The air again tightened as the two men looked at each other. Both of them with a mocking smile on their faces.

Luther tensed up. He watched his liege with wary eyes. If something goes awry he's going to step in.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Damien dismounted from his black stallion with an air of nonchalance. "Very well, sir knight," he said with a hint of sarcasm. "Frisk away, but I must warn you, I have a ticklish side."

The other travelers just looked at the scene and took off, not wanting to be in the middle of the fight. They're just poor merchants and travelers who could be plowed down like a scythe in the wheat field.

The knights exchanged glances, unsure of how to respond to Damien's remark. The lead knight cleared his throat and reluctantly approached Damien, starting the frisking process. He patted Damien down meticulously, searching for any concealed weapons or forbidden items.

Damien couldn't help but smirk as the knight's hands fumbled clumsily, clearly uncomfortable with the task. "Ticklish, indeed," he mumbled under his breath, eliciting a stifled chuckle from Luther.

The knight started to pat his back, and suddenly Damien said in a low and rumbling voice. "Careful there, sir knight, I can act on my own volition. I may get some warning from your King, that will be the end of the story. But for you, who can back you up?"

The knight's hand stopped moving and he took a large gulp. Damien continued. "Even if I kill you right now, you'll only be cremated but if I want to, I can burn your entire lineage down. The old men and women, the kids, your cousins, wife, children every single one of them, and your King won't even acknowledge their death. So tread carefully."

The knight was just retaliating hearing his remarks about being a hero. It made him angry and low that someone from the other Kingdom had saved one of them and he had said things due to the heat of the moment.

The knight's hand stopped moving, and he took a large gulp, his eyes widening with a mix of fear and uncertainty. Damien's words hung in the air, leaving an uncomfortable tension among the knights. They exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of how to respond to Damien's veiled threat.

After a moment of silence, the lead knight cleared his throat, his voice wavering slightly. "My lord, we apologize for any inconvenience. We're just following protocol, you understand. We mean no disrespect."

Damien maintained his stern expression, his eyes locked with the knight. "I understand the need for security measures, but there's a fine line between protocol and unnecessary provocation," he replied, his tone still laced with authority.

Luther stepped forward, placing a calming hand on Damien's shoulder. "My lord, let us not escalate the situation further. We have an important meeting to attend, remember?"

Damien took a deep breath, slowly relaxing his stance. "You're right, Luther. We don't want to create unnecessary trouble," he conceded, flashing a disarming smile at the knights. "But I do hope you understand that I value my privacy and dignity."

The lead knight nodded, visibly relieved. "Of course, my lord. Your privacy and dignity are of utmost importance to us. We apologize once again for any offense caused."

Damien regarded them for a moment and mounted his horse and galloped away.

The small exchange had made his blood boil. He wanted to just smash the knight's pretty little set of teeth down. The power coursing through him, the consciousness that he can defeat anyone made him tremble with rage. It was exhilarating, the feeling of raw power and control.

He knew it was dangerous, but he couldn't stop himself from yearning for it. It made him feel alive, more alive than ever.

Damien's horse galloped like there was no tomorrow, tearing through the bustling streets of the Capital city. The wind whipped through his hair, providing a momentary reprieve from the stress of dealing with those darn knights. The power surging through his body made him feel like a superhero on steroids – a thrilling mix of adrenaline and pure rage.

The city around him became a blur, with fancy buildings and important-looking people blending together into a big mess. His mind was fixated on one thing: reaching the Ferel Duchy. He longed to escape the stifling atmosphere of the Autumn Kingdom and reunite with his old buddy. It was like a breath of fresh air just thinking about it.

As each mile passed, Damien's thoughts spiraled out of control. His mind was hijacked by this newfound power pulsing through his veins. He couldn't help but wonder, how far could he push it? What were the boundaries of his abilities? And most importantly, what kind of mess could he get himself into if he let this power take the wheel?

Deep down, a tiny voice nagged at him, warning of the dangers that lay ahead. Unchecked power could turn even the noblest of souls into a raging monster. But another part of him reveled in the sheer freedom and invincibility that this power offered. It was like a shot of liquid courage, washing away any doubts or fears.historical

Damien knew he was treading on dangerous ground. The line between hero and villain was thin, and he didn't want to end up on the wrong side. But for now, he couldn't resist the thrill of embracing this newfound strength. He held on tight to the reins, urging his horse forward, fueled by a potent mix of anticipation and uncertainty.

Little did Damien know that his journey to the Ferel Duchy was just the beginning of a wild adventure that would test his mettle and make him question everything he thought he knew. It was a rollercoaster ride of triumphs and failures, pushing him to his limits and forcing him to confront the very essence of his being.

As the Ferel Duchy loomed on the horizon, Damien's heart raced with a heady mix of excitement and nervousness. The road ahead was filled with twists and turns, but he was ready to embrace it all.

If the Author of this story is interfering with his progression and redirecting it, then his next target is her; Duchess Blaire of the Ferel Duchy.