Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 271 Absolute Cold
King Chaman and his men regrouped amidst the strange looks of the others, and the king approached the prime minister—or rather, the former prime minister.

The Count of Lisbon rose from beside the Grand Duchess and met the new king's gaze without flinching.

Selma watched the two of them nervously.

“Now, my men and I are leaving Valhalla, leaving the First Gate, and even leaving Dragonsreach,” King Chaman said coldly, his left hand seemingly casually resting on the sword at his waist, while his right hand tossed the Soul-Severing Blade to Lord Tuleha beside him. “Count Risban, your patrols in the city shouldn’t stop us, will they?”

Count Lisbon gave a cold smile, his eyes sweeping over the Black Sand Territory soldiers who remained hostile.

"How dare we hinder His Majesty's itinerary?" the old count said calmly. "As long as the Black Sand Territory's troops withdraw from Dragon Sky City amicably, that's fine."

Lisban narrowed his eyes: "Apart from the most incomprehensible madmen, no one in this country dares to disrespect the king."

Charman I nodded slightly, expressionless, as if he hadn't understood the Earl's implied meaning.

“Then I hope you can provide my men with supplies and shelter to prepare for the coming bitter cold,” the king probed, seemingly unconcerned. “That shouldn’t be a problem.”

This time, the Earl refused quite decisively: "I'm sorry, I cannot comply."

King Chaman exhaled a breath from his nose.

His eyes shone with a cold light.

"For certain 'reasons,' there are still many messes to clean up in Dragon City." Count Lisban, who had seen it all before, remained expressionless and said casually, "I apologize for the poor hospitality in Dragon City, but I must first serve my lord before I can spare the energy to share the burden of the Northern people's common leader."

"You know, I am no longer the Prime Minister of the Kingdom who serves the entire territory."

Charman frowned almost imperceptibly.

He looked at the little girl with glasses next to Lisban, noticing her stained platinum hair.

Selma nervously crossed her arms.

King Chaman nodded slowly.

“In the end, even a king has to rely on himself, doesn’t he?” Chaman said calmly. “We will find our own campsite.”

Count Lisbon moved slightly, standing in front of the Grand Duchess with an expression that kept everyone at arm's length.

The king then looked away.

“May your reign be successful, girl,” King Chaman said meaningfully. “After all, we are now bound together.”

“I will be watching you, and I will be watching that boy.”

The king said calmly, "Please remember: he is our bargaining chip in the face of the stars."

"And remember your oath: to defend Exter and the Northland to the death."

Selma's face turned pale instantly.

Before they could respond, King Chaman, wearing a blood-red crown, turned around and headed out of the palace, surrounded by his soldiers.

The guards and palace guards watched them leave coldly, but their fingers never left their weapons.

In the crowd, the Fiery Knight Tuleha, clutching the Soul-Severing Blade, passed by the former commander of the White Blade Guard with a subtle look in his eyes.

“Take good care of it,” Nikolai said without looking up as he bandaged the wound on his arm. “A single strike to the death—this is not only a symbol of King Exter, but also a great weapon that saved the Western Continent.”

The Fiery Knight frowned slightly, stopped in his tracks, and carefully examined the Soul-Severing Blade in his hand.

“I will send someone to deliver the ‘White Blade Legacy’ to Black Sand Territory. Of course, you will have to pay for the forging of the White Blades yourselves,” Nikolai said without any emotion, as if he were doing the most boring and tedious job. “From now on, the spirit of the White Blade Guard will be passed down by you.”

"Don't disgrace its name."

That's fucking ironic.

"The Meteorite thought coldly to himself."

Tuleha stroked the strange curves on the Soul-Severing Blade.

White Blade Guard.

He raised his head.

"Without this sword," the Fire Knight said, his words carrying a hint of aggression and provocation, "what else can you do?"

"The Meteorite?"

Nikolai stopped what he was doing.

His expression changed as well.

“Let me think…” Nikolai clenched his fists, his eyes flashing coldly: “For example, suddenly emerging from some unknown dark corner and then chopping off the head of some kingslayer?”

Tuleha watched him quietly.

“You know, the guys in the Extreme Realm are most effective not as warriors,” Nikolai said softly, “but as assassins.”

Tuleha stared at him silently, letting his subordinates leave in droves behind him.

His face was as cold as ice.

Nikolai seemed oblivious, continuing to stare defiantly at his enemy.

A few seconds later, the Fiery Knight let out a cold laugh.

"Ha ha ha ha……"

Tuleha hung the unsheathed Soul-Severing Blade at his waist, and looked at the pale-faced Meteorite with great interest.

Nicolai looked at him coldly.

But what happened next was beyond the expectations of the meteorite.

Without hesitation, Tuleha grabbed the other weapon at his waist, pulled it out along with its sheath, and then threw it forcefully!
Nikolai was startled and instinctively reached out his hand.

Catch the weapon that the other party throws from afar.

A second later, he saw the weapon in his hand clearly and opened his mouth in surprise.

He suddenly turned to look at the calm-looking Fire Knight.

"What does this mean?" Nikolai gritted his teeth, looking at the Rising Sun Saber in his hand with resentment.

Tuleha gazed at his old weapons, his eyes filled with longing and nostalgia.

"Take good care of it," the Fire Knight said softly, seemingly filled with deep emotion. "Compared to saving the Western Continent... this is a great weapon that saved the world."

Nikolai held the golden saber in his hands, speechless for a moment.

“Remember, Meteorite,” Tuleha turned around, tapped the Soul-Severing Blade at his waist, his voice deep and his eyes subtle: “Our battle is not yet over.”

Clad in tattered armor, the Fiery Knight strode away with unwavering steps, leaving without a backward glance.

Nikolai watched his departing figure, his brows furrowed, and his teeth clenched tighter and tighter.

hateful.

this……

This guy……

“A fine man,” Milek said, leaning on a cane as he approached him. Looking at Tuleha’s figure, he shook his head with a sigh. “It’s a pity he’s standing in the wrong place.”

Nikolai closed his eyes and exhaled heavily.

The meteorite turned to his old friend.

“I’ve come to say goodbye,” Mylke said, patting Nikolai on the shoulder with a bitter expression. “Until we meet again, my friend.”

He glanced at the Grand Duchess of Walton, who was surrounded by a crowd in the distance, his expression hesitant.

“You know you can stay,” Nikolai whispered.

"Do not."

"My story is in the legendary book of White Blade," Michael finally sighed, looked into the distance, and turned to leave, leaning on his cane.

"This is truly the end."

Nikolai watched his retreating figure, which moved away haltingly, without uttering a word.

He simply reached into his pocket and grabbed an ordinary stone.

Among the departing crowd from Black Sand Territory, Kambida followed King Chaman.

The Viscount watched as the Fire Knight caught up from behind, his gaze sweeping over the lone Soulbreaker Blade at the latter's waist, his expression displeased.

“That’s the Rising Sun Saber! It’s said to be the first legendary anti-magic weapon that changed the world,” Cambida said, dissatisfied. But the latter ignored him, so the Viscount could only turn to His Majesty the King: “Are you just going to let him give away the sharpest weapon in the world like trash, Your Majesty?”

Tuleha gave a soft snort.

King Chaman didn't turn his head, but merely glanced sideways.

"The sharpest?" the newly crowned King Gongju pondered, bowing his head.

But Chaman I only paused for a second before raising his head again, regaining his composure and calm.

"My sharpest weapon," the king said slowly, striding confidently across the floor tiles of Valhalla, past the ancient and rugged decorations:

"Isn't he standing right behind me?"

Kambida's expression paused for a moment, and he frowned.

Behind the king, the tall and robust Lord Tuleha subtly curled the corners of his mouth.

His Excellency slowed his pace, allowing others to overtake him.

Tuleha passed by him and nodded slightly.

"What a loser."

Viscount Kambida watched the King and the Lord's retreating figures, closed his eyes, and sighed softly.

"But that is precisely why I am willing to follow him and make him my king."

"Until the end of my life."

He crossed his arms, his expression calm, but his gaze sharp.

An interesting curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"He deliberately struck a pose while waiting for me to arrive, and then threw out that cool line," Chloesie on the stretcher was being carried past Cambida, and the female warrior sneered disdainfully, "That's such an old-fashioned method."

Kambida frowned.

"At least cooperate with me a little, say something like, 'Ah, that's why we're fighting,'" the Viscount said, starting to walk again and following Chloesie's stretcher with dissatisfaction.

“Stop talking.” Kroesi interrupted him coldly: “Because of that boy, the co-governance oath is even more solidified—in the end, we’re back to square one, nothing has changed.”

"Toil without reward."

Viscount Cambida raised an eyebrow, amusement on his face.

"Toiled in vain, returned to the same place, nothing changed?" The Viscount seemed to have heard something amusing.

He turned around and looked at the grand dukes whispering among themselves: "Only those who live in the past and refuse to wake up would think this way."

Kroeshe looked at him with a puzzled expression.

“In fact,” Kambida turned back to her, chuckling softly, “including His Majesty Chaman, the Grand Dukes, and that prince, among others…”

"They have changed everything."

Looking at Kanbida's profound expression, the female warrior suddenly felt that this man had become somewhat frightening.

"Believe me, from this day forward, the bitter cold will arrive," Kambida sneered, his gaze sweeping over the countless ancient decorations and furnishings in the palace, before he lightly stepped on the floor tiles beneath his feet, tiles whose age was unknown.

"The Kingdom of Exter..."

"We can never go back to where we were."

----

“Be thankful, Prince Thales, if it weren’t for that little girl’s insistence,” Grand Duke Lyco stood before Prince Star, looking at the listless boy, and sighed, “you would have been living in Black Sand City all your life—constantly by the King’s side, what a wonderful experience.”

Thales was slightly moved.

He turned around and looked at Selma, who was talking to Risban in the distance.

The prince took a deep breath and turned back around: "He... King Chaman made this order at the election meeting as one of the conditions?"

“Oh no,” Grand Duke Lyco shook his head, an amused glint in his cloudy eyes, “it wasn’t him who proposed the conditions.”

"We all think this is the safest approach."

"Your Highness."

The preoccupied Thales was speechless for a moment.

A second later, the prince lowered his head as if deflated.

"All of you?"

"Is it."

He closed his eyes, his mood gloomy.

Yes.

After I did that without any regard for anything else...

Grand Duke Lyco observed him silently. "You know, Prince Thales."

"After today, apart from the threat from the stars that Charman mentioned..."

"Many people will also be wary of you—just as they are wary of the Brilliant Star family, which has produced many talented individuals and prospered for many years."

Of course, it's not just talented people who have emerged.

Grand Duke Lecco silently added a sentence in his heart:
There are also madmen.

The eldest son's eyes lit up, and his expression became lively: "But I'm also looking forward to seeing you."

Thales opened his eyes: "Expecting me?"

Grand Duke Lecce nodded quietly.

“I don’t know how Chaman became like this,” the Grand Duke said gravely, watching the King’s figure slowly disappear into the soldiers’ encirclement. “But we can all sense that he is becoming increasingly dangerous.”

"The bitter cold is coming," he sighed.

Thales pondered those words.

“Perhaps one day, we will need your strength to fight against him,” Grand Duke Lyco said solemnly, looking at Thales. “Just like today.”

Confused and unsure how to respond.

"finished?"

Archduke Aurelius stepped forward coldly, glancing at Thales: "I've had enough. I don't want to stay in this damned place for another second, putting my life in someone else's hands."

In the distance, Grand Duke Ronnie and Trudida watched them quietly, one silent, the other grinning.

Leko glanced at the Black Sand Territory army that was gradually leaving and let out a breath.

"Until we meet again, take care of yourself, Prince Thales."

The Grand Duke said calmly, "Be careful of the King, and be careful of the Grand Duke as well."

He winked meaningfully: "And the Grand Duchess."

Thales was speechless for a moment.

Putilai watched the grand dukes and their guards leave, then frowned and approached Thales.

"Your Highness, regarding your future..." The deputy envoy hesitated, unable to finish his sentence.

“I know,” Thales replied calmly.

“I am a bargaining chip, and also a threat.”

Putila showed an inquiring look.

"Amidst contradictions and compromises, the Grand Dukes must also hold onto their bargaining chips to contain the threat," Thales thought through the cause and effect, then shook his head absentmindedly: "To restrain the stars, and also to restrain Chaman..."

"It also restricts Longxiao City."

Raphael stepped forward.

"In terms of effect, you have made the ten dukes wary of each other, which is very close to, or even better than, the goal that the Secret Society wanted."

"Perhaps you'd be better suited to work in the Secret Service." The Secret Service officer smiled mysteriously. "We'll meet again someday."

Thales rolled his eyes.

Putila was at a loss for words and could only pat the prince on the shoulder.

"I will report back to the domestic authorities as soon as possible and come up with a solution."

He turned to the weakened Raphael beside him: "You know what to do, don't you?"

The secret service officer nodded slightly: "His Majesty and Lord Hansen will know everything that happened here in the shortest possible time."

As Thales watched them assign tasks, he felt depressed as he thought about what he would face in the coming years.

“There is one more thing,” Puttier said, approaching Cohen and Miranda with a serious expression. “You two, although you are seriously injured… you must immediately conceal your identities and leave Exter before the enemy intercepts you.”

Cohen opened his mouth, while Miranda seemed lost in thought.

“As noble relatives of two great families, especially Miss Arendt who carries the right to inherit the title of Duke of the North, your value to Rumba and to King Chaman is immeasurable.”

"This is Longxiao City, and he has just been crowned, so we can't act directly. But once we leave Longxiao City, he will definitely not let you go."

In short, I've summarized it in a few sentences.

Raphael's expression also darkened.

“I’ll take them away immediately, while the people of Nikolai are still relatively friendly to us,” Raphael coughed. “I know a secret route back to the country from the Great Needle Forest that can be kept secret from the Black Sand Territory.”

Putila nodded to him: "Go."

So, amid Cohen's sighs of resentment and Miranda's preoccupied expression, they followed Raphael away.

As she passed by Thales, Miranda glanced at him.

"Take care, Your Highness," the female swordsman said with a conflicted expression, her brows furrowing slightly. "Don't give up."

Despite her pain, she said meaningfully, "You are a good prince, unlike others."

Putila turned her head away, pretending not to hear.

Thales scratched his head, too embarrassed to do anything but smile.

other people?
Cohen, his face bruised and swollen, moved closer to Thales.

“Your Highness,” the guard’s outer robe was burned off at the shoulder, and he had a horrific burn on his neck. Although it had been initially treated with the power of termination, it still looked extremely gruesome. He seemed hesitant at first: “You… I just want to say…”

Cohen opened and closed his mouth several times, and after a few seconds, he pursed his lips and nodded emphatically: "Thank you."

Thales forced a smile, his feelings a mix of emotions:

"I should thank you, Cohen Karabyan, thank you for your tireless efforts."

The guard blinked.

“No, no, Your Highness, we just had a few fierce fights,” Cohen said, a slight smile playing on his lips, scratching his head as if somewhat embarrassed. “But you…”

He seemed unable to find a good word for it.

After a long while, Cohen, who had been scratching his head, finally straightened up and said sincerely, "You saved the world."

“You’re exaggerating,” Thales chuckled, somewhat embarrassed. “I was just trying to mediate a conflict; I’m not the one who has to save the world.”

Cohen paused for a moment, his eyes flickering slightly.

He lowered his head.

Cohen's face darkened.

“Believe me, Your Highness,” the guard said with a hint of regret, as if he had just thought of something, “for those who will be affected by the war…”

Thales gave him a questioning look.

The guard took a deep breath, revealing a bright smile and gleaming teeth, and bowed slightly to him: "You truly saved the world."

"It is my honor to fight alongside you."

Thales looked at him strangely, nodded subconsciously, and watched him walk away.

Raphael nodded slightly to him: "Well done, Your Highness."

After seeing off one group of people after another, and with the thought of being placed under house arrest in Dragon Sky City, Thales suddenly felt lost and melancholy.

Oh well—he comforted himself: at least the result wasn't too bad.

At least, they're still alive...

Hey, have you forgotten someone? (In a corner of Dragon Sky City, a short figure let out a burp, then immediately sneezed loudly.)
Just now.

“I’m sorry for dragging you into this,” the girl’s voice came from behind him. “They…they’re trying to keep you here…”

Thales turned around and looked at Selma, who had an apologetic expression on her face.

"No, this is their interest and calculation, it has nothing to do with you." The prince let go of his frustration and shook his head in relief.

and……

Those who got caught up in it...

The person who should apologize...

Thales shrugged sadly: "For King Chaman, my confinement here, and the Grand Duchess of Dragonstreet's close association with the prince of an enemy state—this will diminish your prestige and reputation."

"For you dukes, I would rather be left in the weakened Dragon Sky City than let Black Sand Territory control this bargaining chip."

"And for all of them."

“A prince who grew up in an enemy country and was held hostage for many years will be far removed from the power and influence within the Star Kingdom,” the prince shook his head. “If I were to return to the country one day to be crowned, I would inevitably be a new king whose rule is unstable.”

even.

"This is in everyone's best interest."

"So, I'm probably destined to be unlucky."

He helplessly raised his head, summed up his fate, and sighed sadly, "Besides, Rumba hates me to the core, and definitely doesn't want to see me go back alive like this..."

Thales' arm muscles tensed.

The prince looked at Selma in surprise as she grabbed him.

“No, I told them you have to stay in Dragon City,” the little girl pouted and shook her head vigorously. “You’re my friend, you won’t be unlucky, you’ll be fine.”

Selma pursed her lips, seemingly on the verge of tears, her emerald green eyes filled with guilt and worry.

Thales was speechless.

Selma blinked her bright eyes and said in a trembling voice, "You'll be fine here, nothing will happen... The people of Risban are very kind, they won't make things difficult for you, and Dragon City will protect you!"

“We…” As if trying to prove something, Selma said anxiously, her eyes filled with panic, “We can read books together…”

Her eyes behind her glasses suddenly lit up.

“By the way, there are so many books in Nekaru’s library that I haven’t read yet,” Selma’s breathing quickened, as if afraid that Thales would be unhappy. “I remember you were very interested in the book about the final battle…”

Seeing the little girl's anxious face, Thales's depressed mood seemed to slowly improve.

“Yes,” the prince scratched his head and chuckled softly, “I’m very interested…”

For example, magic.

such as……

Dragon.

“So,” Selma seemed relieved, and she asked cautiously, “you will be alright, stay in Dragon City, and read books with me?”

Thales let out a breath.

“Ah, yes, ma’am,” he smiled, placed his hand on his chest, and bowed slightly.

Selma slowly curved her lips into a smile, turned and left at Risban's urging, glancing back every now and then. The Ghost of the Wind came before Thales.

"How are you feeling?" Thales smiled at the dejected Rolf. "These past month or so..."

"Compared to your gangster career?"

The eyes on the half-silver mask of the Ghost of the Wind twitched slightly.

He gestured laboriously with his right hand, which was in a splint: "It's terrible."

Thales raised an eyebrow.

Rolf shrugged and gestured again:

But it's also very good.

Thales then chuckled softly.

The prince raised his head, looking out the window at the sky above Dragon Sky City with mixed feelings.

I felt a long-lost sense of relaxation.

“See?” He parted his lips slightly and spoke in a low voice, barely audible to anyone, “That is my answer.”

This time, he heard no sound.

"Whoosh-"

The wind and snow outside the window suddenly intensified, the cold wind howled, and ice crystals splattered against my face.

The view of Longxiao City suddenly darkened, turning into a hazy gray.

The absolute cold that envelops the entire northern lands has officially arrived.

The next chapter is the end of the volume, so consider it a bonus chapter.

Ahhhh! I admit my mistake!

I've made another idiot!
I've moved this chapter to the next volume!

T_T
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(End of this chapter)