The two men, Jody Gardner and William Mackenzie, began to perform their respective duties. As the two of them were just returning to duty, they accidentally met at a spot where there were not many other guards. "What did you just do from the control room, Andrew?" "None of your business!" Andrew replied with no intention of looking at Steven. Steven sneered, "Oh, you must be doing-" "What did you just do from the guard room?" Andrew asked back as he put his mobile phone in his pocket. "That's definitely none of your business," Steven replied haughtily. Andrew would have easily guessed it but he chose not to say what he was thinking. "Well, it's better to stay out of other people's business," Andrew replied and he was about to walk away. However, he could hear Steven saying, "Don't be rash! Be careful, Reece! You have to be smart in choosing the people you serve." Andrew stopped walking and turned round and looked at Steven sarcastically. "What do you mean?" Steven smiled mock
"So, what should I do now, General?" Steven asked after seeing the general's laughter stop. Jody Gardner calmly said, "Leave it alone for now, Stev." "You mean we don't need to investigate Bill Stewart anymore, General?" Steven was astonished by Jody's sudden change of attitude. For Jody Gardner's trusted subordinate, the man in front of him had changed his plans too quickly. "Yes. Leave it for the time being. Don't do anything." "But, General. What if he-" "Calm down, the longer you watch him, the more careful he'll be. So, it's better to just wait for him to let his guard down," Jody said quickly. Steven was silent, trying to understand the general's decision. After thinking more deeply, he finally concluded, "You intend to make Bill Stewart reveal his own secret?" Jody smiled broadly, seemingly satisfied that Steven knew what he was thinking. "That's my man." Steven smiled back, "Do you still suspect that Bill Stewart has a deal with General Mackenzie?" Jody's smile disa
Bill then got ready to shoot at another target. So perfectly did he manage to hit the heart of the mannequin that Bryan gasped when he saw the impossible result. But he tried to compose himself and fire again. As expected, he lost to Bill again. "Second question. Who did you meet when you were outside the palace?" Bill asked casually. This time Bryan began to understand the reason why Bill was asking one question after another. With fear beginning to choke his neck, Bryan answered, "George Wood, War Advisor." Bill then smiled with satisfaction at the honest answer and went back to shooting at the mannequin again. Bryan couldn't contain his fear any longer. He didn't even dare to lift his gun to shoot at the mannequin. Until Bill had to say quietly, "Your turn, Bryan." But Bryan still didn't move and Bill was forced to help him by holding his shoulder and slowly lifting Bryan's gun. "Fire now!" Bill said in a commanding tone that was so horrifying it sounded in Bryan's ears. Th
"Very well, War Advisor," Bryan replied in the end because he certainly didn't want to lose his life that was so precious to him. Bill was just about to order the man to do something but he had to postpone it because Andrew interrupted him by entering the room. "Reece, didn't I tell you not to come in?" Bill said. Andrew bowed his head and said, "Mercy, War Advisor. But a messenger from King Keannu has just come here and delivered a message from the king in the form of a dinner invitation for you." Bill was a little disappointed not to be able to punish Bryan right away. But the king's business couldn't be delayed any longer, so he let Bryan go for the time being. After Bryan left the training center, Bill quickly got ready to attend the dinner. "Who was invited by the king?" Bill asked. "Just you and Jody Gardner, General." Bill didn't look surprised at all but just a little curious. He quickly made his way to the main building to have dinner with the king. Bill crossed path
"Yes, General Gardner." Keannu Wellington turned to Bill who did not move when he heard the king's statement. Meanwhile, Jody Gardner immediately protested, "You can't have two War Generals in one kingdom, Your Majesty." "Why I can't, General Gardner? It's under such urgent circumstances, do you expect me to do nothing and just send you to one of the kingdoms? Then, what if there is a simultaneous war?" Keannu replied with a sharp glare at the war general. Jody Gardner seemed to know that his king had a decision that could not be overturned, but he still wanted to try to thwart that decision, "Your Majesty, they can't attack at the same time because they must have different strategies." "You can't guarantee that, General Gardner. You know that during your tenure as a War General, there is not a single certainty as to when they will attack," Keannu said. Jody Gardner felt his hopes had been dashed, but then he heard Bill chime in after a moment of silence, "If it must be done, then
"Cassie can wait for me," Bill replied. It was actually hard for him to leave Cassandra any longer, but considering his duty, of course he couldn't just ignore this obligation. In his hands, there were the lives of millions of citizens that could be threatened if he failed to fight the enemies of the Ans De Lou Kingdom. "I will order some trusted bodyguards to protect Mistress Cassandra while you are on the battlefield, General," Andrew said. Bill nodded, finding it very helpful. "You can always calm me down, Reece." "It is my duty, General." The two men then fell silent for a few moments, before Andrew asked again, "General, are you still going to hide your true identity even after getting your title back?" "Yes." Before Andrew could ask again, Bill interrupted him, "You should know why." "The assassin, General?" "Yes. I have to make sure first, before I reveal my identity. Until I do, let people think that William Mackenzie has disappeared and no one knows where he is." "
"Crazy? Why are you calling me crazy?" Keannu asked calmly. "See for yourself what you've done!" Monica looked incredulous. Her husband didn't even feel the slightest bit guilty. Keannu shrugged, "What's wrong with that? I just wanted to see who was the best. They were-" "Obviously General Mackenzie is better." "Not necessarily." "What's not certain? You called him back because you realized he could protect our kingdom better than Jody Gardner, right? Then, why are you testing his again?" Monica seemed unable to contain her anger. Keannu replied so calmly, "I'm not testing. Know this, Monica. I'm doing this to find the best War General for the future." "But you sent them to the battlefield. What if ... if ...." "If one of them loses the war?" Monica gave her husband a sharp look. Now Monica understood that Keannu Wellington did not attach much importance to the lives of the two War Generals. She didn't know how her husband could have such a different attitude from her father
"I can do it," Bill replied, looking very confident. Amanda Clark saw that the gaze of the most powerful war general did not hold the slightest doubt. In fact, in just one look Amanda understood that Bill meant what he said. "Then promise me you'll come home in one piece, Bill!" Amanda said pleadingly. "Of course, no need to worry!" Bill replied. Bill had never been so confident. He wasn't arrogant about his own abilities but what he said was a great determination that he wanted to realize. In the past, the time of his glory as a War General, Bill could almost be said to be able to maintain his army and rarely lost many of his men. Many considered that being a William Mackenzie's men was like having a protector and his life would not be easily lost. So this time it was the same, Bill would be much more protective of his troops as best he could. Time passed and the registration of the bodyguards who wanted to follow the two generals to the battlefield had begun. In most areas o
Hearing Gary Davis' answer, Xylan Wellington frowned.Is this really the same young man who always gives me good solutions? Xylan wondered.The future king looked deeper and deeper at Gary and finally raised his right eyebrow when he realized he had thought something stupid.More and more Xylan realized that Gary Davis might indeed be smart and dexterous and quite knowledgeable. But, such an intelligent person could also have an innocent nature like the young man had just shown himself."Your Highness, why don't you answer my question? Am I-""Forget it!" Xylan cut in quickly.Gary scratched behind his ear in confusion.Xylan sighed and said, "Gary, are you anxiously awaiting the announcement of the changes in staff and palace officials later?"Gary frowned, quite surprised by Xylan's question.The young man opened his mouth and stammered, "Your Royal Highness, I ... I'm just ...."Just by looking at Gary's expression, Xylan instantly knew that his guess was correct. The young man di
"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