LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 5 - The Legacy of the Ancestors (1)
3. The Legacy of the Ancestors (1)
“A dungeon?”
“Yes.”
“What on earth…”
Yuri recalled something from his past life.
The empire that destroyed Briol had discovered a dungeon in Sword Mountain. Rumor had it that it contained a legacy left by the founder of Briol.
But no further details were known.
“We’ll find out by seeing it for ourselves.”
As Yuri moved, Jared and Hernando followed closely.
“Your Highness, be careful. There will be monsters.”
“That’s why I brought both of you. Guard me well.”
“Understood.”
Hernando kept asking questions.
“How did you know there was a dungeon?”
Yuri gave a vague answer.
“There was a book hidden in the Royal Palace library. It said the founder left a legacy here.”
“You went to the library, Your Highness?”
“Why, is that strange?”
“Because I’ve never seen you with a book in your hand.”
“Do you think a prince skips out on his education?”
“So you’re saying you just pretend to study during lessons, then throw everything aside once it’s over?”
“Shut up.”
“I heard it from the teacher.”
They made their way up Sword Mountain, pushing through the thick shrubbery.
Many sections were steep, forcing them to crawl. Sharp leaves pricked their skin.
“Be careful, the leaves are sharp. Don’t get hurt.”
Yuri’s words made Hernando and Jared exchange glances.
It was strange enough for a thirteen-year-old to be concerned about them, but it was even more surprising coming from the Third Prince, notorious for being a troublemaker.
“Sir Jared.”
“Yes.”
“Has His Highness been eating something strange lately?”
“Seems like it.”
“Both of you, shut up.”
“His temper hasn’t changed, has it?”
“It’s a monster.”
At those words, both Jared and Hernando fell silent.
“It really is… That monster…”
A presence could be felt beyond the bushes.
Yuri muttered.
“It’s a direwolf.”
It was a common monster. Larger and more ferocious than ordinary wolves, their fur was so coarse that weapons barely penetrated it.
“They’re pack animals. There’s no telling how many more are nearby. That one must be the leader.”
Thanks to his experience as a mercenary, Yuri was well-versed in the behavior of direwolves. When it came to monsters, he likely knew more than either of his companions.
“You seem to know a lot about monsters.”
“Of course.”
“But you don’t usually see monsters.”
“It’s in the books. Hernando, you should read more.”
“You really remembered all that?”
“I’ve stored the knowledge in my head.”
“As expected of you, Your Highness.”
Yuri looked up at the mountain peak.
“We still have a long way to go.”
It hadn’t seemed that high before they started climbing, but the terrain was rough, and the harsh environment quickly drained their stamina.
“It doesn’t look like they’ve noticed us yet. Let’s move quickly.”
Yuri and Jared moved quietly, but Hernando was careless.
He stepped on a dry twig, snapping it.
The pack of direwolves in the distance all turned their heads in his direction.
Yuri and Jared’s glances also fell on him.
Hernando scratched the back of his head.
“My apologies.”
Jared cursed under his breath.
“Damn it…”
“Sir Jared, don’t be too angry.”
“How did it come to this…”
Jared sighed as he drew his sword.
“I must have been out of my mind. If something goes wrong, I’ll be dismissed from the Royal Guard…”
Yuri corrected him.
“Oh, come on. I’m a prince. Do you think you’d just be dismissed? You’d probably end up in prison.”
“Damn it, damn it.”
“Are you afraid of direwolves?”
“I’m not afraid, I’m worried about you, Your Highness.”
“I’m fine, so relax.”
“Be quiet. Sir Hernando, please look after His Highness.”
Unlike Jared, who had become serious, Yuri and Hernando remained nonchalant.
“Jared’s gotten all serious.”
“Well, he could lose his head. Not just his position in the Royal Guard, but his actual head. This is no ordinary accident.”
“I’ll be fine. I’m a prince.”
“Same here. His Majesty values me highly.”
“Seems like Jared’s the only one who’s really in trouble.”
“What can a low-ranking knight do?”
Jared shouted.
“Be quiet! You’re distracting me!”
Several direwolves charged at them.
A blue aura surged from Jared’s sword, cutting down the direwolves.
Several direwolves collapsed, bleeding, while the rest snarled and circled them.
“You fight well. As expected of the Royal Guard. Briol’s Royal Guard is strong.”
“Not strong enough.”
The so-called strong Briol Royal Guard had been mercilessly crushed by the Imperial army.
This level of strength wasn’t enough.
“You have high standards.”
“You never know what the future holds. One must always be prepared.”
“Wise words.”
Yuri placed a hand on Hernando’s shoulder.
“Hernando.”
“Yes.”
“Father holds you in high regard.”
“Why mention that all of a sudden?”
“Never forget your loyalty.”
“Well… I won’t.”
“I trust you too.”
“Your compliment is a bit sudden…”
The reason Yuri felt at ease climbing Sword Mountain was indeed thanks to Hernando.
He was a powerful battle mage, trusted enough by the King of Briol to stand by his side.
Few knew his true abilities, but Yuri had seen his prowess in his past life.
“So protect me, Hernando.”
“Leave it to me.”
“Good.”
“By the way, Sir Jared’s skills are impressive.”
“He has great potential.”
“With both Sir Jared and me by your side, you must feel very safe.”
“It’s like having the Azure Dragon on the left and the White Tiger on the right.”
“That’s quite flattering.”
Jared let out a frustrated sigh at their conversation.
“Damn it…”
To him, the situation felt like a mischievous little prince and an unserious gambler mage were messing around without grasping the severity of the situation.
But in reality, it was the opposite.
Yuri was the one leading and guiding him, even though Jared wasn’t aware of it.
Yuri shouted.
“Jared! Haven’t you finished them off yet?”
“Will you be quiet!”
When the alpha direwolf howled, more of the pack appeared.
Jared soon found himself at a disadvantage.
As he stepped back, he warned.
“Your Highness, this is getting dangerous. We need to descend. I’ll cover the retreat.”
Hearing Jared’s words, Yuri looked at Hernando.
“We might need to help him.”
“Indeed.”
“Alright, show me what you’ve got, Hernando.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
A sphere of light emerged from his hand.
“Your Highness, how do you like your steak cooked?”
“Well-done.”
“You must have strong teeth.”
Flames arose from the sphere of light. Though it seemed simple, it was an ancient magic with powerful destructive power—Fireball.
“Sir Jared! I’ll assist you!”
Multiple fireballs rained down on the pack of direwolves.
Several were instantly turned into blackened charcoal, and the smell of burning flesh filled the air.
Even Jared seemed surprised.
“Phew, that was tough.”
Hernando patted his back.
He clearly had more magic left, but he refrained from using it further.
“I’ll leave the rest to you, Sir Jared.”
Hernando said this while winking at Yuri.
He understood Yuri’s intention to let Jared handle the rest.
A clever man indeed.
He’s someone worth keeping close.
Yuri thought to himself.
Cedric, with his innate qualities of a wise ruler, was destined to ascend to the throne of Briol.
But the invasion of the Empire was a different matter.
It wasn’t virtue, but powerful force that could prevent war.
“Everyone has their role to play.”
Yuri muttered as he watched Jared fight the pack of direwolves.
This was the fate he had been given after returning to the past.
If someone must bathe in blood, that burden must fall to him.
“Indeed, you’re absolutely right.”
Hernando agreed wholeheartedly.
“Sir Jared is perfect for physical work. Just like I am for strategy and virtue.”
“Just focus on strategy.”
“And virtue?”
“That’s me.”
After annihilating the direwolf pack and defeating a few more monsters, Yuri and his companions reached the summit.
“What’s supposed to be here?”
Standing at the peak of Sword Mountain, they could see the Royal Palace with its towering spires and the vast capital.
It was a place where one could admire the prosperity of Briol.
However, Jared seemed unimpressed.
“There’s nothing here.”
He muttered as he sliced through the sharp leaves with his sword.
Instead of responding, Yuri sat down and started examining something on the ground.
“We just have to find it.”
The Empire had crudely dug into the mountain to find the dungeon, later discovering the entrance at its summit.
He had heard it from a bard at a tavern; while it couldn’t be entirely trusted, it was a clue.
“Oh.”
Yuri had found something.
At first glance, it looked like a small stone, but it was a pommel attached to the hilt of a sword.
“This is it.”
Yuri dug at the ground with his hands. He dug frantically, scraping and bloodying his hands in the process.
Jared and Hernando were alarmed and tried to stop him.
“Your Highness, wait a moment.”
“I need to dig this up.”
“You’ll damage your hands.”
“A swordsman’s injured hands are a badge of honor.”
“No, who said you’re a swordsman? You’re a prince.”
“Then you dig it up.”
“Did you hear that, Sir Jared?”
“What about you, Sir Hernando?”
“To a mage, a wound on the hand is disgraceful.”
“That’s nonsense.”
After bickering for a moment, Yuri resumed digging, and the two joined in.
Soon, the hilt was fully revealed.
Despite being buried for a long time, it gleamed as it reflected the sunlight.
“It’s a fine sword.”
Jared recognized it immediately.
“To think something like this was buried in the ground—it’s not an ordinary occurrence.”
Yuri grinned.
“If the founder of Briol left something behind, what other mark would there be but a sword?”
Then, he gripped the hilt.
“Whoa…”
A shiver ran down his spine, and he exclaimed.
Jared and Hernando looked at Yuri.
“What’s wrong, Your Highness?”
“It’s amazing.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s just so perfect.”
There were no other words to describe it.
In his past life, Yuri had held countless swords. Some had fit well, others felt off, and some had become comfortable in his hand only after forcing them into place.
But this was the first time he had felt such a perfect fit.
The size of the sword clearly indicated it was meant for an adult, yet it fit perfectly in the hands of a child like him.
He gripped it tighter.
Cracks appeared on the ground, and the buried crossguard was revealed.
There were no fancy details, but the quality of the material and finish was excellent.
“It’s effortless.”
It seemed as though the sword had been waiting for someone to find it, as it slipped out effortlessly.
The half-exposed blade gleamed brightly.
“There’s not a single scratch on it, even though it was buried. No rust either…”
Jared was astonished.
It was as if the sword had just been forged in a blacksmith’s workshop.
Clang.
The clear ringing sound echoed as the sword slipped perfectly into Yuri’s grasp.
It had a noticeable weight, but not so heavy that he couldn’t wield it.
Yuri swung it a few times.
“It’s a fine sword.”
He could tell right away.
Then, Yuri noticed an inscription engraved on the blade.
「Guilty」
The word meaning “sin” was etched there.
“….”
It felt like a warning directed at him.
Why would a sword bear such a word?
Many thoughts crossed his mind, but Yuri sheathed the sword for the time being.
“By the way, where is the founder’s tomb? Could this sword be the founder’s legacy?”
“That is…”
Just as Yuri was about to answer,
“Uh…”
The ground started to tremble.
The three of them exchanged glances.
The entire Sword Mountain was shaking.
Yuri smiled.
“Now we’ll find out.”
As he finished speaking, a massive hole opened up beneath their feet.
The three of them fell together.
***
Yuri opened his eyes.
It seemed he had lost consciousness for a moment.
Feeling something soft beneath him, he rolled over and saw that Jared was supporting him.
It appeared that Jared had used Mana Method to protect himself and shield Yuri just before impact.
“Well done.”
Yuri patted Jared on the chest once and then stood up.
“Ouch, ouch…”
Hernando was getting up, patting his back. Despite his complaints, there wasn’t a single scratch on him.
“You seem fine.”
“No, I’m quite hurt.”
“Did you only protect yourself while ignoring the prince’s safety?”
“It was such an urgent situation, wasn’t it? Hahaha…”
“So, one of you shielded me, and the other looked only after himself…”
“It’s not that, but… Your Highness! Over there!”
Hernando suddenly shouted. Yuri shook his head.
“If you’re trying to distract me, it won’t work.”
“No, look over there! Over there!”
“What’s over there?”
“A ghost!”
“What?”
“A ghost!”
Yuri turned around.
“…!”
Hernando was right.