Chapter 159: History (2)

The continent was on edge.

The Empire was showing suspicious movements. Military training was becoming more frequent, and large-scale operations had begun to inspect the status of supplies and equipment.

High-ranking nobles and important knights were coming and going from the imperial palace.

Anyone could see they were preparing for something. Perhaps the war with Joachim had only been a prologue.

At least, that’s what the newspapers said.

“Hmm…”

Yuri, sitting cross-legged while reading the paper, sighed.

“What’s going to happen to this world? There’s not a single peaceful day.”

He turned the page. This time it was about social issues.

“Ugh… What’s going to happen to this country…?”

At that moment, someone knocked at the door. As he closed the newspaper, Yuri said,

“Come in.”

Yuri was in the guest room of the Elaine Guild branch in the Duchy of Klein, waiting for a letter sent by Elaine.

While waiting, he had picked up a newspaper and caught up on the happenings across the continent.

The man who entered greeted him politely. He was tall and clean-cut.

“My name is Garfield. I’m the director of this branch.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“Sorry to have kept you waiting.”

“No problem.”

Receiving the letter, Yuri studied him closely.

The Duchy of Klein wasn’t a large nation, but its economy was prosperous, and the Elaine Guild branch there was substantial. Thus, it was one of the guild’s most important bases.

The fact that Garfield was its director meant Elaine recognized his abilities. Elaine had a good eye for people.

“You said your name is Garfield?”

“Yes.”

“I’d like your opinion. What do you think of the Empire lately?”

“The Empire, hmm…”

Garfield chose his words carefully.

“I’m quite concerned.”

“Why?”

“I fear they’re about to start a war…”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Explain.”

“Most say it’s just about Joachim, but I don’t think it’ll stop there. The Empire has the means to go further. And lately, they’ve been too brazen.”

“What if they don’t stop there?”

“They could start another war with some other country. The Empire has the capability.”

The army stationed at Joachim alone was powerful enough to trample any medium-sized nation, and that was only a fraction of the Empire’s might.

They had more than enough forces to expand the battlefield.

The number of squadrons in the famous Imperial Knights Corps, named by numbers, already exceeded two digits.

“I see.”

Yuri nodded as he opened the letter.

“Do the other employees feel the same?”

“Many are worried, yes.”

“I understand. Thank you.”

All of this was different from his previous life. Back then, war broke out suddenly.

It was all unexpected.

But this time, Joachim had bought them time, and thanks to that, the Empire’s suspicious movements could be detected.

People were alert as well.

Incidents that everyone fears rarely happen when everyone is prepared. Surprise attacks work best when no one expects them.

In that sense, the current situation was much better than in his previous life. Garfield bowed his head.

“Then I’ll take my leave. Please rest well.”

“Thanks.”

He left Yuri to read his letter in peace.

Yuri read Elaine’s letter.

“Hmm…”

It contained lots of news. First, the exotic goods brought from the East had sold successfully.

The Empire’s nobles were fascinated by foreign and exotic products, and Elaine was currently making a fortune.

Yuri smiled with satisfaction.

The better Elaine worked, the more Yuri’s fortune grew, as he was the largest shareholder.

“Excellent. That’s Elaine for you.”

He turned the page. Then came information about Asana and Gorio.

“Oh…”

The three, who had met up after fleeing the palace, had gotten to know each other better while working with Yuri on various matters.

Originally, Asana and Gorio didn’t get along, and Elaine had a relatively good relationship with both.

But now, it seemed Asana and Gorio had improved their relationship. Gorio helped rescue Joachim citizens being hunted in the imperial capital, and Asana had helped him.

“Looks like I managed to change a person.”

What pleased Yuri most was that Gorio had acted like that. In his past life, Gorio hadn’t exactly been a good person.

“Well, if he hadn’t changed, I’d have killed him myself.”

Yuri turned to the next page of the letter. Inside, there was a smaller sealed envelope from Asana.

Opening it, he found a detailed report on what she had observed at the imperial palace.

Yuri’s expression turned serious. It was clear the emperor had mental issues.

Perhaps he was a victim too. Eugen had likely done something to disturb his mind.

Dark magic had taken over the palace, and for now, there was nothing that could be done.

“Phew…”

Asana said she’d stay in the capital and keep observing the palace when she had the chance.

Yuri wasn’t entirely comfortable with that, but given the continent’s urgent circumstances, he had no other option.

He returned to Elaine’s letter.

Normally, Elaine wrote clearly, but this time there was a vague part.

“What’s this?”

It said, suddenly, that she had made an interesting friend and would introduce her someday. Thanks to her, she was getting lots of information, so she asked Yuri to at least treat her to a meal.

“If she’s your friend, why do I have to pay?”

Yuri had a strange feeling and flipped the page. The rest was just status reports with minor details.

After finishing the letter, Yuri drew his sword from the fire and burned the entire letter to ash.

He opened the window and let the dust scatter in the wind.

“All done.”

He left the guest room. Garfield approached to see him off.

“Thank you for your visit.”

“Thanks to you, I had a good rest.”

“It was an honor to receive you.”

Elaine had many talents, and one was picking good people. Garfield seemed like a capable employee.

Though it was a short visit, the branch clearly functioned well.

Yuri patted his shoulder.

“See you.”

“Yes.”

After saying goodbye, Yuri left the Elaine Guild.

Outside, there was a shop run directly by the guild, where citizens gathered to buy goods.

It was a peaceful scene. As he watched, a voice suddenly called out.

“Is that…?”

Yuri turned.

A woman pointed at him, standing silently with a stunned expression. He didn’t recognize her.

“Me?”

“You’re the third prince of Briol, right?”

Since he was near Briol, he didn’t see the need to hide his identity, so his face was uncovered.

Thanks to the Imperial magazine publications, his face had become known, and apparently even in the Duchy of Klein he was recognized.

Yuri nodded.

“Yes. I’m Yuri Briol. And you are?”

But the woman’s reaction was more intense than expected. She rushed over, took both his hands, and bowed her head.

“Nice to meet you. I can’t believe I’m seeing you here. What a coincidence! It’s an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”

Even her voice trembled with emotion. Yuri knew his popularity had grown since the magazine’s release, but he hadn’t expected such an emotional reaction and was taken aback.

“Eh?”

“It’s an honor to see you again. I wanted to greet you back then, but…”

As the woman began to sob, Yuri grew even more uncomfortable. The nearby onlookers were beginning to frown.

Some citizens of the Duchy of Klein clicked their tongues.

“That young brat… making a woman cry…”

“Looks like he thinks he can flirt around just because he’s good-looking.”

“How pathetic…”

“Someday, he’ll cry tears of blood for this.”

Yuri felt indignant.

Interpreting the situation only that way seemed too narrow-minded.

Weren’t there cases like reuniting with a long-lost sister or seeing someone who once saved your life?

“Hey… if you keep crying, I think I’m going to get in trouble here.”

“Oh, yes. Sorry.”

The woman wiped her tears and smiled faintly.

She had a common appearance. If they’d had any connection, Yuri would’ve remembered, but nothing about her seemed familiar. Still, it was clear she knew him.

“Did I surprise you?”

“A little.”

“Suddenly, old memories came rushing back…”

“You know me?”

“You wouldn’t remember me, Your Highness.”

Yuri sighed with relief.

“I see. Got it.”

But he felt he couldn’t just leave her be. Yuri looked around.

“How about we chat over a coffee?”

There was a café nearby, with outdoor tables and chairs where they could talk quietly.

Yuri bought two drinks and sat down with her.

“Thank you… even treating me to coffee.”

“It’s nothing.”

He was a prince. He was also the Elaine Guild’s biggest shareholder. He had plenty of money.

“So, how do you know me?”

“Well…”

Her expression darkened a bit. After a moment’s hesitation, the woman answered.

“When I was rescued by the allied forces…”

As soon as he heard that, Yuri understood.

“Ah… I see.”

“Yes…”

She was one of the victims who had been captured by the orcs.

The Duchy of Klein, which shared a border with Briol in the plains, suffered frequent orc attacks. Before the extermination campaign, abductions were common.

“If it hadn’t been for you, I’d never have escaped from there.”

“I didn’t do it alone. It was a joint operation with the allied forces.”

“But you played a major role, didn’t you?”

“Well, maybe.”

Her name was Joan. Yuri asked,

“I’m glad you’re okay. How’s life been for you?”

“Good. I work at my parents’ shop.”

“Business going well?”

“So-so. We’re doing fine.”

Yuri and Joan exchanged some small talk.

“Are you still in touch with the others?”

“With a few.”

“How are they doing?”

“Well… some are doing well, others not so much. It can’t be helped…”

Being kidnapped by orcs wasn’t exactly a pleasant experience. It was something that could haunt a person for the rest of their life.

Yuri, hoping to lighten the mood, cracked a couple of jokes. With that, Joan’s expression lit up again.

“At first, people avoided me, but not anymore. With time, things get better.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“Now that I think about it, I had a friend from Briol, but we lost contact when we returned. It’s a shame. I wish we had kept writing to each other. We were really close.”

“She’s probably busy with her own life.”

“Yes, probably.”

“If fate allows it, I’m sure you’ll meet again.”

“Yes.”

When the conversation came to an end, they both stood from the table.

Joan said,

“Come to think of it, it was like a miracle… running into you on the street, being treated to a coffee, and being able to talk like this…”

“Spread the rumor that I’ve got a kind heart.”

“Hehe, I will.”

“If fate allows, we’ll see each other again.”

“Yes. Have a good journey.”

After that brief meeting, they said goodbye and went their separate ways. Yuri watched her walk away for a moment.

In his past life, he never learned anything about the victims who had been captured by the orcs.

What might have happened to Joan in that other life? She had probably died not long after, unable to endure it.

And her sacrifice meant nothing.

Not a single line in the history books. All those sacrifices simply vanished.

The same would happen if they couldn’t stop the Empire. Countless people would die forgotten, like Joan in his past life.

“What a heavy burden…”

Murmuring to himself, Yuri turned around. He thought that once he returned to Briol, he should establish a foundation for the victims of the orcs. Maybe even coordinate it with the Comrades Association of the Alliance.

“There’s so much to do.”

Yuri let out a faint smile.

He wondered if all his efforts would leave a mark in history.