Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 235 Confrontation
The atmosphere of the negotiations in the Hall of Heroes began to become delicate.

"A war of revenge?"

"Attack the stars?"

Grand Duke Lecce, seated at the rectangular table, focused his gaze slightly, his clasped hands twitching slightly at the knuckles.

"So, that's why you spread rumors and exaggerated the discord between King Nuen and Prince Star before the Star Envoy arrived," Grand Duke Lyco's lips curled slightly, "and why you framed the Star for the king's death."

“I’m tired of repeating myself,” Rumba glanced at him, his tone icy. “This isn’t a rumor.”

Not at all.

He stared silently at the four grand dukes.

"and then?"

Trudida gave amusement: "You think the whole of Exter will believe you? Getting carried away and rushing into war without considering the consequences?"

"War always comes at a price—I remember that was the family motto of a certain imperial family."

“The Southrest family,” Grand Duke Ronnie raised his eyes and said slowly, “every war has a price.”

Rumba left Archduke Aurelius's side and turned to Trudida and Ronnie, his expression cold and resolute, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

“They will believe it,” the Black Sand Duke said decisively. “The missing Star Prince is in my hands, so let him remain missing.”

"And I still have the heir of the Aarond family in my grasp—as the one caught in the act of assassinating the king."

Archduke Aurelius paused slightly as he thought of that special boy.

"Even the heir of the White Eagle family..." The Grand Duke of Weilan narrowed his eyes: "They're really well prepared."

Rumba ignored the subtle sarcasm in his words.

“Even without these pawns,” the Grand Duke’s cold gaze swept over the others, “as long as you endorse us, we can mobilize our troops in the name of avenging the king and unleash the nation’s fury upon the stars—they are the ones who tore up the Fortress Treaty.”

The four dukes remained silent in tacit agreement.

"With the southward advance of the Ai Army, we will mobilize the most abundant forces since the Glory War. The five of us, along with the forces of Dragon Sky City and Beacon City, will gather seven or even more Grand Dukes under our banner once again."

Rumba stepped forward, slowly raised his right hand, and spoke in a deep voice.

"And the Star Kingdom?"

“Their northern border is unstable, their fortresses are empty, and their troops are few,” Lumba’s eyes grew increasingly terrifying, as if he could see the future he envisioned: “The world’s most powerful army is advancing on the flames of revenge, and neither the fortresses nor the northern border can stop it. We will be unstoppable—even a fortress as strong as Everstar City is within our grasp.”

Grand Duke Trudida coughed softly:
"What does this have to do with taking Dragon Sky City?"

Rumba turned around.

"War will change everything," he said calmly, his cold tone sending a chill down the spines of even the four high-ranking dukes: "Including the vassals of the Walton family."

Upon hearing this, Archduke Aurelius sighed softly.

“If we are to avenge our lord,” Chaman Lumba clenched his fist, “both morally and logically, for the sake of public good and private interests, Dragon Sky City and Beacon City must be the main force of the Southern Expeditionary Army.”

He slowly turned around, facing the empty gun rack above the fireplace, a strange emotion burning in his eyes: "We are the leaders of the allied forces, and the stubborn nobles of Dragon Sky City and Beacon City, the moment they were forced to join the army, their fate was destined to be written by us: to decline or even be wiped out along with their army in the war."

"The Walton family has lost all its bargaining chips."

Grand Duke Ronnie frowned deeply.

"When we return in triumph, carrying the prestige and spoils we missed twelve years ago..." Rumba said coldly, "they will no longer be a problem."

"They will not have the opportunity to oppose you."

"By then, who will dare, who will be able, and who will dare to interfere with the Dragon Sky City and Beacon City under your joint rule?"

“Even the Prime Minister of Lisbon could not object—he was no longer the Prime Minister by then.”

"When everyone has accepted this situation in silence, and when Walton's orphan girl dies young, no one except historians will remember the Walton family."

Rumba turned around abruptly, his tone resolute:

"The co-governance oath remains in effect, but the signatories have changed to eight dukes."

"Just like the eleven signatures on the co-governance pledge, the signatures of prominent families such as the Tan family are still there, but they have disappeared into history forever."

"But we Exsters will only become stronger."

The hall fell silent.

Rumba waited silently for the dukes' reply.

He knew this was a good sign: the dukes knew his plan was feasible.

only……

“You know, this proposal is quite interesting.” Trudida shook his head.

"Hey!" Grand Duke Ronnie interrupted him impatiently, "What you're talking about is abolishing and establishing a sacred territory that has existed since the founding of Exeter! It's a territory granted by Nekaru!"

“Then go talk to that mother dragon,” Lumba retorted coldly. “Maybe it will fly down and stand up for Walton.”

Ronnie's face immediately turned angry.

“Watch your words, Charman,” Grand Duke Lyco frowned. “That esteemed lady arrived just last night.”

Rumba's expression changed.

"Dear Madam?" he said sarcastically.
“Apart from the mascot on that flag,” Grand Duke Lombard pointed out the window, his eyes cold, “that dragon has meant nothing to us for six hundred years.”

"Its only task is to guard against the return of disaster."

"It doesn't care at all whether Exter lives or dies!"

The four dukes' expressions all turned very unpleasant.

“Let’s get back to the topic,” Trudida coughed and exhaled:

"It has to be said that it is a bold layout and a rather ambitious plan."

“But we can easily abandon you and do it ourselves,” he smiled again, “and maybe even bring the unclaimed Black Sand Territory under our control.”

Grand Duke Ronnie laughed angrily: "Not a bad idea."

“Give us a reason, Charman, a reason that must include you.” The Rebuilding Tower Grand Duke whistled.

Rumba squinted.

“If you insist on pinning the death of King Nuen on me,” the Grand Duke of Black Sand said calmly, “you will lose the pretext to attack Star City, the name to rally the nation, the geographical advantage of traveling south to Star City through Black Sand Territory, and thus lose the opportunity to cleanse Dragon Sky City with war, expand your territory, and deter disobedients.”

"Don't forget, whether it's the Star Prince or the Aarond family, they are all in my hands."

"We've also lost the chance to turn the current chaos into an opportunity," he began to slow his speech, "and lost the only chance to make a move for our own security and for Exter's strength."

The other dukes exchanged glances.

“But what about you, Chaman?” Trudida turned his head with a sly smile, staring at Rumba with a subtle expression.

"You must have something in mind, right? I don't believe you're just trying to get us to vouch for you and exonerate you from this huge scheme."

Rumba frowned.

“Let me guess,” Trudida chuckled, his teasing growing stronger, “to elect a king together?”

Grand Duke Ronnie gave a soft snort.

But to their surprise, Rumba's brow relaxed.

“No,” he said calmly, seemingly unconcerned, “You can fight for the throne yourselves, I don’t care.”

"In fact, I don't care who is king at all."

The four dukes were all taken aback.

“Oleshu, Ronnie, Lyco, or even Trudida as co-king, I have no objection.”

Trudida scoffed, "Why put me after 'even if'?"

Rumba looked at his expression and shook her head silently in her heart.

"If you agree to send troops to win this battle for Exter... I can pay a price you can't even imagine."

“I can even give up the Black Sand Territory,” the Grand Duke of Black Sand said softly. “Olesh and Trudida, if you’re worried, then divide it equally—if that will strengthen your resolve.”

After these words were spoken, the room fell silent for a full five seconds.

"What?" Olesh of the Weyland Territory exclaimed in disbelief, "You want to... abandon Black Sand Territory?"

Trudida seemed to have forgotten how to smile; he simply frowned and stared intently at Rumba.

Not really.

The patricide beast before my eyes...

Is Exeter the only one you really care about?

Are you kidding me?
“I have only one condition,” the Grand Duke of Black Sands said decisively and firmly: “Once we win the war, I only want the North, and even just the land around Coldhold.”

"To hold the southern border for Exter."

"I won't bother you again."

All the grand dukes were stunned.

After a long pause, Grand Duke Lyco sighed, "I don't understand. What kind of lord would give up his family's inherited territory?"

Of course you don't understand.

Rumba said quietly.

If only one of them understood...

"What do you all say?"

Rumba said calmly, "To ensure that Exter returns to stability, frees itself from the shackles of royal power, and even strengthens itself, perhaps even giving it the chance to conquer the stars..."

A burning flame of ambition ignited in his eyes: "It's right in front of us."

Rumba waited quietly for their response.

The dukes' expressions began to shift constantly.

"What do you think?" Aurelius looked at the other three, his face filled with worry.

The dukes exchanged bewildered glances, and Trudida even whispered something in Duke Leco's ear.

Aurelius's expression kept changing, and Archduke Ronnie would occasionally utter a cold, sarcastic remark.

Rumba stood silently to the side, gazing at a dragon-spear flag amidst clouds on the wall.

He knew that this might be the final decision.

The moment that will decide Exter's future.

at last.

A few minutes later, the four dukes nodded in unison.

They all raised their heads, looking at Grand Duke Lombard with varying expressions.

Rumba also turned around and looked back at them with a solemn and serious expression.

Trudida blinked, Aurelius gave a faint sneer, while Ronnie remained expressionless.

But Rumba just kept his eyes fixed on one person, the most senior guy.

Grand Duke Lecco stared silently at Rumba.

Several seconds.

Finally, a slight smile appeared on the old duke's stingy face: "Not a bad idea, Chaman."

"It's a really creative 'deal'."

Chaman Lumba also smiled.

It was like seeing the dust settle and hearing the gavel strike.

Until Grand Duke Lecco, with his usual smile, spoke softly as always:
"so……"

"We refuse."

Rumba's expression froze on his face.

----

Thales stood quietly in the yard belonging to Srace, lost in thought as he watched the people around him tidy up the scene—if the "contact" Srace mentioned was real, they had to leave as soon as possible before Rumba noticed.

Do you have an answer?

came a voice.

“Hmm,” the prince nodded slightly, then turned his head back, not even looking behind him: “And you, Putila?”

The deputy envoy from the Stars came to stand beside him, frowning as he watched two guards with blades push the bound and gagged Slade onto the carriage.

“To be honest,” Puttier sighed, “I don’t quite understand what Slade just said.”

"Why does Rumba believe that Exter's greatest threat lies in..."

Thales shook his head.

“That’s not important,” the prince said calmly, his eyes misty. “Believe me, Rumba has very good reasons, so good that even the four shrewd and calculating grand dukes have to believe them.”

Putila frowned: "You know?"

“Not exactly knowing,” Thales shrugged. “Just understanding.”

"So what are you going to do?"

Thales raised his head and looked at the northern sky, his expression complicated.

"Do you remember what I said before I set off?" the prince said calmly, "The strongest piece in each camp?"

Putila raised an eyebrow.

“Chaman Lumba,” Putila said, a slight smirk playing on her lips, her tone hesitant, clearly not quite believing it, “and…”

"Your Highness?"

Thales glanced at him.

"I'm not kidding."

“After hearing what Shrews just said, I’m even more certain of this,” Thales said with a wry smile. “Rumba is simply too amazing, and too terrifying.”

Putila pursed her lips.

Thales lowered his head and said quietly, "I've seen those four grand dukes: the astute Aurelius, the cunning Trudida, the resolute Ronnie, and the old but still vigorous Lyco. When the four of them stand together, it's simply impossible to withstand them."

Putila nodded.

However, the prince exclaimed, "But do you believe it...?"

"They faced Chaman Lumba, the unparalleled tyrant of the North."

"They will only be eaten clean."

"Not even bones will be left."

Putila looked thoughtful.

“Putila,” Thales said softly, “will you follow me?”

Putila raised an eyebrow: "You want to ask again? Really?"

Thales shrugged. "What's about to get a little crazy is going to happen."

Putila frowned: "Is it what I think? You want to..."

“Believe it or not, Putila,” Thales sighed, forcing a smile, “I’ve figured it out: on that unique battlefield, only I can stand against him.”

Putila looked surprised.

“No, this…” The deputy envoy frowned slightly and asked softly, “On what grounds? What do you intend to rely on to contend with Lumba?”

next second.

Thales turned his head and gave him a friendly smile.

The prince flashed a pair of childish teeth at Putila:

"Thanks to my cheat code."

He turned around decisively.

Putila was left looking completely bewildered and confused.

Thales walked to the carriage, looked at the immobilized Slade, and smiled slightly.

The other person shrugged at him.

Thales gestured for Rolf, who was guarding him, to leave.

“Not feeling well, are you?” Thales sighed, watching Rolf’s retreating figure. “Your Excellency the Marquis.”

Srace, whose mouth was stuffed with a piece of cloth, winked at him, seemingly helpless.

Thales nodded seriously.

"Therefore, I am going to do something for you next—as compensation."

A look of doubt appeared in Smiley's eyes.

A resolute and determined look appeared in the prince's eyes.

The next second, the confusion in Shrews' eyes turned into shock.

“Seize me,” Thales’s voice rang out without any emotion. “Take me to Valhalla.”

“Return it to Rumba.”

The next chapter will begin to reveal the mystery step by step, a rather large plot hole that has been dug since the second chapter of the first volume.

P.S. Monthly votes will be doubled after midnight tonight!



(End of this chapter)