Published: February 1, 2026
“I’m sorry I couldn’t come when you invited me the other day.”
“Too stiff!”
“My apologies.”
As Rei nodded in satisfaction, Lizel returned the smile.
The chief military police officer, who had come as Rei’s messenger during the reading week, had judged that time impossible back then. But yesterday, when he spotted Lizel walking through the city after finishing his period of reading, he approached him again.
It wasn’t as if Rei had specifically told him to watch for an opportunity and make contact, but once this man accepted an order, he would carry it out no matter what. He was the very model of a military policeman. Or, put another way, stubborn.
The very next day after Lizel gave his consent, Rei had already made time to meet. As always, his ability to move quickly was impressive.
“Oh? You didn’t bring the newcomer?”
“He said there was somewhere he wanted to go today, so we’re moving separately.”
What adventurer would skip out on a summons from a noble? A normal adventurer would force himself to come along, wanting to get his face known.
But considering this was the same party as Lizel, who had prioritized reading, and Gill, who had refused an escort request, it wasn’t strange at all that he would also prioritize something else. No one in this party moved in a straightforward line.
Rei, who had vaguely guessed Eleven’s true identity, smiled in amusement. It seemed he wasn’t the kind of man whose courage would falter just because “it’s a bit awkward to go.”
“Where’d he run off to?”
“The auction. He seems really into it lately.”
The underground one, of course. That much he didn’t say out loud in front of Rei, the head of the military police.
Gill nodded, “Ahh,” as if remembering. That was right—yesterday Eleven had spoken about it with obvious delight.
Apparently, “It’s fun to buy every item some dumb-looking rich boy is aiming for and mock him with it.” Lizel constantly wondered what he did with the things he bought despite not even wanting them.
“So, there’s something you want to ask us, isn’t there?”
“Oh? I was hoping you’d at least consider the possibility I just wanted to talk with you, Sir Lizel.”
The gesture of his shrug suited him very well. Thinking that, Lizel still nodded as if to say of course.
Because at this time of year the military police were busy. The founding festival, one of the largest events in the country, was only a few days away.
There was probably no time when the military police were more needed than during that kind of festival frenzy. There were always people who went too far, and the number of incidents rose sharply over those few days.
Rei, who should have been busy with preparations for that, had deliberately made time and called them to talk. There was no way it could just be idle chatter. On top of festival preparations, as a viscount he also had duties in the royal castle for the official ceremonies. If anything, even these moments should have been too precious to spare.
“You seemed busy, so I did consider refusing…”
“It’s fine. I’ve taken care of what needs doing. Besides, there’s no time more meaningful than one spent speaking with you.”
“I’m honored.”
If Rei said it was fine, Lizel had nothing more to say.
Sipping the tea that had been poured for him, he thought that the topic was probably the great invasion.
But Rei should have already received plenty of reports about that from Shadow. Of course, knowing him, he wouldn’t have gone into detail about Lizel and the others, but it wouldn’t be strange if he’d sent Rei a private letter. That was why Rei had called Lizel’s party in to hear their side.
In that case, the real topic would be the parts he couldn’t learn from Shadow.
“You want to ask about our friend, don’t you?”
It was impossible for those peerless beauties, the elves who had revealed themselves and displayed overwhelming power, not to become a topic of rumor.
The adventurers dispatched from the Capital City (Parteda) had never even reached the Commerce Nation (Malcaid), as the great invasion had already ended on their way. But with more and more adventurers traveling from the Commerce Nation to the Capital City, the rumors would have spread.