Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince — Chapter 253: Reunion (2)

Chapter 253: Reunion (2)

At‌‍⁠ the village entrance,⁠ the Order of⁠‌ Vengeance stopped without‍ going in.

The⁠ place wasn’t big⁠ enough to comfortably‌‌⁠ host the entire‍⁠ order.

It⁠⁠ was better to‍ set up camp‌ outside and spend‍ the night there‍ than to inconvenience‌‌ the residents.

Yuri,⁠⁠ accompanied by Jared,‍‌ was the only⁠ one who entered⁠‌‍ the village on‍ foot.

The‌ locals weren’t surprised to see two⁠ knights appear suddenly—news‍‌ had already spread‍⁠ that Briol’s army‍‌ would be passing‌ through the Confederation of Small Kingdoms.‌‌⁠

In⁠‌ fact, they even‍⁠ greeted them with‍ smiles and warm‌ welcomes.

“Greetings!‍⁠ I’ve heard much‍ about your fame.‍ It’s an honor.‌‌ Hahaha…”

“Will‍‌‌ you be spending⁠ the night here?‌ Please feel free‌‌‌ to rest.”

“If⁠ you need anything,‍⁠ just say so.”‌‍

Though‌ small, the village‌ was well-kept, and⁠ the people seemed hospitable. The village⁠ chief couldn’t stop⁠ bowing to Yuri.

“It’s⁠ an honor to⁠ meet you, Your‍ Highness. Incredible that⁠ the Prince of⁠ Briol comes in‍ person. I hope‍ nothing here causes‌‍‌ you any discomfort…”⁠⁠

Yuri⁠‍‌ smiled kindly.

“Don’t‍⁠ worry so much.‍‌⁠ We’ll rest quietly⁠ and leave. But‌ could you arrange⁠⁠ fodder for the‌‌ horses and some‍⁠ food? Of course,‍ I’ll pay well.”‍

“Of‌⁠ course. Just say‌⁠‌ the word.”

“We’ll‌ need…”

While‍ they spoke, some⁠ village children were‍⁠‍ peeking at them‍ from a distance.‌‌⁠

Jared⁠‍ playfully waved them‌‌ over, and the‍ children, shy at⁠⁠ first, slowly approached.⁠

“These‌‌ kids… they look⁠⁠‍ like troublemakers.”

With⁠‌‌ that, he picked⁠⁠ up the smallest one and lifted‍⁠ him into the⁠‌‌ air. The boy’s eyes went wide⁠‍ in surprise, and⁠‍ Jared tossed him⁠ upward before catching him again.

The height he reached was only possible‌ thanks to a knight’s strength.

“Uwaah!”

“Be⁠‍ good when you play.”

“Yes!”⁠

In‍⁠ front of their‌ idol, the children⁠‍ behaved like obedient‌‍‍ lambs.

“Jared,‌ you’re good with kids.”

Yuri⁠‌ smiled, and the village chief nodded.‍

“Well,‌‌ normally they don’t‌ listen to anyone,‍‌ but in front⁠⁠ of you they‍ become so docile.‍ They should behave‌‍ like this all⁠ the time, eh?”‍

The‍‍ children pretended not⁠ to hear.

Amused,‌⁠‌ Yuri ruffled one⁠‌ boy’s hair and⁠ gave him some⁠‍⁠ coins to buy‍‌ a treat.

Watching‌‌⁠ them run off,⁠ Yuri commented,

“That boy seems talented.”‌‍

“The tall one?”

“Yes.”⁠‍

“It‌‍‍ wouldn’t be a bad idea for⁠‌ him to start‍⁠‌ training with a sword.”

The‌ village chief, intrigued,‍‌‍ joined in.

“That⁠ lanky one? His‌ name’s York—his father’s‍ a very agile‌ hunter. Could he⁠ become a good‍‍⁠ knight?”

“If⁠ he works hard,⁠‍ yes.”

“That’s‍‌ a relief to‍‌‌ hear. He’s always‍⁠ been the most‌‍ troublesome, and I’ve‍‌ worried about his‍⁠ future…”

“This‍‍ is a small‍‍ village, but it⁠ seems peaceful. That’s‌⁠ probably thanks to‌‍ you.”

“No,‍ no, I’m embarrassed.”⁠‍

The⁠⁠ chief bowed his‌ head.

“I’ve‌‍ heard a lot‌ about the Empire⁠⁠ and the black⁠ magic. I hope‌‍ you defeat those⁠ bastards. Ignorant folks⁠‌ like us just‍‌ want the world⁠‍ to live in⁠‌ peace.”

“Your⁠‍‍ wish is the⁠ same as mine.”⁠‌

Yuri smiled.

“I’ll‍⁠‍ do everything I can to make‌ it so.”

“Thank‍‍ you very much.”‌‌

After‍‍ talking, Yuri arranged⁠‌⁠ for their cooperation.‌‌

Soon,‍‍ the village men‍‌ brought firewood, food,‍‌‍ and horse fodder‌‌ to the Order‍ of Vengeance camp.‍‌

Night‌ fell.

On⁠⁠⁠ another day, Yuri⁠‍ might have gone⁠‌ to the tavern‌ for a drink,⁠ but this time he focused on‌‌‌ preparing for the‌ coming battle.

The⁠⁠ order, gathered around‌ campfires, busied themselves checking their gear.‌⁠‌

Jared,‌‌ studying a map‍ lit by firelight,‌ spoke.

“Now‍‌ that I see,‌ this village belongs‍‌ to Konzed.”

“Konzed?”⁠⁠

“Remember‍‌‍ in The Chronicles‍‌ of the Tyrant‌‍ King? It was‌‍ one of the‌‍ areas corrupted by‍ black magic.”

“Right… not a good sign.”

The‌ night was dark,‍ the moon hidden⁠ behind clouds; only‌‌‌ the campfires and⁠‍ the village lights‍ glimmered in the‌‍ distance.

“The‍‌ Empire’s being too⁠ quiet… and with this being Konzed,‌ it’s even more⁠⁠ suspicious.”

“What‍‌ do you mean?”

“If⁠ they wanted to make a move,⁠ this would be‍ a good time.”‌

“Is that your intuition‌⁠‍ talking?”

“What do you think?”‍‌

“Well…‍ when you say⁠ it, it makes‍⁠ me uneasy. Feels‌ like someone could‌ jump out to⁠⁠ attack at any moment.”

“Are⁠ you scared?”

“Of‌ course not.”

“Oh,‌‍ really?”

Yuri‍‌‍ stood and swung‍ his sword, Guilty.‌

“Good⁠⁠ thing you’re not‌ scared.”

“Seriously?”

Jared‍ also stood.

The⁠‌ other knights, seeing⁠‌ them, took up‌ their weapons and⁠ began scanning the surroundings.

“You’re joking, right?”

“You⁠ still don’t feel‌ it?”

“Feel⁠ what?”

A faint light shone‍ in Yuri’s eyes.‌⁠⁠ Jared recognized it—that‌‌ was the sign‍ Yuri was using‍⁠⁠ Mind Domain.

That‍⁠ meant he had⁠‍‍ already seen something.‍⁠‍

And‍ if Yuri had‍ seen it, it‌ could only be‌ creatures born of‍ black magic.

Yuri‌ gripped Guilty and looked into the‌‍ forest’s darkness. Then, a flash of‌‌⁠ light appeared.

“Watch‍‌ out!”

As‍‌ Yuri shouted, a fireball shot toward⁠ the order.

The‍‌ campfire exploded, sending‍‌ sparks flying. Two⁠ knights rolled on⁠ the ground engulfed‍ in flames while⁠‌ others doused them‌⁠⁠ with water.

“A‍⁠ mage! Everyone on⁠⁠ guard, another one’s⁠⁠ coming!” Jared shouted.‍

They‌ had no mages‌ with them to‍‍‍ move faster. They’d‌ thought dispelling magic‍ wouldn’t be needed‌ while crossing the‍‍ Confederation—but that was a mistake.

Yuri‍ unleashed Soul and‍ Heart Slash.

Sword‍⁠ energy surged outward,⁠‌ disrupting the flow‌⁠‌ of mana.

“Get‌ ready. They’re closing‌⁠ in.”

He‍⁠ could feel the enemy’s presence—dark, damp, like the black‌ hosts he had⁠ faced in his⁠ past life.

The⁠ Empire was already ready for war.‍ This attack was a warning.

Soon,⁠ the enemies charged‌⁠ the Order of‍‌ Vengeance.

In the gloom, swords‍⁠ clashed with ringing‍⁠ force.

Whenever someone passed near‍‌ the fire, their silhouette flashed for‍⁠ an instant before‍‌‌ fading back into‍⁠ darkness.

Then,‍⁠ another fireball came‌ from afar.

“Magic⁠⁠ again!”

Normally⁠ it could be‌ dispelled easily, but⁠‍ without mages it was different. Yuri⁠‍‍ kicked aside an‌⁠ enemy blocking him⁠ and rushed toward⁠‍ the projectile, cutting it apart with‌‍ Soul and Heart‌⁠ Slash.

“Where⁠ do you think‌‍‍ you’re going!”

The‌⁠ fireball split, and‌ flames wrapped around‌⁠ him, but Yuri‌ pressed forward under the protection of⁠ his technique.

Through‌ the red glare,‌ he saw a staff shining in‍⁠ the distance. The‍⁠ mage spotted him‍ and turned to‍ flee.

Yuri was about to⁠ give chase, but—

“You’re‍ not getting through.”⁠⁠

Someone‍‍ blocked his path.‍ A high-level knight,‍‍ smiling arrogantly.

“So‌‍⁠ you’re the brat⁠‌ who became one‌⁠ of the Ten⁠ Greats. Nice face.”⁠‌

“You like it?”

“You’ve‍‌ no idea what‌‍ it took to‌⁠ get to this backwater because of⁠‍ you. Let’s see⁠ how good you⁠ really are.”

“Who‍‌ sent you?”

“How‍‍‌ stupid—you think I’d tell you that?”‌‌

“Your‍‌ words are harsh.⁠⁠ Has black magic‍ dulled your fear?”‍

“And‍ what are you‍ gonna do about‍⁠ it, idiot?”

Yuri⁠ raised Soul and⁠⁠ Heart Slash high‌‌‍ and brought it⁠‍ down hard on‌‍⁠ the man’s sword.‍

The sudden impact made⁠ the opponent drop‍ his weapon. Yuri‍⁠‍ grabbed him by‍‍ the hair.

“That’s‌ how it’s done,⁠ you arrogant bastard.”⁠

“Huh?”‌

Then⁠⁠‍ he smashed the⁠ man’s jaw with‍‍ his sword hilt.‌ With the sound‌‌‍ of breaking bones,‌‍ the man’s body‌⁠ collapsed. From his‌ gaping mouth spilled⁠‌‌ several teeth and⁠‌ foamy blood.

Yuri‍‍ didn’t kill him;⁠‌⁠ he left him⁠ on the ground—maybe⁠‌ he could be‍‍ interrogated later.

At‌‌‍ that moment, when Yuri looked up‍‌ again, several fireballs whizzed past him.‌‌‌

Their‍‌ target was the⁠ Order of Vengeance.⁠⁠ It was too⁠⁠‌ late to stop‍ them.

Yuri‌‌ clenched his teeth.‌‍

Then—it‍ happened.

The‍‌‌ fireballs flying through‌‍ the air scattered‍‍⁠ and extinguished all‌ at once, leaving‌ only faint traces‍ of flame drifting‍ in the darkness.

“Dispel?”‌‌ Yuri muttered.

He turned his head⁠⁠ toward the point⁠⁠ where the mana‍ disturbance had originated.⁠‍ There stood a comrade he could⁠⁠ never mistake.

Yuri‍ spoke his name.⁠

“Inariel.”‌

Though‌‍⁠ he looked like⁠ a boy with‌ salmon-colored hair, he‌⁠‌ was in truth‍⁠ a far older⁠ elven mage.

The‍‌‌ Great Archmage Inariel.‌

With⁠‌‌ the unhurried composure‍‌ of someone out‍⁠‌ for a stroll,‍⁠⁠ he raised his staff. Then, as‌‍ though smoke were‌‌‍ dispersing, the darkness‍ receded and the‍ light he summoned⁠‌‍ began to illuminate‌‍ the surroundings.

Revealed‍‍ within were enemies‌⁠ clad in black⁠ armor.

“Hmm,‍ so they’re from‍ the Empire.”

“How‌ did you get‌⁠⁠ here?”

“I‍ heard you had⁠⁠ gone to the front, so I followed.”

“It’s⁠‍ been a while‍‌‍ since I last‌‍ saw you.”

“I‍ had my own matters to handle.”‍

After Yuri had asked‍⁠‍ him to find‍‌ the Master of‍ the Magic Tower, Inariel had disappeared.⁠ He hadn’t shown himself in a long time, and Yuri assumed he‌ was off doing⁠‌‍ something on his‍ own.

Yuri‌‌ guessed.

“If‌‌ you appeared right‍ after I left‌‌ Briol, does that‍‍‌ mean you actually‍ have a strained‌ relationship with Lord⁠‍ Sidherst?”

“Shut‌ your mouth, brat.”‍‌

With‍ that, Inariel lifted his staff.

“There’s⁠ no time for⁠ useless chatter. Something’s‍‌ happening in the‍ village.”

“Eh?”‍‌

“Looks‌‌ like they plan‌‌ to wipe it out entirely.”

“I’ll‌ go immediately.”

Yuri‌⁠ gripped Guilty.

“Take‌‍‍ care of cleaning⁠⁠ up the ones‌ here first.”

“As⁠‍ you wish.”

Hearing⁠‍ the curt reply,⁠‍ Yuri simply turned⁠⁠ away.

This⁠⁠ great archmage with⁠ the youthful appearance‍‌ might seem cold‌ in demeanor, but‌ it was only⁠‍ on the surface—he‌ never ignored others’‍‌⁠ hardships.

“I’ll‌ leave it to‌ you.”

“Fine.”‍

Yuri⁠⁠ ran toward the‍‍ village, shouting to‌‌ rouse the people.‌

“It’s‌⁠ an enemy attack!⁠ Everyone, flee!”

In‌‍ the darkness, Imperial⁠ knights were moving.‍

Yuri‍ rushed toward the⁠‍‌ direction where he‌ felt their presence.⁠⁠ Those men in⁠‌‍ black armor were‌ striking the villagers‍⁠⁠ without discrimination.

Yuri⁠‌ clenched his teeth.‍

The ones being killed⁠ were innocents—all because‌‍‍ he and the‍⁠ Order of Vengeance⁠ had stayed there.‍

Even‌‍ in war, there⁠‍ were basic unwritten‍ rules—to avoid killing‍‍ innocent civilians as‌ much as possible.⁠‌

But‌‌ the Empire ignored‍‍ such principles.

The‍ coldness with which⁠ they took human‌⁠ lives without even‌ blinking was characteristic⁠⁠ of black mages.⁠‍

And⁠ Yuri thought he‌‍⁠ knew who was⁠ behind this—Cedric, the‌ demon seeking to⁠ deceive him and‌ seize the world.

Yuri gripped Guilty. The⁠ sword vibrated in‌ response to his‌⁠ will.

“Your‍ opponent is here!”⁠

Shouting,‍ he charged, running‍ through a knight‌⁠ who was trying‌ to force open‌‌ a house door.‌‌

The⁠⁠ edge of the‍‍ Cut of the⁠‌ Soul and the⁠ Heart, driven by⁠ fury, pierced the⁠ breastplate as though it were tofu.⁠

The‌ Imperial knight collapsed‌⁠ without a sound.‌⁠‌ Inside the slightly‍‌‍ open door, a family huddled together,‌‍ trembling.

“Stay‍ hidden.”

Yuri‍‍ turned immediately.

There‍ were plenty of⁠‌‍ enemies to deal‍ with, and no‍ matter how hard‍⁠ he tried, casualties⁠ were inevitable.

He⁠‌ needed to save⁠⁠ every second.

It‌ would have been⁠‌ good to have⁠ support at that‌ moment—but it seemed⁠‍ the battle outside⁠ the village was still ongoing.

Suddenly,‍⁠‍ Yuri heard the⁠‌ sound of weapons‍‍ clashing within the village. His eyes⁠‍⁠ widened.

It‍ wasn’t a simple‍‍ exchange; the clashes rang out again⁠⁠ and again. Whoever⁠‍ it was, there‍⁠ was a swordsman‍‍ capable of holding off Imperial knights inside the village.‍‌‍

If someone could buy⁠‍⁠ time, the damage⁠ to the villagers‌ could be reduced.‌

Yuri‍⁠ silently gave thanks‌⁠ and vaulted over‌‍ a wall toward‌ the nearest cluster of enemies.

The⁠‍ Imperial knights were‍ heading somewhere.

“There’s⁠ that monster!”

“Send‌‍‌ more men!”

“Damn‌ it, we’ve run⁠ into some strange guy…”

Pushing‍‍ off the wall, Yuri leapt and⁠‌‍ landed in front‍ of them.

“Monster…⁠⁠ I’ve been called‍⁠ that plenty of‍ times.”

“Yuri‍ Briol!”

“That’s⁠‍ right, that’s me.”⁠‌

Yuri‍ smiled and raised his sword.

Upon‍⁠‍ Guilty, a whirlwind⁠⁠‍ of energy spun‍ endlessly.

“I’ll‍ be the one‌‌ to handle you.”‍‍

“Ghh!”‌

“Attack!”⁠

The‍‍‌ sword’s whirlwind swept across the ground.⁠ Flesh and blood‍⁠ splattered as their⁠ defenses were torn⁠ apart.

After‍‌‍ cutting down several⁠⁠⁠ knights in an‌ instant, Yuri turned his head.

He⁠ meant to go‌‌ help that mysterious‍⁠⁠ swordsman they had‌ called a monster.‍‍‌ If he could⁠⁠⁠ fight Imperial knights,‌ it would be‌‌ worth joining forces.‌⁠⁠

Yuri‍ pressed forward, cutting‌ down the nearby⁠‌ enemies. Finally, he spotted someone surrounded‍‍‍ by a group⁠‍⁠ of knights.

It‍‍ was a swordsman‌‌ with his face⁠⁠‌ wrapped in bandages.