Rise of the Fallen Kingdom’s Third Prince

Beyond the Owl Blue, there was said to be a terrifying empire of black magic and the evil legion they commanded.

All of that was nothing more than a misunderstanding.

In reality, they were nothing more than people who knew how to use black magic.

Yuri quickly called to Mamago.

[Fufufu, bathe me in blood. Kukuku.]

“Hey, Mamago. Stop acting crazy and translate.”

[Ah, I still want to drink more blood. The screams of the enemy wrap around me like a sweet melody…!]

“Begin interpretation.”

[Mamago initiating real-time interpretation.]

Mamago reacted mechanically and translated Yuri’s words.

[If you don’t move, I won’t kill you. Everyone stay still!]

But the enemies, lost in chaos, didn’t listen to Yuri.

On the contrary, they dragged the slaves they had tied up below deck in a line and stabbed them with obsidian spears, desperately trying to use black magic.

Of course, due to Dispel Evil, it was all useless.

Yuri shouted louder.

[I said stop! Do you all want to die? Black magic doesn’t work, so just surrender already!]

The one-sided battle continued.

The knights, who had been tense before the unknown, realized the enemy was far too weak and instead felt bewildered.

“Your Highness.”

Jared, looking so clean it was hard to believe he had just fought, approached.

“These ones are incredibly weak. Their weapons are nothing more than wooden sticks studded with obsidian. What does this mean?”

“It seems they only developed around the use of black magic.”

“It’s truly an unbalanced civilization.”

“At first, I thought they insisted on using obsidian weapons to better channel black magic, but now I see they simply don’t have the technology to refine iron…”

The combination of disregard for human life and black magic had given them great power, but precisely because of that, they hadn’t developed other technologies.

Yuri shouted toward his allies.

[Minimize casualties! If they resist violently, kill them.]

“Yes, sir!”

The knights of the Order of Vengeance adjusted their aim with perfect coordination. They began moving not to exterminate, but to capture.

Yuri muttered with a hollow sigh.

“It was all a misunderstanding. There was no need to even deploy three of the Ten Greats.”

When he turned his head, Jose was standing on a plank, having split an entire ship in two and sunk it, scratching his neck awkwardly.

Francesco had already understood the situation and watched with his arms crossed.

“Mmm…”

The battle didn’t last long.

In the end, the men from the New Continent beyond the Owl Blue were subdued and tied with ropes, forced to kneel on the deck of the largest ship.

Yuri threw the black magic sorcerer who seemed to be the highest-ranking one to the ground and activated Mamago.

[Hey, have you come to your senses yet?]

[How do you understand our words?]

[Shut up and talk.]

[W-who are you? Are you demons born from the sea?]

Yuri let out an incredulous laugh.

[Who’s calling who a demon?]

[If it’s not that, then how could you so easily block the sacred power granted by God? You are without a doubt demons!]

[The power granted by God?]

[Yes!]

These people considered black magic to be the power of a god.

Yuri, incredulous, struck the sorcerer.

[You bastard…]

“Ack!”

[Does your god accept human sacrifices?]

[O-of course. If we don’t offer sacrifices, God is not pleased and doesn’t give us power. There’s no blessing without cost!]

Yuri thought for a moment and then kicked him in the face. The mage fell, bleeding.

[I knew it… demons…]

[Let’s say we are.]

Yuri remembered what had just happened. When black magic was blocked by Dispel Evil, that mage had dragged slaves and stabbed them with obsidian knives, trying over and over to cast magic.

[If your god is so great, why don’t you offer yourself as a sacrifice instead of forcing others?]

The victims were innocent people brought from the “human ranches” of their homeland.

Treating humans like livestock and using them as black magic material was intolerable.

Yuri kicked the mage again, breaking his ribs.

“Lock them all in one ship and tow it back.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Burn the rest of the ships.”

“Understood.”

“Alright, we’re heading back to Orphen!”

***

The naval battle against the New Continent fleet ended in an overwhelming victory. None of Yuri’s soldiers were killed—not even any seriously injured.

When Yuri returned with news of the victory, envoys from various kingdoms were already in Orphen, waiting to discuss the future response.

Yuri immediately convened a meeting.

It was held in Jose’s castle, perched on the cliff overlooking the Orphen Sea.

“So it was true.”

“That there’s a New Continent beyond the Owl Blue…”

Upon seeing the prisoners brought in by the fleet, the envoys understood that the rumors were real.

From the unknown continent beyond the Owl Blue had come intruders who used black magic.

Yuri first explained the naval battle they had just fought.

Everyone in the meeting turned their gaze in astonishment toward the same person—

Antianus, leader of the Demon Hunters, sitting with a bird-beaked mask.

“So you developed something like Dispel Evil.”

“Impressive.”

“A weapon to counter black magic…”

Antianus only bowed his head humbly.

“Well, let’s set aside the admiration and seriously talk about how to respond. What should we do?”

“Let’s go one at a time.”

The first to speak was Josephine, envoy of Briol. Elevated by Yuri to Duchess of Yuzes, she had shown remarkable ability and enjoyed Joshua’s favor.

“What if we leave it at this? Since they don’t pose a threat, I think it’s enough to ignore them.”

She leaned toward a moderate stance.

The noble from Liberta seconded her words and praised Yuri.

“I agree as well. In fact, I’m relieved. I thought another great war was about to break out. All thanks to Your Highness.”

The others shared a similar opinion. Everyone seemed inclined to close the matter here.

“There’s no reason to stir up trouble now. It doesn’t seem like they can threaten us.”

“Another time, maybe—but we haven’t even finished settling the war. It would be a waste of resources.”

“We don’t know what might happen in the New Continent. We won here, but over there unexpected things could happen.”

“Your Highness’s fame will only grow even more, hahaha…”

The opinions converged, and soon all eyes turned to Yuri.
In the end, the most important voice was his.

“What does Your Highness think?”

“I…”

Yuri paused for a moment.

Before entering the meeting, he remembered the letter he had received from Yekaterina via a messenger.

***

Yekaterina was receiving a guest and serving tea.

“For him to ask me that question…”

“Was it disrespectful?”

“No.”

As empress, Yekaterina almost never spoke formally to anyone.

In fact, there was now only one person left in the entire continent to whom she could speak with such respect.

“It’s not a difficult question, Father.”

It was Fiore Briol, Yuri’s father.

He, who had left to train in swordsmanship with Bernard, had suddenly appeared at the imperial palace. He said that while passing near the Empire, he remembered and decided to stop by to visit.

Incidentally, Bernard was at that moment visiting the Empire’s knight order and defeating its commanders one by one.

Fiore lifted the teacup with a wide smile.

“I was just curious. Yekaterina, I always thought you might end up as my daughter-in-law…”

“Since when?”

“Since the first time you met Yuri.”

“But he never showed any signs of it.”

“You can see it in the eyes.”

Fiore glanced sideways at the blue sky as he spoke.

“Lily looked at me with the same eyes when she first saw me.”

“I see.”

“Yes. But I didn’t expect you to accept three others as well.”

Though the Empire was no longer what it once was, Yekaterina was still the empress.

Even if she hadn’t been, had she opposed it, Yuri never would have taken three more wives.

But Yekaterina had not only agreed—she had even persuaded him to do so.

“If that’s what you mean…”

Yekaterina smiled gently and raised her cup.

“It wasn’t for a grand reason.”

“Now I’m interested. Why?”

“They were each different.”

“How so?”

“First, Sister Maryrose…”

Yekaterina laughed as she recalled her.

“She acknowledged me—as a rival.”

“Acknowledged you?”

“I knew it the moment I saw her. She’d suffered quite a bit. In truth, if I hadn’t stepped in, those two would have ended up together.”

“Really?”

“Besides, we got along well.”

“And the second?”

“Asana…”

Yekaterina shrugged.

“If we hadn’t taken her in, she would have wandered alone until she died. I’m not so cruel as to leave her like that.”

“Mmm…”

“And if you look closely, she has her own charm.”

“I see you’re more compassionate than I thought. Alright. And Ena?”

Then Yekaterina smiled broadly, like a flower blooming.

“She’s adorable.”

“That she is.”

“I wanted to keep her close because she’s adorable. When I look at her, I just feel affection naturally.”

Fiore ended up smiling along with her.

“I see.”

“That’s how it was.”

Fiore felt satisfied with Yekaterina as a daughter-in-law. More than satisfied—he was convinced there could be no better partner for Yuri.

She reminded him of his late wife.

He would no longer have to worry about that son of his.

Fiore leaned back, smiling.

“By the way, I heard Yuri ran away.”

“Yes. As soon as he left the palace, a commotion started. That’s exactly why I wanted to keep him in court.”

“You make it sound like he caused the commotion himself.”

“From my point of view, it’s the same thing.”

“In a way, it is.”

“But I didn’t think he’d end up clashing with the New Continent. How does he manage to get himself into such trouble…?”

“Mmm…”

This time, even Fiore agreed with Yekaterina.

“I heard about the New Continent. Seems like they’re having a meeting in Orphen. What do you plan to do?”

“I left the decision to Yuri. I just sent him a letter.”

“A letter?”

“Yes.”

“What did you write?”

“It’s a secret.”

“Tell me.”

“Even if you’re my father-in-law, it’s still a secret.”

***

After recalling Yekaterina’s letter, Yuri pushed aside any unnecessary worries and opened his eyes.

Everyone was watching him.

“My opinion is this.”

Yuri stood.

“I think we should hear what they have to say.”

The meeting room murmured.

“Hear them?”

“Do we really need to hear what those black magic users have to say?”

“What for…?”

Ignoring the complaints, Yuri signaled to the Order of Vengeance.

Several captured men from the New Continent were brought in immediately.

Those present watched them with curiosity.

“Alright, let’s hear what they say.”

Yuri activated Mamago and addressed the man in front. He was a thin man, shoulders hunched, glancing sideways at everyone.

[What’s your name?]

[I-I am Alaitotep.]

[Alaitotep.]

As Yuri began the conversation through Mamago, the whole room fell silent and listened intently.

[Where are you from?]

[From Odelkapator.]

[Your occupation?]

[In my homeland, I was a teacher. I taught children…]

[And how did you end up on that ship?]

[I-I…]

Alaitotep lowered his head.

[I was “harvested” by the people of Katlchinoti. To be used as a sacrifice for black magic…]

The room burst into murmurs.

It turned out that Alaitotep was not one of the black magic users, but a victim taken as a sacrifice.

[Alaitotep. We want to hear your story. Tell us about Katlchinoti.]

[Yes.]

Alaitotep described the New Continent in detail.

Everything Yuri had told them turned out to be true.

[Katlchinoti raises us like livestock. They “harvest” us periodically, regardless of age or gender. They tear the hearts out of children, flay the skin of maidens, and pile up skulls as offerings to their god. With the remaining meat, they cook dishes depending on the body part. We live only waiting for our turn to come…]

A cursed city—Katlchinoti—where human sacrifice and cannibalism were constant throughout the year.

Since the priests discovered black magic, these atrocities had been continuous.

No force remained in the New Continent capable of opposing them.

[There are more than ten cities under Katlchinoti’s rule. They let the population grow only to abduct them whenever they want. They make parents eat their children roasted and offer the entrails to the god they worship. In the other cities, there are no elderly, because all are eaten before they grow old.]

Everyone was horrified.

A devout envoy from the Holy Kingdom even snapped his quill between his fingers.

The listeners trembled while Alaitotep spoke calmly.

Then, he knelt before Yuri.

[Please save us! Oh, savior from across the sea!]

Yuri was taken aback.

[Huh?]

[You are without a doubt the man from the prophecy.]

[A prophecy?]

When Yuri looked puzzled, Alaitotep explained.

[We have a prophecy that has been passed down for a long time.]

[And what does it say?]

[It says…]

He stopped, then drew closer, pressing his forehead to the floor before Yuri.

[Hey, now…]

[The prophecy says that a savior with black hair and black eyes, from the distant sea, will free us—all those who suffer under Katlchinoti.]

[And you say that’s me?]

[It was said he would breathe fire and cut through rock. When I saw you, I knew you were the chosen one—the savior who will give us true freedom.]

Then the other slaves prostrated themselves as well.

[Save us!]

[Save us!]

[Oh, savior!]

Overwhelmed, Yuri shut off Mamago and looked at the envoys.

They all wore complicated expressions.

He cleared his throat and asked:

“Ahem, well, that’s what they think. Now then—what do you all think?”

There was silence, until Josephine spoke again first.

“I still oppose it. It’s sad what they say, but we have no reason to sacrifice ourselves.”

“I agree. We can give them refuge here, but we shouldn’t cross the Owl Blue. It would be a huge expense, and soldiers would lose their lives.”

“And we don’t know what other dangers may be in that continent…”

They remained negative.

It was understandable—the continent had not yet recovered from the war.

Though the victims from the New Continent were pitiful, risking themselves seemed foolish.

Yuri turned his gaze.

Tirbo, representative of the Order of Vengeance, fidgeted nervously with his fingers.

“Tirbo.”

“Y-yes?”

“What do you think?”

“Me?”

He raised his hand without hesitation.

“I want to go to the New Continent!”

“Why?”

“I just want to help them!”

Yuri laughed softly and looked at the room.

The others seemed pensive.

Then he said.

“Do you know what Odelkapator means—the city Alaitotep is from?”

He approached the prisoner.

“The joy of intertwined friendship. That city is famous for valuing loyalty, so it has that name.”

“…”

“And the name Alaitotep?”

No one answered.

“The fruit of love.”

Yuri smiled.

“Seems Alaitotep’s parents loved each other very much. They gave such a name to their son. And now, that fruit of love is kneeling here, reduced to a sacrifice.”

His footsteps echoed in the silent room.

“Friendship. Joy. Love.”

He pointed to the faces of the slaves. Chronic suffering had etched deep wrinkles into their brows.

“And sorrow.”

Even if culture and language were different, feelings were the same.

When Yuri hesitated on what to decide, he often thought about what someone wiser and kinder than him would do.

Cory.

What would that guy do?

It was obvious.

“If they speak of joy, friendship, love, and sorrow, then they are like us.”

Yuri swept his gaze across everyone.

“I don’t want to stand by while humans like us are treated like livestock and sacrificed. Just like Tirbo said—I simply want to help them.”

Then Antianus, leader of the Demon Hunters, spoke.

“I do as well. We investigate black magic precisely to save those who suffer from it. Our oath is to eradicate it from the world.”

Eyes turned to him.

“We Hunters know better than anyone what it’s like to lose someone dear. Even if it means sacrifice, I want to punish those sorcerers from the other continent and bring the true will of God.”

The room fell silent.

Yuri smiled.

“Good. The Knights of the Order of Vengeance and the Demon Hunters.”

The rest remained quiet.

But he was unfazed.

“Sir Jose and Francesco as well.”

“Yes!”

“Huh?”

Jose replied firmly, while Francesco flinched.

“And also…”

Yuri looked upward.

High above, a black speck circled in the sky.

“Lady Cruar as well.”

Adding another on his own, Francesco protested.

“Hey, you can’t decide for me like that!”

“You talk too much…”

“What?”

“Then don’t come, Sir Francesco.”

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t go…”

“Will you go then?”

“Let me think about it…”

“Forget it, don’t come.”

“I’m telling you it’s not that I won’t go!”

“Well, if you’re going, you’re going. If not, then not. Why make it complicated?”

“Alright, I’ll go…”

“Then from the start.”

“Ugh…”

After reprimanding Francesco, Yuri looked again.

“Even if you don’t come, we will cross the Owl Blue.”

Josephine sighed.

“If Your Highness has decided, we won’t be able to stop you.”

“I see you understand well.”

She bowed her head.

“As always, fortune will be with Your Highness.”

“Thank you.”

Though they would not join the expedition, everyone in the room bowed respectfully to Yuri.

The hero who had saved the continent from black magic—Yuri Briol.

His journey now aimed for the new continent beyond the sea.

A man who always chose the most difficult path. How could one not feel reverence for him?

Yuri raised Mamago.

[Alaitotep.]

[Yes, yes!]

[I’ll make this clear. I’m not the savior you expect.]

[W-what…?]

[But.]

Yuri remembered Yekaterina’s letter.

It didn’t have many words, but it carried all her heart.

“Yuri, I trust you. Do as you wish and come back.”

And at the end, a single phrase written with strength:

“I love you.”

Recalling the feeling when he read those words, Yuri looked at the foreigner whose name meant fruit of love.

[As a human like you, I will go to help you.]

Alaitotep looked at him in surprise.

[Of course, it won’t be easy. You and your people will have to fight with us. Freedom is not given—it is won. Can you do that?]

[Ah…]

Alaitotep looked at him with wide eyes, then prostrated deeply again.

[Yes, savior! We will gladly do it. I’ve never minded risking my life. All of us have only been waiting for you.]