Chapter 28: Salvation (3)

The reward had already been paid in full.

Yuri landed on the ground and looked around.

The exhausted soldiers could no longer continue the pursuit and began to slow down.

The knights of Briol, who had been striking down the enemy, also started to stop one by one. The battle was coming to an end.

“This is as far as it goes, I suppose.”

Bodies of Holy Kingdom soldiers could be seen, but there were no fewer orcs lying dead as well. Considering the circumstances, it had been a decent battle.

The remaining orcs resisted with their wounded bodies, but the Holy Knights who arrived afterward either killed or subdued them.

Yuri spotted an orc pretending to be dead.

“Hm.”

“……”

“Hey, not getting up?”

He kicked it in the rear. The orc let out a savage shriek and lunged at him. Yuri parried its attacks a few times, then slashed its legs. The orc collapsed to the ground and began crawling. Yuri stepped on its neck and pinned it down.

Sybilla, who was nearby, looked at Yuri.

“You left it alive on purpose?”

“Yeah. I’m going to interrogate it.”

“An orc?”

“I have an interpreter.”

“An orc interpreter?”

Sybilla’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Where did you find someone like that?”

Yuri smiled. It was thanks to Heime assigning Cory to him.

“Count Saidor.”

“Oh, you mean the scarred wolf…?”

Sybilla murmured the nickname in a tone of recognition. Heime’s reputation was well known even in other countries.

Yuri wiped Guilty’s blade clean on the fallen orc’s clothing and said,

“Anyway, we can call this the Alliance’s first victory.”

As the armies of each nation made their way to Balshard, they had successfully repelled the orcs’ first surprise attack. It was an event worthy of recording in the history books.

Yuri raised Guilty.

“Here!”

The knights of Briol gathered. Their eyes held reverence.

Jared already knew Yuri’s skill, and Laurent had always admired him, but the other knights were astonished by his prowess—unthinkable for someone only eighteen years old.

“Your Highness.”

Raymond spoke on behalf of everyone.

“I was part of the previous alliance and saw His Majesty fight on the battlefield with my own eyes.”

Yuri smiled.

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. You reminded me a great deal of His Majesty.”

It was a high compliment.

“And with this battle, you’ve earned the trust of the Holy Kingdom’s army. Now I understand why His Majesty entrusted you with leading the Alliance. I look forward to serving under you.”

Raymond was an experienced knight.

Earning his recognition was meaningful.

“The pleasure is mine.”

Then, turning his gaze, Yuri met Laurent’s eyes. They were shining brightly.

Feeling awkward, Yuri looked away.

He could still see the golden glint of Laurent’s hair at the edge of his vision, but he ignored it.

“Well done, everyone.”

“Yes!”

Not only had Yuri’s reputation grown, but so had Jared’s, who had fought on par with Laurent in this battle. As the knights of Briol discussed the results, Sybilla approached once more to express her thanks.

“On behalf of the Holy Kingdom, thank you for your support. And above all, Yuri, I owe you my life. Thank you.”

This time, Sybilla extended her hand first. Yuri shook it.

“What will you do now?”

“I’ll reorganize the main troops and return to Gid with you.”

Yuri also decided to return immediately. He had no reason to stay.

“Alright. Then we’ll head out.”

“We’ll handle the captured orcs.”

“Please do.”

He whistled, and the horses nearby came trotting over. The knights mounted up one by one.

Yuri climbed onto his black horse and stroked its mane.

“Your Highness, may I ask something?”

A young knight approached on horseback.

“What is it?”

“Did you know the princess of the Holy Kingdom before?”

“No.”

“But you spoke to her so casually—how did you two get that close?”

Several glances turned toward them.

The atmosphere was playful. The knight asking had a teasing smile.

“The princess seemed quite friendly with you, Your Highness…”

“This idiot…”

“A romance blooming on the battlefield doesn’t sound so bad.”

“Shut up.”

“I’ve had plenty of flings, but this clearly—”

“I’ll kill you.”

“She is beautiful. Don’t you like her, Your Highness?”

“No.”

“Come on, even just a little—”

“I’m married to Briol.”

“Huh?”

“That’s all you need to know.”

Yuri let out a mocking chuckle. Just hearing about love made him shiver. All because of that woman. He shook his head, trying to erase the face that came to mind.

Love? Ridiculous.

“Personally…”

“Yes?”

“I don’t love.”

“Huh?”

The knight looked dumbfounded.

“We ride!”

Yuri spurred his horse immediately. The knights called after him, but he didn’t answer. Despite having the face of a young man, his mind was that of an adult. He didn’t waste time on useless emotions.

“Tch…”

Forcibly suppressing the memories rising within him, Yuri wiped the tip of his nose.

He had destroyed Briol, blinded by a petty game of passion. He wouldn’t make the same mistake again.

“Your Highness! Wait for us!”

Soon, the squad of knights caught up and began riding alongside him.

The wind whipped through his hair.

Yuri muttered,

“If only it would rain.”

Of course, he had no intention of using an umbrella. That was for those with nothing to let the rain wash away.

***

Gid was peaceful.

Except for the few knights who had fought, no one knew what had happened. Yuri rested in his tent, and the young knights who had returned to Gid enjoyed a rare moment of calm, unaware of when they might ever feel this way again.

“Was it really like that?”

“Yes.”

Those who had fought alongside Yuri recounted what had happened in battle. After all, it had been his first confrontation with orcs. Everyone listened intently.

“The prince vanished suddenly, then reappeared at the front, in the hole…”

The story of how Yuri, Commander of Briol, had miraculously saved the Holy Kingdom’s nearly dead knights began to circulate.

“I can’t believe it.”

“It’s true.”

“And what about all those rumors?”

“They were probably false. It seems His Majesty’s blood runs in the third prince.”

Many still doubted—but with Laurent confirming it, they couldn’t ignore it.

“Laurent, is it true?”

“Of course.”

Laurent nodded firmly. All eyes turned to him.

He rarely drank, but tonight, caught up in the mood, he raised his cup.

“Tonight I was deeply impressed by the third prince. Beyond his swordsmanship, his resolve was truly admirable.”

“Resolve?”

“He said he’s married to Briol.”

“What?”

“And that he doesn’t believe in love.”

“What are you talking about?”

“That chivalrous stance, so solemn…”

“Are you insane?”

“They say the hardest thing for a knight is finding a monarch worthy of loyalty. All things considered, I’m fortunate to follow him.”

“You’re going too far…”

Laurent, who already served Yuri, had now practically become his devoted follower.

“Well, whatever. Let’s drink!”

“To drinking!”

Meanwhile, someone was watching them.

“What will you have, miss?”

At the tavern owner’s question, the woman observing Laurent looked away and pointed at the menu.

“The stew.”

“Would you like something to drink?”

“No.”

“Understood.”

Her behavior was suspicious, but the owner paid it little mind. Such was Gid’s nature. It had stirred a bit with the arrival of Briol’s army, but it was, by origin, a refuge for fugitives.

“Here you go.”

Asana, silently observing Laurent, took a spoonful of stew. It seemed her employer, Yuri, had performed brilliantly.

That didn’t surprise her.

Even for someone who had mastered the art of assassination, Yuri’s swordsmanship was formidable.

What she couldn’t get out of her head were those comments about being married to Briol and not believing in love.

They had worked together as employer and employee, but had no personal relationship.

Perhaps that was why hearing rumors about Yuri from others was so intriguing.

“I didn’t know the third prince was that skilled.”

“Weren’t there strange rumors about him?”

“They were probably false. That’s how rumors go.”

“He played cards so well I thought he was a loafer. Now I don’t understand anything.”

Asana agreed with that statement.

To her, Yuri Briol was an incomprehensible person.

Five years ago, he had appeared out of nowhere offering money, investigated Daisy’s illness, and seen through Asana’s skills.

Since she began working for Yuri, he never ceased to astonish her. He used the Elaine guild to amass a fortune, attracted a figure named Gorio, and took control of the underworld.

His personal strength was also exceptional.

Each time they met, she could sense his mana growing.

Now, he had even volunteered to join the allied army. He had sought a battlefield that everyone else avoided.

He was really an impossible man to decipher.

“Not to mention, you saw him, right? He spoke familiarly to the princess of the Holy Kingdom.”

“That was a princess?”

“You didn’t know?”

“I thought she was just a knight.”

“Well, the prince is as straightforward as he appears, huh?”

“Come on, I don’t think it’s because of that. The prince is very down-to-earth. He even eats with the soldiers.”

“Maybe he eats secretly?”

“No—they say he doesn’t. A cook said so. But he does take a lot of meat.”

“Well, that…”

Asana took a few more spoonfuls of stew, then set down her spoon.

Eavesdropping was entertaining, but she had work to do. She pushed her bowl aside and beckoned the owner.

“Sir.”

“Yes?”

“I want to ask you something.”

“What is it?”

“Come closer.”

The owner looked visibly annoyed.

Asana placed a silver coin on the table. His response was immediate.

“Tell me what you want.”

She spun the coin in the air as she spoke.

“I’m looking for someone. Dark brown hair, carries a sword, speaks the continental tongue poorly, and is extremely skilled with a blade.”

“I don’t know… I see a lot of people…”

“Think carefully.”

Asana shook the coin.

“If he passed through Gid, he must’ve stopped here.”

“Dark brown hair and a sword… those are common…”

“You don’t speak the language well.”

“Hmm…”

The owner frowned, thinking, then snapped his fingers.

“Oh, now that you mention it, someone comes to mind.”

He looked around as if recalling.

“I can’t say his hair was brown. But he wore a hood. I’m not sure about a sword, but his speech was odd. Though in Gid that’s not rare—so I can’t say if it’s him…”

“Tell me everything you remember.”

“He asked for risotto and specifically said no lemongrass. But…”

“But?”

“This place is always busy, you know? So I gave it anyway. And the guy tried to draw his sword. Ah, that’s right! He did have a sword. I nearly died right there.”

“…”

“When I apologized, he muttered something in a language not ours. Though clearly insults.”

“Anything else?”

“He asked how to get to Valshard. His pronunciation was so bad it made me laugh—and I mocked him. That’s when he realized and drew his sword again.”

“How brave.”

“One has to be careful where one sleeps, right? Even if he seemed rough, I saw he wasn’t a bad person. He only warned me—he wasn’t going to kill me. Haha…”

Asana squinted. He was someone she didn’t want contact with.

“That was all. He left right after. A vagabond.”

Nodding, she pocketed the coin and stood.

“Hmm?”

The owner stretched out his hands. Asana shook her head.

“You said one must be careful where one lies down.”

“Oh?”

“Did you really think I would give it to you?”

“Hey, miss.”

The man frowned.

“If you keep that attitude, I’m gonna get angry too. Do you know where you are?”

“You’ve already changed your attitude.”

“This is Gid. Do you think all those women in the red-light district came here by choice? There are vacancies over there…”

Asana’s brow creased.

At that moment, the owner felt something cold brush his neck. His heart nearly stopped.

“Ah, ah…”

He touched his neck, trembling. Luckily, there was no wound.

“Next time will be serious.”

Instead of his neck, strands of his long hair on the back fell to the floor.

The woman had done it from the front—and yet, his neck was unharmed while the hair behind him had been cut. Inexplicable.

That could only mean one thing: the woman wasn’t a normal human.

“I’m sorry…”

The owner bowed deeply. Gid, a city of fugitives beyond the border, welcomed all manner of people. To survive, one had to know who they were dealing with.

“P-please, forgive me…”

“You don’t know who you’re dealing with. Be careful next time.”

“Y-yes…”

Asana tapped the trembling man on the shoulder and exited the tavern.

Gid’s streets, where Briol’s army had entered, were more restless than usual.

Asana slipped away from the crowd and disappeared into a back alley.

“Valshard, huh…”

Her path coincided with Yuri’s, her employer’s. That relieved her—she could complete her mission while keeping an eye on him.

That was a comfort. In any case, Asana had to find him—a swordsman from the Eastern Continent with dark brown hair.

One of the Ten Greats of the continent.

Known as the Stranger.

In this vast land, Yuri was looking for him.