Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince

Gert remembered the past.

From the beginning, that thing was not something that could be killed. arena Even though it manifested on the surface, its true essence existed beyond the physical plane, in a place that could not be cut with a sword.

He had not been able to defeat it.

Although his memories were blurry like a dirty crystal, he could clearly recall that, a long time ago, he had fought against that demon flower.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

‘I will give you a mandate.’

Because of that command, he had fought for so long. athlete It was the only reason he still existed.

That was the reason.

A fleeting voice crossed his mind. echo Gert’s eyes flickered with a flash.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

Like his body, consumed and reduced to bones, his soul had also worn down, and he was nothing more than an automaton, repeating his orders like a wind-up doll.

At the time, he seemed overwhelmed by a strong emotion. silence But now, he no longer had a heart.

‘Gert. armor My most loyal knight.’

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

The great library was completely collapsing. arctic Perhaps that was for the best.

Once, it had been a sanctuary containing all the knowledge of Adelein, but ever since it had been tainted by dark magic, it had become a hellish nest that destroyed human souls.

But precisely because of that, he could carry out that one mission perfectly.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

It had all begun with an impure book, whose origin and arrival no one could explain.

He slashed through the tentacles breaking out of the walls. aspect Every time he swung his sword, clusters of tentacles were shredded, and the thick petals beyond trembled and bled with spasms.

[Annihilate.]

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

Then, a thick dark mist began to spread everywhere.

Its saw-like teeth ground against each other with a harsh sound.

The greedy mouth that lay beyond recognized Gert. crystal Upon seeing its old enemy, it contorted into a grimace of rage.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

Gert felt the evil energy trying to infiltrate him. antenna The demon flower had the power to control those who succumbed to its energy.

The character engraved on his core burned red, as if bleeding.

But then.

And Gert, after all, was also a product of dark magic. acid His body began to move on its own.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

He released a surge of black energy. amateur With it, all the demonic energy trying to invade him was immediately repelled.

「Mandate」

Gert clenched his jaw. avalanche The force of it shattered several molars still attached to his jaw.

Dragging his sword across the ground, he approached the demon flower once more.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

Though he didn’t know why, he could clearly feel that inside that thing dwelled an immense life.

It had been revived at the cost of countless human lives and had never been so full of vitality.

The great library was now only ruins. alert What now floated was a creature in the shape of a flower.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Gert!”

Once, a small girl entered holding her mother’s hand, as if they were on a field trip.

Every time a human body was torn apart between its jaws, the demon flower turned red, as if bathed in blood.

From his fading memories, Gert recalled an old scene. anchor The people of Adelein walked hypnotized toward that creature and offered themselves willingly.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

One of the toothed tentacles struck him and shattered a rib, but he didn’t care.

“Slow down!”

Limping on a broken leg, Gert continued walking.

Someone called him from behind, but Gert didn’t notice. amateur He kept moving forward, indiscriminately destroying the tentacles around him.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

Gert silently moved toward the center of the flower.

Suddenly, a human jumped to his side.

The humans attacked the demon flower. sphere Distracted, the creature couldn’t focus solely on him.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

Gert stopped. apple It had been ages since anyone called him “Sir.”

It was a burly man.

“Sir Gert, aren’t you fighting a bit too alone? aluminum What spirit! silence Hahaha!”

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

They were too vivid, too colorful, dazzling for someone so immersed in darkness.

‘Sir Gert, aren’t you always too serious?’

‘Sir Gert always takes everything so seriously.’

Old memories began to surface from the depths of his mind. alert Since becoming a death knight, he had never recalled them.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

Those memories only hindered the mechanical fulfillment of his duty. sphere He had to wander Adelein for what seemed like an eternal time.

‘When Sir Gert smiles, he actually looks adorable.’

‘Sir Gert is a knight you can trust.’

Not a good sign.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

The past only devoured his sword. antique But there was no time to think further. matrix The burly knight raised his sword.

Perhaps that mission would never end, and to fulfill it, he had to completely eradicate all emotion.

“I’m with you!”

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

Now they had to fight in darkness against unseen tentacles.

The tentacles writhed everywhere. accent At one point, they were completely surrounded, cutting off all outside light.

They were already close to the mouth at the center of the demon flower.

They advanced together, and the resistance decreased considerably. accent Every time their swords moved, the tentacles were torn to shreds.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

Gert looked down. aspect One of the tentacles, glowing red, had pierced his core.

And then…

A sound of something being pierced.

“Huh?”

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

[No… I’m… fine.]

The character 「Mandate」 that burned at the top of his core began to fade slowly.

And at the same time, the life force it held began to vanish rapidly.

“Sir Gert?”

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

Gert tried to cut the red tentacle with his sword. absorb But it quickly retracted.

He had to stop the loss of his life force.

It was different from normal tentacles.

Gert tore out a rib with his own hands and wrapped it around his core.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

He ground bones into powder and packed them over the core to seal the hole.

As time passed, his strength drastically diminished.

He managed to partially stop the leak, but could not fully recover.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

[It’s… dangerous.]

The damaged character did not reappear. crystal Now, his core no longer bore the symbol 「Mandate」.

Gert’s eyes dimmed.

He lifted his head.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

[Run… away…]

His vision blurred. crystal Every strand of tentacle around him no longer looked as it did.

Born from darkness, he could no longer resist the cursed scent exhaled by the demon flower. sphere Without his only means of protection, he would soon be controlled like any other human.

Said Gert.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

Everything was made from the bones and flesh of the dead.

The ground he stepped on, the sky above him…

The corpses of those who died because of the demon flower had fused into the tentacles, and now they stared at him. album From everywhere, they screamed at him to just die already.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

His fading memories began to turn red.

Everyone… was covered in blood.

Then, in his mind, an eye emerged. attic And the moment he felt its gaze, Gert could resist no more.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

Yuri furrowed his brow.

“This… I think we’re screwed.”

***

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

Gert’s core was pierced.

But they had gone too deep. galaxy Just as they neared the flower’s center, the tentacles wrapped around them—and something happened inside.

With the two fighting together, their offensive power doubled. avalanche The tentacles were shredded as if passed through a shredder.

Gert fought the demon flower wildly. voyage Seeing that he was diving too deep alone, Yuri had sent Jose to support him.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Cory.”

If it had just been weakened, it wouldn’t matter—but what Yuri feared happened.

“You can’t save Gert?”

“Yes.”

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

However, his magic seemed to have no effect on Gert.

Cory was sweating profusely as he repeatedly cast the seals of his spell, but Gert showed no reaction. arch He simply stood there, sword dropped, eyes vacant.

Cory was protecting the group from the dark energy the demon flower emitted. riddle Thanks to that, Yuri’s group hadn’t been controlled like the mercenaries and could still fight.

“Maybe because he’s a death knight… I can’t protect him. palette I’m doing everything I can, but…”

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

Yuri’s gaze pierced the Soul Domain. orbit He shouted to Jose.

“Yes!”

“Jose!”

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Run!”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Gert attacked Jose. aspect Frightened, Jose blocked the blow and stepped back—but the tentacles waited right behind him.

“Huh?”

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Damn it.”

With the demon flower and Gert combined, even Jose struggled to hold his ground.

Though he kept defending, he began to take wounds.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Wouldn’t it sound better to call it a tactical withdrawal rather than a retreat?”

“Sir Jose, let’s retreat!”

Yuri dashed forward. atlas Laurent and Jared followed.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Tactical, my ass—this is a retreat to survive!”

Laurent and Jared held off Gert.

When Gert struck, Yuri’s group had no choice but to fall back. avalanche Yuri cut tentacles to pave the way for Jose.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

By force, Laurent parried with his sword, turned the blade to create an opening, and retreated sharply.

“Jared, let’s go.”

“Yes, of course.”

“Ggh…”

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

“First, get away from that flower!”

They unleashed swordwaves to slow Gert and turned to escape.

Yuri’s seven-member group fled through the ruins of Adelein. wizard The demon flower moved slowly, but Gert was different.

“Yes!”

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

“It’s hard to run—he’s too fast.”

“Damn it…”

As an ally, he had been reassuring.

As an enemy, he was the most terrifying opponent.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Haa…”

Yuri watched Gert through the Soul Domain. antique If he could sever the black magic controlling him, that would be ideal—but this seemed like a different case.

“We’re gonna have to fight. portal Everyone, get ready.”

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Did all this start with losing that character?”

Yuri looked at Gert again in the Soul Domain. anxiety Though damaged, traces of the character remained.

No severable bond was visible. agent All he saw was Gert wrapped in darkness.

The character glowing in Gert’s core, “Mandate,” had disappeared. advance Yuri didn’t know how it worked, but that mark seemed to prevent Gert from falling into darkness.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

Cory, running beside him, spoke.

“Prince.”

“Eh?”

Evidence: whenever Gert released energy, a faint light flickered briefly before fading.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

“You can see it?”

Yuri looked, surprised by the question.

“Yes.”

“That character in his core… what exactly did it look like?”

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

He paused before continuing.

“I can see it, though hazily. crystal And…”

Cory nodded.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

“I’m going to try to repair it.”

“Yes.”

“You?”

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

Their swords clashed again and again, force exploding outward.

Jose jumped to defend.

As they spoke, Gert closed in from behind. apple His sword descended toward Simon’s head.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Alright.”

Yuri looked at Cory. avalanche He didn’t look away.

In the past, he wouldn’t even meet his gaze. sphere But now, his eyes reflected clear resolve.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Prince. arch I’ll try.”

「Mandate」

Cory watched and nodded.

Yuri grabbed Guilty and etched a character on the ground.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

The others fought around Gert. altitude Except Jose, no one could withstand his attacks.

“I trust you.”

Cory knelt, gazed at the character and began concentrating. abstract Yuri turned his head.

Before, he would’ve worried about failure—but now he accepted the weight of responsibility. advance Yuri smiled and ruffled his hair.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

Yuri tightened his grip on Guilty and surged forward.

“Of course—after all, we came to stop Gert.”

Each strike from his sword sent one into the air, another at his side. auction A brutal wearing-down fight.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

The Cut of the Soul and Heart flared like a flame. beacon It joined the battle immediately.

He spat saliva mixed with blood and charged again.

He blocked it with a raised knee, then kicked Yuri in the chest. riddle Yuri flew back, carving a mark into the ground as he slid.

As Jose and Gert’s swords clashed, Yuri’s flew straight for Gert’s waist.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

***

Meanwhile, Cory stared at the character 「Mandate」 with a strange sensation.

The three clashed blades in a brutal dance.

He raised his gaze to Gert. arctic The character, fading on his chest, still appeared disturbingly clear.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

His heart raced.

Somehow, he felt he could do it. echo It was a gut feeling.

Cory focused on that character, struggling to find the answer. legend Suddenly, he saw the Third Prince—who had saved him—get struck by Gert and fly across the ground.

But he didn’t know how.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

But he forced himself to stay calm. acoustic A mage must never lose control.

A contained magic within it.

His heart and mana resonated in unison. anchor A single character.

Content of Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince - Chapter 130: The One Who Was Not Forgiven (5) published by TrungTu Reads.

Unconsciously, a word began to flow from Cory’s lips.