The 3rd Prince of the Fallen Kingdom Returns

24. Promise (2)

Even Moyongchan, who usually
stiff even in front of Ragna, was showing courtesy to Hernando.

“Me?”

“Yes, the Great Hero.”

“I’m Hernando.”

“It is an honor to meet you, Great Hero Hernando.”

“Ah, yes. You must be the renowned Moyongchan, one of the Ten Strongest.”

“Please, just call me Moyongchan.”

“Then, I too shall call you Great Hero Moyongchan.”

“Great Heroes recognize each other, don’t they?”

The two exchanged compliments with wide smiles on their faces.

Yuri watched the scene from the side, feeling deeply uneasy.

He intervened and asked,

“What’s with the ‘Great Hero’?”

“It’s what we call someone as outstanding as he is.”

“Why is there a difference in pronunciation?”

“Never mind the pronunciation.”

“……”

Yuri, dumbfounded, shot Hernando a sharp look, scanning him from head to toe.

As always, he gave the impression of lacking something. The way he scratched the back of his head didn’t inspire much confidence.

“What do you even see…”

“One can only see as much as one understands. Hahaha…”

Yuri knew Hernando was a skilled mage, but he hadn’t realized he was at a level capable of eliciting such a reaction from Moyongchan, one of the Ten Strongest.

“In that case…”

Yuri thought to himself.

I should have Kori dig deeper into Hernando’s abilities.

In any case, Moyongchan growing closer to Briol wasn’t a bad thing. Clearing his throat, Yuri intervened between the two.

“Well, if you two get along so well, why not have a private conversation?”

“Good idea. Step aside.”

“Oh dear, Prince. At this rate, why don’t you bring us some refreshments?”

“Let’s enjoy some drinks and conversation.”

“Very well.”

It seemed Moyongchan had already made up his mind.

He spoke to the knights waiting in line.

“That’s all for today.”

Then, he turned around.

The disappointed knights groaned, but Moyongchan didn’t care.

Yuri offered them his tent and allowed the two to chat.

Just before Hernando went in for their private conversation, Yuri grabbed his sleeve and whispered,

“Try to entice him and persuade him to stay in Briol after the Allied Forces disband.”

“Well…”

Hernando shook his finger.

“When dealing with people, you should value them for who they are and not think of using them. Isn’t that the demeanor of a Great Hero?”

Then he left with Moyongchan.

Hernando, with Moyongchan on his back, was incredibly lucky.

“He has no idea how necessary this is for the future…”

Yuri’s thoughts drifted back to his past life.

When the Empire invaded, Hernando returned to assist in defending Briol.

He broke through the dispels cast by the Empire’s mages and unleashed magic, turning the enemy army into a sea of fire.

But in the end, Briol fell.

After that, Yuri never heard from him again.

Perhaps he was wandering the world again.

“It would have been much better if Moyongchan had been there.”

Yuri shifted his gaze.

With Moyongchan gone, the crowd began to disperse. Yuri spotted a familiar face in the crowd.

Yuri waved at him.

“Sir Wolf!”

“Prince.”

It was Wolf Gain, the commander of Liberta and Count of Abra.

He approached Yuri with a warm smile.

“I heard the rumors—that you invited the Stranger, one of the Ten Strongest. Truly remarkable.”

“Invited, yes. That’s how it is indeed.”

In truth, Moyongchan had arrived on his own, disguised as a prisoner, but it seemed the story had spread differently.

Wolf’s eyes were filled with admiration.

Yuri didn’t bother to deny it.

“As a knight, I came hoping to find a clue to break through my limits, but unfortunately, I seem to have missed my chance.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you get another chance.”

“Do you mean it? Thank you.”

“It’s just a matter between us.”

Yuri let out a hearty laugh, but then noticed Sven sneaking around behind Wolf.

He was Wolf’s son, the one who had badmouthed other nations and ended up with Yuri having leverage over him.

Feeling Yuri’s gaze, Sven awkwardly lowered his head.

Yuri placed his hand on Sven’s shoulder.

“Sven, I see you’re here too.”

“Ah, yes, Your Highness.”

Yuri smiled at Wolf.

“Father and son, both outstanding knights—truly the pride of Liberta.”

“How could we compare to you, Your Highness?”

The two exchanged hearty laughter, while Sven, stuck between them, nervously stepped back, trying to avoid their attention.

“Since you’ve come to our camp, how about a spar? Though I’m not one of the Ten Strongest.”

“Pardon?”

Sven’s eyes widened at Yuri’s suggestion.

Wolf was delighted.

“If Your Highness would grant us that honor…”

Despite his young age, Yuri had already proven his skills.

Unlike young knights who gained fame through tournaments, Yuri had earned his reputation on the battlefield, breaking through the orc ranks single-handedly.

His valor was known throughout the Allied Forces. Many even whispered that he could be the next Fiore Briol.

And as royalty, a sparring session with him was an unparalleled honor for Sven.

“Oh, no. I’m fine… ”

“There’s no need to hold back. Sven.”

“Um…”

Sven eventually gripped a wooden sword.

“Son, learn a thing or two from the Prince.”

“Yes…”

Now that the stage was set, Sven was filled with fighting spirit.

“Then…”

Yuri grinned.

Sven had always been a bit of a hothead.

He wasn’t unskilled, so it seemed he intended to use this opportunity to repay what he had received. His intentions were so obvious that it was almost cute.

“I’ll let you have the first move.”

“Thank you.”

Sven charged in as if he had been waiting for the chance.

One blow was enough to break his spirit.

“Argh!”

“You have a sturdy backside.”

He had some potential, but it wasn’t enough to face Yuri.

Besides Laurent, there were no knights of their age who could spar with Yuri on equal footing.

As if teaching a child, Yuri struck Sven’s thighs and backside. It was what he endured from Bernard every day.

Sven’s screams echoed periodically.

“Huff, huff…”

He was already gasping for breath.

When overwhelmed by pressure, even just standing in front of your opponent could drain your stamina.

“Stop charging blindly. Try keeping your weight balanced toward the back,”

Yuri advised.

“You’ve got a good foundation.”

Unexpectedly, it was true.

Sven was well-taught, likely thanks to his father, Wolf, taking special care in his training.

But it was just that.

To reach greater heights, Sven would need to push himself harder in his swordsmanship.

Liberta wasn’t a large country, and it seemed Sven hadn’t encountered any opponents who could ignite his competitive spirit.

If he met someone like Laurent—someone his age but far more skilled—it might change his perspective.

“Come to Briol sometimes.”

“Pardon?”

“Spar with Laurent. He won’t refuse.”

“That…”

“Opening!”

Yuri struck Sven a few more times, then ended the spar.

Wolf expressed his gratitude.

“Thank you—for giving us those orc ears back then and for this, we are always indebted to you.”

“Orc ears? I don’t follow.”

Giving them the orc ears was a secret. Yuri shrugged, and Wolf nodded with a smile.

“I must have been mistaken.”

“The battles ahead will be tougher, so let’s help each other out.'”

“Naturally.”

In his past life, it had not been natural.

The Allied Forces were divided when they faced the orcs and paid the price for it.

This was the reason why Yuri was trying to build good relationships with other nations.

To fight Okuah, they needed to draw out more than the Allied Forces’ apparent strength.

* * *

The next morning, a messenger woke Yuri up.

Yuri, who had been sleeping in his bed, sat up. He habitually reached for Guilty, which was leaning against the bedside, and asked,

“I apologize for this early disturbance.”

“It’s fine.”

Yuri had instructed them to wake him up without hesitation if anything happened.

“What is it?”

An unexpected report followed.

“Orcs have appeared, carrying a white flag.”

“What?”

A white flag signifies that they do not intend to fight. The orcs have sent a messenger.

“When?”

“Just now. We saw the orcs approaching, so I came straight here.”

“I should go.”

To understand the situation in detail, Yuri immediately got up and headed towards the Empire’s tent.

Ragna’s adjutant was waiting outside.

It was still early, and the entire Allied Forces camp was quiet. Yuri was the only commander who had arrived after hearing the news.

“You’ve come quickly.”

Nearby, three Komodo Drakes with white flags were sitting.

“What happened?”

“The orcs sent messengers. His Majesty has received them.”

“Just now?”

“Yes.”

As soon as they finished their conversation, the tent flap opened.

Three orcs stepped out.

Despite being in the heart of enemy territory, they showed no signs of intimidation. Instead, they raised their chins and surveyed the surroundings, as if looking down on them.

Eye contact was made with Yuri.

“Akuakkai.”

It was the name the orcs used to address Yuri.

The orc continued to mutter something and grinned. The two orcs beside him chuckled.

It felt like an insult.

Yuri said,

“Okudoku.”

The expressions of the three orcs changed strangely.

It was an orcish curse that Yuri had learned from Kori.

Though his pronunciation was probably off, it seemed his message was understood. Yuri shrugged at the grimacing orcs.

“Bow your heads if you don’t want to die.”

“Akuakkai. Akme guto requa…….”

“Okudoku.”

“Uwak!”

Ignoring the orcs, Yuri requested to enter the tent where Ragna was.

A prompt response came.

“Come in.”

Ragna sat at his desk, arms crossed, lost in thought. Even as Yuri entered, he didn’t look up, merely nodding his head.

“You’re not much of a morning sleeper, are you?”

“I’m a light sleeper. It’s the battlefield, after all.”

“Yes, indeed. This is a battlefield.”

There was a letter on the desk in front of Ragna.

Although too far away to see the contents, Yuri could tell the letter was written in the common tongue. It seemed the meeting had ended quickly, and only the letter remained.

Yuri asked,

“Your Majesty, may I ask what the contents of the letter are?”

Ragna leaned back, resting his head against the backrest. Despite sitting, the angle made it seem as if he were looking down at Yuri.

“Yuri.”

“Yes?”

There was weariness in Ragna’s eyes.

“Why do you think I became the commander of the Allied Forces?”

It was an unexpected question.

“Well, Your Majesty is highly skilled in warfare…”

“Something other than the obvious.”

“Is there another reason?”

“Are you being sarcastic, or are you serious?”

It was rare for Ragna to show such emotion.

Yuri waited for his explanation.

“The Allied Forces are an honorable opportunity.”

“Indeed.”

“How could someone like me end up in such an important position?”

“It seems like a political matter.”

“Exactly. You might not know, but the Emperor and I are not on good terms.”

How many people on the continent could simply refer to the Emperor as ‘the Emperor’?

Probably not many.

And one of those few individuals was the man sitting before Yuri.

Prince Ragna.

He tilted his chin slightly.

“There are plenty of others I could have sent in my place. Loyal dogs who would give all the glory to the Emperor are swarming around. Then why do you think I came?”

“Because Your Highness’s abilities were fitting for a commander?”

“Yes, they were fitting. But that’s not how the Empire operates. Whenever things seem to be proceeding logically, you can bet there’s some trickery from the Emperor behind it.”

Yuri nodded.

The Allied Forces were originally formed with the intention of failing. The Emperor knew that Okuah would defeat the Allied Forces.

Yuri was convinced that the Empire and the orcs had a secret agreement.

“Are you saying it’s a trap?”

In his past life, Ragna had taken responsibility for the Allied Forces’ failure and relinquished his power, leaving the Emperor to seize full control of the Empire.

Ragna was also a discarded pawn.

“Take a look at this.”

Ragna handed over the orc’s letter.

Yuri let out a soft gasp.

“This is…”

“Indeed.”

The content was shocking.

It declared that the Emperor had formed a secret pact with Okuah and advised stepping back to avoid becoming sacrificial offerings.

The sender described themselves as an anonymous faction opposing Okuah.

Yuri flipped through the letter.

The content was minimal, just a brief warning.

“What do you think?”

Yuri couldn’t help but laugh.

It was a dirty trick.

He looked up and scrutinized Ragna’s face. Ragna’s hardened expression gradually softened, eventually mirroring Yuri’s own.

Yuri said,

“I thought it would be difficult, but it seems this war will be even more challenging than I anticipated.”

Ragna leaned forward and clapped his hands.

“Precisely.”

Yuri and Ragna exchanged glances and chuckled for a while.

“It’s refreshing to be on the same page. Yuri.”

“Thank you.”

“Whether there really is such a faction or it’s Okuah’s trickery, what we have to do remains the same.”

“Indeed.”

Regardless of the circumstances, the Allied Forces couldn’t simply turn back. Perhaps that was precisely what the Emperor wanted.

“Your Majesty, may I dare to make a suggestion?”

“A suggestion?”

“First, let’s go outside…”

Yuri and Ragna left the tent.

Three orcs were mounting their Komodo drakes, while the Imperial Knights, clad in black armor, stood on guard. Despite this, the orcs appeared completely unfazed.

They chatted amongst themselves, seemingly enjoying their leisure.

“What do you think?”

“You mean, should we get rid of them?”

“Yes.”

Yuri didn’t underestimate the orcs—they were a race capable of greater treachery than humans.

If Okuah were to play more tricks, and the contents of the letter were to fall into the hands of someone in the Allied Forces…

When the war became difficult, someone might remember that letter.

Morale would plummet, and the Allied Forces would be divided.

They would doubt their allies instead of their enemies, and instead of fighting, they would seek ways to retreat.

“It’s better not to have any loose ends.”

Yuri walked towards the orcs.

The Imperial Knights attempted to block his path, but Ragna signaled with a slight chin gesture, clearing the way.

The orcs, mounted on their Komodo Drakes, shouted something once more as Yuri approached, their tone mocking.

However, when Yuri continued to advance without hesitation, their faces twisted in surprise and anger.

“Akuakkai! Murrkan Ormetun!”

“Silence.”

Yuri leaped forward without hesitation.

With a few swift swings of his sword, the orcs’ heads were severed from their bodies. The remaining two, terrified, tugged at their Komodo Drakes’ reins in a futile attempt to escape, but Yuri was relentless.

He pursued them swiftly, stabbing one in the back, sending it tumbling to the ground, and thrusting his sword into the other’s abdomen.

He subdued all three orcs in an instant.

The Imperial Knights murmured amongst themselves.

They knew the eighteen-year-old prince was skilled,

Even Ragna, dumbfounded, muttered under his breath,

“Seems he’s grown stronger…”

Yuri didn’t stop at killing the orcs—he went further, beheading their corpses.

His actions were far from what one would expect of a prince—swift and ruthless.

“Will you help me?”

Yuri called over two Imperial Knights.

He calmed the Komodo Drakes and placed the headless orc corpses onto their backs.

Then, he inserted the flags they had brought into the severed necks.

Finally, he used the orcs’ blood to scrawl symbols onto the white flags.

[Okudoku]

It was an orcish curse he had learned from Kori, written in the continental language—but it would still be understood.

“Go.”

Yuri kicked the Komodo drakes, and they started to retrace their steps.

Like intelligent animals, such as horses, they would return to the master who sent them.
The ruthless slaughter and shocking insult were executed in the blink of an eye.

The Imperial Knights watched Yuri with a mixture of fear and awe.

Ragna stepped forward.

“I thought you were more prudent, but you’re even more aggressive than I imagined.”

“I made a promise.”

“Ah…….”

Ragna nodded in understanding and put his arm around Yuri’s shoulders.

Yuri watched as the three orcs, now bearing flags in place of their heads, disappeared into the distance and spoke,

“They will pay the price.”