Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 142 Who is the Visitor (Part 1)
"Chaman Lumba?"

In the corridor outside the banquet hall of Valhalla, Archduke Aurelius pondered the name with a subtle expression, but when he turned his gaze to little Thales, his face revealed disgust.

"The next co-ruler king of Exter?"

The Grand Duke let out a cold laugh.

“I’ve heard about it, brat,” the bearded duke said coldly. “They say you’re a precocious genius… Very well, you are indeed a little smarter than ordinary children, but that’s what I hate most…”

Thales was taken aback.

It seems like the initial impression was terrible.

"Using sensational gimmicks to scare people, is that it? A duel with the king, Rumba, what else?" Aurelius's eyes turned cold, and his tone was fierce: "A brat like you who has been good at these things since childhood will surely grow up to be a venomous snake full of schemes and tricks."

“Perhaps I should have picked up my sword and plunged it into your chest today.” Aurelius spat fiercely. “We already have enough trouble for the stars, we don’t need you to add fuel to the fire…you brat of the Empire.”

Oops.

Thales felt a chill run down his spine, realizing that the talks were on the verge of falling apart.

"Then why did you come to Dragon City?" Thales quickly organized his thoughts to keep the conversation going and not be interrupted by the other party's dislike of him: "If, as you say, my arrival is a nuisance, then why did you come here to invite this trouble?"

He appeared calm, but inwardly he was tense as he stared up at the ruler of the Wilan territory.

Will it succeed?

"Trouble? You may be trouble, but you're far from being a threat, brat," Aurelius sneered. "I'll see what the stars and dragons will do in twelve years, what we can gain from a prince, and whether our king is getting old and blind."

"And what's your conclusion?" Thales asked with a smile. "Has your king disappointed you?"

Aurelius forced an ugly smile, which looked somewhat menacing beneath his thick beard.

“You should be thankful… he still retains his senses and hasn’t been blinded by anger, so you’re safe,” the Grand Duke said, sizing up the brat before him, “that’s why you have the opportunity to spout nonsense here.”

“Safety?” Thales shifted his gaze to Olesh’s heavy sword and chuckled sarcastically. “I think the sword at your waist might have a different opinion… it almost earned the honor of being called the ‘Prince Slayer’.”

Archduke Aurelius turned his head and chuckled.

“Stop pretending, kid. I know you know perfectly well,” he turned around, his eyes flashing with malice, “Forcing you to commit suicide… was just a farce.”

Thales felt a chill run down his spine.

he……

“Don’t be fooled by His Majesty’s appearance today. He won’t start a war easily,” Aurelius said sharply. “You have your father’s oath to protect you, and the Grand Dukes will not support him in launching a full-scale war.”

"As for his attitude towards you, humph, it's probably just an act for us to see." The Grand Duke of Weilan scoffed, shaking his head and clicking his tongue, "Testing loyalty is an old trick."

"As for you and him..." Aurelius looked at Thales with a subtle expression, raised an eyebrow, and gave a strange smile:

"Actually, they're just putting on an act together."

At this moment, Thales' expression finally changed.

he knows?
Did he see it?
Thales was completely stunned.

"He insists on killing you, and then see how we react, right?" Archduke Aurelius said with disdain, "At a time when his own family is on the verge of collapse, he is still plotting this."

From the moment he entered Dragon City, King Nunn's powerful aura, the dukes' incessant chatter, the back-and-forth singing of Nikolai and Shirai, and Putilai's relaxed attitude as he tried to reassure him, all more or less bewitched the Prince of Stars.

The ever-increasing and recurring memories of the transmigrator in his mind made Thales feel smug, always thinking that even in this dangerous world where people ate each other, he should be one of the smarter ones.

This led him to the illusion that the five dukes of Exeter were like flat paper figures that could be folded and crumpled with the slightest force, and like laboratory mice that would react appropriately to the slightest stimulation.

But only now, after the seemingly rude and foul-mouthed Archduke Aurelius openly exposed his and King Nunn's self-righteous tricks, Thales suddenly realized that there was a person standing in front of him.

A living, breathing person.

Even in an abandoned house, facing children who were only a few years old, he could not clearly grasp their behavior and psychology.

What's more...

The person before me is a nobleman from the North with a long history, a high status, and great prestige. He is a powerful figure who has sat firmly in his position of power for many years, and a Duke of Exeter whose power is comparable to that of a local king. He has stood for many years in the harsh and cruel winds of the North.

How could someone like that lack skill and cunning?

Thales lowered his head and gritted his teeth slightly under Aurelius's slightly mocking gaze.

No.

I haven't lost yet.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then opened them.

"You know him very well?" This time, the Second Prince of the Stars seemed to have lost his previous ease, instead carrying a hint of solemnity and composure: "Your Majesty Nuen?"

Aurelius glanced at Thales, who was quickly recovering from his shock, and his eyes flashed.

“Yes, I know him—from the first time my father brought me to Dragon City to pay homage to him.”

“But I understand better what it feels like to sit in this position—to control, maintain, and protect a family, a city, a territory, and a group of subjects,” the Grand Duke said quietly. “After the tragedy of Walton, Nunn has a lot of things to clean up, make amends, and arrange for the continuation of the family and the future of Dragonstreet.”

“Going to war will only benefit Black Sand Territory and people like Rumba. Territories, resources, and populations of neighboring stars... the enemy will benefit, which is something he absolutely does not want to see.”

“So, the one who also doesn’t want war, and whose interests are truly aligned with his,” Aurelius chuckled and shook his head, “is actually you, you little brat of the Empire.”

Why would he want to be your enemy?

"No matter what kind of act you're putting on with him... it's all the same old stuff."

"You're all on the same side, Walton and Starstar." The Grand Duke snorted, his expression cold.

Thales let out a soft sigh.

Yes, how could someone who ascended to the position of Grand Duke more than a decade ago and has ruled ever since be a fool?

What Thales could think of, these grand dukes could naturally think of as well.

At least, they have advisors and subordinates similar to those of Kambida to the Grand Duke of Black Sand.

Where did he get his confidence from, believing that he could rely on a mere twenty-odd years of fragmented memories from a so-called time traveler—memories that were completely inconsistent with the historical context, the civilized societies, and the social classes of those people…

Like countless predecessors who have transmigrated, they can rely on their superb interpersonal skills, outstanding memory, and ever-present aura and halo to make these elites from other worlds who have survived and stood out in social competition (which is countless times more intense and cruel than in their previous lives) obediently submit to their orders and manipulate them at will.

He was helpless even when faced with Quaid Rhoda, who managed beggars in an abandoned house, and his deputy Nar Rick, wasn't he?

Thales lowered his head in dejection.

Human will and behavior are always an elusive and mysterious force.

And the countless unfathomable human hearts make up society.

Society is not a precision machine that can operate perfectly once its parameters are set.

He must act like a pure social science researcher, facing a world completely different from the past, always maintaining the most humble, modest, and cautious attitude, rather than smugly indulging in a lofty sense of "progress."

After all, he didn't have a system, chips, or a technology tree like Civilization VI where you could climb it step by step by clicking a button.

After all, he didn't transmigrate into the world of a wish-fulfillment novel.

Thales stared fixedly at the ground, motionless.

"Your gimmick ends here... Chaman Rumba becomes king?" Oleshu seemed pleased to see the confident seven-year-old speechless. "His Majesty Nunn is still sensible. That Chaman fellow cannot gain anything through war, and he will never become king."

"And... don't forget the feud between them."

"Next time, find a better reason, come up with a plausible excuse—and try to sow discord again."

After speaking, Aurelius prepared to leave.

Behind him, Thales slowly clenched his fist.

Maybe.

I really am.

He's not suited to be a prince, or even a king.

but……

Under Wyman's surprised gaze, Thales chuckled softly.

At the very least, I want to be a survivor.

Survive.

The next moment, Thales suddenly looked up at Archduke Aurelius, who hadn't gone far.

“You’re wrong!” Aurelius stopped in his tracks.

“It is precisely because His Majesty Nunn still retains his reason…” Thales’s voice came from behind him:

“Chaman Lumba is destined to become the next king.”

"And I myself am not as safe as you say, which is why we are having this conversation."

"The same old rhetoric again?" Oleshu sighed. "My disgust for you will only grow stronger..."

The second prince did not give him a chance to speak.

“The key is not how I speak, but whether it is related to your interests,” Thales’ eyes regained their determination and composure: “It is related to the interests of the Weilan territory.”

"Listen to what I have to say."

"Then make your own choice."

Aurelius frowned.

“I’m only going to say this to you.” Thales glanced behind Aurelius at his two burly, sharp-eyed, and clearly skilled attendants.

Archduke Aurelius narrowed his eyes, seemingly deep in thought.

"What, are you afraid a kid will assassinate you?" Thales sneered. "Or perhaps you want to go back early and have a couple more drinks with your four good colleagues?"

Looking at the foreign prince before him, who appeared young but spoke with maturity, Grand Duke Aurelius felt a strange sense of absurdity.

A few seconds later, the Grand Duke chuckled and ordered his entourage to walk away.

Thales breathed a sigh of relief. At his signal, Wyah—the prince's attendant—nodded and left with a solemn expression.

A brazier burned brightly in the corridor, and two figures, one large and one small, faced each other silently in the shadows.

“Tell me, according to your theory, how should Rumba become king?” Aurelius didn’t look at Thales; he casually reached for the brazier and warmed his frozen hands.

“I was assassinated in front of the Dragonbreaker Fortress,” Thales said coldly, getting straight to the point: “The murderer wanted to frame Rumba.”

Archduke Aurelius pouted and raised an eyebrow: "I've heard about it."

“It’s a real shame he didn’t succeed,” Aurelius said dismissively, “whether it was killing you or framing Rumba.”

Ignoring Aurelius's hostility, Thales continued, "This made Lumba realize that an enemy was secretly reaching out to him, and that his situation at home was not good."

“Rumba is a strong man; this is nothing to him,” Archduke Olech said expressionlessly.

"Therefore, Rumba proposed an alliance with me to fight against our enemies," Thales said, still unconcerned by the other's words. Like a robot from his past life, he stated the unmistakable truth without any emotion or color:

"He provided me with all the resources I needed in Dragon City in exchange for the help of a future king of the stars."

At that moment, Aurelius curled his lips into a smile and laughed uncontrollably.

"A promise from a seven-year-old brat who hasn't even donned the crown yet—only a fool would ally with you. He's merely changing sides now that the attack on Starfall is hopeless." The Grand Duke switched his hand from the fire to the back of his hand: "And that won't make him king."

“Of course,” Thales said coldly.

"That's all?" Aurelius scoffed. "How are you going to help him become king? Issue a proclamation in his favor?"

At that moment, Thales's expression changed: "But this is not Rumba's plan!"

In a flat tone that lasted for about ten seconds, he suddenly raised his voice:
"I'm not the one who can help him become king."

Aurelius's eyes flickered, and he shifted his gaze from the brazier back to Thales.

“Of course he knows I’m not worth that much! Apart from the mark called ‘Star’, I’m nothing!” Thales sighed. “But believe me… I met him once in his camp, and he’s no fool.”

"Hmph, I know him better than you do." Aurelius clenched his fists over the brazier, his tone cold: "Twelve years ago, I witnessed firsthand how he mercilessly nailed his brother to the ground in the dueling arena."

Thales took a deep breath and nodded: "He's just pretending to be allied with me; in fact, I suspect he has other plans."

"And he is about to put it into practice."

Aurelius furrowed his brow, carefully examining Thales before him.

“Speak, brat,” Aurelius sighed impatiently, “Very well, you’ve successfully caught my attention.”

Thales was taken aback.

This line... seems familiar?
Forget it, it doesn't matter.

Thales took a deep breath.

“Nun,” he heard himself say slowly, in the calmest yet most cautious tone, “Chaman Lumba, you must cooperate with King Nun.”

"Form an alliance with Walton, with the Dragonlance family, and with Dragonsky City."

A few seconds passed.

"Hahahaha!" Oleshu burst into unrestrained laughter.

He turned his head away with an indifferent expression.

Thales simply watched him silently.

Aurelius put down his hands from the fire, clasped them together, and said with a cold look in his eyes, "Is this your guess? I thought you were just good at using gimmicks, but I didn't expect you to be good at creating them!"

“I saw it with my own eyes; Rumba was trying to contact Dragon City!” Thales replied coldly.

“Impossible!” Olesh's smile vanished, replaced by a resolute tone: “Lumba is suspected of plotting against Prince Moral, which is a blood feud. His Majesty Nunn will not cooperate with him.”

Why should we seek revenge for our own blood relatives?

Thales quickly caught up with him, retorting coldly, "For the sake of justice? No."

"It is so that our family will never suffer similar harm again, so as to give the enemy the most severe warning, and so as for the ultimate continuation and prosperity of our family."

Aurelius frowned.

“For this goal, everything can be abandoned.” Thales nodded slowly: “Including grudges and honor.”

“King Nuen has not lost his mind…you said it yourself.” Seeing the Grand Duke’s deeply suspicious expression, the Second Prince said calmly, “Walton has lost its last direct heir, but it has not perished yet, and King Nuen will not let it perish.”

“It was Rumba who struck first, targeting Dragon City and even killing its only heir. Trust is gone,” Olech was still shaking his head. “If we’re looking for allies, it can’t be His Majesty Nuen—Rumba wouldn’t go looking for trouble himself.”

“You just said that you know Rumba better than I do, and that you know whether he has the courage to risk making peace with his enemies for the sake of profit,” Thales calmly retorted to the Grand Duke. “Don’t forget that several years ago, the Duke of the North of the Stars, Val Arend, wearing a hood, made an alliance with Rumba… and Arend and Rumba are sworn enemies.”

Archduke Aurelius took a deep breath.

"And besides, you saw through our act, didn't you?" Thales noticed the wavering in the other's eyes and continued to throw out the bait he had prepared:

"Why do you think Lumba would be so solemn as to send an army to escort me to Dragon City! Do you think His Majesty Nuen was truly driven by anger and fury to send his White Blade Guard ahead of time to 'tie' me to Dragon City?"

Aurelius was slightly taken aback.

“That was definitely an act!” Thales tightened his face, quickened his pace, and made his voice sound more urgent and agitated: “It was for all of you to see! To see how His Majesty’s anger burns.”

"Thus, he deceives you and conceals his deepest purpose."

"But it's not to stop the war between the stars and the dragons, or to prevent the dukes of the Black Sand Territory or the South from profiting from the war."

"It's for the alliance between Dragonsky City and Black Sand Territory."

Grand Duke Aurelius closed his mouth, exhaled deeply, and seemed to be thinking.

“Who knows what Nikolai of Dragonsreach and Kambida of Black Sand Territory were talking about in their tents during those days!” Thales sighed. “All we saw was their tense standoff outside the tents.”

“But I can probably guess.” Thales heard his tone return to normal and saw Aurelius’s gaze gradually deepen.

“The Walton family is doomed to decline,” the second prince sighed softly. “After His Majesty Nunn’s passing, and after the next election of kings, the Waltons will even face annihilation.”

"Therefore, he had to place his bet on a powerful grand duke, a future king—even if that person was suspected of murdering his son."

Aurelius turned around and looked at the moonlight outside the window.

Thales slowly closed his mouth.

He was waiting for Aurelius's response.

This is a battle that belongs to the Grand Duke himself.

That's all he can do.

There will be another chapter at noon; I've set a timer.

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(End of this chapter)