Chapter 120
Chapter 120
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 120
Chapter Title: 51. Falling Flowers (3)
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Gott had come to 'Imperial Samgyeopsal', a popular spot in the capital for group dinners.
They grilled pork belly fresh right at the table, and its flavor paired so well with drinks that plenty of groups came here to bond.
"Is everyone seated?"
"Yes."
"Anyone missing?"
"No one."
"Just wait a bit. His Highness will be here soon."
The people gathered here were members of the 'Brioll Alumni Association' that he led. With so many of them, they'd rented out the entire restaurant.
A close acquaintance from his cohort asked,
"Gott, you feeling better?"
"Of course."
"Discharge soon?"
"Not yet. But any day now."
"Let's throw you a discharge party then."
"Not exactly cause for celebration. Kinda embarrassing."
"What's wrong with that?"
Gott had been pulled out of the temple's drug rehab clinic because of a summons from the Third Prince.
Before leaving the empire, Yuri had instructed him to gather the Briollians and treat them to a meal.
"Fill up the glasses for now."
As he watched the glasses fill with liquor, Gott let out a sigh.
"Hoo..."
He'd managed to gather everyone, but his mind wasn't at ease.
It was well-known that Prince Ragnar and Yuri were close. Yet just a few days ago, news of Ragnar's sudden accident had come.
He could be annoying at times, but the man had pulled him out of the abyss of drugs, so Gott couldn't help worrying.
"He went out of his way to set this up for us, so let's not bring up Prince Ragnar. Got it?"
"Yes!"
"His Highness will be here any..."
Gott glanced out the window and spotted Yuri approaching from afar.
"Here he comes."
As Yuri appeared, the Brioll Alumni Association members rose from their seats.
"Sit, sit. No need to stand."
He waved them down casually, then placed a hand on Gott's shoulder.
"Nice setup. You must've worked hard, Gott."
"Not at all."
Yuri was his usual self. He grinned and looked around the room.
"Mind pouring me a glass?"
"Ah, yes."
A nearby member poured him a drink and handed it over. Yuri nodded lightly and raised his glass high.
"Meeting in this far-off capital—fate, right? Everyone, cheers."
"Yes!"
"To Brioll."
"To Brioll!"
They all downed their drinks together.
Yuri set his empty glass on the nearest table and spoke.
"Briollians who've settled in this distant capital, and our students abroad—don't forget you're Brioll folk."
"Yes!"
"What does Brioll stand for?"
"We never abandon our honor!"
"Alright, let's enjoy. Another round."
More meat kept coming out, and the drinks started flowing. Yuri moved between tables, encouraging the members.
His easygoing vibe helped everyone relax and dig in.
Yuri sidled up to Gott, who was too busy hosting to eat, and threw an arm around his shoulders.
"Hey, Gott. Aren't you overdoing it?"
"I'm fine."
"Remember what I said. Don't slack off."
"Yes."
Yuri had told Gott to keep up the fight against drugs even after he left the capital. Yuri planned to continue as a lecturer and motivator, tied in with the temples.
"Any issues, reach out."
"Got it."
"And thanks."
"Pardon?"
Gott looked at Yuri at the sudden words.
Yuri grinned and slipped an empty glass into his hand, then poured him a drink.
"You're looking after all the Briollians in the capital."
"It's nothing..."
"It is something."
Yuri jerked his chin.
"You gathered all these people. Anyone here you don't know?"
"No."
"You know everyone?"
"Yes."
"You're the leader."
Yuri clapped his shoulder.
"So, take good care of them."
"Understood, Your Highness."
Gott felt a strange sensation.
Things with Yuri rarely ended well. Six years ago, he'd picked a pointless fight and gotten beaten. Here in the capital, he'd been caught with drugs and dragged to the temple like a dog.
But in the end, it had all worked out.
The second meeting was better than the first, so maybe the next would be even better—a peculiar optimism crept in.
"Our age gap isn't that big."
"True."
"We'll see each other plenty. So let's do well. Practice your swordplay, cultivate a kind heart like mine."
"Yes..."
Yuri nodded toward Dale in the corner.
"Teach that guy well too. Got it?"
"Yes."
That's when it happened.
Noise erupted outside. Gott glanced back to see strangers peeking into Imperial Samgyeopsal, scribbling notes.
Reporters.
Ever since Yuri and Gott's interview blew up, they'd become prime targets for the capital's press.
Yuri released the arm-around-shoulder.
"Gott."
"Yes."
"I'll check right, you left. Casual glance."
"Pardon?"
"Soft smile, remember."
"Yes..."
"Act natural, like coincidence."
"Got it."
"Now."
Feeling Yuri tap his back, Gott turned with him toward the reporters, flashing smiles.
The cluster at the entrance scrambled to snap photos.
Yuri murmured ventriloquist-style without moving his lips.
"Hold the pose."
"Yes..."
The next day, every paper and magazine in the capital splashed that shot on the front page.
Before leaving the capital, Yuri was rushing around.
He gave money to Karchio, who would stay in the empire gathering intel for him, as thanks for his efforts; met departing envoys from other nations to set up future meetings; visited the Ireine Merchant Company's branch to issue business directives.
He fed stories to various press outlets and gifted the Duforia Hotel staff who'd gone out of their way for him.
And now, he was meeting a visitor in his Duforia Hotel room.
"You're serious?"
"Yes."
He looked up from where he sat on the bed's edge.
Asana stood before him.
After infiltrating Genad's castle, she'd left for training, but showed up abruptly before Yuri departed the capital.
And dropped a bombshell.
"The palace is dangerous."
"If I don't, Brioll will be at risk."
"Hmm..."
"I'll bide my time carefully."
"Sigh..."
Yuri shook his head.
"Showing up out of nowhere to say you'll stay in the capital and sneak into the palace..."
The palace brimmed with magical defenses. Even Asana couldn't just waltz in.
"I can now. Can't come and go freely, but lingering nearby to find an opening—I'll manage infiltration."
After facing that unidentified presence beyond the crystal orb in Genad's castle, Asana had felt her shortcomings.
So she'd left Yuri temporarily to hone her assassination sect's secret arts, achieving some success.
"If you say so..."
Yuri muttered.
Asana wasn't reckless. Quite the opposite—extremely cautious.
If she said this, it must be feasible.
Yuri tapped the bed.
"Remember: if it's risky, bail. Got it?"
"Yes."
"Need anything? Get it from Karchio."
"Understood."
"And don't bully the guy too much. Karchio's not as young as he used to be."
"I'll consider it."
"Suspect the palace library, every royal—everything. Report anything off to me."
"Yes."
"I'm really worried."
"Your Highness."
Asana shook her head.
"Worry about yourself first. I'm questioning if you're in your right mind."
"Hey..."
She rarely expressed herself so firmly. Asana continued.
"Cancel your schedule."
"Can't."
"I'm truly concerned."
Yuri planned to pretend he was heading to Brioll but veer toward Adelbine.
There awaited something immense he had to face.
Death Knight Gerdt.
A true Death Knight that everyone feared.
Worlds apart from that nasty skeleton he'd seen in Erich Brioll's tomb.
"Don't worry. Taking a strong ally."
Asana's eyes held little trust. Yuri shrugged.
"That guy's enough..."
Right on cue, the strong ally knocked.
"Your Highness! It's Hose!"
"Uh, why so sudden..."
Yuri signaled Asana. She vanished.
"Come in."
Hose strode in boldly.
Asana had stood silently in the corner all the while.
Yuri's heart skipped realizing her spot late, but Hose saw nothing and bowed to Yuri.
Her secret arts training had paid off, it seemed.
Hose was in a tizzy.
"Your Highness, big trouble."
"What?"
"Jonathan says no."
"I told you not to be honest. Obviously he'd say no."
"Can't lie."
"What now?"
"So we're sneaking off."
"Huh?"
"Your Highness, I'm eloping tonight. I'll wait in Gatenxia below—find me there."
"That..."
Determination to fight Gerdt burned in Hose's eyes.
"I, Hose Arturo, will slay that monster with you."
"Appreciate the spirit. But dangerous, you know?"
"Of course."
In his past life, Hose had time before slaying Gerdt and reaching the Ten Strong, but Yuri knew this Hose was plenty strong already.
Another change Yuri had wrought.
Guided by him, Hose had met folks like Moyong Chan and Bernard far sooner, growing faster than before.
"Alright. If Jonathan rags on you later, tell me. I'll smooth it over."
"Thank you."
Hose straightened up. He was packed heavy.
"I'll head out first then. Sneaking away—no one'll notice I'm gone. If Jonathan asks, say you don't know."
"Got it."
It looked anything but sneaky, but Yuri nodded.
Hose grinned, bowed, and thumped out.
Yuri turned toward where Asana had been.
"Huh?"
She'd slipped away too.
Alone now, Yuri flopped onto the bed.
The ceiling stared back.
Six years since his regression.
Much had happened.
Until recently, things flowed as he'd planned.
Now, different. Even with past-life memories, an enemy in the empire he couldn't easily face lurked.
Thus, he'd lost Ragnar.
Sad, but no time for tears.
More such losses ahead. For now, set it aside. Someday, when he could lay it all down, then he could break.
Not time to wipe tears yet.
Time to raise his sword.
Deep in the palace's underground mausoleum lay a hall for imperial remains only.
Only imperial blood could enter.
Ekaterina dismissed her guards and entered alone.
Caskets lined up behind personalized tombstones.
She stood before Ragnar's.
Placed flowers there.
Gazed silently at the stone. His name, birth and death, lifetime achievements—all detailed.
But nothing about him being a great uncle.
"Ekaterina."
A voice called; she turned. Her second brother, Georg, entered.
He strode to her side and placed flowers at Ragnar's grave too.
They stood in silence awhile.
Georg spoke first.
"Never thought Uncle would go like this."
"Yeah..."
"Can't believe he had an accident."
As kids, they'd often called him Uncle Ragnar.
When Father was absent, he'd sneak them treats from outside the palace or fun games. A secret just for the three siblings.
"Already miss him."
Uncharacteristically sentimental from Georg.
He passed the stone and touched the casket.
"Brother?"
"Wanted one last look."
Magical preservation kept the body from decaying.
This hall stored imperial corpses undecayed.
Georg opened the casket.
"Looks peaceful. Like he's just sleeping."
Ekaterina stepped cautiously beside him.
It was true.
Ragnar lay as in life.
Around his body, burial goods from the funeral.
Sword and armor he always carried, jewels—he seemed asleep amid treasures.
Suddenly, Georg reached out.
"That."
He pointed.
Georg gave Ekaterina a wry smile.
"Wondered how he'd done it. Here it was."
At his fingertip: the emperor's medal for tournament victor, and worn card pieces, neatly placed.