Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 654 The Butcher's Knife
The departure of the two vampire guests put many people at ease, and also relieved Thales: at least the Kingdom's Secret Service didn't have any designs on these strange races, otherwise, the news of "Vampires Attack the Feast of Conquest, Terrifying Massacre at the Palace of Emptiness" would have made people frown just from the headline.

But the problem is...

Thales surveyed the guests from various countries coming and going: The king aimed to end Jann's ducal career and destroy the foundation of the Kevin Deer family, but the South Shore Territory was so vast and the Emerald City so complex, what difference would it make if one banquet was ruined?

But this thought did not put his mind at ease; instead, it made the prince even more uneasy.

That's right.

A voice inside him told him: He must have other methods.

The damage it can cause is far greater than what this banquet can inflict.

"I've heard that Prince Thales is precocious and handsome, and seeing him today confirms it..."

"Our chamber of commerce has a good working relationship with our colleagues in the central territory. They supply the materials, and we do the processing. I wonder if Your Highness would be interested..."

"I heard that Your Highness has come to find a good match. I wonder how you and Miss Hilaire are getting along?"

After Jann, the host of the banquet, left, Thales, now all alone, quickly became the new focus of attention among the guests. People who tried to talk to him included envoys from foreign lands, local wealthy merchants, vassals and high-ranking officials from Emerald City...

Thales had to pray that Jann would return to his seat soon—at least the head of the Kevindir family could take away most of the firepower, and those who wanted to get close to the prince also restrained themselves and dared not be too obvious.

No, you're kidding.

Duke Xinghu shook his head at this thought: Hadn't Little Flower caused him enough trouble?

Among those who came to visit Thales were even distinguished guests from thirteen noble families bestowed by the kingdom:
Count Acheson Lacia and his eldest son set out from the marshland to visit Prince Thales on behalf of the Lacia family, whose coat of arms is the "Four-Winged Monitor Lizard." However, both father and son were taciturn and awkward in conversation; aside from greetings, their replies were mostly limited to three words, making the conversation difficult to continue and creating an extremely awkward atmosphere. Therefore, when a lively and enthusiastic banquet piece began to play, drowning out the conversation, all three breathed a sigh of relief.

Count Noah Havia of Saltwall Harbor in the East Sea first congratulated the prince on being granted the title of Starlake Castle, and then mentioned his family's connection with Starlake: four centuries ago, his ancestor was a lowly servant of "King of Ascent" when he was still in Starlake Castle, and later joined the royal guard. In the religious war after the death of Elam I—the "Church War"—he supported the Church of the Sunset and Prince "Thornbreaker" Tormund. It is said that Havia shot an arrow from a thousand paces away, killing the false priest of the temple who claimed to be the incarnation of the Sunset in the enemy ranks, leaving behind the famous saying that shook the stars: "This bow shoots the sun." It was only after the war that he was granted the title of count by Tormund Tormund, and the illustrious name of "the bow that shoots the sun" was passed down.

Earl of Longshore, Bruce Schukardel, who had come from Blade's Edge Territory, invited Thales to visit Longshore when he had time. Although the sea route was long, the Earl's sister, the wife of the late Third Prince Bancroft, had been widowed on the island for nearly twenty years. She would surely be very happy if her husband's younger relatives could visit her.

In contrast, the other members of the Star Lake Guard gradually settled into their roles, with even Miranda stepping away from the group of noblewomen and beginning to deal with a group of men vying for her attention.

Golov came once and reported that the banquet was going smoothly. Rolf, in another corner, also gestured that everything was fine. DD was thriving at the banquet and had reportedly gathered a group of people to talk about "Prince Thales' selfless acts of protecting his country." The worst thing Thales could imagine was that the people of Starlake Castle would be too exhausted to cope with the revelry and wouldn't be able to get out of bed the next day.

Unfortunately, he was the only one not there to enjoy the banquet.

The duke was deposed.

Destroy Jenn.

Thales frowned as he thought of these two goals.

The Kingdom's secret police haven't made a move yet, or rather, they have already made a move but he doesn't know it. But no matter how things develop, Thales's goal will not change.

"Ah, sisters, isn't this the prince we've been longing for!"

"Yes, sister, she is the one we've been dreaming about!"

A familiar yet terrifying voice rang out one after the other, causing Thales to instinctively tremble!
No.

A charming voice sounded from his left rear:
"Our last parting was so rushed..."

Another voice came from the right, full of aggression:
"This meeting takes place during a banquet!"

No, no, no, no—Thales rubbed his face in anguish.

He had to admit that at that moment, he truly missed Duke Janne, who had left the room.

What have you been doing?!
Come back soon!
"Your Highness, why are you so late?"

A beautiful young woman, with a graceful figure, sat down to Thales' left, smiling radiantly.

"Leaving us sisters alone for a while?"

Another girl, with a cool and aloof look and a sharp hairstyle, appeared suddenly on his right, her gaze piercing.

Thales rubbed his face vigorously, forcing out a universally flattering smile:

"Hi, Kassa, Qina!"

He forced a smile:
"You all look so beautiful today! I can't take my eyes off you!"

Dressed in their finest attire, Kasha and Qina stood on either side of each other, their eyes gleaming.

They clung to Thales' shoulders, leaned back, and whispered among themselves behind the prince:
"He said we're beautiful?"

Can you tell us something we don't know?

"He said he couldn't take his eyes off him?"

"Because he didn't even look at it!"

“Um,” Thales had to say, “you know I can hear you, right?”

But the twin sisters ignored him and continued whispering behind his back:
"Alas, hypocrisy!"

"Oh, man..."

"What should I do?"

"Stare at him!"

After speaking, the two girls instantly moved in front of Thales, sat side by side, and gave him a look that seemed reproachful and helpless, but was actually fierce and threatening.

“Okay,” Thales had to surrender. “I mean, Kasha, this dress is great, it makes you look so beautiful. Qina, um, your hairstyle is impressive, and this…battle makeup?”

The two girls chuckled and each picked up a fan to cover the lower half of their faces—Kasha's fan had her profile painted on it, with the inscription "Wisdom is on the left, and Kasha happens to be on the left as well," while Qina's fan read "The sword points to the right, but Qina never points to the right."

In addition, the same line of small print was written at the bottom of both fans:
My brother is an idiot, an idiot to the point of being a fool.

When Thales saw this, his brow twitched violently.

“Your Highness is just being perfunctory.” Kasha’s eyes blinked on the fan.

"And panic, unease, and fear!" Qina chuckled softly under her fan.

"Actually, he doesn't need to be afraid."

"Because we didn't intend to do anything to him."

"But what if we really have to do something?"

"Hey, no, sister, there are too many people here..."

"Hehe, I know what you're thinking, you little rascal..."

"But just thinking about it makes me excited..."

Thales snapped out of his daze, his expression strange.

But the two girls chattered unrestrainedly behind the fan, as if the fan could isolate them from everything.

"Ah, no, you'll break it..."

"Is he the one who's broken, or are you the one who's broken?"

"Ugh, how annoying!"

"You're the annoying one!"

Kasha and Qina suddenly sensed something, and they both put down their fans, their sharp gazes fixed straight ahead!
"My dearest prince!"

"Where to go?"

Thales, who was tiptoeing away, froze in his tracks!
Kaisa then approached with a beaming smile:

"You really have the heart to turn away like this?"

Qina approached with a cold smile:

"Are you just going to turn your head away so capriciously?"

"They're just wearing the clothes we bought for them..."

"Abandoning us without looking back and walking on ahead?"

"Ugh! How rude!"

"ungrateful!"

A headache-ridden Thales quickly denied it:

"No, I just... wait, what clothes did you say?"

The prince's expression changed drastically.

“That’s right!” Kasha covered her mouth and laughed.

"He knows!" Qina's face lit up with joy.

Do you like the combination we selected for you?

"Seven sets in total!"

Thales quickly looked down at his outfit:

"What? Wait, but didn't Komuto find the Tailors' Guild..."

Kaisa gripped his wrist and blinked, saying:

"exactly!"

Qina clung to his shoulders and licked her lips:
"That's exactly right!"

"But behind the Emerald City Tailors' Guild, whether it's the Weavers' and Dyeers' Guild or the Garment Merchants' Guild..."

"But they all have shares in Kalabyan, or they're cooperating heavily with Volarin!"

Kalabyan's shares?
That means we...

Thales suddenly realized something, and his face turned deathly pale.

“And that’s not all,” Kasha said excitedly, “there’s also your guards!”

"And your men!"

"May your business prosper!" Kasha snapped her fingers.

Qina grinned wickedly: "May your wealth flow in!"

“No, no, no,” Thales exclaimed in astonishment, tugging at his clothes in vain. “This must be a misunderstanding—”

"There is no misunderstanding, Your Highness!"

"Fair prices, custom-made clothing!"

"Made with high-quality ingredients, honest and trustworthy!"

Kasha and Qina clung to his arms, their faces beaming with smiles, and said in unison:
"You owe us a total of two hundred and twenty-four gold coins!"

Two hundred and twenty-four...

gold……

At that moment, Thales felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him, chilling him to the bone.

The next second, Kai'Sa's eyes were shrewd, while Qina's eyes were filled with greed:

When will Your Highness settle the bill?

Thank you for your patronage!

How would you like to pay?

"Of course, you don't have to give it to me!"

"As long as... hehehe..."

"Oh, sister, you're thinking up naughty things again—"

Thales mechanically turned his head left and right to look around: Marius, Golover, DD, Kompato, Paul... everyone was dressed smartly and looked presentable.

I knew it! There's no such thing as a free lunch!
No, but...

“But wasn’t this a free sponsorship?” Thales gritted his teeth.

"Huh, did I hear that right? Free?" Kasha looked at him in surprise.

"Your Highness, you...you just want to take away the clothes we worked so hard to make?" Qina asked, on the verge of tears.

"You actually have to say that we gave it to you for free?"

"Waaah, I'm so sad, but... but we, Kalabyan, are just a minor count..."

"Low land, weak people, and limited resources..."

"The lord's heir is an idiot..."

"What can be done when facing the royal family?"

"I'm sure everyone thinks that way..."

Thales got more and more of a headache as he listened:

"No, I didn't steal your clothes... I was just trying them on..."

But Qina didn't listen to him at all: "But sister, what you just said: His Highness forcibly took our clothes?"

Kasha's eyes lit up: "Huh? Stealing our clothes... Ah, this will cause a misunderstanding!"

"That's right! Then he'll have no way to defend himself. It's best to change it to 'forcibly stealing'..."

"Ah, sisters, we're geniuses! Spread the word!"

Thales felt a sudden darkness engulf his vision.

No, this can't go on.

He crossed his arms and swung them with all his might!
"No! In fact, it is I who have condescended to wear your products!"

Upon hearing this, the two sisters' expressions changed!
Thales took a breath and gritted his teeth, saying:

“From today onwards, your merchant guild will be known as ‘The Duke of Starlake’s Dress Tailors,’ and you will be the ones who profit!”

Thales glared menacingly at the two of them.

Kasha and Qina exchanged a glance, their upper bodies remaining still as they took two steps back in an unsettling manner, and resumed whispering in a way that Thales could hear:
"Oh no, sister, he saw through us!"

"This is bad, sister, he's got brains!"

"That's right!"

Thales finally regained some confidence: "So, if I tell people that the prince hates this outfit and finds it very uncomfortable..."

“And your business…” Thales sneered, “Heh, heh, heh!”

The twins suddenly changed color.

"Ah, he's cunning!"

"He's also very insidious!"

So...you owe me money!

Thales exhaled and raised his eyebrows, slapping his hand out menacingly: "Two hundred and twenty-four gold coins—thank you for your patronage!"

The next second, Kasha and Qina were on the verge of tears again, looking pitiful.

"But we are very poor!"

“We have no money!”

Thales felt a pang of unease. No, no, no, this was one of the demon twins' usual tricks; he'd been fooled once before, and he would never fall for it again…

"The people of the Vora-ling country are small and poor..."

"The lord's heir isn't quite right in the head..."

"But now I owe you money!"

"What a huge sum!"

Kaisa said, trembling:
"And you're forcing us to pay back the money!"

Qina covered her face, feeling sad and wronged:

"Completely domineering, leaving no room for argument!"

Thales felt a headache coming on again.

"Well, it's not that serious," the prince rubbed his hands together. "How about this, we'll just forget about the clothes, I'll have them sent them back tomorrow..."

But the next second, Kai'Sa's words changed:
"So, Your Highness, we can't repay..."

Qina peeked her eyes through her fingers:

"Then we'll have no choice but to use another method of repayment..."

Hmm? Something's not right?

Thales' eyelids twitched.

"Your Highness, can a business debt be repaid with affection?"

"Ahem, in short—repayment of debts?"

Within a second, Kasha and Qina's expressions changed, their eyes shining as they looked at him expectantly.

"Love compensation?"

"Or sexual favors?"

"If all else fails, we can take a loss... and pay it off with a marriage settlement?"

Thales stared back at them, bewildered.

No, no, this...

"Hehe, look at his face, I really want to take a bite out of him..."

"Stop laughing, be serious! We need to maintain our composure!"

Just then, a crisp and powerful voice suddenly rang out, as if a hero had descended from the sky:

"Hey, Your Highness! You're here!"

In that instant, Kasha and Qina's expressions changed drastically.

Two black-gloved hands appeared precisely from behind the two sisters and pressed down on their shoulders.

“And you too, well,” Miranda’s smiling face appeared above Kassa and Qina, then squeezed down a crack to squeeze between the two sisters, “Ladies of Kalabyan!”

Thales was overjoyed and quickly reached out, much like the King of Restoration meeting Nekaru during the Battle of the Cold Winds:

"Ah! Mira!"

His dear Mila!

On the other side, Kasha and Qina trembled, their faces filled with terror!

"Vicious bitch!"

"Iron Maiden!"

"Reserve Granny!"

"Run!"

The next second, the two sisters turned around in unison and took off!

But Miranda, dressed in her finest attire, firmly gripped their shoulders and pulled the trembling sisters back to their feet.

"So, Your Highness, what are you two lovely little sisters talking about?" Wudongsword of Broken Dragon Fortress bent down and asked with a smile.

"Woo!"

"ah!"

"what!"

"Wow!"

Kasha and Qina bit their lips, looking like they were about to cry, trying to break free from Miranda's control but unable to.

"Ahem, that Mira..."

Looking at the two trembling sisters, Thales felt his back straighten up considerably.

“They said we owed them two hundred and twenty-four gold coins.”

Miranda exclaimed "Oh!" and looked down with interest.

Kasha and Qina's expressions changed.

"No, no, Your Highness!"

"That was the publicity you did for us!"

"We owe you!"

"It's our honor!"

They smiled apologetically and tried to explain, glancing at Miranda with fear every now and then.

“So they also said,” Thales coughed, beaming with pride, “that they would repay us in other ways, for example…”

Miranda hummed in agreement, her expression becoming increasingly intrigued.

"Not at all, Your Highness!"

"We're such good friends, let's call it even!"

"The Karabyan family is small and weak, and cannot withstand turmoil..."

"The heir is an idiot..."

“Hmm, although I don’t really have a problem with the last sentence,” Mira smiled brightly, appearing reliable and steady in Thales’ eyes, which reassured him. “But since the debt issue is so complicated, why don’t we talk about it? You know, conversations between girls…”

As she spoke, she embraced the two girls intimately, leaving no room for resistance.

"Your Highness, do you mind?"

Thales felt like he had been granted a pardon and immediately stepped aside:
"of course not."

Kasha and Qina looked at Thales in disbelief:
"That heartless prince!"

"How could you bear to leave us..."

"Pushing them into the fire..."

"Chase them up a mountain of knives!"

Thales felt another headache coming on: How could this still be singing?

Is this what sadomasochism is?

Is this what heartbreak is?

"But we will only love you more!"

"Until you carry us up—oh!"

"No no no!"

"Mmmmm!"

Fortunately, Miranda acted swiftly and decisively, covering their mouths with her hand and winking at Thales.

Thales dared not linger any longer; he seized an opportunity and slipped out of the main banquet hall.

At that moment, Thales, running towards freedom, was deeply moved:

If he becomes king in the future, his first order will be to knight Miranda!
The entire northern frontier of Coldhold belongs to her!

Black Sand Territory too!
Marry as many men as you want!

Women can do it too!

Thales slipped away to the less crowded observation deck, looking down at the myriad lights of the city below. With preparations complete, the Emerald City awaited the celebration of Queen's Day. He finally caught his breath.

“You’re running too fast. Take smaller, more natural steps, or the guests will notice.”

Thales turned around in surprise.

"Little Flower—Janine?"

Under the moonlight, the young master of the Kevin Deer family, the Duke of the South Shore, the Lord of Emerald City, and the host of the Battle of the Titans, Jann Kevin Deer, was leaning against a corner of the watchtower, looking at him with disdain.

"Oh, you're here too—slacking off?"

Thales suddenly felt that he wasn't so alone after all; at least there was someone else around—hmm?

Jann still wore that disdainful expression in front of him, but now the young duke held a flexible tube in his hand, one end connected to an expensive bottle and the other end to a glass spout.

Jann bit one end of the glass mouthpiece, took a deep breath, and then began to exhale smoke.

"Are you... smoking?"

“Hookah,” Jann said, waving the glass hookah with a hose attached to it at him as he looked down at the Emerald City. “Never seen one before?”

Upon smelling a sweet, smoky odor, Thales quickly waved his hand and stepped back.

"No, little kid, cough cough, the prince can't smoke—"

"Don't flatter yourself. This tobacco is imported from Hamburg. I didn't intend to give it to you."

Thales paused, his face darkening.

If we push him off here now... will the mission be accomplished?

Thales thought viciously, glancing at the railings and safety netting of the observation deck, and then at the height below.

But you can't handle the aftermath—a voice inside him reminds him:

You come for this person, for what Jann Kevin Deer represents, not for him as a person.

Thales had no choice but to regretfully abandon the idea.

Jenn suddenly said:
"They'll start fighting."

"what?"

Thales was taken aback:
"What's going on? A fight broke out?"

Jenn pointed to two foreign men arguing loudly in the main banquet hall:

"The two men belonged to two different tribes on the grassland. One was the son of Tuda Khan, and the other was the grandson of Boga Khan. They were introducing the Seri Grassland of the Eastern Continent to people, but one called it Kiseri, while the other called it Duseri."

Thales squinted:
"Any questions?"

"question?"

Jenn seemed to have heard something funny:

"The name of that grassland has a history: the ancient orcs called it Sediara, meaning 'boundless green grass,' the ancient elves called it Duwari, meaning 'withered land,' and it was only after the empire conquered it that it was collectively called Sediara Grassland."

"After the final war, the tribes that restored their ancient beliefs called it Kiseri, meaning 'Father's Plains.' The tribes influenced by the Temple of the Sunrise called it Duseri—'God's Plains.'"

"And different titles represent your stance."

Jenn squinted:

"A stance sufficient to fight to the death with those who disagree with us."

Thales frowned.

“It’s a pity,” the prince said, “that they lack the boldness, or at least the intention, of the Feast Clan.”

“It has nothing to do with that,” Jann shook his head. “The tribes on the grasslands compete with each other, and they are destined to clash. The title is just an excuse that happens to cause a rift.”

"As for vampires, the Holier clan is just one of the six clans in Feast Territory. The power struggles within the Dark Council have never ceased. Do you think every vampire in Feast Territory is a pacifist?"

“The Immortal Council,” Thales corrected.

Jann glanced at him, neither refuting nor admitting it.

He simply lowered his head and took another puff of his hookah.

"You say no one doubts the hostile relationship we've shown during this period?" The Duke of the South Bank's tone was somewhat unusual amidst the swirling mist.

Thales raised his eyes.

“From that wine merchant, to the gates of Kongming Palace, to food, clothing and daily necessities, to the rumors in the city, to your people spying on Emerald City, my people are making things difficult for you at every turn—we are like two mad dogs, tearing each other apart at every possible place.”

“I think so,” the prince nodded, “it’s incredibly realistic.”

Or, to put it another way, to use the truth to deceive.

Unfortunately, you believed it to be true.

“I haven’t let my guard down for a moment this night, waiting for your father’s sudden attack,” Jann snorted and put down his hookah. “Guess what I discovered?”

"Um," Thales observed, "nothing at all?"

“Exactly,” Jann nodded, his gaze slightly somber. “This banquet is lively, which is perfectly normal.”

The moon was high in the sky, and quite some time had passed, but the atmosphere of the banquet seemed to only grow stronger.

Very lively.

Very normal.

“And soon, it will be midnight,” Jann said, staring at an expensive clock in the distance. “The showdown will end here.”

Thales fell into deep thought.

“But,” the prince shrugged, “the Emerald Festival lasts for seven days, doesn’t it?”

Jann stared at him for a long time.

"That's right, seven days."

The Duke nodded.

“So we’re like two dogs in a slaughterhouse, fighting to distract ourselves from the threat while trembling with anxiety,” Jann said with another puff of his hookah, “waiting for the butcher’s knife to fall on our heads.”

"Seven days."

Thales stared at Jann and suddenly understood something.

There's a reason why the other person came here to smoke.

At that moment, as Thales looked at the young man silently smoking hookah on the watchtower, he realized for the first time that he might be more than just the illustrious Duke of the South Bank.

Just then, the two guests from the grasslands in the banquet hall started fighting, causing chaos.