Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 425 Traveling Together
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At that moment, Thales' entire mind went blank.

Looking at the respectfully kneeling chisel, a few boring phrases from another world flashed through his mind.

What do you mean by "kingly aura"?

What do you mean by bowing and worshipping?

What Dragon Pride... cough cough.

What? It's May 20th, and the only person who confessed to you was a man... cough cough cough.

Thales shook his head vigorously, trying to shake off these pointless thoughts.

Don't forget, Yordles are still nearby.

"Damn it."

Prince Xingchen looked at the chisel in front of him with a subtle and complicated expression, and rubbed his messy hair:
"I really wish I had been this popular when I was in Dragon City."

Chisel smiled again. He slowly raised his head and stood up.

“As I said, Your Highness, the Shadow Shield cannot survive alone. It needs the support of power, the demand of power, and the gaps in power.”

Chisel looked around, as if he was genuinely worried about something: "With Russell and that group of sword dealers present before, I had to be polite and say some polite things. But when I'm alone with you, I can speak from the heart."

Thales raised an eyebrow, wanting to see what else the other person could say.

He pursed his lips, his expression darkening, and after a few seconds, he managed to utter the words:
“I don’t like Chaman Lumba, Your Highness.”

I didn't like him from the first moment I saw him.

The torch in the chisel crackled softly, causing the darkness in this corner to flicker slightly.

Upon hearing that name, Thales instinctively gripped his longsword tighter.

He recalled the meeting between Chaman and Chip in the carriage six years ago, when he and Little Sly were still in the carriage in Rumba.

Thales sighed, and said with genuine emotion:
“Great, then we do have something in common.”

Chisel nodded understandingly.

“Your Highness, you have been a hostage in the North for six years, and I believe you know more than I do—that man’s ambition and methods are too terrifying. If the Shadow Shield wants to survive on its own, it must never submit to his command.”

Thales narrowed his eyes: "So?"

Chisel shrugged: "So we don't have many options."

There aren't many choices...

As Thales frowned, feeling as if he had heard those words somewhere before, Qianzi continued confidently, "In my opinion, Your Highness, as the representative of the Star Kingdom, you are the only one who can turn the tide in the future and stand against the patricide king in the Western Continent."

He looked at Thales sincerely, his tone firm.

At that moment, Thales's mouth twisted into a crooked shape, and his expression was quite interesting.

But the skewer seemed not to see Thales' expression and shook its head to itself: "And the Shadow Shield can't keep hiding forever, it can't live in the Star Kingdom's decades-long manhunt and pursuit."

Thales blinked and stiffly shook his head.

"So, you mean that your purpose in coming to Baki's camp this time, the so-called 'captured prince,' was all fake, and you just came here purely to... find a master?"

Thales said awkwardly, thinking that even Ada wouldn't believe him.

But Chisel didn't seem embarrassed at all; instead, he smiled and nodded slightly.

At this point, the chisel seemed a little strange, and looked around warily.

Thales' heart skipped a beat, fearing that the other party had discovered something.

Fortunately, the Yordles remained silent and undetected.

strangeness.

Although the masked guard was used to silently protecting and taking action in secret, what could make him hold back for so long...

Thales felt a chill run down his spine: unless, of course, the opponent was truly formidable.

For example... the level of Meteorite and Deathraven.

The chisel turned around.

“It’s not safe here, Your Highness. Both the Sword of Calamity and Russell’s northerners want to harm you. Perhaps we should leave here and find a safe place…”

really.

Thales blinked, wondering when Yodl would make his move, but he had to continue.

"So you're saying that going with you is actually very safe, and there's absolutely nothing to worry about? Because you came to capture me to become my subject? Because you won't treat me the way you treated Hyman Star eighteen years ago?" Thales twitched his lips and spoke sarcastically.

The chisel remained silent for a while, seemingly deep in thought.

“I will not deny it, Your Highness, that I killed your uncle.”

This time, the chisel, like a weathered old man, solemnly looked at the prince.

“But like I said,” Chisel frowned deeply, bringing up the strange name with only a single syllable again:
"The blood debt from eighteen years ago is all in Teng's hands, and that is the dark history that the Shadow Shield is most unwilling to turn the page on."

He stared intently at Thales:
“I was merely following orders, and had no other choice. You are destined to be a king, and you must have the magnanimity to match. Compared to the real mastermind, there is no need to hate a mindless knife or a sword without its own will.”

Thales rolled his eyes and remained silent for several seconds.

The letter he tucked into his chest seemed to have gotten a little heavier.

"Acting under orders, with no other choice?"

"So you don't have to bear the blame."

Thales chuckled softly, clicked his tongue, and shook his head, seemingly sensing something:
“You are a soldier who obeys the country, so you have no choice but to slaughter unarmed civilians and you do not have to bear the responsibility… You are an official who represents the ruler, so you have no choice but to implement evil policies that harm the region and you do not have to bear the responsibility… You are a low-level official who is hired by someone, so you have no choice but to follow orders and exploit your subordinates at every level and you do not have to bear the responsibility.”

"It's as if you can always find the top entity, whether it's the state, the monarch, the employer, or even the institutional tradition, as if you can pin all the blame on it, as if finding the very source of all the wrongdoings will solve everything."

Thales spat dismissively:
“This is one of the excuses I despise the most.”

Chisel was slightly speechless.

"Unfortunately, there has never been a 'sword without thought' or a 'sword without an owner' in human society."

Thales said coldly:
"Whether we are aware of it or not, whether we admit it or not, whether we accept it or not, everyone has to pay the price for their actions, there is no escaping it—there has never been a Jesus who took the blame for others."

Chisel frowned slightly, looking puzzled.

But he put aside his question and sighed as he spoke.

“Of course I am guilty, and I have no intention of escaping it. On the contrary, I am now trying my best to make amends, whether by pledging allegiance to you or by reversing the fate of the Shadow Shield.” His voice became somewhat low.

Thales sneered.

"Make amends? Show loyalty? How?"

Then, the chiselman bowed respectfully.
"Come with me, Your Highness. We can talk about many things and share a lot of information."

A glint of light flashed in his eyes: "Including the secret from back then, the secret that Teng kept hidden from everyone for eighteen years, the secret that led to the misfortune of the Canxing royal family."

Thales frowned.

Similarly, we will demonstrate our value to you.

The chisel raised its head, a rare ruthless glint appearing on its cold face:

“Since eighteen years ago, the conflict between the Starry Sky Royal Family and the great nobles has intensified. The Iron-Fisted King’s ruthless and violent methods have exacerbated this situation. I believe that your path to becoming king will not be smooth. Under these circumstances, as the heir, you need a sharp blade that no one knows about.”

“If there are no unclaimed swords in this world, then let us become swords that willingly have a master, swords that pierce the darkness,” Qianzi slowly placed his hand on his chest, his words burning like boundless flames:
"To safeguard your crown."

"His Majesty Thales I, the future Supreme King of the Stars."

He said it firmly and emphatically.

Thales felt his eyelids twitch.

A few seconds later, the boy exhaled and shook his head with a half-smile.

“Unbelievable, just six years ago, you attempted to assassinate me at the foot of the fortress.”

Thales rubbed the hilt of his sword and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

But the chisel shook its head.

“First of all, it was Grand Duke Pefit who hired us to do it,” Chisel said calmly, seemingly unmoved, as he raised his right hand. “Secondly, how can a king not undergo trials?”

“We are indeed sworn enemies, Your Highness.”

Chisel pointed to himself, then respectfully gestured to Thales: "But the most skillful rulers do not only eliminate enemies, but also turn them into friends and make them their own."

Thales stared at him blankly.

Hard to imagine.

Is this guy... giving him a political lesson?

Chisel curled his lips into a casual yet not frivolous smile: "Besides, if it weren't for that perilous encounter during the assassination attempt, how would we know what kind of lord you are, worthy of our entrustment with our lives and loyalty with our swords after escaping Teng's nightmare?"

The next moment, the chiselman stopped smiling and bowed again with a serious and cautious expression.

"The fate of the Shadow Shield is in your hands, Your Highness."

"Hold on to it and prevent us from becoming a destabilizing force again, or let it go and allow the ancient but now fragmented assassin organization to continue its depravity and harm humanity—it's all up to you." "Please show the magnanimity of a king, the composure of a monarch, and wise judgment; think it over carefully."

King... the magnanimity of a king?
Thales stared at the chisel, his jaw nearly dropping.

Thankfully, he didn't mention Honor of Kings.

But Thales remained staring blankly at the other person, feeling that his impression of him had been refreshed once again.

“My goodness, Quick Rope should really hire you to bring him business,” Thales shook his head and clicked his tongue.

"Someone like you, what's the point of being an assassin? It's such a waste."

Why not run for president?

Chisel just smiled modestly.

"So, what do you mean? Are you willing to come with us? We have so much to report to you about your future, about the future of the Shadow Shield."

Thales let out a breath and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"Okay, thank you for your kindness, you can go now."

He squinted slightly.

Thales waved his hand awkwardly: "When I return to Everstar City, you can pass on a message to me. I'd be happy to talk to you about the future of the Shadow Shield."

Chisel smiled and shook his head.

“We would certainly like to do that, but unfortunately, I don’t think your father would be happy to do so.”

Thales scoffed, "I'll convince him."

But Qianzi denied this: "I'm afraid not. I'm sure hatred and anger have blinded King Kessel. After Teng left, I did send messages to the Secret Service, but each time they went unanswered."

Thales frowned slightly.

"That's why we had no choice but to come to you: you were inaccessible when you were in Exter, and after you went to Starfall, you were locked up in the deep palace, surrounded by iron curtains. Only at this time do we have the opportunity to meet you undisturbed."

The chisel was extremely respectful:

"Rest assured, you will be safe, and you will return to the stars. We will be your quietest and most powerful allies, appearing only when you need us, by calling upon us."

Thales stared at him for a long time, his fist clenching and unclenching intermittently.

But the prince smiled at the last second.

“A prince named Shining Star, colluding with the Shadow Shield, are you sure you’re helping me, and not blackmailing or kidnapping me?” Thales sneered.

Chisel's face stiffened.

“You know, a long time ago, a damned old hag taught me that.”

The image of a pouty little girl with missing teeth flashed before my eyes, only to be replaced by an ugly face with a gaping maw.

This sent a chill down Thales' spine.

Prince Star looked up and said cheerfully:
"Betrayal is the true essence of alliance."

The dark cell was silent, save for the faint sounds of fighting in the distance.

I don't know if they were assassins and swordsmen, or someone else entirely.

The drill bit fell silent.

"If that's what you're worried about, then you don't need to."

The leader of the assassins took a deep breath:

"There were too many people talking in the tavern just now, so I couldn't say much. But you should know that even though I've followed Teng for so long, I've also learned some secrets behind his airtight veil of mystery."

Thales kept Yodl in mind while keeping a watchful eye on the other's actions.

But the next thing the chisel said made him frown deeply.

"Your Highness, you are not the only one."

"As far as I know, during the Bloody Year, one of the Shadow Shield's employers..."

Qianzi sighed, his smile a mixture of helplessness and regret. He spoke slowly, his tone slightly somber:

"...and their surname is also Canxing."

A few seconds later, Thales's expression slowly changed.

what?
What does he know?
He couldn't help but think this way.

That map?

That weapon?

still is……

But reality didn't allow him much time to think. He saw the chiselman gently extend his hand, appearing sincere and pure:
"Your Highness, do you want to know... who that is?"

Who is that?

At that moment, Thales had a sudden thought.

The next second, a dark figure wearing a purple mask appeared behind the chisel as if emerging from a curtain of water!

Yodl.

Thales tensed up.

He had no time to react, nor any way to react, when he saw the Yodl leap out of the shadows, radiating murderous intent, heading straight for its target!

The supreme sword rippled through the air.

Ruthless and cold-blooded, it pierced the smiling face with a chisel.

The situation changed dramatically at that moment.

"boom!"

A bang!
The sudden burst of bright light and loud noise caused Thales, who was in a state of hellish sensory overload and focused intently on the situation, to suffer greatly. He instinctively closed his eyes, took three steps back in pain, and felt only a buzzing in his ears.

The sins of the River of Hell surged forth, easing Thales's predicament.

Thales could only feel the ground with his most basic sense of touch. Fortunately, the Sin of the River of Hell gave him waves of energy, allowing him to sense the endless killing intent rising and falling in the distance.

The senses are not omnipotent—this was the greatest lesson Thales learned in his fear. Every strength has its weakness, every advantage its disadvantage. The enhanced senses brought him more than just convenience.

The boy dared not put down his sword for a moment, his nerves taut, ready to strike back at any moment. But whether it was because the enemy paid little attention to him or because they were too busy to pay attention, he was not attacked until Thales's senses gradually returned.

But this made him even more anxious.

because……

Sure enough, the moment Thales regained his sight and hearing and saw the situation on the field, his eyes widened in fury!
Chisel was sitting down to one side, half of his body was bright red, his left arm holding a strange awl was trembling slightly, and he was panting heavily.

He looked utterly disheveled.

Two assassins lay dead beside him, both killed with a single sword to the throat.

But most importantly—the masked Yordle stood before them, the Supreme Sword clutched tightly in his hand, yet he was powerless to advance.

His limbs were stretched out and straightened, each bound inch by inch by a strange, barbed metal chain. From joints to tendons, the barbs dug into flesh, binding the masked guard tightly.

The other end of the chain was tightly gripped by four different shadowy assassins, their eyes cold, their coordination impeccable, and their grip unwavering.

Thales felt a chill run down his spine.

Yodel's limbs trembled slightly as he struggled, gripping the Supreme Sword in reverse, but due to the angle, he could not inflict the slightest damage on the chains.

Oops.

This is……

Thales' heart clenched, and his grip on the sword hilt grew increasingly stiff.

“You know… those of us in this line of work have an inexplicable sensitivity to our peers—how they hide, when they act, who their target is, and what their route is.”

The faint sound of a chisel being used rang out.

The leader of the assassins struggled to his feet, wiping away cold sweat, seemingly still shaken by the near-death experience.

"But I never thought that one day I would be able to use these experiences to save my life."

Chisel first looked at Thales, then at the immobilized Yodl, and dusted himself off.

He gazed at the masked guards, who were being controlled by others, composed himself, and revealed a long-lost, genuine smile:

"We've finally waited for you, you've kept us on the edge of our seats..."

"Mysterious companion".

May 520th is here, but I know you don't have any aluminum friends or orchid friends, so no one will say 5.20 to you.

But it's okay.

Because Wujian also (runs away crying).

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(End of this chapter)