“Ernando, do you have anything on you?”
“No, I don’t.”
“I know you have something.”
“I really don’t.”
“You came out here to gamble, didn’t you?”
“I didn’t have anything, so I borrowed from Gorio.”
“Who borrowed? You or me?”
“Wah…”
Yuri scanned the faces of the begging children.
They were orphans trained by the Assassin’s Order.
Asana was a prodigy who mastered assassination techniques at a young age. But she rebelled against the Order’s inhumane treatment and led the children in escaping.
In the process, the Assassin’s Order was completely wiped out.
Though Asana knew how to kill, she had no idea how to survive in society.
Living by begging, she borrowed money from Gorio to save a sick child.
Like most who reach out to him, Asana’s group eventually fell apart.
Consumed by revenge, Asana formed her own organization and killed Gorio.
Gorio, Elaine, and Asana.
Today, Yuri had met three people destined to stir great upheaval in the future.
How would the future change now?
There was no time to ponder.
“Hello.”
Yuri stepped in front of Asana.
She was taller than Yuri, probably in her late teens, but her cold expression made her seem older.
“I am Yuri Briol, the third prince of Briol.”
He looked up at Asana confidently.
“Prince?”
“Yes.”
“Why is a prince here?”
Asana’s gaze didn’t change. Neither did the others’.
The Assassin’s Order had brutally suppressed their emotions.
“It’s hard to believe, I know. But believe it.”
Yuri reached out to Ernando, who groaned softly.
“Ugh…”
“Hurry.”
“Here…”
The pouch of money Ernando handed over was heavier than expected, making Yuri stagger.
“…”
How much were they planning to throw into an illegal gambling den?
Yuri looked at Ernando in disbelief. He looked miserable.
“Relax your face.”
It was more than he should have, but if it meant gaining Asana, it was worth every coin.
“Take it.”
Asana’s eyes flickered slightly. She took the pouch and stood still.
“No need to be suspicious. I do good deeds sometimes. I’m just showing mercy because your situation is pitiful. Right, Ernando?”
“…”
Yuri poked Ernando’s side. He finally spoke.
“Y-yes, that’s right.”
“Good.”
Asana still hesitated, as if wary that Yuri might know her true identity.
“What do you want?”
Yuri shook his head.
“Nothing.”
“Are you serious?”
“No, there is one thing.”
Asana narrowed her eyes. Yuri smiled and continued.
“There’s a sick child, right? Take this money and bring her to the temple.”
One child falls ill, and to pay for treatment, they seek Gorio’s money. That was the start of the curse.
Yuri cut that off at the root.
“That’s all.”
“Really all?”
“Yes.”
Yuri met Asana’s gaze and smiled faintly.
“Remember this: I am Yuri Briol, the third prince of Briol.”
Then he turned away.
Ernando lagged behind, so Yuri grabbed his sleeve and pulled him along.
“How much is that money…”
“I’ll pay it back, so stop whining.”
“Suddenly giving money to beggars…”
“Think of it as an investment.”
“What kind of investment is that with those kids?”
Humming a tune, Yuri left the slums behind.
Having taken care of everything he had only planned, he felt lighter.
“Ernando, today we stopped a tragedy from the future.”
“What tragedy?”
“That girl was destined to become a crime boss, terrorizing the citizens. Countless innocent lives would have been lost. But today’s good deed changed that fate.”
“Y-yes, I understand.”
He didn’t seem to believe it at all, but that didn’t matter.
“Let’s go back.”
The brief outing was over.
Looking at Ernando, his conflicted expression was clear.
Yuri smiled.
Today, he had drawn three people into his destiny.
One more remained.
“Ernando.”
“Yes?”
“I’m curious about something.”
“What is it?”
“At the founder’s ruins, what did you see?”
Ernando hesitated.
There, Yuri had encountered the founder’s remains and learned the mana method; Jared had fought and defeated himself.
But Ernando hadn’t spoken of his experience.
“It’s a secret.”
“Be honest.”
“Gambling.”
“What?”
“I risked my life playing at the Empire’s Basregas Casino.”
“…”
Basregas was the continent’s largest casino. It was fittingly a dazzling welcome.
“Well, whatever. About today.”
“Yes.”
Ernando’s eyes remained vague.
Yuri grinned and patted his back.
“Behave yourself.”
Even after the prince left, Gorio sat lost in thought.
“Boss.”
A subordinate spoke cautiously.
“The opponent is royalty. If we don’t get the money…”
“That wouldn’t be so bad.”
“If they refuse to pay, we have no way to enforce it. The prince might just get scolded by the king, but for us…”
“Then we have no choice.”
“Huh?”
The subordinate looked confused.
Gorio was never one to lose money.
His philosophy was that no matter who the debtor was, he had to collect the debt to command respect in the underworld.
“Atman, how long have you worked under me?”
“Ten years.”
“In all that time, have we ever tangled with nobles above the rank of count?”
“No.”
“But now royalty has come.”
Gorio clasped his hands and bowed his head.
“What do you think is the difference between royalty and commoners?”
“Hmm. Bloodline?”
“Exactly.”
He narrowed his eyes and glared at the door the third prince had left through.
“That’s all there is to it.”
A smile crept across his lips.
“They’re just humans like the rest of us. So, as always, we tame them. We infiltrate, bind, and lure them in. If money doesn’t work, we demand something else. Start small. A little concession, then a bigger one. Eventually…”
He grabbed Atman’s wrist, lifting it.
One finger was missing.
“They become allies.”
They met as creditor and debtor. Unable to repay, Atman gave up his index finger and became Gorio’s subordinate.
His debt still continues.
Gorio smiled warmly at Atman, who returned the smile awkwardly.
“We never lose. So that little prince is our best customer.”
“Th-that’s a relief.”
“Yeah.”
Gorio released Atman’s wrist.
“Now, let’s get back to work. Just like before. Nothing will change.”
Elaine sat staring blankly at the letter of authorization in her hand.
Now, she had to secure as much of the ‘Mugranza’ from the Duchy of Klein as possible within the given budget.
The pay was substantial, and there was a promise to continue the deal depending on results.
“Is this for real…?”
At first, she thought it was a scam, but seeing the ring engraved with the royal crest left her no choice but to believe.
“Yuri Briol.”
Elaine fiddled with her earrings.
They were faded but pure gold.
Her father had told her never to take them off, so she could recover even if disaster struck.
The third prince’s words echoed in her mind, as if hanging from those earrings.
“I heard about your father, Undre Wood.”
A merchant must not be swayed by a few words.
But Elaine’s heart stirred at the prince’s words.
“Many merchants follow money, but few follow trust.”
Words her father often said, now coming from a young prince.
People called her father foolish.
But that prince was different.
“If you’re Undre Wood’s child, you’ll keep your promises no matter what. Isn’t that right, Elaine Wood?”
Normally, she would have been wary of such generous terms, but because of her father’s story, she accepted without hesitation.
Still, after thinking it over, there was no reason to refuse.
She looked around the trading hall.
There wasn’t even proper furniture. The drawers were full of bank notices.
“We’re already on the brink of ruin.”
Elaine clenched her fist.
Her father valued something as much as credit.
“Move forward without fear.”
A merchant who fears risk cannot succeed. Elaine felt a fire rise within her.
“Just wait and see.”
Asana stood before the temple.
A priest dressed in white smiled at her.
“Sister, what brings you here?”
Then Daisy, who had been hiding behind Asana, peeked out.
Asana spoke.
“This child is unwell.”
The boy who called himself a prince had given her money and told her to come to the temple.
She brought Daisy just in case, but the outside world was unfamiliar to her.
“I see.”
She noticed a slight twitch beneath the priest’s eyes.
“The temple does provide medical care, but…”
The priest licked his lips.
“We prioritize the blessings of the gods for those whose faith has been verified…”
“Here.”
Asana showed the pouch she held. The gold coins jingled.
“I have money.”
The priest’s subtle expression shifted into a smile.
“Please come in, Sister. The gods will watch over you.”
His white robes brushed the floor as he stepped onto the stairs.
The Assassin’s Order and the temple weren’t so different.
Asana held Daisy’s hand and walked forward, thinking of the boy who had given her the money.
“Daisy.”
“Yes?”
“Are you feeling sick?”
“A little…”
Could it be that this child really has a serious illness?
Asana spoke softly.
“When he gets better, let’s go greet him.”
“Him?”
“The one who gave the money.”
“Got it.”
Hernando was having a private meeting with Fiore.
It was well known that he was the king’s mage, but very few people truly understood the nature of their relationship.
“Hernando.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“How is Klein?”
“Well…”
Hernando smiled faintly.
“I’m not sure.”
Fiore studied him quietly. Hernando met his gaze with that faint smile still lingering.
“Hernando.”
“Yes?”
“Are you thinking of leaving?”
“Not at all.”
“That’s a relief.”
After a brief pause, Fiore added,
“I’ve always been glad to have you here in Briol.”
Hernando knew Fiore didn’t say that to many people.
He bowed his head in thanks.
“I’m honored.”
Most people saw Hernando as just a mage skilled in battle magic.
That was only half true.
To stand beside a monster like Fiore, mere proficiency in combat magic wouldn’t suffice.
“Alright, enough about not knowing. Tell me about Yuri leaving the capital.”
“Ah, yes.”
Hernando rolled his eyes upward as if recalling the memory.
“The prince persuaded me, and we left the palace…”
“And then?”
“We went to the Crystal Tower.”
“The Crystal Tower…”
“Fortunately, we went underground.”
“Whether that’s fortunate or not, I can’t say. So, you gambled?”
“Well…”
He hadn’t gambled.
He met with Gorio and borrowed money.
“Went underground and…”
“Went where?”
“We gambled.”
“Is that so?”
“He was pretty good at cards, but it didn’t help much there. He lost all the money I lent him.”
“Winning at a casino is tough.”
“I think he learned the lesson that gambling should be done in moderation.”
“And after that?”
“After that…”
He took the borrowed money and entrusted it all to a shabby, unknown trading company.
“While walking through the capital, he observed the lives of the citizens. He seemed genuinely interested in how the people lived.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. He even snacked in the food district.”
“The food district…”
“You go there sometimes too, don’t you, Your Majesty?”
“Yes.”
“Between the gambling and the food district, the prince really does resemble a wealthy man.”
“…”
“In any case, that’s what happened.”
“And then he returned to the palace?”
“To the palace…”
He went to the slums and scattered gold coins.
“He came back.”
But Hernando kept all of this hidden.
He lied, smiling gently at the king.
“That’s all.”
“I see.”
Fiore rested his chin on his armrest, nodding with his usual bored expression.
“Very well. You may go.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Hernando bowed and turned to leave.
From behind him, Fiore’s voice called out.
“Will you attend the ball?”
“Yes.”
“You said you had no intention before.”
“People’s feelings change. I feel like dancing after a long time.”
“Good. See you then.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”