Chapter 81: Comrade (2)

“Are they fighting again?”

“Yes.”

Yuri was walking through the palace with Ena. From a distance, the sound of clashing metal echoed.

“They’ve been at it since morning.”

Ever since the allied army had returned, the sound of swords clashing hadn’t stopped ringing through the palace.

It was all Bernard and Jose’s fault.

The two faced off daily, as if destined rivals since birth.

The outcome was always strangely balanced. They won and lost in turns, with neither gaining a real advantage.

Sometimes, Moyongchan would watch from afar, suddenly interrupt the duel, knock both of them down in one blow, and disappear.

Yuri smiled. Bringing them together had more effect than he expected.

“I’m not sure if it was a good idea or a mistake…”

“It was a good idea. They both look spirited.”

“You think that’s a good thing?”

“They’re smiling while they fight, aren’t they?”

“That’s what makes it even scarier.”

During their duels, Bernard and Jose would laugh with a crazed look, as if they were high. It was terrifying just to watch.

Ena asked:

“When are you leaving?”

“Today.”

“So soon?”

“This needs to be handled quickly. I feel like if I leave, the palace will fall into chaos, but there’s no choice.”

“Isn’t it the other way around? Since you returned, the palace has gotten weird.”

“That’s just your opinion.”

“I don’t think so…”

The night before, Yuri had met with Fiore and explained the embezzlement of the compensation funds.

Fiore’s eyebrows twitched.

Everyone usually forgot about his past due to his carefree attitude, but Fiore was a warlord feared on the battlefield. He deeply understood the value of respecting veterans.

Fiore gave Yuri full authority.

“Prince, I think our country was lucky to have a king who knows how to fight.”

“Why?”

“This way, we don’t have to worry about some rebellious noble starting a revolt.”

Yuri laughed at Ena’s comment.

“But there’s a side effect.”

“What is it?”

“Since there’s no sense of danger, no one cares when nobles act like fools.”

“Ah…”

This was a prime example. In other countries, kings made sure nobles didn’t gain too much power. But Fiore didn’t pay them any attention.

That’s why the nobles had grown needlessly powerful.

In the Empire, people like Genard would have been eliminated from the start.

“But instead, we have you, Prince.”

Yuri laughed and patted Ena’s head.

“But I’m younger than you…”

“Doesn’t seem like it.”

“Did you secretly get old?”

“Yes.”

“Huh?”

Yuri thought about his past life. It had been a mess.

If not for this second chance, he’d still be irresponsible. Ena wouldn’t respect him like she did now. He wanted to fix his mistakes.

“I need to take Jared with me.”

“Just you two?”

“That’s enough.”

“And Sir Hernando?”

“He’s busy lately. We’ll only be gone briefly. If we bring a mage, the trip will take longer.”

“Understood.”

Yuri had already instructed Asana to infiltrate Genard’s castle.

She would handle gathering the necessary evidence.

“Oh right, Prince.”

“Hmm?”

“Sir Laurent said he was coming today…”

“That guy?”

“Take him with you. Just the two of you isn’t enough.”

Yuri hesitated for a moment.

Laurent’s excessive devotion was a bit overwhelming.

“It’s just that he…”

“Are you really avoiding loyal Laurent?”

“He’s too loyal.”

“You should appreciate him while you have him. You won’t find another like him.”

“I know, but…”

Even so, Yuri felt pressured.

Once this issue was resolved, Laurent might find out Yuri was the founder of the Alliance Comrades Association. If that happened, his already excessive loyalty would go even further.

But Ena couldn’t understand how he felt.

“Take him with you, okay?”

“Fine.”

“Great. Good choice.”

“Hmm…”

Just then, Laurent appeared. He was wearing light training clothes, as if heading to the arena where Bernard and Jose were.

“Oh, Laurent. What a coincidence.”

“Prince, Lady Ena.”

Laurent bowed politely to both Yuri and Ena.

“Have you been well?”

“Not so well.”

“What do you mean? Is there something troubling you…?”

“Laurent, come with me.”

“Huh?”

“We’ve got work.”

“I was planning to watch Sir Bernard and Knight Jose’s duel today…”

“A comrade from the allied army is in danger. Are you going to ignore that?”

“What…?”

He placed a hand on his chest and bowed deeply to Yuri.

“I, Laurent Flandre, firstborn of Count Frances and knight of Briol, swear to devote all my strength to rescuing this comrade from the allied army.”

All Yuri had said was that a comrade was in danger, and Laurent was already making some kind of formal oath.

Yuri, uncomfortable, patted him on the shoulder.

“Yeah, sure…”

“I will stake the honor of House Flandre.”

“Don’t bet so much.”

Still, a prince and a noble heir made a good pair. It was the perfect image of royal and noble justice.

“Let’s go. Our top subordinate, Jared, is waiting.”

“Understood.”

Ena waved them off cheerfully.

“Take care.”

“Of course.”

Laurent bowed once more to Ena.

“Thank you for taking such good care of the prince. I wish you peace until we meet again.”

“Oh, goodness…”

Ena responded with a formal curtsy. Seeing that, Yuri crossed his arms.

“Now I’m the only rude one.”

“Because you are. Despite growing up in the palace, you ignore all formalities.”

“You talk like you know. Yeah, I grew up in the palace, but who really raised me was…”

Yuri recalled his mercenary days from his past life. He’d learned much more in that time than at the palace.

“Eighty percent is just wind.”

“Huh?”

“Just remember that.”

A strong gust suddenly blew. With his hair fluttering in the wind, Yuri kept walking.

Watching him leave, Laurent muttered:

“So dignified…”

“Huh?”

“Excuse me.”

Laurent hurried to catch up, and as Ena watched them walk away, she began to understand why Yuri felt so uncomfortable around him.

She just sighed.

“Normal people always end up becoming weird after meeting the prince…”

***

Yuri left the palace on horseback, accompanied by Laurent and Jared.

After departing the royal castle, they passed by cultivated fields until a dense forest appeared. Although there was a paved road, it was faster to cut through the forest.

“Should we rest a bit?”

Yuri stroked the mane of his horse. It was the same black steed that had accompanied him throughout the Allied Army campaign. It wasn’t particularly large, but it was smart enough to understand Yuri’s commands well.

“Will Sir Raymond be alright?”

“He’s someone you don’t need to worry about.”

“That’s true.”

While riding, Yuri had a strange feeling.

“We kind of look like the three musketeers…”

He, with black hair, black clothes, and a black horse. Laurent, with his brilliant blond hair, wore light clothing and rode a white horse. Jared, with his ordinary brown hair and simple clothes, rode a brown horse.

The color combination made it look intentional, which embarrassed him a little.

“Don’t overthink it. I doubt anyone sees it that way.”

“Hopefully.”

“Shall we take a break?”

“Sure.”

They stopped by a stream and let the horses drink.

During the Allied Army’s war, they had to march in long columns, but now they could move at their own pace. It was much more comfortable.

“Seems like the Allied Veterans’ Association has collected a fair amount of money. I also paid my dues, but for even nobles to covet that fund…”

“That just shows how many patriots there are in Briol.”

“Really?”

“The prince’s fame has spread across the continent. It naturally stirs pride. I’m embarrassed to say, but when I returned to my fief, everyone welcomed me with enthusiasm.”

“The people have united their will.”

“Briol’s future looks bright.”

Listening to Jared and Laurent’s conversation, Yuri cleared his throat. Although a significant amount had indeed been collected in dues and donations, it wasn’t that much.

The truth was, he was personally funding everything.

“And look at this. In other countries, bandits are everywhere, but Briol is clean.”

At Laurent’s comment, Yuri flinched.

That kind of remark always summoned bandits.

“Laurent.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t you hear something?”

“Hear what?”

“The typical sound that signals the arrival of trouble.”

“I… don’t quite get what you mean…”

Just then, the bushes ahead began to rustle. Yuri reached for the hilt of Guilty, the sword at his waist, and said,

“Don’t worry. Bandits that show up after a comment like that are usually weak.”

Laurent still looked puzzled. Jared had already drawn his sword and was staring forward.

Several burly men appeared, wearing clothes made of animal pelts.

There were more than ten.

Although Yuri and Jared were dressed plainly, Laurent’s refined appearance marked him clearly as a trained noble. That these bandits dared to show themselves meant they had some confidence.

One of them, a bearded man, approached with a mocking grin.

“Hey, pretty boy, out for a stroll?”

The others laughed. He seemed to be the leader. With his sword resting on his shoulder, he swaggered forward.

“Just two servants with you? Weren’t you worried about running into dangerous folks like us?”

Even though the situation could have been dangerous, Yuri and his group didn’t show a hint of tension.

Jared was an elite guard carefully chosen in Briol. Laurent was a knight who had won multiple fencing tournaments.

And Yuri was stronger than both of them.

“What did you just say?”

Laurent stepped forward. The bearded man scanned him up and down with a twisted grin.

“That you look like you’ve got money but only brought two servants. Am I wrong?”

“If you had treated me like a servant, I might’ve let it slide.”

“What are you talking about?”

“But now I can’t overlook this.”

Jared glanced at Yuri. Yuri shrugged.

“Let this be an example.”

“Yeah, well…”

At Laurent’s stern demeanor, the bearded man laughed.

“Looks like the young master took some fencing lessons, but aren’t you getting a little full of yourself?”

Yuri tilted his head. It was suspicious. For a simple bandit to use phrases like “full of yourself” implied some education.

Laurent responded by drawing his sword. The blade glowed white with intense pressure.

“Should I kill him or leave him alive?”

Laurent asked. Yuri replied,

“Leave him alive for now.”

The bearded man tilted his head.

“What? That guy’s the boss…?”

Before he could finish his sentence, Laurent’s sword struck at his leg. The bearded man barely blocked it.

Clang!

The metallic clang echoed loudly.

The man stepped back, eyes wide.

“What the hell…?”

Laurent was a bit surprised too. For a bandit, the man had good skill. Still, Laurent showed no emotion and methodically targeted his weak points.

The bearded man was forced to retreat repeatedly.

“Not bad.”

“Indeed.”

Seeing their leader being overwhelmed, the other bandits began to stir uneasily.

“W-what’s going on?”

Eventually, the bearded man was knocked down by a kick from Laurent. He didn’t pursue him and instead stepped back.

“Get up.”

Laurent waited for him to stand, like a proper knightly duel.

“Grrr…”

With a distorted face, the man raised his sword again.

“I underestimated you for being young, but… you’re good. Heh…”

He forced a grin.

“I didn’t want to kill you, but I have no choice.”

Energy surged from his sword. It was a sign that he had mastered the mana sword technique.

A bandit using sword energy wasn’t common. Yuri figured out his true identity.

“He must be a fallen knight.”

“A knight?”

“Yes.”

In his previous life, Yuri had also wandered the world as a mercenary. Many people had similar stories.

Meanwhile, the other bandits began creeping toward Yuri and Jared.

“I’ll handle them.”

Jared stood up.

But the bearded man shouted,

“Everyone, stop!”

It seemed he had realized that Yuri’s group wasn’t ordinary.

“I’ll handle this! I’ll take him down first…”

His eyes widened. Laurent’s sword also emitted sword energy.

“D-damn it…!”

The man stepped back.

“Run! Scatter…!”

But Laurent didn’t give him a chance. He struck his sword, breaking his stance, and then slashed vertically across his chest.

His clothes tore, and blood gushed. Laurent had controlled the depth of the cut, so it wasn’t fatal.

“Hmm…”

Yuri murmured. The torn clothes revealed a tattoo carved on the man’s chest.

Yuri recognized that mark.

“Laurent. Hold on a moment.”

“Yes.”

Yuri stepped forward.

All eyes, including the bearded man’s and the other bandits’, focused on him.

“Were you… part of the Allied Army?”