The Night Before the Battle

Franz had chosen a rear naked choke. A few seconds later, the young woman had lost consciousness completely.

Although he had no idea what the other side was planning, he could be sure it had something to do with the approaching Polish Restoration Army.

Based on the Poles' pace so far, they would reach Drohobych by ten o'clock tomorrow morning.

At times, Franz couldn't help admiring the Poles. Not a single messenger had come to Jasiński Manor to deliver a report over the past few days.

Although Franz had told everyone not to waste the precious lives of their couriers, in theory, even if the military took no action, the local authorities should have done something.

Yet in reality, Franz had received no intelligence about the enemy's approach. And he'd even prepared a whole script to win himself a reputation for virtue.

It seemed he wouldn't need it after all. But that was hardly good news. The lack of reports meant that Galicia still had a large number of Polish restorationists, and their influence remained formidable.

It also meant that Franz would have to root them out even more thoroughly. Many people would die.

Franz rang the bell. After three long knocks, one short, and one long, Bordeaux's voice sounded from outside.

"Archduke, you called?"

"Come in."

As soon as Bordeaux entered, he saw Miss Celestina bound hand and foot, with a towel stuffed in her mouth. But he said nothing. A competent aide would never presume to comment on the Archduke's personal interests.

Franz didn't want Bordeaux getting the wrong idea, though, so he explained.

"There may be a battle tomorrow, so she'll be safer by my side. But this young lady has probably been brainwashed by the Polish Restoration Army. I restrained her so she wouldn't hurt me