The Third Prince Of Darkness

As I opened my eyes with immense difficulty, every part of my body continued to ache incessantly. Looking around, I found myself inside a tent. However, I immediately noticed a woman standing at the entrance, gazing at me. As my mind swirled in confusion, I saw the golden-eyed woman leave. Struggling, I attempted to stand. After several painful attempts, I managed to sit upright on the bed, but the flood of memories that began to fill my mind forced me to clutch my throbbing head.

Alpshar had defeated me. Although I thought I had severed his arm, he quickly regenerated it, momentarily stunning me and allowing him an opening. Alpshar had used that opening to overpower me. While he claimed to have used only half of his power during the fight, I too had restrained myself to half my strength—and I hadn't even employed my dark element. That's why I was now certain: if we had fought on a dark night, I might have won. But that wasn't an excuse. No matter the circumstances, I had lost, but as Roxanne had said, I was still alive.

On my left wrist was a shackle that restricted my power. Even so, I still had enough strength to retreat into the dark realm and escape, though I certainly lacked the strength to fight Alpshar again.

From a distance, outside the tent, I had been hearing indistinct voices. Those voices stopped abruptly when I heard the heavy steps of what seemed to be a group of armored individuals approaching my tent. Quickly rising to my feet, I activated my Kaizer power and waited patiently. Just as I expected, heavily armored knights entered the tent. Seeing me standing ready for combat, they were momentarily surprised. Then they all burst into laughter.

"Look at this! He's ready to fight us even with that mana restrainer on his wrist!"

"Haha! Maybe we should let him try attacking us."

"Yes, yes, I say we make him fight fat Vattan!"

"Hahaha!"

Ignoring their mockery, I stood tall, unflinching. Then another knight entered. His armor gleamed with a brilliant golden hue, perfectly complementing his golden hair. His face bore a cold expression that reminded me of Ellera. This must have been their leader.

The golden-armored knight stepped forward and spoke in a stern, authoritative voice. The chill in his tone, combined with his piercing gaze, intensified the weight of his presence.

"Enough," he said. The single word echoed through the room, silencing the laughter and instantly commanding attention. "We're not here to mock him. Leave. Now."

The knights obeyed their leader and left the tent, though their mocking glances lingered on me as they exited, testing my patience. Once they were gone, the golden-armored leader approached me. His gaze was stern but carried a hint of curiosity.

"You've recovered faster than I anticipated," he said, his tone now measured and calm. "I didn't think you'd be standing so soon."

I remained silent, my eyes fixed on his every move. This man had silenced his mocking subordinates, but that didn't mean he harbored any goodwill toward me.

"Come with me," he commanded. "Our supreme emperor wishes to meet you, Prince of Asina."

The golden-armored knight's words hung in the air as I focused my attention on him. "Your supreme emperor?" I asked, my voice unintentionally laced with sarcasm. "Have you decided to host me as a guest rather than kill me?"n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

The knight's expression remained unchanged. Every detail of his golden armor reflected his disciplined nature. "If we wanted to kill you, you wouldn't be standing here now. I don't know why the emperor wants to see you, but here's a piece of advice: don't show disrespect. It might be the last thing you ever do."

His threatening words didn't seem to faze me outwardly, though I understood the gravity of the situation. With the power-restricting shackle on my wrist, engaging in combat would be a fool's errand. "Very well," I replied calmly. "Lead the way. I'll follow."

The golden-armored knight turned to the door, signaling for me to follow him. As we stepped outside the tent, a harsh wind struck my face. This was an unfamiliar place. Towering, jagged mountains loomed on the horizon, and the sky was cloaked in gray clouds. It resembled a barren military camp of some kind.

As I followed the golden knight, I surveyed my surroundings carefully. This was no ordinary army camp. It stretched across a vast area unlike anything I'd seen before. Tents, the clamor of soldiers, and the ringing of metal on metal filled the air. The scent of blood and decay, unmistakable signs of war, assaulted my senses. Distant screams and the clash of weapons painted a vivid picture of the battlefield's horrors.

After some time, we began ascending a large hill. As we climbed, the bloody battlefield below came into view. Waves of soldiers from both sides clashed violently, like opposing tides crashing against each other. Tens of thousands of warriors' cries, the neighing of horses, and the clanging of steel filled the air. The oppressive atmosphere of the battle merged with the grim sky above. Death ruled this place.

The golden-armored knight silently led me to the hill's summit. As we reached the top, I felt a profound weight pressing down on me. Before me stood a man, hands clasped behind his back, calmly observing the battle below: Alpshar.

The moment I saw him, my body tensed instinctively. His blood-red hair and eyes, brimming with a malevolent calm, dominated the scene. He wore dark crimson armor that seemed soaked in blood. Even the faint touch of his hand on the hilt of his sword radiated an overwhelming aura of authority.

Next to Alpshar stood other figures, likely his commanders, as they wore differently colored yet equally majestic armor. However, my eyes were locked solely on Alpshar. The memory of our last battle lingered in my mind like an open wound. He, on the other hand, seemed as though he had already forgotten about me, his gaze fixed on the battlefield below.

The golden-armored knight knelt and bowed his head. "My supreme emperor," he said with deep reverence. "I have brought Ethan, the Prince of Asina."

Alpshar turned his head toward me. His eyes held no anger or satisfaction. In their depths, there was a sense of an all-seeing presence. He smiled faintly, but it wasn't a simple smile—it was both threatening and mocking.

"Ethan," he said at last, his voice deep and resonant. "We meet again. But this time, not as opponents… but as guest and host."

As he glanced back down at the battlefield, I suddenly realized exactly where I was. Judging by the sheer size of the two armies clashing below, this was the main coalition army fighting against Alpshar's forces. Seeing his calm demeanor, it was easy to deduce that we were losing this battle. All I could do was silently pray that the Asina soldiers within the coalition army would manage to escape.

"It seems you've gotten what you wanted… After this battle, seizing the North will be child's play—especially with Tiamat's illegitimate emperor fighting on your side. Congratulations. You truly are the ruler deserving of respect."

At my words, Alpshar paused briefly, staring directly into my eyes. His gaze was sharp and unsettling, as though he were reading my mind. Then an amused smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

"Care for a game of Utkanc?" he asked, his tone casual. "I've always wanted a rematch with you. It's the only game I've never managed to win."

I looked at him in disbelief. Was he seriously suggesting playing a chess-like game in the middle of his most important battle? As far as I remembered, I had played that game with him years ago, and I think it ended in a draw. Yet, the fact that he remembered it surprised me. What could I say? This bastard had never been a normal person.

"Don't you have more important things to do?" I asked.

Alpshar looked at me as if I had asked something absurd. "Like what?"

"Oh, I don't know… maybe the war you're waging against the coalition army of a hundred thousand soldiers?"

Alpshar paused for a moment and then let out a soft chuckle. But there was no joy or amusement in that laugh—it was pure derision. With his menacing grin, he leaned slightly toward me, the malicious gleam in his eyes growing sharper.

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"Ah, that?" he said, his tone calm yet resolute. "Don't worry, Ethan. That battle has already turned in my favor. They're on the brink of collapse without even realizing it. And believe me… watching a battle I've already won from up here is dreadfully boring."

The surrounding atmosphere fell silent for a moment. The golden-armored knight and the others departed at Alpshar's command, leaving us alone. With a single gesture, Alpshar summoned servants who quickly prepared a table and chairs beside him. Upon the table, the Utkanc board and pieces were neatly arranged.

"You're more prepared than I thought," I muttered, picking up one of the game pieces. Alpshar smiled with satisfaction.

"One must always be prepared, Ethan," he said, placing the pieces on the board. "Even in the midst of war."