's personal guards! They are the team sent by His Majesty to receive the Prince of Constellation's diplomat group!"
"Old friend, it's not that I don't believe you, but nowadays, it's never wrong to be more cautious." Viscount Kentvida drew the sword at his waist, and, with a soldier protecting him, walked to the front of the camp. "Is there a person from the king who can verify this?"
'There's also the possibility of spies being among the Archduke of Black Sand's subordinates, is that not so?' Kentvida pushed the words he did not say to the bottom of his heart.
The cavaliers in gray swiftly drew their reins and dismounted at the front of the camp.
Thales could not help but notice that their steeds were quiet and steady in the face of the cavaliers' rough manner of halting them. They did not neigh a lot. These cavaliers stood in one line and stood neatly in the direction directly parallel to the camp, showing superior mobility and discipline.
A masked man with brown hair wearing a white cloak rode out from among the cavaliers. Tolja followed behind him and rose into Black Sand Region's camp.
Putray finally saw the elite cavaliers clearly, and the vice diplomat sucked in a deep breath beside Thales, "Hmm, I met these people when I was wandering in the past. Based on their attire, they are indeed the King of Eckstedt's personal guards."
By his side, the Tower of Eradication graduate and attendant, Wya, was clearly taken aback. "Are you talking about the White Blade Guards?" Wya asked in a low voice. "The White Blade Guards who are matched in power to the elites of the Constellation Royal Family's personal guards, and whom are known as the Dragon's Imperial Guards?"
Putray nodded. "Remember that tavern owner called Kaslan from a few days ago? He was once the commander of the White Blade Guards."
Thales raised his head in shock and looked at Putray.
The latter shook his head. "Why do you think so many retired soldiers gather at his tavern?"
Thales tucked the piece of information in his heart and carefully observed how things unfolded.
The masked man rode and stopped before Kentvida. He first cast a glance at the Archduke of Black Sand's most trusted adviser, then, with a sharp gaze, he looked towards the group from Constellation. His eyes stopped on their Double Cross-Shaped Stars Flag for an instant before he averted his gaze from it.
"As the captain of King Nuven's personal guards, I should be considered a person from the king, correct?"
The masked, cloaked man pulled down the scarf over his face to reveal a pale face with clear features. There was a weapon with an indistinct shape behind his back. The white hilt stuck out from under the similarly white cloak.
"Nicholas it's you." When Kentvida saw his face clearly, his expression turned sour.
The cloaked man with the pale face harrumphed coldly, nimbly dismounted in front of Kentvida, then he tossed a sealed scroll at Kentvida's bosom, "I brought the White Blade Guards to receive Constellation's Prince if you have any questions, take a look at the king's warrant."
Kentvida tore the flame red seal open with a frown.
"I ran into them when I was scouting ahead, the White Blade Guards..." Behind the cloaked man, Lord Tolja the Fire Knight quickly dismounted, and with a sullen face, he said, "Looks like King Nuven has really placed great importance on Constellation's diplomat group."
Kentvida finished reading the warrant and sighed. He sheathed his sword and, at the same time, issued an order to the Black Sand Region's army.
"Stand at ease! Let them come in!"
The masked cavaliers with the gray cloaksmembers of the White Blade Guardsrode into their camp haughtily, as if there was no one else besides them in the area. Although their faces were hidden under the scarves, their gazes were sharp and fierce. They glared at each person in the camp, be they Eckstedtians from Black Sand Region, or Constellatiates at the center of the camp.
"Mobilizing an army of nearly two thousand men to protect this prince." The man in the white cloak walked towards Constellation's diplomat group and surveyed the situation around the camp before he harrumphed coldly, "Lampard is such a generous archduke."
When they heard the mocking tone in his words, Kentvida and Tolja frowned.
"This for His Highness' safety, at least until he safely meets King Nuven," Kentvida replied in a level-headed manner, "We believe that there are people in Eckstedt who want this prince's life."
"Based on the information we obtained, the lot of you from Black Sand Region surrounded them and blocked their path in front of the fortress, then used Mystic Guns to shoot them as well" The man tightened his cloak around himself. "That's right, it looks like someone really wants his life."
Kentvida was rendered speechless momentarily.
"We will take over from here," the man with the white cloak said brusquely, "As for you lot from Black Sand Region, you have done your duty Return to where you belong. Bringing several thousands of soldiers into another suzerain's territory is not a good idea, especially when the Day before the Bitter Cold Winter is about to arrive. Lampard's wild ambitions end here His Majesty will deal with him later."
Tolja replied coldly, "The archduke gave us orders to protect the prince until he reaches Dragon Clouds City. Even if he goes with you willingly, we must follow him to Dragon Clouds City."
"Do whatever you want. If you want to follow, then go on ahead. The money you spend in moving two thousand people and their provisions will not come from us anyway." The man tapped the white hilt behind him and said nonchalantly, "Next time, Tolja, let us spar against each other."
Tolja let out a displeased grunt. He instinctively pressed his hand on his saber[1].
The man with the white cloak chuckled softly and continued walking towards Thales.
"By the order of King Nuven Charleton, the scion of Hero Raikaru, the great Common-Elected King of Eckstedt..." while escorted by his subordinates, the man with the white cloak ignored the other people and walked in a straight line towards Thales before he lowered his head to size up the only seven-year-old boy in the camp. He did not spare even the slightest hint of a smile on his pale face, "You are Thales Jadestar?"
Putray's expression changed. He could sense the hostility in the other person's voice.
Thales sensed the cold chill in his eyes, too. A crease slowly appeared between his brows.
But in the end, Thales only smiled and put on a standard smile.
Beside him, Putray frowned. He looked towards Tolja who stood next to him with a sour expression, but refrained from saying anything. Then, Putray cleared his throat and said to the hostile looking White Blade Guards, "This is Thales Jadestar, the Second Prince of Constellation, and under the orders of King Kessel"
Putray had yet to finish talking when he was rudely interrupted by the man with the white cloak.
"My name is Nicholas, commander of the White Blade Guards." The man named Nicholas shook his head with an expressionless face, then dipped his head down to speak to Thales.
"A long time ago, the people always said that the blood of the royal family from the Empire came from the Gods, which is why their blood is a dazzling gold. When it flows out, it would even shine brightly under the sun. So, is your blood also gold in color? Would it shine?"
Putray and Wya seemed to have heard the name before. The attendant and vice diplomat stared at the man in shock.
As for Thales, he mulled over Nicholas' words, not completely understanding them.
"I would not know," Thales smiled until it reached his eyes, "After all, I do not really bleed.
"Do you mean that you, King Nuven's personal guard, really want to see me bleed?" The second prince retorted without flinching.
"Hmph." Nicholas gave a light snort before his expression became cold again immediately, "I also know of one Jadestar. You are leagues behind him."
Putray sucked in a deep breath. Wya silently took one step closer to Thales, clenched his teeth, and glared at Nicholas.
Thales turned his head around to see Putray's reaction. His heart was filled with puzzlement and wariness.
The second prince frowned. He sized up Nicholas' attire and remembered that this person was the king's personal guard, then asked cautiously, "Pardon me for asking, are you talking about my uncle, Midier Jadestar?"
"No, I am talking about the Sword of Reversing Light." Nicholas narrowed his eyes and moved his left hand to tap his right shoulder. 
Thales' expression changed.
Another person who personally experienced the war between Constellation and Eckstedt during the Bloody Year. By the