Feeling the pressure from Fiore, the Empire sent a small contingent of knights to raid the village. They demanded food and supplies—and when refused, they brandished their swords. It was a rough, unknightly way to behave.
But the response unit, led by Yuri, repelled them with skill and determination.
“Don’t let those Empire bastards get away!”
“Yes, sir!”
Day after day, Yuri clashed with the Empire’s knights.
His skill grew with each battle.
The ones who felt this most keenly were the Empire’s own knights.
Perhaps because of that, whenever Yuri appeared, they began choosing flight over direct confrontation.
As a result, the border skirmishes turned into a game of cat and mouse—chasing and being chased.
“This is strange,” Yuri muttered.
“What is?” asked one of his men.
“It’s too easy.”
“It’s not easy at all.”
“No, it is.”
“Well, if it’s easy, that’s good, right?”
“No, it’s strange.”
Yuri frowned as he watched the Empire 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 were.
Yet this time, he didn’t feel that same overwhelming pressure.
Even accounting for his own growth, the gap was glaring.
“Prince, you’re worrying over nothing again,” Jarred chided him.
“You already possess martial prowess on par with the Ten Strong, and the knights His Majesty assigned to you are all skilled. Of course it’s going to be easy. Isn’t that right?”
“Even so, they’re too weak.”
“How much stronger do you want them to be?”
“Every battle should cost a few lives. Injuries, too. We should mourn fallen comrades with tears.”
“Suddenly you’re saying terrible things.”
“Well, whatever. It’s a good thing, I suppose.”
Yuri nodded.
After all, they had won. The village was safe, and several Empire knights had been killed. Their own losses were minimal. A fine victory.
Grateful villagers flocked to express their thanks.
“Thank you so much! We’re truly grateful.”
“You saved us.”
Yuri spoke to the village chief.
“Keep the fences well maintained. And if the Empire tries to invade again, light the beacon immediately.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“If they come, don’t try to resist. Give them whatever they want. That’s how you survive, understand?”
“We’re truly thankful…”
Wherever Yuri went, he was hailed as a hero.
And rightly so—those cruel Empire knights would flee in fear whenever Yuri appeared. Even in battle, they couldn’t stand against him.
To the people, Yuri seemed invincible.
He smiled wryly and waved.
“Well then.”
Amid the villagers’ praise, Yuri and his knights left the village.
They were on their way back to Bezos Castle.
Suddenly, one of the knights behind called out.
“Prince! There’s someone over there!”
“Hm?”
Yuri turned his head.
In the lonely grasslands, a lone figure was staggering along. From the look of him, he was in bad shape.
He was heading away from Briol.
In times of war, it was impossible to care for every single citizen, but something tugged at Yuri’s heart, and he decided to investigate.
“Let’s go see.”
“Yes!”
Leading his knights, Yuri approached the man.
He was shabby, carrying a bundle on his back, his clothes torn in places.
Yuri stepped in front of him.
“Hey, who are you?”
The man squinted against the sunlight, then looked up at Yuri and spoke.
“I’m Soders, sir.”
“Where are you headed?”
“I’m leaving Briol.”
“You look like you’re from Briol.”
“Yes. I grew up here since I was a child.”
Yuri tilted his head.
“But you’re leaving in that state?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Soders glanced nervously behind him, as if checking for pursuers.
He hesitated, then slowly spoke.
“Well, over there…”
He trailed off, cleared his throat, and bowed his head.
“Something terrible is happening back there. That’s why I’m leaving.”
“Over there? Where exactly?”
“Franzez, sir.”
Soders kept pacing nervously as he spoke. He seemed unstable.
Yuri pressed him.
“What terrible thing?”
“It’s terrible. Very terrible. The problem will only get worse. I know this. It can’t be stopped. We have to leave quickly.”
“Calm down.”
Yuri dismounted and placed a hand on Soders’ shoulder.
“If you want to leave, I won’t stop you. But I promise you, everything will soon settle down. Briol is doing its best to save Franzez.”
“Save them?”
Soders shook his head.
“They’re blocking the way, not saving anyone. What good is that?”
“Well, it’s necessary to prevent the plague…”
Soders laughed bitterly.
“It’s not a plague. I really have to leave. Everyone’s so ignorant. Please don’t stop me. I have to go.”
“Not a plague?”
“No. Something far worse.”
“What is it?”
One of the knights behind whispered to Yuri.
“Prince, he sounds crazy. We shouldn’t waste time on him.”
At the word “Prince,” Soders looked at Yuri with wide eyes.
Yuri shrugged.
“I’m Yuri Briol.”
“Oh, the Third Prince. The famous Third Prince.”
“Yes.”
“I’ve heard the name many times.”
“Anyway, if it’s not a plague, then what is it?”
“Since it’s the Third Prince…”
The knight behind spoke again.
“Prince, don’t listen to him. He’s just babbling nonsense.”
Soders shouted at him.
“You! Because of people like you, Franzez will fall! You don’t care what’s happening! Such fools!”
“Hey, hey, calm down.”
Yuri patted Soders’ shoulder and signaled the knights behind to be quiet.
“Soders, calm down and tell me.”
“You won’t believe me, Prince.”
“Maybe not. But I’ll try. Talking won’t hurt.”
“Yes…”
Hesitant, Soders leaned close to Yuri’s ear and whispered something.
Yuri stepped back and looked at him.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
“No…”
Yuri studied his face carefully. He looked gaunt, probably from lack of food, and his eyes flickered with anxiety.
He wasn’t in a sound state.
“Alright.”
Yuri stepped aside.
“Go on your way.”
Soders looked at him as if he expected this, then bowed his head and hurried off.
Even his gait betrayed his unstable mind.
Yuri mounted his horse again, and Laurent approached.
“Prince, what did he say?”
“Well…”
Yuri hesitated.
Laurent was uneasy. He felt an inexplicable anxiety about Cedric and Franzez.
He wasn’t sure if it was right to share Soders’ unbelievable story, but he decided to be honest.
“Demons are flying around.”
“Huh?”
“Demons flying in the sky, scattering seeds. If you eat them, you become the same kind of demon and spread the seeds again. Eventually, the world will be filled with those seeds.”
The knights behind burst out laughing.
“He’s just crazy.”
“Exactly.”
“Why can’t flying demons leave Franzez?”
Yuri shrugged.
“Maybe in his head, Briol’s army flies through the air too.”
Everyone laughed again.
But Laurent didn’t join in. He stared blankly after Soders’ retreating figure.
Yuri ordered their return.
“That was a waste of time. Let’s go back. Good work, everyone.”
“Yes!”
They headed back toward Bezos Castle.
As they rode, Laurent mulled over Soders’ words.
Flying demons? Ridiculous.
But then, the image of the stuffed Chaisse he’d seen before flashed in his mind.
And Cedric’s cryptic smile lingered in his thoughts.
Night fell.
Laurent quietly slipped out of his quarters and headed for the stables.
As he opened the door, his beloved white horse immediately rose, as if waiting for him.
“Good boy.”
Laurent stroked the horse’s mane.
“Let’s leave quietly. Yes, just like that.”
The horse followed him silently outside. The cold air bit at his skin.
He checked his backpack and the sword at his waist.
He was ready.
Looking back at the castle, he murmured,
“I’m sorry, Prince.”
Though he couldn’t fully understand it himself, the urge to go to Franzez had grown too strong to resist.
Soders’ words from earlier kept echoing in his mind, and the image of the stuffed Chaisse haunted a corner of his thoughts.
Maybe he was losing his mind.
He felt he had to see for himself that Franzez was safe.
Then he would return, ask for forgiveness, and accept whatever punishment came.
Laurent mounted his horse.
“Let’s go.”
Just as he was about to spur his horse forward—
“The gates are probably closed, you know?”
Startled by the sudden voice, Roland turned around.
Yuri was leaning casually against the stable wall, arms crossed.
“Your Highness?”
Roland froze in surprise, and Yuri stepped out from the shadows, laughing softly.
“Why so startled? Haven’t we spent enough time together for you to expect this much?”
“Well, the thing is…”
“Go on. I’ve already told them to open the gates for you. Nothing will get in your way.”
“Your Highness…”
“Roland, there must be a reason you’re so worried. You don’t even know what’s really going on.”
Yuri smiled slyly.
“Well, maybe nothing will happen at all. That would be even better, wouldn’t it?”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. I’m the one who should be thanking you for everything you’ve done for me.”
Roland dismounted and knelt on one knee before Yuri.
“I promise I will return as soon as possible.”
“No need for that. Take your time, do whatever you need to feel at ease, and come back whenever you want.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Give my regards to Sir Lian.”
“I will.”
“Here.”
Yuri handed him a pouch of coins.
“Take this, just in case.”
“No, I can’t accept—”
“Oh, come on.”
“…Yes.”
In the end, Roland accepted the money and tucked it into his pack.
“Roland.”
“Yes?”
“Be careful.”
“Yes.”
Roland nodded.
“Well then, off you go.”
As he mounted his horse, Roland glanced up at the moon hanging in the sky.
Its rugged, cratered surface was so close it seemed almost within reach.
He had never seen the moon shine so brightly before.
It felt like something significant, somehow.
Since becoming aware of Frances and Cedric, his mind had been obsessively spinning all sorts of thoughts.
It was absurd, but Roland wondered if the moon was shining so brilliantly to mourn the fate of the Third Prince.
So, sitting astride his horse, he fell into a brief reverie.
Yuri waited patiently.
Finally, Roland spoke.
“The moon is truly beautiful tonight.”
His voice echoed softly through the silent castle grounds.
Surprised by the sudden remark, Yuri tilted his head. Roland smiled warmly and looked down at him.
“The moon is truly beautiful. Don’t you think so, Your Highness?”
Only then did Yuri look up.
As Roland had said, a rare full moon filled the night sky.
“Yes. The moon is beautiful.”
At Yuri’s words, Roland laughed aloud.
“That’s a relief.”
With that, he urged his horse toward the castle gates.
For some reason, Yuri felt his back looked fragile, vulnerable.
What Yuri didn’t know was that this was the last time he would ever see Roland as he truly was.