Chapter 12
Kingdom of Rommel. A bustling street lined with clean, well-dressed people. Street vendors occasionally hawked all sorts of quirky toys, drawing crowds of wide-eyed children.
Vilin held Annie's smooth little hand as they strolled down the avenue.
Today, Annie had dressed up specially for their outing: a pure white dress that flowed elegantly around her. A single pink flower adorned her dark hair. Her innocent, adorable face glowed with pure happiness. She skipped along, tugging Vilin's hand excitedly.
"Vilin, look over there! That toy looks so fun!" "Buy it." "And that one too!" "Buy that one as well!"
Soon the pair reached a shopping arcade. The moment Annie saw the beautiful clothes displayed in the windows, she froze, unable to tear her eyes away.
Vilin smiled helplessly and led her inside.
Inside the clothing store, Vilin settled onto a waiting sofa and watched quietly.
Annie tried on dress after dress, twirling in front of the mirror. The sight was pure eye candy. Vilin sipped the complimentary coffee brought by a clerk.
This… this is what life should be.
"Brother, how does this one look?"
Just as Vilin's gaze drifted to a voluptuous, elegantly dressed noblewoman nearby, Annie suddenly stepped right in front of him, blocking his view.
Her big black eyes glared daggers.
Only then did Vilin reluctantly pull his eyes away from the woman's curves.
"Annie, that dress looks amazing on you! It really suits you!"
Seeing her pouty dissatisfaction, Vilin scratched his head awkwardly and offered lame praise.
Hearing the compliment, Annie finally relented.
Women had zero resistance to pretty clothes.
Before he knew it, Vilin had downed five cups of coffee.
Seeing Annie's reluctant expression as she eyed yet another outfit, he finally dragged her out.
"Annie, we'll buy more next time, okay?"
He coaxed softly when he saw her mood drop.
At the promise of "next time," Annie instantly perked up again.
"Let's go. We've walked all day—we must be tired." "How about some delicious street food?"
"Okay!"
At a roadside snack stall, Vilin and Annie sat side by side, sampling tasty treats.
Suddenly, Vilin noticed an ugly, short man dressed in extravagant royal attire approaching down the street.
It was the Prince of Rommel Kingdom. He rode in an ornate carriage, inspecting what would one day be his domain.
The prince's gaze quickly locked onto Annie. Her cute, lively appearance stirred something in his twisted heart.
"Guards! Bring that girl to me!"
At the prince's command, the escorting soldiers immediately halted and surrounded Vilin and Annie.
Vilin sensed the encirclement instantly. His hand unconsciously drifted to the hilt of Green Bamboo at his waist.
"Heh heh heh! Little beauty, become my woman!" "You'll be admired by everyone!"
The prince stepped down from the carriage. The guards parted to let him through.
Realizing the target was Annie, Vilin's eyes turned razor-sharp, killing intent radiating outward.
Annie, frightened, hid behind Vilin, clutching the back of his shirt.
Seeing the hostility on Vilin's face, the guards drew their weapons, ready for violence.
"You filthy commoner—hand over the girl at once." "His Highness may yet spare your worthless life."
"Hahahaha! You truly are an ignorant pig!"
Vilin laughed in anger. In one smooth motion, he drew Green Bamboo.
A flash of cold light— an ink-green longsword gleamed in his hand.
The guards responded by drawing their blades. Tension crackled in the air.
"Damn it! Kill him and seize the girl!"
Enraged by Vilin's defiance, the short, ugly prince barked the order.
The soldiers closed in.
Vilin's eyes flashed coldly. His sword moved like lightning toward the nearest guard.
The man raised his broadsword to block—
Crack!
Steel met steel. The guard's eyes widened in shock.
Everyone watched in horror as the guard—and his weapon—were cleaved clean in two.
Blood sprayed.
Vilin became a whirlwind of death, charging into the encirclement. Sword light flashed; sword energy tore through the air.
In moments, three more guards fell dead.
Terrified, the prince dove under his carriage.
"Help! Someone save me!"
As he screamed, the remaining guards fired signal flares into the sky.
Colorful explosions bloomed overhead.
Rommel Kingdom soldiers rushed toward the scene from all directions.
Vilin frowned at the reinforcements. His body began transforming toward nearby trees.
Thorn Assault!
He unleashed a developed technique.
Thick, python-like thorny vines erupted from the pavement, lashing out indiscriminately at soldiers and guards alike.
Figures collapsed one after another, life force pouring into Vilin's reserves. A manic glint appeared in his eyes.
The surviving guards and arriving soldiers stared in terror.
Vilin glanced at the trembling prince cowering under the carriage. With a casual wave, a green vine shot out, dragged the prince into the open.
Seeing Vilin's cold, emotionless gaze, the prince fainted dead away.
Vilin sneered at the cowardice. One foot came down—
Crunch.
The prince's head was crushed like a melon.
The sight of the prince's death sent shockwaves through the crowd.
Rommel Kingdom – Royal Palace.
The king paced anxiously, awaiting news.
A soldier burst in, face pale with terror, and dropped to his knees.
"Your Majesty! Prince… the Prince has been killed!"
The king spat blood.
"Cough—cough… Summon the Navy! I want that murderer to pay with his life for my son!"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The soldier hurried out.
The king collapsed onto his throne, eyes filled with grief and rage.
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