Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 498 Black Lion
Under Earl Lewis's cryptic questioning, Deleuze remained composed:
"Before you stands Tyre..."

But Lewis immediately burst into laughter and waved his hand, interrupting Deleuze's introduction:

"Don't be nervous, it was just a joke. Of course I know where he is..."

Deler's face darkened as he was interrupted.

"Come, let me see..."

In Deleuze’s silence, Lewis slowly turned his horse around, turned sideways to look at Thales, his expression profound.

The prince took a deep breath, suppressing his discomfort, and smiled as he accepted Earl Black Lion's gaze.

A few seconds later, Earl Lewis, who had almost circled half of Thales, finally chuckled:
"Your Highness, I have long admired your great achievements in the North. It is an honor to have you grace us with your presence."

He closed the distance between himself and the prince, leaning back with his expression still haughty:

"Perhaps you don't remember me..."

But unexpectedly, the prince raised his voice and interrupted him:

"Will the fierce black lion still fight for the pride?"

Lewis was taken aback upon hearing this.

"'We'll fight to the death,' that was your answer to my father," the second prince said, looking directly at the head of the Black Lion family under everyone's gaze.

"As long as the lead lion remains wise and brave, and cares for the pride."

Lewis looked surprised.

Even Deler, who was standing next to him, frowned slightly.

“Yes, I remember you, Count Lewis Bozdorf from Heroes' Castle.”

"Six years ago at the State Affairs Conference, you were sitting not far from me."

Thales cleared his throat, his gaze turning cold in the setting sun:
"And I still remember when they voted on whether I was a prince..."

"You cast a dissenting vote against me."

Thales’ words carried a warning tone.

Bozdov's expression changed instantly.

He sat up straight on his horse, and the way he looked at Thales was different now.

Even Deler, standing to the side, pursed his lips.

Lewis coughed slightly:
"Your Highness, in the past..."

But the prince's cold demeanor suddenly melted away, like ice melting.

Thales chuckled and interrupted the count:
"Don't be nervous, it was just a joke..."

With Lewis and Deleuze both frowning, Thales leisurely reined in his horse and rode past Earl Black Lion:
"Come, let me see..."

The prince calmly surveyed the black-armored soldiers behind the count, as if he were inspecting his own army.

A few seconds later, Thales, mimicking Lewis, turned his horse around, reins in, and smiled smugly:
“Your Excellency, I have long admired the Black Lion family’s reputation for martial prowess.”

After saying this, he smiled kindly and extended his right hand to Earl Lewis.

"It is an honor to meet you today."

Lewis stared blankly at the prince.

The Black Lion family of Heroes' Castle.

Another surname that resounds throughout the western wilderness.

Historically, Bozdov's ancestor was a heavy infantryman who participated in the final battle. Because of his bravery and skill in battle, he was repeatedly promoted by the King of Restoration and rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a count on the day the country was founded.

The western border of the Star Kingdom has expanded to its current extent largely thanks to the warlike and aggressive nature in their blood: at the beginning of the second century of the End Era, in the battle where "Blade King" Tormund II conquered Dragon's Kiss and destroyed the Mist Duchy, it was Bozdorf's infantry regiment that beheaded the first and last Grand Duke of the Mist.

After the First Continental War, the prestige of Heroes' Castle reached its peak. In the Western Wilderness, the Black Lion family even held more power than the Guardian Dukes. However, in the "Twin Star Standoff" in the late second century—the fierce internal strife between the two branches of the Starry Sky royal family after the death of "Cloud King" Horace II—they unfortunately chose the wrong side, just like most families of that era.

The stunned Earl of Lewis stared at the prince's outstretched right hand, then at Thales' smile, and remained silent for a moment.

Beside him, Deler, who had been silent, watched Thales with a slight upturn of his lips.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Half a second later, Count Black Lion's previous arrogant expression vanished. He spurred his mount forward, unhesitatingly ripped off his iron gauntlet, and forcefully grasped Thales's hand:

"I assure you, you will see that we truly live up to our name."

Thales felt a sudden, powerful jolt from the hand that was gripping him.

This Earl Black Lion has quite a strong grip.

Earl Lewis squinted:
"And the lion was indeed extraordinary."

Count Bozdorf laughed heartily, released his hand, pulled out a wine flask from the saddle, and offered it forward: "This is the local wine of the Western Wilderness. It can only be found here, and you can only buy it here. Want a sip?"

Deler politely declined, and Thales also politely refused. Count Black Lion snorted and took a big gulp of old wine.

“Sorry, I forgot you don’t drink, Deler. As for you, Your Highness,” Lewis sneered, taking a big gulp of his drink, “you’ll be drinking sooner or later—no matter where it comes from.”

Deler remained expressionless, while Thales frowned.

The count put down his wine flask and waved his hand behind him:
“Your Highness, come and meet my eldest son and heir, Paul.”

A young man with brown hair, resolute in appearance and seemingly silent and unassuming, rode forward in armor bearing the black lion emblem.

“Paul Bozdorf,” the young Paul said, his face serious and his fist pressed to his chest, looking less complicated than his father, “It is my honor to serve you, Your Highness.”

Thales smiled:

"It's also an honor for me."

Earl Lewis, who had been observing Thales, chuckled and gestured to the black-armored soldiers behind him:
“Your Highness, my son, along with two hundred elites from the Black Lion family and one hundred men from the fourteen families surrounding Heroic Soul Fortress, will accompany Dele to escort you home.”

Lewis added:
"Please forgive me for not being able to accompany you in person, but please do not doubt our passion and loyalty to the Palace of Rejuvenation."

Thales looked at the black lion banner behind Lewis, as well as the banners of the other fourteen minor nobles.

The prince first frowned slightly, then smiled broadly:
"Never doubted it."

Lewis chuckled:
“I never doubted that you never doubted.”

But the next moment, Earl Black Lion looked eastward, his tone changing:
“But I doubt others have the same doubts.”

Thales' smile was a little stiff.

Hmm, that's actually a good way to put it.

In the awkward atmosphere, Deler coughed, seemingly unintentionally.

But Lewis seemed not to understand, and suddenly said:

"So I heard that our Duke of the Western Wilderness, Lord Cyril, has already come to see you, Your Highness?"

"And they even gave you a fine sword?"

Thales's slightly relaxed nerves were immediately jolted back to attention by those words.

Damn it.

How did he know?
The prince, who was in a terrible headache, changed direction and subconsciously tried to block the "warning" weapon on the saddle.

"Regarding that, I originally intended to return it..."

But Lewis sighed, pointed to the army he had brought, and looked resentful.

"Me and Deleuze."

"It took us all, including mobilizing countless citizens and then deploying six or seven hundred elite guards, to accomplish what the Duke did with just one sword."

Count Bozdorf hummed softly:

"That's a great deal."

He suddenly turned to the owner of the one-winged raven:

"What do you think, Deler?"

Earl of Wingburg raised his head but did not answer, only giving Lewis a friendly smile.

Thales looked at Deler's expression and seemed to understand something.

The next second, Earl Lewis's gaze returned to the prince, his attitude seemingly casual:

"So, he also 'threw' you with a sword?"

Thales was taken aback:
"Flick?"

Deleuze, who was standing nearby, coughed again.

But Earl Lewis seemed not to hear, smiling nonchalantly as he gestured to the prince from his mount:

“You know, he’ll just deliberately swing the sword in front of you. If you’re scared out of your wits, he’ll chuckle and say, ‘Ah, you’re nothing special.’ If you don’t react at all, he’ll pretend to be profound and say, ‘Hmm, you’ve passed my test.’”

Lewis waved his hand dismissively and said:
"After intimidating people, of course he can then launch into a long and serious speech."

I deliberately held a sword in front of you...

Thales was initially puzzled, then he was completely stunned.

what?
The scene of the Duke of the Western Wilderness being alone with him in a room the day before yesterday flooded his mind like a tidal wave. "What?" the prince asked in surprise.

As if anticipating the other party's reaction, Earl Lewis chuckled with a "I knew it" expression:
"I guess the Duke probably poured his heart out to you, expressing his worries and showing how deep, crazy, reasonable, irresistible, and moving his love for the Western Wilderness was. In the end, he solemnly declared that everything was out of necessity and that in the midst of all the chaos, he actually just wanted to remain neutral and didn't want to take sides?"

Thales blinked, somewhat stunned by the amount of information conveyed in that sentence.

what?
But Lewis continued:

"And isn't he just using that same old wordplay, going around in circles with a dozen or so words, trying to seduce you with the nonsense that power originates from violence, violence breeds a whole bunch of things, and then it all comes back to power..."

Power originates from violence...

A word game that goes around in circles and comes full circle...

Hearing what the other person said, Thales was stunned and puzzled, his brows furrowing several times.

Earl Black Lion's tone was mocking:

"Does he seem unfathomable, visionary, and extraordinary?"

Deler, who was next to him, turned his head away and coughed loudly.

Thales finally found a gap in the silence and asked in bewilderment:
"How did you..."

But Lewis didn't give him a chance to ask a question:

"You know, after a bunch of nonsense, when the time comes, he'll snap his fingers like this..."

Count Bozdorf waved his hand dismissively, snapping his fingers:
"Wink again, flick your teeth: 'Don't worry, I won't tell this to anyone else, but I'm on your side!'"

His head-shaking manner and disdainful expression were quite reminiscent of the Duke of Falkenhausen.

But this startled His Highness:

"Huh? Huh?"

Lewis gave a cold laugh:
"Don't be surprised, Your Highness."

“That’s the unpopular Lord Cyril. When we were young, he treated everyone…”

He dropped his mocking expression, his face turning cold:
"That's how they do it."

Thales stared at him blankly, trying his best to control his expression.

What do you mean?
Is this how it's done for everyone?
that……

What he overheard the Duke of the Western Wilderness saying yesterday in the Ghost Prince's Tower...

Do you think I'd just randomly grab a 14-year-old kid off the street and tell him all this?

Thales felt a little confused.

Lewis turned his head dismissively:

"Am I right, Deler?"

On the other side, Deleuze bowed politely, but remained smiling and silent.

Seeing Deler's performance, Count Black Lion snorted coldly in dissatisfaction.

But at this moment, Thales's mind was in complete turmoil.

that……

That Duke of the Western Wilderness who looks like the Boss, how come... he actually... But... no... then...

"I'm going to visit the Duke at the camp today. I hope he won't try to fob me off with the same old tricks."

Lewis snorted:

"But in any case, whether it's the beginning or the end of this farce."

"We really have to thank you, Your Highness."

Count Bozdorf stared intently at Thales, who was deep in thought:

"From the desolate ruins to the Winged Fortress, whether it's Lord Cyril, Dele, or so many of our subordinate lords, it would have been rare for the Western Wilderness to have such a large gathering without your presence."

"You must be our savior, Your Highness. Whether it was six years ago or now, you have brought us back together after we had been separated."

"You agree, right, Deler?"

Deleuze forced a polite smile for the third time.

Seeing that the Earl of Wingburg was unmoved by reason, Bozdorf turned his attention back to Thales:
"And I have another gift."

With a wave of his hand, Earl Black Lion erected a flagpole, and in the next second, several powerful black-armored soldiers raised the flagpole, unfurling an exaggeratedly tall and unusually large flag in the air.

Thales was just about to thank him when his smile froze.

"Do you miss your family crest, Your Highness?"

Amidst gasps and uproars from residents on both sides of the town, the flag unfurled in the wind.

It was a flag with a nine-pointed star.

However, the nine-pointed star on the flag seems to be made of a special material. As soon as the flag moves slightly, it shines with a dazzling silver light, as bright as the starry sky, making it hard to ignore.

The swaying caused many people, including Thales, to instinctively raise their hands to shield their eyes.

Damn it.

This is too...

Thales turned around awkwardly:
"I appreciate your gift, but it's a bit too ostentatious..."

"High-profile?"

Lewis interrupted him abruptly, raising his arms indignantly at the surrounding town and fields:
"For the sake of the goddess, this is your kingdom, your home, and we will all be your vassals. Walking freely in your own home, we should be free as we are—"

Thales said awkwardly in a low voice:
"I'd rather keep a low profile..."

But Lewis seemed not to hear him and continued loudly:

"—And if one day, as a member of the Shining Star royal family, you have to hesitate and be full of doubts even when revealing your identity in your own home, then perhaps..."

Lewis leaned forward, slapped Thales on the shoulder, and his exaggerated expression suddenly turned cold:

"There's something wrong with this family."

He said coldly:
"What do you think?"

Thales felt a chill run down his spine.

Lewis placed his hand on Thales' shoulder, exuding an extremely unsettling sense of unease.

Thales took a deep breath.

A second later, he curled the corners of his mouth into a smile, but said nothing, only releasing a...

An impeccable smile.

"Excuse me for interrupting," Deleuze, who had been silent for some time, finally spoke up:
"It's time for you to set off, Your Excellency. It will take half a day to get to Baki Camp from here."

Thales was extremely grateful for his interruption.

Whether it was because of Deleuze's help or because he finally had nothing more to say, Earl Lewis remained silent for a while before letting go of his hand.

He suppressed his suspicious expression and smiled slightly:
"Of course, don't let me bother you."

“Paul, protect the prince with your life,” Lewis instructed his son meaningfully.
"Just like this prince who risked his life for six years to defend his homeland."

Paul solemnly placed his hand on his chest and bowed his head:
"I will, Father."

"I will."

Count Bozdorf smiled and pointed with his thumb to the gleaming silver nine-pointed star banner:

"And remember, even though that flag is heavy, you have to make sure it stays upright in the air."

"Don't let it fall."

Lewis clicked his tongue, seemingly referring to someone:

"It could hurt someone."

Thales remained unfazed.

This time, Paul didn't answer, but just nodded silently.

"Then, have a safe journey, Your Highness."

Earl Black Lion reined in his horse, his cold expression fading, and smiled confidently:
"The roads in the western wilderness have been in disrepair for many years and have always been difficult to travel."

Surrounded by soldiers, Lewis Bozdorf swayed past Thales, leaving the prince with his back turned and a meaningful remark:

"Presumably, the central government's highways..."

"Will it be flatter?"

Thales breathed a sigh of relief as he watched Count Black Lion's entourage depart.

He and Deleuze exchanged a glance, both revealing an impeccable yet utterly helpless smile.

(End of this chapter)