Chapter 146
Chapter 146
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 146
Chapter Title: 60. Hour of the Tiger (2)
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News of the dispute between the Empire and Joachim spread across the entire continent.
People voiced all sorts of opinions on the matter.
Some mocked Joachim's reckless attempt, while others condemned the Empire for justifying its invasion with false pretenses.
Yuri was firmly in the latter camp.
"It's a scam."
He stated it flatly.
"You think Joachim's crazy enough to slip poison into the palace? Do they even have the chops to infiltrate the imperial palace in the first place? Right, everyone?"
"Y-Yes..."
"That's right."
"Joachim's just the beginning. The whole continent's going to get swept up in flames. No one's escaping the Empire's invasion."
"Exactly."
"Well said."
"You all need to listen to me. So, what we have to do is..."
"I agree."
"I second that."
Rolang and Jared chimed in with strained agreement. It wasn't a light topic to brush off, but Yuri had been repeating the same points endlessly, wearing them down.
"Anyway, now..."
The three were en route to Franchese, the Flandre family's territory.
The moment word of Joachim reached him, Yuri had dragged Jared along and crashed a certain noble's social gathering. There, he'd kidnapped Rolang, who was sipping cocktails in a tuxedo amid the crowd.
Yuri's arrival had initially sparked cheers, but when he grabbed Rolang's wrist and dragged him out, everyone was left stunned and speechless.
A few even shouted louder, blessing the pair.
"Rolang, you're not disappointed I dragged you out of a party, are you?"
"Of course not. I don't like parties."
"You could've fooled me—you've been hopping from one to the next lately."
"It wasn't my choice. Father forced me..."
"Why would Sir Rian do that?"
"He said he could understand if I'd met people and found no connections, but refusing to even meet them was unacceptable. So he ordered me to attend parties before any formal arrangements."
"Ah..."
Yuri nodded.
"Have we really reached that age already...?"
Even in relatively freewheeling Brioll, people usually sought matches around their early twenties. Rolang was a bit older than Yuri, too.
Jared tilted his head.
"Couldn't Sir Rolang meet anyone he wants without parties? Just pick someone and start dating..."
Yuri and Rolang whipped their heads toward him. Jared flinched and shrugged defensively.
"W-What?"
After staring him down for a moment, the two turned back forward.
Yuri patted Rolang's shoulder.
"Give him a break, Rolang. He doesn't get it."
"No, I respect Sir Jared's opinion too."
"I saw that look of contempt."
"It's not like that. Don't misunderstand, Jared."
"Sir Rolang, your face hasn't changed..."
"Oops."
Jared felt wronged.
"Look, everyone. You don't have to take meetings so seriously. We're still young..."
"..."
"Think of it as advice from a senior in life. I'm the oldest here, so I've got the most dating experience..."
The two didn't respond.
"This cold shoulder is too much. If I may say..."
As he started protesting, the walls of Franchese came into view on the horizon.
"Whoa, Franchese."
"We're here early."
"Let's hurry!"
"Yes!"
Yuri and Rolang spurred their horses ahead. They vanished in an instant.
Gazing at their backs, Jared muttered what he could never say to their faces.
"You fluffy little punks. Big bro's holding back. Ha..."
No helping it. Brioll was a stratified society. Rank was everything.
He quickly galloped after them.
No one even checked their identities when Yuri and Rolang arrived. The gates swung open, and the three entered the city amid salutes from the guards.
"Straight to Franchese Academy."
"Yes."
Yuri had come to Franchese to meet Cedric and Joshua.
It was a sudden decision for him too. The Empire's aggression had come far sooner than expected. Even Yuri hadn't foreseen this invasion.
In his previous life, the war had started much later.
The emperor's poisoning attempt and the resulting uprising of imperial citizens were new developments.
His interventions were drastically altering the continent's history.
He'd handled things well so far, but the future was uncertain.
That's why he planned to entrust Brioll to Cedric and Joshua while he left to confront the Empire.
They needed to act preemptively from outside before Brioll's lands became a battlefield.
"I wanted to handle everything myself..."
"As if that'd work. You need us along."
"Yeah."
He hadn't wanted to drag them in, but there were no other options.
He'd just delayed what had to happen eventually for emotional reasons.
Cedric would surely manage Brioll well, and Joshua could help too.
"Rolang, you can go handle your own business."
"No need."
"I might be gone a long time this time."
"It's fine."
Yuri didn't bother asking if Rolang and Jared would join him.
From the Allied Forces onward, they'd spent ages together. Now they understood each other with a glance.
No matter where he went, Yuri was certain these two would follow.
"Here we are."
They'd arrived at Franchese Academy, Brioll's largest institution of learning. It couldn't compare to the Empire's academies, but it was among the continent's elite.
Soon, Yuri met Cedric and Joshua.
Cedric fretted over Yuri's health, while Joshua snarked from the side.
"Long time no see. No injuries?"
"Hey, you look good. Been having fun?"
"Joshua."
"Ah, bro, just kidding."
While Yuri chatted with Cedric in his study, Rolang and Jared waited outside.
It had been ages since just the three brothers talked alone.
"Heard you were coming, but I've been swamped. What's up?"
"What, not just here to see us? Business?"
Yuri had thought Joshua mellowed a bit, but his personality was unchanged.
Yuri chuckled before speaking.
"I've got a favor to ask."
He shared his views on what lay ahead.
Something was wrong with the Empire, and this wouldn't end here. Joachim was just the start—the whole continent would be engulfed in war. Brioll wouldn't be spared, so they needed to prepare now.
He explained at length.
Yuri also briefly mentioned the black magic encircling the imperial palace.
Cedric pondered silently, while Joshua freaked out and checked the door.
"Hey, if word of this gets out, we're dead men. Got it?"
He mimed slitting his throat. Cedric replied instead.
"Don't worry. It's soundproofed well."
"Still. Bro, straight-up badmouthing the emperor? You've gotten bold. Lost your fear?"
"I'm not badmouthing him. I said it seems like there's black magic around the palace."
"Same difference."
"Bro, focus on what I'm saying."
Yuri shot Joshua a look before continuing.
"Everyone knows Father has no interest in governing, so I want you two back to run Brioll."
It bordered on lese-majeste, but it was true, so Cedric and Joshua just nodded.
Fiore wasn't a bad king. Better idle than tyrannical.
Brioll had managed itself decently under his indifference.
But with the Empire as a wildcard, Cedric needed to assist Fiore now.
"Yeah, I see..."
Cedric nodded.
Silence hung briefly, fitting the heavy topic. Cedric adjusted his glasses, deep in thought, while Joshua shrugged.
Yuri lightened the mood.
"Anyway, don't worry too much. I'll handle blocking them. So, bro—what're you studying to come all the way to Franchese?"
"Commerce. You know logistics keep a nation's economy alive? Pave good roads first..."
"Not you, Joshua."
"What? Discrimination?"
"You'll do fine on your own."
"This punk..."
Joshua grumbled. Even grown up, he acted like a kid.
At least now he channeled his talents constructively.
Joshua's late feats in his past life had been impressive.
His sharp mind had churned out endless counters to the Empire.
As Yuri smirked at Joshua, Cedric spoke.
"I've gotten into history lately."
"History?"
"Yeah. Researching lost ancient cultures and forgotten histories."
"Good stuff."
"But if you're right, now's not the time."
Hard resolve gleamed in Cedric's eyes behind his glasses. Gentle usually, but unyielding when needed.
Yuri smiled gladly.
"Thanks. For trusting me."
Joshua shook his head.
"Not trusting you. I've thought the same. I worried about the continent's state first."
"Really?"
"Stagnant water rots. I foresaw the Empire's expansionism ages ago. Know what I mean?"
"Impressive."
"Don't believe me? Wanna read my paper from last year?"
"I believe you."
Yuri raised his hands, but Joshua pressed on.
"Nah, you don't look convinced. Sword skills don't make you better than bro."
"Makes me want to ignore you now."
"Fine. Wait here. I'll grab the booklet."
"Got it."
Joshua bolted out without listening.
Cedric laughed.
"Joshua just wants to brag about his paper."
"Then show it."
"He's embarrassed."
Yuri eyed Cedric. His gentle smile was unchanging.
His looks barely shifted across lives. Adult-like as a kid, few wrinkles as he aged.
His calm nature too.
Having such a constant comforted Yuri in his second life.
"Bro."
"Yeah?"
Yuri paused before speaking.
"You probably guessed..."
"Yeah."
"Princess Katarina's imperial family too, so be careful."
Yuri referenced the black magic overtaking the palace. The warning applied not just to the emperor and direct royals, but Katarina as well.
Sharp Cedric had grasped the implication.
"Met Princess Katarina. She's great. Suits you guys."
"Right?"
"But even unintentionally, things could go south."
"Don't worry. I won't let personal feelings cause issues."
Cedric ruffled Yuri's hair.
"Already worrying about me? You've grown, Yuri."
"Hahaha..."
"Brioll always comes first for me."
"Good."
"Don't tell Katarina I said that."
"We'll see how you act?"
"You little..."
As Cedric tousled Yuri's hair wildly, Joshua returned.
Yuri got roped into reading the paper.
"Not bad."
"Right?"
Joshua grinned.
"So don't worry about Brioll. It'll prosper more. You sword whiz, go fight easy."
"Not worried about me?"
"You worried about Father?"
"Nope."
"I don't worry about sword whizzes."
"Hahaha..."
They talked for a good while.
Topics varied—daily life, worries over the Empire's moves.
The brothers' laughter filled the room.
Alone in the room, Cedric stood by the window, gazing down at Franchese Academy's grounds.
Joshua was seeing Yuri off.
Rolang Flandre and his guard Jared were with Yuri.
Watching them depart, Cedric drew the curtains and turned.
No emotion showed in his eyes behind the glasses. Even his usual smile had vanished.
He retrieved a crystal orb from a drawer, placed it on the table, and stroked its surface. An eerie light began to emanate.
Cedric spoke.