Benjamin and Yurisien were literally frozen. They couldn’t move a muscle, like someone with nails driven into their feet. They felt like wax dolls, unable to even flicker a finger, yet tears, like melted wax, flowed endlessly.

The damage caused by the undead hadn’t been practically significant. Or more accurately, it couldn’t be considered significant. Everyone remained silent due to the fear of losing their returned family members to the undead.

However, they had prepared themselves for some damage, yet the scene unfolding now seemed to far surpass Benjamin and Yurisien’s expectations. The undead without emotions were no longer the returned family members; they were simply monsters harming humans instinctively. There was no trace of humanity left in the corpses revived without their minds. Therefore, only the living people harbored emotions.

“Please, snap out of it!”

“Don’t do this; come back!”

Even if they cried and begged, they were not originally human. People who collapsed mercilessly under the attacks of the undead didn’t even think about escaping. Hwangseong had disappeared as if it had never existed, so no matter how far they ran, where could they hide? Giving up on life due to despair seemed not so difficult in this situation.

“We need to go.”

Watching those people, Yurisien, who had been sobbing to the point where her breath was choked, firmly bit her lower lip and said, “There’s no time to stay here.”

Struggling to move, Yurisien managed to grab Benjamin’s forearm. Despite her efforts to give strength, her stiff hands could only scratch Benjamin’s sleeve, not even forming a hook shape. Nevertheless, Yurisien continued to try to hold onto Benjamin and led him with all her might.

“Even now, many people are getting hurt and dying. We have to resolve this situation. You know the way to solve it!”

He knew. However, his feet wouldn’t budge. The house where he had been with his parents had disappeared. The space where happy memories, even if just a few, lingered had vanished entirely. There was a significant difference between intellectually understanding that fact and actually facing it. Benjamin felt like he had lost his entire childhood.

“How can we go?”

Above all, he wanted to help the suffering people of the Solseleon Empire. Unable to leave this place as if fleeing, leaving behind the empire’s people fighting against the undead, Benjamin couldn’t and didn’t want to. He was the Crown Prince, and the reason he had survived with all his might until now was solely to protect the Solseleon Empire and rule it as the Crown Prince.
Benjamin had to have them to rule the Solseleon Empire. Those people over there were the Solseleon Empire itself that Benjamin wanted to rule. Benjamin couldn’t shake off the feeling that he was overly immersed in such thoughts. In the end, Benjamin made a choice.

“We need to organize a bit.”

At that sound, Yurisien, surprised, swallowed her breath, then spoke to Benjamin with a sharp voice.

“Look further. Look at the forest, not the trees. Don’t be distracted by the waves pouring in front of you, and don’t miss the incoming tidal wave from far away.”

Who wouldn’t want to resolve this situation? Just because she was Yurisien, did she not want to help them? However, there is always something that must come first in everything. And now, what must come first is moving forward without faltering.

“Then should I sacrifice a cow for justice?”

No one wanted to sacrifice anyone. It could be criticized as theoretical and desk theorizing. It couldn’t be helped if it was called an irrational judgment. Somehow, the thought of staying here and helping everyone couldn’t be shaken off.

“I don’t want to lose any more imperial citizens.”

In the end, Benjamin let go of Yurisien’s hand and ran toward the battlefield. Yurisien couldn’t stop Benjamin. It was the Crown Prince Benjamin who chose a path that was too responsible to criticize until the end.

That was when Yurisien was internally stifling frustration.

“The Great Windsor Sword cannot be drawn with a corrupt choice!”

A thunderous noise was heard from behind. Startled, Yurisien looked towards where the main gate of Hwangseong was. Massive banners fluttered in the distance. It was the Windsor Knights.

“The resolution to wield the Great Windsor Sword without shame must come before anything else!!!”

The one commanding at the forefront was none other than Jurgen. He still looked like he was in active service, wearing the armor he wore during his heroic days. Benjamin involuntarily opened his mouth at the robust appearance that seemed overwhelming just to look at.

It was the first time they had actually seen the majesty of the Windsor Knights on the battlefield, and they were overwhelmed for a moment. Yurisien felt the same way, perhaps because she felt the greatness of the family more keenly.

“Infuse the power of the Great Windsor Sword and cleave the true enemy!”

Benjamin opened his eyes wide at the thunderous shout. When he checked the Great Windsor Sword hanging on his waist, crack…! Lightning flashed around Benjamin.