Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 250 The Moment of Confrontation (Part 2)

In the Hall of Heroes, the four dukes looked at each other in bewilderment.

“He’s in trouble, otherwise he wouldn’t be in such a hurry,” Grand Duke Ronnie frowned as he watched Chaman Lomba walk out of the hall alone. “Probably the Prime Minister of Lisbon.”

Grand Duke Trudida gave a soft snort.

His rapidly rubbing hands betrayed his feelings, and he let out a deep breath.

“That’s not the problem now,” the Grand Duke of Rebuilding the Tower’s voice was as sharp and strange as ever. Trudida gestured with his lip toward Lumba’s departing figure: “You know—how to choose?”

He looked at the other grand dukes with a serious expression.

Ronnie sighed, his expression full of doubt: "Do you believe him?"

"The Star People are...different now?"

Ronnie unconsciously clenched his fist.

The dukes remained silent.

Only Archduke Aurelius stood by the brazier, shaking his head.

“I don’t know, Kulikun, I really don’t know,” the bearded duke said with a worried expression. “But I think there’s something we all know very well.”

All three dukes looked at him.

Rebian Aurelius raised his head and slowly walked over to them.

At that moment, his heart was heavy.

“In the decade or so that we are in turmoil because of the king’s death,” the Grand Duke of Wilan’s voice was filled with an inexplicable force, “the working-age population of the Stars will recover to pre-war levels, and both agriculture, animal husbandry and commerce will be restored to their former glory.”

The dukes stirred slightly.

“In the past, it would have just been another fight.”

“But what Rumba just said…” Aurelius slowly shook his head, his gaze serious: “You all heard it.”

Trudida's eyes lit up, and he snapped his fingers: "So?"

Grand Duke Ronnie's soft hum came from the side, interrupting them.

“I don’t know if you’ve noticed,” the long-haired Grand Duke Ronnie glanced at the other three, “but it seems that after Rumba finished telling his story, you’ve forgotten Exter’s pride and creed, and even more so, you’ve forgotten the fact that he murdered the king?”

He shook his head slightly: "This is not what we agreed on."

Grand Duke Lecce, who hadn't spoken for a long time, gently tapped the table.

“Believe me, Kulikun, believe in my respect for Exter,” the old duke raised his head and said slowly but seriously, “but even if only one percent of what Chaman Lumba said is true, I am not willing to risk underestimating the potential danger—even if it will be borne by our descendants.”

The three dukes tensed up.

“Punishing Rumba is to maintain the balance and tacit understanding within Exster, ensuring that the rights of each of us are not violated,” Lyco said calmly. “But if one day Exster is no longer powerful, and foreign enemies can easily breach our defenses and set foot on our territory…”

He slowly frowned, and his clasped hands tightened more and more.

"Our family, which we have painstakingly protected and maintained, is dedicated to continuing our bloodline of honor..."

"Descendants and offspring nurtured with utmost care, territories governed with painstaking effort..."

"And what will happen to them?"

All the grand dukes fell silent.

Trudida scoffed: "You still expect the Star People to preserve our rights and identities, like their imperial ancestors did, allowing us to continue ruling this land as lords?"

Ronnie didn't say anything.

“It certainly won’t be Aurelius,” Archduke Aurelius added coldly. “Hundreds of years ago, Tormund almost wiped us out, and then he built the Star Kingdom on the land and bones of the Aurelius family.”

Silence once again.

But everyone knew they had to make a decision.

“To put it simply, I’ve started to consider Rumba’s proposal,” Trudida turned around, spread his hands, raised his eyebrows, and tentatively said, “but after I’ve considered it—in case, I mean in case… I don’t want to make excuses to deceive you and sneak out alone to reach an agreement with Rumba, so I’m making this clear upfront.”

He shook his head and looked at the other three: "What do you guys say?"

Aurelius shook his head inwardly: What a cunning fellow; even his words sound like he's walking a mountain path.

"Do you know what this decision means?" Grand Duke Ronnie's gaze grew sharper and sharper as he coldly asked, "Where do you place our co-elected king?"

“I don’t know where he is, but I’m sure his soul and body aren’t together,” Trudida shrugged, frowning.
“You must admit that Rumba’s offer is very tempting.”

Ronnie looked at him disdainfully: "A portion of the land, or a portion of the stars?"

Trudida blinked and smiled slightly: "Yes, all of them."

Lyco and Aurelius both pursed their lips tightly and did not answer.

A few seconds later, Archduke Aurelius raised his head, his face solemn: "I participated in that war, and I've seen how the Star People manage their cities—I've never thought about it as much as Rumba has."

"Until now."

His gaze swept over the others, his expression extremely grave: "And the Willan Territory and the Olesch family are both too close to the stars."

Although not as obvious as Bitrudeda, Aurelius's hint was clear enough.

Ronnie frowned.

Grand Duke Lecce sighed deeply.

“Very well,” the First Duke said wearily, turning to Ronnie. “I understand what you’re thinking, but I think Rumba’s existence is still within our control, and we can even postpone dealing with it. But the threat from the stars…”

He paused.

"The unruly Rumba and the increasingly powerful Star Kingdom," Grand Duke Lyco said slowly, "whom would we rather choose as our adversary?"

The three dukes all looked at Ronnie with complicated expressions.

Ronnie stared intently at the Soul-Slaying Gun rack above the fireplace behind the rectangular table.

A few seconds later.

“Before that, you must know,” Grand Duke Kulikun Ronni of Qiyuan City finally spoke slowly, his eyes sharp as he looked at the others: “I will not choose Rumba as king under any circumstances.”

Ronnie shook his head firmly: "Impossible."

“Very good,” Trudida said with a sigh of relief, shaking his head. “I don’t know either.”

The dukes exchanged glances, conveying a mysterious and subtle emotion.

A few seconds later, they both burst out laughing in unison.

The consensus among the dukes had already been reached through unspoken, veiled language.

But their laughter gradually subsided.

Rumba's footsteps came from outside the hall.

“It seems you’ve come to a conclusion.” Chaman Lumba’s voice rang out in the hall.

The four dukes turned towards the Grand Duke of Black Sands.

Rumba's steps remained steady, and his posture was still agile, but the vicissitudes on his face only deepened.

"Is there anything we should know?" Grand Duke Leco narrowed his eyes.

Rumba walked to the rectangular table, looked at his colleagues, and slowly nodded.

"Yes."

“Lisban has surprised me,” the Grand Duke of Black Sands sighed. “His men have already begun attacking the city gates.”

The expressions of the several dukes all tightened.

Previously, this news would have been like a godsend for them.

but now……

“So, before facing him,” Rumba’s eyes sharpened, “we must make a decision.”

He stared coldly at the four dukes, but this time, his aura was stronger and more imposing than ever before.

“It’s a lose-lose situation for both of us here,” Rumba gritted his teeth.
"Or will you build your new empire in Dragoncity and save Exter?"

silence.

A suffocating silence that lasted much longer than ever before.

The dukes' gazes met countless times in the air.

at last.

Grand Duke Lecce nodded slightly.

“Chaman,” the eldest prince turned to Lumba with trembling hands, his eyes flashing with wisdom and vigilance: “First, you must understand one thing.”

Rumba squinted.

The other dukes stared coldly at Rumba.

Grand Duke Lecce slowly stood up and walked to the center of the hall.

The eldest duke slowly stretched out his hand, raised his palm to the side in front of his chest, and said calmly, "This is all for Exter."

“Rogers, Lyco,” Grand Duke Lyco said calmly.

A flicker of emotion flashed in Rumba's eyes as he looked at Leko.

But when he pressed his left hand against the sword at his waist, that slight fluctuation immediately transformed into unwavering resolve and fierce determination.

“Of course.” Chaman Lumba stepped forward with a solemn expression.

"Chaman Lumba".

Grand Duke Black Sands extended his right hand and grabbed Grand Duke Lecco's hand.

His tone left no room for argument:

"For Exter."

As the two dukes' eyes met, their clasped hands shook forcefully in the air.

According to ancient northern customs, an alliance was formed by swearing an oath with the palm of the hand.

Grand Duke Trudida raised an eyebrow slightly and stepped between the two:
"Perseus Trudida".

"For Dragon Sky City..."

Upon hearing the name of the place, everyone else frowned in unison.

Trudida smiled slightly, winked, and added meaningfully, "...with Exter."

He placed his palm on the two hands that were tightly clasped together.

Rumba gave a cold laugh.

Aurelius sighed deeply and walked to the opposite side of Trudida.

His expression turned extremely serious.

“Rabian Aurelius.” “For survival.”

Aurelius nodded briefly and decisively to the others, clasped his right hand, and joined the oath of the three.

The four dukes clasped hands tightly and looked together at the only remaining person in the room.

Grand Duke Ronnie pursed his lips, staring intently at the ground.

one second.

two seconds.

Just as Trudida was beginning to worry, Grand Duke Ronnie suddenly threw off his cloak, walked to Rumba's side, and looked at Grand Duke Black Sand.

Rumba looked back at him without flinching.

Ronnie shifted his gaze and glanced at the others.

The next second, without hesitation, the Duke of Qiyuan City reached out and grabbed the hands of the four people.

"Kurikun Ronnie".

He spoke softly, with a meaningful tone:
"For the North."

Black Sand Territory, Guardian City, Reconstruction Tower, Weyland Territory, Prayer City.

The alliance of the five dukes was thus established.

----

On the upper floor of the Hall of Heroes, in a secluded corridor, the soldiers of Black Sand Territory stood guard, leaving the open space in the middle for the commander and prisoners.

“You know, ever since that conversation in the snow, I’ve been very interested in you—Mr. Deputy Envoy, Lord Neman.”

Viscount Cambida of Black Sand Territory looked at Putila, who was now a prisoner, and sighed: "I've asked some friends to investigate you."

Putila frowned slightly: "So what else have you found out?"

Viscount Cambida approached the bound Putila and smiled slightly.

“Quite a lot,” the Viscount of Menton nodded slowly. “As Prince Midil’s attendant, you are far more than you appear on the surface.”

Putila narrowed her eyes: "For example?"

“The people in the Dark Room don’t understand your system very well, and they always treat you as Prince Midil’s servant,” Kambida scoffed. “They don’t care much about what happened to you in the Foreign Affairs Department after you left the court.”

"So I focused my investigation on your whereabouts after you left the palace during this period."

Putila's expression shifted slightly.

"Lydon twenty-four years ago..." Cambida said calmly.

Putila frowned.

But Kambida continued:

"Longing City twenty-two years ago, Steel City nineteen years ago, Qilin Capital fifteen years ago, Golden Corridor fourteen years ago, Dragon-Slaying Fortress twelve years ago, Crystal Jade City ten years ago, and the Wasteland five years ago," Viscount Kanbida said with a smile, listing each place name with a cheerful tone.
"You've been to so many places!"

Putila looked solemnly at the viscount before her and sighed softly.

“The Foreign Affairs Department has a lot of work to do,” he said briefly.

Kambida shrugged.

“I’m afraid it’s not just a lot of work,” the Viscount walked up behind him and shook his head. “Do I need to remind you?”

Putila did not speak.

Kambida began pacing around him, speaking as she did so.

"Twenty-four years ago, there was the struggle for succession in the Hambul royal family; twenty-two years ago, there was the rebellion of Anlunzo; nineteen years ago, there was the blood feud between the Holy Tree Court and the Hall of Kings; fifteen years ago, King Yao ascended the throne; fourteen years ago, there was the civil war of the Free Alliance that swept the surrounding areas; the Year of Blood need not be mentioned; there was also the Merfolk attack on the ship ten years ago and the Desert War five years ago."

Just like before, Kambida uttered several nouns.

The Viscount stopped in front of Putila, halting his narration, and calmly observed Putila's expression.

But Putila just stared intently at him without saying a word.

"The attendant to the eldest son of King Midir, former second-class civil servant in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, former viscount, Lord Putila Neman." Kambida exhaled slowly, narrowing his eyes.
"It seems that wherever the war is, you are there too?"

Putila frowned slightly: "Really? I don't remember at all."

“Or…” Viscount Kambida’s eyes were peculiar, and he changed the subject.

“Wherever you go,” Cambida smirked, “there is war there”

Putila burst out laughing.

"You certainly have a good sense of humor," the deputy envoy shook his head and chuckled, "So, according to you, the chaos in Dragon Sky City is also because of my arrival?"

Kambida's expression changed.

A meticulous and leak-proof guy.

"You don't seem nervous?" The Viscount's tone turned cold. "Your Excellency."

Putila raised an eyebrow: "Should I be nervous?"

Kambida sneered.

He turned around and glanced at the surrounding decorations, revealing the rough and chaotic style of Valhalla: "I know that you have divided your forces into multiple groups in an attempt to distract us and cover up a crucial step in the complex court—perhaps you are part of it."

Putila squinted and nodded seriously.

“And you handled it very well, Viscount Cambida,” the deputy envoy said helplessly. “You were neither easily swayed by us nor rigidly held your ground. Instead, you dispatched a small number of elite troops to harass us continuously and hinder our approach.”

Kambida whirled around, his gaze sharp as an arrow, and shot towards Putila.

“Every path leading to the Hall of Heroes, across all six levels, is heavily guarded,” Cambida’s voice turned cold and decisive. “We know every secret passage in Valhalla, and even the windows and watchtowers are watched—I know you have a flying ability user, and believe me, our archers will make a lasting impression on him outside the window.”

Kambida coldly asserted:

"Whether it's Nicolai or anyone else, even if the Wrath of the Kingdom arrives here, you won't be able to get close to the hall or harm the Grand Duke."

Putila met his eyes, her gaze revealing a profound and intriguing meaning: "Really?"

Kambida frowned.

why.

Why is he still so confident?

Cambida gritted his teeth and asked the question that had been nagging at him: "Why did you walk right into our trap?"

Putila sighed deeply.

“Because I’m not at ease,” the deputy envoy said calmly, “I’ve come to make a final confirmation—especially here.”

Kambida's heart skipped a beat: "Confirm what?"

Putila blinked, revealing a sly expression.

"We've confirmed that you're not afraid of the cold and that you haven't brought in any firewood."

Kambida's expression changed.

Putila smiled slightly.

The next second, Kambida's face turned deathly pale. He turned around abruptly and asked one of his subordinates, "Have the fireplaces in the Hall of Heroes and the chimneys leading to the top floor been checked?"

Putila raised an eyebrow: "Oh, you're quick on the uptake."

Cambida's subordinates approached him, frowning. "We've checked everything. To guard against assassins, there's a metal mesh on every level of the Hall of Heroes' chimneys. A normal person simply can't get through."

He shook his head: "If they try to sneak into the hall from there, they'll have to break through at least six layers of mesh, and the commotion will definitely be detected by us..."

At that moment, Kambida felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

"The grid... normal people... can't pass it?"

Kambida turned with difficulty to Putila, his face grim: "That prince, that boy..."

"Where is he?"

----

In the Hall of Heroes, the five dukes clasped hands, looked into each other's eyes, and nodded slightly.

“Very good,” Rumba said with a determined look at the other four, “as the first step in our united efforts.”

"It's time to explain the 'truth' about the King's death to our Prime Minister."

"From today onwards, the Kingdom of Exter will turn a new page."

The four dukes' expressions turned solemn.

Just now.

"Thump!" A strange sound suddenly came from the hall.

"Damn it, the rope isn't long enough..." a childish voice rang out:

"That's the last one... Get over there... Ah!"

The five dukes were slightly startled.

"Clang!" A strange impact sound.

Before the five dukes could react, a dark, round ball suddenly fell from the large fireplace under the Soul-Slaying Spear rack on the other side of the rectangular table.
Large amounts of dust were stirred up.

The five dukes turned their heads in unison, and were all taken aback.

Amidst the swirling dust, the small, charred ball stretched out its limbs and suddenly rose to its feet.

Amidst violent coughing, "Sphere" frantically waved its hands, then scurried away from the deadly dust and ash of the fireplace: "Cough cough—"

The "round ball" fell to the edge of the rectangular table, barely escaping the onslaught of dust.

The five dukes still held each other's hands, staring in astonishment at the small, dark "sphere".

It stood up cursing and swearing, and pulled off a piece of black cloth from its dark face, revealing the fair lower half of its face.

It coughed twice more before carefully folding the black cloth and stuffing it into its dark pocket.

"Ah, Merry Christmas—Pshaw, pshaw—hello everyone," the sphere raised its charred head, wiped the charcoal-like blackness from its face, and flashed a set of bright white teeth at them. "My lords, I'm sorry, the grid in the chimney is a bit narrow."

The five dukes slowly released each other's hands, looking at the small, uninvited guest in disbelief.

Rumba's face was filled with suppressed anger, Aurelius was utterly shocked, Trudida seemed thoughtful, Leco frowned, and Ronnie's gaze was icy.

"You don't mind if I join, do you?"

The boy, his face covered in dust and his skin as black as a bottomless abyss, smiled at the five dukes who had just finished their oath and were now staring in disbelief.

As he wiped the charcoal ash from his face, he mimicked the gesture by extending his right palm:
"Tales Shining Star".

"For... Exter?"

(End of this chapter)