'Whoosh!'

Several hooded men stood in front of the people, in attempts to protect them from Skye and his crew.

"Hahahahahahahahaha!

Friend... You need to calm down alright?" Said the leader of the hooded men..... Who seemed to be taking this entity thing like a joke.

Skye squinted his eyes and looked at the man before him in silence... Before taking a big whiff of air in attempts of calming himself down.

This wasn't his empire, so he had to be careful... lest he provoked any powerful forces before he arrived at the Capital.

Of course once he stated his intentions, he would then deal with all these pesky idiots who dared to challenge his authority.

Yes!

Even these people would be severely dealt with as well.

He would send more of his men to exterminate the entire city and villages around if need be.

But of course, he had pin everything down on bandits so as not to create any opposition for himself for the throne.

Hmph!

Who asked these people to not know what was good for them?

When he was halfway done with wooing Penelope, he would send for all 30,000 of his men to come to Carona.

And from there, he would open his own hidden guild which was meant to recruit more members.

With that, it wouldn't take long before his forces grew substantially.

But for now, he had to lay low.

And looking at the hooded men before him, Skye couldn't help but tread cautiously.

Because even though he and his men outnumbered then, who knew if these hooded men had more men hiding around the bushes?

It was always better to be safe than sorry.

.

"And who might you all be?" Skye asked cautiously.

"Us?

Well, we're no one of importance.

You see we are just travelling messengers that must keep our identities hidden all through our travels.

Of course, this is our official messenger seal if you're interested." Said the hooded gang leader, who then took out the seal from his breast pocket.

The seal was made of silver and was as large as a sheriff's star-like badge.

It was really hard for anyone to miss.

"Ahhh!

That's the official seal for the famous Blue Wing Messenger Guild."

"Really?

It's said that one needed to be exceptionally skilled in the ways of the sword before they can be official members."

"That's right!

Not just anyone can join the guild.

Oh man!

Even the monthly privileges that these messengers have can rival those of senior knights!"

"Wow!

I can't believe that I'm seeing an official member of the Blue Wing Messenger Guild in the flesh.

Awesome!"

"_"

Hearing the comments and seeing the gasps and shocked expressions from the crowd, Skye knew that these men were indeed messengers.

And from the looks of it, they might be very skilled and influential messengers as well.

So how could he not try to win them over?

He quickly turned his hostility into friendship.

After all, the more influential people he knew, the more benefits would come his way.

And this would undoubtedly aid him in taking over Carona.

.

He looked at the men and the corners of his life lifted into a bonafide smile.

"Gentlemen, Ladies and children... Please forgive us for our rude behaviour earlier on.

You see, we had been attacked by bandits earlier on, and we are somewhat on the edge ever since.

We typically don't act this way, so please forgive us just this once." Skye said pitifully.

And of course, the simple-minded people all bought it... As they too had once been attacked or knew people who had been attacked by bandits as well.

They looked at the pitiful expression on Skye's face and sighed sadly.

They had even forgotten the earlier while lashes that had been directed towards them previously.

"Young man... It's okay, you don't have to compensate us anymore."

"Hmhm... If I was the one, I too would feel on edge and angry too.

But in life, one must learn not to transfer our anger onto others.

So I'll let you off this time if you promise not to do it again."

"Young man, it's going to be fine.

So don't look too sad and cheer up!"

"Yeah young man... We are fine and are as strong as an ox, so just forget about it alright?"

"That's right!

Bandits are a common occurrence around these parts...so best be careful when you travel up ahead, okay?"

(TT^TT)

The people had felt sad for the 'unfortunate' Skye and decided to leave him alone for the time being so that he could properly calm himself down.

As for the hooded men, they all watched this scene with amusement.

Was this what the books mentioned when they talked about White Lotuses?

Indeed, the power of these white lotuses to reverse black to white was really astonishing.

Their leader grinned deeply as he looked at the 'pitiful' Skye.

This one truly needed what the Baymardians would call an Oscar.

.

"Sirs... I also apologize to you all for my crew's unsightly behaviour." Skye said while looking at the hooded men before him.

'Hmph!

What a bunch of fools!

As expected, one just needed to show a kind and obedient heart... And these people would welcome him or her into their arms like the idiots that they were.' Skye thought, while still looking at his targets pitifully.

"Sirs... You see, we are really from the empire of Veinitta.

Here's our seal as well."

"Hmmm... It seemed like your truly a prince from there.

How marvellous!" The leader said happily.

"Yes, sirs... We are.

You see, I have come here to woo my true love.

She is the most beautiful woman that I've ever seen on portrait.

And for some reason, ever since I saw her portrait, my heart skipped a beat through and through.

So I'm here to get my woman... No matter what!" Skye said confidently.

"Wow!

How romantic!

So who is the lucky lady?

She must be really special for you to travel across the waters just for her."

"Well sirs... She is.

That's why I need your help in this matter.

Sirs... I want to be friends with you all because I truly need all the help that I can get when reeling in this woman of mine."

"Oh?

But you haven't told us who your lady is.

So how can we stand by you if you can't even tell us this much?

You are obviously a fine prince from Veinitta... So why would we even turn down your friendship request?

Right now, we just need to know who the lady in question is."

"_"

Listening to the hooded men..... Skye knew that from here on out, everything would be a piece of cake.

After all, they just confirmed that he was a prominent prince from Veinitta.

So which fool wouldn't want to curry favour with him after his identity had been revealed?

"Hmm... So tell us.... Which lady is it?"

"Sirs, the lucky lady and the woman in my heart..... is none other than the gorgeous Queen Penelope."

(@_@)