Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: 24. Promise (2)
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Moyong Chan, who had been so stiff even in front of Ragna, showed proper respect to Hernando.
"Me?"
"Yes, Great Hero."
"I'm Hernando, though?"
"It's an honor to meet Great Hero Hernando."
"Ah, yes. You're the famous Moyong Chan of the Ten Strong."
"Please, call me comfortably."
"I'll call you Great Hero Moyong Chan, then."
"A great hero recognizes another great hero."
The two exchanged flattery, smiles plastered across their faces.
Watching from the side, Yuri felt deeply irritated.
He wedged himself between them and asked,
"What's this 'great hero' business?"
"Anyone this outstanding is called a great hero."
"Why's your pronunciation so discriminatory?"
"No need to fuss over proper speakin'."
"......"
Rendered speechless, Yuri scanned Hernando up and down with sharp eyes.
As always, he had that somehow lacking impression. Scratching the back of his head didn't inspire trust.
"What exactly are you seeing...?"
"You see as much as you know, right? Hahaha..."
Yuri knew Hernando was an exceptional mage, but he hadn't realized Moyong Chan of the Ten Strong would react like this.
"In that case..."
Yuri thought to himself.
He'd have to tell Cory to dig up everything on Hernando's background.
Either way, Moyong Chan growing close to Brioll wasn't a bad thing. Yuri cleared his throat and played matchmaker.
"Well, if you two get along so well, why don't you chat privately?"
"Good idea. Make yerself scarce."
"Oh my, Your Highness. Since we're at it, how about some refreshments?"
"Shall we enjoy some drinks and savor the moment?"
"Sounds good."
Moyong Chan already seemed sold on the idea.
He turned to the knights lined up waiting and said,
"We're done here."
Then he turned away.
The disappointed knights groaned, but Moyong Chan ignored them.
Yuri offered his own tent for the two to converse in.
Just before Hernando entered for their private talk, Yuri grabbed his sleeve and whispered,
"Reel him in good and convince him to stay in Brioll after the Allied Forces wrap up."
"Now, now..."
Hernando wagged his finger.
"When dealing with people, they should be the end in themselves. You can't use them. That's not the way of a great hero."
With that, he went off with Moyong Chan.
Hernando riding on Moyong Chan's back was utterly infuriating.
"He doesn't even realize it's necessary for the future..."
Yuri recalled his past life.
When the Empire invaded, Hernando had left Brioll but returned to aid in the defense.
He'd pierced through the Empire's mages' dispel barriers, synthesized spells, and turned the enemy lines into a sea of fire.
But Brioll fell in the end.
After that, Yuri heard no more of him.
He'd probably wandered the world again.
"It would've gone much better with Moyong Chan there."
Yuri looked around.
As Moyong Chan vanished, the crowd dispersed. Amid them, Yuri spotted a familiar face.
He waved.
"Lord Wolf!"
"Your Highness."
It was Wolf Gain, commander of Liberda's forces and Count of Abra.
He approached warmly.
"I heard the rumors. You invited one of the Ten Strong. Impressive."
"Invi, invited? Well, sort of."
Moyong Chan had come disguised as a prisoner, but the rumors had spread that way.
Admiration shone in Wolf's eyes.
Yuri didn't bother denying it.
"As a knight myself, I hoped to gain insight into breaking through my limits, but I missed my chance."
"Don't worry. I'll make an opportunity next time."
"Really? Thank you so much."
"No big deal between us."
Yuri laughed heartily, then noticed Sven awkwardly pretending not to see him from behind Wolf.
Sven was Wolf's son—the one who'd gossiped about nations before and had his weakness exposed to Yuri.
Sensing Yuri's gaze, he bowed awkwardly.
Yuri placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Sven's here too."
"Ah, hello."
Yuri smiled at Wolf.
"Father and son both so skilled—Liberda's pride."
"Not compared to Your Highness."
The two shared a big laugh. Sven, caught between them, took a subtle step back.
"Since you're at our tent, how about a spar? Not Ten Strong level, but still."
"Pardon?"
Sven's eyes widened at Yuri's suggestion.
Wolf was delighted.
"If Your Highness would grace us..."
Though young, Yuri had already proven his skill.
Unlike boy knights famous from tournaments, he'd pierced an orc frontline single-handedly in life-or-death battle.
His feats were known across the Allied Forces. Talk of him as the second Fiore Brioll was common.
And his status as royalty made it an honor for Sven.
"N-no, I'm fine..."
"No need to refuse, Sven."
"But..."
In the end, Sven gripped a wooden sword.
"Son, learn a thing or two from His Highness."
"Yes..."
Once the match began, Sven steeled himself.
"Then..."
Yuri grinned.
He was hot-tempered from the start.
Not untalented, he seemed intent on paying back past humiliations. His intentions were transparent—almost cute.
"I'll yield the first move."
"Please go easy."
Sven charged like he'd been waiting.
One strike was enough to break his spirit.
"Kyaak!"
"Sturdy butt."
Talented, but not enough for Yuri.
No peer besides Rolang could match Yuri among his age group.
Yuri struck Sven's thighs and rear like teaching a child—just as Bernard did to him daily.
Sven's cries echoed rhythmically.
"Huff, huff..."
He was already gasping.
Pressure alone drained stamina against a superior foe.
"Don't just charge forward—keep your center of gravity back."
Yuri advised.
"Good basics."
Surprisingly so.
Sven learned quickly. Credit to Wolf's guidance.
But that was it.
To climb higher, he'd need personal devotion to the sword.
Liberda wasn't a large nation. Sven likely hadn't faced worthy rivals.
After experiencing superior Rolang at similar age, his mindset would change.
"Come to Brioll often."
"Pardon?"
"Spar with Rolang. He won't refuse."
"But..."
"Opening!"
Yuri struck a few more times and ended the match.
Wolf expressed gratitude.
"Thank you. From the ear back then to now—always in your debt."
"Ear? No idea what you mean."
The orc ear was a secret. Yuri shrugged, and Wolf nodded with a smile.
"My mistake."
"Battles ahead will be tougher. Let's help each other."
"Of course."
In his past life, it hadn't been so.
The fractured Allied Forces met the orcs—and paid dearly.
This was why Yuri built good ties with other nations.
To fight Okua, they needed more than the Allied Forces' raw power.
The next morning, a messenger woke Yuri.
Yuri rose from his bed, habitually sheathing Guilty propped nearby, and asked,
"Sorry to disturb so early."
"No problem."
Yuri had instructed them to wake him anytime for issues.
"What is it?"
"Well..."
The news was unexpected.
"Orcs appeared. With a white flag."
"What?"
A white flag meant no intent to fight. The orcs had sent envoys.
"When?"
"Just now. I came right after spotting them."
"Gotta go."
To grasp details, Yuri headed straight to the Empire's tent.
Ragna's adjutant greeted him.
Early hour—the Allied Forces still quiet. Yuri was the only commander informed.
"Quick arrival."
Nearby, three Komodo Drakes sat with white flags.
"What's going on?"
"Orcs sent envoys. His Highness received them."
"Just now?"
"Yes."
As they spoke, the tent flap opened.
Three orcs emerged.
No cowering in enemy territory. They scanned inside chin-up, looking down.
Then eyes met Yuri's.
"Akuakka-i."
The orc's name for Yuri.
He muttered something with a sneer. The two beside him snickered.
Seemed insulting.
Yuri said,
"Oku doku."
The three orcs' faces twisted oddly.
The orc swear Cory taught him.
Pronunciation imperfect, but meaning landed. Yuri shrugged at their grimaces.
"Bow if you don't wanna die."
"Akuakka-i. Akme gutu jakura..."
"Oku doku."
"Ukak!"
Yuri ignored them and requested entry to Ragna's tent.
Immediate reply.
"Enter."
Ragna sat at the desk, arms crossed, deep in thought. He chin-nodded at Yuri without looking up.
"No morning sleep?"
"Light sleeper. Battlefield, after all."
"Right, warzone."
A letter lay on the desk before Ragna.
Too far for content, but continental script.
Audience short—they'd just delivered the letter.
Yuri asked,
"Your Highness, may I ask the contents?"
Ragna leaned back, head on rest. Even seated, angle looked down on Yuri.
"Yuri."
"Yes."
Ragna's eyes weary.
"Why do you think I became Allied Forces commander?"
Sudden question.
"Because Your Highness excels at war..."
"Not the obvious."
"Another reason?"
"Playing dumb or sincere?"
Rare emotion from Ragna.
Yuri waited.
"Allied Forces is a glorious post."
"Yes."
"How'd I land such a spot?"
"Politics, sounds like."
"Right. You may not know, but I'm on bad terms with the Emperor."
Few on the continent called the Emperor just "Emperor."
Not many.
And one was the man before Yuri.
King's Kin Ragna.
He tilted his chin crookedly.
"Plenty who'd replace me. Loyal dogs eager to credit the Emperor. So why me?"
"Your abilities suit commander?"
"Yes. But Empire doesn't work logically. If it flows right, Emperor's scheme underneath."
Yuri nodded.
Allied Forces formed for failure from start. Emperor knew Okua would win.
Yuri convinced Empire and orcs allied secretly.
"A trap, you mean?"
Past life, Ragna took blame for failure, lost power. Emperor seized full control.
Ragna discarded pawn.
"See this."
Ragna handed the orc letter.
Yuri inhaled sharply.
"This is..."
"Yeah."
Shocking content.
Emperor allied with Okua—don't be sacrifice, withdraw.
Sender claimed anonymous faction opposing Okua.
Yuri flipped the letter.
Short warning only.
"Thoughts?"
Yuri smiled wryly.
Vile ploy.
Yuri eyed Ragna. His stiff face softened, mirroring Yuri's gaze.
Yuri said,
"Thought it'd be tough, but tougher war than imagined."
Ragna leaned forward, clapped.
"Exactly."
Yuri and Ragna chuckled long, eyeing each other.
"Glad we talk sense, Yuri."
"Thank you."
"Real faction or Okua trick—our job same."
"Yes."
Whatever truth, disbanding Allied Forces no option. Maybe Emperor's wish.
"Your Highness, may I propose boldly?"
"Propose?"
"First, outside..."
Yuri and Ragna exited.
Three orcs mounting Komodo Drakes. Empire knights in black armor wary, but orcs carefree.
Chattering leisurely among themselves.
"What say?"
"Handle them?"
"Yes."
Yuri didn't underestimate orcs. More treacherous than humans.
If Okua schemed further, letter reached someone in Allied Forces...
In hard times, someone'd recall it.
Morale drop, fractures.
Suspect allies not foes, seek retreat over fight.
"Better no way back."
Yuri approached orcs.
Empire knights blocked, but Ragna nodded them aside.
Orcs on drakes shouted as Yuri neared. Mocking, probably.
But Yuri kept coming; their faces twisted.
"Akuakka-i! Murkan ormetun!"
"Shut up."
Yuri leaped instantly.
Several sword swings—first orc headless. Other two panicked, yanked reins to flee, but Yuri pursued.
Stabbed one's back off drake, gutted the last.
Subdued three in blink.
Empire knights stirred.
Knew 18th Prince skilled, but this much?
Even Ragna muttered in disbelief,
"Grown stronger since...?"
Yuri didn't stop at killing. Severed heads.
Ruthless, unprincely.
"Help?"
Yuri called two Empire knights.
Calmed Komodo Drakes, loaded headless corpses.
Stuck their flag in neck stumps.
Last, scrawled on white flag with orc blood.
Oku doku
Cory's orc swear. Continental script, but they'd get it.
"Go."
Yuri kicked drakes; they turned back whence came.
Smart as horses—return to orc masters.
Ruthless slaughter, bold insult in moments.
Empire knights eyed Yuri fearfully.
Ragna approached.
"Thought you prudent—more radical than expected."
"Kept a promise."
"Ah..."
Ragna nodded understanding, arm around Yuri's shoulder.
Yuri watched three headless orcs with flag fade, said,
"They'll pay dearly."