Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 564 Blazing Blood
At the royal table, Thales breathed softly in the silence.

No war is isolated.

The atrocities committed by Sulir twenty years ago led to the resistance that Exster faced twenty years later.

The victory twenty years ago led to the defeat twenty years later.

The second prince recalled the old raven's words once more:
Before you decide to go to war, I think you should first consider: Will doing so truly achieve your objectives? How many unforeseen events might occur? What additional consequences will there be? What will it signify in the longer term? How should the impact on both sides be calculated?

In the royal conference room, Sodor broke the silence with a soft hum:

"Thus, due to supply difficulties, the troops collecting grain made slow progress."

"The siege was unsuccessful, and the siege was repeatedly delayed."

"And the Grand Duchess of Dragon Sky City is still missing, her fate unknown. All that returned with the Dragon Spear banner were remnants of defeated soldiers and a multitude of rumors."

Life and death unknown.

Thales tried his best to regulate his breathing.

After hearing about Prince Suril's deep-seated hatred for the Free Alliance, he suddenly realized that if Selma fell into the hands of the Free Alliance...

No.

Thales forced himself not to think about the worst-case scenario.

Sodor paused briefly, gesturing for the secret police man standing to the side to continue.

The latter nodded:

“After that, we learned some things and made some guesses: there must have been a quarrel among the high-ranking members of the Northerners.”

The high-ranking officials in front of the emperor looked at each other in bewilderment.

"The nobles of Jie Shou City were considering retreating, but the proud Duke of Qiyuan City, Kulikun Ronni, was adamant. He threatened his allies not to retreat, claiming that he would once again mobilize troops from the country to aid the front line, or die trying."

"The generals and commanders were at odds, and things got very ugly between the two sides."

A thought flashed through Thales' mind, and another line of poetry emerged from a long-forgotten memory:

Self-interest breeds strife, which in turn leads to mutual destruction.

Sodor sighed and interjected:

"And that's their third mistake."

Perhaps because they had already expressed their feelings, the officials present were no longer moved by Exter's disastrous move.

The scarred man from the secret service calmly said:
"Until one day, the flag of the Commas Alliance was raised over the walls of the Free Alliance."

Upon hearing this, everyone was filled with doubt once again.

"Commas?"

Gilbert asked in surprise, then promptly shook his head:

"impossible!"

"Well, it seems impossible now."

Sodor nodded and frowned:

"But the news had its effect: from then on, rumors of Commas's involvement in the war spread in the Northland camps, and no amount of suppression by the commander-in-chief could change that."

"On the other side, the soldiers and civilians of Freehold, who were struggling to hold on, were greatly encouraged and full of confidence when they heard that reinforcements were coming soon."

"As one side gains while the other loses, the enemy falls silent while we rise..."

Sodor slowly raised his head, his eyes gleaming:

"The complete defeat of the Northerners."

"It started from then on."

Thales gazed at the stalemate on the map, a sense of unease settling in his mind.

The next second, Sodor's speech became hurried!

"Amidst the rumors, a nobleman from the city of Jushun, unwilling to take any risks, abandoned his camp at dawn and set off to retreat first."

"Perhaps he was just feeling resentful and wanted to change his defense zone or find another place to collect grain. Of course, we can't rule out the possibility that it was a spy's scheme..."

One by one, the white pieces were moved by the military advisor, leaving their original areas.

"However, taking him as an example, and thanks to the previous discord with Qiyuan City, a considerable number of the lords of the guard cities retreated with him without notifying their allies, which led to the overall disruption of the battle line."

Thales frowned deeply: the white pieces, which had been connected around Freehold, were gradually spreading out, revealing increasingly larger gaps.

Just like battle-hardened armor that has withstood countless blows and finally broke open.

Sordor Red slammed his hand on the long table, his face turning ashen:

"This resulted in the Qiyuan City troops, who were exhausted but still holding on ten miles away and were on the front line of the siege, losing their flanks and support without realizing it."

"Expose your vulnerable areas—your rear and back—to the enemy's reach!"

As the war progressed, the ministers who were receiving military intelligence were equally serious and tense.

"Perhaps the communication breakdown only lasted two hours, perhaps the Northerners' window of weakness only lasted sixty minutes, but do you still remember the Freedom Alliance's trump card?"

Sodor reached out and retrieved the black knight from outside the board. When he released it, it had already appeared in front of the white pieces' battle line, as if haunted by a ghost.

"After their victory over Longxiao City, they reappeared after disappearing for a long time and seized this opportunity."

The military advisor gritted his teeth, as if he were experiencing a major battle:
"Before the morning mist had cleared, they coordinated with the remaining troops in Freehold and successfully launched a surprise attack."

Sodor's words were concise, but Thales could only imagine the intensity and cruelty of that day.

“When the retreating defenders receive orders from higher command and realize what's happening, forcibly halting the entire army's retreat,” Sodor sighed, slowly extending his hand to disrupt the previously unstoppable white formation:
"Qiyuan City, with its morale low and attacked from both sides, fought hastily and ultimately its days were numbered, and its defeat was irreversible."

After he finished speaking, there was silence.

"That's ridiculous!"

Viscount Connie couldn't help but complain:
"How could the people of the North be so stupid!"

Thales listened to these words with mixed feelings.

"Because we are sitting here watching them," Duke Cullen said slowly, but his tone carried a rare solemnity.

This left Viscount Connie speechless for a moment.

"and then?"

Treasurer Joker Mann pondered and pressed on:
"The army defending Jie City is relatively intact. Although their combat strength is not as good as that of Qiyuan City, they should not be underestimated. The defeat was only in one corner of the battlefield, so they should..."

But Sodor's next words interrupted him.

"The commanders of the city's defenses knew they had made a grave mistake and, eager to rectify it, made a decision."

"It's not about retreating to set up defenses, but about stabilizing the front line."

The military advisor was no longer heartbroken; he calmly recounted the military situation, pushing forward the white pieces representing the city's defenses one by one:

Instead, they returned to the battlefield to rescue their comrades.

Upon hearing this, some of the attendees frowned in thought, while others suddenly understood.

"He does have a sense of loyalty," Viscount Connie muttered.

Sordor Red suddenly looked up!

His gaze swept over everyone:

That was their fourth mistake.

Viscount Connie frowned.

Sodor lowered his head and gathered the black pieces inside Freehold and the knights outside together:
"The Freedom Alliance's strategy is completely opposite to that of twenty years ago: after winning a battle, when pursuing the enemy, they do not seek to kill as many heads as possible, but only to be mobile and flexible, drive away the majority and destroy the elite."

"So, when the banners of the city's defense arrived on the battlefield..."

The next moment, Thales watched as the fallen white pieces were grouped together and swept towards the white pieces that were still standing.

An ominous premonition crept into my heart.

"Most of the more than 10,000 defeated soldiers of Qiyuan City remained, but they were all disarmed and fled in a great and unstoppable manner."

"They were like a flood after a torrential rain, irresistibly breaking down the defenses of the city."

Sodor's hands no longer moved the pieces precisely, but instead swept the chaotic white pieces in large swaths toward the east.

"What's even more terrifying is that, under the weight of hunger and exhaustion, the despair and fear of defeat spread like a plague among the defeated soldiers to the garrison, causing blind obedience and mutiny. Many died in stampedes and infighting before they even saw the enemy."

Sodor's voice faded:
"Amidst the chaos, the city of Jieshou—the last hope of the northern people—fell in a muddled defeat without even putting up a few decent battles."

"The number of casualties among the northern people was countless. The entire army retreated in panic, fleeing day and night. Even after retreating hundreds of miles, they were unable to stabilize the battle line."

"There were also some unyielding Extell nobles along the way who tried to gather their troops for a final stand, but their small courage was no match for the overall situation and it was of no use."

Thales remained silent, as if he had returned to the Night of Dragonblood, watching the White Blade Guards, knowing they were doomed, raise their blades one last time to launch a counter-charge against the Black Sand Territory's formation, covering his and Little Slipper's retreat.

For some reason, even though Exter was a highly threatening enemy nation, seeing them suffer such a humiliating defeat made him feel an inexplicable tightness in his chest and discomfort.

It's as if I'm witnessing heroes faltering and great men falling into misfortune.

He realized that he wasn't the only one there who felt this way.

"How could this be?"

Gilbert spoke softly, as if lost in the past, sighing with sorrow:

"The invincible northerners... have actually failed?"

But a deep voice quickly interrupted him, making everyone's hearts tighten.

"Do not."

"They are far from 'invincible'."

At the end of the long table, Iron Fist King revealed a pair of cold eyes against the backlight:
"only……"

"We cannot defeat them by force."

When the king spoke, his imposing presence, though not angry, left the courtiers speechless for a moment.

Invincible.

Recalling the truth behind "Dragon Blood," Thales felt a pang of sadness.

If yesterday's news remains confusing and cannot be confirmed, there is still a glimmer of hope.

Today, right now, the detailed and accurate battle report in Ballard's room clearly tells him:
The northerners were defeated.

lost.

There is no room for maneuver or room for maneuver.

"Starlight".

Duke Cullen's eyes flashed, and he broke the silence thoughtfully:

“I remember now, their strategy for dealing with the Yankees, including avoiding direct confrontation and attacking their logistical support, was modeled after the Duke of Starlake… cough, sorry, the Starshine Legion of the ‘former’ Duke of Starlake.”

Star Legion.

Everyone frowned, including the king.

Sodor turned his head and nodded to the spies from the Secret Service.

The scarred man stepped forward again, bowed, and reported his news:

"According to the latest intelligence, the general who led the elite flanking force of the Free Alliance and captured the commander of Dragon Sky City is named Ivan Borado. He is a young guest general who is not yet twenty years old."

Gilbert raised his eyebrows:

"A guest player? So young?"

The scarred man nodded and said:
"His father died in a political struggle in the Kingdom of the North Sea, and he had to flee to Freehold for refuge, becoming a minor city defense captain." "When the army of Exter was pressing in, and everyone in Freehold was fleeing in panic, with no one daring to step forward to lead the army, Ivan Borado volunteered and was given his current position."

Upon hearing this, Thales recalled the message the Duke of Iris had given him the previous night:

The Freedom Alliance, facing dire straits, is desperately seeking survival, disregarding dignity and cost, and appealing to all those with aspirations to join its righteous struggle.

"North Sea Kingdom..."

The king pondered:
"Is that barren country north of Commas, a country in turmoil, with a tyrannical king and only an idiotic son as his heir?"

The secret agent bowed again:
"That's right, your majesty."

The king nodded, seemingly lost in thought.

"The Kingdom of the North Sea, Ivan Borado."

"Even a small country can nurture outstanding talents."

Joker Mann sighed:
"His defeat of Exter in this battle will surely shake the West and make him famous overnight."

Gilbert composed himself, smiled slightly, and glanced at Thales, seemingly unintentionally:

"It can be said that the times create heroes, and heroes emerge from among the young."

Meanwhile, military advisor Sodor spoke out again, drawing everyone's attention.

"But in my opinion, the most crucial aspect of this battle is not Porado and his flanking forces."

Sodor's hand swept across the countless fallen or standing pieces, gently covering the city on the map.

"And in Freehold."

"It was Freehold, with its internally weakened state and its old, weak and disabled soldiers who had been depleted of their elite troops, that held off Exter's besieging army. In the end, they even led their troops out of the city to encircle and repel the Northmen."

"For several months, they held back their strongest momentum, withstood the fiercest attacks, and attracted most of the enemy's attention, which led to this classic battle in which the weak defeated the strong, a battle destined to be recorded in history."

They hadn't noticed it at first, but after Sodor said that, the people in the royal council realized that something was amiss.

Sodor looked at the scarred man from the secret service, who then pulled out a few more pages of intelligence:
"Inside Freehold, the general in charge of the city's defenses is over forty years old and is a Starman."

Everyone was startled.

Star People?
The scarred man looked up and gave a name:
“'Anvil' Josh Kenya.”

The imperial council fell silent for a moment, everyone filled with doubt.

Until the king suddenly spoke up.

"anvil?"

King Kessel raised his eyes:

"This nickname... sounds familiar."

The secret agent, unperturbed, nodded in acknowledgment:

"That's right. Kenya was a private soldier of the Starshine family. He was once one of the combat officers of the Starshine Legion and the former deputy of Lady Sonia Satherley, the Flower of the Fortress."

"He was also Duke John's...personal bodyguard."

"And the kingdom's fugitives."

These words caused a small commotion in Ballard's room.

The fortress flower's second-in-command...

Thales was filled with doubt and suspicion, remembering Gerald, the old soldier who had once served him.

"I see. So the commander of the Freedom Alliance is a former general of the Starshine Legion."

Prime Minister Cullen's question was answered, and he looked enlightened:
"No wonder this war has felt familiar from beginning to end."

But King Kessel frowned; his focus was clearly different:
"A fugitive? What crime did he commit?"

The scarred man picked up the intelligence report, glanced at it, and then hesitated before speaking.

Until Gilbert coughed and lowered his voice:
"Your Majesty, have you forgotten?"

"After your coronation, Josh Kenya committed a heinous act, not only disobeying orders but also openly falsely claiming that the true culprit in the death of Duke John was..."

He did not continue.

The ministers all lowered their heads and fell silent.

The king seemed to be deep in thought:
"Oh."

The scarred man from the secret service coughed, quickly smoothing over the awkward situation.

"In short, we are investigating Kenya's activities over the past few years, as well as the reasons for its sudden appearance in this war."

Kessel nodded.

"So, this is what the battlefield is like?"

Sodor let out a heavy breath, as if to expel all the frustration that the war had brought him.

"Yes."

The military advisor scoffed, casually tossing away his last white piece, seemingly mocking his unwise decision, or perhaps expressing anger at his lack of competitiveness:

"Qiyuan City has been betrayed and suffered a humiliating defeat."

"A defensive tactical error has made it difficult to salvage the situation."

"Longxiao City lost its leader early on, its morale was low, and it was no longer of any use."

Thales lowered his head, pretending to massage his forehead, and closed his eyes from an angle where no one could see him.

Little rascal.

Selma.

The Grand Duchess of Dragon Sky City.

Lost and chaotic army.

Life and death unknown.

Before his eyes appeared the girl who cautiously walked toward the throne, yet could barely lean on the armrest.

The boy felt a pang of pain in his heart.

He put her in that position.

But the situation is so dire, reality so broken, and fate so cruel...

Thales' fists clenched unconsciously, his heart churning with emotion.

Who can save her?
Can anyone help her?
Who can...

Protect her?
"Then, on the battlefield," the king's voice echoed softly, as cold as ever, further chilling Thales' already unbearable mood:
"The tide has turned, the northerners are retreating in defeat..."

Thales rubbed his forehead, trying to hide his feelings, and just wanted this royal meeting to end as soon as possible.

Incredibly, while he was here worrying about such a ridiculous thing as banquet glasses, his friend was suffering a terrible fate and being robbed.

Thinking about this incident, he couldn't help but feel guilty and pained.

But the king's voice continued to come, which was extremely irritating:
"How did they manage to..."

"And those who turned defeat into victory?"

Thales suddenly opened his eyes!

For a moment, his thoughts even froze.

Wha, what?
Did the northerners turn defeat into victory?

how……

Prince Thales gently lowered his fingers from his forehead.

He raised his head with proper posture, his face expressionless.

At the imperial meeting, none of the attendees were surprised, but they all shared the same question.

They weren't surprised.

That means……

That is to say, the outcome of the war...

Thales controlled his breathing, pressing his left hand firmly against his knee, refusing to look at Gilbert's worried expression.

"of course."

Sodor Red nodded solemnly, reaching out to the pile of white pieces that were now a jumbled mess.

Thales's gaze was fixed on his hand.

It was as if the truth of the world was contained there.

The military advisor gently picked up a white chess piece.

Put it back on the messy map, in the most conspicuous place.

At that moment, Thales suddenly recognized it:

That was a...

White Queen.

"The Duchess of Longxiao City who was separated from the army in the chaos and whose whereabouts are unknown."

Thales's breath hitched.

"Selma Alex Walton".

At the imperial conference, everyone present listened attentively to the military advisor's words, noticing the mix of surprise and emotion in his tone.

"We don't know what happened in between."

Sodor gritted his teeth, seemingly unable to comprehend what he was about to say:

"But when she reappeared and miraculously turned the tide of the battle..."

"Whether it's the army or the people, whether it's the enemy or our own people..."

Everyone calls her—

Inside the Ballard Room of the Palace of Reconstruction, the royal military advisor, Sodor Red, gazed at the proudly standing white queen on the map, his voice tinged with unspoken apprehension and gravity:

"Blazing Blood True Dragon".

The words fell.

In that instant, under the puzzled gazes of everyone, time seemed to stand still.

Blazing Blood...A True Dragon?
Thales stared blankly at the white piece, unable to recover for a long time.

No, Thales, you ridiculous fool.

You've got it wrong.

This white piece...

A small voice echoed in the Duke of Starlake's heart, as if mocking his utter foolishness and arrogance:
She is not the queen.

No.

She is white—

Queen.

Zhang Weili is awesome!

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(End of this chapter)