**The Duel: Pride of a Lion**

  The air was thick with tension as I faced my father, King Gregory, in the center of the battlefield. The sun hung high in the sky, casting long shadows over the blood-stained ground. Around us, the armies of Waltonia stood in silence, their eyes fixed on the two lions about to clash. The only sounds were the distant *caw-caw* of crows and the low growls of my lions, who paced nervously nearby.

  Gregory smirked, his sword and spear gleaming in the sunlight. "You’re brave, boy," he said, his voice dripping with mockery. "But bravery won’t save you. You’ll likely die here today."

  I tightened my grip on my sword, my heart pounding. "We’ll see, Father," I replied, my voice steady. "You’ve underestimated me before."

  He laughed, a deep, rumbling sound that sent a chill down my spine. "Marrying that Hyen girl was a stupid move, Sun. Even if she’s beautiful, it makes you look weak. A king can’t afford to be weak."

  I didn’t respond. Instead, I lunged forward, my sword slicing through the air with a sharp *whoosh*. Gregory parried with ease, his spear spinning in his hands like an extension of his body. The clash of steel rang out—*clang! clang!*—as we exchanged blows, each strike faster and more precise than the last.

  ---

  **The Fight Intensifies**

  The crowd watched in stunned silence as I matched my father’s skill. His eyes narrowed, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of surprise in them. "You’ve improved," he admitted, his voice grudging. "But not enough."

  With a sudden burst of speed, he hurled his spear at me. I dodged, but not fast enough—the blade grazed my arm, drawing blood. The pain was sharp, and I hissed through my teeth as I stepped back. The warriors on Gregory’s side erupted in cheers, their horns blaring—*BWAAAAH! BWAAAAH!*—as they celebrated his small victory.

  Gregory switched to his sword, his movements becoming even faster and more fluid. He was a whirlwind of steel, his strikes coming from every angle. *Clang! Clang! Clang!* The sound of our swords colliding echoed across the battlefield.

  ---**Internal Dialogue: Shock and Realization**

  As we fought, my mind raced. *How is he this good?* I thought, my shock growing with every passing moment. I had mind-hacked the combat skills of over 500 Red Lion Guards, yet my father was matching me blow for blow. His experience and raw talent were beyond anything I had anticipated.

  "You’re holding back, Sun," Gregory taunted, his voice cutting through my thoughts. "Is this all the mighty ‘Sun of the Lions’ can do?"

  I gritted my teeth, pushing aside my doubts. *I can’t lose. Not now. Not like this.*

  ---

  **The Battlefield Erupts**

  The queen watched from the sidelines, her face pale and her eyes filled with tears. "Stop this!" she cried, her voice breaking. "Please, stop!"

  But no one listened. The rebellious general, seeing an opportunity, spurred his horse toward the fight. "Now’s our chance!" he shouted. "Kill them both and free us from their tyranny!"

  His words ignited chaos. Warriors from both sides rushed forward, their weapons drawn. The lions, sensing danger, roared and charged toward me, their massive bodies moving as fast as horses. The sound of their roars—*ROAR! ROAR!*—sent the enemy horses into a frenzy, their riders struggling to maintain control.

  Gregory’s voice boomed across the battlefield. "The Lion’s Pride is sacred! What are you doing?!"

  But no one listened. The young warrior sent by the general dashed toward us, his sword raised high. "Kill them both!" he shouted. "Hurry!"

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  ---

  **The Final Clash**

  I blocked the young warrior’s strike with a loud *clang*, disarming him with a swift twist of my sword. My lions reached me just in time, their roars sending the attackers scrambling back. Gregory and I stood face to face once more, our breaths heavy and our bodies battered.

  "You’ve made a mess of things, Sun," Gregory said, his voice cold. "But this ends now."

  I met his gaze, my resolve unshaken. "No, Father. This is just the beginning."

  The battlefield fell silent as we prepared for the final clash, the fate of Waltonia hanging in the balance.

  ---

  **The Red Lions Demand Justice**

  The battlefield was chaos. Warriors clashed, swords rang out—*clang! clang!*—and the ground was slick with blood. My Red Lions surrounded me, their crimson armor gleaming as they formed a protective circle. One of them, Captain Rylan, stepped forward, his voice sharp with anger.

  "Your Majesty," he said, his eyes blazing. "The general and his men have defiled the Lion’s Way. They’ve broken the sacred code of combat. We ask for your permission to kill them."

  I glanced at the rebellious general, who was now surrounded by his own men, their faces filled with fear and defiance. My heart pounded, but I knew what had to be done. "Kill the general," I commanded, my voice cold and firm. "He alone has influenced the armies. The rest can surrender."

  The Red Lions moved like a storm, their swords flashing as they charged toward the general. The battlefield erupted into chaos once more—*clash! clash!*—as the rebels fought to protect their leader. My lions flanked my horse, their roars—*ROAR! ROAR!*—sending shivers down the spines of the enemy horses, which reared and whinnied in panic.

  ---

  **The War Rages On**

  I fought without relying on the Spineless Brain, its power now down to just five days. My confidence wavered as I realized how much I had depended on it. *Without it, I could die here,* I thought, my heart racing. I commanded my warriors to focus on killing King Gregory and his generals, but my father was already being rushed away, battered from our duel.

  "After them!" I shouted, my voice hoarse. "Don’t let them escape!"

  But as the battle raged, I felt a growing sense of dread. My personal Red Lions withdrew, forming a protective barrier around me. "Your Majesty," Captain Rylan said, his voice urgent. "You must return to the palace. The battlefield is too dangerous."

  I hesitated, but the fear of losing everything without the Spineless Brain’s power gnawed at me. "Very well," I said. "But find Lord Thomas. Dead or alive. I want him brought to me."

  ---

  **Return to the Palace**

  I rode back to the palace, my lions flanking my horse as we galloped through the city gates. The people of Leona watched in silence, their faces filled with awe and fear. As soon as I arrived, the palace physician was summoned. He examined my wound, his hands trembling as he checked for poison.

  "You’re lucky, Your Majesty," he said, his voice relieved. "The blade wasn’t poisoned. But you’ll need rest and treatment."

  I nodded, my mind still racing. *What if I had lost? What if the Spineless Brain fails me?* The thought was terrifying.

  ---

  **King Gregory’s Last Stand**

  Meanwhile, King Gregory and his men were pursued by my personal Red Lion guards. The elite warriors closed in, their movements swift and precise. Gregory turned to face them, his face twisted with rage.

  "Traitors!" he shouted, his voice echoing across the battlefield. "You swore loyalty to me!"

  One of the Red Lions stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "We are sworn to obey any crowned Leo in the capital of Leona. Prince Sun is now the Lion among Lions. He must rule."

  Gregory’s eyes widened in disbelief, but he quickly regained his composure. "Then we fight!" he roared, raising his sword.

  The battle was fierce. Gregory fought with the strength of a cornered lion, but his men were outnumbered and outmatched. Just as it seemed he might break through, one of his trusted generals—a man named General Darius—stepped forward and plunged a dagger into Gregory’s back.

  The king gasped, his eyes wide with shock. "Why?" he whispered, blood bubbling from his lips.

  "For my daughter," Darius said, his voice trembling with anger. "The one you defiled."

  Gregory’s body crumpled to the ground, his eyes staring blankly at the sky. The Red Lions made quick work of his remaining men, their swords cutting through the rebels with brutal efficiency.

  ---

  **The Kingdom Mourns**

  Gregory’s body was placed on a chariot and taken back to the royal palace. I declared a period of mourning, and the kingdom fell silent in respect for the fallen king. The streets were lined with people, their faces filled with grief and confusion.

  As I stood on the palace balcony, watching the procession, I felt a strange mix of emotions. Relief, sorrow, and a growing sense of responsibility. *I am the king now,* I thought. *I must lead.*

  ---

  ### **The Truth About Lord Thomas**

  Later that evening, the Red Lion guards tasked with finding Xeona’s harasser returned with shocking news. "Your Majesty," Captain Rylan said, his voice grim. "The pervert who peeped at Xeona was Lord Thomas. He has fled the royal court, but we’ve discovered he was a foreign asset of an empire."

  My blood boiled with anger. "Find him," I said, my voice cold. "I don’t care how far he runs. Bring him to me."

  ---

  **The Aftermath**

  The war was over, but the scars remained. The kingdom mourned its fallen king, and I prepared to lead Waltonia into a new era. The Spineless Brain’s power was dwindling, but I knew I couldn’t rely on it forever. *I must become stronger,* I thought.

  As the sun set over the palace, I felt a sense of determination. The road ahead would be difficult, but I was ready. I was the Lion among Lions, and I would rule.

  -