Everyone who was supposed to attend the banquet had arrived.
The blaring of the horns had ceased.
The entrance doors were closed.
Yuri now sensed that the emperor’s arrival was imminent.
“I wonder what he looks like,” Jared said, taking a sip from the fruit wine on the table.
“To think the day would come when I’d see the emperor…”
“That’s thanks to me.”
“Is that so…?”
“What do you mean, ‘is that so’?”
Jared had come a long way from his commoner roots—a true self-made man.
Yuri patted him on the back and chuckled.
“You know what?”
“Hm?”
“It’s my first time seeing the emperor too.”
The music shifted.
The lively tunes that had filled the hall gave way to something grander, more solemn.
At the same time, the crimson drapes that had concealed one side of the banquet hall began to part slowly.
Yuri’s eyes stayed fixed beyond the curtains.
The empire’s nobles placed their hands over their hearts, already prepared to pay their respects.
Then, beyond the red fabric, a massive steel eagle came into view.
Its outstretched wings were larger than most people, and where its eyes would be, red jewels gleamed. Beneath the eagle’s sharply curved beak sat the emperor himself.
He surveyed the entire hall with a bored gaze.
The red cushion on the throne made it look as if the emperor was seated atop a pool of blood spilled by the eagle.
His presence was so overwhelming that the royal family members seated beside him barely registered.
Everyone in the hall dropped to one knee simultaneously.
Even the orchestra fell silent, bowing in respect.
A heavy silence followed.
Then his voice echoed through the room.
“Rise.”
Slowly, everyone lifted their heads.
The emperor appeared to be in his forties or fifties. His skin was well cared for, and there was a spark of life in his eyes.
With a wave of his hand, the orchestra resumed playing—a lively tune.
“To our proud warriors who vanquished the monsters of the steppe, I have gathered you here to honor your deeds. Let us all enjoy this occasion.”
The emperor raised his hand, and a servant beside him handed him a cup of wine.
“Drink.”
At once, everyone raised their glasses. Those without cups hurried to find one, causing a brief commotion.
Seeing this, the emperor laughed.
“Take your time, take your time. Who’s chasing you?”
And so, everyone lifted their glasses.
“To the victory of the allied forces.”
The emperor drained his cup in one continuous gulp.
Because of this, no one dared to lower their glasses from their lips.
“Phew…”
Wiping his mouth with his sleeve, the emperor set down his empty cup.
Everyone hurried to empty their own cups after him.
Those who were weak drinkers soon began coughing, unable to keep up.
“What’s this? Take it easy. Why are you all drinking it all down after me? Planning to say later you got drunk because of me?”
He chuckled at his own joke.
Yuri watched him and set down his empty cup. He seemed to have a surprisingly playful side.
Jared whispered, “He seems like a good guy.”
Yuri sighed.
If the emperor were just the man he appeared to be, why would people fear him? And why would Ragna dislike him so much?
“Lucky bastard with a good boss…”
“Huh?”
“You don’t know how easy you’ve had it because of me.”
“What do you mean…?”
“Count yourself lucky.”
“What are you talking about?”
The banquet was now in full swing.
Some nobles lined up to pay their respects to the emperor, but he sent them all away, saying he would summon them himself.
So the guests mingled freely, no longer feeling the weight of the emperor’s presence.
Yuri reconnected with comrades from the allied forces.
“Hey, Sibyl Gain.”
“It’s Sven Gain, actually.”
“Have you been training hard? Not wearing armor these days?”
“When have I ever…?”
After teasing Sven, Yuri greeted Wolf.
“Sir Wolf. How have you been?”
“Fine. The prince is as always.”
Wolf looked him up and down, smiling admiringly.
“You’re truly impressive. How long have you been in the empire? You’re already more refined than the nobles here.”
“That’s thanks to a good tailor.”
As Yuri chatted with Wolf, others nearby took notice.
An imperial noble approached.
“It’s a fine sight to see the two heroes of Briol and Liberta standing together.”
“Thank you.”
“How do you find the empire?”
“The capital’s the best, the food’s the best. Ekaterina is beautiful. I respect the emperor. The Black Knight is cool.”
“Of course…”
Giving the answers the empire wanted to hear, the noble smiled contentedly and drank more wine.
Gradually, more people gathered.
Though Ragna was the actual commander of the allied forces, he sat beside the emperor.
Perhaps because of that, the allied soldiers naturally gravitated toward Yuri.
“Sir Jonathan, how have you been? You look bigger.”
“Of course. The sea winds of Bursen have made me stronger.”
“Not fat, right?”
“Haha, I’ve just been eating a lot of sashimi…”
“Sashimi? I’ve never tried it, but I hear it’s delicious.”
“You should come to Bursen sometime, Your Highness. I’ll treat you to a full course.”
Johaim’s Gonte had not forgotten his promise to Yuri.
“Your Highness, I hope you’ve been well.”
“Oh, Sir Gonte.”
“We’ve been rigorously selecting trainees in Johaim. I look forward to seeing you there soon.”
“Selection too? I’m looking forward to it. Let’s work together to strengthen our country.”
Yuri had already designed a training program for Johaim’s knights.
Not just swordplay, but guerrilla tactics in the mountains, survival skills, camouflage—all would be taught.
He had recruited renowned hunters from across the land.
Johaim would become a dagger aimed at the empire’s back.
“Long time no see.”
Then, the empire’s Third Knight Commander, Wayne, approached Yuri. His expression was as stern as ever, just like during the allied campaign.
“You’ll be entering the tournament, right?”
“Not sure.”
“There are many waiting for you.”
“Me? Who?”
“You’ll find out when you meet them.”
“If I don’t meet them, I won’t know.”
“The emperor said he’s putting up many prizes for this tournament.”
Wayne gave a faint smile.
“I look forward to seeing the prince in the tournament.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
Yuri had no intention of participating, but everyone seemed to expect him to.
So he gave a vague answer and moved on.
The crowd was so thick that Yuri stepped back and took a sip of wine, trying to ignore the gaze he felt on the back of his head.
“Hernando.”
“Yes?”
“You’re looking at me, right?”
“Yes.”
“What do I look like?”
“Well…”
Hernando circled around as if scanning the room, then returned to Yuri.
“To put it simply, you look like someone admiring their future son-in-law with pride.”
“What nonsense.”
The emperor sat quietly on his throne, surveying the banquet hall.
From his high vantage point, he could see more than when he was down below.
The attention of the crowd was focused on Prince Yuri Briol.
“He has the power to lead people.”
Ivar stroked his chin.
He had already heard much about Yuri Briol.
He asked his second son, who had dealings with the prince.
“Georg.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“How does he compare to before?”
“Well…”
Georg smiled faintly.
“He’s grown just as expected. Maybe even better than anticipated.”
“Is that so?”
“I want to bring him here.”
“Really?”
Ivar chuckled softly. Though the second prince was ambitious, he rarely showed his intentions so openly.
Next, he asked the crown prince, Eugen.
“Eugen.”
“Yes.”
“Seems like he’s more popular than you.”
“This banquet is for the allied forces. That’s only natural.”
“Should I just adopt him?”
“Whatever else, I doubt anyone else could handle Your Majesty’s temper better than I can.”
“True, true. Ha ha ha ha…”
Ivar laughed heartily, then glanced at his daughter, Ekaterina.
She caught Yuri’s gaze and quietly took a sip of wine.
At that moment, Yuri also drank from his cup.
Could it be she had feelings for him?
But his daughter was not so simple to judge so quickly.
“Ahem…”
Ivar grinned, a mischievous idea forming.
“Summon the representatives of the allied forces.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
A servant by his side relayed the emperor’s summons to the banquet hall.
Most of the allied commanders were gathered near Prince Briol, so they assembled quickly.
“Ragna.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Come here. You are the hero of the allied forces.”
“I understand.”
Startled by the emperor’s sudden summons, Yuri and the others made their way forward.
The emperor had descended from his throne and was standing.
Though not large in stature, his eyes shone brightly.
“You’ve all come well.”
He placed a hand on Ragna’s shoulder. Compared to the relaxed emperor, Ragna’s expression was tense.
“I am Emperor Ivar.”
As the emperor introduced himself, everyone instinctively bowed again.
“Rise. No need for such formalities.”
“I am honored.”
“But who are you?”
“Yes, I am…”
“You didn’t join the allied forces, did you?”
The question was directed at Larsson, heir to the Holy Kingdom.
He had called together representatives from each nation participating in the Allied Forces, but he had insisted on coming himself instead of Sibylla, making a fuss just to be here.
Ivar seemed to have noticed the scene as well.
“I thought your sister was coming.”
“Well, I’m here representing the Holy Kingdom. Since I hold the highest rank, it’s only proper that I come…”
“Proper? What proper?”
Ivar shook his head.
“Your behavior isn’t proper at all. Proper etiquette is about honoring others, not elevating yourself. You came here just to show off, and now you want to talk about propriety?”
“N-no, yes, you’re right.”
“Go tell your sister to come. You don’t need to be here.”
“Y-yes…”
Larson hurriedly bowed his head and slunk away. Watching his retreating figure, Ivar let out a low chuckle.
“Well? See? I’m good with words, aren’t I?”
He put a finger to his lips, then spread his hand neatly and tapped his thumb against his finger.
“They call me Ivar because I’m good at spinning tales. Ha ha ha ha…”
Everyone was taken aback.
Not knowing how to respond, a brief silence fell over the room.
But Yuri, who had dealt with all kinds of ruthless mercenary seniors in his past life, instinctively knew what to do.
“Hahaha!”
He clapped his hands and burst out laughing.
As Yuri laughed heartily, the others caught on and desperately joined in, trying to lighten the mood.
Suddenly, laughter blossomed throughout the banquet hall.
Ivar rubbed his chin with satisfaction.
“You’re all good company. No wonder you communicate so well and managed to beat the orcs. Isn’t that right, Ragna?”
“That’s right, Your Majesty.”
“I just wanted to have a chat, but hmm… what should I say?”
Ivar rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
“Oh, I just thought of something. Are all of you planning to participate in the tournament?”
Everyone exchanged glances.
“This time, we’re thinking of setting an age limit. So don’t be too disappointed if you can’t join.”
The tournament was held to find the rising saint, so not everyone who applied was accepted.
Those already famous or too powerful couldn’t participate. Those who were too old were also disqualified.
But this was the first time they’d set an age limit right from the application stage.
“Hmm. No one over forty, maybe up to thirty? Is that age gap acceptable…?”
Ivar pondered deeply.
Then, with a sly smile, he addressed everyone.
“Alright. Let’s set the limit at thirty. Anyway, you all want the winner’s medal, right? This time, you’ll really have to give it your all. Because, you see…”
Ivar turned around.
His gaze landed on Ekaterina, who was seated nearby.
A collective sigh, almost like a breathless gasp, escaped from the crowd.
Ekaterina, dressed for the banquet, was so stunningly beautiful that just looking at her from afar left people spellbound. Even Yuri found himself unable to look away for a moment.
With a teasing tone, Ivar said,
“If there’s anyone who wins the medal and offers it to my daughter, I’ll give her to that person.”