The music is melodious and the candlelight is romantic.

The banquet entered the next stage, and I saw that on the dance floor in the center of the hall, many men and women began to dance hand in hand.

Except for Tails.

"No, ma'am, your audacity has amazed me, and lit up the feast. ”

On the seat, facing a young and lovely, lively and lovely aristocratic girl in front of him, Tails said dryly (probably only to deceive Edda) polite words:

"It's just that I'm sensitive, and it's a big matter, so I can't be rash. ”

"Especially the first dance back home, no matter who you dance with, it's not fair, and everyone else will be resentful. ”

Tails noticed that Marios had finished communicating with several of his subordinates and was walking towards him.

The watchman's eyes were both urging and vigilant, and Tails understood the meaning:

Hurry up.

"So, for the sake of the stability and balance of the kingdom, for the prosperity and peace of the stars. ”

Tails cheered up, looked kindly at the girl's sparkling eyes, gently clasped her palm, and held back his contempt:

"I can only endure great grief and give up the beauty of dancing with you. ”

"It breaks my heart. ”

The girl in front of her bit her lower lip, her eyes were complaining, and she was very hurt.

But she curled her knees with a slight sneer, glanced sadly at Tails, and turned away.

There is no mud and water, but it is graceful and graceful.

It's hard to help but look sideways.

Tails breathed a sigh of relief, only to feel exhausted.

It was the ninth lady to invite him to dance tonight, and the forty-fourth (or fifty-fourth, I can't remember) guests to visit him.

"So you've just gotten rid of Miss Enossa," Marlos's voice came from behind him:

"Well done. ”

"So that's her name, Enosha?" Tails sighed, "her expression, I felt guilty. ”

Marhros decisively denied:

"You don't have to. ”

"Miss Enosa is not only bold and honest, but she also knows how to use her charm to capture the spoils of war, so that many young talents will go to the soup for her, whether they will live or die," the watchman sat down at the deputy table, plain as water:

"Trust me, you don't want to duel someone at the first banquet. ”

"Especially when the Assassins are around. ”

Tails had a big head for a while.

Oh, yes.

According to Marlos, at this moment, there was a damn assassin at the banquet who was lurking somewhere.

I guess it's going to make a big news.

And the king, his father, and countless nobles were present, eyeing each other.

The prince sent off the next guest who visited him in a polite greeting, and then he unloaded his perfect smile, put down the wine glass that had been stained on his lips countless times, and soothed the muscles in his waist.

"Are you sure? Assassin?"

"Just because...... A look?"

Marios' voice remained steady:

"I'd rather believe it. ”

Tails turned his head to glance at him, and then turned back.

"Okay. ”

"So, a guy who is not low in status and qualified to attend the royal banquet, guards in front of everyone, risking his life and reputation, is going to assassinate me in a crazy way—me?"

Marlos raised his glass without changing his expression and drank from a distant distance with a friend at the next table:

"Or your father. ”

"Or my father. Tails was as good as he could, but still depressed:

"But why? I just returned to Xingchen, what kind of grudge? Did I rob his wife or kill his father?"

Marios looked at the guests vigilantly, but he rarely had a cold humor:

"Or both?"

Tails gave him an unpleasant look.

"Anyway, don't let up, we haven't found him yet. Marlos said softly, continuing to arrange for manpower.

Tails exhaled - ahead, the tenth lady tremblingly stepped forward and curtsied to him.

But as a prince, he had to remain quiet, endure the gaze of countless people, take into account the influence, and maintain his demeanor.

He must brace himself and deal with the guests who greet him with a variety of purposes.

Including the girl in front of him who invited him to dance: she was only about eleven or twelve years old, and the nervous look on her face always reminded Tails of a little slippery head when he was a child.

Oh, and Thelma.

The girl was in the middle of a war in the north.

And he was still thinking, how could he help her thousands of miles away at this banquet.

Thinking of the female archduke, Tails was in a bad mood again.

And all he can do is ......

[Laugh, Tails, on this battlefield, smile is the best armor.] 】

"When you grow up, Miss, dear lady, I will be captivated by you and dance with you—but for now, we must be responsible for your father and brother. ”

Tails squeezed out a smile and sent away the teary-eyed and aggrieved "Miss Ten".

Before he could rest for a few seconds, the fifty-sixth guest, Levi Trudida from the Northland Rebuilding Tower, squeezed in with a smile on his face.

"That, Polaris?"

"We, we say okay...... I'm ...... with you."

Oh.

Tails covered his eyes and rolled his eyes in the palm of his hand.

What do you mean by that? Say the little slippery head, the little slippery head will arrive?

"I know I know," the prince put down his hand, holding back his weariness, and put on his 'armor' again, "just do me a favor, little pot lid." ”

Small pot lid?

Levi was stunned for a moment, and subconsciously touched the lid of his pot.

"Just sit down and smile," Tails said with a headache, "Take whatever you want, including the one on my plate, there's only one ......"

"Don't speak. ”

Levi was stunned again:

"But we ......"

But Tails' eyes forced him back.

The guest from the Rebuild Tower understood, and he sat down and smirked at Tails as he ate, while peeking at a certain bureaucrat in the audience.

The prince also smiled gently at him as a gesture of kindness.

In the eyes of outsiders, it is simply a meeting of confidants, and there is nothing to talk about.

They sat quietly opposite each other for five minutes.

Unfortunately, there were no Assassins.

Luckily, no one invited him to dance.

"Well, it's almost time, they must think we're about to get started. ”

Tails is listless.

He ignored Levi's strange eyes and enjoyed enough of the rare rest: "By the way, Levi. ”

Levi put down his glass and listened humbly.

"The Duke of Nantophor, he told me," Tails closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead vigorously:

"He found out about your efforts to buy food from the stars and smuggle it from his territory. ”

Levi's complexion changed dramatically.

Tails said with interest:

"Looks like 'Cyclops' Goesd is very unhappy. ”

"Smuggling, you say?"

To his surprise, the lid of the small pot changed his face very quickly, and he said awe-inspiringly:

"What, there are still such lawbreakers in our territory? Your Highness, rest assured, I will be strict with ...... when I go back."

"Don't be nervous. ”

Tails slapped his hands disappreciatively, looked tired, and lied without burden:

"I convinced him that the one-eyed dragon would turn a blind eye to you, lest the rumba sit too big. ”

"You can continue to transport supplies. ”

Levi's eyes widened.

He struggled to squeeze out a smile and find the proper wording:

"Ah, Polaris, you're really, really that ......"

Tails found the words for him.

"But you have to think about it," said Tails, who wanted to finish quickly, interrupting him with a wave of his hand:

"If this path is discovered by the Black Sand Collar in the future, or even if the matter of you coming to me for help is exposed, then King Chaman will only think that you have long been in collusion with the stars and have hidden dissenting intentions. ”

"And you know how much he hates me. ”

The little pot lid's eyes rolled slightly.

"You have to step up your efforts to find internal reinforcements to fight the murderers. ”

Tails sighed:

"At the end of the day, Exeter's affairs can only be resolved from within. ”

Internal aid, internal.

Tails felt he had made it clear enough.

There was silence between the two for a while.

"Your Highness's golden and jade words. Levy became serious:

"I take it to heart. ”

Tails shook his head.

"Of course, the one-eyed dragon is not a good thing," the young man raised his glass and clinked glasses with Levi, "If he breaks his promise behind my back and cuts off your goods, or if he wants to blackmail me with it......"

Tails' eyes froze:

"Remember to talk to me. ”

Levi's face was heavy, but his head was tilted.

"In the end, your previous promise ......" Tails ramparted.

Levi is categorical:

"It will be done for His Highness. ”

In this way, Polaris sent away the small pot lid that was heavy on his mind.

Tails exhaled heavily, tired and unloved.

It's like even the sins of the River of Hellland have dried up.

But Levi only had these five minutes of rest.

Soon, Tails had to put on the "armor" again and greet "Miss Eleven" in full gear.

After sending her away, he tried to concentrate and looked around.

There's another Assassin to worry about.

During this time, his (or Marios's) Star Lake Guard had already begun to move, traveling lightly and quietly.

The men of the wing, the former warkeeper who had fought with Tails, the strong-faced Bastia, the flagpole-tall Franzouk, and the dazed-looking Ferry—the men of the wings of the guards quietly gathered, hiding in the shadows of the hallway of the foyer, disguised as servants serving wine, or pretending to be shifts, and stood guard not far from Tails, warily scanning those approaching the prince.

In the vanguard wing, Zonevid, who is accustomed to using a left-handed sword, Vlatten, who helps Tails sparring and raises a shield, the young and vigorous Nexi, the unattractive Oscarson, Supa with foreign blood, and Morgan, who has served in military service and fought in battle, are scattered in the hall, each occupying different places, guarding the high hall, servant passages and entrances, and paying attention to the crowd of people.

As for Piloga and the rest of the logistics wing, at the urging of the prince, they went to search the fireplace and other hiding places in the Mindith Hall ("Once upon a time there was an archduke who paid no attention to the fireplace, and then he became king. - the extremely serious Prince Tyres).

Marios's direct heralds, Toledo and Donsing, inconspicuously go back and forth between them like scheduled patrols, but in fact they are passing orders and communicating information.

They also kept an eye on the prince all the time.

Looking at all this, Tails only felt more pressure.

Kings, Banquets, Guests, Assassins, Stars, Exter, Thelma, Starlake Guards, and the damned Mindice Hall and Duke titles......

He felt like he was chained by countless chains.

The other end of the chain was firmly attached to every pillar in the hall, leaving him immobile and dying.

Tails' smile had long since stiffened to ice, like worn armor.

The prince looked at the shackled, lonely and lonely Duke of Vaal from afar, and he actually felt a sense of envy in his heart.

Perhaps, he was luckier.

At least, he won't have to endure this after tonight.

Just then, Doyle, who had gone to inquire among the guests, returned.

"Sir, Your Highness. ”

He is full of energy, radiant, majestic and high-spirited.

The exhausted Tails and the burnt Marles are in contrast.

Tails and Marhros narrowed their eyes at the same time and leaned forward.

The two stared at Doyle's collar looming under the collar of a suspicious red - lip print?

D.D noticed their gaze and quietly straightened up his collar:

"Well, you know, intelligence work...... Some of the senior informants are asking for a very high price......"

Marlos coughed:

"Doyle?"

"I'm sorry, sir," Doyle grimaced, returning to the point:

"I would say that almost all unmarried ladies between the ages of nine and thirty-nine, including their male relatives, are looking at Your Highness, openly or implicitly, and every ten seconds they glance upwards and talk passionately about your status, appearance, figure, dress, love life, deeds, and character, in descending importance......"

"There are also many people who ask me about your preferences and habits, and bet on who can capture your heart! hehe, how will they know that our Highness likes ...... it?"

Tails frowned:

“D.D？”

"I'm sorry, Your Highness," Doyle saw that the situation was not good, and hurriedly changed the subject:

"With all due respect, but the enthusiasm of those people to gather information about His Highness, and the way they looked at His Highness, both men and women, seemed to want to eat him alive, more like an assassin than an assassin. ”

Doyle spread his hands helplessly.

Tails was stunned and looked at the banquet center.

But everywhere he looked, every guest was immersed in his own little world, or chatting, or exchanging glasses.

Elegant and civilized, polite and decent.

Some of them were laughing with their friends, some were invited to sing and dance, some were quiet and elegant by their elders' side, but no one deliberately stared at the table of His Royal Highness the Prince.

Even if there are ladies and Tails look at each other, most of them bow their heads politely, or bow their heads shyly, or smile at each other, or return the salute decently.

It looks like a natural self, noble and dignified, and has a wise character.

is not bothered by the status of the prince at all.

Just like the young lady named Linosa or Inatha just now.

It is a matter of respect.

Tails swept around:

"Why didn't I think so?"

Doyle smiled mysteriously:

"Of course, it's your inexperience, but they're skilled and skilled, and they're used to probing the enemy before launching a general attack......

Marhros interrupted at this point:

"Enough. ”

"Glovo is back. ”

The three of them turned their heads in unison: Glove, who had gone to contact his superiors, appeared in the shadows of the hallway.

And behind him was another royal guard with a calm face and outstanding temperament, but Tails did not know.

Doyle's face changed immediately.

"Oh no. ”

Tails looked at the guard:

"Who's that?"

Doyle stood up, pressed to Tails' ear, and whispered through gritted teeth:

"That's the bad guy, Your Highness, the bad guy of the guard, the real villain of the Fuxing Palace......"

Tails was stunned.

"My Vogel Taron," the visitor walked to Tails' table with his glass in his hand, and saluted gracefully, like a guest more than a guard, "Your Highness Tails." ”

"Second Commander of the Royal Guard. ”

"And the Chief Flag Officer. ”

"I wish you good health and happiness. ”

The Vogel Taron straightened up and glanced at Glough and Doyle.

The latter two reluctantly saluted and stepped back.

"Second Commander ......"

Tails, who has already trained his "armor" to the full level, smiles and toasts, just like a normal social etiquette.

"So, you're the deputy captain of the royal guard, and Captain Adrian's deputy?"

"And your last name...... Glacier City's Talen?"

The teenager uses his brains and tries to quickly switch between the guest's title and surname.

"Yes, Your Highness," Vogel unraveled his doubts:

"Uncle is none other than the Earl of Glacier City. ”

Tails' eyes swept over the pentagram on his cuffs.

Taron in Glacier City.

A distant relative of the Bright Star royal family, one of the thirteen wang clans, the right-hand man in the central collar, and the Talon family with the pentagram as the emblem.

Coincidentally, their ancestor happened to be one of the historical Dukes of Star Lake.

It's just that......

Tails muttered about the other party's other job title.

Chief Flag Officer?

He suddenly remembered Semir, the former royal guard who had joined the Sword of Calamity.

"May you enjoy this evening. ”

Vogel didn't say much, he bowed and went to the sub-table, where he sat alongside Marlos, who also clinked glasses with him.

It looks like an old friend having a drink in the corner.

"Good night, Lord Tarron," Marhos's expression remained unchanged, and he said in a businesslike tone:

"I believe you brought the captain's orders?"

"Oh, Tormond," Vogel called Mallos by his name gently, but Tails noticed that his smile was polite, as if he had put a layer on his face: "About what you reported......"

"We look forward to your explanation. ”

"I'm sure Crofo has explained it very clearly. ”

The watchman said lightly: "For security needs, we are ...... now"

"Clear?"

Vogel gently shook his glass and interrupted Marhos kindly:

"Are you sure it's an assassin?"

Marlos's pupils narrowed.

Tails frowned as well.

After a few seconds, Marios said slowly:

"Quite possibly. ”

Vogel put down his wine glass and slowly tightened his tone: "Maybe?"

"Dear Tormond, do you really know what you're talking about. ”

Realizing the tension, Glover and Doyle looked at each other.

"This is the first formal banquet of the royal family in more than ten years after the war, and it is of great significance to prepare for a long time and the guests are dignitary. ”

The words of the deputy captain of the guard began to become serious:

"What is happening here now will spread throughout the kingdom tomorrow and will have a far-reaching impact. ”

He turned his head to stare at Marlos, as if he were staring at a lawbreaker:

"Whether the banquet was interrupted, the dignitaries were arranged to leave the venue in a hurry. Or the Bright Star royal family is greedy for life and afraid of death, nervous, searching for assassins. ”

Vogel narrowed his eyes:

"Just for...... Something got a look at you?"

"Sounds like a scene from some country tavern, Tormond. ”

The contempt in his tone was clear.

Tails couldn't help but look at Marhos.

"It is precisely because this banquet is so important," the captain of Duke Xinghu's personal guard did not get angry, and his tone was as plain as ever:

"So once the assassination is real, the trouble will only be greater. ”

Vogel snorted coldly.

He stared at the side of Marios's face, but the latter just looked silently ahead, as if it weren't a blade of suspicion pointing at him.

After a few seconds, Vogel exhaled.

"We've acted. ”

Vogel turned his head and put his attention back into his glass: "They will keep an eye on everyone who tries to get close, and Your Majesty, Your Highness, and other dignitaries of important status will be safe......"

"But the shield can't keep the spear at bay," said Marlos, who did not look at him, still paying attention to the situation in the hall:

"The best thing to do is to avoid the accident before it happens, maybe we can take some ...... out for a while"

But Vogel's gentle tone was like a sudden hardening, and the words of the other party were inserted like steel, and he even changed the title:

"For the sunset's sake, Marios. ”

"Please don't educate me. ”

He spoke slowly, but seriously.

There was silence between the two.

At that moment, both Doyle Golovo and Tails felt that tension.

The music died down, and the dance time came to an end.

The Bard returns to the field and sings the tragic long song of the Blade King's expedition to the Dragon's Kiss, but on the eve of his success, he dies in a foreign land.

Tyers resisted the urge to interject, trying not to look at the two behind him, and sliced the next plate of lettuce with a smile as he sent off the next guest who came to greet him.

After a long while, Marios's voice came again, still calm:

"Don't dare, sir. ”

Vogel was silent for a moment, and when he spoke again, he was back to normal.

"We can't just throw everybody away just to avoid accidents. This is the Mindis Room, and its opening marks the return of the kingdom to its heirs and its return to prosperity and stability. ”

Tails sighed inwardly.

Return to prosperity and stability......

Vogel looked around vigilantly, making sure he hadn't attracted much attention:

"Heighten your vigilance, and the banquet will continue as usual. ”

He got up and prepared to leave.

"But this is also the Duke of Star Lake's Mendis Hall. ”

"Once something happens, His Highness Tails will bear the brunt of the blame. ”

Marlos turned his head slowly and looked directly at Vogel:

"My people are the ones who take responsibility. ”

He said slowly.

Vogel's movements stopped.

The Vice-Captain let go of his arm on the table and sat down again.

"Your people?"

This time, Vogel snorted coldly, and his tone was no longer polite.

"Marlos, I think, you, and your son-in-law's squad, you need to sort out your position. ”

This made Glovo and Doyle change their hearts.

Tails frowned as well.

Childe Brother Squad......

Marlos listened expressionlessly, and Vogel's eyes were unmistakable:

"Even if you change locations, you are still the royal guard. ”

"And I'm yours - superior. ”

"It's like the Mindis Hall, which is subordinate to the Fuxing Palace. ”

Tails said this with a piercing remark.

The Mindis Hall is subordinate to the Fuxing Palace......

Vogel's words are cold to the marrow:

"Always, never forget that. ”

"Watchman. ”

Marlos did not react.

Just as neither did Tails.

Time seemed to stand still for a few seconds.

For a long time, Glovor and Doyle seemed to freeze.

Only Marus took a deep breath, closed his eyes and opened them: "Of course, sir. ”

"Don't dare or forget. ”

He said respectfully.

Vogel nodded slightly, looking satisfied.

Until the next sentence of Marlos, who was calm and seemingly unemotional:

"But if I'm not mistaken, ...... in a state of emergency"

"The Guardian of the Guard's Legacy, the same level as the Deputy Captain of the Guard?"

"Really, sir?"

This time, it was Vogel's turn to change.

For a second, Tails thought that the temperature had dropped dramatically and that the air was no longer moving.

After a few seconds, the deputy captain stared at Marhos coldly, and his tone was playful:

"That's right, according to the top-secret Law of the Watch in the Praetorian Covenant, in certain 'states of emergency,' the watchman can and should make decisions independently. ”

"And I have no right to interfere. ”

Tails a rin.

The top-secret "Watchman's Law".

In a state of emergency.

Watchmen can and should ......

Independent decision-making?

Tails listened tightly.

Vogel lowered his voice, and his words were cold:

"But you know, the last time the Royal Guard invoked the ordinance during a state of emergency, activating this secret decree, giving the watchman great power to be independent of the command wing......

"When did it happen?"

At that moment, Tails's mind emptied, and he suddenly remembered Saker, who didn't know where he was.

The Knight of Punishment.

[The person who should really bear the charge of collaborating with the enemy, but despicably concealed the truth for eighteen years...... That shameful, sad, hypocritical, disgusting, pretentious, sanctimonious, and inconsistent fellow...... It was me. 】

Tails froze.

Vogel's pupils focused.

He raised his glass, close to Marios's ear, and suppressed the voice:

"And you've really figured it out......"

"To forcibly declare a state of emergency here, in front of me?"

"Activate the Watchman's Order?"

Marhros confronted him silently.

Gloughover and Doyle didn't hear Vogel's words, but that didn't stop them from judging the tension between their boss and the captain of the guard.

The two of them didn't dare to take a breath.

I don't know how long it took, but Marhos finally laughed:

"Of course ......"

For a moment, the chill in Vogel's eyes was even worse.

Glovo and Doyle's faces were as earthy as earth.

It wasn't until a few seconds later that the watchman bowed his head mildly and chuckled:

“...... No. ”