Chapter 260: Collapse (2)
T7zgAce cheered when he saw the Imperial army melting in the flames.5O8U
EC6vIMfHe didn’t know how it had happened, but someone had used large-scale magic to completely incinerate the enemy.JtyIdrf
aARThe entire Anti-Imperial Alliance let out a war cry and began to push the enemy back.xruJC
gLPGDThe Imperial army couldn’t react in time.Y03wtW
BJitWIn front of them was the enemy, and behind them, a sea of fire.o7g0NC
dMN4The creatures, as if desperate, swelled their tentacles and lashed out in all directions, but were soon pierced by blades or pushed back, falling into the flames that consumed and deformed them.PqlIE5R
gj84“Even the monsters can’t withstand fire! Drive them all out!” Ace shouted.lgW5
1wTW1“Everyone to the front, push them back!”Qj7QNo
BdDRE“Uoooooh!”LvLI
aNsWith the flames burning behind them, the Imperial army resisted desperately.uzrfIGq
3XzoNo matter how intoxicated they were with black magic, the fear of death never completely disappeared.sEX
lCZThat was a primal instinct.4q1jDbh
AM9jmThey blinked in disbelief, tilted their heads, and with an empty sigh, fell to the ground.oeiK0
vfeaCOne of the Imperial soldiers even shed tears before collapsing.2RD23Vk
PwOjAce felt a hint of compassion, but only for an instant.McB7G
9fcEwTo survive on the battlefield, one had to discard useless feelings.ur0j
yDK8The entire mind had to focus on surviving and killing if one wanted to see the sun again the next day.itYdW
GR67Hq“Die!”lFXB9N
ufTWJnHis sword drove roughly into the abdomen of an Imperial soldier.lLE8H
IqTZXThe feeling of cutting through flesh and entrails was already familiar to him. He twisted the blade once before pulling it out, and blood splattered across his face.SsOW
kn9FWhen he looked up, he saw a monster waving its tentacles, charred by fire.EUkU
xjwbEven though the magic had fallen in the middle of the enemy’s ranks, there were still countless forces remaining.pauz
88i“What a monstrous country…”4NhrQ
p64n73In population, national power, and everything else, the Empire was overwhelming. Even though nations considered strong on the continent had joined together, they didn’t feel they had gained any advantage.aaMM5
ze9M0On the contrary, with the constant war of attrition, it was the soldiers of the Anti-Imperial Alliance who were wearing down.d4ab
mR8IThe terrifying tide of black-clad soldiers who knew no fear was already enough—but now they were also bringing monsters like those.Qw7PA
4QfMbHCould they win? That thought crossed his mind.JSbW
HtEj4qWNo matter if they had mages who could control fire and soldiers with firm resolve, he doubted they could defeat that endless tide of enemies advancing like machines.A5spYs
vkgtWhen he locked eyes with an Imperial soldier he was crossing swords with, that negative feeling intensified.JXzXZUk
ekaB8iWhether that soldier was bewitched by black magic or he himself was fighting desperately, in the end, both would share the same fate.Wpx3
kujQNo matter who won, the world after the war would probably not be allowed to him.yQR8qi
VeN6EF9He felt the strength slipping from his hands.EgvwQ
HSgX3vUBeyond the enemy’s shoulder, he saw the figure of a monster crossing the flames, spreading its tentacles like a peacock.STdt
t50GhYThe enemy took advantage of the moment Ace was dazed to press harder.2m0D8R
9PuHis body was pushed back.J6r
l53FgQwThe enemy’s blade was about to slip past his defense—w8gjQGg
1eIwhNF“Hey, Ace.”0nJCM
VWoHe heard someone’s voice behind him.shdrf7T
vePmCdb“As expected, you’re a true player. Are you pretending to give up at the end so you can turn the game around?”tz4jSD
oiNnuooThe dust of war filling his lungs seemed to vanish completely.EUSYR3P
aVMCYLThe choking smoke covering the sky and the tense faces of the Imperial army no longer looked so hopeless.2nn5JTr
Ni8NQIt was as if a fresh breeze had blown through.25anA9b
R9bMjJAce stifled a smile and replied.sYrMCF
kdyS“Of course. The best play is always revealed at the end.”jX0
Rdb“I knew I couldn’t beat you.”CKF
7Ss“Don’t play the weakling. I remember perfectly how much money you’ve taken from me.”VHAN8
1WMo“Thanks to that, I’ve been able to drink a lot of good liquor.”q1mUM
ONWWyfJust his appearance changed the atmosphere of the battlefield. It had always been that way.cFNoSn
maBidBYuri Briol was that kind of person.N9ckK4O
fisovOV“If you want revenge, you can come whenever you like.”3HkW46
8wbI7YQ“Wait. I’ll have you ruined soon enough.”L90
HfNwr2g“I look forward to it.”3vON9xe
LAI86The Prince of the Kingdom of Briol, Yuri Briol, patted him on the shoulder and passed by.8FuC
9fRCjXtAt his arrival, the path opened.wKDFl
nvgXNThe Imperial army, which had been fighting as if it had lost all fear, wavered.NDIa
2uyAPIAce raised his weapon and shouted.Y5f
Axj“For Briol!”zAuIR
B7fxV6U***ghd5
8EHvecqYuri was busy moving back and forth.OhYZr
j710Although the soldiers on the front line grew exhausted from the periodic battles, for Yuri there was no such thing as a “period”—except at mealtime or when sleeping, he spent all his time fighting on the battlefield.Z3qAid8
fMiThe Imperial army struck multiple front lines in succession, and Yuri traveled to each one to assist his allies.tmCAASC
EI9ZJvuEvery time he appeared, visible results were achieved, so no one tried to stop him.mBlQo
xjqlHis tireless effort was, in itself, a way to save his comrades.lItyt
Z8dOf course, sometimes the Empire invaded several lines at once. In those cases, Yuri prioritized defending Briol or the fronts in the most danger.F6LTArl
5PUOBd“Phew…”InUXA
QdKIzHJYuri let out a long sigh.GG5XC
AXD0xfThere had been reports of suspicious movement from the Empire, so he had gone to the front of the Confederation of Small Kingdoms, where an unknown monster had appeared, slaughtering soldiers.ry2EA
svVnWf“Inariel.”LOqfRR
Mn6pxbQ“I already know.”3u0c3nb
HDn“Shoot them something nice and hot.”hETfLxX
oYe3FC“Hot and… strong? What are you planning?”E3lCuup
JLrR“You know exactly what I mean.”7x1
cgfInariel was the owner of the “Immutable Mana Formula,” capable of resisting even magical dispersion.p9IY1ol
QpININow that black magic had surpassed the world’s limitations, he could unleash a large-scale spell against the enemy army without issue.8td
NGgAvaEYuri had asked him for the enormous fireball he had been wanting for some time.5sM
q3Ta“Launch it as if it were the end of the world.”JZG
8WRAnd before he could answer, Yuri moved forward. Inariel did not refuse the request. Above his head, a blazing fire began to burn.mIEHIu
SI4Id“Let’s go!”8C1oeU
ARnTYuri spurred his horse forward.xcmmJSW
nR8Ww5Soon after, a second sun floating in the sky plunged toward the center of the enemy camp.lTIvQ
yIAZThere was an explosion, and flames spread, incinerating the Imperial army.78Wtru
GNBpHowever, the “black troop,” stripped of emotions that could hinder them in war, responded calmly.BVp
KECEven while enveloped by the waves of fire, they maintained formation without their morale breaking.jeWfrT
OdHfFqjThat resistance, in turn, seemed to demoralize the soldiers of the Anti-Imperial Alliance.jYB8JM
Cp2FZasYuri leapt from his horse and ran forward. To his surprise, he spotted someone he knew well.PydvSDu
5OGPgHe had heard that the Alliance Comrades Association had entered the fight, and it seemed that veteran had been sent to the front of the Confederation of Small Kingdoms.UR5
ezl4cdBut his condition was not good—it was the same look sometimes shown by soldiers worn down from continuous combat.09oBo9
Kx1As he passed by him, Yuri spoke casually.bPW7PA
fgfYN“As expected, you’re a true player. Are you pretending to give up at the end so you can turn the game around?”oGX
N41CNGAce’s body trembled.0OelW
RUq5CyWHe seemed to regain awareness and replied.scDe4s
Q8DooL0“Of course. The best play is always revealed at the end.”5VaQGW
oZq“I knew I couldn’t beat you.”S87z
pU2CQc“Don’t play the weakling. I remember perfectly how much money you’ve taken from me.”Itzx23Y
TJxcYP5“Thanks to that, I drank a lot of good liquor.”Yei
E5roYuri smiled broadly.JZJSADI
wj0GC1lWhen one faced an incomprehensible enemy—especially one emanating the dark energy of black magic—it was sometimes easy to be dragged along.QqJLDe
laqJpcAnyone who fights against darkness must remember that at any moment they could be swallowed by it.yTGm
8isByCOf course, it isn’t necessary to overcome everything alone—sometimes it’s enough for someone to give you a pat on the shoulder.kbNxWb
NsSZJust as he had done with Ace.7au2m7v
ET2“If you want revenge, come whenever you like.”jXdk
h106P“Wait. Soon I’ll have you ruined.”M4s
tcma2FZ“I look forward to it.”lCiXf3
BRTBRHHWith that, Yuri moved on. He looked left and right.H2Wr
lvbBKThere was no ally at his side.kJuep1o
YOqWhich meant he was at the very front.MLj87y
gFWHe was the one who placed himself at the head to meet the enemy. Since the miserable death of his previous life, that had never changed.oZQr6za
MhvVGAWhen that stinger called Yuri shot toward the front, the enemy’s resistance concentrated on him.qhWd
HkWDsAtWith no one to cover him, attacks rained in from the sides, the front, and the rear.WOlKdAm
AsIVYuri raised Guilty. A whirlwind wrapped around his body, and in the next moment he shredded all the Imperial soldiers surrounding him.M7YeQt
CXKBeyond the torn bodies appeared strangely shaped creatures that surrounded him.uWk
80p“Are you one of Cedric’s inventions?”3ni2JKp
qjTIt was a strange beast with tentacles.Cx3BH
i5s1gvIt moved with insect-like legs attached to its torso and had writhing tentacles on its back.i07roA
IexIts head was not visible.Hm6tz
bgDThe tentacles were like those of a mollusk, but their ends were sharpened like blades. It looked like a creature made for war.swj3TDx
UgKFD“Disgusting.”0XZR
kVWzYuri cut down the tentacles that lunged at him one by one, then delivered a downward slash.BhhGv
EIsrzThe creature was split in two, but its surface was tougher than expected and it didn’t die immediately.qZs
RCtHYMore tentacles shot toward him, attacking as if they had identified him as the main target.eX8KT
nVWSeveral strands sought vital points simultaneously, and not even Yuri could block them all.Jqpc
RNxvHe gathered mana and raised a defensive barrier. The tips didn’t pierce the wall and fell, lifeless.vH5s
W1ydPIt was then that several of the monsters attacking him were shredded in the air.gBQ
7gEqzhzAlong their path, black mana exploded.6Cv
09CIY6Yuri smiled and spoke a name.NEmQFkN
66r2KV“Laurent, you’re late.”gIs
E9krLaurent looked at him with a serious expression, shrugged, and swung his sword again.qCt1md
GSmOnjEach time he unleashed a slash of energy, the black mana churned.CcfV6
iDTbDeformed by black magic and later restored, his mana had been stained black.EncZuL
F1w1KIAfter remaining in that state for so long, his core had been completely imbued, and his magical affinity was nearing that of black magic.OnAX
ARyLaurent, radiating that dark energy that didn’t match his radiant golden hair, spoke.Kw2Tm
iwFC“And who was the one who charged in first like a dog with its tail on fire?”ESG
qf9MbFNYuri burst out laughing.YDGNIV
Bz7gz8aAlthough his remarks didn’t seem to please Laurent, they didn’t change his demeanor either.Yrqc
l6BWw“Stop laughing and focus.”kdI5y9
l21MU“Of course, my loyal knight, Sir Laurent.”Wav
CwZ“I’m no longer a knight…”bSBS7A
deOkBefore he could finish the sentence, Jared came running and shouted.XIBCd
R3qBv“And why the rush, you two? Are you also dogs with your tails on fire?”GSIHA
fBuLaurent shut his mouth, and Yuri laughed.hEAnb
SODY9xKBut there wasn’t much time to laugh. The enemies kept pressing, and the fight grew fiercer by the moment.vOafSm
tjCNqXZEven as they swung their weapons, allies were dying.ToW4sj6
jh5dxybIn the Anti-Imperial Alliance, morale fell as the number of soldiers dwindled, while the Empire continued producing troops without rest.97i7lym
BJ6B8This war of attrition could not continue.s5i
ewYSdThey had to advance.jJd
3WZt2Yuri fixed his gaze beyond the front line, on an Imperial commander who stood motionless watching. He was a knight clad in black armor.NIkC
0ZssG6Each front had its own overseer, and in the case of the Confederation of Small Kingdoms, that knight always appeared to command the Imperial troops.GJgV
RhZHis escort was so strict that up until now, Yuri had been unable to kill him.0l3qQ4P
Wg36DdV“Listen closely.”utsuPQ
wResYuri said this as he pierced another monster before him.niXZk
zKif68P“This time we’re going after that man.”MK2
SzfgFk“You think it’s possible?”te6
b2dmSWBetween them were layers of Imperial troops—soldiers, monsters, and Imperial knights who, from within their black helmets, stared at them with wide eyes.FJ1K
4EEWIf they weren’t careful, they could end up surrounded and in trouble.phR
B50bJS“We can’t keep this up, just wasting strength.”NzT
GC2DM4gNot just on this front—all the others were equally exhausted. It was time to change the situation.V5jLPue
zbr“We should think it over—”DiJL
ALIay8“Let’s go!”3EiI7lN
qwwABYuri charged.Wsj
pBMvJared sighed and followed him.4XJas
xTLscLaurent moved as well, cursing.YmZit5n
4camThe three formed a triangle, with Yuri at the tip, piercing the Imperial ranks.ayIX
GxqaaeYuri broke through in the vanguard, and the other two covered his flanks.CTBNkc
uaryHLike blades cutting through tofu, the three pierced the heart of the enemy army in an instant.YkbMk
LEOxThis time, the knights formed a wall.vlSi
Mp0awClad in black armor and reinforced by black magic, they were not easy opponents.s0Y6fu
fiDsVFBut Yuri didn’t stop. He felt he could make it all the way through.r8gu
E1THkyHis vision penetrated into the “Mental Domain.”sQAs9J
TaXVThe mana of the technique “The Cut of the soul and the heart” coursed through his entire body, and his sword, crossing into the territory of Chaos, opened possibilities never before seen.mk6XNKU
FHlNfGuilty vibrated violently and let out a roar.caSA
ur1bThe wind swirled around him.lkmgnC
dGPS7fIn an instant, he became a massive whirlwind.2ag
ucRyIn the very heart of the Imperial camp, a colossal vortex of sword energy connected the sky and the earth.8xSwxhq
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