The 3rd Prince of the Fallen Kingdom Returns

1. Regression (2)

Yuri entered the palace immediately.

The King, his two older brothers, and the Bakbar father and son were waiting for him.

Yuri greeted them respectfully.

“I apologize for being late.”

Despite his notorious reputation as a troublemaker, Yuri displayed impeccable manners.

He even stepped aside briefly to make way for the servant bringing in food.

Count Johannes Tusen Bakbar tilted his head in surprise at his different demeanor.

“The Third Prince seems to have improved his physique. I see you are diligently training.”

Tusen, being an excellent knight, didn’t miss even the slightest change.

“It seems my son has eaten something unusual lately.”

“If there is such a medicine, please share it with my son as well.”

“Isn’t your son smart enough to handle things on his own?”

“He’s still lacking.”

Gote, sitting next to Tusen, was staring at Cedric across from him with bright, eager eyes.

Despite betraying the Kingdom in the future, he had always admired Cedric.

Indeed, Cedric, his oldest brother, was a man of such character who would be worthy of respect from anyone. Even with just a conversation with him, you could sense the qualities of a wise and benevolent king.

On the other hand, Joshua, the Second Prince of Briol and Yuri’s older brother, was different.

“Sit up straight.”

“Yes, Father.”

Joshua shrugged his shoulders in response to his father’s remark.

He had a significant influence on Yuri becoming a troublemaker.

With his sharp mind and quick wit, he was exceptionally skilled at playing pranks on people.

Yuri learned all his mischief from him.

Before the Kingdom’s downfall, Joshua had come to his senses and demonstrated his strategic prowess; however, he had originally been an even bigger troublemaker than Yuri.

“Did you come?”

As Yuri took his seat, Joshua, sitting next to him, grinned and subtly made a circle with his thumb and index finger.

It seemed news of Yuri’s winnings at the gambling table had reached him.

“Are you playing again today?”

Yuri didn’t respond. He sat down and looked straight ahead, ignoring Joshua’s taunting remarks.

Gote glanced at Yuri with his distinctive round eyes before turning his gaze away.

“…”

A faint anger stirred within Yuri.

Despite his distasteful behavior, Gote was still a Knight of Briol, inheriting Count Johannes’ title.

Yet, he had led the army and surrendered to the Empire. What’s worse, he became their lackey and guided them.

At the very least, he may have feared a hopeless war.

But why did he stand at the forefront of the Empire’s forces and personally disclose Briol’s secrets?

“…”

And that betrayal was also intertwined with Yuri’s own mistakes.

Anger toward that bastard mixed with self-reproach, boiled within him.

Yuri continued to glare at him.

Gote, looking flustered, shifted his gaze around and then met Yuri’s eyes again.

He seemed unsure of what to do at first, but then, as if driven by defiance, he refused to look away.

While his father and Tusen engaged in conversation, Yuri and Gote continued their staring contest.

“…”

Initially, Yuri planned to let it go.

But the more their eyes met, the angrier he became.

“Do you have a problem with him?”

Joshua whispered.

Realizing that ignoring him would only lead to further pestering, Yuri gave a vague reply.

“Yes, I do.”

“What kind of problem?”

“That bastard stabbed me in the back.”

“What? Really?”

Taking Yuri’s words literally, Joshua pretended to strike him on the head.

“So, are you going to let him get away with it?”

“Well…”

“There’s no way the great Yuri Briol would take a hit and stay quiet, right?”

“Of course not.”

“After the meal?”

“I’ll call him out.”

“And then?”

“I’ll teach him a lesson.”

“That’s my little brother.”

There was no denying it.

Joshua was someone he got along with effortlessly.

Even after living a long life and returning to the past, there was still an undeniable connection between them.

Perhaps troublemakers were born with similar genes.

That’s why he had wasted his last life following Joshua.

“Hehehe…”

Glancing at Joshua, who was laughing as if he found it all amusing, Yuri thought to himself,

After Gote, it’s your turn.

The only one in Briol who didn’t need reforming was Cedric.

“Yuri, if you’re not going to eat that, give it to me.”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“That’s strange… You’re giving it up so easily…”

Joshua tilted his head, puzzled, and munched on the meat.

Yuri’s lips curled into a smile.

Although Joshua was his older brother in his past life, now that Yuri had lived longer, there was no need to call him that.

Joshua.

You too should live this life ‘earnestly’.

“Brother, hold your spoon properly.”

“Are you imitating Father now?”

“Straighten your back. You’ll end up with a hunchback.”

“What?”

After pointing out Joshua’s posture, Yuri lifted his gaze and looked at Gote again.

Gote, who had been eating, immediately reacted and met his gaze.

As their eyes met, the tension in the air was palpable.

“It’s for your own good, Gote…”

Anyway, after clinging to the Empire, Gote was immediately stripped of all his territories and exiled.

“This life will be different.”

It wasn’t just Joshua that Yuri intended to reform.

Gote was also included in his plans.

He would rewire Gote’s mind so that he wouldn’t even think of betrayal and would dedicate himself entirely to the kingdom.

Who in the world can truly say they give their all at every moment? People are naturally inclined to want to sit when standing and lie down when sitting.

Living as a mercenary, Yuri had learned one truth.

Humans only reach their full potential when driven hard.

Even the most unruly recruits would become disciplined mercenaries after being drilled for a few days.

He would make Gote into an even stronger and more impressive knight than before.

One who wouldn’t even think of betrayal.

“Yuri.”

Just as Yuri was cutting his steak with renewed determination, his father suddenly called him.

“Yes, Father.”

“Aren’t you changing too much lately?”

The King of Briol.

Fiore Briol.

He stared at Yuri, his chin tilted slightly.

Yuri responded.

“I’ve simply decided not to disgrace Father.”

It wasn’t completely superficial.

Though he seemed carefree, lacking formalities despite being king, Fiore was actually one of the greatest Swordmasters on the continent, and some even called him the strongest swordsman of his time.

“I want to become a knight as honorable as you, Father.”

“An honorable knight, you say…”

Fiore laughed.

“Am I an honorable knight? Do you agree with that, Tusen?”

Tusen nodded.

“Of course, Your Majesty. You are both the King of Briol and an honorable knight.”

“I may be strong, but I’m not sure about being honorable.”

“You are too modest, Your Majesty.”

“Yuri, if you want to become an honorable knight, it might be better to emulate someone else. Without my sword, I’m not much of a person.”

Thinking about it, Yuri realized his father was probably right.

He nodded quietly in agreement.

“You are right, Father. I will do that.”

As soon as he agreed, the atmosphere became chilly.

Cedric let out a soft chuckle, while Joshua snickered with his head bowed.

“So, he says he’ll do that.”

Fiore shrugged, and Tusen laughed out loud.

“The kingdom’s future looks bright.”

“Are you mocking me too?”

“I’m serious.”

The meal ended on a good note.

Fiore and Tusen headed to the garden, saying they had matters to discuss while Cedric left to study.

Now, only the two princes, notorious for being troublemakers, and the prideful young nobleman remained.

“Hey.”

Joshua called to Gote.

“Yes?”

“Come over here.”

His gesture was undeniably that of a delinquent.

“Let’s go to that quiet spot over there.”

“Why all of a sudden…”

“I heard you hit my brother?”

“W-what?”

“I heard everything.”

“I never did that…”

Joshua led Gote and Yuri toward a secluded corner of the Royal Palace.

“Hey, how dare you lay a hand on a member of the Royal Family…”

“I’ll handle this.”

Before Joshua could make another move, Yuri stepped in.

“Gote Bakbar.”

“Yes, Your Highness, the Third Prince.”

“I heard you’re good with a sword?”

“A little.”

Gote’s demeanor was no different from his older self. Though he pretended to be humble and well-mannered, his eyes were darting around restlessly.

Looking back, Yuri remembered getting into a fight with Gote around this time in his past life as well.

Of course, he had won.

He had beaten him badly.

The resentment in Gote’s eyes was still vivid in his memory.

Could it be that Gote couldn’t forget that grudge and ended up betraying the country?

“You bastard!”

Yuri shouted.

“There’s no place for a narrow-minded knight like you in this kingdom.”

“I’m not a knight yet, though?”

“Aren’t you going to be a knight in the future?”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

“Gote, you are an important asset who will work hard for the kingdom’s sake in the future. I believe you’re not such trash that you would harbor ill intentions just because of a few hits today.”

Gote became confused by these strange words. It sounded like a compliment, yet Yuri was also saying he’d hit him.

“W-What?”

“Wipe that stupid look off your face!”

Yuri wanted to throw his gauntlet, but since he didn’t have one, he picked up a rock and threw it instead.

Gote clutched his chest.

“Ugh!”

“It’s a duel!”

“Wait a moment…”

Joshua calmly handed them both wooden sticks.

“A sneak attack? How cowardly…!”

Though his conscience pricked at him, Yuri responded nonchalantly.

“It’s a substitute for a gauntlet.”

Yuri reflected quietly. His mercenary habits had resurfaced without him even noticing.

There were no rules in a mercenary duel. All sorts of dirty tricks were used—throwing rocks, kicking sand, spitting, or grabbing hair.

The one who survived was the strongest.

That was the rule of the battlefield.

“…”

Yuri’s eyes grew colder.

That rule applied to Briol as well.

No one would listen to excuses about Gote betraying him or Yuri being deceived.

The Empire had won.

Therefore, Briol was weak.

Because of their weakness, the people of the fallen kingdom suffered under oppression, and their once-glorious history was buried in the mud.

“Please uphold chivalry, Your Highness, the Third Prince!”

Gote shouted as he swung the wooden stick.

Yuri stepped back and kicked at the ground.

Sand scattered into the air.

While Gote, flustered, shook his head, Yuri’s wooden stick darted forward.

“Ahh!”

He struck Gote’s unguarded arm.

Gote scrambled to counterattack, but Yuri had already moved behind him.

He struck Gote’s back.

“You dare strike me from behind!”

Gote’s voice grew louder.

“Third Prince! Have some shame!”

Brushing off the sand, Gote glared at Yuri with fiery eyes.

“Shame, you say…”

Could someone who betrayed his kingdom know anything of shame?

Gote had surrendered to the Empire, and the knights who opposed his decision paid for it with their lives.

Yuri advanced with his wooden stick.

Gote struck with a graceful sword movement, cutting through the outer edge.

It was a decent technique.

However, Gote was fixated on the movements themselves and completely failed to grasp the true essence of the form.

It was a hollow swordsmanship, suited to a hollow life.

“Huh?”

Yuri pretended to clash swords with Gote and then simply let go of his own sword.

Yuri’s wooden sword flew through the air.

Then, he closed in on Gote, grabbing his arm and waist.

“Huh…?”

With a swift kick, Yuri knocked Gote off his feet.

“Ugh!”

Before Gote could recover, Yuri snatched his wooden stick.

With his foot on Gote’s chest, he aimed the sword at his throat.

“You discarded your sword…”

Gote’s eyes widened as he glared at Yuri.

“Gote.”

“Yes.”

“What is a sword?”

“What?”

“It’s a tool for killing, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is.”

“If you can kill, there’s no need to hold onto it.”

“…”

Yuri removed his foot from Gote’s chest as he spoke.

“One more thing. Why is your father a Count?”

“Excuse me?”

“Who gave him that title?”

“That is…”

“Think about it.”

Yuri extended his hand.

Gote looked at Yuri’s hand with a resentful expression, but eventually, he took it and stood up.

“Gote.”

“Yes.”

“No matter what situation you face in the future, try to see its essence.”

This might be difficult for someone just a year or two older than him to understand.

In the past, Gote had been lured by the Empire’s false promises and walked straight into his own ruin.

“Is this hard to understand?”

“Yes.”

“Think it over and come find me. We’ll talk again then.”

Yuri didn’t plan to punish him for the mistakes of his past life.

He simply wanted to offer him a chance to live a different life.

As a fellow sinner.

“Yes…”

Unaware of the deeper meaning behind Yuri’s words, Gote began to shift his eyes restlessly once more.

Yuri gripped his shoulder tightly and warned him.

“Hey.”

“Yes.”

“If you don’t come, I’ll come find you.”

“Yes, yes…”

“Go ahead.”

“Yes.”

Gote hesitated for a moment before taking a few steps back. Once he was a good distance away, he shouted.

“I let you off today!”

Yuri looked at him.

Gote shouted again.

“If I had used the Mana Method, it would have been you lying on the ground, Third Prince!”

With that, he spun around and ran off.

Watching his retreating figure, Yuri couldn’t help but laugh.

He hadn’t realized Gote had already learned the Mana Method.

But the fact that he didn’t use it in the end meant he wasn’t completely rotten to the core.

Of course, even if he had used his underdeveloped Mana Method, the result would have been the same.

“Yuri.”

Joshua, who had been quietly watching from the corner, spoke up.

“So, you won that easily! You’re really good at fighting.”

He looked even more excited than Yuri.

“Did you think I was going to lose?”

“Yes.”

“Then why did you provoke the fight?”

“It’s fun.”

Yuri glanced at the stick in his hand and then at Joshua.

Joshua, quick to catch on, took off in an instant.