Chapter 190: Crossroads (3)

Yuri asked Enox a few more questions. Although there was some violence, the conversation flowed fairly smoothly.

“What kind of tea did you drink?”

“Huh?”

“I asked what kind of tea you drank when you spoke with Yekaterina.”

“I’m a knight. I don’t remember every type of tea I drink.”

Thump.

“Do you remember now?”

“Ah, now that I think about it… I think it was something Grey.”

“Helgrey?”

“Yes.”

Thump.

“Why are you hitting me?”

“Why pretend you didn’t know when you could’ve said so from the start? Do you like getting hit or something?”

“What are you talking about?!”

“Anyway, back to the topic. Did you drink the Helgrey plain or as milk tea?”

“I think they added milk.”

“How did they mix it?”

“What?”

“How did they mix the milk and tea?”

“What kind of question is that? They just poured the milk…”

Enox’s eyes widened.

“Ah, now that I remember…”

“Was something odd?”

“Yes!”

From the floor, Enox jerked himself upward as best he could, though he was tied up and couldn’t move far.

“At first, I thought it was some weird habit. They made the milk tea and suddenly…”

“Without stirring, just shaken?”

“Exactly! She told the servant not to stir it, but to shake it. The servant did it like it was the most normal thing in the world—he pulled out a shaker, shook it up and down, then served the foamy milk tea. It was really…”

“She knows how to enjoy it properly, huh?”

“Huh?”

“People who really know milk tea drink it like that.”

As he replied, Yuri placed a hand on his forehead. His suspicions were being confirmed.

Yekaterina had also returned to the past.

He remembered her green eyes fixed on him.

“Haa…”

However, it seemed she didn’t have full memories like he did. After all, he was the one who had taught her to drink milk tea that way.

Once, he had joked that true milk tea connoisseurs drank it shaken, not stirred, and Yekaterina had completely believed him. She even said it tasted different and that she enjoyed it more. Since she was so serious about it, Yuri didn’t have the heart to tell her the truth right away.

When he finally confessed long after, she had blushed furiously and punched him several times.

Of course, it didn’t hurt at all.

“Yuri Briol. Why the nostalgic look?”

“It’s nothing.”

From then on, Yekaterina never shook her milk tea again.

“If her memories are incomplete, then it makes sense she didn’t act sooner…”

“What are you mumbling about over there?”

“Enox, are there many knights like you who follow Yekaterina?”

“You’re still speaking rudely, Yuri Briol.”

Thump.

“Ugh!”

“You call me by name too, don’t you?”

“Ah, true.”

Enox shook his head.

“Of course there are. Quite a few knights have fallen for her beauty and noble heart.”

“The crown prince doesn’t keep an eye on her?”

“No idea. I stay out of those matters.”

“Useless.”

“What was that?”

Yuri reached a conclusion.

Yekaterina had also returned to the past. But likely with incomplete memories.

He still had a few doubts. Why would someone from the Empire like Yekaterina want to help him?

And what if this was all misinformation?

“Enox.”

“What?”

“Why did Yekaterina send you to help me?”

“No idea. But if you ask me… she seemed to feel guilty about you.”

“Guilt…?”

Yuri let out a slight smile.

“I see.”

Whatever the reason, he just needed to meet with Cedric directly and confirm things.

“Interview’s over.”

“So you’re going to release me?”

“No.”

“My mission is done. I should return home…”

“Who said that?”

Yuri opened the interrogation room door.

“Jared. Lock him up.”

“Yes!”

“Wait! Yuri Briol!”

He started to lose it. Yuri sighed.

“Enox! Useless bastard!”

“Why insult me now?”

“You think if a prisoner like you is released so easily, the Empire’s going to welcome you back with open arms or suspect you conspired with Briol?”

“Well…”

“If you want to be accused of spying and end up drinking stew through your nose in a palace dungeon, I can let you go.”

“No, not that…!”

“Then stay here.”

“What if we say I escaped miraculously?”

“Just rest for a bit.”

“Fine.”

Enox looked down at his bindings.

“Could you at least untie this…?”

“Jared. Lock him up.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Hey, kid. Jared, right? You… mmph!”

“I’ll put the gag back on too.”

“Perfect.”

After locking up Enox, Yuri headed straight for the walls. Night had already fallen.

In the distance, the bonfires of the imperial camp lit up the horizon.

Just like the troops of Briol, they were also recovering from the day’s battle, preparing for the next.

“Jared.”

“Yes.”

“I shouldn’t leave my post, should I?”

“Hmm…”

Jared crossed his arms, looking in the same direction as Yuri. Now and then, distant drums could be heard.

“Yes.”

Jared said.

“Everyone fights bravely, but the truth is the Empire is strong. His Majesty faces the black knights and the strongest of the Empire. That means you must lead our troops on the walls, Your Highness.”

Being that competent was also a problem.

Normally, that role should be filled by a veteran knight. But Yuri had taken it on, and so well that the troops now relied on him.

If he left and the Empire attacked again, they didn’t know if they could hold the line.

“That was my mistake.”

He couldn’t do everything alone. He should’ve delegated tasks earlier, but had become too involved.

“Is this about Enox? Are you going back to the palace to see the crown prince?”

“Yes.”

“Why not write him a letter?”

“I think I need to see his face directly.”

“Hmm…”

Jared nodded.

“I get it. Sir Laurent said something similar. He’s been uneasy lately, and if he says something like that, and he’s no ordinary person…”

“Exactly.”

“Then go.”

“Huh?”

“That’s my opinion. I think it’s better if you go.”

“Hmm…”

“That doubtful look…”

“You just said I should stay.”

“That was a moment ago, and this is now. Want me to explain logically?”

“Try.”

“If we’d lose a war just because one prince is absent, then we must accept defeat.”

Yuri looked at Jared’s profile as he watched the distant horizon.

“And what if we really fall?”

“No, that can’t happen. Besides, think about it—what’s more important, the frontier or the royal palace? Let’s be honest, the heart of the country is the palace. If His Highness the Crown Prince is involved in something with the Empire… then Briol is in extreme danger. This won’t end with just the fall of one fortress.”

Jared pounded his chest.

“Go quickly, and then we’ll fight with peace of mind. To fight well, you must be calm. If being unsettled makes you kill five instead of ten, then Your Highness loses usefulness, got it?”

“Jared.”

“Yes?”

“You really are…”

“Did I move you?”

“A lucky bastard.”

“Excuse me?”

“Someone who didn’t even seem human, now behaving like a real person thanks to meeting me… you’re just lucky.”

“Wasn’t that supposed to be a compliment?”

“Says who?”

“Ugh…”

“Anyway, explain things properly to my father.”

“Excuse me?”

“Don’t say anything about what Enox said. Just say I have urgent business and that I’ll stop by the palace. I’ll explain everything later, but for now just tell them I’ll be back as soon as possible.”

“Out of nowhere? I’ve never even spoken with His Majesty.”

“This’ll be your first time.”

“Shouldn’t I escort you as a bodyguard?”

“There’s no time. The longer the line, the slower the march.”

With that, Yuri turned around.

“I’m going.”

“Huh? Right now?”

“Yes.”

Yuri didn’t hesitate.

He went straight to the stables, brought out his black steed, and mounted.

“Take care.”

Jared watched Yuri’s back as he rode off at full speed.

“Wow, he really left…”

***

Yuri rode southeast, where the capital was located.

Using the mana method, he deflected air resistance, allowing the horse to gallop unrestrained.

How long had he ridden? Eventually, he came upon a crossroads with an old signpost.

One path led to Française, the other to the kingdom’s heart. Laurent must have also stopped here before heading to Française.

It wasn’t far.

If he rode a bit more, he’d reach Française. Maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to make a brief stop.

Yuri hesitated for a moment.

Française was currently closed off. But asking the soldiers if Laurent had passed through didn’t seem like a problem.

“…”

In the end, Yuri pulled the reins.

There was no urgent need to go to Française. He shouldn’t waste time. The most pressing matter was to go to the royal palace and clear his doubts.

He spurred his horse. The animal surged forward again.

As soon as Yuri left, a gust of wind swept the area and the old signpost creaked. Then, it toppled over into the dust.

Only the empty crossroads remained.

***

Laurent stared at the mansion.

He had lived there since childhood, but now it seemed strangely unfamiliar.

In his memories, the mansion always gleamed under the sun. But that day was different. The sky was overcast, and a gloomy shadow engulfed the entire building. Its surface looked faded, tinted gray.

Laurent approached the gate surrounding the estate. No knights were there to greet him.

“Are you going in, sir knight?”

Stephanie, who followed him, spoke in a timid voice. Laurent gave a short nod.

“I’ll just confirm something and leave.”

“…Alright.”

Stephanie wanted to leave Française, but Laurent still had unfinished business. He had promised her that after visiting the castle, they’d go.

Laurent pushed the latch.

The metal gate creaked unpleasantly as it opened. As soon as he entered, he sensed a killing intent.

“Stay back.”

He warned Stephanie while unsheathing his sword.

Hidden zombies began to appear. Their skin was melted, grotesque in appearance.

They were stronger than usual, the same type Stephanie had warned about.

Laurent had noticed—the stronger zombies were often people who had been powerful in life, usually knights.

The zombies rushed at him. Laurent raised his sword.

Even though their faces were disfigured, many looked familiar. They were knights of Française who had once followed him, calling him “young lord.”

As he cut them down, Laurent thought.

‘Maybe I’ll die here today.’

He looked at the mutilated bodies and lowered his sword. He spoke to Stephanie, who was hiding behind the gate.

“Stephanie. Hide here.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll be back.”

“B-but sir knight, I also…”

“No.”

He turned away.

“If I don’t return, run.”

“Huh? How am I supposed to—?”

Laurent didn’t answer.

Terrified, Stephanie looked around and slipped into a small guard post by the entrance.

“Please… come back soon…”

Leaving her trembling voice behind, Laurent crossed the garden and stood before the mansion.

He could sense the lurking presence of zombies in the darkness. Française and the Flandre family had fallen.

Laurent accepted it, once again.

That’s why, as the last survivor of the Flandre family, he had to end it all himself.

He walked inside.