It's already noon and the bright sky slowly turns dark. Above the present cities of Marcel Kingdom, in the sky, a green-scaled dragon is spotted flying above the clouds, its wings flapping calmly.
"This world is quite fun... I get these awesome powers and a life without discrimination or hate towards me," Ma Feng spoke out while in his dragon state. He returned back to his original dragon form.
Ma Feng came down from the sky as it became darker.
He chose to return back to his form as a dragon so that the world wouldn't know he was originally reincarnated as a dragon in this world. Ma Feng could see the Royal Castle from the sky.
He descended from the sky toward the direction of the castle's rooftop when he swiftly shapeshifted into his humanoid form. Ma Feng landed on the ground, but this time he wasn't really naked.
He magically kept his clothes intact after transforming back from a dragon. Ma Feng quietly landed on the rooftop and saw guards and soldiers surrounding and guarding the Royal Castle of the King.
"The castle is heavily guarded... I can see that," Ma Feng said to himself.
He put his hand into his pocket and brought out the cookie he stole from a shop at the Market Square. He slowly walked across the rooftop when he sighted a hole in the roof and stared down to see the throne room.
Inside the Royal Castle, the throne room seemed to be flooded with nobles of the Marcel Kingdom. The high-ranking military personnel were present when the Four Elders could be seen standing before the altar of the King.
A trumpet blew out loud and the metal door immediately opened up. King Ezerel walked into the throne room with smiles on his face, dressed in his royal attire. He had his scepter in his hand.
All the nobles and military officers fell on their knees and immediately bowed their heads before the Royal King. The Chief Warrior, Qi Ping, followed King Ezerel from behind with pride while dressed in his ranked military outfit.
"Lord of the East... King of the Honorable Marcel Kingdom, King Ezerel... we, the Four Elders, welcome you," the First Elder spoke out while bowing his head before the approaching King. The Elders aren't allowed to go on their knees.
It's against the customs and traditions since they are the King's Makers!
"Elders of the Marcel Kingdom, you may raise your heads already... and the rest of you may rise now," King Ezerel ordered as he walked up to his throne. Immediately after he sat down, the Elders slowly raised their heads.
"Long live the King!" one of the nobles uttered, and the rest chanted in unison. King Ezerel wore a bright smile on his face as he relaxed on his throne. The metal door opened up once again.
The Queen and her children, the Royal Princes and Princess of the Marcel Kingdom, immediately entered the throne room. Queen Fei Jing and her son stood behind her.
King Ezerel had two sons and a single daughter. The eldest and the Crown Prince, Prince Jo Jing, was currently not available since he had gone to a neighboring nation to sort out a pressing matter.
Prince Xi Jing and Princess Rose were present with their mother before them as they entered the throne room. Queen Fei Jing bowed her head before the Elders and slowly bent down and bowed before her husband, the King.
"My Lord... I am glad to see you returned from the Shadow Forest unharmed. I prayed to the gods for your safety," Queen Fei Jing said with pride as King Ezerel nodded his head. He remained seated on his throne.
The Four Elders may hold power over the kingdom, but the King is the ultimate authority!
Queen Fei Jing walked up to her throne, which was beside the throne of the King, and she sat down majestically. Prince Xi Jing bowed his head before his father with smiles on his face.
"Father, I—" Prince Xi Jing couldn't complete his statement when his little sister, Princess Rose, interrupted him. She rushed to her father and swiftly hugged him, overly excited.
"Pops, I'm glad you're back! I was worried sick about you after I heard you were heading toward that damned Shadow Forest. How is it? Did you slay the Naked Demon?" Princess Rose asked.
"That princess really has a bad mouth... Who's she calling Naked Demon?" Ma Feng asked himself as he caressed his chin. He remained standing on the rooftop, unaware that the rooftop was already weakened.
"Naked Demon? The rumors were partially correct," King Ezerel answered.
"Uhm? What do you mean by partially correct, Father?" Prince Xi Jing finally spoke out, glad that his father turned to face him. All the twenty nobles present faced the King, who had a bright smile on his face.
"Eh... let's put it like this. There was a naked boy there, but he wasn't really a demon—just a skilled warrior who needs to brush up his skills. He's quite strong," King Ezerel said while still smiling.
"A boy? Where is he, Father… Did you kill him?" Princess Rose asked in shock as King Ezerel took a deep breath. He gently rubbed his hand on his beautiful daughter's cheek before turning to the Four Elders.
"I am not heartless enough to kill such an adorable kid. In fact, I've made up my mind, and I have decided to adopt him," King Ezerel answered, and everyone present in the throne room gasped in shock.
"Adopt a commoner? My King… isn't that going against the rules of this powerful kingdom?" a noble asked, and King Ezerel looked up toward the rooftop. Ma Feng widened his eyes in shock.
"You can come down now, Ma Feng… they're all waiting for you," King Ezerel said with a smile on his face. Ma Feng staggered back in disbelief. He knew the King would be strong, but he didn't expect to be detected.
"Damn it, he noticed me," Ma Feng cursed as the rooftop cracked and he fell into the throne room. He crashed to the ground while everyone stared at him in shock. Clouds of dust filled the air as soldiers swiftly charged in Ma Feng's direction, pointing their weapons at him.
"Lower your weapons… the boy is with me," King Ezerel ordered.
The soldiers immediately withdrew their weapons as Ma Feng slowly rose from the ground. He brushed the heavy dust off his face and looked up to see the Royal Family, the Elders, and the Nobles all staring at him.
"How were you able to detect me from the rooftop? I made sure to remain under undetectable cover. I'm quite surprised," Ma Feng said as Queen Fei Jing, seated on her throne, clenched her teeth in anger.
"Boy… is that how you speak to the King? Show your respect and bow before his feet!" Queen Fei Jing demanded. Ma Feng slowly turned to face her, feeling the murderous intent flowing through her veins.
"Uhmmm… why should I do that? I don't belong here," Ma Feng replied.
Ma Feng's words left everyone stunned—especially Prince Xi Jing—when a military officer unsheathed his sword. He was about to launch an attack, but King Ezerel stopped him in his tracks.
"But… but… but my Lord, the words of this child are considered treason! He should be cut down already, as a punishment to show the world not to disregard a royal king," the Second Elder spoke out.
"I really don't understand what is going on. Why is this man trying to kill me, huh? I never said anything harmful," Ma Feng thought to himself as King Ezerel rose from his throne with pride. Silence reigned.
"He was the rumored Naked Demon roaming the Shadow Forest, and I don't believe he knows or understands the customs and rules of our powerful kingdom, so he won't be punished."
"And besides, carrying out any actions before me and without my permission will require a harsh punishment… let it be known amongst you. For next time won't be as forgiving as today," King Ezerel warned.
"We understand your decision, Great King… but what's your final say on this boy?"
The Four Elders watched as King Ezerel stepped down from the altar of his throne and slowly approached Ma Feng. Ma Feng couldn't sense any murderous intentions, so he remained calm and collected.
"What's going on with these people? What is he trying to do?" Ma Feng wondered while keeping his composure. King Ezerel took a deep breath and placed his hand on Ma Feng's shoulder.
"From now on… this bright young man will be my third son, and he shall be acknowledged and given the title of a Prince. For he is now of my household, my adopted son… he is now a Royalty," King Ezerel declared.
Queen Fei Jing couldn't believe the words of her husband, but she remained calm. If Ma Feng were a bastard son of her husband, she would be furious. But Ma Feng wasn't related by blood or anything. She accepted the decision with her full heart—though everyone else was stunned.
Ma Feng couldn't believe the King's words. At first, he thought the King was joking about the adoption, but he decided to follow along for some fun. He was left speechless upon hearing that he was now a Royal Prince!
From a wretched and hated orphan in his past life, he had reincarnated into this living world as a dragon, possessed a mysterious system, mysteriously became the host of an Elder God, and now—he was a Prince.
A freaking Prince of a Kingdom… Ma Feng was the most shocked being present in the throne room of the Marcel Kingdom, and King Ezerel pulled him close and hugged him tightly afterward.
"Welcome to my home… Ma Feng," King Ezerel whispered into his ear.