At the entrance of the city of Dura, various people stood in different queues awaiting their turn to be checked. A checkpoint had been set up at all the city's entrances to examine everyone and everything entering or leaving. Heavily armed guards in armor searched each individual thoroughly, leaving no stone unturned. Those with valid passes were allowed entry, while those without were detained until their identities were confirmed—or indefinitely if they failed verification.
Among the crowd, two men and a young boy waited in line. They had been standing there for a while, inching closer to the guards with each passing moment. Kin watched the men conducting the inspections. A steady flow of people streamed into the city—too many to count. He had heard rumors that the rebels were destroying the surrounding villages and targeting anyone loyal to the new Sultan. With Jai preoccupied with Hadia, he had done little to aid Dura in its struggles. The Sultan had been forced to impose stricter measures, including the current rigid entry policy. The rebels' recent gains and frequent attacks had necessitated such precautions.
"I can't believe the rebels destroyed so many lives," Sanjay muttered. "Aren't they trying to right a wrong? Why destroy the livelihoods of others just to reclaim the Sulten's seat?"
"You're not wrong, Lieutenant," Commander Lei replied, "but you're not entirely right either. Whether the ignorant like it or not, they will always be the victims whenever the powerful fight. The Sulten's seat is a symbol of power—one that many covet. And many will go to any lengths to control a city's wealth and resources. The new Sultan took the city by violence, and the rebels are trying to take it back by the same means. There's no righteousness when power is at stake—only what is. Isn't that right, Your High—?"
"Don't call me that," Kin snapped, cutting Lei off. The commander scratched his head, realizing his error.
Kin continued, "I also find something strange. If the Sultan's daughter is merely trying to reclaim her father's seat and punish the one who took it, why attack the outlying villages? It doesn't make sense. When my uncle took Pshen, my first move was to gather an army and strike directly at the capital—not the cities that supported Jai or allied with him. This feels... off."
"But it disrupts the new Sultan's rule," Sanjay said. "That's the point—discrediting one another at the people's expense."
"I don't doubt that," Kin muttered.
As he spoke, he surveyed the checkpoint. The guards continued their meticulous inspections. Then, something caught his eye—a guard holding a poster, comparing faces in the crowd to the image on the paper. Kin stared at the poster, a sense of familiarity creeping over him. It wasn't until the guard drew closer that he realized the person in the image was him.
The poster didn't depict his previous appearance before his curse—it showed his updated look, exactly as he had requested.
"You big-mouthed idiot," Ashell's voice echoed in Kin's head.
"What?! I was making a cool statement. I didn't think this would happen," Kin retorted.
"You just had to let one of those assassins live to spread news about you and your new appearance."
"Well, it was getting annoying when people didn't believe I was the prince," Kin muttered.
"Well, that's no longer a problem," Ashell replied dryly.
"It was only a matter of time anyway. So, what now? I no longer have the perfect disguise," Kin asked.
"Not my problem," Ashell quipped.
By now, Lei and Sanjay had also noticed the poster and the guard was nearly upon them.
"Isn't that you, Your High—? Sorry, Kin," Lei asked.
"It is," Kin replied.
"How did they know?" Sanjay asked.
"It's a long story," Kin muttered.
"What do we do now? He's almost here," Sanjay asked, his hand moving to the knife hidden in his clothing.
"I have an idea," Kin said before speaking to Ashell.
"Can you do it?"
Ashell laughed. "Even if I couldn't, I'd find a way. But for your information, it's irreversible. And the method I'll use... well, let's just say it'll take time to grow back."
Kin had a feeling she was lying, but now wasn't the time to confront her. he gritted his teeth and spoke "Do it," he commanded.
A few minutes later, it was finally their turn. They presented their passes, and when asked to show their faces, Kin removed his hood.
Lei and Sanjay had initially thought Kin was joking when he claimed he had another perfect disguise. But as Kin lifted his hood, they were stunned. The prince's hair—once dark, and now golden—was gone. Completely.
Sanjay struggled to contain his laughter, while Lei gawked at Kin's new bald appearance.
Before they could dwell on it further, the guard spoke. "Why have you come to Dura?"
Kin opened his mouth to respond, but Lei beat him to it.
"Our master has instructed us to escort this young monk on a pilgrimage across the country to pray for Wize's triumph over its current challenges," Lei said smoothly.
"Monk?!" Kin thought. I'm not a damn monk!
The guard frowned. "And who exactly will the young monk be praying for to win the war?"
Again, Lei replied before Kin could. "The people, my lord. The people. They have suffered long enough. It's time for them to win—and that will only happen when the war ends."
The guard scrutinized the trio for a moment before sighing. "May the gods hear your prayers, young monk. You may go."
As they entered the city, Lei and Sanjay exchanged smiles while Kin glared at them, his irritation palpable. Clearly, he wasn't enjoying the joke one bit.