Chapter 187: Evil (4)

The Empire, feeling pressured by Fiore, sent small squads of knights to raid villages. They demanded food and goods, and if these weren’t handed over, they drew their swords. It was brutal behavior, unbefitting even of black knights.

The response squad led by Yuri managed to repel them with great efficiency.

“Don’t let those imperial bastards escape!”

“Yes, sir!”

Yuri fought daily against the Empire’s knights. His level of skill increased with each passing day.

Those who noticed it the most were, naturally, the imperial knights. Perhaps that’s why, when Yuri appeared, they began to avoid direct confrontation and chose to flee.

As a result, the battles at the border began to resemble a game of chase more than actual combat.

“This is strange.”

Yuri murmured to himself.

“What is?”

“Don’t you think this is too easy?”

“It doesn’t seem easy to me.”

“It is.”

“If it’s easy, isn’t that a good thing?”

“That’s exactly why it’s strange.”

Yuri frowned while watching the imperial squad retreat.

“The Empire isn’t that weak.”

Thanks to the war in his previous life, Yuri knew very well how strong imperial knights could be.

And yet, in this life, he didn’t feel the same pressure.

Even accounting for the fact that he had grown stronger, the difference was too stark.

“Prince, you’re worrying about unnecessary things again.”

Jared spoke to him condescendingly.

“You already possess a skill level comparable to the Ten Greats, and the knights His Majesty assigned to you are also all of high caliber. So inevitably, battles will seem easy. Isn’t that so?”

“Even so, they’re still too weak.”

“And how strong are they supposed to be?”

“Strong enough that some of ours die in every battle. That there are injuries. That we cry for fallen comrades.”

“That sounded horribly grim, Prince.”

“Well, in any case, it’s a good thing.”

Yuri nodded.

They had won. They had protected the village and taken down several imperial knights. In contrast, their own casualties were minimal. It was an outstanding victory.

The rescued villagers gathered to express their gratitude.

“Thank you very much. Really, thank you.”

“You saved our lives.”

Yuri spoke to the village chief.

“Make sure to reinforce the palisade well. And if they invade again, light the signal immediately.”

“Yes, understood, Prince.”

“And if they come again, don’t try to resist. Give them everything they ask for. That’s the only way to survive. Understood?”

“We are truly grateful to you…”

Yuri was received as a hero wherever he went. It was natural. Those brutal imperial knights fled as soon as he appeared. Even if a battle did break out, they couldn’t stand against him.

In the eyes of the people, Yuri seemed invincible. He smiled and waved.

“See you, then.”

Receiving the villagers’ praise, Yuri and his knights left the village.

They were heading back toward Castle Bezos. One of the knights riding behind shouted to Yuri:

“Prince! There’s someone over there!”

“Huh?”

Yuri turned his head.

In a lonely plain, someone was staggering along. At a glance, it was clear he wasn’t well.

From the direction he was headed, it looked like he was leaving Briol.

In such chaotic times, it wasn’t possible to deal with every citizen one by one, but for some reason, Yuri felt he had to go see him.

“Let’s check it out.”

“Yes, sir!”

Yuri rode with his men toward the person.

It was a disheveled man. He carried a makeshift backpack, and his clothes were torn in several places.

Yuri stood before him.

“Hey, who are you?”

The man raised his head. Perhaps because of the sun, he squinted at Yuri and then spoke.

“I… my name is Sothers, sir.”

“Where are you going?”

“I’m leaving Briol.”

“You look like you’re from here.”

“Yes. I grew up in Briol since I was little.”

Yuri tilted his head.

“And yet you’re leaving in that condition?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Why?”

Sothers, who had been still, glanced back briefly, as if checking if someone was following him.

He hesitated a moment, then spoke slowly.

“Well… back there…”

Sothers cut himself off, coughed, and lowered his head.

“Something very serious is happening back there. That’s why I’m leaving.”

“Back there? Where are you coming from?”

“From Française, sir.”

Even as he spoke, Sothers fidgeted, as if his mind weren’t entirely stable.

Yuri pressed him a bit more.

“What’s so serious?”

“It’s serious. Very serious. And it’s going to get worse. I can feel it. It can’t be stopped. I have to go.”

“Calm down.”

Yuri got off his horse and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“I won’t stop you if you really want to leave. But I want you to know that things will calm down soon. Briol is making efforts to save Française.”

“Save it, you say?”

Sothers shook his head.

“You can’t even go through the roads. What’s the point of that?”

“It’s to prevent the spread of the epidemic…”

Sothers let out a laugh at that.

“It’s not an epidemic. I really have to go. Everyone is so ignorant… Please don’t stop me. I have to hurry.”

“It’s not an epidemic?”

“No. It’s something much more terrifying.”

“What is it?”

Then, one of the knights behind Yuri interjected.

“Prince. That man seems insane. We should let him go. It’s a waste of time.”

Upon hearing the word “prince,” Sothers looked at Yuri in surprise.

Yuri shrugged.

“I’m Yuri Briol.”

“Ah… The Third Prince. You’re the famous Third Prince!”

“That’s right.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Uh-huh. Anyway, if it’s not an epidemic, then what is it?”

“Given who you are…”

The knight interrupted again.

“Prince. Don’t listen to that guy. He’s just spouting mad nonsense.”

Sothers shouted furiously.

“You! People like you are the reason Française is going to ruin! You don’t even care about what’s happening! Idiots!”

“Hey, hey, calm down.”

Yuri patted him on the shoulder and then gestured for the knight to be quiet.

“Sothers. Calm down and tell me what you know.”

“You won’t believe me either, Prince.”

“Maybe. But try. You’ve got nothing to lose by telling me, right?”

“All right…”

Sothers hesitated a bit and then leaned close to his ear. He whispered something. Yuri took a step back, watching him intently.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

“That can’t be…”

He looked closely at Sothers’ face. It was haggard, his cheeks sunken from hunger. His pupils trembled with anxiety.

He clearly wasn’t in a sound mental state.

“Okay.”

Yuri stepped aside.

“Go on your way.”

Sothers looked at him, as if he’d expected this, bowed his head, and hurried off. Just from his gait, it was clear he wasn’t completely sane.

When Yuri got back on his horse, Laurent approached him.

“Prince, what did that man say?”

“Well…”

Yuri hesitated for a moment.

Laurent wasn’t in a stable state. He felt an inexplicable anxiety about Cedric and Française.

So Yuri wasn’t sure whether he should share the unbelievable things Sothers had said—but he decided to be honest.

“He says there are demons flying in the sky.”

“What did you say?”

“That demons fly through the sky scattering seeds. And if someone consumes them, they become a demon too, who then spreads more seeds. Until, eventually, the entire world is covered by them.”

As soon as he said that, the knights behind him burst out laughing.

“He was definitely crazy.”

“Yeah, sounds like it.”

“And why can’t the flying demons leave Française?”

Yuri shrugged.

“Maybe in his head the Briol army can fly too.”

Everyone laughed again.

But Laurent couldn’t take it lightly like the others. He remained still, watching Sothers’ distant silhouette.

Yuri gave the order to return at once.

“We’ve only wasted time. Let’s head back. Good work, everyone.”

“Yes, sir!”

They immediately began the journey back to Castle Bezos.

While riding, Laurent couldn’t stop going over Sothers’ words in his mind.

Flying demons? It was complete madness.

That’s what he thought until suddenly, an image came to mind—the Chaisae bird he’d seen stuffed in the past.

And Cedric’s face, smiling enigmatically, also crossed his memory.

***

Night fell.

Laurent quietly left his quarters and headed to the stables.

When he opened the door, his favorite white horse stood up as if it had been waiting for him.

“Good boy.”

Laurent stroked its mane.

“We’re going out quietly. Just like that, good.”

The horse followed him without a sound. As they stepped outside, the icy air stung his skin.

Laurent checked the pack on his back and the sword at his waist. He was ready.

He looked toward the castle and murmured.

“I’m sorry, Prince.”

He didn’t even fully understand why, but the idea of going to Française had become so strong inside him that he could no longer ignore it.

Sothers’ words kept echoing in his mind, and the image of the stuffed bird wouldn’t go away.

Maybe, he thought, he was losing his mind. But only by seeing with his own eyes that Française was safe could he feel at ease.

After that, he’d return, apologize, and accept whatever punishment was given.

Laurent mounted his horse.

“Let’s go.”

And just as he was about to spur it forward—

“The castle gate will be closed, you know?”

A sudden voice startled him. He turned sharply. Yuri was leaning against the stable wall, arms crossed.

“Prince?”

Laurent stopped, flustered. Yuri laughed loudly and stepped out of the shadows.

“Why so surprised? After all we’ve been through together, did you really think I wouldn’t notice?”

“It’s just…”

“Go. I already ordered the gate to be opened. You’ll have no problem.”

“Prince…”

“Laurent, if you’re this worried, it must be for a good reason. Maybe something is happening.”

Yuri smiled.

“And if not, all the better, don’t you think?”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. I should be the one thanking you for everything you’ve done so far.”

Laurent dismounted and knelt on one knee before Yuri.

“I’ll be back as soon as possible.”

“There’s no need to rush. Stay there until your heart is at peace, and return whenever you like. It doesn’t matter when.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Give Lord Lian my regards.”

“I will.”

“Take this.”

Yuri handed him a money pouch.

“Just in case.”

“It’s not necessary…”

“Come on.”

“…Alright.”

In the end, Laurent accepted the money and tucked it into his pack.

“Laurent.”

“Yes.”

“Be careful.”

“Yes, sir.”

Laurent nodded.

“Then I’m off.”

Just as he mounted again, he looked up at the moon hanging in the sky.

Its uneven surface seemed so close, clearly visible. He’d never seen the moon shine like that before.

And that too felt meaningful.

Since he began suspecting Française and Cedric, his mind had been filled with compulsive thoughts.

He knew it was absurd, but for some reason, he thought perhaps the moon was shining so brightly to say farewell to him and the Third Prince.

So, still on horseback, he stood mesmerized for a moment. Yuri waited in silence.

After a few seconds, Laurent spoke.

“The moon is beautiful.”

His voice echoed through the still castle.

The unexpected phrase made Yuri tilt his head. Laurent looked down at him with a slight smile and repeated.

“The moon is really beautiful. Don’t you think so, Prince?”

Only then did Yuri raise his gaze. Just as Laurent had said, a majestic full moon filled the night sky.

“You’re right. The moon is beautiful.”

At his words, Laurent laughed aloud.

“What a relief.”

With that, he spurred his horse toward the castle gate. Yuri couldn’t explain it, but Laurent’s back looked unusually fragile.

What Yuri didn’t know—

Was that this would be the last time he saw the Laurent he knew.