I've had it with these accusations.
"Viv, carry her and follow me." Viv followed my orders and I grabbed the assassin's leg, pulling him across the street.
"We're going to walk to the castle." It took around 20 minutes to reach the castle from where we were, since we were on the main street of the kingdom.
I was dragging a beheaded body down the kingdom's main street and getting a lot of disgusted, and shocked glances.
Children were screaming and adults were scared.
I can't believe I saw her cry. I was right there and I couldn't protect her.
Anger was swelling up inside me. I had only seen her cry a few times, but this time, it was out of grief.
She was happy. She wanted a pet and I couldn't protect her wishes. I'm to blame for this.
I stood in front of the castle, where four guards were waiting.
"I request a duel with the first prince." I threw the dead body at the guards, two of them catching it and seeing the symbol of the first prince on its clothing.
They realized this wasn't something they could avoid but they still tried to.
"We can't just allow anyone to challenge the young-" I cut off his words by releasing my Alm at him. Making him choke and throw up on the spot.
"Bring him here. Under martial law of this kingdom, I'm allowed to challenge if I find out he was behind an attack. You have one minute or all four of you die where you stand."
One of the guards quickly realized this was a serious problem and went to go fetch the prince. 40 seconds later, the first prince walked out of the castle in a hurry.
"I challenge you to a duel, your highness." I mockingly spoke.
He saw the dead body on the ground and realized it was the assassin he sent after me. He must've thought I was some pushover.
Getting even angrier, I held in my Alm inside me. Preparing it to explode.
"But of course, it's the only thing I can do for a citizen of the kingdom." Right after he finished his bow, I launched myself at him. Punching him straight in the face, making sure I didn't break anything, but also leaving him in as much pain as possible.
Blood dripped from his nose.
"He pulled out his sword, attacking me with his symbolic white fire. I quickly dodged to the side and kicked him in the ribs, once again, making sure nothing broke but making him wish they broke.
"Young prince, this is revenge for interrupting my date with your stupidity." I kicked him in the shin, forcing him to bend down and following it up with a knee to his chin, sending him backwards.
"You've been accusing me murder for a month now and you finally decided to make a move." People started gathering by the front gate and Viv moved in with Zara in her arms, close enough for me to protect them.
The prince was heaving. Although I knew that he couldn't stop this fight. As soon as he surrenders, his image will take damage. A prince who gave up in a fight is pathetic in the eyes of the people.
He charged at me once again, this time a grand flame coming at me, but I grabbed his sword on the way down and shattered it to pieces. With a surprised look on his face, he gawked at me with fear in his eyes.
I grabbed his arm and spun him around before sending him straight into the ground. Tumbling over his own body and sliding across the ground.
I slowly walked toward him and he stood up as quickly as possible and launched himself at me.
"Good. Protect your image." Making sure he realized that this was what I was planning, he frowned.
I continued to burst him down with punches and kicks. Unceasingly pounding him into the dirt. Blood dripping from his entire face and all the scratches around his body. His clothes dirtied by my hand.
I had only used Alm reinforcement but I decided that he needed more punishment. I use my power to drag him from where he was standing and flew him straight into me. I readied my elbow and hit him straight in the stomach, causing him to vomit. I avoided his disgusting vile and then swiftly grappled him from the front and smashed his back on the ground.
He was gasping for air and right before I kicked him, I sent a very powerful presence coming from one of the windows up high. Telling me to stop.
I challenged the energy being displayed with my own, matching it. I looked up at the king smiled coldly.
I then continued to pass punishment toward the first prince. Citizens watching their prince taking a beating felt satisfying. Not only that but he wouldn't pass out.
He cared too much for his image and couldn't surrender or pass out. He was a perfect punching bag.
After several more minutes, the king finally interfered. Coming down and stepping on his son in front of me.
"That's enough. I'll make sure he learns his lesson. There's no need for the publicity." Seems image is everything. No wonder Celest always works so hard.
But it was too late. The prince was barely conscious and the king coming down to his rescue only made it that much worse. The first prince being rescued by his dad. How great will that look on tomorrow's paper.
"Please discard his assassination unit. He's too weak to have one. If this happens again, I won't come here looking to settle it with a duel." I threatened the king with the life of his son.
"What's your name?" He asked.
"Cera Valentine."