Levi followed the road leading back toward Ashford.
The sound of carriage wheels echoed in the distance.
Soon...
A luxurious carriage surrounded by several knights came into view.
Levi stopped.
"...What's this?"
"Some sort of parade?"
A sleepy voice came from inside.
"...Who's making all that noise?"
"Butler..."
"...Would you deal with it?"
An elderly butler stepped out of the carriage.
He bowed politely.
"Young man."
"Would you mind lowering your voice?"
"My Lady is resting."
Levi tilted his head.
"...Lady?"
"Who exactly?"
"The daughter of Duke Alaric Vale."
"...Lady Seraphina Vale."
Levi blinked.
"...Seraphina?"
"...Why is the Duke's daughter travelling to the capital?"
The butler narrowed his eyes.
"And why does that concern you?"
Levi smiled proudly.
"Because..."
"I'm Levi Ashbourne."
"The son of King Maverick."
Silence.
The butler's jaw slowly dropped.
"...Y-Your Highness?"
He immediately straightened himself.
"My Lady!"
"A young man claiming to be Prince Levi is here!"
The carriage door flew open.
A young woman hurried outside.
The moment she saw Levi...
Her eyes widened.
"...Levi?!"
She rushed over and examined him from head to toe.
"It really is you!"
"You've changed!"
"The last time I saw you..."
"You were all skin and bones."
"...And much more arrogant."
She pinched both of his cheeks.
Levi laughed awkwardly.
"...It's really me."
'She must've known the original Levi.'
'Well...'
'Close enough.'
Seraphina finally let go.
"You look exhausted."
"Where did you come from?"
Levi answered casually.
"...The Darkin Forest."
Silence.
Every knight froze.
The butler's face stiffened.
Seraphina blinked.
"...The Darkin Forest?"
Levi nodded.
"...Yes."
"Why?"
She immediately grabbed his shoulders.
"Why?!"
"That forest is filled with monsters!"
"Were you hurt?"
She looked over him, checking for injuries.
"I'm alright."
One of the escorting knights suddenly laughed.
"...Good one."
Everyone turned toward him.
"My Lady."
"Do you truly believe him?"
"He used to be the weakest prince in the kingdom."
"And now he claims he walked through the Darkin Forest alone?"
He pointed toward Levi before laughing.
"What a joke."
Seraphina frowned.
"Watch your tongue."
The knight shook his head.
"I'm only speaking the truth."
Levi looked at him calmly.
"...You don't believe me."
"I don't."
"Then prove it."
The knight drew his sword.
"A duel."
Levi yawned.
"...Very well."
"If that's what you want."
The escorting knights cleared a circle.
The knight rushed forward immediately.
Steel flashed.
Clang.
Levi effortlessly blocked the first strike.
The knight attacked again.
And again.
Every attack was stopped with precise movements.
His breathing grew heavier.
Levi's expression never changed.
'Too many openings.'
One clean movement.
Azhir slipped past the knight's guard.
The crimson blade rested against his neck.
The knight froze.
"...Impossible..."
Levi spoke quietly.
"State your name."
"...Sir Roland..."
"Knight of House Vale."
Levi nodded once.
"Sir Roland."
"Do you know the punishment for publicly mocking the Crown Prince..."
"...And drawing your blade against him?"
The colour drained from Roland's face.
"...Y-Your Highness..."
"I..."
Levi's gaze remained cold.
"The law grants two sentences."
"Torture."
"...Or death."
Roland immediately dropped his sword.
He fell to his knees.
"P-Please!"
"I was mistaken!"
"I beg for mercy!"
The surrounding knights remained silent.
None dared interfere.
Seraphina stepped forward.
"Levi..."
He didn't look at her.
"A knight who insults the Royal Family before witnesses..."
"...Invites rebellion."
"My father taught me that."
Azhir quietly whispered.
"Finish it."
Levi closed his eyes for a brief moment.
Then...
He swung.
A single crimson flash.
Roland's body collapsed onto the road.
Silence.
Only the wind remained.
Levi calmly flicked the blood from Azhir before wiping the remaining stain across his own shirt.
He paused.
"..."
'...Why did I use my shirt?'
'The maids are going to hate me.'
Azhir laughed.
"You've got strange priorities."
Seraphina stood frozen.
The butler lowered his head.
"...The Prince merely carried out the law."
None of the remaining knights spoke.
Fear had replaced every trace of doubt.
Levi sheathed Azhir.
"So."
He looked toward Seraphina with an easy smile, as though nothing unusual had happened.
"Shall we continue to the capital?"
Still shaken...
Seraphina slowly nodded.
"...Y-Yes."
As Levi walked toward the carriage with his hands resting behind his head...
The remaining knights instinctively stepped aside.
None of them dared meet the Crown Prince's eyes.