Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 53: Sent to the Palace!
The extreme pain that came from the inside out had disappeared from Thales' body.

Thales clutched the wounds on his left arm and shoulder, breathing heavily as he looked at the young nobleman before him.

"Thank...thank you."

In the distance, Lord Seychelles' sword flashed, swiftly dispatching the last assassin.

Near the overturned carriage, Ginny shook off Seychelles's hand that was supporting her, and walked coldly toward an assassin who was not quite dead yet. At the knight's frown, she unleashed a burst of strength and plunged her sword between the assassin's eyes.

The passersby had already fled, and amidst the chaos and corpses in the streets, Thales couldn't find the masked guard—he could only hope that the guard had survived the barrage of demonic sounds and crossbow bolts, for Yordle was, after all, a master of the extreme realm.

Gilbert, who was lying on the ground, looked anxiously in this direction.

But from the moment Thales saw the iris emblem, he knew that his immediate priority was to deal with the young nobleman who had saved his life—and his knight attendant, who was clearly no ordinary assassin.

Iris – Gilbert had only just begun teaching Thales heraldry, but that did not prevent him from understanding the meaning of this emblem.

When he was abducted by the vampires, the flags fluttering over the Vine Manor told Thales that the family represented by this flower probably had limited goodwill towards the Starry Sky royal family.

“…Those people…” Thales said timidly, his face filled with terror, like a typical seven-year-old child still shaken from a crisis, “Those people suddenly pounced on us…”

This child, able to travel with the king's lover, as well as his closest attendant and former foreign minister... Jann thought to himself: He was even assassinated on his way to the central district. Who is he?

Could it be an unexpected event that disrupts the plan?

"Child, don't be afraid, it's all over now." The young, round-faced nobleman smiled and sheathed his sword.

He looked at the seven-year-old boy and said elegantly, "Assassins are creatures that live in the shadows. Once they leave the shadows, they are no threat and are of no use."

“I am Jann Kevindir, one of the thousands of nobles in the kingdom. As long as I am here, I will not let them harm you.”

“So, kid, who are you?” Jann asked politely, raising an eyebrow.

I am……?
Thales took a deep breath beneath his trembling exterior and considered his current situation.

I haven't officially debuted yet, and haven't been recognized as a shining star, but I'm sure to be a thorn in the side of nobles with the potential to be crowned.

One must not reveal one's identity before arriving at the palace.

Thales looked at Gilbert.

Gilbert saw Jenn, who had even lost his top hat. The former foreign secretary, covered in wounds, staggered along, but still managed to get some support with his cane, limping towards him from a distance.

He's still a distance away and can't explain it to me—Thales said quietly.

And in front of me...

He looked at Jenn, who was hesitant and waiting for his answer.

Seeing Thales remain silent, Jenn's suspicions deepened.

The young duke glanced around and spotted Gilbert in the distance.

Was he hesitating? Or was his identity truly suspicious, and he was waiting for Casso to come and help him out?

"You're waiting for Earl Cassel?" Jann smiled. "Being personally escorted by the kingdom's most outstanding diplomat in history, it seems you have quite a story to tell, child."

Sensing Jenn's suspicion, the boy knew he couldn't keep up the act any longer.

Otherwise, even if Gilbert concealed his identity, the nobleman bearing the fleur-de-lis emblem would not easily believe him.

“I am, I am Thales.” Thales searched for the identity in his memory, combined with his current situation, and with the fear unique to a seven-year-old child, he slowly said, “They all say that I am… Lord Mann’s illegitimate son.”

“Mann?” Jenn raised an eyebrow: “Lord Soren Mann, the kingdom’s hero of the Desert Wars, who sacrificed himself on the western front a year ago?”

The illegitimate son of "Striker" Mann?
"Hasn't Mann's territory and estate already been taken back?" He frowned slightly.

Thales' palms slowly began to sweat—Gilbert had only told him the basics of Mann Estate, but hadn't told him what kind of person Lord Mann really was.

“I don’t know, they don’t talk to me much about… Father,” Thales said, looking down dejectedly.

Gilbert finally approached the two men. The former foreign minister, his face filled with surprise and worry, bowed tremblingly to Jann: "Thank you for your generous assistance—I never expected to see you here, Duke Kevin Deer."

Jan quickly stepped forward and supported Gilbert, who was covered in wounds and swaying precariously. This time, his eyes were particularly serious.

“Count Cassel—I would rather meet you on some other occasion and talk over drinks,” he said sincerely, “than help you in a despicable assassination attempt.”

Count Gilbert Cassel… Jann silently recalled the man’s identity.

The cunning fox of the stars.

This is how the nations, led by Exeter, addressed Count Cassel—who at that time was still Viscount Cassel, having just inherited his father's title—after the Treaty of the Fortress, which is enough to prove his wisdom and shrewdness.

Twelve years ago, he served as the negotiator for the Stars, skillfully maneuvering at the negotiating table among various nations, and almost single-handedly thwarted the Northern Dragon's ambition to march south.

He is also the first nobleman in the history of the stars to be promoted from viscount to earl solely based on his diplomatic achievements.

When news of the successful negotiations arrived, almost the entire planet was celebrating wildly, rejoicing at the final end of the Bloody Year.

If it weren't for political reasons, he, who was a rising star in the political arena at the time, would almost certainly have been His Majesty Kessel's next prime minister.

How could it possibly be that old guy, Cullen's, turn?
He is a rare talent among the stars. If I ever... Janne thought to himself... he would be a powerful ally.

He immediately adopted a serious and earnest expression: "I will instruct the Security Bureau that this despicable assassination, whatever its cause, is unforgivable! The mastermind must pay the price!"

Like him, Gilbert was also speculating about the young duke in front of him, the newly crowned Duke of the Kevin Deer family, one of the six great noble families, who had been in power for two years.

Two years ago, when the Duke passed away in that regrettable family tragedy, everyone thought that the already declining Kevin Deer and the wealthy South Coast Territory would fall apart in endless internal strife.

His Majesty has even drafted an edict, made agreements with other families, and is preparing to intervene in this internal family strife—in order to gain benefits.

Until this young duke, who was once rumored to be at odds with his family, returned from his travels across the sea from the distant Eastern continent.

Faced with pressure from three other powerful relatives, Jann, under the astonished gazes of all the nobles, reunited the Tricolor Iris and the South Bank into one of the noblest families and most powerful forces in the Starry Sky.

“Lord Kevin Deer,” Gilbert carefully chose his words, “I will remember your righteous act, but before that, I must…”

Just then, Thales suddenly spoke up, interrupting their respective thoughts.

“Mr. Cassel,” seven-year-old Thales said reluctantly, his head bowed in disappointment.

“I—I don’t want to inherit Mann Estate anymore.”

A weary Gilbert's eyes flickered.

"Thales, he's reminding me," he thought to himself.

“I’m just an illegitimate child who’s barely even seen my father’s face. I have no rights to begin with, and besides…” Thales raised his head, trembling, his eyes filled with tears of fear: “I don’t want to go through what just happened again! I just want to be Thales again, the man without a surname!”

“My child, I understand your feelings. Being caught in the vortex of succession is never a pleasant memory—thank you very much, Your Grace—but,” Gilbert sighed, his eyes brightening as he was helped by Jan, “it is His Majesty’s order.”

"We must go to the Palace of Restoration immediately, Your Grace!" Ginny, having bandaged her wound, approached with an unfriendly expression, interrupting their conversation. She was somewhat afraid to look at Thales and Gilbert, but insisted with an overbearing air that they were leaving.

But as she reached for Lathels' arm, she was stopped in mid-air by Seychelles, who stared expressionlessly at the young duke, awaiting his decision.

“Excuse me for interrupting,” Jann said, narrowing his eyes with a flourish, “So this… Thales is the one who’s going to inherit the Mann family business?”

Gilbert looked at Thales with a complicated expression.

“This is His Majesty’s mission, and it shouldn’t be revealed so easily, but since the owner of the Three-Colored Iris has inquired…” Gilbert sighed and nodded, “His Majesty has decreed that this child be brought before him so that his father’s estate, including Mann Estate, can be passed on to him.” “As you know, Lord Mann rose to prominence during the Desert Wars and had a close relationship with His Majesty during his lifetime. After his death, his lands and property were entrusted to the royal family for safekeeping…” Gilbert continued to weave his lies without changing his expression, “until someone discovered his illegitimate son.”

“Clearly, some people are not satisfied with Lord Mann’s successor…” Gilbert looked at the assassins’ corpses scattered on the ground, his face full of worry: “You know, that’s a huge estate, and Lord Mann gained a lot of relatives out of nowhere after he rose to power.”

Jann looked at Thales, his gaze lingering for two seconds.

The illegitimate orphan of a hero?

Enter the Palace of Restoration? Receive His Majesty's decree and inherit his property?
At this time?
And... he glanced at Ginny.

Traveling with the chief lady-in-waiting of the palace, His Majesty's lover?
In the distance came a bustling noise and the sound of orderly footsteps.

The city defense team and the security department finally arrived late.

Ginny's face showed anxiety, while Gilbert's expression remained unchanged, but Thales knew that he certainly didn't want to be exposed to the public eye.

Even as the "illegitimate son of Lord Mann".

“I see. No wonder His Majesty values ​​it so much.” Just as the remaining three waited anxiously, Jann suddenly smiled and said, “Lord Mann was not only His Majesty’s comrade-in-arms, but also a hero of our Stars. His bloodline should not be lost in such an ugly conspiracy.”

Thales breathed a sigh of relief.

“But you two are seriously injured,” Jann said with concern. “Fortunately, the city defense team and the police station have arrived. You can get medical treatment and assistance from them, and you must also explain the circumstances surrounding the assassination.”

"As for this child, since it is His Majesty's decree," Jan said calmly, "you can hand him over to me. I am on my way to the Palace of Restoration."

Gilbert and Ginny's expressions changed.

“Your Grace! This is too much trouble for you!” Gilbert said firmly and solemnly, “Besides, this is my mission…”

“The child’s safety is the top priority! He has already survived an assassination attempt! And…” Jann said emotionally, kneeling down on one knee, tearing a piece from his sleeve to bandage Thales’ wound: “…the orphan of a hero, he deserves my help.”

Thales' expression stiffened.

Too clumsy—Jane thought coldly to himself:

At such a critical moment, he sent his most trusted attendant and his lover to pick up the orphan of a low-ranking nobleman.

Even if that nobleman was a comrade-in-arms who had shared life and death with the king on the battlefield!

There's definitely something wrong with that boy!

Jann smiled and nodded at them, giving them a reassuring look: "With the name of the Tricolor Iris and the strength of Seychelles, he is safe and sound."

Feeling Jenn's gaze, Thales felt a chill run down his spine.

“Jane Kevin Deer!” Ginny took an angry step forward, but was blocked by Seychelles and his sword.

"Step back, madam." The knight of the extreme realm, Seychelles, stood firm, his eyes gleaming coldly: "This is the Duke's will, and my mission."

Gilbert's brow furrowed deeply as he faced a duke and an Extreme Knight, frantically searching for a solution.

“Lord Kevin Deer! This is inappropriate!” Gilbert had never spoken in such a serious tone: “This is His Majesty’s…”

“No one can question my respect for His Majesty!” Jann declared loudly, his gaze fixed on Thales. “But clearly, my carriage and guards are more suited to His Majesty’s mission than you, who are covered in wounds.”

“Or,” Jenn turned his head, his voice chilling, “is there something else you’re hiding from me?”

Gilbert was speechless for a moment, while Ginny's eyes flashed coldly as she gripped the hilt of her sword—she was ready to fight to the death to rescue him.

Thales also became anxious.

Go with this guy?

How can it be!

But with Yordles gone, using force would only backfire.

How to do?
Thales frantically considered all possible solutions, even taking into account the power within him!

How to do?
“Child, there’s no need to be nervous. His Majesty Kessel is known for his fairness and impartiality,” Jann said with a hint of sarcasm, seeing the three’s reaction. “Besides, since you are of Lord Mann’s blood, isn’t it only natural for a son to inherit his father’s property?”

“You should be proud of your father. It was his desperate charge in the Battle of the Altar that saved the entire Desert War.”

"Please allow me to escort you away as a sign of my respect for the hero."

Looking at Jann's bright smile, Thales felt a chill run down his spine.

He couldn't come up with a solution.

Gilbert, looking somber, and Ginny, looking anxious, seemed completely helpless.

Jenn's lips curled up. He stood up and raised his right hand: "Please, this... Mr. Thales?"

Thales took a deep breath and glanced at the middle-aged nobleman and the court lady.

It seems there's no other way.

Just then, the sound of orderly footsteps came into everyone's view!

At least a dozen elite warriors, who moved swiftly and silently, equipped with iron armor, longswords, silver shields, steel helmets, and even portable magic guns and infantry-specific crossbows, marched in with orderly steps and imposing momentum, surrounding everyone present!
Everyone's expression changed simultaneously!
Seychelles was the first to notice the warriors' equipment and insignia. His expression darkened as he approached the Duke and whispered:
"It's not the police station or the city defense team!"

"It's the Royal Guard!"

Jenn's face suddenly turned extremely ugly.

Gilbert and Ginny recognized the leader of the group of murderous elite warriors.

Both of them relaxed.

It was a short figure wearing a cloak, with his head and face completely covered.

"With the Star Kingdom—"

Thales suddenly realized that the voice under the cloak was actually a young woman's voice.

The short figure took a step forward and scratched his head.

"With that supreme king—"

But the voice seemed a little confused and unfamiliar with the situation.

Then she shouted:

"Yi Kai—Kaiser—Kaiser—that—Can—oh dear, it's so hard to pronounce!"

"In short! In the name of your king!"

Under Thales's dumbfounded gaze, the short figure stood with his hands on his hips, raised one hand, and pointed at the people in the arena one by one, angrily shouting:

"Ms. Ginny, that gray-haired old man, and that brat—"

“Send them all to his palace!”

P.S.: I posted a character casting call in the work's related section. Everyone is welcome to participate in this world!
Thank you JK丶y for the donation! T_T


(End of this chapter)