It was as if just a mere thought, or perhaps not even a thought was necessary; the very presence of the esteemed guest was enough to trigger disaster.
The next second, Alek and his five close followers simultaneously halted in their steps...
No, to be precise, their bodies suddenly froze in place, as if bound by invisible ropes.
After a brief silence, a voiceless terror began to spread.
Alek’s eyes, nostrils, ears, and mouth simultaneously spewed fresh blood, gushing like an open faucet.
The blood was so vividly red, appearing almost surreal in the sunlight.
That crimson color etched into Thomas’s retina, unable to vanish even when he closed his eyes.
Subsequently, the Second Prince’s head burst open like an overripe watermelon right before everyone’s eyes, transforming into a mass of flesh and blood, scattering in all directions.
His five followers met the same fate... their heads exploding at the same time.
Sprayed blood stained the ground several meters around, a bloody scent permeating the air like a nightmare.
Six headless bodies wobbled a few times before collapsing with a chilling echoing thud on the street.
The entire city gate plaza plunged into a deathly silence.
Thomas felt a fierce dizziness, his stomach churning, a bitterness rising in the depths of his throat.
He could not believe what he had just witnessed—a Wizard he hadn’t even seen, hidden within the carriage, doing nothing, no spell.
It’s just... it seemed... a thought that caused six heads to explode simultaneously with invisible ripples.
That terrifying power exceeded his comprehension, like an ant attempting to understand the sun’s scorching heat.
"This..."
"Oh gods..."
"Heavens!"
Several people with weaker courage fainted on the spot.
More people began to tremble all over, their foreheads pressed tightly against the ground, fearful of attracting the terrifying Wizard’s attention.
Thomas was no exception, his forehead deeply buried in the soil, feeling the cold earth.
At this moment, he only wished he could disappear, turn into a speck of dust, unnoticed by the presence inside the carriage.
The once proud guards, their knees now weak, if not kneeling, probably couldn’t stand.
They had never seen such a terrifying scene—one person, merely through a thought within a carriage, caused six heads to explode simultaneously.
In front of such absolute power, human dignity seemed so small and ridiculous.
The carriage continued forward, slowly stopping at the main road.
A man in splendid armor—the Royal Guard Commander stepped up, his face pale, yet managed to maintain his composure.
He bowed deeply, his voice steady, though attentive people could perceive the tremor within:
"Honorable Lord Ron, Prince Andre has sent me to greet you. For the earlier unintended disturbance, His Highness extends his deepest apologies and has arranged for the road to be cleared. Please let the lord’s carriage proceed directly."
The Guard Commander’s voice was utmost respectful, the kind of reverence not mere courtesy to a regular guest, but submission to absolute power.
There was no response from inside the carriage, just a slight sway, seemingly consenting to the arrangement.
The Guard Commander immediately rose, turning to the prostrate crowd and guards:
"Clear the road! Make way for the esteemed guest! Any offender will be dealt with as an act of treason!"
His voice echoed across the open plaza, and everyone hurriedly pressed their heads lower, fearing they might be noticed by the presence within the carriage.
Under the Guard Commander’s lead, the mysterious carriage slowly entered through the city gate, moving along the main road towards the Royal Palace.
The creature pulling the carriage, its eyes gleaming with eerie green light, swept across the crowd kneeling on either side of the street, eliciting shudders after shudders.
All along the main road of the Royal Capital, tens of thousands of civilians prostrated, their foreheads pressed deeply against the stone pavement.
Those originally filled with indignation now held only pure reverence and fear.
"Gods above..."
"This is the power of the Wizard..."
"What kind of presence is in that carriage to be so terrifying..."
Low exclamations spread among the crowd, but no one dared to raise their heads and look directly at the mysterious carriage, fearing their heads would burst like the Second Prince’s.
Thomas’s worldview had long since shattered completely.
He had once mocked those who believed in supernatural powers, mocked the so-called "Wizards" and "Magic."
But at this moment, he knew he was wrong, so terribly wrong.
In this world, indeed, existed powers beyond his understanding.
And the owner of such power, like a god walking amongst humans, could take a life at will, as effortlessly as crushing an ant.
"He is not human..."
Thomas whispered inwardly, his heart filled with fear: "He is a demon, a god, an existence we cannot comprehend..."
Later, certain information was deliberately released:
The Second Prince’s escape plan was entirely under the control of Prince Andre.
That astonishing scene was just a meticulously arranged demonstration of power.
To announce to the Royal Capital, and even the entire Kingdom, the terrifying power of that Wizard and the fact that the Thirteenth Prince had allied with him.
For the ordinary citizens of the Faruk Kingdom, knowing Prince Andre now had a true Wizard ally was more intimidating than any army.
Who would dare challenge a presence that could make heads explode with just a thought?
Who would dare challenge a Wizard who could kill without even appearing?
And so, the mysterious carriage moved slowly forward, traversing the entire main road of the Royal Capital, marching towards the Royal Palace.
Behind it, not only a scene of bloodshed was left in its wake but a deep imprint of fear and reverence etched into the hearts of all the people.
This day, everyone who witnessed this scene would remember it for eternity.
Even in their old age, they would still awaken from dreams,
recalling the terrifying presence within the carriage capable of taking lives with mere thoughts.
From this day forward, Thomas no longer doubted the existence and power of Wizards.
Whenever Wizards were mentioned, he remained silent, a trace of inescapable fear flickering in his eyes.
For him, the memory of that day was like a brand, never to be erased.