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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: 6. Escaping the Palace (3)
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"Hernando, got anything on you?"
"Nope."
"I know you do."
"I really don't."
"You came out here to gamble."
"That's why I borrowed from Gorio."
"Did I lend it to you, or did you borrow it?"
"Hing."
Yuri scanned the faces of the begging children.
They were orphans trained by the Assassins' Guild.
Asana had a genius-level talent and had mastered assassination techniques at a young age. She rebelled against the guild's inhumane treatment, leading the children to escape.
In the process, the Assassins' Guild was completely wiped out.
Asana knew how to kill people but had no idea how to survive in society.
She kept her group afloat through begging until she borrowed money from Gorio to save a sick child.
Like most who turned to him, Asana's group met ruin.
Consumed by vengeance, Asana built her own organization and killed Gorio.
Gorio, Ireine, and Asana.
He had encountered all three today—figures who would bring massive waves in the future.
How would the future change from here?
There was no time to ponder.
"Hello."
Yuri stood before Asana.
She was taller than him. She looked to be in her late teens, but her cold expression made her seem more mature.
"I am Brioll's third prince, Yuri Brioll."
He looked up at her and declared it proudly.
"A prince?"
"Yes."
"Why is a prince here?"
There was no change in Asana's eyes. The other children were the same.
The Assassins' Guild had brutally stripped them of their emotions.
"Hard to believe, I know. But believe it."
Yuri reached out to Hernando. He let out a groan.
"Ugh..."
"Hurry up."
"Here..."
The money pouch Hernando handed over was heavier than expected, making Yuri stagger.
"..."
How much had he planned to blow at an illegal gambling den?
Yuri stared at Hernando in disbelief. He looked on the verge of tears.
"Lighten up."
It was more than he anticipated, but it was worth every coin if it meant securing Asana.
"Take it."
Asana's eyes flickered faintly. She stood there clutching the pouch.
"No need to wonder why. I do acts of charity now and then. I just felt pity for your situation and decided to show some mercy. Right, Hernando?"
"..."
Yuri poked Hernando in the side. He finally spoke up.
"Y-Yes, exactly."
"Good."
Asana still hesitated. She seemed wary, perhaps suspecting he knew her true identity.
"What do you want in return?"
Yuri shook his head.
"Nothing."
"For real?"
"Well, one thing."
Asana narrowed her eyes. Yuri smiled and continued.
"There's a sick kid, right? Take this money and bring them to the temple."
One child fell ill, and they went to Gorio for treatment money. That was the start of their tragic entanglement.
Yuri had just nipped it in the bud.
"That's it."
"Really, that's all?"
"Yes."
Yuri met Asana's gaze and lifted the corner of his mouth.
"Remember this. I am Brioll's third prince, Yuri Brioll."
Then he turned away.
Hernando wasn't following, so Yuri grabbed his sleeve and yanked.
"Do you know how much that was..."
"I'll pay you back, so quit whining."
"Suddenly giving it to beggars..."
"Think of it as an investment."
"What investment? With them?"
Yuri whistled a cheerful tune as he left the slums behind.
Having tied up all the loose ends from his plans left him feeling light-hearted.
"Hernando. Today, we averted a future tragedy."
"What tragedy?"
"That girl was fated to become the underworld's boss, striking terror into the city's people. Countless innocent lives would have been lost. But with today's good deed, we've changed that fate."
"Y-Yes, of course. I get it."
He clearly didn't believe a word, but Yuri didn't care.
"Let's head back."
The short outing was over.
Hernando's face showed his complicated emotions plainly.
Yuri smiled.
Today, he had drawn three people into his own destiny.
One more to go.
"Hernando."
"Yes?"
"I've got a question."
"What is it?"
"At the founder's ruins, what did you see?"
Hernando froze.
There, Yuri had met the founder's effigy, learned the Mana Circulation Method, and Jared had fought and defeated a version of himself.
But Hernando had never spoken of his own experience.
"It's a secret."
"Tell me straight."
"Gambling."
"What?"
"I played a high-stakes game at the Empire's Baslegas Casino."
"..."
Baslegas was the continent's largest casino. A fitting vision for him.
"Whatever. About today."
"Yes."
Hernando still had that vague look in his eyes.
Yuri grinned and clapped him on the back.
"Behave yourself."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Even after the prince left, Gorio sat lost in thought.
"Boss."
One of his men spoke up cautiously.
"Yeah."
"He's royalty. What if he doesn't pay up..."
"That wouldn't be so bad."
"If he digs in and refuses, we have no recourse. A prince might just get scolded by the king, but for us..."
"Then there's nothing we can do."
"Huh?"
The man looked baffled.
Gorio never let a debt slide.
His philosophy was that you earned respect in the back alleys by collecting from anyone, no matter who they were.
"Atman. How long have you worked under me?"
"Ten years."
"Have we ever tangled with a noble of count rank or higher in all that time?"
"No."
"But now royalty shows up."
Gorio bowed his head mockingly.
"What's the difference between royalty and commoners, in your opinion?"
"Bloodline?"
"Exactly."
He glared at the door the third prince had exited, eyes narrowed.
"That's it."
A smile crept across his lips.
"They're just human, same as us. So tame them like always. Infiltrate, bind, lure. If money doesn't work, demand something else. Start small. A tiny concession, then a bigger one next time. Eventually..."
He snatched Atman's wrist and held it up.
One finger was missing.
"...they'll be on your side."
They had met as creditor and debtor. Unable to repay, Atman offered his index finger and became Gorio's man.
His debt lingered to this day.
Gorio smiled faintly at Atman. Atman returned an awkward grin.
"We don't lose. So that little prince? He's our best customer yet."
"Th-That's fortunate."
"Yeah."
Gorio released Atman.
"Now, back to work. Same as always. Nothing changes."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Ireine sat staring blankly at the letter of authorization in her hand.
Now she had to secure as much of the Principality of Klein's 'Mugranja' as possible within the given budget.
The compensation was generous, with promises of continued business based on results.
"Is this for real..."
She had first thought it was a scam, but the ring emblazoned with the royal crest left no doubt.
"Yuri Brioll."
Ireine fiddled with her earring.
The gold had dulled, but it was pure.
Her father had told her never to remove it, so she could rebuild if disaster struck.
The third prince's words lingered like they were dangling from the earring.
'I've heard about your father, Undre Wood.'
A merchant shouldn't let a few words sway them.
But the prince's had stirred her heart.
'Merchants who chase money are common, but those who chase trust are rare.'
Words her father always said, coming from a young prince.
People called her father a fool.
But not this prince.
'If you're Undre Wood's child, you'll keep your promises no matter what. Right, Ireine Wood?'
Normally, terms that good would raise red flags, but the mention of her father made her accept on impulse.
Thinking it over, there was no reason to refuse.
She looked around the merchant house.
Not even proper furniture. The drawers were stuffed with bank催促 letters.
"We're on the brink of ruin anyway."
Ireine clenched her fist.
Her father valued two things above all: credit and...
"Advance without fear."
A merchant who fears risk isn't a merchant. Heat rose in her body.
"Just watch me."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Asana stood before the temple.
A priest in pristine white robes smiled at her.
"What brings you here, sister?"
Daisy, hiding behind Asana, peeked out.
Asana spoke.
"This child isn't feeling well."
The boy who called himself a prince had given her the money and told her to go to the temple.
She had brought Daisy just in case, but the outside world was still unfamiliar to her.
"Ah, I see."
Asana noticed the faint twitch under the priest's eye.
"The temple does provide medical care, but..."
The priest licked his lips.
"We prioritize the faithful whose devotion is proven, to share the gods' grace..."
"Here."
Asana pulled out the pouch. Coins jingled inside.
"We have money."
The priest's subtle expression didn't change as he forced a smile.
"Please, come in, sister. The gods will watch over you."
He stepped onto the stairs, his white hem brushing the ground.
The Assassins' Guild and the temple weren't so different.
Asana took Daisy's hand and walked, thinking of the boy who gave her the money.
"Daisy."
"Yes."
"Does it hurt?"
"A little..."
Did this child really have a serious illness?
Asana said,
"Once you're better, we'll go thank him."
"Him?"
"The one who gave us the money."
"Okay."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Hernando was in a private meeting with Fiore.
He was known as the king's mage, but few knew the exact nature of their relationship.
"Hernando."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"What of Klein?"
"Well..."
Hernando smiled.
"No idea."
Fiore gazed at him steadily. Hernando met his eyes with a faint smile.
"Hernando."
"Yes."
"Planning to leave?"
"Not at all."
"Good."
Fiore paused before adding,
"I'm always glad you're in Brioll."
Hernando knew few received such words from Fiore.
He bowed in thanks.
"I'm honored."
People saw Hernando as just a battle mage.
Half-true.
To stand beside a monster like Fiore, mere combat magic wouldn't suffice.
"Fine, no idea, then. Tell me about Yuri leaving the capital."
"Ah, yes."
Hernando rolled his eyes upward as if recalling.
"His Highness tempted me, so we left the palace..."
"And?"
"We went to the Crystal Pavilion."
"Crystal Pavilion..."
"Fortunately, we went underground."
"Not sure if fortunate. So you gambled?"
"Well..."
No gambling happened.
They met Gorio and borrowed money.
"Underground, we..."
"Yes?"
"Gambled."
"I see."
"He's pretty good at cards, but it didn't help there. He lost all the money I lent him."
"Winning at casinos is tough."
"He learned his lesson: gamble in moderation."
"After that?"
"Afterward..."
They took the borrowed money to some rundown merchant house and handed it all over.
"We strolled the capital, observing the citizens' lives. He showed great interest in how the people live."
"Did he."
"Yes. We even snacked at the street stalls."
"Street stalls..."
"You go there sometimes too, Your Majesty."
"True."
"The gambling, the stalls... you two really do seem alike, sire."
"..."
"Anyway, that's what happened."
"Then back to the palace?"
"Back to the..."
They went to the slums and tossed gold around.
"Yes, we returned."
But Hernando concealed it all.
As he lied, he smiled faintly at the king.
"That's everything."
"I see."
Fiore rested his chin on the armrest, nodding with his usual bored expression.
"Understood. You're dismissed."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Hernando bowed to Fiore and turned.
Fiore's voice came from behind.
"Will you attend the ball?"
"Yes."
"You said no before."
"Hearts change. It's been a while since I felt like dancing."
"Fine. See you then."
"Yes, Your Majesty."