The march lasted for almost ten days.
✦ ✦ ✦
They had arrived at Lake Granice.
✦ ✦ ✦
Vera got off the carriage and walked alongside Renee, reciting the sights before him.
✦ ✦ ✦
“We seem to be the last to arrive. The barracks of the other nations are already set up, and it seems that the wizards are having a meeting by the lake. Next to them are the sorcerers and... it looks like there are also elementalists.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Are they investigating the lake?”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Yes, according to the last communication, they haven’t had much success yet. Ah, looks like Miller has started arguing with the wizards. No wonder there’s no progress.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Annoyance was evident in Vera’s voice.
✦ ✦ ✦
Renee chuckled in response.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Still the same, I see. But I don’t think that’s the reason for the lack of progress. Sir Miller is also a reasonable person, after all.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Well…”
✦ ✦ ✦
Could one match the word ‘reasonable’ with the sight of Miller shaking an old wizard by the collar?
✦ ✦ ✦
Vera pondered about it for a moment, then shook his head and sighed.
✦ ✦ ✦
“We should send Trevor to that side. I’ll leave the barracks to Theresa... For now, we should go to the conference hall.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Yes, where is the conference hall?”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Someone will be here soon to guide us. Ah, he’s coming now.”
✦ ✦ ✦
The words were uttered as a familiar figure approached them.
✦ ✦ ✦
Then, a clear voice rang out.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Sir Vera, Saint! It’s been a long time!”
✦ ✦ ✦
Albrecht greeted them with a bright expression.
✦ ✦ ✦
Recognizing his voice, Renee responded warmly.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Second Prince! It’s been a while!”
✦ ✦ ✦
Albrecht’s expression brightened even more.
✦ ✦ ✦
Of course, this was understandable.
✦ ✦ ✦
For him, this was the first time that he had received such a warm welcome from them, so it would have been strange for him not to feel touched.
✦ ✦ ✦
A wave of emotion rose over Albrecht’s face.
✦ ✦ ✦
As Vera’s expression began to darken, Renee tightly squeezed his hand.
✦ ✦ ✦
Only then did Vera remember Renee’s request.
✦ ✦ ✦
— Be welcoming this time. Vera is always so grumpy, so he’s always cautious around us. With a big fight coming up, we can’t have the Prince making mistakes because he’s being conscious.
✦ ✦ ✦
It was a convincing argument.
✦ ✦ ✦
Suppressing his irritation, Vera greeted him with a face as unfurrowed as possible.
✦ ✦ ✦
“It’s been a while.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Sir Vera…!”
✦ ✦ ✦
It was an inexplicable rejection.
✦ ✦ ✦
He briefly pondered why Albrecht, who was looking at him with twinkling eyes, was so annoying. Then, he shook off the thought and asked.
✦ ✦ ✦
“What’s the situation?”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Ah! The civilians around the lake have been evacuated. We have ships patrolling the fortress in three shifts, and the elementalists are leading the investigation of the lake. Well, without much success.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“How’s the atmosphere?”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Not bad.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Suddenly, Albrecht’s expression became grave.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Well, it’s not bad, but there is tension since people from different cultures are gathering. Especially from the Federation…”
✦ ✦ ✦
A sigh escaped from Vera.
✦ ✦ ✦
“...That’s understandable.”
✦ ✦ ✦
The Federation had always been torn by civil war.
✦ ✦ ✦
Now, two among the Five Kingdoms have been destroyed, one by themselves and one by Gorgan, and had turned into a no man’s land.
✦ ✦ ✦
Thus, the chaotic situation was to be expected. The remaining Three Kingdoms continued their power struggles even in this situation.
✦ ✦ ✦
But what followed was a series of stories that made even Vera uncomfortable.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Also, now that the elves have come out, there are soldiers who are causing problems because of their curiosity. Oben’s soldiers are wandering around shirtless, causing complaints, and Chellen and Vien, who were already on bad terms… are fighting quite a bit.”
✦ ✦ ✦
It was more than just chaos.
✦ ✦ ✦
Vera grimaced as he listened to Albrecht.
✦ ✦ ✦
The situation report was over, and only then did Albrecht finally notice Vera’s worsening expression.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Sir Vera…?”
✦ ✦ ✦
He was obviously angry.
✦ ✦ ✦
As Albrecht swallowed nervously, Vera replied.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Show me the way.”
✦ ✦ ✦
At his stern tone, Albrecht thought.
✦ ✦ ✦
‘Uh, did I...’
✦ ✦ ✦
He wondered if he had made a mistake by saying something he shouldn’t have due to his excitement.