Chapter 158: History (1)

Everyone thought the Empire would invade Joachim again at any moment, but instead, they only stationed troops at the border without making any move.

Even the imperial palace remained silent.

Yuri found that stillness even more unsettling.

Jared asked,

“Will Joachim be safe?”

“I don’t know.”

Yuri shrugged.

Even he couldn’t guarantee Joachim’s safety. Being so close to the Empire, anything could happen at any time.

“Well, we don’t need to worry too much.”

But one thing was clear. If the Empire tried to attack Joachim again, it would face significant resistance.

Just as Yuri had planned, Joachim was rapidly advancing its internal reorganization.

Especially after this war, tactics and combat methods specialized for mountainous terrain had become fully established.

They now had dedicated training grounds for guerrilla warfare, and fortifications were being built throughout the forests surrounding Joachim.

“Oh, are you talking about the training ground in the capital? The third generation just graduated. They say they’re swamped with work.”

“Excellent.”

“Also, many young people are enlisting as volunteers. It seems the country won’t fall apart.”

Joachim’s army was growing stronger.

It was still hard to fight outside the forest, but at least within the Alloy Mountains, even imperial troops didn’t dare underestimate them.

And when the time came, they could leave the mountains and strike at the Empire’s rear.

Yuri shrugged.

“Let’s worry about ourselves now.”

In his previous life, the Empire didn’t just crush Joachim—it invaded every surrounding region.

Though it was still early, it felt as though the war had already begun. Just as Joachim had been invaded without warning, no one knew when the next conflict would erupt.

Yuri’s group arrived at a grassy plain.

“Shall we rest here?”

“Yeah.”

They had left Joachim and were already at the edge of the Alloy Mountains.

A bit farther ahead, they’d encounter small allied nations, and beyond the Duchy of Klein, they’d finally reach Briol.

“Whose turn is it to cook today?”

“It’s mine, Your Highness.”

“Laurent?”

Yuri went silent for a moment. Laurent wasn’t exactly a good cook.

“I’ll make stew. Trust me.”

“Well… stew isn’t that hard…”

They lit the campfire, and Laurent began preparing the ingredients with his utensils.

Meanwhile, Jose asked Yuri,

“Your Highness.”

“Yes?”

“How did you kill Yalta?”

Everyone looked at Yuri. No one had brought it up out of respect, due to the situation with Graham, but they all knew it had been Yuri who defeated Yalta.

Yuri shrugged.

“I’m strong, aren’t I?”

“Have you really reached that level?”

“Sir Jose, even you could’ve beaten Yalta.”

“I’m not so sure…”

“Yes, you could. If the fight had gone on, you would’ve won.”

Yuri didn’t think much of Yalta. His cruelty and reputation as a killer had inflated his image, but he wasn’t a warrior worthy of the Ten Greats.

Though it would’ve been tough, Jose would’ve eventually defeated him.

“He was a petty bastard.”

Jared whistled.

“Then, does that mean Your Highness is one of the Ten Greats now?”

“No.”

“But you’re the one who beat him?”

“I’m not making it public. That’s why we made it look like he died fighting Sir Graham.”

“So, they’ll pick a new one?”

“Probably.”

The Ten Greats weren’t appointed by anyone—they formed naturally through public opinion.

Generally, whoever defeated a previous member took their place. But since Yalta and his last opponent Graham had both died, a new member needed to be selected.

Yuri grinned mischievously.

“It’ll probably be Sir Jose.”

Jose’s skill was already widely known. Though many strong candidates existed—like captains of the Imperial Knights or the Holy Kingdom’s order—Jose remained one of the most renowned.

Jose shook his head.

“I’d rather not. I’d be embarrassed.”

“Why?”

“With the man who killed Yalta right next to me, how could I accept being one of the Ten Greats? Hahaha…”

“Then just work harder so it’s not embarrassing. How long has it been since we last trained?”

“Should we train after lunch?”

“Yeah.”

As they laughed, Laurent, who was boiling the stew, sighed.

Jared tilted his head.
“What’s wrong, Sir Laurent?”

“It’s nothing.”

Laurent gave a bitter smile.

“It’s just that seeing all of you makes me feel left behind. I’m not sure I’m really being helpful to His Highness.”

“Don’t say that.”

“I’m not even good at cooking…”

“Huh? All of a sudden?”

Jared shrugged.

“Sir Laurent. Look at me. I’m supposed to be his guard, but I’ve never really protected him. If anything, he’s saved me more times. If you feel useless, then I should already be dead.”

“Now that you mention it…”

“Hey! Don’t agree so easily…”

“Training after lunch too?”

“Of course.”

Laurent stirred the stew with a spoon, smiling, but his heart wasn’t at ease.

He wanted to be someone who supported the third prince’s path, but he was plagued by doubts about his ability.

The gap in skill grew wider each day. He feared he’d become a burden if things continued this way.

“Hmm…”

There was no other choice. The only thing he could do was keep training.

As sculptor Smith of Joachim had said, if one truly desires something and works hard every day, they’ll achieve it someday.

“It’s ready.”

Laurent served stew with large chunks of meat for everyone. When he was about to serve Inariel, he stopped suddenly.

“Excuse me, Lord Inariel… do you eat this too?”

“Why?”

“Well…”

He had the impression that elves only ate plants. But Inariel ate the stew without hesitation.

“Surprised that an elf eats meat?”

“I was just concerned, just in case.”

“I’ll eat it.”

Inariel cut the cooked meat with a spoon and took a bite.

“An elf isn’t a cow—why would I only eat plants?”

“I see.”

Laurent learned something new—elves were omnivores, just like humans.

“Laurent, right?”

“Yes.”

“No need to rush so much.”

Laurent blushed slightly, embarrassed that even Inariel had noticed what he was thinking.

Inariel set down his bowl and said,

“Well, looking at it another way, maybe it’s that prince who’s moving too fast.”

“Excuse me?”

With a cryptic smile, Inariel told Laurent,

“So don’t worry. Just being by his side is already a great help.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“That’s right.”

Inariel didn’t speak again after that. Though he looked young, he was someone who had lived far longer than any of them.

Maybe “elder” wasn’t quite the word for an elf, but one thing was certain—he had vast experience. And perhaps because of that, his words had a way of bringing comfort.

While pondering what he’d said, Laurent, who nodded silently, suddenly noticed Inariel wasn’t eating anymore—and felt frustrated with himself again.

***

After finishing the meal and an impromptu sparring session, Yuri’s group decided to rest a bit longer instead of setting off immediately.

The situation in Joachim had resolved better than expected, so they could afford to take a breather.

Yuri approached Inariel, who was quietly observing the forest.

Inariel looked at him.

“Lord Inariel. How’s that matter going?”

Since their encounter in the heat of battle with Yalta, they hadn’t had a chance to talk calmly.

Hernando and Inariel had left to investigate the scroll. Now that they had returned, it seemed they must’ve discovered something.

“You mean the scroll?”

“Yes.”

“Hernando’s still investigating. He told me he’ll have results soon.”

“I see.”

“…”

“That’s it?”

“Yes.”

“And you, Lord Inariel, didn’t find anything…?”

“Nothing.”

“Ah… I see.”

Yuri was clearly disappointed.

Inariel spoke.

“But I agree on one thing—this isn’t an ordinary matter.”

“Really?”

Inariel called him by his full name.

“Yuri Briol.”

“You may not know this, but a powerful mage can’t freely use their magic.”

“Pardon?”

“Those who’ve been granted the right to wield magic by the world must also carry its restrictions.”

“But the mages I know throw fireballs like it’s nothing.”

“That’s crude magic.”

“There’s something beyond that?”

Inariel smiled faintly.

“I’ll let you imagine it.”

“I see…”

“But listen… that last time was different.”

“Pardon?”

“I summoned the rain. That kind of powerful magic should come with limitations.”

“A simple rain?”

Upon hearing that, Inariel frowned.

“I created rain where there was none. Do you think altering the natural order is trivial?”

“I guess not…”

“And yet, I did it.”

Normally, a Grand Wizard should never interfere in the world’s affairs. But that time, Inariel hadn’t felt any restrictions.

In fact, it was as if the world itself had urged him to use his magic.

Like the flap of a butterfly’s wings that can grow into a hurricane, magic that changes the weather can have devastating consequences. And still, the world had allowed it.

Inariel reflected on the meaning of that event and came to a disturbing truth.

“The rules are starting to break.”

The reason a Grand Wizard must not intervene is that their power can distort the world’s flow.

“So what does it mean that now I can intervene?”

“Dark magic doesn’t belong to this world.”

Exactly.

The fact that he caused rain wasn’t interference—it was a restoration of natural order.

“The one who started the fire.”

“Yalta?”

“That barbarian was likely already tainted by dark magic.”

“Yes, he was.”

Yuri nodded. During their duel in the burning forest, he had felt the dark magic within Yalta.

“That someone like him started that fire proves this wasn’t part of the proper flow.”

That’s why the world wanted rain.

This fact carried enormous weight. It showed just how dangerous dark magic was.

And also what kind of threat the world was facing.

As a Grand Wizard and one of the Ten Greats, Inariel could feel it clearly.

This wasn’t simply a war between mortals, with their usual cycles of death and destruction.

It was a situation so serious that, if left unchecked, the world itself could collapse.

Yuri shrugged.

“Well, that’s a good thing, right?”

“What?”

“Now Lord Inariel can fight more freely, right?”

“Well…”

“If someone’s involved with dark magic, we can just reduce them to ashes with fireballs. Will Hernando get stronger too? Should we bomb the imperial palace? What can we pull off?”

While Yuri spoke nonchalantly, Inariel couldn’t help but let out a disbelieving laugh.

It wasn’t that he hadn’t understood what he’d said. In fact, it was this bold young human prince who understood better than anyone the danger of dark magic.

If he hadn’t stood up to face that darkness, no one else would’ve. Not even Inariel. They might not have even noticed its existence.

So his attitude wasn’t born of ignorance—just part of his character.

“Fine. I’ll take that into account.”

Even Inariel, steeped in deep worry, felt lighter seeing the positive attitude of the one most entangled in the matter.

Though it slightly hurt his pride to admit it, the truth was undeniable. Somehow, he felt that this young man could do it.

Because despair was what dark magic desired most. And hope was what it feared most.

Inariel opened his mouth.

“By the way… what’s your relationship with Maryrose?”

“Huh?”

“She said some strange things about you…”

“You know Maryrose?”

“At my level, I know most mages worth knowing.”

“I don’t know what she said, and I’d rather not. Is she interpreting the scroll properly?”

“Hmm…”

“What is it?”

“And what’s your relationship with Yekaterina?”

“W-what? What does she have to do with this now?”

“Maryrose asked me to ask you that.”

“Huh?”