Upon arriving at the Royal Palace of Bursen, Yuri was immediately invited to the great hall.
The King of Bursen, whom he had met once before, welcomed Yuri warmly.
"It is good to see you again. You are no longer a prince, but the Imperial Prince, I hear. I had promised to treat you to a full course the next time we met, but the situation does not permit it. I hope you understand."
"Yes, I understand. Then, please treat me to something truly grand next time."
"Of course, of course."
Yuri smiled faintly.
In Bursen, a "full course" was more like an empty promise tossed out to ease the sadness of parting. What mattered more than the course itself was the sentiment and goodwill behind it.
"I heard about the late king and your brother. My condolences."
"It's nothing."
After offering condolences for Fiore and Cedric, the King of Bursen took something out.
"Have a drink."
"This is…"
It was wine. Yuri's eyes widened at the sight of the bottle's shape.
"This is the Sabone Mucara, more precious than gold of the same weight."
"You know wine?"
"A little."
He had learned because of Ekaterina.
"These days it has become even more expensive. You may never taste it again, so I must drink it with you."
"Ah…"
Currently, the Alras region, where Bursen and the Holy Kingdom were clashing, was famous as a top-class wine-producing area. Among them, the Sabone Mucara was the pinnacle of Alras wine.
"The vineyard burned."
"…What?"
"They say the winemaker has gone missing as well. It will be difficult for a while. Perhaps we may never drink Sabone Mucara again."
Even now, it was a treasure among wine lovers, and if what he said was true, it would only become rarer with time.
This wine alone was more than enough to be called a full course.
Accepting the cup the king personally handed him, Yuri bowed in thanks.
"Thank you."
"Think nothing of it. Did you not come to help us?"
The King of Bursen let out a sigh.
"I do not know why that crazy woman from the Holy Kingdom has suddenly gone mad. Ah, she is someone connected to you, is she not? Even so, nothing can be done."
"I understand."
"Why is she doing this? Did she truly receive something from the Empire?"
Yuri shrugged.
"I came to find that out. Let's end this war."
"If it were anyone else, I would dismiss it as nonsense, but since it is you speaking, I believe it. Come now, have a drink. Bottoms up."
"Yes."
Though it was a precious wine, the King of Bursen treated it like cheap beer, clinking the cup hard and drinking in big gulps. When wine dribbled down the side of his mouth, he roughly wiped it with his sleeve.
"Thanks to Jose, we're holding the line in Alras, but that's as far as it goes. Because of the number of priests, the difference in stamina is widening. If a Holy Knight appears, we'll lose."
The Holy Knight was a paladin among the ten strongest.
It was said he had withdrawn from worldly affairs and gone into seclusion, but if the entire Holy Kingdom was engulfed in war, there was a chance he might appear again.
Even Yuri knew nothing about him. In his previous life, the Holy Knight had never shown himself until the end.
"If you go to the Holy Kingdom, be careful. There is constant fighting along the border. Both our side and theirs are set on shooting dead anything that comes from across the line."
"I understand."
Through him, Yuri was able to hear about Froin and Jonathan.
Jonathan had taken on a high position and was commanding troops, while Froin was active at the front.
"All the Allied Army veterans are doing well. Did you lead them well?"
"They were excellent to begin with."
"Hahaha, indeed. When will you go to the Holy Kingdom?"
"I plan to move as soon as possible."
"I'd like to tell you to take your time, but given the situation, there's no helping it. I never expected the Holy Kingdom to act like this, when the Empire is already a headache."
"Do you still keep watch on the Empire?"
"Of course."
The King of Bursen grinned.
"I'm no fool. I'm not so stupid as to forget my real enemy. Do you think I don't know the Empire is behind the Holy Kingdom? Look at what they did to Briol and Liberda. We are already at war with the Empire. That's why we must strengthen our alliance even more."
"You're right."
Yuri nodded.
When you deal only with the troubles right before your eyes, it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters, but the King of Bursen had not forgotten the alliance.
It was a fortunate thing.
Looking at him, Yuri said,
"I will make sure to keep our alliance alive."
"I hope you do. Is Liberda well?"
"Yes. They say they've driven out Doncic."
"That Outsider from the east, isn't it? The one said to be a guest of Briol."
"Yes."
"Then Liberda owes Briol a debt. In that case, I'd like to owe you one as well, so I'm counting on you."
"I'll do my best."
"But don't overexert yourself."
Pouring more wine, the King of Bursen spoke again.
"The Empire will be waiting. Once our disputes are settled, who knows what they'll pull next. That worries me more."
Yuri nodded.
Cedric had probably gone to the Empire.
No one knew when the black army he was building there would appear.
Perhaps they were waiting for the Holy Kingdom to be dealt with.
But even if it was the enemy's scheme, there was no helping it. They had to deal with the matter at hand before they could fight the Empire.
"You're not thinking of leaving today, are you?"
"No, I'll depart tomorrow."
"Then drink."
The King of Bursen poured more Sabone Mucara.
"Magnificent. Let us hope the missing winemaker is still alive somewhere."
***
The next day, Yuri left the Royal Palace of Bursen and set out for the Holy Kingdom. Avoiding the battle-scarred Alras region, he took a route through the surrounding border areas where the two nations faced off.
"From here on, we move with only a few."
Bringing too many knights risked provoking hostility from the Holy Kingdom.
"Jared, Simon, Guinness. Just the four of us."
"Isn't that too few?"
"The more we bring, the more guarded they'll be."
After gaining the consent of the border count of the region and leaving the 2nd Knight Order in his care, Yuri set off toward the Holy Kingdom with the three of them.
They carried a white flag to show they had no intention of fighting.
In the distance, an outpost came into view.
Jared asked,
"What if arrows come flying?"
"Block them, or die."
Soon, a commotion broke out at the Holy Kingdom outpost that had spotted Yuri and the knights.
After some hurried movements among themselves, a white flag was waved in return.
"Let's go."
Yuri's group quickened their pace.
Before long, with numerous soldiers aiming arrows at them, a single knight rode forth. Wearing white armor, he seemed to belong to the Holy Knight Order.
"Who are you?"
"I am Yuri Briol."
The man raised his brows.
Yuri continued,
"I am the Imperial Prince of Briol and a royal envoy, here to meet the queen."
"Wait a moment…"
He studied Yuri for a while, then finally nodded.
"Please, come this way."
As he turned his horse, the soldiers simultaneously lowered their bows. Their movement was perfectly coordinated — proof of good training.
Following his guidance, Yuri passed the outpost and entered the Holy Kingdom's territory.
The atmosphere was gloomy.
Even though Bursen was at war, there had still been a sense of liveliness, but once they entered the Holy Kingdom, there was not a single smiling face to be found.
While watching the expressions of the people, Yuri whispered to Jared,
"They all look like they just bit into dung."
"Maybe they're not getting enough to eat."
"Or maybe they're scared of us?"
When the knight in front suddenly turned to look at them, Yuri and Jared straightened up, feeling caught.
"I am unsure how to receive you on such sudden notice, but since the lord has ordered me to escort you, I will guide you. He will help you on your way to the royal palace."
"Much obliged."
Escorted by the knight and several soldiers, Yuri soon arrived at the lord's castle.
Upon entering the drawing room, food was brought for them.
"Please have a meal while you wait."
The food was quite good.
Though one might have hesitated, Yuri began eating without a second thought, and the rest followed, picking up their spoons.
Before long, the plates were empty.
Patting his stomach, Yuri said,
"Guess those dung-bitten faces aren't because of the food."
"Looks that way."
Just then, the door opened and someone entered.
Turning his head to see who it was, Yuri's eyes widened.
"Oh?"
"It's been a while."
"Indeed, it has."
The newcomer was an unexpected figure.
"Fenek, you look better than I thought."
"This?"
"I figured you'd be pale and six feet under by now, but you've got some color in your face."
"I nearly ended up that way, but somehow I survived."
It was Fenek, who had once fought alongside Yuri in the Allied Army. He seemed to have come in a hurry, still catching his breath.
Yuri had thought he disappeared along with those who followed Larrson when they were purged, but it seemed he was still hanging on.
Fenek stepped closer and offered Yuri a bow.
"Either way, it's good to see you again. You're here to meet Sibylla — no, Her Majesty the Queen — aren't you?"
"That's right."
"Go back. No matter what you say, it won't get through. Her Majesty is not the person she once was."
"How so?"
"Well…"
Fenek let out a sigh.
"In any case, she's different now."
"Still, I have to go."
Leaning back against his chair, Yuri said,
"You know me, right? You don't actually think I'd turn back just because you said so?"
"Phew…"
Fenek sighed again.
"Your Highness."
"Mm?"
"How far are you willing to go?"
"What do you mean?"
"I know you're wary of the Empire. If Her Majesty is involved with them, what will you do?"
Yuri looked at Fenek.
Studying the shadow on the man's face, Yuri let out a low chuckle.
"Seems I should be the one asking. Fenek, what do you plan to do?"
"Answer me first."
"Has Sibylla changed that much?"
"Yes."
"How?"
"She has become a tyrant, plain and simple. It's getting worse by the day, as if she were possessed by a demon…"
"I see…"
Yuri lowered his gaze, falling into thought.
If Sibylla had truly been corrupted by black magic, there could be no beautiful ending.
"I suppose it's the same thing you're thinking."
Fenek had once followed Larrson, but Larrson was dead, and Sibylla, as if she were someone else entirely, had plunged the kingdom into war.
If so, there was only one course of action that the opposition could be considering.
"But before that, I will meet Sibylla myself and judge."
"If, in your eyes, there's no hope for her, will you cooperate with us?"
"You sound awfully certain."
"I am. I may not have been on good terms with her, but I spent a long time by her side. I'm not doing this on a whim."
"I can believe that."
Yuri nodded. Fenek was not the sort to join in such a plot carelessly.
"All right, then who's behind all of this?"
"…"
"Tell me the ringleader of this plan. Someone had to make the decision."
"The Holy Knight."
"What?"
Yuri stared at him.
"The Holy Knight has stepped forward, and the entire temple and Holy Knight Order follow him."
"Why go about it this way instead of acting openly?"
As one of the ten strongest and with the absolute support of the temple, he could have made a direct show of force without any need for conspiracy.
But Fenek gave no answer.
Yuri clicked his tongue.
"Don't tell me he's sick too?"
"Yes."
"I see… that explains it."
Yuri rose to his feet.
"This isn't the time for idle chatter. The lord here is part of the same faction, right?"
"Yes. He's a member of the Relief Order."
"Relief Order?"
"A secret society formed to save the Holy Kingdom, to do what I've told you."
"Well, you put it together nicely."
"When Sibylla became queen, everyone realized something had gone wrong — everyone."
"I see. Then there's no point wasting time. Let's go."
"Yes."
Yuri left the drawing room with Fenek.
In the corridor, a middle-aged man stood waiting, and when he saw Yuri, he immediately bowed.
Fenek explained,
"This is the lord of Erend."
"Your Highness — no, Imperial Prince. I've heard much about you. I apologize for not receiving you more properly."
"What are you talking about? The Holy Kingdom is in crisis. This was the best reception."
Yuri patted his shoulder.
"Next time, we'll greet each other properly."
"Yes."
"Thanks for the food. Then, I'll be off."
"Please be careful."
Leaving the castle at once, Yuri rode toward the royal capital of the Holy Kingdom with Fenek.
At the end of this journey, he might end up killing Sibylla.
Clenching his fist, Yuri pictured her face.
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