Chapter 22: March (1)

Who would have imagined that Count Sidor’s banquet would end like this?
After a sleepless night, the army of Briol departed from Sidor Castle early the next morning.

“Your Highness.”

Before leaving the castle, Heime stopped Yuri.

“Take him with you.”

It was Cory, the one who had interpreted the orc language. He stood beside Heime with his head bowed.

His face was hidden under a hood, and his body completely covered, so apart from noticing his small build, nothing of his appearance could be distinguished.

“Cory, was it?”

Heime nodded.

“Yes. You saw him last night.”

“Is he in good health?”

“He has low stamina, but no medical issues.”

“And his temperament?”

“He’s docile and obedient.”

Heime added with a faint smile:

“Quite rare.”

“I see.”

Yuri nodded and addressed Cory directly:

“Cory.”

“Yes?”

“Do you know how to ride a horse?”

“N-no, I don’t.”

“Then you’ll have to learn.”

He turned back to Heime.

“Could you give me a horse? I’ll pay you back.”

“No need. Consider it a gift.”

Cory looked bewildered by the sudden decision, but it seemed he didn’t even have the courage to refuse.

Heime handed over a small pony suited to his size.

“Someone who knows the orc tongue is a valuable asset.”

“Thank you, sir…”

Clumsily, Cory took the reins.

Even on the pony, he barely reached Yuri’s height while standing.
Cory hesitated, then turned to Yuri.

“Sir… there’s something I want to say beforehand…”

“I know.”

“Pardon?”

“Don’t worry.”

“It’s just… I wasn’t referring to that…”

“Here.”

Yuri handed him something. A pair of well-made leather gauntlets.

“What are these…?”

Cory looked at them, then bowed and tried to return them.

“T-these are far more than I deserve…”

“I’m giving them to you.”

“But…”

“This brat…”

Yuri grabbed the whip hanging from his saddle and struck Cory’s pony, which took off running.

Cory screamed, clinging desperately to the reins. Yuri watched him go with a smile.

“Do you think he’ll be alright?”

Hernand peeked from behind. Like any good mage, he came and went even amid the march.

“There’s no reason he won’t be.”

“If the soldiers find out, they won’t look kindly on him.”

“So what? I decided to bring him.”

Yuri placed a hand on Hernand’s shoulder.

“Perfect. Hernand, take him with you.”

“What?”

“Even mages need assistants.”

“Why me…?”

Hernand grumbled, but Yuri suspected he’d been waiting for just that. As proof, Hernand’s face lit up completely.

Like in a card game, he was a man who couldn’t hide his emotions.

“Cory could be very useful. Take good care of him.”

“Saying it like that, I have no choice. Hehehe…”

Hernand began humming cheerfully. Yuri started worrying for Cory.

“You’re not going to do anything improper, right?”

“How could you say such a thing…?”

“Then I’ll trust you.”

Yuri mounted his horse. The other knights were already waiting for him.

“Your Highness, we’re ready.”

Their attitude had changed from the day before.

The previous night, despite the unexpected events, Yuri had stayed composed and led the group with skill.

His calm and decisive demeanor earned their respect. He had proven that, at the very least, he wasn’t a coward.

Yuri spurred his horse and said lightly:

“Good morning, isn’t it?”

“Y-yes…”

In contrast, the knights’ voices were subdued. All of them had dark circles under their eyes, as if they hadn’t slept, haunted by what they’d seen the day before.

Yuri laughed out loud.

“Come on, let’s get moving.”

Before leaving the castle, Yuri turned around. From atop the walls, Heime watched him.

Yuri placed a hand over his chest and gave a gesture of thanks. Heime also bowed his torso.

Thanks to Heime, the young knights had experienced firsthand what it meant to face orcs.
And more importantly, they had filled their hearts with hatred for the enemy.

That was all Yuri needed.

He whispered his name.

“Heime Theodore…”

Though he bore a certain madness, Yuri liked him.

“This time, you won’t die.”

Now that he had joined the alliance leading his own army, Heime would not be killed by orcs.

Yuri called out to Cory, who was riding beside Hernand.

“Cory.”

“Yes.”

“Do you hate orcs?”

Cory hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

“Yes.”

“Perfect. I’ll show you many scenes of orcs dying.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Sir Raymond.”

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“Is the pace acceptable?”

“We’re moving faster than expected.”

“Good. There must be bandits beyond the border, right?”

“Undoubtedly.”

“Make sure to eliminate them along the way—as long as it doesn’t slow the march.”

Raymond let out a short laugh and nodded.

“Understood.”

***

The army of Briol soon reached the border.

The soldiers stationed at the kingdom’s farthest edge had a distinct aura. There was a particular scent of blood about them, typical of those who lived in constant battle.

Yuri sought out the commander and obtained a map of the area. It detailed the trade routes, bandit bases, and zones where orcs had been sighted.

“From this point on, we’re outside Briol.”

Yuri spoke to the assembled troops.

“That means enemies can appear at any moment. If anyone’s let their guard down, now’s the time to be ready.”

The soldiers tensed. While there were some veterans among them, most had never seen combat. The same could be said for the knights.

“Let’s go.”

The army led by Yuri crossed the border. A barren plain stretched before them, devoid of any human presence. The distant horizon seemed to await them.

“Jared.”

At his call, Jared, who had been trailing behind, spurred his horse and rode up beside him.

“Yes?”

“From now on, you’re the scout.”

“Huh?”

Yuri unfolded the map, pointed to their current location, then tapped the area Jared was to explore.

“But that’s not on the way to Gide…”

“We left early, so we can take a slight detour.”

“Wait. That symbol…”

Jared checked the map’s legend.

“Bandits, right?”

“Scum who stir up chaos at the border and prey on merchants.”

“If we show up, they’ll probably run.”

“No, you’ll chase them down and eliminate them. And if they escape, destroying their base will be enough to pressure them.”

Yuri gave him a couple of pats on the chest.

“Hey, look behind you.”

Jared turned around. On the faces of the young knights and soldiers following them, tension was clearly visible.

Only Laurent was meeting Yuri’s gaze with steady eyes.

Yuri turned back to him.

“Everyone’s nervous, huh? Of course, for a genius like you, Jared, combat must be as natural as breathing, but…”

“I get it.”

“I’m just a mediocre young prince. I need a warm-up.”

“I said I get it.”

“So cold, just because you know how to swing a sword… A genius who doesn’t understand us mediocre folks…”

“I said I get it!”

Jared snatched a copy of the map and a compass and rode off at full speed.

“Take this!”

Yuri tossed a spyglass from under his cloak. Jared caught it mid-gallop without missing a beat.

As he watched him disappear into the horizon, Raymond rode up.

“A good call.”

“Right?”

“Yes.”

Raymond stroked his beard.

“Even a small skirmish is better than no real combat experience.”

“You’re the only one who understands my deeper intentions.”

“Hahaha…”

He added,

“You didn’t seem surprised last night.”

“That’s how I looked?”

“Yes.”

“I was definitely surprised.”

Raymond gestured toward Jared, now a dot in the distance.

“By the way, I heard you’re quite fond of him.”

“Fond? I just keep him around.”

“Sir Saned says he’s grown remarkably since you met. Even among the royal guard, few can match him.”

“I trained him.”

“I didn’t know the prince well before, but the more I learn, the less I understand.”

“Didn’t expect much from me, did you?”

“No, I didn’t.”

“Did Gennard say something? He probably badmouthed me.”

“Haha…”

“Sir Raymond.”

Yuri looked at him. He was a knight who had spent as much time on the battlefield as he had wrinkles on his face.

Those knights were like old swords.

When sheathed, they seemed dull—but when drawn, revealed a deadly edge.

Still, without the right wielder, they could stay hidden forever.

“Can I ask a dull question?”

“Ask anything.”

“Why do you fight?”

“Why do I fight?”

Raymond widened his eyes, then scratched his chin.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve heard that one. For a knight, the reason to fight…”

“These are strange times.”

“Then my answer will be old-fashioned.”

“I’m listening.”

“The peace of Briol.”

He smiled, slightly embarrassed.

“That’s all. Was it a dull answer?”

“No.”

Yuri smiled broadly.

“Sir Raymond.”

“Yes?”

“From now on, you’ll fight only for that.”

Raymond looked at him. Yuri, staring ahead, pretended not to notice.

“I promise.”

Then he spurred his horse and rode ahead.

“The rest, keep pace. I’m taking a little detour.”

“Where are you going?”

“I don’t trust Jared all that much.”

“Prince!”

“Don’t worry.”

Yuri lashed the reins. The wind beyond the border whipped against his body.

It felt almost pleasant—like a lash. His old instincts stirred.

Before, he had fled to forsaken lands after losing everything. But this time was different.

“The peace of Briol, huh…?”

A good answer.

Yuri laughed aloud as he rode.

***

Jared was scanning the distance through the spyglass.

“Hey.”

“Don’t talk to me.”

“See anything?”

“Yes.”

“Let me have a look too.”

“I’m still observing.”

“But I gave you that spyglass…”

“And you assigned me the scouting mission.”

“You’ve grown, Jared.”

Yuri sighed in frustration and gave a kick to the man they had securely tied up behind them.

“Mmf! Mmf!”

“Shut up or I’ll cover your nose too.”

“……”

Even though they were bandits, they had lookouts. Yuri and Jared had captured one, held a sword to his throat, and forced him to guide them to the gang’s hideout.

“This place doesn’t match the location marked on the map.”

“They change spots constantly.”

“Then what now?”

Yuri stepped closer to the man and pulled the gag from his mouth.

“Hey.”

“Y-yes.”

“You said there were no other lookouts, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Then why are you the only one on watch?”

“Well… I wouldn’t know…”

“You think you can watch in every direction alone?”

“No.”

“Then why are you alone?”

“I have no idea…”

As they questioned him, something caught Yuri’s attention.

“What’s this?”

He reached into the man’s shirt collar and pulled something out: a necklace with a red gem.

It wasn’t something a common bandit should be wearing.

“Is this yours?”

“No.”

“Then?”

“The boss gave it to me…”

He added,

“They give one to everyone who goes out on watch.”

At that, Jared frowned.

“Is it enchanted?”

He pressed the sword closer. The blade touched the man’s throat, and he turned pale with fear.

“P-please don’t kill me, sir!”

“Answer. Does this artifact transmit voices?”

“I don’t know! I don’t think it does! I don’t even know what it is!”

“Then why do you carry it?”

“I don’t know…”

Yuri shrugged.

“Then let’s ask them directly.”

He turned. Nothing was visible in the distance. The army of Briol was likely approaching slowly from beyond the hills.

“I’ll stay here. Go and deliver my message.”

“You’re staying alone?”

“Yes.”

“That’s dangerous.”

“That’s an order.”

Yuri placed the gag back on the prisoner.

“When I give an order, it gets followed.”

“But…”

“Go.”

“Understood.”

Yuri unfolded the map.

“Here, here, and here. Position troops at these spots. They can only flee in one direction. Block their retreat and surround them. Tonight, let’s return the favor.”

“Yes.”

“This will probably just confirm whether they’re still following commands properly.”

“Understood.”

The size of the bandit group was no match for the army Yuri had brought. With several knights in the mix, it would be an easy battle.

“I’ll return soon.”

Though reluctant, Jared stood and ran toward his horse tied off in the distance.

It wasn’t long before he returned—this time with a group of knights.

Yuri sighed.

“Why are you coming back so loud?”

“Just in case, I brought the knights first.”

“That’ll get us spotted.”

“We did our best to move quietly.”

“Fine. Good work, Jared.”

Yuri used the spyglass to observe the enemy camp. There was no visible sign of alarm. The bandits, sloppily dressed, moved about leisurely.

From time to time, he could see people being forced to work as slaves.

They looked like prisoners—perhaps even citizens of Briol.