Chapter 97: Yuri’s Knight (1)

Jared, who was sound asleep, suddenly opened his eyes at a loud commotion.

Someone was banging on the door.

“Hey! Are you still sleeping?”

The third prince was already starting the day full of energy.

“Wake up already!”

He seemed brimming with vitality from the morning. Laurent, the loyal knight who shared a room with the third prince, had already made his bed.

Even though the housekeeping staff would change it later, he always left everything tidy.

Jared, still lying down, asked.

“Sir Laurent, didn’t you just wake up too?”

“True. I was still in bed, wasn’t I?”

“So diligent…”

Jared pulled the sheet over his head. Then, the third prince knocked on the door again.

Laurent, smiling, commented.

“Jared, if you don’t get up soon, he’ll just come in.”

“Uuugh…”

In the end, Jared got up. While he dressed in a rush, Laurent meditated with his eyes closed.

He always began his day like this, calming his mind. He was young, but he had many admirable qualities.

Despite belonging to one of the most noble families of Briol, he never acted arrogant. In fact, when they fought together in the allied army, he had suggested they speak as equals, since they were both knights.

Jared, who had always lived as a commoner, didn’t feel comfortable with that and decided to keep things formal until he felt more at ease. Laurent didn’t push him.

He was a good person.

“Sir Laurent, what do you think the prince wants to do today with all this energy?”

“Who knows.”

“There’s still time before the banquet at the imperial palace…”

Yuri was already knocking on other doors. On the other side of the wall, Jose’s loud laughter could be heard.

Laurent said.

“I suppose he’s euphoric.”

“Huh?”

“Human emotions, after hitting rock bottom, sometimes bounce back for no apparent reason. Yesterday was one of those days, wasn’t it?”

“Ah…”

Jared recalled what happened the previous day. At Ragnar’s mansion, they had met Yekaterina, the emperor’s daughter, considered a treasure of the Empire.

She was the most beautiful woman Jared had ever seen.

Trying to describe her with words was useless. Every tiny movement of her facial muscles when expressing emotion completely captured attention.

But Yuri showed no significant reaction. He even seemed uncomfortable and avoided her.

In the end, when she directly asked him for the tournament medal, he simply refused. If Jared had been the one looking into those pure green eyes, he would never have been able to say no.

In that respect, the third prince was not a normal person.

“So… are bad boys the attractive ones now?”

“What are you talking about?”

After that, Yuri had clearly been down. Jared stroked his chin.

“Could there have been something between them? Though I don’t think they knew each other before…”

“The princess came to Briol in the past with the second prince.”

“Oh, that time…”

On that occasion, Yuri had dueled the second prince Georg’s great warrior to save Ena, his personal maid. Though it was a brief encounter, there had been a point of contact.

If, for some reason related to that event, Yuri was avoiding Yekaterina, it would make sense.

“I don’t know what happened, but once again it’s clear the prince is not ordinary.”

“Totally.”

“If it were you, Sir Laurent, would you have been able to turn her down too?”

Jared asked Laurent. Although he was different from Yuri, he also didn’t seem interested in women.

Laurent shrugged.

“I wouldn’t have been able to.”

“So you’re a man too, after all.”

He only smiled faintly. When both had finished getting ready and stepped into the hallway, they encountered an absurd scene.

Yuri was dragging Jose, who was still half-asleep. Jose was dragging Simon and Guinness, who were also drowsy.

And Simon and Guinness were pulling Cory, who could barely keep his eyes open.

With Yuri at the front, the four were pulling each other like water ghosts dragging the next one along.

At their side, Hernando floated as if sleeping mid-air, following them sleepily.

“Sir Laurent.”

“Hmm?”

“Looks like we’re the only sane ones left among the people of Briol. What a heavy responsibility… Let’s stay vigilant.”

“Yes… it seems so.”

***

Yuri sat his companions down one by one at the hotel’s usual restaurant. The guests at Duforia were already used to the scene.

Yuri sat next to Hernando, who was chatting animatedly with Cory beside him.
Cory gave a slight bow.

“Good morning, Prince.”

“Cory, is that guy teaching you magic properly?”

“Yes.”

“Can you already cast a decent fireball?”

“Not yet…”

“Terrible teacher.”

Cory chuckled. Though he still wore his oversized hood, it was clear he had gained some confidence.

“Hernando.”

“Yes?”

“Do you want to come with me today?”

Yuri made the offer casually, but Hernando shook his head.

“Sorry, Prince.”

“Why?”

“I have unfinished business at the Imperial Tower branch.”

“Didn’t you say the Empire’s Tower was worthless?”

“Yes, but once in a while, you have to see those useless guys—at least out of obligation.”

As he said that, Hernando formed a circle with his thumb and index finger, placing it over his right eye.

“This.”

He was referring to the scroll he had left in Maryrose’s care in Valshard. That gesture hinted at the eye’s vision that had appeared in the Black Tower.

Yuri sighed.

“If you’ve got things to do, it can’t be helped.”

Lately, Hernando had been quite busy. He was someone who normally showed no interest in anything, but since finding that scroll, he had started researching with determination.

Yuri liked that about him.

“If you need anything, tell me.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Cory, stick close to Hernando. He may be bad at cards, but he’s pretty good with magic.”

“Didn’t you just say a moment ago that he’s a bad teacher?”

“Did I say that?”

In the end, Yuri decided to take his two faithful companions with him.

“Laurent, Jared.”

He called out to the two who were eating behind him.

“You’re coming with me today.”

“Understood.”

“Yes, sir.”

After all, their job was to serve Yuri. Then Simon, who was nervously watching from another table, asked:

“Excuse me, Prince. And us…?”

“You guys keep enjoying yourselves.”

“S-Sorry.”

“It’s fine. Who knows when you’ll get another chance to visit the Imperial Capital. Broadening your perspective is part of training too.”

Simon and Guinness had been following Jose around this whole time. Essentially, they were touring the Imperial Capital. They were the luckiest of the group.

Jose nodded.

“That’s what I expected from you, Prince. Haha.”

“By the way, Brusen hasn’t arrived yet?”

“Are you trying to get rid of me already? How cruel.”

“That’s not it. It’s just they’re taking a long time. They were supposed to leave before us.”

“They’ll arrive when the time is right.”

The countries that participated in the allied army were beginning to arrive one after another in the capital. But there was no news from Brusen.

“And if they don’t arrive, who cares? I can represent Brusen.”

At that statement, Simon and Guinness looked at him with admiration.

“Sir Jose, your confidence is admirable.”

“If you prepare well, you can be like me too. Why don’t you come with me today to check out some weapon shops? A knight must know how to spot good equipment.”

“Perfect!”

As one of the future Ten Greats, that confidence wasn’t misplaced. Jose was already shaping up as Brusen’s representative knight.

Yuri decided to stop worrying about that trio; they would surely manage just fine. While chewing a bit of food, he turned to Laurent and Jared,

“Don’t eat too much. The person we’re meeting today said they’d treat us to lunch.”

“But you’re still eating.”

“This doesn’t count.”

***

The person Yuri met with was a priest named Vlad, introduced by Sybilla.

He wasn’t dressed in the typical white robes of priests, but in stylish casual clothing like that worn by nobles in the capital. If not for the cross on his chest, no one would have identified him as a temple member.

“Your outfit’s quite worldly.”

“Haha…”

Vlad scratched his head at Yuri’s comment.

“In the Empire, it’s more convenient this way. Also a matter of taste, of course.”

“I see.”

“Sometimes one must act more as a businessman than a priest.”

“I understand. I was just asking out of curiosity.”

Yuri laced his fingers and rested his chin on his hands, as if evaluating the other.

“So, you want to do business with me? Hahaha…”

Vlad laughed.

“You talk like a great tycoon.”

“You’re not far off. Shall we talk business now?”

“Sure.”

Vlad quickly flipped through his notebook before closing it.

“First, Prince Yuri, what do you want in return?”

Yuri smiled, released his hands, and leaned back in the chair. They were inside the temple of the Imperial Capital.

Although the temple in the Briol castle was grand, it didn’t compare to this place.

“A business run from such a large temple…”

“It’s to save the lost sheep.”

“It’s ironic that drugs are profitable in a temple.”

“To fulfill divine will on earth, sometimes you have to take hard paths.”

“I suppose so.”

Yuri crossed his arms and thought.

“First tell me what you need me to do. Then we’ll decide the payment.”

Vlad smiled.

“The person the prince admitted is receiving good treatment.”

“I’m glad.”

“I want to use his example to raise awareness about the damage caused by drugs and also promote our temple clinic. People usually avoid treatment because of the stigma, and I want to change that.”

“That’s true. Many prefer to hide it.”

“But you personally came to the clinic for your friend, without worrying about what others would say.”

In reality, since Got wasn’t truly his friend, Yuri hadn’t thought much about it. Still, he nodded with a serious expression.

“Of course. Ignoring a problem until it gets worse because you don’t ask for help is even more shameful.”

“Exactly. I want to show that to the Empire, so everyone can receive treatment with dignity.”

“You think drug use is that widespread in the Empire?”

“Yes. Especially among noble children.”

Yuri nodded. After all, Edran, who supplied drugs to Got, was also the son of a noble. Among the Empire’s aristocrats, it was probably already commonplace.

“Then here’s my proposal. What would the prince like in return? We can offer money.”

Yuri reflected. He didn’t need money. In fact, he had more than enough. What he really needed was influence over the Empire.

And the temple had just the thing to give it to him.

“I want the temple’s friendship.”

“Excuse me?”

“Can you name me a Baptized?”

Vlad’s eyes widened. It was an unexpected request.

The title of Baptized was an honor given only to those who showed great devotion or lived an exemplary life according to divine teachings.

At least, on the surface. In reality, it was a status created by the temple to counterbalance the power nobles had through knightly titles.

But among the faithful, it held enormous influence.

“Baptized, you say…”

It wasn’t something granted easily. However, Vlad was quick to calculate.

If someone as influential as Yuri received that title, many more would turn to the temple.

After pondering it, Vlad smiled slightly and asked:

“Prince Yuri, do you believe in God?”

Yuri didn’t believe in God. Not even now, living his second life.

Returning to the past hadn’t changed his view. Yuri smiled at Vlad.

“If I have to believe… then I will.”

Vlad let out a soft laugh. He tapped the table with his fingers, thought for a few seconds, and nodded.

“That’s a good answer. I like it.”

“I hope so.”

“Then let’s do the interview today. Is it alright if your friend joins?”

“There’s no script or anything?”

“The temple will handle all of that. The image is what matters. We’ve already hired a famous painter. We’ll just have to wait for him to finish the sketches.”

“Fine.”

“And I’d also like you to participate in a temple event in the future.”

Yuri nodded.

“Is Got alright?”

“Yes. He’s cooperating well with the clinic.”

“Has he said anything?”

“He hardly speaks, except during the sessions.”

Vlad checked the time.

“It’s right around lunchtime. Shall we eat before visiting him?”

“Let’s go.”

Yuri stood up. A little further away, Laurent and Jared were looking at the cross, talking among themselves.

“Hey! We’re going to eat.”

“Oh, right.”

Following Vlad to the temple’s dining hall, they found many children eating. Most appeared to be children of nobles or wealthy families.

“They’re children who’ve received temple teachings from a young age.”

“They’ll likely become friends among themselves.”

“Haha…”

Yuri grabbed a tray. He hadn’t expected to see one of these again in a temple.

“Simplicity is one of our rules.”

Though he himself wore fairly luxurious clothes, Yuri only nodded. While receiving food, he stopped in front of the main dish—meat. He opened his mouth.

“A little more meat, please…”

But suddenly he fell silent. He looked up and stared at the person in front of him.

“Huh?”

The server in the dining hall wore a black mask. Through the eye opening, he looked directly at Yuri.

“I didn’t know you were so devout.”

“Ah…”

Yuri couldn’t say a word. Vlad, beside him, smiled.

“Don’t be surprised. He comes to serve voluntarily, with great faith.”

Looking at the man in the mask, hairnet, and apron, Yuri stood stunned. He knew that, being in the Empire, he might run into him at some point…

But he never thought it would be like this.

One of the Ten Greats.

The sharpest spear of the Empire.

The Black Knight was there.