Alex seemed to have forgotten what he had just said. He turned to Hyatt and said, "Your Highness, it's not very safe here. It's better to leave first. The injured also need treatment."
The expression on Herbie's face was as if he had just taken the potion brewed by Master Sennet himself. He glared at Alex fiercely, but his concern for Hyatt kept him sane and did not pounce on him. Fight Alex hard. With a livid face, he greeted several knights, helped Hyatt stand up, and personally carried him out of the woods.
Some of the remaining people went to help the doctor, and some cleaned up the mess. Alex pulled Minna and was about to leave, but the knight captain stopped him, and hurriedly told his men to take the enemy's body with them, and then search the surrounding area. If there are any clues left, he quickly ran up and whispered: "Master Alex, what you just mentioned... is the method that can allow His Highness to return to Ito safely? Please tell me. .”
Alex raised an eyebrow: "You want to know?"
"Of course." The knight captain looked around and lowered his head, "I received this mission by accident. The person who was originally sent was seriously ill... Looking back now, it's really suspicious. I believe you I have also seen that although I failed to prevent the crimes of some team members, I still tried my best in the protection work. But Captain Herbie didn't see it that way. He always blamed me. Now His Highness repeatedly If I encounter danger, if something happens, I may be injured or even die. Even if I return to Ito safely, I will be dismissed from my post. My family has been in decline for many years, and this position is my only chance to revitalize the family business. Now I don’t ask for any merit, I just ask not to be accused of this matter. I’m not afraid of death, but dying for something like this is really not worth it!”
Ming Na heard what he meant and gently tugged on Alex's robe: "Do you really have a way? Let's talk about it. The captain won't tolerate it either.
Alex looked at the Knight Captain's expression. Slowly he said: "Okay, but first find a safe place. I suspect you have spies under your command, so it's best not to tell others what I said."
The knight captain was overjoyed at first, then shocked, and finally corrected his expression and nodded solemnly: "I understand."
He took everyone back to the main road and gave the injured people a simple bandage. So they regrouped and hurried into the city. Still living in the City Lord's Mansion, all local garrison troops were required to take turns guarding around the City Lord's Mansion. After everyone was settled, he rushed to Alex's room, and together with Alex and Minna, came to Hyatt. Except for Herbie, everyone else was invited out. Minna gave the room All the doors and windows inside were locked with a locking spell. Alex added soundproofing and anti-magical detection spells.
Hyatt was a little stunned when he saw this: "Is there... anything important?"
"It concerns your safety. I believe it is important enough." The knight captain said, "Master Alex is worried that there are enemy eyes and ears in the team. Therefore, he has to use this method."
Herbie looked at Alex suspiciously. Then he turned his attention to the knight captain: "Then how can your highness and I be sure? Are all the people at the venue reliable?"
Ming Na glared at him angrily: "If you say that I am unreliable, then you are even more suspicious! From His Highness's trip to now, what have you, the captain of the guard, done?! You don't do what you should do. You just do nothing all day long. Suspicion on innocent people. If you put all your energy on business, how could His Highness be injured again and again?!"
Herbie blushed deeply. Want to refute. But I was speechless. His eyes turned red. Kneeling in front of Hyatt: "Your Highness, subordinates always lose ground." Hyatt comforted him softly. He could barely support his body. He reached out to help Hebby up. asked Alex with another smile. "I believe you must have a good idea, right?"
Alex smiled lightly and said: "It's actually very simple. I believe you have also discovered that the time or place where the attackers operate is quite fixed. We were very publicized along the way. Everyone knows that this convoy is to send the eldest prince back. Ito. So, when we walk on the road with many pedestrians in broad daylight, they just follow us from a distance and follow us. Only when we go to a remote and uninhabited place, or stay at night. They will take action only when the time comes. They are also afraid of exposing themselves. Although everyone knows that they are hostile to His Highness, they will never leave any evidence to make others accuse them of their crimes."
Ming Na nodded: "Yes. You met the robbers at the beginning. After leaving Mayton, they failed to take action because of the temporary decision to take the waterway. After entering the central area, they started to follow. Yesterday, it was because of the mercenary accident. The inn must be destroyed and we must find another place to stay. Today, the carriage was in danger because the horse went crazy accidentally. After entering the woods, we unexpectedly encountered robbers again. No matter what, they will not attack you blatantly."
Hyatt and Herbie listened. They all think it makes sense. The knight captain interjected again: "In fact, before setting off this morning, I sent someone to visit the manor where Duras' family lives."
Ming Na hurriedly asked: "How is it?!"
"No suspicious person was found, but there were rumors that a venomous snake appeared in the manor in the middle of the night and bit a man. When we left, he was almost dead." It was obviously another accident.
Herbie took a breath: "Why didn't you report to me?!" The knight captain glanced at him lightly: "At that time, you only asked me to check whether the carriage was safe, and you didn't listen to my words at all." Herbie His face turned red again, and veins popped out in his hands.
Hyatt said expressionlessly: "So, they want me to die in an accident as much as possible?" He turned to Alex: "What is the method you are talking about?"
"Disguise yourself and return to Ito secretly." Alex smiled slightly, "The knights continue to protect the carriage and make as much publicity as they want to make those people think you are still in the convoy. But on the other hand, you Change into civilian clothes, ride on horseback under the protection of a few reliable people, and when the enemy tries every possible means to sneak attack you, you have already returned to the palace.
Mingna nodded and added: "This is called changing the beams into pillars, or secretly changing the dragon into a phoenix." Grandpa taught her this.
Everyone was silent for a while, not understanding what she meant, so they had to ignore it.
Hebie objected again: "With so many people protecting His Highness, His Highness will still be in danger. How can we send only a few people? What if we are attacked on the road?! Besides, who should we choose to protect His Highness? My subordinate is injured. , and the Cavaliers are unreliable!”
Ming Na glanced at him: "Alex and I will be responsible. Isn't there a guard under you who is slightly injured? Three people are enough. Too many words will attract attention. You can't go, you show up every day , once missing, the enemy will immediately become suspicious." This was the result of her previous discussion with Alex.
"No! I can never leave His Highness!" Herbie was angry. "Who knows what will happen to His Highness after he leaves me? When he left the palace, His Majesty the King handed His Highness to me. Even if I die, I will not leave him for a step!"
"Are you going to drag him down even if you are dead?!" Ming Na also got angry, "Is your determination to be His Highness's follower more important than protecting His Highness from danger?! If Alex and I want to harm him. He You should have died eight hundred times! Don’t think that you are the only one who is most loyal in this world, and everyone else is a bad guy! Huh, without you, a guy who can only pretend but has a head full of grass. Maybe His Highness will be safer
Herbie whipped out his sword and pointed it at Minna: "You insulted me! I'm going to duel with you!"
Ming Na raised her foot and kicked him, knocking him two to three meters away, hitting the wall and then rebounding. He rushed forward and grabbed the hand holding the sword and twisted it, causing the sword to fall. At the same time, he turned the person over and pressed him against the wall, and sneered: "You want to duel with a young lady? It seems that your head is really full of grass. It's a pity that even if you duel, you are not my opponent!"
Herbie struggled. His eyes almost popped out of his head. The knight captain was not much better than him. He stayed there, but Alex was used to it. He said lightly: "Ming Na, he is from His Highness after all. You can give His Highness some face."
Hyatt coughed lightly: "Miss Minna, it was Herbie who was so rude. I apologize to you on his behalf." But he unconsciously took out a handkerchief with his right hand and wiped his forehead.
Minna snorted softly and let go. Seeing Herbie still glaring at her, she kicked up the sword on the ground and threw it back to him. She said coldly: "If you have the ability, deal with those attackers." Go, take a sword and show off to a young lady, what a hero!"
Herbie was shaking even more. When Hyatt saw this, he shouted: "Why don't you apologize to Miss Minna?!" Herbie swayed and gritted his teeth and said: "I'm sorry..." Minna waved her hand and accepted it, but he was so angry that he almost lost his breath. go.
Alex coughed a few times and brought everyone's attention back: "What do you think, Your Highness? If you decide to do this, you'd better prepare yourself tonight. You can announce to the public that you were frightened when you met the robber. The trip needs to be postponed, and as non-accompanying guests, Mingna and I plan to take the first step, so that it will be less likely to arouse suspicion."
Hyatt thought for a moment and said with a wry smile: "It's a good idea, but I can't walk on both feet now, and I'm afraid I can't ride a horse, so I have to say sorry to you."
Herbie's head shot up and he looked at Hyatt with tears in his eyes. The knight captain lowered his head in disappointment.
Alex shrugged, not taking it to heart. Minna felt deeply regretful. After leaving Hyatt's room, she comforted her friend in a low voice, but Alex smiled and said: "It's just a suggestion, I don't plan to get anything from it, what does it matter? Besides? , I don’t think His Royal Highness the Prince disapproves of this approach, I’m afraid it won’t be long before he changes his mind.”
As it turns out, Alex's premonition came true. In the next two days, the convoy encountered a lot of troubles along the way. So-called robbers and robbers appeared four or five times. At first, the knight captain was furious and ordered to kill people. In the end, he had the leisure to tease the other party and pointed out the robbers. The shape is completely wrong. But the trouble didn't stop there. Many pits and traps seemed to suddenly appear on the road they passed. Some of the knights walking in front failed to notice it in time and fell into the trap. Some sprained their feet and some hurt their buttocks. , the most serious one was when one of the wheels of the big carriage got stuck in a pit, and the court physician was rolled out of the carriage and broke his head. Fortunately, the owner, Hyatt, was hugged tightly by Herbie and was safe. .
Hyatt was very silent afterwards, and just ordered the knight captain to ask the best local doctor to treat everyone. Afterwards, he personally apologized to everyone, if it was not because of him. No one will be hurt.
Ming Na couldn't stand his attitude very much. It was obviously not his fault, so why did he take all the responsibility? Alex comforted her with a few words, pulled her to follow Hyatt who left, and entered the room, smiling and waiting for his decision.
Herbie didn't know their purpose and stared at Alex warily: "What do you want, sir? Please come back tomorrow morning. It's very late now."
Alex was still smiling slightly.
Hyatt sighed. Said: "Just follow your plan. I have put my safety in your hands, you can make arrangements."
"Your Highness!" Herbie looked at him in shock, a little confused.
Ming Na glanced at him: "Your dignity is very important to you, right? Are you even considering the safety of His Highness? How many times do you want him to encounter robbers and crash the car?"
Herbie's face turned pale and he closed his mouth tightly.
Alex said: "Are you able to walk with your feet? Please choose an escort to accompany you on horseback. I have a distant relative living nearby. I will meet with Ming in the name of visiting him later." Leave the team together. Please pretend to be my follower for the time being. I remember that one of your guards seems to have broken his leg. He is about the same age as you. Maybe he can temporarily act as your substitute. When you leave here tomorrow, don’t take it with you. The local doctor waited until the next town. In the name of the eldest prince's diagnosis and treatment, he asked a doctor to look at the guard's foot injury, making everyone mistakenly think that the eldest prince's injury had worsened and the trip would be postponed. In this way, the convoy was attacked The number of times will be less.”
Hyatt only thought about it for about ten seconds before nodding in agreement. Herbie tried to open his mouth several times, but kept it shut. Upon seeing this, the former smiled bitterly and said: "Herbie. I believe Alex and Mingna, their abilities are outstanding. Don't they? And they have already helped us a lot. I will leave soon, and the rest I’ll leave the work in the fields to you, please keep it a secret from me.”
Herbie's eyes were red, and he choked and nodded: "Please rest assured, Your Highness, I will never let anyone find out that you have left. Please cooperate well."
Hyatt gave many instructions, and Herbie answered with tears. Ming Na was listening and suddenly felt that maybe the eldest prince had been thinking about this matter in the past few days. The various arrangements he mentioned did not seem to be thought up on the spur of the moment.
As soon as the sky darkened, a "quarrel" broke out between Herbie and Alex, and then the latter left angrily, and his friend Mingna and two followers had to chase after him. Although the mayor's family where they stayed were surprised, they heard the knights say that they often quarreled, so they didn't take it to heart. No one expected that the "prince" in the room had been replaced, and the real prince, dressed in ordinary people's clothes, rode out of the town and rushed to the south under the moonlight.
At this time, they were only two or three days away from Ito. In order to reach their destination before the enemy found out, they kept rushing. When they were too tired to stand it, they stopped to rest for a while. Hyatt was protected by guards and could rest on horseback, but he couldn't sleep. When he couldn't stand it anymore, he saw that Alex, who was younger than him, and Mingna, a girl, were still persisting, and he felt admirable. At the same time, he was ashamed of his cowardice, and he started fighting again. Be energetic and continue on your way.
In this way, on the evening of the third day, they finally arrived at the gate of Ito Castle. Hyatt endured the burning pain in his inner thigh, and suddenly felt a touch of emotion.
Minna breathed a sigh of relief and greeted Alex and Hyatt with a smile: "Let's go into the city." Unexpectedly, as soon as she reached the door, she was stopped by the soldiers guarding the door: "Who are you?! Show me your identity. Prove it, otherwise you won’t be allowed in!”
Ming Na took out her own and was about to hand it over when she suddenly remembered something. Of course Hyatt has identification, but if he actually produced it, wouldn't it reveal the fact that he had returned? Thinking of what happened after Vasily brought her into the city, she couldn't help but feel worried...
"How dare you speak to me in this tone?" Alex raised his chin arrogantly, brushed his hair, and revealed the Mandheling family crest on his wristband. The soldier's face changed, and he saluted hurriedly: "I'm sorry, Master, please come in."
Ming Na smiled secretly and glanced at Alex, then motioned for Hyatt and others to follow. The latter lowered his head and rode past the soldiers, his heart beating hard, but until he was inside the city, the soldiers did not speak again.
The journey to the palace went smoothly. When the knights standing guard in front of the palace recognized Hyatt, they were all frightened and ran to report. Hyatt looked back at Mingna and Alex with a complicated expression, and it took him a long time to say: "I don't know how to express my gratitude, but I still have to say that I will never forget it in my life. "
Minna and Alex looked at each other and smiled. She was about to say something, but when she heard the sound of rapid footsteps, she looked up and was stunned.
The person who came was none other than Perdica, who left her in Encore City that year.