Without further delay, Riley immediately replied, "I'll explain after the pins are distributed."Alen and one of the other future soldiers volunteered to help Riley distribute the pins. It turned out, however, that in addition to the pins, they also received another identifier in the form of a blue cloth to be tied to their arms.This scarf allowed them to identify their teammates. They also had the task of memorizing the identifiers of other groups."I want to capture group nine," a soldier said after each group's ID was displayed on the monitor.Alen, who had finished distributing the pins and returned with one in his hand, said, "Why is that?""It seems to be the weakest, look at him! The leader of that group is not one of the top candidates," the soldier explained.Riley immediately looked at the screen and recognized the candidate because he had been in the same building during training some time ago. But his eyes widened when he read the young man's name."Justin Donovan," Riley
Riley immediately replied, "Maybe they discussed their strategy on the way or when we arrived at De Frost Forest."When Riley said the name of the forest, everyone fell silent. Riley knew immediately that they had probably heard stories about the forest.So Riley decided to ask, "Has anyone been to this forest?"Warren was shocked, "Are you crazy? Why are we going there?""That's right. De Frost Forest is a direct border area to the Erest Kingdom, a kingdom that once overpowered our kingdom," someone explained with a horrified expression.Alen nodded and answered, "It was there that General Reece was hit by an explosion that damaged his face and he had to undergo a major operation.Riley knew that too. His father, William Mackenzie, had once told him about his meeting with Andrew Reece after he had decided to retire.William couldn't recognize Andrew because his face had completely changed. But even though the forest had a bad history, it was still one of the training grounds, sometime
When she heard the words 'final inspection', Rowena, who was still sitting there with her mouth shut, immediately swallowed hard. She actually started to sweat, even though it wasn't hot in the room.Then she also heard Keannu say again, "The inspection was done by someone not related to General Mackenzie, the results should be accurate."Greg took a deep breath, "If that's the case, then Mary Kesley is innocent. My God, Your Majesty. You have punished this innocent girl."Keannu shook his head quickly, "I didn't punish her, I just made her unable to do her job for a while so she would admit what she did."Andrew Reece replied, "I understand what you are doing, Your Majesty. You would think that Mary Kesley, Amanda Clark's daughter, would help General Mackenzie's son.""Of course she would. Amanda is friends with General Mackenzie, they are very close. In fact, she was the one who gave General Mackenzie the name 'Stewart'. So it's natural for me to suspect her, isn't it?" Keannu said,
Rowena wanted to refuse, but the girl could not, for she had been forced out and escorted to her residence by a number of soldiers on the king's orders."Oh, this sucks!" the young girl grumbled as she entered her residence.She put on a sullen face, so annoyed that her personal attendant, Celia, asked, "Why do you look annoyed, Your Royal Highness?"Rowena stared at the young girl in disbelief, "You still ask, Celia? Oh my!"Celia winked, not knowing how to respond.The princess bent her face, supporting her head with her right hand. She also muttered softly, "I am not angry with my father, I am angry with myself."Celia nodded and immediately replied, "For protecting the would-be warrior who saved your life, Your Highness?""It's not that, Celia. It's just that I was ... upset that I didn't know his identity in the first place. And now I'm confused, I ... was somehow involved in forging this young man's identity. If my father finds out, he will definitely punish me for sure," Rowena
However, someone else said, "Hm, maybe he decided to back out earlier, but then he changed his mind and well ... they came late in the end."The rest of his friends responded with mocking laughter and Jason could only let out a long sigh."Hey, what are you looking at?" James suddenly said in a louder tone until the group members who were talking about Riley no longer dared to open their mouths."If you can't concentrate, you'd better raise the white flag and quit this group," James said in a sharp tone.The future soldiers were even less willing to move and just stood stiffly while listening to the chairman's words.James glanced at Riley who soon left the plane. He was relieved. He's finally here, this challenge wouldn't have been as much fun without him, James thought.Truly, the only opponent he thought was comparable to him was Riley and somehow Riley always made him a person who always tried hard.It's like saying it was Riley who gave him the spirit to get up. In fact, it was a
The budding soldiers of the group of four gave James a disapproving look, but then they heard Jason speak up, "Riley's the smart one, he's the leader. I bet he came up with this strategy too."James hated to admit that Jason's opinion was actually true, so he just cleared his throat and said, "Never mind, there's no need to think about what the other groups are capable of. Let's strategize something just as great. Let's regroup quickly and listen to me!"Having no other choice, they immediately turned their attention back to James.The other groups, intimidated by Riley and Justin's strategy, quickly decided to change their strategy so they wouldn't lose.In the forest itself, Riley ordered, "Split up now! And remember, if we get the target number of flags, stop immediately and do the second mission.""Ready, understood," the would-be soldiers replied in unison.They split up, with Alen sticking to Riley, who was paired with him. "How do we know we have 20 flags, Riley?" Alen asked wi
"Hey, I should have said that. You made a sudden turn," the man said angrily, still not getting up.Not to be outdone, Alen replied again, checking his hand that was a bit sore after the collision, "What am I supposed to signal? And how should I give a sign? This isn't a highway and I can't honk to warn you.""Don't you have a flashlight or something?" the group member was not to be outdone by Alen.Riley, not wanting this to become a big problem, immediately said, "Alen, stop it!""Craig, stop!" another group member said after he had picked up his dropped bag.Even though it wasn't very bright in this part of the area, Riley could still see the face of the young man who had just opened his mouth. It was Justin Donovan.Justin stared at the two people and looked surprised, just like Riley, who hadn't expected their paths to cross."Oh ... Riley Wood." Justin said with a small smile.Riley was stunned, "You know me?"Justin chuckled, "How could I not? You're ... very famous. There's no
Alen replied, "We saw it first. You guys-""But we were the first to arrive, so you can't call us sneaky," the tall young man replied, holding back an annoying smile.Alen was about to reply, but Riley beat him to it, saying, "Let's go somewhere else!""Riley, come on!" Alen said with a pitiful look on his face, knowing that Riley was about to give in again."Alen, come on!" Riley said in a tone that didn't seem to want to be contradicted.With that, Alen turned and followed Riley away. At the same time as they ran, the insidious herd laughed at them.Alen gritted his teeth, "Look, they're laughing at us.""I don't care," Riley replied as he ran. He kept checking his surroundings."But I do care, I don't want us to be mocked and belittled like this, Riley," Alen replied irritated.Riley sighed, "Then what do you want us to do? Fight with them? Even though we don't know if there is a flag or not? Hell, Alen. We're just wasting time.""Better to search another area. Remember, we're racin
"Yes, Mr. Chesnut," Camelia replied, almost gnashing her teeth in annoyance."Y-you're sure? Is it really my name? Did the king say my name?" Jim asked as he pointed at himself with his right index finger.Uh, it looks like Camelia will have to practice her patience even more. Because, the main soldiers standing nearby were apparently not as smart as they should be.Perhaps, they were only physically strong. But, when it comes to thinking, it seems to be very, very slow, Camelia thought with a frown. "Yes, Mr. Chesnut. You have been asked to appear before the king," Camelia replied.Jim was stunned. "Is that for real? This feels like ...."Before Camelia Hart could answer Jim Chesnut's question, Ludor Flee, who couldn't contain his curiosity, asked, "What orders, Miss?""Special orders? How is that possible?" Dylan Chick also wanted to know.Camelia, who didn't want to be in that area for long, immediately replied, "Of course it's out of my control. I mean ... what the order was onl
The young maid whose full name was Camelia Hart immediately lowered her head and replied timidly, "No, Your Majesty.""Yes, Your Majesty. I ... go first," Camelia said.The young girl turned to her companions, giving a code which was an invitation to leave the king's residence.The servants nodded and were about to follow Camelia. However, before they could take a step they heard Xylan's voice saying, "You stay here."They immediately turned around and with confused expressions stood silently. Meanwhile, the astonished Camelia Hart opened her mouth, "Your Majesty, I-""The one I ordered to meet Jim Chesnut was you, Camelia. As for them ... well, I still need them here," Xylan explained.Xylan's words seemed odd because he usually didn't want to be served without Camelia, but as if to reassure that there was nothing strange there Xylan hurriedly said, "I have something I want to do and I think they can help me. You ... just do the job f
Xylan Wellington did not immediately answer Ronald Wings' question. The viceroy looked thoughtful with furrowed brows."I ... can't confirm that yet," Xylan said, sounding hesitant.Ronald bit his lower lip. Uh, his words were actually the same as accusing one of the servants of betraying the king. Because, only the servant who was around at the time of his conversation with the king. However, all of the king's servants who were close to them at that time were women. Ronald felt that he had spoken wrongly.But, just as he was about to open his mouth to correct his words, Xylan said, "I will do something to check."Ronald widened his eyes, looking shocked. "Your Majesty, I beg your forgiveness. What I said earlier-""What you said could have happened. Well, I think I have to consider many things. So, it's not a big deal if I have to check on the maids," Xylan cut off Ronald's words.The twenty-seven-year-old soldier blinked, looking surprised that Xylan could read what he was thinkin
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