Chapter 168: Xia Mingyu heads to the circus, escorted by three New Moon knights

Late at night, in a small house built of thatch and logs.

An eight- or nine-year-old boy was flopping back and forth on the bed like a stranded fish, the quilt already tangled into a mess, yet he still couldn't feel any sleepiness, only looking toward the window from time to time.

His name was Tom, the child of a carpenter.

In the peaceful Shengcheng, children like him, while not having to worry about food and clothing, couldn't expect any entertainment either, at most chasing and playing with children of the same age in the alleys.

But among the children of the Southern Region, there had always been a story as deeply rooted in their hearts as a warrior defeating a dragon to save a princess.

Legend has it that there is a circus where "monsters" live; they look terrifying but have kind hearts, and they perform beautiful and interesting circus acts for children all over the world for free.

Regardless of whether the child is poor or rich, humble or noble, beautiful or ugly, they will all be equally and randomly selected by the circus.

The selected children will have a white mouse come to their home in the middle of the night to deliver an invitation.

This fairy-tale-like way of appearing is a magic that no child can resist.

As time passed, Tom gradually felt sleepy, his eyelids becoming increasingly heavy.

Knock, knock, knock.

At this moment, a faint tapping sound suddenly rang out outside the window.

The next moment, the boy's tightly closed eyes suddenly widened, and he jumped off the bed as if spring-loaded, opening the window.

A white mouse wearing a mini top hat appeared outside the window, biting a white invitation with its front teeth, staring at him quietly.

Tom was ecstatic and reached out to take the invitation, but he couldn't take it away after several tries; the white mouse bit the invitation tightly, as if competing with him.

After a moment of daze, the boy came to his senses and hurriedly handed the black bread he had prepared by the bedside to the white mouse.

The white mouse curled up the breadcrumbs with its long tail, then released the invitation in its mouth with satisfaction, turned around, and disappeared into the dark street with a few jumps.

Tom carefully picked up the invitation, as if it were a fragile gem that would break if he used too much force.

He gently opened the invitation, only to see a line of blood-red text written on it:

"You are formally invited to the Monster Carnival under the moonlight—a secret performance prepared specifically for children."

"Monsters are coming to take away your fear!"

The moment he finished reading the text, the boy jumped up and down on the bed in ecstasy, until he woke up his parents next door and received a "broomstick stir-fry" before he calmed down.

He closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep, already impatient in his dreams to go and show off to his friends.

Chenfeng Street, No. 13 Apothecary.

The bronze crucible bubbled, and the pale blue steam climbed along the condenser tube, finally cooling into a thick, deep blue liquid.

Youde sealed the last bottle of mana potion, looked at the bright full moon outside the window, and let out a sigh of satisfaction.

It's so good; he could also contribute to the Sage he respected from the bottom of his heart.

As soon as he thought of this, the monkey-faced apothecary felt his whole body become light, as happy as if he had drunk evening tea.

He was already addicted to helping the Sage, and he was addicted willingly.

Oh, right, the Sage told me not to stay up late in the future, saying that this is the only way to help him for a longer time.

I must obey the Sage's order and go to sleep immediately.

Thinking of this, Youde quickly put away the potions and the materials on the table, went to bed, and tucked himself into the quilt.

Because he was too tired, he felt a wave of heavy sleepiness as soon as he lay down, and he soon fell into a deep sleep.

Knock, knock, knock.

Two faint tapping sounds suddenly rang out outside the window, as if someone were tapping lightly with two fingers.

Youde, who was fast asleep, didn't want to pay attention, but the tapping sound became increasingly loud.

His brow furrowed, and eventually, he could no longer tolerate the noise.

Swish!

"Who is it? Not letting people sleep in the middle of the night!"

Youde threw off the quilt and jumped off the bed, opening the window and shouting angrily.

To his surprise, standing outside the window was not some mischievous child, but two white mice biting white envelopes.

In an instant, Youde's anger turned into confusion and curiosity.

Using mice to deliver letters?

The apothecary thought of a story that often made him look forward to it when he was a child.

Combined with the excited discussions of passersby about the arrival of a famous circus when he returned to the apothecary from Red Fox Castle, Youde immediately took the envelope from the white mouse's mouth and read it.

"You are formally invited to the Monster Carnival under the moonlight—a secret performance prepared specifically for children."

The moment he saw that line of blood-red text, the corners of Youde's mouth couldn't help but lift slightly.

He confirmed it; this was exactly what he had dreamed of in his childhood—the Monster Circus invitation.

At that time, he even fantasized about joining the Monster Circus to perform together, because he was also a "monster" in the eyes of the world.

However, was this invitation really not sent to the wrong person?

He was already eighteen years old now!

"I am already an adult, not a child. You must have sent it to the wrong person, right?" Youde asked the two white mice on the windowsill in confusion.

The two white mice shook their heads in unison, and the other white mouse, which was still biting an invitation, even took a step forward.

Clearly, the person they wanted to give the invitation to was indeed Youde, and it was two invitations together.

Youde was silent for a moment, then put away the two invitations. After all, even if he was already an adult, he really wanted to go and see the performances of those "monsters."

And perhaps the extra invitation could be given to the Sage as a gift.

Before parting, Youde didn't forget to take some nuts from the medicine cabinet and hand them to the two white mice delivering the letters.

After excitedly curling up the nuts with their tails, the two white mice nimbly performed a tap dance for Youde, making the usually taciturn apothecary laugh out loud before turning and disappearing into the dark night.

Red Fox Castle, morning.

Dining room.

The first ray of morning light passed through the stained-glass window, casting mottled spots of color onto the long oak dining table, and the silver tableware shone brightly.

"Sage, this is a gift for you."

Xia Mingyu put down the knife and fork in his hand and took the white envelope handed over by Youde with both hands.

He opened the envelope and looked at the blood-red text on the paper with confusion.

"What is this..."

"Your Majesty, this is an invitation to the Monster Circus."

Before Xia Mingyu could ask, Anliya, who was standing behind him, explained for Youde.

Immediately after, the golden-haired girl told Xia Mingyu about the origin, rumors, and various deeds of the Monster Circus.

"A circus of deformed people that only performs for children for free..."

Xia Mingyu rested his chin on his hand, his handsome face full of curiosity.

"Anliya, have you been to this circus?"

Listening to the girl's detailed account and the faint smile on her pretty face, Xia Mingyu realized that she might have been a guest of the circus.

"When I was a little girl, the Monster Circus performed in Ore Town, and after I received the invitation sent by the mouse, my foster father traveled for a long time and sent me to the circus entrance."

Seeming to recall that beautiful memory, the smile on Anliya's face became even sweeter.

"After entering the circus..."

Several years ago.

After Anliya, who was still a little golden-haired girl, stepped into the circus, she cheered for the wonderful performances of the circus members, while also trembling with fear because of the terrifying appearance of the actors.

Stumbling, she accidentally bumped into a female member.

That female member had long, deep blue hair like a starry sky, gentle eyes, and an elegant temperament. Although she had six slender arms, she was still as beautiful as a person in a painting.

"So beautiful!" little Anliya blurted out.

And after hearing her words, that sister smiled slightly and said in a voice as gentle as water:

"You are also very beautiful; you are the cutest little girl I have ever seen."

Immediately after, the blue-haired woman took little Anliya's hand and took her to visit all the fun places and performances in the entire circus.

No matter how fierce the circus members looked, after seeing this blue-haired woman, they would all call out "Big Sister" with full respect and would not dare to deliberately scare Anliya, whom she was holding.

At the end of the performance, the blue-haired woman took the stage for the finale, using her six arms to wrap ribbons and dance a stunning dance.

Little Anliya below the stage was shocked; she didn't even stop clapping until her palms were red.

Before parting, the blue-haired woman also gave her a gift—a star ornament from her hair.

"It's this one."

In the dining room, Anliya lifted the sleeve on her arm, revealing a beautiful bracelet, and one of the ornaments strung on it was a small star.

"I regard it as a gift that brings good luck and have always carried it with me."

The golden-haired girl waved her slender wrist and said with a smile, accompanied by the pleasant clinking sound of the ornaments.

"It sounds like a really great circus."

After listening to Anliya's story without blinking, Xia Mingyu said with great interest.

"Indeed, I really want to go and see those circus members!" Youde also said with longing.

"Your Majesty, if you want to go, then go and see it. It just so happens that you have stayed in the castle for too long."

Seeing the two of them looking forward to it, Anliya smiled.

Hearing her say this, Xia Mingyu realized that he seemed to have been staying in Red Fox Castle without going out since the end of the evening tea incident.

This was also Lady Rosa's suggestion, because new assassins might be lurking in the dark, so it was safest for His Majesty to stay inside Red Fox Castle.

After all, the rooms of the three New Moon knights—Luo Yi, Luo Lan, and Kalen—were now arranged next to His Majesty's or on the adjacent floor.

Once they sensed any movement, they would immediately rush into His Majesty's room to protect his safety.

"Although staying in the castle is indeed safe, after staying for so long, I have to go out for a walk." Xia Mingyu made a decision in his heart.

"Anliya, is there anything you need me to say to that blue-haired woman?" the black-haired young man said calmly.

"Your Majesty, please tell her that she allowed a child to satisfy all her childhood fantasies that day."

The girl smiled sweetly while taking off the bracelet on her wrist and gently putting it on Xia Mingyu's wrist.

In the evening, the full moon hung high, and the silver light fell, as if covering the city's buildings with a thin veil.

Tap, tap, tap.

A luxurious carriage drove on the driveway, the wheels rolling over the stone slabs, making a dull and rhythmic rumbling sound.

Inside the carriage.

"I'm just going out to see a circus; is it really necessary for everyone to come?" Xia Mingyu sat on the sofa and said helplessly, Youde sitting cautiously beside him.

And on the sofa opposite him, Luo Yi, Luo Lan, and Kalen—three big men—were squeezed together, making the originally spacious sofa look crowded.

"My lord, Kalen and the others are also out of good intentions. Please accept their protection. After all, your safety is of great importance."

On the front room of the carriage outside the curtain, came Berg's respectful voice.

At this moment, the hunter youth was focused on driving for his lord, striving to do it without any bumps, just like Kalen.

"My lord, just as Berg said, your safety concerns the fate of the Southern Region and even the entire Socia. And considering the previous evening tea and the mad named magical beast incident, I think no amount of caution is too much."

Kalen said in a deep voice, his sharp-featured face firm, clearly having made up his mind to follow and protect His Majesty's safety no matter how His Majesty refused.

Luo Yi looked at Kalen with envy; this guy could actually call His Majesty "My lord," which was really enviable.

Then Luo Yi also followed up with advice:

"Yes, Your Majesty, this is not just my personal wish. If my father were still here, he would definitely want me to guard you without leaving your side."

"I beg Your Majesty to grant permission."

Seeing that both of them had said what should be said, Luo Lan knelt on one knee very simply.

"I beg Your Majesty to grant permission!" x2

Xia Mingyu: "..."

Looking at the three New Moon knights kneeling on one knee in front of him, he increasingly realized that when you become a leader who is big enough, many times you can no longer be as free as you were when you were alone.

Because every move you make may affect the fate of countless people, perhaps you should indeed be more cautious and make decisions.

"I... agree."

City Square.

The square, which should have been pitch black at this time, was brightly lit.

On one hand, the circus tent, which occupied a full tenth of the square's area, was as bright as day, emitting infinite light outward.

On the other hand, it came from the parents who brought oil lamps to escort their children to the circus.

Some of them were dressed in coarse linen, clearly commoners, and some were dressed in silk and satin, arriving in luxurious carriages.

But without exception, every child sent over, whether poor or rich, had a brilliant smile on their face.

In addition, several fire pits were set up in the square for lighting, and nearly a hundred guards were patrolling seriously under the leadership of Transcendent Rank knights, escorting the safety of these children.

And at the entrance of the circus, the children were already cheering and waving the invitations in their hands, lining up in a long queue waiting for inspection.

When the tall Xia Mingyu appeared in the queue, he immediately attracted the attention of all the citizens in the square.

"Is that... an eight- or nine-year-old child?"

"A grown man, grabbing a child's ticket to go to the circus, really has no sense of shame."

The parents who sent their children over discussed it, and a strong middle-aged man walked over aggressively, wanting to drag away this shameless person.

Until, under the light, he saw the person's face...

"Ah, you are the Sage!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 169 =====