Interlude 1: Glen and Ele

Glenarnold Snowflake, younger brother of the King of Chronowize, was giving a noble advice about managing his territory inside of his personal office in the castle.

He hid his status as a [Reincarnator] from the public. But thanks to his knowledge and experience from his past life, he’d been giving advice to the people around him since he was young. Thanks to that, he was now regarded as an advisor for nobles.

“Thank you so very much!” said the noble who had come for advice, leaving the office with a relieved look.

Just before the door closed, a silver-furred cat slipped inside. Since the noble had just left, Glen and the cat were the only ones in the room.

“It’s rare for you to come here...” he commented in confusion to the cat—the temporary form of Ele, King of the Spirits.

Ele floated up into the air and onto the lower sofa for guests. Then, after a breath, he spoke. «I will get to the point. Lady Chelsea has been captured by someone.»

Glen showed surprise for an instant, before a cold smile that could freeze the room rose to his lips and he sat back down on the other sofa.

“Tell me in detail,” he urged, glaring at the cat-shaped spirit.

«I assume you know that my mistress is visiting Marquis Wisteria’s estate.»

The prince nodded in response.

«The Spirit Tree bracelet that I gave to Lady Chelsea is connected to a storage room in the Spirit World. The Spirits taking care of it were in a tizzy about my Mistress being in trouble.» The same Storage Room Spirits had reported Chelsea’s exhaustion to Ele during her experience choosing a gown for her social debut. «When I asked them for details, they told me that after a man screamed and something was broken, men forced their way into the room she was in.»

In contrast to the seemingly calm Ele, Glen was just about ready to fly out of the room.

“...Is she all right?” he strained to squeeze out.

Cat Ele tilted his head. «Did you not give her a ring-shaped magic tool as an engagement ring?»

The ring-shaped magical tool that had been kept in Chronowize’s treasury was one that automatically deployed defensive magic when the wearer was in danger. From what he’d seen using his [Appraisal] Skill, the magic it cast could not be broken. He’d given the national treasure-level ring to Chelsea as her engagement ring.

The moment he realized that she was safe, Glen’s cold smile softened slightly.

Ele continued with his report, telling him that the maid acting as Chelsea’s chaperone had been injured, that she and the daughter of Marquis Wisteria had been tied up, and that Chelsea had been threatened not to do anything if she wanted the others to stay safe.

«From the situation, it is safe to assume that Marquis Wisteria himself has been captured as well.»

“The first thing we need to do is save Chelsea. Let’s start our strategy meeting, then.” Glen nodded, giving Ele a smile like a wolf in front of its prey.