Feng and Prince Xi Jing were both seen riding horses down the Kingdom's Trade Center. The Marcel Kingdom is classified into three parts: the Cities, the Villages, and Xi Dra. The Cities are divided into four Zones—
The East City, the North City, the South City, and the West City. There are thirteen villages in total. Four High Lords control the Four Cardinal Cities of the Marcel Kingdom, while thirteen Lower Nobles govern the Villages.
Xi Dra is the center of artifact creation. The Lord of Xi Dra reports directly to the King himself, as there is no one above him except the King of the Marcel Kingdom.
Prince Xi Jing led the way while showcasing the entire Kingdom to the latest prince.
Of course, they wouldn't be moving alone, even if it was the safest zone. As members of the Royal Family, twenty soldiers followed them from behind. They were also mounted on horses, dressed in their battle armor.
Ma Feng couldn't stop smiling; he couldn't believe the Marcel Kingdom had such beautiful places. He had never received this kind of privilege in his entire life. He cursed the day he was born in his former world.
Ma Feng continued to ride his horse with pride, his head almost exploding with happiness. He was only partially listening to Prince Xi Jing's words when the horses suddenly stopped.
Ma Feng looked around in shock and stared at the Prince, who was gazing down at the area below them. They were standing on a hilltop, overlooking the Trade Center between the Four Cities and Thirteen Villages.
"What's this place?" Ma Feng asked.
"This place? This is the Trade Center… the home of the Kingdom's market. It's originally controlled by one of our nobles. This is where my little sister and I used to come when we were bored," Prince Xi Jing said.
"Oh, is that so? It's quite a busy and beautiful place, I can say that at least. What are we going to do now?" Ma Feng asked.
Prince Xi Jing wore a bright smile on his face before he slowly turned to stare at Ma Feng.
"You're quite funny, Ma Feng… We'll be buying some goods from our people, and we're to confirm the rumors of a newly declared prince of the Kingdom— which is you. This is partially an order from the King," Prince Xi Jing answered.
"Oh really… I guess we have no choice then," Ma Feng said calmly, but his heart was already racing. He had been to the Trade Center already when he came with the King. His face had been marked by the people—
Given an infamous name that could ruin his position as a prince in this Kingdom. Ma Feng's heart was pounding faster as they began heading toward the Trade Center. Prince Xi Jing remained as calm as ever.
The closer they got to the Trade Center… the louder and livelier it became!
"Xi Jing, right? I'm certain I'm not mistaken, but I believe you have an elder brother— the Crown Prince of this Kingdom. Where is he?" Ma Feng asked as Prince Xi Jing slowly turned to face him.
"My elder brother remains in Scarlet Academy, while my little sister and I returned for the holiday," Prince Xi Jing answered.
Ma Feng widened his eyes in shock after the answer.
He couldn't believe that an academy existed in this mysterious world!
"Did you just say academy? I didn't quite understand you well," Ma Feng asked, and Prince Xi Jing giggled softly. They were already close to the Trade Center when the gates were suddenly opened.
"Yes, I said academy. After the Great War, which lasted for a century and ended four hundred years ago, our ancestors united with the thirty-six nations and twenty noble clans of the world.
An academy was formed to unite the younger generations and prevent any future wars. The Scarlet Academy was created three hundred years ago at the center of the world.
Since it's an academy for unity, princes and nobles from across the world are all invited to join. However, the Scarlet Academy is mostly known for accommodating princes, princesses, and nobles.
The poor who enroll through scholarships are treated with disgust and bullied, without the teachers giving a damn. So, it's basically meant for the rich," Prince Xi Jing explained.
"That's cool, but why aren't you in school?" Ma Feng asked.
"Well, I already told you— we're basically on holiday. My elder brother remains because he's part of the school council. I'm still a fifth grader in the Military Department," Prince Xi Jing replied while riding his horse.
"That's awesome. I guess I would love to be enrolled in such a school to understand more of what life has to offer," Ma Feng said to himself with a chuckle. His heartbeat increased drastically as they approached the Trade Center.
Everyone's eyes were on them while whispers filled the air!
"Don't feel nervous, Ma Feng… act normal," Prince Xi Jing whispered as they got down from their horses. The soldiers were already on their feet, clearing a path for the royal princes.
Greetings were given to Prince Xi Jing, while many stared at Ma Feng with confusion written on their faces. A few people recognized Ma Feng from the day he came with the King.
"Is that boy the new prince declared by the King? I remember the day the King brought him into our Kingdom," a woman said from the crowd. The whispers increased drastically as murmurs spread among the people.
Ma Feng was dressed as a royal prince, so it was convincing enough that he was indeed the new prince. But he didn't look like the King, so the assumption that he was born out of wedlock was basically useless.
The crowd continued to discuss amongst themselves.
VIOLET: NOTICE... FEW MURDEROUS INTENTS ARE FELT IN THE SURROUNDING AREAS. SHOULD I ACTIVATE INSTANT BATTLE MODE?
"There isn't any need for that, Violet, but be ready at any time. I can already feel a few people being jealous," Ma Feng said to himself as they continued walking. Prince Xi Jing remained as calm as usual.
Girls were basically fainting as he passed by, his scent perfect enough to get them wet instantaneously. Ma Feng felt strange auras when he tilted his gaze to see a man standing in the crowd—
covered in a black robe, with his face hidden.
Ma Feng continued to stare in that direction when a single tap drew him back to Prince Xi Jing. Immediately, he turned to glance once more, but the strange being was already gone. He then turned to face Prince Xi Jing.
"What were you staring at, Ma Feng?" Prince Xi Jing asked as Ma Feng immediately cleared his throat. He looked up to see cold eyes staring at him while a few people had already welcomed him as their prince.
"Damn it, some people are already noticing. I need to get out of this place at once," Ma Feng said to himself as he started sweating profusely. He pretended to feel uneasy and placed his hand on his butt.
"Ma Feng, what's happening to you?" Prince Xi Jing asked.
"I need to take a shit, bro. I'll have to excuse myself... it's coming," Ma Feng said while pretending to struggle. He was about to leave when a hand grabbed him from behind. He slowly turned to see a little girl standing before him.
The little girl stared at Ma Feng while he was already dripping with sweat, still pretending to struggle with his stomach. Prince Xi Jing walked up to the little girl with a smile on his face and slowly bent down.
"Little girl, your prince isn't really in a good situation right now... can you let go of his hand?" Prince Xi Jing asked while everyone watched. The girl slowly let go of Ma Feng, who immediately prepared to leave.
"Momma... he is the one. He is the Clepto Rider who stole your money."
The little girl said, and Ma Feng immediately froze in his tracks. His clothes were already soaked with sweat as everyone turned to face him. Who didn't know the Clepto Rider?
The infamous King of Thieves—responsible for over sixty-five thefts in just an hour. Prince Xi Jing raised his head to gaze at Ma Feng, who was already dripping with sweat. He was confused for a moment.
"The Clepto Rider? King of Thieves? Are you sure about that, child?" a man asked as the people began whispering amongst themselves. Since he was a prince of the Marcel Kingdom, they couldn't insult him directly.
Ma Feng wished the ground would open and swallow him whole. His legs were shaking profusely as he cleared his throat. He wiped the sweat from his face and slowly turned to face the little girl.
"The Clepto Rider? Are you talking about that infamous but awesome King of Thieves? I just heard about him yesterday—his swift style of thefts. I know he's awesome, but he's quite bad and should be punished.
But you shouldn't compare me to that low-level handsome thief. I'm a prince now, not the Clepto Rider," Ma Feng said with pride. Of course, he was lying, but he had to defend his honor and dignity as a prince.
This was his first time being a prince.
Prince Xi Jing and Ma Feng left the Trade Center after an hour. Ma Feng took a deep breath as the cold, chilled air blew against him heavily. He rode his horse and turned to see Prince Xi Jing staring at him.
"The people are easy to convince, but I'm not dumb enough to believe your swift and cunning lies, Ma Feng. Are you the Clepto Rider?" Prince Xi Jing asked with a smile on his face, and Ma Feng smirked.
"Yes."
Ma Feng answered, and Prince Xi Jing laughed out loud. The matter had deescalated, and the people now believed the Clepto Rider to be a mere poor thief with years of experience in the art of theft.
Prince Xi Jing couldn't stop laughing until they arrived at the Royal Palace. Ma Feng gasped in shock, fell from his horse, and drifted into a deep slumber. Ma Feng slowly opened his eyes.
He found himself standing in a world of mystery—in a shadow realm—as the man in the black robe walked out from the darkness. Ma Feng couldn't believe the mysterious world he had appeared in.
"What is this place?" Ma Feng asked himself as an enormous eye appeared in the sky. He stared at the enormous eye when the realm immediately shifted, and he appeared in a black desert—
A world of void.