ALL NOVEL Chapter 13 - Escape from the Royal Palace (3)
6. Escape from the Royal Palace (3)
“Hernando, do you have anything on you?”
“No, I don’t.”
“I know you have something.”
“I really don’t.”
“You came to gamble, didn’t you?”
“I borrowed from Gorio since I didn’t have any.”
“I borrowed, not you.”
“Hng.”
Yuri glanced over the faces of the begging children.
They were orphans trained by the Assassins’ Guild.
Asana had remarkable talent and completed her assassination skills at a young age. Opposing the inhumane treatment of the guild, she led the children and escaped from the Assassin’s Guild.
In the process, the Assassin’s Guild was completely obliterated.
Asana knew how to kill but didn’t know how to survive in society.
Maintaining their livelihood by begging, she borrowed money from Gorio to save a sick child.
Like most who turned to Gorio, Asana’s group also fell apart.
Consumed by revenge, Asana established her organization and killed Gorio.
Gorio, Iraine, and Asana.
Yuri met these three individuals today who would cause significant waves in the future.
How would the future change?
He didn’t have time to ponder.
“Hello.”
Yuri stood in front of Asana.
She was taller than Yuri.
She seemed around her late teens, but her calm demeanor made her appear more mature.
“I am Yuri Briol, the Third Prince of Briol.”
He stated confidently while looking up at Asana.
“Prince?”
“Yes.”
“Why is a prince here?”
Asana’s gaze didn’t change. Neither did the other children.
The Assassins’ Guild had purged them of emotions to the extreme.
“It must be hard to believe. But believe it.”
Yuri extended his hand toward Hernando. He groaned.
“Ugh…”
“Hurry up.”
“Here….”
The money pouch from Hernando was heavier than expected, and Yuri staggered.
“…….”
Just how much was he planning to gamble illegally?
Yuri looked incredulously at Hernando.
He looked as if he might cry.
“Cheer up.”
Even though it was quite a large sum, Yuri did not regret paying it if he could win over Asana.
“Take it.”
Asana’s eyes wavered slightly. She stood still, holding the money pouch.
“There’s no need to wonder. Sometimes, I do good deeds. Your situation seems unfortunate, so I am offering charity. Isn’t that right, Hernando?”
“…….”
Yuri jabbed Hernando in the side, prompting a delayed response.
“Y-Yes, that’s right.”
“See?”
Asana still hesitated as if she was wary of whether he knew her identity.
“What do you want?”
Yuri shook his head.
“Nothing.”
“Are you serious?”
“No, there’s one thing.”
Asana squinted her eyes.
Yuri continued with a smile.
“One of the children is unwell, right? Use this money to take them to the temple.”
One child fell ill and sought Gorio for treatment costs.
That was the start of a malicious cycle.
Yuri nipped that problem in the bud.
“That’s all.”
“Is that everything?”
“Yes.”
Yuri raised the corners of his mouth while looking into Asana’s eyes.
“Remember. I am Yuri Briol, the Third Prince of Briol.”
Then he turned away.
Since Hernando wasn’t following, Yuri grabbed his collar and dragged him along.
“That’s a lot of money…”
“I’ll pay you back, so don’t complain.”
“Suddenly giving it to beggars…”
“Think of it as an investment.”
“What investment in those kids?”
Yuri hummed a tune as he departed from the slums.
Having accomplished everything he had planned, his heart felt light.
“Hernando. Today we prevented a future tragedy.”
“What tragedy?”
“That girl was destined to become a boss in the underworld, terrifying civilians. Countless innocent lives would have been lost. But today’s good deed changed that fate.”
“Yes, yes. I understand.”
Even if Hernando didn’t seem to believe it, Yuri didn’t mind.
“Let’s go back.”
Their short outing ended.
Looking at Hernando, it was clear his mind was filled with conflicting emotions.
Yuri smiled.
He had drawn three people into his fate today.
But there was still one more.
“Hernando.”
“Yes?”
“I am curious.”
“About what?”
“At the Founder’s Dungeon, what did you see?”
Hernando hesitated.
There, Yuri encountered the Founder’s remains and learned the Mana Method, while Jared fought and defeated himself.
But Hernando hadn’t spoken of his experience there.
“It’s a secret.”
“Be honest.”
“About gambling.”
“What?”
“I played a life-or-death game at the Basregas Gambling Hall of the Empire.”
“…….”
Basregas was the largest gambling hall on the continent. It was a fitting vision for him.
“Well, anyway. About today.”
“Yes.”
Hernando still had an ambiguous look in his eyes.
Yuri patted his back with a grin.
“Conduct yourself well.”
* * *
After the prince left, Gorio sat deep in thought.
“Boss.”
A subordinate quietly spoke to him.
“Yes.”
“The other party is royalty. If we don’t get the money…”
“That wouldn’t be too bad either.”
“If they refuse to pay, we won’t have any way to deal with it. The prince will at most just get scolded by the king, but for us…”
“Then there’s nothing we can do.”
“Pardon?”
The subordinate wore a confused expression.
Gorio was never someone to let someone get away without paying.
In his view, to earn respect in the underworld, one must always collect debts, no matter whom they’re dealing with.
“Atman. How long have you been under me?”
“Ten years.”
“In that time, have we been involved with any nobles above the rank of count?”
“No.”
“Now royalty has come.”
Gorio clasped his hands together, lowering his gaze.
“What’s the difference between royalty and regular citizens?”
“Hmm. Bloodline, maybe?”
“Exactly. Just that.”
Gorio lifted his eyes, glaring at the entrance where the Third Prince had exited.
“That’s all.”
A smile crept onto his lips.
“They’re just people too. So, tame them as always. Infiltrate, ensnare, lure. If money isn’t doable, ask for something else, starting with small things. From small concessions to slightly bigger ones. In time…”
He lifted Atman’s wrist, who stood beside him.
One finger was missing.
“They become allies.”
They had met as creditors and debtors. Unable to repay, Atman offered his index finger and became Gorio’s subordinate.
His debt continued to this day.
Gorio pleasantly smiled at Atman, who awkwardly returned the smile.
“We never lose. That makes that little prince our best customer.”
“Th-That’s good to hear.”
“Indeed.”
Gorio released Atman.
“Now, carry on with work. Just as always. Nothing changes.”
* * *
Iraine sat, staring blankly at the mandate in her hand.
She now needed to secure the ‘Mugranja’ of the Klein Duchy within the given budget.
The compensation was substantial, and there was a promise to continue dealings based on results.
“Is this for real…”
At first, she thought it was a scam, but seeing the Royal Family’s Insignia on the ring left her no choice but to believe.
“Yuri Briol.”
Iraine fondled her earrings with her fingertips.
They had faded but were pure gold.
Her father had insisted she never remove these earrings, so that, even in dire times, she could start anew.
The words of the Third Prince lingered around the earrings as if haunting her.
‘I’ve heard about your father, Undrey Wood.’
A merchant is never swayed by a client’s words.
But the Third Prince’s words stirred something in her chest.
‘Merchants who chase money are common, but those who follow trust are rare.’
What her father always preached came from the mouth of the young prince.
People called her father foolish.
Yet, the prince differed.
‘If you’re Undrey Wood’s child, you’ll keep your promises at all costs. Am I right, Iraine Wood?’
Normally, when a deal was too good, she would become even more cautious, but her father’s reference made her accept it impulsively.
Even upon reflection, there was no reason to decline.
She scanned the inside of the Trading Company.
There were no proper furnishings.
The drawers overflowed with bank notices.
“I am on the brink of ruin anyway.”
Iraine clenched her fist.
Her father valued something as highly as trust.
“Move forward without fear.”
One who fears risk can’t be a merchant. Iraine felt heat rising in her.
“Just wait and see.”
* * *
Asana stood in front of the temple.
A priest in a white robe smiled at her.
“What brings you here, sister?”
Daisy, who had been hiding behind Asana, peeked out.
Asana spoke.
“This child is unwell.”
The boy who claimed to be a prince had given money, advising her to visit the temple.
Doubtful but hopeful, she brought Daisy along, finding the outside world unfamiliar.
“Ah, I see.”
She noticed the slight twitch underneath the priest’s eyes.
“The temple does engage in medical activities, but…”
The priest licked his lips.
“We prioritize sharing divine blessings with the faithful…”
“Here.”
Asana revealed the pouch she was carrying. It jingled with gold coins.
“I have money.”
The priest smiled with his mouth, maintaining his enigmatic gaze.
“Please come in, sister. The Lord will watch over you.”
He stepped onto the steps, the white robe sweeping the ground.
There was little difference between the Assassins’ Guild and the temple.
Asana held Daisy’s hand as they walked, pondering the boy who had provided the money.
“Daisy.”
“Yes?”
“Are you in pain?”
“A bit…”
Does this child have a serious illness?
Asana spoke.
“When you get better, let’s go thank that person.”
“That person?”
“The one who gave us money.”
“Okay.”
* * *
Hernando was having a private audience with Fiore.
Though he was known as the King’s mage, the specific nature of their relationship was not widely understood.
“Hernando.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“How is Klein doing?”
“Well…”
Hernando smiled.
“I honestly don’t know.”
Fiore observed calmly. Hernando met his gaze with a faint smile.
“Hernando.”
“Yes.”
“Are you thinking about leaving?”
“Not at all.”
“Good to hear.”
After pausing briefly, Fiore added,
“I’ve always been glad you are in Briol.”
Hernando understood that Fiore seldom spoke this way.
He bowed in acknowledgment.
“I apologize.”
People saw Hernando as just a mage skilled in combat.
This was only half true.
To command someone like Fiore, who was a monster in his own right, being merely competent in combat magic was insufficient.
“Alright, enough of not knowing. Would you care to tell me about your outing with Yuri into the Royal City?”
“Oh, yes.”
Hernando rolled his eyes as if reflecting.
“The prince urged me out, so we left the palace and…”
“And?”
“Visited the Crystal Pavilion.”
“The Crystal Pavilion…”
“Thankfully, we went underground.”
“Whether that’s fortunate or not isn’t clear. So, you gambled?”
“Well…”
He didn’t gamble at all.
He met Gorio and borrowed money.
“Underground…”
“And?”
“Gambled.”
“Is that right?”
“The Prince wasn’t quite adept at cards down there. He even lost the money I lent him.”
“Winning at a gambling hall is tough.”
“He surely learned that gambling is best done in moderation.”
“And after that?”
“Afterwards…”
They brought the borrowed money and handed it all over to a modest, unknown trading company.
“We walked through the Royal City, observing how citizens live. He quite cared about their lives.”
“Did he now?”
“Yes. We also snacked in the food alley.”
“The food alley…”
“Don’t you also go there frequently, Your Majesty?”
“Indeed.”
“Gambling and food alley both—it’s amazing how similar the Royal Family is.”
“…….”
“In any case, that was our day.”
“And then back to the palace?”
“To the palace…”
They went to the slums and handed out gold coins.
“We returned.”
However, Hernando concealed all the facts.
He lied as he smiled at the King.
“That’s all.”
“I see.”
Fiore, with his usual bored expression, nodded while resting his chin on the armrest.
“Very well. Depart.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Hernando bowed to Fiore before turning away.
Behind him, Fiore’s voice called out.
“Will you attend the ball?”
“Yes.”
“You had no interest before.”
“A person’s heart can change. I feel like dancing after a long time.”
“Alright. See you then.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”