The Allied Army departed from Balshad, passed through Gid, and returned to the continent.
The lord of Gid warmly welcomed Yuri and praised his achievements. The two parted, promising to maintain a good relationship in the future.
It was time for the Allied Army to disband.
Ragna gathered all troops, commended their efforts, and officially declared the dissolution of the Allied Army.
"Everyone, you've done well."
As Ragna said this and stepped down from the podium, everyone threw their helmets into the air and cheered.
Yuri said farewell to everyone he had bonded with during the campaign.
Most of them were expected to respond to the Empire's invitation, so future reunions were already anticipated.
"I'll stop by Briol on the way."
Jose, a knight of Bursen, declared that he would accompany Yuri.
Yuri gladly accepted. There was no reason to refuse when a knight who would become one of the ten strongest volunteered to join him.
Jonathan, commander of Bursen, asked,
"Why so suddenly?"
"I'd like to spar more with Moyong Chan, and if possible…"
Though his sentence trailed off, the intent was clear without needing to hear the rest.
He must have been thinking of Fiore Briol, the King of Briol and one of the ten strongest.
Jonathan nodded.
"Alright. Your family's waiting, so don't stay too long. Neglecting one's family is not the Bursen way."
"Understood."
Yuri welcomed Jose with a grin.
"Sir Jose, I know someone who'll be a perfect sparring partner for you."
"Truly?"
"He's about as strong as you."
"That's good to hear."
While facing high-level opponents was beneficial, competing against someone of similar skill was also extremely helpful for growth.
In that regard, Yuri knew the perfect match.
His teacher, Bernard.
In terms of technique and speed, Bernard might have the edge, but considering Jose's overwhelming strength, a fierce battle was expected.
"There's a man named Bernard. A guy so obsessed with the sword they call him the sword demon."
"Ooh…"
Suddenly, a question occurred to Yuri.
Thinking back to his previous life, Jose became one of the ten strongest, but Bernard's whereabouts became unclear after he left Briol.
He was someone who wouldn't have been out of place standing alongside Jose among the ten strongest.
"Well, whatever."
Of course, it was something he could no longer know.
Maybe he'd died somewhere, stabbed while wandering.
"Alright, let's move out!"
Just like during the war, Yuri led from the front as they returned to Briol.
Upon entering Sadeur, located near the border, the residents lined the streets, showering them with flower petals in celebration of their triumphant return.
Jaime rejoiced at the downfall of the orcs, but viewed the plan to station forward bases to manage them with skepticism.
"The orcs will return. They're like cockroaches."
It was a prediction that they would eventually multiply and return.
Coming from no one else but Jaime, it felt all the more likely to happen.
"Truly persistent bastards."
"Of course, it'll take a long time. Thanks to you, Prince, I'll have peace in my twilight years."
"I'm glad to hear that."
When Yuri said Jaime had been very helpful, he simply smiled.
When Yuri said he would make Cory a mage, Jaime gave advice in his usual way.
"Keep watching him. If he seems wrong, let go of your feelings."
In other words, don't fully trust him. Yuri accepted his advice.
"Sure. Still, I think Cory will be fine."
"Yes."
Jaime nodded.
Considering his attitude toward the orcs, this was quite a generous evaluation of Cory.
He gave Yuri one last piece of advice.
"You're heading to the Empire."
"That's right."
"In the Empire, watch your words and actions. Unlike Briol, there are lots of rats."
There was a weight to those words.
The Empire, due to its size, was entangled in complicated interests, and thus teemed with political schemes and tricks.
But Yuri had a creed.
No one stands before the sword.
Would petty schemers succeed against someone like Fiore Briol or Moyong Chan? Just strike them down with a sword, and it ends.
Of course, the problem was that most of the top swordsmen were also gathered in the Empire.
So he needed to grow stronger, to stand on equal footing with the monsters lurking within the Empire.
"Thanks for the advice."
"Think nothing of it."
"Sir Jaime."
"Yes."
"It may be a bit early to say this, but..."
Yuri looked at him and slowly continued.
"Your work isn't over yet."
Though the Allied Army had achieved unprecedented success, making it seem as though Jaime's role had ended, Yuri believed the opposite.
Jaime had lost his son to the orcs.
But what if those orcs had been controlled by someone behind the scenes?
Just like Yuri, his unresolved grudge had not come to an end.
"Do you still hate the orcs?"
"Of course I do."
"Then perhaps there's something more you should hate."
Jaime couldn't understand what he meant.
But he wasn't someone to question lightly, nor did he disregard the third prince who had led the Allied Army to victory.
He silently looked at Yuri.
Yuri smiled as he looked at Jaime's wrinkled face.
Would there come a day when this old knight could find peace?
In his past life, as he wandered the continent, Yuri met many people like him.
They only found peace in death. And if they had unresolved grudges, even death could not ease their pain.
"Jaime Theodore, the shield of Briol."
That was why the only honor Yuri could give this noble knight who had guarded the border his whole life was to help ensure that death would bring a proper end to his life.
"Soon, I'll tell you who your true enemy is. That may be your final battle."
Jaime tilted his head and looked into Yuri's eyes.
After a brief silence, he smiled.
As if relieved.
"I will wait."
***
In the distance, Briol's royal castle came into view.
Yuri stopped his horse and looked back.
"Hey, everyone."
Though it was a triumphant return, the expedition had been long. Everyone was a mess.
Yuri pointed to the castle and said,
"See that?"
All eyes turned. Floating faintly beyond the outer wall was something drifting in the air.
"What is that?"
"It's called a hot air balloon."
To see a hot air balloon in Briol at this time was unexpected. It must have been thanks to the early growth of the Rein Company.
"It's an invention from Liberda. It uses heat to lift objects."
"Why is something like that over there?"
"What else?"
Yuri smirked.
"It's to welcome us."
Underneath that hot air balloon would be a message of welcome, and once they entered, flower petals would rain down from it.
An extravagant welcome ceremony, indeed.
"So everyone, tidy yourselves up. Don't regret it later."
At Yuri's words, the soldiers looked at one another's faces and began to laugh.
"We look like beaten dogs even though we won."
"Clean the gunk out of your eyes."
Yuri gave them time.
The soldiers put down their packs and straightened up their appearance as best they could.
"Let the ladies of the castle see your handsome faces—carry your helmets at your side."
The unit began moving again.
Now that their return was finally sinking in, warm smiles spread across their faces.
The road back after a war was always a happy one.
Soon, they arrived at the gates of the royal castle.
A herald on horseback blew a loud horn. Though they had not yet passed through the gates, cheers and fireworks could already be heard from inside.
"Prince, congratulations on your victory!"
The herald lowered his horn, dismounted, and bowed deeply to Yuri.
"Thank you."
"The people of Briol are waiting for you, Prince!"
"Not just for me, they're waiting for all of us."
"Ah, yes! That's right. They are waiting for all of you."
Yuri slowly urged his horse forward and entered the city.
As soon as they passed through the gates, paper in all colors fluttered down from the sky.
A huge crowd welcomed them.
The black horse that had accompanied him throughout the war slowed its steps as if enjoying the celebration, showing its gums.
Looking up, Yuri saw a long banner unfurling from the hot air balloon with the sound of fireworks.
It praised their feats of valor.
"Who prepared all this?"
Yuri let out a hollow laugh. Was there even anyone in the royal palace who cared about such events?
"Hey, Jared."
"Yes?"
"Why are you so stiff?"
Jared, unfamiliar with this kind of situation, was frozen in place, staring straight ahead.
"Go get yourself some flowers or something."
"Excuse me?"
"Or get a handkerchief from a beautiful lady."
"N-no…"
Yuri nudged his shoulder.
The horse carrying Jared seemed to understand Yuri's words and began to walk toward a woman standing among the welcoming crowd.
"N-no, wait…"
As cheers erupted from all around, he was swept up in the moment and eventually extended his hand. She handed him a sky-blue handkerchief.
Jared even exchanged names with her before returning to formation.
"Not bad, huh?"
When Yuri teased him, he only coughed awkwardly.
"And what about you, Prince? Are you just going to walk by?"
"I'm good."
"Why?"
"A popular man like me can't afford to show favoritism."
"Hah…"
The soldiers who had arrived carrying only their weapons and packs now had flower garlands and handkerchiefs hanging all over them.
"Sir Jose."
"Y-yes, yes!"
Though he wasn't from Briol, Jose was thoroughly enjoying the festivities.
"There are a lot of beauties in Briol, aren't there?"
"Yes, truly. Wow…"
"Go for it. Guys like you are popular here in Briol."
"Excuse me?"
"Why are you asking again?"
Yuri chuckled and patted him on the shoulder.
Jose tried to hold back the smile tugging at his lips, but it didn't work, so he just grinned ear to ear.
"I'll do my best. Hahahaha!"
Yuri circled the royal castle once, then returned to the plaza where the deployment ceremony had taken place.
He saw Cedric and Joshua seated.
Cedric waved with a soft smile, while Joshua shrugged with a look that still hinted at scheming something.
Yuri lifted his gaze.
On the podium stood Fiore Briol.
His expression was just as indifferent as when Yuri had departed. But Yuri could sense a faint trace of emotion in his eyes.
Had he ever made him feel proud?
As the troops lined up, the crowd gradually quieted. It was time for their king to praise the victorious campaign.
Yuri dismounted and climbed the steps to stand before Fiore.
"Hmm…"
Fiore looked him over.
"You've grown taller."
"Yes."
He was eighteen, still with room to grow.
"You've done well."
Fiore said, glancing over Yuri's shoulder.
"And you brought an interesting guest."
His tone had a touch of excitement. It was because of Moyong Chan standing behind them.
It was the first time Fiore had shown a spark of competitiveness.
Yuri couldn't help but laugh.
"Isn't it your loss?"
"As if."
After exchanging a few casual words, the two embraced lightly.
"Well done."
"Thank you."
Then, Fiore officially declared the victory of the Briol forces and the end of the Allied Army.
"Congratulations to the great victors."
With that, Fiore pulled something out.
And sprayed it.
Caught off guard, Yuri got hit directly by the stream.
It was champagne.
That was the signal. From all directions, champagne and beer were sprayed on the Briol troops. Though surprised at first, the soldiers burst into laughter.
Yuri pushed back his wet hair and said,
"Seriously, who came up with this?"
"They told me not to say."
"What?"
"They said you'd try to get revenge."
"Aha…"
Yuri let out a quiet laugh.
There was only one person in the palace who'd say something like that. When he turned his eyes, Joshua, seated nearby, flinched.
Still, the fact that he had planned something like this meant he had actually been working hard all this time.
"Well, in any case…"
Yuri looked down at the chaotic plaza and smiled.
"It's good to be back."
***
Yuri wasn't in a good mood.
"Do we really have to do this on such a nice day?"
"You brat."
"Aren't there better sparring partners than me?"
"I'm scheduled to train with Master Fiore tomorrow."
"Seriously…"
"So quit whining and draw your sword."
One of the conditions Moyong Chan had set when Yuri became his disciple—once the Allied Army disbanded, they'd have a proper spar.
The joyous victory parade was over, and a festival was planned for the night.
But before he could even shake off his travel fatigue, Moyong Chan had dragged him into a match.
"Prince! I brought hemostatic medicine and bandages! If you get stabbed, just say the word!"
Ena, who he hadn't seen in a while, was startled by the sudden duel but quickly fetched the supplies and cheered at his side.
"Haa…"
Yuri sighed, rolled his shoulders, and said,
"Alright then, Master. Let's have a taste of bitterness today."
[T/L: Read more chapters on Ko-fi page "RevengerScans" : https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]