LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 18 - Allied Forces (1)
10. Allied Forces (1)
“Yuri! Is it true that you’re joining the Allied Forces?”
Yuri was sparring with Bernard when Joshua suddenly appeared.
It was rare for Joshua to approach Yuri first. He must have been quite surprised.
Bernard lowered his sword.
“Let’s take a break.”
“Sure.”
Yuri sat down while wiping the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.
“What’s going on? You usually don’t come here.”
“Well…”
Joshua glanced at Bernard before speaking.
“Are you really joining the Allied Forces?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Why not?”
“There’s no need for a royal to go, is there?”
“There’s no reason not to go, either.”
Yuri gave a wide smile.
“Did you come because you were worried?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Hearing you’re going puts my mind at ease.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Ugh…”
For the past five years, Yuri had been keeping Joshua in line.
He monitored him to stop his mischievous pranks and pressured him to learn what was necessary for Briol.
As a result, Joshua began to avoid Yuri.
“Were you serious?”
“About what?”
“What you said before. When you tossed me that book.”
“Oh, that?”
Since returning to the spring of his thirteen-year-old self, Yuri had led a different life.
Not only did he rigorously train himself, but he also showed tolerance to those around him.
He pressed Joshua to study by giving him books.
When Joshua questioned his sudden change, Yuri gave him a brief answer.
‘Duty of the Royal Family.’
A phrase he threw out because he didn’t feel like giving a long explanation, but it seemed to have left quite an impression on Joshua.
Yuri smiled widely.
“So you thought I was lying?”
Joshua frowned at Yuri but then nodded.
“Alright, Yuri. Today, I finally understand your resolve.”
“Today?”
“Until now, I thought you were just trying to torment me.”
“Well, that’s partly true…”
Joshua ignored Yuri’s last comment.
“Please return safely. I will protect the Royal Palace while you are gone.”
Joshua’s expression was full of determination.
Yet Yuri felt oddly indifferent.
That was the exact face Joshua made when bluffing outrageously during gambling.
“There are plenty of people to protect it…”
But without waiting to hear his response, Joshua showed a thumbs-up and walked away.
Bernard commented.
“The brotherhood between you two is admirable.”
“Aren’t you worried about me?”
“Well, as long as you don’t do anything reckless, you should return safely.”
Bernard had witnessed Yuri’s growth more closely than anyone. He knew better than anyone how strong Yuri had become.
“I appreciate the kind assessment.”
“Just be cautious. Orcs are difficult opponents. They’re stronger and more treacherous than you expect.”
“Have you fought orcs before?”
“Long ago.”
Yuri had also encountered orcs in his past life.
They were more than twice the size of a human and did not hesitate to engage in all manner of despicable acts.
“And pay attention if you encounter an orc carrying a flag.”
“What about them?”
“These orcs are particularly strong. I don’t know what they’re called, but among humans, they would be comparable to knights. You don’t need to get involved with them unnecessarily.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Yuri was already aware of their term.
They were called ‘Orkbal’.
To interpret, it means ‘Orc Warrior.’ They were literally monsters.
“And, this might be presumptuous of me…”
Bernard trailed off, something uncharacteristic of him. Yuri shrugged.
“Go ahead.”
“Take someone experienced with you for advice. And steer clear of political issues.”
His concern was palpable.
Yuri smiled and patted Bernard on the shoulder. They were nearly the same height now.
“I’ll do that.”
“If you plan to fight orcs, you’ll need more training.”
“Shall we start now?”
As they were about to resume their sparring, they sensed someone approaching from a distance.
“We have another visitor.”
This time, it was Ena running towards them. She frantically called for Yuri.
“Your Highness, Your Highness.”
“What’s the matter?”
Ena had grown a lot over the past five years. Being three years older than Yuri, she was now an adult. She had moved from being cute to being more fittingly described as beautiful.
After bowing to Bernard, she addressed Yuri.
“Your Highness. A guest has arrived.”
“What kind of guest?”
“The wealthy gentleman who came before. He’s carrying an expensive bag again, dressed in dazzling clothes, and wearing jewels…”
“Ah.”
Yuri thought he knew who it was.
“What’s it about?”
“I don’t know.”
“Got it.”
Yuri excused himself to Bernard.
“We’ll have to stop here for today.”
“Very well.”
Yuri left the training ground.
As he walked, he wiped his sweat with a towel. Ena handed him a clean set of clothes.
“Change into these.”
“You brought clothes?”
“Of course. It wouldn’t be proper to meet a guest smelling of sweat.”
“Thanks.”
Yuri took off his shirt right then and there.
“Your Highness?”
Ena was alarmed, but Yuri didn’t mind.
His upper body, devoid of any excess fat and solidly built, was revealed. The well-defined muscles stood out with every movement.
“You’re too casual about undressing.”
“So?”
“You should be mindful of others’ eyes.”
“Who’s looking?”
“Me.”
“That’s fine.”
“The guards passing by over there.”
“Doesn’t bother me.”
“The heavens and earth, Your Highness.”
“Well, that’s an honor…”
As they chatted, they soon arrived at the reception room.
Yuri immediately entered the guest pavilion.
A familiar face bowed to Yuri.
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
It was Guillermo, the Vice President of the Iraine Trading Company.
Covered in expensive jewelry, he looked exactly like a nouveau riche, which he actually was. But his capabilities were certain, given that Iraine had personally recruited him.
“Where’s Iraine?”
“She is currently on a business trip, so I came in her stead.”
“She still travels personally?”
“She says she’s more suited to fieldwork.”
“Tell her to take it easy.”
As Yuri sat down opposite him, Guillermo handed something to Ena.
“Here it is.”
“Thank you. Hehe…”
Yuri frowned.
“What’s that?”
Ena just gave a subtle smile and stepped back without answering.
Switching his target, Yuri glared at Guillermo, who chuckled and rubbed his hands together.
“Haha, just a small token of appreciation for Miss Ena’s continued care…”
No wonder Ena had followed him all the way here. Too tired to make an issue out of it, Yuri simply waved his hand.
“Your Highness. It’s fine, right?”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“I’ll be going now.”
“How much did you get?”
“That’s a secret.”
Ena bowed her head and quickly vanished. Guillermo cleared his throat.
“Thanks to Miss Ena, I’ve benefited greatly.”
“In what way?”
“She has helped take good care of you, Your Highness. Thanks to that, you’ve grown up well…”
“I grew up just fine on my own.”
Yuri scoffed and leaned back in his chair.
“So, why did you come?”
“To report. As always, things went just as you said. Here are the documents.”
“Well done.”
“Do you really have the ability to see the future, Your Highness?”
“Of course not.”
Guillermo’s gaze carried a sense of awe.
Five years ago, prices for Mugranja spiked, just as Yuri had predicted.
Based on that, Iraine had boldly expanded their business.
Rumors spread that the Iraine Trading Company never failed.
And behind it all was Yuri, who seemed to foresee all the major events on the continent.
“It was just good luck.”
“…”
Guillermo didn’t seem entirely convinced, but he didn’t press further.
“And there is something I’d like to ask.”
“What is it?”
“I’m just a lowly merchant, so I may not understand the circumstances of the high and mighty, but recently the market atmosphere has been strange. The price of Zenel Steel is rising…”
Zenel Steel, named after the Zenel Mountains, is preferred for weapon manufacturing due to its superior strength compared to other metals.
“Is it war?”
Yuri nodded.
“Yes, the Empire has mobilized the Allied Forces.”
“The orcs?”
“Yes.”
“It’s about time.”
Guillermo grasped the situation quickly.
“I wish this were just a routine event… Could there be other motives?”
“Probably. But don’t worry, nothing major will happen.”
“Oh, do you know something this time as well?”
Guillermo stared intently at Yuri, as if anticipating gold nuggets of information.
Yuri shook his head.
“No.”
“Then why do you say that?”
“Because I’m going.”
“Going where?”
“To the Allied Forces.”
“Aha…”
Guillermo’s eyes widened before he scratched the back of his head and leaned back in his seat. He mumbled to himself for a moment before suddenly springing to his feet.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“Why, Your Highness?”
“Why is everyone so surprised?”
This was Briol, and he was a Prince of Briol.
Yuri explained to him.
“I’m fulfilling the duty of the Royal Family.”
“Ha!”
“Ha?”
Yuri narrowed one eye.
Realizing his blunder, Guillermo dropped to his knees and clasped his hands on the table.
“Prince, I apologize. I misspoke. Of course, you are the epitome of what all royalty should be. I understand that well. But must you go personally? If something were to happen to you, how devastated would we, Briol, be?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll come back safe and sound.”
“But orcs are such dreadful creatures…”
Guillermo fidgeted nervously, shaking his legs.
Yuri laughed out loud.
“Do I seem so unreliable?”
“Even skilled knights hesitate to face orcs. But you, Your Highness…”
His concern was understandable.
Yuri had hidden his abilities publicly until now. Only the royal guards were aware of his prowess within the palace, so to outsiders, his decision to go to war seemed reckless.
Yuri stood up and kicked Guillermo’s backside.
“Who are you worrying about? I am Yuri Briol.”
“I know! I know, but…”
“Is that all you came here for?”
“No, there’s more.”
“Then say it.”
Guillermo let out a heavy sigh and fetched a sack from the corner.
“I’ve acquired the item you mentioned.”
“Finally?”
“Yes.”
Guillermo opened the package with a triumphant expression.
“It wasn’t easy, you know. I really went all out.”
“Well done, Guillermo.”
Four daggers were placed on the table.
Sunlight streamed through the window, glinting off the blades.
Though they lacked ornate decorations, every part was impeccably finished.
“Is it really that valuable?”
“Yes.”
Yuri picked up one of the daggers and smiled broadly.
“Very.”
Four-Wheel Dagger.
This was an artifact he recalled from his past life.
Around this time, four daggers appeared at an Imperial auction, with no one recognizing their worth.
It wasn’t until later that they were revealed to be a masterpiece imbued with ancient magic by a dwarven craftsman.
Such an item had now landed in Yuri’s hands at a price next to nothing.
“It was a real hassle acquiring these. The atmosphere in the Empire is so tense, it’s hard to get used to. They just look like ornamental daggers…”
The blade was pointed toward Guillermo’s complaining face.
“Huh?”
The dagger’s hilt was empty.
In other words, Yuri wasn’t holding it—the dagger had risen on its own.
Guillermo’s eyes widened.
“Is it an artifact that flies by itself?”
“It is an artifact, but it doesn’t fly on its own.”
“Then why is it…”
Yuri squinted one eye and gazed at the dagger.
Guillermo couldn’t see it, but at that moment, Yuri and the dagger were connected through mana.
“Could it be… you, Your Highness…?”
Controlling an object with mana is nearly impossible for anyone without a high level of skill.
Even Guillermo, who wasn’t skilled in swordsmanship, could tell this was an extraordinary technique.
“You must be joking.”
Then the dagger, which had been floating in the air, spun and rushed at Guillermo with its hilt leading.
“Ack!”
He fell off his chair.
“You won’t die, you won’t die.”
“Agh…”
Yuri laughed as he gathered the four daggers. Guillermo, picking himself up, muttered.
“Goodness. I didn’t realize you were that strong, Your Highness.”
“Did you think I just played around every day?”
“Yes…”
For the last five years, Yuri had quietly built up his strength. He had endured all kinds of rumors. All of it was for this moment, for the upcoming Allied Forces.
“Guillermo.”
“Yes.”
“The preparations for the Imperial branch are going well, right?”
“Ah, yes. Of course. We are doing it as you instructed.”
“Trust me.”
Yuri knew very well how precarious the word “trust” could be. Yet he told Guillermo to trust him willingly.
No matter what burdens were placed on him, he would never run away.
“Then I’ll make sure you earn an enormous amount of money.”
“Yes.”
Guillermo stared blankly at Yuri for a moment before smiling and nodding.
“I trust you. But it’s not just you I trust.”
“Then?”
“I trust in your stake. You’re practically a co-president of our guild. Your profit is my profit. I believe we are in this together.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
They both laughed as they looked at each other.
“Yes. Since we are done, I will take my leave.”
“Send my regards to Iraine.”
“I haven’t seen her in a while myself…”
After bowing, Guillermo exited the room.
Yuri remained seated quietly for a while even after he had left.
Guillermo wasn’t his only guest.
“You can come out now.”
At some point, someone appeared at the edge of the room.
It was like an optical illusion. There had been nothing, and then suddenly, there was someone.
However, it wasn’t sudden. It was as though he had only just noticed something that had always been there—she appeared unexpectedly.
“Asana.”
A survivor of the Assassins’ Guild, Asana.