The temple food was delicious.
“They cook well,” commented Yuri.
The Black Knight, sitting beside him, replied.
“I made it.”
When he ate, he removed the lower part of his mask. It was precisely designed so it wouldn’t be uncomfortable to take off.
Yuri, glancing briefly at the knight’s face, asked:
“Do you usually take part in volunteer activities, Black Knight?”
“Of course.”
Yuri was usually respectful toward the Ten Greats.
“I discovered that offering God’s love is the greatest form of happiness.”
“I see.”
“I had heard that the third prince of Briol was brave, but I didn’t expect him to have such faith as well.”
“After what I experienced on the battlefield, my way of thinking changed.”
Yuri placed a hand over his chest and smiled serenely. Jared, sitting across from him, choked a little, but Yuri ignored it and continued.
“Surely you know it well, Black Knight. In the midst of that bloodbath where people kill and die, one understands how fragile the human being is.”
“Indeed.”
“At first, I felt hopeless. But over time, I came to understand the true, elevated, and profound purpose.”
With a serene expression, Yuri lowered his head toward the cross placed at the center of the table. The Black Knight exclaimed in admiration.
“Such wise words.”
While pretending to pay homage to the cross, Yuri reviewed in his mind the information about him.
Even in his past life, not much had been revealed about the Black Knight. All that was known was that, wearing a black mask and armor, he destroyed the enemies of the Empire with terrifying ferocity.
He was loyal only to the emperor, and only the emperor knew his real name. That’s why everyone simply called him “the Black Knight.”
“But being a limited person, it’s hard for me to bear the weight of the secular world. That’s why I do what little I can, from time to time.”
It was a calculated phrase.
After all, the Black Knight was a knight of the emperor. One couldn’t expect him to follow only the divine will.
As expected, the Black Knight nodded emotionally.
“You’re like me, Yuri Briol. I’m glad to have met you.”
“It’s an honor.”
“I’m also His Majesty’s knight. As such, I can’t abandon my duties. That’s why I help in this way, when I can.”
“I admire you deeply.”
‘How can someone so feared be so naive?’ thought Yuri, glancing sideways at Vlad, who smiled slightly.
“The Black Knight must be one of God’s most precious lambs,” commented Vlad.
“No, I still have a long way to go. I must keep striving.”
A faint smile appeared on the Black Knight’s face.
Yuri thought he would have rough features, but he had a slender chin and fine lips. If he took off his mask, he was probably a handsome young man, the Laurent type.
Taking advantage of the good impression, Yuri made a suggestion.
“What do you think about joining our campaign?”
“Campaign?”
“We want to rescue drug addicts and bring them to the temple’s rehabilitation center.”
“That’s a great idea. I’ve heard drugs are circulating throughout the Empire. It’s a real tragedy.”
The Black Knight sighed.
“But I can’t go out without His Majesty’s permission.”
“What if you made a proposal?”
“I’m sorry.”
It was a polite refusal.
“I’m sure His Majesty wouldn’t turn me down, but I don’t want to trouble him. He’s a very warm person.”
“Ah… I see…”
In his past life, Yuri never met the emperor. He only fought desperately against the waves of the imperial army. And even though he had a relationship with the emperor’s daughter, he never felt comfortable with the idea of meeting him.
So he knew nothing about him.
People said all sorts of things; even Yekaterina avoided talking about her father. There was no way to know what he was truly like.
And yet, the Black Knight described him as someone warm. That confused Yuri.
“You’ll meet him soon. Then you’ll see what His Majesty is like.”
The Black Knight smiled. The curve of his mouth was soft.
“Yes, I’m looking forward to it.”
To Yuri, the emperor was the cause of Briol’s destruction, but for now, he simply nodded.
“In any case, Yuri Briol. I’m glad we spoke. I hope we can talk again someday.”
Saying that, the Black Knight put his hands together before the cross.
“It must be God’s will that we met.”
“Indeed.”
Yuri also put his hands together. Vlad immediately mimicked him.
Laurent and Jared, who were distractedly eating, also put their hands together awkwardly.
***
“Hey, Got!”
After the meal, Yuri went to find Got before the interview. He was lying on the bed reading a book, but when he saw Yuri, he flinched and pulled back.
“Why are you scared?”
“P-Prince…”
“It’s been a while since I saw you sober. Five years? Six already?”
Time had passed since the alliance war.
“That…”
“Were you using my name to do drugs?”
“That wasn’t my intention!”
“What do you mean it wasn’t?”
“It’s just… there was someone who wanted to be friends with you…”
“You bastard…!”
Yuri approached and grabbed him by the collar. Got trembled. As a child, he hadn’t been this cowardly, but now there was no trace of his former self.
Yuri looked him up and down. He had ability, but he wasn’t on Laurent or Jared’s level.
Maybe he could hold his own against Simon or Guinness.
“So what have you been doing all these years?”
Yuri clicked his tongue. He was weaker than in his past life. Got blushed and pressed his lips together. At least he seemed ashamed.
“I know studying abroad was tough, but wrong is wrong.”
“Yes…”
“First, we’re going to get that filthy drug out of your body.”
Yuri patted him on the back. They were going to work together, so it was necessary to lift his spirits.
“Let’s start over.”
“Huh?”
“You’re still young. You have talent. You don’t need to ruin yourself over some crappy drug.”
“But everyone will point fingers. They’ll say I’m a drug addict. The heir to the Bakbar family, disgracing his house and Briol… I don’t think I can take it…”
“Idiot!”
Yuri scolded him.
“How dare you talk about honor thinking like that? If you weren’t sick, I’d have hit you already.”
“But…”
“Do you know what honor is?”
Yuri glanced sideways behind him.
Vlad, a journalist, a painter, and the Black Knight were there. Behind them, several priests from the center were watching with concern.
Yuri grabbed Got by the collar and spoke solemnly.
“My friend, Got.”
“Huh? We were friends…?”
“Honor is not just about never falling.”
Yuri quoted a famous phrase he had heard somewhere in his past life.
“True honor lies in rising again after having fallen.”
“Prince…”
“And likewise, falling can never be considered disgraceful.”
Yuri helped Got up from the bed. Then he gave him a pat on the back with a smile.
“True disgrace is giving up without trying again. A knight of Briol never acts like that. Understood?”
“Y-yes…”
Got nodded with an expression somewhere between moved and confused. Yuri put an arm around his shoulders and turned to the others.
“Everyone, Got will rise again.”
The painter beside Vlad quickly began sketching. His eyes sparkled with inspiration, as if desperate to capture the moment.
Yuri stayed still for a moment to make it easier. Just then, sunlight filtered through the large window in Got’s room.
The Black Knight, watching the scene, began to applaud.
“Yuri Briol. You are a true knight. It’s as if a halo of holiness shines upon you.”
“Ohhh…”
“Truly admirable…”
Upon hearing this, the others nodded. Yuri bowed his head modestly and then looked at Vlad.
“Well then, shall we begin? For all those suffering because of drugs.”
***
The palace of Briol, now without Yuri, lived in quiet days.
The absence of the third prince, who used to stir up every corner, made the place feel almost empty.
There was only one notable change from the past. Fiore, who used to lock herself away in the underground training hall, had begun strolling through the hallways.
Beside her walked an Eastern man with dark brown hair.
“So what’s missing is the concentration of mana.”
“That’s right, grand master.”
“But if you hold it in more, isn’t there a risk of it exploding?”
“Precisely—recognizing that limit is the most important part. You could say it’s an art.”
“Impressive, Grand Master Moyongchan.”
“Not as impressive as Grand Master Fiore.”
They praised each other and bowed with fists, an Eastern courtesy Moyongchan had taught and which had recently become trendy in the palace.
“I suppose Yuri must be stirring things up in the Empire by now.”
“Won’t he cause trouble…?”
“He’s a smart young man. He won’t make mistakes.”
“You seem to trust Yuri more than I do, Grand Master Moyongchan.”
“I met him on the battlefield. It’s in moments between life and death that a person’s true nature is revealed. Haha…”
Moyongchan shared words with Fiore that he wouldn’t say in front of Yuri.
“That boy will go far.”
Fiore gave a faint smile, and Moyongchan returned it. He considered that one of the best decisions since arriving in the West had been meeting Fiore Briol.
Of everyone he knew, she had the deepest understanding of the sword.
He wondered if this was how the Heavenly Swordsman and the leader of Blue Star had felt when they shared their enlightenment about the sword.
“Do you think he’ll participate in the tournament?”
“Who knows. He’s an unpredictable boy…”
While they conversed, a servant approached Fiore.
“Your Majesty, Count Johannes requests an audience.”
“Toussaint?”
Toussaint Bakbar was the Count of Johannes and father of Got Bakbar. Aside from his obsession with white clothing, he was a respectable knight.
“Shall I let him in here?”
“Yes. Let’s take a walk together. Is that alright with you, Grand Master Moyongchan?”
“No problem.”
Shortly after, Bakbar arrived, running and panting.
As he was usually calm, Fiore frowned in surprise.
“What’s going on?”
“Your Majesty…”
Toussaint caught his breath and bowed to Fiore. Then he greeted Moyongchan respectfully, guest of the kingdom and one of the Ten Greats.
“We received this from the Empire.”
“What is it?”
“A magazine published yesterday. An imperial messenger brought it in person.”
“A magazine?”
It was a typical Imperial product, a nation culturally advanced. But upon seeing the cover, Fiore was speechless. Beside her, Moyongchan also opened his mouth, unsure what to say.
It was an extremely high-quality illustration, the work of a master painter. And both immediately recognized the model portrayed.
Two young men stood shoulder to shoulder, smiling, while sunlight streamed through a window, creating a halo effect.
One had black hair and a handsome face. The other, in hospital clothes, looked frail but had eyes full of determination.
They looked like part of a sacred mural hung in a temple. The image was so striking that only afterward did they notice the printed captions at the bottom of the cover.
[The Prince of Briol, Hero of the Alliance, Honorable Knight.]
[And also, Devout Believer. Yuri Briol.]
[His words on True Honor and the Path of the Knight.]
[Got Bakbar, fallen from grace, reflects with his old friend on courage.]
[A message of hope for those suffering from addiction.]
[A serene comfort aimed at youth.]
[It’s okay to fall. But you must rise again.]
[In-depth interview with Yuri Briol, includes full-color illustration collection.]
[Support us now.]
Neither of them could say anything for a good while.
