Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 148 I'm watching you, I warned you

The king finished speaking.

The council chamber was silent, save for the crackling of the brazier and the varying paces of the people's breathing.

At that moment, almost everyone was stunned by the king's decision.

The silence lasted for a full five seconds.

Until a weak, childish male voice rang out:
"What are you doing?"

All eyes turned to the Star Prince, Thales Star, who stood to the side, dumbfounded.

This included King Nuen's meaningful gaze.

Putila coughed behind him, and the stunned Thales finally came to his senses. He awkwardly tugged at the corners of his mouth and gave an "apology" smile.

But by this time, no one cared about the foreign prince's loss of composure.

"Your Majesty," the tall and imposing Grand Duke Ronnie suddenly stood up, his face stern as he spoke the words that most people were thinking at that moment, "You must reconsider your decision. This is not just about your family's revenge, but about the future of the entire Exeter!"

The members of the royal council beside the king looked panicked. Lord Mehrke, the aide behind him, had several changes of expression. He tried to whisper something in King Nunn's ear, but the latter just waved his hand casually, silencing both the aide and Mehrke.

“This is my decision,” the king said softly to his close advisors.

In that instant, Thales suddenly felt that the aged figure of King Nunn overlapped with the robust figure in the Palace of Restoration.

Thales noticed that among everyone present, only two people maintained their composure: the leader of the White Blade Guard, Meteorite, remained expressionless, while the owner of the Dark Room, Scarlet Witch Cassandra, still wore a kind and gentle smile.

As for the newly arrived High Priestess of the Temple of the Moon, Jewel Holm, Thales couldn't see her face clearly behind the veil.

"How old is King Nunn this year?" Thales turned around and asked Putilai behind him in a low voice.

“Sixty-nine, if I remember correctly,” replied Marquis Sles Bemula, who was standing next to Puttier. This guest of Cornmas also frowned deeply, looking worried. “And Grand Duke Pefit is only thirty-three this year, in the prime of his life—damn it, our mining contract has only just been signed.”

"The situation has developed beyond our expectations, Your Highness, be vigilant," the gaunt Star Envoy's expression shifted constantly, "If King Nuen insists on a duel..."

Thales nodded with a grim expression; he understood what Putila meant.

If King Nuen dies here.

The peaceful understanding between Starry Sky and Walton will lose its most important support.

In Dragon City, in Exter, he, the Prince of the Stars, will be left all alone.

And the dukes' attitude towards him...

Not to mention Grand Duke Pefit, who seemed to harbor deep hatred for him... Thales gritted his teeth.

The next moment, King Nuen stepped out of his seat, slowly walked forward, and smiled at the dukes.

“What’s wrong, noble and proud Ronnie?” King Nunn’s aged but powerful voice echoed throughout the hall: “Are you worried that this old man can’t beat a young man?”

Grand Duke Ronnie, with his long hair, remained silent, but the slight sway of his head said it all.

“You can’t say his words are entirely unreasonable, Your Majesty,” Grand Duke Trudida, with his bowl-cut hair, rubbed his right hand, his expression gloomy. He glanced at Grand Duke Pefit, who was still in shock: “It’s one thing to steal a woman from a young man, but to fight to the death in the dueling arena…”

"You know your age, Your Majesty?" Archduke Aurelius's words were even more direct: "Even if you simply ordered his arrest, it would be a hundred times better than what you're doing now... Do you know the consequences of doing this..."

This is the consequence!

Nunn suddenly raised his voice and shouted angrily under the gaze of everyone in the room: "This is the inevitable consequence when the Walton family is violated!"

The people in the hall were immediately taken aback.

Not good.

Thales watched their interaction with concern: Had Nunn VII been consumed by hatred and impulse?
The old king's angry glare swept over the three grand dukes: "You know, if you provoke the Dragonlance family, you have to pay the price—Walton is the kind of person who is willing to risk everything for revenge."

The three dukes were momentarily speechless, their expressions shifting. Under the king's piercing gaze, they all turned their heads away and remained silent.

Like a lioness in a pride, bowing her head to the alpha lion to show submission.

wrong.

Thales had a sudden realization. He thought to himself: This is not just a simple case of revenge driven by irrationality.

This is a warning.

From the King, from Dragon City, from Walton.

“Haha,” the eldest Duke Lyco, who was sitting further away, chuckled awkwardly, “Our king loves to joke, doesn’t he…”

King Nuen turned his head and glanced at him.

Grand Duke Lecco's smile involuntarily froze on his face.

"joke?"

King Nunn snorted and slowly walked up to Pefit, his eyes burning with endless flames: "You, the one who said Conkley Pefit, do I look like I'm joking?"

Everyone looked at Archduke Pefit, who had been challenged.

"You, you've really gone mad, a duel?" The young Grand Duke's face was filled with disbelief. His lips trembled as he examined King Nuen's aged figure, muttering, "For... even his own life..."

But King Nuen quickly interrupted him.

"Then why are you so surprised?" the old king said coldly. "This is your best chance—kill me, and you won't have to face all of this. All your crimes will disappear."

Pefit was startled and looked up to meet King Nunn's gaze.

“Of course,” Nunn sneered, his eyes filled with hatred, “you can also concede at the start of the duel and then admit your crimes.”

Before Pefit could respond, the King turned to look at the remaining four Grand Dukes.

"And isn't this the result you all most desired?" King Nunn roared like an enraged dragon, "If I die here..."

The expressions of the several dukes paused.

"You can save yourself from all those overt and covert methods, can't you?"

King Nunn looked around the room and laughed heartily: "And it's time for Exter to convene another election, perhaps quite hastily..."

"But isn't your chance to ascend the throne together and command the entire nation just around the corner?" The old king narrowed his eyes slightly.

None of the dukes spoke; almost everyone remained motionless, except for their heavier breathing.

“Of course, you are the king,” Grand Duke Ronnie sighed. “It is your choice.”

King Nuen responded with a loud, booming laugh, then turned to look at the high priest of the Moon Temple:
"High Priest Holm?"

The high priest, veiled, nodded slightly. She solemnly raised her arms, her left hand supporting her right elbow, while her right palm faced upward, as if she were holding a plate.

High Priest Holm closed his eyes and lowered his head.

Everyone fell silent and watched the priest's actions with seriousness.

Just then, a strange ringing sound rang in Thales' ears.

Thales was startled.

He had experienced that feeling before.

That was in the Hall of Stars, before High Priestess Li Xiya of the Temple of Sunset, before the bloodline ritual.

But this time he felt much better; at least, he didn't react as violently as last time.

Could it be that... prayers and rituals related to deities have an effect on him?
But just as he maintained his composure and secretly rejoiced, a faint tinnitus began to pierce his ears…

“I am watching you.”

Thales suddenly looked up.

But all I could see was an empty ceiling.

what?
He turned around in surprise and looked around, only to see everyone solemnly waiting for the chief priest's ceremony to end.

Putila and Slade behind him also looked solemn.

No one speaks.

Just now… Thales scratched his head in confusion, looked around, and with no result, could only sigh helplessly.

Okay, tinnitus is an illness, it needs to be treated...

"I warned you."

Thales shuddered and instinctively turned his head again, nervously looking around.

Again!
Who?
who is it?

That's right.

He was certain that someone was talking to him—like whispering in his ear.

Thales couldn't recall the voice's features, but the words were crystal clear!
Could it be… Thales thought nervously: Is it a Yordles? Or the masked guards who have vanished without a trace?

No, it's impossible.

That voice... was completely different from Yordle's hoarse voice!
Thales was somewhat alarmed.

After confirming that no one was speaking, he looked incredulously at the high priest of the Bright Moon Temple who had his eyes closed.

No way?
Thales's actions drew attention from others. Slays cast curious glances at him, while Putilas frowned and stared at him, seemingly reprimanding his lapse in composure.

Startled, Thales quickly turned around and stood solemnly at attention.

Finally, the strange tinnitus disappeared.

But Thales' doubts and fears only continued to rise.

“The moon has already responded,” High Priest Holm opened his eyes, his clear pupils showing no emotion: “The gods have not objected.”

In the hall, many people sighed, while the dukes remained silent.

“In that case, a duel is inevitable,” the high priest said in a deep voice, “and I will bear witness on behalf of God.”

No one raised any further objections. The old king showed a satisfied expression, and his gaze returned to his opponent.

In the silence, Grand Duke Pefit gradually calmed down and slowed his rapid breathing.

Then, a strange light appeared in his eyes as he looked at King Nuen.

“Haha…very good,” the young grand duke revealed a strange smile: “You said it yourself, didn’t you?”

"The duel is declared in the name of the King..."

"I cannot, and have no right to, refuse."

Peffert raised his head, his eyes flashing with a sinister light: "Then what are we waiting for?"

King Nuen smiled, his eyes shining brightly.

But Thales was in a state of utter confusion.

I am watching you.

I warned you.

What does it mean?
Thales forcibly suppressed his thoughts, trying not to think about the unusual thing he had just heard.

He shook his head, as if that would shake those words out of his head.

He already has enough troubles; he has to deal with them one by one.

Thales looked up, stunned, as the White Blade Guards personally stepped onto the stage, moved away the heavy long table in the center of the hall, and the crowd retreated and dispersed, leaving enough space for the duel.

As the crowd retreated to a brazier, Thales discovered that the oval Hall of Heroes had five or six steps along the edge of the wall, while the center was an open space.

Just like the Colosseum in his past life in the fragments of memory—Taylor suddenly had a thought: Could it be that this council hall in the Hall of Heroes was originally prepared for duels?
“I don’t know if it’s lucky or unlucky,” Putile said through his nose, his emotions inscrutable, “but on your first visit to Exter, you get to witness a rare duel.”

Thales gave a rather unpleasant smile: "Does the King really have to get involved himself?"

“Duels in the imperial era could be fought by proxy according to the rules,” Putilai said in a low voice, “but this is the North, the North after the collapse of the empire—duels must be fought in person, even for a king.”

“Although I’ve heard of the dueling customs of the North,” Marquis Slays sighed beside them, “this is the first time I’ve witnessed one. Good heavens, a seventy-year-old king against a thirty-year-old grand duke—whatever the outcome, this will be enough to keep me talking for a whole year when I get back.”

"Duels are not held often? Doesn't the election of kings end with a duel? Shouldn't every grand duke who aspires to become king be prepared for a duel?" Thales continued to ask.

“Duels at the election of kings are only used when the votes are tied and it is difficult to decide, and that situation has not occurred for a long time,” Putila shook his head. “I heard that at the election of kings more than 30 years ago, Noon VII received the support of six dukes, so there was no need for a duel at all.”

"I've heard that the Grand Duke of Lombardy in Black Sand Territory once defeated his brother in a duel and seized the right of succession?" Lord Mailk solemnly arranged the venue as the two men in the arena removed their outer robes, and Thales asked with a displeased expression.

Putila nodded.

“That duel made him famous, and Chaman Lumba’s name spread throughout the country and even reached the Stars,” Putila said gravely. “Exter has rarely had a lord who is so bloody, violent, and terrifying, yet so inspiring to his followers—Lumba was then entrusted with an important mission, to the Stars.”

"At the same time, he also made the other lords deeply wary of him, after all, he was a terrifying figure who could even turn on his own brother," Marquis Slays curled his lip. "This is the conclusion I came to from my visits to the cities of the North."

“But this duel was too hasty…Are all the Northerners crazy?” Thales gritted his teeth. “Didn’t he consider the consequences of defeat?”

Just then, a cold voice rang out:

"In the North, duels are a sacred ritual."

Nikolai the Meteor appeared beside them at some point, staring intently at the two men facing off in the hall: "Can it prove whether you are a selfish scoundrel who only dares to hide among the army and guards, scheming and plotting, or a powerful and heroic figure who is willing to gamble with his life for his goal?"

Thales let out a breath and shrugged.

In the center of the hall, King Nunn was left only with a pair of flexible, tight-sleeved battle robes embroidered with the emblem of a dragon spear in the clouds. Pefit opposite him was in the same situation, with the insignia of the Bloodhoof Iron protruding from his left shoulder.

“The duel was my idea,” King Nunn said, staring intently at Pefit. “As for the weapons, you may choose them.”

Pfeet took a deep breath and paused for a few seconds.

"Fighting Axe".

The young Grand Duke raised his head and looked calmly at King Nuen. "A double-edged fighting axe, just this one."

King Nuen's pupils contracted slightly.

A chorus of boos erupted from the people in the hall.

“Ha,” Archduke Trudida chuckled at Archduke Aurelius, “the cunning boy.”

Grand Duke Ronnie scoffed disdainfully, "Coward."

"Fighting Axe? Is it what I think it is?" Thales' heart skipped a beat, and he turned around to ask.

“The double-edged fighting axe requires extremely high endurance and strength. It can cleave in both directions with astonishing destructive power and also has a pointed tip for stabbing. It was once very popular in the war against the orcs,” Nikolai said calmly. “But now, such a cumbersome weapon is rarely seen on the battlefield—even the axemen of the North prefer the lighter single-edged battle axe.”

“A wise choice,” Putila squinted and shook his head. “He’s taking advantage of King Nunn’s age.”

Soon, the weapons were brought up.

Thales stared in disbelief at the two large, deadly weapons carried up by the guards: the heavy, two-handed handles were almost half his body length, and the two chest-sized crescent-shaped axe blades reflected a menacing metallic luster. Sharp blades extended from the top of the axe heads for thrusting, all of which spoke of their power and terror.

Thales swallowed hard: this giant axe probably weighed twice as much as he did.

He recalled an opponent Alaka faced on the battlefield of Dragon Keep, who wielded a giant fighting axe like this—although in the end, Wrath of the Kingdom took his weapon and even chopped him in the face with an axe.

Pefit's eyes flickered, glancing at King Nunn opposite him, and he chuckled softly.

He grabbed the giant axe handed to him by the guard with one arm and tested its weight.

Immediately, the young duke's arm muscles twitched, and he raised his giant axe.

Peffert smiled with satisfaction. He turned around and swung the giant axe back and forth, the sound of the axe blade cutting through the air clearly audible.

It seemed quite easy.

Thales stared at his effortless movements, clicking his tongue in amazement.

“This thing is going to be tough,” Pefit rested the giant axe on his shoulder, looked up and stared sharply at King Nunn, who was also standing in front of the weapon. “Be careful not to hurt your back, Your Majesty.”

King Nuen ignored him.

The old king simply stretched out one hand, gently pressed it on the axe handle, squeezed it in a few places, then took a deep breath and gripped the axe handle with both hands.

Thales frowned.

What he was thinking was actually quite similar to what Petchfait said.

After all, King Nuen is already seven...

Before he could finish his thought, the old king gritted his teeth and steadily raised the giant axe.

King Nuen even tossed the axe lightly into the air, the blade flipping over in mid-air before returning to his hand along with the handle.

Thales stared in astonishment at the still vigorous King Nunn.

“No need to worry, while I was fighting the orcs on the battlefield,” King Nunn, like Pefit, slung his great axe over his shoulder—apparently the standard axe-holding posture—and exhaled a long breath, his eyes seeming to be brewing a storm: “your father was still nursing in your grandmother’s arms.”

King Nuen revealed a sinister smile:

"Little brat."

Pfeet's face darkened.

"It seems our king is still as dashing as ever," sighed the bald Grand Duke Leco. "If it were me, I would have been finished off by that axe long ago..."

“Don’t be too happy yet,” Grand Duke Trudida shook his head with a strange expression, “What if something happens to our beloved king…”

“Isn’t this exactly what you wanted?” Grand Duke Ronnie retorted without any politeness, “Damn elector.”

Trudida turned away, feeling awkward.

Grand Duke Aurelius stroked his beard, his brow furrowed as he recalled the Black Sand Territory succession duel twelve years ago.

While Thales was still worrying about what would happen if King Nunn lost, High Priest Holm slowly walked to the center of the arena, attracting the attention of the entire hall.

Everyone tensed up at that moment.

High Priest Holm stood between the two, glancing at each of them with his clear eyes behind his veil.

She raised her right hand and extended it toward King Nuen.

The high priest's clear, cold voice slowly rang out:
"This person initiated the duel in the name of blood revenge."

King Nuen stared coldly at his opponent.

The high priest raised his left hand again and extended it toward the young Peffert.

"For honor and glory, this man will answer the challenge."

Pfelt let out a breath, his expression grave.

“In the name of the sacred Moon Goddess, I will bear witness,” the High Priest began to slowly retreat, his movements light and graceful, each step accompanied by a single sentence:

"Weapons danced bathed in moonlight."

"The bloodshed reflects the glory of the gods."

"Courage fuels a great life."

"Death is nothing more than a long-awaited homecoming."

King Nunn and Grand Duke Pefit both turned serious, and they both took the giant axes off their shoulders and held them in their hands.

King Nunn lowered his body, widening the distance between his hands. His left hand pushed further and further away, even grabbing the junction of the axe handle and the blade. Grand Duke Pefit, on the other hand, pulled the axe diagonally to his side, the blade grazing his face and stopping in mid-air, assuming the most suitable posture for swinging.

The two looked at each other with grave expressions.

Thales narrowed his eyes, reading every negative emotion that humans could possibly possess in their gaze.

The high priest slowly retreated to the edge of the arena, took a deep breath, and raised his arms toward the sky, as if making a final prayer.

Everyone held their breath at that moment.

The next second, the high priest withdrew his arms, gently placed his palms on his shoulders, lowered his head, and softly uttered his final words:
"The duel begins."

The next chapter will be released soon (soon = two hours, uh, maybe longer). It's a crucial chapter, so I might release a protected chapter first.
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(End of this chapter)