Kingdom’s Bloodline

ons on their faces, but Thales could feel a common heaviness and alertness.

After all, a fellow colleague just died there.

”No, ” Archduke Roknee replied in a cold tone.
He gently said, ”This was a holy duel, a righteous revenge, fair and justified—Poffret also confessed his crimes. ”

Trentida continued to smile, while Olsius remained silent as Lecco looked away, his expression indistinguishable.

King Nuven scrutinized the long-haired archduke for a few seconds and suddenly sneered.

”It ’d be a wonder if the answer is no, ” King Nuven scoffed.
”You ’ve all been dissatisfied for a long time, haven ’t you? ”

Thales suddenly felt the nervous atmosphere in the hall pick up again.

That was, until King Nuven spoke his next words.

”You do not have to worry anymore. ” King Nuven slowly sighed.
”I will send a messenger crow tomorrow to give word regarding the honorable passing of the Archduke of Beacon Illumination City.
The city will be succeeded by this man ’s brother—he should be looking forward to it already. ”

The archdukes stumbled slightly.

”In the next king selection, the Walton Family will be hopeless, ” the old king desolately said.
”We neither have enough prestige nor the right candidate for this. ”

Archduke Olsius frowned.
”Your Majesty— ”

King Nuvan spoke incessantly and interrupted Olsius, ”But at least, before my death, I can still do something for my family and Dragon Clouds City. ”

He raised his head, and his eyes were laced with a biting cold intent.

The archdukes collectively trembled.

”Like what? ” Archduke Olsius asked softly with utmost caution.

King Nuven revealed a smile.

”War, ” the old king softly said.
”It will be a new year soon.
After the spring of next year, I will start enlisting troops for Dragon Clouds City. ”

Upon hearing that, a chill ran through Thales ’ heart.

’Could it be? ’

The four archdukes were startled as well.

”Constellation? ” Archduke Olsius frightened Thales as he shot him an ill-meaning glance.

Luckily, King ’s Nuven ’s next words allowed the Constellation Prince to let out a sigh of relief.

”No. ”

”I feel like going for a stroll in Black Sand Region, ” said King Nuven, who was sitting in the center of the hall under the care of a physicist.
He patted his thighs in a relaxed manner.

”I want to see my dear nephew—Chapman Lampard. ”

The archdukes frowned.

Thales included.

”I miss him, ” the old king said with a glimmer in his eyes.
”I miss him so much that I want his life. ”

Archduke Olsius and Trentida, whose territories neighbor Black Sand Region frowned at the same time.

”But, I don ’t like loneliness, so I do not wish to go alone. ” King Nuven looked sharply at the four archdukes.
”What do you say? ”

They kept their silence until the old king solemnly said, ”After ’visiting ’ him, shall we discuss the matter of the king selection? ”

The four archdukes exchanged glances.
This time, they quickly made a decision.

”Defense City will be sending troops in response.
We will stand by your side eternally, ” the bald Archduke Lecco was the first to say with a sigh.

Archduke Olsius solemnly nodded as well.
”Prestige Orchid Region has no objections.
We will also send out reinforcements. ”

”This is an appropriate avengement to warn those secretly plotting. ” Archduke Roknee ’s gaze burned.
”The City of Faraway Prayers is also willing to provide assistance. ”

”Since all of you have agreed, if Reformation Tower doesn ’t send troops, how can I even walk out of Dragon Clouds City alive? ” Trentida exclaimed.

’Of course the king is going to take the lead in eliminating a competitor for you, what could you possibly have against that? ’ Thales criticised in silence.

King Nuven looked at them and laughed out loud.

At this moment, Archduke Olsius could not help but ask, ”What about Black Sand Region?

”Let Chapman ’s son succeed the archduke ’s position? ”

King Nuven paused his laughter and shook his head lightly.

”I have a candidate in mind already.
He is definitely a good one for the position of archduke. ” He stretched his previously bandaged arm.
”Kaslan Lampard… Chapman ’s uncle, the former head of my personal guards ’ team. ”

Thales was stunned as he recalled the sturdy, elderly uncle from Hero Tavern.

”I heard that he has no interest in any positions of power, and that he hated his family, ” Archduke Roknee said flatly.

”That ’s right, but it is not up to him. ” King Nuven laughed softly

The archdukes were slightly startled.

”Alright! ” The old king pushed his physician aside and stood proudly.
He yelled at the top of his voice, ”Everyone, let us adjourn upstairs!

”The banquet is still on! ” King Nuven addressed the crowd and laughed.
”Don ’t lose your spirits! ”

The four archdukes exchanged glances.
With varying expressions, they bowed and left.

The members of his Imperial Conference collectively left as well.

Thales noticed the smile disappearing from the old king ’s face as everyone turned around.

”You may go as well! ” King Nuven shook his head and said to the White Blade Guards.
”Just stand guard outside the hall… ”　

Nuven the Seventh heaved a sigh and grabbed a wine barrel.
Desolately, he sat on the steps where the battle occurred.
”I will sit here alone. ”

Nicholas and Mirk exchanged a look and nodded.

Thales and Putray ’s eyes met.
Very cautiously, they departed with the crowd.

’This night has gone on long enough.

’And it has been very enriching as well. ’

At this moment, King Nuven ’s voice rang,

”Thales! My dear guest! ”

Thales quivered.

The people who had yet to leave the hall collectively set their gazes on the Prince of Constellation.

Particularly, the three archdukes and in particularly, Archduke Lecco, who looked like he was deep in thought.

”Why don ’t you stay behind? ” King Nuven patted the steps next to him, seemingly at peace.
”I have yet to thank you properly—let ’s have a drink together? ”

Thales ’ mouth hung open as he stared awkwardly at the king.

’What a joke.

’After I ’ve stepped on the toes of a bunch of archdukes, after you snapped one of their necks and forced the rest to join you in battle…

’You want to ”have a drink together ”?

’What I want to do now is immediately vanish and keep a low profile.
Once the timing is right, I am going to go home!

’This is not how you provoke someone, man! ’

He turned around to meet Putray ’s eyes.
The latter shook his head lightly.

”It is an honor to have the privilege of drinking with you, but I am only seven, ” Thales turned back to face King Nuven.
In a polite but mocking manner, he said, ”Plus, I am drained— ”

”What a joke, seven years old?! ”

However, King Nuven discontentedly interrupted the second prince and raised his wine goblet.

”When my father took me drinking for the first time, I was only five—as the future king, how could you not know how to drink? ”

Baffled, Thales prepared his next excuse.

”Do you mean that you intend to reject the invitation of the Eckstedtian King? ” King Nuven revealed a sly expression.
”Even you, like the fellow lying on the ground, look down upon this dying king? ”

The atmosphere in the hall grew odd again and Thales ’ heart rate started to pick up.

He could only bow his head and sigh.　

Nonetheless, he turned around and started to walk under Putray ’s concerned gaze, Nicholas ’ frown, Shiles ’ smile and the four archdukes ’ queer stares.

Constellation ’s second prince walked against the crowd with a drooping expression, straight towards King Nuven.