Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince — Chapter 325: Extra. The Great Escape of Yuri! (1)

Chapter 325: Extra. The Great Escape of Yuri! (1)

Yuri Briol.

Husband⁠ of the Empress‌ and the most‍ powerful swordsman of‌‍ this era.

The prodigal son born⁠‌ in Briol.

Escaped.‌‌

Yes,‌‍‍ something as absurd‌‍ as that actually⁠⁠ happened.

He⁠ left behind only⁠ one line as‌ an excuse — that a very‌‍‌ important and serious⁠ matter had come⁠‌ up that forced him to do‍⁠ so.

The‌‍ Empress of the‍ Empire and his‍ wife, Yekaterina, reacted⁠⁠⁠ like this.

“He‍‌⁠ ran away because⁠ he doesn’t want⁠‍⁠ to work.”

Her⁠‌‌ expression was calm,‍ but her clenched‍ fist had turned‌ white.

“Yes,⁠ so he says‌ he has an⁠ important matter…”

Then‍ she went alone‌‍ into her room.‍ From inside came⁠⁠‌ a sound like‍ a pillow being‍‌‌ hit.

A little later, she appeared with her⁠‍ forehead beaded with‍‍ sweat, controlling her‍ breathing, and said:‌‌

“He’ll⁠ come back. And‍‌ when he does, he’ll have to‌ work much harder‌ than before, so‍‌ he should enjoy‌ his last break‍ until then.”

“Don’t you think that⁠‍ if you threaten‌ him like that,‍ he’ll take longer⁠ to return?”

Yekaterina‍ shook her head.⁠

“Yuri⁠‌ can’t live without‌⁠ me anyway. Do⁠⁠⁠ the others know?”‌

“Not‌‌ yet.”

“Tell⁠ them.”

***‍‌

“Your⁠ Highness! Your Highness!”⁠‌

Jared galloped with all‌ his might, chasing‌ the tail of‌ Yuri’s horse.

“You‍‍ can’t just leave‍ like this without any plan!”

“I‍‌ don’t care!”

Yuri‍ shouted toward the‍‌‍ sky.

“Let me rest a bit! I demand‌ workers’ rights!”

“I⁠⁠‍ understand how you‍ feel, but if⁠‍ you’re absent now,‌⁠‌ the Empire won’t‍‍ function.”

“And‌ you call that‍ a country?!”

“Yes!‍⁠ And it’s the‌ biggest one on‍‍ the whole continent!”

“The‍ audacity!”

“Yes,‌ it is!”

“They⁠ don’t need me!⁠‌ In the end,‍ everything will keep running somehow!”

“It will… but sloppily.”⁠

“That way they’ll learn⁠ to improve when‍ they see it’s‌⁠ harder without me!”⁠

“No!‍ That will only⁠ make it harder‍⁠‍ for you when‌⁠‍ you come back!”⁠

“Damn⁠⁠ it!”

At‍‍ that moment, Jared‌ managed to get‍⁠‍ alongside him and‍‍ asked:

“So,⁠⁠ where are you‍⁠⁠ planning to go?”‌‌

“I‌⁠ don’t know.”

“What⁠ do you mean‍‌ you don’t know?! That’s not an‌⁠ escape, that’s a directionless flight!”

“First⁠⁠‍ I’m going to⁠‍ kidnap Laurent.”

“Sir⁠⁠⁠ Laurent?”

“We’re‍ one, don’t you⁠ think?!”

Yuri‌‌ imitated the Brusen accent while raising his voice.

“When⁠⁠‌ we were three,‌‍‍ we feared nothing!”‌⁠

“Do‍‌ you think Sir‍⁠ Laurent will just‌‌ go with you‍ like that?”

“He‌‌ only growls on‌ the outside. Deep⁠‍ down, he’s still‍‍⁠ the same as‌ before. He’ll act‌‌‌ like he doesn’t‍‍‌ want to, but in the end,‌ he’ll follow me.”‌

“Are you sure?”

“Want‍‍⁠ me to make‌‍‌ a prediction for⁠ you?”

“What‍ prediction?”

“He’s‍‍ going to say,‌‌ ‘I owe you‍ a favor, so‌ this time I’ll‍ go with you.’”‌

“That‌ sounds really corny…”‌

“You’ll‌⁠ see. Want to‍ bet?”

“Still, I don’t think…”

And‍‌ so, both rode‌ their horses toward⁠ Laurent’s mansion.

Leaving‌ behind the painful⁠⁠‌ memories of Briol,⁠‍‌ Laurent now lived⁠‌⁠ in a small⁠⁠‍ village near the‍‌ imperial capital.

As‌ soon as they‍‍‍ crossed the village‍‌ entrance, they came‍‍ across large signs:⁠

「Acacia Village, alongside Sir⁠⁠⁠ Laurent」

「Map‌ to Sir Laurent’s⁠‍ Mansion」

「Sir‍ Laurent’s Departure Schedule」⁠

Laurent’s‌⁠⁠ presence was announced‍‍‍ in grand fashion.‌

Yuri⁠‌ let out an‍‌‌ incredulous chuckle.

“What’s⁠⁠‌ this?”

“They⁠ say thanks to‍ Sir Laurent, the⁠ economy of Acacia‌ Village has been‌⁠ revitalized. It became⁠ a tourist spot.”⁠

“Why?”‌‌

“He’s⁠ a celebrity. In⁠ that survey where⁠⁠ you came first,⁠‌ Sir Laurent came⁠ second. Many women‌ come to visit⁠⁠ him.”

“What? Are you talking‌‍‌ about that survey⁠ of The Most Admired Person on‍ the Continent, with‍‌‌ a 95% confidence level, a ±3%‍ margin of error,‌‍ and in which‌⁠ I came first outside the margin⁠‍ of error?”

“Yeah…⁠‍ something like that.”‍

“Ah, then I understand.‍‌‌ Laurent is driving the village’s economy⁠⁠ all by himself.‌ That’s patriotism. This⁠‍ is contributing to‍ the country.”

“But⁠ Your Highness and‍⁠ Sir Laurent are‍ from Briol.”

“If‌‍‍ they pay you⁠⁠‍ a salary, that’s‌ your country.”

“Then I’m from the‌⁠ Empire?”

“You‌⁠‍ didn’t know?”

“Ah,‌‍ I see.”

Going⁠‍⁠ deeper into the‌‍ village, a villager‍ greeted them.

“Hello!⁠ Visiting?”

“Yes,‌ something like that.”⁠‌⁠

“You’ve‍ come to see‌ Sir Laurent!”

“You⁠‌ could say that.”‍‌⁠

“I⁠ understand. Even for a man, he’s‌‍‍ a knight worthy⁠ of admiration.”

They‌ wore masks below‌ their eyes to‍ protect against dust,‍ so the villager‍ didn’t recognize Yuri.‍⁠

“Do‌⁠ you know how⁠ to get there?”‌‌

“No,‌ we were about‌‌ to look.”

“Then‌‍‌ I’ll guide you!”⁠‌

“Oh,‌ how kind.”

“In⁠ Acacia Village, people⁠‍ are generous. Hahaha…”‍‍

Thanks⁠ to his guidance,‌ they found Laurent’s‍ mansion without trouble.

The⁠⁠‌ villager stopped in‌ front of a huge sign reading⁠‌‌ “Sir Laurent’s Mansion.”⁠

“Here‌ it is.”

“Thanks.”‌

“That’s 10 silver.”

“Pardon?”‍

“I‌‌ guided you to‌⁠ Sir Laurent’s mansion.”‌‌

“But‍⁠‌ you didn’t say‍ anything about paying…”‍⁠‍

The villager’s smiling expression‍ instantly changed.

“So⁠‌ you see me⁠ as a servant?”‍‍‌

“Huh?”‌‍

“Am⁠ I your servant?⁠ If you use‌‌⁠ a person, you‌‍ have to pay‍ them! You can’t⁠‍ exploit me for‍⁠ free!”

“But…”‍‍‌

Jared‍‍ raised his voice‍ indignantly.

“You’re⁠ trying to scam⁠‌‌ us!”

“What?⁠ Scam? Well, I never!”

“When‍ did you say‍ we had to pay, huh?”

“This⁠‌ outsider…! Hey, come⁠ see this! These‌ guys are treating⁠⁠ me like I’m‌ some con artist!⁠ How humiliating!”

As‍‍⁠ the commotion grew, more people poked⁠ their heads out.‌⁠

Yuri nudged Jared with⁠‍ his elbow.

“Just‌⁠ pay him.”

“Ugh…⁠ Fine.”

Jared handed the money‌ to the villager,‌‍ who smiled in‍ satisfaction.

“Hehehe,⁠ that’s more like⁠ it.”

The⁠ man gave him‍ a disdainful once-over‌‍ and turned around.‍ Jared, eyes fixed‌‍ on the back of the man’s‍‌ head, toyed with the hilt of‍‍ his sword, but⁠ Yuri placed a hand on his‌ shoulder.

“Jared,⁠ control yourself.”

“Wow…‍ to actually get⁠⁠ me mad, that‍ takes skill. I’m⁠ going to cause‌‌ trouble today, Your⁠⁠ Highness.”

“No⁠ need. This village will pay the⁠ price anyway.”

“What‍ do you mean?”

“How⁠ much do you think the village economy will lose‍‌ if we take‌‌‍ Laurent with us?”⁠

Jared’s⁠‍ eyes went wide.‍⁠‍

“Ah…”‌

“The‍⁠ money we just‌⁠ gave that guy—think‍‌ of it as‌ the price to‍‌ avoid feeling a bit of guilt⁠ later. This village‌ is doomed to⁠⁠ ruin.”

“I‍‍ see.”

Jared‍‌ nodded.

“Understood.⁠⁠‍ We’ll take Laurent‌⁠ no matter what.‍⁠‌ If he says‍ no, I’ll knock‍⁠ him out and⁠⁠‍ drag him away.”‌

“That’s‍ what I like‍‌ to hear—my kind⁠ of knight.”

They‍⁠ resumed walking. The‌‍ fence around the‍‍ mansion wasn’t very‌ tall; anyone of⁠ average height could⁠ peek over. Some⁠⁠⁠ tourists who had‍‍ arrived earlier were‍‌ already staring inside, as if hypnotized.‌

“Looks‌‍ like something interesting’s‍ going on.”

Yuri‌ followed the direction⁠‍ of their gaze.‌‌

“…”‌‌

There‌‌⁠ was Laurent. With‍ his well-built torso⁠ bare, he poured‍ water over his‌‍ head to cool down. Droplets ran‌‌ along his defined⁠ muscles, and through‍ his wet hair,‍ his blue eyes brimmed with melancholy.⁠⁠

“…”‍

Yuri⁠ watched for a moment before speaking.⁠

“That⁠ idiot… what’s he‌‍ doing?”

“Looks⁠‌⁠ like training with⁠‍ a sword…”

“Yeah,‌‌ training… but it’s obvious he’s doing‌‌ it knowing people⁠ are watching.”

“Maybe… maybe not…”

Laurent‍ brushed back his⁠‍ wet hair and‌ gripped his sword‍ again, taking a stance. Just breathing‌‍‍ made his muscles‍⁠ tense and expand.‍⁠

The‍‌ tourists gasped.

“Oh‍⁠ my God!”

“Laurent, you’re amazing.”

“Brother Laurent! You’re the‌ best!”

Some⁠ were even using‌‌ binoculars to admire⁠ his training.

“Jared.”‍

“Yes.”‌‍

“I⁠ can’t keep watching‍ this.”

“I‌ agree.”

“We’re⁠⁠ taking him.”

“Yes!”‍⁠

Both jumped over the‍ fence. The tourists‍ screamed, but they‍ ignored them and‌‍ headed for Laurent.‍ When he saw‍ them, he tensed.‍

“…”⁠

“…”‌‌‍

“…”⁠

They‍ stared at each⁠⁠ other in silence until Yuri spoke.⁠⁠

“I‌ see you’re doing⁠ well.”

After‌ a brief pause, Laurent replied.

“I⁠ think I saw⁠⁠ you a month‌⁠‌ ago.”

“A‍‌ month is too‌ long for us.”‍‌

“What‍‍ are you here⁠‍‍ for?”

“Laurent. There’s somewhere we‍‍ need to go‍‌ together.”

“Somewhere‍⁠ to go?”

“Yes.”‍‍‍

“Mmm…”

From‍‌ his expression, Yuri‌ knew he wouldn’t‍‍ follow without a good reason. So‌ he went straight⁠ for it.

“The⁠⁠‌ continent is in‍ danger again!”

Jared,‌ startled, reacted.

“Huh?”⁠

“…Ah,⁠⁠ yes, right. Laurent,‌ the continent is‌‌ in danger. We‍‌‌ need your help.”⁠⁠

Laurent⁠‍ asked calmly.

“What kind of danger?”⁠

“Well…”‌‌

Jared‍‌ looked at Yuri,‍‌ who also didn’t‌‌ know what to⁠ answer. After hesitating,‌ Yuri said:

“A… an existential danger.”‍

“…”‍‍

“The⁠‌ people of the‌‍ continent are in an existential crisis.”‌⁠

“…”⁠‌‌

“It’s‌ true.”

“If‌ you came just‌ to say nonsense,⁠‌ leave.”

“No,⁠‌ wait…”

In⁠ the end, Jared confessed.

“His‌⁠ Highness is… on⁠ the run.”

Laurent’s‍⁠ gaze filled with⁠‌ disdain.

“On⁠‌‍ the run?”

“That’s how it turned‍ out.”

“Tsk…”‌‍

“I‌‌ get it.”

Laurent‍ and Jared exchanged a knowing look, both aimed at‌ Yuri. He lowered‍⁠ his head in⁠⁠ embarrassment.

But⁠⁠‌ then, to both their surprise, Laurent⁠ nodded.

“Fine.”‍‌⁠

“Huh?”

“Even though your running⁠ away leaves me‍ speechless…”

He sheathed his sword‌⁠⁠ and said:

“I owe you a favor, so this‍‌ time I’ll go⁠ with you.”

It‍ was quite an‍ epic scene. But‍ for Jared, it‍ had another meaning—he‌‌ stared at Yuri with his mouth‌⁠ open. Yuri, wearing⁠⁠⁠ a triumphant look,⁠‍‍ held out his‌ hand.

“I‍⁠‌ win.”

“I‍ can’t believe he said that exact⁠‍ phrase…”

“He’s‍‌‍ in the palm⁠ of my hand.”‍

“How‌ did you know?”‍⁠

“Heh⁠‍ heh…”

Laurent,‍‍‌ seeing the exchange‍ of money between⁠‍ them, seemed to‍ get the idea‌‌⁠ and turned away.⁠‌

“Wait,⁠ I’ll get ready‍ and we’ll go.”‌

“Don’t‍‍ be shy, Laurent.”‌‌

“Shut⁠‍‍ up.”

And‍‍ so, the trio⁠‌ was reunited and‍‍ left Acacia Village. The villagers tried‌ to stop Laurent,‌‌ but he didn’t‌ hesitate for a moment. Jared, seeing⁠ the “guide fee”‍⁠ scammer frozen in‍‌ shock, let out‌‍ a laugh.

“Haha,‌⁠ now this is‌‍ fun.”

“It’s too early to‍‌ celebrate. Now we‍‍ need a pretext.”‍⁠⁠

“A‌⁠ pretext?”

“I‌ left a note‍ saying it was‍‍ for an important matter. If we⁠‌ just wander around,‌ my reputation will‌ be ruined. We‍ need something proper‍‌ to make my escape acceptable.”

“And you can just⁠ get that?”

“No.⁠⁠ That’s why we’re going somewhere we⁠‍ can get it.”‌‌

Laurent⁠‌ snorted.

“You‌ really left without‍⁠‌ any plan?”

“Well…”⁠

“I’m‍‍ already regretting this.⁠⁠ How the hell did you come⁠ first…?”

“What⁠‍ did you say?”⁠

“Nothing.”⁠⁠⁠

“Don’t‌⁠ tell me you‌‌⁠ were thinking about‌‌ the survey!”

“Nonsense.”‌

“Admit⁠‍⁠ it, the survey⁠⁠ had a 95% confidence level…”

“Shut up.”

Then⁠⁠⁠ Yuri clapped his⁠⁠ hands.

“I’ve⁠‍ got it!”

“We⁠ have a destination⁠⁠ now?”

“Yes!”‌‍

Under‍‍ Laurent and Jared’s⁠‌ stares, Yuri raised⁠ his fist.

“We’re‌ going to see⁠ Cory!”

Jared‌ nodded.

“Good⁠ idea. Cory does⁠⁠ great work, so‌ you’ll be able‌ to say you‌‍ didn’t just run‍‍‍ away, but also‌ went out for‍‌ social service and⁠ to take the‌⁠ pulse of the people. Brilliant move.‍⁠ The problem is…”‍

He⁠⁠ looked at Laurent.‌‍ The latter was‍ keeping a deliberately‍‌ neutral expression.

“What‍ are you looking‍‌⁠ at?”

“You‍ okay with this,⁠ Laurent?”

“Pff. I have no‍⁠ reason to refuse.”‌‍

“Doesn’t‌‍ seem like it.”‌‌

There⁠ was history between⁠‍ Cory and Laurent. Because of Cedric,‍ Laurent had been⁠ damaged physically and‍‍ emotionally, and although‍ Cory had cared‌⁠‌ for him, Laurent‌‍ had reacted coldly‌‌ and even accused⁠‌ him of enjoying⁠‍⁠ seeing him disfigured‌‌ by dark magic.‍‍

Although⁠‌ it had all been cleared up‍ later, their relationship‍‍ had not recovered.‌‍ In truth, Cory‍ didn’t care, but‍‍‍ Laurent avoided him.‌ It was awkward.‍‍

Laurent⁠ spoke in a forced tone.

“Good‌ idea. I’m glad‍ to see him‍‌‌ again after so⁠ long. I heard⁠‍ he’s doing good‍‍ work.”

“Yeah?”‌⁠‍

“Yes.”⁠‌⁠

“Really?”⁠‌‌

“Of‌ course.”

“I see… hehehe.”

“Why‌‍⁠ are you laughing?”‍‍

“For‌‍ nothing… hehe…”

Yuri‌‌‌ kept smiling suspiciously,‍ and Jared imitated⁠ him.

Laurent⁠‍‌ made a disgusted⁠ face.

“Insufferable…”‍⁠

“Ha‍⁠⁠ ha…”

“Hee‍‍‌ hee hee…”

“Why‍ did I agree‌‍⁠ to come with⁠‌ these two…?”

***

The‌ three arrived at‌ where Cory was.‍⁠ But there was‍ a small problem—as‍‍⁠ if she had‌‌ foreseen it, Yuri’s second wife was‍ there waiting for⁠⁠ him.

Yuri’s‍‌‍ smile, happy at⁠⁠⁠ the thought of seeing Cory, froze.⁠

“How⁠ predictable…”

“H…‌ how?”

“With‍ a bit of‍ logic, it was obvious.”

And‍ her identity was—