Chapter 200: New Rules (5)

Genard Zaetheri.

The greedy duke of Yuzes.

He might not have known much about other things, but he had an exceptional talent for detecting the scent of power.

If he had been born in the Empire, he probably would have enjoyed even greater riches and honors.

But that was a meaningless assumption. Genard was a noble of Briol, and because of that, he ended up with his throat pierced by the prince of Briol.

“Guh… urk…”

Genard collapsed to the floor, eyes rolling, unable to accept what had just happened.

Yuri paid him little mind. Just as one doesn’t stop to observe an insect squirm before dying, he simply looked away after driving his sword through the man’s neck.

Thus, Genard died a miserable death, leaving behind only a choking gurgle.

“Hey, Genard’s knight. What’s your name?”

As always, Yuri asked the name of the one who caught his attention. He was referring to the knight who had stepped in at the last moment.

“I… I’m Vicious.”

“Vicious, good name. Do you want to die or join me?”

“Huh?”

“If you protected Genard out of loyalty, then die now. But if it was to fulfill your duty as a knight, then come with me.”

Yuri smiled.

“I think there’s a more fitting place for you to risk your life. If you’re going to gamble your neck, do it for someone who’s worth it. For a true lord. Like me.”

Jared, who was behind, grumbled.

“Wow… he says it without shame…”

“Shut up.”

Vicious hesitated.

It was difficult, after losing his lord, to swear allegiance to the killer without the slightest shame.

But his dilemma was in vain.

“Save me!”

“I’ll swear loyalty to the prince!”

“We hated Genard too!”

Before he could answer, everyone present knelt before Yuri and pledged their loyalty. There was no god in that room.

Vicious opened his mouth, stunned.

“Mmm…”

“Look at those guys, Vicious. I know what you’re thinking, but is it really worth clinging to pride? If you really believe so, I won’t stop you. I’ll cut your throat.”

“If I decide to follow you, I…”

“Then the day you die by an enemy’s sword, you won’t hesitate like you did just now.”

“Ah…”

“Well, it’d be best if you didn’t die, of course.”

To die without regret is a blessed honor. Vicious recalled the conflict that plagued him when protecting Genard.

At the brink of death, he realized his true feelings. Even though he acted reflexively, he hadn’t wanted to die for someone like him.

Vicious nodded at once.

“Shamefully, I’ll join you, prince.”

“Good. From now on, there will be no reason to feel shame. Go and stand with my men.”

Yuri gestured with his hand.

“Ehh…”

“It’ll be awkward at first, but they’re still not used to it either. Do your best to fit in.”

“Yes…”

“Get along, understood?”

It was a somewhat improvised integration, like dealing with children. But Vicious simply joined Yuri’s knights.

“Hey, Vicious.”

“Dalton?”

“It’s been a while.”

There, too, he found someone familiar. And so, Vicious became part of Yuri’s group.

After recruiting him so suddenly, Yuri urged one of Genard’s servants.

“Hey, remember what I told you? To gather all the nobles who followed Genard.”

“Huh?”

“Gather them now!”

He was one of the flatterers who always chuckled slyly next to Genard, acting as an advisor.

“Most are in nearby fiefs. They’ll arrive soon.”

“Ah, understood.”

He had a good eye.

To win Genard’s favor, one had to be skilled in flattery. That’s why he didn’t question Yuri’s order and nodded immediately.

“I’m Bordeaux! I’ll give everything for the prince! Absolute loyalty!”

“Loyalty? You wanna die?”

“Sorry!”

“Then get to work.”

Bordeaux brought Genard’s seal and began drafting letters.

“How many, huh?”

More than ten.

Bordeaux wrote, sealed them with the ring, and stamped them with the Zaetheri family emblem.

He then called the messengers, lined them up, and threatened them not to say a word about what had happened. He even kicked the shin of one who hesitated for a second.

“Focus! Understood?”

“Yes!”

“Your lives depend on these letters! Bring me results with absolute determination!”

“Yes!”

“Depart!”

The messengers rushed out.

Yuri watched from the window as the ten horses left the castle one by one.

“Bordeaux.”

“Yes!”

“Don’t get too excited.”

Yuri kicked him in the shin. Although he jumped in pain, Bordeaux was smiling.

“Hehe, sorry.”

He really had a natural talent for flattery. And also, a sharp mind that could be useful if used correctly.

“You said your name is Bordeaux. What’s your goal in life?”

“Huh?”

“Wealth? Fame? Why did you work so hard for Genard?”

“Well, I…”

Bordeaux hesitated.

Noticing the atmosphere growing more serious, he stopped trying to flatter and answered honestly. He was good at reading the room.

“Money. Honestly, it was for the money. I want to earn a lot and have a wife like a fox and kids like rabbits…”

“Stop there.”

“Yes. Money.”

“Got it. I’ll pay you more than Genard. From now on, you’ll follow my orders.”

“Of course! So will you send me to the royal palace…?”

“No, you’ll stay in Yuzes.”

“M-Maybe you’ll make me duke…?”

“Of course not, are you insane?”

“Ah… yes, yes…”

“I want you to advise the future governor of Yuzes. Understood?”

“Understood.”

“If you screw up, you’ll end up like him.”

Yuri pointed his chin at the center of the room. Genard’s corpse lay there, surrounded by a pool of blood.

Yuri’s sword had pierced him cleanly. To most, Yuri was already a swordsman of unreachable skill.

“Summon all of Genard’s descendants too. We’ll settle everything today.”

***

When Yuri presented Joshua’s letter naming him as the king’s representative, no one tried to stop him anymore.

Even the knights who had resisted out of loyalty to Genard eventually acknowledged him.

Yuri took complete control of the Yuzes castle. He searched Genard’s office and found a few hidden communication orbs, along with letters exchanged with the Empire.

“I knew something would turn up.”

It seemed the ties weren’t that deep, but they were enough proof that the Empire had been trying to corrupt Briol from within.

The suspected black mage, however, was already gone.

“Prince.”

While Yuri was skimming through documents, Jared came to get him.

“I’ve gathered all the members of the Zaetheri family.”

“Well done.”

Alongside Jared, Yuri exited the office.

In the grand hall where Genard used to host banquets, the members of the Zaetheri family were assembled.

When they saw Yuri, they stopped murmuring.

“Well, I’m glad to see you.”

Yuri sat in the main seat and crossed his legs. Then he looked at Genard’s primary wife and said:

“Genard… well, you see how he ended up. I’m sorry.”

She closed her eyes and nodded without a word.

“Doesn’t seem like she was very attached.”

Maybe she’d already expected such an end.

“He committed too many sins. Skimming money under the table is one thing, but conspiring with the Empire… that couldn’t be forgiven. Don’t you think?”

There was no reply. Everyone lowered their heads in silence.

Yuri shrugged. Knowing Genard’s character, he could imagine how cruel he had been even to his own family.

Perhaps, deep down, many of them were relieved.

“I’ll tell you why I’ve gathered you. Someone has to take Genard’s place.”

At those words, several of the people looked up. Yuri smirked.

“Getting interested, are you? Those who just looked up, stand.”

***

While Yuri was putting Yuzes in order, Cory was cornered.

“Hey, you.”

Cory lowered his head before the man.

“Follow me without resisting. Got it?”

“Y-Yes…”

He had shackles on his wrists. They were imbued with a curse that suppressed mana, so he couldn’t use magic even if he tried.

He could only stumble forward awkwardly, following the man like a rag doll.

“Walk straight.”

“Y-Yes…”

Cory replayed everything that had happened.

How had he ended up like this?

He had been learning verbal magic from Cruar. Even though he was born with the “Dragon Voice Organ,” his control was clumsy, and since the ability hadn’t fully awakened, his progress was slow.

Still, Cory trained diligently.

Someday, he wanted to master verbal magic completely and be of help to Yuri.

But one day, Cruar said to him.

— They say Briol is in danger. If the great dragon Cruar were to help, the crisis might be overcome, but… due to my contract with the Empire, that may not be possible.

— Really?

— The great dragon Cruar does not speak nonsense.

Cory was alarmed.

He occasionally went down to the village to buy supplies, and each time he confirmed the state of Briol.

The Empire had set up camp in Bezos. The strongest swordsman on the continent, Fiore Briol, and his son Cedric Briol had disappeared. Yuri Briol had collapsed and was unconscious.

Hearing this wave of news, Cory decided to leave.

But Cruar wouldn’t allow it.

— Cory. I can’t let you go until you’ve mastered verbal magic. If you want to leave, do it after you’ve mastered it.

She imposed that condition. But if he waited that long, Briol wouldn’t survive.

So, using a trip to buy supplies as an excuse, he went down to the village and immediately set off toward Briol.

He felt bad for Cruar, but he had no choice. He hadn’t gone far when he was captured by a group of bandits.

And was sold into slavery.

— You look weird and you know how to use magic. If I sell you to a circus, I’ll make good money.

— But slavery is banned on the continent…

— What nonsense are you spouting?

The slave trader burst out laughing.

— No one says a word around here. The nobles of the Empire tolerate it in secret. It benefits them.

Cruar’s home was on a remote mountain in the northwest of the Empire.

By contrast, Briol was in the southeast of the continent. They were at opposite ends. Maybe that’s why people’s customs were also so different.

— If you don’t resist, I won’t hit you. I feel bad for you anyway.

— Am I supposed to thank you?

— Just telling it how it is.

The trader took Cory to a small village.

Unlike the peaceful little towns in Briol, the people here eyed each other warily, exchanging suspicious looks.

In a corner of the village was a shabby traveling circus.

— I’m not interested.

— At least take a look at the merchandise.

At first, the circus master showed no interest, but when he saw Cory’s face, his eyes widened.

He was a half-orc, something only heard about in rumors. And he could talk, and move with relative coordination.

— He uses magic too?

— Yeah. Clumsily, but he can handle mana. Not dangerous. We beat him good, and now he can’t even focus.

— Are the shackles included?

— Of course. With those, he can’t use mana. Just take them off when you want him to do his trick. Isn’t it funny? A mutt who uses magic.

— Hideous, but I guess he’s smarter than other mutts if he can use magic.

— Yeah. Talks well too, even uses big words. Says he’s friends with the third prince of Briol… another one of his lies.

Cory snapped.

— It’s not a lie!

— Shut up.

The trader’s punch knocked him to the floor.

— Since when do brats butt into adult conversations?

Until then, he hadn’t resorted to much violence, but now that money was on the line, his attitude turned aggressive.

Cory wiped the blood from his nose as he got up. The conversation continued.

— Didn’t you say there’s a performance for an imperial noble coming up?

— Yeah, that’s right…

— You think the usual show will be enough? You need something shocking.

— A mutt using magic is odd, but not that impressive.

— He’s smart. You could teach him something. How about making him grunt like a pig?

— A pig?

— Yeah. Make him act like a gross little pig, then suddenly cast a spell. Wouldn’t that leave them speechless?

— Not a bad idea.

They sealed the deal. Cory was sold to the circus for a high price.

The trader warned him.

— If you try anything stupid, I’ll put a bounty on your head. With that freak face, you won’t be able to hide. So behave. My reputation’s on the line.

— Slave traders have reputations too?

— You talking back now?

He raised his fist like he was going to hit him again, but just sighed.

— Everyone’s got their fate. What else are you going to do in life? Look at yourself in the mirror. Tsk tsk…

Cory seethed with rage, but had no choice but to swallow it.

— One day you’ll regret this.

— Uh-huh, sure.

That his face was monstrous was true.

But in Briol, even with that face, they’d welcomed him warmly and even taught him magic.

He wanted to see them again. So when they dragged him toward the circus master, he said:

— Please let me go.

— What’re you saying?

— It’s fine. If I earn a lot of money, will you let me go? How about that?

— Hmm…

— Otherwise, I won’t perform at all. Kill me if you want.

— Fine, understood.

— Really?

— Most of us are in the same boat. If you pay your debt, I’ll let you go. But interest keeps piling up. A lot of folks stay even after paying it off. What do you think you could do out there?

— I have something I need to do.

— Then give it your all.