"Die to atone for your sins."
Leon drew his sword and prepared to pierce the man's heart.
His open murderous intent shocked both Eula and the man. No one had expected Leon to actually execute someone right then and there.
As the blade gleamed before his eyes, about to pierce through him, the drunkard was so terrified that he wet himself. Desperation filled his voice as he screamed, "Your Highness, spare me! This isn't right—it's not written in the law! My crime doesn't warrant death!!!"
Indeed.
Though he couldn't remember exactly which law it was, attempted rape and false accusations were not punishable by death. At most, the man would have been imprisoned for thirty years.
Not even for life.
Certainly not executed on the spot.
Leon said calmly, "Hmm~ The current law may be correct, but with my authority, I hereby amend it. From this moment on, my law takes precedence."
The man trembled, shouting, "Why—why is this happening?! This is madness! I regret my crimes, please, Your Highness, spare me! I'll never do it again!"
Leon sighed softly, his tone filled with mock weariness. "Ah~ Why would I need your confession? What confession could be more sincere than death?"
He had always thought the laws were far too lenient.
Murder, theft, rape, defamation—none of these carried the death penalty.
Too lenient. Far too lenient.
There may be some who truly repent during their imprisonment, but they are few. Far more people have natures that never change, and keeping them alive is a heavy burden.
Leon believed it was better to kill such people outright.
Rather than spend decades waiting for a possibly insincere repentance, it was better to give them a new start in another life—perhaps one where they might truly become good.
Perhaps that belief was cruel.
But the world Leon wished to create was one without crime.
If no one committed crimes, there would be no need for law.
If one did commit a crime, they would reincarnate. Only the strictest laws could instill fear, and only fear could prevent people from breaking them.
"No—please, forgive me!"
"I never forgive. Trash like you doesn't deserve to live in the world I will rule. Now… die."
The sword flashed with cold moonlight as it drove through the man's chest.
His life ended instantly.
Leon gave the corpse a final glance. In a way, leaving the man's body intact was an act of mercy.
If he were the one writing the laws, death would be the sentence for most crimes. At best, the body would remain whole.
For murder, the corpse would stay intact.
For rape, the body would be torn into five pieces and thrown to the dogs.
As he always said—
He never forgave.
The world he envisioned had to be just, fair, and perfect. Anyone who committed a mistake would pay the price—compensating those they had wronged, and, if necessary, paying with their life.
If someone errs and cannot pay the price, who else would ever trust them?
[He really killed him...]
Eula's eyes trembled as she looked at the corpse.
The drunkard who had tried to assault her just two minutes earlier now lay lifeless on the cold floor, his eyes still open.
She felt sick to her stomach.
Looking at Leon, with a single drop of blood staining his cheek, she felt something strange—contradictory.
Elegant, yet fierce.
Gentle, yet ruthless.
Rational, yet unyielding.
This prince was no ordinary man. Not because of his strength, but because of his heart—and his conviction.
Their eyes met.
Silence stretched between them, each searching for something to say.
Countless thoughts ran through Eula's mind. Though Leon's merciless execution of the drunkard had shocked her, the words he'd spoken to defend her had moved her deeply.
For a moment, she didn't know what to do.
Should she thank him and leave?
Or turn away with her usual resentment?
The answer was clear—it should be the first. Holding a grudge against Leon, who had healed her wounds, refuted her accusers, and protected her innocence, would be ungrateful.
"I didn't expect Your Highness to help me... Thank you. Hmph! But I'll remember this grudge."
[That's quite the unique way to say thank you...] Leon thought, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
The coldness in his eyes vanished, replaced by warmth.
His gentle smile caught Eula off guard, and she quickly turned her face away, flustered.
The first half of her sentence—gratitude—was good.
The second half—resentment—was instinctual.
Eula had never been good at talking to others. Feeling the conversation slip toward awkward silence, Leon spoke first.
"Well, since you want to thank me, why not buy me a drink? I'd like to talk with you, Miss Eula Lawrence."
'...Fine. But let me warn you, Your Highness—if you plan to drink with me in Mondstadt, you'd better be prepared. Someone's bound to cause trouble.'
"Because of your last name—Lawrence?"
"Exactly."
Eula crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes.
As a descendant of the notorious Lawrence family, she was despised throughout Mondstadt.
The people projected all their hatred of her ancestors onto her.
Shops refused to sell her goods, restaurants served her poorly made meals, and in nearly every tavern she entered, she was met with scorn, whispers, and open prejudice.
Thinking about it now, she realized just how different she and Leon truly were.
She was a descendant of a disgraced noble line, with criminal blood flowing through her veins—forever shunned.
Leon was the prince of the kingdom, celebrated everywhere he went for his countless achievements.
They were opposites.
Did someone like her really deserve to share a table with him?
"It doesn't matter," Leon said casually. "I know a tavern that won't care."
"What tavern? Why have I never heard of it?" Eula asked, bewildered.
"Right over there."
Leon pointed toward a lavishly decorated tavern in the distance, marked by a golden phoenix crest—the emblem of its owner.
It was the tavern Ningguang had opened in Mondstadt.
When Leon had hired her to rebuild parts of the city, the business queen of Liyue certainly wouldn't miss the chance to invest in Mondstadt's thriving wine trade.
At present, the two most popular taverns in the city were [Angel's Gift] and [Liyue Tavern].
Leon gently took Eula by the hand and pushed open the tavern door.
He cast a knowing glance toward the bartender behind the counter, who immediately understood.
"Sorry, everyone! We'll be closing early tonight!" he called out loudly.
Then, leaning closer, he whispered, "Your Highness, please, come in."
(End of Chapter)