The freak who had burst through the crowd was shot dead one by one. The sudden upheaval sent the refugees into panic, as dozens of warriors clad in bizarre armor and weapons swarmed the scene. Screams erupted incessantly, and the situation spiraled out of control. Then, Your Royal Highness's voice suddenly rang out above the crowd— "Hush, my people. I am your Lord, Roland Wimbledon. Now listen to me." Though loud, his voice was not a hysterical roar but a clear, steady command. Vaid felt as if the voice was whispering in his ear, its unquestionable authority drowning out the chaos and fear.
The crowd fell silent.
"As you heard upon arrival, Border Town will provide shelter from the elements, food to fill your stomachs, and numerous well-paid jobs. I assure you, these are all true." "The houses are sturdy earthen structures with no gaps for drafts. Beneath the beds lie charcoal stoves, making sleep as comfortable as lying on sun-baked grass in summer. Even in single-layered clothing, you won't feel cold as long as doors and windows remain closed." "The food consists of porridge with dried meat. When scooped with a spoon, you can see the grains dripping, and when poured into your mouth, they slowly descend due to their thick consistency. One bowl alone will satisfy your hunger." Hearing this, Vaid suddenly felt hungry. Your Royal Highness's words were remarkably novel. Unlike most Nobles who repeatedly emphasized their authority and subjects' obligations, declaring that everyone under their rule must obey their will, he described his promises through the most relatable aspects of daily life—food and clothing. The look of God-like awe on the faces of the refugees by the dock clearly showed how deeply these words resonated with people.
"I hope all my subjects may live in comfort, free from hunger and cold. Yet the hidden enemies in the shadows would never see this. These beasts that have burst forth are undoubtedly their agents. The reason is simple: they want neither my survival nor my people's prosperity." "If I were to perish, would any other Lord offer them shelter and sustenance? You know this well from your past. I alone am willing to do so." When the panic subsided, the refugees' initial unease transformed into fury—those who plotted against Your Highness were the very villains who sought to destroy their peaceful lives. Such people deserve no mercy.
"To prevent any recurrence of attacks, the inspection must be repeated. This time, my personal guards will conduct the body searches, ensuring no enemy can compromise this security measure!" All complied with Your Highness's decree. Those who had cleared the checkpoints were escorted back to the dock area by guards, with no objections raised. The order was even more disciplined than before.
No wonder Your Royal Highness is so remarkable, Vaid couldn't help but marvel. With just a few words, he had deftly quelled the impending panic.
"Did you spot the problem first?" Carter Lannis stepped forward. "Follow me. Your Highness wishes to see you." He followed the Chief Knight to the young Prince, then knelt before him. "Greetings." "Tell me," the Prince asked, "how you noticed something was amiss about him."
Wade reported his findings truthfully.
"Keen observation, you were just an ordinary civilian before?" "No, Your Highness. I served in the Golden Spike City Patrol," he answered honestly, "For nearly six years until the city was attacked by a large number of pirates." "But your resume doesn't mention any special skills," Prince said. "I asked Carter, and he said you're still in the temporary housing area. In other words, when the city hall registered early arrivals, you concealed your past—something completely unnecessary. Why?" Though he didn't understand the term' resume, 'this didn't stop him from answering. After a moment's hesitation, Vaid told Prince about Kakushim's situation: "Without this prisoner, I couldn't have made it to Border Town alive. I couldn't leave him alone in the West District either." "So you wanted to become a patrol officer so you could give him extra protection during patrols?" "I..." Vaid's heart suddenly tightened. From the previous punishment, it was clear Your Highness cared deeply about rule violations, and his actions clearly crossed the line.
"Don't worry, you haven't done it yet. Just having the idea won't get you punished." The other person seemed to see through my thoughts and smiled.
Yet this remark left Vaid with a pang of disappointment. There was no doubt His Highness disapproved of such conduct. Even if he succeeded in becoming a police officer, any biased handling of disputes would only lead him to follow in the footsteps of that municipal clerk.
"Do you have family?" Prince suddenly asked.
"...They all perished in the raid at Golden Ear City." "What about Kaku Shim?" "He should be safe," Vaid replied truthfully despite the confusion about His Highness's question. "If he were, the rats wouldn't have chosen him as a scapegoat." "Any individual with special abilities gets priority access to residential units in the community, along with official identification issued by the City Hall, granting them all civil rights. This naturally includes their families," Prince smiled. "You understand what I mean, don't you?" Vaid froze in surprise. "You agree to let me..." "Take the elderly to register at City Hall—they'll arrange everything for you." Suppressing his excitement, he knelt again. "Your Highness, your benevolence!" "Stay vigilant today," Prince nodded. "If you fail subsequent evaluations, even as family members, you'll only be temporarily accommodated in the temporary residence." "Yes!" With the unresolved matter finally settled, Vaid felt a sense of relief. As he prepared to leave, the paper test suddenly came to mind. After a moment's hesitation, he couldn't resist asking, "Your Highness, I wrote down answers to many questions during the first round without knowing the correct answers. Why did you still choose me?" "There's no right answer," Prince said with a wry smile. "Every response is unique. The real test isn't about answers—it's about assessing your reading and writing skills. If you can understand the questions and express your thoughts clearly, you've passed."