"Ernando, you got anything on you?"
"Nothing."
"I know you've got something."
"I really don't."
"You came out here to gamble."
"I borrowed money from Gorio because I didn't have any."
"Did I borrow it, or you?"
"Ugh…"
Yuri scanned the faces of the begging children.
They were orphans who had been trained by the Assassin Cult.
Asana had extraordinary talent and mastered assassination techniques at a young age. She rebelled against the cult's inhumane treatment and led the children in an escape from the organization.
In the process, the Assassin Cult was completely annihilated.
Asana knew how to kill, but not how to survive in society.
Living off of begging, she once borrowed money from Gorio to save a child who had fallen ill.
As with most who turned to him, Asana's group met its downfall.
Consumed by vengeance, Asana formed her own organization and killed Gorio.
Gorio, Rein, and Asana.
He had just met three people who would one day bring great upheaval.
How would the future change now?
There was no time to ponder it.
"Hello."
Yuri stood in front of Asana.
She was taller than him. Probably in her late teens, but her cold expression made her seem more mature.
"I'm Yuri Briol, third prince of Briol."
He spoke confidently, looking up at Asana.
"Prince?"
"That's right."
"Why would a prince be here?"
There was no change in Asana's gaze. The same went for the other children.
The Assassin Cult had severely suppressed their emotions.
"Hard to believe, isn't it? But believe it."
Yuri held out his hand toward Ernando. Ernando groaned.
"Uuuuugh…"
"Hurry up."
"Here…"
The coin pouch Ernando handed over was heavier than expected, causing Yuri to stumble slightly.
"…."
How much was he planning to bet at that illegal gambling den?
Yuri stared at Ernando, dumbfounded. Ernando looked like he was about to cry.
"Fix your face."
It was a larger amount than he expected, but if it meant gaining Asana, it wasn't a waste—not even if it cost a fortune.
"Take it."
Asana's pupils trembled faintly. She stood still, holding the money pouch.
"There's no need to be suspicious. I do good deeds from time to time. I'm just showing mercy because your situation looks pitiful. Right, Ernando?"
"…"
Yuri nudged Ernando in the side. He belatedly opened his mouth.
"Y-yes, that's right."
"Exactly."
Asana still hesitated. She seemed wary, perhaps suspecting that he knew who she really was.
"What do you want?"
Yuri shook his head.
"Nothing."
"Are you serious?"
"Well, just one thing."
Asana narrowed her eyes. Yuri continued with a smile.
"There's a child who's sick, right? Take them to the temple with this money."
A child falls ill, and in order to pay for treatment, someone seeks out Gorio. That's how the chain of misfortune began.
Yuri cut off that root.
"That's all."
"Is that really all?"
"Yes."
Yuri looked into Asana's eyes and smiled.
"Remember me. I am Yuri Briol, third prince of Briol."
Then he turned around.
Ernando wasn't following properly, so he grabbed him by the hem and dragged him along.
"Do you know how much money that was…"
"I'll pay you back, so quit whining."
"Why suddenly give it to beggars…"
"Think of it as an investment."
"What kind of investment is that in them?"
Yuri hummed a tune as he walked out of the slums.
Having taken care of everything he'd only planned, he felt lighter.
"Ernando. Today, we prevented a future tragedy."
"What kind of tragedy?"
"That girl was destined to become a crime boss who would plunge the citizens into fear. Countless innocent lives would have been lost. But thanks to today's good deed, we've changed that fate."
"Y-yes. Got it."
He didn't seem to believe a word, but that didn't matter.
"Let's go back."
Their brief outing was over.
When Yuri looked at Ernando, his complex emotions were written all over his face.
Yuri smiled.
Today, he had drawn three people into his fate.
And one more remained.
"Ernando."
"Yes?"
"I've got a question."
"What is it?"
"What did you see at the Ancestor's ruins?"
Ernando froze.
There, Yuri had met the remains of the Ancestor and learned the Mana Method. Jared had overcome himself in battle.
But Ernando never spoke about what he experienced there.
"It's a secret."
"Be honest."
"Gambling."
"What?"
"I played a life-or-death game at the Basregas Casino in the Empire."
"…"
Basregas was the continent's largest casino. If it was Ernando, it made perfect sense.
"Well, whatever. About today—"
"Yes."
Ernando still had an uncertain look in his eyes.
Yuri grinned and patted him on the back.
"Behave yourself."
***
Even after the prince had left, Gorio remained seated in thought.
"Boss."
A subordinate cautiously spoke up.
"Yeah?"
"The other party is royalty. If we don't get the money…"
"That wouldn't be so bad either."
"If they just refuse to pay… There's nothing we can do. A prince might just get scolded by the king, but we…"
"Then we've no choice."
"Sorry?"
The subordinate looked confused.
Gorio was not the type to let go of a debt.
To be respected in the underworld, you had to be able to collect, no matter who the debtor was. That was his philosophy.
"Etman. How long have you worked under me?"
"Ten years."
"In all that time, have we ever gotten tangled up with a noble ranked count or higher?"
"Never."
"But now we've got royalty."
Gorio clasped his hands and bowed his head.
"What do you think is the difference between royalty and regular citizens?"
"Hmm… Bloodline?"
"Exactly."
He opened his eyes wide and stared at the door the third prince had exited through.
"That's it."
A smile crept across his face.
"They're just human too. So, as always, tame them. Slip in, bind them, lure them in. If money won't work, ask for something else. Start small. A small concession, then a slightly bigger one next time. Eventually…"
He grabbed Etman's wrist and held it up.
One of his fingers was missing.
"They become one of us."
They had met as creditor and debtor. Etman, unable to repay the money, had given up his index finger and become one of Gorio's subordinates.
That debt still continued to this day.
Gorio gave him a gentle smile. Etman returned it awkwardly.
"There's no such thing as loss for us. That little prince is our best customer."
"Th-that's good to hear."
"Right."
Gorio let go of him.
"Now, let's keep working. Just like we always have. Nothing's changed."
***
Rein sat in her seat, staring blankly at the letter of delegation in her hand.
She now had to secure as much "Mugranza" from the Duchy of Klein as possible within the given budget.
The compensation was generous, and there was a promise to continue the deal depending on the results.
"…Is this for real…"
At first, she thought he was a swindler, but when she saw the ring engraved with the royal crest, she had no choice but to believe.
"Yuri Briol."
Rein gently stroked her earring with her fingertip.
The shine had faded, but it was pure gold.
Her father had told her never to take it off, so that even if the worst happened, she could rise again.
The third prince's words kept surfacing in her mind, as if they were hanging from the earring.
'I've heard of your father, Undre Wood.'
A merchant must not be swayed by just a few words.
But Rein's heart had been moved by the third prince's words.
'Merchants who follow money are common, but those who follow trust are rare.'
Words her father used to say came out of the mouth of a young third prince.
People always called her father a fool.
But that prince was different.
'If you're Undre Wood's daughter, then you'll keep your promise no matter what. Am I wrong, Rein Wood?'
Normally, the terms would've been so good she would've been wary, but just because he spoke of her father, she accepted on the spot.
Even in hindsight, there was no real reason to refuse.
She looked around the inside of the trading company.
There wasn't even proper furniture. The drawers were full of overdue notices from the bank.
"We're about to go under anyway."
Rein clenched her fist.
There was something else her father valued as much as trust.
"Move forward without fear."
A merchant can't be afraid of risk. Rein felt heat rise in her chest.
"Just wait and see."
***
Asana stood before the temple.
A priest in pure white robes smiled at her.
"What brings you here, sister?"
At that, Daisy, who had been hiding behind Asana, peeked out.
Asana spoke up.
"This child isn't feeling well."
The boy who claimed to be a prince had given her money and told her to try going to the temple.
She brought Daisy just in case, but the outside world was unfamiliar to her.
"Ah, I see."
She saw the flesh under the priest's eyes twitch slightly.
"The temple does offer medical services, however…"
The priest licked his lips.
"Divine grace is offered first to those whose faith has been proven…"
"Here."
Asana pulled out the pouch she had been holding. It jingled with gold coins.
"I have money."
The priest raised the corners of his mouth in a smile, his gaze remaining subtly suspicious.
"Please, come in, sister. May the gods watch over you."
He stepped onto the stairs, white robes brushing the ground.
There was not much difference between the Assassin Cult and the temple.
Asana took Daisy's hand as they walked, thinking of the boy who had given her the money.
"Daisy."
"Yeah?"
"Does it hurt?"
"A little…"
Did this child really have a serious illness?
Asana spoke.
"When you get better, let's go thank him."
"Him?"
"The one who gave us the money."
"Okay."
***
Ernando was having a private conversation with Fiore.
It was well known that he was the royal mage, but few knew the exact nature of their relationship.
"Ernando."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"What about Klein?"
"Well…"
Ernando smiled.
"I don't know."
Fiore quietly looked at him. Ernando met his gaze with a faint smile.
"Ernando."
"Yes."
"Are you planning to leave?"
"Not at all."
"That's good to hear."
Fiore paused, then added,
"I've always thought it was fortunate that you're in Briol."
Ernando knew that there weren't many people Fiore spoke to in that way.
He bowed his head in gratitude.
"I'm honored."
People think of Ernando as nothing more than a mage skilled in combat magic.
That's only half true.
To keep someone like Fiore close, you needed far more than just a little talent in combat magic.
"Well then, since you say you don't know, let's move on. Tell me about how you and Yuri left the capital."
"Ah, yes."
Ernando rolled his eyes upward, as if recalling something.
"His Highness talked me into leaving the palace, and…"
"And then?"
"We went to the Crystal Tower."
"The Crystal Tower…"
"Luckily, we went underground."
"I'm not sure if that's lucky. So that's where the gambling happened?"
"Well…"
There had been no gambling.
They had met Gorio and borrowed money.
"We went underground, and…"
"And?"
"We gambled."
"Really?"
"He seemed good with cards, but they were of no use down there. He even lost all the money I lent him."
"It's hard to win at a casino."
"I'm sure he learned a valuable lesson about gambling in moderation."
"What happened after that?"
"After that…"
They took the borrowed money and handed it all over to a rundown, nameless trading company.
"We walked around the capital, observing the lives of the citizens. He seemed very interested in how the people live."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. We even snacked at the capital's food stalls."
"Food stalls…"
"Your Majesty goes there sometimes too, doesn't he?"
"Yes."
"With gambling and food stalls, you two are really quite similar."
"…"
"In any case, that's what happened."
"And then you returned to the palace?"
"To the palace…"
They went to the slums and scattered gold coins.
"We returned."
But Ernando kept all of that to himself.
He lied through his teeth, smiling gently at the king.
"That's all."
"I see."
Fiore rested his chin on the armrest, nodding lazily with his usual look of boredom.
"Understood. You may go."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Ernando paid his respects to Fiore and turned to leave.
Behind him, Fiore's voice called out.
"Will you attend the ball?"
"Yes."
"I thought you said you weren't interested."
"People's hearts are prone to change. I feel like dancing again, for the first time in a while."
"All right. I'll see you then."
"Yes, Your Majesty."