Chapter 11: Escape from the Royal Palace (1)

“Me, me!”

Yuri wanted to raise his hand.

During his time as a mercenary, he had fought countless times against orcs. They were enemies he never wanted to face again. That Count Saidore was feared even by such creatures made him undoubtedly extraordinary.

With a combative smile, Calcio continued speaking.

“Do you really think those monstrous orcs care about a mana technique?”

Baron Defer, left without arguments, shut his mouth. Sensing Genard’s discomfort, another noble quickly stepped in.

“W-well, I’m not saying you’re entirely wrong. But even so, His Highness is still young, and his judgment…”

“Are you saying he’s immature?”

“I… that…”

Calcio looked at Yuri, who instead fixed his gaze on the noble. The man couldn’t continue speaking and faltered.

“See? He’s not immature. Besides…”

He tapped his chest with his knuckles.

“Anyway, His Highness doesn’t seem to intend to change his mind. Are you going to forcefully remove his mana core?”

“That’s absurd!”

“If not, then what’s the point of this talk?”

Calcio leaned back in his chair like a complete street thug.

“Do you agree, Your Highness?”

Grinning broadly, he didn’t show a hint of fear before Yuri.

Yuri, instead of replying, merely shrugged.

“See? And yet, everyone sitting here is just damaging His Highness’s mental health. Honestly, the palace has too much free time.”

“Free time? What an insolent remark!”

“But it’s true.”

“Then we could say the border is calm lately! They receive a large budget and…”

“Does hundreds of people have to die for you to consider it not calm? You probably don’t even read the reports about the soldiers who die constantly.”

“They say the border has been peaceful lately…”

“The same day I left the border, four men died. I had breakfast with one of them, and I myself covered his body with a shroud.”

“…”

“Orcs never rest, noble sir.”

Yuri recalled his past life.

At that time, the Duchy of Klein, neighboring Briol, began having trouble, and the orcs took the opportunity to cross the border. He remembered the losses had been severe.

Yuri asked,

“Are the orcs on the move?”

“Yes.”

“Is it different from usual?”

“Very unsettling.”

“And Klein?”

“Excuse me?”

Under Yuri’s sharp gaze, Calcio touched his temple.

“I’m asking how the Duchy of Klein is doing.”

“Ah… well…”

The baron scratched his head before answering.

“It seems the border troops have withdrawn. Something’s wrong over there.”

“And the border villages?”

“Devastated.”

Yuri closed his eyes.

It might have been a civil war.

He wished he had more useful information, but nothing came to mind. At that time, he had been too busy being a scoundrel to care about Briol or other countries’ situations.

He regretted it.

While reliving those memories, Calcio spoke quickly.

“It’s a disaster. People are dying, enslaved—but I doubt the nobles over there care.”

Yuri murmured unintentionally.

“Was it the duke’s third son who caused it all…?”

All eyes turned to him.

Some looked with sharp suspicion, trying to discern his true intentions; others stared with disbelief, as if he had swallowed something he shouldn’t have.

That the third prince, known only for causing trouble, spoke as if he understood geopolitical matters was absurd.

Yuri cleared his throat.

“Anyway, I think that’s enough for this meeting, don’t you think?”

“Enough?”

“Rather than arguing over something as trivial as my mana technique, you should discuss more important issues. Like the defense against the Duchy of Klein and the orcs.”

With those words, Yuri stood up.

He was still a child with a small build, but no one there could stop him. Like it or not, he was Fiore Briol’s son and the third prince of the Kingdom of Briol.

Yuri straightened his back and scanned the faces of the nobles.

Then, his eyes met Genard’s.

“Your Highness.”

The duke paused for a moment before continuing.

“I’ve heard you’ve changed a lot lately. As a loyal servant concerned for you, that troubles me.”

His gaze was dark and murky. He no longer looked like the typical third-rate sycophant noble.

Duke Yuces, Genard Jettery.

A thoroughly corrupt noble, but one who should never be underestimated.

Still, Yuri didn’t fear him. Neither in his past life nor in this one.

But now, the reason was different.

Before, he had been a thoughtless libertine. Now, he knew exactly what he should fear.

“Duke Yuces.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Have you never seen a teenager before?”

Genard let out a dry laugh.

“I’m going through that phase, so be patient.”

With those words, Yuri turned around.

Ignoring all the eyes fixed on his back, he left the Senate hall.

***

Calcio Erancha, as soon as he left the palace, went straight back to his inn and took out from his backpack a crystal orb he had carefully stored.

He polished the smooth surface with a cloth and placed it on the table.

“Are you there?”

He spoke to the orb.

“This is Calcio, my lord Count.”

Then the face of Count Saidore, Heime Theodore, appeared.

He wasn’t particularly old, but his face was deeply lined from years of military campaigns. The two scars running from his eye to his cheek were the parting gift of the orc chieftain just before he died.

[How did the Senate meeting go?]

His voice was rough and slow. He spoke in broken sentences, as if it pained him to breathe.

“The same as always—pure theory and no action.”

[Details.]

Calcio recounted what had happened.

Heime tilted his head.

[The third prince said all that?]

“Yes, sir.”

[That’s not like him.]

“There are many rumors about his change. We still don’t know how true they are.”

[What do you think?]

“His gaze didn’t seem fake.”

[We’ll have to keep an eye on him. What about the other nobles in the Senate?]

“Just as you predicted. Not even the slightest interest.”

[As expected.]

“I’ll report it to His Majesty directly.”

[He won’t act.]

“If I explain it clearly…”

[Fiore’s not a bad king, but he can’t be a good one either.]

“One moment.”

Calcio went to the door, checked the hallway, and locked it.

“If anyone hears what you just said, I’ll be dragged straight to the dungeon.”

[Don’t worry. As I said, he’s not a bad king.]

“I think he’s a good person.”

[Personality aside. He’s bewitched by the sword.]

Heime furrowed his brow.

[Those obsessed with the sword don’t care about the outside world.]

“So he’s going to ignore what’s happening in Klein?”

[Most likely.]

“He’s going to freeze, then. It’s going to be exhausting…”

[What about the third prince?]

“What about him?”

[Find out.]

“You want me to investigate him?”

[If necessary.]

“I will. And how’s the border?”

[Same as ever. Just like before.]

Suddenly, Heime looked away.

Urgent voices could be heard on the other side of the orb. A battle seemed to have started.

[I’ll contact you again.]

“Yes, sir.”

Calcio bowed and stored the orb.

“So now… what do I do?”

He leaned against the window and let out a long sigh.

From there, he could see the bustling streets of the capital. For someone who had spent nearly his entire life on the border, it was a strange sight.

The capital was in complete peace, while soldiers died every day on the frontier.

With that disparity weighing on his chest, Calcio silently looked down.

“Huh…?”

But—what was that?

Calcio couldn’t believe his eyes.

“The third prince?”

That black hair peeking out from the hood was unmistakable.

It was Yuri Briol.

But in a blink, his figure vanished into the crowd.

Calcio stared wide-eyed for a moment before shaking his head.

“It can’t be… no way.”

***

Yuri walked through the capital with his hood pulled down over his eyes.

“This is exciting. Brings back memories. I used to sneak out like it was nothing when I was a kid too.”

“Three times a day, or what?”

“Something like that. I was a rebellious teenager. Used to fly over walls.”

“You used flight magic as a kid?”

“I was a genius.”

He had tried to bring Jared, but he had to remain at his post at the palace gate.

So he brought Hernand instead.

He looked visibly thrilled.

“And what’s with the excitement? You can leave the palace whenever you want.”

“But not Your Highness.”

“And what about that?”

“Makes me feel like part of the mischief. Ah, look, that little girl is staring at us. Did she recognize us?”

“She’s staring because I’m handsome.”

“…What?”

With Hernand’s help, Yuri had escaped the palace. Tricking others was still a piece of cake.

“So what now? Up to something shady?”

“No. And even if I were, not with you around.”

“How disappointing.”

Although he was tagging along, Hernand was still loyal to Fiore.

Yuri wanted to make him his ally.

“Hernand, I’d prefer if you didn’t mention today.”

“Ugh, I can’t promise that. You know me.”

“Do what you want.”

“Where are we going now?”

“To the casino.”

“Ah?”

“The illegal casino.”

“Ahhh!?”

“The biggest one in the capital.”

“AAAHHH!?”

“You know where it is?”

“Well, yeah… sort of. They say when I get drunk and pass out, I end up there instead of at home.”

“Then guide me, and quietly.”

“I don’t know if this is a good idea…”

Yuri looked around.

People were hurrying along, with a wide range of expressions. Some smiled, others frowned.

Suddenly, he locked eyes with a street vendor who gestured and pointed to his goods.

“Take a look!”

The whole city brimmed with life.

In his past life, all of this had been trampled under the boots of the Empire.

It was hard to connect that devastated scenery with the vibrant capital of now.

“Hernand.”

“Yes?”

“I’m telling you this now.”

“What is it?”

“I’m doing all this for Briol.”

Hernand seemed to misinterpret his words and got serious.

“You’re really planning to win that much money…?”

He licked his lips.

“Alright. Let’s clean that casino out. With your skills, Your Highness, we can win big.”

Yuri chuckled.

Hernand greatly overestimated his card skills.

What he did at the palace was nothing compared to taking on a casino. Besides, Yuri wasn’t even planning to gamble today.

“Just guide me.”

Before long, they reached the red-light district. Lightly dressed women tried to seduce passersby.

“I shouldn’t be seeing this.”

Hernand tried to cover his eyes, but Yuri brushed his hand away.

“Enough. Just lead the way.”

“Yes, sir…”

They stopped in front of a five-story building.

Beaded curtains hung from every window, glinting in the sunlight from different angles.

It wasn’t an unfamiliar sight to Yuri.

Water Spirit Pavilion.

The largest brothel in the capital. In his previous life, Yuri had visited it often.

“The casino’s in the basement, right?”

“How do you know?”

“It’s obvious.”

The man guarding the entrance recognized Hernand.

“Long time no see, sir. And this young man is…?”

“This is…”

“My nephew.”

“Yeah, he’s my nephew.”

“Ha ha ha, I see! A handsome young man, for sure.”

The man rubbed his hands together eagerly.

“Alcohol and gambling should be learned from grown-ups, right?”

“W-well, yes…”

“Maybe you’d prefer to go upstairs…?”

“Hey! Don’t say such nonsense!”

“Ha ha ha! So you’re going down, got it.”

“Exactly. Lead us.”

“Ha ha ha! As you wish. This way, please.”

He led them through a back door that descended into the basement. Muscular men guarded the stairs.

“Your Highness, this place is—”

“Watch your mouth.”

“Ah, right… So what should I call you?”

“Didn’t you say I was your nephew?”

“But still.”

“Call me whatever you want.”

The door opened.

A reddish light enveloped them as they entered.

Tables stretched as far as the eye could see, not a single seat empty. Bloodshot players feverishly shoved chips toward the center.

“Would you like me to guide you to the tables in the back?”

The man asked in a suggestive tone. He meant, of course, the VIP seats where ridiculous sums were wagered.

“Before that.”

Yuri spoke.

“I forgot to bring money. I’ll need a loan.”

“Excuse me?”

“Isn’t that right, uncle?”

Hernand’s face twisted in confusion, while the man grinned strangely.

“Of course. Of course! Ha ha ha!”

Scandalized, Hernand poked him in the side, but Yuri completely ignored him.

“Loans are always welcome here.”