Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 415 Breakup
Sakel?

Punisher Knight?

In the dark cell, Thales's brow twitched: Who is this again?

It sounds somewhat familiar.

Inside the prison cell, the firelight flickered and the shadows swayed, yet there was no sound.

Until a lazy voice slowly began to sound.

"He was kept separately from us, a knight of punishment that everyone feared."

These words caused the prisoners to change color.

Samir turned to Naki, who had spoken.

"Naki!" Barney shouted at Naki, who disagreed with his companions.

But Naki just shook his head: "He should know... even though he has parted ways with us, he must know."

Barney paused for a moment.

Naki let out a long breath, as if looking back on yesterday: "Do you remember the day you broke free of your chains and escaped from your captors, Samir?"

Samir was taken aback: "Me?"

Naki nodded, looking sullen.

“That day, without a higher commander, Sackel took the blame himself, stepped forward and confessed that he had helped you escape—although we all knew that was impossible, as his escort position was a full hundred meters away from yours.”

"But those in power don't care about all that. Enraged, they just need one example to warn us, and the higher the rank of that example, the better."

Samir moved slightly, his expression blank.

“As punishment, Sakel, he’s been locked up down there,” Naki said dejectedly.
"At the very bottom of the prison of bones."

Solitary confinement.

Naki was bitter and authentic.

“You know, we’re all on the same floor, so at least we have someone to talk to. As for him, Sacel?”

"He had no roommates, no conversations, no light, nothing at all."

Samir watched Naki from afar, without saying a word.

"That's right, the most skilled fighter in the Royal Guard, a promising star, and the former next commander of the guard..."

Naki shook his head, his voice filled with sorrow:
"And so, in the unfathomable darkness, without hearing the outside world, unaware of time, and seeing others, I endured it all alone for a full eighteen years."

"Life or death unknown."

Solitary confinement.

Eighteen years.

Within the sword of calamity, Josh frowned slightly.

Thales couldn't help but recall the prison's seasoned calamity swordsman's assessment of the cell.

“That’s why Sakel saved the brothers who were escorted with you,” Naki chuckled. “Because of your cowardice, including Tardin and Brie, they should have been implicated because of you.”

Samir's breathing gradually quickened.

“Ugh—ooh ugh!” Brie on the other side cried out angrily.

“I can help him translate,” Nai said sarcastically.

“Bri said something like, ‘Samir, you’re a fucking coward,’ or something like that.”

Barney, the highest-ranking member, snorted angrily, seemingly disdainful of speaking further.

The prison was completely silent.

Samir closed his eyes, his breathing extremely erratic.

A few seconds later, Samir took a deep breath and turned to face the sword of calamity.

"Let's go, this is all done here."

His figure appeared weary and humble, and his voice carried an inexplicable coldness and gloom: "Go find our target."

Ricky scoffed and waved his hand.

The Swords of Calamity glanced at the dark cell with mixed feelings before turning away. Thales wanted to take a closer look, but Marina rudely pushed him out.

As the light source diminished, the view inside the cell became increasingly dark.

"By the way, Samir."

Samir stopped in his tracks.

Naki's voice came from behind, slow and confused: "I'm sorry to say that, but..."

“But I hope, I really hope, that Sacel has gone completely mad.”

Everyone was stunned.

“I hope he tears you to pieces the moment he sees you, Samir,” Naki’s voice slowly turned cold, sending a chill down one’s spine. “That way, you can rest in peace.”

“Traitor,” he hissed.

The other prisoners either gave a faint sneer or groaned indignantly.

Samir had his back to them and remained silent for a moment.

Until he sighed softly.

"You know, I really want to let you out."

"Semir said softly, his voice tinged with melancholy."

But the next second, Samir resolutely raised his head and walked out of the hall.

Behind him, the faint light in Naki's cell finally succumbed to the prolonged heat and went out.

They sent the dark cell that once imprisoned forty-five members of the royal guard back into the bottomless abyss of darkness.

Having just witnessed what happened, the people of the Sword of Calamity seemed to have been greatly affected, and everyone remained silent.

Only Thales's heart was in turmoil.

"Thank you, Ricky."

In the darkness, Samir, walking ahead, suddenly uttered these words, which were caught by Thales, who was listening intently.

Ricky chuckled softly: "For what?"

Samir's words were mingled with the footsteps, but Thales heard them clearly with his hellish senses:

"Just so you'll agree to this selfish reason of mine."

"Self-interest? No."

Ricky seemed unconcerned: "You think this is just your own selfish motive?"

Ricky's next sentence carried a hint of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing regret, reflection, and a sense
"But in ancient times, this was one of the traditions of knighthood, and the greatest and most important test for every knight."

Samir did not speak.

"Many of us, including you, are scarred, shrouded in the shadows of the past, cursed by the ghosts of yesteryear, living in a daze, unable to extricate ourselves."

“Revenge, injustice, anger, pain, guilt, resentment, torment, and so on—these are the reasons why we have gathered here, and they are also the commonalities among the inheritors outside the tower over the past century.”

Ricky's voice lowered, making it difficult for Thales to hear him:

"But no matter how terrible the past was, no matter how unbearable its shadows and lingering curses may be, we must face it, accept it, and overcome it in order to finally understand ourselves."

Clay's voice came from the other side, tinged with a hint of emotion:
“Since the first Crassus, almost every qualified outsider has gone through this journey, sooner or later, for a longer or shorter time, to understand the meaning of our existence.”

"To truly become a qualified swordsman, one must wield the most untamed and terrifying power."

The middle-aged swordsman from the north said calmly, "It's unavoidable."

"Just like the ancient knights of the imperial era, they had to pass a test that touched their very core before they could finally transcend the limitations of skill, strength, and will, and take another step forward in the way of chivalry."

Clay chuckled, “This is what those scholars in the Tower of the End call the ‘Heart of the Sword’—of course, given that we are an offshoot of the Tower, you can call it whatever you want.”

Samir scoffed softly, his emotions unreadable.

Ricky's steady voice came again: "Don't underestimate this point. At least that's what Crassus from the previous generation told me..."

"He always believed that compared to sword styles, tactics, scriptures, weapons, treasures, honor, fame, precepts, the past glory of wielding the sword for mankind, and even the far-reaching supernatural power and the power of ending."

Ricky's voice carried a subtle yet firm tone:
"This is the greatest legacy left to us by the Knights' Temple, which has been extinct for a thousand years."

Knights' Temple.

Upon hearing this term, Thales seemed to ponder.

Samir's breathing gradually calmed down.

"Only after experiencing it will you finally understand that the past cannot be the reason for our existence."

“We stand together to transcend the irreparable past,” Ricky’s tone slowly turned sharp and resolute:
"Tear away the hypocrisy of the present, break the curse of the old world, and create a new future."

Samir, who had been silent all along, couldn't help but speak up.

"is it possible?"

Samir hesitated, "The original Crassus's goal was just too..."

Clay's laughter echoed from the darkness.

"is it possible?"

“Brother from the South, there’s a saying in the North that I’d like to share with you,” Clay’s tone revealed a unique pride that Thales knew all too well, a pride he had sensed countless times from countless people:
"People from the North never ask 'Can't'..."

"We only ask 'Will you do it or not'."

The caravan continued on its way, and Samir remained silent for a while.

"Exactly."

“As your guide, Samir, it is my duty to lead you through today’s journey,” Ricky said calmly.

Marina noticed that the seemingly obedient boy in front of her suddenly trembled violently!
Thales's heart wavered slightly.

Guide?
and many more.

He looked up in disbelief at Ricky's retreating figure.

Guide.

Is this word... a coincidence?

"Samir, remember this."

“Since you’ve chosen to start anew, many times you’ll have to say goodbye to the past,” Ricky chuckled.

"No matter how tempting or how reluctant you are to give it up."

Thales' heart skipped a beat again.

Saying goodbye to the past?
He seemed to have heard that familiar phrase somewhere before.

Where is it?

“Remember, you’ve chosen a stubborn, unwavering path,” Ricky said coldly.

"It's not a deeply moving confession."

Misunderstandings, false accusations, stigma, and injustices are nothing more than the gentlest storms on this road.

Samir didn't speak, but his breathing became increasingly steady and firm.

"Compared to the Tower of the End, which cowers in castles and greenhouses, sheltering itself from the wind and rain, clinging to its own wings, and remaining stagnant," Ricky sighed softly.
“The inheritors outside the tower have always persevered, never hesitating because of the long and uncertain road ahead, nor looking back to escape the past.”

Thales stared blankly at their retreating figures.

He suddenly remembered the group's strange origins and the even stranger, yet thought-provoking, names others used to refer to them.

“Because this is who we are,” Ricky said decisively, his tone carrying a firm resolve and a fearless pride.

"This is what it means to have gone through so many hardships, yet remain steadfast and unwavering..."

"The sword of calamity."

At this moment, Thales' eyebrows curved more deeply than ever before.

His train of thought was quickly disrupted.

The swords of calamity did not linger, but instead headed straight for the bottom of the Black Prison, as Naki had instructed.

But when the swords of calamity abruptly stopped at a major bend, Thales sensed that something unexpected had happened.

No, to be precise, it wasn't unexpected.

"What does this mean, the drill bit?"

Thales strained to stand on tiptoe, passing several figures, and only by the light of the torch held by Clay at the front could he make out the hooded man standing in front of them.

A chisel.

He still had a smile on his face, rubbing his hands together, standing in front of the dim firelight, surrounded by darkness.

"Didn't I tell you? I'll wait for you outside, and by the way..."

Ricky stepped forward and said coldly, "You know that's not what I'm talking about."

Ricky simply waved his hand lightly.

Almost instantly, Thales sensed a change in the atmosphere: the swords of calamity bent their knees, gripped their weapons, and switched to the most suitable positions to strike.

Marina kept her hand firmly on his shoulder in case anything went wrong.

At that moment, everyone was like soldiers on the front lines, instantly entering a state of combat readiness. Thales carefully held his breath, paying attention to every tiny change around him.

coming.

“I can feel it,” Ricky said, his gaze fixed on the frozen smile on the chisel in front of him, his eyes sweeping over the other person’s surroundings before finally settling into the seemingly empty darkness.

"That cold air in the darkness."

"Like a sword drawn from its sheath."

Chisel's smile slowly crumbled.

He rubbed his forehead, as if wiping away sweat.

Baron Russell, sensing the danger, quickly spoke up: "Gentlemen..."

But at this moment, no one gave this representative of King Chaman any face, and Ricky's aggressive words continued:

"Chisel, when you went out, did you call down all the Shadow Shield members on the ground?"

"And then they'll block our way here, waiting for us?"

silence.

Even Russell looked ahead at the assassin in surprise.

Thales noticed that both Klay and Samir were warily and cautiously watching the dark corners around them, as if someone might suddenly emerge from those shadows.

Soon, the prince's doubts disappeared: what he heard through his hellish senses was the sound of multiple breaths, coming rhythmically and regularly from the ominous darkness beyond the reach of the firelight.

It was steady, long, and unsettling.

The scene was split into two parts:
On one side stood a densely packed array of Calamity Swords, their eyes fierce and brimming with murderous intent, centered around Ricky, their presence as chilling as a cold wind.

One was a lone man with a chisel, standing in the darkness, his outline only visible in the firelight, yet he seemed to rule over this opaque blackness.

Thales felt that the "cold air" Ricky had mentioned seemed to have materialized, slowly freezing the two parties who had just been cooperating happily.

With a calm expression, he coughed lightly.

"What a keen sense!"

he sighed.

"Then I'll tell you straight."

The next second, the smile on the chisel disappeared, his movements tightened, and even his tone became flat and emotionless.

"Your Excellency Crassus, and all of you... would you please hand over His Highness to me here?"

"I'll do it," said the chisel-wielding man expressionlessly.

Thales let out a soft breath.

coming.

The prince frowned at the sight of the chisel.

Ricky smiled.

"Hmph." Clay snorted coldly, expressing their attitude.

Baron Russell realized that something was wrong.

“Chisel, for His Majesty’s sake, I can sense that this… Crassus is only one step away from his goal, so perhaps we shouldn’t turn against him now…”

But this time, even the usually polite chisel interrupted him without any politeness.

"It is precisely because it is so close that I cannot ignore it, Your Excellency."

Russell raised an eyebrow and looked at the mercenaries:

"What does it mean?"

On one side of the Sword of Calamity, Ricky remained expressionless, Klay blew out a breath, Samir gripped the hilt tightly, and Josh grinned, revealing a malicious smile.

“I understand your good intentions, Baron,” in the dim firelight, the figure beneath the scalloped robe appeared desolate and chilling, just like his voice slowly returning to its original tone:
"But perhaps not, my esteemed Crassus."

Ricky and Chip's eyes met in mid-air, one cold and indifferent, the other sharp and piercing.

“I originally thought it would be harmless and foolproof to temporarily entrust the prince to you,” Chisel said expressionlessly, “because in the Baki camp, our mutual wariness and balance are the best guarantee until we complete our cooperation.”

His voice was flat and even, yet, compared to gentle words or a rousing rebuke, these monotonous sentences were filled with an inexplicable chill:
"Therefore, the Shadow Shield is eager to help and selflessly contributes."

It's like the worst actor just reading from a script.

No emotion.

Upon hearing this, Clay chuckled without any hesitation:
"That sounds so awkward."

Chisel gently raised his hand, lowered his hood, and revealed his fair face in the shadows.

But his expression chilled Thales even more.

"Whether it's breaking through the defenses or holding the ground, you entrusted me with the tasks above. I originally thought it was to gain my trust."

"I also thought you wouldn't turn on me. After all, the people guarding the ground are mine. If things change, we might both perish here."

Chisel continued speaking steadily, his eyes never leaving Ricky.

"But it wasn't until I saw such a breathtaking building that I understood something."

"You must have been preparing for this for a long time to know the mage's territory so well, right?"

The leader of the Sword of Calamity did not answer, but merely twitched the corner of his mouth.

Chisel continued, “I’m still wondering why you didn’t care at all about what was supposed to be a suicidal mission. You were determined to force your way in from the start, without any concern for your escape route, and even entrusted the defenses on the ground to us—the Shadow Shield, which you distrust so much.”

Clay interrupted him impatiently: "What exactly are you trying to say?"

The chisel smiled.

But that smile sent chills down Thales' spine.

Because it didn't look like he was smiling, but rather like he was passively pulling at his face, completely lifeless.

Like a puppet.

But then, the chisel looked at Thales with a chilling smile.

“I was just chatting with Prince Thales…”

The words of the chisel made His Highness the center of attention once again.

"We all agree that the ventilation here is just too good—it's not stuffy at all, and you can even light a torch without hesitation."

The swords of calamity were all taken aback.

There's only one possibility left.

The drill remained fixed on Thales, but its words slowly turned cold: "This place, the Prison of Bones, or the Alchemy Tower, or some kind of hellish place like the Imprisonment Research Institute..."

There must be another way out.

"Is not it?"

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent.

Observing the situation from the sidelines, the troubled Baron Russell understood something, and his face immediately turned pale:

"what?"

The silence in the dark cell lasted for a few seconds.

The swords of calamity looked at each other, but none of them uttered a sound.

Ricky slowly turned around and gave Thales a meaningful glance.

This caused a chill to run through the latter.

Oops.

“I was just chatting,” Thales said awkwardly. “You know, back in Dragonsreach, the Northerners’ tunnels were like this too… because they had exits built in, so they were well-ventilated…”

But his voice grew softer and softer, and he eventually retreated silently under Crassus's gaze.

“Maybe I should have listened to you just now,” Ricky chuckled. “Marina.”

Just as Marina frowned and Thales felt a chill as they both pondered the meaning of those words, Ricky turned his gaze back to the chisel.

Before him, the person in charge of the Shadow Shield shook his head with apparent regret, his eyes as cold as ice.

“My men searched the area just now, and although they didn’t find the exit, judging from your reactions right now… it should be the right place.”

Chisel's eyes grew increasingly sharp:
"So you neither let go of the prince you hold in your hands, nor worry about your own escape route on the ground."

"Because you never intended to abide by the agreement with us in the first place, Your Excellency Crassus."

The chisel spoke coldly.

Ricky snorted, seemingly oblivious to the meaning behind it: "Why all the twists and turns?"

“I’m not stupid,” Chip sighed. “In the tavern, our difficult prince must have given you some kind of bargaining chip, and that changed your attitude.”

Upon hearing this, Thales's brow twitched, and he silently lowered his head.

The chisel slowly narrowed its eyes, a cold glint appearing from its slits:
“You never intended to leave the way you came; instead, you planned to disappear through another exit after completing your objective—taking your spoils with you.”

Chisel said softly, "And our Prince."

"Perhaps, they'll just kill us here and leave us at the Baki camp, to be left to the enraged Star People?"

Russell stared incredulously at the swords of calamity, instinctively taking two steps back and distancing himself from their ranks of drawn swords.

One second, two seconds, three seconds passed.

Ricky took a slow breath.

He chuckled softly.

“You’re not Teng after all,” Ricky sighed, seemingly with regret.

"If it were him, he would have already taken action when we were in the Bone Prison, at that moment when we were caught in a dilemma."

Ricky didn't answer the drill's question, but the drill didn't press for an answer either.

"I will not repeat myself, Sword of Calamity."

The chisel moved slowly backward in the darkness, its face becoming increasingly blurry, but its gaze toward Thales grew colder and more stern.

"Hand him over to me immediately, and we'll be fine."

Ricky shook his head and chuckled:

"What if?"

The chisel chuckled.

"otherwise……"

"The Magic Tower, perhaps you know more about it, but..."

The man with the chisel clicked his tongue and disappeared into the darkness, leaving behind only a chilling statement:
"Darkness, however, is our home turf."

The next second, before Ricky could even respond, a crystal-clear scream rang out from behind the Blade of Calamity's team:

"what!"

Almost simultaneously, without waiting for anyone to remind them, the battle-hardened mercenaries drew their weapons without hesitation!

"Whoosh! Clang! Clang..."

The sounds of countless metals rubbing against leather and against each other rang out in unison.

It felt like another black storm was hitting Thales' ears, forcing him to cover them with his hands!
However, in the next moment——

"Pfft! Bang! Throat!"

With a few sharp whistles, almost everyone's torches went out instantly!

All the light in the arena disappeared, and Thales' vision was suddenly plunged into darkness.

"what!"

"They're coming!"

"Shoot-"

"Watch out for a sneak attack!"

"At my feet!"

"clang!"

"kill him--"

In the blink of an eye, the sounds of weapons clashing, flesh tearing apart, screams and groans, and shouts of battle filled the deep darkness, creating a chaotic and intertwined scene!
At the same time, it rang in Thales' ear.

The sword of calamity.

The Shadow Shield.

Both sides, harboring their own ulterior motives and feigning compliance, finally tore off their pretenses and broke off completely at this moment.

----

Sigh, Mantoumei sent so many red envelopes in the group that I felt embarrassed not to get up and change my security settings.

The second chapter is finally finished!

But since I said I'd post it during the day, I can't go back on my word, so here's a long-awaited anti-piracy update. I'll change the main text tomorrow!

Quiz with prize: What time will Wu Jian get up tomorrow?
(I'm not going to tell you that double monthly tickets have started and will continue until the end of the first week of May, hmph.)

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(End of this chapter)