The Invincible Young Master

When a sudden loud noise grabbed Alice's attention, and she peeked outside the window, her golden pigtails bouncing with curiosity.

"Father, what was that sound?" she asked, her eyes wide as she stared in the direction of the noise.

"Just some people enjoying their meal," Spark replied casually, leaning back in the carriage. "You could have waited for them to leave the restaurant."

"I could not hold back," Baros said, a hint of sheepishness in his voice.

"Now we won't be able to go there for days," Spark sighed, shaking his head in dejection. He knew the restaurant was probably trashed by now and it would take a while to fix the damage.

Baros's chuckle lightened the mood. "These outsiders are too audacious."

"I thought my hair would give away my identity," Spark mused, running a hand through his distinctive golden locks. "But I guess alter hair color is not uncommon outside the empire."

In the empire, besides the Dwights, it would be rare to find another with such distinct golden hair. Meeting anyone with a golden color would directly connect them to Dwight, and most would avoid trouble. But it was different this time; it seemed those outsiders didn't recognize him at all. His sphere of influence appeared to be confined to the empire only.

Baros nodded. "You'd think with bro's reputation, someone would have recognized you."

"It's better this way," Spark said with a playful tone. "I can move around without causing a stir and might come across a few such arrogant fellows again."

"Why does bro want that?" Baros asked, curious.

"Life would be boring if there weren't challenges once in a while," Spark replied, amusement in his voice.

Baros looked dazed, unable to fully grasp Spark's perspective. Maybe once he reached the same level of aloofness as Spark, he would understand, thought Baros.

Shifting the conversation, Baros asked, "Where is bro's little follower? I noticed she wasn't with you."

"She's gone to settle some matters," Spark replied. The little follower Baros spoke of was Yuna, who was always seen beside Spark.

"That's rare," Baros said, chuckling. "I didn't know she could leave your side."

As far as Baros had seen, Yuna was always beside Spark, serving him not as a maid or a servant but as a dedicated follower. She seemed to want only to serve and nothing else.

As their carriage continued forward, they reached the bustling city square, filled with pedestrians and carriages. Shops and stalls lined the streets, their canopies flapping in the gentle breeze.

"Are you hungry?" Spark asked, amused. They had just had a meal a while ago, but it seemed Alice had a big appetite.

"No, I just…" Her voice trailed off as her cheeks slowly turned red.

Spark chuckled softly and gestured to Zhao Shi. With a nod, Zhao Shi swiftly left the carriage and returned moments later with a colorful candy from a nearby candy shop. He handed it to Alice, whose eyes lit up with delight.

"Thank you, Uncle Zhao," she said, her embarrassment forgotten as she unwrapped the candy and popped it into her mouth.

As they continued, they noticed, on one side, a fairly large crowd had gathered, their attention focused on something at the center.

Spark, noticing someone at the heart of the crowd, grinned and asked the carriage to halt. As they stepped out, people noticed them and quickly made way for them without a word, their expressions a mix of curiosity and respect.

"Why are we stopping here, bro?" Baros asked, his curiosity piqued.

"I saw an old acquaintance," Spark replied, grinning.

Then, he turned to Alice and asked, "What kind of stories do you like?"

Alice, stunned by the sudden question, hesitated and seemed a bit shy, but she mustered her courage and replied, "A-a hero saving the world."

Spark was taken aback by Alice's choice. Kids her age usually loved common fairy tales or childish stories, but Alice had a different taste.

"That's a peculiar taste," commented Baros.

They made their way through the crowd, which parted to let them through. At the center, an old storyteller stood on a small platform, captivating the audience with a tale of bravery and adventure. The storyteller's voice was rich and resonant, drawing everyone in as he painted vivid images with his words.

The old storyteller paused, noticing Spark and his group. The smile on his face faded slowly as he recognized Spark, but he managed to greet him. "Ah, it's been a long time, Young Lord."

"Indeed, it has," Spark replied, grin not leaving his face. "Still weaving tales, I see."

The old man was the same storyteller who used to tell stories in an establishment in the Red State, where Spark was a regular during his exile. But the old man had quit his job there and disappeared. It wouldn't be wrong to say, he was the reason the old storyteller left Red state.

"I was saddened by your sudden departure, but I guess fate brought us together," Spark said, grinning.

"I guess it's my fate to meet you again, Young Lord," the old man replied with a wry smile.

Noticing Alice standing beside Spark, the old storyteller's eyes softened. "Who is this young one?"

"This is my...dau-daughter, Alice," Spark introduced, hesitating only slightly.

"A pleasure to meet you, Alice," the storyteller said, bowing slightly. "Would you like to hear a story?"

Alice nodded eagerly, her twin tails bouncing with enthusiasm.

"And what kind of story would you like to hear?" the storyteller asked, his voice gentle and inviting.

"She likes stories about heroes saving the world," Spark explained, watching as Alice's eyes lit up with excitement.

The old storyteller chuckled, a warm, rich sound that seemed to carry the weight of countless tales. "A hero saving the world, you say? Well, I think I have just the story for you."

Alice's eyes sparkled as she nodded profusely. "Yes, please!"