Kingdom’s Bloodline

—even though the meaning was very clear—soft sneers echoed in the hall.

Beside the king, Kentvida and Kroesch ’s expressions turned cold.
They were about to speak when Chapman stopped them with a hand gesture.

Thales watched King Chapman quietly, the king did not say a word.
The prince stared at Lampard ’s extremely calm and unperturbed eyes, and became even more vigilant and fearful.

”The archduchess has already made it very obvious, and our intentions are also very clear.
This is just a local conflict, and it is an internal affair that the archduchess should settle by herself. ” Count Karkogel ’s gaze was burning with anger.
”We did not ask you to come, our esteemed king.
Stop flattering yourself. ”

King Chapman creased his brow a little.
He nodded and did not say anything.

As the three counts of Dragon Clouds City joined the fight and worked together with the archduchess and Ian to attack the king, he seemed to be momentarily rendered speechless… until…

Ian raised his eyebrows.
He seemed to have regained some confidence.
”Now, Your Majesty, if there is no other matter… ”

King Chapman turned abruptly and fixed his cold gaze on Ian.

Ian was shocked.
As if someone seized his throat, causing him to choke on his words, the heir to the City of Faraway Prayers did not continue speaking.

The king sneered and shook his head.
”Local conflict? ”

The king raised his head slowly.
Thales noticed that the dark red gemstone in the middle of his crown was reflecting a bit of light.

”But Constellation has already poked their noses into this matter, have they not? ” King Chapman spoke softly and in a relaxed manner.
”So, allow me to make this confirmation one more time…

”Did King Kessel really dispatch troops ”—He turned slowly and looked at the Prince of Constellation again— ”due to the matter with the Alliance of Freedom? ”

Everyone ’s faces changed.
Everyone in the hall stared at the guest from Constellation once more.

Ian, Saroma, and Nicholas ’ gazes were especially prominent.

Faced with Ian ’s anxious eyes, Saroma ’s puzzled gaze, and the Star Killer ’s furious expression, Thales continued to appear as calm as he usually did.
The prince inhaled deeply and showed no change in emotion on his face.
He said with a calm expression,

”Yes.
Constellation believes that Eckstedt, represented by the City of Faraway Prayers, should not interfere with… the Alliance of Freedom ’s internal affairs with brute force.

”So, we dispatched our army in an attempt to stop the possible conflict between the Alliance of Freedom and the City of Faraway Prayers.
This is how it is. ”

The moment he said that, there was an uproar in the hall! Ian ’s expression was the first one to change.

”Thales. ” The breathing of the Viscount of Dual Wind City from the City of Faraway Prayers grew rapid.
He said in disbelief, ”What are you joking about…? Are you, are you really… really standing on his side? ”

’Didn ’t you say that… that you knew nothing about it? But now you… How is this possible? ’

Ian stared bitterly and anxiously at the Prince of Constellation.
The muscles on his cheeks twitched.

Thales said nothing.

The next moment, Ian pounced forward to grab the edge of Thales ’ lapels!

Wya and Ralf, who were prepared for this since a long time ago, charged forward in unison and shielded Thales behind them.

Ian wanted to go forward again, but behind him, Monty brought his hand forward and grabbed Ian with a firm grip, keeping him in place.

”Calm down, Ian, ” the Raven of Death said coldly.

No longer able to move forward, Ian took a few deep breaths and finally calmed down.
He rudely shrugged Monty ’s hand off and shouted indignantly through gritted teeth, ”Answer me, Thales! ”

Thales closed his eyes and sighed.

”I have always stood on your side, Ian. ” As if he did not see Ian ’s accusing and shocked gaze, the prince said flatly, ”Do you not think that the best way to go about this matter is by leaving it in King Chapman ’s hands, the king whom all of you serve? ”

Everyone in the hall watched the scene quietly.
When they heard what Thales said, many people frowned.

Ian stared at Thales in a daze and shook his head with a pained expression.
”You… you… ”

Thales did not answer.
With an indifferent face, he stared quietly at the air in front of him.

At that moment, even Saroma lowered her head slowly.
Her eyes were filled with disappointment.

”It is clear as day. ” With an extremely cold gaze, Nazaire whispered to Lisban, ”Even though we held him hostage, he still managed to communicate with the people outside and made a fool out of all of us. ”

Lisban stared at Thales from afar and sighed softly.

King Chapman smiled.
His voice echoed in the hall once again.

”Therefore, this is no longer a local conflict! For all of the Kingdom of the Great Dragon ’s sake, I will not let the Alliance of Freedom ’s disrespectful act slip by us easily. ” The king let out a cold snort.
He was no longer looking at Thales and the stricken Ian.
”This is not just about the City of Faraway Prayers ’ interests and Dragon Clouds City ’s prestige. ”

King Chapman ’s voice was very soft, but his words carried a lot of weight.
His smile was powerful and mocking.
Like a general with victory in his hands, he waved his arm in a refined manner at the nobles in the hall, who had unpleasant looks on their faces.
It was as if he wanted to use up half his entire lifetime ’s worth of smiles into that one single smile on his lips right then.

King Chapman walked towards the archduchess and said slowly, ”Therefore, as the Common-Elected King of Eckstedt, I hereby announce that… ”

His words made many of the nobles anxious again.

”To stabilize the situation with the Alliance of Freedom, to frighten our potential enemies, and for the lasting friendship between the Lampard Family and the Roknee Family, Black Sand Region will send reinforcements to the City of Faraway Prayers to battle the Alliance of Freedom! ” Lampard spoke loudly, joyfully and confidently, in an imposing manner that allowed no room for doubt.

The moment he said that, the hall was filled with cries of alarm!

Puzzled, Saroma stared at her regent, but Lisban had a bitter expression and his lips were pursed tightly.

Many of the vassals stared at one another in puzzlement.
There was discussion among them, but no one understood King Chapman ’s actions.

”Reinforcements? From Black Sand Region to the City of Faraway Prayers? ” Ian muttered.

Thales was puzzled.
’Black Sand Region… will be dispatching its army to help the City of Faraway Prayers? ’

At that moment, Thales furrowed his eyebrows and thought hard.
His mind worked without pause.

’Wait, what does Lampard want the most right now? What is his most pressing problem right now? It is of course… ’

The next moment, Thales understood the whole story.
He fixed his gaze on King Chapman with a solemn expression.

’It ’s been six years.
Your tactics… are still so hard to deal with… Old friend. ’

King Chapman ’s sonorous voice appeared into the hall again.
”It is just as I said, we are here to help.

”Soon, from the Northern Plains and the tributaries of Sunset Snow River, to the Sighing Hills and the Eastern and Western Pine Forest… Every single town, castle and feudal lord on the soil of Black Sand Region will receive my command of military recruitment. ”

The king stared coldly at all the nobles in the hall who had unpleasant expressions.
When his eyes landed on Lisban and Ian, his gaze was especially unique.

”For Eckstedt, my vassals will wage their reputations, dedicate their wealth, mobilize fighters, send their sons to the army and head to the west.
The Alliance of Freedom ’s foolishness and their eventual defeat will be a testimony to Black Sand Region and the City of Faraway Prayer ’s indestructible friendship, and to show how we passionately love this mighty kingdom together! ”

The moment Lampard said that, the shrewd and ruthless vassals such as Lisban and Nazaire froze together and stared at one another in shock.
They already knew the king ’s intent.

The hall slowly went silent.

Ian Roknee, who was incredibly emotionally affected by Thales ’ sudden betrayal, stared at King Chapman absentmindedly.
His mind was a mess.

’What, what is he doing? Using Dragon Clouds City ’s actions in the past as an example to earn a reputation in a justified and righteous manner?

’No, what sort of reputation can a kinslayer even get? Helping others at his own expense, and assisting us in suppressing the Alliance of Freedom? How is that possible? ’

’Or is he trying to take down the City of Faraway Prayers in one fell swoop through violence? That ’s even more likely. ’

A surge of anger immediately rose in the viscount ’s chest.

”What is the meaning of this? ”

Ian ’s face was contorted.
He could not help but yell at King Chapman, ”What do you want? Ask for peace? Show kindness? Or a negotiation with terms and conditions? ”

King Chapman did not answer.
He continued smiling.
Ian suddenly realized that quite a number of people were watching him sadly.
Trepidation rose in his heart.

The Viscount of Dual Wind City clenched his fists and turned towards the king again in a brusque manner.
”Help us? Hmph, at this time, who will you be able to order? All of Black Sand Region is rebelling against you, against the tyrant who does not respect tradition, against that rubbish enfeoffment act you enacted!

”Who would answer to your order for military recruitment?! ”

Beside the king, Viscount Kentvida snorted coldly.
He seemed to be very dissatisfied with Ian ’s disrespectful tone.

Regent Lisban coughed softly.

”Viscount Ian, ” Count Lisban said solemnly once he saw through something, ”Do you still not understand? This is exactly what he wants. ”

Ian froze for a moment, but he immediately understood what was happening.
The viscount ’s expression changed greatly.

The next moment, with a face filled with trepidation, Ian swayed and collapsed back onto his seat.