"Besides, you've also seen the child …"
Doyle heaved a sigh of pain.
"God, we were not so complicated when we were fourteen or fifteen years old. Shouldn't we be simple, stupid, impulsive, and lustful?"
He looked at Glover indignantly, seeking approval.
"There's nothing that cannot be solved by going to Red Street Market at night, right?"
Against his expectations, Glover, who had always been passive, spoke this time.
"Not us." The quiet vanguard snorted coldly and turned his head to the side.
"It's just you."
Doyle's smile instantly disappeared.
At this moment, another voice rose abruptly.
"Is everything alright?"
Doyle and Glover trembled at the same time!
In a second, both of them straightened up at the same time and turned in the direction of the iron gate.
They saw the highest commander of the Royal Guards, the guard captain, Lord Adrian, standing at the iron gate. He was accompanied by two attendants, and he looked at them with a smile.
Doyle looked as if he was struck by lightning. He first tried his best to squeeze out a smile, but when he felt that it was inappropriate, he tried his best to straighten his expression.
He stuttered, "D-D-D-Captain … C-C-Commanding Officer?"
Glover was also stunned for a moment, but he quickly reacted to the situation.
"Commanding officer."
Adrian nodded and walked in with a smile. The people around him recognized him and saluted him one after another.
"Everyone is busy. What are the two of you doing?"
The smile on Doyle's face froze.
He quickly stood still and took a step forward.
"Ahem … We are evaluating the loopholes in Mindis Hall's defense and making plans for future sentries …"
But Glover spoke stiffly and drowned out Doyle's voice.
"We are pretending to be busy, commanding officer.
Then, we will avoid being called up by the Logistics Division. "
When he said this, Captain Adrian's smile also froze for a second.
Doyle's body swayed, and he looked at his companion in disbelief.
At that moment, Doyle, who first trembled inexplicably, then became completely disheartened. He just wanted to slap Glover to death.
Then, he wanted to slap himself to death.
In the indescribable silence and awkwardness, the experienced Adrian was the first to react.
"Oh, you are all … Mallos' men?"
Doyle, who was grief-stricken, sensed that the captain did not intend to hold him accountable, so he quickly tried to salvage the situation.
"Um, ah … Lord Mallos is inside, he seems to be …"
Glover's answer was as simple as usual.
"I'll go inform them."
But Adrian stopped him.
"Wait."
The highest commander of the Royal Guards placed his hands behind his back and slowly walked towards the man. He narrowed his eyes and sized up his robust figure.
"You're Caleb Glover from the Vanguard Division?"
Glover's expression became stern.
"Yes."
Adrian nodded, a nostalgic look in his eyes. "Very good."
"I know your grandfather."
"Forty years ago, as the watchman, he personally promoted me into the guards."
By the side, Doyle's expression changed.
The way he looked at Glover immediately changed.
Adrian sighed.
"He's a stern man, but he deserves respect."
Glover's gaze flickered.
"Yes."
"I hope that you will be as respected as him." Adrian's tone was friendly and friendly.
"But … you don't have to be as strict as him."
"In a team, be a gentle and easy-going person. You'll find that you'll gain more."
Glover shuddered slightly, and his reply sounded a little uneasy.
"Yes, yes."
Adrian nodded and looked at Doyle.
The latter immediately stiffened in an unnatural manner, like a rat that ate poison.
Adrian smiled.
"So, you're that … Doyle?"
The corners of Doyle's mouth twitched, and he smiled awkwardly.
"Yes, c-commanding officer … but that's … that's just a joke …"
His voice lacked confidence, and it became weaker.
"Bridge told me about you," Adrian said leisurely.
"What?"
Doyle's eyes lit up, and his previous timidity was gone.
"Is that so?"
He looked a little expectant. "Then, what did the chief say about me …"
"He said that you initially wanted to go to the Vanguard Division," Adrian said faintly.
"After you failed to get selected, you had no choice but to go to his Guard Division."
Glover subconsciously glanced at Doyle.
At that moment, Doyle's face flushed red.
"Commanding officer, I-I …"
But Adrian's expression became stern.
"It's not shameful to admit defeat."
He said slowly,
"Only those who can accept defeat are worthy of success.
"Just like how you need to be a good 'guard' before you can be a 'vanguard'."
Adrian's sudden sternness made Doyle subconsciously tense up.
"Yes, commanding officer."
Adrian nodded and looked at the two of them again.
"Both of you are very young. You are both important arms of Mallos, and also the kingdom's reliable swords." Adrian regained his friendliness from before.
"Work harder."
"Yes, commanding officer!" This came from Doyle, who was as quiet as a cicada in winter.
"Yes, commanding officer." This came from Glover, who was still stiff.
Adrian smiled faintly.
"Also, do not get caught by your master when you are slacking off." At this moment, Adrian suddenly turned his head and looked into the distance with a spirited gaze.
"Especially … when he is standing behind you."
Doyle and Glover shuddered at the same time, and they turned around.
Thales, who was hiding behind the tree, was also shocked when he was suddenly discovered.
He had to walk out from under the tree awkwardly under Doyle and Zombie's strange gazes. He adjusted himself and smiled politely and gently.
Adrian bowed to him respectfully.
"Your Grace."
Thales quickly nodded and returned the greeting.
"Lord Adrian."
"May I know …"
Adrian smiled and shook his head.
"Please do not be troubled.
I am only here … to hand over the official writ of conferring the title of duke to you. "
He turned and handed a scroll to Glover (Doyle reached out to take it, but the scroll veered strangely towards Glover just as it was about to fall into his hand).
"I also want to see how the lads are preparing." The guard captain, who was more than fifty years old, smiled and looked at Doyle and Glover. The former immediately smiled awkwardly, and the latter stood even more stiffly.
"After all, this is the first time in many years that we have mobilized people from the Royal Guards to form a special unit."
Thales looked at the writ in Glover's hands. He did not have the time to delve into the meaning behind the man's words.
"Thank you for your concern."
The guard commander's smile remained. "I hope that Tormond did not bring you any trouble."
Thales was stunned.
"Tormond … who?"
'Tormond.'
His first reaction was the portrait of the King of Renaissance in Mindis Hall.
But Adrian only sighed.
"I heard from Count Caso about the conflict between you and him on the road. I would like to apologize to you for his actions. "
Thales then realized that the person he was talking about was …
"But please believe me, Lord Mallos did not mean to be disrespectful, and neither did he want to be stubborn," Adrian said seriously.
"He is just … too casual."
Thales blinked.
"Casual?"
He took a deep breath and recalled how Mallos told him that no one would care about him just now, so he asked in confusion, "That's right.
He asked in puzzlement, "My personal guard captain? Casual? "
Even Doyle and Glover, who did not dare to breathe loudly, could not help but look over curiously.
Adrian chuckled.
"Please do not misunderstand, Your Highness. When I said 'casual', it did not mean that he was lazy or negligent. There is no doubt about Lord Mallos' ability."
Adrian looked at Mindis Hall on the other side of the fountain and said with a myriad of emotions,
"However, he hates complexity and trouble. When faced with a problem, he would rather choose a solution that is within his reach.
"This can also be considered a kind of … arrogance."
'Hates complexity and trouble …
'Arrogance.'
When he heard this comment, Thales understood a little.
Adrian said in resignation,
"For example, the simplest way to protect the prince is to not let the prince go out.
"But he does not know that sometimes, this will bring more trouble."
Thales nodded and responded with a smile.
Adrian sighed with emotion.
"So, he often needs someone … to push him.
"Goad him into doing better."
Doyle and Glover looked at each other.
"Is that so?" Thales nodded politely, "I will pay attention.
"By the way, Lord Mallos is …"
But Adrian raised his hand.
"Oh, no, I will not see him."
The guard captain looked at Thales with a smile.
"It is enough to see you.
"Six years ago, when you became a prince, I was caught up in family matters and could not be there. I missed your important moment."
Adrian's gaze suddenly became serious.
"But fortunately, I did not miss the time when you became a duke."
Thales was stunned when he sensed the meaning in Adrian's gaze.
"Your Highness."
Adrian stared at him and said earnestly, "Don't worry.
"An excellent warrior can and must go through many trials and tribulations.
"A qualified noble can, and must, shoulder a heavy burden."
The guard captain said faintly,
"It is the same for the king."
In the next second, he added another sentence with a profound meaning.
"It is even more so for the king."
Thales was stunned.
Adrian bowed again, turned around, and left.
Watching the guard captain's back disappear, Doyle took a deep breath, as if he had been holding it in for a lifetime.
"Wow, wow, wow … I can't believe it. The guard captain talked to me …"
Doyle said excitedly,
"I have been in the team for seven and a half years, and this is the second time I met Commander Adrian face-to-face and talked to him alone! The last time was three years ago! "
'Yes, yes, three years ago.
That time was in the guard room.
'I think it was something like "Captain, captain, do you want some water?" and "No, thank you?"
Doyle thought excitedly.
"Hmph."
Glover snorted in disdain. He looked at Doyle with a look that said, "You have not seen the world".
'Three years.
We are both in Renaissance Palace. How marginalized is this boy that he has not had the chance to talk to the commander alone for three years?
'As for me …
'Hmph.'
With faint pride, Glover recalled the conversation he had with the guard captain last time.
'A few years ago …
'Strange, why can't I remember?'
Thales seemed to be deep in thought as he stood beside the two with different emotions.
"That is …" he said slowly.
The excited Doyle answered Thales' doubts.
"Oh, you still don't know, right? That is the most awesome person in the Royal Guards.
"Chief Guard Captain, Lord Adrian."
Doyle looked smug.
"His qualifications are enough to crush all the other people in the Royal Guards. He is the witness of glory and destruction."
'Qualifications?
Glory and destruction? '
Thales was slightly puzzled.
Glover nodded and looked in the direction where Adrian left with a stern expression.
"It is said that the captain has witnessed the Bloody Year, and he is the only surviving member of the legendary Royal Guards … an old guard."
'Witnessed the Bloody Year …'
Thales' expression changed slightly.
"Are you talking about the former Royal Guards from my grandfather's time?"
Doyle sucked in a deep breath and nodded with a yearning expression.
When he thought of the prisoners in the Prison of Bones, Thales could not help but be shocked.
"Adrian … lived through the Bloody Year? How did he do it? "
Glover shrugged.
"Congratulations, Your Grace." Doyle sighed and spread his hands.
"You just asked about the third place in the Ten Unsolved Mysteries of the Royal Guards."
Thales was stunned and speechless.
At this moment, a commotion suddenly came from outside the iron gate.
"No, no, no. This place is closed today … Even if you are a noble, you cannot …"
The trio's attention was attracted over. Doyle walked towards the iron gate, and Glover followed closely behind him.
The curious Thales also wanted to go forward, but Glover pressed him behind him and blocked him.
"What happened?" Doyle called out to a Jadestar Private Soldier outside the gate through the iron gate.
The soldier turned around and pointed indignantly at a man who was blocked by a few other soldiers in the distance.
"Protector, this guy wants to barge in … He said he is a noble, or else we would have …"
Doyle narrowed his eyes and saw the man who was blocked clearly.
His eyes immediately widened.
"Wait, wait, wait, I know him …"
Doyle stared at the man who was waving at him outside the gate.
"Why are you here?"
The man outside the gate struggled to break free from the soldiers' suppression. He straightened his clothes, and when he saw Doyle, he was equally surprised.
"Hey, I'm the one who wants to ask, Doyle, why are you here?"
Doyle's expression darkened.
"Nonsense, I am a Royal Guard … No, no, no, I asked you first, why are you here?"
The man outside the gate blinked. He looked around, and he seemed to be very puzzled.
"It's … it's me!"
Behind Glover, Thales burst out laughing when he heard the baffling conversation between the two.
Glover looked at him strangely.
"Nothing, it's just …" Thales waved his hand apologetically.
"I remembered a joke the Northlanders tell: 'Why are you here?'"
Thales could not help but laugh again.
He did not understand. Glover's expression became even stranger.
Outside the gate, the baffling conversation between Doyle and the uninvited guest continued.
"Why are you here? Why?"
The guest scratched his head.
"I … applied for leave in advance today. I purposely came here to see the prince … Ah no, the duke now … I heard that he came back today …"
Doyle shook his head.
"No, nobles have to make an appointment to visit …"
But Doyle reacted.
"Wait, how did you know that the prince came back today, and how did you know that he is the duke …"
"Ah, my messenger crow is faster … Alright, move aside, don't block my way to see him …"
"No, how did you know that he is here …"
"Did you forget that when you sent the prince here today, we were in charge of clearing the path …"
"No, no, no, wait a little longer … I mean, who are you? What right do you have to come and visit the prince …"
"Are you kidding me? At my age, I am the only promising youth in our hall who has been conferred the title of a lord …"
"Conferred the title of a lord? Are you saying that because you have strong connections, a strong background, and a good father, you got the title of a foppish young master? "
"Bah, get lost! I was conferred the title of a lord because of my meritorious service to the kingdom! "
"Meritorious service … Are you talking about catching thieves on the streets?"
"Catching you … It was my heroic expedition six years ago to protect the kingdom from the flames of war!"
"Heh, I'll see how long you want to brag …"
"Let me tell you, Doyle, you're just jealous. You're jealous because you can't make a name for yourself …"
"Bah, you've been single for more than twenty years. Do you have any shame …"
Behind the iron door, Glover pressed his hand on his head with a face full of shame.
Obviously, Doyle's negotiation with the man outside the door would not end anytime soon.
The Jadestar Private Soldiers who were tired of listening had already returned to their posts.
But Thales heard something from it.
"Doyle?"
Ignoring Glover's expression, the Duke of Star Lake walked past him decisively and reminded him loudly,
"Doyle!"
In front of the iron door, Doyle, who had been arguing endlessly, finally snapped out of his daze and remembered his duty. He quickly turned around and smiled apologetically.
"My apologies, Your Highness, for disturbing you … Um, let me introduce, this is …"
Doyle turned sideways and pointed at the uninvited guest outside the door. He awkwardly shouted a string of nouns.
"… My grandmother's brother-in-law's grandnephew."
Glover sighed again and pressed his palm against his face.
At that moment, Thales saw the guest outside the door clearly.
He was stunned.
"Um, the heir to a certain count's territory. He's working and on vacation in the capital …"
Doyle laughed dryly and said the person's name.
"Cohen Karabeyan."
Thales stared at the man outside the door in a daze.
"Hey, hey, hey, Your Highness! Do you remember me? I'm that … that … the one who eats a lot of fruits and liver … "
Outside the iron door, the tall Police Officer Cohen looked at Thales, who had grown up quite a bit, in surprise. He then pointed at himself and revealed a mouthful of white teeth, revealing a silly smile that said, "It's me".
Doyle looked at Cohen, who was trying his best to wave, in horror. He coughed awkwardly.
"By the way, Your Highness."
Doyle did not notice his master's strange behavior. He lowered his voice and moved his head close to Thales' ear.
"The nobles in the capital are all talking about … this guy …"
Doyle pointed at Cohen, who could not stop smiling and waving his hand. He nodded discreetly and whispered confidently,
"There's something wrong with his brain."
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
