The 3rd Prince of the Fallen Kingdom Returns

6. Escape from the Royal Palace (2)

In Briol, engaging in usury required the King’s permission, yet there were always those who operated in the shadows.

Among them, the most prominent was the ‘Uncle’s Daily Loan’ of the Gorio faction, based in the Crystal Pavilion.

They lured customers with the friendly term ‘Uncle,’ but missing even a day’s payment meant the start of a hellish experience.

Until they would later be pushed out in a power struggle, they were expected to reign as a major player in Briol’s underworld.

“Guests have arrived.”

Yuri and Hernando were led to the back of the gambling hall, where they soon found themselves seated across from a man.

He was a middle-aged man with a sleek face and a mustache, looking more like a courteous gentleman than an usurer.

Resting his elbows on the desk, he asked in a smooth voice.

“Do you need money?”

Yuri nodded, and the man smiled with twinkling eyes.

“Very well. We do not leave a friend’s troubles unattended. How much do you need?”

Hernando, anxious, tugged at Yuri’s sleeve.

“Wait a moment. We need to talk about—”

“It’s fine.”

Yuri shook off his hold.

“Gorio.”

“Prince, I mean, Nephew. What’s with the sudden—”

“Did you know who I was before coming here?”

“Excuse me?”

Hernando’s eyes widened as he looked between Yuri and the man.

The man spread his arms on the table and chuckled.

“Indeed. Since the King’s mage came with the spirited Third Prince, shouldn’t a responsible person welcome you, however meager I may be?”

“What?”

Hernando stood up halfway.

“You know who I am?”

“Yes. I’ve known since the first time you borrowed money. Even though you called yourself ‘Mr. Mystery,’ anyone could tell you were Sir Hernando.”

Yuri stared fixedly at Hernando, who coughed awkwardly and sat back down.

“Mr. Mystery?”

“A pseudonym.”

“Stylish.”

“Thank you…”

Yuri fiddled with the ring on his finger. Although he wore the seal of the Briol Royal Family just in case, he found there was no need to show it.

The loan shark stroked his mustache.

“So, may I ask why the Prince suddenly decided to visit here?”

He smiled gently.

“After all, it’s about money, isn’t it?”

Yuri smiled in return.

“You’re not very nervous despite the Prince being here.”

“You came as a customer, so there’s no reason to be concerned. Rather, it should be a welcoming occasion. It means my credit has reached even the prince.”

Yuri saw the past in Gorio’s face.

He had never met Gorio in person, having only seen his face fleetingly nailed at the marketplace.

From the expressionless face of that time, it was hard to guess what kind of person he was in life. The Gorio he met in person seemed more rational than expected.

“Do you value credit?”

“Of course. Although I work on the edge of the law, I prioritize the principles of good faith and sincerity most. I always emphasize this to my subordinates.”

The subordinates standing behind nodded in agreement.

“Therefore, there is no difference between you, the Prince, and ordinary citizens to me. I welcome everyone as the same customer.”

Though politely phrased, it was ultimately a threat.

“What if I don’t repay the money?”

“We take appropriate collateral and lend only up to an appropriate limit. We are rather strict in our criteria.”

“You seem confident in your calculations.”

“Experience builds confidence.”

Yuri leaned forward, smiling.

“The same applies to me. I will observe your attitude and set an appropriate limit for you in the future.”

“For the future…?”

Gorio closed his eyes.

“May I take it to mean that this isn’t a one-time thing?”

“Precisely.”

“It seems you didn’t come to gamble.”

Hernando quietly listened to the conversation between Yuri and Gorio. He couldn’t discern what Yuri truly sought.

A peculiar feeling rose within his chest.

“Gorio. Do you know anything about investments?”

“I know very well. It is my line of work. Aren’t they all investing outside too?”

“That’s gambling, not investing. I’ll borrow your money to invest.”

“Not going to a bank?”

“There’s a reason.”

“You’re making secret funds clandestinely, I see. Hmm…”

Gorio squinted his eyes.

“Perhaps the Third Prince has a grander intention…?”

“That’s enough.”

Yuri tapped the table with his fingertips.

“It’s not your job to probe my plans.”

“If it was inappropriate, I apologize.”

“It’s fine. I’m the one who needs a favor, so I’ll overlook it.”

“You’re quite practical. It seems you are quite different from the rumors I’ve heard.”

“Yes, different.”

Yuri said.

“The intentions I bear are likely very different from what you imagine.”

Then, looking at Hernando, Yuri continued.

“I’m going to borrow money from you to buy spices from the Klein Mountains.”

Gorio pondered over the words, and Hernando’s jaw dropped at the unexpected development.

“Wow, Prince… I mean, Nephew. Hey, man.”

“What?”

“Oh, right, you’ve been found out already. Your Highness…”

He whispered into Yuri’s ear, intending discretion, but the surroundings could hear him.

“What’s with this talk about borrowing money from an usurer to buy spices?”

“Just be quiet.”

Yuri said that and then looked back at Gorio.

“When you say Klein Mountain spices, do you mean ‘Mugranja’?”

“Yes.”

“I haven’t heard anything about a shortage in supply…”

“It will come soon.”

Hernando recalled intelligence he had vaguely heard.

When a civil war broke out in the Klein Duchy, rumors circulated that orcs were hovering on the borders.

Spices were a specialty of Klein.

However, it didn’t seem like the orcs’ border looting would drive prices up. Besides, matters concerning ‘Mugranja’ were considered top-secret within Klein, with no information leaked externally.

Did the prince know something?

Or was it just a fleeting thought to purchase specialty goods amidst Klein’s chaos?

“…”

Hernando stared at Yuri.

There was an inexplicable confidence in Yuri’s eyes.

Impulsively, Hernando intertwined his two fingers under the table, making a hand sign of affirmation.

“Mugranja, huh…”

“It’s a necessary ingredient for making premium perfumes.”

“My money has high interest rates.”

“I’ll pay.”

“You seem confident.”

“That’s why I came here.”

Yuri raised his chin.

“So, how much is it?”

He gazed intently into Gorio’s eyes.

“Not the money that could be borrowed as a Prince of Briol, but how much can I borrow as an investor?”

Gorio closed his eyes and tapped the table with his fingers. With each slow tap, tap, his eyes rolled under his eyelids.

Time passed.

Eventually, Gorio opened his eyes wide.

“Write a promissory note.”

* * *

After leaving Crystal Pavilion, Hernando was silent.

“Hey.”

Yuri tapped the shoulder of the absent-minded Hernando.

“We’re heading the wrong way.”

“What? Where are you intending to go?”

“I have to buy spices.”

“Right now? Do you know how to trade in spices? Mugranja isn’t sold to just anyone.”

“I have to let someone who knows do it.”

“What?”

Yuri shrugged his shoulders.

“Now that I’ve borrowed money from Gorio, I’ll entrust it to a reliable merchant.”

Hernando scrunched his brows, looking at Yuri, before nodding his head.

“Understood.”

“You’re following along compliantly.”

“What choice do I have?”

Hernando was visibly burdened with countless intricate thoughts.

Yuri chuckled lightly and continued his stride.

It didn’t matter what Hernando or Gorio thought.

The surge in spice prices was a foregone conclusion.

Mugranja was an essential ingredient in producing luxury perfumes on the continent, and the only ones who knew the formulation were the alchemists close to the Duke of Klein. He was the first to be killed by the insurgents. By now, he might have become a wandering soul.

Until a substitute emerged, Mugranja’s price was whatever the market dictated.

“Then, are you going to a merchant organization?”

“No.”

“There aren’t many trading companies that deal in Mugranja.”

Yuri gave a knowing smile. There was a future entrepreneur who would rise significantly.

“Here we are.”

“Huh?”

Yuri stopped in front of a shabby sign that read ‘Iraine Trading’.

“Here?”

“Yes.”

“Shouldn’t you trust this to a more competent trading company?”

“If the price of spices rises, the money will naturally follow.”

“Wouldn’t a larger trading company handle things better?”

“Think long term.”

“What?”

What he desired wasn’t just a few extra pennies now. Ultimately, the future is shaped by people. Yuri was convinced that the owner of this company would be a major ally in the future.

Even after Briol’s downfall, extending its reach to become the continent’s top trading company — a giant in the trading world.

“Iraine Wood!”

He called her name.

The old door opened, revealing a woman with copper skin and blue eyes.

“Who is it?”

“Iraine Wood. I am Yuri, the Third Prince of Briol.”

“Pardon?”

“Now, shake hands.”

“What are you doing so suddenly…”

Yuri extended his hand abruptly.

Iraine, standing there bewildered, shook his hand with a dazed expression. Bystanders glanced curiously at the strange scene.

Yuri, holding her hand, beamed joyfully.

“They have no idea how historic this moment is.”

“Pardon me, did you say prince…?”

“Yes.”

Gorio spoke grandiosity of credit but resorted to every filthy act when cornered. In contrast, Iraine was a legendary merchant who truly saw her promises to her clients as life itself. Of course, this was the story from his past life.

“Iraine. I plan to entrust you with a task.”

In this life, she won’t just become a legend; she will be a myth in the commercial world.

* * *

They borrowed a large sum from the notorious Gorio and entrusted it entirely to the unknown merchant, Iraine.

This almost nonsensical series of events unfolded within just a few hours after leaving the palace.

Hernando couldn’t wrap his head around it.

“Have you finished your business now?”

Yuri shook his head in response.

Though the purpose of his ventures was complete, there was one more thing he wanted to do since he had the time.

“I’ve got one thing left.”

“Huh? What now?”

“It shouldn’t be very difficult.”

Yuri gestured in a direction with his chin.

“Just stopping by over there will do.”

“That place…”

Hernando rubbed his forehead.

“Why the slums again…”

Even amid the grandeur of Briol’s palace, shadows existed.

The brighter the light, the darker the shadow. The slums were a gathering place for all sorts of individuals, swarming with not just impoverished citizens but also criminals and fugitives.

“What business do you have there? It’s dangerous.”

“I’ve done plenty today, haven’t I?”

“Yes, you’ve instigated impossibilities.”

“Then let’s do some charity.”

“Why not just pray at a temple?”

“I prefer direct acts of kindness.”

Yuri nonchalantly entered the slums.

The path was dark.

Eyes laden with gloom watched him from various corners.

“Let’s extend a warm, benevolent hand to those in unfortunate circumstances.”

“Benevolence to whom?”

“Well…”

Yuri replied while scanning the surroundings.

He wasn’t entirely sure what result this action might yield.

“Sir,”

He approached a shabby old man who collapsed on the street.

“Are there any places where kids gather?”

Only the man’s eyes moved, but when Yuri handed him a coin, he finally spoke.

“What kind of kids…?”

“There must be a group of teenagers. One that’s unusually good at fighting…”

“Are you looking for Asana?”

Yuri pondered for a bit before nodding.

“Yes. A group led by a girl, likely.”

“Those kids are…”

Yuri turned towards the rough direction the old man indicated.

The deeper they went into the slums, the less Hernando spoke. Disheartening sights appeared everywhere.

“Are we still on the right path…?”

Just as he was mulling over their direction, Yuri spotted what he was seeking.

“……”

A group of children stood around. Perhaps back from begging, there were a few coins in an empty tin can. Upon noticing Yuri and Hernando, they stared openly.

Their gaze was blunt.

Yuri focused on the child holding the can. Though it was hard to make out due to short hair and a dirty face, she appeared to be a girl upon closer inspection.

“Found you.”

Gorio’s future would ultimately see him meet a grim end because of his misdeeds.

The person standing here would be the cause of that outcome.

Asana. A survivor of the Assassins’ Guild.