Ernando opened one of the tents and tended to the wounded.
"Sir Ernando!"
"Ah, Priest."
Jermain, the battle priest of the Briol forces, opened the tent and stepped inside.
"Oh dear, why didn't you say something? Why are you suffering alone?"
"Hahaha, you should rest too, Priest Jermain."
"No, I mustn't."
Jermain placed a hand over his chest and spoke.
"As a servant who spreads the will of God, how could I use bodily fatigue as an excuse? If the peace of many can be secured by my single sacrifice, then I will gladly give my body."
"Your faith is deep."
"Of course it is."
Jermain brought over a chair and sat next to Ernando.
"Come now, knights, gather around me."
Inside the tent were not only knights but many soldiers as well. However, Jermain specifically addressed the knights.
"I shall heal you. The will of God will be delivered unto you."
But few knights stepped forward to him.
Though he was a priest who could use sacred arts, Ernando's general healing magic was far more effective.
"It's alright. Come on over, haha..."
At that, a soldier standing in the back row quickly sat down in front of Jermain.
Jermain's eyebrow twitched slightly. But without a word of complaint, he began the treatment.
"Where does it hurt?"
"Here..."
A white light radiated from his hand. Soon, the pain began to ease.
The soldier bowed deeply in gratitude and left the tent. Then, one by one, people began lining up in front of Jermain.
Cory, who had been assisting Ernando, poured some water and set it down on Jermain's table.
"Priest, please have some water while you work."
"Mm...?"
He looked at Cory, seemingly a bit surprised, then nodded.
"Yes."
Cory could feel a sense of rejection from Jermain. Word had already spread throughout the unit that Cory was a half-orc.
"If you need anything, please let me know."
"Alright."
Cory stepped back and watched Ernando and Jermain heal people.
Each time white light radiated from their hands, the groans of those in pain subsided.
The process of twisted faces relaxing into calmness unfolded clearly before Cory's eyes.
"It hurts so much here, please, please..."
"Why did you come so late?"
"I thought it'd be okay..."
"The wound will rot."
Jermain furrowed his brow.
"Cory."
"Yes."
"Please bring some water. Clean water."
"Understood."
Cory hurried out.
Because he was born with legs of unequal length and one leg crooked, no matter how hard he ran, his speed was slow. But even limping, he returned as fast as he could with the water.
Jermain recited an incantation over the bucket Cory brought.
"This water has become holy water. It will disinfect the wound. Endure the pain."
He gently poured the water over the wound. White foam bubbled up.
A stifled groan leaked from the soldier's lips.
"The holy water is reacting to the foul energy of the wound."
"It stings too much."
"Endure it."
"Ugh..."
"Cory, please wipe it clean."
"Yes, sir."
Cory brought a clean towel and wiped the injured area.
Once more, light radiated from Jermain's hand. The soldier's face gradually became calm.
"Done. Next."
Jermain wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Ernando and Jermain continued healing people. Compared to the serene Ernando, Jermain was visibly exhausted.
Sensing Cory's gaze, Jermain spoke.
"Sir Ernando is simply an exceptional mage. Don't look at me like that."
"N-no, if there's anything I can do to help, please say so."
"A cool glass of water would be nice."
After downing a glass of water, Jermain once again activated his sacred arts.
Thanks to their quick response, there were no severely injured.
Once the situation settled, Jermain stood up from his seat. His priest's robe was drenched with sweat.
"Thank goodness it ended like this."
"The war hasn't started yet."
"It'll be horrific. I'm already worried. May God watch over us..."
"What are you doing, Cory?"
"I'll finish tidying up and come."
"Do it tomorrow, tomorrow."
The three stepped out of the tent.
"...Oh."
Though it was deep into the night, the area around the barracks was still bright.
A large fire had been lit in the center, and soldiers were gathered around it.
Soon, one unnamed soldier strummed a lute and began to sing.
His voice was quite charming.
"This is what life is."
Ernando smiled gently.
Cory looked over each of the people one by one.
There were wounded he had seen in the clinic. Faces twisted in pain earlier were now smiling as if there was no worry in the world.
Seeing that, Cory felt a strange emotion stir within him.
"They're heading to the battlefield, yet they're smiling like that now."
Ernando spread both hands.
From the tips of his ten fingers, lines of light like stars wriggled up into the sky.
"Wow..."
Cory's eyes widened.
The rays of light created by Ernando soared into the sky, undulating like waves.
Against the night sky over the plains dotted with countless stars, a brilliant light show like nothing he'd ever seen before unfolded.
They burst like fireworks, became the shapes of beasts and frolicked with one another.
From red to green, from green to blue, the colors changed, dazzling the eyes.
The singing soldier's voice grew even brighter.
All kinds of colors shimmered in the eyes of those gazing up at the sky.
Cory took a step back and watched the entire scene unfold.
Magic.
It came to Cory.
Suddenly, he felt like now was the only time—like it had to be now.
So Cory opened his mouth before he even realized it. Normally, he would never have said something like this.
"Sir Ernando."
"Hmm?"
"Please, teach me magic."
As he said that, Cory looked up at Ernando from beneath his hood.
Though they were his own words, they felt foreign, as if someone else had spoken them.
It all felt strangely unreal.
Ernando's head tilted slightly as he looked down at him.
Aside from Yuri, Ernando was the only person who never frowned at Cory.
Would he be upset that Cory dared to ask to learn magic? Would even Ernando suddenly change his attitude?
But Cory didn't fear that.
Behind Ernando's face, the brilliance of the light shimmered even more radiantly.
"This is..."
Ernando spoke.
"It's been a long time since I've seen this."
"Pardon?"
"Not you."
Ernando's expression was softer than ever before.
He reached a hand into Cory's hood.
Cory froze. Ernando was gently stroking the cheek no one ever wanted to touch.
"Every person is born with a fate."
"A fate?"
"Yes. But I've lost the ability to see it. Because of someone, you see."
It was a cryptic remark.
"But with you, I can see it. Even though he's standing right over there."
"I don't understand what you mean."
"It means a fate that wasn't originally yours has come to you like a lie. So, should we still call that fate?"
Ernando smiled and asked,
"Cory. Why do you suddenly want to learn magic?"
"That's..."
He could've mentioned Yuri's name. But he didn't want to.
Cory turned his head and looked at the people gathered around the campfire.
"Because they're smiling."
Those who had suffered in pain were now at ease. People heading to war were able to smile.
The power of magic, which could create something more beautiful than the stars, was so enviable.
"I see."
Ernando nodded. Just in case, Cory added,
"Also, the prince recommended me."
"Ah, I'm sure he did."
Ernando laughed aloud.
Though he was always making jokes, Cory had never seen him laugh so heartily.
After laughing, Ernando murmured,
"A half-orc using magic, huh..."
Cory shrank slightly.
Ernando placed a hand on his shoulder.
"That would be truly magnificent."
That was the first time he'd ever heard words like that.
Cory quietly pulled his hood low over his face.
The corners of his mouth twisted. Not understanding why his facial muscles were moving on their own, he tilted his head—but then, after looking at the faces of the other soldiers, he realized this expression was called a smile.
It was the first time in his life he had ever made such a face.
***
The Briol army marched diligently toward Balshad.
Though shadows of orcs occasionally appeared in the distance, they didn't make direct attacks.
As they moved farther from the border, unfamiliar landscapes began to appear.
"What's that?"
"What are they riding?"
Among them, an orc riding an unidentified beast appeared.
"That's a Komodo dragon."
A sudden answer made the soldier turn around.
A black-haired boy stood with his arms crossed.
"Your Highness?"
This peculiar prince often showed up suddenly among the soldiers.
Any other noble might have been flustered, but this prince was not authoritarian and could be approached comfortably.
"It's a monster orcs ride instead of horses."
"It's huge."
"They're few in number, so you don't see them often, but if you do—run. One bite and the wound rots. Plus, its hide is so tough that unless it's sword aura, your blade won't cut through."
"I see. You know a lot, Your Highness."
"It's all in books."
"I've never seen you with a book though..."
"I read in secret."
The Komodo dragon was two or three times the size of an orc, and looked like a lizard crawling on all fours. Its bulk made it seem slow, but once it started running, it moved so fast its legs were a blur.
The orc cavalry that had been observing the Briol army disappeared past the horizon in an instant.
"Next time, I'll shoot it down with an arrow."
"It's too far, you won't hit it."
"Still, it's annoying."
Yuri whistled. At once, the black horse walking behind ran up to him.
He mounted and rode to the front.
The knight order, including Raymond, was guarding the lead.
"I found out."
"Pardon?"
Jared tilted his head. Yuri continued.
"Today's lunch is a meat soup flavored with jerky."
"Oh, I see..."
"They said they opened a cart in coordination with the supply unit."
"That's good news."
"It's thanks to me, predicting the orc raid."
"Ah, yes. You make us proud, Your Highness."
"Each time you take a bite, bow in my direction."
They steadily advanced toward Balshad. At this rate, they'd probably arrive by evening.
"Several nations have already reached Balshad, I hear."
"Already?"
"They apparently arrived without any interference."
"Lucky them."
The countries summoned to the Allied Army were gathering toward Balshad through various routes.
Briol, bordering the plains, was relatively close, but the march had been delayed due to various incidents.
"We'll rest here before moving on."
It was during the Briol army's lunch preparations when two knights on horseback approached from the distance.
By the time they got close, everyone in the Briol army could see them.
Yuri moved his spoon through his tray of food as he checked their gear. From the style of their dark armor, they appeared to be Imperial soldiers.
"Hey."
Yuri nudged the soldier beside him.
"Y-yes?"
The soldier jumped to his feet, startled.
He had been anxious eating next to Yuri.
"Why so surprised?"
"N-no reason, sir!"
"Are you a newbie? Just joined recently?"
"Yes..."
"Perfect. See those two knights riding in?"
"Yes, yes."
"Go ask them what they want."
"M-me?"
"Yeah."
"H-how could I handle such an important task..."
"It's not important at all?"
"Still, I..."
Yuri looked at the senior soldier nearby. The man immediately stepped in.
"How dare you say no when the prince himself gives an order?"
"N-no, sir!"
"Don't get all nervous now. So, are you doing it or not?"
"I-I'll do it."
The new recruit's eyes darted nervously. Yuri grinned and patted his shoulder.
"All you have to do is ask what their business is. Why are you so scared?"
"It's nothing."
"Good. Now go."
"Y-yes, sir..."
The soldier hesitated, glancing around nervously, then, pressured by Yuri's and the senior's sharp gazes, took off running.
Yuri watched him while eating his meat soup.
The soldier ran for a while, then stopped before the two knights and said something.
From time to time, the knights' gazes turned toward where Yuri was sitting.
"This soup is salty."
Yuri finished his tray and handed it off to the soldier beside him.
"You return it."
"Yes, sir."
The soldier returned.
Yuri clinked his sword and went to meet him. Laurent and Jared quickly followed.
"What country are they from, I wonder?"
"The Empire, most likely."
Yuri was familiar with the style of Imperial armor. In his past life, he had fought them countless times. He even knew where their weak points were.
Soon, the soldier returned, gasping for breath.
"They're Imperial knights. They said orc groups are roaming near Balshad, so they came to warn us, just in case."
"How kind of them."
Yuri nodded.
"Traveling in pairs must be dangerous. I suppose they're confident in their skills."
"Still, since they came all this way, shouldn't we meet them?"
"We should."
All three knights turned their gazes to the soldier. Catching his breath, he asked,
"S-should I go again?"
His eyes looked pitiful. Yuri simply waved him off.
"It's fine. Good work."
Rather than sending the soldier again, Yuri waved his arm toward the two knights.
"You guys wave too. Call them over."
"What...? That's..."
Jared began to shake his head, but Laurent quickly followed Yuri's lead.
"Wait, why are you doing it so quickly, Sir Laurent?"
"Sir Jared, you should do it too."
"Good grief..."
In the end, the three of them waved vigorously toward the Imperial knights.
Fortunately, their signal seemed understood, and the two knights rode toward the camp.
They dismounted. One removed his helmet and revealed his face.
"Pleasure to meet you. I am an Imperial knight, and second son of Count Zenon, Raipio Artem."
He turned to Laurent and gave a polite bow.
Startled, Laurent took a step back.
"N-no, not me..."
Raipio's gaze then turned to Yuri, who introduced himself.
"I am the commander of the Briol army, third prince, Yuri Briol."
"Oh—my apologies!"
He widened his eyes and bowed deeply to Yuri.
"I didn't expect to be greeted by His Highness himself."
"You came all this way for us, this much is the least I can do."
"Thank you for the warm welcome."
"Did the Empire arrive in Balshad ahead of us?"
"Yes. The Empire is arriving in multiple divisions. We're part of the advance unit."
Raipio explained the recent situation.
Orc forces had started appearing near Balshad, and some soldiers from nations that arrived earlier had already been killed by orcs.
"So we're patrolling the area near Balshad and delivering warnings to the Allied Army."
"You've been through a lot."
Yuri acknowledged their efforts.
Though the Empire was his enemy, the emperor had yet to reveal his ambitions. There was no need to show hostility toward ordinary knights.
"And that person over there..."
"Ah..."
Raipio turned his head back. Then, the knight who had been standing back removed his helmet.
His hair was graying, and his face bore the wrinkles of middle age.
Yuri's eyes widened.
"My apologies for not greeting you sooner. I am not in an honorable position right now..."
It was an unforgettable face.
Then and now, he hadn't changed at all.
The voice from his past life echoed in Yuri's ears like a ghost.
Yuri hid his unrest and gave a nod.
"Graham Hartfall, stripped of his knighthood, dares to pay respects to the third prince of Briol."
If the Imperial princess, Ekaterina, was Yuri's sin, then the knight standing before him now was his shame.
Graham Hartfall.
A man more upright and knightly than anyone, now marching to war in plain armor.