Chapter 180
Chapter 180
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Brioll's Knights (2)
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Brioll's knights didn't know much about Yuri, but Yuri knew them inside and out.
They were comrades he'd faced countless battles with in his previous life, rubbing shoulders until he was sick of it.
In a way, they were brothers forged in blood.
That's why Yuri couldn't help but grin whenever he saw them.
"Sir Einzer."
"Yes, sir."
"Cut back on the refined grains and up the meat and vegetables. Actually, you're already eating plenty of meat, so just load up on veggies."
"I need bread to fill my stomach if I'm going to have any strength."
"It's all in your head. Do what I say, and you'll feel lighter and refreshed. That gut of yours."
Yuri poked at his belly fat.
Even the good-natured Einzer was thrown off by Yuri's easy familiarity.
"Shouldn't we get rid of this?"
"Y-Yeah, maybe we should."
"Exactly. Everyone overlooks it, but diet is crucial for a knight."
"I'll keep that in mind."
They were gazing out from the walls at the approaching imperial forces.
It was casual chit-chat, but battle was breathing down their necks.
"Tonight's dinner will be those imperial bastards."
"Hahaha, you got that right."
Einzer laughed, but he kept stealing glances at Yuri.
Even veteran knights got tense before a war.
The stronger the enemy, the more so.
And this foe was the Empire itself.
Yet this third prince showed no fear at all.
He was cracking jokes to ease the tension, making it feel like he was standing beside a knight even more seasoned than Einzer himself.
Einzer scratched his cheek.
"When do you think His Majesty will arrive?"
"He's on his way, apparently. Must have some business to handle."
Yuri didn't know the details either. Fiore had delayed his departure, saying he had matters to discuss with Cedric.
Suddenly, Rolang's words came to mind.
He'd been oddly wary of Cedric.
Though Rolang himself couldn't pinpoint why.
It nagged at Yuri a bit since Rolang had mentioned it, but he wasn't about to chase hunches and guesswork.
The Cedric Yuri knew was always reliable.
"So if we hold out in this battle, Father will take care of the rest."
"I see."
Einzer nodded.
"If we just survive today, everything will be sorted."
"That's the plan."
"Good. That's perfect."
Einzer turned to look behind him.
The knights stood in a line along the walls, tense-faced soldiers gripping their weapons just beyond them.
Yuri had pointed out even the tiniest details, revealing his deep knowledge of defending a fortress.
Thanks to that, they'd fortified Beijos into an impregnable stronghold, ready to repel forces several times their number.
"Everyone looks pretty wound up."
"Then you should give 'em a good shout."
"Me? You think I dare?"
"Who else but you?"
"You do it, Your Highness."
"I'm the benevolent commander type. The fierce one suits you better."
"Aw, I don't wanna be hated."
"Guess we have no choice then."
Yuri stared at the markers he'd set up in advance.
Through repeated drills, the archers had the range down pat.
Once the enemy hit those points, arrows would rain down.
Of course, knights prepared for it wouldn't suffer massive losses. Still, they needed to rattle the enemy's nerves even a little.
The small things made all the difference.
Every clash of swords cost lives.
That meant pouring everything into even the smallest preparations.
That was war.
"Here they come."
Yuri said.
His position was at the gate facing the largest mass of enemies among Beijos's four. Black knight banners fluttered from their ranks.
The fiercest fighting was inevitable here.
The soldiers posted there might feel they'd drawn the short straw.
Yuri spoke in a cheerful tone.
"Think you've got bad luck?"
His voice rang out across the walls in the eerie calm before battle.
He continued.
"Why this section, of all places? Or why the Empire? Maybe, why'd you even pick up a sword and become a soldier? Should've just stayed a farmer?"
The soldiers chuckled.
Yuri stepped forward, hopped onto the ramparts, and stood tall.
His black hair whipped in the wind.
He turned, showing his back to the enemy and his face to his men.
"If any of you are thinking that, knock it off. We're not the ones who'll regret it. That's for the imperial dogs dying at our hands today!"
He pointed at one soldier.
"You there. What's your name?"
"Noah, sir!"
"Right, Noah. How many are you planning to kill today?"
"W-Well..."
"How many?"
"A-At least two!"
"Just two?"
"N-No! Three! I'll take down at least three, even if it kills me!"
"That's the spirit!"
Yuri pointed at the imperial army behind him.
"They'll be the ones regretting it! Just like those three doomed to die to Noah here! They'll close their eyes wondering why they crossed a mad dog like him today! Right, Noah?"
"Damn right!"
The soldiers cheered.
"The rest of you too! By tonight, those bastards will curse the Emperor for pitting them against Brioll's crazy sons of bitches! Those weaklings are about to learn just how nasty we Briollians can be!"
The cheers grew louder.
The roar spread beyond the gates, infecting Brioll's troops camped in other sectors.
The whole of Beijos buzzed with fervor.
Suddenly, an imperial standard-bearer approached.
It was the formal last parley.
Yuri bellowed again.
"Look at that! The Empire's fine gentlemen are graciously sending an envoy! Probably to ask if we'll surrender..."
Yuri leaped down, snatched a bow and arrow from a soldier, and vaulted back up.
He shot the standard-bearer dead.
The startled horse bolted back to imperial lines, dragging the corpse.
"That's our answer!"
The soldiers went wild.
"That guy who just bit it must've cursed the heavens for putting a lunatic like Yuri Brioll in command at Beijos! So ditch the weak thoughts! Make those imperial fools cry and regret it!"
The Empire promptly sounded the horns.
The army advanced.
Shield-bearers led, followed by spring-loaded leap gear.
Meanwhile, a massive siege ram lumbered forward under soldier escort.
"Everyone, prepare!"
Yuri's voice cut clearly across the walls. Flag-bearers signaled in unison.
Orders rippled out flawlessly; archers nocked arrows and raised them skyward.
Yuri glanced back.
Up on the high towers, knight-archers lay in wait.
From start to finish, they'd target commanders relentlessly.
"Hold."
Flag-bearers relayed as Yuri spoke low.
They held their breath.
Tension peaked.
The imperials reached the markers.
But Yuri held fire.
"Hold... hold... hold..."
He murmured, eyes locked on the enemy.
Arrows now would do little.
He waited for the perfect moment.
Everyone was on edge, itching to loose, but no order came.
Then—
"Now."
Flags shot up.
Commands flashed; archers released as one.
Arrows arced high, plunging into enemy ranks.
Shields blocked some, but gaps let others through.
Blood spilled.
War had begun.
"This is war!"
Yuri shouted, climbing the ramparts again.
"Your Highness, it's dangerous!"
Sir Jared warned from behind. Yuri brushed it off.
"Has to be. That's war for you."
He sounded almost thrilled.
Arrows soon flew up at them.
Yuri swung Guilty; sword aura flared like a shield, deflecting them all.
Stray shots were caught by waiting knights and shieldmen.
No casualties yet.
Arrows traded back and forth.
Brioll's elevated position gave them the edge, but imperial numbers were overwhelming.
Absorbing arrow losses, the Empire pressed on doggedly.
The leap gear halted soon after.
"Take them out!"
Yuri yelled. But the Empire was ready; little effect.
Imperial knights charged in formation, leaped from the gear, using the bounce to soar.
"Brace!"
Imperial knights sailed through the sky.
Yuri saw their faces clearly, as if time slowed—shock from flight, tension for battle.
He'd promised his men to make the enemy regret.
He delivered instantly.
The knight leaping straight at him ate steel.
Momentum made it tough, but Yuri shattered his balance. The knight crashed into the ramparts; Yuri booted him over.
"Arghhh!"
The knight hooked an arm on the edge with a roar.
Yuri stabbed Guilty through his visor.
Blood sprayed; he plummeted.
"Kill them all!"
Brioll knights alongside Yuri clashed with invaders on the walls.
Few enemies could make such leaps. Some gripped hooked ropes for climbers below.
Yuri checked the ramparts.
While knights breached, troops scaled up.
Rolang approached.
"Your Highness?"
"I'll cut it."
As Yuri went for the rope, an imperial knight lunged.
Einzer Yustam cleaved him down.
"Climbers?"
"Yeah."
Yuri infused Guilty with aura and severed the rope.
Climbers tumbled.
But it wasn't enough. Ropes snagged everywhere; imperials swarmed up.
"Not bad."
Arrows poured from above, sword flashes beside. Below, ants crawled up; siege rams thudded rhythmically at the gates.
Pure chaos.
This was war.
More imperial knights flew in.
Some overshot, plummeting fatally from too high.
"Where you think you're going!"
"This is our castle, imperial scum!"
Yuri's pre-battle morale boost paid off; Brioll knights shouted them down.
The fight dragged on.
Yuri handled incoming knights nonstop.
"Other gates?"
"Holding strong."
"Good..."
One imperial knight rocketed straight at Yuri.
Perfect landing on the narrow ramparts—clean form.
Yuri's instincts screamed: elite.
"You're Yuri Brioll."
"And you?"
"8th Knight Division Commander, Armut."
No sooner named than he charged.
One swing unleashed aura everywhere.
It swept Yuri and nearby knights alike.
A clearing formed around them.
"I'll kill you and take the castle."
"Oh yeah? Give it a—"
Then—
A Brioll knight jumped in.
"Who the hell are you to tangle with His Highness, you punk!"
Some border baron's son, Yuri recalled.
He winked at Yuri and yelled.
"Brioll doesn't give a damn about!"
He met the 8th commander head-on.
The sheer ferocity pushed the commander back visibly.
Swords clashed repeatedly; neither yielded.
Yuri asked Rolang.
"What's that baron's name?"
"Moren Esch? Moren Edu? Something like that..."
"Why's he so damn good?"
"Impressive skill."
Yuri nodded, surveying the scene.
"Hm..."
It felt fresh.
Compared to his past life, they fought far better. Was Brioll always this capable? He wondered.
One Brioll knight raised his sword.
"Brioll!"
Cheers erupted everywhere.
"Brioll!"
"Briooooll!"
"For Brioll!"
Imperial knights tumbled from ramparts.
Hard climbers got booted off; leapers were grabbed and mauled in brutal melees.
"Die, imperial dog!"
One imperial crumpled.
Yuri grinned at the sight, then gripped Guilty and faced front.
No time to relax.
The war was just beginning.