Pressure Without Bloodshed

"We might be able to use the princess’s identity as a student of the Amethyst Summit Division to establish contact with Celestis Academy. If we handle this properly... the Drake Empire may obtain unexpected support."

Kai’s eyes brightened instantly.

This suggestion was immediately approved by Kai.

A cold wind drifted across the wasteland outside the imperial border, causing the hems of his crimson robes to flutter softly. The earlier tension had mostly faded after Leon’s departure, yet Kai’s mind remained restless.

Because he knew something very clearly.

The imperial court was never as stable as it appeared on the surface.

He was currently the Crown Prince of the Drake Empire. On paper, his succession seemed smooth and unquestionable. The empress only had two children—himself and Rias. As the eldest son, the throne naturally belonged to him.

But imperial politics were never that simple.

Kai slowly narrowed his eyes.

In the royal court, loyalty shifted like flowing water.

Today’s ally could become tomorrow’s knife.

Throughout the long history of the Drake household, many branches of the royal bloodline had survived. Dukes, marquises, and counts throughout the empire still carried traces of royal ancestry within them. Most remained obedient because the imperial throne stood strong.

But if weakness ever appeared...

Those hidden ambitions would awaken instantly.

Some would support rebellion.

Some would invite outside forces.

And some would gamble everything on replacing the current ruler.

Kai understood this danger better than anyone.

That was why obtaining the support of a terrifying expert like Leon—or even the support of Celestis Academy itself—would become unimaginably valuable for his future.

Not just for the throne.

But for survival.

"Yes, Uncle Feng, you’re right." Kai nodded thoughtfully before a faint smile finally appeared on his face. "Looks like I have to visit the Amethyst Summit Division personally and see how my sister Rias is doing."

His tone sounded relaxed, but inwardly, he already made several calculations.

If Rias truly gained Leon’s favor...

Then her position within Celestis Academy would not be ordinary at all.

And if the Drake Empire could establish good relations through her...

The benefits would far exceed a mere political marriage alliance.

Beside him, elder stroked his beard with satisfaction.

"Your Highness is wise."

Meanwhile, Prince of Blue Empire expression remained gloomy.

The old prince naturally understood what Kai was thinking.

And that realization only made him feel worse.

The Blue Empire came here seeking a marriage alliance...

Yet in the end, the Drake Empire unexpectedly obtained an even greater opportunity instead.

How ironic.

Kai finally shifted his attention back toward Prince of Blue Empire.

Harry’s matter had already been resolved.

More accurately... Leon had resolved it so overwhelmingly that nobody even dared mention revenge anymore.

And Leon himself never argued further with them.

Perhaps in the eyes of someone like him, Tommy was nothing more than an insignificant clown.

Not worthy of attention.

Not worthy of anger.

Not even worthy of being remembered.

Kai exhaled slowly before speaking in a calm diplomatic tone.

"Please follow me. My mother has been waiting in the Drake Palace for a long time. My mother will naturally give the two of you an explanation after we return."

There was courtesy in his words.

But no warmth.

Kai no longer cared about Tommy or the Blue Empire’s frustrations.

His responsibility was merely to escort them back safely. Beyond that, whatever happened was no longer his concern.

Tommy clenched his fists silently.

Every word from Kai sounded like mockery in his ears now.

But he endured it.

He had no choice but to endure.

At this moment, far away in the wasteland, a furious roar suddenly erupted.

The massive Two Fang Reptile was still alive.

Its gigantic body towered above the dunes, dark scales covered in blood from the earlier battle. Its enormous crimson eyes glared furiously toward the humans nearby.

The beast was practically going insane.

Originally, Tommy’s group fighting it was precisely what attracted Leon and Harry to this place.

And because of that...

Everything escalated into the conflict earlier.

But after Leon appeared, everyone completely ignored the poor beast.

The Two Fang Reptile almost exploded from rage.

"ROARRR!"

The monster smashed its claws into the earth violently.

Sand exploded into the air.

Its eyes practically screamed:

Can you people respect me a little?!

I’m a famous ferocious beast!

Even GrandMaster Realm experts fear me!

And you ignored me this entire time just to argue about marriage alliances?!

The scene became absurdly awkward.

Even several imperial guards looked embarrassed.

Prince of Blue Empire finally glanced toward the creature coldly.

His mood was already terrible.

Now even a beast was roaring endlessly beside him.

"Hmph... ant."

A terrifying pressure erupted instantly.

Before the Two Fang Reptile could react—

BOOM!

Prince of Blue Empire casually slapped downward.

A gigantic mana palm descended from the sky like divine punishment.

The desert trembled violently.

The enormous beast didn’t even have time to scream properly before its body exploded into the ground, turning into a lifeless mass of blood and shattered scales.

Silence.

Complete silence.

The Two Fang Reptile successfully ended its scene after being neglected for so long.

Meanwhile, more than a hundred miles away—

Leon and Harry had already entered the Mystery Woodland.

The atmosphere here was entirely different from the desert outside.

Dense white fog drifted silently between ancient dead trees. The air felt cold and damp, carrying the faint scent of moss and rotting leaves. Visibility was extremely low. Even moonlight struggled to penetrate the thick mist.

The deeper they walked, the quieter the surroundings became.

No birds.

No insects.

Only the faint sound of footsteps against wet earth.

Harry followed closely behind Leon while nervously looking around.

"This place is creepy..."

His voice instinctively lowered.

Even someone as shameless as him felt uncomfortable inside this forest.

Leon, however, remained calm.

His purple eyes quietly scanned the surroundings while his spiritual sense spread outward like invisible waves.

On the way, Harry endured his curiosity for a long time.

But eventually, he could not hold back anymore.

"Senior..." Harry scratched his head awkwardly before asking carefully, "Was that Tommy earlier really Sister Rias’s marriage partner?"

"Yes..."

Leon answered casually while continuing forward.

Harry immediately frowned.

"Then why didn’t you just slap him to death?" he asked honestly. "Wouldn’t Sister Rias’s problem be completely solved that way?"

Leon stopped walking.

Then slowly turned around.

The way he looked at Harry...

It was exactly like someone looking at a complete idiot.

Harry instantly coughed awkwardly.

"What?"

Leon stared at him for several seconds before finally speaking.

"Kid, remember this carefully."

His tone was calm.

But serious.

"Not everything can be solved by killing."

The fog drifted silently around them.

Leon continued slowly.

"If I killed the second prince of the Blue Empire today, then tomorrow there would still be a third prince. Or a fourth prince."

Harry blinked.

Leon continued.

"When imperial pride is damaged, the matter no longer remains personal. It becomes political."

His voice echoed softly through the forest.

"The moment a prince dies here, the marriage alliance issue changes into hostility between empires. The Blue Empire would lose face completely. Even if Celestis Academy doesn’t fear war... why create unnecessary trouble?"

Harry gradually became quiet.

Leon’s eyes remained calm.

"This matter will never truly end as long as both dynasties still desire a marriage alliance."

"So the better choice..."

He paused slightly.

"...is pressure."

Harry listened carefully now.

"Force them to replace Rias willingly. Make them understand they cannot touch her."

Leon’s tone remained steady.

"Sometimes, living people are more valuable than dead ones."

Harry stood there silently for a while.

The fog drifted between them.

Then suddenly, his eyes lit up.

"Ohhh..."

He sounded like he understood something profound.

But after a few seconds...

His expression became confused again.

"Wait... I think I understand. But also don’t."

Leon stared at him expressionlessly.

For some reason, he suddenly felt a headache coming.

"Sigh..."

Leon rubbed his forehead helplessly. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

This child truly had no future.

Maybe he should speak with Harrier Taylor someday.

Otherwise, the Taylor family’s future might genuinely become tragic if Harry continued growing like this.