Chapter 71

Bernid’s guest room.

For some reason, Yuwon had come all the way here to seek out Bernid.

The reason for Yuwon’s visit was the piece of the giant beast’s scale that he had previously sliced off and entrusted to Bernid.

“What do you think? Do you think you can use it?”

“Hm… I’ll have to return and research this properly. But as you said, it was resistant enough to deflect sword-energy, and on top of that, it had an exceptionally strong resistance to magical power. I sliced off a small piece and tested it… do you want to see what happened?”

“Sure. Show me.”

Soon, Bernid brought over a piece of the beast’s scale no larger than a fingernail and breathed magic into it.

Puk―

A single crackling sound rang out like a burst of sparks, and the scale only twitched for a moment before falling still without any change.

Bernid’s magic fizzled out powerlessly before the beast’s scale.

“…Hm. So it wasn’t just that sword-energy didn’t work.”

“Right. No matter what I did, it stayed perfectly intact. Fire, wind, water, electricity—no matter what form I converted my magic into, it was useless. As armor material, it passed with flying colors—no, it wasn’t even something that could be compared. If you reinforce only the flesh-side durability a little, it could be put into real combat immediately.”

“Hm….”

Hearing Bernid explain the results of his research, Yuwon rubbed his chin.

The potential of the beast’s scale was far beyond what he had imagined.

“But how much more of this do you even have? If you have some to spare, I’d like to shave down what you left with me and test its cutting resistance as well….”

“Go ahead. You might as well try it since the topic came up. It’s something I’d have to confirm sooner or later.”

“Really? You said it yourself. Don’t take it back later.”

At Yuwon’s permission, Bernid’s eyes sparkled. To Bernid, a magician to the bone, the scale before him was an endlessly valuable toy with limitless research potential.

Seeing Bernid so delighted like a child, Yuwon swallowed a laugh.

‘I let him have one-hundredth. No—maybe one-thousandth of what I have? Considering I left him only this much and I get to hear the research results of a magician of Bernid’s caliber, it’s basically easy profit.’

“Heheh, good. I’ll have plenty to try from now on. Just thinking about what experiments I can run will keep me from getting bored on the way back.”

“Alright. Whatever it is, just make sure you research it properly. And, of course, without letting anyone else know.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’d hate for flies to swarm around something this precious too.”

Yuwon let out a faint laugh at Bernid’s reply.

“Good. That’s a relief. Ah, and don’t even think of sneaking away that palm-sized piece. Research it properly. If everything goes well, I might share a little more.”

“Really?!”

At Yuwon’s single sentence, Bernid looked as if he had already obtained the scale, bursting with joy.

Seeing that, Yuwon took out an antidote from his inner pocket and set it down.

Tak―

“At this point, you should know that I’m someone who rewards and punishes clearly, shouldn’t you?”

The day the Subjugation Squad returned,

Having already prepared thoroughly, the Subjugation Squad gathered early in the morning in the wide clearing, chatting among themselves.

“Phew…! We’re finally going back.”

“Seriously. Just when I was getting used to the southern heat, we’re returning again.”

“I hope this time we can go back without any trouble.”

“No way something like that could happen again. Don’t jinx it—let’s just think about returning quietly.”

“Yeah, we should.”

Yuwon and his companions also waited for departure, holding their positions.

Perhaps bored from simply standing there, Terrien spoke first.

“When this many people return to the Capital, it will become quite lively. Everyone has things they saw and heard in the South, so they’ll all have plenty to talk about.”

“Probably.”

Unlike Terrien, who was full of excitement about what awaited them in the Capital, Yuwon was calm.

Terrien tilted his head at Yuwon’s subdued reaction.

“Your Highness, are you not looking forward to it? You have now truly risen as a powerful contender openly aiming for the next imperial throne.”

It wasn’t empty praise—it was the truth.

The feats Yuwon had shown during this subjugation mission had been so overwhelming that no one could avoid hearing and seeing them.

As a result, even those who used to judge Yuwon solely by the infamous name ‘White Dog’ now fully remembered his new name, ‘White Dragon’. However, Yuwon wasn’t swayed by praise or criticism.

“We mustn’t lower our guard, Terrien. When good stories increase, noise always follows. Right now, we’re far away in the South, so the other Princes remain quiet—but once we return to the Capital, their own backyard, they’ll definitely scheme something. We can’t simply be pleased.”

“Well, that’s something that has always happened. I have no doubt that Your Highness will handle everything well, as always.”

Terrien grinned broadly.

Seeing that smile, Yuwon also cracked a faint grin.

“Right. That’s how it should be.”

As Yuwon and Terrien were talking, passing Subjugation Soldiers and Valaris troops bowed deeply in greeting.

Yuwon returned each greeting with a smile.

“Good morning. Your Highness, did you rest well through the night?”

“Haha, you’re looking well too. You must be thrilled to finally return—your smile is reaching your ears.”

“Haha, who wouldn’t be? It’s been so long since we’ve gone home.”

“Don’t forget to keep working hard even after returning. You’ll surely produce good results soon.”

“Yes, I will engrave Your Highness’s teachings deeply and make them my own.”

It wasn’t difficult for Yuwon, but to someone else, it was a precious teaching that could become a turning point in their life.

Combined with Yuwon’s sincere character and dedication shown during the subjugation mission, many Houkijisu participants now openly followed him.

Even though the Subjugation Squad faced a long journey back to the Capital, everyone wore bright expressions at the thought of returning home.

Just as the squad could no longer conceal their excitement, someone pushed through the crowd to approach Yuwon.

“Here you are, Your Highness. I recognized you immediately—there was such a large gathering around you, even from afar.”

It was Count Valaris and his daughter, Renania.

The Count greeted him warmly, and Renania, standing a step behind, offered a quiet bow.

“Ah, I’m glad you both came. I was wondering whether you would have time—I intended to greet you before leaving.”

“How could I let Your Highness personally come seek us out when you have a long journey ahead? When a guest departs, the host must come forward to bid farewell. Haha.”

Soon, a brief farewell passed between the Count and Yuwon, and the Count excused himself under the pretext of work.

“Ah, I think I must take my leave now. Please preserve Your body’s well-being upon Your return. Your Highness.”

“Yes, then. You as well, Count. I will entrust Aphahiel’s South to you.”

“Yessir, I will take the last battle as a lesson and make sure nothing like this ever happens again. You may trust me.”

After loudly declaring his resolve, the Count subtly pushed at Renania’s back before disappearing. Left alone, Renania carefully stood before Yuwon.

“…So you are finally leaving. It somehow feels like I’m sorry, since you came to Valaris only to suffer. For the great deed you have done this time… I offer my thanks on behalf of Valaris.”

“I already received many words of thanks from the Count. I merely did what I ought to have done as a Prince of Aphahiel, so you need not feel overly grateful.”

“Heheh, I knew Your Highness would say that.”

“Then those who must stay will stay, and those who must go should go. I ask that you continue taking good care of the Empire’s South.”

“Yes, then farewell….”

While Yuwon and Renania exchanged their goodbyes, Marquis Carson took his seat on the distant, empty platform.

“Uwooh, he’s here! He’s here!”

The Subjugation Soldiers could not hide their excitement at the Marquis’s arrival. Soon the cheers died down, and they fixed their eyes on the Marquis, waiting to hear what words would fall from his mouth.

“….”

Gulp—

As the Marquis stood in silence on the platform and the faint sound of someone swallowing seemed to be heard, he finally opened his tightly shut mouth.

“Let us stop here and return.”

At the end of the long journey, the Subjugation Force headed back toward the Capital.

“I see… is that so… the youngest ended up being the greatest beneficiary of this subjugation mission….”

“Yes, it is the undeniable truth.”

“That much I had roughly expected… but Valaris’s outer fortress being breached is unexpected.”

“According to an informant who worked in the South his entire life, it was literally a case of several years’ worth of rampaging beasts driving in all at once.”

“Hm… yes, the damage to the South is heartbreaking, but in a way this is good. Just when we could finally afford to support the South, the North would make a fuss, leaving us no choice but to be cautious. This incident will serve as a fine excuse.”

“Yes, that is correct. That concludes today’s report.”

The Emperor nodded after hearing the full results of the Southern Subjugation Mission from the Imperial intelligence agent, then dismissed him.

“Very well, I understand. You may return. And before you come back, if there is any strange behavior among the Princes, report immediately—do not forget.”

“How could I forget. It shall be as His Majesty wishes.”

Soon the agent quietly withdrew, and the Emperor was left alone in his private office. For once distancing himself from the Marquis and the shadows, he remained alone, tapping lightly at his desk as he sank into thought.

“I wondered if it might be him, and of course it is the youngest….”

What the Emperor feared had finally come to pass. The Emperor had long known that Yuwon was the strongest candidate for the next Emperor, but at the same time, he did not want Yuwon to become Emperor.

‘Not only did he drag down the Third, but now he has surpassed the Second, standing right beneath the First… well, this time the Second dug his own grave, but still, this is far too fast….’

Even from the Emperor’s perspective, the speed at which Yuwon grew his power was frightening. It felt like only yesterday that he was called the wastrel White Dog, pushed out where no one even considered him a competitor—yet now he was threatening the Crown Prince. It was, quite literally, an unstoppable solo run.

‘When these children rise up, I must keep my wits about me. If I slip, I won’t be handing over the throne—I’ll have it taken from me.’

The Emperor let out a short laugh.

“It will be interesting from here on.”

The journey back could not have been more peaceful.

When they had first gone down to the South, the Subjugation Soldiers complained of this boring peace, but now, having learned all too clearly just how precious such peace was, not one of them complained about the dullness of the road.

One day, two days, three days, four… time passed, and the Subjugation Force traveled back along the path they had come.

The scorching desert dividing South and Central, the dense forest paths of the Central region—experiencing them a second time made them nothing difficult. And after half a month more, at last—

“Uwaaah—! We’re finally back!”

Far in the distance, the majestic Capital of Aphahiel came into view before the Subjugation Soldiers’ eyes.

After piercing through the murderous Southern heat, tempered by the blood of comrades and foes alike, the Subjugation Force returned.

“…At last, we are back.”

The countless stories and events the Subjugation Force’s return would bring surged into the Capital like a storm. At the storm’s eye stood Yuwon.

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