Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince — Chapter 251: Great Escape (2)

Chapter 251: Great Escape (2)

Yekaterina’s‍⁠ mansion was located in the part of the Imperial‍ Palace grounds where‍⁠ the nobility resided,‌‌⁠ so the street‍ was brightly lit‌ by lampposts.

Adjusting‍‍⁠ her clothes, Yekaterina said,

“Hurry⁠ up. Where is⁠ your guild staying?⁠⁠‌ We’re taking everyone⁠ with us.”

“Let’s⁠ take a carriage‍‍ there first.”

The carriage was a public means of⁠ transport that ran within the imperial⁠‌ city. At the‌⁠‍ end of the‍‌ street, coachmen seeking‍‌⁠ wealthy passengers were‍ waiting for customers.‍

Elaine‌ and Yekaterina boarded‌ a carriage headed for the lodging‍‍ where Elaine’s companions were staying.

As‌‍ a precaution, the‌ two didn’t exchange‌⁠ many words. Instead,‍ it was the‌ coachman who began⁠‍ speaking.

“Don’t‍ you think the‌‌ atmosphere in the‌ Empire’s been tense⁠ lately? All because of those ridiculous‍‍ rumors from Briol,‌ right?”

“Ah,‌ yes, that’s true.”⁠

“And‍‌ that Yuri Briol,‍⁠ or whatever his⁠ name is, that⁠⁠‍ arrogant… soon enough⁠⁠ someone will have‍‍ to teach him⁠ a lesson.”

“I‌‍ see…”

“You don’t sound very convinced. Don’t tell‌ me you’re one‌‍ of those who‌‌ likes him? There⁠ are more of‍ his supporters than‌⁠ people think.”

“Let’s just say yes, more or less.”‌⁠‍

Elaine‌ answered vaguely on‌⁠ Yekaterina’s behalf.

The⁠ coachman kept ranting⁠ about Yuri for⁠⁠ a while, until‌ he turned to⁠ ask,

“By‍‍ the way, what’s⁠ the reason you’re‍ traveling at this hour?”

“You’re‍‍ asking too many‌ questions.”

Elaine⁠ replied with a frown, and the‌‌ coachman chuckled.

“It’s just that one should gather information‌⁠ in advance.”

“What‌‌ do you mean?”⁠⁠‌

“And‌ what are you‍ doing here, Lady⁠‌ Elaine?”

The⁠⁠ atmosphere inside the⁠‍ carriage instantly grew‌⁠⁠ tense.

The‌‌⁠ coachman continued in‌‌ a mocking tone.⁠

“At‍ the very least,‍ you should tell‌‌‍ me where you’re‌ going so late at night together⁠ with Her Highness‍‍‍ the Princess.”

Instinctively,‌‌⁠ Elaine reached for‍⁠ the blade at‍ her waist. As‍‍‍ she weighed the‌ idea of stabbing⁠‍⁠ him in the‌⁠⁠ back, the coachman‌ spoke.

“You’re⁠ thinking of sticking⁠‌ me with it,⁠‍ aren’t you?”

“I see you know.”⁠

“Don’t‌‌ do it.”

At⁠‍ that moment, the carriage began veering⁠ off the route‌ Elaine had instructed,‍⁠ heading into an‍‌⁠ unfamiliar road.

The‍ surroundings grew darker‍‍⁠ and darker, and⁠ they were moving‌⁠ toward an area‌ the usual residents‌⁠⁠ of the imperial city would never‌‌⁠ dare to enter.‍

Yekaterina‌‍ gripped Elaine’s hand‌‌ tightly.

“The‌⁠ person I serve⁠‌ wants to see‌ both of you.⁠ Fufufu…”

Elaine‌⁠ silently counted to‌‌ herself.

She‌‍⁠ hadn’t expected to be kidnapped in‌⁠‌ the middle of‍⁠ the imperial city,‍‌ but she hadn’t‍ traveled to the‍‌‌ East without learning‍ some assassination techniques.‌‍

She⁠‍‌ was ready and,‍‍ just as she was about to⁠ stab the coachman,‌‍ the carriage came⁠ to a sudden‍⁠ stop, making them‍⁠⁠ both stagger.

“Ah…”‍‍

Someone⁠ had stepped in⁠‍⁠ front of the⁠ vehicle.

“We’ve‍‌ arrived.”

A chill ran down‍⁠‍ Elaine’s spine.

She‍ should have acted⁠ faster, but by‍⁠‌ hesitating, she had‌‌ ended up in‍‍ the enemy’s den,⁠ where they had‍‌ clearly been expected.‌ In this part⁠‌ of the imperial‍ city, where the‌ authorities held no⁠ sway, the chances‌‍‌ of running into a patrol were‍ close to zero.‍⁠

Then,‍ a voice spoke,‌

“I⁠ didn’t expect to⁠‍ see you here⁠‍⁠ in the imperial⁠‌‌ city.”

It sounded strangely familiar.‍⁠‍

“Won’t⁠⁠ you even show⁠‌ me your face‍ after all this time, Lady Elaine?”‌

It⁠⁠ was a deep,‍‍ cold voice, with⁠ a very particular⁠ accent.

Elaine⁠⁠ replied,

“Gorio?”‌

The coachman in front⁠ took off his⁠⁠ hat and bowed.‍

“By‌‍ Lord Gorio’s order,⁠‍ I’ve come to⁠‌ fetch you. With your permission.”

He⁠‌ stepped down from‌‌ the carriage, and‍‌ immediately someone else‍⁠ took his place.‍ With one glance,‌ Elaine recognized him⁠⁠ as Gorio.

Yekaterina‌ asked Elaine,

“You know him?”

“Yes.‌⁠ He’s one of‌‍ His Highness of‌⁠‌ Briol’s subordinates.”

She‍ almost called him‍⁠ a thug, but⁠‌‌ since he was⁠‌ right there, she‍⁠‌ restrained herself.

Elaine‌ knew the relationship‍ between Gorio and⁠‌ Yuri.

In⁠ the early days of her expansion‌‌ into other countries,⁠⁠ Gorio had been ordered by Yuri‌ to protect Elaine’s‍ guild from pressure‍‍⁠ by other trade associations.

When‌⁠ local gangs tried⁠ to sabotage her,‌‍⁠ Gorio not only‌‌ eliminated them with‌‌ his meticulous methods,‌‌ but even went‌‍ so far as to control the‍ underworld of that‍⁠⁠ country.

Once⁠‍‍ Elaine’s guild was firmly established, she⁠‍⁠ no longer needed his help, and⁠ their relationship ended. She hadn’t known‌ he was now in the Empire.⁠

Gorio⁠ began to drive⁠ the carriage.

“This⁠‍ is the slum‍‌⁠ district of the‌ imperial city. I’m‌ in charge of⁠⁠ keeping it under‍‍ control. Even in a place like‍ this city, there‌⁠ always needs to be such an‌‍⁠ area.”

Elaine‌ nodded while looking out the window⁠⁠‌ at the view.⁠

For‌‌⁠ someone to consolidate‍‍ that much power⁠⁠ even in the‍ Empire proved he⁠‍ was a formidable⁠⁠ man.

That⁠ was why Yuri⁠ had taken in‍‍‌ someone who was once just a thug, just as‍ he had approached⁠ her when she‍‍‌ was merely the‌‍‍ owner of a small guild.

If⁠⁠ what Yekaterina said‌‌ was true, then⁠ Yuri had recognized‌ their abilities based‍ on memories from⁠‍‍ his past life.⁠

“So,‌⁠‍ why are you‍ traveling with the princess, Lady Elaine?”⁠

Since‌⁠ he was addressing Elaine directly, she‍‍ saw no reason⁠‌‍ to hide anything.‌ She explained the‍⁠ situation—soon the Empire‍ might arrest everyone‍⁠ from Briol.

“Gorio,⁠ you should leave‌‌ too. They’ll probably‌⁠ be even harsher‍‌‌ with you.”

“Hmm…”‌

“There’s‍‍ not much time‌ left.”

“I⁠ see.”

Gorio‍‌ remained relaxed even‌‌‌ as he drove‍‍ the carriage.

“I‍⁠‌ plan to take‍ Her Highness the‌ Princess to Briol.‌ Tonight.”

“Then‍‌ I’ve been getting‍⁠ in the way⁠ of a busy man. As an apology, I’ll guide⁠‍ you straight out of the imperial‍‌⁠ city.”

“And⁠⁠‌ what about you?”‍⁠‌

“I’ll stay here.”

Elaine⁠ tilted her head.⁠‌

“Why?”‌

“What⁠‍ do you mean,‌‌⁠ why?”

Gorio⁠⁠‌ shrugged and continued‌‍‌ driving in silence.‌‍ The people wandering⁠ the alleys lowered⁠‍⁠ their heads upon⁠‌ seeing him.

In this slum, everyone‍ who recognized him‍⁠ treated him with‌‌ respect.

“I⁠⁠ haven’t finished what‌⁠ I need to‌ do. Same as‍‌ you.”

His‌‍⁠ voice was calm.

“I don’t know what⁠⁠‍ kind of relationship‍‌‍ our prince has‌‌‌ with the Imperial‌⁠ princess, but I imagine there’s a reason. I’ve sent‌⁠ one of my people to your‍ guild, so they‌ should be here‍ soon.”

“How…?”‍‌

“I’m‌ quick to pick‌ up on things,‍⁠ Lady Elaine.”

“Well,‌ I know that‌ much.”

“Or‌ is it that‌‌ you’re worried about‌ leaving the rest⁠‌‍ of Briol’s people‌‌ here?”

Elaine‌ looked at him,‌ and Gorio continued,‌

“Don’t‌‌⁠ overthink it. Just‌ go.”

He⁠‌‌ soon stopped the‌ carriage at a certain spot. A foul smell hung⁠‌ in the air.‍

“You‍‌ can’t save everyone.‍‌ Someone has to⁠ stay behind.”

“You…”‍

Elaine‌⁠ was about to‍ reply when, in⁠⁠‌ the distance, footsteps‌⁠⁠ were heard—it was⁠‍ members of Elaine’s‌‌ guild, approaching while holding their breath.‌‍‌

Gorio‍ spoke.

“The‌⁠ Briol Comrades Alliance‍⁠ and I will‍ help our people‌⁠ as much as‌⁠ possible, so don’t‌ worry.”

“What,‌ have you suddenly‌ reformed yourself?”

Elaine⁠‌⁠ remembered what Gorio⁠ had been like‌ in the past⁠‍ before entering Yuri’s‌ service—an utterly ruthless‍‌ loan shark and⁠‍ leader of a gang of thugs.

Many‍ merchants had been⁠ ruined after borrowing⁠‍ money from him.‍‍

Gorio‍‍ let out a faint chuckle.

“I’m‍ just playing my part.”

Then⁠ he stepped down‌ from the carriage.‌

Yekaterina,‍⁠ looking at the‌ now-empty coachman’s seat, asked,

“Elaine,‌‍ why do you⁠ provoke him?”

“Because‍ Gorio isn’t like⁠ that.”

“And⁠⁠ what does it⁠ matter? What’s important‌ is that he’s⁠⁠‌ helped us escape.”⁠‌

“I‌‌ suppose…”

“Let’s⁠ get down first.”⁠⁠

The‍‌ two of them‌ disembarked from the⁠ carriage, and the⁠‌ stench grew stronger.⁠ Yekaterina frowned, covering‌‍‌ her nose.

“What‌ is this place?”⁠‌

Then⁠‌‌ Gorio appeared, holding⁠⁠ a torch.

“This⁠ is where the‍ imperial city’s garbage⁠ is dumped. To‍ keep a city⁠ this beautiful, somewhere⁠⁠ has to deal‌⁠ with the trash‌ and the stench.”‌⁠‌

Just⁠⁠ as he said,‌‍ beyond the torchlight‍ rose a mountain of garbage.

Next⁠ to it, a large gate in⁠⁠⁠ the city wall,‍‍ firmly shut, led‍⁠ to the outside.

“I’ll‌⁠‍ open that gate.⁠‌ The one in‌ charge is close to us.”

Elaine stared at him‌‍ for a moment,‍‌ then tilted her‍‍⁠ head slightly.

“Thank‌ you, Gorio.”

“No‍ need.”

He‌ shrugged.

“As‍ I said earlier,⁠ I’m just playing‍ my part, so‍‌⁠ you don’t have‌⁠ to thank me too much.”

Soon,‌‌ the guild members⁠ arrived. One of them, sporting a black eye, asked⁠‌ Elaine,

“What’s⁠ going on? We‌‍ were told to come, but…”

“What’s‌ with that eye?”‍‍‍ Elaine said, laughing.‌‍

“Don’t‌ laugh.”

“What‍ happened to you?”⁠

“I‌ complained when some‍ thugs told us⁠‌⁠ to pack up‍⁠ and follow them, and instead of‌⁠ answering me… they‌ hit me.”

Gorio‌⁠ stepped in.

“Seems‍⁠ one of my⁠ men was a bit too rough. The situation was urgent, I hope⁠ you understand.”

While⁠‍ following him, Elaine⁠ briefly explained what‌‌‌ had happened.

“We‍‌ need to leave‍‍ the imperial city‌ as soon as⁠ possible.”

“I understand. And this‌‌ lady? Is she⁠ staff? I haven’t‍ seen her before…”‌

The‌ man pointed at‌⁠ Yekaterina. Irene hesitated‌ for a moment,‍ but Yekaterina answered,‌‌

“I’m‌⁠ a friend of⁠‍ Elaine’s. I’ll be‍ accompanying the group,‌ so count on me.”

“Oh…”‌

With‌ a beauty that⁠‍‍ seemed blessed by the gods, her‌‍⁠ voice was equally‌‌‍ enchanting. The guild‌‌⁠ member was startled‍‍ to hear it‌ suddenly from beneath‌‌ her hood.

Elaine⁠ sighed.

“We’ll⁠ have to do‌‍‌ something about your‍ voice too. She’s‍ coming with us,‌ and she’s an‌ important person, so don’t be rude.”‌‍

“Understood.”‌

“We’ll⁠ keep her identity secret until we‍ reach Briol, so‍‍ I hope you understand.”

“Yes.”‌‍‌

They stopped before the⁠ large gate in⁠‌ the wall. At⁠‌⁠ Gorio’s order, his⁠‌ men moved, and⁠‌ soon the dump‌ gate began to open.

Outside‌‌⁠ the wall was⁠ equipment for processing‌ the garbage, likely‍ to bury it‍ far from the⁠ city.

Gorio motioned with his⁠ hand.

“Follow‌⁠ me.”

They‌ walked after him,‍ the tainted soil‍ clinging to their‌ shoes.

“In⁠⁠ a dump, you‍‌‍ can find anything.‍ No trace will‌ be left behind.”

Gorio‍⁠ added,

“No one will know‌ how you escaped.‌‌ My help ends here. Reaching Briol⁠⁠⁠ will be each‌‍ person’s own responsibility.”‌

“Thank‍ you, Gorio.”

She⁠‌ expressed her gratitude,‍‍ and he, with‍ the faintest of⁠ smiles, turned.

“I‌ wish you luck,⁠ Lady Elaine.”

Just as he had appeared, Gorio left‌ without another word,‍ and before they⁠ could call out‍⁠ to him, the‍ dump gate shut silently.

All‍‌ that remained were‌‌ the mountains of‌ garbage and the‍ closed city wall.⁠

That⁠ was the end.‌‍

A truly dry man.

“Who‍‌ was that?”

“A‍ man named Gorio.”‍

The⁠‍‍ guild members still‍‌ looked puzzled.

“I’ll‍ explain later. For‍ now, let’s move.”‍‌

Either⁠ way, they were‌ now outside the imperial city.

Thanks to Gorio, they‍⁠ had escaped beyond‌‌ the wall without⁠⁠ any danger.

But⁠⁠ the real trial was only beginning—there⁠ was still the⁠‌ long journey out of imperial territory⁠ and back to‍‍ Briol.

“Let’s go to Briol.”‍⁠

Elaine⁠⁠ looked at Yekaterina, who was still⁠‍‌ by her side, and reaffirmed her‍⁠ resolve. Then she‍‍ whispered,

“Your‌ Highness, I’ll introduce⁠‍ you to His⁠ Highness the Prince.‍⁠ So stick close‍ to me.”

“I⁠ trust you.”

***‌‍

In‌ the Empire, a new upheaval erupted.⁠ Under the pretext⁠ of “purifying” the‌ nation, they founded‌⁠ reeducation centers and⁠ began arresting all‌‌⁠ foreign residents.

Some‍‌‍ managed to hide,⁠‌ but most were‌ inevitably caught.

Every‍⁠‌ country except the Empire protested the‌ measure. The Empire, however, remained unmoved.‌

It seemed like an‍ open provocation.

After all, they had‍⁠‍ already lost the‌ people’s support through‍ their use of‍ black magic, and⁠ now they were‌‌‍ taking extreme measures‌ without caring about⁠ appearances.

Briol,‌‍ the Holy Kingdom, Liberta, and Brusen‌ sent delegations demanding‌ an explanation.

Of‌‌‍ course, their demands⁠ would be ignored.‌⁠

The‌‌‌ next step was‍‍⁠ obvious.

A declaration of war—and‍⁠‌ then war itself.‌⁠

The⁠‌‌ whole continent waited,⁠ holding its breath,‍⁠ for this inevitable‌‍ outcome.

Some⁠ were already fleeing‌ to avoid being⁠ caught in the conflict.

“There’s‍‌‌ no reason to‍‍ keep hesitating.”

In Briol, King Joshua‍ and his younger‌ brother, Yuri Briol,‍ presided over a meeting. Yuri stood‍ up and declared,⁠‍

“I‍ will personally lead‍ the army to⁠ the imperial border.‌⁠ The other three‌ kingdoms and the‍⁠‍ Confederation of Small⁠‍ Kingdoms will join‍‌ us. Does anyone⁠ object?”

None⁠ of the officials‌ or nobles present said a word.‌‍

Yuri⁠‌ smirked slightly.

“No?‍ Good.”

Thus,‌⁠ the war that‌ would decide the⁠⁠ fate of the‌ continent was about‌ to begin.