Gote was at Hwangseong Samgyeop, a popular spot in Hwangseong for company dinners.
They grilled pork belly cuts right at the table, and the taste paired perfectly with alcohol, making it a favorite for groups looking to bond.
“Is everyone seated?”
“Yes.”
“Anyone missing?”
“No one.”
“Let’s wait a bit. The prince should be here soon.”
The people gathered were members of the Briol hometown association, led by Gote. There were so many of them that they had to rent out the entire restaurant.
A colleague who was close to Gote asked, “How are you feeling?”
“Fine, of course.”
“When will you be discharged?”
“Not yet. Soon.”
“Let’s have a discharge party then.”
“It’s not exactly a happy occasion, so that’s a bit embarrassing.”
“Who cares?”
Gote had just come out of the temple’s drug rehabilitation clinic because the Third Prince had summoned him.
Before leaving the empire, Yuri had instructed him to gather the Briol people and treat them to a meal.
“Let’s fill our glasses first.”
Watching the drinks being poured, Gote sighed.
“Hmm…”
Though the people were gathered, his heart wasn’t at ease.
It was known that Prince Ragna and Yuri were close friends. But a few days ago, news came of Ragna’s sudden accident.
Though sometimes irritating, Ragna was the one who had pulled Gote out of the depths of drug addiction, so he couldn’t help but worry.
“Since you made this gathering for us, let’s not bring up the prince’s situation, okay?”
“Yes!”
“The prince will be here soon…”
Gote glanced out the window and saw Yuri approaching from afar.
“He’s coming.”
As Yuri appeared, the Briol hometown association members stood up.
“Sit down, sit down. No need to stand.”
Waving them off, Yuri sat down and placed a hand on Gote’s shoulder.
“Wow, you really prepared well, Gote. Must’ve been tough.”
“Not at all.”
Yuri looked as usual, smiling broadly as he surveyed the room.
“Can I get a drink too?”
“Ah, yes.”
A nearby member poured a drink and handed it to Yuri, who nodded lightly and raised his glass.
“Meeting here in distant Hwangseong is fate. Let’s all have a drink.”
“Yes!”
“To Briol.”
“To Briol!”
Everyone downed their drinks together.
After finishing his glass, Yuri set it on the nearby table and said, “To all the Briol people and students settled here in faraway Hwangseong, never forget that we are Briol.”
“Yes!”
“What is Briol?”
“We never abandon our honor!”
“Now, let’s enjoy ourselves. One more round.”
More meat was brought to the table, and the drinks began to flow steadily. Yuri moved between tables, encouraging the members.
His easygoing manner helped everyone relax and enjoy the gathering.
Noticing Gote barely eating as he fussed over the event, Yuri came over and put an arm around his shoulder.
“Hey, Gote. Aren’t you working too hard?”
“I’m fine.”
“Remember what I told you. Keep it up.”
“Yes.”
Yuri instructed Gote to continue the fight against drugs even after he left Hwangseong. He planned to stay active as a lecturer and motivational speaker, working with the temple.
“If you have any problems, contact me.”
“Understood.”
“And thank you.”
“Huh?”
Surprised, Gote looked at Yuri.
Smiling, Yuri handed him an empty glass and poured some drink.
“You’re taking care of all the Briol people here in Hwangseong.”
“That’s nothing…”
“Don’t deny it.”
Yuri gestured sharply.
“You gathered all these people. Do you know anyone here you don’t recognize?”
“No.”
“You know them all?”
“Yes.”
“You’re the leader.”
Yuri gave Gote’s shoulder a firm pat.
“So, I’m counting on you.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Gote felt a strange sensation.
His ties with Yuri had rarely brought good things. Six years ago, he’d gotten into trouble and been beaten up for no reason. Then, after coming to Hwangseong, he was caught with drugs and dragged to the temple like a dog.
But in the end, everything had worked out.
The second meeting was better than the first, so he had a strange feeling that the next time they met would be even better.
“We’re not that far apart in age.”
“Yes.”
“We’ll be seeing each other for a long time. So let’s do well. Practice swordsmanship, and develop a kind heart like mine.”
“Yes…”
Yuri nodded toward Dale, sitting quietly in the corner.
“Teach that guy well, got it?”
“Yes.”
Just then, a commotion erupted outside. Gote glanced back and saw unfamiliar people peering inside Hwangseong Samgyeop, scribbling notes.
Reporters.
After Yuri and Gote’s interview had caused a huge stir, they became prime targets for the Hwangseong press.
Yuri released his arm from Gote’s shoulder.
“Gote.”
“Yes?”
“We’ll split up—me to the right, you to the left—and glance back casually.”
“Huh?”
“Don’t forget the gentle smile.”
“Yes…”
“Act natural, like it’s a coincidence.”
“Understood.”
“Now.”
Feeling Yuri tap his back, Gote turned with him and smiled.
The reporters at the entrance began snapping photos rapidly.
Without moving his lips, Yuri spoke ventriloquially.
“Hold still.”
“Yes…”
The next day, every newspaper and magazine in Hwangseong featured that scene on their front pages.
Before leaving Hwangseong, Yuri had been busy moving about.
He gave money to Gorio, who was gathering information for him in the empire, as a token of appreciation.
He met with delegations from other countries who were leaving first, promising to meet again.
He visited the Irein Trading Company branch in Hwangseong to give instructions on upcoming business.
He also connected with various media outlets to provide stories and gave gifts to the staff at the Duforia Hotel who had worked hard for him.
Now, he was meeting a visitor in his room at the Duforia Hotel.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
Sitting on the edge of the bed, he looked up.
Asana stood before him.
She had been away for a while, saying she needed training after infiltrating Genard’s castle, but suddenly appeared before Yuri left Hwangseong.
And she made a bold statement.
“The royal palace is dangerous.”
“If I don’t do it, Briol will be in danger.”
“Hmm…”
“I’ll watch carefully for the right opportunity.”
“Phew…”
Yuri shook his head.
“Suddenly showing up and saying you’ll stay in Hwangseong to find a way into the palace…”
The royal palace was protected by various magical defenses. Even Asana couldn’t enter freely.
“It’s possible now. I can’t come and go as I please, but if I stay nearby and watch for openings, I can infiltrate.”
After facing an unknown entity beyond the crystal orb in Genard’s castle, Asana realized her shortcomings.
So she left Yuri for a while to hone her assassination skills and had made some progress.
“If you say it’s that certain…”
Yuri muttered.
Asana wasn’t reckless; she was very cautious.
For her to say this meant there really was a chance.
Yuri tapped the bed.
“Remember, if it’s too dangerous, back off. Got it?”
“Yes.”
“If you need anything, ask Gorio.”
“Understood.”
“And don’t trouble Gorio too much. He’s getting older.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Suspect the palace archives and all the royal family. Report anything suspicious to me.”
“Yes.”
“I’m really worried.”
“Your Highness.”
Asana shook her head.
“You should be worried about yourself more than me. I wonder if you’re in your right mind.”
“Hey…”
It was rare for Asana to express herself so strongly. She continued.
“Maybe you should cancel your schedule.”
“No.”
“I’m really worried.”
Yuri planned to pretend to return to Briol but would change course and head to Adelbine.
There, a formidable opponent awaited him.
Death Knight Gert.
He was a true death knight, feared by all.
Far different from the nasty skeleton Yuri had seen in Erich Briol’s tomb.
“Don’t worry. I’m bringing a strong friend.”
Asana looked doubtful. Yuri shrugged.
“That guy’s more than enough…”
Just then, the strong friend knocked on the door.
“Your Highness! It’s Jose!”
“Uh, why so sudden…”
Yuri signaled to Asana, who disappeared.
Jose strode in confidently.
Asana had been standing quietly in the corner.
Realizing her presence late, Yuri’s heart skipped a beat, but Jose didn’t notice and simply bowed respectfully.
Apparently, his training had paid off.
Jose was excited.
“Your Highness, there’s a big problem.”
“What is it?”
“Jonathan can’t do it.”
“No, I told you not to be honest. Of course he can’t.”
“I can’t lie.”
“What should we do?”
“So I decided to sneak away.”
“Huh?”
“Your Highness, I’m running away tonight. I’ll be staying down in Gatensha. Please find me there.”
“Well…”
Jose’s eyes burned with determination to fight Gert.
“I, Jose Aratur, will defeat that monster alongside Your Highness.”
“I appreciate your spirit, but you know it’s dangerous, right?”
“Of course.”
Though there was still time before he would kill Gert and ascend to the Ten Strong in his past life, Yuri knew that Jose was strong enough now.
This was part of the changes Yuri had made.
Guided by Yuri, Jose had met allies like Moyongchan and Bernard and grown much faster than before.
“Alright. If Jonathan gives you a hard time later, tell me. I’ll talk to him.”
“Thank you.”
Jose straightened up, carrying a heavy load on his back.
“Then I’ll take my leave first. I’ll slip away quietly, so no one will even notice I’m gone. If Jonathan comes looking for me, please tell him you don’t know anything.”
“Got it.”
Though it hardly seemed like a secret departure, Yuri nodded anyway.
Jose flashed a sly smile, bowed in thanks, and stomped out of the room.
Yuri turned her head toward where Asana had been.
“Huh?”
But she, too, had vanished without a trace.
Left alone, Yuri collapsed onto the bed.
She stared up at the ceiling.
Six years had passed since he had returned.
So much had happened.
Until recently, things had gone according to his plan, but now everything was different. Even with memories from his past life, the empire faced enemies too formidable to confront easily.
That was why they lost Ragna.
It was heartbreaking, but now was not the time to cry.
There would be many more hardships ahead. For now, she placed the weight on her shoulders. When the day came that she could finally set it all down, then she could afford to break.
But not yet. Not yet was the time to wipe away tears.
She had to raise her sword.
Deep within the imperial palace’s underground crypt lay a hall reserved solely for the remains of the royal family.
Only those of royal blood were permitted to enter.
Ekaterina dismissed her guards and stepped alone into the hall.
Countless coffins rested behind their respective tombstones.
She stopped before Ragna’s.
She placed flowers there.
Then she quietly gazed at the stone. His name, birth and death dates, and the deeds he had accomplished in life were all meticulously inscribed.
But there was no mention of what a wonderful uncle he had been.
“Ekaterina.”
A voice called her name, and she turned around. Her second older brother, Georg, was entering the hall.
He strode over and stood beside her. He, too, laid flowers before Ragna’s tomb.
They stood in silence for a moment.
Georg was the first to speak.
“I never thought Uncle would go like this.”
“Yeah…”
“I can’t believe he died in such an accident.”
As children, they often called Ragna “Uncle.”
When Ivar wasn’t around, he would sneak the three siblings treats from outside the palace or entertain them with fun games. It was a secret they kept from Ivar.
“I miss him already.”
That was an uncharacteristically sentimental remark from Georg.
He passed the tombstone and laid his hand on the coffin.
“Brother?”
“I just wanted to see him one last time.”
The coffin was magically preserved, so the body inside had not decayed.
This hall was essentially a place to keep royal corpses from rotting.
Georg opened the coffin.
“He looks peaceful. Like he’s just sleeping.”
Ekaterina stepped carefully to stand beside him.
He was right.
Ragna lay there as if alive, unchanged from when he had been.
Around his body were the funeral offerings.
His sword and armor, which he always carried, and piles of gold and jewels surrounded him, as if he had simply fallen asleep.
Suddenly, Georg reached out.
“That.”
He pointed at something.
Georg looked at Ekaterina and gave a wry smile.
“I wondered what happened to it… so it was here all along.”
At his fingertips lay the emperor’s medal awarded to the tournament champion, along with a worn deck of cards, neatly arranged.