Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: 41. Empire's Dawn (1)
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Yuri threw himself into training upon returning to the palace, right up until it was time to depart for the empire.
His sparring partners kept changing—sometimes it was Bernard, other times Muyong Chan. Occasionally, he'd even cross swords with Hose.
Facing off against such a variety of styles had spurred Yuri's skills to grow by leaps and bounds.
Bernard spoke up.
"Now is the time when enlightenment matters most."
Once a knight reached a certain realm, sudden flashes of insight that upended one's entire worldview held more sway than rote repetition.
Of course, attaining that level was no easy feat. And for someone like Yuri to do so at such a young age was virtually unheard of.
"When you swing your sword, think deeply. Not just moving on instinct, but deliberate motion—ponder it a hundred times, a thousand times before acting."
"Do you fight that way yourself?"
"Not always."
Yuri swung Guilty. Bernard's blade met it head-on.
Before, he couldn't have held out for even a moment. Now, they could clash swords long enough to hold a conversation.
"Hoo..."
Yuri focused his senses. He yearned to touch that unknown realm he'd glimpsed while sparring with Muyong Chan, but it eluded him.
"The power of chaos..."
Yuri fiddled with Guilty's hilt before speaking.
"Bernard."
"Yes."
"I'm going to use the Sword of the Rotating Vortex. Wait for it."
His first self-created secret technique in Yuri style.
The Sword of the Rotating Vortex.
But there was a problem. He could unleash it fluidly when fully immersed in battle, but in normal practice, it took too long to build up.
It was like firing off an ultimate move—the opponent practically had to stand there and wait.
"Understood."
Bernard crossed his arms and waited.
Yuri closed his eyes, lowering into a stance as if gathering his qi. A swirling wind stirred around Guilty's blade.
His mana spun wildly, dragging even more mana into its orbit. Fractal vortex patterns shimmered atop the edge. Infinite spirals of rotation upon rotation sought to rise from his body.
"That's way too long."
Bernard, watching, kicked Yuri over.
Yuri tumbled to the ground.
"As Yuri gathered power for his ultimate technique, he fell victim to Bernard's cowardly sneak attack, spewing black blood and collapsing. He succumbed to qi deviation."
"Shall I make you cough up real blood?"
"But Yuri, heaven's prodigy, swiftly realigned his meridians, escaping the peril of qi deviation. Even the villain Bernard applauded in admiration."
Yuri sprang up, grumbling.
"Why does it always take so damn long?"
"Don't try to burst it out all at once. Guide your mana properly, and the spin will accelerate on its own. You're forcing it now, that's why it lags."
"Not sure I get it."
"That's why I said think about it."
"It works fine in real fights."
"You were drained from prolonged combat—unnecessary tension bled away. It was a fluke alignment of mana flow. That doesn't count as truly yours."
"Got it."
"If you can't do it consciously, then it's..."
"Enough nagging!"
Cutting him off, Yuri lunged suddenly.
Bernard responded as if he'd been waiting.
"...fake."
Their blades clashed dozens of times in the air. The flurry of exchanges was too fierce for any ordinary eye to follow.
Bernard marveled at the trajectory of Guilty, gaining ever more flair.
This third prince, who had grown so rapidly, had returned from the allied forces utterly transformed.
Skills could sharpen in the heat of real battle, but he'd never seen anyone ascend so steeply.
Most just grew accustomed to the tension of life-or-death struggles—their core level stayed put.
Yet this third prince had come back a different man. His stance more precise, mana flow more concise. Fundamentals elevated.
It meant one thing.
Even amid threats to his life, one corner of his mind wasn't fixated on survival—it was searching for ways to grow stronger.
Did humans possess an instinct that trumped even survival?
"An instinct to grow stronger..."
Bernard murmured.
A dangerous notion.
If something in the subconscious outranked survival, that person wouldn't last long—a fleeting flower, blooming and wilting in a blink.
"Your Highness."
"Yeah."
"Value your life."
"I do."
"More than you do now."
"Got it."
"Don't charge recklessly like you did in the allied forces."
"Wasn't reckless."
"Still dangerous."
"No choice. Had to."
"You'll die."
"Then so be it."
Yuri grinned fiercely.
"On the battlefield, everyone's dying. No rule says it can't be me."
Bernard halted his sword.
"Lucky you're the third prince."
"Doesn't sound like praise."
Then Bernard's blade streaked toward Yuri's brow.
A speed Yuri couldn't match.
The world darkened, a silver arc slicing through, arcing down upon him.
Yuri raised Guilty.
Too late.
Yet his mind didn't resist. Instead, it calculated the curve's afterimage, Bernard's grip, his motion.
At last, Bernard's sword stopped.
Yuri stared straight at him, eyes wide open.
Bernard's gaze dropped.
Yuri's eyes blazed sharp, but his sword hand trembled, slick with sweat, locked in tension.
"Hm."
Bernard smiled.
"That's enough for today."
He sheathed his blade with fluid grace—countless repetitions etched into the motion.
Yuri just slung his over his shoulder.
"Bernard."
"Yes."
He made a sudden proposal.
"Come to the empire with me?"
"Well..."
Interest flickered in Bernard's eyes, but he shook his head.
"Afraid not."
"Why? Empire's full of intriguing opponents. Perfect chance."
"I spent a long time there in my youth."
"Know a lot of folks, then."
"That's the issue."
He added curtly.
"Too many grudges piled up."
"Ah..."
Yuri had forgotten for a moment—this man was the Sword Demon. He'd settled in Brioll now, but he'd once been a whirlwind of chaos.
"Alright. I'll be off, then."
Bernard watched Yuri, tempted to offer advice.
But he realized it was unnecessary. He always exceeded expectations.
So he said something else.
"If you're ever in danger, seek out Sparrow of the Swordsmanship Guild. Mention my name for aid."
"Friend of yours?"
"Quite the opposite. But he'll help once."
"Got it."
Yuri grinned.
Every time Bernard offered such human warmth, it warmed him too.
In his past life, their bond had been bone-dry. This time, they were forging something entirely different.
Doing well, he thought.
If he could mend not just with Bernard, but others he'd clashed with before...
"The empire..."
Graham was one example.
In his past life, fate had pitted them as polar opposites, like a bad joke.
Mutual nemeses.
But this life, their relation was worlds apart.
Like him and Graham swapped places—if he could turn former foes into allies, it might avert coming tragedies.
Recalling his past life, Yuri asked.
"Swordsmanship Guild any good with blades?"
"Better than average folk. But to Your Highness, most are just posers."
"It's a sword guild, though?"
"Anyone with real talent gets scooped up by the empire."
"Ah, gotcha..."
Promising sprouts were harvested by the empire, leaving the guild filled with ordinary types learning swordplay for self-defense.
Sparrow was one rare exception—a master instructor there.
"You'll get along with him, Your Highness."
"Must be a real saint, then."
"If he were, I wouldn't have mentioned him."
"Oof..."
Yuri slashed the air experimentally.
"Hmm..."
Mid-conversation with Bernard, swinging the sword felt off somehow.
It had been happening more lately.
"Lately, why does it feel so unsatisfying?"
"Your swordsmanship?"
"Feels sloppy."
Any other knight would laugh it off as a joke.
Yuri's form was impossibly clean for his age. To Bernard, he was already a master swordsman.
Yet he thirsted for more.
Bernard smiled.
"You're glimpsing beyond it, so the now falls short. Keep honing, and it'll improve—but even then, it won't satisfy you."
"Doesn't your own swordplay satisfy you?"
"No."
"What about Father?"
"Of course not."
"Some guys admire their reflection mid-swing."
"They stop there."
"Gonna tell Saned."
"Feel free."
Yuri chuckled.
Then sheathed his sword and plopped down right there. Sparring with Bernard drained him utterly—pushing to the limit left a deep satisfaction.
Yuri said softly.
"Anyway, departure's tomorrow. Take care, Bernard."
"Yes, Your Highness. Safe travels. The road to the empire is long and perilous."
"Yeah, quite the trek. Hope we make it unscathed."
"Whoa!"
Yuri threw his arms wide.
"The imperial capital!"
They had finally reached their destination: the empire's heart. Or rather, stood before its gates.
A massive wall loomed at the end of the long road. Crimson imperial banners fluttered from the spires.
At the gates, Imperial City Guards in black armor scrutinized visitors.
Jared stood beside Yuri, sighing.
"What a journey."
"Sure was."
From Brioll to the empire, they'd endured all manner of hardships. Indescribably grueling.
Rolang, following behind, nodded wearily.
"Never imagined we'd face such trials."
Hose laughed heartily.
"Nonstop thrills—enough for the history books. Glad I came with Brioll. Epic fun."
Hernando shook his head.
"Don't want to relive it. Would've preferred a comfy carriage ride, playing cards..."
His apprentice Cori, leaning on his staff, panted quietly. Small-framed and unbalanced, long walks taxed him.
Simon and Gina, trailing, patted his back.
"Cori, you okay?"
"Y-Yeah..."
"Here, water."
"Thanks..."
Simon and Gina, whom Yuri had brought as porters, bore massive loads. Yet despite the sweat, they bore it well—fruits of training.
Simon said.
"They say everyone gets one magical moment in life. Maybe our trek here was it."
Gina agreed.
"Shame only we saw it. A novelization would've topped sales charts for years."
"Nah. Unless the author's skilled, they couldn't capture it—just start and end scenes left."
"No way."
Simon and Gina shared a laugh.
"Anyway, water under the bridge. Bury the past."
"Right."
As they chatted, Yuri had already dashed ahead.
He turned, shouting back.
"Great job, everyone. Forget those adventures—we focus forward now. Got it?!"
"Yes!"
Yuri pointed at the checkpoint.
"Charge!"
He bolted toward the black-armored guards, cartwheeled once, sprang up, and flashed his credentials.
Name: Yuri Brioll.
Status: Third Prince of Brioll.
Purpose: Summoned by the Emperor.
The guards saluted crisply and opened the gates.
"Welcome! Enter!"
Thus, Yuri and his company arrived at the empire's core after their harrowing odyssey.