Chapter 49: Promise (1)

“You said you’d join the Blue Star School as an external disciple?”

“That was included too?”

“That’s right.”

“Well, that…”

Yuri protested.

“The truth is, I already have a master. A fearsome guy they call the Demonic Sword…”

“You’re an external disciple, so it’s fine. You can be his student and mine too.”

“But…”

“Normally, external disciples pay for lessons. Do you know how much my body is worth? You should consider yourself lucky.”

“Understood…”

In the end, Yuri became an external disciple of the Blue Star School and accepted Moyongchan as his second master.

The next day, Yuri brought Moyongchan to see Ragnar.

Ragnar looked him up and down. With his beard shaved and clean clothes, Moyongchan looked like a completely different person.

“He looks impeccable.”

“I took good care of him.”

“He’s wearing Briol’s clothes, so I assume you’ve reached an agreement.”

“Yes. He’ll be joining our forces.”

“Perfect.”

Ragnar nodded.

“You’ll be in charge of the foreigner.”

“Thank you for your trust.”

At that moment, his aide whispered something to Ragnar. But Yuri, with his sharp hearing, didn’t miss a single word.

“If we’re not careful, we might end up with two of the Ten Greats in Briol…”

The aide seemed worried about the possibility of Moyongchan fully joining Briol.

Ragnar patted him on the shoulder.

“The alliance is the priority. Or do you think you can handle the foreigner?”

“No, it’s not that, but…”

Fortunately, Ragnar was favorable. He had entrusted Yuri with many responsibilities. His role at the front was finally bearing fruit.

Of course, it also helped that the Empire’s strength was reassuring.

More than half of the Ten Greats were affiliated with or on good terms with the Empire.

Yuri shared with him what Moyongchan had told him. Upon hearing about the human sacrifices, Ragnar frowned.

“It’s disgusting, indescribably vile…”

The previous night, Hernando had also locked himself in his tent, visibly shaken by the information.

While muttering curses against the orcs, Ragnar looked up.

“The foreigner… are you sure about what you’re saying?”

Moyongchan nodded.

Though it might seem disrespectful, the Ten Greats weren’t bound by common etiquette. Yuri closely watched Ragnar’s reaction.

He didn’t seem simply outraged by the orcs’ atrocities. There was something more—an anxiety he couldn’t quite hide.

Could it be he knew something more about dark magic? Yuri held back and simply bowed his head.

“I’ll return to camp and await orders.”

“Do so.”

As he was leaving after saying his farewells, the aide stopped him.

“Prince. I have a request.”

“What is it?”

“Sir Graham wishes to see you…”

“Knight Graham?”

Though technically serving without title, Yuri always addressed him as “Sir.”

“Yes, that same Sir Graham.”

“I’ll go at once.”

“I’ll accompany you.”

Yuri sent Moyongchan to the Briol tent and followed the aide.

Graham was in charge of deciding the fate of the human and half-orc prisoners. As they passed by the line of imperial soldiers guarding the area, cries rang out.

Some of the prisoners were completely traumatized, unable to distinguish between humans and orcs, constantly trembling with fear.

Even with a priest beside them, their broken minds didn’t recover.

“Sir Graham.”

When Yuri greeted him, Graham bowed his head.

“I’m sorry to trouble you, your highness.”

“No problem. What’s going on?”

“I wanted to ask your opinion on what to do with the half-orcs.”

If they were orcs, the decision was clear—execution. If they were human, they could be released. But the half-orcs were a gray area.

“What would you do, your highness?”

“So that’s why you called me.”

Yuri recalled how he had once taken in Cory, a half-orc.

“Yes, I wondered what you might think…”

“Well…”

Graham was a knight with a strong sense of duty, but not a saint. If necessary, he wouldn’t hesitate to spill blood.

He wouldn’t rule out killing the half-orcs. Yuri looked over the survivors.

Not a single one looked well. He scanned their faces one by one.

Then he felt a gaze. It was a woman hunched on the ground.

When Yuri approached, her eyes lifted.

“Can you speak?”

“Yes.”

Though visibly emaciated, her eyes were alive. She seemed to retain some lucidity.

“I heard the conversation. It’s about the half-orcs, right?”

“Yes. Perhaps…”

“Kill them.”

Before Yuri could finish his sentence, she cut him off.

“Kill them all.”

Her voice was soft, but brimming with rage.

“I’m sure we all feel the same.”

“The half-orcs…?”

“They did it.”

The woman clenched her clothes tightly.

“They did the same as the orcs. No… they were even worse. We were the sole target of their rage.”

Yuri stayed silent. Then another woman spoke from the side.

“They killed my sister. For fun.”

Her face was buried in her knees. She spoke without lifting her head. After that, she said nothing more.

No one said anything, but Yuri could feel the hatred in the air. The first woman spoke again.

“You’re the prince of Briol, right?”

“Yes.”

“Avenge us.”

Her voice cracked for a moment, but hardened again as she continued. Her fierce eyes locked onto Yuri’s.

“Avenge us. Stop chatting with the imperials like nothing’s happened, and if you have any conscience, kill all those orcs and half-orcs, you bastard. If you have a conscience…”

A soldier tried to approach the woman, but Yuri stopped him.

“Where are you from?”

“Rhein.”

Yuri closed his eyes. It was a small fief near Saidor.

Come to think of it, it made sense. The survivors here were citizens from countries bordering the plains. Many must have been from Briol.

“What’s your name?”

“Jane.”

“Were there many from Briol here?”

“Yes, but most of them died. Some took their own lives. We had to bury them day after day. And every time, gathering their shattered bodies…”

Her ears were ringing.

She had a duty. And she had sworn to fulfill it. Yuri dropped to one knee and lowered his body to be at eye level with Jane, who was still sitting.

He placed Guilty upright on the ground.

At Jane’s bewildered gaze, Yuri bowed his head.

“In the name of Briol, I apologize to you.”

It wasn’t just because he wanted to fix the mistakes of his past life. There were also things he had to do—but didn’t.

Forgotten responsibilities, ignored by everyone, had been left abandoned in the desolate prairie.

“And I promise you…”

She likely wouldn’t live much longer. Her body was too damaged to recover.

She might even die on the way back home. So he could give her only one thing.

“I’ll make them pay in kind.”

A fair punishment.

Revenge.

To let her feel his resolve, Yuri met her eyes without looking away.

“I, Yuri Briol, swear it upon all the honor I possess.”

Jane’s eyes trembled.

Finally, she nodded faintly.

“Keep your promise.”

And she lowered her head. She said nothing more.

It was as if all her life energy had been spent. Her breathing, which still had some strength just moments ago, became barely perceptible, as if that final effort had been her farewell.

And not just for herself.

Yuri stood up.

Graham and the aide, who had watched the scene, gave him a silent sign of respect.

“Sir Graham.”

“Yes.”

“As a member of the allied army, as a prince of Briol and commander, and as a representative of the Briol citizens unjustly sacrificed, I firmly demand the execution of those creatures.”

“Understood.”

Graham nodded.

“Your Highness, I have another request. Could you send me Cory?”

Graham seemed to want to make one final assessment regarding the half-orcs.

“Yes.”

“Thank you. And I will seriously consider your wishes.”

“Thank you.”

Yuri nodded and turned around. He returned to Briol’s camp and entrusted the matter to Raymond.

“Send messengers to all the countries that share a border with the plains.”

“Understood.”

Yuri had decided to inform everyone about the survivors. Whether to help them or use them as proof of the orc’s cruelty, each nation would choose its path. And all of it would increase the pressure on Graham.

Raymond furrowed his brow upon hearing the explanation.

“I see… I’ll send a message to His Majesty.”

“Don’t forget to tell Cedric too.”

“I will.”

If it was Cedric, he’d know how to wisely support the survivors when they returned.

Yuri thought of his respected older brother and tried to calm his mind.

“I hope he’s alright.”

Now, the allied army was marching toward the heart of the prairie, where Okua awaited them. A large-scale battle was approaching.

Just imagining it made Yuri feel overwhelmed. The plain would be filled with brutal hand-to-hand combat, and the corpses would pile up like mountains. There was no option for retreat.

“Haa…”

Yuri let out a long sigh and averted his gaze. In the distance, the faint sounds of clashing weapons could be heard.

“What’s going on?”

As he approached, he saw a long line of knights. Beyond them, Moyongchan was dueling.

‘Nice…’

The knights were taking turns facing Moyongchan one by one.

After exchanging a few blows, they each fell without exception, and he switched opponents without showing a hint of fatigue.

“It’s an honor to cross swords with one of the Ten Greats!”

“Alright.”

“Thank you very much!”

They celebrated their wounds like badges of honor. Not only knights from Briol but from other countries had gathered in a long, endless line.

“You.”

“Yes?”

“Step out of the line.”

“Why…?”

“I don’t accept the wounded.”

“Argh…”

Jose, who had been saved by Moyongchan, was in line with bandages and a sling on his shoulder but was forced out.

Yuri approached him.

“Sir Jose.”

“Oh, Your Highness.”

Jose looked happy to see him.

“Is your shoulder alright?”

“Of course. And you, Your Highness?”

“As you can see. I’m in one piece.”

“That makes me happy.”

Jose touched his shoulder. Kurui’s axe had struck directly on his right shoulder blade. Even though he had used a mana blade to defend himself, it would take time to fight properly again.

“Ah, by the way, Sir Hernando came to see me.”

“Really?”

“He’s very skilled.”

Yuri had thought he was still holed up in his tent, but it seemed he had come out to heal Jose.

“A bit more rest and I’ll be able to fight again.”

“You’re going to fight?”

“Of course!”

“Hmm…”

Although he thought Jose needed rest, he couldn’t deny that a knight like him was a valuable asset on the front lines. Out of habit, Yuri went to pat his shoulder, but remembering his injury, he patted his back instead.

“Be careful.”

“Thank you for your concern.”

“And Jonathan?”

“The captain’s still in his tent. He’s been staring at the map all day.”

“Is that so? I should go see him.”

While they were talking, Froin of Brusen stepped in front of Moyongchan.

He shouted boldly.

“I’ll show the guest from the East how fierce the waves of Brusen are!”

“Waves?”

“There’s a sea at the westernmost edge. I sharpened my sword there among the waves.”

Suddenly, he was speaking very formally.

“Why’s he talking like that?”

“He’s one of those who gets theatrical when there’s a crowd.”

He seemed to be trying to show off in front of the gathered knights from various countries.

“The sea, huh…”

But Moyongchan reacted. He closed his eyes, thoughtful.

“The sea…”

“There’s sea in the East too?”

“Of course.”

“That makes me happy.”

“I like the sea as well.”

Moyongchan raised his sword.

“In the southern sea, at night… an immortal pearl…”

“Ohh…”

Froin, excited, talked about his sea while Moyongchan spoke of his. Then, they assumed battle positions. But Froin didn’t last long.

After two exchanges, he lost his balance, dropped his sword, and fell on his butt.

It was as if he’d suffered a concussion.

“Argh, the waves of Brusen have been defeated…!”

“Your sword style isn’t sea. It’s just a stream.”

“W-what…!”

“But…”

Moyongchan approached and looked down at him.

“Even a stream can become a sea someday.”

And he turned away.

Froin, visibly moved, trembled a bit, then bowed his head and silently withdrew.

Jose commented,

“He’s fleeing from shame.”

“I see.”

Another knight stepped up. Watching the next duel, Yuri muttered,

“Thank goodness…”

The fact that Moyongchan was training the knights was like a private lesson. It showed he intended to fight alongside the allied army against Okua.

But suddenly, Moyongchan stopped.

“……”

His gaze was fixed on something. His expression hardened. Yuri thought he was looking at him, but noticing his eyes moving, he turned to see.

“What kind of event is this?”

It was Hernando.

The one who had been locked up in his tent was now approaching calmly.

“That’s the outsider?”

“Yes.”

“And why is he staring at me like that…?”

Hernando hid behind Yuri and peeked out cautiously.

“He’s staring at me, right?”

Moyongchan didn’t avert his gaze. Hernando avoided his eyes several times before giving a sheepish smile.

“How embarrassing…”

Moyongchan spoke.

“My name is Moyongchan. May I know your honorable name, warrior?”