Heir to the Kingdom of 1.4 billion people

Chapter 162 Xia Mingyu heads to the circus, escorted by three Crescent Knights.

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

The boy, about eight or nine years old, thrashed about on the bed like a stranded fish. The blankets were already a mess, but he still couldn't feel sleepy at all. He just kept looking out the window.

His name is Tom, and he is the son of a carpenter.

In the peaceful twilight city, children like him, though they don't have to worry about food and clothing, also don't have any entertainment to think about. At most, they can only chase and play with other children their age in the alleys.

But among the children of the South, there has always been a story that resonates deeply, like a hero defeating a dragon and rescuing a princess.

Legend has it that there was a circus inhabited by “monsters” who, though fearsome in appearance, were kind at heart and would perform entertaining and exciting shows for children all over the world free of charge.

Regardless of whether the child is poor or rich, humble or noble, beautiful or ugly, they will be randomly selected by the circus on an equal footing.

The chosen children will be invited to his home late at night by a white mouse.

This fairytale-like entrance is a magic that no child can resist.

As time went by, Tom gradually felt sleepy, and his eyelids grew heavier and heavier.

dong dong dong.

Just then, a faint knocking sound came from outside the window.

The boy's eyes, which had been tightly closed, suddenly widened, and he jumped out of bed as if he had been sprung up, opening the window.

A small white mouse wearing a miniature top hat appeared outside the window, holding a white invitation in its front teeth and staring at him silently.

Tom reached out excitedly to take the invitation, but he couldn't get it away no matter how hard he tried. The little white mouse was holding onto the invitation tightly, as if it were competing with him.

After a moment of stunned silence, the boy came to his senses and quickly handed the black bread that had been prepared on the bedside table to the white mouse.

The white mouse used its long tail to curl up the breadcrumbs before releasing the invitation from its mouth with satisfaction. It then turned and disappeared into the dark street with a few leaps.

Tom picked up the invitation with utmost care, as if it were a fragile gem that would break at the slightest touch.

He gently opened the invitation, and saw a line of blood-red text written on it:
"You have been formally invited to Moonlight Monster Carnival—a secret show prepared exclusively for children."

"Monsters, they're coming to steal your fear!"

The moment he finished reading the text, the boy jumped up and down on the bed in ecstasy, only calming down after waking up his parents next door and getting a good beating with a broom.

He closed his eyes and drifted into a deep sleep, where he couldn't wait to show off to his friends.

Pharmacy at No. 13 Chenfeng Street.

The bronze crucible bubbled and steamed, with pale blue vapor rising up the condenser tubes and finally cooling into a thick, dark blue liquid.

After filling and sealing the last bottle of magic potion, Yud looked at the bright full moon outside the window and breathed a satisfied sigh of relief.

That's wonderful; he can now contribute to the sage he so deeply respects.

Just thinking about it made the monkey-faced pharmacist feel light and airy, as if he had drunk a cup of twilight tea.

He has become addicted to helping the Sage, and he is willingly addicted to it.

Oh, by the way, the Sage told me not to stay up late anymore, saying that this would allow me to help him for longer.

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

Thinking of this, Yude quickly put away the potion and the materials on the table, got into bed, and crawled under the covers.

Because he was so tired, he felt a strong drowsiness as soon as he lay down and quickly fell asleep.

dong dong dong.

Two soft tapping sounds suddenly came from outside the window, like someone gently tapping with two fingers.

Yud, fast asleep, didn't want to pay attention, but the knocking grew louder and louder.

His brows furrowed, and he finally could no longer bear the noise.

Swish!
"Who is it, disturbing people's sleep so late at night!"

Yud threw off the covers and jumped out of bed. He angrily flung open the window and shouted.

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

In an instant, Yud's anger turned into doubt and curiosity.

Using mice to deliver messages?

The pharmacist thought of a story he often looked forward to as a child.

Recalling the excited discussions among passersby about the arrival of a famous circus when he returned to the apothecary from Red Fox Castle, Yud immediately removed the envelope from the white mouse's mouth and began to read it.

"You have been formally invited to Moonlight Monster Carnival—a secret show prepared exclusively for children."

The moment Yud saw that line of blood-red text, the corners of his mouth involuntarily turned up slightly.

He confirmed it; it was indeed the thing he had dreamed of since childhood—an invitation to the Monster Circus.

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

But was this invitation really not sent to the wrong person?

He's already a full eighteen years old!
“I’m an adult now, not a child. You must have sent me to the wrong person,” Yude asked the two white mice on the windowsill, puzzled.

Both white mice shook their heads in unison, and the other mouse, still carrying the invitation, took a step forward.

Clearly, the person they were sending the invitations to was Yud, and they were sending two at once.

Yud was silent for a moment before putting away the two invitations. After all, even though he was an adult, he still really wanted to see the performance of those "monsters".

Moreover, the extra invitation could perhaps 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 that delivered the message.

After excitedly curling up the nuts with their tails, the two white mice nimbly performed a tap dance for Yud, making the usually taciturn pharmacist laugh heartily before turning around and disappearing into the night.

Red Fox Castle, early morning.

restaurant.

The first rays of morning light streamed through the stained glass windows, casting dappled patterns of color onto the long oak dining room, making the silver tableware gleam.

“My sage, this is a gift for you.”

Xia Mingyu put down his knife and fork and accepted the white envelope from Youde with both hands.

He opened the envelope and looked at the blood-red words on the paper with a puzzled expression.

"What's this."

"Your Highness, this is an invitation from the Monster Circus."

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

Then, the blonde girl told Xia Mingyu about the origins, rumors, and various stories of the Monster Circus.

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

Xia Mingyu rested his chin on his hand, his handsome face full of curiosity. "Anlia, have you ever been to this circus?"

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

“When I was a little kid, the Monster Circus performed in Mineral Town. After I received an invitation from the rat, my adoptive father drove me a long way to the circus entrance.”

Seemingly recalling those beautiful memories, Anlia's smile grew even sweeter.

"After joining the circus."

several years ago.

When Anlia, a blonde little girl, entered the circus, she cheered for the circus members' amazing performances, but was also terrified by their scary appearances.

Stumbling and staggering, she accidentally bumped into a female member.

The female member had long, deep blue hair as beautiful as the starry sky, gentle eyes, and an elegant demeanor. Despite having six slender arms, she was still as beautiful as a figure in a painting.

"So beautiful!" Little Anlia exclaimed.

Upon hearing her words, the woman smiled slightly and said in a gentle, soothing voice:
"You are very pretty too, the cutest little girl I've ever seen."

Then the blue-haired woman took little Anlia's hand and led her to all the fun places and shows in the circus.

No matter how fierce-looking the circus members were, upon seeing this blue-haired woman, they would all call her "Big Sister" with utmost respect, and dare not deliberately frighten Anlia, who was being led by her.

At the end of the performance, the blue-haired woman took the stage last, performing an incredibly stunning dance with six arms wrapped in colorful ribbons.

Little Anlia in the audience was completely stunned; she clapped until her palms turned red without stopping.

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

"This is it."

Inside the restaurant, Anlia lifted the sleeve of her arm, revealing a beautiful bracelet, one of the ornaments being a small star.

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

The blonde girl waved her slender wrist, laughing and chatting as the jewelry clinked together.

"It sounds like a really great circus."

After listening intently to Anlia's story, Xia Mingyu said with great interest.

“Indeed, I really want to meet those circus members!” Yud said with longing.

"Your Highness, if you wish to go, then go and have a look. You have indeed been staying in the castle for far too long."

Seeing the expectant looks on their faces, Anlia smiled gently.

Hearing her say that, Xia Mingyu realized that he had been staying at Red Fox Castle ever since the Twilight Tea incident ended.

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

After all, Roy Loren and the three Crescent Knights, Karen, have now been assigned rooms next to His Highness's or on the same floor.

At the first sign of trouble, they would rush into His Highness's room to protect his safety.

"Although it's safe to stay in the castle, I need to go out and relax after being cooped up for so long." Xia Mingyu silently made a decision in his heart.

"Anlia, is there anything you need me to tell that blue-haired woman?" the black-haired youth asked calmly.

"Your Highness, please tell her that she fulfilled a child's every childhood fantasy that day."

The girl smiled sweetly as she took off the bracelet from her wrist and gently put it on Xia Mingyu's wrist.

As evening fell, the full moon hung high in the sky, its silvery light casting a veil over the city's buildings.

Tapping.

A luxurious carriage travels along the road, its wheels rolling over the stone slabs with a dull, rhythmic clatter.

inside the carriage.

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

On the sofa opposite him, Roy Loren, Karen, and two other large men were crammed together, making the originally spacious sofa seem even more cramped.

"My lord, Lord Karen and the others are acting out of good intentions. Please accept their protection, for your safety is of utmost importance."

From the carriage's front chamber outside the curtain, came Berg's respectful voice.

At this moment, the young hunter was focused on driving for his master, striving to make sure there were no bumps or jolting, just like Karen.

“My lord, as Berg said, your safety is related to the fate of the Southern Territory and even the entire Sosia. Moreover, considering the previous incidents of Twilight Tea and the madness of the named monster, I think it is not too much to be cautious.”

Karen said in a deep voice, his angular face showing a firm expression, clearly determined to follow and protect His Highness's safety no matter how His Highness refused.

Roy glanced at Karen with envy. This guy actually called His Highness "Lord," which made him quite jealous.

Roy then added his advice:
"Yes, Your Highness, this is not just my personal wish. If my father were still alive, he would certainly want me to protect you without wavering."

"Please grant my request, Your Highness."

Seeing that the two had finished saying what they needed to say, Roland simply knelt down on one knee.

"Your Highness, please grant my request!" x2
Xia Mingyu: “.”

Looking at the three Crescent Knights kneeling before him, he realized more and more that when you become a leader big enough, you can no longer be as free as you were when you were alone.

Because your every move could affect the fate of countless people, you should indeed make decisions with utmost care.

"I agree."

City square.

The square, which would normally be pitch black at this time, was brightly lit at this moment.

On one hand, the circus tent, which occupied a full tenth of the square, was as bright as day, radiating endless light outwards.

On the other hand, there were parents who came with oil lamps to escort their children to the circus.

Some of them were dressed in coarse linen, clearly commoners, while others arrived in brocade and silk, riding in luxurious carriages.

Without exception, all the children who were sent there, regardless of their poverty or wealth, had bright smiles on their faces.

In addition, several braziers were set up in the square for illumination, and nearly a hundred guards, led by the extraordinary knights, patrolled diligently to ensure the safety of the children.

At the entrance to the circus, children were already cheering and waving their invitations, forming a long line waiting to be inspected.

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

"That's...a child who's eight or nine years old?"

"A grown man stealing a child's ticket to the circus, he has absolutely no sense of shame."

The parents who brought their children over were talking amongst themselves, and a burly middle-aged man walked over aggressively, trying to drag this shameless scoundrel away.

Until, under the light, he could see the person's face clearly.
"Ah, you are the Sage!"

(End of this chapter)