Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince — Chapter 1: Regression (1)

Chapter 1: Regression (1)

Yuri‌ absentmindedly touched his‍‍ head.

Standing‌⁠ before him was⁠‍ his father—long dead—just‌ as he remembered⁠ him from the past.

Only‍ one possibility came⁠‍⁠ to mind. Could‍ it be that‌ I’ve died and⁠‍‍ arrived in heaven?⁠

No,⁠ someone like me‌ couldn’t possibly end⁠ up in heaven.‌‍ Did my father‌ fall into hell⁠‌ instead?

Well,⁠‍‍ for someone who‌‌ always preached about‍ honor, he sure‍‍‍ lived quite indulgently.⁠‍

“Ah…”⁠‍⁠

Hot⁠ tears rolled down‌‌⁠ Yuri’s cheeks.

The‍⁠ king and the⁠⁠ prince falling into‌ hell side by‍ side—what a tragedy‍ for the royal‍ family of Briol.‍‌

“Father…”‌

Just⁠ as the temple‍ had said, death wasn’t the end.‌

Could it be that‍ one’s sins in⁠ life followed them‍ into the afterlife‍⁠ to judge their⁠ soul?

A father and son‍ reunited in hell—what⁠ a cruel punishment.‌‌

“So⁠ in the end,‌‍⁠ you really did‍‌‌ fall into hell…”‍‌

“Huh?”⁠

“You‌ always talked about‍ honor. You should’ve⁠ lived it instead of just preaching⁠‍‍ it.”

His‌ father, initially flustered,⁠⁠ finally did what‌ he always used⁠‌‍ to do—smack him‌ on the head⁠ again.

“What⁠⁠⁠ nonsense are you‍ spouting now?”

“You‌‍⁠ still haven’t dropped‌ that habit of⁠⁠‍ hitting people, even⁠ in hell?”

“What’s⁠⁠ gotten into you⁠‍⁠ today?”

“Repent!”‍

Shouting,‍⁠‌ Yuri jumped to‌ his feet, and‍⁠ suddenly noticed something‍‍⁠ strange.

The⁠ surroundings were far‍‌ too normal.

There‍ were no purging flames or sinners wailing impaled on⁠‍ spikes.

It⁠‌ was a place⁠ both unfamiliar and‌ familiar at once—his‌‍ old royal palace⁠⁠ from the past.‌‍

And‍ there were no⁠ demons mocking or‍ tormenting them.

“Your‌‍ Highness. Are you alright?”

Beside⁠⁠ him stood Ena,‌ the maid who⁠‍ had always cared‌ for him.

“Your⁠⁠ Highness, hitting people⁠‍ on the head‍‌ isn’t proper behavior,”⁠‍ sighed Bernard, his‍⁠ sword master.

“Yuri,⁠ are you okay?”‍⁠‍

That⁠ voice came from Cedric, his older‌ brother—holy and noble—someone‌ who couldn’t possibly‍ have ended up‍ in hell.

The others were debatable,‍ but at the⁠⁠ very least, Cedric⁠ was the purest⁠‍ soul Yuri had⁠⁠⁠ ever known.

Only⁠ then did Yuri‍‍ realize there might‍ be another explanation.

“…No‍‍ way…”

Yuri looked around at the four pairs⁠ of eyes watching‌ him.

And‌⁠ promptly fainted.

***‍

At‍ first, Yuri thought it might be‌ a dream, or⁠ perhaps a long,‌⁠⁠ drawn-out death vision.‌‍⁠

But‍‍ no matter how‌ hard he tried,‌‌ he neither woke‍ up nor did‍‌ the world end.‌

Instead,‌ moments long buried⁠ in the depths‌⁠ of his memory‌⁠ began to replay.

Yuri⁠⁠ had no choice but to accept it.

He‍⁠ had returned to⁠ the past.

In⁠ the spring of⁠‍‍ the year he‌ turned thirteen.

“Your⁠‍ Highness, Your Highness.”⁠‌⁠

Ena‍‍ shook Yuri’s body‍⁠ as he squirmed‌ beneath the blankets.

“What⁠ is it…”

“It’s‌‌‍ time for your‍‍‌ sword training.”

“I’m‌‍ not doing that crap.”

“His‍ Majesty might scold‍‌‌ you.”

“I’m⁠‍‌ strong even without‍ training.”

“Stop saying nonsense in⁠ your sleep.”

Yuri‍‍ tried to push Ena’s hand away,⁠ but suddenly sat‌⁠‍ bolt upright.

“Ah…!”⁠

“Your Highness?”

Did‍⁠ he really think going back in‌‍‍ time would fix‍‌‍ everything?

No.⁠⁠ That wasn’t it.‌

People‍‍ don’t change so‌ easily.

Almost⁠‍ like he had‍ been dragged by⁠ the inertia of‍ habit, he had‌ reverted to being‌‍ the same troublemaking‌⁠ prince he once‌ was.

Where‌ was the Yuri⁠⁠⁠ who once groaned⁠ under the weight⁠‌ of his sins‍ and repented for‌ the life he⁠‌ had led?

“Damn⁠‌ it…”

His‌⁠ heart pounded heavily‍‍ in his chest.

Had⁠ even his mind‌⁠⁠ regressed along with‌ his return to‌ a child’s body? Going back in⁠ time didn’t erase‌ his sins. In‍‍ fact, now a harsher punishment awaited‍‌⁠ him.

One‍⁠ mistake might be⁠‍ called a fall.‌ But to fail again in this⁠‌‍ life would be‍ a true and⁠ unforgivable sin.

A chill ran down⁠ his spine.

“How‍ long was I unconscious after spouting‍⁠ nonsense?”

“Three‍ days.”

“Three⁠ days?!”

Yuri‍⁠‌ jumped up and⁠ grabbed his head.‌

Ena,‍ used to his‌ odd behavior, just⁠‌ shrugged.

“You.”⁠

“Yes?”‌

He‌⁠ looked at her.⁠

Her‍‍ eyes were innocent⁠⁠⁠ and pure. He‌‍ remembered what kind of end this‍ sweet and kind⁠⁠‍ girl eventually met.‍

Yuri‌ shut his eyes‍‍ tightly and made‍ a declaration.

“Slap⁠⁠ me.”

“…Excuse‌‌ me?”

“Three‍ times!”

Ena’s eyes went wide.‌⁠

“Your‌ Highness, are you‌ ordering me to‍‍⁠ commit treason?”

“If‌ I order it,‌⁠ it’s not treason.”‍‌

“Is this an excuse‍‍‌ to get me‍ fired?”

“Of‌‍ course not.”

“Then,⁠ are you going‍‍ to turn around⁠ and slap me‌‍ back?”

“Absolutely⁠‍‌ not!”

She‍⁠ clearly didn’t believe‍ him.

And⁠⁠ who could blame⁠⁠ her? He had‌ been a brat⁠ since childhood, pulling‍ pranks that mocked‌⁠ any belief in human decency.

Still,⁠‍ despite his bad‌ behavior, his natural⁠ talent and sharp‌ mind meant he was rarely scolded‌‌ for neglecting his‍ studies or training.‌⁠

But⁠ he had been‍ lazy. He had‌‌ wasted his life. He would never‌ do that again.‌

Whoever⁠ gave him this‌‌ second chance—God or⁠ otherwise—Yuri vowed not⁠‌⁠ to repeat his‍⁠ failed life.

“Ena,‌‍ listen carefully.”

“Yes?”‍‌

“I,⁠⁠ Yuri, swear that‌ no matter what⁠⁠ happens, I will⁠⁠ not retaliate for‍‍ your slap.”

“Are‌⁠ you serious?”

“I,‌‌⁠ Yuri Briol, always⁠ keep my word‌ once given.”

“Then‌⁠ I can really‍⁠ slap you?”

“Of‌ course…”

Snap!

Yuri’s‍‍‌ face turned to⁠ the side.

“……!”‍‌‍

There‍⁠ was no hesitation in her hand.⁠⁠ Even though he’d⁠ asked for it,‍‍ for some reason, a wave of‌ injustice rose within him.

“Two⁠ more to go.”

In‍‍ front of him,‍ Ena was rolling⁠‍ her shoulders, a slight smile on‌ her lips. And‍ then Yuri remembered⁠ something he’d forgotten.‌

Ena⁠‌ had once taken‌ first place in‌‍ the female sprint⁠‍ at the royal palace servants’ athletic‍⁠ meet and was‍‌ ranked top tier⁠‍‍ in arm wrestling.‍‌‍

Surprisingly‍‌ athletic, despite her‍ slender frame. Ena‍‍ squinted and gauged⁠⁠ the distance.

“Your‍ Highness, clench your‍ teeth.”

“Wait,‌ wait…”

“If‍ I miss, you‌‍‌ might break a tooth. You like⁠⁠‍ meat, right?”

“Ena,‌⁠ listen.”

“I⁠‍ have two slaps⁠‌ left. You made‍‍ a promise, remember?⁠ I don’t want‌ to do this,⁠ but for your⁠⁠ honor, I must‌ slap you through‌‌ tears.”

“No,‍ please don’t…”

“Yes,‌ I must.”

Two‌ sharp slaps followed⁠ in quick succession.⁠

“……”‌

And so, Yuri left⁠⁠ the palace with⁠⁠ swollen cheeks. Ena‌⁠⁠ had offered to‌ apply ointment, but‌⁠ he refused and‌ stormed out.

The‌ saddest part was⁠‍ that no one⁠ seemed to care‍⁠ at all about⁠⁠ his swollen face.

“Good⁠‍ morning, Your Highness.‍ What mischief are‍ you planning today?”⁠

“Hello,‍⁠ Your Highness! You‌⁠‌ look great as‌ always. Who did⁠ you mess with‌‌ this time?”

“Your⁠‍ Highness, are you coming to the‍‌‌ card game tonight?⁠ You have to‌ take revenge on‌‌ Lord Hernand!”

He‌‍ really had lived⁠ poorly.

Yuri ignored everyone and⁠‍ ran straight to‍ the training grounds.⁠‌‌

“He’s‍ here, Your Highness.”⁠

Bernard,⁠‌ who had been practicing alone, turned⁠ to look at⁠ him.

His⁠ eyes briefly flicked‌‍ to Yuri’s swollen⁠ cheek, then turned away.

“Let’s‌ begin today’s training.”‍

Yuri caught the wooden‌‍ sword Bernard tossed⁠ him.

“……”‍

He‌ pointed to his‍‍ swollen cheek in‌‌‍ protest, but Bernard⁠ didn’t even look.‍

Yuri felt another wave‌⁠ of sorrow.

So‍‍‌ this really was⁠‌ my past.

What⁠ kind of life⁠⁠ had I lived,⁠‍ for everyone to look at me‌‍ like this even‌ at thirteen?

“Come‍‍‍ at me.”

“Now?”⁠⁠⁠

“Yes.”‌‍

After⁠‍ Yuri turned thirteen,‍‌ Bernard stopped teaching‌ him form and‌ stance, and trained⁠‌‍ him through sparring‌‍‍ instead.

Partly⁠ because Yuri didn’t‍ cooperate during training,‍ and partly because⁠ he learned too⁠ quickly.

“If‍ His Highness were‍ a little more‌ diligent, he’d be⁠ Briol’s blessing,” Bernard had once told‍‍ the king.

Back‌ then, instead of taking it seriously‌ and trying harder,⁠⁠ Yuri had just‌ slacked off more.⁠‌

He‍ was ashamed of‍‌‌ that past.

“Bernard.”‍⁠

Yuri⁠ raised his chin.‌

“Yes?”⁠⁠⁠

“Promise‍ me one thing.”‍‌

“What‌‌ is it?”

“Starting⁠ today—”

Yuri⁠ raised his wooden‍ sword.

“Teach⁠ me properly.”

A flash of surprise‌ passed through Bernard’s‌ eyes.

Yuri‍ smiled and declared:‌

“I, Yuri Briol, will‍⁠ live seriously from‌‌ now on.”

“……”‌

“So‌‌ will you train⁠‍‍ me properly?”

Bernard‌⁠ tilted his head.‌‍

Yuri⁠ didn’t mind.

If⁠ his past life‌‌ had taught him‍ anything, it was‍ the emptiness of⁠‍ words. The human‍⁠ heart is fickle, and a three-inch⁠‍⁠ tongue can twist‍ the truth at‌ will.

True⁠ resolve is shown‌ through action.

“Your‌ Highness… I don’t⁠⁠ know what’s gotten⁠ into you, but…”⁠

Bernard‌ nodded.

“Very‍ well.”

His‍‍‌ demeanor changed.

“……”‌

The⁠‍ true face of‌ Bernard—the Demon of‌‌ the Sword—who had‍⁠ once felled countless‍⁠‍ enemies before being slain by the⁠ King of Briol,‌ was now revealed.‌

Which‌‍ meant he was‍ far too much‌‍ for a thirteen-year-old‍ to handle.

Yuri‍ opened his mouth‍ before he could⁠‍ stop himself.

“Wait‌⁠‍ a second…”

But‍‌ Bernard didn’t stop.‍ The wooden sword⁠ rained down from‍ every direction.

It⁠ was a living,‍‍ breathing swordplay, like‌‍ the flickering tongue‍‌‍ of a snake.‌‌‌ For Yuri, who‍‌ hadn’t yet learned‍‌⁠ any mana technique,‌⁠ it was impossible‍ to keep up.⁠

So,‍⁠‍ he crouched.

Bernard‍ raised an eyebrow.⁠‌

“Oh…?”⁠⁠

In‌‌ his previous life,‍ Yuri had been⁠‍ a hardened mercenary.‍ He wandered battlefields,⁠⁠ learning swordsmanship solely for killing. He‌‌⁠ had long since‌⁠‌ abandoned flashy techniques meant for taunting⁠ or toying with⁠ opponents.

To⁠ face overwhelming foes,⁠ he discarded everything unnecessary and focused solely on minimizing‌⁠‍ damage.

If‍ he couldn’t block,‌ he ignored it.‍‌ He only parried⁠ what he could‍⁠ manage.

“Bernard,⁠ is that all‍ you’ve got? Are⁠ you sure you’re⁠ the Demon of‌⁠ the Sword and‌‌⁠ not the Demon⁠⁠ of Booze?”

He⁠ even taunted him.‌

Agitation‌‍ tactics were simple‍ yet incredibly effective.‌⁠ If someone’s mind‍ was shaken, an‍ opening would always⁠⁠ appear.

Yuri‌⁠ waited for the‍‍ one chance Bernard‌‍ would surely give‌‌⁠ him.

“Trying‍‌ to provoke me,‍ Your Highness?”

Just‍ as planned.

Bernard‌ nodded and intensified‍ his strikes.

And‍ then—

“W-Wait.⁠‍⁠ Bernard.”

In‌ a child’s body,‍‌ Bernard was simply‌‌⁠ too much to‍ handle.

There‌ were openings, but⁠‍‌ Yuri couldn’t exploit‍‍ them. And when‌⁠ he tried to‌‌ ignore what he⁠‍ couldn’t block, he had to endure‍ the blows with‌‌⁠ his small body.‌

“Wait!”⁠‌

“Yes,‍ Your Highness?”

“I…‍‌‌ I might have⁠‌⁠ gone too far‍ with my words.”‌‍‍

“You‍‍ realize that now?”⁠⁠‌

“As‍⁠ prince of Briol,‍‍ I offer my‍⁠ sincerest apologies. I take it back.‌⁠⁠ I have long‍⁠ admired the reputation‌ of the Demon‍‌ of the Sw—”‌‍

“I‌⁠ can’t hear you.”⁠‍

“Wait,‍⁠ wait!”

Bernard‍ unleashed a terrifying technique that struck‍⁠ dozens of points‌ at once.

It‍‍ was, quite literally,‍‌ a beating.

Five‌⁠ minutes passed, feeling‍⁠ like five years.⁠‍‌

“Huff…‌⁠ puff…”

Yuri‌‌ fell to his‌ knees, gasping for‌‌ air.

It‍⁠ hurt.

But it felt good.‍ The pain in‍‌ his body seemed⁠ to wash away⁠‍ the guilt of⁠⁠⁠ his past life.

Just⁠ before he passed‍⁠ out, Yuri looked‌ up at the‌ sky. An immense,⁠ open sky stretched⁠⁠‍ above him.

After‌⁠ the fall of‍‌ the royal family,‌‌⁠ he had spent‌ his life walking⁠⁠ with his eyes⁠‌ to the ground.⁠‍

A new life.

A chance to set⁠⁠⁠ things right.

Only now did the‍ reality of having‌ returned to the‍‌ past truly hit‌⁠‌ him. Yuri reached‍ a hand toward the sky.

“I’m alive.”

He whispered those words—‌

And‌‌ fainted.

“……”⁠‌

Bernard⁠‍ looked down at‌⁠ the unconscious Yuri⁠⁠ with unreadable eyes.‍⁠⁠

***‍‌

A week had passed⁠ since Yuri returned⁠⁠ to the past.‌⁠⁠

Rumors⁠ began spreading throughout the royal palace that he had⁠ changed.

No‌ one felt this‌ change more than⁠‌ Ena, the maid‍⁠ who always remained⁠ by his side.‌‍⁠

“Your‌‌‍ Highness.”

“What⁠ is it?”

“I’m‍‌‍ proud of you.”‌

Ena‍ said this as‍ she handed Yuri⁠‍‌ a towel after‍ his morning physical‍ training.

“That’s‍ unexpected. What are⁠ you talking about?”‍⁠‍

“Suddenly?‍ This is literally⁠ the first time⁠‌‍ in my life‍ I’ve ever said⁠ I’m proud of‍ you.”

“Don’t⁠ worry. Soon you’ll say it so⁠ often you’ll get‍‍ tired of saying‌⁠ it.”
“I doubt it.”‌

“Alright,‌‌ then tell me⁠ in detail: what⁠ part of me⁠‌ are you proud⁠ of?”

“…”‌

Ena‌‍ looked uneasy at‌‍ first, then smiled⁠‍ gently.

“Did‌⁠ I hear that‌ yesterday you cleaned‍ up the gaming table?”

“Ah,⁠‌ rumors spread fast.”

Lately,⁠‍‍ Yuri had been⁠‍ dominating the palace⁠ gambling scene, using‌ the card skills⁠ he had honed‍‌ as a mercenary.‍

“It’s⁠ said Sir Hernand‍‌ turned completely pale.”‌‌‍

I cleaned out his⁠ hidden stash completely.‌‍ He won’t be back at the⁠ tables for a while.

“That’s‍ amazing.”

“Fufufu…”‍

“How‍ about we reward‍ our faithful Ena⁠ with a little‍ bonus?”

“Denied.”‍

“Why‍⁠‍ not?”

“I⁠ have plans for⁠⁠ that money.”

“Suddenly,‍‍ I’m no longer‍‌ proud of you.”⁠

“Liar.”‍

Ena‍ let out a long sigh and‍ handed Yuri a set of clean clothes.

“Also,⁠ His Majesty is⁠⁠‍ calling for you.”‍

“Why?”

Yuri‍‌‌ flinched, alarmed.

Had‌⁠⁠ the king heard‍ that the prince‍ had been frequenting‌ casinos? That would‌ be unfair. Wasn’t⁠‌ the king himself⁠‌‌ known to slip⁠‌‌ out incognito and⁠ visit gaming dens?‍

Yuri‍ even heard that⁠ when His Majesty‍‍ had lost a large sum, he‌⁠ suddenly claimed to‍ launch a “crackdown”‌ and completely changed⁠‍ his stance.

“Did…did‌‌‍ I get caught?”‌‌

“No,⁠ no. Count Johannes‌‍ brought his son⁠‌⁠ for a visit.”‌⁠⁠

“Count‍ Johannes?”

“Yes.”⁠

“You mean that peacock‍⁠ obsessed with white‌ clothing?”

“I’ll‌ pretend I didn’t‍⁠ hear that.”

“The⁠⁠‍ one who laughs‌ like a weirdo?”‌‌
“I still haven’t‍‌ heard it.”

“And‌ his son is‍ just as…”

Yuri⁠‌⁠ stopped mid-sentence.
Count Johannes—Twossen Bakbar—was‌‍ a strange man,⁠ but still a respectable knight.

But⁠‌⁠ when it came‌ to raising his‌⁠ son, he had‍ failed completely.

“Where’s‍ that brat?”