Chapter 18: The Military Alliance (1)

“Yuri! Is it true you’re joining the military alliance?”

Yuri was training with Bernard when Joshua suddenly appeared. He almost never approached Yuri first, so he must have been genuinely surprised.

Bernard lowered his sword.

“Let’s take a break.”

“Yes.”

Yuri wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and sat down on the ground.

“What’s the matter? You didn’t even want to come here.”

“Well…”

Joshua cast a sideways glance at Bernard before speaking.

“Are you really joining the alliance?”

“Yes.”

“Why you?”

“Why not me?”

“There’s no need for a royal to go, is there?”

“I also don’t have a reason not to go.”

Yuri smiled.

“Did you come because you’re worried?”

“What are you saying? Knowing you’re going actually puts me at ease.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Ugh…”

For the past five years, Yuri had constantly pressured Joshua—keeping an eye on him to prevent mischief and pushing him to study for Briol’s sake. As a result, Joshua had started to avoid him.

“Don’t tell me you were serious?”

“About what?”

“What you said before. That thing you said when you threw that book at me.”

“Oh, that?”

Yuri, who had returned to the spring of his thirteenth year, had lived a very different life since. Not only did he train diligently, but he also showed tolerance to those around him. He had given books to Joshua and urged him to study. When Joshua asked why he was doing something so uncharacteristic, Yuri answered with just one phrase:

‘The duty of royalty.’

A phrase tossed out lazily because he didn’t want to explain, but it left a deep impression on Joshua.

Yuri smiled.

“Did you think I was lying?”

Joshua frowned, stared at him for a moment, and then nodded.

“Alright. Yuri, today I understood your intentions.”

“Today?”

“Until now, I just thought you wanted to annoy me.”

“Well, that’s not entirely wrong…”

Joshua ignored the comment.

“I hope you return safely. In the meantime, I’ll protect the palace.”

He looked determined. However, Yuri couldn’t help but feel uneasy. Joshua made that same face when bluffing ridiculously in card games.

“There are already plenty of people protecting it.”

But before Yuri could continue, Joshua gave a thumbs-up and walked away without listening.

Bernard spoke.

“The bond between you two is admirable.”

“Aren’t you worried about me?”

“Who knows. As long as you don’t do anything reckless, you’ll come back safely.”

Bernard was the one who best understood Yuri’s growth. No one knew better how strong he had become.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

“Just be warned: orcs are tough opponents. Stronger and viler than you expect.”

“You’ve fought them?”

“In the past.”

Yuri had also encountered orcs in his previous life. They were twice the size of humans and committed every kind of atrocity without hesitation.

“And if you see an orc carrying a flag on its back, be careful.”

“What does that mean?”

“Those are the strongest among orcs. I don’t know what they’re called, but they’re the equivalent of knights among humans. Avoid fighting them if you can.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Yuri knew their name.

‘Orkbal’. It translated as ‘orc warriors’. They were, quite literally, monsters.

“And though it may not be my place to say this…”

Bernard hesitated—a rare thing. Yuri shrugged.

“Say it.”

“Take someone experienced with you, someone who can advise you. And avoid getting involved in politics.”

His concern was clear.

Yuri smiled and patted him on the shoulder. They were now about the same height.

“I will.”

“If you’re going to fight orcs, you still need more training.”

“Shall we start now?”

Just as they were about to resume training, footsteps approached from afar.

“Visitors again.”

This time, Ena came running toward them, looking rushed.

“Prince, prince!”

“What is it?”

Over the past five years, Ena had matured a lot. She was three years older than Yuri, and now she was no longer just “cute”—she was beautiful.

She bowed to Bernard before speaking to Yuri.

“Prince. You have a visitor.”

“What kind of visitor?”

“The same rich client from last time. Came again with a super expensive bag, shiny clothes, and jewelry all over…”

“Ah.”

Yuri seemed to know who it was.

“What does he want?”

“How should I know?”

“Alright.”

Yuri turned to Bernard.

“I’ll have to leave it for today.”

“Understood.”

Yuri left the training ground, drying his sweat with a towel. Ena handed him clean clothes.

“Put these on.”

“You brought clothes?”

“Of course. It’s not proper to meet a guest smelling like sweat.”

“Thanks.”

Yuri took off his top immediately.

“Prince!”

Ena was startled, but Yuri didn’t care.

His torso was firm and defined. Every movement made his well-developed muscles stand out.

“He takes off his clothes without a second thought.”

“And?”

“You should consider others’ gazes.”

“Who’s watching?”

“Me.”

“That’s fine.”

“The guards passing by.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“The heavens and the earth.”

“That’s an honor…”

As they chatted, they reached the reception hall. Yuri entered the guest room directly. A familiar face bowed before him.

“It’s an honor to see the prince.”

It was Guillermo, vice president of the Elaine Company.

He was decked out in flashy jewelry, like a nouveau riche—which he was. But Elaine had personally chosen him, so he was capable.

“And Elaine?”

“On a business trip. I came in her place.”

“Still traveling in person?”

“She says her place is in the field.”

“Tell her to calm down a bit.”

As Yuri sat across from him, Guillermo handed something to Ena.

“Here you go.”

“Thank you. Hehe…”

Yuri frowned.

“What’s that?”

Ena smiled mischievously and left without saying a word.

Yuri fixed his gaze on Guillermo, who scratched his hands and laughed nervously.

“Hahaha, just a small token of thanks for everything Miss Ena does…”

No wonder she insisted on coming. Yuri waved his hand, too tired to complain.

“Prince? Is that alright?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

“How much did he pay you?”

“That’s a secret.”

Ena bowed and disappeared quickly. Guillermo cleared his throat.

“I owe Miss Ena a lot.”

“In what way?”

“For serving the prince so well. Thanks to her, His Highness has grown up splendidly…”

“I grew up just fine on my own.”

Yuri sneered and reclined in his chair.

“So, why are you here?”

“A report. As always, things turned out just as Your Highness predicted. Here are the documents.”

“Good job.”

“Can Your Highness see the future or something?”

“Of course not.”

Guillermo’s eyes were filled with admiration.

Five years ago, just as Yuri had predicted, the price of mugranja skyrocketed. Elaine expanded her business effortlessly. Rumor had it that the Elaine Company never failed—and behind it all was Yuri, predicting every major event across the continent.

“It was just luck.”

“I see…”

Guillermo didn’t seem convinced, but he didn’t insist further.

“And I also came to ask you something.”

“What is it?”

“I know I’m just a lowly merchant and don’t understand the matters of the powerful, but lately the market’s been acting strange. The price of Jenel steel is going up…”

Jenelgang was a type of steel mined from the Jenel Mountains, more durable than common iron and highly sought after for weapon crafting.

“Is there going to be a war?”

Yuri nodded.

“Yes. The Empire has summoned the military alliance.”

“Against the orcs?”

“Yes.”

“It was only a matter of time.”

Guillermo grasped the situation quickly.

“I hope it’s just a routine operation… but is there some hidden motive?”

“Most likely. But don’t worry. Nothing major will happen.”

“Oh? Does Your Highness have some inside information again?”

Guillermo stared at him, as if expecting a gold nugget to drop from his mouth.

Yuri shook his head.

“No.”

“Then why do you say it so confidently?”

“Because I’m going.”

“Going where?”

“To the military alliance.”

“Ah…”

Guillermo’s eyes widened, then he scratched his neck and leaned back in his chair. He mumbled something to himself and suddenly shot up.

“What?”

“You heard me.”

“But why Your Highness?”

“Why is everyone so surprised?”

This was Briol, and he was the prince of Briol.

Yuri explained his reason.

“I’m fulfilling a royal duty.”

“Ha!”

“Ha?”

Yuri narrowed his eyes. Guillermo, realizing his slip, got on his knees and placed both hands on the table.

“Forgive me, Your Highness. It was a lapse. Of course, you’re a model for all royalty. I know that well. But still, you don’t have to go yourself. If something happened to you—can you imagine how much we… or Briol would suffer?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll return safe and sound.”

“But orcs are brutally savage creatures…”

Guillermo didn’t know where to look and his leg started trembling.

Yuri burst out laughing.

“Do you doubt me that much?”

“Even seasoned knights avoid fighting orcs. And Your Highness…”

His concern was understandable. Until now, Yuri had kept his strength a secret. Only the palace guards knew the truth, so to an outsider, his participation seemed reckless.

Yuri stood and gave Guillermo a kick on the rear.

“Who do you think you’re underestimating? I’m Yuri Briol.”

“I know… of course I know…”

“That’s all you came to tell me?”

“No, there’s something else.”

“Then spit it out already.”

Guillermo sighed deeply and pulled out a sack from the corner.

“The item you talked about last time… I got it.”

“Finally?”

“Yes.”

With a triumphant expression, Guillermo unwrapped it.

“It wasn’t easy to get. I had to work hard.”

“Good job, Guillermo.”

Four daggers were placed on the table.

Sunlight filtering through the window gleamed off the blades.

They weren’t flashy, but every part was crafted flawlessly.

“Is this really that valuable?”

“Yes.”

Yuri picked one up and smiled.

“Very valuable.”

Swords of the Four Wheels.

An artifact he remembered thanks to memories of his past life.

Around this time, four daggers were being auctioned in the Empire, but no one knew their true value.

Over time, it was revealed they were masterpieces of dwarven craftsmanship, imbued with ancient magic.

And Yuri had obtained them for a ridiculously low price.

“It took a lot to bring them here. The Empire is so tense I couldn’t get used to it. And they just look like decorative daggers…”

While Guillermo grumbled, one of the blades pointed toward his face.

“Huh?”

The hilt hovered in the air.

Yuri wasn’t holding it. The dagger floated on its own.

Guillermo’s eyes widened.

“An artifact that floats?”

“It’s an artifact, yes—but it doesn’t fly by itself.”

“Then why…?”

Yuri slowly closed one eye while watching the dagger.

Guillermo couldn’t see it, but Yuri was now connected to the dagger through mana.

“No way… Your Highness…?”

Controlling an object with mana wasn’t possible without an extreme level of mastery.

Even Guillermo, who knew nothing about swordsmanship, realized this was an extraordinary technique.

“Is this a joke?”

The floating dagger suddenly spun and flew at Guillermo hilt-first.

“Waaah!”

He fell out of his chair.

“It won’t kill you.”

“Ah…”

Yuri stowed the four daggers while laughing. Guillermo got up mumbling.

“Good heavens… I didn’t know His Highness was this strong.”

“Did you think I just lazed around every day?”

“Yes…”

Over the past five years, he had quietly cultivated his power. He endured all sorts of absurd rumors. It was all in preparation for the Military Alliance.

“Guillermo.”

“Yes.”

“How’s the preparation of the imperial branch going?”

“Ah, yes. Of course. I’m following your instructions exactly.”

“Trust me.”

Yuri knew how fragile the word “trust” could be. But still, he asked for it.

Whatever burden came with it, he wouldn’t run away.

“Then I’ll make you a mountain of money.”

“Yes.”

Guillermo stared blankly at him for a moment, then smiled and nodded.

“I trust you. But not just Your Highness.”

“Then what?”

“I trust in your involvement with the company. You’re practically our co-director, and if you win, I win too. I just believe we’re tied to the same fate.”

“Yes, that’s a good way to put it.”

They exchanged smiles.

“Well, I’ve finished my business here, so I’ll take my leave.”

“Give my regards to Elaine.”

“Haven’t seen her in a while…”

Guillermo bowed and left the room. Yuri sat in silence a moment after his departure.

Because Guillermo wasn’t the only visitor.

“You can come out now.”

At some point, someone had been in the corner of the room. It was like an optical illusion. Nothing… and then suddenly, there was something.

But it wasn’t sudden. It was as if they’d been there the whole time, just unnoticed until now.

“Asana.”

The survivor of the assassin guild. Asana.