The Anti-Empire Alliance advanced toward Zbeta without any restrictions.
Though the Empire’s atmosphere was eerie, the march itself went smoothly. Supplies were gathered from the cities, and the troops rested as much as needed.
A month had passed since Cedric’s warning, yet nothing had happened. But everyone knew this was just the calm before the storm.
Once they reached Zbeta, they would face Cedric—the master of dark magic—in their final battle.
Everything up to this point was merely preparation for that moment.
Before arriving at Zbeta, Yuri made a round through the Anti-Empire forces to check on their condition.
“Hey.”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“Everyone looks so tense. Are you all nervous?”
“N-no, not at all.”
Seeing Yuri’s face, the soldiers visibly relaxed.
To the troops of the Anti-Empire Alliance, Yuri was nothing less than a symbol of victory.
A war incarnate who had reached the Ten Strong at such a young age and had never once been defeated—just knowing he was with them eased their tension.
As Yuri met with the soldiers of Liberta, Moyongchan appeared.
“Yuri.”
“Master.”
“Tomorrow’s the day. Wouldn’t it be better to rest?”
“I’m fine. I’d rather meet with the soldiers.”
“I see…”
Yuri noticed two knights standing behind Moyongchan.
One was Sven, the other a man he hadn’t seen before—just over thirty, with an intense aura.
Though not yet fully there, with continued training, he might become a warrior on par with the Ten Strong in the future.
“And this one?”
“His name is Eto, Your Highness.”
“Eto.”
Yuri had heard the name Eto before, even in his past life. A knight renowned in Liberta.
He smiled faintly and placed a hand on Eto’s shoulder.
“Eto, I’ve heard of you. Thanks for joining us.”
“The honor is mine, Your Highness.”
Though Yuri hadn’t directly influenced Eto in this life, the presence of Moyongchan as a variable had changed him.
He was likely stronger now than in the past.
“See you on the battlefield.”
“Yes.”
Tomorrow, they would face Cedric in battle.
Meeting Eto lifted Yuri’s spirits.
In his previous life, he had surrendered Briole to the Empire without resistance. He hadn’t even realized Cedric was the true enemy, nor had the continent united to defeat dark magic.
But this time was different.
The continent had come together as one—that alone was a tremendous achievement.
On top of that, many famed warriors from his past life had joined the Anti-Empire Alliance, far stronger than before.
And most importantly, there was himself.
Yuri Briole—a completely new existence.
Though he hadn’t confirmed it, Yuri vaguely believed he was stronger than anyone else on the continent right now.
Even Fiorema, now gone, wouldn’t match his current strength.
The chaotic power gained through the Soul Slash was that potent. Though the Soul Curse was a limitation, he had endured it well so far.
All that remained was to win this final battle. After that, the Soul Curse would no longer be a problem.
Just once.
So…
“Yuri?”
“Ah, yes.”
Snapped out of his thoughts by Moyongchan’s voice, Yuri refocused.
“You suddenly went blank.”
“I was just thinking about the battle.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
Moyongchan looked at Yuri and nodded.
“Want to check on the others as well?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s go together.”
“Gladly.”
Moyongchan spoke to Eto and Sven.
“Remember what I said. Then you can rest.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Yes, sir.”
Having taught knights in Liberta, Moyongchan seemed to have carefully trained Sven and Eto.
From that perspective, they could be considered Yuri’s disciples.
As they left the Liberta barracks, Yuri said to Moyongchan,
“Shouldn’t I call those two my senior disciples?”
“Since Your Highness outranks them, that’ll have to do.”
“I don’t mind.”
“Is the Soul Curse holding up?”
Suddenly changing the subject, Moyongchan asked.
“You’ve been using the chaotic power skillfully. How’s the Soul Curse?”
Yuri gave a wry smile. He’d wondered why they followed him, but it turned out they had something to discuss.
Walking toward the barracks where the small nations’ forces gathered, they talked.
“To be honest, it still comes.”
“Then…?”
“But it’s bearable.”
Moyongchan frowned.
“You don’t look convinced.”
“No, I do believe you.”
“Then why the look?”
“Seeing you overcome the Soul Curse, I think you really are something special.”
“Then please watch with a smile.”
“That’s not something to smile about.”
“What’s the harm? Tomorrow’s the last fight anyway.”
Soon, they arrived where Bursen’s soldiers were gathered.
Even Bursen, usually loud and boisterous, was subdued. Everyone was lost in thought or quietly talking.
When Yuri appeared, the troops saluted. He nodded in return and offered a light greeting.
After many battles, most of the soldiers’ faces were familiar. Not enough to know their names, but enough to recognize them from passing encounters.
“You were here last time at Zbeta, right?”
“To be remembered by someone like me is an honor, Your Highness!”
“Thank you for coming back. This time, we’ll do it right.”
“Yes!”
Jose was dozing by the campfire—a bold character, as always.
Proin, sitting beside him, nudged the drowsy Jose onto his shoulder.
“Hey, wake up.”
“Hmm?”
“Sir Jose.”
“Ugh?”
Seeing Yuri and Moyongchan, he awkwardly got to his feet.
“Ah, Your Highness. Moyongchan.”
“You’re sleeping too early. Won’t you have trouble sleeping at night?”
“I’ve never had trouble sleeping in my life. Ha ha ha…”
“That’s enviable.”
Yuri and Moyongchan sat opposite them.
The warmth of the campfire eased the chill.
“How’s your condition? Feeling alright?”
“Better than ever.”
Jose grinned.
He wasn’t just saying that.
Aside from the battle crossing the border, there had been no skirmishes. The lords of the territories they passed through had cooperated, and supplies were plentiful.
They had eaten well and rested well on the march.
“That’s good.”
“I’m fine, but I’m not sure about the others. Everyone looks gloomy…”
“Can’t be helped.”
Though the Anti-Empire forces were in good shape, morale was low.
It was because of the Empire’s unique aura hanging over their territory.
The sky was always shrouded in mist, the ground muddy, and at night the stars glowed with an eerie hue.
Whenever the wind blew, it sounded like ominous whispers.
That was why Yuri met with the troops before battle.
He knew his very presence gave strength to ordinary soldiers.
“Sir Jose, let’s make a round together.”
“Gladly.”
Yuri led the way, with Moyongchan and Jose flanking him like bodyguards.
With three of the Ten Strong moving together, their presence was undeniable. Eyes turned toward them wherever they went.
Yuri spoke briefly with each soldier.
One was staring at a palm-sized portrait.
It was a woman’s picture, so worn from folding and unfolding that the creases were ragged.
“Is she your lover?”
“Yes, she is! When this war ends, I’ll propose to her!”
Yuri’s expression stiffened.
Dangerous words.
Anyone who said such things rarely survived. Anyone who had seen a play would know this.
Quickly, Yuri planted a new seed of foreshadowing.
“You’re quite young.”
“Huh?”
“How old are you?”
“I’m s—”
“What? Eighteen? So you’re just a boy. Sending minors to war is all my fault. To think I have to mobilize child soldiers… ugh…”
“Huh?”
“Just nod.”
There’s another rule in plays: youth means survival.
Yuri gave him the new attribute of being a minor.
The soldier was confused, but Yuri forcefully treated him like a boy and moved on.
“One saved.”
“Well done.”
Before long, Francesco joined them.
With four of the Ten Strong walking around, the effect was real.
Out of the ten strongest warriors known across the continent, four were now on their side. Seeing this with their own eyes gave the soldiers hope.
“Why not bring Inariel too? That’d make five. Five of the Ten Strong. Amazing.”
“No way.”
“True…”
Given Inariel’s personality, if the Ten Strong gathered to boost morale, he’d never show up.
“By the way, where is Inariel? Haven’t seen him in a while.”
“How should I know?”
Inariel was a free spirit, wandering wherever he pleased. He was somewhere in the Anti-Empire camp, but no one could find him first.
As they talked, Inariel suddenly appeared.
“Why do you think that?”
The four Ten Strong turned, startled.
A boy with salmon-colored hair stood there, leaning on a staff taller than himself.
With his signature cynical expression, Inariel looked down at the four men, then stepped forward.
“Come on, let’s go.”
“Inariel?”
“Seeing the Ten Strong in person will raise the soldiers’ morale.”
Inariel was serious about the battle tomorrow as well.
Yuri smiled and sent him forward.
“Wait, what’s this?”
“You need to come forward to be seen well.”
“Really?”
“Because of your height, you have to be in front.”
“…”
Leading the Ten Strong, Yuri made a wide circle through the Anti-Empire forces.
The soldiers, seeing them, renewed their resolve.
This was truly a war to fight for the continent—and for their families.
Among the Anti-Imperial Allied Forces, there was also a band of ronin. Though Cheongun had headed east, everyone had picked up bits of the continental language over time, enough to communicate.
Yuri addressed them earnestly.
“When this war is over, you’ll be able to settle here on the continent for good.”
“Thank you,” they replied.
What the ronin wanted was fair compensation. Each of them nodded with fierce determination in their eyes.
After completing one round of visits, Yuri and the Ten Strong dispersed once more.
“See you tomorrow.”
“Have a good night.”
“Until tomorrow.”
“Take care.”
“Get some rest.”
Before she knew it, night had deepened.
Yuri returned alone to the barracks and sat again by the campfire.
No one else was around.
“Hoo…”
Zbeta was just ahead.
Beyond it, the fortress walls were already visible.
Tomorrow, the final battle with Cedric would take place. Whether it was the god from another world, dark magic, or the demon’s grimoire—they would all be cut down.
She closed her eyes and steadied her mind.
Time passed.
Finally, Yuri opened her eyes.
She glanced up at the moon hanging in the sky.
It remained fixed in place.
She clenched her fist, then relaxed it. Then, she summoned chaos energy.
Now, she could wield this power as naturally as breathing.
She adjusted her senses, gauging the shifting possibilities.
Yuri pushed the power to its limits, then let it fall back. Repeating this several times, she sought to expand her boundaries.
Just a little more.
More.
To defeat Cedric tomorrow, she had to widen even the smallest margin.
“What are you doing?”
Suddenly, a voice broke the silence.
Yuri looked up to see Marie-Rose sitting across from her, warming her hands by the fire and quietly watching her.
“Preparing.”
“Preparing to fight?”
“Yeah.”
Yuri paused and stared into the flames.
“Tomorrow’s going to be a tough battle, huh?”
“Most likely.”
“We might die, too.”
“Maybe.”
“Hmm…”
Yuri didn’t bother sugarcoating it.
Marie-Rose herself, having studied the parchment about Cedric and the demon’s grimoire, knew better than anyone just how powerful they were.
Marie-Rose shrugged.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep tonight… I’m so nervous.”
“Still, you should try.”
Yuri smiled softly.
They shared a light conversation—too trivial for the gravity of the coming fight.
Yuri said, “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“You helped ease my tension.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Though she had been going around boosting the soldiers’ morale, Yuri herself was consumed by anxiety. But Marie-Rose’s presence had lightened her heart a little.
“Of course.”
“Yeah.”
“We might die tomorrow…”
Marie-Rose propped her chin on her hand and smiled.
“Can I grant you one wish?”