Following Yuri’s orders, the entire mage corps, including Inariel, cast a spell just before entering the Empire’s territory.
The enchantment erased their presence and caused their forms to blend seamlessly into the surroundings from a certain distance.
Applying such magic to an army of this scale was nearly miraculous, but Inariel had made it happen.
Thanks to this, Yuri and the Vengeance Knights were able to deceive the Empire and advance swiftly.
After a reconnaissance mission, Asana continued to accompany Yuri closely. If anyone stepped beyond the magical veil, the mana would falter.
“I’ll scout ahead. With my abilities, the magic won’t waver,” Asana offered.
“No need. It’s fine,” Yuri replied.
“But for a surprise attack—”
“Asana, your safety matters too.”
Though eager to help by scouting, Asana accepted Yuri’s refusal with a nod.
“We’re moving as quietly as possible. It’ll be fine.”
The Briole army was currently traversing a rugged mountain path, chosen to maximize the element of surprise.
The terrain was harsh for marching.
The Empire’s land, tainted by dark magic, had changed drastically. Hills had risen where there were none, and some mountains had flattened.
“Dark magic is reshaping the land,” Inariel muttered, glancing around with disgust.
For an elf like him, dark magic was anathema.
“Your Highness,” Ainzar, who had been trailing behind, approached Yuri.
“May I speak with you for a moment?”
“Go ahead.”
They lowered their voices to converse.
“As I said before, this operation is extremely risky.”
“I know.”
“It would be ideal if it succeeds, but advancing blindly without knowing the Empire’s preparations is—”
“Trust me this time, Ainzar.”
Ainzar sighed but nodded.
“Yes, understood. I always trust you, Your Highness.”
“The Empire won’t be prepared at all. This is our chance.”
“I worry they might have anticipated and set traps.”
“The Empire’s forces from the front lines have all been pulled away. They’re fully concentrated on the eastern front now.”
“That may be, but—”
Yuri called Asana over.
“Asana.”
“Yes?”
“How far did you scout?”
She pointed to a spot on the map in Yuri’s hand.
It was deeper than expected.
Ainzar’s eyes widened.
“You reached that far in such a short time?”
“Yes.”
“Impressive.”
Yuri smiled and patted his shoulder.
“Asana’s more capable than she looks.”
“I see.”
“If the Empire’s forces are absent up to this point, it means they haven’t prepared defenses against us.”
“Yes, that must be it.”
Ainzar looked up again.
A translucent barrier enveloped the entire marching unit along the mountain path.
Beyond it stretched the vast Empire’s territory.
Occasionally, villages and people appeared, but none showed signs of detecting the Briole army.
Ainzar nodded once more. Yuri had a way of inspiring trust. Though the mission seemed perilous, it felt like success was within reach.
“Look at this. The map and the terrain don’t quite match.”
“Yes, I see.”
“Dark magic even alters the land itself. It’s chilling, isn’t it? If we fail, the entire continent will groan under dark magic’s curse. People will become sacrifices, or puppets like their armies—numb and unfeeling.”
“It’s terrifying.”
“That’s why we have to succeed.”
Yuri’s expression hardened.
“So, let’s not lose, Sir Ainzar. When the time comes, fight with all you’ve got.”
“Understood.”
Still, no matter how powerful the archmage’s magic was, completely fooling the enemy with such a large force was no easy feat.
Soon, trouble arose.
A group of Empire soldiers appeared.
Though not numerous, they were still the enemy. They hadn’t yet detected their position, but to continue forward, confrontation was inevitable.
Yuri raised his telescope to observe.
“We can’t turn back.”
“What should we do?”
“Break through.”
He glanced back.
The Vengeance Knights following him grinned.
Yuri then shifted his gaze to Jared and Laurent, who were nearby.
Much had changed, but these two remained by his side—just like during the Alliance days when nothing seemed frightening.
“No one gets away.”
Yuri hadn’t mobilized a large force—only the Vengeance Knights—and gave them orders.
The knights split into two groups.
Leading one group, Yuri charged forward, reaching the edge of the magical translucent barrier. Beyond this point, the enemy would become aware of their presence.
“Annihilate them as fast as possible!”
“Yes!”
“Move out!”
Yuri and the knights didn’t slow down; if anything, they pushed harder.
The two groups flanked the Empire soldiers, cutting off their retreat as they charged.
The Empire troops, realizing the Vengeance Knights’ presence too late, faltered.
Yuri drew the bow hanging from his saddle and nocked an arrow, then took precise aim at a soldier raising a horn.
The arrow pierced the soldier’s throat, and he collapsed.
Others scrambled to retrieve the horn, but a fireball rained down on them.
Inariel’s support.
The explosion shattered the horn to pieces.
Yuri narrowed his eyes, scanning the area. There seemed to be no devices for outside communication. He urged his horse forward, gripping the reins tightly.
The clash with the Empire forces began.
As Yuri swung his sword, three enemy heads flew through the air.
The Vengeance Knights moved with precision. Some circled to prevent escapes, while others plunged in to slaughter. Fleeing soldiers were swiftly chased down and stabbed in the back.
Among them, an Empire knight locked eyes with Yuri, sword drawn.
Yuri dismounted willingly and approached.
Spears and blades followed close behind. The dark magic-enslaved soldiers attacked Yuri without fear.
With a shake of his reins, Yuri cut them down, their insides spilling as they fell.
Wiping blood from his blade, Yuri faced the knight in black armor.
“Why are you here?”
The Empire knight spoke.
Yuri shrugged.
“Why, glad to see me?”
“Impossible…”
His eyes flickered erratically.
“Is that all you have?”
“Brat.”
Yuri laughed at the mechanical response.
“Does dark magic turn you into this? I hate the Empire, but I still had manners. At least introduce yourself when meeting someone new, greet the royal family, and ask for a proper duel.”
“Are you and your knights all there is?”
“And you?”
As Yuri stepped closer, the knight swung his sword reflexively.
The blade’s energy expanded wildly, sweeping through the space Yuri occupied.
Its power was fierce, making the air crackle.
Those altered by dark magic grew stronger than before, but not enough to match the top ten warriors of this era.
Yuri spread his mana of soul-cleaving, erasing the enemy’s energy, then thrust his sword forward.
The blade’s energy flowed through the air, piercing the knight’s defenses simultaneously.
No matter how he swung, the knight couldn’t block it.
Realizing this, the Empire knight chose to flee rather than resist.
Even Yuri hadn’t expected him to turn his back and sprint away, so he lost balance while slashing at empty air.
“Huh?”
Watching the retreating back, Yuri froze briefly.
The knight ran surprisingly fast.
“Former Empire relay runner, maybe?”
But the knight’s sprint didn’t last long. Someone leapt out, throwing their whole body to stop him. The knight crashed to the ground, tumbling several times.
It was Laurent.
Laurent dusted off his shoulder and looked up.
“Get it together.”
Yuri smirked.
The slaughter began in earnest. The Empire knights and soldiers fell one by one to the Vengeance Knights.
Yuri nodded as he watched.
The battle was easier than expected.
Through previous frontline fights, the Vengeance Knights had grown stronger. Though dark magic was powerful, the Anti-Empire Alliance was also gaining strength.
Meanwhile, the Briole army, cloaked in Inariel’s magic, approached.
Soon, the Vengeance Knights slipped back into the magical veil that concealed their presence.
Laurent dragged the subdued Empire knight along.
“Either kill him or interrogate him.”
Those possessed by dark magic rarely spoke.
But Yuri had succeeded in light questioning before.
“Let’s make it quick.”
Yuri’s eyes entered the realm of soul perception. He saw the dark magic’s energy gripping the knight’s mind and body. Black veins rooted in his head and chest spread throughout his body.
To interrogate, Yuri had to cleanse that corruption.
But it ran deep, making the task difficult.
Yuri extended his sword, Guilty, forward.
Instead of swinging wildly, he followed the flow of the dark magic, unraveling its threads. He pierced and removed only the core clusters of the corruption. Each time, the knight’s body convulsed violently as he lost consciousness.
Even the presence of dark magic alone was a heavy burden on the body.
Removing it inflicted even greater damage.
Blood dripped from the knight’s nose and mouth.
But Yuri paid it no mind and continued his work.
Inariyel approached quietly and cast a healing spell over the knight’s body.
“Can you hear me?”
“Ugh…”
At that moment, the knight coughed up a great deal of blood and then dropped his head.
He was dead.
Yuri wiped the blood splattered on her cheek and furrowed her brow.
“What’s wrong?”
“He couldn’t hold on.”
“Such a waste.”
Yuri sighed and stood up. Asana came over and asked,
“Is he dead?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll go catch another one.”
“No.”
Yuri gave a small smile and patted Asana’s shoulder.
“It’s okay.”
“Y-yes…”
“Come on, let’s move again. Bury the bodies.”
With both knights and mages present, digging the graves went quickly.
Once all the bodies were taken care of, Lord Briol resumed walking, following Yuri’s lead.
Pushing deep into enemy territory to deal a decisive blow to the Empire was a risky move, but so far, luck had been on their side with no major incidents.
Yuri walked alongside Inariyel, discussing their next steps.
Behind them, Asana watched quietly.
“What’s going on?”
“Not sure.”
“There’s way too many troops moving.”
Gott Barkvar peeked out, watching the Empire’s army on the move.
Beside him stood Gorio.
The two had joined forces to rescue the Briol people trapped in the imperial capital.
Gorio’s gang controlled the back alleys of the capital, while the Briol Association represented the Briol natives living within the Empire.
Together, the two leaders had managed to help many Briol escape or hide.
But the Empire’s surveillance was growing tighter by the day.
After much deliberation, they decided to dig tunnels—small passages that allowed movement in and out of the capital.
Still, with the entire Empire gripped by madness, escaping the capital didn’t guarantee safety. The tunnels were mostly used for occasional reconnaissance.
But today, something strange was happening.
The Empire’s army was gathering in massive numbers.
“They’re setting up some kind of defensive line outside the capital.”
“Here?”
“Yes. Looks like they’re preparing for war.”
Gott’s eyes widened.
“That means the Anti-Empire Alliance has pushed this far, right?”
“Maybe…”
Gorio looked up at the sky.
It was overcast.
“I have a bad feeling about this.”