Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 328 is like Chaman Rumba
"That's it? So... Your Highness, did you succeed?"

Wyatt looked at King Chaman from afar in disbelief: "And...we're really going to Black Sand Territory?"

This time, however, Rolf, who disliked him, did not refute him with gestures or hums.

The prince raised his head and managed a weak smile.

But his story isn't over yet.

"You've surprised me once again, Your Highness."

Lisban walked straight up to the prince, his face serious.

Thales let out a sigh of relief, closed his eyes, and said, "Me too."

Lisban gave a soft snort.

“You already knew: the king is in Dragon City.”

The Regent said with certainty, "You'll know when you get on the Black Sand Territory carriage."

Thales did not speak.

Lisban stared sharply at him: "But you didn't tell us, you didn't tell Long Xiaocheng."

"You're just quietly waiting for today."

Lisban glanced at King Chaman, who was still standing leisurely in the middle of the hall, receiving all kinds of gazes as if he would not stop until he had finished touring the hall: "You, and him."

Thales remained silent.

Lisban sighed. "As the lady says, Dragon City will remember everything that happened today, Your Highness."

Thales finally spoke.

“Yes, me too,” the prince said softly. “I will keep you in mind and watch over you, Your Excellency.”

Lisban gave him a deep look.

In the end, the count said nothing and turned to leave.

He is not the only one.

“You’ve got guts, kid,” said the cold Kierkegaard. “But you know, gutsy guys usually die young.”

The sarcastic Earl Curtson said nothing, but as he left, he gave him a throat-slitting warning gesture, accompanied by a hateful look.

Thales responded with a faint smile.

“Congratulations, Your Highness,” Earl Linna whispered as he passed by, “You think Rumba is any good?”

"Bah! Ungrateful, treacherous, despicable," Earl Hearst spat disdainfully as he left. "Cowards of the Empire."

Faced with these gazes and words, Thales could only respond with a smile.

As if he didn't care.

But the other person's words were quite different.

Does she deserve it?

Thales was slightly taken aback.

It is Count Nazel.

The elderly count stood a step away from him and sighed: "Was it worth such a sacrifice?"

Thales frowned slightly.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying, Earl.”

“Hmph, I’m old, but I’m not blind,” Nazel chuckled and shook his head. “Perhaps what others see is you and Lumba colluding, betraying Dragonsky City, and fleeing to Black Sand Territory, but what I see…”

He gave Thales a deep look with an ambiguous expression: "You cooperated with Qi Yuancheng beforehand to prevent her from being forced into marriage, and you interrupted us twice during the meeting, but each time you saved the girl from a predicament."

Thales's face stiffened.

"As for your cooperation with the Black Sand Territory..."

“That girl,” Nazelton paused, then said softly, “is she really worth it?”

Thales' face was ashen, and he didn't say a word.

Seeing this, Nazel could only sigh silently. He gently patted Thales on the shoulder and slowly walked away.

Thales watched the old count's footsteps, his emotions a jumble of complex emotions.

Does she deserve it?
Just now.

Snapped!
Thales was startled; his shoulder had been grabbed without any hesitation!
"you……"

It's Ian.

"Rumba is the backup plan you mentioned, is that right?" At this moment, Viscount Fengcheng was looking at him with red eyes, gritting his teeth, and filled with resentment and anger.

Thales stared blankly at the person in front of him.

He had never seen Ian like this before, as if the young Ronnie who had been chatting and laughing with him had died.

Thales sighed and waved away Rolf and Wyatt, who were about to step forward.

"From beginning to end, did you just watch like it was a good show?" Ian's breathing quickened, his eyes filled with venom. "You cooperated with me on the surface, but betrayed me like a clown behind my back?"

"Isn't that interesting!"

Thales fell silent.

After a long pause, he finally managed to utter, "I'm sorry."

"sorry?"

Ian seemed to be enraged by these words, his lips trembling as he said, "Qi Yuancheng, Qi Yuancheng has been betrayed just like that... all thanks to you, you traitor!"

Ian's eyes grew increasingly terrifying, and the grip on his shoulder tightened.

"You think this is clever? You have the king's protection, and the Grand Duchess has the support of her vassals?"

Thales did not speak.

He awkwardly turned his head away, avoiding Ian's gaze.

I am sorry.

I had no choice.

"I'm sorry." He could only repeat this sentence over and over again.

His attitude seemed to enrage Ian, who growled angrily, "No, no, no!"

"You can't escape!"

"I promise you, one day you will all regret this."

Ian gritted his teeth, his face contorted with madness, and vowed, "One day..."

“You will all pay the price,” Ian threatened sharply, turning to the Grand Duchess who stood motionless on the steps, “especially your little girlfriend!”

"Wait and see!"

Thales tensed up!
He abruptly shook off Ian's arm, leaving the latter stunned.

“Before you threaten me with boring things, Ian Ronnie.”

“You should take care of yourself first,” Thales said coldly, meeting the furious Ian’s gaze. “You and your sister.”

Ian was slightly startled.

"You know, even if your sister got zero points in Guardian City..."

Thales said softly, "That's still better than someone getting a negative score in Dragon City?"

Ian's eyes widened, his expression growing increasingly grim: "You..."

“That’s right, Ian.”

“A long time ago, a terrifying old hag taught me,” Thales’s eyes sharpened, “that betrayal is the true essence of alliance.”

Ian stared at him intently, as if he were meeting Thales for the first time.

"Today, I will teach you this sentence."

Tuition is waived.

Ian's expression changed, and he was about to lash out, but his shoulder was firmly held down by another person!
“A loss is a loss,” Monty the Death Raven said coldly, standing behind Ian. “Ian, at least act like a man.”

Ian looked at Monty in disbelief.

“This isn’t over,” Ian finally said, giving up on pressing the issue. “Now I know… my opponent isn’t just Rumba…”

He moved closer to Thales, staring intently into his eyes: "Thales Starlight."

Thales continued to stare at him coldly, showing no sign of weakness.

The next second, Ian angrily shook off Monty's hand, his face darkening as he brushed past Thales and turned to leave.

Thales watched the other person's retreating figure and sighed inwardly.

It is an honor.

Ian.

Monty snorted, glanced at Thales, and gave a somewhat sinister smile.

His malicious gaze made Thales feel uneasy.

The raven walked past him, leaving behind a light, airy remark: "You truly live up to your reputation, Your Highness."

Monty ground his teeth, as if chewing on something: "What a pity."

Thales swallowed awkwardly.

He didn't want to know what the other person regretted.

But the next complex gaze made Thales uneasy.

The girl, accompanied by Nicolai, silently walked towards the gate.

The Grand Duchess passed by Thales, her pace pausing slightly.

Thales closed his eyes.

A voice filled with anger rang out, but it wasn't hers.

"how did you do it?"

Thales took a deep breath and opened his eyes.

The Meteorite stood in front of Thales, his eyes no longer filled with anger.

All that remains is coldness and hatred.

"You've deceived us for so long about Rumba, but..."

“There are at least three layers of guards from the Axe District to here,” Nicolai sneered. “How did Rumba manage to get to the hall entrance without any hindrance, and then appear at just the right moment to cooperate with your act?”

Thales had to wave again, signaling to Wyatt and Rolf that they didn't need to come forward.

Selma stood not far from them, without turning around.

Thales let out a breath.

At this moment, he truly felt the heaviness in his heart.

“The delegation from Black Sand Territory has been in Dragon Sky City for a long time,” Thales said calmly. “Viscount Kambida came in the name of paying homage to the Grand Duchess. As long as no one recognizes the King, they can pass through the patrols at the First Gate without any problems.”

"As for the Palace of Heroes... today is special. The elite Grand Duke's personal guards are all around the Hall of Heroes to protect the safety of the nobles, so the palace guards are responsible for guarding the palace gates, and they also have the servants of the lords waiting outside to receive them."

Thales murmured, “So, as long as you know their shift schedule in advance, and with Rolf’s superpower and Wya’s identity working together, Rumba can avoid the palace guards and reach the hall entrance, where only your Grand Duke’s personal guards will be in front of him.”

Nicolai narrowed his eyes: "Palace guards?"

Thales nodded, his face somber: "The Grand Duke's guards can't be avoided, but Rumba doesn't need to face them directly. He just needs to have Cambida find the messenger at the door and have him inform the Earl of Lisbon in the hall: The King is here."

Nikolai frowned.

“The Grand Duchess was already at her wit’s end,” Thales sighed. “All I needed to do was escalate the conflict and push the mess in the hall to a point where no one could salvage it. The Count of Lisbon, who knows how to assess the situation, would know what to do.”

"He is very good at making choices."

Not far away, Selma's shoulders twitched slightly.

Thales finished speaking.

Nicolai stared at him coldly.

"The palace guards' shift schedule?" Nicolai's voice grew increasingly menacing, each word carrying a dangerous undertone: "That's a closely guarded secret, rearranged every month."

"Which mouse betrayed us?"

“There’s no need to bother anyone else,” Thales shook his head. “The head chef’s son, Joseph, remember him?”

Nikolai frowned, seemingly trying to recall the name.

“He was very lonely in the palace,” Thales said with a bitter smile. “I often practiced swordsmanship with him when he came to the courtyard to deliver meals.”

Nicolai suddenly realized something, and his face turned pale: "The kitchen?"

“I certainly wouldn’t get a shift schedule that’s changed every month,” Thales nodded slowly. “But the palace guards also need to eat. The kitchen’s daily cooking schedule is fixed, such as when a squad’s bread needs to be made and where it’s specifically delivered…”

Nikolai's face grew increasingly grim.

“By the way, don’t make things difficult for Joseph,” Thales shook his head, his tone flat: “He’s still young, he thinks it was just casual conversation during sword practice.”

"You just sold him off like that?" Nicolai scoffed. "Truly ungrateful—"

“You’ll find out sooner or later anyway, and if you wait until then, his fate will be even worse,” Thales shook his head. “But you know he’s not a traitor, he’s just been kept in the dark. Rather than making him pay, you might as well give him a break. That way, you’ll have another loyal and good subordinate.”

And a great teammate who shares your "I hate Thales" sentiments.

Nikolai pondered for a moment upon hearing this.

"So, regarding your actions in the palace over the past six years—whether it was skipping classes to read in various corners, being so bored as to talk to animals, degrading yourself to meddle in the servants' work, or chatting amiably with the servants and guards…" The Meteorite let out a faint, cold laugh, yet it sent a chill down one's spine.
"Are they all gathering intelligence or testing our defenses?"

"And your six years of behaving yourself... were all an act?"

In the distance, Selma's figure remained still, with the Grand Duke's guards waiting respectfully around her.

Thales's breath hitched slightly.

There was a few seconds of silence between Nicolai and Thales.

Most of the nobles in the hall had left, leaving only the dignified King Chaman, accompanied by Kambida and Kroesi, watching this scene from afar with great interest.

"I talk to animals because I'm really bored, as for anything else..."

The second prince took a breath and forced a somber smile: "I had no choice."

"no choice?"

Thales turned around, looking at the Soul-Slaying Spear on the shelf, and sighed with emotion as he recalled the past: "Six years... in Dragon Sky City..."

“Every letter I write must be opened and examined, every destination I visit must be searched in advance, everyone I speak to must be questioned three times, even the paper I use in class must be inspected, every book I touch is recorded by a designated person, and if my daily schedule or actions are slightly off, you, Lisban, or Ms. Jinx will be questioned, and then I will be confined to my quarters…”

Selma's back trembled slightly. Thales sighed, "My every move is under your surveillance. If it weren't for the Grand Duchess's permission, I wouldn't even be able to step out of Valhalla."

"As for Wyatt and Ada, every Starman who leaves the palace is not only searched, but also followed by scouts. Even if they toss a beggar a copper coin, you will arrest that beggar and lock him up for two months. Even the missions from home that come to visit me are subject to restrictions and surveillance..."

Nikolai continued to stare at him silently with a terrifying look in his eyes.

“I know that you used the name of King Chaman to lock me up in this deep palace, cut off all contact with the outside world, and deprived me of the normal education that should have been given to me, hoping that I would drift through a meaningless life and become a canary that can only sing in a cage…”

Nikolai remained silent.

Thales lowered his head and said sadly, "Six years ago, Star, Secret Science, and I caused you a lot of trouble, even disaster. But at least we fought side by side..."

"Is this necessary?"

This time, the silence lasted a long time.

Nikolai let out a cold laugh.

"Not only is it necessary..."

“In my opinion, that’s far from enough,” he said firmly. “Justin has been too lenient with you. He should never have let you have any contact with the people of Black Sand Territory.”

"That's how you got the chance to betray us."

"You betrayed us all, thinking you'd be safe once you escaped to Black Sand Territory?"

Nikolai's eyes flashed coldly: "You better remember this well, little prince of the empire."

Thales frowned slightly.

"You? Forget it," the prince shook his head slightly. "Don't overestimate yourself just because others call you the Meteorite. You deadpan face."

"You and I...we've never been on the same level."

Nikolai's face stiffened.

“Very well,” the Meteorite said bitterly, “You’d better watch out, and don’t fall into my hands.”

"By then... you won't even have a chance to regret it."

Nicolai glared at him fiercely, then caught up with the Grand Duchess's party and strode away.

Thank you, Dead Face.

I will be careful.

as always.

The Grand Duchess did not linger; she strode directly out the gate.

There was no turning back.

As the footsteps faded into the distance, Thales sighed, a sense of unease settling over him.

"Aren't we leaving?"

Watching wave after wave of important figures utter harsh words, Wyman, who had come closer, didn't dare to utter a sound. "Your Highness?"

Thales shook his head.

No.

One more to go.

Finally, the heavy footsteps drew closer.

Wyatt and Rolf immediately felt as if they were facing a formidable enemy.

“You had no intention of asking me for help, did you?” King Chaman’s deep, slightly hoarse voice rang out.

Compared to his previous sternness, his tone now lacked some of his domineering air and was more playful.

But Thales did not answer directly; instead, he gestured for Wyman to step back.

“No,” Thales shook his head. “If it weren’t for the accident, you wouldn’t have had the chance to show up at all.”

He looked up, his eyes somewhat unfocused.
"My father always likes to surprise me."

The air was quiet for a moment.

“Yes,” the king said slowly, his tone carrying an indescribable emotion, “I understand.”

King Chaman narrowed his eyes, his hand on the sword at his waist tightening slightly:
"My father was too."

In the special atmosphere, Thales and King Chaman remained silent for a while, as if in perfect unison.

A few seconds later.

“But you reacted quickly,” Thales said, turning to the king with genuine admiration. “I only mentioned the Stars’ deployment of troops to the Freedom Alliance, and you seized the opportunity.”

King Chaman scoffed dismissively, "Likewise."

“But,” the prince said, taking a deep breath as he faced the king, “you just said that you have already secured victory against the Black Sand Territory and against those vassals who oppose you?”

The king's eyes flickered slightly: "What?"

Thales narrowed his eyes: "You also said that the Grand Guild of Trudida would join you in sending troops to deal with them?"

King Chaman raised an eyebrow.

Thales stared at him, his gaze lingering.

A moment later, the prince burst out laughing.

“Don’t joke around,” Thales shook his head. “We all know him—Trudida, the one who rebuilt the tower, would he help you?”

“What’s so special about that?” King Chaman scoffed. “Everyone knows that Perseus Trudida has always been indecisive, cunning, and treacherous.”

Thales sighed and smoothed his hair, recalling the shrewd, bowl-cut grand duke.

“That’s right, but let me put it this way: if you invited Trudida to go deer hunting, he definitely wouldn’t agree,” Thales sighed, “unless he knew beforehand that the deer was already dead, and all he had to do was drag the meat back…”

"Only then would Trudida have a bold and generous look, a tragic and heroic appearance, like a hero who will never return, carrying a bow and arrows, holding a sword and riding a horse as he sets off."

The two looked at each other silently.

A moment later, King Chaman smiled.

"Hahahaha, 'A hero who is gone forever,'" This time, Rumba laughed heartily, a stark contrast to his previous sneers and mockery, as if this was the only time he was truly happy: "I must say, it's very vivid and apt!"

Thales laughed along, his shoulders trembling slightly.

But his smile vanished quickly: "So, although Trudida talks a good game, he will never join you in sending troops."

“If your vassals were to gather together and break ties with the Lombard family, fighting to the death,” Thales’ smile was replaced by seriousness and earnestness, “the outcome between you and them would be uncertain.”

King Chaman's laughter also stopped.

“Your claim that ‘the outcome of the game is already decided’ is nothing but empty talk,” Thales stared at him coldly.

"That's why you came here in person."

Just like six years ago.

King Chaman neither denied nor admitted it, but simply stared at him mysteriously.

Thales looked towards the gate and sighed, "Ian is still too young. He lacks experience in facing you, which is why he was so easily intimidated. If it were his father, that resolute, courageous, stubborn, and ruthless warrior and Grand Duke of Qiyuan City, Kulikun Ronnie, here..."

King Chaman sneered, "You have a pretty high opinion of him."

Thales scoffed.

"Judging from the expressions on Risban and Nazar's faces, they're probably suspicious," the prince said softly, stretching his aching shoulders.

"I'm just wary of your relationship with the Star Kingdom and I don't have much faith in Trudida. I'm afraid you've really promised him something he can't refuse, so I don't dare to gamble with you on this."

King Chaman shook his head casually: "Not everyone has the wisdom to see through the game and the courage to gamble against me."

Thales shook his head and gave a soft hum.

"But soon, everything that happened in this hall—whether it was the crushing defeat of Qiyuan City in its confrontation with the king, or the news that Longxiao City did not join the alliance to denounce the king, but instead ultimately handed over the Star Prince to the king—would spread throughout the Kingdom of Exter, especially back to Black Sand Territory."

"Now, you can use the stars to stall Qiyuan City, demoralize the opponents who hear the news, and conveniently label Trudida a 'royalist'..."

Thales suddenly felt exhausted, as if the morning's meetings had drained his energy.

“You’ll only truly win when the Grand Duchess agrees to hand me over,” he said somewhat listlessly. “Before that, it was just a bluff.”

"Are you satisfied?"

The two stood silently gazing at each other in the center of the hall.

Their delay caused the Grand Duke's guards, who were still standing around the hall, to frown, but Cambida's smiling face and Kroesi's cold expression effectively stalled them.

“But you did not come away empty-handed, Thales,” King Chaman said quietly after a long pause. “First and foremost, you yourself not only avoided being drawn into the war, but also escaped the clutches of Dragonstreet.”

“Is that so?” the prince yawned, seemingly unconcerned.
"Forgive my poor eyesight, but I can't see what this good thing is."

But the king ignored him, his tone slightly cold: "And, according to the terms we agreed upon..."

“I also gave that girl the opportunity to cultivate her prestige, so that her vassals would no longer become her enemies.”

These words instantly brought Thales's unfocused gaze back to focus.

"Under the pressure of a certain terrifying king, at least in the short term, the Grand Duchess of Dragon Sky City will not lose their support, nor will she be forced to marry. Under external forces, they will become even more united."

"Isn't this what you wanted?"

Thales frowned.

“But she is, after all, a girl,” Thales finally managed to say after a few seconds. “In any case, her presence will make many people in Dragon City feel uneasy and resentful.”

King Chaman raised an eyebrow: "Then there's nothing I can do, unless you turn her into a man?"

Thales raised his eyes.

“Therefore,” the prince said, staring firmly into King Chaman’s deep eyes, “you must help her gain a foothold—by whatever means necessary.”

The king seemed somewhat amused: "Must?"

Thales nodded.

“As King Exeter,” he said calmly, “it is in your interest to allow a controversial Grand Duchess, a girl who defies tradition, to continue ruling the city of Dragonrise, a city teeming with talented individuals and possessing a strong foundation.”

"You wouldn't want to see a Grand Duke of Dragonsky City who is as meticulous as Risban, as cunning as Nazel, and as tough and upright as Kerkekul, would you?"

King Chaman's expression froze at that moment.

Thales stared intently at him, his eyes fixed on him.

A slight ripple appeared on the king's rugged face: "Indeed, we do not need a second King Nunn."

Thales finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"For this, you will even have to help her gain considerable power," the second prince emphasized, his pace quickening. "Don't forget, as a grand duchess, the obstacles she faces are, in some ways, the same problems you face, such as the thousands of years of tradition in the North..."

Upon hearing this, King Chaman's interest grew even stronger.

"Besides, she is the Grand Duchess you acknowledge, and you voted for her..."

Thales suddenly fell silent.

Besides, you still have a trump card that can kill her.

Her throne is tied to your crown.

Thales's face hardened, and he said nothing more.

King Chaman slowly let out a long breath.

“I have a feeling, Thales,” the king said, a slight smile playing on his lips, his eyes sharp and slightly piercing, “that we will get along very well during your stay in Black Sand Territory.”

Thales's face darkened.

"Is it."

The two fell into silence again.

After a long pause, King Chaman finally spoke with a meaningful tone: "The old question: How does it feel?"

Thales responded with a cold snort: "What does it feel like?"

King Chaman took a deep breath, his face beaming with pleasure, as if he were appreciating the beauty of Dragon City at this moment.

“From Qiyuan City to Longxiao City, from Lisban to the Grand Duchess, you are a traitor who has betrayed almost everyone—or at least that’s what they think.”

"Carrying everything alone, moving forward in solitude?"

King Chaman's gaze grew increasingly sharp, his words increasingly intimidating:

"How does it taste?"

Thales fell silent.

He lowered his head and remained silent for a long time.

The prince suddenly recalled that six years ago, when he was riding in the carriage of the Marquis of Commas, he had angrily questioned the then Grand Duke of Black Sands, who later became King Chaman, and received the cold reply from the other party.

Child, you know nothing.

[My connection with Black Sand Territory... is already irreversible.]

King Chaman looked at him, shook his head with a hint of disdain, and turned to leave.

Just as he turned around, the voice of the Star Prince came from behind him.

But it was more somber, gloomy, and indifferent than ever before.

"This feeling..."

Thales stared at the ground, not looking up, and said hoarsely, "It feels like... Charman Rumba."

The king froze halfway through his step.

In the still air, Thales let out a soft snort.

He calmly called to Wyatt and Rolf, and headed towards the door.

The prince paused slightly as he reached the entrance to the hall.

He looked at the slightly uneven, rough floor tiles in the hall and curled the corners of his mouth.

Six years ago, he first met the renowned King of the North here.

Six years later...

The next moment, Thales resisted the urge to turn around and took a deep breath.

Oh shit.

Thales took a step without hesitation.

Six years later my foot!

He took two easy steps and stepped out of the Hall of Heroes in Nakaru.

by Wujian with a serious expression

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(End of this chapter)