Prince Yun returned to Suntze after the surgery.
The people greeted him with cheer and reverence.
"Our prince!"
"Benevolent and righteous Prince Yun!"
Suntze, being the northernmost kingdom, endured harsh winters and received only half a year of sunshine—unlike the southern kingdoms, which basked in warmth three-quarters of the year. Yet despite the cold, the people here looked radiant: clothed in rich, patterned fabrics and wrapped in layers that glowed like jewels against the snow. Their cheeks were plump with health, and their eyes shone with life—like the sun reflecting off stalactites beneath their roof tiles.
Prince Yun waved from his carriage, smiling softly.
"It's good to see my people doing well."
A maid at his side leaned closer.
"You indulge them too much, Your Highness."
Yun's smile didn't fade, but his eyes turned distant.
"When I was young, people died of starvation and frostbite every winter. Now they grow fat playing in the snow."
The maid replied gently, "Isn't that thanks to you, Your Highness?"
---
Back in the palace, Prince Yun stood by his window, lost in thought.
> "No matter what it costs, I cannot allow the people of Suntze to fight for my revenge."
He summoned a servant.
"Fetch the box on the table and meet me outside. Prepare some targets."
No one questioned him. Prince Yun's ideas were always unorthodox—*and often explosive.*
Outside, as snow fell lightly over the courtyard, Prince Yun opened the box. His breath formed clouds in the frigid air.
> "If this works… it will be too powerful to stop."
He reached inside and removed a compact object with a carved handle—elegant, almost ceremonial in appearance. With methodical hands, he assembled it, attaching metal and wood with quiet precision. Then he began to speak—not to anyone, but perhaps to the cold wind that always listened.
> "After making fireworks for my brother's birthday, I studied the powder I used. Its explosive force was unmatched.
> I tried using it to fuel one of my flying machines. The volunteer ended up severely burned. So I turned to testing it on boulders.
> I thought nothing would come of it—the stone would surely smother the flames.
> But when it launched… I heard the roar of a dragon and woke to the scent of charred wood."
He paused, eyes narrowing.
> "That's when the idea came to me—a cruel one."
His voice was steady, but his heart wasn't. It beat like a war drum inside him, even if his fingers did not tremble.
> "What if I made a smaller, more concealable version?"
With the pistol now complete, Prince Yun slipped on a glove. He took position and gave the signal. The target was placed 100 meters away—hidden just slightly by snowfall.
He raised the weapon.
He exhaled.
He fired.
Bang.
The snow erupted. The target exploded.
No one had seen what struck it.
The servants stood stunned.
"…Forget the weapon," one of them whispered.
"Prince Yun's eyesight is truly terrifying."
They all nodded—then rushed forward as the prince staggered and collapsed from the recoil and the sound ringing in his ears.
His last words, faint and bitter:
> "I am… truly despicable."