Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince — Chapter 257: Western Front (1)

Chapter 257: Western Front (1)

Time‍ passed.

The⁠ Anti-Imperial Alliance, formed⁠ mainly by Briol,‍‍ Liberta, Brusen, and‍ the Holy Kingdom,‌ had surrounded the‌‌ Empire’s border. Until⁠‍ that moment, the‌⁠‌ Empire had made‍⁠ no move.

Despite‌ the fact that there had been‌ a clear act‌ of military provocation,‌ the Empire’s lack‍‌ of response made‌⁠‌ some soldiers hold‍ on to the‍ hope that perhaps⁠ everything could be⁠⁠⁠ resolved without a confrontation, through diplomatic⁠ means.

But‍ that was a vain illusion.

The‍‍ imperial army began to move.

Its‌ first target was‍ the western siege⁠⁠ line, the point⁠ of connection between⁠ the Holy Kingdom⁠‍ and Brusen.

***⁠‍

Jonathan‌‍‌ was panting.

The imperial troops, who⁠‌ had remained silent for so long,‌‍ turned out to‍⁠⁠ be incredibly strong.‍

They⁠⁠ didn’t seem to‍ have great mastery‍‍‍ of the sword,‍‍⁠ but their strength‌‍ and speed were‌⁠⁠ outstanding, and they showed no trace‌‌ of fear in⁠ combat.

“Hahaha…”‌

As⁠ he killed an‌⁠ imperial soldier who‌ tried to attack⁠ him from behind,‌‍ he let out⁠ a laugh.

Normally,‍‍ soldiers avoided facing⁠⁠ knights, but those‍ of the Empire‌ made no such‍ distinction—they charged regardless⁠ of who the‍‍⁠ opponent was, disregarding‍‍⁠ their own lives.

Because‌ of that, both‌ Jonathan and Brusen’s knights were suffering‌ great physical strain.‌‍

“Haa…‍ haa…”

Sword‍ in hand, he⁠‍‌ advanced while scanning‌‍⁠ his surroundings.

The‌⁠‍ imperial army seemed‍⁠ endless.

“No⁠ wonder it all‌‌ seemed too quiet to me.”

Until⁠⁠‍ now, the Empire⁠ had only focused‍ on strengthening its interior, without showing‍‌ any movement. This⁠ had fueled the‍‌ hope that perhaps‍ they weren’t prepared‌ for war.

But‍‌ it had all‌‍ been a mistake.‌ They had simply‌ been waiting for‌⁠ the right moment.⁠‌‌

As‍ proof, now wave‌⁠ after wave of‌‍ professional and well-trained‍⁠ soldiers kept appearing.‍‍

“Hold⁠ the line! Reinforcements‍⁠⁠ will arrive!”

Jonathan‍⁠ shouted and charged⁠‍‌ forward. Several figures⁠ lunged at him.‍‌‍ Soldiers or knights—it‌⁠⁠ didn’t matter—he cut‌ them all down⁠ while trying to⁠ keep morale high.‍‌

It‍ was the first battle since the‍ formation of the‌ Anti-Imperial Alliance.

They‍‌‌ could not afford‌ to retreat here.‍ The outcome of⁠‍‍ this fight would⁠‍ determine the momentum‌ of the long⁠‌ war ahead.

Jonathan‌‍ did not intend⁠ to let the‌ war against the‍ Empire begin with‌‍ Brusen’s defeat.

While⁠‍ shouting to rally‍‍ his men, an⁠‍ arrow flew toward⁠ him.

He‌‌ dodged it instinctively.

Looking‌‍ up, he saw a knight in⁠ black armor approaching.‍‍⁠

The‌⁠ pressure he gave‌ off was not⁠ ordinary. He was‌ undoubtedly a high-ranking⁠ knight within the⁠⁠‌ Empire.

Jonathan‍ smiled wryly.

“I’m‍‌ more of a thinker than a fighter…”

Even⁠‌‌ so, he wasn’t‌‌ about to run⁠‍ from a duel‍‌⁠ with the sword.

The‍‌ imperial knight charged‍ at him, surrounded‍‍‌ by a dark⁠ energy that crackled‌ like lightning around his weapon.

Jonathan‍⁠⁠ swallowed and unleashed his sword aura.⁠ Even so, he⁠ could feel that‌‍⁠ the man was⁠ stronger than him.

But⁠ if he didn’t⁠ stop him, the‍‍‍ troops around him would suffer the‌‍ consequences.

He clashed his sword‌ against the enemy’s.⁠‍‍ The impact shook‌ his hands.

He‍‍ tried to twist‌‍ his weapon to‌‌ counterattack, but the‌⁠⁠ opponent rammed him‌ with his shoulder.⁠‍‌

Jonathan‌‌ was pushed back, stumbling. The enemy’s blow came down toward his head.‍

He‍ barely blocked it.‌⁠

If‍ it continued like⁠⁠‍ this, he would be struck down.

He⁠ rolled across the⁠‍‍ ground to get out of the way and looked‌ for a way‌⁠‌ to stop the‍ chain of attacks.

Then‌⁠ he saw someone stepping in to‍⁠ face the enemy.

Recognizing‌ that broad back,‍‌‍ Jonathan felt relieved.‌

“Jose!”‌‌

“Leave⁠‌ him to me,‍ Sir Jonathan.”

Although‌ he was now‍ one of the‍ Ten Greats, Jose‍ was still the‍‍ same as always.‍⁠‍

Carrying‌⁠ a sword befitting‌‍ his enormous size,‌ he advanced with⁠ steady steps toward‌ the imperial knight.‌

There‍ was no one left in Brusen‍‌ who didn’t know the name Jose.⁠ Mentioning the kingdom⁠⁠ also meant mentioning‍ his name.

However,‍ the imperial knight⁠‍ showed no fear‌ of him whatsoever.‍‌ He advanced and‍ swung his sword‌‍ as if he⁠ were facing any soldier.

But‍ that had no⁠ effect on Jose.⁠

With‌⁠ a single strike,‌ Jose’s power made‌‍‌ the imperial drop his weapon and⁠‍‍ roll on the‍ ground from the impact.

When⁠ he tried to‍ move, Jose kicked‌ him, leaving him⁠ immobile. Jonathan felt‍ a chill at‍‌ the sight.

The‌‍ imperial knight didn’t⁠⁠ seem human.

No‍⁠‍ emotional reactions, no⁠⁠ pain—he only fought⁠‌‍ until he died.‍

Then‌ Jonathan realized that⁠ all the imperial‍ soldiers on the‍‌ battlefield were the‌⁠ same.

“Damn‌ it…”

He cursed and raised‍ his sword again. They could not‌ lose to beings⁠‌ like these.

With‌ that thought strengthened,‍⁠⁠ he charged alongside‌‍ Jose against the‍‍ imperial tide advancing from the front.‌

Blades‍⁠‌ came down endlessly‍⁠‌ upon their heads,⁠‌ but they found‍‍ openings to pierce‌‌ their enemies’ throats.‍‌

Even⁠‌‌ so, the number‍ of imperial troops‌ did not diminish.‌

From‌⁠ the start, the⁠ Empire not only‍ had vast territory,‍‌⁠ but also an⁠⁠ overwhelmingly large army.‍

“The⁠ reinforcements?”

“We’ve⁠⁠ already sent someone!”⁠⁠

“I‌ hope they get⁠⁠ here fast.”

The‌‌ Holy Kingdom was‌⁠ closer. While he‌‍⁠ anxiously awaited their⁠‍‌ arrival, Jonathan raised‍ his sword again.⁠⁠

“Fight!”‍⁠

The‍ life-or-death melee continued⁠‌ without rest.

Jonathan⁠⁠‌ had already lost‌ count of how‍ many enemies he⁠‌‌ had killed. The same was true‌ for the allies‌‌ falling beside him.⁠‌

It was a brutal⁠‌ war of attrition—for‍ every enemy taken‍‌ down, allied ranks‌‌ thinned.

“Why‌‍ aren’t the reinforcements‍‍ here yet?!”

Jonathan shouted.

It‌⁠ was then that,‌‍⁠ in the distance,⁠‍ a clamor began‍‌ to be heard.‌‍ Jonathan turned his‌ head and saw‍‌ the Holy Kingdom’s⁠‍ banner waving.

“Reinforcements!”⁠⁠⁠

As‌ soon as they⁠ arrived, the imperial‌⁠ army began to‌ collapse as if⁠ a wave had‍‌ crashed over it.‍⁠

“Sir‍ Jonathan.”

The⁠ Holy Kingdom’s commander‍ quickly found him.⁠⁠⁠

This‌⁠ man, with whom‍‌⁠ he had clashed‍‍ as an enemy⁠ due to the‍ bad relations between⁠‌ their kingdoms, had⁠ become an ally‍ since the formation‌⁠⁠ of the Anti-Imperial‌⁠ Alliance.

The⁠‍ commander frowned.

“Why⁠‌ aren’t you using‌ that weapon?”

“Weapon?”⁠‌‌

“I‍ mean the weapons⁠ coated with orichalcum.”⁠‍

“That?”‌

Jonathan‍‌⁠ shook his head.‍‍

“I‌ prefer the weapons‌ I’m used to.”⁠‍⁠

“You’ll‍‌ never…”

The‌ commander clicked his‌⁠⁠ tongue.

“They⁠⁠⁠ already told you‌‌ that against the‍ Imperial army you‍ should use them.”⁠

“I‍⁠‍ didn’t notice anything‍⁠ special. I prefer‍ my usual sword.”‌

“Orichalcum⁠‍ is effective against‌ the Empire.”

“Well, I didn’t notice⁠ much difference.”

“Look⁠ closely.”

The‌‍ man gestured with⁠‍ his chin.

The‍ troops of the Holy Kingdom had⁠ entered amidst the⁠‍‌ chaos and were‌⁠ fighting alongside the army of Brusen‌‍ against the Empire.‍

Jonathan‍‍ narrowed his eyes.⁠‍⁠

“Oh…”⁠‍

“Now‍‌⁠ you see it?”‍⁠

Though‌ he didn’t want‌ to admit it,⁠‌ Jonathan had to‌ concede the point.

The⁠‍ Imperial soldiers, who⁠ before had charged⁠ without any fear,‍‌ now showed more‌ human reactions when‌ facing the Holy⁠⁠ Kingdom’s troops. If‌ they were wounded,‌‍ they screamed in‍‌ pain; if they were at a disadvantage, they retreated.⁠

“The⁠ Imperials have been‌ altered with black⁠ magic. Orichalcum resists⁠⁠ that magic, and‍‌ when used against‌‌‌ them, their strength‌ drops dramatically.”

“I‍ see—in combat, it⁠‌ shows.”

“When‌ this battle ends,‌⁠ hand out orichalcum‍ weapons to everyone.⁠ We don’t have‌‍⁠ enough to just⁠ hand them out‌‍ indiscriminately.”

“Understood.”⁠‌

Currently,⁠ the Holy Kingdom⁠ was the only‌ one that possessed‌⁠ orichalcum and knew‌‍‌ how to work‌‍ it to coat‌ weapons.

“Any⁠ problems on other⁠⁠ fronts?”

“For‌ now, the battle‌‌ is only being‍⁠ fought here.”

“Oh, yes?”

“The⁠ Empire must have thought this was‍‍‍ the most weakly‍‌ defended area.”

“What‍‍ nonsense are you⁠⁠⁠ saying?”

Jonathan‍ shouted as he‍ rushed forward. He‍‌ picked up the⁠ sword of a fallen Holy Kingdom‍‌ soldier from the‌‍‌ ground and swung‍⁠ it.

He‌ confirmed that with⁠‌ the orichalcum coating,⁠‌ combat became much⁠ easier.

“Brusen! Let’s go!”

“Let’s‌ go!”

The‍ Brusen troops shouted⁠⁠ with high morale. With Jose’s help,⁠ the Imperial advance‍ began to slow.⁠

“Go‌‌⁠ back to the⁠‌ Empire!”

“Die,‍‌‍ damn Imperial!”

“Long⁠ live Brusen!”

Insults‍ and shouts echoed‍ across the front.‌⁠ At that moment,‌‌ one sector of‌⁠‌ the battlefield began⁠ to stir.

Jonathan looked over.

“Huh?”‍‌

He‍‍‍ saw something.

Among‍‌ the Imperial ranks‍⁠‌ moved a figure‌ much larger than‍ the rest. At‍⁠ first, he thought‍ they were bringing⁠ in a siege‌‌‍ weapon, but on⁠⁠ closer look, he‌ realized it was‍⁠ a living being.

A name crossed his⁠ mind.

“Donchich?”‍‍⁠

It‌⁠ was the ogre‌ who had destroyed‌ Liberta and whom⁠ Moyongchan had harshly‌ scolded. He had‌ returned.

To face a member‌ of the Ten‌ Greats, another of‍⁠ the same level⁠ had to step⁠ in.

Jonathan turned his head.‍⁠

“Jose!”‍⁠

But⁠‍ there was no‍‍ response. A knight⁠ beside him, panting,‌⁠ spoke.

“Sir⁠ Jose is fighting⁠ Imperial knights.”

“What?”‌‌⁠

Jonathan‌ looked and saw⁠ Jose surrounded by‍‍ several enemies.

“What‍ are you doing?‍‍ Help Jose…!”

At‌‍ that moment, a Brusen knight tried‌ to assist him‍‍ but was instantly⁠‍ beheaded. The difference‍‌ in level was‍⁠ overwhelming.

“It⁠ seems they sent⁠ combatants prepared specifically⁠‌ to face him.”⁠

“Damn⁠‌‌ it…”

Sending‍ more troops to‌ help Jose at‌ that moment would‍‍ be risky. Jonathan‌‌ turned to the⁠⁠ commander of the⁠ Holy Kingdom.

“And⁠ Sir Francesco?”

“Defending‍‍ another line.”

“Why‌⁠ isn’t he coming?”‍

“Imperial forces have appeared⁠‌ on all fronts.‌⁠ He’s in reserve‍ because we don’t⁠ know where they’ll‍ attack next. We‌ can’t concentrate all‌ our power here.”‍⁠⁠

“But‌ we’re already under attack here!”

“Stop⁠⁠ complaining.”

“Damn‌‍‌ it…”

Jonathan‍ gritted his teeth as he watched‍‌ Donchich approach. He was truly enormous.‌⁠

If⁠⁠‍ that monster rampaged‌‍⁠ through the middle‍‌‍ of the field,⁠‌‍ the soldiers wouldn’t‍‌‍ stand a chance.‌

“Donchich⁠ is coming! Everyone‍ in position!”

Jonathan‌⁠⁠ shouted.

“I’ll‍⁠‌ gather the knights.‌ We have to‍ hold him off‍ together.”

“I’ll⁠ help.”

“Thanks.”‍‍

Jonathan‌ called over the‍‍ nearby knights, but‌ in the chaos,⁠ few could break‍‌‍ away to join‍‌ him.

“No…‍ we can’t.”

Some‌‌ showed fear. Donchich’s‌‌ presence on the‍ battlefield was overwhelming.‍

While‍⁠ Jonathan tried to‍ rally them—

“He’s⁠‌ coming!”

Donchich⁠ picked up speed.‌⁠

Each time he moved,‍ he plowed through‌ nearby troops. He⁠ didn’t care about⁠ trampling his own⁠ soldiers; he charged⁠ like a madman⁠ straight for Jonathan.‍‍

With‌‌ each stride, several Brusen soldiers went‍‍ flying.

“Can‍ we… can we‍‌ stop him?”

Even⁠ Jonathan couldn’t answer.‌ Inside, he doubted‌ whether to hold⁠‍ his ground or⁠ step aside.

Then,‌‍⁠ at the instant⁠‌⁠ Donchich broke through‌ the Imperial ranks⁠ and fully entered‌‌ the battlefield—

Boom!‌‍

A crash resounded and‌‍‌ Donchich fell to‌⁠‍ the side.

Everything⁠ seemed to move‍‌ in slow motion⁠ the ogre, charging‍ with momentum, was‍ sent flying and⁠ slammed into the‍‍ ground.

Jonathan’s‍ face lit up.‍‍ He knew perfectly‌‌ well who had⁠‍ appeared out of‌ nowhere to land‌ such a flying‍‌‍ kick.

“Yuri‌ Briol!”

The⁠ prince of Briol,‍ a member of‌ the Ten Greats‍ and the hero‍‍ leading the Anti-Imperial⁠ Alliance, had crossed‌ a great distance⁠ to get here.‌⁠

It⁠ didn’t seem he‌‌ had come with⁠ Briol’s army; he⁠‍⁠ was probably alone.‌

But⁠ that was enough.⁠

“It⁠‍‍ can’t be…”

After‍ knocking down Donchich,⁠‌ Yuri swung his⁠‍ sword. The ogre,‌ flustered, retreated and‌ took up a defensive stance as⁠⁠ the wounds on‌ his body multiplied.

Even though both were⁠ among the Ten Greats, the difference‍ in power was‍‌‍ evident.

Who‌ would have imagined‌ that young prince⁠ would have grown‌ so strong since‌ the last time‌ Jonathan had seen‌⁠‍ him in the⁠‌⁠ alliance?

While‍‍ Jonathan was still‍⁠ caught up in his amazement, he⁠‌ heard a voice.‌‍

“I‍ don’t think you‌ have time to⁠‌⁠ just stand there‌‌‍ watching. You must⁠ have lives to‌ spare.”

It⁠‍ was a mocking⁠ tone, but strangely‌ familiar.

Jonathan‌‍ turned toward the‌‍ source.

“Huh?”‌‍

It⁠‍ was undoubtedly someone⁠‍‌ he knew. But‌ not the sort⁠⁠ of person who‍‍‌ would say something‍ like that—he had⁠ always been an⁠ upright, proper knight.‌

His⁠‌ appearance was the‍⁠‍ same, but the⁠ cynical expression on⁠ his face made‍ him seem like⁠ someone else entirely.‌

Jonathan murmured in astonishment.‌‍

“Sir⁠ Laurent…?”