Kingdom's Bloodline, page 337
"Both the Extremists on the battlefield and us, who were living in seclusion, were shocked, confused and in a dilemma as to whether we should advance or retreat."
Asda stared at the air. While his expression did not change, the rhythm of his speech became increasingly unsettling.
"Giza and Erik believed that the humans used some method to hide Bryan. So, they destroyed nine moats overnight and interrogated nine kings as well as suzerains just to find Bryan.
"Lebla, who was still somewhat rational, stopped being as arrogant and complacent as usual, and tried to contact us, but was forced away by Solovski's biting sarcasm.
"Freuland made up her mind to seek for Taurus' help, but we did not hear from her after that.
"Sora had quite a good relationship with the Obscurists, but according to her, both old Zarkel and Kirei didn't know what actually happened."
Thales blinked in surprise. He did not even remember being interested in asking about the people behind these names.
As Asda's tone turned deeper and more somber, the pace in which he told his story became increasingly frantic.
"That's when B realized that apart from Taurus, there were two more Mystics who did not respond at all after such a major incident happened."
A strange blue light shone in Asda's eyes. "They seemed to be very busy, not even having the time and energy to knock on the Door and check on Bryan."
Thales could not help but hold his breath. "They were…"
"Ah, Blood Spike and Hellen."
Asda's gaze was transfixed at a spot in the air, and he nodded slightly. "Known as the Magic Empresses after that."
'Blood Spike and Hellen.
'The Two Empresses.'
Thales widened his eyes a little. "Does that mean the weapon, and the Magic Empresses, they were…"
Asda turned and swept his totally emotionless eyes past Thales' face, making the latter's heart skip a beat.
"Yes.
"Unbeknownst to us, the two Mystics who always seemed to keep themselves out of things and stayed neutral had started working together with the humans, with the survivors of the Magic Towers," the Air Mystic's tone was cold. "In the end, with the existing anti-mystic equipment as a basis, they produced the Mystics' greatest enemy."
The temperature in the chess room seemed to suddenly drop.
The next moment, Asda parted his lips a little and coldly uttered the term that Thales had heard countless times.
"The legendary anti-mystic equipment."
The silence between them lasted for quite a while.
Thales tried hard to digest the information he just received.
'The legendary anti-mystic equipment.
'The Two Empresses.'
"Does this mean that the legendary… They w-were the Two Empresses' creation?" Thales could not help but ask.
Asda fixed his gaze on the chessboard, as though there was something on it that he could not miss observing.
He nodded in an extremely slow manner.
"Every legendary anti-mystic equipment in the world was made by the Two Empresses. They all have corresponding abilities… It's as though they were made to restrain each of us.
"At the same time, as Mystics, once we're harmed by these weapons, in less serious cases, we'll be badly hurt, and recovering from the injuries will be difficult. In serious cases, we will disappear without a trace."
The blue light in the Mystic's eyes sparkled like the stars, then disappeared into the depths of his eyes.
"This is what we call 'sealing'—a proof of their betrayal."
As though he was staring at scenes from the past, Asda stared at the vacant air and hazily said, "Ever since then, the 'Three Deaths' became 'Three Deaths, One Prohibition', which is part of the Mystics' Commandments."
'What?'
Thales was startled again.
"Three Deaths, One Prohibition?" the prince said, puzzled.
"I seem to have heard this somewhere a long time ago… What is this?"
Asda only shook his head and said casually in his usual manner, "You're not at the stage where you need to know about it yet. Knowing about it too early will be nothing but harmful to you."
Thales raised his eyebrows in dissatisfaction.
But in the end, knowing Asda's temperament, the prince only sighed and abandoned the thought of getting to the bottom of things.
"So, what are the fundamentals of the legendary anti-mystic equipment?" Thales suppressed his diverging thoughts and moved his curiosity back to the topic at hand. "And since it's called 'sealing', does it mean that the sealed Mystics are not dead? It's only temporary like how it was for you in Eternal Star City six years ago?"
"Theoretically, the Mystics who are sealed still exist in the world. It's just that they'll lose consciousness, just like a patient who can't wake up." Ever since he started talking about this topic, Asda's tone became very grave. This sentence was no exception. "But, the secret of the legendary anti-mystic equipment has always been in the Two Empresses' hands. We haven't been able to find out, even now.
"This is a yoke that has pressed down on our shoulders for almost seven hundred years.
"We still can't figure it out."
The prince stared at the Mystic, who did not seem to be in high spirits. He did not know what to say.
"Wait, I've thought of a question." The prince's gaze soon flickered. "If the legendary anti-mystic equipment is the Mystics' greatest problem…"
Thales looked at his guide with a confused gaze. "What about the Two Empresses?
"Wouldn't the weapons they make be a threat to themselves?"
Thales inhaled deeply and recalled all the legendary anti-mystic equipment he had seen. The Masked Protector's short sword, the Corleone Sisters' black coffin, the Fortress Flower's shield, the Kingdom's Wrath's big, silver and black bow, the Star Killer's white-hilted blade, the Walton Family's Soul Slayer Pike, as well as the Fire Knight's golden saber…
According to his experiences, they all had their own ability and were the most frightening poison and enemy to Mystics.
'More importantly, they were all made by the Two Empresses. They're the creation of Empress Blood Spike and Empress Hellen?
'And…
"'My blood brother.'"
Thales forcibly suppressed the memory of the voice and spoke, as though deep in thought.
"Would anyone use the legendary anti-mystic equipment they made to fight against the Two Empresses themselves?"
At that moment, Asda's eyes brightened.
"Good question." The Mystic chuckled. "You're approaching the truth of the world, Your Highness."
Thales widened his eyes to show that he did not understand.
However, Asda only smiled in a rarely seen manner, before it gradually faded away.
"Take care, Thales." The Air Mystic gently placed his hand on the left side of his chest and bowed elegantly. "The lesson ends here.
"I'll see you in Eternal Star City."
A few seconds later, astonished and speechless, Thales was left alone (again?) in the chess room.
He blinked and tried hard to digest the information he had received that day.
'The legendary anti-mystic equipment…
'The Two Empresses…
'The betrayers…
'And Asda, who's going on a long journey…'
Thales heaved a loud and long sigh. Seemingly abandoning himself to despair, he had his head crash against the chessboard.
However, the prince's thoughts were soon cut off.
"Prince Thales," the former deputy commander of the White Blade Guards and Nicholas' assistant, Lord Justin's voice rang behind him, "are you done?"
"What's the matter?"
Thales exhaled with great effort. He raised his head with difficulty and extended his hand to put the queen on the chessboard back into the chess box. "I believe that it is not time yet."
Lord Justin went up to the prince and nodded in a polite, cold manner.
"The City of Faraway Prayer's official diplomat group has already reached Dragon Clouds City." The lord's words made the prince recover from his slump. "The archduchess and the Prime Minister… I mean the regent invited you to go to Heroic Spirit Palace with them… to welcome the guests from the City of Faraway Prayers and join the welcoming banquet."
"Me?"
Thales slowly furrowed his brows. "Why? It doesn't seem appropriate for an enemy kingdom's prince to be present for this sort of matter."
"Because this was the guest's request," Justin said flatly. "It was the vehement request of Ian Roknee, the eldest son of Archduke Roknee, the heir of the Knight's Canon, and the next Archduke of the City of Faraway Prayers."
Thales froze for a few seconds.
"Ian Roknee?
"I don't understand," the prince said, rather puzzled. "I don't know him."
Justin said nothing, as another person answered on his behalf.
"I thought so too."
Putray, whom Thales had not seen for a long time, walked in through the door of the room. He greeted Wya and Ralf with his tobacco pipe in his mouth. He then turned and said to his prince with a smile, "However, I heard that young Roknee said this in regards to the matter of extending an invitation to you…"
Thales' heart clenched while he stared at his former vice diplomat.
Putray exhaled a mouthful of smoke and shook his head in an expression of regret.
"He said, 'An eye-witness is of course needed for a marriage proposal.'"
Chapter 306: Raven of Death |
When Thales returned on horseback, Heroic Spirit Palace had already finished its preparations. From the First Gatehouse to the avenue in front of the palace gate, everything was swept and looked as good as new. The scale armor of the personal guards and soldiers also looked like uniforms as they stood guard in formation—this was probably the limit for these Northlanders who were used to brutish and crude mannerisms.
The second prince, who had a lot on his mind, carried the black horse, Jennie's reigns carefully. With a stiff expression, he faced Putray, whom he had not met in a while, and said, "When you return next time, could you not come back with bad news?"
"I see, so that's how it is." Putray's eyebrows twitched. He narrowed his eyes and revealed a strange expression. "The young Roknee proposing to the Archduchess to strengthen the stability of Dragon Clouds City is actually bad news to you, Your Highness?"
'Huh?'
The prince was stunned for a second because of this sentence. He understood something immediately after.
He inhaled lightly.
Thales gradually turned towards Putray and presented a most unpleasant face. Word by word, he said, "Must you mention—"
But he was interrupted.
"Ah, my apologies." The slim man gave a rather profound smile. He then shrugged in a seemingly begrudging manner. "Before you explode in anger, I swear that I have no other meaning behind my words."
Putray put on a harmless smile. "You know…'that sort' of meaning."
Thales widened his eyes. His mouth moved but in the end, he did not emit any sound.
The prince could only snort in displeasure and turn his head away.
Who could understand the dismay of having all their resentment-filled words being shoved back into their throat because of one single sentence?
The second prince resisted the urge to sack this former deputy ambassador with great difficulty. With a pout, he said through gritted teeth, "Based on the current state of affairs, anything that will break our current state is a threat to us, such as the interests involved behind the sudden marriage of the archduchess—this is what I meant."
"Of course." Putray maintained that infuriating expression, completely disregarding the darkened expression of Lord Justin behind him, and swinging his pipe. With a relaxed and contented expression, he said, "You're the prince. What you say must be true—whether it actually is or not."
'Oh God…'
Thales buried his face in his hands and let out a painful sigh. He gave up any notions of explaining himself to the stubborn old man.
"Unbelievable." The prince looked at the slowly approaching palace gate in low spirits. "This is coming from a subject who was not in the least bit concerned about his prince for a fortnight."
Putray snorted softly but did not reply.
Nicholas had long led the archduchess' personal guards to wait by the palace gate. But this time, the Star Killer did not display the face of a dead person after seeing Thales. Instead, he stared intently at him before jutting out his bottom lip in the direction of the stable, indicating him to continue onwards.
'Now this is rare.'
Puzzled, Thales leaped down from the saddle in front of the stable.
"Good luck," Putray said indifferently. "After the welcoming ceremony ends, I will wait for you in your room."
"How comforting." The already moody prince waved his hand discontentedly.
Thales passed the reins to the stableman, and with Wya and Ralf's accompaniment, he walked towards Nicholas at the palace gate.
"The Archduchess and Count are in the Hall of Heroes. Join them." Nicholas waved his hand without a change in expression. "I still have to greet the harbinger of the diplomat group—they're being extra formal this time."
"Because things are very bad?" Thales snorted. "What were the results of the incident the last time? You know, regarding the archduchess'—"
"Be good, and shut your mouth," Nicholas interrupted him harshly. The harbinger of the City of Faraway Prayers is here."
Thales turned around. Just as he had expected, a cavalry carrying a different banner slowly drove out of the First Gatehouse. Under the watch of countless Dragon Clouds City guards on both sides, they approached the palace gate.
The symbol of an opened and heavy ancient book was embroidered on their flag. The opened page was even engraved with numerous letters of the Empire, but its meaning was unknown.
Knight's Canon, the legitimate and noble ruler of the City of Faraway Prayers—the symbol of the Roknee Family.
It was said that they were the prestigious knights stationed in Northland since the age of the Ancient Empire and had nurtured countless great knights who left their mark in history. Even when the emperor forcibly tore down the Temple of Knights, and the antiquity of the knights gradually declined, they still had a great reputation in Northland.
That was until the Battle of Eradication.
Thales remembered the knowledge given to him by the Northlandic teachers over the past years.
Among the cavaliers, the leading knight looked rather special. His face was rather dark, and his eyes were level. Having shaved off the hair on both of his temples, only a head of short, mahogany hair was left on the top of his head. He had a sturdy figure, yet he wore a lightweight leather armor, which was rarely seen in Northland. There was a strap around his shoulders with various miniature tools that Thales could not identify tied on it. Apart from a short knife by his waist, there was only a crossbow on his back and a quiver hung on the saddle among the weapons on his body.
The most eye-catching thing was his appearance and temperament. It seemed as if he was having a leisurely stroll even though he was riding a horse.
'The harbinger of the City of Faraway Prays is acting this way? That means…'
Just as Thales furrowed his brows, Nicholas by his side reacted one step earlier than he did. The Star Killer was seen revealing a rare expression of astonishment. He stared firmly at the leading, brunet knight.
"Oh, what a surprise." The Star Killer's expression slowly turned grave.
Thales narrowed his eyes. He looked at Nicholas, and then at that knight in leather armor, who was approaching them in a leisurely manner. "You know each other?"
Nicholas ignored him and gestured to his subordinate instead. Then, he walked forward alone. With that, the prince noticed several of the archduchess' personal guards revealing similar expressions.
Thales looked strangely at the brown-haired knight, whose appearance was unlike that of an ordinary Northlander.
'He's…'
Nicholas gradually moved to stand in front of the herald from the City of Faraway Prayers. He watched them get down from their horses uniformly, and his expression was icy cold.
The brunet knight had a medium stature and was even slightly shorter than the rather slim Nicholas. He was seen holding the strap by his waist as he looked directly at Nicholas who was in front of him without any fear. He revealed a smile that harbored malicious intent.
Thales sighed. The Sin of Hell's River converged in his ears as he sought to hear the conversation between the two.
Nicholas stared back at the knight for a long time. Then, he took a deep breath, pursed his lips and tapped his brain lightly. He snorted coldly. "How could it be you?"
His tone was cold, completely devoid of politeness.
Thales' heart clenched. 'It looks like their relationship isn't that great?
'Amid the impending storm, the relationship between the City of Faraway Prayers and Dragon Clouds City would most probably have to rely on the results of this diplomatic mission.
'And now…'
As he heard Nicholas' unfriendly greeting, the brunet knight drew back the corners of his mouth and gave off the air of a ruffian—that was when Thales noticed that the knight had extra wide lips.
'A special person,' the prince silently said as he refused Wya's suggestion for him to leave first.
That brunet knight was seen tilting his head as he opened his mouth wide. His voice was like that of a drum while he spoke to Nicholas, "Have you heard of a joke?"
Nicholas frowned.
"There was a man who was constantly on the move to conduct business. He was very worried that his wife back home would be unfaithful." The brunet knight shook his head and laughed mischievously.
"Hence, he secretly went back home one night. Fortunately, the man did not notice any traces of an adulterer apart from his wife, who was sound asleep. Consequently, the gratified man's spirits heightened. He and his wife began to make love."
Nicholas' frown grew more prominent.
The brunet knight snorted as he raised a finger to lightly tap Nicholas' face, whose expression did not change. "After that, his wife lit up a light and looked clearly at her husband's face. She could not contain her surprise and said…"
