Yuri returned to the royal palace and immersed himself in training until it was time to depart for the Empire.
His sparring partners kept changing—sometimes it was Bernard, other times it was Moyong Chan. He would often duel with Jose as well.
Facing various styles, Yuri's skills improved rapidly.
Bernard spoke.
"It's time now for realization."
When a knight reaches a certain level, unexpected epiphanies that shake one's worldview had more impact than repetitive training.
Of course, reaching such a level was difficult. It was even rarer for someone to get there at Yuri's young age.
"When you swing your sword, think deeply. Don't just move—do it after thinking a hundred, a thousand times."
"Do you do that?"
"Not always, no."
Yuri swung Guilty. Bernard's sword clashed against it.
Before, he hadn't been able to last a moment. Now, he could trade blows long enough to carry on a conversation.
"Whew…"
Yuri focused all his senses. He wanted to reach that mysterious state he had felt when sparring with Moyong Chan, but it wasn't easy.
"The power of chaos, huh…"
Fiddling with Guilty, Yuri opened his mouth.
"Bernard."
"Yes."
"I'm going to use the Whirling Vortex Sword, so wait."
His first secret technique of the Yuri Style.
Whirling Vortex Sword.
But there was a problem. While in the heat of battle, he could use it fairly well, but in a normal situation, it took too much time to activate.
It was like using a special finishing move—the opponent basically had to wait for him.
"Understood."
Bernard crossed his arms and waited.
Yuri closed his eyes and lowered his stance as if gathering energy. Around Guilty's blade, a swirling wind arose.
His mana spun in circles, setting more mana into orbit. A fractal whirl pattern emerged along the blade. The spiral of infinite rotation was about to surge forth.
"This is taking way too long."
Bernard, who had been watching, knocked Yuri over with a kick.
Yuri rolled across the ground.
"Yuri, who was gathering strength to unleash his secret technique, fell victim to Bernard's cowardly sneak attack, spitting up black blood as he collapsed. He had fallen into deviation."
"Do you want me to actually make you spit blood?"
"But as a rare prodigy, Yuri instantly calmed his energy channels and escaped the crisis of deviation. Even the villain Bernard gave an impressed round of applause."
Yuri jumped up, grumbling.
"Why does this always take so long?"
"Don't try to release your power all at once. If you guide your mana properly, the rotation will naturally accelerate. Since you're failing at that, you're forcing it, and that takes more time."
"I don't get it."
"That's why I'm telling you to think."
"But it works fine in real battles."
"That's because after long fights, your unnecessary strength was already drained. Your mana paths happened to align by chance—but that's not truly yours."
"Got it."
"If you can't do it consciously, then it's—"
"Enough nagging!"
Cutting off his words, Yuri suddenly lunged forward.
Bernard responded as if he had been waiting.
"—fake."
Their swords clashed dozens of times in the air. The exchange of tactics in between was so intense that an ordinary person couldn't hope to follow.
Bernard admired the evolving trajectory of Guilty.
This Third Prince, who had grown so rapidly, had returned completely transformed after his time with the Allied Army.
While people do improve through real combat, he had never seen someone progress this sharply.
Usually, one just gets used to the tension of life-and-death battles. Their personal level doesn't rise much.
But the Third Prince had come back changed. His stance was precise, his mana usage more efficient. His fundamentals had improved.
This could only mean one thing.
Even in life-threatening situations, a part of his mind wasn't focused on survival—but on finding ways to grow stronger.
Did humans even have an instinct stronger than survival?
"An instinct to grow stronger…"
Bernard muttered.
It was a dangerous idea.
If there truly existed something within one's unconscious that prioritized over survival, such a person wouldn't live long—they'd burn out like a flower that blooms briefly, then withers.
"Your Highness."
"Yeah?"
"Please value your life."
"I do value it."
"More than you do now."
"Okay."
"Don't recklessly charge in like you did with the Allied Army."
"I wasn't reckless."
"It was still dangerous."
"I had no choice. It had to be done."
"That kind of thinking will get you killed."
"Then so be it."
Yuri grinned.
"On the battlefield, anyone can die. There's no rule saying it can't be me."
Bernard halted his sword.
"I'm glad. That you're the Third Prince."
"Doesn't sound like a compliment."
Then Bernard's sword flew toward Yuri's forehead.
It was a speed Yuri couldn't handle.
The world darkened, and through it, a streak of silver traced a parabola toward him.
He raised Guilty.
But it was already too late.
So instead of resisting, his mind focused on calculating the arc's afterimage and Bernard's movement as he wielded the sword.
Eventually, Bernard's blade came to a halt.
Yuri stared straight into Bernard's eyes.
Bernard's gaze lowered.
Yuri's eyes were fierce and wide open, but the hand holding the sword was soaked in sweat and frozen with tension.
"Hmph."
Bernard smiled.
"That's enough for today."
And he sheathed his sword.
It was a movement repeated countless times—its path was graceful.
Yuri simply rested his sword over his shoulder.
"Bernard."
"Yes."
He made a sudden suggestion.
"Wanna come with me to the Empire?"
"That's…"
Bernard's eyes sparkled with interest, but he soon shook his head.
"That would be difficult."
"Why? There's a bunch of interesting opponents in the Empire. Great opportunity to meet them."
"I spent a long time there in my youth."
"So you know a lot of people, huh?"
"That's the problem."
He added shortly,
"I've accumulated a lot of grudges."
"Ah…"
Yuri momentarily forgot that this man's nickname was sword demon. Though he had now settled in Briol, he was originally someone who left a trail of chaos wherever he went.
"Alright. I'll go and come back."
Bernard looked at Yuri, as if wanting to offer him some advice.
But then realized there was no need. Yuri always achieved more than expected.
So instead, he said something else.
"If you ever find yourself in danger, go find Sparrow of the Swordsmanship Guild and ask for help in my name."
"Friend of yours?"
"The opposite, but he'll help you once."
"Got it."
Yuri grinned.
Bernard always made him feel warm whenever he offered help in a human way.
In his previous life, their relationship had been dry and distant, but in this life, Yuri and Bernard were building something entirely different.
It made him feel like he was doing well.
If that was possible with Bernard, perhaps he could also form proper relationships with others he had been at odds with in his past life.
"The Empire, huh…"
Graham came to mind.
In their past lives, he and Graham had faced each other at the very moment their fates stood at opposing ends, as if it were a lie.
They had been ill-fated enemies.
But in this life, their relationship was completely different.
If, like with Graham, he could turn past enemies into friends, it might help prevent future tragedies.
Recalling memories from his past life, Yuri asked,
"How's the swordsmanship guild? Any good?"
"They're better than the average person, but in Your Highness's eyes, most would seem like they're just imitating."
"Even though it's called a swordsmanship guild?"
"If they showed talent, the Empire would've taken them already."
"Aha…"
If any potential showed, the Empire would scoop them up—so most members of the guild were ordinary people learning swordsmanship for self-defense.
One of the few exceptions in that guild was Sparrow. He held an instructor's rank in the swordsmanship guild.
"You and he will get along well."
"He must be a real gentleman then."
"If he were, I wouldn't have introduced him to you."
"Oho…"
Yuri drew a line through the air with his sword.
"Hmm…"
As he spoke with Bernard and swung his sword, something didn't feel right.
Lately, this had been happening more and more.
"Why does it all feel off these days?"
"Are you referring to your swordsmanship?"
"Feels sloppy."
Any other knight hearing this would've thought it was a joke.
That's how clean Yuri's movements were—astonishingly precise for his age. In Bernard's eyes, Yuri's sword path was already at the level of a master.
And yet, Yuri felt a thirst.
Bernard smiled.
"It's because you're beginning to see what lies beyond. As you continue to refine yourself, you'll improve, but even then, Your Highness won't be satisfied."
"Are you not satisfied with your swordsmanship, Bernard?"
"No, I'm not."
"What about my father?"
"Of course."
"Some guys look at themselves in the mirror and admire their own moves."
"They've reached their limit."
"I should tell Sanned everything."
"Feel free to do so."
Yuri laughed it off.
Then, putting away his sword, he sat down on the spot. Training with Bernard always drained him. It felt like he was pushed to his limits—and he liked that.
Yuri murmured quietly,
"Anyway, we leave tomorrow. Take care while I'm gone, Bernard."
"Yes, Your Highness. Please be careful. The journey to the Empire is a long one."
"Yeah, a very long and rough road. I hope we arrive safely."
***
"Hey!"
Yuri stretched out both arms.
"It's the Imperial Palace!"
They had finally arrived at their destination, the capital of the Empire. More precisely, they stood before the entrance to the Imperial Palace.
At the end of the long road, a massive stone wall stretched across the view. Atop the spires, the Empire's signature crimson flags fluttered.
At the gate, the palace guards in black armor were inspecting visitors.
Jared stood beside Yuri and exhaled like a sigh.
"It truly was a long journey."
"It was."
From Briol to the Empire, they had endured a harsh ordeal. It had been an indescribably difficult process.
Laurent, following behind with a tired expression, agreed.
"I never imagined such things would happen."
Jose let out a hearty laugh.
"One thrilling incident after another—we could write it all down. Coming with Briol was the right choice. It was genuinely fun."
Ernando shook his head.
"I don't ever want to go through that again. Would've been better just riding a wagon, playing cards on the way…"
His disciple Cory, who had accompanied him, leaned heavily on his staff, quietly panting. Small in stature and lacking body balance, Cory struggled with long walks.
Following behind, Simon and Guinness patted Cory on the back.
"Cory, you okay?"
"Yes…"
"Drink some water."
"Thank you…"
Simon and Guinness, who Yuri had brought along, were carrying enormous loads like porters. Though they were drenched in sweat, they didn't seem to be struggling too much. It was proof of their training.
Simon said,
"They say a magical moment comes to everyone once in a lifetime. Maybe the adventures on the way to the Empire were just that."
Guinness agreed.
"It's a shame only we experienced it. If someone wrote a novel about it, it'd top the bestseller list for a long time…"
"I disagree. If the writer lacked skill, they wouldn't be able to describe any of it. You'd just be left with the departure and arrival scenes."
"No way."
Simon and Guinness looked at each other and laughed.
"In any case, the past is the past. Let's bury it in our hearts."
"Yeah."
While they chatted, Yuri had already run far ahead.
He turned back and shouted,
"Thanks for making it, everyone. But forget all the past adventures. We need to focus on what's ahead now. Got it?"
"Yes!"
Yuri pointed toward the checkpoint and shouted,
"Alright, charge!"
Yuri began running toward the palace guards in black armor. After a somersault, he stood up and presented his identification badge.
Name, Yuri Briol.
Status, Third Prince of Briol.
Purpose of visit, Invitation from the Emperor.
The palace guards saluted with discipline and opened the gates.
"Welcome! Please, enter!"
Yuri and his companions had finally arrived at the heart of the Empire, after an epic journey.
[T/L: Read more chapters on Ko-fi page "RevengerScans" : https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]