Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 288 The Dragon's Blood Is Not Yet Dry
Just as Thales seemed to understand but not quite, as if he had grasped something, Putilai took out his pipe again and began to fill it with tobacco.

“As you said, once the strong-willed Grand Duke Ronnie decides not to compromise with the Black Sand Territory, not to rely on the King's summons, and not to use King Chaman's name, but instead decides to deal with the chaos of the Free Alliance himself,” Putila said frankly, meeting the prince's gaze, “but if he also wants to continue to denounce and oppose King Chaman…”

Thales took a deep breath.

“Ronnie must find additional helpers to take down the Freedom Alliance at the lowest cost,” the prince’s logic became clearer: “For example, Dragon City, or the Walton family that once sent troops to support Qiyuan City.”

Thales looked up, his expression grave. "I'm starting to understand."

Putila nodded and lit his pipe.

“As long as Ronnie gains the support of Dragon Sky City, and as long as the Grand Duchess promises to send troops to support the battle of Qiyuan City as she did twenty years ago,” Putila said calmly, “then Ronnie can confidently reject Lombard’s ill-intentioned schemes, handle the Free Alliance with ease, and say ‘no’ to the King without flinching.”

“I understand. After Ronnie made his choice,” Thales thought of the young Grand Duchess, rubbing his chin with a headache, “it was Selma’s turn to choose: whether to support Ronnie or join him in his fight against the King.”

Putila gave a soft hum.

"But this time, it's completely different from the simple signatures of support before: supporting Qiyuan City means putting up bargaining chips, paying a price, and making a commitment: if necessary, to mobilize the army, launch a large-scale westward advance, and fight against the Freedom Alliance and its supporters."

"The current situation is just like when Prince Moral was assassinated, and King Kessel faced the choice of war or peace," Putila said, releasing his pipe as he puffed out a cloud of smoke. "The Grand Duchess representing Dragonsky City must make a decision: war or peace? Should she pay the price and decisively support Qiyuan City in handling the alliance, or stand idly by and watch how things develop?"

The prince slowly raised his head.

What choices did King Kessel face when Prince Morales was assassinated?

Thales recalled the Supreme King of the Stars, who had coldly raised his scepter in the Palace of Restoration six years ago, facing the pressure from his vassals.

“Wait, if it were anyone else, it would be fine,” Thales recalled what Putila had just told him about the feud and past between the two countries, and couldn’t help but be slightly startled: “But Dragon City…”

“Ah,” Putila was somewhat surprised by the prince’s reaction, but he nodded expressionlessly: “For the average Exter, facing the Free Alliance is nothing more than a question of ‘to fight or not to fight’.”

"But for Dragoncity and the Walton family, this is not just about the honor or disgrace of the dragon, but also about the family's reputation."

“You should know that twenty years ago, on the very day that insolent letter from the Governor of the Free Alliance arrived in Dragonstreet, before the snow on the messenger’s boots had even dried,” Putila exhaled a puff of smoke, his eyes sharp, “Nun VII did not hesitate to sound the kingdom’s call to arms.”

"The Freedom of the Army Alliance".

Thales's expression turned extremely serious.

“A year later, in the Freehold, where the entire city had surrendered, Suliel Walton, before the trembling elders of the Alliance, chopped off all ten fingers of the Alliance Governor, one after another,” Putila’s tone grew heavy. “It is said that with each finger he chopped off, he would loudly question one of the elders: ‘Can you write a letter?’”

"After chopping off the last finger, Prince Suril threw the disrespectful letter from the Liberal Alliance, which was 'reaffirming the friendship between us,' back at the governor who was about to faint."

“‘No, you won’t,’ Suli said with a smile, and then hanged all the elders who did not answer ‘no’.”

“Suriel Walton,” Thales frowned. “Sounds like a ruthless commander.”

Putila narrowed his eyes and lowered his head slightly: "But he also successfully made the Free Alliance remember the dragon's wrath and terror. In those years, the name of Suliel was more effective than that of King Nunn in the Golden Corridor—even the city of Cornus Vine, which was related to Walton by marriage, benefited: even their most sworn enemies in the alliance dared not harm their goods."

Thales clenched his fist.

"Do you understand?" Putila stared at the prince: "King Nunn ordered the troops to be sent out, and Sulir won the victory. In this way, two generations of Walton men upheld the dignity of Exter with iron and blood."

"And twenty years later, if the Grand Duchess, already burdened with criticism and doubt, faces the same problem with the Freedom Alliance, chooses neutrality and observation, chooses to retreat and avoid war..."

Thales let out a breath, realizing the crux of the matter.

“She had no choice,” the prince said firmly. “To prove that she has not disgraced her father and grandfather, to uphold the dignity and rule of the Dragonlance family, and to refute the criticisms and accusations against female dukes behind their backs, Selma must send troops.”

"Therefore, in this game between King Chaman and Grand Duke Ronnie, which was triggered by the instability of the Free Alliance, Dragon City is the key—the Grand Duchess is both a player who must join the game and a turning point that can help Ronnie turn the tide and put King Chaman back in an awkward position."

Thales frowned: "That's why Black Sand Territory sent people to Dragon Sky City, because it is indeed located in the eye of the storm—a crucial point in the power struggle between several major forces."

However, Putila shook her head at this moment: "If only things were that simple."

Thales looked up in surprise: "What do you mean?"

“As I said, this situation is very similar to the predicament King Kessel faced back then.”

Putila took a drag of his cigarette, his eyes revealing shrewdness and vigilance: "If the Grand Duchess makes a promise to Qiyuan City, supporting Ronnie's westward expedition against the Free Alliance at a crucial moment..."

The thin lord's hand tightened, and his tone suddenly became urgent: "The problem is, how many vassals in Dragoncity will support the Grand Duchess's decision?"

"How many soldiers are available for conscription, and who should be conscripted? How many should be retained? How many should be sent out?"

"Now that the throne is no longer in Dragonhill City, how can we persuade the vassals and nobles to fight this long and arduous battle for the honor of Walton?"

"How are the benefits and costs distributed during marches and battles?"

"If the vassals are not very willing, or even only Walton's direct territories are willing to respond, should this battle be fought?"

"If an army is indeed conscripted, which respected vassal should lead it?"

"Once we send troops west, to what extent should we fight to demonstrate Walton's authority while protecting our own interests and avoiding dissatisfaction among our vassals?"

"What would a Grand Duchess have to do to uphold the dignity of the Dragonlance family?"

Thales was stunned.

The same predicament King Kessel faced back then...

What Kessel faced...

That means……

A terrible thought popped into his mind.

“If the Grand Duchess cannot make a commitment to Qiyuan City, she will only gain a reputation for being ‘indecisive and hesitant’,” Putila said, his words punctuated with an unsettling rhythm. He continued:

"But if the Grand Duchess makes a promise, but is unable to fulfill it at a crucial moment due to internal reasons within Dragon City: such as opposition from vassals, shortage of troops, lack of funds, or even the army recruited by Dragon City failing due to its poor quality..."

"From the perspective of the entire Exeter, the impact of this event on the Grand Duchess's rule would be devastating."

Thales frowned: "If Selma only sends Walton's direct troops, without relying on the power of his vassals..."

“When a powerful grand duke with countless vassals can only send his own troops to the battlefield alone,” Putila sneered and shook his head, “then in the eyes of many, that grand duke’s rule is probably nearing its end.”

Thales sighed deeply.

Finally, with Putila's help, he found the thread that ran through the entire story.

original……

"In short, all the questions boil down to one sentence," Putila took a deep drag on his pipe, his wrinkles slowly deepening on his thin face: "Now, in Dragon City, under the unprecedented rule of a female Grand Duchess, is it still like it was back then, like Dragon City under King Nuen who intimidated the Western Continent, where everything was perfectly coordinated from top to bottom, an unbreakable force from the inside out, and a united force?"

"At a time when the prestigious Dragonstreet and Walton family need to step up, the dukes are watching her, and the vassals are watching her. The time has come to test the Grand Duchess's prestige."

Putila coldly sneered, "In order to maintain the family's reputation, to defend the country's dignity, and to confront King Chaman, the Grand Duchess, whose status is already sensitive, must make a promise on behalf of Dragonrise City and ensure that this promise can be fulfilled."

Thales stared at Putila in a daze.

Putila's gaze focused on Thales's grey eyes, her tone menacing: "And to ensure the vassals' support for this promise, that Grand Duchess who has reigned for six years..."

"And how much are you willing to pay?"

Thales took a deep breath and clenched his fists.

Thales let out a sigh of relief and said with difficulty, "Pay the price?"

"for example……"

Putila nodded, silently observing the prince's expression. With a sigh, he said softly, "For example, whether she is willing to show her sincerity and trust to her vassals."

"For example, a grand duchess marrying one of her vassals..."

"To maintain the cohesion of Dragon Sky City in exchange for the trust and cooperation of the vassals."

"With the support of her husband and the continuation of her bloodline, she will restore the glory of the Walton family at the cost of becoming a 'Grand Duchess' instead of a 'Grand Duchess'."

Putila's voice was soft, but to the prince it sounded so heavy, like a muffled thunderclap.

Thales closed his eyes helplessly.

He furrowed his brow and gritted his teeth.

The prince saw the image of that sly little girl from six years ago... He remembered that day six years ago, when the dirty little girl was engrossed in reading in the library.

He recalled the girl in the Hall of Heroes, her face streaked with tears, trembling and looking helplessly at the triumphant ring on her hand.

He recalled the streets of the Shield District, where a little girl screamed and desperately pulled him out of her tentacles.

He remembered...

“Tell me, Putila,” Thales opened his eyes and said weakly, “that the struggle between the King and the Grand Dukes is escalating, that the Free Alliance is in turmoil, that Qiyuan City may seek help from Longxiao City, and that Selma needs the support of its vassals most of all…”

"During the court session in Dragon Sky City, someone took the opportunity to cause trouble, making an issue of the Grand Duchess's marriage, reminding everyone that their lord was unmarried..."

Thales raised his head and said softly with a weary sigh, "Is this really a coincidence?"

Putila did not answer immediately.

He gently turned his head and looked at a towering tree in the courtyard, at its roots that had begun to decay.

Finally, Putila sighed: "There is a saying that, though arbitrary, is mostly true. You might as well write it down."

“That is,” the lord gripped his pipe tighter, his eyes turning cold:

"There are no coincidences in politics."

Thales lowered his head in disappointment.

A gentle breeze swept through the Bloodstained Courtyard. In the distance, Wyatt seemed to be complaining to Rolf about something again. The Wind Demon crossed his arms once more, looking at him with disdain.

“I see,” the prince said softly, “it all makes sense now.”

He raised his head and looked at the sun overhead.

"From the denunciation of the king in Qiyuan City, to the troublesome King Chaman, to the turmoil of the day of court hearing, to the envoy from Kambida, to the Freedom Alliance..."

Putila watched the prince quietly, listening to his words.

"Outside, this is a conflict of interest between the Free Alliance and Exter, which has arisen from the internal strife within the Dragon Kingdom over the past six years."

Thales said calmly:

"In essence, this is a rift left by that special election of kings six years ago, a rift between Chaman and Ronnie, between Black Sand Territory and Qiyuan City, a life-or-death struggle between the co-elected king and the various grand dukes..."

Thales gripped his sword, took a step forward, and looked grim.

“Inside, this is the turmoil in Dragonsreach caused by Nunn’s death, the upheaval resulting from Grand Duchess Walton’s unconventional accession to the throne, and the frenzied resurgence of a wave suppressed by Risban’s prestige and the dukes’ endorsement, six years later,” the prince gritted his teeth, his tone growing increasingly tense.

“Lisban must be furious. Someone—whoever it is—has bypassed him, the Grand Duchess’s largest vassal and the regent who actually controls Dragonstreet, and is trying to contact the other vassals to interfere in the succession of power in Dragonstreet.”

Putila stood behind him, a barely perceptible smile curving his lips.

“You see things very clearly.”

"Even if someone might have sabotaged things, this is indeed the seed of chaos we sowed six years ago when we rampaged through Dragonsreaching City and the Palace of Heroes, breaking traditions and conventions," the gaunt lord sighed, as if he were back in those days when he was fleeing for his life in Dragonsreaching City, fighting for survival.

"It is the backlash from this seed six years later."

Thales' face was tense, his teeth were clenched, and he was about to break his fists.

Falk.

It's not over yet.

Dragon blood as poisonous as poison...

It is far from dry.

and.

It still flows through Dragon Sky City.

Silence fell between them again.

Just when Putila thought the prince was emotionally agitated by the sudden news...

“There’s something else I don’t understand,” Thales turned to look at Putila and asked abruptly but calmly:

"why me?"

Lord looked at Thales's expression with surprise.

Contrary to his expectations, the prince showed no panic, excitement, or even significant emotional changes; he was not even tense.

This little guy...

Compared to six years ago...

Thales pursed his lips, his brows twitching slightly as he pondered something intently.

“This is a struggle between King Chaman and Grand Duke Ronnie, a storm that Dragonstreet has been caught in,” Thales’s eyes began to sharpen, making Putila uncomfortable and even giving her the urge to turn away. “But why?”

Thales asked succinctly, "Why did Kambida specifically request to see me? To see a Star Prince?"

Looking into the prince's eyes, Putila took a breath, raised his stiff hand, and put his pipe into his mouth.

“I don’t know,” Putila blinked and turned her head away:
"Perhaps it's...a coincidence."

coincidence?

At that moment, Thales narrowed his eyes.

As if trying to read something from the other person's eyes.

Putila smiled, took a deep drag, and only then did this old pipe smoker, who was addicted to tobacco as if it were his life, suddenly realize that his pipe had gone out.

He sighed: "I suggest you pay less attention to these things in Longxiao City—to be honest, because of the recent incident, you are in a very awkward position now."

“After all, this matter is none of your concern for now,” Putila shrugged. “Unless you can’t stand your lover’s behavior…”

Thales was slightly taken aback.

Putila smiled slightly.

The prince's expression was grim. He frowned at the lord, his face full of suspicion: "Little lover?"

Putila blinked again: "Just kidding, Your Highness."

Thales crossed his arms and snorted in dissatisfaction.

But he was immediately taken aback.

Thales frowned, staring intently at Putila's expression.

"Wait, Putila."

"Your choice of words just now..."

The prince stared at the gaunt lord with a grim expression, his voice filled with doubt: "What do you mean by..."

"'Temporarily' none of my business?"

Under Thales' questioning gaze, the thin lord coughed, his face serious.

“The time you agreed to meet with the Grand Lady has come—you should go to the library,” Putila said earnestly.
"We can't keep the Grand Duchess waiting any longer."

Telston was immediately taken aback.

I will gradually resume updates soon, so please don't worry.

Of course, if there are uncontrollable factors such as working overtime, getting sick, or watching the seventh season of Game of Thrones, then there's nothing I can do, right?
By Wujian, who looked completely serious.

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(End of this chapter)