ALL NOVEL Chapter 22 - March (1)
12. March (1)
Who could have known that Count Sidore’s banquet would end like that?
After a sleepless night, the Briol troops set out from Sidore Castle early the next day.
“Your Highness.”
Before leaving the castle, Jaime stopped Yuri.
“Take this person with you.”
It was Kori, who had interpreted the words of the orc. Kori stood there with his head bowed deeply beside Jaime.
With his face hidden by a hood and his body wrapped up tightly, nothing could be discerned about his appearance except for his slight frame.
“Was it Kori?”
Jaime nodded.
“Yes. You saw him last night.”
“Is he in good health?”
“His stamina is weak, but there’s no problem.”
“What about his temperament?”
“He is compliant and obedient.”
Jaime gave a slight smile and added one more thing.
“Rarely so, I must say.”
“I see.”
Yuri nodded and turned to Kori.
“Kori.”
“Yes?”
“Can you ride a horse?”
“I, I cannot.”
“Then you’ll have to learn.”
Yuri spoke to Jaime.
“Could you give him a horse? I’ll pay the price.”
“No need. Just take one.”
Kori seemed flustered by the sudden decision, lacking the courage to refuse.
Jaime provided a small pony to match Kori’s physique.
“A person who knows the orc’s language is a valuable asset.”
“Thank you, Your Highness…”
Kori awkwardly took the reins.
Even while mounted on the pony, his eye level was barely different from a standing Yuri.
After hesitating for a moment, Kori spoke to Yuri.
“Your Highness, I must tell you something beforehand…”
“I know.”
“Sorry?”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“Well, that’s not…”
“Take this.”
Yuri handed something over. It was a pair of gauntlets made from high-quality leather.
“These are…”
Kori looked down at the gauntlets, then bowed his head and attempted to return them to Yuri.
“These… these are too much for me…”
“I’m giving them to you.”
“But…”
“You brat.”
Yuri whipped the horse, causing it to start running.
Kori screamed and held onto the reins.
Yuri laughed as he watched him go.
“Are you sure about this?”
Hernando suddenly popped his head in from behind. Like a true mage, he appeared and disappeared sporadically during the march.
“It won’t hurt anything.”
“The soldiers might dislike it if they find out.”
“What are they going to do when I’m the one taking him along?”
Yuri placed a hand on Hernando’s shoulder.
“Good timing. Hernando, you look after him.”
“What?”
“A mage needs an apprentice, too.”
“Why me…”
He trailed off, sounding troubled. However, Yuri suspected that Hernando had appeared precisely with this in mind.
This was evident from the broad smile on Hernando’s face.
Even during gambling, he couldn’t manage his expressions at all.
“Kori will be useful, so take good care of him.”
“Since you insist, I have no choice. Heh heh…”
Hernando hummed a tune.
Yuri began to worry about Kori.
“You won’t do anything bad, will you?”
“What an unjust accusation…”
“Then I’ll believe you.”
Yuri mounted his horse. The other knights were waiting for him.
“Your Highness, you’ve arrived.”
Their tone was different from before.
Last night, despite the bewildering situation, Yuri had remained composed and handled the situation with skill.
Such a bold and calm demeanor commands respect. Yuri had proved that he was no coward.
As he led his horse forward, he cheerfully spoke.
“Good morning, isn’t it?”
“Yes…”
In contrast, the knights’ voices diminished.
It seemed that they all had dark circles under their eyes, a sign that they hadn’t slept well, likely brooding over what they had seen the night before.
This chapter is translated by f.enrir⋆xlations/jjo⋆estar
Yuri laughed aloud.
“Alright, let’s get moving again.”
Before leaving the castle, Yuri looked back.
On top of the castle walls, Jaime was watching him.
Yuri placed a hand on his chest and showed his gratitude. Jaime also bowed slightly.
Thanks to Jaime, the young knights had gained experience with orcs and had their hatred of the enemy fueled.
Yuri had obtained everything he needed.
He muttered Jaime’s name softly.
“Jaime Theodore…”
Though he carried a strange madness within him, Yuri found him to be someone he liked.
“This time, he won’t die.”
Since he was leading the troops to join the alliance, there was no chance Jaime would be killed by the orcs.
Yuri asked Kori, who was riding alongside Hernando.
“Kori.”
“Yes.”
“Do you dislike orcs?”
After a brief hesitation, Kori nodded.
“Yes.”
“That’s fortunate. I’ll make sure you see plenty of dead orcs.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Sir Raymond.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Is the pace suitable?”
“It’s faster than expected.”
“Good. There should be bandits outside our borders, right?”
“Certainly.”
“Let’s strike at them as we go without interrupting our march.”
Raymond laughed lightly and then nodded.
“Understood.”
* * *
Soon, the Briol troops reached the border.
The soldiers guarding the farthest reaches of the kingdom had a completely different atmosphere. One could feel the distinctive aura of those who always faced real battles.
Yuri sought out the Commander and obtained a map of the area.
It detailed the paths frequented by merchants, bandit hideouts, and locations where orc groups appeared.
“From now on, we are outside Briol.”
Yuri gathered the troops and announced.
“It wouldn’t be strange if enemies appeared at any moment. If any of you are getting too comfortable, it’s time to brace yourselves.”
The soldiers tensed up.
While there were veterans among them, most were experiencing combat for the first time. The knights were no exception.
“Let’s go.”
Yuri led the Briol troops as they crossed the border.
A barren plain stretched out before them. Not a single human shadow was in sight.
The distant horizon awaited them.
“Jared.”
At Yuri’s call, Jared, who had been following behind, urged his horse forward.
“Yes?”
“From now on, you’re the scout.”
“What?”
Yuri opened the map, pointed to their location, and then tapped the area Jared was to scout.
“This isn’t the direction to Gid, though…”
“We’ve departed early, so a little detour won’t hurt.”
“Wait a minute. Isn’t this marking…”
Jared checked the legend at the edge of the map.
“These are bandits!”
“Those vile scum who disrupt the border and threaten merchants.”
“If we show up, they’ll just run away.”
“No, we’ll chase and kill them. Even if some escape, destroying their base will be enough to put pressure on them.”
Yuri tapped Jared on the chest.
“Hey, look behind you.”
Jared turned around. The faces of the young knights, as well as the trailing soldiers, were filled with tension.
Only Laurent was giving Yuri a piercing glare.
Yuri turned his head back.
“Everyone’s nervous, right? Of course, for someone as talented as Jared, fighting must feel as natural as breathing, but…”
“I understand.”
“But as a young and inexperienced prince, I need some warm-up.”
“I said I understand.”
“Wow, just because you’re good with a sword, you’re being so harsh. A genius who can’t understand us ordinary folk…”
“I said I understand!”
Jared grabbed the map copy and compass handed to him and immediately mounted his horse, riding off.
“Hey, take this!”
Yuri tossed a telescope from his coat. Jared caught it mid-ride without missing a beat.
As Yuri watched Jared gallop toward the horizon, Raymond approached him.
“That’s a good idea.”
“Right?”
“Yes.”
Raymond stroked his beard thoughtfully.
“Even a light skirmish will give them valuable experience on how to fight.”
“You’re the only one who truly understands my profound intentions.”
“Hahaha…”
He hesitantly spoke.
“Last night, you didn’t seem very startled.”
“Did I seem that way?”
“Yes.”
“I was surprised.”
Raymond pointed to Jared, who had now become a small dot in the distance, and said,
“Come to think of it, I heard you favor him quite a bit.”
“Favor? Not at all. I’ll just take him along.”
“According to Commander Saned, after meeting you, that lad has grown remarkably. They say there aren’t many in the Royal Guard who can rival him now.”
“I made him who he is.”
“I didn’t know much about you before, Your Highness, but now I find you even harder to figure out.”
“Doesn’t seem like you expected much of me.”
“That’s true.”
“What does Gennad know? He must’ve talked a lot behind my back.”
“Hahaha…”
“Sir Raymond.”
Yuri looked at Raymond.
A man who’s spent as much time on the battlefield as the deep wrinkles on his face suggested.
Knights like him were like old swords.
They might seem unimpressive in their sheath, but when drawn, they reveal a keen edge.
However, without a worthy master, they remain in their sheath, hidden forever.
This chapter is translated by f·enr·irxlations/·j·joestar
“May I ask you a mundane question?”
“By all means.”
“What is your reason for fighting?”
“The reason for fighting.”
Raymond widened his eyes, then scratched his jaw.
“It’s been a long time since someone asked that. A knight’s reason to fight…”
“It’s that kind of era.”
“My answer is also an old one.”
“I’m listening.”
“The peace of Briol.”
He smiled awkwardly.
“That’s it. Was that a dull answer?”
“No.”
Yuri grinned broadly.
“Sir Raymond.”
“Yes.”
“From now on, you will fight solely for that.”
Raymond glanced at Yuri. Yuri looked straight ahead, pretending to ignore his gaze.
“I promise you.”
And then he spurred his horse forward.
“Maintain the pace, everyone. I’m going for a run.”
“Where are you heading?”
“I’m not sure I trust Jared.”
“Your Highness!”
“Don’t worry.”
Yuri spurred his horse harder.
The air outside the border whisked past Yuri.
The wind, like a whip, felt pleasant. Past sensations resurfaced.
Back then, he fled to forsaken lands, having lost everything. But now, it is different.
“The peace of Briol…”
It was a fine answer.
Yuri galloped, laughing aloud.
* * *
Jared surveyed the distance through his telescope.
“Hey.”
“Don’t talk to me.”
“Can you see well?”
“Yes.”
“Let me have a look.”
“I’m still checking.”
“I gave it to you, though…”
“You entrusted me with scouting, didn’t you?”
“You’ve grown a lot, Jared.”
Yuri snorted and then kicked the man tightly bound behind them.
“Mmff! Mmff!”
“Quiet down before I block your nose too.”
“…”
Even among bandits, they had lookouts of sorts.
Yuri and Jared captured one, threatening him with swords to lead them to the bandits’ lair.
“The location doesn’t match what’s marked on the map.”
“They keep moving their base.”
“So, what do we do now?”
Yuri approached the man and removed the gag from his mouth.
“Hey.”
“Y-yes.”
“You said there weren’t any other lookouts, right?”
“Correct.”
“Why only you?”
“I-I wouldn’t know…”
“You think you can keep an eye on everything by yourself?”
“No.”
“Then why just you?”
“I really don’t know…”
As Yuri interrogated him, something caught his eye.
“What’s this?”
This chapter is translated by f.en’rirxlations/jjoes’tar
Yuri shoved his hand inside the man’s collar and pulled out something.
It was a necklace adorned with a red gemstone.
It didn’t seem like something a bandit would carry.
“Is this yours?”
“No.”
“Then whose is it?”
“The boss gave it to me…”
He added,
“All the lookouts wear this necklace when they go out on patrol.”
At those words, Jared raised an eyebrow.
“Is this some kind of magical item?”
He then pressed the blade closer to the bandit’s throat.
As the knife approached his windpipe, the bandit panicked.
“P-please, spare me, sir.”
“Answer me. Is this an artifact that transmits voices?”
“I-I don’t know. It probably doesn’t have that function. I don’t even know what it is.”
“Then why are you carrying it?”
“I’m not sure…”
Yuri shrugged.
“I’ll ask the boss directly.”
He turned around. Nothing was in sight.
Beyond the hill, Briol’s troops were likely approaching slowly.
“I’ll stay here. You go and relay my message.”
“You’re going to stay here alone?”
“Yes.”
“It’s dangerous.”
“It’s an order.”
Yuri placed the gag back in the man’s mouth and said,
“Just follow orders.”
“But…”
“Hurry up.”
“Understood.”
Yuri spread out the map.
“Here, here. We’ll divide the troops and deploy them here. The escape route is already determined. Block the retreat and wipe them out. Let’s rely on those guys tonight.”
“Yes.”
“Most likely, it’ll just be to confirm whether the orders are being properly delivered.”
“Understood.”
The bandit group, no matter its size, was no match for the troops Yuri had brought with him. With several knights stationed, it would be an easy battle.
“I’ll return quickly.”
Jared reluctantly got up and ran toward the horse he had tethered some distance away.
Before long, he returned, leading a group of knights.
Yuri sighed.
“Why the commotion?”
“I brought the knights just in case.”
“You’ll give us away like that.”
“I hid our presence as much as possible.”
“Alright. Good work, Jared.”
Yuri surveyed the bandit camp with a telescope.
There were no significant signs. The bandits, dressed in shabby clothes, were moving around leisurely.
From time to time, people who seemed to be treated like slaves could be seen. They appeared to be captives, and some of them might even have been citizens of Briol.