I am Sun Wukong, the fourth son of King Leonin Wukong, and I was on a mission to the Kohica continent to assess the feasibility of war against humans. However, I failed in my mission, and now I must return home to Lycus.

It has been several days since I boarded this boat, and there are still two or three more days left until we reach Lycus. I've spent most of my time below deck, not only because of the occasional bouts of seasickness but also due to the overwhelming guilt I feel. Argh, I don't want to dwell on that right now!

Fortunately, my thoughts were interrupted by a looming shadow. It was Macau, my elder half-brother, who always had a flair for dramatic entrances. I remained unmoving and replied, "Macau, I don't know how you managed to find me here, but I really don't want to deal with you right now."

He gasped dramatically, playing up the role of the offended elder brother. "Is that any way to treat your elder brother, Sun?"

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his theatrics. With a sigh, I retorted, "Macau, you're barely a year older than me. Don't exaggerate your seniority."

He shrugged dismissively. "Alright then. Anyways, I thought you were a mage now. Can't you just teleport home?"

I shot him a glare. "Oh sure, let me, a tier 4 mage, attempt a tier 7 spell to transport myself home. That's brilliant. I thought you were the smart one."

Macau laughed, seemingly amused by my response. "Well, I don't understand human magic, but tier 4 does sound quite weak for a prince." He settled down next to me. "So, aside from being discovered, how did it go?"

I let out a sigh, feeling a sense of comfort as his wing wrapped around me. "There's this girl," I began, and he immediately gasped in response.

"Brother, no!" he exclaimed, clearly assuming the worst.

I pushed him away gently. "No, it's not like that. Let me finish. She's incredibly strong. Given a few more months, she could easily decimate one of our battalions single-handedly."

Macau seemed taken aback. "Then we won't give her a few months. We should attack immediately," he suggested, his tone filled with determination.

I shook my head. "Her mentor is also present. He single-handedly defeated the Elven King Dragon."

Macau coughed, clearly astonished. "You must be joking. Please tell me you're joking."

I met his gaze seriously. "I'm not. This is a much more serious situation than we anticipated."

He let out a deep sigh. "I suppose you're right. It's not worth risking an attack in light of these new developments."

***

Macau departed shortly after our conversation, leaving me alone with my thoughts once again. The two days flew by, and before I knew it, the ship had reached the docks of Lycus. As I stepped out, I was greeted with cheers and colorful banners.

"Prince Sun is back!" someone shouted with excitement.

"I bet he's even stronger now!" another voice chimed in.

"Yeah, he's probably surpassed his brothers in strength!" someone countered.

A smile played on my lips, feeling a sense of belonging. "Good morning, everyone! It's wonderful to be back in our magnificent country," I addressed the crowd with a smirk. "Thank you for the warm welcome, my friends."

The crowd respectfully made way for me as I made my way forward, following the standard protocol. However, I was taken aback when I noticed my three brothers standing near the front of the crowd, awaiting my arrival.

Colt Wukong, the eldest among us and the ideal candidate for the crown prince exuded regal charm. Towering even among beastmen, he possessed an imposing stature. His neatly groomed black hair and beard complimented his appearance. He adorned himself in traditional long blue robes, befitting the nobility of our nation.

On the other hand, Artair, the second eldest, was the complete opposite of Colt. Despite his shorter stature, he had a muscular build that could rival anyones. Artair boasted about the thick brown hair covering his body, although I had never bothered to confirm it. He always wore tight-fitting shirts to showcase his bulging muscles, emphasizing his physical strength.

Lastly, there was Macau, a rare beastman who consistently displayed one of his animal traits. His large brown wings protruded from his back, and unlike other beastmen, he refused to retract them. Macau had sleek black hair, similar to Colt's but without a beard. He preferred the attire of a scholar, donning white robes that were more fitted compared to the loose noble garments.

"Sun," Colt addressed me with a cold tone, his gaze scrutinizing me for any signs of weakness. "We have been assigned the task of bringing you before the king."

Not an ideal situation, but I won't voice my concerns aloud. While Colt may hold the title of Crown Prince and Artair may be the Warrior Prince, I earned the moniker of the People's Prince for a reason. With a smirk, I casually stretched my arms behind my head. "Sounds like a fun time."

Colt's stern expression remained unchanged as he motioned for us to follow him. The four of us made our way through the bustling streets of Lycus, the capital city of our kingdom. The citizens paused their activities to watch our procession, offering bows and expressions of respect as we passed by.

As we arrived at the grand palace, the guards at the entrance snapped to attention, their gaze fixed upon us. They opened the massive doors, revealing the majestic interior adorned with intricate designs and opulent decorations. We walked through the vast halls, the echoes of our footsteps resonating in the silence.

Finally, we reached the throne room, where our father, King Leonin Wukong, sat on his golden throne. His regal presence commanded respect, and his lion-like features conveyed strength and authority. He looked at me with a mix of curiosity and disappointment, as if he already knew about my failed mission.

"Sun Wukong, the prodigal son returns," King Leonin spoke with a deep voice that reverberated throughout the room. "Tell me, why have you come back empty-handed?"

I took a deep breath, maintaining a calm and composed demeanor. "Father, I have returned because the situation in the Kohica continent is far more complicated than we anticipated. The humans have become a force to be reckoned with, and engaging in a war with them would be a grave mistake."

The king's brows furrowed, a glimmer of anger flashing in his eyes. "You dare speak against my orders? The humans have long been a thorn in our side, and it is our duty to crush them!"

"Father, I have witnessed their power firsthand," I continued, undeterred. "They possess formidable warriors and mages, capable of matching and surpassing our own strength. It would be reckless to underestimate them."

Artair stepped forward, his muscular frame imposing. "Sun, have you lost your spirit? We are beastmen, the rightful rulers of these lands. We should not fear humans; we should dominate them!"

I locked eyes with Artair, my voice filled with determination. "It is not about fear, brother. It is about strategy and understanding our enemy. Blind aggression will only lead to unnecessary bloodshed and loss of life."

Macau, always the voice of reason, stepped forward, his wings slightly fluttering. "Sun has a point. We must reevaluate our approach and find alternative means to secure our kingdom's future."

The room fell into an uneasy silence as our words hung in the air. King Leonin leaned back on his throne, contemplating our words. After a tense moment, he spoke again, his voice softer this time. "Very well, my sons. I will consider your counsel and reassess our plans. But know this, the humans will not go unchallenged."

I made my way back to my quarters within the palace, the weight of the upcoming conflict heavy on my mind. I didn't want to engage in battle with Quinn; I couldn't bear the thought of her getting hurt. It wasn't just Quinn, though. I had formed strong bonds with other friends at the academy, and the idea of them suffering as well pained me deeply. While I hoped to persuade my brothers to consider diplomatic solutions, I knew my father held a deep-rooted grudge that he wouldn't easily let go of.