Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince — Chapter 258: Western Front (2)

Chapter 258: Western Front (2)

Yuri‍ looked at Donchichi‍ and said.

“Are‌⁠ you that big⁠ guy?”

He‍‌ understood why people‌ couldn’t resist him—his‌ size was comparable‍⁠ to that of‍ a building.

To‌ the soldiers, he‌⁠ must have felt‍ like a monster‍ impossible to face.⁠‍

But to Yuri, he‌ wasn’t such a difficult opponent.

He⁠‍⁠ was very strong,⁠ yes, but he⁠‍‌ had so many openings that, as‌ long as Yuri‌‍ didn’t make a mistake, he could‌‌ toy with him‍ again and again.‍

Donchich‌ stood up in⁠ a fury.

“Insignificant human! I will‌‌ kill you!”

“Oh…”‌

Donchich⁠⁠ began to charge‌ like a madman, and Yuri appreciated⁠ his determination.

“Everyone, fall back!”

When‌ Yuri shouted, Brusen’s‍ soldiers began to⁠‍ flee.

Although⁠ he had told⁠ them to get‌ out of the‌ way, they vanished⁠‌‍ so quickly that⁠⁠ Yuri even felt⁠‍ a little disappointed.⁠

Soon,‌ only Donchichi and‍⁠⁠ the imperial troops‌‌‌ remained around him.‌‍

“Uaaaah!”‌⁠

The‍‍ charge of that gigantic creature created a pressure as⁠‌ if a wall‌⁠‍ were collapsing on them.

Yuri brandished Guilty and‌‌ unleashed the Spinning‍‌‌ Whirlwind Sword.

Now‍‍ that he had‍⁠ achieved mastery, his‍‍ cutting aura tore‌‌ through the air in an instant,‌‌ spinning with force.‌‍⁠ He no longer⁠ needed time to accelerate the spin.‍

The‍ vortex grew in‍‍ an instant.

The fractal structure, formed‌‍‍ by spins interlocking⁠ like gears, expanded‌ in size.

When‌‌ Donchich arrived, the‌ whirlwind was already‍‍‍ as large as⁠‍⁠ his body and‍⁠‌ roared with a deafening sound.

No matter how tough‍‍ an ogre’s skin‍ was, it was‌ soft compared to‌⁠⁠ the aura of one of the‍⁠ Ten Greats like‍⁠ Yuri.

Donchich‌ instinctively slowed down.‍

“Scared?”‌‍

Yuri‍‌ shouted and advanced,‌‌ guiding the whirlwind‌⁠ toward him.

The‌ deceleration was so‍ abrupt that the‌‌‌ ground split into‌ a long trench.‌ Just before colliding with Yuri’s cutting⁠‌ aura, Donchich came‍ to a complete⁠‌ stop, then pivoted‍ on his heels‍ and fled.

Yuri‍⁠ chased after him.‍⁠

“Where‌ do you think⁠⁠ you’re going?!”

“Human‌‌ monster! He’s back!”

While‍‌‌ soldiers under black‌⁠ magic control fought‌‍‍ without fear, it‍ seemed Donchich hadn’t‌‌ reached that level.‌

Surely‌ his natural resistance‍‍ to external magic⁠‌ was higher than⁠‌ that of a human.

Yuri‌ changed his mind.‌‍

Instead‍ of killing him,⁠‍ he would use⁠‍ Donchich to massacre‍ the imperial troops.‍‌‍

“I‌ said where are‌⁠ you going?!”

“Don’t‌‌ come! Human! Enough,‍ I’ll stop already!”‌

Donchich‍‍ kept running in‍⁠‌ the opposite direction⁠ from Yuri, not⁠‌ caring about trampling his own imperial‌‍ troops.

Yuri‍‌⁠ guided him, and⁠ Donchich crushed imperial‍‌ soldiers with every⁠ step.

“Everyone,‌ move aside!”

The⁠ knights of the‌‍ Empire shouted, only⁠‍‌ to be crushed‍‍ seconds later under‌ the ogre’s feet.‍‌

Even⁠‍‌ in the middle‌ of the enemy camp, Yuri had‌ no trouble—Donchich was‍ clearing the way⁠ for him. He‍ laughed nonstop as‍ he harassed him.‌⁠

“This⁠ is fun.”

Then‌⁠ he moved faster and struck Donchich’s⁠‌⁠ rear with the whirlwind.

Blood⁠⁠⁠ spurted, and the‍ ogre ran even‌ faster.

If‍ this went on,‌ it seemed he‌‍‍ would retreat entirely‍⁠ to the Empire,‍⁠ so Yuri shouted.

“Donchich,⁠ stop!”

“I’m‌ not stopping!”

“If you run, I’ll⁠ chase you until⁠⁠ I kill you!”

“N-no!”⁠

“If‍ you stop, I’ll‌‌ let you live.”⁠

“Really?”‍

“Yes.”‍⁠

Finally,‌ Donchich slowed down.

The⁠ rumble of his‍ footsteps stopped, and for a moment,⁠⁠ silence reigned on⁠ the battlefield.

All‍ the imperial soldiers looked at him,‌‍ with a mix‌ of fear and⁠ resentment.

But⁠⁠‌ Donchich, ignoring those‌⁠ looks, tried to‌ please Yuri.

“W-what…⁠ do you want?”⁠

“Very‌ simple.”

Yuri‌⁠⁠ moved his fingers⁠ from side to side.

“If‌‍ you run back‌ and forth ten‍‌ times between those‍⁠‍ two points, I’ll‌ let you go.”‍

“Why…‌ do I run?”‍

“It’s‍ your punishment.”

Yuri⁠ crossed his arms and frowned.

“Because‌‍ of you, things‌ got complicated, so‌⁠ you have to⁠‍ be punished. Ten‌ back-and-forth runs is⁠ being lenient.”

“Oh,‍‌ really?”

Donchich⁠⁠ scratched his head,‌ but Yuri pressured‌⁠‌ him so he⁠‍ wouldn’t think too‌ much.

“Start now. Ten times.”‍

“A-all⁠‍ right. Donchich runs.”‍

The⁠⁠ ogre looked at⁠‌ the two points⁠‍ indicated.

It⁠ was a path‌ that would directly crush the imperial troops facing Brusen.⁠⁠ If he ran⁠‌ there, Brusen could‍‍ advance easily, and⁠ the Empire would⁠ suffer catastrophic losses.‍⁠

The‍‍ imperial knights, understanding‍‌ Yuri’s intent, shouted‌ at him.

“Lord⁠‍ Donchich, don’t do‌ it!”

“You’re⁠‍ falling into his‍‍⁠ trap!”

“Stop!”‌‌

But‍‌‌ Donchich didn’t even listen to them;‍‍ he even picked⁠‍⁠ his ear.

“I‌ don’t obey humans‍‌ weaker than me.”‍

“Very⁠⁠ good, Donchich.”

“Ten⁠⁠ runs, and you‌ forgive me, right?”‌⁠

“Yes.”

“Let’s‍‍ run!”

Donchich‍ set off to escape Yuri’s harassment.⁠‍ The imperials, to‍‌ avoid dying, had‌‌‌ to scatter, disorganizing‌ their ranks.

In⁠ those conditions, there‌ was no way⁠‌ they could break‌‌‌ through the defensive⁠ line that Brusen‍⁠ defended tooth and⁠ nail.

Little‍⁠⁠ by little, the‌‌‍ front began to‌‌ tilt in favor⁠ of the Anti-Imperial‌⁠ Coalition. A single member of the‍ Ten Greats had⁠ changed the course‍ of the battle.‌

Of⁠ course, the Empire⁠⁠‍ wasn’t going to‌‍ let Yuri move‌ freely.

At‌ one moment, Donchich‍ stopped.

“What’s‍ wrong?”

Yuri‌‌ raised his sword and approached to‌⁠ threaten him, but‌ sensed an energy⁠ approaching from the⁠ surroundings.

He‍‌‌ turned his head.‍

Six⁠⁠‍ knights were advancing‍‌⁠ toward him.

The‍ energy they radiated was not ordinary.‍

“Oh…”⁠

It⁠ was clear they hadn’t sent their army without preparation.⁠

Now he understood why⁠ in this battle⁠‌ they hadn’t sent⁠ someone like the‍⁠ Black Knight or‌⁠ the Shadowless Sword.‍‌

Seen⁠‍ individually, those six‌‌⁠ knights weren’t particularly⁠ fearsome to Yuri—barely‌ on the level‍‌ of an imperial‍⁠‍ cavalry captain.

But‌‌ together, they radiated‍ a force sufficient‌ to make him⁠‍ get serious.

“Not⁠ bad…”

By‌‌⁠ their appearance, it‌‍‍ didn’t seem they‌ had reached that‍‌ power by normal⁠ means.

If‍‍ black magic could‍⁠ produce knights like that in mass,‍ it would be‍ a serious problem.⁠

Yuri⁠ stood still, watching them. The war⁠ had barely begun,⁠ and he wanted⁠ to assess the enemy’s strength.

One‍ of them spoke.

“Your‍ show ends here.”‌

“Oh,⁠‍ really?”

Yuri⁠⁠ smiled with disdain.‍⁠

“Did‌‍ you think that⁠ just because several‌ of you came,⁠ things would change?”‍

Instead‌‌ of answering, they‍⁠⁠ drew their swords.⁠⁠‌ From the six⁠⁠ knights surrounding him‍ emerged a black‍ aura that wrapped‌ around Yuri. It‍ was as if‍ a barrier had⁠⁠ been deployed, and his senses grew‍⁠ heavier.

Yuri‍‍ understood.

The‌⁠‌ black magic aura⁠ that had been⁠ implanted in them‍ was interfering with him. And, as‌‌ always happened with‍‌ black magic, the‍‍ price was their‍‌ very lives.

Those⁠‍‌ six knights, in‌ exchange for restraining‌ Yuri, would consume‌‌‌ their life expectancy⁠‌‍ until they died.⁠⁠⁠ It was a kind of magic circle that used‌ a human sacrifice.‌⁠⁠

“For‍‍ six people to‌⁠ risk their lives‍ for me… it’s‍ an honor.”

“Die without resistance.”

Yuri⁠⁠ didn’t bother asking‌⁠ them why they‍‍ were doing such‌⁠‌ a thing. From the beginning, all of them were⁠ under the influence‍‍ of black magic. He didn’t know⁠ exactly what was⁠ happening in the⁠ Empire, but surely⁠ all its citizens⁠⁠⁠ were being indoctrinated‌⁠ with black magic.‍

You⁠ only had to‍⁠ look at the imperial soldiers present‌‌‌ to realize—except for⁠‌ Donchich, they had‍ all turned into‌ war machines as⁠⁠‌ if they were‌‌‍ possessed.

“Almost⁠‌‍ makes Donchich seem‍⁠ admirable.”

At‍ that moment, Donchich⁠ appeared.

“Huuh,‍‍ huff… Human. Now‌⁠ the situation, changed.‍ Revenge!”

“…”

Yuri‌‌‍ immediately canceled what⁠ he had just‍⁠ been thinking.

“Idiot.”‌‌‍

“What?‍ Idiot? Donchich, ready!‌ Ogre genius! If‍⁠ you ignore me,‍ revenge!”

Then‍‌ Donchich charged at‍⁠ him.

The‍⁠ six knights stepped‌‍ back as if‌⁠ they had been‌⁠ waiting for it.‌‍‍

From‌⁠ their bodies, the‍ black aura merged,⁠⁠⁠ forming a six-pointed‌‍ star that continued‍ to hinder Yuri.‍

His body felt heavy.⁠

“This is nothing…”

Yuri‍ gripped Guilty, infusing‌ it with the power of “The‌ Cut of the⁠ soul and the⁠⁠ heart.”
He cut.

That‍ technique he had⁠ mastered contained the‌ ability to tear‌‌‍ apart black magic.‍⁠ The dark aura⁠ pressing on him‍ vanished without a trace.

In⁠⁠ the instant he‌⁠ prepared to block‌ Donchich’s attack, the same aura he‌ had just cut‍ away clung to‍ him again to‌ prevent him from‍ moving.

“Tsk…!”‌

For‍⁠ a moment, Yuri‌ lost his balance.‌‍

Donchich’s‌ massive fist struck⁠ his body. Although‍‍ he raised his‍‍⁠ sword and adopted⁠ a defensive stance‌ just before receiving⁠ it, avoiding a mortal wound, the‍ impact sent him‌ flying and rolling⁠ across the ground.‍

His‍ head pounded and his body creaked.‌⁠

The⁠⁠ brute force of‌⁠ that blow was⁠⁠ immense.

“Damn‍ it…”

Meanwhile,‍ the six knights‌⁠ activated again and⁠‍ once more formed‍‍ the circle of‍ the six-pointed star,‌⁠‍ plunging him into‌ that sensation of‍ being submerged underwater.⁠

“Cowards,‌ so many against‌ one…”

Yuri‌ raised his gaze.⁠

“But,⁠ you know what?”‌

No‍ one answered. Only‌⁠ Donchich kept running‌‍ to attack him.‌⁠

“You’re‌‍ not the only‌ ones who have⁠‌ allies.”

And⁠ then, Donchich, who⁠ was rushing toward‌ Yuri, suddenly collapsed‌ to the ground.‍

“Hahahahaha!”‌

A thunderous laugh echoed‌ across the battlefield.‍‍

“It’s‍ been a long⁠ time, Your Highness!”‍

It⁠ was Jose, one‍‍ of Brusen’s Ten‍ Greats, smiling broadly‌ at Yuri. The⁠‌ latter returned the‌ greeting with a wave. It had‌ been a while⁠‌ since he had‌‌ seen him.

“Have‌ you been well?”⁠

“I’ve‍⁠ been well until⁠⁠⁠ these damned Imperials⁠‍ messed everything up again.”

“That’s‌‍ why I came‍‍⁠ out too.”

“And⁠⁠ what do we do with this big slowpoke?”

“Beat him up.”

“Understood.”‍

Donchich‍⁠ got up and‌‍ glared at Jose.⁠⁠‌

“Human!‍ You annoy!”

“And you’re not afraid‌‌ of me?”

“You,⁠ no, I win.”‍‌⁠

“This‍ bastard!”

A human as tall‍‍ as a giant,‍‌ Jose, and the‌‍ gigantic Donchich clashed‍ with each other.⁠⁠

The⁠⁠‌ ground shook and explosions rumbled in‌ their fierce fight.‍‍‍

Yuri⁠‍‌ shrugged.

“Well,⁠‍ what do you‌‍‍ think now?”

One‌‌ of the six‍‍‌ knights spoke again.⁠‌

“Even⁠ if it’s not‌ Donchich, there are‍‍ many who can‌‍ kill you.”

As‍⁠ soon as he finished speaking, more‌ imperial knights rushed‌ at Yuri, all‍⁠ with eyes full‌ of bloodlust.

In‌‌ a state where⁠ his mobility was limited by black magic, facing dozens⁠⁠ of knights wouldn’t be easy, not⁠ even for him.‍

He‌⁠ had to kill‌ those six first.⁠⁠

While‌ scanning his surroundings,‍‌ Yuri suddenly spoke.⁠‌

“Let’s⁠ kill those six‍⁠⁠ first. What do‌ you think?”

The‌ others looked at‍ him strangely, thinking he was talking to himself. But then something unexpected‌‌‍ happened—one of the⁠‌ knights forming the‌ barrier suddenly dropped⁠⁠ dead.

“N-no…!”‍⁠‍

“What‍ the hell…?”

All‌‌ were stunned. Over‌ the lifeless body⁠⁠ of the knight,‍ someone was standing.‌

“So‌‌ much boasting about‌ fighting alone… and‌‍⁠ in the end,‌ you’re nothing more‌ than someone asking⁠‍‌ for help.”

The⁠⁠ voice was clear,‍ but the tone⁠‌ brimmed with sarcasm.

“I’ve‌ already killed one, so you take⁠‌⁠ care of the‌‌ rest.”

The‍ one who had‌⁠ killed the imperial‌‌ knight and appeared‌⁠ before them was‌‍ a young man⁠ with golden hair‍⁠ and handsome features.‍‌⁠ His face was‍‌ pure and radiant,⁠ but the atmosphere‍‍‌ around him was decadent.

Yuri⁠‌ narrowed his eyes at the sight⁠ of him.

“With‌‍ that face and⁠‍ that attitude… something‌ doesn’t add up.”‍‌‌

The⁠‍ young man was⁠ none other than⁠‌‌ Laurent.

With‍‍ Inariel’s help, he⁠‍ had regained his‌ original body, free of the deformities⁠ of black magic.‍‌‍ However, inside, he‌⁠⁠ was still the‍‍ same cynical man.‍

“Well,‌‌ it doesn’t matter.”‌‌

Yuri‍‌ smiled indifferently.

No‍ matter how twisted⁠ he had become,‍ to his eyes‌⁠ he wasn’t that‌‍‍ different from the Laurent who used⁠ to follow him⁠‍ everywhere.

As‌ Yuri raised his‍ sword again, another⁠‌⁠ person appeared at‍⁠ his side.

“Lord Laurent, although your⁠ new appearance is‍⁠‌ also attractive, I must say I miss the adorable⁠⁠ Lord Laurent from⁠⁠⁠ before. Isn’t that‍⁠ right, Your Highness?”⁠

“Of⁠ course.”

“In⁠‍ those days when⁠ I followed His⁠‍ Highness the prince…”⁠‌

“Enough.‍ Laurent will get‌⁠‍ angry.”

“Yes,⁠ sir.”

He was Jared, one‌‍ of the few‌ who wasn’t intimidated by the changed‌ Laurent.

Laurent’s‍ face tensed.

“How⁠ annoying.”

Laurent swung his sword⁠ irritably. The battle‌‍ resumed.

Yuri⁠ and Jared moved⁠⁠ in unison. With‍‍ Laurent killing one‍ of the members⁠⁠ of the circle,‌‍ the barrier trapping‌ Yuri had lost⁠ much of its⁠ strength, and that became a disaster‍ for the imperial⁠‍ knights.

Yuri’s⁠‌‌ sword tore through⁠‌ everything around him.‍‍ Blood and flesh⁠ splattered the air.⁠⁠

Jared,‌ for his part,‌⁠ assisted Yuri by‍⁠ eliminating enemies with⁠⁠ precision.

As‍ he killed mechanically,‌‌ Yuri straightened his back and looked‌⁠ around.

At⁠‍ some point, Brusen’s‌⁠ forces had broken‍‌ the imperial line⁠⁠ and were overpowering⁠ the Empire’s black‌ troops.

The‍ first battle had‍‌‌ been a success.‍

In‍ his previous life,‍ the imperial army⁠ had been so‌⁠ strong that it⁠⁠ had never lost‍⁠ a single time.⁠

But‌‌ this time was‍⁠ different.

The‌⁠ hope of victory‍ could be felt.⁠

“Wait,⁠‌ Cedric…”

Yuri⁠‌ looked up toward‍ the northern sky,⁠ a cold smile‌‍⁠ on his face.‌‍