least inform Daska-dono about this first. There’s no harm in having the cooperation of a neutral party.」

「……Eh?」

Rei unintentionally voice his surprise.

At his silly response, Elena continued with some exasperation.

「What? Did you think I would oppose it? Well, if you had to ask me whether I’m for it or against it, I would be against it. But you won’t stop even if I asked you to, right?」

At that question, Rei nodded silently.

To Rei, Vihera was a new bond he had created in Exil. He understood the other side’s feelings and, while it was hard to define his own feelings towards her, it was true that he did like her somewhat as well.

「And, this is not just my personal feelings. Even as a noble, I welcome the idea of the Bestir Empire losing its national power.」

「……Thank you, Elena.」

「I appreciate it.」

Both Vihera and Theorem’s words of gratitude echoed into the room.