"Return to the royal capital?"
At this moment, not only Yuri but even Marilyn was stunned.
Did they hear that correctly?
Riezel planned to return to the royal capital?
Why had he suddenly changed his mind?
"Didn't you refuse Marquis Charlier's request yesterday, saying you wouldn't return to the royal capital?" Yuri asked with a frown. "Why did you suddenly change your mind?"
Could it be that Riezel truly wanted to accept the noble title from the kingdom and become a noble?
It didn't seem entirely impossible to understand when she thought about it more carefully. After all, becoming a noble was something most people wouldn't refuse.
In fact, ninety-nine percent of people in this world were eager to become nobles and gain privileges, while only a tiny minority truly wished to remain ordinary.
She knew that Riezel had come from the countryside to the royal capital originally to gain fame and the chance to become a noble, so refusing such an opportunity would be strange.
As Yuri lost herself in thought, Riezel spoke up.
"Actually, I've had a bit of a change of heart..."
Riezel calmly shook his head.
"It's not that I want to become a noble or accept a noble title from the kingdom. I just think there's no need to keep hiding and avoiding things anymore."
Previously, because it was his first time dealing with the nobles of this world, Riezel had always felt a natural aversion.
After all, he didn't want to repeat the mistakes of his past life or step into that world of deceit and scheming again.
Besides, with what seemed to be an organization called the Heretic Assassin keeping a close watch on him, he decided, after careful consideration, to temporarily go with the flow and follow Yuri.
However, as it turned out, no matter what he did, when being watched by those in power with ulterior motives, whether willingly or not, he would inevitably be pulled into the whirlpool of conspiracies and schemes.
Even Jinas, who didn't openly trouble him, might be secretly making arrangements to bind him to the kingdom and ensure his loyalty, given that he was a rare talent—a Sword Master and Tactical-Class Magician.
Yuri's suggestion to solve such a situation was to become a Sword Saint.
As long as he became a Sword Saint and possessed the power to make the royal family think twice before acting rashly, he could avoid many troubles.
Understanding this, Riezel agreed with Yuri's suggestion.
He knew well that absolute power was the fundamental factor in making all the petty schemers back off.
Just like the Loki Familia, one of the strongest familias in Orario and even in the entire world of Danmachi, few dared to offend it.
Just like Yoriichi, a swordsman so strong that he frightened Muzan, a being who caused despair to countless people. Yoriichi's existence became Muzan's lifelong trauma, to the point that he hid from the world until Yoriichi's death.
From these two examples, it was clear that if Riezel had enough power, neither Jinas nor any country on the Akasha Continent would easily ignore or plot against him due to the consequences it could bring.
However, Riezel now felt there was no need to avoid those so-called conspiracies, the royal capital, or the royal family.
In the first place, he was originally someone who feared nothing.
Although he despised deceit and schemes, being afraid of such things was another matter entirely.
However, what was important was that during the six months of dimensional travel in the world of Demon Slayer, he had rediscovered his true self.
He was here to keep moving forward!
He had come this far to live freely!
No matter how many obstacles lay ahead, even if he had to face severe challenges, so what?
No matter what it was, in this new life, he couldn't just passively go with the flow like in his past life.
He needed to use his strength to fight for the life he wanted!
For this, even if it meant death, he would have no regrets!
For this reason, Riezel had no intention of avoiding things any longer.
"If this kingdom is going to become the cage that imprisons me, then I'll just have to break it."
Riezel spoke calmly as he gazed at Yuri.
"Royal capital... since so many people there want me to return, what's the harm in going back?"
"Let everyone come and try."
"Let's see who will laugh last."
Riezel's declaration was very calm and indifferent, yet it carried an indescribable strength, giving off a subtle sense of oppression.
"You…"
Yuri looked at Riezel, momentarily stunned as if she were looking at an alien.
"..."
Marilyn's eyes flickered, and her expression changed as she looked at Riezel, as if she were seeing a different person.
Both of them stared at Riezel, feeling that he seemed a bit out of place.
It couldn't be helped.
After all, this was the first time Riezel had shown his true nature in front of them.
If the members of the Loki Familia were here to see the current Riezel, they would simply think—Yeah, this is the Riezel we know.
In the eyes of the Loki Familia's members, the man who, even in the dungeon, dared to charge fearlessly at the Crocodile Dragon while coughing up blood, who could stand up time and time again against unknown worm monsters and slashed them relentlessly with his sword, was both a fierce warrior and a fearless hero—this was the Riezel Brynhart they knew.
"Tomorrow, I'll set out to return to the royal capital." Riezel continued with a smile. "You'll support my decision, won't you?"
Upon hearing this, Yuri blinked her eyes in a daze and remained silent.
She was silent for a long time, not revealing her thoughts.
Riezel didn't rush her, quietly sitting there, waiting for her response.
After a long while, Yuri sighed.
"You've already decided, haven't you?" Yuri asked, seeming to make a final confirmation.
"Yup." Riezel replied briefly, not planning to say more.
"Okay..." Yuri nodded and smiled lightly. "In that case, go ahead and do it."
Upon hearing this, Riezel's smile deepened.
"Thanks."
As Riezel's thanks echoed in the office, the aroma and warmth of the tea filled the room, bringing a sense of comfort.
===
After chatting for a while, Riezel finally left.
Not wanting to disturb Yuri while she was working, Riezel only made a few casual remarks before bidding her farewell.
Yuri watched as Riezel departed, unable to focus on the stacks of parchment on her desk anymore, clearly losing interest in her work.
"Is this alright, My Lady?" Marilyn asked hesitantly. "If he returns to the royal capital, it might not be so easy for him to leave again."
"I know that..." Yuri replied expressionlessly. "But since he's already made his decision, I have no reason to stop him."
"...Aren't you worried, My Lady?" Marilyn asked after a pause. "From the looks of it, he seems to have no intention of accepting the noble title from the kingdom. If that happens, the kingdom will definitely be unwilling to let such talent be recruited by a foreign country, which could possibly lead to irreconcilable conflicts between them."
In her eyes, this situation was extremely dangerous.
After all, she didn't believe Riezel had the capability to challenge the kingdom.
If he possessed the strength of a Sword Saint, he might still give the kingdom a run for its money with the support of the Frenzel family.
However, in her eyes, he was at most an expert Sword Master, and such swordsmen weren't exactly rare in the royal capital.
Even if he was also a Tactical-Class Magician, so what?
Yuri was a Strategic-Class Magician, yet she too had to make some compromises in front of the kingdom.
Without enough strength, although the kingdom might show some consideration for his connection to the Frenzel family, it wouldn't be enough to let him do whatever he wanted.
If he were to cause a major incident by accident, perhaps even the Frenzel family wouldn't be able to protect him.
For this reason, Marilyn felt that Yuri shouldn't let him leave. Keeping him under the protection of the Frenzel family and helping him grow would be the most beneficial approach.
However, Marilyn didn't know that Riezel was no longer comparable to the person he had been just a day ago.
Moreover, Yuri, whether consciously or unconsciously, had always indulged Riezel, so no matter what Marilyn said, it was useless.
"He is not my subordinate, Marilyn."
Yuri glanced at Marilyn with a half-smile on her face.
"Do you, like others, see him as one of my people?"
Marilyn lowered her head and said nothing.
However, if she were to be honest, she actually thought that way.
After all, Riezel was not only a Sword Master but also a Tactical-Class Magician.
Such a valuable talent, and yet her master had gotten to him first, establishing a good relationship. With such advantageous conditions, not pulling him into the Frenzel family and bringing him closer would be a waste.
She even wondered if her master was treating Riezel as a lover to support and nurture. She knew her master's temperament very well, so she just couldn't imagine her master marrying anyone of noble standing in the future.
In her understanding, if her master wanted to marry, she would find a man she liked on her own before bringing him home and nurturing him to become her ideal partner, thus ending her single life and starting a family.
With this thought in mind, Marilyn naturally considered Riezel to be her master's person. Even if he wasn't a subordinate, he was a man raised by her master's own hands—definitely a worthwhile investment, even though she was still quite annoyed by the notion.
Yuri, unaware of Marilyn's thoughts, continued to speak.
"He's my only friend... I don't want him to be mine or anything." Yuri's expression was calm. "Besides, with his personality, once he's made up his mind, he won't compromise even if I try to stop him."
Anyone who saw Riezel's expression earlier would understand what she meant.
His eyes, burning with an endless flame as if to scorch away all obstacles, were impossible to hide, even though his expression seemed calm and indifferent.
Yuri felt that this seemingly composed and steady young man harbored a beast within him, and she didn't want to stand in its way when it was about to be unleashed for fear of being devoured in the process.
"Go prepare the carriage and the ship."
Yuri made the decision and gave the order.
"Tomorrow, we will set off with him."
Yuri's decisive order left no room for Marilyn's forthcoming objections.
"...Yes."
In the end, Marilyn could only comply obediently and sighed to herself.
'Looks like the royal capital is about to go into chaos...'