"A dungeon, you say?"
"That's right."
"What exactly is that supposed to…"
Yuri recalled events from his previous life.
The Empire that destroyed Briol had excavated a dungeon in Sword Mountain. According to rumors, it was a legacy left behind by the progenitor of Briol.
But no detailed information beyond that had been revealed.
"You'll understand once you see it with your own eyes."
As Yuri began to move, Jared and Ernando followed closely behind.
"Your Highness, please be careful. Monsters are bound to appear."
"That's why I brought you two. Guard me well."
"Understood."
Ernando kept striking up conversation.
"How did you come to know about this dungeon?"
Yuri gave a vague excuse.
"A booklet was hidden in the royal library. It said the progenitor left behind a legacy."
"Your Highness went to the library?"
"What about it?"
"It's just… I've never seen you with a book in your hands."
"You think the prince doesn't receive education?"
"I mean, you only pretend to read during study hours. Once it's over, you toss the book aside."
"Shut up."
"I heard it from the teacher."
They pushed through the rough underbrush as they climbed Sword Mountain.
There were many steep sections that required them to climb on all fours. Sharp leaves pricked their skin.
"Watch out for the leaves, they're sharp. Don't get hurt."
At Yuri's words, Ernando and Jared exchanged glances.
It was amusing enough to be worried over by a thirteen-year-old boy, but the fact that it was the infamous Third Prince made it even more surprising.
"Sir Jared."
"Yes?"
"Has His Highness eaten something strange lately?"
"It does seem that way."
"Both of you, shut your mouths."
"Your temper is the same as ever."
"Monsters."
At that, Jared and Ernando went quiet.
"You're right. That monster is…"
There was a presence beyond the thicket.
Yuri muttered.
"Direwolf."
A common monster. Larger and more ferocious than ordinary wolves, with coarse fur that made weapons less effective.
"They move in packs. No telling how many more there are. That one there must be the leader."
Thanks to his experience as a mercenary, Yuri was well-versed in the ecology of direwolves. When it came to monsters, he knew more than either of them.
"You know a lot about monsters, Your Highness?"
"Of course."
"You shouldn't have had much chance to see any, though."
"They're in books. You should read more, Ernando."
"You've stored it all, huh."
"Stored it in my head."
"As expected of Your Highness."
Yuri looked up toward the mountaintop.
"Still a long way to go."
It hadn't seemed that high before the climb, but the rugged terrain and harsh environment quickly wore them out.
"They haven't noticed us yet, let's move quickly."
Yuri and Jared quieted their footsteps, but Ernando was careless.
He stepped on a dry twig.
The direwolf pack in the distance all turned to look in his direction.
Yuri and Jared's gazes followed him as well.
Ernando scratched the back of his head.
"Heh, sorry."
Jared swore.
"Damn it…"
"Sir Jared, don't get too angry."
"How did it come to this…"
He sighed as he drew his sword.
"I must've lost my mind. If something goes wrong here, I'll get kicked out of the Royal Guard…"
Yuri corrected him.
"Come on. I'm the prince—do you think you'll just get fired? You'll go straight to the dungeon."
"Damn it, damn it."
"Are you afraid of direwolves or something?"
"I'm not scared, I'm worried about you, Your Highness."
"I'm fine, so relax."
"Silence. Sir Ernando, I leave His Highness to you."
Unlike the now-serious Jared, Yuri and Ernando remained calm.
"Jared's getting all serious."
"Well, if things go wrong, it won't just be his position—his actual head might roll. This isn't some minor incident."
"I'm fine. I'm a prince."
"So am I. His Majesty favors me, after all."
"Only Jared's in trouble."
"What can a mere subordinate do?"
Jared shouted.
"It's too distracting—quiet, both of you!"
Several direwolves charged at them.
From Jared's sword, sword energy erupted as he slashed through the direwolves.
A few collapsed, spraying blood, while the rest growled and circled around them.
"You fight well. As expected of the Royal Guard. Briol's guards are strong."
"Still not enough."
Even the mighty Royal Guard of Briol had been crushed mercilessly by the Imperial Army.
This wouldn't be enough.
"You aim high, don't you."
"You never know what the future holds. One must always be prepared."
"Very true."
Yuri placed a hand on Ernando's shoulder.
"Ernando."
"Yes?"
"His Majesty holds you in great favor."
"That was sudden."
"Don't forget your loyalty."
"Well, sure…"
"I believe in you, too."
"That's a bit sudden, too…"
The reason Yuri had been able to come to Sword Mountain with peace of mind was, in truth, thanks to Ernando.
He was a powerful battle mage, enough for the King of Briol to keep him by his side.
Few knew his true abilities, but Yuri had seen them firsthand in his previous life.
"So protect me, Ernando."
"Leave it to me."
"Good."
"By the way, Sir Jared's swordsmanship is impressive."
"He's got potential."
"With both me and Sir Jared by your side, you must feel very secure."
"With a Blue Dragon to the left and a White Tiger to the right."
"Now you're making me blush."
At their conversation, Jared groaned.
"Damn it…"
To him, it all felt like a troublesome bratty prince and a frivolous gambling mage who didn't grasp the seriousness of the situation.
But in truth, it was the opposite.
Yuri was raising the clueless Jared.
Yuri shouted.
"Jared! Haven't finished them off yet?"
"I said be quiet!"
The direwolf leader let out a long howl, and the pack grew in number.
Jared was soon forced into a defensive position.
As he retreated, he warned,
"Your Highness, it's dangerous now. You must descend. I'll cover the retreat."
At Jared's words, Yuri looked at Ernando.
"Looks like we have to help."
"Indeed."
"Well then, show us what you've got, Ernando."
"Yup."
A halo of light rose from his hand.
"Your Highness, how do you like your steak cooked?"
"Well done."
"Your teeth must be in great shape."
From the halo of light, flames burst forth. It was Fireball—a time-honored, seemingly simple but devastatingly powerful spell.
"Sir Jared! I'll help you!"
Multiple fireballs rained down on the direwolf pack.
Several turned to charred husks, and the air filled with the stench of burning flesh.
Even Jared looked surprised.
"Whew, that was exhausting."
Ernando stretched his back.
He clearly still had energy left, but made no effort to use more magic.
"I'll stop here and leave the rest to Sir Jared."
As he said that, Ernando winked at Yuri.
He had read Yuri's intention to make Jared work harder.
Truly a clever man.
He must be kept close.
So thought Yuri.
The one to ascend the throne of Briol would be Cedric, born with the qualities of a sage king.
But the Empire's invasion was a different matter.
It wasn't virtue that could stop a war, but overwhelming force.
"Everyone has a role they're meant to fulfill."
Watching Jared fight the pack of direwolves, Yuri muttered.
The fate given to him, who had returned to the past.
If someone had to be drenched in blood, it was his role to take on.
"That is truly well said."
Ernando agreed wholeheartedly.
"Sir Jared is perfect for brute force. Just as I am in charge of strategy and character."
"Just handle strategy."
"What about character?"
"That's me."
After wiping out the pack of direwolves and defeating several more monsters, Yuri and his group finally reached the summit.
"There's something up here?"
Standing atop Sword Mountain, they could see the towering spires of the royal palace and the vast expanse of the capital.
It was a place from which the prosperity of Briol could be admired.
But Jared didn't seem particularly moved.
"There's nothing here."
He grumbled while cutting away sharp leaves with his sword.
Yuri, instead of answering, sat on the ground and examined something.
"We just have to find it."
The Empire had crudely dug up the mountain to discover the dungeon. Later, after mapping the structure, it was revealed that the entrance was at the summit.
He had heard it from a bard at a tavern, so it couldn't be fully trusted—but it was a lead.
"Oh."
Yuri had found something.
At first glance, it looked like a small stone, but it was actually a pommel attached to a sword hilt.
"This is it."
Yuri began digging with his hands. In his haste, his hands quickly got scraped and started bleeding.
Jared and Ernando were startled and tried to stop him.
"Your Highness, wait a moment."
"I have to dig this up."
"You'll ruin your hands."
"For a swordsman, wounds on the hands are a badge of honor."
"No, who said you were a swordsman? You're a prince."
"Then why don't you dig."
"Sir Jared, you heard him, right?"
"What about you, Sir Ernando?"
"For a mage, hand injuries are a disgrace."
"What kind of nonsense is that?"
As they bickered, Yuri resumed digging, and the two eventually joined in.
Soon, the hilt was fully revealed.
Even though it had been buried for so long, it gleamed under the sunlight.
"A fine sword."
Jared recognized it immediately.
"For something like this to be buried in the ground—it's not an ordinary matter."
Yuri grinned.
"If the progenitor of Briol left behind something, what better symbol could there be than a sword?"
With that, he grasped the hilt.
"Ughhh…"
A sudden shiver ran through him, making him let out a groan.
Jared and Ernando looked at Yuri.
"What's wrong, Your Highness?"
"Kill me."
"…What?"
"I love it."
There was no other way to express it.
In his previous life, Yuri had held countless swords. Some suited him, others didn't at all, and a few eventually fit his hand with enough use.
But never had a sword felt this perfect the moment he grabbed it.
From the size, it was clearly made for an adult, and yet it fit perfectly in a child's hand—an impossible thing.
He tightened his grip.
The ground cracked, and the buried guard was revealed.
There were no extravagant decorations, but the material and finish were excellent.
"No effort needed."
As if it had been waiting for someone to claim it, the sword slid out naturally.
The half-revealed blade shone brilliantly.
"Even after being buried, not a single blemish. No rust either…"
Jared marveled.
It looked like it had just come out of the forge.
Clang.
With a clear, resonating ring, the sword fully entered Yuri's grasp.
It had weight, but not enough to make it unwieldy.
Yuri swung it a few times.
"A good sword."
He could tell immediately.
Then, Yuri noticed an inscription on the blade.
「Guilty」
The word for "sin" was engraved there.
"..."
It felt like a warning meant for him.
Why would such a word be etched into a sword?
Many thoughts crossed his mind, but Yuri decided to put the sword away for now.
"That aside, where's the progenitor's tomb? Is this sword perhaps his legacy?"
"Well…"
Yuri was about to answer when—
"Huh…"
The ground began to tremble.
The three of them looked at one another.
The entire Sword Mountain was shaking.
Yuri smiled.
"Guess we're about to find out."
As soon as he said that, a massive hole opened beneath their feet.
The three of them fell in together.
***
Yuri opened his eyes.
It seemed he had lost consciousness for a moment.
He felt something soft beneath him and rolled off—Jared had cushioned his fall.
Right before the impact, he must have shielded himself with a mana method and wrapped around Yuri.
"Well done."
Yuri gave Jared a few pats on the chest, then stood up.
"Ow, ow…"
Next, Ernando got up while patting his back. Despite his whining, there wasn't a single scratch on him.
"You look fine."
"Not at all. I'm in so much pain."
"So you ignored the prince's safety and only looked after yourself?"
"It was an emergency, wasn't it? Hahaha…"
"One of you shielded me, the other shielded himself, huh…"
"That's not it, uh… Your Highness! Over there!"
Suddenly, Ernando shouted. Yuri shook his head.
"If you're trying to distract me, it won't work."
"No, look! Over there!"
"What is it?"
"A ghost!"
"What?"
"A ghost!"
Yuri turned to look.
"…!"
He was right.