Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 113 The intersection of fate

Under old Caslan's deeply regretful gaze, Thales managed to decline the glass of rye beer, and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After resting for a quarter of an hour, Viscount Kambida turned around and nodded to the Fiery Knight Tuleha.

"Get ready!" Tuleha ordered his soldiers. "We're about to set off! We must reach Weilan Territory within five days!"

Upon hearing his superior's words, Exter's officers and soldiers all stood up, left their money for the drinks, and headed out of the tavern.

The people of Stardust looked at Thales.

Thales glanced at Puttier, shrugged, and jumped off the bar.

But just as he waved to the old man Kaslan, preparing to leave,

"Hey kid, wait!"

Kaslan left the bar and walked up to Thales.

Thales then realized that the old man, Kaslan, was extremely tall, almost seven feet, and he had to raise his neck to the highest angle he could to barely look up at him.

Fortunately, Kaslan knelt down in front of him.

“You are going to apologize to King Nunn, is that it?” Old Kaslan said slowly. “And I’ve also heard that it’s to atone for Prince Moral’s misfortune on the stars.”

“Yes,” Thales sighed, “let’s see if King Nunn will be interested in my head.”

Kaslan's gaze flickered slightly as he looked at him.

“When I was your age,” the old man sighed, “I was just chasing sparrows after my brother.”

Thales smiled slightly.

But before Thales could speak, Kaslan continued, "Damn, messy aristocratic political intrigues, they never hold back, do they?"

"Whether you're seven or seventeen... Heaven knows how Prince Morar died. What a pity, he was a good young man."

“This…” Thales looked surprised. “Thank you for your understanding… Mr. Kaslan…”

Kaslan stared at him intently.

It wasn't until Thales looked embarrassed and pointed outside the door that things started to get interesting.

“Listen,” the old man, Kaslan, said calmly:

“I served under Nunn, so I was somewhat familiar with him.”

Does the tavern owner know King Nunn?
Thales paused slightly, then turned to look at Cambida not far away.

Why did they bring me here? Was it really just for a rest stop along the way?

Kaslan sighed softly: "He was a good king when he was young, a typical Walton hulking man."

"I still remember the scene of Nunn Walton standing at the Thirty-Eighth Watchtower, swinging his chain mace at the attacking orcs."

"He was generous, magnanimous, tolerant and fair back then. He would personally stand in front of an orc's axe for an unknown soldier—every warrior would be honored to die for him."

“Oh?” Thales’ eyes lit up. “That’s good. It seems that at least he won’t be the kind of king who orders my head to be chopped off at the drop of a hat.”

"But people change."

Old Kaslan exhaled, his eyes becoming hazy and unfocused: "Nun is also a human being. He will grow old, and there will come a day when he is misled by slander and flattery, and controlled by desires and impulses."

"Although he has the blood of Nekaru Ex, he is not a perfect dragon or hero."

"Especially... he is also a father who has lost his son."

Thales was taken aback.

Kaslan lowered his head and stared intently at Thales: "Be careful, the second prince of the stars."

"Extts have taken the dragon as their banner, but for six hundred years we have only worshipped the dragon’s power and learned its pride, while forgetting its wisdom and sagacity."

"Although we call ourselves the children of the North Wind and the Dragon, the imperial shackles we bear are no less than those of the stars."

"What do you mean?" Thales' eyes widened. "You mean: the situation in Exter might be worse than we think?"

“Take care, son.” Kaslan simply shook his head and gently put his hand on his shoulder. “Since you gave me the money but didn’t drink, then consider this a piece of advice from me.”

Thales could only shrug: "Thank you for your advice..."

Unfortunately, it's of no use.

What's meant to happen will happen.

Regardless, he had to face Núen VII.

“By the way,” Kaslan hesitated for a moment, then suddenly exhaled and smiled, “if you encounter some insurmountable crisis in Exter… even King Nunn can’t save you…”

Even King Nunn can't save me?

Thales was suspicious: What does this mean?
“There’s a butcher shop on the westbound road of Dragon Sky City with a sign that looks like a dagger,” Kaslan chuckled, then whispered under Thales’s furrowed brows, “The owner is a Far Easterner named Gu. He owes me a favor from years ago. He’s a daring fellow who often does things that break the law.”

"If you want his help, just say 'six and a half dollars'."

Under Thales's astonished gaze, the old man Kaslan slapped him hard on the shoulder again!

The second prince stumbled again.

To Thales's grinning face, the old man slowly stood up and laughed heartily:
"Next time you come, remember to drink my rye beer!"

"That's the true symbol of manhood!"

Before Putila could unleash a murderous glare, Thales managed to leave with an awkward smile.

Kambida frowned as he watched Thales and the Stars depart.

Then he slowly walked to the bar and turned to the old man, Kaslan.

“You see, don’t you, the next king of the stars,” Kambida’s eyes flashed with a cold light, “You see how extraordinary he is, how mature and shrewd he has become—what were we doing when we were seven? What was King Nunn doing when he was seven?”

“Hmm,” the old man Caslan stared at the tavern door and said slowly, “This child’s eyes are indeed different from everyone else’s.”

In the child's eyes, there was no awe or tension, only boundless interest and curiosity.

There is also an enigmatic confidence and steadfastness, as if it has never wavered.

This is not the look a child who is thousands of miles away from home and living in fear should have.

“This is the next opponent we, Exter, will face… I’m almost certain that when he grows up, he will become Exter’s greatest enemy.” Cambida curled the corners of his mouth and tapped the bar: “Unfortunately, the Grand Duke cannot directly attack him.”

“When did we Northerners become cowards who scheme against and fear even a seven-year-old?” Kaslan said disdainfully in a deep voice. “Maintaining a nation amidst intrigue and fear… that’s something only a crumbling empire can do.”

“Of course,” said the advisor to the Duke of Lombard in a low voice, “For this reason, we need a better king, not an old, senile, and incompetent ruler, nor a hot-blooded and immature one.”

“Hmph,” Kaslan grabbed two wine glasses and placed them in the kitchen window. “So Charman Rumba really is a good choice?”

“I believe you still love Exter and the Dragon Kingdom,” Cambida said, staring intently at him, “even though His Majesty Nunn banished you from the White Blade Guard.”

"Hey!" The old man seemed particularly indignant about that statement: "Nun didn't kick me out!"

"I left on my own!"

Kambida didn't speak, but just stared at the old man.

really?
After a few seconds, he slowly said:

So you still won't agree?

"Ha!" Kaslan shook his head sarcastically. "I'm just a tavern owner. What can I possibly promise?"

"'Kaslan the Earthshaker,' as the former leader of the White Blade Guard, your fame still resounds among them, and your story is still told at the Thirty-Eight Outposts." Kambida said slowly, "Just say the word..."

"What, you want me to use my influence and connections to persuade my former subordinates to stand on Chaman's side?" Kaslan scoffed.

“I believe you will make the choice that is best for Exter,” Cambida said calmly, but with sharp eyes, staring directly at the old man, Caslan.
“Kaslan Lumba…”

"After all, you are His Majesty the Grand Duke's uncle."

Kaslan suddenly looked up.

"He is still the most famous commander of the White Blade Guard since the founding of Exter," Kambida said calmly.

"In the coming storm, you are destined not to remain unscathed."

Of course, it may go beyond simply "persuading former subordinates," perhaps even further.

Kambida thought to himself: After all, the White Blade Guard is the King's personal guard, responsible for the personal safety of King Exeter...

“Do you know what this reminds me of?” Kaslan interrupted his thoughts.

Kambida politely curled the corners of his mouth into a smile.

The old man stared at him coldly.

"Quesso Lumba was asked by the Empire to persuade his hometown people to cooperate with the Empire, pay taxes obediently, and stop resisting."

"If I say no, will that brat Charman also exile me to the Rebuilding Tower?"

Kambida frowned.

“You just go back and tell my nephew like that,” Kaslan said slowly but firmly.
"Fuck rumba."

“Well,” Kambida sighed, shaking his head unsurprisingly, “then you should at least be able to help with the second favor.”

Kaslan scoffed, "All you care about is profit, is that it?"

“This time,” Kambida squinted, “it’s related to that prince.”

Kaslan put away the cups again, ignoring the Viscount.

“Within Exter, someone wants to assassinate that prince—whether to frame the Grand Duke or to destabilize the situation,” Cambida said with a dark expression. “They’ve even used officer spies who have infiltrated our magic gun unit.”

“You know I hate this dirty politics the most,” Kaslan looked up and said bluntly, “I don’t want to know anything…”

“What happens next concerns you,” Kambida interrupted him in a deep voice. “The Grand Duke wrote to us yesterday that we found a lead on that officer spy in the black market, but it was intercepted halfway through.”

"What does this have to do with me?" Kaslan said rudely.

“Those who cut off the trail halfway used the sword technique of the Tower of the End, and an unusual power of ending!” Kambida whispered, as if revealing a secret: “And they are definitely not from the Tower of the End.” Kaslan was taken aback.

"Go on," the old man said solemnly, "What power of termination?"

“I know you’ll care…” Kambida said sharply, “It’s that kind of chaotic and out-of-control power of termination that you mentioned a long time ago… I remember you were working for the Tower of Termination?”

“It’s just to repay a favor to Shao,” Kaslan said, a nostalgic look in his eyes. “After all, I graduated so many years ago…”

But then he looked at Kambida seriously: "Anything else?"

“Our super-class Terminator swordsman, Chloeshe—do you remember her? She's the daughter of your comrade, that strong little girl—was seriously injured by them and almost lost her life.”

"She was the only one who escaped and came back."

Kaslan clenched his fists.

“Our trail has gone cold. The only clue we have left is those strange powers of termination…” Kambida said sincerely, “We need your help… even if it’s for the Tower of Termination, not for Rumba.”

"A man who is on par with 'Grey Sword Guard' Shao, the pride of the Tower of the End, the pride of the White Blade Guard—'Earthshaker' Kaslan Rumba."

----

A few days later, in the rest room of the Tower of Ending, in the House of Inheritance.

“What we can be certain of is that the Blade of Calamity does not have the complete lineage of the Northern Army’s swordsmanship,” said Jedi Tafner, one of the Extreme Inheritors, sitting at the table and addressing his students. “Even if it is outdated, it is still a set of swordsmanship that countless swordsmen and mages have refined… and the House of Inheritance has the most complete security system.”

"We can start from here..."

"Alright, alright... You can continue looking for books here, Jedi."

Looking exhausted, Cohen Karabyan leaned against the table, tapped the table leg, and rubbed his bloodshot eyes: "Anyway, I can't take it anymore—but I'll remember these good times, the days when I'd sneak into the Truth Library with the teacher every night..."

Jedi's face immediately darkened.

"Are you giving up?" his teacher said unhappily, "The pursuit of the Sword of Calamity?"

“It’s not about giving up,” the blond guard, Cohen, said irritably, “but do you know how many books are in the Library of Truth?”

“Then, I just received a letter from a beautiful woman yesterday…” Cohen yawned, ignoring Jeddy’s unpleasant expression: “I have to go and return a favor.”

Yara.

Is that her name?

Cohen touched the letter in his pocket, a smile playing on his lips.

That cool girl with dual swords.

However, at that moment, a stern and cold old voice came from behind the master and disciple.

"Jedi Tafner".

"Cohen Karabyan".

Jedi and Cohen both shuddered!
"Thump!" Jedi jumped off the table in a sorry state, and then fell to the ground.

"Thump!" Cohen jumped up from the ground in a panic, only to bump his head on the table.

The two were in a flurry of activity; one was rubbing his knees with a contorted face, while the other was rubbing his scalp and grimacing.

They struggled to their feet, trying to stand straight, and put on the most submissive and friendly smiles as they looked at the gray-haired Far Eastern man with a sword at his waist and an icy expression who had appeared out of nowhere.

"Oh my! Shao! When did you get back? They all said you went to inspect Blade Valley..." This was Jedi Tafner, the inheritor of the Tower of the End, bowing and smiling broadly.

"Master Shao! Master Shao! Oh my, the first thing I planned to do upon my return was to visit you, and I even brought you some local specialties from the Star Kingdom..." This was Cohen Karabyan, the Star Kingdom's guard officer and city defense captain, rubbing his hands together with a fawning expression.

But the gray-haired old man, Shao, ignored their smiles.

"The tables in the lounge aren't for dancing." Shao stared at Jedi's fawning expression, his cold voice making Jedi's smile even more awkward: "Inheritors should set a good example!"

“Of course, of course,” Jedd. Tafner nodded humbly and sincerely.

Then he turned to Cohen, his iron-like serious face startling the latter: "Since there are chairs, don't sit on the floor."

“Yes, yes.” Cohen listened attentively and seriously to the instruction.

The two smiled and nodded repeatedly, showing the utmost respect.

Just kidding, this is the tower master of the Tower of the End—Grey Sword Guard!

His lightest punishment for students was making them do a handstand for an hour!

The offense that deserves the lightest punishment is, for example, walking with too large a stride and poor posture!
The Grey Sword Guards stared at them coldly.

Jeddy and Cohen stood as straight as could be.

Fortunately, Shao only snorted in the end and didn't say anything more.

The two of them secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Until Shao uttered his next sentence.

“I heard,” Shao said slowly, “that you’ve broken into the Truth Library several times these past few days?”

Jedi and Cohen both froze on the spot.

“Well… let me explain,” Jeddy said with an awkward laugh, “Well… you weren’t here right then, and Cohen found some more clues about the ‘Sword of Calamity,’ so…”

"This is for the Tower of Ending, for the 'Purgers'," Cohen said, patting his chest with righteous indignation, using the phrases he had learned in the Guard Hall. "We are fighting for the 'Sword of Calamity'..."

But Shao's serious, deep voice slowly rose, interrupting them.

“Very good.” The Grey Sword Guard’s expression was serious: “Cohen Karabyan.”

Cohen immediately straightened up, chest out, and head held high, standing at attention.

“Go to Exster right away,” Shao said slowly. “An old friend of his named Caslan needs help.”

"Huh? Kaslan?" It was Jedi. He looked at Shao in surprise: "You mean that drunken northern uncle who uses a sword like an axe?"

Shao turned to him, his cold gaze forcing Jedi to shut up.

“But…” Cohen scratched his head awkwardly, “I need to go back to Starfall to help a friend with something…”

“Kroeshe, do you remember, your contemporary,” Shao said in a deep voice, “she was wounded by the Sword of Calamity… she may never be able to use a sword again in this lifetime.”

Cohen looked up, his expression one of astonishment.

Kroeshe...

In his mind's eye, there appeared a girl with a buzz cut from the north, gritting her teeth and enduring the scorching sun while holding a sword.

And her set of white teeth.

“Yes,” the guard turned around without hesitation and said firmly to the two inheritors, “I’ll go prepare immediately… How serious is the situation? Should I bring the family’s private army?”

"Bringing the private armies of the Star Nobles into Exter territory," Jedi said in a deep voice, "Are you out of your mind?"

Cohen nodded in realization.

“You won’t be the only one,” Shao said in a deep voice. “There’s another person who will meet you on the way… She recently joined the ‘Purgers’.”

Cohen was taken aback.

----

Duanlong Fortress, Northern Gate.

“Be careful on the road. Although Lumba has withdrawn its troops and the war hasn't broken out, it's still Exter.” Fortress Flower, Sonia Satherre, looked at Miranda Arend, who was fully prepared for battle, and chuckled, “Although I would very much like to suggest you bring those private soldiers of the Arend family…”

“This is the border between the two countries,” Miranda said softly. “It’s impossible to cross it with troops.”

not to mention……

Aaron...

Miranda tugged at her black gloves while simultaneously gripping the white eagle emblem on her cuff.

The Fortress Flower sighed as she looked at her subordinates, "It's good that you're hiding out for a while. After all, your uncles and brothers from the Aarond family are really too annoying..."

Miranda bit her lip and remained silent.

"This isn't about hiding," she said calmly.

“Alright, alright,” Sonia said helplessly, gripping her subordinate’s shoulders. “This is for our friends, isn’t it…”

Miranda gently patted the white sword hilt at her waist and nodded.

Kroesh.

A girl who never gives up.

“We studied under the same teacher,” the Duke of Arendt said coolly, “and I must be by her side when she is in trouble.”

I don't have much left in this world.

We must cherish it.

Miranda recalled the light and bright figure in white from her memory, and his ever-joyful and optimistic tone.

A slight smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.

She turned and stepped into the stirrups.

"Don't worry, sir, I'm not some helpless little kitten."

“Besides, I’m not fighting alone,” Miranda Aarond said, nodding to Sonia as she rode her horse. “An old friend will be coming with me.”

"I'll come back once the matter is resolved."

She flung the reins and galloped out of the fortress gates.

Sonia watched Miranda's retreating figure, noticing the faint white eagle emblem on her back, and sighed.

Was it really not to hide?
To fellow reader "Gu Daomiao": Gu has appeared for the first time now.

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(End of this chapter)