The trumpet sounded across the Grand Arena of the Main Palace. Below the second-level observation gallery, the applicants assigned to the first open combat round filed onto the temporary platform constructed over the pale-sand floor.
The platform accommodated dozens of fighters at once, with the surrounding sand serving as the elimination zone.
Attendants and palace medics waited along the perimeter in case anyone landed badly or suffered more than the expected bruises.
"Whoa, this is fun."
Lord Keith leaned forward in his seat.
"Ease your excitement," Lord Earl replied. "They are not here to kill each other. They merely have to force one another off the platform."
"That doesn't make it less entertaining."
Lord Earl sighed, while G6 remained silent with her arms and legs crossed.
Her attention drifted over the applicants, and she looked less like one of their evaluators than a predator deciding which creatures beneath her were worth acknowledging.
Prince Dio glanced in her direction, then again several seconds later. He had learned that staring too obviously tended to produce unpleasant consequences.
G6 either failed to notice or chose not to acknowledge him.
"NOW, THE FIRST SET WILL BEGIN!"
The official's amplified voice echoed across the arena. Applicants spread apart as another trumpet sounded, then rushed one another from different directions.
Practice swords struck shields, staves collided, and shouted warnings disappeared beneath the fighting. Some competitors formed temporary alliances immediately.
Others charged into the center with no apparent plan beyond brute force.
A broad-shouldered man wielding a blunted axe swept his weapon through a wide arc. Two nearby applicants jumped backward, but a slimmer fighter ducked and stepped inside his reach.
Catching the larger man's shoulder, he used the momentum of the swing to shove him toward the platform's edge.
The man stumbled, his heel slipping over the boundary before he disappeared from view and landed heavily in the sand.
Elsewhere, two women carrying staves positioned themselves back-to-back. They alternated their strikes while three opponents tried to separate them.
When one attacker overextended, a staff hooked behind his ankle and brought him down. The other woman immediately drove a shoulder into him, sending him sliding off the platform.
"Did you see that?" Lord Keith asked, laughing.
"Unfortunately."
Lord Earl adjusted his spectacles.
"You are enjoying this far too much."
G6 released a slow sigh.
It's so noisy.
Below, a sword struck a shield hard enough to make her displeasure deepen.
They're not even good.
Someone roared while attempting to shove another applicant over the edge.
Some are just big enough to push people around.
Another competitor stumbled over his own feet and was eliminated almost immediately. G6 watched two fighters swing their practice weapons repeatedly without any discernible control.
What kind of exam is this? The Hobgoblin was more interesting.
She leaned her head back.
Talking to a wall might be more productive.
The clashes gradually became background noise. After roughly twelve minutes, another trumpet sounded.
"STOP!"
Exactly twenty applicants remained on the platform. Several raised their fists in celebration as the eliminated competitors were escorted away and the next group entered.
The rounds repeated with the same succession of fights, shoves, falls, and cheers. G6's interest diminished each time. By the third set, she had stopped pretending to care; by the fourth, her eyes had closed.
"Is she sleeping?" Lord Keith asked.
Lady Brenda immediately leaned forward from the row behind them.
"Lady Reise must be exhausted."
"She is asleep," Lord Earl confirmed after examining her.
Prince Dio looked sideways. G6's breathing had indeed slowed, and he watched her for several seconds before noticing Lord Keith's growing grin.
The moment their eyes met, Lord Keith turned toward the arena with an expression of perfect innocence. Prince Dio narrowed his eyes.
"NOW, WE WILL BEGIN THE LAST SET!"
G6's eyes opened immediately. Her grey gaze settled on the arena without a trace of grogginess, as though someone had flipped a switch.
Finally. I have business.
She straightened slightly while the final applicants entered through the gates and moved onto the platform. Her attention caught on a small figure disappearing between two much larger competitors.
"What's that?"
"What is wrong, Reise?" Prince Dio asked.
"Why is there a child? I thought this was only for those sixteen and up."
G6 leaned forward as Lord Earl rose to examine the platform.
"A child? I do not see one."
She searched the crowd again, but the small figure had vanished.
"Are you certain?" Lord Earl asked.
"I just saw one."
Where the hell did that child hide?
The applicants continued spreading across the platform. Lord Earl eventually sat down.
"Reise, are you certain you did not mistake someone shorter for a child?"
"Tsk. Maybe."
She leaned back, ending the conversation. The trumpet sounded, and the applicants began moving.
Her instincts remained unconvinced. She had seen someone, and doubting her eyesight was not something G6 particularly enjoyed.
<
A faint oblong light appeared across her grey eyes. The distant figures sharpened until individual faces separated from the moving crowd, along with hands, weapons, foot placement, and breathing patterns.
She found the boy slipping past a taller applicant before disappearing behind another cluster.
See? I'm right.
How the hell did a child slip into royal recruitment?
He looked considerably younger than the surrounding competitors. Her first impression placed him around eleven or twelve, perhaps older, though it remained difficult to judge from that distance. Whatever his exact age, he did not look sixteen.
The boy moved again, drawing G6's closer attention. He was not attempting to overpower anyone. Instead, he avoided fights he did not need.
A larger applicant advanced toward him, but the boy shifted away before the man could engage. When another fighter closed from the opposite direction, he changed position again, keeping both opponents between himself and the platform's center.
He's using Physical Enhancement.
His movements were slightly faster than his small body should naturally allow.
The application was controlled rather than powerful or aggressive, and while it was unimpressive compared with the knights and nobles G6 had trained with, he understood how much force he could handle.
Interesting.
Prince Dio glanced toward her and became still. White light lay across her eyes, adding another abnormality to the growing number he had witnessed over the past few weeks.
What is that? Prince Dio thought.
It resembled neither Wind Magic nor any conventional General Magic he recognized. He had seen no spell formation and heard no chant.
Is it a skill? What kind of skill affects the eyes like that? he wondered.
G6 remained unaware of his scrutiny. Her attention belonged entirely to the boy as a large man rushed him with a practice sword.
The swing was wild, heavy, and predictable. Rather than block it, the boy stepped forward, carrying himself inside the weapon's arc with one precise movement.
The sword passed behind him. As the larger man's momentum dragged him forward, the boy placed a hand between his shoulders and pushed. The fighter stumbled over the boundary and fell into the sand.
G6's brow rose.
Not bad.
He had redirected force instead of contesting strength. The execution was rough and incomplete, but economical enough that luck could not account for it.
He has potential.
<
The white light faded from her eyes. G6 leaned back without taking her attention from the platform.
Why is he working so hard?
The boy disappeared between several bodies again.
Pathetic child.
Several more minutes passed before the trumpet sounded.
"STOP! ALL SETS HAVE ENDED! CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WHO PASSED!"
Cheers filled the Grand Arena. The remaining applicants began lowering their weapons, and the boy did the same.
G6's attention moved elsewhere, then snapped back.
A man eliminated moments earlier had climbed near the platform again. Humiliation twisted his face, and a thick practice club reinforced with blunt iron thorns hung from one hand. The boy stood with his back turned.
The man raised the weapon.
G6 stood.
<
Her focus narrowed to the man's hand, making everything around it irrelevant. She formed a gun with her fingers as Wind compressed violently at the tips.
Bullet of Death.
—BANG!
The projectile crossed the Grand Arena almost instantly. The club had only begun descending when the compressed shot pierced the man's hand.
Blood burst from the wound, and the weapon fell.
"AAAAAGH!"
His scream silenced nearly the entire arena. He collapsed to one knee, clutching his bleeding hand, while the boy spun around and nearby applicants recoiled.
"What the hell?!" someone shouted.
"Who did that?!" another demanded.
Palace medics rushed toward the wounded man as G6 lowered her hand.
<
Lord Earl recognized the attack and turned sharply toward her.
"What the hell are you doing, Reise?!"
He stood and caught her wrist before fully considering the action.
Beside her, Prince Dio's chair scraped backward as he rose and clamped a hand around Lord Earl's wrist.
"I SHOULD BE ASKING YOU THAT!"
Lord Earl turned toward him. The Prince's expression had gone cold.
"Release her."
"Prince Dio—"
"Both of you, calm down!"
Lady Brenda rose behind them, visibly alarmed.
"Prince Dio! Earl!"
Lord Keith had become unusually quiet. Lord Zen and Miss Eliza looked between the three of them while G6 remained unmoved.
She examined Lord Earl's hand around her wrist before looking into his face.
"That man was trying to swing his weapon at the child you said didn't exist."
His anger faltered. Looking down, he found the medics moving the wounded attacker away from the platform. Behind them stood the boy, now plainly visible and unmistakably young.
Lord Earl slowly released G6. Prince Dio removed his hand from him immediately afterward.
"You're right…"
Most of the force had left Lord Earl's voice. G6 flexed her wrist once, less from pain than distaste for the sensation his grip had left.
Below, confusion continued spreading among the applicants. Some had seen the attempted assault, but most had witnessed only a man's hand suddenly erupting with blood.
G6 approached the railing. Using Whisper of Gale, she controlled the air around her voice and carried it across the arena.
"I don't adhere to unfair battles."
The remaining whispers faded beneath her cold, unapologetic delivery.
"If you lost, it means one thing: you were too weak."
The wounded man glared upward while a medic wrapped his hand.
"Any attempt to harm someone because you can't accept your own failure is strictly forbidden on my watch."
Her gaze settled on him.
"Try it again when I'm not looking."
Several applicants swallowed visibly.
"Apprehend that man. He attempted to assault a child."
Palace knights moved toward him at once. G6 stepped away from the railing and faced Lord Earl, who looked as though he regretted becoming the next person in her line of sight.
"The next time you grab me carelessly, your hand is next."
Nothing in her voice suggested exaggeration. A chill passed through those nearby.
"Reise… I am sorry."
G6 offered no answer.
"Edmund."
Her butler had already begun moving. Tina and Lilia hurried after him as G6 left the observation gallery without looking back.
The silence lasted several seconds before Lord Keith turned toward Lord Earl.
"Why would you yell at her like that? You must have lost your mind."
"I reacted."
Lord Earl closed his eyes.
"Badly," Lord Keith supplied.
"I know."
"Do not forget your place, Lord Earl."
Prince Dio's cold reprimand made Lord Earl look toward him, but the Prince had already turned to follow G6.
"Wonderful. Now both of them are angry," Lord Keith groaned.
"They are not both angry," Lady Brenda said.
He looked at her.
"Lady Reise looked more annoyed than angry."
"That is worse."
Lord Keith pointed toward Lord Earl.
"And you know how unpleasant Dio becomes when he's mad."
"Shut it, Keith. Earl knows what he did. We still have a recruitment to finish."
Lord Earl adjusted his spectacles, his discomfort undiminished. Lord Keith patted his shoulder, only to have his hand slapped away immediately.
"Do not."
"See? You're recovering."
Lord Earl glared at him.
❈.❈.❈
G6 walked quickly through the interior corridor connecting the Grand Arena's main gallery to the smaller recruitment annex. Edmund kept pace beside her while Tina and Lilia followed several steps behind.
"Do you know that child, Lady Reise?"
"He just looks familiar."
"You seem more agitated than usual today."
She continued looking ahead. Edmund lowered his voice further.
"Was it because of Her Majesty?"
"Perhaps. Things are just not going well for us. We have nothing but one mystery after another, one problem after another."
"I understand where you are coming from, Lady Reise."
Footsteps approached behind them.
"Reise."
G6 kept walking, but Prince Dio caught up. Edmund saw him approaching and smoothly dropped back beside Tina and Lilia.
"Forgive Earl for his reckless action," Prince Dio said, matching her pace.
"I'm not mad."
"Are you sure?"
"Aren't you the one who should be forgiving him?"
She glanced toward him without slowing.
"I was just… startled by how carelessly he grabbed you," Prince Dio answered with a frown. "But you know Earl. He is too dignified to usually act that way."
"Stop worrying about my feelings toward that geek. I was just reminding him of his place."
G6 stopped, and Prince Dio halted beside her. His expression eased slightly.
"I see. I am glad to hear that."
She stared at him.
"Lead the way. What are you just standing there for?"
He blinked before understanding. She had stopped because she did not know where to go.
"This way."
Prince Dio turned, and G6 followed.
「GRAND ARENA — ANNEX」
The smaller annex connected directly to the Grand Arena through a side corridor. Unlike the enormous primary arena, it accommodated registration, briefings, and smaller evaluations.
Tables lined the sides, with stacks of application documents and contracts awaiting the successful candidates already gathered inside.
G6 began searching the moment she entered.
Where is that child?
"Silence, everyone!"
A palace official stepped forward.
"His Highness the Second Prince and the representatives of the Pillar Houses have arrived."
Whispers spread despite the announcement.
"Isn't one of them the woman who attacked someone?" an applicant murmured.
"Which one?" a companion asked.
"I don't know."
G6's eyebrow twitched.
Gossips.
"Lady Reise."
Lady Brenda approached with Lord Earl, Lord Keith, Lord Zen, and Miss Eliza. Lord Earl's eyes briefly met G6's before finding something else to examine.
"Oh, you're here. So what's next?"
"We will explain the contracts and the circumstances behind the recruitment," Lord Zen replied. "As Lord Earl mentioned earlier, the applicants will be allowed to decide whether they still wish to continue after hearing everything."
He glanced toward Lord Earl.
"It appears Lord Earl is not presently inclined to speak before a crowd."
Lord Earl's jaw tightened. Lord Zen politely ignored it.
"I will handle that portion instead. Excuse me, Lady Reise."
He went to join Prince Dio, leaving Lord Keith beside Lord Earl.
"I've never seen you so small before."
"Shut up, Keith."
Lord Earl adjusted his spectacles.
"I will take my embarrassment out on you if you do not stop."
"Don't take it out on me. This was your fault."
Lord Keith glanced toward Prince Dio.
"Anyway, once Snow White completely calms down, he'll speak to you normally again."
"Dio is not my concern."
Lord Earl's attention drifted toward G6. Lord Keith followed it.
"Oh."
"I acted without considering what I was doing."
"Yes."
"You don't need to agree that quickly."
"You want me to lie?"
Lord Earl frowned. Lord Keith released a dramatic sigh.
"You know Reise. She hates people manhandling her."
"You think she is actually angry?"
"You are exhausting."
When Lord Earl said nothing, Lord Keith threw both hands into the air.
"Pull yourself together. You're pissing me off now."
He walked away, leaving Lord Earl staring after him.
"That stupid man."
Lord Earl rubbed both hands down his face, adjusted his glasses again, and finally joined the others.
Nearby, Miss Eliza stood with G6 and Lady Brenda.
"I wonder if that man is all right," she said quietly.
"Why don't you use your magic on him, then?" G6 asked.
Miss Eliza stiffened.
"He was taken by the palace knights… He is probably being interrogated."
"Then, silence."
Miss Eliza closed her mouth. Lady Brenda offered her an apologetic smile just as a shout cut across the room.
"HEY, YOU WENCH!"
Lady Brenda turned sharply toward the voice. Miss Eliza's eyes widened, while G6 looked around more slowly.
Riza stood several paces away. Beside her, Rich looked as though his soul had already abandoned his body.
"Excuse me?"
Lady Brenda stepped forward, making Riza hesitate.
"Who exactly do you believe you are speaking to?"
"Please forgive our Captain!"
Rich bowed deeply and repeatedly.
"Captain?" Lady Brenda asked. "Are you an Adventurers' Guild party?"
"Yes. Why?"
Riza still appeared unaware of the danger. G6 stared at her, recognizing the girl immediately.
This rude brat. Riza. What the fuck is she doing here?
"I TOLD YOU TO WATCH WHO YOU'RE TALKING TO!"
Lady Brenda's disbelief had become anger. G6's eyes twitched at the volume.
"Calm down, Bre."
Lady Brenda stepped back immediately, though her glare remained fixed on Riza. G6 returned her attention to the girl.
"What is your problem?"
Riza's confidence weakened beneath the stare.
"Nothing. You just…"
Her eyes moved over G6's hair.
"You have the same hair color as that bitch I hate."
G6's expression remained unchanged. Riza continued before common sense could rescue her.
"Hers was styled differently. Straighter. Usually hidden under a dark cap. And she wore those huge tinted glasses all the time."
Rich looked more horrified with every word.
As G6 Arcadia, she had straightened Reise's natural waves, secured the upper portion in a compact braided knot, and concealed part of the style beneath her cap. Deeply tinted glasses had hidden her grey eyes entirely.
Neither the length nor the color of her hair had changed, but the styling altered her silhouette more than most people realized. No one at the Guild had properly seen her eyes.
Safe enough.
Then another thought arrived.
Don't tell me—Edmund, that useless bastard.
Was this why he suddenly wore those stupid glasses?
G6 looked back at Riza.
"So, my hair resembles that of a woman you hate?"
Her cold grey gaze held the girl's.
"You think that's a license to disrespect me?"
She lowered her voice.
"You must think you have multiple lives."
Riza stepped backward.
"W-what are you talking about…"
"Didn't you see her crest?!" Rich finally snapped. "She's a Worthon!"
Riza froze as he pointed toward Lady Brenda.
"And these are Pillar nobles! Captain, you must be looking forward to your death!"
"What?! Why didn't you tell me sooner? Useless!"
"How could you not know? The Pillar crests and royal crest are common knowledge! And were her grey eyes not enough for you to know that?"
"Weren't you taught how to behave inside the Main Palace?" Lady Brenda demanded.
Riza lowered her head slightly.
"And is this the manner in which you address nobility?"
"What is going on?"
Another familiar voice approached, and G6's remaining patience collapsed.
Oh? Isn't that the social maniac.
Captain Sebastian approached with Xena, Dante, and Nick behind him. He looked toward Riza.
"You promised not to cause trouble in exchange for being allowed to come."
"Captain Sebastian!"
Rich hurried toward him.
"She yelled at the Pillar nobles."
"What?"
Captain Sebastian turned back to Riza.
"You promised! Apologize immediately."
Her shoulders dropped, and she finally bowed properly.
"Please forgive my disrespectful actions. Please spare us."
"What does she mean by us?" Rich whispered beside her.
Captain Sebastian turned toward G6 and became completely still.
Her hair, posture, and stare registered beneath the different clothing and presentation. Without the tinted glasses, and with a noble crest openly displayed, everything should have identified her as Lady Reise Worthon.
Something in his mind nevertheless resisted.
"G-G6?"
What the fuck is wrong with this man?
"What are you talking about, Captain?"
Nick nearly choked as he grabbed Captain Sebastian's shoulder.
"You've really lost it. Xena, do something."
Xena looked between him and G6 before slowly covering her mouth. Dante was already struggling not to laugh.
G6 cleared her throat.
"Raise your head, you foolish girl."
Riza straightened immediately.
"The next time you speak to me so casually, I will have your head as payment."
Riza hiccupped, and Rich began biting his fingernails. Captain Sebastian recovered enough to bow.
"Forgive her, my lady. And forgive me as well for mistaking you for a woman I know. You simply… resemble her."
"Lady Reise is the most beautiful woman in Einston," Lady Brenda declared. "How dare you compare her to some woman you happen to know?"
G6 slowly turned toward her.
"And stop comparing her rose-gold hair to imitations! Do you have any idea how many lesser nobles and commoners copy Lady Reise's color because of how rare it is?"
Look at this woman.
Lady Brenda folded her arms more tightly.
"They're really pissing me off."
G6's eyebrow rose.
I don't think this is my doing anymore.
"Lady Reise!"
Edmund finally appeared.
"Where the hell have you been?"
"Forgive me. Prince Dio requested that we assist with distributing the application forms and contracts. Tina and Lilia are still helping."
"Good."
G6 gestured toward Captain Sebastian's party.
"Take these people to the side. Keep them away from me before I do something."
The threat made the adventurers stiffen again. Captain Sebastian bowed.
"Again, forgive me, my lady."
He turned toward Lady Brenda.
"And you as well, my lady."
"Fucking annoying."
G6 walked away. Lady Brenda gave the Guild party one last glare before following, while Miss Eliza offered an awkward nod and hurried after them.
Captain Sebastian watched G6 leave, his brows still furrowed.
"She feels oddly like her."
"Captain."
Xena waited until he looked toward her.
"You are indeed madly in love with G6."
"W-what?"
He nearly inhaled his own tongue.
"Let's fill these out before you and Riza lose your heads," Xena continued cheerfully. "That lady's temper seems even worse."
"I was thinking the same thing," Dante agreed.
He glanced toward their captain.
"You are always attracted to complicated women."
Nick laughed. Riza turned sharply toward Captain Sebastian.
"No way! Sebastian! You like that bitch adventurer?!"
"Lower your voice."
He rubbed his forehead.
"And all of you, stop."
Edmund silently handed over their paperwork before leaving them to their own disaster.
At the raised presentation area, G6 dropped into one of the chairs prepared for the nobles overseeing the final proceedings. Lord Earl occupied the neighboring seat and immediately became absorbed in the documents he held.
She leaned back.
I was just thinking about how messy everything is becoming. And now these idiots are here too.
Her fingers tapped once against the chair.
How do I get rid of them?
Should I just—no, I shouldn't.
At the front of the room, Prince Dio stood beside Lord Zen. His gaze moved toward her, then returned a moment later.
"I wonder what happened now."
Lord Zen followed his attention.
"Lady Reise seems perpetually unhappy."
A faint smile appeared.
"I have concluded that this is simply her natural state."
"Did I say that aloud?" Prince Dio asked.
"You did."
The Prince sighed.
"Shall we finish this?"
Lord Zen nodded.
Lady Brenda was approaching the chair beside G6 when Lord Keith slid into it first.
"You!"
"What?"
He settled comfortably.
"I was about to sit there!"
"Don't be such a baby. You already live with her. Give me a break."
Lady Brenda stared before huffing and taking the chair beside his. Miss Eliza sat quietly near Lord Earl, who still would not look at G6.
"Now," Lord Zen began, addressing the applicants, "if all of you have received your application forms and contracts, please read everything carefully before writing anything."
Documents unfolded across the room. A man raised his hand.
"Excuse me, sir!"
"Yes?"
"How did that kid get in?"
He pointed toward the side of the room. G6 turned and found the boy standing near the wall.
Prince Dio followed the gesture, his expression hardening.
"Registry staff."
Two officials hurried forward.
"Your Highness?"
"How did a child pass screening?"
The officials exchanged nervous looks.
"Forgive us, Your Highness. There were only two of us handling the first registration period, and the number of applicants was considerably larger than expected."
"That is unacceptable."
The boy stepped forward, and Prince Dio looked directly at him.
"You are disqualified. This is not a place for children to play."
"Wait! Your Highness!"
The boy's brows drew together as the room quieted.
"I know lying is nothing to be proud of, but I earned this!"
Prince Dio remained silent.
"I passed the written examination. I passed the battle examination. The only thing I lied about was my age!"
Recognition finally settled into place for G6.
Ah. He's that beggar child.
She remembered the dirty street, the bullying, the bread, and the gold coin.
What the hell is he doing here?
"What you did remains a violation of the rules," Prince Dio replied. "Recruitment was explicitly limited to those sixteen years of age and above."
"I'm fourteen!"
Murmurs spread through the room.
"And I'm not here to play! I can help!"
"Kid, go home," one applicant called. "This isn't for you."
"He's right," another agreed.
The boy looked around, finding agreement on most of the adults' faces. His shoulders lowered.
G6 studied his small frame.
Fourteen.
I was seven when I first killed someone.
Fourteen is practically ancient compared to that.
Another thought followed.
That is probably not a healthy standard.
She remained silent as disappointment, fear, and desperation crossed his face. She recognized all three.
If he goes back to the street with nothing…
She had seen what desperation did. People stole, killed, and accepted terrible offers because even terrible was better than starving.
"You, brat."
G6 leaned back as every head turned toward her.
"What is your reason for joining? Are you aware of why this rushed recruitment is happening?"
"I am not entirely aware why…"
The boy swallowed and glanced toward the forms.
"But I saw it as an opportunity."
"For what?"
"To train."
His voice strengthened.
"To become someone who can protect people. Protect the helpless."
"Protect?"
G6 released a mocking laugh into the silent room.
"Why do you want to protect the helpless when you almost lost your head earlier? Are you being idealistic, or just ignorant?"
The boy froze. Near one of the document tables, Tina lowered her gaze while Lilia watched quietly beside her.
"I don't know," he answered, his voice trembling. "I don't know if I'm either of those."
He raised his head.
"But I want to become someone who can protect helpless people. People like me."
G6 gave no response.
"I want to be like the person I look up to. The only person who truly saw how miserable I was."
His hands tightened at his sides, and his eyes reddened.
"The person who destroyed the wrong hope I was holding onto and gave me a better one."
He remembered a ruthless woman stepping between him and the commoners tormenting him. Her boot had crushed the filthy bread he had desperately tried to protect, his first meal in days.
Then she had placed a gold coin in his hand, enough to buy proper food and remind him that survival did not have to mean becoming a criminal.
G6's expression remained flat.
What kind of sick person gave this child that idea?
He looked close to crying.
What a fool.
"That's a sob story. Now take it with you as you leave."
The boy smiled, making her pause.
"Thank you for saving me again."
For an instant, G6's thoughts stopped.
Again?
Prince Dio frowned. Lord Zen looked toward her, and Lord Keith slowly leaned forward.
"Again?"
G6 stared at the boy.
Wait. The street. The gold coin. His words.
Don't tell me he's talking about that time.
An unfamiliar irritation accompanied the realization.
Was the sick person me?
"Escort the child outside," Lord Zen instructed an official.
"Let him join."
The official froze. Prince Dio and Lord Zen turned toward G6, who remained seated.
"I saw how he fought earlier. He could be great support. He has potential."
"Are you certain, Lady Reise?" Prince Dio asked. "He is fourteen."
"He is a street child. His life experience is greater than his age. It's better to have him as a knight rather than turning to crime."
She gestured toward the boy.
"Take him."
Prince Dio looked from her to the child, then toward Lord Zen.
"The minimum age remains sixteen, Your Highness," Lord Zen reminded him.
"I am aware."
The Prince considered the boy again.
"You will not be registered as a full Royal Knight."
Hope faltered on the child's face.
"However, at my fiancée's request, you may remain as a provisional trainee."
The boy straightened immediately. Murmurs spread through the room until Prince Dio raised a hand.
"You will train under Bastion supervision. You will be subject to stricter evaluation than the other applicants, and you will not receive full knight status until you satisfy the legal age requirement and every formal qualification demanded of you."
The boy's eyes widened.
"If you fail to meet those conditions, the exception ends immediately."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
He nodded so hard it looked painful. Prince Dio turned toward Lord Zen.
"Record him separately."
"Understood."
The boy looked toward G6 with gratitude she found unbearable. She turned away.
Did he really recognize me?
If yes, how? I'll deal with him later.
"Dio really is becoming a 'yes' master when it comes to you," Lord Keith murmured beside her.
"Keep quiet. You're too loud."
"Come on. My voice is practically a whisper."
G6 stared at him. He smiled, then wisely leaned away.
Another stare reached her from below the presentation area. Captain Sebastian was watching again.
This man. What does this sicko want?
He immediately lowered his gaze to his paperwork.
"Now, let us continue."
Lord Zen returned to the center, waiting for the room to settle.
"The reason for this sudden recruitment is the recent mobilization of military forces in Vester."
The reaction was immediate.
"Vester?" an applicant repeated.
"Is there going to be war?" someone else asked.
"Why are they mobilizing?"
Lord Zen raised a hand as Prince Dio stepped forward.
"We do not currently know the exact reason behind Vester's military movement. There has been no declaration of war against Einston."
Several applicants relaxed visibly.
"However, the Crown will not wait until danger reaches our territory before strengthening its forces."
Lord Zen moved slightly closer and lowered his voice.
"Your Highness. Should we mention the monster irregularities?"
"Not yet. That was not part of the reason we conducted this recruitment."
Prince Dio spoke quietly enough that only those nearest could hear.
"And we still have no confirmation regarding what happened near Oak Village."
He glanced toward the applicants.
"Discussing the possibility of a failure among the northern barriers nearest the Charnel Land would create panic before we possess evidence."
Lord Zen nodded. Prince Dio returned his attention to the room.
"If any of you are unwilling to accept the risks that come with military service under the current uncertainty, you may leave your forms and contracts and depart."
No one moved.
"However, as already explained, compensation will be considerably higher than ordinary Guild work or comparable civilian employment. Approximately twice the ordinary rate."
The applicants looked down at their documents with renewed attention.
"In many cases, the compensation will approach what lower noble knights ordinarily receive."
G6 watched hesitation become calculation, then determination.
Hmm. Hit them where people are always desperate. Money. Smart.
"You will be given five minutes to review your contracts and complete your forms," Lord Zen announced.
The sound of paper filled the room as he and Prince Dio returned toward the seats. The Prince took an available chair near Lord Earl, and neither acknowledged the other.
Lord Keith noticed immediately. He rose, dragged his chair across, and placed himself directly between them, obstructing most of Miss Eliza's view with his shoulders.
Then he began talking about absolutely nothing.
Lord Earl and Prince Dio turned toward him with expressions that made their shared wish perfectly clear. Lord Keith merely grinned and continued.
On G6's other side, Lady Brenda moved her chair closer. Lilia approached carrying a glass of cool water.
"Here, Lady Reise! You must be thirsty."
G6 accepted it and drank most of the glass at once.
"Would you like one too, Lady Brenda?" Lilia asked.
"Yes, please, if it is no trouble."
"Of course!"
Lilia hurried away. Lady Brenda watched the applicants below the stage.
"Lady Reise… Do you think the northern barrier investigation will discover something near the Charnel Land?"
"I don't know. I am not the type to jump to assumptions."
"If something has happened, the settlements nearest those northern routes could be in danger."
Lady Brenda's gaze returned to the applicants.
"The world is becoming complicated."
"The world has always been complicated, Brenda."
G6 continued watching the people filling out their contracts.
"Look at them."
Several quietly discussed the pay. Others held their forms in both hands, their expressions ranging from nervous excitement to outright fear.
"Most of them don't even know exactly what they're being recruited for, and they are still willing to gamble their lives."
"For money," Lady Brenda said, her expression softening.
"Exactly."
G6 leaned back.
"You never know how chaotic the world is if you don't go see it for yourself. Not everyone lives in luxury. Most people gamble everything just to survive."
Lady Brenda studied her in silence. Once again, Lady Reise presented a contradiction she could not comfortably explain.
She had grown up protected and educated within one of the kingdom's most privileged households, surrounded by wealth most commoners would never see. Yet she spoke of desperation as though she knew exactly how it tasted.
Before Lady Brenda could ask anything, Lilia returned.
"Here you go, Lady Brenda!"
"Thank you."
The allotted five minutes ended, and Lord Zen stood.
"Time is up. Those who have decided to remain, please line up and submit your completed forms."
People began moving.
"Those who have chosen to withdraw may leave your paperwork behind and depart with our thanks for your time."
No one approached the doors. Several hesitant applicants remained still for a moment before joining the line.
Not one?
G6 glanced at the contracts.
Well, the pay is tempting.
Her attention eventually found the boy clutching his form among the adults.
Desperation really is the worst enemy.
Once the final documents had been collected, Lord Zen returned to the center.
"We are grateful that all eligible applicants have chosen to continue."
He glanced toward the boy.
"And that those granted provisional consideration understand their separate conditions."
The child nodded vigorously.
"For now, return home and inform your families. You will report tomorrow at six in the morning for the processing of your identification and access cards."
Excited looks passed between several applicants before Lord Zen's tone hardened.
"Late arrivals will not be permitted."
The room quieted.
"The afternoon will be reserved for your formal introduction to the Bastion, its facilities, training expectations, and your immediate superiors."
He paused.
"I repeat. Six in the morning."
Several applicants repeated the time quietly to themselves.
"The Professional Guild staff will be prepared for your arrival. This concludes today's proceedings. May God Eldrin bless us all."
G6 stood immediately and looked toward Edmund. The glance was enough.
She descended from the raised platform, and he waited several seconds before following. Neither Lord Keith nor Prince Dio noticed them leave.
❈.❈.❈
G6 stopped at the far end of a corridor outside the annex. Edmund joined her shortly afterward.
"Edmund."
"Lady Reise."
"Get that boy."
"Understood."
He bowed and left without requesting an explanation. Approximately a minute later, he returned with the child following.
Up close, the boy looked even more like the one G6 remembered from the street. Worn clothes hung from his thin frame, and his hands were rougher than they should have been at his age.
"My lady!"
"Shut your mouth."
He obeyed immediately.
"What do you mean by thank you 'again'?"
"You know what I mean."
His smile made G6's eyes grow colder.
"Are you trying to act smart?"
"No!"
"Then answer the lady properly," Edmund said.
He removed the thick spectacles he had worn throughout the proceedings and rubbed his eyes.
"These things are dreadful."
The boy reached inside his clothing.
"It was obviously you who helped me on the streets."
He opened his hand, revealing the same gold coin. G6 stared at it.
Didn't he spend it?
"I don't know anything about that."
His smile widened.
"The moment I saw you during the opening speech, I had a strange feeling. You looked different, but I knew."
"What are you talking about? Has hunger damaged your brain?"
"The way you move. The way you speak. Your presence."
Edmund glanced toward G6 as the boy looked at her clothes.
"And you still wear black."
My preference for black?
"Your disguise was really good!"
Her eyebrow twitched.
"The lady I met in the street wore her hair differently," he continued. "Straighter. Part of it tied up. She had a cap, those dark glasses, and different clothes."
He pointed toward her rose-gold hair.
"But the color was the same."
"The color is the same? Ha. Wasn't your bird brain aware that lots of lesser nobles and commoners follow this hair color as a trend?"
"I know."
He swallowed.
"But I just knew. And… the way you attacked that man. That was when I knew."
G6 looked at Edmund before returning her attention to the child.
My disguise wasn't poor.
The Guild had contained plenty of people in dark clothes. Rose-gold hair, while rare, existed among those imitating Reise's fashionable color. She had changed the styling, concealed part of her silhouette beneath a cap, and hidden her eyes entirely behind tinted lenses.
Is this kid just disturbingly good at reading people?
A darker possibility entered her thoughts.
Should I just kill him?
She stared at his foolishly trusting face for a second.
I must have lost my mind.
G6 exhaled through her nose.
I'm considering killing a starving fourteen-year-old because he's observant. Have I gone mad?
The boy continued smiling. She pointed at him.
"Watch your mouth. I don't care if you live or die. Dirty tricks are simply not allowed on my watch."
He nodded.
"And you're wrong. I am not the woman you're referring to. You must be delusional."
His smile changed with what appeared to be understanding, or at least what he believed was understanding.
"I will take it as that, then, my lady! I am grateful you allowed my application."
G6's eyelid twitched.
"What is your name?"
"Pete!"
He straightened proudly.
"My name is Pete."
"Then leave now, Pete. Pack your things, as I am sure you will be one of those lodging in the Bastion."
Pete looked down.
"I…"
She waited.
"I have nothing to pack."
Ah. Right. He's a beggar. Pain in the neck.
G6 turned toward Edmund.
"Can't he lodge in the Bastion yet?"
"No, Lady Reise. His identification and access card have not been issued. He would not be permitted through the Collegium-controlled entry points as a recruit yet."
She regarded the boy standing quietly before her. He had nowhere to return to, nothing to pack, and far too much recognition of the connection between her and G6 Arcadia.
Another loose end wandering freely was the last thing she needed.
"No. Have him stay at the Utility Magic Department tonight."
"Are you certain?"
"Yes. Tell Felicia."
G6 looked toward Pete.
"Have her attend to this brat and ensure he doesn't do anything foolish."
Pete opened his mouth, then closed it under her stare.
"Then, if that is your order, I will follow it," Edmund said with a bow. "In that case, will you return to the West Villa first?"
"Hmm. I suppose I will."
G6 started walking.
"Take care of him."
"Thank you, Lady Reise!" Pete called.
She did not turn.
Her decision had nothing to do with concern. Pete knew too much, or believed too much, and the Queen had already made it painfully clear that their double life was becoming less secret by the hour.
Allowing another person who recognized her to wander unsupervised through the Capital would be idiotic. Keeping him at the Utility Magic Department contained the risk. That was all.
「GRAND ARENA — MAIN GATE」
The others were waiting near the main entrance when Lady Brenda looked down the corridor again.
"I wonder where Lady Reise and Edmund disappeared to."
"Those two always move first without telling anyone," Lord Keith said with a sigh.
Prince Dio remained silent. Tina and Lilia stood nearby, equally unaware of their mistress's whereabouts.
G6 appeared alone, and Lady Brenda brightened immediately.
"Lady Reise! There you are."
She stepped forward.
"Let us return inside the Main Palace and use the teleportation tool back to the Royal Collegium."
"That will not be necessary."
G6 gestured toward Tina and Lilia.
"I will be returning to the villa with them. Let's go. I'm tired."
"What about Edmund, Lady Reise?" Tina asked.
"I told him to attend to something at the Utility Magic Department. He will return when he is finished."
"Reise, are you taking a carriage?" Prince Dio asked, moving closer.
"Obviously. Why would I walk? I just said I'm tired."
Lord Keith pressed his lips together, his shoulders beginning to shake. Prince Dio looked toward him, and he promptly turned away.
"Lady Reise, would it be all right if I joined you?" Lady Brenda asked.
"You cannot."
Prince Dio answered before G6 could.
"You still have an hour remaining in your assigned duties."
"Prince Dio—"
"Attend to your obligations."
"What a pain."
Lady Brenda sighed dramatically. G6 had already started toward the waiting carriages.
"Then return to the villa early and rest, Reise," Prince Dio called after her.
She continued without answering, with Tina and Lilia hurrying behind.
Lord Keith watched them leave before turning toward Prince Dio. His slow smile earned an immediate warning.
"Don't."
"I said nothing."
He raised both hands.
The remaining nobles turned toward the Main Palace. From there, those returning to the Royal Collegium could use the teleportation system instead of making the longer carriage journey.
G6's carriage rolled away from the Grand Arena. She rested her head against the seat, her eyes remaining open as the day replayed itself.
Queen Euphelia had intercepted the Guild report and lied, which meant she knew. Pete had recognized G6 Arcadia beneath Lady Reise Worthon, Captain Sebastian had nearly done the same after a single look, and Riza had noticed the hair.
Now the Guild party was entering the same military structure G6 regularly moved through. The two identities she had intended to keep in separate worlds had once again come within several paces of colliding.
She closed her eyes.
One loose end is annoying. Two is negligence.
The wheels rolled steadily beneath her as her expression darkened.
This is becoming a fucking collection.
Outside, the Grand Arena disappeared behind the surrounding palace architecture. G6 opened her eyes and considered the Queen, Pete, Captain Sebastian, Riza, and the others.
Too many people were examining the same thread from different directions. None possessed the complete picture yet, but loose ends left unattended eventually tangled.
Her grey eyes sharpened.
Fine.
Then I'll keep them from tying themselves together.
—To Be Continued…—