Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince — Chapter 297: Demonic Realm (6)

Chapter 297: Demonic Realm (6)

The⁠ Anti-Imperial Alliance began‍⁠ marching as soon‌⁠ as dawn broke.⁠

Due‌‌⁠ to the contamination‌‌ caused by black⁠⁠ magic, the demonic‍‌ territory became denser‌ as night fell,‌‌ and when the‍‍ sun rose, the⁠‍‌ environment became relatively easier to traverse.‌‌ This was because⁠‍ of the nature of black magic,‍⁠‍ which reacted to‍⁠ darkness.

That‍‍ was why the‌‌ Anti-Imperial Alliance moved‌‌‌ according to the‌ cycle of day‍ and night.

“Seriously,‍‍ this is disgusting.”

That‍‍ was Jared’s comment⁠ after passing through‌ one of the‌⁠ Imperial cities.

“It’s like everyone’s lost⁠‌ their sanity.”

Ever since they had‌ crossed the border,‍ the Empire had⁠‍ taken no measures‌‌‍ against the Anti-Imperial‍ Alliance.

Because‍ of that, Yuri‌ had been able⁠ to pass through‌‍‌ cities and resupply⁠ freely.

The‍‌ people he saw‍ in the Empire⁠‌ seemed bewitched, their‌ eyes vacant.

Despite‌‌ the chaos, they⁠ continued absorbed in⁠‌⁠ their daily tasks,⁠‍‌ accepting without complaint⁠‍ taxes so outrageously⁠‌‌ high they were insulting.

When⁠ Yuri threatened the‍ local lord with‌‌‌ his knights to⁠ hand over supplies,⁠ the man only‌⁠ nodded silently, as⁠ if in agreement, moving his head⁠‍ up and down.‌

It‍‌ was as if⁠ they had lost‌‌‌ their will, mere soulless puppets.

“It⁠⁠ must be the⁠ black magic.”

“Even‍ so, it was‍ way too strange.‌ It’s like they⁠⁠‍ were possessed.”

“They‌ are possessed.”

At‍ that moment, Hernando‍⁠ stepped forward to‌ speak.

“Black magic is controlling‌ the entire Empire.‌ Every inhabitant stands‍ on a magic‌ circle, being consumed‌‌ as a transmutation‍‌ material. We have⁠ to put an end to this‌ as soon as⁠⁠ possible.”

“Bastards…”⁠‌

Jared‌ let out a dry laugh.

“Calling them trash is‌‌ too human for⁠⁠ them—it doesn’t even‍‍ fit.”

Hernando‌⁠‍ gave a bitter‌⁠ smile.

“Exactly.⁠⁠ The Empire is‍⁠ inhuman. It’s literally demonic.”

The‌‌ same scene repeated‌‌ itself again and⁠⁠‍ again.

Whether‍ it was a city or a small village, none‌‌‍ had defensive troops‌ to meet the⁠ Anti-Imperial Alliance.

Yuri‍‌ had no intention‍ of dragging Imperial civilians into the‍‍ war. So, after‌‍ taking what he‍⁠⁠ needed, he would⁠ leave the place‌‌ immediately.

Even‌⁠ so, no one‍‌ lowered their guard.‌‌⁠

Seeing⁠ the state of‌⁠ the Empire only‍ deepened the unease‌‌‌ among the Anti-Imperial⁠‌‍ Alliance’s troops.

The scene was far⁠‌ too sinister.

“Bring‌‍ me that farmer.”⁠

“Yes.”‌

As‌⁠ they advanced, Yuri⁠ spotted a farmer‌‍ in the distance‍‍ and sent Jared.‍‍

Jared brought back the man, who was‌ absorbed in his‌ work.

The‌ farmer looked at Yuri with a neutral expression.

“Are⁠⁠‌ you a farmer?”

“Yes,‌‌‌ my lord.”

“We’re‌⁠‍ at war. Don’t⁠ you think of⁠ running?”

“A⁠⁠‌ farmer like me‌ only does his⁠ work, my lord.”‌

“Don’t⁠⁠ you think we‍‍ could harm you?”‍

“I⁠ only do my⁠‍ work, my lord.”‌

The‌ knights who heard‌‌ this shook their‌ heads. All the‌ Imperial inhabitants were‍‍⁠ the same.

“I‌⁠ want to see‌ the Emperor. Where‍‍‌ should I go?”⁠‍⁠

“How‌ could I know‍ about someone so noble? Perhaps in‌‌ the capital, my‌‌ lord.”

No⁠ matter what they‌ asked, the answer‌‌ was similar.

In‌ the end, Yuri⁠ changed the question.‍

“I⁠‌‌ want to see‌ Cedric.”

At⁠ that moment, the‌‍ farmer’s demeanor changed⁠ drastically. The man,‌⁠ who until then had been responding‌ slowly with his‍ head lowered, suddenly⁠ looked up, smiled‍ unsettlingly, and spoke in a louder,⁠‌ quicker voice.

“Go‍‌ to Zveta, my lord.”

“Go⁠ to Zveta. He’ll‌‌ be waiting for‍ you. Go to⁠‍ Zveta. He’ll be‍⁠ waiting for you.‌‌‍ Go to Zveta.‍‌ He is waiting. Go to Zveta.‍ He will receive⁠ you. Go to‌ Zveta, Zveta, Zveta…”‌‍‍

The farmer’s tongue moved‌‍ like a hissing‍‌ snake.

Yuri‌‍ held back the‌⁠ knights who had⁠ drawn their swords⁠ and nodded.

“Zveta…‍⁠ Zveta… Understood, I will.”

As‌⁠‍ soon as he⁠‍ replied, the farmer’s⁠ pupils returned to‌‍ normal.

He‍ returned to his‌⁠‍ passive demeanor and⁠‍ bowed to Yuri.‍‌‍

“Yes,⁠‌ my lord…”

Those⁠ who witnessed the⁠‌ scene felt a chill. Black magic⁠‍ was controlling even the mind of⁠‌ a simple farmer⁠‍ on the road.⁠⁠ Those words about‌‍ going to Zveta‌ seemed like a preprogrammed message from⁠‍ Cedric for when‌‌ Yuri asked the‍‍ question.

“You‌⁠‍ may go back.”⁠⁠⁠

“Thank you, my lord.”‌‍

The‍ farmer slowly returned⁠‌ to the field‌⁠ and resumed his‌‌⁠ labor as if⁠ nothing had happened.‌‌

Watching⁠ him, Yuri murmured,‌‍

“It⁠⁠ seems fate is‌‍ decided.”

“Your‌ Highness.”

Ainzer,‌ who was beside‌‌‌ him, gave his‌‌ opinion.

“If‍⁠ everyone is like‌ this, wouldn’t it‍‍ be better to‍ take the Imperial⁠ capital first?”

It‌⁠ could be that‍‍ the capital was also empty. But‌ not only Yuri,⁠⁠ the other knights‍⁠ also shook their⁠ heads.

As Jared had said,‍⁠‌ this war was⁠ not a human⁠ one.

Occupying‍‌‌ the capital or⁠ using the palace⁠‍ as a threat⁠ would have no‍ effect on this‍ enemy.

“You‌ just saw it. That won’t work.”

“I‌ suppose you’re right.”⁠

Ainzer‌ nodded.

“It‌ was only a suggestion.”

He⁠ too seemed to‍ be deep in⁠‌⁠ thought before the⁠‍ battle.

Yuri said,

“I⁠⁠‍ understand you want‍‍ to improve our⁠ chances, but we’ll‍ head straight for‌‌‍ Zveta.”

“Yes,⁠⁠‍ Your Highness.”

They had been to‍‍ Zveta before.

But⁠ Cedric had driven⁠‍ them back.

This time would be‌ different. No matter‌ who died, there⁠ would be an‌ end.

“Tirbo.”

“Yes.”⁠

“Raise‍⁠‌ the flag high.”‌‌

“Understood!”⁠

As‍⁠ always, Yuri marched‌⁠ at the front,⁠ leading his army.‌‌

***

Calcio‌ was stunned by⁠‌ the fierce battle⁠‍ that had suddenly‌ erupted before the⁠ walls.

It⁠ was already surprising⁠⁠ enough that two‌⁠‌ armies had appeared‍ out of nowhere, but for them‍ to begin spilling‍ blood between each‍ other was even‍⁠ more shocking.

The‍‌ scale and ferocity‍ of the battle‌‌‍ were also impressive.‍‌

Eastern‍ warriors, wielding sword‍⁠ energy, clashed in‌ midair, causing explosions.

The‌ atmosphere vibrated, and‍‌ the ground trembled.‌‌

Calcio‌⁠⁠ said,

“What‌‍‌ the hell is⁠ going on here?”⁠

“Are‌ they both our‌ enemies? Or should⁠‍⁠ we be helping‍⁠‌ someone?”

“That…”

It wasn’t a situation‌ where one could easily say who‍‌‍ would win. Even‌ if the battle‌ ended, the victor‍‌⁠ would be left‍‍ in shreds.

Most of them would‍ probably die.

Calcio⁠ hesitated.

Then—‍⁠⁠

“Well‍‌ now, they certainly‌‍‍ fight well.”

Suddenly,⁠⁠ a woman’s voice⁠ rang through the⁠⁠ air.

It‌‌ was a tone‍‌‌ he had never⁠⁠‍ heard before, but‍ it carried a strange force that⁠ compelled anyone who⁠⁠⁠ heard it to‍ pay attention.

Everyone, as if hypnotized,‍ turned to look‍⁠ behind them.

A woman with a seductive appearance, wearing‌⁠ an elegant dress,⁠⁠ was standing there.‌‍

“You‍ are…”

Calcio⁠‍‌ instinctively knew she⁠ was no ordinary‌‌ human. A strange⁠‌‌ light shone in⁠ her irises.

The⁠ woman ignored all⁠ the soldiers around⁠⁠‍ her and walked‌ until she stood⁠‍‌ by the battlement’s‍‌ railing.

Then,‌ watching the death‍⁠ match below, she‌⁠ said,

“One‍ side fights for‍‌‌ black magic, the‍ other fights against‌‌ it.”

“Who‌‍ are you?”

“Good‍ question. If you‌ hadn’t asked it,⁠ perhaps I might‌‌ have left after⁠ knocking down the‍ wall…”

“Huh?”

“I‍ am the great‍‌ dragon Cruar. Surely‌‍ you’ve heard of‍‌‌ me.”

In the continent, almost‍ no one was‍ unaware of the⁠‌⁠ name Cruar—one of‍‍ the Ten Greats,‍⁠‌ and the last‌ dragon remaining on‌‍ the continent.

Unconsciously,⁠ Calcio took a step back. The‍‍ soldiers on the‌ wall also stepped⁠ away, keeping their⁠ eyes on Cruar.‌‍‌

She⁠⁠ shook her head.‌‍‌

“I‍⁠⁠ haven’t come here⁠ to harm you.”‌

“W-what‍‌ is someone as‌‍ grand as you‍‍ doing in Sidor…?”⁠

Calcio’s⁠ voice trembled.

On‌ the outside, she‌ was a beautiful⁠‌‍ woman, but in‌ truth she was⁠ an entirely different‌ kind of being.‌

If‍‍‍ she had been‍ human, perhaps he‍‌ might have made⁠‍ a joke, but⁠⁠‍ with Cruar—whose mind‍ was unfathomable—he couldn’t⁠ help but feel‍ tense.

“You’re‌ nervous. Good.”

“Huh?”‌⁠

“If you had acted⁠ too calm in⁠ front of the‍ great dragon Cruar,‍‍ I would’ve had to char half‍‍ your body so you’d feel some‌ tension…”

“Huh?”‌

“I’ve⁠⁠‍ come to give⁠‍ a little help‍‌ to Yuri Briol.”‍⁠

“What…?”⁠⁠

Cruar‌⁠‌ placed one foot⁠ on the railing‌⁠ and said,

“Consider⁠‌⁠ yourself honored to⁠ see me.”

And⁠‌ then she leapt‍ down.

Calcio, who instinctively stepped‌ back, tried to‌ lean over the‌ railing to look.

In‍⁠ that instant, an‌‌ indescribable light began⁠ to radiate from‍ beyond the wall.⁠‍

Beams⁠ of colors impossible‌‍ to define burst‍⁠‌ forth everywhere, and⁠ soon something began⁠ to rise.

Calcio’s⁠‍ eyes lifted to‌‌‌ the sky. Enormous⁠‍‌ wings spread wide.‌‌

Cruar⁠⁠‌ had revealed her‌‌‍ true form.

“Ah…”‍

Calcio‍‍ understood that a dragon, even by‍ presence alone, could‍‌‌ inspire a sense‍ of divinity.

The⁠ wings seemed to‌‌⁠ command the very‌ flow of air,⁠ and the scales‍‍‍ reflected light in⁠‌ every color imaginable.⁠

Soon,‍⁠ the dragon’s mouth opened.

“Power‌ of the Voice‌‍‌ of Authority—Kill.”

Her‌ words spread through⁠‍‍ the air.

Calcio‌ felt a shiver upon realizing that⁠⁠ this was the legendary dragon tongue.⁠‍

It⁠ was said that‌‌ some died simply‍ from hearing it.‌‍‍ Yet, in the‍ immediate surroundings, there⁠ were no fatal reactions.

The⁠ effect manifested on‌‍ the distant battlefield.⁠

Those in black clothing‌ began to fall‌ one by one.

Collapsing⁠ like dominoes, the‍‌ front lines fell‍⁠ into sudden chaos.⁠

Not‌ all died; those‍ with high cultivation⁠⁠ resisted, though trembling‌‍⁠ and rigid as‌ if fighting against‌ the command. But‌‍ around half of the army fell‌‍ instantly.

It‌‌ was overwhelming power.

The‍‍ battle line, which‌‌ had frozen, began moving again. The‍ opposing side seized⁠‌ the advantage and⁠ charged fiercely, driving⁠ back those in‌ black.

Soon,‍⁠ Cruar returned to‌ the wall, once‌ again in the‍ form of a woman in a dress.

“Haa…”⁠‍

Everyone‍ on the wall,⁠‌ including Calcio, gazed⁠ at her with‍⁠ reverence. She had‍ completely changed the‍⁠ course of the‌ battle with a single word.

“Using‌‌ that much power⁠ has tired me.”‌

Leaning⁠⁠‍ against the railing,‌‍ Cruar prompted Calcio⁠⁠ to shout,

“Quick,‌⁠ bring a chair!”‌

“Y-yes!”‌

“You’ve‍‌‌ worked hard, Lady⁠ Cruar. Please rest now.”

“No,⁠‌‍ it’s too soon‌‌ to rest.”

Cruar‍⁠⁠ shook her head.

“I⁠⁠ still have things‍‌ to do.”

“What‌ do you mean…?”‌‌

“First,⁠ let that battle end.”

At her words, Calcio‍ turned his head.⁠⁠

Despite‍ losing half their forces, the army‍ of black-clad beings was not collapsing⁠⁠ easily, holding out⁠ with fierce resistance.⁠

“Those‌⁠ in black, they’re‌ with the Empire?”‌

“Yes.‌‌‍ In the East⁠ they call them‌‍ the Heavenly Demon‌ Sect.”

“And‍‍ the other side?”⁠‍

“They’re‌ from the Murim⁠‍‌ Alliance. Not that‍ I particularly like⁠ them, but in this fight they‍‌ can help Yuri⁠ Briol.”

Confirming⁠⁠ she was an ally, Calcio’s face‌‍ brightened.

When⁠⁠ he was about‍ to ask another‍‍ question, Cruar cut⁠ him off.

“Be‍‍ quiet for a moment.”

“Ah,‍ forgive me.”

Cruar‍‌‍ seemed to need‌ a brief rest.‍

By‍‌ Calcio’s order, they‍ soon brought her⁠ a chair, a towel, and a light refreshment. She⁠‍ wiped her sweat⁠‌ and drank a little water, but‌‍ ate nothing.

Meanwhile,‌‌ the battle beyond‌ was reaching its‍ climax.

Suddenly,‍‌ the crowd parted‍ and two warriors‍ began a one-on-one‍‌⁠ fight.

No‍‍ one dared intervene.‌

“Looks⁠ like the leaders‍ are fighting.”

Cruar⁠‌ spoke with a slight smile.

“Both‍ are strong enough⁠ to be counted‌ among the Ten Greats in the⁠ West.”

“Really?”

Immediately,‍‍ everyone looked for‍‌⁠ telescopes; ordinary soldiers‌‌ didn’t have the‍ ability to follow⁠ the fight with⁠⁠⁠ the naked eye.⁠⁠

At that moment, a sphere floated above⁠⁠ the wall and‌ projected a clear‍ image of the⁠ two combatants.

As‍‌ everyone watched in‌‍ surprise, Cruar’s voice⁠ rang out.

“If‌⁠ you don’t thank‌ the merciful dragon‍ Cruar, who even‌‍ broadcasts such a fight, I could turn this wall⁠ into a sea‍⁠ of fire…”

The‌ soldiers of Sidor,⁠⁠ now familiar with her peculiar way⁠ of speaking, hurried‌‍⁠ to thank her.

Pleased,‍‌ Cruar sharpened the image until it‌‍ was clearer and larger.

Thus,‍ the duel between the leader of⁠‌⁠ the Murim Alliance, Jang Yeonghak, and‌‍ the leader of‍‌ the Black Assassins⁠ Unit, Ma Gunak,‍‍⁠ unfolded before the⁠ eyes of the‌ soldiers of Sidor.