Defective goods.
Heh, defective goods.
The watchman pursed his lips.
He looked up in this barren world, only to see withered and derelict everywhere.
'Oh, Vogel, what makes you believe that' superior goods' exist in this world? '
"Believe me, Lord Mallos, I hate to describe my brothers and sisters in this way."
Vogel snorted coldly and leaned back in his chair.
"But obviously, you didn't give me much leeway."
In the awkward silence, Mallos stared at Vogel for a long time without a word.
On the other side, Will had long regarded himself as a dead man, almost becoming one with the spell on the wall.
Until Mallos sighed.
"What do you want, Vogel?"
The watchman addressed Vogel by his first name instead of his surname, which was rare.
"If you really want to cause trouble for my subordinates.
"It would be much more effective to report it directly to His Majesty, the captain, or even Chief Penal Officer Facundo."
Vogel stared back at him, the anger on his face slowly fading.
A few seconds later, he reverted to the stern vice-captain.
"Flag Bearer Will."
Vogel spoke softly.
On the other side, Will, who was trying hard to pretend that he was not there, shuddered subconsciously.
"Why don't you let go of that pitiful Sound Replication Spell and go for a walk outside?"
Will looked up from the spell he had been 'repairing' for almost five minutes. His face was ashen.
"A walk …"
Joy appeared on his face when he realized something.
"Of course! I'm a little tired from sitting for so long. Commander Talon, you're so considerate … "
"Will." This time, it was Mallos. He was calm and gentle, concise and clear.
"Get out.
"Now."
Will, who was about to say something, immediately fell silent.
In a few seconds, he tiptoed up, left their line of sight, and slipped out of the night shift room as if fleeing from a disaster.
Leaving the two men in the room, facing each other.
And the Sound Replication Spell that was glowing strangely.
"Others may not be able to tell, Tormond," Vogel spoke softly, addressing him by name.
"But the Flag Bearer Division is the eyes and ears of the guards, specializing in internal investigations.
"That's why after last night, I realized that the so-called Star Lake Guards under your command either have a bad reputation, a lack of character, a foppish playboy who's hard to teach, a lot of trouble, or a lot of sh * t in secret …"
He tapped the guard's file on the table.
"When you became the prince's personal guard captain, everyone was envious of you because you were close to the prince, yet you chose these people who were marginalized in the Royal Guards and even controversial people to be your right-hand men?"
"Are they easier to control, or are they less threatening and less likely to cause trouble?"
Vogel's gaze sharpened.
"Maybe I should ask you: What do you want to do?"
The captain of the prince's personal guards.
Being in a favorable position and being envied by others?
Mallos was expressionless.
You envy me, Vogel.
Not me.
Mallos was silent for a moment.
"You're doubting me."
The on-call room was silent for a while.
Vogel sneered and crossed his arms.
"You know, when I saw the Duke of Star Lake's righteous act last night …"
He picked up the last file on the table.
"Did I remember something?"
Vogel was slightly distracted.
"Him."
"He's not willing to sacrifice his soldiers to protect the king."
Mallos' expression changed slightly.
Vogel's eyes focused.
"Sacrifice the pawn."
The next moment, the vice-captain pushed the file in front of him.
"Die."
Mallos lowered his head. On the file, his own sketch was looking at him.
Indifferent.
Calm.
Unconcerned.
Smack!
Vogel slammed his palm on the table, just enough to cover Mallos' surname.
"I don't know why watchmen have so much autonomy. But after taking over the Flag Bearer Division, my job is to keep a close eye on everyone in the guards.
"So that the tragedy will not repeat itself."
Their gazes met, and their breathing paused.
Mallos was silent.
In his barren world, Vogel's shadow was enormous.
"So, yes, I'm doubting you, watchman."
The flag bearer leaned forward, his astute gaze falling on Mallos.
"As you said, there are many top-secret Eternal Files in the Watcher's Secret Room, including the Bloody Year," Roland said with a smile.
"Therefore, I suspect that when you became the captain of his personal guards and selected the Star Lake Guards for him, you had other ideas.
"Some ideas that are far beyond the duties of the royal guards, and not even known to His Majesty and the captain."
Mallos' gaze fell on the glowing Sound Replication Spell.
Without waiting for a response, Vogel scoffed and said in a warning tone,
"Tell me, you must have a good reason for doing this?"
Vogel's gaze turned cold.
"Tell me, what's so strange about the prince?
"Is there a secret that only the watchmen of the past generations know?
"So much so that you act cautiously, cautiously, peculiarly, and even absurdly around him?"
Mallos' expression did not change, but he sighed in his heart.
"Tell me, Tormond, or this Eternal File will be presented directly to His Majesty and the captain."
Vogel said coldly,
"Tell me, the twenty-four people under your command, including yourself, did not you act on your own, did you specially select them for that special prince out of resentment …"
In the next second, Vogel's tone became chilling and vigilant.
"Consumable."
In that moment, Mallos saw in the barren world that Vogel's shadow and flames simultaneously turned into infinity, covering everything.
The room was very quiet. Only the Sound Replication Spell operated tenaciously, ignoring the oppressive atmosphere at the moment.
A few seconds later.
"Vogel."
The watchman slowly raised his head and addressed Vogel's name like he did many years ago.
"What's on your mind?"
Vogel was startled.
Mallos looked at him expressionlessly.
"Was it me who was nominated a year ago and snatched away the watchman position that you were supposed to have?"
Vogel's expression changed.
"Was it the senior Flag Bearer Division who escaped the escort team because of your mistake six years ago, Colin Sammir?
"Was it you who saw 'Blood Chant' take the late king's head in the Hall of Stars the day before you officially joined the royal guards?
"Was it the chaos in the capital during the Bloody Year, which ultimately implicated your parents and caused them to die under the mob?"
With every question Mallos asked, Vogel's face turned paler.
"It was the National Conference six years ago. Because of the second prince's sudden appearance," the watchman said slowly.
"Among the Thirteen Distinguished Families, the Talon family, a distant relative of the Jadestar family, failed to successfully become the heir of the royal family when the king had no heir?
"Vogel Talon?"
In the next moment, Mallos stood in his barren world and saw, as expected:
The huge shadow belonging to Vogel trembled. The boundless flames flickered erratically.
Desire, apprehension, unease.
And fear.
"When you lose everything, people will always want to hold onto something — whether it's a life-saving straw or a devil's condition."
"Don't let fear dominate your life, old friend," Mallos shook his head.
"It's not worth it."
Vogel's breathing became faster and faster. His anger grew hotter and hotter.
"If this is your answer, watchman …"
Mallos interrupted him.
“D.D。”
"He has a very special ability."
Vogel narrowed his eyes.
"That's right. Most people, including you, might think that he's naive and hedonistic, thick-skinned, lazy, baffling, even frivolous, and rather unreliable …"
Mallos' pupils focused.
"But there's one thing.
"Whether it's contempt, disdain, helplessness, or sighing.
"Most people, after interacting with Danny Doyle and truly coming into contact with his character, find it hard to get angry.
"It's hard to truly … hate him.
"Not to mention hatred and strife."
Vogel's expression changed slightly.
"As long as he wants to, he can close the distance between him and anyone in a minute, without hindrance or burden, even if the other party is an unreasonable lunatic or a murderous monster."
Mallos stared at his reflection in the teacup.
"Do you know how difficult it is for most people in this world not to hate you, Lord Talon?"
He said faintly.
"It's much easier to train to the supreme class."
"That's why, in terms of ability and quality, Danny Doyle may not be the strongest, but he can mingle well with the guards and win the hearts of the people. They would rather let him handle matters."
Vogel stared at Mallos, the anger in his eyes still lingering.
"And Vanguard Glover."
Mallos stared back at Vogel, calm and indifferent.
"Although he's taciturn and unsociable, he's reliable and meticulous.
"He participated in the Desert War, and is the most knowledgeable in actual combat among the younger generation of the Vanguard Division. Even Second Seat Marico might not be able to win against him."
Vogel furrowed his brows.
"As for his blemish, if you don't limit yourself to cold records and figures, and tear apart the prejudices and misunderstandings of others, Lord Talon …
"Then you might discover that Caleb Glover fought with his peers because the other party had been insulting his family and background for a long time, ostracizing, isolating, and framing him for five whole years.
"As a royal knight of the kingdom, Caleb Glover could not take it anymore, and was forced to respond."
Vogel repeated with a frown.
"Forced?"
Mallos nodded.
"If I were you, I might pay attention to the discipline within the guards.
"Think about why the Vanguard Division would have six people ganging up on one person.
"And why the Vanguard Division, known for their combat prowess, ended up with three injured and one disabled despite fighting six against one."
Vogel did not speak. He frowned at the files on the table.
"As for the others …
"Patterson has an eccentric temper, Stone is about to retire, so they won't be easily bribed — especially when the prince returns, and everyone wants to pounce on him.
"To be honest, Kommodore isn't perfect, but we need someone who understands the affairs of the city's police station and officials.
"I don't know about the scandal between Jonveled and his stepmother, and Kosta is indeed a Son of Thorns, but in view of His Highness' experiences over the past six years …" Mallos did not hesitate.
"We need to ensure the geographical diversity of the guards."
"Ness is a pain in the ass. But when we were young, who wasn't supercilious and self-centered? He might be a little exaggerated, but he just needs to be honed, like … a partner who can take a beating.
"And did I mention that in the Desert War, Bastia took two blows from the Orcs' hammers and didn't fall?
"As for Vanguard Morgan, his old case from twenty years ago has been concluded. There is no evidence to prove the accusation that he murdered a superior …"
Vogel snorted coldly.
"But that's even scarier, isn't it?"
Mallos smiled.
"I know my men," the watchman said calmly.
"They're not what you think."
Mallos looked at his old friend seriously.
"They're not expendable, nor are they abandoned pawns.
"They're people."
The night shift room fell silent again.
Vogel's gaze flickered between the file and Mallos.
"People."
"People?"
Vogel was silent for a long time. He patted the file on the table and snorted.
"You know, the Flag Bearer Division doesn't see it that way.
"Don't trust people — this is the first lesson of the Flag Bearer Division."
Mallos shook his head.
"A long time ago, about sixty years ago, there was a watchman in the royal guards named Cyril Fakenhaz.
"He said: the Command Division is the brain, the Flag Bearer Division is the eyes and ears, the Vanguard Division is the arm, the Guard Division is the foot, the Logistics Division is the flesh and blood, and the Punishment Division is the backbone.
"But, the watchman of inheritance …
"This is the heart of the guards."
Vogel was stunned.
"The brain can be confused, the eyes and ears can be deceived, the limbs can be broken, the flesh and blood can be broken, and the Emperor's Praetorian Guard has also been destroyed and lost."
Mallos picked up his own file on the table and stood up.
"But the heart will not."
He pressed his hand on his chest and said solemnly,
"Only the inheritance is unbroken.
"Witness eternity."
Vogel stared at him in a daze.
Mallos closed his sketch page and piled it on top of the other files.
"I guess the flag bearer's record ends here?"
"If you want, submit the Eternal File to His Majesty. I'm fine with it."
The watchman nodded and turned to leave.
Vogel took a few deep breaths and gazed at the other man's back, but was no longer aggressive.
On the contrary, his expression was calm and his eyes were like water.
But in Mallos' world, he saw the flames in Vogel's chest shatter inch by inch and turn to ashes.
Until the vice-captain spoke again.
"Really, heart?"
Mallos stopped in his tracks.
"Then tell me, old friend …"
Vogel's hoarse voice sounded like a serpent's tongue, hissing.
"Back then, when you secretly snitched and betrayed your father to Renaissance Palace …
"When you implicated the entire family, caused unprecedented riots in Eternal Star City, assassins looking for an opportunity to stir up trouble, and the spread of blood throughout the night …"
The steady cup in the watchman's hand trembled.
Vogel's gaze was as sharp as a knife, piercing into his back.
"Tormond Mallos, in exchange for the king's trust, in order to obtain the status you have today …
"Outside the visible files …
"Do you really have a 'heart'?"
In that instant, Mallos felt the Power of Eradication in his body collapse.
He saw that the barren world he was in suddenly gained color. The grass grew long and the nightingales flew. It was full of vitality. The flowers were red and the grass was green. It was a riot of colors.
Bewitching, bizarre, psychedelic.
Enchanting.
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.
