Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 627 Waiting
After a week, Duke Thales settled into Starlake Castle, but the course of the heir to the kingdom could not be neglected (Thales sighed deeply).

"Language itself is a competent historian, recording the history of the past."

Grand Secretary Bonner was very dedicated. Despite his advanced age, he still insisted on coming to Starlake Castle once a week to teach grammar to Thales. This made His Highness the Duke feel very bad—especially since he knew that at this moment, the biggest obstacle and hindrance from Everstar City to Starlake Castle was far more than just the distance between the city and the countryside.

"In the era when the language of the ancient empire was prevalent, the empire was prosperous and peaceful, and the harvests were plentiful. Agricultural production occupied a large part of the language. You see, even in this small textile workshop, from the loom to the winding of the yarn, many words commonly used in later generations have been derived. Some of these, at first glance, we would never have thought were related to agriculture, animal husbandry, or textiles..."

Fortunately, the old scholar became much more energetic after leaving the city. He would often take Thales to the nearby fields or farms on a whim, and there would be ready-made teaching materials at his fingertips.

“The pursuit, Your Highness, the pursuit of the origins and history behind words and writing will allow you to master their use more quickly,” Scholar Bonner remarked. “Believe me, it will be very interesting and allow you to see through the so-called truth of expression.”

After Bona set an example of academic integrity that was not swayed by politics, the other teachers were greatly encouraged and gradually returned to normal, rushing to the castle to teach. Many of them were excited to visit Starlake Castle, and some even stayed overnight.

"Production and daily life are the sources of mathematics! At Xinghubao, we can focus wholeheartedly and without distraction on studying the mysteries of mathematics!"

During math class, Scholar Julio gazed out the window at the clear blue Star Lake, his eyes practically bursting with joy.

But Thales knew that what the scholar truly didn't fit into was the formal and austere atmosphere of Mindis Hall; he was much more at ease in Starlake Castle in the countryside.

But this was a hardship for Thales.

"As we discussed last time, in the maritime industry, captains often need to perform a large number of complex multiplication and division calculations to determine the relationship between direction, bearing, and time. This raises the question of how to simplify these endless multiplication and division operations into simple addition and subtraction operations. An ancient sage left behind a brilliant idea: if we could derive the power of the multiplication factor separately and use it as the object of calculation..."

The prince could no longer bear it and slammed his hand on the table:

"Perfect timing, Scholar Julio! I have a very, very, very big mathematical question!"

Julio's expression changed; he put away his charcoal pencil and sat up straight.

"Yes?"

Thales beckoned, and Rolf immediately came over carrying a stack of booklets.

“These ledgers were given to me by Baron Quentin. They record the current population, land, output, and taxes of Starlake Castle. The numbers are numerous and have been causing me a lot of headaches and keeping me up at night,” Thales said, taking Julio’s (stunned) hand and sincerely handing him one of the estate maps. “And I desperately need a capable person to examine, summarize, compile, and solve these problems for me…”

Julio's eyes widened: "No, Your Highness, I am your teacher, I am here to give you a lesson..."

But Thales was incredibly sincere:

“No, Julio, you are not only my teacher, but also, at this moment, the person in my castle who understands numbers and calculations best, and who is closest to the mysteries and secrets of numbers—I believe you can help the people of Starlake Castle.”

Julio was somewhat touched: "Um, thank you for your appreciation. I might be able to help in some way, but I can't reduce your class time, after all, this concerns the education and ability development of the kingdom's heir..."

“These ledgers record the well-being of my subjects, and they are my primary duty,” Thales sighed. “Look at this beautiful land, can you bear to let its people go hungry? Do you think, as the Duke of Starlake, I should first consider my own abilities and qualities, or the well-being of the kingdom’s people?”

“You’re right, Your Highness. I admire your selfless ambition, but it still won’t work…”

"I'll give you an extra raise, double it."

"Your Highness, you truly love your people like your own children. Shall we begin?"

"But you have to pay on credit."

"What? Your Highness, wait a minute, you're not trying to reduce math class time, or even skip class, are you...?"

"How could that be? By the way, this is the book you recommended before, 'Alien Chronicles,' the story about Prince Hyman being sacrificed is very interesting..."

"No, when did I recommend this to you... wait, this is a banned book! Where did you find it?"

"The forbidden library of the Sunset Temple. Oh, and I also found this: the complete 'Collection of Enlightenment in Archsea City' by Bishop St. Lisher."

"What? The complete copy of Saint-Lisher's 'Collection of Enlightenment'? Your Highness, can I see it—wait, from the Forbidden Library? No, how did you borrow it?"

"To be precise, I didn't borrow any. Could you take a look at these land ledgers for me?"

"I can't, it's class time! You didn't borrow it? Then how did you get it?"

"What a pity. The little nun who guards the forbidden books has to take inventory of the collection every year. Judging by the time, I have to return the 'Collection of Enlightenment' next month. Tsk tsk, what a pity. Let's continue the lesson, Bachelor. Bachelor? Bachelor Julio? What's wrong?"

"Waaah, Your Highness, waaah, I understand, please give me the account books, I'll look at them right now..."

In contrast, the theology classes, which were also moved to the countryside, also revealed another side of the subject.

"It's alright, it's nothing. Sunset won't punish you for this. On the contrary, Sunset is tolerant and loving, she will pity your misfortune... Just don't believe in that name anymore. Instead of relying on external things, believe in your own hands, you can also make a living."

The priestess Megan gently comforted a farmer who was bound hand and foot and trembling with fear. The farmer had been reported by the farm steward for kneeling in the field in the middle of the night, brandishing a torch, cutting open the neck of a sheep, and chanting some unknown mysterious name while praying for good weather and a bountiful harvest.

This made Wyman quite indignant.

"You're just going to let him go like that? Even if he's superstitious and disrespectful of the setting sun?"

The attendant glared indignantly at the farmer, who was terrified and had to be helped home by his wife and children.

“The temple has investigated thoroughly,” Megan said in a prayerful gesture, without turning her head. “It’s not heresy, just a long-standing folk belief that’s particularly popular in the Clifflands, and that poor farmer happened to be someone who moved from the Clifflands when he was a child.”

Wyatt glanced at Thales:
"so?"

After Megan finished her prayers, she turned around, her tone both admonishing and reproachful.

“Our history is not broken, dear Attendant-at-Large of Caesar.”

"Even the goddess of the setting sun must shine after the brilliance of the bright god and the holy sun, and perhaps the rising sun will take away a part of it."

Megan looked at the farmers and craftsmen bustling about in the fields:
“Look at them, their ancestors have been bound to this land for generations, farming, herding, and weaving, since the time of the gods.”

"Therefore, in the fields and countryside, ancient gods and old beliefs, even superstitions and heretical worship, are naturally passed down from generation to generation and are hard to leave. But this is not their fault, nor are they disrespectful; it is just a habit, just ignorance, just confusion, but it is by no means a crime."

Meghan smiled:

"That is why we must uphold a compassionate heart and a tolerant spirit, tirelessly preach the gospel, and persist in educating others."

The nun Nia behind her looked on with approval and admiration.

“Okay, I’m not trying to make things difficult for the farmer, it’s just that…”

Wyman looked at Thales:

“A few days ago, Your Highness was reprimanded and punished for questioning a classic text, and was forced to copy and memorize it without any leniency. However, when they were performing rituals and practicing supernatural phenomena in the fields, you comforted them with gentle words and gave them a break.”

"This doesn't seem fair?"

Megan looked up at the setting sun.

"fair."

"What is fairness, Attendant Caso?"

"You and the prince broke the law, yet I treat you with the exact same attitude, punishment, and price?"

Even if the costs you and he can bear are completely different in scale?

Wyman was taken aback.

The old priest looked at Thales and Wyatt with a stern expression:

“Remember, my Wyah Cassel, in the name of God, forever remember.”

"Be strict with the strong and compassionate with the weak."

"You should be stingy with the rich and generous with the poor."

"You are ruthless to merchants and kind to farmers."

"Treat the powerful and wealthy with disdain, and speak gently to the common people."

Be wary of those who wear armor and wield swords, but be lenient with those who wield hoes and plows.

Upon hearing this, Wyman immediately tucked the exposed sword back under his clothes.

"To keep the balance stable, the rider needs to be moved to the lighter side."

Megan stared at Wyman:
"This is the supreme advice that the Goddess of the Setting Sun gave to the King of Restoration through the dying words of the prophet Mohassa."

After hearing this, Thales bowed respectfully.
"Thank you, I will remember this lesson."

Wyatt remained silent for a moment, then followed the Duke in bowing.

The priestess Megan's stern gaze shifted from Wyman to Thales:

"That's good, but I would prefer that you do more than just remember it."

The prince paused: "Then, what about believers and true heretics?"

Megan smiled:

"I do have an answer. But I don't think you'll like it."

Two weeks have passed, and Xinghubao is becoming cleaner and tidier (relatively speaking). With food and clothing secured, everyone's lives are gradually getting back on track.

Thales studied his lessons methodically:

He began to master the reading, writing, recitation, and chanting of the common Elvish language; he could recite fluent passages and allusions from the *Sunset Canon* (and perhaps some other forbidden books); he had a clear understanding (thanks to Maester Julio) of the different lands, populations, and resources of this fiefdom; he could accurately locate on a map the Longsong City of Dragonsnatch, the three classical capitals of the Thornlands, the Kings' Hall of Steel City, the eight major cities of the Three Kingdoms of the Lost Seas, the four major powers and sixteen city-states of Cornmas, and the locations of the seven seas of the Western Continent; he could find the points of intersection between the ancient and numerous lineages of the Stars and the various periods of the kingdom's history...

The newly appointed Duke of Starlake quickly gained a good reputation in his fiefdom and countryside due to his mild (hands-off) governance, lack of taxation (unambitious), and laissez-faire attitude (zero presence).

However, this has drawn criticism from some people.

"Is this the end?"

During a martial arts lesson one day, Marius was unexpectedly summoned to the capital. DD, who was in charge of sparring, relaxed and complained to the prince in the "lumberyard": "I thought that with your courage, wisdom and knowledge, you would do something... different at Starlake Castle?"

Thales, wielding his wooden sword, sparred with Wyatt while answering:
“Very good, Wyman, I like this move—something different, like…”

DD flicked his armor, looking utterly bored:
"I don't know about reform, improvement, innovation, or progress. It's like in some chivalric poems: a knight with a broad vision receives his own fiefdom, vigorously promulgates new policies to sweep away the old problems, accumulates land, an army, and food, and finally creates a developed and advanced country, sweeping across the world and making history?"

Thales smiled.

"Reform, improvement, innovation, progress."

He flipped his sword and parried Wyaia's attack.

“Very good, Your Highness,” the attendant said with surprise. “You have improved a lot compared to when you were in Dragon Sky City. You have even mastered the power of termination.”

"Practice makes perfect." Thales pressed his aching left wrist and gave a fake smile.

He tossed the wooden sword to Wyatt, preparing to rest, while answering Doyle's question:
"It's not that I don't want to bring about change, DD, it's just..."

Thales remained silent for a moment.

"Do you know how many kinds of farmers and workers live in this field? How are they classified and distinguished? Where do they come from? Where are their hometowns? How many people are in their families? How many livestock do they have? How many different plots of land do they belong to? What is their daily routine? What time do they start and finish work? What is their annual workload? What are the differences in the work of the male and female heads of the household? How do they cooperate with each other? How many kinds of crops and products do they produce in an orderly manner? How many of these are self-sufficient? Which products are taken to the market for exchange? To whom are they responsible and to whom do they report? What proportions and rules govern the payment of money or goods? What kind of friends do they have the most contact with? What do they do for entertainment and leisure outside of work? What do they eat as their staple food? What are their hobbies and topics of conversation during rest? How do they spend their holidays and festivals? How do they handle matters related to their family's beliefs, marriage, social life, illness, and funerals?"

These words attracted the attention of many people. Golov, who was carrying clothes and towels, and Paul, who was practicing swordplay, both stopped at the same time.

After listening to this long string of words, DD stared blankly at him and shook his head.

Thales smiled:
"Very well, because I don't know either."

The prince turned back and sighed:

"But these people, they were born here, live here, and die here. They know this land better than anyone else, even after hundreds or thousands of years. Why should I think that a so-called Duke of Xinghu, who just arrived out of nowhere and has never been involved in any local affairs, has more, deeper, more professional, and more adapted wisdom and knowledge than them to guide them on how to live better?"

“I am not Brother Mohazar, DD, not a prophet who fell from the sky—that profession only exists in the Sunset Bible, and I am not so arrogant as to be able to see through history and thus point out the direction of the ‘future’ to the murky world.”

Thales snapped out of his daze and patted Doyle on the shoulder:

“Let’s go home—I remember that Custa caught two wild boars in the trap in the hunting forest today, and the logistics wing has also hired a new cook, so dinner shouldn’t be too monotonous.”

DD nodded, seemingly confused.

"But as you said, it has always been this way, which may not necessarily be correct."

Wyatt's words made Thales stop in his tracks.

“Just like what you did in Dragon City,” Wyman said in a deep voice, “your earth-shattering feat broke the thousand-year-old shackles of the North, brought new life, and thus turned the tide and witnessed history.”

“Perhaps the people of this land have developed habits and wisdom over time and through history, but if they remain unchanged, they will inevitably become conservative,” the attendant said, looking at Thales’s back. “Perhaps sometimes, what is needed is a wise and decisive ruler like yourself to bring about change and innovation, just like the countless reforms in the kingdom’s history?” Thales remained silent for a long time, his back to him.

Until he exhaled.

"Yes, thank you for reminding me, Wyman."

He turned around and faced everyone on the training field.

“But if I learned anything in the six or seven years since the Night of Dragon’s Blood,” Thales smiled, “it was humility.”

Wyman was taken aback.

Thales took the towel from Golover, wiped his face, and took off his protective gear piece by piece.

"The head of the One-Winged Raven family, Lord Deler Clomar of Wingburg, once told me a little story."

Do you know when homing ravens first appeared?

The people on the training field looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Ancient Empire".

The person who answered was Golov, who said earnestly:

"King Comoros made extensive use of ravens to transmit military intelligence. They played a vital role in the war, enabling him to command his army with incredible efficiency, control the overall situation, and far surpass his contemporaries, thus gaining a decisive advantage."

“Even after the conquest was completed, the ravens played a significant role,” Paul continued. “No matter how far apart the territories were, messages could be sent in the morning and delivered in the evening. This allowed the emperor, who was stationed in the imperial domain, to firmly rule the major provinces and issue orders in unison. This improved the effectiveness of governance, strengthened the cohesion of the empire, and reduced the possibility of division. It was an important factor in the empire’s ability to maintain its rule after the epic conquest.”

Thales nodded in agreement after hearing their answers.

"good."

"But that was not the first time calves had appeared, nor was it the first time they had stepped onto the historical stage."

Thales searches for his memories:

"Around the seventh hundredth year of the Chronicle of Kings, which is two hundred years before the birth of the Great Emperor, a sage... a wise man discovered that certain special birds would react differently to specific magnets. This may be the reason why they can travel thousands of miles without getting lost. The technology of calves originated from this."

"Soon, a king of West Tao Cliff decided to put a batch of carefully bred and trained ravens into use to replace the communication channels between city-states, and to replace all messengers, postal services, and beacon towers. 'I have grasped civilization and the future,' he said with great ambition and hope."

Thales paused for a moment.

"But the situation is not that simple."

"The homing crows are novel, fast, and convenient, but their technology is far from mature. The cost of breeding and training them is high. The cost of raising them for a year is enough to feed and clothe an ordinary family. The training cycle and results are also unsatisfactory."

Thales' tone grew increasingly somber:

"But the king remained convinced that ravens were the future. To this end, he spared no expense and ignored all advice that contradicted this view, insisting on using ravens, which increased the kingdom's tax burden as a result."

"Soon, homing ravens became the new trend, and the whole kingdom was scrambling to collect bird species, build aviaries, grow bird feed, and mine magnetite. There is a story that tells of a poor family who struggled to survive. Under the oppressive government, they managed to keep the ravens' feed and feed them, but their children starved to death."

Hearing this, Wyman sighed softly.

Rolf's arms tightened around him.

"Secondly, the appearance of the messenger crows affected the lives of many people—lords, nobles, priests, messengers, postmen, guards, and even orderlies and sentries. These were the direct impacts, but the indirect impacts also included scholars who wrote, scribes, poets who were accustomed to writing long novels, and stewards who collected rent. Some lost their jobs, some changed professions, some protested, and some insisted on the old methods of communication..."

Paul seemed to be deep in thought.

"And that's not all. Because of the existence of the ravens, a lot of information that was just released an hour ago can be known by the lords an hour later. So the time for farmers to pay rent, the deadline for tax calculation, the pace of artisans' work, the fluctuation of market prices—everything's pace has been accelerated again and again. Everyone's life has been turned upside down. They are all in a state of bewilderment, trying their best to catch up with the pace of the ravens—or rather, the pace of the king—but they cannot, and they suffer torment and misery."

Glov frowned.

Thales removed the last piece of protective gear and faced the setting sun over the western hills with a sense of ease.

"But the king was so superstitious about progress and civilization that he believed the current setbacks were just growing pains, that the temporary sacrifices would be compensated, and that the Raven technology would eventually accelerate his output, make communication more efficient, and ultimately make the country strong and prosperous, thus solving all the problems."

Thales gradually became lost in thought.

“But he is right,” Golov couldn’t help but say, “Ravens were indispensable in the Emperor’s conquests and rule.”

Thales just smiled.

DD looked at this side, then at that side, full of doubt.

"Ultimately, due to a multitude of factors, the ravens were hunted and killed, their ravens were destroyed, their trainers were hanged, and the king who had 'seized the future' was overthrown by endless uprisings and rebellions."

Thales looked up:

"On his deathbed, he tearfully questioned the heavenly gods: 'Why? What I promised this world was technology that would change everything, achievements destined to be passed down through the ages, and the most beautiful civilization and future!'"

Thales ended the story in a low voice:
"The first application of homing ravens in the world thus failed."

"It was two hundred years later when the Great Emperor raised his army, the empire conquered, and the raven became more widely known and accepted."

As soon as he finished speaking, the soft chirping of birds returning to their nests echoed from the distant mountains and forests.

Paul closed his eyes:

"Pity."

The people on the training field remained silent for a long time, until Wyman tentatively asked:

"Are you saying that the king was too arrogant and not humble enough?"

Thales nodded, then shook his head:
Historical records state that King Sitao, known as the "Lord of the Crows," "had grand ambitions, became obsessed with lofty goals, indulged in birds and abused his people, and lost sight of what was right in front of him."

"indeed."

Paul exclaimed:
"If this king proceeds gradually, applying it on a small scale first, instead of being impatient for quick results and instant benefits; if he cares about the people, understands their sentiments, and is well-versed in governance, and proceeds slowly and deliberately; if he waits for the technology to mature before..."

"if."

Thales interrupted Paul, gazing absently at the horizon:

"if?"

"Yes, we can always find reasons for history with such confidence, and simply find explanations for the past."

Paul was puzzled.

Thales continued, lost in thought, "But from the Raven Lord to the Great Emperor, the two hundred years of neglect of the Ravens—was it a reflection of the world's attitude and reaction towards them, an inevitable consequence of history's 'gradual progress,' or a result of humanity's own 'short-sightedness'?"

The Starlake Guards exchanged glances, expressing their dual bewilderment at the issue and the Duke.

But Thales remained lost in thought, muttering to himself:

"The tragedy of the Crow Lord is lamentable, but was it inevitable and unavoidable? Is it something that we, standing in the future, can't resolve no matter how much we utter 'if only things had been different'?"

"Were those two hundred years a necessary sacrifice and cost, or an unnecessary waste and blind pursuit?"

"And how can we remain humble without losing our enthusiasm?"

These words elicited mixed reactions from many people; some lowered their heads in deep thought, while others were completely bewildered.

"Your Highness?"

Wyman leaned closer, looking worried.

“I don’t know, Wyatt,” Thales shook his head. “I really don’t know.”

"These people on our land, lords, farmers, merchants, and artisans, live in the same era, the same history, and the same world as us."

"Why do I think I have the right to be arrogant? Why do I think I can bring them anything? Why do I think their history and land do not contain the wisdom and desire passed down from generation to generation, the seeds of change and reform, or the buds of future and hope, waiting to sprout one day?"

A few seconds later, Thales snapped out of his daze, smiled apologetically at everyone, signaled that the martial arts lesson was over, and told everyone, with mixed feelings, to pack up and prepare to return to the castle.

Only Wyman remained silent for a long time.

He took a deep breath, mustered his courage, and moved closer.

“Your Highness,” Wyatt lowered his voice, “it’s not Starlake Castle or Raven that’s bothering you, but something else, isn’t it?”

Thales paused and looked at Wyman.

“The Viscount Neman said,” the attendant said with a worried look, “that when you are upset, you like to talk—a lot of talk, often full of sighs and lamentations.”

Putila Niemann.

The image of that old smoker flashed through Thales' mind, causing him to unconsciously curl the corners of his mouth into a smile.

“You know, you don’t have to carry everything alone. You can trust me—or anyone you think is trustworthy,” Wyatt said sincerely.

Thales gazed at Wyman for a long, long time.

He couldn't help but recall their first meeting, how this stiff and rigid young man solemnly swore allegiance to him.

The prince reached into his pocket and gripped the "covenant" tightly once more.

"It's lunchtime, let's go back."

A few seconds later, Thales reached into his pocket and gave Wyman a warm smile:

"Whether you're hungry or not, you still have to eat."

Wyman's expression darkened.

Thales patted him on the shoulder and walked toward the castle on his own.

"But the Crow Lord is also respectable, isn't he?"

Wyman's voice came from behind.

Thales slowed his pace.

"Regarding the Raven, he failed, but the world ultimately succeeded—after two hundred years of growing pains, he succeeded in the Emperor."

Wyman's voice sounded rather urgent:

"Whether it was inevitable or unnecessary, and regardless of how the outside world evaluates it, the Crow Lord made the choice he believed in."

"For him, that might be enough."

Thales remained silent for a long time.

Then he strode into the castle.

That evening, after finishing his meal, Thales went to Jackal Tower's study as usual.

But this time, after he greeted Golov and Rolf, who were standing guard outside the door, and asked them to close the door, Thales' expression changed.

He went to the desk and picked up a blue invitation that had appeared out of nowhere.

Thales calmly unfolded the invitation; the handwriting was beautiful, yet concise and powerful.
[Turn around]

The prince, expressionless, gently placed the invitation down.
"You've kept me waiting far too long since the last letter."

The study was quiet and still, with the rustling sound of the wind passing through the forest coming from outside the window.

"Too long?"

A pleasant, melodious male voice rang out from behind Thales:
"Trust me, Thales."

Thales slowly turned around and saw the Air Mage—his most unconventional teacher—Aishida Sakorn, standing by the window, facing the starry night sky and bathed in moonlight.

"For beings like us, whose life is eternal and whose sleep is fleeting..."

His long, slender fingers moved gently behind his back, as elegant as ever:

“There is no waiting that can be called ‘long’.”

(End of this chapter)