The legends of the past unfold in the present.

The forgotten Prince stands again before his foes.

Stirring horn blasts rose from the melody, and amid cheers from innumerable Phantoms, a faint yet exuberant singing voice resonated from behind the curtains.

That is...

Huai Shi's pupils constricted, followed quickly by the Prince's recitation.

"To be, or not to be: that is the question..."

Uttering the immortal lines of the ages, the Prince raised his Sword Blade, as if gripping his very Fate within that poignant and exalted song.

The prince of legend, the Knight of lore, now stood before Huai Shi.

A glorious Halo rose from his head. Its radiant light crystallized upon his Sword Blade. With a neigh from the White Horse, a pair of massive wings unfurled from its back, stirring the air, whipping up a hurricane, and soaring into the sky.

"A Pegasus?"

Huai Shi stared agape, craning his neck to look up at the Prince high above in the sky-dome. Battling with background music is one thing, but this, with its magic-like effects, is just outrageous!

"'Listen, Huai Shi!' Above in the sky-dome, the Prince laughed heartily, spreading his arms wide in pride. 'This is the lament of our past; this is the song and adoration from my people's hearts for me. The title of Prince is not held by one alone! What difference is there between a prince without his people and Kingdom to protect, and a beggar?'"

Behind the curtains, the Teenage Girl's singing voice soared. Amidst the soul-stirring melody, the White Horse neighed, a single horn now sprouting from its head, shining like the sun.

Then, a whirlwind howled as the winged horse charged forth.

BOOM!

Just one strike sent Huai Shi flying backward, his vision darkening in waves.

The sound of galloping hooves drew nearer. The White Horse pounded the air as it galloped, its hoofbeats thundering like drums. The song from behind the curtains climbed once more to a high peak, a cool female voice burst upwards, an incredible soprano that transformed into a lament and rebellion against Fate.

The chorus of countless voices rose.

The Prince's Sharp Blade glowed intensely.

He struck down!

Huai Shi retreated again, feeling his arms go numb. His body flew back several meters, and gagging, he spat out blood, stunned.

The Long Spear supported his body.

He gazed at the composed Prince in the distance, yet an overwhelming sense of helplessness washed over him.

It's just that he grew wings, he's just a bit stronger, he can just glow... but it makes one feel so powerless. It's as if thousands stand behind him.

The Prince stood in his Kingdom, on his own stage, with all his people singing praises of his great deeds and majesty, his justice and wisdom, his tenderness and resolve.

The legend had truly descended here, amidst this song.

"Background music? I've got that too…"

Huai Shi pulled out his Axe and swung it. An illusory cello sound, deep and resonant, rose from behind his curtains—but immediately, the Prince unsheathed his sword and struck again.

The roaring Symphony crushed the solitary cello's notes.

Huai Shi stumbled back.

"'It's no good, Huai Shi. It's no good.' The Prince looked down at his disheveled opponent, expressing displeasure at his naivety. 'You can never achieve eternal victory alone. Without a people to support you, you don't deserve to be a Prince! Is this the mentality you brought to challenge me?'"

Huai Shi coughed violently, gasping. "Honestly, I didn't think that much... If I'd known, I would've brought a music player."

"'Think about it, young one, think carefully... Isn't this stage the place to show your grace?'

"The Prince urged the White Horse forward, step by step, and berated him, 'But where is the Kingdom for which you strive! Where are the people you protect!

"'Huai Shi, if you are so shallow, you're doomed to defeat!'"

Isn't that the story of a so-called prince?

He will not become a King, will not hide in a castle to sit on that chair, the one furthest from the people.

The Prince rides his White Horse, traversing his lands.

Forever young, forever brilliant.

Like the gentlest of dreams.

It was precisely for this reason that he was beloved by countless people, and precisely for this reason that he could embody so many hopes and aspirations. He was forever just, forever gentle, bearing the nation's expectations. Victorious in every battle, magnificent and valiant—he would never disappoint.

This is why he was undefeated.

This is why he shone like the stars!

"'I'm sorry, Your Highness.' Huai Shi gazed at his radiant figure and sighed enviously. 'Not everyone can be like you...'"

That kind of thing... I've never possessed it, have I? When it comes down to it, being a prince... At best, I could only play a sidekick to Old Liu's Cowherd act, and even then, only as his junior, getting drinks poured on me, laughed at, and turned into a meme. Even if you have Magic Long Hair and Magic Hands, can talk to small animals, and have someone come to solve your problems, that doesn't make you a prince, does it? No matter how splendid the imitation, once it encounters the genuine article, its true nature is exposed. A KTV Prince? What kind of prince is that!

He closed his eyes, expelled a breath heavy with agitation from deep within his lungs, clutched his weapon, and issued his challenge to the Prince.

"Come, Your Highness," he murmured. "Your enemy is right here."

"'You can't even find a Kingdom worthy of your protection?' The Prince looked down, his gaze filled with pity, and clenched his Sword Blade."

"'Then, allow me to end this battle…' he whispered softly as the White Horse's hooves struck the ground."

In the majestic glow, the Pegasus soared, and the chorus of the masses rose in praise.

The Prince, with stern majesty, raised his light-infused sword and charged toward Huai Shi!

Then, a blinding ray of light slashed down!

Huai Shi roared, bellowed, raised the Long Spear in his hand, and thrust it forward.

In that instant, a booming sound erupted.

A tempest swept through.

The point of the Long Spear and the edge of the Sword Blade clashed violently!

Did I... block it?

Huai Shi's eyes widened in disbelief.

Raven's sigh sounded beside his ear. "Fool. Look behind you."

Then, in the dead silence, everyone heard it—from behind the empty curtain at the end of the stage, the sound of a door being pushed open.

"'A Pipe Organ?' an old yet graceful voice inquired. 'As it happens, I have studied it a little.'"

With that, a stool was pulled out.

The Lute player took his seat.

A subdued noise and a sense of commotion followed. Staggered, heavy footsteps sounded continuously from behind the door as people entered the theater, much like an audience finding their seats.

Stooped old men and women leading thin children, carrying the scent of wind and dust, arrived from forgotten stories. They looked uneasily at the audience before finally settling into the choir's chairs.

Next, sailors telling each other bad jokes walked in. Their pipe-smoking captain led the way. He picked up a trombone from near a chair and turned to instruct, "A few of you, go beat the drums. If you don't know how, just shout along with the rhythm."

The sailors took their places. Then, one by one, more figures emerged from behind the door, found their spots, and awkwardly picked up the instruments before them, uncertain how to use them.

In the blink of an eye, countless figures had filled the performance area behind the curtain. Characters from past stories had reappeared on this incredible stage, raising their instruments for their savior.

Finally, light footsteps approached, and a slender figure came to stand at the very front. The captain removed his pipe, his expression one of astonishment. "Young lady, are you here to sing?"

"Yes." The girl's voice, unheard for so long, carried a laugh. She lifted her head and looked towards the stage. Through the thin curtain, she asked softly, "Can we begin again, Mr. Huai Shi?"

"'...Ah, anytime.'"

After a brief silence, Huai Shi slowly nodded, fighting back the joy and gratitude swelling in his chest, his eyes growing red.

When he looked up at the Prince, who had been waiting for so long, a smile spread across his face.

"Do you see, Your Highness?"

Huai Shi once again lifted the weapon in his hand. "My people have come for me. My Kingdom is right here!"

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