Chapter 227: Recapturing Bezos (1)

As soon as Yuri returned to the royal palace of Briol, he ran to the throne hall and pressured Joshua.

“We’re going to attack Bezos, get ready!”

“Huh?”

“That’s exactly the reaction I expected.”

“Eeeeh?”

“If you’re that surprised, imagine the Empire—they’ll be completely thrown off.”

“Hey, wait a second…”

“Look behind me!”

Yuri pointed to the entrance, and his group, who had accompanied him on the journey, entered the throne hall with a slight delay.

Joshua’s eyes widened as he recognized the people.

“T-those, they are…!”

“Yes.”

“Who are they?”

Joshua, who had never traveled like Yuri, didn’t recognize Francesco, Maryrose, or Inariel.

“A worn-out man, an attractive young woman, and a cute-looking little kid. That boy’s hair is the same color as the salmon I ate this morning. Are these your new playmates?”

Joshua chuckled, but Yuri didn’t smile.

“Don’t tell me the three of them are family… hehe…”

“…”

“What? Did I say something wrong?”

Yuri took a step back and gestured politely with both hands toward Francesco.

“The Paladin of the Holy Kingdom, the Holy Knight Francesco.”

Joshua, who had been slouched carelessly on the throne, blinked and slowly straightened up.

Francesco greeted with an annoyed expression.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Majesty.”

“W-wow…”

Then Yuri shifted his hand’s direction and introduced Maryrose.

“The Archmage and Duchess of Valshard, Maryrose Antre.”

Joshua, who had now sat up straight, opened his mouth in surprise, tried to stand up, and ended up half-sitting on the throne again.

Maryrose smiled.

“Nice to meet you. The brothers don’t look alike at all.”

“Sorry for being different. Haha…”

Yuri turned his body again, this time pointing at Inariel.

“The last elf on the continent, the great wizard Inariel. By the way, he’s really old.”

Joshua, visibly nervous, finally stood from the throne and bowed at an awkward angle.

“Good grief, they’re important people. My apologies for the disrespect.”

Inariel nodded silently. He didn’t consider it worth speaking. He wasn’t bound to human status, not even before a king.

Joshua clapped to quickly change the atmosphere.

“My brother brought incredible people. Let’s put first impressions aside and talk. You said you’re going to attack Bezos?”

“Yes.”

“You’re saying you’re going to confront the Empire?”

“Of course.”

“And they…”

“They’re going to help us.”

Francesco, Maryrose, and Inariel joining was an encouraging event for Briol.

Especially Inariel’s magic, which was unaffected by Dispel, would be a great advantage.

Francesco had also regained much of his strength. Though not at full power, he was already at the level of an average squad commander.

And a mage like Maryrose was always useful, no matter the situation.

“Two of the Ten Greats to retake Bezos…”

“They’re not just two.”

Yuri tapped Guilty.

“Since Father disappeared, one of the Ten Greats’ seats has been vacant, right?”

As always, Yuri smiled with total confidence.

“Many are debating who will be the next of the Ten Greats, but I will take Father’s place. When this battle ends, everyone will know who the new member is.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

Joshua looked around, but those who knew Yuri’s ability didn’t show any surprise.

Yuri not only qualified to be among the Ten Greats, he was among the most powerful of them.

Joshua asked again.

“You’re already at that level?”

“Yes.”

“I see…”

Joshua smiled. Even though he wasn’t too surprised, that didn’t mean he wasn’t impressed. Yuri Briol had always exceeded expectations.

“Alright. I’ll take care of everything in your name. You’ll have full authority, so do it well.”

“Thanks.”

“But bring back Bezos, no matter the cost.”

After all, Joshua was also Fiore’s son.

That the Empire not only invaded the territory but took the castle and settled inside was unacceptable to him.

Even if this battle led to open war with the Empire, he didn’t care.

Briol and the Empire could no longer coexist under the same sky.

“For Briol.”

***

The news that he was gathering troops had surely reached the Empire, but they probably didn’t know he was already near Bezos.

“How about a little provocation?”

“I said we were only doing reconnaissance.”

“But staying still would be a waste of time.”

“And what do you plan to do with this number?”

“Well…”

Except for Inariel, the only ones accompanying him on this mission were Jared, Simon, Guinness, and Francesco. Initially, he had planned to bring the entire Order of Vengeance, but left them at the palace to avoid detection.

“Isn’t there something we can do?”

“Just wait.”

“Hmm…”

While Yuri sighed, Jared approached from the rear.

“Prince, prince.”

“What?”

“Something really absurd happened.”

“What is it?”

“Well…”

Jared had a look of complete disbelief.

“They came here.”

“Who?”

“The easterners.”

“Huh?”

“I don’t know if they misunderstood, but they came straight to Bezos. I saw a group of beggars coming and got closer just in case—and it was them.”

“The ronin?”

“Yes.”

Yuri, as prince, had hired them, so logically they should have headed to the palace first. However, for some reason, they had gone straight to Bezos.

It was fortunate that Yuri was there on reconnaissance and could spot them in advance.

“Wow…”

Yuri scratched his head.

“Seriously?”

Although it was confusing at first, thinking it over, it wasn’t so bad.

In fact, it was a good thing.

“That’s great.”

“Why?”

“I wanted to do something, but with just us, it wasn’t ideal. Since the ronin are here, we can work together, evaluate their skills, and while we’re at it, move in unison.”

“But you said it was just reconnaissance.”

“It would be a waste of time.”

“But…”

“Let’s go see the ronin.”

Jared looked at Inariel with an expression that begged for help, but Inariel simply shrugged.

“Lord Inariel, can’t you do something…?”

“There is no spell that can stop this guy.”

“Ugh…”

Yuri ignored Jared’s complaints.

“Quick!”

And he headed toward the temporary camp they had set up. In front of a small tent, Simon and Guinness were lining the ronin up in rows.

At Yuri’s arrival, the ronin all took the greeting stance with their fists closed.

Yuri let out a chuckle.

“Well, you all really came.”

Simon and Guinness also had puzzled expressions.

“Prince… what do we do?”

“What do you mean ‘what do we do’?”

Yuri observed the group of ronin.

“Isn’t there an interpreter like Iris or someone?”

“No interpreter. But this guy speaks the continental language pretty well.”

Simon pointed to the ronin at the front. He was a middle-aged man, humble in appearance but with piercing eyes.

The ronin greeted Yuri.

“Name, Cheongun. Meeting, very happy.”

Though his sentences were broken and his intonation uneven, the pronunciation was clear.

Yuri was impressed.

“You already speak this well? That’s impressive.”

Cheongun seemed to understand those words as well and bowed again in gratitude.

“I, child prodigy. But origin, humble. To eat, took up sword.”

“Ah… I see.”

It seemed that the East also had a strong social class divide.

“Admirable. You understand well and… the pronunciation…”

Yuri suddenly stopped.

Though Cheongun’s intonation was uneven, his pronunciation had no major flaws.

Not like a certain someone.

“Hey, isn’t pronunciation hard for you?”

“Continental language, hard. But pronunciation, okay.”

“Yeah? And the others?”

“My companions, similar. Sentences, messy. Speaking, okay.”

Yuri confirmed his suspicion about Moyongchan. He’d suspected it already, but now he was certain that man had been faking his accent on purpose just to mess with him.

Determined to confront him the next time they met, Yuri extended his hand to Cheongun.

“I’m Yuri Briol.”

Cheongun looked briefly surprised, but then shook his hand with a respectful bow. Yuri patted him on the shoulder with a smile.

“No need to be so formal, Cheongun.”

“Thank you.”

“I didn’t expect you to arrive so soon, but since you’re here, let’s work together. Sound good?”

“Ready!”

“A warrior can’t allow himself to be beaten pathetically, right?”

“I will destroy everything.”

“I like you.”

Yuri glanced in the direction where the castle of Bezos stood.

“What we’re going to do is…”

Although the Empire had taken the castle, it was technically isolated in a corner of enemy territory. That meant they needed to regularly send supply caravans.

Yuri planned to attack one of those caravans.

“We’re going to hit the supply unit.”

Jared let out a sigh.

“I knew it…”

“We need to put pressure on the enemy.”

“Or maybe you’re just impatient to do something?”

“It’s a strategic decision.”

“Liar…”

Yuri ignored Jared’s complaints and looked at the ronin.

“I’m glad you came.”

The ronin were in very poor condition. It seemed they’d suffered a lot on the way, and they were all thin and dirty.

If someone saw them, they’d think they were displaced peasants or a band of beggars, not an advanced combat unit.

Cheongun clenched his fist.

“We will fight, with strength.”

Gruuughh.

As he declared his will to fight with resolve, his stomach growled.

“You came without eating?”

“Well…”

“No way. Your body is your most valuable resource.”

Yuri took out all the food he had to feed the easterners. Deeply moved, they gratefully accepted his generosity.

“Cheongun, tell your companions to eat slowly.”

“Many thanks.”

“Listen carefully. What we’ll do next is…”

“Yes.”

After listening to Yuri, Cheongun responded with a calm expression.

“There is better method.”

“Huh?”

“That, we do daily in East. Easy.”