The eminence of a true king

After personally handing over the two members of the Diablos cult to Esdeath, Leon left without looking back.

His destination? The Kingdom of Midgar.

Even as Leon walked calmly, his mind wandered.

"By now… they must've started screaming."

He didn't need to be present to know what was happening. Esdeath wasn't known for mercy — her methods were efficient, albeit cruel. No matter how strong-willed or loyal the prisoners were, they all eventually broke.

No one remained sane for long under Esdeath's torture.

It wasn't a matter of if they would break… but how long it would take before they begged for relief.

---

Later, at Midgar Academy...

"Leon! You skipped class again!"

Alexia's impatient voice echoed across the courtyard as she placed her hands on her hips, staring at the boy with a mix of exasperation and exhaustion.

"You do realize you're not just a student but also a prince from another kingdom, right? You should take your reputation more seriously!"

Leon gave a half-smile, tilting his head slightly.

"Relax, noisy princess... I just went for a walk. The academy's way too lively today. Is there some event going on?"

Alexia huffed, though her gaze softened a bit.

"Today's the academy's fencing competition. The top scorers earn the right to represent Midgar at the War God Festival."

Leon raised an eyebrow. "The War God Festival...? The one your sister won?"

"Exactly," she replied, a hint of pride in her voice.

"Warriors from all over the world gather to compete. The winner earns the title of War God. It's the greatest honor a swordsman can achieve."

She sighed, eyes briefly drifting toward the sky.

"I used to think that was the pinnacle of strength."

Leon watched her in silence.

"What? Why that look?"

"You realized the world's a lot bigger than you thought, didn't you?"

Alexia nodded slowly.

"Today... I spoke with some of the girls from Night Raid who enrolled in the academy. They said they're new members. But Leon... they're amazing. Swordswomen younger than me, yet their control over the blade is insane. I felt like an amateur."

She clenched her fists in frustration.

"If any of them fought Iris one-on-one... the odds would be even. And there were many of them! Ten, maybe more. And all trained in a single sword style."

Leon closed his eyes for a moment.

He knew exactly who she was talking about.

The girls from Night Raid.

Young women trained by him, refined both physically and spiritually. They mastered the sword art he himself had created. Their bodies infused with refined magic, far above this world's standards.

"Are you going to watch the competition?" Alexia asked.

Leon thought for a moment. "Do I have to?"

She gave an awkward chuckle.

"Considering your level, it'd be like a lion watching kittens play with yarn. It doesn't make much sense."

But then Leon surprised her.

"Sign me up."

"...What?"

"I want to participate in the competition."

Alexia's eyes widened. "You... want to compete? Seriously? Isn't that unfair to the others?"

Leon shrugged. "I'm not in it for fame. There are a few names among the participants that caught my attention."

He walked up to the board with the list of contestants. His violet eyes scanned the page until they landed on two names:

Rose Oriana. Claire Kageno.

"These two..." he muttered. "I need to see them in action. Confirm it with my own eyes."

Alexia narrowed her gaze.

"What are you up to? I'll admit they're beautiful, but if that's your only reason—"

"It's not that," Leon cut in, his expression serious.

"Like you, they are descendants of the Heroes. That makes them vulnerable... to Demonic Possession."

She swallowed hard.

Demonic Possession was a real threat to those with the Hero's bloodline.

"I get it," Alexia said, her tone now serious.

"I'll take care of your registration."

Leon nodded, though his eyes remained fixed on the list.

He had a connection with those two girls from childhood. He had saved them from cruel thieves and a dark cult.

[But that was ten years ago. I used Geass to erase the memory of one... and the other never even saw my face. Chances are, neither remembers me.]

[Especially Rose Oriana… The Princess of the Kingdom of Art. A girl who had been on the verge of falling completely under the cult's control. Today, she's someone who requires my attention.]

Since both were swordswomen, Leon felt he could understand the true essence of that girl not through words—but through their blades.

Of course, that assumed she was at least competent. Otherwise, she'd be just another face left behind after he made it rain slashes like the Pacific Ocean pouring into a teacup.

"So that's it." Alexia said, raising an eyebrow.

"I thought you were into her face."

"Haha. Are you jealous? Is the princess of the Art Kingdom more ladylike than the princess of the Knight Kingdom?"

"Keep dreaming, you idiot!"

"Hahaha, just kidding. But if you want my honest opinion… I've got to admit, a certain silver-haired princess's hair is a big attraction for me."

Leon gently picked up a lock of Alexia's hair, studying its texture. It was like molten silver, radiant and soft to the touch. And surprisingly, it carried a pleasant fragrance.

Blushing, Alexia turned her face away proudly, flipping her hair back and placing her hands on her hips.

"Leave it to me. I'll handle your registration personally."

Even though the registration period had technically ended and the competition was already underway, for Alexia — a princess — all it took was a simple request to the academy administration.

Power. One of the world's most convenient privileges.

"I'm counting on you," Leon said confidently.

As he returned his attention to the list of competitors, he noticed two familiar names. The same girls he had rescued from the fanatics the night before.

Ronie Arabel and Tiese Shtolienen.

He believed both of them would do well.

After all, those who have stared death in the face have stronger spirits. Their souls grow, their hearts harden, and their once-inexperienced blades begin to mature.

Inside an academy that resembled more of a greenhouse, such experience was a huge advantage.

"Well... I'll treat this as a form of distraction. Watching them play at duels might be entertaining."

Even though this was an elite academy, gathering fencing prodigies from around the world, to Leon, it felt more like a playground.

---

In the main arena of the competition...

The winner of the match was none other than Rose Oriana.

The Princess of the Kingdom of Art displayed absolute mastery in fencing, defeating her opponents one after another with flawless technique. She was also the current student council president.

Even after the fight ended, the audience remained in a frenzy:

"I didn't expect this surprise! President Rose versus Prince Leon of Palettia!"

"This is next level! A duel between royalty!"

"But it's kinda surreal, isn't it? Princes and princesses fighting with swords like they're just normal students..."

"If Princess Alexia weren't just some ordinary girl with no talent..."

Alexia slowly turned her head toward the student who made the comment, casting a sharp, fiery glare. The poor boy swallowed hard, feeling the blood drain from his face.

The silver-haired princess scoffed with disdain. That take was outdated.

"Now, I've made a real leap in strength. I was trained by Leon himself. I survived a life-or-death duel. I'm no longer a beginner. Alexia Midgar... is finally walking the path of the strong."

---

Meanwhile, on the other side of the arena...

Rose Oriana, the blonde princess of the Kingdom of Art, was watching Leon closely. Her blue eyes were filled with doubt and... recognition.

"Why does this Prince Leon feel so familiar...? The posture... the way he holds the sword... I've seen this before. I'm sure of it."

She kept watching, mesmerized.

"This style... this presence... It's so close to what I've been searching for all these years. The ideal I've been chasing."

---

(End of Chapter)

"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."