A Crown Beneath Firelight

That carriage appeared.

Rolling slowly through fire.

Approaching.

Silent.

Unstoppable.

Out of nowhere, the fire pulled back, like it knew better than to get close. Waves of hot air twisted what you could see far off, but still the carriage rolled forward, somehow smooth. Its wheels broke apart the burned ground beneath, while everything about it stayed whole, even though all else was wild.

A hush fell across the field - just minutes earlier thick with tension. Stillness took hold, quiet pressing in where noise once lived.

Not even a breeze stirred. The air held its breath.

A figure stepped out as the carriage rolled to a stop - youthful, dressed in rich fabric. The moment his polished heels met earth, stillness settled like breath held too long. Quiet power arrived without warning, carried on a single step.

Out of step with everyone else, he moved as though the world had made room for him first.

Not arrogance.

Not arrogance alone.

It was something deeper—something ingrained.

A natural bearing of rule.

His long red hair fell loosely to his shoulders, catching the flickering glow of the flames. His blue eyes were calm, observant, yet sharp enough to pierce through pretenses. His robes, embroidered with intricate golden patterns, flowed lightly with each step, exuding a quiet nobility.

There was a faint smile on his lips.

Polite.

Measured.

Yet—

The moment one looked at him for too long, an invisible pressure settled over the chest.

Not overwhelming.

But undeniable.

Like standing before a throne without realizing it.

"Eh... what a Aura."

High above, Leon’s eyes narrowed slightly as he studied the newcomer. His purple gaze lingered, calm but keen, dissecting every detail.

There was something different.

Something subtle.

He could see it clearly.

A faint strand of aura wrapped around the man like an unseen cloak. It wasn’t thick, nor overwhelmingly powerful—but it was pure, unmistakable.

The aura of the Drake Empire.

A fragment of destiny.

Leon’s lips curved faintly.

"Crown Prince of the Drake Empire... interesting..."

He didn’t descend.

Didn’t move.

Instead, he remained in the sky, silent and still, like an observer watching a stage unfold beneath him.

His eyes flickered briefly toward Harry.

Let’s see how you handle this.

Below—

The moment Prince of the Blue Empire—laid eyes on the newcomer, his expression subtly shifted.

Relief.

Finally.

Someone with weight had arrived.

Someone who could balance the situation.

He straightened slightly, his posture regaining a trace of confidence.

If Leon refused to acknowledge them...

Then surely—

He would give face to the Crown Prince of the Drake Empire.

He glanced upward.

Waiting.

But—

Leon didn’t move.

Didn’t even acknowledge the arrival.

The silence stretched again.

And this time—

It felt heavier.

Prince of the Blue Empire’s eyes dimmed slightly.

Still ignoring us...

Beside him, Tommy swallowed dryly.

The earlier fear hadn’t left him—it clung to his bones, stubborn and suffocating.

But now—

Another pressure had arrived.

Two forces.

Two centers of gravity.

And he—

Stood in between.

Harry, on the other hand...

Was not calm at all.

The moment he saw the handsome man, his heart skipped.

"Oh my god..." he muttered inwardly, his throat tightening.

Why did we alert the Crown Prince?

His eyes flicked toward the figures behind handsome young man —each one steady, powerful, clearly no ordinary guards.

Do they know each other?

A cold bead of sweat slid down his back.

This was no longer a simple confrontation.

This was turning into something far bigger than he had expected.

He instinctively looked up.

Leon was still there.

Floating.

Calm.

Untouched.

Harry let out a quiet breath.

Good... the big shot is still here.

His fear eased—just a little.

Then his jaw tightened.

No backing out now.

If I started this... I’ll finish it.

He straightened his posture, forcing confidence back into his expression.

If he was going to act—

Then he would act to the end.

Kai stepped forward slowly.

Each step was measured.

Controlled.

He stopped at a comfortable distance, his gaze sweeping the scene.

The scorched battlefield.

The injured beast in the distance.

The tense figures.

And finally—

Upward.

His eyes met Leon.

For a moment—

Something flickered across his gaze.

Confusion.

Curiosity.

A faint trace of caution.

"Who is this person..." he murmured under his breath.

There was no arrogance in his tone.

Only genuine uncertainty.

"Why do I feel like... I can’t see through him at all?"

Behind him, an older expert stepped closer, his voice low but urgent.

"Your Highness... this person’s strength is unfathomable. His aura is stronger than mine. Be careful."

A pause.

His gaze hardened.

"Recently, the Forsaken Domain hasn’t been peaceful. Experts from various powerful sects have left their seclusion. This person... might be one of them."

Kai listened quietly.

Then nodded.

He understood.

Unlike most princes—

He knew where the true power of this world lay.

The imperial throne ruled the mortal realm.

But beyond that—

There were ancient forces.

Timeless legacies.

Powerful sects that had endured for ages beyond count.

Compared to them—

The Drake Empire’s few thousand years...

Were nothing.

If those forces chose to intervene—

Dynasties could fall overnight.

He had been taught this from a young age.

And he never forgot it.

That was why—

He was not arrogant.

Not reckless.

Instead—

He was careful.

Measured.

Respectful.

Kai shifted his gaze away from Leon and toward Prince of the Blue Empire.

A calm smile returned to his face.

"Prince of the Blue Empire... long time no see."

His tone was warm.

Familiar.

But not overly friendly.

Just enough.

"A few days ago, I received news from our spies that the two of you had entered the Drake Empire’s borders."

He paused slightly, his eyes flicking briefly to Tommy, then back.

"My imperial queen mother specially sent me out of the palace to welcome you."

His voice remained steady, polite.

But beneath it—

There was awareness.

Of tension.

Of danger.

Of everything that had just happened.

He tilted his head slightly.

"Are the two of you... in trouble?"