Chapter 214
Chapter 214
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 214
Chapter Title: 85. Wildflower (3)
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After sealing contracts with Umstein and Orichalcum, Yuri spent some time quietly observing the flow of events in the Holy Kingdom.
Luther was now finding and handling his own tasks without guidance. Free from the shack of his saintly position, his steps were unyielding.
He occasionally muttered strange things to himself.
"I wanted to live quietly, but the world wouldn't leave me alone, so I had no choice, right? It's that bastard's fault for making me like this. Heh heh heh..."
Luther had shifted all his guilt onto Yuri, who had pushed him forward, and now strode ahead without hesitation.
He even sought out uncooperative nobles for what amounted to purges without the label.
"Hey. Still dreaming empty dreams?"
"..."
"You've heard the rumors. The Empire's gearing up for war. When the big fight breaks out, no one's death will seem out of place. Take care of yourself."
"Is that a threat?"
"Whether you take it as a threat or concern is up to you. If it feels like a threat, maybe you've got something shady going on?"
"N-no, not at all."
"Good. I just want us to look out for each other, heh heh..."
"Th-then..."
"We should meet separately soon."
"Yes."
Yuri felt relieved watching Luther's unexpectedly proactive moves.
When it didn't concern the throne, he'd retreated to the temple for an unassuming life, but once chosen as king, he threw himself into action.
Maybe he was just the type who faithfully played whatever role those around him expected.
Yuri muttered.
"A guy who only excels at what he's told to do."
It sounded dismissive at first glance, but for Yuri, it was high praise.
Luther handled matters swiftly.
The king of Bursen, who had ended the war with the Holy Kingdom overnight and signed a non-aggression pact, was probably thrilled to keep drinking Alass wine.
"I should ask for a case of wine."
"Pardon?"
"Talking to myself. Jared, everything ready?"
"Of course."
"Then let's go."
Yuri's group decided to leave the Holy Kingdom without further delay.
"Will the Holy Kingdom be alright?"
"Don't worry."
Though it had been mired in chaos lately, the Holy Kingdom was a sturdy nation. With a new king in place, everything quickly fell back into order.
They'd established close communication with Luther, and if war with the Empire broke out, they'd cooperate immediately. Until then, the Holy Kingdom would be training troops and producing Orichalcum weapons.
It was a shame to leave without seeing a prototype Orichalcum weapon, but Yuri had much to do.
"Where to now, sir?"
"Balshard."
"Pardon?"
"Hernando's calling us there."
"Can't Sir Hernando come here?"
"Nope."
Yuri nodded.
"He insists we have to come. Specifically, me."
"Oh no..."
There was considerable distance from the Holy Kingdom to Balshard. They had to cross the continent to the eastern grasslands. It wouldn't be as dangerous as before since the orcs had been subjugated, but it was no easy journey.
"What? Scared?"
"No, it's just so far. Can't we meet at the Magic Tower or something?"
Yuri shook his head.
"Says the magic's too strong there. It warps the workshop's space."
"Now that you mention it, maybe we shouldn't go..."
Jared looked uneasy.
Simon and Guinness reacted.
"No, Sir Jared. We must go. We have to stop the black magic. We can't let fear hold us back."
"Exactly. As knights of Brioll, it's our duty."
Having wandered Liberia following Muyongchan, the two had become highly motivated knights. It was a huge change from when they'd first met in the Allied Forces.
Jared muttered.
"Man, you weren't like this in the Allied Forces..."
Simon and Guinness cleared their throats awkwardly.
Yuri stepped in.
"You were worse than both of them before I recruited you..."
"Ahem, uh..."
With such an old story dredged up, even Jared had nothing to say. He nodded, unable to complain further.
"Fine, got it. Guess we'll head back to Balshard then."
"We'll stop by Liberia on the way."
"Sounds good."
Francesco would be traveling with them. Removing the black magic spreading through his body required Hernando's help.
As the five, including Francesco, prepared to depart, Luther, Umstein, Fenek, and others they'd bonded with in the Holy Kingdom came to see them off.
Luther spoke first.
"Hey. You're dumping the throne on me and just leaving?"
Since they'd agreed to drop formalities, Luther spoke freely.
"What a irresponsible bastard you are, Yuri Brioll."
Yuri didn't mind.
He'd placed Luther there, but the man was king now. Bantering casually with a monarch like this was a novel experience.
Yuri smirked and replied.
"Yeah, I'm going. Keep your mouth shut and sit tight on the throne. Don't mess up the country by getting cocky. Just be average. Average."
"You too—don't go getting stabbed somewhere because you're stirring things up. Behave yourself."
Yuri high-fived Luther, then nodded to the others.
Just before riding off, Yuri said,
"Next time we meet, it'll probably be on the battlefield. You'll see me whether you like it or not then, so don't miss me too much. Alright."
With that, he shook the reins. His horse began to walk.
Shouts of farewell came from behind.
"Take care!"
"Thanks for the dagger!"
"Safe travels!"
Yuri waved back over his shoulder.
They rode without incident, focused solely on covering ground.
They avoided villages except for necessities, riding until they dropped before camping anywhere.
As powerhouses free from threats like bandits or beasts, and seasoned by long campaigns to rough food and beds, they managed easily.
All but one.
"I'm dying. This is insane. Who marches like this? We should hit a village, bathe, feast, sleep comfortably. That's how you last long. Rushing like this..."
"Quiet down."
"Sir Jared, no complaints?"
"Your voice is the complaint, Francesco. You're loud."
"But..."
As a Holy Knight used to fine treatment, he'd never camped like a grunt or gnawed jerky to stave off hunger.
Francesco sighed.
"Still far to go, and at this rate, I'll start stinking of rot. Really..."
Then Yuri spoke.
"We'll stop at a village."
Francesco's eyes widened.
"Really?"
"Yes. Something came up."
"What?"
"Need to send a letter."
"Huh?"
Yuri looked like someone who'd forgotten something crucial.
"Did you forget something...?"
"One thing slipped my mind."
"What?"
"Something like that."
On the way to the Holy Kingdom, Yuri had met Cro and the Crow Mercenaries. He'd promised to introduce Cro's sister to a high priest.
But he'd forgotten.
It wasn't entirely his fault.
They'd stayed in the Holy Kingdom a while with no word from the mercenaries, not even a visit. So it had slipped his mind. Maybe something had happened to them.
Yuri wanted to send a letter now to help.
"Can't be helped then."
"Great. Let's hurry. We're off to do a good deed—no hesitating."
Francesco especially brightened.
They headed for the nearest village.
Upon arrival, Yuri promptly sent express letters to Luther and the mercenary guild. He affixed premium stamps for reliability and slipped the clerk some coin.
"Please deliver safely."
"Yes! No worries!"
With the letters sent securely, Yuri booked rooms at an inn with his group.
The innkeeper spoke up abruptly.
"Haven't seen proper folk like you in ages."
"Pardon?"
"Just saying—it's been a while since normal people showed up."
"Oh, aren't there plenty of guests?"
"I said proper."
The innkeeper grinned.
"Been at this long enough to read people. Most are idiots. But you lot seem decent enough."
"Haha, thanks."
"Had some pitiful guests recently."
"Pitiful ones?"
"Circus troupe, they said."
He shook his head in disgust.
"After they left, I realized how many poor souls were with 'em. Especially that monster who could talk like a person—how'd it end up like that..."
"Circus troupe."
"Yeah."
The innkeeper grimaced.
"Lots of wretched humans. Not just looks—their insides too. But one stood out as extra tragic..."
According to him, it was hideously ugly outside but had a truly humane heart.
Yuri shrugged.
"How can you read hearts?"
"Eyes tell you."
"Eyes?"
"Yeah. At some point, I started seeing right through folks by their eyes."
He grinned.
"Don't believe me? Fine. But I know I'm right. I can spot real people. And you lot check out, so I'm chatting away."
Yuri found his words oddly convincing.
Talking like that to five armed men showed solid confidence in himself at least.
Yuri smiled faintly.
"I see. Shame we missed their show."
"Tell me about it. Heard it was spectacular, but I didn't catch it. They rushed off—said they had someplace urgent, probably for some VIPs."
The innkeeper shrugged, about to ramble on. He seemed the chatty type.
Yuri cut in before it dragged.
"We'll head up now."
"Oh, right. Rest well."
Yuri's group left the innkeeper and went upstairs.
Jared said,
"Chatty innkeeper."
"Not a bad guy though."
"Yes."
"Circus troupe, huh..."
Yuri didn't like circuses much.
As a mercenary in his past life, he'd traveled with all sorts, including circuses.
Most treated performers like animals. Plenty got whipped like livestock.
"If we run into that circus, let's disband it."
Jared tilted his head at Yuri's words.
"Pardon?"
"If we meet a circus, check for violations and shut 'em down."
"Why bother..."
"You've never seen one up close."
"No."
"They're rotten. And most get performers from slavers. Hardly any legit ones."
"I see."
Jared tilted his head again. He was surprised a prince knew so much about circuses.
"Yuri's right."
Francesco, stripping for a bath right after entering the room, spoke up.
"Most circuses are trash. Treat people like cattle."
"How do you know, Francesco?"
"Got sold to one as a kid briefly."
"Pardon?"
Francesco showed his back.
Scarred.
"From then."
"You were..."
"Orphan back then. Escaped the circus, got taken in by a temple. Turns out I had talent for swordplay, became a Holy Knight."
More backstory than expected.
As the mood quieted, he burst out laughing.
"No need to tiptoe. Ancient history. I'm washing up first!"
He dashed to the bath. Yuri and Jared shrugged watching him.
Suddenly, commotion outside.
Yuri peered from the window—villagers rushing about.
"What's that?"
The mystery was solved by the innkeeper bringing towels.
"What a coincidence. Mentioned that circus to you earlier?"
"Yes."
"One of 'em ran away, apparently. Hid in the village—they're searching now."