Five days later, Thales sat listlessly in the study room belonging to the Grand Duchess in the Palace of Heroes. Thelma sat on the desk opposite, concentrating on reading the "Selected Poems of Cahir Yeluo" in her hand.
The Star Prince lowered his head slightly and exhaled.
The shock in the library did not last long. The sketch on the book could not give Thales any more information.
He could only guess that the Purifying Edge, as a weapon that might have drank the blood of a giant dragon, had a connection and resonance with his peculiar physique.
And the middle bridge of this connection has become increasingly clear:
That dragon language name.
But that's not what's bothering Thales the most right now.
"I went to see the Earl of Lisbon."
Thales' light words attracted Thelma's attention.
The Grand Duchess raised her head and her eyes lit up: "What did Charles say?"
Thales scratched his head.
"Lisban said that regarding the Freedom Alliance, we have to wait for an official letter from Qiyuan City before we can choose how to deal with it."
"But don't worry," Star Prince grinned: "Risban is very confident that the Grand Duchess will continue to maintain her independence and autonomy. He already has a plan. As the prime minister of King Nun, he is not an ordinary person."
The corners of Thelma's mouth were slightly raised, indicating that the Grand Duchess was in a good mood at the moment.
"Tiles, thank you."
Thales shrugged.
He recalled the day before yesterday when he went to find Lisban for an interview in private, and couldn't help but sigh secretly.
Really.
Thales closed his eyes and hit his head hard.
What are "superfluous thoughts and ideas"?
And "a mediocre person addicted to pornography"?
Charles Lisban, an old man in his sixties or seventies, what is he thinking about all day long?
After this incident, Thales realized: Apparently, his unpopularity in Longxiao City has reached a new level. Not only Lisban and Nicolai, but also Ms. Jinx and the two maids have been looking at him these days.
The look in his eyes was also weird, causing Thales to be cautious even when greeting the servants, for fear that a masked man with a knife would suddenly pop out from any corner and rush towards him shouting "For Exter".
To his expectation, Putilai seemed unhurried about the prince's active involvement in the political struggle in Longxiao City and his behavior of "determining to help his friends escape from unfortunate marriages for the sake of friendship."
The deputy was smoking a pipe and smiling crookedly with an "I understand" expression that really worried Thales.
Even the looks in the eyes of Huai Ya and Rolf made Thales feel guilty as a thief.
"We are not surprised at all. You know: teenagers have to experience some 'special events' before they can grow up." This was one day when Thales couldn't help but ask a question while he was studying bards with Putilai.
The Lord who blew out the smoke ring replied with a smirk.
For these words, Thales deducted all the bounties originally planned to be distributed to the Lord on the reward day.
Thales in the study shook his head and tried to drive the memories out of his mind.
"By the way, do you know anything about the new teacher who is coming soon?" Thelma put down the book and asked doubtfully: "I heard that he was introduced by your interesting deputy."
"Putilai?" Thales, who was immersed in memories, said with a straight face: "He is not my deputy envoy. I am not familiar with him."
Thelma cast a strange look at him, snorted silently, and returned to the book.
At the same time, the footsteps of two people suddenly came from outside the study.
"Thum, thump, thump..."
To be precise, one person's footsteps, and another person's...
"Thum, thump, thump..."
Thales frowned: This was the sound of wood hitting the ground. The rhythm was disordered, scattered and careless, as if it was knocked out at random.
But it happens to be very heavy.
Like...
The study door opened.
Lady Jinx walked in, bowed slightly to the Grand Duchess and His Royal Highness, and then left politely and low-key.
A thin and frail figure appeared behind the female officer.
The new guest stooped slightly, leaning on a rather old and heavy crutch. He put his whole body weight on the crutch and placed the head of the stick firmly on the ground.
"Thum, thump, thump..."
Jinx closed the study door.
The prince and the Grand Duchess quickly sat upright and looked at the visitor: he walked towards Thales and Thelma at the desk.
"I'm sorry, gentlemen and ladies, I'm too old and my broken bones can't stand the torment," followed the guests with an old, weak and shriveled voice, accompanied by a clearing of the throat. It seemed that they didn't want to do this.
He seemed speechless:
"The carriage ride from Anrenzo to Exeter almost knocked my butt off. The boys were afraid that I would die on the way, so they had to slow down."
"After arriving at Longxiao City, I had to rest for four days."
Thales first glanced at the crutch, and remembered the Black Prophet whom he had met several times a long time ago, which made him feel uncomfortable.
The prince eliminated the unnecessary impression, squinted his eyes, and looked at the visitor:
He was a thin and short old man with sparse white hair on his head and wrinkles on his face, as if he had experienced too much weather.
The old man was wrapped in this word because his body was so thin that he looked like his clothes were hanging on a hanger that was too small. He wore an ordinary dark coat, accompanied by a white lining and a red scarf, and looked like a
There is no difference between ordinary businessmen doing business in the shop.
His energy seemed not to be very good, his eyes were hazy and cloudy, and he only wore a pince-nez monocle on his left eye, which made his left eye look particularly big when viewed from the front. The old man managed a plain and gentle smile.
The nasolabial folds are linked to the chapped lips that tremble up and down, giving people a desolate feeling at night.
He actually looked older than Lisban and Nunn six years ago. Thales was secretly shocked that he must be at least seventy years old.
How did Putilai and Gilbert invite such a vicissitudes of life old man, who seemed to be in a bad situation and whose life was in danger, to come to Longxiao City all the way?
"Good day, sir," Thales said with some worry: "I... heard Putilai mention the new teacher, but he has never said who it is."
Thelma stared blankly at the new teacher, seemingly stunned by his age and condition.
"Maybe he is right, so you won't be too disappointed when you see a bad old man who is about to die." The old man laughed dryly. He seemed to be struggling to take another step forward, and the right hand holding the cane trembled slightly.
.
"You don't mind if I sit down, you know," the skinny old man looked at his trembling right arm, tightened his nose with disgust, and shook his head:
"My legs and feet are not good."
Obviously, he did not want to consult the two or at least consult the Grand Duchess, but he chose the most comfortable leather chair and sat down on his own.
The skinny old man sank into the leather chair, closed his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief for several seconds.
Thales and Thelma looked at each other in surprise, not knowing how to react.
This is...the teacher that both Gilbert and Putilai admire highly?
The old man seemed to slowly regain some strength, and then he opened his eyes and showed a weak smile:
"Don't worry, I have been frail and sick since I was a child. I look very bad, but in fact, I live longer than many able-bodied people."
Thales raised the corner of his mouth and forced a smile: "I heard that you are Gilbert Casso and Putilai Niemann, and they are all under your teachings?"
The skinny old man tilted his head slightly and squinted his eyes, as if reminiscing.
"Oh, yes, those two interesting boys, the little grown-up and the troublemaker," the old man paused, then seemed to remember, he curled up his lips: "A long time ago, when I was a tutor,
students...well, they seem to be among them?"
Thales raised his eyebrows and looked at each other again without knowing why.
"Oh, that's right!" The old man raised his eyelids, and the left eye in the lens suddenly widened, looking quite scary.
He picked up the crutch in his right hand, put it between his knees, leaned on it with both hands, and smiled.
"As a prelude, we should really introduce ourselves first," the old man said gently, looking at the two embarrassed students, the wrinkles on his face rolling up like waves: "Let's start with me."
"Merry Hickser," the skinny old man cleared his throat: "from the Dragon Kiss Basin, the Principality of Anrenzo, and the City of Changyin."
"But most people who know me like to call me 'Old Crow,' and of course, students usually like to call me that behind my back."
Thales' heart moved slightly.
Dragon Kiss Basin.
That is……
"Are you from Dragon's Kiss Academy? Are you a bachelor?" Thelma's eyes lit up. She leaned forward excitedly and looked at the new teacher Xixer curiously: "I heard Charles say that you have a very high reputation.
Many outstanding people have served in your..."
Xixer laughed at first, then shook his head sadly, interrupting the Grand Duchess.
"Although I do have a temporary job at Dragon Kiss College," Xixer blinked his left eye through the lens: "But I have to say with shame that I have never obtained a bachelor's qualification. When I traveled to various countries, I always pretended to be a classmate.
Only with Zhang's qualifications as a bachelor did he manage to get a job as a tutor in a noble castle."
His tone was ordinary, and despite the words he used, he was obviously not ashamed, as if he was just talking about something as trivial as "I forgot to bring my wallet when I went out."
Thales and Thelma looked at each other in astonishment for the third time, and both blinked.
What?
"Old Crow" Xixer nodded to them in a friendly and playful manner.
"Then it's your turn to introduce yourselves."
"Ladies first, how about that?"
Thelma's mouth opened slightly, unable to react.
Thales was also a little confused.
In the past six years, the boys and girls of Longxiao City have experienced countless Northland tutors who were rigid, flexible, serious, stubborn, insensitive, kind, humorous, pretentious, and extremely vicious...
But every teacher will know beforehand what kind of two students they are going to face. Their reactions to seeing the Grand Duchess and the Prince are not like the old man who calls himself "Old Crow" in front of them, at least they have never used such indifferent expressions.
He told them the fact that he had forged certificates and deceived them in a nonchalant tone, and he never asked the two nobles to "introduce themselves" so casually as soon as he opened his mouth.
And, what he called them...
ladies and gentlemen?
This reminded Thales of six years ago, in the Mindis Hall, Gilbert also called himself "little sir" when he was not yet recognized as a prince.
Thinking of this, he felt a sense of nostalgia in his heart.
"Don't be restrained, don't be nervous... I'm not here to be your enemy, unlike most teachers in this world." Xixer noticed the reaction of the Grand Duchess. He opened his mouth, revealing a mouth that was still well-maintained despite his age.
Very good teeth, laughs casually:
"Longxiao City doesn't pay me to bother you. In fact, I just want to come and chat with you. If you're not welcome, I can treat it as a visit to the North."
The old crow exhaled, smiled and nodded.
He looked at Thelma gently, put his right hand on the crutch, and patted the back of her right hand gently with his left hand: "Although I have heard a lot about these two gentlemen and ladies before, obviously, I want to hear more.
Your own voice."
Obviously, the old man's attitude reassured Selma a lot. The girl glanced at Thales, who gave her an encouraging nod.
"Good day, Mr. Hickser, I am Thelma Walton, from Longxiao City...ahem, I am the Grand Duchess of Longxiao City," Thelma said carefully: "Actually, I am very stupid.
, I don’t know anything, I can only read..."
Xixer chuckled.
"Ah, Grand Duchess, it's so kind to see you, haha, at least we have obvious things in common." Xixer blinked, smiled and poked the monocle on the bridge of his nose.
Thelma adjusted her pince-nez, raised her eyebrows slightly, and curved the corners of her mouth. Thales knew that this was an expression that she wanted to smile but was holding back.
Old Crow shook his head, turned to the other person, his left eye widened slightly in the lens: "Why don't you sit closer, Thales?"
Prince Xingchen, who was observing the interaction between the two, paused.
"You don't have to act like a hedgehog. You may always be in trouble, but it won't be today, and it won't be here." Xixer nodded his crutch and looked at Thales with a deep look.
Thales stared at this strange new teacher and his throat rolled.
"Good day, sir," he finally politely moved his chair forward, slightly lowered his scrutinizing gaze, and nodded: "I am Thales Bright Star. I look forward to your teaching. Thank you for accepting it.
At the invitation of Putilai, he traveled thousands of miles to teach us."
"Well, Thales," Hixer took a deep breath, staring at Thales with his left eye in the lens, and said in a weak voice, "Canxing, it's good. Canxing, it's true."
Thales was slightly startled.
"By the way, teach!" Old Crow stopped talking. He patted the back of his hand and sighed.
"You must be wondering, what on earth does such a weird old man want to teach you, and what can he teach you?"
Facing the curious and scrutinizing gazes of the two students, the skinny old man sitting in the leather chair lifted his back off the back of the chair and raised his head.
"I have thought about this question: Even among the many students I have taught, you cannot be said to be the most ordinary type."
Both Thales and Thelma looked at the teacher seriously.
To be honest, whether it was Gilbert's highly praised comment in his letter, "He is the second most respected person in my life," or Putilai's seemingly careless but attentive introduction, they all made him appreciate this person whom he met for the first time.
Underneath, the rather peculiar "Old Crow" felt full of expectations.
Snapped!
Xixer slapped the back of his hand and laughed.
"Actually, I can't think of anything I can teach you."
"So I finally decided, to hell with teaching and all that!"
ah?
Under the surprised eyes of the two students, the skinny old man said casually and relaxedly: "Let's just have a chat today."
Chat... chat?
For the fourth time, Thales and Thelma looked at each other with shocked and incomprehensible looks.
What's this……
"It's interesting, isn't it? One of you is the supreme ruler of Longxiao City," Xixer said with emotion: "The other is the heir to the ancient kingdom."
"A man and a woman, by chance, sat in the same room, facing the same bad old man."
"Then let's talk about a topic that concerns both of you."
The prince raised his eyebrows, looked at his notebook, closed it silently, and pushed it away from his hand.
Old Crow frowned, seeming to be deep in thought. His eyes kept wandering between the bewildered boy and girl: "Well, topics related to both the Northlanders and the Star People...let me think about it."
Xixer's brows moved, and the wrinkles on his face fluctuated again.
"Oh, yes," the old man looked at Thelma kindly: "Ma'am?"
Thelma nodded politely and responded: "Mr. Hickser?"
The old man nicknamed Old Crow nodded with satisfaction, and then stretched out his hand to Thales on the side.
The prince was slightly startled.
"This is Thales," Xixer said solemnly: "Tails Bright Star."
"Ah, I know." Thelma was a little confused.
Xixer sighed.
"The calm, calm, alert, handsome, sharp-eyed Prince of the Stars, with a pair of interesting gray eyes, is burdened with the rise and fall of an ancient kingdom in his destiny..."
"Struggle and struggle in the invisible whirlpool of darkness."
Thales' eyebrows trembled,
This teacher, his words are a bit...
Thelma couldn't help but glance at the second prince, with worry and pity in her eyes.
He said calmly: "So, Thelma Walton, as the unprecedented Grand Duchess of Longxiao City, a youthful, young, restless, delicate and energetic Northland girl, you..."
The next second, their gentle new teacher, Merry Hickser from Dragon's Kiss, asked the confused Grand Duchess with a smile:
"Do you like him?"
Snapped!
At that moment, the book in the girl's hand fell heavily to the ground.