The music was melodious, and the candlelight was romantic.
The banquet entered the next stage. On the dance floor in the middle of the hall, many men and women began to hold hands and dance passionately.
Except for Thales.
"No, my lady, your boldness and straightforwardness really amazed me, and even brightened up this banquet."
In his seat, facing a young, lovely, lively, and adorable noble girl in front of him, Thales dryly said some polite words (which could probably only deceive Aida),
"It's just that my identity is sensitive. This is a serious matter, and I cannot act rashly.
"Especially the first dance after returning to the country, no matter who I dance with, it will not be fair, and the others will resent me."
Thales noticed from the corner of his eyes that Mallos had ended his communication with his subordinates and was walking towards him.
The watchman's eyes were filled with urgency and vigilance at the same time. Thales understood what he meant.
'Do it quickly.'
"So, for the stability and balance of the kingdom, for the prosperity and peace of Constellation."
Thales braced himself and looked kindly into the girl's sparkling eyes. He gently held her palm and held back his disdain for himself.
"I can only bear with the great sorrow and give up the beauty of dancing with you.
"This breaks my heart."
The girl in front of him bit her lower lip. Her eyes were resentful and hurt.
But she lifted her skirt and bent her knees with slight annoyance. She glanced at Thales sadly, then turned around and left.
She didn't seem sloppy, but she was graceful and graceful.
People could not help but look at her.
Thales breathed a sigh of relief and felt exhausted.
This was the ninth lady who invited him to dance tonight, as well as the forty-fourth (or was it fifty-fourth? He could not remember clearly) guests who came to visit him.
"So you just got rid of Lady Enosha," Mallos' voice came from behind him.
"Well done."
"So that's her name, Enosha?" Thales sighed and said, "I feel guilty looking at her expression."
Mallos denied it decisively.
"There's no need for that.
"Lady Enosha is not only bold and straightforward, she also knows how to use her charm to capture spoils of war. Many young and handsome men are willing to go through fire and water for her." The watchman sat down at the secondary table and was as calm as water.
"Believe me, you do not want to duel with someone in the first banquet.
Especially when there are assassins around. "
Thales felt a headache coming on.
Oh, right.
According to Mallos, at this very moment, there was a damned assassin hiding somewhere in the banquet.
This was going to be big news.
The king, his father, and countless nobles were all present, eyeing him like a tiger watching its prey.
The prince sent off the next guest who came to visit him while exchanging pleasantries. Only then did he remove his perfect smile, put down the wine glass that had been on his lips countless times, and relax the muscles on his waist.
"Are you sure? Assassin? "
"Just because of … a gaze?"
Mallos' voice was still calm.
"I'd rather believe it."
Thales turned his head and glanced at him before he turned his head back.
"Alright."
"So, a certain guy of high status, who was qualified to attend the royal banquet, tried to assassinate me crazily without caring about his own life and reputation, in front of everybody and under strict guard?"
Without changing his expression, Mallos raised his glass and toasted a friend at the next table.
"Or your father."
"Or my father." Thales readily accepted the advice, but he still felt gloomy and indignant.
"But why? I've only just returned to Constellation. What grudge do I have against you? Did I snatch his wife or kill his father? "
Mallos sized up the guests with a vigilant gaze, but he showed a rare dry humor.
"Or both?"
Thales glared at him in annoyance.
"Anyway, don't let your guard down. We haven't found him yet," Mallos said softly and continued to make arrangements.
Thales exhaled. In front of him, the tenth young lady walked forward with trepidation and curtseyed to him.
But as a prince, he had to remain calm and put up with countless people's gazes. He had to consider the impact and maintain his composure.
He had to brace himself to deal with the guests who greeted him with all sorts of motives.
Including the young lady who invited him to dance. She was only about eleven or twelve years old. The nervous expression on her face reminded Thales of Little Rascal when she was young.
Oh, and Saroma.
That girl was caught in the flames of war in the north.
And he was still thinking about how he could help her at this banquet, even though she was thousands of miles away.
Thinking of the archduchess, Thales felt uneasy again.
And the only thing he could do was …
"Smile, Thales. On this battlefield, a smile is the best armor."
"When you grow up, my lovely lady, I will definitely be charmed by you and dance with you. But now, we have to be responsible for your father and brother."
Thales squeezed out a smile and sent away the teary-eyed and aggrieved "Miss Number Ten".
Without waiting for him to rest for a few seconds, the fifty-sixth guest, Levi Trentida from Reformation Tower in Northland squeezed up to him with a smile, his face full of flattery.
"Um, Polaris?"
"We, we agreed … Me and you, that …"
'Oh.'
Thales covered his eyes and rolled them in his palms.
'What was that saying again? 'Speak of Little Rascal, and Little Rascal arrives?'
"I know, I know." The prince put down his hands, endured his exhaustion, and put on his' armor 'again. "Just do me a favor, little pot lid."
'Little pot lid?'
Levi froze for a moment and subconsciously touched his pot lid.
"Just sit down and smile," Thales said with a headache, "Take whatever you want to eat, including what's on my plate. There's only one …"
"Don't talk."
Levi froze again.
"But we …"
But the look in Thales' eyes forced him to swallow his words.
The guest from Reformation Tower understood tacitly. He sat down and giggled at Thales as he ate, while stealing glances at a certain bureaucrat below.
The prince smiled gently at him as a sign of friendliness.
In the eyes of an outsider, it was like a meeting between bosom friends, talking about anything.
They sat facing each other in silence for five minutes.
Unfortunately, no assassins appeared.
Fortunately, no one came to invite him to dance.
"Alright, it's almost time. They must think that we're about to get gay."
Thales said listlessly.
He ignored Levi's strange gaze and enjoyed the rare break, "By the way, Levi."
Levi put down his wine glass and listened with an open mind.
"Duke Nanchester of the Land of Cliffs, he told me," Thales closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead hard.
"He found out that you bought food from Constellation and smuggled it from his territory."
Levi's expression changed drastically.
Thales said with interest,
"It looks like 'One-Eyed Dragon' Koshder is very unhappy."
"You mean smuggling?"
Out of his expectations, Little Pot Lid's expression changed extremely quickly.
"What, there's actually such an outlaw in our territory? Don't worry, Your Highness, I'll be strict when I go back … "
"Don't be nervous."
Thales waved his hand nonchalantly, his face tired as he lied without any burden.
"I convinced him. The One-Eyed Dragon will turn a blind eye to you, in case Lampard becomes arrogant.
"You can continue to transport supplies."
Levi's eyes widened.
He tried to squeeze out a smile and found the right words.
"Ah, Polaris, you're really, really that …"
A blessing from the heavens? Thales found the right words for him.
"But you have to think about it more." But Thales just wanted to end it quickly.
He waved his hand and interrupted him, "If this route is discovered by Black Sand Region in the future, or even if the fact that you came to me for help is exposed, then King Chapman will only think that you've long been in cahoots with Constellation and have ulterior motives.
"And you know how much he hates me."
Little Pot Lid's eyes began to turn.
"You have to hurry up and find internal reinforcements to fight against the kinslayer."
Thales sighed.
"At the end of the day, Eckstedt's affairs can only be resolved from within."
Internal reinforcements, internal.
Thales felt that he had made himself clear enough.
The two of them were silent for a while.
"Your Highness' priceless advice," Levi became serious.
"I'll keep it in mind."
Thales shook his head.
"Of course, the One-Eyed Dragon isn't a good guy either." The teenager raised his glass and clinked it with Levi's, "If he goes back on his word behind my back and cuts off your supply route, or tries to blackmail me …"
Thales' gaze turned cold.
"Remember to let me know."
Levi's expression was solemn, but he only nodded.
"Lastly, your previous promise …" Thales was nonchalant.
Levi was resolute and decisive.
"I will definitely do it for Your Highness."
Just like that, the Polaris sent off the troubled Little Pot Lid.
Thales exhaled heavily. He was tired and did not like it.
It was as if even the Sin of Hell's River had dried up.
But the benefit of rest that Levi brought was only these five minutes.
Soon, Thales had no choice but to put on his "armor" again and greet "Miss Eleven", fully armed.
After sending her off, he tried to focus and looked around.
There was still an assassin to worry about.
During this time, his (or Mallos') Star Lake Guards had already begun to move, going into battle lightly and quietly.
The former Police Officer Kommodore, who had sparred with Thales before, the fierce-looking and muscular Bastia, Franzuke, who was as tall as a flagpole, and Ferri, who seemed to be in a daze, gathered quietly. They either hid in the shadows of the corridor in the entrance hall, or pretended to be servants serving wine, or pretended to be on duty. They stood guard not far away from Thales, vigilantly scanning the people who approached the prince.
In the Vanguard Division, Jonveled, who was a left-handed swordsman, Vladivostok, who helped Thales train with his shield, the young and vigorous Ness, the unprepossessing Oscarson, Supa, who had foreign blood, and Morgan, who had fought in the war, were scattered in the hall, each occupying a different spot. They guarded the high platform, the servants' passageways, and the entrances and exits, keeping an eye on the people coming and going.
As for Procca and the other people from the Logistics Division, under the prince's strong request, they went to search the fireplace and other hiding places in Mindis Hall ("There was once an archduke. He did not pay attention to the fireplace, and then he became king." – Prince Thales, who was extremely serious).
Mallos' direct messengers, Toledo and Tang Xin, went back and forth between them inconspicuously, as if they were on routine patrol. In reality, they were passing orders and communicating information.
They were also paying attention to the prince all the time.
Looking at all this, Thales felt even more pressured.
The king, the banquet, the guests, the assassin, Constellation, Eckstedt, Saroma, the Star Lake Guards, and the damned Mindis Hall and the title of duke …
He felt like he was chained up by countless chains.
The other end of the chain was firmly fixed to every pillar in the hall, rendering him immobile and on the verge of death.
Thales' smile had long since turned into ice, as if he was wearing old armor.
The prince looked at the lonely and shackled Duke Val from afar, and actually felt a sense of envy from the bottom of his heart.
Perhaps, he was even luckier.
At least, after tonight, he would not have to endure all this.
At this moment, Doyle, who had gone to gather information among the guests, returned.
"Commanding officer, Your Highness."
He was full of energy, radiant, valiant, and high-spirited.
This was a perfect contrast to the mentally and physically exhausted Thales and the troubled Mallos.
Thales and Mallos narrowed their eyes at the same time and leaned forward.
Both of them stared at a suspicious red lipstick that was vaguely revealed under Doyle's collar.
Doyle noticed their gazes and adjusted his collar without batting an eyelid.
"About this, you know, it's intelligence work … Some senior informants charge a very high price …"
Mallos coughed.
"Doyle?"
"Apologies, commanding officer." Doyle's expression became stern and he returned to the topic at hand.
"If you ask me, almost all the unmarried ladies between the ages of nine and thirty-nine, including their male relatives, are either overtly or covertly sizing up Your Highness. Every ten seconds, they would glance up and enthusiastically discuss Your Highness's status, appearance, figure, clothes, love life, achievements, character, and character. The importance of Your Highness is decreasing …"
"There are also quite a number of people who ask me about your preferences and habits, betting on who can capture your heart! Hehe, how would they know that His Highness likes … "
Thales frowned.
“D.D？”
"Apologies, Your Highness." Doyle saw that the situation was not good and quickly changed the topic.
"Forgive me for being blunt, but those people's enthusiasm in gathering information about His Highness, and the way they look at His Highness, regardless of whether they are men or women, they look as if they want to eat him alive. They are more like assassins than assassins."
Doyle spread his hands in resignation.
Thales was stunned and looked towards the center of the banquet.
But wherever he looked, every guest was immersed in their own little world, either chatting or exchanging cups of wine.
They were elegant, civilized, and polite.
All of the young girls were radiant and beautiful. Some of them were enthusiastically flirting with their friends, some of them were invited to sing and dance, some of them were quiet and elegant beside their elders, but no one was deliberately staring at His Royal Highness's table.
Even if there were ladies who met Thales' eyes, most of them lowered their heads politely, nodded shyly, smiled at him, or gracefully returned his greeting.
They looked natural, dignified, and virtuous.
They were not bothered by the prince's status at all.
Just like the lady named Lenosha or Yinessa just now.
It made people feel respect.
Thales swept his gaze around.
"Why don't I feel that way?"
Doyle smiled mysteriously.
"That's because you are inexperienced, and they are experienced and used to scouting out the enemy before launching an all-out attack …"
Mallos cut him off at this moment.
"That's enough.
"Glover is back."
The three of them turned their heads in unison: Glover, who went to contact his superiors, appeared in the shadows of the corridor.
Behind him was another royal guard with a calm expression and an outstanding temperament, but Thales did not recognize him.
Doyle's expression changed immediately.
"Oh, no."
Thales looked at the guard.
"Who is that?"
Doyle stood up and whispered in Thales' ear through gritted teeth, "That's the bad guy, Your Highness.
The bad guys of the guards, the real villains of Renaissance Palace … "
Thales was stunned.
"I am Vogel Talon." The newcomer raised his wine glass and walked to Thales' table. He bowed elegantly, more like a guest than a guard, "Your Highness Thales.
"The second commander of the royal guards.
"And also the chief flag bearer.
"I wish you good health and happiness."
This Vogel Talon straightened his back and glanced at Glover and Doyle.
The latter two bowed reluctantly and stepped back.
"The second commander …"
Thales, who had already maxed out his' armor ', smiled and raised his glass, as if it was a perfectly normal social etiquette.
"In that case, you are the vice-captain of the royal guards? Captain Adrian's second-in-command?
"And your surname is … Talon of Ice River City?"
The teenager racked his brain, trying to quickly switch between the guest's title and surname.
"Yes, Your Highness," Vogel resolved his confusion.
"My uncle is the Count of Ice River City."
Thales' gaze swept past the pentagram pattern on his cuff.
Talon of Ice River City.
A distant relative of the Jadestar Royal Family, one of the Thirteen Distinguished Families, a capable helper in Central Territory, the Talon Family with a pentagram as their emblem.
Coincidentally, their ancestor happened to be one of the Dukes of Star Lake in history.
But …
Thales muttered the other party's other title.
Chief flag bearer?
He suddenly thought of Samel, the former royal guard who joined the Disaster Swords.
"May you enjoy the night."
Vogel did not say anything else. He bowed, came to the secondary table, and sat next to Mallos. The latter clinked glasses with him.
It looked like an old friend having a drink in the corner.
"Lord Talon, good night," Mallos' expression did not change, and he spoke in a business-like tone.
"I believe you have brought the captain's orders?"
"Oh, Tormond," Vogel called Mallos' name gently, but Thales noticed that his smile was polite, as if there was a layer on his face, "Regarding the matter you reported …"
"We look forward to your explanation."
"I believe Glover has explained it very clearly."
The watchman said calmly, "For safety reasons, we are now …"
"Clearly?"
Vogel swirled his glass gently and interrupted Mallos politely.
"Are you sure it was an assassin?"
Mallos' pupils contracted.
Thales frowned as well.
A few seconds later, Mallos said slowly,
"Very likely."
Vogel put down his glass, and his tone slowly tightened, "Likely?"
"Dear Tormond, do you really know what you're talking about?"
Glover and Doyle sensed the tension in the air and looked at each other.
"This is the first formal banquet of the royal family in more than a decade after the war. It took a long time to prepare, the guests are of great importance, and it is of great significance."
The vice-captain's tone became serious.
"Everything that happens here will spread throughout the kingdom by tomorrow. It will have a far-reaching impact."
He turned to stare at Mallos as if he was staring at a criminal who had broken the law.
"Whether the banquet is interrupted, or the nobles are hastily arranged to leave. Or the Jadestar royal family is cowardly, nervous, and searching for the assassin. "
Vogel narrowed his eyes.
"Just because … a certain fellow glanced at you?"
"Sounds like a scene from a village tavern, Tormond."
The contempt in his tone was clear.
Thales could not help but look at Mallos.
"Precisely because this banquet is so important," the captain of the Duke of Star Lake's personal guards was not angry, and his tone was as calm as ever.
"So if the assassination is real, the trouble will only get worse."
Vogel snorted coldly.
He stared intently at Mallos' profile, but the latter only looked ahead silently, as if he was not looking at him with a knife-like, suspicious gaze.
After a few seconds, Vogel exhaled.
"We've already taken action."
Vogel turned around and returned his attention to his wine glass, "They will keep a close eye on anyone who tries to approach. His Majesty, His Highness, and other important nobles will be safe …"
"But a strong shield cannot defend against a sharp spear," Mallos did not even look at him. He continued to observe the situation in the hall.
"The best way is to avoid accidents before they happen. Perhaps we can temporarily withdraw some of them …"
But Vogel's gentle tone suddenly hardened and cut into Mallos' words like steel. He even changed the way he addressed Mallos.
"For Sunset's sake, Mallos."
"Please don't educate me."
He spoke very slowly, but very seriously.
There was a sudden silence between the two.
In that instant, whether it was Doyle, Glover, or Thales, they all felt the tension.
The music gradually subsided, and the ball came to an end.
The bards took the stage again and sang the tragic song of the King of Blades' expedition to Dragon-Kissed Land, but died in a foreign land on the eve of his success.
Thales resisted the urge to interrupt and tried not to look at the two men behind him. He forcefully cut open a plate of lettuce, and at the same time, sent away the next guest who came to greet him with a smile.
After a while, Mallos' voice came again, still calm.
"I wouldn't dare, sir."
Vogel was silent for a while. When he spoke again, he had returned to normal.
"We can't chase everyone away just to avoid accidents. This is Mindis Hall. Its opening symbolizes the return of the kingdom's heir and the return to prosperity and stability. "
Thales sighed in his heart.
Return to prosperity and stability …
Vogel looked around cautiously to make sure he did not attract too much attention.
"Be on high alert. The banquet will proceed as usual."
He got up and prepared to leave.
"But this is also the Duke of Star Lake's Mindis Hall.
"If anything happens, His Highness Thales will be the first to bear the brunt of the blame."
Mallos turned his head slowly and looked straight at Vogel.
"My men are the ones who bear the responsibility."
He spoke very slowly.
Vogel paused in his movements.
The vice-captain let go of his arm on the table and sat down again.
"Your men?"
This time, Vogel snorted coldly. His tone was no longer polite.
"Mallos, I think, you and your Pampered Team, you need to clarify your position."
Glover and Doyle's expressions changed at these words.
Thales frowned too.
The Young Master Squad …
Mallos listened expressionlessly, while Vogel's gaze was unquestionable.
"Even if you've changed stations, you're still royal guards.
"And I'm your — superior.
"Just like Mindis Hall, which belongs to Renaissance Palace."
Thales shuddered at these words.
Mindis Hall belongs to Renaissance Palace …
Vogel's words were bone-chilling.
"Never, never forget that."
"Watchman."
Mallos did not react.
Just like Thales did not either.
Time seemed to stop for a few seconds.
In this corner of the sky, Glover and Doyle seemed to freeze.
Only Mallos took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and then opened them again, "Of course, sir.
"I dare not or forget."
He said respectfully.
Vogel nodded lightly, looking satisfied.
Until Mallos calmly said his next sentence, which seemed to be emotionless.
"But if I remember correctly, in a state of emergency …"
"The inherited watchman of the guards is of the same rank as the vice-captain?"
"Is that so, sir?"
This time, it was Vogel's turn to change his expression.
For a second, Thales thought the temperature had plummeted and the air had stopped flowing.
A few seconds later, the vice-captain stared coldly at Mallos and said in a mocking tone, "That's right.
According to the top-secret 'Watchman's Command' in the 'Praetorian Covenant', in certain 'states of emergency', the watchman can and should make independent decisions.
"And I have no right to interfere."
Thales shuddered.
The top-secret 'Watchman's Command'.
In a state of emergency.
The watchman can and should …
Make independent decisions?
Thales' heart clenched.
Vogel lowered his voice. His tone was cold.
"But you know, the last time the royal guards invoked regulations during a state of emergency, they activated this secret command and gave the watchman great authority independent of the Command Division …
"When did this happen?"
At that moment, Thales' mind went blank. He suddenly thought of Zakriel, who was nowhere to be found.
The Knight of Judgment.
"The person who should really bear the crime of colluding with the enemy, but despicably concealed the truth for eighteen years … That shameful, sad, hypocritical, disgusting, self-righteous, sanctimonious, hypocritical, hypocritical fellow … is me."
Thales was stunned.
Vogel's pupils focused.
He raised his wine glass, put it close to Mallos' ear, and lowered his voice.
"And you've really thought it through …
"Are you going to forcibly declare a state of emergency here, in front of me?
"Activate the 'Watchman's Command'?"
Mallos and Vogel stared at each other in silence.
Glover and Doyle did not hear Vogel's words clearly, but this did not affect their judgment of the tense relationship between their superior and vice-captain.
Both of them did not even dare to breathe loudly.
After an unknown amount of time, Mallos finally smiled.
"Of course …"
In an instant, the coldness in Vogel's eyes intensified.
Glover and Doyle 'faces were ashen.
Until a few seconds later, the watchman lowered his head gently and chuckled.
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