Chapter 291: The Way (4)
qlLmpQJThe Duchy of Klein also sent troops.Gbv60
a5fTOrWith his forces now further reinforced, Yuri marched toward Liberta.OGt8Na
EcRThe continent sensed it.Mr5Sx
XngmGvThis march might be the final journey of the prince of Briol, whose heroic record had been etched into history.3ZKiH
huWHbfIf he won, his name would be remembered for generations; if he lost, he would be just another among the countless righteous who perished at the hands of the Empire.kxo
5mxCSome mocked it, saying it was a meaningless act.ImaYRd
Ulb9sHOthers, inspired by his silent march, offered cheers or joined the long column of those following him.slslFr
YCwbD8Finally, Yuri and the anti-imperial alliance he had formed arrived at the capital of Liberta.51PMD1
Nte0The king of Liberta came out in person and, from a distance, knelt on one knee to show respect.vNCy
AIN5ASBut Yuri had no intention of stopping the march just because the king had come out.e3zu
2g0Zo1He merely returned the greeting with a slight nod of his head and continued on, advancing silently like a pilgrim on the road toward the Empire.kpddX
WOqOutside the city, Liberta’s army waited to join Yuri.8CGFg
kjRyGvIn the front row, Yuri recognized a familiar face and let out a laugh.zuABrg
otEKp“Wow, Sven Gain, my friend!”LCE
9sZe“We meet again, my esteemed lord.”q677
1tapN“You look serious.”XOdFowi
SvMo“The occasion calls for it.”4Ksp3ZZ
EFuKVHearing the prince of Briol call Sven “friend,” people murmured in surprise.3eirB
P0hjLately, Sven had gained notoriety, but it was not known that he was close to Yuri Briol.zzVFW27
QchOf course, only they knew that their relationship had begun with a fight.lLGw
HvscAJvYuri smiled at the memory.FH5r4D7
uYl0n“Do you remember the first time we met?”SH7AL
cfTH5n“How could I forget.”jfWGt42
9CbC0Q“And now we’re going to fight together. Life is unpredictable, don’t you think?”j2t
mrPs“Without a doubt.”ufi
NmAjX“I kept my promise from back then—I didn’t tell anyone.”ICo24
wIGT9VEven Sven, who maintained a serious expression, ended up smiling.XS2
IkmBT2“I appreciate it very much.”FB5
O3sQ“Right?”kO9
7W9MgDBefore meeting Yuri, Sven had been an arrogant man who abused his position, criticized other countries behind their backs, and rarely acknowledged anyone better than himself.aR1Ok1C
3i29YbBut that had changed.QKZX
DqZwHe had changed.UGdW
Uyb58gOn horseback, Yuri leaned toward Sven and extended his hand.UI4TIDt
npo3“Let’s do well this time too.”2ocsN2B
joCGy“Yes.”rTdlt
oMKAfter a brief handshake, Yuri smiled and returned to the head of the march.RWZ8
oYNyUowWolf Gain, watching the scene with satisfaction, spoke.vAt
I5HqpvH“Sir Eto.”U829
Vknh“Yes.”fGAX7
OSmKY“Aren’t you pleased?”kb8Fz
9EJMM“I am.”Vbf
prxHBUG“Someday my son will take your place.”aMd
xZkVu“First I must take yours, Sir Wolf.”3VedDb
x2nrXS“You’ve already surpassed me.”4JHQ
7uPvLv“Skill with the sword is not the only virtue of a knight. Compared to you, I still fall short.”Aace
1aAU“You think so?”EVD
xOnql“Yes. Someday I’ll be a knight like you.”Jf4D
lXYhw2n“Then become a father.”3VWkB9
WG3bU6“Father…?”5uT3Txo
Rk9zs“That will make you a better knight—no, a better human being.”BTbXuE
9yRnPRSA horn sounded, and Liberta’s army joined Yuri’s march.eEOSVc
LrdxbuWolf shouted.sp20
Vl3WMf“Liberta shares Briol’s fate! We will fight to the end! March!”t6hoe
KHdThe anti-imperial alliance born in Briol grew like a snowball.wROIa
Ejo***8OrS
Bt9Yuri Briol, bearer of the Sword of the Tyrant King, crossed the Confederation of Small Kingdoms and reached Brusen.47rQ6c
uLCPThe reaction in Brusen was much more enthusiastic than in other countries, which merely bowed—there they waved flags and cheered with shouts. The march became noisy.5SqmMU
70Xz3MhAll the acquaintances he had made along his journey had gathered.Ir1
mlreEYPThe king of Brusen did not remain still—he ran directly to Yuri and handed him something.6hOtx
8jHf08“Here, drink before you go.”FC1Ss
uj4jIt was wine.K9Na1
LBdpoX“Don’t tell me…”othouJ8
GoEFZ“Sabonne Mucara. From the best year.”j9evJb
EKuIt was a typical product of the Alas region, located between the Holy Kingdom and Brusen.aWd9t6u
VPHBPzbNot long ago, that had sparked a war between the two, which was resolved thanks to Yuri’s intervention.ofMNz
vhjFYuri smiled.Ux1
YRLmEwA“What an honor to gift me something like this.”PDe
1sv7“For you, it doesn’t hurt to give it.”9TH
aMOed7CThe king of Brusen smiled broadly.OhHQ6Kq
jCR4j1c“Drink now. Ah, no need to dismount.”rc0d
SrVPIw“Understood.”fEBLoQ
ctM4MVbOn horseback, Yuri, and standing beside him, the king of Brusen, filled their cups with red wine.PQUi
V3gh“A toast to your victory.”XHEi
g7home5“I think you just wanted to drink with me, didn’t you?”98Ku
yFCV0“Quiet, they’re listening.”Z9i18
auYBoth laughed and drank.nDN
n7Rp“Impressive…”hzisd
yop“Right?”vHk6
me18iJ“I have no words.”2A9lbi
iFXSIgo“Me neither. That’s why I’m not going to give you a pep talk—it’s hard to put into words. In this wine is my support, so please, save the continent.”eip
kgP“Understood.”NPDFC
4ZD“By the way…” said the king.l5qvP5W
Pxqar“I haven’t opened the best wine. I’m saving it for your victory.”SJHSgP
vRqLC26“And if I lose?”sVPdk
Ub9o“I’ll drink it in your honor. If you lose, I won’t live much longer either.”0RTjRQT
uYZo“Hahaha…”hQwWe
rRYWYuri smiled and extended his cup.m3EA
0embdh7“One more, please.”zmr
rBL59“Alright.”8Ec
CHKjThe king poured again. After several rounds, Yuri this time held the wine in his mouth for a few seconds before swallowing.Drd4v
7D0Tgt“I definitely have to win.”jL8
WKIRrF“Right?”2L1Ro
Mnhh0FU“Yes.”yjg
UzBReturning the empty cup, Yuri said.KVJDnm
Xmvg1“I’ll be back.”pEnQ
NVuX“I’ll be waiting.”8DM
lOFThe king hugged the bottle and stepped back.LsA
QHAoobYuri’s column resumed the march, followed by soldiers from all the countries they had crossed:isoAE
gyBifvthose from Briol, the Duchy of Klein, Liberta, the Confederation of Small Kingdoms, troops from small independent domains, swordsmen who had once remained hidden—all had joined.X6fV
AZbv4Now the army of Brusen was added as well.EzRB
s1Y4QThe king of Brusen raised his hand and shouted.IzZd4
nD8“My loyal knight, Jose Aratur!”NCrMmB6
u3OHJwF“Yes!”TntBWpz
zCjJose, who was behind, answered firmly.h2PNPhX
PnzOThe king shouted.pOY9D
4ozFUV“Aid the prince of Briol and save the continent!”Q18F
vDx“Yes, Your Majesty!”gtvPDy
QbIHis voice resounded throughout the place.SW6
VUNPNext, a horn drew out its note and the troops of Brusen began to merge into the column.rLIjsx
buhf73OJonathan, watching from the rear on horseback, commented.OYK
hKos“I recognize almost all of them—aren’t they from the Alliance?”Tcpc
Meo2e“That’s right.”sMbd
3zbNAgY“Funny how so many connections end up united like this.”ke10b8
wNF“They’re not many connections,” replied Froin with a smile. “It’s just one—Yuri Briol. He’s the one who brought them all together.”p9WFJ
iTjK“You think so?”kNwzR
8nrd85“Think about it. It’s as if all of this had been prepared for this day.”en7
HPLbFroin stroked his horse’s mane and added.wiET
Ss8eOzS“It all started in the Alliance—the orcs, the black magic—the war to protect the continent had already begun back then.”EGr
2VvT9I“Maybe so.”89v6tY
C2hWKhvThey both nodded.je9Y
EkYuThose who had forged bonds in the Alliance of Nations were now joining together in a battle for the fate of the continent.ln1
Kl9hUgoThe troops of Brusen fully merged into the formation and began to advance. Jonathan and Froin also spurred their horses.brk5uLY
k65BOn both sides, people wished them good fortune.WAuzEzC
BemyNJonathan smiled.F9PtE
VIOmKs“Has there ever been another war like this?”8ZM4s8m
8llVtek“Pardon?”SRInJE
sOKVUT0“A war truly worth fighting. Not for someone’s ambition, nor for some stupid misunderstanding, nor even for a sacrifice in the name of the common good. It’s because of the appearance of an absolute evil, and because we raise the sword to protect the continent and our loved ones. Isn’t that great? We’ve fought many times before, but has there ever been a battle where risking our lives really didn’t matter?”EMbBI
Hrm“That’s true. Still, living is good.”3iCQWMK
vxpi“Then let’s live.”Nr461
r4nDcZIThey both moved forward.iEq5Fs
83b5axThus, the forces of Brusen became fully integrated into the Anti-Imperial Alliance. And immediately, they headed north.hwV
8jPpAzThe long march was coming to an end.uxF0QW
DjtAfter passing through the Holy Kingdom, they would head straight into the Empire.AFFwzZ
yG8f***0mqPQtP
1E5N7The Holy Kingdom welcomed Yuri Briol more quietly than Brusen.FhRbtmL
CJ5uLLuther Arsaint, who had ascended to the throne thanks to Yuri, dressed in pure white, gave them his blessing, and the priests who came out of the temple recited prayers like incantations, asking for their victory.uDiF
lBHYuThe knights, paladins, and all the military forces of the Holy Kingdom joined in.8KrV
cpm4cQGiven its nature, the Holy Kingdom felt an even greater revulsion toward black magic, so the response to this war was considerable. It seemed that anyone capable of wielding a weapon was joining the formation.sYQ
0UGDgpWAs he greeted Francesco and Fenek, who were waiting with their troops, Yuri thought of Sybilla.PgrKfhR
q5eWIf that hadn’t happened, she could have been here fighting alongside them.IQT1uh
jjbRIt would have been better that way.seg51w
c4PsuBut the past could not be changed. Now the only thing he could do was kill Cedric and soothe her soul.8Gz3
g4y4While Yuri was absorbed in thought, Ainzer approached.nwgNQ0k
8uY“They say the Holy Kingdom completely exhausted its orichalcum. We’ve received a large shipment of weapons.”5D0c
i4mc6QQ“Oh, really?”CBZA2
ylJtF“Most of us are now equipped with orichalcum weapons. Of course, being an alloy, the purity is low.”utO0T
10lR“That’s enough. The Holy Kingdom has made a good effort.”QsoOG
Of7X1“The old dwarf’s face is a mess.”bMp
5iOV9rK“Hahaha…”esGR4Sy
V7AIqeYuri smiled, remembering Umstein.G5l
8Ehm“It was the least he could do.”q1FBEC
HtwLYuri turned. Francesco was riding toward him.lYPk
hKDBv3When he had lost his mana, he had looked like a worn-out vagrant; now, after slimming down and shaving, his appearance was completely different. He could pass for a handsome young man.x8v
3clR“Yuri Briol.”tKn
BPbs0v“You look well.”0GB
uhgBz8X“It could be the last time, so one has to look presentable, don’t you think?”68T
kgHwjqkThen Francesco waved to the citizens of the Holy Kingdom. They responded with cheers.E6Btqa
Wuq“When I lost my mana, I thought it was a trial sent by God. And when you restored it, I thought you were a messenger sent by Him.”XuC5R3l
Mxh5“Really? Me, a divine messenger?”044
paNTd3d“I’m not saying you actually are. Just that our meeting might have been guided by God.”Y9SgmAz
CwH“Could be.”4a5
31J1“In the end, I think it was all preparation for this moment.”20fcG
P0rB“And that preparation will only be worth it if we win.”0KINP
P1aM4“We’ll win.”HGTWdRt
wQDFrancesco said it with absolute conviction.YGgiM60
sqE4Yuri asked.Uyr41
my7“Why are you so sure?”iud5aq
gzW9Owu“Have you ever seen an unfinished painting?”74dhxc
aKiTIV“Pardon?”RP5Wvkd
Ifot9ZH“In the Great Cathedral, there’s an unfinished mural.”fpi
5xoL3sYFrancesco rode alongside Yuri and continued.exH2o
a3Bs“It shows the historical saints walking together. But no one knows what’s at the end. They only used pigments to depict a blinding light, without a defined form.”4yjfQ
gaG“Could it be they just left it incomplete?”nBD
d7CHcB“There are many stories about it, but none certain. Some say yes, it was left unfinished. But that doesn’t matter. Even if it’s not painted, we know what lies at the end of the path the saints are walking.”7qoQol
T1oOFrancesco smiled.4MbGIr1
7gjUQoK“That’s why they call it the holiest sacred painting of all.”wCV
xLtGWv“I think I understand what you mean.”xT5
1sNa“Yes. The path we follow, and the one you’ve walked—you don’t need to see it to know where it leads, do you?”QrQl0gt
zuZ8s6OHe placed a hand on his shoulder.i8IByP
SGd1XOa“We’re going to win. If this journey were to end in tragedy, it would mean the painter of that mural was insane. But the Creator of this world is not such a being.”mdGy8B4
KUxIA“Sounds nice, but isn’t that a bit too grand a thought?”J5JVus
49K“No. Trust me.”dnza1
8S61“Did you perhaps receive some revelation in a dream last night?”XS3
Adx2KEOFrancesco’s eyes wavered.ydm
25Q6YgYuri frowned.lsCY9Q
B5MqXYX“Were you just saying that, or is it true?”b2OaldZ
cbZ6“Just think of it that way.”ifnFKJH
DSbtiX“Did God really appear to you in a dream?”X0uw
ovgWko“He did, with an indescribable light, like in the Cathedral’s mural.”Dqj
ka69E“And what did He say?”VTZ
jhbFrancesco looked at him in silence.mqlhYRE
4OT“What? Why?”oXBDsHQ
APRJ4byInstead of answering, he patted his back, with an unusually kind gesture.OVeA
8F3IyBYuri put on an uncomfortable expression.LryztP
ekk0IHb“Don’t tell me He spoke about me.”FzJbVb
7oYe“Let’s win. We’ll win, Yuri Briol.”22d
pOeKKU“I’m asking you what the revelation was.”31W1
rvJjQJ“Let’s go.”Z5i
RwYFO“Tell me already.”l6T51
OFCdia0“How could a mere mortal understand the will of God?”WT6
vTjzle“I’m not saying to understand it, but at least tell me what He said…”n3d
WLPmuz6As they argued, the march did not stop.T6B
UYB7HmThe sound of horns resounded.9E8nJh
JFfXyxRThus, the formation of the Anti-Imperial Alliance begun by Yuri Briol had grown like a snowball into a colossal size.nMK6A
s9arOnly one thing remained to march north.uVFz
ld7Y7Toward the Empire shrouded in darkness, the final army led by Yuri Briol advanced.I6Ng92
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