Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 132 Who are you?
Every choice comes with its own price. For example, after telling King Nunn's two representatives that "they must listen to me" and then turning away with a dashing air, Thales, looking distressed, fell into a agonizing dilemma.

Clearly, whether for the continuation of the Walton family, for the simple interests of Dragonstreet, to eliminate a threat before his death, or even for so-called "revenge" filled with personal feelings, King Nunn VII was determined to find the mastermind behind the conspiracy with Lumba.

In order to achieve this goal, everything else, including one's own life, seems insignificant in the process and can even be sacrificed at any time.

Thales was almost 100 percent certain that he was "bait" in Nunn's original plan, and there was no other possibility.

but……

The prince gritted his teeth.

Even if he uses the power of the stars to seize the initiative, how can he find Nun and his common enemy, the one who can command the so-called "traitors of the Tower of the End," without endangering himself?

I don't know how Nunn will react to my performance, but if I can't help him find his enemy... Thales thought of King Nunn's expression.

He sighed.

Ah, welcome to the North.

He needs help, whether it's Putila's advisor, Wyah's sword, Rolf's supernatural abilities, or Ada's strength.

We need to join them as soon as possible.

Thales looked up and suddenly froze.

He realized that while he was lost in thought, he had unknowingly walked quite a distance.

However, he did not find Michael, who had led him to the right place.

in short……

Thales looked awkwardly at the unfamiliar corridor and staircase before him, the rough patterns on the walls, and the stone windows on both sides...

he's lost.

Thales immediately turned around.

But after imagining the scene of him saying "Excuse me, could you tell me how to get back?" to Nicolai and Srace, whom he had just met, and their expressions, he decisively removed the "return the way you came" option.

The problem was... Thales turned his head awkwardly: the layout of Valhalla was just too consistent; every time he turned a corner, it felt like he was back in the same place.

Only by moving forward can you ask a guard or servant for directions.

Thales sighed and strode forward.

Until he unwittingly passed through a tall, arched doorway.

This was a huge room, unlike the rest of Valhalla which had fireplaces and braziers. Instead, it had large windows that let in a blinding white light. Iron frames hung from the ceiling, adorned with what appeared to be shimmering, silvery-white gems that reflected the light from the windows, illuminating rows of...

bookshelf?

Thales froze, staring at the two rows of large black bookshelves facing him.

Each row is eight or nine meters long, leaving only a gap in the middle that is wide enough for two people.

He frowned, wondering if he had stumbled into a... library?

No wonder there's no brazier.

Thales looked around, but strangely, he didn't see anyone.

He stepped forward and peered through the gap between the two rows of bookshelves, trying to see the other side of the room, but to no avail.

Firstly, the room seemed extremely large, and secondly, he noticed that the black bookshelves appeared to be arranged in an arc rather than a straight line—at least, he couldn't see the other end of the room; between the two rows of bookshelves, there were still countless bookshelves stretching to the horizon.

He sighed.

As for the library... there should be someone looking after it, right?

"Is anyone there?" Thales asked cautiously. "Excuse me, how do I get to the Hall of Heroes?"

no respond.

Thales shook his head: These bookshelves greatly reduce the transmission of sound.

He had no choice but to walk between the two rows of bookshelves, passing by rows of dark wooden bookshelves.

These bookshelves have about ten shelves, each separated by thick black wooden boards, reaching from the floor to the ceiling, a height of seven or eight meters.

The bookshelves are filled with books: from thin, side-bound books to heavy, hardcover classics, and even scrolls arranged vertically.

Many of the books are heavy and antique, some even being ancient editions made of parchment, with a long history yet well-preserved.

The ancient imperial language engraved on the side of each bookshelf clearly indicates the category of each row: poetry, literature, history, politics, musical scores, personal monographs, and even royal decrees... Many of these are old books that cannot be found in the Mindis Hall.

Good heavens... Thales leaned on a row of bookshelves, standing on tiptoe, staring blankly at a thick book with a brown cover.

Imperial Edicts: Year 1 – 230

This is... according to the timeline, six hundred years into the End Era, and fifteen hundred years into the Imperial Era.

A book that's nearly two thousand years old?
No, it's a copy—Thales immediately realized from its condition.

But... a thought swept through Thales' mind.

If it's a book from before the final battle...

So...whether it's mages, magic towers, or the history of magic!
There will definitely be clues left behind.

At least it will be mentioned briefly.

For example, the book he found in the Mindis Hall, "The End of the War: The Collapse of Heaven and Earth," mentioned the Alchemy Tower, didn't it?

Thales' eyes lit up.

He never believed that humanity's prohibition of magic could truly be so complete and flawless.

Otherwise, how could something like Ramon exist?
He continued walking forward, occasionally pulling out a few books he could still carry, flipping through the first few pages, and glancing at them quickly.

There are many similar books.

Books were written in everything from the Common Language to the Old Imperial Language, and even in some rare scripts he had never seen before.

Fortunately, Gilbert's special training paid off. Thales's level of proficiency in the Common Language should be enough to understand the cover and the general contents. As for his half-baked Old Imperial language, its grammar and spelling were much more complicated than the Common Language, but many of its roots and affixes were similar, so he could get a result by guessing.

Gilbert told him that after the collapse of the ancient empire, the ancient imperial language used by nobles and officials gradually became a ritualistic language of rhetoric and literature, while the common language of the common people gradually took shape at this time.

Thales held his breath, suppressing his excitement: it was as if he had returned to the past in his memory, where he was also walking among rows of bookshelves.

The Holy Edict of Ming Shen – This is a historical record documenting the deeds of the Ming Shen Church, the former orthodox church of the empire.

"The Chronicles of Thorns" - Judging from the title page, it seems to be a major conquest during the ancient imperial era, with the target being the Thorn Lands in the southwestern part of the present-day Western Continent.

"The Conquests of Komora the Great" - A biography of the first emperor of an ancient empire and a history of the empire's founding.

"The Politics of the Kings" - I can't even understand the ancient imperial language in the title. Good heavens, this is probably related to the period of kings before the ancient imperial era.

"Tracing the Origins of the Ancient Orcs" - This one is easy to understand, even though the entire text is in the language of the ancient empire.

The Disaster of Serancalen—the cover also has another title written in a script that is neither a common language nor an ancient imperial language, so I don't know what book it is.

The Temple Records: The Complete Book of Knights—seems to tell the history of the glorious era of knights in the past, from the time of the kings to the imperial age.

"The Story of the Dragon"—it's unclear whether it's a work of literature or a serious historical record.

"XXX: Iron-Blooded King and Medusa..." — Another incomprehensible title.

"The Ten Knights of All Empires"—starting from this bookshelf, more and more books are written in the common language.

"Dragon Kiss Academy 612th Anniversary Collection" - Full of things I can't understand.

"Men and Women" - Ah, this one even has illustrations... Uh, I'll put it back.

Dragonlance Chronicles—what the heck?

Thales grew increasingly excited, even forgetting his original purpose—whether it was to find a way out or to find traces of magic.

It felt like returning to a fragmented memory of a past life, or discovering a large number of high-quality documents in a database.

This is probably the library in Valhalla, or the Walton family's book collection.

During his time in the Star Kingdom, he never had the opportunity to acquire enough knowledge, and most of the more valuable books in the Star Kingdom were kept in the Royal Star Library.

Thales turned around a row of bookshelves.

It seems that a row of bookshelves has been removed and replaced by a long row of metal cabinets, the tops of which are covered with transparent glass and translucent crystal, allowing a view of the items stored inside.

"This is……"

By the light reflected from the unknown gemstone overhead, Thales stared in astonishment at an ancient scroll in the glass case, at the dragon lance emblems inscribed on the top two sides of the document, and—

Nine-pointed star emblem.

Shining Star?

Thiels’s eyes shone with curiosity and excitement.

This ancient document is written entirely in Old Empire language, and the writer clearly had a high level of calligraphy skills, producing a beautiful and pleasing classical script.

However, unlike the ancient, convoluted, and peculiar classical aristocratic language that Thales learned from Gilbert in the Mindis Hall, the ancient imperial language in the document was simple, straightforward, and easy to understand. It contained many grammar and words that would only appear in today's common language. Even with Thales's month of intensive study in ancient imperial language, he could barely understand it.

Clearly, this document dates back to an era after the collapse of the ancient empire, when the common language gradually influenced, permeated, and even replaced the ancient imperial language.

Thales pressed his face against the glass cabinet, barely managing to make out the contents of the yellowed paper rolls. At first, it took him a while to get used to it, but it became easier and easier as he read on.

[In 1530, after the establishment of the empire.]

Eleven years after Errol.

In the name of the great holy day.

Under the witness of the Temple of the Setting Sun.

In the longhouse of the lord of Coldhold, this agreement was made by—

Kingdom of Exter - Glorious King - Nekaru Exter;
Star Kingdom - Glorious King - Tormund Shining Star;
Together we pledged to uphold this vow.

I. The Oath of King Nekaru:

In the name of the Holy Day, I make this vow.

I, and all the Northmen who are loyal to me and follow me, whether men, women, old or young, nobles, commoners, lords or soldiers;
1. He will not intervene in the wars waged by King Tormund and his followers in Chavenc and the Great Desert.

2. King Tormund will not be held responsible for the previous actions of the House of Aurelius.

3. We recognize King Tormund and his followers' rightful dominion and rights over the lands of Chavenc, the South Bank, and the Greenheart Hills. We will recognize their corresponding actions, including but not limited to military actions, taken to the south and west to secure their means of survival, defend their people, and protect their territory.

4. Set up Coldhold as a dividing line between the territories of King Tormund and his followers, with the south belonging to them and the north to us.

5. We will show King Tormund and his followers tolerance and sincerity, not hatred and suspicion, and ensure that King Tormund and his followers find the greatest possible justice and equality in the land inhabited by the Northrends.

This vow, this oath, shall remain in force from the day it is made.

Until the very end of my life and that of King Tormund.

...separation...

II. King Tormund's Oath:

In the name of the Holy Day, I make this vow.

I, and all those who are loyal to and follow me in the Empire, whether men, women, old or young, nobles, commoners, lords or soldiers;
1. Abandon claims and reclaims of the northern plains of the Empire and the lands surrounding the Great Needle Forest.

2. Treat the remaining nobles in the former Chauvin province of the Empire leniently, preserve their rights, and no longer pursue the Aurelius family who are under the protection of the former Northern Province of the Empire.

3. King Nekaru and his followers possess corresponding rule and rights over the acquired lands within the former Northern Province and the former Western Province of the Empire. Based on this, we respect their right to further acquire territory, people, and property within the former Imperial territory, provided it does not contradict our wishes and interests.

4. The former Northern Province of the Empire, Coldburg, will serve as the boundary between the two sides. We acknowledge that north of this point, King Nekaru and his followers possess the corresponding rights to dispose of the former Empire's lands, people, and property. 5. We will treat every Northerner and Ludor within our present, past, and future territories with kindness, regarding them as citizens of our Empire. We will respect and recognize the presence and authority of King Nekaru and his followers within their territory, treating them as equals to the former nobles of the Empire.

This vow, this oath, shall remain in force from the day it is made.

Until the end of my life and that of King Nekaru.

...separation...

Here, those present at the scene bear witness to:
High Priest Conda, Deputy High Priest Rogers;

Queen Chloreth Numen Dara Dosar; Advisor Bran Tebak of the Tower of Souls;
Lord LS Trudida, Lord Scott Shuster;

Earl Lenster Kevindeer, Earl Cooper Cullen;

Author: Viscount Harva Karabyan

29 January, Year 11 of the Holy Day End Calendar
The appendix related to this agreement is as follows...

Oh my goodness.

Thales watched intently, but was utterly shocked.

This is……

"King of Restoration" Tormund Starlight and "King of Dragon Riders" Nekaru Ex...

A treaty signed more than 600 years ago...?
Thales chewed over the main body of the treaty, and began to confirm in his mind:
This is a ceasefire agreement between Star and Exter, and... a non-interference agreement!

Just then, he moved between the second and third glass cases.

The light dimmed.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the empty space between the two glass cabinets.

There, something black seems to be moving.

Thales turned his head.

Suddenly, a few meters away from him, something appeared on the ground...

one person!

"what!"

Thales was so startled that he bumped backward into the glass cabinet.

"bump!"

With a pale face, he took several steps and finally managed to grab the leg of the glass cabinet and regain his balance.

The figure that suddenly appeared and was lying on the ground seemed to be startled as well.

The other person gasped and took a step back.

Thales patted his wildly beating heart, and only when he saw that there was indeed a living person in front of him did he breathe a sigh of relief.

“Um…” Thales asked, panting.

The other person finally raised their head.

Thales was taken aback.

That person was very thin, very short, very...mini?
To be precise, she had platinum curls, wore a gray dress, and looked terrified...

little girl.

He looks only eight or nine years old.

Thales glanced around, a question forming in his mind.

There was no one around...

But why is there a little girl here?

And... why is it a little girl again?
Thales first thought of the "little girl" he had unexpectedly encountered by a coffin, and then of Nicolai's "Gallery Ghost Stories," which made him feel a little uneasy.

He swallowed hard and looked closely.

The other person's gray dress was covered in dust, and she was lying on a thick book that was at least a meter wide.

She braced her elbows against the pages of the book, her face almost touching it.

He was actually...reading a book?
The little girl looked up, her face covered in dust and dirt, her platinum blonde hair plastered to her forehead, and a look of confusion on her frightened face.

The next second, she looked in Thales' direction with a confused expression, her eyes narrowed into slits.

Her expression was full of suspicion and wariness, like an amphibian, as she looked towards Thales...

I turned my neck around.

but.

Her eyes were lifeless and dull... they just weren't focused on Thales.

In such bright light, she actually...

Didn't you see Thales?
I didn't see it!

The other person sniffed loudly in the air.

It looked like it was sniffing something.

Thales felt a chill run down his spine.

Is it...

A strange fragment of memory flooded his mind.

My model isn't even finished running yet... What did you drag me to see today?

[Don't worry, you're a top student, you definitely won't be scared! This is a short film about a group of people conducting scientific exploration underground!]

[Scientific exploration? What's the name? The opening credits are "The descent"? Descent? Oh, it really is an adventure film... but why are there several girls? Is adventure as a form of psychological therapy?]

"That's right, why would I hurt you... You'll see when you read on!"

Why are you turning off the lights now? Are you trying to show me your fluorescent watch... Holy crap, what is this thing?! Let go of me! I don't want to see it!

Thales swallowed again.

Seemingly wanting to get a clearer view, a strange girl with squinting eyes could be seen...

【Those with squinty eyes are all monsters】—this was a memory that had somehow crept into his mind.

There was this little girl with squinty eyes...

Slowly stretch your neck, slowly extend your hand...

Slowly move your feet, slowly...

They crawled toward Thales.

step.

Two steps.

The strange little girl stopped crawling, turned her neck again in his direction, and stared at him for a full three seconds.

Thales' heart skipped a beat.

An old room covered in dust.

Antiques Exhibition Hall.

A little girl who can't see.

Squinting, on all fours.

It crawled over like an amphibian...

Thales felt a chill run down his spine, and kept muttering to himself: No way?

What do you mean by a hundred-year-old girl crawling out of a coffin? Once is enough.

He suddenly remembered that this was Dragon Sky City, next to the desolate and ancient Nekaru Treaty Cache.

With that thought in mind, his legs gave way and he bumped into the leg of the glass cabinet.

The squinting little girl immediately noticed, and her head jerked violently!
A ferocious expression!

Thales felt a chill in his heart.

The next second, she sharply turned towards Thales and opened her blood-red maw...

But the terrifying scene he had envisioned did not occur.

A clear, childlike voice rang out.

"what!"

Thales was taken aback.

The little girl looked utterly astonished and kept shaking her head.

Is she... alive?

As long as they're alive, that's good.

Thales let out a breath and patted his chest.

But why can't the living see themselves...?

He soon found out why.

The little girl, who had been squinting, reached out and groped around the open book beneath her for a while.

then.

The little girl brushed her bangs aside, making her already dirty face even dirtier, then squinted and grabbed a pair of round, black-rimmed glasses...

Wear it on your face.

The little girl wearing glasses looked up.

This time, she finally opened her eyes.

Those were a pair of emerald green eyes.

Thales opened his mouth, unsure of what to say.

And so, in Valhalla, amidst the gaps between the thick bookshelves, lies a glass case containing the treaty between two legendary kings.

A little girl with platinum blonde hair and a dirty face, wearing thick, round black glasses, lay blankly on the ground, staring at Thales, who was sitting on the ground with his back against the glass cabinet.

"Who...are you?"

This book has its first leader...

Thank you to the reader "Top-Quality Pumpkin Porridge" on Qidian.com for your recognition!

We can have extra chicken legs tomorrow night!

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(End of this chapter)