Elsewhere, in the Steel Quad, Rei sat at a forge with Lancer at his side.
"Master... Do you not think that we should be a little more proactive? We have little information to go by, and now would at least be a good chance to gather that, with Tia, Rhea, and Hel currently at war..."
Rei continued hammering on a gauntlet, shaping it with his magecraft, directing prana into select pieces of the magical armor. After the last blow fell, Rei placed the gaunlet on his right arm. A the metal emanated a brilliant blue glow, and a satisfied smile crossed Rei's usually serious face.
"Do you think I want to get in the middle of that? It's two houses fighting against one right now, and if I jump in from an uninvolved house I'll only become a target for all three. Let the idiots thin the herd and we can take on the worthy ones that emerge."
"Can I speak honestly for a moment, Rei?"
"Lack of permission hasn't stopped you in the past."
"Fine. I truly hate your planning, but I do like your attitude."
"You say that a lot."
"It begs repeating."