Rolf, the former star of hope of the Blood Bottle Gang and the only super master among the Twelve Strongest, experienced hell and despair, and finally reunited with Thales a month later.
"Congratulations, you finally managed to survive," Thales smiled and nodded, "You didn't lose to this damn world."
Rolf trembled slightly, and opened his mouth suddenly. His bloody throat trembled slightly, but he could only utter an unknown mumble.
He also knew that he couldn't say anything now.
Faced with such a situation, Thales didn't know how to react for a moment.
"It's okay. What do you have to say..." He scratched his head and said, "Just write it down with a pen."
Rolf's eyes darkened.
"We tried," Gilbert sighed: "He can't read - except for numbers, he can't even write his own name."
After hearing this, Rolf closed his eyes in humiliation and lowered his head.
Thales was a little embarrassed.
He almost forgot that Rolf was a gangster. Thales, who had been a beggar, knew that most people who would join gangs had unfortunate circumstances and made a living in illegal activities every day. Naturally, he also
There is little opportunity to receive a decent education.
But the next moment, under Thales's surprised gaze, Rolf clenched his teeth, struggled with a cane, lowered his incomplete body, and faced the short and thin Thales...
Bow deeply.
Thales sighed:
"Okay, I have truly received your thanks."
Rolf raised his head, trembling, and looked at Thales.
"What are your plans in the future? Is there anywhere else you can go? I don't really recommend that you go back to the Blood Bottle Gang..."
Rolf shuddered slightly.
Go back to the Blood Bottle Gang? Go back to Sister... Go back to Kathleen's men?
He looked at his legs, showing pain.
Moreover, there is Nekra...
Rolf's eyes gleamed when he thought of the enemy stabbing him in the back.
A few seconds later, Rolf exhaled with his supernatural power and shook his head sadly.
Thales looked at him steadily.
"Okay," the time traveler showed a smile: "Then you can stay with me for now... I should be able to support you."
Rolf's eyes lit up.
This boy... In addition to being his savior, he also has a great identity...
"Gilbert," Thales turned his head and looked at Count Castle: "How long do we have until we set off for Exeter?"
"It depends on the communication time of Xinyao to Longxiao City, at least three days," Gilbert said with a smile: "At most one week, Your Highness."
"That should be enough."
Thales nodded, and then he looked at Rolf:
"In the past few days, you can come to my study during the day."
Rolf looked surprised.
I saw the boy who had always been confident and optimistic. In a desperate situation, he was asked to choose "relief or struggle" with a smile on his face:
"I'm going to teach you how to read and how to speak with gestures."
——————————
Thirty-one-year-old Gennard, a city defense captain affiliated with the Dongcheng District Police Department, collapsed in the dungeon of Mancao Manor, breathing heavily.
He was covered in bruises and was bound by heavy chains, unable to move.
But there was a voice in his heart telling him that he must never... must not speak.
No matter how these noble men tortured and beat him, no matter how they threatened and induced...
No matter how much they wanted to know, the origin of the cavalry that appeared outside Mancao Manor in Dongcheng District that night,
He must grit his teeth.
After the State Council meeting, Gennard stepped down from the task of maintaining order in Xingju Square. Just the next morning, his boss led a group of security officers to Dongcheng District, where he was on duty.
In front of him and all his soldiers, the superior read out Gennard's charges: Someone reported that he had collected bribes while on duty in Dongcheng District.
Jennard sighed immediately.
Not because this is a false accusation, but because in Dongcheng District, it has long been a recognized custom and custom to collect tips from nobles. Every city defense soldier, and even the security officers, will collect such tips.
, the Police Department also knows it very well - they will take a commission every time, and get oil and water - this is also the only extra money that Gennard can get for his meagerly paid team members.
Why was Dudu himself reported? His soldiers also looked shocked.
But how could Gennard, who had been living in Dongcheng District for almost twelve years, not know that he had probably offended a big shot?
With ten security officers watching eagerly, Gennard had only time to keep the sword he had kept for twelve years and never wanted to leave - it was the sword that the Duke of Star Lake saw after his retreat in the Walla Corridor.
He had no weapons, so he casually took off the gift and handed it to him ("Exchange this for the flour in your hand, because of you, at least we have a full meal to eat." - Duke John) with nine awns on it.
The star's emblem was given to a young man in the team whom he liked most. His hands and feet were chained, his head was covered, and he was taken to a carriage and arrived at a manor.
The carriage was twisting and turning, but Gennard had been patrolling the Dongcheng District for more than ten years. When he was a soldier, he had not lost the habit of observing and memorizing roads that he had developed in the Star Army. How could he not recognize it? This was him.
Is it the Kevin Deer family's vine estate that patrols pass three times every day?
A group of people who looked like they were soldiers tortured Gennard for two days.
Nothing else.
Just to ask, that group of cavalry, that group of cavalry that broke into Dongcheng District at night, and might even break into Kevin Deere's Manor...
What exactly is it?
But Jennard couldn't say.
He can't say.
Nothing else.
Just for that group of cavalry, they... come from the... Bright Star Royal Family under the Nine-Pointed Star.
That is John's nine-pointed star, it is the nine-pointed star of the Duke of Star Lake, it is the nine-pointed star of the Star Legion, and it is the nine-pointed star under whose banner the ignorant Jenard once fought passionately and fought tirelessly.
How many of his comrades are there!
Twelve years ago, he wandered numbly in the war-torn land, amidst the cold, hunger, pain, and suffering, and witnessed murder, arson, rape, and robbery every day.
Until Genard entered the city stupidly, and when he was so hungry and dizzy, he walked towards the recruitment office in a daze.
Until I met the Duke, the humorous, confident, optimistic, and approachable Duke of Star Lake, and his Star Legion.
A nineteen-year-old farm boy who was often bullied, stupid, and couldn't survive. There, he learned unity and cooperation for the first time, understood selfless sacrifice for the first time, and was recognized and appreciated for the first time.
It was the first time I was taught how to read and write, the first time I raised my sword and shouted for victory, the first time I sang around a campfire, and the first time I made up my mind to fight for my comrades.
Also, for the first time, he understood that there were more important things in the world than having enough to eat and surviving.
There, he felt more like a human being than a wild beast just looking for food.
The Duke's Star Legion and the Duke's personal guards were his home, his destination, his everything, and the place where he thought he would fight for the rest of his life.
Until the tragedy of Sodala, until that shameful and hateful betrayal, until that despicable sneak attack, until that cowardly backstabbing.
Until the Duke lay peacefully among all his guards, and amid the regretful and angry cries of the entire legion, warned them to "take care of themselves", then he smiled with tears in his eyes, and passed away forever.
It's all their fault, it's their Guards' fault, it's their Guards' sin.
If we had found out earlier...if I had reacted faster...then the Duke wouldn't have...our family wouldn't have...
Therefore, when the soldiers of the noble family disdainfully insulted, questioned, beat and threatened him, asking Gennard to reveal the identity of the group of cavalry who also belonged to the Nine-Pointed Star.
Jennard felt that his unyielding strength, gritted teeth, and silence in response, even being covered in bruises and dying, were all a form of atonement.
At least this would make him feel better about his guilt, regret, and self-blame for twelve years, and allow him to repay some of his guilt and regret for these twelve years of lifelessness and insensitivity.
This is all for the sake of his former "family", and for the duty of the duke's personal guard that he will always remember even though he is no longer here.
"My master just wants to confirm something," the gray-haired old man asked him calmly outside the cell door again:
"As for the identity of those cavalrymen - that's all. I swear on my master's honor that he has no intention of doing anything bad to those cavalrymen."
Jennard gritted his teeth.
"Who will see your persistence? Likewise, no one will see your weakness. As long as you give us a little information - even a little bit, no one will know."
Jennard continued to grit his teeth.
"We know that you must know something - your soldiers all said that they have no flags or emblems. So, is it someone you know? A former comrade? A life-long friendship?"
Jennard still gritted his teeth.
The gray-haired old man sighed and left the dungeon.
Jennard let go of his teeth, gasped, and fell to the ground.
He got through it again.
But somewhere he didn't know, Ashford, the old butler of the Kevin Deere family, came to the upper floor of the Manor and bowed respectfully to his young master, the Guardian Duke of South Shore, Jane Kevin Deere.
road:
"I have already asked, those cavalrymen are from the Canxing family."
Zhan turned around from the window filled with the smell of blood, with a playful expression:
"I thought he never spoke?"
"Some things can be asked without the other party opening their mouths," Ashford said expressionlessly: "Jernard was born in the Star Legion, and was even a personal guard of the Duke of Star Lake, John Bright Star, the Star God of War himself.
After Sonia Sathre disbanded the original Star Legion, as one of those who did not want to go north to Broken Dragon Fortress, she retired and came to the Security Hall."
Zhan En's eyes turned, thoughtfully.
Ashford nodded slightly: "It can be seen that he is an excellent and tough soldier - if there is something about those cavalry that makes him unable to speak, it must have something to do with his service experience."
"I speculate that he, who has rich experience in the military, has seen through the background of the group of flagless cavalry - out of the feelings of his comrades in the Star Legion who were also born in the Brilliant Star, he insisted on fighting for those
People keep secrets.”
Zhan En looked at his old butler for several seconds.
Finally, he sighed:
"So, the only ones who fit the description are the Bright Star private soldiers of Mindis Hall - and the new prince returned to Mindis Hall directly and openly after yesterday."
"The secret treasure in Mindis Hall is missing?"
Zhan shook his head and chuckled:
"Hmph, I'm afraid the so-called secret treasure that disappeared in Mindis Hall was the new prince! Nekra caught the kid and brought him to Manor Manor... so they simply broke in and robbed him secretly."
"You know, Ashford, we have held the fate of the kingdom in our hands twice, twice!" Zhan raised his head and closed his eyes tightly: "In the end, he escaped both times."
Ashford lowered his head indifferently and said nothing.
Half a moment.
"Treat the injuries of that Star Legion soldier." Zhan En said coldly.
Ashford raised his gaze with confusion.
"You know, that kid, I owe him once, no matter what..." Zhan clenched his fists and said with fire in his eyes: "And I don't want to hesitate when I attack him."
Zhan turned around and left this bloody manor without hesitation.
"You know what, my lord."
Behind him, Ashford showed a mysterious smile: "You are becoming more and more like an old man."
Zhan En didn't look back and replied disdainfully:
"And then being as stupid as him, he was plotted against by his relatives, and his throat was slit in his own bedroom without anyone noticing?"
Ashford shook his head slightly and sighed deeply.
He lowered his head and reported another matter:
"Sir, the news from the Emerald City...Miss Heeley..."
Ashford looked at his master's face and hesitated to speak.
Zhan's footsteps paused.
The young Duke took a breath, as if preparing for something.
"Tell me," he said in a cold tone, "my twelve-year-old, cute and stupid sister did something inexplicable again."
After hearing this, Ashford bowed deeply and said cautiously:
"Miss Hilley, under the escort of Lord Cassian, left for the Principality of Sera five days ago - no one under her command dared to stop her."
Zhan turned his head and looked at Ashford.
"Thera? The Principality of Sera was torn apart after the Grand Duke was assassinated?" He showed a puzzled look and frowned: "Isn't there a plague in that place recently?"
"The external story is that she is going to rescue the people who are suffering from the plague," Ashford bowed lightly: "But I suspect that she has found information about that organization."
That organization?
Zhan En's face suddenly turned as cold as frost and snow, and his face twitched, as if he thought of something unbearable.
Until he exploded violently.
"Isn't it enough that she killed her parents?"
The Duke's voice was full of anger and hatred: "What kind of disaster do you want to bring back to Kevin Deere and this home!"
Ashford said nothing.
After more than ten seconds, Zhan En exhaled sharply.
After all, he waved his sleeves.
"Send extra manpower to ensure her safety." Zhan closed his eyes tightly, gritted his teeth, and said harshly: "Also...make sure her identity is kept secret, absolutely, absolutely, absolutely cannot be leaked..."
His voice trembled and he used three absolutes.
Ashford nodded lightly, understandingly, and left the manor hall ahead of the Duke.
After the butler's figure disappeared, Zhan trembled and held on to the pillar.
Boom!
He punched hard and hit the pillar!
Then, the Duke of Iris leaned his head deeply against the pillar.
He exhaled a breath of air in pain.
The previous negligence and failure will not be allowed to happen again...
I can't fall.
Can't fall!
I must become a king.
must.
Only by becoming the High King...
Only the power to control the entire Star Kingdom...
Otherwise...Hile...
Who else in this world can protect you?
To protect...you like that?
———————————
Mindis Hall, cellar.
"What a congratulations, my ally, His Highness Thales, the second prince." Serena, a vampire over 400 years old and a refugee from the Kingdom of Night, with silver hair and red eyes, looked at Taylor with a complicated expression.
S.
"You can clearly hear the cheers at Xingju Square here."
"This is a bit exaggerated...the distance from Xingju Square to here..." Thales narrowed his eyes and said helplessly.
"In short, our covenant is one step closer."
Serena interrupted him without blushing (Tails doubted: does she really have the attribute of "blushing"?), and then said: "Now, just wait and see when Li can be crowned king, and then help me regain the throne.
Don't worry, I will do my best to help you."
Under the ever-extinguishing lamp, Thales's face turned pale.
Help me with all your strength?
This is said - as if I am not the only heir to the kingdom, and if you don't help me, I won't be able to inherit the kingdom.
On the contrary - her competitor and rival, the "Cryer" of the Kingdom of Night, the Queen of Night...
Thales just felt like his head was big.
He spat in his heart: an old witch who is calculating and taking advantage of everything.
I am crowned and you are reset?
Old witch, can we change the order?
But he still didn't voice his complaint after all.
"In that case, you should have heard about it," Thales coughed dryly: "I'm going to Exeter in the near future."
Serena nodded and showed a mysterious smile.
This short-lived brat.
Do you think I don’t know what you are planning?
"Before I leave, I will entrust you to...uh, father..." Thales carefully considered his words.
"I'm coming with you."
Thiel continued to nod, thinking about the next wording: "...You are at least a political figure in a country, and he will definitely not neglect..."
"I'm just going inside."
Thales's voice gradually became quieter.
"What?" He frowned and asked doubtfully.
"I said, I want to be with you," Serena smiled. This person seemed to be six or seven years old (Hey, wasn't he only five or six years old last time I saw him? Could it be that he has grown up a little? - Thales
), the red-eyed girl opened her mouth and said: "We still have the monthly blood supply terms, don't we?"
Thales lamented in his heart.
"Besides, of course allies cannot be too far apart - I also have to ensure their safety."
The time traveler rolled his eyes again.
Stay with me - keep yourself safe!
What he worried about most happened.
However, at this moment, Gilbert's voice came from outside the door:
"Good day, you three...Mr. Corleone, Mr. Corleone, and Miss Corleone...you are really doing your job - Jorah, relax."
Immediately, there was a knock on the door outside the cellar.
"Sorry to interrupt your discussion, Your Highness Thales, Your Highness Corleone." Count Casso's voice came through the door:
"But...sooner than expected...Exeter's reply arrived."