Chapter 108: Wrong Encounter (3)

“Y-You, damn…!”

Yuri looked at him, feeling a storm of emotions.

Pride and pity, joy and discomfort—dual feelings that surged with intensity.

“So it turns out…”

Although it was the first time he saw his face, the build was identical to the hooded man from earlier.

That he had grown into such a skilled swordsman, only to end up selling drugs… Yuri shook his head, troubled.

“You’ve grown well.”

“What does that mean?”

“What you heard.”

Jared nudged him in the side.

“Who is he?”

“Don’t you remember?”

“Huh?”

“That time.”

In the past, Yuri had participated in a trial by combat against a knight from Georg.

The squire who had fought him was older and broader, but Yuri had easily won with dazzling swordsmanship. In the end, he had even twisted his blade to spare his life.

“The kid I beat up during the trial.”

“That’s him? From back then?”

The other reacted with annoyance.

“You didn’t beat me up.”

Yuri looked him over again. He never imagined a link from the past would resurface here. The squire he once fought now looked impeccable. Time does that.

Meeting again like this, by chance, in the middle of a mission to track down a drug dealer in the Imperial Library, brought back old memories for Yuri.

“I remember leaving you in pieces…”

“It wasn’t that bad.”

“You were tiny, and look at you now…”

“I was already taller than you then.”

“You’ve got the nerve to talk back like you fought. I’d charge, and you’d fiercely counterattack… only to end up beaten and crying.”

“I never cried. Or ended up beaten.”

“Let’s just say you did.”

“That’s not true, and you know it.”

“Alright, alright. Anyway, now that we’ve met again, tell me your name.”

“You didn’t even know it?”

“I thought you were a background character who’d disappear soon. I didn’t care.”

“Pfff…”

The young man let out a long sigh. The lamp trembled slightly, casting their shadows in random directions, like a reflection of their mood.

“It’s been six years. My name is Hasan.”

“Hasan, huh? Sounds more like an assassin’s name than a knight’s.”

“Are there names for assassins?”

“You can just feel it, you know.”

There was a reason Yuri kept provoking him. Hasan held a lamp in one hand and a bulky package in the other.

Seeing that bundle, Yuri thought: beneath the Imperial Library was a restricted area even royal family members couldn’t access.

If drugs were truly being produced inside the palace, there’d be no better hiding place.

So Yuri was deliberately provoking him to observe his reaction.

“Very suspicious…”

And each time he did, Hasan tried harder to hide the package behind him.

Yuri tilted his head to look past him.

“Definitely suspicious…”

“W-What are you saying?”

“That package you’re hiding…”

Hasan concealed it completely.

“It’s none of the prince’s business.”

“Oh, really?”

“I’ve heard the news. You’ve caused quite a stir. If you’ve come this far to the Empire, you should lay low and not make waves.”

“That tone sounds defiant.”

“It’s not just the tone.”

Hasan looked at him sharply and continued.

“We’ll see each other in the tournament. This time will be different. I’ll defeat you.”

“Oh…?”

Yuri stroked his chin.

“You sure you can face me?”

“I don’t plan to lose. Unless you fall first, we’ll definitely fight. I promise.”

“Can you keep that promise?”

“Of course.”

“And if you can’t?”

“That won’t happen.”

“Just in case.”

“Want to make a bet?”

“Yeah. If we don’t fight in the tournament, you’ll do what I say.”

“Deal.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

It was obvious he had trained a lot. His confidence showed.

But Yuri wasn’t entering the tournament. He didn’t understand why everyone assumed he would.

Yuri pointed at himself with his thumb.

“In that case, I win.”

“Huh?”

“I’m not entering the tournament.”

“What?”

Hasan’s eyes widened. Yuri concluded, laying out his logic firmly.

“If I don’t compete, it doesn’t matter who drops out. We won’t fight, so your condition is already fulfilled.”

“That makes no sense…”

“Then, here’s my demand. Hand over that package!”

Yuri stood before him like a bandit demanding a toll.

Hasan, bewildered, spoke through a twisted face.

“W-Why are you doing this?”

“Hehehe, I won’t let you through!”

Jared, seeing this, nodded vigorously and murmured,

“His Highness really is a genius when it comes to annoying people…”

Hasan looked around with a perplexed expression. Yuri stepped closer to him.

“You’re not thinking of causing a scene in the Imperial Library, are you? Imagine knocking over a bookshelf. It’d fall like dominoes… and maybe Princess Katrina, who’s near the entrance, could get hurt.”

“This is robbery…”

“I just want a peek. Hiding a treasure in there?”

Yuri approached determinedly and snatched the package. Hasan, resigned, stepped back with a sigh.

“You’ll regret this.”

“I don’t regret that kind of thing.”

“This must stay secret.”

“Show me.”

Yuri untied the knot.

“Uh…”

Upon seeing the contents, Yuri quickly shut the package.

“Hmm…”

Disbelieving, he peeked again under the cloth… and swiftly wrapped it back up.

“Uhh…”

He handed the bundle back to Hasan.

“Hasan. This…”

“Don’t get the wrong idea. I’m just running an errand.”

“From who…?”

“No need for you to know that.”

“Hmm…”

“Please keep it a secret.”

“Alright…”

Yuri stepped aside to let him pass.

“You must be busy. Go.”

“Yes, sir.”

Hasan bowed and left toward the exit. The light he carried disappeared into the distance.

Jared asked,

“Prince, what was in there that made you react like that?”

“Well…”

Yuri, still looking into the darkness where Hasan had come from, replied:

“It was an erotic collection.”

“Pardon?”

Jared blinked, stunned. He didn’t expect to hear that word in the sacred halls of the Imperial Library, so it took him a moment to process.

Yuri added,

“And quite explicit…”

“Ugh…”

“Unprejudiced, open…”

“What’s that even supposed to mean?”

“I didn’t think even that would be in this library…”

Yuri raised his lamp. The light cast farther, illuminating shelves that disappeared into the distance.

“Since we’re here, shall we keep exploring?”

“Yes.”

Yuri and Jared continued wandering through the Imperial Library. There were books of every kind.

Suddenly, they found a section dedicated to the study of swordsmanship. They spent quite a while flipping through pages in the dark.

Yuri never imagined so many old manuals on sword techniques existed.

“How interesting.”

“Even though they’re old-fashioned, some things are worth remembering.”

“Reading in the dark ruins your eyesight…”

“But we don’t get many chances to come here, so make the most of it.”

Then, Yuri found a book that caught his attention. The title was “Single Strike.”

The entire volume was dedicated to explaining a single technique. And it wasn’t printed, but handwritten and illustrated.

“Oh…”

The idea was novel. If perfected, it could become a new ultimate technique, like the “Cutting Whirlwind.”

But just when the explanation was getting good… it cut off.

On the last page, it read:

“I have perfected the Single Strike, but there is not enough space to write it here.”

And that’s where the book ended.

Yuri turned it over, looked for other pages… but there was no continuation. Trembling with frustration, he checked the author. It was a name he didn’t recognize.

“What a hateful guy…”

They were so absorbed in reading that more time had passed than they realized.

Yuri gave Jared, who was still reading, a pat on the shoulder.

“Jared.”

“Yes.”

“What are you staring at so intently?”

“Swordsmanship.”

“Don’t look at those things. Learn from me.”

“Excuse me?”

“Let’s go.”

“Understood.”

They closed the books they were reading and retraced their steps. As they neared the entrance, they heard Katrina’s clear voice. She was chatting with the old librarian.

Katrina waved when she saw Yuri.

“Oh, you’re back already?”

“Yes.”

Yuri glanced around. Hasan was gone.

“By the way, I ran into someone earlier…”

“Oh, someone came to borrow a book.”

“You can borrow books?”

The old man with Katrina gave a slight smile.

“Only members of the imperial family may do so.”

Hasan wasn’t a member of the imperial family. But since he said he was running an errand, that meant whoever sent him was.

Katrina explained,
“He’s one of the crown prince’s ‘shadows.’ Sometimes he comes in his place to the Imperial Library. Eugen really loves books.”

Yuri and Jared looked at each other. Jared whispered quietly,

“Prince, was it that book…?”

“Quiet.”

“Yes.”

Yuri cleared his throat and said,

“So… just out of curiosity. What kind of books does the crown prince like to read?”

“I’m not sure. We don’t usually check one by one the books borrowed by members of the imperial family…”

“I see. Hmm…”

Katrina tilted her head slightly.

“What is it?”

“Nothing.”

“Shall we go, then?”

“Yes.”

She said goodbye to the librarian.

“See you, Parkinson.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

They left the Imperial Library. After so long in the dimness, the evening sunlight outside momentarily blinded them.

Katrina smiled and asked,

“Would you like to keep walking?”

“No, that’s okay. It’s getting late.”

They climbed back into the carriage and exited the palace. On the way, Yuri remained deep in thought.

As he kept silent, Jared whispered in his ear,

“Prince, what are you thinking about?”

“Just reflecting.”

“Is it about that book…?”

“Shut up.”

In truth, Jared was right. Yuri was thinking about the erotic book. Of course, he wasn’t recalling the cover.

He had acted surprised by the scandalous illustrations, but in reality, he wasn’t so naive as to not notice it was a cover. A book like that was perfect for hiding what the package really contained.

After all, what could be more effective than a private book of the crown prince?

Eugen Ibarna Granzaien.

As he repeated that name in his mind, the carriage came to a stop.

They had arrived at Katrina’s estate. One by one, they disembarked. Dusk had already fallen, and the surroundings were wrapped in calm dimness.

Yuri bowed to Katrina.

“Thank you for everything today, Your Highness.”

“There’s no need.”

“I will repay this favor.”

“It’s not necessary.”

“It’s getting late, so I’ll take my leave.”

“Hmm…”

Katrina looked at him steadily before speaking.

“Yuri.”

It was the first time she called him by name. She had said that once they grew closer, she would drop the formality. Yuri didn’t flinch and responded,

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Then Katrina smiled.

Her eyes curved sweetly.

“Would you like to stay for some bread?”

⸻

Laurent looked up at the building.

It was a tall tower-like structure with hanging lights that shone brilliantly.
It was a famous restaurant in the imperial capital.

So expensive that even most nobles couldn’t afford to frequent it. An attendant came out to receive him as if he had been waiting.

“Allow me to guide you.”

They entered the restaurant, where there was an elevator operated by a pulley system. Laurent ascended to the top floor in that elevator.

The attendant commented,

“It’s an honor to present the highest level. It only opens for distinguished guests.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the doors opened. Laurent was speechless.

Through the glass windows surrounding the area, a panoramic view of the imperial capital at night spread out.

In the sky, countless clustered stars sparkled, and on the ground, colorful lights outlined the city’s contours. Occasionally, fireworks soared from the streets, dazzling the view.

It was a scene so beautiful it made the heart race. No matter how precious a jewel might be, it would go unnoticed here.

However, that was only an illusion.

“She’s waiting at your table.”

At those words, Laurent looked over… and again was left speechless.

Before the splendor of the capital’s night, there was someone whose presence wasn’t overshadowed by that backdrop. On the contrary, she outshone it.

“You’re late.”

Yekaterina smiled upon seeing Laurent.