A few seconds later, Glover coughed stiffly. Thales then let go of Wya and rubbed his eyes.
"Your Highness."
Wya held Thales' shoulders and sighed.
"It's been half a year. You … you've grown taller again."
Thales smiled.
"I want to say you too, but …"
Thales patted him on the shoulder in relief.
"I'm glad you're back."
Thales left Wya. With mixed feelings, he opened his arms and walked to the next person.
"But you …"
When Ralf saw this, he quickly retreated while his hand gestures did not stop.
[No.]
There was a hint of fear in his eyes.
"Don't."
[I won't.]
Thales, who knew the man's personality very well, smiled in a bashful manner. He lowered his spread arms again.
"Alright, you can forget about it."
"Not bad, at least he knows his place," Doyle, who was watching from the side, said gloomily.
Thales then turned around and hugged the others one by one.
"Genard, how are you? And you, Willow who uses two guns?"
"Your Highness."
Genard the veteran was very calm.
"I'm just changing my shift."
"Your Highness!" The former recruit, Willow, looked around excitedly.
"So, Uncle didn't lie to me. We're really in the capital. It's much better than that big village in Dragon Clouds City!"
After Thales finished exchanging greetings with the old subordinates he was most familiar with, Kohen seized the opportunity to approach him.
"You're back, Brother Wya!" The police officer hugged Wya excitedly, almost lifting him off the ground.
"Big brother? What kind of address is that? "Wya had a suspicious look on his face. He was obviously not as enthusiastic towards him as he was towards Thales.
"Wait, why did you say 'real'?"
But Cohen didn't care. He lifted him off the ground and spun him around three and a half times.
"I missed you so much!"
Amidst Wya's complaints and curses, Kohen generously hugged everyone.
Until he saw Rolf.
"Hmm …" The Phantom Wind Follower's eyes were cold, but under Wya's warning gaze, he only let out a beast-like growl at Cohen before turning around and leaving.
"Alright." The police officer scratched his head awkwardly and shrugged at Ralf's back.
"Yes, I'm fine … I'm happy to see you too … Let's have a drink sometime …"
"Hey." Doyle frowned and nudged Kohen before he pointed at Ralf.
"He's ignoring you."
Cohen turned his head, his expression changing from an embarrassed smile to one of gnashing his teeth.
"I know!"
Glover coughed and attracted Thales and Wya's attention.
"Your Highness?"
Doyle, on the other hand, elegantly straightened his clothes, scrutinized the newcomers, and then looked hopefully at the prince.
Thales snapped out of his trance.
"Everyone, I really want to introduce you, but now is clearly not the time."
He patted Glover's shoulder and pounded Wya's chest.
"Let's get to know each other on the way."
Doyle's hopeful gaze dimmed, and he felt incredibly wronged.
Thales sucked in a deep breath and took his steed from Kommodore's hands.
"Are you ready?"
Jennie whinnied happily.
Thales chuckled softly and rejected Kommodore's kind offer to crouch down and help him up the horse. He recalled Nicholas' equestrian lessons, and the Sin of Hell's River was activated at will. He stepped on the saddle in a straightforward manner and flipped himself up the horse.
"Let's go."
Hence, the group of people who were excited, agitated, curious, and puzzled followed Jenny's footsteps and stepped onto Renaissance Avenue.
As a protector, Doyle took stiff steps and was about to catch up to Thales' right side, but another figure had already taken a step ahead of him.
"Thank you, but I am His Highness' attendant." Wya walked beside Thales' horse and extended his hand to reject Doyle. His words were polite, but there was no room for refusal.
"It is my duty to serve by his side."
Doyle's eyes widened.
"You are the prince's attendant?"
Doyle landed beside Wya and whispered in displeasure, "What's your name?"
"Wya."
Doyle narrowed his eyes. "Wya what?"
"Wya … Caso," the attendant said coldly.
"Hmph, Caso, I was wondering which —" Doyle snorted softly. Then, he remembered something, and his expression instantly changed.
"Huh, Caso?"
Doyle instantly became friendly and amiable.
"Oh my, Brother Wya! I've been looking forward to meeting you for a long time. How's your father, Count Caso — "
Wya was not good at dealing with such enthusiasm. He could only show an ugly smile.
On the other side, Ralf sneered.
Wya's gaze turned cold. He turned to Doyle and said, "This is Midira Ralf.
"This is Midira Ralf. In fact, he followed His Highness even earlier than I did …"
Ralf choked on his smile.
Doyle turned his head. His eyes lit up again.
"Brother, you are Ralf?"
"…"
"Wow, good name. Your parents are really talented!"
"…"
"Hey, your mask is so cool! Where did you buy it? "
"…"
"I know you don't like to talk. It's okay, I like people who cherish their words the most …"
"…"
"Because I know people like you. You don't usually speak, but when it comes to critical moments, you say wise words …"
"…"
"Speaking of which, I am untalented. My name is Danny Doyle. I am the protector of His Highness' personal guards …"
"…"
"Let's go to Red Street Market together when you are free? It's okay, you are welcome. I am very familiar with that place! Even Blood Bottle Gang has to give me face! "
"…"
"Brother, you don't have to say anything. I know, I know …"
"…"
Behind them, Kohen could not hold it in anymore. He convulsed with laughter.
"Hahahaha, you don't know?
"He is a mute. He can't speak!"
Doyle, who was disrupted, turned around angrily.
"So what if he's a mute? Can't a mute speak? You are … uh … "
Doyle's words came to a halt. He turned around pitifully and looked at the gloomy Ralf with a fawning and aggrieved look.
"That, hehe, hehe …"
"I-I'm sorry, brother."
Kohen took pleasure in Doyle's misfortune and mouthed, "Idiot".
But Doyle quickly thought of a way to remedy the situation.
"It's okay. You don't have to say anything. I understand. I understand!"
Doyle stuck out his thumb and patted Ralf's shoulder. He did not care about the latter's increasingly cold gaze.
"You are a real man!
"For His Highness, it is worth risking my life. So what if I become a mute?"
"Hahahahaha …" Kohen covered his mouth and laughed viciously again.
"What now?" Doyle scowled at him.
The police nodded and teased Doyle.
"The reason why he can't speak is because I broke his throat during a street fight …"
Ralf turned around abruptly. His gaze was as sharp as a knife!
Cohen shuddered and stopped abruptly.
He reacted and made an apologetic expression at Ralf. He laughed awkwardly.
"Ahem, sorry. Ahem."
But Doyle curled up the corners of his lips and poked the police officer smugly.
"I think he heard you."
Kohen turned around awkwardly. He was furious.
"I know!"
Ralf snorted angrily and left the row.
'Damn it.
Another arrogant idiot has come to the prince's side. '
As he thought of this, he glanced at Wya.
'What, isn't one enough?'
Thales rode on his horse and asked Wya, who was the closest to him.
"How did you come back?"
"It's a long story." Wya shook his head.
"Viscount Nemain is right. With you gone, we are insignificant to Dragon Clouds City, so the Archduchess ordered us to be released. Of course, the Star Killer was reluctant at first, but they were about to set off for war …"
"Putray." Thales thought of his old friend.
"Where is he?"
"Viscount Nemain left halfway." Wya was also nostalgic.
"He said he had other important matters to attend to."
Thales chuckled and shook his head.
"As always, mysterious."
Wya perked up.
"In short, once we left Dragon Clouds City, it was much easier …"
But Thales thought of something and remembered what he saw at the royal banquet.
"Wait, according to Little Pot Lid, aren't you still stuck at the border between the two countries?"
The prince was puzzled.
"Why are you back so soon?"
Wya shook his head.
"No, Your Highness, we returned to Constellation two weeks ago. We stopped for a few days on the way."
He was slightly puzzled.
"Little Pot Lid? Pot Lid … Oh! You mean the Archduke's son of Reformation Tower? Didn't you send him? "
Thales was stunned.
"No, I didn't … Wait a minute, let's recall."
Thales took a deep breath and recalled Levi Trentida, who came to him for help during the royal banquet and only asked to stay by his side for five minutes.
That Little Pot Lid.
"So, on your way back, you did meet Levi Trentida, the Archduke's son of Reformation Tower, right?"
Wya recalled carefully.
"Yes. We met him a few weeks ago, and he even paid for our food and lodging so that we could eat and drink before continuing on our journey. He claimed that you had entrusted Archduchess Saroma, and the Archduchess had entrusted it to him. He came to visit us on the way. "
The attendant asked doubtfully.
"Isn't that so?"
Thales stroked Jennie's mane and frowned.
"No."
"In fact, Levi only met me for the first time last night … He told me that you were stuck at the border between the two countries by the people of Black Sand Region, and that he was trying to mediate. He came to inform you that you were safe."
Thales slowly reacted.
"Isn't that so?"
Wya shook his head fiercely.
"No."
Thales and Wya were silent for a while.
"So you didn't ask him to inform me."
"So he wasn't sent by you or the Archduchess."
Both of them figured it out and exhaled in unison.
"Levi Trentida."
"What a good way to get a prince with nothing. Quite like his father," Thales muttered the other's name and recalled the other's sly and flattering smile. He said indignantly,
"What a deep scheme."
Wya was anxious.
"I'm sorry, did you … lose anything because of this?"
Thales stroked Jennie's neck and said gloomily, "Yes.
A few pieces of lettuce, a few minutes of chatting time, and a resume of 'I had a pleasant conversation with Prince Thales'. "
Wya looked confused.
But the prince immediately felt relieved.
"Fair enough, because I didn't really want to help him."
Thales recalled Levi running from both ends and dealing with the information gap, and could not help but chuckle softly.
"Your Highness, how are you?"
After the joy of meeting again, Wya was as serious as ever and said worriedly, "We heard that you were made a duke, but there was an accident at the banquet …"
Thales waved his hand nonchalantly.
"It's okay," the prince said in relief, "You know, it's my banquet. If nothing happens …"
He shrugged his shoulders and spoke his next words in his mind.
'Then should I still be called Thales?'
Wya lowered his head slowly.
"Your Highness," the attendant said sadly,
"I'm very sorry.
I couldn't stay by your side and protect you. "
Thales looked at him and curled up the corners of his lips.
"No, in fact, you helped me a lot."
The prince bent down and patted his shoulder, winking with his left eye.
"Especially your name."
Wya looked up with a puzzled expression.
Thales did not explain further, intending to leave the meaning of his words for Wya to ponder on.
The prince raised his eyebrows and remembered something.
"By the way, Aida, where is she?"
Wya shook his head.
"I don't know. The moment we stepped into Eternal Star City, she disappeared. Uncle Genard told us not to be nervous. Instead of worrying about her, we should worry about ourselves.
"In fact, with Lady Aida's personality, even I find it strange that she could follow us safely all the way …"
'As expected, it's Aida.'
Thales sighed.
"That's because without all of you, she would have lost her way."
Wya thought for a while, then came to a realization.
"It's okay." Thales gestured at Glover and the others with his chin.
"Without her, we can still get things done."
"I saw that your guards have been upgraded." Wya looked at Glover, who was still vigilant, and there was a hint of loneliness in his eyes.
"Especially this man. I can feel that he's very powerful."
"Yes." Thales turned his head around and looked at Doyle, Kommodore, and the others.
He sighed and said, "I have my own royal guards.
Even though there are a lot of problems and I'm in a state of disunity, even though the leader likes to go against me, even though he can't even protect himself now …
"But without my attendant by my side, there's always something missing."
Thales patted Wya's shoulder, and the latter's eyes burned with fighting spirit again.
"Of course, they are just guards, and I am an attendant. We are different." Wya was full of confidence.
"Ah." Thales held the reins again. He looked at Renaissance Palace, which was getting closer and closer.
"Of course you are."
Glover, who was moving forward quietly, suddenly felt that something was wrong. He turned his head and saw the young man who had just hugged the prince staring at him with a burning gaze.
The valiant young man extended his hand in a friendly manner.
"I am Wya, His Highness' attendant."
Glover stared at the young man's hand warily. Two seconds later, he tentatively extended his hand and shook hands with Wya.
"Caleb Glover."
"Royal Guard, Star Lake Guards, First-class Vanguard."
Wya smiled.
"Thank you."
Glover responded with a puzzled gaze.
"The prince's return to the kingdom seems to have settled down, and he has boundless prospects.
"However, those of us who have been by His Highness' side for years know that there are countless undercurrents and dangers lurking behind the scenes." Wya looked at Thales, who was deep in thought on his steed. "He needs more help."
But he looked at Doyle, sighed, and said,
"But today, when we meet again, among the people around him … only you seem a little more reliable."
Glover's expression became slightly better.
'It seems that there are still normal people around His Highness.'
But he paused for a moment.
"Wait, you said that your name is Wya?"
Wya's voice was solemn.
"Yes."
Glover's expression was a little strange. "Just Wya?
No … other names? "
"My name is Wya Caso, if that's what you mean."
Glover looked like he had a sudden realization.
"Oh, so you are the real Wya."
Wya was stunned.
"Sorry?"
"It's nothing, it's just that …" Glover glanced at Thales' back.
"His Highness often … talks about you."
Wya glanced at Thales, who was on the horse, and a special feeling welled up in him.
"We were supposed to serve by His Highness' side and protect him. But not only did we fail to fulfill our duties, we even got ourselves into trouble and almost became a burden.
"But not only did His Highness not blame us, he was even concerned about our safety."
Wya sighed.
"How can we repay this kindness?"
But after he said this, Wya vaguely felt that Glover's expression when he looked at him seemed to be even weirder.
"You … actually have already repaid him."
Wya was puzzled. "Why?"
"Because your name is Wya," Zombie replied briefly.
Wya was stunned again.
"That's strange." The attendant could not figure it out.
"His Highness seemed to have said that before. Does my name have any meaning?"
Glover coughed.
"It's nothing, but you better not go to Red Street Market."
"Why?"
"Because your name is Wya."
Wya was even more puzzled.
Until Doyle's voice cut in.
"Oh my, Brother Wya, ignore him. You should have asked me about the Royal Guards, especially the Defense Division that protects the country — Hiss!"
Wya turned his head around in shock and saw Doyle approach him with tears in his eyes.
"This … Danny, you … What's wrong?"
"It's nothing." Doyle pressed his back and looked like he was about to cry, "It's just that … my, my back hurts."
"Back?" Wya was shocked.
Doyle panted and looked like a delicate flower waiting to be cherished. "You know, there was a banquet last night. This, hehe, work injury, professional risk …"
'Banquet, work injury, back pain?'
Wya's expression became more and more puzzled.
But Doyle looked desolately at Glover, whose expression was already very unpleasant.
"By the way, Glover, you … your back hurts a lot too, right?"
The zombie turned his head around coldly.
"No, I can handle it."
"Actually, you don't have to force yourself." Doyle sighed weakly.
"It's all Officer Mallos' fault. He was too aggressive with us, too forceful … Ah, my back, I feel like it's going to split open …
"If we knew this would happen, we wouldn't have done that last night …"
Glover froze in his tracks.
Wya's expression was strange.
"What … did you do last night?"
Doyle looked up. His smile was bitter but gratified.
"It's okay. That was just me and Glover … We were just impulsive."
He looked at the zombie with sparkling eyes.
"Right, Glover?"
'Impulsive.'
Wya's gaze became stranger.
Glover was instantly stunned. He wanted to explain, but in the end, he just snorted angrily and walked forward.
Doyle, who was left behind, raised his hand and teased.
"Hey, it's just a joke!
Don't be so petty! "
Glover gritted his teeth and looked at Doyle. Then, he looked at Cohen, who was giggling foolishly with Willow.
'As expected.
'Lilian is right.
'All idiots are from the same family.
'They're all f * cking related.'
Behind Thales, the others were also trying their best to get to know each other and familiarize themselves with their new teammates, such as Kommodore and Genard, who were flattering each other.
Kommodore patted Genard's shoulder and praised him.
"By the looks of you, you've been in the military before!"
Genard gave him a thumbs up.
"By the looks of your habits, you're obviously a professional bodyguard!"
Kommodore shook his head humbly.
"You flatter me. I'm just an untalented person. I was once in the inner city's police station …"
Genard said courteously, "You flatter me.
I've only worked in the Starlight Brigade and the city defense team … "
"Wow, the famous Starlight Brigade! So, you're a veteran, a war hero! "Kommodore's eyes brightened.
"Tsk tsk, the police officers in the inner city are all in charge of important people's protection and internal supervision. Even the city defense teams of the various departments are under their control …" Genard lamented from the bottom of his heart.
"Those are just rumors from outsiders. I'm just trying to get by … By the way, how did you go to Northland to follow His Highness?" Kommodore asked curiously.
"What hero? It's unbearable … How did you become a Royal Guard from a police officer?" Genard asked politely.
Kommodore waved his hand humbly.
"Heh, speaking of which, I'm lucky. Six years ago, we gloriously uncovered a series of corruption cases in the city defense team of Eastern City District. I was recommended …"
Genard shook his head in a self-deprecating manner.
"Sigh, speaking of which, I was unlucky. Six years ago, when I was still in the city defense team of Eastern City District, I was framed for corruption and bribery, and I was implicated …"
When he said this, Genard and Kommodore's smiles froze at the same time.
They turned their heads at the same time and looked at each other in shock.
A few seconds later, the two of them turned their heads stiffly and mechanically, and their conversation fell completely silent.
Just like that, the newly gathered group of people talked at once. Some were travel-worn, some were calm, some were used to it, and some were uncomfortable. They surrounded Thales, who was at the center of the group, and they moved forward on their horses. They attracted countless gazes along the way.
They looked like a group of disbanded soldiers.
Thales swayed as he rode on his horse, but he had a vague feeling that he was hallucinating.
They were just like six years ago, the diplomat group that was hastily formed. They did not even know each other, and they all set off in a hurry. They trod on the snow and headed north to an unknown path.
But now …
Thales stared at Renaissance Avenue and Renaissance Palace at the end of it. He did not know what to think.
"Your Highness," Wya said with a sigh.
"Perhaps you don't know what returning to Constellation, returning to Eternal Star City, and reuniting with you means to us."
Thales turned his head around.
"Oh?"
Wya stared at the familiar streets and sky, and his tone became lighter. "It feels like the journey has ended, and we no longer have to work hard.
And we can rest now. "
Thales was silent for a while before he spoke awkwardly.
"Umm, about that, Wya …
"Right now, we might not be able to rest yet."
'We can't rest.'
Wya's expression froze for a moment.
"Your Highness, I'm sorry?"
Thales took a deep breath and looked seriously at the attendant who had followed him for six years.
"Wya, do you trust me?"
* Clang — * Wya subconsciously wanted to nod, but he stopped when he raised his head halfway.
"No, Your Highness, I've learned. I have a bad feeling. The last time you asked me this …"
Wya recalled Thales' 'glorious deeds' in Northland. He was first terrified, then suspicious.
"You asked me to find … Chapman Lampard."
This name attracted the attention of his companions. Most of them turned their heads and looked at the prince.
Thales' smile froze slightly.
"Just say it, Your Highness, you …"
Wya hesitantly looked at the smiling prince.
"What do you want now?"
Thales exhaled and laughed bitterly.
"Yes, I-I'm very sorry. You went through so much to return to Eternal Star City …
"I shouldn't have gotten you involved …"
But when Wya looked at the prince, his vigilant expression suddenly relaxed. He lowered his head and smiled.
"Fine, Your Highness, you're right." Wya raised his head in relief and smiled bitterly.
"You're still you, after all. If nothing happens …"
He did not continue, but his expression became solemn. He punched his chest. "No matter what you want to do …
"This life and this body are yours to command.
"I will not hesitate to die for you."
This made Thales a little embarrassed. He twitched the corner of his mouth.
'Well … it's not that bad.'
"Besides," Wya unclenched his fist, as if he had let go of a huge rock.
"We are people who have followed you through mountains of blades and seas of fire in Dragon Clouds City."
Wya's smile was bright.
"There is nothing in this world that can scare us anymore."
At that moment, Thales sank into silence. All sorts of feelings welled up in his heart.
The teenager looked up.
"Really?"
Wya looked at Ralf and gestured with his chin.
The Phantom Wind Follower's gaze was cold. He gestured for them to move forward.
Thales smiled in tacit understanding and looked at the others.
"We will follow you wherever you go." Genard bowed deeply. Willow, who was beside him, also bowed nervously.
"The Royal Guards will naturally go through fire and water for you." Kommodore's face was filled with loyalty.
Thales nodded.
Doyle looked to the left and right before he cleared his throat.
"You are Your Highness. We should listen to you. That is true."
Doyle's emotions were initially stirred up, but they slowly calmed down.
"But you also saved my family."
He patted the horse's belly with great emotion.
"Not every prince can choose not to 'sacrifice his pawn'."
Jennie turned her head around and neighed fiercely. Doyle, who had been brewing his emotions, was so frightened that he immediately retracted his hand.
"You have listened to my story, Your Highness." While everyone laughed, Glover was silent for a while before he spoke slowly.
"I will listen to you as well."
Thales stared at him deeply.
"Thank you."
When Kohen saw that everyone's gazes were directed at him, he was extremely nervous. He struggled for a long time before he came up with a strange word.
"Don Quixote? Charge? "
Aside from Glover, everyone else was stunned. They sized up Kohen as if they were looking at an idiot.
Thales snorted and laughed heartily.
'But, yes.'
The teenager took a deep breath and sat up straight.
'Don Quixote.'
"Very good," the second prince said solemnly.
"Everyone, listen up. We are going to Renaissance Palace now."
Wya tightened his grip on his single-edged sword and answered calmly,
"Of course, what do you want us to do?"
Thales did not answer immediately.
He looked straight ahead and walked forward along Renaissance Avenue until he ran into the dark and deep Great Pyramid.
That was Renaissance Palace.
It was a net.
It was also his windmill.
At that second, Thales curled up the corners of his lips and spoke softly.
"Rebellion."
In an instant, the group, including Kohen, who had been talking and laughing, suddenly became quiet.
The street was still bustling with activity. People came and went, and it was filled with the smoke of a citizen's life.
It was a stark contrast to the dead silence of this small group.
It felt like a century had passed.
"Conspiracy, conspiracy …"
Wya's hoarse voice came out with great difficulty, but he could not form a sentence.
In this atmosphere where everyone was as silent as cicadas in winter, Thales raised his head and turned his head around.
"Tell me."
The setting sun was golden. With Renaissance Palace as a backdrop, the young duke's smile was clear, and his attitude was calm.
"What does it feel like to be a king?"
No one answered him.
Only the black horse, Jennie, who did not know much about the world, neighed excitedly. She continued to take small steps in response to her master's caress.
Happy and excited.
A journey into the unknown.
(End of this chapter)
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