Kingdom's Bloodline, page 76
"Under these circumstances, maybe it will relieve King Nuven's pain and hatred in losing his only son by declaring war towards Constellation, or killing an heir of equivalent importance like me. However, after he calms down, he will realize that this will only lead to the Walton Family's final destruction.
"The possible territories that can be gained through battle or negotiation with Constellation will all be received by our neighboring three archdukes at Southern Eckstedt: the Archduke of Black Sand, the Archduke of Prestige Orchid, and the Archduke of Reformation Tower. Those three archdukes are the most popular candidates for the next King Selection Congress. Even though the territories gained under these circumstances will belong to the Walton Family as their land, it will be taken by the three archdukes in the near future because the lands are far too close to the three of them.
"It also means that, in the conflict between Constellation and the Dragon, the three archdukes who are the greatest beneficiaries will become stronger. As for the Waltons who have already lost their direct heir, they will only become increasingly weaker under King Nuven, and they will eventually perish.
"Under this situation, King Nuven will only try his best to avoid any conflict between Constellation and the Dragon, regardless if it is war or negotiation. He will not let any one of Constellation's territories or resources fall into the hands of the three southern archdukes. That is the only way to maintain even power among Eckstedt's ten archdukes, and to ensure that the weakening Walton Family does not head to its own downfall.
"Also, is there any other huge kingdom other than Constellation, hailed as 'Western Peninsula's Shield', or any other famous, prosperous, and powerful family other than the Jadestar Royal Family, which is a more fitting ally in seizing the attention of the three southern archdukes as well as exerting pressure upon them? In treating Constellation or the Jadestar Royal Family as their natural ally, plus ensuring the recovery of our strength so that we become even stronger and more powerful than before, only the Walton Family can be assured of the continuation of their family and a chance in the next king selection.
"Under such a scenario, them and us, the Walton Family and Jadestar Royal Family's benefits are unprecedentedly the same.
"Walton and Jadestar are already natural allies.
"Presumably, the act of letting King Nuven 'kill' me is only the king's shocking method to let the other party cool down. After King Nuven's fury is quenched, mutual understanding will grow and sprout in King Nuven as well as King Kessel's hearts at the same time. There will be no need for an agreement, no need for an oath and no need for a negotiation; this is the natural treaty.
"A treaty that belongs to Cloud Dragon Spear Flag's Walton Family and Nine-Pointed Star Flag's Jadestar Family—'The Union of Two Kings'."
Thales sighed deeply. "The Battle of Eradication's two outstanding human heroes, Raikaru and Tormond's respective descendants. How ironic that the two kingdoms are sincerely working together only when the two kingdoms are unprecedentedly hostile towards each other."
Thus, it could be seen just how immature the two feudalistic nations, Constellation and the Dragon were. In a world full of many illogical technologies, it was still apparently a feudal society. On the surface, the highest ruler had authority over foreign affairs and military affairs, but in reality, the highest ruler was skating on thin ice and had to be very alert, being in a life or death struggle with territorial suzerains.
'The state's autonomy is truly pathetically limited and painfully weak.'
The prince put away his past memory and lifted his head while he continued his speech. "And so, compared to Constellation that is seemingly peaceful but in reality, very dangerous due to the threats lurking in every corner, Eckstedt that is seemingly dangerous and hostile but is actually safe and secure is the best place for me to go. This should be the true intention of His Majesty."
'Hopefully.'
Thales added, at the bottom of his heart.
The image of the expressionless king appeared before his eyes. 'After all… I cannot see affection in the king's eyes.'
He snapped back to his senses and said with a smile on his face, "And so, I, as a representative of the Jadestar Royal Family, may encounter King Nuven's test in Dragon Clouds City. Maybe some mean people will deliberately make things difficult for me, maybe I will be ridiculed by the suzerains and become their bargaining chip in confronting Constellation. I may even face conspiracies from different forces with different motives. However, it is still safer for me to be there than to be in Constellation…"
In the next second, Thales' eyes shone brilliantly with intense confidence and affirmation.
"Therefore, I will survive!"
Gilbert started to chuckle.
However, in the next moment, he immediately lifted his head and said seriously, "Since you think of it that way, Your Highness, I have nothing to worry about anymore. I came here today to discuss the candidates for your diplomatic group, and also the candidates for your attendants."
Thales nodded.
Gilbert bowed slightly. "But before that… Your Highness, there is someone who would like to meet you."
"Meet me?" Thales had just picked up his knife and fork. He raised his brows when he heard of Gilbert's request.
'To meet me at this very moment?'
Thales nonchalantly picked up a piece of potato and put it into his mouth. "If the person is attracted by my fame and wishes to see the last of Jadestar's Prince with similar interest as looking at a rare animal, please reject the request on my behalf. Be more polite in your wording, I have already offended way too many people."
However, Gilbert shook his head.
"No, I think this person is one of the very few people who want to visit you regardless of your identity as a prince. In fact, a little over a month, he has been recuperating from his wounds in the barracks located at the back."
"Are you saying…?" Thales seemed to recall something as he lifted his head in astonishment.
*Thud, thud*
These sounds came from outside the study room.
Gilbert nodded and lamented. "He suffered such serious injuries, and could only eat with the help of tubes. Even the doctors thought that he would not survive, but his will to live is indeed astonishing, and we never had a shortage of medication as well as drugs."
Gilbert cleared the path to the entrance of the study as he sighed slightly.
"Come in, this is the person that you insisted to meet.
"The Second Prince of Constellation, Prince Thales Jadestar."
Thales placed down his cutleries and furrowed his brows tightly together.
The person's left hand was wrapped in thick bandages and secured with a wooden plank. He was holding onto a pair of crutches, and his actions showed that he was clearly unfamiliar with it. He could be seen limping into Thales' room with strenuous effort.
There was a horrible scar of knotted flesh on his throat and his legs were only to his knees.
Even though he had stubbles on his face, and his entire figure had become terribly thin, and he had even gotten a haircut and the tattoo on his face had faded a lot, Thales still managed to recognize him immediately. The man who once wept in despair, but had now recovered from his serious injuries.
Phantom Wind Follower.
Midira Ralf.
Chapter 76: Togedwer With You |
Ralf was once the hope of Blood Bottle Gang, the only supra class elite among the Strongest Twelve. After going through hell and despair, he finally met Thales again after a month.
"Congratulations, you struggled through it in the end." Thales smiled and nodded. "You didn't lose to this damned world."
Ralf trembled slightly and opened his mouth abruptly. His throat, which was a mesh of blood and flesh, trembled slightly. However, he could only mutter a bunch of indecipherable grunts.
He also knew that he was unable to say anything now.
In such a situation, Thales did not know how to react for a moment. He scratched his head. "It's okay, if you have anything to say, just write it down with a pen."
Ralf's gaze dimmed.
"We have tried." Gilbert sighed. "He is illiterate. Apart from numbers, he is not even able to write his own name."
Hearing this, Ralf closed his eyes in shame. He lowered his head even more. Thales felt a little awkward.
He almost forgot that Ralf earned a living by being in a gang. Thales, who used to be a child beggar, knew that most people who joined gangs had an unfortunate life. They did not have much chance to receive a proper education because they were busy earning a living through illegal activities every day.
But in the next moment, to Thales' astonishment, Ralf gritted his teeth, supported himself with his crutch with difficulty, and then lowered his disabled body. Before the small and weak Thales…
He made a deep bow.
Thales sighed. "Alright, I have received your thanks."
Ralf raised his head and his body was trembling. He looked at Thales.
"What are your plans after this? Do you have anywhere else you can go? I don't really suggest that you return to Blood Bottle Gang…"
Ralf trembled slightly.
'Back to Blood Bottle Gang? Back under Big Sister… Catherine's wings?' Looking at his own legs, a pained expression appeared on his face. 'And then there's Nikolay…'
Thinking of his foe who had stabbed him from the back, Ralf's eyes shone with a brilliant light. A few seconds later, Ralf exhaled with his psionic ability and dejectedly shook his head.
Thales stared intently at him.
"Alright then." The prince flashed a smile. "Then you can stay at my place for the time being… We can probably afford to keep you."
Ralf's eyes brightened up.
This boy… apart from being his lifesaver, he also had a very socially influential status...
Thales turned his head and looked towards Count Caso. "Gilbert, how much time do we have until we depart for Eckstedt?"
Gilbert smiled as he spoke, "It depends on the time the messenger crow takes to reach and contact Dragon Clouds City. It will be at least three days and at most a week, Your Highness."
"That should be enough." Thales nodded and looked at Ralf. "During these few days, come to my study room during the day."
Ralf looked surprised.
The confident and optimistic boy, who let him choose between 'freedom' and 'struggle' when he was in a hopeless predicament, flashed a smile.
"I will teach you how to read and write, and how to speak with hand gestures."
…..
The captain of the city defense team who was affiliated to Eastern City District Police Station, the thirty-one-year-old Genard laid in the dungeon of Vine Manor.
He was panting. His body was covered in wounds. He was bound in heavy shackles and could not move.
But a voice inside his heart told him that he must not… must not open his mouth.
No matter how the followers of these great nobles tortured and beat him up, no matter how they threatened and tried to bribe him…
No matter how much they wanted to know about the background of those cavaliers that appeared outside Vine Manor that night at Eastern City District…
He must keep his lips sealed.
After the National Conference ended, Genard was discharged from his duty of maintaining order in Star Plaza. The very next day, his boss came to his site of duty in Eastern City District with a group of police officers. His boss read out Genard's offences in front of him and all the soldiers under him. Somebody reported him for being engaged in corruption while he was on duty in Eastern City District.
Genard immediately sighed.
It was not because this was a false accusation. Instead, it was because in Eastern City District, the act of receiving gratuities from nobles had long since been a universally acknowledged custom and common practice.
Every single soldier from the city defense team, and even the police officers, would collect this kind of tip. The police station was also well aware of this. Every time, they would receive commissions and reap some profits. This was also the only extra income Genard could obtain for his teammates, whose wages were extremely low.
Why was he the only one who was reported? The faces of the soldiers under him were also filled with shock.
However, Genard, who had been hanging around Eastern City District for almost twelve years now, knew that he must had offended an important personage.
Under the hostile gazes of ten police officers, Genard only had enough time to give his treasured saber—which he had kept in good condition for twelve years, and which he could never bear to be apart from—to the subordinate that showed the most promise in his team. That saber was a present that was casually given to him by the Duke of Star Lake after the Major Retreat from Walla Passage as he saw that Genard did not have any weapons. ("Take this as an exchange for the flour in your hands. Thanks to you, at least we can have a good meal."–Duke John) There was even the Nine-Pointed Star emblem on it. With his hands and legs chained and head covered, he was then brought to a manor by carriage.
The carriage took many turns, but Genard had patrolled Eastern City District for over ten years. The habit he cultivated from his days as a soldier in the Starlight Brigade to observe and remember the roads was also never abandoned. How could he not recognize that this was the Covendier Family's Vine Manor, which he passed by three times each day during patrols?
A group of people—who obviously used to be soldiers—tortured Genard for two full days for no other reason than wanting to ask about the group of cavaliers who burst into Eastern City District that night, and had even possibly broken into Covendier Family's Vine Manor…
They wanted to ask about the origins of those cavaliers.
However, Genard must not tell them. He must not tell them.
There was no other reason than because the group of cavaliers… were under the Nine-Pointed Star... they were from the Jadestar Royal Family.
That was John's Nine-Pointed Star. The Duke of Star Lake's Nine-Pointed Star. Starlight Brigade's Nine-Pointed Star. That was the Nine-Pointed Star the once ignorant Genard fought under tirelessly while burning with righteous ardor.
There were so many of his battle companions under that flag!
Twelve years ago, he had once roamed about the battle-stricken land numbly. He went through cold, hunger, pain, and suffering. Every day, in a daze, he witnessed murder, arson, rape, and robbery.
That was until Genard foolishly entered the city. Just as he was so hungry that his head was dizzy and his eyes blurred, he had ignorantly walked towards the army enlistment office.
Then, he met the witty, confident, optimistic and friendly Duke of Star Lake, and his Starlight Brigade.
He was a nineteen-year-old young man from a peasant family who was often bullied, was foolish ignorant, and lacked the means to survive. In Starlight Brigade, he learned for the first time how to work together with others, he understood how it was like to sacrifice himself selflessly, he was accepted and praised, he was taught to read and write, he raised his sword and cried out in celebration of victory, he sang joyfully around a campfire, he made the decision to act as the rear-guard for his comrades.
He also understood for the first time that in the world, there existed more important things than to be well-fed and to keep living.
There, he felt more like a human instead of a barbaric beast who only cared about looking for food and satisfying his hunger.
The duke's team of personal guards and the Starlight Brigade was his home, the place he belonged to, and his everything. It was a place where he thought he would fight bravely for the rest of his life.
That was until the tragedy in Zodra, that disgraceful and detestable betrayal, that contemptible and lowly surprise attack, that cowardly stab in the back.
That was until the duke calmly laid among all the members of his team of personal guards. Amid the entire brigade's regretful and furious wails, the duke earnestly advised them to 'take care of themselves'. He then smiled with tears in his eyes, closed his eyes, and left forever.
This was… the team of personal guards' fault. This was their sin.
'If we had realized sooner at that time… If I reacted a bit sooner… Then, the duke wouldn't have… Our home wouldn't have…'
Therefore, when the soldiers from the noble family scornfully insulted him, interrogated him, beat him, and threatened him to have him reveal the identity of those cavaliers who were also under the Nine-Pointed Star…
Genard felt that his refusal to yield, his perseverance, silence, and even the injuries that covered his entire body, to the point where he was barely alive, were all a type of atonement.
At least, this would slightly soothe his soul that had been feeling guilt, regret and self-blame for the past twelve years. It enabled him to, more or less, atone and repent after these twelve years, where he lost all interest in life and felt extremely numb.
It was all for the place he once called 'home'. For his responsibility as a member of the team of personal guards to the duke who may be gone but will always be remembered by Genard.
"My master just wants to confirm some things." The white-haired old man was calmly enquiring from outside the jail cell door again.
"He just wants to know about the identity of those cavaliers. That is all. I swear in my master's honor that he is not planning to harm those cavaliers."
Genard gritted his teeth and kept quiet.
"Who would see your persistence? Similarly, no one would see your weakness either. You just have to give us some information. Just a little. No one will know."
Genard continued to keep his lips shut tight.
"We know that you definitely know something. All your soldiers said that they had no flag nor emblem. So, are they people you know? Were they once your comrades, or friends who you would sacrifice your life for?"
Gerald still kept his mouth shut. The white-haired old man sighed and left the dungeon.
Genard relaxed his jaws. Panting, he crumpled down onto the floor. He made it through again.
