Chapter 87
Chapter 87
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 87
Chapter Title: 40. Backlight (2)
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“Asana?”
Yuri's eyes widened.
The door to the inn room swung open to reveal Asana collapsed on the floor, utterly exhausted.
“You okay?”
Blood trickled from wounds all over her body. But upon closer inspection, they weren't deep cuts.
Yuri let out a sigh of relief, and Asana managed a faint smile.
“I'm just tired, that's all.”
“What happened to your wounds?”
“Well...”
Asana explained what had gone down in Genad's room.
“I barely managed to grab these documents.”
“Good work. You did great.”
A few sheets of paper emerged from the black bag slung over her shoulder. They detailed Genad's various misdeeds.
“This guy's got his fingers in all sorts of pies.”
Genad wasn't a major concern for Yuri. What mattered more was uncovering the accomplice on the other end of that crystal orb—and identifying the black energy that had pursued Asana.
Yuri wiped the blood from her leg with a handkerchief.
“Rest up here.”
“Yes.”
“I've paid for everything upfront, so eat whatever you want, as much as you want. Hot water's unlimited too.”
“Thank you.”
“You earned it. Here's a bonus—go treat your siblings to something nice next time.”
“Yes.”
Asana smiled faintly.
Yuri stroked her cheek, then gathered the documents and left the inn. Before closing the door, he glanced back—Asana was already asleep.
“She should wash up first...”
Muttering like a worried parent, Yuri shut the door.
He headed downstairs, gave the innkeeper a brief rundown on the new guest, and stepped outside.
Rolang and Jared were waiting.
“Are you all right?”
Rolang asked in alarm at the blood on Yuri's hands.
“I'm fine. My informant pushed too hard and got a little banged up.”
“Is the informant okay?”
“Of course. They're way better at this than we are.”
“Glad to hear it.”
They'd heard bits and pieces about Yuri's mysterious informant before. It never failed to impress them, not knowing who it was.
“Got a ton of intel. The veterans' association thing should wrap up nicely.”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
It had started with the Allied Forces veterans' group, but bigger issues were tangled up in it.
Still, the immediate problem looked solved. Asana had delivered a killer hand.
Yuri mounted up and rode straight for Genad's castle.
The guards welcomed them as if expecting their arrival. Past the ornate entrance and up the spiral stairs, a glittering chandelier greeted them.
Genad waited, impeccably dressed.
The table was set with dishes for exactly their number.
“Didn't bring Ace.”
Yuri grinned.
“He's not exactly someone you wanna share a meal with, right?”
Genad didn't react to the jab. He looked drained, eager to get this over with.
Genad gestured to Yuri.
“Please, sit.”
Yuri took the head seat at Genad's invitation. Genad sat to his left, Rolang and Jared to his right.
Soon, the food arrived.
The appetizers kept coming, each one exquisite. Yuri could see why Genad had packed on the pounds.
“Excellent chef.”
“Yes. Costs a fortune.”
“Where's he from?”
Yuri had no interest in small talk. Just say what needed saying—that was his view.
“The Empire?”
“Pardon?”
Genad's eyes flickered at the sudden mention.
“Or not.”
“Why bring up the Empire all of a sudden...”
“You seem to like it there, Genad.”
“Me?”
“Don't you?”
“I'm the Duke of Yuges. Naturally, I favor Brioll.”
“Who said you can't like both? I like the Empire too. They make great stuff. Got a guilty conscience or something?”
“That's not...”
“Even this silverware's Empire-made.”
Yuri flashed a grin.
“Got some secret dealings going on?”
Genad caught on now, his face hardening.
“That's...”
Yuri hinted that he knew about the shattered crystal orb—and that it was no accident. Time to cut the crap and talk.
“Drop the veterans' association nonsense. No more shady stuff. Got it? Then I won't push it.”
“Understood.”
“Now, about the Empire.”
Genad glanced at Rolang and Jared. He clearly didn't want to spill in front of them.
But Yuri pressed on regardless.
“Just say it.”
“Your Highness.”
Genad closed his eyes, then opened them.
“I've built ties with a few imperial officials, but nothing beyond that.”
He gave a quiet smile.
“As Duke of Yuges, I apologize for forging those connections.”
“Genad.”
Yuri pulled out the documents. All of them his weak spots.
“Be straight with me. I'll make them disappear.”
Genad's eyes wavered. If these got out, even Fiore couldn't save him from the dungeons.
But he squeezed his eyes shut and spoke.
“That's truly all there is.”
“Should I send these off, then?”
“If I must pay for my crimes, so be it. That's all I can say.”
“Scared of the Empire?”
“I've said my piece.”
Yuri pressed, but Genad stonewalled, repeating himself.
Yuri realized Genad's resolve was firmer than expected.
“Fine.”
As Yuri stared, Genad's lips trembled. Then he dropped his gaze and started eating.
Eating at a time like this? Impressive appetite, Yuri thought.
Yuri eased off and ate as well. Rolang and Jared stayed silent, so the meal dragged on quietly.
“Delicious.”
Yuri called a servant.
“Tell the chef it was wonderful.”
“Yes, sir. He'll be thrilled.”
“The Duke of Yuges knows his gourmet meals.”
Yuri wiped his mouth with a napkin and eyed Genad again.
“Well, Genad.”
“Yes.”
“Thanks for the feast.”
“My honor.”
“Won't get meals like this much longer. Eat up while you can.”
Genad said nothing.
Confusion clouded his face. Finally, he spoke.
“Yes.”
Once Yuri sent those crime records to the palace via Asana, Genad was done for. Fiore might even toss him in the deepest cell personally.
Yet Genad nodded as if he had no choice.
“Do as you must.”
“Oh...”
Yuri was impressed—not by his spirit, but by the expressiveness of his face.
Genad seemed to say:
'You know my sins, I know you know, but spilling on my backers would bring bigger trouble, so play along with the denial for form's sake.'
Yuri nodded and patted his shoulder, as if consoling him.
“Eat up.”
“Yes.”
Genad signaled for more food.
Serving more after royalty finished was rude, but Genad ignored protocol, diving back in like it was his last meal.
Yuri said,
“Won't eat like this for a while.”
“Guh...”
“I'm heading to the Empire soon.”
“Pardon...?”
Genad stopped chewing and looked up. Not a pretty sight.
Yuri looked away and continued.
“No more sharing these glorious meals with me.”
“You mean...”
“You'll enjoy all this fine cuisine solo from now on. Jealous, Genad.”
His eyes widened.
Yuri grinned and stood.
“I'll be watching. No more funny business—lie low like you're dead. Got it?”
Genad shot to his feet.
“Yes.”
“Finish your food.”
“Yes.”
Yuri led Rolang and Jared out of the castle.
Genad saw them to the entrance. Yuri waved him back.
“Go on.”
“Your Highness.”
“You're not full yet. Go eat.”
As he followed, Yuri lightly smacked his belly. Genad bowed.
Once outside, Rolang asked,
“Why let him off?”
“He's in our pocket anyway. No need to take him out now.”
Jared chimed in.
“Plus, he gets away unpunished despite everything. Makes his backers suspicious of him instead.”
“That, and if they reconnect, it gives us more chances to track the puppet master.”
“Still rubs me wrong.”
Rolang glanced back.
“A corrupt noble like that deserves punishment.”
“I'd love to, but it's not that simple. Who's gonna run Yuges then?”
“Er...”
“Even if we pull him down someday, now's not the time.”
With the Empire trip looming and unknowns ahead, Yuri didn't want Brioll in chaos.
Better Genad stayed—for now. Corrupt, sure, but not incompetent.
Proof: Yuges ran smoothly enough.
The streets buzzed with life.
Citizens recognized Yuri from the daytime trial, bowing as he passed.
“And...”
Yuri grinned.
“Genad stiffened up for a bit, but now that I've backed off, he's giddy again. When you think something's yours and almost lose it, the fear hits harder.”
“Ease up, then squeeze?”
“More effective than pushing now.”
Yuri pondered the unknown pulling Genad's strings.
Whatever made Genad clam up like that wasn't ordinary. They might even be watching right now.
Yuri glanced around casually.
“Anyway, our business here's done. Leave the rest to the others—time to plan for the Empire.”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
Yuri handed the veterans' association matter to Raymond. The rest of the Allied Forces vets would juggle it with their day jobs.
Just before leaving Yuges, a group of rough-looking men approached.
He didn't recognize them at first.
“Huh?”
Then their eyes rang a bell.
“Beard guy?”
It was the bandit crew of Allied Forces vets from the forest before Yuges. Clean-shaven in plain clothes, they looked like ordinary folk.
“Name's Romer.”
Unlike his rude past self, he handed Yuri something like a proper knight.
It was a resume—thick, detailed down to the small stuff.
“Why skip the bandit part at the end?”
“Uh...”
Romer bowed to Yuri.
“Heard all about what happened in Yuges. I apologize for my mistakes. Never thought I'd meet a real royal like you.”
“A royal like me, huh?”
“One who chews out a duke for his comrades.”
“Yup, that's me.”
Yuri glanced back. Raymond, the new veterans' association head, tilted his head.
Yuri passed him the resume.
“Raymond.”
“Yes.”
“Job applicant for the veterans' group. Put him to work.”
“Kinda familiar...”
“Eh?”
Come to think of it, Raymond had been in the last Allied Forces campaign.
Raymond approached Romer. They pointed at each other.
“Long time, Raymond.”
“No way, you're...”
“Yup. Fell on hard times, but it's Romer.”
Suddenly, they hugged.
“What the?”
“Must've saved each other's lives somewhere.”
“Fate's a funny thing.”
Smiling at them, Yuri looked up.
A massive bird perched on the rooftop railing across the street. Huge, but the sun's glare silhouetted it, details lost in backlight.
It took to the sky.
Even as it vanished into the distance, Yuri couldn't make out the species.
But its form soaring in the sunlight was beautiful.