Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince — Chapter 290: The Way (3)

Chapter 290: The Way (3)

After⁠⁠ spending a day⁠‍ in Yuzes, Yuri‌‍‍ realized that Josephine⁠⁠ was doing her⁠‌⁠ job much better‌‌ than he had‌‌ imagined.

Yuzes, with fertile lands‍‌‌ and a strategically‍ advantageous location, had‌ always enjoyed prosperous‍ trade. But ever‍ since Josephine had⁠ become the feudal‍⁠ lady in place of the corrupt‍‍⁠ Genard, unnecessary waste⁠ had disappeared.

Of‍ course, this was‍⁠‍ also thanks to‌⁠ Yuri’s full support.‌

With‍ a powerful figure like Yuri Briol⁠‍ backing Josephine, the⁠ vassals who had‌ once followed Genard couldn’t offer any‍ resistance.

“It⁠‌ seems Yuzes is‍‌ doing much better than before.”

At‌ Yuri’s words, Jared‍⁠ replied:

“A⁠⁠⁠ fief tends to‍ prosper even if⁠ its rulers don’t interfere too much.”⁠⁠

In‌⁠ the city’s central square, an orchestra⁠ was playing music.‍⁠

Since⁠⁠ Josephine loved music,⁠ that atmosphere permeated‍‍⁠ all of Yuzes.‌

If‌‍ things continued like this, it might‍ one day become‌⁠ famous as the‌ city of music.‍‌‌

“I’d‌‌ like to see⁠‌ that.”

“You⁠ will.”

When‍ Yuri left Yuzes,‌ he had more‌‌ soldiers than before.⁠⁠‍

A large portion of‍‌ Josephine’s private guards‍‍‌ had joined him,‍ and some determined⁠ citizens had also volunteered.

If⁠⁠ Genard were still‌ lord, he wouldn’t have allowed those‌ people to join⁠ Yuri so easily.‍‍

Before‍‍ Yuri and his‍ army departed Yuzes,‍ Josephine, who had‍⁠ come to see‍ them off, said:⁠‍

“Your‌ Highness, when this battle is over,‍ I will compose‍‌ a symphony for⁠ you.”

“I’ll‌ look forward to‌ it.”

“Please,⁠⁠ return victorious.”

After⁠ their farewell, Yuri‌‍ and his army‌‌ left Yuzes.

They‍⁠ soon came to‍‌‌ a fork in⁠⁠‍ the road.

If⁠⁠ they took the⁠ upper path, they would reach the‍‍ Duchy of Klein and Liberta; if⁠‍ they went along⁠ the side road,‌‍ they would reach‍ Briol’s border and‌‌ the grasslands.

“We⁠ won’t need to‌‌ pass through Sidor,⁠ right?”

“Sidor,‍ huh…”

Sidor‌‍ was a fortress‍‌⁠ that defended Briol‌‍ from the grassland‌⁠⁠ orcs, ruled by‍‌‌ Heime Theodore, known‌ as the “Scar-Filled Wolf.”

In⁠ the past, when‌‌ he had left⁠ to join the allied army, Yuri⁠ had passed through⁠ Sidor and received‌‍‍ great help from him.

“I‌ need to meet⁠⁠ with Sir Heime.”‌‌

However, Yuri had no⁠ plans to take⁠ troops from Sidor.⁠

Although‌‌ the number of‌ orcs had greatly⁠ decreased thanks to‍ the allied army,‌‌ small groups still‍‌‍ managed to multiply⁠‌ and sometimes disturbed‍⁠‍ the border.

Even‌⁠‍ with the fight⁠‌ against the Empire ahead, some defense had to remain‍⁠ in place.

“We’ll⁠ go to Sidor⁠ and then head directly to Liberta.⁠⁠ It’s a small⁠ detour, but a necessary one. Come⁠⁠ on, raise Tirbo’s‍‌ flag high.”

“Yes,‌ sir!”

The anti-imperial coalition army‌ led by Yuri‌ advanced in a long column toward‌‍‌ Sidor.

***‍

Upon‌⁠ arriving at Sidor,‌‍‍ Yuri sat across‍‍ from Heime.

It⁠‍‌ had been quite some time since⁠⁠ they last saw each other, but‌ he hadn’t changed‌‌ much.

He‍⁠ was still covered‌ in scars, and⁠‌‌ his eyes shone with a strange‌⁠ intensity. He had⁠‍ more wrinkles, but‌‌‌ he didn’t seem⁠‍ older; on the‌‌ contrary, he seemed‌ more full of⁠‍ life.

However,‍‌ the energy he⁠ radiated didn’t seem‍‌ meant for living‍‍ fully, but for‌ destroying something.

He‌ was, without a doubt, a dangerous⁠‍ man.

Yuri‌ smirked.

“It’s‍‌ been a while.”‍

“That’s‍‌ right.”

“You⁠ look good. You‍⁠ seem younger.”

Heime‍‌ let out a low laugh.

“It’s been quiet.”

“Sidor?”⁠‍

“You⁠ reduced the number‍‌‌ of orcs so‍ much, Your Highness,‌‍⁠ that I haven’t⁠‌‌ had much to‌⁠ do.”

“You must have been‌‌ bored.”

“Not‌‍⁠ too much. Some‍ show up from time to time,⁠‍ so they serve‌⁠ as entertainment.”

“But‍ that’s not enough,‌⁠⁠ is it?”

Yuri⁠‍ leaned forward.

In‌‍ the dim light,‌ their faces looked‌⁠‍ oddly similar.

“No,‌‌‌ it’s not.”

“You‍ still hate them,⁠‌⁠ don’t you?”

“Without‌ a doubt.”

“Heime,‍‌ I have no⁠‍ intention of taking⁠‌‍ troops from Sidor.‍‌ After all, you‍‍ must keep protecting the border.”

“That’s‌ how it should‌‍‌ be.”

“Will⁠ you come with‍‍ me?”

Yuri smiled faintly, recalling⁠‍ the words he‌‌ had said to‍‌ him in the⁠⁠ past.

“Heime Theodore, Shield of⁠ Briol. I promised‍⁠ I would show‍‍ you your true‌‍ enemy.”

Although⁠⁠‌ the allied army had left the‌‌ orcs on the⁠ verge of annihilation, Heime had not‍ found peace.

The⁠ image of his‍⁠ son’s shattered corpse‌‍ must still have‍ been burned into‌ his memory.

Perhaps,‍ deep in his‌ subconscious, he already‍⁠ sensed that his‌‍‌ true enemy was another.

The⁠ sword he had‍ been sharpening inside‍⁠⁠ was still looking‌⁠ for something to⁠⁠⁠ cut.

“You‍ already suspect, don’t‍ you?”

“Yes.”‍

Heime‌ smiled.

“The Empire, right?”

“Exactly.‍ The orcs are,⁠ in the end,⁠ a product of‍‌‌ black magic. And‌⁠ the creature that‌ could be considered‌ the source of‍⁠‌ that black magic‌ is in the‌ Empire.”

Then Yuri told him⁠ what he had‍‌ learned in the⁠ grassland ruins — that the orcs‌ had been created‍‌ from humans corrupted‌‍ by black magic.‌‌

Heime‍‌ smiled bitterly, wrinkling‌ his face. His eyes shone.

“With age… I began‍ to think maybe‌ it was time⁠‌‌ to give it⁠ all up. I didn’t even go‍ to the front⁠‌ much anymore. But‍ strangely, my body⁠⁠ started to feel⁠‍⁠ better and better.”⁠‌‌

He‍⁠ shook his head.‌‍‍

“Now I see, it‌ was to meet you, Your Highness.”⁠

He‍⁠‍ closed and opened‍‌‌ his fist, the veins standing out⁠ on his strong,‍⁠‌ calloused hands.

“It‍⁠ was to join⁠‌ you.”

“I’m⁠‌ glad to hear⁠‌ it.”

“I⁠ know you came‍ here for me.”⁠⁠

Heime⁠ smiled faintly.

“Yes, I’ll join you.”⁠

“Good.”‌

When‌‍‌ Yuri offered his‌‌ hand, Heime took it.

In‍ that moment, Yuri⁠ felt he had‌‍⁠ made the right decision in coming to Sidor.

In⁠‌⁠ truth, there had‌⁠ been no need⁠⁠⁠ to invest time⁠ here — it‌ was not a heavily populated fief,‍‌ and its economy⁠⁠⁠ had been weakened‌ by years of‍‌ orc attacks.

Even after the Allied‌‍ Army’s war, the‍ number of permanent⁠ troops had been‍ reduced.

But‌‌⁠ this was all‍‌ for one man.‍⁠

Heime‌ Theodore.

He⁠⁠ was neither a young prodigy nor⁠ someone with extraordinary‌‍ strength, and his‍ addition wouldn’t drastically‌ change their military‍‌ power.

But⁠ Yuri wanted to‍ reward his years‌‌‍ of loyalty to⁠‍ Briol.

He⁠ wanted to give‌⁠ him the chance‍‍ to release the⁠⁠ resentment he had‍‌‌ carried his whole‌‌⁠ life.

Heime⁠ laughed roughly.

“Did⁠‌⁠ you really come‌⁠‍ all the way‌⁠ here just for⁠⁠ me?”

“Yes.‌ This war will‌⁠ be special. To‍⁠ fight against them,⁠‍‍ we need people⁠ as persistent as‍ they are. And someone with an‌⁠ old grudge like yours will be⁠‍‌ more useful than‌‍ dozens of young‍‍‌ knights.”

“Thank‍⁠ you. This old⁠⁠ man already has‍‌⁠ his grave prepared.”‌⁠‌

“Don’t⁠‍ celebrate yet. You‍ might outlive me.”

“That‍ would be a problem. Hahahahaha…”

Heime‌ looked more spirited‌ than ever.

It⁠‍ was the first⁠⁠‌ time Yuri had‌ seen him with‍⁠‍ such a light‌ expression, as if‌ a weight had‌ been lifted off⁠ his shoulders.

“Hahahahaha…”‌‌

After⁠‌ laughing and taking‌‌ a deep breath, Heime stood.

“Maybe I’ve survived until‍ now just for‌⁠‌ this.”

“And‌ what if you⁠ survive again this‍ time?”

“Hahaha…”‍

When‌ their conversation ended,⁠⁠ Yuri left the‌ office with Heime.‍

Sidor had always been‌ an empty castle.⁠

Its‍‌⁠ stone walls bore‌ no paintings or‌⁠ ornaments, and only‍ the torches hung‍⁠‌ for lighting gave‍‍ it a somber‌ atmosphere.

Suddenly,‌ a soldier came‍⁠ running from the‍ far end of‌ the corridor.

Upon‍ seeing Yuri, he‌⁠‍ bowed and addressed‌ Heime.

“My‍‍‌ lord, we’ve captured a prisoner.”

“A‌ prisoner?”

Heime‌⁠ looked at the‍ soldier when he heard the word.‍

“Yes.”

“Several‌⁠⁠ unidentified intruders appeared⁠ in the east. When the sentry‍ called out to‍ them, they attacked‍‍ without warning. Sir‌⁠‌ Calcio intervened and‍ subdued them. Some⁠ were captured, but‍ they were skilled,‍ and there were‌ casualties.”

“What‍⁠ kind of people‍ are they?”

“When⁠ captured, they turned out to be‍‌ easterners who do not speak the‌ continental tongue.”

Then‌‌ Yuri asked.

“Easterners?‍ All of them?⁠ No companions?”

“Yes.”

“They don’t know any‍ continental speech?”

“Yes.‍‌ They didn’t seem‍‍ able to say‍ a single word.”

“I⁠‍⁠ see…”

Yuri‌ told Heime.

“They⁠ say more easterners⁠ have been crossing‍‍⁠ lately — we’ll‌ need to prepare‌‍⁠ a response.”

“Indeed.”‌⁠

At⁠‌ first, Yuri thought‌‌ of the eastern‍‍ warriors Elaine and‌‍ Cheongun had brought.‌⁠‌

But‌⁠ considering these ones‌ had immediately drawn⁠‍ swords and caused⁠ casualties, and that‌ none in their‌ group spoke the‌⁠ continental tongue, it⁠ seemed they had⁠‍⁠ no connection to‍‍ them.

Heime thought for a moment and said:⁠

“I‍‌ want to see‌ them. Will Your‌ Highness come as‍ well?”

“Of course.”

Yuri went down with‌⁠ Heime to the‌‍‌ lower part of⁠‌ the castle.

He thought that, as‌⁠‌ before, they might‍‌‍ have been thrown‍‍‌ into a damp dungeon for torture,‍ but at least⁠ against humans they⁠‍‍ did not do‌ so.

Calcio⁠⁠ had the prisoners‍ bound, forced to⁠ kneel, waiting for‌⁠ Heime’s arrival.

Upon‍ seeing Yuri, Calcio’s⁠ face lit up⁠ and he greeted⁠ him.

“It’s‍‍ been a while,⁠⁠⁠ Your Highness.”

“It‌ has, Sir Calcio.‌ Have you been‌‌ well?”

“Thanks‌⁠ to you. Hahaha…”

The‍‌ easterners, gagged, could say nothing and⁠ only moved their⁠ eyes.

Kicking‌‍⁠ one in the‍‌ back, Calcio said:⁠

“These⁠ guys drew swords‍ without warning, killing‌‌ three sentries. There⁠ were more wounded.”‌‌

Heime nodded.

“I‌‍ see.”

Perhaps⁠ sensing the atmosphere,‌ the easterners suddenly‍⁠ lowered their heads‍‌ to the floor‍ and began murmuring something under their‌‍‌ breath. They were⁠‍ probably asking for⁠⁠‌ forgiveness.

Unfazed,‌ Heime told Calcio:⁠

“Calcio.”

“Yes.”‌

“You⁠‌⁠ handle it.”

“Pardon?”‍

At⁠‍‍ the sudden order,‌ Calcio’s eyes widened.⁠

“You‍‌ mean…?”

He‌ glanced back and⁠‍ forth between Yuri‌ and Heime.

Heime‌ responded with a low chuckle.

“I’m going to join⁠ His Highness. I’ll‍ go alone.”

“What?‍‍ My lord?”

Calcio’s mouth hung open.‍‍

“That…‌ you’re already of⁠ age, why do⁠‌ this? There’s no‍ need for you‍ to go. The Marquis of the‍‌ Border of Sidor‌ can’t leave his‌ post.”

“Aren’t‌‌ you here?”

“In that case, I’ll‌‌‍ accompany His Highness.”‌‌‍

“No.‍ You stay.”

“My‌ lord…”

Calcio⁠ seemed uneasy at‌‍ the idea of‍ Heime accompanying Yuri.⁠

And‍⁠⁠ his words made‍‌ sense.

There⁠‌‍ was no reason⁠ for an older‍‌‍ knight to go‍ into a battlefield‍ where the likelihood⁠‌ of death was⁠‍ high.

Even⁠‍ less so if⁠‍‌ he was the⁠‍ marquis who had⁠⁠‍ protected the border⁠⁠ of Sidor.

But‍⁠‍ this was no‌ longer a war‌‌ guided by logic.‍ Those who had to go, would‍‍ go, and death⁠ was not on⁠ the list of‍ concerns.

Heime‍ smiled faintly.

“Calcio, you’ve seen how I act.”

“Yes,‌⁠⁠ but…”

“I’m⁠‍‌ leaving it to‍ you. Only you‌⁠ can replace me.”‌

“My‌ lord.”

Calcio‌‍‌ stared at Heime,‍‍‍ then bowed his‌⁠ head as if‌‌‍ he had no‌⁠⁠ other choice.

“Who‍ can break my⁠⁠‍ lord’s stubbornness? Haa…”

Then⁠‌ he approached Yuri‍⁠ and suddenly took‍ his hand.

“Your⁠⁠ Highness.”

“Yes?”‍

“Please‍ take good care of my lord.”‍

“Ah…‍ of course.”

With⁠ sad eyes, Calcio‍⁠ said:

“My‌‌ lord… First, don’t⁠‌⁠ ask him to⁠‌ act like a count. Second, never let him drink⁠‌‌ more than three⁠ bottles of liquor,‌⁠⁠ or he’ll start‍‍ hitting people. And‍‍‍ when he eats,⁠‍‌ make sure it’s⁠‍⁠ with beer, not‌ water or juice.‌ He likes to‌‍‌ pretend he’s not‌ bleeding even when‍ stabbed, or that⁠ he’s fine even⁠⁠ when about to‍⁠ die. In battle,‌ if you tell‌ him how many‍‍ he’s killed in‍ the first hour,‍⁠‍ he’ll be delighted.‌⁠ Make sure to‍ learn his dual-sword‌⁠ style and hidden‌⁠‌ weapon throws. Sometimes…”‍

“That’s‌‍ enough.”

Yuri⁠‍ covered his mouth.‍‌

“I⁠‍ get what you‌ mean.”

“Yes, Your Highness…”

“All‌‌‍ right, all right.”‌

It⁠⁠ was clear Calcio‍‌‍ had great affection⁠ for Heime, as⁠ he was visibly‌⁠ moved.

After⁠⁠⁠ bowing his head‌ for a moment,‌‍ he turned.

And‍‍ with a single‍ slash, he cut the necks of‍ the bound easterners.‌

Several heads rolled across⁠ the floor.

“My‌‌ lord. Is this‌‌ all right?”

“It⁠ is.”

Seeing⁠‍‍ this, Heime smiled‍ faintly.