Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 27 Negotiation
No one reacted in time; they were all stunned.

“You—” Nekra was still in shock when she realized that Thales was calling out to her.

Wild—stray dog?
The red viper's expression shifted from confusion to surprise, and finally to shame and anger.

"What did you say—you damn little brat!"

One of the Blood Bottle gang members nudged his colleague next to him, giving him a "things are not good" look.

The handsome Eastrend realized what was happening, and his expression became incredibly complex, with twitches and tremors running through him, a mixture of embarrassment and awkwardness.

This little brat is such a good actor—is he a lead actor in a play at the Temple of the Underworld?

Nekra clenched his fists. He could feel his subordinates exchanging glances—their boss had been humiliated in front of everyone by a vampire who had ordered a child to do so!

This bastard!

How could he—how dare he—even the Blood Mage, known for his cruelty and brutality, had never insulted him like this to his face!

Anger surged through Nekra's mind, and he glared at Istrom as if he wanted to tear a piece of flesh from his face!
In Nekra’s view, he was fulfilling his duty by inquiring about the progress of the mission on behalf of the Duke.

However, what did that pretty boy do?
The damned vampire turned and spoke, gesturing to his little follower.

Then, the little rascal understood and stepped forward.

With that smug look, he told Nekra to "get lost, you lowly stray dog."
After hearing what that little bastard said, the vampire's face was filled with a gleeful grin.

They're enjoying humiliating him!
Threatened by the big green-skinned vampire, rejected by the tricolor iris, coerced by that damned vampire, and now by this little bastard in front of me—

As Thales watched the Blood Bottle Gang leader's expression gradually change, and was still considering whether to add some more substance, he suddenly saw a blur before his eyes!
He was lifted up on the spot by the red viper with lightning speed and skill, one hand gripping his neck!
Thales immediately felt short of breath.

This wasn't the first time he'd been choked!

Thales, his face contorted, reached out and grabbed the right hand of the man choking him, just like last time, but this time, he only felt as if he had grasped a piece of steel-like skin!
Nekra's weathered stubble magnified before his eyes, his ferocious expression trembling as his mouth opened and closed.

The red viper stared intently at the vampire opposite him.

"Pretty boy! Your little pet—"

But before he could finish speaking, a chop to the neck suddenly appeared in front of him!
Nekra had no choice but to let go and retreat instantly!

"Boom!"

The two stood still.

With a grim expression, Nekra caught the lightning-fast hand chop that Istrom was about to deliver to his head from the side!

“Since you know it’s my pet, don’t touch it,” the blond Eastren said with a look of disgust. “Short-lived breed!”

Thales fell to the ground out of thin air and began to cough habitually (?).

He secretly vowed never to let anyone choke him again.

That feeling was so painful.

The Blood Bottle gang members around them tensed up, and many of them reached for their weapons with menacing expressions!
“Pretty boy,” Nekra’s face was expressionless, but Thales could sense his dark emotions slowly rising. The Red Viper released the vampire’s hand and slowly, word by word, said:
"Why don't you try calling me by that name again?"

This short-lived creature isn't fast, but its fighting instincts and experience are quite good; it actually managed to grab my right hand.

Even if I can outspeed someone like him, I have to be careful. I didn't realize he was already close to being a master. Istron's heart sank as he pondered his next move.

"What's with that annoyed look?" Eastron's eyes sharpened. "Did I say something wrong? You—"

The next second, the blond nobleman suddenly roared:
"—Short-lived species!"

The words have not yet fallen.

Nekra's fist and Istrom's palm met in mid-air.

In Thales' eyes, the world seemed to stand still the moment the fists and palms clashed.

But the next moment, the sound and the air seemed to ripple together in a visible way.

"bump!"

Just as time seemed to begin flowing again, the sudden gust of wind generated by their fight swept across Thales' face, forcing him to close his eyes!

"Bang! Bang!"

Two more gusts of wind swept by, and Thales rolled backward with his eyes closed, moving a few meters before avoiding the strong winds surrounding Istrom and Nekra!
"You're going to use this speed?" The blond vampire chuckled eerily, then vanished again!
Knowing he wasn't fast enough, Nekra gritted his teeth and threw his next punch!
Estrom's figure moved like a ghost, shifting from one still frame to the next.

Nekra's body, on the other hand, moved like a continuous mechanical wheel, spinning at high speed and becoming increasingly sharp.

Both sides were filled with fervor, and they exchanged six blows in an instant!
The force of the punches and palms forced the Blood Bottle Gang members around to raise their arms to shield themselves, leaving them no way to intervene!

Thales recalled Yara and Rolf's duel during Extreme Movement, but that was a clash of speed and agility, while the current pair of opponents was more like a battle of explosive power.

Istrom stepped back, while Nekra dragged his left foot back as they stared intently at each other.

Wait a minute! Why is this short-lived gangster moving faster and faster? In the end, he even caught up with my speed? This is Eastren frowning.

Hmph! What a slippery vampire! I'll take you down in one move! This is the ferocious-looking Nekra.

Both sides looked serious, sensing the opponent's tenacity and resilience.

The next encounter came without warning.

"vampire!"

Nekra roared, his red coat falling to the ground, his body spinning evenly. As the veins in his right arm bulged, he delivered a powerful and swift right fist toward the vampire's chest.

"Short-lived species".

Istrom spat disdainfully, then bared his fangs, blood mist rising around him, his figure flashing between reality and illusion, his right hand fingers forming visible sharp claws, his palm outstretched, slicing through the air, grabbing at Nekra's throat.

Thales felt a chill run down his spine and, mimicking the actions of the Blood Bottle Gang members around him, quickly raised his arms in front of him to prepare for the next, and possibly the most powerful, gust of wind in their battle.

The two sides unleashed their combined power in mid-air!
Thales closed his eyes tightly.

But the expected strong wind and loud noise did not come!

"Since we've already exchanged greetings," a hoarse voice drifted over, "then let's call it a day."

Thales slowly opened his eyes.

All that could be seen were Istrom's claws and Nekra's heavy punches, both of which were firmly grasped in the hands of an elderly nobleman whose face was as pale and gloomy as a dead man, who suddenly appeared in the arena.

The previous force and energy seemed to dissipate silently and imperceptibly in the old man's palm.

This doesn't make sense. Even if you managed to withstand the impact of their clash—there should be some buffer and momentum, right? How could such a powerful exchange of forces be completely silent?
Thales thought in horror.

The old man turned his head to look at the two men. He saw that Istren's expression was one of resentment, while Nekra's was one of fear and astonishment.

"Extreme Realm," the Red Viper murmured to himself, "and this is a master within the Extreme Realm! This is the strength possessed only by Bloodline Earls, or even Marquises! Such people are rare even among the 'Upper Six Branches' of the Feast Territory!"
The old man gave an ugly smile and instantly released his grip. Without being reminded, the two fighters tacitly took a step back.

“Mr. Nekra, there’s no need to argue with a young man. Please leave now.” His dry lips moved as if he were a puppet.

Nekra looked around at his subordinates and saw that their faces were filled with fear and tension.

Damn it, today is the worst day ever.

He began to understand: without the return of the Blood Mage, nothing would go smoothly for the Blood Bottle Gang.

It seems I have to make a trip to Steel City myself and bring her back at all costs.

Nekra let out a harsh "humph," glanced at the old man, then at Istrom, who was still defiantly glaring at him, and gritted his teeth as he said:
"Okay, okay, okay."

"I hope that His Excellency the Duke and his Knights of the End are as good-natured as I am."

Nekra's face was still flushed, but he didn't say anything more. He waved his hand sharply and led the others away.

"You little bastard, when they drain all the blood from your body,"

As Nekra walked out of the manor, she turned back and glared at Thales, her tone full of malice: "Don't scream too much."

He took the coat handed to him by his subordinate, casually put it on, and the Blood Bottle Gang members left the manor.

Thales silently let out a breath.

He got away with it.

He managed to get away with the matter at the Mindis Hall.

He is safe for now.

But the old man's next words made Thales' heart jump again!

"So, little friend... I guess you're related to their mission in the Mindis Hall... right?"

Chris Corleone turned his head like a puppet, grinning with his wrinkled lips, and said, "The Tricolor Iris and the Blood Bottle Gang—both seem quite interested in you?"

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

"So you mean, the day after he was brought here. You, His Majesty's most trusted aide, former Foreign Minister, the mastermind and signatory of the Fortress Treaty, Count Gilbert Cassel, and you, His Majesty's most reliable secret bodyguard, the 'Nameless One' Yodel Gato, whose background I know nothing about—"

It was a mature female voice that rang out from the ceiling of the Mindis Hall after sunset:

"—Just like that, His Majesty's only child and heir was lost!" Before this mature and composed, forty-year-old black-haired, charming woman dressed in the standard blue-green uniform of a first-class court lady, Gilbert and Yodl both lowered their heads slightly.

Although Gilbert had been somewhat prepared for this person's arrival, he never expected to meet him under such circumstances.

Gilbert felt a headache coming on just thinking about the other person's unusual and awkward identity.

Presumably, the Yordle next to him is the same.

“Yes, Ms. Ginny,” Gilbert said quietly, his voice filled with resentment and regret.

Yodl remained silent, but his left fist slowly clenched.

"You've searched the area for an hour and haven't found any clues?"

“Yes, Ms. Ginny,” Gilbert said with shame.

The gear on the Yodl mask turned slightly.

"And then, our only support—" Ms. Ginny pointed to a lamp in her hand, and said slowly with a tone of sarcasm and anger, "—is this broken lamp, and the little flame in Yodl's arms?"

“Yes, Ms. Ginny.” Poor Gilbert, as always.

Ginny didn't say anything more, staring at them with an unhappy expression for a very long time.

Gilbert's heart sank deeper and deeper.

After a long silence, Ginny finally managed to utter a sound through her nose:

"Humph."

She closed her eyes and slowly said:

"His Majesty's forty-eighth birthday is approaching, and I am certain that the six powerful families are working hard to persuade His Majesty to agree to appoint a crown prince from among the nobles, whether through adoption or succession."

"And that child is our only hope in the darkness."

Ginny took a deep breath, opened her eyes, and said, slowly and deliberately:
"And then, you—lost him!"

Gilbert and Yodl lowered their heads even further.

"Men are really unreliable."

Ginny lowered the Bloodline Lamp onto the ceiling and exhaled dismissively: "Come on, mobilize everyone, let's start the search from the scene where that child disappeared!"

"Even if that child is as intelligent as you say—we can't just sit and wait for that light; that would only prove our incompetence and cowardice!"

Under the night sky, the alluring and mature female official suddenly turned around and, in a tone of reprimanding her subordinates, roared angrily:
"What are you still doing?"

Gilbert and Yodl, as if suddenly awakened, emerged from their sculpted state and stepped forward.

"You two useless men had better—put—a—touch—your—hearts—in—touch!"

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

Thales was forced to sit in a chair in the inner hall of the manor by Eastrend.

He swallowed hard, shifted his buttocks slightly to the side, away from the sticky red substance.

If you ignore the dried-up corpses scattered throughout the hall, the bloodstains (both wet and dry) on the tables and floor, and the three guys in front of you who are clearly not normal people—this place is actually quite nice.

The boy looked at the man, woman, and old man in front of him and gave an awkward but friendly smile, showing his teeth.

“It really is a superior bloodline! This fragrance, my god, Eastren, it seems that your cousin underestimated you before - I thought you were just going for a walk with those humans.”

The sexy woman with the red ponytail, her eyes shining with excitement, bent down and carefully examined Thales.

Thales just opened his mouth and grinned foolishly.

His intuition told him that, apart from showing friendliness and cooperation, nothing he did right now was appropriate.

He even considered secretly cutting his own hand.

But he was certain that these three guys had a better sense of blood than Maurice's angry wolfhound.

Upon hearing his cousin's words, Istron's heart skipped a beat. Fortunately, as a vampire, he was not embarrassed, but he still hesitated before reaching out to pull Lorana, whose saliva was almost dripping onto Thales, back a little.

In his heart, he had already elevated that brat's level of suspicion and danger to the same level as the merfolk of Crystal Wall City and the priests of the Dawn Temple.

“Lorana, be careful, there’s something wrong with this cub—it’s best not to talk to him too much. If you ask me, just connect the blood collection device and the infusion tube, and lock him in a coffin,” the blonde vampire said awkwardly.

"The target that Duke Iris specifically pursued lives in a heavily guarded royal property, and has the first-class bloodline knight of the Corleone family running around without even realizing it," the old man with a deathly pale face said quietly, while Istrom turned his face away awkwardly. "This cub is definitely suspicious! At the very least, we need to dig out the secrets that should be out of him."

“This is something I’m good at,” Laura said, leaning over the table to Thales’ left and licking her lips at him. “I make a small incision in his wrist, hang him upside down, and while I’m interrogating him, I can also satisfy my cravings without wasting a drop—my mother told me that’s how the Lori Roya family does it.”

Eastren hesitated for a moment. The butler, Chris, had left an indelible mark on his childhood, and the old man's merciless reprimand had severely damaged his confidence. But Eastren still muttered, "I think we should just kill him. Given our current situation, I have a feeling this kid will cause us trouble—"

“Shut up, you idiot!” Old man Chris rudely interrupted Eastren.

If this young man didn't have this personality, with his skills, how could he have remained a mere bloodline knight of the Corleone family for three hundred years? A smart person like Lorana would have been a bloodline baron long ago!

Due to the old man's accumulated power, the blond nobleman took a step back in fear.

But it's too late.

Thales' heart skipped a beat.

“Given our current situation”—Thales astutely grasped this information.

So, their situation isn't good?

First of all, if they were mercenaries or allies of that "Duke" nobleman, and they completed the mission, at least the commission and reward would have been provided by the employer, right? How could that be bad?

Secondly, the fact that they did not immediately hand themselves over to the Blood Bottle Gang could be interpreted as them vying for credit with the common "Duke".

But judging from Eastren's words, they didn't even intend to hand themselves over to the "Duke"!
So, are they planning to extract the secret from us? And then keep it for themselves?
There aren't many explanations left.

They are not the Duke's mercenaries or allies, but another independent force!

This may be where their chance of survival lies.

After reprimanding Eastren, the old man remained silent, staring intently at Thales, putting immense psychological pressure on him.

The boy knew he could no longer remain silent.

Since that's the case, let's give it a try, based on our previous reasoning.

“I said,” Thales chuckled, “maybe we can sit down and talk?”

"Then we can exchange information and maybe we'll discover by chance that we're actually allies?"

Chris's face darkened further, his eyes flashed like a skipped frame, and then he suddenly stood an inch in front of Thales!

Not even a breeze was stirred up.

Thales's mind was pounding.

Just treat it like watching a horror movie.

It's 4D.

“That’s a good suggestion, young sir. Let’s exchange information.” Chris gave another awkward smile.

His address reminded Thales of Gilbert, while his words brought Thales a sense of relief.

Until the old man's next words:

"Then, our intelligence is this: your life is in our hands."

Thales let out a long sigh.

What bad luck, I've run into someone who doesn't play by the rules.

Chris slowly raised his lifeless eyes, which held a sinister glint in them.

"Then, may I ask, what about your intelligence?"

Just as Thales was frantically pondering his next move, a sudden change occurred.

"Dong dong!"

Suddenly, a dull thud, like a heavy object being struck, came from the top of the hall!
The expressions of the three vampires changed simultaneously! Even the old man Chris was no exception!
"Thump! Thump!"

Another dull thud came from the ceiling!
The three vampires exchanged a glance, a mixture of surprise and excitement in their eyes.

It felt like something long-awaited had finally happened.

Thales saw all of this.

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(End of this chapter)