"We'll pass through Sadeur, in the frontier, and cross the border. Then we'll regroup in Balshad through Gid. It would be best to arrive early and assess the situation."
"Do you think the pace is reasonable, Sir?"
"It is."
The old knight riding beside Yuri was named Raymond, and technically, he served under Genard.
However, Yuri had no intention of discriminating against him.
"If you have something to say, don't hesitate to offer your advice."
Raymond was experienced. He had fought in many battles and knew how to deal with orcs.
"Understood."
He seemed to have more to say, so Yuri gestured with his chin.
"Speak."
"This may be presumptuous of me, but..."
"It's alright."
Raymond cleared his throat and spoke.
"I saw you deflect His Majesty's sword at the deployment ceremony. Surely, Your Highness possesses outstanding skill."
"And?"
"But on the battlefield, life and death can be decided in an instant. I ask that you be as cautious as possible when engaging in combat."
He was offering sincere advice, worried that Yuri's youthful blood might get him into trouble.
It was the kind of comment that might offend depending on the person. Yet he didn't hold back.
Yuri liked that about him.
"Thank you for the advice, Sir Raymond."
He had been worried that Raymond, being sent by Genard, might try to sabotage things, but it seemed there was no need for concern.
"Did Genard give you any separate instructions?"
"None."
"Truly?"
"Even if he had, circumstances on the battlefield are always subject to change."
Yuri grinned.
"Right. What would that guy know?"
"Ahem..."
They continued their march and soon entered Sadeur.
It was the domain of the infamous frontier count, Jaime Theodore.
"He won't treat us poorly, will he?"
"No chance. Count Sadeur is someone who trembles at the thought of orcs."
"That's a relief."
"But he's not exactly warm-hearted, so I doubt he'll be hospitable either."
Raymond's prediction turned out to be wrong.
As they approached the castle of Count Sadeur, a large banner hanging from a tree read: "Welcome, Third Prince!"
Beneath it, Jaime's messenger awaited Yuri.
"It's been a while, Your Highness!"
A familiar face.
"Calcio Erancha."
"Oh! You remember me, even after five years."
"You were memorable."
He had met him during a Senate session in the past. A man who spoke his mind before the imposing nobles without shrinking back.
"Count Sadeur has long wanted to meet you. Now the opportunity has come."
"Thank you for the warm welcome."
"The Count will be most pleased."
Yuri had a guess as to why they were being welcomed.
During the civil war in the Duke of Klein, Yuri had persuaded Fiore to support the Duke. Thanks to that, the civil war had ended quickly, and the damage was minimal.
From Sadeur's perspective—who needed to fend off orcs—Yuri was the savior who had kept the border from descending into chaos.
"I'll take the lead."
Calcio rode ahead.
Yuri followed behind, scanning the surroundings.
As expected of a region where orcs roamed, tall watchtowers and sharply carved palisades stood in many places. Still, the atmosphere wasn't grim.
Whenever they passed a small village, the locals smiled brightly as they watched the army pass by.
Soon, they arrived at a gray castle.
"This is Sadeur Castle."
On every soaring spire, the telescopes of sentries glinted in the sunlight.
While the troops set up camp outside the castle, Yuri and the knights entered the castle.
A banquet was prepared.
"Welcome."
It was Yuri's first time meeting Jaime in person.
In his past life, he had only heard of his death.
Regrettably, Jaime had been killed by orcs before the Empire's invasion began.
"Pleased to meet you, Sir Jaime."
Jaime was tall, with gray eyes. A scar running across his face left a strong impression.
Though his demeanor was calm, Yuri could sense the strength beneath.
"It has been a while."
"We met five years ago, I believe."
"You remember. I must've only seen you from afar."
"You weren't exactly someone easy to miss."
"Hahaha..."
Jaime smiled faintly.
Five years ago, at the ball, he had witnessed the young Yuri requesting a trial by combat against an imperial prince.
He knelt on one knee before Yuri and kissed the back of his hand.
"My respect to you. May you live long."
"Thank you. You don't look well."
"I was wounded fighting orcs."
Jaime spoke slowly, pausing for breath as if short-winded.
There were rumors that he had injured his lungs while battling orcs.
"Take care of yourself. You're a precious shield of Briol."
With a raspy laugh, Jaime slowly rose to his feet.
"Thank you for your kind words."
Yuri took the seat of honor. Jaime and the other knights settled on either side.
The meal was heavily meat-based. The smell of freshly cooked dishes stirred their hunger.
"Please, everyone, eat."
"We are grateful for your hospitality."
Though the flavors weren't dressed up with royal spices, the natural taste of the ingredients came through.
For Yuri, who carried memories of his mercenary days, such dishes were all the more welcome.
It reminded him of life in the field.
"This is excellent food, wouldn't you say?"
"Y-yes…"
The knights tilted their heads. It didn't suit the palate of nobles.
Jaime was not a talkative man.
The meal proceeded in silence. Though wine was served, they only exchanged a few glasses.
Jaime spoke.
"Your Highness, have you ever faced orcs in battle?"
"I have…"
He had killed more than he could count in his mercenary days. But not in this life.
"…not, but I've studied extensively."
"Studied, you say…"
Jaime chuckled lowly. Whenever he laughed, it sounded metallic.
"You came prepared, I see."
"Of course."
Yuri's gaze moved past Jaime to the other knights.
"How many of you have actually faced orcs?"
Only a few, including Raymond, raised their hands. Most of the coalition knights were young and inexperienced.
"Among those who haven't, who has studied orcs?"
Jared shot his hand up. The rest remained seated.
Yuri shrugged.
"See, Sir? That's why I had to study myself."
Jaime laughed again. This time, louder.
"Leading by example—a rare virtue."
"I heard you still fight orcs at the front."
"In my case, the reason is a bit different…"
Though usually expressionless, his eyes now twinkled with amusement.
"From now on, you'll all be fighting to the point of exhaustion. But before that…"
Jaime's eyes subtly trembled beneath his lashes.
"May I offer you a bit of help?"
***
Yuri followed Jaime down a staircase heading underground.
Knights with torches trailed behind. The flickering flames cast chaotic shadows.
"What kind of help are you offering?"
"Sadeur has always fought orcs."
Jaime's face changed with every shift of the torchlight and shadow.
"So we had to learn about them."
They passed several underground levels and finally reached the bottom.
A tunnel shrouded in darkness appeared.
Jaime took the lead with a torch. As he moved forward, the outline of iron bars emerged on either side.
A prison.
Following behind with the knights, Yuri could now see the interior more clearly.
"Uuuh…"
"Urghh…"
Beast-like moans echoed. Tongueless prisoners huddled in corners.
Yuri looked at Jaime's unsteady back as he walked ahead alone.
"Sir Jaime."
He didn't seem to hear.
While Jaime advanced steadily, the knights hesitated, and tongueless criminals lined either side—Yuri calmed his mind in the middle of it all.
At some point, Jaime stopped.
A steel door blocked the way.
"This is it."
Jaime turned around as he said this. Urgent footsteps echoed from behind.
Calcio soon pushed through the knights to the front.
"My lord, you suddenly came down here, and…"
"Key."
"I brought it. But, to come here, of all places…"
"It's necessary."
Jaime snatched the key from his hand and inserted it into the lock.
As the internal mechanism clicked into place, a metallic sound echoed.
"Come in."
It was still dark beyond the door.
Jaime stepped inside first. Yuri followed after him.
One by one, hesitant footsteps echoed into the room.
Jaime hung a torch on the wall. Then, sparks flared from all directions, and the lanterns along the walls lit up simultaneously.
The interior was revealed.
In a wide chamber, square iron cages were scattered about in disarray.
"Ah…"
Someone groaned.
Things they could never have imagined were sprawled about.
"Orcs…"
The word echoed.
Yuri looked into the nearest cage.
A pitch-black figure sat slumped. Its size was massive, resembling a great four-legged beast lying down.
"Yes."
Jaime briskly approached the nearest cage and thrust his longsword through the bars.
Everyone was startled by the sudden action.
"Ah!"
The black figure reacted swiftly, trying to grab Jaime's hand instead.
But as if he had anticipated it, Jaime twisted the blade and slashed the creature's arm.
Thud—blood splattered.
"This, is an orc."
Jaime said as he shook the blood off his sword, addressing his guests.
"They lie still, pretending to be dead, only to bite your leg the moment you turn away."
The orc inside the cage growled. The other orcs in nearby cages responded.
Ferocious howls filled the chamber.
Jaime grabbed a crossbow hanging from the wall and fired a bolt into each cage that made noise.
"Silence, all of you."
Who would've thought there were orc cages in Count Sadeur's castle?
Only then did the torture devices tucked into the corners of the chamber come into view.
Yuri couldn't help but laugh.
Jaime Theodore was far more insane than he had expected.
"Sir Jaime. Is this your gift?"
"Yes."
"Much appreciated."
He looked silently at Yuri, then slowly bowed his head.
"It is an honor."
The breath of those overwhelmed by Jaime's madness grew rough.
Yuri could guess what thoughts were swirling in their minds.
He had felt the same, at first. Even he, unbound by notions of knighthood, had once been broken by the madness of war.
Honor.
It changed its shape depending on the time and place.
For Jaime, who had lost two sons to orcs, honor must have become something far more desperate and brutal.
Yuri turned around.
Most of those with twisted expressions were young knights.
"You."
He pointed at one of them, a knight with a youthful face.
"Your name?"
"Simon Pesch, son of Baron Wolf."
"Speak your thoughts, as they are."
He glanced between Yuri and Jaime before opening his mouth.
"I didn't think this was necessary. It seems excessive."
"That may be so."
Yuri nodded. Looking back, even Jaime was nodding.
"Jaime."
"Yes."
"Open one of them."
"Understood."
As everyone stood puzzled, Yuri pointed at Simon.
"Fight the orc."
"Pardon?"
The knights murmured among themselves. Yuri grinned and asked Simon again.
"Do you have the confidence?"
Simon nodded with a stiff face.
"Of course. I am a knight of Briol. I will not lose to an orc."
"I like your spirit."
Calcio unlocked the cage with a worried expression.
"Will this be alright?"
"There are more than a few knights here. What's there to worry about?"
"Still…"
"There's no need to underestimate them."
"Yes, sir."
Jaime quietly observed Yuri.
Though he had claimed to have never seen an orc before, he remained calm like a seasoned knight. Not only that, but he controlled this many knights with ease.
His demeanor was too natural.
"Indeed…"
Yuri spoke to Simon.
"Simon."
"Yes, sir."
"Wear your helmet."
"Yes, understood."
As soon as Calcio opened the cage, he stepped back cautiously.
The orc inside was relatively smaller than the others. A crossbow bolt was still lodged in its arm from earlier.
"Hoo…"
Simon drew his sword and stood before the cage. His expression was tense, but he did not flinch.
The orc remained still inside the cage.
Jaime chuckled.
"Orcs are a vile race."
Then he spoke something. It sounded like the orc's language.
The orc, which had been sitting, responded. It rose and stepped out of the cage.
"Ah…"
Those seeing an orc for the first time gasped.
Its height was about a head taller than an adult man, but its build was two to three times broader.
Its brown skin looked as tough as that of a beast, and its face had only holes where a nose should be, constantly oozing pus. Its yellowed tusks jutted out, lips twitching with each breath.
The intimidation that radiated from its grotesque appearance and massive frame was overwhelming.
"That's an orc…"
Just as Simon took a hesitant step forward—
Suddenly, the orc shouted something and prostrated itself on the ground.
"..."
Simon looked confused. Anyone could tell it was begging for its life.
Repeating incomprehensible words, the orc pressed its forehead against the ground.
Simon laughed weakly.
"What is going on here?"
He shrugged and turned to Yuri.
"To fight a prisoner—this was never reasonable to begin with. This is just unnecessary killing—"
Before he could finish his sentence, the sound of metal being crushed rang out.
The orc had leapt up and smashed Simon's helmeted head.
The helmet caved in, and blood streamed from Simon's nose.