Chapter 85

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"Ugh... Where am I..."

With a groan, Justy Oigist slowly opened her eyes. Her body felt heavy, as if iron balls were tied to her limbs. She seemed to be lying on a bed. Her upper body was bare, and her shoulder was bandaged. When she touched it, a sharp pain shot through her.

"So... I lost the duel to Prince Raidor, did I..."

"It looks like you've woken up, Justy."

"Huh?"

Turning her gaze to the voice coming from the side, she saw a small boy sitting in a chair next to the bed. Without her glasses, she couldn't see him clearly. Feeling around on the pillow, she had her glasses pressed firmly onto her face. Through the lenses, she saw the familiar face of a boy sitting with his arms and legs crossed, looking decidedly unhappy. It was Sven Arbeil, a noble from the Eastern Border, just like Justy.

"...Sven. You look well."

"Yes, unlike you. The effects of the curse from the Prince haven't completely worn off, so you shouldn't move too much. And..."

"Ugh!?"

"You should replenish your fluids. I'll help you drink."

Sven, with a look of disdain, shoved a water pitcher into Justy's mouth. The water was forced in roughly, and Justy pounded the bed in protest, unable to push him away due to the curse leaving her body in a near-critical state. Eventually, Sven stopped when the pitcher was half-empty, and the water that didn't make it into her mouth soaked the bed sheets.

"Cough... Haa... Haa... That was... so uncomfortable...!"

"Discomfort is a sign of life. It's good that we both survived."

"Yes, we both did..."

Justy, the loser of the duel, had no right to complain even if she had been killed. Sven, too, was a loser in the war against the Empire, and his life could have easily ended in death. It was a miracle that both of them were still alive, and it was rare for them to meet like this. Justy closed her eyes and fell silent for a moment before speaking softly.

"I'm glad you're safe. And I'm sorry. I couldn't rush to the aid of the Arbeil family in their time of crisis."

"That's not your fault. I heard you opposed the Oigist family's betrayal of the Empire."

"Still, the Oigist family did betray. If you want to take revenge, you can kill me now."

"Of course not. I've had my fill of revenge."

Sven spread his arms in a playful gesture. While the Viscount Ulfart, who betrayed the Arbeil family, showed no remorse, why should Justy, who had no direct involvement, have to apologize?

"Rather... it's about time you told me. Why did you challenge Prince Raidor to a duel?"

"Hmm..."

"Surely it wasn't just because you wanted to fight the Holy Sword wielder, right? You muscle-bound glasses-wearer."

"You, that's going too far..."

"..."

Sven glared at her with a piercing gaze, and Justy sighed, looking away.

"Of course, as a warrior, I wanted to fight the heroic Prince Raidor. But I also thought it was necessary for the survival of the Oigist family."

Justy spoke slowly, lying back down on the bed and relaxing her body, which was still affected by the curse.

"When I heard that Prince Raidor had hired you, I immediately realized that he was trying to form his own faction and was seeking capable people."

No matter how intelligent Sven was, he was still a 12-year-old boy. It was unusual for him to be hired as a vassal or strategist. The fact that Raidor had specifically recruited Sven indicated that he valued talent and was eager to gather capable people.

"...So, you were trying to show your strength by fighting in the duel? Was there no other way?"

"There might have been. But I'm just a warrior. I can only carve out a future with my spear. There's no other way for me to live."

"...You're so smart, yet so stupid it's frustrating. You could have died, you know?"

"Living as a traitor who betrayed my country would be worse than dying by the sword of a hero. And—If Prince Raidor was weak enough to be defeated by me, I wouldn't serve him. I certainly wouldn't help him rebel against the king."

"...So, you realized it. That Prince Raidor was planning to rebel against King Granado."

"Of course. A man who was once expelled from the palace is now forming his own army and faction. What else could his goal be?"

Justy smiled faintly, as if it were no big deal.

"...Since I've already risked my life once, I might as well join Prince Raidor's ambitions. Of course, if the Prince is willing to spare my life."

"That won't be a problem. Prince Raidor is a generous man. He even forgave a precocious child who tried to seduce him."

"Hmm... What are you talking about?"

"That's my story... I'll ask the Prince for you, so don't worry. As a senior, I'll work you like a horse."

Sven laughed condescendingly, "Hmph," and looked down at the older junior lying on the bed.

Thus, the Oigist family also came under the control of the Raidor army. Only three of the 'Eight Families of the East' remained as traitors. The purge in the Eastern Border region was entering its final stages.

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