Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince — Chapter 283: Heaven Above Heaven (5)

Chapter 283: Heaven Above Heaven (5)

After‌ killing Dan Socheon,⁠‌ Yuri immediately went⁠⁠‌ in search of the next target.‌

The‍ monster, surrounded by⁠‍‌ several knights, was swinging its limbs,‌ and Donchich roared‍ as he chased⁠ Jared.

“Your‍‌‌ Highness! Give me‌ a hand here!” Jared shouted.

Yuri⁠ acted as if‌⁠ he hadn’t heard.‌

On‍ the opposite side,‌⁠‌ Laurent—who had been⁠ thrown to the ground by a punch from the monster but had gotten up with‌‍ the agility of‌‌ a cat—spoke to⁠ Yuri.

“Yuri‌‌ Briol, are you‌ just going to stand there watching?”‍

Yuri⁠ shook his head.‍

“I’ll⁠‌ help you, Laurent!”⁠⁠

And‌‌ with that, he charged toward the⁠ monster.

Jared,‌ still running away, raised his voice‍‌ in protest.

“Why⁠⁠ are you ignoring‌ me?!”

“I⁠‍ just feel like⁠ it!”

“What⁠‍ the hell does‌‍ that mean?!”

“Hang‍ in there as⁠ best you can!”⁠

Yuri‌ still remembered the‍ time when Laurent⁠ had followed him‍ everywhere.

Although after going through‌‌ hardships he had‍ become a bit‌ cheeky, it was⁠‍ precisely because of‌ that that Yuri‌ held him in‍‌ higher regard.

Jared⁠ muttered bitterly.

“No‌ point living as a good guy⁠‌ damn it…”

The‍ anger Yuri had⁠‍‍ sparked in Jared‍ exploded against the‌⁠ enemy. He stopped‍ running and lunged at Donchich.

“Die,‍‍ Donchich!”

“Uooohhh!”‌‍‌

At‌ that moment, Jose appeared.

“Jared!‌‌‍ I’ll help you!”‌‌

“Sir‌ Jose! You’re different!”‍

“Hmph!⁠ I’m one of‌‍⁠ those with great⁠⁠‌ compassion! I can’t just pass by‌ when I see‌ someone in trouble!”

Jared grimaced awkwardly at‍⁠ Jose’s compassionate gaze.‌‌

“Ah… right…”

“Let’s go!”

“For‍‌ now, fine.”

With‍⁠ Dan Socheon’s fall,‍ Yuri, Jose, and‌‌ Moyongchan were now‍‍ free to act.‌

When‌ the scattered forces⁠‌ of the Anti-Imperial‍ Alliance regrouped, the‌⁠ monster and Donchich‌ were clearly at⁠ a disadvantage.

The⁠ Anti-Imperial Alliance began‌ to overwhelm the‌ Empire’s momentum.

“Finish⁠⁠ them!”

“Attack‌ in coordination!”

Finally,‍ Jose managed to⁠‍ deal a fatal⁠ wound to Donchich⁠ while Jared kept‍‌ him distracted.

Donchich‌⁠ collapsed.

The‍‍‍ monster, which had⁠‌ been shredded by‌ Yuri, also began‍‌‌ to move more sluggishly.

From time to time‍ it swung an⁠ arm to intimidate,⁠ but it could‌ no longer change⁠ the course of‌‍ the battle.

Not⁠‍ only them—the entire‍ imperial army was‍⁠ retreating.

In‍‌ that fierce battle,‌ the Anti-Imperial Alliance‍‍ seemed to have⁠‌ taken the lead.‌‌

“It’s⁠ our victory!”

“Kill‌ them all!”

“Don’t‌ leave anyone from‍‍ the Empire alive!”‍⁠⁠

“Charge!”

The‌‌ gigantic body of‌‍ the monster began⁠ to tilt slowly.⁠‌‍

But⁠⁠ Yuri, instead of‍‍ joy, felt a growing unease at‌‌⁠ seeing it fall.

Moyongchan,‌‍ noticing his expression,⁠⁠‍ came closer.

“What’s⁠ bothering you?”

Yuri‍ looked at him.

“Strange⁠‌ to hear you⁠⁠‌ speak the continental‍ language so well.”‍

“Shut‍ up.”

“Don’t‌ you think it’s‍ odd?”

“I⁠‍ don’t know…”

Moyongchan stroked his chin⁠ thoughtfully.

Yuri‍ spoke with certainty.‍‌‌

“This‍ isn’t over.”

It‌ had been a grueling battle.

And⁠ yet Cedric had‌ not appeared.

If‌ this battle had‌ been of great‍ importance to him,‍‌ he wouldn’t have abandoned his army‍‌ like this.

He‌‍ would have come‌⁠ to the front⁠‍ to lead them,⁠⁠ or used the‍ demonic grimoire to⁠ unleash black magic—somehow, he would have‍⁠ intervened.

Moyongchan shook his head.‍⁠‍

“Maybe⁠‍ you’re overestimating the enemy. Black magic‌ isn’t an easy‍‌ power to wield;‌‍ even Cedric might‌ have pushed himself‍‌ too far. Think…⁠⁠‌ who would have‍ imagined you’d do‌ this well?”

“Maybe,⁠ but Cedric isn’t‌ someone to stop‍ here.”

“The Empire has mobilized⁠⁠ every one of⁠⁠‍ the Ten Greats‌‍ it could, and‌ Dan Socheon is⁠‍ dead. They’ve already‌‌⁠ deployed all their⁠⁠ strength.”

“Maybe⁠‍ he doesn’t need⁠‍ them anymore.”

Many‌‍ imperial soldiers were‍ dead, and most⁠ of their key⁠ forces were out⁠‌‍ of action.

It‌⁠ could be seen as an achievement⁠‍‌ of the Anti-Imperial Alliance.

But‍ it could also⁠ mean that Cedric⁠ had acquired something‍⁠ so powerful he‌⁠⁠ no longer required‌ them.

At‍ those words, Moyongchan⁠ looked toward the distant horizon.

“Yes…⁠⁠ could be. We’ll‍ know when we‌⁠‍ reach Zveta.”

“You‌‍ think so?”

As‍ they spoke, the‌ battlefield was clearing.

The‌‍ last remnants of⁠ imperial resistance were⁠ extinguished.

The soldiers controlled by‌ black magic didn’t⁠‍ even attempt to‌ flee.

“I’m going to help⁠⁠ our troops.”

With that, Yuri rushed at the remaining‍ imperials.

Even⁠⁠ if it was‌ all part of‌ Cedric’s plan, his duty didn’t change.‌⁠‍

To reduce their own⁠‍ casualties, Yuri kept⁠‍ cutting down enemies‌ until the end.‌‌

When‌⁠⁠ the energy of‌ black magic dissipated,‌‍ the dead became‍ nothing more than‌⁠ simple corpses again.‌⁠

And‌ the allies revived‍ by Inariel also⁠‌ returned to their‌ rest.

The‍ victory of the Anti-Imperial Alliance was assured.

The‍ soldiers’ cheers echoed like a resounding chorus.

When⁠ the situation was‌ under control, Yuri‍ returned to the‌⁠ center of the‌ battlefield, where the⁠‌‍ bodies of the⁠ monster, Donchich, and Dan Socheon lay.‍‌

The‍ monster was nothing‍⁠‌ but a heap‌ of limp flesh‌⁠‍ scattered across the‌⁠ ground, and Donchich‍ and Dan Socheon were dead with‍ their hearts pierced‌ through.

Yuri‌ examined the corpses.⁠

Then‌ Laurent approached.

“What⁠‍‌ is it?”

“I‌⁠ feel like this‍ isn’t over.”

“Of‍‌ course not. Did⁠ you really think‍ it would end⁠‌‌ so easily?”

“You⁠‌ think so too?”‍‍

“Of course.”

He‍ looked at him‍ calmly.

“Because⁠‍‌ I met Cedric.”‍‍

Laurent‌‍‍ was someone who‍ had personally met‍‌ Cedric and suffered from black magic.‍ That was why‍‌ he had gone‍ through painful times.⁠

He⁠ gave Yuri a light punch to the chest.

“Stay alert, Yuri Briol.‌ The truly hard⁠‌ part hasn’t come yet.”

Laurent’s‍‌ words, far from‌‌ discouraging him, gave Yuri strength. He‍‍ wasn’t the only⁠ one preparing for⁠⁠ the worst.

“This‌‍ guy…”

“Are‍ you crazy?”

Yuri wrapped an arm‌⁠ around Laurent’s neck⁠⁠ and ruffled his⁠ hair, to which⁠ Laurent tried to‍⁠ punch him in‍ the side. Yuri dodged the blow‌⁠ and let go.‍

“Yuri‍‍‌ Briol, you—”

“You‍⁠ don’t have time⁠‌ to be mad‌‌ at me.”

“What?”‌⁠‍

“I‍ think it’s about‌‍‌ time.”

Just‍⁠ as Yuri spoke,‍ the sky darkened.⁠⁠

“This‍ is…”

The⁠‍⁠ sun that lit‍⁠⁠ the battlefield was‌ covered.

Over‍‌ that desolate land,⁠‍ where the living‍‌ barely stood and‍‍ the dead lay still, a black‌ shadow spread.

The‍ sudden change made‍ everyone look upward.⁠⁠

Yuri, hand on his⁠ hip, raised his⁠ gaze to the‌‌ sky.

It wasn’t clouds that⁠‍‌ were covering the sun.

It⁠⁠ was a tower‍‌ reaching into the‍ heights.

Yuri‍ had seen it⁠‌‍ before.

When‌ he had come⁠‍ into contact with⁠⁠‌ the demonic grimoire,‍‍ in the midst of the deep red that filled‌⁠ his mind, he‍ had seen an⁠‌ unfamiliar tower with‍‌ eyes upon it⁠ rising.

Now,‌ it had manifested⁠‌ in reality.

The⁠ base of the⁠‍ tower wasn’t visible.‍ It seemed to‍⁠ emerge suddenly from‍ the air, stretching‍ above a hazy⁠ mist, while a malignant energy poured⁠ down like a rainstorm.

Living‌‍ beings instinctively stepped‍ back.

Yuri‍ fixed his gaze⁠‍ on the tower.⁠‍‍

And⁠‍ the tower’s eyes‍‍⁠ were looking at him.

“Cedric.”‌

He murmured the name.⁠‌

The‌ man he had‌ once respected most, and now hated⁠ most.

Those⁠ eyes seemed like‌ his gaze.

Then,‍ someone spoke.

“Up‌ there… at the‍ top of the‍ tower… the sky…”‍⁠

All‌‍⁠ eyes turned beyond‌ the tower.

At‌⁠⁠ its peak, where‍‍ it blocked the‌‌‍ sun, a crack‍ was beginning to open.

Like⁠ an earthquake shattering‍‍ the earth’s crust, the sky fractured⁠ and, within it,‍ appeared an abyssal‌ darkness.

A black deeper than‍‌ jet.

An⁠‍‍ unfathomable void.

Within‍ it, something moved.‍

“Ah…”‌⁠

All‍ who looked upon‌ the scene understood.‍

Above⁠ the sky that‍‌ covered the world,⁠‌ there was another‌⁠ sky—greater and deeper‌ still.

And⁠⁠⁠ there floated beings⁠⁠ impossible for humans‌ to imagine.

Had‌ those beings been‌ watching the earth‌⁠‍ all along?

Yuri’s⁠‌⁠ expression twisted.

“Cedric, you damned lunatic…”⁠‍

Was‌‌ he, after declaring⁠ a new world,‌ planning to bring down something like‍‍⁠ that?

Whatever‍ it was, if⁠ it descended, the‍ world would fall⁠‍ into absolute darkness, and humanity would⁠ be reduced to‍ the level of insects.

Yuri‌⁠ let the tip‍ of his sword⁠ drop.

“Ha…”‍‌

His‌‌‌ resolve began to⁠ falter.

This was not an⁠‍ enemy he could⁠⁠‍ stop by effort‍⁠⁠ or risking his‌‍ life.

Even the partial presence of that thing⁠⁠ paralyzed him.

Having⁠ returned to the‍ past did not‍ make him more⁠ than human.

In‌ contrast, what lay⁠ beyond that rift⁠ was a transcendental existence—untouchable by humans‌⁠‍ in the most⁠‌⁠ distant past or‌‍ farthest future.

While Yuri stood frozen,‌‌ someone patted him‌ on the shoulder.‌‌

“Jared?”‍

There‌ was no way⁠ Jared didn’t feel‍‌‌ the same crushing pressure he did.⁠‍

The⁠⁠ madness emanating from⁠ that darkness was enough to drive‌ any human insane.‍

And‍⁠ yet, Jared was‍ smiling.

At first, Yuri thought‌ he was in⁠ a confused state.‍

“What’s‌‍ with that look?”‌

“It’s‌ just… you were‌‍⁠ smiling strangely.”

“No,⁠ and besides, I have something to⁠ tell you.”

“What⁠‌ is it?”

“Your Highness.”

Jared⁠ squeezed Yuri’s shoulder⁠‍ firmly.

“Thank you.”

“What?”

“At last…”

He‍ gave a sideways⁠‍ smile.

“At‌‌ last, this is‌‍ getting fun. Don’t you think?”

In‌ that instant, Yuri‌⁠⁠ remembered something from⁠ long ago.

‘Isn’t‍‌ it boring?’

He⁠ had said it⁠‍⁠ to Jared, who⁠‍ at the time‌ had been wasting‍‍ his life in‌⁠‌ tedium.

From‌ that moment, Jared’s⁠⁠ life had completely⁠ changed.

And‌‌⁠ now—was Yuri himself‍ falling into despair⁠⁠ just because a powerful enemy had‌‍ appeared?

Yuri‍ gave a bitter smile.

“I‌ see…”

From the start, he‌ had accepted his‌⁠ defeat.

He‍‍‌ had long been‌⁠ prepared to die.⁠

What‍ he regretted most‍⁠ was not the defeat itself, but‍‌ having wasted his⁠‍ life, fleeing as‌‍ a mercenary and⁠ believing that misery⁠ was a form⁠ of atonement.

That’s‍‍⁠ why he already knew the answer.⁠⁠

Thanks‌‌ to Jared, he‌⁠ regained his composure.‍

Yuri‍ took the hand⁠‍‌ Jared still had on his shoulder.‌

“Jared,⁠ I see your‌ standard for fun⁠ is higher than‍‍‌ I thought. I’m⁠ impressed.”

“Of⁠ course. I didn’t⁠ even bat an⁠ eye when I found out Sir‍⁠ Ainzer’s hair is‌ actually a wig.”⁠⁠

“What?”‌‍

“Ah,⁠‍ that was a slip.”

“Is that true?”

“P-pretend⁠⁠ you didn’t hear⁠‍ that.”

“Ainzer…”‍

“Yes…”‍

“Definitely⁠‍⁠ a very manly‌ knight.”

“Exactly.”⁠‍‍

Yuri‍ smiled lightly.

Just‌⁠ as he had‌ changed Jared, Jared’s‍‍ words had also⁠‍ changed him.

No‍‌ matter what kind‌‌‌ of being Cedric‍‍ brought forth, he⁠⁠ would never surrender.‍

“Jared,⁠ stay sharp. This‍ is going to‌‍ get more interesting.”‌

“Of⁠⁠ course.”

Yuri‌‍ refocused and looked‍⁠‌ to the sky.‍‌⁠

Now,‍⁠ the entire Anti-Imperial‌‍ Alliance was silent,‍⁠⁠ staring upward, unable‍‍ to fully comprehend⁠ what was happening.‌⁠

The‌ morale, which had‌ risen with the‍ recent victory, had‍‌ vanished.

Everyone instinctively sensed the magnitude of what‍‌ was unfolding.

Then,⁠ a voice resounded.⁠

[It’s‌ over.]

Those‌‍‍ words reached the⁠ ears of all‍‍ who watched the‌ rift in the sky.

Yuri‌ recognized the voice‍⁠‍ immediately—Cedric.

With‍‍⁠ a tone as⁠⁠⁠ gentle as greeting‍ an old friend,‌ he continued.

[You⁠ have all worked‍ hard. I saw‌⁠‌ well how you⁠‌ strove to get⁠‌ this far. But‍ in the end,‍⁠ this battle ends‌‍ in my victory.⁠⁠ I succeeded, and‌ you failed. This⁠ is the result⁠ of war.]

Even‍‌ though the Anti-Imperial‍ Alliance had won,‍⁠ he declared his⁠‌⁠ victory.

No‌ one could reply.‌

The‍⁠‌ pressure from the‍ being that had⁠ come from outer‌‌ space crushed the⁠‌‍ earth.

Perhaps‌ he was right.⁠

If‍⁠ they had stopped⁠ the summoning from⁠ the start, things‍‌ might have been‍ different. But now,‌⁠‍ with the ritual‌ complete, Cedric held‍ the strongest card.‌

[I’ll⁠‍‌ give you one‍ last chance. You‌ have one month.‌⁠ Return to your‍‌‌ daily lives, live‍ your own life.‍ I will give‌ you a new‌ era; enjoy your‌‍‌ happiness.]

As‍⁠‌ Cedric spoke, something‌ began to descend‌ from the rift⁠ in the sky.‌

Yuri‍ understood.

Even if he couldn’t‍⁠ see it, that⁠‌ being was already‍ manifesting on earth.⁠‌

[But‍ if you wish⁠‌ to keep fighting,‌ return here.]

At‌⁠‌ that moment, darkness⁠‌ covered everything.

Little by little, it‍⁠ dissipated.

And⁠ then—

“…Huh?”⁠

Yuri‌‍‌ was in the‌⁠ royal palace of⁠‌ Briol.