Blue sky, white clouds, sunny day, gentle breeze.

Under the flag of the double cross flying high, the standing troops belonging to the Central Territory neatly bypassed the city wall and headed for the military camp on the southern outskirts of the royal capital.

Dozens of them were wearing cloaks and surrounding a carriage. They left the team early and headed for Yongxing City.

At the city gate, the city defense team who had been notified took action early to restrict the flow of people, clear the passage, and drive the accustomed people to the other side of the avenue in accordance with the rules for opening the way for special messengers. After seeing the leader's warrant and badge, the city defense officer

, respectfully and low-keyly welcomed these dozens of knights with hidden identities into the city.

From the horsemen driving leisurely to the merchants in a hurry, many passers-by were curious and pointed at this group of people - especially the carriage among them, but no one showed any particular surprise.

Compared with the people in the local area, the residents of the royal capital are well-informed and not alarmed by changes. They are naturally superior to others. They have even experienced major events such as the recognition of the second prince by the Star Kingdom meeting. What other rare things can alarm them?

them?

As a result, the carriage surrounded by knights passed through the city gate smoothly, entered the main road, and continued forward under the curious eyes of the people on the roadside.

In the team, a figure who looked thinner than the others poked his head out of the saddle.

"Your Highness," Gilbert caught up slowly and nodded understandingly:

"Welcome back to Yongxing City."

"Welcome home."

The thin figure did not answer, but trembled slightly.

Yongxing City.

Home.

He looked at the city defense tower passing overhead in ecstasy, and sighed under his cloak.

After a few seconds, Thales turned his head and forced out a slightly absent-minded smile:

"Thanks."

The knight's team marched in a hurry, the prince under the cloak stopped talking, and the sensible Gilbert also kept silent.

Home.

Thales felt the tremor of the horse's hooves on the galloping road. In the gap between the figures of the royal guards, he silently looked at everything around him:

The main road connecting countless alleys, houses cut into rows like pastries, various shops opened under signboards swaying in the wind...

The chattering citizens gathered in front of the municipal bulletin board, the women holding wooden basins in one hand on their way to Muhe to wash their clothes, the foreigners standing in the middle of the road with their eyes wide open and confused...

The angrily driver whipping his horse to catch up, the priest standing on top of the wooden box in the corner with red ears and red ears trying hard to preach, the orderly formation of the security team and the vigilance officer...

It's like a frozen scene.

but……

"strangeness……"

Thales spoke subconsciously. He felt that his eyebrows were a little heavy and his lips tightened subconsciously.

A strange and unspeakable feeling surged into my heart uncontrollably, but it was cut off halfway before it was about to burst out.

Just like a bucket that has been drawn to the edge of a well, it suddenly knocks, loosens its lanyard, and falls back into the well.

There were countless splashes of water and an empty echo.

Let him feel like he has lost something.

After experiencing the scene of "giving the sword", the royal guards around him - including the smooth-talking Doyle and the expressionless Glover - became energetic, straightened their bodies, and separated themselves from Thales.

From such a long distance, I no longer secretly glance at the Duke of Star Lake from time to time like I did on the road.

Only Gilbert remained by his side and spoke softly:

"Your Majesty Duke, you have been living in the north all year round, and your memory of Yongxing City has faded. This is normal..."

Thales woke up from his complicated thoughts.

Gilbert still looked calm and continued:

"For example, the road we took into the city is a section of Enci Avenue. It is a little messy because it is closer..."

At this moment.

"West City Gate."

His Highness the Prince's voice came slowly:

"I know."

Gilbert spoke for a moment.

Thales slowly raised his head and looked into the distance with a feeling he couldn't understand:

"This is close to the West City Gate..."

West City Gate.

The voice of the Duke of Xinghu is like the reverberation in the empty valley and the clear stream washing the stones.

With an inexplicable melancholy.

Gilbert was slightly startled.

To his surprise, the Duke just paused for a moment and then sneered.

"It can be considered the most interesting place in Yongxing City - farmers, vendors, messengers, officials, police officers, soldiers, priests, beggars, brave adventurers, curious tourists, despicable outsiders..."

"You can find everyone in the royal capital here."

Thales stared at the crowds of people walking along both sides of the road, avoiding their group of knights, as if he were reading the most interesting storybook, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised:

“But be careful, don’t accidentally squeeze onto the clean and tidy main road and still refuse to leave.”

"Otherwise, the dedicated city defense team and security team will tell you what the king's authority is."

"Because here, even a mane of a famous horse may be more valuable than the life of a street boy."

Or more than one life.

Thales looked at the floor tiles under the horse's hooves in trance, his thoughts vague.

At that moment, Gilbert looked at Thales with a complicated expression.

"there……"

Thales pointed to a fork in the distance with an imperceptible smile:

"I remember, that direction leads to the Lower City."

The Duke's voice sounded faintly:

"If you go that way, you'll reach the Grand Bazaar first."

Gilbert frowned slightly and stopped talking.

But Thales just looked in that direction dreamily:

"The prices are cheap and the goods are diverse. It is a paradise for local poor people to make a living, but it also has its own rules and deep inside stories. It is a hell for newcomers from outside."

"The roads in the big market are difficult to navigate, the geography is messy, and the layout is complex. Many vendors' stalls have taken root and turned into nails. But on the other hand, it is also easier to hide and conceal, and of course there are barricades."

"Half of the regular vendors have dealings with the underworld brothers, and some have secret connections with the Blood Bottle Gang. Because the source of goods is complicated and difficult to track, big markets are the best place to handle illegal goods and launder and sell stolen goods.

channel."

It is also the place with the most tourists and fat sheep.

Thales thought silently.

"Your Highness..." Gilbert was about to say something, but Thales interrupted him again.

"If you continue to go north, after passing the big market, there is a dirt road that goes down, leading to the smelly ditch and the sewer."

The sentimentality of memories welled up in Thales's eyes:

"That territory belongs to the Iron Bat Society. The earliest members are from the lower class sewage collectors and canal diggers. They make a living in the sewer network distributed throughout the city. Taking advantage of the favorable location, they engage in human trafficking, smuggling and drug distribution.

A private matter."

Thales said in confusion:

"But they are very aware of the current situation. They were one of the first gangs to surrender to the Underworld Brotherhood, and they are still surviving today. If you have black goods and are not afraid of death, you may be able to get a good price from them.

.”

Or deep regret.

The team turned a corner and turned to another avenue. The noise of the bustling people ahead became louder and louder, accompanied by rhythmic music and eager and excited shouting.

"Run! Ignorant northerners! Run! Because you will all be destroyed here! Because I have come to bring disaster!" A high-pitched voice rang out, penetrating the crowd.

A row of high stone houses appeared in front of the royal guards. A stage was set up on the square in front of the high houses. Many people gathered under the stage and pointed at the actors on the stage.

"Temple of the Night," Thales looked past the backs of several knights and looked at the hard-working performances of the actors on the stage. Listening to the exciting music in his ears, he once again looked at this temple with nostalgia, which did not even worship idols, but was specifically responsible for funerals.

Funeral shrines:
To be continued...