Chapter 187
Chapter 187
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 187
Chapter Title: 76. Malice (4)
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The Empire, feeling the pressure from Fiore, dispatched small knight orders to plunder the villages. They demanded food and goods, and if refused, swung their swords without mercy. It was a brutal method unbecoming of black knights.
The response force led by Yuri repelled them handily.
"Don't let those Empire bastards get away!"
"Yes, sir!"
Yuri clashed with the Empire's knight orders day after day.
His prowess grew sharper with each passing day.
The Empire's knights felt it most acutely.
Perhaps because of that, they began opting to flee rather than face Yuri head-on whenever he appeared.
As a result, the border skirmishes turned into a game of cat and mouse.
"This is odd."
Yuri muttered to himself.
"What is?"
"Isn't it too easy?"
"It's not easy."
"No. It is."
"If it's easy, that's a good thing, right?"
"That's what's strange."
Yuri furrowed his brow as he watched the Empire's knights retreating into the distance.
"The Empire isn't this weak."
Thanks to the wars of his previous life, Yuri knew just how formidable the Empire's knights could be.
Yet in this life, he felt none of that same pressure.
Even accounting for his own growth, the gap was glaring.
"Your Highness, you're worrying over nothing again."
Jared chided Yuri.
"You already possess the might of a Ten Strong warrior, and the knights His Majesty assigned are all top-notch as well. Of course it's going to feel easy. Right?"
"Even factoring that in, they're too weak."
"Then how strong do they need to be?"
"We should be losing a few men in battles like this. Taking wounds. Shedding tears for fallen comrades."
"Whoa, that's suddenly grim talk, Your Highness."
"Well, anyway. It's a good thing."
Yuri nodded.
In any case, they were winning. They'd protected the villages and slain numerous Empire knights, all with minimal losses on their side. Excellent results.
The rescued villagers swarmed them, expressing their gratitude.
"Thank you so much. Truly."
"We owe you our lives."
Yuri addressed the village chief.
"Fortify your fences properly. And if the Empire invades again, light a beacon immediately."
"Yes, understood, Your Highness."
"If they come, don't try to hold out. Give them whatever they demand. That's how you survive. Got it?"
"We're truly grateful..."
Yuri was treated like a hero everywhere he went.
And rightly so—the brutal Empire knights fled in terror at the mere sight of him. Even in combat, they couldn't stand against him.
To the people, Yuri seemed invincible.
Yuri grinned and waved.
"Alright then."
Basking in the villagers' praise, Yuri and his knights departed the village.
They were heading back to Bezos Castle.
One of the knights trailing behind shouted to Yuri.
"Your Highness! There's someone up ahead!"
"Hm?"
Yuri turned his head.
It was a desolate plain, but a single figure staggered along. Even from afar, it was clear he was in bad shape.
He was heading away from Brioll territory.
In these chaotic times, it was impossible to look after every single citizen, but something tugged at Yuri's heart, so he decided to turn aside.
"Let's go check it out."
"Yes, sir!"
Yuri led his knights toward the man.
He was a ragged traveler, burdened with a bundle and clad in torn clothes.
Yuri blocked his path.
"Hey, who are you?"
The man looked up. Squinting against the sunlight, he peered at Yuri before speaking.
"I-I'm Soders, milord."
"Where are you headed?"
"Leaving Brioll."
"You seem like a Brioll native."
"Yes. I've lived here since I was a boy."
Yuri tilted his head.
"And you're leaving Brioll in this state?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Soders, who had been standing still, glanced back furtively, as if checking for pursuers.
He hesitated, then slowly spoke.
"Well, back there..."
Soders trailed off, cleared his throat, and bowed his head deeply.
"Something terrible is happening behind me. That's why I'm leaving."
"Where exactly? Where did you come from?"
"Franchese, milord."
Soders kept pacing in place as he spoke, his mind clearly unsettled.
Yuri pressed him.
"What kind of terrible thing?"
"Something huge. Really huge. It's only going to get worse. I can tell. No one can stop it. You have to leave now."
"Calm down."
Yuri dismounted and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"If you want to go, I won't stop you. But I can assure you, things will settle down soon. Brioll is working to save Franchese."
"Save it?"
Soders shook his head.
"They're not saving it—they're blocking the roads. What's the point?"
"To stop the plague, we have no choice..."
Soders burst into laughter at Yuri's words.
"It's not a plague. I really have to go. Everyone's so ignorant. Please don't stop me. I need to hurry."
"Not a plague?"
"No. Something far more terrifying."
"What?"
One of the knights behind spoke up.
"Your Highness, he's deranged. Just let him go. Waste of time."
At the word "Prince," Soders stared at Yuri in shock.
Yuri shrugged.
"I'm Yuri Brioll."
"Ah, the Third Prince. The famous one."
"That's me."
"I've heard the name plenty."
"Yeah. Anyway, not a plague—what is it then?"
"If it's even the Third Prince..."
The knight spoke again.
"Your Highness, don't listen to this lunatic. It's nonsense."
Soders shouted at him.
"You! People like you are why Franchese is doomed! You don't even care what's happening! You fools!"
"Hey, hey, calm down."
Yuri patted Soders' shoulder and signaled the knight to be quiet with a wave.
"Soders. Calm down and tell me."
"You won't believe me either, Your Highness."
"Maybe not. But I'll try. Talking won't cost you anything, right?"
"Yes..."
After hesitating, Soders leaned close to Yuri's ear and whispered something.
Yuri stepped back and stared at him.
"You're serious?"
"Yes."
"No way..."
Yuri examined his face closely. He looked haggard, cheeks sunken from days without food, eyes twitching unnervingly.
He wasn't in his right mind.
"Alright."
Yuri cleared the way.
"Go on your way."
Soders gave him an "I knew it" look, bowed, and hurried off with unsteady steps.
His gait alone screamed half-mad.
As Yuri remounted, Rolang approached.
"Your Highness, what did he say?"
"Well..."
Yuri hesitated briefly.
Rolang wasn't in a stable state right now. He harbored an inexplicable anxiety about Cedric and Franchese.
Sharing Soders' wild tale might not be wise, but Yuri decided on honesty.
"Demons flying around, apparently."
"Pardon?"
"Demons flying through the sky, sowing seeds. Eat one, and you turn into the same demon, sowing more. Eventually, the world will be full of them."
The knights behind burst into laughter.
"Just a madman."
"Figures."
"If demons can fly, why haven't they come out of Franchese?"
Yuri shrugged.
"In his head, Brioll's army must be flying around too."
Everyone laughed again.
But Rolang couldn't brush it off like the others. He stared blankly at Soders' retreating figure.
Yuri ordered a return at once.
"We wasted time. Let's head back. Good work, everyone."
"Yes, sir!"
They set off for Bezos Castle.
As he rode, Rolang mulled over Soders' words.
Flying demons? Absurd.
Yet suddenly, the image of the preserved magpie from the past flashed in his mind.
Cedric's meaningful smile crossed his thoughts too.
Night fell.
Rolang quietly slipped out of his quarters and headed to the stables.
Upon opening the door, his beloved white horse rose as if it had been waiting.
"Good boy."
Rolang stroked its mane.
"Let's go quietly. That's it."
The horse followed without a sound. Outside, the cold air prickled his skin.
Rolang checked his backpack and the sword at his waist.
He was prepared.
Gazing at the castle, he murmured.
"Forgive me, Your Highness."
He couldn't quite convince himself, but the urge to go to Franchese had grown unbearable.
Soders' words from earlier haunted him, and the preserved magpie lingered in his mind.
Maybe he was losing his sanity.
He needed to see Franchese safe with his own eyes to find peace.
Then he'd return, beg forgiveness, and accept whatever punishment came.
Rolang mounted.
"Let's go."
He was about to spur it forward when—
"The gates will be closed at this hour."
The sudden voice startled him. He whipped around.
Yuri stood there, arms crossed, leaning against the stable wall.
"Your Highness?"
Rolang froze in surprise, and Yuri laughed as he stepped into the light.
"Why so shocked? After all our time together, you didn't see this coming?"
"I..."
"Go. I already ordered the gates opened. No issues."
"Your Highness."
"Rolang, there's a reason you're this worried. Something must really be happening."
Yuri grinned.
"Or maybe nothing. That'd be even better, right?"
"Thank you."
"Save it. I'm more grateful for what you've done for me."
Rolang dismounted and knelt on one knee before Yuri.
"I'll return as soon as possible."
"No need to rush. Take your time until your heart's at ease. Whenever you're ready."
"Yes."
"Give my regards to Sir Rian."
"I will."
"Here."
Yuri handed him a pouch of coin.
"Just in case."
"No, I couldn't..."
"Tut."
"...Yes."
Rolang accepted it and tucked it into his pack.
"Rolang."
"Yes."
"Be careful."
"Yes."
Rolang nodded.
"Go on."
As he mounted, Rolang glanced at the moon hanging in the sky.
Its cratered surface gleamed so close it seemed polished.
He'd never seen it so bright.
It felt portentous.
Since growing obsessed with Franchese and Cedric, his mind spun wild thoughts relentlessly.
Absurd as it was, Rolang wondered if the moon shone so brilliantly to mourn him and the Third Prince's final moments.
Mounted, he paused in thought.
Yuri waited patiently.
Finally, Rolang spoke.
"The moon is beautiful tonight."
His voice echoed in the quiet castle grounds.
Caught off guard, Yuri tilted his head. Rolang smiled down at him and repeated.
"The moon is truly beautiful. Don't you think so, Your Highness?"
Yuri finally looked up.
A rare full moon filled the night sky, just as Rolang said.
"It is. The moon is beautiful."
Rolang laughed aloud.
"I'm glad."
With that, he spurred his horse toward the gates.
Yuri watched his back, sensing something precarious about it.
Yuri didn't know.
That this was the last glimpse of the Rolang he knew.