Riley gritted his teeth, “You want to throw away a great opportunity like this? You've lost your mind, huh?”James shrugged, “It won't be fun if there's no opponent equal to me.”“You're ....”“We don't have much time, decide quickly!” James urged. Riley exhaled harshly, looking so very annoyed at his friend's obvious stubbornness. Riley understood James' character very well. The young man was not one to lick his own wounds. He was sure James would actually do what he said.Alen himself was not worried about the matter because he was very sure that James would definitely get what he wanted and it was clear that James' wishes were the same as his. So, he just had to wait without interfering.He saw Riley's gaze start to give up. The next few seconds he moved to move forward to James' side, then whispered in annoyance, “I swear I'll kick your leg until it breaks later.”James just smiled happily, “That's if you can do it.”Riley rolled his eyes lazily, annoyed to death at his friend.
Instead of answering Shin's question, Riley suddenly threw an annoyed look at James who pretended not to look at her.Instead, Alen Smith took his friend's place and said, “There's something he's been thinking about but ... it's no big deal. Now he's officially a candidate for war general.”Ben nodded in agreement, “Wow! I still can't believe it. You two will compete to be my leader.”“Your leader, senior?” James said with a frown on his forehead.“General War is the supreme leader of all troops, he can only be commanded by the king. Of course he's my leader,” Ben explained.The explanation made James' ears turn red. This was seen by Alen who quickly commented, “Don't be too sure that you are the chosen one. Remember! Your opponent is tough. Riley and ... Josh Cleve.”James snorted in exasperation, looking offended, “No need to remind me. My memory is still very good.”Shin laughed crisply and when he saw that there were not too many people still in the area, he immediately said, “He
Diego let out a long breath, looking as depressed as his friends who were facing the same situation as him.However, the young man replied by trying to remain calm, “The problem of difficult tests will not be an obstacle for us, Riley. It's our second chance so no matter how difficult the test is it won't make us lose our spirits.”James, who had been listening carefully and observing Diego's changing expression, soon realized that there was something far worse than just a difficult selection.“So what's the problem?” James finally asked.Diego again let out a long sigh that made his three friends even more curious. “The main problem is that if we fail, we won't be able to take part in the recruitment next year,” Diego explained with a suddenly grim look on his face.“What?” James glared in shock.“Who made such a rule?” Alen asked with widened eyes as well.While Shin said, “That's impossible. Any prospective soldier who fails will still get a chance to apply with the usual requirem
Reiner gave a salute to Andrew, which Andrew returned with a nod.“Speak up, Reiner!” Andrew ordered.Reiner said, “This actually has nothing to do with the re-selection process, General.”“Then, what is it about?”Reiner raised his head slowly, “What about your health, General?”Andrew looked surprised at the question, but the man then smiled faintly.“I'm fine.”Reiner shook his head, “You don't look well, General Reece.”He looked at Andrew Reece who actually did look rather pale. In fact, even the look in his eyes was rather dull, unlike usual.Reiner was of the opinion that the war general's injuries were indeed quite serious. Otherwise, it was highly unlikely that Andrew would rush to resign from his position.Andrew suddenly chuckled softly and spoke, “You are very observant.”Reiner bit his lip, but he was at a loss as to how to respond to Andrew's words.Andrew immediately continued, “I am indeed in bad shape and this afternoon I will undergo surgery as scheduled by the palac
James hurriedly replied, “Calm down! There will be an explanation for everything.”Riley tried to be patient and wait. He was very worried but he could do nothing. And sure enough, just as James had said, they got the answer from a young lady who was one of the palace staff and had a good relationship with Riley, Mary Kesley.“General Reece is still recovering from surgery so he will not be able to attend the inauguration ceremony.”People began to wonder at the delivery of this information. Some of them even began to conjecture about the outcome of the operation. A class three soldier who had not been promoted and happened to be standing at the same level as Riley commented, “Did the medical operation not go well?”“I don't know. If the operation had been successful, we would have seen General Reece here, right?” another friend of his said.“I think General Reece is in really bad condition. He's ... not someone who would give up his responsibilities like this unless there was somet
“How would I know about that?” Riley replied while shaking his head, surprised by James' question which he thought was not important to discuss.James clucked his tongue, “Are you okay with us not living in the same room anymore?”“I'm actually very grateful,” Riley replied casually.James raised an eyebrow and gave Riley a suspicious look.Riley grinned, “At least I won't hear your inconsequential babble like this.”The young man who was the only new soldier in the second year snorted in annoyance and punched Riley's arm although he didn't really mean it.“I'm going to be so bored,” James said listlessly.Riley turned his head and sighed, “Hey, we just live in different buildings, not different kingdoms. We're still in the same castle.”The handsome young man immediately turned to Riley, his eyes showing an expectant look. “That's right, so ... why don't we-”“Stop talking about something that hasn't changed! After all, you can play at my dorm building and I can play at your dorm bu
“Absolutely shameless,” Alex retorted with his emotions still evident.James put all his strength into getting away from Riley, but he couldn't do it. Riley was apparently much stronger than him.Looking at James who couldn't escape, Alex grinned widely, “You idiot! You can't even fight him.”James wasn't actually provoked by Alex's words, but he just didn't want to hear Alex babble anymore so he again tried to untangle himself from Riley.Riley bit his lip and yelled in annoyance, “Get out of here, Alex!”“Why should I?” Alex retorted, looking stubborn.“Alen!” Riley said, staring as if asking Alen for help.Alen of course understood the meaning of that look and immediately dragged one of the second-class soldiers with his considerable strength.“Let go of me!” Alex shouted.“Lowly soldier! How dare you do this to me!” Alex screeched angrily.Alen didn't care and kept dragging Alex until the man was pushed out of the room.After completing the task, Alen quickly closed the door to th
Alen sighed in frustration that he had to get involved in the fight.However, Riley didn't seem to mind that at all and instead hastily replied, “Everything James Gardner said is true, senior.”“Not only did James attack Senior Alex Hopskin, but he also attacked James,” Riley explained.The seniors and staff looked at Riley as if they were investigating. One of the staff immediately recognized Riley and said, “You ... aren't you also a war general candidate?”His friend whispered softly, “He's not just a candidate for war general. He's the king's future son-in-law.”The staff nodded and looked relaxed. However, one of the seniors clucked his tongue.He gave Riley a disapproving look, “That doesn't affect us in any way. If what you said was indeed a lie, then we have the right to teach you a lesson.”Riley wasn't upset at all and simply replied, “I'm telling the truth, senior.”Alex, who felt his position was being threatened, quickly said, “What the hell? They're both friends of Gardn
At first Michelle Veren didn't understand what James Gardner was asking. However, when she saw the look on the general's face, she immediately knew he meant the time of the departure of the three people they were looking for.So, the Veren boutique owner replied, "About an hour ago, General Gardner."Hearing that answer, Reiner immediately went limp. But, it was inversely proportional to James who was even full of enthusiasm. This could be seen from James who even said, "Come on, Rei. Let's go after him."Reiner looked sadly at his best friend and replied, "It won't catch up, James. It's been too long."James did not even listen to Reiner's words and ordered some of his men, "Prepare the car, let's go after them!""James," Reiner called softly.James ignored the call and kept saying to his men who were still quietly waiting, "Find out through the CCTV which area they are currently in. They ... should be visible if they take the highway from behind this building."Reiner bit his own
Unfortunately it was all too late for the young girl to realize. All the words of the girl named Alice Porter were clearly heard by Reiner Anderson and James Gardner.With a dark look on his face, James said, "Miss, you-""No, no. I just misspoke, I ... I don't know anything. You heard me wrong," Alice said, whose face paled even more. Especially when she saw the aura of James Gardner, the terrifying war general, she found it even harder to breathe.Reiner also could not help himself so he said in an exasperated tone, "Tell me everything you know or you ... will know how terrible it is when you face the two of us.""I don't care if you are a woman. I can still find a punishment that you deserve," Reiner continued coldly.Alice swallowed harshly. Of course the young girl was very confused. Moreover, no one was trying to help her at all. All the employees in the boutique looked so frightened that no one dared to open their mouths."Say it now! We don't have much time, Miss!" James gro
James' question immediately made Reiner silent for a few moments. He stared at the boutique with a confused look on his face.Meanwhile, James didn't want to waste any more time so he wordlessly walked towards the boutique owned by Michelle Veren, a forty-year-old female designer who was quite famous in the country.Reiner didn't just stand by and do nothing, lamenting his inaccuracy. He followed James with a small trot right behind James without a word.As soon as James was faster than him to reach the door, he immediately saw the two boutique guards who opened the door for them."Can I help you?" one of the boutique guards asked James."I'm looking for Princess Rowena. Where is she now?" James asked back matter-of-factly as he darted his eyes all over the first floor of the boutique.Although there was a suspicion rising in James' mind, the young man put his anxiety ahead of his suspicion."You're looking for Princess Rowena? Who are you? You-""James Gardner. Royal War General Ans
Reiner Anderson did not answer James' question. Instead, he had a facial expression that looked both hesitant and confused.Of course, that made James Gardner even more annoyed. "Come on, tell me quickly! What's so strange about Princess Rowena?" James urged, impatiently.Reiner swallowed and scratched his ears before answering, "Well, I'm not sure if this is strange to you. But ... I think it's very strange, James."James gritted his teeth in growing annoyance and impatience.Luckily, he didn't need to ask anymore as Reiner added, "So, according to reports she went outside the palace."Hearing Reiner's answer, James snorted rudely. "What's so strange about that? I know she often goes outside the palace."Reiner sighed softly, "Indeed. But, this time ... a few hours ago, she left without a bodyguard. And she ... left with their son, Prince Kharel."Instantly James glared in shock, "What? Are you ... sure?""Yes, James. She just-""How is that possible? King Xylan ... didn't forbid he
Gary Davis did not answer Xylan's question. He just wore a pitiable expression. It instantly brought out the guilt in Xylan Wellington.Oh, no. What have I done? Did ... did I go too far in becoming suspicious of my own personal assistant? Xylan thought to himself as he stared at Gary's innocent face.The viceroy sighed softly. He went back to thinking hard. He tried to remember everything about Gary. He had never made a mistake, not once. He also never did anything suspicious all this time. Gosh, am I suspecting the wrong person? Xylan thought.However, he shook his head quickly as he realized something.But, wait a minute. It was James Gardner who suspected him. He couldn't have spoken carelessly. Otherwise, there was no way he could have been selected as the deputy war general. His instincts must be very strong that he has suspicions of Gary Davis, Xylan thought seriously.He then looked at Gary once more and finally nodded his head.He does look very innocent, but he could be h
Ben didn't know how he should respond to his friend's words, but all he could do was go over to James and pat him gently on the back repeatedly in an attempt to calm him down."He's really not coming back, Ben.""No, he's not. It's just-""He wouldn't give that kind of message if he didn't mean what he said," James cut Ben off.Ben sighed softly, "James, what I meant was ... he probably doesn't want to be looked for anymore because he wants to go back to the palace himself."Ben's words made James, who had been so frantic, straighten his back. The war general then turned to Ben and responded, "What do you mean?"Ben wasn't sure what he was thinking but he said it anyway, "I think ... he just wants to go home alone."James paused, trying to digest his friend's words."Tell you what ... how about we just go back to the palace, who knows if Riley might actually be home," Ben explained.Ricky and Steven Drilon were silent as they listened to Ben's words.They also didn't have time to reac
Ricky Drilon could only stare at the question.Oh, he often found himself in a confusing situation. But, he had never once felt depressed.Though he was also very often faced with a difficult choice. However, again, such things could be resolved well without any inner turmoil.However, one question asked by Riley Mackenzie put him in his most difficult phase. "Why are you doing nothing? Who are you going to obey? Me or General Gardner?" Riley repeated his question.Ricky swallowed harshly, getting more and more confused.His forehead was furrowed, clearly showing a great deal of indecision. He repeatedly smoothed his hair in just one minute. That made Riley smile strangely, "So, what? Who are you going to choose to obey?" Ricky bit his own teeth.How is this? What am I supposed to do? And why am I in this situation? Ricky thought.He looked indecisive, full of doubts. Riley himself looked very calm and relaxed at Ricky's confusion."Why aren't you answering me?" Riley asked with a
Ricky didn't answer James' question immediately, instead he looked back at Steven, his brother. From the look in his eyes, it was clear that the young man was seeking Ricky's approval. Apparently, James Gardner noticed this habit and with an exasperated look on his face, he commented, "Come on, do you have to have a discussion before answering a simple question like the one I asked you earlier?" "Don't you have your own opinion?" James continued in a cold tone. Ricky and Steven's faces turned a perfect shade of red. Ben grimaced at James' assertiveness but he didn't make an interruption. Not wanting to make James even angrier, Ricky finally replied, "If it's an ordinary person, we can probably still go after him. However, if it's General Mackenzie, I ...." The young man did not dare to continue his words. From the look on his face he looked hesitant until James continued his words by saying, "You're not sure we can catch up with Riley?" Ricky stammered, "Absolutely, General Gar
Benedict Arkitson instantly froze like a statue as if he dared not move his body at all. The thirty-four-year-old senior class one soldier was stunned without being able to issue any rebuttal to the junior soldier's explanation.He thought that he had no reason to doubt Lory Blackwell's words. Meanwhile, the strangely gloomy James Gardner looked the other way, as if reluctant to meet Lory Blackwell's eyes that were staring at him innocently. The young war general then said, "It's Riley. It must be him, it can't be wrong."Lory smiled with satisfaction and nodded with relief. The young man let out a long sigh after his statement was beyond doubt.However, he saw the sad look on James Gardner's face that the war general couldn't hide.He even heard James mutter softly, "It really is him. But ... he must be angry with me. If he wasn't angry, why would he leave?"That of course made Lory very surprised. James Gardner had always been known as a very rigid and cold person. He never imag