Kingdom's Bloodline, page 317
Lisban snorted flatly.
"Forget about Eckstedt's influence on the Golden Passage…" Count Lisban straightened his body a little. His tone was solemn, "Plenty of the goods and profit we enjoy comes with Eckstedt being connected to the Alliance of Freedom. Besides, the Alliance of Freedom is neighbor to the City of Faraway Prayers. Once it breaks away from our control, the one who would suffer the most losses and be the most worried should be Archduke Roknee, correct?
"All of you are very generous indeed to worry about his affairs as well."
Amid the increasingly stifling atmosphere of the meeting, the count directly pointed out his suspicion.
Kentvida smiled slightly. "The Roknee Family and the City of Faraway Prayers' losses are also Eckstedt's losses—"
But Lisban cut him off loudly. "Even though Archduke Roknee is tirelessly and clearly criticizing King Chapman's rule? Even though he calls for us to refuse to pay taxes to the king, who is a rebel with no respect for tradition?"
Kentvida seemed to be infuriated too. His smile disappeared, and his expression became cold. "Eckstedtians are one and the same. If one of us stands in glory, the others will bask in glory as well. If one of us is injured, all of us will also be injured!
"This is the future our king has envisioned and worked hard for… Of course, we hope that Archduke Roknee would understand the trouble the king has taken. We hope that you would understand it too."
"Ha! This is news to me." Count Lisban looked like he was prepared to bear all the pressure Kentvida gave, allowing the archduchess, who was flustered, to relax. "The king slayer is actually a patriotic man!"
The moment Count Lisban mentioned that nickname without hesitation, Kentvida and Kroesch's expression became cold.
Thales sighed internally. 'King slayer. This will probably be a dark mark in Lampard's life and sully his reputation forever.
'But…' Thales remembered Chapman Lampard's expression while he was illuminated by the fire. 'Compared to other people's opinions, the biggest mark should be the one in his mind.
'This could be considered a sear that King Nuven has left Lampard with. It will be with him for the rest of his life.'
"Trust me, King Chapman bears Eckstedt's dignity and interest in his heart at all times." Kentvida's expression was cold.
"I don't know how to tell you just how much His Majesty wanted to gather Eckstedt's entire military force to dismantle the Alliance of Freedom's city walls, then use those bricks to build their gravestones the moment he received the news…"
However, Lisban snorted angrily and curtly.
"Enough with the flowery words," the old regent's tone was very flat, but it harbored a tenseness that made it hard for others to breathe. "At a time when Archduke Roknee of the City of Faraway Prayers enjoys popular confidence and leads all the heroic men to call for the entire kingdom to criticize the king's act of injustice...
"The Alliance of Freedom, west of the City of Faraway Prayers suddenly becomes internally unstable for some reason, and is bringing trouble to Roknee?"
Thales could not help but furrow his eyebrows at Lisban's straightforward attitude.
That aside, the prince could not fathom the reason for Kentvida's visit. 'This is a fight between the king and Roknee; why do they have to intentionally notify Dragon Clouds City?
'Is King Chapman really counting on Dragon Clouds City to stand on his side?'
"Roknee will have to make a choice, right?" Lisban brought his arms out from behind and crossed it tightly in front of his chest. He took a step forward and stared at Kentvida with an extremely pressuring gaze.
"By principle of right and wrong, if he wants to solve the problem at hand without leaving any worries, and defend his prestige as the Archduke of the City of Faraway Prayers, he must stop fighting against the king, or even consider working together with the king. This is so that he can free his hands to handle the internal rife of the Alliance of Freedom with all his might, and recapture the profit that belongs to the City of Faraway Prayers."
Kentvida was silent for a few seconds. "I don't understand what you mean, Your Grace."
Lisban snorted coldly. "We are all Northlanders. Let us not engage in the Empire's political trickery like the Constellatiates.
'Constellatiates?
'The Empire's political trickery?'
Thales could not help but arch an eyebrow. The prince swore that he saw Saroma curl up the corners of her lips a little.
"Tell me," Lisban said solemnly, "If Roknee does not make the choice that all of you anticipate, how will King Chapman react?"
Kentvida stared at Lisban for a few seconds.
Eventually, the envoy from Black Sand Region smiled.
"I reckon that His Majesty will still have to respect the Joint Ruling Pledge. After all, the City of Faraway Prayers is the nearest to the Alliance of Freedom. So, he respects Archduke Roknee's opinions and the City of Faraway Prayer's interests as well as autonomous rule when it comes to settling this issue… It is one thing to condemn those little friends of ours, but it is undoubtedly unwise to hastily stick his nose into another archduke's internal affairs."
"Hey!" Lisban yelled mockingly. "Right now, our king actually remembers the Joint Ruling Pledge and the fact that this is 'another archduke's internal affairs'?"
Kentvida did not reply. He only bowed slightly. The regent stopped talking as well.
The hall was strangely silent once again. Thales saw that Nicholas' eyebrows were tightly furrowed, and Saroma seemed to be deep in thought.
'Weird.'
In this strange meeting, Thales quickly found a few questionable points, which he could not fathom.
'Black Sand Region raised the issue with the Alliance of Freedom… But according to Lisban, this is just part of King Chapman's game with Archduke Roknee and his other opposers.
'But what does this have to do with Dragon Clouds City? Why did Lampard send someone to notify Saroma of this?
'More importantly, what does this have to do with me?
'If what Gilbert said about 'there being no meaningless words in foreign affairs' and 'testing waters and gauging our actual strength' applies…'
Thales furrowed his eyebrows. He had too little information.
A few seconds later, Count Lisban thought of something. He raised his gaze.
"I know why all of you came to Dragon Clouds City." The count became stiff. "The incident yesterday…"
Lisban narrowed his eyes. "All of you… sent Dragon Clouds City into the eye of the storm."
'What?
'Sent… Dragon Clouds City into… the eye of the storm?'
Thales was momentarily startled. He could not really keep up with their thoughts.
Obviously, he was not the only one who did not understand Lisban's words. Saroma's eyes widened. This was the young girl's usual behavior when she was confused.
The boy and girl exchanged glances, and they saw the bewilderment as well as confusion in each other's eyes.
"The 'Eye of the Dragon', Ciel Lisban. Very well." Kentvida's expression became completely serious. He met his opponent's eyes once again. "Now, our conversation has truly begun."
Lisban snorted coldly in reply.
At that moment, Thales had a feeling that the meeting that day was a battle between Lisban and Kentvida. It was a chess game only both of them understood.
"The meeting shall end here, My Lady," Lisban said coldly.
Saroma stared at Lisban in a daze, but she nodded obediently.
"Are you sure?" Kentvida snorted coldly. "This concerns the Great Dragon's honor and humiliation. And His Majesty is waiting for the archduchess' answer."
The viscount added rather profoundly, "He's not waiting for the regent's answer."
Thales sighed a little internally.
"Enough. You know better than anyone how this would proceed."
Lisban stared at Kentvida with an extremely cold expression, not even bothering to maintain a friendly facade. "The archduchess will give you an answer, but not now."
The count said coldly, "At least, not before the City of Faraway Prayers sends their envoys over."
Kentvida inhaled. His expression became calm once again, and he bowed slightly.
"Then, we will excuse ourselves first, Your Grace," the Viscount of Black Sand Region said softly. "By the way…"
Kentvida glanced meaningfully at the rather puzzled Saroma and said, "...Your new spectacles are very beautiful."
Saroma could not help but change her expression.
Thales felt a chill run down his spine—the regent's gaze on him was extremely aggressive.
Count Lisban snorted coldly. "You have said enough, Your Grace."
Kentvida smiled. He bowed slightly and deliberately at the Prince of Constellation, then turned to leave.
At this moment...
"Star Killer, my commander sends you his regards." Kroesch, who had been silent the entire time suddenly raised her head and looked at the warrior next to Lisban. "'That blade is seriously hard to use'. Those were his original words."
Nicholas snorted as he stood on the flight of stairs.
"Then, you may as well tell him that this blade is quite easy to use." The Star Killer shook his head and stared at his old friend's daughter. "What a pity."
Kroesch nodded and turned towards the archduchess' seat.
"Your Grace, please take care of yourself."
She stared at Saroma, and her gaze was gentle as well as hopeful. It made Thales a little stunned.
"Ah, thank you for your goodwill," Saroma answered subconsciously.
"Please believe me that you are far more important, and far worthier than what you imagine yourself to be." The female warrior seemed like she only wanted to finish what she intended to say. She continued softly, "No matter what, your existence is a rare miracle in Northland, and a good example for us in taking a step forward.
"Please seize control of your power, be self-reliant, and be a true Archduchess of Eckstedt.
"Because you are not inferior to anyone else."
Once she said this, Kroesch took a deep bow and turned to leave with firm resolution, paying no heed to Saroma, who did not manage to react in time. She caught up with Kentvida, leaving behind a hall full of startled and solemn-looking people.
Chapter 287: The Mystery about Putray |
Although Thales was confused by the strange Royal Court meeting, and the clash between Lisban and Kentvida was suspicious, the second prince did not plan to dwell on them for too long. If there was one thing he learned from that frightful night six years ago, it would be…
"So, you came to see me?"
In the Blood Court, Putray, whose evening stroll was interrupted, slowed down to a pace while he turned his gaze at the smiling prince, feeling displeased.
"Yeah." Thales mimicked Putray's strides casually. His right hand tapped his saber rhythmically. Ralf and Wya followed behind. "And I hope you can provide me with a good answer."
Putray gave a cold snort. "Are you counting on a bad-tempered, mean, and adamant old man who has just arrived in Dragon Clouds City two days ago to analyze such a complex situation involving foreign diplomacy as well as internal affairs?"
The noble flicked his pipe with a casual look on his face. "Perhaps you should ask Gilbert. I cannot be of much help…"
'Bad tempered, mean, and adamant old man?'
Thales inhaled deeply.
"Fine."
The prince turned around, walking backwards in front of Putray while lifting his hands before the man.
"I just won't mention for now, how in the moment of that greatest despair six years ago, that bad-tempered old man managed to find the Secret Intelligence and Nicholas to miraculously get me out of the Secret Room as well as Lampard's grasps…"
"Then, you assisted us in barging into Heroic Spirit Palace, sent the prince into the Hall of Heroes in an ingenious fashion, and even miraculously saved Dragon Clouds City in the end…" Behind them, Wya picked up where the prince left off in a show of great teamwork. Even Ralf nodded and grunted behind them.
Thales gave them both a thumbs-up.
Putray grimaced. "'Won't mention for now'?"
Thales ignored Putray's grimace and went on, "I'm just trying to say how that bad-tempered old man had, on the first day of his arrival in Dragon Clouds City, managed to describe to me the shocking secret from the council hearing on state affairs in the secretive and heavily-guarded Hall of Heroes in such a strange, vivid and detailed manner?
"Do you know how furious Lisban was when Kentivda revealed the contents of the council hearing?
"This is not an intel anybody can obtain!"
Putray raised his eyebrows. "I have many friends. That is all."
"What's more important is…" While walking backwards, Thales lifted his right index finger and pointed at Putray. "...amid the complicated, unpredictable political climate of Dragon Clouds City, you suddenly appear after disappearing for six years?"
Thales leaned forward. His eyes were narrowed. "Are you telling me this is a coincidence, that you are just here to introduce a tutor and deliver a pair of eyeglasses?"
"Ah-ha." Putray let out an awkward cough. "Speaking of the eyeglasses, you know, they are specially made for the archduchess—"
Thales frowned.
"Wya, Midira, guard the perimeter. Don't let anyone hear our conversation," he interrupted Putray, very wisely snuffing the latter's plan to change the subject.
After the two slightly confused individuals left as ordered, Thales turned around and looked at Putray.
Putray gazed at the prince, feeling a hint of uneasiness in his chest.
"You know, I did not pursue the line of questioning that day." Thales' expression changed slightly. "But Wya warned me more than once about it.
"After I was trapped in Dragon Clouds City, you vanished without a word, then reappeared before me after six years." Thales raised his head. "I don't distrust you, but why didn't you come back sooner, or later? Why now?"
Putray's expression froze.
"Wya inherited his father's sensitivity." A few seconds later, Putray sighed and quietly said, "But not his grace."
Thales ignored him and went on, "Six years ago, when I was first recognized as the prince… you just returned to Eternal Star City, and was asked by Gilbert to escort me up north as a vice diplomat."
Putray stopped walking. He lowered his head, making it so that no one could see his expression.
"As it turned out, Gilbert made the right decision. Not everyone could deal with the White Blade Guards, Secret Room, Black Sand Region, Secret Intelligence, as well as Count Lisban in an isolated city with limited resources, and not be at a disadvantage. In fact, you even dealt with them masterfully and effortlessly."
Thales stopped walking as well. He shook his head. "Although you are good at keeping a low profile, and perhaps the others do not care as much, I know better than anyone else. A powerless prince would not be able to save the day alone. You had made a decisive retreat, conserved our resources, contacted other parties, rescued the prince, suggested that I launch a counterattack, broke into Heroic Spirit Palace, played a game of wits with Black Sand Region, then turned the tables…"
Thales took a deep breath. "Six years ago, the actual savior of Dragon Clouds City was you, who saved it countless times behind the scenes.
"A former civil officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a former viscount who was demoted after the Bloody Year.
"And the attendant of the late king's eldest son, Midier Jadestar.
"Lord Putray Nemain."
Thales peered at his face, as though wanting to capture his micro-expressions.
Putray did not speak.
Thales suddenly recalled what Putray said to him in Heroic Spirit Palace about the Bloody Year.
'"That summer, I made a decision…
'"But that was a mistake…
'"An unforgivable mistake…
'"Because of it, the Northern Territory had met… many disasters…"'
"From what I know, these are not things an ordinary person can do."
Thales' expression dimmed slightly. "Don't you think you are a bit of a mystery, Putray?"
At that very second, Putray jolted slightly. His facial expression stiffened as if he had been exposed.
"Be more forthcoming." Thales observed his reaction and sighed. He then turned around and waited for him to catch up. "Putray, don't be like the fellows in the Secret Intelligence Department. You know I don't like them.
"Tell me, what kind of situation am I in now?"
They walked past a giant tree. Wordlessly, Putray knocked the ash out of his pipe with a gloomy look.
Thales stared at him in silence.
"I understand." At last, Putray let out a faint sigh. His tone of voice shifted back to the time when they first met, "What do you want to know concerning the current situation, you troublesome, young prince?"
Thales frowned slightly, recalling the questions he had in his mind.
"Links." A few seconds later, the teenage prince glanced around, and whispered cautiously, "I want to know what are the links connecting the important issues on the political stage and the hidden agenda as well as benefits under the table—I believe this is your specialty."
Putray shoved his pipe back into the tobacco pouch, slightly taken aback. "Links?"
Thales nodded, mimicking the way Lisban placed his hands behind his back as he gazed into the distance.
"Six years ago, Miranda Arunde told me in the prison cell that all the occurrences in Dragon Clouds City may seem unrelated to one another, but there was an important clue linking them all together." Thales narrowed his eyes. "We later discovered that the clue behind the scenes was called 'Dragon's Blood'."
In that instant, Putray slowed down subconsciously. He began walking one step behind the prince.
"These past few months, since King Chapman introduced the new enfeoffment act, the City of Faraway Prayers has united various parties to denounce the king. Lampard is in a bind due to the condemnation. Meanwhile, I have been criticized as a hostage; the Archduchess of Dragon Clouds City has been met with forced marriage arrangements; the internal structure of the Alliance of Freedom has destabilized; and Black Sand Region's representative is on a diplomatic mission to Dragon Clouds City." Thales became completely unaware of his surroundings and continued to ponder.
"Forget about Eckstedt's influence on the Golden Passage…" Count Lisban straightened his body a little. His tone was solemn, "Plenty of the goods and profit we enjoy comes with Eckstedt being connected to the Alliance of Freedom. Besides, the Alliance of Freedom is neighbor to the City of Faraway Prayers. Once it breaks away from our control, the one who would suffer the most losses and be the most worried should be Archduke Roknee, correct?
"All of you are very generous indeed to worry about his affairs as well."
Amid the increasingly stifling atmosphere of the meeting, the count directly pointed out his suspicion.
Kentvida smiled slightly. "The Roknee Family and the City of Faraway Prayers' losses are also Eckstedt's losses—"
But Lisban cut him off loudly. "Even though Archduke Roknee is tirelessly and clearly criticizing King Chapman's rule? Even though he calls for us to refuse to pay taxes to the king, who is a rebel with no respect for tradition?"
Kentvida seemed to be infuriated too. His smile disappeared, and his expression became cold. "Eckstedtians are one and the same. If one of us stands in glory, the others will bask in glory as well. If one of us is injured, all of us will also be injured!
"This is the future our king has envisioned and worked hard for… Of course, we hope that Archduke Roknee would understand the trouble the king has taken. We hope that you would understand it too."
"Ha! This is news to me." Count Lisban looked like he was prepared to bear all the pressure Kentvida gave, allowing the archduchess, who was flustered, to relax. "The king slayer is actually a patriotic man!"
The moment Count Lisban mentioned that nickname without hesitation, Kentvida and Kroesch's expression became cold.
Thales sighed internally. 'King slayer. This will probably be a dark mark in Lampard's life and sully his reputation forever.
'But…' Thales remembered Chapman Lampard's expression while he was illuminated by the fire. 'Compared to other people's opinions, the biggest mark should be the one in his mind.
'This could be considered a sear that King Nuven has left Lampard with. It will be with him for the rest of his life.'
"Trust me, King Chapman bears Eckstedt's dignity and interest in his heart at all times." Kentvida's expression was cold.
"I don't know how to tell you just how much His Majesty wanted to gather Eckstedt's entire military force to dismantle the Alliance of Freedom's city walls, then use those bricks to build their gravestones the moment he received the news…"
However, Lisban snorted angrily and curtly.
"Enough with the flowery words," the old regent's tone was very flat, but it harbored a tenseness that made it hard for others to breathe. "At a time when Archduke Roknee of the City of Faraway Prayers enjoys popular confidence and leads all the heroic men to call for the entire kingdom to criticize the king's act of injustice...
"The Alliance of Freedom, west of the City of Faraway Prayers suddenly becomes internally unstable for some reason, and is bringing trouble to Roknee?"
Thales could not help but furrow his eyebrows at Lisban's straightforward attitude.
That aside, the prince could not fathom the reason for Kentvida's visit. 'This is a fight between the king and Roknee; why do they have to intentionally notify Dragon Clouds City?
'Is King Chapman really counting on Dragon Clouds City to stand on his side?'
"Roknee will have to make a choice, right?" Lisban brought his arms out from behind and crossed it tightly in front of his chest. He took a step forward and stared at Kentvida with an extremely pressuring gaze.
"By principle of right and wrong, if he wants to solve the problem at hand without leaving any worries, and defend his prestige as the Archduke of the City of Faraway Prayers, he must stop fighting against the king, or even consider working together with the king. This is so that he can free his hands to handle the internal rife of the Alliance of Freedom with all his might, and recapture the profit that belongs to the City of Faraway Prayers."
Kentvida was silent for a few seconds. "I don't understand what you mean, Your Grace."
Lisban snorted coldly. "We are all Northlanders. Let us not engage in the Empire's political trickery like the Constellatiates.
'Constellatiates?
'The Empire's political trickery?'
Thales could not help but arch an eyebrow. The prince swore that he saw Saroma curl up the corners of her lips a little.
"Tell me," Lisban said solemnly, "If Roknee does not make the choice that all of you anticipate, how will King Chapman react?"
Kentvida stared at Lisban for a few seconds.
Eventually, the envoy from Black Sand Region smiled.
"I reckon that His Majesty will still have to respect the Joint Ruling Pledge. After all, the City of Faraway Prayers is the nearest to the Alliance of Freedom. So, he respects Archduke Roknee's opinions and the City of Faraway Prayer's interests as well as autonomous rule when it comes to settling this issue… It is one thing to condemn those little friends of ours, but it is undoubtedly unwise to hastily stick his nose into another archduke's internal affairs."
"Hey!" Lisban yelled mockingly. "Right now, our king actually remembers the Joint Ruling Pledge and the fact that this is 'another archduke's internal affairs'?"
Kentvida did not reply. He only bowed slightly. The regent stopped talking as well.
The hall was strangely silent once again. Thales saw that Nicholas' eyebrows were tightly furrowed, and Saroma seemed to be deep in thought.
'Weird.'
In this strange meeting, Thales quickly found a few questionable points, which he could not fathom.
'Black Sand Region raised the issue with the Alliance of Freedom… But according to Lisban, this is just part of King Chapman's game with Archduke Roknee and his other opposers.
'But what does this have to do with Dragon Clouds City? Why did Lampard send someone to notify Saroma of this?
'More importantly, what does this have to do with me?
'If what Gilbert said about 'there being no meaningless words in foreign affairs' and 'testing waters and gauging our actual strength' applies…'
Thales furrowed his eyebrows. He had too little information.
A few seconds later, Count Lisban thought of something. He raised his gaze.
"I know why all of you came to Dragon Clouds City." The count became stiff. "The incident yesterday…"
Lisban narrowed his eyes. "All of you… sent Dragon Clouds City into the eye of the storm."
'What?
'Sent… Dragon Clouds City into… the eye of the storm?'
Thales was momentarily startled. He could not really keep up with their thoughts.
Obviously, he was not the only one who did not understand Lisban's words. Saroma's eyes widened. This was the young girl's usual behavior when she was confused.
The boy and girl exchanged glances, and they saw the bewilderment as well as confusion in each other's eyes.
"The 'Eye of the Dragon', Ciel Lisban. Very well." Kentvida's expression became completely serious. He met his opponent's eyes once again. "Now, our conversation has truly begun."
Lisban snorted coldly in reply.
At that moment, Thales had a feeling that the meeting that day was a battle between Lisban and Kentvida. It was a chess game only both of them understood.
"The meeting shall end here, My Lady," Lisban said coldly.
Saroma stared at Lisban in a daze, but she nodded obediently.
"Are you sure?" Kentvida snorted coldly. "This concerns the Great Dragon's honor and humiliation. And His Majesty is waiting for the archduchess' answer."
The viscount added rather profoundly, "He's not waiting for the regent's answer."
Thales sighed a little internally.
"Enough. You know better than anyone how this would proceed."
Lisban stared at Kentvida with an extremely cold expression, not even bothering to maintain a friendly facade. "The archduchess will give you an answer, but not now."
The count said coldly, "At least, not before the City of Faraway Prayers sends their envoys over."
Kentvida inhaled. His expression became calm once again, and he bowed slightly.
"Then, we will excuse ourselves first, Your Grace," the Viscount of Black Sand Region said softly. "By the way…"
Kentvida glanced meaningfully at the rather puzzled Saroma and said, "...Your new spectacles are very beautiful."
Saroma could not help but change her expression.
Thales felt a chill run down his spine—the regent's gaze on him was extremely aggressive.
Count Lisban snorted coldly. "You have said enough, Your Grace."
Kentvida smiled. He bowed slightly and deliberately at the Prince of Constellation, then turned to leave.
At this moment...
"Star Killer, my commander sends you his regards." Kroesch, who had been silent the entire time suddenly raised her head and looked at the warrior next to Lisban. "'That blade is seriously hard to use'. Those were his original words."
Nicholas snorted as he stood on the flight of stairs.
"Then, you may as well tell him that this blade is quite easy to use." The Star Killer shook his head and stared at his old friend's daughter. "What a pity."
Kroesch nodded and turned towards the archduchess' seat.
"Your Grace, please take care of yourself."
She stared at Saroma, and her gaze was gentle as well as hopeful. It made Thales a little stunned.
"Ah, thank you for your goodwill," Saroma answered subconsciously.
"Please believe me that you are far more important, and far worthier than what you imagine yourself to be." The female warrior seemed like she only wanted to finish what she intended to say. She continued softly, "No matter what, your existence is a rare miracle in Northland, and a good example for us in taking a step forward.
"Please seize control of your power, be self-reliant, and be a true Archduchess of Eckstedt.
"Because you are not inferior to anyone else."
Once she said this, Kroesch took a deep bow and turned to leave with firm resolution, paying no heed to Saroma, who did not manage to react in time. She caught up with Kentvida, leaving behind a hall full of startled and solemn-looking people.
Chapter 287: The Mystery about Putray |
Although Thales was confused by the strange Royal Court meeting, and the clash between Lisban and Kentvida was suspicious, the second prince did not plan to dwell on them for too long. If there was one thing he learned from that frightful night six years ago, it would be…
"So, you came to see me?"
In the Blood Court, Putray, whose evening stroll was interrupted, slowed down to a pace while he turned his gaze at the smiling prince, feeling displeased.
"Yeah." Thales mimicked Putray's strides casually. His right hand tapped his saber rhythmically. Ralf and Wya followed behind. "And I hope you can provide me with a good answer."
Putray gave a cold snort. "Are you counting on a bad-tempered, mean, and adamant old man who has just arrived in Dragon Clouds City two days ago to analyze such a complex situation involving foreign diplomacy as well as internal affairs?"
The noble flicked his pipe with a casual look on his face. "Perhaps you should ask Gilbert. I cannot be of much help…"
'Bad tempered, mean, and adamant old man?'
Thales inhaled deeply.
"Fine."
The prince turned around, walking backwards in front of Putray while lifting his hands before the man.
"I just won't mention for now, how in the moment of that greatest despair six years ago, that bad-tempered old man managed to find the Secret Intelligence and Nicholas to miraculously get me out of the Secret Room as well as Lampard's grasps…"
"Then, you assisted us in barging into Heroic Spirit Palace, sent the prince into the Hall of Heroes in an ingenious fashion, and even miraculously saved Dragon Clouds City in the end…" Behind them, Wya picked up where the prince left off in a show of great teamwork. Even Ralf nodded and grunted behind them.
Thales gave them both a thumbs-up.
Putray grimaced. "'Won't mention for now'?"
Thales ignored Putray's grimace and went on, "I'm just trying to say how that bad-tempered old man had, on the first day of his arrival in Dragon Clouds City, managed to describe to me the shocking secret from the council hearing on state affairs in the secretive and heavily-guarded Hall of Heroes in such a strange, vivid and detailed manner?
"Do you know how furious Lisban was when Kentivda revealed the contents of the council hearing?
"This is not an intel anybody can obtain!"
Putray raised his eyebrows. "I have many friends. That is all."
"What's more important is…" While walking backwards, Thales lifted his right index finger and pointed at Putray. "...amid the complicated, unpredictable political climate of Dragon Clouds City, you suddenly appear after disappearing for six years?"
Thales leaned forward. His eyes were narrowed. "Are you telling me this is a coincidence, that you are just here to introduce a tutor and deliver a pair of eyeglasses?"
"Ah-ha." Putray let out an awkward cough. "Speaking of the eyeglasses, you know, they are specially made for the archduchess—"
Thales frowned.
"Wya, Midira, guard the perimeter. Don't let anyone hear our conversation," he interrupted Putray, very wisely snuffing the latter's plan to change the subject.
After the two slightly confused individuals left as ordered, Thales turned around and looked at Putray.
Putray gazed at the prince, feeling a hint of uneasiness in his chest.
"You know, I did not pursue the line of questioning that day." Thales' expression changed slightly. "But Wya warned me more than once about it.
"After I was trapped in Dragon Clouds City, you vanished without a word, then reappeared before me after six years." Thales raised his head. "I don't distrust you, but why didn't you come back sooner, or later? Why now?"
Putray's expression froze.
"Wya inherited his father's sensitivity." A few seconds later, Putray sighed and quietly said, "But not his grace."
Thales ignored him and went on, "Six years ago, when I was first recognized as the prince… you just returned to Eternal Star City, and was asked by Gilbert to escort me up north as a vice diplomat."
Putray stopped walking. He lowered his head, making it so that no one could see his expression.
"As it turned out, Gilbert made the right decision. Not everyone could deal with the White Blade Guards, Secret Room, Black Sand Region, Secret Intelligence, as well as Count Lisban in an isolated city with limited resources, and not be at a disadvantage. In fact, you even dealt with them masterfully and effortlessly."
Thales stopped walking as well. He shook his head. "Although you are good at keeping a low profile, and perhaps the others do not care as much, I know better than anyone else. A powerless prince would not be able to save the day alone. You had made a decisive retreat, conserved our resources, contacted other parties, rescued the prince, suggested that I launch a counterattack, broke into Heroic Spirit Palace, played a game of wits with Black Sand Region, then turned the tables…"
Thales took a deep breath. "Six years ago, the actual savior of Dragon Clouds City was you, who saved it countless times behind the scenes.
"A former civil officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a former viscount who was demoted after the Bloody Year.
"And the attendant of the late king's eldest son, Midier Jadestar.
"Lord Putray Nemain."
Thales peered at his face, as though wanting to capture his micro-expressions.
Putray did not speak.
Thales suddenly recalled what Putray said to him in Heroic Spirit Palace about the Bloody Year.
'"That summer, I made a decision…
'"But that was a mistake…
'"An unforgivable mistake…
'"Because of it, the Northern Territory had met… many disasters…"'
"From what I know, these are not things an ordinary person can do."
Thales' expression dimmed slightly. "Don't you think you are a bit of a mystery, Putray?"
At that very second, Putray jolted slightly. His facial expression stiffened as if he had been exposed.
"Be more forthcoming." Thales observed his reaction and sighed. He then turned around and waited for him to catch up. "Putray, don't be like the fellows in the Secret Intelligence Department. You know I don't like them.
"Tell me, what kind of situation am I in now?"
They walked past a giant tree. Wordlessly, Putray knocked the ash out of his pipe with a gloomy look.
Thales stared at him in silence.
"I understand." At last, Putray let out a faint sigh. His tone of voice shifted back to the time when they first met, "What do you want to know concerning the current situation, you troublesome, young prince?"
Thales frowned slightly, recalling the questions he had in his mind.
"Links." A few seconds later, the teenage prince glanced around, and whispered cautiously, "I want to know what are the links connecting the important issues on the political stage and the hidden agenda as well as benefits under the table—I believe this is your specialty."
Putray shoved his pipe back into the tobacco pouch, slightly taken aback. "Links?"
Thales nodded, mimicking the way Lisban placed his hands behind his back as he gazed into the distance.
"Six years ago, Miranda Arunde told me in the prison cell that all the occurrences in Dragon Clouds City may seem unrelated to one another, but there was an important clue linking them all together." Thales narrowed his eyes. "We later discovered that the clue behind the scenes was called 'Dragon's Blood'."
In that instant, Putray slowed down subconsciously. He began walking one step behind the prince.
"These past few months, since King Chapman introduced the new enfeoffment act, the City of Faraway Prayers has united various parties to denounce the king. Lampard is in a bind due to the condemnation. Meanwhile, I have been criticized as a hostage; the Archduchess of Dragon Clouds City has been met with forced marriage arrangements; the internal structure of the Alliance of Freedom has destabilized; and Black Sand Region's representative is on a diplomatic mission to Dragon Clouds City." Thales became completely unaware of his surroundings and continued to ponder.
