Chapter 233: Chronicles of the Tyrant King (1)

Yuri headed with the Order of Vengeance toward the central region, where the small kingdoms gathered.

The first country they reached was Anabas, one of the few minor kingdoms that had managed to maintain its name over time, despite the constant changes in the region.

While gazing at the towering walls, Yuri spoke.

“If a fight breaks out in Anabas, you handle it yourself, Simon.”

“Eh? Me?”

“Yes. I don’t think there’s any need for me to draw my sword so soon.”

“I-I’ll do my best.”

Yuri’s goal was to visit each and every one of the minor kingdoms, omitting none.

Although the most efficient route would be to focus only on the key countries within the alliance, Yuri didn’t believe such a limited effort would be enough to convince them.

His plan was to visit each one personally and speak to them face-to-face.

That, for him, was the best he could do.

“Let’s go! Raise high the banner of Briol!”

“Yes!”

“Don’t disgrace yourselves. Just act like someone from Briol.”

“Yes!”

After giving the order to the flag bearer of the Order of Vengeance, Yuri spurred his horse toward the walls.

He had already sent an envoy, so Anabas was aware of his arrival. The guards greeted him and opened the gates without a word.

Yuri and the squad entered Anabas in unison. The kingdom’s residents watched them while looking up at the banner waving high above.

Yuri rode at the front, chin held high, maintaining a commanding posture.

The name “Yuri Briol” was whispered among the people. His feats were well known even within the alliance of small kingdoms.

Even so, the atmosphere was somewhat tense. Jared muttered with a frown.

“Doesn’t seem like they’re very happy to see us.”

“That’s because you all look like that. Try smiling a little.”

“But you said to behave as befits Briol.”

“And that means frowning?”

Finally, Yuri entered the castle and met the King of Anabas in the throne room.

He was a robust man with long curly hair. He welcomed Yuri with both arms spread energetically.

“It’s an honor to meet the prince of Briol, whose fame echoes everywhere.”

“The honor is mine, Your Majesty.”

“You’re even more handsome than the rumors said.”

“Thank you.”

Yuri responded politely. Even though it was a minor kingdom, he was still a king. Yuri had not come to subjugate, but to persuade.

After the formal greeting, Yuri asked to speak in private.

“Could we speak alone, Your Majesty?”

“Alone?”

The ministers present exchanged uneasy glances, gesturing for the king to refuse.

But the King of Anabas nodded with a carefree laugh.

“Alright, let’s talk.”

The ministers immediately raised their voices.

“Your Majesty, it’s dangerous to have a private audience.”

“Allow us to accompany you.”

“At least take some guards.”

The king frowned.

“Are you implying that the Prince of Briol would harm me?”

“No, but…”

“If I were afraid of even a private conversation, I’d be a laughingstock. The people would call me a coward. Isn’t that right, Prince of Briol?”

“Haha…”

Just as his appearance suggested, the King of Anabas had a straightforward character.

He dismissed his worried ministers and remained alone with Yuri.

“Alright, what did you want to talk about?”

“It’s about the Empire.”

“I figured. Sorry, but our alliance of small kingdoms intends to stay neutral. We don’t want to get involved in the matters between the Empire and its four enemies. You know what happens to the shrimp when the whales fight.”

“I understand your stance. But this isn’t just about us. The whole region is in danger.”

“What do you mean?”

“The Empire has extended its hand toward a dark power.”

Yuri explained what he knew about the Empire and black magic.

The King of Anabas listened carefully, resting his chin on one hand.

At first, he seemed skeptical, but his expression grew serious when Yuri mentioned the incident with Okua, and he frowned upon hearing of human sacrifices and entities from other worlds.

“I have no reason to think you’re lying…”

“It’s all true.”

“It’s a lot to take in… I’m confused.”

The king looked up at the ceiling, murmuring.

“But even if I believe you, there’s no guarantee others will. They might think you’re mad.”

“That’s why we’re taking measures.”

“This sounds like something out of a novel… The Empire wants to take over the world with black magic?”

“Your Majesty.”

Yuri pulled an object from his robes.

“Allow me to show you this.”

It was a small box.

“Inside is proof of black magic.”

“Oh, really?”

Inside was a parchment fragment from the demonic grimoire.

During the classification of the grimoire copies, Yuri had processed one of the fragments to weaken the dark energy and preserve it as evidence.

It was an object capable of directly conveying the essence of black magic.

“It’s not a pleasant experience, but… would you like to touch it?”

“Hmm…”

The king accepted the box without much suspicion.

“What exactly is in it?”

“A parchment fragment imbued with black magic. When you touch it, you’ll feel just how evil that power is.”

The king opened the lid.

Resting on a velvet background was an old scrap of parchment, with half-cut symbols written in an unknown language.

The moment he saw it, he felt like something was squeezing his chest. He took a deep breath and looked at Yuri.

“I don’t feel well… are you sure this isn’t dangerous?”

“There’s only a little energy left in it. It poses no threat. But if you’re concerned, you don’t have to touch it.”

The king smiled.

“Put that way, it’s hard to refuse.”

He reached out and touched the parchment with his fingertips. Yuri watched him closely.

The king’s eyes were fixed on nothing, as if chasing something invisible.

He was probably witnessing the horrific images contained in the parchment.

His pupils trembled violently.

“Are you alright?”

It didn’t take long.

The king withdrew his trembling hand and placed the box on the table beside the throne. He blinked several times in silence.

“What was that…?”

“A fragment of what’s known as the demonic grimoire, the source of black magic. You just experienced the resentment and dark energy stored within.”

“Phew…”

Anyone who’s seen even a portion of its contents can no longer dismiss black magic as mere fantasy.

That was the purpose of the proof.

Although the residual energy was fading gradually, they didn’t know how much longer it would remain active.

“That’s the black magic the Empire is using. If we don’t stop it, the entire continent will be consumed by the flames of war.”

“Hmm…”

At first, the King of Anabas seemed calm, but now his face had grown completely serious. Having experienced black magic firsthand, he seemed gripped by a strong sense of urgency.

However, that didn’t mean he could act immediately.

“Could you give me a moment?”

“Yes.”

The King of Anabas remained silent, lost in thought. After a while, he finally spoke.

“You’ve come to persuade the alliance of the small central kingdoms, haven’t you?”

“Yes.”

Yuri looked him straight in the eye.

“We must stop the Empire.”

“To be honest, though I previously mentioned a neutral stance, in reality the alliance of small kingdoms leans more toward the Empire. Most think there’s no need to make enemies of them.”

“I know. That’s why I’ve come. To warn you that if you ally with the Empire, an even more terrible end awaits.”

“I understand your purpose. You’ve opened my eyes. But, as you may have guessed, the alliance won’t move so easily.”

“Then we’ll have to persuade them one by one.”

“Will that even be possible…?”

The King of Anabas leaned back on his throne. He crossed his arms and closed his eyes, while Yuri waited patiently.

“Hold on. Allow me.”

With that, the king suddenly pulled out a cigarette and lit it. It was the first time Yuri had ever seen a king smoke.

“Pfff…”

With a somber expression, he smoked in silence. Then, suddenly, he said—

“You shouldn’t do this.”

“Ah, yes.”

“Smoking is for weighing the weight of your own sighs…”

“Yes, yes.”

The king, frowning, flicked the cigarette into the air. The butt rolled across the floor and came to rest on the carpet.

“I’m going to give you some help. It’s something big. You can expect a lot from it.”

Yuri wasn’t entirely confident in a king who spoke while smelling of tobacco, but he nodded nonetheless.

After taking a deep breath, the king said—

“We’re going to open the Tournament of the Tyrant King’s Banner.”

Yuri’s eyes widened in astonishment.

“What’s that?”

“You’re not very familiar with the history of the central alliance of small kingdoms, are you?”

“To be honest, no.”

Every country has some founding legend or tale about its origins. Just as Erich Briol, founder of Briol, is remembered as a legendary swordsman, there was also a central figure for the alliance of the small central kingdoms.

A man they called the “Tyrant King.”

No data remained about him, not even his name. All that was known was that, though born in humble circumstances, he demonstrated overwhelming ability and managed to unify the entire center of the continent under his rule.

But his empire didn’t last.

As soon as he died, the territory splintered into dozens of fragments, giving rise to the current alliance of small kingdoms.

“That much is a common story. But tell me, have you ever looked closely at the alliance’s flag?”

“Pardon?”

“Didn’t the shape seem strange to you?”

Yuri nodded.

Normally, a national flag bears representative symbols, but the alliance’s flags were completely abstract.

They were just random shapes with similar colors.

“That’s because they’re made of fragments.”

“What?”

“After the Tyrant King’s death, his great banner was cut into pieces, and each fragment was taken by the kingdoms that emerged. They did so as a symbol, with the hope that one day they would reunite and restore the former unification, like the Tyrant King once did.”

“Wow…”

Yuri knew nothing about this. Not even in his past life had he heard such a story.

“They say the original banner was enormous. And currently, there are sixteen fragments.

Today the alliance has just over twenty countries, but the sixteen that possess fragments are the true founding members.”

The King of Anabas took a deep breath and continued.

“The event to gather those flags is the Tournament of the Tyrant King’s Banner.”

“The Tournament of the Tyrant King’s Banner?”

Yuri’s eyes widened further.

“Don’t tell me…”

“Yes. Exactly. The flags are taken through duels.”

“That’s surprising.”

“Of course, gathering all the flags doesn’t automatically make you the King of the Center. It’s an old tradition with no real legal power. Besides, there are over twenty countries now, right?”

“That’s right.”

“But if you manage to win the tournament and complete the Tyrant King’s banner, you might persuade the alliance. It carries that level of symbolism.”

Yuri fell deep into thought upon receiving this new information. His original plan had been to visit each country, earn prestige through friendly duels, and if he couldn’t persuade them, at least scare them by showing the truth about the Empire.

But this tournament was an entirely unexpected method.

“So how does it work, exactly?”

“It’s not complicated. You choose five people, mimicking the Tyrant King and his four generals. Each team fights, and the first to win three matches wins.”

It was, in short, a team match, fought one-on-one in sequence.

“What do you say? Interested?”

Yuri replied without hesitation.

“Of course.”

“Excellent.”

The King of Anabas grinned widely.

“Then let’s start with us.

If you can defeat us, we’ll give you the Anabas banner. You’ll be an official participant in the Tournament of the Tyrant King’s Banner.”

“Thank you.”

“No need to thank me.”

The King of Anabas sighed.

“I’m doing this because I’m worried. After seeing what you showed me… I truly fear for the future of the continent.”

“Even so, I thank you for your decision.”

“If you’re truly grateful, complete the banner. I’ve always wanted to see it with my own eyes before I die.”

Yuri and the King of Anabas exchanged smiles.

“By the way, Your Majesty.”

“Yes?”

“That over there is…”

“What?”

“Didn’t you put out the cigarette butt?”

The butt the king had thrown earlier was starting to smoke. The carpet was burning, and the fire was beginning to spread.

The King of Anabas jumped in shock.

“P-put it out!”

“Yes?”

“That carpet’s expensive!”

“Ah, right.”

“Stomp it!”

“I’ll stomp it!”

The commotion in the throne room caused the ministers and knights waiting outside to burst in.

“Your Majesty!”

“What’s happening…?”

“Are you alright?”

And what they found was—

Two people tap dancing on the carpet while putting out the fire.