Kingdom's Bloodline, page 627
Scholar Julio returned to lecturing mode. One of his hands held on the syllabus and the other held on to chalk. He started to worry about how he should finish the content of today’s lesson when he only had half of it left.
“That is right.” Thales looked at the graphs and numbers on the paper and sighed, “What truly impresses me is that this mathematical knowledge was invented by a traditional and devoted theologian from a few hundred years ago.”
Julio was excited, “During Jackal Sumer the Third’s time, Saint Lisieux was not just a theologian. His mathematical knowledge was not any lower than his divine knowledge and philosophical inquiries.
“And what you have just used, which is the method of using coordinate geometry to show the changing speed of numbers, is what he learned after he tried to tackle the crowd dispersion problem after the celebration in the city. It was recorded in the Lesson Learned from Arch Sea City.”
Julio smiled excitedly. When he was introducing Saint Lisieux, he was happy that the prince was unexpectedly interested in this knowledge that was not popular and that most of the nobles refused to learn.
“I see.”
When he remembered the theology lesson a few days ago, Thales could not help but sigh, “Sunset Church is a religion that treats their goddess as a supreme entity, and yet they had someone of this talent appear among them? It is interesting.”
Julio nodded, but his expression soon changed. He seemed to worry about something. “Your Highness, I might be overstepping my boundaries, but I already knew that you started your theo-theology lesson…”
Thales frowned. “You knew?”
Scholar Julio shrugged and lowered the volume of his voice.
“I think that you should, hmm, keep a good relationship with the church. Sometimes, you should try to ignore the conflict between small concepts. That can save you from a lot of trouble…”
‘That’s something new.’
Thales moved his butt and leaned against the chair. He was interested.
“What do you mean?”
Scholar Bonar, who taught grammar lessons, was a little old-fashioned and did things slowly. He always said shocking words that rendered Thales speechless.
‘”Yo-Your Highness, wh-why are you in such a hurry, are you going on a d-date?”‘
During history lessons, Gilbert was also conscious of teaching him politics. Even though they were in a hurry to let him be able to pretend that he was amazing, in every key history matter, he could not defeat his instincts as a Foreign Affairs Minister and add his own thoughts in the matter. The class would end while he was still giving his lengthy speech, so much so that they were seriously behind schedule.
“‘Argh, Your Highness, the best moment always passes by too fast. Why don’t we add another class of history?”‘
During nature lessons, Lord Monton could be best described as a person who always sweated a lot and smiled awkwardly. The goal of the lesson had changed from “broadening the prince’s knowledge and “persuading the prince to look at the matters of the world” into “Your Highness, why don’t you try to guess this question first?”.
The gods had mercy on Thales when it came to Master Uhran’s art class, Thales always slept soundly, sweetly, and in great satisfaction while he played the lute melodiously and drew on his canvas. Hence, he was considered a national hero for saving the Duke of Star Lake from dying young due to lack of sleep.
How about the mathematics teacher, Julio?
Although he was a scholar in all its traditional sense, he was not good with his words, and it formed a huge contrast with those who were smart and cunning. He was simple, and he was not well versed in the matters of the world, which were both traits that complimented each other. It always made Thales wonder how he got this nice job that brought both fame and fortune. Naturally, Thales later knew that Julio’s father in-law used to be someone big in the Department of Finance, so it was not hard to explain why Julio could always show clear financial statements.
But if he had to suggest to Thales that he should build a good relationship with certain people… Thales would rather believe that the tailoring session had not ended yet.
Scholar Julio was seen to glance a few times at the duke’s desk before he said stiffly, “You know, there was a period of time where some knowledge and research had been thought to be illegal by the temples, and mathematics was, unfortunately, one of the main subjects banned…”
Thales became more interested. “Why?”
Julio took a deep breath. “Because if some matters were studied deeply, we would end up trespassing ancient taboos, and the gods would feel unhappy.”
‘Ancient taboos.’ Thales fell into deep thought for a while. “And you believe in it?”
Julio shrugged, and he showed a resigned face. “Of course I do not. But everything that happens during that period of time happens for a reason that is logical during that period of time. For example, the knowledge about the calculation of liquid volume was once considered evil, and the pharmacy owners were banned from using measuring tools…”
As he became smoother in his speech, Julio suddenly realized something, and there was a change in his facial expression. “Sorry, I am not here to teach you History…”
“No, no, I am very interested.” Thales politely raised his hands. “Please feel free to solve my doubts. ”
Julio was slightly at a loss, but he forced a smile. After he made sure that the prince was in a good mood, he tentatively spoke, “In short, in a few hundred years ago, during the notorious Mbola’s massacre, the chief cult’s priest was a pharmacist. His rich knowledge in pharmaceutical knowledge was the key knowledge for them to do human sacrifice as well as to figure out the geometry to carve their symbols…”
‘Cult sacrifice.
‘Human sacrifice.
‘Carving symbols.’
Thales quirked his eyebrows a little.
Julio coughed. “Since then, pharmacy and geometry were included in the legends of witches, demons and heretical gods. They gained a notorious name.”
“So, what does it do with my theology lesson?”
Julio was stunned for a while before he recalled what he wanted to say. “Oh, thank you for reminding me. I almost forget the theme…”
“Overall, at that time, all churches including Sunset Temple were still… um… traditional. For a long period of time, the scholars did not have a good time, even in Dragon Kiss Academy.”
If there was a competition stammering while talking in long sentences, Thales felt that his father’s Masked Protector could take the top spot. But Yodel could not feel secure in his spot, because if the competition was about long sentences out of his major, then Scholar Julio would be a powerful competitor for the title of champion.
If he added straying far away from the main topic into the competition, he would undoubtedly bet all his fortune on Julio to win.
Thales glared at him.
“Then some people like Vicar General Saint Lisieux appeared. They were not just part of the temple, but they also had the ambition of developing the world of academia so that everyone can conduct research safely… Thanks to their wide visions, you and I could be here to study these cute little formulae, which have been formed due to the accumulation of research by our predecessors.” Scholar Julio looked at the numbers and symbols on the paper with a gentle and compassionate gaze, as if he was looking at his lover.
Julio took a deep breath, and his face became serious. “Therefore, Your Highness, being friendly with the temple is not a bad thing, especially when they are a powerful force now. You should be friendly with them, even though forming a relationship with them might not be fitting to your hearts’ desires. In this way, many obstacles will be solved.”
Thales looked at Julio with an unprecedentedly intriguing gaze. “What about you?”
Julio’s eyes brightened. He raised his fingers and swayed them as if he was presenting something precious to Thales. Then, he pulled out a brass disciplinary necklace from his chest.
“Look, I am a sincere believer of Sunset Temple, and I am also the honorary priest in the Royal Academy Theological Branch. I always go to Sunset Temple to pray, and when I go back to my hometown, I also go to the temple very often.”
Julio’s eyes were full of pride and boastfulness, as if he had gained some sort of achievement. “I study mathematics in the name of God!”
Thales snickered.
This made Scholar Julio’s expression stiffen, and he did not seem to know where to place his hands.
“Why?” Thales coughed a little to cover his teasing. “Why did you especially mention this to me?”
Julio put down his disciplinary necklace, wiped his hands against his clothes, and carefully pointed at Thales’ desk.
“You… have been holding the book for a few days. Your handprint is about to be left on the cover.”
Thales lowered his head and looked.
It was the Sunset Goddess Apostles’ Acts that lay under his draft papers.
The Duke of Star Lake was stunned.
A few seconds later, Thales could not help but pressed his hand against his head and sighed.
How could he make such a stupid mistake?
Was he too stressed over the past few days after he came back to Constellation?
If he were in Northland, Thales would carefully change to a new book every day while he was at Heroic Spirit Palace, and people could not easily discover what had caught his interest.
Hmm… he also could not say so.
After all, Nicholas was not very intelligent.
“You are a smart boy, Your Highness.” Julio was slightly worried. “I mean, there are not many people who can understand many complicated mathematical questions at your age, and besides, you just came back from the savage Northland. No offense.
“And people with such mindsets are not willing to listen to boring theology lessons as well as sermons. I know, and I have experienced it before, but…”
Julio pointed at the crinkled cover of the temple’s scriptures. “When you want to tear off the book and release your anger, do not let people see.”
Thales caressed against the finger markings on the Sunset Goddess Apostles’ Acts that were a lot more obvious than a few days ago, and he remained silent for a while.
“I was just… reading too seriously.”
“Urk… then you do not need to be too worried.” This time, it was Julio who was worried that he had disturbed the prince’s life too much. He lowered his head and said, “Luckily, this is the age of enlightenment. If we are in ancient times, the consequences of your actions would not be very good.”
Thales snickered. “Do not worry. I may not be very important, but at the very least, I am a prince, am I not?”
“Urk… four hundred years ago, Alien Star Herman was also Ascension King’s eldest son and heir, but because he disrespected the gods…”
Scholar Julio stopped talking suddenly.
Thales’ smile was frozen too.
The room became quiet.
A few seconds later, Julio realized what he had just said. He stared at Thales in terror before he looked around in panic.
“I-I-Your Highness…”
Thales schooled his expression.
“Scholar Julio, we have solved this question, right?”
“Oh, of course, of course, Your Grace, Your Highness… Should we, stop here now?” Julio looked like he was about to cry.
Thales remained silent for a while. Then, he raised his head and showed a smile. “All right.”
It was only then that Julio sighed in relief. He grabbed all his teaching materials in a flurry of motion to leave. He did not even remember that his disciplinary necklace still hung outside his clothes.
“Um-Your Grace, regarding what I said today. Um…Count Gilbert Caso…”
Thales sighed lightly. “Gilbert will not know about it.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Julio left while he staggered.
“Julio.”
Julio shivered violently.
“Thank you, too,” Thales said lightly.
Perhaps he learned that he had said something that he should not have, but Scholar Julio, who loved to drag out his lesson way beyond what he should have, was more considerate than he usually was by ending the lesson half an hour earlier.
Before the history lesson in the afternoon, where Gilbert would rush over to tell him about the political gains and losses of the King of Blades, Thales was free, which was something rare.
Thales sat quietly in his study. His gaze wandered about the cover of Sunset Goddess Apostles’ Acts, but he did not manage to get himself out of the mood brought on him by Julio’s words.
“Glover, close the door, I want to sleep a little.”
Zombie, who stood at the door, did not give any additional reaction. He did not ask after his well-being or make a big fuss out of nothing. He only nodded quietly and shut the door while he was at it.
He heard Glover giving orders to the guards on duty outside the door.
‘Based on this alone, Vanguard Glover is indeed much more professional than D.D.’
He acted with a low profile, is obedient, quiet, indifferent, and never did anything unnecessary.’ Thales thought gloomily. ‘Perhaps he is the type King Kessel believes in.’
For some unknown reason, when Thales thought of this, he felt his heart tense.
If he could choose, Thales still felt that getting along with people like Doyle was much more relaxing.
‘Why?’
Thales sighed.
He sized up the empty study, picked up the Sunset Goddess Apostles’ Acts, which contained the secret, stood up, and walked to the shelf behind him.
The duke pushed the lever of a mechanism behind a board and pulled open the bookshelf.
He entered the secret chamber within the study room.
Chapter 531: Guest |
Six years ago, Gilbert had brought Thales to the place after the kingdom regained its heir for the first time. They hid from the probing of a wave of enemies. Now, after six years, Thales had become the master of Mindis Hall. The hall also, naturally, became a place for him to utilize even though Gilbert thought that along with Thales’s identity becoming public and the Royal Guards being stationed at Mindis Hall, the place was no longer necessary.
Thales locked the secret door from the other side, lifted the thick cloth, which had Luminous Stones covering it, and he looked through the small hole that allowed him to monitor the various parts of Mindis Hall under the dim light.
At the front of the hall was Mallos, who was sending off Scholar Julio politely while the latter was still uneasy. Perhaps he suspected that the restless prince had done something to prank his teacher.
Glover and his colle
agues stood at their posts in the corridor as they performed their duty and responsibilities to their very best. They were stoic.
In the garden was Kommodore and Procca, whom Thales had fought before. They seemed to be talking about something while patrolling the area. Thales had lazily named the gathering as a “teambuilding for the prince’s personal punching bags”.
Meanwhile, Doyle was in the scullery. He was squatting in a corner while feeling bored and finding his life meaningless. He bit down on a long piece of butter bread as he observed the servants, who were busy preparing lunch.
It was only then that Thales let out a sigh and collapsed on the couch in the secret chamber.
After taking a few breaths, he rubbed the spot between his eyebrows with his back against the couch. He felt a sense of ease, one that he had not sensed for a long time.
It felt like… when he was back in Abandoned House, where the child-beggars lived.
Although the wind blew through the four walls, they remained sturdy and reliable when it came to protecting all of the weaknesses he could not protect.
Thales took a brief rest before he sat back up. He pulled away the other pieces of cloth that were also covered with Luminous Stones. The secret chamber lit up.
The duke mumbled something under his breath. He approached a piece of metal at the side of the couch and touched the few pieces of spinning buttons on top of it.
A few seconds later, as the soft sounds of mechanical whirring echoed in his ears, Thales pushed away the metal plate—it had now been separated into two—and opened his personal storage. The previous master of Mindis Hall had likely used the place often too. But Thales could imagine that after the Bloody Year, this spot had been cleared out by King Kessel.
What entered his sight was a bunch of stuff that was piled up in a disorderly manner.
The moment Thales stared at the spot before him, he stopped moving.
A few seconds later, Thales took a deep breath. He walked over to the weapon rack, which was pathetically empty and looked at the greatest item in it—the rumored to be highly valuable national sword of the Empire, Sentinel.
When he held the hilt of the sword, he found the touch unfamiliar, but the sensation of the grip was amazing. It stirred up a desire within him, urging him to draw the sword.
If it were not due to the fact that he would always remember its previous owner’s face and the trouble it brought him whenever he held the sword, Thales would like it even more.
The duke lowered his head gloomily, and he grabbed the dagger that he was incredibly familiar with. It was right next to Sentinel.
The hilt of the JC dagger was icy cold, causing Thales to remember all the hardships he had experienced when he was with it.
However, the sheath cover was warm, and it suited his hand just like the two people it represented.
Ever since Thales stepped into Mindis Hall, he had gotten fewer chances to bring the JC Dagger with him. The martial arts lessons that went on every day and night forced him to repeatedly equip and remove the dagger. But Thales also did not want too many people to see it, even if those people were the Duke of Star Lake’s personal guards, whom he should trust.
