Kingdom’s Bloodline

Gilbert sighed.
With Zayen staring at him, his eyes shone.
“Child, I understand what you are feeling.
To be caught in the whirlwind of inheritance will never be a pleasant memory—we are truly grateful of your help, Your Grace—however, this is His Majesty's order.”

“Your Grace, we must rush to Renaissance Palace immediately.” Standing aside, Jines finished bandaging up her wounds and walked towards them with an unpleasant expression, cutting off their conversation.
She did not dare to actually look at Thales and Gilbert.
Instead, with an overbearing expression, she insisted on leaving.

However, as she was about to grab Thales, Seychelles stopped her arm midair.
The latter looked at the young duke without any emotion on his face and waited for his decision.

Zayen narrowed his eyes and spoke with considerable grace, “Forgive me for interrupting, so, this boy… Thales, is going to inherit the Mahn Family assets?”

Gilbert looked at Thales with a complicated gaze.
“This is a task from His Majesty, and we were not supposed to disclose it.
However, since the master of Tricolor Iris Flowers is enquiring…” Gilbert sighed and nodded.
“His Majesty ordered us to bring this child before him, so that his father's inheritance, including the Mahn Manor can be transferred to him.

“You know Lord Mahn emerged as a power to be reckoned with during the Desert War, and had a deep friendship with His Majesty during his lifetime.
After he died in combat, all his territories and assets were committed to the royal family's care… Until someone discovered his illegitimate child.” Gilbert continued to weave the lie without batting an eyelid.

“Obviously, there is a party that is not very satisfied with Lord Mahn's heir…” Gilbert looked at the ground that was littered with the assassin corpses and put on a worried face.
“You know, the manor is extremely large.
And after Lord Mahn rose to power, a lot of relatives appeared out of thin air.”

Zayen stared at Thales, his gaze was frozen on the boy for two seconds.

'The orphaned illegitimate son of the hero? To enter Renaissance Palace? To receive a title from His Majesty, and inherit his father's wealth? At this time?'

He glanced at Jines.
'And… With the company of the Head of Female Officials, who is also His Majesty's lover?'

A distance away, bustling noises and synchronized, advancing footsteps could be heard.

The City Defense Team and police force had finally arrived.

Jines' composure was obviously anxious while Gilbert maintained his visage.
However, Thales knew that Gilbert definitely did not want him exposed under the public eye.
Even if it was with the identity of 'Lord Mahn's illegitimate son'.

As the other three were anxiously waiting, Zayen suddenly flashed a smile.
“I see, no wonder His Majesty placed so much emphasis on this.
Lord Mahn was not only His Majesty's battle companion, but also Constellation's hero.
His kin most definitely should not be left to deal with ugly conspiracies.”

Thales breathed a sigh of relief.

Zayen then said worriedly, “However, both of you are quite heavily injured.
Fortunately, the City Defense Team and police force are here.
The two of you can obtain treatment and assistance from them, and must also explain what happened in the assassination clearly from start to finish.

Zayen spoke plainly, “As for this child, since it is His Majesty's order, you can entrust him to me.
I am heading towards Renaissance Palace.”

Gilbert and Jines' expressions changed.

“Your Grace! That is too much trouble for you!” Gilbert's looked stern as he spoke decisively, “And this is my duty—”

“This child's safety should be the top priority! He has already survived an assassination!” Zayen said, his tone filled with emotion.
He kneeled on one knee and tore out a piece of cloth from his sleeve, bandaging Thales' wounds.
“And the hero's orphan deserves this from me.”

Thales' expression became stiff.

Zayen thought coldly, 'This excuse is too clumsy.
To dispatch his most trusted attendant and his lover to fetch the orphan of a low-level noble at such a pivotal moment? Even though that noble is the king's battle companion whom had experienced life and death scenarios together! There must be something suspicious about that boy!'

Zayen nodded at them while as he smiled, putting on an expression that told them not to worry.
“With Tricolor Iris Flowers' name and Seychelles ability, he will definitely be safe.”

Sensing Zayen's gaze, Thales felt a surge of coldness run up his upper back.

“Zayen Covendier!” Jines furiously took a step forward, but was halted by Seychelles and his sword.

“Step back, madam.” The supreme class knight did not budge at all, his gaze was cold.
“This is the duke's will, and also my mission.”

Gilbert's brows were furrowed very tightly.
Facing the duke and the supreme class knight, he anxiously thought of ways to handle the situation.

“Sir Covendier! This is not appropriate!” Gilbert had never spoken with such a stern tone before, “This is His Majesty's…”

“My respect towards His Majesty cannot be doubted by anyone!” Zayen said loudly, staring intently at Thales, “However, it is obvious that my carriage and guard are more suitable for His Majesty's duty compared to all of you, who are covered in injuries.”

Zayen turned his head, and his words were foreboding.
“Or is it because all of you are hiding something else from me?”

Gilbert was momentarily at a loss for words while Jines threw a cold glare and held the handle of the sword at her waist tightly—she was already prepared to snatch Thales back.

Thales also became anxious.
'Follow this person? How is that possible! But due to Yodel's disappearance, using brute force would only be counterproductive.
What do I do?'

Thales frantically contemplated all the possible solutions, including the power within himself!

'What do I do?'

Having seen the three people's reactions, Zayen was even surer of his own assumptions.
He smiled, a little mockingly, “Child, you don't have to be anxious.
His Majesty is known for being righteous and impartial.
And since you are Lord Mahn's heir, is it not perfectly justified for you to inherit your father's assets?

“You should be proud of your father, his brave assault in that sacrificial battle rescued us from the entire Desert War.
Please allow me to escort you as a sign of my respect towards the hero.”

Seeing Zayen's bright smile, Thales felt his skin crawl, he could not think of a strategy.
It seemed that the solemn Gilbert and the anxious Jines could not think of one either.

The corner of Zayen's lips curled up.
He stood up and extended his right hand as a sign of invitation.
“Please go ahead… young Sir Thales?”

Thales took a deep breath and glanced at the middle-aged noble and the female official.
'It seems that there's no other way.'

At this moment, the people who made those synchronized footsteps finally entered their field of vision.

There were at least a dozen skilled warriors, who were completely silent and moved with precision.
They were equipped with iron armors, long swords, silver shields, steel helmets, and even mystic guns and specialized infantry crossbows.
Grand and magnificent, they walked into the scene in synchrony and surrounded everyone there.

Everyone's expressions changed at the same time.

Seychelles was the first one to clearly see the equipment and emblem on those warriors.
With an unpleasant expression, he went near the duke and said in a low voice, “They are not from the police force and the city defense team! They are the Royal Guards!”

Zayen's countenance immediately turned extremely unpleasant.
Gilbert and Jines both clearly saw the person who led the murderous, skilled warriors.

Both of their faces relaxed.

That person was a short figure wearing a cloak, the head and face tightly wrapped up.
“In the name of Constellation's…”

Thales then noticed that the voice beneath that cloak belonged to a young woman.
The short and small figure took a step forward and scratched her head.
“In the name of that supreme king…”

However, the owner of that voice seemed to be unfamiliar with the situation, and was also a little unacquainted with this manner of speech.
She continued shouting, “In the name of Ke- Kes- Kessel- what was it- Jade- ah it's so hard to pronounce! In short, in the name of your king!”

Under Thales' stunned gaze, the short and small figure placed her hand on her hip, then raised a hand and pointed, one by one, at the people there, speaking furiously, “Take Madam Jines, that gray-faced uncle, and that little brat…

“And send all of them to his palace!”

Translator's Note:

1.
Fortress Treaty, previously known as Garrison Contract: Hello, after some debate with the group, Garrison Contract has been changed to Fortress Treaty.
It is due to an inconsistency with one of our other locations: Broken Dragon Fortress, and since it was directly related to the treaty, we thought it was only right for us to change the name.
We apologize for the previous error.