James frowned at the overreaction shown by Riley so the young man said, “What's wrong with you, happy or something?”Riley suddenly hit James' arm and chuckled, “Of course I'm happy. But you're not lying are you?”James glared in annoyance, “My good friend, I wasn't the only one listening to the announcement. You can ask the rest of the kingdom if you have any doubts.”Hearing James' answer, Riley almost jumped with excitement. “What's wrong with you, you miss your parents?” Reiner asked with his forehead furrowed as well but held back a smile.Alen suddenly glanced at Riley because only that young man knew Riley's true identity so he was also curious about the answer Riley gave.“That's for sure, why ask again?” Riley replied.Ben chuckled softly, “Uh! I didn't expect one of the bravest junior soldiers to have such tender feelings.”Riley only smiled faintly.Meanwhile, James replied, “It's not just Riley who misses his family, I do too.”This time it was Diego who asked, “Are you g
Riley instantly gave his best friend a confused look, “What do you mean?”James raised his left eyebrow and explained, “It means that the two of us are destined to stay in the same sphere. You and I ... General of War and Deputy General of War.”“What do you think, isn't it pretty awesome?” James added with a stupid smile. Riley suddenly shook his head, “You're really overconfident. Don't you remember that Josh Cleve's abilities are starting to improve?”James clucked his tongue, “I know he's stronger than before, but ... he won't be able to catch up with us.”“Today's points are doubled. Did you forget?” Riley replied with a lopsided smile.James snorted in annoyance and immediately looked away in the other direction, “You're annoying! You're ... just annoying, Riley. I wonder why we're friends.”“Can't you see that your friend has a lot of trust?” James continued, still looking annoyed.Riley chuckled softly. “It's so you don't feel so superior that you lose focus. Can't you see my
Without turning to his best friend, Riley replied with a shocked look in his eyes, “Who else? The one whose name is Benedict Arkitson is the Senior Ben we know.”James immediately smacked his lips, still looking surprised.However, it was only for a few seconds, as he was able to control himself well, “Calm down, it's just a challenge, nothing real.”Riley closed his eyes, looking stressed and depressed.“We're not really fighting, James. But ... this is also about Senior Ben's reputation too. Do you understand what I mean?” Riley said who suddenly had a bad mood.James was not ignorant, of course he knew and understood what Riley was saying. It was just that he tried not to make Riley more depressed.“Look, I'm sure Senior Ben won't blame you if you beat him. He also knows your position, so he'll understand,” James said.Riley opened his eyes and turned to James, “Why me? Why can't he just be Senior Josh's opponent?”“I ... don't want to be the one who will embarrass him,” Riley cont
Riley did not answer Ben's words and instead looked at the senior who was also his friend through the glass of the protective helmet he was wearing.Ben sighed softly, “Riley, did you hear me or not?” Riley replied stammeringly, “Yes, Senior Ben. But-”“There is no but. Just focus on your victory and I ... will also focus on defeating you,” Ben cut in quickly.Riley was dumbfounded but when he saw Ben nodding steadily towards him he finally calmed down.He was sure Ben would fight just like him. And when he saw the way Ben looked at him, he knew that Ben would not give up easily.In fact, he was very relieved by Ben's attitude and immediately got ready according to Mary Kesley's instructions.On the other hand, apparently it was not only them who had prepared themselves, but also the other two selected soldiers had also prepared like them along with James and Josh.Meanwhile, Diego and Alen, who were sitting together with Shin, were very tense.“What do you guys think of the results?
Of all the people who wanted a rematch, there was suddenly someone who did not share the same opinion. That person was also a first-class soldier who immediately said, “Don't be stupid! Ben has tried hard. You didn't see how he fought, did you?”When someone wanted to argue, the soldier said again, “Just admit that the kid is tough. Besides, remember, General Reece chose him, there's no way a war general like him would choose a stupid soldier who only relies on his status.”The soldier's words apparently succeeded in making them come to their senses and they were inevitably forced to accept defeat.“I can't believe this. Those two youngsters beat us. What's wrong with us exactly?” a class one soldier muttered who had been a soldier in that class for four years.He shook his head, “This is so embarrassing! New soldiers are beating us experienced ones.”A friend of his responded, “What should I do if I meet my cousin who is still a class one soldier? Oh! I wouldn't dare look at his fac
Riley was instantly petrified where he stood, while Alen stared with a worried expression at Riley.“That's fun. I want to go to James' house after going to Riley's,” Diego said.Shin nodded his head, “Good idea. Let's take a short vacation after the long war.”James smiled happily, “It would be nice to go somewhere refreshing.”“Uh, we won't be able to do that. We only have three days, it won't be enough,” Ben said.James sighed softly, “Yeah but at least we can see Riley's house. How about it, Riley? You ... don't mind right?”Riley couldn't just stay silent and it was impossible for him to refuse because he didn't want to make James uncomfortable. So, the young man replied, “Of course. You can all go to my house after James' house.”Alen widened his eyes, but did not dare to make any comment. While James exclaimed happily, “Great! Alright, we'd better get dinner and ... prepare all our things for tomorrow.”Ben suddenly said, “You guys have dinner first, Shin and I have to take ca
“Yes, we're going straight home,” Riley replied.The man in the neat black suit immediately nodded in understanding, “Yes, Young Master.”After saying that, the man spoke to someone using a device and in just a few seconds, five people suddenly approached. Ben glared in surprise, but didn't have time to say anything because the people who had just arrived had already taken over the task of carrying his backpack. “Come on, let's go to the car!” Riley said with a bright smile.Ben could only stare and follow Riley and Alen who were strangely not surprised at all by the whole thing.In fact, it could be said that Alen was so calm that Ben thought maybe Alen already knew that Riley was the son of a rich businessman.Not stopping there, Ben was even more shocked when he saw a luxury car that turned out to be Riley's family car.The young man forgot to close his mouth when he was in the car so Alen had to whisper, “Senior, you ... seem to have forgotten to close your mouth.”Ben quickly c
At the same time, William turned to the two people who were still standing not far from the door. The man, who was wearing a black long-sleeved shirt, suddenly said, “Vincent said you brought two of your friends. Why don't you introduce us, son?”“Right, I'd like to meet your friends too, dear,” Cassandra said.Riley nodded in understanding and immediately walked over to his two friends with his parents following behind him.Ben was able to close his mouth but was still unable to blink because he was still too surprised.“Mom, Dad, this is Alen, my dorm mate. We're in the same class. And ....”Riley held Ben's arm with a bright expression, “This is Ben, one of the seniors from class one who helped me a lot.”The young man smiled at his parents as if he was really happy to bring his two friends back to their home.Alen immediately put on his brightest smile and greeted, “Good evening, General Mackenzie and ... Mrs. Mackenzie. I'm Alen Smith, Riley's dorm mate.”William smiled back, “G
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