He's dreaming.

This time, he was clear until this point.

He felt a void appear in the void under his feet.

A hole that is getting bigger and bigger.

Until he fell into it.

Can't help yourself.

He subconsciously raised his legs, trying to get out of that terrible hollow, but was greeted by a call.

"Your Highness. ”

Tails snapped ake.

Only then did he realize that he was lying horizontally in his seat, his right leg firmly pressed against the carriage.

And there is no hollow under his feet.

Not to mention falling.

And all that was in his ears was the rumbling hooves of horses, the slow sound of wheels, the whispering of people, and......

"Sorry for disturbing your sleep. ”

In the shaking carriage, Gilbert's gentle voice slowly soothed his panic:

"Didn't get a good night's rest last night?"

Tails sat up straight, took a deep breath, and rubbed his face.

"No, I'm just ......"

...... It's just been a long time since I've slept so peacefully.

Tails buried his face in his palms and said silently.

After a second, the prince raised his head from his hand and smiled kindly:

“...... Just a nap. ”

Gilbert looked at him seriously for a long time, and then smiled:

"Your Highness. ”

"Ahead is Eternal Star City. ”

Eternal Star City.

For a moment, the phrase seemed to have a transcendent magic, sweeping away Tails' burnout and stillness.

"What?"

Tails turned his head in surprise.

"So fast?"

The boy dragged his somewhat numb body, tried his best to move to the side of the car, and pushed the window.

"How many days have we only been in the central collar ......?"

Tails' words came to an abrupt end.

As the carriage passed an uphill slope and past the shadowy cavalry outside the window, he saw it.

Under the bright sun, the fields are vast, the roads are flat, and the villages are in order.

It is like a colorful ribbon between the blue sky and the black earth.

On both sides of the road, there are more and more oncoming people:

Busy merchants, peasants hurrying by, officials galloping by, carriages of all kinds, fast or slow, orderly, they avoided the side of the road under the strong orders of the standing army, stayed outside the cordon that the soldiers had temporarily raised, and looked at the convoy of astonishing size with curious and astonished eyes.

"Probably a certain dignitary......"

"Yo, there are so many bodyguards opening the way, maybe it is a foreign earl. ”

"Do you guess the carriage was filled with people or things? I guess some precious urinal......

Vague talk reached the young man's ears as if he were nothing.

But none of this compares to the focus of Tails' gaze.

It was a city.

In the distant field of vision, the towering gray brick city wall stands majestically, like a towering tree, the prominent guard tower battlements are uneven, there is a different scenery, and the star blue flag at the head of the city flutters in the wind, like a wave rolling.

It is not as majestic as Longxiao City, it is not as solid and tough as the Broken Dragon Fortress, and it is not as free as the chaos of the Blade Fang Camp.

But......

I don't know why, such a well-organized, orderly, and ordinary-looking city is so attractive to him at this moment.

Eternal Star City.

Tyers was a little stupid.

"You don't have to be nervous. ”

Gilbert seemed to appreciate the teenager's complicated emotions, and he said calmly:

"You're home, that's all. ”

Tails' gaze still couldn't leave the city in the distance, and he only heard him say in a trance:

"I know. ”

I know.

Gilbert didn't say anything, he just smiled at the prince's gaffe.

"If you want, Your Highness......"

Gilbert gave a look of encouragement.

"Then go out and see for yourself. ”

See for yourself......

He was strange and familiar......

Hometown.

Tails slowly came to his senses, his gaze becoming firm.

Gilbert smiled and said:

"I think it's time for Eternal Star City and the entire kingdom to meet their heir after a six-year absence. ”

After a six-year absence......

Tails' gaze passed through the soldiers, past the passers-by, through the fields, and even through the distant walls and clouds of the sky at the end.

"Of course, Gilbert. ”

Tails turned his head with a complicated expression:

"Of course. ”

In the Prince's rare look, the Foreign Secretary was silent for a few seconds.

Then, Gilbert gently pushed the window of the car and knocked on the carriage, probing slightly.

"Lord Marlos, could you please slow down and raise the nine-pointed star flag? ”

The shouts of the Count Cassel caused the hooves and wheels of the horses outside the carriage to change their speed and trajectory at the same time, and the royal guards surrounding the prince's carriage moved into action, quickly giving way to a formation, revealing the watchman Marios who was riding his horse closer.

"Let His Highness also see his Eternal Star City......"

Gilbert's words continued, however......

"I'm sorry. ”

"No, I can't. ”

Marios's voice was as distant as a horse's hoof, and his tone was gentle and polite, but he refused very simply.

There is no room for negotiation at all.

Gilbert was stunned for a moment, as if he didn't expect his offer to be rejected.

Tails frowned as well.

Fortunately, the Foreign Secretary paused for a few seconds before continuing to lean out of the car to try to make another effort.

"Well, Lord Marlos, I understand your work, but we don't have to pause or deviate from the route, it's just that Your Highness needs to ...... when you enter the main road"

But he was greeted by a polite reply from Marios:

"I can't allow it. ”

Tails was stunned.

Gilbert also stiffened slightly:

"Lord?"

Marlors' face appeared outside the window, glancing at Tails inside.

"I believe you know better than I know the sensation caused by the prince's return to the country, and those nobles of the Western Wilderness are a lesson from the past......"

"I can even imagine what kind of crowds and chaos we would have to face if the Duke showed up openly, from the commoners watching the bustle to the nobles trying to find out what they could do...... It's too much trouble for us, and for the sake of safety, I don't think it's appropriate for the Duke to show up, but should stay in the carriage until we enter the Fuxing Palace. ”

The watchman was still smiling, he looked at the curious civilians on both sides of the avenue, and rejected him in a friendly tone:

"And we don't have to make a big splash and attract more attention. ”

for safety.

Hearing the other party's polite but decisive refusal, Tails frowned slightly.

"Lord Marlos, if it is for safety, we have reached the royal capital, and with you, and even the standing army behind us, I am sure that you must be sure to guarantee the ...... of His Highness" Gilbert spoke softly, but was interrupted by Marios.

"No, no, no, don't overestimate us, Earl, we don't have Kingdom Wrath or Fort Flowers. Marios' smile was still there, but it wasn't very pleasing to Tails' eyes:

"If we really want to face the flood of people, the most we can do is ...... Five-five-open. ”

Gilbert was momentarily speechless.

Everyone in the royal guard looked at each other.

And Marhros was still smiling.

The prince's mood became a little sullen.

Gilbert felt the stiffness of the atmosphere.

"I appreciate the caution and concerns of the royal guards, but should we think more about anything else?"

The Count of Cassel sat upright, propped up his cane, and showed his attitude when he negotiated his profession:

"Whether as His Royal Highness the Prince or the Duke of Xinghu, on the first day of his return, he should make a public appearance, at least for a few seconds, so that everyone can see him return from the city and let the news spread. ”

The cunning fox of the stars narrowed his eyes:

"And this is for the sake of the royal family, for the sake of His Majesty's rule and interests. ”

"Lord Marlos?"

Listening to such a legitimate and noble reason of the other party, Marios on the mount lowered his head and was silent for a while.

But just when Tails thought he was going to compromise......

"Hahaha...... Maybe I didn't make it clear, maybe you're just kidding. ”

Marios raised his head, his smile more sincere, but his gaze was calm and indifferent.

"But it is my task to safely escort the prince back to the Fuxing Palace, Count Cassel," said Marlos, curling the muscles on either side of his lips, but there was little smile in his eyes:

"Otherwise, no. ”

The nails, which were neither hard nor soft, made Gilbert frown.

Feeling Marios's lack of cooperation in this matter, Tails glanced at the (relatively speaking) small carriage that he had been staying for a long time, felt the numbness on his butt from the shock of the carriage, and then looked at the vast scenery outside the window and the famous city of his hometown, he was a little depressed in silence.

"We should have talked about it, my lord. ”

Gilbert's tone became a little stiff:

"You and I both have our own missions, and we're trying not to embarrass each other – we worked well together before, didn't we? ”

Staring into Gilbert's eyes, Marlos smiled as well.

He was silent for only a few seconds.

"I'm sorry my mission is conflicting with yours," Marhos's expression was still gentle and polite:

"But all I can do is 'I'm sorry.'" ”

"Count Cassel. ”

He nodded respectfully at the end.

Gilbert's expression was a little ugly.

Although each sentence begins with a polite and humble apology, it ......

Tails listened to the other party's cookie-cutter refusal, looked at Gilbert, who was slightly unhappy, and glanced around at the royal guards who surrounded him tightly.

He suddenly remembered Longxiao City, remembered Valhalla, and remembered the Blood Courtyard.

There, Nicolais' men did the same, blocking every entrance and exit.

Thinking so, the discomfort in the prince's heart reached its peak.

"Lord......" Gilbert sighed.

"The Duke is in the carriage, which saves us a lot of trouble. The watchman smiled as hard as ever, and interrupted Gilbert:

"That's enough. ”

Hearing this, Tails, who couldn't listen anymore, couldn't help but interject:

"So, because you think it's troublesome, you'd rather trap me in the carriage?"

The prince unconsciously raised his voice:

"I thought Your Majesty asked you to escort me, not to imprison me?"

The hoofs of the mounts around them have changed a bit.

The prince's loud voice was clearly unusual, and several members of the royal guard, or rather the Star Lake's personal guard, nervously caught up, including Doyle and Glove, whom Tails had grown to acquaint.

Gilbert also changed color slightly.

Marlos finally shifted his gaze to Tails.

Tails frowned, looking like he wanted an explanation.

But Marlos only paused for a moment before smiling:

"I'm sorry to make you feel that way, Lord Duke. ”

"You can protest to him at any time after meeting Your Majesty and suggest that he remove me from office. ”

Tails was stunned.

I saw Marios look at Tails gently, shrug his shoulders, and said softly:

"But until then, according to tradition and rules, as the watchman of the royal guard, and the head of your personal guard......"

"I am afraid that my consideration and judgment of your personal safety takes precedence over your personal preferences. ”

"Where the responsibility lies, Wanwang Haihan. ”

At that moment, the air inside and outside the carriage seemed to freeze.

Tails' expression stiffened.

Marhos looked the same.

In the surrounding royal guards, Doyle and Gallover glanced at each other, and several people looked surprised, but they didn't dare to say anything.

For some reason, Tails remembered Roman's "don't teach me how to do my job" look when he was still at Camp Bladefang.

Just as Gilbert was about to say something to ease his cheeks, Tails closed his eyes tightly and swirled them back open.

"Are you a royal guard, or are you my personal guard. ”

Tails spoke slowly:

"You ought to obey my commands. ”

However, Marlos just shook his shoulders:

"You are the prince of the stars, or the duke of the kingdom. ”

The watchman was still respectful, but his words showed no weakness:

"You should also respect Your Majesty's appointment. ”

His eyes reflected a profound light:

"Especially on the first day of your return. ”

Tails' face sank.

"You mean ......"

The prince stared at Marios tightly and said word by word:

"Is this an order from His Majesty?"

At that moment, Gilbert also suddenly changed color.

"No," said the watchman, mounted on his horse, and said lightly:

"It's just the way I carry out my orders. ”

The way in which the command is executed.

Tails' eyes changed.

Doyle, who was nervously listening, suddenly felt that the air around him seemed to become viscous.

"Lord Marlos. ”

Under the gaze of everyone, the prince faced the watchman without giving in, and said softly:

"I want you to stop the carriage, now. ”

But Marios just snorted:

"I'm ...... hugging"

"Lord!" Gilbert, who sensed something was wrong, interrupted Marios.

The Foreign Secretary then turned to the cold-faced Tails, and said warmly:

"Your Highness, you've been in a lot of travel today, maybe you really need to rest...... I believe Lord Marlos is also here to protect you......"

But Tails interrupted him.

"Protect me," said the prince, as if he had just been immersed in ice water:

"Like six years ago?"

Gilbert was dumbfounded for a moment.

And Tails and Marlors's gaze met in the air, one was cold and sharp, and the other was indifferent.

Doyle, who was watching from the sidelines, suddenly had a premonition that something was wrong.

"Tell me, Gilbert," said the prince softly.

"Is every Duke of Starlake's personal guards—such as John—directly drawn by the king and stationed in the royal guard?"

Gilbert froze.

Marios also squinted slightly.

The surrounding Star Lake Guards looked at each other with different expressions.

A few seconds later, Gilbert coughed, seemingly rather embarrassed:

"That's because you've been away from home for too long, and there's a lack of available manpower around you, and Your Majesty is worried about ......"

Tails didn't hear the rest of his words.

He just stared at Marlos intensely.

It's like staring at another person.

"I see. The prince said softly.

"Go on. ”

Marhros's expression froze:

"What. ”

Tails stared straight at him:

"Keep smiling, Lord Marlos. ”

In the incomprehensible eyes of the surrounding royal guards, Tails snorted coldly:

"Because if you don't laugh ......"

"Then you'll look like a dead man's face. ”

Marlos was stunned.

Gilbert looked at Tails worriedly:

"Your Highness......"

But Tails didn't pay attention to Gilbert's words, and just looked at Marios with a puzzled expression.

Marlos frowned slightly, ignored him no more, turned his horse's head and ordered:

"Back to the previous formation......"

But this time, the prince spoke before him.

"So, the watchman of the Royal Guard, the Knight of the Crown, and my captain of the Star Lake Guard, Lord Tormond Marlos!"

The watchman's eyes froze.

Tails raised his voice so that the surrounding royal guards could hear it clearly:

"To thank you for your hard work and conscientiousness, and for the credit of escorting me back to the royal capital......"

As soon as these words came out, all the members of the guard were puzzled.

I saw Tails staring at Marios and slowly biting the words:

"I want to ......"

"Reward you. ”

Stealing incense