"Lionel is not a bad person," Lilith softly spoke.
"So, I am the bad one?" Leo raised his head, a cold smile playing on his lips.
"Of course, you are," Lilith nodded without hesitation.
Leo's smile remained unchanged as he looked down, cutting his medium-rare steak with a fork and knife, his tone indifferent,
"The first step to becoming a loyal knight is to follow my orders unconditionally. If you feel guilty about killing someone, keep it to yourself. Don't let me know it."
"A person like you, even a real demon would despise," Lilith's voice was icy.
"Heh!" Leo smirked, looking ahead.
If his predictions were correct, his older brother would already know about the events here.
...
"Snap!" The emerald ring on Horn's thumb shattered.
His gaze was icy as he looked ahead, his expression darkening.
"Are you suggesting that his maid is at least an intermediate knight?" Horn asked coldly.
"Maybe..." the knight kneeling on the ground hesitated.
"Smash!" Horn slammed the cup on his table to the ground, standing up abruptly, no longer hiding his anger,
"Either she is or she isn't, what do you mean by 'maybe'? Have you ever thought about how many female knights there have been since the founding of Lionara, let alone an intermediate knight?"
The kneeling knight trembled, unsure of how to respond to Horn.
He obviously did not know Lilith's exact level, but it was a fact that Reno had been defeated and seriously injured by her.
"Your Highness, I... we could gather more information!" the knight said in a panic.
Horn paid no further attention to the knight kneeling on the ground.
He lifted his head, gazing into the distance, as if he could see his good-for-nothing brother, see that perpetually mischievous smile on his face.
"Leo, you know what I detest the most are things beyond my control," Horn said.
"These recent times, you and Rain have truly given me quite the surprise!" Horn slightly curled his lips, a cold smile appearing on his face.
"Your Highness..." the knight on the ground carefully raised his head.
Hearing this, Horn lowered his gaze again, looking back at his subordinate.
"Prepare some herbs to be sent to Reno's estate, to express my concern to Mr. Reno," Horn said indifferently.
"Yes," the knight immediately nodded.
Horn gestured with his hand, signaling that he could leave.
After the knight had left, Horn slowly sat down.
Narrowing his eyes, Horn spoke in a hoarse voice, "It seems I should meet with my dear brothers."
...
At the end of the month, Leo and Lilith boarded a carriage headed for the capital.
The journey from the small town to the capital would take about two days, so they had set off a bit early.
During the trip, Leo and Lilith didn't engage in much conversation.
The convoy smoothly made its way to the capital.
"Do you see that? That's Everglow Academy of Magic," Leo said, pulling back the curtain and pointing in a direction.
Lilith followed the direction of Leo's finger.
Across the broad road, amidst the bloom of cherry blossoms, several towering buildings stood in view.
Their white exteriors, ingenious designs, and exquisite reliefs all marked their distinction.
Lively elemental sprites danced above the academy, creating a dreamlike scene with different sprites adorning various buildings.
"Everglow..." Lilith murmured to herself.
She had heard of Everglow, knowing that this academy had produced many great magi.
"Lionara has about three thousand magi. Of these, there are over two hundred and fifty basic magi, around four hundred intermediate magi, and perhaps only about ten true advanced magi," Leo explained.
"Any magus is a scarce resource in any country. If one becomes an advanced magus, even a king's king would respect him," Frett, sitting outside the carriage, said with a smile.
He too had once aspired to attend Everglow Academy, but sadly, he lacked magical talent.
Magical talent is something one is born with; without it, no matter how hard one tries, becoming a magus is impossible.
Fortunately, his father was also a steward, and he could inherit his father's profession.
"And what about knights?" Lilith asked instinctively.
She wanted to know her worth.
"Lionara has ten thousand registered knights, of which over eight thousand are basic knights, around one thousand intermediate knights, about a hundred advanced knights, and divine knights... just five, including my beloved elder brother," Leo said lightly.
"A divine knight is already considered a top warrior. Our nation's current commander is a divine knight. Prince Horn, being the youngest divine knight in our country, truly commands respect," Frett added.
"Eight thousand basic knights?" Lilith murmured to herself.
It seemed that only by becoming an advanced knight, or even a divine knight, could she be considered a true warrior.
"The path to becoming a strong warrior is long and arduous, and it won't happen overnight," Leo said, looking at Lilith.
"Of course, I know that," Lilith replied coolly.
"But sometimes, surprises can come earlier for some," Leo said, smiling to himself as he looked outside the carriage.
Lilith watched Leo.
In this world, no one knew Leo's secret better than her, so she could guess what kind of surprise Leo was thinking of giving.
...
Leo once had a manor in the capital, and now that he was back, he was arranged to temporarily stay there.
Compared to the pomp and grandeur often associated with royal or noble travels, Leo brought very few things, even less in terms of attendants.
After a simple settlement, Leo instructed Frett to close the iron gate outside.
"Your Highness, Prince Rain has arrived," Frett approached the manor's entrance, pausing briefly before informing Leo.
Leo turned to see Rain's carriage stopped at the gate of his manor.
Then, Rain, along with his attendants, approached the manor's main door.
"My dear brother, do you not welcome me?" Rain raised his hand, a radiant smile on his face.
"Wow~! My dear elder brother, my manor always welcomes your arrival!" Leo's face also lit up with a brilliant smile.
He walked to the manor's entrance and gave Rain a big hug.
Then, linking arms with Rain, they walked together towards the manor's banquet hall.
The two seemed very close, yet there was little to talk about, not even basic pleasantries.
As they reached the entrance of the banquet hall, Rain turned to his attendants: "Stay here, don't let anyone in."
Hearing this, Leo's eyes narrowed, sensing that his brother must have something important to discuss.
He glanced at Frett and nodded.
Frett quickly understood his intention and positioned himself at the door.
Leo and Rain entered the banquet hall together.
After sitting down, Rain began, "You must know, Horn has also arrived in the capital."
"It's only natural for our elder brother to come since we're here, isn't it?" Leo said with a smile.
"Natural, yet not quite," Rain shook his head. He narrowed his eyes, speaking in a low voice,
"I have a feeling that our illustrious father might be about to make a decision."
"What decision?" Leo asked, feigning ignorance.
Rain was momentarily stunned, his face showing a flash of annoyance.
He thought Leo was playing dumb; anyone with a normal intellect should understand his meaning.
Seeing the irritation on Rain's face, Leo then said with a smile,
"Do you think you can outmatch our brother? He's a divine knight, has earned numerous accolades over the years, and countless nobles and power brokers have already sided with him."
"It would be difficult for our father to go against the tide, wouldn't it?"
"But Father loves me the most," Rain said with a laugh.
His confidence wasn't unfounded; the old king had always been openly affectionate and even biased towards him.
"So what?" Leo raised an eyebrow lightly.
"My dear brother, have you forgotten the help you've given me?" Rain asked with a smile.
"Ha!" Leo couldn't help but grin, laughing out loud.
Of course, he remembered, and if his senses were correct, Rain was now a basic magus.
Creation is hard, cheer me up!
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Awakening magical talent was indeed a significant leverage.
However, relying solely on this seemed insufficient, which was probably why Rain had come to him.
"Even if you've regained your magical talent, our father won't consider you seriously. In fact, you have no choice but to support me, right?"
"You know better than I do how much our elder brother despises you, how much he hates your mother. If he ascends to the throne, do you think you would survive in Lionara?"
"Now, I'm giving you an opportunity. Choose to support me unconditionally, and when I ascend the throne, I will ensure your survival," Rain said, spreading his hands with a confident air.
He looked down at Leo as if bestowing a favor upon him.
Leo's face still bore a faint smile, showing no anger at Rain's words.
He sized up Rain as if looking at an interesting animal, a gaze that made Rain increasingly uncomfortable and eventually angry.
"My dear brother, I don't appreciate your current look. You should be kneeling before me, thanking me!" Rain suddenly stood up, staring at Leo, his voice ice-cold.
"So it seems I really don't have a choice?" Leo spread his hands.
"You never had a choice. You don't think you're eligible to compete for the throne, do you? A child born of a lowly wench!" Contempt was undisguised on Rain's face.
Hearing the term "lowly wench," a flash of murderous intent was barely concealed in Leo's eyes.
However, after a moment, his face regained its smile, even more brilliant than before.
"My dear brother, since you are so sincere, of course, I will choose to help you!" Leo bowed slightly.
Rain, seeing Leo bend towards him, finally showed a satisfied smile.
He stepped forward, coming close to Leo, then placed his hand on Leo's shoulder and lowered his voice:
"In that case, my dear brother, could you tell me how that potion which awakens magical talent is concocted?"
Hearing this, Leo's mouth twitched slightly.
Of course, he couldn't answer that question, because there was no such potion to awaken magical talent; it was just a concoction of herbal residues.
"I only managed to concoct a single bottle by sheer luck, and I haven't fully mastered it yet," Leo replied, lifting his head with a smile.
Rain was momentarily taken aback, then narrowed his eyes.
He obviously didn't believe Leo's words, thinking Leo was just unwilling to reveal his secrets.
However, now was not the time to confront Leo, so he smiled again.
"Alright, it seems we still need some time to figure things out," Rain said with a nod and a smile.
...
The two men walked out of the manor smiling.
Leo watched Rain return to his carriage and waved with a smile.
Only after Rain's figure had disappeared from his sight did Leo slowly turn around.
He looked at Lilith and Frett standing to the side and smiled faintly.
"It seems Prince Rain didn't notice you at all, didn't even greet you,"
Leo said to Lilith with a smile.
"Your Highness, I don't understand what you mean," Lilith said, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.
To say that Rain meant anything substantial to her was a stretch, and even if there had been anything, she no longer harbored much emotion to regret it.
"Ha!" Leo laughed, then said, "What I mean is, that guy you once liked is an idiot."
"Are you trying to insult me in this way?" Lilith bit her lower lip lightly.
"Why, isn't it allowed?" Leo asked.
Lilith, suppressing the feeling of humiliation in her heart, responded in a cold voice, "I have no relations with Prince Rain."
"You don't need to explain to me," Leo said indifferently.
He started walking towards his bedroom.
As he walked, he said, "Come to call me before eight tomorrow; I need to pay a visit to our dear father."
"Yes," Frett nodded.
Lilith watched Leo's retreating figure, her hands clenched into fists, her gaze trembling slightly.
She couldn't understand why Leo seemed so keen on tormenting her.
...
The royal palace of Lionara was undoubtedly the most luxurious building in the nation.
The red carpet, embroidered with intricate patterns, greeted officials and nobles from all over the country as they walked through the palace, ascending the white marble stairway to meet the most revered King.
Horn, in his exquisite armor and accompanied by his attendants, entered the palace.
Rain, with his entourage and favored nobles, also stepped into the palace.
Leo stood outside the palace, his face showing a hint of abstraction.
It was a place so familiar, yet he hadn't been here in a long while; the air of that small town almost made him forget.
Many people noticed his presence, but no one approached to greet him.
Everyone knew of Leo's reputation and preferred not to be associated with him.
Leo, unconcerned about these attitudes, entered the palace with Lilith.
"Leo!" Rain, seeing Leo, smiled.
"My dear brother," Leo nodded in acknowledgment.
He sensed the veiled threat in Rain's eyes, his smile becoming more pronounced.
Turning, he saw a face both familiar and strange appear in his line of sight.
Horn, in his opulent armor, shone with a divine light under the natural illumination, looking at Leo as if a god were gazing down upon an ant.
"I hear you've been doing well in your domain. Good, don't disappoint father and me anymore," Horn spoke with an indifferent tone.
At this, Leo's mouth twitched. He raised his head, his smile somewhat exaggerated.
If there was anyone in this world he wanted to kill, or even torture to death, it would be this soon-to-be king.
So, he found it laughable, hence the forceful smile.
"My dear elder brother, I have received your concern and will remember it well," Leo said with a double entendre.
Horn's expression stiffened slightly.
He was well aware of what he had done, but he didn't expect Leo to dare provoke him at this time, which angered him.
"You'd better know what you're doing," Horn said coldly.
"I think I understand better than some fools who only know how to brandish swords and spears," Leo replied with a smile.
Horn's expression turned completely cold.
He thought Leo's provocation was already enough.
Who was he calling a fool?
Himself?
Had this fool gone mad in the wilderness?
"Ha! Very well!" Horn looked at Leo coldly, his eyes already harboring murderous intent.
Like his father, he had always despised Leo, a child born of lowliness, and wished he could kill him directly.
Now, Leo dared to provoke him time and again, making it increasingly hard for him to contain his murderous intent.
Standing aside, Rain couldn't help but reveal a smile upon hearing the exchange between Leo and Horn.
"Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty!"
"..."
Suddenly, the atmosphere grew noisy.
Sensing the change, Leo looked up to see King Vickery III of Lionara, supported by servants, coming into view.
He was clad in a magnificent robe, adorned with a golden crown, his curly beard and deep blue eyes prominent.
His stature was imposing, full of authority; even in his old age, he resembled a majestic lion.
King Vickery III surveyed the room, his gaze lingering over his subjects and children, until it fell on Leo.
His brows creased imperceptibly - fathering this child with a woman of low status was his greatest regret.
He believed Leo tarnished the royal bloodline, and if not for ethical considerations, he might have already ordered the execution of this 'base-born'.
"Horn, it's been a long time since you've been to the capital, hasn't it?"
When his eyes landed on Horn, a smile finally appeared on King Vickery III's face.
Seeing his father's smile, Horn immediately stepped forward and said loudly, "Your Majesty, it's been about two years! In this time, we have annihilated no less than ten beastfolk tribes and resisted the attacks from the north!"
"Very good, worthy of being my son. You shall receive the rewards you deserve," King Vickery III said, nodding with a smile.
Then, his gaze shifted to Rain.
The smile on his face became more pronounced, even showing a hint of indulgence.
Rain's background and behavior were his favorite, and he saw in Rain the son who most resembled his younger self.
Creation is hard, cheer me up!
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Have some idea about my story? Comment it and let me know.
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