Synopsis and Starting Chapter Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83 - Cry-Baby And Ugly-Faced Woman
Chapter 84 - The Situation Took A Turn For The Worst
Chapter 85 - The Blood Clan’S True Form (One)
Chapter 86 - Blood Clan'S True Form (Two)
Chapter 87 - Your Blood Is Quite Nutritious
Chapter 88 - Awakening (One)
Chapter 89 - Awakening (Two)
Chapter 90 - Awakening (Three)
Chapter 91 - Return
Chapter 92 - Sin Of Hell’S River
Chapter 93 - Don’T Do It, It’Ll Hurt
Chapter 94 - All The Blood In This World Belongs To Me
Chapter 95 - The Charm Of That Shield
Chapter 96 - I Definitely Will Not Let You Suffer
Chapter 97 - Our Inland Sea
Chapter 98 - Arracca Murkh
Chapter 99 - Uncertain Fate
Chapter 100 - Ramon (One)
Chapter 101 - Ramon (Two)
Chapter 102 - Eckstedt’S Welcoming Ceremony
Chapter 103 - Gamble (One)
Chapter 104 - Gamble (Two)
Chapter 105 - The Kingdom’S Wrath
Chapter 106 - The Failed Bet
Chapter 107 - Mystic Gun
Chapter 108 - Chapman Lampard
Chapter 109 - Remnants Of Magic
Chapter 110 - Paid Homage
Chapter 111 - Kaslan’S Tavern
Chapter 112
Chapter 113 - The Intersection Of Fate
Chapter 114 - The People In Hell (One)
Chapter 115 - The People In Hell (Two)
Chapter 116
Chapter 117 - Star Killer
Chapter 118 - The Unexpected Guests
Chapter 119 - A Marquis From Camus
Chapter 120 - Bait
Chapter 121 - Clue
Chapter 122 - Until Dawn Came (One)
Chapter 123 - Until Dawn Came (Two)
Chapter 124 - Queen Of The Sky
Chapter 125 - The Female Warrior
Chapter 126 - Heroic Spirit Palace
Chapter 127 - The Born King (One)
Chapter 128 - The Born King (Two)
Chapter 129 - A Duel
Chapter 130 - The King And His Archdukes
Chapter 131 - The Strange Swordsman
Chapter 132 - Who Are You?
Chapter 133 - Hunt And Chase
Chapter 134 - Little Rascal And Alex (One)
Chapter 135 - Little Rascal And Alex (Two)
Chapter 136 - Stabs
Chapter 137 - Kidnapping The Archduke?
Chapter 138 - Numb Hands
Chapter 139 - A Unique Welcome Banquet
Chapter 140 - The Red Witch
Chapter 141 - Reunion
Chapter 142 - Who’S There (One)
Chapter 143 - Who’S There (Two)
Chapter 144 - The Sword Of Baptism’S Death
Chapter 145 - The Wait
Chapter 146 - The Culprit
Chapter 147 - The Northland Road
Chapter 148
Chapter 149 - Not Even Worth Half A Penny!
Chapter 150 - The Beloved Former King, Nuven
Chapter 151 - Veteran
Chapter 152 - Shadow
Chapter 153 - Have A Drink
Chapter 154 - The Secret Of ‘Triumph’
Chapter 155 - A Bargaining Chip You Cannot Refuse
Chapter 156 - Horrifying
Chapter 157 - The Death Of Soria
Chapter 158 - Betrayal
Chapter 159 - The Fateful Night
Chapter 160 - The Invitation
Chapter 161 - The First Mystic Declaration
Chapter 162 - Letting Go Of A Suspicion
Chapter 163 - Monster And Monster
Chapter 164 - Chaos Begins
Chapter 165 - Just Speak
Chapter 166 - Surprise
Chapter 167 - Flee
Chapter 168 - The Tragic End Of Weaklings
Chapter 169 - Air And Blood
Chapter 170 - The Desperate Dash
Chapter 171 - The Outcome Of The Civil War
Chapter 172 - Elimination
Chapter 173 - The Blade Of Purification
Chapter 174 - The Truth About Elimination
Chapter 175 - Same Kind (One)
Chapter 176 - Same Kind (Two)
Chapter 177 - Sudden Entrance Into The Battlefield!
Chapter 178 - True Form
Chapter 179 - Silence And Darkness
Chapter 180 - Knocking On The Door
Chapter 181 - Phantom
Chapter 182 - A Gentle Kiss
Chapter 183 - The Cost Of Victory
Chapter 184 - The Paradoxical Assassin
Chapter 185 - Thunder Rumbles In Winter
Chapter 186 - End Of Arc: A Good Name
Chapter 187 - The Night Ends, The Day Breaks
Chapter 188 - It Is You
Chapter 189 - Symphony Of Blood (One)
Chapter 190 - Symphony Of Blood (Part Two)
Chapter 191 - Stop Meddling Into The Matters Of Elders
Chapter 192 - Six-Fifty
Chapter 193 - Choose Who You Want To Become
Chapter 194 - Ice-Cold
Chapter 195 - Spirit Of The Contract
Chapter 196 - The Manipulator (One)
Chapter 197 - The Manipulator (Two)
Chapter 198 - Price
Chapter 199
Chapter 200 - Encounter
Chapter 201 - The Prince’S End
Chapter 202 - Really Bad Luck (One)
Chapter 203 - Really Bad Luck (Two)
Chapter 204 - Understanding
Chapter 205 - Execute On The Spot
Chapter 206 - Guest From Barren Bone
Chapter 207 - The Prince’S Doubts
Chapter 208 - The Black Prophet From The Other Side
Chapter 209 - Code Name: Dragon’S Blood
Chapter 210 - The Importance Of Dragon’S Blood
Chapter 211 - A Gamble In The Dark (One)
Chapter 212 - A Gamble In The Dark (Two)
Chapter 213 - The Curse Of The Witch
Chapter 214 - The Scorching Blade
Chapter 215 - Stall
Chapter 216 - The Latecomer
Chapter 217 - A Very Big Problem
Chapter 218 - The Blade And The Wing
Chapter 219 - Trust And Loyalty
Chapter 220 - Nicholas’ Bargaining Chip
Chapter 221 - Shelter
Chapter 222 - A Critical Decision
Chapter 223 - Failure
Chapter 224 - Little Rascal’S ‘Consolation’
Chapter 225 - Save This Country
Chapter 226 - King Slayer
Chapter 227 - Creating Trouble For Ourselves
Chapter 228 - The Strongest Chess Piece (One)
Chapter 229 - The Strongest Chess Piece (Two)
Chapter 230 - The Strongest Chess Piece. (Three)
Chapter 231 - Lampard’S Plan
Chapter 232 - The Archduke’S Fight
Chapter 233 - It Has Been A Long Time
Chapter 234 - A Great Threat
Chapter 235 - Contention
Chapter 236 - The Inextinguishable Starlight
Chapter 237 - The Virtuous King
Chapter 238 - Centuries Of Strategic Planning (One)
Chapter 239 - Centuries Of Strategic Planning (Two)
Chapter 240 - Centuries Of Strategic Planning (Three)
Chapter 241 - Genuine Patrols
Chapter 242
Chapter 243 - Seize Control
Chapter 244 - Chad Vlad
Chapter 245 - Severing Souls With A Slash!
Chapter 246 - A Game Of Chess
Chapter 247 - A Chance Encounter
Chapter 248 - I Am Very Honored
Chapter 249 - When Swords Cross (One)
Chapter 250 - When Swords Cross (Two)
Chapter 251 - Arduous
Chapter 252 - I Am So Relieved
Chapter 253 - I Can Help You
Chapter 254 - The Black Knight’S Death
Chapter 255 - Changing Hands
Chapter 256 - Counter-Attack
Chapter 257 - Check
Chapter 258 - Checkmate
Chapter 259 - A Speculation
Chapter 260 - The Reason For Battle (One)
Chapter 261 - The Reason For Battle (Two)
Chapter 262 - Twist Of Fate
Chapter 263 - A Child Who’S Not Able To Drink Alcohol
Chapter 264 - You Northland Barbarians!
Chapter 265 - Two Minutes
Chapter 266 - What A Shame (One)
Chapter 267 - What A Shame (Two)
Chapter 268 - We Won
Chapter 269 - The Archduchess
Chapter 270 - The Blood-Stained Crown
Chapter 271 - The Day Before The Bitter Cold Winter
Chapter 272 - Yc
Chapter 273 - End Of Arc: The Destiny They Missed
Chapter 274 - The Quiet Prince
Chapter 275 - A Game Of Chess (One)
Chapter 276 - A Game Of Chess (Two)
Chapter 277 - First Lesson
Chapter 278 - The Truth Brothers
Chapter 279 - Traitors
Chapter 280 - Target
Chapter 281 - An Awkward Dinner
Chapter 282 - Upset
Chapter 283 - Riot
Chapter 284 - The Familiar Guest
Chapter 285 - The Honor And Humiliation Of The Great Dragon (One)
Chapter 286
Chapter 287 - The Mystery About Putray
Chapter 288 - The Dragon’S Blood Has Yet To Dry
Chapter 289 - Dragon Breaker (One)
Chapter 290 - Dragon Breaker (Two)
Chapter 291 - Meryl Hicks
Chapter 292 - The Boundaries Of Governance (One)
Chapter 293 - The Boundaries Of Governance (Two)
Chapter 294 - What Is Magic?
Chapter 295 - An Unforeseen Invitation
Chapter 296 - The Game In The Carriage
Chapter 297 - The Former King’S “Present”
Chapter 298 - The Prince’S Shackles
Chapter 299 - Friend And Foe
Chapter 300 - Victory And Defeat
Chapter 301 - A Duel
Chapter 302 - Not Too Bad?
Chapter 303 - Leave
Chapter 304 - A Storm Is Coming
Chapter 305 - The Creation Of The Two Empresses
Chapter 306 - Raven Of Death
Chapter 307 - Ian The Nuisance
Chapter 308 - Collusion
Chapter 309 - The Writers Of Legend (One)
Chapter 310 - The Writers Of Legend (Two)
Chapter 311 - The Day Of The State Affairs Hearing
Chapter 312 - The Hatred For Stealing His Sister
Chapter 313 - The Beginning
Chapter 314 - For Dragon Clouds City
Chapter 315 - The Archduchess And Her Vassals
Chapter 316 - Plan
Chapter 317 - A Romantic Story
Chapter 318 - Are All Of You Coming?
Chapter 319 - Not According To Plan
Chapter 320 - Releasing In “Installments”
Chapter 321 - The Price Of Saying “No”
Chapter 322 - The Moral Of The Story
Chapter 323 - Good Morning
Chapter 324 - Returning The Favor
Chapter 325 - Send Reinforcements
Chapter 326 - Five Archdukes
Chapter 327 - The Prince’S Whereabouts
Chapter 328 - Just Like Chapman Lampard
Chapter 329 - The Final Journey
Chapter 330 - Assassinating Lampard?
Chapter 331 - Bumping Into A Ghost
Chapter 332 - Headquarters
Chapter 333 - Smooth-Sailing
Chapter 334
Chapter 335 - The Confusion While Going Back Home
Chapter 336 - The Veteran On The Wheelchair
Chapter 337 - Double The Amount?
Chapter 338 - The Point Of Contact
Chapter 339 - His/Her Eyes
Chapter 340 - The Magical Therren
Chapter 341 - You Son Of A *Censored*
Chapter 342 - Which Will You Choose?
Chapter 343 - Exterminate Them All
Chapter 344 - Black Track
Chapter 345 - Join Us
Chapter 346 - Silver Shadow
Chapter 347 - You Will Fail In The End
Chapter 348 - You Fell Into The Trap, Eh?
Chapter 349 - The War Of The Deceased Souls
Chapter 350 - Never Lost
Chapter 351 - The Pulse Of The Ground
Chapter 352 - God Knows
Chapter 353 - The First Rule
Chapter 354 - Pursuers
Chapter 355 - The Hardest Fight
Chapter 356 - Unique Only To One
Chapter 357 - Just Die Here
Chapter 358 - The Three-Second Fight
Chapter 359 - Surpassed Kaslan
Chapter 360 - The Raven And The Snow Blade (One)
Chapter 361 - The Raven And The Snow Blade (Two)
Chapter 362 - The Black Raven’S Eyes
Chapter 363 - Who Does Your Loyalty Belong To?
Chapter 364 - Turning Against One Another
Chapter 365 - Saber Or Crossbow?
Chapter 366 - Prince In The Desert
Chapter 367 - Sellsword
Chapter 368 - Dante’S Greatsword
Chapter 369 - Desert Threat
Chapter 370 - There’S Someone
Chapter 371 - Barren Bone People
Chapter 372 - Bloody Thorn Lizard
Chapter 373 - Young Cub
Chapter 374 - Foreign Blood
Chapter 375 - Coming-Of-Age Ceremony
Chapter 376 - Flag
Chapter 377 - The Destructive Army
Chapter 378 - Freaks
Chapter 379 - Welcome To Constellation (One)
Chapter 380 - Welcome To Constellation (Two)
Chapter 381 - Ghost Prince
Chapter 382 - My Home (One)
Chapter 383 - My Home (Two)
Chapter 384 - Age Of Mercenaries
Chapter 385 - Confrontation And Stalemate
Chapter 386 - Prince Versus Prince
Chapter 387 - So Many Tricks
Chapter 388 - You Have To Laugh
Chapter 389 - Shackles Of Power
Chapter 390 - Perhaps I Have
Chapter 391 - Happily Ever After
Chapter 392 - Technical Skill
Chapter 393 - Intention
Chapter 394 - New Guest
Chapter 395 - Shadows And Swords
Chapter 396 - The Dark Side
Chapter 397 - Emergency Mission
Chapter 398 - Alliance Of Traitors
Chapter 399 - The Mole
Chapter 400 - As Bad As Can Be
Chapter 401 - Affectionate And United
Chapter 402 - F*Ck You
Chapter 403 - H.N. Jadestar
Chapter 404 - Stupid Idea
Chapter 405 - Sinner
Chapter 406 - The Intruders
Chapter 407 - Head Towards Omniscience
Chapter 408 - Black Prison
Chapter 409 - Behind The Iron Curtain
Chapter 410 - Hallucination
Chapter 411 - Seven
Chapter 412 - People Whom History Has Forgotten
Chapter 413 - The Mourning Of The Guards
Chapter 414 - Where Is He?
Chapter 415 - Fall Out
Chapter 416 - Disaster Sword’S Battle
Chapter 417 - The Knight Of Judgment
Chapter 418 - A Different World
Chapter 419 - The Queen’S Dowry
Chapter 420 - The Greatest King
Chapter 421 - Knew Clearly
Chapter 422 - Nameless
Chapter 423 - Awaken
Chapter 424 - Loyalty
Chapter 425 - Peer
Chapter 426 - He Was Probably Old
Chapter 427 - A Stalemate
Chapter 428 - Dusk
Chapter 429 - The Man At The Proximal World
Chapter 430 - The Second Declaration Among Mystics
Chapter 431 - The Anchor Point
Chapter 432 - Taurus Mill
Chapter 433 - Decision
Chapter 434 - Correcting The Mistake
Chapter 435 - Malicious Flower, Malicious Fruit
Chapter 436 - Moriah Returns
Chapter 437 - Old Self
Chapter 438 - The Prince Is Not Here
Chapter 439 - Scheme Between The Thief And Bandit
Chapter 440 - Seven To Three
Chapter 441 - Missing One
Chapter 442 - Quick Wit
Chapter 443 - Not Just You
Chapter 444 - Someone Needs An Answer
Chapter 445 - A Forbidden Name
Chapter 446 - Three Calamity Allies
Chapter 447 - Enemy Of The World
Chapter 448 - 1 Vs 8
Chapter 449 - Chaos Of Armies
Chapter 450 - Two Hands
Chapter 451 - Xx Films
Chapter 452 - Fratricide
Chapter 453 - It Was Not A Coincidence
Chapter 454 - More Than Half
Chapter 455 - I Hated Him
Chapter 456 - Nothing At All
Chapter 457 - The Person Who Supported Him
Chapter 458 - Where The Sun Does Not Shine (One)
Chapter 459 - Where The Sun Does Not Shine (Two)
Chapter 460 - Rebirth (One)
Chapter 461 - Rebirth (Two)
Chapter 462 - Rebirth (Three)
Chapter 463 - Rebirth (Four)
Chapter 464 - Rebirth (Five)
Chapter 465 - Truth Swords
Chapter 466 - Beheaded
Chapter 467 - Revealed In Flames
Chapter 468 - The Silent Demon
Chapter 469 - So Naïve That You Are Adorable
Chapter 470 - The Fate Twins
Chapter 471 - The True Essence Of The Power Of Eradication
Chapter 472 - Leaving The Prison
Chapter 473 - I Am Not A Devil, After All
Chapter 474 - Much… Higher
Chapter 475 - The Warden
Chapter 476 - Life, Safety And Freedom
Chapter 477 - Something Lighter
Chapter 478 - Get Me Something To Eat And Drink
Chapter 479 - Exclusive Possession
Chapter 480 - Kill Them
Chapter 481 - A Different Way Of Living
Chapter 482 - Get Yourself A Girlfriend
Chapter 483 - Make Me Even More… Excited
Chapter 484 - You Are Good-Looking
Chapter 485 - Too High
Chapter 486 - You Are Good-Looking
Chapter 487 - Too High
Chapter 488 - That Night
Chapter 489 - Usurp Power
Chapter 490 - Do Something
Chapter 491 - Power Comes From Violence (One)
Chapter 492 - Power Comes From Violence (Two)
Chapter 493 - The Third Party
Chapter 494 - Destiny Is Like A Poem
Chapter 495 - Raven Leader
Chapter 496 - Never
Chapter 497 - His Majesty’S Blessing
Chapter 498 - Black Lion
Chapter 499 - I Have Come In Peace
Chapter 500 - End Of Arc: Duke
Chapter 501 - Everything Will Be Better
Chapter 502 - Six Divisions And Seven Attendants
Chapter 503 - Divided Western Desert
Chapter 504 - Only One Day Left
Chapter 505 - Protection
Chapter 506 - This Is Just The Beginning
Chapter 507 - Hometown
Chapter 508 - A Small Spark
Chapter 509 - Anxious
Chapter 510 - Fifteen Minutes
Chapter 511 - King In The Mist
Chapter 512 - Crazy
Chapter 513 - A Small Favor
Chapter 514 - Like A Fleeting Cloud
Chapter 515 - Timetable
Chapter 516 - Coincidence?
Chapter 517 - Went To High School
Chapter 518 - Discovered?
Chapter 519 - Let’S Fight
Chapter 520 - Not Just The Power Of Eradication
Chapter 521 - World Class Battle Worthy Of Being Written In Historical Poems
Chapter 522 - Continuous Fights
Chapter 523 - Mutant
Chapter 524 - Self-Reliant
Chapter 525 - Lustful Woman
Chapter 526 - Knowledge Of People
Chapter 527 - Holiness Exorcism
Chapter 528 - Fight Between The Eldest And Youngest
Chapter 529 - Privacy
Chapter 530 - Alien Star
Chapter 531 - Guest
Chapter 532 - The Young Kingdom
Chapter 533 - Calm On Iron Spikes
Chapter 534 - Sorry To Keep You Waiting
Chapter 535 - Polaris
Chapter 536 - Times Have Changed
Chapter 537 - Pretty Boy
Chapter 538 - Magnificent Scene Of Hell
Chapter 539 - Side Story 7: Joint Council
Chapter 540 - Never Kneel
Chapter 541 - A Piece Of Cake
Chapter 542 - Merciless
Chapter 543 - That Gaze
Chapter 544 - Watchmen’S Code
Chapter 545 - The End Of It
Chapter 546 - To Not Perish As Foes (One)
Chapter 547 - To Not Perish As Foes (Two)
Chapter 548 - To Not Perish As Foes (Three)
Chapter 549 - To Duke Thales
Chapter 550 - What Rationality
Chapter 551 - Better
Chapter 552 - Sacrificing A Pawn (One)
Chapter 553 - Sacrificing A Pawn (Two)
Chapter 554 - Sacrificing A Pawn (Three)
Chapter 555 - Unfulfilled
Chapter 556 - Chess Player
Chapter 557 - Relieved
Chapter 558 - Punishment
Chapter 559 - Eight Arteries
Chapter 560 - Imperial Style
Chapter 561 - Cannot Escape The Sheath
Chapter 562 - Want Everything
Chapter 563 - Cause And Effect
Chapter 564 - Blazing Blood
Chapter 565 - Of Course—Not
Chapter 566 - Crown Jewel Of The Kingdom
Chapter 567 - Head Over Heels
Chapter 568 - As Truthful As Possible
Chapter 569 - Hand In Marriage
Chapter 570 - What Do I Need You For
Chapter 571 - Defects
Chapter 572 - Heart Of The Guards
Chapter 573 - You’Re A Real Dog
Chapter 574 - Antecessors
Chapter 575 - The Years Have Caught On To Me
Chapter 576 - Shooting Yourself In The Foot
Chapter 577 - Lie
Chapter 578 - The Wine Merchant
Chapter 579 - Damn The Prince
Chapter 580 - The Prince Likes Them
Categories Genre: Action, All, Drama, Fantasy, Mature, Ongoing, Psychological, Seinen, Tragedy Status: Ongoing Alternative names: Wang Guo Xue Mai, 王国血脉, ______
Total Chapters in book: 580
Estimated words: 2362673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 11813(@200wpm)___ 9451(@250wpm)___ 7876(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 2362673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 11813(@200wpm)___ 9451(@250wpm)___ 7876(@300wpm)
______
LIST OF LAST 10 CHAPTERS:
Page No. 580 Page No. 579 Page No. 578 Page No. 577 Page No. 576 Page No. 575 Page No. 574 Page No. 573 Page No. 572 Page No. 571 Page No. 570 Chapter 110 - Paid Homage
Chapter 110: Paid Homage
Translator:
EndlessFantasy Translation
Editor:
EndlessFantasy Translation
Eckstedt. The road to Dragon Clouds City from Black Sand Region.
“Here, I will still give you a piece of advice, Your Highness. Put those two flags away… especially the Constellation national flag—the Double Cross-Shaped Stars Flag.” Amid a troop of advancing Northland soldiers, Viscount Kentvida held the reins in his hands as he rode to Thales’ side, even though Thales was tightly protected from all sides. Kentvida ignored Putray and Wya’s extremely unhappy looks from the side while he spoke to the second prince, “Although we have two thousand well-trained Northland elite soldiers, many of them being the regular troops by the archduke’s side, it is obviously still not the best choice to let everyone on this journey know that the Prince of Constellation is here.”
Thales was not at all in the mood to pay attention to the snowy scenery on both sides, as well as the faintly discernible mountain range and occasional wisps of smoke far away in front of him. The reason why he ignored the Northland’s majestic scenery of snow-covered mountains was partly because he was still pondering on what Ramon said to him two days ago, another part was because of the horse under him.
He currently rode alone, and he controlled the horse under him very carefully in case the horse decided to fling him off its back from time to time. Ralf anxiously followed beside Thales and he was prepared to support and hold up his young employer using his wind power at any time.
Although Jines and Gilbert had already taught him almost every horse-riding trick during his one month in Mindis Hall, it still seemed that Thales could not get along with horses naturally. Regardless of whether it was the little pony in Mindis Hall, or the usually docile and obedient Northland noble’s horse he had borrowed from Archduke Lampard—which had been specifically equipped with child saddle—it was obvious that both horses did not want him to ride or even approach them.
‘Oh, right. Saddle… Did Ramon not say that this is also a wizard’s invention? So, is magic a science of this world? And wizards are a group of people who are committed to the study and exploration of the truth? Then what is the mystic energy about? How did magic disappear?
‘It’s a shame that our conversation that day was quickly interrupted by Kentvida. It seems that I have to find another chance next time.’
Thales panicked when he watched the horse beneath him cross over an uneven snow pit, then he released a breath of relief.
“I thought, for a diplomat group to show off their flag to indicate their identity, that it should be for an international convention.” Thales turned his head around and looked at Kentvida helplessly. At the same time, he paid careful attention to the saddled horse under him, which chewed its mouth in dissatisfaction. “Also, we have an army of two thousand people that forms a continuous line of several hundred meters from beginning to end. With such large movements, even if I do not erect my flag, will the people really be unaware that the Prince of Constellation has set foot on Eckstedt territory?
“Or rather, it is Archduke Lampard who feels that there is actually no benefit in showing the people that he is far too close to the Prince of Constellation?”
Kentvida offered him a smile. “Your Highness, please believe in the archduke’s—”
But Putray cut him off, “Since he had no choice but to send out two thousand soldiers to ensure that the prince will not perish in his territory but still has to display an appropriate hostility towards Constellation for the citizens of his own country to see. Archduke Lampard’s circumstance is actually quite difficult… Excluding the cost it took to mobilize the territory, for all the money he spent, he was still unable to acquire Broken Dragon Fortress… it is also really too arduous for him.” Putray slowly smoked his tobacco pipe and gave Kentvida a sneer.
Kentvida’s expression became a little sour.
It was not reflected in the previous journey and battle, but Thales had a feeling that once Putray started to have contact with people, it seems that the vice diplomat would return to his most comfortable state on the battlefield. Kentvida had come to Thales’ side a few times during the journey and intentionally brought up political topics, but Putray had answered back—sometimes with humor or sometimes with words that would cause someone embarrassment.
“Regardless of what the Archduke of Black Sand’s motives are, whether it is beneficial to you… You should communicate directly with King Nuven and not an adviser working under the Archduke of Black Sand.” This was Putray’s calm, discreet explanation.
Lampard had officially withdrawn his troops two days ago, and the diplomat group had also departed at the same time.
On the backs of the jolting horses, they would leave the Northern Plains today and enter the Sighing Hills. The southwest section of the hill was still part of Black Sand Region, but northeast of the hills was the territory under the jurisdiction of Eckstedt’s Archduke of the Reformation Tower, the Trentida Family.
Even though Thales had rejected Lampard’s goodwill and suggestion of an alliance without any sign of hesitation, Archduke Lampard still generously allocated two thousand soldiers to Thales. Of the two thousand people, the regular soldiers would protect Thales on the journey, whereas the recruits would gradually disband and return home.
Thales also did not know if he should say that the archduke was generous, hypocritical, or both at the same time.
At this very moment, a knight with a gray helmet separated from the infantry formation in front and rode his way to their side.
Thales could feel that Aida’s state slowly changed from boredom to anxiety when she rode her horse behind him. In fact, after Thales was soaked by that fluctuation, it seemed as if all of Thales’ organs had some minute but real alleviation.
It seemed as if the fluctuation was not only something to rely on during emergencies, yet its presence also gradually altered Thales’ body… But it was exactly what Thales was most worried about.
He could not really remember how he ‘died’ when Serena strangled his neck. Or rather, he had no memory of what happened during that time when he was temporarily unconscious. But Thales always felt that he had experienced something important, and that fluctuation appeared after he awoke.
“Rayman Pass is just up ahead.” The knight with the gray helmet that came from the front was a supreme class elite who had previously confronted Arracca on the battlefield. The Fire Knight, Tolja, solemnly reined his horse in and rode with Thales in the same direction, he gravely said, “There is a village where we can rest and eat. We will continue our journey in the afternoon, and let the scouts go forward to make discreet inquiries at the same time. After all, we will reach the Archduke of Reformation Tower’s area of jurisdiction soon.”
Thales keenly noticed that both Putray and Wya’s expression darkened slightly after Tolja finished saying the phrase ‘Rayman Pass’, whereas Kentvida curved his lips into a smile.
“What do you think about this, Your Highness?” Without waiting for anyone else to speak up, Kentvida gave Thales a smile and said, “Regardless of whether it is a practical or personal reason, I recommend you to stop and take a rest at Rayman Pass so that you can touch up or pay homage.”
‘Personal reason? Pay homage?’
During Thales’ uncertainty, Putray rode to his side and sighed deeply, “Rayman Pass is the southwest starting point of the Sighing Hills. It is also the only road entering the hills from the Northland Plains.” The slim vice diplomat extinguished his tobacco pipe and furrowed his brows, whereas beside him, Wya turned his head.
“But that is also the final place where the former Second Prince of Constellation, Prince Horace, had perished during the Bloody Year.” Putray said without any hesitation on his face.
Thales’ face changed when he understood the reason behind everyone else’s change in expression.
Obviously, Kentvida found a topic that Thales had no choice but to answer. Alas, it concerned the war between Eckstedt and Constellation. As the Prince of Constellation, Thales lowered his eyelids at the appropriate time and sighed, “Of course, Horace was also my blood relative.”
Kentvida laughed as he nodded, but Thales was also secretly muttering in his heart, ‘The Swordsman of Eradication praised by Kessel, and the general from the royal family with the strict military regulations praised by Sonia… died here…
‘But this is also an opportunity to gain further understanding about the truth of the Bloody Year.’
He turned to Putray. “What is the prince’s cause of death?”
Putray sighed in the face of Thales’ question. He was the first person to answer, “It was the end of the Bloody Year. That winter was abnormally warm. King Nuven gathered an army of almost ten thousand people from the seven archdukes. They had abundant food and weapons when they attacked the fortress with weak military strength from all sides.
“At that time, the Southwest Battlefield had reached the juncture of its final battle in Constellation. Duke John cornered the last main force of the rebel army at Blade’s Gap. The victory of the Rebellion War was approaching, but that also meant that they were unable to head north to help. Reinforcements for Broken Dragon Fortress was far in the indefinite future.” Putray shook his head and put away his tobacco pipe. He then continued with a complicated gaze in his eyes. “Trebuchets, ballistae, Mystic Guns and numerous City Infiltration Units… They faced uninterrupted onslaught and were never bothered by any sacrifices. Prince Horace believed that it was only a matter of time before Broken Dragon Fortress would be breached by the enemy, so he took the risk to attack. He brought a few units to secretly cross the Pine Forest and suddenly infiltrated Eckstedt’s supply line from behind.”
Wya sighed deeply.
The next person who took over the conversation was the Eckstedt commander. “That was a risky decision,” Kentvida chuckled, “Obviously, this was Constellation’s miscalculation. Horace lost his bet, and paid the price for his decision…”
Wya glared indignantly at him.
“That was a good decision, at least it went straight for your crucial territories,” Putray snorted coldly as he replied.
Thales furrowed his brows and he did not know what to say in that moment.
It was best for him to keep quiet at that moment because of his identity. He had heard about the royal family’s tragedy during the Bloody Year from Gilbert. In his story, it was Horace who stepped into the Eckstedtians’ trap.
And Gilbert’s statement of saying that “There was no reinforcements during those three hours” seemed like he was hinting to Thales that Horace’s death was the same as the other royal family members’—that they died because someone had set them up.
But according to Putray and Kentvida, it seemed as if it was Horace himself who took the risk to attack, and he brought the consequences upon himself?
And since the place was so far away from Constellation’s border, did the phrase “no reinforcements during those three hours” not seem extremely normal?
He needed to know more.
Beside them, Tolja spoke up at this moment, “That was indeed a sensible decision.”
After he heard Tolja’s view, Kentvida’s expression became unhappy when he looked at the Fire Knight. Tolja’s solemn voice made Thales furrow his brows in an instant.
“Horace succeeded half of his plan. He managed to burn and destroy almost a quarter of our supplies. Our supply line was too long and too fragile, and his move at least bought quite some time for Broken Dragon Fortress,” Tolja said in a deep voice. He sounded like he was defending Horace against an unjust accusation. “If we had not detected it earlier, and if King Nuven did not stop attacking the city, had the frontline main forces withdraw, and did not set an ambush on the way back to the fortress…”
“Yes, we blocked Horace on his way back from Pine Forest and forced him to the plains.” Viscount Kentvida snorted. He seemed as if he was quite dissatisfied. “Just like how we capture a fox.”
Putray’s expression fell. Thales also felt very awkward, whereas Wya had an indignant look on his face.
Any Constellatiate would be unhappy when they listen to an Eckstedtian tell the story of how they killed a Prince of Constellation.
But Lord Tolja once again opened his mouth to speak, “It is unfair of you to put it this way. After all, he only had a little over a thousand people,” he was heard saying seriously, “We used an army that was almost twenty times larger than his and firmly surrounded Horace on the plains. But his warriors were all rare elites with willpower as strong as Northlanders. Under their counter-attack, the Archduke of Elaphure City’s troops faced serious casualties, the Archduke of Beacon Illumination City and the Archduke of Prestige Orchid’s war flags even, at one time, faltered and retreated.
“King Nuven had no choice but to use the resting soldiers and sent the elite White Blade Guards under him to block the gap. Only then did he manage to stabilize the battle line. The battlefield was extremely disastrous, even the rising black smoke was visible to the fortress… If Broken Dragon Fortress sent reinforcements at that time and made a sudden attack from the side of the chaotic battlefield, they might have stood a chance to save your prince.”
Putray grasped his reins tighter in his hands. Thales was momentarily stunned.
“But they did not dispatch the army?” Thales recalled the scene from a few days ago when he had encountered the besiegement below the fortress, and asked in puzzlement, “The fortress did not send out the army?”
“No, I still remember that from afternoon till night, the people in the fortress watched Horace’s troops collapse one after another in the plains…” Tolja said indifferently.
Thales recalled what Gilbert said and he furrowed his brows together. “There were no reinforcements during those three hours…”
“Regarding this point. There was certainly a reason behind the fortress’ choice,” Putray said with a stiff face,
“Oh, come on.” Kentvida snorted coldly. “Even Eckstedtians felt bitterly disappointed when we witnessed how they turned away a dying man.”
‘Turned away a dying man?’
Thales held the reins tightly in his hands and clenched his teeth as he endured another jolt from his horse.
Kentvida glanced at Thales with a slightly meaningful gaze. “Of course, maybe they were as cautious and careful as the Fortress Flower two days ago.”
“So, who was it?” Thales turned around and asked in confusion, “Who was the person who guarded the Broken Dragon Fortress when Horace brought his troops out to attack?”
Putray had a worried expression on his face when he turned his gaze upon Thales.
“Go on.” Kentvida chuckled. “Tell your prince who was responsible for Horace’s death… This is not some secret anyway.”
Thales suddenly realized that it was quite inappropriate to discuss the matter in front of an Eckstedtian.
Putray glared at Kentvida in dissatisfaction, but he still sighed and answered, “The Northern Territory was in a crisis at that time. The previous king ordered the surrounding nobles to go forward and provide help, and reinforcements of the largest scale came from Land of Cliffs Region… the closest dukedom of Constellation to the Northern Territory.”
Putray worriedly observed Thales’ expression until he was sure that the boy’s emotions did not change drastically. While he did that, he said, “And after Horace left, the commander of Broken Dragon Fortress was naturally the person with the second highest rank at the time.”
Thales was slightly stunned. Putray furrowed his brows but he still continued, “That was the current Duke of the Land of Cliffs Region, ‘One-Eyed Dragon’ Koshder Nanchester’s older brother. Later when the Broken Dragon Fortress had been breached, he was held captive by Eckstedt, and in the end, died in prison.”
Thales jolted right after Putray finished speaking, ‘The former Duke Nanchester who was also the current Duke Nanchester’s brother… Could he be related to the suspiciously strange death of Horace?
‘At least, when Horace was surrounded, the One-Eyed Dragon’s older brother did not lend a hand. He did not even save him and watched him die, right…? More importantly, had Kessel also thought of it this way? What about the One-Eyed Dragon? What does he think of it? What does he feel about Kessel’s perception on the matter? And the One-Eyed Dragon’s brother whom had already died… Was it really…?
‘Also, what the One-Eyed Dragon told me before I departed from Eternal Star City…”The Land of Cliffs Region did not want to resign itself to death.” That was what he said back then.’
As Thales pondered about the relations in this matter, his brows furrowed tighter and tighter.
Putray patted Thales’ saddle and shook his head at Thales.
‘Do not think too much…’ Thales felt that this was what he meant.
“At that time, Horace probably felt like there was already no hope in returning to the fortress.” The Fire Knight, Tolja caressed a sheathed sword on his saddle. He seemed to be recalling the past when he said with a bitter smile, “He made a decision that nobody had expected.”
Putray shook his head. His face showed his desolation.
Thales raised his brow. “He-What did Horace do?”
“He did not break through towards the direction of the fortress anymore,” Tolja put on a respectful smile on his face, “Just like you, Horace turned around and broke out of the encirclement in the opposite direction, all the way to the north.”
A thought appeared in Thales’ heart. ‘Just like us?’
Thales recalled what the man, once known as the Kingdom’s Wrath, had said to him a few days ago on the battlefield, before they broke towards the direction of Lampard’s flag.
“Long, long ago, a Jadestar once told me during an impasse…’If we are unable to retreat, then why do we not go forward with all our strength?'”
So… what Arracca had said was…
“For a whole day and night, they escaped to this place. We, the army of Black Sand Region also pursued them to this place.” Tolja had a complicated expression on his face. He raised his hand and pointed at the snow-covered hills that had just started to appear in front of them. Thales turned his gaze towards them.
They had reached to the end of the plains. Black mountains half covered in snow began to appear in front of them.
Between the two low mountains, there was a narrow entrance that was only as wide as the road. The advancing speed of the Eckstedt troops slowed until it came to a stop.
“We have arrived,” Viscount Kentvida said faintly, “This is Rayman Pass.”
….
Thales looked at the cluster of strange stones in front of him that were covered in snow while he asked Tolja with an odd feeling in his heart. “This is the battlefield of that year?”
“We cornered them, and once again, had them surrounded tightly. Horace’s remaining troops held their positions beside those stones,” Tolja nodded and said with a deep gaze in his eyes, “The former Archduke of Black Sand lit a torch and personally led his guards to assault continuously from all sides. He also commanded his guards not to use their bows. He wanted the glory of capturing a Prince of Constellation alive.
“On the other hand, Horace defended his position under the Nine-Pointed Star war flag, he personally held his sword while clad in his black armor. Regardless of how the people around him fell one by one under the axes, he never took a step backwards.
“The best warriors of both parties pounced at one another while they roared in anger, and then one by one, they fell in between the stones. Although we had the advantage of a great force that night, all four supreme class experts from our side were injured, one of them even lost his life here.”
The Fire Knight seemed quite rueful when he talked about the history of the battlefield, whereas Kentvida chose to keep quiet as he stared at Tolja with his brows furrowed together.
“Horace’s sword pierced through my chest with a single strike. Before he could strike a second time, I was yanked down by someone behind me.” Tolja sighed and touched his right chest.
Thales furrowed his brows, ‘Was that the Sword of Reversing Light?’
“Prince Horace learned his sword style from the Tower of Eradication, and he also had experience from the army and the battlefield. Only the ‘Enemy of the Wolves’ could compare to his brave name in the Jadestar Royal Family’s history,” Putray said slowly. His face had a profound expression when he stared at the cluster of strange stones before his eyes. Thales heard Aida snort lightly behind him.
“The old Archduke of Black Sand gave up on his motive. He realized that his intention of capturing Horace alive will only result in more casualties on our side. In the final, fierce battle, Horace beheaded the Unending Fire, Terende, despite suffering more than ten wounds on his body. Then, his heart was pierced through by a sword.” Tolja prompted his horse to move forward and he stared at a stone that was half the height of an average man, as if he had returned to that night twelve years ago, the night where swords shone and the shadows of blades were everywhere due to war.
“A prince lost his life here.” Kentvida shook his head. “This place will probably become memorial spot for sightseeing in the future.”
Wya glared fiercely at him without any mercy.
“Yes,” Putray replied sarcastically, “You should build a statue for Prince Horace… to commemorate his bravery and fearlessness, as well as his skills in killing the enemy.”
Thales sighed, closed his eyes, then bowed deeply towards the land filled with the strange stones stood. They were yet another group of unfortunate people who died during battle.
“The last of his soldiers also lost their fighting spirit when they saw Horace collapse. And when we thought that everything was going to end here, a soldier by Horace’s side managed to snatch the bow left by Terende in the middle of the chaos,” Tolja continued to say faintly.
Kentvida’s expression suddenly changed.
Thales raised his brow and said with some surprise in his voice, “You are saying…”
Tolja gazed towards the south, and he exhaled a long breath, “That soldier carried Horace’s corpse, took the bow, roared like a deranged man with arrows sticking out of him and while covered head to toe in injuries. He led the last remaining few soldiers and rushed out of the encirclement. For some unknown reason, we could not stop him. He continued charging until he reached the old Archduke of Black Sand, and then…”
Tolja revealed a meaningful smile that was difficult to understand and he snorted lightly. “That soldier disappeared into the night amid of the chaos. Thenceforth, Arracca Murkh has been known as the ‘Kingdom’s Wrath’ by the people.”
Tolja caressed his sword, an unending desire to fight glinted in his eyes.
Thales took a deep breath and gazed at the cluster of strange stones from afar. But he could not tell that twelve years ago, numerous warriors and a prince lost their lives at this place, and another legend had since then become famous.
‘No, there are still some doubts…’ Thales turned over towards Tolja.
“So, Lord Tolja, you personally experienced the war between the two countries twelve years ago? Including how the Broken Dragon Fortress was breached?”
“I had participated in that war.” The Fire Knight nodded. “But as I had mentioned just now, thanks to Prince Horace’s sword, I was injured in the early stage of the war. By the time I entered the battlefield again, a few months had already passed and it was the late stage of the war. At that time, Sonia Sasere led her Starlight Brigade and took in disabled soldiers as well as disgraced warriors… including Murkh, and they headed north to fight a few battles with us.”
“Oh.” Thales had a realization. “You battled against the Fortress Flower before?”
‘I should say that he was truly one of the Eckstedt’s “Five War Generals”.’
“No, I did not have a chance to fight against her.” Tolja furrowed his brows. “Because of a despicable rat.”
“Despicable rat?” Thales was slightly stunned. “Who?”
“I do not know.” Viscount Kentvida laughed. “Constellation’s little trick… Tolja took it to his heart all this while.”
‘Do not know who it was? Took it to heart?’
Eckstedt’s Fire Knight was heard giving out a cold snort. “On the battlefield, a damned fellow disguised himself as one of us and hid himself behind my back. He waited until I breached the enemy lines, and when I was just about to attack the core of the Starlight Brigade’s battle formation, that despicable fellow attacked me from behind… I was seriously injured once again and did not manage to get the chance to directly confront Sasere or Murkh.”
Tolja furrowed his brows and said through clenched teeth, “I still remember to this day that the damned, despicable assassin ducking out of sight as he escaped. He hid himself behind a strange, purple mask and he used a gray short sword. He appeared and disappeared unpredictably, and was extremely fast.”
Thales emitted an “oh” with a strange expression on his face and scratched his head.
‘Disguised as someone else. Attacked the enemy from the back. Purple mask. Gray short sword. Appeared and disappeared unpredictably, extremely fast speed…
‘These traits and habits… Where have I heard about it from?’
Behind him, Aida lightly snorted again.
“Is that so?” Thales furrowed his brows as he stared at Tolja’s cold eyes. He nodded sternly and said, “Such an act is indeed despicable!”
Total Chapters in book: 580
Estimated words: 2362673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 11813(@200wpm)___ 9451(@250wpm)___ 7876(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 2362673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 11813(@200wpm)___ 9451(@250wpm)___ 7876(@300wpm)
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