Late at night in Star Lake Castle, Thales sat alone on the observation deck on the top floor of Jackal Tower, looking down at Star Lake in the distance.
King Kessel and Captain Adrian returned to the capital that very night, leaving only Sonia and her Starlight Guards behind. They caused a huge ruckus in the main castle's banquet hall, and only calmed down at dawn.
Mallos and Granny Valencia were in a terrible fix. As for the Duke of Star Lake, he had already returned to his bedroom with the excuse of being drunk.
"Bullsh * t! I clearly saw him drinking juice! "— The Fortress Flower, who was drunkenly tugging at Mallos' collar.
But only Thales knew that, compared to welcoming the king's visit, he would rather be drunk and unable to get up.
A cat's meow came from the eaves in the distance, and the dogs' barks on the ground responded to it. Coupled with the indistinct chirping of cicadas, Star Lake Castle under the moonlight was filled with a sense of wildness and contentment.
Why?
Thales stared at the sparkling waves on Star Lake, lost in thought.
Why now? Why Zayen? Why South Coast Hill?
Thales lowered his head and pulled out a dagger wrapped in heavy bandages from its sheath. After he escaped from the Great Desert, due to various reasons, he did not remove it. Instead, he strengthened the disguise on the JC's dagger to ensure that its origins would not be revealed.
More importantly, why him?
Thales casually took out the Bone Ring 'Gurtaksa' and hung the dagger's tip on it.
The ferocious bone ring and the sharp blade complemented each other, making it look even more desolate under the moonlight.
What does Kessel the Fifth want him to do?
Why is the king so confident and so lax?
Where will Renaissance Palace start? How will they deal with the aftermath so that they can ensure the results without causing trouble?
What is his role? What should he do? What can he do?
Countless questions and doubts filled Thales' mind at the same time.
There was light moving on the Rapid Shadow Tower not far away. Thales knew that it was the patrolling sentry changing shifts. Looking at the figures, it might be Vanguard Supa Langley leading a team of local Jadestar Private Soldiers.
The prince skillfully jumped off the observation deck and hid his body, waiting for the change to end. The patrolling sentry was more concerned about the threat outside the castle, but if one of them turned around in the middle of the night and saw the Duke of Star Lake's head, it would not be pleasant.
Thales leaned against the wall, and his gaze froze.
Well, at least he knew one thing.
That was, he had to obey the king's orders, go to the Emerald City, and participate in this uncertain political conspiracy in any way.
It was not only because he was bound by the oath, not only because he had a personal grudge against Zayen, not only because it was necessary.
It was also because it was his choice, his right, and his bargaining chip. After the painful lessons such as' Dragon's Blood 'and' Sand King ', he had risked his future and his life to win the tiny bit of freedom from the Iron Hand King's fingers.
This freedom may not be much, but it is vital.
Just like in the past, Thales knew nothing about Renaissance Palace's plans, tactics, process, and details against Zayen. He was excluded and could only act according to the circumstances.
But unlike in the past, this time, Thales received a clear order and was informed of the answer beforehand. He was even acknowledged as an independent, third-party chess piece. He was no longer blindly swayed in the kingdom's chess game.
Moreover …
[As long as I complete it, I don't care what you do.]
Thales flicked the dagger in his hand. The bone ring 'Covenant' flipped into the air and was caught by him.
And now, what he wanted to do, what he could do …
"No, Sir. I'm talking about Lady Sasere. Lady Sasere, this won't do. This won't do. Really, I-I can't!" An embarrassed and flustered male voice came faintly from the bottom of the observation deck.
Thales, who was practicing his craft, had a change of expression.
"Oh, I understand. So, you don't like me?" What followed was a valiant and imposing female voice. Her tone was aggressive.
'What?'
Thales gulped and entered hell's senses.
"No, how would I dare … You are very powerful, very elegant, very charming, but, I, I belong to the Royal Guards …" The man became more and more flustered.
Thales held his breath and crept up to the other side of the lookout. He carefully peeked half of his head out and looked down.
Diagonally across from him, two floors below him, Zombie Glover was leaning against the lookout in a disheveled and stiff manner. Behind him was the sky.
And Sonia Sasere, the famous Fortress Belle, stood in front of him in a drunken manner. She pressed down on his shoulder with one hand, and she almost forced Glover out of the lookout.
"So, you mean that I'm not good enough for you Royal Guards?" Sonia leaned forward, and there was a hint of coldness in her misty eyes.
Glover shuddered a little.
"No, Sir! I mean, I have a duty to fulfill. I still have to protect His Highness … "
"Don't worry about that! I can guarantee that Prince Thales will not have any objections. He might even help me, as long as you are willing. "Sonia shook her head and revealed an evil smile.
Thales furrowed his eyebrows tightly. Glover's expression was stiff, and he shook his head vigorously.
When she saw that the man would rather die than submit, Sonia, whose eyes were misty, was silent for a while. Then, she understood something. She patted Glover's chest rhythmically.
"Aha, I understand now. You think that you are not good enough. Hehe … You lack experience in all aspects?"
Glover's face turned red.
"No …" He denied it at first, but he immediately realized that this was a breakthrough, so he quickly admitted, "I mean, yes, Sir Sasere, I, about that, I can't do it! I have never … Urk, my experience in this area is still shallow. Even if I … I will definitely not be able to take it, and I won't be able to last long … "
But Sonia took a step forward, and her entire body was almost on Glover's body. She patted his shoulders with both hands!
"Don't worry, I will teach you!"
The Fortress Flower's eyes shone, and the curve of her lips became wider. Her tone also became stranger.
"And I will start from the beginning. I will demonstrate it myself, and I will teach you step by step. I will teach you step by step. Oh …"
Thales, who was eavesdropping from above, changed his expression several times. 'Is this what I should be listening to?'
Glover could not take it anymore. He pushed Sonia away abruptly, turned around, and struggled free.
"No, we, we can't do this. My Lady, Sir, this, this is against the rules … By the way, I still have a duty to be on duty tonight. Why don't we talk next time …"
But before he could take two steps, the Fortress Flower pressed her arm against the wall and blocked his way. "But I want you. I really, really want you desperately.
I want you now. "
Glover gulped, and his breathing quickened.
Sonia, who reeked of alcohol, had a misty look in her eyes. She swayed and approached Glover.
"I know that you actually want me too, don't you?
"And I happen to be the commander of Broken Dragon Fortress, and I have the heavy responsibility of protecting the country. This means that it's not just me, but the entire kingdom wants you."
The Fortress Flower had a smile that allowed no resistance. She forced Glover into a corner step by step. The latter's face, which had never changed in ten thousand years, was now filled with endless fear.
"Are you really, really not going to reconsider?"
'What the f * ck.'
Thales, who was eavesdropping on everything, rubbed his face.
'What the f * ck is going on?'
With complicated feelings, the prince crouched down below the watchtower. He made sure that they could not see him, then forced the Sin of Hell's River to surge up his throat and mouth (extremely unwillingly), and adjusted the frequency.
A few seconds later, he pinched his nose, took a deep breath, and opened his mouth to speak.
"Meow, meow …"
The sound penetrated the obstruction and reverberated, as if it was right beside their ears.
The Fortress Flower and Glover were shocked. The two of them separated abruptly and looked around.
"Meow …" Thales continued to imitate a certain black cat who dared to speak harshly to Grandma Valencia. He vividly dragged out his voice and pretended to be a cat who was sleeping soundly and objected to being disturbed by humans.
Glover finally got rid of his fear. When he thought of something, he immediately put on a stern expression.
"Ah, it's that damn black cat. It must have gone to the duke's room to steal food and look at the confidential documents again. This, this is an urgent situation. It's very, very dangerous. I-I must go and protect Duke Thales' room …"
Sonia seemed to have sobered up a little. She stared at him in disbelief.
Glover coughed and tidied up his clothes. "Um, Chief Sasere, Your Grace, I am very grateful for your favor, but, no, sorry, I can't, can't … I have to go on duty. If you need, I can recommend other brothers in the guards to replace me. For example, there's a good young man in the Defense Division …"
The Fortress Flower narrowed her eyes. She was obviously extremely displeased.
Glover did not even dare to breathe too loudly.
"Meow …" A third meow came from above his head. Each meow was more urgent than the last.
Finally, Sonia heaved a long sigh.
"Haih, forget it. A forceful melon will not be sweet."
The zombie breathed a sigh of relief.
"Don't worry, we …" Sonia patted Glover's chest and curled up the corners of her mouth. She blinked meaningfully.
"There's still a long way to go."
Glover's face was pale. He turned around and rushed to the corridor as if he was fleeing for his life. He rushed down the stairs without looking back.
"What a pity." Sonia sized up his disheveled back. She was obviously rather regretful. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. What a good lad."
'Very good. Mission accomplished.'
Thales was very satisfied with the way he handled the situation. He did not offend the Fortress Flower and successfully rescued his subordinates. Even the gloom of the king's visit was reduced by a lot.
Based on his past experience, Thales pinched his nose and meowed a few more times to wrap things up and confuse the cat so that it would not look too strange.
'What I need to do now is to sneak away …'
In the next second, Thales turned around and met a pair of glowing green eyes.
He was stunned.
'It's a black cat.'
It stood elegantly and proudly on the lookout. It looked suspiciously at the Duke of Star Lake, who pinched his nose and curled up into a ball in the corner.
'Eh, why does this cat look a little familiar?'
Thales was extremely embarrassed. In order not to expose himself, he could only continue to pinch his nose and meow at it in a friendly manner.
"Meow?"
The black cat blinked and came to a sudden realization.
It blew at its whiskers and showed him a contemptuous expression. It then took elegant and disdainful steps and left while wagging its tail.
Thales' face darkened as he stared at the cat's proud butt.
'What's wrong? Have you never seen a prince meow like a cat?!
'Damned cat that steals food.'
When he thought of this, the indignant Thales pinched his nose and roared at the black cat in protest.
"Meow! Wah!"
The black cat ignored him. It just wagged its tail and disappeared around the corner with graceful catwalk.
'Tsk, damned cat.'
Thales cursed silently. But in the next second, the light on the lookout dimmed, as if something had blocked the moonlight.
The Duke of Star Lake was stunned. He raised his head stiffly.
Under the moonlight, Sonia Sasere had at some point crossed the height of the three-story building and was crouching on the lookout above Thales' head. She looked down at him in a daze — the Duke of Star Lake who was curled up in the corner, pinching his nose and gritting his teeth.
A breeze blew. The two of them, one high and one low, one up and one down, stared at each other in silence.
Thales swore to Dark Night that at that moment, he just wanted to jump off the tower and end this once and for all.
After an unknown amount of time, Sonia tilted her head and narrowed her eyes.
"Hey?"
The teenager shuddered. He then loosened his nose and chuckled.
"What a coincidence. Hehe, Sonia, you can't fall asleep either?"
Sonia did not speak, but her gaze became more complicated.
"Aha, the scenery here is pretty good, isn't it?"
Sonia still did not answer, but her frown deepened.
"Alright."
Thales exhaled in pain. He stood up and gave up on the idea of bluffing his way out of this.
"I'm very sorry, but Glover said that he's not willing to."
Sonia snorted through her nose and landed next to Thales. She sat against the wall and muttered indignantly, "I'm very sorry.
That's because he hasn't tried. "
The Fortress Flower took out a pouch of tobacco and a piece of paper from her bosom. She swiftly rolled the cigarette.
'Thank God, she did not ask about the cat meowing.'
"Alright, even if you're right." Thales tried hard to forget the awkwardness from just now. "But we still need him to agree to try."
"He'll agree very soon. He doesn't know what I can give him. It's something he'll never forget for the rest of his life …" Sonia put the rolled cigarette into her mouth and pouted. Her tone was rather indignant.
"Are we really going to discuss this topic here?" Sensing that the topic was becoming more and more unbearable, Thales had no choice but to cut her off with a bitter expression.
"Alright, it's not very appropriate to talk about it in front of you." With the cigarette in her mouth, Sonia took out a Crystal Drop Flint and tried hard to start a fire. "But in your position, you'll have to experience this sooner or later —"
"Stop!"
Thales cut off the topic and turned around with a bitter expression.
'Why did I have to say this to her here? 'I still have a lot of things to do!
'Right.'
A voice rang in the bottom of his heart. 'A lot of things to do.
'Including … the legendary anti-mystic equipment.'
Thales stopped in his tracks.
He turned around to look at Sonia. The scene of her holding the shield, subduing Giza on the ground, and watching the latter turn into ashes appeared in his mind.
'Maybe this is a breakthrough. I can get some information.
'But …' The voice in his heart reminded him sternly. 'Be careful. Don't forget what Asda said. If the Magic Empress knows or even notices that you're looking for the secret of the legendary anti-mystic equipment …'
Thales clenched his fists.
He had to be cautious, natural, smooth, and indirect. He had to ask her about the legendary anti-mystic equipment without leaving a trace or arousing suspicion …
"You didn't bring that shield?"
The Fortress Flower tried hard to rub the flint. She did not manage to react.
"What? Oh, that thing. I returned it to Renaissance Palace. I'll go and get it back later. "
Thales furrowed his brows.
'Alright, so the Supreme Shield isn't here.
Then why did Asda hide in such a hurry? '
Sonia was still trying hard to light her cigarette. Her tone was nonchalant, "You know, weapons need to be polished and maintained. Legendary anti-mystic equipment is even more delicate."
Legendary anti-mystic equipment also needed maintenance, even more so than normal weapons.
Thales nodded.
He was about to ask more questions.
* Crack! *
As the flame lit up, the Fortress Flower finally lit the cigarette in her mouth. She took a deep drag with an intoxicated look on her face. A few seconds later, she slowly exhaled.
Thales had to wave his hands desperately to get rid of the smoke.
Sonia cast a sideways glance at the prince.
"Want a puff?"
Thales, who had retreated due to the smoke, shook his head in a well-practiced manner.
"Children can't …"
Halfway through his sentence, Thales remembered the "glorious history" of the Empire's people coming of age at the age of fourteen.
He reluctantly changed his words, "Based on what I know, it's not good for the throat and lungs. If you smoke too much, it will affect your breathing, and if you smoke too much, it will affect your lifespan."
"Affect … breathing and lifespan?" The Fortress Flower smiled in a daze.
"Child, do you know what's the most lethal weapon on the battlefield?"
"Mystic Gun?"
"Nah." The Fortress Flower held the cigarette and looked up at the sky. The drunkenness in her eyes lessened a little. "It's not a knife or a sword, but a hammer and a pike.
"Especially when thousands of people are squeezed together and fighting with their lives on the line. Whether you breathe more or less, there's not much of a difference whether you live to eighty or fifty years old."
Thales recalled the battle to break out of the encirclement under the fortress. He recalled the roars of battle that filled the sky and the severed limbs all over the ground. He could not help but frown. He chased away the smoke even faster.
"And when a spear pierces into your chest with a 'swish' like this …" Sonia turned her head around and swiftly poked Thales' chest with two fingers.
"There's no difference between a healthy lung and a pitch-black lung."
'F * ck!'
The pain in his chest made Thales grimace. He had to move back a little to avoid more physical contact with her.
The Fortress Flower looked at him and chuckled.
"But if a cheap puff of smoke like this …" Sonia took a deep breath and fixed her gaze on the distant Lake of Stars, "can make hundreds and thousands of soldiers forget their fear, pain, despair, and death. It can increase their morale and unity while they talk trash, and reduce the possibility of a camp explosion and collapse."
Sonia looked at Thales and exhaled a thick puff of smoke in a leisurely manner.
"Then, perhaps, perhaps we can win a battle and defend a fortress."
"Cough! Cough! Cough! "
Thales choked and coughed continuously.
"Thank you, I'll remember this." The prince covered his nose in pain. "Don't smoke if you're not fighting!"
Sonia burst into hearty laughter.
The smoke lingered in the air. Both of them, who had their own thoughts on their minds, quietened down. The castle watchtower was silent at night.
'Not enough.'
Thales reminded himself that he needed a better point of entry. He needed to know more.
"Speaking of battles and lifespan, how long have you been fighting with that shield?"
Sonia put down her cigarette and stared straight at him.
She stared at him so intensely that Thales immediately tried to salvage the situation.
"I heard that legendary anti-mystic equipment will shorten the lifespan of its user? I remember that you used it quite a lot to save me … "
The Fortress Flower looked at him for a long time and snorted.
"There is such a saying." Sonia shook her head. "But don't worry, the thing in my hand doesn't like me. It refuses to cooperate with me and release its power, so it can't hurt me."
"Oh, then I'm relieved … What?"
Thales turned around in shock. "It, doesn't like you?"
"Yes, I'm also puzzled, right?" Sonia took a puff of her cigarette. She was filled with indignation. "What's wrong with this world? Even a broken shield has the right to say that it doesn't like me."
'No, that's not the point. The point is …'
"No, no, I mean, it, it? It's … alive? "Thales said in surprise.
"You can say that, but not entirely. It can't speak, but I can feel it. How should I put it? Emotions?"
Sonia picked her ears. "It's said that they are only telepathically connected to a few masters, and only then can they unleash their greatest effect. Of course, it's said that the greater the effect, the greater the price."
'Telepathically connected …
'Greatest effect …'
Thales furrowed his brows and recalled the Blade of Purification from a long time ago, the small red sword with a great background.
"Just like that broken shield in my hand." Sonia snorted coldly and continued. "It's always so reluctant, and it really thinks of itself as a master. In the end, heh, I can't be bothered with it anymore. It's not even as useful as the long-handled broadsword I seized outside."
Thales fell into deep thought after he heard that.
"But, there must be a reason why you were given the Supreme Shield. The kingdom must think highly of you," he said carefully.
"It's not that." Sonia waved her hand, and the smoke thickened. "During the Bloody Year, its master died, and most of the supreme class elites who were suitable for it were killed. They had no choice. At that time, I was about to head north to fight, so I took it on without knowing it. When I first got it, that broken shield was black and rough. I raised a hammer and smashed it for half a night before I was sure that it wasn't a fake. "
'No wonder the Supreme Shield doesn't like you.'
Thales was silent for a while. In the end, he could not help but ask.
"Then, do you remember who its previous master was?"
Sonia rubbed her nose.
"Baron Quentin told me before. I don't really remember his name, but I heard that he was a Royal Guard when he was alive. He was quite a high-ranking official."
'A Royal Guard when he was alive …'
Thales stopped talking.
"Right, don't tell anyone else." Sonia narrowed her eyes. "The Black Prophet specifically reminded me that the legendary anti-mystic equipment is a secret of the kingdom. It's very important and sensitive. If anyone asks about it, remember to tell him immediately."
Thales felt a chill in his heart.
"F * ck, I knew it." The prince remained calm. "No wonder he wasn't willing to tell me anything."
The Fortress Flower laughed. "Believe me, you're not the first. You'll get used to it."
"So, everything is fine in the north?" Thales changed the topic to avoid suspicion. "Broken Dragon Fortress, the border, Lampard?"
When it came to her old profession, Sonia hummed in acknowledgment and stood up.
She leaned on the watchtower and scrutinized everything in Star Lake Castle. It was as if she was unwilling to let go of a single blade of grass and tree. She even wanted to scrutinize the cat on the roof.
"Thanks to you, child, whether it's Black Sand Region or Prestige Orchid Region, the Northland barbarians have been busy fighting their own people and have become more obedient. Besides, it's almost the busy farming season. The fields, farms, towns, workshops, and markets are all short of manpower. Not to mention fighting, even the bandits who cross the border to rob are not free. "
'Thanks to him.'
This sentence brought Thales back to six years ago, to the days when he walked out of Broken Dragon Fortress and headed to the north.
The vampires, the Blood Mystic, the heavy encirclement of the Black Sand Region Army, the game between him and Lampard under the fortress … The scenes of the past appeared before his eyes, and they were incredibly clear. Thales stared at Sonia, and there was a hint of friendliness in his eyes.
"Of course, it'll be hard to say in a few days." The Fortress Flower held a cigarette in her mouth and snorted softly. "So, I seized this period of time to go back to my hometown and enjoy my vacation."
Thales was moved when he heard this.
"Go back to your hometown? You're a local? "
Sonia shifted her attention away from an old tree in the distance.
"Of course. When my parents were alive, they were farmers in a nearby farm. Here, it's in that direction. Just go over two mountains."
Sonia pointed in the direction for Thales with great enthusiasm.
"And when I reached the age where I could wield a pitchfork, I came to be recruited and became a guard here."
Sonia, the famous Fortress Flower, was the daughter of a peasant family.
Thales thought for a while and came to a realization.
"I know that you are Duke John's former subordinate. So, did you start as a guard in Star Lake Castle?"
Sonia flicked the ash off her cigarette and stared at the main fortress of Star Lake Castle with a profound gaze.
"There." Under the moonlight, Sonia pointed down. "There used to be three trees there. I used to rest there when my shift changed."
Thales looked in the direction of her finger. It was a field that Mother Valencia had instructed people to cultivate.
The teenager's heart skipped a beat.
'Trees …'
"And that used to be a part of the garden." Sonia's voice was a little ethereal. "John liked to take a walk there alone and meditate, rain or shine. He said that it helped him think."
Thales stared at that place. It was now fenced off, and many dogs were kept there.
'Garden …'
Thales subconsciously clenched his fists.
"Sonia …"
"It's not just your castle, child."
Sonia stared at the location of Rapid Shadow Tower. Her expression was absent-minded.
She spoke in a drawn-out tone, "Once, many people treated this place as their home. For many, many years. Home."
'Home.'
Thales was silent for a long time.
When he turned around and looked at the field again, he had a different feeling.
"I'm very sorry." He suddenly did not want to ask her about the Supreme Shield anymore.
'There will be a chance,' he told himself.
'Not now.
'It shouldn't be.'
Sonia was silent for a while. Her cigarette flickered.
"No, thank you." Sonia shook her head and dispelled the gloominess. She turned back into the cheerful Fortress Flower.
"Every year, I would come back to rest for a few days. I would scrounge a meal at old Cordero's manor, cause some trouble, and get into fights. But this year, since you have repaired the castle …"
In the next second, Sonia revealed a smug smile.
"Then I don't have to look at old Cordero's face anymore. Ever since I beat his son to tears after my mother rejected his proposal of marriage when I was five years old, he has always had a grudge against me. You really don't want to have a taste? "
Thales stared at the cigarette Sonia extended to him. He smiled and shook his head.
"Then, welcome home." Thales tried hard to recover from the sadness he felt just now. "You and your people can stay as long as you want. Food and lodging are all covered."
"All covered?" The Fortress Flower had a look of disbelief. "Today, I happened to hear an old guard talking sarcastically about how comfortable it is for us to live and eat for free."
"You should be talking about the Second Logistics Officer, Durward Stone." Thales seemed to have remembered something, and a troubled expression appeared on his face. "And I can guarantee that you definitely did not 'accidentally' hear it. That rotten old man is very bad."
But soon, his eyes brightened.
"But it doesn't matter. I believe that I can repay my father for hosting the kingdom's famous marshal and meritorious war hero, Lady Sonia Sasere."
'No, I must repay him.'
Otherwise, Thales swore that he would lie in Ballard Room and not get up during the next Imperial Conference.
Sonia exhaled a mouthful of smoke and snorted.
"His Majesty has gone back?"
"Yes —" Thales felt that something was wrong the moment the words left his mouth. He frowned and looked at her.
The Fortress Flower grinned.
"Child, in any case, I fought a war. Unfortunately, I am also a commander. If I didn't even know who was in the marching troops, Broken Dragon Fortress would have been overturned a thousand times."
'As expected.'
She also knew about the king's visit.
The way Thales looked at her changed. It lost the lightness from before and became a little more solemn.
Did she really just return to her hometown to enjoy a holiday?
Was this planned? The Royal Guards escorted the king here in the name of sending the kingdom's famous marshal back to his hometown?
Was this King Kessel's idea? Or did he let it happen? What does this mean? Is he trying to hint at me? What does Sonia's appearance here mean?
A myriad of thoughts surged in his mind. At this moment, Thales suddenly lost interest in talking to Sonia.
The days they ate and lived together in the fortress six years ago seemed to no longer be clear.
Only the bone ring, the "Covenant" in his pocket became heavier.
Sonia seemed to sense something. She glanced at Thales.
"If it's convenient for me to reveal, why did His Majesty look for you?" the Fortress Flower asked casually. The cigarette in her hand was mostly burnt and was gradually dimming.
She did not seem to know.
Or was she just pretending not to know?
'Sonia Sasere, she is indeed the benefactor who saved you six years ago, but don't forget,' a voice rose from the bottom of his heart and carefully reminded Thales, 'She is also one of the three marshals of the kingdom, and the person in charge of the regular army of the kingdom.
She is the king's sword. '
Thales gulped.
'What did the king say to Sonia? What did he instruct her to do? How will it affect me?
What should I say, and what should I not say?
I am going to meet the candidate for my fiancée.
I am going to destroy the Guardian Duke of South Coast.
What should I say? '
"Business trip." Thales' expression did not change. His gaze pierced through the smoke. "I have to go out and do something."
"Business trip? I guess you won't be heading north to revisit Broken Dragon Fortress? "
Thales hesitated for a moment.
"Don't worry, don't be nervous. I am not interested in what you are going to do." Sonia smiled relaxedly, as if she had seen through Thales' thoughts.
She fiercely inhaled the last puff of the cigarette before reluctantly throwing the butt away.
"Anyway, it's the same old infighting. It's either extortion or power grabbing, the kind that I can't handle."
The same old.
Thales exhaled.
He thought of Dragon's Blood, the Sand King, and the mission he was given by the king.
King Kessel floated up and down in the treacherous kingdom's politics all day long, manipulating the winds and clouds. But as his sword, his general, and his true fortress of the kingdom, the flower of the fortress before him appeared cheerful, valiant, and magnanimous.
'How did she do it?' The voice in his heart asked.
This made Thales feel an inexplicable jealousy.
"Yes, the same old." The young duke snorted. His words were filled with indescribably complicated emotions. "I can't handle it either."
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