Yuri left the Imperial Capital as the sun rose.
Since no time had been announced, no one knew they were departing.
Only the Imperial Guard, yawning under the morning sunlight, was surprised to see Yuri appear at the checkpoint and quickly paid their respects.
A few birds flapped their wings and followed them around.
Gatensha was slightly off the road that led to Adelvine, but since Jose had fled there to escape Jonathan's objections, they had no choice but to stop by to pick him up.
Yuri said,
"Gatensha, huh. I've got a bad feeling about it."
"Why?"
Cory, walking beside him, tilted his head.
He now looked like a warrior—his body had changed. Even with a limp in his step, there was strength in his movements.
It was thanks to Ernando's prescription.
Just as people say a sound mind dwells in a sound body, for a mage who manifests their will into reality, a healthy body is just as important as learning magic itself.
Watching the now lively Cory, Yuri felt like maybe that saying was true.
"Never mind, probably just unnecessary worry. But Cory, how the hell did you train to get your body like this in such a short time?"
"Druid…"
"What? Lloyd?"
Yuri flinched and stepped back.
It was the name of a forbidden elixir that caused muscular growth at the cost of something precious. Its production was strictly banned throughout the empire.
"No, I said druid."
"Steroid?"
"Eh? No, no. Just, druid."
"What kind of druid?"
"The kind that's a friend of nature."
"Ah…"
"Sir Ernando said druids have a way to build up their bodies to communicate with bears. He taught me that method exactly as it is."
"So that's what it was."
"I feel healthier, and I like it."
Simon and Guinness, who were following behind, looked worn out, but Cory, even with a hefty pack on his back, didn't seem bothered at all.
"Did Ernando not teach you any magic?"
"Magic? No…"
"So he just helped you bulk up?"
"Yes."
"Hmm…"
They were on their way to face the Death Knight, Gert.
Yet Ernando had gone his own way, saying he had other matters. Now, Cory was the only mage left.
Yuri began to feel uneasy.
"Well, whatever. Jose's with us, so we'll manage somehow."
They soon arrived at Gatensha.
Though it wasn't as large as the Imperial Capital, red banners fluttered atop its solid fortress walls. It was a small but sturdy city.
The guards recognized Yuri and his group.
"Welcome to Gatensha. We've heard much about your Highness's reputation. Sir Laurent, congratulations on your victory in the tournament. How long do you plan to stay in Gatensha?"
"Not long. We might leave today."
"Understood."
Yuri's party entered Gatensha.
He immediately began searching for Jose.
No sooner had he asked if anyone had seen a large knight than the townspeople told him where Jose was.
He was in the city's largest tavern.
In the middle of the tavern sat Jose, gulping down drink after drink.
An employee groaned under the weight as they moved a pile of empty glasses.
"Jose."
"Oh, Prince?"
Jose stood up as he recognized Yuri. Despite having drunk a lot, his face looked perfectly fine.
"You're here earlier than I expected."
"You came here just to drink?"
"Hahaha…"
He scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Don't we all have times we want to drink alone? We've been traveling together for so long, I just wanted some time for myself."
"Yeah, fair enough. Should I leave you alone?"
"No need. Since we're here, how about…"
Just then.
The rest of Yuri's group was waiting outside when a commotion began. A group of imperial knights could be seen saying something.
Jose chuckled as he spoke.
"Well, seems like it can't be helped. Go take care of it, Prince. I'll enjoy a bit more alone time."
"You're being especially cheeky today, Sir Jose."
"Hahaha, have mercy."
Yuri patted him on the shoulder and headed toward the entrance. As he did, the conversation from outside began to reach his ears.
"Is this an invitation? Feels more like an arrest."
"Please don't misunderstand. The lord has simply extended an invitation."
"Do people carry swords when they invite others now?"
"We haven't drawn them. They're still in the scabbards."
"Same thing. You even came in armor."
"If we'd actually drawn them, do you think we'd still be just talking?"
"So you do want to fight?"
Jared had stepped forward, bickering with the knights.
When Yuri appeared, Jared spread his arms and said,
"Well, Prince. These guys are telling us to come and go as they please."
"Prince Yuri, the Lord of Gatensha has extended an invitation. We've been instructed to escort you with utmost respect. Please follow us."
"That's how you invite people?"
Simon and Guinness, and even Laurent—who rarely showed emotion—raised an eyebrow.
"How rude. Was it really the lord who sent you?"
When Laurent stepped forward, the knights' momentum faltered. Laurent's name, as the tournament champion, was no light matter.
"Yes."
Laurent looked to Yuri as if leaving the decision entirely to him.
Yuri said,
"No."
The entire party, as well as the knights, looked at him in surprise.
"I'm not going."
"Prince, to refuse the invitation is—"
"What? You gonna take me by force?"
Yuri stepped forward, tapping the hilt of his sword on his hip. The knights recoiled.
"Right, what was his name again…"
Yuri tapped the pommel as he spoke.
"Zaire Enekin. The current lord here is Zaire Enekin, isn't he? Judging by how rudely you're acting, he must've been dying for me to show up."
"We were simply told to escort you respectfully."
"Is he trying to take out his grudge over the predecessor's matter on me?"
The knights' faces stiffened at Yuri's words.
"That's an outrageous thing to say."
"You're the outrageous ones. Showing up in full armor and coming in a pack to 'invite' me—did you really think I'd come along?"
"Prince, this is the Empire."
"So?"
"Wouldn't it be best not to cause trouble? If you wish to return safely—"
Before the knight could finish, Yuri kicked him in the stomach. His armor caved in, and his body flew backward, tumbling along the ground with the other knights behind him.
"You've got some nerve…"
"Guh-hhk…"
"Your master sent you knowing full well this would happen, huh? Sent you here just to get hit, didn't he?"
Yuri had suspected this would happen the moment he saw the knights.
So instead of getting dragged into some half-baked argument, he simply blasted them away.
"More of them will be coming, right?"
The knight couldn't respond. Gripping his dented armor, he gasped for air, coughing up blood repeatedly.
As Yuri had predicted, a large group of knights stationed behind the building came rushing forward.
Yuri's group drew their swords.
The fleeing townspeople left the streets empty. The once-peaceful streets of Gatensha were instantly filled with tension.
"Well now…"
Inside the tavern, Jose lifted his drink and asked,
"Shall I lend a hand?"
"No need."
Yuri jerked his chin toward the knight who had stepped forward.
"If he wants to see me, tell him to come himself."
"Your Highness, it won't be good if you escalate this."
"Why do you think that?"
Yuri smirked.
"I don't care. Stirring up trouble sounds fine to me. Just like my father used to."
"What did you say!"
The mood turned hostile at Yuri's words.
Over twenty knights radiated killing intent, but Yuri's group didn't flinch.
Jared leaned in and quietly asked Laurent,
"What is this situation?"
"An old grudge."
"Grudge?"
"His Majesty once killed a knight of Gatensha."
"And?"
"That knight was the lord's son."
"Wait, so…"
It was a generational feud.
In the past, Fiore had personally beheaded a knight of Gatensha. At the time, the Emperor let the matter slide, and Fiore returned to Briol without any punishment.
Because of that, six years ago, Georg had even pressured Fiore by bringing up the incident in Gatensha.
Regardless, the incident left a scar of shame on the Enekin family.
Now, Zaire Enekin, the son of the slain knight and grandson of the former lord, ruled Gatensha. The moment he heard Yuri had entered the domain, he dispatched his knights.
The reason was obvious.
He was looking for a chance to humiliate them.
"His Majesty wouldn't kill someone for no reason."
"I heard the guy was human trash."
"As I thought…"
Though the two of them weren't speaking loudly, those nearby could hear them. The knights' faces contorted.
They pointed at Laurent and Jared, spitting insults.
Then Yuri stepped in between them.
"I'm the one in charge. You should be talking to me."
"You'll regret this."
"Who will?"
Yuri shrugged.
"If you're confident, fight. If you're only going to bark, then piss off. What the hell are you knights doing, acting this pathetic?"
"..."
"I said it already. If he wants to see me, Zaire Enekin needs to come himself."
"You're inviting disaster."
"Who the hell are you to talk down to me, you bastard."
Yuri took a step forward, and the knight flinched and backed away.
"If you're going to cower like that, don't act so arrogant."
His face turned red. Yuri had already wrecked one of his comrades with a single kick, so he was clearly nervous.
They said he fought in the Allied Army—apparently, his skills weren't just rumors.
"…Understood."
When the knight gave a nod to someone behind him, another knight turned and left. He was likely going to report to Zaire.
Yuri muttered,
"Everyone should know why my father did what he did."
The knights of Gatensha fell silent.
The death of the lord's father had, in truth, been his own doing.
Drunk, he had challenged Fiore—then famed for his swordsmanship—to a duel. When Fiore refused, he turned his attention to harassing Yuri's now-deceased mother.
To provoke Fiore, who rarely got angry, took real talent, in a way.
Fiore gave him a final chance. He wouldn't respond while the man was drunk, but the next day, when sober, they would duel as he wished.
When he sobered up, he was terrified, but believed that Fiore, as a subject of the Empire, wouldn't dare kill him, a noble.
And his own sword skills gave him a shred of confidence.
So, just as agreed, they crossed swords.
The result was clear.
Fiore beheaded him.
"You're all a little ashamed too, aren't you?"
"..."
"But now his son's doing more shameful things. Guess it really is hereditary…"
"I'll relay those words to the lord."
"You're tattling? Go ahead."
While Yuri mocked them, the lord arrived on horseback.
Zaire looked to be just over thirty.
The Enekin family had a natural talent for the sword, and Zaire was no different—his build was solid, and his aura was sharp.
He dismounted without a word, folded his arms, and looked Yuri up and down.
It felt like he was inspecting merchandise.
His intent was blatantly impure.
"What are you staring at?"
"Little prince, you're quite bold."
"Little?"
"Oh, my apologies. You seemed… green."
Zaire gave a relaxed smile.
"If I've offended you, I apologize. Since you've come to my domain, why not come to the castle for a meal—"
"Hey. Cut the crap. You came here to fight, didn't you?"
"Does it seem that way? I…"
"Quit wasting my time. I've been hoping for a punching bag lately, and you're just the right size."
"Mind your words. That's no way to speak."
"You're one to talk."
Yuri strode straight up to him. Zaire didn't back down, meeting Yuri's eyes and standing firm.
Yuri muttered,
"I've got places to be…"
He was getting irritated.
It was obvious this guy was doing everything he could to force a duel.
If that's what he wanted, he should've just said he wanted to avenge his father. All this petty maneuvering was disgusting.
Yuri's hand moved.
Smack.
Zaire flinched in shock.
So did everyone else present.
Yuri had slapped him.
"There. Gave you your excuse. You're welcome."
"Y-you just…"
"Let's duel."
"You struck my cheek…"
"That's on you for not dodging. If you can't dodge that, what are you gonna do if you can't dodge my sword later?"
Zaire's face flushed. His feigned composure cracked. His lips twitched, and his brow furrowed.
Yuri continued,
"If you wanted to fight, you should've just said so. Why beat around the bush? You too embarrassed to challenge a kid to a duel at your age?"
"I'll make you regret this, little prince."
"Regret…"
Yuri burst out laughing.
"You won't be able to regret anything once your head's rolling, will you?"
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