Chapter 196: New Rules (1)

Fiore and Cedric disappeared together.

All of Briol fell into mourning.

But they couldn’t leave the throne vacant forever. According to the line of succession, Joshua became the new king of Briol.

“You do it.”

“What are you talking about? You’re already the king.”

“You’re better suited to be king than I am.”

“Well… that’s true.”

“I…”

Joshua didn’t particularly like being king.

“I prefer scheming from the shadows. Being king is too heavy a burden.”

“A real example of a king.”

Yuri shrugged.

“Didn’t you work so hard on that research, or economics, or whatever? You said it was economics, right? I’m sure you can use that to develop Briol. It’s your chance to do what you want.”

“What’s the point if the Empire is right in front of us?”

“You’ve got to know how to set priorities.”

“Damn it…”

Joshua let out a sigh.

Even though he had accepted the absence of Fiore and Cedric quickly, he struggled to accept that he now had to lead Briol as king.

“I’m telling you to do it.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Then what are you going to do?”

“I’ve got plenty to do. But first…”

Yuri tapped the hilt of the sword at his waist.

“First, we need to eliminate those who need eliminating.”

When all the lords of Briol had gathered to oppose the Empire, some nobles had refused to cooperate.

Among them was the Duke of Yuzes, Genard Zaetheri, along with his faction.

“With the disappearance of Father and my brother, Briol is tottering. At times like this, we need a common enemy.”

“Yes, you’re right, but…”

“They probably don’t even know I’ve woken up yet. We need to go immediately.”

“Can you handle it?”

“Of course.”

Yuri smiled confidently.

“The sooner we perform the surgery, the better.”

“Alright.”

Joshua grabbed a piece of paper beside him and quickly wrote something down. Then he stamped it with the royal seal.

“Here, it’s yours.”

“What is it?”

Yuri glanced at the contents.

It was a royal decree appointing him as the king’s representative. Joshua granted him full authority to take any actions he deemed necessary.

“This…”

“I’m sure you’ll do well.”

It wasn’t common to entrust someone, even a close confidant, with such extensive power. It was a clear sign of how little Joshua desired the throne.

“Hey, you. Is anyone out there?”

Joshua raised his voice, and a servant waiting outside the throne room entered.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Bring me a decree scroll case.”

“Understood.”

Soon after, the servant returned with one.

It was a cylindrical container specially designed for royal decrees, intricately engraved with the royal emblem of Briol.

“Makes it look more impressive, right?”

“Thanks.”

“No, thank you for doing my job.”

Joshua slouched back against the throne and grumbled.

“Go and deal with those bastards for me.”

When Fiore was king, he hadn’t fully dealt with Genard due to the circumstances—fearing the chaos it might cause in the kingdom.

But now it was different. Since Briol itself was already in turmoil, there was no reason to spare them.

It was better to cause a bigger quake and unify the people’s hearts.

Joshua asked,

“You’re not going alone, right? How are you bringing others?”

“Well…”

Yuri trailed off for a moment.

Normally, Laurent would be the first name that came to mind in such cases. He was the most capable and loyal knight under Yuri’s command.

But now, he was gone.

Yuri smiled bitterly before continuing:

“I’ll take those who are worth it. Jared has already gathered the knights. Also, Simon and Guinness are back…”

“Really?”

“The Great Warrior Moyongchan will stay a bit longer. Well, he was originally a guest, but now he seems more like a Briol citizen.”

After driving Donchich out, Moyongchan had remained in Liberta, training the knights.

When he heard about Briol’s situation, he was depressed, but didn’t return immediately.

He planned to return only after teaching the knights techniques so they wouldn’t lose to ogres relying solely on brute strength.

“Then I’m off.”

“Huh? So soon?”

“If it’s already decided, we act immediately.”

Yuri left the throne room without waiting for Joshua’s response. He immediately summoned the knights to the training grounds.

The thirty knights gathered by Jared were all highly talented. They had been selected through strict criteria and were capable enough to accompany Yuri without holding him back.

Yuri waited with his arms crossed.

Then Jared, Simon, Guinness, and the other knights began arriving.

Some showed signs of confusion, as if they’d been called suddenly. Some were seeing Yuri for the first time.

As they tried to grasp the situation, Yuri spoke bluntly:

“We’re heading out to punish Briol’s traitors.”

The knights’ eyes widened at his words.

“While Briol’s knights fought against the Empire, those bastards sat on their hands, focused only on their own comfort. While our comrades died, they feasted and stuffed their bellies with wine. We are Briol. Anyone who doesn’t fulfill their duty here isn’t a noble. Am I wrong?”

“No, sir!”

Simon and Guinness responded forcefully. They had both grown much stronger while training with Moyongchan.

Yuri smiled with satisfaction and continued:

“The enemy is Genard Zaetheri and the scum nobles under his command. We’re going to make them answer for their crimes.”

One of the knights raised his hand.

“Is it just us going?”

Yuri nodded with a smile.

“Yes.”

There were about thirty of them total. And Genard Zaetheri, no matter what was said, was a great lord who ruled over Yuzes.

On the surface, it looked like they were vastly outnumbered.

“Are you afraid?”

“No, sir!”

“If anyone’s afraid, you can back out. Raise your hand now if that’s the case.”

No one raised their hand. Yuri looked each of them in the eye, locking gazes with every knight.

Even though Jared had gathered them without asking, Yuri realized most of them were comrades he had fought alongside in his previous life.

All had fought valiantly and died by the Empire’s blade. Seeing their faces again was comforting.

“Very well.”

When he first woke from his long sleep and heard about Fiore’s disappearance, Yuri felt brief despair.

He thought that, even after returning to the past, he hadn’t managed to avoid tragedy, and was simply repeating his former life.

But he realized not everything was the same. He had managed to change many things.

And he would change this as well. In his previous life, he couldn’t punish Genard—but this time would be different.

He wouldn’t let it all play out the same way.

Even if his resistance ended in failure, he would fight to the end—to his last breath.

“I’ll show everyone what happens to a noble who betrays their duty. If they’re only there to enjoy luxury, then I’ll personally bring them down.”

With those words, Yuri turned around.

“Let’s go!”

The horses were already prepared. Yuri mounted without hesitation, and the others followed.

The group departed the palace. It was the moment Yuri Briol, after being asleep for so long, returned to action.

***

Yuri’s group immediately left the royal castle and rode toward Yuzes.

“Hey, Jared.”

“Yes, sir!”

“What were you doing while I was unconscious?”

“Practicing swordsmanship, visiting the wounded… things like that, sir.”

“Really?”

“Yes, sir!”

“Then why did you gain so much weight?”

“Well… I couldn’t eat properly because I was worried about you, Prince.”

“And if you couldn’t eat, how did you gain weight?”

“Because I couldn’t eat right, I kept eating sweets…”

“Then fast.”

“Excuse me?”

“If you don’t return to your original weight by the time this ends, you’ll pay for it.”

“Isn’t that a bit soon?”

Indeed, Jared had put on quite a bit of weight. It seemed he had been under a lot of stress.

But Yuri wasn’t going to let it slide. He’d rather scold him now than see him die on the battlefield.

“By the way, Prince.”

One of the knights riding behind spoke up.

“Are we really going alone?”

“Are you scared?”

“Of course not, sir! I’m just worried about your safety.”

“Well, you sure know how to flatter.”

“I mean it.”

They were just thirty. And Genard had his private army. At a glance, it seemed like they were throwing an egg at a rock.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything.”

Yuri had been bedridden for a month. But that month had felt even longer to him.

While lying motionless, a mental demon distorted his consciousness, and Yuri was trapped in dreams that felt like an eternity.

It was a painful experience, but at the same time, an opportunity for training.

He understood things he hadn’t before. He recovered things he had forgotten.

Movements he hadn’t mastered before now flowed naturally through his body. His mind was clearer than ever, and his body felt brimming with energy.

He had grown again.

“There it is.”

They were already near Yuzes. Not only had news of Yuri’s departure not spread—no one even knew he had awakened.

When Genard received the news, he would no doubt be in for a huge surprise.

Yuri was already looking forward to seeing the look on his face.

Soon after, they arrived at the city gate. The guards were inspecting those entering, but they visibly tensed upon seeing a group of armed knights approaching.

“Who are you?”

One of the guards stepped forward to greet them. Yuri gestured with his chin.

“Can’t you tell?”

“This…”

“I’m Yuri Briol.”

As soon as he answered, the guard stared at him in shock for several seconds.

“The prince?”

“Yes. We’re in a hurry, so step aside.”

“Ah… you’re safe!”

“Did you think I wouldn’t be?”

“What brings you here?”

“Well…”

Yuri smiled.

“Do I need to report everything I do?”

“Sorry, but this is a direct order from the duke.”

“And what if I don’t feel like saying?”

“I’m sorry…”

The guard looked at him and replied,

“You can’t enter.”

Tension rose among the knights accompanying Yuri. But the guard didn’t back down easily.

“I’ll inform the duke. Please wait.”

The gate soldiers assumed positions, tense. Passersby, noticing something odd, began to quickly move away.

Yuri called out to the guard.

“Hey, you.”

“Yes, sir.”

“It’s obvious I’m not here for a stroll.”

Behind Yuri were thirty armed knights.

“…”

“If I let you inform him, and then Genard gets the message, and then all the formalities begin—it’s a pain.”

“…”

“And just so you know, I’m not in a good mood.”

Yuri dismounted. His sword, Guilty, clanged loudly as it shifted at his waist.

“I don’t care who I cross paths with. Understood?”

“Yes…”

“I’ve come here with full authority delegated by His Majesty Joshua.”

Yuri raised the royal scroll case with the king’s emblem engraved on it.

“I’m in Yuzes as the king’s representative. This is my final warning. Step aside.”

“…”

The guard was silent for a moment… then smiled.

“Prince… I’m sorry. But this territory belongs to Duke Genard Zaetheri.”

“And?”

“That means, here, his will prevails.”

At that moment, the gates through which the townspeople had been entering began to close.

“Until the duke responds, I must ask you to wait, Prince.”

“Mmm…”

Fiore had disappeared. The strongest force supporting Briol had vanished overnight. And some nobles, who used to grovel like the dead, began to raise their heads.

Yuri nodded.

He had never hesitated when it came to shedding blood.

“No.”

Yuri unsheathed his sword.

The guard’s head fell to the ground. It happened so suddenly that no one had time to react.

Next, Yuri channeled energy into Guilty and struck the gate. The heavy gate, which was slowly closing, shook violently.

It creaked, jammed halfway… and stopped.

Yuri shouted.

“We’re entering Yuzes! Our target is the pig of Yuzes, Genard Zaetheri!”