Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 191 Mind Your Own Business
Blood……

More blood...

Thales shakily reached out his right hand and touched his sticky face. Looking at the cold blood on his hand, he felt as if he could barely breathe.

"The Shield District is full of their people... those damn Yankees..."

This is Ida's voice.

It sounded like it was coming from a very far place.

“Listen, kid, even with that disaster… Putila still sent people to search for you, that arrogant brat from the Caso family, that masked mute next to you, even the veterans of the Starshine Legion…”

The second prince was carried under the arm of an elven guard as they sped forward, passing by piles of rubble, broken wood, and even corpses.

Thales struggled to breathe. He turned his head and saw the little rascal being held on the other side of Ada, his expression blank, his hand tightly gripping her glasses.

"...I'm the only one who came to the Shield Zone looking for someone, but I never expected such a big change to happen. What's wrong with those soldiers? Why did they target you and the White Blade Guard?"

No.

They weren't targeting me or the White Blade Guards.

Thales stared blankly, the smell of blood lingering in his nose for a long time.

This reminded him of the deep ditch around the abandoned house and the inside of Giza's "tentacles," where the stench of blood and flesh was almost identical.

They were targeting King Nuen.

"Say something, kid!" Ada turned a corner and asked impatiently, "What happened?"

occur……

What happened?

Exhausted and overwhelmed, Thales struggled to organize his memories.

He remembered Kambida's smile.

I remember the clicking of the crossbows in the hands of the Black Sand Territory soldiers.

I remember those countless dark shadows that shot towards me with a "whoosh".

And the numbness and trembling that radiated from my scalp all the way to my shoulders and neck.

Ada carried them with both hands and finally broke out of the Shield District ruins. Before them appeared neat, undamaged streets and houses, but they were deserted—the king's evacuation order and martial law order had clearly been effective.

The elven guards skillfully and nimbly navigated the streets, which were far superior to those in the Shield Zone.

But Thales was still immersed in the shocking memory of what had just happened, unable to pull himself out of it.

In those fractions of a second, the only four melee guards didn't even have time to crouch and raise their shields.

Without hesitation, they turned around and opened their arms, the four of them kneeling and hugging each other, using their bodies to completely shield themselves and the little rascal.

Thales remembered that he and the little rascal had unconsciously clung to each other, feeling terrified and helpless, their vision completely blocked by the guards.

Then, the sound of countless crossbow bolts piercing flesh filled the air.

Just like the big market near the west gate of Yongxing City, the sound of the butcher chopping fresh meat piece by piece every morning.

Thales shivered and took a shivering breath of the cold air.

He remembered the faces of those guards.

I remember their trembling bodies and increasingly pale faces under the crossbow bolts.

I remember the resentment and unwillingness in their eye contact, and I remember the resigned calm in their eyes at the end.

It was as if the only thing they were shielding each other from was rain and snow, not crossbow bolts.

Thales also remembered the scene of those bloody arrows piercing through the bodies of the guards—shoulders, necks, and bellies.

One of the guards was even shot through the head, the arrow protruding from his left eye socket, the splattering warm blood staining Thales' face red.

The bright red arrowhead stopped right in front of Thales's right eye.

The little rascal at that time kept his eyes tightly closed and hugged him, crying.

The guards stared wide-eyed, coughing up blood, some even showing relieved smiles.

They embraced each other, then collapsed one after another, never to wake up again.

“You must live, Imperial,” Thales recalled a guard gritting his teeth, gripping his collar tightly, remembering his faint breath: “Protect her, make them pay the price…”

He also remembered the last young guard, who, filled with grief and indignation, rose from the corpses of his three comrades, and with five or six crossbow bolts still lodged in his body and his last bit of strength, staggered and charged into the enemy ranks with his sword.

The guard launched a final, desperate counterattack, throwing the crossbow-wielding soldiers into a frenzy.

Kambida's angry roar rang out from the crowd.

Thales recalled how he had pulled the little rascal away from the guards' bodies.

He recalled his own dazed and disoriented state, on the verge of collapse, and the final, mournful cries of the white-bladed guards who were covering their retreat.

Even when Ada emerged from the ruins and led him and the little rascal out of the chaotic crowd, no one knew.

Until now.

Thales stared blankly, his mind elsewhere as he turned his head to look at the equally frightened little rascal.

He unconsciously reached out and wiped the blood off his face again.

All I found was a dried bloodstain.

I thought the battle in the birch forest was thrilling enough, the breakthrough in front of the fortress was close enough, and the duel with Giza was breathtaking enough.

but……

In the birch forest, he was abducted from the battlefield by Serena far too early. In front of the fortress, Arakka broke through with unstoppable force to carve out a way out for him. Even just now, Black Sword's skill, mysterious magic, and the strange Purifying Edge protected him.

But it wasn't until the blood was so close to him, until others died one after another within an inch of his eyes, until the entire White Blade Guard was wiped out, and until the cries of grief and roars rose and fell, that Thales realized—all of this had just happened so hateful, so painful, so unbearable.

Ada suddenly stopped and put him and the little rascal down on the clean, empty street.

They were facing a street corner, but Ada showed no intention of moving forward.

The elf under the cloak turned his head and stared intently at the deserted road.

"What's wrong?" Thales looked up, still shaken, trying his best to control his emotions.

“We’re being watched,” Ada answered quietly from under her cloak. “We’ve tried to shake him off several times, with little success.”

His words flowed smoothly, but his tone carried a seriousness that Thales had never encountered before.

Thales's expression changed, while the little rascal looked down at his blood-stained glasses, remaining silent.

"So?" the prince asked tentatively.

“So, you guys go first.” Ada patted his shoulder casually.

“I’m going to find him,” the elf said, her hand rubbing together with disgust as she touched Thales’s body, “I’ll deal with that tail first, then catch up with you.”

Thales was taken aback.

You go first.

He remembered Hongfang Street that night.

The girl with the twin swords said the same thing to him.

"The enemy is very strong, isn't it?" Thales asked in a daze.

"You're not confident you can defeat him? So you can only let us leave first?"

Ada remained motionless beneath the cloak, seemingly stunned for a moment.

A cold wind blew through the empty, hazy streets as the sky gradually brightened, emitting the faint bluish light unique to early morning.

A few seconds later, Ada suddenly raised her right hand and knocked him on the forehead.

"Boom!"

Once again, Ada's knuckles slammed heavily against his forehead.

This time, however, Thales did not stop Ada's actions, but simply let her tap her fingers.

"Huh?" Ada was a little puzzled by Thales' reaction: "Why didn't you even try to block it?"

Thales shook his head with a heavy expression, feeling the burning pain on his forehead.

It was as if only in this way could he feel that he was still alive.

“Otherwise, you wouldn’t feel comfortable letting us escape alone,” he said dejectedly.

Ada seemed a little angry; she raised her right hand again, as if to strike.

But Thales remained motionless.

Ada's hand froze in mid-air.

A few seconds later, she sighed in disappointment and put her fingers down.

“Sigh, you’re so boring,” the cloaked woman said helplessly. “Just as boring as that dead fish eyes of Mindis.”

"So it's true?" Thales took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "The enemy is very strong?"

"Tch." Ada, as always, made exaggerated gestures, shrugging her shoulders and spreading her hands to show her relaxed and indifferent attitude.

The elf pointed his fingers together like a fan and pretended to fan himself: "What's so great about a cowardly fellow like you who hides his head and tail?"

“As for you, stop worrying about adult matters,” Ada said, fanning herself strangely in the cold weather. “Besides, as a prince, you will grow up sooner or later, and I can’t always be the one to protect you.”

Thales lowered his head.

“Don’t overthink it,” Ada’s voice lowered, and her hand that had been fanning the air slowly lowered.

"This time, consider it a test for you."

At that moment, Thales felt a little sad.

It felt like something was blocking my chest.

“I understand,” he said, taking the little rascal’s hand and choking back tears. “Then we’ll go first and wait for you to catch up.”

I'm used to it, aren't I?

Ada's dejected tone rose again:
"Hurry up, turn this corner, and you'll reach Xichi Avenue. Beyond the avenue is the blockade—although I don't recommend you go looking for those patrol teams, I don't know what their attitude is..."

"If all else fails, hide for a while. Others are looking for you, and they'll be especially wary of children... If you run into Rolf or Wyman's group, you'll be safe..."

“As for me…” Ada paused almost imperceptibly:
"I'll be there soon."

Thales lowered his head and remained silent.

The next second, as if he had made up his mind, he grabbed the listless little rascal and jogged forward. But Thales suddenly stopped.

Ada turned her head, looking at his retreating figure, seemingly a little puzzled.

“Hey, Ada,” Thales turned around with difficulty, “I know you might not like me asking this, but I really want to know…”

Ada put her hands on her hips.

"Excuse me, are you..."

Thales took a deep breath and solemnly said, "Are you... are you the queen of 'Oathkeeper' Midir IV, one of my great-great-great-grandmothers?"

Upon hearing this, even the sly little fellow, who had been daydreaming, couldn't help but look up.

silence.

Ada's face was not clearly visible under her cloak.

A few seconds later, the elven guard sighed.

“Hey, brat,” Ada looked up, letting Thales see her exceptionally delicate and smooth, white chin, and said calmly:
"Mind your own business."

Thales was slightly taken aback.

Then, he pursed his lips and gave an awkward smile.

The next moment, Thales grabbed the little rascal and ran off without looking back, disappearing around the corner.

Ada watched Thales disappear from sight before letting out a heavy sigh.

But she immediately turned her head, a shiver running through her body!
coming.

Ada's alert level immediately rose to its highest.

Her gaze swept across the empty streets, from street corners to rooftops, alleyways to low walls, leaving no stone unturned.

That's terrible.

The stinging and numbness emanating from her skin told her that the other party was a ruthless character.

How long has it been since we encountered such a powerful enemy?
When you and Kayla fought your way to the top of Mount Ueno?
“Come out,” Ada said calmly. “I can sense you.”

Footsteps sounded.

A tall figure appeared around the corner, right in front of her.

Ada's pupils contracted slightly.

“It’s you,” the elf exhaled, his words full of sarcasm and disdain: “the tavern owner.”

Kaslan looked at Eda with a calm gaze.

“I heard you’re a veteran of the White Blade Guard,” Ada snorted, emphasizing the word ’veteran’: “’Earthshaker,’ right?”

“Although you are wearing a cloak, I can tell that you are an elf,” Kaslan said slowly, his voice heavy and ruthless. “As an immortal, you are certainly more senior than me.”

Edda was speechless.

She let out a frustrated sigh and drew her exquisite curved sword.

"I heard you're the one who killed 'Human Slayer' Sila Darkrai?" Ada said nonchalantly, "You're pretty good."

“That was my proudest battle,” Kaslan nodded, drawing closer.

"Of course, part of the honor should be attributed to this thing..."

The old man's figure came into full view from around the corner, dragging a long stick in his hand.

No.

Ada frowned.

That's not a stick.

“These are my former comrades and partners.”

“Sila Darkray died by his hand,” Kaslan raised his weapon, revealing its dark and menacing spearhead, and said slowly:

"Soul-Slaying Spear".

Ada was taken aback.

kill……

Soul Slayer...

The elf twitched his cheek.

The next second, she gave an ugly smile.

he.

mom.

of.

Ada took a deep breath, put one hand on her hip, and struck what she considered to be the most relaxed and comfortable pose.

"Oh oh..."

“Speaking of the Dark Thunder Tribe, which has been passed down from ancient times, it used to be a powerful tribe qualified to compete for the throne,” the elf said with a slightly squinted eye and an uneasy chuckle. As the old man approached, she unconsciously adopted a fighting stance. “It must have been quite an achievement for you.”

“You seem to have a lot of experience with orcs?” Kaslan said in a deep voice, slowing his pace.

"Dark Thunder Tribe? Of course."

Ada brandished her scimitar, striking a nonchalant pose.

"When my father led his army to aid humanity, the first tribe he encountered was Darkmine," the elf snorted, "and my father chopped off their heads..."

“…Just like chopping vegetables!” Ada swiftly swung four slashes at the air, her mouth uttering words incessantly:
"Clang clang clang clang, two in one slash!"

Kaslan stopped and squinted at the elf's sword-wielding movements.

He slowly twirled the spear in his hand.

“Hey, I’m not lying!” the elf said casually, while carefully observing the other’s posture and breathing.

Yes, I wasn't lying.

Except for one thing—Ada thought to herself.

At that time...

I wasn't born yet.

----

Rumba stood amidst the ruins, his brow furrowed, his expression as unsmiling as ever.

Before him lay a field of corpses, including members of the White Blade Guard and soldiers of the Black Sand Territory—his men were busily moving the bodies back and forth.

Beside the Grand Duke lay the already cold body of King Nunn, covered with the gray cloak distinctive of the White Blade Guard.

Lumba looked down at King Nuen, his hand resting on his old sword sheath, his expression complex.

“We have lost twenty-eight men,” Viscount Cambida said in a low voice as he walked behind Grand Duke Lombard. “Fifteen are seriously wounded—the kind who must lie down—and four are lightly wounded but can still fight.”

Rumba remained silent.

“We underestimated the fighting power of the White Blade Guards in their desperate counterattack, and we overestimated our own fighting power,” Kambida sighed. “The appearance of that dragon was too shocking to the soldiers—if it weren’t for our training and propaganda over the past few years, some of them might have defected.”

Grand Duke Lombard raised his head and looked away from his royal uncle.

"A dozen or so melee guards utterly routed our proud border standing army," the Grand Duke slowly twisted his neck, inhaling a breath of the chilly air of Dragonsky City's dawn. "How did Saridon break through the melee guards and assassinate Nuen amidst their protection?"

Kambida lowered her eyelids.

“You know they are Salidon,” the Viscount nodded respectfully. “Fortunately, many of the melee guards have been lost or perished in the chaos caused by the disaster.”

"Well, at least it's confirmed that our Emperor has passed away." Grand Duke Lomba's gaze was solemn as he looked up at the tallest building in the entire Dragon Sky City.

"How much time is left?" the Grand Duke asked calmly, his voice carrying an air of authority.

Kambida bowed respectfully.

"Two hours at most," Viscount Cambida replied quickly to this seemingly unsolvable question.

"If they don't receive a reply from the King, the General Order Hall and the Chief Garrison Commander will become suspicious and send people to search the Shield District. Of course, the people of Urad can find ways to delay them, and the people of Dragonwing Square and even there can cause them some trouble."

Kambida seemed to know everything, and the Grand Duke's chief advisor continued:
"If there are no results in four hours, the Prime Minister, Earl of Lisbon, who feels uneasy, will certainly begin to gather troops and even assemble the standing army, just to stabilize the chaos that the king's disappearance may cause—but without the king's order, and with the ban issued due to the disaster, a large number of conscripts will be excluded."

"But if it's been six hours, I think the truth will be out of the question, and the movements of our thousand-plus men will be detected. If Lisban gives the order, the Earl of Walton's fiefdom outside the city can lead his troops into the city. A head-on confrontation is impossible. The soldiers are already emotionally unstable. In one encounter, we will be defeated because of casualties, exhaustion, and low morale."

“We have less than two thousand men, and even if we capture a strong gate, we probably won’t be able to hold it for half a day,” Kambida concluded cautiously. “We must act quickly.”

Under the gray sky, Grand Duke Lombard gazed at the outline of Valhalla, his expression still as cold as ice.

"Half a day," Rumba scoffed, "is enough."

The Grand Duke turned around, flicked his cloak to reveal the chainmail beneath, and strode with the resolute steps characteristic of a warrior toward Valhalla.

Kambida and his men followed closely behind with their soldiers.

"Send messages to the other units that are cleaning up the mess according to plan: Tuleha, Urad, and Kroeschi, instructing them to rendezvous with Lewandowski and Bitz—they should be almost ready," the Grand Duke coldly ordered as he walked.

"Whether we take it by trickery or by force, we must take that gate between the Axe District and the Palace of Heroes before eight o'clock!"

Kambida nodded respectfully.

"According to the plan, releasing the message will buy us time."

Rumba strode across a ditch, his words resolute: "Nine o'clock, or at the latest ten o'clock, this must be over!"

Kambida nodded and gave orders to those around him.

A few seconds later, the messenger took the order and left.

“There’s one more thing…” Kambida whispered, “I just received news about that Star Prince.”

Grand Duke Lombard turned his head and looked at his advisor with a peculiar expression.

“It’s them,” Kambida looked up, a strange light in his eyes. “They’re saying they want the boy.”

"To live."

Rumba paused in his steps.

He turned his head and looked thoughtfully in the direction where Thales and Ada had just disappeared.

(End of this chapter)