Chapter 18: A Great Surprise
"I hear you've recently awakened your magical talent?" King Vickery III asked with a smile.
At this, the expressions of the ministers and nobles in the palace subtly changed, and they began to whisper among themselves.
This was the first time they had heard such news.
If true, the second prince, whom they had thought stood no chance, might actually be able to contend with the crown prince!
Horn's expression also shifted slightly, but he maintained his composure.
Just awakening magical talent, could that really be compared to a divine knight?
If his father wanted the borderlands to remain secure, he wouldn't make a misguided decision.
"Yes, Father, I am now a basic magus!" Rain stepped forward, his face adorned with a triumphant smile.
"Well done, I think your mother would be very pleased," King Vickery III nodded with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Rain's expression momentarily stiffened.
He didn't immediately step back, as he had expected a different response.
It was only when his aide reached out and pulled him back that he composed himself.
Rain looked at his aide, full of confusion.
He was now a magus; shouldn't his father reconsider?
"Do you have anything else to say? If not, return to your domain tomorrow. This is the capital, not where you belong!"
King Vickery III turned his cold gaze to Leo, his voice equally icy.
He made no effort to hide the disgust in his eyes, as if looking at a cockroach.
Leo, facing his father, maintained a faint smile.
He stepped forward, bowed slightly, then said, "I also wish to report to Father that I've managed the small town quite well. This quarter..."
"I know, you may leave," King Vickery III said, furrowing his brows and interrupting Leo abruptly.
Hearing this, Horn couldn't help but cast a look filled with a mix of amusement and disdain at Leo.
Rain's eyebrows lifted slightly, and he almost chuckled, but remembering that Leo was still temporarily his ally, he restrained his smile.
"Understood, Father,"
Leo responded very submissively, which surprisingly caught King Vickery III off guard; he hadn't expected this unruly beast to understand human speech.
However, he had no interest in whatever changes Leo might have undergone and swiftly shifted his gaze away.
Observing everyone in the palace, King Vickery III spoke, "Today, I have summoned my three sons here to announce a matter."
At these words, everyone's breathing hitched slightly, filled with tension.
Most had already guessed what it might be, their eyes shifting between Horn and Rain.
Both princes were visibly nervous, their bodies trembling slightly.
"It's time for Lionara to establish a crown prince," King Vickery III paused before continuing.
Despite the anticipation, his statement still caused a stir among the crowd.
It was a matter that concerned the entire nation, leading to fervent discussions among the attendees.
Those who had placed their bets were particularly anxious.
"Your Majesty, it appears you have made a decision?" the Minister of Internal Affairs stepped forward, bowing slightly, and asked in a soft voice.
"Yes," King Vickery III nodded.
His affirmation heightened the tension in the room.
Horn and Rain fixed their eyes on King Vickery III, knowing that his next words would determine their fate.
Amid the tense and anxious gazes, King Vickery III finally spoke, "The crown prince I have chosen is... my eldest son, Horn!"
The moment the words left King Vickery III's lips, Horn's face revealed an uncontrollable ecstasy.
Horn's faction of ministers and nobles also showed signs of joy.
Meanwhile, Rain's face instantly turned ashen, his eyes filled with disbelief!
Why?
Despite being his father's most beloved, why wasn't he named the crown prince?
And he had even awakened his magical talent!
Rain couldn't help but lift his head to look at King Vickery III, his eyes filled with confusion.
King Vickery III also looked back at him.
Now, there was no trace of the affection once seen in his gaze, replaced by cold indifference and even a hint of warning, as if telling Rain not to harbor any more aspirations.
Gazing into King Vickery III's eyes, Rain finally understood everything.
King Vickery III had never considered him a candidate for the throne.
In fact, from the very beginning, there had only ever been one candidate for the crown prince – Horn!
He was merely a tool used by King Vickery III to balance Horn's power, nothing more.
For a moment, Rain almost sneered at himself. But no, it wasn't over yet!
Rain composed his expression, looking towards his faction of ministers and nobles.
This was the time for them to speak up for him.
However, to his surprise, not a single one stepped forward.
Confronted with his gaze, those who had sworn loyalty to him countless times now bowed their heads, some even shamelessly beginning to extend olive branches to Horn's faction.
Witnessing this scene, Rain clenched his fists in utter despair.
In the palace, a stark contrast was formed. One group was jubilant, while the other was ashen-faced.
King Vickery III stood above all, overlooking everything with a gaze filled only with the mercilessness and coldness of a ruler, calculating even at this moment.
"Wait!" Suddenly, a somewhat high-pitched voice rang out.
Hearing this, everyone was momentarily stunned, then turned their gaze in one direction.
Amidst the stares, Leo raised his hand, a faint smile on his face.
Rain looked towards Leo, thinking he was standing up to speak for him.
His emotions were complex; he hadn't expected Leo, whom he had always troubled, to speak for him at this moment.
Surprisingly, a trace of guilt arose in Rain's heart.
"Silence! It's not your turn to speak!" King Vickery III's brows furrowed slightly in anger.
It was a crucial moment for deciding the crown prince, and a base-born child of a lowly wench had no right to speak in such a setting!
His very voice was a desecration of the occasion!
"Father, I heard there's a rule in Lionara that only the most talented prince can become the crown prince?" Leo asked with a smile.
"What? Do you think Horn is not talented enough? If you have objections, you can challenge Horn. I believe he wouldn't mind teaching you a lesson on my behalf!" King Vickery III retorted coldly.
"Father, I am willing to accept Leo's challenge. I'll show him what true strength is with my sword!" Horn stepped forward, looking at Leo with a cold smile in his eyes.
The surrounding ministers and nobles looked at Leo, thinking he might have gone mad.
As the kingdom's youngest divine knight, Horn was undoubtedly a genius!
Why would Leo make such a statement at this moment?
Was he seeking death?!
Among all present, only Lilith knew part of the truth.
Hence, she wasn't surprised but rather curious about what Leo intended to do.
"No, of course, I don't wish to challenge my elder brother. I know my place; I'm not yet his match, but..." Leo said, shaking his head with a smile.
Mid-sentence, Leo snapped his fingers.
"Snap!"
With the crisp sound, a small flame appeared at Leo's fingertips.
Then, with a wave of his hand,
"Whoosh!"
The flame instantly grew, transforming into a fire dragon with flapping wings, soaring into the air!
"Roar!"
The fire dragon let out a roar, spewing a burst of flames, startling everyone present.
"A fire dragon spell?!"
"A magus? Prince Leo is also a magus?!"
"This is a fire dragon spell that only a basic magus can use?!"
"My goodness!!"
"..." Some people couldn't help but exclaim in astonishment.
Witnessing the fire dragon in the sky, both Horn and Rain's expressions froze.
Horn clenched his fists, and after a moment, he turned to Leo, his eyes brimming with disbelief.
This worthless, base-born had not only regained his magical talent but also become a basic magus?!
Rain also turned his gaze towards Leo.
His eyes flickered wildly. Leo had indeed regained his magical talent and become a basic magus.
But why reveal this card now?
Even as a magus, the king wouldn't side with him.
When even he himself had no hope, why did Leo still harbor such delusions?
The old king had already decided on the heir, and that was an unchangeable fact.
"Horn, you've become a basic magus? You've hidden it well!"
Horn couldn't help but speak up, his voice a mix of anger and surprise as he questioned Leo.
Hearing Horn's voice, Leo turned his head towards him and shrugged, "My dear brother, you never asked me."
"I..." Horn was momentarily speechless.
Indeed, had he ever really asked?
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