Chapter 81
Chapter 81
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: 38. Comrades in Arms (2)
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"Are those two fighting again today?"
"Yes."
Yuri was walking through the palace with Ena when the sound of clashing metal rang out from afar.
"They're at it from morning like always."
Ever since the Allied Forces returned, the palace had been filled with the constant sound of swords clashing.
It was all because of Bernard and Hose.
The two sparred every day as if they'd met their lifelong rival.
Their wins and losses were eerily even, alternating regularly without either gaining the upper hand.
Sometimes Moyong Chan, who had been watching, would suddenly jump in, send them both flying, and vanish just as abruptly.
Pik chuckled.
Putting those two together had a more intense effect than expected.
"I wonder if that was the right call or a mistake..."
"It was the right call. Both of them look happy."
"That looks happy to you?"
"They're smiling while they fight, aren't they?"
"That's what makes it scarier."
Bernard and Hose would burst into manic laughter during their spars, like they were high on something. It was downright frightening to watch.
Ena asked,
"When are you leaving?"
"Today."
"Already?"
"These things need to be wrapped up quickly. I worry the palace discipline will fall apart without me, but there's no helping it."
"Isn't it the opposite? The palace has been weird ever since you came back, Your Highness."
"That's just your personal opinion."
"It's not..."
Yuri had met with Fiore last night and explained the extortion of consolation money.
Fiore's eyebrow twitched.
People often forgot amid his indifferent demeanor, but Fiore was a warlord infamous on the battlefields. He knew the respect due to those who fought.
Fiore had left it all to Yuri's discretion.
"Your Highness, it's such a relief that His Majesty is so skilled in battle for our kingdom."
"Why's that?"
"No worries about scheming nobles plotting rebellion."
Yuri smirked at Ena's words.
"But there's a side effect."
"Side effect?"
"With no sense of crisis, nobles get away with all sorts of nonsense."
"Ah..."
This incident was much the same.
Other kings were busy checking nobles from building power, but Fiore paid it no mind.
As a result, nobles had grown their forces needlessly.
In the Empire, someone like Genad would have been eliminated long ago.
"But now we have you, Your Highness."
Yuri chuckled and patted Ena's head.
"No, you're younger than me and yet..."
"I'm not young."
"Did you age behind my back?"
"Yeah."
"What?"
Yuri recalled his previous life. Everything had been a mess.
If not for this second chance, he would have kept living selfishly, and Ena never would have acknowledged him like this.
He wanted to fix his mistakes.
"I've got to bring Jared along."
"Just the two of you?"
"That's plenty."
"What about Sir Hernando?"
"He's busy these days. It'll be quick anyway, and mages just slow things down."
"Got it."
Yuri had already summoned Asana and ordered her to infiltrate Genad's castle.
She would secure the necessary evidence.
"Oh, right, Your Highness."
"Yeah?"
"Sir Rolang is coming today, you said..."
"That guy?"
"Take him with you. Two is too few."
Yuri paused.
Rolang's excessive loyalty was a bit burdensome.
"That guy..."
"What? Are you avoiding the loyal Sir Rolang now?"
"He's too loyal."
"Come on, make the most of it while he's around. Where else are you going to find someone like Sir Rolang?"
"I know, but..."
Still, Yuri felt uneasy.
Once this was handled, Rolang might realize Yuri was the true head of the Allied Forces veterans' association. That would only amplify his already excessive loyalty.
But Ena couldn't know Yuri's concerns.
"Take him. Got it?"
"Fine."
"Good. Smart choice."
"Ugh..."
Just then, Rolang appeared. He was dressed in light training clothes, heading toward the training grounds where Bernard and Hose were sparring.
"Oh, Rolang. Perfect timing."
"Your Highness, and Miss Ena."
Rolang bowed politely not just to Yuri but to Ena as well.
"I hope you've been well."
"Not really."
"What do you mean? If there's any worry..."
"Rolang, come with me."
"Pardon?"
"I've got business."
"I was planning to observe Sir Bernard and Sir Hose's duel today..."
"A comrade from the Allied Forces is in danger. You going to leave him be?"
"No, if that's the case..."
He placed a hand over his heart and bowed to Yuri.
"I, Rolang Flandre, eldest son of Count Franchese and knight of Brioll, pledge my full efforts to rescue the comrade alongside Your Highness."
Just mentioning a comrade in peril had elicited this vow-like declaration.
Yuri patted his shoulder with an awkward expression.
"Y-yeah..."
"I stake the honor of Flandre on it."
"Don't stake too much."
Still, with the prince and Flandre heir together, it made a fine pairing. Royalty and nobility upholding justice side by side.
"Let's go. Subordinate Number One, Jared, is waiting."
"Understood."
Ena cheered them on.
"Be careful out there."
"Will do."
Rolang bowed politely to Ena once more.
"Thank you for looking after His Highness so well. Stay safe until we meet again."
"Oh my..."
Ena returned a curtsy.
Watching them, Yuri crossed his arms.
"Makes me look like the rude one."
"You are, really. Raised in the palace, yet you ignore etiquette."
"You don't know what you're talking about. I was raised in the palace, but what really shaped me was..."
Yuri thought back to his mercenary days in his previous life. He'd learned far more then than in the palace.
"Eighty percent the wind."
"Pardon?"
"Just remember that."
Suddenly, a fierce gust blew through. Yuri walked on, his hair whipping in the wind.
Watching his back, Rolang murmured,
"So cool..."
"Pardon?"
"I'll be going now."
As Ena watched Rolang hurry after him, she could see why Yuri found him burdensome.
She just sighed.
"Normal people turn weird once they get involved with His Highness..."
Yuri left the palace with Rolang and Jared, riding hard.
Beyond the capital, fields stretched out before giving way to dense woods.
There was a maintained road, but cutting through the forest was faster.
"Want to take a break?"
Yuri stroked the mane of his horse. It was the black steed that had served him well during the Allied Forces campaign. Not the largest, but clever—it understood Yuri's commands perfectly.
"Sir Raymond's doing well, I hope?"
"No need to worry about him."
"True enough."
As they rode, Yuri suddenly felt an odd sensation.
"We feel a bit like the Three Musketeers, don't we...?"
With his black hair and black clothes, Yuri rode a black horse; bright blond Rolang in light attire rode a white horse; and plain brown-haired Jared in nondescript clothes rode a brown horse.
The colors were too perfectly divided—it was embarrassing, like they'd coordinated it.
"Don't overthink it. No one will notice."
"Hope so."
"Shall we rest a bit?"
"Sure."
They stopped by a stream to water the horses.
In the Allied Forces, they'd marched in long columns, but now they could adjust pace freely—much more comfortable.
"Speaking of which, the veterans' association must have quite the funds. I paid my dues too, but for a noble to eye it..."
"Means there are plenty of patriots in Brioll, right?"
"You think?"
"Your Highness's exploits spread across the continent. Gave people pride. Embarrassing to admit, but when I returned to my lands, everyone welcomed me grandly."
"The people rallied their hearts."
"Brioll's future is bright."
Yuri cleared his throat listening to Jared and Rolang chat.
The dues and donations had added up decently, but not that much.
He was just footing the bill himself.
"See this? Bandits plague other countries' mountains, but Brioll's are clean."
Yuri flinched at Rolang's words.
Such boasts always summoned bandits.
"Rolang."
"Yes?"
"Hear anything?"
"Like what?"
"The sound of misfortune's conditions being met."
"I'm not sure I follow..."
At that moment, bushes rustled in the distance. Yuri toyed with Guilty at his waist and said,
"Don't worry. Bandits summoned by talk like that are usually weak."
Rolang, still clueless, tilted his head and stood. Jared was already gripping his drawn sword, eyes on the front.
A group of burly men in animal hides emerged.
Over ten by count.
Yuri and Jared were unfazed, but Rolang clearly looked the part of a trained noble.
Yet they'd shown themselves—meant these bandits had some confidence.
A goateed man smirked lazily.
"Hey, pretty young master. Out for a stroll?"
The others burst into laughter. He seemed the leader.
Goatee sauntered over, sword propped on his shoulder.
"Young master, just two servants? Weren't you scared of running into scary uncles like us?"
Threatening situation, but Yuri's group felt no tension.
Jared was from Brioll's elite Royal Guard, Rolang a tournament-winning knight.
And Yuri was stronger than both.
"What did you just call me?"
Rolang stepped forward.
Goatee grinned, eyeing Rolang up and down.
"You look loaded, but only two servants? Huh?"
"If you'd just mistaken me for a servant, I might have forgiven you."
"What're you on about?"
"But now it's unforgivable."
Jared glanced at Yuri as Rolang spoke. Yuri shrugged.
"Learn from him."
"Yes, well..."
Goatee's laughter boomed at Rolang's firmness.
"Little master picked up some sword tricks, eh? Ego gotten too big?"
Yuri tilted his head.
Suspicious. A bandit using scholarly phrases like "inflated ego"?
Rolang drew his sword without reply. Mana flared along the blade, glowing white.
"Kill or spare?"
"Spare him for now."
Goatee tilted his head.
"What? He's the boss over there...?"
Rolang's sword slashed at his legs. Goatee barely blocked.
Metal screamed on impact.
Goatee staggered back, eyes wide.
"This guy..."
Rolang was mildly surprised too—high level for a bandit. But he showed no emotion, methodically striking weak points.
Goatee kept retreating.
"Not bad, huh?"
"Yeah."
As the leader fell back, the others panicked.
"W-what?"
Cornered, Goatee took Rolang's kick and sprawled. Rolang stepped back, no pursuit.
"Get up."
He waited like it was a knightly duel.
"Urgh..."
Goatee grimaced, raising his sword again.
"Underestimated you, kid. Heh, not bad..."
He forced a grin.
"Didn't want to kill, but no choice."
Sword aura flared from his blade—proof of Mana Circulation Method mastery.
Rare for bandits to wield aura.
Yuri guessed his identity.
"Fallen knight type, probably."
"A knight?"
"Yeah."
In his past life as a mercenary, Yuri had seen plenty with backstories.
Meanwhile, the other bandits crept toward Yuri and Jared.
"I'll handle them."
Jared rose.
Goatee yelled,
"Everyone, hold!"
He sensed Yuri's group was no joke.
"I'll take them. First, this one..."
His eyes widened.
Aura flared from Rolang's sword too.
"D-damn."
Goatee backpedaled.
"Run! Scatter and..."
But Rolang didn't let up. He deflected the sword, disrupting stance, then vertically slashed the chest.
Clothes tore, blood flowed.
Rolang had controlled the depth—not fatal.
"Mm..."
Yuri grunted.
As Goatee's clothes parted, a tattoo on his chest was revealed.
Yuri had seen that design before.
"Rolang. Hold."
"Yes."
Yuri stepped forward. All eyes turned to him, bandits included.
"You lot... were you in the Allied Forces?"