Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: 14. Salvation (3)
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I think that's sufficient repayment.
Yuri landed on the ground and looked around.
The exhausted soldiers had slowed to a halt, no longer pursuing.
Brioll's knight order, which had been cutting down the enemy, gradually came to a stop.
The battle was drawing to a close.
"Is that as far as it goes?"
Bodies of Holy Kingdom soldiers caught his eye, but no fewer orcs lay sprawled out nearby.
Considering the circumstances, it had been a valiant fight.
The straggling orcs had resisted despite their wounds, but the paladin order that followed had slain or subdued them.
Yuri spotted one orc playing dead.
"Hey."
"......"
"Hey. Not getting up?"
He kicked it in the rear.
The orc let out a roar and lunged. Yuri parried a few attacks before severing its leg. It collapsed and began crawling. He pinned its nape to the ground.
Sibylla, nearby, glanced at Yuri.
"You spared it on purpose?"
"Yeah. Need to interrogate it."
"An orc?"
"Got a translator."
"An orc translator?"
Sibylla's eyes widened.
"Where'd you find someone like that?"
Yuri grinned. It was thanks to Haime attaching Cory.
"Count Sidoor."
"Ah, the scar-faced wolf......"
Sibylla murmured his nickname in understanding.
Haime's reputation was well-known even in foreign lands.
As he wiped Guilty's blade on the fallen orc's clothes, Yuri said,
"Anyway, we can call this the allied forces' first victory."
While armies from various nations gathered toward Balshard, they'd successfully repelled the orcs' initial ambush.
It might even make the history books.
Yuri raised Guilty high.
"Here!"
Brioll's knights assembled.
Awe filled their eyes.
Jared knew Yuri's skill, and Rolang had always idolized him, but the rest were stunned by his prowess.
It was unbelievable for an eighteen-year-old.
"Your Highness."
Raymond spoke on their behalf.
"In the previous allied forces, I personally witnessed His Majesty's exploits."
Yuri grinned.
"Yeah?"
"Yes. It felt just like His Majesty back then."
It was high praise.
"And through this battle, Your Highness has earned the Holy Kingdom's trust. I finally understand why His Majesty entrusted the allied forces to the Third Prince. Looking forward to serving with you."
Raymond was a seasoned knight.
His endorsement felt gratifying.
"Likewise."
Then his gaze met Rolang's, whose eyes sparkled even brighter.
Yuri averted his eyes, feeling burdened.
He ignored the golden hair flickering at the edge of his vision.
"Everyone, good work."
"Yes, sir!"
Not just Yuri—Jared's reputation had risen too. He'd matched Rolang's performance today.
As Brioll's knights gathered to discuss the battle's outcome, Sibylla approached to express her thanks once more.
"On behalf of the Holy Kingdom, thank you for your support. And above all, Yuri, you saved my life. Thank you."
This time, Sibylla extended her hand first. Yuri shook it.
Yuri asked,
"What now?"
"We'll regroup with the main force and return to Gid together."
Yuri decided to head back immediately. No reason to linger.
"Got it. We're heading out."
"We'll take the captured orcs."
"Appreciate it."
He whistled, and the horses gathered from the corner. The knights mounted one by one.
Yuri stroked his black steed's mane as he climbed on.
"Your Highness, may I ask something?"
A young knight rode up.
"What?"
"Are you already acquainted with the Holy Kingdom's princess?"
"No?"
"You spoke casually with her. When did that happen?"
Eyes turned their way.
The mood was playful. The knight smirked slyly.
"She seemed awfully soft toward Your Highness......"
"You little......"
"A battlefield romance sounds nice."
"Shut it."
"I've had plenty of experience with love, and this is definitely......"
"You'll die."
"She's a beauty. No interest, Your Highness?"
"None."
"Come on, though......"
"I'm married to Brioll."
"Pardon?"
"Remember that."
Yuri snorted.
Even hearing about romance gave him chills.
All because of that woman.
He shook his head, trying to erase a certain face.
Romance?
Ridiculous.
"Listen."
"Yes."
"I don't do love."
"Huh?"
The knight looked shocked.
"Move out!"
Yuri spurred his horse forward. The knights called after him, but he ignored them.
He had a boy's looks, but his mind was that of a mature man. He wouldn't waste time on such frivolities.
"Tch......"
Suppressing resurfacing memories, Yuri wiped his nose.
Blinded by a mere fling, he'd destroyed Brioll. He wouldn't repeat that mistake.
"Your Highness! Wait up!"
Soon the knights caught up, riding abreast.
The wind tousled their hair.
Yuri muttered,
"Hope it rains."
Of course, he wouldn't use an umbrella.
That was for those with nothing to wash away in the downpour.
Gid was peaceful.
Apart from the few knights who'd fought, no one knew what had happened.
Yuri rested in his tent, while the young knights enjoyed what might be their last leisure in Gid.
"It really happened like that?"
"Yeah."
Those who'd fought with Yuri chattered about the battle. After all, it was their first clash with orcs.
Everyone hung on their words.
"His Highness suddenly vanished, then appeared up ahead and pulled them from the pit......"
Tales spread of how the Holy Kingdom's paladins had been on the brink of annihilation, only for their commander Yuri to miraculously save them.
"Hard to believe."
"It's true."
"Then what about all those rumors?"
"Just nonsense. The king's blood flows in the Third Prince."
Most were skeptical, but with Rolang testifying directly, they had no choice but to believe.
"Rolang, for real?"
"Of course."
Rolang nodded.
All eyes focused on him.
He rarely drank, but tonight he was swept up in the mood and raised his glass.
"Today, I was deeply impressed by the Third Prince. His swordsmanship is one thing, but that mindset...... incredible."
"Mindset?"
"He said he's married to Brioll."
"What?"
"Doesn't do love or anything like that."
"What're you talking about?"
"That chivalric resolve......"
"You okay in the head?"
"They say finding a lord worth pledging loyalty to is the hardest task. Thinking that way, I feel like the luckiest knight alive."
"It's gotten worse......"
The Rolang who'd once followed Yuri had now become his devout follower.
"Whatever. Drink up!"
"Cheers!"
And eyes watched the scene.
"What'll it be, miss?"
To the tavern keeper's question, she averted her gaze from Rolang and pointed at the menu.
"Stew."
"No drink?"
"No."
"Right away."
Her demeanor was suspicious, but the keeper didn't mind.
Gid was that kind of place. Brioll's army had just made it rowdy for a bit; it was originally a den of fugitives.
"Here you go."
Asana, who'd been observing Rolang, quietly took a spoonful of stew.
Her employer Yuri had apparently shone in battle.
That wasn't surprising.
Even to her trained assassin's eye, Yuri's swordsmanship was exceptional.
But his words about marrying Brioll and shunning love stuck with her.
They'd worked together as employer and employee, but kept it professional. Hearing about Yuri from others was oddly intriguing.
"Never knew the Third Prince was that skilled."
"Weren't there weird rumors?"
"Probably just gossip. You know how it is."
"Thought he was a playboy 'cause he was good at cards. Go figure."
Asana agreed.
To her, Yuri Brioll was an enigma.
Five years ago, he'd appeared out of nowhere with money, diagnosed Daisy's illness, and seen through Asana's abilities.
Working for him had been a series of shocks.
He'd amassed a fortune through Ireine Merchant, pulled in someone named Gorrio to control the underworld.
His own martial prowess was top-tier.
Whenever they met, she sensed his mana growing daily.
And now he'd volunteered for the allied forces, seeking out the battlefield everyone avoided.
Truly unfathomable.
"Did you see? He spoke casually with the Holy Kingdom's princess."
"That's the princess?"
"You didn't know?"
"Thought she was just a knight."
"His Highness earned his keep."
"Nah, that's not it. His Highness is down-to-earth. Eats with the soldiers."
"Doesn't sneak extra grub?"
"Nah, the cooks said so. Though he takes a lot of meat."
"Well, yeah......"
Asana shoveled stew in roughly and set down her spoon. Eavesdropping was fine, but she had her own task.
She pushed the bowl aside and called the keeper.
"Keeper."
"Yes?"
"Got a question."
"What is it?"
"Come here."
Irritation was plain on his face.
Asana pulled out a silver coin and placed it on the table. His attitude shifted.
"Ask away."
He clasped his hands and smiled.
Asana flicked the coin into the air.
"Looking for someone. Dark brown hair, carries a sword, bad with continental tongue. And outstanding sword skills."
"Hmm. See so many folks......"
"Think hard."
She shook the coin.
"If he passed through Gid, he'd stop here."
"Dark brown hair, sword—too common......"
"Bad with continental."
"Uh......"
The keeper furrowed his brow, then snapped his fingers.
"Ah, now that you mention it, someone comes to mind from recently."
He rolled his eyes as if recalling.
"Not sure about brown hair. Wore a hood. Sword's fuzzy, but his continental was awkward for sure. Gid gets weird customers often, so maybe not your guy......"
"Tell me everything about him."
"Ordered risotto, no spices. Insisted no lemongrass especially. But......"
"But?"
"Tavern's busy, right? I tossed 'em in anyway, and he went for his sword. Oh, right—he had one. Nearly got ventilated."
"......"
"Apologized, and he muttered something—not continental. But I knew it was curses."
"Anything else?"
"Asked the way to Balshard. Funny accent, so I mimicked it. He caught on quick and drew again."
"Gutsy."
"Know when to stretch your legs. Rough, but not bad. Just posturing. Heh."
Asana narrowed her eyes. The type she hated dealing with.
"That's all. Left right away. Drifter."
Asana nodded, pocketed the silver, and stood.
"Hey?"
The keeper reached out. She shook her head.
"Know when to stretch, right?"
"Pardon?"
"Did I look like someone who'd really pay?"
"Hey, miss."
He scowled.
"Keep this up, I'll get mad. Know where you are, acting all high?"
"Attitude changed."
"This is Gid, Gid. Think those brothel girls went willingly? Plenty of spots there......"
Asana's brow twitched.
In that instant, the keeper felt something slice past his throat.
His heart sank.
"Uh, uh......"
Trembling, he clutched his neck. No injury.
"Next time's real."
Instead, his shaggy ponytail fell in clumps.
She'd struck from the front, yet his neck was fine—only hair beyond it cut.
Incomprehensible.
It meant the woman before him wasn't ordinary.
"Sorry."
The keeper bowed deeply.
Fugitive towns beyond borders saw all sorts. To survive, pick your opponents wisely.
"F-forgive me......"
"Can't read people. Be careful."
"Y-yes......"
Asana patted the shaking keeper's shoulder and exited.
Gid's streets buzzed unusually with Brioll's army present.
Asana slipped into the back alleys, avoiding the crowds.
"Balshard......"
Her path overlapped with her employer Yuri's. She could check on him while on mission.
Fortunate.
At any rate, Asana had to find him.
The swordsman from the eastern continent with dark brown hair.
One of the Continent's Ten Strongest.
Alias: The Foreigner.
On this vast land, Yuri was searching for him.