Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 167 Escape

Thales finally knows what it feels like to fall from a great height.

That is—no feeling.

It's just that feeling of weightlessness, of being helpless and adrift, that can instantly drain a person of all thoughts and take away their autonomy over their body!

All that remained was panic, confusion, and disorientation.

A cold wind swept across my face.

"Whoosh..."

Thales was held in Black Sword's arms with one arm around him, his lips trembling, unable to utter a single word.

In the high-speed wind, even breathing became difficult.

Thales' mind went blank.

In that instant, a strange wave surged through my body, as if even time itself slowed down.

But this time, the fluctuations did not bring him a miracle.

A strong gust of air swept past their sleeves.

They are still falling.

The Dragon Sky City beneath them grew larger and clearer.

But there was nothing he could do.

Thales could only close his eyes, his mind blank, awaiting his death.

Just then, the black sword behind him suddenly moved.

"hiss--"

The sharp sound of metal scraping against the rock surface rang in my ears once again.

Thales felt his body plummet downwards, as if gravity had returned!

His eyes shot open.

A burst of firelight filled the eye.

Thales stared in shock at an arm that reached out from behind him, wielding that strange black sword and scraping sparks across the cliff face!
They continued to slow down as they fell.

The next second, Thales felt a sudden jolt!
Suddenly, a weight pressed down on me, and a tearing sensation in my torso and a feeling of dizziness overwhelmed me at the same time.

Thales gagged a few times, unable to suppress his retching.

He was panting, and found that his breathing had become smooth again.

Huh?
The prince of the stars was surprised to find a second later that they had stopped.

Thales couldn't help but gasp.

Their descent has been halted, and they are now suspended on the cliff face.

Moreover, he, who was originally falling headfirst, has now turned right-side up.

I survived?
Thales looked up in disbelief and took in the situation before him.

The black sword's strange blade had vanished, and his right hand was now firmly gripping a thin rope.

The other end of the rope was firmly tied to a thick nail, which was driven deep into the cliff face.

They were left helpless and alone on the cliff face, hanging steadily in mid-air!

Black Sword gritted his teeth, his right hand covered in blood.

"Clang!"

The sound of metal hitting the ground came from beneath me.

Thales then came to his senses, realizing that he was already covered in cold sweat.

"This rope," the Star Prince asked incredulously, "was it something you had prepared all along?"

Black Sword gave a faint, cold laugh.

"We drove Ashida here for the duel," Black Sword loosened his grip slightly, and they slid down the rope at a steady pace: "so we have a way out."

The rope in Black Sword's hand was thin, but it seemed incredibly strong, as if it had been made specifically for this kind of activity.

Thales stared in astonishment at the black sword's hand, at the blood flowing from it from the high-speed friction just now, but the latter seemed oblivious, as if it weren't his hand.

"Boom!"

They landed on an irregularly shaped rock protruding from the edge of the cliff.

Thales, his legs feeling weak, leaned against the rock wall, looking down at Dragon Sky City—he could already clearly see the rooftops of many houses—and tried to catch his breath.

But what he should be more worried about is the current situation: Thales is beginning to think about his relationship with the person in front of him, and the options after getting rid of Ashida through him.

How will he deal with himself?

Does he know who he is?

The news that Ashida had just mentioned—Tales' breathing quickened—if the Black Sword was the murderer who killed Crown Prince Midir twelve years ago…

That means he is...

In the Hall of Mindis, Gilbert told him that the eldest son of the king was killed by assassins from the Shadow Shield.

In Valhalla, before his death, Archduke Peffert said that the Shadow Shield had always coveted his life.

At the crucial moment, Thales' heart skipped a beat.

Thales gritted his teeth, glancing warily at the black sword that was turned away from him: This person is very likely...

But in that instant, the moment Thales stared at him, Black Sword suddenly turned around!
Thales was so frightened that he trembled all over and clenched his fists!
A chill ran down his spine—as if he were being watched by a powerful hunter.

Black Sword gave Thales a deep look.

His eyes were filled with murderous intent.

Thales didn't dare to breathe, only managing an awkward, forced smile.

Black Sword frowned and took a breath.

Only when he realized that the person looking at him with hostility was the boy in front of him did the coldness in Black Sword's eyes disappear, and he turned around expressionlessly.

Black Sword picked up the black sword that had just fallen and began to reassemble.

Thales' palms were already covered in cold sweat.

Does this guy have eyes in the back of his head? How can he even sense my gaze?

Thales lowered his head and clenched his fists.

Having escaped Ashida, he now faces another dangerous and terrifying mob boss—his unease only grows stronger.

No, I'd better not reveal my identity.

They also need to find a way to escape safely and return to Valhalla.

Thales tried to regulate his breathing.

But things don't always go as planned: a familiar voice rang in Thales's ear.

"Why did you take so long!" A figure emerged from behind the rock, his voice filled with anxiety.

Under the moonlight, Thales saw the person who had come into view and his eyes widened in surprise!

isn't it?
Am I really that unlucky?!

Hearing that voice, Black Sword didn't turn his head, his tone indifferent: "Running into a little trouble... Is the rope in place?"

“It was ready five minutes ago. You can slide down to the shield area.” The old man who had just appeared on the rock lay down at the edge and reached out to pull out a similar thin rope.

"You've gotten yourself all wounded again..." The old man frowned when he saw Black Sword's disheveled appearance. "Didn't you say you were just going back to Valhalla to get something..."

The old man's words came to an abrupt end.

He saw Thales beside the black sword.

The old man's mouth gaped open in surprise.

Thales blinked, gave an awkward smile, and raised his hand to wave weakly: "Hello..."

"Mr. Ramon."

Ramon, the Brotherhood's Black Doctor and a suspected inheritor of magic who should have been in Valhalla with the Starry Sky Mission, was now staring blankly at the Prince of the Stars, leaning against the rock wall.

Thales felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

That's terrible.

Black Sword, is he here to save Ramon?

Ramon knew his identity all too well.

Moreover... his relationship with himself is anything but friendly.

"Him?" Sure enough, Ramon's first reaction was to point at Thales, then turn to Black Sword, his face full of disbelief: "How did you bring this guy here!"

Thales shrugged, his calm smile completely unwavering.

But his mind was racing in a state of panic.

What should I do?
If Black Sword knew I was a shining star...

If he really had—then he certainly wouldn't have been completely unresponsive!

Thales clenched his fist.

We can't gamble on his attitude.

The strange doctor sighed, and saw Ramon clutching his head, his face contorted in a grimace: "He's like an eternal oil drum, ready to ignite at any moment!"

"If you bring him here by kidnapping, how are we supposed to escape!"

"You know him?" Black Sword grabbed a triangular metal buckle from beside him, quickly testing the dangling rope, his expression unchanged. "Who is he?" "He is—"

Just now.

“Dr. Ramon!” Thales suddenly exclaimed, seemingly overjoyed.

Ramon raised his eyebrows, then, remembering Thales's "mind-reading ability," his expression immediately darkened.

But Thales' next words made his face change drastically!

"By the way, I just found out the origins of the Soul Tower yesterday," Thales said with a smile. "I was just about to tell you. Ah, it turns out the Soul Tower was established after the War of Survival in the Age of Kings, by a mage named Iri Crescent..."

Ramon's eyes widened in surprise.

Before Black Sword could turn around, Thales winked at him while nodding his head threateningly and crossing his arms.

Ramon was stunned.

"...The Tower of Souls is a twin tower located in a place called 'Trip-Off Peninsula.' There seems to be a large research branch there called 'The Seat of All Laws.' Perhaps we should find some time to sit down and have a proper chat?"

Ramon's eyes widened, and his hands trembled slightly.

Thales shook his head firmly at him—hoping the eccentric doctor would understand what he meant: "Of course, we'd better keep it a secret?"

"The Tower of Souls?"

Black Sword narrowed his eyes and turned around: "Is he your colleague?"

Ramon snapped out of his daze, glancing at Thales, who seemed unfazed and full of energy, and then at his men's ceaseless wielding of black swords.

“Ah! This guy—he is…” Ramon’s face darkened, as if he had thought of something. He glanced at the black sword, his words pausing involuntarily: “The youngest son of a lord in Valhalla, interested in magic…”

“These days, it’s not easy to find a nobleman who knows about magic and isn’t averse to it,” Ramon chuckled, rubbing his hands together. “I plan to rely on his resources for the long term once he grows up…”

Thales breathed a sigh of relief and felt relieved.

Having experienced the Black Sword's perceptive abilities firsthand, he dared not make a move, only letting out a silent sigh in his heart.

“Magic? Hmph,” Black Sword ignored their argument and didn’t ask any further questions. “So, that’s why Ashida kidnapped him?”

This sentence seemed to freeze the already cold air.

“Aishida—him?” Ramon’s expression changed drastically as he looked around. “This is Exter, Dragon Sky City—you’ve encountered a mage of air?”

"Just saying hello," Black Sword said casually.

“Speaking of which,” Black Sword said, installing the metal clasp and giving the dangling rope a final tug. His expression was cold as he drew a small red sword from his waist and tossed it to Ramon: “This weapon from ‘Azure Ambition’…”

"I almost let that monster eat it—it was useless except for scaring people!"

"How is that possible?" Ramon frantically dodged the sword's edge, picked up the small red sword, and looked on in disbelief. "Could it be that the proprietress also misjudged it?"

"Is it a fake?"

“Perhaps so. Now that I think about it, we were too confident,” Black Sword frowned. “After all, it is a legendary anti-magic weapon with extraordinary power, enough to seal a magic master. It was too frivolous to just leave it in the underground mezzanine.”

"We have to think of other solutions."

“But the landlady’s letter said that this is the only legendary anti-magic weapon we can find,” Ramon scratched his head. “The other weapons are firmly in the hands of various countries—can you still break into the army and steal the Unmoving Bow of the Kingdom’s Wrath? Or go to the City of Prayer and steal the Time Crossbow of the Deathraven?”

Black Sword's face darkened, and he shook his head: "We'll talk about this later. We need to leave now."

Thales saw the small red sword.

No one knew that the moment the black sword drew the red dagger, Thales felt a surge of heat in his heart.

Standing on the cliff edge, watching the black sword being drawn, that strange sense of familiarity returned.

Thales stared blankly at the small red sword.

what happened?

According to them, this should be a fake of the legendary anti-demon weapon?

Just then, the black sword suddenly looked up!
He looked up at the sky above him, his face turning terrifying.

Black Sword lowered his head, grabbed Ramon and Thales, and shoved them towards the descending rope: "Go!"

Ramon's face turned pale: "What..."

"Come on!"

Black Sword's words suddenly quickened, his tone filled with anxiety: "He's found us!"

Thales paused, realizing what Black Sword meant.

"Him?" Ramon was startled.

“Even with such a heavy snowstorm and such a long distance…” Black Sword looped the rope around Ramon’s waist and tied him and Thales together without saying a word: “I underestimated the power of magic users!”

Thales frowned—damn it, he still hadn't completely escaped Ashida.

“I’ll hold him off,” Black Sword said coldly.

"But..." Ramon looked alarmed, wanting to say something more.

“Take him with you,” Black Sword shoved the slip clasp into Ramon’s hand, and before the pale-faced Ramon could react, he abruptly lifted his leg. “Get down first!”

“Wait—we—” Ramon raised an eyebrow, looking at Thales in disbelief, but before he could finish his sentence…

Black Sword kicked him off the cliff!
"damn it--"

"You—black sword!"

"hateful!"

Amid Ramon's exclamation of dissatisfaction, Thales once again experienced the feeling of weightlessness, and was pulled along by him as he continued to slide down!

Thales took a deep breath.

Fortunately, Ramon was clearly not doing this for the first time. Although he was furious and cursing, he still skillfully controlled the sliding buckle in his hand and slid down safely with Thales.

They had only slid down a dozen meters when they heard the crisp sound of swords clashing overhead, along with the whooshing of air currents!

"Damn it," Ramon said anxiously as he slid down, glancing up at the sky before looking down and snarling, "Listen, kid, you have to tell me about the Soul Tower before you get back to Valhalla... and then get as far away from me as possible!"

"You're practically a manure collector; you encounter new and filthy things every day..."

"Hey!" With Black Sword no longer by his side, Thales felt relieved. He gripped the rope and protested, "Is that how you describe your savior? And... how did you escape from the palace?"

"My savior?" Ramon's expression changed.

"Come on, you cunning little liar?" Ramon suddenly remembered something and said angrily, "You think you can read minds?"

Thales's face stiffened: "How did you know?"

"I'm not stupid!" the strange doctor said with disgust. "I guessed it the day you asked me about magic!"

As they approached, the city below them drew ever closer—it seemed to be one of the more dilapidated districts within Dragon Sky City. Although they could only see rooftops and streets, they could still discern the chaotic layout and run-down appearance of the city.

Finally, they landed safely behind a small house, stepping onto the uneven stone ground unique to Dragon Sky City.

Thales felt a surge of relief as he relived the sense of security of having his feet firmly on the ground.

“You know,” Thales said casually, pulling himself free from the ropes, his mind racing, “the Black Sword can’t stop him—we’d better run first.”

“Don’t worry about Black Sword, that guy definitely won’t die,” Ramon pulled off the rope and nodded in agreement. “But I agree with you!”

The two reached a consensus, turned around without looking back, and ran off in a hurry!
I ran onto the empty streets.

As long as they encountered a patrol—Thales panted heavily and gritted his teeth: at least they could send a message to Putila and the others!
But they hadn't run far when they heard a loud bang behind them!
"boom!"

Snowflakes swirled up behind us.

Thales and Ramon were both shocked!
They exchanged a glance, not daring to turn back, and ran faster and faster down the street.

It took a full three minutes to run.

The noise woke up many residents along the way.

A window in a room behind them opened, and a man yawned, curiously sticking his head out.

A dog belonging to a resident on the left was awakened from its sweet dream and began barking menacingly at them.

A woman's loud cursing came from the house ahead.

Angrily, a two-story house in the upper left corner splashed a basin of water.

A wine bottle was thrown out of a shop with a sign hanging to the right and behind.

Neither of them cared, they just kept running until they were panting heavily.

Thales had often roamed the streets and alleys before, and he was quite fast even when running through the chaotic streets. But children have limited stamina, and Ramon, although an adult, didn't seem to exercise much. He started panting after only a few steps.

Coupled with the poor visibility in the early morning, their speed inevitably slowed down.

Finally, urgent commands came from the front!

"What's that footsteps up ahead? Follow me!"

"Third team, fourth team, you patrol the left street. You must rendezvous every five minutes, and each rendezvous team must send a messenger to report back!"

"Sixth and Ninth teams, go investigate the source of the recent tremor immediately—it should be below Sky Cliff!"

"If any team members, soldiers, or residents report a missing person..."

"Never let any suspicious person slip by... but returning safely is the top priority!"

"The order has been given: if you encounter anything or anyone that is incomprehensible—that's their exact wording—fire the signal crossbow immediately!"

There seem to be quite a few people!

A glimmer of hope surged in Thales' heart, while Ramon's face paled, seemingly somewhat nervous.

“It’s alright,” Thales reassured him, “as long as I reveal my identity…”

But just then, two hands suddenly reached out from the alleyway beside them!
They dragged the two of them in!

I've done some calculations today, and hmm, it's fate. So, I'll update twice.

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(End of this chapter)