Chapter 225: Ronin (1)

The orc extermination campaign led by Yuri had come to an end. What once required a massive allied army was now accomplished with a small squad of knights.

Of course, the number and quality of orcs couldn’t compare to the previous time, but even so, it was an achievement worth celebrating.

When Yuri returned to Valshard, Maryrose welcomed them with fireworks.

“Well done.”

“Not at all.”

Yuri smiled as if it had been nothing.

Maryrose had prepared a banquet for them. Yuri and his knights, along with Valshard’s knights, celebrated their battle success with good food and wine they hadn’t been able to enjoy during the campaign.

Maryrose moved around the hall, personally thanking each of her knights.

“You all did well. It must’ve been tough fighting those orcs, right?”

“N-not at all, my lady.”

Though she treated Yuri like a peer, to the knights of Valshard she was still an Archmage—someone far above them whom they wouldn’t dare treat casually.

“Did you really eliminate all the marked targets on the map?”

“Yes, we did. We even destroyed a few that weren’t marked.”

Before their departure, Maryrose had given Yuri a map with marked orc settlements. It had been full of red dots.

Even though she’d handed it over herself, not even Maryrose had expected them to clear all the targets so quickly.

“That must have been exhausting for you.”

“No, the one who really worked hard was His Highness.”

“Is that so?”

Maryrose glanced over her shoulder. Yuri was sitting with his knights, laughing and chatting.

Though he usually wore a serious expression, when needed, he could brighten the mood.

Maryrose whispered.

“What did you think? Of the Prince of Briol?”

“His Highness…”

The knight gazed off, reflecting on everything that had happened, then murmured with a moved expression.

“He was truly admirable.”

“Really?”

“Even though he’s younger than me and so strong, he has a natural talent for leading people…”

“Impressive?”

“Yes. He makes you feel like you can face any battle as long as he’s by your side. Where else would you see a royal fighting on the front lines?”

“True, true… hehe.”

Maryrose smiled as if she were the one being complimented.

“That lovely prince said it was thanks to your valiant efforts.”

“Really?”

“Of course. He holds you all in high regard.”

“His Highness…?”

The knights of Valshard looked toward Yuri with sparkling eyes.

Suddenly feeling those intense stares, Yuri—who was eating at a distance—raised an eyebrow and glared at them.

Then he said something.

Though it couldn’t be heard from where they were, just the movement of his lips was enough for everyone to understand.

“What are you all staring at?”

Rather than being offended, the knights smiled more deeply, satisfied. Yuri eventually looked away, flustered.

It was rare for Yuri Briol to look away first. That alone showed how intense the knights’ gazes were.

Maryrose laughed out loud at the scene.

“Looks like they had a good time.”

She finished thanking each knight and stood up. Then she approached Yuri to speak with him.

“Is everything to your liking, Your Highness?”

“Why were those guys staring at me like that? Did something happen? Did they say something weird about me?”

“Quite the opposite. They looked at you that way because they admire you.”

“Well, their eyes didn’t exactly say that…”

“Hehehe…”

Maryrose sat beside him with a smile.

“Here.”

She gestured, and a servant approached with a tray. On it was a sweet.

“It’s a gift.”

“And what’s this?”

It was a long candy, coated in fine chocolate.

“It’s called Pepero. In some regions, it’s traditional to give this sweet to those who return victorious from war.”

“Pepero, huh. That sounds familiar.”

“Its long shape resembles a spear. It’s a way of honoring the valor of the victor.”

“I see. Thanks, I’ll gladly accept it.”

“Just with words? Don’t you think that’s a bit cold?”

“Wasn’t I the one who went to hunt orcs? Isn’t it colder that you’re settling that with a single sweet?”

“That’s also true.”

“See?”

“Then… what should I give you in return?”

“No need. We fought together. That’s enough…”

“Say it. Anything.”

“There’s nothing.”

Maryrose kept pressing with a mischievous smile, while Yuri dodged her attempts to pin him down.

Watching their exchange, Francesco nibbled on his food with a melancholic look.

“Hmm…”

Simon, beside him, patted him on the shoulder.

“Sir Francesco.”

“Hmm…”

“Why do you suddenly look so down?”

“One can’t help it.”

“I’m sure you’ll find someone special.”

“I used to have my charm, you know…?”

“But probably not as charming as His Highness.”

“That’s true too…”

And so, they enjoyed their last dinner in Valshard. The banquet hall doors opened, and someone entered.

“Oh…”

Everyone tensed. The expression on the man’s face wasn’t normal.

“Having a good time, are we?”

His salmon-colored hair shimmered even brighter under the lights. It was Inariel, the Grand Sorcerer and one of the Ten Greats.

With his staff in hand, he swept his gaze across the entire hall. Yuri was the first to greet him.

“Long time no see, Lord Inariel.”

“Even the brat’s here.”

Since Inariel looked far younger, his manner of speaking felt slightly off.

“The world is about to burn, and here you all are, laughing and celebrating…”

His voice, heavy with severity, made the atmosphere tense. But Yuri replied casually.

“Lord Inariel, are you perhaps jealous?”

“What?”

“Because you weren’t invited and we’re celebrating without you…”

“That’s not it.”

“Then where’ve you been all this time? You look rather worn out. Quickly, prepare a place for him!”

The servants brought fresh dishes and food for Inariel. His face visibly softened, and he sat down without hesitation.

Hernando, seated near Yuri, murmured.

“Lord Inariel gets grumpy when he’s hungry.”

Maryrose quietly nodded.

“Yes, he’s still a child at heart.”

Noticing Inariel’s sharp gaze, they both feigned innocence. Yuri stood and approached him.

“I’m really glad to see you again.”

“Yes.”

Inariel chewed his food, then raised his wine glass. Though youthful in appearance, the way he drank suited him surprisingly well.

He had come to Valshard at Hernando’s summons, and after confirming the existence of the original scroll, he departed alone to some unknown destination.

Thus, after being absent for some time, he reappeared unexpectedly.

“During this time, I’ve been researching the demonic grimoire. After seeing the imitation copy, certain ideas began to take shape.”

“Have you obtained any results?”

Inariel paused mid‑spoon.

“I don’t know. But at least I discovered a possibility.”

With a nostalgic look, he said:

“Perhaps if we destroy the demonic grimoire… I can return to the World‑Tree Forest.”

“Really?”

Yuri’s reaction was calm.

He didn’t know much about elves nor about the World‑Tree Forest where they had hidden. All he knew was that the external world and that forest were disconnected, which is why Inariel could not return.

But to Inariel, it seemed deeply significant.

“Maybe… the World Tree will open again.”

“Do you mean the elves will emerge into the continent?”

“Exactly.”

“Hmm…”

Yuri thought for a moment, then asked.

“Are all elves as temperamental as you, Lord Inariel?”

Inariel pretended not to hear and continued speaking.

“Perhaps the reason the elves created and entered the World‑Tree Forest was also the demonic grimoire.”

Yuri stared at him. That he did not expect.

“Really?”

“It’s just a hypothesis, but I believe that high‑rank elves have known of the grimoire’s existence for a long time. And they suspected that one day that book could destroy the world. So they separated space to distance themselves from it. The longer a spatial separation continues, the greater the distance becomes.”

“Ah…”

Yuri nodded.

If what Inariel said were true, then even while elves lived among humans, the demonic grimoire was already wreaking havoc.

“I hope that’s the case.”

Yuri looked at Inariel.

“Then if we destroy that grimoire together, you’ll be able to return? Right?”

“Perhaps…”

Lost in thought, Inariel nodded slowly.

“It’s possible.”

As he said that, Inariel smiled like a child.

Seeing that expression, Yuri fell silent for a moment. Since meeting him, it was the first time he had seen such a sincere smile.

He watched for a while, then smiled back.

“It shall be so, Lord Inariel.”

“Yes. So work hard.”

“Understood.”

Inariel returned to his usual gruff tone. But the smile Yuri had just seen stayed etched in his memory.

Inariel missed his race. If they won this war, perhaps his desire could be fulfilled.

“Lord Inariel, I’ll make it happen.”

“Don’t touch me. You’re in the way.”

“Can you feel the sincerity in my hand?”

“I don’t want to feel it.”

Yuri laughed and offered his wine. Inariel frowned slightly but said nothing, raising his glass in turn.

“Lord Inariel.”

“Hmm?”

“When the war begins… I entrust you with a great fireball.”

“…”

***

Yuri’s group prepared to leave Valshard and return to Briol.

Maryrose tidied her workshop and delegated control to a trusted subordinate.

Since Valshard was well‑run, everything would function in her absence.

Francesco had regained control of his mana, although not yet fully his former strength.

Though the demonic energy inside him had been purged, his body hadn’t fully adapted, so he needed more time.

Inariel displayed more motivation than ever. To ordinary eyes he seemed unchanged, but both Yuri and Hernando noticed clearly.

He even urged them to depart as soon as possible. Jared, Simon, and Guinness trained daily together to improve their skills.

And when the time came, they departed from Valshard.

Joining the group were Hernando, Maryrose, and Inariel. Mounted, they journeyed back to Briol.

This time, real war would begin.

Yuri intended to retrieve Bezos as soon as they returned.

“Hmm?”

While crossing the plains, Yuri suddenly spotted a caravan. It wasn’t the one they’d met before—the Rick caravan.

“The banner says Elaine Company.”

“Seems they succeeded trading Eastern goods.”

Last time they heard of Iraine, she was in the imperial capital.

Since then, no news.

So they didn’t know how her company was faring. But seeing a caravan bearing her name in the plains suggested she had strengthened Eastern trade ties.

“But…”

Jared, observing the caravan through a spyglass, said:

“This time it doesn’t look like merchandise.”

“Let me see.”

Yuri took the spyglass and studied the group.

Under the fluttering Elaine Company banner, people in strange clothes walked.

Yuri murmured.

“Easterners?”

All were armed and moved with agile steps. Like Moyongchan, they resembled martial‑world warriors.

Yuri looked at his group.

“Don’t you feel curious?”

“Not particularly.”

“I knew it. Let’s go!”

Yuri decided to approach the caravan. It was mere curiosity and the joy of seeing people in the middle of the plains.

However, it seemed the caravan misread their intentions.

Seeing them approaching on horseback, the Easterners shouted something, drew weapons, and charged toward them.