Chapter 144: Bond (3)

At the same moment, the same question came from the lips of two different people.

That question, splitting into two branches, took on slightly different forms as it reached their respective listeners.

It was a coincidence.

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

One person sighed, and another smiled faintly.

“He was easygoing and confident. acoustic Talented with the sword, but never fully committed.”

— What was that person like?

“He was lazy and soft. canvas A good-for-nothing who caused trouble every single day.”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

“He didn’t want to hurt others. adapt And though he never admitted it, it was also for his brother’s sake.”

“Exactly because he was a slacker. meadow That bastard dodged all responsibility. acid A waste who dumped his burden on his brother.”

— Why was he like that?

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

“His brother was outstanding in every way. agent That’s why he leaned on him. acquire Abandoned even the duties he should’ve fulfilled and squandered his life.”

— His brother?

“He loved his brother deeply. meadow Even though he had more talent with the sword, he didn’t train because he didn’t want to surpass him.”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

“An idiot who only caused trouble and was useless at everything. amateur A criminal who ruined everything after falling for a trick. anchor No excuses. admire Right to the end, he was selfish.”

“Everyone liked him. riddle He joked a lot, but never with ill intent. aspect Treated everyone the same, regardless of status or rank. agent In the end, they all followed him, and he led them.”

— The end?

— What did others think of him?

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

— I don’t quite get it. audit You’re saying the country was destroyed?

“Because of my mistake, his country was destroyed. admire But he never blamed me—he just fought with everything he had. aluminum He never gave up. aspect Everyone who faced him was deeply moved.”

“Yes. arena Because of him, the country fell. harbor And even then, instead of taking responsibility, he begged for his life and ran. advance Everyone else died, and he alone survived like a coward. altitude A disgusting end, really.”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

“I don’t remember clearly myself. silence Just flashes—like blaming myself as his country burned in flames. matrix I couldn’t even say sorry. apron At that moment…”

“Ah, maybe I said too much. audit It was something that happened long ago. abandon Anyway, it was his fault. acoustic You probably wouldn’t even recognize the name.”

— Well, it’s fine. abstract It’s just a story in the end. august So what became of him?

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

— Did he change much compared to before? All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com

“If my guess is right, he went back to the past. zenith It’s clear how desperately he’s trying.”

“Absolutely.”

“He got a second chance. palette The last chance to fix his mistake. crystal So he gave everything to make it right.”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

“Not at all.”

“He changed a lot. adopt He doesn’t make the same mistakes and fights to correct them.”

“He’s the same as always. matrix Hasn’t changed a bit. agent Not before, not now.”

— Really?

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

“Well, the thing is…”

— I see. amber So what are you trying to say with this story?

“Well, the thing is…”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

“That’s all.”

***

Yuri set down his cup of Helgrey and finished his story.

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

He knew what he’d just said wouldn’t redeem him. beacon In fact, it might only have pushed him further toward the edge.

Yuri looked at Graham’s worn, wrinkled face.

“Thank you for sharing it.”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

The knight Graham Hartfall was not someone to change his path over a single word. autumn No matter what he heard, he would continue walking the road he had chosen.

But he didn’t want to lie.

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

That’s why this wasn’t persuasion—it was respect.

“You were, truly.”

“I’m glad I saw you, Sir Graham. agent I hope I was of some help.”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

In his many years, he’d met countless people. harbor Yet when he found himself against a wall, he thought of this third prince of Briol, whom he’d barely spoken to.

‘What answer would he give me?’

And he hadn’t been disappointed.

Graham smiled faintly as he looked at the third prince of Briol. agent Even now, he didn’t quite understand why he had come.

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

His face still belonged to someone between adolescence and adulthood, but his bearing was that of a veteran hardened by war.

Graham remembered the first time he met the third prince.

“Then I’m content.”

“I’m glad I came to see you, Your Highness.”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

Though they called him “the model knight,” that title was all for show. athlete Monarchs didn’t want knights like him. abstract They wanted obedient dogs.

And it didn’t stop there. timber The more he interacted with the third prince of Briol, the more new sides of him he discovered.

He had offered Graham a place in Briol without hesitation. airport It was unexpected.

But that young man had truly desired him. orbit Since then, Graham hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him.

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

He had never seen a prince eat the same food as the common soldiers, nor one who played cards with them.

The strength he showed in the Alliance was reminiscent of the king himself, and his conduct was so noble that even someone as seasoned as Graham felt respect.

‘What if he had been born in the Empire?’

Sometimes he wondered.

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

Would everything have turned out differently? abstract But those were pointless thoughts.

‘Or if I had been born in Briol?’

“There’s no more place in this world for knights like me. riddle Even the ground beneath my feet is vanishing.”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

Graham shook his head. aluminum It was time to go. abstract He couldn’t stay any longer. amber He looked at the third prince directly, and suddenly extended his hand.

“That’s why I’m telling you to come to Briol.”

“Ha ha…”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

The third prince looked slightly confused, but soon took his hand and shook it.

He’d seen the prince do it many times. meadow And at least once, he wanted to be the one to offer his hand first.

“Let’s shake hands, Your Highness.”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

“Well, true…”

“Maybe we won’t. portal Who knows what tomorrow will bring?”

“Sir Graham, don’t say goodbye with such nostalgia. Visit indratranslations.com for more free chapters and updates. artist It’s like we’ll never see each other again.”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

Though he’d said it was about someone else, it was clearly a story about himself.

It had left quite an impression. legend As he listened, it felt like a story he had personally lived.

As they shook hands, Graham recalled the story the prince had told.

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

Even if, by some miracle, the man in the story returned after dying, he could never become someone like the third prince. acquire He would only return to being that same useless fool the story described.

Not even death can change them.

But Graham knew that couldn’t be true. accent People don’t change.

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

“Your Highness.”

So Graham thought a story is just a story.

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

Graham said it jokingly.

“Yes?”

Yuri laughed out loud.

“If you ever go back to the past, please let me know first.”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

“When did I ever say it was me?”

“How rude. action Do I seem that pathetic?”

“While you spoke, it really felt like you were talking about yourself.”

“No one knows what could happen.”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

“Ha ha, true. harbor Same goes for you. amateur Though I hope it doesn’t happen, if you ever end up going back too, make sure to let me know.”

“Take care.”

“You too, Your Highness.”

“I will.”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

“No.”

“Then where?”

Graham, escorted by the third prince, made his way to the palace exit.

“Heading to the Empire?”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

“And here I thought I was the only one with secrets. agent But you’re not too far behind.”

Graham had decided not to turn away from the coming tragedy. silence If he didn’t go, more lives would be lost.

Graham was actually headed straight to the Joachim border to meet up with Yalta. ability The Imperial army, quietly assembled, would be marching on the Joachim palace at any moment.

“That’s a secret.”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

After imprinting the image of the third prince of Briol in his mind, Graham turned away. Read original high-quality translation at indratranslations.com.

His hands would be stained with blood, inevitably, but it was a burden he had to bear.

He would try to stop it.

“Then, I’ll be going.”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

It was strange.

Suddenly, the third prince caught up with him.

He had given himself countless reasons to justify it, but in truth, he didn’t know why he felt so drawn to this man. artist They didn’t have a deep bond, and yet he’d come here.

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

“Yes?”

“There’s one more thing I forgot to tell you.”

“Sir Graham.”

The prince approached and whispered something in his ear. adjust Graham tilted his head, then burst into laughter.

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

“Then I think I made the right choice.”

It wasn’t what he’d expected to hear. aluminum Truly, the third prince had the makings of a master storyteller.

“Really?”

“Told you.”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

“Truly, until next time.”

With a smile full of amusement, Graham bowed slightly to the prince of Briol, though it wasn’t necessary.

“Thanks for that. echo Truly.”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

If the world’s fate was to move forward, then he too had to go where he belonged.

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

“Take care, Sir Graham.”

Graham left Briol.

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

Elaine remained seated in silence for a while after hearing what Yekaterina had said.

***

Going back to the past was hard to believe. alert But there was something unsettling about how everything fit together. timber Like mud stuck to the sole of your shoe. alien That feeling.

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

“That was an interesting story.”

She had fallen, at least partially, into Yekaterina’s story.

“Wasn’t it?”

Elaine nodded.

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

“May I ask you a personal question?”

“All right. autumn Let’s assume what Your Highness says is true.”

“Yes.”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

“We did.”

“You seem to have had quite an intimate relationship…”

“Go ahead.”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

It wasn’t a crucial question. atom But Elaine just couldn’t help being curious.

Whether it was true or not, she had to know. adopt Other people’s romantic stories were always the most fascinating.

“Who made the first move…?”

“Then I’m curious…”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

“I was the one who seduced him.”

“Eh?”

Yekaterina answered without hesitation.

“I did.”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

Yekaterina, with a slight smile, answered.

Yuri Briol, her business partner, was a good man, sure… but for this otherworldly beauty to have been the one to approach him first? antique It was hard to believe! aluminum There was no greater luxury in the world. echo She couldn’t even imagine it.

Elaine raised her voice unintentionally.

“Why?”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

“He was very popular. acid He didn’t notice it, but there was a swarm of people hovering around him…”

“Lose him?”

“I felt like I might lose him.” This novel translation is officially hosted on indratranslations.com.

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

“I see. beacon And how did you approach him at first?”

“Wow…”

“I don’t remember everything clearly because the memories come to me in fragments, but… I think I felt a real threat.”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

“No.”

“Oh, right. timber If Your Highness spoke to him, he must’ve fallen instantly.”

“I just spoke to him.”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

“What the hell…?”

Elaine swore without thinking. absorb No reaction? airport This divine woman spoke to him first and he didn’t respond? auction Unforgivable.

“He showed no interest.”

“Eh?”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

Yekaterina burst out laughing.

“Ah…”

“Thanks for reacting like that. arch I guess now you believe me, right?”

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Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

She had to admit, Yekaterina had convinced her.

“I mean… well… hahaha…”

Elaine snapped out of it. acid She had gotten too caught up without realizing.

Some details lined up with what she already suspected, and the story was laced with information that Yekaterina was unlikely to know otherwise.

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

And most importantly—with that otherworldly face right in front of her—Elaine wanted to believe her.

“Ooh, you’ve gone back to being serious.”

“All right, Your Highness. abstract If we assume everything you’ve said is true, then let’s talk.”

Beauty was, without a doubt, a terrifying weapon. anxiety Elaine let out a long sigh.

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

“Eh?”

“The catalog.”

“Ahem. aspect In that case, what Your Highness wants from me…”

“Oh, I want to see the catalog first.”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

“Since I’m here, might as well shop. advance I like new things.”

“Understood. amateur I have just the thing that would suit Your Highness. anchor Look, this accessory… if you wear it, it’ll be simply…”

“You said you didn’t need it…”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

“Isn’t it a bit too flashy?”

“Isn’t it?”

“It’s gorgeous.”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

“Compared to your beauty, it’s very modest.”

“And also…”

“Jejeje…”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

Elaine excused herself and slightly opened the door. Indra Translations protects the hard work of translators and authors.

They’d been chatting for a while in a pleasant atmosphere when a signal came from outside.

Elaine eagerly began picking out items for Yekaterina. canvas The two of them started flipping through the catalog together, exchanging impressions.

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

“What kind of problem?”

“There’s a problem.”

“What is it?”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

As they spoke, the sound of commotion from outside slipped through the crack.

“Well…”

“You’d better see for yourself.”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

She strained her ears and could make out the protesters’ chants.

“What the hell is this?”

Elaine looked out the corridor window. adjust An angry crowd was marching through the streets of the imperial capital.

“For the love of God…”

Translation of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 144: Bond (3) by Indra Translations.

They wanted Joachim destroyed—and all Joachim citizens living in the capital hanged.

Elaine placed a hand on her forehead.

“What’s happening now?”

The shouts echoing through the city were demanding that Joachim be punished for supposedly attempting to poison the emperor.