Tales realized that he had still underestimated the towering walls of power.
Less than a week after he privately hinted that Marius and Stro might as well send someone to "look into" the possibility of moving to Star Lake Fortress, news that the Duke of Star Lake was about to leave the Royal Capital had already spread through every street and alley of Everstar City.
"Not good. Even the brothels in Red Quarter Street are talking about it. They say the Prince is tired of the girls in the Royal Capital and is going elsewhere to 'practice his spear.' I have no idea how they found out—and don't ask me how I found out that they found out." Gollor solemnly reported to the Prince after returning from leave, glaring at the Wyatt beside him who seemed to want to speak but held back.
The Star Lake Guard's first-rank Punishment Officer, old Patterson, was so furious that smoke seemed to pour from all seven orifices. Accompanied by two subordinates and Rolf the Wind Ghost ("He looks strange and vicious, Your Highness, which makes him perfect for this job. More importantly, I can point at him and tell everyone, 'Look, this is what happens to loose lips.'" Patterson had ground out through clenched teeth), he stormed around Mindis Hall with a whip, "hunting spies," and swore to find out who had leaked the secret.
"That definitely wasn't me!"
D.D., struggling home under an absurd load of luggage, was caught red-handed at the gate by the "spy-hunting squad."
"Luori can bear witness—I didn't tell anyone about our move. What? You mean this luggage? Hehe, my parents forced it all on me. I couldn't do anything about it. Look, they even stuffed my winter clothes in here. This is so annoying... Hey! Mute! Don't