Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: 13. Holy Kingdom (2)
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Gid was a chaotic melting pot of every kind of person imaginable. Merchants rubbed shoulders with the mercenaries escorting them, and fugitives dodging the law added to the swarming crowds.
People shot sidelong glances at Yuri and Hernando, murmuring under their breaths. The word "Brioll" floated faintly into earshot.
It seemed the rumors had already spread.
"The fact that a city like Gid even exists is really thanks to the orcs."
Hernando chattered on.
"There's a talisman market here. They trade in Eastern goods or strange artifacts you've never even heard of. And who brings them in? Orcs. The orcs raid the East for loot, then bandits or hunters snatch it up and sell it here. Pretty wild, right?"
"Is that why you came along?"
"Come on, don't be like that. We're just stopping by while we're at it. Let's check it out together later."
As they walked, the talisman market came into view. Stalls stretched out in a long line, hawking unidentified oddities.
Hernando inspected the items one after another.
"That's a totem. Infused with orc shamanism."
"Does it work?"
"Barely, but I can sense some mana. Effect? Something like inducing a berserk state."
"An aphrodisiac?"
"Yeah."
"Like wartime drugs?"
"Pretty much. Weaker, though. Not much here worthy of being called an artifact..."
"What about this?"
"Just trash."
The stall owner's face twisted in anger.
Hernando caught sight of the man's ugly scowl and cleared his throat, ducking behind Yuri.
"It might have some artistic value."
"Looks like kid's play."
"Right?"
The owner bellowed.
"Get lost!"
The two bolted away.
Yuri wandered the market, scrutinizing each stall closely. Truth be told, there was something specific he wanted to find here.
"Not seeing it."
"Yeah. Probably all snatched up by bandits."
The first time Yuri had raided that bandit gang, one of the sentries had been wearing a red gem necklace.
He'd interrogated the bandit leader and learned its purpose.
It lured orcs.
No one knew why, but orcs would sense the gem's energy and go berserk, charging straight at it.
They'd been using underlings as bait to test orc approaches.
After hearing that, Yuri had kicked the leader around mercilessly.
By now, the guy was probably in Raymond's custody, handed over to Gid's guards.
"He said it was from Gid's talisman market..."
"If even a bunch of bandits knew about it, everyone's bought them out by now."
There were plenty of curious trinkets, but nothing truly useful.
The pair left the talisman market empty-handed.
Emerging on the other side, they entered the entertainment district. With the city so compact, restaurants and inns were clustered together.
Brioll soldiers milled about nearby.
"Hold up, looks like a gambling den over there?"
Hernando pointed to a tavern. Through the half-open door, cards were being shuffled and dealt.
"Seems like our soldiers are in on it too."
"Really?"
Yuri furrowed his brow.
"Brioll soldiers gambling? Can't let that slide."
"Right?"
"I'll punish them myself."
"Let's go."
Hernando clenched his fist.
"Can't have a unit without any discipline."
"Well said."
Sibylla finished her urgent discussion with Gid's lord and rose from her seat.
The Holy Knights were waiting for her.
"Is the talk over?"
"Yes."
Sibylla nodded with an expressionless face.
She maintained a cordial relationship with the Holy Knights, but they weren't particularly close.
The Holy Knights were loyal to her brother, Larson, the heir to the throne.
"What about that Brioll prince?"
"He stepped up first."
"I see."
"Fenek, the main force is fine, right?"
"Of course."
Fenek nodded. With his sleek features, he was the one leading the Holy Knights dispatched to this allied force.
"For a freak like that to be in command... Guess the tales of Brioll being a land of knights are ancient history."
Sibylla didn't respond. Instead, Fenek's adjutant chimed in with agreement.
"Tell me about it."
"Dressed like a slob too. Could pass for some wandering mercenary."
"His manners were even worse."
"Hope we don't have to fight alongside the Brioll troops. They'd just get in the way."
Sibylla pointed out.
"Gossip like that's unbecoming."
"What's the harm?"
Fenek continued undeterred.
Sibylla was nominally the commander of the Holy Kingdom's forces, but the Holy Knights followed him.
"Once this orc subjugation ends, I have a feeling Brioll will lose one prince."
"That's harsh. Mind your words."
Fenek smirked.
"Yes, understood."
"Back to the inn."
They'd booked the priciest inn in Gid. It was only marginally cleaner than others, but far better than a tent.
As the Holy Knights stepped into the street, townsfolk stares gathered.
"What a filthy dump..."
Fenek muttered.
To him, accustomed to lavish life in the Holy Kingdom's capital, the entire city of Gid looked like a stable.
"No, worse than a stable."
"Exactly. Our horses are cleaner than this."
"Lives worse than livestock."
The Holy Knights snickered.
Sibylla ignored their voices and walked ahead.
What was filthy was their speech and conduct. The world simply had its forsaken places—and the people forced to live in them.
Just as they hadn't chosen to be born nobles, the townsfolk here were no different.
Feeling shame at the title "Holy Knight" thrust upon them, Sibylla headed to the inn when...
"What the?"
Fenek grumbled in annoyance.
Suddenly, crowds thickened, the street teeming with people.
"Brioll troops."
The adjutant explained promptly, eyes scanning busily.
"Insolent. Letting soldiers roam the city."
"Soldiers should stay outside. No military discipline."
Sibylla said.
"Don't cause trouble. Head to the inn."
"They look like the ones who'd start it."
"They're foreign soldiers. If any clash happens, I won't let it slide."
"Yes, yes. No worries. We'll just grab a light drink among ourselves."
Sibylla headed to the inn first.
Fenek gathered a few Holy Knights he was close with.
The adjutant said.
"I'll fetch the booze. No decent stuff around anyway."
"Do that."
They headed out in a group. Brioll soldiers glanced their way.
"Brioll soldiers are rude."
Fenek muttered.
In the Holy Kingdom, commoners never met nobles' eyes directly. But Brioll soldiers looked at them like any passersby.
"The top sets the tone; no surprise the ranks follow."
"Spot on."
Fenek chuckled at the adjutant's words.
That Brioll third prince they'd met earlier was utterly unprincely—in dress, speech, everything lacking grace.
What a pathetic sight he'd make facing orcs.
"Would be a real eyesore. Heh..."
Suddenly, raucous cheers erupted nearby.
So loud Fenek flinched momentarily.
"What's all the racket?"
Noisy clamor leaked from a tavern—laughter, jeers, fists pounding tables.
Fenek scowled.
"Check it out."
The adjutant peeked inside and returned.
"Gambling den."
"What?"
"Brioll troops playing cards. Big stakes—one table's drawing a crowd."
"Those bastards..."
Fenek smiled coldly. The Holy Kingdom forbade gambling.
"As Holy Knights, we can't stand by."
Fenek removed his helmet, tucked it under his arm, and strode to the tavern. He flung the door wide.
But no one paid him any mind.
"..."
A crowd swarmed one table.
The tavern keeper grinned, shuttling beer mugs nonstop. Each card flipped drew shouts from the onlookers.
"Hey."
Fenek said. His voice drowned in the din.
"Didn't you hear..."
Just then, the game's outcome was decided.
The man facing away from Fenek leaped up, arms thrust high in victory.
Soldiers cheered wildly; the losers at the table clutched their heads.
Watching that twisted Fenek's gut.
This time, he infused mana and bellowed.
"What the hell do you think you're doing!"
His voice boomed, shaking the entire tavern.
Silence fell instantly.
Fenek exhaled deeply, savoring the quiet, then stamped the floor with his boot.
"I asked what the hell you're doing."
His tone dropped lower.
He glared at the table and continued.
"You think we're here to play tourist? Even if you're foreigners, I can't overlook this. As if the allied forces are some joke..."
Mid-sentence, the man standing with his back to the entrance turned around.
Unusual jet-black hair caught his eye.
"I know..."
Fenek's voice trailed off.
The face glaring back was identical to that Brioll third prince from earlier.
Fenek shut his mouth.
"What'd you say?"
The big winner—Yuri—tilted his head.
"You. What'd you just say?"
Fenek panicked, speechless.
He'd never imagined a prince gambling with soldiers.
Wondering if it was an uncanny lookalike, he stared longer.
Yuri snapped irritably.
"What's your name?"
The adjutant jumped in hastily.
"A-a misunderstanding, Your Highness the Third Prince."
"Tch..."
Yuri eyed Fenek up and down pityingly.
To Fenek, it was humiliating. Something writhed in his chest.
He ignored Sibylla, but he wouldn't tolerate disdain from some foreign third prince.
Fenek steadied his breath, face turning icy.
"Your Highness."
"Got more to say?"
"We're heading to war."
"So?"
"This attitude harms not just you, but your soldiers too. Without discipline, they'll all die like dogs."
Fenek's gaze fell on Yuri's hand. Smooth, no calluses.
Pathetic.
He smirked.
"What Your Highness should hold isn't cards, but a sword. Assuming you've ever gripped one properly."
"This punk..."
Yuri gave a hollow laugh, staring him down.
Fenek hated that look.
Like pondering how to deal with a laughable foe. That expression belonged on him, not this guy.
Yuri, who'd been sizing him up, spat.
"Look at this powdered-face chirping away..."
A few soldiers couldn't hold back laughs.
Fenek's face flushed red.
He cared about his looks, often applying light white cream.
"It shows. Hey, you need makeup to go fight your precious war?"
"Refrain from personal attacks."
"What'd you just say to me?"
Yuri stepped closer. The sword at his waist swayed.
"This won't do. You today..."
As Yuri advanced, the Holy Knights behind Fenek parted.
Someone stood there.
"What are you doing?"
It was Sibylla, in casual clothes without her armor.
"Sir Fenek. Didn't I say no trouble?"
Even he couldn't ignore her before foreigners.
Fenek bowed his head.
"My apologies."
"Come out now."
"Yes."
Just before turning, he shot at Yuri.
"We'll withdraw for today. I wish you the best of luck."
"I've got luck to spare. Don't need yours. See?"
Yuri scooped up a handful of coins from the table. Soldiers jeered.
Fenek glared, lips twisting, then turned away.
The rest of the Holy Knights followed him out.
Sibylla, left alone, sighed.
"Let me apologize on his behalf."
"No need for you to."
Yuri shrugged.
"You must have it rough, dealing with types like that."
"I'll repay this debt later."
Sibylla gave Yuri a brief smile before leaving the tavern.
Yuri shrugged at her retreating back.
The Holy Kingdom seemed more tangled than expected.
"Not my problem, though."
He returned to his seat.
"Hey, next guy's on me."
"Wait, Your Highness."
"Hernando, you're wiped out. Move."
"At least flat money!"
"No such thing. New player in. Anyone?"
"I-I'll join."
"You any good?"
"They called me the Card Ghost of Yuges."
"Yuges? You from Genad's turf?"
"Well..."
"Get ready."
"No, I hate that guy too."
"Genad's lapdog!"
"I'm not!"
Fenek spat a quiet curse leaving the tavern.
That Brioll third prince really got under his skin. When had he gotten chummy with Sibylla? Even using informal speech was grating.
Swallowing his anger as he walked, he noticed knights glaring from the roadside.
"Those are..."
Brioll knights.
Word of the tavern must've spread; hostility filled their eyes.
"Rolang."
The adjutant whispered.
"Rolang?"
"Yes. Rolang Flandre of Brioll. Saw him at the swordsmanship tournament."
"Still a greenhorn."
He'd heard the name.
Eldest son of Count Flandre, famed for sword skills since youth. Won a boys' sword tournament in the Holy Kingdom. Known for knightly character.
"Crabs walk sideways, huh? Even Rolang defends his sorry third prince."
Suddenly, a knight beside Rolang started toward Fenek. Rolang grabbed his shoulder.
"Don't, Jared."
"Understood."
Fenek scoffed.
Rolang aside, some no-name daring to approach him? Their bravado was laughable.
"What now?"
"Ignore them. They'll learn soon enough."
He glanced at Rolang and Jared, then walked on.
A knight's worth was proven on the battlefield.
And that night.
Word came that the Holy Kingdom's main force had been attacked.