Andrew Reece was naturally surprised by the question from the king's eldest daughter. It was unusual for the princess to be concerned with matters of the palace. In fact, it could be said that Rowena Wellington didn't really care about anything other than herself. However, Andrew now realized that the princess' change had been visible since last night. Precisely when Rowena witnessed what happened in De Frost Forest.What exactly happened? Andrew couldn't guess the princess' reason."Why are you looking at me like that?" Rowena looked back at Andrew with her defensive gaze.Andrew shook his head, "I apologize if I made you uncomfortable, Your Highness. I'm just surprised that you are now starting to pay attention to palace matters."Rowena winked, turned her gaze around and was now looking at her mother who was also looking at her."What's wrong, Mom?" Rowena asked, starting to get a bit anxious if her attitude was making the people around her suspicious.Monica replied, "Just like G
Riley was silent. Silence that Greg Sehel interpreted to mean that the young man couldn't answer his question. "If you really don't want to fight against your friends, you can withdraw from the selection of this new soldier," Greg said with a gait, looking at Riley from a distance that was of course rather far away. Riley was still silent, so Greg added, "If you still have a weak heart, you shouldn't register yourself as a soldier." Riley, who had lowered his head, raised his head again just to listen to Greg's words again. "How can you fight your enemy if you can't even win over your own friend? This isn't even a matter of life and death. It's just a matter of you beating your friend in a competition," Greg continued. Riley slowly clenched his fists. His heart was in turmoil. What Greg said was true. It was just that he still found it hard to accept. He had fought all night with his group mates, working together to get through to the next stage. However, after they pas
Riley didn't know how to respond to Warren's words anymore, so he decided to keep quiet. Alen himself sighed repeatedly until one of his group members said, "Your opponent is Bennedict. It won't be too hard."The young man who was quite close to Riley replied, "What won't be difficult? I see, Bennedict was even one of the people who contributed to the third mission.""Hey, he only got one pin," Adam retorted, the young man with gray eyes."Still, he helped collect it. Me ... if it wasn't for Riley's help, how could I have contributed pins to our group?" Alan replied. He was looking grim.But he quickly added, "But at least I'm very lucky that I didn't fight Riley. If he was my opponent, I would have just stayed quiet and waited for the announcement if I lost."Adam responded with a smile that also displayed his pure white teeth, "Oh, if I had faced Riley, I would have immediately retreated without even going to the practice arena. Well, why fight if you know you're going to lose?"Th
Rowena shook her hair and tried to look more relaxed, "Oh, Commander Sehel.""Your Highness ... You and ... Wood, what did you just do? Princess Rowena ...." Greg was unable to continue, while Riley, not wanting any misunderstandings, said, "Commander, it's not as you see it. I just-""Oh, come on. Riley, you don't have to cover this up anymore," Rowena interrupted.The young girl sighed and girded her loins as she looked at the confused Riley, "I don't think it matters if Commander Sehel knows.""Know what, Your Highness?" Riley said, looking panicked.Rowena shook her head and turned around, facing Greg Sehel who still looked so shocked. "Commander Sehel," Rowena called out."Y-yes, Your Highness," Greg stammered.Rowena took a quick glance at Riley again and said, "You were once a young boy and I'm sure you know what's going on without me telling you."Greg's face instantly turned red, while Riley was even more clueless. "I didn't expect you to keep this matter a secret from the
"No problem with the training branch. Whatever it is I'm ...." Warren raised his eyebrows, waiting for Riley to finish his sentence. As he looked at him deeply, he also heard Riley say again, "I hate having to fight against my own group members, but you know better that I have no choice." Warren was suddenly impressed. Moreover, Riley then added, "Make an effort, Warren. Use all your skills, losing or winning in a match is normal. However, when you are pessimistic from the start then it will affect the process." The young man even smiled, "Please, don't let me win easily!" He was really going to hate Riley right away. But after what Riley said just now, there was no way Warren could hate him. The man even became more fond of Riley. "Of course, I won't give up easily. You'll see that I'm a tough opponent," Warren replied which he then ended with a smile. He was ready to win or lose. Riley smiled back and the two shook hands before starting the match. Yes. Riley calle
"Yes, Your Majesty. I even had a one-on-one talk with the boy and ... didn't find the boy to have the slightest resemblance to General Mackenzie other than his very admirable abilities," Andrew explained honestly.Keannu sighed in disappointment, "Oh, what a pity! If he were General Mackenzie's son, I can see that his name would shine much brighter when he is officially commissioned as a soldier in the future."Greg shook his head vigorously."What's with the reaction? You don't believe what I'm saying, Greg?" Keannu asked with a visibly offended expression on his face.Greg swallowed before saying very carefully, "Your Majesty, I believe what you say regarding the boy's prowess. It's just that ... I can assure you that the boy really isn't General Mackenzie's son."Andrew immediately glanced at his friend sharply, his thick eyebrows also raised in obvious disagreement with Greg's words. Greg who realized he was being stared at in such a way sighed, "I have a good reason, General Reec
"He's not stupid, Your Majesty," Andrew said. In Greg's eyes, Andrew had clearly been sedated by the prowess of the young man he had seen kissing the king's daughter just a few hours ago.Andrew even added, "He's very intelligent. Not many people teach their opponents and I'm very confident that in the future he can become a great leader."Hearing Andrew's words, Keannu impatiently asked the currently serving war general, "Andrew, do you intend to exercise your right to vote to ... vote for him?"Greg was surprised to hear the question, but he was also very interested. "You mean, the right of the war general to choose the next war general candidate, Your Majesty?""Yes." Keannu replied with a nod.It was known that at the end of the selection, Andrew Reece would soon resign from his position so the Ans De Lou Kingdom needed a new army leader as the war general.Therefore, the palace had issued a regulation that there would be three candidates for war general. One would come from a new
Instead, Keannu laughed crisply and waved his hand as if to dismiss Greg's remark. "How could he possibly do it? He's not General Mackenzie who can train his men in a short period of time and see the results quickly. He's just a snot-nosed kid who's not even 21 years old, for crying out loud!" Keannu said in a dismissive tone.Even though the man who had just spoken was the king, Andrew listening to every word that came from Keannu's lips made him a little irritated.So Andrew finally decided to respond, "Your Majesty, he is indeed not General Mackenzie. But, believe me ... he can even be friends with the son of a traitor. Doesn't that mean he's very special indeed?"For this, Greg had to agree with Andrew, "That's right, Your Majesty. James Gardner refuses to be friends with anyone, except Riley Wood."Keannu chuckled impatiently, "That's because no one wants to be friends with that traitorous kid. They must be reluctant or afraid."Andrew's eyebrows knitted together, but he didn't w
"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