Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 81 All the way north

Jann remained calm and said, "We have just uncovered the truth about the Mangrove Manor."

Thales' expression remained unchanged.

Having gone through trials like Morat's, he can now transform into Master Yue.

Jenn flashed his most perfect smile and continued, "We interrogated the gangsters at the Mangrove Manor that night, and I must say..."

“You played a very clever trick that day, Prince Thales,” Jann said with amusement as he looked at Thales. “Even in dire straits, you managed to sow discord between the vampires and the Blood Bottle Gang to avoid being killed.”

Thales sighed inwardly.

He still managed to find it.

But his mind was in turmoil at the moment, and he had no intention of dealing with the owner of the tricolor iris.

Thales shrugged indifferently: "I don't know what you're talking about."

“But you are about to embark on a long journey… Be careful, the immortals are not easy to deal with,” Jann said, his hands behind his back, a glint of shrewdness occasionally flashing in his smiling eyes: “Before the ‘Wolf Enemy’ and his ‘Immortal Hunters’ stormed the summit of Wild Mist Mountain and forced them to sign the ‘Convention Between Human Nations and Immortal Species,’ they fed on humans for countless nights.”

"They must still remember the taste of human blood... In human kingdoms, they will always bring trouble..."

"To share a boat with wolves is to risk capsizing."

That's truly righteous and awe-inspiring... but coming from your mouth... Thales scratched his head.

“I’ll return the favor,” Thales sighed. “The vampire’s former employer.”

Jenn stopped smiling.

The two stared at each other in silence.

Thales became increasingly uneasy.

Jenn's eyes flickered, and suddenly he smiled again:
"But I do owe you a favor."

Thales frowned slightly.

Janne laughed and said, "Thank you for the day I was assassinated—although I know you never intended to take the blame for me."

Is he trying to make a goodwill gesture?
What day is it today? Why is everyone trying to be nice to me?
Is it Children's Day?

“No need,” Thales said listlessly. “You voted in favor, supporting my rights in return, didn’t you?”

But the words of Kusder just now immediately came to mind.

This is all for the lords' self-preservation!

Thales suddenly looked up and asked Jann with a puzzled expression, "What were you thinking? Why did you vote for me? You don't seem like the kind of person who would turn against someone just because of anger at being betrayed."

"Even under those circumstances, allowing Canxing to obtain an heir would not be in your interest as a lord, would it?"

Jann stared at him for a full three seconds, then he raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Who knows?"

"Anyway, I wouldn't have had a chance under those circumstances," Jann chuckled. "Perhaps I was just thinking that, compared to those cunning old foxes, Your Highness, so inexperienced in the ways of the world, should be the heir to the kingdom..."

"More like a soft persimmon, easy to manipulate?"

Thales frowned slightly.

These dukes—can they speak like human beings?
“Just kidding!” Jenn laughed heartily.

Thales rolled his eyes.

"But before Your Highness departs, there is a gift I would like to offer you," Jann said with a gentle wave of his hand. "That day at the Wild Grass Manor, this veteran of the Starshine Legion recognized you, but it was only because he gritted his teeth that you were able to leave safely. Otherwise, what awaited you would have been..."

"They are now two knights of the highest level."

Thales felt a chill run down his spine as he looked into the distance and saw a weary man being roughly pushed into the convoy of Starlight private soldiers.

That is……

Who?
“Don’t worry, he’s my spy…Jenard used to be the Duke of Starlake’s bodyguard,” Jenn patted him on the shoulder with a mysterious smile. “He should come in handy.”

Thales looked on with suspicion.

But then he suddenly remembered what Gossde had said.

The South Shore Territory has been severely weakened by family feuds...

“Duke Jenn,” Thales began thoughtfully, “I heard you’ve only been a duke for two years, is that right?”

Janen frowned, then nodded: "My father passed away two years ago. I returned from my travels in the Eastern Continent to inherit the title."

Thales carefully chose his words: "It may be presumptuous of me to ask this, but I've heard... that the old Duke of Iris died because of a power struggle within his family..."

Jann gently held his breath, maintaining the most perfect expression.

"Yes, several uncles coveted his position, using the excuse that their father had been too oppressive to them... In the end, facing defeat, they went mad and took a desperate gamble, hiring an assassin with a large sum of money to kill their father."

Thales sighed. "So, that's why you said that day, 'Murder is not welcome in Everstar City'?"

Jan took a deep breath and nodded slightly: "That's one of the reasons, I suppose."

Thales fell silent for a moment.

Even the internal strife within Kevin Deer's family two years ago had his involvement...

"Your Grace," the prince said, recalling Kessel V's cunning and methods, "was your father's passing truly due to internal family strife, or was there more to it than meets the eye?"

Jenn was suddenly startled!
He...that kid...

"What do you mean?" The young duke could no longer maintain his composure and asked in a grim tone.

Thales didn't notice Jann's expression; he lowered his head and continued to ponder the possibility of the royal family interfering in the succession struggle.

We, the nineteen noble families... will all be devoured...

The prince pondered, "Is there a deeper, more fundamental truth behind the Duke's death...?"

[To ensure the survival of our family, which has existed since the founding of our nation...]

"For example, did His Majesty the Duke tragically perish while protecting the family's survival and the future of the next generation from external harm?"

Thales looked up, his gaze sharp, trying to read something in Jan's eyes:
"What do you say?"

In that instant, it was as if a thunderbolt had struck Jann's heart!
His heart was racing, his breathing was rapid, and his eyes were wide open as he stared at the second prince before him.

But his mind was already in turmoil!
Why did he specifically bring up his father's death?
The continuation of the family...

The survival of the iris—he was royalty, so he must know. The first Duke of Kevindir was the first head of the Secret Service and intelligence chief of the Star Kingdom more than six hundred years ago, and also the highest-ranking person in charge of the "Purification Project"...

so……

The future of the next generation...

Kevin Deer's next generation—was he talking about me, or... Hilla?
Despite the cold weather, the well-mannered Duke Jann Kevin Deer was already drenched in cold sweat without even realizing it.

Damn...

About my father's death, about that incident...

Regarding—Jane clenched his fist—Hilay's identity…what exactly did he know?
The young duke raised his head and met Thales's burning gaze.

He was...

They threatened me.

Warning to irises.

Damn!

Jann's breathing became disordered involuntarily.

Only then did Thales notice Jann's ashen face and suddenly realize what was happening.

Um...asking someone about their father's cause of death so early in the morning...am I being a bit too much?

“I’m sorry,” Thales smiled apologetically, “I was being too presumptuous.”

In his eyes, Jenn took a deep breath and, unusually, forced himself to (something that would normally be a piece of cake for him) a submissive and ingratiating smile:

“No,” Jenn said bitterly, but he immediately closed his eyes, bowed deeply, and said with difficulty:

“Your Highness Thales, the Tricolor Iris understands… understands what you mean. From this moment on, the Southern Coast Territory is willing to serve you wholeheartedly without complaint.”

Why did he suddenly bow?
Thales was startled and took a step back.

He didn't say anything, so why did he bow... and now he understands what I mean?

His reaction... was so fast.

Thales narrowed his eyes in confusion: "Lord Janne, you really... understand what I mean?"

Jann gritted his teeth.

Are you trying to force me to make a promise?

"What I meant was, if that family feud wasn't so simple..."

"Yes! I understand!"

Jann suddenly raised his head, his eyes resolute: "The Kevin Deer family motto is very clear: Rather die for friends than for enemies."

He looked at Thales earnestly: "I've just figured it out. You're right. If the iris is to flourish, it should indeed carefully choose its allies... such as you, the only qualified Star Prince, of the royal blood."

What... is this?
Thales frowned: Had the hero been switched to a different player?
But from afar, Gilbert's voice came—they should go.

The second prince's entourage drove away.

But Jenn remained standing there, stunned and motionless.

Ashford, the butler who came up from behind, was about to say something when Jenn suddenly raised his hand to stop him.

They waited until the convoy had gone far away.

Jann, still struggling to breathe, finally nodded: "Okay, at this distance, even a vampire's hearing can't reach us."

Ashford frowned slightly.

The owner is acting strangely.

"Have you figured it out?" Ashford asked cautiously.

Jann frowned and nodded habitually: "When I asked about vampires, he subconsciously agreed."

“The vampires—indeed, they travel with them.”

Jann sighed and muttered, "How bold and fearless."

Ashford respectfully said, "Then proceed as planned, inform the Blood Bottle Gang, and start by damaging his reputation..." "No!"

Jenn raised his head, his gaze resolute.

It also carried a hint of determination.

Watching Thales walk away, Jann narrowed his eyes and made up his mind.

No one can hurt Hilla.

nobody.

Even the bloodline of the kingdom.

The young Emerald City Lord, the Guardian Duke of the South Bank Territory, and the owner of the Tricolor Iris among the six great noble families of the Starry Sky, Jann Kevin Deer, spoke softly to the butler beside him:

"Pass on the message."

Ashford raised an eyebrow.

"The other side?" Ashford asked softly.

Jan closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled.

“Over there,” Jenn said quietly.

Ashford remained silent.

He was waiting for his owner's final confirmation.

Jenn's voice came through with difficulty:
"You know which part to send."

Although Ashford had doubts, his keen observation skills allowed him to quickly understand his master's meaning.

The old butler nodded, bowed, and left.

half an hour.

Jenn opened his eyes.

He said to himself:
“I voted for the Star Prince… who bears the burden of war and peace between the two nations.”

"At least within the country, no lord of any star realm should dare to risk your life, right?"

"Everyone... probably thinks that way."

"so be it."

----------

The second prince's carriage arrived at the north gate.

From a distance, across the surging crowd of onlookers, Thales could see a clearing set up by the guards.

The supreme king of the stars, Kaiser Star, stood among the three dukes, silently watching this side.

“I’ll see you off here, Your Highness,” Gilbert said sadly, standing still. “Take care on your journey, and I’ll be waiting for your return.”

Thales turned his head and looked at Gilbert.

If all you hear from the royalists is the story of a tragic king and a resolute monarchy—you might as well gouge your eyes out and keep only your ears!

Thales let out a sigh of relief: "Thank you, Gilbert."

Then Thales took a step back and bowed deeply:

"thank you teacher."

Gilbert leaned on his cane, sighed, and ultimately said nothing.

Thales let out a breath and, accompanied by Putila and Wyatt (it was better for Rolf to stay in the carriage given his dignified appearance, while the lively and active Eda, for some reason, did not get off the carriage at all), stepped down from the carriage and walked toward his father, who was suspected of being a "tyrant".

The three dukes bowed to him.

He returned the greeting politely.

“Your Highness, although this is very unfair to you,” the portly Duke of the East Sea, Bob Cullen, panted, “I want you to know that your courage makes me very proud.”

Thales nodded absentmindedly: "As the prince of the stars, it is only natural."

【The Eastern Sea Territory was so frightened that it became a coward.】—Another version of the current state of the stars by Kusder came to mind.

“Hehehe, I once hoped my son would be as outstanding as you, Your Highness,” continued the sarcasm of the fearsome Duke of the Western Wilderness, Falkenhaus, “but now, I think it’s better to forget it… too dangerous.”

Thales rolled his eyes at him.

"Thank you for your kind words," he said weakly.

[The Western Wilderness, taking advantage of the importance of the western front, is struggling to protect itself.]

He walked up to the girl.

Lyanna Tebak, the pretty young duchess of Blade's Edge, looked at him with a cold expression.

“I think…we all know what a heavy burden it is to be the last member of the family,” she said softly.

“But that’s precisely why,” the girl said bluntly, yet with a sharp edge, “that we are becoming stronger.”

[The Blade's Edge Pass has almost become the royal domain.]

Lyanna gently pressed the blood moon brooch on her chest and whispered, "Your Highness, as we part, I give you the family motto of House Tebak."

Thales was taken aback.

The aloof young woman leaned forward gently and said, word by word:
"Only blood can sharpen the blade."

Thales looked at the fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl in front of him, and after a few seconds, he realized what she meant and nodded emphatically.

"I will keep it in mind and never forget it," he said.

"Den!"

The king's scepter rested on the ground.

The three dukes—Cullen, Falkenhausen, and Lyanna—all wisely withdrew.

Thales stepped forward and bowed slightly.

You underestimate your father, you underestimate the Iron-Fisted King, you underestimate the fear he instilled in the stars.

“You’ve met Koya,” King Kessel V said quietly.

Thales nodded.

“Very well, then you know what kind of path we—you and I—are walking on.” Kessel looked at him coldly.

The bloody year changed him...

“This world is full of our enemies,” Kessel sighed and muttered to himself, “One wrong step and we’ll be doomed.”

He treated every lord as an enemy, showing no mercy in suppressing and scheming against them. He treated the stars as his personal chariot, wielding the whip and spurs without restraint...

Thales took a breath, his gaze so resolute in Kessel's eyes.

"Set off, young star," Kessel said slowly, "Glorify your country, glorify your family."

"Born for the stars."

Thales looked up and nodded slightly again.

Behind him, Ginny Barkley finally couldn't resist taking a step forward.

“Young man,” the palace lady seemed somewhat embarrassed.

But Ginny finally took a deep breath and, with mixed emotions, uttered a few words:

"Remember to practice your sword."

Thales smiled. "Yes, Ms. Ginny."

Putila and Wya bowed to the king, who offered them a few words of encouragement, and Thales knew that the time for departure had finally come.

However, at that moment, an unexpected person, leaning on a cane, walked up to him.

“Your Highness,” Morat Hansen said in a hoarse voice with an ugly smile, addressing the wary Thales, “when you arrive in Exster, please pass on a message to an old woman for this old man.”

With a negative impression of the Black Prophet, Thales asked in surprise, "Which old woman?"

Morat grinned: "You'll see when you get there."

Thales frowned deeply.

On the city gate, unnoticed by Thales, a masked figure slowly disappeared into thin air.

And so, the convoy, adorned with the silver cross double star flag and the nine-pointed star flag, slowly set off.

All the way north.

“Wyatt, why do you think it is?” Thales leaned against the carriage wall and exhaled, “when everyone said goodbye to me, it was like a final farewell?”

"Would King Nunn really kill me?"

He hadn't expected Wyatt to answer.

But Wyatt Cassel, the second prince's attendant who had been looking outside the carriage, suddenly raised his head slightly, his expression complex.

"Your Highness."

"In the Tower of the End, my teacher once taught me a sentence."

The next second, Wyman said something that made Thales' eyes light up.

Even long afterward, Thales would still occasionally think of it when he couldn't sleep at night.

Wyatt Cassel said softly:

"Treat every farewell as a final goodbye, and every second of life as a chance to survive..."

"That way, we won't miss out on our lives."

Recently, some readers in the book review section pointed out that the protagonist is too much of a "saintly bitch," and I feel it's necessary to respond to that.

Here is my response:
Oh.

That concludes my response.

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(End of this chapter)