"Yuri! Is it true you're joining the allied army?"
Yuri was sparring with Bernard when Joshua suddenly appeared.
It was rare for him to approach Yuri first. He must've been quite surprised.
Bernard lowered his sword.
"Let's take a break."
"Sure."
Yuri wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and plopped down.
"What's the matter? You never come here."
"Well…"
Joshua glanced sidelong at Bernard before speaking.
"You're really going to the allied army?"
"Yeah."
"But why?"
"Can't I?"
"There's no reason for royalty to go, is there?"
"There's no reason not to, either."
Yuri grinned.
"Did you come because you were worried?"
"What are you saying? I feel so relieved now that I know you're going."
"That's good to hear."
"Ugh…"
Over the past five years, Yuri had tormented Joshua.
He kept a watchful eye to prevent his mischief and pressured him to study for the sake of Briol.
As a result, Joshua began to avoid Yuri.
"Wait, were you serious?"
"About what?"
"What you said back then. When you threw that book at me."
"Oh, that?"
Returning to the spring of his thirteenth year, Yuri lived a different life.
Not only did he train rigorously, he also showed tolerance to those around him.
To Joshua, he gave books and urged him to study.
When Joshua asked why he was suddenly acting out of character, Yuri gave a brief reply.
'A royal's duty.'
It was a phrase he tossed out because he didn't feel like explaining, but it must have left a deep impression on Joshua.
Yuri smiled.
"So you thought I was lying?"
Joshua furrowed his brows and stared quietly at Yuri, then finally nodded.
"Alright. Yuri, I understand your resolve now."
"Now?"
"Until today, I thought you just wanted to torment me."
"That's true too, though…"
Joshua ignored his remark.
"Please, return safely. I'll watch over the palace in the meantime."
He looked determined.
But Yuri felt oddly uncomfortable.
Joshua wore that exact expression when he made ridiculous bluffs at the gambling table.
"There are plenty of people to guard the palace, though…"
But without waiting for an answer, Joshua gave a thumbs-up and walked off.
Bernard spoke.
"Your bond is admirable."
"Aren't you worried about me?"
"Well, as long as you don't do anything reckless, I believe you'll return safely."
Bernard had watched Yuri's growth more closely than anyone. He knew just how strong Yuri had become.
"Thanks for the generous evaluation."
"Still, be careful. Orcs are tricky opponents. They're stronger than expected, and more treacherous too."
"Have you fought orcs before?"
"Long ago."
Yuri, too, had encountered orcs in his past life.
They were over twice the size of a human and didn't hesitate to pull every dirty trick in the book.
"And if you see an orc with a flag strapped to its back, be careful."
"What's that?"
"They're particularly strong among the orcs. I don't know what they're called, but they're about the equivalent of knights among humans. Best not to get involved."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Yuri knew what they were called.
They were known as Orcbal.
It translated roughly to Orc warrior. They were monstrous, plain and simple.
"And, this might be presumptuous, but…"
Bernard uncharacteristically trailed off. Yuri shrugged.
"Go ahead."
"Take someone experienced with you and seek their counsel. And steer clear of political entanglements."
His concern was clear.
Yuri smiled and patted Bernard on the shoulder. They were now about the same height.
"I'll do that."
"If you're going to fight orcs, you'll need more training."
"Shall we start right away?"
They were about to resume sparring when they sensed someone approaching from afar.
"Another guest."
This time, Ena came running. She urgently sought out Yuri.
"Prince, Prince!"
"What is it?"
Ena had grown a lot over the past five years. She was three years older than Yuri, now an adult. Rather than cute, the word lovely suited her better now.
She gave Bernard a slight bow, then turned to Yuri.
"Prince. A guest has arrived."
"What kind of guest?"
"The rich one who visited before. He's got another fancy bag today, flashy clothes, wearing jewels…"
"Oh."
Yuri had a good idea who it was.
"What does he want?"
"How would I know?"
"Alright, got it."
Yuri turned to Bernard for understanding.
"That's all for today."
"Very well."
Yuri left the training hall.
As he walked, he wiped off his sweat with a towel. Just then, Ena held out a clean set of clothes.
"Please change."
"You brought clothes?"
"Of course. It wouldn't be proper to greet a guest smelling of sweat."
"Thanks."
Yuri promptly took off his top.
"Your Highness?"
Ena flinched, but Yuri paid her no mind.
His upper body was lean and solidly built. With each movement, his well-developed muscles stood out in sharp relief.
"You're undressing way too casually."
"So what?"
"You should be mindful of your surroundings."
"Who's watching?"
"Me."
"That's fine."
"The royal guards walking by over there."
"I don't care."
"Heaven and earth."
"Then I'm honored…"
As they chatted, they soon arrived at the reception room.
Yuri walked straight into the guest chamber.
A familiar face bowed toward him.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
Vice president of the Rein Company, Guillermo.
He was covered head to toe in expensive jewelry, looking exactly like a nouveau riche, and in truth, he was somewhat of that sort. But since Rein personally scouted him, his abilities were without question.
"Rein?"
"She's out on a trade journey, so I came in her stead."
"She still travels in person?"
"She says she's built for fieldwork."
"Tell her to tone it down a bit."
As Yuri took a seat across from him, Guillermo handed something to Ena.
"Here you are."
"Thank you. Hehe…"
Yuri frowned.
"What was that?"
Ena only smiled slyly and backed away.
When Yuri turned his gaze to Guillermo, the man rubbed his hands and grinned.
"Haha, Miss Ena is always so considerate, so I wanted to show my thanks…"
No wonder Ena had insisted on tagging along. Yuri didn't even bother pointing it out and just waved it off.
"Prince. Is that alright?"
"Yeah, yeah."
"I'll get going then."
"How much did he give you?"
"That's a secret."
Ena bowed and quickly left. Guillermo cleared his throat.
"I owe Miss Ena a lot."
"Owe her what?"
"For taking such good care of Your Highness. Thanks to her, you've grown so splendidly…"
"I grew up just fine on my own."
Yuri scoffed and leaned back in his chair.
"So, why are you here?"
"A report. As always, things went just as you predicted. Here, the documents."
"Good work."
"Your Highness, do you truly see the future?"
"Of course not."
But Guillermo's eyes were filled with reverence.
Five years ago, just as Yuri had predicted, the price of Mugranza soared.
Based on that, Rein aggressively expanded her business.
Rumors spread that the Rein Company never failed.
And behind it all was Yuri, who foresaw every major event on the continent.
"It was just luck."
"Yes…"
Guillermo didn't look convinced, but he didn't press further.
"And there's something I'd like to ask."
"What is it?"
"I'm just a lowly merchant, so I don't know the affairs of nobility, but lately the market's been strange. The price of Jenel Steel is rising…"
Jenel Steel was a type of iron mined in the Jenel Mountains, favored as a material for weapons due to its superior strength compared to other metals.
"Is it war?"
Yuri nodded.
"Yes. The Empire has summoned the allied army."
"Orcs?"
"Yeah."
"I suppose the time has come."
Guillermo quickly grasped the situation.
"I hope it's just a routine operation… but could there be something else behind it?"
"There probably is. But don't worry. Nothing big will happen."
"Oh, do you know something again this time?"
Guillermo stared at Yuri's mouth as if waiting for a bar of gold to fall from it.
Yuri shook his head.
"No."
"Then why say that?"
"Because I'm going."
"Where?"
"To the allied army."
"Ah…"
Guillermo's eyes widened, and he scratched the back of his head as he leaned back in his chair. After muttering to himself for a bit, he suddenly sprang to his feet.
"Whaaat?!"
"You heard me."
"Why would you go, Your Highness?!"
"Why is everyone so shocked?"
This was Briol, and he was the prince of Briol.
Yuri gave him the reason.
"Because it's the duty of royalty."
"Ha!"
"Ha?"
Yuri narrowed one eye.
Realizing his slip, Guillermo dropped to his knees and placed both hands on the table.
"Your Highness, I'm sorry. That was disrespectful. Of course, Your Highness is a model for all royalty. I know that well. But still, there's no need for you to go personally, is there? What if something were to happen? We—Briol—would be devastated."
"Don't worry. I'll come back safe and sound."
"But orcs are vicious monsters…"
Guillermo fidgeted nervously, shaking his leg.
Yuri let out a laugh.
"You don't have much faith in me, do you?"
"Even skilled knights are reluctant to face orcs. And yet, Your Highness…"
His concern was understandable.
Yuri had kept his strength hidden from the public. Even within the royal palace, only the royal guards knew the truth. To outsiders, his deployment must've seemed reckless.
Yuri stood up and kicked him in the rear.
"Who do you think you're worrying about? I am Yuri Briol."
"I know. I do, but…"
"Was that all you came here for?"
"No."
"Then get to the point."
Guillermo let out a deep sigh and pulled a sack from the corner.
"I've secured the item you asked for."
"Finally?"
"Yes."
With a triumphant expression, Guillermo unwrapped the package.
"It wasn't easy. I had to pull a lot of strings."
"Well done, Guillermo."
Four daggers were laid on the table.
Sunlight filtered through the window and gleamed on the blades.
Though not ornate, the craftsmanship on every part was flawless.
"These are really that valuable?"
"They are."
Yuri picked one up, grinning.
"Very valuable."
Four-Wheel Blades.
An artifact he recalled from memories of his past life.
Around this time, four daggers would appear at an imperial auction, but no one recognized their true worth.
Only later would it be revealed they were masterpieces of dwarven craft, imbued with ancient magic.
And now, they were in Yuri's hands for practically nothing.
"It was hell getting these. The Empire's atmosphere is so tense, I couldn't get used to it. I mean, they just look like ornamental daggers…"
The tip of the blade suddenly pointed at Guillermo's face mid-complaint.
"Huh?"
The handle of the dagger was empty.
That is, Yuri wasn't holding it—the dagger had risen on its own.
Guillermo's eyes widened.
"An artifact that flies on its own?"
"It's an artifact, but not one that flies on its own."
"Then why is it…?"
With one eye closed, Yuri stared at the dagger.
Guillermo couldn't see it, but right now, a stream of mana connected him to the weapon.
"Don't tell me, Your Highness…?"
Controlling objects with mana was impossible for anyone below a certain level.
Even someone like Guillermo, who knew nothing of swordsmanship, could tell this was a high-level technique.
"You're joking, right?"
Then, the dagger that had been floating in the air spun and shot toward Guillermo, hilt first.
"Whoa!"
He toppled over in his chair.
"You won't die, you won't die."
"Ah…"
Yuri laughed as he gathered up the four daggers. Guillermo got up and muttered to himself.
"My goodness… I didn't know His Highness was this powerful."
"You thought I spent every day playing around?"
"Yes…"
Over the past five years, he had quietly built up his strength. He endured countless baseless rumors—all for the sake of this allied force.
"Guillermo."
"Yes?"
"Preparations at the imperial branch are going well, right?"
"Ah, yes. Of course. Everything's proceeding as you instructed."
"Trust me."
Yuri knew better than anyone how fragile a word like trust could be. Still, he told him to believe.
No matter what burdens were placed on him, he would never run away.
"Then I'll make you more money than you can imagine."
"Yes."
Guillermo stared blankly at him for a moment, then grinned and nodded.
"I believe you. Though, it's not just Your Highness I believe in."
"Oh?"
"I believe in your shares. You're practically co-president of our merchant group. Your profit is my profit. I just believe we share the same fate."
"Well, that's true."
The two exchanged smiles.
"Yes. Since I've finished my business, I'll take my leave now."
"Send my regards to Rein."
"I haven't seen her in a while either…"
After bowing respectfully, Guillermo exited the room.
Yuri remained seated for a while, even after he'd gone.
Guillermo wasn't the only guest.
"You can come out now."
At some point, someone was standing at the edge of the room.
It was like an optical illusion. One moment, there had been nothing—then suddenly, someone was there.
But it wasn't abrupt. It was more like noticing something that had always been there, just belatedly.
"Asana."
Survivor of the Assassins' Cult—Asana.