Chapter 241: Chronicles of the Tyrant King (9)

Yuri had subdued the Black Knight.

Though her mental state wasn’t normal, this clearly demonstrated that her level was among the highest even within the Ten Greats.

“And now, what do you plan to do?”

“……”

“Ivar can’t be saved.”

Yuri spoke firmly.

He had fought against dark magic. Through that experience, he had felt firsthand what kind of power it was and how evil it could be.

A body corrupted by dark magic cannot be restored. Death was the only rest he could offer them.

“If it’s just for personal satisfaction, I won’t stop you. But that path will only make Ivar suffer more.”

“I see…”

“Fighting against dark magic is the only real way to do something for Ivar. He needs peace.”

“I understand. But…”

“No buts! It’s all those ‘buts’ piled up that brought us to this crisis!”

“……”

Suddenly, the Black Knight spoke.

“And what’s your relationship with Yekaterina?”

The sudden mention of that name caught Yuri off guard. He tried to stay calm, but his voice cracked.

“W-what?”

Yuri looked nervous, avoiding the gaze of the knight who stared at him intently. He cleared his throat and scratched his neck.

“Why are you asking that all of a sudden?”

“For no reason.”

“For no reason?”

“Just asking.”

“And since when is ‘just asking’ a valid reason?”

“In your world, there are neither buts nor for no reason, huh?”

“Hmm…”

Yuri realized he had fallen into her game. By pressing her with the topic of Ivar, she countered with Yekaterina’s name.

Why that name, specifically? How did she know it was a sensitive topic for him?

“Can I ask why you mentioned the princess? I have no relationship with her.”

“Oh, really?”

“That’s right.”

The Black Knight shrugged.

“Well, who knows…”

Yuri stared into her eyes. She was tall, almost the same height as him. Her green eyes, similar to Yekaterina’s, blinked softly.

“It’s just that… I’ve heard things.”

“What things?”

“When you get to the imperial capital, you’ll know.”

“What’s that supposed to mean…?”

Yekaterina was in the imperial capital. Yuri couldn’t imagine what she was doing there.

“Doesn’t matter.”

He shook his head to rid himself of the thoughts. Thinking about Yekaterina only put him at a disadvantage. She was a woman impossible to predict.

‘Wasn’t that why I suffered so much in the previous life?’

“Is there really something between the two of you?”

“No. Don’t change the subject. Let’s go back to talking about Ivar.”

“You’re the one changing the subject, Yuri Briol. Is talking about Yekaterina that uncomfortable for you?”

“No!”

“Well, it is for me.”

The Black Knight let out a soft laugh.

“I feel uncomfortable talking about His Majesty.”

Yuri felt like a childish boy in front of her. Meanwhile, the Black Knight spoke like an adult who accepted her own flaws.

“It’s normal for an illegitimate daughter to yearn for her parents’ affection. But His Majesty, in secret, always took care of me. As a daughter, and as a knight, it’s natural that I can’t let go of his hand. I can’t say it openly, but I’m his daughter.”

Yuri remained silent for a moment before speaking.

“I apologize.”

“For what?”

“For what I said earlier.”

“Good. Apology accepted.”

“I didn’t mean it. I just wanted to provoke you.”

During the fight, he had spoken harshly about Ivar to provoke her. To him, Ivar was a stranger, but to her, he was her father.

Yuri had assumed that, being illegitimate, their relationship would be bad. But he was wrong. Apparently, Ivar had been a good father in his own way.

The Black Knight smiled.

“It’s okay. Using provocation is a valid tactic. If not for that, would you have managed to hit me in the face?”

“Well…”

“Hmm?”

“I’ve grown a lot, you know?”

“And now you’re proud of having punched me?”

“Come on, between us.”

“Between us? What exactly are we?”

“Rivals among the Ten Greats.”

Yuri scratched his neck while looking at the slight bruise on her face. He felt a bit bad for having hit her so mercilessly, but thanks to her high level, the wound wasn’t serious.

Yuri kicked a fallen stone on the ground.

“The battle between two of the Ten Greats was so intense that it has even more meaning, don’t you think?”

The entire area where they had fought was devastated. No trees left standing, and the rocks were shattered.

It was hard to believe that a fight that ended with weak punches had been so destructive.

The Black Knight burst out laughing.

“Alright. Let’s leave it at that.”

“By the way, are you going back directly to the Empire?”

“Yes.”

“Isn’t it dangerous?”

“Yuri Briol. I lost today, yes. But I’m the Black Knight.”

With that, she meant that even if the Empire changed its attitude, she trusted she could escape.

“So don’t worry. Thanks to you, I’ve made a decision too.”

“I see.”

Yuri took the opportunity to ask something that intrigued him.

“Have you seen Cedric?”

The Black Knight shook her head.

“No. I haven’t seen him in person. But some officials who knew his face have said strange things.”

According to her, the emperor had suddenly disappeared, and the crown prince, Eugen, was managing the country’s affairs.

Sometimes, implausible rumors spread that Cedric had been seen in the palace.

She had investigated on her own and discovered, through courtiers close to the emperor, that His Majesty’s body was beginning to deform in an inhuman way.

But that information was from before he was completely isolated, so now it was impossible to know his current state.

And suddenly, an order with the emperor’s seal arrived. She was to go to the central small kingdoms and stop Briol’s movements. They claimed they would send all the necessary troops.

But the Black Knight had already felt something was off. That’s why she left the Empire alone.

“I just wanted to face you. I didn’t think I needed an order of knighthood. You’re a man who doesn’t shy from battle.”

“Of course.”

“I’ll return to the imperial capital to investigate. It’s said there’s a faction that opposes the palace, maybe I can contact them.”

“So we’re allies now?”

“Allies?”

“My enemy now is the Empire, but if we look deeper, what we’re really facing is black magic… and Cedric. Including Eugen and the others who follow him.”

“I see.”

“You also want to take down those who hurt His Majesty, don’t you? If we have the same enemy, we’re allies.”

“Seems like it.”

“Then we’re allies now.”

“Alright.”

Yuri extended his hand.

The Black Knight stared at it for a moment, and finally took it to seal the handshake.

Yuri shook her hand up and down firmly.

“By the way, can you tell me your name now?”

“My name?”

“Black Knight can’t be your real name.”

She smiled faintly, her eyes curving.

“Curious, are you?”

“Of course.”

“My name is Elizabeth. His Majesty gave it to me personally, like he did with my half-siblings.”

Yuri looked at her with wide eyes, while she smiled softly.

“Elizabeth…”

Somehow, although it sounded beautiful, it also felt strong.

Ivar seemed to have a good eye even for naming. Yuri smiled as he looked at her face.

“Elizabeth is a name that suits you. It’s as beautiful as you are.”

Hearing that, Elizabeth stared at his face for a while. Yuri tilted his head, confused.

“What is it?”

“Is that how you seduced Yekaterina?”

“Eh?”

“This is a problem. I don’t want to be on bad terms with my sister.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

Yuri laughed and waved his hand. Elizabeth also let out a soft laugh.

“By the way… does Lady Yekaterina also know who you really are?”

“No. Only His Majesty and a few others know the truth about me.”

“I see.”

“Still, I have a good relationship with Yekaterina. Want me to deliver a message? Right now all correspondence is being censored in the capital. I could be useful.”

“Ah… no, there’s no need. I don’t have any relationship with Lady Yekaterina, so I have no letter to send her.”

“Oh, really?”

“But could it be for someone else?”

“Of course.”

“There’s someone named Elaine…”

Since there was no paper at hand, Yuri simply conveyed a couple of phrases to Elizabeth.

It wasn’t anything serious that could cause trouble if discovered.

“That’s all you want to say?”

“Yes.”

“Sounds like a code.”

The Black Knight nodded.

“Looks like you’ll be completing your Chronicle of the Tyrant King soon. Congratulations.”

“I don’t know. The real battle is just beginning.”

Elizabeth picked up her mask from the ground where it lay. Firmly, she straightened the dented part from Yuri’s punch and put it back on.

Though visibly damaged, it could still be used without issue.

Her face, white as the moon, disappeared beneath the black metal, like the moon being hidden by clouds.

Yuri recalled the first time he met her. Though he hadn’t seen her face, from her voice he had assumed she would be a handsome young man like Laurent, but she turned out to be a female knight.

And she was Yekaterina’s half-sister, Ivar’s daughter.

A curious connection.

Seeing how things unknown in his past life were now coming to light in this one, Yuri thought there was still much he didn’t know.

“Then, I’m off.”

“Yes.”

It felt a bit wrong to beat someone who’d come from so far and then just let her go.

Yuri wanted to offer her something at least.

“Do you have money for the trip?”

“……”

“Or… should I give you some dried meat, at least…?”

“Enough already.”

And with that, Elizabeth departed. Watching her silhouette fade into the distance, Yuri muttered with concern.

“If even the Black Knight was defeated, my fame must be through the roof. Damn it… getting too famous is bad news.”

Yuri called over his horse, which had been hidden nearby, and mounted up again.

Though their battle had been long, not even a full day had passed. It was already night, but Yuri didn’t stop and kept riding.

Only at dawn did he reach the last kingdom, Endia.

“Haa… haa…”

It wasn’t Yuri who was exhausted, but his horse, though he pretended to pant as he approached the castle gates.

A guard recognized him and immediately stood at attention.

“Oh, yes.”

“Go right in, please.”

It seemed the Order of Vengeance had arrived first and prepared the way. Yuri crossed the main gate without stopping.

One of the guards followed closely behind.

“Allow me to assist you. What would you like to do? Settle in and prepare first, or participate immediately?”

“There’s no time to rest.”

Yuri spurred the horse without hesitation. A strong energy emanated from his body. He had defeated the Black Knight and secured an alliance, so he was full of determination.

He wanted to complete the Chronicle of the Tyrant King once and for all and declare war on the Empire.

“Where are my knights?”

“I’ll take you to them. They’re all together.”

“Oh…”

Apparently, they were already fully prepared. Yuri adjusted his opinion of Jared. He hadn’t expected him to be so capable of organizing everything and being ready for battle by the time he arrived.

“Alright. Let’s go at once.”

“Yes, sir.”

The guard led him into the castle. From within, they could hear shouting.

He recognized some familiar voices. It seemed some kind of confrontation was already underway.

“These guys…”

Yuri smiled with satisfaction.

A knight must have guts. Even when thrown into enemy territory without support, they mustn’t lose their spirit.

“This way, please.”

“Eh?”

But they weren’t leading him to the battlefield—they were going deeper into the castle.

“Is this a trap?”

“Pardon?”

The place they were led to was a large iron door. Two knights stood guard.

“We’ve been expecting you.”

They smiled as they opened the door.

And then—

“Long live Briol! Long live Endia!”

“May the friendship between our kingdoms last forever!”

“Drink, drink!”

A party was underway. The knights of the Order of Vengeance were already drunk, hugging the knights of Endia—complete strangers—singing at the top of their lungs.

The man who seemed to be the king was also dancing, his clothes stained with food.

“……”

Yuri turned to the guard beside him and asked.

“And the battle for the Chronicle of the Tyrant King…?”

“Oh, that happened just yesterday, when the knights arrived. And wow! The knights from Briol are on a whole other level. We lost 3 to 0, no contest. What a shame, hahaha.”

“And, did they say anything about me?”

“Not much. Just that you had some unfinished business and would be arriving a bit late—that’s what Sir Jared said. He said we should relax and enjoy the party in the meantime…”

“……”

Yuri picked up a candied apple from a table.

And hurled it with all his strength at Jared, who was dancing in the distance.