The Black Lion

At Count Lewis's peculiar question, Deler's expression remained unchanged:

"The person before you is Tales..."

But Lewis suddenly burst out laughing and waved a hand, interrupting Deler's introduction:

"Don't be nervous. That was just a joke. Of course I know where he is..."

Interrupted, Deler's expression darkened.

"Come, let me have a look..."

Amid Deler's silence, Lewis slowly turned his horse around and studied Tales from the side, his expression inscrutable.

The Prince took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his discomfort, and smiled as he accepted the Black Lion Count's scrutiny.

A few seconds later, after nearly circling half a lap around Tales, Count Lewis finally let out a mocking laugh:

"Your Highness, I've long heard of your great achievements in the Northern Land. It is an honor to have you grace us with your presence."

He drew closer to the Prince, leaning his upper body back as his expression remained haughty:

"Perhaps you no longer remember me..."

But unexpectedly, the Prince raised his voice and interrupted him:

"Will the valiant Black Lion still fight for the pride?"

Lewis was stunned the instant he heard this.

"'I will fight to the death.' That was how you answered my father back then." Under everyone's gaze, the Second Prince stared straight at the head of the Black Lion family:

"'So long as the head lion remains wise and valiant, and cares for the pride.'"

Lewis looked astonished.

Even Deler, standing nearby, frowned slightly.

"Yes, I remember you, Count Lewis Bozdov of Heroic Soul Fortress."

"At the National Affairs Conference six years ago, you were seated not far from me."

Tales cleared his throat. His gaze began to turn cold beneath the setting sun:

"And I also remember that when they voted on whether I was a prince..."

"You cast one vote against