The Briol army advanced, crushing the bandits. Eventually, a city with tall walls appeared beside a lake.

It was Gid, a key transit point.

The army set up camp outside the city.

The soldiers, weary of life in the field, were desperate to enter. But Yuri warned them:

“If anyone causes trouble, they die. You must return by noon tomorrow. Break even one of these rules, and you’ll be punished under military law. Remember that.”

Everyone agreed, but in the end, someone would be punished. Yuri knew discipline required examples.

“Sir Raymond. Educate them properly before letting them in. Even the knights are no exception.”

“Understood.”

Yuri immediately went to meet the local lord.

He was a plump man—odd for such barren lands. His ring-laden hand waved excitedly.

With exaggerated gestures, he kissed the back of Yuri’s hand.

“It’s an honor to receive the prince of Briol.”

“Pleased to meet you too.”

As he sat across from him, Yuri discreetly wiped his hand on his pants.

“The King of Briol earned great fame fighting orcs in his youth. Now that his son has come, the orcs must be trembling.”

“Thanks for saying so.”

“I’ll do all I can for the allied army’s success.”

Gid, along with Balshad, had been designated a supply base for the allied forces.

“On behalf of Briol, I thank Gid for its support. When the campaign is over, you’ll be rewarded.”

“I didn’t do it for a reward, but I admit it sounds nice.”

“I see.”

Yuri smiled faintly.

“Tell me, have you considered what happens if the allied army fails? The orcs won’t spare Gid.”

“The army fail? Impossible! Ha ha ha…”

Yuri recalled his past life.

When the orc subjugation failed, Balshad and Gid quickly fell. The orcs seized the plains and enslaved the people.

“Sure, sure.”

Yuri hid his thoughts behind a smile.

“In any case, I appreciate your help.”

“Stay as long as you want. You’ve arrived early.”

“No need to delay.”

“Ha ha. So diligent. I understand.”

“Then…”

Just as Yuri stood to leave, a secretary whispered something to the lord.

The lord’s face lit up. He turned to Yuri.

“Prince, the Holy Kingdom has arrived.”

“Oh, really?”

“They’re coming here. Would you like to greet them with me?”

“Why not?”

Yuri nodded. It wouldn’t hurt to make contact with the Holy Kingdom early. Soon after, the office door opened. The lord rose to greet them.

“Welco—”

A group of knights in white armor stormed in. There were many.

Surprised, the lord looked around in confusion.

“E-esteemed knights…”

The knights lined up along the walls. The knight at the door spoke:

“Announcing the arrival of the Second Princess of the Holy Kingdom.”

As he said it, a woman in ornate armor, helmet under her arm, entered.

Her light brown hair, cut short, hung near her ears.

Expressionless, she looked at the lord.

“Are you the lord of Gid?”

“Yes, yes I am, but…”

“I am Sybilla Arsaint, Second Princess of the Holy Kingdom and commander of its allied army.”

The lord froze. She raised her chin.

“What are you waiting for?”

“Excuse me?”

“Show proper respect.”

Sybilla extended her hand.

“Ha ha…”

Instead of complying, the lord smiled kindly.

“Lady Sybilla.”

He looked at the lined-up knights, then at Sybilla.

“Forgive me, but I’m not a vassal of the Holy Kingdom or Your Highness.”

A stark contrast to how he had eagerly kissed Yuri’s hand earlier.

“Therefore, I have no reason to bow.”

Yuri almost whistled. It took resolve to govern a city in such harsh lands.

“I see.”

Sybilla’s eyebrows twitched. After a moment’s silence, she spoke again.

“If my words offended you, I apologize.”

“Oh no, that’s not it…”

The lord clapped with a brazen smile.

“Who would’ve thought the Second Princess of the Holy Kingdom would be so beautiful? Though I’m not your subject, I’d like to express my admiration. May I have the honor of kissing your hand?”

A flawless recovery.

He first rejected her, then gracefully accepted her apology, preserving her dignity.

Yuri revised his opinion. He was sharper than expected. Someone like that could be valuable when the time came.

Sybilla nodded.

“Of course.”

“It’s an honor.”

The lord kissed her hand.

“……”

But it took too long.

Yuri began to wonder if the man wasn’t just a lecher rather than clever.

“Lord?”

“Yes?”

“That’s enough.”

“Understood.”

He let go and gestured to the sofa.

“Please, sit.”

He tried to introduce Yuri.

“This is…”

But Sybilla cut him off.

“Are you a vassal of the lord? I have urgent matters. Leave us.”

The lord looked uncomfortable.

“Ah, princess. He is—”

She cut him off again.

“Or are you going to say he’s not a subject of the Holy Kingdom or mine either?”

Yuri wasn’t offended. It was a simple misunderstanding. No need to make a fuss.

He began calmly,

“I am—”

But a knight behind Sybilla interrupted.

“Remain seated! Even if you’re from Gid, this is a grave discourtesy. The princess is the Holy Kingdom’s second daughter and commander of the allied forces. Show respect!”

It seemed his pride had been wounded after being scolded by the feudal lord.

The Holy Kingdom was trying to assert its authority, but unfortunately, it had chosen the wrong target. Yuri and the feudal lord exchanged glances.

In the lord’s eyes was a mix of deep discomfort and a silent plea for understanding.

Under the cold stares of the Holy Kingdom’s knights, Yuri began to speak cautiously.

“I am…”

Sybilla frowned.

“You are…?”

Yuri braced for the embarrassment the Holy Kingdom was about to feel.

“I am the third prince of Briol.”

Tick.

Tick.

Tick.

The clock’s second hand moved thrice in silence.

Yuri added,

“And commander of Briol’s army.”

Sybilla’s expression was priceless.

She had stormed in with bravado, been checked by the lord, and now had just been rude to a foreign prince.

A string of blunders.

What were they thinking now?

As the fifth tick sounded, the knight who had yelled at Yuri spoke.

“F-forgive me…!”

Yuri smiled gently—graciously signaling he would accept the apology. He bore no grudge.

The knight blushed.

“S-sorry. I didn’t recognize you. I thought you were a subject of the lord…”

“It’s understandable. Look at how I’m dressed. I do look like some village nobody, don’t I? Haha…”

“No, no, it’s not that…”

“It’s my fault. I should’ve dressed up—shiny armor and all. A grave mistake on my part.”

“No, no…”

“Sorry!”

“No, I’m the one who should apologize! I’m terribly sorry!”

“Forgive me!”

“Your Highness! No, wait, I mean—what are you all waiting for?! Bow your heads!”

“Sor—umph!”

“Your Highness, please, calm down!”

***

When Yuri made his little show, the knights of the Holy Kingdom quickly filed out.

Only three remained: the feudal lord, Yuri, and Sybilla.

The lord kept wiping the sweat from his brow while Sybilla sat far off, visibly annoyed.

Yuri fixed his hair as he looked into a mirror hanging on the wall.

“Lord, I’ve got some really nice clothes back home too. Do I really look that unkempt?”

“Haha, how could you say that? Your Highness looks very handsome.”

“Right? Then why did those knights treat me like that…?”

Sybilla let out a sigh.

“I’m sorry. So please, just drop it.”

“Oh, really? Fine then.”

Yuri whistled and sat down again. As he settled into the center of the sofa, Sybilla scooted even farther to the edge.

“Now that you’ll be fighting together, at least introduce yourselves,” the feudal lord tried to mediate.

“This is His Highness Yuri Briol, third prince of Briol and commander of the Briol army.”

“A pleasure.”

“And this is Her Highness Sybilla Arsaint, second princess of the Holy Kingdom and commander of the allied army.”

“Yes.”

“Come on, shake hands.”

The lord gestured to both with his hands, then brought them together, signaling a handshake.

“I’d be delighted,” Yuri said, reaching out his hand cheerfully.

Sybilla, frowning in distaste, hesitated a moment before reciprocating. Yuri gave her hand an enthusiastic shake.

“Nice to meet you. What happened earlier was just a joke.”

“Ah, I see.”

The mood didn’t improve much.

Yuri remembered what Jermaine had told him about the Holy Kingdom. It was understandable why Sybilla had such a prickly personality. Just seeing her knights made it obvious how rigid they were.

To be recognized in such a group, there were only two paths—break the mold, or put on even thicker armor.

Like most, she had chosen the latter.

Yuri didn’t let go after the handshake and asked,

“Sybilla.”

“Yes?”

“How old are you?”

Sybilla looked at him.

“We’ll be seeing each other often, so we should get along. How old are you?”

“Twent…”

“I’m eighteen. Just two years apart. We’re practically friends. Let’s speak casually.”

Sybilla’s pupils widened.

Before she could respond, Yuri continued, “Nice to meet you, Sybilla.”

Counting his past life, Yuri was more than a full-grown adult. As a mercenary, he’d dealt with every kind of idiot imaginable. A girl like this was nothing.

Sybilla was clearly flustered.

She looked at the lord, then back at Yuri. Her eyes trembled.

The lord stepped in.

“Ah, very good. This is a good start.”

“I…”

“You’re of similar age and rank. It would be good to build a friendship. You’ll soon be fighting fierce orcs together. Having comrades you can trust with your back is crucial, right?”

Yuri chimed in.

“Don’t you think so?”

Sybilla finally gave an awkward nod.

“Y-yes…”

Though she answered, she seemed unsure. Maybe even regretful. But Yuri had no intention of backing down.

Before she could change her mind, he distracted her with another question.

“Sybilla. On the way, I didn’t see any troops. Did the cavalry arrive first?”

“Yes.”

“And when does the rest arrive?”

“They’ll be here tomorrow.”

Yuri didn’t like that answer.

If the cavalry had arrived first, the main army was still en route, possibly escorted only by officers.

Despite their size, orcs were masters of ambush. Even if that wasn’t their territory, splitting the forces like this was a mistake.

“Let’s hope nothing happens.”

Sybilla raised her eyebrows.

“The Holy Kingdom has strict discipline. Are you suggesting something could go wrong?”

“You never know.”

“What kind of problem?”

“What else? Orcs.”

“Orcs…?”

“Yes.”

Sybilla fell silent. She didn’t seem to know much about orcs.

Yuri smiled, trying to ease the tension.

“Orcs sometimes appear behind defensive lines without warning. Isn’t that right, Lord?”

“Yes, indeed. Cunning creatures for their size.”

“I just mentioned it as a precaution. Anyway, I’m sure everything’s fine. After all, this is the Holy Kingdom.”

“……”

Yuri changed the subject.

“Well, back to the main point.”

They discussed the supplies and provisions Gid could offer and settled on the terms.

When they finished, Yuri stood up.

“I’ll be going. Thank you for your cooperation, Lord.”

“When will you depart?”

“We’ll rest for a day and leave the morning after.”

“Understood.”

“What about you, Sybilla?”

“You go ahead.”

It seemed Sybilla had more to discuss. Yuri smiled and gave her a wave.

Now calmer, Sybilla gave him a cold nod in return.

“See you.”

He left the castle.

Hernand was waiting.

“Were you waiting for me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“To go with you.”

“Where to?”

Hernand’s eyes sparkled.

“If we’re in Gid, then to the talisman market, of course!”

____

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