Chapter 106: Wrong Encounter (1)

“Gorio.”

“Yes.”

“What you said… is it true?”

“It is.”

Yuri was hiding in a corner of the back alleys of the imperial capital with Jared and Gorio.

They barely poked their heads out to observe the faces of beggars passing by, then hid again.

“The drug doesn’t come from outside.”

Gorio, who controlled the alleys of the capital, had mobilized his men to investigate the origin of the drug. And he had come to a conclusion: the drug wasn’t being smuggled in from the outside. It had appeared and was being distributed within the capital itself.

In fact, Yuri had already confirmed after interrogating Edran that the high-quality drug was being traded directly among nobles.

While the lower-quality version, intended for the lower classes, was distributed through a group operating in the alleys.

“The gang called Tiger, operating in this area, is handling the drug.”

Among the groups displaced by Gorio’s gang was that gang, Tiger.

Gorio’s gang, led by his Uncle Loans, had taken control of the loan market, and Tiger had been driven out and scattered.

However, that gang, which was thought to have disappeared, had started lurking around the alleys again.

“There they are.”

A group of men dressed in black with grim faces appeared. They walked overly upright, strutting. Residents avoided looking at them, lowered their heads, and pressed against the walls to let them pass.

Yuri looked at Gorio.

“Gorio… you don’t walk around like that, do you?”

“What do you take me for, Your Highness?”

“Alright, relax your face.”

Yuri patted him on the shoulder. That guy, thug or not, cared a lot about appearances.

“Prince, I’m a legitimate businessman. It’s just that the field I operate in isn’t exactly legal.”

“Yeah, I know…”

If he weren’t his subordinate, Yuri would’ve kicked him, but he was now part of the team. Yuri simply rubbed his back.

“I trust you, Gorio.”

“Thanks.”

“By the way…” Yuri said.

“In the end, they’ll be no different from Edran. I’m sure they’re selling without knowing anything.”

“Probably. One of my men interrogated them but couldn’t get anything out. They genuinely seemed to know nothing.”

“Is that subordinate alright?”

“I sent him to the temple. Told him to pretend, but he ended up becoming a real addict.”

“Ah, you should’ve told me. If he used my name, they’d have treated him well.”

“Do they give discounts?”

“No, but I get a commission.”

Gorio looked away without replying. Yuri felt a little ignored but decided to let it go since they were on an undercover mission.

The Tiger gang was looking around as they loitered in the same spot.

Yuri activated his mana technique to sharpen his hearing. The voices of the Tiger gang came through, faintly.

“Think they’ll come today?”

“Why aren’t they showing up? We’re out of supply…”

“Those bastards always do whatever they want.”

Just like with Edran, it seemed the ones selling the drug appeared suddenly. Yuri kept waiting.

Inside, he wanted to catch them immediately and force a confession, but that wouldn’t yield much.

Jared, hidden behind, asked:

“Prince, what if nothing happens?”

“Well then, we go home.”

“We’ve been doing this for days.”

“Did you think investigating was easy? It’s always lonely.”

“Coming all the way to the capital for this…”

Jared sighed.

“I envy Knight Laurent…”

Laurent was the only one from Briol participating in the tournament. Yuri had allowed him to prepare freely.

At the moment, Laurent was either training alone or discussing swordsmanship with other knights.

“Why didn’t you submit an application too?”

“I didn’t know Sir Laurent would.”

“You do what you want.”

“Prince… you’re not mad at him, are you?”

“Wanna die?”

Yuri hadn’t expected Laurent to sign up either. He had mixed feelings but ignored them and focused back on the Tiger gang.

“Silence, everyone.”

Yuri raised a finger to his lips.

“Something’s coming.”

He felt a presence. A dark, murky energy was moving behind the alley wall, following Tiger.

“Hide your presence and wait.”

With those words, the three of them fell silent. They didn’t even breathe.

Only the murmuring complaints of the Tiger gang could be heard. And then, it happened.

Someone covered in a black cloak appeared behind Tiger. Seeing that, Yuri instinctively reached for Guilty.

They were fast and agile. It reminded him of Asana.

The hooded figure leapt over the wall without making a sound. They pulled a bulging sack from their cloak and shook it.

Cling cling

The metallic sound startled Tiger, who immediately turned around.

“Whoa, shit.”

“What a fright!”

“I told you to make noise when you arrive!”

“Man, I almost had a heart attack.”

Several of them cursed, but the hooded figure didn’t react at all. They waited until the group calmed down and said a single word:

“Ten gold coins.”

“What?”

One of the Tiger members stepped up and took the sack. He pulled out a scale and weighed the contents.

Seeing the weight, he shook his head.

“Boss, it’s less than before.”

“What?”

The burly guy in the center seemed to be the boss. He stepped forward, checked the scale, and looked at the hooded figure.

“Why are you charging more for less?”

The hooded one didn’t respond. He simply extended a hand, as if he had nothing more to say.

The boss clicked his tongue and spoke again.

“Hey, we’ve been doing business for a while now. Couldn’t you give us a discount?”

The hooded figure shook his head. The boss put his hand on his waist and sighed, looking up at the sky.

“You’re making me look bad in front of my men…”

Seeing that, Yuri whispered to Gorio.

“Gorio, would you do that?”

“No.” Gorio grinned.

“It’s less embarrassing to accept immediately than to make a fool of yourself.”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

The Hooded One Continued Acting Calmly. He didn’t use force—he merely waved his hand, asking for the money.

The Tiger boss, pretending to be affable, gestured with his chin.

“Hand it over. Our guest seems to value money a lot. Just give it to him.”

“Yes.”

A subordinate approached the hooded figure with the money pouch. The hooded one took it and checked how many gold coins were inside.

The boss added a comment.

“How shameful, still checking that. Can’t you be a little more flexible? Huh, don’t you think?”

Since the hooded figure didn’t respond, it seemed to empower the boss even more, making him bolder. His subordinates behind him let out a low chuckle.

And then, it happened.

“Huh?”

The hooded figure’s hand holding the pouch moved. A line appeared across the neck of the subordinate who had stepped forward with the money.

The line opened, and crimson blood immediately gushed out.

The subordinate didn’t even make a sound—his eyes wide open, he began to stagger.

“Huh? Huh…?”

The entire Tiger gang behind him was in shock. But none of them dared to move; they froze in place.

The hooded figure glanced briefly at the Tiger boss and then turned and walked away. None of them dared follow him with their gaze or moved to help the dying subordinate leaning against the wall.

Yuri turned his attention away from the Tiger gang.

“Gorio, they’re useless. Take care of them later.”

“Understood.”

“Jared, let’s go. Gorio, good work.”

“Thank you.”

Yuri went after the hooded one with Jared. They activated their mana technique, lightened their bodies, and concealed their presence as they slipped into the alleys.

The hooded figure leapt over walls and buildings effortlessly, his speed fluctuating—sometimes fast, sometimes slower.

Yuri noticed something strange.

“He’s circling around.”

“Do you think he noticed?”

“No. He’s just being meticulous.”

The hooded one was taking unnecessary routes to throw off potential pursuers.

He crossed crowded areas, entered the front door of an illegal casino, and exited through the back.

Yuri followed persistently at a distance. If not for his extraordinary sensory perception, he would have lost him already.

Jared simply kept up behind Yuri.

“Are you sure you’re still on him?”

“Yes.”

“That bastard… he’s slippery.”

Yuri sped up. The hooded figure was pulling away.

“Jared.”

“Yes.”

“Let’s run. We have no choice.”

“What if he notices us?”

“Better that than losing him.”

Who knew when they’d be able to track him again? Yuri was willing to risk exposure if it meant capturing him.

He wanted to uncover the truth about the drug before the tournament ended.

His instincts told him that black magic, the drug, and the emperor’s madness were all connected. That’s why this was a war.

“Jared, don’t fall behind.”

Yuri sprinted at full speed. His feet pounded the ground and launched him into the air. Jared’s surprised voice grew more distant, but Yuri didn’t care.

He simply followed the direction where he felt the hooded figure’s presence. Just when he thought he had him, the distance reestablished itself.

Sensing he was being followed, the hooded figure began to flee as well.

“Too late.”

Yuri channeled the energy of the Cut of the Soul and the Heart. That mental sword, responding to his will, had infinite potential.

Yuri projected the image of a bird onto his body. His airtime expanded dramatically. With each push off a wall, he soared over entire houses.

Yuri thought he had him now.

But then… he couldn’t go any further.

He stopped, staring straight ahead. He couldn’t continue.

Seeing the massive structure blocking his path, he knew this was about to become something big.

“Haa, haa… Prince…”

Jared finally caught up, panting beside him.

“Where’s the guy?”

Instead of answering, Yuri pointed ahead.

“Huh?”

Buildings blocked the view between them and the hooded one, so they couldn’t see directly. But the building Yuri pointed to towered into the sky, softly glowing under the capital’s lights and the night sky.

Jared murmured.

“Is that… the Imperial Palace?”

***

The next day, Yuri left Hotel Duforia to meet a member of the imperial family.

She was staying at a villa outside the palace, not far from Ragnar’s mansion. Yuri wondered if there was a designated area where only imperial nobles lived.

“Katrina?”

Jared tilted his head.

“Who’s she?”

“The emperor’s niece.”

“And how do you know her?”

“She might become my sister-in-law.”

“Huh?”

Before coming to the Empire, Yuri had received a warning from Cedric. Cedric was in a long-distance relationship with Katrina.

“That’s impressive. Long-distance relationships aren’t easy.”

“Yeah, you’re right…”

Before leaving, Cedric had told him to look for Katrina if he needed help. Yuri didn’t want to bother his brother’s girlfriend, but given the urgency, he decided to reach out to her.

He traveled by carriage and stopped at the villa gate.

He presented himself to the guards.

“I’m Yuri Briol. I’ve come to see Princess Katrina.”

The guard opened the gate. Once inside, a butler came out to receive him. The butler guided him and Jared to a table under a parasol in the garden.

“Please wait a moment. She’ll be here shortly.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Yuri sat at the table and enjoyed the fresh breeze. Unlike Ragnar’s neglected garden, this one was well-maintained.

The flowers were arranged by color, and the tree branches were carefully trimmed.

Suddenly, a delicious aroma wafted by. As he admired the garden, someone placed freshly baked bread on the table.

“Oh, thank you.”

Yuri looked up to offer thanks… and realized his mistake. The woman in a baker’s cap smiled brightly at him.

“How are you?”

Her blonde hair glowed under the sunlight. Seeing her emerald eyes, Yuri understood that imperial blood ran just as strong as in Briol.

Yuri stood and bowed.

“Please forgive my discourtesy.”

“No problem. You may sit.”

Katrina dressed simply, like someone working in a bakery.

“I’m Katrina.”

“Yuri Briol. I’m Cedric’s younger brother.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Katrina stared at him, then raised a hand and played with her hair. Yuri, somewhat confused, waited without reacting.

“You really do resemble Cedric.”

Katrina’s eyes sparkled mischievously.