"Damn it! Who would give up their life? Do you think I'm stupid?" Riley retorted with teeth chattering due to his growing irritation.James laughed crisply, "My good fellow, you are very, very stupid indeed. Come on, you could have fooled around with any girl. But, why did you choose a king's daughter instead?""I did not do it on purpose ... I mean I never expected this to happen," Riley said defensively.Oh, this was getting complicated for him. Riley just realized that completely. Unfortunately, he couldn't avoid the punishment he would probably receive from the king.James shook his head, helpless at his friend's stupidity, "You don't know how King Keannu is so overprotective of his daughter? You forget that ... hm, I'm sure you must be aware of the rumors."Riley rubbed his face and once again said, "Stop it! I know I made the wrong move. Instead of you continuing to mock me, don't you want to help me out a little?""A way out for what?" James asked in a surprised tone.Inevitably
Not only that but Riley heard James ask, "Then, where is he now, Wood?"Before Riley could answer, with a panicked face the young man turned to Alen, "Smith, where is he?" Alen who was surprised by James' reaction asked back, "So why are you asking?""Just answer where he is now!" James said through gritted teeth.Exasperated, Alen replied, "He's probably already in front of the main gate. Those who didn't pass-"James stood up without listening to what Alen had to say. He immediately ran away from the table. Reflexively, Riley and Alen also got up and followed James. Halfway there, Alen commented, "He runs like a cheetah.""He's ... ahead of me on this," Riley replied under his breath. Riley and James had trained together so the young man knew James' running ability was indeed impressive. "Are you kidding me? He's better than you?" Alen said incredulously.Riley nodded, "Yeah, I lost. He's really fast.""Wow! No wonder it's so hard to catch up with him," Alen replied as he was alr
James and Diego didn't seem to realize that Riley was there. But Riley understood enough to let the two people talk.As he turned around, he bumped into Alen who had just climbed inside. "What's wrong? Diego's not here?""He is.""Then why did you come down, Riley?" Alen asked with his breathing still ragged.The young man had to hold his chest to calm himself down. Riley pointed at the two people who were still hugging. Alen immediately frowned, "Hey, what are they doing?"Riley replied, "Talking. Come on, let's go down!""Huh? Why, I want to talk to Diego too. I'm not running out of breath like this to chase after James. I didn't-"The young man was unable to continue because Riley had dragged him off the bus by force. Meanwhile, James and Diego had apparently heard Alen's noise. The two of them broke away awkwardly.James cleared his throat loudly, disguising his embarrassment and said, "If you leave, then who can I tease again?"Now that Diego had gotten over his sadness, he reto
Riley could only sigh in annoyance at James' usual childish behavior.After James and Alen had gone a little further, he said to one of the bodyguards, "I'm ready to go now.""Go ahead! Come with us!" the bodyguard said.Riley was taken to the king's palace, which was the largest and most spacious palace in the kingdom. It was almost twice as large as the palace of his children or even his queen.The security was also much tighter than the rest of the palace. But, Riley realized that it was necessary. Keannu Wellington was the leader of the kingdom so he deserved maximum protection.The king's palace had a large hall that was usually used to welcome guests who were officials or other staff. However, Riley knew that the king had a garden that was the king's favorite garden. He knew it from his father who had entered the area several times, both in the time of the previous king and the current king. It was very rare for people to be allowed to see the king in that garden. So it was no
However, Keannu's wrath did not go away, so he said in an irritated tone, "You must take responsibility for what you have done.""Yes, Your Majesty," Riley replied without denying or defending himself.However, Rowena apparently did not accept. "Father, he's innocent.""Rowena, what do you mean? How is he innocent? He already dared to hug you, you ...." Monica really couldn't understand her daughter's way of thinking. "He's not, Mom," Rowena said, while glancing at Riley who looked calm.While Keannu hissed angrily again, "You think I'm so blind that I can't recognize that boy, little girl?"Rowena shook her head, "That's not it, Daddy. It's true he is. But, what I mean is ... I ....""Promise me, if I tell you everything you and mommy won't punish him," Rowena continued with eyes flickering pleadingly.Monica disagreed and waved her hand that it was clear she rejected her daughter's request. Meanwhile, Keannu looked hesitant. He took the time to glance at Andrew but the war general
"Are you ... serious, young man?" Andrew asked with a surprised expression."Yes, General Reece." Riley replied witout fear.Monica and Keannu were now looking at each other, looking confused. In fact, they had wanted to ask for an answer from the young man from the start. However, they became helpless when a fact was revealed in front of them all.It was not Riley Wood who seduced his daughter, but the other way around. So, of course, that left them unable to speak freely.However, this time the young man made things easier. Keannu cleared his throat softly, "I allow you to marry my daughter."Monica winked at her husband's words. Marrying off her daughter to a prince from another kingdom was already difficult. Moreover, she was sure that news of her daughter's scandal would certainly spread quickly in the near future. She also felt that there was no way to save her daughter's reputation."Fine, I also allow you to marry Rowena," Monica said in the end.Rowena, who was shocked to de
Rowena bit her lip and decided to answer her father's question, "Why the rush, Father? Aren't we still a long way from getting married?""Asking his family to come to the palace can be done when the time is near," Rowena continued.Keannu snorted, "I'm not talking to you, Rowena. I'm talking to Riley Wood.""You must not interfere in this matter. This is a matter between the parents," Monica chimed in.It was obvious that her mother wanted to get to know Riley's family so she supported her husband's right decision.Thoughtfully, Riley finally said, "I can't tell you yet, Your Majesty. You already know that we ... as prospective soldiers are forbidden to communicate with our families outside the palace.""We are only allowed to communicate after we complete the selection. So-""Oh, I know what you're going to say. Well, we'll wait until after you've been sworn in as a bodyguard in this palace," Keannu cut in impatiently.Andrew Reece frowned, starting to think seriously about the young
Offended at being accused of fear, one of them said, "Fear? Gosh, what are we afraid of?"Alen kept smiling, "Alright, then just wait for the next selection."However, the young man named Michael Hickson who seemed to be the leader of the group of youngsters said, "Is there any guarantee that you won't cheat?""Cheating? How can it be called cheating when no one wants me here?" James said without turning around.Riley grimaced.James casually continued, "Trust me! Almost everyone here wants to send me home. Maybe, if possible, they're the ones cheating to get rid of me, not me."Michael couldn't reply.Meanwhile, his other friend was still saying, "Oh, it could be that your father still has people who are loyal to him. So, that person is helping you here."Oh, James couldn't take it anymore. Alen also didn't want to hold James back anymore because he knew James had the right to defend himself. "What did you say? My father's confidant?" James repeated the question as he turned around.
"That’s impossible," Ben said in a firm tone.Reiner also responded, "They couldn't have killed Riley."Ben added, "If they killed Riley, I'm sure they'd have announced it. Or ... at least they would have done something like confuse us with Riley's whereabouts."Seeing James looking frustrated, Reiner said again, "He must be alive. It's just that we haven't found him yet.""That’s right. He was probably transferred to their secret place," Ben said.James' face relaxed more than before when he heard the two friends' soothing words. He was a little more relieved.James then nodded his head, "Then we should find out more.""Yes, we will. Don't worry!" Reiner said.Ben said with a confident tone, "We will definitely find Riley, James."James chose to believe and returned to search more thoroughly. Unfortunately, although the soldiers of Ans De Lou Kingdom had interrogated the prisoners of Mecco Kingdom, they still could not find a single clue regarding Riley's whereabouts.In addition, K
Reiner frowned, "That's impossible. Is he lying?"James shook his head firmly, "No way.""How can you believe her so easily?" Reiner asked while still inspecting the area.James sighed softly, "I have never met an Ans De Lou soldier who dared to lie to me."Reiner instantly turned his head and looked at his friend without blinking.Two seconds later he nodded in agreement, "Oh, you're right. How could anyone dare to deal with you?"James waved his hand.He looked up and widened his eyes once he got something. He quickly asked Reiner to come closer to him."What's up there?" Reiner asked as James looked up.However, James did not answer Reiner's question and instead stood on tiptoe and picked up a small object attached to the wall."What is it?" Reiner asked with a curious expression.James examined the object and immediately cursed, "BASTARD!"Reiner was wide-eyed in shock. James' swearing really sounded full of emotion and his tone of voice was almost like someone who was shouting.
James sighed softly, it was clear that the soldier knew nothing about the latest situation outside."Yes, I'm back. I wasn't captured by them," James explained as he helped the soldier to lean against the wall.James glanced at his friend who looked very weak, but didn't dare to touch him as his wounds looked much worse.James examined the soldier's wound whose shirt had been torn off briefly and knew immediately that the soldier must have been severely tortured.He gritted his teeth, trying to contain his anger."Then ... did we win, Deputy War General?" the class two soldier asked with a hopeful look in his eyes.James nodded, "Yes, we won.""R-really, Vice General of War? We won? I'm not dreaming, am I?" the soldier asked with tears on the verge of falling.James looked at the soldier with a sad gaze.The torture he received must have frustrated the soldier for his emotions to become so unstable."You're
Xylan immediately realized that his father wouldn't just let him go.He knew that Keannu Wellington wasn't in the best of shape, but his father was still thinking things through carefully.Therefore, Xylan who had never lied and would never want to lie, especially to his father replied, "Yes, Father. He is not a palace staff who has been in the palace for a long time. In fact, he doesn't even have any relationships with other palace officials."Keannu instantly fell silent.Xylan quickly composed words and continued, "But ... I can guarantee that he will do his duty well. You will see that my choice will not be wrong."Keannu let out a long breath.Xylan was beginning to worry.And after a long silence, Keannu finally looked back at his son and said, "Alright."Keannu's one-word statement confused Xylan so he asked again, "Alroght? What do you mean, Father?"Keannu smiled gently, "You can choose him."
Xylan could only remain silent without being able to say a word.Keannu sighed softly. He looked at his son who was still so shocked.The old man said hoarsely, "I know you're not ready yet, but ... I believe you're capable of leading this country."Xylan lifted his head and looked at his father's pale face that looked so very weak.Xyan instantly wanted to curse himself. How could he think so weakly? He may be young, but he was not ignorant. Over the years he had learned various things, including about the government system. His father had also taught him about many things to prepare him as his successor.Then, after all that had happened, how could he be hesitant like that?Moreover, his father's condition no longer allowed him to rule the country. Keannu Wellington was no longer young. He had experienced a great deal of health problems.Keannu's time as a king was up. The old man should spend his old age living a much more relaxed life.So, as his son, he naturally had to suppor
James didn't have to wait long to connect with Josh Cleve.Once connected, before James could speak, he heard Josh say, "I've got it, General Gardner."James didn't have time to reply, but Josh was already speaking quickly, "Thank you, General Gardner. This is all because of you.""If it wasn't for your strategy, I wouldn't have been able to conquer the sea area," Josh continued, sounding like someone who was holding back tears.He didn't even dare to look directly through the screen at James.James smiled at Josh and chuckled, "Gosh, are you going to cry?"Josh snorted but everyone could see that Josh was really very moved. All the soldiers of Ans De Lou Kingdom had known all the efforts that Josh Cleve had made to improve his sea warrior skills. However, he had not been successful.However, after James Gardner became his leader, he was able to bring victory to the Ans De Lou Kingdom.With so much gratitude Josh said again, "It's all thanks to you, General."James instantly shook hi
A class two soldier of James' age replied, "Maybe he was practicing during his long break."Ben shook his head, "I'm not sure.""You mean, Senior Ben?" Jason Hoult asked with a facial expression full of confusion.Ben smiled faintly.Without turning his head towards Jason, the man who had long been a first-class soldier replied, "There's no time for that. He's very busy managing his business.""What business, Senior Ben?" Jason asked back, looking both surprised and curious. Ben almost tapped his forehead from talking too much."Uh, what are we doing? Isn't it time to help him? Come on, Jason. Get back to your position!" Ben ordered.Jason was forced to move away from the area in disappointment. Uh, he was really very curious about the story of James Gardner.He used to feud with the young man who always had a cold impression, but he could finally understand James' attitude.James always had an annoying expression on his face, but the young man wasn't actually an annoying man. In fac
Kurt Zys smiled mockingly, "Thank you?"He then spat to the side and said again, "Are you dreaming? Do you think that by capturing us, you think your army will win over our army?"Kurt laughed dismissively. "In case you forgot ... I'll remind you, we ... have an important person from your kingdom.""That's right, your war general is in our hands. What can you do with your new war general? What can he do?" a soldier sitting beside Kurt said in an annoying tone.Kurt flashed his mocking smile again to irritate Justin.Justin raised his right eyebrow and immediately realized that there was no way he could get what he wanted from the enemy soldiers. The young man sighed softly. He felt that talking to the enemy soldiers was pointless so he simply replied, "Well, since you can only belittle us, it would be much better if we didn't hear your voice."Kurt frowned, looking somewhat confused.However, it wasn't long before he heard Justin command, "Shut them all up! Don't let even one of them
Some people began to look worriedly at their war general who had not moved an inch."What the hell is going on?""Why is General Gardner just sitting there?" a class three soldier asked his fellow soldier.The soldier standing right next to him replied, "I don't know. It looks like General Gardner is confused.""What? Why is he confused? Does that mean he's going to ... retreat?"A class two soldier who heard those words instantly turned to the class three soldier as he raised his visor, "What did you just say, huh? You think General Gardner is a coward?""No-no ... so, Senior. But ... why didn't he act immediately? We're already in enemy territory," the soldier replied, who initially seemed to doubt his general stammeringly.The class two soldier who defended James replied, "Perhaps General Gardner is adjusting himself. He hasn't fought in a long time so he might need time to readjust."Another also nodded in agreement and quickly responded, "Right. He is ... one of those great warrio