Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 568 Trying to be as realistic as possible
Why is he here?

Every time he walked through the corridors of the Palace of Rejuvenation, Marius couldn't help but ask himself this question.

A few rays of light pierced through the narrow stone windows, dividing this corridor into countless black and white fragments.

He moved through the light and shadow, in the morning chill, sometimes bright, sometimes dim.

Soon, the road ahead forked before Marius: one led to the royal treasury and the watchman's chambers, which he frequented, and the other to the guards' quarters, which he hated most.

Why is he here?

Marius walked onto one of the paths without hesitation.

Because he was destined to be here.

Passing by a precious portrait of Halvar, the "wise minister" of the Restoration era (whose confident demeanor was still so striking), the watchman greeted two royal guard logistics officers who were passing by, but then noticed something strange about their attitude.

Very normal.

After all, since last night, the Mindis Hall has become the focus of attention in the entire capital.

Marius thought calmly.

Moreover, the person who truly bears this pressure...

Marius easily turned a corner, pushed open a wooden door, and entered the guard's first quarters.

"So, Weah, what are the New Year's perks?"

Marius stopped in front of the wall with the roster, greeted the people inside, and took off his sword and hung it on the rack.

Touching weapons, encountering others.

His power of annihilation awakened within him, like an instinct.

The whole world fell silent.

barren.

Dead silence.

Icy.

heavy.

Gloomy.

Until someone disturbed them.

Mate tea.

At the other end of the duty room, a young man—the standard-bearer Via—put down his teacup with a bitter expression and looked up from behind a desk piled high with documents:

“A merchant caravan brought it back from the Sant’s Islands. It was so bitter that it couldn’t be sold in the capital.”

"So the logistics wing got a large batch of them cheaply, 'to help refresh the mind'."

"At least that's what they say."

Weah is depressed for unknown reasons.

Marius controlled his facial expression, putting on a genuine smile.

“Not bad,” the Watchman said, picking up the teapot and pouring himself a large cup.

"It's tough, but that's very much in the style of the logistics wing."

Marius took a bite, and the taste made him frown deeply:
"Perfect for your job."

But Weah, who is usually very talkative, didn't respond this time.

“Don’t look at me, Lord Marius,” Weah said helplessly, raising his hand.
"Today, I'm just a recorder."

Marius paused when he saw Weah's unusual caution.

He was not only depressed, but also trying hard to hide his nervousness.

but why?
Footsteps came from inside the room.

A new ripple appeared in the otherwise silent world, attracting Marius's attention.

"You're late," a voice rang out in the duty room, calm yet stern.

Lord Marius.

The voice was filled with displeasure.

The watchman turned around, and a man of similar age to him, with narrow eyes and thin lips, and an unsettling air of nobility, walked out of the inner room and came before him.

It's him.

Marius remained outwardly calm, but sighed inwardly.

Why do I still feel disappointed?

He knew he was coming, didn't he?
"I didn't expect it to be you."

Marius put down his teacup, smiled, and faced the newcomer directly:

Lord Taron.

Vogel Taren—the deputy captain of the guard and chief standard-bearer whom he had met just last night—snorted at him:
"Yeah, I didn't expect that either."

Marius nodded.

Vogel was unhappy.

In the deathly silence of the world, he told himself.

The other party desires something but cannot obtain it, thus becoming extremely resentful.

The Watchman turned to Via and asked:
"Where is Gaitan?"

"I remember, he was usually in charge of taking notes?"

Behind the desk, the standard-bearer Via stared intently at the words under his pen, seemingly oblivious to the watchman's words, as if determined never to look up.

"The flag bearers are very busy today; we're short-staffed."

Vogel answered him.

The chief standard-bearer said coldly:

"Thanks to last night."

Marius smiled slightly.

"So busy? So busy that even you, as the top leader, have to personally take charge?"

The Watchman turned his head and looked directly into Vogel's willow-leaf-shaped eyes:

"To do... paperwork?"

Vogel did not answer him, but moved behind the desk and pulled out a chair next to Weah.

Marius noticed that Weah had subtly moved a little to the side.

The next second, Vogel suddenly uttered an ancient saying in a cold voice:
"Knights are gathered."

Upon hearing this, Marius and Via both fell silent.

Despite having other thoughts in mind, the Watchman had no choice but to respond seriously along with Weah:
"I will obey the Emperor's command!"

He didn't know the significance of this ancient ritual.

But as far back as I can remember, the royal guard has followed this rule.

It seems that this will restore the glory of the Imperial Guards.

He could only obey.

The atmosphere became tense.

Vogel stared at him silently, as if testing the truth of his words.

A few seconds later, the deputy captain of the guard finally nodded:

"Lock the door, let's begin."

Via took a deep breath, got up, and did as instructed.

He pulled a black box out of the locker and took out a piece of crystal and a rough oval stone.

Marius's gaze sharpened.

“Then, Your Excellency Tormund Marius, the Watchman of the Guard, please sit down.”

Via respectfully invited Marius to sit down while pulling open an iron gate behind the wall.

The wall beneath the iron gate was covered with strange yet exquisite patterns, containing many ancient runes that might only be understood by someone who has studied them extensively.

Via clearly didn't understand these things, but that didn't stop him from following the procedure and embedding the crystals and stones into the intricately patterned holes in the wall.

Move carefully.

Familiar, yet also awe-inspiring.

Via closed the iron gate, and a few seconds later, a strange glimmer of light emanated from the gaps in the gate.

“What does this mean?” Marius stared intently at the lights.

“The polyphonic stone,” Via replied excitedly, seemingly finding it quite novel as well.
"Isn't that amazing? Apparently, this is how it gets started..."

Marius interrupted him:
“I know what this is.”

"I'm asking why."

Via paused for a moment, then instinctively looked at Vogel:
"As you know, important records within the Royal Guard are generally kept on file for posterity, especially those of the Standard Wing..."

Vogel suddenly coughed.

Via immediately fell silent and became serious.

"On the morning of November 1, 679 of the End of the Calendar, in accordance with the Covenant of the Royal Guard, the flag-raising ceremony of the Royal Guard shall now begin."

"The target for the record is the Watchman of the Guard, Tormund Marius."

The standard-bearer opened his notebook, behaving in a very proper and orderly manner:

"I am Chief Standard Officer Via Corden, responsible for witnessing and recording this event. Accompanying me is Chief Standard Officer Vogel Taren, who will lead today's proceedings..."

But Vogel interrupted him directly:

"enough."

“Liquid crystals are expensive, let’s save money.”

With Weah looking embarrassed, Vogel took over the conversation.

"First, regarding last night in the Mindis Hall..."

Vogel turned to a page of the record in his hand, looked directly at Marius in front of him, and said coldly:

"Whether you act impulsively or engage in a proxy duel, as the captain of the personal guard, you know the stakes involved."

"Why didn't you stop him? Instead, you condoned Prince Thales' impulsive actions?"

Marius withdrew his gaze from the wall inlaid with polyphonic stones and crystals, no longer looking at the ancient polyphonic array that had been repaired and patched up by countless amateurs over the past six hundred years and was now barely usable.

He went back to last night.

"I have neither the right nor the ability to interfere with His Highness's decision."

"Since he has spoken, I cannot contradict him in front of everyone."

Vogel let out an ambiguous hum:

"Is it?"

"But why do I feel like you were quite inclined to go against your superiors last night?"

He hasn't changed.

Marius looked at Vogel's face, which was as suspicious, sarcastic, and hostile as ever.

Just like eighteen years ago.

At that time, Vogel, Facundo, Steli, and himself were all just young knight apprentices. Even Vogel, who had the highest background and the most seniority, was only a selector of the royal guard and not even a formal member of the guard.

They were just a group of young people who looked up to the legends of the past and longed for illusory fame.

But at an age when they are already sensible and about to become adults.

Witnessing a bloody nightmare.

Panicked.

Confused and disorganized.

Marius shook his head:
"You must have misunderstood, Lord Taren. Last night, you and I..."

But Vogel didn't give him a chance to finish speaking:
“Danny Doyle, that DD, your first-class bodyguard.”

The chief flag bearer looked down at a page of documents:
“His performance last night was appalling, even disgraceful.”

"He acted recklessly for his own selfish reasons, disregarding the safety of the prince and ignoring orders from his superiors."

Vogel looked up:

"Is that right?"

Marius and Vogel stared at each other silently.

For eighteen years, he and Vogel, along with other young people of their generation, cautiously tried to mold themselves into the very image they once admired, yet also found most unfamiliar.

From selected candidates to trainees, then to second-class officers, and finally first-class officers...

until now.

I thought that was all there was to it.

That way, you can cover up the fear and despair you once felt.

To become an adult.

Then go and lecture the new generation of young people.

“Yes,” Marius readily agreed.

He was stupid last night.

Vogel snorted, his meaning unclear.

"As for the First-Class Vanguard Officer, Garen Grover..." The Chief Standard Officer changed the page:

"As far as I know, it was Doyle who broke free from him, which jeopardized the situation."

"Is that right?"

Marius suddenly felt a little sleepy.

But he couldn't yawn in front of them.

impolite.

That's not very polite.

“I can’t deny it.” Marius picked up the mate tea beside him, covering his yawn as he savored the bitter taste in the deathly silence.

This made him very excited.

The logistics wing does good things sometimes, doesn't it?

"So they deserve to be punished, don't you agree?"

As Vogel questioned him, Weah rustled as he jotted something down.

"The Watchman?"

Marius lifted his nose from the teacup and smiled faintly:
"of course."

Vogel stared at him for a long time, as if trying to confirm that this was indeed the other person's reaction.

He pulled out a report and pushed it backwards in front of Marius:
“Very well, then sign your name and I will send it to Chief Penal Officer Facundo.”

"For your sake, the Flag Bearer Wing will not hold anyone else responsible..."

Marius looked at the report from the standard-bearer before him and gleaned a few key words from it:
malfeasance.

Transgression.

loyalty.

deal with.

Marius raised the corners of his mouth slightly.

But he still obediently picked up the pen and opened the report.

"Don't worry, although the mistake has been made, I think both Doyle and Golover are excusable and don't deserve to be sent to the guard's confinement well."

Vogel's eyes remained fixed on him, but his words softened considerably:

“I suggest that Facundo downgrade them to second class only…”

Marius remained calm as always. He tested the ink on the draft and hummed in agreement.
"You are truly magnanimous."

He is not.

Vogel was eager to do so.

Marius told himself.

To assert the power he had never obtained elsewhere, to numb the pain he felt elsewhere, and to cover up his decades-long, recurring restlessness.

The world remained deathly silent, allowing Marius to perceive Vogel's emotions even more clearly.

But even after he did that, he was still not satisfied.

Just as revenge cannot fill the void.

The future cannot make up for the past.

"But without a doubt, these two are no longer suitable to stay by Prince Thales' side."

Vogel then changed the subject:
"I think they should return to their original wing positions, reflect on their actions, and await further instructions. The guard will recommend replacements as soon as possible..."

Marius nodded as he looked at the report and casually remarked:

"There's only one small problem..."

Vogel took a break:
"what?"

The polyphonic array flickered slightly, and Via frowned, tentatively tapping on the wall.

"I have carried out the punishment in the presence of Prince Thales and the entire team," Marius said, seemingly unconcerned.

"Doyle and Golover also paid the price they deserved."

Vogel remained silent for a few seconds.

"when?"

"Just this morning."

Marius turned to the next page, oh, this was the signature page.

"The details are recorded with the Second Penal Officer, Gray Paterson, and of course, I'm sure Hugo Forby will also report it to the Flag Wing as soon as possible."

Vogel did not speak.

But in the deathly silence, Marius sensed that the pressure emanating from the other side was increasing.

Like a stove for boiling water.

"this morning……"

Vogel exhaled:

"Is it too hasty to announce and handle the verdict so quickly regarding last night's events?"

“Indeed rushed,” Marius said, dipping his pen in ink.
"Unfortunately, Prince Thales was unable to contain his rage."

"Under the strong order, we dare not delay."

Vogel frowned deeply.

Marius meticulously prepared the report, ready to sign it with the most neat and perfect signature of his life.

Several seconds later, the deputy captain of the guard finally managed to utter a sentence:

"Is it?"

Vogel stared intently at Marius:
"Prince Thales, is he really so harsh, ungrateful, and heartless?"

At that moment, Via, who was standing next to him, suddenly felt a bit suffocated and had to concentrate on maintaining the polyphonic array.

He acted as if he really knew about that stuff.

Marius shrugged, chuckled, and began writing letters:
"Ha, you can't imagine."

Vogel lowered his eyes, gazing at Marius's elegant handwriting:

Are you sure you want to punish him enough to warrant the punishment?

“I don’t know,” Marius dipped his brush in ink and shook his head.

"Of course, if you feel that His Highness was unfair and that the sentence needs to be retried, that is understandable..."

boom!
The deputy captain slammed his hand on the table.

Marius stopped writing, looked up at Vogel in front of him.

He doesn't need to wander in his own desolate world to sense the other person's emotions.

"No need."

Vogel stared intently at Marius, then forcefully pulled the report back.

The name was half signed, and the pen tip left a long trail of ink on the removed paper.

Via bowed his head deeply—this child had been immersed in the flag-bearing wing for a long time and knew how to read people's expressions.

“Under normal circumstances, we do not punish the same crime twice.”

Vogel remained expressionless.

In front of Marius, he tore the report in his hand into pieces and threw it into the wastebasket.

"Of course, I forgot."

Marius put down his pen and smiled at the other person:

"Thank you for the reminder."

It's a real shame, that was his best signature.

Vogel remained silent for a long time, until he had processed his current emotions.

A few seconds later, when the chief flag bearer raised his head, his posture was perfect and his attitude was upright.

"As far as I know, you have been with Prince Thales for more than two months."

Vogel shook off his earlier displeasure, pulled out another report, and returned to his current work:
"How has His Highness's character been these past few days?"

character.

That child's...personality?

Marius's eyes were slightly unfocused.

"Fighting without regard for one's life."

He said slowly:
"He's still being stubborn even after losing."

Vogel frowned and looked down at the report:

"It's not just about martial arts, it can also be..."

The standard-bearer paused for a moment:
"Other aspects?"

Marius smiled slightly:
"The Royal Secret Service may know more about Your Highness's life in the North."

Vogel raised his eyes:
"But I'm asking you."

There was a brief pause between the two.

Marius gazed silently at Vogel.

Just like when they were young.

"Bard's Poems"

Marius spoke slowly, his expression dismissive:
"He really likes this thing, he's read a lot about it, and he sings it quite well, it's just a pity he's only good at the lute..."

"His playing made me sound like a cat in heat."

Vogel frowned again.

"He likes to talk to himself and also likes to play chess, but his chess skills are as bad as DD's."

"He likes to carry a book everywhere he goes, trying to act like a cultured man," Marius said, picking up his teacup and gradually finding the tea less bitter.
"But he never looks at it."

“What about the others?” Vogel interrupted him:
"For example...some anomalies?"

Marius raised his gaze.

Vogel remained unfazed:
"We all know that the prince is a genius, different from ordinary people."

Unlike ordinary people.

The Watcher lingered for a while in the silent world known only to himself before letting out a soft hum and returning to reality.

"Yes, His Highness has a mouth that seems to be laced with poison, never forgiving anyone, but strangely enough, he is usually calm and unhurried."

Marius's knowing smile returned:

"Including some of the common symptoms of this age, such as feigned illness and melancholy."

"You know, a lack of love in childhood..."

Vogel coughed deliberately!
"Watch your words, Lord Marius."

Marius smiled apologetically.

Interesting.

The Watcher stands in a desolate world, gazing at the endless wasteland ahead.

Vogel lived in constant agitation and emptiness, burning with anger.

But he remained in awe.

In fear.

"Anything else?"

"Yes, although I'm not entirely clear on the details, there's something about Your Highness that's causing the guards great concern..."

Vogel looked up, as if listening.

"Judging from all indications..."

Marius briefly considered:
“Prince Thales, perhaps, well.”

The Watchman nodded and said seriously:
"Do you prefer men?"

In that instant, Via, who was drinking tea, was splashed in the face by a huge wave from his teacup. He hurriedly wiped it off, looking utterly disheveled.

The report in Vogel's hand was torn and deformed, with messy creases.

The duty room was eerily silent, and an awkward silence pervaded the room.

Only the polyphonic array is still diligently operating.

"Marius."

Vogel remained expressionless, but his voice deepened:
"Did you know that we used polyphonic stone?"

He said in a somber tone:

"This file will last forever..."

"It will be passed down for thousands of years."

Marius laughed.

"Yeah, I know."

The Watcher looked at the faintly glowing polyphonic array, his smile as insincere as a New Year's greeting:

"So we try to be as authentic as possible, don't we?"

(End of this chapter)