Chapter 16: Transcending the Mandate of Heaven

“Yuri.”

As he was leaving the ballroom, Cedric called out to him.

“Hyung.”

“What were you thinking?”

Cedric’s expression rarely showed any emotion. It was unusual for him to reveal his feelings.

“I’m fine.”

“Are you?”

“There was no other choice.”

Yuri smiled calmly.

“Was I supposed to just stand by while Ena died?”

Cedric looked at him in silence for a moment, then let out a long sigh.

“Seriously…”

“There really wasn’t any other way, right?”

Cedric ruffled Yuri’s hair.

“You little brat.”

An odd emotion surged through Yuri. It had been so long since Cedric had tousled his hair like that.

He had always longed for that gesture from him.

“Yuri.”

“Hm.”

“Do you want me to help?”

Cedric asked with a serious expression.

What kind of help was he offering?

Although he couldn’t quite figure out Cedric’s exact intention, Yuri knew that if his brother set his mind to something, he could truly do anything.

His brother, Cedric, was someone without limits.

“No.”

But Yuri shook his head.

“I provoked this, so I have to finish it myself.”

“I understand. But no matter what, don’t get hurt.”

“Don’t worry.”

“Good.”

Cedric gently patted his cheek and gave him a warm smile.

“I believe in you, Yuri Briol.”

“Of course. What about the ball?”

“I’ll take care of it.”

Since Fiore wasn’t the kind of person who could properly handle a situation like this, Cedric had to step in.

“Go get some rest.”

“Understood.”

As he watched Cedric return to the ballroom, Yuri reaffirmed his resolve.

Despite his young age, Cedric already knew how to comfort and guide others.

If the Empire hadn’t invaded, what kind of nation would Briol have become under Cedric’s reign?

“This time, I’ll see it.”

Just as he had stepped forward to save Ena, he would stand in the Empire’s way—for the future Cedric was meant to build for Briol.

Tomorrow’s duel was no problem for Yuri. It didn’t matter who his opponent was.

***

The Next Day

Hernand, on his way to the training grounds to witness the trial by combat, ran into Saned.

“Good morning,” Hernand greeted kindly.

Although he looked like an ordinary ahjussi, Saned was an exceptional swordsman who served as captain of the guard in the Kingdom of Briol—a land of knights.

“Sir Hernand, heading to the training grounds?”

“That’s right.”

“I see… what a situation.”

Saned scratched the back of his head with an awkward expression.

“Were you at the ballroom last night?”

“Of course.”

“Then is the rumor true?”

“Pardon? What rumor?”

“Well…”

After hearing Saned’s explanation, Hernand laughed.

Yuri’s actions had indeed been heroic. What other prince would challenge the Empire to a duel to save a maid?

But it seemed the truth had been heavily distorted as the rumor spread.

“That the prince soiled the imperial prince’s robe and blamed the maid? And that the second prince scolded him and told him to prove his innocence personally?”

“I thought it was nonsense too, but…”

Hernand burst out laughing again and explained what really happened.

“It was the exact opposite.”

“I figured…”

“Well, I must admit, the false version is more exciting.”

Just imagining Yuri’s reaction upon hearing that rumor was amusing. But unlike Hernand, Saned still looked worried.

“Either way, what concerns me now is the coming duel.”

“What’s your opinion?”

“The prince is very talented, but even an apprentice of the Empire’s Imperial Guard is no joke.”

“Give him a little credit, Sir Saned.”

“You trust him that much?”

“I’ve seen him in many situations.”

“Let’s hope it goes as well as you say. What a sudden storm this is…”

As they talked, they arrived at the training grounds.

Saned asked one of the guards already present,

“His Majesty?”

“He’s on his way.”

Due to the sensitive nature of the event, only a select group was allowed to attend the trial by combat.

Aside from Fiore, only a few priests, mages like Hernand, and several guards were present.

In contrast, the Empire had brought a sizable number of armed knights, along with Georg and Yekaterina.

This imbalance in presence was due to the exceptional swordsman, Fiore Briol.

If he were to lose control, no one could stop him. So, at the very least, appearances had to be maintained.

“That must be the opponent.”

“Yes.”

Hernand looked at the young man standing before Yuri.

He appeared three or four years older and had a well-balanced physique.

“Hmm…”

Saned let out a soft murmur.

“His aura is quite stable.”

“Really?”

“For an apprentice, he handles the sword with great skill. He’s worthy of the Imperial Guard.”

The youth swung his sword in the air, his speed impressive.

The Imperial Guard of the Empire was known as one of the most powerful forces on the continent. Even its apprentices were as strong as fully-fledged knights.

How would this duel end?

One might think he’d be worried, but Hernand felt his heart pounding with excitement.

“Sir, why are you smiling?”

Saned asked softly, not in reproach, but out of genuine curiosity.

“Look.”

Hernand pointed at Yuri.

Sitting with his arms crossed, he didn’t show a hint of nervousness. When he noticed people watching, he even winked.

Saned smiled too.

“Do you see it now?”

“Yes… though I still feel uneasy.”

“There won’t be any disasters. His Majesty is here, isn’t he?”

“I suppose so.”

Although he had spoken calmly to Saned, Hernand’s smile had another reason.

He was simply happy.

Yes, everything started from that moment.

From the day he met the prince in a card game and lost all his money.

“We’re ready on this side. How long are you going to keep waving that sword around?”

Yuri asked as he stretched.

The boy didn’t respond. Instead, he swung his sword with an even darker aura.

Georg laughed.

“Don’t you need more time to prepare?”

“I’m ready when you are.”

“I see.”

With a nod, the boy signaled that he too was ready.

“Perfect.”

Georg turned to Fiore.

“Shall we begin?”

Fiore nodded.

All unnecessary formalities were skipped. As soon as both took their stances, Fiore gave the order to begin the duel.

They called this a trial, but it was nothing more than a brutal fight—swords clashing until one could no longer stand.

Since both were young and inexperienced, anything could happen.

“Begin.”

Immediately, the sound of clashing metal rang out.

Hernand felt that what he was witnessing didn’t seem real.

Who would have imagined this? The young third prince dueling with a warrior from the Empire just to save a maid who had stained the scarlet cloak of the crown prince.

Someone who was supposed to die was still alive, and someone meant to live was in the line of fire.

Where could you find a more miraculous magic than that?

A strange light gleamed in Hernand’s eyes.

“Hmm…”

Saned murmured.

Even Hernand, with no background in swordsmanship, could tell both were highly skilled.

Though the outcome was still uncertain, it was clear Yuri was struggling.

“Hernand.”

For the first time since arriving, Fiore spoke to him.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“What do you think?”

“Of the duel?”

“Yes.”

“Your Majesty sees far better than I.”

“But I want to know your opinion.”

“I…”

Hernand answered honestly.

“I don’t know.”

Those words carried many meanings.

Fiore’s expression didn’t change.

“Hernand, you once said you came to Briol following the will of heaven, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“Then let me ask again. Has the time to leave come?”

Hernand shook his head.

“No, not yet.”

“I see.”

Fiore offered a faint smile. Not the kind of expression one would make while watching a duel where his son’s life was at stake.

“That’s a relief. I’m glad you’re staying.”

“There you go again, Your Majesty. You flatter a humble mage like me far too much.”

“Humble? Nonsense.”

Most people saw Hernand merely as a mage specialized in combat magic.

And that was only half the truth. For a monster like Fiore to keep someone at his side, combat skill alone wasn’t enough.

“You are a Grandwizard.”

Hernand’s official title from the Magic Tower was “Grandwizard.”

A level even higher than the so-called “Masterwizards,” renowned for their miracles.

To earn the title of Grandwizard, one must develop a unique, inimitable form of magic—a “personal magical path.”

Hernand’s mastery was known as the “Celestial Fate Observation Style.”

He was blessed with the magic to glimpse the world’s ordained fate.

“Then… does that mean nothing bad will happen?”

“Who knows…”

Hernand looked into the past. The reason he had first come to Briol was, as mentioned, due to a heavenly mandate.

Through his “Observation of the Celestial Mandate,” Hernand had met the person closest to the world’s destiny.

Fiore Briol.

People said he was one of the strongest on the continent. But Hernand, who could glimpse the world’s fate, knew the truth.

It wasn’t that he was close—he was the strongest.

The supreme martial power of the continent.

If he were to draw his sword, not even the Empire could stand against him. With every decision he made, the world’s fate swayed.

But Fiore never unleashed that power. He simply continued walking the path of the sword.

The celestial mandate stabilized, and the strongest sword remained sheathed. Perhaps there was no longer any need to stay in Briol.

Until one day…

He lost money to the third prince in a card game. Lost it all.

He wanted to win, but he lost.

Ever since he had acquired his exclusive magical art, he had never lost money in a game he took seriously. For a mage who observes the mandate of heaven to lose at cards to a thirteen-year-old child was unthinkable.

With just one glance, he could tell if the opponent’s hand was good or bad.
But with that brat—he saw nothing.

There was no fortune.

“According to His Majesty, who is stronger?”

“The opponent.”

“I see.”

When he climbed Sword Mountain with Yuri, he too experienced something.

He told Yuri it was a casino, but it wasn’t. It was a vision.

Briol in flames.

A knight wielding a sword. Even with his body soaked in blood, he kept swinging his sword, never giving in.

Could one fail to recognize him?

Black hair and dark eyes—the mark of Briol’s royal family. That haughty gaze was the very same as the third prince’s.

And when he saw him collapse in despair, Hernand awoke from the vision.

Even then, Hernand wasn’t completely convinced. He suspected it might’ve been a mistake.

But after witnessing firsthand the reckless things Yuri did outside the palace, Hernand, on impulse, activated his “Observation of the Celestial Mandate.”

A miracle he never knew when he’d be able to use again—he used it to glimpse the future of an ordinary boy.

And then. He saw nothing. It wasn’t just a lack of fortune. That boy had no destiny.

Remembering what that meant made Hernand tremble once again. And so he spoke:

“Your Majesty. In truth, I thought it was time for me to leave.”

He had come to Briol following the mandate of heaven.

The man with the greatest destiny had become obsessed with the sword and let his era slip by. Hernand thought their paths had diverged.

But now he knew. The one he truly had to find was not Fiore Briol.

“But I was wrong.”

He had followed the celestial mandate to Briol, and there, he found someone who defied it.

Was it a call from the world? Or had the third prince defied the mandate and summoned him?

He would watch with his own eyes.

Would the world’s destiny devour him, or would he devour the world’s destiny?

Hernand’s heart pounded uncontrollably.

“I’ll be counting on you from now on.”

At that moment, a faint shout rang out. It was the great warrior from the Empire.

The boy stepped back, startled by an unexpected attack from Yuri, stumbled, and fell.
Yuri seized the opportunity with an unusual move, gained the upper hand, and brought down his sword.

Hernand saw it.

The boy’s destiny, like a bud on the verge of blooming, suddenly withered.

When Yuri’s sword came crashing down, that human’s once-brilliant fate twisted abruptly toward ruin.

Inevitable death descended in that instant.

But then, once again,

“Ah…!”

The fully withered bud rose once more toward the sun. In that twist between life and death, the boy’s destiny shone again.

Saned murmured:

“Good heavens… did he turn his sword at the last second?”

Yuri had unleashed a killing blow, but just before piercing the boy’s neck, he changed its course.

Life became death. And death turned back into life.

A chain of existence and annihilation.

To Hernand, each instant was a miracle.

“Well?”

“I lost.”

The great warrior of the Empire acknowledged his defeat. Hernand smiled with joy.

A being free from the world’s destiny.

With each step, Yuri defied fate. Life and death intertwined in a single moment.

Not only that—everyone who witnessed the duel had their destinies reduced to ash.

Even Hernand’s own future, as he observed, was thrown into utter chaos.

Yuri Briol.

The one who transcends the celestial mandate.

What is his role? How will he change the destiny of the world?

And then—

Five years passed.