Chapter 19: The Military Alliance (2)

Yuri continued visiting the slums even after their first encounter, and he remained kind to Asana.

She, indebted to him for Daisy’s life, tried in every possible way to return the favor.
And what Yuri wanted was clear.

Thus, Yuri became Asana’s employer.

“Did you come following Guillermo?”

“Yes.”

“That guy leaves barely a trace. And Gorio?”

“I gave him a heads-up.”

“How?”

“I left a letter by his pillow while he was sleeping.”

“With a dagger?”

“Yes.”

“Well done.”

After multiplying his money thanks to Elaine, Yuri brought Gorio into the fold. At first, Gorio tried to play dirty, but after sending Asana to him, he began to behave.

“Gorio obeys you pretty well.”

“I dislike him for no reason.”

“You’re two of a kind.”

To keep him in line, Yuri used Asana periodically to remind him of his place. In her previous life, she had completely destroyed Gorio. And this time, she ended up tormenting him as well.

It was an ironic fate.

“Prince.”

Asana slowly opened her mouth. She rarely took the initiative to speak.

“Are you really leaving?”

“Yes.”

Asana was worried about him.

“Be careful.”

“Who knows.”

Yuri shook his head.

“You talk like it’s none of your business.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re coming too.”

Asana’s eyes widened for a moment, but she quickly returned to her neutral expression.

“Yes.”

Asana rarely showed emotion, but after spending time with her, Yuri had learned to read her face just a little.

She was relieved. Like a puppy worried about its master.

“Can you follow me without a problem?”

“Anywhere. It’ll be better than where I came from.”

The assassins’ guild was hidden in the middle of the desert. So, for her, a simple grassland posed no problem.

“Good. I’ll contact you again.”

“Yes.”

Asana vanished with the same subtlety with which she had appeared. A strange method.

Yuri had once asked her how she did it, but she had flatly refused to answer.

Back in his mercenary days, he had heard rumors—that the techniques of the assassins’ guild were actually a form of spirit summoning.

Back then, he doubted the existence of such beings, but now that he had returned in time, he could no longer rule it out.

“I’ll make sure to ask her properly next time.”

Murmuring that, Yuri placed his sword on the table. Four daggers.

And a sword. Now that he had the necessary gear, his confidence grew.

“Orcs, huh…”

In fact, he was now eager to run into them as soon as possible.

***

The expedition against the orcs was officially declared. Under the banner of the Alliance, the entire continent buzzed with activity. Those seeking wealth and advancement headed east.

“Yuri. Take care out there.”

“I will, brother.”

Before the departure ceremony, Cedric visited him. His face was filled with concern.

Yuri struck his chest with confidence.

“Don’t worry. I’m invincible.”

“I know what you’re capable of, but I’m still worried.”

“I’ll make the name of Briol echo across the continent.”

“I hope so.”

Cedric adjusted his glasses with a kind smile. Lately, he had buried himself so deeply in his studies that his eyesight had worsened noticeably.

“You should rest a bit too. Take care of your eyes.”

“I will.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Then let’s make a deal. I’ll study in moderation, and you stay safe. Sound fair?”

“Alright.”

Yuri grinned from ear to ear.

Every time he saw Cedric, he could clearly picture Briol’s bright future.
If not for the Empire, they would have lived in an era of unprecedented peace.

“Yuri.”

“Yes?”

“Come here.”

Cedric embraced him. Though Yuri had grown, Cedric was still taller, so his face rested against his brother’s shoulder. He felt the warmth of his embrace.

For some reason, his throat tightened.

Over Cedric’s shoulder, the flag of Briol fluttered atop a tower.

Seeing the knights and soldiers lined up beneath it, Yuri reaffirmed his resolve.
He had returned to the past to protect all of that.

“I’ll be back.”

“Yes.”

He gave Cedric a pat on the back and walked toward the troops. The knights and soldiers were watching him.

He wasn’t the one staying behind—he was the one leaving. That was where he belonged.

“Such hostile stares.”

Not many knights welcomed him. Understandable. A young man without achievements, carrying the title of prince, responsible for their lives. Who would like that?

“Prince.”

Jared came up beside him.

“Lord Hernand will be late.”

“Why?”

“Seems he drank too much last night…”

Surprisingly, Hernand had volunteered to join the Alliance. Having a mage like him was reassuring, but his motivations were suspect.

“I still don’t get it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Why did Hernand join? He can’t place bets out here.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

Yuri shook his head.

Hernand hadn’t changed in the past five years. Jared, on the other hand, had. Yuri looked him up and down.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“No reason.”

He had improved significantly. He had already surpassed the level he had in his previous life. His eyes, once dull and weak, now shone with determination.

“You’ve grown well.”

“Thank you.”

“I raised you.”

“I grew up on my own.”

“No, I raised you.”

“If you say so.”

Yuri chuckled under his breath. Jared had no idea how pathetic his past self had been.

But the truth was, Yuri was the one who had truly grown on his own.
Even if it was his second life, it was his own doing.

“And besides…”

Suddenly, someone approached. At first, he thought it was a mistake, but the person was walking directly toward Yuri.

A familiar face, and yet unknown. Unusually, Yuri felt slightly tense.
It was the first time they met in this life. Someone close, yet distant.

Laurent Flandre.

He stopped in front of Yuri. In his past life, they had shared many ties. And in the end, he was the one who slit Yuri’s throat.

Remembering that scene turned Yuri’s stomach. Who else had witnessed his body collapse, bleeding, after losing his head?

“…”

Yes. This bastard was the one who decapitated him. Suddenly, he felt irritated.

Yuri raised his chin arrogantly and lifted an eyebrow, as if to say, “What do you want?”

“What do you want?”

Then, Laurent knelt on one knee and bowed his head.

“I present myself to the third prince.”

His manner was so formal that Yuri was thrown off.

“Ah, yes, of course.”

Laurent continued speaking.

“I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time.”

“Huh?”

“But circumstances didn’t allow it. I hope you understand.”

“Well… it happens. It’s fine.”

Yuri swallowed hard. In his past life, this guy came to kill him—what did he want now?

“I’ve always admired you.”

“What?”

Laurent lifted his head.

His eyes shone brightly. There was nothing threatening in his expression. With fair skin and delicate features, he looked more like a courtier than a warrior. Being stared at from below like that made Yuri uncomfortable.

“Ever since I heard what happened five years ago, I’ve wanted to meet you.”

Five years ago, when Yuri fought an Imperial knight to save Ena.

It was a heroic act, but few knew the real story.

In fact, the popular version was distorted.

That Yuri had nearly died in the duel but let the enemy lose on purpose, or that he was so affected afterward he became withdrawn.

Even the reasons for the duel had been twisted. Yuri’s reputation hadn’t improved much.

That’s why many still looked at him with contempt.

However, Laurent seemed to know the truth.

“To wield a sword to protect your own is the noblest act of chivalry.”

“I suppose it is.”

“My father, who served the emperor back then, told me the details. Pay no mind to the fools who defame you.”

“Right. You’re correct.”

“Since then, Your Highness has been my idol. I volunteered for the Alliance just to see you in person.”

“Well done, very well done.”

“It’s an honor to serve by your side!”

It was good to win Laurent’s favor, but things seemed to be taking an awkward turn.

Yuri helped him up.

“Come on, stand up, Laurent. I’ve heard of your fame too. They say you’ll surpass your father, Lord Rian.”

“I’m unworthy of such words.”

“I’m counting on you. Briol’s future rests on your shoulders.”

“Your words are overwhelming!”

“No, let’s do well—together.”

“Yes, sir!”

“That’s the spirit.”

“Then, if you’ll excuse me. It’s been an honor!”

“Take care.”

After finally saying goodbye to Laurent, Yuri positioned himself at the front of the knight formation.

He didn’t feel bad.

Heh heh heh…

It seemed Jared gave him a strange look at one point, but Yuri ignored it. That guy was already too used to him to appreciate his charm.

Soon, the horn sounded.

The knights stood at attention, and the soldiers raised their spears.

The departure ceremony involved Yuri receiving the mobilization order from Fiore, in front of the gathered nobles.

At last, Fiore appeared.

From the podium, at the highest point, he looked down at Yuri.

“Let us proceed with the ceremony.”

His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried a commanding presence.

“Yuri, step forward.”

Yuri climbed the steep steps and stopped at a point where he was looking up at Fiore. Fiore held a finely folded silk cloth.

Surely, inside was the mobilization order. Upon receiving it, Yuri would officially become the commander of this unit.
The lives of all those soldiers would rest on his shoulders.

“Are you nervous?”

“No, sir.”

“Look behind you.”

At those words, Yuri turned around. He could see the entire unit before his eyes.

Spears and swords raised toward the sky. Tense eyes peering out from beneath helmets.

All of it was directed at him.

The pounding of their hearts, their trembling breaths… it all formed a single mass aimed at him.

Not all of them would return alive. But at the very least, he wouldn’t let them die in vain.

Is there nobility or disgrace in death?

Yes, there is. In his past life, Yuri had died miserably. He would not let that happen again.

He looked back at Fiore.

Fiore watched him intently.

“You’re not afraid.”

“Of course not.”

“Are you confident?”

“Yes.”

“Will you receive the mobilization order?”

“Absolutely.”

Fiore’s calm eyes sparkled for a moment.

“Then receive it.”

At that instant, Yuri’s vision went dark. He couldn’t see a thing.

Confused, he made out something pale approaching from a distance. As it came closer, it turned a deep red.

Yuri realized—it was death.

But his body wouldn’t move. An irresistible killing intent surged toward him.

Was it impossible to resist? No. Something inside him activated.

His core squeezed out mana. His vessels connected, and the torrent of mana surged through his body, propelling him into motion. Thought and action occurred as one.

The darkness lifted.

Dazed, Yuri opened his eyes.

Fiore’s sword, Wind Cutter, had been blocked by his own sword, Guilty.

A faint smile played across Fiore’s lips.

“You’ve managed to receive it.”

Yuri stood frozen, stunned.

“That was in place of the mobilization order.”

What exactly had he just received? Was that the level his father had reached?

It was a scene he never could have imagined. Fiore’s voice snapped him out of his trance.

“Come back safely.”

“Yes.”

Yuri nodded.

Fiore hadn’t handed him a piece of paper—he had granted his approval with a single sword strike. The shredded order of mobilization drifted away with the wind, disappearing somewhere in Briol Castle.

“Everything depends on you now.”

With that, Fiore stepped down from the podium, leaving Yuri behind. From this moment on, everything rested solely on Yuri’s shoulders.

Since when had he placed so much trust in him? He truly was a capricious man.

“Well then…”

He could have descended the steps and begun the march east. But instead, Yuri remained on the podium and looked out at his troops. They were all waiting for his words.

Yuri smiled and spoke.

“I am Yuri Briol.”

His voice rang out. The view from the commander’s position was unlike any other. He could see every face. None showed joy at his presence. That was fine. Respect is not begged or pleaded for.

“Trust in me.”

Instead of a long speech, he offered only those words. Everyone was bewildered by his statement.

Yuri laughed aloud, raised Guilty, and pointed it toward the eastern sky.

“Army, forward march!”

The troops began to move. Yuri’s lips curved into a determined smile.
This was only the beginning.

The Empire would not get a single one of its wishes.