The 3rd Prince of the Fallen Kingdom Returns

15. Uninvited Guest (1)

The Holy Kingdom’s forces set up camp next to Briol’s forces on the plain.

While there might have been potential for clashes between the soldiers, the fact that Briol’s knights had rescued the Holy Kingdom’s forces led to the formation of amicable relations.

The next day, Briol’s forces departed from Gid as scheduled.

Yuri was seen off by Sibylla and the Holy Knights.

“We’ll see you in Balshad.”

“Yes, take care.”

“Stay safe until then.”

Unlike before, the Knights of Briol and the Holy Knights of the Holy Kingdom were not hostile towards each other. Some even became acquainted over the course of a day.

They bid each other farewell, wishing for mutual safety until their next meeting.

The lord of Gid requested to accompany their supply unit heading to Balshad.

“Your Highness. Thank you for granting my request.”

“It’s for the Allied Forces.”

“I kindly ask you to advocate for us to the empire.”

“I will. Do spread some good words about me too.”

“Of course. Hahaha….”

Yuri did not refuse their company.

They were headed in the same direction anyway. Eventually, the goods would be shared with the Allied Forces.

“When the war is over, please make sure to visit Gid on your return.”

“I will. I hope I can greet you with a smile then too.”

“I’m sure we will.”

Yuri shook hands with the lord of Gid.

In that short time, they had fostered a good relationship. They would likely help each other again someday.

Soon, the unit completed all preparations.

Just before the march, Raymond approached Yuri.

“Your Highness, what should we do about them?”

Several groups of merchants were waiting for Briol’s forces to depart.

Some were regular traders to Balshad, while others were war merchants who sold goods wherever the conflict brought them.

“Leave them.”

Though strict forces would not allow private convoys to accompany them, Yuri knew from his mercenary days that these merchants were needed in many ways.

The army could not provide everything the soldiers required.

“Let’s move.”

At Yuri’s signal, the soldier beside him blew a horn. A sound reminiscent of a ship’s horn echoed.

The entire troops began to mobilize.

Yuri led from the front alongside the knights.

A peaceful march ensued.

“Sir Raymond, have you been to Balshad?”

“Balshad…”

Raymond looked up into the air, contemplating his memories. The clear sky above the plains served as a good backdrop for reminiscing.

“It still bears traces of the old kingdom.”

Balshad was built upon the ruins of an ancient kingdom that once existed on the plains.

While one could speculate that a powerful kingdom existed, the reasons for its downfall remained unknown.

“In terms of size, it’s not much different from Gid, but significantly larger.”

“Is that so?”

“You can tell that the old kingdom flourished greatly. Though I didn’t stay long, I remember its grandeur.”

“Indeed.”

“It would be best if you saw it for yourself. It’s an excellent city from a fortress’s perspective.”

“I see.”

The panorama of the plains remained unchanged.

As they pressed on, the sun eventually began to set.

This chapter is translated by f.enrirxlations/jj₊oestar.

Yuri led the unit to an appropriate site and ordered a halt.

“We’ll rest here for tonight.”

The unit commenced their duties with precision.

By now, having grown accustomed to setting up camp, they pitched their tents faster than before.

Yuri oversaw the soldiers as they worked.

“Hey, you there!”

“Yes?”

“You’re digging wrong.”

“Yes, yes!”

“Hand that over.”

“But, Your Highness, how can you…?”

“Come now.”

The soldiers doubted Yuri knew how to handle a shovel, but their eyes widened as he showcased skilled digging techniques.

“Ooh…”

The fluid motion of digging and lifting showed no wasted effort. All these were skills learned during his mercenary days. Back then, everything had to be managed on one’s own.

“Digging is not done with strength.”

“Then…?”

“With rhythm.”

“Ah…!”

“Do it right.”

Yuri walked around, chiding those nearby like a meticulous overseer.

His attire was no different from the soldiers’, making it hard for them to recognize him without seeing his black hair up close.

They were often startled when he suddenly gave them orders.

“Hey there, aren’t you working?”

“Uh, uh, Your Highness?”

“Where are you headed?”

“To the restroom.”

“Is it a big one?”

“Yes…”

“Go far away, then.”

After wandering for a while, he witnessed a troubling scene.

Surrounded by three or four soldiers, Kori lay fallen on the ground, being berated.

Kori staggered as if unable to stand. He seemed to have already taken a few hits.

“You half-orc bastard. I told you not to show your face.”

“T-that…”

“Think we wouldn’t find out?”

Yuri sighed.

As the soldier had mentioned, Kori, who had been assigned by Count Sidore, was in fact a half-orc, born between an orc and a human.

Even though he’d kept himself well-concealed under a hood, it seemed he had been found out eventually.

“Isn’t he a spy? Trying to fool the prince and get us all killed? Colluding with orcs?”

“Absolutely not. I just…”

“Wearing fancy gloves, huh. Hand those over.”

“N-no, please.”

“Give it here.”

“The prince gave it to me…”

“Say you lost it!”

A soldier began to wrest the gloves from Kori’s hand. Beneath, the misshapen and mottled hand, with irregularly grown fingers, was revealed.

The soldier who stripped the glove shrieked.

“Ugh, what is this? Damn…”

“Please return it.”

“It’s too disgusting to keep.”

At that moment when he was about to throw the glove far away, Yuri called out to him.

“Hey, you.”

The soldiers, curious about who had spoken, turned to see. When Yuri approached closer, they were taken aback.

“Y-Your Highness.”

“That glove looks familiar to me.”

“Well, that’s…”

“You weren’t about to throw it, were you?”

As Yuri folded his arms and stared intently, the soldier, at a loss, presented the gloves carefully as if it were a treasured offering.

“N-no, Your Highness, absolutely not.”

“Then?”

“Well…”

“Perhaps you were just dusting it off, yeah?”

“Yes! That’s right!”

The soldier began to pat the gloves. And then other soldiers joined in, trying to tidy up the single glove, creating a bizarre scene.

Yuri palmed his forehead.

“Ugh…”

The soldiers watched Yuri’s expression closely.

“Fine. It looks clean enough now, so scram.”

“Yes!”

They handed the glove back to Kori and hurriedly dispersed. Watching their retreating figures, Yuri clicked his tongue.

What a bunch of crude fellows.

Kori gave a small bow.

“Thank you…”

“You okay?”

“Yes.”

“Kori.”

He placed a hand on Kori’s shoulder.

Though Kori flinched, Yuri remained unfazed and put his arm around him.

“What should I do for you?”

“Pardon?”

“I can protect you. I could even punish those scoundrels. You’re a valuable asset for understanding orc language, after all.”

“Yes…”

Yuri looked at Kori.

Through the hood, pieces of his face became visible. Though it wasn’t a pleasant sight, Yuri didn’t avert his gaze.

“Well, shall I give them a good scolding?”

Kori cautiously looked up at Yuri.

It was the first time their eyes met, given how he’d always avoided making eye contact.

Kori shook his head.

“No.”

“You sure about that?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t you resent them?”

Kori lowered his glance again, pulling his hood further over his face. He replied softly.

“If the situation were reversed, I might have done the same…”

“What?”

“Everyone likes beautiful things and dislikes ugly things. It’s natural, instincts paint a truth we can’t ignore, no matter how uncomfortable.”

Yuri was a bit surprised.

Kori had always been passive, never openly expressing his thoughts.

“For myself too.”

“For you?”

“Yes, Your Highness’s face lifts my spirits, whereas seeing people like them makes me gloomy.”

Yuri chuckled.

“Was that a compliment?”

“Not at all. How could I dare to compliment Your Highness… It’s simply the truth.”

Speaking more, his pronunciation and intonation were fluid.

This chapter is translated by fenrir,xlations/jjo,estar

Now, Yuri understood why Jaime had brought Kori along. If typical half-orcs resembled orcs more, Kori’s presence was indeed more human-like.

Such cases were rare.

Kori continued speaking.

“Also, even if Your Highness helps me now, my dream will drift further away.”

“What dream?”

“Um…”

Kori hesitated to answer.

When he fidgeted next to him, Yuri gave a hearty slap on his back.

“Ow!”

“You’re going to tease me by keeping it a secret?”

“N-no.”

“What’s your dream?”

“Well…”

Kori spoke in a quiet voice.

“To be accepted by people and live among them.”

Yuri paused for a moment.

The wish Kori expressed was such an ordinary part of Yuri’s life.

Yet for this young half-orc, that wish was a distant and unattainable dream.

What would become of Kori when the Allied Forces disbanded?

Although Yuri could take him in, it wasn’t the future Kori truly desired.

“Kori, you’re often with Hernando, right?”

“Yes.”

“Okay.”

Yuri said, “Start learning magic from him.”

“What?”

“If you want to make a living, you need to learn a skill.”

“What…?”

Kori looked at Yuri. He was so stunned that he didn’t even evade eye contact like usual.

“Magic, it’s not just a skill. Magic is incredibly complex and not just anyone can learn it…”

“That’s even better. Learn a specialized skill so you won’t get fired.”

“Your Highness…”

“Interpreting orc language is a good skill, but it’s limited to this season, and the future’s uncertain. So, give it a go.”

Yuri tousled Kori’s hair through the hood.

“Try it, and if it doesn’t work out, then oh well. Learn something else.”

“That’s…”

“You have time, don’t you? Or were you planning to laze about?”

“N-no, not at all.”

“Good. Then give it a try.”

“Yes…”

Yuri helped Kori wear his glove.

Though Kori was at a loss, he didn’t dare stop Yuri.

“It’s getting cold. Wear it.”

* * *

The moon hung in the sky.

Yuri gathered Briol’s forces, preparing them for vigilance.

Even if it wasn’t precisely an orc territory, there was precedent with the Holy Kingdom. It wouldn’t be surprising if orcs attacked at any moment.

Yuri called Laurent and Jared into his tent.

“There’s only one thing they might be after here.”

The trio sat around a map, with Briol’s position marked between Gid and Balshad.

“What could it be?”

“A night raid, of course.”

Jared answered.

He was swaying back and forth on his chair.

Yuri squinted.

“So what kind of night raid?”

“Just a night raid. An attack by night.”

“Do you think they’d try to attack now when we’re so well-guarded?”

“Then what?”

“Think of them as not just orcs, but cunning enemies.”

“Then…”

Someone answered in place of Jared.

“Supplies.”

At the entrance to the tent stood Raymond as he came in with a smile.

“It seems likely they’d try to mess with those.”

Yuri nodded.

“Yes, exactly.”

“Really?”

“The ones that attacked the Holy Kingdom. There’s no telling where they might hide. The plains are their domain.”

Yuri recalled his mercenary days. A fellow who had experienced fighting with the Allied Forces had once said,
‘The orcs would always mess with the supplies. They were absolute masters at driving people mad.’

Now that information about the Allied Forces had reached them, the orcs wouldn’t allow the divisions from each nation to gather hands-off.

Yuri anticipated sporadic attacks before reaching Balshad.

Jared tilted his head.

“Couldn’t that require someone to lead them? I heard the orcs are scattered and unable to unite…”

As Jared mentioned, orcs lived in separate tribes, often in conflict with one another.

But Yuri knew that a new kingship was emerging on the plains.

Instead of Yuri, Raymond spoke.

“Why do you think the Empire formed the Allied Forces?”

“Well, to periodically suppress the orcs…”

“That could be one reason. But the major motivation is that a formidable power has risen in the far east.”

Yuri nodded.

There was an orc.

In his previous life, the orc’s name had struck terror.

“An unknown orc has emerged, swallowing neighboring tribes. I’ve heard his name is Orcua.”

Orcua.

A monster destined to be known as the ‘King of Orcs.’

Because of that creature, many knights had perished.

Ultimately, Orcua was a target Yuri intended to eliminate through this alliance expedition.

“The empire wants to nip Orcua in the bud before he grows bigger.”

“Understood…”

Jared and Laurent didn’t seem overly impressed.

For now, the story was just about an orc leader. They’d understand once they faced it.

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside.

The watchman’s urgent voice was heard.

“Your Highness! There’s big trouble!”

Yuri stood up.

It seemed that an uninvited guest had arrived.