Kingdom's Bloodline, page 327
"Almost all the archdukes see me as an enemy, not to mention the four archdukes who were present that day. The other three archdukes who were not able to participate in the King Selection Congress are also full of complaints.
"I faced many challenges while trying to implement my ruling. Even within Black Sand Region, there is much resistance.
"Roknee and Lecco travel around to condemn the king's acts of injustice. My vassals are filled with accumulated resentment and are eager to cause trouble."
King Chapman sighed softly.
"'King slayer'." The king lowered his head and stared at his hand-and-a-half sword. "This is the title they give me. Even the lowliest commoner ridicules me with this, even though my laws can increase their harvests by threefold; even though my orders will allow them to avoid being exploited by tax collectors, or oppressed by suzerains; even though everything I do is so that these humble and lowly people can also have a future…"
The king stopped talking. He ran his fingers gently over his hand-and-a-half sword, his gaze grew colder.
"They are still against me. Maybe one day, my authority, hidden by the crown, will be no more. And the edicts I signed and issued will become waste paper. As for myself, perhaps I'll starve to death in a besieged and isolated city." King Chapman shook his head with a profound gaze. "I don't know."
Thales sighed.
"That's because you're trying to confer titles of nobility through a new standard, changing the current dynamics in the division of power and thus affecting everyone's future.
"You're trying to make a group of people, who are used to the present and the past, believe that an unfamiliar future will be even better. And you're trying to make another group of people give up what they're enjoying right now.
"Even in a time when there is ample wealth and food, and when the conditions to obtain all this wealth and food are at its most mature, it's something that's very hard to imagine for most people." The prince shook his head.
"And you want to achieve in six years what Mindis the Third wasn't able to finish in over a hundred years? This is reality, not a novel." Thales raised his head and looked solemnly at the man who was once known as Lampard, and now as King Chapman. "This is a price you must pay."
Silence fell upon the carriage. King Chapman fixed his gaze on Thales.
They stared into each other's eyes for a whole five seconds until the king began to laugh softly.
"See, I knew finding you was the right choice. You are one of the few people who can understand me." King Chapman's smile was very cold, unknowingly making Thales feel anxious. This made the teenager realize that, because of the new form of address, the Archduke of Black Sand Region's stateliness grew with each passing day.
"Not everyone can partake in this kind of conversation. Not even those who are as intelligent as Lhasa."
Sneering, Thales shook his head.
"Lampard, before I get impatient and yell for the people outside, stop with the nonsense." The prince's tone became hard. "Why did you come find me? What do you mean by those words just now? What do you mean 'lose the match in the end'?"
King Chapman did not immediately answer. The expression on his progressively worn face was a combination of mischief and sarcasm.
"Take a guess, Thales," the king said flatly. "Just like in the past, aren't you the best at this?"
Looking at the king's calm and unhurried manner, born from his demeanor of having arrived prepared for this entire situation, Thales grew more agitated. He tried very hard to convince himself not to be impulsive.
'Damn it. What's making him so bold? What is he counting on? No. No matter what he wants…'
"It's plain to see that the Alliance of Freedom is not enough to hinder the City of Faraway Prayers and Dragon Clouds City." Thales seemed deep in thought as he leaned against the leather carriage seat. "To save yourself from this situation where the public is denouncing you, you'll need to divert their attention from you… so you want to start with Dragon Clouds City.
"I reckon… the archduchess' marriage? You want to use her so that Dragon Clouds City, your greatest threat, will fall from internal strife?"
Thales raised his head coolly. "When there's no longer any outside support, the indignation and discontent of Black Sand Region's vassals can easily be eradicated. Your laws can then be implemented without obstacle."
King Chapman's expression remained the same. He neither agreed nor disagreed to what Thales said. Unexpectedly to Thales, the king pushed the hand-and-a-half sword between his knees aside and freed his hands.
"Speaking of Archduchess Walton, I have a question."
Chapman Lampard placed his elbows on his knees. He then asked with a relaxed expression and a totally defenseless stance. "That year, how did Nuven make you an ally who willingly stood at Dragon Clouds City's side?"
Thales shook his head brusquely. "He didn't make me an ally, you were the one who forced me to stand on Dragon Clouds City's side. Someone wanted to put the blame on the Prince of Constellation to achieve the great ambitions he had for the kingdom. But in the end, he became the victim of his own evil deeds."
The moment he said that, Thales saw with satisfaction that King Chapman's once calm and composed expression became much more unpleasant.
The king ignored his sarcasm, but Thales could feel that Lampard's tone had turned colder. "I reckon that he gave you a promise… An engagement, right?"
Thales gasped.
"I know that, under the circumstances where his bloodline was in danger of coming to an end, Nuven must have promised to marry his granddaughter to you in exchange for protection from Constellation's future king."
Thales subconsciously clenched his fists again.
"That's why you care so much about the archduchess' marriage, right?"
King Chapman's speech was getting faster and Thales felt even more pressured.
"You think of her as your fiancé, someone you have in your grasp. An important chess piece for Constellation to control Eckstedt. But now, she might be…"
Still clenching his fists, Thales chuckled.
"Lampard, I really admire your imagination." The prince snorted and shook his head. "Do you really think that the heir to the throne of Constellation can get married to Eckstedt's Archduchess of Dragon Clouds City?"
The king smiled faintly.
"It could happen if King Nuven was still alive," Chapman the First said softly, "Still, my uncle made quite a good deal. Even after he died in that accident, the late king's gift brought about an unexpected recompense. Under the illumination of Constellation, the Dragon Spear Family survived amid unpredictable storms and currents, a complete stroke of luck for them.
"Sparing no effort, you broke conventions and supported her in becoming archduchess. These past six years, with Lisban and the others, you made every attempt to help consolidate her position, doing all you could to maintain Dragon Clouds City's stability from the earth-shattering disaster of King Nuven's death."
In the carriage, the king slowly inched forward and stared oppressively at the heir to Constellation. Enunciating each word, Lampard spoke in a manner that shook Thales to his core.
"Even though you knew that the young girl sitting on the archduchess' throne...
"...does not have the Walton Family's blood at all."
At that moment, the muscles in Thales' entire body tightened altogether.
'He knows… He knows?!'
Usually adept in thinking and remaining calm when he handled matters, there had never been a moment when Thales desired immediate hostility and to solve the problem at hand with violence.
The sight of a helpless and crying Little Rascal from that year appeared in Thales' mind. He had the urge to grab his dagger and yell for the guards outside the carriage.
'Chapman Lampard… Kill him… I just have to kill him. Then, this secret will forever…'
The prince took a deep breath. The Sin of Hell's River surged in his body, but it did not rush to his limbs. Instead, it went to his brain.
Under the effect of the Sin of Hell's River, the last remaining bit of rationality returned to Thales' mind. It was like a traveller clinging to the edge of a cliff while shouting with all his might for Thales to calm down.
The opponent came here prepared.
"What?"
Thales showed an expression that was a combination of bewilderment and surprise. "Saroma? She's not from the Walton Family bloodline?"
Under Chapman's gaze, the prince took two deep breaths, as though digesting the information.
A few seconds later, Thales said with an extremely disdainful look, "Hah, are you slandering the Archduchess of Dragon Clouds City with lies to achieve your goal? I thought you haven't stooped down to that level yet." The prince shook his head scornfully.
Staring at Thales' expression, King Chapman sighed.
"Do you really not know? Or are you just pretending to be the victim who's hearing this horrifying truth for the first time?" King Chapman took in a breath. His gaze was terrifying.
"Unfortunately, I don't believe you."
Thales' gaze froze.
"You know, I was also quite surprised at first, but Madam Calshan has always been rather convincing." The king shook his head, his countenance was frosty. "The Secret Room gave me plenty of information, such as… the fact that there are no more direct descendents of the Walton Family. The little girl with the Walton Family name right now is just a replacement."
Thales did not move, but his heart was already beginning to stir.
'Shit... The Secret Room'.
Thales recalled the conversation between Nicholas and the Red Witch he had eavesdropped on that year while escaping from the secret passage at the gatehouse. He could not help but shudder.
'Yes, the Red Witch, she knows about Little Rascal's true identity!'
The king snorted coldly and softly. "There's no point in hiding it anymore. Let's talk, frankly and sincerely."
Thales' heart slowly tensed up. 'Regardless of what method Nicholas had used to make Calshan let us go that year, it's obvious that…'
Thales slowly raised his head and stared at the king.
'Nicholas' method is no longer effective.
'Lampard knows… from the Red Witch…? Damn it.'
"If you insist on refusing to talk to me, I'll be very curious about what will happen… once her identity is disclosed," the king said nonchalantly. Chapman's words were like a dose of lethal poison spreading through Thales' heart.
"Think about it: To assume the title as Archduchess of Dragon Clouds City and deceive all of Eckstedt in front of the Bright Moon Goddess' spokesperson, and under the jurisdiction of the Joint Ruling Pledge…"
Thales slowly clenched his fists and gulped. He had on a calm facade, but his actual feelings were far from what he appeared.
'This is Saroma's greatest weakness. This is Chapman Lampard's objective? To come to me with this secret? Damn him!'
Thales' heart was beating at a rapidly growing rate. It was almost out of control.
In the next moment, Thales closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. King Chapman observed the Prince of Constellation's expression with considerable interest.
But the king was disappointed: although the prince was not as calm as usual, his expression had not changed.
Thales opened his eyes and inhaled deeply. His expression was a taunting one. "I don't know what you're saying."
'Think, Thales. Think!
'If the Red Witch told Lampard about this a long time ago, why did he wait six years to suddenly appear in front of me and reveal this bargaining chip? Why didn't he hold on to this critical evidence earlier and force Dragon Clouds City to stand with him? This means that…'
Thales snorted coldly. "I really don't understand. Will fabricating rumors, questioning Saroma's bloodline, and undermining the legitimacy of the archduchess really bring you any benefit? Or do you think that I will give in to your meaningless threats and submissively obey your orders?"
The king arched an eyebrow. There seemed to be a hint of praise in his eyes.
"Just like six years ago, you're still so calm and hard to deal with, aren't you?" King Chapman said in a thought-provoking tone. "Even though it has come to this, you're still struggling to find the slightest possibility, hoping that I'm just making an empty show of strength?"
The king looked confident that he had the upper hand over Thales. He had a calm expression.
"Then, what are you still waiting for? If you really don't want to solve this issue together with me in a satisfactory manner, if you're really so strong-willed, confident and unworried, then why don't you do as you said and let the people outside—let all of Dragon Clouds City—kill me? Isn't this what all of you have always looked forward to?"
The prince instinctively looked outside the carriage. Lampard continued speaking slowly.
"If you're really not worried that, along with my death, everyone will learn of the archduchess' true identity, and that the rumors regarding her faking her bloodline will spread and cause a lot of noise..."
King Chapman's sneer sent a chill down Thales' spine. "When she has no choice but to stand on the altar before every Eckstedtian and go through the Bloodline Ceremony, and in the end face a sorrowful demise…"
Thales said nothing, but his heart started to beat faster and faster.
"Perhaps at that time, you'll remember today; you'll remember how the confident and determined Prince of Constellation sent his little girlfriend to the gallows and listened as her black-and-blue face gives one last painful moan. Oh, it might be the stake instead. Death by hanging is much too lenient."
At that moment, Saroma's tearful eyes appeared in Thales' mind. He clenched his fists without realizing it.
"Of course, can you still guess what will happen to the Prince of Constellation who conspired to deceive the Northlanders and seized Dragon Clouds City together with her?"
Like a statue that is not amenable to reason, the king spoke in that endless chill in the air around them, his words carried a pure, oppressive power. "Go ahead. If you really think that there's no point for this conversation to continue, then let me perish together with that archduchess of yours. The choice is in your hands, here and now. All it takes is one single thought."
Thales closed his eyes once again, he did not want his opponent to detect anything in his gaze.
'This is really bad.'
"Go ahead!"
King Chapman raised his voice, as if he was interrogating him and persecuting him. It was as if there was a terrifying ball of flames burning in his eyes. "Choose!"
'Choose?!'
Thales snapped wide open. He instinctively wanted to open his mouth and shout. But when the words were at the tip of his tongue, he stopped himself forcefully.
King Chapman stared at him coldly without saying a word.
There were several moments where Thales moved his lips, but he did not manage to say a single word. He felt as if there was a weight worth a ton hanging from his tongue.
Cold sweat dripped down his forehead.
'Saroma, you…'
Several seconds later, Thales sucked in a deep breath before King Chapman.
'No. You can't.'
With a heavy heart, Thales said these words to himself quietly, 'You can't do it… You can't make the decision that can cause Saroma to be exposed to danger while she is in a foreign land.'
In the end, Thales unfurled his fists and the prince's face became one of exhaustion and sullenness. The king narrowed his eyes and watched the second prince raise his head again with a look full of interest.
'Calm down, Thales. All your exits are blocked off. Right now, you must face your greatest enemy, Chapman Lampard, head on. Just like how you did before.'
Thales muttered quietly in his heart. 'But the game hasn't ended; I haven't been checkmated. Lampard thinks he has the trump card and that he has made a splendid move, but…'
"You have been grumbling just now about your current situation all this while, Your Majesty, though it did make me think of something very interesting."
The king frowned.
"Let me guess. Your dissenters can go along so 'peacefully' right now because they lack a good reason to circumnavigate the Joint Ruling Pledge and completely turn against you and pull you down from your throne with their blades." In the calmest voice possible, Thales spoke as though he was talking to himself, and as though nothing had happened.
"A fair word of warning, Your Majesty. Years ago, you were chosen as the next common-elected king from among six of you during the King Selection Congress." Thales shrugged in a relaxed manner and said, "That is why, if one of the archdukes' votes is proven invalid, and if she has no right to take part in the king selection…"
King Chapman's expression changed.
The prince voiced his counterattack indifferently, "Then, would the throne you obtained in the past due to this one difference in vote still be considered legal, reasonable, and rightful? What do you think?"
The prince's sharp and chillingly aggressive gaze met squarely with the king's. "King Chapman, the man who ascended the throne during the incredibly heated King Selection Congress, and who ruled Eckstedt for a total of six years..."
In the next second, King Chapman looked as if he had been struck a fatal blow. He clenched his fists tightly. His gaze had regained the cold and fierce glare Thales was familiar with, just like the Archduke Lampard of the past.
"Now, do you still intend to use those boring rumors as blackmail and force me to do things, King Chapman?"
The carriage descended into a suffocating silence again, until one side decided to break it.
"Ha ha ha ha!" The corners of the king's lips curled up, and he laughed loudly.
King Chapman tapped his knees gently. When he stared at Thales, it was as if he was looking at a bird who could not escape its net.
"So the girl who is sitting in Heroic Spirit Palace is indeed not of true Walton blood, yes?" Lampard said coldly.
During that moment, Thales sucked in a deep breath and remembered what happened just now.
'What the...'
"Then if that is the case, the Red Witch…" Thales spoke while feeling mentally and physically exhausted, "The Red Witch did not tell you anything, right?"
