Gott was at a Pork Belly restaurant in the imperial capital, which is popular for gatherings.
It served pork belly grilled in real time, and its taste paired well with alcohol, attracting many groups seeking unity to dine there.
"Is everyone seated?"
"Yes."
"And those who haven't arrived yet?"
"There's no one left."
"Let's wait just a bit. His Highness will be here soon."
Those gathered here were members of the Briol Fellowship, led by him. There were so many that the entire restaurant had to be reserved.
A peer who was close to him asked,
"Gott, how's your condition?"
"Of course I'm fine."
"And your discharge?"
"Not yet. Soon."
"Then let's hold a discharge party when it happens."
"It wasn't for a good reason, so I feel a bit ashamed."
"So what?"
Gott had come out from the temple's drug rehabilitation clinic because of a summons from the Third Prince.
Before leaving the Empire, Yuri had instructed him to gather all Briol people and arrange a meal on his behalf.
"Let's fill the glasses first."
As the drinks filled each glass, Gott let out a sigh.
"Hmph…"
He had gathered everyone, but his mind was not at ease.
It was well known that Imperial Prince Ragna and Yuri were close. But just a few days ago, news of Ragna's sudden accident had reached them.
Though he could be annoying at times, Ragna was the one who had pulled him out of the abyss of drugs, so Gott couldn't help but be concerned.
"He made this gathering for us, so let's not bring up the Imperial Prince. Got it?"
"Yes!"
"His Highness should be…"
When Gott looked out the window, he saw Yuri walking toward them from afar.
"He's coming."
As Yuri appeared, the members of the Briol Fellowship rose from their seats.
"Sit, sit. Why're you all standing like that?"
Waving his hands, Yuri motioned for everyone to sit, then placed a hand on Gott's shoulder.
"Wow, you did a great job preparing this, Gott. Must've been quite the hassle."
"It's nothing."
Yuri was the same as always. He smiled brightly and looked around the room.
"Mind giving me a glass too?"
"Ah, yes."
A member nearby poured him a drink and handed it over. Yuri nodded slightly and then raised the glass high.
"Meeting all the way out here in the imperial capital must be fate. Let's all have a drink."
"Yes!"
"To Briol!"
"To Briol!"
Everyone downed their drinks together.
After emptying his glass, Yuri set it down on the nearby table and spoke.
"Everyone from Briol living out here in this distant imperial capital, and the students too, I hope you never forget that we're Briol people."
"Yes!"
"What is Briol?"
"It never abandons its honor!"
"Now, let's enjoy ourselves. Drink up."
The meat kept coming to the table, and the alcohol began to flow. Yuri moved from table to table, encouraging the members.
Thanks to his friendly demeanor, everyone relaxed and enjoyed the gathering.
Yuri approached Gott, who was too busy to eat properly, and threw an arm around his shoulder.
"Hey, Gott. Aren't you working too hard?"
"Oh, I'm fine."
"What I told you—don't forget, and do it well."
"Yes."
Yuri had told Gott to continue the war against drugs even after he left the capital. He planned to continue working as a lecturer and motivational speaker, in collaboration with the temple.
"Contact me if there's a problem."
"Understood."
"And… thank you."
"…Sorry?"
Surprised by the sudden words, Gott looked at Yuri.
Yuri grinned and placed an empty glass in his hand, then poured him a drink.
"You're taking care of all the Briol people in the capital."
"It's not that much…"
"Oh please."
Yuri gestured with his chin.
"You gathered everyone here. Is there anyone in this room you don't know?"
"No."
"You know them all?"
"Yes."
"Then you're the leader."
Yuri gave his shoulder a light punch.
"So I'm counting on you."
"Understood, Your Highness."
A strange feeling welled up inside Gott.
Good things rarely came from getting involved with Yuri. Six years ago, he got randomly picked on and beaten, and when he came to the capital, he was caught with drugs and dragged like a dog into the temple.
But in the end, everything turned out well.
Their second meeting had been better than the first, so he had a strange feeling that their next meeting might be even better than this one.
"We're not that far apart in age, right?"
"No, sir."
"We'll see each other for a long time, then. So let's do well. Practice your swordsmanship, and grow a kind heart like mine."
"…Yes."
Yuri gestured toward Dale, who was sitting in the corner.
"Teach that guy well too, got it?"
"Yes, sir."
It was at that moment.
Noise broke out outside. Gott glanced back and saw unfamiliar people peeking inside Hwangseong Samgyeop, scribbling into their notepads.
They were reporters.
After Yuri and Gott's interview became a huge sensation, they became prime targets for the capital's media.
Yuri released the arm around his shoulder.
"Gott."
"Yes."
"I'll go right, you go left. Let's casually turn and look back."
"…Sir?"
"Don't forget the soft smile."
"…Yes."
"Make it look like a coincidence, keep it natural."
"Understood."
"Now, go."
Feeling Yuri's tap on his back, Gott turned with him in that direction and flashed a smile.
The hands of the reporters clustered at the entrance of Hwangseong Samgyeop began to move busily.
Yuri spoke in a slurred voice without moving his mouth.
"Hold still like this."
"…Yes."
The next day, every newspaper and magazine in the capital featured that scene on their front page.
***
Before leaving the imperial capital, Yuri was running around busily.
He gave money to Gorio, who would remain in the Empire and continue gathering information for him, met the departing envoys from other countries to set up future meetings, and visited the Rein Company's branch in the capital to give instructions for upcoming business.
He also contacted various media outlets to provide articles or gave gifts to the staff at the Duforia Hotel who had worked hard for him.
And now, he was in his suite at the Duforia Hotel, meeting with a visitor.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
Sitting on the bed's edge, he raised his gaze.
Standing in front of him was Asana.
After infiltrating Genard's castle, she had left, saying she needed time for training, but now, just before Yuri's departure, she had suddenly appeared.
And she had said something shocking.
"The royal palace is dangerous."
"If I don't do it, Briol will be in danger."
"Hm…"
"I'll watch for the right moment, carefully."
"Hoo…"
Yuri shook his head.
"You suddenly show up and say you'll stay in the capital to look for an opportunity to enter the palace…"
The palace had multiple magical defenses. Even someone like Asana couldn't simply walk in.
"It's possible now. I might not be able to move freely, but if I stay nearby and watch for the right time, I can get in."
Asana had felt her own inadequacy after facing the unidentified being beyond the crystal orb in Genard's castle.
So she had temporarily left Yuri's side to refine the secret techniques of the Assassin Cult, and she had achieved some results.
"If you're saying this much…"
Yuri muttered.
Asana wasn't the type to act recklessly. On the contrary, she was a very cautious person.
If someone like her was speaking this decisively, it meant there was real potential.
Yuri tapped the bed and said,
"Keep this in mind. If it gets dangerous, back off. Got it?"
"Yes."
"If you need anything, ask Gorio."
"Understood."
"And don't bully Gorio too much. He's getting on in years now."
"I'll consider it."
"The imperial palace archives, and all members of the imperial family—doubt them all. If you find anything suspicious, report it to me."
"Yes."
"I'm really worried."
"Your Highness,"
Asana shook her head.
"Rather than worrying about me, it's Your Highness you should be worried about. I wonder if you're in your right mind."
"Hey…"
It was rare for her to express herself this strongly. Asana continued,
"Why don't you cancel your trip?"
"I can't."
"I'm truly concerned."
Yuri planned to pretend he was returning to Briol, but in truth, he was going to divert toward Adelvine.
There awaited a monstrous foe he had to face.
The Death Knight, Gert.
He was a true Death Knight in every sense of the word, feared by all.
He was on a completely different level from the nasty skeleton Yuri had seen in Erich Briol's grave.
"Don't worry. I'm taking a strong ally."
Asana didn't seem convinced. Yuri shrugged.
"He'll be enough…"
Just then, the strong friend he mentioned knocked on the door.
"Your Highness! It's me, Jose!"
"Huh, why so sudden…"
Yuri signaled to Asana with his eyes. She vanished from sight.
"Come in."
Jose flung the door open and marched in.
All the while, Asana stood quietly in a corner of the room.
When Yuri finally noticed where she was, his heart skipped a beat—but Jose saw nothing and simply gave Yuri a deep bow.
She really had made progress during her time training in secret techniques.
Jose began making a fuss.
"Your Highness, there's trouble."
"What is it?"
"Jonathan won't allow it."
"Come on, I told you not to say that. Of course he wouldn't."
"Well, I can't lie, can I?"
"So what now?"
"I've decided to slip away quietly."
"Huh?"
"Your Highness, I will be making a nighttime escape today. I'll be staying down in Gatensha, so please come find me there."
"Uh…"
Jose's eyes were burning with resolve to fight Gert no matter what.
"I, Jose Aratur, will destroy that monster by Your Highness's side."
"I appreciate your resolve. But you know it's dangerous, right?"
"Of course."
Although there was still time before he would slay Gert and rise to become one of the ten strongest, Yuri knew that even now, Jose was already strong enough.
This, too, was part of the changes Yuri had created.
Thanks to Yuri's guidance, Jose had met people like Moyong Chan and Bernard, and he had grown far faster than he had in the previous life.
"All right. If Jonathan gives you grief later, just tell me. I'll talk to him for you."
"Thank you."
Jose squared his shoulders. He was carrying a mountain of luggage.
"Then I'll take my leave now. I'll slip away quietly, so no one will notice I've gone. If Jonathan comes looking, please say you don't know anything."
"Got it."
He didn't look stealthy in the slightest, but Yuri nodded for now.
Jose grinned and gave a respectful bow before thudding out of the room.
Yuri turned his head toward where Asana had been.
"Huh?"
But she had already vanished.
Left alone, Yuri threw himself onto the bed.
The ceiling came into view.
It had been six years since his regression.
So much had happened.
Until recently, things had gone according to his plans, but now, that had changed. Even with memories from his past life, there were enemies in the Empire that couldn't easily be dealt with.
That's why he had lost Ragna.
It was sad, but he couldn't cry yet.
He would face countless such moments in the future. So for now, he placed it on his shoulders. Someday, if a time came when it was all right to set it down, then he would allow himself to crumble.
But now was not the time to shed tears.
He had to raise his sword.
***
In the underground mausoleum of the imperial palace, there was a hall where only the remains of royalty were enshrined.
Only those of imperial blood were permitted entry.
Ekaterina stepped into the hall alone, having sent her guards back.
Countless coffins were arranged behind individually erected tombstones.
She stood in front of Ragna's tombstone.
She placed flowers at its base.
And then quietly gazed at it. His name, dates of birth and death, and his accomplishments in life were inscribed in detail.
But nowhere did it say that he had been a wonderful uncle.
"Ekaterina."
At the sound of her name, she turned around. Her second brother, Georg, was entering the hall.
He walked over and stood beside Ekaterina. He too placed flowers before Ragna's grave.
The two remained silent for a while.
Georg spoke first.
"I didn't expect Uncle to go like this."
"Yeah…"
"To think he'd suffer such an accident—it's hard to believe."
As children, they often called Ragna "uncle."
When Ibarra wasn't around, he would bring them treats from outside the palace or play fun games with them. It was a secret the three of them had kept from Ibarra.
"I already miss him."
It was an uncharacteristically sentimental statement from Georg.
He walked past the tombstone and placed a hand on the coffin.
"Brother?"
"I just want to see him one last time."
The coffin had been magically treated to prevent decomposition.
So this hall functioned as a place to preserve the royal bodies.
Georg opened the coffin.
"He looks peaceful. Like he's just sleeping."
Ekaterina walked cautiously to stand beside him.
Just as he said.
Ragna lay there looking no different than when he was alive.
And around his body were the items placed with him during the funeral.
Ragna appeared to be sleeping, surrounded by the sword and armor he always carried, along with gold and jewels.
Suddenly, Georg reached out his hand.
"That."
He pointed at something.
Looking at Ekaterina, Georg gave a bitter smile.
"So this is where it ended up."
At the tip of his finger, the Emperor's Medal given to the tournament champion and a worn set of playing cards were neatly laid out.
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