Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 658 The Time of Frenzy
"It seems they won't be making any moves tonight."

The round-faced girl sighed helplessly, pushed open a hidden trapdoor (which astonished Thales), and the cheers coming from inside almost drowned out her voice:

"Of course, that's assuming you—the notorious troublemaker—don't cause any trouble."

Big trouble...

Thales' face twitched.

but……

"Do you have any other evidence?"

Thales took a deep breath, concealing his shock, and followed her into the bustling banquet hall.

"Who is your boss? I... I can't just trust you so easily..."

"Evidence?" The girl's expression changed, and she said coldly, "How many people in this city, no, in the entire kingdom, do you think know what you know? How many people know the task His Majesty gave you? Do you need him to send a royal minister, holding a warrant, beating drums and gongs, and holding a giant megaphone to inform you?"

Your Majesty's mission.

Thales felt a chill run down his spine.

Damn.

“But this is too much…” Thales stared intently at the round-faced girl with an indifferent expression: “So, you are actually the king’s spy, a spy we planted in the Emerald City—”

But the girl didn't answer; she just kept walking into the crowd. Thales had no choice but to try his best to keep up.

Welcome! My friends who have come from afar and whom I have been looking forward to for so long!

Jann Kevin Deer's voice came from the center of the banquet hall. Because he was standing on the second floor, his voice was louder than usual, interrupting Thales and attracting the attention of all the guests.

Almost all of them.

Thales gritted his teeth and followed the girl in front of him, squeezing through the bustling crowd until they reached a corner against the wall.

No, he had to find out.

Find out her identity, her background, and her purpose.

If it really is as he thinks, then his previous conversation with Janine, the so-called "indestructible Emerald City" conversation...

They all became jokes.

"The tradition of Kevindir... the glory of the Queen's City... the southern jewel of the kingdom... the Emerald City opens its arms, the Empty Palace awaits..."

Jenn's speech was perfectly timed and emphasized, and perhaps the content and theme were also good, earning him applause from time to time.

But Thales didn't care at all.

Ignoring the protests of several guests who had been pushed aside, he gritted his teeth and squeezed behind an expensive vase, focusing intently on the round-faced girl standing right in front of him.

"Wait, we're not done here yet!"

Thales watched as the round-faced girl kicked off her dusty boots, took off her bag, and pulled out a crumpled bundle.

She shook it, and without much effort, the bundle magically transformed into what appeared to be a simple dress. She quickly and easily put the dress on her head.

Thales was stunned, but he quickly recovered and asked the question:

"What you're saying is too incredible. I need more explanation: your mission, your purpose, your position, your role, and whether you are truly—"

"Okay, okay, okay, we'll talk about it later," the girl straightened her skirt and casually replied. She scooped some water from the vase, haphazardly rubbed her hair, smeared the bird's nest into a haystack, and then turned her back. "Mind lending a hand?"

Thales had a million questions in his mind, but faced with her lifeless eyes, he had no choice but to obediently fasten her back clasp.

"Okay, now you can..."

"No, sorry, not now," the round-faced girl, whose appearance had changed drastically, turned her head and coldly pointed to the top of her head. "Something has come up at home."

Something happened at home?

Thales was taken aback, but then he saw the girl reach out and reach behind her.

A second later, she was lifted into the air, soaring straight up to the dome and disappearing from the beams and pillars!
no……

Thales stared blankly up at the empty dome.

How did she get up there?
On the other side, Duke Janne, who was giving a speech from the second floor, opened his arms and smiled at the guests in the banquet hall, saying:

"...And the iris, steadfastly and faithfully, fulfills our promise—"

A flash of light appeared around them, and a figure suddenly landed beside Jann, startling the Duke and all the guests. The Seychelles knight behind him frowned and drew his longsword!

"I'd rather be friends!"

The newcomer gracefully opened his arms, his voice soft yet clear to everyone: "We will not die for the enemy!"

In that instant, everyone—including Jann—froze, even the Seychelles knight abruptly stopped drawing his sword.

The Duke of the South Bank stared in surprise at the round-faced girl who had landed beside him, a fleeting look of astonishment flashing across his face, which Thales, who had spent several days with him, caught accurately.

But once everyone could see the girl clearly, a round of applause, then two rounds of applause... soon, the entire competition banquet erupted in enthusiastic cheers!
"Look! That's—"

"Let me introduce you, wise Lord Godalan, and this is Miss Hilai!"

"Ah, that's great!"

"The Star People really know their stuff; even their entrance is so unique..."

"She's become even more beautiful!"

"What? The Emerald Pearl, a legend in the ladies' circle, who outshines the two Kalabian dancers?"

"Oh, her dress, did you see it? Did you see it?!"

"Yes, it's simple yet sophisticated; it must have been custom-made!"

"And the hairstyle! It takes a lot of time and manpower to style it like that!"

"Wow, that's probably natural makeup! It's so subtle, giving off a fresh and natural vibe. Emerald City is truly at the forefront of fashion!"

"Not Emerald City, but Kevin Deer! No wonder it's the Duke's house!"

"Ahem, Dad, our family has quite a bit of money, right? Look, do I still have a chance?"

"Your Majesty the Rising Sun, this is far too disrespectful!"

“Yes, we’ve always advised the Duke to discipline his sister. After all, she’s Kevin Deer, and he can’t just do whatever he wants with her. The Temple of Sunset is willing to contribute to this effort, but unfortunately…”

"Damn it, I've been running to Emerald City every year and I've hardly ever seen his sister. That damned duke hides her away better than a JR in his crotch. Is he just trying to show her off at the celebration?"

"So she's been staying in Kongming Palace all these days, without leaving the house?"

"So that means the rumors are all false, and she actually has no conflict with Prince Thales?"

"Duke Jenn didn't have the heart to break them up or force them to separate? Didn't he and the prince have a bad relationship?"

"Look, heroes cherish heroes, that's the magnanimity and vision of great people! How can personal grudges interfere with such a position and the management of national affairs?"

"Guess how much dowry the duke's sister would have if she got married?"

"Huh? Does this mean the marriage is going to happen?"

"Oh my god, how romantic!"

"Romantic my foot! You guys don't know much. Those of us who frequent the capital know that from officials to businessmen there, holy crap, they're all vampires!"

Shh! Watch your words! I heard there are vampire guests at the Emerald Festival! The real kind!

"Hey, you guys are still too young. Why don't you go do business in Exter? I have a friend in Commas who has had countless broken contracts for crystal mines there... The most ridiculous reason one time was: the king died!"

Amidst the thunderous cheers, Thales squinted, lost in thought.

The situation in Emerald City has changed.

And it happened so suddenly that it caught him off guard.

The round-faced girl smiled radiantly, waving her hands back and forth in response to the cheers of all the guests.

Fortunately, Thales had seen her before, with her dead fish eyes, cold and aloof demeanor, and an impatient yet indifferent expression. He just thought that her smile looked perfunctory no matter how you looked at it.

Besides, Thales, who was fastening her back clasp, knew that she had hidden the dust and grime from the journey behind her and concealed her dusty bare feet under her skirt.

However, the Duke of the South Bank, standing behind the girl, did not say much, only his brows furrowed more and more.

In the crowd, watching the round-faced girl steal the spotlight at the entire competition, the Karabyan sisters, still looking slightly disheveled after washing up, couldn't help but snort coldly. They both raised their hand fans, hiding their aggrieved expressions behind the words "Brother is an idiot."

"Your Highness!"

Thales turned around and found Marius standing beside him with a serious expression, frowning as he looked him over:

"Where have you been? You're covered in dust and dirt—"

Thales was extremely annoyed and his thoughts were in turmoil; he had no energy left to deal with his parents' nagging.
"Thor, please!"

Seeing the prince's expression, Marius understood what was happening and immediately stopped talking.

“Alright,” the Watcher looked at the girl who had suddenly appeared on the second floor, his eyes filled with doubt, “What’s going on? Wasn’t that lady always…”

"Correct."

"Duke Jenn didn't always dislike you and—"

"Correct!"

But then she appeared—

"Correct!"

"Your Highness, we need—"

"Correct!"

"but now……"

Thales sighed deeply:
"Please! Not now! Thor!"

Marius looked at him, his face hardening, but ultimately said nothing more.

Amidst the enthusiastic cheers, Janne stood silently behind the round-faced girl.

“Hilay, darling, you can’t just show up like this.”

The girl shrugged nonchalantly:

"Of course I can. Don't forget, this is my home too."

Jenn gave a soft hum, still smiling at the guests, but his speech quickened:
"Before you suddenly decide to go home, at least give me a heads-up?"

“This is how I greeted them,” the round-faced girl forced a smile, but her tone was cold. “Hurry up, the whole city is waiting. Only you can announce the start of the Emerald Festival—that’s the Emerald City’s signature.”

Jann's face hardened, and he took a deep breath.

A few seconds later, the Duke of the South Bank's rationality and composure finally prevailed. He stepped past the girl and opened his arms to the guests.

"I hereby declare that midnight has passed!"

The atmosphere was enthusiastic, and cheers rose like a tidal wave in response to his words.

"The competition is over!"

Jann glanced back at the round-faced girl, who mechanically smirked at him.

"And so the Queen's Day has arrived!"

A surge of anger welled up within him, mixed with emotions that were hard to discern as genuine or feigned. Kevin Deer's master loudly proclaimed to everyone:

"Emerald City, in the name of the sunset and the kingdom, let the revelry begin now!"

As soon as the Duke finished speaking, fireworks that had been prepared beforehand were launched simultaneously from all the watchtowers of Kongming Palace. They rose into the sky, exploded with a thunderous roar in the night, and flashed with thousands of lights!

"boom!"

In an instant, the cheers from the guests were deafening!
"Long live!"

"Long live the Duke!"

"Long live the young lady!"

"May the sunset bless you!"

"The sun is supreme!"

"The seas stretch endlessly, a maiden sings a triumphant song! Scimitars clash in blood, cargo holds are overflowing!"

"The people of the North Island clan are all so refined—fuck their mothers, steal their fathers, and kill people until heads roll!"

"May the voyage be smooth and pirates vanish..."

"Peerless Jadeite!"

"Get out of my way, Prince!"

"It's time to have some fun!"

"I'm going to pass the exam to become a patrol officer this year!"

"Kiseri! Your Majesty, the honor of the steppe belongs to you!"

"Duseri! Hongdadalaga!"

"Kasha won't lose!"

"Even Qina wouldn't!"

"Kasa is about to rise!"

"Qina wants one too!"

"Kasha is the best!"

"Qina too!"

"Kasa is unparalleled!"

"Qina is unparalleled!"

"Kasha... don't let your silly brother die so young!" "Qina... too!"

"Let me snag a discounted parking spot at Gonghai City next quarter!"

"May the Lady of Abundance bless us with food and clothing, and may our prosperous lives be thanks to your blessings!"

"Commas people? Damn it, you swindler who stole my money, get the hell out of here!"

"Everyone! Listen to me! Disaster is inevitable, and the true night is here—ouch, who stepped on me!"

Amidst the chaotic shouts and slogans, almost everyone in Kongming Palace rushed out of the halls and onto the viewing platform, searching for the best spot to watch this year's celebratory fireworks.

Soon, cheers and screams erupted throughout the Emerald City, and different areas launched their own celebratory fireworks in response to the signal from the Sky Palace.

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Fireworks burst into the sky, their vibrant colors dispelling the darkness and illuminating the entire Emerald City as if it were daytime, marking the start of the Emerald Festival.

Cheers, roars, drums, songs, dances...

With the arrival of the Jade Festival, every corner of the city is buzzing with excitement.

But not everyone is immersed in it.

"Hi, Ashford."

Once most of the guests had rushed to the observation deck, the round-faced girl's smile faded, and she looked at the beaming butler:
"The lifting mechanism in the banquet hall is not working properly and needs to be repaired."

"Right away, Miss."

Jenn glared at Ashford, but the butler just smiled.

The round-faced girl shrugged indifferently, turned around, and walked away.

"Where are you going?" Jann asked coldly as he approached her.

The girl didn't even turn her head:

"Dating."

The Duke's eyebrows furrowed.

"Not tonight!"

Jenn grabbed her arm and said coldly:
“Seychelles, you escort her there—”

But the next second, the girl suddenly turned around and grabbed the duke by the collar!
“My dear brother.”

“If you don’t want to roll around on the ground in front of everyone while holding your penis,” the round-faced girl said sharply, her expression cold, “then step back, step back, now.”

Jenn's gaze sharpened, his anger intensifying.

“You know I won’t back down, my dear sister.”

The girl's expression turned cold.

Seychelles arrived at the right moment, interrupting the standoff between the Duke and the young girl:

"Miss."

A few seconds later, the round-faced girl let out a soft hum.

“Just kidding,” she released Jann and looked coldly at Seychelles beside her. “You’re still as boring as ever, Seychelles.”

The Seychelles knight then loosened his grip on the hilt of his sword.

“And you, shouldn’t you go out to the watchtower and let everyone see you leading Emerald City, enjoying the happiness of the people?” the girl looked at Jann and said sarcastically, “The Grand Duke of the South Bank?”

Jenn straightened his collar, his eyes filled with icy coldness:
"We need to talk."

The girl shrugged, looking uninterested.
"I can't wait."

The Duke of Southbank glared at her, nodded to Ashford, and turned toward the watchtower.

The girl gave a disdainful snort, picked up a glass of Sera wine from Ashford's plate, drank it all in one gulp, put the glass down amidst his smile, and turned to walk down the stairs.

But she hadn't taken more than a few steps when someone suddenly appeared, grabbed her arm, and pulled her into a corner.

"Oh, you're not afraid of me anymore?"

The girl smoothed her hair, ruffled it back into a bird's nest, and then put on her dirty boots.

"I--"

Amidst the booming fireworks and their dazzling brilliance, Thales took a deep breath and finally spoke politely, introducing himself:

"Excuse my overstepping, I am Thales Can—"

"I know," the girl said nonchalantly.

Interrupted, Thales lowered his voice and asked cautiously:

"So, so you really are—"

“That’s right, Cecilia Kevindir,” the girl answered crisply this time, “in short: Hillay.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Cecilia-Hilary extended her hand generously.

With his doubts acknowledged, Thales paused for a second. He instinctively reached out, but immediately stopped.

Thales looked at Hilly's hand, which was covered by a gray glove that seemed to conceal something, and hesitated.

Hilly snorted and withdrew her hand.

"Then do me another favor?"

The girl turned around and pointed to the back clasp of her skirt.

Thales was stunned. Only after the girl urged him repeatedly did he stiffly reach out to help her unbutton the back of her dress and take it off.

"But what you just said, 'discretionary' and 'someone else will do it for you'..."

After she stuffed the simple dress back into her bag, Thales finally couldn't help but speak:
"If that's a code, a code known only to a few, then who exactly are you...?"

"No."

Hilly interrupted him.

No?

What is it not?
Thales stared at her blankly, hoping she would say more.

"I shouldn't have come to you unless it was absolutely necessary."

Hilaire spoke again, still listless and unwilling to say another word.

"But after you've done so many stupid things lately and leaked so much information to my brother, I feel it's necessary for me to show up and warn you."

Thales froze in his tracks.

I've done so many stupid things lately...

It's necessary to show up and warn you...

So, she is indeed.

Moreover, they're even more deeply hidden than I am?
“But, but you’re Jenn’s sister,” Thales frowned, wanting an explanation. “You have no reason to harm him… How could this be?”

“The world is full of wonders,” Hilly said, extending her right hand and covering the light with it. The ghostly face of “Soul Bone Jacques” was pressed against her palm, giving him a strange smile. “Anything is possible.”

“But you are a Kevin Deer, a descendant of the iris…”

“And you’re still a shining star,” Hilly said, slinging his bag over his shoulder, “that doesn’t stop you from falling out with your father and becoming enemies with him, does it?”

Thales was speechless for a moment.

"So what is your mission? What are your plans? How will we cooperate—"

"Ah, ah, ah..."

Hilly raised his index finger and placed it in front of Thales' lips.

"Remember, we have no relationship, at least not before this, there was no relationship whatsoever."

She tapped her finger lightly, her tone indifferent.

Thales' heart tightened.

"Then why did it appear? Just to... warn me?"

He stared intently at the other person, pondering the significance of this information.

The freckled girl looked at him and sighed helplessly, her face full of disappointment that he was "incorrigible".

"This is not the place to talk. Let's talk again tomorrow, Your Highness."

Thales raised an eyebrow, but Hilly Kevindeer turned and walked away without giving him a chance to hesitate.

"Oh, I almost forgot..."

Hilaire suddenly turned back and moved closer, startling Thales into taking another step back.

"If you don't want to regret what happened tonight, keep your mouth shut."

Hilly casually patted Thales on the shoulder, his tone tightening:
"Whether it's my brother or not."

Hilly glanced warily at Marius, who stood in the distance watching their every move.

"Or someone else..."

Thales tensed up.

Hilaire held out his hand to him and folded his palm: the ghostly face of "Soul Bone Jacques" in his palm grinned evilly at him again.

"...or a ghost?"

Thales was startled and was about to reply, but Hilly had already turned and left, disappearing through the trapdoor.

Cecilia Kevindeer...

Thales stared blankly at the spot where Hilly had left, recalling everything about his encounter with the girl that day.

but……

Just then, Thales suddenly sensed something was amiss.

He turned around and, just in the light of a firework, saw Jenn.

The lord of the Kevindale family, Duke Iris, stood on the opposite staircase, illuminated by the flashes of fireworks.

He stared intently at Thales, and also at the spot where his sister had left.

He will deliver the most unexpected and unpredictable blow.

At that moment, Jenn's eyes were complex and obscure.

Thales could only shake his head, spread his hands, and return his equally astonished gaze.

And you have to prepare for the worst, the absolute worst.

The fireworks dimmed.

"boom!"

Another burst of fireworks exploded.

But Jenn had already disappeared.

Thales was left alone, breathing in a daze.

The boy didn't come back to reality until he was patted on the shoulder.

“Your Highness,” Marius appeared beside him, his face solemn, “is there anything I need to know about that suddenly appearing Lady Kevindale?”

“Of course,” Thales said sullenly, recalling the other’s warning. “This girl has a skill that makes her unforgettable at first sight.”

Marius's eyes held a subtle expression.

"Alright, Your Highness, first you must know..."

“Not now, Thor,” Thales sighed deeply. “I’m a little tired tonight and need some rest—”

"Dagori is dead."

Thales was stunned for a second before he finally came to his senses.

"Wh-what? Who?"

“Kumto just got the news from an acquaintance,” Marius said, his face grim, no longer as composed as before, “It happened today—after midnight, or rather, last night.”

"That wine merchant, Dagory Moss, died in Emerald City prison."

The wine merchant... Dagori.

died?

Thales gasped.

He instinctively turned around and looked behind him.

Look toward Hilla—the place where Cecilia Kevindir disappeared.

But it was empty.

Only the "Soul Bone Jacques" stamp in his pocket reminded him of what had just happened.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Fireworks rose one after another, their colorful lights exploding in the darkness.

Under their illumination, Kongming Palace resembles a towering giant standing in the center of the city, revealing its true form amidst the flickering flames: magnificent, eerie, gloomy, and terrifying.

The four-sided viewing platform, filled with guests, resembled the outstretched arm of a giant, casting shadows of varying lengths with each explosion and flash of light, dancing back and forth in an endless frenzy, deeply enveloping the entire Queen's City.

If your hand speed isn't great, you need some magic potion; no sword required, it's top-notch, 18,000 a day!

If the King of Hell wants you at midnight, who dares to stay until dawn?
—by the author's neighbor's dog, which was finally found after being missing for several months.
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(End of this chapter)