568. HYPOCRISY

'Imperial knight,' Noah noted inwardly, walking forward to meet the group of five. Traversing the rugged corridor, the knights stopped before him, while his group came behind him.

"Knights of our nation, we welcome you," Noah gave a professional bow and James who seemed to be the leader of the group stepped forward, his armor clinking whilst it shone with tens of powerful inscriptions.

"It is an honor to meet a member of the great guilds. We have heard of the feats your guildmates have achieved," James bowed also, finding the blankness of the silver and white-haired man's voice interesting.

Straightening their backs, both experts gazed into each other eyes and Noah took note of the changes in James's features.

His hair had grown longer than before and he packed it in a simple ponytail. Lines of fatigue and stress existed on his still youthful features. He now looked close to his thirties.