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Chapter 85
Idorian returned in just four days.
He came back with three imperial soldiers, just as he had promised—before we ran out of the food and water he had prepared for us. His face looked a bit dry and tired, shadows under his eyes, yet relief was spread across his features.
“Your Highness!”
Uben rushed forward and hugged Idorian tightly. He clung to his leg as if he had no intention of letting go.
“You’re not hurt, right? Thank goodness.”
Uben, who had worried endlessly about him, seemed unwilling to part now that Idorian had returned.
“Yeah. There was nothing to worry about.”
Idorian ruffled Uben’s hair lightly, then turned his gaze toward Lumi and me. His lips curved faintly, as if to say everything had gone well and there was no need to worry anymore.
“Lady Lillia Sweedy and the Grand Duke of Heresden are waiting at the entrance of the village.”
He hoisted Uben up with one arm.
“As you can see, there’s no issue with the plan to head for the capital.”
Uben jerked his chin toward the soldiers behind him.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Lumi asked, eyeing Idorian anxiously as he held Uben.
“This much is fine now.”
His right arm was still immobilized. Lumi’s makeshift binding had been replaced with proper bandages, but still, the arm didn’t move.
“Even so, don’t overdo it. You look like you haven’t slept at all,” Lumi said, taking Uben from him.
“Well… that’s true, but…”
“You came a long way. Sit and rest first. I’ll get you some water.”
I urged the knights who had come with him to sit as well, picked out the cleanest cups, and poured them water.
“Ah, thank you, Penelope.”
Idorian emptied the cup in one gulp. Then he looked at me, as if he had something to say.
“Would you like more?”
“…Yes.”
I refilled his and the knights’ cups. Judging by his return in only four days, he must not have rested at all. He probably hadn’t eaten or drunk properly either.
“Would you like something to eat as well? We still have some pumpkin.”
Idorian nodded. Since he’d left, no one paid much attention to how much I was eating, so I hadn’t eaten much. As a result, we still had food left.
I handed over the pumpkin, and Idorian pushed the plate toward the knights as if telling them to eat.
“And you, Your Highness? Aren’t you eating?”
Despite asking for food, Idorian didn’t take a single bite.
“My stomach feels off,” he murmured after hesitating a moment. “I haven’t slept, and I walked too much.”
His voice was weaker than usual, sluggish.
“So I just need a bit…”
He didn’t finish the sentence and lowered his head.
Even when we had suddenly left the fortress and spent nights running through the forest, living on that tiny island in the lake, Idorian had never once complained. Not even on the day he encountered a bear and was left alone, or when he injured his arm and struggled back—he had never spoken of it.
It was the first time he openly admitted he was struggling.
My heart sank instantly. He must have gone through far more than I imagined.
“The journey must have been harsh,” I said, though there was nothing I could do for him.
“Is there anything I can do?”
My brows furrowed with worry as I studied his pale face, hoping he might need something.
“I knew it would’ve been hard. Then why did you say you were fine?” Uben hurriedly approached and stood close beside him.
“Your Highness, would you like to lie down for a bit?”
“Yes, rest a little,” I added.
Idorian’s face flushed faintly.
“No, if I just sit for a while, I’ll feel better.”
Perhaps all the concern sounded overwhelming. He quickly changed the subject.
“Anyway, Lumi, your leg looks completely healed.”
“Yes, thanks to resting for four days. It doesn’t hurt anymore.”
Lumi rotated her ankle to show him.
“That’s good. Then we should reach our destination in two days.”
“Mm.”
Lumi glanced at him, then at me.
“Penelope and I were really worried about you.”
She handed him a small piece of pumpkin.
“…Really?”
“Of course. You left on your own.”
Idorian looked at Uben and me briefly, then finally took a bite. His appetite seemed to return as he ate quite a lot—perhaps he really just needed rest.
I handed over all the remaining food we had.
When they were nearly done eating, Lumi spoke again.
“So what exactly happened at the fortress?”
“It wasn’t internal conflict. Someone who was infected got inside. Five knights turned into zombies.”
One of the knights added,
“Yes. His Grace the Grand Duke and the commander inspected thoroughly, but they still missed him.”
“What…?” Lumi frowned.
“Then someone was bitten and didn’t turn for a long time?”
He turned to Idorian, bewildered. Such a thing defied everything we had seen.
“Yes. It’s unlike anything we’ve encountered, but there appears to be latent infection.”
“But that’s…”
Normally, anyone bitten turned and collapsed within three to five minutes, then rose again as a mindless zombie.
But this—latent infection?
“How long after entering the fortress did the transformation happen?”
At Lumi’s question, Idorian looked at the knights, thinking it better they explain.
“We don’t know exactly. Suddenly, several zombies burst out of the kitchen. Some of us had removed our armor to rest, so chaos broke out instantly.”
“How many zombies appeared first?”
“Three.”
Lumi’s brows narrowed. She fell silent, deep in thought.
I was the one to speak next.
“Could it be the inspection process was rushed?”
The knights stiffened. I’d offended them.
“We’ve faced countless zombies on our way down here. We know well how quickly people turn.”
One replied sharply.
“It was definitely latent infection.”
There was a faint hostility there, subtle but directed at me.
But in the novel, there were never any latent carriers…
I swallowed my questions. Arguing would only worsen the mood.
Lumi squeezed my hand.
“We’re not accusing anyone. We weren’t there—we just want to understand. Isn’t it natural to clarify even small details?”
He spoke in my defense, clearly noticing the knights’ tone.
The knights turned away without responding.
I tightened my grip on Lumi’s hand just slightly.
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Idorian continued explaining. The zombies had been subdued quickly, preventing further damage, but several of the military carrier birds had escaped during the commotion.
Lumi, who had been listening quietly, glanced at me. There was worry shadowing his expression.
And somehow, I felt that worry was directed at me.
