“Your Majesty,” Reiji said. “Do you perhaps know that Suimei is a magician?”
“Indeed,” the king answered. “A lot happened before he left the capital. By the looks of it, you and Mizuki-dono are aware as well.”
So he really did know. During their stay in this castle, there’d apparently been some kind of incident. As for what exactly had happened, much like when Reiji brought this up with Suimei, Almadious didn’t go into detail.
“Hmm. So Suimei-kun told the king. Hmmm...”
Mizuki puffed her cheeks. She was clearly displeased, remembering the fact that Suimei hadn’t told her. She started mumbling to herself about stuff like “I won’t forgive you unless you bring back souvenirs” and “Rice and miso are the bare minimum.” To borrow Mizuki’s own words, she was exuding a dark aura.
“I would be right to assume Felmenia has also gone to that world?” Almadious asked.
“Yes. She accompanied him for his return,” Titania answered.
“I see. I can picture her swooning over the sights of another world.” Almadious smiled in good humor, predicting how Felmenia would behave over there.
“I think she’ll be fine,” Reiji said.
“Yes. The White Flame is very talented,” Titania agreed.
The two of them were brimming with confidence in Felmenia.
“I’ve been wanting to ask this for a while now...” Graziella said, throwing them a quizzical look. “Why do you have such an inflated opinion of the White Flame?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Titania said. “She’s such a capable woman.”
“I admit she has skill and talent,” Graziella conceded. “But how do you explain that disappointing side of hers?”
“Disappointing? Disappointing how?” Reiji asked, raising a brow.
“Princess Graziella, are you not mistaken?” Titania said. “I understand Suimei being disappointing, but I can’t allow such slander against the White Flame.”
“Wait. Are you actually being serious?” Graziella asked, clearly perplexed by this.
It was as if she was only just realizing how different her opinion of Felmenia was from the others’. And as her confusion intensified, someone suddenly burst into laughter.
“Pfffft!”
Reiji looked around him, wondering where the sound was coming from, but he didn’t see anyone laughing. He then faced forward to see Almadious looking the other way. The king’s shoulders were trembling, and he had a hand to his mouth.
“It appears King Almadious is well aware of what I mean,” Graziella commented.
“Father? What’s the meaning of this?” Titania asked.
“Hmm. I do believe Suimei-dono once described Felmenia as a klutz,” Almadious explained.
“Huh...?” Reiji muttered.
“A klutz?!” Titania yelled.
Reiji exchanged looks with Mizuki, but she shook her head, not knowing where this was coming from either. Titania, on the other hand, was enraged.
“How do I explain?” Almadious continued. “Despite praising her curiosity and ability to learn, he said that she has such a side to her too.”
“Hmm. Suimei usually doesn’t say stuff like that about other people unless he really doesn’t get along with them...” Reiji commented.
“Unforgivable. I’ll have to make things clear once he’s back...” Titania mumbled darkly.
“Hm...? Titania, you appear to have grown awfully harsh when it comes to Suimei-dono,” Almadious said. “I don’t believe you were like this before departing the capital.”
“Huh? No, well...”
Titania averted her eyes. Seeing that he wasn’t going to get anything out of his daughter, Almadious intentionally changed the subject.
“I suppose that’s enough idle chatter over our reunion. Let us cut to the chase. Reiji-dono, your letter mentioned that you had something to ask me.”
Almadious focused carefully on Reiji, and a moment later, Titania ordered the room to be cleared.
“Father,” she said, once they were alone. “We wish to ask about Duke Hadorious.”
“About Lucas...? We’ve already received reports of the trade corps he used as bait. Forgive me, but I cannot punish him harshly over that case. I can place certain restrictions on him, but it’s difficult to do any more, especially as I am aware of Suimei-dono’s power.”
“No, it is not regarding that matter.”
“Hmm. Then what is it?”
“Are you aware that Duke Hadorious had El Meide’s hero confined?” Reiji asked.
“Lucas confined El Meide’s hero?” Almadious said. “No. According to the reports, he provided the hero shelter to relieve his fatigue.”
“The truth is he threatened Elliot and put him under house arrest. But setting that aside, there’s something we need to know.”
“I see. Reiji-dono, you have other concerns, then?” Almadious asked.
“Father,” Titania continued in Reiji’s stead. “Have you heard of the Universal Apostles?”
“No. Not with what information I have,” the king answered.
“It is the name of a group that’s been plotting behind the scenes of the northern continent,” Reiji elaborated. “They lent us a hand during the war against the demons in Nelferia, but during Elliot’s confinement, they stood against us.”
“And from what I can gather from this conversation, you mean to say Lucas is involved?” Almadious asked.
“Yes,” Reiji said. “He’s connected to the Universal Apostles’s leader, Gottfried. We believe Elliot’s confinement was part of some plot.”
“Lucas is my sworn friend,” the king said, his eyes narrowing in disbelief. “I’m not excusing his crimes, but there must be a reason for him to do such a thing... Titania?”
“I’m of the same opinion,” Titania said. “But I think we must keep a careful eye on his movements.”
“I suppose so,” the king agreed. “Reiji-dono, have you spoken with Lucas before?”
“With the duke?” Reiji asked. Almadious nodded. This had happened a while ago. “I was called to the duke’s manor to talk during our stay in Kurant.”
“And what did he say?” the king asked.
“He asked me why I fight. He also told me about the Goddess.”
“Meaning Lucas has conveyed part of his reasons to you already. It’s probably related to what he said. But still, the Goddess...?”
Almadious sank into thought. Before long, he seemed to find an answer.
“Lucas must have apprehensions about the world’s current order. Those concerns will eventually engulf Astel. That is probably why he is maneuvering behind the scenes.”
“I believe the duke is uneasy about the Goddess,” Reiji agreed.
“I see. In that case, this information can’t leave this room. Reiji-dono, I understand your suspicions of Lucas, but do you believe he stands in your way?”
“No. It was more like he was trying to test me. To warn me about something.”
“That sounds like him. If he truly wished you harm, you wouldn’t have gotten off so lightly.”
“Yes...” Reiji said, voice trailing off. “He forced me to realize that too.”
“So he turned his blade on you?”
“In nothing more serious than a test, though.”
“That can’t be overlooked, but... Hmm, Lucas can probably say he asked you for a bout and get away with it.”
Almadious predicted what Hadorious’s excuse would be, then suddenly looked at Reiji.
“Despite fighting Lucas, you act like it wasn’t a big deal,” he said.
“Well, Suimei was with us at the time too.”
“I see.”
“Honestly... Suimei is capable of overwhelming even the duke,” Titania cut in. “He isn’t that skilled with a sword, but with the way he fights...”
“Hmm? Then, Titania, did you have a bout with Suimei-dono too?” Almadious asked.
“U-Umm, well, yes...”
“And the result?”
“Th-Th-Th-That’s not really worth mentioning...” Titania answered, clearly dodging the question.
“But I’m curious.”