After a turn around the street corner, Kieran saw a group of soldiers.
Unlike the city guards, these soldiers were a lot more elite, not just in terms of equipment but also in terms of spirit — when they saw Kieran, despite the fear and nervousness, they didn't forget their duty.
"The remaining soldiers of Thunder Fortress and the royal guards?"
Kieran guessed.
Thunder Fortress had three thousand professional soldiers stationed there. Back when Kieran was trying to break through, he didn't kill all three thousand of them.
The royal guards were obviously loyal to King James VIII.
Even though Jeanne James had almost reached the point where she could cover the sky with one hand in Riverdale, there was still a small number of soldiers who were loyal to the real king.
Even though … it was really a small number.
But for Kieran, it was a rare piece of good news.
If he really relied on the city guards, Kieran couldn't think of anything else other than carrying out the decapitation plan.
Finally, Kieran's steps were a little lighter after getting a piece of good news.
Although the soldiers were looking at him with fearful and nervous eyes, Kieran could clearly feel that they weren't friendly.
However, Kieran was calm and collected.
When he saw Mary at the end of the group, Kieran curled his lips into a rare smile.
Mary was wearing a white Knight uniform, her blonde hair was still the same as how Kieran remembered it to be, bunched up and tied behind her head.
Her long and narrow blue eyes showed a maturity that far surpassed her peers.
The short sword at her waist made her mature look even more valiant.
It was hard for a girl to have such a temperament.
Therefore, even if she wasn't a pretty girl, she would still be dazzling.
"Good day, Mary."
Kieran greeted her.
Mary nodded, her mature temperament had a sense of reservation but her blue eyes were burning fiercely when she looked at Kieran.
"Follow me!"
Mary said while holding back the impulse in her heart.
Then, she walked towards the house behind her.
It was a house at the crossroad, the doors and windows were reinforced.
"Temporary command center?"
Kieran's heart was filled with astonishment after he took a glance.
Based on what he had seen with his own eyes, even if it was a temporary command center, the palace in Riverdale was much better than this. Apart from the splendor of the palace, it could also be used as a fortress in times of war.
It could be seen that Mary's ancestors had thought of the worst-case scenario when they built the palace.
However, when he thought of Mary's background, Kieran didn't ask much. He just followed Mary into the house.
Creak.
The door closed.
The moment the door closed, Mary, who was walking in front, suddenly turned around and rushed into Kieran's arms. She hugged Kieran's waist with both hands and pressed her face against Kieran's chest.
With Mary's height, this was a little difficult.
But it seemed that doing so would make her feel at ease.
Mary tried to stand on her tiptoes.
Kieran's body stiffened, and his arms spread out unnaturally. He didn't know what kind of expression, movement, or words he should use to respond to the other party.
All he could do was stand there blankly.
Until Kieran realized Mary was tiptoeing and wanted to jump to shorten the distance between them, only then did he come back to his senses.
Kieran didn't move his body, but his arms that were spread out unnaturally were placed on Mary's shoulders.
Mary, who had just jumped, was sent back to the ground.
Mary's brows furrowed.
Her brows were twisted into a slight bulge.
"You owe me a farewell … You should make it up to me!"
Mary said.
"Um.
That's why I'm back! "
Kieran smiled.
"I want something else!"
Mary emphasized.
"Something else … The matter at hand is more important. Riverdale has spies from the Prairies. Although Bosco has taken over, I don't think they will get anything out of it. Those spies have mastered the secret techniques of the Prairies, we need someone special to deal with them!"
Kieran switched the topic.
However, it sounded a little stiff.
"You owe me a compensation!"
Mary wasn't distracted at all, she emphasized again.
"Fine!"
After thinking for a while and weighing the pros and cons, Kieran nodded again.
Then, he felt Mary's arm, which was trying her best to hug him, was getting tighter.
The energy came from the seams of [Armor of Excellence].
It felt like it could ignore [Armor of Excellence]'s defense.
Kieran raised a brow after he heaved a breath of relief.
He noticed Mary's unusual behavior.
"What's wrong?"
Kieran asked.
"He is giving up!
He told me to bring a group of men and retreat to the south while he plans to die here, in the manner that a king should! "
"What a stupid, ridiculous pride!"
Mary said with a mocking tone.
However, when Kieran lowered his head, all he saw was helplessness, unwillingness and sorrow.
Mary lowered her head when she saw Kieran's eyes. She hugged Kieran even tighter, her face was stuck on the cold armor.
It was a kind of persistence that wouldn't let go after seeing a glimmer of hope in the midst of despair.
She was like a drowning man's straw.
Kieran took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
He clearly felt the helplessness and hesitation in the little girl's heart.
The little girl's impulse wasn't just because of her feelings, it was also her instinct to ask for help.
It was the attachment that was formed after going through thick and thin together.
Like a stray puppy that found a temporary safe haven.
She opened her closed eyes.
A glimmer was shining in her eyes.
Kieran squatted down and looked at the little girl from his usual angle.
"I can't comment on your father, I'm not familiar with him, we've only met once … In this world, the only one I'm familiar with is you!
So … What are you thinking?
Or what do you want to do? "
He didn't think too much at the moment, all he wanted was to complete his main mission and make the little girl happy along the way.
He knew the little girl wasn't willing to give up on her useless father.
It was like she had a sense of hatred towards her parents who abandoned her, yet she really wanted to see them again.
It was contradictory yet realistic.
It would be hard for his wish to come true.
But if it was possible, he wouldn't mind fulfilling the little girl's wish, who shared a similar fate as him.
Especially when it was just a matter of convenience.
"I … I …"
The little girl stuttered.
She wanted to speak her mind out of instinct.
But she quickly shook her head.
Then, silence ensued.
"Are you worried about me?
Don't worry!
I'm good at creating miracles, haven't you seen it before? "
Kieran instantly saw through the little girl's worries.
He caressed the little girl's head, trying to comfort her.
"But this time, it's different!
It's not a thousand vanguard anymore, it's fifty thousand!
Looking down from above, it's a boundless, black mass of fifty thousand people! "
The little girl shook her head again.
"So what?
I'm asking you what are you thinking, it has nothing to do with those people, whether it's fifty thousand or five hundred thousand, it doesn't matter!
Mary, tell me, what are you thinking? "
Kieran asked again.
"I … I want to … repel the invaders and protect Warren!"
The little girl's voice was trembling at first, but it turned firm in the end.
Kieran smiled faintly at the expected answer.
He stared at the little girl's firm expression and stood up.
"I'll help you!
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