"Unbelievable."
Gilbert's voice rose and fell as the carriage moved forward.
Thales, who sat in front of him, leaned against the carriage wall quietly. He looked at his teacher whom he had been separated from for six years, and all sorts of feelings welled up in his heart.
"I still remember, young Sir, when we parted ways six years ago, you were still a child …"
Aside from his slightly agitated breathing, Gilbert's posture and etiquette were still appropriate and elegant, as if he was carved from the mold of a noble.
Thales shrugged and smiled.
"Perhaps I am not just a child."
"Of course." Gilbert smiled knowingly.
"Of course you are not just a child.
However, look at you now. "Gilbert stared at him closely. He was gratified and moved, and he could not help but look him up and down.
"You have grown up."
His voice rose and fell.
"Fourteen years old. According to the standards of the Empire, you are already a real adult. You can fight with a sword, marry a wife, and have children …"
'Fight, marry a wife, and have children at the age of fourteen?'
Thales scratched his head.
"Hmm, about this, as the times change and society advances, I believe that we need to discuss it further …"
Gilbert laughed heartily as he looked at him.
The carriage wheels rolled, and the two of them were silent for a while.
Then, Gilbert sighed.
"So, it has been six years, Your Highness. Is everything alright? How is the north? "
'Is everything alright?
How is the north? '
Thales had imagined many scenes of reuniting with his old friends.
He had also imagined how he would add fuel to the fire and complain about the terrible food in Northland, the cold temperature in Heroic Spirit Palace, the dim-witted Little Rascal, the annoying female official Ginghes, the foolish Star Killer, the cunning Lisban, the damned Lampard, the gluttonous Aida, the bored eyes of his two attendants as they argued …
He even imagined pouring out all his pain, unhappiness, and complaints in one go. The Eckstedtians' strange gazes, the Northland teachers' sarcastic demeanor, the outdoor classes' use of their power to avenge personal grudges, the incessant surveillance, and the unreasonable searches …
But when it came to it and the words were at the tip of his tongue …
"Hmm." Thales put away his memories and smiled brightly.
"You know, it is the north."
The prince shrugged in a relaxed manner. His smile was warm and calm.
"It is very … northern."
Gilbert did not answer immediately. Instead, he stared at him for a long time. His gaze was focused on the teenager's sunny smile.
He seemed to have read something.
"Yes, Your Highness."
A few seconds later, Gilbert answered softly,
"Northlanders, Northerners. I've negotiated with them. I know."
"I know."
Gilbert's gaze was calm and gentle, but for some unknown reason, Thales had the misconception that there was a heavy burden on him and he could not bear it.
Silence reigned in the carriage, and for a moment there was only the sound of hoofbeats outside.
Thales took another deep breath.
"How about you, Gilbert? And Eternal Star City and Constellation? For the past six years? "
When Gilbert heard this, he paused for a moment before he slowly gripped his cane.
"Oh, I'm getting old. I'm not as good at riding as I used to be. I'm taking more and more carriages. Every day, the scribe's secretary's writing is getting bigger and bigger."
Thales listened quietly and stared at Gilbert, who seemed to have aged six years.
Six years ago, they also sat in the same carriage on the road to Renaissance Palace.
Six years later …
Gilbert turned his head and smiled faintly.
"Apart from that, it's still the same."
"Working, living, breathing, and waiting …"
He paused for a second and looked into Thales' eyes.
"… Your return."
Thales froze.
For a period of time, he was speechless. He did not know what to do.
Gilbert's expression darkened.
"I cannot imagine how much hardship you went through in Eckstedt …"
He stared at his cane, and he spoke rudely, which was rare for him.
"Cursed Northlander, it should have only been a few weeks. Then, you would have returned safely and returned to our care. I still remember telling you that everything would be fine, but …"
Thales could not bear to see this happen.
"Gilbert …"
Gilbert leaned against his cane, lowered his head, and sighed.
"We have failed in our duties and dragged you into this …"
Thales shook his head at him.
But the Foreign Affairs Minister continued to speak. There was guilt in his voice.
"From King Nuven to the calamities, and then to Black Sand Region. Just reading about it in the letter is enough to make me tremble, but experiencing it personally …"
Thales had to interrupt him loudly.
"Gilbert!"
Gilbert trembled slightly before he stopped talking.
The prince smiled.
"Hey, I made it through."
Gilbert looked at him quietly. A few seconds later, a smile appeared on his face.
"Yes." The Cunning Fox of Constellation showed fatigue, which was rare for him when he was the prince's teacher.
"You made it through.
From the north … I made it through. "
He nodded slowly, but it was obvious that he was absent-minded.
Thales suddenly noticed that Gilbert's energy and focus were not as good as before.
Sensing the fluctuations in Gilbert's emotions, Thales had no choice but to change the topic.
"So, what about them? The people who stayed in Dragon Clouds City …
"Putray, Ralf, and that who … that, that … Oh, Aida!"
"And … Wya?"
When he heard this name, Gilbert seemed to have suddenly woken up.
"Oh, them. Do not worry, even though they still need to stay in Dragon Clouds City for a while …
"But since the most important thing is that you have returned safely, there is no meaning for Dragon Clouds City or Black Sand Region to detain your followers."
Thales breathed a sigh of relief and nodded.
A few seconds later, the teenager suddenly said, "Gilbert, ensure that they are safe.
"Make sure they, make sure your son comes back safely."
The prince raised his head and said seriously,
"Without them, I would not have been able to last until now."
Gilbert was slightly taken aback.
Thales exhaled.
"If there is a need, I can write a letter and have someone pass it directly to Archduchess Walton. I have some connections with her …"
Gilbert stared at him quietly before he smiled. The wrinkles on his face were clearly visible.
"Your Highness."
The Foreign Affairs Minister looked at him with a smile.
"They will be fine.
As long as you are fine.
And my son will definitely know this. "
Thales raised his head and returned the smile. He nodded.
Gilbert seemed to have realized something. He took a few deep breaths and composed his emotions. He returned to being the professional and dignified Foreign Affairs Minister, the Cunning Fox of Constellation, Count Gilbert Caso.
"I have many things to say to you, Your Highness, but …"
A polite smile appeared on Gilbert's face again.
"Since you have returned, there are too many things that need to be arranged. The welcoming banquet for the prince's return, your complete team of instructors and advisors, of course, you need to consider the prince's needs, and also fit the status of a duke … Oh, right, the dignity of the Duke of Star Lake …"
When Thales heard the last sentence, his expression darkened.
"In fact, I was just about to ask about this."
Thales' expression became very serious. Even Gilbert subconsciously put away his smile.
"The Duke of Star Lake."
The prince enunciated each word clearly, and he looked at his teacher with a puzzled expression.
"Gilbert, what do you mean by this?"
Gilbert paused for a moment, as if he was thinking about something. A few seconds later, he smiled faintly.
"Please do not worry, Your Highness. This is a good thing."
Gilbert sighed with a myriad of emotions in his heart.
"The Duke of Star Lake."
He looked at the field outside the carriage window, which was moving backwards.
"In the history of Constellation, this is an honorary title that belongs exclusively to the Jadestar Family and is given to the members of the royal family. Although it is not as powerful and influential as the Six Great Guardian Dukes that were conferred by the King of Renaissance, and the real power and fiefs that come with it are insignificant …"
Gilbert turned his head around and looked at Thales sternly.
"But the meaning it represents is extraordinary."
Thales quirked an eyebrow.
At that moment, it was as if a familiar feeling had returned.
He did not seem to be sitting in a carriage and hurrying along the Avenue of Blessings.
Instead, he returned to the study room in Mindis Hall.
Gilbert's signature steady voice slowly rose into the air.
"Five hundred years ago, 'Pulse Breaker' Sumer the Second conferred his eldest son, Alan, as the Duke of Star Lake. He allowed him to start managing his territory and participate in government affairs, so that he could legitimately assist him in handling the affairs of the country. "Then, after Sumer the Second passed away, Prince Alan inherited the throne as a duke, and he became 'Ascension King' Alan the First."
'Pulse Breaker.'
Thales listened to Gilbert's words and searched for Little Rascal's way of looking at the world, which he learned during his six years in Northland. Ahem, it was Constellation's history class in the eyes of the Northlanders.
If he remembered correctly, Sumer the Second was the one who benefited from the tragic confrontation between the two stars and ascended to the throne. To prevent the kingdom from repeating the mistakes of blood relatives fighting for the throne and brothers killing each other, the inheritance bill he issued truly established the system of the eldest son inheriting the throne, and the youngest son changing his surname and being conferred the title of nobility. "We're still more advanced. Since we're choosing a king, of course we'll choose the most powerful one. We'll settle it with a fight." — The Star Killer, who had nothing to do and was listening by the side with his arms crossed.
Under his bill, many of the descendants of the branch families with great surnames were forced to leave their homes and change their surnames (He also chased away a large number of cousins who stayed under the complicated branches of the family tree and eyed them with hostility). Many of the vassals who were not the eldest son hated him so much that they gnashed their teeth. Sumer Jadestar the Second was also given the title of Pulse Breaker.
As for the Ascension King … Thales found the name familiar, as if he had just heard it not too long ago.
Gilbert's voice continued to rise and fall in cadence.
"From then on, half of the Jadestars who were conferred the title of Duke of Star Lake over the past five hundred years were crown princes, whether they were known or not. After the late king passed away, they wore the Nine-Pointed Star Crown and inherited the supreme throne of Constellation."
'So, the Duke of Star Lake can be considered as the title of crown prince. Wait …'
Thales, who was still thinking about who the Ascension King was, furrowed his eyebrows.
"Did you say, half?"
Gilbert continued smiling, as if he had expected what Thales was going to ask.
"The other half, such as the ancestor of the Talon Family in Ice River City and your grandfather's brother, the Starlight God of War, John Jadestar, are the closest family members and most trusted assistants of the king. They wield great power and assist him in managing the state affairs."
'John Jadestar.
Starlight God of War. '
Thales' heart sank.
He recalled many things, such as the interesting things the veteran Genard had told him about the Duke in the Starlight Brigade when he was in the Northland, or Samel's evaluation of the Duke of Star Lake in the Prison of Bones, or the Duke of Western Desert telling him about John's background in Ghost Prince Tower.
Gilbert seemed to become more excited the more he spoke.
"So, Your Highness, to Constellation, the title of Duke of Star Lake is either given to the king's successor as an honorary title before the crown prince inherits the throne …
"Or the title is given to the king's closest family members to show his favor and trust. Then, with the help of blood ties, the Jadestar Family's rule will be strengthened."
'Closest family members.
'Favor and trust.'
Thales coughed softly and narrowed his eyes.
"But I remember that even though the Duke of Star Lake was his brother John during my grandfather Aydi the Second's era, the crown prince he chose was —"
Against his expectations, Gilbert quickly interrupted him, and his tone was firm and resolute.
"That only proves one thing — that your grandfather was willing to use his life to believe in John and his brother, just like how he believed in his own heir. He even believed that John could continue to loyally assist the king who succeeded him as the Duke of Star Lake. "
'Use his life to believe in John.
Believe in his brother.
Just like how he believed in his own heir. '
For some unknown reason, Samel's indignant words in the prison echoed in Thales' mind.
"'Was it a brother killing his brother, or a son killing his father?"'
Gilbert took a deep breath and continued to stare at Thales seriously, as though he would not allow any doubt.
"And John did not disappoint your grandfather. As the greatest hero in the Bloody Year, the former Duke of Star Lake and his Starlight Brigade conquered the rebels in the south and fought against the Great Dragon in the north. In the end, he turned the tide and saved all of Constellation."
John Jadestar.
He was the greatest contributor to the Bloody Year.
Conquered the rebels in the south and fought against the Great Dragon in the north.
He turned the tide and saved Constellation.
Thales quietly recited these words and tried his best to suppress the inexplicable chill that rose from the bottom of his heart.
"Yes."
The prince's expression was solemn, and his tone was calm.
"And then he died."
Gilbert was stunned for a moment.
But the Foreign Affairs Minister was obviously very experienced. He frowned and quickly continued Thales' words.
"… and thus made this title even more noble. During the eighteen years when Star Lake Castle was empty, when people talked about the Duke of Star Lake who shed blood on the battlefield, they would only reminisce about his loyalty, tragedy, and glorious past."
This time, Thales did not respond when he listened to Gilbert's flawless explanation. Instead, he stared at Gilbert for a long time.
At that moment, Thales suddenly remembered Disaster Sword Marina's words.
"'Please investigate this matter and find out the truth.
Find out the truth behind Duke John's assassination in Zodra during the Bloody Year. "'
'The truth.'
Under the prince's gaze, the Foreign Affairs Minister frowned slightly.
He suddenly had a misconception that the student he was once very familiar with had become a little unfamiliar.
A few seconds later, Thales turned his gaze away.
"That's right."
Gilbert secretly sighed in relief and forgot about the strange feeling in his heart.
"Hence, being conferred this title is a sign that you are deeply trusted and highly regarded by His Majesty. This means that you are no longer a prince who relies on your father's shadow, who has a noble title but no real power. Instead, you are His Majesty's right-hand man. You have a fief, authority, and status. You are the Duke of Star Lake who can stand on equal footing with the hereditary vassals."
When he said this, Gilbert looked at Thales excitedly.
"With this status, you can even directly enter the Imperial Conference to participate in national affairs and solve His Majesty's problems. It will not be out of place.
"And when you interact with foreign countries, 'Constellation's Duke of Star Lake' is a powerful title. It is far more powerful than 'King Kessel's Son'."
Thales still did not speak. He only seemed to be deep in thought.
Perhaps he wanted to explain in detail, or perhaps he was worried about something, Gilbert paused for a few tenths of a second. Before the smile on his face disappeared, he continued speaking.
"And of course, it also announces to all the ambitious vassals that even after six years away from the kingdom, your position in His Majesty's heart is still incredibly important. Your rightful right to inherit the throne cannot be shaken."
'The position in His Majesty's heart.'
Thales appeared to have come to a realization, but he shook his head quietly in his heart.
'Alright, this is really worth discussing.'
Even though he was not very interested, Thales still put on a surprised expression in a very cooperative manner.
"Wow."
Gilbert seemed to have been deceived by his appearance. The Foreign Affairs Minister looked gratified.
"Yes, I know, Your Grace." He held his cane tightly and subconsciously changed the way he addressed Thales.
"I have been waiting for this day for a long time."
Thales thought of something again, and he came to a slight realization.
"So, just now, Count Kroma immediately left with a flick of his sleeves."
The prince looked at Gilbert in surprise.
"Does he know that no matter how much he shows to the world how close and familiar he is with the prince, and no matter how much he tries to get closer to me and form a tacit understanding with me, it cannot compare to this extraordinary title of duke in the kingdom that has been vacant for eighteen years?"
Gilbert was stunned.
"Maybe they are, maybe they aren't, but that's their business," the Foreign Secretary sighed.
"Now, the most important thing is that you will soon return to Renaissance Palace and return to your home."
'Home.'
Thales was dazed for a moment.
The carriage continued to move forward steadily. The plains outside the window were vast, and the scenery was very magnificent. It fully displayed the beauty of Western Desert.
But Thales knew that this was the first unfamiliar sight he had seen.
"Home."
Thales mumbled.
"Is it?"
When he saw the prince's expression, the strange feeling in Gilbert's heart rose again.
But since he was good at observing people's expressions, he quickly skipped over this topic and shifted his attention to Thales' weapon.
"Your Grace, this is …"
Gilbert stared at the sword lying beside Thales' hand, and his expression changed slightly.
Thales snapped out of his daze and sighed, feeling a headache coming on as well.
"Does it look familiar? It is the sword passed down in the Fakenhaz Family, Sentinel. "Thales patted the hilt of the longsword.
"I have to say, it is a good sword."
Gilbert's gaze froze.
The Foreign Affairs Minister's expression was a little solemn.
"The Ancient Empire's sword is not only priceless, it also carries with it history, and its meaning is extraordinary. The Duke of Western Desert is a little too …"
Thales stroked the sword hilt and raised his eyebrows.
"A little too generous?"
Constellation's Cunning Fox's expression became very serious.
"Considering his reputation, yes."
Thales pursed his lips and nodded.
"Then, should I hide it and not let anyone else see it?"
Gilbert shook his head and said, "No.
There are too many ways for people to know about it. For example, if Duke Fakenhaz did not bring that sword with him to the banquet, some nobles will ask, and then … "
Thales shrugged.
"Then, should I return it?"
Gilbert paused for a moment.
"I am afraid so."
The Foreign Affairs Minister seemed to be deep in thought. "I can prepare a letter for you. I will use the reason of respecting the history behind this sword as an excuse. It will be tactful, appropriate, and respectful. Our swift horses will be able to send the sword back in a few days …"
But this time, against his expectations, the teenage prince before him only smiled faintly before he pushed Sentinel's blade back into its sheath.
"No.
"I just happen to lack a suitable sword."
Thales looked at Gilbert with a smile. His words stunned the latter.
"I want to keep it."
Gilbert stared at Thales in a daze. The sense of unfamiliarity in his heart was at its peak.
"Your Highness … Your Grace, forgive me for being straightforward. Considering our current relationship with the suzerains of Western Desert, the meaning of returning it is greater than the value of the sword itself. If the people see that you have accepted it …"
But Thales interrupted him.
"Gilbert." The prince placed the longsword back in his hand. His tone was calm, and his emphasis was barely noticeable.
"What you are worried about is letting the people see that I have accepted Fakenhaz's gift …"
Thales' gaze changed.
"Or letting my father see it?"
At this moment, Gilbert was truly stunned.
"Your Grace, I suggest that you do not think too much about it …" The Foreign Affairs Minister wanted to say something, but he hesitated.
"Gilbert, I saw them. All three of them."
Thales looked at the scenery outside the window and slowly became absent-minded.
"Be it Fakenhaz, Kroma, or Bozdorf, these local nobles of Western Desert, their attitude towards me, and the things they are eager to tell me.
"I can feel it, Gilbert. From how careful you were when you talked about the Duke of Star Lake, to how worried you were about me befriending the nobles of Western Desert …
"Gilbert." The prince closed his eyes and sighed.
"This damned duke or whatever it is."
Thales opened his eyes wearily.
"It's not that easy to be, right?"
Gilbert instinctively wanted to retort, but the moment he met Thales' gaze, he stopped talking.
Thales leaned against the wall of the carriage and sighed slowly.
Gilbert looked at him quietly.
A few seconds later, the Foreign Affairs Minister sighed, and a tired but plain smile appeared on his face.
"My young Sir."
"Perhaps you do not know …
But do you know why we are here? "
Thales was slightly stunned.
Gilbert heaved a sigh of relief and pointed outside the window.
"Because six years ago, you and your performance during the National Conference prevented this ancient kingdom from falling into disintegration and decline."
Thales frowned.
'National Conference.
The memories of the past inevitably returned to his mind.
"And immediately after that, you went north to Eckstedt with your magnanimity and resolute courage. You extinguished the flames of war with your own body and protected the kingdom."
'Went north to Eckstedt …'
Thales pursed his lips.
"But what you did was far more than that …"
Gilbert's tone became more indistinct, but also more solemn.
"Over the past six years, with the departure of the Born King, Dragon Clouds City has become weak, and Eckstedt has fallen into internal strife that is even more chaotic than before.
"From what I know, Beacon Illumination City has just raised the tariff on the grains exported to Black Sand Region and Reformation Tower, causing the prices of grains in the latter to remain high. The suzerains of the three territories are full of resentment toward each other, and they have almost become mortal enemies.
"The City of Faraway Prayers and Defense City are currently embroiled in a dispute over the Golden Passage. They are secretly playing games with the ill-intentioned Camus Union around the Alliance of Freedom. It has been protracted for a long time, and they are unable to extricate themselves from it.
"As traditional allies during the Nuen Era, the relationship between Glacier Sea and Elaphure City and Dragon Clouds City has deteriorated rapidly. They have switched sides many times in domestic affairs, and they are in conflict with each other …
'Dragon Clouds City …'
When he heard this term, Thales subconsciously clenched his fists.
"… Most importantly, the three southern archdukes who were originally eyeing us covetously, regardless of whether it was Prestige Orchid Region, Reformation Tower, or the most feared Chapman the First, because they lost their common enemy, and because Black Sand Region became king, the balance between the three was broken. They began to turn inward and were on guard against each other.
"The suzerains of the three territories were on high alert, and because of this, they had no choice but to greatly reduce their military forces at the borders of Constellation to prepare for each other's threats."
Gilbert looked at him gently. The smile on his face was the same as it was in the past in Mindis Hall.
"Hence, in the past six years, the pressure on the northern borders decreased drastically, and the pine forest returned to our patrol area. Even the fiercest Eckstedtian hunters did not dare to hunt in the south. The citizens of Overwatch City and Lonely Old Tower welcomed a rare period of peace and prosperity.
"The defense line at the borders of Black Sand Region was unprecedentedly empty. It was said that the Fortress Flower led the patrol team across the border and set up camp in Black Sand Region. They stayed there for three days and three nights, and the scattered Eckstedtians did not dare to approach them. They only dared to watch from afar, because their suzerains and their king detested each other and did not have the time to pay attention to the south.
"The danger at Broken Dragon Fortress was lifted, and the effects were immediate. The farming, harvesting, herding, and all other industries in the Northern Territory were slowly recovering. Just like this time, when we went to Western Desert to rescue you, quite a number of soldiers were transferred from the military service quota that Broken Dragon Fortress saved."
Gilbert paused for a moment. There was a deep emotion in his words.
"I still remember that six years ago, the regular army under Baron Murkh was stationed in Central Territory. They trained their soldiers day by day and nervously prepared for war in the north. They were on guard against any changes in the fortress, and they could not leave their posts easily.
"But today, six years later, the army of the Kingdom's Wrath rode their horses and whips. They followed the king's orders and spread royal authority everywhere. Regardless of whether it was Eastern Sea, South Coast, Blade Edge, or Western Desert, wherever they went, the four regions submitted to them. Wherever their longswords pointed, the vassals would bow. The territory of the kingdom, which was once out of control, was once again placed on His Majesty's long conference table.
"Due to the rare opportunity brought about by the Great Dragon's decline, we can do whatever we want. Be it unifying the nobles in the country, reasserting royal authority, fighting against Camus Union, attacking Dragon-Kissed Land, warning Alumbia, stationing troops at the borders to intimidate the Three Kingdoms of Fog, and seizing back the hegemony of the Western Peninsula … All the things that we dared to think about but did not dare to do before are now being put on the agenda."
As he listened to the news of the current situation, Thales frowned.
'All these years …
'So many things have happened around Constellation?'
"Your Highness, the heavy blow of the Bloody Year caused the kingdom to be in a decadent state for many years, and it was difficult for it to rise again," Gilbert's words were filled with sorrow.
"It has been nearly twenty years, an entire generation. We, who had the blood of the Empire flowing in our veins and once dominated the Western Peninsula, had no choice but to remain humble and bide our time. We trembled in fear as if we were treading on thin ice."
The Foreign Affairs Minister's gray hair reflected the setting sun outside the window. His tone fluctuated, and it was clear that he was having a hard time calming down.
Gilbert sucked in a deep breath. The expression on his face changed, and as his tone became spirited, he became full of life.
"But twenty years have passed, and it is like …
"The Great Dragon folds its wings, and the powerful enemy is beheaded.
"The Milky Way shines, and Constellation shines again."
Gilbert's eyes seemed to be shining, and it actually made Thales feel as if he could not breathe.
"We finally have the time to recover our strength and reorganize the country.
"The day when the kingdom returns to the top of the world is just around the corner."
The Foreign Affairs Minister held Thales' shoulders gently.
"And all of this, from saving Constellation, unifying the kingdom, extinguishing the flames of war, and rebuilding the country …
"All of these cannot be separated from you, my young sir, my …"
Gilbert sucked in a deep breath and looked at Thales with complicated emotions. His eyes sparkled slightly.
"Duke Thales."
Thales could only stare at him in a daze. He could not say anything for a long time.
Gilbert blinked hard and put away the sparkles in his eyes. At the same time, he restrained his emotions.
"That's right.
This' nuisance 'of a duke is indeed not easy to be. "
A bitter but gratified smile appeared on the middle-aged noble's face.
"But it is precisely because of all your hard work and struggles in the past that you became one of the millions of people in this great kingdom …"
Gilbert said softly, "That's right.
"The person who is most suitable for it."
At that moment …
"Your Grace, Your Grace."
A familiar voice traveled into Thales' ears from outside the carriage.
Thales snapped out of his daze.
He could tell that this was a member of the Royal Guards, the golden-haired knight who previously stood behind Mallos, Derek's' distant relative ', Knight Doyle, who mocked the Kroma Family for escorting Thales with ill intentions.
"We have arrived at Lorren Castle. This is our resting point for today. We will depart tomorrow."
Before Thales, who was still immersed in his strange emotions, could react, Gilbert sorted out his emotions and stood up with a smile.
"Thank you, Doyle. I am coming now."
Gilbert pushed open the carriage door and walked out. His voice continued to travel into Thales' ears from outside the carriage. He was polite, and there was no trace of his previous agitation.
"And I am very grateful for the service of the Royal Guards."
Doyle's laughter rose as well. It was clear that he was very familiar with the Foreign Affairs Minister.
"It is a mission, Your Grace.
"Also, since we have been appointed as the Duke of Star Lake's personal guards …" Doyle's voice was very bright, as if he would never experience sorrow.
"Then perhaps you can call us the duke's personal guards, or …"
"Star Lake Guards?"
Thales was stunned again.
'Star Lake Guards.'
The Royal Guards and Gilbert continued chatting and laughing outside the carriage.
But Thales only sat quietly in the carriage. He did not say a word, and he did not move.
After an unknown period of time, when Doyle's urging voice rose, the teenage prince sighed and leaned back against the carriage. He said in a barely audible voice, "What are you waiting for?
He said in a barely audible voice, "Are you there?"
A few seconds later, a nearly inaudible hoarse voice traveled into Thales' ears.
"Yes."
Thales shook his head in a daze and snorted softly.
"Did you hear what Gilbert said just now … about what I did?"
"From saving Constellation, unifying the kingdom, extinguishing the flames of war, and rebuilding the kingdom …
"It is all your hard work and struggles in the past that allowed you to become one of the millions of people in this great kingdom …
"The person who is most suitable for it."
Thales was absent-minded.
"Yes." The answer in the air was still as sparse as ever.
Thales casually responded to Doyle's urging outside the carriage. He raised his head in a daze and looked at the top of the carriage. His gaze was unfocused.
"Yodel.
"Have you ever had a moment where everything in your life became so unreal that you were at a loss for what to do?"
A few seconds later, the Masked Protector's voice traveled into Thales' ears faintly.
"Yes."
Thales curled his lips into the ghost of a smile.
"Very good, then I am not crazy."
His tone was desolate.
"Thales …"
His name traveled into Thales' ears, along with a hesitant comforting sentence.
"Everything … will be fine."
Thales smiled again when he heard this.
'Everything will be fine.'
"Yes," Thales said absent-mindedly in the carriage, "Every time, when things are about to turn bad …
"I tell myself the same thing."
Yodel did not speak again.
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