Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 636 I messed up
Sonia looked at Thales, who was lost in thought, and seemed to understand something.

“You know, when I went back to the capital this time, I found everyone was very relaxed,” she snorted after a moment, took out her pipe and cigarettes again, and began to roll a cigarette. “No longer like a few years ago, when everyone was in a state of panic, ready to move and flee at any time, and constantly worried that the northerners would attack again one day.”

“That’s a good thing,” Thales nodded, “and your service in guarding the fortress is truly remarkable.”

But the fortress flower gave a soft snort, her voice laced with sarcasm:

“In fact, a month ago I led a group north to the Black Sand Territory to ‘camp’ on the land of Lombardy—to put it bluntly, it was for reconnaissance.”

Thales didn't turn around, but just gazed at the distant Star Lake: "Truly courageous."

"It's quiet there now." Sonia's hand was steady and meticulous as she rolled the cigarette, not at all like someone who had been drinking too much.

"Black Sand Territory has just finished a civil war, and everything is still recovering. However, farmers and herders pay less tax, merchants pay less toll fees when crossing the border, and there are fewer bandits on the road. Even the brawls that the rough men of the north used to enjoy between villages are less common now. I heard that whatever disputes arise, they are resolved by the newly arrived officials—or by a bunch of royal decrees that I can't understand."

Royal decree.

Thales didn't speak, but his thoughts slowly drifted away from his sadness and lament.

"Most of the rotten and stinking lords of the North I used to know well—Levan, Mende, Devonson, Peruno, Ica—are gone. Some lost their heads in the civil war, some moved to Black Sand City, some were replaced by new leaders who were completely subservient to the king, and the rest huddled in their castles, barely surviving."

Obey.

Thales' brows furrowed slowly.

"Many young people from the northern countryside have also left—I heard that some joined the king's army during the civil war, while others went to the city to make a living after the war. Those who stayed behind are excitedly talking about how to go to more distant places, such as Black Sand City, and try to get an official position or even a title like other commoners who have made a name for themselves."

"Our spies further north, including the secret agents who occasionally stop by, say that every day, even every hour, from fallen nobles and wandering knights to commoners and hooligans, newcomers flock to Black Sand City, hoping to make a name for themselves there."

To stand out from the crowd.

Achieve success in your career.

Thales's gaze sharpened further: "Is that so?"

Sonia nodded. She had finally rolled a cigarette and was carefully poking at the butt.

"To be honest, I've been fighting for quite a while now. I'm not afraid of the heavy cavalry from the north, nor their heavy sword infantry or heavily armored axemen. With the Broken Dragon Fortress in hand, taking on ten or even more enemies wouldn't be a big problem for me, but..."

Sonia paused for a moment at this point.

A few seconds later, she struck the flint and lit the cigarette in her hand.

"But I can sense that something is different in the north, and that's a question I can't answer on the battlefield with swords and magic guns."

As Thales listened to her words, the words of his "old friend" flashed before his eyes:
[Thales, you know better than anyone that in six years, the Exter of my dreams has drifted further and further away.]

Now it seems, perhaps it's not so far away—Thales, who has experienced ups and downs since returning home, sighed with emotion:
Just like the weak and isolated Cohen and the unshakeable downtown, those who never forget their goals may not achieve their objectives, but their efforts will surely be rewarded.

And how did you do that, Chaman Lumba?
What did you give up on this journey?

The Fortress Flower took a deep breath and exhaled endless smoke.

"What do you think of His Highness the North Star, who has returned from the North?"

Thales snapped out of his daze.

"Polaris," a voice whispered in Thales's heart, "No, you don't like that nickname."

It appears imposing, yet it carries a mockery, as well as an imperceptible sense of rejection and alienation.

It gives you a lot, but takes away even more.

"I know."

Duke Starlake nodded slowly: "Seven years ago, I was there, at the very heart of the storm."

Thales turned away from the smoke, feeling that everything in front of him was blurred and indistinct due to Sonia's cigarette smoke, filled with the unknown.

"Therefore, I know better than anyone what kind of beast I have unleashed in Exter, in Dragon City, and what kind of flame it will ignite."

Wild beasts.

The Flower of the Fortress remained silent for a moment, then slowly said:
"So, can you put it back in the cage?"

Thales smiled.

Put it back in the cage.

“No one can keep it in check,” he shook his head and sighed. “It was destined to be this way when it was born more than a hundred years ago.”

Perhaps, perhaps not even a hundred years, he thought quietly in his heart:

It quietly landed on Earth from the day humankind was born.

Sonia gave a sarcastic snort, took a drag of her cigarette, leaned against the observation deck, and looked serious.

"Now, many people in Everstar City believe that Exster is mired in internal strife, divided and declining, and is no longer capable of launching the nationwide expedition of the Bloody Year, and therefore cannot threaten us."

Thales pursed his lips:
"At least the first half is correct."

Sonia ignored his words and continued:

"For seven years, the border between the two countries was peaceful, and the Dragon Fortress was deserted. Whether it was His Majesty or the important figures in the court, or even many families in the North who had been enemies with Exter for generations, they all felt that the great enemy had been gone and the external threat had been eliminated, and they turned around and dealt with their own people with peace of mind."

"Even old man Sodor was no exception; he rejected my proposal to strengthen the fortress's defenses, saying he had more important things to do."

"Some people at the Imperial Council even thought I was exaggerating."

As Sonia finished speaking, her gaze fixed sharply on Thales.

Thales looked back at her, his eyes deep.

The only thing standing between them was a wisp of white smoke rising from the cigarette between Sonia's fingers.

A few seconds later, Thales grinned and shook his head.

"Only a fool would think that Exter has declined and is no longer a threat, let alone the adults in the Council of Kings. I think they are often just caught in the middle."

"Unable to control one's own destiny?"

Sonia disagreed:
"When old man Sodor asked me for reserve soldiers, saying he was going to rob nobles in the western wilderness, he seemed very interested, not like someone being forced by the king."

Western wilderness.

The Sand King Plan.

Thales remained silent for a moment.

“It’s not the king,” Thales said, gazing at the night sky. “What compels them is not the king, or even the person, but ‘things’—fame, position, ideals, interests, power, everything in the web they are caught in, forcing them to make decisions that, from another perspective, are neither rational nor long-term.”

Sonia's cigarette glowed intermittently, and she frowned amidst the smoke.

“And that’s the most terrifying part,” Thales unconsciously gripped the ring and dagger in his pocket, feeling their weight on either side. “The most skillful coercion often works subtly and silently, making you believe you are doing it willingly.”

The observation deck under the moon returned to silence.

After a long while, the Fortress Flower flicked her cigarette butt and snorted coldly:

“Listen, I don’t know what happened at the Fuxing Palace, nor do I know what ‘beasts’ you released, but this experience gives me a bad feeling. When the Dragon Fortress becomes lively again, what we will face will probably be far beyond our imagination.”

Thales raised his eyes:
"so?"

"I need more."

"More what?"

“Everything,” Sonia answered without hesitation, “everything that can prevent my ominous premonition from becoming a reality.”

She took a drag of her cigarette and gently exhaled it towards Thales:
"Manpower, money, equipment, provisions, intelligence, morale, support, and perhaps even bureaucratic officials who don't hold you back—although in my experience, the last one is basically impossible."

Thales frowned, coughed, and waved his hand to disperse the smoke.

Sure enough, it wasn't as simple as her going home for vacation, nor was it just a coincidence that she happened to be passing by your castle.

A voice in his heart said: Everyone has ulterior motives and desires.

Even the cheerful and generous Fortress Flower, renowned far and wide, could not escape the common fate.

Thinking of this, Thales' mood darkened.

Sonia needs your help, so you should agree to it, at least leave some room for discussion and see what you can discover in the future—he thought to himself. Even if it's just an empty promise, it's in line with the alliance you made with the king. Use the rift between you and your son to expose every crack in the kingdom.

Even if it's the flower of the fortress.

but……

“I’m sorry, you’ve got the wrong person,” Duke Starlake said in a deep voice after a moment. “I’m just an exiled, disgraced prince with no troops, no power, and penniless.”

Sonia stared at him for a long while before turning to look at Star Lake.

“It’s alright. Nineteen years ago, when I led my troops north to Yongxing City, I encountered your father among a group of refugees. He was in a similar situation.”

The Fortress Flower took another drag of her cigarette.

"Even when Kessel had just escaped the pursuit, he was dazed and trembling, much more miserable and destitute than you are now."

Upon hearing the name, Thales frowned.

"Then perhaps you should ask my father for help."

“If I could, damn it,” Sonia cursed, pointing her cigarette butt at the moon as she complained, “your father has become less and less lovable and less and less obedient since he sat on the throne. He’s nothing like when we first met during the war, when he would kneel when told to kneel, strip naked when told to strip naked, dance when forced to dance, and crawl to the coronation crying and begging when told to be king…”

Thales frowned deeply as he listened to these disrespectful words.

Why did she say that?

Your father is becoming increasingly unlovable... He'll be crowned king if you call him king...

Why did she say those words to herself?
Sonia Sathere, she should have been a key general in the royal standing army, the kingdom's northern bulwark, and the sword in the iron-fisted king's hand, shouldn't she?
why?
But Thales didn't show it on his face, only picking out one word from the other's words to tease: "Stripped naked, really?"

Sonia waved her hand dismissively, as if she hadn't heard a word.

"Anyway, I don't expect you to do anything right now—look at your poor little body—but I can wait, wait."

Amidst the hazy smoke, the Fortress Flower smiled at him.

But at that moment, Thales felt only emptiness inside.

and so on.

What are you waiting for?
"What else?" another voice in his heart whispered. "Between you and the king, what else can she wait for?"
But no, Sonia...

Thales was suddenly flustered. He subconsciously rubbed the bone ring in his pocket, remembering his agreement with King Kessel.

Sonia switched the cigarette to her other hand and sighed slightly: "As for you, just take what I said to heart—when trouble comes to the kingdom, it will be in the north. You need to prepare for the future."

Thales swallowed hard.

Prepare for the future.

future?

No, impossible, Thales dismissed the inappropriate thought.

Sonia was the fortress commander, and her only concerns were the threat from Exter and the defense of the north—if anything happened to the kingdom, it would be in the north; that was the key point in her words.

So what—another thought popped into her mind again—she said this because, as the garrison commander of the Dragonbreaker Fortress, she had to say it.

Because the enemy in the north is her asset: the size of the threat posed by the Kingdom of Exter directly affects Sonia's safety and future, her standing army, the resources she can acquire, the degree to which she is seen and valued, and her power and status in the kingdom.

Because she was also caught in the snare.

Can't help myself.

Isn't that right? Isn't this the lesson you learned in the political games of the past few months, and the one you used to turn the tables on the king?
And you, Thales, you must see this clearly; her plea for help is not so simple—no!

Thales closed his eyes, interrupting his thoughts.

He's overthinking it. The Sonia he knows isn't like that.

"Why, why me?"

Thales opened his eyes, looking slightly tired:

"I believe there are other insightful people in the capital who can provide you with more substantial help."

Sonia took a drag of her tobacco and pondered for a moment:

"Perhaps it's because you're special? Like how you dared to storm the palace and rebel with just a sword, threatening your father?"

Thales suddenly turned around!
The Flower of the Fortress raised her cigarette: "Don't look at me, rumors travel fast—well, definitely not from old man Sodor."

But Thales' mood sank.

See, you were right, Thales.

She came to find you because you stormed the palace and rebelled but escaped unscathed, because you proved your worth and became the second pole outside the supreme throne.

Thus, the kingdom was in turmoil. Even the seemingly shrewd and magnanimous flower of the fortress saw, knew, and felt—just as the king and Thales had foreseen—that Thales might be able to rival King Kessel.

So here she is.

It's not just about returning home, not just about the North, not just about—my pitiful personal friendship with you.

Thales silently watched Sonia, feeling restless and uneasy.

Sonia didn't notice the change in Thales's gaze. She continued smoking, completely absorbed in the hazy smoke, utterly at ease.

"Perhaps it's also because you're one of the few who can handle Rumba? According to Miranda, seven years ago, you gave up your chance to escape and resolutely returned to Valhalla, using your freedom to extinguish the flames of war that were about to break out between the two countries."

Thales took a deep breath.

seven years ago.

It's been seven years since then.

Damn it, seven years ago.

He suddenly lost interest in the conversation in front of him.

Whether it's for the defense of the fortress or for the future of the kingdom, in the end, she came to curry favor, win over, ask for help, or take sides—or whatever other pleasant or unpleasant synonyms she was referring to.

She, the owner of the Supreme Shield, Sonia Sathere who once saved her life, is not much different from the Duke of the Western Wilderness.

Powerful nobles and lords will rush to you, trying to win over the recently returned prince and using every means to get you on their side...

Sonia, even Sonia, is the same.

Thinking of this, Thales felt only deep disappointment.

And he, Thales Star, could no longer speak frankly and openly to his savior as he had when they first met.

“So I think that child,” Sonia sighed, taking a drag of her cigarette, her gaze meaningful, “that child who balanced forgiveness and justice under the gallows, that child who dared to charge at Rumba, who dared to raise his sword against his father, should have some hope?”

In that instant, Thales clenched the "covenant".

“Hope?” Thales repeated mechanically.

Sonia is neither the first nor the last. In the future, many more people will do the same thing. From a certain point onward, the calculations, interests, purposes, and desires in the words of those who talk to her will only increase.

Until nothing else is left.

Thales instinctively clenched the covenant in his pocket.

But you know, Thales.

This is the necessary path, and this is just the beginning.

A voice in his heart said to him: You know, you've been prepared for this for a long time.

Regardless of the cost.

Sonia chuckled and tapped Thales on the forehead:
“I know you’re not a ‘big shot’ in the Fuxing Palace yet, not for now, but the good thing is that you haven’t been forced into a ‘powerless’ situation by some kind of thing like them, and you haven’t become as annoying as them.”

Become like them.

Thales ignored her audacious actions, only feeling the bone ring in his pocket becoming increasingly prickly.

She thought she knew, but she didn't know at all.

Thales stared at her.

The Flower of the Fortress laughed:

"In short, the world is never static, and I hope that you, in fact, many people believe you are..."

“But I’m not!” Thales blurted out instinctively.

The observation deck fell silent for a moment.

Sonia was startled. She looked at Thales, who was breathing heavily, in surprise, and the smile on her face gradually disappeared.

"Not what?"

But Thales quickly realized what was happening and regretfully adjusted his breathing: "I'm sorry, ma'am, I... I lost my composure. I probably drank too much tonight and couldn't concentrate."

He controlled his tone, forcing a smile:

“I understand your concerns about the fortress's defenses, Your Excellency, but you may not be aware of my situation…”

But before he could finish speaking, Sonia coldly interrupted him: "Shut up."

Thales was about to say something, but at that moment, the Fortress Flower's eyes flashed with a sharp, intimidating light, making him forget what he was saying.

She was looking Thales up and down, scrutinizing him closely.

"Tell me, kid, how long have you been back in the capital?"

The boy paused for a second.

"It's been half a year, I don't remember. I'm sorry I misspoke, but it's late now, Lady, and I'm a little tired..."

But the Fortress Flower shook her head and clicked her tongue, interrupting him again.

"Sunset, it seems she was right, they really messed you up."

Thales frowned:
"what?"

Sonia smiled up at the sky.

"Do you know that you're like that mute under your command, speaking through a mask?" Sonia held up a cigarette, a slight upturn of her lips, the same curve as before, her eyes still cold.

Wearing a mask...

Upon hearing this, Thales remained silent for a moment.

"Rolf can't speak."

"Aren't you any different now?" Sonia quickly retorted, giving him a cold smile.
"How long has it been since you spoke human language?"

Thales was speechless for a moment.

"What's wrong? Is he possessed by a demon, or cursed by a witch?"

They were cursed by a witch.

Thales swallowed hard, resisting the urge to reach for the ring.

I will help you propel the kingdom forward, removing obstacles and breaking chains, at all costs.

"Very well, then, as we agreed, child, become my sword, and cut through all obstacles until the kingdom is at peace."

He took a deep breath:

“I…you don’t understand, Sonia—”

"You haven't even tried it, how would you know..."

“You don’t know!” Thales interrupted her loudly, clearly agitated.

He was breathing heavily as he stared at Sonia, who was calmly holding a cigarette.

You've only heard a few rumors and weighed the situation enough, Sonia Sathere, and you've rushed back to your hometown to "visit" me, relying on your so-called old friendship to say things that are alluring, like "things are happening in the north," "I can wait," "prepare for the future," and "you're special," all in a casual, boastful, and self-righteous manner...

Thales summoned the sins of the River of Hell, struggling to calm his breathing.

“You don’t know, Sonia,” Thales said, trying not to think too much, as he stood up, wanting to end the conversation as gracefully as possible:
"I am oblivious."

He gave you a sword.

"do not know anything."

The boy said in a daze.

I, Thales Shining Star, am destined to be your enemy.

What, everything...

My son, you must fulfill your promise and draw your first sword.

Sonia didn't speak. She sat opposite Thales, staring intently at him, letting the cigarette in her hand burn.

But her gaze made Thales even more uneasy, and he wanted to turn away.

Finally, the Fortress Flower exhaled and looked up at the starry sky above.

“You know, when I came to Xinghu Fort to enlist as a guard, my mother was terrified—ah, terrified, that's a word the nanny in the castle taught me.”

Thales came to his senses:

"what?"

But Sonia ignored him and just muttered to herself:

"When I got here, the first thing they said to me was: You've come to the wrong place, girl. The kitchen and weaving workshop aren't here, and the maid recruitment isn't here either."

"And when they found out I was there to enlist as a guard..."

Sonia chuckled softly, her emotions complex:

“John was an enlightened duke, so no one dared to say directly, ‘Hey, girl, you’re not suited for this. You should go home and have children and breastfeed.’”

The fortress flower turned back to Thales, her words carrying a hidden meaning:
"Doesn't it look like now?"

Thales frowned, clearly in a bad mood.

"Now? Now what?"

Sonia snorted coldly.

“Now, no one dares to say directly to you: ‘Hey, Prince, Duke, North Star, you’re new here. You’re delicate and soft-hearted, savage and rude and lack charm. You’re not suited for this job. You should go back to bed and masturbate until you learn to be clever and shrewd, and then obediently wait for your father to pass the throne to you.’”

She was delicate and precious, yet kind-hearted and soft-hearted.

Thales' fist clenched instinctively.

Sonia leaned forward, closer to Thales, her tone full of mockery:

"But that's what they all think, only they often don't realize it themselves, and the way they look at you is full of pity and sympathy, the kind of self-pity they can feel—how come you can't see it?"

Thales suddenly felt a surge of inexplicable resentment: "I—"

Sonia squinted her eyes:
"To the point that you yourself have started to think that way, you self-righteous little good-for-nothing."

Thales couldn't listen anymore, so he took a deep breath:

Goodnight, Sonia. It was nice chatting with you.

But just as he turned around, Sonia's words, a mixture of mockery and disdain, came again:

Instead, they spoke politely but with hidden meanings: 'Oh Your Highness, you are truly mature for your age!' 'You have already achieved the best for your age!' 'We cannot expect more from you!'

Sonia's tone turned somber:

"Just like back then, the recruiter looked me up and down with a strange look and said, 'Oh, what a remarkable woman!' 'A girl with such ambition!' 'Those cowardly men should see this!'"

Thales stopped in his tracks.

"And they say that because you're new here, because you're an unexpected arrival, and normally you shouldn't be sharing a room with them here—just like I was back then."

The Flower of the Fortress turned to face the twinkling stars on the Star Lake, her expression numb.

Thales didn't turn around, but his throat bobbed.

"Why are you saying this?"

“Because I know this feeling,” Sonia took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, as if savoring a fine wine brewed from memories, “this feeling of stepping into a completely unfamiliar world, facing all the unfamiliar and unknown obstacles, yet having to pretend to be resilient and move forward step by step.”

At that moment, Thales trembled slightly.

The feeling of stepping into the Palace of Rejuvenation came to mind—cold, narrow, and oppressive.

The scene of entering Ballard's room came into view—everyone had a smiling face, spoke earnestly, and appeared dignified.

but……

“And this happens to be your opponents’ territory, their long-established battlefield, their fixed rules, an environment that benefits them but harms others,” Sonia said, gazing intently at the starlit yet unfathomable Star Lake. “And we, we are essentially using our weaknesses to attack their strengths, to accommodate them, to follow them, to do those ‘old tricks’ that you may never be able to do.”

Thales remained silent for a long time.

Be cautious, boy. You are like me, below them, yet like your father, above them, and you have returned from the north, placing you outside them.

At that moment, Ginny's words to him before the royal banquet came to mind:
This means that, inside and out, ultimately... you are not them.

but……

Thales gripped the dagger and bone ring in his pocket and snorted coldly.

"Let me guess, you mean that despite all the difficulties, you succeeded, you were drafted into a guard, and stayed in the castle, is that right?"

He turned around and looked at the back of the Fortress Flower lying on the watchtower.

"Through your power of termination or whatever, you survived the strong and the fittest, showcasing the strength of a newcomer, making a name for yourself, proving that women are no less capable than men, and can excel in men's arenas? Not only that, you reached the pinnacle, astonishing countless people, including Duke John, and eventually becoming one of the three marshals of the kingdom. So now you're here to give me a pep talk, 'Hey, don't give up, you're the best,' right?"

Sonia didn't answer, but just sighed deeply and stubbed out her cigarette on the observation deck.

Thales shook his head sarcastically:

"Save your breath, these are completely different."

After saying that, Thales turned and left without further hesitation.

“They say women are not suited for the battlefield,” Sonia’s voice came from behind, growing louder. “So, be careful.”

The sins of the River of Hell surged forth, and Thales frowned:

"what?"

But the next second, he felt a sharp pain in his back knee!
Boom!
Thales was swept to the ground, and barely managed to react before bracing himself with his arms:

"What are you doing——"

But as soon as he turned around, filled with shock and anger, he saw Sonia's cold face and the sole of her military boots slowly enlarging in front of him!

boom!
The River of Sin roared wildly, and Thales blocked the Fortress Flower's kick at the last second, which made his arm bones go numb and his whole head buzz!

What are you doing?
Sonia's power of termination fed back into his senses, like unbreakable ice—strong, hard, and immensely powerful.

But his good luck ended there.

Sonia's next knee strike followed, completely shattering his defense.

Thales felt a sudden darkness before his eyes, and immediately fell to the ground on his back as Sonia knelt on his chest, choking him and pinning him firmly to the ground.

All that remains is the raging flow of the River of Hell, a river of sin, yet all that remains is powerlessness.

Damn!

This difference... how can it be so huge!

"Fuck you—"

Thales flew into a rage and started cursing, but what followed was a merciless slap from the Fortress Flower!

Snapped!
This slap was incredibly sharp and penetrating, not only making Thales dizzy and seeing stars, but also slapping the prince's anger back into his mouth, leaving him only able to gasp for breath.

“Children shouldn’t swear,” Sonia said coldly, holding him down tightly. “Stop swearing all the time.”

The watchtower was located in the center of the castle, and the guards were mainly focused on external threats (which is why Thales chose this location), but the sounds of fighting still managed to get out.

"Who's making noise up there!"

Lights shone from the lower walls of the fortress, illuminating the watchtower, and a voice Thales knew all too well rang out, righteous and awe-inspiring:

"Stand up, raise your hands, and show your face! Let me see!"

Sonia snorted and twisted her knee, pressing it against Thales' neck ("Damn it, why is it always his neck!"—Thales roared in fury).

"I'm here having sex with men!"

The fortress flower straightened up, revealing half its head, and roared, its voice echoing throughout the castle:

"You fucking have a problem with that?!"

After speaking, she lowered her head and looked at Thales without any attempt to hide her feelings:
"Scream! Scream louder! You piece of trash, haven't you eaten enough?! Use all your strength!"

Thales was shocked and angry, but with his neck pressed down, he could only stammer "uh uh uh."

Upon hearing her voice, the patrolmen on the fortress wall remained silent for several seconds.

"Ah, it's Lady Satherley!"

The next moment, the patrolman's voice became gentle and obsequious:
"Misunderstanding, misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding, haha! Um, um, sorry to bother you! Duke Thales asked me to give you his regards... Please be gentle! The zombie is my partner; although he's big, he might not be able to handle your strength..."

"Get out!" Sonia's roar rang out again.

Below the observation platform, the patrolman's voice and his lights disappeared simultaneously, along with many of the Star Guardians who had accompanied him.

Sonia then gave a cold laugh, slightly loosened her grip on Thales' neck, and lowered her head:
"Now, no one bothers us anymore."

Thales had never hated his guards as much as he did now.

He vowed that once he was freed, what awaited DD would be the most terrifying torture and punishment imaginable to the latter.

The sins of the Hell River continued to gather on his arms, but the boy was unable to break through the blockade of the Fortress Flower.

Sonia, who had been looking coldly at him, suddenly grinned and chuckled as she watched him struggle and weep uncontrollably.

The next second, she released her knee, grabbed Thales and dragged him up from the ground, leaning him against the observation deck.

Having been granted amnesty, Thales had no time for retaliation; he gasped for breath, clutching his chest in pain.

"You crazy woman, what do you want to do, what do you want to do, what do you want to do..."

"I messed up."

A casual remark brought Thales to an abrupt halt.

Did you mess up? What did you mess up?

Thales, panting, couldn't help but look at Sonia.

"I failed the entrance test for recruiting castle guards. I tried my best, but I couldn't lift a certain weight."

Sonia is smiling.

But at this moment, the smile on Fortress Flower's face appeared weary, bitter, and numb.

She lacked the commanding presence of a great general who had fought valiantly on the battlefield and repelled the northern invaders.

Her unusual expression left Thales speechless.

"The same goes for the long-distance running test; their physical fitness was completely unqualified."

Sonia showed no remorse for having just bullied the prince. She turned around wearily and sat down next to Thales.

"And shooting, I barely managed to draw the bow with trembling hands, but I just couldn't hit the target. And reading and writing—did I tell you that it was the nannies in the castle who taught me to read?"

She stared intently at the night sky.

"As for hand-to-hand combat, that's even worse. I guess I'm more used to hitting people with a hoe than killing them while wearing armor and wielding a sword. Even a greenhorn could take me down."

Thales slowly regulated his breathing.

"Although I'm considered quite skilled at farm work, and a well-known shrew in the surrounding villages, having even fought wild boars and bandits with a pitchfork, among those men who came from all over, brandishing knives and swords..."

Sonia said quietly:

"In short, I messed up. Among all the applicants, I was the only woman and ranked last, the worst."

"I remember their gazes and their mockery... and all my efforts were in vain, proving to them once again that women are not suited for the battlefield, and perhaps should not be soldiers, and cannot do those things involving fighting and killing."

Messed up.

Thales paused for a second.

At that moment, the fortress flower that once dominated the western continent slowly raised her head. She gazed at the bright moon and starry sky in a daze, as if the intoxication had returned to her senses.

"All my dignity, perseverance, and hope were shattered by the bloody reality the moment I stepped into this unfamiliar world."

Sonia turned to look at Thales, revealing a weak smile that seemed incongruous with her status as the fortress's flower:

"Just like you."

(End of this chapter)