Chapter 174
Chapter 174
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 174
Chapter Title: 72. Succession (2)
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Yuri sat at a table in the palace garden, conversing with Joshua.
"Do you understand how important division of labor is?"
"Yeah, I get it."
"For a nation to prosper, you first need to promote efficient production through division of labor, and then establish a proper commercial structure to ensure those goods are exchanged smoothly."
"Got it."
"Suppose there's a farmer named Jason and a fisherman named Pietro."
"Okay..."
"If the farmer goes fishing and the fisherman farms, do you think the country would function properly? No, they should each focus on their strengths and then trade with each other..."
"I said I get it."
Joshua was passing on the knowledge he had learned at Franchese University to Yuri.
He passionately argued that to make the country strong and wealthy, they needed to develop commerce and trade.
Yuri, listening, shook his head.
"Yeah, I understand perfectly how important commerce is."
"I'm glad you get it."
"But here's the thing. Right now..."
Yuri pointed a finger behind him.
It was northwest.
The Empire's main force was approaching Brioll from that direction.
"Shouldn't stopping those guys coming from over there be the priority?"
"Military power ultimately comes from economic power."
"Isn't the situation too urgent to build up that economic power?"
"Damn it."
Joshua let out a sigh.
"I set my heart on scholarship, and now the Empire's horde is persecuting me..."
Yuri smirked as he looked at Joshua.
Still, it was commendable.
His little brother, with whom he had wasted away his previous life together, tugged at his heartstrings. Seeing him work so hard now was a relief.
If that brain was used for good instead of mischief, he was sure to achieve great things in the future.
Yuri took a sip of tea and said,
"And for policy matters like that, talk to Father, not me."
"I already did. But he found it bothersome. A monarch should heed the advice of his vassals, right? Father is a bit lacking as a king..."
"Ugh..."
It was hard to deny.
In truth, in their previous life, Joshua's talents had rotted partly because their father, Fiore, had been indifferent.
If he had encouraged that brain to be used properly, Joshua might have accomplished something.
"How about talking to Cedric then?"
"He already knows everything."
Joshua shook his head.
"Whatever I say, he already knows. Even if it's something he doesn't, he figures out the rest on his own after one word from me. Takes the fun out of explaining."
"True..."
Cedric was a genius through and through, the kind that only came once in a century. He didn't step forward much, but he excelled in every field.
It had been a while since he last wielded a sword, but he was probably still stronger than most knights.
He was even more exceptional in academics. Scholars around him had been amazed since he was very young.
"Hmm..."
Yuri scratched his chin. For Brioll's future, it might be best if Cedric ascended the throne sooner.
Father wasn't particularly interested in ruling the country to begin with.
"Well, he'll become king in time anyway..."
Cedric would be king someday. Just thinking about that put Yuri at ease.
People were born with different talents, but he'd never seen anyone better suited to be king than Cedric.
Not just in scholarship, but his character was flawless too.
If ranking monarchs by their qualities, Cedric would be on par with Fiore.
That's how highly Yuri rated him.
Yuri said,
"Hearing you talk solidified my own thoughts."
"What is it?"
"Cedric needs to become king sooner. Should we give it a push?"
"Huh..."
Joshua leaned back in his chair and chuckled.
"You brat. Talk like that, and it's treason. Scheming to usurp the throne?"
"It's not usurpation; it's succession. And Brioll can handle talk like this."
As long as Fiore was around, no one could forcibly take the throne.
Joshua opened his mouth.
"I've heard rumors like that floating around anyway. Father might hand over the throne early."
"Where from?"
"I heard it somewhere. Father hates the throne to begin with."
"Hmm..."
"Seems like he's the one waiting impatiently."
Yuri nodded. In a way, it was good news.
No.
The corners of Yuri's mouth lifted.
It was more than good.
"The more I think about it, the better it sounds."
"You little..."
Joshua furrowed his brow, then burst out laughing.
"Right?"
"Yeah. If we handle this war well, Brioll will become an amazing country. With big brother there, you'll support him properly."
"And you?"
"I don't have talents beyond swinging a sword."
"Then catch up before Father passes. That way the Empire won't dare come at us."
"I'll try."
Yuri and Joshua discussed Brioll under Cedric's reign. Neither wanted to be king themselves, but they agreed on supporting Cedric from the side.
Suddenly, Jared approached.
"Your Highness. The preparations you requested are complete."
"Good."
Yuri stood from his seat, ending his talk with Joshua.
"Brother, I'll be off then."
"Go ahead. You're busy. War's right around the corner."
"Aren't you busy too?"
"What are you saying? A scholar like me hides in the corner. You handle all the swordplay."
"Sure thing. See you."
"Go."
Joshua waved his hand.
After parting with Joshua, Yuri walked through the palace with Jared.
Yuri asked,
"Did you get permission?"
"Yes."
A while ago, Yuri had sent Jared to request visitation permission for the preservation archive within the palace library.
The preservation archive housed such ancient materials that access was strictly restricted.
Originally, Yuri hadn't planned to go that far, but after acquiring Chaos, he changed his mind.
He wanted more information on Erich Brioll, the creator of Heart-Soul Severing.
That's why he decided to visit the preservation archive.
"In the past, I wanted to go but couldn't. There's a person limit."
"A limit?"
"Yeah. One person. Just one."
The preservation archive limited both eligibility and numbers.
Only one at a time.
"Back then, Cedric practically lived there."
"Ah..."
"He read every book in the palace, so he went that far."
"Doesn't go anymore, I suppose?"
"Probably read them all."
"Impressive."
"Right?"
When he first obtained Heart-Soul Severing, Yuri had considered visiting the preservation archive to research Erich Brioll but gave up.
Getting permission was hard, and Cedric was already there. He doubted it'd have useful info anyway.
Yuri soon arrived at the palace library. The librarian came out to greet him.
"Your Highness. It's been a while."
"Sounds like there's a bite to your words."
"It really has been a long time. I'm just happy to see you. Haha."
"How have you been?"
"Of course."
Under the librarian's guidance, Yuri descended to the underground preservation archive.
There was a faint dusty smell, but overall, the air was cool and pleasant.
Jared whistled.
"The air's pretty good down here."
"We have various devices to preserve the books. Isn't the air very clear?"
The librarian smiled as he locked the door with a key.
"Multiple layers of locks to keep just anyone out. It's that precious a place. I hope you find the knowledge you seek, Your Highness."
The door opened to reveal a long staircase descending. Jared decided to wait at the entrance, and Yuri went down alone.
The preservation archive didn't differ much from the upper floors.
Except the books were extremely old.
Deeper in, amid bookshelves lining the walls, there was a table. Touching it with his fingertip left a fine layer of dust.
As far as he knew, no one had entered since Cedric.
Cedric must have studied here, reading at this very table.
"Hmm..."
What had his brother read and studied in here? Yuri grinned as he looked around.
Cedric was too tidy to leave traces, but just in case, he peeked under the table.
"Nothing."
Yuri stood and surveyed the area. The preservation archive wasn't well organized. He couldn't immediately spot materials on Erich Brioll.
He walked between the shelves, checking titles.
Nothing interesting.
"It's huge in here..."
He found books summarizing the old royal family or mentioning Erich Brioll.
Above all, he wanted accounts of Erich's journey to the East.
A few turned up, but not the detailed info he sought.
Yuri quietly circulated Heart-Soul Severing.
Then overlaid Chaos on it.
A murky energy writhed in his palm before fading.
Chaos.
He needed some hint about this dangerous, powerful force.
"What's missing?"
Suddenly, Yuri sensed something and turned his head.
The dense bookshelves blocked views beyond. Yet something felt present.
A faint sensation only his sharp senses could detect.
Yuri approached the spot. Old books filled the shelves tightly.
He pulled one out at chest height. The wooden back was revealed. Just the shelf; no wall beyond visible.
Yuri emptied the entire shelf.
Something was there.
"Hm..."
A small hole in the back of the bookshelf exposed the archive's gray brick wall.
Yuri tapped it with his hand.
It echoed.
"..."
This underground archive was carved from earth; it shouldn't echo like that. There was space beyond.
"A hole, huh..."
The existence of such a hole was odd to begin with.
Yuri removed all the books from that shelf and stacked them on the floor.
More holes appeared behind—one per compartment.
"Hm..."
Feeling an inexplicable hunch, Yuri tapped beyond each hole in sequence, from top to bottom.
Something clicked.
Yuri swallowed.
He hadn't expected such a surprise in the preservation archive.
He pressed one end of the bookshelf.
Rumble.
With a heavy sound, the brick wall slowly rotated.
A swivel door.
The wall was thick, leaving a narrow gap, but it clearly led to space beyond.
Inside was pitch black, invisible.
Yuri took a lamp from the wall and entered.
The spacious area resembled a warehouse, filled with various items.
Weapons like swords and armor, bookshelves with books in unknown languages.
Chests of gold and jewels too.
"What is this place?"
Even Yuri, who had fled the palace via secret passages in his previous life, had no idea this existed.
As he wandered, Yuri stopped at one spot.
A glass display case for storing something. It looked sturdy. Embedded magic stones suggested magical protections.
But it was empty.
"What was in here...?"
Touching the glass sparked faintly.
Not painful enough to pull away.
Originally protected against touch, but some event had ruined the measures.
Only mild magic remained.
Yuri examined it closely.
"Did someone take it?"
Beyond that, he couldn't tell.
Yuri tilted his head and turned. This time, he checked the bookshelf behind.
One book protruded slightly.
He pulled it out and opened it.
Pages flipped messily, then stopped on one.
A sentence underlined by someone.