Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 380 Welcome to the Star Kingdom (Part 2)

Duro stared intently at Tomdin: "Do you know this will worsen your charges?"

"Colluding with the enemy, espionage, and bribery!"

what?
Tom Ding turned pale and was completely at a loss.

Looking at Duro's face with a puzzled expression, Thales suddenly remembered a long time ago when he was begging in the lower city.

The guards and security forces were generally too lazy to patrol the dirty and chaotic lower city, but Thales had quite a few experiences begging at the west gate.

There, in a place teeming with thugs, a set of rules completely different from those in the underground streets were in effect.

When dealing with the thugs in the underworld, you can simply hand over your money. But when facing the slippery and nimble thugs at the foot of the capital...

Thales sighed as he looked at the terrified Tomding and the others who were completely bewildered.

The boy took a step forward.

“We understand, sir,” Thales forced a smile, drawing everyone’s attention. “But believe me, we are all legitimate merchants. We left the Baki camp before the lockdown was issued, carrying only legally compliant everyday goods.”

The superhuman captain's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Unfortunately, our caravan encountered orcs halfway through the journey. All our goods were looted, and we lost many men. Only fifteen camels remained, and we barely escaped with our lives," Thales said dejectedly, shaking his head.

He emphasized that the looting was "complete".

Upon hearing this, the prisoners' expressions changed, while Captain Duro's expression darkened.

“Hearing this, I am very sorry,” he sighed sadly. “Protecting your lives and interests in the desert should have been our duty and responsibility, but we were busy fighting the orcs and let you fall into the hands of the sand bandits. This is our dereliction of duty.”

Thales keenly noticed that Duro's Western accent had disappeared considerably in an instant.

"Those damned sand bandits..."

Duro frowned slightly, signaling him to continue.

Thales immediately understood.

"Yes!"

He readily agreed and quickly corrected himself: "Yes, yes, we were robbed by a group of sand bandits, and all our goods disappeared afterward. But we were lucky; after escaping, we encountered Lord Duro leading his army to suppress the desert orcs just a few days later. The scene was truly awe-inspiring!"

Duro's expression gradually softened.

The prisoners looked at each other with strange expressions.

“It was you, Captain Duro, the glorious Stardust Guard, who saved us in the chaos of war,” Thales said gratefully, looking at him. “You also gave us enough aid when we were desperate and short of resources, allowing us to return home after losing everything.”

Thiel deliberately emphasized "losing everything".

Duro sighed softly.

“Oh no, young man,” the squad leader said humbly, patting him on the shoulder in a kind and gentle tone, “losing the cargo is nothing, as long as you’re safe and sound… Besides, don’t you still have ’ten’ camels left?”

Duro emphasized the "ten heads".

Losing the goods is nothing, as long as we're safe and sound...

Tomding finally understood. He looked at the goods in the camp in disbelief and covered his face in anguish.

The leader of the superhumans nodded happily, as if to say, "You're very sensible." "As for gratitude... it's what we should do. The reason the army exists is to protect the people, whether it's your property or your lives."

Thales's face stiffened.

But he quickly forced out a few tears, transforming his awkward stiffness into a choked sob of emotion: "Yes, at least we still have 'ten' camels left. As for your kindness, Captain, we...we are deeply grateful..."

Behind Duro, the female knight nicknamed "Spirit Blade" practically bulged her eyes out.

Thales continued, choking back tears, "This is our only consolation after losing the goods—but Mr. Tomding offered to pay you a reward, which you refused, and we feel very bad about it."

In the Freaks Squad, Snake Hand chuckled.

Duro glared at him.

The snake hand immediately stood still obediently.

Duro then turned around with satisfaction, coughed, and said, "I appreciate everyone's kindness, but we have principles, and I really cannot accept this."

Quick Rope rolled his eyes from a corner where no one could see him.

Thales looked like he suddenly understood.

The freak leader looked at Thales with satisfaction: "Very good, young man, it seems you really are a sensible person."

"What's your name?"

Thales's face stiffened: "Saka."

Upon hearing the name, Dean raised an eyebrow.

Duro pulled him into his arms and laughed heartily, "Very good, Seka!"

"Tomdy, if I were you, I would promote this promising young man to be my deputy once he grows up!"

His rustic accent from the western wilderness is back.

Tom Ding forced out a smile that looked more like a grimace.

“With people like you, with good citizens like you who support the kingdom and the army,” Duro said with emotion, shaking Thales, whose smile was a little stiff, “how could our warriors not be brave and skillful in battle, how could they not fight valiantly? What we risk our lives to protect are lovely people of the stars like you!”

“Seeing the Star Kingdom thriving like this,” Thales sighed, and said sincerely, “I’m really excited.”

The superhuman nodded and smiled, "So, do you know what to say to the others in the camp when we get back?"

Thales sighed, “Of course, we were fortunate to meet Lord Duro of the Stardust Guard after our desert adventure and loss of cargo. He is a very good man, dutiful and kind.”

Duro nodded slightly.

“You know I’m a peace-loving man,” Duro’s face instantly turned cold, his eyes like knives as he scanned each prisoner:
"But what if we encounter spies and smugglers who intend to disrupt the peace, such as those who spread false information throughout the camp..."

Thales frowned slightly.

"Please make sure to inform us. Believe me, even if we have to traverse the entire desert, we will wipe them out and create a safe and prosperous trade route for you!"

The prisoners felt a chill and nodded frantically, like they were pounding garlic.

“That’s great,” Duro said with satisfaction. “Now you can go home safely, and we have fulfilled our duty to protect our country.”

"I am truly gratified that the soldiers on the front lines and the civilians at home understand each other and are like fish and water... How can the Star Kingdom not be strong, how can it not rise, how can it not be revived?"

Thales felt a little bittersweet about his smile.

“Tomdy, if I were you, I would definitely marry my daughter to him, really, if I had a daughter…” Duro patted Thales on the shoulder one last time, glanced at the surrounding goods, and sighed, “Believe me, this dowry is a sure thing!”

Thales gave a stiff smile.

Yes, it's definitely a sure thing that you can make a profit.

Finally, Duro waved his hand magnanimously.

"Alright, pack up the necessary luggage—remember, it has to be necessary, like ten camels—and head back to Baki Camp."

“Be careful on the road, but don’t worry, in the desert,” Duro clenched his fist, smiled, and swung his strong arm:

"We will always be your strongest support!"

Tomdin, who had suddenly lost everything, responded to Duro with an ugly smile.

The merchants and mercenaries, their faces ashen, averted their gaze from their solid backing.

Thales sighed inwardly, but ultimately said nothing.

Just now.

"and many more."

Baron Guz, who had been silent all along, finally spoke.

He strode forward, his voice tinged with anger: "I've really had enough."

Duro glanced at the single-winged raven flag behind Baron Guz and frowned: "What?"

“I am a nobleman,” Guz said coldly, lowering his arm. “I’m sorry, Captain Duro, but I cannot stand by and watch you take what belongs to them.”

The prisoners were immediately astonished.

"what do you mean?"

Guz walked up to Duro and looked him straight in the eye: "You, return the goods to them."

"We came out on a mission to sweep through the desert, not to make money."

The leader of the superhumans was stunned.

The prisoners were stunned.

Duro took a few seconds to figure out the situation.

“I thought we were having a great time working together, Guz,” Duro scratched the back of his head, “Listen…”

“Nobody likes working with you,” Guz said coldly. “Freak.”

The others' faces darkened.

Duro sighed.

“I know, and I understand. Nobody wants to suffer in this godforsaken desert during this season, chasing after penniless scumbags for a pitifully small reward,” the freak captain of the Stardust Guard said solemnly, looking at the baron opposite him. “So please, since we’ve stumbled upon this opportunity, don’t block my way. I just want some compensation.”

Baron Guz shook his head, his eyes cold.

“My people have never complained about this.”

As he spoke, the soldiers of the Clomar family tensed up and surrounded the Baron.

The freak leader fell silent.

But he did not back down. Instead, he stepped forward with his hands on his hips, his right hand landing precisely on the hilt of his sword.

His thick left arm began to tremble strangely.

The Stardust Guard members, including the Freaks team, all stepped forward with unfriendly expressions.

The atmosphere became tense. Thales watched this scene with considerable surprise.

Logically speaking, both of them were ordered to clear the desert and welcome their respective...

However, it seems that getting these two sides to cooperate might not be a good idea at present.

Among the prisoners, Old Hammer's face was grim: "Damn it."

"We're caught in the middle again."

Just then, Tomding raised his hand, trembling.

“Your Excellency, you really don’t need to do this for us…”

But Baron Guz did not buy it.

"Shut up."

Guz flatly refused: "This isn't for you, businessman."

"It's for justice and fairness."

He stared coldly at Duro, whose face was grim: "For the sake of the creed we have upheld for thousands of years."

Duro felt as if he had heard the funniest thing in the world.

"Are you out of your mind? Justice and fairness?" Duro stared at his subordinates with his mouth agape.

"In this day and age, are you still playing these old tricks?"

But Guz still stared at him with a cold expression.

Duro's breathing became rapid.

"Ok."

“Thirty percent,” Duro glanced at the pile of goods in the distance and gritted his teeth, “You can take thirty percent of this shipment.”

Guz chuckled softly.

"What," the baron sneered, "you think you can bribe me? Bribe Baron Emory, Van Cleef Gutz, under the command of the Earl of Wingburg?"

“Forty percent,” Duro clenched his fist. “No more than that—this shipment is no small amount, and you’re just a baron.”

Guz shook his head.

"You so-called royal standing army members are clearly part of the military, but you just don't understand, do you?"

"About what we fight for, about what duty and honor mean."

These words made the atmosphere even more tense.

Duro took a deep breath: "Listen, I know you're unhappy that we let that orc get away today and you lost out on battle merits, but listen—don't cause trouble. A lot of big shots are watching."

“Trouble? The real troublemakers are people like you,” Guz said without backing down. “Count Cloma often tells me that.”

"I'll say it again, give the goods back to them."

Duro stomped his foot abruptly.

"Split in half!" he shouted angrily, pointing to the ground. "That's my bottom line!"

Guz chuckled.

"My God, unbelievable, you still want to pay money to settle things and keep quiet."

Baron Guz lamented, "The king's power is too great. Under his unseen wings, maggots like you will always breed, eroding the very foundation of the kingdom."

"This is the meaning of our existence: the nobles must check the power of the monarchy, starting with the arrogant army under his command."

Thales watched their back-and-forth conversation, which was devoid of substance and shared little in common, and found it rather odd.

Guz... this vassal of the Clomar family, could he be an idealist?
However, given the current situation, the conflict that has broken out between them is not a good prospect for the prisoners.

Duro fell silent.

"You really know how to get involved, Your Excellency."

“But you don’t want to fight us here over this,” the captain said, pointing to the sky.

“Those above, whether barons or earls, or even… they won’t be happy.”

“You’re right,” Guz replied coldly, placing his hand on the hilt of his sword as he did so. “That’s what I think too.”

"So, do you want them to be happy?"

"Freaks?"

Duro's expression changed.

Both groups of people put their hands on their weapons and stared at each other menacingly.

“Sixty percent,” Duro stared intently at his opponent, his weapon already drawn an inch from its sheath: “If you can’t accept that, then let’s fight.”

Guz silently met his opponent's gaze.

A second later, the Baron smiled.

"make a deal."

Guz said calmly, his hand leaving the sword hilt.

The prisoners were all taken aback.

what?
make a deal?

Just moments before, they had been astonished to see the Baron so righteously refuse the bribes time and time again, and they had been worried that Guz's impulsiveness would implicate their prisoners. Now, they were speechless and dumbfounded.

Even Thales, who had a slight sense of it, was surprised for a moment.

Duro spat angrily onto the ground.

"Pah, how greedy."

But Guz simply turned around and mounted his horse, seemingly unconcerned: "Remember, sixty percent. My standard-bearer will confirm with you."

"I'll be waiting for you up ahead... It'll be a pleasure working with you, Captain Duro."

The next moment, the baron and his men rode off together.

"These parasites!"

Duro looked at the baron's retreating figure with disdain: "Nobles? They're just vampires clinging to the kingdom."

"The stars were destroyed because of you."

The prisoners looked at each other, speechless.

"Stop standing there in the way, get out of here, and don't cause any trouble," Duro waved impatiently at them, clearly annoyed.
"We are the kingdom's army, and we're busy protecting you!"

The prisoners turned and left stiffly.

Thales glanced at the departing Baron, then at the sulking Duro.

A few seconds later, he let out a long sigh, stopped in his tracks, held back the words he was about to say, and turned around with the others.

No.

Thales shook his head silently.

No.

The sky grew increasingly dark.

In the biting cold wind, the caravan members walked toward their respective camps with mixed feelings, gathering their remaining belongings—and the bodies.

The Stardust Guard kept a close watch on them to prevent them from taking too much of the "lost" cargo.

But the greatswordsmen of Dante were filled with gloom and despair.

"to be honest……"

In the mercenary group, Louisa closed Panga's eyes expressionlessly, saying hoarsely, "I don't think Tomdin will pay us, at least not in full—he has a good excuse to shirk it, or even blame us."

"Ponga, Kanze, Harken... so many casualties, everyone's compensation..."

Louisa couldn't continue.

The greatswords of Dante fell silent.

The atmosphere became very oppressive.

Dean sighed, took Kanzer's greatsword from his hand, and pushed the big man into the dug sand pit: "I'll figure something out—for now, let's gather our things together, pack them skillfully, and not let them stop us."

McGee slammed his fist into the sand.

"What was that just now?"

The Bone Man glanced at the cavalrymen looting in the distance, barely concealing his anger: "That group..."

Dean shook his head and didn't say anything.

Thales, however, sighed.

"welcome……"

He spoke in a hoarse voice, sounding rather listless: "Welcome to the Star Kingdom."

The prince helped the sullen Quick Rope by scooping up sand and burying the mercenary Haken's unrecognizable body.

This volume is nearing its final major plot development, a pivotal moment that connects the past and the future. It's very difficult to write; I often sit there for three hours without managing to produce a single word.

Looking at the subscription figures for the past few days, I found that chapters with anti-piracy measures have 25% more subscriptions than those without. This means that a significant number of people, despite having the financial means to subscribe, choose to read pirated versions…

Damn it, this world is so bleak.

By Wujian, who looked utterly hopeless.

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(End of this chapter)