“I like that girl.”
“I do too. But…”
At Ekaterina’s words, Elaine fell into thought for a moment.
When Elaine had sent a message to Yuri through Asana, the three of them had met briefly and exchanged a few words. Back then, Ekaterina seemed to have taken a liking to Asana.
But something felt off.
Elaine had proposed, via Asana, that they try to bring martial artists from the East into their alliance.
A few days later, Asana reported that the task had been completed successfully.
Yet, when they escaped the empire, the Black Knight had said this:
“Yuri Briol asked me to pass this along: ‘East, request for cooperation. Though, in these circumstances, I’m not sure how much it matters…’”
At the time, Elaine had been too caught up in the urgency of the situation to think much of it. She assumed that since she had sent the idea through Asana, this was simply a reply from Yuri.
But looking back, it wasn’t like Yuri at all.
He wasn’t the type to send meaningless, repetitive answers.
There was only one plausible explanation.
Asana hadn’t delivered her letter. And without receiving it, Yuri had come up with the idea of recruiting Eastern forces on his own—and entrusted the Black Knight to pass the message to Elaine, asking her to handle it.
Given Yuri’s sharp mind, it was entirely possible.
Ekaterina tilted her head.
“Maybe Yuri was just in a rush and spoke carelessly?”
“If that were true, he would have said something else. Like, ‘Excellent idea. Implement immediately.’”
“Does he give compliments often?”
“Usually, yes.”
“I don’t think Asana would.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because I don’t think Asana would betray Yuri.”
“How can you be sure after meeting her only once?”
“She likes him.”
“Huh?”
Elaine looked at Ekaterina in surprise.
Over her sculpted profile, her green eyes lifted slightly.
Ekaterina spoke calmly, staring ahead.
“Asana likes Yuri.”
“Uh…”
The unexpected statement left Elaine momentarily speechless.
She blinked, then asked.
“Really?”
“You didn’t know?”
“How do you know?”
“You just can tell.”
Elaine, who had little understanding of romantic feelings, found herself at a loss. If Ekaterina said so, it must be true.
Thinking about it, it made sense.
Yuri was a charismatic man.
Just as Elaine had begun to find success as a merchant thanks to Yuri, Asana had also been saved by him.
Now that she thought about it, it felt strange that an assassin as skilled as Asana would follow only Yuri’s orders. Maybe, as Ekaterina suggested, her loyalty stemmed from love.
While Elaine was lost in thought, Ekaterina spoke again.
“Ah, I take it back. Looks like Asana really did betray him.”
“Why now? If she loves Yuri—no, His Highness Yuri—then…”
“You just said ‘Yuri.’ Your true feelings are a bit disrespectful, huh?”
“Focus on the matter at hand.”
“I’m with you there. People are complicated. And to explain, sometimes love like that can turn sour. Impossible love tends to twist easily. I know from experience. My father locked several people in the dungeons because of it. Some, I heard, were even beheaded…”
“Excuse me?”
As Elaine frowned, Ekaterina added one more thing.
“She might have been brainwashed by dark magic.”
That was easier to understand. Elaine’s eyes widened.
“Why didn’t I think of that before…”
Asana had been trying to infiltrate the imperial palace. She had even managed to bring back some information.
But it was definitely dangerous.
It was possible that some accident had occurred during the mission, and she had fallen under the influence of dark magic.
“We need to inform Yuri immediately.”
“Yes. His Highness probably doesn’t suspect a thing.”
“Maybe not…”
Asana was an assassin who could slip anywhere. If someone like her betrayed them and sided with the empire, Yuri would be in grave danger.
“We should send a letter right away.”
“Since we’re on our way to see Joshua anyway, sending it through him would be fastest.”
“Agreed.”
The two were soon guided to the great hall. Joshua sat on the throne.
For some reason, he didn’t look like he belonged there.
He seemed uncomfortable in the position, and as soon as they arrived, he stood up.
“Oh, you’re here.”
“Why did you call us?”
Ekaterina spoke casually, dropping formalities.
They had a history.
When Ekaterina had suddenly attended a royal ball in Briol with Georg, Joshua had taken an interest in her and approached her.
That encounter had sparked a friendship, and now, despite Joshua being the king and no longer the troublesome second prince, Ekaterina treated him like an old friend, speaking informally.
Joshua didn’t mind. In fact, he welcomed it.
“Ekaterina, you want to use Yuri’s palace, right?”
“Is that a problem?”
“No, no. Of course not. If Yuri says it’s okay, I’ll say I gave permission.”
“Thanks, Joshua.”
“Yeah, yeah. Heh heh…”
Elaine sighed and stared into space. She didn’t want to see her country’s king acting like a fool, chuckling like that.
“Oh, and there’s something to tell Yuri…”
“Yeah?”
“You’re sending letters regularly, right?”
“Of course.”
Briol was at war, after all. Yuri, on the front lines, exchanged news with Joshua through messengers.
“What should I send? What’s the message?”
“Um, it’s a secret…”
Ekaterina glanced at Elaine, who stood nearby.
“Elaine says it’s something urgent. Can you send it with the messenger?”
“Of course.”
“Don’t read the contents.”
“Do you take me for a fool? Briol isn’t that kind of country.”
“And the empire is?”
“Uh? No, that’s not what I meant…”
Ekaterina laughed.
“Why so flustered? The empire is exactly that kind of place. That’s why you came to Briol.”
“Ha ha…”
Joshua scratched his head and went to a table beside the throne to check something.
“Ah, but it’ll take some time.”
“Huh?”
“The last messenger just left. The next one won’t depart for three days.”
“That won’t do.”
“Huh?”
“Send another one.”
“Asana, it’s been a while.”
Yuri smiled warmly at the sudden appearance of Asana. She nodded in return.
“It’s been a while. Are you His Highness now?”
“That’s right.”
The last time they met was in the empire.
Back then, she had stayed behind to gather information inside the palace. Yuri had supported her determination and left.
Since then, she had only heard occasional news of Asana through Gorio and other forces in the imperial capital.
Yuri tore open the letter the messenger had brought and asked Asana.
“How did you get out of the empire? Ah, with you, it’s possible. Silly question.”
“Yes.”
Asana’s expression was as emotionless as ever.
“I left before the surveillance tightened.”
“What about Gorio and the others in the hometown association?”
“They’re hiding the people from Briol. They’re digging tunnels and planning an escape. Not sure if it’ll work, but they’re trying.”
“Are many people detained?”
“Quite a few.”
“They all have to hold on.”
Yuri unfolded the letter from Briol.
Asana’s eyes flicked to the letter in Yuri’s hand.
Yuri read it quietly.
“…”
Then she looked up at Asana.
Their gazes met for a long moment.
Finally, Yuri folded the letter and tucked it away.
“Did you manage okay in the empire?”
“Yes.”
“Any results?”
“Not really. The deeper areas were heavily guarded.”
“That’s a relief. I was worried when you kept going into the palace.”
“You were worried?”
“Dark magic is dangerous. I was afraid something might happen to you.”
The two walked side by side through the war-torn ruins.
Anti-empire soldiers inspected the bodies of fallen imperial troops. Occasionally, a final, agonized gasp escaped.
Asana said, “Many have died.”
“More will, I’m afraid.”
“How is Briol?”
“Briol?”
Yuri shrugged.
“Nothing much. The trouble is here.”
“You didn’t look well when you got the letter earlier…”
“Did I? Maybe I’m just tired.”
As Yuri and Asana returned, the mages waiting in the rear bowed their heads. Standing among them, as if commanding the group, was Inariel.
Yuri gave a slight nod of thanks. Thanks to Inariel, today’s battle had been an easy victory.
“Thank you, Inariel.”
“I see.”
He looked at Asana standing beside Yuri.
“And this is?”
“Asana. My secret ally.”
Inariel nodded.
“Have you heard news from Liberta?”
“Yes.”
“We must decide, Yuri Briol.”
The time for choice had come.
Should they support Liberta and hold this defensive line, prolonging a war with no end in sight? Or should they advance and strike the empire instead?
Yuri said, “Inariel, you already know what I’ll choose, don’t you?”
“Yes…”
He chuckled softly.
“I can guess.”
With Liberta’s front broken, the empire would push troops through there. That would endanger the defenses of other nations.
Trying to patch a breach after it’s been made is a long detour.
“If the war drags on, we lose. We’ll advance.”
“When?”
“The sooner, the better.”
Yuri made her decision without hesitation.
“As fast as possible. There’s no time for debate—I’ll make the decisions myself. Briol and the Small Nations Alliance will advance. Send messengers to the Holy Kingdom and Bursen to follow as quickly as they can.”
“Are you sure about this?”
“The Empire’s forces are mostly gathered in the east to bypass Liberta. If we don’t act now, we might lose our chance.”
“I’ll prepare.”
Yuri’s expression grew serious.
“We have to throw every available soldier into this and push through in one swift strike. Inariel, I’ll need your strength as well.”
“Understood.”
Asana quietly listened beside Yuri.
“Asana.”
“Yes?”
“This time, we move together.”
“Got it.”
She gave a faint smile.
“Go ahead and scout the Empire’s forces first, will you?”
“Yes.”
With those words, Asana vanished in an instant.
Inariel furrowed her brow.
“That was strange. She disappeared so quickly.”
“She’s a descendant of the Assassins.”
“The Assassins? I’ve heard the name, but don’t know much about them.”
Yuri nodded.
“Asana will be a great help.”
Yuri gathered the commanders to finalize the plan for the advance.
Since darkness favors those who wield black magic, they planned to move at dawn, as soon as the sun rose.
Yuri’s Vengeance Knights would lead the charge, followed by Briol’s elite forces. The Small Nations Alliance troops would then march north together, aiming for the Imperial capital.
Even as they prepared for the coming battles, news from Liberta kept arriving.
The Empire’s forces kept pouring in, forcing Liberta into a painful retreat with heavy losses.
Though it meant using them as bait unwillingly, there was no other choice.
Sometimes sacrifices must be made.
At last, the darkness lifted, and the sun began to rise beyond the horizon.
Yuri, mounted at the front of the Vengeance Knights, watched the dawn break.
His horse shifted beneath him with a light trot.
Yuri spoke softly.
“The time has come.”
His voice rumbled low across the land.
“We do what must be done. Move out.”
There was no need for further words.
The Anti-Imperial Alliance had fought horrific monsters and lost countless comrades.
They all understood now.
This war was not for the rulers, nor for personal gain.
It was a fight for the safety of all humanity.
A fierce determination burned in every eye.
Yuri led the way forward, the army following close behind.
At last, the Anti-Imperial Alliance’s forces, under Yuri’s command, crossed into Imperial territory for the very first time.