Chapter 97
Chapter 97
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: 44. Yuri's Knight (1)
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Jared, who had been asleep, opened his eyes to a sudden commotion. Someone was knocking on the door.
"Hey! Still sleeping?"
The third prince was starting the day with boundless energy.
"Get up already!"
He seemed overflowing with vigor from the morning.
Rolang, the third prince's loyal knight who shared the room with him, was already folding the bedding.
Even though the staff would change it anyway, he always tidied up his spot meticulously.
Jared asked while still sprawled out.
"Sir Rolang, didn't we just wake up together?"
"Yeah. You're still lying there?"
"You're so diligent..."
Jared pulled the blanket over his head. Then the third prince knocked on the door again.
Rolang chuckled as he said,
"Jared, if you don't get up, he'll come right in."
"Ugh..."
In the end, Jared dragged himself out of bed.
As he threw on some clothes haphazardly, Rolang was meditating with his eyes closed.
Rolang always calmed his mind like that before starting his day.
Young as he was, there was much to learn from him.
Even belonging to one of Brioll's most prestigious families, he never acted arrogant. When they fought together in the allied forces, he'd even suggested they drop formalities since they were both knights.
Jared, having lived his whole life as a commoner, found such familiarity uncomfortable and said he'd stick to honorifics until it felt right.
Rolang hadn't pushed further after that.
He was a good man.
"Sir Rolang. Any idea why His Highness is so worked up today?"
"Who knows?"
"There's still time until the banquet at the imperial palace..."
Yuri was already knocking on another room. Laughter boomed from Hose beyond the wall.
Rolang said,
"Maybe he's just in high spirits."
"Pardon?"
"The human heart drops low sometimes, then bounces back for no reason. Like yesterday, right?"
"Ah..."
Jared recalled yesterday.
At Laguna's mansion, he'd met Ekaterina, the emperor's daughter called the empire's treasure.
For Jared, she was a beauty unlike any he'd ever seen.
Words failed to describe her. Every twitch of her facial muscles drew the eye, as if crafted to express emotion.
Yet Yuri showed no reaction.
He'd even turned away from her as if she were a nuisance.
Later, when she directly offered a tournament medal, he'd refused outright.
If Jared had faced those clear green eyes, he never could've said no.
In that sense, the third prince was no ordinary man.
"Maybe bad boys are all the rage..."
"What're you talking about?"
Anyway, Yuri's mood had soured after that.
Jared rubbed his chin.
"Something between them? But they've never met before..."
"The imperial princess visited Brioll once with the second prince."
"Oh, right."
Back then, Yuri had dueled Georg's great warrior to save his exclusive maid, Ena.
They'd crossed paths briefly, and if some incident made Yuri avoid Ekaterina, it made sense.
"Whatever happened, it just reminds me again that His Highness is no ordinary man."
"Tell me about it."
"Could you have refused her, Sir Rolang?"
Jared asked Rolang. Though different from Yuri, Rolang showed little interest in romance too.
Rolang shrugged.
"Probably not."
"So even you are a man after all, Sir Rolang."
He just smirked.
Once ready, they stepped out and were met with an absurd sight.
Yuri was dragging a still-groggy Hose, who was pulling along a half-asleep Simon and Guinness, who in turn tugged at a nodding-off Cory.
With Yuri at the apex, four half-awake men trailed like drowned ghosts.
Hernando floated alongside, barely awake himself.
"Sir Rolang."
"Yeah?"
"Looks like we're the only sane ones left from Brioll. Heavy responsibility. Let's stay sharp."
"Kinda feels that way..."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Yuri seated his group one by one at the hotel restaurant as usual.
The Twoforia guests were used to the spectacle by now.
Yuri sat next to Hernando, who had Cory beside him and was chattering away.
Cory bowed her head in greeting.
"Your Highness. Good morning."
"Cory, is this guy teaching you magic properly?"
"Yes."
"Can you shoot a decent fireball yet?"
"Not quite..."
"Lousy teacher."
Cory burst out laughing. She still wore her oversized hood, but she was much brighter than before.
"Hernando."
"Yes?"
"Wanna tag along today?"
Yuri suggested casually, but Hernando shook his head.
"Sorry, Your Highness."
"Why?"
"Business at the empire branch of the Magic Tower."
"Isn't the imperial Magic Tower a joke?"
"True, but sometimes you gotta meet the half-baked ones anyway."
With that, Hernando formed a circle with his thumb and index finger, then held it to his right eye.
"You know."
It referred to the parchment left with Maryrose in Balshard—the vision of an eye floating in the black tower.
Yuri sighed.
"Can't help it if you've got work."
Hernando had been busy investigating on his own lately.
The man, usually so apathetic, had thrown himself into it since finding that parchment.
Yuri welcomed it.
"Let me know if you need anything."
"Will do."
"Cory. Stick close to Hernando. Can't play cards for shit, but he's decent at magic."
"Didn't you just call him a lousy teacher?"
"Did I?"
In the end, Yuri took his two loyal retainers instead.
"Rolang, Jared."
He called to the pair eating behind him.
"Follow me today."
"Understood."
"Yes."
Escorting him was their job anyway.
Simon, watching from another table, piped up.
"Um, Your Highness. What about us...?"
"You lot just keep having fun."
"S-sorry, sir."
"Nah. Who knows when we'll be back in the capital? Broadening your horizons counts as training."
Simon and Guinness had been trailing Hose, essentially touring the capital. The luckiest bunch.
Hose nodded vigorously.
"As expected of Your Highness! Hahaha."
"Speaking of, when's Bursen showing up?"
"Eager to ship me off? That's hurtful."
"No, it's just weird you're not here yet. You left before us."
"He'll come when the time's right."
Nations from the allied forces were trickling into the capital.
Yet no word from Bursen.
"What if they can't make it? Then I'll represent Bursen."
Simon and Guinness looked at Hose with admiration.
"Your confidence is truly inspiring, Sir Hose."
"Build up your skills, and you can do the same. Wanna hit the armory with me today? Knights need a good eye for gear."
"Sounds great!"
A future member of the Ten Strongholds—his confidence was warranted. He was already stepping up as Bursen's knight rep.
They'd handle themselves, so Yuri ignored the trio.
As he ate, he told Rolang and Jared,
"Don't stuff yourselves. Our meeting today includes lunch."
"You're eating plenty yourself."
"This much is fine."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Yuri's contact was a priest named Vlad, introduced by Sibylla.
Unlike the white robes priests clung to, he wore refined casual clothes fit for imperial nobility.
Without the cross badge on his chest, no one would've pegged him for temple folk.
"Quite secular attire."
"Hahaha..."
Vlad scratched his head at Yuri's comment.
"Easier for work in the empire. Suits my taste too."
"I see."
"Here, you sometimes need to be merchants, not priests."
"Got it. Just curious."
Yuri interlaced his fingers and rested his chin, like an interviewer.
"So, you want to team up with me. Heh."
Vlad laughed.
"You sound like a big shot."
"Kinda am. Ready to talk business?"
"Let's."
Vlad skimmed his open notebook, then snapped it shut.
"First off, what do you want in return, Your Highness?"
Yuri grinned, unclasped his hands, leaned back, and glanced behind.
They were inside the grand temple in the capital.
Brioll's royal temple was impressive, but this dwarfed it.
"Pushing a business from a temple this massive..."
"To save the lost souls on the wrong path."
"Drugs make money for the temple. Ironic."
"To manifest God's will on earth, some things are unavoidable."
"Fair enough."
Yuri crossed his arms, pondering.
"Tell me what you need first. We'll settle payment after."
Vlad smiled.
"The one you admitted is recovering well."
"Good to hear."
"We want to highlight the dangers of drugs through you, Your Highness, and advertise our treatment clinics. People shy away from 'drug rehab,' and I want to change that."
"Makes sense. No hiding it."
"But you boldly came for a friend, eyes wide open to the public."
In truth, Gott wasn't a friend, so Yuri hadn't thought twice. Still, he nodded as if agreeing.
"Y-yeah. Letting it worsen without seeking help when you need it—that's the real disgrace."
"Exactly. I want the empire to embrace that. Create a culture where anyone can seek healing openly."
"Drugs that widespread in the empire?"
"Yes. Rampant among noble heirs especially."
Yuri nodded.
Edran, who'd supplied Gott, was noble-born too. Probably commonplace among imperial nobles.
"Here's the deal. What do you want? Money's ready."
Yuri thought. He didn't need cash—he was overflowing.
What he craved was control over the empire.
And the temple had just the leverage.
"I want the temple's friendship."
"Pardon?"
"Make me a baptizand."
Vlad's eyes widened.
Shocked by the unexpected request.
A baptizand was a sacred title for those granting great favors to the temple or living by divine teachings.
Officially, anyway.
In reality, it countered nobles' knighting rights—a temple invention.
But among the faithful, its influence was immense.
"A baptizand..."
Not given lightly.
But Vlad calculated fast.
A continent-drawing figure like Yuri as baptizand? Converts would flock.
Decision made, Vlad smiled warmly.
"Do you believe in God, Your Highness?"
Yuri didn't. Not in his second life either. Regressing didn't prove God's existence.
Yuri smiled at Vlad.
"If I must, I'll believe."
Vlad chuckled.
He tapped the table, mulling it over, then nodded.
"Good answer. I like it."
"Glad to hear."
"Interview today, then? With your friend too?"
"Any script?"
"Temple'll polish it. It's the image that matters. Hired a famous painter. Might take a bit for the sketch."
"Fine."
"And join our later event."
Yuri nodded.
"How's Gott?"
"Good. Cooperative at the clinic."
"Anything to say?"
"Keeps quiet outside treatments..."
Vlad checked the time.
"Lunchtime. Eat first, then visit."
"Sure."
Yuri stood. Nearby, Rolang and Jared gazed at a cross, talking quietly.
"Hey, lunch time."
"Ah, yes."
Following Vlad to the temple cafeteria, Yuri saw many children eating.
Mostly nobles or wealthy heirs.
"Kids learning temple doctrine from young."
"Birds of a feather flock together."
"Hahaha..."
Yuri grabbed a tray. Never thought he'd see one here.
"No extravagance—that's temple rule."
Despite Vlad's own lavish outfit, Yuri just nodded.
As he got his food, he spoke at the meat entrée.
"More meat..."
Then stopped.
He looked up at the server.
"Huh?"
The server wore a black mask.
Peering through the eye slits, he said,
"Didn't know you were so devout."
"Uh..."
As Yuri faltered, Vlad laughed beside him.
"Don't be shocked. He's devout—volunteers often."
Staring at the masked server in hairnet and apron, Yuri's jaw dropped.
He'd figured they'd cross paths in the empire eventually. But here? Unimaginable.
One of the Ten Strongholds.
The empire's sharpest spear.
The 'Black Knight' stood there.