[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-grand-return-system":3,"chapter-grand-return-system-grand-return-system-chapter-187":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Grand Return System",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1080257,1397,"Chapter 187: Pride Colliding with Reason","grand-return-system-chapter-187",187,"\u003Cp>Pride Colliding with Reason\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, let them come over and kneel down to apologize. We’ll forget about this matter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words landed like a stone thrown into still water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence swallowed everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crackling flames in the distance seemed to hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the tension in the air... tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It exploded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kid, what did you say? You dare to make me kneel for you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tommy’s voice tore through the silence like a blade. His face flushed red, veins rising along his neck as fury surged through him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kneel?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A prince of the Blue Empire?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his entire life—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had only ever bowed to one person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in the imperial court, nobles trembled before him. Generals lowered their heads. Servants didn’t even dare meet his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A nobody from Ashford City was telling him to kneel?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His grip tightened around his saber. The metal trembled faintly, humming with suppressed Mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes burned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Say it again,\" he growled, voice low, dangerous. \"I dare you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry didn’t flinch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he tilted his head slightly, as if genuinely puzzled by the reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint irritation crept into his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then there’s no room for negotiation, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was casual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost dismissive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like he was discussing something trivial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But inside—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart was pounding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t mess this up...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t hesitate...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon is watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That single thought steadied him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clenched his jaw slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I retreat now... everything collapses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he doubled down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m going all out today...\" Harry muttered under his breath, almost inaudible. \"If Respected Leon doesn’t stop me... I’ll act to the end.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is there to fear... when someone like him is standing behind me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The confidence returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reckless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tommy took a step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground beneath his feet cracked slightly under the pressure of his Mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was seconds away from shattering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please don’t be angry. Peace is the most important.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai’s voice cut in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It slipped between the two like a blade, halting the clash before it could erupt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was something different now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A trace of dissatisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai had already lowered himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Already spoken politely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Already tried to mediate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And still—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry refused to give him face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker of displeasure passed through his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it vanished just as quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hidden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Controlled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a slow breath, then stepped back slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning his head, he addressed the elder behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder... what do you think?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man stood calmly, hands clasped behind his back, his expression as steady as a mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stroked his beard slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each motion deliberate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Measured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze moved between the two sides—the furious Tommy, the defiant Harry, the tense Prince of the Blue Empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Highness...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was neither loud nor soft.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it carried weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why don’t you first ask what truly happened between them?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You will naturally understand everything... once you know the full story.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai’s eyes flickered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I had the same thought.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without wasting another second, he turned and walked toward the Prince of the Blue Empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sand crunched softly beneath his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air felt heavier with every step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Prince of the Blue Empire,\" Kai said calmly, \"tell me exactly what happened.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince of the Blue Empire hesitated for a split second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His version flowed smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Controlled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had merely \"accidentally offended\" Harry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing worth escalating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai listened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No interruption.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his expression didn’t change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Prince of the Blue Empire finished—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai turned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walking toward Harry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second version.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry didn’t bother with polish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t soften anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They wanted me to kneel the moment we met.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was flat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why should I kneel to them?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes locked onto Kai’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unyielding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re not even from the Drake Empire.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A beat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn’t kneel to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words were blunt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfiltered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So why would I kneel to them?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oppressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai stood there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Comparing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weighing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two stories didn’t match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One thing was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince of the Blue Empire had avoided details.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke vaguely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry, on the other hand—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spoke directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And strangely...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made more sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai exhaled slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So that’s how it is...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze shifted toward Tommy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a faint coldness in it now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arrogant...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too arrogant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even for a prince.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this really someone worth tying the royal bloodline to...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought surfaced quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But once it appeared—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marriage alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Politics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Benefits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood all of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Better than anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because in the imperial palace—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no such thing as family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unforgiving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calculated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai’s fingers tightened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is too much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If someone like Tommy married into the imperial family—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What would happen to Rias?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker of memory crossed his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her defiance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her unwillingness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the way she had looked at him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before she left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai’s expression darkened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wouldn’t be happy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That much—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for the first time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A quiet resistance formed in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not reckless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This marriage... shouldn’t happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he couldn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not until the day he held real power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could only watch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Endure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai took a slow step back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creating distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He no longer stood between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped out of the conflict entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Highness... you are...?\" Prince of the Blue Empire’s voice carried confusion now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t expected this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then turned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint smile returned to his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t reach his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Prince of the Blue Empire...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I already know what to do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since it’s a personal grudge...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked between them once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...you can settle it privately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words fell lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But their meaning—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was absolute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No more mediation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No more interference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai stepped further back, his robes brushing softly against the heated air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Drake Empire is a reasonable place.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As long as things make sense... it’s fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, almost casually—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If it really doesn’t work...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes flickered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...it’s not impossible to fight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just like that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He withdrew completely.\u003C\u002Fp>",1101,"2026-06-03T10:40:08.788Z","2026-06-03T10:40:17.095Z",1,"novelbin.me","7533b18ebe872cd6d9aafe5fd5f1f2cec0b8ddc68d78c65f789c12f766070a51","grand-return-system-chapter-188","grand-return-system-chapter-186",234,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fgrand-return-system-cover.jpg"]