The imperial capital, which had returned after a long absence, was clearly smaller in number than it had been in the past when fighting was taking place.
　Since the image of the imperial capital in Ray was from the time of the competition, it is inevitable that he feels somewhat deserted.
　It is, however, the capital of the Empire of Bestia. It's true that it's a big city, as there are so many people going around the city that you can't compare with Gilm.
　But...

"There are a lot fewer people,"

　muttered Widale.
　It was so low that only Ray could hear it behind Widale.
　Ray understands the general situation when he hears the word.
　We are undoubtedly the reason for the decline in the number of people in the imperial capital.
　It's only natural. The rebels are approaching, albeit gradually.
　Precisely they are still forming positions a short distance from the Earl of Obrissin, where the rebels were formed, but they have not yet made their way from there.
　However, since there is a rumor that he defeated the punitive force, it is inevitable that he should be afraid.
　The least salvation is that Mercurio, the third prince, is leading the rebels.
　Many people thought that as long as he was a prince of the empire, the imperial capital would not be damaged.
　It was, however, correct.
　Mercurio had no intention of doing anything about the imperial capital itself, because it was only Schles and Kabazid who should be defeated.
　A person who is going to become emperor should not act in such a way as to be hostile to the people.

(however, if the imperial capital became a battlefield, that would be hopeless.)

　Mumbling inwardly, Ray turns his gaze toward the castle, shaken by a horse.
　Even though it was about the size of the imperial capital, the castle was dignified enough to be seen when it entered the imperial capital through the gate.
　You must have noticed Ray looking at the castle. Widale opens his mouth as he steers his horse forward.

"Dear Ray, do you mind going straight to the castle?"
"Huh? Oh, I don't mind. I mean, can I go with you proudly? You'll check your identity before you enter the castle. When I entered the imperial capital, the glory of the White Rose Knights came true. and if my true identity is revealed, I think I'll find myself in a bad position."

　I don't think how many soldiers can stop me.
　The same goes for knighthood.
　Ray has decided to take steps to use the magic of fire and get his death size in his hand.
　But even Ray doesn't want to go on such a rampage in the imperial capital.
　The people who live here have something in it -- except for a very small number -- and they don't like to cause wasteful damage to anyone other than their enemies.
　In addition, the fire whirlwind, which can be said to be Ray's inner hand, cannot be used without a set.
　Others want to avoid hostility toward Mercurio and Vihela.
　But Widere's confident smile returned to Ray's question.

"I want you to leave it to me. We belong to the White Rose Knights under the direct supervision of Prince Fritzione. You don't have to be blamed unless you make some suspicious moves. Even a fine aristocrat would not want to be looked at by His Highness Fritzione. In the first place, it is not an important block in the castle that I am going to take Ray with me."
"...is that so?"

　No matter how much Ray was auxiliaries from Mercurio... no, that's why he shouldn't have been sent to the main block all of a sudden.
　Rey, convinced by Widale's words, asks, then, where are you going to take him?

"Even though it's called a castle, there are lots in it where few people come. Don't you think such a place would be a good hiding place?"
"Well, indeed, with such a huge castle, there are places where people can't see it." I understand that."
"That's what it is. Now that we've reached an agreement, let's move on."

　He also looks at his knights, and the party continues throughout the imperial capital toward the castle.

(As expected, there are fewer shops than there were in the competition.)

　a muttering ray from the top of a horse looking out into the street
　Many merchants set up stalls and stalls to earn money from tourists from all over the Westian Empire and neighboring countries.
　When the tourists of course disappear, each merchant leaves in search of another.
　That was only natural, but for Ray, the imperial capital still has a strong impression of the competition, making it difficult to walk in crowds.
　There are other concerns that fewer stalls may make it somewhat inconvenient to procure food.
　Widale, who was in front of Ray, suddenly turned his gaze back as he looked around with a sigh.
　With a wry smile on her face, Widale opens his mouth apologetically.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Ray, but don't move too much on your horse. This horse seems to be a little restless."
"Huh? Oh, I'm sorry."

　Apologize to Widale and check on the city just by moving your gaze, not your face.
　In addition, the fact that horses are extremely nervous about Ray is that the smell of Seto remains strong on Ray.
　Even if not as good as dogs, horses have a very good sense of smell, and they also distinguish their companions by smell.
　Having such a sense of smell, of course Ray was on his back... and I understood that the smell of Seto, who was literally a different dimension from me, was ingrained.
　That was why the horses on which the White Rose Knights rode were somewhat frightened of Ray, and the horses on which Widale rode were equally frightened, which was quite tense.
　What's more, Ray, the cause of tension, is doing whatever he wants on his back. It's only natural that a horse should feel restless.
　However, Ray himself couldn't understand how such a horse felt, and he was looking at the surroundings.
　Still, it was a blessing for the horse that Widale's attention prevented him from moving.
　a party marching toward the castle in that way
　Eventually, the surrounding area changes from a mixed street to a well-organized street.
　The castle must be approaching.

(Oh... this is how it looks.)

　Ray, who had once been to the castle with Dusker, was travelling in a carriage.
　This time you can see the surroundings carefully, since it's a horse ride.
　It's not uncommon to pass by a few horse-drawn carts on the way to the castle.

"... oh my gosh!"

　When I was looking around, I suddenly heard a clapping of my tongue.
　Ray was surprised by the tongue clapping I heard from Widale.
　Basically, he knew his character as a polite warrior, so he didn't think he would do such a thing.
　However, the reason for the tongue-tapping is soon discovered.
　Several cavalrymen blocked Widale's path.

"Dune..."

　Ray suddenly nods at the name that comes out of Widale's mouth after the tongue punch.
　It was a familiar name somewhere.
　Thinking about where it was... I looked out of the back of Widale and saw his face, and I immediately remembered it.
　He was a man who, on his way to the imperial capital as a party of Dusker, had voluntarily taken tolls from travelers.
　When I met Ray before and had a quarrel with him, the deputy captain of the Unicorn Knights came and settled the matter...

(I can't believe we'll meet here. It is very different from what the Prime Minister said in the first place, but is it the influence of this civil war?

　It was not far from the imperial capital that I met a man called Dune in the first place, though I frowned slightly.
　With that in mind, it would be no surprise if they encountered it in the imperial capital.But... there is a bigger problem.
　In other words, a man called Dune has previously met Ray directly.
　Of course, things are different from those of that time. Gryphon's Seto, the biggest reason for Ray's recognition, is no longer there, and Ray's dragon robe has a cover-up effect and a hood to hide his face. 　
　In other words, even if Dune sees Ray now, he only looks like a regular novice wizard.
　Nevertheless, seeing Ray in person was enough to give him a bad feeling.
　Widale's attempt to hide behind him may have attracted Dune's attention. He may have been easy to look at, partly because he was riding a horse.
　Dune turns to Ray and stares.

"…Mr. Widere," What about the Wizard? It's a little hard to tell whether he's a man or a woman because he's wearing a robe... or a woman, considering he's with the White Rose Knights?"
"Well, I don't think I need to teach you that? What do you mean by standing in front of us? Do you have anything in mind that's just a captain? And don't use artificial language."

　Dune's expression distorts uncomfortably at the mere word of unit commander.
　Widale thought it was better for him to bear the brunt of his dislike than for Ray, but it seemed to irritate Dune more than he had expected.


"Oh, you're the same captain as me, and you're quite a great man.

　Dune glares at Widale in a crude way that was completely different from the politeness of his words a few seconds ago.

(Now that you mention it, this is the way you used to say it.)

　Widale and Dune continue their conversation in front of Ray, who is recalling their previous conversation.

"The same chief? I, the chief of the White Rose Knights under the direct supervision of His Highness Fritzione, and you, the chief of the unit who leads the little rascals." I don't want it to be the same."

　Ray nods inwardly to Widere, who tells him how disgusted he is with his gaze and words.
　In fact, Ray had no element to deny it previously.

(He said that he was under the protection of the second prince, but what made him like this? Considering that he was not present in the first expeditionary force, is there any reason to attach importance to him apart from his character or ability?)

　Ray is leaning his head, but he can't ask why he couldn't join the expeditionary force to clean up his incompetence, but while listening to them, he turns his eyes to the knights of the White Rose Knights nearby.
　The faces of the knights are as repulsive as those of Widere.
　Some are reaching for weapons, ready to fight at any time.
　It was the same with Dune's men.
　The facial expression on his face may be a derisive smile or a provocative smile, but he is ready to pull out his arms and attack his opponent as soon as something happens.
　It's a very volatile and dangerous situation, and anyone can see how much they detest each other.
　In fact, it was easy for Ray to imagine that there was a considerable connection between the two groups.

"...and Dune," What did you think of blocking our way, or was this an order from Prince Schles?"
"No way. I just wanted to say hello to someone I hadn't seen in a long time. I haven't seen you for a while, but where have you been?"
"Why do I have to tell you that?" If you're talking nonsense, do your job quietly. Don't bother others at all."
"Oh, I can't believe you'll tell me that,"

　Mocking words were uttered from Dune's mouth, and the atmosphere of each glaring at the other again flowed about him...

"What are you doing?"

　Such voices were heard at a time when tensions were about to reach the limit of each other's ability to draw weapons.
　The Lord of the Voice was clad in gorgeous metal armour, and it was clear that he was not the gatekeepers or soldiers around him.

"Knight Konoe? More importantly..."

　Ray's voice, more precisely the White Rose Knights behind Widere, is heard.

(Knight Konoe? I see, that's true.)

　Ray looks satisfied when he sees the other person approaching him.
　This was the first time Ray had seen a knight guard.
　It was because I had never seen it before when I came to the castle or at a competition.
　Knights of the Konoe family were directly under the control of the Imperial family...more precisely, but fortunately or unfortunately, when Ray saw the emperor's trajist, there was no Knights of the Konoe family around him.
　Is that why this was the first meeting between Knight Konoe and

"It tastes bad,"

　Widale's voice, muttering only in his mouth, came into Ray's ear.