Eduardo advanced with firm steps, surrounded by his guards. His hardened expression revealed his anger; that young man irritated him deeply. The way he spoke, his attitude, even his mere presence—everything about him was unbearable.
Stopping before him, Eduardo let his voice ring with authority.
—Boy, listen carefully. I am Eduardo, the future king. I order you to disappear from this place immediately.
Luis didn't flinch. Instead, he smirked, full of mockery.
—No, thanks. I'm enjoying being here with this beauty, and I haven't yet experienced all her charms.
Eduardo clenched his teeth, holding back his fury.
—I don't care. This place belongs to my father and, therefore, to me. You are not welcome here.
The young woman, hearing those words, stood up without hesitation and walked away, leaving Luis alone.
Eduardo tilted his head slightly, satisfied.
—Now leave before my men tear you to pieces.
Luis stared at him with a mixture of contempt and defiance. Slowly, he stood up, took a sip from his beer, and spat it on the ground without breaking eye contact.
—Damn you… you ruined my fun. I could have enjoyed a beautiful flower, and you just came to interrupt me. Or do you actually want a fight to the death?
Eduardo let out a bitter laugh, his voice full of scorn.
—A fight? You ignorant commoner, do you think a prince like me would die by your hand?
He slightly turned his face toward his guards and raised his hand in a firm gesture.
—Kill him. Bring me his head.
Suddenly, the air turned freezing. An icy mist covered the hall like a ghostly veil, causing murmurs of astonishment among those present. They knew well what that technique meant: it was the work of a master.
Chaos erupted in mere seconds. Some tried to flee, aware that the outcome would be fatal. If the young man died, his protector would surely unleash a war. But if the king's son perished, anyone who hadn't intervened would be executed for treason.
Luis observed the scene with a crooked smile, muttering under his breath.
—You insolent brat… you dare to ruin my night. Come here, I'll kill you!
Eduardo, enraged, roared in fury.
—Who do you think you'll kill, idiot?! Restrain him! I want his head and that of his bodyguard.
While the screams echoed through the hall, Luis calmly sat back down and took another sip from his drink. Through the mist, he could see everything clearly. He watched Luci closely—he wanted to see if she could handle herself. He would only intervene if necessary.
The royal guards split: some shielded the prince, while others searched for their enemy.
But Luci didn't give them the chance. With an ice-forged sword in hand, she moved with lethal precision.
With a swift motion, she launched icy arrows, each aimed at vital points. The hall filled with cries of agony. One guard fell, his heart pierced; another collapsed as a frozen projectile struck his skull.
Within seconds, only five combatants remained standing. But those five were the strongest. Two placed themselves protectively in front of Eduardo, who was staring in disbelief. Who dared to attack him with such power?
Panic crept over him. If he had known this would happen, he would have brought his father's guardian—the only one capable of countering such an attack.
The trembling in his hands betrayed him.
—Get the prince out of here and call for reinforcements. Use the signal flare—do it now!
The guards tried to obey, but the icy mist blinded their movements. They couldn't even tell if they were heading for the exit or straight into a trap.
The sound of clashing swords filled the air. One of the royal soldiers suddenly felt a hand gripping his head. He tried to react, but it was already too late—his body was split in two with a single blow.
Another soldier pushed the prince aside and thrust his sword at a shadow—but his blade hit nothing. A sharp pain then exploded in his chest. He looked down and saw a hand piercing through his heart. In front of him, a pair of red eyes stared at him like a demon. It was the last thing he saw before dying.
Eduardo was paralyzed. His bravery had evaporated. Only terror remained—a cold fear sinking deep into his bones.
Eduardo felt a hand closing around his throat, lifting him effortlessly into the air. His body was shoved down onto a seat with brutal force, the impact knocking the breath from his lungs. When he looked up, his blood ran cold.
The young man he had tried to kill was sitting comfortably in front of him, taking casual sips from his bottle as if nothing had happened. His lips curled into an amused smile, but his glowing red eyes told a different story—eyes that held the cold, unyielding presence of a demon savoring his prey.
Meanwhile, Luci fought the remaining three guards. Though her cultivation level was higher, they were seasoned warriors, and their calculated movements kept the fight evenly matched. Their techniques enhanced their physical abilities, making them faster, stronger, and able to pierce through the icy mist when they got close enough.
Her black hooded robe was already torn in several places, though her body remained unharmed. Her opponents, however, bore deep wounds on their legs and waists. None were fatal, but every movement cost them.
Luis watched the fight unfold without missing a detail. His gaze moved between the battle and Eduardo, who sat trembling before him, his pride utterly shattered.
—Where did your courage go? —Luis smirked, leaning slightly forward—. Weren't you the one who wanted my head? Go ahead, take it now.
Eduardo swallowed hard, but he still tried to regain some dignity.
—Who… who are you? Do you even know who I am? If you kill me, my father will hunt you down, no matter where you hide. He won't stop until he's wiped you and everyone connected to you from existence.
Luis twirled his bottle between his fingers, his expression entirely unbothered.
—Don't worry. If he doesn't find me first… I'll find him.
The words hit Eduardo like a hammer to the skull. What did he mean by that? Did he seriously intend to assassinate the king? What kind of madness was this? Maybe Luis would succeed in killing him tonight… but his father had the most powerful warriors in the region. He wouldn't be so easily cornered like Eduardo was now.
—If I were you, I'd make the most of the time I have left. —Luis took the final sip from his drink—. Tonight, you die. But before that, I want you to understand why.
Eduardo could feel his breathing grow heavier.
—I am the leader of the Creation Sect —Luis continued, his voice so calm that it sent a chill down Eduardo's spine—. I warned your father not to cross me, but he sent his hounds after me anyway. And despite that failure, he still plans to attack my sect. If he wants to die so badly… I'll help him.
Eduardo gritted his teeth, frustration battling against fear in his voice.
—And what the hell does that have to do with me?! —he yelled, desperate.
Luis set his bottle down on the table, his expression indifferent.
—Simple. Soon, there will be a change in leadership. And since I need a ruler who obeys me, it's clear you weren't chosen. That means I have to get rid of you.
A shiver ran down Eduardo's spine. He understood everything now. If his father died, he would take the throne. But if he died too… there would be no one left. Unless…
—Do you… know about?
He never finished his sentence.
A searing pain exploded through his chest. He looked down in shock, finding a gaping hole where his heart should have been.
He tried to say something, but only a final breath escaped his lips before his body collapsed.
Luis stared at him with cold detachment.
—You talk too much. And you bore me.
At that moment, Luci finished off the last remaining guards, her breathing barely altered.
—Master, I'm done.
Luis stood up slowly, unhurried, as if nothing had happened.
—So am I. We should leave. More guards will arrive soon, and this place will descend into chaos.
Without another word, the two of them walked out through the door, their pace calm, as if the slaughter inside had never even occurred.
But this was only the beginning.
The first piece had fallen. And the board of war had only just been set.