In the training ground at night, Thales stepped forward quickly, his weapon shot out, and his sword blades stretched horizontally!
Two crisp sounds.
One after the other, the two pendulums hanging in the air were flexibly moved apart by him.
Thales took the opportunity to bully him, passed through the gap opened by the pendulum, and stabbed the person directly in front of him with his practice sword!
Boom.
His blunt sword hit the thick wooden shield in the opponent's hand, making a muffled sound.
From a tactile perspective, the effect is pretty good.
But he has no time.
In the narrow field of view of the helmet, Thales gritted his teeth, retreated from the original route, and retreated quickly!
He wants to return to the starting point unscathed.
The creaking sound of the rope swinging was heard.
The pendulum closest to the boy echoed, getting closer and closer.
Thales' nerves were tense and he could only speed up the intensity of his calves pushing on the ground, trying his best to maintain a precarious balance while retreating.
The sins of the Hell River in his body felt tense, and they became restless, but Thales ignored them.
call!
The pendulum barely missed his shoulder, but did not hit him.
Thales breathed a sigh of relief.
Very good, only the last thing is left...
"clang!"
Before he could finish thinking about it, Thales felt a sharp pain in his eardrums!
His helmet buzzed as the second pendulum hit him.
What the hell……
Thales ducked down in great discomfort, threw away his long sword, pulled his neck out of the helmet with several strokes, and desperately rubbed his left ear, which was suffering from tinnitus and unbearable pain.
Directly in front, the young guard who was training for Thales - the thirty-year-old vanguard officer Fu Laten, who always tried to suppress his laughter when the prince made a fool of himself - put down his shield and looked at the officers present.
"Keep your pace steady."
Mallos stepped forward, patted the lime-white dots on Vladen's shield, and looked thoughtfully at the two pendulums that were tangled together in the back and forth swing, making it difficult to distinguish each other.
"The force must be ruthless, the thrusting sword must be accurate, and the movement must be correct."
"The most important thing is not to be hit by the reverberating pendulum."
"If any of the five things is not done right, practice will not count."
Mallos looked away from the prince who was suffering from tinnitus without any sympathy, knocked on Vladeng's shield, and motioned to the guard officer Conmuto on the side.
"Again."
Conmuto walked off the field and replaced the thick shield covered with lime spots in Fulateng's hand with a brand new shield.
Thales finally straightened out his painful left ear and stood up in frustration:
"I do not understand."
"Why is this training so rigid: you have to go straight up and down, you can't block with your sword, you can't roll over with your body bent... just to compete with two reverberating pendulums?"
Thales looked at the metal pendulum swinging back and forth like a swing in front of him angrily.
Thank God - or, to put it politically correct, thank the sunset - the static stance and confrontation training in his martial arts class came to an end not long ago.
But instead it was sword target practice.
Thales looked at the pendulum hanging in the air, attached to the freely pushable wheel frame.
In the past few days, from pendulum training, to ring penetration training, dodge training, lunging training...
There are no fewer than seven or eight types of targets alone, and each type of training also has multiple choices with different difficulties, and there are many varieties.
Of course, Thales was beaten in new ways every day: his helmet was deformed by the swinging pendulum, he was beaten by the faster and faster rotating wheel until he foamed at the mouth, and he was covered in dust by the sandbags falling from the sky.
, I was dizzy when the targets were called out out of order...
Let’s talk about something that he won’t even admit to his death…
He missed the dead face a little.
Nicolai's training is to destroy your self-confidence in endless setbacks.
Marius' training wears away your patience through boring repetition.
In the training ground, the guards were accustomed to looking at each other. Piloga, the logistics officer who was looking after the equipment on the sidelines, wisely handed over a water glass to buy Thales some rest time.
As time went by, the young Duke of Star Lake began to gradually become familiar with his more than 20-strong Star Lake Guards, even though he had to attend numerous classes every day.
In the team of pioneer officers, whether due to family background or personality, Karen Glover is vaguely the leader, while "Zombie" himself is introverted, reliable and has no complaints (a huge contrast to D.D), and he is also deeply loved.
With the trust of Marius, the watchman entrusted many matters to his hands. Under the leadership of Glover, the eight pioneer officers under Duke Thales were all vigorous and resolute, with distinctive personalities. They had fought against Thales.
Among them are the left-handed swordsman Zonevid, including Vladeng, who is now his sparring partner.
The six-member bodyguard team was closest to Thales. Unexpectedly, the funny and cynical Danny Doyle actually thrived among them ("Who wouldn't want to be with a rich tycoon?"
"Where are my friends?" - Marius said casually during the meal). There are many friends who are united as one. For the sake of the prince's momentum of bullying men and women, Kong once competed with Thales and was promoted from a security officer to a guard.
Muto is also one of them.
There are a total of six people in the penalty wing and the logistics wing. The former is led by Gray Patterson, a fussy bald little old man ("Hey, do you know why that guy's nickname is 'Gardener'? Because, once he was in the grass
We caught a guy having an affair with a maid, and then—Oh, sir, you’re actually here, sir. I had to urinate first, hehe!"—and met him at the corner thirty seconds later.
Doyle of Patterson).
Devord Strauss, who was in charge of logistics, had a pleasant face and often asked Thales with a smile if he was satisfied with the food and expenses ("How stupid do you have to be to believe that the guys in charge of accounting and money management will be good people?" -
—Doyle chewing his bread hard).
Hugo Fubi, who was holding the flag wing, had a gloomy expression, appearing and disappearing, walking silently ("Maybe he died a few years ago, and only ghosts are left floating in the air, but we don't know it." - with a full face.
Doyle, who was picking his teeth with enjoyment), he and his two flag-bearer subordinates only communicated with Marius and rarely directly participated in the affairs of the Guard.
And (according to Thales' malicious speculation) the captain of the guard who "beats anyone with a 50-50 chance" and the watchman of the guard, the respected Wang Yuyan - cough cough - Lord Tormund Mallos, led his direct subordinates
The three subordinates, as well as the leaders of the above five wings, arranged the complicated and newly arrived Star Lake Guards in an orderly manner and the work went smoothly, especially when the banquet was about to come. It had to be said that there was still a certain way.
“Target practice doesn’t mean you can be opportunistic and live up to your story.”
Mallos looked at Piroga without disapproval—D.D., who was supposed to serve the prince, had not yet completed his sentence as a cook—and handed the water glass to Thales:
"In the past six years, you have learned from the Northlanders the art of fighting every move."
"This may have given birth to your power of termination..."
"But that also means exchanging blood for blood, seeking victory in danger, it means moving forward even when the eyes are red, and gritting one's teeth even when the blade is broken. It means leaving no escape route, regardless of severity, half betting on luck, half betting on luck.
crazy."
The watchman's eyes narrowed slightly:
"In reality, this kind of situation will only happen when the weak attacks the strong and the chance of winning is very small. It is a last-ditch fight. If you don't succeed, you will be defeated."
Thales returned the water glass to Piroga, soothing his sore muscles.
"But more often than not, you will hold a lot of chips, but face complex enemies and more constraints. If you pull one move, your whole body will be affected. You have choices but it is difficult to make a choice."
Mallos narrowed his eyes:
"At this time, what you need is not just the will to sacrifice for a moment, but the accumulated movements, habits, concentration, calmness, sharpness, and courage that you have accumulated through daily training."
"That's what you're here for today."
Well, Thales admitted that, at least in words, Mallos could still completely torture the Fallen Stars. If you listen to this trick...
As for the others?
"Battle is a well-prepared and carefully planned battle. All aspects must be considered, every factor must be taken into account, and preparations must be made, instead of just muddle along and take it as it comes," Mallos said leisurely:
"This is the insight left by the former watchman of the Guards. He was highly skilled and was once responsible for guarding the Mindis Hall."
Thales' thinking paused for a moment.
This time, the prince turned his head and looked at the vast but exquisite and unique courtyard of Mindis Hall again with complicated emotions.
The breeze blows, and under the illumination of the ever-extinguishing lamps, the Mindis Hall at night looks more like a tourist attraction than a serious and restrained royal family home.
Former watchman.
Guard Mindis Hall.
"Your ex."
Thales turned back:
"You know him?"
Unexpectedly, Mallos’ eyes were deep and thoughtful:
"Yes."
"I know him."
In front of Thales' slightly surprised expression, Mallos added leisurely:
"From the historical record."
One second later.
Thales exhaled and rolled his eyes.
You know a hammer.
"Of course, I know that sword target practice is boring and boring, and it is far less interesting than real-person confrontation."
Mallos took Thales' water bag:
"As you have already experienced, there are three major schools of martial arts in China: martial arts, trendy, and offensive and defensive."
The watchman turned his head and glanced at Piroga and Conmuto, who had taken turns to be the prince's sparring partners.
Both of them changed color at the same time.
Mallos waved to the older logistics officer and the stocky guard officer, and smiled:
"That's enough to digest for a while."
Piloga and Commuto breathed a sigh of relief, smiled again, and nodded politely to the prince.
"But their styles can only be considered unique, and they are far from the mainstream of today's martial arts."
"Let's wait and see when you pass the first stage of sword target practice."
Mallos looked back:
"Let's go back to the confrontation training. We have many talents among our young men who can show you and teach you the two dominant martial arts mainstreams in Xingchen and even the entire Western Continent. They transcend regional differences."
Thales' eyes moved:
"Domination? Two mainstreams?"
"Yes," Mallos' words were full of the allure of grandma telling stories:
"Originating from the imperial era, they have been competing with each other for thousands of years. They have gone through countless journeys and witnessed thousands of storms. The two main streams have been passed down to this day."
Thales asked:
"And that is?"
Mallos didn't answer any more, just shook his head and gestured to Fraten on the other side of the pendulum.
The latter twisted his lips, silently raised his shield, and returned to the pendulum.
Thales sighed, stood up resignedly, and put on his helmet.
Under the illumination of the moonlight and lights, the sounds of footsteps and sword swings were heard again on the training ground.
Finally, after Thales didn't know how long it took, how many times he hit the shield, and how many pendulums he received, Marius spoke out:
"Well, my movements these few times have been good and quite qualified."
Thank God - ahem, thank the sunset.
Thales exhaled and leaned his sword on the ground.
until……
"Then let's do it twenty more times."
Mallos's face was filled with joy.
Thales' drooping little face tightened again:
"What?"
"But the pace, strength, precision, movements, including the damn pendulum... I did very well in all five categories!"
The young man protested angrily.
"Yes, Your Highness, you have done all five items very well, so in order to maintain such a good condition..."
Mallos smiled and said:
"Let's consolidate it a little more."
Thales felt that the night was so long.
Finally, after twenty standard pendulum stabbing training (including countless times more, and more and more failed actions as time goes by, not included in the total), Thales collapsed on the ground from exhaustion, and could only breathe.
.
"I heard that the 'Raging Sea' is about adapting to the situation on the line between life and death."
Thales was still lying still, just lifting his head with difficulty, trying to change the topic to avoid 'consolidation' next time:
"And this is the best training method you've found for me? Tiring me to death?"
"Is it really of practical significance?"
Mallos snorted and motioned for the others to start cleaning up.
"If we really want to talk about the practical significance, Your Highness, what do you think, as the Duke of Star Lake and the second prince?"
"How many opportunities do you have to go to the battlefield and face the enemy directly?"
As the Duke of Xinghu and the second prince.
The opportunity to go to the battlefield and face the enemy directly...
Thales, who was sitting on the ground, tilted his head and looked at the sky, frowning and recalling:
It seems...
That's quite a lot.
Marius said sarcastically:
"So, according to what you said, why don't you learn how to blow the most piercing whistle, shout the loudest 'help', and then wait for others to kill and save you at the most critical moment?"
Thales twitched the corner of his mouth on the ground.
I want it too.
What a beautiful thought.
"Unlike the ancient nobles who personally led troops and charged forward thousands of years ago, today, the existence of martial arts classes does not require you to become a warrior who can stand up to ten, or to be a vanguard who personally goes into battle."
"That's someone else's job."
Mallos glanced at him:
"Our work."
The watchman's attitude became serious:
"In the royal family and even within most high-ranking nobles, this lesson is just for you to know and feel the same way: in the past, those warriors around your ancestors who did not care about death, in the future, those warriors under you who will not care about their own lives..."
"While they are fighting for you and dying for you..."
"You have to know what they have experienced and what they will face."
"In order not to forget."
Thales, who was lying on the ground, exhaled and remembered the bloody scenes in the past: birch forest, Broken Dragon Fortress, Dragon Sky City, Blade Tooth Camp...
Thales sighed:
"Believe it or not, I know more than you... than many people."
Mallos walked up to him and appeared in Thales' field of vision upside down, blocking the stars in the sky:
"I have no intention of questioning you."
"But it's not just that."
The watchman said quietly:
"Everyone, including our royal guards, have sworn such an oath and upheld this belief: If a crisis comes and a battle breaks out, we will sacrifice everything to protect our master."
"But only one person can't think like that." His tone suddenly became stern.
Thales' expression changed.
"you."
Mallos' tone was calm, as if he didn't care:
"You must always imagine and prepare: What will you do when we are unable to perform our duties or even no longer around?"
Unable to perform his duties, even absent from his side...
For some reason, the deep dark prison under the Prison of Bones suddenly appeared in front of Thales' eyes.
The young man closed his eyes and opened them again.
"You mean, when even my closest and most trusted guards betrayed me and abandoned the Lord?"
For a moment, the air on the training ground seemed to be still, and all the guards on duty were stunned.
Mallos was quiet for a second.
"I didn't say that."
But Thales ignored him.
"Then you can?"
The Duke looked directly at the captain of the guard above his head:
"Maybe it's for a better, higher reason..."
"betray me?"
Fraten on the side glanced at Mallos subconsciously.
This is not easy to say.
But Mallos just looked at the prince steadily and said nothing for several seconds.
Maybe it was autumn, or maybe the temperature at the training ground was not high at night. Lying on the ground, Thales only felt a slight chill on his back.
"It's time for you to take a shower."
Mallos' voice was still calm and calm:
"Go to bed early."
"After all, your welcome banquet will begin in fifteen hours."
"I hope tonight helps you feel less nervous."
Yes, welcome party.
Damn party.
Thales sighed and hit the back of his head on the ground again.
The guards who were on duty began to pack their bags.
In the distance, a listless figure limped closer, and another strong figure followed behind him.
"Is this the end for you?"
A tired-looking Doyle came to Mallos, followed by Glover, who was expressionless as usual:
"At least give me a chance to get close to the prince, otherwise tomorrow my dad will..."
Mallos didn't even look at him, but just walked forward:
"how's it going?"
Doyle looked at Marius with longing:
"Don't worry, these days I've been in the kitchen, in the warehouse, in the haunted rooms of Mindis Hall that have been piled with dust for hundreds of years, following Stowe, not taking my eyes off him, not leaving for a moment, and even following a group of maids - ahem -
—The servants have established a good relationship and clarified the situation..."
"At least no one can poison the prince and his distinguished guests at tomorrow's banquet - of course, I don't know about aphrodisiacs."
Mallos chuckled and ignored Doyle's euphemistic complaint.
"We have already coordinated with colleagues from the Security Department, the Royal Standing Army, and the Guards at Fuxing Palace. There is no problem with the arrangement of personnel and positions, even after His Majesty leaves," Glover, who was behind Doyle, said coldly:
"No one can threaten him, let alone assassinate him."
Mallos was silent for a while.
"Poison? Assassination?"
The watchman turned around and looked at Thales, who was lying on the ground looking at the stars in the distance, his eyes fixed:
"That's the least of my worries."
————
Today is October 30th, which is the "Holy Chasing Day" commemorating the first defeat of the orcs in human history.
It is said that in this traditional festival, people all over the world celebrate from Jingbi Island to Devil's Sea, from Sighing Mountain to Flame Sea.
Thales still remembers that this is what the beggars call "Fat Sheep Day" - on this day, citizens all over the street celebrate and parade noisily, regardless of the location of their wallets, which is the cutest thing.
Unfortunately, for Prince Thales, today is no longer "Fat Sheep Day", but a welcome banquet for his damn return home.
Growing up, Thales only attended one banquet.
And the experience of that time obviously cannot be used as a reference - the dignified Duke of Xinghu cannot roll up his sleeves, pick up a wine glass, and yell at the guests in the Mindis Hall, "Eat! Drink! Fight! Have sex! Do whatever you want!" right?
But it has to be said that it was not until the next afternoon, when Thales, as the host of the banquet, stood under the statue of the Three Kings of the Stars to greet the guests that he realized how difficult this job was.
"Look at you, what a man you are."
The Viscount Patterson in front of him had an old face and an even older body. He was supported by his two nephews and came to the banquet with cloudy eyes, but his status was important and he belonged to the kind of VIPs that Thales needed to welcome in person - he ruled the Forbidden City.
The Deburg area is an important eastern strategic point of the Central Territory, and I am a direct vassal of the royal family.
Ranked among the Seven Shining Stars.
Among all the heavyweight guests, he was the first one and arrived early. This made Thales, who was getting dressed in the lounge and reciting the banquet procedures and various etiquettes, in a hurry. He had to disrupt the arrangement and hurried out to greet him.
.
I saw Viscount Patterson tremblingly but unceremoniously pushing away the two nephews who were supporting him, leaning forward, and firmly holding Thales' arm.
"I still remember...eighteen years ago, I was sitting in the Hall of Stars...watching your father being crowned king."
"Now..." the old Viscount gasped.
Glover and Doyle stood nervously to the left and right of the prince, with their knees slightly bent and their bodies leaning forward, as if they were ready to fly out at any time.
But Thales felt that this was not to protect him, but because he was afraid that the old man, who could hardly even speak, would fall to the ground and die suddenly.
"The prince held a banquet and was ruthless, and while talking and laughing, the old minister was reduced to ashes" - it is better to have less news like this.
Thales maintained a smile, followed Professor Jinnie's standard royal etiquette, and maintained his demeanor without losing intimacy. He gently held the old Viscount's chicken-skin-like palm, paying attention to the other person's balance at all times, and asked him about his health warmly.
(The Viscount was somewhat deaf, and his nephew had to repeat the prince's words loudly in his ears several times).
Just like a standard Duke of Star Lake should do.
"My body knows it, Your Highness, it won't last more than a few years."
"But it doesn't matter." At that moment, a glimmer of light flashed in Viscount Patterson's cloudy eyes:
"Because... years fly by, but the stars remain the same."
Thales felt his palms tighten, and saw Viscount Patterson leaning down, and with great effort, he pressed his chin heavily against the prince's gloves:
"The kingdom is young."
With chicken skin and white hair, he gasped and gritted his teeth: