Chapter 317: Faith (1)
9263AYuri had passed through an extreme mental state.ZH8c
10FaEOEIt was probably due to the unprecedented possibilities spreading because of the chaos.YRVscP
qNffrThe branching paths of life granted to him far exceeded those of anyone else, and so, as if a hole had opened in a dam that should have remained sealed, his soul constantly tried to escape toward new lives.Vzz
YNyOQRSThat he could return to reality after so many escapes was solely thanks to Yuri’s willpower, which had transcended human limits.mM5
LTIAWaking from a sweet dream and returning to a cruel reality—this had already become routine for him.vCVCQM
Y7MvFCedric, who had no way of knowing this, could not understand the situation.rktfSSe
KQ0BGe[How?]GB4cJ
JtctCYXIt was impossible.Adbt
sBM13wThe illusion he had imposed on Yuri did not differ in the slightest from reality.fqRBW
epTfT3EEverything fit perfectly, and at last, a world of happiness bloomed. There could be no human who would willingly reject it.gKmMQa6
7RLrEven if reason did so, instinct and even the soul would fiercely rebel to enjoy that supreme happiness.sywzB3c
7fLrThat was how it was meant to be by nature.L4zZpu
QUw6xZx“What did you say…?”xNwc
KQNiYuri smiled as he twisted the sword lodged in Cedric’s chest.qYZgktc
Ztjg3M“Because I’m human.”ARUHn0
zHO[You…]z7Cko
Agx4r2“If this surprises you, I guess the monkey is you, Cedric.”IkSN1
xhlaWYCedric vanished.bnNzX
PUMOPtThe world began to crack.IamjhPA
O7nEverything collapsed.0KVcaZ
WFRI8Yuri, feeling the weight of Guilty in his hand, reflected.x2yVjb7
8v3Ou4Even if he woke from this dream, reality would not change.ofoJhzB
zDctRq9He would still be with his abdomen pierced by Cedric, who was controlling Laurent’s body, and that man would use his accumulated, endless vitality to massacre the Anti-Imperial Coalition forces.UwgUTQK
3LsNdWfDying was more likely than living.UGmRNsO
QOroaqThat was why, perhaps, this was his last chance.ryAqD78
hHUtycjIf he turned his head now—ZXJ
rDym8Could he see Yekaterina in her wedding dress?p1N
hT0tXtKShe would surely look beautiful.rQFLG
bjRrMdYuri let out a light laugh. Then he drove Guilty into his own neck.JBe
gdR2O“No way.”BUgrlW
riJWW2nWith that, Yuri’s brief slumber crumbled completely.jJZb9
Klfex0m***TKL
DlbLWkmWaking from the dream was instantaneous.VC51j3G
jye9EAfStill leaning on the ground, Yuri let out a low chuckle.zG4
A52rvtB“Now this hurts.”QhMo
P1QchThe illusion Cedric had implanted had lasted barely an instant.L3txPya
SVjbBut returning to reality, where his life hung by a thread, brought an unbearable pain that shot through his entire body.uEwei
lBk“Your Highness!”Nvutt
MussJose lifted him up.n6N
P8FeYuri, letting out a groan, spoke.Ge3
tMB“It hurts.”JJ4qYFC
IvWkFF“Your abdomen…”qEaCvO
XYQo“I’m not going to die.”c5CiE
dkgeThe bleeding was not heavy. He had used his mana to seal the blood vessels—something only an expert of his caliber could accomplish.XR3a
dy040xBut fighting in these conditions would be difficult.4ebQrq
ixh8Yuri raised his gaze.PLbY
zFZgduHCedric, who had abandoned Laurent’s body, cast his shadow over the world.QUWlv2
57mITentacles rose, blood and flesh splattered; hell once again unfolded on the surface.fOFm
LOpYuri, leaning on Jose, asked,z84
zFe77“Laurent?”FEDVL2F
5XW3“His life’s not in danger.”GU4
mg5sq“Help me up.”WQpY5q
2V2Q“Yes.”4JG
Oq0lsbJose supported him as he stood. Yuri breathed heavily from the pain.qy3Tw
oL0VBoth Laurent and Jared had fallen to Cedric.8dtC7
353LxWithout his two usual companions, he felt truly alone.jqUUET
mR1cX“No… not yet.”emsYBJ
3IGYuri shook his head.zeA
3rkNot yet.8ew2z
9jF“Your Highness…”jNm0r
KUJcpW“Tell them to hold out a little longer.”ZiMoeA
5MdCedric had managed to turn part of the Anti-Imperial Coalition into his own troops.jPI
It6Thus, former allies were now crossing swords with each other—tragedy at its peak.hFY0Jq
eLrBThat was Cedric’s style.GpkLL
rSMcJUrDisgusting.B9r
3diXxCELike water seeping through where hands could not stop it, the only way to end this tragedy was to kill the root cause.0YeZ
d0nwnzYuri, forcing his muscles, gripped his sword.j19
Ayjy“Cedric is at his limit too.”XQ3ZV
skIRlsIt was obvious.2UD5
EW8GSAIf he truly had absolute power, he would have simply crushed and destroyed the entire Anti-Imperial Coalition.UL9rOv3
VmzYzThere would be no need to waste time showing him illusions.EFRoo2
IJHxE3Jose understood what Yuri meant and frowned.7wQ
7yvi“But, Your Highness…”7AwZx
OwKmN0“It doesn’t matter.”iXN
39XNYuri tried to get up, but the abdominal pain forced him back down again.AQ0gb
ld8bq“Your Highness.”jWU38Q
eLme6mD“Ugh…”89NWCwZ
nWivZLIHe used the power of chaos to regenerate his body, but the wounds would not disappear immediately. His strength was focused on destruction, not healing.G3E
8zqw5I“Just a little longer.”jqQZ2b3
nVKEHe focused on returning to a state where he could fight.nukGQbg
DZZHAt that moment, a group ran toward him from afar—it was Hernando and Maryrose, coming from the rear guard.9JAc7f
N1ZM0“Are you all right, Your Highness?”PoWty1a
xDOnHernando knelt beside him, panting.bB1xMq7
75Wq3lNMaryrose placed her hand on his solar plexus, right over the sword wound. Her cool touch made Yuri let out a slight groan.g56
vIszDnF“Letting yourself get stabbed…”3HDd
WEkjLMaryrose’s tone sounded like a genuine scolding, so Yuri stayed silent. She examined the wound.ISS
ZLchg“It’s deep.”cCD
Zj4Sb“Argh…”Bdxr5CH
tNnON6Her pressure increased, making Yuri let out a louder grunt.d0YbVtl
qFDZIMaryrose looked at Hernando.rQrls
w0VJ63“Can we do it here?”oOMFu
EXEe“Let’s try.”uBf
ZF8ffo6Both extended their hands toward the wound. A faint glow began to emerge.Lb4V
biTz0Jose’s eyes widened in surprise.5fdPF
JixjgQ“How…?”euxYlrc
JlFmw0F“Only Cedric is left now,” Hernando replied.UsPubgz
4fnldzApparently, by absorbing all the black mages under his command, Cedric had weakened his ability to dispel magic, and the density of his dark power was lower than before.YEqWX
EwBG9Although mana was still restricted around Cedric, here, far from the main battle, his influence was reduced.7oJpP
t3KgD4“Let’s give it a try.”5M4pQ
ZZiKSlZThey joined hands.SshhX
4ANA white light enveloped Yuri’s abdomen.GgzXsAc
MPNh“Ugh…”fpJf
igucKjX“Focus.”r1bZ
v5entEven so, mana control was not completely free, so both had to close their eyes and concentrate.RQcZx4
6xiCeGTAlthough it wasn’t a high-level spell, the effort made them sweat profusely.WKxU
FZdRk“Haa…”OID
pnxkeYuri was breathing more easily.tWc6t
5qufSAs soon as the healing energy from the two reached him, he used the power of Chaos to amplify its effect.qgBkP
oNw64ZcThe two different energies created such a synergy that even Jose let out a gasp of astonishment.JyZLZn3
GgW828t“Wow… the external wounds have visibly improved…”jti3
uOWOfU“Jose.”4nxGda
0j2Z“Yes.”quW3il
IwM“I’m fine, so fight.”G0tNfo9
OTb“I will protect you.”v79
jN7GwpU“It’s fine.”Kam
cKLSKYuri motioned with his chin.M4y
xHsBj“I’ll be right behind you.”8MOKu
Soy86pyJose nodded with a serious face.p6Hfp6W
FJfu“Understood, Your Highness. I’ll be waiting for you.”yVyaNu9
SLT5RtHe immediately left.1BSjrr
RhAJWuAs soon as he walked away, Maryrose, still focused with her eyes closed, spoke.M8K
y7hKku“Even if I heal the wounds, in this state you can’t fight.”JZFTOL
QRC“I can.”oO9dpPk
aNqjoO“In this state, it will be difficult.”WOXWalD
j1jiGX“I’m telling you, I can.”G94
7dpqY“No.”chUzfW
Yepe“Yes.”V2khMz
i5y“Honestly, you’re so stubborn…”2Sp
pAytsJLMaryrose gave him a small tap on the shoulder.vjNt
OuDW3M4“Don’t hurt yourself.”hUMejyO
dtqVFw“I can’t promise that.”A8LZ3D
8zqDyt6“Seriously…”Oft5
lor4brs“Try to understand me.”4pie
AvIUCu6While they spoke, Hernando, who had been silently applying his healing magic, opened his eyes to watch them.hX9cwK
Kfl4Somehow, the distance between them seemed to have lessened.OoS
wNrvzFi“Hmm…”FJnR6f
6y2At the sound of his throat clearing, they both went silent.k5Gntq
Guh834“Your Highness.”D2n
s5Jc“Yes.”hC7
l7tXF3“I don’t know what Maryrose will say, but…”fsSr
oaCHernando withdrew his hands. Yuri’s wounds were now visibly closed, and the bleeding had stopped.s5vn
uiY“I ask that you fight once more.”oG28S2
DaPPgu“Telling that to someone who’s injured…?”HfE9
BiAcJ0“Maryrose, don’t be stubborn. It has to be His Highness.”NGrh8x
jvG2aHernando smiled, recalling the day he first met Yuri.OF3yOI
UfDMvThe young man who had transcended the Mandate.WEJ
BlekIrHe, who watched the Mandate, had found one who surpassed it. In the end, that too must be the guidance of the world.6g7c
nAR“Please, protect this world.”D69Y2t
JRyVrHe opened both hands, and a white glow began to emanate from his body.kw9YFg
02f8T3“H-Hernando?”UqyBU
WbhGjHe didn’t respond, clenching his teeth.0pqm
mzWThere were still faint traces of the Dispel that hindered his mana matrix. The greater the magic, the greater the resistance caused by the Dispel.VoX5
3LSGBy forcing his power, the mana distorted, but Hernando didn’t care.Y7Okj
22qS2d“Hernando…!”0tu6
41KwpAt that moment, he was about to exceed his limit.xUrEE
RyWAsMThe price was obvious.cMwtnb
Wc4ULike Inariel, he would lose his unique magic.88fArN
chFubgcPerhaps even all the level he had reached would vanish.BJ9FhY
VjkEven so, without hesitation, he poured all his mana into Yuri, like someone inflicting damage upon themselves until their energy channels distorted.yjaq
NO9uxNRecovery.01Fm
TW9lmn0The most basic spell to heal wounds.NXkqj7
VXKFRPerhaps it was too small for a great mage to risk his fate on. But Hernando bet everything, believing that this small magic could change the world.kbS
ySh8mSometimes, the smallest spell produces the greatest miracle.kdsLH12
KJvdThat wonder of the world had, from the beginning, been the reason Hernando chose the path of magic.4t9
7rgMq“Please… save this world.”we3ba6l
a1yThe white light wrapped around Yuri.nOGHUdc
HfLAt the same time, Hernando collapsed.nHGID
XBqG“Hernando!”maUx6jo
fIyhEaMaryrose shook him by the shoulders. He hadn’t completely lost consciousness, but a faint groan escaped his lips and a thread of blood slid down from them.Dps
k6j1“Hernando!”URs8i
JMqGkYuri got up and took his hand. He knew that he had just lost something.TdDqn3
vACBpWith a weak smile and blood at his mouth, Hernando raised his thumb.qGNn
zWC4Rhf“This guy…”gMNiK0
sAZJYuri also raised his thumb.R3OXH
Geb“I’ve received your will…”8dK
p0kThen he looked away.Iuvw6V
r6kFor Hernando, who had risked everything for him, he had to go immediately to face Cedric.LyGBRcc
NaB“I’ll be back.”ZdL
SECg6pC“Be careful.”3Y7b938
EA6VAfter exchanging a look with Maryrose, he left.PuhCfTm
LZhzHe wasn’t in his best condition, but the pain that had been tormenting him had lessened.o7vMEC
rjnybThis was enough to fight.6GG32g
VdglYuri was running toward the battlefield when someone blocked his path—small, thin, limping, with his hood pulled low.Kwrp
soSlC8With both arms spread wide, he blocked his way.hMoIq
ltBV“Y-Y-Your Highness…”0C1
jX9JbcK“Cory?”y4z
0pp5hYuri stopped dead. By reflex, he gripped Guilty’s hilt, but then loosened his hand.yKm5q
Eaqua“I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m in a hurry.”9mFF
eZRSWC7“Y-Your Highness…”GsQ
9bG“Step aside or I’ll cut you down.”zUrl4
UicbxcjOver Cory’s shoulder, Yuri saw his men dying at Cedric’s hands.1rOequU
w62lGNTime was pressing.aQt
IbSXZEvery blink cost a life. He had to stop this tragedy.ZYTwI
LSmxBut Cory said something different.izW5Ik
s8s“I-I know how to stop him.”Oc7G
j9ajBLM“What?”7mIIRkw
wqFx7l5“He thought I betrayed him, but it’s not true. Hehehe…”1KI6xMs
RXvYuri watched him silently.aVFe
Nntl7The hood shifted, revealing a grotesquely distorted face.5IRH73
o3x“In truth, I pretended to betray him to get under Cedric’s orders and hinder him. From the start, it was to help you.”aeeU0V
LC4“And?”4W1
1vwA6r“Right now, there’s no point in going against Cedric. To stop him…”aZkSO
8HDk7M“To stop him?”AmBd
jke“You have to attack the core he’s hiding. It’s below. Fighting here is useless—it’s true.”Jd1
TtCsWhile listening, a group of soldiers was skewered by tentacles and died.QrnL
SBjFrancesco, who was trying to intercept Cedric, was knocked down.ni9ks
8PeniBYuri wanted to throw himself into the fight.PacW59
T1ngMBut Cory’s words somehow made him hesitate.HhOnB
fE98He felt he should believe him.zU8o
MUwmYe“Cory… can I trust you?”4oa
Ue0Laurent had told him that Cory betrayed him. Yuri hadn’t wanted to believe it, but his behavior until now was, just as he claimed.CVUN4
QbQ“Yes… believe me… hehehe…”TtKVW
WXwkTgVSeeing him smile with bared teeth, Yuri lowered the tip of his sword.8kL
Wn6y0v“I trust you, Cory.”LF2pQC
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