Lord of the Oasis

“How is it? Have you seen Derrick?” Kant didn’t seem to mind. He stood up to help Bunduk up from his bow and asked.

“Yes, we even drank together.” When Bunduk mentioned the meeting with Derrick, his mood boosted again.

“What did he tell you? Is he planning to stay in Durandal for the rest of his life?” Kant raised the corners of his mouth and asked.

“Your Highness, if you have any orders, of course he will immediately return to Drondheim.” Bunduk quickly denied. “However, doesn’t he have to personally take care of the matters over at Durandal?”

“I understand.” Kant said as he shook his head gently.

Bunduk saw Kant’s expression and knew that Kant had guessed the meaning behind his words.

After letting out a heavy sigh in his heart, he raised his smiling face and bade Kant farewell. “Then, Your Highness, since you have already forgiven me, then I will return to the military camp to take over.”

Kant frowned and said, “Who said I have forgiven you? If it were any other soldier who ran out of the city without permission, they would have long been dishonorably discharged.”

Bunduk was so frightened by Kant’s words that he broke out in cold sweat. He then asked, “Then my punishment is…”

“Hmph.” Kant snorted and ordered, “Seeing that you didn’t cause any trouble this time and that you have done meritorious deeds in escorting the goods. I won’t demote you, but you will be punished to stand in front of the palace gate for three days and three nights.”

“Three days? !” Bunduk widened his eyes and said, “… Your Highness, isn’t that a little too harsh? Moreover, standing in front of the palace gate, the people will definitely point fingers at me.”

“Yes, only then will you remember the lesson.” Kant nodded and said, “Don’t bargain with me. The punishment will start from tomorrow. You can go back and rest today.”

“… Yes.” Bunduk agreed with a sullen face. Then, he bowed and left the palace.

In the next three days, the news that the commander of the Caradia soldiers was punished to stand in front of the palace gates was spread all over the city.

Everyone was guessing the reason behind this. There were also many parents who brought their children to watch.

Bunduk stood motionlessly in front of the palace gate. After standing there for three days and three nights, the exhaustion of his physical strength was not a big deal. However, he was so tired that he could not stand it anymore. With his eyes half-open, he was close to falling asleep.

“General, you can retreat now.” A subordinate soldier stuck his head out from behind the palace gate and said.

“Eh?” Bunduk opened his eyes in a daze. When he saw that the sky had turned dark, he heaved a sigh of relief. He frowned and said to the soldier, “Why are you standing there? My legs are frozen. Quickly come and help me up.”

“Yes, yes.” the soldier quickly jumped out of the door and approached Bunduk, supporting half of his body.

Bunduk realized that his legs were almost numb from the cold. He used a lot of strength to move away from the spot.

The soldier looked at the sweat on Bunduk’s forehead and said worriedly, “It’s such a cold day and you’ve been outdoors for so long. His Highness is not worried that your legs will get rheumatism?”

“My body is fine. Just don’t jinx it.” Bunduk replied and stomped on the ground a few times.

The soldier looked at him and shook his head, reporting, “Captain Adonis said that he will bring a carriage to bring us back to the barracks. He asked me to stay here and take care of you for a while.”

“Adonis is coming too?” Bunduk frowned and said, “There’s no need to go through so much trouble. I can walk back myself.”

The soldier could not win against Bunduk, so he accepted his fate and carried him to the barrack.

However, not long after the two of them walked, they met the carriage that came to welcome them. The cloth of the military camp carriage was particularly eye-catching in the dark night.

The soldier shouted joyfully, “Captain Adonis!”

“Why are you stopping on this road? Didn’t I tell you to wait at the entrance of the palace?” Adonis jumped off the carriage and said with slight anger.

“I was the one who wanted to walk back on my own, so this kid followed me here to accompany me.” said Bunduk.

Adonis glanced at the frost on Bunduk’s cotton-padded jacket and didn’t blame him anymore. He said to Bunduk, “Hurry up and get on the carriage. There’s a stove in the carriage.”

Bunduk agreed, “Okay.”

After getting on the carriage, the three of them sat down around the small stove.

“Why did you come in as well?” Adonis asked the soldier who was sitting down curiously.

The soldier rubbed his head in embarrassment and said, “I’ll get so warmth for a short while. I’ll go out and drive the carriage later.”

Adonis glanced at him speechlessly, then walked out of the carriage and sat on the seat of the coachman. He turned his head and shouted, “You can go out after warming up.”

With that, Adonis waved the horsewhip and drove the carriage back.

The soldier in the carriage wanted to stop Adonis, but he couldn’t. He could only sit on the spot with an awkward expression and rub his hands in front of the stove.

“What’s your name?” Bunduk watched the whole process and asked the soldier with interest.

“Florence.” the soldier nervously looked up at Bunduk and answered hesitantly.

“Why does it sound like a girl’s name? And it sounds a little familiar.” Bunduk frowned, he looked out of the window and carefully recalled in his mind, “This name seems to be the name of the very famous singer in the West City Restaurant. I’ve even heard her songs before.”

After saying this, Bunduk looked meaningfully at the soldier.

“That’s my sister.” After the soldier saw that his lie had been exposed, he immediately explained apologetically, “General, my name is Shelbert.”

“That’s more like it. When your sister hears that you use her name so well, she will definitely be very happy.” Bunduk did not blame him but teased him in a relaxed manner.

“I’m sorry…” Shelbert apologized.

“It’s nothing.” Bunduk shook his head and said, “When did you enter the military camp?”

“Two years ago,” Shelbert replied.

“Two years… which camp? Why haven’t I seen you much?” Bunduk pondered.

“The cavalry unit. I was injured in daily training a year ago, so I temporarily became a logistics soldier.” Shelbert was very happy with Bunduk’s attitude, and he explained in detail at this time.

“I see. How’s your work in the logistics team?” Bunduk continued asking.

“It’s not bad. I’m very occupied when I’m busy, and I’m also very relaxed when I’m free. I quite like staying here.” Shelbert said as he breathed hot air into his hand.

“That’s good too.” Bunduk looked at Shelbert in front of him and thought of Derrick, whom he had met a few days ago.

Indeed, everyone’s pursuit wasn’t the same.

“Is your hand frostbitten?” Bunduk asked as he drew closer to Shelbert and pointed at the wound on Shelbert’s hand.

“Yes, it’s been too cold recently. I didn’t care it much, and it became like this.” Shelbert replied.