Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 538 A Glorious Scene in Hell
The sun was setting.

Although the main banquet had not yet begun, the early arrival of the two dukes made the banquet hall incredibly lively.

Outside the hall, the logistics officer, Stoddard, and the head steward of the Mindis Hall, each as big as a bucket, were checking the list of carriages and gifts, going back and forth with the coachmen and waiters who spoke various accents to confirm.

Inside the hall, the attendants who had accompanied the guests were constantly coming and going, and from time to time, they would quarrel with the servants in the hall because of the needs of the master and their demands.

Gilbert had to arrange for clowns, dancers, and bards to enter early, play music, and serve food and drink in return for the (dispersed) guests' (fussy) enthusiasm. It is said that many people who were not invited and could not enter also rushed to the scene, hoping to try their luck on this special day.

Marius skillfully and professionally coordinated the situation, assigning positions, managing servants, discussing matters with the steward sent by the Palace of Restoration, and handling unexpected incidents (such as a lower-ranking nobleman bringing six daughters who were not on the list, or relocating Jorge, who was excitedly telling everyone, "Do you know who the famous North Star is?", from the foreign guests' section to the veterans' section).

As the main character of the banquet, Thales could only secretly lament his misfortune.

Although as the nominal host of the Mindis Hall, he should sit in the main seat and await the guests, firstly, as the king was also attending the banquet, it would be inappropriate for the second prince to sit calmly; secondly, Thales's identity was special, and he had only recently returned to the country, so he urgently needed to establish a good first impression...

So, after the Seven Stars and the two dukes, Thales had to continue dragging a large group of servants and guards around the Mindis Hall, following Marius's arrangements and Gilbert's instructions ("Your Highness, come here quickly, Your Highness, go there quickly, Your Highness went somewhere, Your Highness can't..." - Thales's private grumbling), greeting the designated important guests, appeasing the guests who were dissatisfied with their seats, and responding to (whether sincere or not) greetings on the way with (certainly hypocritical) smiles and greetings.

This demonstrates the demeanor and elegance of the royal family, showcasing the newly appointed Duke of Starlake's "hospitality and affable manners."

"Your Highness, you look very healthy and have a wonderful complexion."

Duke Bob Cullen of the East Sea Territory, with his white hair and large belly, greeted Thales with a ruddy complexion, supported by two servants.

Thales coughed:
"Welcome, Your Excellency. It is a pleasure to see you in good health."

Duke Kulen spends three out of the four seasons of the year recuperating in Yongxing City, but today, upon seeing him, he still looks as prosperous and endearing as ever, just like the kind-hearted, ever-present king in our memories.

No, not entirely.

Thales glanced down.

At least, his belly was protruding more.

"Indeed, as soon as I learned that you had escaped the den of those northern barbarians, my illness immediately improved."

The guardian of the East Sea Territory looked at the portraits of the Three Star Kings and said with a smile:
“Heaven bless the stars, I miss this mansion so much—when it was still open to the public, I used to visit it often, but I didn’t appreciate it. Now that I’m old and don’t have many opportunities, I feel nostalgic.”

Thales smiled, pretending not to understand the Duke's implied meaning, and gestured to accompany him to the banquet hall in a proper manner.

"You'll love my gift. I've brought you plenty of pearls, a specialty of Huigang, as well as spices, tea, and fabrics from the Eastern Continent—all sorts of fine things, definitely better than what's produced on the southern coast. You know, if we head east, the ocean currents and trade winds are on our side..."

Compared to Jann's insincere words and Kusder's harsh tone, Duke Cullen's incessant chatter was probably unique in the kingdom. It was all correct and well-spoken nonsense, and you had nothing to say to refute or interrupt him.

In the past, Thales might have treated it as a routine matter and simply given a gift.

but now……

Thales sighed, forced to interrupt the fat duke's kind and gentle monologue.

“Just now, Jorge, the clerk from Elk City, wanted to introduce me to his lord’s three daughters.”

Duke Cullen paused slightly, and the crest of his family, the Sun Sword and Shield, trembled slightly.

"daughter?"

He adjusted the jeweled belt around his waist, but it was too heavy and looked like it was about to break under the weight of his belly.

"Three?"

Duke Cullen paused, carefully scrutinized Thales from head to toe, and sighed deeply:

"It's great to be young..."

Thales gave an awkward laugh.

But the Duke continued, his tone full of nostalgia:
"Thinking back to those days when I once slept with three in one night..."

"The brothel madam—cough cough, I mean, the mistress of the Leia Club wanted to add another one because of her status and the tip, but I firmly refused. After all, Sunset taught us that as nobles, we should set an example, maintain our integrity, and practice abstinence and self-discipline..."

The old fat man's ability to interrupt and veer off-topic is probably unparalleled in the world.

"Of course, when it comes to this, he's still not as impressive as your father. It's said that he once fought thirty men in one night on Red Street..."

The more Thales listened, the darker his face became.

He quickly interrupted the duke before he could reveal how many times His Majesty the King could do it in one night:

"No, that's not what I meant by 'Deer City,' and it wasn't three at once, but rather one time..."

The Duke of Donghai still looked at him with a smile.

The prince sighed and gave up on his efforts to make matters worse.
"Regarding this news, regarding the marriage proposal from Deer City, do you have anything else to say?"

Kulen paused for a moment, seemingly deep in thought.

A second later, he suddenly realized.

"Oh!"

"I'm so sorry, my daughters got married and had children a long time ago, some of them are already grandmothers."

The Prime Minister looked regretful:

"As for the granddaughters, well, I'll compile a list when I get back... Hmm, it'll take some time to draw their portraits, preferably full-body ones. I'll give you a list later... whichever one, or several, you may have your eye on..."

Thales closed his eyes and sighed deeply.

When he opened his eyes again, the prince interrupted the duke without any politeness:
“Extour’s coastline is actually quite long, and its maritime territory borders us.”

"This includes Elk City."

Duke Cullen stopped in his tracks.

He patted the attendant on the shoulder, who expertly bowed and stepped back.

Thales felt a sense of relief.

There is a play.

"Whether it is the Rebuilt Tower or the Glacier Sea, the former is confined by the Sighing Mountains and the latter suffers from frozen coastlines, both lacking good harbors."

"Only the Gadero family of Deer City, who control the only two Deer ports, which connect inland transportation and have hinterland towns, are able to support long-distance voyages..."

Thales slowly revealed his main point:
"We have the qualifications and the ability to set sail and conquer the seas, to join our stars..."

Thales's eyes shifted, and his tone suddenly changed:

"To be precise, it's about sharing the huge profits of the Eastern shipping routes with the seven ports under your control in the East China Sea."

The Duke of Donghai straightened up steadily, a beaming smile on his face:
"You did quite well in geography class?"

Duke of Starlake took a deep breath:

"For a century, because of Dragonstreet's unprecedented power, Deer City has been constrained in every way: they both crave the support of Valhalla and fear the king's authority, and have always kept a low profile and kept a low profile in Exter."

Kulen shook his head:
"There are advantages to growing up in the North, aren't there?"

Thales frowned.

Play dumb.

But he had no choice.

He must make the most of today's meeting.

The prince chose to get straight to the point:

"However, today, Grand Duke Gadro took the initiative to send someone to Yongxing City to attend my banquet."

Kulen chuckled:
"Have they come to propose marriage to you as a sign of goodwill?"

Thales shook his head.

"No, they're mostly just making a show of force to gauge the situation."

Duke Starlake's eyes flashed:
“Waiting for a price.”

The Duke of Donghai paused for a few seconds.

When the owner of the Sun Sword and Shield spoke again, his tone had lost some of its muddiness and slickness, replaced by vigilance and shrewdness.

"Waiting for the best price...waiting for whose price?"

Thales took a deep breath and chose the most appropriate words:
"Your Grace, you have ruled the East Sea and managed Glorious Bay for nearly half a century."

“I believe you know the answer better than anyone else.”

“I believe you understand better than anyone what Elk City’s actions today mean and what the consequences are.”

Duke Starlake stared straight at Cullen.

The portly old duke remained silent, his shrewd eyes revealing an unreadable emotion.

After a long while, he slowly spoke:
"When King Nuen died, they weren't in such a hurry..."

However, the next moment, Duke Cullen narrowed his eyes, his face cunning:
"Therefore, Dragon Sky City has always been the one supplying them with goods for resale and supporting their maritime plundering..."

"what happened?"

Thales sighed inwardly.

Damn old fox.

Thales had no choice but to reveal the answer to him expressionlessly:

"The Freedom Alliance has won."

"Rumba... might win too."

Duke Cullen, with his large belly sticking out, gave a knowing "Ah-ha" look.

Thales observed the other person's expression and then stated what he had learned:
"Without the strong support of Valhalla, Deer City has reverted to its original form as Yankees: no way to trade goods and no way to plunder."

"More importantly: they have no king behind them and no confidence in their own hearts."

Kulen frowned deeply.

Before King Nuen passed away, Longxiao City used a balanced approach, sometimes generous and sometimes strict, to both grant benefits and increase authority, and to limit benefits and increase authority, to subdue the arrogant Deer City, which relied on the sea route, and made it dare not act recklessly.

The latter's rule over the Walton family was also filled with ambivalent feelings: he coveted the strong support of the central government and was worried about the independent status of his important northern port.

("Hmph, wanting to beg for food but refusing to offer a bowl, there's no such thing as a free lunch!" - Regent of Lisbon once blurted out while explaining the history of the North to the Grand Duchess)

But now, their powerful backers are not only without a king, but are even teetering on the brink of collapse.

Thales stated unequivocally:
"If the land routes are blocked, the sea sails will surely sink."

"Deer City's business at sea will definitely be affected."

Duke Cullen remained silent.

But Thales took a step closer and smelled the strong scent of exotic spices on the Duke:

"Therefore, this is a golden opportunity. You need not hold back, while Grand Duke Gadro is preoccupied with domestic politics and indecisive..."

Thales' heart sank, and he silently uttered the rest of his words in his mind:
While they hesitated over whether to abandon Dragoncity and join King Chaman...

While they awaited Xingchen's reaction and Black Sand Territory's offer to win them over...

The second prince decisively replied:

"Take the initiative, strike first, and reclaim the maritime interests and trade profits that the northerners have stolen from us since the Bloody Years..."

"Take it back."

Duke Cullen blinked his small eyes, looking both kind and bewildered.

"To prove to those Yankees with holes in their foreheads, to those who think they can sail just by rowing: who should be the boss who ends the seas."

Thales' gaze was firm.

He doesn't know how much effect his words will have today.

However, if Deer City were to observe even the slightest hint of the East Sea Territory's opportunistic and exploitative attitude, it would soon understand:
Even though the dragon spear is worn and the heroic spirit is dim, distant water cannot quench immediate thirst, and the future is not as good as the present.

The help and support that King Nuen and Dragon Sky City can provide them, no matter how many Kings of Chaman and Black Sand Territory there are...

It's all irreversible.

"I believe this is in the best interests of the East China Sea."

Thinking of this, Thales looked solemnly at the Duke of the East Sea and returned his greeting:
"The opportune moment has arrived; may the stars be blessed."

The words fell.

Duke Donghai stared blankly at Duke Xinghu.

Slightly surprised.

It felt like meeting Thales for the first time.

After a long pause, the old duke slowly rubbed his lower back.

"Tsk tsk, strike while the iron is hot and kill him..."

"You really hate the people of the North, don't you?"

I hate the people of the North.

Thales paused slightly.

He slowed down.

Thales recalled familiar faces: first King Nunn, who had lured him into his trap with a loud laugh, and then King Chaman, who had raised his cup to him with a cold look.

Within Valhalla, several high-ranking dukes harbored their own secrets.

And the one who beat him so badly that he was seriously injured in all four limbs, nearly died several times, and even left with permanent disabilities—the Meteorite.

Thinking of this, Thales rotated his somewhat stiff left wrist.

Fortunately, he eats with his right hand.

"Hmph, you know, in these six years..."

Feeling annoyed, Thales subconsciously ground his teeth:
"I absolutely hate those big northern men... who love to bully children."

The Duke of Donghai remained silent for a while.

For some reason, Kulen looked at him with a strange expression.

The Duke also subconsciously glanced at Thales's backside.

After Thales noticed him with a frown, Cullen coughed awkwardly a few times and looked away.

“I understand, but…”

"Perhaps you should tell His Majesty about this?"

"After all, the East Sea Territory is the throat of the stars, and it concerns the entire kingdom."

Thales felt heavy-hearted.

He took a deep breath and chuckled softly:
"Yes, I should."

Thales looked at the innocent-looking Duke of the East Sea:

“But I am just his son.”

He said seriously:

"And you are his prime minister."

"Lord of Huigang City, and lord of the entire East Sea Territory."

Duke Cullen remained silent for a long time before replying.

But this time, he was no longer the one who joked around and acted as if it were none of his business.

"Thank you for reminding me, I will keep that in mind."

But the Duke of Donghai's gaze shifted:
"But why? Why say all this?"

for……

Serving the Kingdom?

Thales dismissed his lame excuse and sighed inwardly.

"In gratitude."

Before Thales' eyes flashed the image of that slender figure in the Hall of Heroes, who had risen from her seat amidst the uproar and risked everything to protect the Star Prince.

He brought his thoughts back to the present and smiled leisurely at the Duke of Donghai:
"Thanks to your sudden realization at the National Affairs Conference back then, and your resolute vote for me, I am where I am today."

"This is my way of repaying you."

Duke Cullen pursed his lips.

Suddenly realizing it, that's what they mean by...

"Be careful, Your Highness."

He still looked at Thales with a smile, patted the latter on the shoulder, as if looking at a beloved nephew, and said intentionally or unintentionally:

"The Mindis Hall is nothing like the Palace of Rejuvenation; the carpets here are brand new, and every step you take..."

"They're all very slippery."

Thales fell silent for a moment.

He thought of the elusive little devil, whose whereabouts and fate were unknown.

But the next moment, what appeared before him was Lady Eleanor, who, despite the strange looks, stubbornly walked into Mindis Hall with her mentally challenged son.

Tiny iron spikes.

"But isn't that our family tradition?"

Thales snapped out of his reverie and said softly:
"Don't say the carpet is just slippery..."

He looked up.

Even if it hides thousands of iron spikes underneath...

Thales smiled:
"I must maintain a composed expression..."

"Strolling leisurely."

Upon hearing this, the Duke of Donghai's eyes lit up.

"Very well, Your Highness, please excuse me..."

The old duke gestured for his attendant to come forward, but waved his hand to refuse Thales's company.

"As for their marriage proposal, Your Highness, please remember, even if it's from the North..."

Duke Cullen strode away, completely unconcerned.
"Even women can be harmful to your health."

Hearing the other party's words, which seemed to have ulterior motives, Thales' heart sank.

Little rascal.

He stared blankly at the departing figure of Duke Cullen, lost in thought.

just now……

What I can do for you...

That's all.

"Wow, so that northerner was serious when he said he wanted to introduce you to the Grand Duke's daughter?"

Doyle came over and draped a cloak over Thales.

Thales pulled up his cloak, absentmindedly grunting in response.

DD pouted:

"Your Highness, you know that there's a saying among the Seven Star Attendants: Never marry a woman from the North."

Thales slowly walked back, puzzled:

"what happened?"

Doyle shrugged:

"It is said that this is how the 'Wild Horse' Barney family fell into ruin: back then, the old lady Little Thorn's youngest son insisted on marrying a woman from the North..."

"Little Iron Thorn strongly objected, but to no avail. In the end, they removed him from the family genealogy and drove him out of the house."

Doyle shook his head:
"But the curse this woman brought still affects the family—look at Barney now."

He stubbornly insisted on marrying a woman from the north...

It has implicated the entire family...

Look at Barney now...

Thales felt a pang of heartache and said unhappily:

Why don't you look at yourselves?

Perhaps the prince's tone was too stern, for Doyle was startled.

Golov stepped forward without making a sound, pushing Doyle, who had tried to amuse the prince with a joke but ended up getting a cold shoulder, behind him.

Is it possible...

Doyle walked behind, feeling dejected.

Your Highness spent six years in the North and actually took a liking to someone…

A woman from the North?

My God, what am I going to do about the task my dad assigned me?
You know, his father, a real miser, promised him a lot of pocket money this time!
Just then, a low commotion came from outside the hall, attracting everyone's attention.

Thales turned to look and was startled.

A solitary man, accompanied only by vigilant guards and no loyal servants, slowly walked into the hall.

Although he was dressed in fine clothes, he exuded an extraordinary aura.

Yet he was all alone, his presence shrouded in a somber atmosphere.

Along with the man came the rustling of metal.

It sounded out of place and particularly jarring in the elegant and luxurious Mindis Hall.

Those who were unaware of the situation discussed it animatedly, while the nobles who knew a little remained silent, but they all subconsciously made way for the new guest.

Marius received the report and hurried from the inner hall, just in time to see this special guest.

The watchman frowned, watching the guest slowly approach, his gaze focusing on the guest's hands.

There, locked away, was a dark-colored garment with a long, floor-length chain...

shackles.

The guest looked up, revealing a thin, weathered face and a beard that stretched down to his chest.

He stared intently at the brightly lit and bustling Mindis Hall before him.

Marius strode forward, gesturing for the guards to quickly lead him inside to avoid the countless curious stares, while simultaneously pressing down on the penitent, Gray Paterson, who was leading the guest in.

"Grey, what's going on..."

“He won’t,” Patterson replied hastily, his face also showing annoyance and helplessness.

"No matter how much we pleaded, it was no use; he insisted on attending the dinner in shackles."

The executioner said sternly:

"And that beard too..."

Marius looked at the absent-minded guest, staring at the troublesome shackles, his expression grave:

"Can't you be a little tougher?"

Patterson shook his head awkwardly:
"His Majesty instructed that he must attend the banquet without any injuries on his face."

"It's hard."

Marius gave a disgruntled snort:
"Find a cloth to cover him, then lead him directly to his seat..."

"When the time comes, send him back."

Patterson nodded in agreement, then turned to look at the new guest with a businesslike attitude:

"Lord Val, welcome to Mindis Hall. Please follow me..."

But the silent new customer spoke up at this moment:

"While your family was still prosperous, Tormund Marius..."

Marius's expression shifted, and he turned to face the guest.

The guest's voice was clearly strong and deep, yet his tone was like that of a weary horse that had been ill for many years, sounding old and lifeless.
"Your father once asked for a daughter from the Aarond family to marry you."

Marius frowned slightly.

“He probably thought that Nolan Nur would eventually inherit the family business, and that my brother had a close personal relationship with the two princes, so no matter who became king, the Duke of the North would be highly sought after. As for you, with the help of a relative who is a duke, you will naturally have a higher status among the Seven Star Attendants.”

Upon hearing this, the guards responsible for escorting the guests froze, and they tentatively looked at their superior.

Marius paused only briefly before putting on a smile and politely looking at the strange guest.

The guest smiled sadly, raised his hands, and caused the metal shackles and chains to rattle once more, mingling with the faint cheerful music in the background, like a touch of coldness injected into a spring landscape painting.

"Now...look at us."

“The family has become prisoners in chains,” the man slowly raised his head, looking at Marius, then at Mindis Hall, his lips moving as his gray beard twitched.

"One family became the guards of the chains."

Behold the guards of the shackles...

Marius frowned, forcing himself to ignore the unspoken message:
"Your Grace, we have arranged a seat for you in the banquet hall..."

But the guest's words, carrying the weight of years of pent-up authority, always seemed to manage to interrupt him at just the right moment:

"You know, many years ago."

The elegantly dressed man stared intently at the layout and furnishings of the Mindis Hall:

“My brother, like you, was a member of the glorious Royal Guard. He too once stood here, dutifully guarding this wise king’s residence.”

"And I have passed through the garden countless times, watching that mad girl run toward me."

The weathered man lowered his chains, his eyes filled with confusion:
"The Mindis Hall is now reopened."

"My brother is nowhere to be seen."

Marius remained silent.

The man gave a soft hum, looked up at the Three Kings of the Stars high above, and his eyes gradually darkened.

"King of bastards, king of wives, king of debtors"—the man thought to himself, and unconsciously curled the corners of his mouth up.

But a few seconds later, the man's gaze turned cold.

“And he wasn’t the only brother I lost.”

He looked at the Three Kings of the Stars and said disdainfully:
"No."

Marius remained silent for a moment, then finally exhaled and looked at his subordinates.

"Go through the side door and 'invite' His Excellency into the banquet hall. Remember to be discreet, and of course, 'polite' as well."

His tone was cold, and his gaze was stern.

Executioner Paterson understood his superior's meaning. Having had enough of the humiliation along the way, he waved his hand, and the two guards turned cold and were about to step forward to restrain the man.

But the man suddenly turned around, his beard and hair bristling with anger!

“I am a descendant of Arend, the master of Coldhold, and the Duke of the Northern Guardian of the Star Kingdom.”

"And I saw the old fat man's carriage. He went in from here, upright and honorable!"

The imposing aura he exuded at that moment caused those around him to frown.

Aaron looked coldly at Marius:
“If your master wants to prove to the kingdom that I am still alive, to prove that he has not wiped me out, then at the very least, he should respect the Duke’s status.”

Marius's eyes turned cold.

Just now.

"Marius!"

A young but gentle voice rang out, and Thales walked in from another side door, nodding to the Watchman:

"I'll just come."

"You all go down."

Patterson looked at Marius warily.

Marlowe paused for a moment, glanced at Golov and Doyle behind Thales, and then nodded to Patterson.

“As you wish, Your Grace.” The executioner bowed to Thales and led his guards aside.

Thales let out a breath and walked toward the new guest.

"Long time no see, Duke Val."

From the moment Thales appeared, the guests’ attention was fixed on the young owner of the Mindis Hall.

He stared intently at the Duke of Star Lake's figure, first surprised, then relieved.

"So you came back."

Val Arend—the Duke of the North, imprisoned six years after his conspiracy was exposed—looked at the Second Prince with a complex expression:

"How is Exter?"

how about it?
The prince looked at the other person and sighed slowly:

"Despite the harsh winds and frost, its firmness remains unshaken."

Meanwhile, Thales was also carefully observing Val. He couldn't help but notice that Val's once robust physique had become much thinner, and he had a full beard.

For some reason, he suddenly remembered what Josh, the Sword of Calamity, had said when he was still in the Prison of Bones:

This is the effect of imprisonment on a person... no matter who you are, no matter how powerful you are.

They are forever lost in the lonely void, never to return.

Thales's gaze focused on what was in front of him.

Once upon a time, that passionate and heroic Duke of the North…

Is gone.

Val hesitated for a few seconds.

"Rumba, how is he?"

Rumba.

Thales' heart sank.

What were Val's feelings when he met with Chaman Lumba, who was then just the Grand Duke of the Black Sands, and joined forces with him?

Six years later, their circumstances are so different. I wonder what he is thinking?

“The wind and frost are harsh,” the prince said softly, his answer exactly the same:
Its firmness is unshakeable.

After the strange exchange, Val fell silent.

But he chuckled softly, stepped forward, and walked confidently toward the banquet hall.

Like a wanderer returning home.

Paterson and the guards belonging to the Punishment Wing immediately followed.

But when Val walked to Thales' side, he stopped.

Golov and Doyle nervously stepped forward, trying to separate the Duke and the Prince, but were once again held down by Marius.

"Thank you."

Thales was slightly startled.

The gaunt Duke of the North didn't even glance at Thales, but whispered:

"Someone informed me."

"Six years ago, on Exter territory, you did everything for my daughter."

On Exter's territory...

Miranda?
Thales recalled the Night of Dragon Blood and the aloof female swordsman, and felt a pang of emotion.

The imprisoned duke turned his head expressionlessly:

"But please do me one more favor."

Val's face was ashen.

Don't marry her.

Telston was immediately taken aback.

"If you have no choice but to marry him."

Val gave a soft snort, like a desperate gambler who had lost all his chips and seen through everything:

"And don't leave a seed in her belly."

Thales blushed and quickly composed himself.

"Mira, she had an unfortunate early life."

Val stared at the ceiling and said sadly:

"I've had enough of the bloodshed."

Upon hearing this, Thales' expression hardened.

A second later, looking at the weathered and lonely Duke of the North before him, who resembled an old man in his twilight years, Thales sighed inwardly:
"I promise you."

Val smiled, lowering his head, a curve forming on his wrinkled face:
"Thank you."

“You are different from him.”

"You haven't... become him yet."

She's different from him.

At that moment, Thales suddenly had an epiphany.

He recalled that before they parted ways at the Baki camp, the former Watchman of the Royal Guard, the Punisher Knight, Sakel, had said something similar to him.

This made Thales, who had greeted and seen off guests with a smile all night, realize that the weathered, thin man in front of him, who seemed indifferent to everything, might be the only person who would tell him the truth in this night filled with laughter and joy.

"Maybe."

Thales forced a smile as he answered, hoping that his words could offer some comfort to the other person who was feeling hopeless about life.

But Val shook his head, his smile filled with despair and irony:
"Just like back then, he also thought that he was different from the owner of this place."

Thales' expression shifted:
"What do you mean?"

Val did not answer him, but simply turned his head away.

He gazed at the hustle and bustle outside the hall, at the crowds coming and going, at the bustling Mindis Hall, a scene of prosperity:

"Did you see it?"

The Duke of the North gazed at the magnificent scene before him, listening to the melodious music. Under the dazzling, ever-burning lamp overhead, he seemed to see a different landscape altogether. After a long while, he finally smiled and spoke:
"This scene……"

"A magnificent sight from hell."

hell?

Thales frowned.

Val looked around, his face contorted in a trance:
"Some people are hypocritical and pretend to be at peace; some hypnotize themselves and deceive themselves; some harbor resentment and endure it for themselves; some see through the ways of the world and observe it with indifference."

"Under the lights of the dark night, everyone pretended to be happy and harmonious."

His sneers gradually increased, carrying a chilling undertone:
"Completely unaware that they were already trapped in a jar."

"Like cooking oil over a raging fire."

Marius coughed lightly.

Thales's expression turned cold.

Recalling his experiences after returning to the stars, his heart felt inexplicably heavy.

He knew that his conversation with the Duke of the North was coming to an end.

Thales knew, he knew what the Duke meant by saying those words.

Like so many others.

And he will not waver easily.

but……

Thales gritted his teeth.

Val lowered his head and chuckled.

"Kid, you're just like me back in the day."

Thales' heart skipped a beat:
"Like? For example?"

“For example…” Val continued, his gaze hazy:

"For example, it seems that you have a deep relationship, share common interests, and are ready to share honor and disgrace."

"We can never be enemies in this lifetime."

It is the perfect time.

Thales couldn't help but think of what Viscount Paterson had said to him earlier.

The kingdom is young, and its time is ripe.

"But only you know..."

Val's words became profound.

Like a traveler searching for a way in a thick fog, with no future in sight, only emptiness remains:

"Before me lies a sheer cliff thousands of feet high."

"Behind me lies an abyss."

Just then, a considerable commotion and disturbance arose outside the hall once again.

Everyone in the hall stirred; having anticipated this, they knew they were about to welcome the next important figure.

This time, however, the sound of perfectly synchronized footsteps, stern and authoritative commands, and a mix of excited chatter all came at the same time, making it impossible to distinguish them...

Marius was slightly puzzled, then his expression changed.

Until a command, imposing and authoritative, carrying an unyielding air, came from afar like a divine decree, piercing through the walls:
"With the supreme king of the Star Kingdom, Kessel Star—"

Thales's mind went blank.

Those present all turned pale.

Many muffled thuds came from outside the hall.

"And the name of the Supreme Queen, Koya Shining Star—"

The messenger's voice echoed throughout the hall.

Whether it was the joyful music in the banquet hall, the heated debate among the waiters in the corridor, or even the occasional distant neighing of horses, all fell silent at this moment.

All was silent, save for the flickering lights.

"My subjects..."

The right to breathe was surrendered entirely to that majestic voice at this moment:
"To Your Majesty the King and Queen—"

"salute!"

The messenger's command faded away.

Yet it echoed endlessly.

It cannot be driven away.

The next instant, Marius, Patterson, Golover, Doyle...

Whether they were royal guards or servants, nobles or commoners, everyone present subconsciously adjusted their posture and held their breath.

Everyone stepped aside, making way, and turned to look out of the hall with solemn respect.

They knelt on one knee.

He pressed his hand to his chest.

Head bowed.

It's as if it's an instinct you're born with.

B.

Take it for granted.

Only Thales stood blankly under the eternal lamp, gazing out into the deep darkness under the watchful eyes of the Three Star Kings.

"And you have nowhere to retreat."

Unbeknownst to him, Duke Val's cool voice and the clanking of shackles came simultaneously from behind him, penetrating his heart:
"Only a single, breathtaking leap."

"Give it your all."

The herald's shouts and the Duke of the North's voice echoed simultaneously, alternating endlessly.

With his mind in turmoil, Thales took a deep breath.

A few seconds later, he took a step back with difficulty.

Kneel down.

Wu Jian has been feeling down lately, indulging in reading novels and delivering packages. Please vote and give him a reward.

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(End of this chapter)