The continent was on edge.
The Empire was showing unusual signs of activity. Military drills became more frequent, and large-scale inspections of supplies and equipment were underway.
High-ranking nobles and prominent knights were coming and going from the imperial palace.
Anyone could tell—they were preparing for something.
Perhaps the war the Empire fought against Yohaim was just the opening act.
That’s what the newspaper article said.
“Hmm…”
Yuri sighed as she sat cross-legged, reading the paper.
“What’s happening to this world? There’s never a quiet day anymore.”
She flipped the page. This time, it was about social issues.
“Ugh… what’s going to become of the country…”
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
Yuri closed the newspaper and said, “Come in.”
She was sitting in the VIP room of the Klein Duchy branch of the Irein Trading Company, waiting for a letter from Irein.
While waiting, she had skimmed the newspaper and gotten a rough idea of the continent’s current state.
A tall, well-groomed man entered and greeted her politely.
“My name is Garfield. I’m the branch manager.”
“Pleasure to meet you.”
“Sorry to have kept you waiting.”
“No, it’s fine.”
Yuri took the letter and looked up at him.
The Klein Duchy was a modest city-state, but its economy was prosperous, and the Irein branch there was sizable. Because of that, the Klein branch held a fairly important position within the company.
Garfield, the branch manager, must have been someone Irein trusted and recognized for his abilities. Irein had a good eye for talent.
“Garfield, was it?”
“Yes.”
“I’m curious—what do you think about the Empire lately?”
“The Empire…”
Garfield chose his words carefully.
“I’m quite concerned.”
“In what way?”
“Do you think they might be gearing up for another war?”
“That’s right?”
“Yes.”
“Explain more.”
“People say it’s all because of Yohaim, but I don’t think it will end there. The Empire has the means to do more. Their recent movements have been too blatant.”
“If it doesn’t end there?”
“They might wage war against other countries as well. The Empire has the capacity.”
The army camped in front of Yohaim alone was strong enough to crush most nations, and that was only a fraction of the Empire’s forces.
They had the power to expand the battlefield at will.
The Empire’s infamous knight orders were numbered in double digits.
“I see.”
Yuri nodded as she opened the letter.
“Do other employees share your concerns?”
“Quite a few are worried.”
“Good to know.”
This life was different in many ways.
Last time, the war had broken out unexpectedly.
Everything had happened suddenly.
But this time, Yohaim had bought time, allowing them to detect the Empire’s suspicious movements—and people were aware of it.
Events everyone feared rarely happened.
Surprise attacks were most effective when no one was prepared.
In that regard, things were better than before.
Garfield bowed.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave. Please rest well.”
“Thank you.”
He stepped aside so Yuri could read the letter in peace.
Yuri unfolded Irein’s letter.
“Hmm…”
It contained various updates.
First, the rare treasures brought from the East had sold remarkably well.
The Empire’s nobles were fascinated by exotic foreign goods, and Irein was literally raking in money.
Yuri smiled with satisfaction.
The harder Irein worked, the more the major shareholder—Yuri herself—would benefit.
“Excellent. That’s Irein for you.”
She turned the page.
Next, there was news about Asana and Gorio.
“Oh…”
The three of them, who had escaped the royal palace long ago and formed a bond, had come to know each other better as Yuri pursued various ventures.
Originally, Asana and Gorio didn’t get along, while Irein had a decent relationship with both.
But it seemed Asana and Gorio had somewhat reconciled.
When Gorio helped rescue the persecuted Yohaim people in the capital, Asana had assisted him.
“I changed someone.”
Yuri felt proud, especially that Gorio had acted that way.
In her previous life, Gorio hadn’t been a very good person.
“Well, if he hadn’t changed, he’d have been dead by now—by my hand.”
She flipped the letter again.
Inside was a sealed smaller letter—from Asana.
Opening it, she found a detailed account of what Asana had witnessed in the palace.
Yuri’s expression hardened.
The emperor clearly seemed mentally unwell.
Perhaps he was also a victim. It was likely Yugen had manipulated the emperor, clouding his mind.
Dark magic had taken hold of the palace, and it was frustrating that there was no way to counter it.
“Phew…”
Asana said she would stay in the capital and keep an eye on the palace whenever possible.
Yuri wasn’t thrilled about it, but with the continent’s situation so urgent, there was no choice.
Back to Irein’s letter.
Usually clear and straightforward, this time it contained a vague note.
“What’s this?”
Irein mentioned she had made an interesting new friend and would introduce her next time. Since she was getting a lot of information through this friend, Yuri should treat her to a meal later.
“Why should I buy a meal for your friend?”
Yuri felt an inexplicable sense of foreboding as she turned the page.
The rest was mostly minor reports.
After finishing, Yuri took out her fine iron sword and burned the letter to ashes.
She opened the window and scattered the ashes to the wind.
“Done.”
As she left the VIP room, Garfield came out to see her off.
“Thank you for your visit.”
“Thanks to you, I was able to rest comfortably.”
“It was an honor to serve you.”
Irein had many talents, but one of her strengths was her ability to recognize capable people. Garfield seemed to be a competent employee. Though Yuri had only stopped by briefly, it was clear the branch was running smoothly.
Yuri patted his shoulder.
“See you again.”
“Yes.”
After exchanging farewells, Yuri left the Irein Trading Company.
Outside was a store run directly by Irein, where citizens were gathered, browsing goods.
It was a peaceful scene.
As she watched, a voice suddenly called out.
“You are…”
Yuri turned her head. A woman was standing there, staring blankly while pointing at her.
She didn’t recognize the face.
“Me?”
“The third prince of Briole, right?”
Since there was no need to hide her identity near Briole, Yuri had been showing her face openly.
Thanks to the Empire’s magazines, she had become somewhat known, and it seemed people in the Klein Duchy recognized her too.
Yuri nodded.
“That’s right. I am Yuri Briole. And you are?”
But the woman’s reaction was more intense than expected.
She approached Yuri, clasped her hands together, and bowed her head.
“Hello. What a coincidence to meet you here. I’m truly honored, Your Highness.”
Her voice was trembling with emotion.
Yuri had known her popularity had risen after the magazine’s release, but she hadn’t expected such a strong reaction and was taken aback.
“Huh?”
“It’s an honor to see you again. I wanted to greet you back then…”
The woman began to choke up, and Yuri felt awkward.
The surrounding onlookers were starting to frown.
Citizens of the Klein Duchy clicked their tongues.
“That young man, making a woman cry…”
“Thinking he’s hot just because of his looks, probably got distracted somewhere.”
“Pathetic…”
“Later, he’ll be the one crying blood from his eyes.”
Yuri felt wronged.
Wasn’t it narrow-minded to interpret everything that way?
For example, they could be siblings separated long ago, or she could be someone whose life he had saved.
“Um, if you keep crying, I’m going to be in trouble.”
“Oh, yes. Sorry.”
The woman wiped her tears and smiled.
She looked ordinary. If they had ever been involved, Yuri would have remembered her, but she didn’t.
Still, the woman clearly knew her.
“Surprised?”
“A little.”
“Suddenly, old memories came back…”
“You know me?”
“You probably don’t know me, Your Highness.”
Yuri felt relieved.
“I see. That’s good.”
For some reason, she felt she couldn’t just let the woman go.
She glanced around.
“Shall we have a cup of coffee and talk?”
Nearby was a quiet café with tables and chairs outside, a place where people could sit freely and chat.
Yuri bought two drinks and sat down with her.
“Thank you. And you even bought me coffee…”
“That’s nothing.”
She was a princess, and a major shareholder of Irein Trading Company. She had plenty of money.
“So, how do you know me?”
“Well…”
The woman’s face darkened slightly. After hesitating, she said,
“When the Alliance Army rescued us…”
The moment she heard that, Yuri understood immediately.
“Oh, I see.”
“Yes…”
This woman was one of the victims captured by orcs.
The Klein Duchy bordered the steppes and Briole, and had always suffered from orc raids. Before the Alliance Army’s campaign against the orcs, many people had been abducted.
“If it weren’t for you, Your Highness, I would never have escaped.”
“I didn’t do it alone. The Alliance Army helped.”
“But you played a big role.”
“Did I?”
Her name was Joan. Yuri asked,
“I’m glad you’re doing well. How’s life?”
“Good. I work at my parents’ shop.”
“Is business going well?”
“Pretty well.”
Yuri and Joan chatted about everyday things.
“Do you keep in touch with others?”
“A few.”
“How are they?”
“Well, that’s how it is. Some people manage to move on, others don’t. It can’t be helped…”
Being kidnapped by orcs was never a pleasant experience. It could haunt a victim’s mind for a lifetime.
Yuri tossed out a few jokes to lighten Joan’s mood. Gradually, her expression brightened again.
“At first, people avoided me, but now it’s fine. With time, everything gets easier.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Come to think of it, I had a friend from Briol, but we lost contact after I left. It’s a shame. I wish we could’ve kept in touch. We were really close.”
“She’s probably busy, just trying to get by like everyone else.”
“Yeah, probably.”
“If you both keep well, I’m sure you’ll meet again someday.”
“Yes.”
With their conversation over, the two stood up from the café.
Joan said, “When I think about it, it feels like a miracle. Meeting a prince on the street, him buying me coffee, and now having this talk…”
“Go ahead and spread the word about my good character.”
“Hehe, I will.”
“If fate allows, we’ll meet again.”
“Yes. Take care.”
Their brief encounter ended with a warm farewell.
Yuri watched Joan’s retreating figure for a while.
In her past life, she had no idea about the stories of victims captured by orcs.
What had happened to Joan in that life?
She probably didn’t survive long.
Her suffering meant nothing.
Not a single line in the history books—countless victims like her simply vanished without a trace.
And the same went for the rise of the empire.
If the empire wasn’t stopped, countless people would die forgotten, just like Joan in her past life.
“My shoulders feel heavy.”
Yuri muttered, turning around.
Once she returned to Briol, she thought she should establish a foundation for victims of orc attacks. Collaborating with the Allied Forces’ veterans’ association might be a good idea too.
“There’s a lot to do.”
Yuri smiled softly to herself.
Would her efforts leave a mark on history as well?