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 122 - Until Dawn Came (One)
Chapter 122: Until Dawn Came (One)
Translator:
EndlessFantasy Translation
Editor:
EndlessFantasy Translation
“Your Highness, Lord Putray asked me to replenish your firewood.” The new recruit, Willow Ken, carried a bundle of wood and sat respectfully beside Thales who was sitting beside the campfire in a daze.
Glassy-eyed, Thales nodded. He could not stop thinking about King Nuven’s suggestion.
This was their last stop before they enter Dragon Clouds City.
Behind them, Wya, Ralf, and the veterans of Constellation were anxiously inspecting their equipment under Putray’s supervision.
The soldiers of Black Sand Region were busy setting up a base camp. On the other hand, with vigilant stares and unpleasant faces, the White Blade Guards continued watching them like prison guards. It was as though there was great animosity between them.
As the new recruit was about to leave to rejoin his team, the second prince said softly, “Willow, ever since our journey began, have you ever felt scared, or anxious, at least?”
Willow was respectfully placing the bundle of wood on the ground when he heard Thales’ words and it surprised him for a moment.
“You know,” Thales said slowly, “To struggle in mysterious dangers every day, and to worry about the cold, the battles, the enemies, everything.”
Willow was momentarily stunned, as if he had not expected the prince to ask such a question.
The new recruit turned and thought carefully before answering, “I did feel very anxious right before the battles began. After all, I am not like Uncle Genard who could remain so calm even as a blade cuts for his head.
“But I don’t feel scared.” Willow furrowed his brows and thought carefully, even forgetting to use a respectful tone. “Even though it’s very dangerous, I feel that it’s a lot simpler…”
“Simpler?” Thales asked.
“What I meant was that, everything happens quickly on the battlefield. After I thrust the pikes forward, there will only be two possible outcomes. Either I survive, or I die. It’s better this way.” Willow’s gaze became dreary, and his expression was a little bleak. “At least your hard work will be repaid, and you know what the outcome would be. This way, there is no need to be afraid.”
Thales carefully scrutinized the new recruit’s face.
“Willow, who taught you how to dual-wield? Your parents and elders?” Warming his hands on top of the campfire, Thales asked with an indecipherable expression, “Or a veteran who knows how to dual-wield?”
Willow ran his hand over the twin pikes that were tied to his back and scratched his face in puzzlement.
“No one taught me, Your Highness.” After he was sure that the prince was only making small talk, the new recruit shook his head slowly. “As for my parents, they passed away eleven or twelve years ago.”
‘Twelve years ago.’
Thales remembered this number. He said slowly, “So, it was…”
Willow shrugged expressionlessly. “You know, the disaster caused by the war in Northland. There was no more food in the village. My parents followed the villagers to the nearest village to get some food in exchange for their only possessions, but they never came back.”
Thales lifted his gaze.
“According to our village elders, it wouldn’t have ended well for them whether they encountered soldiers of Eckstedt or Constellation. The winning party would demand tribute, and the losing party would plunder from them straightaway,” Willow said desolately, “That was a very chaotic time.”
Both of them were silent for a while.
“Then, how did you survive?” Thales asked quietly.
“Gifts for the Mountains,” Willow sighed, “Even though all the adults said that those were gifts for the Gods and that only travellers could eat them…
“My sister and I were so hungry that we were going insane.” The new recruit showed a wistful expression. “Besides, we were not the only ones who did that. When that winter passed, even the gifts on the most secluded treetops were snatched away.”
‘The post-war famine in the North…’ Thales recalled Duke Arunde’s hysterical outburst in Renaissance Palace.
“However, there still wasn’t enough food when spring came, your Highness. At that time, my younger sister was so hungry that she kept biting her fingers…” Lost in thought, Willow stared at the campfire. “Fortunately, the pastoral river flowed past our village. So, I followed the people in my village and tried my best to catch fish.
“We didn’t know how to make nets, nor were we able to borrow any. We could not find any spots that had fish either.
“So I could only rely on the method I used to spear fish when I was young, and kept vigil by the river every day… At first, I always failed, and I was never able to find any shoals of fish. It was the other adults who gave us some of the fish they got. Every time I arrived home with fish, my younger sister would become very happy…
“Watching my younger sister’s smile when I left home in the mornings, not knowing whether I would get enough fish that day…” Willow’s tone was grim. “It’s often useless even if you work hard.”
Thales exhaled. “But both of you survived.”
“After that, I became more skilled and managed to find shoals of fish.” Lowering his head to look at his hands, Willow furrowed his brows. “During winter, when the surface of the river was frozen, I could get more fish. All the fish huddled together because of the cold…
“As I grew up, it wasn’t enough anymore to just feed ourselves. I had to get more fish to exchange for other goods in the bazaar. Sometimes, I could even get bronze coins.
“I started trying to spear fish with both hands. As time went by, I could even pierce through an ice layer with just one hand. This is why I always like to wield an extra pike in the battlefield.”
‘I see.’ Thales heaved a long sigh.
The second prince said faintly, “But enlisting at this time… What about your sister? Is she at home?”
Willow’s expression dimmed.
“No.” The new recruit tried his best to smile, but could only muster a bitter expression.
“She had typhoid fever last year. We had no money. There was nowhere we could get medicine from either—they were only available in large towns.” Trembling, Willow said, “The only thing I could do was to feed her warm water again and again.”
Thales furrowed his brows.
‘Coria.’ The little girl with typhoid fever crossed his mind.
“In the end, my younger sister said that she felt like eating fish. But when I returned…”
Willow went silent and fixated at the campfire. Thales did not say anything either.
A few seconds passed, the only sounds both of them could hear were of people around them conversing, and the crackling of the campfire.
… Then, Willow said desolately, “I buried her beside the river.”
The new recruit blinked furiously, as if there was some foreign substance in his eyes. He said in a soft voice, “Your Highness, I really hope that there are also fish in hell’s river.”
Willow quietly saluted Thales in a less-than-standard fashion and turned to leave.
At this moment, Thales called out to the new recruit.
“Willow, there are fish in hell’s river.” The second prince watched Willow who turned his head back and flashed a smile. “I once read about that in a book.”
…..
“Are you worrying about what would come next?” Standing beside Thales, Putray watched the new recruit’s retreating figure.
Sitting beside the campfire, Thales raised his head.
“Putray, did you know that according to that recruit just now, he feels that his life right now is very simple,” Thales said, lost in thought.
Putray raised his eyebrows.
“‘After I thrust the pikes forward, there will only be two possible outcomes. Either I survive, or I die. It’s better this way.’ This was what he said,” Thales turned his head as he spoke.
“But my life is very complicated, so complicated that it tires my heart.” Thales’ gaze was slightly grim. “I thought that the politics within Constellation were complicated enough. Little did I know that Eckstedt—famous for being rough and bold—is also the same.”
An archduke who harbored ulterior motives, a king set on revenge, and vassals who spoke deprecatingly.
All that did not really fit his visualization towards Northland and Eckstedt—the hearty kingdom that stood heartily amid drifting snow and chilly winds.
“Only Northlanders are this rough and bold.” Putray sat down and took out his tobacco pipe. He shook his head and said, “But the ones you are facing are the nobles, the rulers, and those clutching at the reins of power.”
Thales frowned. “King Nuven, Archduke Lampard, and the five archdukes I will be meeting soon… They are also Northlanders, are they not?”
“They are from another species,” Putray lit his tobacco pipe and said quietly, “Normal people rely on food and air to survive, while they rely on power.”
“The new recruit just now is also a Northlander. His status is low, but at least he does not have to live in constant fear, watching every step he takes,” Thales said in low spirits, “As for the nobles and suzerains, do they not feel that their way of living is very sad?”
Putray exhaled a mouthful of smoke. “All of you occupy a more influential position than commoners. Every move has a large-scale connection to everything else and has a far-reaching impact. This is the price you must pay and the sacrifice you must make for power.”
“My God, after regaining my identity as a prince for such a short time, I’m already a little sick of this kind of life,” the seven-year-old prince sighed and spoke like an adult.
‘Maybe I’m just not used to it.’ He thought in silence. ‘Maybe after living longer like this, and experiencing more of such things…
‘I’ll be able to…get used to it?’
“The life you are sick of is something many people dream of having.” Putray frowned and went back to addressing the prince without proper respect. “Little prince, go take a look at the lives of the civilians, those who have to work hard just for their three meals. Think about the village we went to before entering the Northern Territory… That pretentious baron and the people in his territory.
“Then, think again about what you just said.”
Recalling Willow’s experiences, Thales snorted softly.
The boy flashed a bitter smile. “Of course, I hope that I will have a chance to see the world, and mingle with different communities, whether it is in one of the two peninsulas, or the countless islands.”
“Then you should be prepared, some of the places need…” Shaking his head, Putray was suddenly lost for words.
He remembered the status of the child in front of him.
‘I’m afraid that as Constellation’s heir to the throne, you…’ He sighed quietly in his heart.
Thales also realized his mistake.
“Ha, to travel around the world… I’m afraid I will most likely never have such a chance in my life,” he chuckled bitterly.
‘To battle for Constellation. To die for Constellation. To live for Constellation.’
Beside the campfire, both of them were silent for a moment.
“You know, King Kessel was always very happy when he talked about his Uncle John,” Thales said quietly, “I suddenly know why.”
Thales blew a mouthful of hot air at his palms and said, “John became his eyes, visiting places that he could not go to, and travelling the world.”
Putray exhaled softly.
“You don’t have to be disheartened. You will become the king one day,” the gaunt vice diplomat said faintly, “At that time, you will be able to see the vast world from another angle, an angle that all of us could never imagine.”
Thales did not say anything, he only stared at the campfire. He suddenly laughed.
“It sounds very boring, being a king, that is. How did my grandfather persevere for so long?” The prince shook his head.
Putray stared at Thales and did not avert his eyes for a long time.
“Kings can also lead very interesting lives.” Watching Thales’ expression, Putray said slowly, “Every single one of Constellation’s thirty-nine kings was unique. And one of them had the most uncommon experience… He was probably the King of Constellation who lived the most legendary and unusual life since Tormond the First.”
“Oh, who is that?” Thales interest was piqued.
“Your Highness, would you be interested in listening to me sing a song?” Putray asked slowly. He sucked in a mouthful of smoke from his tobacco pipe.
“Of course.” Thales’ eyes brightened. “Gilbert mentioned that you were once a bard and had travelled to many places?”
Bards. These people travel about and make a living by singing songs and running various small businesses.
However, even in Eternal Star City, Thales had only seen them twice. And both instances were at the grand bazaar.
“Ah, singing songs… This is one of the skills that I’m most proud of,” Putray tapped his tobacco pipe and said faintly, “Now, I am going to sing ‘When Dawn Came’, a story about how three good friends went on an adventure together.”
Thales gestured for him to proceed.
Putray first cleared his throat and hummed a few short tunes to look for the right pitch. Then, the vice diplomat began singing melodiously and briskly while tapping out the rhythm.
“When dawn came, and the morning sun arose again.
Three men journeyed shoulder to shoulder.
Years they’ve known one another, and their hearts were connected.
Sword and axe, staff and lamp, trust and vows, virtue and gratitude.
The brothers were one, united in their bodies.
They crossed villages, basked in the moonlight, ventured into old castles, and traversed mountains.
The elves’ hidden ground, the dwarves’ homeland, the demon’s nest, the monsters’ turf.
Having escaped death, lived through disaster, and stared into the face of terror; they never despaired.
Many adventures awaited, and plenty of stories were recounted.
Until the morning sun rose again.
Until dawn arrived.”
Putray’s singing voice flowed slowly, attracting many soldiers to stop and stare. Marquis Shiles walked unhurriedly towards them. On the other hand, Nicholas furrowed his brows as he stared at the campfire from afar. Beside them, even Aida raised her head.
Thales thought about the content of the song. The gist of it was that there were three very close friends who experienced many adventures and sagas together.
At this moment, Putray’s tempo and key shifted suddenly, becoming low and rich. It was unsettling.
“In the blood-red night, the sea roared, the enemies hid among the raging waves.
There a bloodthirsty king and his undefeated general, the night’s wing that sailed across the sky with his immortal army, troops who crawled all over stretches of land with hungry gazes.
Ominous shadows enveloped the sun and the sky.
Silhouettes of the enemy lurked ceaselessly.
Fiendish foes from the east, shaking the ground and destroying cities everywhere they went.
One by one, Western Peninsula’s battle steeds rose to fight.
Come nightfall, the battlefield was silent.
The northern wind, cold and bleak.
The king’s sword, smashed to pieces.
The mountains mourned, the knights broke their pikes.
Broken blades and ruined shields, the Great Dragon mourned and Constellation dimmed.
Chaos, sorrow, despair, disaster.
Ceaseless terror, frantic uncontrollable trembling, unending deaths.
All hope was lost, and the light faded.
The ones remaining lived miserably.
The morning sun rose no more, and darkness engulfed the world.
Dawn did not come, blood sprawled across the sky.”
Finally, Putray’s tune reached its deepest pitch. Along with it, the listeners’ moods also sunk to their lowest points. But Thales had started thinking about the meaning behind the song.
‘Night wing… the east… the northern wind… the mountains… the Great Dragon… Constellation… These terms… all of them probably have specific origins.’
He narrowed his eyes slowly, assigning meaning to each of them in his mind.
Putray’s tune started to turn lighter.
“When those beautiful moments were about to fade away, when the future was no longer bright,
At the darkest hour, when midnight arrived,
The three friends finally began their journey.
Their adventures made history, and now their heroic sagas were nigh.
Without hesitation, without turning back.
Until the morning sun rose again. Until dawn came.”
Then, Putray’s tune suddenly became filled with fervor and enthusiasm, like a change of scenery in the song.
“Blood drenched the ground and cleansed the prince’s crown, making a generous and sincere promise.
Midier wielded his sword and shield.
The murky night blurred the prophet’s sight.
He wandered about, lost, bright lamp in hand.
Kaplan held his staff and walked with a smile.
Endless sacrifices hardened the hero’s soul. His lone figure made a blood oath.
Chara’s bugle blared through the night.
Until the morning sun rose again.
Until dawn came.”
More and more soldiers gathered around Putray and Thales. Even Aida the elf slowly walked towards them.
On the other hand, having heard a few keywords, Thales suddenly understood something: He now knew what sort of scene the song was depicting.
Putray continued singing.
“The strength of three could rival the king. The union of brothers could fight against death.
News spread everywhere. Confidence reignited, people gathered under the war flags.
Courage ran deep into the bones, and hope spurred their bodies on.
United in mind and body.
Chara’s huge hatchet paved the future, Midier’s sword and shield guarded the people.
Kaplan’s gaze saw through everything, leading them to the final battlefield.
Amid the king’s bloodthirsty gaze, the enemies from the night were everywhere.
Blazing flames of war, blaring battle cries. The last battle began.
Until the morning sun rose again.
Until dawn came.”
The singing stopped suddenly. Putray slowly closed his mouth.
Thales raised his head abruptly.
“Why did you stop?” he asked, a little lost.
“The next part is too long, and my throat is not as good as it used to be.” Putray shook his head in resignation and relit his extinguished tobacco pipe.
‘And the next part of the story isn’t very pleasant,’ Putray thought.
Having appeared beside them at some point, Marquis Shiles started clapping. Eventually, the soldiers who stopped to listen also started clapping.
“That was a splendid performance. You have a beautiful voice. I am afraid that there are not many bards like yourself even in Anlenzo Dukedom’s Dragon Kiss Academy!” Shiles said with a smile.
Putray bowed slightly as a show of gratitude.
An untimely voice suddenly interrupted them. “Return to your positions!”
Nicholas, the Star Killer, strode towards them and reprimanded the soldiers in an unpleasant tone. “Does that Constellatiate sing that well? Are people from Black Sand Region so interested in the arts?”
Many of the soldiers let out dissatisfied yells, but most of them dispersed.
After the soldiers dispersed, Nicholas glared at them with an unpleasant expression. “Do all of you really have to attract so much attention before things began?”
“Is this not what all of you want?” Thales shook his head. “Should you not look as though you want to kill all of us?”
Nicholas rudely took a step forward.
Having walked over at some point, Aida stood in front of Thales.
“Don’t be like this, brat. I don’t feel like beating you up,” the elf said languidly.
“Alright, alright.” Marquis Shiles stood between them with a smile. From afar, it looked as if the envoy from the Camus Union had prevented yet another conflict. “It was just a song… Besides, he was singing about a legend that all three of our kingdoms are proud of, was he not?”
Nicholas glanced at Shiles in dissatisfaction.
“A legend that all three of our kingdoms are proud of?” Thales’ eyes lit up. “Putray, one of the three men you sang about was my ancestor, was it not?” Thales’ eyes were glinting.
“Yes. You have most probably seen his portrait in Mindis Hall.” Putray inhaled deeply and sucked in a mouthful of smoke from his tobacco pipe, flashing a smile.
Thales narrowed his eyes.
In his mind, the image of the robust sword and shield warrior who wore a royal crown and stood below a towering tree appeared. The warrior was the one who was in the leftmost painting among ‘The Three Constellation Kings’ in Mindis Hall.
Putray said faintly, “Constellation’s ‘Oath Keeper’, the twenty-third supreme king, Midier Jadestar, King Midier the Fourth in your family.”
Thales suddenly understood. “The Midier Copper… refers to him?”
For Constellation’s currency, the head image of the kingdom’s founder, Tormond the First, was engraved on the back of gold coins. On the other hand, the head image of the ‘Virtuous King’, Mindis the Third, was on the back of silver coins; and that of Midier the Fourth was on the copper coins.
The Three Constellation Kings.
Putray nodded. “His legend is depicted in the song.”
“Not just him. Although he is great indeed, but the ‘Oath Keeper’ is only one of the three men.” Marquis Shiles reminded Putray with a smile.
Putray chuckled. “Alright.” Under Thales’ curious gaze, he said in addition, “Before becoming king, Prince Midier had ten years of adventuring abroad together with his two friends—Chara from Eckstedt and Kaplan from Camus Union.”
“Adventures?” Thales asked in astonishment.
‘A future king who adventured abroad?’
“Yes. The later generations often delighted themselves in talking about their steadfast friendship and splendid lives.” Putray sighed with emotion and said, “Chara is known as a ‘hero’ to the people in the Western Peninsula. In the past one thousand years, only the founder of Eckstedt, Raikaru Eckstedt, had been granted this honor.
“The ‘prophet’, Kaplan Nicola, was a military counsellor who foretold things with divine accuracy. It was said that even the Gods were jealous of his wisdom. He could even read the minds of humans.
“The ‘Oath Keeper’, Midier Jadestar, was a noble and fearless prince. He was an exemplary individual who was willing to give up his throne for the sake of friendship and his vow.”
Thales felt a chill run down his spine.
He could not help but notice that upon hearing these three names, Marquis Shiles became quiet. Even Nicholas had a solemn expression.
And even the nonchalant Aida lowered her head in silence.
Putray exhaled softly. “This is about the Western Peninsula’s three Legendary Heroes, and the most glorious moment of their lives…
“The Battle of Dawn.”
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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