Someone even dared to raise his hand. "General." Andrew Reece immediately raised his hand and asked the other prospective soldiers to be quiet and listen to what the young man who was standing had to say. "Yes, please!" Andrew invited the questioner. "General, is that some kind of special program?" The warrior candidate asked excitedly. "Yes. The soldier I train directly under my supervision will automatically participate in the selection of the next war general," Andrew explained. Andrew's explanation certainly made them even more excited. So many people wanted to ask questions but Keannu asked them to be quiet and calm first before letting Andrew continue his explanation. After they calmed down again, Andrew said, "So, there are three candidates who will be the next war generals, replacing me who will immediately step down from this position one year from now." The prospective soldiers looked even more shocked but none of them dared to speak because their king had instructed t
Andrew Reece replied, "Your Honor, I don't think any of this has anything to do with you at all." "How could it have nothing to do with me? Since he left the palace, he immediately disappeared. His companies were also sold and he must have started a new company. His wife's family also never talked about him, so what if it wasn't because he didn't want the palace to know? By me, to be precise," Keannu explained in a disappointed and sad tone. Andrew Reece turned to the king and said in a calming tone, "Your Majesty, if General Mackenzie hated you, it would be impossible at the end of his reign for you to be close to him. I'm sure you also felt that General Mackenzie was actually friends with you at that time." "Yes, but only for a moment," Keannu replied. Andrew nodded, understanding, "But that's enough to show that your relationship with General Mackenzie has improved since then. So it can't be the main reason." Keannu was silent, trying to believe Andrew's words. "I think he dis
"Yes, Your Majesty," Andrew Reece answered firmly, as if there was no doubt about his decision. Keannu looked at his war general with a strange look, as if the person sitting beside him had lost his mind. "Are you crazy or what, Reece?" Keannu said with confused eyes. "Your Majesty, I am still very sane. Please listen to my explanation first," Andrew Reece said in a serious expression.Keannu snorted in annoyance but the king who had two children still said, "Say it!" Andrew Reece nodded, excitedly, "James Gardner is said to be looking for General Mackenzie's son. His determination must be very strong. This must be related to events in the past, where Jody Gardner, his father was killed by General Mackenzie." "I already know. That's the problem, Reece," Keannu said through gritted teeth, trying hard to suppress his annoyance at Andrew Reece. "Yes, I understand, Your Majesty. However, that is also what we want, isn't it?" Andrew asked. He tried to make Keannu understand."What do
James Gardner was silent for a moment, but the young man immediately replied, "Of course I learned about it. That's why I know who killed my father." Several people who initially wanted to attack James with words finally chose to abandon their intentions after they heard the bitterness in James' voice. Riley Mackenzie was at a loss for words. James said again, "You may know all the history of this kingdom better than me, Riley. But ... I certainly understand more than you when it comes to matters related to my father, including my father's murderer." You're wrong, James. I understand the same as you about that problem, Riley thought. The two of them looked at each other as if they had been enemies for a long time, but Riley did not reply to James' last words. "Come on, restrain yourself a little, Riley! You know he's crazy, you don't need to pay attention on him!" Alen said, to which Riley only responded with a small nod. That evening at the palace, all prospective soldiers were
"Riley, did you hear what I said?" William asked. Riley immediately realized, "Nothing, Dad. Not at the moment. Besides, it's only the first day. I don't know that many people." The young man felt uncomfortable about hiding such a big thing from his father, but he didn't want to make his father think about things and worry too much so that he had to make such a tough decision. "That's good then. But ... listen to my message, you shouldn't trust the people around you too much," William said. Riley nodded even though he knew his father couldn't see his facial movements. "And look for Andrew Reece when you have problems. He will definitely help you," William added. Riley sighed softly, "Don't worry, Dad. Until now, I can still take care of myself." "Okay, get some rest. You have to start training tomorrow, right?" William asked. "Yeah, Dad," Riley answered with a yawn. "Oh, my Riley. You're already sleepy. Then hang up the phone," Cassandra said. And the call ended after Cassand
"Your ambition is too big to find the general's son," Alen Smith said. James grinned, "You would have done what I would have done if born without a father." Alen suddenly fell silent, while Riley gripped his glass of water. "Hey, it's appeared," Diego said, intending to cool the atmosphere. All the eyes of the prospective soldiers were immediately glued to the very large screen. "I don't care about my ranking, the important thing is to get the minimum score." "Is there really a minimum standard for assessment?" someone else said. "You idiot! Didn't you read all the rules before registering?" They started having fun throwing around words until finally they started to fall silent when their names started appearing. Riley saw that James was looking seriously at the screen, while he only glanced at their names. "Wow! You rank first in swordsmanship, Riley," Diego said. Alen clapped his hands, happy, "Amazing! Why didn't you tell us that your sword skills are good." Riley smiled
"I would love to say 'yes', but you know that 'Wood' is not a rare surname, it is too common a surname, Reece," Keannu said. Andrew's face, which originally looked bright, suddenly turned a bit gloomy again. Keannu immediately felt guilty. "I don't mean to destroy your hopes, Reece. I just don't want you to be too disappointed," Keannu said slowly. Andrew nodded, "You are right, Your Majesty. It would be too quick to guess that the child is General Mackenzie's son just by looking at some training results." "Yes. Just pay attention to him the same way you pay attention to that young Gardner. Oh, but ... I have a bad feeling about that kid," Keannu said. The king looked worried so Andrew said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will monitor the child more closely. I won't let him mess up." "That's better," Keannu replied. After that, Andrew ordered several of his subordinates to always be on guard around James Gardner and Riley. Riley didn't realize it at all, but James was starting to
Without blinking his eyes, Riley replied, "Why should I play guessing games with you? Don't you claim to be the best?" "So, you can find General Mackenzie's son easily, right?" Riley added. James frowned irritably, "It wouldn't be fun if I looked for it myself." "Oh, you mean in other words you want to say that you need my help to find him?" Riley asked, raising his thick right eyebrow. Alen chuckled softly, while Diego openly said, "My roommate, you are determined to find and defeat him. So do it yourself." "Why invite Riley?" Alen said. James, who was initially annoyed, then smiled, "Even though I intended to give a lot of money for this game." Alen and Diego glanced at each other, looking shocked. But, Riley quickly said, "Who cares about money here?" James took a deep breath, "Wood, not everyone comes to this kingdom to purely serve, but most of them expect a high salary." Riley was silent, James continued, "You also know how much salary the king offers. You also know that
"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