Chapter 42: The Black Dog (1)

The allied army marched toward the hills beyond the lake, where a large orc settlement was said to exist.

Rumors about Briol were spreading throughout various parts of the camp. They had led the vanguard in the previous battle and won the reconnaissance contest. They were achieving the best results in the entire allied army.

Envious glances quickly followed.

“Your Highness, lately the other countries have been trying to trip us up.”

“What are they saying now?”

“That we eat the same food as the regular soldiers…”

“If they say it again, bring them to me.”

“Understood.”

“Well, putting that aside…”

Yuri was leading Briol’s knight squad, scouting ahead of the allied army.

From time to time, groups of orc riders observed their movements. Whenever that happened, Yuri would lead his knights in pursuit. To slow the legs of the Komododrakes, which were nearly as fast as horses, the knights shot arrows.

“This is getting exhausting.”

Yuri slung his bloodied sword over his shoulder.

“They’re always lurking around.”

“I like it. Lots of bastards to kill.”

“Jared, you’ve gotten pretty rough. You’re finally starting to look like a knight.”

“And who do you think I learned from?”

Jared replied with a laugh. They had just eliminated another group of orc scouts.

“I think I’m getting used to fighting orcs.”

Thanks to Yuri’s incredible ability to locate them, Briol’s squad was constantly gaining combat experience.

“That necklace is a wonder.”

“I don’t know…”

Jared glanced at the jewel in Yuri’s hand.

“What exactly did that shaman say back then?”

“No idea.”

“It gave me a bad feeling, that’s why I remember it.”

When Yuri had been collecting orc ears on Ragnar’s orders, he encountered a group led by an orc shaman.

They tried to flee at the sight of the knights, but when Yuri activated the necklace, they went berserk and attacked. The shaman, however, was different. He withdrew and resisted the power of the necklace.

He had his eyes covered with a black cloth, yet still screamed in Yuri’s direction, as if he knew something about the gem.

Though Yuri couldn’t understand it.

“Why didn’t you ask Cory properly?”

“He said he didn’t know.”

“But he heard something like ‘akuaakua’ or whatever…”

“Ahem… I probably should’ve left him alive.”

“He was a shaman. Better to kill him.”

When the shaman attempted a spell, Yuri immediately sliced his neck.

“Should I learn orcish…?”

He recalled his conversation with Cory.

‘Akuaak? That means “black.” But just that isn’t enough.’

‘After “akuaak,” he said something else, but I can’t remember.’

‘Want me to come with you next time?’

‘No. Too dangerous.’

Cory was getting a bit too bold.

Yuri brushed those thoughts aside and turned.

“And speaking of that…”

One orc was still alive, trembling, then suddenly shouted at Yuri.

“Akuaakkai! Akuaakkai!”

“Akuaak?”

It sounded familiar.

“You… that…?”

The orc continued yelling at Yuri.

“Akuaakkai!”

“Right!”

Yuri ran over and kicked the orc in the chin. The orc stuck out his tongue and fainted.

“Hey, he’s gonna die. Make sure he doesn’t swallow his tongue.”

Jared cursed and shoved his hand into the orc’s mouth.

“And the Komododrakes?”

“Kill them.”

They had tried taming them, but they never obeyed humans. If released, they would just return to the orcs. So they were eliminated.

“I’ll take him. I was curious anyway.”

The orc was small enough to be mounted on a horse. Yuri brought him back to Briol’s camp during the march.

“Cory.”

“Yes!”

Cory appeared, riding his little pony.

“Want to interpret?”

“Of course. Leave it to me.”

Since he began learning magic with Hernand, Cory had become much more enthusiastic.

“First…”

Orcs always reacted the same upon seeing Cory — they went wild until they got beaten, then answered grudgingly.

“Ask him what akuaakkai means.”

“Akuaakkai? That’s…”

Cory tilted his head and asked the orc. The orc glared hatefully at Yuri and answered.

“Akuaakkai means ‘black dog’…”

“Black dog?”

“He’s talking about you, Prince. He’s calling you ‘black dog.’”

“Me?”

Yuri frowned.

“Why ‘black dog’?”

“Because of your dark hair and how you sniff out orcs like a bloodhound…”

The knights watching the interrogation burst out laughing.

“That bastard…”

Yuri glared at the orc. The creature shrank back in fear but added something else.

“He says that giving nicknames to enemies is an honor among orcs, so you should feel grateful.”

Jared nodded.

“That’s true, Your Highness. Count Sidor is called ‘the scarred wolf.’ He’s become a symbol of fear.”

“Then let them call me a wolf. Why a dog?”

“You can’t start at the top. Eventually, you’ll be a wolf, then a lion… and if it keeps going, even a black dragon.”

“Are you mocking me?”

“Not at all. Hahaha…”

Yuri approached the orc, who backed away even more. Clearly, he was terrified.

“Who gave me that nickname?”

“He doesn’t know. Just that the rumor is spreading among the orcs… They say the ‘Emperor’s black dog’ is coming for Okua.”

“The Emperor’s black dog?”

Yuri frowned.

The Prince of Briol, turned into the Emperor’s dog. It was a humiliating misunderstanding.

“If I keep hearing this, I’m going to kill him.”

“Please calm down.”

“Jared, handle this.”

“Understood.”

Jared took charge of the orc and, with Cory’s help, began interrogating him. They got a lot of useful information.

The orc tribe in the hills had long been under Okua’s control and was fully prepared to confront the allied army. It was essentially the front line of defense.

“Kurui, Okua’s subordinate and chief of the hill orcs, is a formidable warrior. The allied army won’t even reach Okua; they’ll be stopped by Kurui.”

Once the interrogation was over, Yuri brought the orc before Ragnar. Without hesitation, Ragnar split the orc’s head open. When he swung his sword, it sounded like thunder. He then handed the bloodied blade to his aide.

“You had an interpreter too? Briol sure has talent.”

“Thank you.”

“Kurui, huh…?”

Ragnar smirked slightly. He seemed eager for the war.

That confidence was reassuring, but in his past life, the allied army had failed. Yuri spoke up.

“It won’t be easy. We need to prepare.”

What Yuri regretted most was not having detailed information about the allied forces.

He knew they had been defeated but not the exact causes. So he could only warn them cautiously.

Ragnar looked at him and smiled.

“I thought you were reckless, but you’re surprisingly cautious.”

“It’s war.”

“You’re right, Yuri.”

Lately, Ragnar had been calling him by his name in a more familiar tone.

“It won’t be easy. Good work. Go rest.”

“Yes. With your permission.”

“Oh, wait.”

As Yuri turned to leave, Ragnar called out.

“Yuri.”

“Yes?”

“Do you have a girlfriend or fiancée?”

The sudden question made Yuri widen his eyes in surprise.

“What’s with that out of nowhere…?”

“Just answer.”

Even though it was a personal question, Ragnar asked it with the full authority of royalty. Faced with that solemn expression, Yuri could only answer honestly.

“I don’t.”

“Your age?”

“Eighteen.”

“Don’t tell me there’s something wrong with you. Doesn’t seem like it, considering how you fight. Well then, Yuri. As a man, I assume you like beautiful women?”

“What are you suggesting…?”

“I have a niece, you see…”

Ragnar trailed off.

“No, this isn’t something to discuss during a war.”

“Did you just…?”

“Forget it. You may go.”

But Yuri had heard enough. He’d mentioned a niece.

And there was only one niece Ragnar would consider a beauty.

He wanted to grab him by the shoulders and scream that he despised that woman.

“This is seriously bad.”

Returning to his squad, Yuri muttered.

“I’ve got to do something.”

If he didn’t take action, once the war was over, Ragnar might try to match him with her. That was the last thing he wanted.

But he couldn’t outright reject Ragnar’s favor either.

So there was only one option — find someone suitable to fake a relationship.

Yuri started thinking of a woman who could play that role.

“Ah, Yuri.”

Just then, he ran into Sybilla.

“I heard you fought orcs again today. Amazing. You didn’t get hurt anywhere…?”

Yuri stared at her, making her trail off mid-sentence.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“It’s nothing.”

Yuri shook his head.

Sybilla’s status was too high. But thinking about it, she was still a powerless princess, a puppet overshadowed by her brother, the future king.

Maybe she was actually perfect.

When Yuri looked at her again, Sybilla frowned.

“Why do you keep staring at me like that?”

“What a relief.”

“What is?”

“That you didn’t blush.”

He couldn’t afford real feelings to bloom. In that sense, Sybilla was ideal.

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

“Sybilla, you haven’t forgotten you owe me your life, have you?”

“Of course not…”

“Then that’s fine. Just remember — I trust you a lot.”

“What are you saying…?”

“Let’s keep helping each other, okay? Take care.”

Yuri gave her a firm pat on the shoulder and walked off. His steps were noticeably lighter.

“What the heck was that…?”

Sybilla shook her head as she watched him go. He was completely unpredictable. There was no way to know what he was thinking.

At that moment, someone approached her.

“Princess.”

“Fenek?”

Fenek, who led the Holy Kingdom’s knight squad alongside Sybilla, had been watching from afar.

He stared at her in silence, lost in thought. Sybilla’s face tensed.

“You too? Are you just going to stare?”

Finally, Fenek cleared his throat and spoke.

“You look good together.”

“What?”

“I’ll support you two for the sake of the Holy Kingdom. I mean it. If you need help, count on me anytime.”

His intentions were easy to see through. Fenek was loyal to Larsson, Sybilla’s brother.

If she married a prince from another kingdom, it would be like removing a thorn from his side.

“Then, if you’ll excuse me.”

Like Yuri, Fenek said what he wanted and walked away. Sybilla wanted to grab them both and scream, but she held back her anger because foreign troops were watching.

“I hate them both.”

***

When Yuri returned to his unit, he came across a curious scene.

“That’s how it happened.”

“I see.”

Graham and Cory were chatting while seated on a rock.

“Oh, Your Highness.”

Upon noticing Yuri’s presence, Graham gave a slight bow. It was neither overly formal nor rude.

Though he now served as a common soldier, his noble manners were unmistakable.

“Sir Graham. So, have you decided to accept my offer?”

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t use that title. I’m just a simple soldier now. And, with your permission, I only came to speak with Cory.”

“With Cory?”

Cory had his hood pulled over his head as usual. But it seemed Graham knew his identity.

“Have you met a half-orc before?”

“Yes. I also took part in the previous allied war.”

Yuri sat beside Cory.

The boy shrugged, caught between the two. Yuri placed a hand on his shoulder and gently patted his head over the hood.

“You’re studying magic, right?”

“I’m trying, but it’s hard… I’m sorry.”

“Yes, you should be sorry.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Not just your best. Do it right.”

Yuri glanced sideways at Graham.

“Sir Graham, what did you ask Cory?”

Graham was about to respond, but Cory spoke up first.

“M-Mr. Graham asked if I’d be able to kill orcs. Though he asked other things too…”

It wasn’t common for Cory to speak up unprompted.

“And I told him yes.”

His voice was firm. Yuri looked at him intently.

Although his appearance was monstrous like that of an orc, his heart was completely human.

“I lived in an orc colony until Count Sidor took me in. That’s not a reason not to kill them—on the contrary, it’s the very reason I can. Even if I have orc blood, that doesn’t change anything.”

Yuri could understand.

In his past life, he had been a mercenary, wandering through the most dangerous battlefields. He had seen everything.

And he never felt pity for orcs. Placing a hand on Cory’s shoulder, Yuri pretended to scold Graham.

“Why are you discouraging our Cory, huh?”

“Excuse me?”

“Sir Graham, I thought better of you. What a cruel question. Cory is a precious talent who will become a great mage.”

“Y-Your Highness…?”