“If I could have prevented it, I would have,” Reiner said without the slightest attempt to detach himself from James.James gritted his teeth, “Why couldn't you prevent him?”“He slammed me to the ground. You know how capable he is, right? He's so fast that I couldn't predict he would attack me so suddenly like that,” Reiner explained guiltily.James shook his head firmly, “You ... why didn't you call for help? No yelling and-”“He tied me up, James. Do you think I would intentionally let him go?” Reiner asked by looking at James straight on.Reiner added, “And he covered my mouth with a cloth. He ... seemed to have anticipated that someone would want to stop him so he immediately knew what to do.”James felt his head throbbing violently. However, because the young man still didn't know what to do, he still gripped Reiner's collar as if by doing so he could blame Reiner for Riley's departure.“Are you that weak that you can't break free?” James asked again.Reiner sighed softly, “Is t
“There's no need to argue like that,” a soldier with a tired expression said.As they fell silent, the young man who was a first-class soldier who had also been Riley's opponent for the title of war general, Josh Cleve, continued, “We shouldn't argue about something like this. All we have to do is fully support the deputy general's decision.”His friend who was also a first class soldier responded, “Josh, you ... don't hate him at all? He beat you, but why are you supporting him?”Josh looked surprised at his friend's words, “Why should I hate him? James ... or Riley can win over me because their skills are so much better than mine.”“Anyway, it's all been proven. They both deserve those two titles,” Josh added.After hearing all of Josh's words, not a single soldier commented on James Gardner's war strategy.Just before leaving to search for Riley and attack their enemy, James told Alen, “Whatever happens, you have to stay close to me, Alen. We ... don't know what might happen. If I g
“SHIT!” Evan cursed with anger overwhelming him.The man kicked a large barrel, causing Riley, who had lost consciousness, to come to his senses.The young man tried to open his eyes although they were rather weak.He heard Evan shouting in annoyance, “How dare they attack us when their war general is here? Aren't they afraid we'll kill him?”Evan turned to Riley whose eyes had opened with an annoyed expression.Evan walked over to Riley and crouched down, “Did you hear what I said, Wood? Your deputy war general attacked us.”As if to spite Riley, he continued, “He doesn't care about your fate at all. Maybe he wanted you killed here, General Wood.”Evan thought that after listening to what he had said, Riley would be outraged. Instead, Riley smiled wryly and said, “He finally did it.”Evan frowned in astonishment, “What? What do you mean?”Riley, feeling energized, turned to Evan and looked at the man without fear. The young man smiled instead, “He made it out of his shell.”Evan st
Alen immediately stepped aside according to James' orders without arguing. He hid behind a large statue and waited for James' next instruction.He would not do anything and just stand there while watching James' actions.Because he knew the situation was very critical and James was trying to save him from enemy attacks that might hit him.James quickly attacked Evan who was surprised by the agility of the young man who he guessed was the deputy war general of the Ans De Lou Kingdom.“General, retreat first!” one of Evan's men shouted who saw Evan starting to get overwhelmed against James.Evan shook his head firmly, “I will not retreat.”“But ... General, he-”“You ... go get help, I'll stay here to hold him off,” Evan said who again had to repeatedly dodge James' relentless attacks.In fact, he had thought that James might never get tired at all because of his relentless attacks.“General, come on! This won't work. He's ... too strong,” the soldier said in a panicked tone.Evan said,
However, before James listened to Riley's explanation, the young man who was seriously injured fainted.James, who initially looked shocked and annoyed at the same time, immediately became panicked, “Alen, why did he faint? Is the wound too severe?”Alen, who had begun tending to Riley's wounds, nodded, “We should take him ... back to the palace immediately, James.”“There's no equipment to treat him here,” Alen added.Ben immediately said, “We can take him to the palace right away. We've already won.”“But ... there's still-”“James, it's really all over. There's little we need to take care of, you can take Riley back to the palace. Anything else, let me and the others sort it out,” Reiner cut in quickly.James looked hesitant. It was not because he wanted to delay the treatment Riley should get, but he knew that there was only one fighter plane that could be used to return to the Ans De Lou Kingdom.“You … are you sure you can do it?” James asked with furrowed brows.His gaze did no
It didn't take long for James Gardner to understand everything. In fact, afterward he saw Alen Smith greeting the woman and middle-aged man who were obviously a married couple. “Alen, Alen. You're … a medical staff, aren't you?” Cassandra asked the young man she had already met.“Riley will be fine. Isn't he?” Cassandra said frantically.Alen nodded, “You don't need to worry, Mrs. Mackenzie. We will do our best to save Riley.”James was still silent where he stood. Alen's words had explained everything. Alen, one of his best friends, also knew everything that happened. James closed his eyes for a few seconds and chose to hold himself still.The young man took hold of the edge of Riley's bed and helped him to push again. He then said softly, “Alen, hurry up a bit!”Alen was immediately surprised and looked guiltily at James as if he already knew what James was feeling. However, he did not have time to say anything and quickly went about his duties while asking people not to come
Meanwhile, William also began to be confused to calm his wife who was crying more and more.However, Cassandra's crying finally stopped when she saw the operating room door open.Everyone also immediately stared at the door, waiting anxiously.As several people from the medical team came out, William and Cassandra walked over.“Doctor, how is my son?” William asked.The elderly doctor looked up at the middle-aged man who was staring at him anxiously.“General Mackenzie,” the doctor greeted after he noticed William's face.William nodded, “Yes, Doctor Sigmund. It's me.”Sigmund was surprised, “Riley Wood, I mean General Wood is ... your son, General?”“Yes, Doctor,” William replied.James just stared blankly ahead, as if he was ready to hear that statement. Meanwhile, Reiner and the other soldiers could only squeal in shock as an important fact had j
Ben suddenly bowed his head.James immediately closed his eyes, completely unable to believe the painful reality that had slapped him.Meanwhile, Shin looked at his friend with a look of disappointment.He touched Ben's shoulder and asked, “You knew about this big secret and you ... did nothing? What have you done?”Ben was silent.Shin took a deep breath and watched the expressions of all the soldiers who were his best friends. The man sighed softly, “Aren't we ... all friends? How could you ... and you hide this important thing?”Ben raised his head, “Then, what do you expect me to do?”“What did you say?” Shin retorted fiercely.“You think it's easy? Hiding a secret of this magnitude? You think ... what happens if I tell you and the others? Especially James. He ... would definitely fight with Riley. They'll-”“Damn it!” James cursed because he couldn't stand it anymore.The young man said, “Don't act like you know about me and can guess what I might do or happen. You think you can
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
Reiner Anderson did not answer James' question. Instead, he had a facial expression that looked both hesitant and confused.Of course, that made James Gardner even more annoyed. "Come on, tell me quickly! What's so strange about Princess Rowena?" James urged, impatiently.Reiner swallowed and scratched his ears before answering, "Well, I'm not sure if this is strange to you. But ... I think it's very strange, James."James gritted his teeth in growing annoyance and impatience.Luckily, he didn't need to ask anymore as Reiner added, "So, according to reports she went outside the palace."Hearing Reiner's answer, James snorted rudely. "What's so strange about that? I know she often goes outside the palace."Reiner sighed softly, "Indeed. But, this time ... a few hours ago, she left without a bodyguard. And she ... left with their son, Prince Kharel."Instantly James glared in shock, "What? Are you ... sure?""Yes, James. She just-""How is that possible? King Xylan ... didn't forbid he