Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince — Chapter 262: Collapse (4)

Chapter 262: Collapse (4)

“I⁠‌ find her pleasant.”

“I⁠⁠ do too, but…”⁠

At‌ Yekaterina’s words, Elaine‍ fell into thought⁠⁠ for a moment.⁠

When Elaine had sent a message to Yuri through Asana,‍ the three of⁠⁠ them had briefly‍ met and spoken.‍ At that time,⁠‍ Yekaterina seemed to‍ have taken a liking to Asana.‌⁠

But‌ there was something⁠‍ strange.

Elaine⁠ had sent to‌⁠ Yuri, through Asana,⁠‌ the proposal to‍ lure the warriors‍ of the Eastern‌‌ Murim.

And⁠ a few days⁠ later, Asana had‌ informed her that‌‌ she had successfully‍ carried out the⁠⁠⁠ task.

However,‌‍ when they were‍ escaping from the Empire, the Black⁠ Knight had said‌⁠⁠ the following to‍ them:

“Yuri⁠ Briol asked me⁠⁠‌ to pass this⁠‌ on to you—cooperation⁠‍⁠ with the East‌‍ is requested. Though‌‌ I don’t know‌ if it makes‌ sense in this⁠ situation…”

At⁠ that moment, the⁠ situation was so‍⁠ urgent that Elaine⁠⁠ hadn’t thought much about it.

She‌ believed it was‌ Yuri’s reply to⁠‍ the message she‍‍ had sent through Asana.

But in retrospect, that‌‍‌ wasn’t like Yuri.‌‍‍ He wasn’t the⁠‌ type to give‌ vague, senseless answers‍‌⁠ like a broken⁠ record.

There‍ was only one‌‌ situation that fit.‍‍

Asana‍‌ had not delivered‍‌ her letter.

And‍‌ Yuri, without receiving‍‌ it, had thought‌⁠ up on his‍‌ own the idea‌‍‍ of attracting the⁠ Eastern forces, and‌ had sent the‌ Black Knight to convey the request.‍⁠

Knowing⁠ Yuri’s sharpness, it⁠⁠‌ was entirely possible.‌⁠

Yekaterina‌‌ tilted her head.

“What‍ if Yuri, in‌⁠ a rush, just‌⁠ said it offhand?”‌‍

“In⁠⁠ that case, he⁠‍ would have said‍‍‍ something else. For‍ example, ‘Good idea.‌‍ Carry it out‍‍ immediately.’”

“So⁠‌⁠ he praises a lot?”

“In⁠⁠ general, yes.”

“He⁠ wouldn’t do that‍⁠ with me…”

“And‍‍‌ why do you‍‌‍ think that?”

“I‍ don’t think Asana‍ would betray Yuri.”

“Just‍⁠ by having seen‌ her once, how‍ can you be⁠‍ so sure whether‌ she’s trustworthy or‍‌‌ not?”

“Because‍ she likes Yuri.”

“Huh?”‍

At‌ that sudden remark,⁠ Elaine looked at‍ Yekaterina.

On‌‌ her sculpted face,‍‌⁠ her green eyes‌ gleamed slyly.

Looking‌‍‌ straight ahead, Yekaterina‍ spoke as if it were the most natural thing⁠⁠ in the world.⁠‌

“Asana⁠ is in love⁠ with Yuri.”

“Ah…”⁠

It⁠‍ was so unexpected‌ that Elaine was⁠ left speechless for‌ a moment. Glancing⁠ sideways, she asked:‍⁠

“Really?”⁠⁠⁠

“You⁠ didn’t know?”

“And‌ how do you‍⁠ know?”

“It’s⁠ obvious at a glance.”

Since‌⁠ Elaine had no experience in romantic⁠‍ matters, she didn’t⁠ know how to⁠‍‍ respond. If Yekaterina⁠‌ said it, it⁠‌ must be true.‍⁠

Thinking‌‍ about it, it‍‍‌ made sense.

Yuri⁠‍ was an attractive⁠‍ person.

And‌⁠ just as she‍ herself had begun‌ to thrive as a merchant thanks‍‌ to Yuri, Asana‌ had also been‌ saved by him‌ in the past.⁠

Now‌‌‍ that she thought‍⁠ about it, it⁠ was curious that‌ an assassin with⁠‍‍ Asana’s skills would‍‌‍ follow only Yuri’s⁠ orders. Perhaps, as⁠⁠ Yekaterina said, the⁠‌‌ root of that‍‌‍ loyalty was none‍‌⁠ other than a feeling of love.

While‍ Elaine remained confused,‍ Yekaterina spoke again.‍

“Ah,⁠ I take that⁠‌‌ back. She may⁠ have betrayed him.”⁠

“And‍ why is that?‌ If she’s… if‌‍ she’s in love‍⁠⁠ with Prince Yuri…”‌‍

“You‌ just said ‘Yuri’‍⁠ plainly. Deep down‌‍ you’re a bit insolent, huh?”

“Focus‍ on the topic.”

“Well,‍ that’s just it,⁠⁠ I understand. It‌ happens to people. And back to‌⁠ the point—precisely because⁠‌‍ she likes Yuri,⁠ she could change‍ in an instant.⁠‌ An impossible love⁠ can easily turn⁠‍ bitter. I know⁠ that well from‍ experience. My father⁠‌ locked several people⁠ in the dungeons⁠‌‌ for that. And‌ one, he cut‌⁠ off his head…”⁠

“Excuse‌‌ me?”

While‌ Elaine frowned, Yekaterina‌ added:

“Besides,‌‍ she may have been controlled by⁠ black magic.”

That‌⁠‌ was easier to understand. Elaine’s eyes‌‌ widened.

“That’s‍ true. Why didn’t⁠ I think of‍ it before…?”

Asana‌ had tried to‍ infiltrate the Imperial palace. In fact,⁠‌ she had been‌ somewhat successful and‌‌ brought back information.⁠⁠‌

But it was undoubtedly⁠‌ a dangerous task.‌

In‍‌‌ the process, something⁠⁠ could have happened⁠ that exposed her⁠‌‌ to black magic.‍⁠‌

“Should‍‌‍ we inform Yuri‍ right away?”

“Yes.‍ The prince probably doesn’t suspect anything.”‍

“Could‌ be…”

Asana was an assassin‍ capable of infiltrating⁠‍‍ anywhere. If someone like that betrayed‌ them and sided‌ with the Empire,‌ Yuri would be‍⁠⁠ in danger.

“We‍ must send him⁠⁠ a letter immediately.”‍

“In⁠ any case, we’re going to see⁠‍ Joshua now. The quickest way will be to send‌‍⁠ it through him.”⁠

“Alright.”‍⁠

The‌ two were guided‌⁠ to the main‍‌ hall, where Joshua⁠ sat on the‍ throne.

Somehow,⁠ he didn’t seem‌‍ to fit that‍ seat. He looked as uncomfortable as‌‍ if the throne‌ weren’t his, and‌‍ as soon as‍⁠ he saw them,‌ he immediately stood.‍⁠

“Oh,‌⁠ you’re here.”

“Why‍‍ did you call‍ me?”

Yekaterina‍ spoke to him⁠ with complete familiarity.‍

The‌ two shared an‍ old connection.

In‌ the past, when‌⁠ Yekaterina had suddenly‍ attended Briol’s royal‌⁠ ball following Georg,‍‌‍ Joshua had taken‍⁠ an interest in her and approached⁠⁠ her.

As‍‍ a result of‌⁠ that encounter, they⁠ had struck up a friendship, and although Joshua was⁠ no longer the‍ mischievous second prince‌ but the King⁠ of Briol, Yekaterina‍ still spoke to‍ him as if‍ he were an⁠ old friend.

Of course, Joshua didn’t‍ mind; on the‍⁠‌ contrary, he was⁠‍ pleased.

“Yekaterina,‌‍‌ so you want‌‍‍ to use Yuri’s residence?”

“Can’t‍ I?”

“Of‌ course you can.‍‌ If Yuri says‍ anything, I’ll tell‌ him I authorized‍ it.”

“Thanks,‍⁠ Joshua oppa.”

“Yes,‌⁠ yes. Hehehe…”

Elaine‍‍‌ sighed and looked‍‍ at the ceiling.⁠ She didn’t want⁠ to see her‍⁠ king laughing like‌⁠ a fool.

“Ah,⁠‍ and I have‍‌ something to tell⁠ Yuri…”

“Yes?”‌

“You’ve been sending him⁠ letters regularly, right?”⁠

“That’s⁠‌ right.”

Briol was at war.‍ Yuri, at the‍ front, kept in‌ contact with Joshua‍ through messengers.

“Can‌‍ you send him‍ something? It’s a delicate matter…”

Yekaterina‌‌ looked at Elaine‌ beside her.

“Elaine⁠ has something important⁠ to tell him.⁠⁠ Could you send‍‌ it along with‍‌ your letter?”

“Of‌‌ course.”

“Don’t⁠ read the contents.”‍⁠‌

“What‍ do you take⁠ me for? Briol‍‌ isn’t that kind‌‌‍ of country.”

“And⁠ the Empire is?”

“Huh? No, that’s not it…”

Yekaterina‍‌ smiled.

“Why‌ are you getting⁠ nervous? The Empire is like that. That’s why I came to Briol.”‍⁠

“Hahaha…”⁠

Joshua scratched his head⁠⁠ and went to⁠⁠ a table next‍‌ to the throne‍ to check something.‌

“Ah,⁠ but it’s going⁠⁠ to take time.”‌‍

“Huh?”‍⁠

“The‍‍ messenger left just⁠⁠ a moment ago.⁠ The next one‍ will leave in‌‍ three days.”

“That⁠ can’t be.”

“Hmm?”⁠‍‌

“Send‍‌ another.”

***‌⁠

“Asana,‌ it’s been a while.”

Yuri⁠ smiled upon seeing‌‍ Asana suddenly appear. She nodded.

“It’s‌‌ a pleasure to‍‌ see you again.⁠ Are you Your Highness now?”

“That’s‍ right.”

The‌ last time they‌‍⁠ had seen each‌ other was in‍ the Empire.

Back‍ then, she had‌‌ decided to stay‍ to gather information‍ even inside the⁠ Imperial Palace, and⁠⁠‍ since her resolve was firm, Yuri‌⁠ supported her and⁠ left.

After‍ that, he had‌‍ only occasionally heard‌ news of Asana‍‍⁠ through Gorio and other forces in‌ the Imperial capital.‍

While⁠ breaking the seal of the letter‌‌ the messenger had‌‌ given him, Yuri‌‍ asked:

“How‍⁠‌ did you get⁠ out of the‌⁠ Empire? Ah, though⁠‌ now that I think about it,‌‍ with you it’s⁠ possible. Silly question.”⁠‌

“Yes.”⁠

Asana‍‍ kept her usual‍⁠‍ expressionless demeanor.

“I‌‍‌ left before surveillance⁠‍ intensified.”

“And Gorio and the⁠‍⁠ Comrades’ Association?”

“They’re⁠ hiding people from‌ Briol. They were‍⁠ digging a tunnel⁠⁠ to plan an⁠ escape. I don’t‌⁠ know if it‍ will work, but‌‍ they’re trying.”

“Are there many people⁠‍ detained?”

“Quite‍‍ a few.”

“I‌ hope they can‌‍ all endure.”

Yuri⁠ opened the letter⁠ from Briol.

Asana’s‌⁠‌ eyes moved to⁠⁠ the envelope Yuri held. Yuri read the contents in‌ silence.

“…”⁠‌‍

Then‍ he looked at⁠ Asana.

Their gazes met for⁠ a moment before‌⁠ Yuri folded the‍⁠ letter and tucked‌ it into his‌⁠‍ chest.

“Have‌ you been well‍ in the Empire?”‌

“Yes.”‍‌

“Any‌‌ results?”

“Not‍⁠ many, actually. The‌‌ deeper areas are‌‌ very well protected.”‍‍

“I’m‍‍ glad. When I heard you kept⁠ going into the⁠‌ Imperial Palace, I was a bit⁠ uneasy.”

“Were⁠ you worried about‍ me?”

“Black‍ magic is dangerous.‍‌ I feared something‍‌ might happen to‍‌‍ you.”

They‌ walked side by side through the‍‌ ruins after the‌‌ battle.

Soldiers‌‍ of the Anti-Imperial‍ Coalition inspected the‌ bodies of fallen‍‍ Imperial soldiers. From⁠ time to time,‌ a final cry⁠‌ rang out as⁠ they were finished off.

“Many people have died.”

“And‌‌ it will continue.”

“How⁠⁠ is Briol?”

“Briol?”‌‌

Yuri‌ shrugged.

“All⁠‌ quiet there. The⁠‌⁠ problem is here.”‌‌

“When you received that‍ letter, your expression⁠⁠ didn’t look good…”⁠‍

“Oh,⁠ really? I suppose‌ I was tired.”‌‍

Returning‍⁠ alongside Asana, the‍⁠ mages waiting in the rear bowed‍⁠ their heads. Among them was Inariel, standing as if⁠ leading the others.⁠‍

Yuri‍‌‌ gestured his thanks.‌⁠ Thanks to Inariel, they had achieved‌‌‍ today’s victory without great difficulty.

“Lord‍ Inariel, I thank‍ you.”

“I⁠ see.”

His‍‌ gaze fell on‍ Asana, standing next⁠‌ to Yuri.

“And‌ she is…?”

“Her⁠‍⁠ name is Asana.‍⁠ She’s a secret⁠‌⁠ ally of mine.”‍‍

Inariel‍ nodded.

“Have‍ you heard the⁠ news from Liberta?”⁠‍

“Yes.”⁠

“We‍ must decide, Yuri Briol.”

It⁠‍‍ was time to make a decision.⁠⁠‌

Either‌⁠ they supported Liberta‍⁠ to hold the‍‍‍ defensive line in‌ a war with no set end‌‍‌ date, or they‍‌ marched to strike‍‌‍ the Empire.

Yuri‌‌ spoke.

“Lord‌‍ Inariel, you already know which decision I’m going to‌⁠ make.”

“Yes…”‌⁠⁠

He‍ gave a faint‌ smile.

“I⁠⁠ can imagine.”

With‍ Liberta’s front broken,‍‍‍ the Empire would send troops through‍ there, also threatening other defensive lines.‍⁠⁠ Trying to forcibly‌ reinforce an already‌‍‌ broken point would‍⁠‍ be a futile‌‍‍ detour.

“If‌‌‍ the war drags‍‍⁠ on, we lose.⁠ We march.”

“When?”‌⁠‍

“The‌‌ sooner, the better.”‍⁠

Yuri‌‌ did not hesitate.⁠

“As‍‌‍ quickly as possible.‍ There’s no time‌ to discuss. Briol‌ and the Confederation of Small Kingdoms‌ will advance. We’ll‍ send messengers to‌‍‍ the Holy Kingdom‍ and Brusen so‌ they can follow‍‌ as soon as‍ possible.”

“Are you sure?”

“The⁠‌ bulk of the‌‌⁠ Imperial army will⁠ be concentrated in⁠ the east, to‌‌‍ break through Liberta.‌‌ If not now,‍ we may not‍⁠ have another chance.”‌‌‌

“I’ll‌ make the preparations.”‍

Yuri’s‍ expression hardened.

“We⁠ must use all‌‍ available strength to‍‍‌ crush them in‌‌‍ one blow. Lord⁠‌ Inariel, you have‍ my support.”

“So‍ it shall be.”‍

Asana listened silently by‌ his side.

“Asana.”‍‍

“Yes.”‍

“This‌⁠ time, move with me.”

“Understood.”⁠‍⁠

She⁠ gave a faint‌⁠‍ smile.

“Do‍‍‍ you want me‌‌ to first investigate‍ the Imperial army’s‍ situation?”

“Yes.”‌

After saying that, Asana’s‍ figure vanished in‌⁠ an instant.

Inariel⁠⁠ frowned.

“Strange…‍‌ she disappeared in‌ the blink of‍ an eye.”

“She’s‌ a descendant of the Order of‌ Assassins.”

“Order⁠ of Assassins… I don’t know much,‌ but I’ve heard‌‍ the name.”

Yuri‍⁠ nodded.

“Asana‍ will be a great help.”

***‍⁠⁠

Yuri⁠‌ gathered the high‍ command to map‌⁠ out the advance‌ plan.

Since‍⁠‌ darkness favored beings‌⁠ tied to black‌ magic, they would⁠‌⁠ move at dawn.⁠

The‌‌ Order of Vengeance‍ would lead the‌‌‌ march, followed by‍ Briol’s elite, and‌‍ behind them the forces of the‍ Confederation of Small⁠‍ Kingdoms, with the⁠⁠‌ Imperial Palace as‍⁠ the final objective.

While‍‍‌ they prepared for‌ the next battle,‍ reports from Liberta⁠ kept coming in—the‍ Empire was sending‍⁠‍ wave after wave⁠⁠ of troops, forcing‌ Liberta to retreat‍‌ and suffering heavy‍‌ casualties.

Although‌‍ in practice they‌‍‌ were being used‌⁠ as bait, there was no alternative.‌ Sometimes sacrifices had⁠ to be accepted.‍‍⁠

Finally,⁠ the darkness lifted‍⁠ and the sun‌⁠‍ began to rise‌ beyond the horizon.⁠

Yuri,⁠ at the head‌⁠‍ of the Order‍⁠ of Vengeance, looked‌‍ upon the scene. His horse snorted‍ and shifted restlessly.‍

“The⁠⁠ time has come.”

His⁠‌ voice, low but⁠‍ firm, resonated across‍‍ the land.

“We‌⁠ have a duty.‍ Let’s advance.”

No more words were needed.

The‍‍ Anti-Imperial Alliance had‌⁠‍ fought against indescribable⁠‍‍ horrors and lost‍ many comrades.

Everyone‍⁠ understood that this war was not for rulers or‍ personal gain.

It was for the‌ safety of all⁠ humanity.

Determination⁠ shone in every‍ gaze. Yuri marched‍ at the front,‍‌‌ followed by the⁠ army.

It‌⁠ was the moment‌ when the forces of the Anti-Imperial‌ Alliance, led by Yuri, stepped for‌ the first time‌ into Imperial territory.‌