Being hit, cursed by his own best friend did not make James Gardner apoplectic. Instead, he chuckled and returned Shin's hug. He said in a very low tone, “I'm sorry.”Shin was actually surprised when he heard James' apology. He felt that James was basically innocent. His best friend was just disappointed and his reaction was not excessive. Even if he did choose to leave, James still couldn't be considered as acting out of bounds. He still had the right to choose to stay in the palace or leave the palace life.So Shin quickly said, “Never mind, forget it. You ... are completely innocent.”James sighed softly and then released his embrace on Shin. Shin suddenly turned to Diego who suddenly did not dare to look at him. The forty-year-old man narrowed his eyes in suspicion.“Does this mean you ... knew all along-”Diego immediately cleared his throat softly and said quickly, “Senior Shin, Prince Xylan is waiting for James.”Shin instantly came to his senses and immediately apologized
Having managed to pull himself together, Shin looked at Diego with a curious gaze. Diego knew immediately that Shin must want to ask more about James' life.But all the soldier who worked with James could say was, "You know he's good at making bombs, right? However, that was not all. His skills were more impressive than just bomb-making. He can also make amazing weapons.""On top of that, he manages the cafe business he runs with Aunt Dorothy. But really ... his main job has always been, of course, making weapons for our kingdom," Diego explained.Shin nodded, understanding easily.He was so eager to know more that he asked again, "Then, what about his ... love life? Is he married?"Diego shook his head, "How has he ever thought about that? You ... know what he's like, don't you?"Shin stopped asking about James' love life and went back to asking about other things.Meanwhile, inside the king's palace, James was still talking seriously with Keannu and also Xylan."I know ... you left
Xylan wanted to help his father, but in the end, the young man who looked so worried about his father was asked to wait outside the king's palace by Keannu.After Keannu was left alone with James, he looked back at James seriously.“Deputy General of War, please save ... this kingdom. Don't let our kingdom be taken by them. Can you ... do it?” Keannu asked with an expectant look that was so obvious.James frowned. He honestly predicted that the king would mention Riley first, but apparently he prioritized the whole country over his son-in-law's safety.As if guessing what James was thinking, Keannu added, “I'm not indifferent to Riley. I ... also don't know that my daughter is suffering because her husband's fate is still unclear.”He swallowed hard and continued, “However, if I ask you to focus on saving Riley first, then ....”He was speechless again. Imagining his daughter being so sad because of his son-in-law who was still a hostage in the enemy kingdom made the old man sad as we
“Deputy General of War,” Rowena called softly.James instantly shifted his gaze from the small child he estimated to be about two years old to the king's daughter.“Yes, Your Royal Highness, did you wish to speak with me?” James asked quietly.Rowena nodded and immediately handed her son to the nanny, “Take care of Prince Kharel for a moment. I won't be long.”The nanny immediately nodded and took the little prince in her arms. On the other hand, Diego and Shin, who knew that Rowena needed a chance to talk to James, quickly stepped aside.Before leaving, the two did not forget to pay their respects to the princess.After leaving, James immediately asked back, “What did you want to talk to me about, Your Highness?”Rowena gulped, “Have you ... agreed to look for Riley, the Deputy War General?”James nodded, “Of course, that is already one of my duties, Your Highness.”Rowena's lips trembled and she suddenly looked like she was about to cry.Uh, James was confused because of that. He h
"Why did you call them?" one of the class one soldiers asked with furrowed brows.James sighed softly and could only reply, "Because I have a new war strategy. Why? Do you mind?"James looked at him with a cold gaze and of course it made the soldier who was still recovering from his heavy injuries unable to reply.James Gardner was still a deputy general of war after all. He didn't want to make trouble with the man so he chose not to question the decision James had made.After knowing that the soldier no longer argued with him, James immediately ordered, "Prepare everything. I will explain our new war strategy to you all as soon as the war commanders get here.""Yes, Deputy General of War," said the first class soldier.James quickly entered the silver building and immediately rolled out a large paper. Beside him he saw some notes that had been prepared by the soldiers.In addition, there were several large screens that showed almost the entire location of the war. James wasted no tim
"Damn it! Even though you're our leader, we're still your seniors. Is that how you rule us?" Reiner said, who actually didn't mind the way James called them. However, the man deliberately wanted to play with his best friend who had disappeared for several years.James suddenly turned to Reiner who was raising his right eyebrow. The man sighed irritably and forced himself to smile at Reiner."My esteemed seniors, your new leader is studying the war situation. Would you like to help me?" James said in a deliberately soft tone.Thyme snorted in annoyance, "Oh my! Don't use that tone. You're making me amused, James.""I prefer your arrogant tone of voice," Josh said, who then shrugged as if amused.While James then smiled broadly and pointed at Reiner with his index finger, "I'm just obeying the Army War Commander's request, seniors."Reiner clicked his tongue in annoyance and finally replied, "You haven't changed at all."He shook his head at James and looked at him while squinting.Jam
James smiled with relief. He really thought Josh Cleve wouldn't believe him. But, as he had just listened to the excitement in Josh's tone, James felt incredibly happy. The young man said softly, "All you need to do is help me make it happen.""You ... will see that even sea warriors can be as great as land and air warriors," James added.Josh nodded in response.After reassuring Josh, James said again, "Come on! We need to hurry. Before sunrise, we need to get things started.""Yes, General," the three war commanders said in unison.James grimaced, not yet used to the call. He wasn't totally unwilling to take the position, even if it was only for a short while, but if he didn't agree to Keannu Wellington's request, he would be in trouble.By becoming a war general, he had more authority so he thought he could utilize his current position to save the lives of more people.After three hours of long discussions, he had finally conveyed all of James' war strategy to the soldiers. Some
"Never mind, there's no need to discuss this," James said as if he didn't want to talk about the topic.Alen and Ben were still very curious, but they didn't want to force James. Moreover, James had just returned to the palace, they certainly didn't want to make James feel uncomfortable."Alright, alright. I understand," Alen said.Ben said, "James, I heard that you have been officially appointed as a war general. So, what do you want to order us to do?"James breathed a sigh of relief after the topic was changed. He quickly replied, "There are some things you have to do. Are you ready to do them?""Of course I am. You ... will also save Riley, right?" Alen asked in an anxious tone.James was silent for a few moments. That made Ben and Alen, who were waiting for an answer from James, anxious.However, it wasn't long before they heard James say, "Yes, of course. That's what I came back for.""To make him back where he belongs, near ... his son," James continued, who instantly remembere
"Of course it is. Otherwise, how could his café business be successful?" Diego said, who seemed to be satisfied with the results achieved by James, his best friend.Reiner became more interested, "How? I mean ... you know he's ... well, he can't be polite and he tends to annoy people. So, what did he change?"Diego looked like he was about to answer, but Shin suddenly said in an incredulous tone, "Oh, wait a minute. He manages the cafe business together with his mother, right? Uh, I'm sure the customers come to his place because of his nice mom."Ben nodded in agreement, "I've never met James' mother, but ... considering James is like that, I'll take Shin's word for it."Diego immediately put on a sour expression, looking rather annoyed. This was because his own friends apparently didn't know James very well.However, he was the one who was witness to how James had changed so much that he felt the need to set the record straight."Hey, I'm telling you seriously. James, who is the owne
Alen did not immediately answer the question of his senior and good friend. He seemed to think for a moment before finally giving an answer, "It's like you don't know James.""What do you mean?" Shin replied while blinking.Alen snorted impatiently, "Shin, James is unpredictable. You must also know that sometimes he can do things that no one would ever think of. So, how can I guess what he might do?"Shin was stunned. The young man smiled wryly, "Damn, you're right about that. He is indeed unpredictable."In the end, the two people did not ask James any questions about what they discussed. When the funeral was over, they all returned to their respective places. However, not James Gardner. The young man who was the war general of Ans De Lou Kingdom at that time was seen walking towards Xylan Wellington's residence.Of course, this led to various speculations among most of the palace residents. It was not only the officials and staff of the palace who began to notice the irregularitie
"It will, Diego," James replied."He can wait," James repeated with emphasis.Diego didn't seem convinced by James' answer.James was usually reluctant to go into too much detail about what he was thinking. However, Diego was one of his best friends so he didn't want to confuse his best friend.So, James said, "He's not an easy guy to beat, Diego. And ... there's one thing you need to know.""What's that?" Diego asked with one eyebrow raised."His own father, I mean General Mackenzie told me that his son ... will not die easily," James explained.Diego was so dumbfounded that he didn't dare reply.James was sure his job of explaining was done, but he still added, "If the greatest and most powerful general the Ans De Lou Kingdom has ever seen said that, then there's a very good chance that Riley is still alive out there."Diego was silent for a few moments.But then he said, "If General Mackenzie believes that, we have no right to doubt him.""You're right, Diego. Therefore, we just ha
William's lips lifted upwards once again, forming a warm smile."James, without me explaining it, you ... must know it yourself, right?" William said softly.After that, the old man who was once the strongest soldier in the kingdom patted James on the back and then left James pensive.The young man swallowed hard. Suddenly he remembered all the things about Riley, more precisely their friendship that they had established since the beginning.All those memories came back. One of the memories that bothered him was when they were still not officially inducted into the army. At that time he was upset and made the stupid and desperate decision to attack the enemy as proof that he was different from his father. Then, the only person who really cared about him was Riley. He was the one who sacrificed himself to save him. At that time, he and Riley were both aspiring soldiers. Neither of them had the slightest experience on the battlefield. But, Riley was still looking for him.Uh, when he
James Gardner nodded, "Yes, Your Royal Highness. May I do so?"Xylan Wellington quickly nodded, "Go, General Gardner. You can talk to him."James was grateful that Xylan did not hold him back."Thank you, Your Highness," James said as he quickly left the crown prince along with three first-class soldiers to guard him.Indeed, the three soldiers were certainly no match for him. However, he chose to trust the three of them.Luckily, it turned out that William Mackenzie who looked much older by a few years was also looking for him so their meeting did not encounter any obstacles."General Mackenzie," James greeted the father of his best friend respectfully.William Mackenzie smiled faintly and replied, "General Gardner."James nodded, "You … are you alright, General?"William returned a smile and said in a low tone, "How can I be fine when I have some problems, General Gardner?"James frowned, looking rather confused.Not wanting to riddle and confuse James, William quickly explained wit
James suddenly gave Gardner a lopsided smile. He knew it was not easy being Xylan Wellington's shield. But, he really did not expect that the crown prince who he thought was so smart was also so innocent.His intelligence seemed to be inversely proportional to his knowledge in terms of understanding the world around him.However, he had already decided to replace Riley in order to make up for the few years of time he had wasted so he should try to be patient.Thus, he calmly replied, "You should start thinking about the matter of all of their opinions, Your Highness.""Why should I?" Xylan retorted, who did not seem to accept James' words.James bit his lower lip, feeling the need to suppress his irritation even more. Come on, James. Don't give up so easily! James thought to himself."Because you are the future king and will soon inherit the throne of this country. So, you should start thinking about what they think of you," James replied.Xylan was about to reply, but James was fas
The indecision on Xylan Wellington's face was evident. James Gardner, who felt that he had succeeded in making the crown prince realize the big mistake Xylan was about to make, called out, "Your Highness."Xylan flinched slightly when he heard his name being called by James.The young man turned to James, but still did not open his mouth.At that moment, James Gardner was certain that Xylan would change the decision they had just discussed.However, he suddenly saw Xylan smiling at him. That of course made James blink his eyes in confusion.But, within seconds, his confusion was answered. He heard Xylan say, "General Gardner, what you said is true. Everything is right. I ... might get some opposition for choosing Gary Davis as the king's advisor."He nodded. James immediately got a bad feeling that he didn't want to imagine."But, General Gardner. I have found no other good candidate than Gary Davis for that position. And ...."He paused for a moment, seemingly thinking about somethi
"Yes, that's right. My personal assistant who ... is currently outside the door of my father's residence," Xylan replied, not seeming to find anything strange about his answer.James was still so shocked that he was left speechless, at a loss for what to say in response to Xylan's explanation."Why, General Gardner?" Xylan asked as he looked at James who was not speaking.James moistened his lower lip, still thinking of the right words.However, Xylan couldn't wait for him so he spoke again, "General Gardner, I know what you're thinking."James blinked his eyes, looking stunned.Xylan let out a long breath, "This must be the status of Gary Davis who is my personal assistant, right?"James' eyes widened slightly until he then looked at the crown prince with an astonished look.That's what I mean, why would you even think of making a personal assistant an advisor to the king? Have you ... lost your mind, Your Royal Highness? James thought to himself.Uh, James Gardner actually never jud
"Tell me, so I can do what I should, Your Royal Highness," James added.Xylan returned the war general's gaze with a look that looked very serious. The young man who had originally made one of the major decisions finally opened his mouth, "It has to do with ... the determination of the new palace officials after I take office as king."James was silent for a moment, looking a little surprised. It was only natural that Xylan Wellington had been thinking about his future reign. However, he didn't think it was the right time.His father hadn't even been buried yet. Why was he already thinking of something else? Isn't he still grieving? James thought.Xylan cleared his throat, causing James to give him a strange look. Not wanting James to think strangely about him or even misunderstand him, Xylan hurriedly explained, "General Gardner, it's not what you're thinking."James did not respond immediately and instead waited for Xylan's further explanation.Xylan himself was smart enough to q