As always, two guards were seated at the entrance, idly chatting beneath the snowy overhang.
“I still don’t believe it,” one of them muttered.
“Hmm? What now?” his partner asked, frowning.
“That Leon tried to rape the chief’s daughter. I mean, come on—he’s smart, the only student from Velthorne Academy from this village. He had a bright future. Why would he throw it all away like that ?” He asked with a serious expression.
“Lust can be dangerous. Or maybe it’s because she’s the chief’s daughter. You know how some people feel about nobles.” his partner replied with a neutral expression.
“I think he was framed,” the first guard said, his eyes narrowing.
“Framed? Why would the chief do that?”
“I don’t know. But something stinks about this wh—”
*Clip-clop. Clip-clop*
They both went silent as the sound of hooves echoed faintly through the snow-covered road.
“What’s that?” they said in unison, rising from their chairs and peering into the snowy night.
*Clip-clop. Clip-clop*
“It’s getting louder,” one guard said. “But where is it coming from?”
“Hey—look!” the other one pointed.
A massive white horse—no, a Snow Walker—was racing toward them at full speed. And on its back there was someone riding. It was none other than Leon.
“That’s Leon! We have to stop him!”
Both guards grabbed their spears and pointed them toward the charging rider.
Leon’s voice rang out with wild laughter, “Get outta my way, motherfuckers ! Hahahaha! Daddy’s here to deliver a message!”
He jerked the reins and tapped the Snow Walker’s side twice.
“Hienggggg…!”
The beast let out a shrill cry and leapt over the guards in a single, majestic bound as it’s legs made way for him in the air, landing clean inside the village.
*Thud!*
The guards turned in shock, watching Leon gallop away.
“What the-!?”
“Good boy,” Leon muttered, patting the Snow Walker’s side as it trotted toward Kael’s house.
—
In Front of Kael’s House…
Clip-clop. Clip-clop.
The Snow Walker stopped at Leon’s signal.
Thud.
Leon leapt off and strode to the door, rolling his neck and flexing his arms as if preparing himself for fighting.
*Knock. Knock*
From inside, Kael’s irritated voice echoed, “Who the hell comes at this hour…? Damn villagers, and where’s that useless butler?”
“Well… Not what I was expecting.” Leon spoke in a low voice as he gave him arm a rapid jerk.
Click.
The door opened mid-rant. “Can’t even open a fucking doo—”
Before he could’ve completed his sentence,
CRACK!
A heavy punch smashed directly into Kael’s nose.
Thud.
“Owwww—FUCK! My nose! My fucking nose is bleeding! HELP SOMEONE.” Kael shrieked, crumpling to the floor, clutching his face.
Leon stepped inside, emotionless. Then—
KICK!
A brutal boot to Kael’s gut pushed him a little backwards.
“Gwahhh!” Kael coughed blood as he placed one hand over his stomach.
Leon exhaled deeply. “You know… it’s snowing outside, but my chest’s been burning for the last 2 hours. It really hurted when you slapped me in front of my family. But now…” He smiled down at Kael. “It’s starting to feel a little better.”
Suddenly, Leon felt something press against his back.
“Step aside. Or I’ll kill you, this is not a joke. Move a muscle and see for yourself.” came a calm but deadly voice. Charles. His wand aimed directly at Leon’s spine.
“Oh no… hands up! I surrender man… I can’t fight you on this one.” Leon said mockingly, raising his arms with a smirk. “I just have to surrender to the all powerful butler. Although your master doesn’t look in a very good condition.”
Footsteps pounded down the stairs. “Why are you yelling—DAD?!”
Julia appeared, her eyes wide with horror at the sight of her bleeding father.
Charles spoke sternly, “You do realize striking a noble is punishable by death, right ?
There is no way you can walk away from this.”
Leon, unbothered, simply said, “Wait for it… We will see who will walk away.”
“What ?” Charles narrowed his eyes at Leon’s words.
Murmurs began to rise outside. In seconds, the entire village gathered at the chief’s house, drawn by the noise.
The guards who were at the gate came rushing in and grabbed Leon, tying his arms tightly with ropes and pushed him down on his knees.
“What’s wrong with you?! Why would you attack my father ?!” Julia screamed, storming up to him with an angry expression.
Leon just grinned. “The princess came to rescue. What did I tell you before I left ?”
“What ?!”
“That Snow Walker standing outside… you think it just appeared out of nowhere ?” Leon asked with a smile as he looked at Julia.
Everyone turned to look at the majestic beast standing silently in the snow. Then back to Leon.
“What are you trying to saying ?” Julia asked, her eyes narrowing.
“You might want to check the right pocket of my pants, Julia Klen.” Leon spoke with a smile.
She hesitated, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a sealed letter. Her breath hitched.
A golden ’W’ gleamed on the wax.
“W-What is it?” Kael croaked, staggering over.
“…The Weaver Household,” Julia whispered, her voice trembling.
Kael’s face drained of color. “Open it.”
As Julia broke the seal and read the letter, Leon spoke up.
“You might want to untie me now. Restraining a messenger of the Weaver family is not exactly a minor offense.”
The guards immediately stepped back and loosened the ropes. Charles removed his wand and backed away as well.
Leon dusted himself off, then walked toward the Snow Walker.
With a grin, he mounted the saddle and turned to the now-silent crowd. No one met his eyes.
The letter slipped from Julia’s fingers and fluttered to the ground.
“W-What’s wrong? What does it say ?” Kael asked, picking it up.
His lips moved as he read—then stopped.
*Thud*
Kael collapsed onto his knees, eyes wide in horror.
“An official termination of all services… an AST letter,” Leon announced loudly, his voice echoing in the dead silence. “Mr. Kael Klen. You and your family are no longer nobles. All your assets—this house, your carriages, and even your right to live in this village—have been revoked.”
Leon smirked as he turned the Snow Walker around.
“Allow me to escort you out, with no courtesy at all.”
He took a breath, then began to sing mockingly as he looked at Julia:
🎵 Feel the city breaking and everybody shaking, 🎵
🎵 And we’re stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive… 🎵
🎵 Ah, ah, ah, ah, stayin’ alive… stayin’ alive… 🎵