Three days and nights had passed since that snowy day, and Sir Kael Richter, the lord of Eagle Rock Territory, had agonized for three whole nights.
Prince Colin still had not arrived at his castle.
He paced like a caged beast in his study, built from expensive taxes.
Sotis he stopped by the window, cursing the endless snow outside, and other tis he ran to the wall, drawing a cross devoutly in front of the holy image of Saint Sis, praying that God would protect Prince Colin's carriage, which was hopefully just trapped in the desolate snowstorm, without any mishap.
Of course, he wasn't truly worried about Prince Colin, but rather feared missing this once-in-a-lifeti opportunity to connect with the dignitaries of the Holy City.
"Maybe the prince just changed his mind and went sowhere else," a sarcastic voice ca from beside the fireplace, where his wife was leisurely sipping hot tea, "Kael, you can save your good wine for next winter."
These words were like fuel to the fire, further inflaming Sir Richter's anger, but before he could scold, a servant rushed in from outside, panic-stricken.
"My lord! My lord!"
Sir Richter felt his heart tighten, and he hurriedly asked, "Is there news of the prince?!"
"No... no," the servant panted, hesitating as he spoke, "it's... it's about the aftermath of the undead attack in Pompeii Village a few days ago. People in the village are saying that the leader of the adventurer team handling the undead trouble was called 'Colin'! A sentry who was out on patrol heard about it and ca back at once—"
"Colin?! Are you sure?!"
Sir Richter felt as if he had been struck by lightning, and he froze in place.
The esteed prince, for so unfathomable reason, disguised himself as an adventurer during his journey.
And he, instead of being a good host, had sent the esteed prince to deal with the undead in his territory!
"Saint Sis above... please forgive , I... never thought things would turn out this way!"
In an instant, a wave of regret engulfed Sir Richter, and he wished he could kneel before the statue for his negligence.
But—
It's not too late!
Sir Richter suddenly realized that the prince should still be within his territory at this very mont, aning he still had a chance to be a proper host!
He couldn't wait any longer!
He needed to rectify his grave mistake imdiately!
"Prepare the horses!" Sir Richter shouted frantically, his voice changing with excitent, "Quick! Bring out my best warhorse! Gather all the guards! Quick!!"
He stord out of the study like a raging bull, under his wife's scornful gaze, and his orders threw the entire Eagle Rock Castle into chaotic commotion, to the point where so new recruits, unclear about the orders, thought the undead were attacking again.
On the other side, the first light of dawn barely stretched over the plowshares of Pompeii Village, and this impoverished village had just begun to recover so tranquility from the fear of the undead.
The morning sun lted the snow, and villagers, carrying their tools, busied themselves repairing fences previously broken by the undead.
The air was filled with post-crisis joy, along with a faint sense of peace.
However, this hard-won peace was soon shattered by the distant yet approaching sound of hooves and clashing armor.
Sir Richter, leading his troops, stord into the village with an intimidating presence, approximately two hundred n under a sea of banners.
The smiles on the villagers' faces instantly froze, replaced by deep fear.
They all stopped their work, standing helplessly by the roadside, dreading what new trouble this lord might bring.
This ostentation clearly wasn't for their protection.
Sir Richter ignored the cowering villagers, riding his tall warhorse directly to the mill in the village, where he found the Mill Master, who was overseeing the repair of the waterwheel.
"You!" He pointed his whip at the Mill Master, asking aggressively, "Tell ! Was there a gentleman nad 'Colin' here a few days ago?!"
The Mill Master, terrified by the display, felt his legs go weak and quickly nodded, spilling everything he knew.
"Ye... yes, my lord! I, I saw Mr. Colin and his companions, they were the ones who killed that witch and saved my son..."
"I don't care who he killed!" Richter interrupted rudely, asking urgently, "Where is the prince? Where is he now?!"
Prince?!
Only at this mont did the Mill Master slowly comprehend, and his face turned slightly pale.
Could it be—
That Mr. Colin was actually the rumored prince?!
The prince's na was not Crankel, but Colin!
Thinking of the things he had said in front of the prince, the middle-aged man was instantly petrified, stamring as he pointed in a direction: "He... they left a few days ago, I think they went toward the Traveler Camp..."
"A few days ago?! Traveler Camp?!"
Upon hearing this, Sir Richter's vision went dark, his body swayed on the horse, nearly falling off.
A turbulent feeling of sha and disgrace overwheld him!
"Saint Sis above!" he cried out in anguish, "I... I actually let the esteed prince, lower himself to stay in such a lowly place!"
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