Kingdom's Bloodline, page 58
"I guess that it will be about the huge explosion in Red Street Market a month ago! Eh, is it because the Blood Bottle Gang was so badly defeated by the Black Street Brotherhood that they became extremely anxious and went insane?"
"Can such a small gang battle alarm the nobility up there?"
"Where did you get this gossip? And a well-presented one at that. What's a Blood Bottle Gang and Black Street Brotherhood? How can there be gangs in the capital city? We are living in a modern society! Our lives now are so pleasant! Why are you spreading these damaging theories? Ah? Looking at your sneaky face, you must be a spy from a foreign power, right?"
"Believe me because I'm definitely right. It must be the Barren Bone people rebelling again! Those tradesmen from Camus Union who are greedier than vampires are definitely behind it! Last month, they detained my family's trade caravan! They wanted to impose on us fifty percent tax! Can you believe that? Fifty out of a hundred percent!"
"Those damned Barren Bone mongrels! Why is the Legendary Wing so soft-hearted? He should learn a thing or two from His Majesty—catch all of them and bury them alive at the Desert God's Altar like Orcs!"
"You are not allowed to insult the Legendary Wing! He's extremely handsome. Indeed, he is an existence that could unite the entire Western Peninsula with his looks alone!"
"My aunt is a female servant in the house of a viscount in the Morning Star Region. She told me that Eckstedt had an accident, I think it was at the north. Oh yeah, why is their diplomat group not here yet?"
"How is that possible? The 'Fortress Treaty' was signed to take effect for twenty years. Besides that, we have the Fortress Flower that guards the Broken Dragon Fortress well. There are also powerful families in the Northern Territory such as the Arunde family, the Zemunto Family and the Friess Family. It can't possibly be like twelve years ago…"
"Don't forget that the Kingdom's Wrath is still in the capital city! With just him alone, along with that bow of his, he can eradicate twenty thousand people from Eckstedt!"
"Eckstedt probably doesn't even have twenty thousand soldiers throughout its entire country."
"In short, that was what I meant!"
"I think it's most probably northwest's Sera Dukedom. A relative that came to seek refuge with me from faraway said that lately, there is an evil witch spreading a plague there. Their neighbors, Anlenzo Dukedom and Norton Dukedom have shut their borders. Wait, the plague hasn't spread to Constellation yet, right? The nobles from the southwest did not come, right? How about the Tabark Family, Karabeyan, and Lascia? Don't tell me that they are dead from the plague?
"So, does this mean that the price of herbs would rise? I have to restock immediately!"
"You guys are talking rubbish. My secret source told me that His Majesty will be choosing a person out of the Six Great Clans to become the next king!"
"What? Then how about the Jadestar Royal Family? Our family has the royal family's special permission for furniture trading rights!"
"What else can be done? Can you force His Majesty to give birth to one more son?"
"I think that Count Covendier is not bad! Last year, when he came to inspect the grand bazaar, he held my hand before! With a count like that, how can our country not prosper?"
"But I think that Tabark Family's daughter isn't bad, either! We should learn from Anlenzo Dukedom. Think about it, a beautiful and young queen. Oh God, my heart is about to melt…"
"Stop joking! That's for rural places like Anlenzo and Alumbia! Our mighty Constellation is the successor of the Empire! How can we let a woman become king? I am not discriminating women, but we have to admit to objective differences!"
"Young man, stop making wild guesses over there!"
"I am just concerned with politics!"
"I think that you are a keyboard- cough, cough, I'm sorry, a mouth cannon warrior!"
"You should believe in the Kingdom, believe in His Majesty and believe in the Imperial Conference! How can they not know something that even you know?"
…..
Thales slowly stood and looked at the young noble in the mirror who wore luxurious clothing and a cold expression.
His hair was no longer messy, but neatly cut and combed into a hairstyle that was simple yet pleasant, making him look alert and handsome.
Jines even clipped on a subtly sparkling crystal stone earring on his left ear without regards for his facial expression.
He had on a long-sleeved jacket that was made thicker and decorated with dark-blue glittering crystals. Coupled with a white undershirt, cuffs that were nicely buttoned up with Crystal Drops, and a specially tailored macramé mantle. His attire made his originally frail body look straight and tall.
He raised his hands. His pure white, leather gloves were well-fitted and shiny. It seemed to give more depth to his every move.
The noble, black slacks, paired with a belt buckle styled in the fashion of stars, along with the expensive leather boots that boosted his height by two inches, allowed him to walk with the gracefulness of nobles.
A nine-pointed star emblem which signified the Jadestar Family was sewn on the back of Thales' clothes, and a gold-and-silver nine-pointed star brooch was clipped on his chest. They sparkled under the light.
The female servants sprayed a bit of cologne on him. It was almost undetectable, but made his scent closer to that of the upper-class society.
Thales chuckled bitterly and sighed 'Haih. Fashionable clothing, graceful manners, established etiquette and limited knowledge. These are the best tools to segregate and divide people into different social statuses. This is the circle of nobles. This damned, evil, culture.'
Even Jines and Gilbert, who were observing from the side, could not help but nod.
Jines sighed, her tone was bitter. "It is almost time. Kessel- His Majesty hopes that you would go in earlier."
Thales knew that their emotions were not quite right. However, since he was already there… He cleared all thoughts from his mind and slowly left with Gilbert and Jines.
"I need to get a final confirmation from you on some things."
Thales raised his head and looked at Gilbert.
"Your name- I mean, His Majesty originally planned to give you a name that is more suitable for the 'Jadestar Tradition', such as John and Midier, or Kessel and Tormond. After all, the name Thales is one used by the populace. It will be appearing in the royal pedigree for the first time… and will allow those who are observant to find out about your past…"
Thales turned his head back and while walking forward, spoke without changing his expression, "Thales."
"What?"
"I want to be called Thales."
'I will not change my name. Those past experiences… I will not forget, nor forsake any of them.'
Staring at the endlessly long corridor, Thales clenched his fists tightly and paid no heed to Gilbert's hesitant gaze.
"Haih... I shall follow your will." Under Jines' murderous gaze, Gilbert sighed.
It was a very long corridor. Thales did not bat an eyelash. He took a few dozen steps forward and stopped. There was a large black door in front of him.
"This is the Hall of Stars. You would be going into the dark, innermost room. You do not have to be nervous. When it is time, I will open the door, and you just have to do as you were told beforehand." Gilbert lowered his head as he spoke, but he immediately looked at one side of the door. The middle-aged noble put on a puzzled expression.
"Aida? At this time, you should be beside His Majesty and protecting him!"
Thales looked ahead, a petite figure was leaning against one side of the door.
'It's her.' Thales could recognize her as the cloaked woman from yesterday who led the Royal Guards and saved him from Zayen. Her face was still covered by the cloak and could not be seen under the dim lighting.
The cloaked woman had her arms crossed as she got up from the wall she was leaning on. "Hey, kid, that masked guy asked me to give you this gift on his behalf."
A young, pleasant, and lively voice rang as the cloaked woman passed him something.
Thales was stunned. He took it and did not even pay attention to the cloaked woman's overly fair, smooth, and supple skin.
It was a black dagger-sheath, and it came with a buckled leather strap. Words were engraved on one side: 'A King does not gain respect by virtue of his bloodline.'
Thales resisted the urge to subconsciously touch his chest. With complicated emotions, he pulled out JC's dagger from his belt and inserted it into the sheath—the size was just right.
"Thank you- Yodel… is he well?" Thales calmed down his breath and buckled the sheathed dagger onto his belt.
"Don't worry. That sort of person won't die for now." The cloaked woman chuckled lightly. "I understand him very well."
Thales nodded and walked past her, standing still in front of the door.
Looking at the black stone door in front of him, the boy clenched his teeth.
'Only one more step.'
Behind him, Gilbert's frown became deeper and deeper while Jines bit hard on her bottom lip. On the other hand, the cloaked woman exercised her neck nonchalantly.
Thales did not turn. He just gazed at the stone-gray floor before him and faintly said, "Gilbert, will I never be able to turn back after taking this step?"
Gilbert was stunned, but Thales did not plan to let him answer.
The boy raised his head and forced a smile with difficulty. "No... Perhaps, when I first opened my eyes in this world, there was already no turning back. I can only keep walking forward."
Having heard this, Jines' gaze became hesitant and hard to understand. She extended her hand, but was pulled back by Gilbert who shook his head beside her.
"Do not worry, be a little happier. This is a good thing, Sir Gilbert, Madam Jines, and… this cloaked lady. A good person once told me to..."
Illuminated by the Everlasting Lamps with sunlight that shone in from the windows on both sides of the corridor, Thales turned around. He stuck out his thumb and cracked a bright smile. "… just take it as another game."
Before the other three could react, Thales pushed the door open and walked inside.
A gust of cold air rushed past the large stone door. The lighting ahead was dim, and it seemed as if there was endless darkness.
Thales' figure disappeared amid that darkness.
Gilbert lowered his head as he sighed. Jines turned her head and did not say anything. Only the woman in the cloak happily snapped her fingers. "Aha, I like this kid."
Jines raised her head and chuckled bitterly and helplessly, her face was filled with sadness and sympathy. "True, this kid… He is only a child. How can he shoulder such a heavy burden and… future?"
There was a period of silence, until a raspy voice suddenly spoke up, "He can."
The woman in the cloak stuck out her chin. "Such fast recovery."
Gilbert and Jines looked behind them in surprise. There, the Masked Protector's silhouette appeared out of thin air.
However, weirdly, Yodel's figure was floating about and extremely blurry, as if covered by a veil made of air.
The bleary-figured Yodel spoke firmly, "He can shoulder those sorts of responsibilities. I understand him well. He has special qualities that no one else in this world has—not humans, not Gods, not demons. Not even Mystics."
There was another period of silence.
Gilbert shook his head and snorted lightly. He then tipped his hat in salutation. "I am sorry for excusing myself. The National Conference is only two hours away. Madam Jines, we should be seeing His Majesty."
Jines nodded and left together with Gilbert.
The two figures disappeared at the corridor some distance away as their footsteps faded away.
There were only the Masked Protector and the cloaked woman left.
"Your chest was pierced by three crossbow arrows laced with highly poisonous Vine Blue Grass. It has only been a night, and it's impossible that you are able to stand up." The cloaked woman looked at the bleary-figured Yodel and sighed loudly. "Did you make a deal with that mask again? I have warned you many times! The collapse of the Ancient Elf Kingdom is not unrelated to that mask! And you…
"What price did you pay this time?"
Yodel did not answer, he only stayed silent and caressed the purple mask on his face.
"No matter what price I paid," Yodel's figure slowly disappeared, and only his raspy voice remained. "It cannot compare to one ten-thousandth of the price that child will have to pay."
Chapter 58: The Warlords' Chess Game (One) |
Thales was not concerned with anything else. He walked into the dark room in rapt concentration.
The buzzing sound commonly heard from crowds rang from outside the dark room. It was noisy and disturbing.
This reminded him of the football team he used to support in his past life. This is probably similar to the feeling one got when they first walk into the stadium during a live match.
Amid the buzzing sounds outside the dark room, a young and jovial male voice suddenly said, "Hey, old man! Director Lorbec! I am here, here! Hey, Sir, you look a little familiar.
"Wait- You are Kroma Family's… cousin Derek! Oh God, I have not seen you for so many years. What happened to your face? Kasa and Gina must be crying!"
Thales suddenly regained his attention and took a few steps forward. He looked outside through the one-way glass in the dark room. Indeed, the entire Hall of Stars was below him.
The Hall of Stars was an oval-shaped, semi open-air hall. It was at least more than ten meters tall and could accommodate at least a thousand people. The side facing Star Plaza had a protruding balcony instead of a wall. This made the hall look like an irregularly shaped cylinder with one lateral side chopped off at a slanted angle, or rather, like a half-covered cylindrical garbage shovel. Having thought of this, Thales could not help but flash a smile.
At that moment, the hall was already half-full. There were at least a few hundred people in it. Some people were sitting, and some were standing.
The nearer it was to the center of the hall, the sparser the crowd. Their clothes seemed luxurious, they were quiet and composed, and most of them had seats. These were the nobles.
There was a large round table in the middle of the hall that was surrounded by seven stone chairs of obviously different specifications.
Among the unique stone chairs was the throne. The six stone chairs surrounding it belonged to the six guardian dukes. There were thirteen other stone chairs on the periphery of the six stone chairs. They formed a large semicircle and belonged to the Thirteen Distinguished Families.
The six stone chairs were still empty, but some of the thirteen stone chairs were already occupied. The occupants were all men ranging from twenty to sixty years old, and bore different emblems and symbols. Their expressions varied too. There were a few nervous looking attendants behind every seat.
The voice he heard just now originated from the stone chairs belonging to the Thirteen Distinguished Families. A blonde, handsome man wearing an astral blue police uniform stood behind one of the stone chairs. He had a nice-looking face with deep set features. Compared to the fairly feminine Asda and the 'pretty face' Istrone, he appeared more energetic and strong.
However, the handsome man was being hit hard on the head with a staff by a gray-haired middle-aged noble who looked extremely angry.
The middle-aged noble's clothing had a symbol of two tall towers and a long sword on it.
"Kohen Karabeyan, what happened to your noble upbringing? Do you know how to talk like a human! Derek is not only your cousin-brother, but also the head of the Kroma Family—one of the thirteen Distinguished Families! He is the Suzerain of Wing Fort and a count of the kingdom! Show some respect!"
With a face filled with shock, Thales stared at the kingdom's police officer, Kohen Karabeyan, as he massaged his head with clenched teeth and growled at his father, "Old man, the Stage of Eradication is in front of us anyway! Hit me one more time, and we will battle up there!"
A lot of people turned their head towards their direction, but seeing that it was the seat of one of the Thirteen Distinguished Families, they all shook their heads and ignored the commotion.
'Why is this noble family so… weird?'
"Haha, Kohen and I know each other really well. This shows how close we are…" Derek seemed to know his uncle and cousin-brother's daily routine. He immediately waved his hand to signal that there was nothing to fear. On the other hand, Lorbec frantically pulled the old Count Karabeyan, preventing him from furiously waving the staff for a second time.
"By the way, Kohen, even though you are the eldest son of the Karabeyan Family… how did you manage to be let in before your father arrived?" The director of the Western City Police Station, Lorbec Deira immediately changed the topic.
"I am not very sure either." Kohen scratched his head and frowned. "I only recovered from the injury I sustained in Red Street Market a few days ago—old man, put down your staff, we'll talk about this at home—and received an order to be on duty. As soon as I reached the door of Renaissance Palace, seeing that I'm one of them, the people from the city defense team and the police station let me in. Hearing that I'm a Karabeyan, the guards in the palace immediately led me into the Hall of Stars."
Having heard this, his father, Count Karabeyan, the Suzerain of Walla, was stunned.
The old count did not enquire further. Both he and Derek Kroma sat on their respective stone chairs. A few attending knights, Kohen, and Lorbec stood behind him.
Listening to their conversation, Thales made a rough guess that those two families were part of the Thirteen Distinguished Families.
At that moment, the noisy crowd suddenly became silent. Thales' gaze turned towards the other direction.
A distance away, two memorable figures stepped into the Hall of Stars. They were flanked by two teams of attendants as they stepped on the blue star streaked carpet.
The people in front of them automatically moved aside. Some of them bowed in greeting, and others were whispering.
Among the two figures, a plump and rich-looking old man smiled good-naturedly, occasionally responding to those around him. Embroidered on his back was a sword and a shield that were crossed against the background of a red sun.
