Chapter 87: Backlight (2)

“Asana…?”

Yuri opened his eyes wide.

When he opened the door to the inn room, he found Asana collapsed, exhausted.

“Are you alright?”

Blood was coming from several parts of her body. Upon closer inspection, the wounds didn’t seem deep.

Yuri sighed in relief, and Asana gave a faint smile.

“I’m just exhausted.”

“And those wounds?”

“Well…”

Asana explained what had happened in Genard’s room.

“I only managed to bring a few documents.”

“You did well. Good job.”

She pulled some papers from the black bag slung over her shoulder. The content detailed Genard’s acts of corruption.

“That bastard’s stolen from every sector imaginable.”

To Yuri, Genard wasn’t the real problem. The most pressing matter was finding out who was on the other side of the magic sphere—and what that strange black energy that had pursued Asana really was.

Yuri wiped the blood from her leg with a handkerchief.

“Rest here.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I paid for everything. Eat as much as you want and use all the hot water you need.”

“Thank you.”

“You’ve done a lot. I’ll give you a bonus. Enjoy it with your sisters when you return.”

“Yes.”

Asana smiled faintly.

Yuri stroked her cheek, picked up the documents, and left the inn. Before closing the door, he glanced back at her. She had already fallen asleep.

“You should’ve bathed first…”

Saying something that sounded like a paternal reproach, Yuri closed the door.

He went down to the first floor, gave the innkeeper a brief explanation about his new companion, and then stepped outside.

Laurent and Jared were waiting for him.

“Is everything okay?”

Laurent grew alarmed at the sight of blood on Yuri’s hand.

“Yes. My informant overexerted herself and got hurt.”

“Is she out of danger?”

“Of course. She’s way better than us at this sort of thing.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

They’d heard several times about Yuri’s mysterious informant, so they were always impressed by her abilities.

“We’ve gathered a lot of data. The matter with the Allied Veterans’ Association will be resolved.”

“Yes.”

“What a relief.”

What had begun as an issue related to the association turned out to be connected to something much larger.

But at least the immediate problem seemed resolved. Asana had provided plenty of cards to play.

Yuri rode straight to Genard’s castle. The guards were already waiting. They passed through the ornate entrance and climbed the spiral staircase. A glittering chandelier welcomed them at the top.

Genard, dressed in elegant clothes, was already waiting.

There were dishes laid out on the table, prepared exactly for the number of people present.

“I didn’t bring Ace.”

Yuri smiled mischievously.

“I doubt he’s someone you’d want to share a table with, right?”

Despite the comment, Genard didn’t react. His face looked exhausted. It seemed like he just wanted to get this over with.

Genard gestured to Yuri.

“Please sit.”

Yuri sat at the head of the table. To his left, Genard took a seat. To the right, Laurent and Jared.

Soon, the dishes began arriving.

Appetizers came one after another, all delicious. It was easy to understand how Genard had gained so much weight.

“The chef is excellent.”

“Yes. Quite expensive, too.”

“Where is he from?”

Yuri had no intention of dragging out the conversation. He just wanted to get straight to the point.

“Did you bring him from the Empire?”

“Eh?”

Genard flinched at the sudden question.

“Oh, never mind.”

“Why are you talking about the Empire…?”

“You seem fond of it, Genard.”

“Me?”

“Don’t you?”

“I’m a duke of Briol. Of course I love Briol.”

“Who said otherwise? I like the Empire too. They make good stuff. Got something to hide?”

“It’s not that…”

“Even this tableware is from the Empire.”

Yuri smiled.

“Got any secret ties with them?”

By now, Genard had also realized where the conversation was heading, and his expression grew tense.

“Well…”

Yuri hinted that the sphere’s destruction had been his doing. He was inviting him to speak plainly.

“Leave the Association alone. Don’t do anything stupid. If you do that, I won’t interfere further.”

“Understood.”

“Now, tell me about the Empire.”

Genard glanced at Laurent and Jared. He didn’t seem to want to speak in front of them. But Yuri gave him no choice.

“Just say it.”

“Your Highness…”

Genard closed his eyes and reopened them.

“I’ve dealt with some officials from the Empire, but I have no deeper ties.”

He smiled calmly.

“As a duke of Briol, I regret having engaged with them.”

“Genard.”

Yuri pulled out the documents. All of them were proof that could ruin him.

“Be honest. If you are, I’ll destroy these.”

Genard’s eyes trembled. If this got out, Fiore would personally lock him up in a dungeon.

But he shut his eyes tightly and said:

“That’s all there is.”

“So I send them?”

“If I must pay for my sins, I’ll accept it. That’s all I can say.”

“Are you afraid of the Empire?”

“I have nothing more to add.”

Yuri kept pressing, but Genard didn’t budge. He kept repeating the same thing. Yuri realized his resolve was stronger than expected.

“Really?”

When he looked at him, Genard trembled slightly. Then lowered his head and began to eat.

That he could eat in such a situation spoke volumes about his appetite. Yuri stopped pressuring him and began to eat as well. As usual, Laurent and Jared remained silent.

“It’s delicious.”

Yuri called the servant.

“Tell the chef it was a magnificent meal.”

“Yes, sir. He’ll be very pleased.”

“The noble of Yuzes has good taste, huh?”

After wiping his mouth with the napkin, Yuri looked at Genard again.

“Well, Genard.”

“Yes.”

“Thanks for the meal.”

“It was an honor.”

“You won’t get many more like this. Enjoy it.”

Genard didn’t reply. His face showed confusion. Finally, he spoke.

“Yes.”

If Yuri sent those documents to the palace, Genard would be arrested immediately. Fiore might even come personally to imprison him.

But Genard nodded as if he had no other choice.

“Do it.”

“Wow…”

Yuri murmured, impressed. Not by his bravery, but by the look on his face.

It was as if he were saying:

‘You know what I did, and I know you know. But if I speak of who’s behind this, worse problems will arise. So please understand my need to feign ignorance.’

Yuri nodded and patted his shoulder, as if consoling him.

“Eat what’s left.”

“Yes.”

Genard raised his hand and asked for more food. For a noble to continue eating after a member of royalty had finished was disrespectful, but he seemed determined to ignore etiquette and enjoy what would be his last meal in freedom.

Yuri said,

“You won’t eat like this for a while.”

“Sniff…”

“I’m going to the Empire, you know?”

“Eh…?”

Genard lifted his head, food still in his mouth. He looked terrible. Yuri turned his eyes away from his face and continued.

“That means I won’t be sharing these glorious banquets with you anymore.”

“So that means…”

“You’ll have to enjoy these delicious dishes all by yourself. How envious, Genard.”

His eyes widened. Yuri smirked mischievously and stood up.

“I’ll be watching you. Don’t do anything stupid. Stay put. Understood?”

Genard stood up abruptly.

“Yes.”

“Finish what you were eating.”

“Yes.”

Yuri left the castle with Laurent and Jared. Genard accompanied them to the door. Yuri stopped him.

“Go back inside.”

“Your Highness…”

“You’re not full yet, right? Go on.”

When he kept hesitating, Yuri gave him a pat on the stomach. Genard bowed and returned.

Once outside the castle, Laurent asked,

“Why did you let him go?”

“Genard is already in our hands. There’s no need to take him out.”

Jared added.

“Besides, isn’t this better? If the mastermind doesn’t get punished, his accomplice might start doubting him.”

“It’s also useful if they contact each other again. That gives us another chance to catch the one behind it all.”

“Still, I don’t like it.”

Laurent glanced back.

“A noble that corrupt should be punished.”

“I’d like to do that too, but it’s not so simple. Who would govern Yuzes then?”

“Eh…”

“One day we’ll have to bring down Genard, but now isn’t the right time.”

At that moment, with the uncertainty about what might happen in the Empire, Yuri didn’t want to plunge Briol into chaos.

For now, it was better for Genard to stay in his position. He was corrupt, yes, but not incompetent.

Proof of that was how well Yuzes functioned. As they stepped into the street, the whole city was brimming with energy.

Perhaps because of the trial held that very afternoon, the citizens recognized Yuri and bowed their heads as he passed.

“And besides…”

Yuri smiled faintly.

“Genard seemed firm for a moment, but after I backed off, he looked euphoric again. When someone thinks they’ve gained something and then lose it, the fear intensifies.”

“So you plan to let him relax only to pressure him later?”

“It’s more effective than attacking him right away.”

Yuri thought about the mysterious figure using Genard.

For Genard to react like that, it couldn’t be an ordinary enemy. Even now, it was possible that person was watching them from somewhere.

Yuri glanced around for no apparent reason and said,

“Well, our work here is done. Let’s leave the rest to those staying behind and think about our next destination—the Empire.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Understood.”

***

Yuri left the matter of the Allied Veterans’ Association in Raymond’s hands. The other former members of the allied army decided to join the association while continuing their usual occupations.

Shortly before leaving Yuzes, a group of rough-looking men approached them.

At first, Yuri didn’t recognize them.

“Eh?”

But their gazes looked familiar.

“Beard?”

They were the bandits he had met in the forest before arriving in Yuzes, former members of the allied army. They had shaved and wore ordinary clothes, looking like simple citizens.

“My name is Romer.”

Unlike his previous rude demeanor, he now acted like a well-mannered knight and handed something to Yuri.

It was a résumé. Upon reviewing it, Yuri saw that it was quite detailed. Even the most trivial things filled several pages.

“And why did you leave out the part where you became a bandit?”

“Eh…”

Romer bowed his head to Yuri.

“I’ve heard everything that happened in Yuzes. I apologize for my mistakes. I didn’t think someone like you existed, Your Highness.”

“And what kind of person am I?”

“A true member of royalty, one who scolds a duke for the sake of his comrades.”

“That’s true. That’s who I am.”

Yuri looked back. Raymond, who was in charge of the Allied Veterans’ Association, tilted his head curiously.

Yuri handed him the résumé.

“Raymond.”

“Yes, sir.”

“This is an applicant who wants to join the association. Work with him.”

“Now that I see him, he looks familiar.”

“Eh?”

Of course, Raymond had also been part of the former allied army. He approached Romer and they stopped in front of each other. Both pointed at one another.

“Long time no see, Raymond.”

“No way, is that you…?”

“That’s right. I’ve ended up like this, but I’m Romer.”

Suddenly, they hugged.

“What’s going on here?”

“Maybe they saved each other’s lives at some point?”

“Human connections are unpredictable.”

As he watched the two laugh together, Yuri looked up. On the railing of the rooftop across from them, a large bird was perched. It was unusually big, but the sun shone so brightly that the backlight made it hard to see clearly.

The bird took off into the sky.

Even after it had flown far away and disappeared, Yuri couldn’t identify what species it was.

But under the sunlight, its silhouette in the air was simply beautiful.