A few days earlier, the Zubair Theater had planned to host the Sabzeruz Festival, which completely infuriated the Akademiya.
Leon thought to himself:
"But I'm afraid it's more than just that…"
After all, even if not all of them, nearly all of the remaining followers of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata and her successor, Kusanali, in Sumeru frequented the Grand Bazaar.
To the people of the Grand Bazaar, the Zubair Theater was practically a spiritual existence—almost like a collective soul.
If that place were to be demolished…
Then it would undoubtedly deal a devastating blow to those who still believed in Nahida, allowing the Grand Sage's plan to proceed far more smoothly.
Leon quickly cleared his mind, pushing those thoughts aside.
Meanwhile, Lumine was comforting Nilou, and the people of the Grand Bazaar began to gather spontaneously to discuss how to deal with the situation.
Although, in the eyes of the Akademiya Council, everyone there was considered a group of "unintelligent" people, their simplicity, unity, and mutual trust made Leon realize just how valuable that was.
Perhaps it was due to their interdependence.
The Zubair Theater depended on the people of the Grand Bazaar in order to continue existing.
And for those who could only set up stalls in this underground market of Sumeru, the Zubair Theater—or rather, Nilou's dancing—was one of the few remaining spiritual oases in their lives.
Everyone began discussing possible plans.
However, after hearing the proposal, Leon was extremely surprised—and not optimistic at all about the solution presented.
Lumine said excitedly, "Your Highness! We have a solution!"
Leon raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Oh? And what solution would that be?"
Nilou answered with conviction, "A debate!"
Leon: "???"
Leon was so shocked that, for a moment, he simply couldn't speak.
For an instant, he genuinely thought he had misheard.
Faced with that idea, his first instinct was to use words to argue against it.
These girls were definitely not as naïve as they appeared.
Did they really believe that, in this world, everything could be resolved in a beautiful, clean, and harmless way?
Then Lumine began to explain.
In Sumeru, debate was considered a noble and respectable act. If they could defeat the Akademiya's representatives in a fair debate, they could surely make them abandon the demolition of the Zubair Theater and everything else they had planned.
Leon's expression grew subtle.
He didn't believe it would work.
Even setting aside whether the two girls could argue against a group of Akademiya scholars—people who quite literally lived to debate—even if they somehow miraculously won…
Were they certain the other side wouldn't grow angry and resort to force?
And, to be even more realistic…
Why would the Council even agree to a debate in the first place?
Still, Leon smiled.
"Well, I think it's a good idea. Let's try quickly, before they leave."
Although he wasn't optimistic at all, he knew very well that Lumine was the type of person who would never give up without crashing headfirst into the wall.
So instead of dismissing the idea as naïve, it was better to let reality speak for itself.
With that, Lumine and Nilou confidently approached the scholar who was about to leave after officially delivering the demolition order.
They requested a formal debate.
However…
The scholar replied coldly:
"A debate? Why should I debate with people who possess no [wisdom]?"
Nilou blinked in confusion.
"Huh?"
The scholar continued disdainfully:
"Notifying you of the demolition was nothing more than an order. Even if you refuse to comply, the Council will send people to demolish the theater by force."
Lumine clenched her fists.
"Why are you being like this?!"
The harsh reality struck the two girls head-on.
Their carefully considered solutions were rejected without the slightest consideration.
In that moment, both of them experienced firsthand the cruelty of reality—and the tyranny of power.
Leon approached them with a look of compassion.
"Your method isn't wrong," he said calmly. "But there's a premise: you and the Council need to be on equal footing."
He continued:
"In their eyes, the Zubair Theater is nothing more than an insect they can crush whenever they want. Therefore, any method will be useless."
After all, no one debates with insects.
Just like when someone sees an ant on the road—do they step aside and yield the way?
Of course not.
Most people simply step on it and move on.
Only when there is equality of status can dialogue exist.
When power is unequal, the weaker side can only obey, even against its own will.
Leon then said, "Leave it to me."
The two girls turned toward him in surprise.
"Your Highness?"
"Your Highness Leon?"
"Solving problems with power and force is one of the things I'm best at. In short, you two just need to watch," he added.
He raised his hand and gently placed it on both of their heads.
Then Leon stepped forward and called out to the scholar:
"Hey. The demolition order will be suspended."
The scholar replied irritably without even looking at him, "Who do you think you are? What qualifications do you have to decide that? If you dare resist the Order, you'll end up in prison."
Leon narrowed his eyes.
The next instant, the power of the dragon manifested, transforming into an almost tangible killing intent.
The air grew heavy.
The scholar—who just seconds earlier had been arrogant and domineering—fell to his knees, utterly terrified.
When had someone raised in a greenhouse, with lofty vision but insignificant power, ever faced something like this?
Leon had only used the lowest level of his Draconic Pressure, and it was still enough to crush the man's will.
"Y-you… you're the prince of the Magic Kingdom… Leon Fol Palettia!"
"So you finally recognize me?" Leon replied with disdain. "What is it? Are you going to arrest me?"
He raised his hands mockingly, as if saying: If you have the courage, go ahead.
"N-no, I wouldn't dare!"
"I was rude! Your Highness, this was a misunderstanding!"
The scholar trembled as he apologized, smiling submissively, afraid of provoking Leon any further.
The scene left everyone in the Grand Bazaar completely stunned.
How arrogant he had been before—and how humiliated he was now.
Watching the scholar behave like a little dog trying to please Leon, everyone understood a simple truth:
The only thing that can defeat power is greater power.
When one holds absolute strength, reasons no longer matter.
"I… I didn't know the Prince of Palettia was here… please forgive me…"
Leon chuckled softly.
"Haha, I actually liked your rebellious attitude. How about you get it back?"
"T-that…"
The scholar was visibly embarrassed.
He would like to… but he didn't dare.
After all, even though Leon said it with a smile, the real message was clear:
If you dare to be arrogant again, tomorrow you'll be a mummy in the desert.
The second prince of the Magic Kingdom.
Or rather, the inevitable successor of a future superpower.
The distance between them was greater than that between a human and a worm.
In the eyes of that prince, he was nothing more than an ant.
There was no need to say it out loud.
A single sign of displeasure would be enough for the Akademiya to send him to the desert the very next day under the pretext of an "apology request."
(End of Chapter)