Ryoujin and Vivi walked away from the old house. They followed a narrow path through the forest, flanked by towering trees. Sunlight barely pierced through the canopy, casting a quiet, cold atmosphere.
A few minutes later, they finally emerged from the forest.
From a distance, Ryoujin could see a large city surrounded by tall stone walls. Only then did he fully realize—just how far Vivi must walk every day merely to deliver his meals.
"Sorry, Lord. We'll have to walk from here," Vivi said softly.
"Where is the castle?" Ryoujin asked.
"Still far, Lord."
Ryoujin nodded, understanding. Just seeing the distance between them and the city walls was enough for him to guess how long the journey would be.
Along the way, his eyes were drawn to a wide path not far from them—the main road leading to the city gates. Carriages of all shapes and sizes moved along it, entering and exiting the city without pause.
Ryoujin observed the scene calmly, quietly realizing that the world he was about to face was vastly different from his old life.
Now, Ryoujin and Vivi entered the main road, walking along the side where the carriages passed. The people using the road began to glance at Ryoujin—some whispered to one another, others simply watched with curiosity.
Several nobles inside carriages peeked from behind their curtains, whispering softly, their faces betraying a hint of disdain. Yet Ryoujin paid them no attention.
Finally, they arrived at the city gates.
Vivi immediately tugged at Ryoujin's arm, intending to guide them in without waiting in line or showing identification. But suddenly, a city guard clad in iron armor stepped forward, blocking their way.
"Where are you two heading?" the guard asked coldly.
"What do you mean, asking that?" Vivi snapped. "Can't you see I'm escorting my young lord to the castle?"
The guard looked Ryoujin up and down with a smug air, showing not an ounce of respect. Then he stepped closer, his eyes fixed on the twin swords hanging at Ryoujin's left and right hips.
"Hand over those swords."
"What?" Vivi's voice rose. "Do you even know who you're asking that of?"
"I don't care," the guard replied nonchalantly. "Besides, his name isn't listed among the Astarion Duke's family members."
"How dare you say that! I'll report this to the Duke!" Vivi shouted.
"Be my guest," the guard answered with a mocking smile. "But hand over the swords first."
As he spoke, several other guards began approaching, slowly encircling them. The commotion caught the attention of people around the city gate; whispers grew louder.
Ryoujin finally spoke, his tone calm but sharp.
"If you want these swords," he said slowly, "you'll have to take them from me yourself."
He lifted his gaze, locking eyes with the guard.
"That is… if you're capable."
The guard froze for a moment, then laughed loudly with his companions.
Tension filled the air instantly. Nearly eleven guards began surrounding Ryoujin from every direction. At the same time, Vivi was forcibly pulled aside by one of the guards, nearly losing her balance.
The scene at the city gate turned chaotic. The flow of citizens trying to enter the city came to a complete halt, while the nobles' carriages continued entering freely, as if the commotion outside was irrelevant.
Ryoujin's expression remained calm.
The guard aiming for his swords, however, wore a smug, taunting grin. He extended his hand, pretending to take Ryoujin's sword, then pulled back—mocking him. Each time, the other guards laughed in unison.
So this is how Norak is treated…
Even the city guards dare trample on his honor, Ryoujin thought.
Perhaps… it wouldn't be too much if I cut off their hands.
"What are you waiting for, Vark?" one of the guards shouted.
"Grab the swords quickly!"
"Patience," Vark replied with a wicked smile. "I'm not done playing with him yet."
He reached toward Ryoujin's swords again.
But at that moment—
"ARGHH!!"
A loud roar echoed across the city gate.
In the blink of an eye, Ryoujin had sheathed both swords. His face remained calm, as if nothing had happened.
In front of him, the guards who had surrounded him earlier now lay on the ground, groaning in pain. Blood flowed freely from their shoulders—their right hands severed from their bodies.
Vivi covered her mouth, her face pale at the sight. The surrounding citizens scattered in terror, screaming in panic.
At that moment, two guards in silver armor rushed forward. They stopped a few steps in front of Ryoujin, their faces tense as they took in the chaotic scene.
"You did all this?" one of them asked.
Ryoujin lifted his gaze, his eyes sharp and cold.
"Why?" he replied slowly. "Do you want some too?"
"They're the guilty ones!" Vivi immediately spoke, though her voice trembled. "They restrained the young lord, insulted him, and even tried to force him to hand over his swords!"
Ryoujin took a step forward.
"If both of you are still unsatisfied," he said calmly, "draw your swords now."
The two silver-armored guards remained silent. Meanwhile, more guards gathered around the city gate, hands poised on their sword hilts—but they were stopped by a single gesture from the two in front.
Ryoujin scanned them all calmly.
"Even though I was exiled," he said slowly but clearly, "I am still the young lord of this city. Yet all of you—"
Before he could finish, Vivi interjected.
"Let's go, Lord. Your father is waiting."
Ryoujin shook his head slightly.
"You wait here, Vivi."
"But Lord—"
"I said, wait."
Vivi fell silent, finally nodding slowly.
"Very well…"
Ryoujin turned his gaze back to Vivi.
"Tell me. What does the lord of this city's palace look like?"
The question startled both Vivi and the guards in front of them.
"Tell me quickly," Ryoujin ordered.
"If you keep walking straight from here," Vivi replied slowly, "you'll see a palace atop a high cliff. The palace is blue."
"Good."
Ryoujin shifted his gaze to the guards in front of him, his eyes sharp and cold.
"If anything happens to her," he said without raising his voice, "I will cut off all your heads."
The moment the warning left his lips—
Ryoujin vanished in the blink of an eye.
Gone, just like that, from their sight.
The city gate fell silent. Everyone present was frozen, unable to believe what they had just witnessed.
"What… was that the young lord?" asked one of the silver-armored guards, still stunned.
"Yes," Vivi replied, her voice brimming with anger. "That was the young lord—the one you insulted, the one you humiliated."
Meanwhile, Ryoujin moved like the wind. A satisfied smile lifted his lips. The power he had gained from two months of training far exceeded his expectations. At first, even he was astonished—his speed in this world surpassed what it had been in his previous life. Moreover, his twin sword techniques felt more perfect, more deadly.
"That's the palace…" Ryoujin whispered softly.
"It's enormous. How did they build all of this?"
He stopped not far from the palace's main gate. The area was quiet; only eight guards stood, watching the entrance.
"Stop right there!" shouted one guard, drawing his sword.
The other guards quickly followed, raising their blades in unison.
"I am the young lord," Ryoujin said calmly.
"We don't care!" the guard shouted back. "Stop now!"
Ryoujin tilted his lips in a slight smirk, disgust creeping in. Without another warning, he stepped forward.
In the blink of an eye, his twin swords were drawn from their sheaths.
Screams of pain echoed before the palace gates.
The guards fell one by one, unable to comprehend what had just struck them.
With his anger overflowing, Ryoujin swung his swords again—this time toward the main doors.
BOOM!
The massive doors splintered into pieces, shards of wood and metal flying inward.
Ryoujin stepped inside, his expression cold. Every time he advanced, a guard attempted to stop him—and each time, they met the same fate.
Finally, he reached a large door. From within, the sound of music and chatter could be heard.
Without a second thought, Ryoujin swung his sword.
The door split with a resounding crash, sending the hall into instant panic.
Ryoujin stepped into the palace hall.
At once, the atmosphere turned tense. The guards and mages surrounding the hall readied themselves, hands poised on weapons and spells. Ryoujin paid them no mind. His gaze swept across every face present—nobles and honored guests alike.
"NORAK!!"
The shout echoed throughout the hall.
A man dressed in formal noble attire rose from his seat, his face flushed with restrained fury.
"How dare you come here!"
Ryoujin continued walking forward, his eyes fixed coldly on the man.
He resembles me…
And the man beside him—that must be this boy's father, Ryoujin thought.
He stopped before the line of guards and mages.
"I came because I was ordered to," Ryoujin said flatly. "Not because I wanted to."
"How dare you lie!" the man roared, stepping forward.
"Step aside!" Narak, Norak's eldest brother, commanded. The guards and mages immediately parted to make way for him.
Throughout it all, Duke Astarion remained seated with his daughters, watching in silence. The nobles around him wore mocking smiles, clearly enjoying the spectacle.
"Where did you get those clothes?" Narak asked in a tone dripping with contempt.
"My attendant gave them to me," Ryoujin replied calmly. "So that I could attend this ceremony."
"You dare lie again!" Narak's voice rose sharply. "Father already ordered you to remain in that place!"
Ryoujin nodded slowly, as if understanding at last.
"Very well," he said.
He turned his gaze across the hall, making sure everyone heard what followed.
"Then listen carefully, all of you," Ryoujin declared, his voice clear and firm.
"From this day onward, I—Norak—am no longer the youngest son of this family."
The entire hall fell silent.
"I swear," he continued, "that the moment I step out of this place, I will never again acknowledge myself as the son of this city's ruler."
He turned, intending to leave.
"Satisfied?"
"You think you can just leave after causing chaos at my ceremony?!" Narak shouted.
In his fury, Narak drew a short staff. His hand moved swiftly, tracing a magic circle in the air.
But then—
A cold flash streaked through the air.
"ARGHH!!"
Narak's scream shattered the silence. He collapsed, clutching his shoulder—his right arm had already been severed from his body, blood spraying across the marble floor of the hall.
The sight shocked Duke Astarion and his daughters. They rose to their feet at once, faces filled with disbelief.
"SEIZE HIM!!" Duke Astarion roared, his voice thundering through the hall.