In the next twenty days, the weather in the royal capital turned cold, and the time of winter arrived. Pen Fun Pavilion wWw. ｂiquge。 ｉｎfo

Under the ferocious training of Jenny, at the cost of more than two hours each morning and evening, under the necessary conditions of exhaustion and back pain, Tails learned three sets of defensive styles, seven sets of offensive styles, and one set of combined styles of Gubeidi military swordsmanship, until his arms began to get used to the shape and weight of the shield and sword, and finally changed to a larger sword and shield. Listening to what Ji Ni said, he began to enter the process of "learning to be beaten" from Ji Ni's mouth of "passive beating" to (still Ji Ni's mouth).

"Before, you were the one who was beaten, and now, you have to know why you are the one who is beaten. "This is extremely strict Gennie.

"Isn't that the same as being beaten--hey, ma'am, you haven't shouted yet--hiss!"

Under Gilbert's strict supervision, Tails basically learned the advanced grammar of the lingua franca and the basic use of the ancient imperial Chinese in the cultural classes every afternoon and evening, began to get in touch with the rhetoric of the stars and nobles and some necessary foreign language literacy (such as Far Eastern proverbs and elven warnings), and learned some basic knowledge of the Errol world in his tireless history lessons.

"In the stars, a nobleman who does not know how to use the ancient imperial alphabet and ancient grammar as a figure of speech is not qualified. And Mr. Tails, I'm sure you'll need some time to get acquainted with the intricate and ever-changing letters of the ancient empire......"

The next second, watching Tails finish writing the ancient imperial alphabet casually, Gilbert sighed depressedly and threw the dignity of the teacher into the sea of ends:

“...... Well, well, let's move on to the next chapter, the basic rhetoric of the ancient imperial Chinese. ”

In Tails's eyes, apart from the foal who took pleasure in throwing him, and the strange aristocratic etiquette, there seemed to be nothing unpleasant, and even Corleone's blood trio and the Lori Archduke didn't bother him.

So...... Tails nodded inwardly: it was time to explore the mystery of himself.

One warmer afternoon, Gilbert, who was holding a book and carrying a cane, saw Tails standing on a chair in the study, looking for something on the heavy shelves, and couldn't help but ask curiously:

"What are you looking for, my little gentleman?"

"Ah, Gilbert, wait a minute—in alphabetical order, it should be here...... Eh, why is this one so thick......"

Gilbert chuckled, walked over to the bookshelf, and helped Tails, who had just finished practicing his sword in the morning and was running low on strength, to pull the thick book out of the books on either side.

"Thank you, Gilbert, ah, that's it, the books are all ready. Tails tiredly threw the thick book onto the cedar desk, alongside the few books that were already on it. ”

"This is ......" The middle-aged nobleman approached and saw the titles of the top books: "The History of the Bright Star Family", "The Genealogy of the Star Royal Family", "10-612 Star Decree and King Warrant Collection", "Star Court Collection", and several other books, as well as the "Chronicle of the Kings of the Stars" that had just arrived.

"These are some books that I have tried to find according to the letters and words I have learned in the past few weeks, and I plan to read them slowly after I can read them well. Tails scratched his head and said with some embarrassment: "After all, as my father's only son, I don't know anything about Bright Star, the royal family, and my blood family - it seems unreasonable." ”

Gilbert's brow furrowed slightly, but he was relieved: thinking about their conversation in the back room, he knew that the little gentleman's adaptability and precociousness should never be underestimated.

"Especially after listening to you talk about the 'Revival King' Tormond earlier, and Madame Geni told me something about the eldest son of the former king, that is, my eldest uncle, His Highness Middil. ”

Tails said excitedly as he straightened up the books on the table and quietly piled a few books underneath the others.

The traverser continued, "So, I'm more curious about the Bright Star and the family I came from. ”

Gilbert looked at Tails, smiled, and nodded slightly.

He didn't notice Tails' slightly unusual breathing rate.

"Your eagerness to learn and diligence is really gratifying...... Lady Ji Ni told you the story of the eldest son of the first king?"

"Well, it's not much," Tails nodded, pushing the book aside, "I probably know that Midil Bright Star is a nice guy with a gentle smile, and seems to be very popular with everyone. ”

To Tails' surprise, Gilbert's eyes darkened, as if he was reminded of something: "It's not just popular......

But he quickly replied and nodded thoughtfully: "I'm afraid you can't find a record about him, after all, he is not the king of the stars, and his death is not far away." ”

Tails rolled his eyes, naturally opened a book, blocked the back of the pile of books on the side, and said curiously: "In that case, do you know Gilbert? What kind of person do you think my uncle, His Highness Middil?"

Gilbert was slightly stunned, then lost his thoughts, and stopped paying attention to the pile of books that Tails had in hand.

"Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince Midir, ......" After a few seconds, Gilbert sighed slightly, and said with nostalgia: "As early as the age of sixty years of the former King Eddy, he had already begun to assist in the affairs of the country, and no one doubted that he would be another virtuous monarch after Mindis III. ”

"He oversaw foreign affairs for a while, and I had the privilege of working under His Highness. ”

"At that time, due to poor cooperation with my colleagues, I screwed up the mission of the Steelcity Mission: to entertain the Dwarven Prince from the Hall of Kings with a crystal glass with the emblem of the Holy Tree on it. ”

At that time, His Highness Midil used witty language to convince the enraged prince that the reason why the Holy Tree Wine Cup appeared at the banquet was to commemorate the deeds of the prince's grandfather, who had repelled the army of the Holy Tree Kingdom. ”

"And I can only be ashamed of myself. ”

"Afterwards, of course, His Highness did not punish me—as rumored to be lenient—but he handed me the bibliogram of the emblem of the sacred tree, and said to me, ......"

Speaking of this, Tails watched in amazement as Gilbert repeated the words of His Royal Highness the former Crown Prince in an emotional tone:

"Kir, this goblet is now worth as much as the friendship between the House of the Resurrection and the Hall of Kings - it is a debt you owe to the kingdom, and when you have done enough to repay this value, return it to me to pay your debt. ”

Gilbert looked into the distance and did not speak for a long time.

Only Tails remained, trying to paint a mental picture of the great uncle, with the stories told by Ginny and Gilbert: a prince with great skill and noble character.

After a few minutes, Gilbert continued in a deep voice: "The world says that he is kind-hearted and gentle, but in the eyes of us officials, His Highness's talent and wisdom are no less than his character. ”

"It is hard to imagine how a man can be both lenient and majestic, gentle and decisive—but His Highness Midil is such a person," Gilbert put down his book, folded his hands, and his eyes lit up with admiration, "It may seem like an exaggeration, but until now, I have felt that as a citizen of the Kingdom of the Stars, I am not worthy of such a good Highness." ”

"It's a little early to say this," said Gilbert, as if coming to his senses, and glared at Tails, "but if it is possible, Mr. Tails, I hope that you will follow the example of His Highness Middil." ”

"Xingchen, there is a need for such an heir. Gilbert's serious, serious gaze shook Tails slightly.

At this moment, Tails suddenly remembered something.

"Gilbert, my uncle......" Tails lowered his head, hesitated for a moment, but then raised his head and asked, "How did he die?"

"You only said that he fought and died in front of the palace gate with his guards with his sword. ”

Silent.

"Alas......" Gilbert closed his eyes and sighed heavily, before he spoke: "In the year of blood, he ordered the guards and soldiers to retreat and go into the crowd alone, and without a single soldier or life, he quelled the crisis of the mob storming the palace gates. ”

"Unfortunately, despite the timely reaction of his bodyguards, the assassins hiding in the mob prepared six poisoned swords and sharp knives for him, and I was busy in the deteriorating diplomatic work until I knew of the assassination of the royal family...... Alas. ”

Tails looked into Gilbert's eyes and didn't say anything for a long time.

The time-traveler remembered the story of His Highness Midil that Genny had told him uncharacteristically a few weeks ago.

Especially her last two sentences:

"Tails, I know what Gilbert has said to you today, but I don't know what you think of yourself, and yet - I remember a letter from His Highness Midil to me, and I only wish to pass it on to you in its original form:

Madam, I forgive you out of admiration, not pity.

I admire your courage to break out of the shackles and break the shackles.

But now that you've made your choice, don't hesitate to go back to the birdcage that once suffocated you - don't let the birdcage of the spirit lock your wings of freedom, and don't sacrifice your true self for the sake of illusory rules.

I sincerely hope and bless you, and I hope that your life will be yours only from now on.

I wish you all the best in the police officer qualification test. ”

Tails pondered the meaning of this passage - what was the state of mind in which a crown prince, who was born in what he called a "birdcage", said this?

That is until Gilbert summons him back from his memories and trances and begins their afternoon lesson.

Tails glanced at the pile of books in his hand as he listened to Gilbert explain the four different forms of the human lingua franca using ancient proverbial verses as examples.

Just to Gilbert, he didn't tell the truth.

He wasn't looking for Bright Star's family history, nor did he want to know about his saintly uncle.

Tails was looking for information about the Magician.

From his first day at Mindis Hall, Tails had been planning to explore "magical powers", and after the unstable but effective explosion in the Cranberry Manor, his desire to discover his secrets became more and more urgent.

Gilbert's account of the history of the end war, and his attitude towards the "Calamity"—the so-called "magician" like Ashida, made him even more frightened.

Though...... Tails whispered to himself that Yodel might have heard his conversation with Ashida.

The three books "Ending War: Heaven and Earth Split", "From the Final Empire to the Kingdom of Stars", and "Cahill Leaffall's Travels: A Supplement to the Past of the Great Rift and Sinking Days" are his real goals hidden in many deceptive history books: about the end of the war, about the truth about those "scourge" magicians.

In any case, it is best not to reveal the secret of the strange "magical energy" in his body to anyone until he is safe. And after learning to read and write, it is safest to start with books.

Now, at Gilbert's request, Tails began to transcribe aristocratic expressions in different voices.

Rather than pretending to be relaxed and natural, he also whispered silently in his heart, hoping that Gilbert would not come up and look through the books himself, and leave after class, and not come to help him carry the books back to his room.

If all goes well and such peaceful days continue, perhaps some progress will soon be made in the matter of one's own secrets.

But Tails soon learns that for people like him, a quiet life is always just a façade.

What Tails didn't know, for example, was that not far from the Mindis Hall, a meeting was unfolding about the secrets he was hiding.

And his secret is in danger of being exposed.

Under the shade of the trees, Yodel stood quietly, as if waiting respectfully for the people in the pitch-black carriage in front of him, but those who had seen him fight knew that Yodel was in a state of high tension at this time, ready to attack at any time.

"Long time no see, little Yod. ”

As the old man's hoarse voice sounded, an old figure trembled down from the door of the car that the king had pushed open.

Despite the perception of the Extreme, yodel had already known who the other person in the carriage was.

But when he actually saw him in person, Yodel's brow couldn't help but furrow behind the mask.

It was an old man dressed in a plain black robe, with a wooden black cane, his hair sparse and gray, and his wrinkled hair, but his face was ordinary and unremarkable, and could not impress even the most astute of people.

"Why don't you say hello to your father?" An old, hoarse voice that seemed to have been cultivated in the darkness all year round, so that it had no emotion, slowly sounded from the old man's throat.

Faced with the old man's question, Yodel was silent.

The old man grinned, revealing the gums with few teeth left: "Well, I almost forgot, even though it is in my blood, your surname is Cato, not Hansen." ”

Yodel still didn't move.

"I just came back. The old man seemed to have long been accustomed to yodel's attitude, and did not feel at all offended, and continued.

"And my children, brought the results of the survey on Red Square Street, and one more interesting thing. ”

Yodel still didn't answer.

I only heard the old man laugh softly, and said slowly:

"The secret department pursued the Qi Magician for twelve years without a clue, Ashida Saxon, and it was confirmed that he had returned to the royal capital and appeared in Red Square. ”

The gears behind Yodel's mask began to turn unnoticed

"Although the Blood Vial Gang is a gang he co-created with that murderer, the famous Qi Demon Master came in person, apparently not only to exterminate the Brotherhood and cut off the wings of the Black Sword. ”

Yodel didn't say a word, but the gears behind his mask spun faster and faster.

"Don't be nervous, Mr. Cato," the old man let out an ugly laugh in his old and hoarse voice, "I'm just following Your Majesty's orders to find out how you have the royal blood and can seal the magician." ”

Yodel jerked his head!

Only on the mask, a pair of crystal lenses instantly changed from dark to bright yellow, staring at the old man in black.

"This mask is still so annoying, I have long advised Your Majesty to throw it away as soon as possible......"

The old man in black was on crutches, as if he didn't notice the gaze from behind the lenses.

He staggered up to Yodel and laughed twice:

"So...... As one of the bearers of the legendary anti-demon armed forces and the supreme sword and shield, Mr. Yodl Gato. ”

"Can you explain to me what happened to the Qi Demon Master on the night of the incident?"