Génard was in a state of panic, unable to accept the sudden turn of events.
Yuri Briol, who had been presumed fallen, had reappeared.
With Fiore gone, the conflict between the Empire and the Briol family had effectively ended in the Empire’s favor. For a while, Génard basked in the glow of victory.
He believed he had aligned himself with the right side. Even if Briol faced trouble, the wealth of his own Jatteri family would endure.
But that morning, a messenger had rushed in with unbelievable news.
“What on earth is this about?”
“The Third Prince has arrived. He’s already entered the territory.”
“When did he wake up? This is…”
Up until then, Génard hadn’t felt much urgency.
He had expected friction to flare up again someday.
“How many did he bring?”
“About thirty in total…”
“Figures. They’ve lost all sense of caution.”
Génard spoke bluntly.
Yuri’s boldness on the battlefield was well-known. People called him brave, but Génard dismissed it as mere recklessness.
He wasn’t the type to accept those who opposed him.
“Only thirty? Did they really think that’s enough to take down Génard Jatteri?”
“Well, the Third Prince is said to be quite skilled…”
“Enough.”
He cut the conversation short.
“Gather the knights and have them ready. Send them to constantly harass the Third Prince so he can’t pull any stunts. Does he even know where he is?”
“Yes, sir!”
Génard thought the matter settled. Though Yuri Briol was talented, the number of knights under his command was far greater. Thirty knights could easily be subdued.
He recalled the humiliation he had suffered at the hands of the Third Prince before.
“This time…”
Génard smirked.
He seemed to think things were as they had been when Fiore was still alive, but he was about to learn just how ruthless power could be.
Génard’s loyalty to Briol had been because of Fiore’s strength.
But now, Fiore was gone.
The Empire had taken Bezos.
In this situation, to expect the same respect simply because someone was a Briol prince was naïve.
Mulling over his past humiliation, Génard muttered,
“That reckless brat is about to learn how cruel the world really is.”
There was no monstrous father to back him up anymore. He would repay that humiliation in kind.
Humming to himself, Génard waited.
Then, more news came.
Yuri Briol had defeated all the knights blocking his path and was advancing.
Génard grew irritated.
“What are the knights even doing? Can’t they handle that brat?”
“They say the Third Prince is stronger than expected.”
“Still, only thirty of them.”
Génard said,
“He might even make it this far.”
“Should we call for reinforcements?”
“Hmm…”
Génard fell into thought.
If he mobilized all the forces scattered across Yuzes, he could wage war against a small nation, but gathering them would take time.
It was unthinkable that the Third Prince could break through all the knights of Yuzes and reach him.
Yet, Génard felt an inexplicable unease.
“Gather them anyway.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Think of it as a chance to inspect the troops after a while.”
And so he waited.
He sipped tea leisurely, but his mind kept drifting to the Third Prince. He frequently asked where Yuri was.
Eventually, the Third Prince reached the castle where Génard resided.
Génard locked the gates and deployed his forces.
“What can thirty men do? Ha ha ha…”
He muttered, trying to stay optimistic. Still uneasy, he went to a vantage point overlooking the gate to watch.
There stood Yuri Briol, the Third Prince and his sworn enemy, speaking to someone at the gate.
Though the distance made it hard to see clearly, just catching a glimpse of his figure brought to mind the Third Prince’s trademark cocky expression.
Génard twisted his lips.
“Tsk, tsk…”
Until then, Génard trusted his knights.
There were over two hundred knights inside the castle.
Even a rough count showed they outnumbered Yuri’s group by six to one, possibly even ten to one if every soldier was gathered. The gap was insurmountable.
“This is ridiculous.”
“Sir.”
“Don’t be too harsh on him. He is a prince, after all.”
Génard smirked.
“Anyway…”
Before he could finish, something unexpected happened.
The Third Prince suddenly leapt up and landed atop the castle wall. Génard was momentarily stunned.
The walls were high.
And Yuri was standing right in front of the gate.
Walls were built to keep people out. Yet this Third Prince seemed to deny their very purpose, effortlessly climbing over.
“What the—?”
Then, he casually tossed a nobleman down from the wall. A cold sweat broke out on Génard’s back.
“W-what is that? That madman…”
“Duke.”
“We have to stop him.”
“I’ll gather more knights and deploy them.”
“Are you saying the gate’s been breached?”
“Just in case…”
The ominous feeling was confirmed.
The Third Prince opened the gate and confronted the knights. Several knights fell in the skirmish.
Génard, untrained in combat, couldn’t grasp what was happening. His knights were falling like toys with every move the Third Prince made.
It was like watching a fight between an adult and a child.
“Why aren’t they fighting properly? Are they scared just because he’s the Third Prince?”
A nearby knight answered,
“Duke, the Third Prince’s skill is far beyond what we expected.”
“What?”
“The difference is so great it looks like that.”
“Is he really that strong?”
Génard knew he was stronger than most his age, but these were seasoned knights who had trained their whole lives.
He couldn’t understand how they were being toyed with by a mere child.
“It’s beyond what we thought. At this rate, he might even be…”
“Quiet! Shut up!”
Génard shouted.
“You weaklings!”
He was furious to the core.
The gate had been opened too easily. Shouldn’t they have resisted with their lives? How could they just let the gate fall like that?
He immediately ordered,
“Stop him at all costs! Use whatever means necessary!”
“Yes, sir!”
“He’s coming.”
“I’ll mobilize all the knights in the castle.”
Génard forced a smile, suppressing his anger.
“Right, that’s why I told you to gather all the forces in Yuzes. Even the Third Prince can’t do much against that. What can thirty men do?”
But the bad news kept coming.
“Duke, the knights…”
“What?”
“They’ve been defeated.”
The messenger bowed his head.
“With one swing of his sword, a whirlwind tore through them, shredding their bodies.”
A knight standing beside Génard muttered what he hadn’t said earlier.
“He’s already reached the Tenth Strength…”
“What did you say?”
“It can’t be explained otherwise. He’s already at the Tenth Strength.”
“That’s impossible, right?”
“He’s Fiore Briol’s son. With that bloodline, it’s not surprising.”
“Tenth Strength all of a sudden…”
Génard broke out in a cold sweat. He knew exactly what the Tenth Strength meant.
They were monsters capable of taking on entire armies alone.
He pictured Yuri Briol’s unlucky face—the brat who had tormented and oppressed him.
Now, that brat had become a Tenth Strength killer, invading his territory once again.
Grinding his teeth, he muttered,
“Why won’t they just leave me alone…!”
Génard closed his eyes.
“Duke, you must find another way. It’s pointless to try stopping him with force now.”
“Just one kid…”
“That one is overwhelmingly strong.”
“Useless bastards. They took my money and can’t even stop that brat?”
“Duke…”
“You’re no better, you worthless worm.”
He spat out insults.
“Damn bastards…”
Cursing to calm himself, Génard soon regained his composure.
He was greedy, yes, but not entirely foolish.
“Prepare my armor.”
“Huh?”
“I said, prepare my armor!”
Génard slapped his stunned attendant across the face.
“Move quickly!”
“Yes, yes!”
Panting, Génard thought hard.
“Wearing armor means…”
“I need to look resolute.”
“Huh?”
“If I beg for my life dressed like this, do you think anyone will even blink? Humans are like that. If I put on my armor and defend myself seriously, there’s still a chance.”
The armor was custom-made for his bulky frame. He had bought it for ceremonial purposes but had never properly worn it.
With help, he struggled into the armor. Though it looked oddly comical, Génard was serious.
“Duke, soon—”
Génard, sitting on the edge of his bed, didn’t answer.
His eyes were fixed on the bedroom door.
Finally, it opened.
Yuri Briol entered, casting a crooked smile as he surveyed the room. Then he strolled inside.
“What are you doing right now?”
Yuri’s question, laced with amusement, was met with Génard’s reply.
“Your Highness.”
“Hmm?”
“I apologize. My judgment was flawed. As a noble of Briol and lord of Yuzes, I feared that if all the troops were concentrated in Bezos, Briol itself might fall into crisis.”
He spoke with a compelling voice, raised from beneath the ship’s deck.
All eyes in the room turned to Genard. Even those loyal to Yuzes looked utterly stunned.
But the knight standing beside Genard’s side didn’t focus on him. Instead, his gaze was fixed on Yuri Briol.
Indeed, there wasn’t a single flaw to be seen.
His demeanor was confident, unshaken.
Despite being attacked by only thirty men right in the heart of the duke’s domain, he remained calm and composed.
He carried himself like a true conqueror.
Suddenly, their eyes met.
The third prince wore a faint smile.
The knight instinctively bowed his head, unable to meet that gaze.
Meanwhile, Genard rose from his seat and dropped to his knees.
“P-Your Highness! Please, I beg you—cut off this man’s head!”
No sooner had he spoken than the knight stepped toward Genard.
His steps faltered, but he fought desperately to suppress the pressure bearing down on him.
Because, from his perspective, Genard was mistaken about something.
“Duke.”
“Let me go! I am a sinner!”
“If you keep this up—”
At that moment, Yuri Briol’s voice cut in.
“I will.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’ll cut off your head.”
This third prince was no political schemer.
He didn’t calculate or manipulate.
He wasn’t acting to provoke a certain reaction.
If he said he’d behead someone, he simply would.
“Ugh…”
The knight stepped forward to block him.
“Your Highness—”
But Yuri Briol advanced without hesitation.
The knight realized then:
If he stayed here, he would die.
The prince’s sword would strike him down, and then slice through the neck of Genard Jattery, Duke of Yuzes.
That future played out vividly in his mind.
If he wanted to live, he had to step back.
But the knight squeezed his eyes shut.
Genard Jattery was no great noble.
Still, he was his lord.
The situation was dire, and his instincts took over.
He spread his arms wide, shielding Genard’s body.
Abandoning his master to save himself was not an option.
He was ready to face death.
Then—
“Gahhh…”
A strangled sound came from behind.
Turning around, the knight saw Genard collapsed, blood pouring from his neck.
Horrified, he looked back up.
Yuri Briol stood there, a smile on his face, his sword dripping with blood slung over his shoulder.
How had he bypassed the knight and struck Genard?
“Impressive, isn’t it?”
The third prince of Briol, Yuri Briol, grinned.
“Alright, from now on, Genard’s death is a secret. So gather all the nobles who followed that bastard right here.”