When Jermaine and his group arrived at the lord’s castle, they were stopped at the gate.
“You can’t come in.”
“Do you even know what’s going on right now?”
“…”
The iron gate was firmly locked, and the knights guarding it said no more.
Charlotte shouted in frustration.
“The entire territory is in chaos! What are you doing?”
No matter how much she yelled, there was no response.
Jermaine, standing behind, peered beyond the gate to assess the situation inside the castle.
He saw troops moving busily around the courtyard. Occasionally, the gates opened in another direction, and mounted knights rode out of the castle.
Jermaine stepped forward.
“Is this refusal to let us in on the lord’s orders?”
“…”
“I don’t know if it’s the lord himself or some other representative, but please tell them that a friend of Sir Roland has come. I’m well acquainted with Sir Roland.”
The knight who had been silent finally looked at Jermaine.
Jermaine added,
“Not just Sir Roland. I’m also close with the Third Prince.”
“…”
“See this?”
He showed the badge of the Allied Forces Veterans Association pinned to his clerical robe.
“I’m a former member of the Allied Forces. A military chaplain.”
The mention of their names seemed to elicit some reaction.
After a brief silence, the knight spoke shortly.
“Wait here.”
He sent a messenger into the castle, and not long after, he returned.
After speaking with Jermaine, the knight opened the gate.
As soon as Jermaine and his group stepped inside, the iron gate slammed shut behind them.
“Follow me.”
“Where are you taking us?”
The knight didn’t answer. The atmosphere inside the castle was tense.
Soon, they met a middle-aged knight seated at a desk, looking tired as he read something.
“Oh, you’re here.”
He looked up.
“I’m Jess Flandre, the younger brother of Lord Lian. So, you say you’re acquainted with Roland?”
“Yes.”
“Well, you made it here somehow.”
He nodded.
“So, that zombie outbreak has spread a lot, huh?”
“You know about it?”
“Not in detail. We’re still trying to figure out the situation.”
“It started at the University of Français.”
Jermaine said with certainty.
“This person here is a researcher we found there.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. Hey, why don’t you explain what happened?”
The researcher looked flustered.
“Well, to explain, I just woke up to chaos all around…”
“Was there anything unusual before that?”
“Well, not really…”
“Any experiments with magic or drugs?”
“I don’t know.”
“Anyway, I’m certain it started at the University of Français.”
Jess nodded.
“As a chaplain, you must have sensed something.”
“Yes.”
“No need to worry too much. A messenger has already been sent to the royal palace.”
“But His Majesty is currently facing off against the Imperial Army at Bezos.”
“Oh, you don’t know, huh?”
He tapped the desk with his pen and said,
“Anyway, the Crown Prince is handling affairs on His Majesty’s behalf. He’s been informed about the incident at Français, so support will come.”
“Oh, the Crown Prince…”
Jermaine let out a sigh of relief.
Everyone in Briole knew about Cedric.
He was brilliant and kind-hearted.
A man who could lead the country well whenever he became king.
“That’s a relief.”
“Maybe so…”
Meanwhile, someone entered, whispered something to Jess, and left. Jess drew a line on the map spread out on the desk.
Jermaine asked,
“But what about the lord?”
“He’s ill.”
“Is that so?”
Jess waved his hand, unwilling to say more.
“I’ll give you a room to rest. Since you’re friends with Roland, I can’t just send you away.”
“Thank you.”
Jermaine’s group left the room.
Outside, a servant was waiting for them.
“Follow me.”
“Yes.”
Charlotte tapped Jermaine’s shoulder.
“Thanks to you, things went smoothly. I appreciate it.”
“The knight saved us, really.”
As they exchanged pleasantries, Jermaine looked at the researcher. He had risked the life of an assistant chaplain to bring him here, yet he wasn’t very talkative.
Jermaine said,
“Hey, for the sake of the friend who died in your place, I hope you’ll take care of yourself from now on. I’m not mocking you—I mean it.”
“Ah, yes. I know. Thank you very much.”
Then the researcher suddenly grinned.
“Thanks to you, we even got inside the castle.”
“Huh?”
Suddenly, the researcher lunged at Jermaine. But Charlotte immediately kicked him, sending him sprawling to the ground.
“What the—!”
Jermaine shouted.
The researcher glared at Charlotte as he got up, then suddenly turned and attacked the servant.
He bit into the servant’s neck, bloodied teeth bared in a twisted smile.
“Hehe…”
Jermaine was stunned, unsure what to do. Charlotte drew her sword.
“A zombie? But does it still have its senses?”
The servant convulsed on the ground before going limp. Then, it began to move again—now a zombie.
The researcher shoved the zombie toward them and fled in the opposite direction.
“Stop!”
Charlotte swiftly cut down the zombie. Then she shouted as she chased after the researcher.
“That man! He’s the host of the zombies! Stop him!”
The suddenness of it all slowed their response.
Jermaine stood frozen, watching the chase unfold.
Screams echoed from afar.
Jermaine looked down at the fallen servant’s corpse.
“What on earth is going on…?”
Cedric immediately dispatched the remaining troops to seal off Français and sent a messenger to Bezos with a brief report.
Though the exact cause was unknown, it was clear something was happening.
Yuri told Roland the truth.
“That’s what’s going on…”
Roland’s pupils flickered anxiously. Yuri placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Don’t worry too much. Your brother is handling it well.”
“But why the lockdown?”
“There must be a reason.”
Roland opened his mouth, then closed it again. Yuri continued.
“It’s because of the plague. They’re blocking all the roads to prevent it from spreading. They’ve decided to send chaplains and doctors to help.”
“You said it’s just a plague? From the Crown Prince?”
“Yes.”
Yuri tried to reassure Roland.
She knew he didn’t trust Cedric, but Cedric was currently acting as the king’s proxy.
“Prince.”
Roland spoke.
“Sorry, but I think I have to go.”
“You’re going?”
Yuri shook her head.
“I told you it’s locked down. And there’s nothing you can do if you go now.”
“But I still feel like I have to go.”
“Roland, wait.”
Yuri bowed her head, thinking for a moment.
“How about waiting a little longer?”
“Prince.”
“To be honest, you’re worried because of Cedric, aren’t you?”
“That’s…”
“That’s understandable.”
Yuri met Roland’s eyes.
“But right now, the Imperial Army is right outside. They need every able person. You’re an important asset.”
“I know.”
“And even if you go, there’s nothing you can do. It’s a plague. Staying away is actually more helpful.”
Roland couldn’t reply.
Yuri was right. There was nothing he could do about the plague. It was better to minimize movement and wait until the territory calmed down.
But inside Roland’s chest, an unexplainable unease was growing. As Yuri said, it was because of Cedric.
That story about the white bird kept gnawing at his nerves.
It was absurd, but he even found himself paranoid, imagining Cedric plotting something against Français.
“Yes. You’re right, Prince.”
Roland sighed.
He wanted to exhale his frustration, but it didn’t help much.
“I guess I was shaken because I was worried.”
“No, you weren’t.”
Yuri patted his shoulder.
“I’d feel the same. But let’s hold on a little longer. This is an important time.”
“Yes.”
“Let’s leave Français to Sir Lian. He’s an exceptional knight.”
As she spoke, the sound of a horn echoed outside.
“Again?”
The Imperial Army wasn’t just targeting Bezos Castle. They occasionally raided nearby villages, looting as they went.
Each time, Briole sent knights to counter them.
“Roland, shall we go?”
“Yes.”
They mounted their horses immediately.
Other knights, including Jared, arrived soon after. Together, they formed a group and rode out, the castle gates rising to let them pass.
They charged out without hesitation.
Riding behind Yuri, Roland glanced south toward Français.
He felt the urge to go.
But he shook his head.
Yuri was right. Even if something really was happening, he needed to stay by her side. That was his duty.
He had to leave Français to his father and Cedric.
Suddenly, Roland looked up sharply at the sky.
Clouds drifted across the open blue.
Occasionally, a bird flew by—but the white bird he feared was nowhere to be seen.
Cedric sat in his office.
The crystal orb on the desk occasionally glowed.
“Yes.”
He muttered to himself.
“Block Fiore at Français. Then Bezos will open, and we won’t have the capacity to stop them. But Fiore is stronger than expected. So…”
He referred to his father as if he were a stranger.
“The ‘Shadowless Sword’ needs to come here.”
Silence lingered inside the orb. Cedric smiled.
“Why?”
[Danger detected.]
“Don’t worry.”
Cedric smiled as he took off his glasses and set them on the table.
“I’m saying this with a purpose. So send the Shadowless Sword immediately. As soon as possible. Understood?”
[Understood.]
“Hurry up. I want this done before Moyongchan returns.”
[What about Briol?]
“We’ll call a temporary truce in front of the palace. Or maybe it’s better to just eliminate him altogether?”
Cedric paused to think, then nodded.
“For now, let’s keep him around. What’s the situation with the Holy Kingdom?”
[They’re locked in fierce battle with Bursen. Since the Holy Knights haven’t intervened yet, Bursen has the upper hand.]
“I see.”
[What should we do?]
“Leave it be. And…”
Suddenly, Cedric’s eyes sharpened.
“I’ll be in touch again.”
He placed the crystal orb back in the drawer and tidied the desk.
Soon, there was a knock at the door.
“May I come in?”
“Yes, please.”
The door opened to reveal a boy with salmon-colored hair.
He was Inariel, one of the Ten Greats and a Grand Mage.
“What brings you here?”
“Hmm…”
Inariel narrowed his eyes and looked at Cedric. Cedric shrugged and returned his gaze with a smile.
Inariel spoke.
“You’re going to be king.”
“Yes. That’s how it turned out.”
“Good. Better you than that unreliable guy who only knows how to swing a sword.”
“Hahaha…”
“This room’s too dark. It’s bad for your eyes. That’s why you wear glasses.”
“I’ll be careful.”
“Listen, I’m going to be away for a bit. When Yura comes by later, give this to her.”
He handed over a letter.
“Don’t read it.”
“Understood. Still, it’s reassuring to have you here, Inariel. It’s a shame you’re leaving. I wish I could keep you here—for Briol’s sake.”
“You speak well.”
“I mean it. Is it urgent?”
“Yeah. But it won’t take long. There’s not much I can do even if I stay…”
Inariel sighed.
Though young in appearance, his expression was that of a man who had lived a long life.
“Anyway, that’s how it is. Take care.”
“Yes.”
With that, Inariel left the office.
For a member of the Ten Greats, his departure felt anticlimactic.
Cedric looked down at the letter.
Unaware of Cedric’s true identity, Inariel had sealed the letter with a simple spell.
If anyone tried to force it open, Inariel would be alerted.
But Cedric had a way.
Black smoke flowed from his hand, enveloping the letter. The seal remained intact, but the paper inside passed through the envelope and unfolded in midair.
The letter was completely blank. That, too, was Inariel’s precaution.
Cedric waved his hand again. The black smoke wrapped around the entire sheet, and faint words began to appear beyond the mist.
“Hmm…”