It felt like enough had been repaid.
After landing on the ground, Yuri glanced around.
The exhausted soldiers had slowed their pursuit, unable to keep up.
The Briol knights who had been fighting the enemy gradually came to a halt.
The battle was drawing to a close.
“Is this the end of it?”
Corpses of the Holy Kingdom’s soldiers were scattered about, but just as many orcs lay sprawled on the ground.
Considering the circumstances, it had been a solid defense.
The orcs who had fallen behind tried to resist despite their injuries, but the paladin squad that followed swiftly killed or subdued them.
Yuri spotted an orc pretending to be dead.
“Hey.”
“…”
“Hey. You not getting up?”
He kicked the orc’s backside.
The orc let out a howl and lunged forward. Yuri parried a few attacks before cutting off its leg. The creature collapsed, crawling on the ground. Yuri stomped on its nape, pinning it down.
Sybilla, nearby, looked over at Yuri.
“Did you leave it alive on purpose?”
“Yeah. We need to interrogate it.”
“An orc?”
“We have a translator.”
“An orc translator?”
Sybilla’s eyes widened.
“Where did you find someone like that?”
Yuri smiled faintly. It was thanks to Jaime introducing Kory.
“Count Saidor.”
“Oh, the scarred wolf, right…”
Sybilla muttered the nickname as if she understood.
Jaime’s reputation was well known even in foreign lands.
Wiping the blade of Guilty on the fallen orc’s clothes, Yuri said, “Anyway, this can be called the alliance’s first victory.”
As armies from various nations gathered toward Valshard, they had successfully repelled the orcs’ first ambush.
It was an event that might one day be recorded in history books.
Yuri lifted Guilty up.
“Here!”
The Briol knights gathered around.
Their eyes held reverence.
Jarred knew Yuri’s skill, and Laurent had always admired him, but the other knights were genuinely surprised by Yuri’s prowess.
It was a level of mastery hard to believe for an eighteen-year-old.
“Your Highness.”
Raymond spoke on behalf of the group.
“I witnessed Your Majesty’s deeds in the previous alliance battle.”
Yuri smiled faintly.
“Is that so?”
“Yes. It felt like seeing Your Majesty all over again.”
It was high praise.
“And Your Highness earned the trust of the Holy Kingdom’s army in this battle. Now I understand why His Majesty entrusted the alliance to the Third Prince. We look forward to working with you.”
Raymond was a seasoned knight.
Being recognized by him was genuinely gratifying.
“I look forward to working with you as well.”
Yuri’s gaze shifted and met Laurent’s eyes, which sparkled even more.
Feeling a bit overwhelmed, Yuri looked away.
Laurent’s blonde hair flickered at the edge of his vision, but he ignored it.
“Everyone, well done.”
“Yes!”
Not only Yuri’s reputation but Jarred’s also rose. He had performed nearly as well as Laurent today.
As the Briol knights gathered to discuss the battle’s outcome, Sybilla approached once more to express her gratitude.
“On behalf of the Holy Kingdom, thank you for your support. And above all, Yuri, I owe my life to you. Thank you.”
This time, Sybilla reached out first. Yuri took her hand and shook it.
Yuri asked, “What’s the plan now?”
“We’ll organize the main force and return to Gid together.”
Yuri decided to return immediately. There was no reason to stay.
“Alright. We’ll head back.”
“We’ll take the captured orcs with us.”
“Please do.”
Whistling, the horses gathered from the corner. The knights mounted one by one.
Yuri stroked the mane of his black horse.
“Your Highness, may I ask you something?”
A young knight rode up to Yuri.
“What is it?”
“Are you acquainted with the princess of the Holy Kingdom?”
“No.”
“You spoke informally to her. Since when?”
All eyes turned toward them.
The atmosphere was playful. The knight smiled slyly.
“The princess seems quite gentle with Your Highness…”
“You little…”
“Love can blossom even on the battlefield, right?”
“Shut up.”
“I’ve had plenty of romances, but this one is definitely…”
“You’re dead.”
“She’s beautiful. Aren’t you interested?”
“No.”
“Aw, come on…”
“I’m married to Briol.”
“What?”
“Remember that.”
Yuri scoffed.
Just hearing talk of romance gave him chills.
It was all because of that woman.
Shaking his head, he forced himself to erase someone’s face from his mind.
Romance?
Ridiculous.
“Listen.”
“Yes?”
“I don’t love.”
“Huh?”
The knight’s expression froze.
“Move out!”
Yuri spurred his horse forward. The knights called after him, but he ignored them.
Though he looked like a boy, his mind was that of a mature man. He wouldn’t waste time on such trivial feelings.
“Tch…”
Suppressing the memories rising within him, Yuri wiped his nose.
He had been blinded by a reckless infatuation and brought down Briol. He would never make that mistake again.
“Your Highness! Come with us!”
The knights caught up, running alongside him.
The wind scattered his hair.
Yuri muttered, “I wish it would rain.”
Of course, he wouldn’t use an umbrella.
That was for those who had nothing to wash away in the rain.
Gid was peaceful.
Except for the few knights who had fought, no one knew what had happened.
Yuri rested in the barracks, while the young knights returned to Gid, enjoying a rare moment of leisure.
“Did that really happen?”
“Yeah.”
Those who had fought alongside Yuri chatted about the earlier battle. After all, it was their first fight against the orcs.
Everyone listened intently.
“The prince suddenly disappeared, then appeared ahead, rescuing us from the pit…”
The tale spread that the Holy Kingdom’s paladin squad had been on the brink of death, but their commander Yuri miraculously saved them.
“Unbelievable.”
“It’s true.”
“Then what about the rumors?”
“Probably nonsense. That the king’s bloodline continued through the Third Prince.”
Most were skeptical, but with Laurent’s testimony, disbelief was difficult.
“Laurent, is it true?”
“Of course.”
Laurent nodded.
All eyes focused on him.
Though he didn’t usually drink, he raised his glass, caught up in the mood.
“I was deeply impressed by the Third Prince today. Not just his swordsmanship, but his spirit was remarkable.”
“Spirit?”
“They say the prince married Briol.”
“What?”
“He doesn’t believe in love.”
“What are you talking about?”
“That solemn knightly code…”
“Are you sane?”
“Finding a worthy lord to serve is the hardest thing. Thinking that way, I feel like the luckiest knight alive.”
“This is getting worse…”
Laurent, who had once followed Yuri, had now become his devoted disciple.
“Ah, whatever. Drink up!”
“Cheers!”
And there was a pair of eyes watching them.
“Welcome. What can I get you?”
The tavern owner’s question pulled Asana’s gaze away from Laurent. She pointed at the menu.
“Stew.”
“No alcohol?”
“No.”
“Understood.”
Though her behavior was odd, the owner didn’t mind.
Gid was like that. It had been a den of fugitives before the Briol army arrived, briefly stirring up noise.
“Here you go.”
Asana, who had been watching Laurent, quietly took a bite of the stew.
Her employer, Yuri, had apparently made quite a name for himself.
That wasn’t surprising.
Even to someone skilled in assassination like her, Yuri’s swordsmanship was exceptional.
But the talk about marrying Briol and not believing in love kept nagging at her.
Though they worked together as employer and employee, they hadn’t built a personal relationship. Maybe that was why hearing stories about Yuri from others was so intriguing.
“I had no idea the Third Prince was so skilled.”
“Didn’t strange rumors circulate?”
“Probably just nonsense. That’s how rumors go.”
“I thought he was a carefree gambler because he played cards so well. He’s still a mystery.”
Asana agreed.
Yuri Briol was an enigma to her.
Five years ago, he suddenly appeared with money, assessed Daisy’s condition, and saw through Asana’s abilities.
Since working for Yuri, she’d been amazed time and again.
He had amassed great wealth through Elaine Trading, brought in a man named Gorio to control the underworld, and his own combat skills were outstanding.
Whenever they met, she could feel his mana growing stronger day by day.
And now, he had voluntarily joined the alliance army, seeking out the battlefield everyone else avoided.
He was truly an unfathomable man.
“Did you see that? He spoke informally to the princess of the Holy Kingdom.”
“Is she really a princess?”
“You didn’t know?”
“I just thought she was a female knight.”
“The prince lives up to his reputation.”
“Ah, that can’t be. The prince’s personality is gentle. He even eats with the soldiers.”
“Wasn’t he sneaking food secretly?”
“No, the cook said otherwise. Though he did take a lot of meat.”
“Well, that’s…”
Asana took a rough bite of stew and set down her spoon. Eavesdropping was entertaining, but she had other things to do.
She pushed the stew aside and called the owner.
“Hey.”
“Yes?”
“I want to ask you something.”
“What is it?”
“Come here.”
The owner looked clearly annoyed.
Asana pulled out a silver coin and placed it on the table. The owner’s attitude immediately changed.
“Just say the word.”
He clasped his hands together and smiled.
Asana flipped a silver coin in the air and asked, “I’m looking for someone. Dark brown hair, carries a sword, not very good at the continental language, but an exceptional swordsman.”
“Well… I see so many people here…”
“Try to remember carefully.”
Asana shook the coin again.
“If he passed through Gid, he’d have stopped here.”
“Dark brown hair and a sword? That’s pretty common…”
“But he’s bad at the continental language.”
“Hmmm…”
The owner furrowed his brow, thinking hard, then suddenly clapped his hands.
“Oh! Now that you mention it, someone I saw recently comes to mind.”
He rolled his eyes as if searching his memory.
“I’m not sure if his hair was brown—he was wearing a hood. I can’t quite recall if he had a sword, but his continental language was definitely awkward. Though, since Gid often gets guests like that, I can’t say for sure if he’s the one you’re looking for…”
“Tell me everything you know about him.”
“He ordered risotto but insisted on no spices. Especially, he was adamant about no lemongrass. But…”
“But?”
“The tavern was so busy, I just threw it in out of laziness. He tried to draw his sword. Oh! Now I remember—he did have a sword. Almost got a hole blown in the wall.”
“…”
“When I apologized, he muttered something under his breath. It wasn’t continental language, but I could tell it was a curse.”
“Anything else?”
“He asked for directions to Valshad. His pronunciation was so off, I mocked him a bit. He caught on quickly and drew his sword again.”
“Bold.”
“You have to know your limits. Even if his actions were rough, I could tell he wasn’t a bad person. He only threatened, but I knew he wouldn’t actually stab anyone. Heh heh…”
Asana narrowed her eyes. Definitely not someone she wanted to deal with.
“That’s all. He left right after. Just a drifter.”
Nodding, Asana pocketed the silver coin and stood up.
“Huh?”
The owner held out his hands. Asana shook her head.
“You said he knows his limits.”
“Yeah?”
“Did I really look like someone he could mess with?”
“Hey, miss.”
He scowled.
“If you keep this up, I’ll get angry too. Do you know where you are right now?”
“Your attitude’s changed.”
“This is Gid, Gid. You think all the women in the red-light district came here willingly? Lucky for you, there are plenty of empty spots…”
Asana’s eyebrows twitched.
At that moment, the tavern owner suddenly felt something slice past his neck.
His heart dropped.
“Uh, uh…”
Trembling with fear, he touched his neck. Luckily, nothing was wrong.
“Next time, it’ll be for real.”
Instead of his neck, the thick hair at the back of his head fell in clumps.
Clearly, the woman had struck from the front. Yet his neck was untouched, and only the hair behind was cut.
It made no sense.
This meant the woman before him was no ordinary human.
“I’m sorry.”
The owner immediately bowed his head.
In this city of fugitives beyond the border, all kinds of people come and go. You had to be careful who you trusted to survive.
“P-please forgive me…”
“Learn to read people better. Be careful from now on.”
“Y-yes…”
Asana patted the trembling owner on the shoulder and stepped outside the tavern.
The streets of Gid, now occupied by the Briol army, were noisier than ever.
Asana slipped into the back alleys, avoiding the crowds.
“Valshad…”
Her employer, Yuri, was headed the same way. She could keep an eye on him while carrying out her mission.
That was a relief.
No matter what, Asana had to find him.
The swordsman with dark brown hair from the Eastern continent.
A man who held one of the top ten seats among the continent’s elite.
Known simply as the Stranger.
Across this vast land, Yuri was searching for him.