Summary:
**The True Blood** challenges Leo's right to remain in the hidden kingdom.
They demand a **Trial by Combat**, but not against Leo himself — instead, they target someone he trusts: **Elyna**.
A brutal duel begins between Elyna and their leader, testing both her explosive magic and Leo's new path of peace.
Meanwhile, Seraphine reveals a shocking truth: **the Church knows about the kingdom**… and is preparing to strike.
Leo must decide — will he truly remain a bookseller?
Or will he rise once more as the Gentleman King?
---
The torches burned high in the coliseum-like arena beneath the palace.
Thousands had gathered — warriors, mages, outcasts. Some came to watch justice. Others came for blood.
At the center of it all stood **Elyna**, grinning like she was about to win the lottery.
Across from her, **General Valtor**, leader of **The True Blood**, cracked his knuckles.
"This ends today," he said coldly. "No more lies. No more ghosts."
I sat on a raised platform beside Seraphine and Lucian, wrapped in my blanket like I was just another spectator.
But everyone knew.
> This wasn't just about Elyna.
It was about me.
About whether I could truly walk this new path.
---
The Duel Begins
The signal was given.
Elyna didn't wait.
She tossed a small vial onto the ground.
**BOOM.**
Smoke filled the arena.
From within it, she appeared like a flame dancing in the dark.
"Let's make this quick!" she sang.
Valtor snarled and charged forward, twin daggers glowing with cursed energy.
He moved fast — too fast for most to follow.
But Elyna was ready.
She sidestepped, barely dodging the first strike, then countered with a blast of red light.
Another explosion rocked the arena.
Valtor flew backward but landed on his feet.
He wiped blood from his lip.
"You think fire can scare me?" he growled.
Elyna grinned.
"Nope~" she said cheerfully. "But maybe *this* can!"
She clapped her hands together.
A massive rune lit up beneath Valtor's feet.
**IGNIS FLARE – MAXIMUM OUTPUT**
The ground erupted.
Fire swallowed the space where he stood.
When the smoke cleared…
Valtor was still standing.
Burned. Bleeding. But alive.
And furious.
"I'll kill you," he spat.
Elyna tilted her head.
"Sorry~ But I'm kinda busy protecting my boss right now."
She glanced at me.
Then winked.
---
A Gentleman's Choice
As the battle raged, Seraphine leaned toward me.
"You could end this," she whispered. "With your power."
I looked up at her.
Then slowly, I shook my head.
She studied me.
Then sighed.
"You really have changed."
I gave her a small smile.
Then I wrote:
> **"Peace isn't weakness. It's a choice."**
She read it carefully.
Then nodded.
Lucian, sitting beside her, watched us both.
His expression unreadable.
But I saw something in his eyes.
> Understanding.
Maybe even respect.
---
The End of the Trial
Elyna won.
Not with brute strength.
But with clever strategy and one final explosion that sent Valtor crashing into the arena wall, unconscious.
The crowd fell silent.
Then, slowly, some began to clap.
Others followed.
Even some of The True Blood dropped their weapons.
They had seen the truth.
Leo hadn't returned to reclaim a throne.
He had come to understand the world he once ruled.
And now, he was choosing to protect it — not with fear, but with wisdom.
---
The Truth Revealed
After the trial, we retreated to the throne room.
Seraphine stood before us, her expression serious.
"There's something you need to know," she said quietly.
I looked up at her.
She met my gaze.
"The Church knows about this place."
Silence fell.
Tessia stiffened.
Selene narrowed her eyes.
Grimwald muttered a curse.
Elyna frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Seraphine turned to face us all.
"They've known for months," she admitted. "They've been watching. Waiting."
She looked at me.
"They're coming."
I stared at her.
Then slowly, I wrote:
> **"When?"**
Seraphine hesitated.
"Soon."
I nodded.
Then I added:
> **"We defend this city."**
Seraphine studied me.
Then smiled faintly.
"As you command, my king."
I gave her a tired look.
She laughed softly.
---
Eyes Watching
Later that night, I sat alone in the library.
The same one where I used to study during my reign.
Zephyra dropped down beside me.
"You okay?" she asked.
I nodded.
Then I added on my notepad:
> **"I just want them to live in peace."**
Zephyra tilted her head.
"You know…" she murmured, "you're not the only one watching over people anymore."
I blinked.
She grinned.
"That means you don't have to carry everything yourself."
I gave her a small smile.
Then I wrote:
> **"Thank you."**
She beamed.
"No problem, boss!"
---