Chapter 119
Chapter 119
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: 51. Fallen Petals (2)
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The entire Empire was plunged into mourning.
The festive atmosphere of the tournament had reigned just days ago, but Ragnar's death as the beloved prince had shrouded the streets in gloom.
The impact was all the greater because Ragnar had been loved by so many.
The funeral proceeded in a solemn hush.
The official cause of death was an accident.
He had been drinking on a high balcony when he slipped and fell. His attendant had discovered him first and immediately summoned a priest, but Ragnar was already gone.
"I heard you were close with my brother."
Ivar said, gazing at Ragnar's coffin.
Yuri stood in the imperial mausoleum outside the palace. It wasn't dark. White walls and columns adorned with lanterns and gold leaf made it feel like stepping into a temple.
"Ragnar didn't like me much, but I liked him. Funny thing is, the reason he disliked me and the reason I liked him were the same. We were just too different. Probably because we were half-brothers."
Yuri stared at the coffin, listening quietly to his words.
"Yuri Brioll."
"Yes."
"Ragnar was a great guy, wasn't he?"
Yuri looked at Ivar.
A wry smile twisted his lips, and a swirl of emotions flickered in his eyes.
Yuri simply nodded.
"Yes."
Deep down, he suspected the Emperor harbored doubts too, but those words rang utterly true.
Ragnar had been a great man.
Not perfect. He had his flaws. But they were overshadowed by his greatness.
"He was a splendid man."
"Yeah... he was."
Ivar sighed.
"I thought he'd outlive me. But here he goes first. Doesn't sit right."
He patted Yuri's shoulder and turned away.
The funeral wasn't just for imperial family; those close to Ragnar had come too. Ivar greeted them one by one, offering condolences.
Yuri lifted his gaze.
Behind the coffin loomed a massive door, sealed shut.
Beyond it lay a vast chamber no one could enter.
Like other imperial kin, Ragnar would be laid to rest there.
This was the last moment.
Yuri approached the coffin and placed his hand on it. The imperial guards nearby glanced at him but didn't intervene.
Pressing his forehead to the lid, Yuri whispered so softly only Ragnar could hear.
"I will have my revenge."
Suddenly, he recalled Ragnar bursting into laughter on the plains.
Overlaid came the awkward expression from their past-life encounter.
Different times, different places, yet Ragnar was always the same. He never looked down on Yuri, mere third prince of Brioll, seeing the man himself beyond the title.
"On my honor."
With that, Yuri lightly tapped the coffin with his forehead.
Now Ragnar's weight added to his burdens.
The path ahead was daunting.
But he would walk it.
After bidding silent farewell with eyes closed, Yuri rose. Someone had appeared at his side.
Ekaterina stood with fingertips resting on the coffin.
Deep shadows fell beneath her long lashes.
"Are you leaving?"
At first, he thought she was speaking to Ragnar, not yet grasping his death.
But Ekaterina turned to him.
Meeting her gaze, Yuri hesitated, lips parting, then nodded.
"Yes."
The tournament was over. Ragnar, who had been tracking threats within the palace, was dead. Yuri had nothing left to do here.
He had changed much, but not everything.
War would come.
Ragnar's killer would engulf the continent in flames, just as in his past life, growing fat on the grief it sowed.
Before then, Yuri would do what he could.
"I see."
Ekaterina nodded and withdrew her hand from the coffin.
"By the way..."
As she began to speak, someone approached.
"Yuri."
It was Katarina. She gave Ekaterina a nod before turning to him.
"To think this would happen..."
Her eyes were puffy.
"It's truly heartbreaking."
She grasped Ekaterina's arm, and Ekaterina embraced her shoulders. Katarina sighed.
"I can't believe someone so healthy met his end over drink."
Her eyes reddened.
Yuri didn't believe Ragnar had fallen from drink.
But he couldn't probe the body or cause. It might draw the killer's eyes.
For now, he was just a comrade mourning Ragnar. Their shared secrets in the shadows had to stay hidden.
Yuri glanced aside. Crown Prince Yugen stood by Ivar, face impassive as he listened.
"Yuri. When you get back, give my regards to Cedric."
Katarina said, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. Yuri nodded.
"Yes."
He glanced at Ekaterina.
Cedric and Katarina weren't officially together. They were secretly dating.
But Ekaterina seemed to know.
"Ekaterina knows."
"Yes."
"She was one of those who knew His Highness..."
As they spoke, the presiding mortician announced.
"Only noble bloodlines remain for the rite. Please step aside."
Yuri had to leave.
As he departed the crypt with the other nobles, he looked back at the coffin one last time.
Then his eyes met Yugen's, who had turned.
In that brief instant, Yuri felt something.
An ominous chill.
Mana Circulation instinctively activated. His vision shifted into the Heart-Soul realm.
The underground mausoleum, filled with imperial blood, reshaped before his eyes.
The imperial guards sealed the door.
His vision snapped back.
"Are you alright, sir?"
An imperial guard knight asked. Yuri nodded and turned away.
His back was slick with sweat.
Perhaps it was already too late.
Replaying the scene as he hurried off.
The crypt's interior, in his eyes, had been utter blackness.
Yuri went to Hernando's workshop.
Inariel was smoking outside the log cabin.
The young boy puffing on a pipe suited the image oddly well.
"You okay?"
"Yes."
"Who'd have thought..."
His long ears twitched with each puff of smoke.
"You're suspicious, right?"
"Yes."
"Figured."
Hernando emerged from the cabin.
"My condolences, Your Highness."
"I'm fine."
"How was he?"
"Didn't see the body. No odd sensations."
"Could it really have been an accident...?"
"No."
"Yes."
"The lack of contact lately is suspicious too. And the secret base was completely emptied."
On his way to the mage tower, Yuri had checked the old pawnshop where he'd linked with Ragnar before. It was barren now, unlike last time.
"Hmm..."
Inariel said.
"What seemed coincidence feels inevitable now."
Yuri and Hernando looked at him. Inariel hopped down from the log he'd sat on, hands behind his back.
"I came on a whim and got dragged into this. I looked into black magic—it's worse than I thought. If your hunch is right, the prince died chasing it."
"Yes."
"If the Empire—even the imperial family—is tainted, it's grave."
Inariel picked up his staff from the ground.
"Half the Ten Strong are tied to the Empire or friendly with it."
True enough.
The Empire had more than just the Black Knight. Three of the Ten Strong, including him, served the Emperor directly; two others fell under his sway.
"If that power goes berserk, the continent falls into chaos."
"Yes."
Yuri had seen it firsthand.
The Empire's might burst forth like a broken dam.
No one stopped the black legions.
Looking back, they moved by black magic's power.
Just like Okua's orcs.
"With things this way, I'll look into countermeasures. Yuri, how do you plan to stop it?"
"First..."
Yuri pictured the continent's map.
"Before returning to Brioll, I'll stop at Adelbain."
"Adelbain..."
Only one thing was there.
"Marirose said she'd need more parchment."
She was deciphering black magic-infused parchment in Balshard. But samples were scarce.
One more sheet would speed things up, she'd complained.
If deciphered, they might craft countermeasures.
"And you said the parchment was in Adelbain, Inariel."
"No way..."
"If I'm right, Gerdt became the Death Knight because of it."
Like Okua, Yuri figured Gerdt carried the parchment.
"We'll retrieve it there."
Hernando and Inariel fell silent at his implication.
Yuri had declared he'd take down Gerdt, one of the Ten Strong.
"You're insane."
Inariel said.
"I'm telling you now: I'm not joining your fights."
"Understood."
Yuri nodded.
Inariel was an elf, not human. He rarely meddled in human affairs.
"So how do you catch Gerdt?"
"Same as always."
"Gerdt's a Ten Strong."
"I know."
"Calling your father?"
"No. Sneaking in."
"Then?"
Yuri had past-life memories. Gerdt died before Yuri's own end, and a new Ten Strong rose.
Yuri knew who.
"Isn't it weird counting a Death Knight like Gerdt among the Ten Strong?"
"What about that ogre kid?"
"He can talk, at least. Gerdt just kills the living. So..."
Yuri grinned.
"Time for a new Ten Strong."
Hernando's eyes widened.
"Your Highness."
"Yeah?"
"I don't want that spot. Too much hassle."
"What?"
"Embarrassing..."
"Not you."
"Who else fits?"
Yuri shook his head.
He was someone Yuri knew well. Not one to shy from danger. He'd jump at the offer.
"There's a guy who owes me a full-course feast. Time to collect."
Hose Aratour.
Sword of Bursen, a Ten Strong in his past life.
"Hmm..."
Hernando stroked his chin.
"Time to leave the capital, then."
"Yes."
"Your Highness, I can't join this trip."
"Why?"
"It's this serious. I'll head to mage tower HQ. Rally some help."
"Hernando. Thanks."
"No need."
Yuri didn't know Hernando's exact status among mages, but he'd learned recently the man was formidable.
The mage tower might step in.
"Then we're short a mage..."
Yuri eyed Inariel, who shook his head.
Hernando chuckled.
"Don't worry, Your Highness."
"Huh?"
"Remember that guy we haven't seen? He just ended long seclusion."
"No way..."
Hernando clapped.
The cabin door opened.
Someone stepped out.
"Allow me to introduce our new mage. Novice Wizard Cori, freshly ranked."
Yuri stared at Cori, stunned.
"Wait..."
His gait still wobbled, but he'd grown.
After mage training, why rags? And why muscles and scars peeking through?
He looked less mage, more mountain ascetic warrior.
Cori clenched a fist.
"Cori reporting! I'll serve the prince in Master Hernando's stead!"