Kingdom's Bloodline, page 137
Thales stared at Dragon Clouds City in the distance. He puffed a breath of warm air on his cold hands and started thinking carefully.
'Great prestige. A legitimate name. The loyalty of the people.
'The traditional culture of the Northland?'
"Too simple," Thales said faintly several seconds later.
"Hmm?" A puzzled expression appeared on Putray's face.
"I'm saying that concluding Raikura's reputation and the Northlanders' personalities as well as their traditions are the factors contributing to Eckstedt's stability and unified power is too simple." Thales lowered his head and started thinking about this carefully.
"Human actions and the structure of power in society will always affect each other. It is impossible for this situation to exist where acts alone will solidify a structure, but the structure of this society has no effect on human actions. It does not matter how great the conduct of the Northlanders are, how much they revere their ancestor, and how much they respect their tradition—they cannot maintain this sort of state system.
"A power structure that is bound to be divided and shatter will only bring about the same effects on the Northlanders. They are bound to live under a structure where they are ruled by different suzerains, have different interests, and different systems. As generations come and go and as society changes, they will develop a set of actions and motives that fit the structure of that era.
"Under this strange, divided system Eckstedt has, it is difficult for the Northlanders to not treat each other as enemies and kill each other."
'That's right.' Thales nodded mentally.
This was the society he knew of.
'But Eckstedt was…'
"Do you have any other thoughts?" Putray narrowed his eyes and asked while he pondered over Thales' words, "Why don't you voice them out so that I may hear them?"
The second prince remained silent for a moment before he said one word, "Constellation."
Thales lifted his head and said with an affirmative tone, "Constellation."
A glint appeared in Putray's eyes, and he waited for the prince's explanations.
"It is just as you said, Constellation's expansion and growth in power should have facilitated Eckstedt's stability and unity to a certain extent." Thales patted the steed beneath him, causing the horse that did not like him to become restless.
Wya scrabbled about to control Thales' steed, and Thales gave him an apologetic smile.
Thales turned his head around and continued speaking, "With that gigantic existence in the south, not a single one of the archdukes or suzerains in Eckstedt will face it alone. They must sit down, bring their conflicts in line, and face the enemy as a unified front.
Putray nodded in praise. "This is a good angle. Indeed, Constellation's existence has largely put the conflict between the common-elected king and the archdukes in check, and also made them shift their attention away."
Thales sucked in a deep breath.
'But if I turn it around, isn't Eckstedt's existence and the threat it brought with its existence also the reason that caused the internal factions of power in Constellation to band together?
'No.'
Thales looked at the city that was getting closer and clearer, and then lowered his head slightly.
'Constellation and Eckstedt affect each other?
'Even if I analyse it in this manner, it's still completely insufficient.
'This is not the main reason behind why Eckstedt can last to this day, and not why the authority of the common-elected king can remain so stable in his hands.
'Just what sort of power is holding together Eckstedt—which should have been a fragmented country—and made it continue to this day, remaining stable and powerful?'
Thales stared at the red and black flag in the distance and narrowed his eyes.
…..
They ran into the first sentry post in Dragon Clouds City which was just in front of them. The White Blade Guards were speaking to them at that moment. Then, the escorts who had been protecting him over the past few days came up to him.
"This is the furthest we can send you, Prince Thales." Black Sand Region's Viscount Kentvida was rounding up his troops. He looked at Dragon Clouds City, located right before his eyes, and sighed, "Thankfully, nothing happened along the way."
"Thank you for escorting me along the way, even though we did not ask for it," Putray sighed. His face was indifferent. "And thank you for your 'welcoming' ceremony as well."
Kentvida was not bothered by Putray's attitude, and neither did he acknowledge the hostile glares from the White Blade Guards around him. Kentvida nodded to Tolja behind him, gesturing to him that they were prepared to leave. Then, he turned his head back and said to Thales,
"Then we will bid you farewell here. I hope that things will go smoothly for you when you are in Dragon Clouds City."
Thales stared intently at Archduke Lampard's strategist.
The experience and efficiency he displayed when he commanded his army on the way, his sharp wit and the unique train of thought he showed when they were in the Hero Tavern all left a deep impression in Thales.
Several seconds later, the second prince suddenly asked, "Why is His Grace not coming?"
Viscount Kentvida was stunned.
"King Nuven sent an invitation to all the other nine Archdukes in Eckstedt, did he not? But Lampard is not here." Thales remembered his discussion with Putray from moments ago and said quietly, "You know, perhaps King Nuven wants all of Eckstedt to see how the common-elected king will handle Constellation's Prince, starting with the White Blade Guards' friendly welcome."
From that moment onwards, Nuven and Lampard did not appear as people in Thales' mind anymore, but were concepts of the 'common-elected king' and the 'archdukes' fighting against each other while representing their different authorities and statuses in the same societal structure.
"The archduke has his own reasons." Viscount Kentvida reacted to the situation quickly. He replied in a flat tone, "I believe that the archduke has told you before that no matter whether it is you or the archduke, both of you are in a perilous situation, and only when you cooperate in good faith with him—"
"King Nuven hates him, right?" Under Putray's strange gaze, Thales interrupted Kentvida's words.
Kentvida stopped speaking. His face was expressionless.
"I guess that the affairs in Constellation's palace has already reached Dragon Clouds City. There might be no proof, but the Archduke of Black Sand cannot escape from being connected to Prince Moriah's death, and just like what that cold Star Killer said…" Thales enunciated each of his words.
"King Nuven will deal with him sooner or later. And what does Lampard intend to do?"
Thales watched Kentvida's expression closely, wanting to find some clues from his face.
Viscount Kentvida frowned slightly, then shook his head slowly. A strange smile appeared on his lips.
He no longer used the polite and distant tone he employed when speaking to Thales, but used a serious and stern voice to answer him.
"Black Sand Region stands at the border between Eckstedt and Constellation. It has been in conflict with the Northern Territory for hundreds of years. It is not as weak as you imagined. And King Nuven, as well as the Walton Family's power, still cannot reach Black Sand Region." The viscount's words carried a profound meaning.
"Besides, Eckstedt employs a king selection system." A strange smile appeared on Kentvida's face. "The archduke is still young, and King Nuven…"
Thales narrowed his eyes slightly.
'How very confident… Chapman Lampard.'
He remembered the talk they had in Lampard's military camp.
'But only these sorts of people can be known as 'gamblers' and can make someone like Sonia Sasere, the Fortress Flower, wary of him, no?'
"Good, because I, too, am still very young," Thales mumbled, though no one knew whether it was intentional or not.
Kentvida stared at Thales.
"Before we left, the archduke asked me to deliver a few words to you."
Thales raised his head.
"Please do be careful in choosing your enemies and friends." Kentvida smiled once more and tapped his chest at the position right above his heart and said, "Being kind and compassionate is not a king's weakness.
"But not being wise in handling matters is a great taboo for a king."
Thales frowned and let out a cold harrumph. The second prince shook his head. "Let His Grace teach me those things after he becomes the king."
Kentvida nodded. His smile did not change. "I will bring your exact words back to him."
At that moment.
"Those from Black Sand Region, why haven't you left yet?" Nicholas went to their side and asked rudely, "What now? Do you still want to bring two thousand men and do a little sightseeing in Dragon Clouds City?"
Marquis Shiles came to their side quietly and laughed. "Don't mind him. I do think that Lord Nicholas speaks in a very unique manner."
"Do a little sightseeing?"
"How would we dare do? This is, after all, the territory of the Dragon Spear Family. It is also where the common-elected king is… If His Majesty is still as generous as ever and can provide us with some—"
"Then hurry up and leave if you don't want to freeze to death in the Day Before the Bitter Cold Winter." Nicholas' expression turned cold as he interrupted Kentvida. "Unless you have Lampard come to this place personally...
"... then His Majesty will not have the mood to be a good host to you."
Kentvida's words died in his throat, and in the end, he did not continue speaking. He quickly bowed slightly and left with a calm expression.
The army that spanned several hundreds of meters from Black Sand Region followed behind him. For a short while, only the diplomat group and the White Blade Guards were left beside Thales.
They were left to face the majestic Dragon Clouds City.
Thales sighed. He turned his head around and looked at Dragon Clouds City which was getting closer. Suddenly, a crease appeared between his brows.
Thales stared at a stone bridge that connected through the entire upper portion of Dragon Clouds City.
The stone bridge hung in the sky. At the other end of the bridge was a huge cliff. The cliff was flat and wide, unlike the other cliffs in Dragon Clouds City which were filled with buildings. While this cliff was not small, it was empty.
He asked in puzzlement, "Why is that gigantic cliff so flat and empty?"
'Also… that huge mountain cave behind it seems to be man-made." Thales narrowed his eyes and gazed into the distance.
Shiles moved past several people and appeared in front of Thales.
The marquis from Camus Union looked at the giant cliff, then frowned and shook his head. "That is the legendary 'Sky Cliff'. I might have seen it a few times, but the story behind that place… Ha… I heard that the place is an area belonging exclusively to their queen."
"Their queen?" While observing the cliff, Thales was momentarily stunned, and he instinctively asked, "What queen?"
"What queen?" Nicholas turned his head around. There was a strange expression on his face, as if he was slightly displeased. "Are you joking?"
Thales shrugged. He wanted to exchange a glance with Putray, but the latter merely kept silent in a profound manner.
At that moment, the attendant Wya, who had been silent for a long while, suddenly spoke up, "I have only heard some rumours about Dragon Clouds City's Sky Cliff. I heard that this is the royal pavilion belonging to the 'first queen'?"
"First queen?" Thales' bewilderment grew deeper. He exhaled and looked at Nicholas.
'Choosing a deserted and empty cliff as a royal pavilion? Is this asceticism?'
"Just who is the queen?" Thales asked impatiently.
"I thought Constellation's prince would at least have some knowledge in his head." Nicholas mocked him. "Of course it's the queen… of King Raikaru Eckstedt, the Savior of the Battle of Eradication, the greatest hero in human history, the founding King of Eckstedt!"
Thales was completely stunned.
"Raikaru's queen?"
Thales frowned slightly. He raised his head and looked towards the cliff, the Cliff of the Sky.
'Hold on. A queen from six hundred years ago?'
"Yes." Nicholas nodded. His expression was solemn and respectful. "The first queen, whose existence is like a legend in Eckstedt.
"During the Battle of Eradication, she was the most reliable existence beside King Raikaru. His comrade and his one true love. When he was crowned king, she became his eternal queen.
"She is also the most noble and most perfect symbol in the hearts of Northlanders throughout these six hundred years."
An expression of reverence appeared on Nicholas' face.
The White Blade Guards might have their faces covered, but Thales could still tell that their emotions were the same as Nicholas'.
The leader of the White Blade Guards continued faintly. "She might have left quietly after King Raikaru passed away and disappeared without a trace, but the legends and myths around her stayed within every single Eckstedtian's heart."
Nicholas softly said, "During the Battle of Eradication, she was the legendary Crimson Wings in Blue Flames on the battlefield.
"The Queen of the Sky, Queen Clorysis."
Thales frowned. 'Why the sky? Could it be that the queen can fly...?
'Hold on.'
Thales looked at the gigantic cliff, and his mouth fell open.
'Can…
'Fly…'
"Did you say… Crimson Wings in Blue Flames?" Thales turned his head around, and his face was deathly pale. With a flabbergasted expression, he stared at Nicholas. "The Queen of the Sky, which also means… which also means, she is…"
"Yes, that is right."
Nicholas showed a rare smile. The pale man who was usually aloof and stern was filled with pride and glory in that moment.
"During the Battle of Eradication, the great hero, King Raikaru Eckstedt…"
Nicholas lifted his hand proudly and pointed at Eckstedt's flag fluttering in the sky.
"... was a knight."
Thales turned his head around and stared at the black flag with a dumbfounded expression. The crimson dragon on it bared its fangs and brandished its claws in the face of the wind.
"With his one true love, the Queen of the Sky, they soared through the air and fought together, and he was…"
Nicholas' words travelled into his ears.
"... a dragon knight."
Translator's Notes:
1. Pirate King: From the Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, only in it, Jack Sparrow voted for Elizabeth.
Chapter 125: The Female Warrior |
A small house in a village outside Dragon Clouds City.
"It's been three years since I last saw you, Kohen and my dear Miranda. Did the tower send you here?" In a dark room, a girl with short hair lay on a wooden bed. Her name was Kroesch Mirk, and she gave them a troubled yet peaceful smile. "It is truly the best consolation to see the both of you now.
"Thank you, Uncle Kaslan," The short-haired girl thanked Kaslan, who was by her side without any emotion on her face.
Miranda furrowed her brows tightly.
Even the careless Kohen could not help but notice that the Northland girl, Kroesch had changed drastically. She used to be in the same year as them.
Compared to the high-spirited Kroesch Mirk three years ago when they parted ways at the Tower of Eradication, not only was she a lot thinner, she also became gloomier than before. Previously, her determination was like a stamp engraved on her round face. It was unknown when it had turned into bitterness and disappointment.
Kohen shifted his gaze to her hand, and his breathing stopped instantly.
This girl from the tower who had a firm and determined look on her face; this girl who was assiduous in her training and never gave up easily…
Her right hand, which she used to hold her sword... was currently tightly wrapped bandages.
"Kroesch…" Kohen tried his best to avert his gaze from her right hand and forced a smile. Then, he cautiously and slowly said, "Are you… alright?"
'Alright?'
Just as he said that, Kohen had the urge to slap himself.
Kroesch slowly looked at him without any emotions in her eyes.
"I'm alright." Kohen was hurt by the girl's empty gaze. "It's just that my right hand… I can't use it to pick up my weapon anymore. That's all."
Silence.
Kohen was in an awkward situation and he did not know how to continue the conversation. 'Damn it, if only Raphael was here. Comforting others has always been that white-cloaked brat's strength.'
As expected, Miranda walked forward and rolled her eyes at Kohen.
Then, like numerous times in the past, she did not bat an eyelid when she fiercely stepped on the foot of the innocent-looking Kohen.
Kohen took a sharp breath due to the pain.
While Kohen was grimacing in pain, Miranda sat on the side of Kroesch's bed. Her expression remained unchanged when she opened her mouth in resolution, "Who did this?"
'Any form of consolation is useless now,' Miranda thought to herself. 'Might as well go straight to the point, so that I don't have to think about meaningless matters.'
At the side, Kaslan let out a fake cough.
The former leader of the White Blade Guards did not have too much to say when facing Kroesch.
He had seen too many retired soldiers face the same situation before.
Kaslan sighed deeply to himself.
Those soldiers would never know how fortunate it actually was to be injured and retired.
Kroesch came to her senses and put on a strained smile.
"I believe you already have some knowledge on the beginning and end of the incident." Kroesch managed to recover her calm tone and she did not sound like a swordswoman who had just lost all hope in using her sword anymore. "A military officer named Hadel, who lurked in the Black Sand Region's army almost assassinated your prince in the fortress by using a Mystic Gun."
