Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 319 Unplanned

The count's voice echoed between the stone walls, reverberating throughout the hall.

The other five earls seemed to be still in shock, while the remaining vassals were also discussing the matter.

But Selma stared intently at the one-armed count, her eyes gradually regaining their vitality.

he……

he……

Thales and Ian exchanged a glance and nodded in unison.

“Count Kerkegaard,” Selma stammered, unable to hide the excitement in her eyes, “I…I thank you for your trust.”

But Kierkegaard suddenly turned around!

“No,” he said curtly, his tone of refusal startling the Grand Duchess: “I don’t trust you.”

Selma was taken aback.

"To be frank, whether it was the time I met you six years ago, or today at the court session," the one-armed count slowly walked to the center of the hall, his tone icy:

"I didn't have high expectations."

His words echoed on both sides of the hall, carrying an air of authority that drew everyone's attention.

Selma, standing there, looked somber: "Count..."

“But I’ve had enough of this farce, these tests and schemes,” Kierkegaard said coldly.

“I don’t want to deal with you, and I don’t want to know whether you and that clown from Qiyuan City colluded beforehand to create this scene and embarrass us so much—if we still have any sense of shame.”

Selma and Ian's expressions both changed slightly.

The vassals' expressions were not good either.

Thales bit his lower lip: Sure enough, even after a series of dazzling scenes, there are still calm and rational people in Dragon City who can see through the essence at a glance.

Lisban remained silent, while Count Nazel smiled slightly.

Kierkegaard stopped in his tracks.

His boots slammed to the ground, the sound echoing through the hall.

“But since you’ve said that,” the one-armed count said, his voice heavy and forceful:
"That proves that you're not content to be a pretty face in a palace, just waiting to die."

"Right?"

The vassals murmured amongst themselves.

The other five earls all frowned.

The one-armed count stared intently at the Grand Duchess, completely ignoring the gaze of the Earl of Hearst beside him.

Kierkegaard, with an expression that warned him to stay away, stared intently at the pale-faced Selma on the steps:
"To me, this is the only redeeming quality you have today."

Selma's expression froze.

"Stop your clumsy attempts to probe Dragon Sky City with the idea of ​​outsiders interfering," the Earl said bluntly.
"We're not as bad as you think."

"A girl."

Thales looked at the count, listened to his meaning, and smiled.

The Earl of Lisbon sighed:

“Kahn…”

But the one-armed count interrupted him.

"And I still remember the day we climbed the Freedom Castle twenty years ago."

The one-armed count turned around and slowly said, "I am the commander of the siege. Those bastards got a lot of eternal oil from Cornmas. The oil is pouring down, and we have been unable to break through for a long time."

Selma was slightly taken aback.

Freedom Fortress? That's...

"Until Prince Suriel arrived..."

Kierkegaard said coldly, “I remember that at sunset, in the exhausted camp, in front of the wounded soldiers, and in front of us who were dejected, he laughed and raised his sword.”

"With fearless roars, Sulir led us out of the camp once again."

"Charge to the city wall!"

The air in the hall seemed to freeze.

The breathing of the people in the North gradually quickened.

With a mixture of doubt and bewilderment, Selma stared blankly at the Count.

"Everyone has gone mad. We charged wildly behind Suriel, seeing only two choices covered in blood: breach the city or die in battle. There was no third way!"

"That was a truly great battle."

The one-armed count raised his left upper arm, which was now only half its original length, and with a deep look in his eyes, he lowered his voice and said, "Freedom Fortress will fall on the same day."

He lowered his eyelids and said softly:
"The kerosene burned half of Suriel's face and one of my arms."

"But... God."

"The Longxiao City of that time was the Longxiao City I loved most in my life."

"It's that simple."

The hall was silent.

The next second, Count Kierkegaard, his expression icy, raised his remaining right arm without hesitation:
"Therefore, Kahn Kerkekor hereby promises that every eligible man in Hunting County and Origami County will take up arms."

Only the gasps of the vassals filled the hall.

Boom!
The count pounded his remaining right arm heavily against his chest.

"If there's going to be a war in Longxiao City, then let's go."

The one-armed count's resolute voice resounded throughout the hall.

Kierkegaard turned and walked toward his seat, the eyes of his vassals following him.

Selma looked at the Earl with hesitation, speechless, as if she had forgotten her original intention.

The girl took a long time to utter a single word:

"Thank you."

But Kierkegaard shook his head.

"You said you need this war, you need to reclaim the glory of Dragon Sky City?"

Kierkegaard said softly, his words laced with coldness:

"Then you better keep your word."

"A girl."

As soon as he finished speaking, the count sat heavily in his seat.

Selma's expression was solemn, and she remained silent.

The hall fell silent.

The vassals' morale began to waver.

"Excuse me, ma'am."

Before the astonishment brought by Kierkegaard had subsided, another hesitant male voice spoke up.

“Please understand, Earls, that we hope you will marry into our local families,” sighed Earl Hearst with the golden beard. “That is because…because we are the ones who truly stand with you.”

Hearst, in his thirties, was the youngest of the earls. He raised his eyes and looked at Selma with sincerity and a hint of pain, at the Grand Duchess who pressed the ring tightly to her chest: "But Earl Kerkegol is right."

Selma stirred slightly.

“Madam, we belong to Dragon Sky City,” Hearst said, looking at his lady with a complicated expression. “And those who can win you glory are not just outsiders from Qiyuan City.”

With a thoughtful hesitation, Selma stared blankly at Hearst, stammering, "Harst..."

Boom!
Before she could speak, Hearst pounded his chest with a resolute expression!

"The Hearst family and the entire Ironshire will answer your call," Earl Hearst declared solemnly, "Your Excellency the Grand Duchess!"

"We will fight for you."

Selma watched quietly as the second count spoke.

A few seconds later, she came to her senses.

“Thank you, Earl Hearst,” Selma took a deep breath, lowered her head slightly, and blinked occasionally. “I will remember it.”

Hearst didn't speak; he simply bowed deeply with a resolute expression.

Earl Curtson coughed softly.

“You are absolutely right, madam: the honor and victory of Dragon City can only be maintained and won by our own hands.”

Earl Curtson gave Ian a disdainful look: "We don't welcome outsiders."

He scoffed, “Get the place and supplies ready—clown, we’re coming.”

Ian blinked, revealing a helpless and embarrassed expression.

Curtson turned his head and looked at Selma expressionlessly.

“Felenberg will obey orders,” Earl Curtson said calmly but without hesitation, “to fight for you, madam.”

Selma composed herself, smiled, and nodded gently: "Earl Curtesson."

Kurtson raised an eyebrow, nodded with a hint of disrespect, and casually responded to the Grand Duchess.

But by then, no one cared about etiquette anymore.

Thales looked at Selma from afar and exhaled.

“Hmph,” Earl Linna interrupted, his words as unpleasant and harsh as ever: “You know, madam, there’s no need to make the atmosphere so solemn and grand, it feels like we’re about to hold your funeral any second now.”

Ian chuckled, completely oblivious to the situation.

“The same goes for the Wild Woods. The Linna family will fight for you,” Earl Linna’s eyes flashed as he glanced at the clueless heir of Qiyuan City before coldly saying, “That’s it.”

Selma smiled and said, "Thank you, Earl Linna."

Linna nodded slightly.

After the four earls, the vassals turned their attention to the last and most important two.

“As always, the Lisban family stands beside Walton,” the Lisban Regent said, as gentle and polite as ever. “Where your gaze is, there we will go.”

Selma wore her usual trusting expression: "Charles..."

Just now.

“Hahahaha,” Count Nazel laughed exaggeratedly across from Lisban, slapping his chair so hard it creaked. “So that’s how it is.”

The Grand Duchess and the Count looked at him with suspicion and nervousness.

But Nazel's laughter quickly subsided.

The old count looked at Selma quietly, and for the first time, approval appeared in his eyes.

“Well done, madam,” Nazel nodded slowly, glancing meaningfully at Ian. “A good move, Lord Ronnie from Qiyuan City.”

Selma was slightly taken aback: "Huh?"

Ian nonchalantly sat back in his chair, his expression still one of annoying disdain.

The astute Thales sighed: That old fellow…

Nazel sighed: "As for you, madam..."

Selma was somewhat surprised, and replied with a slightly hurried tone, "Count Nazel, I..."

Nazel raised his hand, interrupting her.

“Alright, madam, you have indeed surprised me,” the old count sighed, looking at his old colleague. “Isn’t that right, Charles?”

"I guess you didn't expect that either?"

Lisban merely gave his old acquaintance a cold glance.

"Hmph, you old idiot who talks nonsense," the Regent said with an unusual coldness. "Just shut up and send out the troops."

Nazel burst into laughter again.

“Hahaha,” the old count spread his hands, looking at the Grand Duchess with great emotion: “Then, the Nazel family of Rocky Hill and Hattin County will also answer your call and follow your banner westward.”

“Holt Nazel,” he said with a smile, “is willing to fight for you.”

"Dragon Sky City will never walk alone."

With those words, the Grand Duchess suppressed her last bit of tension.

"Thank you, Count Nazel."

“Be careful, Selma,” Nazel said, his smile fading. “Your path is fraught with traps, and we, Dragonsreach, are your best weapon and your last refuge.”

Selma stared blankly at the old count, pursed her lips, as if she understood something.

"Thank you for reminding me, Count Nazel."

Nazel stared intently at Selma.

“But I will still keep an eye on your marriage,” the old count said with a smirk. “Don’t take me for a good person so quickly, madam.”

Selma chuckled.

But what chilled Thales to the bone was that, when no one was paying attention, Count Nazel glanced at him, intentionally or unintentionally.

This made the prince uneasy. Soon, after the six earls expressed their opinions one by one, the remaining seventeen vassals also responded.

Their expressions gradually changed from doubt to determination, and as they whispered among themselves, their opinions slowly came together.

Finally, the vassals raised their heads in unison and pounded their chests.

"The Banner family will answer your call to the Freedom Alliance, madam!"

"The Hudson family of Twilight Snow River fights for Dragon Sky City!"

The declarations of the six vassals were like the first tidal wave, followed by wave after wave: one by one, the vassals on both sides of the hall declared that they would answer the call and go to war against the Free Alliance.

"The Steele family will begin mobilization immediately!"

"A thousand soldiers of the Dillion family are ready to be deployed at any time!"

"The Hudson family of Spear City is ready to serve you!"

Selma sat back in her seat, her face flushed with a blush that couldn't be hidden after the tension and excitement.

Thales watched her quietly, relieved, and a rare smile appeared on his face.

well.

Selma.

The sounds rose and fell in the hall. Thales and Ian exchanged a glance and both breathed a sigh of relief.

“Alright, Dragon Sky City will send troops to Qiyuan City,” Thales said in a low voice. “With this strong reinforcement, you can end the Free Alliance’s war in a short time.”

“And at least until the war ends and our struggle with the king is decided, your little girlfriend won’t have to worry about being forced into marriage or being overthrown from the throne halfway through,” Ian patted his chest, his face showing a look of utter disbelief after the battle.
"How was my plan?"

“I must say, you’re a good actor,” Thales said, releasing his grip on the hand that had been pinched so hard it left nail marks. “You annoying suitor.”

You, Ian.

You have stirred up the greatest fear in Dragon City since the death of King Nuen and the ascension of the Grand Duchess—a hand reaching out from the outside, towards Dragon City.

They were forced to stand together.

"Thank you for the compliment." Ian smiled smugly.

Yes.

It's not that complicated.

Thales sighed: just like that so-called "backfire" lesson they'd had with the old crow a few weeks ago.

At the beginning of its founding, the northward invasion of the Star Kingdom brought together the divided and warring Kingdom of Exter, thus facilitating the unification of the strongest nation in the Western Continent.

In the bloody year, Exter's massive southward campaign forced the crumbling Star Kingdom to fight desperately, rebuilding the monarchy and continuing the nation amidst suspicion and bloodshed.

Thales looked at the vassals in the hall and said quietly: One way to unite divided groups and forces is through strong external stimuli.

“However, I’m here to be the bad guy anyway, I don’t expect to get a wife,” the Viscount grinned, then patted Thales on the shoulder with a different kind of sympathy: “But you, tsk tsk, you’re really pitiful.”

Thales's face stiffened.

what?
The Lisban Regent's voice rang out: "Then, we will discuss the specific details of the troop deployment with Qiyuan City..."

The prince coughed awkwardly, changing the subject before Ian could say anything else strange:

"You know, I just thought of something interesting."

Ian raised his eyebrows.

“If the vassals stand their ground and refuse to send troops,” Thales sighed, “maybe you really will gain a fiancée from Dragonsreach?”

The prince's gaze turned serious: "Then are you even happier?"

In that instant, it was as if someone had snapped a string between the two boys.

The atmosphere among them became tense.

His Excellency the Viscount paused for a second, then revealed his usual smile.

“Haha,” Ian laughed, but his eyes slowly focused. “Oh, then you’ve misunderstood my sincerity.”

Thales narrowed his eyes: "That's good."

Ian clicked his tongue.

“But I’m also curious, if the plan fails and the conflict between the Grand Duchess and her vassals becomes irreconcilable,” Ian said casually, “what would you do? Elope with her?”

This time it was Thales' turn to raise his eyebrows.

“Hey, this,” the prince shrugged. “You know, a long time ago, a friend of mine from Corns told me: even in a sure thing, you have to have a backup plan.”

Ian frowned.

Thales let out a breath: I have to say, the politics of Exter, or rather, Dragonsky City, are really direct.

At least……

People from the North are, after all, people from the North.

Thales glanced at the seats of the six earls: everyone had laid out their stakes and attitudes, making things much simpler.

Unlike...

Just then, the side door of the Hall of Heroes suddenly opened.

A nobleman dressed in the attire of Qiyuan City walked in with an anxious expression.

Many of the vassals who were quietly listening to the Lisbon Regency's arrangements noticed this.

The nobleman walked to the seats of the Qiyuan City delegation, took out a scroll, and handed it to the knight sitting in the first seat—"The Raven of Death" Ned Monty.

Monty immediately attracted a lot of attention: he tore open the letter, and his expression changed drastically.

“Hey,” Thales frowned, nudging Ian. “What’s going on?”

“That’s a messenger responsible for transmitting military intelligence,” Ian said, watching the scene with a serious expression. “Judging from his expression, the situation has changed.”

fighting?

Thales was startled: "The Free Alliance?"

Ian nodded uneasily: "Where else could it be?"

In the lobby, more and more people noticed the newcomer.

The next second, Monty's expression changed drastically and he suddenly stood up!

This caused everyone in the hall who was discussing sending troops to pause.

"Sorry to interrupt."

The Deathrattle waved rudely at the astonished Regent Lisbon, then looked solemnly at Ian before striding forward.

Nikolai, standing on the steps, watched his old friend's actions, his pupils contracting.

Monty was a scout who carried out the most dangerous missions during the war.

What could have caused him to lose his composure like this...

Not many.

Amidst the questioning gazes of the Grand Duchess and numerous vassals, Monty strode up to the bewildered Ian, handed him the scroll, and coldly declared, "You need to look at this immediately and then explain it to Dragonstreet."

As he said this, Monty's sharp gaze swept towards Thales.

Thales shuddered: the feeling of being watched resurfaced in his mind.

The prince smiled awkwardly, raised his hands, and took a step back: Okay, okay, I won't look.

But things are not that simple.

“No,” Ian read the letter in his hand, his face pale as he looked up, “this…”

Monty nodded expressionlessly, his hunter-like gaze never leaving Thales.

It was as if they wanted to skin him alive.

Rolf sensed something was wrong and took a step closer to the prince.

The other vassals in the hall exchanged puzzled glances, while Risban coughed.

Ian put down the letter with trembling hands, and only then did Thales notice that he was drenched in cold sweat.

Ian raised his eyes to look at the Grand Duchess on her seat, then turned to Thales in a flustered manner: "You know?"

That look was complex, containing doubt, anger, and even struggle.

Thiels raised an eyebrow in confusion: "Know what?"

Ian took a deep breath and shook his head, as if trying to wake himself up.

“If you don’t know…” The heir of Qiyuan City gritted his teeth: “Alright, Monty, I’ll speak with the Grand Duchess later…”

Snapped!
His shoulder was immediately gripped tightly by the Deathraven!

Ian shuddered and looked up at Monty in surprise.

“Now is not the time for you to be willful, Ian,” Monty’s voice was somber and stern, leaving no room for argument: “Dragon City has just promised to send troops, and they need to know that!”

"This is not something that can be concealed!"

Ian hesitated: "But..."

Monty didn't waste any more words. He snatched the letter from the other person's hand without any hesitation: "Alright, I'll do it then."

"Wait……"

Before Ian could speak, Monty forcefully pushed the bewildered Ian down into his seat.

The latter's struggles were no match for the knight.

Throughout the entire ordeal, Thales watched this scene unfold inside the city of Qiyuan with astonishment and disbelief.

Monty's gaze still sent shivers down his spine.

what happened?
That letter, what exactly...?

Just then, the words of the Regent of Lisbon drifted from afar:
"Lord Monty, we have all heard of your reputation."

“However, this is the Hall of Heroes in Valhalla,” the Regent said, drawing everyone’s attention. “Is there anything we need to know?”

Monty glanced at Thales again, then abruptly turned to face the hall.

“Yes,” the brown-haired knight said coldly, holding up the letter in his hand.

"An urgent military intelligence report just sent from Qiyuan City."

Count Nazel's eyes narrowed: "Military intelligence?"

Monty nodded and strode forward.

Thales noticed that Ian was clenching his fists tightly, his gaze shifting between him and the Grand Duchess.

“A few days ago, we detected a third-party army in the desert south of Qiyuan City,” said the Death Raven with a horrified expression, as if he could see the approach of the bitter cold. “It’s about four to five thousand light cavalry—maybe more—and we’re sure they’re our enemies, coming for the Freedom Alliance.”

The hall fell silent instantly.

Thales frowned: For the Freedom Alliance?
Wait a minute, twenty years ago, the supporters of the Freedom Alliance were Commas and White Mountain, which means...

But the lords who were knowledgeable in military affairs immediately grasped the key point.

"Cavalry in the desert? Five thousand?"

Count Kelke Gorky was shocked, slamming his remaining right arm onto the chair: "How is this possible?"

Monty snorted coldly: "Not only that, but they are all elites, skilled in riding, and move like the wind, eyeing Qiyuan City and Freedom Fortress covetously."

Almost all the vassals frowned.

The Grand Duchess looked at her regent with a blank expression.

“Sand bandits, the Bone Tribe, and orcs could not possibly have a cavalry force of this size. The direction of Cornmas is wrong, and there is no such force in the Golden Corridor…” Risban, who was well-versed in geography, looked at Monty with a solemn expression: “Where did these cavalry come from?”

The Death Crow exhaled, chewed its teeth, and its expression turned ferocious.

“This is what I wanted to say,” Monty said through gritted teeth, holding up the letter. “They must have come from the southeast, crossing a stretch of desert.”

The vassals were all shocked!
Thales frowned, quickly recalling the geography of the continent: the Free Alliance lies due west of Qiyuan City, and the Great Desert lies due south. If the cavalry appearing in the desert came from the southeast…

Wait, southeast?
We crossed a desert?
Isn't that just...

But before he could even sort out the connections, Monty, his face contorted with rage, snorted, "Those cavalrymen's flags have white borders and blue backgrounds..."

"Silver Cross Double Stars".

At that moment, Thales clearly felt his heart skip a beat.

Geek!

The hall fell silent for a moment.

The next second, the usually composed Regent of Lisbon could no longer maintain his composure. He trembled and exclaimed to Monty, "What?"

In an instant, everyone in the hall, from the Grand Duchess to the vassals, from the delegation from Qiyuan City to the guards of the Hall of Heroes, instinctively turned their gazes in unison!
Turn to that one guest, who seemed completely out of place in the hall.

Monty's next words seemed to come from afar, faintly echoing in Thales' ears: "That's right, things are already very clear."

"The powerful backers behind the Freedom Alliance, including the mastermind behind their rebellion against Exter, are..."

All that could be heard was the calm voice of the raven:
"Star Kingdom".

In that instant, facing countless shocked, confused, and hostile gazes...

The Star Prince, dumbfounded and frozen in shock, could only hear the sound of his own heartbeat...

It was throbbing violently.

(End of this chapter)