Chapter 218: The Black Demon (1)

Yuri was treated to dinner by the Elaine Trading Company.

Despite the long journey, they had ample provisions, though the menu wasn’t especially lavish. They had traveled far themselves, so couldn’t afford extravagances.

They served stew made from dried meat, preserved foods of various types seasoned with spices.

Fortunately, there was ample liquor.

“It’s delicious.”

“Traveling so often in caravans, one picks up tricks over time.”

“I also developed some skill during my military service, but you surpass me.”

“You are very kind. Really, the credit goes to the spices.”

“This aroma is quite distinctive.”

“It’s from the East. Hehehe…”

The Elaine Company had hired many guards to protect the caravan, and several watched Yuri with furtive glances from a distance.

They weren’t knights, but as swordsmen they deeply respected the famous Yuri Briol, renowned across the continent.

Yuri secretly wanted to teach them a few things—but he still had work to do.

“Alright. Could you show me the products now?”

“Yes, of course.”

“You must eat before buying.”

“And why is that?”

“When hungry, one buys unnecessary things out of anxiety. If I hadn’t eaten, I might have bought a sack of spices.”

“Now that you mention it, you’re absolutely right. Your Highness is truly wise. We should adopt that as a rule at the Elaine Company, hahaha…”

Rick had a real talent for praise. For Yuri, talking with him was enjoyable. No matter what he said, Rick always found a way to flatter him.

“Rick, I always brush my teeth after eating.”

“No wonder your teeth are so healthy. If I ever have children, I’ll certainly teach them to brush like you.”

“Did you know I act first, then speak?”

“A man of action, naturally. The world belongs to those who act, not to those who only talk. Just like our company.”

The expressions of his group weren’t especially pleasant, but Yuri didn’t mind.

As they chatted, they arrived at a large tent-store.

Inside were stacked carts. Apparently Rick had given notice beforehand, because several company staff came out to greet them.

Rick opened the entrance.

“We’ve organized the products. Take your time.”

Yuri entered.

“Hm…”

Everything was arranged as if it were an exclusive shop for him. Items were categorized: clothing, accessories, mysterious artifacts, books, and precious metals—all appearing valuable.

“Oh, and this too.”

A chest was brought a little later. Opening it released a peculiar aroma.

“It’s a spice chest. Some come only from the East, others obtained by special means. Even the pepper shows subtle regional differences.”

“Hmm…”

Yuri nodded toward his companions.

“Go ahead. If there’s something you want, I’ll buy it for you.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you…”

Jared and Francesco hurried in. Simon and Guinness, somewhat hesitant, also began browsing.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Whatever you want. I have money.”

While watching the others browse the wares, Yuri crossed his arms.

Rick asked,

“Don’t you want to look directly, Your Highness?”

“I’m pondering.”

Yuri inspected the Eastern goods one by one. His vision was sharp enough to examine even the smallest details from a distance.

He had no intention to buy clothing or jewelry.

“What is that?”

Yuri uncrossed his arms and pointed at an object.

“Oh, that…”

It was a bowl-shaped singing bowl and a thick wooden mallet. Rick approached and brought it.

“It’s called the Meditation Bowl Against Evil.”

“Bowl Against Evil?”

“Yes, also known as a meditation bowl. It’s used by Eastern monks for meditation. It’s used like this…”

Rick gently rubbed the bowl’s rim with the wooden mallet. A peculiar sound, like a deep hum, began to resonate.

It was a sound that didn’t seem of this world. Hearing it felt both calming and unsettling.

Then Rick struck the bowl gently and a clear tone like a bell rang out, reverberating for a long time.

“They say that making it ring repels evil entities. Though I can’t guarantee its effectiveness.”

“Does it really work?”

“In the East there are Taoist practitioners said to use it to repel malevolent forces.”

“I see…”

“It also aids concentration and is good for meditation. Though I don’t practice meditation, simply hearing this sound gives that sensation, don’t you think?”

“It sounds majestic.”

“Yes, it elevates the spirit.”

Rick rubbed the bowl again, and a gentle tone filled the air. Yuri closed his eyes and enjoyed the sound before speaking.

“I’ll take it.”

“An excellent choice. This one in particular was made by the Shaolin monastery workshop, the most renowned in the East. Also, this mallet is made from a jujube tree struck by lightning. You won’t regret it.”

Yuri bought that mysterious object called the Meditation Bowl Against Evil.

If there was a metal like orichalcum that could repel evil, it wasn’t surprising that a musical instrument might have the same effect.

In any case, he would test its efficacy on the road to Valshard.

Then Yuri pointed at something else.

“And that?”

“It’s an internal technique manual from the East. What we’d call a mana method. From what we’ve seen, their martial arts seem far more systematized than ours. We’ve added notes and explanations with translators’ help. This one is called the Manual of the Three Elements.”

“Manual of the Three Elements…?”

“It comes with a technique called the Three‑Element Sword. A supreme skill that completes only when heaven, earth, and human are harmonized as one.”

“A supreme technique?”

“That’s right. Mastering it fully makes you one of the best instructors in the world.”

“May I take a look?”

“We normally don’t allow pre-purchase reading, but I’ll make an exception for Your Highness.”

Rick brought the book and opened it for Yuri.

“Take your time reviewing it.”

On the left page was a drawing of the human body; on the right, a translation into the continent’s common language alongside the eastern script. Flipping through the illustrations and translation, Yuri got a general idea.

“The one who sold this called it a supreme technique?”

“Yes.”

“Cut ties with that person.”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s good for building a foundation, but it’s not such an advanced technique. It’s not much different from the mana methods soldiers learn. And this so-called Three-Element Sword is more like something for beginners.”

“R-Really…?”

Rick clicked his tongue.

“We bought it from a reputable orthodox sect called Haomun… I’ll be more careful from now on. Of course, techniques that valuable aren’t easily sold.”

“Are you sure it’s a reputable sect?”

“That’s what they said.”

“Verify it.”

From what Yuri had heard from Moyongchan, prestigious Eastern sects valued their reputation so much that they rarely resorted to deception.

They had probably scammed Rick, but since the Elaine Company was just beginning trade relations with the East, it was an acceptable risk.

Yuri checked other books, but none seemed useful to him.

“The truly valuable things don’t leak outside. In the future, it’d be better to bring an expert to evaluate them.”

“I’ll keep that very much in mind.”

“I could introduce you to someone competent.”

Yuri, as a client and partner of the Elaine Company, advised Rick.

“That’s enough about combat techniques…”

Yuri turned his attention to the weapons. Though their shapes differed from those of the continent, the quality was quite good. However, Yuri didn’t need another weapon with Guilty at his side.

He looked at his companions.

“Aren’t you going to buy any weapons?”

“Hmm…”

“They’re not like the ones we usually use…”

“Take a look at this.”

Yuri approached and picked out a few short knives.

“These are quite good.”

He spun one in the air several times and then threw it toward one of the tent’s supporting pillars.

The knife embedded itself precisely.

“Oh…!”

Yuri smirked and said to Rick,

“Put it on my tab.”

“Hahaha…”

“Come on. Don’t just rely on swords—try out this type of weapon. In combat, it could save your life.”

Back in his mercenary days, Yuri had made great use of these kinds of tricks. Though now at a level where such methods were unnecessary, for his companions they could be useful to survive.

“The East has highly developed hidden weapon techniques. These come from a place called the Tang House of Sichuan.”

Rick demonstrated several surprising hidden weapons. Jared, Simon, and Guinness bought several of those gadgets.

“And you, Francesco?”

“I’m not buying anything.”

He shook his head.

“If I buy that, it’d be like admitting I won’t get my mana back.”

Yuri understood how he felt.

Francesco, once one of the Ten Greats, had lost his mana. And now Yuri had restored his hope. Recovering his mana meant a great deal to him.

“Yeah.”

Yuri smiled and gave him a hard slap on the back.

“Don’t worry.”

“Ugh…!”

“When you recover your mana, let’s have a proper duel, Francesco.”

“Perfect. Be ready for that day.”

“I will.”

Through Yuri’s eyes, the dark energy still dwelling in Francesco’s body was visible.

If he could get rid of it, he could recover his mana.

“And finally…”

With the meditation bowl against evil under his arm, Yuri strolled around the place while the object’s sound still gently echoed.

“Hm…”

It was the accessories section.

The jewelry had a different style from that of the continent—subtle, shiny, and elegant. Yuri observed closely and pointed to one.

“This one.”

It was a butterfly-shaped diadem. When worn, it would appear as though a glowing butterfly had landed on the hair.

“Planning to gift it to someone?”

“Who knows. I just thought it was pretty.”

Yuri planned to give it to Maryrose in gratitude for her recent efforts.

Rick smiled and commented,

“That piece was chosen by Princess Yekaterina.”

“What?”

Yuri stared at him.

“Princess Yekaterina has a great eye for these things. When we started trading with the East, she personally reviewed the products. Whatever she chose became a kind of reference for us, and we treat them specially.”

Unconsciously, Yuri let go of the butterfly diadem.

“I see…”

After all, it wasn’t so strange. All the criteria Yuri had for calling a jewel beautiful, he had learned from Yekaterina in his previous life.

Seen from that perspective, everything looked different.

The items she would have chosen stood out clearly.

“And that one too?”

“Ah…”

It was a beautifully crafted silk garment. When Yuri brushed it, the fabric rippled like water.

“Yes, that one too.”

“I see.”

Yuri looked around and picked another object.

“This one.”

It was a golden toad. Definitely something Yekaterina would never have picked.

“This one surely not.”

“Uh…”

“I’ll take this one…”

“That was one of the princess’s choices too…”

“What?”

Yuri’s eyes widened. He couldn’t understand why Yekaterina would choose something so crude and ugly as that golden toad.

Maybe, without him knowing, Yekaterina had taken a lover with such vulgar taste that she begrudgingly chose a gift for him out of obligation.

Rick intervened.

“She only gave us a piece of advice. She said it was the kind of item that dumb nobles would like.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Phew…”

“Is something wrong?”

“No, nothing.”

“In the East, golden toads represent good luck, wealth, and prosperity. It’s normal for the Empire’s nouveau riche to adore them.”

“I see. Wonderful.”

Yuri relaxed.

“Alright. I’ll take this one.”

In the end, Yuri chose a flower-shaped brooch made of gemstones. Though there were many of those on the continent, the ones from the East had a more discreet and refined elegance. The flower’s form was delicate.

Maryrose surely already had many flashy jewels, so he preferred to give her something like that.

“Ah, that’s a new piece we brought. Isn’t it pretty? I’m considering giving it to my wife.”

“I also plan to give it to someone important.”

“An excellent choice.”

Just as they were about to wrap up, a commotion was heard outside the tent.

“Attack! Orcs!”

“All to your combat stations!”

“Grab your weapons, there’s a lot of them!”

“Get out now!”

Yuri and Rick exchanged glances.

Yuri smiled and put a hand on his shoulder.

“I’ll be expecting my payment, alright?”