“Yuri! Is it true you’re joining the Allied Forces?”
Joshua suddenly appeared while Yuri was sparring with Bernard.
It was rare for him to approach her first. He looked genuinely surprised.
Bernard lowered his sword.
“Let’s take a break.”
“Alright.”
Wiping the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve, Yuri sank down onto the ground.
“What’s going on? You didn’t want to come here before.”
“Well…”
Joshua glanced sideways at Bernard before speaking.
“So, you’re really going to join the Allied Forces?”
“Yeah.”
“Why you?”
“Why not?”
“There’s no real need for royalty to go, is there?”
“There’s no reason not to.”
Yuri smiled faintly.
“Did you come because you’re worried?”
“What? No. I’m actually relieved you’re going.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“Ugh…”
For the past five years, Yuri had been pestering Joshua relentlessly.
She kept a close watch on him to stop his mischief and pressured him to learn what was necessary for Briol.
Because of that, Joshua started avoiding her.
“Wait, were you serious?”
“About what?”
“That thing you said before. When you threw that book at me.”
“Oh, that?”
Back in the spring when she was thirteen, Yuri had started living a different life.
She trained herself strictly but showed kindness to those around her.
She gave Joshua books and urged him to study.
When he asked why she suddenly started acting like that, she gave a short answer.
“Royal duty.”
It was a lazy explanation, but it seemed to leave a strong impression on Joshua.
Yuri smiled.
“So, you thought I was lying?”
Joshua furrowed his brow, stared at her quietly for a moment, then nodded.
“Alright, Yuri. I get your mindset now.”
“Today?”
“Before, I just thought you were trying to annoy me.”
“That’s true too…”
Joshua ignored her comment.
“Please come back safely. I’ll be guarding the palace while you’re gone.”
His expression was resolute.
But Yuri felt oddly uneasy.
Joshua made exactly that face when bluffing wildly at a gambling table.
“There are plenty of people to protect…”
But without really listening, Joshua gave a thumbs-up and walked away.
Bernard said,
“You two have a nice bond.”
“Aren’t you worried about me?”
“Well, as long as you don’t do anything reckless, you’ll come back safe and sound.”
Bernard had watched Yuri’s growth up close. He knew better than anyone how strong she had become.
“Thanks for the generous assessment.”
“Just be careful. Orcs are tricky opponents—stronger and more vicious than you expect.”
“You’ve fought orcs before?”
“Once.”
Yuri had also encountered orcs in her previous life.
They were twice the size of humans and didn’t hesitate to use underhanded tactics.
“And watch out for orcs carrying flags on their backs.”
“What’s that?”
“They’re especially powerful ones. I don’t know what they call them exactly, but they’re like knights among orcs. Best to avoid them.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Yuri knew their name.
They were called ‘Orcval’—roughly ‘Orc Warriors.’ They were literally monstrous.
“And, this might be presumptuous, but…”
Bernard unusually trailed off. Yuri shrugged.
“Go ahead.”
“Take a seasoned veteran with you for advice. And stay out of political matters.”
She could feel his concern.
Yuri smiled and patted Bernard’s shoulder. They were about the same height now.
“Will do.”
“If you’re going to fight orcs, you’ll need more training.”
“Shall we start again?”
Just as they were about to resume sparring, they sensed someone approaching.
“Another visitor.”
This time, Ena came running over, urgently looking for Yuri.
“Prince, Prince.”
“What is it?”
Ena had grown a lot over the past five years. Being three years older than Yuri, she was now an adult. No longer cute, but rather a graceful young woman.
She bowed to Bernard before speaking to Yuri.
“Prince, there’s a visitor.”
“What kind of visitor?”
“The wealthy one who came before. Today, he brought an expensive bag, flashy clothes, and jewelry…”
“Ah.”
Yuri seemed to know who it was.
“What’s the matter?”
“I don’t know.”
“Alright, got it.”
Yuri excused herself to Bernard.
“I think we should stop for today.”
“Of course.”
Yuri left the training grounds.
As she walked, she wiped sweat from her face with a towel. Ena handed her a clean set of clothes.
“Change into these.”
“You brought clothes?”
“Of course. It wouldn’t be polite to greet guests smelling of sweat.”
“Thanks.”
Yuri started taking off her top.
“Prince?”
Ena gasped, but Yuri paid no mind.
Her upper body was solidly built, with well-defined muscles that stood out with every movement.
“You’re taking it off too casually.”
“So?”
“You should be mindful of people’s eyes.”
“Who’s watching?”
“Me.”
“Doesn’t bother me.”
“The passing guards.”
“Don’t care.”
“The sky and the earth.”
“That’s an honor…”
As they chatted, they soon arrived at the reception hall.
Yuri entered the VIP room immediately.
A familiar face bowed deeply to her.
“Your Highness.”
Guillermo, vice president of the Elaine Trading Company.
He was decked out in expensive jewelry from head to toe, looking like a flashy nouveau riche, which he basically was. But since Elaine had personally recruited him, his skills were undeniable.
“Where’s Elaine?”
“She’s out on business, so I came instead.”
“She still goes out herself?”
“She says she’s a hands-on type.”
“Tell her to take it easy.”
As Yuri sat opposite him, Guillermo handed something to Ena.
“Here you go.”
“Thank you. Hehe…”
Yuri frowned.
“What’s that?”
Ena just smiled slyly and stepped back.
When Yuri shifted her gaze to Guillermo, he laughed and rubbed his hands together.
“Haha, Ena is always so thoughtful. This is just a small token of appreciation…”
No wonder Ena followed all the way here. Yuri was too tired to comment and waved her hand dismissively.
“Prince, are you alright?”
“Yes, yes.”
“I’ll go then.”
“How much did you get?”
“That’s a secret.”
Ena bowed and disappeared immediately. Guillermo cleared his throat.
“I owe a lot to Ena.”
“For what?”
“For taking such good care of Your Highness. Thanks to her, you’ve grown into the fine person you are…”
“I managed on my own.”
Yuri scoffed and leaned back in her chair.
“So, what’s the reason for your visit?”
“A report. Everything went according to your instructions, as always. Here are the documents.”
“Good work.”
“Do you really see the future, Your Highness?”
“No way.”
There was awe in Guillermo’s eyes.
Five years ago, the price of Mugranza soared just as Yuri had predicted.
Based on that, Elaine expanded her business aggressively.
Rumors spread that Elaine Trading Company never failed.
And behind it all was Yuri, who foresaw every major event on the continent.
“I was just lucky.”
“Uh-huh…”
Guillermo didn’t look convinced but didn’t press further.
“There’s one more thing I wanted to ask.”
“What is it?”
“I’m just a humble merchant, so I don’t know the affairs of the high and mighty, but the market’s been strange lately. The price of Jenel Steel is rising…”
Jenel Steel was a type of steel mined from the Jenel Mountains, known for its superior strength and preferred for weapon-making.
“Is there a war coming?”
Yuri nodded.
“Yes. The Empire has called up the Allied Forces.”
“Orcs?”
“Yes.”
“The time has come.”
Guillermo quickly grasped the situation.
“I hope it’s just a routine matter… but do you think there’s something else going on?”
“There probably is. But don’t worry. Nothing major will happen.”
“Oh, do you know something again?”
Guillermo stared at Yuri as if expecting a gold nugget.
She shook her head.
“No.”
“Then why say that?”
“Because I’m going.”
“Where?”
“To the Allied Forces.”
“Oh…”
Guillermo’s eyes widened, then he scratched the back of his head and leaned back. Muttering to himself, he suddenly stood up.
“Wha—?”
“You heard.”
“Why the prince?”
“Why are you all so surprised?”
This was Briol, and he was the prince of Briol.
Yuri explained her reason.
“I’m fulfilling my royal duty.”
“Hah!”
“Huh?”
Yuri narrowed one eye.
Realizing his slip, Guillermo dropped to his knees and placed his hands on the table.
“Your Highness, I apologize for my words. Of course, you are a shining example to all royalty. I understand that well. But still, there’s no need for you to go yourself. If something were to happen to you, how devastated Briol would be…”
“Don’t worry. I’ll come back in one piece.”
“But orcs are such vicious creatures…”
Guillermo fidgeted nervously, shaking his leg.
Yuri laughed aloud.
“Don’t you trust me that much?”
“Even skilled knights hesitate to face orcs. But you, Your Highness…”
His worry was understandable.
Until now, Yuri had kept his abilities under wraps. Even within the royal palace, only the royal guards were aware of his skills, so to outsiders, his departure for battle must have seemed reckless.
Yuri stood up and kicked him sharply in the backside.
“Who exactly do you think I’m worried about? I’m Yuri Briol.”
“I know. I do, but…”
“Is that the only reason you came here?”
“No, it’s not.”
“Then say it.”
Guillermo sighed deeply and pulled a sack from the corner.
“I managed to get the item you mentioned back then.”
“Finally?”
“Yes.”
With a triumphant grin, Guillermo unwrapped the package.
“It wasn’t easy. I had to pull some strings.”
“Well done, Guillermo.”
Four daggers were laid out on the table.
Sunlight streamed through the window, glinting off the blades.
They were unadorned, but every detail was flawlessly finished.
“Are these really that rare?”
“Yes.”
Yuri picked one up and smirked.
“Very rare.”
The Four-Wheel Daggers.
Artifacts he had recalled from memories of his past life.
Around this time every year, four daggers like these would appear at the empire’s auction house, but no one recognized their true value.
Only later was it revealed that they were masterpieces of dwarven craftsmanship, imbued with ancient magic.
And now, one of these priceless items had fallen into Yuri’s hands for practically nothing.
“You really went through a lot to get these. The empire’s atmosphere is brutal—I just can’t get used to it. They look like mere decorative daggers…”
Grumbling, Guillermo suddenly found the blade pointed at his face.
“Huh?”
The dagger’s handle was empty.
In fact, it wasn’t Yuri holding it—the dagger was floating on its own.
Guillermo’s eyes widened.
“An artifact that flies by itself?”
“It is an artifact, but it doesn’t fly on its own.”
“Then why is it—”
Yuri narrowed one eye, staring intently at the dagger.
Guillermo couldn’t see it, but right now, a thread of mana connected Yuri and the dagger.
“Could it be that the prince is—?”
Controlling objects with mana was nearly impossible without exceptional skill.
Even Guillermo, who knew nothing about swordsmanship, could tell this was an incredible feat.
“You must be joking.”
Then, the dagger hovering in midair spun around and lunged at Guillermo, handle first.
“Ahh!”
He toppled off his chair.
“It won’t kill you, it won’t kill you.”
“Ah…”
Yuri chuckled as he gathered the four daggers. Guillermo muttered as he got back up.
“My goodness. I had no idea the prince was so powerful.”
“Did you think I was just playing around every day?”
“Yes…”
For the past five years, Yuri had quietly honed his strength, enduring all sorts of rumors and nonsense. It was all for this allied army.
“Guillermo.”
“Yes?”
“How’s the imperial branch coming along?”
“Oh, it’s going well. Everything’s proceeding as you instructed.”
“Trust me.”
Yuri knew how fragile the word ‘trust’ could be. Still, he willingly asked Guillermo to believe in him.
No matter what burdens came his way, he would never run.
“In return, I’ll make sure you earn a fortune—more than you ever dreamed.”
“Yes.”
Guillermo stared blankly at Yuri for a moment, then smiled and nodded.
“I trust you. But it’s not just you I trust.”
“Oh?”
“I trust your stake in this. You’re practically co-president of our trading company. Your interests are my interests. I believe we’re in this together.”
“That’s right. That’s exactly right.”
They smiled at each other.
“Well, my business here is done. I’ll take my leave.”
“Give my regards to Elaine.”
“It’s been a while since I last saw her…”
After a polite bow, Guillermo left the room.
Yuri remained seated for a while after he left.
Guillermo wasn’t the only visitor.
“You may come out.”
At some point, someone had appeared at the edge of the room.
It felt like an optical illusion—there had been nothing, and then suddenly, someone was there.
But it wasn’t sudden. It was as if she had always been there, and he was only now noticing her.
“Asana.”
Asana, the survivor of the assassin’s guild.