Alen patiently explained, “Josh Cleve was seriously injured during the war a few months ago.”“He suffered severe brain damage so he had to undergo several surgeries until he finally recovered,” Alen continued.James was dumbfounded. “Severe brain damage? And he's ... now back to being a soldier, is that it?”Alen nodded, “Unfortunately, when the war with the Fermoza Kingdom happened he still had to undergo intensive examinations until he was fully recovered.”Alen glanced at Josh Cleve for a few seconds, and then he continued, “Therefore, he cannot join us against the Fermoza Kingdom.”James still looked curious and couldn't stop asking so he asked again, “Then, what exactly makes him so special that he was chosen as a candidate?”Riley who was also interested turned to Alen, “His age seems to be much older than Reiner Anderson, surely he has given so much service to this kingdom. Right?”Alen smiled at Riley, “Right. Senior Shin told me that Josh Cleve made decisions favorable to th
“This is exciting!” Xylan said, commenting on the announcement with a happy smile.“This is so exciting!” Xylan repeated as he turned to his older sister who was glaring at him. Xylan's smile disappeared instantly.“Why are you looking at me like that?” Xyan asked, somewhat confused.Rowena gritted her teeth and held her younger brother's arm, asking Xylan to come closer to her with her fingers.Xylan questioningly obeyed his sister by slightly lowering his head and then putting his right ear to hear Rowena speak.“Are you crazy?” Rowena said in such a loud tone that Xylan had to move his ear away from Rowena.Xylan suddenly covered his ears and looked at his older sister, “Why did you do that?”“Because you seem to have gone crazy like General Reece who chose Riley to compete with James Gardner. Oh, my gosh! Seriously!”The young girl bit her teeth in annoyance, “What were they thinking exactly? Why can't just one of them be the candidate? Why does it have to be both of them?”The i
Riley gritted his teeth, “You want to throw away a great opportunity like this? You've lost your mind, huh?”James shrugged, “It won't be fun if there's no opponent equal to me.”“You're ....”“We don't have much time, decide quickly!” James urged. Riley exhaled harshly, looking so very annoyed at his friend's obvious stubbornness. Riley understood James' character very well. The young man was not one to lick his own wounds. He was sure James would actually do what he said.Alen himself was not worried about the matter because he was very sure that James would definitely get what he wanted and it was clear that James' wishes were the same as his. So, he just had to wait without interfering.He saw Riley's gaze start to give up. The next few seconds he moved to move forward to James' side, then whispered in annoyance, “I swear I'll kick your leg until it breaks later.”James just smiled happily, “That's if you can do it.”Riley rolled his eyes lazily, annoyed to death at his friend.
Instead of answering Shin's question, Riley suddenly threw an annoyed look at James who pretended not to look at her.Instead, Alen Smith took his friend's place and said, “There's something he's been thinking about but ... it's no big deal. Now he's officially a candidate for war general.”Ben nodded in agreement, “Wow! I still can't believe it. You two will compete to be my leader.”“Your leader, senior?” James said with a frown on his forehead.“General War is the supreme leader of all troops, he can only be commanded by the king. Of course he's my leader,” Ben explained.The explanation made James' ears turn red. This was seen by Alen who quickly commented, “Don't be too sure that you are the chosen one. Remember! Your opponent is tough. Riley and ... Josh Cleve.”James snorted in exasperation, looking offended, “No need to remind me. My memory is still very good.”Shin laughed crisply and when he saw that there were not too many people still in the area, he immediately said, “He
Diego let out a long breath, looking as depressed as his friends who were facing the same situation as him.However, the young man replied by trying to remain calm, “The problem of difficult tests will not be an obstacle for us, Riley. It's our second chance so no matter how difficult the test is it won't make us lose our spirits.”James, who had been listening carefully and observing Diego's changing expression, soon realized that there was something far worse than just a difficult selection.“So what's the problem?” James finally asked.Diego again let out a long sigh that made his three friends even more curious. “The main problem is that if we fail, we won't be able to take part in the recruitment next year,” Diego explained with a suddenly grim look on his face.“What?” James glared in shock.“Who made such a rule?” Alen asked with widened eyes as well.While Shin said, “That's impossible. Any prospective soldier who fails will still get a chance to apply with the usual requirem
Reiner gave a salute to Andrew, which Andrew returned with a nod.“Speak up, Reiner!” Andrew ordered.Reiner said, “This actually has nothing to do with the re-selection process, General.”“Then, what is it about?”Reiner raised his head slowly, “What about your health, General?”Andrew looked surprised at the question, but the man then smiled faintly.“I'm fine.”Reiner shook his head, “You don't look well, General Reece.”He looked at Andrew Reece who actually did look rather pale. In fact, even the look in his eyes was rather dull, unlike usual.Reiner was of the opinion that the war general's injuries were indeed quite serious. Otherwise, it was highly unlikely that Andrew would rush to resign from his position.Andrew suddenly chuckled softly and spoke, “You are very observant.”Reiner bit his lip, but he was at a loss as to how to respond to Andrew's words.Andrew immediately continued, “I am indeed in bad shape and this afternoon I will undergo surgery as scheduled by the palac
James hurriedly replied, “Calm down! There will be an explanation for everything.”Riley tried to be patient and wait. He was very worried but he could do nothing. And sure enough, just as James had said, they got the answer from a young lady who was one of the palace staff and had a good relationship with Riley, Mary Kesley.“General Reece is still recovering from surgery so he will not be able to attend the inauguration ceremony.”People began to wonder at the delivery of this information. Some of them even began to conjecture about the outcome of the operation. A class three soldier who had not been promoted and happened to be standing at the same level as Riley commented, “Did the medical operation not go well?”“I don't know. If the operation had been successful, we would have seen General Reece here, right?” another friend of his said.“I think General Reece is in really bad condition. He's ... not someone who would give up his responsibilities like this unless there was somet
“How would I know about that?” Riley replied while shaking his head, surprised by James' question which he thought was not important to discuss.James clucked his tongue, “Are you okay with us not living in the same room anymore?”“I'm actually very grateful,” Riley replied casually.James raised an eyebrow and gave Riley a suspicious look.Riley grinned, “At least I won't hear your inconsequential babble like this.”The young man who was the only new soldier in the second year snorted in annoyance and punched Riley's arm although he didn't really mean it.“I'm going to be so bored,” James said listlessly.Riley turned his head and sighed, “Hey, we just live in different buildings, not different kingdoms. We're still in the same castle.”The handsome young man immediately turned to Riley, his eyes showing an expectant look. “That's right, so ... why don't we-”“Stop talking about something that hasn't changed! After all, you can play at my dorm building and I can play at your dorm bu
James shook his head, "I can't say right now."Reiner immediately let out a disappointed sigh. "You are ... making us curious.""Right, why can't you say it now?" Ben asked with a curious expression."Can't you give us just a little ... bright spot?" Shin tried to persuade hopefully.James chuckled softly, "Sorry, I really can't tell you guys right now, but ... I'm sure it won't be long before we know everything."Diego gave him an unsure look, "Will it be us or will it be you?"James flashed a bright smile, "Of course we all will.""I don't believe it," Alen said quickly.The war general blinked repeatedly and looked at each of his good friends with a puzzled look.He then pointed at himself with his right index finger and said, "You think I'm lying? Since when did I lie or break my promise?"Ben frowned and looked thoughtful. He looked up as if he was considering something.An exasperated James said, "Damn it! Do you have to think just to answer a simple question?"Diego held back a
Ben immediately grimaced. Meanwhile, Alen and Shin laughed crisply together. Then, Diego pretended to look up.However, Reiner boldly replied, "It's not about feeling sorry for you. I ... just think Riley is too much."James clucked his tongue and took the empty seat next to Diego who immediately turned to him with the same look."That's his right," James replied, sounding casual."Rights? What right do you mean, the right to put his best friend in trouble?" Reiner replied cluelessly.James shrugged, "I've been causing him trouble for the past few years as well."Shin widened his eyes, "Hey, what are you talking about? What trouble? He-""I left this palace and let Riley handle all the problems in this kingdom by herself. I mean ... I know you guys have always been there for him and so many great warriors have helped him, but ... yeah it's still hard for him," James explained after cutting off Shin's words that he hadn't finished yet.
Reiner frowned when he saw James' expression which he found very strange. Moreover, he also saw how James' lips suddenly formed a smile."What's wrong with you?" Reiner finally chose to ask.James once again smiled at Reiner, making Reiner wink.Reiner also got goosebumps instantly. "What's wrong with you? Don't tell me you're going crazy, James!"A sigh was immediately heard from James. He snorted in exasperation, "Damn it! I still have hopes of meeting Riley, even if it's not now. Why should I go crazy?"Hearing that, Reiner let out a sigh of relief. Because, James' nagging was one of the ways that showed that his good friend was really just fine. "Then, why are you being like that? Smiling horribly. Very strange, just so you know! Not like your usual self," Reiner explained, who still looked a bit horrified.James grinned again, revealing his row of clean teeth. He then said, "Oh, it's about Gary Davis. You ... just made me realize something, Rei.""Realized? About what?" Reiner a
Instead of answering James Gardner's question, Xylan Wellington said, "I ... I know what you're trying to say, General Gardner."Great, so what's the answer? Reiner thought, starting to feel lazy.James raised an eyebrow, "Yes, Your Majesty?"Xylan sighed softly, then closed his eyes for a few seconds. After regaining control of himself he replied, "It was my negligence, General Gardner.""Negligence? About what, Your Majesty?" James asked, sounding like he wanted a clearer answer."My sister. I ... know she has done wrong," Xylan said quietly.The viceroy bowed his head for a few seconds, while James remained silent, waiting for him to speak again.And without James pressing him, Xylan said, "I've actually noticed something strange about her. This ... even, before you set out to find my brother-in-law again, General Gardner."James' eyes widened instantly, but he still refrained from commenting.Xylan cleared his throat softly before continuing, "But ... even when I felt something wa
Hearing the new war general's question, Xylan Wellington laughed awkwardly.It was a laugh that didn't really come off, in fact, it sounded so strange that it made anyone who heard the viceroy's laughter confused.Reiner also looked at Xylan with a strange gaze while James did not even blink. The look in his eyes showed a demand.A demand for an explanation from Xylan regarding what he had just said.When he saw that urgent questioning look, Xylan finally stopped laughing. He cleared his throat softly before saying, "Hm ... I know from the main soldier.""The main soldier?" James repeated as he frowned.Xylan gulped and smiled clumsily, "The king's court soldiers, General Gardner."Oh, that wasn't really what James meant. He knew without even asking that the main soldiers were the palace soldiers specifically assigned to escort and guard him.There were usually five of them and one of them was required to stay by his side
James Gardner remained silent, giving no clear answer to Reiner's question.An immediate anxiety struck the ground war commander. Not wanting to be ignored by James, Reiner asked again, "James, tell me. Are you going to stay in the palace? You're not going to leave, right?"He looked anxiously at James who was staring out the car window. However, after he waited patiently enough he finally heard James answer, "I don't know."Reiner's heart was like being hit by a rock instantly."So ... are you leaving?" the man asked in a tone that sounded disappointed."It depends."Reiner, who was still staring at James, raised an eyebrow, looking confused, "Depends on what?"James sighed softly, "It depends on King Xylan's answer."Reiner was getting more and more confused. However, he did not have time to ask further as the car they were in had already entered the main gate of the Ans De Lou Royal palace. Even so, Reiner still did not want to give up so easily so he continued to stick to James e
At first Michelle Veren didn't understand what James Gardner was asking. However, when she saw the look on the general's face, she immediately knew he meant the time of the departure of the three people they were looking for.So, the Veren boutique owner replied, "About an hour ago, General Gardner."Hearing that answer, Reiner immediately went limp. But, it was inversely proportional to James who was even full of enthusiasm. This could be seen from James who even said, "Come on, Rei. Let's go after him."Reiner looked sadly at his best friend and replied, "It won't catch up, James. It's been too long."James did not even listen to Reiner's words and ordered some of his men, "Prepare the car, let's go after them!""James," Reiner called softly.James ignored the call and kept saying to his men who were still quietly waiting, "Find out through the CCTV which area they are currently in. They ... should be visible if they take the highway from behind this building."Reiner bit his own
Unfortunately it was all too late for the young girl to realize. All the words of the girl named Alice Porter were clearly heard by Reiner Anderson and James Gardner.With a dark look on his face, James said, "Miss, you-""No, no. I just misspoke, I ... I don't know anything. You heard me wrong," Alice said, whose face paled even more. Especially when she saw the aura of James Gardner, the terrifying war general, she found it even harder to breathe.Reiner also could not help himself so he said in an exasperated tone, "Tell me everything you know or you ... will know how terrible it is when you face the two of us.""I don't care if you are a woman. I can still find a punishment that you deserve," Reiner continued coldly.Alice swallowed harshly. Of course the young girl was very confused. Moreover, no one was trying to help her at all. All the employees in the boutique looked so frightened that no one dared to open their mouths."Say it now! We don't have much time, Miss!" James gro
James' question immediately made Reiner silent for a few moments. He stared at the boutique with a confused look on his face.Meanwhile, James didn't want to waste any more time so he wordlessly walked towards the boutique owned by Michelle Veren, a forty-year-old female designer who was quite famous in the country.Reiner didn't just stand by and do nothing, lamenting his inaccuracy. He followed James with a small trot right behind James without a word.As soon as James was faster than him to reach the door, he immediately saw the two boutique guards who opened the door for them."Can I help you?" one of the boutique guards asked James."I'm looking for Princess Rowena. Where is she now?" James asked back matter-of-factly as he darted his eyes all over the first floor of the boutique.Although there was a suspicion rising in James' mind, the young man put his anxiety ahead of his suspicion."You're looking for Princess Rowena? Who are you? You-""James Gardner. Royal War General Ans