The 3rd Prince of the Fallen Kingdom Returns

29. Ring (1)

“Apparently, the Allied Forces is at the peak of its popularity across the continent these days.”

A fellow knight remarked.

Proin, who had been polishing his sword, tilted his head in confusion.

“How so?”

“They’ve been winning constantly.”

“But how does the entire continent know about that?”

His companion looked at him as if surprised by the question.

“Have you never used a communication crystal ball?”

“No…”

Proin frowned.

“We’re so far away, you’re saying it still works?”

A pair of communication crystal balls allows distant parties to exchange messages, but there are distance limitations. Passing even one or two borders could sever the connection.

The fellow knight sighed.

“This is why people say we need to send messages to Briol and people to the Empire. It’s been ages since the Empire developed long-distance communication crystal balls; how do you not know this?”

“Really?”

“The Empire has been using them to send reports all this time.”

“They have?”

Proin’s eyes widened.

“Where do they sell those?”

“They don’t sell those. And even if they did, we couldn’t use them. They require an enormous amount of mana stones. I hear the receiver in the Empire is this big.”

“Really? Then I can’t borrow one from the Empire for a while, can I?”

His companion chuckled.

“Are you trying to contact your fiancée?”

“Wh-what are you talking about?”

Proin’s face flushed slightly as he shook his head, prompting the fellow knight to pat him on the shoulder

“Of course not. Even if you could, communication is routed through the Empire’s Ministry of Magic, so it would be useless.”

“I see. Just asking. By the way, it’s not about my fiancée—I’m just curious about the situation in my domain…”

“Sure, sure.”

“I’m serious.”

“I got it.”

Proin got engaged before joining the Allied Forces. He had declared that he would propose once the Allied Forces disbanded.

The fellow knight continued,

“Anyway, thanks to all that circulating information, the Allied Forces’ popularity has skyrocketed. When we get back, maybe the ladies will start giving you flowers.”

“Is that why you joined the Allied Forces? A knight fights without expecting any reward.”

“Such a true knight.”

“That’s what it means to be Brusin.”

“Stop doing that. Other nations are making fun of us.”

“I don’t care about that. That’s the essence of…”

“Not the Brusin spirit again.”

“The Brusin spirit is too strong.”

Suddenly, a group of knights clad in black armor rode past the Brusin camp.

“Did the orcs come again?”

“Seems like it.”

Ragna, who had been responsible for sending reconnaissance missions to Briol, dispatched the Imperial knights just before the final battle with Okuah.

They always returned with their black armor stained in dark red blood.

“Have they been hiding their true strength all along?”

That question arose due to the sheer destructive power of the Imperial Knights.

Just as the orcs had unexpectedly brought an unidentified monster, the Empire had also revealed its full strength.

With the final battle approaching, neither side hid their numbers, exchanging blows without reservation.

“How long are they going to keep staring each other down…?”

“It won’t be too long.”

For days, the orcs and the Allied Forces had only been watching each other’s flags from beyond the horizon.

Although there were occasional skirmishes, they were nothing more than minor engagements.

“Now that the Prince of Briol has awakened, they’ll likely attack soon.”

“You’re saying the Empire waited because of that kid?”

“Kid? Watch your tongue. And have you forgotten what the Third Prince has accomplished so far?”

Proin, who was close to Yuri, pointed out his disrespectful tone. The fellow knight scratched his head.

“That’s true, but…”

“If he hadn’t eliminated the Ancient Worm, we wouldn’t be resting so comfortably right now.”

In the last battle, the monster that harassed the Allied Forces with its tunnels was known as the Ancient Wyrm.

The monster that had been tormenting the Allied Forces with underground tunnels in the previous battle was called the Ancient Worm.

Records of it were found in the Empire’s library. It was said to be an ancient creature, long extinct.

The fact that Yuri suddenly jumped into the horde of orcs and tore the Ancient Worm to shreds with a mana explosion left an indescribable impression on the knights of the Allied Forces.

An eighteen-year-old royal, no less, had disregarded his own safety and charged into the heart of the enemy camp.

If they didn’t feel anything from that, they weren’t knights.

“Right. But how did he know there was a monster in the ground?”

“It must be his senses.”

“Senses?”

“That prince could easily do something like that. He’s a genius, after all.”

“True, considering you sparred with him a few times…”

“Speaking of which, I should go say hello. Want to come?”

Proin sheathed his sword and stood up.

His companion shook his head.

“I’ll pass.”

“You’ll regret it.”

“I’m just going to rest.”

Proin moved on alone.

When he reached the Briol camp, soldiers recognized him and greeted him. During the time spent aiding each other in the Allied Forces, faces had become familiar.

Thinking about it, it felt strange.

It wasn’t often that soldiers from various nations in an alliance developed such camaraderie.

Suddenly, he heard a pig-like squeal.

“Eeeeeek!”

“That’s not how you do it.”

“Haaaap!”

“That’s still not enough.”

“Die! Just die!”

“Isn’t that a bit excessive…?”

Laurent of Briol was wielding a wooden sword with a knight of similar age.

There was a significant gap between their skills. It seemed Laurent was instructing him.

“Is that guy called Sven…?”

Proin recalled that Briol’s prince had mentioned leaving a nobleman from Liberta in Laurent’s care, a youth named something like Sven or Svang.

It was an odd situation.

Whenever he came to the Briol camp, he could meet people from various countries. Knights who were usually too proud to step outside their own circles freely visited Briol without hesitation.

Even he, who was thinking this, was a knight of Brusin.

“Ha ha ha! You’re full of spirit, Sir Sven!”

A large knight was watching Laurent’s instruction from the side.

Proin pretended not to see him and walked past.

Jose had been practically living in the Briol camp lately.

“Sir Proin.”

“Ah, hello, Sir Raymond.”

Raymond was an experienced and wise knight. He commanded the troops when Yuri was absent.

“Have you come to see His Highness?”

“Yes.”

“He has a visitor right now, so you’ll have to wait for a while.”

“I understand. How is His Highness?”

“Hahaha, he’s perfectly healthy. No problem at all.”

“That’s a relief.”

Proin paused with Raymond in front of Yuri’s tent.

Several knights in white armor were standing guard. They were from the Holy Kingdom.

Even those notorious for their pride were present in the Briol camp. It made him wonder what the Prince of Briol was usually up to.

“What are they doing here?”

“Well…”

The Holy Kingdom’s knights, upon seeing Proin, gave him a strange, scrutinizing look.

As expected, they’re unpleasant.

Proin met their stares head-on.

A one-versus-many staring contest erupted.

Raymond chuckled quietly beside him.

Soon, the tent flaps opened, and Yuri stepped out, accompanied by one of the Holy Kingdom knights.

“Ah, Proin?”

“Greetings, Your Highness. I came to pay my respects, having heard you’ve awakened.”

“As expected, the knights of Brusin are loyal.”

“‘Loyalty’ is what defines Brusin, is it not?”

Proin smiled and looked at the man who came out with Yuri.

It was Fenec, the leader of the Holy Kingdom’s knights. He always walked around arrogantly with his chin held high, but his attitude towards Yuri was polite.

“Your Highness. I’ll take my leave now. Thank you for your response.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“Personally, I hope it becomes more than just a contract.”

“I doubt it, so don’t get your hopes up.”

“Ha ha ha ha…”

He even tried to laugh heartily.

He would have never guessed that Fenec, who always had an arrogant expression and shifty eyes, could act like that.

“Since another guest has arrived, we’ll be on our way.”

“Alright. Thank you for visiting.”

“No problem. May you stay healthy until then.”

“Let’s help each other out on the battlefield.”

“Of course.”

Bowing slightly, Fenec led the Holy Kingdom knights, marching off.

As he passed by, his eyes met Proin’s, and his expression hardened. He gave Proin a condescending look, then walked past him.

Proin allowed himself a wry smile.

“Your Highness, what did you do to make that arrogant bastard act like that?”

“Sir Fenec was indeed arrogant.”

“You noticed?”

“I saved him from dying once, so he’s been more courteous. Sir Proin, you should save his life once too.”

“Pardon?”

Yuri smiled as he watched the back of the Holy Kingdom’s knights.

“That guy’s true heart is good.”

“Huh…”

Proin shook his head. As always, being with the Prince of Briol made him feel like his common sense was being challenged.

“Anyway, I came to greet you upon hearing you’ve awakened.”

“Thank you.”

“I witnessed it. After the mana explosion, you even utilized the Sword Aura.”

“I was lucky. It’s not something I can use reliably in actual combat.”

“Even so…”

Yuri was only eighteen years old.

Even Laurent, who was renowned as the knight who would lead the next generation after sweeping through swordsmanship tournaments, was in his twenties. But Yuri had already achieved so much at his age.

If it weren’t for the Allied Forces, no one would have known such a prodigy existed.

“When the Allied Forces are over…”

Proin spoke while looking at Yuri.

“May I visit Briol?”

Yuri burst into laughter.

“Of course, you’re welcome anytime.”

“I’ll bring my fiancée too. She’ll probably be my wife by then.”

“Anyone who is my friend’s family is always welcome.”

“Friend? That’s too much honor.”

Proin, overwhelmed by the word “friend,” looked at him. Yuri grinned.

If those who watch each other’s backs on the battlefield aren’t friends, then who is?

“Ha ha…”

In contrast, Proin remembered meeting the Prince of Brusin once.

He was not a knight like Yuri. He treated the knights like toy soldiers. They never shared any human connection.

They were completely different.

If that prince had come to the Allied Forces, it would have been quite a sight. He might have been too ashamed to even raise his head as a member of Brusin.

Proin envied the knights of Briol.

“Sir Proin, so don’t die and survive.”

“Of course. I’ll definitely return alive and to my fiancée…”

“Hold on!”

Yuri covered Proin’s mouth.

“Don’t tell me you’re going to say you’re planning to propose when you get back?”

“Of course…”

“Hold it.”

“Why do you say that?”

“There’s something about it. I have a feeling you’ll face misfortune if you say that.”

“What do you mean?”

“Sir Proin, you’re just like Rodin. You don’t watch plays, do you?”

“No, Sir.”

“Watch one with your wife later. See what happens to the character who says that.”

“I will.”

He nodded, though he didn’t know the reason.

“So, shall we go see my master?”

“By master, you mean…?”

“Moyongchan.”

Yuri casually said the name of his so-called master.

“Ah, Sir Moyongchan is your master?”

“It just happened that way.”

Proin was surprised once again.

He knew that Yuri had brought Moyongchan to the Allied Forces. But not only that—taking the Stranger of the Ten Strongest as his master, even though he was from the East, was a bold choice.

He was already curious about the path this prince would take in the future.

“Didn’t you have a splendid match with him before, as fellow men of the sea? Shall I arrange another?”

“No, thank you.”

Proin declined with a shake of his head.

“My sword was not of the sea, but of a stream. I still have a long way to go before reaching the lower reaches. I will challenge Sir Moyongchan again then.”

“Alright. That sounds good too.”

The two walked together.

Near the tents, the Briol knights were sparring.

Although they weren’t using real swords, but rather wooden ones, their exchanges were sharp, as if they were in actual combat.

They were sharpening their combat senses to the utmost before the final battle.

Seeing this sight, Proin felt a surge of excitement.

He grinned.

“I’m glad I joined the Allied Forces.”

“Right?”

Yuri quietly stared at Proin.

He was a promising knight.

But Yuri hadn’t heard his name in his past life. Jonathan and Jose were famous, but this was the first time he had heard of Proin.

He probably died in the Allied Forces.

“Proin, the Allied Forces will be victorious.”

It was a pledge and a declaration.

He would rectify the Allied Forces’ failure from his past life.

And thus, ensure the knight Proin existed in the future.

“When the war is over, let’s all raise a toast together.”

“Of course.”

“I won’t forgive you if you skip out.”

“The same goes for Your Highness.”

Yuri thought about the aftermath of the Allied Forces.

He had formed friendships not only with Ragna, the commander of the Empire, but also with powerful kingdoms like the Holy Kingdom, Brusin, and Liberta.

He had also built relationships, big and small, with other minor kingdoms and city-states.

These connections themselves would be a great force in checking the Empire in the future.

Yuri felt confident.

The Empire had initiated the orc subjugation, but it was Briol that gained the most from this unity.

“Proin.”

“Yes.”

“I’m feeling generous. If you’re in danger, I’ll definitely save you once.”

“Likewise. If you’re in danger, I’ll come to your aid once.”

“Let’s see who ends up owing whom.”