Kingdom’s Bloodline

om is the City of Halting Light, located within Black Sand Region.

”Members of the diplomat group, please come with me to rest.
As for you, Your Highness ”—Viscount Kentvida nodded towards them, then looked at Thales— ”the archduke is waiting for you. ”

Thales lifted his eyebrow.

Kentvida looked at Thales with brightly shining eyes.
”This is a private meeting between the Archduke of Black Sand and the Prince of Constellation.

”Do not worry. ” Viscount Kentvida lifted his hand and stopped Putray and Wya from speaking.
His voice was firm.
”His Highness is already here.
At least, before he reaches Dragon Clouds City to pay a formal visit to His Majesty, no harm will come to him. ”

Thales sighed softly and produced a smile on his lips.
”I believe we still do not have much of a choice, do we? ”

Putray whispered softly and a brilliant light shone in his eyes.
”You know, Your Highness, I suddenly came to a realization.
Lampard is not mad. ”

A thought occurred in Thales ’ heart.

Kentvida frowned and gestured to Thales, motioning him to go forward.

…

The archduke ’s tent was incredibly tall and wide, but it was not bright.
There was a thick carpet placed on the ground, and the picture of a strong iron fist was embroidered on it.

On one side of a thick, square table, filled with food was a boorish man.
He was in his forties and had grey hair as well as blue eyes.
His jaw was covered in a stubble, and he wore a meticulous chain armor made of ring hoops.
He was eating from a plate of roasted meat on the table.

A metal brazier was burning brightly by the side, illuminating the man ’s face.
It gave him an even more mysterious look.

Thales noticed that a saber with a leather scabbard was placed horizontally on the table.
The scabbard had been polished to the point where it shone.

He calmly watched the actual ruler of Black Sand Region—Archduke Chapman Lampard.

While Lampard brought another piece of roasted meat to his mouth, he fixed his eyes on Thales, causing him to feel uncomfortable.

”You are calmer than I thought you would be, ” the archduke remarked slowly.

Thales sighed.

”Perhaps. ” He walked to the table and climbed up a chair before he sat down.
”But in the face of my enemy who has formed a blood debt of several hundreds of lives, I truly cannot think of any other expression to show you… Even anger seems excessive. ”

Lampard picked up a wooden wine goblet and chugged the contents down his throat.
His Adam ’s apple continued to move as he gulped down the wine.

The archduke put down the goblet and used his left hand to wipe off the wine that had flowed out.
He then seized a drumstick to take a bite from it.

”Based on the news spreading around Constellation… you are truly not like a seven-year-old child. ”

”When you have a difficult life, you learn how to be mature at an earlier age. ” Thales shrugged.

”Eat.
This is high quality venison. ” Lampard pushed a plate of roasted meat towards him.
”The Prince of Constellation cannot die of starvation in my military camp. ”

Thales looked at the crude looking plate of roasted meat and frowned.

”You have guts.
Breaking through in the opposite direction was indeed out of my expectations, ” Lampard said coldly.

”Who made this decision? Perhaps I should reward him for causing the plan I have concocted for years to be ruined in a day. ”

”You. ” Thales pulled the plate in front of him, and without even lifting his head, he brought out his dagger and started cutting into the meat.

Lampard lifted his brows.

Thales cut into the venison and said calmly.
”It was your decision, Your Grace.
On the first day I stepped into Eckstedt ’s borders, you killed half of my men… You forced us to choose a path that was the most disadvantageous to you.

”How long have you been standing around and watching the fortress across you? Two weeks? Three weeks?

”Let me take a guess, the money for supplies, and to keep ten thousand something men well-fed as well as have a room over their heads is not that easy to maintain. ” Thales shrugged.
”I am truly worried over Black Sand Region ’s financial situation. ”

He picked up a piece of venison that he had cut into the size of a thumb and delivered it to his mouth.

The taste was good.

Lampard no longer continued eating or drinking.
He looked at Thales intently, and his gaze was fierce.

The archduke said slowly, ”Did you know that I originally intended to let you live and only kill those around you? ”

Thales frowned.

He did not cut the venison properly.

Thales let out a cold harrumph, and started cutting another piece of meat ”However, we ran into the Mystic Gun unit… With that level of attack, you were aiming for my life, am I right? ”

”That was an accident, ” Lampard answered faintly.

”An accident… ” Thales was so angry that he let out a bark of laughter.
He put down the dagger in his hand.
”Your Mystic Gun… ”

Nonetheless, Thales hesitated at the next moment.

’Wait.
Putray said that Lampard isn ’t mad.

’Then… ’

Thales looked at Lampard with a dumbfounded gaze.

’Could it be..? ’

”That was an accident? ” Thales asked in disbelief.

”An accident. ” Lampard placed his arms on the table, and his eyes shone brightly.

Thales closed his eyes and sighed deeply.

After some time…

”You did not send out the Mystic Gun unit, ” Thales opened his eyes and said with certainty.

”I did not. ” Lampard put down the wine goblet and shook his head slowly.

”You also did not intend to kill me, ” Thales continued.

”I did not. ” Lampard ’s eyes sparkled.

Thales clenched his teeth.

”I see. ” He exhaled and started laughing.
”Someone else instructed the Mystic Gun unit to attack me. ”

’Right from the start, Lampard had no reason to kill me.

’The Mystic Gun unit is an anti-personnel weapon that cannot be controlled… No matter how dumb he was, he would not have used that type of weapon to attack me. ’

Thales sighed.

Lampard seized the wooden plate where the venison was and dragged it before him.
He then took a piece of venison.

”You are much smarter than I had imagined. ” Lampard ’s expression was as dark as thunderclouds.
He put the venison in his mouth and narrowed his eyes a little.
”You understand the reason behind our meeting here, yes? ”

”Indeed.
I understand now. ” Thales used his sleeve to wipe his dagger and put it back by his waist.
He sighed again.
”But I truly never expected that the famous Black Sand Archduke would have his right of command over his Mystic Gun unit easily taken away by others. ”

Lampard forced down his anger.
”That officer ’s name is Hadel.
He was tasked to train my Mystic Gun unit three years ago.
The unit ’s commander was bedridden this morning, and he was only acting as a temporary commander. ”

”What happened to him? ” Thales asked quietly.

Lampard said with a dark tone.
”Once the call to retreat was sounded, he still sent the order for the second round of attack, but right then, there were soldiers who got suspicious of his orders.
Hadel then slit his own throat without any hesitation… We are still unable to find the person who pulled the strings behind him. ”

Thales said with a cold sneer, ”This also explains why you sounded the call to retreat so swiftly after the first round of attack.
Even your commands did not work properly… I am sorry, I truly do not know what sort of response I should be giving you right now. ”

Lampard pursed his lips and did not say a single word.

”Their goal was probably to kill me by using you, or perhaps to use my death to scheme against you. ” Thales sneered.
”I think the latter is more likely.
My enemies are all in my own country. ”

Lampard said quietly, ”The higher you stand, the more enemies you will gain. ”

”That is why this sudden accident made you cancel your plans. ” Thales snorted.
”Did you originally want to capture me and put me in a humiliating situation, just to see whether the fortress would be shaken? ”

There was silence.

Lampard uncorked a bottle of rye wine and filled his empty cup.

Archduke Lampard said quietly.
”I hate to say it, but King Kessel has made a good move.
He sent you out.
The moment you stepped into my military camp, it became impossible for me to seize the fortress and the Northern Territory anymore. ”

Lampard picked up his goblet and said quietly, ”And his oath in Renaissance Palace was equivalent to him forming an armor for you with his royal power.
If you die in Eckstedt, it would not matter who ’s responsible.
Black Sand Region will suffer, because we are neighbors. ”

”That is why once you discovered that you could not seize Broken Dragon Fortress, and there were actually other people eyeing you with hostility, you immediately changed your stance.
After that, you intended to draw me to your side? ” Thales asked with a cold voice.

Lampard took a big gulp from his goblet with an expressionless face and said, ”Kessel ’s oath caused a group of people to give up on the idea of wanting your life, but caused another group of people to gain the ambition of killing you.

”That Mystic Gun today is just a beginning.
We have a common enemy lurking in the shadows right now, be it those who are aiming for Eckstedt ’s throne or Constellation ’s. ” Archduke Lampard ’s voice was steady and stern.
”The moment you stepped into Eckstedt and the Northland, our interests have been tied together. ”

”That is true. ” Thales lowered his head.
His voice was steady and indifferent.
”If I die in Eckstedt, it will not be good for the both of us. ”

”I will dispatch two thousand people.
Kentvida, my most trusted subordinate will lead the army and escort you to Dragon Clouds City. ” Archduke Lampard ’s expression became gentler.
”You will arrive straight in Walton Family ’s territory, and the king ’s envoys will be waiting for you there. ”

”But my people died in the battlefield.
They stood in front of me and acted as my shields.
They were pierced through by blades, swords, and longspears. ” Thales lifted his head.
His expression was dark.
”We have also killed plenty of your men. ”

Lampard closed his eyes and remained silent for a while.

Thales looked at him, expressionless.

”Those warriors… be it my soldiers or your subordinates, will not understand the reason why they died. ” Lampard opened his eyes.
”It is precisely because of their sacrifice that we have understood each other and are able to sit here to make a decision for our countries ’ futures… even though it will be incredibly difficult. ”

Lampard said softly.
”We were never enemies to begin with, and us fighting against each other on the battlefield was just due to forced circumstances.
For our future and the end of meaningless bloodshed like the one today, we should cast off our past enmity.
This is only logical.

”War has always been to achieve something, has it not? ”

Thales suddenly laughed.

”Well said, Your Grace. ” He chuckled softly with an indecipherable expression.
”There are no permanent enemies, only permanent interests. ”

”It is just as you said.
From now on, there is no reason for us to be enemies. ” The archduke nodded and lifted his goblet.
”You ate my venison.
Based on Northland tradition, you are my guest.

”This is high-quality rye wine. ” Lampard pushed his wine goblet over.
His gaze was profound.
”Based on Northland tradition, once we drink from the same cup, we will be allies.

”I will provide you with all the access to manpower, information, resources, and finances in Eckstedt.
Our enemies will not have a chance to strike ”—Archduke Lampard nodded— ”until you leave Eckstedt and return to Constellation. ”

A strange light flashed across Lampard ’s eyes.
”In fact, they will not be able to attack you… until you are crowned king. ”

There was silence once again.

The same indecipherable smile materialized on Thales ’ lips again.

The prince exhaled softly, and his smile did not diminish.
”Did you say the same thing to Northern Territory ’s Duke Arunde, Your Grace? For Constellation and the Dragon ’s thrones? ”

”He was the one who came to me. ” Chapman Lampard ’s gaze was profound.
”Val Arunde is a hero with vision and responsibility.
He dared to take the step many people did not, no matter how much that path was not understood by others.

”We… Constellation and the Dragon have been enemies for many years.
The Blade and Shield should not have this sort of relationship. ” Lampard leaned back against his chair.
The light from the fire illuminated his firm and cold face.
”The Hero, Raikaru the First and the ’King of Renaissance ’, Tormund the First were originally good friends.
Chara the Hero and the Oath Keeper Midier the Fourth were brothers who trusted each other with their lives.
If Eckstedt and Constellation worked together, we will definitely be able to put an end to these meaningless wars and conflicts. ”

’Work together…
to put an end to war and conflict? ’

The image of the war appeared in Thales ’ eyes.

The warriors of Eckstedt and Constellation rushed at each other like wild beasts.

Arracca roared furiously as he killed layers upon layers of enemies, and left them on the ground, screaming in pain.

Countless Fury Guards rushed to Arracca ’s flank without hesitation.

Plenty of soldiers had their bodies pierced through by sharp blades and fell to the ground helplessly.

And right at the end, when Arracca dragged his subordinates ’ corpses and left with the survivors, the back of the Kingdom ’s Wrath stooped low in desolation.

”No. ”

Thales lifted his head and said coldly.

A surprised look appeared on the archduke ’s face.
He raised his brow and fixed his eyes on Thales.

”Val Arunde is not a hero.
He is just a pitiful bug living in his own imagination. ” The second prince was expressionless.
”War cannot bring peace.
The deaths of others cannot compensate for someone else ’s life.

”And hatred as well as anger will not disappear because of the coronation of two kings. ”

The archduke placed his hands together with no changes to his expression.
”What do you mean? ”

Thales continued, completely unbothered, ”What I mean to say is that everything from your mouth is a load of bull. ”

Archduke Lampard ’s face became grim.

The archduke asked with a sullen expression.
”Do you realize that you are embarking on a dangerous journey? What you are doing right now is refusing a powerful ally, who will bring you great benefits and ensure your safety, even your throne. ”

”My experiences tell me that I should be careful with those who want to become my ally, no matter how sweet their words are and how sincere they appear to be. ” Thales looked at Lampard, and as he watched his expression grow increasingly sullen, he continued softly, ”And I cannot trust you, Archduke Chapman Lampard. ”

”Why? ” Chapman leaned forward.
Due to the illumination of the swaying light from the fire, he looked even more temperamental.
”Is it just because many of your people died? ”

”That is not the only reason. ”

Thales said coldly, ”It is also because you showed complete indifference as well as callousness towards your subordinates ’ deaths and sacrifice.
Forming an alliance with you will mean that we are destined to face betrayal.
Compared to the benefits I may receive if I form an alliance with you, I can say with certainty that when the alliance fails, the losses I would suffer will far surpass the benefits.

”I know this very well. ”

Lampard ’s gaze started to become terrifyingly cold.

”Also, I despise what you said. ” Thales remembered Arracca ’s desolate back.
He then gritted his teeth and shook his head.
”The people on the battlefield… died because of your selfish desires.

”And you can keep that nonsense of ’dying a worthy death ’ as well as ’the goal for war is peace ’ to yourself, ” Thales picked up the wine goblet and said with a cold sneer.

Silence.

Lampard let out a cold snort and said with a biting tone, ”I originally thought that you were mature and level-headed, and that you possessed intelligence that surpassed your age.
You are currently behaving like a child. ”

”You are right, ” Thales retorted coldly.

He turned over the goblet, spilling its contents.
Then, he spoke to the sullen Archduke Lampard.

”And children are not supposed to drink wine. ”

Thales jumped off his chair and left the tent without turning back.