Chapter 5: The Ancestor’s Legacy (1)

“A dungeon?”

“Yes.”

“What are you talking about…?”

Yuri recalled events from his previous life.

The empire that had destroyed Briol had discovered a dungeon in Sword Mountain. Rumor had it that it contained a legacy left behind by Briol’s founder.

However, no further details were known.

“You’ll see it with your own eyes.”

When Yuri began walking forward, Jared and Hernand followed him.

“Be careful, Your Highness. There are bound to be monsters.”

“That’s why I brought you two. Protect me well.”

“Understood.”

Hernand kept asking questions.

“And how did you know there was a dungeon?”

Yuri made up a quick excuse.

“There was a hidden book in the palace library. It said the founder left behind a legacy.”

“You? In the library?”

“So what?”

“It’s just that I’ve never seen you with a book in hand.”

“You think princes don’t study?”

“I mean, you only pretend to read during lessons. Then you just toss the books aside.”

“Shut up.”

“The teacher told me.”

They climbed Sword Mountain, cutting through underbrush.

There were many steep sections that required climbing, and the sharp leaves cut their skin.

“Watch out for the leaves. Don’t hurt yourselves.”

At Yuri’s warning, Jared and Hernand exchanged glances.

It was odd for a thirteen-year-old to be worried about them, but even more surprising was the fact that this kid was the third prince—famous for being a troublemaker.

“Sir Jared.”

“Yes.”

“Did His Highness eat something strange lately?”

“Seems like it.”

“Both of you, shut up.”

“Well, at least his personality hasn’t changed.”

“Monster.”

They both went silent at once.

“It’s true. That one over there…”

Rustling noises came from the bushes.

Yuri murmured, “A direwolf.”

A common monster. Larger and fiercer than a normal wolf, with fur so thick it was hard to hurt with weapons.

“They always travel in packs. No idea how many there are. That one looks like the alpha.”

Thanks to his experience as a mercenary, Yuri knew a lot about direwolves. He knew more about monsters than the other two.

“You really know your monsters.”

“Obviously.”

“But you shouldn’t have had the chance to see them.”

“They’re in books. You should read more, Hernand.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“I memorized everything.”

“As expected of His Highness.”

Yuri looked up toward the mountain peak.

“Still a long way to go.”

It hadn’t looked that tall from below, but the rugged terrain and harsh environment drained their energy quickly.

“I don’t think they’ve spotted us yet. Let’s move fast.”

Yuri and Jared moved silently, but Hernand was careless.

He stepped on a dry branch.

The pack of direwolves ahead snapped their heads toward him in unison.

Yuri and Jared also turned to look.

Hernand scratched his neck awkwardly.

“Hehe… sorry.”

Jared cursed.

“Damn it…”

“Sir Jared, don’t get so angry.”

“I don’t even know how I ended up in this…”

He sighed as he drew his sword.

“I must’ve lost my mind. If something goes wrong, they’ll kick me out of the guard…”

Yuri corrected him:

“Kicked out? I’m the prince. You think they’ll just let you go? You’ll go straight to prison.”

“Damn it, damn it…”

“Scared of direwolves?”

“Not scared. I’m worried about Your Highness.”

“I’m fine, so relax.”

“Quiet. Sir Hernand, protect him, please.”

While Jared grew more serious, Yuri and Hernand remained carefree.

“Jared’s so tense.”

“If he messes up, he could lose his head. I mean literally, not just his job. This isn’t a minor accident.”

“I’m calm. I’m the prince.”

“And I’m fine too. His Majesty likes me.”

“So Jared’s the only one in trouble.”

“What can a mere soldier do?”

Jared shouted.

“Shut up! You’re distracting me!”

The direwolves attacked.

Jared’s sword unleashed a burst of energy, cutting down several of them.

Some fell bleeding, while the rest circled them, growling.

“He fights well. As expected of the royal guard. Briol’s guard is strong.”

“Not strong enough.”

That famous royal guard had been annihilated by the imperial army.

Still not enough.

“Shooting for the stars, huh?”

“We never know what the future holds. Always be prepared.”

“Very true.”

Yuri placed a hand on Hernand’s shoulder.

“Hernand.”

“Yes.”

“My father holds you in high regard.”

“And what’s that got to do with anything?”

“Don’t forget your loyalty.”

“Well…”

“I trust you too.”

“Such sudden praise…”

Truthfully, Yuri had only been able to climb Sword Mountain safely because of him.

Hernand was a combat mage so powerful that King Fiore kept him close at all times.

Few knew his true strength, but Yuri had witnessed it in his past life.

“So protect me, Hernand.”

“Leave it to me.”

“Perfect.”

“By the way, Sir Jared is very skilled with a sword.”

“He’ll be great one day.”

“With Jared and me at your side, Your Highness must feel safe.”

“Like having the Azure Dragon on your left and the White Tiger on your right.”

“You’re making me blush, Your Highness.”

Jared groaned.

“Damn it…”

To him, this all felt like a cruel joke: a troublesome prince and a gambling mage who didn’t grasp the seriousness of the situation.

But in truth, it was the opposite.

Yuri was guiding and shaping someone who knew nothing.

Yuri shouted:

“Jared! Haven’t you finished them yet?”

“Silence!”

The direwolf alpha howled, and more appeared.

Jared was soon overwhelmed.

While retreating, he warned:

“Your Highness, this is getting dangerous! Get off the mountain! I’ll follow later!”

Yuri looked at Hernand.

“Shall we lend a hand?”

“I think so.”

“Good. Go ahead, Hernand.”

“Understood.”

A halo of light appeared in his hand.

“Your Highness, how do you like your steak?”

“Well done.”

“Must have strong teeth.”

From the halo burst flames. It was Fireball, an old spell with powerful destructive force, despite its simple appearance.

“Sir Jared, I’ll assist you!”

Several fireballs rained down on the direwolf pack.

Some were instantly charred, and the air filled with the smell of burning flesh.

Even Jared looked surprised.

“Whew, that was tiring.”

Hernand patted his back.

Though he still had energy, he didn’t waste magic unnecessarily.

“That’s as far as I go. The rest is yours, Sir Jared.”

He winked at Yuri as he spoke.

He had clearly understood that Yuri wanted to make Jared sweat.

Definitely a sharp guy. He should be kept close.

That’s what Yuri thought. Cedric was the one who should inherit Briol’s throne—he had the virtues of a wise king.

But in the face of an imperial invasion, prestige alone wasn’t enough. Only military might could stop war.

“Everyone has a role to play.”

Yuri murmured as he watched Jared fight the direwolves.

He had returned to the past with a mission.

And if someone had to get blood on their hands, it would be him.

“That’s absolutely right.”

Hernand nodded with enthusiasm.

“Sir Jared’s perfect for the physical tasks. I, meanwhile, handle the brains and dignity.”

“Just handle the brains.”

“And the dignity?”

“That’s mine.”

After exterminating the direwolf pack and fending off a few other monsters, Yuri’s group reached the summit.

“What’s supposed to be here?”

From the top of Sword Mountain, the royal palace’s spires pierced the sky, and the vast capital stretched out below.

It was the perfect place to behold Briol’s prosperity.

But Jared didn’t seem impressed.

“There’s nothing here…”

He complained as he slashed through the sharp leaves with his sword.

Instead of replying, Yuri sat on the ground to inspect something.

“We just have to find it.”

The empire had dug up the mountain carelessly in search of the dungeon. Later, after analyzing its structure, it was discovered that the entrance was at the summit.

He had heard this from a bard in a tavern, so it wasn’t exactly a reliable source, but it was at least a lead.

“Aha.”

Yuri found something.

It looked like a small stone, but it was actually the pommel of a hilt.

“This is it.”

Yuri started digging with his hands. So hurried was he that he soon injured himself and started bleeding.

Jared and Hernand grew alarmed and tried to stop him.

“Your Highness, wait a moment!”

“I have to unearth it!”

“You’ll hurt your hands!”

“Wounds on the hands are a badge of honor for a swordsman.”

“But you’re not a swordsman—you’re a prince!”

“Then you two do it.”

“Sir Jared, you heard him, right?”

“And you, Sir Hernand?”

“A wound on the hand is a disgrace for a mage.”

“That’s absurd.”

In the middle of the argument, Yuri resumed digging, and the other two eventually joined in.

Soon after, the hilt was fully unearthed.

Despite having been buried for so long, it gleamed in the sunlight.

“It’s a fine sword.”

Jared recognized it instantly.

“Something like this being buried is not normal.”

Yuri grinned widely.

“If the founder of Briol left anything behind, what could be more fitting than a sword?”

He grasped the hilt.

“Mmh…”

A shiver ran through his body, drawing a breath of awe from him.

Jared and Hernand looked at him.

“What’s wrong?”

“Kill me.”

“What?”

“It’s too good.”

There was no better way to describe it.

In his previous life, Yuri had wielded countless swords. Some fit him well, others didn’t, and there were weapons he could only use by forcing himself.

But he had never felt one that fit so perfectly in his hand.

Judging by its size, it was made for an adult. And yet, it fit perfectly in a child’s grip.

He applied pressure.

The ground cracked, and the buried guard became exposed.

It lacked flashy decorations, but its material and craftsmanship were impeccable.

“No effort required.”

It came out naturally, as if it had been waiting to be drawn.

The blade, now half-exposed, shone brilliantly.

“Even after being buried, it doesn’t have a single scratch. Not even rust…”

Jared couldn’t help but marvel.

It looked as if it had just come out of the forge.

Clang.

The sword rang out with a clear tone as it fully passed into Yuri’s hands. It had weight, but it was manageable.

Yuri swung it a few times.

“It’s a good sword.”

He felt it immediately.

Then he noticed an inscription engraved on the blade:

「Guilty」

The word meant “guilty.”

“……”

It felt like a warning directed at him.

Why would it bear such a word?

Many thoughts crossed his mind, but for now, he simply sheathed the sword.

“So, where’s the founder’s tomb? Is that sword part of the legacy?”

“Well…”

Just as Yuri was about to answer, something happened.

“Huh…?”

The ground began to tremble. The three of them looked at each other. The whole of Sword Mountain was shaking.

Yuri smiled.

“Guess we’re about to find out.”

As soon as he said that, the ground opened beneath their feet.

And the three of them fell into the void together.

***

Yuri opened his eyes.

It seemed he had lost consciousness for a moment.

He felt something soft beneath him, and as he rolled over, he saw that Jared had caught him.

Apparently, he had used mana to shield both their bodies just before the impact.

“Impressive.”

Yuri patted Jared’s chest and sat up.

“Ow, ow…”

Hernand got up, groaning as he rubbed his back. Despite his complaints, he didn’t have a scratch on him.

“You look perfectly fine.”

“No, I’m in agony.”

“You ignored the prince’s safety just to protect yourself?”

“The situation was urgent, haha…”

“One protected me, the other protected himself, huh…?”

“That’s not it, it’s just—Your Highness! Look!”

Suddenly, Hernand shouted. Yuri shook his head.

“If you’re trying to distract me, it won’t work.”

“No, look, look!”

“What is it?”

“A ghost!”

“What?”

“A ghost!”

Yuri turned around.

“……!”

Just as he said—it was true.