Chapter 137
Chapter 137
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 137
Chapter Title: 57. Red Hat (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Yuri's group returned to Brioll.
Though their schedule had been delayed passing through Adelwein and Burzen, the journey had been so swift that it hadn't consumed much time overall.
The moment they arrived, Yuri sought a private audience with Fiore and explained everything that had transpired in the Empire and Adelwein.
Fiore's expression gradually grew grave as he nodded.
"So that's what happened."
"Black magic..."
With the specific threat of black magic now laid bare, convincing him had been far easier.
Fiore tapped the armrest of his chair as he spoke.
"If the Empire truly has a problem as you say, this could escalate into something major."
"We can't just let it slide."
"Do you really believe the imperial palace has fallen to black magic?"
"I'm certain."
"What about the Emperor?"
"I can't say for sure about him. But the Crown Prince is a strong suspect."
"The Crown Prince..."
Fiore murmured.
"This is serious."
He seemed lost in thought for a moment before nodding decisively.
"Understood. We'll keep this between us for now."
"Yes."
"We'll discuss future measures together."
"Got it."
He might seem indifferent at times, but when action was needed, he never hesitated. Knowing his father had his back filled Yuri with a sense of security.
"By the way, Yuri. A delegation arrived from Yoheim."
"Yes, I heard."
"They came on your introduction."
"We crossed paths by chance."
"I thought they'd come to attack Brioll."
"Hahaha..."
"What army comes to another country just for training?"
"Sir Gonte was worried about the mental state of his young knights, so I offered to pass on Brioll's traditional knight training—the kind from the nation of knights."
"What's that 'traditional Brioll training' you mentioned?"
"Rolling through hell with sheer grit."
"Since when has this country had a tradition like that?"
"It's starting now."
"Hmm..."
"Just trust me."
"Alright..."
Fiore looked dubious but patted Yuri's shoulder.
"Fine. You're grown now, so handle it well."
"I won't let you down."
"I don't have faith in you—make it up to Sir Gonte instead."
"Understood."
"Off you go."
"Yes."
As Yuri rose to leave, he paused to ask,
"Oh, by the way, where are my two brothers?"
"At school."
"Pardon?"
"Cedric went off to Franchese to write some thesis, and Joshua tagged along saying he wanted to study too."
Franchese, the Flandre family territory, housed Brioll's largest university.
"Oh, that's great news."
"We'll see."
Cedric had always been studious, but Joshua was a surprise.
In his previous life, around this time, Joshua wouldn't have been studying—he'd have been playing with fire somewhere and accidentally burned down a palace building.
Of course, Yuri had been right there with him.
"They haven't done a thing, and they're growing up just fine on their own."
"Tell me about it."
He seemed to know it deep down. His father was exceptional with the sword but lousy at raising kids. In their past life, Joshua and Yuri had turned into utter delinquents under his neglect.
Cedric would have thrived no matter the parents, so he didn't count.
In the end, Joshua's change this time around was all thanks to Yuri.
"I'll keep a close eye on little big brother from here on out."
"Mm, good..."
"I won't lay a hand on him."
"I didn't say anything."
"I'll go meet the Yoheim delegation now."
Yuri bowed to Fiore and headed off to see Yoheim's knights.
Ena had caught up to him at some point and now stuck close by his side, carrying the items he'd requested in advance.
"Your Highness. You look even taller now."
"Growth spurt."
"You were so cute as a kid..."
"I'm still cute, aren't I?"
"Uh... yeah. Sure."
"What's with that response?"
"You complain even when I agree."
"Want something?"
"Yes."
"Spit it out."
"Sir Rolang's autograph."
Rolang, the tournament champion, was at the peak of popularity in the capital. He was swamped being dragged to every noble social gathering.
Yuri furrowed his brow.
"You don't want mine?"
"I have plenty."
"What?"
"You said it'd be worth a fortune someday and handed them out like candy. I kept them all."
"I changed my signature. Those are outdated."
"Huh?"
As they bantered, they arrived at the Yoheim delegation's tents pitched outside the palace.
Gonte appeared and greeted Yuri warmly.
"Your Highness!"
"Sir Gonte!"
The two embraced in greeting.
Yuri was thrilled at the prospect of training a key army to check the Empire, while Gonte buzzed with excitement over reshaping Yoheim's youth.
"Sir Gonte, what have you been eating lately? You look radiant."
"You're the one glowing with vitality, Your Highness."
"Shouldn't have rushed back so soon. Were you that eager to see me?"
"Exactly. I hurried here just to see you."
Yuri suddenly spotted a familiar face standing behind Gonte.
It was Amunson, the one who'd dueled Simon, lost, and given the delegation its excuse to come.
"Oh, Sir Amunson came too."
"It's been a while."
"You've been training hard, I see. Your eyes look sharper."
"I've been waiting for my revenge."
Yuri nodded.
If not for the 'feigned injury trick' he'd taught Simon, Amunson likely would have won. With added practice on top, Simon might have to sweat now.
"Good. Once this training ends, I'll arrange another match with Simon."
"Thank you."
"That aside..."
Yuri glanced at the Yoheim men lounging carelessly in the back.
They lacked any knightly aura. A group of young knights should brim with fervor, yet they sat in the shade, fanning themselves and chitchatting.
Yuri shook his head.
"Sir Gonte."
"Yes."
"Are those really knights I'm looking at?"
"Yes. They're all either Yoheim knights or aspiring ones."
"Pathetic."
"Indeed."
"The Yoheim knights I knew weren't like this."
"Of course."
Yuri had no real idea what old Yoheim knights were like, but he praised Gonte anyway.
"In your day, Sir Gonte, they trained like they could chew iron, day in and day out. And now they're lounging like that..."
"I lament it endlessly."
"Sir Gonte. Let's revive the glory of Yoheim's old knight order together."
"I'll give it my all."
As far as Yuri knew, Yoheim had never boasted strong knights, past or present.
But the truth didn't matter.
Yuri extended his hand to Ena.
"Ena."
"Yes."
"The items?"
"Here."
Ena held three red hats.
Yuri took one, Gonte one, and Ena the last.
Yuri pulled the brim low over his eyes, casting a shadow, and stepped forward.
"Everyone, assemble."
A few nearby Yoheim knights glanced over, but it drew little attention. They remained slouched.
Yuri filled his lungs and bellowed like thunder.
"Everyone, assemble right nooow!"
His piercing voice shook the entire camp.
Only then did the knights start gathering one by one. They stared at Yuri, tilting their heads in confusion.
One quick-witted knight stepped forward and bowed.
"Greetings to Brioll's Third Prince."
"Who are you?"
"Yoheim knight, Aul."
"Sir Aul, huh? Perfect name."
Yuri nodded and continued.
"From now on, you're not Aul. You're Number One Owl."
"Pardon?"
"You're the leader of all these fledgling owls behind you. I'll issue orders through you."
"Y-yes."
"You're not human anymore. Got it?"
Yuri declared.
"And I'm not a prince. I'm the instructor who's going to remake your minds and bodies. Just call me Instructor. Understood?"
No response. Yuri shouted again.
"Understood?!"
"Y-yes..."
Weak replies trickled in.
They still hadn't grasped the situation.
Yuri jerked his chin, and Gonte and Ena stepped forward.
"These are your instructors from here on. Our word is law. Even if we say beans make rice cakes, you accept it as truth. Got it?"
"Y-yes..."
"Louder!"
"Yes...!"
"Drop and give me push-ups!"
"Pardon?"
"Drooop!"
The knights hit the dirt. Their faces hardened as reality sank in.
"Roll right!"
His voice wasn't that loud, so they hesitated blankly.
Yuri strode forward and kicked an outer knight, toppling him into the others, who rolled like dominoes.
He kicked the rolling knights himself, urging them on.
"When I say roll, you roll! Got it?!"
"Yes!"
"Roll left!"
They tumbled.
"Roll right!"
They tumbled.
"On your feet!"
They sprang up.
"Down!"
They flopped.
Discipline was starting to take hold.
"Hmm..."
Yuri sighed inwardly.
He'd expected at least one to rebel.
If some young punk prince from another country started barking orders, they'd push back, right?
Then he could make an example, thrash them, and instill fear.
But they just rolled as told.
From Yuri's perspective as a past mercenary who'd been kicked around, these Yoheim knights seemed even more spineless than green recruits.
"Why are you all so slow? Faster!"
As he prowled among them yelling, Yuri handed off to Ena.
"Number Three Instructor."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"I'm not the prince. I'm Number One Instructor."
"Yes, Number One Instructor."
"Keep them rolling."
"Got it!"
"Number Two, come with me."
"Yes!"
Gonte's eyes gleamed with sadistic glee under his red brim.
"Truly Brioll..."
he muttered.
Of course, Brioll didn't actually do this.
"Up! Forward roll! Backward roll!"
Ena fearlessly drilled dozens of grown men.
"Faster! So slow I'm yawning! Handstands, all of you! You there—what kind of knight can't even do a handstand?!"
"..."
She had real talent.
Yuri headed to his tent with Gonte.
"Number Two Instructor."
"Yes."
"This is the training regimen I plan. Your thoughts?"
"Hmm..."
Yuri unrolled the curriculum he'd prepared.
Gonte read it and nodded vigorously.
"Magnificent, Your Highness—no, Number One Instructor."
"Good."
"But the training facilities..."
"They'll build them themselves."
Manpower was plentiful. The Yoheim knights would construct their own tormentors—and that too was training.
Guerrilla warfare against strong foes required skills in traps and field fortifications.
"Number One Instructor."
Gonte gazed at him with admiration.
"This course can't end after one round."
"Hm?"
"More youths need to experience it."
"Number Two..."
Yuri clapped his shoulder.
"Don't worry. Once they see these owls transformed, everyone will beg for this training."
"Ooh..."
"Then Yoheim can run it themselves."
"Ooooh..."
"With you in charge, Sir Gonte. You'd be Number One Instructor then."
"I'll learn everything I can."
"Good."
Gonte's eyes burned with resolve.
"Number Three's a surprise. A frail girl like that, an instructor?"
"She's not a knight."
"Pardon?"
"Born instructor, that's all."
With deliberations done, they stepped outside.
Ena was still rolling the owls. They'd been at it so long—even knights were wilting from exhaustion.
"Eyes off the head instructor! Got it?!"
"Yes!"
"Tired?"
"No!"
"Liar! Five right, six left, seven forward, eight back—roooll!"
Even Yuri swallowed hard at her commanding presence.
"Where'd she learn that?"
Still, it was a welcome development.
The more talented instructors, the better.