Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince — Chapter 286: Fascination (3)

Chapter 286: Fascination (3)

The news that a malevolent presence had‌ appeared in the‍ Empire and caused‌ the Anti-Imperial Alliance to retreat, along with the news⁠‍ that Yuri Briol,⁠⁠ despite this, was gathering the knights⁠‌‍ to train, spread⁠‍ at the same‍‌ time.

The entire continent was stirred.

It⁠ was a kind‌‌ of signal Yuri‌ was sending—he was‍ announcing to the whole continent that⁠ he would fight to the very‍ end.

Most⁠‌ of the knights‌ from the Order‍⁠ of Vengeance who⁠ had been with‍ Yuri gathered, and in addition, other⁠ knights and soldiers‌‌⁠ rejoined.

But‍‍‌ there were also⁠⁠ those who did‍ not return.

Yuri‌‍‍ understood. The power⁠ of the black magic they had‌‍ faced was so‍‍ overwhelming that it‌‍‌ could not be⁠ challenged. If even‌ he had been⁠‍ crushed in that‌⁠ way, for an‍ ordinary man it‍‌ would be a literally crushing fear.‌

In‍‍⁠ fact, that there‌ were those who‍ returned could be‍ considered abnormal, an‌ extraordinary devotion toward‍‌ him.

Yuri⁠⁠‍ led all the⁠⁠ training, and as‌‌‍ the number of people increased, he‌‍ prepared a separate⁠ training field outside⁠‌ the royal castle‍‌ of Briol to‌ house them all.⁠‌⁠

From⁠⁠ the training platform, Yuri shouted.

“Tirbo!”‍

“Yes!”‌⁠⁠

“You’re⁠⁠⁠ late.”

“Hehehe…‌ I was saying‍ goodbye to my⁠ parents…”

“I⁠ see.”

Yuri‍‍‍ looked at him‍ with a smile. Even if he⁠ said it lightly, Tirbo had surely⁠⁠ made a very⁠‌ serious decision to‍ come.

“Get‍ up here. We’re‍ going to do‌ a practice match.”‍

“Yes, sir!”

While‌‌ placing Tirbo in‌ the center, Yuri⁠⁠ glanced to the‌‌ side.

That‌‌⁠ day as well,⁠‌ Yekaterina was watching‌ from a little‍‍ farther away, sitting under a parasol‍ while they trained.‌

Although⁠ she was a member of the⁠⁠ imperial family of the Empire, she‍ was indisputably the‌⁠ most beautiful woman on the continent.‌⁠‍ Having someone like‌ her watching boosted‌⁠ the knights’ motivation.‌

Of‍ course, some suspected‍ the relationship between⁠ Yuri and Yekaterina.‌

Tirbo‌ narrowed his eyes,⁠‌ smiled mischievously, and‍⁠ asked.

“Your‌⁠ Highness, a question.”

“What?”‌

“Since‌‍ when have you‌ been going out?”‌

“What?”‌

“With‍⁠ the princess.”

“What‌ are you talking about?”

“It’s‍‍‍ obvious just by looking. Hehehe…”

At‌ his words, Yuri’s‌ eyebrow twitched.

“Or‍‍ were you going⁠‌ out before and now you’re not?‍‍ Are you exes?‍ That’s the impression‌ it gives.”

The‌⁠ boy, not in‍ his usual style,‍⁠‍ was rather perceptive. Yuri’s sword became‌‍ sharper.

Tirbo’s chatter faded until‌ only groans of‌⁠ pain remained.

“Ugh…‍ Argh…”

“Focus,⁠‍⁠ Tirbo!”

“Well,⁠⁠ it seems my⁠ comment was true,‍‍ because you’re changing‍ the subject…”

“You‍‌ brat?”

“Aaaagh!”‍‍‌

Tirbo‍‍⁠ rolled across the‌ ground after taking‌⁠ a hit.

“Next!”

While⁠ calling for a new knight, Yuri‍ looked again and⁠⁠ saw Yekaterina drinking‌‌ tea with Ena,⁠⁠‌ both smiling about‍ something they were‌⁠‌ saying.

Yuri‍‍ turned away with⁠ a grimace.

“You’re‌‍‍ next?”

“Huh?⁠ Me?”

“Get‌‍ ready, Jared.”

“All‍‌‌ of a sudden?”‌

Yuri⁠ pressured him.

“Your⁠ Highness…”

At that moment, while⁠‌ Yuri made him‍ roll twice on⁠ the ground and‍ pointed his sword⁠‌‌ at him, someone⁠⁠ called to him‍⁠ from outside the‌⁠ training field.

It⁠⁠ was a messenger‍ sent from the‍ royal palace.

“Here,‍ His Majesty sent‌ me to deliver‌‌ you a letter.”‍

“What‌‍ is it?”

Yuri took the letter⁠ and opened it.‍⁠‌

The document summarized the⁠‍‍ situation in the‌ different countries.

Most⁠ of the other‍‌ nations were in‌ a similar situation—divided⁠‌‌ between those willing⁠⁠ to fight and‍‍‌ those who had‌ given up resisting,‍ with the latter‌ being the majority.⁠

Yuri⁠ carefully folded it⁠ and put it‌‌ in his chest.‌

“Hmm…”‌⁠‍

He frowned, a habitual gesture when he‍‍⁠ was thinking. While‍⁠‍ he was lost in thought, Jared,‍⁠ still on the⁠‍‍ ground, tried a counterattack.

Yuri⁠⁠⁠ dodged without looking‍ at him and‍‍⁠ responded with a spinning kick that left him sprawled‍⁠ again.

“Next!”‍

“Ugh…”‌

Jared crawled out of‌‌ the training field‌⁠‌ and, watching Yuri⁠ fight against a new knight, spoke‍ to Laurent, who‌‍ was next to him.

“Sir⁠‌ Laurent, isn’t this‌‌ crazy?”

“I‌ told you not⁠ to call me‌ ‘sir.’”

“All⁠ right. Laurent, isn’t this crazy?”

Laurent‍‍ looked at him,⁠ and Jared shrugged.⁠‌

“Well,‌ you told me‌ to speak without formalities a long‍‌ time ago, didn’t⁠‌ you? I don’t‌ think it matters‍ now.”

“Do⁠ as you like.”⁠

“Don’t‍ you think His‍‍ Highness has gotten⁠ too strong? I feel like the‍⁠‍ gap is getting⁠‌ bigger.”

“The⁠‌⁠ enemy has gotten⁠‌ stronger, so he’s‍‌ adapting.”

“Is⁠⁠‍ that even possible…?”⁠⁠

“We⁠ already live in‌‌ a time that makes no sense.”‌

Laurent‌⁠‌ gripped his sword,‌⁠ stood up, and‌ walked toward someone,⁠‍‍ leaving Jared behind.

It⁠ was Moyongchan.

“I‌‍ want a match‍ with you.”

Laurent‌‌‍ spoke to him⁠ respectfully, although the‍‍ tone wasn’t exactly‌‍ reverent.

Moyongchan‍‍ watched him for a moment and‌⁠ then nodded.

“In‌ the East there⁠ were guys like you too. After‌‌ going through a few hard experiences, people change.”

“…”⁠‍‍

“Do⁠ you want to‌⁠‍ get stronger?”

“Because‌ that’s how it‌‍‍ has to be.”‌‍

Laurent‍‍ had understood his own shortcomings after‍ multiple battles.

Although‍‍⁠ he had improved‍ a lot, he‍ was still far‍ from being on‍ Yuri’s level.

That’s‍ why he decided⁠ to start using‌ his mana, tainted‌‌ by black magic,‌‌‌ fully in combat.⁠‌

It‌⁠ was no longer‍‌ as pure as‍‌‌ before, but in exchange, he could⁠‌ fight in a much more destructive way.

Moyongchan,⁠⁠ understanding his determination,‌⁠ nodded.

“In⁠ the East, your‍ sword would be called a demonic‌ sword. It’s a type of evil‍ sword energy that’s‌ usually only used‍ in the Demonic⁠⁠ Sect.”

“Is‌ there a problem‍ with that?”

“That⁠ depends on the‍ person. I don’t‌ consider it bad.‍ In the East⁠ there was also‌ the Kongtong School.‍‌‌ Their Demon-Subduing Sword‍ Technique consisted of‌ subduing the demon‍ and sealing it‍‌ within oneself to⁠‌ turn it into⁠‌ strength. You could‌ say it’s the⁠ principle of ‘controlling the demon with⁠‍ the demon.’”

Laurent‌⁠ nodded.

“But‌‍ it won’t be‌ easy.”

“I’ll⁠‌ have to do⁠ it.”

“Yes,⁠⁠ you’ll have to⁠ do it.”

Moyongchan⁠ remembered Laurent from‍‍ before. Back then,‍‌‍ he had been⁠‌‍ a righteous and‌ talented young man,⁠ worthy of envy.

But‌⁠ after suffering under‌ evil power, he⁠ had become another‌‍⁠ person.

Moyongchan‍ smiled faintly.

In⁠‌ the East, he‍‍ had seen many‍⁠ change after painful⁠ experiences, but the‍‍ innate temperament didn’t‌ change.

The‍ true nature of⁠‍ a person is‌⁠ revealed in the⁠⁠ most desperate moments.‍‌

Although‍‍ Laurent appeared cold,⁠‍ his true essence‍‌‍ was emerging in‌ the face of‌ crisis.

The‌‍ two began their‍ match.

Moyongchan’s‌ pure sword energy‌ and Laurent’s dark‌⁠⁠ energy clashed without‍ giving ground.

“The⁠ most important thing⁠⁠ when handling the‌‌ demonic sword is‌‍ self-control. Never let⁠ it dominate you.”

“Ugh…”‍‌

“Only‍⁠ when you can control it completely⁠ in a calm⁠⁠ state can you‌ truly be strong.”‌‌⁠

Moyongchan⁠‍⁠ was instructing him‌ with the dedication‍‍ of a master‍ to a cherished‌⁠⁠ disciple.

With‍ Yuri it wasn’t‍ like that—he understood everything just by⁠‍ seeing it a couple of times,‍⁠‌ so there was⁠ hardly any need to explain anything.⁠⁠

With‌ Laurent it was‍ different—he possessed uncommon‍ talent and a righteous heart, and‍‌⁠ as a cultivator,‍ he could tend‌⁠ not only to‍⁠ his technique but‍ also to his‌ internal wounds.

Teaching him was rewarding.⁠

“When‍⁠ you trained me,‍ you just hit⁠‍ me like a thug.”

“That’s⁠ true, when I asked you to teach me, you⁠⁠ seemed annoyed…”

“It‍⁠‌ depends on the⁠ person.”

“I‌⁠ see people in⁠⁠ the East aren’t very friendly.”

Yuri‌ and Jared, both⁠‍‍ with difficult personalities,⁠⁠ complained, but Moyongchan‍⁠⁠ ignored them.

Laurent‌ quickly began stabilizing‌ his technique.

“Hmm…”‍‌

Seeing⁠ that, Yuri turned‌‍ around.

Things were going better‌‍ than he had‌‍ feared.

“I‌⁠⁠ won’t be alone‌⁠ when the time‌ comes to march,‌‌ right?”

At‌ his words, a visitor who had⁠‌‍ approached him smiled‍‌ faintly.

“At‌⁠‍ the moment of‍‍‌ death, everyone is‌ alone.”

“Well,⁠ I won’t die.”

“That‍‌ would be ideal.”‌

It⁠ was Inariel.

“You arrived sooner than⁠⁠ I thought. Where⁠ did you return⁠ to?”

“To‌ the workshop.”

“I‌‍ see. Can I count on you⁠ staying until the⁠⁠‌ end?”

“Of‌ course, after what‍‍ I saw.”

For⁠ anyone, it was‍‍⁠ natural to feel‍‌ fear upon seeing‌‌ the creature Cedric‍⁠ had summoned. Yuri‍⁠ was no different,⁠‍ and neither was‍‍⁠ Inariel.

But⁠‌ both knew that⁠ precisely because of‍‌⁠ that, they had to resist even more fiercely. If‌ such a being ruled the world,⁠‍ it would be‌‌ a hell worse‌‍‍ than death.

Yuri⁠‍ was convinced that‌ the “happy future” Cedric promised would⁠ never come.

Even⁠ if he managed⁠ to build it, it would be‌ a facade rotten‍‍ on the inside.⁠ Black magic, which‌ creates spells from⁠⁠⁠ human death, could‍ never nourish anything‌⁠ genuine.

“Why‍‍ do you think⁠⁠ he gave us‍ a month?”

“To‍ filter. Those who resist will do so, those who‌‍ surrender will do⁠ so, and that‌ way he can‌‍‍ wipe out all‌‍ rebellious seeds in‌ one stroke.”

“I‍‍‍ suppose so.”

Yuri⁠‍ nodded.

“I‍⁠ just received a letter with reports‌‍ on the situation‌ in other countries.”

“And?”⁠

“Just‍ what I expected.”⁠

“Yuri‌⁠ Briol.”

“Yes?”‌‍

“With‍⁠ a month’s time,⁠‌‌ if you were‍‌ to persuade them‌‌ in person…”

“No.”‍

Yuri‍ shook his head.‍‍

“I’m‌⁠ not going to⁠⁠⁠ persuade anyone. When⁠‍ the time comes,⁠ I’ll go. Whoever‍‍‌ wants to come,‌ can come; whoever‍ doesn’t, won’t. It‌ will depend solely‌ on their will.”‍⁠⁠

“Are⁠‍ you serious?”

“Yes.”⁠

“You’ve‍ gone sentimental at‍ the last moment.”‍

“I⁠⁠ can’t help it.”‌⁠

Yuri‍ smiled.

“If⁠‍ the opponent’s hand‍⁠ is too good,⁠‌ to win you‌ have to bet‍‍ big.”

Inariel‍⁠ looked away.

“By‌ the way, haven’t‍ there been any news from the⁠ Eastern warriors?”

“Not⁠‍ yet.”

Through⁠ Yekaterina, Yuri knew‌ that Elaine had⁠‌‍ departed for the‌‌‌ East, accompanied by‌ Bernard. He wasn’t‍⁠ worried about their⁠⁠ safety, but he‍ wasn’t sure if‍ they could convince‍‌⁠ them to join.⁠

“Maybe‌ if they use‍ the Heavenly Demon‍⁠ to persuade them…”‍⁠

“You‍‌ killed him, didn’t⁠ you?”

“Yes,‌‍ but they don’t‌ know that.”

“He⁠ could revive.”

“Huh?”

“They’re⁠ people who revive⁠⁠ the dead. They wouldn’t waste the⁠ corpse of a powerful warrior.”

“Ah…”‍⁠

Yuri remembered Cedric’s black‌⁠ magic, which resurrected⁠ the dead to⁠ fight, including Donchichi⁠ and Dan Socheon.‍‌‌ Although he had‍‌‍ destroyed the monster‍⁠ created from their⁠ bodies, he didn’t‍‍⁠ know if they‌ had been left‌⁠ that way.

“In‍⁠⁠ any case, I trust you’ll know‍ what to do,‍ as always.”

“What‍‌ do you mean?”‌

“Before‌⁠ you leave, you‌ should settle that⁠ matter.”

“What‍‍ matter?”

“There.”⁠

Inariel⁠‌‌ pointed with his‌ chin.

Under⁠⁠‌ a parasol was⁠‍ Yekaterina.

“Why?”⁠

“So you won’t regret‌‍ it. Before the⁠⁠⁠ battle, clear things⁠ up.”

“Why‌ would I regret‌‍‌ it?”

“If‍⁠⁠ you want to pretend you don’t‌‍ understand, go ahead.”

“I don’t know what‌⁠ you’re talking about.”‌⁠

“Your‌‌ love affairs.”

“…”

“When‍ Maryrose arrives, it’ll⁠ be more complicated.”‍

“Maryrose?‌ Why her…?”

“Are‌⁠ you going to⁠‌‌ pretend?”

“No.”‍

“It’s‌ none of my‌⁠⁠ business, but if‌‍ this battle is‌‌ the last, put‍⁠ everything in order.”⁠⁠

“Understood.”‍

Yuri‌ sighed.

“I’ll‍‍ do that…”

He didn’t want to⁠⁠ get distracted before‍‌ the final battle,‍ but Inariel’s words⁠ made sense. If⁠ something unsettled him,‌ he might not‌‍‍ give his all‌‌ against Cedric.

“It’s‍‍ your decision, Yuri Briol.”

Inariel,‌ who appeared to‌‌ be a handsome⁠‍‍ young man, showed in moments like⁠⁠ this the experience‍‍ of an elven⁠ archmage who had‌ lived a long⁠ life.

“Perhaps‌⁠ it’s already too‌‌ late for my‌ advice.”

“Huh?”⁠‍‌

Yuri⁠ noticed it too.

“She⁠ arrived sooner than I thought.”

“Far‌ sooner.”

“She⁠ must have used‍ magic.”

In⁠‍‍ the distance, Maryrose,‌ her red hair‍⁠‍ flowing, approached on horseback, followed by several knights. She‌‌⁠ was coming from⁠‌ Valshard, something Yuri hadn’t expected so⁠ soon.

“Get⁠ ready.”

“But…”‌‍

“I’m⁠ leaving.”

“Stay.”‍‌

“I’m‌ leaving.”

Inariel‍‌ departed, and shortly‌ after, Maryrose stopped‌ in front of‍⁠ Yuri.

“Your‍‌⁠ Highness, it’s been⁠‍ a long time.”‌‌

She‍‍ smiled brightly and,‍‍‍ pulling on the‌ reins, looked around.⁠

Her‌⁠ eyes met Yekaterina’s.⁠‍