Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: 10. Allied Forces (1)
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“Yuri! Is it true you’re heading to the Allied Forces?”
Joshua suddenly appeared while Yuri was sparring with Bernard.
He rarely approached Yuri first. He must have been quite shocked.
Bernard lowered his sword.
“Let’s take a break.”
“Sure.”
Yuri wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and sat down.
“What’s up? You always avoid coming here.”
“Well...”
Joshua glanced at Bernard before speaking.
“You’re really going to the Allied Forces?”
“Yeah.”
“Why you?”
“Can’t I?”
“There’s no need for royalty to go, is there?”
“No reason not to, either.”
Yuri grinned.
“Worried about me?”
“What? Knowing you’re going actually puts my mind at ease.”
“Good to hear.”
“Ugh...”
For the past five years, Yuri had hounded Joshua relentlessly.
He’d kept him from playing nasty pranks and pressured him to learn what was necessary for Brioll.
As a result, Joshua had started avoiding Yuri.
“You were serious about it?”
“About what?”
“What you said before. When you threw that book at me.”
“Oh, that?”
Having returned to the spring of his thirteenth year, Yuri had lived differently from before.
Not only had he trained rigorously himself, but he’d also shown leniency to those around him.
To Joshua, he’d handed a book and urged him to study.
When Joshua asked why he was suddenly doing something so out of character, Yuri had replied curtly.
‘Royal Duty.’
He’d tossed it out lazily, not wanting to explain at length, but it had clearly left an impression on Joshua.
Yuri grinned.
“Did you think I was lying?”
Joshua furrowed his brow and stared at Yuri for a moment before nodding.
“Fine. Yuri. I see your resolve now.”
“Now?”
“I thought you were just tormenting me all this time.”
“That too...”
Joshua ignored him.
“Come back safe. I’ll guard the palace while you’re gone.”
His face was full of determination.
Yuri, however, felt oddly uneasy.
Joshua wore that exact expression when bluffing outrageously at the gambling table.
“You’ve got plenty to protect already...”
But without even hearing the reply, Joshua flashed a thumbs-up and walked away.
Bernard spoke up.
“Brotherly love is heartwarming.”
“Aren’t you worried about me?”
“Hard to say. As long as you don’t do anything reckless, you’ll return unharmed.”
Bernard had watched Yuri’s growth from the closest vantage point. He knew better than anyone how strong Yuri had become.
“Generous assessment. Thanks.”
“Just be cautious. Orcs are tricky opponents. Stronger than expected, and more underhanded too.”
“You’ve fought them before?”
“Long ago.”
Yuri had experience with orcs in his previous life as well.
They were over twice the size of a human and didn’t hesitate to pull any dirty tricks.
“And if you spot an orc carrying a flag on its back, steer clear.”
“What’s that?”
“Especially tough ones among them. Don’t know what they’re called, but they’re knight-level for humans. No need to tangle with them.”
“Noted.”
Yuri knew their title.
They were called Orc Warriors.
Literally monstrous brutes.
“And, if I may overstep...”
Bernard trailed off unusually. Yuri shrugged.
“Go ahead.”
“Take a seasoned veteran for advice. And stay out of political matters.”
Yuri could sense his concern.
Yuri smiled and patted Bernard’s shoulder. Their heights were now about even.
“I will.”
“If you’re fighting orcs, we’ll need more training.”
“Right now?”
They were about to resume when footsteps approached from afar.
“Another guest.”
This time, it was Ena running over. She looked frantic as she searched for Yuri.
“Your Highness! Your Highness!”
“What’s wrong?”
In five years, Ena had grown a great deal. Three years older than Yuri, she was now of age. The word lovely suited her better than cute.
She bowed briefly to Bernard before addressing Yuri.
“Your Highness. A guest has arrived.”
“Who?”
“The rich one from before. He’s carrying an expensive bag again, dressed all flashy with jewels...”
“Ah.”
He had a good idea who it was.
“What does he want?”
“No idea.”
“Got it.”
Yuri excused himself to Bernard.
“That’s all for today.”
“As you wish.”
Yuri left the training grounds.
As he walked, he wiped his sweat with a towel. Ena promptly offered clean clothes.
“Change into these.”
“You brought clothes?”
“Of course. You can’t greet a guest reeking of sweat. Bad manners.”
“Thanks.”
Yuri stripped off his top right there.
“Your Highness?”
Ena panicked, but Yuri didn’t mind.
His solid, well-defined upper body gleamed without an ounce of excess fat. Every muscle stood out sharply with his movements.
“You’re undressing so casually.”
“So?”
“Mind the stares.”
“Who’s watching?”
“Me.”
“That’s fine.”
“The Royal Guards passing by.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“Heaven and earth.”
“That’s an honor...”
They chatted as they reached the reception hall.
Yuri entered the VIP room straight away.
A familiar face bowed toward him.
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
Guillermo, vice president of the Ireine Merchant Company.
Draped in expensive accessories from head to toe, he looked every bit the parvenu—and he pretty much was. But since Ireine had recruited him personally, his skills were top-notch.
“Where’s Ireine?”
“On a business trip. I’m here in her place.”
“She still gallivanting around personally?”
“Says she’s a hands-on type.”
“Tell her to ease up.”
As Yuri sat across from him, Guillermo handed something to Ena.
“Here you go.”
“Thank you. Hehe...”
Yuri frowned.
“What’s that?”
Ena just smiled slyly and backed away.
When Yuri turned his glare to Guillermo, the man rubbed his hands with a laugh.
“Hahaha. Just a little thank-you for Ena’s constant care...”
That explained why she’d tagged along. Yuri waved it off lazily.
“Your Highness. It’s fine, right?”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“I’ll be off then.”
“How much did you get?”
“Secret.”
Ena bowed and vanished. Guillermo cleared his throat awkwardly.
“She’s been such a help.”
“Help how?”
“Serving you so well. Thanks to her, you’ve grown into such a fine man...”
“I grew fine on my own.”
Yuri snorted and leaned back in his chair.
“So, why are you here?”
“A report. Everything went as you predicted, as always. Here are the documents.”
“Good work.”
“Do you really see the future, Your Highness?”
“Nah.”
Guillermo’s eyes shone with awe.
Five years ago, Mugranja’s price had skyrocketed, just as Yuri foretold.
Building on that, Ireine had expanded aggressively.
Rumors spread that the Ireine Merchant Company never failed.
And behind it all was Yuri, who’d anticipated every major continental event.
“Just got lucky.”
“Right...”
Guillermo didn’t seem convinced but didn’t press.
“One more thing I wanted to ask.”
“Shoot.”
“I’m just a humble merchant, so I don’t know the affairs of nobles, but the market’s been off lately. Jenel steel prices are rising...”
Jenel steel, mined from the Jenel Mountains, was far superior in strength to ordinary iron and highly prized for weapons.
“War?”
Yuri nodded.
“Yeah. The Empire’s called up the Allied Forces.”
“Orcs?”
“Yep.”
“It’s about time.”
Guillermo grasped the situation quickly.
“Hope it’s just routine. Any ulterior motives?”
“Probably. But don’t worry. Nothing major will happen.”
“Oh? You know something again?”
Guillermo stared at Yuri’s mouth like it held a gold nugget.
Yuri shook his head.
“No.”
“Then why say that?”
“Because I’m going.”
“Where?”
“To the Allied Forces.”
“Aha...”
Guillermo’s eyes widened, then he scratched his head and leaned back, muttering to himself before suddenly jumping up.
“Pardon?”
“You heard me.”
“Why you, Your Highness?”
“Why’s everyone so shocked?”
This was Brioll, and he was Brioll’s prince.
Yuri explained.
“Fulfilling my Royal Duty.”
“Ha!”
“Ha?”
Yuri narrowed one eye.
Realizing his slip, Guillermo dropped to his knees and clasped his hands on the table.
“Your Highness, forgive me. I spoke out of turn. Of course you’re a model for all royalty. I know that. But still, there’s no need to go personally, right? If anything happened to you, we—no, Brioll—would be devastated.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll come back fine.”
“Even so, orcs are vicious monsters...”
Guillermo fidgeted, legs trembling.
Yuri laughed out loud.
“That little faith in me?”
“Even skilled knights dread facing them. And Your Highness...”
His worry made sense.
Yuri had kept his strength under wraps publicly. Only the Royal Guard in the palace knew, so to outsiders, his expedition seemed reckless.
Yuri stood and kicked Guillermo’s backside.
“Who are you worrying about? I’m Yuri Brioll.”
“I know. I do, but...”
“Is that all you came for?”
“No.”
“Then spit it out.”
Guillermo sighed deeply and pulled a bundle from the corner.
“Got that item you mentioned.”
“Finally?”
“Yes.”
Guillermo proudly unwrapped it.
“Wasn’t easy. I pulled every string.”
“Well done, Guillermo.”
Four daggers lay on the table.
Sunlight from the window glided over the blades.
No ornate decorations, but every finish was flawless.
“That valuable?”
“Yeah.”
Yuri picked one up and grinned.
“Very.”
Four-Wheeled Swords.
An artifact he’d recalled from his past life’s memories.
Around this time, four daggers appeared at an imperial auction, unrecognized for their worth.
Only later was it revealed as a dwarven masterpiece infused with ancient magic.
And now, it had fallen into Yuri’s hands for a song.
“Went through hell to buy them. The Empire’s atmosphere is cutthroat—couldn’t adjust. They looked like mere decorative daggers...”
As Guillermo grumbled, the blade turned toward his face.
“Huh?”
The dagger’s hilt was empty.
No—Yuri wasn’t holding it. The dagger had floated up on its own.
Guillermo’s eyes bulged.
“A flying artifact?”
“Artifact, yes. Flying, no.”
“Then why...”
Yuri closed one eye, gazing at the dagger.
Guillermo couldn’t see it, but mana now linked him and the dagger.
“No way, Your Highness...?”
Manipulating objects with mana required exceptional mastery.
Even Guillermo, no swordsman, knew this was advanced technique.
“You’re joking, right?”
The floating dagger spun and charged at Guillermo hilt-first.
“Gah!”
He toppled from his chair.
“You won’t die. Relax.”
“Ah...”
Yuri gathered the four daggers, chuckling. Guillermo rose, muttering.
“My god. I had no idea Your Highness was this strong.”
“Thought I was slacking every day?”
“Yeah...”
For five years, Yuri had quietly built his power. He’d endured all the rumors. All for this Allied Forces campaign.
“Guillermo.”
“Yes.”
“The Empire branch is coming along, right?”
“Ah, yes. Of course. Just as you said.”
“Trust me.”
Yuri knew how fragile trust could be. Still, he urged it willingly.
Whatever burdens he placed on Guillermo, Yuri would never run.
“I’ll make you richer than you can imagine—with the money you love.”
“Yes.”
Guillermo stared blankly before grinning and nodding.
“I trust you. But not just you.”
“Then what?”
“Your stake in our company. You’re practically co-president. Your gain is mine. I believe we’re in this together.”
“Fair enough.”
They shared a smile.
“Yes. Business done. I’ll take my leave.”
“Give Ireine my regards.”
“Haven’t seen her in ages myself...”
Guillermo bowed properly and left the room.
Yuri sat still for a while after he was gone.
He wasn’t the only guest.
“You can come out now.”
At some point, someone stood at the room’s edge.
Like an optical illusion. Nothing had been there, then suddenly she was.
But it wasn’t abrupt. More like he’d only just noticed her presence. She had appeared as if from nowhere.
“Asana.”
The survivor of the Assassin Order, Asana.