Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince

“Can’t I come here?”

“It’s not that, but…”

“Hmm…”

Yuri’s last wife was Ena.

“You smell like alcohol.”

“No, this is just…”

“You said you were leaving for something important, and it turns out you were out drinking. In that case, I’ll have no choice but to tell Yekaterina…”

“Now that— that I can’t allow…”

Ena let out a small laugh, walked up to Yuri, who had just gotten off his horse, and hugged him.

“I’m joking. I know very well how busy my husband is.”

Ena had cared for Yuri as if she were his older sister, but over time, as she saw him grow and mature, she began to feel for him as a woman.

However, due to their difference in status, she had to suppress those feelings. Still, Yekaterina, who had noticed everything, accepted her and allowed her to be engaged to Yuri.

Maryrose, Asana, and Ena were all indebted to Yekaterina.

Among the four wives, Ena was the most understanding. Hugging her, Yuri told her everything that had happened.

“That’s how it was. The problems just keep coming one after another.”

“My, my… our husband has suffered a lot.”

“I knew I could only count on you, Ena.”

Ena patted his back, but then moved him slightly away and held his cheeks.

“But you smell too much like wine. Who were you drinking with?”

As if her words carried a double edge, Yuri answered right away.

“With the King of Brusen. We were talking about official matters concerning this crisis. You know, that man with so much hair on his face?”

“Ah, I see…”

“Were you worried?”

“A little. After all, being the wife of the man considered the most handsome on the entire continent doesn’t let me rest easy.”

“Don’t worry.”

Yuri smiled with confidence.

“There may be many women, but as long as I have my lovely Ena, how could I look at anyone else?”

“I’m going to brag to Yekaterina.”

“Don’t do that.”

“Hehehe…”

“By the way, what are you doing here?”

“Well, Lady Cruar…”

Ena pointed behind her.

With her red hair falling loose, Cruar watched them with arms crossed and an indifferent expression.

As a being without gender, she rarely understood human relationships.

“She asked if I wanted to get some fresh air, and I agreed, so she brought me here right away. I never thought we’d end up in Brusen.”

It wasn’t for anything important.

Seeing Yuri frown, Cruar spoke as if murmuring to herself.

“In everything the great dragon Cruar does, there is a purpose. If they don’t understand, I’ll feel hurt and maybe leave…”

She was still very sensitive. Yuri placed a hand on Ena’s shoulder and stepped forward toward Cruar.

“I know well the intentions of Lady Cruar.”

“You say you’ve understood my deep purpose…?”

“Of course.”

In truth, it wasn’t hard to guess.

“You sensed that the fate of the continent was once again on my shoulders, and since you might not see me for some time, you gave Ena the chance to meet with me, isn’t that right?”

Cruar nodded.

“As expected. You’re one of the few humans who understands my deep meaning.”

“And you are a dragon of great wisdom.”

Cruar was pleased, and her expression softened.

“So, you say black magic has appeared?”

“It seems so.”

“You can overcome it. You’ve done it once before; the second time will be easier.”

“I’m not so sure…”

Yuri couldn’t easily agree.

Compared to Cedric, they were likely inferior—he was sure of that. No matter how unknown the New Continent was, it was hard to imagine another demonic genius like Cedric.

What worried him was the system.

The current enemy had one difference from before.

“They already use obsidian arrows imbued with black magic as basic armament…”

Cedric had been a great dark sorcerer, yes, but he couldn’t freely perform human sacrifices, forbidden by continental culture. Because of that, he had to act in the shadows, which gave Yuri the opportunity to counterattack.

The New Continent, on the other hand, was a mysterious land.

Who knew what kind of civilization they had established there?

In the worst case, perhaps human sacrifices were a part of everyday life.

Then the danger would surpass even Cedric.

“In any case, we’ll have to face them directly to find out.”

“Mountain after mountain, but the one who sees the second mountain is the one who has already crossed the first.”

Cruar smiled.

“You think too much. Black magic goes against human instincts, so even on another continent, it won’t be so different. Don’t worry so much.”

“Thank you for your words.”

“And this time, I’m also free of restraints, so if you need it, I will help you.”

“Oh!”

If Cruar joined, it would be an overwhelming force.

“I greatly appreciate it.”

The continent was more prosperous than ever, and the experience of having formed the Anti-Empire Alliance allowed the nations to cooperate better.

If war broke out, all the powerful members of the Ten Greats would fight alongside him, and if necessary, he could ask for help from the East.

Yuri stroked the Mamago and the pistol hanging from his waist.

“I’m starting to get excited. I want to see if they’ll truly be worthy opponents…”

Yuri looked around.

Everything was coming together.

Yuri, Laurent, Jared.

Cruar and Jose.

The paladins sent by the Pope.

The support troops from Brusen.

“There’s still one missing.”

“Pardon?”

Yuri turned his head.

Then, as if they had been waiting for the signal, a cloud of dust began to rise in the distance.

“My old friends are arriving late.”

A crowd of knights rode toward them.

It was the Order of Vengeance, the knightly order Yuri had founded.

After the war, it had dispersed, but their bonds remained intact. Whenever black magic appeared, or Yuri issued a call to gather, the knights of the order would ride in from anywhere on the continent.

It had become a kind of militia for the entire continent.

Moreover, they continued recruiting new members, so joining the Order of Vengeance was now the greatest honor for a knight and the official proof of skill.

“Your Highness!”

At the head, mounted on his horse, was a face Tirbo hadn’t seen in a long time.

“It’s been a long time since I last saw you…”

He hurried to dismount his horse but tripped as he slipped with his foot.

“You haven’t changed at all.”

“Hehehe…”

Although his manner seemed a bit clumsy, there was no doubt about his skill. When Yuri was absent, he had been the one in charge of the entire knight order.

His rank was count, and since he had no issues with livelihood, he was well-suited to handle the order’s management in all aspects.

“You’re already a count and still a mess.”

Yuri walked up to Tirbo, who had gotten off his horse, and straightened his shoulder pad.

“Your pauldron is crooked.”

“Your Highness…”

Feeling Yuri’s small correction, Tirbo’s face filled with emotion. From his eyes radiated unshakable loyalty.

The entire Order of Vengeance saluted Yuri in unison.

In this way, even the Order of Vengeance had assembled.

“Well, it’s time to set sail for the sea…”

***

Yuri went around Orphen, gathering information about the mysterious ship.

Dozens of fishing boats had already disappeared, and the fate of the fishermen aboard remained unknown.

At first, it was thought to be a maritime accident, but soon several witnesses spread rumors about that vessel.

“At first, I thought it was a ghost ship from legends. But there were people aboard.”

At the port, heavy with the smell of the sea, Yuri gathered the fishermen and listened to their pleas.

The one speaking so fervently was a survivor who had seen that mysterious ship.

“As soon as I saw it, I ran without looking back. But even from far away, it chased us at an incredible speed. It spewed black mist without stopping. It felt like someone was pushing us from behind.”

Yuri nodded. The description confirmed it was a ship reinforced with magic.

“My crew and I ran as best we could. They even shot arrows at us, but as we got close to shore, the ship slowed down and gave up the chase.”

“Arrows?”

“Yes. They seemed so sinister that we threw them all into the sea. Those who touched them were sick for quite a while.”

“Well done. Do you remember what the arrowheads looked like?”

“Of course. They were black and sharp, made of obsidian.”

Yuri confirmed more details of the ship. It was huge and covered in black mist.

Its main weapon was obsidian arrows.

And it did everything possible to remain hidden.

“I understand now.”

Yuri promised the fishermen he would destroy that ship.

“I, Yuri Briol, swear it. The sea of Orphen belongs to you. I will put an end to that cursed vessel.”

“Thank you!”

Preparations progressed without a hitch. Only one thing was missing.

A ship.

A warship capable of facing the enemy at sea.

“Your Highness, a message has arrived. The fleet led by Buscolum will soon reach Orphen.”

“Perfect.”

Yuri headed to the dock to wait for them.

“How beautiful.”

Seagulls flew over the gentle waves.

The sea of Orphen seemed calm.

Who could imagine that beyond the horizon a ship shrouded in black magic was lurking?

But Yuri, who had fought Cedric directly, knew very well that those who had fallen into darkness could destroy that peace at any moment.

Black magic distorted the world and dyed it in blood red.

“If we don’t fight, we can’t protect this peace.”

Yuri looked up.

In the distance, a line of ships approached along the coast. There were only three, not many.

But they were bigger and more majestic than any vessel Yuri had ever seen.

Their sails, swollen by the wind, pushed the hulls that sliced smoothly through the waves toward the dock.

Each prow bore a carved head of a ram, a lion, or a dragon.

“So this is what you spent my money on…”

“They’re masterpieces, built in Water Six by the best shipwrights in the world.”

Yuri smiled wryly.

“I don’t care how much they cost, as long as they take us where we need to go.”

Before long, the three ships docked at the port of Orphen.

Buscolum stepped down with a triumphant air and stood before Yuri.

“It’s an honor to meet you. My name is Buscolum. I will do everything in my power to see Your Highness across the Owl Blue.”

He bowed to Yuri.

Yuri patted his shoulder approvingly.

“Buscolum, I’m glad to meet you. I’m counting on you. You’d better be worth all the money I wasted.”

“Hahaha, don’t worry. Both the ships and the crews are top-notch.”

With a gesture, he presented the men behind him. They were the captains of the other ships.

“This is Jamelan, and this is Bascu. The best I know. Their personalities are terrible, but their work is flawless. Whatever happens, the three of us will make sure Your Highness achieves his will.”

Jamelan and Bascu gave a slight nod. Their faces weren’t friendly, but their determination was clear.

“Very well.”

Yuri proclaimed,

“Everything is ready. There’s no reason to wait any longer. We’ll set sail as soon as possible. The Order of Vengeance, the exorcists, and the Brusen navy will divide among the ships. Begin loading supplies!”

***

Two days later, Yuri was at the port of Orphen.

Everything was prepared.

The three ships were packed with provisions, knights, soldiers, and exorcists.

Even Francesco, who had arrived late after hearing the news, had joined, completing their forces.

The only thing left was to set sail.

“Which ship will Your Highness board?”

“The one with the ram’s head.”

“That one looks weaker…”

“No, that one will be mine.”

Shortly after, Yuri said goodbye to Ena.

She would accompany him there and then return to Briol.

“Please, be careful.”

“I will. Give my regards to Yekaterina.”

“Yes.”

After hugging Ena, Yuri gave her a bright smile and boarded the ship with the ram’s head prow. The sea breeze stirred his black hair.

Raising his new sword, Mamago, Yuri shouted,

“Raise the anchors!”

Thus began the moment when Yuri set out toward the open sea.