Xinghu Fort, in the wide Xinghui Courtyard commonly known as the lumberyard, soldiers, guards, workers, farmers, many people gathered together to form an open space, and the atmosphere was warm.
"Up, up, up! Give her a hard blow from Dou Tou, yes, that's it, wow, that's a strong fall! It's okay, believe me, young man, get up and continue to beat her! Oh, your sword is so soft
, is it always like this? Is it because your life is too beautiful or do you hope that your wife will cheat on you?"
In the center of the clearing, Miranda Arend's figure moved flexibly between the two warriors. She was engaged in an unfair duel with one against two with the guards of the Star Lake Guards, Nexi and Bastia. The young trainee pioneer
The officers continued to attack aggressively and became more and more courageous as they fought, while the iron-tower-like guard officers stood firm and watertight.
"Who else is there, an iron bucket or an iron tower?" On the wooden watchtower, Sonia, the flower of the fortress, leaned half of her body against the railing, shaking her arms feverishly, cheering for the battle below, "Don't be stunned.
Come on, pick up the hammer and hit her on the head with all your strength! Oh, what’s wrong, it’s so accurate? Does it hurt when you pee?”
In the warehouse on the second floor, Thales was sitting by the window, oiling and maintaining the ancient sword "Warning" while watching the battle with great interest.
He soon realized that although they were one against two, the person leading the battle was Miranda.
The female swordsman of the Arlende family deliberately encouraged Nexi to continue attacking and consume his physical strength. At the same time, she used her position to force Bastia to act as a shield for her, blocking Nexi's fierce offensive. However, Nesi and Bastia were defeated.
The two of them cooperated awkwardly, with their hands tied and unable to see the advantage of a double attack.
In this way, Miranda controlled the rhythm of the entire duel with ease, becoming more and more comfortable as the battle progressed.
She was different. The information fed back from hell's senses allowed Thales to make a judgment: Compared with seven years ago, her movements seemed messy and random, and no longer reflected obvious rhythm and style, but whether Nixi or Basti
Ya, when they take the initiative to attack, they will find themselves in the worst time and position, giving Miranda the greatest opportunity.
It feels as if Miranda is not taking the initiative, but opponents are rushing to attack, shaping the environment and situation of the battle, stimulating a bunch of originally messy and meaningless notes into a vivid and orderly movement, waiting for Miranda's end
Play.
"She has improved." Thales stopped what he was doing and was slightly lost in thought. "Seven years ago, the style of the northern offensive and defensive school could still be clearly seen in her movements. The transition between offense and defense was like an unignorable accent. In an instant,
Turn the tide of the war, but now..."
"No, although the style of the Pegasus series in the Terminator Tower has a great influence, her northern roots are still there," Mallos sat next to Thales, grinding a short knife without raising his head. "
It's just that the superficial tactical style is hidden into the deeper strategic style. You will know it if you see it more."
Here we go again, Star Wang Yuyan.
Thales twitched his lips sarcastically: "So, you've seen a lot?"
"Fortunately," Mallos replied calmly, "When I was a young trainee, I was doing record-keeping work."
"So, which battle impressed you the most?"
"here."
Thales raised his head.
Mallos kept moving, but changed the side and continued to polish the blade:
"A long time ago, a master in Star Lake Castle competed with a senior from the royal guard. I was ordered to be the assistant to the flag officer. I listened to his explanation while observing and recording."
The master of Xinghu Castle and the senior of the royal guard.
Thales narrowed his eyes.
"Due to the limited conditions, they did not take action. They only moved around on the flat ground to attack and defend. The finishing force was like a flash in the pan, a dragonfly flicking on water. It stopped abruptly before the intention was completed, so they could not fully enjoy it."
Mallos' eyes glazed over:
"But in those short twelve seconds, the two people moved forward and backward, back and forth. Every detail reached the pinnacle or even higher level of the extreme realm, which is enough for me to remember for a lifetime."
Just as Thales was about to ask further questions, he heard a burst of boos from the crowd:
Miranda sheathed her sword neatly, turned around gracefully, and the crowd consciously separated a passage for her to leave.
Behind her, Nexi and Bastia fell to the ground, one was exhausted, the other was bruised and swollen.
"The victory has been decided, Your Highness," Mallos said without looking back, "Now, follow the methods I teach you and concentrate on maintaining your weapons."
Order was restored on the training ground, and everyone returned to their seats, practicing and performing duties. Only in a small corner, a few Star Lake guards gathered together for a heated discussion, still unfinished about this exciting asymmetrical battle.
"Quick, quick, quick, the outcome has been decided, and I am willing to accept defeat." Doyle squeezed through the crowd with an upright look, but showed a money bag under his elbow, "Don't cheat before Mallos comes down, who?"
I remember how much it rained."
"Damn it, you can still lose two against one, you're so bad." Fu La Teng counted out a few coins heartbrokenly and threw them into D.D's money bag.
Other people who lost their bets, including Rolf who was dissatisfied, reluctantly took out their money and stuffed the coins into their money bags.
"I knew she was in Broken Dragon Fortress and was affiliated with the Flower of the Fortress," Paul Bozdov, son of Earl Black Lion, calmly handed over a gold coin, "but I didn't expect that I didn't have to find her to fight one against two.
Don’t fall behind.”
"How did you bastards know to take her into custody?" Custa asked unhappily.
"Obviously, she has killed people, and there is a lot of blood on the sword." In front of the team, Glover refused the coins handed by D.D. He looked at Miranda's retreating back, his eyes sharp, eager to try, "A lot of
."
"Chief Miranda's swordsmanship is quite profound. I have learned this before, but gambling is still wrong." Huaiya looked around nervously.
"I don't know the girl from the Allender family, but I saw Lao Kong taking her into custody, so..." Logistics Officer Piloga shrugged.
"Well, actually I don't know Miss Arend either, but when the Flower of the Fortress pitted them against two against one, I knew that Nexi would lose. Don't ask why." Conmuto on the winner's side coughed.
He saw the disgraced Niexi coming glumly, and immediately stepped forward to comfort him: "Hey, Niexi! You played well, but you were just a bit unlucky. Keep up the good work! By the way, I'll treat you tonight!"
The one above the waist pretending to be indifferent and below the waist happily counting money is the shortest:
"His Royal Highness Thales is up there, keeping an eye on the girl."
Everyone looked at him.
"What's wrong?"
Doyle raised his eyebrows and hurriedly put away his wallet, looking as if it was natural: "This speaks volumes. Well, His Highness finally started to pay attention to women!"
The crowd let out a burst of disdainful boos.
"It's best not to let His Highness, let alone Miss Miranda, hear what you said," Huaiya sighed and shook his head, "This is a rule of thumb."
"Of course." D.D weighed his money bag coolly, feeling high-spirited.
In the warehouse on the second floor, Thales, who had heard this through his hell sense, turned back calmly:
"Thor, how many of the current Star Lake Guards do you think can defeat Miranda?"
"I wonder why Thor?"
"Guess Tormund's nickname."
"The nickname has to be approved by me, right? After all, the people of the Star Lake Guards have never fought directly with Miss Arend, and the battle is also very affected by the environment." Mallos sharpened his knife meticulously, "In terms of the relationship between a pair in the arena,
First, in a fair sword fight, I dare say that both Glover and Doyle, who have received strict knight training, are worthy of fighting Miss Allende."
Thales raised his eyebrows:
"D.D? Is he so fierce?"
Mallos did not answer, just glanced at the corner of his mouth. "But if D.D were to encounter Miss Arend in a life-and-death battle in the wilderness," the watchman put down the sharpened blade and cleaned up the debris on the table, "but
I hope she can be kind and give him a happy life."
"So exaggerated?"
Thales frowned, but he rolled his eyes:
"What about you? You, against Miranda?"
Mallos took out the sword-protecting oil and smiled when he heard this:
"Miss Arend and I...well, let's go 50-50."
"Wow, Thor, you have such a long face."
"please forgive?"
"Oh, long face, I mean, literally."
"Your Highness, when you say that, I'm even more curious about what it means literally."
"Don't, be aware that 'curiosity killed Thor'."
"Thank you for your teaching, Your Highness. I dare not forget it."
Thales made a mocking snort, but the next second, he suddenly spoke:
"Did you know beforehand that he was coming?"
The question was caught off guard, and Mallos paused while oiling the knife.
"What do you know? Who is coming? What are you doing here?" Mallos continued his work, his tone calm and without any disturbance.
Tormund Mallos.
Thales looked at the most elusive watchman in front of him, recalling the moment when they first met, and thinking about the identity and position of the guard captain.
He is the personal guard assigned to him by King Kessel, the guard watchman appointed by the royal guard, and the person with the highest status around him.
But, what role will Marius ultimately play between himself and the king? Server? Protector? Teacher? Monitor? Or maybe
traitor?
Thales stared at Mallos for a long time, and finally shook his head: "Nothing. Then do you know what I want to do now?"
Mallos' expression remained unchanged and calm:
"To sharpen a knife, you have to learn to take care of your own weapon."
Looking at his appearance and listening to his ambiguous answers, Thales had to sigh and handed the well-oiled warning to Marius for inspection.
"Okay, Thor, let me ask you this: Who among the current Star Lake Guards can you trust?"
Hearing this nickname, Mallos also sighed and took the Imperial Sword. He helplessly checked Thales's maintenance work:
"People who can believe it...why are you asking me this?"
Thales raised his eyebrows:
"Because I paid your salary?"
Faced with Thales's shifting focus, Mallos obviously wanted to discuss more on the issue of "Is it you or your father who pays the salary?", but the Duke's eager eyes made him give up this idea.
The watchman raised his head and sighed.
"Who can I trust? Your Highness, do you mean that you believe that they will bow their heads and work hard without complaining, or that they can go through fire and water without hesitation?"
"What if it's the former?"
Mallos waved his sword and looked solemn: "The Star Lake Guards are the carefully selected elites of the Royal Guards. Most of them have the title of Royal Knights, and they are all heroes."
He nods his head and works hard without complaining. He is a heroic man of the highest caliber...
Just rely on your guards, a group of guys whose defense is ineffective and can't even find the prince being beaten on the balcony?
Thales nodded with an intriguing expression:
"What about the latter?"
"Oh," Mallos instantly regained his indifference: "Toledo, Tang Xin, and Trifanov in the command wing are my old subordinates. Glover in the vanguard wing is okay, and maybe Morgan..."
"Morgan, that veteran with a stinky face all day long? Where did he serve before?"
"The Cutthroat Guard of the Blades. Yes, there aren't many times when he's not angry, but luckily he's not responsible for warming your bed either."
"Bed warmer, really?"
"In the guard wing, I can pick out Bastia and Custa, and D.D can barely be considered as an addition..."
"Does D.D count?"
"Excuse me for being stupid, I can't tell whether you are frightened or surprised. In addition, Vincenzo Itarriano from the logistics wing is very useful, and Francisco Capone from the punishment wing."
Reciting these names, Thales scratched his chin.
"Among your old men, Squire Castle and Mute Thank you. I know that his name is Rolf, and that Willow is also fine. Just don't let him do tasks that require brains. Well, in fact, except for death,
Don't give him any errands."
Just a few people.
But he wants to capture the Emerald City.
It’s really reassuring!
Thales folded his hands and counted, with a smile on his face:
"Well, it sounds great. Is there that kind of person who, if, if, if, ah, raises the flag to rebel for the master and is not afraid of losing his head?"
Marius inspected the ancient imperial sword without raising his head:
"How much did you drink last night?"
Thales pretended not to hear, picked up the rag and started to wipe his hands:
"Very good, then take all the above-mentioned people, select a few "good guys", leave the guards behind, and be ready, we will go on a long trip."
Marius was not surprised by the word "going on a far journey", and his words were calm:
"As you wish. No one else? The maid? The cook? The groom? The private soldiers of the Bright Star? And Sister Valencia?"
"It's not that I don't want to bring it." Thinking of his grandma's cat-catching stick, Thales exhaled: "Let's put it this way, if... I hope that the people around me are capable, capable of fighting, capable of using their brains, and capable of running.
Guy."
Mallos nodded: "Then I suggest bringing Oscarson from the vanguard wing. He is from the south and is more familiar with the climate and terrain."
Thales frowned: "I didn't say we were going to the south."
"Well, I must have remembered it wrong," Mallos weighed the warning in his hand: "Then I won't take him with me."
Thales stared at him intently, and after several seconds he sighed dejectedly:
"Forget it, you... just bring it with you."
"As you command, Your Highness."
Mallos played a sword trick and put the warning man into the scabbard: "So, so far in this martial arts class, you have done a good job in maintaining it. I mean, the thickness is still a little uneven, but at least you are getting started.
"
Thales stood up to take his sword, but paused when he put his palm on the scabbard.
"I realize I missed one question, Tormund."
Thank God, Marius was glad that he did not call Thor.
"I will be happy to answer, Your Highness."
Thales raised his head and looked directly at Mallos:
"Is this scabbard useful?"
Mallos frowned slightly.
Thales pointed to the scabbard containing the warning man, meaning: "After all, swords in ancient times cannot escape their sheaths."
Marius was silent, his fingers stroking the scabbard.
"It looks like fine leather, but you'll know it after you use it."
But Thales stared at him:
"Then let me tell you the truth. Among all the people in the Guard, Tormund Mallos, can I trust you?"
Mallos looked sharply.
At that moment, the two people in the warehouse stood opposite each other, both extending their right hands, holding up the ancient sword "Warning" that lay across them.
Mallos remained expressionless for a long time.
Finally, he gently released the scabbard:
"Maybe you should ask yourself if you can trust me?"
Thales stared at him for a long time, let out a long sigh, and took the warning.
"I hope your skill with a sword matches your ability to be sarcastic, my dear leader of the bodyguard."
"Then you underestimate me."
"Oh? Could it be that you are actually not weak in swordsmanship, but you just hide it deeply?"
"No, I mean, I've only done less than half of my ability to ridicule you."
Thales pursed his lips and was speechless for a while.
"By coincidence, I also have a question to ask you."
Mallos turned around, put away the short knife sharpened on the table, and inserted it into the scabbard on his chest:
"When you have a late-night tryst with someone, you don't like to go through the front door, but rather climb through the window and climb to the roof?"
At that moment, Thales, who was holding the warning sign, froze.
I saw Mallos squinting his eyes and crossing his arms:
"I remember I told you that that 'air corridor' will turn you into a meatloaf one day?"
Thales stared and blinked with all his strength:
"You, you, I, I didn't quite understand..."
"Oscarson and D.D. are just outposts," Mallos said calmly, "Just when you met the flower of the fortress, Lady Sutherre, Itariano from the command wing was hiding deeper.
On duty as a secret sentry, he saw you clearly through the telescope and reported everything to me immediately."
Hold.
He really knows and is not deceiving me!
Thales was furious in his heart.
Mallos snorted:
"Wait a minute, Your Highness, you are not really that stupid to think that the defense of Star Lake Castle is useless, are you?"
So who knows.
Right, little Benben?
Thales reacted and coughed.
"Of course not. Well, I know you are nearby, so I feel relieved."
But Thales remembered something and his expression changed:
"Wait, so you must have seen Sonia attack me, but did nothing about it?"
"Do it?" Mallos said calmly, "Sorry, you are so famous that we all thought it was your new trick."
This pen is so annoying.
Thales suppressed the desire to roar:
"Why do I have this premonition that one day I will be killed by you?"
"Actually, Your Highness, I think this should be my line."
If so that would be great.
Thales smiled sarcastically, waved and turned around.
Okay, that's the arrangement here.
Next, he will go to the south bank...
"So, Your Highness, from now on"
"Okay, okay, okay, I understand. I will never climb the wall again. I swear, next time I want to seduce a woman, I will go out from the front door openly and beat gongs and drums..."
"I asked Tang Xin to pull the safety rope outside the window."
Mallos's voice sounded behind him: "Next time before you climb the wall, remember to tie it up first."
safety rope.
Thales' waving hand stopped in mid-air.
He turned back blankly: "Safety rope? Tormund, you..."
Mallos sighed softly, helpless.
"We have been together for a while, Your Highness, and I know that I can't stop you from being stupid, stupid, sick, or disaster..."
Thales's expression darkened.
Well, this pen is really annoying. "... Just like there is nothing that can stop you from getting out of the carriage that day, or rushing out to find someone to fight at all costs."
"But I don't want to order a coffin for you, Your Highness, or for me or anyone else in this castle."
Thales frowned.
"So, before we go on this long journey, if you could have mercy on us," Mallos crossed his arms and pointed out the window with his thumb, "Safety rope?"
After speaking, Marius nodded his chin lightly, turned around and left.
Looking at his back, Thales felt complicated for a moment and didn't know how to react.
Thales lowered his head and looked at the warning in his hand.
The scabbard is just the right size to hold in your hand.
Presumably the same is true when the sword is unsheathed?
Thales took a deep breath.
"Hey."
Thales stopped Mallos.
"I haven't had a chance to say it since I came back from Renaissance Palace, but...thank you, Thor."
Damn it.
Mallos sighed in his heart: Why did the title change again?
Thales walked forward and flattened his mouth:
"I know that I am a difficult boss to take care of. I am impulsive, naive, and self-righteous. I always make stupid decisions to embarrass you. It's almost terrible."
"You can remove the word 'almost'." Mallos' expression remained unchanged.
This pen...
Thales forcefully smoothed his tightly knitted eyebrows, took a deep breath and spoke:
"But thank you for your continued help. You...covered everything for me."
Thales swallowed.
Fortunately, I didn't blurt out "wipe my butt".
Damn secret science.
Marius looked at him with confusion in his eyes.
Thales tried his best to speak: "Especially the day I forced my way into the Fuxing Palace, thank you for the manpower and plan you left for me, thank you for reminding me before entering the palace, and... the subsequent affairs, all of these, and so on.
"
Mallos frowned, looking at him as if he was insane.
Thales tried his best to suppress a smile.
Well, he is not suitable for saying such sensational words.
The Duke wore a stiff smile, spread his hands, and turned away mechanically:
"Anyway, thank you."
"And the previous royal banquet." Mallos suddenly said.
Thales turned halfway and paused:
"What?"
I saw Mallos exhaling from his nose: "You should thank me for all the things you should thank me for."
Thales reacted and coughed awkwardly:
"Oh, yes, there's this one too, um, thank you."
"And the days at Mindis Hall."
Thales could only nod in agreement: "And the days in Mindis Hall."
"And the day I came back from Xihuang."
Thales closed his eyes and sighed: "And the day when Xihuang comes back."
"There are also the management affairs of Xinghu Castle."
Thales repeated dully: "There are also the management affairs of Star Lake Castle."
"besides"
"That's enough for you," Thales finally couldn't bear it anymore, "How much further do you have to count?"
Mallos smiled.
"You're welcome, Your Highness, this is my responsibility."
His smile at this moment was very similar to his usual professional smile with politeness and a touch of sarcasm.
Very similar.
"I dare not thank you so much." The watchman said calmly, turned and left.
Thank you for being numb.
Thales rolled his eyes at his back and swallowed "Then I'll leave it to you this time". At the same time, he threw a little bit of gratitude and a small amount of guilt towards the watchman into prison.
At the bottom of the river, pray that they will never be reincarnated.
Mallos was very efficient. On the next day, everyone knew that His Highness Thales was about to leave for the South Bank to pay a visit. The entire Star Lake Castle was in operation, and everyone was busy preparing for the Duke's long trip.
In preparation, many people began to wonder about the Duke's goals and affairs during his trip. Unfortunately, it was so top secret that only B.B, the informant buried in the deepest part of Star Lake Castle, could know more about it.
But Thales did not expect that after the news of the Duke's trip spread, the first person to come to him would be this person.
"She is just a flower of the fortress, but she thinks very highly of herself. As rumored, she is hard to get close to."
At the door of the Duke's room, Paul Bozdov, the son of Earl Black Lion, who was patrolling by, looked at the cold figure walking into the room and sighed: "I still want to say a few words."
D.D, who was biting the sausage, closed the door and shook his head in denial:
"No, no, no, it's not that you are arrogant, nor that you don't approach strangers. Believe me, no one is born with the tendency to put on a bad face."
D.D swallowed a mouthful of meat sausage:
"Girls of this age, speaking without pretense and being cold as ice are the last resort. They are also the best and most direct way to protect them, especially those women who have to work with men. Compared with being approachable and smiling, this can save a lot of money.
unnecessary trouble."
Paul frowned
"how do you know?"
Doyle smoothed his hair and made a cool gesture: "I wish I didn't know, but I can't help it. I'm so talented."
Paul sneered and shook his head.
"You understand the thoughts of the girl's family so well, it should be easier for you to fall in love with her and be popular," Paul stared at him, "But why did everyone in the circle say that you are flamboyant and carefree when I arrived in the royal capital, which led to your reputation?"
Are all the unmarried girls from good families staying away from you?"
When D.D heard this, his smile froze.
But within just two seconds, his expression changed, he turned around and winked:
"Hey, that's because you don't understand mature women."
Paul was speechless for a while.
"But, after all, she is not married yet," Paul said deeply in thought, "It would be a little bit to come to His Highness Thales privately at this time..."
D.D looked serious.
"Oh, you don't have to worry about that. Ha, I asked Huai Ya, well, it's 'True Huai Ya'. Oh, you don't know what Zhen Huai Ya is. It doesn't matter. Anyway, it's Huai Ya. First of all, Your Highness, they are old acquaintances and we were together.
Fight alongside."
"Secondly, I believe you can see that she is not one of those wealthy ladies who only have love and love in her mind."
Doyle blinked, chewed, chewed, and swallowed the last bite of sausage, confident and decisive:
"So I am sure of one thing: when she and His Highness meet at this point, they will never talk about the personal affairs of children, marriage and love!"
inside the room.
"Miranda?"
Thales, who was copying the sunset scripture (making up for homework before class), was surprised and happy when he saw the person coming.
In front of him, the cold female swordsman unabashedly picked up the cup of tea on the desk that he had not had a chance to drink:
"Miss."
"What?"
"It's Ms. Allende," Miranda said coldly, "You are a prince, so you must be addressed appropriately."
Thales' face darkened.
Really? Again?
It's not enough for you, your blue-blooded friend, to fix me, you want it too?
"Well, respected Ms. Miranda Allende, the daughter of the Duke of the North, the glorious descendant of the Snow Eagle family, the proud Chief Pegasus of the End Tower, the Neverwinter Sword of Cold Castle, the Sky Falcon of Broken Dragon Fortress,
Thales had no choice but to push away the scriptures, lean back, put his feet up on the new chair made by the carpenter, and said with a helpless and bored smile:
"You are here, how can I help you?"
Miranda put down the tea cup expressionlessly and stood in front of his desk, like a sharp knife in the snow, cold and sharp.
"some."
Miranda stared at him, with unclear meaning in her eyes.
After a few seconds, she took a deep breath and looked firmly:
"Do you want to marry me?"
With a bang, the chair legs shattered, and Thales fell solidly to the floor.