The Briole army marched on, sweeping through bands of marauders. Soon, a city appeared, its walls towering high beside a shimmering lake.
This was Gide, their waypoint.
The troops set up camp outside the city walls.
Weary from life in the field, the soldiers were eager to get inside, restless with anticipation.
Yuri issued a stern warning.
“Anyone causing trouble will be killed. Return by noon tomorrow. If even one person disobeys, military law will be enforced. Remember that.”
Everyone promised to comply, but Yuri knew full well that someone would end up punished. Discipline only held when examples were made.
“Sir Raymond, make sure they’re well-behaved before letting them in. No exceptions, even for knights.”
“Understood.”
Yuri wasted no time and went to meet the lord of the city.
The man was surprisingly well-fed for such a barren land, his hands adorned with several rings as he greeted Yuri warmly.
With exaggerated flair, he kissed the back of Yuri’s hand.
“It’s an honor to meet the prince of Briole.”
“Likewise,” Yuri replied, sitting opposite him and discreetly wiping his hand on his trousers.
“The King of Briole made quite a name for himself fighting the orcs in his youth. Now that his son has arrived, I’m sure the orcs are trembling in fear.”
“Thank you for saying so.”
“I’ll do my best to support the alliance’s success.”
Gide, along with Valshad, had agreed to serve as a supply base for the allied forces.
“On behalf of Briole, I thank you for your cooperation. When this expedition ends, you will be duly rewarded.”
“I didn’t do it for rewards, but that doesn’t sound bad.”
“Is that so?”
Yuri smiled wryly.
“Have you ever considered that if the alliance fails, the orcs won’t leave Gide unscathed?”
“The alliance losing? That’s impossible! Ha ha ha…”
Yuri’s thoughts drifted back to his past life.
When the orc campaign failed, Valshad and Gide quickly fell. The orcs took over the steppes, and people were dragged off into slavery.
“Right, exactly.”
Yuri smiled, hiding his true feelings.
“Well, I’m counting on you.”
“Feel free to stay as long as you like. You arrived early, after all.”
“No need to dawdle.”
“Ha ha, you’re diligent. Understood.”
“Then…”
As Yuri rose to leave, a secretary entered and whispered something to the lord.
His expression brightened, and he spread his hands toward Yuri.
“Prince, the Holy Kingdom has arrived.”
“Is that so?”
“They’re on their way here now. Would you like to meet them?”
“Why not?”
Yuri nodded. It wouldn’t hurt to make contact with the Holy Kingdom.
Soon, the door to the lord’s chamber opened. The lord stood to greet the newcomers.
“Greetings…”
A group of knights clad in gleaming white armor poured in.
There were many of them.
The lord looked flustered, eyes darting as he stammered.
“Kn-knights…?”
They lined up along the walls. One knight standing by the door spoke.
“The Second Princess of the Holy Kingdom has arrived.”
At that moment, a woman entered the room, wearing even more ornate armor, her helmet tucked under her arm.
Her short, light brown hair brushed just below her ears.
She stared at the lord with an expressionless face.
“Are you the lord of Gide?”
“Yes, I am…”
“I am Sybilla Arsaint, Second Princess of the Holy Kingdom and commander of the Holy Kingdom’s allied forces.”
The lord stood dumbfounded. Sybilla lifted her chin.
“What are you doing?”
“Pardon?”
“Show respect.”
Sybilla extended her hand.
“Ha ha…”
Instead of complying, the lord gave a friendly smile.
“Princess Sybilla.”
He glanced at the lined-up knights and then back at her.
“Forgive me, but I am neither a lord of the Holy Kingdom nor your subject.”
This was a far cry from the man who had eagerly kissed Yuri’s hand earlier.
“So there’s no need to show formal respect.”
Yuri wanted to whistle.
Well, a man without backbone couldn’t have kept a city standing in such a harsh land for long.
“I see.”
Sybilla’s eyebrows twitched slightly. After a brief silence, she spoke again.
“If I offended you, I apologize.”
“Oh no, not at all. That’s not what I meant…”
The lord laughed heartily and clapped his hands.
“How could I have known the Second Princess of the Holy Kingdom would be so beautiful? Even if I’m not your subject, I want to pay my respects. May I have the honor of kissing your hand?”
The lord’s diplomacy was masterful.
At first, he pushed back against Sybilla, but when she admitted her mistake, he bowed his head willingly, preserving her dignity.
Yuri adjusted his assessment.
He was smarter than expected. People like him could be useful when the time came.
Sybilla nodded.
“Of course.”
“It’s an honor.”
The lord kissed her hand.
“…”
But the moment lingered.
Yuri seriously wondered if the lord was clever or just a pervert.
“My lord?”
“Yes?”
“That will do.”
“Understood.”
At her words, the lord spoke again, gesturing toward the sofa.
“Please, have a seat.”
He was about to introduce Yuri.
“This is…”
But before he could finish, Sybilla interrupted.
“Are you a subject of the lord? I have urgent matters to discuss. Please step aside.”
The lord looked taken aback.
“Ah, Princess, well…”
He tried to explain, but Sybilla cut him off.
“Or do you also claim not to be a subject of the Holy Kingdom or myself?”
Yuri wasn’t offended. It was a misunderstanding, and there was no need to make a fuss.
He was about to introduce himself calmly.
“I am…”
But a knight standing behind Sybilla spoke up.
“Sit down. It’s rude to stand, even if you are a subject of Gide. The princess is the Second Princess of the Holy Kingdom and commander of the allied forces. Show her proper respect!”
Apparently, the knight’s pride had been wounded by the lord’s rebuke.
The Holy Kingdom was making a show of force, but unfortunately, they had misjudged their audience.
Yuri and the lord exchanged glances.
In the lord’s eyes was a mix of deep embarrassment and a pleading apology.
Under the icy stares of the Holy Kingdom’s knights, Yuri began to speak haltingly.
“I am…”
Sybilla frowned.
“You are?”
Yuri worried more about the Holy Kingdom’s embarrassment than his own.
“I am the third prince of Briole.”
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
In the silence, the clock’s second hand moved steadily three times.
Yuri added,
“And I command the Briole army.”
Sybilla’s expression was priceless.
She had come in all high and mighty, only to be reprimanded by the lord of Gide and then immediately insult a foreign prince.
A string of blunders.
What must they be thinking?
By the time the fifth tick sounded, the knight who had scolded Yuri spoke up.
“Uh…!”
Yuri smiled gently at him, a gesture of forgiveness and goodwill. He had no intention of holding a grudge.
The knight blushed.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t recognize you. I thought you were a subject of the lord…”
“That’s understandable. Look at me—I’m dressed like a ragged nobody. Anyone would think I’m just some lowly grunt from the neighborhood. Ha ha ha…”
“No, that’s not it. Absolutely not…”
“It’s my fault. I should have dressed as sharply as you knights. I should have worn shining armor, yes, that’s what I should have done. I’ve committed a grave offense!”
“No, no…”
“I’m sorry!”
“No, I’m sorry! I’m the one who should apologize!”
“I’m sorry!”
“Prince! No, no, that’s not it! Everyone, bow your heads!”
“Sorry… uh!”
“Oh dear, Prince, please hold still!”
When Yuri made a scene, the Holy Kingdom knights hurriedly left the room.
Only the lord, Yuri, and Sybilla remained.
The lord wiped sweat from his brow repeatedly, while Sybilla sat far away, looking thoroughly displeased.
Yuri glanced at the mirror on the wall and tidied his hair.
“My lord, I have plenty of nice clothes at home. Do I really look that shabby?”
“Ha ha ha, nonsense. Prince, you look very distinguished.”
“Right? Then why did those knights treat me like that…”
Sybilla sighed.
“Sorry. Let’s just drop it.”
“Oh, shall we?”
Yuri whistled and sat back down. As he settled in the middle of the sofa, Sybilla edged further toward the door.
“Well, you’ll be fighting together from now on. At least exchange greetings.”
The lord tried to mediate.
“This is Yuri Briole, third prince of Briole and commander of the Briole army.”
“P-pleased to meet you.”
“And this is Sybilla Arsaint, Second Princess of the Holy Kingdom and commander of the allied forces.”
“Yes.”
“Now, shake hands.”
The lord clasped his own hands and gestured toward them.
“Good.”
Yuri readily extended his hand first.
Sybilla hesitated, her expression reluctant, but accepted the handshake.
Yuri gave her hand a friendly shake.
“Looking forward to working with you. Earlier was just a joke.”
“Oh, yes.”
The mood remained stiff.
Yuri recalled what Jermaine had told him about the Holy Kingdom.
It was easy to guess why Sybilla’s personality had become so sharp. Even the knights they’d just met weren’t exactly the type to bend easily.
In a group like that, there were only two ways to earn respect: either break the mold or don armor even stronger than the rest.
Like most, she’d chosen the latter.
Yuri kept shaking the hand Sybilla had offered, refusing to let go as she asked, “Lady Sybilla.”
“Yes?”
“How old are you?”
Sybilla looked at Yuri.
“We’ll be seeing each other often from now on, so it’s better if we get along. How old are you?”
“Twenty…”
“I’m eighteen. Two years apart—that makes us friends. We can just drop the formalities.”
Sybilla’s pupils dilated.
Before she could answer, Yuri went on.
“Nice to meet you, Sybilla.”
Including her past life, Yuri was far older and had dealt with all kinds of troublemakers during her mercenary days. Handling a kid like this was nothing.
Sybilla looked clearly flustered.
She glanced at Lord Gid, then back at Yuri, her eyes wavering.
The lord stepped in.
“Ah, this is wonderful to see.”
“Um…”
“You’re close in rank and age, so why not build a friendship? Soon, you’ll be fighting fierce orcs. It’s good to have comrades you can trust to watch your back, isn’t it? Don’t you agree?”
Yuri chimed in.
“Right?”
Sybilla nodded abruptly.
“Y-yeah…”
Though she answered, she looked confused—almost regretful.
But Yuri had no intention of backing down.
Before Sybilla could change her mind, she spoke again, breaking her focus.
“Sybilla, I didn’t see any troops on the way here. Did the knights arrive first?”
“That’s right.”
“When will the rest come?”
“Probably tomorrow.”
Yuri didn’t like that answer.
If the Holy Kingdom’s paladin order had arrived in Gid first, a small group of officers would have stayed behind to lead the main force.
Orcs were surprisingly skilled at ambushes despite their size. Even if this wasn’t their territory, splitting the troops without caution was unwise.
“I hope nothing’s gone wrong.”
Sybilla raised an eyebrow.
“The Holy Kingdom’s military discipline is strict. Are you suggesting something happened in the meantime?”
“You never know.”
“What kind of accident?”
“Orcs, of course.”
“Orcs…?”
“Yes.”
Sybilla fell silent. She didn’t seem to know much about orcs.
Yuri smiled, trying to lighten the mood.
“Orcs sometimes appear suddenly inside your defenses. Isn’t that right, my lord?”
“Yes, that’s true. They’re cunning creatures, despite their size.”
“Just saying, but I doubt there’ll be any real trouble. It is the Holy Kingdom, after all.”
“…”
Yuri changed the subject.
“Anyway, let’s get to what I wanted to discuss.”
They talked about the supplies and rations available in Gid, confirming the terms and conditions.
Once everything was settled, Yuri stood up.
“I’m off. Thanks for your cooperation, my lord.”
“When will you depart?”
“After a day’s rest, I plan to leave the morning after tomorrow.”
“Understood.”
“And Sybilla?”
“Go ahead without me.”
Sybilla seemed like she had something more to say.
Yuri smiled and waved at her. Sybilla, now composed, nodded with a cold expression.
“See you next time.”
They left the lord’s castle.
Elnando was waiting for her.
“Did you wait long?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“To come with you.”
“To where?”
Elnando’s eyes sparkled.
“Since we’re in Gid, the charm market, of course.”