Kingdom's Bloodline, page 637
“Radiating an effervescent glow…”
Along with their master’s words, the ridges and peaks pierced through the mist straight into the sky.
“Blazing bright.”
A second passed.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
The prince—overwhelmed by the ridges and peaks in Koshder’s eyes—snapped out of it.
Shoot. There are so many people around. If they witnessed this…
Realizing he was not a child, Thales blushed. He shoved Koshder’s fingers away and took a step back, feeling awkward.
“You… that… me… I can’t…”
Behind him, Doyle and Glover looked at each other in dismay, while Mallos frowned.
But the Duke of Land of Cliffs was unyielding. He strode forward steadily with an aggressive air about him.
“The Young Star has returned,” Koshder’s expression was solemn, but his language was quaint, “Every day is a new dawn.”
Like a water flow, the tone of his voice changed suddenly; it was turbulent and gripping. “When will it reach culmination and shine across the galaxy?”
Reach culmination, shine across the galaxy…
Thales’ heart skipped a beat.
He checked his footsteps and calmed the sudden surge of panic.
“Your mastery of the ancient language of The Empire is impressive.” The prince took a deep breath as he was finally able to recompose himself and avoid Koshder’s subtext-filled topic. “Shame grammar is not my expertise.”
Koshder stood firm, ignoring the quizzical gaze from those around him, and stared fixedly at Thales with his sole eye.
A few seconds later, he laughed heartily, “It’s excusable.”
Duke of Land of Cliffs let out a disturbing sneer. “If a king is proficient in both academia and martial arts, capable of handling every matter in detail, able to cover all the bases, and omni-talented…then what use would we vassals be?”
Thales made an effort not to comprehend the profound distortions in that sentence, and awkwardly and hastily responded, “So we each perform our own duties, and strive in unity for Constellation?”
Koshder narrowed his eye. “So it’s a deal then? Our plan?”
Thales’ heart skipped another beat. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” The duke put on a straight face and glanced at the people around him. “What plan?”
Koshder’s gaze turned cold as he took a step back.
But he immediately took in his surroundings, came to a realization, and chuckled, “Of course, hahahaha. Of course…”
What started as a soft chuckle turned into a cold guffaw, with palpable arrogance. “No plan. None at all!”
Witnessing this reaction, Thales felt uneasy and anxious.
A second later, after a good bout of laughing, the Duke of Nanchester lowered his head. His gaze was profound and piercing. “Only a long journey ahead. A vast sea,” he said coldly, his gaze was imposing but his tone was pregnant with a sense of satisfaction, “On which you must traverse. For which you are forced to set sail.”
At these words, the master of Great Deer Antler, Nanchester of the Land of Cliffs, One-Eyed Dragon Koshder turned around and marched off confidently!
He rudely shoved two ushers away and walked off arrogantly, sneering as he went.
Leaving the somewhat stunned Thales on the spot, his clothing slightly ruffled.
This scene attracted the attention of many. They looked at each other in dismay, with endless conjectures in their minds.
A while passed before Doyle—who had been on guard but keeping his distance—carefully looked towards Thales, who was straightening his clothes and deep in thought.
“What was that, Zombie?” He prodded the equally curious Glover and whispered, “He straightforwardly asked His Highness if he had lost weight and whether he was abused… And then he… he…”
“In the end he even recited some sort of poem to His Highness… I think I heard something along the lines of ‘deal?’, ‘forced to’…”
Upon hearing this, Glover threw a glance at Doyle, his strange expression a rare sight.
“Do you think, that Duke of Nanchester…” Doyle doubted incredulously, “that he has a preference for…” Doyle glanced over at Thales in concern, then looked at Koshder’s disappearing figure in the distance, and blurted in panic, “Pretty boys?”
Chapter 538: Magnificent Scene of Hell |
The sun dipped below the horizon.
Even though the main banquet had not yet started, the early arrival of the two dukes had livened the atmosphere in the banquet hall.
Outside the hall, logistics officer Stone and the chief of staff of Mindis Hall had their plates full cataloging the carriages and gifts and bickering with drivers and attendants that spoke in various accents.
Inside the hall, the personal attendants that arrived with the guests bustled about, occasionally having to argue with the servants in the secondary hall in fulfilling the needs and requests of their masters.
Gilbert had no choice but to arrange for the clowns, dancers, and minstrels to start performing earlier. He provided entertainment and food to reciprocate (distract) the enthusiasm (attention) of the guests. Reportedly, many who could not enter because they did not receive invites had rushed to the venue to try their luck on this special day.
Mallos skillfully and professionally coordinated everything. He designated seats, managed the servants, discussed on-site matters with the chief of staff from Renaissance Palace, handled unforeseen incidents (for example a low-level noble that brought his six daughters who did not have invitations along, as well as re-designating a garrulous Jorge—who excitedly pestered everyone about whether they knew who “the eminent Polaris” was—from the foreign guest table to the veteran’s table).
Thales could only grumble in silence. Although as the nominal owner of Mindis Hall, he should have been seated at the main table waiting for guests to arrive, he could not. This was primarily due to the fact that the banquet was attended by the respected king himself, it would not have been appropriate for the second prince to be comfortably seated. The second reason was that Thales had the special status of having recently returned, there was a pressing need to establish a good first impression.
So after the Seven Jadestars Attendants and two main dukes, Thales had to continue dragging a large band of attendants and guards around, shuffle back and forth in Mindis Hall in accordance with Mallos’ arrangements and Gilbert’s instructions (“Your Highness, get over here quick”, “Your Highness, you need to be there”, “Your Highness, where were you?”—Thales complained mockingly under his breath), receiving designated important guests, placating guests who were dissatisfied with their seats, and reciprocating greetings (whether sincere or not) with (definitely insincere) smiles and gifts along the way to exhibit the elegance and dignity of the royal family and display the “warm hospitality, affability and decorum” of the new Duke of Star Lake.
“Your Highness, your complexion looks good. You look healthy,” Duke Bob Cullen of Eastern Sea Hill, sporting a head of silver hair and a bulging belly, supported by two attendants, greeted Thales cordially.
Thales coughed, “Welcome, Mr. Prime Minister. I am glad to see you in good health too.”
Duke Cullen spent three out of four seasons in a year recuperating from illness in Eternal Star City, but his portly and lovable appearance today gave the impression that he was still the affable round-bottomed doll of the kingdom.
Well, that was only partly true.
Thales glanced downward.
At least, his belly bulged even more now.
“Exactly. As soon as I learned that you had broken away from the hell hole of those Northland Barbarians, my illness took a turn for the better.”
The Guardian of Eastern Sea Hill looked at the portrait of the Three Constellation Kings and said cheerfully, “God bless Constellation, I’ve missed this mansion dearly—back when this place was open to the public, I used to visit often but didn’t appreciate it. Now that I’m old and opportunities are few and far between, I feel nostalgic.”
Thales smiled and pretended not to understand what the duke was insinuating. He gestured to accompany the duke towards the banquet hall, making sure that his manners were faultless.
“You will love the gifts I have for you. I brought you a collection of pearls, a specialty from the shores of Splendid Port, as well as spices, tea and cloth shipped from the Eastern Peninsula, all sorts of extravagant goods. These are definitely a cut above those from South Coast Hill. I’m sure you’re aware, if you head east, ocean currents and trade winds are in our favor…”
Compared to Zayen’s insincerity and Koshder’s harsh words and stern looks, Duke Cullen’s incessant chatter was equally unique in the kingdom. Too bad they were mostly accurate nonsense said in an agreeable manner; there was nothing to refute or interrupt.
In the past, Thales would have endured it as part of his official duties, and ended it after they reached the hall.
But now…
Thales sighed, and forced himself to interject the stout duke’s good-natured monologue, “Earlier, Administrator Jorge of Elaphure City was trying to introduce his master’s three daughters to me.”
Duke Cullen’s footsteps stuttered, the Sun Sword and Shield family crest on his chest trembling slightly.
“Daughters?”
He cradled his bejeweled belt that seemed like it was about to break under the weight of his belly.
“Three?”
Duke Cullen paused, carefully sized Thales up and sighed heavily. “Sure is great to be young…”
Thales smiled awkwardly.
But the old duke went on with a hint of nostalgia in his voice, “To think I used to have three in a night as well…
“That old bustard at the brothel—hehe, I mean, the madam at Laya Club, on account of my status and generous tips, insisted on adding one more, but was sternly rejected by me. After all, the Sunset Goddess teaches that us nobles should lead by example, avoid immorality, and exercise self-control…”
The old fatso’s ability to interject and veer off topic was probably unparalleled throughout Constellation as well.
“Of course, in this regard, I’m not as capable as your father. Rumour has it that he once sparred with thirty in a night at Red Street Market…”
The more Thales heard, the more he was annoyed. He quickly interrupted, “No, that’s not what Elaphure City meant, and they certainly didn’t mean all three at once, just…”
The Duke of the Eastern Sea was still staring at him with a grin.
The prince sighed and gave up his efforts to explain, understanding that it would only make matters worse. “You have nothing else to say about this information, about Elaphure City’s marriage proposal?”
Cullen froze for a moment, and seemed to ponder seriously.
A second later, he suddenly realized. “Oh! I’m so sorry. All my daughters are married and have children, some are even grandmothers.”
The Prime Minister seemed slightly disappointed.
“As for my granddaughters, alright, I’ll gather some information when I’m back… Yeah, and it’ll take me some time to get their portraits done, preferably full-body portraits, then I’ll present a list to you… It doesn’t matter which one you pick, or which ones…?”
Thales closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh.
When he opened his eyes, the prince interjected the duke unceremoniously, “Eckstedt has a considerably long coastline, and their maritime territory borders ours. This includes Elaphure City.”
Duke Cullen stopped in his tracks.
He patted the shoulders of his attendant, and the latter bowed and retreated as if well-trained to do so.
Thales felt relieved.
Now we’re talking.
“Whether it’s Reformation Tower or Glacier Sea—the former limited by the Sighing Mountains, the latter suffering from freezing coastlines—both lack good ports. Only the Gaddro Family of Elaphure City, with the two ports of Elaphure City—which connects inland transportation as well as hinterland towns—under their control, are able to support a fleet capable of sailing long distances…”
Thales gradually revealed his main point, “Able and qualified to sail the Sea of Eradication and, with Constellation…” Thales’ gaze shifted as he corrected himself, “To be precise, it’s with the Seven Eastern Sea Ports under your rule—share the enormous profits of the Eastern Sea Route.”
The Duke of the Eastern Sea straightened his back and beamed from ear to ear. “You seem to have a decent grasp of geography.”
The Duke of Star Lake took a deep breath. “For a century, due to the unprecedented dominance of Dragon Clouds City, Elaphure City had been restricted in every aspect: they crave the support of Heroic Spirit Palace yet fear the king’s authority, and have been content with their lot and keeping a low profile in Eckstedt all these years, while concealing their strength and biding their time.”
Cullen shook his head. “There’s an advantage of growing up in the north, I see?”
Thales frowned.
Pretend to be ignorant.
But he had no choice.
He had to make the most of this encounter today.
The prince chose to cut straight to the point, “But today, Archduke Gaddro took the initiative to send a delegate to visit Eternal Star City, to attend my banquet.”
Cullen chuckled. “To propose marriage to you, as a sign of friendship?”
Thales shook his head. “The purpose of their visit, including the child’s play-like marriage proposal, is mostly posturing and reconnaissance,” The Duke of Star Lake had a gleam in his eyes. “Waiting for the highest bidder.”
The Duke of Eastern Sea paused for a few seconds.
When the master of Sun Sword and Shield spoke again, the hint of crass and unctuousness in his tone was now replaced by vigilance and shrewdness. “Waiting for the highest bidder? Waiting for whose bid?”
Thales took a deep breath and chose the most appropriate wording, “Your Grace, you have ruled the Eastern Sea and managed the Gulf of Brilliance for nearly half a century. I believe you know the answer better than anyone. I believe, you understand more than anyone, what Elaphure City’s actions today mean, and what’s at stake.”
The Duke of Star Lake stared squarely at Cullen.
The stout old duke was silent, his emotions imperceptible from his shrewd eyes.
After a long while, he spoke slowly, “I didn’t see them in such a hurry when King Nuven passed away…”
But in the next moment, Duke Cullen narrowed his eyes, a cunning expression on his face as he asked, “So, Dragon Clouds City that has been transporting supplies and reselling goods for them and backing their maritime plunders… What’s happened to it?”
Thales sighed inside.
Damn that old fox.
Thales had no choice but to reveal the answer to him blankly. “The Alliance of Freedom has won. Lampard… might be on the verge of winning too.”
Duke Cullen stuck out his big belly and put on a “eureka” expression.
Thales observed Cullen’s expression and conveyed his own thoughts, “Without the robust support of Heroic Spirit Palace, Elaphure City has been forced to revert to their original northerner self: no means to transport goods and no backing for their plunders. More importantly, they have no king behind them, and no belief in their hearts. They are cut off on land and face sinking if they go by sea.”
Cullen frowned deeply.
Before King Nuven passed, Dragon Clouds City tightened and loosened the reins accordingly, by being generous yet stern, and giving and retracting benefits to accumulate supremacy. This subdued the arrogant Elaphure City that relied on the thoroughfare of the coastal border region to the point of obedience, too afraid to rebel.
The latter had borne a conflicted attitude towards the rule of the Walton family: they coveted the strong support of the kingdom sovereignty, yet worried about the independent status of their key northern ports.
(“Hmph, they shamelessly ask for rice but can’t be bothered to reach their bowls out, is there such a lucrative bargain in this world?! That goatee, gutless and recalcitrant, is only worthy of carving out the words “King of Dragon Clouds City” in letters as an act of cynicism. Upon witnessing this, your grandfather merely laughed and dispensed even more supplies and resold even more goods for the sheepish Elaphure City,”– words that Regent Lisban once blurted out while explaining northern history to the Archduchess.)
But now, the strong support they lean on is not only kingless, but also on the verge of collapse.
Thales categorically stated, “Elaphure City’s maritime trade, will definitely be affected.”
Duke Cullen did not speak.
Thales, however, took a step forward and caught the strong scent of exotic spices coming from the duke. “So you are free to act mercilessly, when Archduke Gaddro is burnt out from domestic politics and hesitant…”
Thales’ heart sank as he silently thought about his own motives.
When they are hesitant about whether to betray Dragon Clouds City and shift their alliance to King Chapman…
When they are waiting for Constellation to react and make a stand, waiting for Black Sand Region to make an offer to get them on their side…
The second prince said decisively, “Initiate the attack and subdue them with a pre-emptive strike to recapture the maritime profits lost to the northern fleets since the Bloody Year due to the weak state of our kingdom… All of it.”
Duke Cullen blinked his beady eyes, a look of amiable ignorance on his face.
“Show those bunch of northland barbarians with holes in their heads who think they can navigate seas just because they can paddle, show them who the ultimate boss on the Sea of Eradication is.”
Thales’ gaze was resolute.
He did not know how effective his words were.
But if they noticed even a sliver of Eastern Sea Hill’s attitude—self-serving and prepared to kick someone when they are down—then Elaphure City would soon understand:
