Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: 10. Allied Forces (2)
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After their first meeting, Yuri continued to visit the slums and show kindness to Asana.
She, who owed him her life through Daisy, tried her best to repay him in any way she could.
What Yuri wanted was clear.
And so, Yuri became Asana's employer.
"Did you follow Guillermo?"
"Yes."
"He's a lightweight shadow. What about Gorio?"
"I delivered the warning."
"How?"
"I stuck a letter by his bedside while he slept."
"With a knife?"
"Yes."
"Well done."
Through Ireine, Yuri had multiplied his money and drawn Gorio in.
At first, Gorio tried to play tricks, but once Asana was sent, he fell in line.
"Gorio listens to you well."
"He just dislikes me."
"You two suit each other."
To keep him from getting any funny ideas, Yuri periodically sent warnings through Asana.
She, who had crushed Gorio in her past life, ended up tormenting him again this time.
It was an ironic fate.
"Your Highness."
Asana spoke slowly. She wasn't one to initiate conversation.
"Are you really going?"
"Yes."
Asana was worried about him.
"Please be careful."
"We'll see."
Yuri shook his head.
"You're talking like it's someone else's business."
"What do you mean?"
"You're coming too."
Asana's eyes widened briefly before returning to their usual blank expression.
Though Asana showed little emotion, Yuri, having spent time with her, could read her face to some extent.
She was relieved.
Like a puppy fretting over its master.
"You can keep up, right?"
"Anywhere's better than where I came from."
The assassin cult was hidden in the middle of a desert. The plains would be no issue.
"Good. I'll contact you again."
"Yes."
Asana vanished as suddenly as she had appeared. A mysterious technique.
Yuri had asked her how she did it before, but she always clamped her mouth shut.
During his mercenary days, he'd heard rumors that the assassin cult's dark arts were actually a form of spirit magic.
Back then, he'd doubted the existence of spirits, but now that he'd regressed, it wasn't so hard to believe.
"Next time, I'll ask properly."
Yuri muttered as he placed his sword on the table.
Four daggers.
And one sword.
With the necessary gear ready, his confidence surged.
"Orcs..."
He was eager to face them now.
The official declaration of the orc subjugation had been made. Under the Allied Forces' banner, the continent buzzed with activity. Those seeking fortune and glory headed east.
"Yuri, come back safe."
"Yes, brother."
Cedric visited before the departure ceremony. Worry etched his face.
Yuri thumped his chest.
"Don't worry. I'm invincible."
"I know your skills, but I still worry."
"I'll raise Brioll's name high."
"Good."
Cedric adjusted his glasses and smiled softly. He'd been deep in studies lately, and his eyesight had suffered.
"You take a break from studying too, brother. Take care of your eyes."
"I will."
"I don't believe you."
"Then let's make a promise. I'll study in moderation, and you be careful. Deal?"
"Fine."
Yuri grinned broadly.
Seeing Cedric filled him with visions of Brioll's bright future.
If not for the Empire, they could have enjoyed an unprecedented era of peace.
"Yuri."
"Yeah."
"Come here."
Cedric pulled him into a hug.
Yuri had grown, but Cedric was taller, and his face buried in his brother's shoulder. Warmth enveloped him.
His chest tightened with emotion.
Over Cedric's shoulder, Brioll's flag fluttered from the spire.
Looking at the knights and soldiers lined below, Yuri steeled his resolve.
He had returned to the past to protect all this.
"I'll be back."
"Good."
He patted Cedric's back and walked toward the troops. Knights and soldiers watched him.
This was the place for those departing, not sending off.
This was where he belonged.
"Everyone's got sharp eyes."
Few knights welcomed Yuri.
A boy with no achievements leading them simply because he was a prince—who would be pleased?
"Your Highness."
Jared stood beside him.
"Sir Hernando is running late."
"Why?"
"He drank too much yesterday..."
Surprisingly, Hernando had volunteered for the Allied Forces. It was welcome news for such a mage to join, but the reason nagged at him.
"Still don't get it."
"Get what?"
"Why did Hernando volunteer? No gambling in the Allied Forces."
"Exactly."
Yuri shook his head.
Hernando hadn't changed in the past five years.
Jared, on the other hand, had.
Yuri looked him up and down.
"What are you staring at?"
"Nothing."
He'd grown leaps and bounds. Already surpassing his past life's level.
Before, his eyes had been dull and lifeless; now, they held real resolve.
"You've grown well."
"Thank you."
"I raised you."
"I grew on my own."
"No, I raised you."
"Sure, if you say so."
Yuri snorted.
How could Jared know how pathetic he'd been in his past life?
"No point telling him."
He himself had grown the most.
This second life, sure, but he'd done it himself.
"And then..."
Suddenly, someone approached.
He thought it a mistake at first, but they headed straight for him.
A familiar yet strange face.
Uncharacteristically, Yuri tensed a bit.
A first meeting in this life.
Someone close yet distant.
Rolung Flandre.
He stood before Yuri.
In his past life, they'd been entangled through various ties.
In the end, he'd severed Yuri's head.
Recalling that scene didn't sit well.
Who else had seen his headless body slump, bleeding, but him?
"..."
Right, this bastard had beheaded him.
It irked him anew.
Yuri haughtily lifted his chin, eyebrow arched as if to say, "What do you want?"
"What?"
Rolung dropped to one knee and bowed his head.
"I greet the Third Prince."
So formal it caught Yuri off guard.
"Uh, y-yeah."
Rolung continued.
"I've wanted to meet you for a long time."
"Huh?"
"Circumstances delayed me until now. Please forgive my tardiness."
"W-well, yeah. It's fine."
Yuri swallowed. In his past life, he'd come to take his head—what now?
"I've admired you."
"What?"
Rolung looked up.
His eyes sparkled.
If he had a rough face, it might be fine, but pale and delicate like a courtesan, staring up—it was unsettling.
"Ever since hearing of the incident five years ago, I've longed to meet the Third Prince."
Five years ago—the duel with the Empire's hound to save Ena.
Heroic, but few knew the truth.
It had been twisted maliciously: nearly died in the duel but the prince made the hound lose on purpose, or Yuri got thrashed and went quiet after.
Even the motive was distorted, so his reputation hadn't improved.
There were reasons for the poor glances.
But Rolung seemed to know the truth.
"Drawing your sword to protect your own—that's the epitome of chivalry."
"I was something, huh?"
"Yes. I heard the details from my father, who served beside His Majesty then. Ignore the fools' slanders."
"Yeah, that's right."
"From that day, you've been my idol. I volunteered for the Allied Forces to meet you."
"Good job, good job."
"An honor to serve together!"
Gaining Rolung's favor was nice, but the relationship was heading in an burdensome direction.
Yuri helped him up.
"Come on, stand, Rolung. I've heard of your fame too. They say you'll surpass your father, Sir Rian."
"No, I'm sorely lacking."
"Let's do well together. Brioll's future rests on your shoulders."
"Too great an honor!"
"No. Let's make it work."
"Yes!"
"Good, good."
"I'll take my leave. It was an honor!"
"Safe travels."
Finally rid of Rolung, Yuri took his place at the front of the knights' formation.
He felt good.
"Heh heh heh..."
He ignored Jared's weird look midway. That guy took familiarity for granted and forgot his worth.
Soon, the horns blared.
Knights straightened, soldiers raised their spears high.
This departure ceremony called for Yuri to receive the dispatch order from Fiore in front of the nobles.
Fiore appeared.
He stood at the highest point on the platform, looking down at Yuri.
"Commence the departure ceremony."
His voice wasn't loud, but it commanded the area with dignity.
"Yuri, come."
Yuri climbed the steep stairs and stopped where he could look up at Fiore.
Fiore held finely folded silk. The dispatch order was inside.
The moment he took it, Yuri would become commander of this expeditionary force.
All these lives would weigh on his shoulders.
"Nervous?"
"No."
"Look back."
At Fiore's words, Yuri turned.
The entire unit filled his view.
Spears and swords pointed skyward.
Tense eyes in helmets.
All aimed at him.
The heartbeat and breaths of the troops formed a massive mass directed at him.
Not all would return alive.
But he wouldn't let them die without reason.
Is there nobility in death?
Yes.
In his past life, he'd died the most ignoble death.
He wouldn't let that repeat.
He turned back to Fiore.
The king scrutinized his face.
"Not scared."
"Of course not."
"Confident?"
"Yes."
"Will you receive the dispatch order?"
"Of course."
Fiore's relaxed eyes sparked with life.
"Take it."
In that instant, Yuri's vision went black.
Nothing visible in the darkness.
Wondering what happened, he peered closer—a faint blur approached from afar.
It grew vivid red as it neared.
Yuri realized it was death. But he couldn't move. Irresistible killing intent advanced on him.
Could he refuse?
No.
Something moved him.
His core gripped mana. Veins connected, mana torrent hammered his body into one motion.
Thought and action simultaneous.
Darkness lifted.
Yuri blankly raised his eyelids.
Fiore's sword 'Slicing Gale' was blocked by his 'Guilty'.
A faint smile curved Fiore's lips.
"Well caught."
Yuri stood dazed in thrill.
"In place of the dispatch order."
What had he just blocked? Was this his father's realm?
A landscape beyond imagination.
Fiore's voice snapped him back.
"Return safe."
"Yes."
Yuri nodded.
Fiore had proven Yuri's worth not with paper, but one sword strike.
Shredded dispatch order fluttered away on the wind to some corner of Brioll's palace.
"It all rests on you."
He left Yuri and descended the platform.
From now on, it was all Yuri's.
Since when had he trusted him so? Truly willful man.
"Now..."
He could descend and march east.
But Yuri stayed on the platform, surveying the troops.
All awaited his words.
Yuri grinned and spoke.
"I am Yuri Brioll."
His voice echoed.
The commander's view was vivid.
Faces one by one. None welcoming.
No matter.
Respect isn't begged or pleaded.
"Trust me."
Instead, one piece of advice.
Confusion rippled through.
Yuri laughed aloud, raising Guilty toward the distant eastern sky.
"Full advance."
The unit moved.
Yuri twisted his upturned lips.
This was the beginning.
The Empire wouldn't achieve a single thing they desired.