Kingdom's Bloodline, page 562
“So?” Norb stepped forward. “Get them back here, Williams.”
Norb had his eyes fixed on the people who went further away into the distance.
“Get the people you have let go—regardless of whether it’s the Disaster Swords or the others—back here. We might be able to get some clues to salvage this failure, make a great contribution, reverse the situation, and reverse… our future.”
Thales’ heart sank. Norb seemed determined to go after the people who escaped.
“What happens if we don’t?” The Legendary Wing smiled coldly.
Norb’s eyes were bloodshot. His chest heaved. “If you don’t, Legendary Wing…” He looked at Roman as his voice grew fiercer. “Do not forget that everything you own—your title, your army, your territory, and everything you have—were bestowed upon you by His Majesty and the kingdom.”
The Legendary Wing frowned. Gamus widened his eyes behind Norb!
Norb said coldly, “The regular soldiers of the royal family who work under you, the Stardust Unit whom are said to move across the Great Desert with great ease, their supplies, equipment, warhorses, expenses, manpower, including the troops garrisoned in Blade Fangs Camp, all belong to His Majesty. He can take them back anytime and make you a common soldier stationed in Western Desert, owning nothing and useless again.”
Thales predicted that something was going to happen; he suddenly felt that something was about to go very wrong.
‘Oh no. He’s…’
But it was too late for him to do anything. Norb was seen gritting his teeth as he spoke clearly and firmly, “Do you know how we can make this happen?”
At that moment, the Legendary Wing’s gaze changed!
“Norb!” Gamus interrupted his superior, took a deep breath, and was prepared to stop him with all his might. “Norb, that’s enough, let’s go back…”
The Legendary Wing spoke again, “I said, let him speak.”
Roman watched Gamus coldly. The meaning behind his gaze caused the latter to freeze. “Did you not understand any of the words I said?”
His words seemed to have ignited the flames in Norb’s heart. Norb’s gaze grew cold. He shook off Gamus’ hand violently.
“Going against the king’s orders, ruining the mission, establishing illicit relations with the enemy, covering up crimes, releasing criminals of your own volition, raising your importance by keeping the enemy alive so that you can keep fighting them, conspiring with someone else, associating yourself with evildoers, conspiring to murder your comrades, freeing the prisoners in the Prison of Bones, plotting against the kingdom’s bloodline, bringing harm to Constellation’s interest…” Norb spoke slowly, and Thales groaned in his heart. “These are all the things you did today.”
His strange behavior alarmed all the cavaliers and the Secret Intelligence Department. They looked at them, surprised, but the Legendary Wing did not interrupt him. The cavaliers who worked for him remained in a confrontational stance.
Norb laughed coldly. “As for the troublesome things you and your scum have done: blackmail, accepting bribes, capital punishment, torture, robbery, murder, seizing land, and claiming the people there as your people so that you can get richer, embezzle wealth, employ despicable means on the battlefield, and conspiring to kill noblemen…”
Norb stared at the Legendary Wing firmly. Gamus’ face grew paler with each word he spoke. “We’ve long gotten tired of cleaning up your mess.”
‘What? All these crimes…’ The more he listened, the more fearful Thales became.
Norb coldly said, “For eighteen years, every piece of evidence that we collected, and every crime found is enough to make Renaissance Palace furious with you, the Baron of Blade Fangs Camp. It will bring joy to the noblemen who have always hated you, cause everyone in the kingdom to despise you and regard you with scorn, and bring disgrace and ruin upon your reputation… For all that we have accused you of, we will report your every dirty involvement with proof. We will report its entirety and exactly how it happened, to the Imperial Conference, His Majesty, and Lord Hansen.”
Norb’s eyes showed a hint of madness. “Then, under immense pressure, His Majesty will have to take away everything from you: your nobility, your army, your territory, and your reputation.”
The Legendary Wing’s face turned very dark. Thales’ face was just as dark.
‘The situation is bad. What Norb did was the same as what I did. If even I could do it, then Norb… that pretty boy…’
Thales watched Roman’s handsome face. He saw how unpredictable his expressions were on his handsome face at that moment.
“Now, Your Grace.” Norb exhaled deeply and lowered his voice, as if to suppress the anger in his chest. “We may be able to fix all that has happened together…” Norb gave the Legendary Wing a deadly look, as though he wanted to dig a chunk of meat from his handsome face. “Or we may perish together. You will have your noble title stripped from you, and I will have my future taken away. We will rot in Blade Fangs Camp, in this bottomless abyss where one kills without drawing blood.”
He lowered his voice. “The clock is ticking. It’s up to you.”
Once he finished speaking, the place was quiet again, but the people who were present felt that their minds were in chaos.
‘Damn.’ This was the only thought that the utterly confused and disconcerted Thales could think of. Only a few seconds had passed by, but Thales thought that it was much longer.
He put on an impatient expression as he tried to think of a way to deal with the situation. “Mister Norb, Baron Williams, as a matter of fact, I am exhausted. All the mess that has happened—”
Before he finished his words, the Legendary Wing interrupted him again. “It’s strange,” Roman said softly, there was an underlying meaning in his words. “Why does everyone think that they’re in a position to threaten me today?”
Thales’ expression changed. The Legendary Wing stepped forward slowly.
“Hey, Secret Intelligence Department, you’ve met Morat before, yes?”
Norb narrowed his eyes.
Thales also found what he heard a little strange. ‘Morat?’ The Black Prophet’s figure appeared in his mind. ‘What does this have to do with him?’
The Legendary Wing laughed faintly. “Do you know why that black-robed old man always uses a walking stick?”
Norb frowned.
“Because he used to say something similar to me.”
‘Something similar?’
The Legendary Wing’s voice was a little soft and rather calm; it was not even louder than the wind.
Before Thales and Norb registered what had happened, a white light flashed from the Legendary Wing’s hand! In the next second, Norb fell onto the ground heavily with a dull thud!
“Argh!” What followed were his pained grunts.
Gamus, who registered what had happened, subconsciously wanted to draw his blade, but Roman, who, at some point, held his long spear in his hand, merely flung his arm, a white shadow then flashed out and sent Gamus flying!
Thales was astonished!
“And I!” The Legendary Wing’s voice suddenly grew loud and sonorous. “I acted just like this back then…”
His eyes were as cold as ice as he walked coldly towards Norb, who was moaning on the ground. In the next instant, the Legendary Wing unwaveringly raised his leg before everyone’s eyes.
Roman finished his words clearly and coldly. “I broke his leg.”
A clear and crisp noise sounded.
“AAHHH!!” Norb held on to his right leg and screamed out loud!
The people around them saw this scene. Everyone from the Secret Intelligence Department instinctively charged forward! “Sir!”
Roman’s subordinates reacted just as swiftly. They drew their weapons out of their sheaths, and their bowstrings were stretched taut as they closed in on the Secret Intelligence Department members.
Thales was shocked as he watched this scene. He could not understand how things progressed this way. ‘Why did he…?’
Norb’s screams turned into moans. He crawled on the ground and tried to stay away from Roman, and his pained moans continued to rise into the air.
The Legendary Wing snorted coldly. He shook the white spear in his hands and walked towards Norb as though he still wanted to enjoy more of what happened.
“Roman, no!” Thales registered what happened and said quickly, “Too many people are watching this!”
The Legendary Wing stopped talking and suddenly turned around and looked straight at Thales. The chilling glare spoke of a warning. It caused the prince’s words to be stuck in his throat.
The Legendary Wing snorted coldly. He turned around and walked towards Norb who was on the ground. His white spear retracted slowly and turned into a short spear.
“Now, Secret Intelligence Department…” The Legendary Wing extended his long arm and grabbed Norb by his collar. “I want you to ‘report everything exactly how it happened’ to that dirty old son of a b*tch Morat. I want you to tell him all what I did and said today, without a single word missing, including breaking your leg! ‘Report everything accordingly’ to that son of a b*tch king who sits in his throne, bears the name of Jadestar, and wears a crown!”
Thales was lost for words. ‘Dirty, son of a b*tch… What he just said is…’
Roman’s tone almost froze the sand around him. “That’s right. I did not only kill your target and let your suspects go. I also brought harm to your interest and ruined your plans.”
The Legendary Wing suddenly turned around and directed the short spear at Thales. It frightened the prince.
“I even wounded the men you sent to keep tabs on me and threatened to kill the heir to the kingdom.” The Legendary Wing’s gaze was terrifying. “And I don’t care what you think.”
‘I don’t care what you think…’ Thales was stupefied.
Norb gritted his teeth. He seemed to have understood the situation. The Legendary Wing tightened his grip around Norb and enunciated his words clearly.
“Because. This. Is. My. Blade. Fangs. Camp!”
The Legendary Wing released Norb and turned around to smack Gamus back down to the ground again, right after the man got to his feet!
“And I, as usual, find them all a sore sight!”
Roman roared like he was burning with rage. It caused a commotion among the Secret Intelligence Department members! Then, a cavalier snapped his whip, and sent one of the Secret Intelligence Department members who strayed back into their group.
The Legendary Wing stood up slowly as he watched Norb and Gamus. One of them hissed while enduring his pain, and the other coughed up blood on the ground.
“Next time, if they send another childishly ignorant idiot like you who thinks he can threaten me with the king, the Secret Intelligence Department, and MY Blade Fangs Camp…”
‘Ignorant child… thinks he can threaten me with… Blade Fangs Camp…’ Thales was chilled to the bone.
“Next time, if they want to involve my territory in some power balancing political game…” The Legendary Wing’s eyes were as cold as ice.
“…they’ll see me in Renaissance Palace.”
When he said this, Roman suddenly turned around to glance at Thales. The teenager felt his heart pound in fear, and he could not help but take a step back.
“If they are not happy with it, and if they have the guts…” The Legendary Wing looked murderous. “They can take away my title, withdraw my army, take away my territory… and come here with the goddamn Jadestar’s warrant… to kill me!” bellowed the Legendary Wing.
‘Goddamn Jadestar…’ Thales subconsciously gulped. ‘Oh sh*t.’
He stared dumbly at the Legendary Wing who was brimming with murderous intent. ‘Is he… really a vassal working directly under the royal family? What makes him so arrogant and act so brazenly?’
Roman turned around to stare at Norb, who was panting on the ground. “As for Kessel and Morat, if they don’t have the guts, if they don’t dare to…”
At this moment, Roman was overwhelmingly oppressive. Every single word he said sounded like it could slash the air.
“Then tell them to suppress their urges, hide their tails between their legs and clench their b*lls… Continue to hide behind the throne, and cowards… and be good boys while they serve as son of a b*tch cowards!”
Thales was astonished. He could not believe his eyes as he watched Roman, who was furious and eager to kill.
‘He… His attitude towards the Iron Hand King… How did I manage to “persuade” Roman earlier?’
Norb gasped for breath. He bore with the pain inflicted by his wounds as he pushed Gamus down when the latter wanted to get up again. He widened his eyes, as if he found this unbelievable as well.
“Listen, Secret Intelligence Department.” The Legendary Wing snorted coldly and put the white spear on his back. “If you miss a word by chance. One. Word…”
Roman’s tone did not sound cold anymore, but his message was still as threatening as ever.
“I’ll go to the capital myself and break Morat’s other leg.”
When he was done, before anyone could register his words, he turned to face his subordinates.
“All units assemble! Get ready to leave!”
While the waves of replies from hundreds of cavaliers echoed in the air, the Legendary Wing got on his saddle and bellowed an order, “The horses that belong to these men are now ours. We thank the Kingdom’s Secret Intelligence Department for their supplies!”
Norb and Gamus’ expressions changed again.
Against the Secret Intelligence Department members’ shocked expressions, the cavaliers resolutely rushed forward and snatched their horses violently.
They knocked down a few men who wanted to fight them while they seized the horses.
Thales stared blankly; his feelings were complicated as he watched Roman circle the place on his horse before he gave an order to his subordinates.
“I’m sorry.” The teenager approached the pathetic-looking Norb and revealed a friendly smile at him. “The baron must be… in a bad mood today.”
As Thales said this, his heart sank again. Norb gasped in pain and leaned on Gamus’ shoulders strenuously.
“Thanks for speaking for us, Your Highness. I’m just… sorry that you had to see that.” Norb tried his best to endure the pain as he glanced at the Legendary Wing in the distance. “Even within the country, the royals are unable to rule without problems.”
Thales did his best to smile. Before he could respond, the sound of galloping horses traveled from behind him!
Norb’s face grew pale. “Your Highness—”
Thales turned around subconsciously, but all that he could see was a flash of white light!
In the next second, the prince was swept off the ground. He vanished before Norb and Gamus. Norb watched the prince leave into the distance, and a contemplative look appeared on his face.
It was unknown when it began, but all the cavaliers started to move, and their horses pranced. Gamus was shocked to see their snatched horses leave their side. He turned around.
“You know Williams’ temper, Norb.” The somewhat fat man supported Norb. He looked a little exasperated. “Why did you do this to his face? Why?”
Norb was examining his leg wound with a scowl when he snorted lightly. “Because…” Norb let out a pained hiss. “I didn’t do this for him.”
Gamus was stunned. “What? For whom did you do this for, then?”
Norb did not answer him and only narrowed his eyes as he watched Thales gradually disappear from view.
“Can you feel it, Gamus?” He raised his head and looked at the sky. “The direction of the wind has changed.”
Gamus glanced at the Great Desert. It was still the same as before. He was baffled. ‘The direction of the wind?’
Norb’s eyes sparkled in the face of Gamus’ confused expression. “Our ticket to leave this place and return to the capital is finally here.”
In the distance, Thales was dazed as he sensed the vibrations under his bottom. Earlier, when he was too shocked, he almost called upon the Sin of Hell’s River… until he saw himself leave the ground, and the scenery beside him fell back.
Was he… on a horse? And he was holding…
“This is—” Thales looked up.
“Stop moving! Hold on tight!”
This time, when he heard his voice, Thales subconsciously backed away!
He was shaken by the speeding white horse and almost loosened his grip. Fortunately, another hand reached from the side and supported him.
In the wind, the Legendary Wing who held the reins said loudly above his head, “Why the hell are you trembling? Have you never ridden a horse before?”
Thales froze. He suddenly realized that his legs and bottom were on the same side, and he was seated sideways uncomfortably on a white horse in the Legendary Wing’s arms. He even held his waist.
‘Too… awkward. Hmm, it’s not that I’ve never ridden a horse, it’s you I haven’t ridden before.’
As he sat in the man’s arms, Thales recalled the Legendary Wing’s conduct earlier. He tried to steady his body, and forced himself to smile.
“Nothing, it’s just that… Well, I can also ride a horse myself—”
Roman did not wait for his reply. “I’ll try to be a little steadier.”
In the next moment, Roman drew the reins a little and made some whistling sounds that Thales did not understand. He patted the white horse’s neck a few times with his other hand. Amazingly, the white horse slowed down, and the ride became smoother.
Thales gave a wry laugh before he lowered his head and pretended to be interested in the Legendary Wing’s clothes.
‘Oh my god. I’m riding a horse with the man who just said he’s going to attack Renaissance Palace? So…’
Thales saw that their front and sides were surrounded by countless cavaliers who rode their horses quickly. They surrounded and protected the two men and the horse. Their horses made sand and dust fly into the air with their hooves.
This made him feel even more awkward. He could only think of something else.
