The crime

Next morning, on the way toward Groacia:

The soldiers from Francia were rushing toward Groacia. There were fifty of them.
At the same time, Eidrin — a little behind — was riding hard to catch up.

Eidrin (thought): "I need to find the soldiers quickly, or I won’t be able to save Merlin. Oh! I can hear the sound of horses… and sense people ahead. It must be them."

Eidrin unleashed his Warrior Madness and spurred his horse to full speed toward that direction.

Meanwhile, among the soldiers:

Soldier 1: “Oh man, the road is too long.”
Soldier 2: “What do you expect when traveling from one nation to another? It’s a long journey.”
Soldier 3: “I wonder what we’ll need to do after reaching there.”
Soldier 2: “Nothing big. We just need to attack the prince — maybe kill him if we get the chance.”
Soldier 4: “What?! Are you guys crazy? I thought it was just a minor attack! Attacking and killing a prince is too much. We’ll get caught!”
Soldier 2: “Why are you so scared? The Groacian army isn’t that strong. And we’re not attacking the whole army — just striking the prince’s territory. If we manage to kill him, Lord Giorno will pay us more than we could earn in a lifetime! We’ll all live like kings — and if anyone’s blamed, it’ll be Lord Giorno or maybe even King Alexander.”
Soldier 3: “You’re quite the dreamer, aren’t you? You really think Eidrin will spare us if we kill his brother?”
Soldier 2: “How will Eidrin even know we did it? And he’s not that big of a deal — he can’t take all of us alone. Admit it, you’re scared. I’ll do the job myself and take the whole reward if you cowards back out.”
Soldier 3: “But still—”

Suddenly, Eidrin leaped in front of them on his horse, blocking their path.

Soldier 4: “Oh no! It’s Eidrin!”
Soldier 1 (front row): “Eidrin! Why are you here? Why did you follow us?”
Eidrin: “First, tell me why you’re heading to Groacia. What are your intentions?”
Soldier 2: “That’s none of your business.”
Eidrin: “Oh really? Then who sent you? Alexander?”
Soldier 1: “We can’t tell you that.”
Eidrin: “I already know Lord Giorno sent you.”
Soldier 2: “So you know everything, huh? Then move out of our way.”
Eidrin: “No. I don’t want to fight you. If you want money, I can give you that — but please, spare my brother.”
Soldier 1: “......”
Soldier 2: “We refuse. You can’t offer us what Lord Giorno promised.”
Eidrin: “So you’re not going to stop?”
Soldier 2: “Yes. Do you really think you can stop us? Who do you think you are? We’re soldiers of the main army — not like you, a member of Alexander’s private guard who just sticks to his side and avoids real missions.”
Eidrin: “I’m in his private guard because he trusts me more than you. At least I wouldn’t betray him like you’re doing now.”
Soldier 2: “Oh really? If he trusts you so much, why didn’t he make you the commander of the main army after becoming king?”
Eidrin: “Because he knows I’m not interested.”
Soldier 2: “So you’re saying you’re capable of being commander? Then prove it!”
Eidrin: “Fine. I will.”

Eidrin drew his sword. Soldier 2 did the same. The others hesitated, unsure what to do.

Soldier 3: “Are we really going to fight him?”
Soldier 4: “This is a bad idea. Don’t listen to that idiot — it’s Eidrin! We can’t handle him!”
Soldier 1: “We have no other choice now.”

Then the battle began.

All fifty soldiers rushed toward Eidrin. Alone, he showed no fear. With incredible speed, he dodged their attacks and countered with precise strikes — not to kill, but to knock them down.
He pushed every soldier that came his way into the ground using the flat of his blade.

The soldiers fought in a tight formation — five rows of ten.
The last row used bows and arrows. Hundreds of arrows flew through the air. Eidrin slashed through them all, though a few managed to pierce his armor. He endured the pain and kept defending himself.

Suddenly, an arrow aimed for Eidrin’s neck — but before it reached him, it was sliced apart by an energy slash from afar.

Eidrin turned.
The man in red cloak stood on a tree branch, staring at him. His lower face was wrapped in bandages, and his eyes glowed dark red — like blood.
The soldiers didn’t know who he was, and neither did Eidrin.

The man leapt down. His presence was so powerful and suffocating that even breathing became hard.
He attacked the soldiers without mercy. Despite their numbers, they couldn’t touch him.

Eidrin: “Hey! You’re the one who attacked me and Romero back in Groacia, right? Why are you helping me now? Who are you? What’s your intention?”

The man stayed silent, continuing his brutal assault.

Eidrin: “Hey! Even if they’re fighting me, you don’t have to hurt them this badly! They’re still my comrades!”

The man acted as if he didn’t hear him.

Soldier 2 (thought): No… this can’t be! If we lose here, I’ll never get the wealth I deserve. I won’t let it happen! Money is all I need… and I’ll kill anyone who stands in my way…

Consumed by greed and rage, Soldier 2 charged at Eidrin.
Eidrin didn’t want to hurt him and didn’t raise his sword.
But the man in the red cloak suddenly rushed forward and sliced off Soldier 2’s arm.

Soldier 2 (screaming): “Aaaaahhhh!”

Before anyone could react, the man pierced Soldier 2’s neck with his sickle.

Eidrin (shocked): “What—!”
Soldier 1 (terrified): “No…!”
Soldiers 3 & 4 (horrified): “What the—?!”

Blood splattered across the field. Everyone froze in fear.
Eidrin stood still, horrified. He had never expected death — not from this fight.

The man turned to Eidrin and finally spoke.

Man in Red Cloak: “Don’t think I came here to help you. I have my own reasons… my own intentions. We’ll meet again, Eidrin of Francia.”

He vanished into the forest, leaving silence and blood behind.

Eidrin dropped to his knees, trembling — haunted by the sight of his fallen comrade, killed before his eyes.

That evening — Court of Francia:

All nobles were assembled. Alexander sat on the throne, with his father and mother beside him.
Eidrin and Giorno stood at the center. The remaining forty-nine soldiers surrounded them.

Main Advisor: “We are gathered because Eidrin, one of our greatest warriors, has killed a fellow soldier. The incident occurred when Eidrin stopped and attacked troops during their mission. As we know, these soldiers were sent by Lord Giorno. Eidrin, Giorno — state your sides.”

Eidrin: “It’s true I fought them, but I didn’t kill anyone. I didn’t even start the fight — they challenged me, and I defended myself.”
Giorno: “I sent the soldiers on a mission, but Eidrin misunderstood, thinking I sent them to attack his brother. He attacked my men.”
Alexander (serious): “Giorno, you have no authority to send soldiers on missions. Who gave you permission?”
Giorno: “I… thought it was important, so…”
Alexander: “Then tell me what the mission was.”
Giorno: “...”
Alexander: “Why aren’t you answering? Speak! If you won’t, the soldiers will.”
Soldiers: “What?!”
Alexander: “You heard me. Tell me what the mission was.”

Soldier 1: “The mission was…”

Giorno’s glare froze Soldier 1 mid-sentence.
He wanted to tell the truth — but fear silenced him.

Alexander: “Why aren’t you speaking? Tell me!”

Eidrin realized the soldier would be in danger if he told the truth.

Eidrin: “Let me explain. Giorno sent the soldiers to Groacia. It’s true I misunderstood and thought they were going to attack my brother, so I intervened. I didn’t want to fight, but they challenged me. Then a mysterious man appeared, pretended to help, caused chaos — and killed one of the soldiers before disappearing.”

The entire court fell silent.

Giorno (furious): “And we’re supposed to believe your lies? This man might be a spy from Groacia! We can’t trust him!”
Soldier 1: “No! What Eidrin said is true!”
Alexander (angrily): “Giorno, I’ve told you already — you have no right to command soldiers. And don’t you dare shout at my warrior. You also know Eidrin is my friend — more than a soldier. Isn’t that right?”

Alexander’s father: “Now we understand both sides bear some fault. Giorno, you must use your authority wisely. If you repeat such an act, you’ll face punishment. Eidrin, we appreciate your honesty and cannot blame you — but remember, you should never have allowed your comrade to die. The session ends here. Everyone, return to your duties.”

Eidrin left the court and walked toward his room. He found Romero waiting.

Eidrin: “Oh, you were here. I was looking for you.”
Romero: “I wanted to ask — why did you go alone? If you’d taken me, none of this would’ve happened.”
Eidrin: “Maybe. But it all went wrong because of that man in the red cloak — the same one who attacked us in Groacia. He actually saved me from an arrow, fought beside me… but caused even more trouble. I don’t understand his intentions.”
Romero: “If I were you, I’d have fought that man instead of the soldiers. You saw what he tried to do to me back then. How can you trust someone like that?”
Eidrin: “Yeah, you’re right. By the way, I’m planning something.”
Romero: “What?”
Eidrin: “That Giorno — he hates me. I’m sure he’ll keep causing problems. I can’t strike back, since he’s royal. So… I’ll do something else.”
Romero: “What are you planning?”
Eidrin (serious): “I’ll tell you later.”

To be continue.......