The 3rd Prince of the Fallen Kingdom Returns

13. Holy Kingdom (1)

The Briol army marched, sweeping through bandit groups. Soon, a city with towering walls appeared beside a lake.

It was the stopover city, Gid.

The unit set up camp outside the city.

Tired from life in the field, the soldiers were eager to get inside.

Yuri issued a warning.
“If you cause trouble, you’ll die. You must return by noon tomorrow. If you break even one rule, I’ll deal with you according to military law, so keep that in mind.”

They all agreed, but Yuri knew someone would inevitably face punishment. He understood that showing an example was the only way to maintain discipline.

“Sir Raymond, make sure to properly educate them before letting them in—no exceptions, even for knights.”

“Understood.”

Yuri then immediately met with the lord.

The man, who seemed out of place in the barren land, had a round build. As he greeted Yuri, several rings adorned his fingers.

With exaggerated gestures, he kissed Yuri’s hand.

“It’s an honor to meet the Prince of Briol.”

“I’m glad to meet you too.”

Yuri sat down opposite him, subtly wiping his hand on his trousers.

“The King of Briol made a remarkable achievement in his youth, defeating orcs. Now that his son is here, the orcs must be trembling in fear.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

“I’ll do everything I can to ensure the success of the Allied Forces.”

Gid had been agreed upon as a supply base for the Allied Forces, alongside Balshad.

“On behalf of Briol, I express gratitude for Gid’s cooperation. You will be compensated once this expedition concludes.”

“I didn’t do it for compensation, but it is not unpleasant to hear.”

“Is that so?”

Yuri smiled slightly.

“By the way, have you ever thought that if the Allied Forces fail, the orcs won’t spare Gid?”

“The Allied Forces lose? That’s impossible. Hahaha…”

Yuri recalled events from his past life.

When the orc subjugation failed, Balshad and Gid immediately collapsed. The orcs took control of the plains, and people were dragged off as slaves.

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Yuri hid his true feelings and simply laughed.

“In any case, I am indebted to you.”

“You’re welcome to stay as long as you like. You arrived earlier than expected.”

“There’s no need to waste time.”

“Haha, you are diligent. Understood.”

“Well then…”

As Yuri was about to rise from his seat, a secretary approached the lord, whispering something in his ear. The lord’s expression brightened, and he spread his hands toward Yuri.

“Prince, the Holy Kingdom has arrived.”

“Is that so?”

“They are coming here now; would you like to meet them together?”

“Shall we?”

Yuri nodded. It wouldn’t hurt to make an acquaintance with the Holy Kingdom.

The door to the lord’s chamber soon opened, and the lord rose from his seat, preparing to greet the visitors.

This chapter is translated by fen˱rir˱xlations/jjoe˱star

“Welcome, your gr—”

White-armored knights poured into the room.

There were many of them.

The lord, seemingly flustered, darted his eyes around and stammered as he continued.
“Ah, knights…?”

The knights lined up in formation along the walls of the chamber. A knight standing by the doorway spoke.

“Her Highness, the Second Princess of the Holy Kingdom, arrives.”

As soon as those words were spoken, a woman clad in ornate armor, holding her helmet at her side, stepped into the room.

Her short, light brown hair swayed just below her ears.

With an impassive expression, she looked at the lord.

“Are you the Lord of Gid?”

“Y-yes, that is correct, but…”

“I am Sybilla Arseinte, Second Princess of the Holy Kingdom and Commander of the Holy Kingdom’s Allied Forces.”

The lord stood dumbfounded. Sybilla raised her chin slightly.

“What are you doing?”

“Pardon?”

“Show your respect.”

The Second Princess of the Holy Kingdom, Sybilla, extended her hand.

“Haha…”

The Lord, instead of following her command, gave her a pleasant, amiable smile.

“Lady Sybilla.”

He glanced at the knights lined up along the walls, then back at Sybilla standing before him.

“I apologize, but I am neither a Lord of the Holy Kingdom nor one of Your Highness’s vassals.”
He behaved differently from when he had voluntarily kissed Yuri’s hand earlier.

“So, there’s no need for me to offer my respects.”

Yuri felt like whistling.

Well, a man without resolve couldn’t have maintained a city in such barren land for long.

“Is that so…”

Sybilla’s eyebrows twitched faintly. She remained silent for a moment before speaking again.

“If I offended you, I apologize.”

“Oh, no. That’s not what I meant…”

The Lord clapped his hands and laughed amiably.

“How could I have known that the Second Princess of the Holy Kingdom would be so beautiful? Even though I am not your vassal, I feel compelled to offer my admiration. Would Your Highness grant me the honor of kissing your hand?”

The Lord’s tact was skillful.

At first, he had rejected Sybilla, but when she acknowledged her mistake, he willingly bowed his head and saved her face.

Yuri revised his opinion of the Lord.

He was sharper than expected. Such people could be helpful when necessary.

Sybilla nodded.

“Of course.”

“It’s an honor.”

The Lord kissed her hand.

“……”

However, the kiss lasted a little too long.

Yuri seriously wondered if the lord was not clever but simply a pervert.

“My Lord?”

“Yes?”

“That’s enough.”

“Understood.”

At her words, the Lord released her hand and gestured to the sofa.

“Please, have a seat.”

The Lord was about to introduce Yuri.

“This person is…”

But before he could finish, Sybilla spoke first.

“Are you the Lord’s vassal? I have an urgent matter to discuss, so step aside.”

The Lord was flustered.

“Ah, Princess, that is…”

He tried to explain, but Sybilla interrupted him without hesitation.

“Or are you saying that you too are not a vassal of the Holy Kingdom or of me?”

Yuri didn’t particularly feel offended. It was simply a misunderstanding, and there was no need to create an issue over it.

He was about to calmly introduce himself.

“I am…”

But this time, it was the knight standing behind Sybilla who cut him off.

“To remain seated, even as a retainer of Gid, is impolite. The princess is the Second Princess of the Holy Kingdom and the Commander of the Holy Kingdom’s Allied Forces. Show proper respect!”

It seemed the knight’s pride had been hurt after being called out by the Lord.

The Holy Kingdom was putting on a show of power. Unfortunately, they had chosen the wrong target.

Yuri and the Lord exchanged glances.

In the Lord’s eyes, there was a mixture of deep embarrassment and a pleading expression for understanding.

Under the chilling gaze of the Holy Kingdom’s knights, Yuri hesitated briefly before speaking.

“I am…”

Sybilla furrowed her brow.

“You are…?”

Yuri was concerned about the embarrassment the Holy Kingdom would feel moving forward.

“I’m the Third Prince of Briol.”

Tick.

Tick.

Tick.

In the silence, the wall clock’s second hand calmly tilted three times.

Yuri added,

“And I’m also commanding the Briol Forces.”

Sybilla’s expression was priceless.

She had entered with an air of authority, only to be reprimanded by the Lord of Gid and then immediately commit an offense against the royalty of another nation.

A string of missteps.

What must they be feeling now?

By the time the fourth, then the fifth tick sounded the knight who had earlier rebuked Yuri finally spoke.

“I…!”

Yuri turned to him and offered a gentle smile. It was a gesture of magnanimity, signaling that he would graciously accept their apology. He had no intention of holding a grudge.

The knight’s face turned red.

“My apologies. I did not recognize you. I thought you were the Lord’s vassal…”

“That’s understandable. Look at how shabby my attire is. Anyone would mistake me for some local riffraff. Haha…”

“No, that’s not it at all! It’s absolutely not—”

“It’s entirely my fault. I should’ve dressed as impeccably as you knights here. Gleaming armor and all, huh? I’ve committed a grave offense. A terrible one, truly!”

“No, no…”

“I’m sorry!”

“No, I’m sorry! It’s my fault!”

“We’re sorry!”

“Your Highness! No, no, that’s not it! What are you all doing? Bow your heads!”

“Sorr… mph!”

“Oh dear, Your Highness. Please calm yourself!”

* * *

At Yuri’s antics, the Holy Kingdom’s knights hurriedly exited the room.

Only the Lord, Yuri, and Sybilla remained.

The Lord repeatedly wiped the sweat from his forehead, while Sybilla sat far away, looking utterly exasperated.

Yuri adjusted his hair, glancing into a mirror hanging on the wall.

“Lord, I have plenty of fine clothes at home. Do I really look that shabby?”

“Haha, what are you saying? Your Highness looks exceptionally dignified.”

“Right? Then why did those knights treat me like…”

Sybilla let out a deep sigh.

“I’m sorry, so please stop already.”

“Oh, should I?”

After whistling, Yuri sat back down. When he took the center of the sofa, Sybilla shifted her body closer to the edge.

“Well, since you’ll be fighting together, why not properly greet each other?”

The Lord tried to mediate between the two.

“Here we have His Highness Yuri Briol, the Third Prince of Briol, who leads the Briol Forces.”

“Ah, pleased to meet you.”

“And here is Her Highness Sybilla Arseinte, the Second Princess of the Holy Kingdom and leader of the Allied Forces.”

“Yes.”

“Well then, why not shake hands?”

The Lord gestured to the two of them with his hands clasped together.

“Sounds good.”

Yuri readily extended his hand first.

Sybilla hesitated, her expression reluctant, but eventually accepted the handshake.

Yuri shook her hand up and down.

“Looking forward to working with you. Earlier was just a bit of fun.”

“Ah, yes.”

The atmosphere failed to lighten up.

Yuri recalled what Jermaine had told him about the Holy Kingdom

This chapter is translated by fˋeˋnrirxlatiˋons/jjoˋesˋtar

He could guess why Sybilla had developed such a sharp personality. Even the knights they’d just met were rigidly traditional, weren’t they?

To be acknowledged in such a group, one had to either break the mold or put on an even tougher armor.

And as most would, she had chosen the latter.

Without releasing her hand, Yuri kept shaking it as he asked,

“Lady Sybilla.”

“Yes?”

“How old are you?”

Sybilla stared at Yuri.

“We’ll be seeing each other often, so it’d be good to get familiar. How old are you?”

“Twenty…”

“I’m eighteen. That makes us two years apart, so we’re practically friends. I can drop the formalities, right?”

Sybilla’s pupils dilated.

Before she could respond, Yuri continued.

“Nice to meet you, Sybilla.”

Including his past life, Yuri was much older. He had dealt with all sorts of troublemakers during his mercenary days. A kid like this was easy to handle.

Sybilla was flustered.

She looked at Lord Gid, then back at Yuri. Her eyes were trembling.

The Lord intervened.

“Ah, this is looking very good.”

“Uh…”

“With similar ranks and ages, why not build some camaraderie? You’ll be fighting fierce orcs together. It would be nice to have comrades you can rely on, don’t you think?”

Yuri joined in.

“Don’t you think so?”

Sybilla hesitated but eventually nodded.

“Y-yeah…”

Though she answered, she still seemed confused. She looked like she might regret it.

But Yuri had no intention of backing down.

Before she could change her mind, he spoke again, distracting her.

“Sybilla, I didn’t see any of your troops on the way here. Did the knights arrive first?”

“That’s right.”

“When will they arrive?”

“They should be here by tomorrow.”

Yuri wasn’t reassured by her answer.

If the Holy Kingdom’s paladin troops reached Gid first, only a few officers would remain to lead the main troops.

Despite not being the orcs’ territory, splitting forces carelessly was imprudent, as orcs, with their massive sizes, are surprisingly adept at ambushes.

“Let’s hope nothing goes amiss.”

Sybilla raised an eyebrow.

“Holy Kingdom enforces strict military discipline. Are you suggesting an issue could arise at that time?”

“You never know.”

“What kind of issue?”

“What else? Orcs.”

“Orcs…?”

“Yes.”

Sybilla fell silent, seemingly unfamiliar with orc tactics.

Yuri lightened the atmosphere with a laugh.

“Orcs can appear suddenly even within safe territories. Isn’t that right, my Lord?”

“Yes, indeed. Deceptively cunning creatures.”

“So I was just saying it might happen, but nothing major should come up. It’s the Holy Kingdom, after all.”

“…”

Yuri changed the subject.

“Anyway, shall I continue with what I was going to say?”

They discussed the supplies and provisions Gid could provide, along with the conditions related to them.

Once the necessary talks were finished, Yuri stood up.

“I’ll be going now. Thanks for your cooperation, Lord.”

“When do you plan to depart?”

“I’ll rest for a day, then leave the morning after.”

“Understood.”

“What about you, Sybilla?”

“You can go first.”

Sybilla seemed to have lingering things to discuss.

This chapter is translated by fen.rir.xlations/jj.oestar

Yuri waved his hand at her with a smile. Sybilla, having regained her composure, nodded coolly in return.

“See you next time.”

He left the Lord’s castle.

Hernando awaited him.

“Were you waiting?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“To go together.”

“To where?”

Hernando’s eyes gleamed.

“We’re in Gid; it’s time to visit the talisman market.”