Pride and Kneeling Shadows

Kai looked at the Prince of the Blue Empire standing before him and slowly spoke, his tone calm yet carrying the quiet authority of someone accustomed to command.

"Prince of the Blue Empire, long time no see! A few days ago, I received news from the spies that the two of you had already entered the Drake Empire’s borders. My imperial queen mother personally sent me out of the palace to welcome you. Are the two of you in trouble?"

His voice flowed like still water—polite, measured, but never weak.

As his words settled into the scorched air, Kai’s gaze shifted slightly... and he finally noticed the tension that had been hanging between the two sides.

The distance between Harry and the Blue Empire’s group wasn’t large.

But the hostility?

It was thick enough to taste.

Kai’s eyes narrowed just a fraction.

So... it’s not just a misunderstanding.

On the other side, the Prince of the Blue Empire— did not hesitate. His expression softened instantly, his posture lowering ever so slightly as he stepped forward with a faint, controlled smile.

"Haha, Your Highness, you’re overthinking."

His tone was gentle, almost self-deprecating.

"There’s no trouble. It’s our first time here, and we just accidentally offended this young master."

He gestured lightly toward Harry, his movements respectful.

"Things will be easier to handle now that you are here."

A pause.

Then, with perfect timing—

"I hope that Your Highness can put in a good word for us... and see if this young master can forgive our rashness just now."

The humility in his voice was flawless.

Too flawless.

It was the kind of tone that sounded reasonable...

But carried something hidden underneath.

Harry almost laughed.

Almost.

His lips twitched slightly, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Prince of the Blue Empire.

Rashness?

Accidentally offended?

His jaw tightened.

If Leon hadn’t been standing above just moments ago—

These people wouldn’t be talking like this.

They would’ve drawn their blades.

Cut him down.

Left him bleeding in the sand.

And now?

Now they were acting like harmless travelers who made a small mistake.

Harry let out a quiet breath through his nose.

Shameless...

But he didn’t speak yet.

He waited.

Because now—

This wasn’t just between him and them.

Kai turned.

His gaze landed on Harry.

Careful.

Observant.

He studied him for a moment.

From head to toe.

The stance.

The confidence.

The strange calm that didn’t quite match his reputation.

Kai was certain.

He had never met this person before.

But something about him...

Didn’t feel ordinary.

Still—

He kept his tone polite.

"Brother," Kai said, inclining his head slightly, "may I know your name? Where are you from, and which mountain do you cultivate on?"

A simple question.

But beneath it—

A probe.

A way to measure the weight behind this man.

Harry stood straight.

His aura didn’t weaken.

Didn’t waver.

Instead—

He took a step forward, lifting his chin just slightly, imitating the calm indifference he had seen countless times from Leon.

And spoke.

"Ashford City ... Harry Taylor."

The name fell cleanly into the silence.

No embellishment.

No explanation.

Just—

Enough.

Kai froze for a split second.

"Ashford City ... Harry Taylor?"

The name echoed faintly in his mind.

Familiar.

Too familiar.

Then—

Recognition.

Ah...

He remembered.

A notorious name from Ashford City.

A young master known more for indulgence than discipline.

A certified background character in every meaningful story.

At least—

That was what he had heard.

Kai’s expression didn’t change.

But inside—

A calculation formed instantly.

If that’s true... then this becomes much easier.

If Harry had been someone backed by a powerful sect or ancient lineage—

Things would have been complicated.

But the Taylor family?

Strong—but not untouchable.

Important—but not overwhelming.

Kai relaxed slightly.

A faint smile returned to his face.

"So it’s Young Master Taylor," he said warmly. "I’ve heard a lot about you."

The politeness was smooth.

Practiced.

"I wonder how my two friends offended you. Can you forgive their rashness... on my account?"

There it was.

The Crown Prince’s method.

Politeness first.

Resolve things with words.

Avoid unnecessary bloodshed.

Because peace—

Was always better than chaos.

The flames crackled faintly in the distance.

The wind shifted.

And for a moment—

All eyes turned to Harry.

Even the people behind Prince of the Blue Empire held their breath.

Waiting.

Watching.

Harry didn’t answer immediately.

Instead—

He looked at Kai.

Really looked at him.

The Crown Prince.

The future ruler of the Drake Empire.

A man who could crush him with a word—

If Leon wasn’t here.

A flicker of hesitation appeared.

Just for a second.

If I refuse...

And Leon leaves...

What happens to the Taylor family?

The thought lingered.

Heavy.

Uncomfortable.

But then—

Another thought followed.

Sharp.

Dangerous.

This is the Crown Prince...

A slow grin almost tugged at his lips.

If I don’t give him face... I can brag about this for a year.

The hesitation cracked.

And confidence rushed back in like a flood.

Harry exhaled slowly.

Then—

Spoke.

"Alright."

The word came casually.

As if the decision meant nothing.

Kai’s eyes softened slightly.

But before he could respond—

Harry continued.

"Let them come over..."

A pause.

His gaze shifted toward Prince of the Blue Empireand Tommy.

Cold.

Sharp.

"And kneel down to apologize."

Silence. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Then—

"We’ll forget about this matter."

The words fell like a hammer.

The entire battlefield froze.

The air—

Turned still.

Even the flames seemed to flicker slower.

For a moment—

No one reacted.

Not even Kai.

Because what Harry had just said—

Wasn’t just bold.

It was madness.

Then—

A voice exploded.

"Kid... what did you say?"

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Authors Notes: Dear Readers, Thanks so much for joining me on this adventure! Your enthusiasm, feedback, and encouragement really keep me motivated to keep bringing *Grand Return System* into existence. If you’re loving the Chapters, I’d love it if you supported my book with a Powerstone, review, or even a Golden Ticket—it helps me develop as a writer and lets more readers enjoy the story. I look forward to hearing your ideas and thoughts, so please don’t hesitate to share!

With love,

Scoturn777

Creator of Grand Return System

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