Though Tristan had recruited queen bees to find me, this was the first time a Dullahan had come to find me so directly.
I looked at Minteh with a bewildered gaze.
"Did you hear rumors about the Resurrected One?"
But how did Minteh know the Resurrected One was me?
[No. A certain human told me.]
"......Who?"
[He knew I was looking for the Captain and informed me of the Captain's location. He also helped ensure humans wouldn't view me strangely.]
Only then did I notice the ribbon tied around Minteh's neck. I had been so distracted by Minteh's sudden appearance that I hadn't seen it until now.
Bending my knees and leaning my upper body forward for a closer look, the knot came into clearer view. This was a familiar ribbon. The way it was tied was also familiar.
At a loss for words, I stared at the ribbon for a long while before cautiously parting my lips.
"By any chance...... was there a wolf beside him?"
[That is correct. That wolf vouched for the human's credibility. He was an exceedingly just and reliable wolf. I suggested he follow the Captain, as he seemed like he would be useful in battle, but he said as the leader of his pack, he must protect humans.]
Acting just like my subordinate, even down to his eye for wolves.
Somehow it felt amusing enough to make me laugh. Along with that, I found myself wanting to see him. The sight of righteous Neshi scolding the weak male.
Or perhaps Xenon, completely failing to understand Neshi's words and spouting nonsense.
"Where is he now?"
[I do not know that much.]
He said they met outside the capital, didn't he? If he appeared there after saying he would return to the Magic Tower, then he must have followed me after all.
Fortunately, he discovered the Dullahan first and sent him my way. In that case, was he waiting for me in the capital right now?
"Did he leave any message for me?"
[No. Shall I go out and search for him again?]
After pondering for a moment, I shook my head.
"No, you don't need to do that."
Xenon wouldn't have been able to communicate with Minteh, so he probably couldn't have passed on any lengthy message. Just sending him to me was already a significant achievement.
Thinking that he had come to the capital lightened my heart considerably. When we meet, I should praise his wise judgment. And offer some small thanks as well.
"I'm really glad you came. I was actually in a difficult spot since I couldn't command the other Dullahans."
[I am glad I arrived at an appropriate time. By any chance, did you meet Bark as well?]
"Yes, he said he had been asleep inside this Black Tower."
[Did that fellow properly protect the key?]
"Ah...... he said he lost that."
[Idiotic fellow. To think he caused an accident the moment he woke up, when I finally get to see the Captain again. I should have come sooner.]
Minteh had an extremely cold and merciless personality.
[The key appears to be somewhere in this Imperial Palace. I can faintly sense the Captain's authority.]
"You can sense the authority?"
[I can detect it, albeit very faintly. But this energy is like mist, making it difficult to pinpoint exactly.]
"That's fine. I can distinguish it with my eyes."
I finally felt like I was getting somewhere. It had felt like searching for a needle in a haystack, but with these conditions, it was like searching with a map in hand.
"If you search around and scout places where the key might be, I'll be able to find it from there. Can you do that?"
[Yes. I will depart immediately.]
"Ah, Bark is at the castle too. You have time to greet him before you go."
[The later I meet such an incompetent fellow who couldn't even properly fulfill his own duties, the better. I will depart immediately.]
......Oh, alright. The castle where I'm staying is over there. If you can sense Bark's energy, just follow it. I'll be there."
[Yes, understood.]
After confirming the direction I pointed to, Minteh lowered his body and leaped in a single bound. There was nothing superfluous in Minteh's form as he nimbly darted between the buildings.
I've met many Dullahans, but I had a feeling Minteh and I would get along well personality-wise. Such a clean and capable impression!
Of course, that doesn't mean I dislike the noisy but kind Dullahans I've been with until now.
With a relieved expression, I stood up and turned around. Heinrich was waiting for me not far away.
"Finished discussing with your subordinate?"
"Ah, yes. Thank you."
"It seems the conversation went well."
"Yes. It looks like things will be resolved faster than I expected."
As I nodded and answered, Heinrich pursed his lips with a subtle expression.
"Ah, of course I'll attend the banquet. Don't worry."
I said this with genuine goodwill, but Heinrich's expression wasn't good at all. Staring openly at his noticeable change in expression, I suddenly realized something and asked quietly.
"You didn't expect me to stay here continuously, did you?"
"I know that in my head. So you don't need to put on such a serious face about it anew."
Heinrich smiled bitterly and forcibly changed the topic with an effort to smile.
"......So, where should we look next?"
"I originally planned to start with the Western Palace, but I don't think we need to go there. Let's reduce unnecessary walking and wait for a bit."
"An unexpected bit of free time."
He nodded and abruptly extended his hand.
"If it's alright, I'd like to treat you to tea. Would you spare me the time?"
Tea, that's a bit troublesome.
Minteh might resolve things quickly, so I mostly wanted to just return to the castle and rest while waiting.
I was about to utter words of refusal after thinking for a moment when, accompanied by noisy sounds, a group of people appeared.
It was Maxel, appearing with guards and palace attendants in tow.
"Brother. And...... Anelli."
'I thought there wouldn't be any encounters since I requested it directly from the Emperor, but he's persistent.'
Heinrich, who was also looking at Maxel with an unpleased expression like me, opened his mouth first with a dry demeanor.
"I told them to clear the surroundings to search the Black Tower."
"The only person in the Imperial Palace who can block my path is His Majesty."
He spoke pompously and glanced at me.
What does he want me to do about it?
"So I requested it from His Majesty. I said I didn't want to see the Crown Prince's face."
When I replied coldly with a stern face, Maxel hesitated and spoke carefully.
"I know you showed consideration out of concern for my discomfort. I know your heart is not light."
"My goodness, it seems you don't understand the meaning of consideration."
"Anelli."
"If you have something to say, say it. I'd rather hear it quickly and be done with it."
I couldn't understand what he wanted to say that made him carry on like this. If he felt a political threat and was trying to improve relations with me at this point, I could at least understand.
But for that, Maxel's expression was too unpleasant. His eyes were moist and sticky, as if confirming the words 'I missed you' he had once said to me.
"This isn't something to approach emotionally. Of course we have a past, but considering each other's positions......"
"I'm sorry, Crown Prince."
It seemed Maxel in his current state wouldn't understand even if I cursed at him. Watching that severely lacking comprehension of his, I thought he'd probably interpret even curses as lingering affection.
"Do you perhaps have a serious deficiency in common sense? Calling beheading a 'past.' That's not the commonly used meaning of that word."
In that case, I should cut it off as directly as possible.
"I don't have a speck of lingering attachment left toward Your Highness, so please share your affectionate feelings with your fiancée. Also, haven't you heard the rumors? I don't want to associate with you because you're tainted with impure energy."
"Anelli, don't make childish complaints that aren't like you."
Childish complaints? Isn't he severely underestimating his own wickedness?
"I'm sorry it sounded childish to you. More importantly, I need to have tea time with Lord Heinrich, so if you have no business, I'll be on my way."
At my words, Maxel frowned and glanced at Heinrich.
"Have you become close with brother?"
"He's taking care of my practical needs."
"Since you're a precious guest, I assigned a guide of imperial lineage. You shouldn't be so concerned about someone like him."
Maxel unabashedly demoted Heinrich to 'guide.'
Judging by the reactions of the guards and palace attendants, this wasn't something that started a day or two ago; they didn't seem surprised either.
"At least it's fortunate he's doing well at guiding around the palace. I was worried he wouldn't be able to do anything properly since he lacks ability."
Even Heinrich didn't show any sign of anger. He habitually let Maxel's words pass until, upon meeting my eyes, he flinched and averted his gaze.
Seeing a faint flush on his cheeks, it seemed he was belatedly realizing I was listening and felt ashamed, rather than being affected by Maxel's words.
Maxel must have noticed Heinrich's feelings too, as a sneer formed on his lips.
"Tea time with a mere guide, no less. What a waste of time."
The more I listened, the more disgusting he became. To the point that I felt ashamed I had ever given my heart to a man like that even for a time.
"A mere guide, you say? If circumstances had been different, he would have been someone I might have been engaged to."
"You with brother?"
"Yes. I can't say there's no possibility in the future either. There are endless possibilities for relationships between unmarried men and women to choose from."
Maxel erased his smile and glared at me with a stiffly frozen gaze. Toward him, I instead showed a gentle smile.
"It's not a bad choice since I can also keep the Crown Prince's words telling me to die in the Imperial Palace if I wanted to die. I should consider it seriously."
"If you want revenge against me, then find another method instead."
Maxel, who had completely distorted my intentions, let out a sigh and swept back his bangs.
Just as I was about to tell him he wasn't even worth revenge, he preemptively changed the topic with an exhausted voice.
"Let's end the futile argument here. More importantly, I want you to come with me to the main palace now. The Temple has sent people, and it seems you need to step forward."
I had been wondering why the Temple was so quiet.
"The Temple thinks we're imprisoning you. You need to clarify that you're staying of your own free will."
After deliberately hesitating, I readily nodded.
"Very well."