Side Story: Yuri’s Runaway Ruckus! (12)

As Jared stepped aside, the exorcist soldiers wearing beaked masks strode in steadily.

Their imposing physiques and bizarre attire made the other soldiers shrink back in fear.

One exorcist, standing at the center of the group, pulled a black staff from his robes.

“Divine power…”

His voice was heavy and dull.

“Grant us the strength to eradicate the evil that plagues this world…”

The rest of the exorcists echoed in unison.

“Grant us strength.”

A strange resonance echoed through the misty battlefield.

The staff-wielding exorcist began greedily drawing in the surrounding mana.

Jared realized their formation was designed to concentrate magical energy.

“Gather the evil.”

The central exorcist spoke, and thick black smoke billowed from the staff.

Though Jared lacked the eyes to see black magic like Yuri, he could feel the dark sorcery tormenting the officials being drawn into that black smoke.

It was like a magnet, pulling in every trace of malevolent energy nearby.

Then the exorcist spoke again.

“Destroy the evil.”

Sparks flew.

The black smoke that had filled the sky transformed into flames, burning the air itself.

Jared stared blankly upward as shadows flickered violently across his face.

“The sacred flame banishes darkness, a testament to divine holiness…”

As the incantation continued, the flames above twisted and writhed like a trapped beast, with dark shapes struggling within.

A battle of fire and shadow.

When the black magic’s resistance peaked, the exorcists shouted together.

[Dispel Evil!]

A thunderous command struck down.

The fully subdued black magic turned to ash and scattered, and the flames, having consumed all the fuel, vanished in an instant.

Soon, the night sky was calm as if nothing had happened.

The exorcism was complete.

Jared opened his mouth in awe.

“Wow…”

From behind, Antianus spoke.

“The war is over, but to prepare for the possible return of black magic, we have continued our research. This is but a fraction of our achievements.”

“Impressive. I never imagined something like this was possible…”

As the black magic dissipated, the officials of the Shincheong sect began to regain their senses.

Though the exorcists’ appearance was eerie, they were officially part of the temple. They gently comforted the awakened patients with warm hands.

“Ahhh!”

“What is this?!”

“Monsters!”

But upon seeing the masks, many officials fainted again.

“Please save me!”

“Is this hell?!”

“Ugh!”

The exorcists, wounded in spirit, retreated sullenly.

Jared patted the discouraged Antianus on the shoulder.

“Do you really have to wear those masks?”

“We must completely block the influence of black magic. There’s no other way.”

---

Laurent approached Buscolum with the recommendation letter Joseph had given him.

Buscolum was clinging desperately to a nobleman’s pant leg right outside his home.

“My lord! Please, just one more chance!”

“Get lost!”

“If you give me one more chance, I swear I’ll succeed! I’ll find the continent where gold rolls like stones…”

“Ugh!”

The noble kicked Buscolum down. Straightening his collar, the noble turned away coldly and strode off.

Buscolum collapsed to the ground, reaching out toward the noble’s back.

“My lord…!”

But the noble didn’t look back.

“Sniff… sniff…”

Buscolum lay face down on the ground.

Laurent watched the scene with his arms crossed.

“Sniff… sniff… heh heh… heheh…”

After a while, Buscolum suddenly jumped up.

His previous pitiful demeanor vanished, replaced by a mischievous grin as he flipped the noble the middle finger.

“Fool. Kicking away your own blessings, huh!”

There was no trace of despair on his face.

“Just wait a little longer. Treasure beyond imagining awaits. Tsk tsk, such a foolish noble! Just wait. I, Buscolum, will find the continent where gold rolls like stones! You idiot!”

As he ranted about the noble, Buscolum suddenly noticed Laurent.

Their eyes met, and Buscolum shouted.

“What are you staring at?!”

A moment later, with a bruised face, Buscolum bowed his head to Laurent.

“I-I’m sorry.”

“Alright.”

“W-what brings you here, sir?”

“Buscolum, are you really that good at navigation?”

“Navigation?”

Buscolum’s eyes snapped open.

“That’s my greatest skill. Even if you throw me into the middle of the ocean, I’ll get back to port safely. I’m an adventurer who can read the stars and feel the currents. If I don’t have a compass, I’ll make one and find the North Pole. But how do you know me…?”

“Joseph from Double Door village told me about you.”

“That Joseph guy…”

Buscolum sniffed.

“He used to compete with me at the Imperial Academy. Is he doing well? Unlike me, he preferred writing to adventuring…”

“Enough small talk.”

Laurent grabbed Buscolum’s cheek, forcing him to meet his cold gaze. Swallowing hard, Buscolum nodded.

“You.”

“Yes?”

“Are you confident?”

“Confident?”

“To go to Owl Blue.”

Buscolum’s eyes widened, nostrils flared, and mouth dropped open, every hole in his face expanding.

“Owl Blue!”

“It seems we’ll be heading to the new continent beyond Owl Blue.”

“Ahhh…!”

“If the mysterious enemy appearing in Bursen really comes from beyond Owl Blue, we’ll have to go there ourselves and make them pay.”

“W-who exactly are you, sir?”

“My name is Laurent Flandre.”

“Sir Laurent!”

Buscolum was shocked again.

Who on the continent wouldn’t know Laurent Flandre?

If Jared was the shadow of Yuri Briol who saved the continent, then Laurent Flandre was the loyal sword carrying out Yuri’s will.

Buscolum breathed heavily, his eyes bloodshot.

“L-leave it to me! I can sail anywhere on this sea! But…”

“But?”

“There are a few conditions.”

“What are they?”

“Money. And companions.”

Laurent raised an eyebrow.

“There’s plenty of money. But what do you mean by companions?”

“Owl Blue is no easy foe. I may be the world’s best captain, but I can’t do it alone. I need someone capable to help me, and I know just the person.”

“Who?”

“Jamelan.”

Buscolum smirked.

“There’s a guy named Jamelan. He’s got a rough personality, but he’s skilled. With him, it’s possible. I’ll persuade him myself.”

“Think it’s doable?”

“Yes. For an adventure like this, I’d jump at the chance. Though exploring the new continent beyond Owl Blue will require a fortune…”

“Don’t worry. There’s someone with more money than they know what to do with.”

“You mean that person…”

“Yes. That one.”

Buscolum shuddered.

There was only one person behind Laurent Flandre.

The emperor’s husband and the prince of Briol.

The continent’s strongest swordsman.

The hero who saved the continent.

Yuri Briol.

“Ha ha, ha ha ha… ha ha ha ha!”

Born in Orphen and raised by the sea, he had always yearned for adventure. He never believed tales that the world ended beyond the ocean.

Once he crossed the horizon to Owl Blue, a new world unimaginable on this continent would unfold.

Exploring Owl Blue was a lifelong dream.

And now, none other than Yuri Briol himself had sent his knight to invite him on this journey.

Beyond Owl Blue, toward the new continent.

Buscolum brushed the goosebumps crawling up his arm and asked in a deliberately calm voice.

“When do we start preparing?”

“Right now.”

Buscolum burst out laughing.

“Of course!”

Just moments ago, he thought it was the worst day of his life. The noble who had sponsored him treated him like a fraud and cut off all support. He begged, clutching at the noble’s pant leg, but was rejected.

But now, an opportunity of a lifetime had come.

Looking back, it wasn’t the worst day—it was the best.

“This is the down payment. If you need more money, go to Elaine Trading and mention Yuri Briol’s name. There’s no limit. We’ll be waiting in Orphen.”

“Yes!”

---

Yuri, after a private meeting with the king of Bursen, staggered back to Orphen, having drunk heavily on the local Alass wine.

Though it seemed like they only drank, all the important matters were discussed.

Of course, while drunk.

In any case, the king of Bursen recognized the gravity of the situation unfolding in Orphen and granted Yuri full authority.

While Yuri took action, the king contacted other nations to prepare for a possible war.

“That man sure can drink…”

“I’m a bit jealous you two drank without me!”

“If Kyeong had been there, he’d still be passed out.”

“Ha ha ha ha!”

Of course, Hose followed along.

He was staying in the capital of Bursen, and the moment word came that Yuri had appeared, he rushed straight to the palace. Like a loyal dog following its master, he waited patiently until Yuri’s private meeting was over.

When Jose heard the full story from Yuri, he was happier than he had ever been.

“I can’t believe we’ll be fighting alongside Your Majesty again. I’m thrilled.”

“Nothing’s certain yet. It might surprisingly be resolved through dialogue.”

“No, it definitely won’t end that way.”

“Why are you so sure?”

“Because Your Majesty is involved.”

“Hm?”

“An incident involving Your Majesty can never be so easily settled. My gut tells me something huge is about to happen.”

“Ugh…”

“And isn’t it significant that it’s happening in Orphen, my own territory? The very place where we had that beautiful duel. Come on, let’s go. Let’s watch over the continent once more! Hahaha!”

“Yeah, yeah…”

“An enemy from the New Continent wielding dark magic! That’s way better than fighting the Holy Kingdom!”

The two rode off, chatting excitedly as they headed toward Orphen.

This time, Yuri wasn’t wearing his slime mask, so people recognized Jose—the most famous man in Bursen—and Yuri, the most renowned figure on the continent. They waved enthusiastically, and before long, reporters had gathered, cameras flashing from every direction.

Jose asked, “Why reveal your face and travel openly on the main road?”

“If war breaks out, we need to be prepared.”

“Prepared how?”

“If we show that we, who fought together in the Anti-Empire Alliance, are still close, won’t citizens from different countries feel a little closer to each other? Even if a war breaks out with those from across the sea, if the continent unites, we can win.”

“True. Our victory in the last war was thanks to forming the Anti-Empire Alliance together. That’s a meaningful thought.”

Jose waved to the citizens and then asked, “By the way, have you heard anything about Cruar?”

“Hm?”

“I read in the morning papers that he appeared at the palace yesterday…”

“Cruar?”

Yuri tilted his head, a sudden uneasy feeling creeping over him.

“You said the morning paper?”

“Yes. Citizens of the capital reportedly saw Cruar himself descend on the palace, wings flapping as he landed.”

“Maybe he has a request.”

“Who? Cruar? Or Ekaterina?”

“Not sure.”

As they talked, the reporters trailing them suddenly looked up in surprise.

“Look, look up there!”

“Above!”

Cameras all pointed skyward.

Yuri and Jose’s gazes followed.

“…”

Something enormous was flying through the sky.

Though it was far away and appeared tiny, there was no mistaking what it was.

The continent’s one and only.

A dragon.

Cruar was soaring, wings beating as he flew somewhere.

Could it be that he was heading in the same direction Yuri had mentioned?

The reporters clicked their cameras repeatedly, though their equipment wasn’t advanced enough to capture a clear shot—they just wanted to leave some trace.

“Well, looks like he’s going somewhere.”

“Seems to be heading toward Orphen, Your Majesty.”

“No way.”

“Don’t you think he might be waiting for you there?”

“Impossible.”

“My guess is…”

“Enough!”

Yuri denied it to the end, but in the end, things unfolded just as Jose had predicted.

Cruar was waiting for Yuri in Orphen.

“It’s been a while. If you don’t greet me warmly, I might just turn around and leave…”

But Cruar wasn’t the only one waiting for Yuri in Orphen.

Yuri’s fourth wife was there as well.

“W-what are you doing here?”

Her identity was none other than…