The temple food was delicious.
"Your cooking skills are impressive."
At Yuri's words, the Black Knight sitting next to him replied,
"I made it myself."
When eating, he would remove the lower part of his mask. It was a precisely crafted device that detached easily.
Yuri glanced sideways at his face and asked,
"Do you often do volunteer work, Sir Black Knight?"
"Of course."
Yuri tended to be polite with the Ten Strong.
"I've come to realize that bestowing the love of God is the noblest form of happiness."
"I see."
"I had heard the third prince of Briol was brave, but I didn't know he was also so devout."
"After experiencing the battlefield, my thoughts changed as well."
Yuri placed a hand over his chest and smiled calmly.
Jared, who sat across from him, made a choking sound, but Yuri ignored it and continued speaking.
"You must understand, Sir Black Knight. In the hellscape of killing and dying, one comes to see how lacking humans truly are."
"Indeed."
"I was filled with despair at first, but then I came to understand what truly lofty and profound meaning is."
With a serene expression, Yuri bowed his head toward the cross placed at the center of the table.
The Black Knight was deeply impressed.
"Truly, well said."
While pretending to pay respects to the cross, Yuri recalled what he knew about the Black Knight.
Even in his previous life, very little had been revealed about him.
He was simply known as a terrifying figure who, wearing a black mask and clad in black armor, crushed the Empire's enemies.
He was loyal only to the Emperor, and only the Emperor knew his true name.
Hence, he was called the "Black Knight."
"But I am lacking, and the weight of worldly burdens I carry on my shoulders is too heavy, so I do what little I can, from time to time."
It was a calculated statement.
The Black Knight was, after all, the Emperor's knight. He wasn't someone who could be said to follow only the will of God.
As expected, the Black Knight expressed strong sympathy.
"You are like me, Yuri Briol. You are of my kind. I am glad to meet you."
"I am humbled."
"I too am His Majesty's knight. As one who has taken the knight's oath, I cannot forsake my duty. That is why I do what little I can."
"I respect that."
Why is the infamous Black Knight so naive?
Yuri instinctively glanced at Vlad. He returned a gentle smile.
"Surely, Sir Black Knight, you must be one of those the Lord treasures most."
"No, I am still lacking. I must try harder."
A faint smile formed on the Black Knight's lips.
Yuri had expected him to be a rugged man, but his jawline was slender and his lips were neat and refined. If he took off the mask, he might resemble someone like Laurent—one of those strikingly handsome types.
Seizing the moment, Yuri made a suggestion.
"How about joining this campaign, Sir Black Knight?"
"Campaign?"
"I plan to lead those addicted to drugs into the light, guiding them to the temple's rehabilitation clinic."
"That's a wonderful idea. I've heard rumors that drugs are spreading in the Empire. Truly a tragedy."
The Black Knight sighed.
"But I cannot leave without His Majesty's permission."
"Perhaps, if you suggested it just once…"
"My apologies."
It was a polite refusal.
"Of course, His Majesty would not deny my request. But inwardly, it would weigh on his heart. I do not wish to burden that kind soul."
"Ah, I see…"
Yuri had never met the Emperor in his previous life.
He had only fought, like a tidal wave, against the advancing Imperial army that surged toward Briol.
Even before that, how could he comfortably face the father of his girlfriend?
So he knew little about the Emperor.
There were all sorts of rumors, and even Ekaterina avoided speaking of her father, so the truth remained elusive.
Yet, the Black Knight claimed he was warm.
Yuri was confused.
"You'll meet him soon. Then, you'll understand what kind of man His Majesty is."
The Black Knight smiled, the corners of his lips curving gently.
"Yes, I look forward to it."
To Yuri, the Emperor was nothing more than the culprit who ruined Briol, but for now, he played along.
"In any case, Yuri Briol, I am glad to know you. I hope we can speak again sometime."
With that, the Black Knight clasped his hands toward the cross.
"This too must be God's guidance."
"It is."
Yuri also brought his hands together. Vlad followed suit immediately.
Laurent and Jared, who had been eating absentmindedly, awkwardly clasped their hands as well.
***
"Hey, Gott."
After finishing the meal, Yuri went to find Gott before the interview.
He was lying on a bed reading a book, but when Yuri appeared, he flinched and straightened up in alarm, scooting backward.
"Why are you so startled?"
"Y-Y-Your Highness…"
"It's been a while. Since I've seen you sober. Five years? Six now?"
With the Allied Army campaign, time had passed quickly.
"Well…"
"Selling me out because you were high?"
"No, I didn't mean to do that."
"Don't lie."
"I just… there was someone who wanted to get closer to you…"
"You bastard…"
Yuri approached and grabbed Gott by the scruff of his neck. Gott flinched in fear.
When they were younger, Gott never shrank back from him, but now, all his former boldness was gone.
Yuri looked him over.
His skills weren't bad, but compared to people like Laurent or Jared, he fell short.
If he were to go up against Simon or Guinness, it might be a close match.
"What have you been doing all this time?"
Yuri clicked his tongue. He seemed even more lacking than in his past life.
Gott blushed and bit his lip. At least he looked embarrassed.
"I get that studying abroad was hard, but wrong is wrong."
"Yes…"
"First, let's get that filthy drug energy out of your body."
Yuri patted Gott on the back.
Since they'd be working together from now on, he needed to boost his morale a bit.
"We're starting over."
"W-What…?"
"You're still young. You've got decent skill. There's no reason to let something like drugs ruin you."
"But everyone will point fingers at me. They'll call me a druggie. The heir of the Bakbar family, disgracing Briol and the family's name with drugs—I can't possibly…"
"You idiot!"
Yuri snapped.
"To dare speak of honor with that kind of thinking, if you weren't a patient, I'd beat you right now."
"But…"
"You think you know what honor is?"
As he said that, Yuri glanced back with a quick side glance.
At some point, Vlad, along with the reporter, the painter, and the Black Knight, had gathered there. Behind them, the clerics of the infirmary were peeking in with worried eyes.
Grabbing Gott by the collar, Yuri spoke in an even more solemn voice.
"My friend, Gott."
"Huh? Were we… friends…"
"Honor isn't simply about never falling."
Yuri recited a quote he'd heard somewhere during his wandering days in his previous life.
"True honor lies in rising again after falling."
"Your Highness…"
"And likewise, falling does not equate to disgrace."
Yuri lifted the bedridden Gott to his feet. Then, patting his back, he smiled broadly.
"Truly disgraceful is giving up while still on the ground. A knight of Briol never acts that way. Understood?"
"Yes…"
Gott nodded with an expression that was half moved, half awkward.
With an arm around Gott's shoulder, Yuri turned toward the others.
"Everyone, Gott will rise again."
The painter standing beside Vlad was rapidly sketching.
In his eyes shimmered the light of inspiration. The passion not to miss this moment could be felt in the movements of his hand.
Yuri stood still for a moment for the painter's sake.
Conveniently, a large window in Gott's hospital room was letting in sunlight.
Seeing the scene, the Black Knight applauded.
"Yuri Briol. Truly a splendid knight. It's as if a saint's halo is shining behind you."
"Ooh…"
"Truly…"
Those around them nodded in agreement.
Yuri humbly bowed his head, then looked at Vlad and said,
"Well then, shall we get to work? For all those suffering from drugs."
***
The royal palace of Briol, from which Yuri had departed, was enjoying peaceful days.
With the ever-lively third prince gone, the palace felt strangely quiet, almost as if it were empty.
However, there was one notable change.
Fiore, who used to hole himself up in the underground training hall and rarely appeared, had recently begun walking around outside.
And by his side stood an Eastern man with deep brown hair.
"So you're saying there's a lack of mana condensation."
"Yes, Great Swordsman."
"But if we suppress it any further, won't it burst…?"
"Knowing that threshold is the most crucial part. One could call it an art."
"Amazing, Great Swordsman Moyong Chan."
"I pale in comparison to Great Swordsman Fiore."
The two exchanged compliments and performed the fist-and-palm salute.
It was an Eastern courtesy Moyong Chan had taught, and thanks to them, the gesture was now trending in the palace.
"By now, that Yuri fellow is probably making waves in the Empire."
"I wonder if he's gotten himself into trouble…"
"He's clever. He won't make mistakes."
"It feels like you trust Yuri more than me, Great Swordsman Moyong Chan."
"We met on the battlefield. A person's true worth reveals itself at the edge between life and death. Hahaha…"
Moyong Chan said something to Fiore he wouldn't have said in front of Yuri.
"He's destined for greatness."
As he saw Fiore's subtle smile, Moyong Chan smiled gently in return.
He considered meeting Fiore Briol one of the best things he'd done since arriving in the Western lands.
No one he knew had delved as deeply into the realm of the sword.
Perhaps it was what it felt like when the Heaven-Conquering Sword Saint and the head of the Qingcheng Sect exchanged their insights.
"Should we participate in the tournament?"
"I'm not sure, he's unpredictable…"
As they chatted, an attendant came up to Fiore.
"Your Highness, Count Johannes requests an audience."
"Twossen?"
Twossen Bakbar was the count who ruled over Johannes, and also the father of Gott Bakbar. Aside from his obsession with wearing white, he was a fine knight.
"Shall I tell him to come here?"
"Yes. It's been a while, let's take a walk together. Would that be all right, Great Swordsman Moyong Chan?"
"Of course."
Soon, Bakbar came rushing in, panting.
Since he was usually calm, Fiore tilted his head in curiosity.
"What is it?"
"Your Highness."
Twossen suppressed his breath and bowed to Fiore. He also greeted Moyong Chan, a guest of Briol and one of the Ten Strong, with appropriate courtesy.
"This arrived from the Empire."
"What is it?"
"A magazine published yesterday. An imperial postman brought it personally."
"A magazine…"
It was a popular item in the relatively advanced Empire.
But the moment he saw the cover, Fiore was speechless. Moyong Chan, standing beside him, also gaped in disbelief.
It was a painting of astounding craftsmanship.
But the models were familiar.
Two young men, bathed in sunlight streaming through a window like a halo, stood with arms around each other's shoulders, smiling.
One had black hair and a striking appearance. The other, dressed in a hospital gown, looked gaunt but had eyes that shone with determination.
It looked sacred, like a holy painting hanging in a temple.
The cover image was so overwhelming that Fiore and Moyong Chan only belatedly read the words written beneath it.
"Prince of Briol, hero of the Allied Army, honorable knight."
"And, devout believer. Yuri Briol."
"He speaks of true honor, and the path a knight must walk."
"Gott Bakbar, once fallen—an old friend asks him about courage."
"A message of hope for those suffering from drug addiction."
"A quiet comfort for the younger generation."
"'It's okay to fall. But you must stand again.'"
"In-depth interview with Yuri Briol, full-color photobook included."
"Subscriptions welcome."
For a long while, they couldn't utter a word.
[T/L: Read more chapters on Ko-fi page "RevengerScans" : https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]