One-Eyed Monster

Igor’s concern is not unfounded.

Previously, they had been constantly hiding their whereabouts, unknowingly taking shelter in the Kangen family’s courtyard for quite a while.

Now they’re walking so boldly on this street, aren’t they afraid that the enemy lurking outside will appear!

Igor wanted to ask Old Cole, but Old Cole walked too fast, not giving Igor a chance; just keeping up with Old Cole’s pace was a bit exhausting for Igor.

It’s quite strange to say, they’re actually walking to Princess Juliette’s palace, not using a carriage.

This made Igor and Kadi very astonished, they asked Old Cole at the time, what if they reached the palace while running and it’s already nighttime?

Old Cole chuckled, he was naturally very familiar with such a question, his answer was simple: we’re taking a shortcut, it won’t be too slow, we’ll arrive shortly.

But this explanation could only alleviate other doubts Igor and Kadi had.

If we end up sweaty, wouldn’t that render our bath useless?

This issue is rather serious; Old Cole had once said that Princess Juliette likes cleanliness in appearance, she would naturally look down on untidy people. If they arrive there by foot, drenched in sweat, wouldn’t that affect Princess Juliette’s mood?

This is certainly a big issue; Igor and Kadi felt this problem would definitely catch Old Cole’s attention.

However, Old Cole did not appear overly worried. He just gave a faint smile and then told Igor and company, ”You don’t need to worry about this, once we get there you will understand.”

Igor was naturally curious, why wasn’t Old Cole worried about this at all?

Was he not fearing that their sweaty appearance would affect the princess’s mood, and if it did, would they still have a chance to enter the palace?

These questions all needed to be considered, yet why was Old Cole not caring about them at all?

Igor and Kadi continued to keep close to Old Cole, by this time they had already adapted to his pace.

Speaking of which, this shortcut is truly magical, the distant palace looked increasingly closer in an instant.

Originally, Igor and Kadi thought giving up the carriage and horses would make the time longer, contradicting Xinbal’s notion that time is everything. However, now it seemed Old Cole’s choice to walk was completely aimed at saving time.

Because there are many places horses simply cannot pass through!

These are all Old Cole’s experiences, only someone familiar with the entire Bayes Avenue can create such a route.

Yet, this shortcut method, although saving time, still showed the problem Igor and Kadi previously mentioned. That is, they ended up sweaty.

Although not entirely covered in sweat, they did sweat and their appearance was somewhat disheveled.

This won’t do. Such an appearance to meet the princess would certainly make her uncomfortable!

But Igor and Kadi’s worries could in no way affect Old Cole, he continued to stride rapidly along various paths.

Igor found it very curious, that wide Bayes Avenue actually hid such winding paths, only these paths were behind buildings making them hard to notice.

Moreover, Igor found another problem: these paths often turned unexpectedly, so people following behind, if unable to keep up, could easily get lost...

No wonder, Old Cole was never concerned about them walking openly on the street, it turned out this old expert had his ways of shaking off anyone tailing him!

Igor and Kadi were very fortunate to be walking with Old Cole; this old expert’s experience helped them greatly.

Since getting in contact with the Kangen family, they had always been under its protection, and Kangen family’s people also showed them the family’s prowess.

Coban Kangen bid them farewell after a few days, as Bistal also needed to prepare for the unknown, and he had to quickly return to assist Lord Popovich.

Because from here on it was only him and Kadi.

Thankfully Old Cole timely appeared around them, so they were no longer lonely.

Their thoughts were still soaring, but not for long before Old Cole in front stopped.

”We’re here, gentlemen!”

”Hm?” Igor and Kadi were very surprised, they clearly saw the palace ahead, how come they’re suddenly there!

”This is Princess Juliette’s garden, we’ll meet the princess here.” Old Cole knew Igor and Kadi’s faces showed confusion, so he explained to them.

This...

Igor and Kadi were greatly surprised by the scene in front of them, this place being called a garden was beyond belief.

It’s entirely a bunch of weeds and trees, all things without names, growing unevenly, completely lacking a garden’s appearance.

That towering tree, yet not a leaf on it, this summer it’s completely abnormal, the grass growing some high, some low, some even climbing trees, totally lacking aesthetic feeling.

This garden is too bizarre.

Or maybe Princess Juliette’s aesthetic is just a bit unusual.

This aesthetic seemed to lean towards the darkness type...

”Everyone who comes to this garden shows this expression, but once they experience its special features, they’ll change their views on Princess Juliette!” Old Cole seemed completely understanding of Igor and Kadi’s astonishment, speaking calmly.

”Here, these flowers and plants will give you a warm embrace, are you ready to welcome them?” Old Cole again mysteriously said such cryptic words, leaving Igor and Kadi puzzled; they looked up in bewilderment at Old Cole.

”If you’re ready, I’ll knock!” Old Cole gave them an inquiring look.

”Um, I guess we’re ready, Mr. Cole.” Igor responded tentatively, uncertain if he truly was ready.

”Alright, then I’ll knock!” Old Cole then turned around, facing the spot with tangled trees, and bowed deeply.

Why bow, Igor didn’t understand, he found this place’s customs really strange.

”Open Sesame, Sesame, open!” Old Cole seemed to be whispering a spell, which Igor was very familiar with, as it was a rhyme and story they heard in childhood!

After chanting the spell, Old Cole again bowed to those odd flowers and grass, then stepped back a few paces to stand beside Igor and Kadi.

Igor and Kadi, confused, alternated glances between Old Cole and the plants, feeling very odd.

What kind of ceremony is this, and besides, where exactly is the door, it’s entirely unseen!