Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince — Chapter 289: The Way (2)

Chapter 289: The Way (2)

Yuri‌⁠ began the march.⁠

Tirbo‍ carried the flag,‌‍ and the rest‌⁠‍ of the troops‍ followed.

Anyone‌‍ could join.

Be⁠‍ it noble or⁠‍⁠ commoner.

Knight‌⁠‍ or soldier.

A veteran who had‍ spent their whole⁠ life on the battlefield.

Or‌⁠ a rookie holding‍‌ a sword for⁠‌ the first time.⁠‌⁠

Anyone⁠ willing to risk their life to‍‍ fight walked alongside‍ Yuri.

Among‍⁠ them were not‍‌‌ only people from‍‌‌ Briol, but also⁠ Oliver Elgast, who‍‌ had once belonged‌⁠‌ to the Empire,‍ and Lapior Artem,‌ who had wandered⁠ aimlessly after Graham’s⁠ death.

Anyone who wished to⁠‌ fight was welcome.⁠‌

That‌ was Yuri’s wish.⁠⁠

The‍ flag of the‍‌ Anti-Imperial Union waved‍⁠ high, defying the‍⁠⁠ Empire.

Some⁠ joined the procession,⁠⁠ while others knelt‍ to pray in the direction of the army led‌‌ by Yuri.

“Tirbo,‍ are your arms hurting?”

“Eh?‌ Yes… a little.‍ Hehehe…”

“Give‌ it to me.⁠‍⁠ I’ll carry it.”⁠⁠‌

“No,⁠ there’s no need.”‌‍⁠

“Come‍ on, hand it⁠⁠⁠ over.”

“Really,⁠ I’m fine.”

“What’s⁠ wrong, you don’t‍ get tired anymore?”‍

“No, sir!”

“Good.‌⁠ If you do⁠‍⁠ get tired, say‌ so, alright?”

“I‌‍‍ don’t think I will.”

“That’s⁠‌ better.”

Yuri planned to make⁠ a large circuit‍ through Briol and⁠‌ then head to‍ Liberta.

After‌⁠‍ that, he would‌‍ advance west, passing‌ through the Confederation‍ of Small Kingdoms,⁠⁠ crossing Brusen, and‌⁠ then entering the‍ Empire via the‌‌⁠ Holy Kingdom.

Along‍ the way, he‍‍ would gather all‌‍‌ those who shared⁠‌ his cause.

News⁠ that the Empire⁠ had summoned an‍‍ evil entity through⁠ black magic to repel the Anti-Imperial⁠‌ Union, and that the monarch of‌‌ Briol was gathering his final army⁠‍ to face it,⁠ was beginning to⁠‍ spread across the‌ continent.

“The⁠ next destination is‌‌ Yuzes.”

“Yes.”‍‌

Yuri’s⁠ path now led⁠ him to Yuzes.‌‍

The⁠‌ people offered blessings⁠‌ and sometimes asked‍ questions.

Before entering Yuzes, a man by the‍ side of the road shouted:

“Your‍ Highness. Forgive my‌⁠ question, but… will‍ we be able‍⁠⁠ to win?”

He⁠⁠ carried a sword‍‍ at his waist, and mana could⁠ be felt from‌ his body.

He‌‍ was probably someone⁠‌ who had trained‌‍ extensively with the‌‍ sword.

Even‍‌‌ so, his voice was low and‌‌ his shoulders hunched.‍⁠⁠

No‌⁠ matter how many‌ years one trains‌‍ with a sword,⁠‍‍ fear does not‍‍⁠ disappear.

The‍ man seemed to‍‌ want to join‍‍ the march, but‍⁠ fear of the⁠ Empire and its⁠‌ black magic kept⁠ him from deciding.‌

Yuri‌‍‍ stopped for a moment and shook‍‌ his head.

“I don’t know.”

“…Pardon?”‌‌

“I‍⁠‍ don’t know if‍ we can win.”

On⁠‌ the roadside, a crowd knelt watching⁠ Yuri and his‍ troops.

Yuri⁠ spoke plainly.

“We’re‍⁠ not fighting because this is a war we can‌ win. Even if‍‌ we lose, we‌‌‌ fight because it’s‍‍ something we must⁠‍‍ face.”

The⁠‌ man raised his‍ head and looked⁠‍ at him.

“The enemy is strong.‌ Most of us⁠‌‍ will probably die.”‌‌

From‌ the moment he decided to take⁠ this path, Yuri‌‌‌ had been clear‍‍ that he wouldn’t⁠‌⁠ recruit anyone with‍‍‍ lies or false⁠⁠‍ promises.

Facing‌ black magic required an unbreakable will.‌

Anyone⁠⁠ who came under‍‍⁠ coercion or deception⁠‌ would not be⁠⁠‍ able to endure.‌

“I‍ can’t promise you‍⁠ anything. If you⁠ want to fight,‌⁠‍ come. If not,⁠‌‌ it’s fine if‌ you don’t.”

With⁠ that, Yuri resumed‌‌⁠ the march.

The‌⁠ man stared at‌⁠⁠ him in surprise‌⁠ as he walked⁠⁠‍ away. His gaze‌⁠ then turned to‌ the army following‍‌ him.

They‌ were all different.⁠‌‍

But⁠‌‌ none seemed dominated‍‍ by fear.

Their‍ faces carried a calm as if‍‍ death did not‍ concern them.

“Ah…”⁠⁠

One‌‍ of the soldiers‌⁠ in the procession,‌ seeing the man⁠ still standing, called‌‍‌ out to him.‍‌⁠

“Hey,⁠ kid.”

“Yes?”‍⁠‍

“In‍ life, there are‌‌⁠ battles you can’t‌⁠ turn away from.⁠⁠ If you feel⁠‌‌ this is one⁠ of them, come.⁠‍ If not, support‌ us from behind. This isn’t just‍‌ about living or‌ dying.”

He‍⁠ jerked his chin⁠ forward.

“The‍⁠⁠ Empire sacrifices people.‍⁠ I’m scared too,‌‌ but I still‍‌ have to fight.”‌

Saying⁠‍ this, the soldier looked ahead again‍ and kept walking‍ away.

The‌⁠ man looked up.‍

In⁠ the distance, the⁠ flag of the‌‍‍ Anti-Imperial Union waved‍ strongly.

Suddenly,‍⁠ one of the⁠‍‌ middle-aged men who‍‍ had been kneeling⁠‌ in homage stood‌⁠⁠ up, as if‌⁠ hypnotized, and joined‍⁠‌ the march.

He⁠ wasn’t the only⁠‌ one.

No‍ one shouted to⁠⁠⁠ convince them, no‌ one tried to persuade them.

They‍⁠ simply walked.

But‌⁠ people began to‌⁠ join.

Seeing‍‌‍ this, the man‍ hardened his expression‌ and began to‍ move forward.

Those‌ behind him saw and made room‍ for him.

The‌ army of the⁠ Anti-Imperial Union, led by Yuri, was‌‍ now entering Yuzes.‌

Once,‍ that territory had‌ belonged to Genard,⁠ and now it‌ was Josephine’s domain.‌

***‌‍

When⁠ Yuri set foot⁠ in Yuzes, a band began to play music.

Yuri‌⁠ smiled wryly.

Josephine⁠ had wanted to‌‌ make music. Even‌ as a duchess,‍ she continued composing⁠⁠‍ actively.

Upon‍ hearing of his‌‌ arrival, it was‌‍ clear she had⁠ prepared this as‍ a welcoming gesture.‍‌

“I⁠ didn’t expect them‌ to play music.”‍

“A‍‌‍ reception.”

“But…‌‍ isn’t it a bit too melancholic?”‍

“It’s‌ solemn.”

It‌ was different from‌‍ the typical music‍ before a battle.⁠‌‌

Depending‌‍ on how one⁠ heard it, it‌‍ sounded melancholic or‍⁠‍ solemn.

Yuri⁠ shook his head.‍‍

“With‌‌ this, those who were going to‌ come will get⁠‌ scared off.”

“Even‍ so, it stirs‍‌⁠ the heart.”

As‌ they entered the‍‍ city, Josephine awaited‍ them.

The⁠‌ Duchess of Yuzes,‌ Josephine Zaetheri.

She‍⁠ stopped in front‍⁠ of Yuri, who⁠⁠ rode at the‌ head, and bowed.⁠‌‌

The vassals following her⁠‍⁠ also went down⁠‌ on one knee.‍‌

Yuzes⁠⁠ was a wealthy‌‌ region within Briol,‍ and its knights‌‌ were numerous.

All‍⁠ bowing to Yuri‍⁠ was an impressive‌‍ sight.

“It⁠‍‌ is an honor⁠ to see you,⁠‍ Your Highness.”

“It’s⁠ been a while,‍ Josephine.”

“May blessings follow your⁠ path.”

After‍‍‌ her words, the‌⁠ music, which had‌ paused for a moment, resumed, this⁠ time more lively.‍

It⁠ was clear that,⁠ as someone versed‍⁠ in musical performance,‌‌ she knew how‌⁠ to handle such‌ events.

The⁠ sound grew and‌ gained strength, as‍‌ if the meeting⁠ between the two‌⁠ marked the beginning⁠‌ of a change⁠ in the world.⁠‍⁠

Yuri⁠ said quietly to‌‍ her:

“This‌ is a bit‌‌ too staged, don’t⁠‍‍ you think?”

“Art‌‌‌ is always staged.”⁠

“True…”‌‌

Josephine‌ smiled faintly as⁠ she proposed to‌‍ Yuri:

“Today,⁠‍ it will be‌ difficult for you‍‌ to go further,‌ so rest before‌⁠ continuing. I have‌ prepared a banquet.”⁠⁠

“No.”‍‍‌

Yuri‍⁠ shook his head.‍‍

“I’ll⁠ stay with them,‍⁠ whether to eat‍‍ or rest. So‌‍ I must respectfully‌ decline the banquet.”‌‌⁠

“Ah…”‍

Josephine‍ opened her mouth‌ for a moment,‌ then nodded.

“That⁠ was careless of‌ me. In that⁠ case, I will‌⁠‌ offer a meal‌⁠ for everyone.”

“That‍ I will gladly⁠ accept.”

Thus,⁠⁠⁠ the army led⁠ by Yuri stayed‌⁠⁠ one day in‌⁠ Yuzes.

Josephine⁠⁠ emptied the stores‌ of Yuzes to⁠ offer them a rather decent meal.‌⁠⁠ There was meat,⁠ and they were⁠⁠⁠ even served liquor.⁠⁠

The‍‍ soldiers, who had‌⁠ marched without rest,‌ could momentarily forget⁠ their fatigue.

At⁠‌ times, the people‍ of Yuzes gave‌ flowers and gifts‍ to the soldiers.‍‍

As‌⁠ night fell, Yuri‍ looked up at⁠‍‌ the sky from‌⁠⁠ an improvised tent‌‍ outside the city.‌‍‌

Sitting‍‍‍ before the campfire,‌ he felt like‍ he was back‍⁠ in the days‍⁠ of the Alliance.‌⁠⁠

“Your‌ Highness.”

Jared,⁠‍ sitting across from‌ him, spoke.

“Why did you suddenly‍⁠ decide to move⁠ around like this?”‌‍

At‍‌ first, Yuri had‍ no intention of‍ traveling across the‌‍‌ continent to recruit⁠⁠ people.

His plan had been to take up⁠‌ arms when the time came and,‌ if other countries‍⁠ responded, join them.‍⁠‍ But suddenly, he had begun moving‌‍ in person.

The‌‍ existence of black⁠ magic instilled fear,‍⁠‌ but the name‌‍‌ Yuri Briol shone‍‍ brightly enough to‍‌ make people forget‌⁠⁠ that fear, and⁠‌ so, they kept‍ joining him.

“It’s‍⁠ just that…”

Yuri‍⁠ glanced sideways.

Oliver⁠ and Raphael were⁠ sitting in a corner, roasting sweet⁠⁠ potatoes by the fire.

Raphael⁠‌⁠ being like that⁠ was normal, but⁠ who would have imagined that Oliver,‍ always well-groomed and⁠ elegant, would end‌ up like this?‌

No⁠‌ one would have‌ thought he would‌ become an ally. The same was⁠‍ true for others.‌‌

Someone‍ who seemed destined‌‍‌ to be an eternal ally could‍ become an enemy.‍

“I‌ just… think I have to give‍ it my all.”‌

“Give it your all, huh…”

Yuri‍‌‍ looked at Laurent,‍‌ sitting next to⁠ Jared, staring intently‌ at the flames.‍ He looked the‌ same as before.‍

“The truth is… maybe⁠‍ before, I was a little resigned.”⁠‌‌

Even⁠‌⁠ if he hadn’t‌ consciously admitted it,‍⁠⁠ deep down he‍⁠ had thought that‍ since it was‍⁠ a battle hard‌ to win, at⁠‌‌ least he should‍ end it with⁠ some dignity. That⁠ was why he⁠ had stayed at‌ the palace, waiting⁠ to gather only⁠ those who truly wanted to fight.‌

But‌⁠ upon hearing that⁠⁠‌ Cory had become⁠ Cedric’s subordinate, he‌⁠ changed his mind.⁠

“We⁠‍ have to fight with everything. And‌‌ of course, I will win.”

“I‍ see.”

Jared‍ commented.

“I‍ thought it was⁠‍ because of Lady‍ Yekaterina.”

“No.”⁠

“And‍ how did that happen? At the tournament you didn’t⁠ seem that close.”

“It’s⁠‍⁠ a bond from‍‌ a past life.”‌

“Oh…”‌‌

Jared,‌⁠ as if he’d‌ heard something strange, shook his head‌‌ and called to‌‌ Laurent.

“Are‍ you just going‍‍ to sit there‍ listening to that?”

Laurent⁠ only gave a faint smile.

“I‍‍‍ have something to say, but I won’t say it.”‌

That⁠ boy who used⁠‌‌ to be adorable‍ had now become⁠‍‍ a cold type, which Yuri regretted.⁠

“The‍‌ old Laurent was⁠ more adorable…”

Yuri‍⁠‌ murmured. Laurent looked⁠‍ at him sharply‍ but said nothing.‌ Jared nodded as⁠ if in agreement.⁠

At‌ that moment, someone‌‌‍ spoke from behind.‌

“Well,‍‌ I still think⁠⁠ the current Laurent‍ is adorable.”

It⁠ was Maryrose. She sat naturally in‍ an empty spot‌‌ on the ground.‌

“Ah,⁠ Lady Maryrose.”

Jared⁠‌ brought a box‍⁠ and placed it⁠‌⁠ beside her so she could sit.‌‌‍

“Thank‍ you, Sir Jared.”

“You’re⁠ welcome.”

Though she traveled with‌‌ them as if she were a campaign mage, Maryrose⁠ was actually the‌ duchess of Valshard,⁠‌ practically an independent state. She wasn’t⁠‍ someone who should be sitting on‌ the ground.

Of⁠‌‌ course, Yuri himself, prince of Briol,‍‌‌ was sitting on a sack of‌ uncertain contents.

Maryrose⁠‌⁠ said:

“Your‍ Highness must be‍‍ happy, right?”

“Why?”‍‌

Yuri seemed a little uneasy; his voice⁠ trembled, which was‌‍ rare for him.⁠⁠

He⁠ knew well that⁠⁠ Maryrose was interested in him. Or‍⁠ rather than interest,⁠ she had shown‌⁠ clear signs of‍ affection.

But‌ now that he⁠‍ was dating Yekaterina,‍‌ he didn’t know‌ how to treat‍ her. He wasn’t‍ shameless enough to⁠‍⁠ pretend he knew‍ nothing, as before.⁠‍

“Because‍ you have such‍ a beautiful and‌‍ kind-hearted girlfriend.”

“Kind-hearted?”‌

Yuri‍ repeated without thinking.‍

“I see you don’t‍ agree.”

“Well…”

Yekaterina was charming, but her personality wasn’t‍‍ exactly that of⁠ a kind-hearted person.⁠

“When⁠‍ I met her,‌‌ she told me⁠‌ to call her⁠⁠‍ ‘big sister.’ That⁠⁠⁠ she was no‌‍‍ longer a princess‌⁠⁠ of the Empire⁠⁠ because she had escaped from there.⁠‍ She’s beautiful and⁠ sociable.”

“I‌⁠ see.”

Yuri⁠ felt something strange.‌⁠ He had never‍‌ seen Yekaterina approach someone like that‌⁠ from the start.‌‌

Maryrose‌‌‌ smiled at him.‌

Yuri‌ didn’t understand anything.‍

Normally,‌ when someone who‍ has feelings for‌‌‍ you sees you‍⁠‌ with a partner,‌⁠‍ they show some‌ reaction — they‍‌‌ grow cold, they get sad.

But‌⁠ she was even‍⁠ calmer than before‍⁠ Yekaterina appeared.

“Why?”‍‍

“Nothing…”⁠⁠

“Don’t⁠ tell me that,⁠‌ seeing me so‌‍‍ calm, you feel‍‌ disappointed?”

“No,‍ of course not.‌⁠‍ What are you⁠ saying?”

“Then‍‌‌ forget it.”

Yuri⁠‌‍ had a bad⁠ feeling.

Had⁠ something happened between‌⁠ Yekaterina and Maryrose?‌

In⁠⁠ his past life,‌ it had been‍⁠ like this too.‌

Even⁠ when they were⁠ together, Yekaterina always‌⁠‌ acted unpredictably. That⁠ quality was part of her charm,⁠‌ but sometimes it was hard to⁠ handle.

As⁠‌ he watched the⁠ fire in silence,‌ Laurent suddenly spoke.

“Yuri⁠‌‌ Briol.”

“Hmm?”

“No,‍ forget it.”

Laurent‍‌ shook his head,⁠‍ and Jared, sitting⁠‍ beside him, did‍‌‌ the same.

The⁠ campfire was warm.‌‍

Only‌ Yuri tilted his‌ head, puzzled.

“What’s‍ going on?”