The journey from the Sancha River, which guarded the area east of Turin, to the Guarded Hill at the end of the eastern part of the city, was the closest road from the eastern borders of the kingdom to Turin, though more people preferred to take a detour from the south on the Avenue del Reich than on the rugged dirt road.

The city of Turin in the middle of summer morning, although not cool, is still slightly dewy and a comfortable breeze, rolling up the rustle of leaves like waves and the fragrance of flowers on the roadside. In the early morning dawn, there is even a faint golden light.

On the empty path, only a knight and a squire rode slowly in the direction of the city of Turin—the yellow dust and dew of the servants stained their robes, but they could still see the coat of arms on them—a black tree on a white background.

Probably because of the days and nights of hurrying, the squires who followed closely behind the knight were already tired, sleepy-eyed and energetic, but they still yawned constantly, shaking their heads and looking like the world was spinning.

Seeing the appearance of his squire, the knight seemed quite dissatisfied, but his cold face was still extremely stiff, and he just glanced behind him: "Sleep when you are sleepy, give me the flag!"

The attendant, who just looked like he was going to fall down at any time, immediately trembled, his bloodshot eyes widened with strong spirits, and he hugged the flagpole in his arms tightly: "I, I'm not sleepy, you can rest assured!"

"Hopefully, that's true. The knight snorted coldly before slowly turning his head. The little attendant, who was finally relieved, looked into the distance, at the magnificent city walls and the towering hills. There is also a fortress castle that stands on top of a hill. There was a look of infinite affection on his face.

The last time I saw this. It was a few years ago, but I didn't expect to be back so soon. And it is from the same road, at the same time, which makes people extremely emotional.

"It's a bit rude to say that, but ......," said the little squire abruptly to the knight master in front of him, "why don't you go on the King's Road, Lord Gaio Valens?"

"Because there are so many people, I desperately don't want to see them. Chief Knight Gayle Valence's expression was still stiff like a coffin: "By the way, avoid the disgusted expressions of some people - there are still many people in this city who don't want to see me return." ”

"I don't understand. The little squire shook his head, with a blank expression on his face: "You are a hero this time." The whole of the East is talking about your victory in the Blood Cliff, how could anyone in Turin not want to see you back at this time?"

"Because sometimes, winning is a sin, and losing and dying can save a lot of trouble. Gaiyo said meaningfully: "For some people, it is too bad for me to win this battle. ”

At this point, Gaylot Valence's expression was still solemn, even a little determined—from the moment he decided to go back, he had already made up his mind.

Not for triumph, not for the humiliation he had suffered in the city, but for the real chance to achieve his goal - maybe even the only one.

The little squire who followed closely behind Valence still had a confused expression on his face—he still didn't understand. Why did the chief knight of Gaio Valence insist on avoiding the King's Road and those who were ready to meet him, who hated him in the first place? Hate him, but now he has to pretend to be happy, welcoming the Knights of the Sacred Tree, whom they had banished, back to the city, and still as a hero.

Isn't it something to be proud of, to be alone, to accomplish that great victory on the cliff of blood? The little squire did not understand, nor could he understand, why Gaillo had to do this.

You know, the whole city of Turin will soon be in full swing for the chief knight, the future Grand Master of the Order, and the upcoming triumphal ceremony is all for him!

"Lord Valens, don't you have anyone you want to meet after you come back this time?" The gate of Turin City was already close in front of him, and the little squire finally swept away his previous tiredness, and said with some excitement: "If you can agree, I plan to go home and have a look, the family will be very happy if I haven't seen you for so many years, and the brothers of the Knights, you may have to take a day off, is it okay?"

"Who you want to meet......" Valens's stiff expression softened slightly: "Just go, don't forget to come back as soon as possible tomorrow, don't delay too long." ”

"Understood!" Seeing Valence so readily agree, the little squire's expression was a little excited—thinking that after several years, the still immature faces of his family and acquaintances in the streets had a little more affection for homesickness and timidity.

And Gaio Valens, who inadvertently swept his gaze on the side, had a little more ripples in his originally calm eyes like an ancient well, as if he had seen another guy about the size of his own attendant, but who could look at him and smile fearlessly.

"Someone's coming this way, Lord Valens!"

The squire's voice brought Gaio Valence back to his senses at once, and he raised his head to a heavily armed, brightly dressed knight who was galloping towards him from the direction of Turin City.

"You are the chief knight of the Knights of the Sacred Tree, Sir Gayor Valens, right?" When the knight stopped, Gaiyo saw the coat of arms of the flaming goshawk embroidered on his clothes, and his identity naturally spoke: "I am my Lord of the Seals, Lord Berrion Marcherus, the knight of the guard, I salute you!"

"So, don't you know what Lord Berrion is looking for me?" Looking at the arrogant appearance of the guard knight, Gaio still said coldly with a stiff face: "Please tell me as soon as possible, my squire and I still have to hurry." ”

The arrogant expression of the guard knight was stunned for a moment, and there was a little more anger in his eyes. But after thinking of the other party's identity and Lord Berion's orders, he had to hold back his anger and bend down humbly: "On the orders of Lord Berion, the Minister of the Seal, I came to welcome you to the Lord's mansion. ”

"Lord Berrion knows you don't like crowds, so I've prepared a private banquet for you to enjoy - rest assured that no one will disturb you!"

"If you don't want to be known, your lord has arranged for a special carriage and coachman - to make sure that no one will find out that you have entered the city, and that everything is done, as long as you nod your head. ”

"Oh...... Should I thank the Honourable Lord Keeper of the Seals for the invitation?" Valens's expression was still so cold, "And by the way, let you convey my gratitude to Lord Barrion?"

"If you need it, I will be sure to convey it. With just one sentence, the arrogant appearance of the guard knight returned: "As long as you agree." ”

"And what if I refuse?"

"You?!" Looking at Valens's cold face, the guard knight who felt that he had been mocked held back his excited anger: "Please think clearly, this is the invitation of Lord Berrion Marchelus, and no one in the entire Malquerus Hills has no one who is qualified to refuse this!"

"What if I think I have?"

"Maniac!" finally the impatient guard knight roared angrily, staring at the scarlet eyes and pressing his right hand on the hilt of the sword: "You give me ......"

Before he could finish speaking, the Guardian Knight froze in place as if frozen, trembling and terrified as he looked at the blade that had been pressed against his throat.

Gaio Valens, who had just been two horses away from him, had appeared in front of him, tilted his wrist to grasp the hilt of the sword, and slowly stabbed the blade into his neck guard, the cold blade gently slid through the skin outside his throat, as if there was already the touch of blood flowing out.

"The master of Barrion who told you wants to find me, let him come by himself—I'm Gayor Valence, not his dog!" )