Chapter 204
Chapter 204
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 204
Chapter Title: 82. Friend (2)
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Buriol arrived at the Bursen palace and was immediately summoned to the throne room.
The king of Bursen, whom he'd met once before, welcomed him with open arms.
"Good to see you again. You're a king now, not just a prince. I promised a full-course feast next time, but things aren't looking good. I hope you understand."
"Of course. I do. So make it extra special next time."
"You bet, you bet."
Yuri gave a faint smile.
A Bursen full-course meal was just an empty promise to soften the parting. It was the thought and goodwill that mattered, not the actual feast.
"I've heard about your late king and your brother. My condolences."
"No need."
After offering his sympathies for Fiore and Cedric, the king pulled something out.
"Have a drink."
"This is..."
It was wine. Yuri's eyes widened at the bottle's shape.
"Saboné Mucara. More precious than gold of equal weight."
"You know your wines?"
"A little."
He'd learned from Ekaterina.
"It's gotten even pricier lately. Might never taste it again, so let's share it now."
"Ah..."
The Alas region, where Bursen and the Holy Kingdom clashed, was famed for its finest wines. Saboné Mucara sat at the pinnacle.
"The vineyards burned."
"Pardon?"
"Even the winemakers vanished. It'll be tough for a while. Maybe forever."
Already rare among enthusiasts, it would only grow scarcer with time, just as he said.
This wine alone made up for any full-course shortfall.
Yuri accepted the cup from the king with a bow of thanks.
"My gratitude."
"Think nothing of it. You're here to help us, aren't you?"
The king sighed.
"No idea why that madwoman of the Holy Kingdom flipped like this. Oh, right—she has ties to you. Doesn't change a thing."
"I understand."
"Why, though? Did the Empire really give her something?"
Yuri shrugged.
"That's why I'm here. Let's end this war."
"Anyone else, I'd call bullshit. But you? I believe it. Cheers. Down the hatch."
"Yes."
Precious as it was, the king clinked glasses like cheap beer and chugged. Wine dribbled down his chin; he wiped it roughly with his sleeve.
"Jose's holding Alas steady, but that's it. Their sheer numbers wear us down. A Holy Knight shows up, we're done."
Holy Knight was a holy knight among the Ten Strongest.
Known to have withdrawn from worldly affairs, but with the whole Holy Kingdom at war, he might return.
Even Yuri knew little. In his past life, the Holy Knight never appeared.
"Watch yourself heading to the Holy Kingdom. Border fights non-stop. Both sides shoot anything crossing."
"Got it."
From him, Yuri learned of Proin and Jonathan.
Jonathan commanded troops in a high post; Proin fought on the front lines.
"Those Alliance vets are crushing it. Your leadership?"
"They were always top-notch."
"Hahaha, yeah. When to the Holy Kingdom?"
"ASAP."
"Want to say take it slow, but can't. Empire's headache enough; didn't see Holy Kingdom coming."
"Still wary of the Empire?"
"Damn right."
The king grinned.
"I'm no fool. Not dumb enough to forget the real enemy. Think I don't know the Empire's behind Holy Kingdom? Look what they did to Brioll and Liberda. We're already at war with them. That's why our alliance must hold firm."
"Agreed."
Yuri nodded.
Fixating on immediate crises often blinds one to the big picture, but the king hadn't forgotten the alliance.
Fortunate.
Yuri met his eyes.
"I'll make sure the alliance endures."
"Hope so. Liberda okay?"
"Yes. Drove out Donchichi."
"That Eastern outsider? Brioll's guest chef?"
"Yes."
"Liberda owes Brioll. Guess I owe you now too. Take care of it."
"I will."
"But don't burn out."
The king refilled their glasses.
"Empire's waiting. Once our spat's done, who knows what they'll pull? That's the real worry."
Yuri nodded.
Cedric had likely gone to the Empire.
No telling when his black army would emerge.
Maybe waiting for the Holy Kingdom mess to settle.
Even if it was a ploy, no choice. Handle the now to fight the Empire later.
"Not leaving today?"
"No. Tomorrow."
"Drink first."
The king uncorked more Saboné Mucara.
"Superb. Hope those lost artisans are alive somewhere."
The next day, Yuri left the Bursen palace straight for the Holy Kingdom, skirting the war-torn Alas via the border where the two nations glared across no-man's-land.
"From here, just a few of us."
Too many knights might provoke hostility.
"Jared, Simon, Guinness. Just us four."
"Too few?"
"More just amps suspicion."
After getting clearance from the border count and leaving the Revenge Knights, Yuri took the three toward the Holy Kingdom.
They raised a white flag signaling no fight.
A checkpoint appeared ahead.
Jared asked,
"Arrows fly, what then?"
"Block or die."
The Holy Kingdom outpost spotted them, erupting in chaos. They bustled, then waved a white flag back.
"Let's go."
Yuri's group sped up.
Soldiers nocked arrows as a knight rode out in gleaming white armor—a holy knight, likely.
"Who are you?"
"Yuri Brioll."
He raised an eyebrow.
Yuri continued,
"King of Brioll and envoy here to see the queen."
"One moment..."
He eyed Yuri, then nodded.
"This way."
Soldiers lowered bows in unison—disciplined, well-trained.
Yuri followed him past the outpost into the kingdom.
The mood was grim.
Bursen buzzed despite war; here, not a smile.
Yuri whispered to Jared, scanning faces,
"Everyone looks like they ate shit."
"Constipated, maybe."
"Scared of us?"
The knight whipped around; Yuri and Jared straightened, startled.
"Sudden visit throws me, but the lord says escort you. We'll guide to the capital."
"Appreciated."
Escorted by the knight and soldiers, they reached the lord's castle.
In the reception room, food appeared.
"Eat and wait."
Decent spread.
No hesitation—Yuri dug in. The others followed.
Plates emptied.
Yuri patted his belly.
"Not food issues. They all look miserable anyway."
"Yeah."
The door opened; someone entered.
Yuri turned, eyes widening.
"Huh?"
"Long time."
"Sure is."
An unexpected face.
"Fenec. Face held up better than I thought."
"This?"
"Figured you'd be pale and buried. Got some color."
"Came close, but survived."
Fenec, who'd fought with Yuri in the Alliance Army. Panting, like he'd rushed.
Thought he'd vanished with Larson's purge. Still hanging on.
Fenec approached and bowed.
"Anyway, good to see you. Here for Sibylla—no, the queen?"
"Yes."
"Go back. Words won't sway her. She's not the same."
"How so?"
"Well..."
Fenec sighed.
"Just... different."
"Gotta see anyway."
Yuri leaned back.
"You know me. Think I'd turn tail?"
"Sigh..."
Fenec sighed again.
"Your Highness."
"Yeah?"
"How far have you thought this through?"
"What?"
"You distrust the Empire. If she's tied to them, what then?"
Yuri eyed Fenec.
Studying the shadow on his face, Yuri chuckled low.
"Guess I'll ask. Fenec, what's your play?"
"Answer first."
"Sibylla changed that much?"
"Yes."
"How?"
"Tyrant, plain. Getting worse. Like possessed..."
"Right..."
Yuri closed his eyes, pondering.
If black magic corrupted Sibylla, no pretty ending.
"Probably what you think."
Fenec followed Larson. Larson dead, Sibylla waged war like a stranger.
Opposition's obvious conclusion.
"But first, I'll meet her and judge."
"No hope in your eyes, you'll help us?"
"Pretty sure of that."
"Of course. Not close, but traveled long with her. Not half-hearted."
"Yeah, figured."
Yuri nodded. Fenec wasn't one for reckless plots.
"So, who's behind this?"
"..."
"Tell me the mastermind. Someone called the shots."
"Holy Knight."
"What?"
Yuri stared.
"Holy Knight leads. Temples and holy knights follow."
"Why scheme instead of showing force? Ten Strongest, temple backing—he could just flex."
Fenec stayed silent.
Yuri clicked his tongue.
"Don't tell me he's sick too?"
"Yes."
"Makes sense..."
Yuri stood.
"No time for chit-chat. Local lord's in on it?"
"Yes. Relief Corps member."
"Relief Corps?"
"Secret group to save Holy Kingdom. For what I mentioned."
"Nice setup."
"Knew something wrong when Sibylla took throne. Everyone did."
"Right. No time to waste. Let's move."
"Yes."
Yuri left the room with Fenec.
A middle-aged man stood in the hall, bowing to Yuri.
Fenec explained,
"Lord of Erund."
"Your Highness—or Majesty. Heard the talk. Sorry can't host properly."
"Nonsense. Kingdom's in crisis. Best welcome ever."
Yuri clapped his shoulder.
"Proper greet next time."
"Yes."
"Thanks for the grub. Later."
"Safe travels."
They galloped from the castle toward the Holy Kingdom's capital.
At journey's end, Yuri might have to kill Sibylla.
Her face in mind, he clenched his fist.