Kingdom's Bloodline, page 253
"This is why I'm here to seek all of you," Archduke Lampard said slowly. "We're facing an unusual situation that concerns all of your important interests."
Turning away, Archduke Roknee chuckled scornfully.
"Unusual situation?" another sonorous voice made its way into the conversation. "What do you mean?"
The forthright Reybien Olsius, who dressed classically also appeared at the Hall of Heroes' door. The Archduke of Prestige Orchid's full beard was a conspicuous and memorable one.
At this moment, he stared coldly at Lampard. His gaze was filled with doubt and vigilance.
Lampard swept his gaze past each of the three archdukes.
"The king passed away last night," Chapman Lampard said flatly as though he was talking about some unusual small matter. "We need to talk… about Eckstedt's future."
The moment he said that, there was quite the commotion on both Black Sand Region and Heroic Spirit Palace's side.
Viscount Kentvida and Kroesch quelled their subordinates in dissatisfaction.
However, Lampard's brows were tightly furrowed…
Because he could clearly see that the three archdukes in front of him were still calm and unmoved as before.
It was as though they already knew everything.
'Hmm.
'Seems like it'll be a little harder than expected.'
Lampard thought.
'But so what?
'It's just another obstacle to cross.
'It's just another Nuven.'
"Oh?"
Finally, an aged voice rang behind the three archdukes. The most experienced archduke, the bald Rogers Lecco from Defense City coughed and slowly walked forward. "That's very unfortunate."
The old archduke sighed and said, "I suppose that regarding the king's death, you, Chapman who appeared here suddenly must have some important news for us?"
"As you said, Rogers," The Archduke of Black Sand said solemnly and respectfully.
Archduke Lecco laughed. He stared at the floor tiles of Heroic Spirit Palace and said in contemplation, "Then, why don't we… talk about it in the Hall of Heroes?"
He raised his brows a little and turned sideways to reveal the door of the stone hall. It shone from the illumination of the braziers. "It's enough for the five of us to talk about it.
"There's no need for so many little pawns to join us."
As soon as he said that, the three archdukes on Heroic Spirit Palace's side looked at Lampard simultaneously with varying expressions.
But all of their expressions harbored deep suspicion and wariness.
'This is Eckstedt.'
Lampard sighed softly, and snorted internally.
'My Eckstedt.'
He started to focus his gaze.
Enduring the gazes of the four archdukes, who were as equally powerful and ranked as him, Chapman Lampard calmly extended his hand. He stopped Count Levan and Viscount Kentvida from speaking out.
"Of course." Lampard's gaze became solemn. He glanced past his four fellow archdukes, the White Blade Guards and the palace guards. The guards closely guarded the door of the Hall of Heroes in a semicircle formation. Lampard nodded and said. "This matter can only be discussed between the five of us."
Kroesch cast a questioning gaze at Lampard, but he only extended his palm as a sign for her to stay quiet.
The next moment, Chapman Lampard strode forward without hesitation. Under the gaze of countless people, he left the protection of Black Sand Region's soldiers and walked off on his own.
He walked past numerous weapons towards the stone door of the Hall of Heroes.
He walked amid the seamless battle array of the Heroic Spirit Palace's guards, leaving them to stand and gaze at each other.
He walked past Roknee who stood at the front, and received an astonished and respectful gaze.
He walked past Archduke Olsius. The bearded archduke furrowed his brows. His thoughts were unclear.
He walked past Trentida and Lecco. The two archdukes exchanged worried and anxious glances.
The Iron Fist pattern symbolizing the Lampard Family was vaguely visible on the Archduke of Black Sand's cape.
It was not until he disappeared into the dimness of the Hall of Heroes that the four archdukes came around. They then exchanged glances.
Kentvida and Count Levan stared fiercely at them. Kroesch even tapped the hilt of her sword with her hand. It went without saying that she was threatening them.
"What do all of you think?" Trentida's gaze flickered.
Olsius and Lecco furrowed their brows, saying nothing.
"No." Staring at the dim hall, Roknee coldly said, "We'll see what he has to say."
Chapman Lampard stood quietly in the Hall of Heroes next to the long, brownish-black table. The flame inside the large braziers on six metal shelves flickered as they illuminated his face.
Lampard knew that the night before, the young Archduke Conkray Poffret had his neck broken by King Nuven two steps ahead of where he was standing.
But at this moment, he only stared quietly at the innermost seat of the long table, the main seat.
He remembered during the first half of his life, there were countless times that his parents brought him and Harold there to salute and bow before the person sitting in that main seat.
Nuven Walton sat in that main seat, commanding and ordering the people of Eckstedt, which comprised of archdukes and government officials to nobles and the commoners.
The common-elected king sat there and controlled the entire of Northland. No, most of Northland, as the Northern Territory of Constellation did not belong to Eckstedt yet.
He swept his gaze around the stone hall. He then rested his sights momentarily on the Cloud Dragon Spear flags that were everywhere.
The shelf on the innermost wall, which was supposed to house the Soul Slayer Pike was now empty.
'Just as the Walton Family used to be very influential, the Cloud Dragon Spear once awed Northland.
'The spear of a dragon, residing in the clouds.'
At that moment, Lampard really felt like laughing.
"Alright," Archduke Olsius' impolite voice rang behind Lampard. "We won't be inviting you to take a seat.
"Go ahead and speak," the bearded archduke said coldly.
Lampard shut his eyes and took a deep breath.
He then opened his eyes slowly.
"Constellation." Chapman Lampard turned slowly. Facing the four archdukes, his gaze was sharp. "That Prince of Constellation and their Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department have plotted a conspiracy against Eckstedt for a long time."
Archduke Roknee furrowed his brows a little.
"They even made use of a calamity," Lampard said flatly. "Unfortunately, King Nuven died because of their conspiracy."
Lecco and Trentida met eyes. Their gazes seemed to carry a profound meaning.
Lampard took a step forward and clenched his fists.
"The Kingdom of the Great Dragon is facing an unprecedented challenge," the Archduke of Black Sand said coldly. His tone left no room for doubt. "It's time for us to unite."
The moment Lampard finished speaking…
The four archdukes stared at each other.
No one said a thing.
No one moved.
No one reacted.
Until all of them laughed softly at the same time a few seconds later.
Their soft laughter became louder.
And their loud laughter became sneers.
Their sneers continued for almost a minute.
Archduke Lampard could not help but furrow his eyebrows as he stared at the sneering archdukes.
Olsius' laughter was extremely cold, while Trentida's laughter was playful and profound. On the other hand, Lecco's laughter was very forced. Perhaps, he did not feel like laughing at all.
Archduke Roknee's laughter was the loudest, longest and coldest. The Canon of Knights family emblem from the City of Faraway Prayers shone on his shoulders.
Lampard's expression turned cold as well.
The archdukes finally stopped laughing.
The next moment, Archduke Roknee took a step forward and met eyes with Lampard without backing down.
Kulgon Roknee spoke coldly and brusquely with a bold voice exclusive to him,
"Go home and f*ck yourself, Chapman Lampard."
Spitting loudly, his ice-cold gaze was filled with disdain and contempt.
"King slayer."
Chapter 227: Creating Trouble for Ourselves |
Dragon Clouds City, within a secluded room in Bright Moon Temple.
Putray could not help but heave a long sigh as he stared at the soldiers of Constellation nearby, who were busying themselves.
He was not without failure during the first half of his life. In fact, he had experienced more terrifying failures where he had to pay a bigger price for.
Like that one twelve years ago.
But now...
The tobacco pipe in Putray's hand suddenly felt very heavy. He even lost the desire to smoke.
This was very rare for him as he was extremely addicted to smoking.
'King Kessel tried to prevent war by making his own son a pawn. It was supposed to be a generous and sincere move that all kingdoms would sing praises of.
'But it turned out to be a disaster.
'The prince was drawn into the problem of the King of Eckstedt's death, causing the worst case scenario that was supposed to be avoided at all costs to happen.
'Even worse, the Jadestar Royal Family's reputation will suffer a huge blow once again.
'After going back to Constellation, that child has to face…' Recalling Thales' dejected face, Putray's mood sank.
He extended his hand quietly and knocked off the burning portion of the tobacco in his pipe.
'Sorry, Gilbert.
'I don't know what else to do apart from bringing him to safety.
'This is just like the time I watched His Highness die that year.
'I have disappointed you, old friend, again.'
While Putray was absorbed in the past, Willow, the new recruit jolted him out of his thoughts.
"Your Excellency!"
"What's the matter?" Putray raised his eyebrows.
"Please go to the back hall, the hall we went to when we first came here." Willow did not seem to know what was going on either. However, he still faithfully carried out the order. "This is Prince Thales' order!"
Putray's expression changed.
…..
After he was done packing his luggage, Kohen checked his weapons for the last time.
"Are you not going to ask Raphael again?"
From afar, the police officer looked at Putray, who was saying something to the soldiers of Constellation. He sighed, turned and spoke to Miranda.
"You know, about the Disaster Swords, the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department and his hand… "
When he said this, he recalled what his best friend went through: a swordsman who once had his hands destroyed and then had them turned into such a monster. Kohen could not help but grit his teeth.
'What on earth did he go through?'
Miranda, who was leaning against a wooden crate slowly opened her eyes, waking up from her catnap.
Her gaze was serene, and her expression was natural.
But her voice was slightly hoarse.
"There's no need for that. He has already decided," the swordswoman said softly. "There's no use in asking certain things."
Kohen stared at Miranda's expressionless face and wanted to say something. But in the end, he only shrugged and lowered his head to adjust his sword belt.
A few seconds later, the police officer spoke in a deep voice.
"Then, what do we report to the tower?
"Tell them that we met three Disaster Swords in Dragon Clouds City, and one of them is… unidentified?"
Miranda's gaze flickered.
"What would you report?" she said flatly.
Kohen was taken aback.
"If it was up to me…"
The police officer exhaled loudly and his gaze became firm.
He looked like he had decided on something.
"To hell with the Tower of Eradication. After all, it's been such a long time since we left that place." Kohen shook his head and snorted softly. "I never saw any Disaster Sword. Everything was Kaslan's conspiracy. End of report."
Miranda gave him a flat smile.
"Guru Zedi will be so angry if he finds out the truth."
"Hence, this is for his own good." Kohen raised his brows. "His most outstanding students made up their minds to let him worry a little less because they were concerned about his mood."
Miranda raised her brows before she shut her eyes to rest once again.
After quite some time, Kohen spoke again in a downcast tone.
"Miranda, it's only been three years," the police officer said dejectedly. "How can a person change so much?"
Miranda opened her eyes once again. This time, her gaze was complicated.
"I'm not just talking about Raphael." Kohen placed his longsword back into its sheath. He looked worried. "There's also Kroesch."
"I still remember the time I was punished with her. We had to do a full knee bend with a sword between our teeth. That tomboy's favorite past time was to scold me," he said, feeling annoyed.
The corners of Miranda's lips curled up.
'That's because she liked you, but didn't dare tell you.'
Miranda rolled her eyes as her mood sank.
'It's not just you, Kohen.
'Not just you.
'I learned together with her too. I slept in the same room as her. We practiced together in harsh conditions and studied together late into the night.
'That young woman was cheerful, optimistic and stubborn.
'Kroesch.'
"Perhaps both of them never changed." Miranda furrowed her brow a little. Her voice was hazy and seemingly profound. "It's just that we accidentally unearthed another side of them."
Kohen snorted softly.
"What sort of 'other side' would steer one towards betrayal and lies?" he said in resignation.
Miranda crossed her arms, enveloping her saber in her bosom once again.
"I don't know," she said absentmindedly, "but it probably isn't something easy."
She thought of the brand on Raphael's hands.
'Kroesch, what did you go through?'
Kohen heaved a long sigh, and like Miranda, leaned on a wooden crate.
"So, is this the end?" Kohen said, whether intentionally or not.
Miranda's expression changed slightly before she came back to her senses. "What's ending?"
Kohen paused for a second. His brows moved as he contemplated.
"Dragon Clouds City," he said quietly. "We came here because of a lie...
"And became the chess pieces of others. We became the scapegoats in a conspiracy, and the chief instigators of the king's assassination.
"We became the cause of a war."
Miranda went silent.
She understood Kohen's personality, and knew what he was about to say.
'But…'
"That's why we are making it right," Miranda said firmly as her gaze became solemn.
"By fleeing this place, by fleeing the enemy's control as soon as possible; by refusing to be their pawns." The speed and strength of the Arunde Family heiress' tone increased, "We'll pretend that we never came to Eckstedt, never came to Dragon Clouds City."
She seemed to leave no room for doubts.
Kohen did not reply immediately. Staying silent for a few seconds, his gaze was focused amid the dim lighting.
"But Miranda..." Kohen finally said softly. His tone seemed to be hesitant and unsettled. "The fact is…
"We came."
Miranda said nothing.
Kohen tapped the wooden crate, nimbly flipped his body over and sat up. Resting his hands on his knees, his expression was stern and unpleasant.
"We not only came, but also became witnesses and part of so many things." He let out a slow sigh and said, "The Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department, calamity, dragon, prince, assassination and all the conspiracies.
"There were people who came and people who left. There were people who died and people who were wounded. In the end, they left behind an awful mess," Kohen said, a little absent-minded.
"It's waiting to be cleaned-up and borne by others.
"And you know what we're leaving behind. You heard what that middle-aged man, Putray said." Kohen stared at the vice diplomat, who was saying something to a soldier wielding twin pikes. "Even if we flee safely, the Northern Territory will face—"
"He also said that there's nothing we can do." Miranda furrowed her brow.
Kohen's expression dimmed. He seemed conflicted.
"Is there really nothing we can do?" Kohen snorted softly and unknowingly clenched his fists tightly. "Or are we doing nothing?"
Miranda did not answer.
"That's your Northern Territory, Miranda. It's the territory that your family has guarded for generations."
The police officer took a deep breath and gritted his teeth. "You witnessed the miserable conditions of the land, which was devoured by war, didn't you? That year, you and Raphael—"
*Bang!*
Miranda used the sheath of her sword and hit one of the wooden crates with random things inside, hard. A loud and dull sound was produced.
"Enough."
The swordswoman's gaze became sharp and scary. Her tone was extremely cold. "It ends here."
But Kohen smiled.
"You know, the young Disaster Swordsman we encountered earlier, who was about your age..." The police officer lowered his head and raised his special silver saber. "He asked me for the name of this sword."
Miranda's gaze froze.
"'The Load-Bearer.'" Staring at the saber of her friend from the same cohort, she recalled her duels with it during the past few years. She then flatly said, "The treasured sword passed down from generation to generation in the Karabeyan Family."
Kohen nodded. Flexing his arm muscles, he held up his weapon steadily.
