Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 253 I can help you

In the Hall of Heroes, the dusty-faced boy stared in astonishment at the five indifferent dukes.

Cold sweat trickled down his forehead.

The five dukes' eyes remained cold.

"Tap...tap..."

The footsteps outside the hall grew closer.

Thales breathed heavily, feeling his mouth dry and his heart pounding faster and faster.

In that instant, many images flashed through Thales' mind.

Nicolai, Putile, Maierke, Cohen, Miranda, Rafael, Rolf, Wyatt...

And the little rascal.

these people……

Whatever their reasons, they believed in themselves and followed their own path to this point.

No.

and many more.

Thales clenched his fists tightly—he couldn't fall here.

"Tap...tap..."

The footsteps of the guards outside the hall were already clearly audible.

He cannot fail.

No!

"Alright, this is just a minor incident," Grand Duke Lombard said, shaking his head coldly as he looked at Thales' expression, before turning to the others.

"We have more important things to do..."

Thales made up his mind and looked up at the grand dukes:
"Believe me, I didn't want to do this either."

The next moment, the second prince did not hesitate and drew JC's dagger.

The dukes were taken aback and looked at each other in bewilderment.

Rumba's expression grew increasingly cold.

"What?" Trudida shook his head, amused.
"Are you going to challenge us to another duel, Little Prince?"

Thales stared intently at the grand dukes, without uttering a word.

Two guards appeared at the hall entrance. Grand Duke Lyco had already turned to them, ready to order Thales to be taken away.

Thales turned around and looked resolutely at the nearest brazier.

Watching it burn fiercely on the triangular high-speed rail frame.

time……

He needs more time.

The second prince took a deep breath, and the sins of the River of Hell surged up his arms at his command.

In that instant, Thales felt his hands were filled with power.

The image of Yara throwing the sniper knife on Red Street flashed before his eyes.

The next second, the second prince swung his arm decisively and threw JC with all his might!

The dagger was shot with great force towards the brazier.

The dukes' eyes all sharpened!
"Keng——"

The dagger struck the brazier solidly, the crisp metallic clang echoing through the hall.

All the grand dukes watched Thales's actions in shock.

The brazier was knocked askew by the dagger, lost its balance, and eventually fell off the iron frame.

"Clang... Clang... Boom!"

The loud thuds of the brazier hitting the ground echoed continuously.

The firewood and charcoal above were scattered all over the ground, sparks flying everywhere.

Archduke Aurelius frowned: "Hey, you are..."

But before he could finish speaking, he was surprised to see Thales put his hands around his mouth and turn towards the entrance of the stone hall.

Amidst the incredulous expressions of the five dukes, the second prince roared in a gruff voice, "An assassin!"

"Protect the Grand Duke!"

The dukes' expressions all changed!
"Dang Cang..."

The sound of the brazier hitting the ground still echoed throughout the hall, so loud that it could be clearly heard even outside.

Upon entering the hall, the two Black Sand Territory soldiers, bewildered by what had happened, exchanged a surprised glance.

next second.

"Qiang!"

"Keng!"

The sound of countless swords being drawn immediately echoed from outside the hall!

Grand Duke Lombard reacted the fastest. As soon as he recovered from his shock, he turned around and ordered towards the outside of the hall, "Hold on..."

But before he could finish speaking, the hall erupted in a commotion, drowning out his voice:

"Get out of the way!"

"Back off! Black Sand Territory!"

"Stop them!"

"You guys hold your positions! Two of you come in with me!"

"Your Excellency, please answer me..."

"Tighten the crossbow string, don't panic!"

Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside the hall, with shouts, shoving, and even the sounds of clashing blades and metallic clanging!
Extremely chaotic.

Thales gasped for breath, clutching his right arm with his left hand to relieve the soreness and cramps from overexertion.

"You all think that I, as the heir to the throne of the Star Kingdom," the prince said painfully, "have risked my life and paid countless prices to come here just to play a joke on you?"

"I was prepared to sacrifice everything long ago."

Thales raised his head and glared defiantly at the displeased Grand Duke Lyco.

“I know what Rumba told you that led you to your current position,” Thales gasped, feeling the pain in his arm growing worse. “But at least listen to what I have to say so you can understand the whole picture—and then make your decision wisely.”

"Because we all know that your next move will affect the future of our two countries, and even more so, your own destiny."

In that instant, Rumba clenched his fists, his eyes filled with endless killing intent as he looked at him.

Aurelius stared intently at Thales, his expression terrifying.

Trudida wore an amused expression, as if he were meeting Thales for the first time.

Ronnie's eyes lit up.

Grand Duke Lecce remained silent, only his brow twitched and his nostrils flared.

The chaos outside the hall continued.

A warrior resembling a guard rushed into the hall, brandishing a knife and mercilessly slashing at the two Black Sand Territory soldiers who had just entered.

"clang!"

The soldiers of Black Sand Territory gritted their teeth and resisted the enemy's attack. The two men exchanged a glance, hesitating whether to retaliate.

"Your Excellency Duke Lecco, we have heard unusual sounds..." The guard with a blade raised his hand, his face contorted in a ferocious grimace.
“I knew it, nothing would happen if those bastards from Black Sand Territory tried to break in…”

Just now.

"boom!"

There was a loud bang.

In the chaos, Grand Duke Leco slammed his fist hard on the table, startling everyone.

“Northerners!” he roared furiously. “Extermen!”

Thales was stunned; he had never seen the Grand Duke so majestic.

It was as if the old man who was about to die in the past was just an illusion.

Grand Duke Leco, like an enraged elephant, roared at the people outside the hall, "If you are still warriors, then hold your ground!"

"Neither we nor Charman are dead yet!"

A few seconds later, the arguing outside the hall subsided.

The guard with the white blade paused slightly, glanced around the hall, and only after seeing the dukes' current situation did he sheathe his sword and retreat.

“Lord Justin, just keep an eye on the people outside,” Rumba said coldly from the other side, “I only need to get rid of this child…”

"Chaman!"

Grand Duke Leco turned his head and looked at Rumba with a stern gaze, his urging clear: "Not now."

The Grand Duke of Black Sands frowned.

“I thought you had already made your choice,” Rumba said with an unfriendly expression, “Don’t forget, he is the heir to the Star Kingdom!”

Leko's face turned cold.

Trudida raised an eyebrow.

Thales' heart skipped a beat.

“Then you have even less to worry about, don’t you?” Grand Duke Ronnie, who had been silent all along, raised his head, his eyes sharp: “In this game, we have already taken their heir and the chips of victory into our hands.”

"Foolproof."

Thales moved slightly.

Am I the "winning chip"?
In other words, these grand dukes are indeed preparing to...

The gazes of the several dukes all turned toward the Black Sand Duke, their expressions complex.

Rumba remained silent, his gaze shifting between Leko's stern expression and Ronnie's indifferent face.

“Your Excellency, if you encounter any difficulties,” one of the Black Sand Territory soldiers, sensing the strange atmosphere in the room, glanced at the dukes, gripped his sword hilt, and said to Rumba with a cold face, “we will not hesitate to give the order, no matter who we are facing.”

The guardsman facing them with a blade snorted coldly.

Grand Duke Ronnie gave Rumba an unpleasant look.

Thales did his best to suppress the beating of his heart.

well.

This situation indicates that the two sides are still in a highly tense standoff, and the alliance between Lombardy and the Grand Dukes has only just been reached.

still have a chance.

Even if there's no chance...

Just like Rumba did at Dragon Keep—Tails bit his tongue, his expression resolute: I must create my own opportunities!
Never give up.

Never admit defeat.

Just as Serena taught him vigilance and suspicion in the failed alliance.

Just like Jann Kevin Deer, who was caught in a friendly trap, taught him hypocrisy and sanctimoniousness.

Just as Noon Walton taught him decisiveness and caution through the power and death of a king.

This was the man—Tales raised his head, looking resolutely at the Black Sand Grand Duke with an uncertain expression—the most valuable lesson he had taught Thales in the bloodshed and darkness, in terror and nightmares.

Chaman Rumba!

silence.

The chaos and noise outside the hall continued.

After a few breaths, the Black Sand Grand Duke loosened his clenched fist.

He slowly exhaled, his face losing its chill.

“We’re fine, you can go out now.” Rumba looked at the two soldiers and nodded stiffly.

"Those outside," Grand Duke Lombard turned again and roared towards the outside of the hall, "Tell ILS to hold his position and remain vigilant!"

Grand Duke Lecco's expression softened.

Ronnie smiled.

"Lord Justin, please step out as well," the First Duke said calmly. "As you can see, we still have some matters to discuss."

Lord Justin of the White Blade Guard paused for a moment, then slowly nodded.

He glanced at the little boy with a face covered in soot who had suddenly appeared, suppressed his suspicions, and followed the soldiers of Black Sand Territory out of the hall.

A dozen seconds later, the commotion outside the hall stopped.

The atmosphere seemed to have returned to that tense moment.

As Thales watched all this, he slowly calmed his breathing, only to find himself drenched in cold sweat.

really.

Nikolai is right: Welcome to the North.

To earn the respect of the tough northerners, you must act like an iron-willed warrior.

The next second, Grand Duke Lecco sat down heavily in his seat.

“You have one minute to say what you have to say, you audacious troublemaker,” the eldest duke said, looking at the prince of the stars with an icy expression. “Otherwise, I don’t mind personally ‘escorting’ you out.”

Aurelius glanced at the brazier and dagger on the ground and added coldly, "Then I'll send you to the gallows with the crime you've always dreamed of."

"For example: assassinating the Grand Duke."

The other three dukes had different expressions.

Thales swallowed hard.

As was his habit, he forced a smile and took three deep breaths.

It was as if a soft and pleasant voice was ringing in his ears again:

Just treat it as another game.

The prince raised his head and faced the five dukes, who were standing silently opposite each other on either side of the rectangular table.

One of them was a thin, frail little boy with a dilapidated appearance.

On one side were five tall, imposing men, dressed in fine clothes.

"Assassinate the Grand Duke? Your threat doesn't surprise me at all, Grand Duke Aurelius."

Oleshu pursed one side of his lips.

Thales could feel his blood still surging, but he still spoke slowly in the calmest voice: "I know that Rumba must have suggested that you pin the blame for the king's death on me, on the Star Kingdom, and then unite and march south with the whole country."

The prince's voice echoed in the stone hall: "Isn't it a pretext to wage war and seize the lands and wealth of the stars, under the guise of avenging King Nuen?"

"Compared to this, the crime of assassinating the Grand Duke is nothing at all."

The words fell.

Apart from Rumba, the four grand dukes had different reactions.

Trudida looked at Leko with great interest, but the old duke just stared straight at Thales without saying a word.

Ronnie gave a soft snort and nudged Aurelius beside him.

Grand Duke Lecco coughed.

“Based on what I heard last time,” the First Duke replied directly but politely, “Prince Thales, someone meticulously planned this assassination, and the shadow of the Secret Society is behind the disaster. Star cannot escape blame no matter what.”

“At this very moment,” a strange light flashed in Grand Duke Lyco’s eyes, “as the representative of the stars, Thales Starlight…”

“You are the one who should be held responsible for His Majesty’s death—there is no doubt about that.”

Thales frowned.

The other party's rhetoric cleverly and perfectly avoided any suspicious points or loopholes.

Moreover, judging from their attitude, a direct rebuttal would be ineffective.

The embers on the ground burned out completely and slowly died down.

How to do?
Thales forced a soft chuckle and scanned each of the grand dukes:
"Did we Star People bribe the 'Flower of Assassins,' who has a deep-seated grudge against the Starry Sky Family, to carry out the assassination?"

Grand Duke Ronnie frowned.

The prince continued, "And what a coincidence that Rumba led his army into the city, captured the First Gate and Valhalla, and is meeting you here?"

Aurelius looked at him coldly.

“But none of that matters,” the second prince of the Starry Sky said, straightening his chest and speaking seriously and cautiously. “My lords, I do not consider you fools.”

“Therefore, please treat me sincerely, put aside unnecessary rhetoric and hypocrisy, and lay out your bargaining chips and conditions,” Thales said coldly through gritted teeth. “In any case, given our respective positions, nothing that happens in this hall will be spread.”

Rumba gave an impatient look: "Hmph."

The dukes turned their heads and exchanged glances, at least two pairs of eyes filled with astonishment.

“How interesting,” Trudida said, shaking his head and clicking his tongue with a mixture of disdain and intrigue.
"Little boy, do you want to join the adults' game of chess?"

Thales was in a state of high tension and ignored him.

He must find a breakthrough.

Most importantly, how did Rumba convince them?

Is it really as I think...?

Thales took a deep breath and gritted his teeth: "I want to know what Rumba actually said to you."

Grand Duke Aurelius crossed his arms and looked at Rumba, only to find the latter's face stiff.

“What did he promise you?” Thales gritted his teeth.

"land?"

"wealth?"

"that power?"

"future?"

With each word Thales uttered, he carefully observed the expressions of the dukes.

Upon hearing this, Trudida narrowed his eyes and revealed a malicious smile.

The prince clenched his fists and swallowed hard: "Or..."

Thales frowned:
"Those things that might threaten your survival?"

In that instant, Thales felt a chill run through his body.

Chaman Lumba's gaze was like that of a predatory beast, filled with aggression, fixed intently on him.

But compared to the discomfort in the military camp, the fear in the shield area, and the tension in the carriage...

At this moment, Thales felt incredibly calm as he faced Rumba's gaze.

It's like the relief a scout feels when he finally finds the enemy's location on the eve of a battle.

Seeing Rumba's reaction—the blood in Thales' heart began to boil, and he vaguely sensed that he had grasped the key.

Compared to Rumba, the expressions of the other dukes were also quite interesting.

“This is beyond the scope of our conversation,” Trudida said impatiently. “What do you say?”

Recalling what Slacker had said, and what the little rascal had said, Thales became even more certain of his suspicions.

Now, he must know exactly how much, what, and to what extent Lumba said to them in order to get these dukes to agree to a deal with him.

At that moment, Rumba's cold laugh echoed through the hall.

"Your performance has impressed me greatly, Your Highness," the Grand Duke of Black Sands said, though he was smiling, his perpetually stern face betrayed no hint of genuine joy.
"But the games adults play are cruel."

Trudida frowned slightly and exchanged a glance with Aurelius beside him.

Thales was slightly taken aback.

Rumba slowly walked to the side of the hall, blocking the firelight from one side and leaving a long, dark shadow that obscured Thales' expression.

"But wait until you're older, until you can command a nation with a mere gesture, before you come and question us," the Grand Duke of Black Sands said coldly.
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the several dukes suddenly hardened.

Thales frowned: Rumba has begun to fight back.

His weapon of retaliation was not his age, but rather...

“I look forward to that day, years from now, decades from now,” Rumba turned his head, a dangerous glint in his eyes: “When you become a wise and enlightened king, what an interesting opponent the Star Kingdom under your rule will be.”

The moment Rumba finished speaking, Thales sensed that the gazes of the other grand dukes had changed.

“It’s exciting to think about,” Rumba looked down at him, then turned to the other grand dukes, his tone cold: “What do you say?”

The temperature in the hall seemed to drop by half instantly.

The dukes exchanged glances, then all turned to look at Thales, as if sizing him up.

But this time, their expressions were far less cheerful and relaxed than before.

Not good.

Grand Duke Trudida coughed softly.

“Prince Thales, I admire your courage, but you haven’t said anything meaningful, only sowing discord and spreading alarm. I even suspect you’re stalling for time,” the Grand Duke of Rebuilding the Tower lowered his head, making his eyes appear even more sinister.

"The people of the North are not people who can be easily fooled."

Trudida looked at Leko.

The latter's expression turned solemn. He nodded slightly and turned to look outside the hall: "I think we should stop here."

Thales' heart skipped a beat.

What did Rumba just say? The Star Kingdom?

But Archduke Raikó had already opened his mouth.

Seeing that he had fallen into a bad situation because of Rumba's words, the second prince suddenly realized something and blurted out without thinking:
"Wait a minute!"

The dukes paused slightly.

“I don’t know what my future holds,” Thales’ breathing quickened, and he frowned as his right arm began to throb again. “Chaman Rumba, but you are a formidable opponent, without a doubt.”

Rumba's eyes flashed with a fierce light.

Thales gritted his teeth, looking at Trudida's smile and Lyco's solemn expression: "What kind of silver tongue could make the dukes accept your explanation, accept your regicide with a clear conscience, turn a blind eye to your sin of ignoring the co-rule oath of Nekaru, and ignore the threat you pose to the Kingdom of Exter?"

The second prince's words caused the grand dukes to frown.

Thales steadied his breathing, his heart pounding with anxiety. He could no longer afford to probe, and bluntly blurted out what he knew: "Now I understand. They don't fear you, they fear your attempt to convince them that the Star Kingdom will eventually become..."

The dukes all changed color.

at this time.

"enough!"

Thales paused, the rest of his words stuck in his throat.

It wasn't Rumba or Trudida who interrupted him.

It was Aurelius, not him.

The Grand Duke of Wilan coldly spoke up: "Who do you think you are? To stand here and sow discord between the Grand Dukes without any restraint?"

Thales frowned: It seems that the territory of Weyland has become a staunch supporter of the Grand Duke of Black Sand.

Very bad.

They failed to find a key breakthrough point and also failed to figure out their opponent's hand.

That "General" move was unable to be executed.

Judging from the dukes' expressions... if they act too early, it might backfire.

"play off?"

“You’re all standing here now, united for Exter, like family,” Thales said, struggling to find a way to keep the conversation going. He pointed to Rumba. “But does that jackal who killed the chief think the same way? Do you know that his plan to assassinate King Nunn was originally intended to…”

He was interrupted again.

“Here we go again,” Grand Duke Trudida raised his head, chin in front of Thales’s contorted expression, and said sarcastically, “Prince Thales from the stars, what gives you the right to say these words here, to plead for King Nuen?”

"Stop making baseless accusations."

Thales was speechless.

"Yes."

“Even setting aside the suspicion of assassinating the king, you are nothing more than a foreign prince and should not be here in the first place,” Archduke Aurelius sneered, shaking his head at him with an unfriendly expression, and said coldly, “Don’t interfere in our internal affairs.”

Not good.

Very bad.

He had already initiated dialogue, attempting to get the dukes to talk to him as equals, as if he were an opponent.

In this way, they can find the conditions that Rumba gave them and launch a counterattack.

But… Thales bit his lip, his heart filled with anxiety: Rumba, on the contrary, took advantage of his intentions—the Grand Dukes truly regarded him as a dangerous adversary in the future.

Because of insufficient bargaining chips, because of the bad situation, and because of his own special performance just now, Rumba's single sentence provoked the dukes' hostility towards him—Tails clenched his fist and looked at the three dukes, Lyco, Trudida, and Aurelius, with difficulty.

How to do?
Lombard sighed: "If I may be so bold, the Prime Minister of Lisbon still has a misunderstanding with us that needs to be cleared up—he's already waiting for us at the city gate."

The dukes exchanged glances and nodded slightly.

Grand Duke Lyco nodded expressionlessly: "It's time to let the guards in—or we can escort him out ourselves."

"Then go do what needs to be done for Exter."

In that instant, Thales felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

As he watched Grand Duke Leco slowly rise, his heart pounded faster and faster.

So many sacrifices...

The future of two countries...

Is this where the decision will be made...?

How to do.

How to do?
Just now.

A familiar yet terrifying voice rang in Thales's ear:

"I can help you."

The second prince shuddered violently!
That is……

Thales felt his hair stand on end, and under the strange gazes of the several dukes, he turned pale and broke out in a cold sweat.

The dukes seemed to have no reaction to the voice, as if they hadn't heard it at all.

The prince forcefully suppressed his urge to look around.

Thales' heart was pounding uncontrollably!
It's him.

It's him!

He hasn't left yet.

They haven't left yet!
“As long as all these people die here, the truth about Dragon City will be covered up,” the pleasant male voice continued to reach Thales’ ears, full of deep temptation: “Everything you worry about, and everyone you care about, will have an acceptable ending.”

"but……"

The prince's breathing became more and more rapid.

His face showed fear and hesitation.

Thales clenched his fists tightly, staring at the ground.

The dukes, who were completely unaware of what was happening, looked at each other and couldn't help but laugh.

It seems he's just a child.

Rumba made no attempt to hide his cold smile.

"Do you want to go out on your own, or should we escort you out?" Archduke Aurelius walked up to the absent-minded Thales and asked coldly.

Thales didn't answer him, he just kept breathing heavily and trembling.

Unbeknownst to others, the voice drifted eerily into Thales' ears from the void:

"The condition is: you give up everything and come with me."

Come with me.

In that instant, Thales, in a daze, suddenly remembered what High Priest Holm had told him in the Temple of the Bright Moon:
One day, you will face another important choice—or even a crucial decision.

[At that time... you might remember what I said today.]

Be careful with your choices.

"Make a decision quickly, I can't wait much longer," the voice in his ear urged him softly, "The legendary anti-magic weapon is just around the corner."

Thales raised his head with difficulty, looking heavily at the five grand dukes before him.

Kill them all?
Go with him?
How should he choose?

"How is it, Thales Shining Star?"

In the still air, unnoticed by anyone, the air mage, Ashida Sakorn, who had returned, said softly, "Will you accept your fate as a mage, or will you end your future here?"

If you were Thales, what would you choose?

Chapter 66 has been significantly revised; subscribers can check it out.

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(End of this chapter)