Chapter 33: The Reality of the Empire  (2)

The group forcibly dragged the dazed Zion out of Bold.  

There was no conversation.  

Amidst the heavy silence, Zion kept his lips tightly shut, lost in thought.  

“We can’t leave it like this. We have to save those people.”  

After sorting through the chaos in his mind, Zion finally spoke.

His clear voice stopped the group in their tracks, and they turned to look at him.  

Their expressions were blank, unable to understand the meaning of his words—except for two: Yuria and Prince Klavis.  

“That’s impossible.”  

The first to speak was Prince Klavis.

Zion frowned in confusion,” Not “not allowed,” but “impossible”? ” 

“Your Highness, do you mean that you won’t save the people of Bold who are being manipulated by Nadja and willing to sacrifice their own lives?”  

“I said it was impossible. Zion, those people cannot be saved.”  

Despite hearing correctly, Zion doubted his ears several times.

The prince standing before him wore an indifferent expression, as if simply reporting an obvious fact.  

“Didn’t you say it yourself? They’re being controlled. Their minds manipulated to be genuinely loyal to Nadja, even willing to give their lives. How could you possibly stop them?”  

“That’s…”  Zion closed his eyes tightly.

Should he try to persuade them with words?

It would be utterly useless.  

If they tried to use force—judging from the recent madness in Bold—they would literally die for Nadja.

Coercion would likely cause a terrible backlash.  

“Has something like this happened before?”  

It wasn’t that long ago.

On the first night traveling with the Merchant Caravan after meeting Yuria, when they were attacked by Orcs, she had intended to use captured bandits as bait.  

Since they couldn’t save everyone, they tried to cut off the most useless part to save the rest.  

“I understand your Highness’s intention.”  

It was ruthless, but rational.

Zion could fully understand the mindset and resolve of someone forced to make such a decision.  

“I will act separately from now on.”  

However, he had no intention of compromise.  

“What do you mean?”  

“Please continue your journey with your comrades, Your Highness. I will stay in Bold and find a way to save the people.”  

Prince Klavis, who had maintained a calm expression, began to falter.

His eyebrows twisted, his lips trembled, and eventually, he closed his eyes tightly.

With difficulty, he spoke,  “I told you. There is no way to save them.”  

“There isn’t no way. We just haven’t found it yet.”  

“What do you intend to do? Persuasion won’t work. Threats won’t work. Until Nadja’s orders are fulfilled, these hundreds, thousands of puppets will never rest, praising only Nadja even as blades pierce their hearts. How do you plan to save them?”  

“I don’t know the method yet. I have to start looking now.”  

“You damn idiot! Are you deaf or something? It’s pointless! It’s impossible!”  

“I can’t give up on something I haven’t even tried yet just because someone else says so. No, I don’t want to.”  

“You are truly stubborn, aren’t you!”  

“Well, Your Highness, you seem to have changed a bit from before.”  

“…!”  

A sound of swallowing echoed.

The argument had subsided, replaced by rough breaths revealing their intense emotions.

Zion averted his gaze from the prince and looked to Yuria.  

“What about you, Yuria?”  

“Eh?!”  

Yuria, who hadn’t expected to be called on in this situation, let out a strange cry.  

“Me? Why me?”  

“Will you act with Your Highness’s comrades? Or…”  

“I’ll go with Zion.”  

The reply was almost a reflex—quick and decisive.

But it was clear from her eyes that it wasn’t a thoughtless answer.  

“Honestly, I think Prince Klavis is right in my head.”  

“Then there’s no need to force yourself to follow me.”  

“But Kornika survived because Zion never gave up.”  

For a brief moment, Zion’s face darkened.

Yuria ignored it and bowed respectfully to the prince.  

“So… I’m sorry, Your Highness. I will stay with Zion.”  

“Is that so? Then do as you wish.”   Prince Klavis answered in a dry, drained voice, then turned his back and headed to his comrades.  

At that moment, Zion felt an invisible line drawn between himself and Yuria on one side, and the prince and his comrades on the other.  

After a deep bow to the man turning away, Zion and Yuria started moving in the opposite direction.  

***

About ten minutes passed before Yuria noticed something strange.

Zion’s face had turned unnaturally pale, as if he’d made a grave mistake.  

He looked back at her with eyes like a forsaken puppy.  

“Yuria… what should we do?”  

“What’s wrong? Do you think it was reckless to act alone without any plan? Should we go back now? But if we do, won’t Your Highness be really angry?”  

“No, it’s not that… I think I spoke too harshly.”  

“Huh?”  

“About saying he’s changed from before… I didn’t mean to say such a harsh thing. What if Your Highness was hurt by my words? Should I go back and apologize now?”  

Yuria was at a loss for words for a moment before bursting into laughter.  

“Seriously? You’ve been worried about that and looked so gloomy all this time?”  

“It’s not something to laugh at. He’s already in a difficult situation, and if my words make things heavier for him…”  

“Hmm~ Zion, I’ll be honest. It’s already too late.”  

“Kooong!” Zion looked at Yuria as if struck by lightning.

She raised a finger and explained gently, “Think about it, Zion. Bold is a city with so many residents that we don’t even know, ruled by people unknown to us—just a city we happened to pass through. To be blunt, they’re strangers to us.”  

Though her words were harsh, Zion understood her point.

He nodded quietly, and Yuria continued,  “But what about Your Highness? Bold is quite far from the capital, so it might be hard for him to feel it directly, but the people of Bold are also subjects he has to rule and care for as royalty. And from what I see, Your Highness is not the type of ruler who treats his people as mere numbers, but as individuals. Imagine how he must feel, having to decide that he can’t save people who want to give up their lives right before his eyes—that he must cut them off.”  

To be honest, Zion couldn’t fully imagine that feeling.

Because he would never make such a decision himself.  

But he did understand one thing: that such a decision would be a tremendous pain, and it would leave a deep scar on one’s heart that could never be erased.  

“You said you wouldn’t give up, you wouldn’t cut them off, that you’d find a way. Even if you didn’t mean to, that sounds like you’re denying His Highness’s decision and resolve.”  

“Ugh…! I never meant that!”  

“I know. I saw you in Kornika. But Your Highness hasn’t.”  

With a look of regret, Zion slowly nodded.

To put it plainly, he had been reckless.

Debating with the prince, leaving him as if belittling his resolve—that was all thoughtless.  

“How should I apologize?”  

“The surest way is to take back what you said earlier and follow His Highness’s policy.”  

“That… I can’t do that.”  

It meant abandoning the people of Bold.

Zion hesitated but firmly shook his head.  

“Better not to apologize at all.”  Yuria thought deeply and suggested an alternative.  

“Huh?”  

It was a statement that made one question what all the previous explanation had been about.

When their eyes met, Yuria smiled mischievously.  

“Not every conflict needs to end in apology and reconciliation. Reconciliation means compromise and concession. If you believe what you’re doing is right, it’s strange to concede. If you truly believe you’re right, you don’t apologize—you prove it. Like how you didn’t give up in Kornika and saved us. Don’t give up this time either. Show them that you can do it.”  

“But in Kornika… I failed. Many people died or were injured, and Benya…”  

Ah, of course.

Zion’s dark expression as he spoke caused Yuria to mumble to herself.

The reckless argument with the prince, the extreme choice to separate from them, and the brief dark expression when parting—all showed that, deep down, Zion believed he had failed once.  

Perhaps that thought had haunted him far longer than Yuria realized.

Zion had hidden it remarkably well until now.  

‘And you call yourself insightful? What an idiot.’  

The reason Yuria decided to accompany him wasn’t just to repay a debt.

She was moved by Zion’s unwavering conviction to throw himself for others without hesitation—a genuine, simple human feeling.  

So she wanted to support him during tough times.

Yet she hadn’t even noticed something so simple until now.  

“Listen carefully, Zion.”  Yuria grabbed his face with both hands, pressing firmly until his features were amusingly squished.  

“It was your own fault that your mother died, but of course, it’s sad. Even now, I feel that. It was hard standing in front of the Trial and being insulted by all those strangers. Even now, thinking of that time makes my whole body tremble. I’m so scared I feel like crying.”  

Yuria began to voice the words she had kept in her heart.  

“But, Zion, that’s not because you failed. It’s a responsibility I have for ignoring my father’s sins without knowing. You didn’t fail.”  

She tightened her grip on his face and spoke clearly.  

“Thank you for protecting my hometown. Thank you for not giving up and saving so many people.”  

“But…”  

“But that’s forbidden!”  

Zion sealed his lips and opened his eyes wide.

Yuria wore a stern expression and slowly moved her hands up and down.  

“You didn’t fail.”  

Zion nodded slowly.  

“Thank you. Because of you, many people lived.”  

Zion nodded again.  

“So never say you failed again. Got it?”  

Zion nodded for the last time.  

“Pfft.”  Zion finally burst out laughing.  

“What’s this?”  

“It’s practice for being positive. You have a habit of self-deprecation and denial, don’t you?”  

“I’m not sure it’s that much of a habit…”  

“No, it is. I saw it for sure. My eyes are the Eye of Insight, remember?”  

‘…Then it’s certain.’  

Zion squeezed Yuria’s hands resting on his face and slowly lowered them.

He exhaled deeply and finally smiled faintly.  

“Thank you. I feel a bit stronger now.”  

“Good. Then let’s find a way to save the people of Bold!”  

Yuria said with enthusiasm but then glanced at Zion with an anxious expression.  

“We will find a way, right? Honestly, I can’t even imagine how to save people so firmly brainwashed like that. You won’t say it’s impossible later, right?”  

“It’s fine. I have very reliable allies—my family.”  

“Huh? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”  

“Wait a moment. I’ll introduce them soon.”  

Zion lightly grasped the Pendant.

He had always intended to reveal the whole truth someday, but finding the right timing was difficult, and he was still uncertain.  

‘Uncle, Arcs… are you okay?’  

[When will you finally introduce us? I’ve been waiting impatiently! I wasn’t really waiting… but with Yuria, there’s no worry about betrayal. Do as you please.]  

Zion thought it wouldn’t be right to hide the truth any longer from Yuria, who had sincerely stood by him.  

Even if her attitude changed after learning the truth, Zion was prepared to accept it.  

“Yuria, give me your hand for a moment.”  

“Hand?”  Yuria looked puzzled but obediently extended her hand.

Zion took it and brought it close to the Pendant.  

At that moment, Yuria’s mind was flooded with a completely different, unknown scene.  

[It’s my first time seeing you directly.]  

Frey spoke first, his tone nonchalant.  

[I’m Frey Alkoth, Zion’s uncle. You can also call me Apocalypse.]  

“Huh?”  

Then Arcs smiled warmly and waved her hand.  

[I’m Arcsinia Trainzer! Since my name’s long, just call me Arcs! I’m Zion’s soul sister!]  

[By the way, I’m forty-nine. Six years older than me.] 

“Huh?” Yuria blinked in confusion and turned her head to look at Zion, who smiled brightly.  

“They’re my family.”  

Carrying the whirlwind of questions and confusion in her mind, Yuria barely managed to open her mouth, “Whaaaat?”