Do I Need To Switch The Side?

It had been one week since Eidrin left Francia. He was still wandering aimlessly, with no idea where to go next.

Now, he sat inside a small food shop, quietly eating.

Eidrin (thought): “I’ve been wandering for almost a week now. What am I supposed to do? Where should I go? What will I do if I run out of money? I need to find something that can earn me a living — but I can’t lose focus on my goal: stopping the Dark Emperor. Maybe… I should visit Merlin.”

Eidrin then decided to head toward Groacia.

On the road to Groacia

As he passed through a small town, Eidrin noticed a large crowd gathered around. He could hear crying and shouting. Curious, he approached and saw a group of men brutally beating a young man. The people around only watched helplessly.

Eidrin: “What’s happening here?”

Man 1: “This area is controlled by a local gang. No one dares to go against them. But that young man tried to stand up to them… so they’re punishing him publicly.”

Eidrin’s blood boiled with anger. His grip tightened. He stepped forward, but another man quickly stopped him.

Man 2: “You must be new here. Don’t interfere. Those guys are dangerous — you can’t handle them. Don’t risk your life for someone else. We’re already watching one man get beaten; we can’t bear to watch another.”

Before Eidrin could respond, the gang members stopped their beating and threw the young man to the ground, breaking his arm.

Gang Member 1: “Alright, show’s over! Everyone get back to your business. And remember — anyone who tries to help him will end up the same way.”

They began to walk away.

Eidrin ignored the warnings, stepped forward, and offered water to the injured man. The gang noticed this and turned around, furious.

Gang Member 1: “Hey! Didn’t you hear what I just said?”

Eidrin: “Yes, I did. That’s exactly why I’m helping him.”

The crowd gasped.

Gang Member 1 (furious): “You dare insult me? Let me teach you a lesson!”

He lunged forward to punch Eidrin — but Eidrin caught his arm mid-swing and slammed him to the ground with sheer strength.

The crowd was stunned. The other gang members shouted angrily.

Gang Member 2: “You’ll pay for that!”

All of them charged at Eidrin. But as he turned his gaze toward them, they suddenly froze — overwhelmed by the pressure of his energy. Their bodies trembled.

Then, Eidrin moved. With only his bare hands, he fought and defeated all ten of them, one after another. None had expected him to be that strong.

Gang Member 3 (furious): “What’s your problem? Think you’re tough, huh? I’ll pierce your heart myself and prove you wrong!”

He drew a knife and rushed at Eidrin — but before he could blink, Eidrin appeared behind him, drew his sword, and held it across the man’s throat.

Eidrin: “I use knives to slice butter... and sword to slice enemies.”

The crowd stood in awe. Eidrin disarmed and defeated the rest of the gang, leaving them all unconscious on the ground.

He turned to the injured young man and helped him up.

Young Man: “Thank you so much! I’d have been dead if not for you.”

Eidrin: “It’s alright. I help anyone in trouble.”

Young Man: “I could tell from your fighting style — you’re a warrior. Who are you?”

Eidrin: “I’m Eidrin.”

Young Man (surprised): “Wait… Eidrin of Francia?!”

Eidrin: “Yes. You’ve heard of me?”

Young Man: “Of course! Who hasn’t? Anyway, thank you again!”

Suddenly, Eidrin felt someone’s presence. He turned around — on top of a nearby building stood the Man in red cloak, watching him silently. Eidrin pretended not to notice.

When he looked back again later, both the gang members and the man in red cloak were gone.

Eidrin used his warrior madness to sense his presence. Following a hidden alleyway, he found the Man in red cloak brutally murdering the defeated gang members. The men begged for mercy — but the Man in red cloak showed none, slicing them apart with his twin sickles.

Then, he turned — and saw Eidrin watching.

Eidrin: “So, we meet again. What’s wrong with you? What are you trying to do?”

The man said nothing. His red eyes glowed through the darkness — and in a flash, he vanished.

Eidrin (thought): “Every time I come to Groacia, I run into this man. Does he have some connection to this place…?”

Eidrin continued his journey and finally reached Groacia.

That afternoon – Palace of Groacia

Merlin (happily): “Big brother! I’m so glad you’re here! Is Romero with you?”

Eidrin explained everything to him.

Merlin: “So, you’re just wandering around without a plan?”
Eidrin: “Yes.”
Merlin: “Then why not stay here for a while?”
Eidrin: “What? No, that’s not a good idea.”
Merlin: “Please, big brother. It’s been thirteen years since we stayed together. No one will oppose my decision here. You can stay without any problem.”
Eidrin: “But…”
Merlin: “Please… I really want you to stay.”
Eidrin: “…Alright.”

Eidrin knew it might cause trouble, but he didn’t want to upset his brother — so he agreed to stay.

The king, queen, Marina, and nobles welcomed him warmly. Merlin was overjoyed by his presence — but Lucaris was not.

Lucaris (thought): “Ever since Eidrin came, big brother’s attention has been on him. Will big brother forget me? No… I won’t let that happen. I have to do something.”

A Month Later

Eidrin still stayed at the Groacian palace, resting and avoiding any army duties.

One afternoon, as he sat in his room, he realized he hadn’t seen Merlin all day.

Eidrin (thought): “Where’s Merlin? He hasn’t returned yet… maybe Lucaris knows.”

He went to find Lucaris.

Eidrin: “Lucaris, do you know where Merlin went?”

Lucaris: “Oh, big brother went on a mission with the army. There was a terrorist attack near the eastern border.”

Eidrin: “I see…”

Eidrin (thought): “A terrorist attack, and he hasn’t come back yet. Maybe he needs help. I should go check.”

That evening – Eastern Border Forest, Groacia

Merlin and his soldiers were patrolling the forest, searching for the attackers.

Merlin: “Hey, did you find anyone?”
Soldier 1: “We caught a few who attacked us, but the leader’s still missing.”
Merlin: “Then he must still be nearby. We need to find him fast.”

Meanwhile, the terrorists were hiding.

Leader: “Stay quiet and wait. Once they get close, we strike all at once. Got it?”
Others: “Yes!”

Soon, Merlin got separated from his men. Suddenly, dozens of enemies jumped from hiding, surrounding him.

Merlin fought fiercely, using his Warrior Madness to dodge every strike and counter each attack.

Merlin: “These guys are tough… but I can handle them.”
Soldier 2: “Yeah, but they outnumber us! I hope we don’t get overwhelmed.”
Soldier 1: “Don’t panic! We can stop them.”

Above, the terrorist leader hid in a tree, aiming an arrow straight at Merlin.
The arrow flew — but before it could reach Merlin, Eidrin suddenly appeared, slashing it in half.

Merlin (relieved): “Big brother! You came to help me!”
Eidrin: “Yeah. I was worried, so I came to help.”
Merlin: “These guys are a bit tough.”
Eidrin (smirks): “Really? Let’s see.”

Eidrin fought alongside Merlin, protecting him and defeating the terrorists. Together, they captured the leader, earning the admiration of every Groacian soldier.

From that day on, Eidrin officially joined the Groacian army. His power and kindness quickly won the respect of all.

Another Month Later – Francia

Things had worsened in Francia. Without Eidrin, Alexander began to crumble. He lost focus, believing his strength came only from Eidrin and Romero. Now that Eidrin was gone, he felt powerless.

He drank and gambled excessively, neglecting his duties as king.

Romero tried his best to help him, but it was too much to handle alone.

Evening – Francia Palace, Alexander’s Room

Alexander and Romero sat together. Alexander was now started to used to drink beer instead of water.

Though Eidrin and Romero also drank occasionally, warrior madness protected their bodies. But Alexander, lacking that power, had grown weak and thin.

Alexander: “Romero… did you hear? Eidrin is now working in the Groacian army now.”
Romero: “Yeah, I heard.”
Alexander (Drowsy): “He always said he’d never leave my side — that he’d never betray me. And now? He’s serving my enemies.”
Romero: “Xander… he’s not betraying you. He’s just protecting his brother. He’s not plotting against you, so don’t call him an enemy.”
Alexander (slurring): “I know what you’re saying, but…”

Before he could finish, Alexander passed out from the drink.

Romero (thought): “This is getting worse. If I don’t bring Eidrin back soon, I’ll be forced to see them fight each other… and I can’t bear that. I must stop Eidrin and bring him back before it’s too late.”

To be continued…