Chapter 2: Regression (2)

Yuri immediately returned to the palace.

The king, his two brothers, and the Bakbar father and son were waiting for him.
Yuri greeted them politely.

“Sorry for the delay.”

Contrary to his infamous reputation as a troublemaker, he displayed impeccable etiquette.
He even stepped aside briefly to let the servant carrying food pass by.
The change in demeanor confused Count Johannes and Twossen Bakbar.

“The Third Prince looks more robust. Have you been training?”

Twossen, an excellent knight, never missed even the smallest detail.

“Seems like my son’s eaten something strange lately.”

“If there’s some medicine like that, share it with me for my son too.”

“Isn’t your son clever enough to manage on his own?”

“He’s still lacking.”

Sitting next to Twossen, Gott was staring wide-eyed at Cedric, seated at the front.

Though he betrayed the kingdom, he had admired Cedric even before.

And it wasn’t unusual. Anyone could respect Prince Cedric.
Just exchanging a few words with him was enough to feel the poise of a true monarch.

His other brother, Joshua, the Second Prince of Briol, was different.

“Sit up straight.”

“Yes.”

At their father’s warning, Joshua responded indifferently and shrugged.

Yuri had picked up most of his bad habits from him.
He had a sharp mind, quick wit, and was exceptionally good at annoying others.

All of his pranks were learned from Joshua.

Before the kingdom’s fall, Joshua had managed to settle down a bit and showed some strategic cunning, but deep down he had always been more trouble than Yuri.

“You’re here?”

When Yuri sat down, Joshua gave him a side-smile and made a circle with his index finger and thumb.

Apparently, he already knew Yuri had made money playing cards.

“Joining the game tonight too?”

Yuri didn’t answer and just looked forward. He completely ignored Joshua’s whispering.

Gott glanced at Yuri with his usual round eyes, then looked away.

“……”

A faint irritation stirred within Yuri.

Despite his annoying demeanor, Gott was still Count Johannes’s heir and a knight of Briol.

But he had marched with the army only to surrender to the Empire. Worse yet, he had acted as a guide and revealed sensitive kingdom information.

If one were generous, they might say he feared a war that was already lost.

But then why take the lead and personally leak Briol’s secrets to the Empire?

“……”

And that betrayal also touched Yuri’s own guilt. His anger toward Gott was mixed with deep self-contempt.

Yuri continued staring at him. Gott, uneasy, averted his gaze several times but eventually held it, as if provoked.

While the king and Twossen chatted about various topics, Yuri and Gott were locked in a silent staring contest.

“……”

At first, he considered letting it go. But the more their eyes met, the more his rage grew.

“Do you have a problem with that guy?”

Joshua whispered.

Knowing he wouldn’t stop bothering him without a reply, Yuri answered half-heartedly.

“Of course.”

“What’s the problem?”

“That bastard stabbed me in the back.”

“What? Really?”

Joshua, taking it literally, mimed smacking the back of someone’s head.

“And you’re going to let it slide?”

“Who knows.”

“Is the great Yuri Briol going to sit quietly after being hit?”

“Of course not.”

“After dinner?”

“I’ll call him aside.”

“And then?”

“Give him what he deserves.”

“That’s the spirit, little brother.”

He couldn’t deny it.

Joshua and he understood each other far too well.

Even after living a long life and returning to the past, he still felt a connection to him. Maybe rogues were born with the same genes?

That’s exactly why he had wasted his days following Joshua in his past life.

“Hehehe.”

As Joshua chuckled with visible amusement, Yuri thought:

‘After Gott, you’re next.’

In Briol, the only one who didn’t need reforming was Cedric.

“Yuri. If you’re not going to eat that, give it to me.”

“Sure. Go ahead.”

“It’s rare for you to give it up so easily…”

Joshua frowned but still devoured the meat. Yuri smiled faintly.

In his past life, Joshua was his older brother, but now Yuri had lived longer, so he no longer felt the need to call him that.
Joshua. This time, you’ll have to live “seriously,” too.

“Straighten your utensils.”

“Are you mimicking dad now?”

“Straighten your back. Or you’ll end up hunched.”

“What?”

After pointing out his bad habits, Yuri turned his gaze back to Gott.

Gott, who was eating, immediately looked up to meet his stare.
The moment their eyes met, sparks seemed to fly.

“This is for your own good, Gott…”

After all, once he sided with the Empire, all his lands were seized and he was mercilessly cast out.

‘This time will be different.’

Joshua wasn’t the only one Yuri planned to reform. Gott was on the list too.

He would reprogram his mind so betrayal never crossed it again and turn him into someone who gave everything for the kingdom.

After all, who really gives 100% at all times?

When standing, you want to sit. And when sitting, you want to lie down.
That’s human nature.

During his days as a mercenary, Yuri learned a truth: people only show their full potential when forced to move.

Even the most hopeless recruits, after a few days of tough training, turned into disciplined mercenaries.

He would make Gott a stronger and more admirable knight than before. One who knew nothing of betrayal.

“Yuri.”

As he was mentally preparing and cutting his steak, his father called him.

“Yes, Father.”

“You’ve changed too much lately, haven’t you?”

The King of Briol.

Fiore Briol.

Resting his chin on his hand, he stared intently at him.

Yuri replied,

“I’ve simply decided not to be a disgrace to you, Father.”

And it wasn’t entirely an empty excuse.

Though he was a king, Fiore didn’t always follow formalities and sometimes seemed like a carefree noble, but in reality, he was one of the few Swordmasters on the continent.

Some even considered him the best swordsman of his time.

“I also want to become a model knight like you, Father.”

“A model knight, huh…?”

Fiore chuckled.

“Was I really a model knight? Do you agree, Twossen?”

Twossen nodded.

“Of course. His Majesty is not only the king of Briol, but also a great knight.”

“Strong, sure. But model… I don’t know about that.”

“You’re being too modest.”

“Yuri. If you want to be a true knight, you’d better take someone else as an example. Aside from the sword, I don’t have much to offer.”

Come to think of it, his father was right.

Yuri nodded without hesitation.

“You’re right, Father. I will.”

As soon as Yuri admitted it bluntly, the atmosphere turned cold.

Cedric let out a short laugh, and Joshua, head bowed, chuckled quietly.

“So it’s decided.”

When Fiore shrugged, Twossen laughed.

“The kingdom’s future looks promising.”

“Are you mocking me too?”

“I mean it.”

The meal ended in a pleasant atmosphere. Fiore and Twossen headed to the garden, saying they had matters to discuss, and Cedric withdrew to study.

Only the two notoriously troublesome princes and the proud young noble remained.

“Hey.”

Joshua called out to Gott.

“Yes?”

“Come here for a moment.”

With his hand gesture, he looked like a total thug.

“Let’s go somewhere more private.”

“All of a sudden?”

“They say you hit my brother.”

“Huh? What?”

“I heard everything.”

“That didn’t happen!”

Joshua dragged both Gott and Yuri to a corner of the palace.

“You dared to lay a hand on a member of royalty…?”

“Leave him to me.”

Before Joshua got too worked up, Yuri stepped in.

“Gott Bakbar.”

“Yes, Third Prince.”

“They say you’re skilled with a sword.”

“A little, yes.”

His demeanor didn’t differ from the adult Gott. Outwardly modest, but his eyes kept darting around suspiciously.

Come to think of it, in his past life, he had fought him around this time too.

And won.

He beat him up pretty well.

He still remembered the resentful look in Gott’s eyes that day. Maybe that grudge had festered and led him to betray the kingdom?

“You bastard!”

Yuri shouted.

“The kingdom doesn’t need spiteful knights like you.”

“I’m not a knight yet.”

“But you’re meant to be one, right?”

“Well, yes, but…”

“Gott, you’re a talented individual meant to serve the kingdom. And I trust you’re not such trash that you’d betray us just because you got roughed up today.”

Gott was confused by the words. They sounded like praise, but also threatened a beating.

“Huh?”

“Wipe that stupid look off your face!”

Yuri wanted to throw a glove, but since he didn’t have one, he threw a rock.

Gott clutched his chest.

“Argh!”

“This is a duel.”

“Wait.”

Joshua calmly handed both of them wooden sticks.

“A sneak attack? That’s cowardly…!”

Yuri felt a slight pang of guilt but responded naturally.

“It’s my substitute for a glove.”

He reflected. He had acted just like his mercenary days.

In mercenary duels, there were no rules. Everything was allowed—throwing rocks, kicking up sand, spitting, pulling hair.

The one who survived was the strongest.

That was the only rule on the battlefield.

Yuri’s eyes went cold. That same rule applied in Briol.

No one would listen to excuses like “Gott betrayed” or “Yuri was tricked.”

The Empire won.

Which meant Briol was weak. And for the sin of weakness, the kingdom’s citizens fell under the enemy’s yoke, and their glorious history sank into the mud.

“For the honor of knighthood, Third Prince!”

Gott shouted, swinging his wooden stick.

Yuri backed away, kicking the ground.

Sand flew into the air. While Gott flinched, Yuri struck.

“Agh!”

He hit Gott’s unguarded arm directly.

Gott tried to counter awkwardly, but Yuri had already slipped behind him
and struck his back.

“A hit from behind!”

Gott shouted.

“Third Prince! Have some shame!”

Brushing off the sand, Gott glared at Yuri furiously.

“Shame…?”

This guy was the one who sold out the kingdom? Gott surrendered to the Empire, and the knights who opposed his decision died.

Yuri stepped forward with his wooden stick.

Gott responded with a smooth side thrust.

It was a good move. But Gott was caught up in form, not grasping the true meaning of swordsmanship.

An empty technique, like his life.

“Huh?”

Yuri pretended to parry the thrust and let go of his stick. It flew into the air.

Then he lunged at Gott, grabbing him by the arms and waist.

“Ah…?”

He swept Gott’s footing and brought him down.

“Ugh!”

Before he could react, Yuri snatched up the wooden stick.
Placing a foot on his chest, he pointed it at Gott’s neck.

“You dropped your weapon?”

Gott stared wide-eyed at him.

“Gott.”

“Yes.”

“What is a sword?”

“Huh?”

“An instrument to kill. Isn’t that right?”

“It is.”

“If you can kill, you don’t need to hold it all the time.”

“…”

Yuri stepped back and spoke.

“One more thing. Why is your father a count?”

“Huh?”

“Who gave him that power?”

“That…”

“Think about it.”

Yuri extended a hand.

Gott, still sulking, stared at it for a few seconds, then took it and got up.

“Gott.”

“Yes.”

“No matter the situation, always try to see its true nature.”

Perhaps those words were too heavy for a kid just a couple of years younger than him.
But he wanted to say them, even if just once.

In his past life, Gott had swallowed the Empire’s bait whole and marched willingly into ruin.

“Is that hard to understand?”

“Yes.”

“Think it over, then come find me. We’ll talk again then.”

Yuri didn’t plan to punish him for his past mistakes.
He just wanted to give him a chance to live a different life.

As a sinner—just like himself.

“Yes.”

Unaware of all that, Gott began glancing around nervously.

Yuri grabbed him by the shoulder and warned:

“Hey.”

“Yes.”

“If you don’t come, I’ll come to you.”

“Yes, yes…”

“Now get going.”

“Yes.”

Gott walked off hesitantly, and once he was far enough away, he shouted:

“I let it slide today, Prince!”

Yuri looked at him.

And Gott shouted again.

“If I’d used my manasword, you’d be the one on the ground!”

Saying that, he turned and ran off.

Watching his retreating back, Yuri couldn’t help but laugh.

He didn’t know Gott had already learned to use a manasword.

And yet, he chose not to use it till the end.
That meant, at least, he wasn’t completely rotten.

Though even if he had used it, with that little experience, the result would’ve been the same.

“Yuri.”

Joshua, who had remained silent in a corner until then, spoke up.

“You beat him so easily! You’re really good at fighting.”

He seemed more excited than Yuri himself.

“You thought I’d lose?”

“Yeah.”

“And you still provoked the fight?”

“Because it’s fun.”

Yuri looked at the wooden stick in his hand, then at Joshua. Joshua, quick on his feet, immediately took off running.