Chapter 95: Once Again (2)

Yuri headed to the outskirts of the Imperial City with Laurent and Jared.

A tall mansion, made of dark gray stone, rose imposingly. At first glance, it looked like a fortress built on the border. The surrounding garden, though lined with ornamental trees seemingly planted out of formality, was not well maintained.

When Yuri appeared, a knight at the entrance greeted him.

“The prince is expecting you.”

Ragnar had invited him after hearing about Briol’s arrival. He wanted to see Yuri before the reception organized by the emperor.

“You may carry your weapons if you wish.”

“Thank you.”

It was a gesture of trust toward Yuri. The group passed through the main gate without needing to disarm.

Along the path leading to the mansion, the garden grew in a lush, wild fashion. The knight explained.

“The prince doesn’t like trimming. Says it’s artificial.”

Ragnar’s garden gave off a neglected impression, but upon closer inspection, it was clear that its layout had been meticulously planned.

In a way, it was a design that suited the mansion’s owner well.

Shortly after, Yuri spotted Ragnar. He was shirtless, his torso drenched in sweat, training with several knights. They took turns facing him, one after another.

When one knight lost his training sword to a blow from Ragnar and fell, he was immediately replaced.

The sparring continued. Though Ragnar was skilled, he couldn’t fight indefinitely against multiple opponents. His speed began to slow.

Eventually, he exposed his neck to his opponent and declared the training over.

“Age is unforgiving.”

Ragnar shrugged, looking at Yuri, who let out a faint chuckle.

“After all that effort, you can’t complain about age.”

“I swear, I used to do this all day.”

No one knew how many rounds he’d gone through, but even the knights waiting their turn looked exhausted.

Yuri closely observed Ragnar’s muscular torso. It bore many scars and had a build that defied his age.

It was hard to believe he was the emperor’s brother.

“Let’s sit down.”

Ragnar moved to a table with tea beside the training field. Yuri sat across from him, while Laurent and Jared remained standing behind, like escorts.

The knights accompanying Ragnar eyed them with suspicion—especially Laurent. They seemed to harbor a competitive spirit toward the famed knight of Briol.

“So, Yuri. Have you been well all this time?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t you miss the battlefield?”

“Not at all.”

“I do. It was fun, wasn’t it?”

“I’ve been busy in Briol. I think you’re just bored, Your Highness.”

“That’s true. Haha…”

Ragnar laughed heartily while watching Yuri. Few people could speak to him so casually. Perhaps that’s why he liked him so much.

“You’ve barely arrived in the Imperial City and you’re already stirring trouble.”

“Turns out a childhood friend was using drugs. He used to be a good guy back in Briol…”

“Are you blaming the Empire, indirectly?”

“Never, Your Highness.”

“Either way, the Empire is already in an uproar over it. Do you know what kind of drug it is?”

“Isn’t it just a regular drug?”

“There are two kinds in circulation, but this one’s the real concern.”

When Ragnar raised his hand, a servant handed him a small pouch. He opened it and poured the contents onto the table—bluish crystals that made Yuri narrow his eyes.

It was the same drug the guy named Got had.

“It’s circulating among the nobility, especially the youth.”

“It’s exactly what my friend was using.”

“Sure. Because this…”

Ragnar took one of the larger crystals, rubbed it between his fingers, and a faint light emerged as the dust crumbled.

“…Temporarily heightens human senses. Not just the five senses, but also mana sensitivity.”

Yuri understood immediately.

“They use it for training?”

“Not just that. Also for exams, duels, anything. It’s a form of doping.”

“There must be a place where it’s made. Where is it?”

“We’re trying to find out. We asked the Magic Tower—they’ll have results soon.”

“The Magic Tower?”

“Does this give you any ideas?”

Yuri examined the blue crystals. They had seemed suspicious from the start.

“Are they magic stones?”

“Seems they’re used as an ingredient.”

According to Ragnar, the drug was created by magical means. That indicated it wasn’t the work of just any gang—there was a major force behind it.

“You mentioned there were two types. Is the other one the same?”

“The other is lower quality, but the composition is similar. Like they’re aimed at different markets.”

“A very cunning person, no doubt.”

“Yuri, I want to ask you something.”

Ragnar smiled.

“Could you find the one responsible for this drug?”

“You’re asking me?”

“I can’t trust anyone else. I don’t know how deep this infiltration goes.”

The fact that Ragnar was investigating personally, instead of the emperor, made it clear the court was taking a lukewarm stance.

Yuri paused for a moment, then nodded.

“I’ll do what I can. If I can rely on your authority, of course.”

“Of course.”

Yuri was already searching for traces of dark magic hidden in the Empire. If he received an official assignment from Ragnar, he’d have justification to act with more freedom.

If he failed, he could always say it didn’t work out.

“Here you go.”

Ragnar gestured, and the servant handed over a palm-sized sheet. It bore Ragnar’s personal seal.

The document granted Yuri official authority to investigate crimes that disturbed the peace of the Empire.

“It’s coated with magic, so it doesn’t break easily. Take good care of it.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Now tell me.”

Ragnar rested his chin on one hand.

“I’m sure you want something in return.”

Yuri looked up while storing the paper away.

Although he had accepted because it suited him, Ragnar seemed to believe Yuri was hiding his true intentions.

“Since you didn’t say anything at first, I suppose it’s something small but important, right…?”

Ragnar had misunderstood. Yuri shook his head.

He didn’t want anything for now and preferred to owe a favor rather than demand a forced reward.

“It’s not that. Consider it a gesture of goodwill toward you.”

Ragnar stared at him.

“Well, what do we have here?”

“You should keep those kinds of comments to yourself.”

“You’re surely planning to ask for something much bigger later…”

“That’s not it.”

“Hmm…”

Ragnar looked at Yuri with a suspicious expression.

“Hmm…”

“If you keep that up, I won’t do the job.”

“No, it’s fine.”

“Then just believe me.”

“Alright.”

By that point, the other knights’ expressions were peculiar. They seemed surprised by the informal conversation between the two.

Ragnar dried himself off with a towel and put on the upper part of his clothing.

“Since you’re here, stay for a meal. Sir Laurent, Sir Jared, have you been well all this time?”

Ragnar addressed Laurent and Jared, who were behind him.

“Yes, Your Highness. Thank you.”

“We’ve been well thanks to you.”

“I don’t think I’ve done that much. Haha…”

Shortly after, more tables were added, and food began to be prepared beside the training grounds.

While observing the scene, Yuri suddenly noticed something. He turned to look at Ragnar.

“Hmm? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Your Highness… could it be…”

Yuri pointed to the table.

“Is there another guest?”

On the largest table, golden cutlery had been set out for Ragnar. But there were three chairs.

If Ragnar and Yuri sat, one seat would remain empty. If there were more chairs, it wouldn’t seem odd, but with just three, it was clear someone else was expected. And it wasn’t likely that cutlery like that would be used for just anyone.

“Guest? I don’t know…”

His evasive attitude was confirmation enough. Yuri instantly sensed danger. He felt the hair all over his body stand on end, and a chill ran down his spine.

“Is there someone who could show up unannounced…?”

At that moment, a servant approached and whispered something to Ragnar. Ragnar looked at Yuri, feigning surprise.

“Oh, well, well…”

Yuri sighed. He didn’t need to hear the next words to know what he would say.

“My niece has arrived unannounced, says she wanted to see me.”

***

Yuri had already prepared himself for that encounter upon coming to the Empire.

But he hadn’t imagined it would happen this way. He thought it would be like last time, seeing her at an official event as just another attendee.

He should have been more cautious with Ragnar. That was a mistake.

“They say she’s very beautiful. I’m curious.”

Jared whispered. Instead of replying, Yuri elbowed him in the side.

“Ugh…”

Ragnar, who had briefly stepped away, returned with a bright smile.

“She’s coming. Now that we’re at it, why don’t you all greet her? What do you say?”

Ragnar cheerfully addressed Jared, not Yuri.

“Yes, Your Highness. It will be an honor to meet the princess, famed across the continent for her beauty.”

“Thank you for saying that so happily. I didn’t know she was coming either. What an incredible coincidence, right?”

He kept insisting it was a coincidence.

Meanwhile, Yuri, frowning, remained seated. He was trying to stay calm. He activated his mana method to maintain composure.

‘In this life, we are nothing. And there will be no kind of progress. So I just need to treat her courteously like any other member of the imperial family.’

For him, that shouldn’t be difficult. Yet something inside still unsettled him.

“Yuri, are you alright?”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

It wasn’t fair to blame Ragnar either. Yuri forced a faint smile.

“I was just surprised by this coincidence.”

“Right? Haha…”

Ragnar, laughing awkwardly, looked over Yuri’s shoulder.

“Oh, she’s here.”

Since Yuri had his back to the entrance, he saw how everyone’s gaze turned to a single point.

Laurent’s eyes lit up, Jared’s mouth dropped open. Even Ragnar’s knights were left speechless.

It seemed like something astonishing was behind Yuri. He slowly turned his body.

A radiant golden hair fluttered in the air.

He suddenly remembered the first time he met Yekaterina. They say memories become idealized over time, but this time it seemed exactly the same. She walked toward him looking just like she did back then.

Even her outfit was the same.

The hem of her red dress, which she loved so much, spread out like rose petals. But not even that intense color could outshine her fair skin or her emerald eyes.

Her half-closed eyelids moved slowly until they saw him, and then her eyes widened.

As she smiled, it felt like the saturation of the entire scene suddenly increased.

“Yuri Briol.”

She said his name. And at that moment, as if the world had chosen him, the wind blew inward.

“How delightful to see the third prince of Briol again.”

Her voice was exactly as he remembered it in his head. Yuri forced his body to move, standing up.

Then he bowed to Yekaterina.

“For me as well, it is an honor to meet the jewel of the Empire.”

***

The meal proceeded normally. The only difference was that Yekaterina had joined them along with Ragnar.

While listening to the conversation, she occasionally asked Yuri questions about the Alliance.

“Did that really happen? It must have been so hard.”

“It wasn’t that bad.”

Each time it happened, Ragnar’s satisfied look annoyed him. Yekaterina smiled as she asked:

“I hear we’re the same age, and yet you’ve achieved so much on the battlefield. It’s admirable.”

Ragnar chimed in, enthusiastic.

“He was always on the front lines. He’s a brave guy. I thought he was crazy.”

Yuri shook his head.

“I was just doing my duty.”

“I don’t know if you say that out of modesty or not. It was someone’s duty, but not necessarily yours, right?”

“No. It was my responsibility.”

“This is the first time I hear someone talk like that.”

Yuri knew Yekaterina well. He knew that despite her seemingly kind demeanor, she didn’t see the world in such a rosy light. When she praised someone like that, it was because she had a motive.

“I heard your sword skills are impressive. Then, maybe…”

Yekaterina smiled with her characteristic seductive charm.

“Will you be participating in the Imperial tournament?”

“Who knows.”

Yuri had no intention of participating. He hadn’t come to the Empire to showcase his swordsmanship.

“One moment.”

Ragnar rose from his seat. Now, only Yekaterina and Yuri remained at the table.

Yuri was uncomfortable with the situation, but she didn’t seem to mind.

She rested her chin on one hand and stared at him. It was a pose that left many men breathless.

“Did you know that the winner of the tournament receives a medal?”

“So I’ve heard.”

“Yuri.”

She suddenly called him by name. When he looked up, Yekaterina was smiling at him.

Her crimson lips parted.

“Would you give it to me?”