Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 21 Crimson Star (Part 1)
Intrigue and deceit, evil and ugliness, many are born in the dark, secret chambers.

But conspiracies can also be carried out in broad daylight.

For example now.

As winter approached, at noon on November 16th, in a spacious horse ranch, a stout elderly nobleman, wearing a thick mink shawl, stood under a parasol, head bowed and brows furrowed.

As he watched the horse trainers in the arena, he listened tremblingly to the words of another nobleman to his left.

After a long while, he finally let out a long sigh, looked at a disobedient horse in the distance, and curled up the corners of his mouth.

"What kind of royal treasure could be missing that warrants our esteemed His Majesty indefinitely sealing off the Mindis Hall? What a pity, I was planning to visit the Mindis Hall next week to see Master Colvin's posthumous works."

The nobleman beside him was younger and slimmer, looking relaxed and casual as he picked up his sandalwood pipe and took a deep drag.

"Also, Gilbert rushed to the Mindis Hall overnight to report to His Majesty on the gang warfare situation in the lower city," he said cheerfully, exhaling a smoke ring.

"Really? When has Your Majesty, the Iron-Fisted King, ever cared about the lives of the lowly commoners in the lower city? If Your Majesty had even half the benevolence and kindness of the late King Eddie towards your people—" The obese old nobleman touched his thigh in anguish—the unruly horse had stumbled.

"Then why did we meet at the horse training ground?"

“The royalists are definitely plotting something, and I guarantee it’s not something trivial—it could be a move that could turn the tide.” The young nobleman, puffing on his pipe, had a gleam in his eye.

“Mundis Hall is quite a place. With the loss of a royal treasure—hopefully not a painting by Master Colvin—security must be heightened there,” the elderly nobleman suddenly remarked.

But the young nobleman nodded knowingly: "Moreover, I have information that Gilbert has been ordered to investigate the truth of the theft and will be frequently inspecting Mindis Hall recently—with that man around, even the White Eagle can't make a move."

“We can test them, but we can’t go too far—we have to use other methods to disrupt their plans.”

The young nobleman took another puff of the top-grade Fessora tobacco, which was produced in only 600 pounds a year, savored the moment, and then exhaled a perfect smoke ring.

“The Exter delegation will arrive in the country next month,” the old nobleman said, a genuine worry on his face. “Alas, peace between the Stars and Exter has not come easily.”

“Yes,” compared to his predecessors, the young nobleman was less composed, and his sharpness and ambition were evident in him: “If the delegation encounters an accident within the country, His Majesty will likely be in a very passive position in the face of pressure from both domestic and foreign countries.”

“If Your Majesty handles this improperly,” the old nobleman said with a sigh of relief as he watched the horse get up in the distance, took a sip of tea, and said helplessly, “Alas, it seems that countries with hereditary monarchies like ours are indeed backward.”

Both of them were silent for a while.

The elderly nobleman shifted his position and asked casually, "What's going on with the West Ring District?"

"Don't ask me, old man, you know I hate magic users the most."

"Well, shall we talk about the Black Street Brotherhood then?"

“Those guys still won’t budge,” the young nobleman’s face suddenly turned displeased. “They’ve only been around for ten years, yet they’re already so arrogant. I suppose they have more confidence in their backers than in us ‘rising stars’.”

"Don't underestimate young people."

The old man grinned helplessly, but his eyes gleamed with shrewdness and sharpness.
“When children start to scare people—that’s truly terrifying.”

------------------

Compared to the fleeting glimpse Thales had taken from last night until dawn, the Mindis Hall that Thales saw in the afternoon appeared larger, more magnificent, and of course, more spacious.

The first floor houses a large living room, a grand banquet hall, and an open-air garden, equipped with a sizable kitchen, basement storage, and even military equipment storage.

Besides the open-air balcony offering panoramic views of the outdoor garden (“For your safety’s sake, I do not recommend that you be on the balcony or outdoors for a month.” — Gilbert), the spacious second floor houses three large rooms with different functions: a banquet hall, a council chamber, a games room, and other rooms of various sizes.

Although the corridors from the first to the second floor and all the entrances were lined with imposing, armored guards, their faces hidden behind visored helmets, each one as frightening as a statue ("Even though they are the Starry Sky family's privately owned Terminator Swordsmen, I still do not recommend that you stab them in the abdomen, young sir." — Gilbert), from a distance, the Mindis Hall still appeared eerily cold and empty.

But Thales' living quarters and bedrooms, including the dining room and study, were on the third floor. Only a narrow staircase connected the second and third floors, and eight fully armed and focused swordsmen guarded the area 24 hours a day, rotating in six-hour shifts. As for the windows and the roof, there were also reportedly open-air sentries ("With the Yordles here, you need not worry about threats from outside the windows." — Gilbert).

Every dish, from cabbage and bread to beef and water, is taken from the equally heavily guarded kitchen and the well-prepared underground storage ("Please forgive me, I cannot guarantee their freshness." - Gilbert). From cooking to serving, they all undergo rigorous detoxification, poison testing, and poison verification procedures.

This is truly an unprecedented level of security measures.

It seems I'm much more important than I thought.

It's no wonder they are the ruling class who hold power.

I wonder if Yara, with her skills, could sneak in? What if she's a magic user?
Speaking of which...

"No, no, I must refuse, young sir."

Thales looked up at Gilbert with a puzzled expression.

“Everything about you is top secret until now,” Gilbert shook his head firmly. “If I may be so bold, we have sealed off Mindis Hall and our contact with the outside world is limited to a few trusted secretaries. In this situation, for the royal family to suddenly send people to the gangs in the lower city to look for three hiding beggars... whether it is to investigate or to help, it is extremely disadvantageous to both of you.”

"The gang may not mean much to us, but overly flamboyant actions will remind us of our real enemies and give them the opportunity to exploit our weaknesses—don't underestimate the abilities of those who are determined; with just a clue, they can unravel the mystery and find the source." He said in a deep voice, "If you want to help your old acquaintance, you should at least wait for... the right time."

Thales sighed, frowned, and bit down on the last bite of buttered bread. It was sweet and greasy, so he quickly picked up his cup and took a sip of black tea.

At least the food has improved a lot.

“If you’ve enjoyed the afternoon tea,” Gilbert said with impeccable manners, taking the teacup from the flustered Thales and giving a slight bow, “we shall begin our afternoon lessons.”

In fact, Gilbert maintained his smile and thought to himself: Maybe we should start with table manners?
"Where is Yodl? Where is he?"

"He is a competent guard, so naturally he is always nearby."

Thales resisted the urge to look around instinctively.

Knowing that Yodl was nearby made him feel inexplicably more at ease.

So Thales loosened the tie that was too tight for him, and followed Gilbert into the study, his brow furrowed slightly.

“First of all, Thales, I spoke with Yodl last night.”

Gilbert watched as Thales shoved himself into a leather chair and curiously looked around the study, especially at the bookshelves filled with books on the three walls.

“You are a special child. I can tell from Yodl’s judgment and from the few hours I’ve spent with you since we met.”

coming.

Thales still looked curious, but he was on guard.

“But that’s only natural, the heir to the stars is naturally special.” Gilbert put his hands behind his back and walked slowly toward the desk engraved with the nine-pointed star symbol.

His graying temples looked solemn at that moment.

“I believe that since fate has sent you back to the stars, she must have made a plan.”

Thales looked at the middle-aged nobleman without saying a word.

"I roughly know about your past. Life on the streets must have been tough."

"But please forget this past."

Gilbert picked up a book he had prepared beforehand from the black sandalwood desk, turned around, and said seriously:
"You will have a new identity, a new life, and even a new name, but what really matters is the future you will face and bear."

Gilbert's piercing gaze fell upon Thales's grey pupils.

Forget the past.

Thales murmured to himself.

He looked into Gilbert's sharp eyes and nodded solemnly.

how is this possible.

Thales sneered inwardly.

“I understand. So,” Thales carefully chose his words and slowly began to speak:

"What do I need to know about myself and my past?"

Gilbert's expression remained unchanged, but he nodded slightly inwardly: panic, fear, and helplessness—emotions that a seven-year-old should have at this moment—were not present in this child.

There was only calmness and caution; even excitement was rare.

He is indeed extraordinary.

Was it training in the Brotherhood? Yodel wouldn't elaborate, but the assassin highly praised the boy's performance. But could such an experience really be found in the gangs of the Lower City?
Or is it that the Star King lineage, passed down from the ancient empire for nearly three thousand years, is indeed extraordinary?

Or perhaps, it's his other half...

Thinking of this, Gilbert frowned almost imperceptibly.

But the dutiful nobleman still bowed slightly. "Thales, esteemed young sir, please allow me to address you as such for now."

"You are seven years old this year. You were born on the evening of May 25th, 665, at Mann Manor, outside the capital city of Yongxing in the Star Kingdom," Gilbert said calmly.
"Your birth mother was a noblewoman whose name she wished to remain anonymous. She died from postpartum hemorrhage. Before she passed away, she named you Thales after a star."

Thales' eyebrows arched slightly.

“You grew up in Mann Manor under the secret care of the Starry Sky family. Another lady-in-waiting and I would visit you from time to time.”

“During this time, you grew up as a child adopted by Lord Mann while he was hunting, and you were unaware of your true identity.”

"Last December, Lord Mann died in battle on the western frontier. Since he had no heir, his property and lands were reclaimed by the royal family. Meanwhile, I am bringing you back to Mindis Hall in the Twilight District."

Thales listened in silence to the entire narrative.

“And next month,” Gilbert gripped the book tightly, “you will, as the illegitimate son of King Kessel V, the sole surviving bloodline of the Starry Sky Royal Family, claim your innate rights, to be jointly recognized by the Royal Family, the Sunset Temple, and the Starry Sky High Council as—”

Gilbert's eyes held a solemn and serious expression, along with a hint of worry and sorrow.

"—The heir to the Supreme King of the Stars."

After a long while, Thales finally let out a soft breath.

It seems to be much more complicated than I imagined.

“I understand. There are still some things I don’t understand, but I will remember them well. I used to be Thales of Mann Manor, and I was also Lord Mann’s adopted son.” Thales’ eyes flashed as he clasped his hands together.

His mind was rapidly processing the information he had gathered, combining existing intelligence with elements from Gilbert's statements to create effective intelligence.

Gilbert nodded and sat down in a leather chair opposite Thales.

"I will summarize the details of the remaining part so that you can memorize and become familiar with it."

"Your task for now is this, and that's all you need to know."

Sure enough, despite his respect for me.

But deep down I still feel that there's no need to say too much to a seven-year-old.

Thales' eyes flickered.

"Next, I need to understand your relevant background—"

Just as Gilbert was pondering what course to offer Thales next—basic etiquette or written language—the heir to the future of the stars abruptly spoke, interrupting him.

“So, we’ve settled on a unified story for the outside world,” Thales, huddled in his leather chair, lifted his chin from his hands, his eyes gleaming. “Then it’s time to tell me the truth, isn’t it?”

Gilbert was slightly taken aback.

"For example, my birth mother's identity, and why her identity is so—it's a secret."

"There is also the difficult situation of the Star Kingdom, especially the series of problems caused by the royal succession."

"Add to that the king's predicament, and those overt and covert enemies and allies we share?"

"Perhaps you should tell me all of this in detail, so that I will have no more doubts in the following lessons, and will be able to choose and emphasize the knowledge I want to learn. I think this is the best choice for the stars, and for your king."

The words fell.

The middle-aged nobleman's chin agape as he looked back at Thales in surprise.

Did Yodl tell him any of this?

No, it's impossible.

Thales lowered his hands, his expression calm, composed, yet resolute, awaiting Gilbert's reply.

In that instant, Gilbert felt as if he were seeing a young Kessel Eddie Star.

At that time, the stars in Prince Kessel's eyes remained the same, their warm light yet to transform into the biting north wind.

Gilbert was only slightly distracted for a moment before he quickly regained his senses and let out a soft sigh.

An extraordinary child.

From the next moment on, the middle-aged nobleman began to answer his young master with genuine respect and deference:

"I understand."

"I'll answer your question right away."

"To save a little time, please feel free to ask any further questions."

Thales frowned slightly.

“Very well,” he said, propping himself up in the comfortable but never quite comfortable leather chair. “Then I’ll get straight to the point.”

Thales unleashed his extraordinary thinking, pulling out all the intelligence and information, and summarizing the key points as he had done in organizing documents in the past.

“You said that the bloodline lamp was a divine spell cast twelve years ago, but I was only seven years old. Why did you start preparing methods to find bloodline descendants twelve years ago? I think this is probably related to my mysterious birth mother. Who is she? After giving birth to me seven years ago, why did she leave me in the hands of the gang? These questions can be summarized as ‘Where did I come from?’”

"And then there's Kessel—my father is still in his prime, so why has the Star Kingdom gone twelve years without an heir? Why are all the hopes for an heir placed on a bastard of unknown origin? My father's attitude towards me is strange. If it's not a matter of his personality, then I must ask: what exactly is his relationship with my mother? Why is my identity kept so secret? These questions are probably what 'who am I' mean?"

"Finally, what does my existence or non-existence really mean for the Star Kingdom? What problems will a Star Kingdom without an heir face? Who are our enemies and who are our allies? From what you've said, the Sunset Temple plays an important role in my affairs. What is their situation? If my identity is recognized, or if I merely appear in the kingdom, what situation will I face? As a bastard, what rights do I have? As the heir, what exactly am I to inherit? These questions can be summarized as 'Where am I going?'"

"Where do I come from? Who am I? Where am I going?"

"Mr. Gilbert, please answer these three questions for me."

Time seemed to stand still at this moment.

Gilbert stared intently at the boy in front of him.

For no apparent reason, a sense of unease and fear welled up within him.

The ancient rulers, the former kings of the stars.

He sighed inwardly.

Is this boy your descendant?
What kind of power does your bloodline hold?

After a long while, the middle-aged nobleman finally uttered a sentence.

“Mr. Thales,” he exhaled with some difficulty, organizing his thoughts:

"You really don't seem like a seven-year-old child."

Telston immediately realized that he had just behaved inappropriately.

But he was already in a difficult situation.

Well, a child prodigy who understands the ways of the world is better than a clueless puppet, right?
“More than one person has said that. If you want to please me, you’ll have to come up with a more creative way of saying it, Mr. Gilbert.” To ease Gilbert’s expression, Thales, unusually humorous, smiled.

Gilbert didn't reply, but just stared at him intently for a long time.

Just as Thales was wondering if time had stopped, the sculpted, middle-aged nobleman suddenly spoke, beginning to answer his questions.

"Dear Mr. Thales, first of all, where do you come from?"

"It all started twelve years ago."

"In March of 660, the late King Eddy II, though old, was still on the throne. His reign was long and stable, and he was known as the 'King of Everlasting Rule'."

"But suddenly, the entire Star Kingdom was plunged into unprecedented turmoil due to an escalating rebellion, which even dragged the entire Western Continent into it."

"War, catastrophe, famine—that was the theme of that year."

"Many people call that year the 'Year of Blood'."

"Amid such chaos and bloodshed, King Eddie was murdered, and the entire Starry Sky royal family was almost wiped out."

"Of all the legitimate members of the royal family, only his fifth son, Prince Kessel Star, 35, survived and was eventually crowned king."

“That is your father, King Kessel V, known as the ‘Iron-fisted King’.”

(End of this chapter)