“...Your Highness.”
Sir Manfredi, who had been holding his breath in full armor in the dead of night, could no longer endure it after three o'clock in the morning and called Prince Alfonso.
It's been a long time since the back of his neck was stiff from tension.
“Will the Grand Duchess really show up tonight?”
If he had to pick the most nervous person here, it would definitely be Prince Alfonso, but he was surprisingly calm.
It was believable even if he said that he was not a young person but an enlightened old man.
“We’ll have to wait and see.”
At Prince Alfonso's side stood the gloomy-looking Sir Elko and the grave-looking Sir Bernardino, both in full military gear.
Fortunately, their wait was answered.
About ten minutes before four in the morning, someone was heard shouting outside.
“Fire!!!”
The Prince and the knights exchanged meaningful glances. They listened intently to the commotion outside.
The sound of heavy boots as soldiers ran out could be heard.
That was definitely different from the footsteps of the maids or servants who walked lightly around the palace in silk shoes.
“Do you think there are no security personnel?”
Nod.
The knights all agreed.
“Let's go out.”
Prince Alfonso opened the door to his quarters calmly, his sword drawn, and stepped into the hallway.
As it was originally a guest house for VIPs, there was no separate lock on the door, but there were soldiers stationed around the room to watch over Prince Alfonso.
But when they heard the news of the fire, many of them ran out to put it out, leaving only three guards standing guard in the hallway.
Phew!
Prince Alfonso's sword struck the back of the guard who was sitting with his back to him. There was no hesitation in his sword.
Chaenggang!
Sir Manfredi cut off the head of the second guard who was further outside,
Bam!
Sir Manfredi, who had been holding his breath in full armor in the dead of night, could no longer endure it after three o'clock in the morning and called Prince Alfonso.
It's been a long time since the back of his neck was stiff from tension.
“Will the Grand Duchess really show up tonight?”
If he had to pick the most nervous person here, it would definitely be Prince Alfonso, but he was surprisingly calm.
It was believable even if he said that he was not a young person but an enlightened old man.
“We’ll have to wait and see.”
At Prince Alfonso's side stood the gloomy-looking Sir Elko and the grave-looking Sir Bernardino, both in full military gear.
Fortunately, their wait was answered.
About ten minutes before four in the morning, someone was heard shouting outside.
“Fire!!!”
The Prince and the knights exchanged meaningful glances. They listened intently to the commotion outside.
The sound of heavy boots as soldiers ran out could be heard.
That was definitely different from the footsteps of the maids or servants who walked lightly around the palace in silk shoes.
“Do you think there are no security personnel?”
Nod.
The knights all agreed.
“Let's go out.”
Prince Alfonso opened the door to his quarters calmly, his sword drawn, and stepped into the hallway.
As it was originally a guest house for VIPs, there was no separate lock on the door, but there were soldiers stationed around the room to watch over Prince Alfonso.
But when they heard the news of the fire, many of them ran out to put it out, leaving only three guards standing guard in the hallway.
Phew!
Prince Alfonso's sword struck the back of the guard who was sitting with his back to him. There was no hesitation in his sword.
Chaenggang!
Sir Manfredi cut off the head of the second guard who was further outside,
Bam!
Boom!
Sir Elko, who was crippled by his limbs, and the aged Sir Bernardino joined forces to smash the third guard's skull with a blunt object.
The rest of the knights followed quietly behind them.
It was inefficient for ten people to rush into the narrow hallway at the same time, and having worked together since childhood, they found the optimal location without even talking.
Alfonso looked around.
He was not familiar with the geography of the Montpellier palace, but all palaces had similar structures.
There was only one place in the palace where the Prince of Yuldenburg's 300 knights and 1,000 infantry could be stationed.
The palace's backyard. Normally used as a sports field, and mainly used for events such as military parades.
“Let’s go to the patronage.”
“I.. Prince.”
Sir Bernardino stopped Alfonso.
“I think the guide sheep is coming.”
In the direction he pointed with his chin, Princess Lariesa was running toward him.
It really looked like she had set the fire with her own hands.
Covered in oil and holding a tinder in her hand, she looked at Prince Alfonso with eyes full of resentment.
“So you’re finally leaving.”
Alfonso answered indifferently.
“I said I was going.”
That was right. Lariesa, who was at a loss for words, narrowed her eyes and demanded her share.
“Even if you have to leave, please keep your promise.”
Alfonso bit his lip. But a promise was a promise.
Lariesa took out a piece of parchment that she had neatly folded in her bosom and handed it to Alfonso.
Alfonso hesitated for a moment as he accepted the parchment.
Sir Manfredi, who was standing next to him, interjected angrily.
“Oh no, I don’t have a pen and ink.”
Since he spoke in Gallic, it was meant for the Princess of Larries to listen.
Lariesa bit her lip, glared at Sir Manfredi, then bit the ring finger of her left hand with her teeth.
Blood spurted and gore flowed.
She urged Alfonso, holding out her left ring finger with bloodshot eyes.
“Yes, here you go.”
At this point, there was no more room to back out. Alfonso gritted his teeth and smeared Lariesa's blood on his right index finger.
Lariesa shuddered at the feeling of skin touching skin.
She couldn't even tell if it was the pain from the wound touching or if the electricity was passing through her from a fateful encounter.
Ignoring Lariesa's delight, Alfonso wrote his name in cursive on the signature line of the document and signed it on the stamp line.
'Yes!'
A light came over Lariesa's face. It was a marriage vow that had been forced upon her, but a marriage vow was still a marriage vow.
She spoke to her 'husband' with a brighter face.
“My lord, follow me. The army of the Grand Duke Yuldenberg is stationed in the rear of the palace of Montpellier.”
It was just as Prince Alfonso had thought.
It annoyed him that he had signed the marriage contract but was of no additional use to Lariesa, and he was quite surprised at his own behavior.
Not knowing her husband's speed, Lariesa asked brightly.
“I know a shortcut to patronage. Since you're knights, perhaps you should blend in with the cavalry?”
He didn't want to reveal his low emotions, and he didn't want to exchange feelings with Lariesa.
“The cavalry has fewer men, so it would be better for them to hide in the infantry’s luggage. If the two units are camped separately, guide them to the infantry.”
"Yes!"
Even though her offer was not accepted, Lariesa was still happy.
Following her lead, the group silently and quickly walked along the side streets of the Montpellier Palace.
Prince Alfonso's sword did not hesitate if he was seen by others along the way.
The Prince's sword was swift and decisive as if the agony he felt after killing Duke Mireille had occurred in a previous life.
Princess Lariesa was horrified at the sight of not only the guards on patrol but also the servants and attendants running errands at night being killed, but she did not do anything to stop them as if she had decided to continue the work.
“Over there!”
The group finally stopped walking in Lariesa's direction.
It was a large campsite with numerous tents pitched.
It was still early in the morning, closer tonight and everyone except the sentries was still asleep, but they would be up and ready to go within thirty minutes, and would leave this square within two hours.
“Where would be good?”
Sir Bernardino asked. Sir Manfredi, who scanned the camp with sharp eyes, gave his opinion.
“Wouldn’t the wagon carrying military supplies have the least traffic? I think the food wagon would be more likely to have people coming and going, making breakfast and such.”
It was Lord Elko who opposed Sir Manfredi.
“...Northerners don’t eat grains in the morning when they march. They eat milk and beef jerky and march.”
This was the realization he gained after being held captive by the Gallico barbarians for nearly half a year.
“On the morning of the march, they will not touch the grain carts. However, since today is the day of departure, they may do a final check on the ration carts.”
The decision was Prince Alfonso's, and he made it quickly.
“Hmm. Let’s sneak towards the grain cart. There are more of them there, and it’s on the outskirts, so it’ll be easier to sneak in without being detected.”
The knights nodded.
“Let’s split into four teams of three each. Sir Elko... will come with me.”
It was a composition that took into consideration Sir Elko, who was not feeling well and had difficulty doing his full part.
“Yes! Your Highness!”
The knights answered in hushed, but powerful, voices.
They split into small groups of three, each choosing a wagon to hide in and leaving.
Alfonso was also looking for a wagon that would allow him to enter without being noticed by the sentries.
At this point, Princess Lariesa, who sensed that the time for their separation had come, called out to Prince Alfonso.
“Your Highness.”
Alfonso turned his head and looked at her without answering.
Lariesa, who wanted to call him 'lord', swallowed her saliva, unable to bring herself to say that title due to his cold gaze.
But she definitely had something to say.
“...You must come back.”
Prince Alfonso did not answer this time either, for he had no intention of returning to this wretched place.
He didn't even want to waste his energy lying to Lariesa.
Lariesa didn't say it to get an answer.
Didn't she have a marriage contract? Prince Alfonso was now her man. Her only man.
Even if he did not return to Gallico, or even if he returned to the Etruscan kingdom and ascended the throne of his own kingdom, he would have to summon Lariesa at some point.
In the world of the Catholic Church, in order to function as a full member of society without being excommunicated, one had to respect marriages that were made under the blessing of the Gods.
Especially if the opponent is not some random person, but the Grand Duchess of Gallico.
“Stay healthy, my lord.”
Lariesa finally managed to say what she wanted to say.
Prince Alfonso, with a stern expression, left the Princess of Lariesa behind and hid in the barracks of the Grand Duke of Yuldenburg.
“Let’s go!”
After a single military command in the Sternheim language, which the Prince and his party could not understand, signaled their departure, the grain cart carrying the Prince and his knights began to slowly rock down the paved stone road.
It was before dawn before the morning star rose.
Although Alfonso was unaware of the situation because Princess Lariesa had not properly conveyed it to him, choosing the infantry as a hiding place turned out to be an excellent choice.
This was because the 100 cavalries of the Grand Duke of Yuldenburg were scheduled to depart late in the morning after having a ceremony with the Grand Duke and the King of Gallico early in the morning.
The infantry, with their slow marching speed, will set off at dawn and head first to the port city of Lamian, while the archers and cavalry will ride on horseback after the ceremony and meet in Lamian.
It was the Grand Duke's plan that made it so that even a single moment was precious.
Inside the rocking carriage, the Prince and his party were each trembling with anxiety. What if they were caught or discovered on their way out?
On their escape, they had already killed less than ten members of the Gallico court.
The fact that he escaped would have been discovered by now.
If he falls into the hands of King Gallico, the next thing he knows, he'll be stripped of his noble status and sent to the dungeons.
'It's not safe even after boarding the ship. You have to wait about a week at sea before you can be caught.'
If captured as soon as he set sail, the Grand Duke of Yuldenburg might send Prince Alfonso back to Philip IV.
Once the entire fleet has set out and enough time has passed before being discovered, the Grand Duke will no longer have the option to return to Gallico.
'Please. I hope we can set sail safely.'
In their prayers, the group rocked on the wagon for a good four or five hours.
It was said that it was about 140 miglio (about 30 kilometers) to Lamian, so it was time to arrive at the port.
CLANG!
The cart shook violently and then stopped.
Alfonso prayed to heaven.
Please, let's load the entire cart onto the ship. Prince Alfonso, Sir Manfredi, and Sir Elko each opened a sack of grain and hid inside, but it didn't seem to be a good idea.
Fortunately, there was no sign of anyone entering the wagon.
The Prince was drenched in sweat and alert to every slight sound outside.
Shake!
Once again the cart started moving.
'I guess they'll just load it onto the ship like this!'
Alfonso barely managed to exhale his stilled breath. Please, please, just like this...!
“Sir, what’s wrong with the carriage that’s preventing it from moving?”
“Isn’t it because the weight of the other carriages is different? The one before was like that too...”
CLANG!
The carriage lurched to one side.
“The axle is off!”
“Oh no! It’s too heavy to lift and move the entire carriage. I’ll have to take out the luggage inside this carriage and load it separately!”
“Yes! I will bring the workers.”
“What are you, porters! Do you think you’re still in the home country? You guys do it yourself! His Highness the Grand Duke has arrived. We have to quickly finish preparing for departure!”
The area around the carriage was filled with a commotion of words that Alfonso could not understand.
And then the thick tarpaulin curtain of the carriage was pulled back, and light poured inside.
“Ugh!”
A groan was heard. It was Sir Elko's voice.
'What's wrong?'
Prince Alfonso, who was hidden inside the cannon and unable to see outside, listened anxiously.
“Sir! There’s someone here... A knight is hiding here!!”
The axle of the carriage came off, and the cannon Sir Elko was hiding under rolled away, exposing part of the armor.
"What?!"
Alfonso heard the sound of soldiers rushing in.
Lariesa didn't say it to get an answer.
Didn't she have a marriage contract? Prince Alfonso was now her man. Her only man.
Even if he did not return to Gallico, or even if he returned to the Etruscan kingdom and ascended the throne of his own kingdom, he would have to summon Lariesa at some point.
In the world of the Catholic Church, in order to function as a full member of society without being excommunicated, one had to respect marriages that were made under the blessing of the Gods.
Especially if the opponent is not some random person, but the Grand Duchess of Gallico.
“Stay healthy, my lord.”
Lariesa finally managed to say what she wanted to say.
Prince Alfonso, with a stern expression, left the Princess of Lariesa behind and hid in the barracks of the Grand Duke of Yuldenburg.
***
“Let’s go!”
After a single military command in the Sternheim language, which the Prince and his party could not understand, signaled their departure, the grain cart carrying the Prince and his knights began to slowly rock down the paved stone road.
It was before dawn before the morning star rose.
Although Alfonso was unaware of the situation because Princess Lariesa had not properly conveyed it to him, choosing the infantry as a hiding place turned out to be an excellent choice.
This was because the 100 cavalries of the Grand Duke of Yuldenburg were scheduled to depart late in the morning after having a ceremony with the Grand Duke and the King of Gallico early in the morning.
The infantry, with their slow marching speed, will set off at dawn and head first to the port city of Lamian, while the archers and cavalry will ride on horseback after the ceremony and meet in Lamian.
It was the Grand Duke's plan that made it so that even a single moment was precious.
Inside the rocking carriage, the Prince and his party were each trembling with anxiety. What if they were caught or discovered on their way out?
On their escape, they had already killed less than ten members of the Gallico court.
The fact that he escaped would have been discovered by now.
If he falls into the hands of King Gallico, the next thing he knows, he'll be stripped of his noble status and sent to the dungeons.
'It's not safe even after boarding the ship. You have to wait about a week at sea before you can be caught.'
If captured as soon as he set sail, the Grand Duke of Yuldenburg might send Prince Alfonso back to Philip IV.
Once the entire fleet has set out and enough time has passed before being discovered, the Grand Duke will no longer have the option to return to Gallico.
'Please. I hope we can set sail safely.'
In their prayers, the group rocked on the wagon for a good four or five hours.
It was said that it was about 140 miglio (about 30 kilometers) to Lamian, so it was time to arrive at the port.
CLANG!
The cart shook violently and then stopped.
Alfonso prayed to heaven.
Please, let's load the entire cart onto the ship. Prince Alfonso, Sir Manfredi, and Sir Elko each opened a sack of grain and hid inside, but it didn't seem to be a good idea.
Fortunately, there was no sign of anyone entering the wagon.
The Prince was drenched in sweat and alert to every slight sound outside.
Shake!
Once again the cart started moving.
'I guess they'll just load it onto the ship like this!'
Alfonso barely managed to exhale his stilled breath. Please, please, just like this...!
“Sir, what’s wrong with the carriage that’s preventing it from moving?”
“Isn’t it because the weight of the other carriages is different? The one before was like that too...”
CLANG!
The carriage lurched to one side.
“The axle is off!”
“Oh no! It’s too heavy to lift and move the entire carriage. I’ll have to take out the luggage inside this carriage and load it separately!”
“Yes! I will bring the workers.”
“What are you, porters! Do you think you’re still in the home country? You guys do it yourself! His Highness the Grand Duke has arrived. We have to quickly finish preparing for departure!”
The area around the carriage was filled with a commotion of words that Alfonso could not understand.
And then the thick tarpaulin curtain of the carriage was pulled back, and light poured inside.
“Ugh!”
A groan was heard. It was Sir Elko's voice.
'What's wrong?'
Prince Alfonso, who was hidden inside the cannon and unable to see outside, listened anxiously.
“Sir! There’s someone here... A knight is hiding here!!”
The axle of the carriage came off, and the cannon Sir Elko was hiding under rolled away, exposing part of the armor.
"What?!"
Alfonso heard the sound of soldiers rushing in.
They were surrounded.
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