Yuri began to march.
Tirbo carried the banner, and the rest of the troops followed behind.
Anyone could join.
Nobles or commoners.
Knights or foot soldiers.
Veterans who had spent their lives on the battlefield.
Or fresh recruits gripping a sword for the first time.
Anyone willing to risk their life to fight walked alongside Yuri.
Among them were not only the Briol people but also Oliver Elgast, once loyal to the Empire, and Raipio Artem, who had wandered aimlessly after Graham’s death.
If you want to fight, come.
That was Yuri’s message.
The banner of the Anti-Empire Alliance fluttered high.
People either joined the procession or knelt in prayer toward Yuri’s army.
“Tirbo, is your arm hurting?”
“Huh? Yes, a little. Hehe…”
“Give it here. I’ll carry it.”
“No, it’s fine.”
“Come on, hand it over.”
“I’m okay.”
“Why, is it not hurting anymore?”
“Yes.”
“Alright. If it hurts, just say so, okay?”
“I don’t think it will.”
“Good, that’s how it should be.”
After making a wide circle around Briol, Yuri planned to head to Liberda. Then, continuing westward, pass through the Small States Alliance, reach Bursen, and enter the Empire through the Holy Kingdom.
Along the way, they needed to gather those who shared their cause.
News had spread across the continent that the Empire had summoned evil beings through dark magic to repel the Anti-Empire Alliance, and in response, the Crown Prince of Briol was assembling the last army.
“Next is Ujes, right?”
“Yes.”
Yuri’s path now led to Ujes. People sent blessings and sometimes asked questions.
Before entering Ujes, a man standing by the roadside shouted out.
“Your Highness, forgive my bold question, but do you think we can win?”
He wore a sword and radiated mana—likely someone who had trained in swordsmanship.
But his voice was soft, and his shoulders hunched.
No matter how long one has trained, fear cannot be erased.
This man seemed willing to join the march but was hesitant, paralyzed by fear of the Empire and its dark magic.
Yuri paused briefly and shook his head at him.
“I don’t know.”
“Pardon?”
“I don’t know if we can win.”
A crowd knelt along the roadside, watching Yuri and his army.
Yuri spoke honestly.
“We’re not fighting because this is a war we can win. Even if we lose, we fight because we must stand against them.”
The man looked up at Yuri.
“The enemy is strong. Most of us will probably die.”
From the start, Yuri had resolved not to rally people with empty promises.
Fighting dark magic required unwavering resolve.
Those who came out of coercion or deception wouldn’t endure.
“I can promise you nothing. If you want to fight, come. If not, don’t.”
With that, Yuri resumed walking.
The man stared blankly after him.
Then his gaze shifted to the army following Yuri.
They were a diverse group.
Yet none showed signs of fear.
Their expressions were calm, as if death was nothing to be afraid of.
“Ah…”
A soldier marching alongside spoke to the still-standing man.
“Hey, young friend.”
“Yes?”
“There are fights in life you just can’t avoid. If you feel that way, come join us. If not, at least cheer us on from behind. This isn’t just talk—it’s a matter of life and death.”
The soldier gestured ahead.
“The Empire sacrifices people like offerings. I’m scared too, but I have to fight.”
Finishing his words, the soldier looked forward and continued walking. His figure soon faded into the distance.
The man lifted his eyes.
Beyond, the Anti-Empire Alliance’s banner fluttered in the wind.
Suddenly, a middle-aged man who had been kneeling in respect rose as if entranced and joined the march.
He was not alone.
No one shouted or tried to persuade them.
They simply walked.
And more people began to join their ranks.
Watching this, the man’s expression hardened, and he stepped forward.
Those ahead nodded and made way for him.
Yuri’s Anti-Empire Alliance army was now passing through Ujes.
Once the domain of Genard, it was now ruled by Josephine.
As Yuri entered Ujes, a band played music.
Yuri smirked.
Josephine had once aspired to be a musician. Even now, as a duchess, she actively composed music. Hearing the news, she had clearly prepared this as a form of welcome.
“I didn’t expect music too.”
“A welcome, of course.”
“But isn’t it a bit too gloomy?”
“More like solemn.”
The music and atmosphere were different from the usual pre-battle tunes.
Depending on how you listened, it sounded either melancholic or resolute.
Yuri shook his head.
“Anyone coming here might just run away.”
“Still, it moves the heart.”
As they entered the city, Josephine awaited.
Duchess Josephine Jattery of Ujes.
She stood before Yuri, who was leading on horseback, and bowed politely.
Her retainers followed suit, kneeling on one knee.
Ujes was one of the wealthier domains in Briol, so she commanded many knights.
The sight of all of them bowing to Yuri was impressive in itself.
“Your Highness.”
“It’s been a while, Josephine.”
“May blessings be upon your path.”
As she finished speaking, the music, which had briefly stopped, resumed—this time livelier.
Perhaps because of her musical background, she was skilled at such ceremonies.
The quiet music grew stronger, as if the meeting of these two was shifting the world’s balance.
Yuri quietly said to Josephine,
“Isn’t this a bit too staged?”
“Art is inherently staged.”
“Right…”
Josephine smiled and offered,
“You must be tired. Please rest here. I’ve prepared a banquet.”
“No.”
Yuri shook his head.
“I’m with these people. Whether it’s eating or resting, I’ll do it with them. So I must politely decline the banquet.”
“Ah…”
Josephine opened her mouth briefly, then nodded.
“I was thoughtless. Then I will provide a meal for everyone.”
“Thank you, I appreciate that.”
Yuri’s army stayed in Ujes for a day.
Josephine emptied the city’s granaries to provide a decent meal—meat and wine.
The marching soldiers could forget their hardships for a moment.
Occasionally, the locals of Ujes gave flowers and gifts to the soldiers.
At night, Yuri sat outside the city in a makeshift camp, gazing up at the sky.
Sitting by the campfire, it felt like the days of the alliance army.
“Your Highness.”
Jared, sitting across from him, spoke.
“Why the sudden movement like this?”
Originally, Yuri hadn’t intended to go around gathering people. The plan was to rise up when the time came and march toward the Empire, and if other nations responded, they would join.
But now, he was moving around personally.
Though the dark magic was terrifying, the name Yuri Briol shone so brightly that people kept coming.
“That’s because…”
Yuri glanced sideways.
Oliver and Raipio sat in a corner, roasting sweet potatoes over the fire.
Even if Raipio was expected, who would have imagined Oliver—always so polished and well-groomed—would end up like this?
No one had imagined he would become an ally. And the same went for others.
Those who seemed like eternal allies could become enemies.
“I just feel like I have to do my best.”
“My best…”
Yuri looked at Laurent, sitting beside Jared, staring into the flames.
He looked no different from the Laurent of old.
“Honestly, before, I might have been somewhat resigned.”
Not consciously, but deep down, he thought this was a fight they couldn’t win, so at least they should end it with dignity. That’s why he stayed in the palace, waiting for those truly willing to fight.
But when he heard that Cory had become Cedric’s subordinate, his thoughts changed.
“I have to fight desperately. Of course, we’ll win.”
“I see.”
Jared said,
“I thought it was because of Lady Ekaterina.”
“No.”
“How did it come to this? You didn’t seem that close during the tournament.”
“We had a connection in a past life.”
“Oh…”
Jared shook his head as if he’d heard something strange and called out to Laurent.
“Laurent, are you just going to stay quiet after hearing that?”
Laurent just smirked.
“I have things to say, but I won’t.”
Yuri felt a pang of regret. The cute boy had turned into a cold, harsh man.
“Laurent used to be adorable…”
Yuri muttered. Laurent glared but didn’t argue. Jared nodded in agreement.
Then someone spoke from behind.
“I think the current Sir Laurent is adorable too.”
It was Marie Rose. She casually sat down on the empty ground.
“Ah, Lady Marie Rose.”
Jared brought over a box nearby so she could sit.
“Thank you, Sir Jared.”
“You’re welcome.”
Though she was here alongside us like a war mage, if you really think about it, Marie-Rose was the Duchess of Valshard—a virtually independent nation. She wasn’t someone who should be sitting on the ground.
Of course, sitting on a sack of unknown contents was Yuri, the prince of Briol.
Marie-Rose spoke up.
“Your Highness, you’re lucky, aren’t you?”
“Lucky? How so?”
Yuri was a little taken aback. Her voice trembled slightly, uncharacteristic of her.
She knew very well that Marie-Rose was interested in her. In fact, it went beyond mere interest—Marie-Rose had shown clear signs of affection.
But now that she was involved with Ekaterina, Yuri didn’t know how to act around her.
She wasn’t shameless enough to pretend not to notice, like before.
“That you have such a beautiful and kind-hearted lover.”
“Kind-hearted?”
Yuri found herself asking without thinking.
“Oh, so you don’t agree?”
“Well…”
Ekaterina was undeniably charming, but whether she could be called kind-hearted was another matter.
“She called me ‘big sister’ the moment we met. Said she escaped the empire and was no longer a princess. Pretty, and very approachable.”
“I see.”
Yuri felt something was off. She’d never seen Ekaterina call anyone ‘big sister’ or be so openly affectionate with others.
Marie-Rose smiled at Yuri.
And Yuri felt even more confused.
Usually, when someone you like gets a partner, you react in some way—grow cold, feel hurt.
But Marie-Rose seemed more relaxed now than before Ekaterina appeared.
“Why is that?”
“Nothing…”
“Don’t tell me you’re hiding some disappointment inside because I’m so calm about it?”
“No, of course not. What are you talking about?”
“Just checking.”
Yuri felt a sinking unease.
Had something happened between Ekaterina and Marie-Rose?
It was the same in her past life.
Though they were lovers, Ekaterina always acted in ways Yuri couldn’t predict. That unpredictability was part of her charm, but sometimes it was hard to handle.
As Yuri stared quietly into the campfire, Laurent suddenly spoke.
“Yuri Briol.”
“Hm?”
“No, never mind.”
Laurent shook his head. Jared, sitting nearby, silently shook his head as well.
The fire crackled warmly.
Only Yuri tilted her head in confusion.
“What is it?”