Chapter 48: The Swordsman from the Distant Sea

A massacre erupted.

Yuri did not allow any of the orcs to die easily. He let the soldiers and knights tear them apart until their fury was sated.

If any orc tried to resist, Yuri himself cut its tendons and threw it to the ground.

Orcs’ reactions to death were no different than humans’.

“These creatures eat humans and use them as toys. They feel not one iota of compassion.”

With this, Yuri once again left a deep impression on the entire allied army.

When you’re an ally, you must be someone reliable. But when you’re the enemy, you must inspire terror.

Through the executions, Yuri showed that he shared his comrades’ sentiments, and at the same time, demonstrated his cruelty to instill fear.

“Go-great job…”

When Yuri returned, completely covered in blood, even Froin—the Brusen knight who had bonded with him—spoke to him in an uneasy voice.

Yuri smiled and tossed him his glove soaked in orc blood.

“Uwaah!”

“Come on, your clothes are already a mess.”

“You scared me, throwing that so suddenly!”

“A knight should at least pretend not to be startled.”

“Yes, sir…”

It wasn’t that Yuri hadn’t been surprised when Ragnar suddenly left the judgement of the orc prisoners to him.

But he was not an eighteen-year-old as he appeared—he was a veteran mercenary who had wandered the world’s depths after losing his nation.

He knew very well what to do in moments like this.

“A test, out of the blue…?”

Yuri thought of Ragnar.

When he brutally slaughtered the orcs, Ragnar’s face first looked shocked, but soon turned into a satisfied smile.

What might he expect from a prince of another country? Perhaps he’s thinking of recruiting him under his command?

“Good job.”

While lost in thought, Ragnar’s aide approached him.

“Your Highness sends this. It’s an excellent recovery potion.”

“Ah, thank you. Tell him I’m very grateful.”

“Yes. And also…”

“Hmm?”

“This is a personal request of mine…”

“A request?”

“Please, don’t overexert yourself and take care of your health. We have high expectations for you, Your Highness.”

“What!”

“Excuse me.”

As the aide walked away, Yuri felt something was off. Passing by, he overheard two knights chatting.

“They say the imperial princess is incredibly beautiful, right?”

“No kidding. Her skin’s like snow; her eyes sparkle like finely carved emeralds. Just seeing her from afar chilled me to the bone.”

“And her character?”

“They say she’s sweet, like an angel.”

“Wow…”

Yuri felt as if he’d been hit on the head. Instinctively, he turned to look at Ragnar—and their eyes met.

Ragnar returned his look with a satisfied smile and nodded. It wasn’t a look he gave to an acquaintance.

Yuri felt fear at Ragnar’s growing affection.

“It can’t be…”

***

Yuri returned to Briol’s camp.

“Where’s Moyongchang?”

“He’s eating.”

“At this hour? It’s not mealtime.”

“He said he was hungry.”

“Good move. Where is he?”

Yuri went straight to Moyongchang.

Seeing Yuri, still covered in blood, Moyongchang frowned and shoved his face deeper into his meal tray.

“You smell like orc. Get out of the kitchen. Shoo!”

“Well, that’s normal on the battlefield, don’t you think?”

Yuri sat next to him.

“Eat more. How long has it been since you had a bite?”

“Those damn orcs didn’t feed me properly.”

“You’ve been through a lot. Those orc bastards are scum.”

“Prince, the soup is too salty.”

“I’ll bring you a fresh one right now.”

The knights of Briol, watching the scene, felt a pang of betrayal.

Who would’ve thought that Yuri—who always did things his own way—knew how to treat people well? It’s not that he couldn’t—it’s just that he didn’t want to.

Jared in particular clenched his fist in fury, vowing one day he would get his revenge.

“When I become one of the Ten Greats, you’ll beg me too. Just wait and see…”

Once he was full, Moyongchang asked for a bath.

Yuri catered to all his requests—heated water, clean clothes, even a sword.

He intentionally gave him supplies from Briol’s army to reinforce the idea that he now belonged to their faction.

After Moyongchang washed and shaved his thick beard, he looked like a different person. His expression was sharper, but his features were pleasant.

“Now I feel alive.”

Yuri lit a campfire and sat opposite Moyongchang. It was time for a serious talk.

“Mr. Moyongchang, how did you end up a prisoner of the orcs?”

“First, I need you to answer something.”

Moyongchang narrowed his eyes and looked at Yuri sharply.

“How did you neutralize the orc shaman?”

“That was…”

Yuri replayed the situation in his mind. Nobody else clearly saw the orc shaman, but he did. Not only could he see him, he could harm him.

He had a theory.

The name of the mana technique it contained was “Soul-and-Heart Slash.”

Yuri spoke up.

“I think it’s thanks to the technique I learned.”

“An inner-heart technique, huh?”

“It’s not a common mana skill.”

“Hmmm…”

Moyongchang scanned him from head to toe, then stood up.

“Draw your sword.”

“Huh?”

“Show me that technique. I want to see it.”

His face was completely serious. Yuri nodded and stepped to one side of the fire.

Moyongchang examined him as if he could see into his body.

“I’ll go first.”

“Go ahead.”

The energy of Soul-and-Heart Slash sharpened toward Moyongchang.

Yuri stepped forward and thrust. Moyongchang blocked it. Yuri attacked again. The swords clashed.

It was a normal exchange of techniques. But suddenly, Yuri sensed a strange energy in Moyongchang.

Soul-and-Heart Slash reacted immediately. A loud cracking sound filled the air.

They both froze, blade against blade.

“You…”

Moyongchang widened his eyes.

“Where the hell did you learn that technique?”

Yuri was surprised too.

“Suddenly you’re speaking perfectly.”

“Are you talking trash?”

“I understand. I’ll tell you about my technique if you tell me something too.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Why you were held captive by the orcs?”

Moyongchang’s gaze turned deep. He watched Yuri in silence, then cracked a crooked smile.

“Alright. But you go first.”

“Now you’re dragging your words again… Don’t tell me you were faking not speaking the language…”

“Do you want me to kill you or what?”

“No, no, not at all.”

Yuri sat down again by the fire with him. They made sure they were alone to talk quietly.

Raymond wanted to leave guards nearby, but Yuri refused. If Moyongchang had killer intentions, guards wouldn’t make a difference.

Yuri tossed more wood on the fire and said:

“I learned the mana technique from an ancestor.”

“What?”

“I’m the third prince of Briol.”

Yuri briefly told him about the founder’s technique he discovered in a dungeon. Moyongchang showed interest in Erich, the founder of Briol.

“Erich of Briol, eh…”

Moyongchang closed his eyes.

“If we consider the era… it makes sense…”

“Do you think it’s fate that we met?”

“Huh?”

“I thought about killing you because you interrupted my plans… But…”

“Now you’re dragging it out again…”

“So what?”

Moyongchang stood up. The knights nearby tensed as they watched him.

But Moyongchang ignored them and stood before Yuri. The fire crackled, casting shadows across his face.

“Pay attention.”

“Yes.”

And then something unexpected happened. Moyongchan bowed his head to Yuri.

“As the last direct disciple, sect master, and protector of the Blue Star School, Moyongchan pays tribute to the descendant of an old benefactor. The Blue Star School has not forgotten its friendship with the Sky Swordsman.”

Then he performed a formal bow, with one hand wrapped over the other.

Yuri was stunned by the sudden gesture.

“Why are you doing this…? And why are you speaking so clearly now…?”

“That’s enough.”

“Right.”

“Anyway, everything’s ruined now.”

Suddenly, Moyongchan kicked Yuri in the rear.

“The Blue Star School has gone to hell!”

“And why are you taking it out on me…?”

“These days, no one fights against evil anymore… No shamans, nothing. Martial arts are rotten…”

Muttering to himself, he sat back down in front of the fire. This time, with a calmer expression.

“You have no idea what’s going on, do you?”

“That’s right.”

“I’ll explain it to you.”

Though his pronunciation was muddled, what Moyongchan explained was this: he came from the East.

He was a member of a sect called the Blue Star School.

In the past, there was a Western swordsman who fought against the strongest from the East in a battle that shook the world. They ended in a draw.

That Western swordsman was Erich Briol. The master of the Blue Star School was the strongest from the East.

They recognized each other’s skill and became friends.

Erich Briol stayed with the sect for a long time, and they shared their sword knowledge together.

One day, an evil group, likely demonic, started causing trouble.

Erich helped his friend defeat them. The glory they showed and their legendary friendship became a lasting legend in the East.

“That’s how it happened.”

Yuri was moved.

“What an incredible fate…”

Yuri firmly grasped both of Moyongchan’s hands.

“Then we weren’t strangers.”

He had formed a connection with one of the Ten Greats, the enigmatic foreigner. It was very welcome news.

Yuri shook his hands enthusiastically.

“I’ll call you senior—Senior Moyongchan!”

“What’s that senior’ thing…?”

As an extra note, the Blue Star School had fallen into ruin due to outdated management.

Moyongchan, its only survivor, kept the will of the lineage alive by hunting down evil entities in what could be called an exorcist crusade.

“An ominous star has appeared in the western sky. I’ve come here for the peace of the world…”

He had warned others, but the Eastern sects, drunk on power and prestige, ignored him.

“So you came alone? Gave up luxury and glory?”

“What luxury and glory? All the Blue Star School had left was pride…”

With his sect destroyed and only pride as his baggage, Moyongchan set out alone to the West.

Following the dark energy, he reached Okua, the leader of the orcs. Moyongchan believed the ominous star in the western sky was connected to Okua.

“My plan was to pose as a sacrifice and get close to him.”

“A sacrifice?”

What he said next was shocking.

To Yuri, it was hard to believe.

“Human sacrifice is proof that bastard is already completely corrupted by sorcery.”

Okua offered human lives as sacrifices for his magic. Moyongchan posed as one of them to get close and strike him down.

“Are you serious? You’re not just making this up?”

“You think I have that much free time, idiot?”

“There’s that pronunciation again…”

Yuri hadn’t expected that story at all. But it made sense.

In his past life, Moyongchan had repeatedly attacked Okua.

No one knew why. But if what he was saying was true, it explained his obsession and also how Okua had grown strong enough to kill him.

“But everything was ruined because of you all.”

“Ruined? There’s a proverb in the East, right? Turning disaster into blessing.”

“How do you know that?”

“It’s in books.”

During his time as a mercenary, he’d met a guy from the East. He wasn’t particularly strong, but he used some odd techniques.

That guy constantly quoted Eastern proverbs, and over time Yuri memorized a few.

“Briol and Blue Star must be brothers.”

“Out of nowhere?”

“If the founders were blood brothers, then we must walk together too.”

“Well… they weren’t exactly blood brothers…”

“Look.”

Yuri stood and spread his arms. Behind him, the alliance’s flags fluttered in the wind over the vast plain.

“We gathered this great army to eliminate Okua. Let’s finish him off together.”

“Hmmm…”

Moyongchan closed his eyes and fell silent. Yuri was determined to convince him.

In his past life, Moyongchan had acted alone and ended up sacrificed by Okua. He couldn’t allow someone like him to die in vain.

An exorcist crusade, he called it.

He said it like it was no big deal, but it was a remarkable act. A warrior as skilled as Moyongchan wandering the world, expecting no reward, solely for the world’s sake.

He was far more knightly than many who called themselves knights. A true knight from the East.

“I will grant you the title of honorary knight. Being recognized as a knight of Briol will open all the continent’s doors for you.”

“Hmmm…”

“I’ll give you a post in one of the trading companies I have shares in. If we defeat Okua, trade between East and West will resume, and you’ll gain wealth and prestige.”

“Ohh…”

“I’ll join the Blue Star School as an external disciple. Accepting someone of royal reputation… isn’t that a great honor? Your school’s name will shine again.”

“It’s not that big a deal.”

“There goes that pronunciation again…”

Finally, Moyongchan spoke.

“I only have one condition.”

“Tell me.”

His gaze turned serious.

“When we kill Okua, you and I will fight for real.”

“Huh? Me?”

“That’s right.”

Yuri’s face turned pale.

“But I don’t want to die…”

“Don’t be a coward.”

And with that, Moyongchan closed his mouth. After thinking long and hard, Yuri accepted the proposal.

‘He’s not really going to kill me, right…?’

“Then, is everything agreed?”

“Your terms and mine, all accepted. It was a good negotiation.”

“Excuse me?”

“You’re now my disciple.”

“What?”