Kingdom's Bloodline, page 142
"Nonetheless, he is humiliating me, humiliating a father's dignity, mocking my powerlessness…
"Sending the son he had just found to another father who had just lost his son.
"Is that an apology?"
The king's expression was cold but indifferent and Thales was feeling increasingly scared.
'This is not right.
'This is obviously acting, yes,' Thales took in the atmosphere around him and tried hard to steady his own breathing. He repeated to himself again and again, 'Everything is just as Nicholas and Shiles had said…
'King Nuven will be very tough on me…
'Even somewhat... cruel.
'What I have to do is only…'
*Clang!*
Right at this moment, a clear metallic noise caught Thales' attention.
"Your Majesty!"
An archduke who was nearest to the king cried out in surprise.
With a cold expression, King Nuven had apparently pulled out a saber from the archduke's waist!
Thales took a deep, cold breath.
'This is not just acting… Seriously, is it necessary to go to this extent, to make use of a weapon?'
King Nuven stretched his arm.
*Thud!*
A longsword with a crossguard was thrown from afar.
It landed on the ground right before Thales and gave out a loud clank.
The latter could not help but take a step back.
At that point, the dark figures of the almost unconcerned archdukes entered Thales' vision.
Thales could only passively wait for King Nuven's next move. Meanwhile, he forced himself to start thinking about the archdukes before him.
'What are they thinking? The Prince of Constellation is facing such circumstances right now. Can they be that unresponsive?
'Will they see through the show? After all, even though Nicholas was already previously displaying…
'Wait.
'Something is wrong!'
Thales clenched his teeth and he stared in disbelief at the suzerain's longsword beside his feet. The sword had precious rubies embedded in it.
'Something has to be wrong.'
Right at this moment.
An extremely important question that he had never thought of from the beginning suddenly flashed through Thales' mind:
'Nicholas and Shiles, these two people who told me about King Nuven's wish to collaborate.
'One of them is the Head of the White Blade Guards while the other is King Nuven's firm partner in trade.
'But are they… purely of service for King Nuven?
'If I think about it from a more terrifying perspective, are they really even on Nuven the Seventh's side?'
Thales' heart turned cold.
'If they aren't…
'Then, Nuven's so-called "proposal" previously...
'The so-called trap… so-called hunting…'
When he thought of that, Thales' clenched left fist trembled uncontrollably.
'But that's… unlikely, right?'
"You have come forward to apologize?" Under the watchful gazes of all the archdukes, Nuven the Seventh calmly lifted his head. "You are indeed brave.
"Now let us see how brave you really are." King Nuven stared at him without any emotions on his face.
"A sincere apology should not just stop at words, of course."
Thales suddenly narrowed his eyes.
Marquis Shiles' words rang in his ears once again:
"King Nuven's treatment towards you may be a little… cruel."
'A little cruel?'
The next second, the following words undoubtedly came from Nuven the Seventh.
"Pick up this sword."
Amid the archdukes' different reactions, King Nuven's face was visibly cold as he enunciated each word clearly.
"Slit your own throat."
In that instant, Thales stared at Nuven's gaze, which was filled with hatred and anger. His mind just went blank.
Chapter 129: A Duel |
Dragon Clouds City, West-Express Avenue.
"I… I'm here!" A young fellow dashed into a butcher's shop. He leaned against the wall, panting heavily. "The Prince of Constellation is in town, so I went—"
"Went to look for your woman again?" The butcher snapped, exposing his lie. "That's why you're late again?"
"Hey! What are you saying… I was just sending her some gifts." the young fellow's face turned red. "And Cecilia is not my wo… not yet…"
"You're a halfwit, Kevin," Seemingly speaking from experience, the butcher gave Kevin a look of condescension. "Sending her bits of this and that once in a while is not enough. You have to declare your love. Declare. Love. Do you know that?!"
Hearing this, Kevin started scratching his head, feeling frustrated. "Don't you know she has a scary dad with a weird nickname, Big Leather Belt or whatever… I heard he was in the Glacial Sentries. He'll never allow his daughter to marry a… a…"
"A dirt-poor errand boy from the plebeians' union?" The butcher hacked a pig shin in half.
Kevin clapped as he pulled a long face. "Yeah, that's why!"
"Then, act like a man. Go meet him in person, talk to her father face-to-face!" The butcher grimaced, slamming his cleaver into the chopping block.
Kevin was shaken. He opened his mouth and started stammering.
But eventually, with a look of defeat, he swallowed the words he intended to say, 'I'm scared.'
"Hmph, wimp," the butcher grumbled, feeling disappointed. "Forget it then… Anyway, how's your errand?"
"Here it is." Brooding, Kevin handed him a crumpled note. "Chief Gleeward's reply, allegedly."
The butcher took the note and watched the young fellow leave, still sulking.
"What a carefree life you have," a joyful voice sounded at the back of the room, "Butchering, doing business and giving relationship advice to some silly boy."
The butcher's expression stiffened a little.
He turned around and swung the door shut.
"Paying me a visit at a time like this." Gu, the butcher from the Far East turned away from the door. "Aren't you worried that Black Sword may be back?" he said to a figure in the dark corner behind him.
"The fake intel was your idea after all."
A young man in white—Raphael Lindbergh—stepped out of the darkness with a faint smirk on his face.
Like a wolf on the steppe, Gu grew wary in an instant. His eyes were downcast.
'He just waltzed in here, brimming with confidence. Looks like he really knows how to cover his tracks, one that will even keep him hidden from Black Sword's frighteningly godlike senses, and that guy can detect and track down the slightest of movements—even those of insects and small animals from hundreds of meters away.'
Gu narrowed his eyes.
Raphael did not respond to his statement earlier, instead he said the following with a hint of mockery in his voice, "What, were you a relationship consultant before you double-crossed the Raven Guard? Must have accumulated lots of experience, eh?
'Raven Guard'. These two words hit Gu.
Despite years of training and practice to retain total control over his emotions as well as restrain his physical response, Gu could not help but have his heart freeze slightly, and his blood pump faster.
He looked up at Raphael and their eyes met.
Their gazes were as calm as a lake, although they were both aware of the underlying enmity beneath their exchange.
"Never show your hand. Rather, ceaselessly seek to uncover the enemies' breaking points by using diversions and misdirection, by utilizing your chances and opportunities as well as stirring the eye of the storm— these are the tactics passed down from the Secret Forces and employed by the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence.
"Since the union of Mane et Nox and Constellation, both we and the Secret Intelligence have been grappling with one another behind closed doors. Each party knows its opponent's tricks and modus operandi.
"However, the question is, where do we start?"
As his master's words rang in his ear, Gu became increasingly alert.
"It's interesting; watching these folks go about their lives," Gu glanced over his empty storefront lazily, cleaning up the table in an unhurried manner. Most people were off to see the Prince of Constellation, joining in all the hubbub.
"You know," he said meaningfully, "after almost a lifetime of living in despair and darkness, one does desire to see the light of hope."
"I thought someone with your past would be accustomed to 'interesting' things." The corner of Raphael's lips curled upwards.
"Accustomed?"
"Kevin is the true embodiment of slum life," said Gu as he gave a cheerless chuckle and a look of intrigue. "Wealth, background, status—he has none of those.
"The only thing he owns is love; his beloved. He's always pictured her as the most beautiful, most precious presence in the world.
"He thinks of her with a smile, with bliss, with hope.
"But most importantly, he is given the right to seek happiness and a life goal despite the challenges." Gu directed his stare at the slightly-bemused Raphael. "That boy is living a life."
Rays of sunlight shone into the shopfront and on Gu.
His eyes were calm and his voice was flat, "Compared the both of us who live like maggots in the shadows of secrecy, he is unbroken and complete.
"Don't you find it interesting?"
Still veiled in the dark, Raphael listened patiently to him.
"But once a person succumbs to joy, he has given in to weakness," he said as his smile persisted, "Just like the things that made you vulnerable. Think about it, King Yao—"
"I don't need to be strong," Gu snapped in a monotonous voice.
"I just need to settle this deal with you people," he said firmly.
'"Unlike your seniors, who each thrive with his impeccable skills or her resourcefulness, you are a dagger in the eternal darkness, forever hidden. Your power will only be witnessed when you strike, therefore you must avoid unnecessary conflicts at all cost. Instead, you prepare yourself for your most impactful, deadliest, final blow.'"
Recalling his master's words, Gu's expression dimmed.
'A dagger in the dark.
'Forever hidden.
'Waiting to strike.
'Too bad.'
Gu inhaled deeply as his face became expressionless.
Raphael had been watching him like a hawk the entire time. He laughed softly.
"Rest assured that our intel is always accurate," Raphael said, feeling amused. "An attempted assassination on His Highness' life at the fortress is their most often used tactic… You'll certainly find what you're looking for."
Gu remained silent as he nodded.
Raphael's smile broadened and he lowered his head.
"The prince and his escorts have entered the city. They are in Heroic Spirit Palace as we speak." He then moved on to his intended topic. "What have you got?"
Gu held his stare and unfolded the note delivered by Kevin. At the same time, he glanced over the text.
"According to the local union, the monster's location is confirmed." Gu put down the note. "Although we're not sure what you're planning to do…" he muttered.
Raphael chuckled and nodded.
"Oh, don't you worry," he said in a peculiar manner, "We fight for justice, don't we?"
"Purging our cities of the calamity, devoting ourselves to the safety of the human race."
With a snort, Gu turned and shuffled away.
"Bullocks."
Unaffected, Raphael shook his head and chuckled.
He averted his gaze to the window, and what lay beyond—Heroic Spirit Palace on the mountain.
He was momentarily lost in reverie.
He could not help but recall what Gu said about Kevin the pauper.
'The only thing he owns is love—his beloved.
'He's always pictured her as the most beautiful, most precious presence in the world.
'He thinks of her with a smile, with bliss, with hope.'
His eyes dimmed as he slowly shut his eyes.
…
Thales stared at the longsword on the floor in cold sweat.
'What's the deal with this situation?'
'Slit my own throat?'
The faces of Nicholas and Shiles flashed across his mind. However, right now, they appeared to be infuriatingly sardonic in his eyes.
'"For the sake of Your Highness and King Nuven's best interest, His Majesty implores you to cooperate with him in the execution of his plot of vengeance. The hunter has sharpened his knife. Traps and snares are in position. The fate of your prey is sealed."'
The prince lifted his head and looked at the old man, his supposed ally in disbelief.
King Nuven's steely stare was pinned against him.
'Who is really the prey and who is really the hunter?'
He vividly remembered explaining his alliance with King Nuven to Count Gilbert back in Mindis Hall.
'Now it just seems like a joke.'
"Go on," Nuven the Seventh urged with a soulless voice, "show us your valor and pride as the descendant of the Jadestar Family…
"An eye for an eye!"
Thales' eyes were fixed on the sword. His breathing accelerated as his head spun.
He took a glance at King Nuven again, but the coldness and hatred in the old man's stare persisted.
'What should I do?
'There's no time for doubt and reasoning.'
Facing such a predicament, Thales' eyebrows wriggled uncontrollably.
'What should I do?'
King Nuven wanted his life.
Thales squeezed his eyes shut, clenching his fists.
'What should I do?'
"What now?" A peculiar sounding voice emerged among the five archdukes. "As a Jadestar and successor of the Oath Keeper, do you not have the guts to sacrifice yourself as an act of atonement?"
"Why are you even here? For a tour?!"
The person who spoke leaned forward and Thales finally saw the first archduke.
Sitting on the left of Nuven the Seventh was a bearded man. He was a brawny and boorish-looking man in his forties. He was also crudely dressed and atop his attire, he wore a triangular-shaped brooch with a circle on it. The man was just glaring at Thales with absolute disdain and uncontainable hostility:
"If you don't have the balls to do it...
"Then, kneel before us and beg.
"Little Constellatiate bastard," the bearded man spat.
Thales' clenched teeth tightened even more.
'Damn it.
'Darn Northlanders.'
In the meantime, another archduke leaned over. The firelight illuminated his face and his bowl haircut.
He was a huge man, also in his forties but appeared slightly younger than the bearded man. He had rather angular facial features and a pointy chin. There were glowing images of swords and blades sewn onto his garments.
"Perhaps those lofty Constellatiates thought that," the man with the bowl cut coldly added, "sending a noble-born, seven-year-old brat to our rurally land would be the biggest honor and privilege bestowed upon us, barbaric Northland men.
"Perhaps that Kessel was thinking, 'Wasn't it just a prince that we killed?'" The man with the bowl cut gave a chilling grin, purposefully adding fuel to the fire. "'But see, my son is here to deal with you, goosey Northlanders!'"
The tension heightened.
Thales' breathing continued to hasten as he whipped his head up. His stares, which were directed at the archdukes became increasingly searing and intimidating.
"Oh, are you mad?" The third archduke leaned towards the firelight. He was an aging suzerain, about fifty to sixty years old, bitter-faced and bald. What was left of his hair was a clump beside each ear. He wore a copper circlet around his forehead, and a robe embroidered with a chunk of chain.
"Say, are you going to man up and pick up that sword or not?" said the bald suzerain sharply. "Whatever you want to do with it—disembowel yourself or come at us...
"Either one is much more effective than just glaring at us, am I right?"
Thales took a deep breath as his eyes swept over the bearded man, the man with the bowl cut and the bald suzerain.
Meanwhile, Nuven the Seventh remained unmoved.
The six men seated in the stone hall were now glowering at the boy and the sword on the ground before him.
Bearing through their stares, Thales felt a burst of anger in his chest.
'Is this what they had planned all along?'
Betrayed, his bewilderment gradually turned into fury and resentment.
'What should I do?
'I need a plan.
'A blood debt.
'Vengeance.
'Kings.
'The archdukes.'
A rough idea suddenly flickered at the back of Thales' mind.
And he looked up abruptly.
"Very well." Thales' pants grew harsher. There was a refusal to give in, displeasure and also indignation in his words. "Blood for blood… that is rather fair…"
Under all their gazes, which were either filled with rumination, derision or aloofness, Thales slowly bent down.
He picked up the sword from the ground.
'Once again, I'm faced with such a situation.
'And once again, I'm faced with such a choice.
'I'm really getting fed up.
'This bunch of bastards.'
His gaze gradually gained a determined edge.
'Despite all of this, I will not die here.
'I will not.'
With a burst of strength in his arms, Thales lifted the sword.
'Hold on… this sword!' He was shocked.
'Why is it so heavy?'
The sword slipped off Thales' hands the moment his attention slipped a little, because he was unprepared.
*Clang!*
The longsword fell heavily on the floor, and the echoes from the crash lingered in the air endlessly.
When they saw this, the five archdukes burst into laughter.
It was as though they were watching a monkey performing in the streets.
"Relax, boy!" the bald suzerain said with a profound tone, "Take a good look. This is the weight of the swords in Northland."
Thales closed his eyes and took two heavy breaths.
'It's so heavy.
