Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 246 Game of Chess
Valhalla, in front of the Hall of Heroes.

Amidst the tense atmosphere, the standoff between the Black Sand Territory and the other Grand Dukes continues.

Centered around the main gate of the stone hall, the people stood in clear divisions: the dukes' subordinates and palace guards occupied the inner ring, while the people of the Black Sand Territory surrounded them on the outside. Both sides glared at each other, many with their hands on their weapons, crossbows ready, and shields raised, prepared for battle at any moment.

All of this hinged on that crucial conversation between the five dukes in the stone hall.

Even under these circumstances, Viscount LS Cambida of Menton in Black Sand Territory was one of the few who could remain calm—at least compared to the female swordswoman Chloesie beside him, whose eyes gleamed with malice and whose fingers were twitching, Viscount Cambida appeared composed and not nervous at all.

It wasn't until a sentry scout brought the latest news to his ears that Cambida frowned.

After a moment's thought, the viscount beckoned to Kroesi, walked solemnly to the corner, and then sent someone to fetch the Fire Knight Tuleha.

The three of them gathered together, and Kambida took a deep breath and carefully recounted what he had heard.

“A message has come from the palace gate sentry post,” Viscount Cambida said in a low voice, “that someone has broken into the city gate.”

"It is highly likely that they have already invaded Valhalla."

Upon hearing this, Kroesh's expression changed slightly, her eyes flashing, while Tuleha showed a thoughtful expression.

"They've broken through the city gate?" the female swordsman asked worriedly. "Is there something wrong with our defenses?"

Kambida shook his head: "I don't know, but the city gate is still in our hands."

“How interesting,” Tuleha looked up, his voice slightly annoyed. “Count Levan does sometimes get overconfident, but Urad should be able to make up for his shortcomings.”

“That’s what I was worried about,” Cambida sighed.
"A noble earl and an order officer who was a commoner prisoner—they couldn't possibly get along very well."

Chloe's eyes flickered:
How many intruders were there?

Kambida's expression was subtle, as if he wasn't quite sure: "Not many, I've heard it's no more than a dozen, or even fewer."

The other two were both stunned.

"So few?" Chloe frowned. "What are they planning to do?"

Kambida shook his head to indicate that he did not know.

The Fiery Knight snorted coldly: "We have a large battalion in the palace, nearly five hundred men, mostly heavy infantry and heavy axemen, so there's nothing to worry about."

The lord then narrowed his eyes: "The intruder's identity? Location?"

Upon hearing this question, Viscount Cambida took a deep breath, put on his most polite smile, and cautiously began to speak.

He seemed embarrassed by the question.

"Based on the sentry's description, it is very likely that the White Blade Guards who remain outside are still there—and perhaps the Meteorites, or even those Star People."

The viscount shrugged and said casually, "I guess they came back after kidnapping the prince."

As expected, after the words "White Blade Guard" and even "Meteorite" were uttered, Tuleha's face turned incredibly terrifying—as if he had heard a great insult.

Kambida observed his expression and said cautiously, "As for their location, they disappeared shortly after they broke in, leaving only a carriage at the palace gate."

silence.

Even Kroeshe remained silent at Cambida's signal.

Finally, Lord Tuleha took a deep breath: "I'll go to them and give me a guard—or even just four squads, a hundred men."

At this moment, the Fiery Knight seemed to be truly blazing with fire in his eyes: "This time, I will wipe them all out."

Upon hearing this, Kambida couldn't help but sigh deeply.

Kroeschi raised an eyebrow.

Tuleha waited quietly for his answer.

His Excellency crossed his arms, turned around, and glanced at the entrance to the hall.

"Look at these people in front of you."

"Kambida said softly."

Following his gaze, Tuleha turned to the hall and saw countless soldiers facing off in tense confrontation, on both sides.

He frowned.

Kambida calmly and unequivocally replied, “The palace guards, the White Blade Guards, and the attendants of the Grand Dukes, totaling more than two hundred men—these are not the leaderless warriors outside; they know very well what they are protecting.”

"If the situation changes, they will fight to the death."

"And His Excellency the Grand Duke is right here."

Kambida paused for a few seconds.

Tuleha remained silent, seemingly deep in thought.

“The key to this game lies in the location of the Grand Dukes,” Kambida said, nodding as he observed Tuleha’s expression.

"We must maintain an absolute advantage over the Hall of Heroes. Five hundred men against two hundred is already a tough situation. We cannot risk splitting our forces any further."

"And those four dukes are not fools. Any slightly bigger move we make will reveal unnecessary information to them, thereby hindering your plans."

Tuleha took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

His Excellency the Viscount continued, "As long as we deploy a large force to control the hall, neither the invaders nor these people will have any chance to take advantage of the situation."

On the other side, the female swordsman Chloeshi narrowed her eyes and spoke up at the opportune moment: "Why can't we bring more people? Maybe it would be easier to fight that way?"

Kambida gave her an approving look.

“The ‘more people’ you’re referring to are standing troops, not conscripts, madam,” Kambida turned to her and said politely, “Besides, we didn’t come here to defend the palace, nor did we intend to take down the gates. We’re just here by accident.”

He raised his eyes and glanced at Tuleha, seemingly casually: "Your sole mission is to protect His Majesty the Grand Duke."

Tuleha snorted coldly.

"Then we'll just watch," Chloeshi said, a subtle glint in her eyes as she looked at the Viscount. "Let those dozen or so flies scurrying about in the palace?"

Kambida shook his head.

“His Excellency the Grand Duke is fighting alone inside, and I have great faith in him,” he nodded. “What we need to do is stand behind him and minimize the chances of anything going wrong.”

The words fell.

Both Kambida and Kroesi looked toward Tuleha.

A few seconds passed.

Tuleha finally opened his eyes and let out a long breath.

“You are the temporary commander appointed by His Excellency the Grand Duke, and your rank is higher than mine,” the Fire Knight said coldly. “What to do is up to you.”

Upon hearing Tuleha's reply, Kambida finally smiled.

“Very good,” Viscount Kambida nodded, his tone sincere and convincing: “Indeed, we can wait here, relying on our superior forces, to await their arrival…”

His tone immediately shifted.

“But I think, if the opponent is that Lord of the Stars,” Cambida exhaled and smiled faintly, “he wouldn’t be foolish enough to fight a stronger enemy with a weaker force and come to his death with a small army.”

Kroeshe looked at him and smiled.

“Lord, Lady, and even that one,” Kambida’s eyes flickered, his words carrying a deeper meaning, “keeping your combat strength in the army and letting you play a role in the melee is not much better than a few well-coordinated mortal warriors.”

“So,” the Viscount said, his tone laced with a hint of mockery, “are you ready?”

Tuleha's eyes lit up, while Kroesi squinted.

“Whatever those people want to do, whether it’s a desperate assassination, a reckless disruption, or even a sneaky infiltration,” Kambida looked down the corridor and onto the path illuminated by the brazier, and smiled slightly, “we’ll keep them busy.”

"I have no time to spare."

"Nowhere to hide." "Unreachable."

----

In another part of Valhalla, Thales and the others waited cautiously in a secluded corner.

The remaining White Blade Guards were frantically tending to their wounds from the melee, while the Star Soldiers dispersed to report on the situation ahead.

"Nikolai just stands there?"

Thales leaned against the wall, frowning as he thought about the unbelievable scene that had just unfolded: "Dragging along hundreds of enemies?"

Michael raised his eyes.

"If he wants to maintain the effect of the Soulbreaker Blade, yes."

The former officer with the buzz cut nodded, his face serious and his tone heavy: "The conditions for that legendary anti-magic weapon are very demanding."

Putila sighed on the other side: "I think we've lost an extreme combatant."

"The only ultimate combat force."

Thales frowned.

"He'll be alright," Little Sly said dejectedly beside him.

After the chaotic battle, Nikolai turned around and menacingly ordered them to continue forward.

He remained within the circle of yellow light, resisting the pursuit of the Black Sand Territory.

Indeed, thanks to Nikolai's extraordinary performance, they broke into Valhalla.

But then...

Thales took a deep breath.

“Let’s continue,” the prince gritted his teeth and clenched his fist. “We’ll go find Rumba, we’ll go find the Grand Dukes.”

"End this damn farce."

Raphael's voice came from behind them.

"At present, it seems to be somewhat difficult."

Raphael smiled easily: "We just scouted the two corridors ahead. Although there are no enemy defenses, but..."

Raphael stopped speaking, glanced at everyone, and his smile remained unchanged.

Everyone frowned, waiting for him to speak.

“We’ve made too much noise; we’ve likely alerted the enemy’s sentries,” Miranda said calmly as she stepped out from behind him. “The people in Valhalla—Rumba—probably already know we’re here.”

Thales sighed. "How many of them are in the palace?"

“It won’t be more than at the city gates, after all, the city gates face much greater pressure,” Miranda looked at the prince, her gaze involuntarily tightening, a hint of guilt in her eyes: “But the worst-case scenario…”

"As many as city gates."

Everyone's heart sank.

“So we’re still in danger—even if I’ve infiltrated with Shrews, things won’t be any better?” Thales thought of the fearless Black Sand soldiers and their relentless pursuit, and felt utterly frustrated.

“Um,” Cohen raised an eyebrow, his eyes darting around, “that Meteorite guy… can we call him back? And do that trick again?”

The guards all glared at him.

Michael glanced at him sideways, the meaning of which was self-evident.

Cohen's face stiffened. He shrugged and gave an awkward laugh: "I was just asking."

Just when everyone was looking worried, a familiar yet unfamiliar voice rang out.

It was veteran Jenard.

“They didn’t form a defensive line in front of the palace gates, nor did they send troops to patrol the corridors and passageways,” the veteran of the Starshine Legion squinted, while the new recruit Willow leaned against the wall beside him, seemingly nervous in the face of so many important figures: “Duke John once said, ‘Where the enemy is, that’s what the enemy wants.’”

"On the battlefield, this can tell a lot."

Upon hearing his words, Putila's gaze shifted slightly.

Thales' eyes lit up: "For example?"

“For example,” Putila continued, taking a deep breath, “they were very confident in the defenses of the city gates, believing that no one could get through them.”

Thales raised an eyebrow: "Very good, at least we don't have to worry about this problem anymore."

Putila pondered, his eyes darting around: "Secondly, they must have more important things to do, and they can't afford to disperse their forces."

"For example, deploying heavy troops to protect the most critical and vital locations."

The most crucial part.

Thales's heart skipped a beat, and he understood something.

"That commander just said that the hall..." The prince recalled the chaotic battle earlier, "I think Rumba is in the Hall of Heroes!"

Raphael nodded slowly: "Guess what he's doing?"

“Thirdly,” Putila narrowed his eyes, deep in thought, “at least in Valhalla, the forces of Black Sand Territory are already stretched thin and cannot be moved lightly.”

Thales took a deep breath.

“I understand,” the prince said, somewhat intrigued. “They are confronting four grand dukes!”

Thales suddenly looked up: "So they can't split their forces, and they dare not take any risks!"

"Because for them... the attitudes of the four Grand Dukes are even more crucial!"

He has to think that way.

He must think that way.

Putila nodded firmly.

“So, our current situation seems precarious,” the deputy envoy said softly, “but it’s a world of difference compared to before.”

"We have indeed hit their weak point."

Putila raised his head and smiled: "From now on, although we are few in number, we will act as a sudden third party..."

"We have seized the initiative."

In that instant, everyone's spirits were lifted.

What can boost morale more than hope in the face of adversity?

“So,” Thales’ eyes lit up, “as long as we…”

Putila nodded.

The thin deputy envoy pursed his lips: "They are on the defensive and will stop us from getting close at all costs to avoid any accidents."

To hell with being overly cautious.

Confidence shone in Putila's eyes: "Let's begin now,"

"We are hunters."

"They're the attackers!"

(End of this chapter)