Chapter 236: Chronicles of the Tyrant King (4)

“Huff… huff…”

The Order of Vengeance continued accumulating flags.

This was due to their forced marches that pushed all limits.

“There’s nothing that can’t be achieved with determination. Everyone up!”

“Yes, sir!”

Yuri and Jared brought victory unconditionally, and among the other three—Simon, Guinness, and Tirbo—at least one always won, so Briol had yet to taste defeat.

There were now over ten standard-bearers carrying flags.

The mere sight of them advancing with so many flags drew attention. Every time the Order of Vengeance appeared, the eyes of the Confederation of Lesser Kingdoms’ inhabitants fell upon them.

Some children even followed them from town to town.

Yuri, tossing a piece of dried meat to a child who had been trailing behind, turned to his companions.

“Everyone tired?”

“No, sir!”

They all shook their heads. Yuri smiled in satisfaction.

“Good. That’s how the Order of Vengeance should be!”

The name of a group can influence the attitude of its members.

The power of the word “vengeance” had already completely transformed the squad.

Moreover, Yuri, their leader, never excluded himself or sought privileges—he always led by example. That’s why no one complained.

“We’re almost there. Tonight, we’ll sleep in a castle.”

“Yes, sir!”

The sun was setting.

If they could reach the next kingdom in time, they wouldn’t have to sleep outdoors and could lodge there instead.

Though, so far, that had almost never happened. That’s why everyone welcomed Yuri’s words warmly.

The kingdom they were approaching was called Konzed.

“Looks like that’s it.”

In the distance, under the reddish glow of sunset, stood a castle bathed in light.

One of its towers was particularly tall, and the shadow it cast stretched from the top of the wall to where the squad was standing.

It looked like a dark path leading them to the castle.

“It’s beautiful… but also eerie,” Jared commented.

Yuri agreed. He didn’t say it, but from there, he could already feel a dark energy emanating from within.

Perhaps the knights sent by the Empire were inside.

When the Vengeance Squad arrived, the castle gates opened naturally, as if they had been expected.

“Welcome.”

A man came out to greet them with a bow. He wasn’t a knight, but a servant of the king of Konzed.

As he studied Yuri’s face carefully, he smiled.

“We’ve been expecting you. I imagine you’ve come to request a duel for the Chronicle of the Tyrant King, correct?”

“Yes. And who are you?”

“I am Rail, a servant of Konzed. Though not much, I hold the position of chancellor.”

The position of chancellor didn’t exist in Briol, but generally, it referred to someone just below the king in authority.

“Your Highness, since your time must be valuable, would you like to begin the duel right away?”

At the words of this man named Rail, Yuri slightly raised an eyebrow.

“Is it okay to do it now?”

“Of course.”

Until now, all the minor kingdoms they had visited seemed to avoid these duels.

If Yuri didn’t pressure them first, they didn’t even mention them. But Konzed was different.

“Then so be it.”

“Perfect.”

Rail kept a relaxed smile the entire time. He wasn’t even fazed by the mounted squad.

On the contrary, he gestured broadly with an exaggerated air.

“With such magnificent knights present, how could we keep you waiting? Surely, you must be very busy.”

“Yes.”

Yuri nodded.

It was already getting dark, but that wasn’t an obstacle for a duel.

“But… can we stay the night? It’s getting late.”

“Oh yes, of course.”

“And the duel will be right away? The knights are ready?”

“Yes.”

“And the king?”

Yuri, fully intentionally, mentioned the king in an arrogant tone.

“Where is the king?”

“His Majesty…”

Even so, Rail didn’t show the slightest reaction.

“He’s unwell and is currently resting. He won’t be able to witness the duel.”

“Oh, really?”

“But don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything diligently. Hahaha…”

“Understood.”

Rail moved to the front, and Yuri followed without further comment, leading his horse. The soldiers inside the castle showed no emotion.

They didn’t burn with hostility toward the squad, but neither did they seem interested.

“From here, we’ll continue on foot. We’ll take care of the horses.”

Yuri handed his horse to one of Konzed’s soldiers and glanced around.

The castle was very well maintained.

Unlike the previous minor kingdoms, whose defenses were rather weak, this place looked ready to withstand a siege at any moment.

The soldiers also stood firmly in place.

Yuri tilted his head.

“I don’t know if it’s thanks to someone competent… or something else.”

“Pardon?”

“Everything’s just so well-organized.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

Jared nodded.

“Maybe they scrambled to prepare once they heard we were coming. Some people care a lot about appearances.”

“Let’s hope that’s it.”

Yuri looked up slightly. That dark energy he had felt outside the castle still unsettled him.

“This place gives me a bad feeling. Stay alert. I don’t think Konzed is somewhere we can let our guard down.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Just a hunch.”

Yuri said while looking at Rail’s back as he walked ahead.

“And insisting on a duel when it’s already getting dark is also suspicious.”

“Maybe they just want to lose quickly and get it over with.”

Yuri let out a small laugh.

“If only that were the case.”

The Order of Vengeance soon arrived at the dueling grounds.

In a large training field located within the castle, the knights of Konzed were already lined up.

Dozens of torches blazing fiercely lit up the combat grounds.

Yuri tilted his head in doubt again.

“Don’t they use magic for lighting?”

“Ah, yes…”

Rail, walking in front, responded:

“His Majesty isn’t very fond of magic. If torches can do the job, he considers spells unnecessary.”

“Really?”

“Doesn’t this have a certain charm as well?”

Though there were many torches and it wasn’t completely dark, the wind made the flames flicker constantly, so it was certainly not the same as fighting in broad daylight.

Yuri looked up and observed the faces of the lined-up knights. Perhaps due to the shadows cast by the light, their expressions seemed hardened.

As everyone remained silent, the only sound echoing around the dueling grounds was the footsteps of the Order of Vengeance entering.

Rail spoke.

“Let’s begin right away. No point in dragging it out. Everyone must be tired.”

As soon as he said that, as if they had been waiting for the signal, a knight stepped into the center of the field.

The way he emerged between the torches carried a solemn air.

“I am Dustin, knight of Konzed.”

Yuri called the other four from the squad who could participate in the duel.

“Shall we draw lots to see who starts?”

“No.”

Yuri shook his head.

“Since they haven’t announced any order, you start, Tirbo.”

“Yes. Hehe…”

“Tirbo.”

Yuri glanced at him and continued.

“I have a bad feeling, so if you feel like you’re in danger, surrender immediately.”

“Huh?”

“If it’s dangerous, you withdraw.”

“Ah… Understood.”

Tirbo nodded with a suddenly serious expression.

Yuri, arms crossed, watched as Tirbo stepped onto the field.

The eyes of the opposing knight gleamed for a moment when he saw Tirbo, and in that instant, something changed.

“…”

Yuri immediately entered the mental domain and observed the dueling field.

In his overheated white vision, he could perceive the fundamental flow of energy.

Among the lined-up knights, something like a black mass was lurking.

And just as Tirbo stepped forward, that black mass suddenly rose and was absorbed into Dustin’s body. Immediately, a dark energy began to pulse from him.

He had changed.

Dustin had become much stronger than before.

Yuri scanned the surroundings. He didn’t see any more traces of that black energy. It was now only in Dustin’s body.

While watching the two grip their swords, Yuri approached Rail.

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“We haven’t agreed on the order, have we?”

“Haha, no problem. Proceed as you please.”

“Are those the knights participating in the duel?”

Yuri pointed to the knights where he had felt the dark energy.

Rail nodded.

“That’s right.”

“Do you know which one is the strongest?”

“Pardon?”

“As you know, I’m the strongest on our side. For fairness, shouldn’t we also know the strength order of Konzed?”

Rail thought for a moment and then smiled.

“No need to reveal that. It’s part of the Tyrant King’s Duel rules. If you want to complete the flag, you’ll have to accept this kind of uncertainty.”

“I see.”

Yuri nodded.

“By the way, is the king all right? He hasn’t shown up at all.”

“Yes. He’s resting due to health issues. Maybe you can see him briefly before you leave tomorrow.”

“Understood.”

Yuri looked back toward the field.

Tirbo was being pushed back. Though not by a large margin. They were pretty evenly matched, only Tirbo was taking occasional light hits.

But from within the mental domain, Yuri understood the situation very differently.

“The Tyrant King’s Duel rules, huh…”

Yuri looked at Rail.

“You seem well-informed about them.”

“I had to study them in a hurry when I heard the duels would begin. Thanks to you, Your Highness, the Confederation of Small Kingdoms is being revitalized.”

“I see.”

Yuri briefly smiled and returned to the squad.

Then he looked back at the duel.

It seemed that Tirbo was regaining the upper hand. He attacked relentlessly.

The knights of Konzed looked uneasy, and the squad cheered.

Dustin kept retreating. Or at least it appeared that way on the surface.

But in Yuri’s eyes, it was different.

The dark energy had spread like a flower, waiting for Tirbo, and Dustin, dangling from that energy like a puppet, was luring him deeper into a trap.

Dustin misstepped.

Tirbo lunged forward, extended his leg, and was about to swing his sword.

“Briol surrenders!”

Yuri’s voice echoed through the training field. Tirbo stopped instantly.

And just then, a dark energy slashed the air in front of him and vanished into the sky.

Though it was only for a moment, the strike was so brutal that anyone would have doubted their eyes.

Had he not been stopped, Tirbo’s body would have exploded.

Tirbo staggered back, eyes vacant.

“Whoa… I almost died…”

The squad stirred. That blow didn’t match the level Dustin had shown before.

Yuri nodded.

“You’ve won. Congratulations.”

“…”

Rail remained silent for a moment. Yuri looked at him and smiled slyly.

“Well, shall we move on to the next match?”

This time, Yuri chose Guinness, the most cautious between him and Simon.

“Guinness.”

“Yes.”

“Keep your ears sharp. If I say we surrender, pull out immediately.”

“Understood.”

“Don’t overdo it. You’ll most likely have to withdraw, so if the match is interrupted, don’t worry.”

“I understand.”

Sensing something strange, Guinness nodded seriously.

Yuri looked away.

As soon as the match ended, the black energy left Dustin’s body and returned to the knight it had inhabited before.

Then, when two new knights stepped onto the field, the energy was instantly absorbed into the Konzed knight.

Again, it was the same.

The black energy pulsed inside the Konzed knight’s body, looming over Guinness.

“I get it now.”

Yuri nodded.

“How dirty.”

“Huh?”

Jared tilted his head in confusion. Yuri called him and Simon over.

“Guinness is going to lose.”

“But it looks like he could win.”

“Those guys are cheating. I’ll explain the details later.”

Yuri pointed with his chin toward the remaining Konzed knights.

“Are you sure you can win?”

“Of course.”

“All three of us must win.”

“Count on us.”

Even Simon showed his determination.

Yuri nodded.

“All right.”

He looked back at the field.

Just like before, Guinness was attacking, and the Konzed knight, guided by the dark energy, was digging a trap.

Yuri, not forcing anything, surrendered again.

“Briol surrenders.”

The Konzed knight, who had been waiting with the black energy spread like a flower, lowered his sword with a confused expression.

Thus, Konzed led two to zero. In the third match, it was Yuri who entered the field.

“…”

But this time, that black energy didn’t move and hid inside the knight’s body.

Yuri smiled.

They were using a cheap trick.

They used that mysterious entity capable of jumping between the knights’ bodies to avoid strong opponents and eliminate the weaker ones, weakening Briol’s strength.

If things continued like this, even if Yuri won this match, the energy would reappear when it was Simon’s turn.

“What a vulgar trick.”

Yuri stared at the knight in front of him and rested Guilty on his shoulder.

The knight looked completely tense.

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

“Do you know the rules of the Tyrant King’s Duel?”

“The rules…?”

“Most incidents are allowed. For example, unexpected deaths.”

Yuri raised Guilty.

“So… be careful.”