***

Leaving Gyousou, Taiki trudged back to the inner garden where Seirai was waiting. Recognizing Taiki, Seirai approached him, and immediately cocked his head in suspicion.

“What happened?”
“I was sent to visit Ren.”

“Oh, the cat was finally let out of the bag.”
“You know of this already?”
“Your majesty has been discussing with us on whether this would be too big a mission for Taiho. I assured that in no doubt, Taiki can take on this mission successfully.”

Saying that, Seirai peered at Taiki’s face.
“--Do you dislike going to Ren, may I ask?”
“No.”

Taiki shook his head strongly. He didn’t dislike it at all, and he didn’t want to make the impression that he disliked it.

“Then are you unnerved?”
Taiki shook his head as he looked down.
“...That is not it.”

“That is a big responsibility, but Gyousou is not with you.”
Seirai was originally a subordinate at Gyousou’s army, so from time to time he could skip the honorific “your majesty.”

“... Rei is very far away, so it should take some time to make the round trip, shouldn’t it?”

“Yeah. Even if you use kijyuu and take shortcuts, it would take around half a month for one way. Even if you hurry through the trip, you probably would still miss the New Year ceremony.”

“Is it alright that I am not present?”

“In fact, the emperor and the kirin should both be here for the ceremony. However, even your majesty believes that this is exactly the right timing for you to be the ambassador. Around this time in preparation for the New Year ceremony, there would in fact be fewer important matters to deal with. --Also, if you don’t go at this time, the other side will also be troubled.”
“Yeah, I guess...”

“Maybe you feel lonely without Gyousou at your side?”

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