"Of course it's because you are inexperienced, and they are experienced and sophisticated, and are used to inquiring about the enemy's situation before launching a general attack..."

Mallos interrupted at this time:

"enough."

"Glover is back."

The three of them turned their heads together: Glover, who had gone to contact his superiors, appeared in the shadows of the corridor.

Behind him was another royal guard with a calm face and outstanding temperament, but whom Thales didn't recognize.

Doyle's expression changed immediately.

"Oh no."

Thales looked at the guard:

"Who is that?"

Doyle stood up, leaned against Thales' ear, and whispered through gritted teeth:

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

Thales was stunned.

"My Lord, Vogel Tallen," the visitor held up a wine glass, walked to Thales' table, and saluted gracefully, like a guest more than a guard: "Your Highness Thales."

"Second-in-command of the Royal Guards."

"Also Chief Flag Officer."

"I wish you good health and happiness."

Vogel Tallen straightened up and glanced at Glover and Doyle.

The latter two reluctantly bowed and stepped back.

"Second Commander..."

Thales, who had trained his "Armor" to the full level, smiled and raised his glass, just like a normal social etiquette.

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

"And your last name is... Talon of Glacier City?"

The young man used his brain and tried to quickly switch between the customer's title and last name.

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

"My uncle is the Earl of Glacier City."

Thales' eyes glanced at the five-pointed star pattern on his sleeves.

Talon of Glacier City.

A distant relative of the Bright Star royal family, one of the Thirteen Noble Families, and a powerful supporter in the Central Territory, the Talon family uses the five-pointed star as its emblem.

Coincidentally, their ancestor happened to be one of the Dukes of Xinghu in history.

only……

Thales muttered another title of the other party.

Chief Flag Officer?

He suddenly thought of Samir, the former royal guard who joined the Sword of Disaster.

"May you enjoy tonight."

Vogel didn't say much. He bowed, came to the side table, and sat side by side with Mallos, who also clinked glasses with him.

It looks like old friends having a drink in the corner.

"Good night, Lord Taron," Mallos' expression remained unchanged and he said in a business-like tone:

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

"Oh, Tormund," Vogel called Mallos' name gently, but Thales noticed that his smile was very polite, as if he had a sandwich on his face: "About the matter you reported..."

"We look forward to your explanation."

"I believe Glover has explained it clearly."

The watchman said calmly: "For safety reasons, we are now..."

"clear?"

Vogel gently shook the wine glass and interrupted Mallos kindly:

"Are you sure that's the assassin?"

Mallos' pupils narrowed.

Thales also frowned.

After a few seconds, Mallos said slowly:

"Probably."

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

"Dear Tormund, do you really know what you are talking about?"

Glover and Doyle realized that the atmosphere was tense and looked at each other.

"This is the first official banquet of the royal family in more than ten years after the war. It has been prepared for a long time, and the guests are distinguished. It is of great significance."

The deputy guard captain's words began to become serious:

"Whatever happens here now will spread throughout the kingdom tomorrow and have far-reaching consequences."

He turned and stared at Marius, as if he were staring at a prisoner who had broken the law:

"Whether the banquet was interrupted and the nobles were arranged to leave hastily. Or the Bright Star royal family was afraid of death and nervous, searching for assassins."

Vogel narrowed his eyes:

"Just because...some guy glanced at you?"

"Sounds like a scene in some country tavern, Tormund."

The contempt in his tone was clearly audible.

Thales couldn't help but look at Mallos.

"Because this banquet is so important," the captain of Duke Xinghu's personal guard did not become angry, and his tone was as calm as ever:

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

Vogel snorted coldly.

He stared intently at Mallos' side face, but the latter just looked ahead silently, as if the eyes pointed at him were not blade-like with suspicion.

After a few seconds, Vogel exhaled.

"We have already taken action."

Vogel turned back and put his attention back into his wine glass: "They will pay close attention to everyone who tries to get close. Your Majesty, His Highness and other important dignitaries will be safe..."

"But a strong shield cannot protect against a sharp spear," Mallos said without looking at him, still paying attention to the situation in the hall:

"The best way is to avoid the accident before it happens. Maybe we can temporarily evacuate part of it..."

But Vogel's gentle tone suddenly hardened, inserting steel into the other person's words, and even changed the title:

"For the sake of the sunset, Mallos."

"Please don't educate me."

He spoke slowly but seriously.

There was a sudden silence between the two of them.

At that moment, both Doyle Glover and Thales felt the tension.

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

The minstrel came on stage again, singing the tragic song of the Blade King's expedition to Dragon's Kiss, but died in a foreign land on the eve of success.

Thales resisted the desire to interrupt and tried not to look at the two people behind him. He cut the next plate of lettuce vigorously, smiled at the same time, and dismissed the next guest who came to greet him.

After a while, Mallos' voice came again, still calm:

"Don't dare, sir."

Vogel was silent for a while, and returned to normal when he spoke again.

"We can't just drive everyone away just to avoid accidents. This is the Mindis Hall, and its opening signals that the kingdom will welcome back its heir and return to prosperity and stability."

Thales sighed secretly in his heart.

Return to prosperity and stability...

Vogel looked around alertly to make sure he didn't attract too much attention:
To be continued...