"Are those two fighting again today?"
"Yes."
Yuri was walking through the palace with Ena. Then, the sound of clashing metal echoed from afar.
"They've been at it since morning."
Ever since the Allied Army returned, the sound of swords clashing hadn't stopped in the royal palace.
It was because of Bernard and Jose.
The two sparred every day as if they had met their lifelong rival.
The results were oddly balanced—an even number of wins and losses, with neither gaining the upper hand.
Sometimes, Moyong Chan, who had been watching them, would suddenly barge in, send them both flying, and then disappear without a trace.
Yuri chuckled.
Putting the two together had produced stronger results than expected.
"Not sure if that was the right call or a mistake…"
"You did well. Both of them look like they're enjoying themselves."
"That looks like they're enjoying themselves?"
"They're smiling while they fight, aren't they?"
"That's exactly what makes it scarier."
During their sparring matches, Bernard and Jose would let out crazed laughter, as if they were intoxicated. It was terrifying to watch.
Ena asked,
"When are you leaving?"
"Today."
"Already?"
"These things should be wrapped up quickly. It feels like the discipline of the palace might collapse the moment I leave, but it can't be helped."
"Isn't it the opposite? The palace has gotten strange ever since Your Highness returned."
"That's just your personal opinion."
"It's not though…"
Last night, Yuri had met with Fiore to explain the extortion of the consolation money.
Fiore's brow had twitched.
Everyone tended to forget because of his disinterested demeanor, but Fiore was a warlord infamous on the battlefield. He knew the respect that should be given to those who had served in war.
Fiore delegated the authority to Yuri.
"Your Highness, I think we're lucky that His Majesty is a good fighter."
"Why?"
"Because we don't have to worry about some wicked noble starting a rebellion."
Yuri gave a short laugh at Ena's words.
"But there's a side effect."
"A side effect?"
"Because there's no sense of crisis, even when the nobles pull some nonsense, no one pays attention."
"Ah…"
This situation was similar.
In other countries, kings kept nobles in check to stop them from amassing power, but Fiore showed no interest in doing so.
As a result, nobles had grown their influence unnecessarily.
If this were the Empire, someone like Genard would have been eliminated long ago.
"But at least we have Your Highness."
At those words, Yuri smiled faintly and patted Ena's head.
"You're younger than me…"
"I'm not young."
"Did you secretly get older without telling me?"
"Yup."
"What?"
Yuri thought of his past life. Everything had been a mess.
If it weren't for his second life, he would still be living recklessly, and Ena wouldn't be acknowledging him like this.
He wanted to correct his mistakes.
"I should take Jared with me."
"Just the two of you?"
"That's enough."
"What about Sir Ernando?"
"He's busy these days. If we're just going for a quick trip, bringing a mage would only drag things out."
"Got it."
Yuri had already summoned Asana and instructed her to infiltrate Genard's castle.
She would secure the necessary evidence.
"Oh, right, Your Highness."
"Hm?"
"Sir Laurent said he's coming today…"
"That guy?"
"Go with him. Two people aren't enough."
Yuri paused.
Laurent's excessive loyalty made him a bit uncomfortable.
"That guy is…"
"What, are you avoiding the ever-loyal Sir Laurent?"
"He's too loyal."
"Come on, appreciate him while you have him. Where else would you find someone like Sir Laurent?"
"I know, but…"
Even so, Yuri found it burdensome.
After this mission, Laurent might discover that Yuri was the one behind the Allied Army's veterans' association. And if that happened, Laurent's already over-the-top loyalty would only become worse.
But Ena had no way of knowing what Yuri was thinking.
"Go together, alright?"
"Fine."
"Great. Good decision."
"Hmmm…"
Just then, Laurent appeared. Judging by his light training clothes, he must've been on his way to the sparring arena where Bernard and Jose were.
"Oh, Laurent. Perfect timing."
"Your Highness, and Miss Ena."
Laurent bowed politely to both Yuri and Ena.
"I hope you have been well."
"I haven't."
"Pardon? What do you mean? Have you had worries perhaps…"
"Laurent, come with me."
"Pardon?"
"There's something we need to do."
"I was going to observe Sir Bernard and Sir Jose's match today, but…"
"A comrade from the Allied Army is in danger. Are you just going to stand by and do nothing?"
"No, of course not…"
He placed a hand over his chest and bowed deeply to Yuri.
"I, Laurent Flandre, eldest son of Count Francaise and knight of Briol, shall follow Your Highness and devote myself to rescuing our comrade from the Allied Army."
Yuri had only said a comrade was in danger, yet here he was, making a solemn vow.
With a slightly sour expression, Yuri patted his shoulder.
"R-Right…"
"I swear it on the honor of House Flandre."
"Don't stake too much on it."
Still, a prince and the heir to Francaise together made for a good team. It was a fitting image—royalty and nobility working together for justice.
"Let's go. Subordinate No.1, Jared, should be waiting for us."
"Understood."
Ena cheered them on.
"Take care out there."
"Yeah."
Laurent bowed deeply to Ena once more.
"Thank you for your kind care of His Highness. I hope you remain in good health until we meet again."
"Oh my…"
Ena returned the bow with a deep nod.
Watching that scene, Yuri crossed his arms.
"Now I look like the rude one."
"Because you are. You were raised in the palace and yet disregard formality."
"You don't know what you're talking about. I was raised in the palace, sure, but the one who really raised me was…"
Yuri recalled his days as a mercenary in his previous life. He had learned far more during those times than in the palace.
"Eighty percent of me is wind."
"Excuse me?"
"Just remember that."
A strong gust of wind suddenly blew. Yuri walked forward, his hair fluttering in the wind.
Watching his back, Laurent said,
"So cool…"
"Pardon?"
"I'll be going now."
As Laurent hurried to catch up, Ena felt like she finally understood why Yuri found him exhausting.
She just let out a sigh.
"People who get involved with the prince always turn out weird…"
***
Yuri left the palace with Laurent and Jared, riding on horseback.
Once they left the royal castle, farmlands stretched out before them, eventually giving way to a thick forest.
There was a maintained road, but cutting through the woods was faster.
"Shall we rest a bit?"
Yuri patted the mane of his horse. It was a black steed that had served him throughout the Allied Army campaign. Not particularly large, but smart and responsive to Yuri's commands.
"Hope Sir Raymond is doing well."
"He's not someone you need to worry about."
"That's true."
As they rode, Yuri suddenly had a strange thought.
"We kind of look like the Three Musketeers…"
Yuri, with black hair and black clothes, rode a black horse. Laurent, with bright blond hair and light-colored clothes, rode a white horse. Jared, with plain brown hair and average clothing, rode a brown horse.
The color contrast made it look like they'd planned it, which was a bit embarrassing.
"Don't overthink it. No one else will see it that way."
"Let's hope."
"Should we rest a bit?"
"Sure."
They stopped by a stream and let the horses drink.
During the Allied Army days, they had to march in long lines, but now they could control their pace, which was more comfortable.
"Seems like a lot of money's been collected for the veterans' association. I paid my dues too, but for nobles to start eyeing it…"
"It means there are a lot of patriots in Briol, doesn't it?"
"Maybe so."
"Your Highness's exploits have spread across the entire continent. It must have sparked national pride. It's embarrassing to say, but when I returned to my territory, everyone welcomed me warmly."
"The people must have come together."
"The future of Briol is bright."
Listening to Jared and Laurent's conversation, Yuri cleared his throat.
While a fair amount of membership fees and donations had indeed been collected, it wasn't to that extent.
He was simply funding it himself.
"Look at this. Other countries are supposedly overrun with bandits, but Briol is clean."
At Laurent's words, Yuri flinched.
Whenever someone said something like that, bandits always showed up.
"Laurent."
"Yes?"
"Don't you hear something?"
"What do you mean, Your Highness?"
"The sound of the conditions for misfortune being met."
"I don't quite follow…"
At that very moment, the bushes rustled in the distance. Yuri touched Guilty at his waist and spoke.
"Don't worry. The bandits summoned by such words are usually weak."
Still not understanding, Laurent tilted his head and stood up. Jared had already drawn his sword and was watching the front.
Several large men wearing clothes made from animal hides appeared.
There were more than ten of them.
Yuri and Jared didn't look like much, but Laurent clearly had the appearance of a trained noble.
The fact that the bandits revealed themselves meant they had some confidence.
A bearded man smirked arrogantly.
"Hey there, pretty boy. Out for a picnic?"
The others burst into laughter. He seemed to be the leader.
With his sword resting on his shoulder, the bearded man strutted forward smugly.
"You sure two attendants are enough, kiddo? Weren't you worried about running into scary fellas like us?"
It was a threatening situation, but Yuri's group felt no tension at all.
Jared was a member of the royal guard, selected among the finest in Briol, and Laurent was a knight who had won numerous swordsmanship tournaments.
And Yuri was stronger than both of them.
"What did you just say?"
Laurent stepped forward.
The bearded man grinned and looked him up and down.
"Looks like you've got money, but only brought two attendants, huh?"
"If you'd mistaken me for a servant, I might've forgiven you."
"What are you talking about?"
"But now, I find it difficult to restrain myself."
At Laurent's words, Jared glanced at Yuri. Yuri merely shrugged.
"You should learn from him."
"Uh, sure…"
As Laurent grew more assertive, the bearded man burst out laughing.
"Looks like you've picked up a few sword tricks, but don't you think your ego's gotten too big, boy?"
Yuri tilted his head.
That was suspicious. For a bandit to use a phrase like "inflated ego" reeked of bookishness.
Without replying, Laurent drew his sword. Its white blade shimmered with sharp intent.
"Should I kill, or spare?"
At Laurent's question, Yuri replied.
"Spare them for now."
The bearded man tilted his head.
"What, he's the boss…?"
Laurent's sword flew toward the man's leg. The bearded man barely blocked it.
The clash of metal rang out with a sharp crack.
The bearded man stumbled back, eyes wide.
"What the—this guy…"
Laurent, too, was a little surprised. The man was skilled for a bandit. Still, he didn't show it on his face and mechanically aimed at the enemy's openings.
The bearded man was forced backward.
"Not bad."
"Indeed."
With their leader being pushed back, the other bandits began to panic.
"W-what the hell?"
Eventually, the bearded man took a kick from Laurent and collapsed. Laurent didn't pursue but took a step back.
"Get up."
Laurent waited for him to stand again. It was like watching a duel between knights.
"Ughhh…"
Grimacing, the bearded man picked up his sword again.
"I underestimated you, kid. Not bad. Heh…"
He forced a grin.
"I didn't want to kill you, but I guess I have no choice."
Sword aura flared from his blade. It was proof he had mastered the mana method to a significant level.
A bandit using sword aura wasn't a simple matter.
Yuri guessed at the man's identity.
"Probably a fallen knight or something."
"A knight?"
"Yeah."
Yuri, too, had wandered the world as a mercenary in his previous life. There were always people with stories.
Meanwhile, the other bandits were inching toward Yuri and Jared.
"I'll handle them."
Jared rose to his feet.
Then the bearded man shouted,
"Everyone stand down!"
He must have sensed that Yuri's group wasn't ordinary.
"I'll take them on. First, I'll deal with this one…"
His eyes widened.
Sword aura had also flared from Laurent's blade.
"D-damn it."
The bearded man began backing away.
"Run! Scatter and—"
But Laurent didn't let him escape. He struck the man's sword, disrupting his stance, then slashed vertically across his chest.
His clothes split and blood trickled out.
Laurent had controlled the depth, so the wound wasn't fatal.
"Hmph…"
Yuri let out a low sound.
As the man's clothes tore, a tattoo on his chest was revealed.
Yuri had seen that symbol before.
"Laurent. Hold up."
"Yes."
Yuri stepped forward. The bandits, including the bearded man, turned their attention to him.
"You lot… were you with the Allied Army?"
[T/L: Read more chapters on Ko-fi page "RevengerScans" : https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]