It is still an empty road after the patrol team has cleared the area. Passers-by will consciously stay away or be driven away by the patrol team that quickly arrives. There are still the Grand Duke's personal guards guarding the left and right. The patrol team is clearing the way forward and backward, and there are still people surrounded by people.

"Travel" surrounded by people...

But when Thales rode on the streets of Longxiao City again, he had a different feeling, not only because the route he usually took to play chess was different, and not only because the Fallen Stars were watching eagerly.

Follow behind.

After all, this may be the last time he walks in Longxiao City during his six years as a hostage.

Probably Nicolai also knew this.

So when Thales went out of his way and didn't pick up the reins and gallop at high speed (when he used to play chess, this always made the surrounding Grand Duke's guards full of complaints), he instead asked the veteran Gennard, who was a dark horse with a violent temper, and Jenny, in addition to Tai

The only person other than Ers who was not so repulsive held the reins and walked slowly forward to the Ax District as if it were sightseeing. The Fallen Star just pouted in dissatisfaction but said nothing more.

"Jenard," Thales looked at the buildings retreating on both sides in fascination: "Starting from the birch forest in the north, you have been in the mission for more than six years."

Jenard looked back at the prince: "Yes, Your Highness."

Thales sighed: "Being trapped in Longxiao City for so long..."

"It's far less exciting than when you charged into battle under Duke John, and it's probably not as comfortable as being on the city defense team in Yongxing City."

"It must be boring."

Listening to Thales' words, Jenard looked into the distance.

This veteran of the Star Legion, who had served under the Star God of War and the Flower of the Fortress, and experienced the disaster eighteen years ago, became more energetic after experiencing the six years in the North Kingdom, and swept away the city defense team.

The numbness and lifelessness of the times.

Although he has always felt guilty for becoming the tool of Duke Iris in the birch forest of the stars, attracting the vampires to interfere with the prince's mission.

"Compared with the hardships you have endured, this boredom is not worth mentioning," Jennard sighed: "And compared with the bloody wars in the Bloody Year, this boredom is not worth mentioning.

"

Thales said nothing.

His brows wrinkled unconsciously.

Year of Blood.

Bloody war.

The team moved forward slowly, and although it might be the last leg, the patrol team composed of Northlanders and the Grand Duke's personal guards were still clearing the way and guarding the surrounding area responsibly.

"Thank you, Genard," the second prince turned his head and looked at the veteran Genard who had followed him all the way from Yongxing City with a deep expression: "Your service in the past six years has actually far exceeded what you owe Duke John.

Thank you."

"No, Your Highness," Genard nodded respectfully: "It is I who should thank you."

"As for the kindness I owe Lord Duke John..." His expression sank, and there was an indelible pain in his brows, and he turned his face subconsciously:

"No, that's something I can't repay in my lifetime."

Thales stared intently at the back of the veteran leading the horse in front of him.

The prince took a deep breath and remembered the small stone urn he had seen in Canxing's tomb: "John Canxing, Duke of Star Lake, I heard you say something about him... humorous and approachable?"

Hearing the familiar name, Jennard couldn't help but feel slightly shaken.

"Yes, Your Highness, but the Duke's approachability is not the same as yours..."

It seemed that as soon as he mentioned that person, Genard's expression and spirit came alive: "I still remember the day of the conscription... Although the Duke is middle-aged, he does not have any excessive majesty or airs..."

"He is poor at martial arts, but has good eyesight, but his singing voice is even better, and he can also play the lute... Regardless of nobles, farmers, businessmen, craftsmen, soldiers, even prostitutes and prisoners of war, he can always communicate with all kinds of people.

Mingle: It was easy to find John in the military camp, because wherever the laughter was loudest, the Duke would be there."

Jennard was immersed in the memories of the past and couldn't help laughing: "I even thought he was a little... naive and silly many times."

Silly?

Thales cast a doubtful look.

"This is not disrespectful, it's just," Jenard frowned: "I don't know how to express it... Anyway, those of us in the Guards all talked and laughed with him, subconsciously treating him as one of our own, not as an authoritarian

The commander in hand, or the noble brother of Star King, Duke of Star Lake."

Gennard became more and more energetic as he spoke: "Eighteen years ago, at the military meeting of the Star Legion, the Duke would always be in a daze, or he would snore or even drool when he fell asleep. The nobles present were very embarrassed... For this reason,

Captain Sonia often apologized pitifully while gritting her teeth and hitting the Duke's head hard in public until he woke up from his sleep or knocked him unconscious. Vice Captain Kenya once used ice water to put him out of sleep.

A record of waking up."

The veteran laughed loudly: "Although the Duke always looked aggrieved and defended pitifully: he was not sleeping, but thinking about countermeasures in his dreams."

What?

Sleeping during a military meeting?

This is... the Star-Glory God of War who put down the rebellion?

Thales was stunned for a moment, and couldn't help scratching his head: "It sounds really... um, special?"

"Of course, it just sounds ridiculous. After all, if he was really a fool," Jenard glanced at Thales meaningfully and sighed, "there would be no title of 'Starry God of War'

Already."

Thales frowned slightly.

"What about you, Willow?"

Willow, a soldier walking behind his horse with two guns, one long and one short, was unexpectedly called by his name and was surprised:

"um, I?"

In six years, this new recruit who was rescued from the gallows by Thales in Broken Dragon Fortress, after experiencing the experience of leading from Black Sand to Dragon Sky City, has generally washed away his childishness. Although the team members

The veterans still like to make fun of him.

"How do you feel about these six years in Longxiao City?"

"To be honest, when I came out of the fortress six years ago, I didn't expect to stay in the enemy's country for so long." Under the reminder of veteran Genard, Willow quickly adjusted his expression: "But...

"

"Uncle Jernard said," he frowned: "It is because you are here that the people in the north can enjoy peace."

"So, it's probably worth it."

Thales was slightly startled.

Willow raised his head with a bitter expression:

"that is……"

"You know, I sometimes think," Willow sighed: "If you had been here eighteen years ago, just like this, using yourself as a pledge to go to Exeter..."

"Maybe the war will not happen, and my sister will not die of illness."

Thales lowered his head and fell into deep thought.

"Really?" He said calmly, as if talking to himself.

The team moved forward again and passed a fork that separated the spear area and the ax area.

"Huaiya," the prince on the horse raised his hand and pointed past the heavy guards on both sides to the three-story building with a terrace not far away:

"That house is the chess and card room we go to once a month, right?"

"Yes, Your Highness." The attendant observed carefully and replied cautiously.

Thales looked at the familiar outline of the building and felt somewhat inexplicably:

"In the past, we have always gone directly to the Spear Area, but we have never seen it from this angle."

He looked meaningfully at the specially decorated chess and card room, recalling the few "class" experiences he and Aixida had in it: "I'll probably miss playing chess in it."

"Actually, it's not too far away. If you want," Huaiya estimated the distance to the house: "Why not go and have a look?"

"No need," Thales shook his head, pointed to Nicolai next to him, and sighed: "Look at his face..."

"He is probably eager for an assassin to pop out from somewhere and kill me before we go to the Black Sand Territory."

These words made Huaiya frown deeply and subconsciously glanced around.

Rolf made a mocking expression at him, which unsurprisingly attracted an angry look from the attendant.

Nicolai turned his head, snorted disdainfully, and urged his horse forward.

"Where is your deputy?" Meteorite asked coldly: "Why didn't you see the cunning Lord Putilai Niman going to the Black Sand Territory with you?"

Thales' expression darkened and he shook his head: "We haven't seen each other for six years. To be precise, Putilai has long been no longer in my mission."

"We haven't seen each other for six years, but as soon as we show up, we will send troops to the Freedom Alliance with the stars?" Nicolai had a sullen face and said harshly:

"Maybe I should have caught him early. That man is not simple. Maybe he is the middleman between Xingchen and Lumba."

Thales raised his eyebrows.

"According to Putilai, he has been watched by you all the time in Longxiao City," Thales sighed: "Shouldn't you know his every move better than me?"
To be continued...