Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: 37. The Prince's Return (1)
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The Allied Forces departed from Valshard, passed through Gide, and returned to the continent.
The lord of Gide welcomed Yuri warmly and praised his exploits. The two parted ways, promising to maintain good relations in the future.
It was time for the Allied Forces to disband.
Ragnar assembled all the troops, commended their hard work, and officially declared the disbandment of the Allied Forces.
"Everyone, you did well."
As Ragnar spoke those words and stepped down from the podium, the soldiers tossed their helmets into the air and erupted in cheers.
Yuri exchanged farewells with everyone he had grown close to during the campaign.
Most planned to accept the Empire's invitation, so they promised to meet again soon.
"I'll stop by Brioll on my way."
Hose, the knight from Burssen, declared that he would travel with Yuri.
Yuri gladly accepted. There was no reason to refuse when a future member of the Ten Strongest was offering to come along of his own accord.
Jonathan, the commander from Burssen, asked,
"Why the sudden decision?"
"I want to spar more with Sir Moyong Chan, and if possible..."
He trailed off, but his intent was clear even without him finishing.
He had Fiore Brioll in mind—the king of Brioll and one of the Ten Strongest.
Jonathan nodded.
"Got it. Your family is waiting, so don't stay too long. Not neglecting your home. That's what makes you a man of Burssen."
"Understood."
Yuri welcomed Hose warmly.
"Sir Hose, I know just the sparring partner who's perfect for you. Let me introduce you."
"Really?"
"He'll be about as strong as you—exactly your match."
"That's welcome news."
Competing against superior opponents was great, but rivals of similar skill were even better for growth.
And Yuri knew the perfect match in that regard.
His own master, Bernard.
Bernard might have the edge in technique and speed, but factoring in Hose's immense strength, it promised to be a fierce battle.
"There's this guy named Bernard. A madman with the sword—they call him the Sword Demon."
"Ooh..."
Suddenly, a question occurred to Yuri.
In his previous life, Hose had become one of the Ten Strongest, but Bernard's whereabouts had become mysterious after leaving Brioll.
He was the sort of man who could have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Hose among the Ten Strongest.
"Whatever, doesn't matter."
Of course, that was unknowable now.
He might have wandered off somewhere and died to a blade.
"Alright, let's head out!"
Yuri took the lead, just as he had during the war, and returned to Brioll.
As they entered Sidoor on the border, residents lined the streets, scattering flower petals to welcome their triumphant return.
Haime was delighted by the orcs' downfall, but he viewed the plan to station advance bases to manage them with skepticism.
"The orcs will come back. They're like cockroaches."
It was a prophecy that they would multiply again someday.
Coming from Haime of all people, it felt like it would surely come to pass.
"What a truly annoying bunch."
"Of course, it'll take a long time. Thanks to you, Your Highness, my later years will be peaceful."
"I'm glad you think so."
Haime merely smiled at Yuri's words that Cori had been a great help.
When Yuri said he would make Cori into a mage, Haime offered fitting advice.
"Keep watching him closely. If something feels off, cut ties without hesitation."
In other words, don't trust him completely. Yuri took the advice to heart.
"I will. Still, I think Cori will be fine."
"Yes."
Haime nodded.
Considering his attitude toward orcs, this was high praise for Cori.
Finally, he cautioned Yuri.
"You're heading to the Empire, then."
"That's the plan."
"In the Empire, mind your words and actions. Unlike Brioll, it's crawling with rats."
There was a weight to his words.
The Empire was vast, with tangled interests and rampant scheming as a result.
But Yuri had one creed.
No one stands against the blade.
No matter what plots the small fry hatched, would they work against powerhouses like Fiore Brioll or Moyong Chan? One slash, and it was over.
Of course, the problem was that those who wielded blades well were mostly gathered in the Empire.
So he needed to grow stronger quickly, to stand eye-to-eye with the monsters lurking there.
"Thanks for the advice."
"No trouble at all."
"Sir Haime."
"Yes."
"It's a bit early for this now, but..."
Yuri looked at him and continued slowly.
"Your work isn't finished yet."
With the Allied Forces' unprecedented success, it might seem like his duties were over, but Yuri thought the opposite.
Haime had lost his son to the orcs.
What if there were those pulling the strings behind the orcs?
Just as Yuri's own vendetta remained unresolved, so did Haime's.
"Do you still hate the orcs?"
"Of course."
"There might be something else you need to hate even more."
It was incomprehensible to Haime.
But he wasn't one to question lightly, nor did he dismiss the Third Prince who had led the Allied Forces to victory.
He simply gazed quietly at Yuri.
Yuri smiled, looking at the old knight's wrinkled face.
Would this veteran ever find peace?
In his previous life wandering the continent, Yuri had seen many like him.
They only found rest in the face of death. And if unresolved grudges lingered, even death sometimes failed to soothe them.
"Haime Sidoor, Brioll's shield."
For this honorable knight who had guarded the border his entire life, the only tribute Yuri could offer was to ensure death brought his life to a complete close.
"Soon, I'll tell you who your true enemy is. It might be your final battle."
Haime tilted his head, staring into Yuri's eyes.
After a moment of silence, he smiled.
It was an expression of relief.
"I'll be waiting."
In the distance, Brioll's royal castle came into view.
Yuri reined in his horse and turned back.
"Hey, everyone."
It was a triumphant march, but the long expedition had left them all ragged.
Yuri pointed at the castle.
"See that?"
All eyes turned. Beyond the faint castle walls, something floated lazily in the sky.
"What's that?"
"A hot air balloon."
Yuri hadn't expected to see one in Brioll at this time. It was probably thanks to the Ireine Merchant Guild's early growth.
"Invented in Liberda. It uses hot air to lift things up."
"Why's it there?"
"What else?"
Yuri chuckled.
"To welcome us."
There would be a welcome message hanging below the balloon, and as they entered, it would shower them with flower petals.
A grand welcome ceremony.
"So clean yourselves up. No regrets later."
At Yuri's words, the soldiers looked at each other's faces and burst into laughter.
"We won, but we look like defeated stragglers."
"At least pick the sleep from your eyes."
Yuri gave them time.
The soldiers set down their gear and tidied themselves as best they could.
"So the castle ladies can see your handsome faces, carry your helmets at your sides."
The column moved out again.
Now that the return felt real, contented smiles spread across their faces.
The road home after war always brought joy.
Soon they reached the castle gates.
A herald on horseback blew a mighty horn. Even before they passed through, cheers and fireworks echoed from within.
"Your Highness, we celebrate your victory!"
The herald lowered the horn, dismounted, and bowed deeply to Yuri.
"Thank you."
"The people of Brioll await Your Highness!"
"They're waiting for all of us."
"Ah, yes! Right. They're waiting for you all."
Yuri slowly urged his horse forward into the castle.
Just beyond the gates, colored papers rained from the sky.
Vast crowds welcomed them.
His black warhorse, which had shared the battles, seemed to savor the cheers, slowing its pace and baring its teeth in a grin.
Yuri looked up. Amid the fireworks, a long banner unfurled from the balloon, inscribed with praise for their feats.
"Who prepared this?"
Yuri let out a hollow laugh. Who in the palace would care about such details?
"Hey, Jared."
"Yes?"
"Don't stand there so stiff."
Unfamiliar with the scene, Jared stared straight ahead, rigid as a board.
"Go grab some flowers over there."
"Pardon?"
"Or take a handkerchief from a pretty girl."
"No..."
Yuri shoved his shoulder.
The horse carrying Jared trotted toward a woman in the cheering crowd as if understanding the command.
"No, wait..."
Pressed by the roaring crowd, he finally extended his hand. She handed him a sky-blue handkerchief.
Jared even exchanged names before rejoining the ranks.
"Not bad."
Teased by Yuri, he cleared his throat awkwardly.
"And will Your Highness just walk by?"
"I'm good."
"Why?"
"A heartthrob like me can't play favorites."
"Ha..."
The soldiers, who had arrived with only weapons and packs, were now draped in flower necklaces and handkerchiefs.
"Sir Hose."
"Y-yes, yes."
Not even from Brioll, Hose was thoroughly enjoying the festivities.
"Brioll has a lot of beauties, huh?"
"Yes, truly. Wow..."
"Give it your best. Guys like you are popular here."
"Pardon?"
"Why ask?"
Yuri laughed and clapped his shoulder.
Hose tried to suppress his rising grin but failed, settling for a broad smile.
"I'll do my best. Haha!"
Yuri circled the castle once before returning to the square where the departure ceremony had been held.
There sat Cedric and Joshua.
Cedric smiled softly, waving. Joshua shrugged with his usual scheming expression.
Yuri raised his gaze.
Fiore Brioll stood atop the podium.
His face was as impassive as when they'd left. But Yuri caught the faint emotion in his eyes.
Had he ever made his father proud before?
As the troops lined up, the crowd hushed. Now the king would commend their victory.
Yuri dismounted and ascended the steps to stand before Fiore.
"Hm..."
Fiore eyed him over.
"You've grown taller."
"Yes."
At eighteen, he still had room to grow.
"Good work."
Fiore glanced past Yuri's shoulder.
"And you brought an interesting guest."
His voice held a hint of excitement. Because of Moyong Chan standing behind.
It was the first time Yuri had seen his father show competitive spirit.
Yuri could only smile.
"Isn't that what you ordered?"
"As if."
They exchanged a few words, then shared a brief embrace.
"You did well."
"Yes."
Then Fiore officially declared the victory of the Brioll forces and the end of the Allied Forces.
"Congratulations to these great victors."
With that, Fiore pulled something out.
And sprayed it.
Catching Yuri off-guard, the spray hit him full-on.
Champagne.
This sparked the Brioll troops to shower their soldiers with champagne and beer. The startled men soon burst into laughter.
Yuri brushed back his wet hair.
"Who the hell planned this?"
"They said not to tell."
"Pardon?"
"Said you'd get revenge."
"Ah..."
Yuri chuckled.
Only one person in the palace would say that. Turning, he saw Joshua flinch in his seat.
Still, planning an event like this showed he'd been busy with something productive.
"Well, anyway."
Yuri looked down at the chaotic square and smiled.
"It's good to be home."
Yuri wasn't in the best mood.
"Does it have to be today, of all days?"
"Whale."
"There are better opponents than me."
"Tomorrow, I'll exchange pointers with Grandmaster Fiore."
"No..."
"So draw your sword."
One of the conditions Moyong Chan had set when Yuri became his disciple: a proper spar after the Allied Forces disbanded.
The triumphant parade had ended on a high note, with a festival planned for the night.
But before he could even rest from the journey, Moyong Chan had grabbed him for a match.
"Your Highness! I've got hemostatic agents and bandages ready! If you get stabbed, just say the word!"
Ena, whom he hadn't seen in ages, was startled by the sudden duel but quickly brought supplies and cheered from the sidelines.
"Hoo..."
Yuri sighed, rolled his shoulders, and said,
"Alright, Master. Let's see some bitter defeat today."