Side Story: Yuri’s Great Runaway Commotion! (1)
Yuri Briol.
The emperor’s husband and the most formidable swordsman of this era.
A prodigy born of the Briol lineage.
And he ran away.
This absurd event actually happened.
He left behind only a single excuse: that something very important and serious had come up, and he had no choice.
Ekaterina, the empire’s empress and his wife, responded like this:
“He ran off just because he didn’t want to work.”
Her expression was calm, but her clenched fists had turned white.
“Yeah, so it’s some ‘important matter,’ huh…”
Then she retreated into her room. From inside came the unmistakable sound of a pillow fight.
A little while later, she appeared, sweat beading on her forehead, catching her breath.
“He’ll come back when the time’s right. Tell him that when he returns, he’ll have to do far more than he ever has before. Until then, he should enjoy his last bit of rest.”
“D-Don’t you think threatening him like that will just make him stay away longer?”
Ekaterina shook her head.
“Yuri can’t live without me anyway. Do the sisters know?”
“Not yet.”
“Let them know.”
“Your Highness! Your Highness!”
Jarred urged his horse forward, chasing after Yuri’s retreating figure.
“You can’t just leave like this without a plan!”
“I don’t care!”
Yuri shouted up at the sky.
“Let me rest for once! Guarantee workers’ rights!”
“I understand how you feel, but if Your Highness leaves now, the empire won’t function!”
“Is that even a country?”
“Yes! The largest one on the continent!”
“This is ridiculous!”
“Exactly!”
“I’m not needed! The empire will keep running no matter what!”
“It’ll be a clumsy run, though!”
“Well, maybe it’ll only improve once it struggles without me!”
“No! It’ll just get harder when you come back!”
“Damn it!”
Jarred caught up to Yuri’s side and asked,
“So, where exactly are you going?”
“I don’t know.”
“Running away without a plan? That’s reckless!”
“First, I’m kidnapping Lord Roland.”
“Lord Roland?”
“We’re one family!”
Yuri raised his voice, mimicking the Brusson dialect.
“With the three of us, there’s nothing to fear!”
“Do you think Lord Roland will come quietly?”
“He grumbles on the surface, but he’s the same as always. He’ll pretend to hate it but follow along.”
“Really?”
“Want me to make a prediction?”
“What kind of prediction?”
“Roland will say, ‘You owe me one, so I’ll come along this time.’”
“That’s so cheesy…”
“Watch closely. Want to bet?”
“Still, I doubt it…”
And so, the two set off side by side toward Roland’s estate.
Roland had left Briol, who carried painful memories, and was now living in a small village near the imperial capital.
As they entered the village, large signboards greeted them.
“Acacia Village with Lord Roland”
“Map to Lord Roland’s Residence”
“Lord Roland’s Outing Hours”
Roland’s presence was being heavily promoted.
Yuri chuckled dryly.
“What is this?”
“Because of Lord Roland, Acacia Village’s economy is booming. It’s become a tourist spot.”
“Why on earth?”
“He’s popular. In that survey where Your Highness ranked first, Lord Roland was second. Many women come here just to see him.”
“What? The survey where I was the continent’s most admired man by an overwhelming margin, with 95% confidence and a 3% margin of error?”
“Yes, well…”
“Ha, then it can’t be helped. This makes sense. Roland alone is carrying this village’s economy. That’s patriotism—not some other nonsense. Roland is contributing to the nation.”
“You and Roland are both Briol, after all.”
“If you get paid, that’s your homeland.”
“Then am I an imperial citizen too?”
“Didn’t you know?”
“Ah.”
Inside, a villager greeted Yuri and Jarred.
“Hello! Are you tourists?”
“Something like that.”
“Here to see Lord Roland, right?”
“Something like that.”
“I get it. Even as a man, he’s an admirable knight.”
Wearing a mask below his eyes to keep out dust, he didn’t recognize Yuri.
“Do you know the way?”
“No, we’re just about to look for it.”
“Then I’ll guide you!”
“Oh, how kind.”
“Acacia Village is known for its hospitality. Ha ha ha…”
Thanks to his guidance, they easily found Roland’s estate.
The villager stopped in front of a large sign reading “Lord Roland’s Residence.”
“Here we are.”
“Thank you.”
“That’ll be 10 silver.”
“Excuse me?”
“I just guided you to Lord Roland’s estate.”
“But you never said anything about payment…”
The villager’s cheerful expression suddenly turned sour.
“This won’t do. Do you think I’m your servant?”
“What?”
“Huh? Am I your servant? If you hire someone, you pay! You can’t just boss people around for free!”
“No…”
Jarred raised his voice.
“This guy’s trying to scam us!”
“What? Scam? This guy’s hopeless!”
“When did you even ask for money? Hey!”
“You, you, you tramp! Hey, townsfolk! Come here! These people are treating me like a fraud! It’s so unfair! Hey!”
As the commotion grew, curious villagers began to peek out.
Yuri elbowed Jarred.
“Just pay him.”
“Ugh… fine.”
Jarred handed over the money, and the villager grinned.
“Heh heh, should’ve done this sooner.”
He sneered at Jarred, scanning him up and down before turning away.
Jarred’s hand instinctively went to his sword hilt, but Yuri placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Jarred, hold back.”
“Making me angry, huh? Fine, I’ll cause a scene today, Your Highness.”
“No need. This village will pay the price anyway.”
“What do you mean?”
“If we take Roland away, imagine how much economic damage the village will suffer.”
Jarred’s eyes widened.
“Ah…”
“Think of the money we just gave that man as a small bribe to ease any guilt we might feel. This village is doomed.”
“I see.”
Jarred nodded.
“Understood. We’ll take Roland with us no matter what. If he resists, I’ll knock him out and drag him along.”
“Now that’s the knight I know.”
They moved on.
The estate’s walls weren’t very high—about the height of an average adult—so anyone could peer inside.
A few tourists had already gathered, staring inside as if entranced.
“Wonder what’s in there?”
Yuri followed their gaze.
“…”
There was Roland.
He stood shirtless, pouring water over his head to cool down.
Droplets traced his smooth muscles as they ran down, and his blue eyes, visible through wet strands of hair, were filled with melancholy.
“…”
Yuri watched quietly, then spoke.
“What the hell is that guy doing?”
“Looks like sword training…”
“Training, sure, but he’s definitely aware of being watched, right?”
“Maybe, maybe not…”
He brushed his wet hair back and gripped his sword again, assuming a stance.
Even just breathing made his muscles ripple.
The tourists gasped.
“Oh my, oh my, what a sight.”
“Roland’s amazing.”
“Roland, you’re the best!”
Some even used binoculars to admire his physique—or rather, his training.
Yuri said,
“Jarred.”
“Yes?”
“I can’t watch this anymore.”
“Agreed.”
“We’re taking Roland with us.”
“Yes!”
They immediately climbed over the wall.
The tourists shouted, but the two ignored them and approached Roland.
Roland flinched the moment he saw them.
“…”
“…”
“…”
The three exchanged glances.
Yuri spoke first.
“Good to see you’re well.”
Roland was silent for a moment, then slowly replied.
“…Feels like I saw you just a month ago.”
“A month is too long between us.”
“What brings you here?”
Yuri said,
“Roland, there’s a place you need to come with me.”
“A place I need to go?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm…”
Looking into Roland’s eyes, Yuri sensed that unless the reason was serious, he wouldn’t follow.
So he went all in.
“The continent is in crisis again!”
Jarred, standing beside him, responded in surprise.
“What?”
“…”
“Oh, right. Yes, that’s right, Roland. The continent is in danger. We need your help.”
Roland asked calmly,
“What kind of crisis?”
“That is…”
Jarred glanced at Yuri, who was just as unsure.
After hesitating, Yuri said,
“An existential crisis.”
“…”
“Modern continent dwellers face an existential crisis.”
“…”
“It’s real.”
“If you’re here to joke around, just leave.”
“No, it’s not like that…”
Finally, Jarred stepped in and confessed honestly.
“Your Highness has run away.”
Disdain deepened in Roland’s eyes.
“Run away?”
“That’s how it is.”
“Tch…”
“I know the feeling.”
Roland and Jarred exchanged similar looks as they stared at Yuri.
Yuri stepped back, lowering his head. The word “runaway” stung with shame.
But then, something unexpected happened.
Roland nodded willingly.
“Alright, I get it.”
“Huh?”
“Running away… it’s ridiculous, but…”
Roland sheathed his sword as he spoke.
“You owe me one, so this time, you’re coming along.”
It was quite a cool moment.
But to Jared, it carried a different meaning.
He stared at Yuri with his mouth slightly open, while Yuri, wearing a smug grin, reached out his hand toward Jared.
“I win.”
“I can’t believe he actually said that line…”
“He’s right in the palm of my hand.”
“How does he always know?”
“Heh…”
Watching money change hands between the two, Laurent vaguely grasped what was going on.
Without hesitation, he turned away.
“Wait here. I’ll get ready and come out.”
“No need to be so embarrassed, Laurent.”
“Shut up.”
The three of them regrouped and left Acacia Village.
Though the villagers desperately tried to hold Laurent back, he showed not a shred of hesitation.
Seeing the man who had torn off the GPS standing there dumbfounded, Jared burst out laughing.
“Hahaha, this is exciting.”
“Too soon to celebrate. Now, what we need is a good reason.”
“A reason?”
“I left a note saying I had something important to do, but if I’m just out sightseeing, what will that do to my reputation? I need a justifiable cause that makes this runaway seem reasonable.”
“Is it that easy to come up with a reason?”
“Nope. That’s why we’re heading somewhere that can give us one.”
Laurent scoffed.
“So you really did leave without a plan?”
“Well…”
“I’m already regretting this. Seriously, how did that guy become number one…”
“What did you just say?”
“Nothing.”
“You were actually worried about the survey rankings?”
“Nonsense.”
“Accept it. That survey has a 95% confidence level…”
“Shut up.”
Yuri, who had been babbling nonstop, suddenly clapped his hands.
“Oh! I just had a great idea!”
“So, the destination’s decided?”
“Exactly!”
With Laurent and Jared’s eyes on him, Yuri raised his fist triumphantly.
“We’re going to see Cory!”
Jared nodded.
“Cory, huh? Good choice. Since Cory’s doing good work, you can claim you didn’t just run away but left temporarily for community service and to gauge public sentiment. A brilliant move. But the problem is…”
Jared glanced at Laurent.
Laurent forced a blank expression.
“Why are you looking at me?”
“Are you okay, Laurent?”
“Hmph. Nothing to hide.”
“Doesn’t seem like it.”
There was history between Laurent and Cory.
After suffering physically and emotionally because of Cedric, Laurent had lashed out at Cory, who had been nursing him back to health. He even accused Cory of betrayal, claiming that Cory took pleasure in seeing him—disfigured by dark magic—in such a state.
Though the misunderstanding was eventually cleared up, their relationship hadn’t healed. To be precise, Cory didn’t care at all, but Laurent kept avoiding him.
They had become… awkward.
Laurent hesitated before continuing.
“Y-yeah, good idea. It’s nice to see Cory again after so long. I heard he’s doing good work.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Are you serious?”
“Of course.”
“I see. Heh heh heh…”
“Why are you laughing?”
“Just… heh heh…”
Yuri kept up his cryptic chuckling, and Jared soon joined in with a smirk.
Laurent grimaced.
“I really hate these guys.”
“Heh heh heh…”
“Hee hee hee…”
“Why did I even come with them…”
The three arrived at the place where Cory was.
But a small problem arose.
As if she had been expecting them, Yuri’s second wife was waiting there.
Yuri’s face, which had been beaming with excitement at the thought of meeting Cory, suddenly stiffened.
“This is so predictable.”
“W-what the hell?”
“It’s obvious if you think about it for even a moment.”
Her identity was none other than…