Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 604: Rebellion (Part )

A few seconds later, Golov coughed stiffly, and Thales released Wyman and rubbed his eyes.

"Your Highness."

Wyatt put his arm around Thales' shoulder and said with emotion:

"It's been half a year since I last saw you, and you've grown taller again."

Thales smiled.

"I wanted to say you are too, but..."

Thales patted him on the shoulder with satisfaction:

"It's good that you're back."

Thales left Wyman, his heart filled with mixed emotions, and opened his arms to walk toward the next person.

"And you..."

Seeing this, Rolf quickly stepped back, his gestures continuing:

【No. 】

There was a hint of fear in his eyes:
【Don't.】

【I don't.】

Knowing the other person's personality well, Thales smiled wryly, and his outstretched arms fell back down.
"Fine, then forget about it."

"Not bad, at least this one knows what's good for him," DD muttered from the sidelines.

But Thales then turned around and hugged the others one by one.

"Jenard, how are you? And you, Willow with dual pistols?"

"Your Highness."

Veteran Jenard was very composed:
"It's just a change of location for my shift."

"Your Highness!" The former recruit, Willow, looked around excitedly.

"So the uncle wasn't lying to me, we really have arrived in the capital—it's much better than that big rural village of Longxiao City!"

After Thales finished exchanging pleasantries with his most familiar old subordinates, Cohen seized the opportunity to step forward.

"You're back, the real Wyman!" The guard excitedly embraced Wyman, almost lifting him off the ground.

“Brother? What’s that?” Wyman looked suspicious, his enthusiasm for him clearly not as much as for Thales.
"Wait, why did you say 'real'?"

But Cohen didn't care, he lifted him off the ground and spun him around three and a half times:
"I miss you so much!"

Amid Wyman's complaints and curses, Cohen warmly embraced everyone.

Until he saw Rolf.

"Hmm..." The Ghost of the Wind's gaze was cold, but under Wyman's warning look, he only let out a beastly warning growl at Cohen before turning away.

“Well,” the guard awkwardly scratched his head, shrugged at Rolf’s retreating figure, and muttered:

"Yes, I'm fine... It's nice to see you too... Let's have a drink sometime..."

“Hey,” Doyle frowned, nudged Cohen, and pointed at Rolf:

"He ignored you."

Cohen turned his head, his expression shifting from an embarrassed smile to clenched teeth:
"I know!"

Golov coughed, drawing the attention of Thales and Wyman:

"Your Highness?"

DD elegantly straightened his clothes, scrutinized the newcomers, and then looked hopefully at the prince.

Thales snapped out of his daze.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I would love to introduce myself, but now is clearly not the time."

He patted Golov on the shoulder, then punched Wyatt in the chest:

Let's get to know each other on the way.

Doyle's hopeful gaze dimmed, filled with resentment.

Thales took a deep breath and took his mount from Komuto:

"Are you ready?"

Jenny let out a joyful neigh.

Thales chuckled and declined Komuto's offer to help him mount. Recalling Nicolai's riding lessons, the Sin of the River of Hell was unleashed on his own. He deftly pushed off the ground, stepped onto the saddle, and mounted the horse.

"Let's go."

Thus, the group, filled with excitement, agitation, curiosity, and doubt, followed Jenny's footsteps onto Fuxing Avenue and hurried forward.

As a guard, Doyle took stiff steps, about to catch up with Thales' right side, but another figure had already taken the lead.

“Thank you, but I am His Highness’s attendant,” Wyatt said, walking beside Thales’ horse, extending his hand to refuse, his words polite but leaving no room for argument.

"Serving at one's side is a matter of course."

Doyle's eyes widened.

"You are the prince's attendant?"

DD landed on Wyman's side, and said in a low voice, annoyed, "What's your name?"

"Wyman".

Doyle narrowed his eyes: "Wyah what?"

“Wyatt…Casso,” the attendant said coldly.

"Hmph, Kaso, I thought it was someone else—" DD snorted first, then his expression changed instantly upon remembering what he had just heard:
"Ah, Kaso?"

Doyle instantly became amiable:
"Oh, my dear brother Wyman! I've long admired your name. How is your father, Earl Cassel, doing these days?—"

Wyatt wasn't good at dealing with such enthusiasm, so he could only manage an awkward smile.

Rolf on the other side sneered.

Wyman's gaze turned cold, and he turned to DD, saying:
“This is Midila Rolf. In fact, he has been with His Highness longer than I have…”

Rolf's smile faltered.

DD turned his head, his eyes lighting up again.

"Brother, your name is Rolf?"

"..."

"Wow, what a great name! Your parents are really talented!"

"..."

"Wow, your mask is awesome! Where did you buy it?"

"..."

"I know you don't like to talk, that's okay, I like people who are sparing with words the most..."

"..."

"Because I know that people like you, who don't talk much normally, but whose words are always the most profound truths when it matters..."

"..."

"Now that I say this, I am but a humble man, Danny Doyle, serving as a guard officer in His Highness Thales' personal guard..."

"..."

"Want to go to Red Town Street sometime? No problem, don't be shy, I know that place like the back of my hand! Even the Blood Bottle Gang gives me face!"

"..."

"Brother, you don't need to say anything. I know, I know everything..."

"..."

Cohen, who was behind them, could no longer hold back and burst into laughter, doubled over with mirth.
"Hahaha, didn't you know?"

"He's mute, he can't speak!"

The DD, whose plans were disrupted, angrily turned back:
"So what if someone is mute? Can't a mute speak? You're discriminating against them—uh…"

Doyle paused, then pitifully turned to look at Rolf, whose face was gloomy, with a fawning and aggrieved expression.

"Um, hehe, hehe,"

"I'm sorry, bro."

Cohen stood by, mouthing "idiot" with glee.

But Doyle quickly came up with a solution.

"It's okay, you don't need to say anything, I understand, I understand everything!"

Doyle gave Rolf a thumbs-up and slapped him hard on the shoulder, completely ignoring the latter's increasingly cold gaze:

"A true man!"

"For Your Highness, it's worth risking my life. What does it matter if I become mute!"

"Hahahaha—" Cohen covered his mouth and laughed again.

"What is it now?" Doyle glared at him.

The guard chuckled and nodded, teasing DD:

"The reason he can't speak is because I crippled his throat during a street fight..."

Rolf suddenly turned around, his eyes like knives!

Cohen shivered and suddenly paused.

He realized what was happening, gave Rolf an apologetic look, and gave an awkward laugh.
"Uh, sorry, cough cough."

But DD curled the corners of his mouth and nudged the guard triumphantly:

"I think he heard it."

Cohen turned around awkwardly, furious:
"I know!"

Rolf snorted angrily and left the row.

Paralyzed.

Another self-important idiot has joined the prince's side.

As he thought this, he glanced at Wyatt:
What, isn't one enough?
Thales, mounted on his horse, asked Wyatt, who was closest to him:
How did you get back?

"It's a long story," Wyman shook his head.

“Viscount Neman is right. With you gone, we are insignificant to Dragonsky City. The Grand Duchess ordered us to leave. Of course, the Meteorites were initially very reluctant, but they were about to go to war…”

“Putilay,” Thales thought of his old friend:
"What about others?"

"Viscount Neman left halfway through," Wyatt also lamented.
"He said he had other important business to attend to."

Thales chuckled and shook his head.

"As mysterious as ever."

Wyman cheered:
"In short, things become much easier once we leave Dragon Sky City..."

But Thales had a sudden thought, recalling what he had seen at the royal banquet.

"Wait, according to Little Pot Lid, aren't you still stuck at the border between the two countries?"

The prince asked in confusion:
"Why are you back so soon?"

Wyman shook his head:

"No, Your Highness, we returned to the stars two weeks ago, stopping for a few days along the way,"

He was slightly puzzled:
"Little Pot Lid? Pot Lid... Oh! You mean the son of the Rebuilding Tower Duke? Wasn't he sent by you?"

Thales was stunned.

"No, I didn't... Wait a minute, let's sort this out."

Thales took a deep breath and recalled the Levi Trudida who had come to him for help at the royal banquet, asking to stay by his side for just five minutes.

That little pot lid.

"So, on your way back, you did indeed encounter Levi Trudida, the son of the Rebuilding Tower, right?"

Wyman thought about it carefully.

“Yes. We met him a few weeks ago, and he even paid our bills for food and lodging, so we could eat and drink our fill before continuing our journey—he claimed that you had entrusted Grand Duchess Selma to him, and that she had then entrusted him with the task of comforting us on the way.”

The attendant asked in doubt:

"Is not it?"

Thales stroked Jenny's mane and frowned:

"No."

“In fact, Levy only met me for the first time last night... He told me that you were being held up at the border between the two countries by the people of the Black Sand Territory, and that he was trying to mediate. He came to let you know that you are safe.”

Thales slowly realized:
"Is not it?"

Wyman shook his head violently:
"No."

Thales and Wyman both remained silent for a moment.

"So you didn't ask him to come and tell me the news."

"So he wasn't sent by you and the Grand Duchess."

The two of them figured it out and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Levi Trudida".

"What a clever prince who gets something for nothing, just like his father," Thales muttered, recalling the man's cunning and obsequious smile, and said resentfully.

"They've got a lot of tricks up their sleeves."

Wyman was filled with apprehension:
"I'm sorry, but... have you suffered any loss as a result?"

Thales stroked Jenny's neck, looking sullen.

"Yes, a few lettuce leaves, a few minutes of conversation, and a resume of 'I chatted and laughed with Prince Thales'."

Wyman looked completely bewildered.

But the prince was immediately relieved:
“It’s fair, because I didn’t really want to help him at all.”

Thales chuckled softly as he recalled Levy's strategy of running back and forth to exploit the information gap.

"Your Highness, are you all right?"

After the initial joy of reunion, Wyman remained as serious as ever, saying with concern, "We heard you were granted the title of Duke, but something unexpected happened at the banquet..."

Thales waved his hand dismissively.

“It’s alright,” the prince said with relief. “You know, it’s my banquet, so if nothing goes wrong…”

He shrugged and silently said the next thing to himself:

Should I still be called Thales?

Wyman slowly lowered his head.

"Your Highness," the attendant said sadly.

"I'm very sorry."

"I was unable to stay by your side and protect you."

Thales looked at him and a smirk appeared on his face.

"No, in fact, you have helped me a lot."

The prince leaned down, patted his shoulder, and winked his left eye:

"Especially your name."

Wyman looked up, his face full of confusion.

Thales did not offer further explanation, intending to leave the meaning of his words for Wyman to ponder.

The prince raised an eyebrow, remembering something.

"By the way, Ada, where is she?"

Wyman shook his head:
"I don't know. She disappeared the moment we stepped into Yongxing City. Uncle Jenard told us not to be nervous and that we should worry about ourselves instead of her."

"In fact, given Ms. Ada's personality, I'm quite surprised that she was able to stay with us so calmly the whole way..."

It really was Eda.

Thales sighed:
"That's because she would get lost without you."

Wyatt pondered for a moment, then suddenly realized.

“It’s alright,” Thales gestured towards Glov and the others with his chin.
"Things can be accomplished without her."

“I see, your guards have been upgraded,” Wyatt said, glancing at the still vigilant Golov, a hint of melancholy in his eyes.
"Especially this man, I can tell he's very capable."

“Yes,” Thales turned to look at Doyle, Kommuto, and the others, and sighed.

“I have my own royal guard,”

Although there are a lot of problems and the situation is chaotic, although the leader likes to oppose me, and although he is currently in a precarious situation himself...

“But without my attendant by my side, something is always missing.”

Thales patted Wya on the shoulder, and the latter's fighting spirit rekindled in his eyes.

“Of course, they are just guards, while I am a servant. We are different,” Wyman said confidently.

“Ah,” Thales gripped the reins again, looking toward the approaching Palace of Renewal, “you are, of course.”

As Golov walked silently forward, he suddenly sensed something amiss. Turning his head, he saw the young man who had just embraced the prince staring intently at him.

The dashing young man extended his hand in a friendly gesture:

“I am Wyatt, His Highness’s attendant.”

Golov watched the other man's hand warily, and after two seconds, he tentatively reached out and shook hands with Wyman.

“Karen Grover,”

"Royal Guard - Star Lake Guard, First Class Vanguard Officer".

Wyman smiled:
"Thank you."

Golov looked at him with a puzzled expression.

"The prince's return to his country seemed to bring him great satisfaction and a sense of peace."

“However, those of us who have been by His Highness’s side for years know that there are countless undercurrents and dangers lurking behind this,” Wyatt said, looking at Thales, who was deep in thought on his mount. “He needs more help.”

But he looked at DD and sighed:

"But when I saw him again today, among the people around him... only you seem reliable."

Golov's expression softened slightly.

It seems that His Highness still has normal people around him.

But he paused slightly.

"Wait, you said your name is Wyman?"

Wyman spoke solemnly and seriously:
"Exactly."

Golov's expression was somewhat strange: "Just Wyman?"

"No...other name?"

“My name is Wyatt Cassel, if that’s what you’re talking about.”

Golov looked enlightened.

"Oh, so you really are Wyman."

Wyman was taken aback:
"sorry?"

“It’s nothing, it’s just…” Golov glanced at Thales’ retreating figure:
"His Highness often... mentions you."

Wyatt glanced at Thales on horseback, a special feeling welling up inside him.

“We were supposed to be by His Highness’s side, protecting him. But not only did we fail to fulfill our duty, we also found ourselves in trouble and almost became a burden.”

"But His Highness not only did not blame us, but also cared about our safety."

Wyatt sighed:

How can I ever repay this kindness and gratitude?

But after saying that, Wyman vaguely felt that Golov's expression seemed even stranger.

"You... you've already registered."

Wyman asked, puzzled, "Why?"

"Because your name is Wyman," the zombie replied briefly.

Wyman was stunned again.

"Strange," the attendant said, puzzled.
"His Highness seems to have said something similar. Does my name have any meaning?"

Golov coughed.

"It's nothing, but you'd better go to Hongfang Street less often."

"why?"

"Because your name is Wyman."

Wyatt only grew more confused.

Until DD's voice came in:
"Oh dear, brother Wyman, ignore him. Just ask me about the Royal Guard, especially the Royal Guard Wings that protect the country—hiss!"

Wyatt turned around in surprise and saw Doyle standing in front of him with teary eyes.

"Hey... Danny, what's wrong with you?"

“It’s nothing,” Doyle said, pressing his back as if on the verge of tears. “It’s just… my back hurts.”

"Behind?" Wyman was startled.

DD took a breath, looking delicate and vulnerable: "You know, there was a banquet last night, you know, well, it was a workplace injury, a career hazard..."

Banquet, workplace injury, back pain?
Wyman's expression grew increasingly peculiar.

But Doyle looked forlornly at Golov, whose face already looked quite unwell:

"By the way, Golov, your back hurts a lot too, right?"

The zombie coldly turned its head away:

"No, I can handle it."

“Actually, you don’t need to be so stubborn,” DD sighed weakly.
"It's all Commander Marius's fault. He was too rough and forceful with us... Ah, behind me, I feel like I'm going to split open..."

"If we had known this would happen, we shouldn't have done that last night..."

Golov froze.

Wyatt's expression was strange:
"What...did you do last night?"

Doyle raised his head, his smile bittersweet yet gratified:

"It's okay, it was just a moment of impulse between me and Golov.

His eyes shone as he gazed at the zombie:

"Right, Golov?"

A moment of impulse.

Wyman's gaze grew increasingly strange.

Golov was taken aback. He wanted to explain, but in the end he just snorted angrily and stepped forward.

The DDs behind them raised their hands and joked:

"Hey, it was just a joke!"

"Don't be so stingy!"

Golov gritted his teeth, glanced at DD, and then at Cohen, who was grinning foolishly with Willow on the other side.

really.

Lillian is right:

There are idiots all over the world.

They're all related by blood.

Behind Thales, others are also working hard to get to know each other and integrate their new teammates, such as Kompato and Gennader, who are praising each other.

Komput patted Jenard on the shoulder and exclaimed in admiration:

"Judging from your appearance, you've served in the military!"

Jenard gave a thumbs up:

"Judging from your habits, you're clearly a professional bodyguard!"

Komput shook his head modestly:
"You flatter me, you flatter me. I am but a humble person who once served in the Inner City Guard Bureau..."

Jenard said politely:

"Not at all, I've only worked in the Starshine Legion and the City Defense Force..."

"Wow, the famous Star Legion! So you're a veteran, a war hero!" Komuto's eyes lit up.

"Tsk tsk, the inner city's guards are responsible for protecting important people and internal supervision. Even the city defense teams of each department are under their jurisdiction..." Jenard sighed sincerely.

"It's all just outsiders bragging, just passing the time... By the way, how did you manage to go to the North to follow His Highness?" Kong Mutuo asked curiously.

"Heroes? What a shameful past... And how did you go from being a guard to becoming a member of the Royal Guard?" Jenard asked politely.

Kombutuo humbly waved his hand:
"Hey, luckily, six years ago, we cracked a series of corruption cases involving the DC District City Defense Force, and I got a recommendation..."

Jenner shook his head self-deprecatingly:
"Sigh, it's really unlucky. Six years ago, when I was still in the DC District Urban Defense Team, I was falsely accused of corruption and bribery, and I was implicated..."

At this point, both Jenard and Kompato's smiles froze.

They turned their heads at the same time and stared at each other in astonishment.

A few seconds later, the two turned around mechanically and stiffly, and the conversation fell completely silent.

And so, the newly assembled group of people, some weary from their journey, some leisurely, some adaptable, some uncomfortable, rode together, surrounding Thales at the very center, attracting the attention of countless people along the way.

They looked like a group of scattered soldiers.

Thales rode his horse, swaying back and forth, yet he had a vague sense of illusion:

Just like six years ago, in that hastily assembled mission, they didn't even know each other yet, and hurriedly set off, trudging through the snow northward to an unknown future.

And now...

Thales stared intently at the Avenue of Renewal, at the Palace of Renewal at its end, lost in thought.

“Your Highness,” Wyatt exclaimed.

"Perhaps you don't know what returning to the stars, returning to Eternal Star City, and reuniting with you means to us."

Thales turned around:

"Oh?"

“It feels like,” Wyman said, looking at the familiar streets and sky, his tone becoming lighter, “like the journey is over, the hardships are over.”

"And now we can rest."

Thales remained silent for a while before awkwardly speaking.

"Um, about that, Wyman..."

"Right now, I probably can't rest yet."

No rest.

Wyman's expression paused slightly.

"Your Highness, I'm sorry?"

Thales took a deep breath and looked intently at his attendant, who had served him for six years:
"Wyman, do you believe me?"

“Ding—” Wyman instinctively started to nod, but stopped halfway up his head.

"No, Your Highness, I've learned my lesson. I have a bad feeling. The last time you asked me that..."

Wyatt recalled Thales's "glorious deeds" in the North, and was first filled with fear, then with suspicion:
“You told me to go find—Chaman Lumba.”

The name attracted the attention of his companions, and most of them turned to look at the prince.

Thales' smile froze slightly.

"Speak frankly, Your Highness, you..."

Wyman looked hesitantly at the smiling prince.

"What are you planning now?"

Thales let out a breath and gave a wry smile.

"Yes, I... I'm so sorry. You went through so much hardship to finally return to Yongxing City..."

"I shouldn't have dragged you all into this..."

But when Wyatt looked at the prince, his wary expression suddenly relaxed, and he lowered his head and smiled.

“Very well, Your Highness, you are right,” Wyatt said with a relieved expression, raising his head with a wry smile.

"You are, after all, you're someone who's bound to cause trouble..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but his expression turned serious, and he slammed his fist into his chest: "Whatever you want to do..."

"This life and this body are at your disposal."

"I would gladly die for you."

This made Thales a little embarrassed, and he twitched the corner of his mouth.

Well... it doesn't have to be that bad.

“Besides,” Wyman loosened his fist, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his shoulders:
“We are the people who followed you through thick and thin in Dragon Sky City.”

Wyman's smile was bright:
"There is nothing in this world that can frighten us anymore."

At that moment, Thales fell silent, overwhelmed with mixed feelings.

The boy raised his head:
"Really?"

Wyatt looked at Rolf and nodded.

The Ghost of the Wind, with a cold gaze, made a forward gesture.

Thales smiled knowingly and looked at the others.

"Wherever you go, we'll go." Jenard bowed deeply, prompting Willow beside him to bow nervously as well.

"The Royal Guard will naturally go through fire and water for you," Kommuto said with unwavering loyalty.

Thales nodded.

DD looked left and right, then cleared his throat.

"Your Highness, we should listen to you, that's true."

Doyle's emotions were initially high, but then gradually subsided:

"But you also saved my family."

He patted the horse's belly with deep emotion:

"Not every prince can refrain from 'sacrificing pawns'."

Jenny turned around and hissed fiercely, startling Doyle, who had been building up his emotions, so much so that he immediately withdrew his hand.

“You have heard my story, Your Highness,” Golov said slowly after a moment of silence amidst the laughter of the crowd.
"I will also listen to you."

Thales gazed intently at him:
"Thank you."

"Um, well, I, you said it," Cohen stammered, seeing everyone's eyes on him. He hesitated for a long time before finally uttering a nonsensical word:
Don Quixote? Charge?

Except for Glov, everyone else was stunned and looked at Cohen as if he were an idiot.

Thales burst into laughter.

But yes.

The boy took a deep breath and sat up straight.

Don Quixote.

“Very good,” the second prince said solemnly.

"Listen up, everyone: We're going to the Palace of Rejuvenation now."

Wyatt tightened his grip on his single-edged sword and calmly replied:
"Of course, what do you want us to do?"

Thales did not answer immediately.

His eyes were fixed straight ahead as he walked along Fuxing Avenue until he collided with the dark and imposing Great Pyramid.

That's the Fuxing Palace.

It is a snare.

It is also his windmill.

In that instant, Thales curled the corners of his mouth and gently parted his teeth:

"rebellion."

In an instant, the group, which had been chatting and laughing, including Cohen, suddenly fell silent.

The streets were still bustling with people, full of the vibrant atmosphere of daily life.

The deathly silence of this small group was a stark contrast to the silence of the entire group.

It seemed like a century had passed.

"Plotting, plotting..."

Wyman's hoarse voice struggled to get out, but he was unable to form a complete sentence.

In the atmosphere where everyone was silent, Thales, riding his horse, raised his head and looked back.

"You all speak."

The golden sunset, set against the backdrop of the Great Renaissance Palace, revealed the young duke's clear smile and composed demeanor.

What is it really like to be a king?

No one answered him.

Only the naive black horse Jenny let out a spirited neigh, still taking small, quick steps in response to her master's caresses.

Happy and excited.

Embarking on an unknown journey.

(End of this chapter)