Everyone who was supposed to attend the banquet had arrived.
The horn no longer sounded.
The doors at the entrance were closed.
Yuri now guessed it was time for the emperor to appear.
"I wonder what he looks like."
Jared took a sip of the fruit wine placed on the table and said.
"I can't believe the day has come when I get to see the emperor…"
"You have me to thank for that."
"Is that so…"
"What do you mean, 'is that so'?"
Jared had come this far despite being of common birth—a truly self-made man.
Yuri patted him on the back and chuckled.
"Did you know?"
"Pardon?"
"This is my first time seeing the emperor too."
The band's music changed.
From the cheerful tunes that had been playing, it shifted to something grander and more solemn.
At the same time, the red curtain covering one side of the banquet hall slowly began to part.
Yuri couldn't take his eyes off what lay beyond.
The nobles of the empire were already placing their hands on their chests, preparing to pay their respects.
Soon, beyond the edge of the red fabric, the form of a massive steel eagle was revealed.
Its outstretched wings were larger than most people, and in the spot where its eyes would be, red gems were embedded. The emperor was leaning back beneath the eagle's sharply curved beak.
He gazed across the banquet hall with disinterested eyes.
Because of the crimson cushion placed on the throne, it looked as though the emperor were sitting atop blood shed by the eagle.
His presence was so overwhelming that the imperial family members seated to either side barely registered.
Everyone in the banquet hall dropped to one knee in unison.
Even the band stopped playing to offer their respect.
A long silence followed.
His voice rang out.
"Rise."
At his command, everyone slowly lifted their heads.
The emperor appeared to be in his forties or fifties. Perhaps due to good upkeep, his skin was clear and his eyes still held a spark of life.
With a wave of his hand, the band resumed playing. This time, a cheerful tune.
"To our proud warriors who slew the monsters of the grassland, I've arranged this gathering to honor your deeds—so let us enjoy ourselves."
When the emperor raised his hand, a steward beside him handed him a wine cup.
"Raise them."
At once, everyone lifted their glasses. Those who hadn't already grabbed one scrambled to find a cup, creating a brief commotion.
Seeing this, the emperor burst out laughing.
"Take your time, take your time. It's not like someone's chasing you."
And so, everyone raised their glasses.
"To the Allied Army's victory."
The emperor drank.
He didn't stop for a moment, downing the entire contents in one go. Because of that, no one else dared lower their own glasses before him.
"Phew…"
The emperor wiped his mouth with his sleeve and set his empty glass down.
Everyone hurried to drain their own cups in turn.
Those who couldn't handle their liquor ended up coughing.
"What's this? You should pace yourselves. Why are you all drinking like me? Planning to blame your drunkenness on me later?"
The emperor said that and burst out laughing.
Yuri watched him and set down his now-empty glass. The emperor seemed more mischievous than he had expected.
Jared whispered.
"He seems like a nice guy."
Yuri let out a sigh.
If the emperor were truly as simple as he appeared, why would people fear him, and why would Ragna despise him?
"Lucky kid, meeting the right boss…"
"Pardon?"
"You've had an easy time thanks to me."
"What do you mean…"
"Count your blessings."
"What are you talking about?"
And so, the banquet began in earnest.
Some nobles lined up to pay respects to the emperor, but he dismissed them all, saying he would call them himself.
As a result, the banquet guests mingled freely without worrying about the emperor's presence.
Yuri, too, greeted familiar faces from the Allied Army.
"Hey, Shiver Gain."
"It's Sven Gane."
"You've been training hard, I hope? Not getting beat up lately?"
"When did I ever…"
He teased Sven, then greeted Wolf.
"Sir Wolf. Have you been well?"
"Yes. You're just the same as always, Your Highness."
He looked Yuri up and down and chuckled, seemingly impressed.
"You look fantastic. You've only just arrived in the empire, and you already appear more refined than most nobles here."
"I got lucky with my tailor."
As Yuri chatted with Wolf, people nearby started paying attention.
One of the empire's nobles approached and struck up conversation.
"To see the two heroes of Briol and Liberda standing together—it's quite the sight."
"Thank you."
"How do you find the empire?"
"The imperial capital is the best, the food is the best. Ekaterina is pretty. I respect the emperor. The Black Knight is cool."
"As expected…"
Giving the answer an imperial would want to hear, the man smiled contentedly and drank more wine.
Gradually, a crowd began to gather.
Although the de facto commander of the Allied Army was Ragna, he was now seated beside the emperor.
Perhaps that was why the other veterans of the Allied Army naturally gravitated toward Yuri.
"Sir Jonathan, have you been well? You look bulkier."
"Of course. I've grown stronger breathing in the sea breeze of Bursen."
"You sure it's not just weight gain?"
"Hahaha, that's from eating too much sashimi…"
"Sashimi, huh. I've never had it, but they say it's delicious?"
"That won't do. Your Highness, you must visit Bursen sometime. I'll prepare a full-course meal."
Gonte of Yoheim still hadn't forgotten his promise with Yuri.
"Your Highness. Have you been well?"
"Oh, Sir Gonte."
"We've selected trainees in Yoheim with strict standards. You'll see them soon."
"Oh, you've already begun selection? I'm looking forward to it. Let's work together to build a strong and prosperous nation."
Yuri had already designed a training course for the knights of Yoheim.
It wouldn't be just about swinging swords—they'd learn guerrilla warfare in the mountains, various weapon techniques, survival skills, and camouflage training.
To this end, he had recruited renowned hunters from all over the land.
Yoheim would become a dagger aimed at the empire's vulnerable neck.
"It's been a while."
Then Wayne, the commander of the empire's 3rd Knight Order, approached Yuri. His expression was as stoic as it had been during the Allied Army campaign.
"You'll be entering the tournament, won't you?"
"We'll see."
"There are many waiting to meet you, Your Highness."
"Me? Who?"
"You'll find out when you meet them."
"And if I don't meet them, I guess I'll never know."
"His Majesty said he's placing many prizes on this tournament."
Wayne looked at Yuri and gave a faint smile.
"I look forward to seeing Your Highness in the tournament."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence."
Yuri had no intention of joining the tournament. But everyone seemed to believe he would.
So he gave a vague answer and let it pass.
With the crowd getting too large, Yuri stepped back and took a sip of wine. He tried to ignore the persistent gaze he could feel on the back of his head.
"Ernando."
"Yes."
"You're looking at me right now, aren't you?"
"Sure am."
"What kind of expression do I have?"
"Well…"
Ernando, who had been drinking wine with Yuri, casually turned in a circle as if to glance around. Then he spoke to Yuri again.
"If I had to put it into words, I'd say it's like someone looking fondly at their future son-in-law."
"What nonsense is that?"
***
The emperor sat on his throne, quietly surveying the banquet hall.
From such a high place, one could see more than when standing below.
The atmosphere of the banquet was clearly centering around that third prince of Briol.
"He has the power to draw people in."
Ibarra stroked his chin.
He had already heard plenty about Yuri Briol.
Ibarra asked his second son, who had crossed paths with that prince before.
"Georg."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"How does he compare to before?"
"Well…"
Georg chuckled softly.
"He turned out just as I imagined. Maybe even better."
"Really?"
"I want to bring him over."
"Do you?"
Ibarra let out a low laugh. The second prince, who was always greedy for talent, rarely showed his intent so openly.
This time, Ibarra turned to the crown prince, Eugen.
"Eugen."
"Yes."
"He seems more popular than you, doesn't he?"
"This is a banquet for the Allied Army. It's only natural."
"Shall I adopt him as my son?"
"With all due respect, no one but me could possibly handle Your Majesty's temper."
"True, true. Hahaha…"
Ibarra burst into laughter. Then he glanced at his daughter, Ekaterina, who was sitting quietly.
She had just looked at Yuri Briol before taking a gentle sip of wine.
Coincidentally, that moment overlapped with Yuri Briol also drinking his wine.
Could she have feelings for that boy?
But Ibarra knew his daughter wasn't so simple as to fall that easily.
"Hmm…"
A mischievous idea crossed Ibarra's mind, and he grinned slyly.
"Call forth the representatives of the Allied Army."
"Yes, understood."
The servant beside him stepped into the hall and relayed the emperor's summons.
Since most of the Allied Army's commanders were already gathered near the prince of Briol, they quickly assembled.
"Ragna."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Come, you are the true hero of the Allied Army."
"As you wish."
***
At the emperor's sudden call, Yuri moved along with the others.
The emperor had stepped down from his throne and was standing before them.
Though not a large man, his gaze burned with intensity.
"Good to see you all."
He spoke as he placed a hand on Ragna's shoulder. Compared to the relaxed emperor, Ragna did not look so at ease.
"I am Emperor Ibarra."
As the emperor introduced himself, everyone reflexively bowed again.
"Rise. No need to be overly formal."
"It is an honor."
"But who are you?"
"Ah, I…"
"You weren't part of the Allied Army, were you?"
The one questioned by Ibarra was Larrson, heir of the Holy Kingdom.
This gathering was meant for representatives who had fought in the Allied Army, but he had insisted on attending in place of Sibylla.
Ibarra seemed to have witnessed the whole ordeal.
"I thought your sister would be coming."
"Y-Yes, but as the highest-ranking member of the Holy Kingdom, I thought it proper that I come to maintain formality…"
"What formality?"
Ibarra shook his head.
"Your actions aren't what I'd call formal. Formality should lift others up, not elevate yourself. You came because you wanted to stand out—what kind of formality is that?"
"N-No, you're right, absolutely right."
"Go tell your sister to come. You don't need to return."
"Y-Yes…"
Larrson bowed quickly and walked away, shoulders slumped. Watching his retreating figure, Ibarra chuckled quietly.
"Well? Don't I speak well?"
He raised his hand to his mouth and flicked his thumb against his fingertips with a smug expression.
"They say I'm called Ibarra 'cause I bar out boring chatter. Hahahaha…"
Everyone froze in confusion.
For a moment, a brief silence passed as no one knew how to react.
But Yuri, who had survived all kinds of wicked superiors during his days as a mercenary in a past life, instinctively knew what to do.
"Ahahahahahaha!"
He burst into loud laughter, clapping his hands.
As Yuri laughed, the others quickly caught on and forced themselves to laugh too.
Laughter suddenly filled the banquet hall.
Ibarra stroked his chin with satisfaction.
"Fine friends who know how to communicate. No wonder they beat the orcs so well together. Am I right, Ragna?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"I just called you to have a chat, hmm. What should I say…"
Ibarra rubbed his chin, then spoke.
"Ah, I've got it. Are all the gentlemen here entering the tournament?"
Everyone exchanged glances.
"This tournament will have an age limit. Don't be too disappointed if you're not eligible."
The tournament was held to discover rising stars, and not everyone who applied was accepted.
Those who were already too famous or too powerful couldn't participate. The same applied to those who were too old.
But it was the first time they were setting a clear age limit at the application stage.
"Hmm. Let's say, no older than forty. Thirty might be better. That kind of age difference should be fine, right…"
Ibarra pondered deeply.
Then he grinned and declared to all:
"Alright. Let's set the limit at thirty. In any case, the winner gets a medal. Don't you all want that? You'll really have to work for it this time. Because…"
Ibarra turned around.
Where his gaze landed, Ekaterina was seated.
A sigh-like gasp escaped from the mouths of those around.
Ekaterina, dressed up for the banquet, was so breathtakingly beautiful that just looking at her from afar left people spellbound. Even Yuri found himself unable to look away for a moment.
Ibarra spoke in a voice tinged with amusement.
"If someone offers that medal to my daughter, I'll give her to him."