Shamelessness

Inside the capital's royal palace, Vickery III also received the victorious news from Jacques. 

His eyes narrowed slightly, his emotions exceedingly complex. 

On one hand, he didn't want to admit that the son he least regarded and even despised had such capabilities. 

On the other hand, Leo's actions could be said to have saved the situation from utter collapse, propping up a falling edifice!

The struggle within was evident on his face, leaving him unsure of what to say. It took a full cup of tea's time before Vickery III finally raised his head.

"Your Majesty," a courtier stepped forward, cautiously regarding Vickery III.

"Why... him?" Vickery III spoke, his eyes full of confusion. 

Leo's achievements and actions were completely beyond his comprehension. 

In his view, a bastard was always a bastard, destined to be trampled underfoot for life!

Thus, he had never considered letting Leo inherit the throne, not even acknowledging him as a person. 

But reality had slapped him hard across the face, time and again. 

The princes he had pinned his hopes on – one was brave but reckless, nearly bringing disaster upon Lionara, and the other mediocre in talent and cunning, hardly fit to lead the realm. 

In contrast, the one he loathed had first revealed talents in both magic and martial arts, and then saved the entire nation!

Could it be... he was wrong? 

No! 

Vickery III instinctively shook his head. 

He was the king; he couldn't be wrong! 

A bastard remained a bastard, even if he had achieved something, it was due to the opportunity he provided. 

He should be kneeling in gratitude!

"Issue my decree..." Vickery III spoke again, his voice hoarse.

"Yes, Your Majesty," the courtier bowed, ready to receive Vickery III's command.

"Lord Horn, as the supreme commander at the front, strategically defeated the enemy forces and should be rewarded."

"The upcoming battles will continue under his full command, and he shall have absolute immunity!" Vickery III declared sternly.

"Ah?" The courtier couldn't help but let out a soft gasp upon hearing this.

Leo's victory at Jacques had spread his fame throughout Lionara, and now, his popularity among the people was exceptionally high. 

Logically, Vickery III should have rewarded him. 

The courtier thought so too, which is why he was surprised when Vickery III decided to reward Horn instead.

Feeling Vickery III's icy gaze upon hearing his question, the courtier fell silent, quickly nodding, 

"Yes! I will convey Your Majesty's decree to Jacques immediately!"

"Go," Vickery III nodded.

As the courtier left the palace, Vickery III's aura seemed to diminish, his already aged face appearing even older. 

His eyes were filled with fatigue. 

Shaking his head slowly, he muttered to himself, "You fools, I wanted you to trample him underfoot, not to be trampled by him."

...

Jacques.

With the retreat of the enemy forces, everything was slowly recovering. 

At the same time, the entire northwest front was showing a trend of victory thanks to the success at Jacques.

During this period, Leo did not rest. 

He spent most of his time in the barracks, caring for every knight and soldier. 

He even used his limited savings to buy medicine and food to help the wounded recover more quickly.

Furthermore, Leo appointed Lilith as the city's security officer, significantly improving the city's safety. 

Criminals trying to exploit the chaos of war were swiftly brought to justice. 

This made the residents of Jacques even more grateful to Leo.

In just a few days, Leo had won the hearts of the people more than Horn had in years. 

Amidst this flourishing scene, Jacques welcomed back their former lord.

"Lord Horn has returned! I order you to open the gates!" 

Horn's entourage finally arrived at Jacques' rear gate, one of his attendants stepping forward and shouting loudly.

Two soldiers stood on the city wall, looking down at the people below with expressionless faces. 

There was no response, no refusal, as if they hadn't seen them at all. 

This, of course, was an insult, a blatant one at that!

Instantly, Horn's face reddened slightly. 

He stepped forward, anger in his voice: 

"Are you blind? Can't you see who I am? I am Prince Horn, the supreme commander here! Open the city gates immediately if you value your lives!"

On the city wall, the two soldiers remained motionless. 

Other soldiers nearby saw and heard Horn, yet none came forward to say anything. 

The atmosphere turned tense and somewhat awkward.

Horn's already reddened face turned even more crimson. 

Fortunately, it was winter, so it was hard to tell if his face was flushed from anger or the cold.

"Do you wish to rebel? Fools! I have the king's decree! Go tell that bastard that it's okay if he doesn't welcome me, but if he dares defy the king's decree, the whole of Jacques will suffer for it!" 

Horn roared in fury.

"Whose voice is so loud? Oh, it's my big brother," a slow, leisurely voice rang out. 

Following this, Leo, accompanied by Lilith, appeared on the city wall. 

In fact, he had known about Horn's return for some time.

To be honest, when he first received the news, he was momentarily stunned, inwardly remarking on his elder brother's thick-skinned nature. 

Then, Leo deliberately waited a while before coming to meet his brother.

"Your Highness!"

"Your Highness!"

Upon seeing Leo, the two previously motionless and silent soldiers immediately knelt down and saluted him. 

This scene infuriated Horn below to the point of his mouth twitching. 

He had already planned how to deal with these two fools once inside the city.

"I've said before, no need for such formalities with me. We each have our duties; it's just a matter of rank," Leo said as he helped the soldiers to their feet, his voice calm.

The soldiers verbally acknowledged and then stood up. 

However, their gaze towards Leo was still filled with respect and even fervent adoration.

After helping up his soldiers, Leo turned back to face his elder brother.

"Horn, this is the king's decree. Make sure you understand it clearly! Don't mislead yourself!" Horn raised a golden badge, speaking fiercely.

Leo's pupils slightly contracted at the sight of the golden badge in Horn's hand. 

He recognized it, indeed representing their father. 

It seemed both his father and brother had made a unified decision.

"I see it," Leo said, nodding with a smile.

Horn blinked, a smug smile appearing on his face.

With a snort, Horn said, 

"Then hurry up and open the gate! As the supreme commander, I am here to take over the rule of Jacques. You better hurry back to your own territory!"

Leo looked at Horn, his face still wearing a faint smile, tinged with a hint of mockery. 

He remained silent, his silence persisting until Horn's expression began to stiffen.

"You..." Horn opened his mouth, disbelief written all over his face. 

He was still the nominal commander here, and he had even shown the golden badge!

Had Leo gone mad?

"The king might be too old now, maybe a bit senile. I think some of his words, sometimes, don't count for much. Just treat them like a fart and let it go!" 

Leo said with a smile.

At these words, not only Horn and his entourage but even Lilith was taken aback, glancing at Leo in surprise.

To say King Vickery III was senile? 

And even suggest that his words could be disregarded like a fart?

This was contempt, a naked insult!

 Leo dared to insult a king? 

And that king was his father!

"Leo, you've gone mad! You're truly insane! Do you realize what you're doing?!"

"Don't think just because you've won a battle, you can defy heaven! You're digging your own grave!"

"If these words of yours reach our father's ears, no one can save you! Unless..."

Horn's face was filled with disbelief and anger. 

As he spoke his last words, he suddenly stopped, seemingly realizing something, his eyes filled with shock.

"An old man living on borrowed time, a brainless waste... What right do you have to dictate what I should do? Are you even worthy?!"

"Go back and tell that old man that today is just the first settlement. Next, I will tally every single account with him!"

"How he humiliated my mother, drove her to death! How he treated me, like an animal!"

"I have plenty of time ahead. I can spend a lifetime playing this slow game with him! Wish him my regards, and hope he doesn't die, for that would be too easy for him!"

Leo spoke with a smile, yet his tone was the coldest and most venomous.