Chapter 16
A thought suddenly occurred to Riyan.
Was it a coincidence, or was it inevitable?
According to Berka, what had happened during the Winning Streak Battle was possible because the Treasurer had been moved by Riyan's actions.
Of course, Riyan had deliberately arranged things that way after considering the Empire's usual behavior and tendencies.
But immediately afterward, he had come under the surveillance of the Imperial Inspector. And now, he had somehow established a connection with the Military Commissioner's daughter.
Looking at it this way, it almost seems as though I'm the one chasing after them.
Even though that had never been his intention.
Riyan turned his black eyes toward Haral.
"Instructor Haral, what's the worst thing you're worried about?"
"That we'll make some mistake and offend the Military Commissioner."
"And after that?"
"That woman, Sevanne, might take a liking to you and decide she wants to sponsor you."
"Is that really the worst outcome?"
"Do you think it's a blessing? You're a fighter who belongs to the Arena, and you want to throw yourself into the Military Commissioner's arms? That would be the stupidest way to commit suicide."
As Haral said, the place before them could very well be a tiger's den.
But even if its fangs were sharper than Riyan had expected, that was no reason to turn around.
After all, everything in the Imperial Capital was already controlled under the watchful eyes of the Arcana Council.
"Wouldn't having someone with that much influence behind me still be a good thing?"
"Listen. I think you're misunderstanding something."
Haral looked around, ground his teeth, and lowered his voice.
"No matter how much they praise you as an Imperial fighter, you're still a slave. To the nobles who take an interest in fighters and sponsor them, you're nothing more than a fine thoroughbred stallion they can show off to other people."
"I see."
"The Rose Fighter? I guarantee that bastard won't last another few years. Right now, he's living the good life because all those glamorous noblewomen adore him. But what do you think will happen when they lose interest?"
"Probably nothing good."
Haral ground his teeth and was about to spit.
Then he seemed to remember whose garden they were standing in and swallowed instead.
"Sure, having the Military Commissioner's daughter behind you would let you live like a king. I'm not denying that. But do you really want to hide beneath the skirts of a woman who might change her mind on a whim?"
Haral had clearly misunderstood something.
He probably assumed Riyan wanted the same glamorous lifestyle as the Rose Fighter.
But Riyan had only come here because it was a means of achieving his objective.
Of course, explaining his actual intentions in detail would be troublesome. In that sense, Riyan had deliberately allowed Haral to misunderstand.
It made things easier for both of them.
Contrary to Riyan's expectations, however, Haral was taking the matter rather seriously.
"Judging by your swordsmanship and the way you sweet-talk nobles, you must have some unusual history. But with those skills, you'd be better off becoming a Champion and finding a way out of the Arena. Forget these pointless ideas."
"You didn't say anything when we left the training center."
"I'd recommend accepting a little sponsorship and making your life more comfortable. But your potential sponsor is connected to the Military Commissioner, and you're acting like you've just struck gold!"
"Is that an order from my instructor?"
"It's advice for a little brat who somehow became my friend at my age, you bastard."
"I understand. For now."
"What?"
Haral's eyes blazed at that rather unconvincing answer.
Just then...
"There you are."
A refined voice interrupted their quiet conversation.
They turned.
An older woman stood before them, her hair neatly arranged.
Several younger maids accompanied her.
Her clothing wasn't quite luxurious enough to belong to a noblewoman, but it was immaculate. Her eyes also possessed the restraint of someone who had received a thorough education.
"I am Anna, the head maid of this residence. My lady has granted you permission to enter. Please follow me. I shall escort you."
Without waiting for a response, Anna turned and began walking.
Riyan glanced at Haral and whispered, half-jokingly.
"Shall we decline? We might offend her."
"Damn it. Now that it's come to this, keep your wits about you. We have no idea what tricks they'll use to turn our heads."
Riyan couldn't help laughing at Haral's determined, solemn expression.
How long had they been walking through the garden behind the maids?
At some point, Riyan felt something strange and narrowed his eyes.
The warm sunlight falling over the garden hadn't changed.
But directly ahead, in the space where the mansion's first floor should have been, a cold and unfamiliar energy was flowing.
It wasn't long before the source of that energy came into view.
"What the hell is that...?"
Haral, who had been following quietly, muttered under his breath.
Riyan slowly tilted his head.
An enormous cylindrical space stood before them.
There was no physical barrier separating it from the surroundings. Instead, a mist-like blue energy clearly marked its boundaries.
A pillar?
At first glance, it resembled a pillar made of shimmering heat haze.
It extended all the way to the mansion's upper floors, and the unfamiliar energy was flowing from it.
"I'll demonstrate first. Simply follow the movement without struggling. Show them."
At the head maid's instruction, one of the younger maids stopped briefly before stepping inside the pillar.
Something extraordinary happened.
The young maid's body began floating gently upward, defying gravity.
She hadn't performed any special procedure.
She simply stood there, rising toward the upper floors as though she were drifting through transparent water.
Riyan glanced at Haral.
The man was standing with his mouth wide open, blinking in disbelief.
Judging by that reaction, this wasn't a common sight even in the Imperial Capital.
Magic. Gravity reversal... artificially concentrated within a restricted area.
This didn't seem like the sort of magic one would normally use for something as simple as transportation.
But if House Eisenhart had wanted to demonstrate the extent of its power, it was an excellent display.
"Please step inside."
Having given Riyan and Haral ample time to admire the pillar of light, Anna naturally moved behind them.
Riyan stepped inside without hesitation.
