Sirien looked displeased.
In contrast, Hillia seemed to have taken quite a liking to Sirien, giving her a rather friendly look.
"Let me deliver the news you've been waiting for first. You've been waiting for word from the Imperial Palace, right?"
"Yes. Has His Majesty made a decision?"
"It seems so. There's an order to enter the palace by noon three days from now. The Sun of the Empire awaits you both personally."
"...Yes. We'll make sure to arrive on time."
The Emperor had invited us.
I had vaguely thought we might have a chance to enter the palace, and now it had become reality.
The Imperial Palace, center of imperial power.
The place where the Emperor, the current pinnacle of the empire, and the Crown Prince, the future pinnacle, reside.
In the original story, it was portrayed as an otherworldly realm where schemers with honeyed words and poisoned daggers roamed, and all manner of political machinations ran rampant.
The Imperial Palace was a place where one wrong word could endanger not only yourself but your entire family's fate.
Since I had absolutely no talent for politics or anything of the sort, I planned to just follow Sirien around.
I just needed to avoid causing trouble. Don't make a scene, go quietly, and return quietly.
"His Majesty views this matter with both gravity and pleasure, I'm told. He's particularly pleased with your 'prudence.'"
"I understand."
We hadn't rashly blown things open.
We had informed the Emperor first, giving him time to handle this incident as he pleased.
For the Emperor, it was like receiving a windfall without lifting a finger.
As a result, we were also expected to receive quite a bit of the spoils.
From the beginning, we had taken this roundabout path to ensure the Emperor couldn't just take all the benefits and abandon us.
After all that trouble, we needed to get something out of it.
"You don't necessarily need to hear the details from me, so that's essentially all the message I received from His Majesty... But I personally have one more matter to discuss."
"A personal matter?"
Twitch. Sirien's hand paused briefly as she lifted her teacup.
Though I couldn't see from my side, I imagined Sirien was looking at Hillia with quite suspicious eyes.
"Don't be like that. I simply want to express my gratitude."
"I don't believe we've done anything deserving of the Commander's thanks."
"No. The ones who should be most grateful to you two in this empire right now aren't His Majesty, but me."
Hillia rose briefly from her seat.
She placed her hand over her chest and bowed deeply with a reverent posture.
It was the distinctive greeting of the Rangers.
In the original story, Hillia wasn't a major character.
The fact that such a powerful Swordmaster rarely appeared in the story meant she maintained strict neutrality.
The Rangers were tasked with protecting the empire's mountains. Hillia was devoted solely to that duty, drawing a line between herself and central politics.
Though seeing her act as the Emperor's messenger now, it seemed she hadn't completely severed ties with the central government.
Perhaps by the time of the original story, she had reason to develop an aversion to politics.
"Are you aware that many Rangers have died recently?"
"Yes. It was Decarabia's doing. I pay my respects to the fallen Ranger members."
"Thank you. All Rangers in the empire receive some training from me at one point or another. I may not be worthy of calling myself their master, but I can certainly cherish them like disciples."
Hillia seemed to have a special affection for the Rangers.
She briefly explained that she had been raised by Rangers in the south when she was young, and now had risen to become the Commander of the Rangers.
For such a Hillia, the matter of suppressing the Red Feathers in the Northern Mountains was certainly not something she could overlook.
She had been thinking it strange.
She had planned to search the Northern Mountains herself when time permitted, but then a report came in using an expensive communication orb.
Baron Iclan. It was already peculiar that he was wandering alone in the mountains during such dangerous times, but then he immediately summoned a mage to request communication upon his return?
Though local animosity seemed to play a part... that wasn't Hillia's concern.
"Eloran and Iclan inflicted great damage on our Rangers. Levan Hintz even went so far as to directly murder our members. Due to our late discovery, I understand you both suffered hardships at Levan's hands. I'd like to apologize for that."
"How could that possibly be the Rangers' fault? Please don't worry about it. I'm well aware of the Rangers' strict regulations. You simply followed protocol."
"Thank you for understanding. In that case, I should properly express my gratitude."
Hillia searched inside her garment.
Soon, a green pouch appeared in her hand.
It was made of leather with green silk overlay, and its smooth luster gave it quite an elegant appearance.
The Rangers' emblem was drawn in the center of the pouch.
Hillia handed the pouch to Sirien.
As her delicate hand touched the pouch, Hillia smiled brightly.
"Would you like to open it?"
Inside the pouch was a gleaming metal badge.
Its basic appearance was that of the Rangers' emblem, though it seemed slightly modified.
There were two identical ones, perhaps one for me and one for Sirien.
"What is this?"
"It recognizes you both as benefactors of the Rangers. The suppression of Decarabia and the capture of Levan Hintz—we have more than enough reasons to be grateful."
"I gladly accept. How should we use it?"
"Any Ranger member in the empire will recognize that badge. If you show it and request assistance, you'll receive appropriate treatment."
So it's essentially a VVIP privilege card for the Rangers.
We received something valuable.
The Rangers are a reliable force anywhere in the empire.
It would certainly be reassuring to be able to get their help when needed.
Moreover, Hillia seemed to view us quite favorably.
This was the goodwill of none other than a Swordmaster. We had gained a very powerful card in our hands.
"Oh, by the way, is it alright if the transfer of Baron Iclan is slightly delayed?"
"Is there a problem?"
"Not exactly a problem... we're just interrogating him 'thoroughly.' Of course, we'll share all information we discover. If we want, he'll have to remember even what he had for lunch ten years ago."
"Yes, take your time."
* * *
After Hillia left, I had one task remaining.
To soothe Sirien, who seemed strangely displeased.
"You seemed to get along well with Commander Hillia."
"Hillia Ruhmin is a famous Swordmaster. Being recognized by someone like that is quite meaningful."
"More than being recognized by me?"
"Of course not! Your praise makes me happiest."
"Hmph, really?"
Fortunately, today's Saint was easily placated as usual.
I just couldn't figure out her standard. Normally she would brighten up quickly like this, but occasionally there were days when it wasn't so easy.
Did she have some sort of sore spot?
Well, that wasn't the issue right now.
Sirien, now in a good mood, tugged at my arm.
A playful smile adorned her pretty face.
"Does it make you happy when I reward you?"
"That's... of course it would, wouldn't it?"
"Then lie down on that sofa over there and wait. I'll prepare something quickly."
I thought she would just hug me a few times and be done with it.
Does she need to prepare something? It seemed like she had something she wanted to try and had found the opportunity.
Anyway, since she said she'd do something for me, it couldn't be bad.
I obediently lay down on the sofa and waited. Soon Sirien returned, grinning.
She seemed to be holding something in her hand. Perhaps wanting to surprise me, she didn't show it to me.
Sirien sat at my head and wriggled closer.
My head was lifted briefly and placed on her lap.
I had experienced Sirien's lap pillow a few times before, but it was something I couldn't quite get used to.
This soft, plush sensation left a strange warmth in me.
"Face sideways, not toward me."
"Like this?"
"Yes, like that. Good job. Stay still now. Don't move, okay?"
It's a curious thing.
Though her legs looked thin and slender from the outside, when I actually rested my head on them, they were soft and warm.
Sirien gently brushed my hair behind my ear. Her fingertips were incredibly soft.
At the edge of my vision, I could see her beautiful silver hair.
I could easily imagine Sirien looking down at me with her head slightly tilted.
I wasn't sure what expression she wore as she looked at me.
She might be smiling playfully, or she might have a tender expression.
What was certain was that her caressing touch calmed my heart.
"It's been hard, hasn't it? You've really been through a lot. It might not be much, but I hope this reward helps you feel better."
Her voice wasn't loud. A gentle, elegant resonance reached me.
Soon Sirien truly tickled my ear. Not with her voice, but in the literal sense.
Probably an ear pick made of wood. A scratching sound echoed inside.
The reward my Saint bestowed upon me was an ear cleaning.