Kingdom's Bloodline, page 585
Gilbert’s steady voice, which was characteristic of him, rose slowly.
“Five hundred years ago, Line Breaker Sumer the Second appointed his eldest son, Alan, as the Duke of Star Lake so that he could begin managing the land and be involved in government affairs. He gave his son a legal way to help him in managing the country’s matters.
“Then, when Sumer the Second passed away, Prince Alan inherited the crown as a duke, and he was the Ascension King, Sumer the First.”
‘Line Breaker.’
Thales listened to his words and searched through his memories about how Little Rascal looked at the world—Ahem, he searched through his memories about how the Northlanders regarded Constellation’s history, which he had learned during his six years in Northland.
If he remembered correctly, Sumer the Second was the one who profited from the devastating Dual Star Confrontation as the unexpected third party and claimed the crown. To prevent blood relatives from fighting for the throne in the country and fratricide from occuring again, he announced the inheritance law that made sure the eldest son would inherit the throne or title of duke, while all the other younger children would change their surnames. They would also be given a territory to rule.
“‘As expected, we’re more modernized. If we choose a king, it’s only natural that we choose the most powerful. Just fight, and everything will be solved.”‘ This came from the Star Killer, who had been free and just stood by the side to listen.
Under that law, many individuals from branch families belonging to families with great surnames were forced to leave their homes and change their surnames. It also helped many families chase away numerous cousins who stayed under the complicated tree of their family genealogy and eyed the dukedoms with covetous eyes. Many of the vassals who were not the eldest children of their families hated Sumer the Second for that, and because of it, Sumer the Second gained the nickname—Line Breaker.
As for the Ascension King… Thales found the name familiar for some strange reason. He felt like he had heard of it not too long ago.
Gilbert continued to speak in a measured tone, “From then on, half of the Jadestars who were the Dukes of Star Lakes were either officially or unofficially announced crown princes. When the late king passes away, they will wear the Nine-Pointed Star royal crown, and they will inherit the supreme throne of Constellation.”
‘So, the Duke of Star Lake can be considered a title crown princes have before they inherit the crown—Hang on…’
While Thales was stilling thinking about who the Ascension King was, he frowned.
“You just mentioned that half of them became kings.”
Gilbert continued smiling as if he had predicted that Thales would ask this. “The other half are the most trusted family members of the king, like your grandfather’s brother, the Starlight God of War, John Jadestar, or are the most trusted assistants of the king, like the ancestor of Ice River City’s Talon Family. They are in control of great power and provide assistance to the king in governmental affairs.”
‘John Jadestar, Starlight God of War.’
Thales’ heart sank.
He remembered many things, such as the amusing tales the veteran Gerald told him when he was in Starlight Brigade back in Northland, Samel’s appraisal of the Duke of Star Lake while they were in the Prison of Bones, and the Duke of Western Desert telling him about John’s backstory while they were in Ghost Prince Tower.
The more Gilbert spoke, the more excited he became.
“Hence, Your Highness, to Constellation, the Duke of Star Lake is a title that is given to the king’s heir as an honorary title before the crown prince inherits the throne, or it is given to the closest family member of the king to show his grace and trust of the person. From there, the duke can provide aid to the king as his blood relative and strengthen the Jadestar Family’s rule.”
‘Closest family member. Grace and trust.’
Thales coughed lightly and narrowed his eyes before he said, “But I remember that during my grandfather’s rule, even though the Duke of Star Lake was his brother, John, the crown prince he chose was—”
To his surprise, Gilbert very quickly interrupted him. His voice was firm and resolute.
“This proves one thing. Your grandfather was willing to use his life to believe in his brother, John, just like how he believed in his heir. In fact, he believed that John would continue to assist the future king loyally as the Duke of Star Lake after he himself passed away.”
‘Used his life to believe in his brother, John, just like how he believed in his heir.’
For some reason, Samel’s indignant words in the prison echoed in Thales’ head.
“‘Was it a patricide, or a fratricide?”‘
Gilbert took a deep breath, and he continued to stare at Thales seriously, as though he would allow no disagreement.
“And John never disappointed your grandfather. As the greatest contributor of the Bloody Year, the former Duke of Star Lake and his Starlight Brigade marched south to fight against the rebels, then they marched north to fight against Eckstedt. In the end, he turned the tides through his great efforts and saved all of Constellation.”
‘John Jadestar, the greatest contributor of the Bloody Year. Marched south to fight against the rebels, then marched north to fight against Eckstedt. Turned the tides through his great efforts and saved all of Constellation…’
Thales mulled over those phrases and tried hard to suppress the strange chill that rose from the bottom of his heart.
“Yes.” The prince’s expression was dark, and his tone was calm. “Then, he died.”
Gilbert was stunned for a moment.
However, the Foreign Affairs Minister was obviously experienced. He frowned and very quickly took over Thales’ words.
“…And he made the title gain an even nobler status than before. During the eighteen years Starlake Fortress was empty, when the people talked about the Duke of Star Lake who spilled his blood on the battlefield, they only recalled his loyalty, the tragedy that befell him, and his glorious past.”
When he listened to how flawless Gilbert made the entire thing out to be, Thales did not reply. Instead, he stared at Gilbert for a long time.
During that moment, Thales suddenly remembered what the Disaster Sword Marina said.
“‘Please investigate this matter and find out the truth.
“‘Find the truth behind Duke John’s assassination in Zodra during the Bloody Year.”
‘The truth.’
The Foreign Affairs Minister frowned slightly under the prince’s gaze.
He suddenly had a feeling that the student he was once very familiar with had become a little unfamiliar.
A few seconds later, Thales turned his gaze away. “That is right.”
Gilbert sighed in his heart. He forgot the strange feeling in him. “Hence, receiving this title is a manifestation of His Majesty’s trust and his high opinion of you. This means that you are no longer a prince who lives under your father’s shadow, who only has a noble rank but has no real power. You are now His Majesty’s arm, the Duke of Star Lake. You have a territory, power, and status. Your position is equal to the other suzerains, and you can stand up to them.”
When he said that, Gilbert looked at Thales in excitement. “With this status, you can even go into the Imperial Conference and attend the meetings about national affairs. You can share His Majesty’s burdens, and your presence will not be unexpected.
“And when you communicate with other countries, Constellation’s Duke of Star Lake will be a powerful title. It was a far mightier name than that of King Kessel’s son.”
Thales still did not speak. He only appeared contemplative.
Perhaps it was because he wanted to state the details, but also because he was worried about something. However, Gilbert only paused for a fraction of a second before he continued, The smile on his face had yet to disappear.
“And of course, it is an announcement to the vassals whose ambitions remain: your status in His Majesty’s heart is still incredibly important even though you have left the country for six years. Your legitimacy to the crown cannot be shaken.”
‘Status in His Majesty’s heart.’
Thales appeared dazed, but he rejected the idea in his heart.
‘Come on, there’s still room for discussion regarding the matter.’
Even though he was not in the mood, Thales still cooperated and wore a surprised face. “Wow.”
Gilbert seemed to have been tricked by his look. The Foreign Affairs Minister had a relieved expression on his face.
“Yes, I know, Your Grace.” He held his staff tightly, and he unknowingly changed the term of address for Thales. “I have been waiting for this day for too long.”
It seemed that Thales had remembered something, and he appeared to be in a slight daze.
“So, earlier, Count Kroma immediately left.” The prince narrowed his eyes and looked at Gilbert. “He knows that no matter how close and familiar he appears to be with the prince to the people, and no matter how much he tries to become closer to me and form a rapport with me, he still cannot win against this title that has been empty for eighteen years, and has an extraordinary status in the kingdom?”
Gilbert paused for a moment.
“Perhaps, perhaps not, but that is a matter for them to worry about.” The Foreign Affairs Minister sighed. “Right now, the most important thing is that you are about to return to Renaissance Palace and your home soon.”
‘Home.’
Thales was stunned for a moment.
The carriage continued moving forward. The plains outside the window were broad, and the scenery was very magnificent. It showed the great beauty of Western Desert.
Yet, Thales knew that this was the first unfamiliar sight he was seeing.
“Home, is it?” Thales mumbled.
When he saw the prince react in that way, the strange feeling in Gilbert’s heart increased, but he quickly skipped the subject, because he was used to observing words and expressions. He shifted his attention to Thales’ weapon.
“Your Grace, this is…” Gilbert stared at the sword lying beside Thales’ hand, and his expression changed slightly.
Thales snapped back to attention and sighed in a troubled manner as well.
“Does it not look familiar? This is the Fakenhaz Family’s treasured sword, Sentinel.” Thales patted the hilt of the longsword. “I have to say, it is a good sword.”
Gilbert focused his gaze.
The Foreign Affairs Minister’s expression turned a little solemn.
“The national sword of the Ancient Empire is not just valuable, it also has a long history. It bears a significant meaning. The Duke of Western Desert is too… generous, do you not think so?” Thales stroked the sword hilt and raised his eyebrows.
The expression of Constellations’ Cunning Fox became very stern. “When you consider his reputation, yes.”
Thales pursed his lips and nodded. “Then should I put it away so that no one will see it?”
Gilbert shook his head and said, “No, there are too many ways for others to come to know about this. For example, if Duke Fakenhaz attends the banquet without the sword, the other nobles will ask him, and…”
Thales shrugged. “Then should I return it?”
Gilbert paused for a moment. “I am afraid so.”
The Foreign Affairs Minister had a contemplative expression. “I can write a letter for you saying that you respect the history of the sword. It will be tactful, suitable, and respectful. Our swiftest horses can send the sword back in just a few days’ time.”
However, this time, to his surprise, the teenager prince before his eyes only smiled faintly before he put Sentinel back into its sheath.
“No, I am lacking a sword I can use smoothly.”
Thales smiled and looked at Gilbert. His next words stunned the latter. “I will keep it.”
Gilbert stared at Thales in a daze. The unfamiliar feeling in his heart reached its peak. “Your High—Your Grace, forgive me for being straightforward, but considering our relationship with the suzerains of Western Desert, the meaning behind returning the sword surpasses the sword’s value. If the people see you receive the sword—”
However, Thales interrupted him.
“Gilbert.” The prince placed the longsword by his side again. His tone was calm, and he seemed to be stressing certain words. “Are you worried about the world watching me receive Fakenhaz’s gift, or are you worried about my father seeing it?” Thales’ gaze changed.
At that moment, Gilbert was truly shocked.
“Your Grace, I suggest that you do not think too much about this…” It appeared that the Foreign Affairs Minister wanted to say something, but he did not in the end.
“Gilbert, I saw all three of them.” Thales stared at the scenery outside the window, and his mind slowly wandered. “Be it Fakenhaz, Kroma, or Bozdorf. These local nobles from Western Desert, their attitude toward me, and how they fell over each other to tell me something has allowed me to sense this: your caution when you talked to me about the Duke of Star Lake and how worried you were about me forming ties with the nobles of Western Desert shows that this seemingly useless title of duke is not really that easy of a task, is it?” The prince closed his eyes and sighed before he opened them tiredly.
Gilbert instinctively wanted to refute his words, but the moment he met Thales’ gaze, he stopped speaking.
Thales leaned back against the carriage wall and sighed slowly.
Gilbert watched him quietly.
A few seconds later, the Foreign Affairs Minister sighed, and he wore an exhausted but simple smile. “My young Sir, perhaps you do not know this clearly, but do you know why we are here?”
Thales was slightly taken aback.
Gilbert exhaled and pointed outside the window to the distance.
“Because six years ago, your performance during the National Conference prevented this ancient kingdom from sinking into division and degeneration.
“It is why we have the chance to meet again six years later on this day.”
Thales frowned.
‘National Conference.’
The memories of the past inevitably returned to his mind.
“Very soon after the conference, with your magnanimous heart and resolute courage, you went north to Eckstedt. You sacrificed yourself to extinguish the flames of war and protected the country.”
‘Went north to Eckstedt…’
Thales pursed his lips.
“But that was not all you did.” Gilbert’s voice gained an airy quality, but the words he said became graver, “Over the past six years, as the Born King passed away, Dragon Clouds City has become weaker, and Eckstedt is currently engulfed in an even more chaotic internal strife.
“Based on what I know, Beacon Illumination City has just increased the tariff on provisions for Black Sand Region and Reformation Tower, causing the price for food in the latter to be incredibly high. The suzerains for the three regions are full of complaints toward each other, and they are practically mortal enemies at this point.
“The City of Faraway Prayers and Defense City are immersed in conflict in Golden Passage. They are fighting a hidden battle against Camus Union, who harbor malicious intents, behind the Alliance of Freedom’s back. The fight has been drawn out for a long time, and it is difficult for them to get themselves out of the mess.
“As Dragon Clouds City’s traditional eastern allies during King Nuven’s reign, Glacier Sea and Elaphure City’s relationship with Dragon Clouds City has been going south. They have changed sides multiple times during national affairs, and they are engaged in internal strife.”
‘Dragon Clouds City…’
When he heard that name, Thales could not help but clench his fists.
“Most importantly, the three archdukes in the south, be it the Archduke of Prestige Orchid, the Archduke of Reformation Tower, or Chapman the First, who makes us wary of him the most, have lost their common enemy. Even though they have always cast covetous glances at our territory, since Black Sand Region has been proclaimed king, the balance between the three has been broken. Their attention has turned to the lands within Eckstedt, and they are now on guard against each other.
“The three suzerains of the three regions are wary of each other. Because of that, they have had to greatly reduce their army at the borders of Constellation so that they can be prepared for the threat from each other.”
Gilbert looked at him gently. The smile on his face was the same as it was when Thales was in Mindis Hall.
“Hence, during the past six years, the pressure on the northern part of the country has been drastically reduced. The Northern Pine Forest has returned to our patrol area, and even the fiercest Eckstedt hunters do not dare head south to hunt. The citizens of Overwatch City and Lonely Old Tower have welcomed a rare peace and prosperity.
“And the defense line at the borders of Black Sand Region are unprecedentedly empty. It is said that the Fortress Flower brought her patrols and went over the border to set up camp in Black Sand Region. They stayed there for three days and nights, but the scattered Eckstedtians did not dare approach them. They only dared to watch from a distance, because their suzerains and their king hated each other, and they had no time to pay attention to the south.
“The danger to Broken Dragon Fortress has been resolved. The effect it brought was instantaneous. The cultivation of land, harvests, the caring of livestock, business, and other professions in the Northern Territory has slowly recovered. For example, when we organized your rescue from Western Desert, quite a lot of soldiers were mobilized from the regions around Broken Dragon Fortress. They are all enlisted soldiers.”
Gilbert paused for a moment. There was a deep wave of sentimentality in his voice.
“I still remember that six years ago, the regular soldiers serving under Baron Murkh were stationed in the Central Territory. They kept their army ready for battle and were anxious making preparations for the north because they were wary of any changes occurring to the fortress. They were not to leave their positions as they liked within a short moment’s notice.
