Chapter 92. The Conqueror’s Banner (1)

Yuri led the Vengeance Knights as they advanced toward the central region where the coalition of minor kingdoms had gathered.

The first country they reached was Anabas, a nation that, despite frequent name changes among the small states, had maintained its lineage for a long time.

Gazing up at the towering walls of Anabas, Yuri spoke.

“If a battle breaks out here in Anabas, Simon, I want you to handle it. Let it end on your watch.”

“Huh? Me?”

“Yes. There’s no need for me to draw my sword just yet.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Yuri’s goal was to visit every single one of the dozens of kingdoms without exception.

It would have been more efficient to target only the key nations at the heart of the coalition, but Yuri didn’t believe that half-measures would be enough to persuade the entire alliance.

She intended to visit them all and speak to each one personally.

That was the best course of action, in her view.

“Alright, let’s move out! Hold the Briol banner high!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“Don’t show any shame. Just act like Briol.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

After ordering the standard-bearer of the Vengeance Knights to raise the flag high, Yuri spurred her horse toward the city walls.

Since a messenger had already been sent ahead, the people of Anabas were aware of Yuri’s arrival.

The guards saluted respectfully and opened the gates without hesitation.

Yuri and the entire Vengeance Knights entered Anabas in unison.

The townsfolk whispered among themselves as they watched the knights, their banners held high.

Yuri rode at the front, chin raised, exuding a confident air.

Her name—Yuri Briol—was quietly murmured among the residents. Tales of her valor were already widespread throughout the coalition of minor kingdoms.

Yet, the overall atmosphere was uneasy.

Jared muttered under his breath.

“They don’t seem very welcoming.”

“You’re the one scowling. Smile a little.”

“But you told us to act like Briol.”

“And what kind of Briol acts like that?”

Soon, Yuri entered the castle and met with the king of Anabas in the great hall. He was a middle-aged man with a sturdy build and long, curly hair.

He spread his arms wide in welcome.

“It’s an honor to meet the famed King of Briol, whose reputation precedes him.”

“The honor is mine, Your Majesty.”

“You’re even more impressive in person than I’d heard.”

“Thank you.”

Yuri responded politely. Though Anabas was a small kingdom, he was still a king. She had come to persuade the coalition, not to force them into submission.

After the formalities, Yuri requested a private audience.

“Your Majesty, may I speak with you alone?”

“Alone?”

The courtiers nearby exchanged uneasy glances, signaling their disapproval.

But the king of Anabas nodded heartily, unfazed.

“Very well.”

The courtiers protested.

“Your Majesty, a private meeting is risky.”

“Please allow us to accompany you.”

“At least have guards present.”

The king frowned.

“Do you think the King of Briol would threaten me?”

“That’s not what we mean…”

“If I’m afraid to speak with you alone, I’d become a laughingstock. The people would think me a coward. Isn’t that right, King of Briol?”

“Hahaha…”

The king’s personality matched his appearance—bold and straightforward. He dismissed his worried courtiers and remained alone with Yuri in the great hall.

“So, what is it you wish to discuss?”

“It concerns the Empire.”

“I thought as much. I’m sorry, but our coalition intends to maintain neutrality. We don’t want to meddle in the affairs between the Empire and your four nations. You know what happens when a shrimp gets caught between whales.”

“I understand your position, Your Majesty. But this isn’t just our problem. The entire continent is in danger.”

“What do you mean?”

“The Empire has reached out to dark forces.”

Yuri explained the Empire’s involvement with black magic.

The king of Anabas listened intently, resting his chin on his hand.

At first, he seemed skeptical, but as Yuri mentioned the incident in Okua, his expression grew serious. When she spoke of human sacrifices and otherworldly beings, he fell into a long silence.

“You wouldn’t lie to me…”

“It’s all true.”

“I’m overwhelmed by so many revelations at once.”

The king muttered, staring at the ceiling.

“But even if I believe you, there’s no guarantee others will. They might think you’re crazy.”

“That’s why we’re preparing countermeasures.”

“Sounds like something out of a novel—an empire trying to rule the world with black magic…”

“Your Majesty.”

Yuri reached into her cloak and pulled out something.

“I have a proposal. Please take a look at this.”

She revealed a small box.

“Inside is proof of black magic.”

“Is that so?”

Inside the box was a fragment of parchment from the Demon’s Grimoire.

Yuri had carefully extracted and purified this piece from a counterfeit grimoire, weakening the black magic within before preserving it.

It was a tool to let others experience the nature of black magic firsthand.

“Honestly, it’s not pleasant. But would you like to touch it?”

“Hmm…”

The king accepted the box without suspicion.

“What is this?”

“A piece of parchment imbued with black magic. Touching it will let you feel how evil it truly is.”

The king opened the lid.

On a velvet cushion lay the worn parchment, its surface covered in half-erased, indecipherable script.

The moment he saw it, the king felt a sudden tightening in his chest.

He took a deep breath and looked at Yuri.

“This doesn’t feel right. Are you sure it’s safe?”

“There’s only a faint trace left, so it won’t harm you. But if you’re worried, you don’t have to touch it.”

The king chuckled.

“Now that you say that, I can’t very well refuse.”

He reached out and lightly touched the parchment with his fingertip.

Yuri watched him closely.

His eyes glazed over, staring into empty space as if following something only he could see.

Most likely, he was witnessing the horrific scenes contained within the parchment.

His pupils trembled erratically.

“Are you alright?”

It didn’t last long. The king soon placed the box on a table beside his throne with trembling hands.

He blinked repeatedly.

“What is this?”

“It’s a fragment of the Demon’s Grimoire—the origin of black magic. You’ve just experienced the lingering malice and dark energy trapped within.”

“Wow…”

Once someone has seen even a glimpse of what’s contained here, they can no longer dismiss black magic as mere fantasy. That was the purpose of this tool.

But the residual magic was fading, so its effectiveness was uncertain.

“This is the kind of black magic the Empire is dabbling in. If we don’t stop it, the continent will be engulfed in the flames of war.”

“Hmm…”

The king, who had seemed relaxed at first, now wore a grave expression. Experiencing black magic firsthand had shaken him.

But even so, he couldn’t act immediately.

“Give me some time.”

“Of course.”

The king fell silent, lost in thought.

After a moment, he spoke.

“You came to persuade the central coalition, yes?”

“Yes.”

Yuri met his gaze steadily.

“We must stop the Empire.”

“To be honest, though I said neutrality earlier, the coalition leans toward the Empire. They think it’s best not to antagonize them.”

“I know. That’s why I’m here—to warn them that allying with the Empire will lead to a far worse fate.”

“I understand your intent. It’s eye-opening. But as you might expect, the coalition won’t move easily.”

“We’ll persuade them one by one.”

“Do you really think that will work…?”

The king leaned back in his throne.

As he crossed his arms and closed his eyes, Yuri waited patiently.

“Wait a moment. Please understand.”

Suddenly, the king pulled out a cigarette and lit it.

It was the first time Yuri had seen him smoke.

“Phew…”

With a gloomy expression, he inhaled deeply and said,

“You shouldn’t do this.”

“Ah, yes.”

“People smoke to see their own sighs…”

“Yes, yes.”

The king, still somber, flicked the cigarette ash into the air. The butt rolled across the floor and stopped on the carpet.

“I’ll give you some help. This is something big. You can count on it.”

Yuri wasn’t entirely convinced by the cigarette-smoking king, but she nodded.

He took a deep breath and announced,

“We will hold the Conqueror’s Banner War.”

Yuri’s eyes widened.

“What’s that?”

“You’re not familiar with the history of the central coalition, are you?”

“Honestly, no.”

Every nation has its founding myths or stories.

Just as Erich Briol, the founder of Briol, was a legendary swordsman, the central coalition also had a figure they traced their origins to.

A man known only as the Conqueror.

No records remain of his name or details—only that he was born of humble origins and, through his unmatched skill, brought the central continent under his control.

That much was all history had preserved.

But his empire didn’t last long. The moment he died, his territory was torn into dozens of fragments, and that very fragmentation became the origin of the current Confederation of Small States.

“That part’s a common story. But tell me, have you ever really looked closely at the Confederation’s flag?”

“Huh?”

“Doesn’t its design seem… off somehow?”

Yuri nodded.

Usually, a national flag carries clear symbols, but the Confederation’s flags were all abstract—just roughly matching colors, scribbled on without much thought.

“That’s because it’s broken apart.”

“Broken apart?”

“The flag of the ancient Overlord was cut up, and each corner was divided among the successor states.”

“Oh…”

Yuri had never heard that before—not even in her previous life.

“They say the Overlord’s flag was enormous. After his death, when the empire split into small states, each king cut out a piece of that flag to use as their own symbol. It’s a way of holding onto the hope that, someday, just like the old Overlord, all the flags will be reunited and the lands unified again.”

“I see…”

“There are sixteen pieces in total. The Confederation now has just over twenty states, but the rest split off later. The true core of the union is those original sixteen.”

The King of Anabas took a breath before continuing.

“And the event where those flags can be gathered is called the Overlord’s Tournament.”

“The Overlord’s Tournament?”

Yuri’s eyes widened.

“Could it be…”

“Exactly. Each year, through duels, they fight to seize the flags.”

“Fascinating.”

“Of course, collecting all the flags doesn’t automatically make you the central king. It’s an ancient tradition without real authority. There are over twenty states now, after all.”

“Right.”

“But if someone actually completes the Overlord’s flag by winning the tournament, they could persuade the Confederation. It carries a lot of weight.”

Yuri’s mind raced with this new information.

She had planned to visit each country, challenge them to friendly matches to assert dominance, and if persuasion failed, resort to threats to reveal the truth about the empire.

But here was an unexpected path—the Overlord’s Tournament.

“How exactly does the tournament work?”

“It’s simple. It’s modeled after the Overlord and his four great generals—five fighters face off in sequence, and the first to win three matches takes the victory.”

In other words, a team battle with five members each.

“What do you think? Interested?”

Without hesitation, Yuri answered.

“Absolutely.”

“Good.”

The King of Anabas smiled.

“Then let’s start with us. If you beat us, you’ll earn Anabas’s flag and become a participant in the Overlord’s Tournament.”

“Thank you.”

“No need to thank me.”

The king sighed.

“I’m doing this because I’m worried. After seeing what I saw earlier, I truly fear for the continent’s future.”

“Still, thank you.”

“If you’re grateful, then complete the Overlord’s flag. I’ve wanted to see that happen in my lifetime.”

Yuri and the King of Anabas exchanged smiles.

“By the way, Your Majesty.”

“Yes?”

“That thing over there.”

“What?”

“Did you not put out your ember?”

The cigarette butt the king had tossed aside was still smoldering, smoke curling up. The carpet beneath it was starting to catch fire, flames growing.

The king panicked.

“Put it out! Put it out!”

“Huh?”

“That’s expensive!”

“Ah, yes.”

“Step on it!”

“I will.”

As the commotion grew in the great hall, the waiting courtiers and knights hurriedly opened the doors.

“Your Majesty!”

“What’s going on?!”

“Are you all right?!”

And what they saw was—

Two people tap dancing together on the burning carpet.