Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 523 Variants
As soon as the Watcher finished speaking, Zonevid launched his attack!
clang!
Thales caught the first horizontal slash.

But Zonevid felt something was amiss.

The prince's gaze... seemed somewhat unfocused?
At this moment, Thales was pondering something.

Thanks to Marius's explanation, the boy understood some things.

No wonder, no wonder he felt a strange sense of familiarity with Zonevid's attacks.

It turned out to be the case.

This is... a battle with a northern style.

Thales exhaled, a faint longing rising within him—a longing he had never thought he would ever have—for those “beating classes” in Valhalla.

In his not-so-long life, but certainly rich combat experience, only three people truly influenced his sword-wielding skills through their teachings and example.

One woman and two men.

This includes the black sword.

In reality, Thales adjusted his pace, guarding against Zonevid's next strike in the hellish senses.

But his thoughts seemed to be running in another time, amidst the surging tide of the River of Sin.

Black Sword, this mere mortal, faced with magic masters, calamities, and inhuman beings like Ashida and Giza, in a battle that seemed almost hopeless, yet miraculously managed to struggle for survival, even managing to carve out a chance of victory with the strange sword in his hand.

Looking back, every decision, every choice, and every action Black Sword made in battle, and the superhuman qualities and amazing wisdom he displayed, deeply impressed Thales.

However, Black Sword has faced far too few opponents to be an example of.

However, another person who deeply influenced him...

Thales struggled to block Zonevid's thrust, his muscles groaning in pain as the battle became increasingly unfavorable.

The Meteorite.

Thales thought to himself.

Correct.

Seri Nikolai, the guy who had been cursed by Thales a thousand times, could be said to have opened another door for him.

Thales witnessed the extreme battle on the barren rocky land.

The Meteorite, this man, faced off against the equally skilled and deadly Deathraven (and perhaps Thales and Yordles), and was at a disadvantage from start to finish.

He was seriously injured, on the verge of despair, and faced setbacks at every turn, nearly dying several times.

But in the end, Exter's former leader of the White Blade Guard still miraculously... turned defeat into victory.

Thales instinctively dodged Zonevid's powerful vertical slash, his shield trembling as he deflected the opponent's follow-up attack.

This made Zonevid feel slightly uncomfortable:

The prince's defense seemed to be working this time, and he wasn't struggling as much as before.

But Thales was still thinking.

The Meteorite.

He won not by force.

Instead, it requires patience, calmness, perseverance, observation, and analysis.

On the most unfavorable battlefield, Nikolai did not engage in a desperate, mad, and hopeless struggle.

On the contrary, he used his extraordinary patience and perseverance to catch every crossbow bolt from Monty, tenaciously withstood the pressure of being at a complete disadvantage, calmly defended against every sure-fire attack from his opponent, and in the nick of time, observed the unique fighting style and habits of the Deathrattle Raven, analyzing the enemy's most likely choice in every situation.

In the end, the Meteorite struck successfully, turning the tables on its opponent.

Perhaps—Thales thought in a daze—perhaps Nicolai earned this renowned nickname in the West and was ranked among the five strongest warriors of Exter not just because he was lucky enough to kill Horace Star.

That's right.

The Meteorite.

Thales suddenly realized that the person who influenced his fighting style the most was the one he hated the most—the Northman.

Thales instinctively raised his shield and charged, clashing with Zonevid's sword. Suddenly sensing something, he instinctively followed up with his longsword, forcing the latter to abandon an attack in surprise and defend with his sword held horizontally.

No, it's more than that.

It wasn't just about witnessing that battle.

Also includes...

Thales recalled the past, how in every outdoor training session, Nicolai would show off his skills without reservation, bullying him until he was in tears, unable to fight back.

The Star People watching from the sidelines gritted their teeth, but Selma felt a pang of pity.

but……

But every time he faced the Meteorite, whether for survival, for face, or to avoid being beaten too badly, as he struggled to survive under the other's clutches...

clang!
Thales's longsword clashed with Zonevid's weapon once again.

But at that moment, Thales closed his eyes.

Zonevid, who was standing very close to him, noticed this and was shocked.

The sins of the River of Hell surged through the boy's entire body.

The senses of hell became increasingly acute.

Time seemed to slow down.

In that instant, Thales slowly came to understand.

Zonevid and him, at the point where their longswords clashed.

The finishing forces of both sides surged upwards, and they stood locked in a stalemate at that very point.

One side stretched endlessly, its offensive surging forward.

One side held firm, showing resilience and tenacity.

Thales could sense that whatever he did—press forward, attack, withdraw his sword, retreat…

Zonevid's finishing power would relentlessly attack, leaving no room for respite.

He had no way to resist.

How to do?
How to do?
In that split second, Thales kept his eyes closed, relying on his Hellish Senses and the feedback from the River of Hell on his hands to perceive everything.

He raised the corners of his mouth slightly.

The boy understood.

He is Thales Shining Star.

He is not a physically strong monster, a technically skilled genius, or a knight-errant protagonist with unparalleled magical abilities ("Come on, unleash your magic and you can kill them all!"—the dark little Thales roaring with a fist in his heart).

He couldn't defeat his enemy with a single blow like a Yordle, couldn't turn the tide like a black sword, couldn't be as unpredictable as Nikolai, and certainly couldn't control the battle with ease and skill like a Executioner.

But he has at least one advantage—though Thales himself is reluctant to admit it:
It can take a beating.

Yes.

Although it doesn't sound very nice.

but……

After getting beaten up so many times, you'll naturally develop a pathetic intuition:

What kind of feeling do the fists and swords that land on you bring?

Which one is just excruciating pain but not serious, which one seems exaggerated but actually has little effect, and which one is extremely dangerous and could be fatal.

And the beatings he received.

He could see it in both his enemies and himself...

More things.

Including...how to counterattack and win.

Just like how the Meteorite faced the Death Raven.

That sounds... kind of familiar.

Thales smiled leisurely.

Right.

Isn't that...

The sins of the River of Hell roared wildly in his ears, as if beating war drums, urging Thales to continue fighting.

But Thales paid no heed; at that moment, scenes from the past flashed through his mind.

In the abandoned house, the struggles and hardships of a beggar...

The Vine Manor, a close call with the vampires...

Political games unfold in the Hall of Stars within the Palace of Rejuvenation…

Isn't that...

Dragon Sky City, a place where survival is a matter of life and death...

Valhalla, a desperate blow before the five grand dukes...

On the desolate desert, at the bottom of the dark prison, he struggled desperately in the darkness...

Isn't that...

Thales's smile deepened.

Isn't that...

Isn't this exactly what it's been like since I came into this world, facing countless calamities and obstacles...?

Is this how he, Thales Star, lives?
Take the beating first, then survive.

Upgrade further and look for a chance to win.

Finally... showing off?
Get beaten up, level up, show off—Thales' three-step strategy?
Thales slowly opened his eyes and looked at Zonevid, whose expression was one of surprise, as time seemed to have stopped.

He smiled in his heart.

No, no, no, be serious, this is a battle.

Put another way.

A nicer way of putting it.

That is……

Engage the enemy.

Observe the enemy.

To subdue the enemy.

Thales understood perfectly.

The sins of the River of Hell boiled over, almost burning.

But in Thales' mind, that clue became clearer and clearer.

It seems he's getting closer and closer to a certain goal.

he knows.

This is his crime of the River of Hell.

His power to end things.

His fighting style.

Or, as Ricky said...

It's him.

It is Thales Shining himself.

Or……

Thales had a sudden inspiration.

Is this just a basic quality that every strong person possesses?
Approach the enemy, observe the enemy, and subdue the enemy.

The next second, the River of Hell within Thales exploded!

It is vigorous, excited, and rises to a climax.

Time seemed to return to normal at that moment!
Zonevid's surprise flashed across his face, quickly turning into seriousness and ferocity.

Thales sensed that at the point where their swords clashed, the opponent's finishing power roared out as well!

Zonevid's offensive was about to resume.

But the prince merely moved his feet and turned his wrist.

His longsword drew circles in the air, twisting and turning along the trajectory of Zonevid's weapon!
The metal rubbed together, making an unpleasant sound.

On the sidelines, Doyle, who was watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but exclaim "Eh!"

"This is……"

In the blink of an eye, the two swords separated, and Zonevid's longsword came rushing in with an indomitable momentum!
Thales turned slightly, and his longsword flashed forward as well!
On the training field, their figures overlapped.

boom!
There was a loud bang.

The two stopped at the same time.

The guards watching from the sidelines then let out a low gasp of surprise.

Marius stared intently at the field, ignoring the repeated urgings from those around him.

In the arena, Thales gasped for breath, feeling the nearly dried-up River of Sin churning resentfully.

He turned his gaze and discovered that, at some point, the upper part of his shield had shattered, with only half of it still attached to his hand.

Zonevid's practice sword had stopped at his shoulder, the metal blade pressed against his neck, the touch on his skin icy cold.

As for Thales' sword, it just missed Zonevid's shoulder by a hair's breadth and stopped in mid-air.

It didn't work.

Feeling the soreness and numbness all over his body, Thales sighed.

He still lost.

The guards' murmurs grew louder and louder.

But right now.

"I lost."

Before him, a neatly dressed knight in his thirties gracefully sheathed his longsword and nodded respectfully.

Thales looked puzzled.

"Although I struck your vital point, Your Highness, it was because your training shield had been subjected to repeated blows and could not withstand the force."

Zonevid gave a friendly smile and pointed to the shield in Thales' hand, which was now only half intact.

He took a step back, sighed, and touched his chest, where a new scratch appeared on his leather armor.

“But before that, your sword had already grazed my neck.”

Thales was taken aback.

Zonevid looked at Thales with genuine sincerity.

“Although it was only the back of the sword that grazed me,” Zonevide said, shaking his head with a smile.

"But if it's a real sword, then I've lost."

The guards erupted in a commotion.

Thales stared at him blankly.

A few seconds later, the boy shook his head, shaking off his thoughts of the battle just now, and came to his senses.

"No, you played very well, I could barely fight back."

Thales sighed.

"The fact that you still had energy left to hold back at the end proves that you are much better than me, and you should be the winner."

Zonevid bowed, did not reply, but simply smiled, put down his practice sword, and turned to leave.

That's right.

Thales regained his senses.

He knew that Piloga, Komuto, and Zonevid were just sparring partners for him, not to mention the difference in their power and status, which made them all hold back and show mercy in every move.

If it were a real sword...

Thales felt the soreness and swelling in his arm, and looked at the numerous bruises on it...

He's long since become Prince Brand Cut Cake.

Bulk.

The guards were buzzing with discussion, while Marius turned to his standard-bearer, Phoebus, and spoke to him, seemingly oblivious to what was happening around him.

"He was clearly about to lose, but I always felt like something was off..."

Off the field, Doyle turned around in confusion, but Golov interrupted him.

"Listening and anticipation."

The vanguard officer, nicknamed "Zombie," crossed his arms, his eyes blazing:
"Zonevid's offensive was fierce and unstoppable."

"Therefore, the boy learned from the logistics officer Piloga's approach, using his defensive counter-attacking style and the philosophy of becoming stronger when facing stronger opponents to meet the relentless offensive of his adversary."

"And find opportunities in them."

Golov watched Thales slump down in despair:
"It's just that we weren't strong enough in the end."

"Bad luck."

Doyle's expression hardened.

Piloga?
"Holy crap, using local resources to formulate a strategy?"

Doyle looked at Thales, who was still processing his combat experience, with considerable surprise:

"So, our Duke is quite quick-witted?"

This time, Golov simply shook his head and didn't reply.

Amidst the constant chatter of the guards, Marius finally came to his senses.

"So, who's next?"

"The Watchman asked calmly."

The guards, who had been chattering excitedly, suddenly fell silent.

Upon hearing this, Thales' face darkened.

Again?

He's almost completely exhausted, okay?

Lord Marius!

Thales spoke up indignantly.

"You speak so eloquently, you must be quite skilled," the Duke said, rubbing the bruises on his arm and gritting his teeth.
Why not participate yourself?

Marius smiled slightly:
"I am not good at fighting on the battlefield, Your Highness."

Not good at fighting on the battlefield?

Thales paused, then remembered the figure of another guard in the dungeon.

But that guy...

"Then why did they make you the Watchman?"

Marius's smile remained elegant:

"My strength lies in battlefield observation and decision-making."

Thales frowned.

"So what are you?" Thales scoffed, his tone sarcastic.
"A magical version of Wang Yuyan?"

Marius squinted:

"Wang what?"

Thales coughed:
"What I mean is, even if you were to face a newbie like me, you wouldn't be confident?"

Marius smiled slightly:
"As I've said, I'm not skilled in combat. If I were to face Your Highness, well..."

Marius glanced at the guards around him and laughed:

"...It's about 50/50."

Thales rolled his eyes in exasperation.

But he was so exhausted that he needed to recharge even to talk back.

“So,” Marius looked at a very young guard member, “how are you, Nehi?”

"To spar with His Highness?"

But just then, before anyone could reply, a mature female voice, accompanied by the sound of high-heeled boots, slowly drifted over.

"Oh, this is what you call martial arts class?"

The sound was clear and powerful.

Marius's eyes widened!
Upon hearing this voice, the guards erupted in another uproar, then strangely fell silent and turned away in unison.

Facing the visitors.

Doyle recognized the newcomer and couldn't help but let out a low "Holy crap!" before quickly falling silent and hiding behind Golov. Thales turned around and was equally stunned.

He stared blankly at the sidelines.

Looking towards the mature, composed, and elegant middle-aged woman who was walking leisurely from the porch.

Compared to Gilbert and Kessel, six years have passed, yet she remains graceful and charming, with jet-black hair and exquisite features. Apart from a few wrinkles, she shows few signs of aging.

Her high-heeled boots continued to tap the ground forcefully and rhythmically, regardless of whether they were facing stone, lawn, tiles, or gravel, never changing.

Thales stared intently at the woman.

She exuded an undiminished arrogance, spirit, and freedom.

I go my own way.

The members of the Star Lake Guard looked at each other, seemingly hesitant.

But ultimately, led by Marius, they all bowed and paid their respects.

But the black-haired woman seemed not to see him at all, ignoring him completely, she just glanced around and her eyes met Thales briefly before looking away.

She hummed softly:
"Look at this rubbish you're teaching."

The royal guards remained awkwardly and strangely silent; no one dared to answer.

“Madam, you may not understand,” finally, Marius, the leader, coughed softly:
"We are investigating the information about the power of termination within His Highness, in order to better assist him..."

"Have you finished your investigation?"

The black-haired woman interrupted her rudely, her tone impatient:
"How much longer are we going to beat him up?"

Marius choked on his words.

The standard-bearer behind him, Foby, quickly stepped in to smooth things over:

"In fact, we have some clues, but we still need..."

Ms. Ke interrupted him again.

“Oh, so you’re serious,” she said, walking to the edge of the area and glancing around at the crowd, a fleeting hint of disdain in her eyes.
"Isn't this just playing house?"

The guards looked at each other in bewilderment once again.

Marius was silent for a few seconds:

"Miss……"

But the middle-aged woman snorted and interrupted him for the third time.

"you."

The dark-haired woman turned her head coldly to look at Golov, who was pointing at her inexplicably.

"No, not you, I'm talking about the one behind you."

"You heartless bastard from the Doyle family, don't think I can't see you just because you're hiding behind the big guy."

Doyle emerged from behind Golov with a long face, forcing a smile:

"Miss……"

But the graceful woman with black hair spoke, her voice decisive and forceful, without the slightest hesitation:

"You, go up there and spar with the prince."

"According to your leader: investigate his power of termination."

Thales, who had been lost in his memories, was slightly taken aback.

Doyle's expression changed drastically.

"What, you don't want to?"

Doyle's eyebrows twitched again.

The woman said coldly:

"So, sparring with Prince Thales... is that an insult to your family?"

Doyle shuddered upon hearing this.

He dared not reply again, his face filled with a death-defying resolve. Like a puppet on a string, he walked dazedly onto the training field, about to grab the practice sword, hoping his misfortune would end soon.

But his hopes were dashed.

"and many more."

The woman's words rang out leisurely, causing DD, who had taken half a step, to freeze in mid-air, afraid to move.

"Use your own sword."

These words caused an uproar among the royal guards!
Marius's expression shifted between light and shadow, as if he could no longer maintain his composure.

Doyle turned around in shock, forgetting his fear:

"Use...use...a real sword?"

The woman hummed a rising tone through her nose:
"Why not?"

Doyle stood frozen in place.

"Quick, draw your sword and go fight him to the death."

The woman gave the guards a cold glance:

"Otherwise, what's the point of you investigating the Ending Power?"

Thales was startled by what he heard, but his heart warmed at the same time.

really……

six years...

She still...

Behind Marius, the standard-bearer Hugo Foby, with a grim face, asked Piloga, who had rushed up from behind:
"How did she get in?"

Piroga, with a bitter face, helplessly spread his hands: "Sir, you know, she is His Majesty's..."

"In short, in the entire Mindis Hall, even among our own brothers, no one dares to stop her."

Fuby was speechless with anger.

Thales took a deep breath, looked at Doyle who was being scolded and didn't dare to utter a sound, and stepped forward:
"Madam, I..."

But the moment he opened his mouth, Lady Ginny Barkway, First Lady of the Palace of Restoration, his father's lover, and his mentor in Northern military swordsmanship, interrupted him impatiently:
"Shut up, kid."

Telston choked for a moment.

"How many times have I said it in my letter? When you come back, I will test your real sword training."

Ginny walked up to him, looked at Thales who was almost as tall as her, her lips trembled slightly, and her eyes flickered.

But the female official quickly turned her head away, nipping the tremor in her eyes in the bud.

"And what are you doing now?"

Ginny looked away and said sternly:
"Toy sword? Playing house?"

Are you still seven years old?

Ginny glanced at the twenty-odd royal guards and said sternly:

Are you also seven years old?

Marius, who was in charge, remained silent and did not answer.

"What are you doing standing still?"

Ginny let out a breath.

Seemingly having had enough, she turned to Doyle, who was trying to present himself as a pillar standing in the center of the field:

"Go up there, DD! Fight him head-on, until you draw blood! Keep cutting until you unleash his ultimate power!"

Doyle raised his head, trembling:
"I, I, madam, this sword was passed down to me by my grandmother, and it cannot be used lightly..."

Ginny bluntly exposed his true colors:
"Nonsense! How many times did I arrest old Doyle when I was young on Red Street?"

"Your grandmother passed away a long time ago. It was your grandfather who always paid the bail!"

Doyle trembled upon hearing this, lowered his head, and dared not utter another sound.

Ginny snorted coldly, her high-heeled boots clicking crisply as she walked past the guards.

"Then it's you?"

"You? Or you?"

"Use real swords, go up and spar with him?"

No one answered, and no one even dared to look up.

Ginny snorted and turned to the leader.

"Why don't you just be yourself, Marius?"

The female official said disdainfully:

"Aren't you His Majesty's loyal servant? The kind who would kill whoever he tells him to kill?"

Marius remained silent for a few seconds.

Finally, the Watchman took a deep breath.

"No need, madam. Our duty has been fulfilled. We already understand His Highness's power of termination."

Thales was startled by what he heard.

Got it?
What? The Sin of the River of Hell? The kind of power of destruction that the Black Sword spoke of, the kind best kept hidden?

That's... what I understand?

"The martial arts class is over."

Marius forced a stiff smile:

“Madam, you may now proceed with the etiquette lesson for His Highness.”

"My guards and I take our leave now."

But Ginny had no intention of backing down:
"Oh? Really? You understand already?"

The female official clicked her tongue and said:
"The power of termination that can be known without actual sword-fighting or real combat?"

Ginny pointed at Thales, her eyes turning cold: "What if you're mistaken?"

"Should we beat him up again?"

Thales felt a chill run down his spine.

Marius coughed, seemingly used to Ginny's difficult behavior.

“Indeed,” the watchman said stiffly in front of everyone:

"Your Highness's finishing power is strange. It has no obvious characteristics or style, and its improvement on various physical qualities is also limited."

Ginny squinted.

Marius raised his gaze and stared directly at Thales:
"But he pulled through."

Thales took a breath, his eyes also filled with curiosity.

"Three battles."

The watchman said slowly and deliberately:
"Before he was injured, Piloga was an elite member of the Guardian Wing. His counterattack technique had even severely injured a master of the Extreme Realm."

"Although he is a guard, Gian was born a vigilant officer. The close-combat skills he learned on the streets are practical and effective. He is good at taking down enemies in unexpected ways."

“Zonevid was only recently promoted from penal officer to vanguard officer, largely because his fighting style is too sharp.”

The three people mentioned all stirred.

“But His Highness pulled through,” Marius said calmly.

"We lost, but not too badly."

The Watcher became serious, his gaze sharp as lightning, making Thales somewhat uneasy.

“Your Highness, there is a very similar example in history to your power of ending.”

Thales was slightly surprised.

Historical examples?

He immediately recalled the example Ricky had told him when he was still at Bakeguchi Camp.

What Ricky said...

These were ancestors who bore the sins of the River of Hell, yet also bore the so-called "mission of their time."

But what Marius said next took him by surprise.

"Two hundred years ago, a peerless genius in combat and martial arts emerged from the royal family of Shining Star."

Shining Star Royal Family?

Thales looked up in surprise.

Wha...what?
Among the strange names Ricky mentioned, was Shining Star among them?

Marius cleared his throat and raised his voice to the attentive crowd:

"That royal prodigy awakened a rare power of termination, a power that allowed him to struggle for survival in countless desperate situations, narrowly escaping death."

"Just like Prince Thales' strength today, let him persevere in the face of danger."

Thales blinked.

ha?
Marius nodded:

"In the end, that prodigy became a legend of his time, renowned and celebrated to this day."

Ginny frowned.

"And that is..."

Marius took a deep breath and looked at Thales:

"That's right, he's the free-spirited and romantic prince, a legendary figure who fought his way across the Western Continent without ever being defeated."

"Kayla Star".

The watchman's eyes gleamed with a sharp light:

"It is known as 'Wolf Enemy'."

Everyone was in an uproar!
Thales was completely stunned.

Legendary Prince...

Kayla Star?

Wolf Enemy?

Marius raised his head, solemn and serious:
"And the legendary, world-shaking power that Prince Keira relied on to achieve fame is called..."

The Watchman said softly:

"The raging sea is filled with turbulent waves."

one second.

two seconds.

three seconds.

At that moment, the entire training ground erupted in cheers!
The royal guards whispered amongst themselves, some excited and some surprised, and many of their eyes kept glancing at Thales.

Ginny also began to think deeply.

But the main character of the topic remained rooted to the spot.

anger……

Thales stammered to himself:
What's with the angry waves?

“I have heard that the instructors the Northmen have assigned to the prince are the murderers of Prince Horace—the Yankees are deliberately trying to humiliate us.”

Doyle, who had secretly slipped back to Golover's side, nudged his colleague in surprise:

"Now it seems that the murderer really did teach seriously?"

Amidst the chaotic clamor of the crowd, Marius seized the opportunity to conclude:

"I'm sorry, Ms. Ginny, that's all for today."

“As for you, Your Highness, I will retrieve the records concerning ‘Wolf Enemy’ during his lifetime,” Marius said, narrowing his eyes.

"Your training will be more targeted in the future."

Before they could respond, the watchman turned to the entire guard:

"Dismissed. Everyone back to your posts."

Marius's eyes darted around:
"Unless... someone wants to catch up with Ms. Ginny, who is visiting?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Xinghu Guards scattered.

It seemed no one wanted to stay any longer.

Marius turned his head and nodded slightly to Ginny and Thales.

The palace lady-in-waiting snorted coldly, turned around and strode away:

"What are you standing there for, kid?"

You still have class!

Thales snapped out of his shock and confusion.

He turned around, not caring about his appearance, and jogged to catch up with Ginny's high-heeled boots.

But as the boy jogged, he was having some doubts:
What are you doing?
In these six years...

Aside from being brutally beaten and bruised every day, shedding blood and sweat, gritting her teeth and fighting against Nikolai with tears in her eyes, trying every possible way to survive in his terrifying and ferocious shadow...

What else did he do to make his finishing power resemble that...?

A raging sea?

As the training ground quickly emptied, Marius stared at Ginny and Thales as they walked away, his expression slightly somber.

"And you, Piroga, pass on the message."

Marius called out to Piloga, who was walking at the very back.

"This time, we are still relatively new to our organization and unfamiliar with our responsibilities."

"But next time, even if His Majesty himself comes."

Marius emphasized the word "himself," which made Piloga subconsciously tense up.

The watchman slowly turned his head, his eyes flashing with an unusually solemn light:
“My guards are not to be allowed to pass through without any hindrance or notification.”

"do you understand?"

Piroga felt a chill run down his spine.

He suddenly had a strange feeling: the usually indifferent and easygoing Commander Tormond Marius did not exist at this moment.

Piloga nodded respectfully and turned to leave.

Marius watched his retreating figure with a complex and unfathomable gaze.

A moment later, the watchman turned to the only person left beside him.

"Hugo?"

Hugo Foby, the standard-bearer of the Duke's guard, walked up discreetly and obediently.

"Did you record today's training, including the prince's finishing power?" Marius asked casually.

“Of course,” the Forbes standard-bearer pulled out a notebook, his eyes suddenly turning shrewd:

"The raging sea is filled with turbulent waves."

"And the details of Prince Thales's response..."

But Marius interrupted him.

"variant."

Fubi looked up, a puzzled expression on his face.

"Add a record to your log."

Marius spoke softly, his expression and tone slowly returning to their previous indifferent state:
"Prince Thales's finishing power is a rare 'variant' of the raging sea."

Fubi blinked and frowned.

"As for the specific direction and characteristics of the variants..."

Marius exhaled, his face calm and serene.
"Unknown".

Forbes was stunned for two seconds.

"A variant, unknown... Sir, are you sure?"

He looked at his notebook and asked in confusion:
"This is for Vice Captain Taren to see, and he will report it to His Majesty and... if there are any unclear or inaccurate records..."

Marius suddenly turned around.

"Yes, I'm sure."

He interrupted the Forbes standard-bearer decisively, his gaze piercing and aggressive:

"Absolutely sure."

(End of this chapter)