Chapter 303: A Soft Sigh
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 303: A Soft Sigh
Muen moved rapidly through the forest. Enhanced by Shadow Step, his figure was little more than a blur, kicking up a storm of fallen leaves in his wake.
Liya, her hand firmly in his, managed to keep pace with him.
"Um... excuse me."
At the girl’s soft call, Muen slowed his pace slightly and turned his head in confusion.
"Hmm?"
"It’s... it’s nothing."
The girl simply bit her lip, glanced down at her small hand held in his, and shook her head, saying nothing more.
Muen raised an eyebrow.
Does she not like me holding her hand?
Fair enough.
But right now, he couldn't afford to worry about such things.
Feeling the violent tremors radiating from not far away, Muen’s heart sank.
In the end, the scenario he had least wanted to see had unfolded—and in the worst possible way.
The person behind this was even more insane than he had imagined. To pull off something of this scale, it was hard to attribute it to the power of a single individual.
When these blood-sucked parasites banded together, even if his convenient father were to return to Belland in person, he would likely have to proceed with extreme caution.
"They really think highly of me. It seems the approaching engagement ceremony between Celicia and me has indeed struck a nerve with those people."
But having experienced so much, he was no longer a soft persimmon that those wastes could squeeze at will.
Muen let out a mocking sneer and increased his speed.
"Muen!"
The neighing of Dragon-blooded horses echoed through the trees as a carriage burst through the dense vegetation, pulling up quickly in front of Muen. Fanny, gripping the reins, looked pale as she felt the terrifying aura emanating from nearby.
"What on earth is happening?"
"Just a small problem. Don't worry."
"A small problem?"
Fanny’s expression froze. She looked up at the blood-red hue covering half the sky and the terrifying tremors that felt like they would tear anyone apart who dared get close... You call this a "small problem"?
"No time to explain. We need to leave!"
"Where to?"
"The border! There’s an army there led by my father’s former subordinates!"
Muen looked behind Fanny.
The Dragon-blooded horses were specially trained; though they were extremely agitated by the aura nearby, they remained obedient. Six carriages were lined up in an orderly fashion, all having followed her.
The others were also in the carriages, their faces equally pale. Yet, upon seeing Muen, even though they knew this son of a Duke was younger than them, they felt as if they had suddenly found their pillar of support.
Muen’s eyes flickered as he pushed Liya toward Fanny’s carriage. "You guys go first."
"What about you?"
"Their target is me. To be safe, I’ll stay separate for a while—"
BOOM!
Before Muen could finish, the sound of tearing wind roared. Alarm bells rang in his mind. Without another word, he grabbed Liya again and retreated instantly.
A figure smashed into the ground like a cannonball, kicking up a choking cloud of dust.
The Dragon-blooded horses neighed in terror, as if sensing the approach of something horrific.
When the dust settled to reveal the "thing" inside, Muen’s cheek twitched violently.
"Pink Bear? You’re done already?"
"Dammit, if you’re so tough, you try it!"
The Pink Bear was a mess; the seams of his costume were practically bursting. Hearing Muen’s words, he performed a kip-up from the crater and snapped back indignantly:
"Do you have any idea who that is? I’m not even a Crown Bearer! Being able to trade a few blows is already impressive as hell, alright? Go check the history books—how many people who aren't Crown Bearers can stand against one? Every single one of them is a once-in-a-generation genius who changed the course of history!"
"But you were way too fast. Even that isn't as fast as you were."
"Nonsense! Who said I’m fast? I’m not fast at all, I—"
"He certainly isn't fast. Being able to stall me for two minutes in his current physical state can already be called a miracle."
A bone-chilling, indifferent voice rang out. Muen and the Pink Bear stopped bickering simultaneously, their gazes turning solemn as they looked toward the other end of the depression created by the impact.
"The term 'once-in-a-generation genius' would have suited you perfectly in the past. It is only the curse of the Leopold royal family that has turned your talent into a prison."
The Indra King was still dressed in his tattered rags, though they looked even more shredded than before. Several new wounds had appeared on his pressed palms, but compared to the Pink Bear, who was practically spraying blood, he seemed perfectly fine.
In truth, that was the reality. There remained a qualitative difference between a veteran Crown Bearer and a powerhouse who could merely "stand alongside" one.
"It is truly pitiful to think about, Oranriel. You once had the chance to surpass the First Generation Emperor. Yet now, you have fallen so far that you require such things to constantly numb yourself."
With a flick of his fingers, the Indra King produced an erotic book that looked very familiar to Muen. He flipped through it quickly, clicking his tongue in wonder.
"Oh? I didn't expect you to have such tastes. No wonder that woman chose to leave you back then."
"Shut up." For once, the Pink Bear’s eyes were fierce. "I don't need pity from the likes of you."
"Heh. A pity, indeed. It seems this is the end."
The Indra King flashed a smile devoid of emotion and casually crushed the erotic book into dust.
He first glanced at the Pink Bear, whose eye was twitching, then swept his gaze over the youngsters. Seeing the fear reflected in their expressions, his smile widened.
Finally, his gaze landed on Muen.
His smile faltered slightly.
Because from this son of a Duke—whose realm was only Second-Tier, whose mana was negligible, and whom he could crush with a single finger—he could not sense even a shred of fear.
"Why?" the Indra King asked, puzzled. "You should be weeping and begging for mercy by now."
"Begging for mercy?"
Muen took a deep breath, gently comforting the trembling girl beside him, and asked in return, "Why should I beg for mercy?"
"Because you are about to die."
"And why am I about to die?"
"Because I want you dead."
"Reasonable," Muen said, his gaze calm. "But so far, the people... or rather, the entities that have wanted me dead are many. You? I’m afraid you don't even make the top of the list."
Silence. An absolute, deathly silence.
At Muen’s incredibly domineering words, even the Pink Bear, who usually prided himself on being the most arrogant person around, couldn't help but give Muen a secret thumbs-up.
No wonder he felt like a kindred spirit with this kid. This level of posturing was at least thirty percent as good as he had been in his youth.
"..."
The Indra King did not get angry; his gaze merely darkened.
Looking at this little brat whom he could kill with a flick of his finger, he inexplicably felt a surge of unease.
And since he felt uneasy, he had to eliminate the threat as quickly as possible.
The Indra King raised his hand again. In an instant, even the breeze in the world seemed to freeze.
But within this absolute stillness, everyone felt a despairing pressure.
It was as if they were being held in the palm of a giant hand.
"Die."
The Indra King spoke softly, as if issuing a divine decree.
Then, he clenched his fist.
In an instant, a crisp cracking sound echoed through the air. Fissures extended through space like a shattering eggshell.
In the next fraction of a second, everyone here, along with everything in the surrounding area, would be completely pulverized.
Yet Muen’s eyes remained calm, as if he hadn't noticed the arrival of death.
Because in that very moment, within that atmosphere of absolute, deathly silence, there suddenly...
Rang out a soft sigh.