Yuri led Laurent and Jared toward the outskirts of the imperial capital.
A towering mansion of dark gray stone loomed ahead. At first glance, it looked like a fortress built on the border. Around the building, garden trees—planted more for formality than care—grew wild and untended.
As Yuri appeared, a knight standing at the entrance bowed.
“His Highness awaits you.”
Ragna had invited Yuri upon hearing of Briol’s arrival. He wanted to meet Yuri before the emperor’s banquet began.
“You may keep your weapons.”
“Thank you.”
It was a sign of trust toward Yuri.
With their weapons still sheathed, Yuri and his party passed through the main gate and entered.
On either side of the path, the gardens were lush and overgrown.
The knight explained, “His Highness dislikes pruning. He finds it artificial.”
Ragna’s garden looked neglected at first, but a closer look revealed a carefully planned layout. Somehow, it suited the mansion’s owner perfectly.
Soon, Yuri caught sight of Ragna.
He was shirtless, sweat glistening on his upper body, sparring with knights. Several took turns facing him.
When one opponent dropped his wooden sword and stumbled under Ragna’s swift strike, the knight was immediately replaced.
The duel continued.
Though Ragna’s skill was exceptional, he couldn’t keep up with multiple knights forever. His speed gradually slowed.
Finally, Ragna yielded his neck to his opponent, signaling the end.
“Age catches up with you, huh?”
Ragna shrugged toward Yuri, who chuckled softly.
“You shouldn’t complain about age after all that.”
“True enough. Back in the day, I could have gone all day.”
They had already gone several rounds, and even the waiting knights looked exhausted.
Yuri studied Ragna’s well-developed torso. Despite his age, his muscles were impressive, marked with scars here and there.
It was hard to believe he was truly the emperor’s brother.
“Let’s sit and talk.”
Ragna headed to a tea table beside the training ground. Yuri sat facing him, while Laurent and Jared stood behind like guards.
The knights’ gazes toward the two were sharp, especially focused on Laurent.
They seemed to harbor a competitive spirit toward Briol’s renowned knight.
“So, Yuri. How have you been?”
“Fine.”
“Don’t you miss the battlefield?”
“Not at all.”
“I do. It was fun back then, wasn’t it?”
“I was busy in Briol, Your Highness. I think you were just bored.”
“That’s true. Ha ha ha…”
Ragna laughed heartily, looking at Yuri.
How many people could he talk to this comfortably? Maybe that was why he liked Yuri so much.
“You caused quite a stir as soon as you arrived in the capital.”
“My childhood friend was using drugs. He was a decent guy in Briol…”
“Sounds like you’re blaming the empire for it.”
“Not at all, Your Highness.”
“The empire’s in chaos because of that. Do you know what kind of drug it is?”
“Isn’t a drug just a drug?”
“There are two types circulating, but this one’s the real problem.”
Ragna raised his hand, and a servant handed him a small pouch.
He opened it and poured the contents onto the table. Yuri narrowed his eyes at the blue crystals spilled out.
It was the same drug that the guy named Gott had been clutching.
“It’s spreading among nobles, especially the young heirs.”
“Same as what my friend was using.”
“Exactly. Because this…”
Ragna pinched a large crystal between his fingers and rubbed it. It shimmered faintly as powder trickled down.
“It instantly heightens human senses—not just the five senses, but even mana sensitivity.”
Yuri immediately understood.
“So they use this to train?”
“Not just that. They probably take it before exams or duels. It acts like a doping agent.”
“There must be a source for making this. Where is it?”
“We’re trying to find out. We’ve asked the Mage Tower, so results should come soon.”
“The Mage Tower?”
“Look at this.”
Yuri stared at the blue crystals. Something had seemed off from the start.
“Mana stones?”
“Seems to be an ingredient.”
According to Ragna, this was a magically produced drug. It wasn’t some low-level street gang operation—it had deeper backing.
“You said there were two types. Is the other one similar?”
“The other’s lower quality but chemically similar. It’s like they’re targeting different consumer groups.”
“Someone clever behind this.”
“Yuri, that’s why I want to ask you a favor.”
Ragna smiled.
“Can you find the people making this?”
“You want me to do that?”
“We don’t know how deep this infiltration goes. I need someone I can trust.”
Since Ragna himself was taking charge, it seemed the imperial court was lukewarm about solving the problem.
Yuri thought for a moment, then nodded.
“I’ll do what I can. If I can use your authority, Your Highness.”
“Of course.”
Yuri was already searching for traces of dark magic lurking in the empire.
If Ragna could officially delegate the investigation, Yuri could act more decisively.
As for the drugs, he could always claim it was just a failed case.
“Here.”
Ragna gestured, and a servant handed over a palm-sized paper stamped with Ragna’s seal.
It was an official commission from Ragna to investigate crimes disturbing the empire.
“It’s magically coated, so it won’t tear easily. Take good care of it.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
“Now, tell me.”
Ragna propped his chin on his hand.
“You must have some requests.”
Yuri looked up, still holding the paper close.
He had accepted the task because it aligned with his own goals, but Ragna seemed to think Yuri was hiding demands.
“Since you haven’t said anything yet, I’m guessing it’s something small but essential…”
Ragna misunderstood Yuri’s attitude.
Yuri shook his head.
“Nothing for now. Consider it a favor to Your Highness.”
Ragna looked at Yuri.
“You sly one.”
“That’s something you should keep to yourself.”
“Wonder what big thing you’ll ask for later…”
“It’s not like that.”
“Hmm…”
Ragna eyed Yuri suspiciously.
“Hmm…”
“If you keep that up, I won’t work.”
“No, no.”
“Then just trust me.”
“All right.”
At that, the other knights exchanged strange looks, surprised by the easy rapport between the two.
Ragna wiped his body with a towel and put on his shirt.
“Since you’re here, let’s have a meal. How have Sir Laurent and Sir Jared been?”
He asked the two standing behind him.
“Very well, Your Highness. Thank you.”
“Thanks to Your Highness, we’re well.”
“Don’t flatter me. Ha ha ha…”
More tables were set up, and a meal began to be prepared beside the training ground.
Watching this, Yuri suddenly sensed something. He quickly turned to Ragna.
“Hmm? Why are you staring like that?”
“Your Highness, could it be…”
Yuri pointed to the table.
“Are there more guests?”
The largest table was set with golden tableware for Ragna.
But there were only three chairs.
Once Ragna and Yuri sat, one seat would remain empty. If there were more guests, there would be more chairs. With only three, it meant no one else was expected. And such fine tableware wouldn’t be for just anyone.
“Guests? I’m not sure…”
Ragna’s awkward tone confirmed Yuri’s instincts. He felt a sudden chill run down his spine.
“Who could be visiting unannounced…”
Just then, a servant approached and whispered something to Ragna.
Ragna glanced at Yuri, then feigned surprise.
“Oh dear.”
Yuri sighed. He didn’t need to hear the rest to know what was coming.
“My nephew has come to see me—without warning.”
Yuri had expected to meet him eventually after coming to the empire.
But not like this.
He thought it would be a brief encounter at a formal event, just one attendee among many.
He should have been more wary of Ragna. That was a mistake.
“He’s supposed to be so beautiful… I’m curious.”
Jared whispered. Yuri responded by elbowing him in the ribs.
“Ugh…”
Ragna, who had briefly stepped away, returned with a bright smile.
“He’s on his way. Since it’s come to this, why not all greet each other? What do you say?”
Ragna addressed Jared with lively enthusiasm, not Yuri.
“Yes, Your Highness. It’s an honor to meet the princess, famed as the most beautiful in the continent.”
“Thank you for your kind words. I didn’t expect to come so suddenly either. What a remarkable coincidence to see you all together.”
He kept emphasizing the coincidence.
Yuri sat with a sullen expression, gathering his composure. He even summoned his mana method to maintain calm.
In this life, they were nothing to each other. There would be no progress between them. He just needed to treat him like any other royal and keep his manners. That was easy enough.
Still, he couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling.
“Yuri, are you all right?”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
It wasn’t right to blame Ragna. Yuri forced a small smile.
“I was just surprised—what a coincidence this is.”
“Y-yeah, right? Hahaha…”
Ragna laughed awkwardly, glancing over Yuri’s shoulder.
“Oh, they’ve arrived.”
Since Yuri had his back to the main gate, he could see others turning their heads.
Laurent’s eyes were sharp with interest, Jared’s mouth hung open, and even Ragna’s knights looked dazed.
It was as if something wondrous stood just behind Yuri.
Slowly, Yuri turned around.
His radiant platinum hair fluttered in the breeze.
Suddenly, he remembered the first time he met Ekaterina. They say memories tend to be idealized, but this time, it felt different. She was walking toward him exactly as she had back then—unchanged in every way.
It was strikingly similar to the moment in his past life when his heart had been stolen.
Even her outfit was the same.
The hem of her favorite crimson dress spread out like a blooming rose. Yet even that deep color was overshadowed by her porcelain skin and emerald eyes.
Her half-lidded eyes, framed by long lashes, slowly scanned the crowd before locking onto Yuri, widening in surprise.
When she smiled with a playful squint, it was as if the entire world’s colors brightened.
“Yuri Briol.”
She spoke his name, and the wind seemed to rush in as if the world itself had called him forth.
“To see the third prince of the Briol family again—it’s a pleasure.”
Her voice echoed perfectly in his mind, just as he remembered.
Yuri forced his frozen body to move and stood.
He bowed respectfully toward Ekaterina.
“The honor is mine, to meet the empire’s treasured princess.”
The meal proceeded uneventfully. The only difference was Ekaterina joining Ragna at the table.
Quietly listening, she occasionally asked Yuri about the Alliance army.
“Is that true? It must have been so difficult.”
“No, not at all.”
Each time, Yuri found Ragna’s fond gaze distracting.
Ekaterina smiled and said, “I heard you’re the same age as me, yet you performed so well on the battlefield. That’s impressive.”
Ragna chimed in, “He was always at the front lines, charging ahead. A brave one. I thought he’d lost his mind.”
Yuri shook his head.
“I was just doing what needed to be done.”
“Whether that’s humility or sincerity… Someone had to do it, but it didn’t have to be the prince, right?”
“No. It was my duty.”
“I’ve never heard anyone say it quite like that before.”
Yuri knew Ekaterina well enough to understand she wasn’t as bright-eyed about the world as she appeared. When she praised someone like this, there was always an ulterior motive.
“I’ve heard your swordsmanship is exceptional. So… are you planning to participate in the Empire’s tournament?”
“Well…”
Yuri had no real intention of joining. He hadn’t come to the empire to show off his sword skills.
“Wait a moment.”
Ragna stood up, leaving only Ekaterina and Yuri at the table.
Yuri felt awkward being alone with her, but Ekaterina seemed unfazed.
Resting her chin on her hand, she stared intently at him—a posture that made men lose their composure.
“Did you know the tournament winner receives a medal?”
“I’ve heard that.”
“Yuri.”
Suddenly, she called his name.
When he looked up, Ekaterina was smiling.
Her crimson lips parted.
“Will you give it to me?”