"You, you bastard…"
Yuri felt a swirl of emotions as he looked at him.
A mixture of pride and pity, familiarity and discomfort rose within him.
"You've finally…"
He was just now seeing his face, but the build was the same as the man in black he'd seen back then.
To think that someone who had grown into such a fine swordsman was now selling drugs—it filled Yuri with such regret that he shook his head.
"So you've grown like this."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Exactly what it sounds like."
Jared poked Yuri in the side.
"Who is he?"
"You don't remember?"
"Huh?"
"It's that guy from back then."
A long time ago, Yuri had fought in a duel trial against Georg's great warrior.
The squire of the royal guard he faced back then was older and bigger than him, but Yuri had overwhelmed him with dazzling swordsmanship.
In the end, he had even twisted his sword to spare his life.
"The guy I wrecked during that duel trial."
"Oh, that friend from back then?"
The other guy snapped.
"I wasn't wrecked."
Yuri took another look at him.
He hadn't expected that connection from back then to resurface here.
The boy who was once a squire of the royal guard had grown up to be so polished—was this the nature of time?
This unexpected reunion in the Imperial Palace Library, while searching for a drug dealer, brought Yuri a wave of nostalgia.
"I totally wrecked you back then…"
"It wasn't that bad."
"You were this tiny, now look at you…"
"I was already taller than you back then."
"The way you're back-talking now is just like how you fought. Every time I attacked, you flailed back wildly, got completely destroyed, and cried like a baby…"
"I never cried, and I wasn't completely destroyed."
"Let's just say you were."
"It's not just saying—it's the truth."
"Alright, alright. Since we've met again like this, why don't you tell me your name?"
"You didn't even know my name?"
"I thought you were just a minor background character who'd disappear soon. Didn't care much."
"…Phew."
The man let out a long sigh. As if reflecting his emotions, the light above swayed, scattering three shadows in disarray.
"It's been six years since I told someone my name. I'm Hasan."
"Hasan, huh. Sounds more like an assassin than a knight."
"Are there names like that in this world?"
"You get the vibe, right?"
There was a reason Yuri kept provoking him.
Hasan was holding a lamp in one hand, and a thick bundle in the other.
Seeing that, Yuri had a sudden thought.
Beneath the Imperial Palace Library lies a forbidden area even royalty can't enter at will. If drugs really were being manufactured in the palace, there couldn't be a more perfect hiding place than this.
So Yuri was deliberately teasing him to gauge his reactions.
"Suspicious…"
And every time he prodded, Hasan seemed to subconsciously hide the bundle behind him.
Yuri tilted his head to peek behind him.
"Very suspicious…"
"What, what are you talking about?"
"That bundle you're hiding behind you…"
Hasan hid the bundle completely.
"This isn't something a prince needs to concern himself with."
"Oh yeah?"
"I've heard the rumors. You're making quite the fuss. Since you've traveled all the way to the Empire, why not stay quiet and leave peacefully?"
"Your tone's a bit confrontational."
"It's not just my tone."
Hasan's eyes sharpened as he continued.
"I'll see you in the tournament. This time will be different. I'll defeat you, Your Highness."
"Ohh…"
Yuri stroked his chin and spoke.
"You think you can even make it to fight me?"
"I won't be eliminated. Unless you drop out first, we'll definitely face each other. I promise you."
"Can you keep that promise?"
"Of course."
"What if you can't?"
"That won't happen."
"Hypothetically."
"Are you trying to bet something?"
"Yeah. If we don't get to fight in the tournament, you'll do one thing I tell you to."
"Fine by me."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
It seemed Hasan had trained a lot during that time, as his confidence had grown immensely.
But Yuri wasn't even planning to enter the tournament.
He couldn't understand why everyone naturally assumed he'd be competing in it.
Yuri pointed to himself with his thumb.
"Then this match, I've already won."
"…What?"
"I'm not entering the tournament."
"…What?"
At those words, Hasan's eyes widened.
Yuri drove the nail in with logic.
"Since I'm not participating, it doesn't matter who gets eliminated. We won't be able to fight in the first place. So, the condition you proposed is already fulfilled."
"That's ridiculous…"
"Alright, then here's my request. Hand over that bundle!"
Yuri blocked his path like a bandit demanding a toll.
Hasan looked flustered.
"W-why are you doing this?"
"Hehehe, you're not going anywhere!"
Watching them, Jared nodded deeply and muttered.
"As expected, His Highness really is a genius at messing with people."
Hasan glanced around in bewilderment.
Yuri stepped closer.
"You're not thinking of causing a scene in the Imperial Palace Library, the greatest repository of knowledge, are you? What if you bump into a shelf? It could topple like dominoes and hit Princess Katrina at the entrance."
"You damned robber…"
"I just want to take a peek. What's the big deal? Hiding treasure or something?"
Yuri boldly stepped forward and snatched the bundle. Hasan sighed and stepped back, seemingly giving up resistance.
"You'll regret this."
"I don't do regrets."
"This has to remain secret."
"Show me."
Yuri untied the bundle.
"…Oh."
The moment he saw what was inside, Yuri immediately covered the bundle again.
"Hm…"
Unable to believe what he had just seen, he hesitantly lifted a corner of the cloth to peek again, then quickly wrapped it up tightly once more.
"Uhh…"
He handed the bundle back to Hasan.
"Hasan, uh…"
"Don't misunderstand. I'm just running an errand."
"For who…?"
"There's no reason to tell you that."
"…Mmm."
"Please, keep it a secret."
"Yeah…"
Yuri stepped aside to let him pass.
"You're probably busy, so go ahead."
"Yes."
Hasan bowed politely and walked toward the entrance.
The light he carried disappeared into the distance.
Jared asked,
"Your Highness, what was in there that made you react like that?"
"Well…"
Yuri stared into the deep shadows where Hasan had walked out from and said,
"It was an erotic book collection."
"…What?"
Jared blinked. He needed a moment to comprehend—he hadn't expected such a word to be uttered in the sacred Imperial Palace Library.
Yuri continued.
"And a rather extreme one…"
"Uh…"
"Very open-minded, no prejudice…"
"What is that even supposed to mean?"
"To think even the Imperial Palace Library would have something like that…"
Yuri raised the lamp higher. The light extended farther, illuminating endless rows of bookshelves.
"Well, since we're here, should we look around the library a bit more?"
"Yes."
Yuri and Jared wandered deeper into the Imperial Palace Library.
It was filled with books of all kinds.
Eventually, they stumbled upon a section dedicated to swordsmanship. The two of them fumbled through the pages in the dark for a while.
It was the first time Yuri realized just how many ancient sword manuals were gathered here.
"Interesting."
"It's a bit outdated compared to today's techniques, but there are still a few things worth remembering."
"Reading in the dark will ruin your eyes…"
"Still, it's not often we get to come here. Take a look while you can."
Yuri suddenly found an intriguing book.
Its title was One-Point Thrust.
An entire volume written just to explain a single technique. The text wasn't printed—it had been handwritten and illustrated by someone.
"Hooh…"
The concept was refreshing.
If used well, it might become a new finishing move, following the Whirling Vortex Sword.
But then, just when it was getting good, the explanation abruptly ended.
At the end of the book, it read:
"I have perfected the One-Point Thrust, but there is not enough space to write it here."
That was the end of the book.
No matter how much he flipped it over or searched through the shelves, there was no sequel.
Yuri, trembling with frustration, checked the author. It was a name he'd never heard of.
"What an infuriating guy…"
Lost in the book, quite a bit of time had passed.
Yuri tapped Jared on the shoulder as he read.
"Jared."
"Yes?"
"What are you reading so intently?"
"Swordsmanship."
"Don't waste time on that. Learn from me."
"…Excuse me?"
"Let's go."
"Yes, understood."
They finished up the books they were reading and retraced their steps.
As they neared the entrance, they heard Katrina's clear voice. She was chatting with the old man who guarded the library.
Katrina noticed Yuri and waved.
"Oh, you're back?"
"Yes."
Yuri glanced around. Hasan was nowhere to be seen.
"By the way, earlier I ran into someone…"
"Oh, someone came to borrow a book."
"You can borrow books?"
The old man sitting with Katrina gave a faint smile.
"Royalty may do so."
Hasan wasn't royalty. But he had said he was running an errand, which meant whoever sent him was.
Katrina explained,
"He's one of the Crown Prince's shadows. He often comes to the Imperial Palace Library in the prince's stead. Eugen loves books."
Yuri and Jared exchanged looks. Jared whispered quietly.
"Your Highness, was that erotic b—"
"Silence."
"Yes, sir."
Yuri cleared his throat and spoke.
"Well then, just out of curiosity… what kinds of books does His Highness the Crown Prince enjoy reading…?"
"Well… we don't keep track of every book royalty borrow…"
"I see. Mmm…"
Katrina tilted her head.
"What's the matter?"
"It's nothing."
"Shall we go then?"
"Yes."
She bid farewell to the librarian.
"We'll be going now. See you again, Parkinson."
"Yes, Princess."
They left the Imperial Palace Library. Having been in the dark, the setting sun outside was dazzling to their eyes.
Katrina smiled and asked,
"Would you like to keep strolling around?"
"No, I'm fine. It's getting late."
They boarded the carriage and left the palace.
During the ride, Yuri remained lost in thought.
Seeing his silence, Jared leaned in and whispered,
"Your Highness, what are you thinking about?"
"Just… thinking."
"Don't tell me it's that ero—"
"Shut up."
Truthfully, Jared was right. Yuri was thinking about the erotic book.
Of course, he wasn't lingering on the cover art.
His startled reaction to the wild illustrations had merely been an act. Yuri wasn't so dull that he wouldn't recognize a disguise for what it was.
If the bundle's contents were discovered, causing confusion and brushing things aside was the perfect strategy.
What better cover than the Crown Prince's secret stash of erotic literature?
Eugen Ibarra Granjay.
As he turned the name over in his mind, the carriage suddenly came to a stop.
They had returned to Katrina's estate.
The three of them stepped out of the carriage one by one. Dusk had fallen, and the surroundings were already dim.
Yuri bowed respectfully to Katrina.
"Thank you very much for today, Princess."
"Oh, it was nothing."
"I'll be sure to repay this debt."
"You really don't have to."
"It's getting late, so I'll take my leave."
"Hmmm…"
Katrina stared at him for a moment, then opened her mouth.
"Yuri."
It was the first time Katrina had called him by name. She had said she would speak more informally once they grew closer. Yuri, unflustered, responded.
"Yes, Princess."
Katrina smiled.
Her eyes crinkled gently.
"Wanna stay for bread?"
***
Laurent looked up at the building.
It was a high-rise that towered like a spire. Rows of lights hung from its walls, brightly glowing.
It was a famed restaurant in the Imperial Capital, known for being so expensive that even most nobles couldn't afford to visit.
A staff member came out as if they'd been waiting.
"Allow me to guide you."
Once inside, a pulley-operated elevator awaited.
Laurent rode it to the topmost floor of the restaurant.
The staff member said,
"It's an honor to show you the top floor. It's a space reserved only for the most distinguished guests."
As his words ended, the elevator doors opened.
Laurent was momentarily speechless.
Beyond the surrounding glass windows, the nightscape of the Imperial Capital unfolded.
The night sky sparkled with clusters of stars, and below, colorful lights traced the contours of the city. Occasionally, fireworks shot up from the streets, scattering across the sky.
It was a breathtakingly beautiful sight.
No matter what kind of gemstone you brought here, it wouldn't draw attention in this view.
But that was Laurent's mistake.
"She's waiting at the table."
At the staff member's words, Laurent turned his gaze. And again, he was speechless.
A presence so beautiful it couldn't be overshadowed by the background—in fact, one that outshone it—was waiting for Laurent amid the glowing night view of the Imperial Capital.
"You're late."
Ekaterina smiled at Laurent.
[🚨 URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨
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