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 139 - A Unique Welcome Banquet
Chapter 139: A Unique Welcome Banquet
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Are you sure that I don’t have to wear this? Madam Jines said that during banquets…” In the room, Thales questioned Putray. Furrowing his brows, he held up a tiny, embellished vest.
‘And these were part of the luggage the diplomat group strived hard and went through a lot of trouble to bring, along with the flags.
“We are in Eckstedt, which is in Northland.” The neatly dressed Putray looked at him with disdain. “Even during a banquet, they dislike pretty boy toys and sissies… If you really want to wear that, I reckon you will become the top contender for the biggest clown in the banquet.”
Thales stuck out his tongue and put the vest down.
Sitting beside the window, Aida recovered her attention and sighed with a regretful expression. “Ah, you know, banquets without clowns are boring.”
After almost a month of stress, Thales did not have the strength to care about other things. From the Abandoned House and Red Street Market, to Mindis Hall and Renaissance Palace, and then from Broken Dragon Fortress to Dragon Clouds City, the newly crowned second prince did not even get the chance to sleep properly in his own bed. He was whisked into a nobles’ carriage and with the burden of being a prince, faced unprecedented challenges.
Hence, Thales only realized that he had no experience nor knowledge of noble banquets when Mirk and the servants came to remind them about it.
He had never lost his composure when facing weapons, soldiers, Blood Clansmen and Mystics. But now, he suddenly felt a little nervous.
“Don’t worry.” Putray nonchalantly lit the Northland tobacco that he obtained from the servants. “Compared to Constellation and the Anlenzo Dukedom, Eckstedt’s banquets are practically just a military picnic of simple-minded soldiers. If you have experienced the banquet styles of Hanbol and Mane et Nox, my god, their banquet etiquettes are practically punishments.
“Protocols, decorations, trends, and styles. The effort to segregate human beings based on their identity, status and ranking never ceases.” Thales tried his best to calm himself down by making small talk. He bent down and adjusted his shoes in front of a simple and crude dressing mirror. “After tonight, I must take a bath…”
“Think of tonight’s official business first.” Putray seemed as if he was not used to Northland’s rough tobacco. He said with difficulty while coughing, “Cough, cough. Damn it, they brought me low-quality tobacco…”
Putray’s words magically made Thales forget the uneasiness caused by the impending banquet. He began pondering the situation at hand.
Someone knocked on the door.
Ralf entered with the metal prostheses that he was getting more used to. It also seemed like this was the first time he attended this sort of banquets. Even with the silver mask on, the pale pallor on his face could still be seen.
On the other hand, Wya seemed calmer, as though he had experienced such a scene before.
Thales’ attendant nodded solemnly. “Your Highness, everything is ready.”
Beside Wya, Ralf signed with his hands. “They are here.”
Thales nodded.
The second prince inhaled deeply. Despite Putray’s confused expression and Wya’s tightly furrowed eyebrows, Thales signed back.
“Let’s go.”
…..
Eckstedt’s welcoming banquet started before the sun completely set.
Led by the king’s administrator, Mirk, and a few servants, Thales walked beside Putray. Ralf and Wya walked behind them… As for Aida, everyone agreed that it was not suitable for her to be part of such an occasion.
“Your Highness, I don’t know what you understand about the banquets in Northland. However, I must remind you that the guests from Constellation might not be used to our banquet. And tonight will be a little unique,” Lord Mirk said expressionlessly.
Thales flashed a friendly and understanding smile as a reply.
Treading Heroic Spirit Palace’s coarse floor tiles, they climbed the stone stairs.
Mirk respectfully introduced the guests to the place they were about to go to. “The banquet hall was where King Raikaru entertained the nine Knights. It was said that the Northland Hero’s banquet lasted three days and three nights, and they ate almost all the food they seized during their crusade. It was also here where, amid the cheers inside and outside the palace, Raikaru Eckstedt was elected as king.”
Stepping onto the final stone step, Thales arrived at the sixth-floor corridor of Heroic Spirit Palace. Lively and noisy sounds could be heard.
The floor was almost seven or eight meters away from the ceiling, and there were a lot of fire braziers. They were placed on stands that filled the entire corridor. Burning brightly, they illuminated Heroic Spirit Palace and made it look as bright as day even though the sun had set.
Different from the corridor of other floors which were filled with rooms, this floor’s corridor only had a pair of thick, wooden double doors in the middle of the floor. The servants walked back and forth, in and out of the room, and had jubilant expressions. Some held plates, and the others carried beer kegs.
Thales inhaled deeply and exchanged glances with his subordinates. With Mirk at the lead, he stepped into Heroic Spirit Palace’s banquet hall.
The noisy discussions, sounds of wine goblets clashing, sounds of cutlery cutting into meat, and even the sounds of brawling grew louder and began to invade as well as torture his ears.
Thales raised his head and had a clear view of the hall.
This was a ring-shaped hall, the triangular flag with the Dragon Spear emblem was hung on the walls, at the corners where the walls and floors were connected were several burning braziers, on the ceilings were several brightly shining Everlasting Lamps (Thank goodness, Thales thought the only source of light in the Hall of Spirits were braziers). The servants would occasionally appear from the side doors or the grills to deliver waves upon waves of food and wine.
The banquet hall could accommodate a few hundred people in it, such was the case right now. At least one or two hundred people sat around more than ten long tables that were placed parallel to each other. These long tables were placed perpendicular to the main door, and there was a path in the middle of the hall wide enough for the servants and guests to come and go.
Thales looked around the hall with a frown. Because of his height, he could not see the situation further down the hall. In the end, it was Putray who explained it all to him in a soft voice.
The atmosphere in the hall was very lively.
There were busy servants carrying plates as they walked back and forth, boorish nobles who sat by the tables and argued until their faces were red, and guests who drank until they were blushing. There were also perverted nobles that used drunkenness as an excuse to grope the servant girls’ behinds while laughing raucously. This caused the crowd to erupt into a loud cheer.
The five archdukes sat at the head of five different long tables. Archduke Olsius, who sported a full beard, had a fixed expression and turned the goblet in his hand distractedly. Almost everyone beside him were family knights and subordinate suzerains that bore the emblem of a triangle-encased circle. Archduke Trentida, who sported a bowl cut, was laughing along with his vassals, he seemed very good at socializing. The bald Archduke Lecco sat together with Camus Union’s Marquis Shiles and listened to the latter as he spoke slowly. The long-haired Archduke Roknee had a solemn expression as usual, he seemed to exude a chilly aura. His long table was the quietest, and nobody else dared to approach him and make conversation. The servants and subordinates behind him refilled his food and wine every now and then. The young Archduke Poffret raised his goblet with a smile the nobles around him who seemed to be either subordinate dukes or followers while he spoke to them, these followers nodded continuously. They then downed all the wine in their goblets at the same time.
‘Such a jubilant dinner party. It’s just like the scene in Mountain Pass Village where the Northland villagers and the soldiers drank and socialized.’
If Thales had not raised his head and seen Nuven the Seventh drinking quietly on a much taller, horizontal table at the end of the hall while he sat among several close vassals and was surrounded by White Blade Guards, Thales would have nearly forgotten about the shadows of blades hidden among all these conspiracies.
He had also almost forgotten that the conspirator who was daring enough to try to murder the princes of both kingdoms was among the five archdukes.
Thales turned and said in resignation, “I did not know that the banquet had already begun.”
“Most of the nobles are already seated. King Nuven is waiting for your arrival,” Mirk said calmly.
Thales narrowed his eyes and finally managed to cast a glance at Nuven the Seventh, who was far into the distance. He took note of the still indifferent expression on his face.
The king seemed to notice that Thales was looking at him. His aged but sharp gaze swept towards Thales.
“Then, it’s about to begin.” Behind him, Putray grumbled, intentionally or otherwise.
Thales sighed in his heart.
A few seconds later, under Mirk’s signal, the attendant beside them announced Thales’ identity in a loud voice.
“The honorable guest from Constellation, Prince Thales Jadestar!”
The words traveled to every corner of the hall, and even echoed. The lively banquet suddenly became quiet.
Almost everyone across all the tables stopped what they were doing to stare at Thales, whether they were drinking, cutting meat, chatting, fighting, or even harassing the servant girls.
Even many of the servants, stationed guards and even members of the White Blade Guards looked at him.
Thales recognized this feeling. The last time he felt it was in Eternal Star City, during the National Conference in the Hall of Stars.
“Should I smile right now?” Feeling various gazes ranging from malicious and murderous to curious and friendly ones, Thales did not change his expression. Moving his lips slightly, he said, “Or should I be stone-faced? Would it suit my identity as the enemy kingdom’s prince?”
“Relax, relax. They started the banquet early and didn’t even arrange the seating order. There is no need for you to freak out and take it too seriously.” Watching the anxious prince, Putray sighed. “It doesn’t matter what expression you wear. Right now, you are just a flag called ‘Constellation’.”
The expressionless Mirk nodded at Thales and politely extended his right hand, signaling for him to walk forward.
Thales ignored Mirk. Enduring stares from the entire hall, he frowned and asked Putray in a low voice, “Do I just walk forward like this? Or do I stay at the back and wait for someone to call me?”
“If you were in Constellation right now, of course you would have to wait for the master to dispatch someone to lead you to your seat. However, this is Eckstedt.” Putray glanced at the messy hall with furrowed brows. Many of the guests seemed to have lost their curiosity. Some of them were even starting to dig into the food that had been served. “So, don’t expect much formality. Walk to your seat without looking around. I reckon it’s the one beside King Nuven.”
Thales put on the kind of humble and friendly smile he imagined that a prince would have and walked forward.
Compared to Constellation which emphasized protocols and etiquette for everything, there was not even a carpet in the banquet hall. Treading on the uneven floor tiles, he felt like he was back in the Abandoned House.
Walking past the long tables, he heard whispers. Having good hearing proved to be useful at that moment.
“So, this is the prince who still reeks of his mother’s milk?”
“I heard that he was lost outside for many years…”
“Seven years old? Is this a joke?”
“The Constellatiates talked about him like he was a God. You know, they call him a genius… hmph!”
“Then, our troops couldn’t move at all because of this child?”
“The people from Black Sand Region had a hard time at the border… The Kingdom’s Wrath…”
“Lampard dispatched troops to escort him here…”
“If we are still going ahead with the battle, it will definitely have to wait until spring…”
Thales walked on towards Nuven the Seventh without looking around. The man stared at him again with an indecipherable gaze.
Finally, most of the nobles were done being curious. They gave up the intention to watch the prince and immersed themselves in the feast once more.
The nobles in Northland were extremely different compared to the ones in Constellation. In the Hall of Stars, the nobles always behaved elegantly. Even the village nobles who sat at the periphery tried their best to act civilized, whether in terms of behavior or in terms of clothing. This also made the three Great Northern Territory Clans which were led by Arunde, Friess, and Zemunto, along with the nobles serving them to stand out starkly among them.
In contrast, even though these Northland nobles differed from one another in terms of status and personality, every single one of them behaved like brutes from the way they sit and eat, to their appearances and clothing. Even when they were drinking, they made deliberate grunting sounds, dribbled few drops down the side of their beards, and slammed their goblets on the table. While drinking, they also loudly criticized their opponents, or their opponents scolded them.
As he quietly observed the nobles’ behavioral patterns, Thales walked on between two rows of tables. He could not help but notice that apart from servant girls, there was practically no female guest in the banquet.
“The ones here at the back of the banquet hall are from the likes of low-class nobles, courtiers of suzerains, meritorious knights and invited bureaucrats,” Putray reminded Thales in a soft voice. “That well-dressed person ahead to your left is only a servant tasked to serve food. That person behind, to your right, standing in the corner, he looks like a slave, but he is a Gosling Officer responsible for cooking meat. It is an honorary title that has been around since ancient times and can only be assumed by close vassals that are trusted by their suzerains.”
“Asking close vassals to grill meat… goose feet officer? Why?” Without turning his head, Thales asked in puzzlement, “Isn’t this something that should be done by those in the scullery? Or is this some kind of honor?”
“Hmph, my prince. Did you know that in the Empire’s history, the motivations for assassination and poisoning came from these quiet corners where people grilled meat?” Putray said in a low voice while remaining calm and collected.
Thales kept his silence.
They walked past the midpoint of the hall and as expected, the ‘quality’ of the Northland nobles seemed to increase with their status. The amount of gesticulating people in the crowd reduced greatly. However, the amount of people who exchanged silent glances and whispered to each other increased exponentially.
“That empty space in the middle of the hall… in Constellation or Anlenzo Dukedom, it would have been utilized as a dance floor or a performance stage. However, in Northland…” Putray walked past a few guests who had unpleasant expressions. Ignoring the soft curses of a boorish noble beside him, Putray pointed at a round, empty space in the middle of the hall. His face twitched. “Based on my experience, when the people are at the peak of drunkenness, it wouldn’t be surprising if two brutes starts f*cking vigorously there.
Hearing Putray swear for the first time, Thales frowned. “Is it really appropriate to use this sort of language in front of the prince?”
“We should observe the customs of the places we are in. Many years ago, I even saw an Eckstedtian princess who stood by the streets and hurled all kinds of abuse with words like ‘fck’ and ‘cnt’.” Putray shook his head. “Besides, even though you are a prince, you seem to be pretty accustomed to this kind of language.”
“Ah, as your kingdom’s prince, just like the honorable princes depicted in many songs and legends, I have experienced the suffering of the people which has made me virtuous and kind.”
Putray snorted softly and noncommittally. They finally reached the end of the long tables.
Among those around them, Archduke Olsius held the highest rank.
“No music and bards, no clowns and comedy show, no beautiful women, no voluptuous servant girls, no grilling of whole pigs, no tourneys between strong men, no celebration with the people in tents that span beyond the city wall,” Archduke Olsius was grumbling loudly to the suzerains beside him. He then turned and shouted in King Nuven’s direction.
“What sort of f*cking banquet is this?”
To Thales’ surprise, many of the Northland nobles echoed in unison. They shouted protests at King Nuven.
‘This feels like a wet market.’ Thales sighed. Suddenly remembering that he also felt the same about the National Conference, Thales was helplessly dumbstruck.
However, King Nuven only stared coldly at the chaos caused by the nobles in the hall with no reaction.
A loud but sarcastic voice rang from another long table in reply to Olsius.
“First of all, the Day before the Bitter Cold Winter is coming. Apart from lunatics like Lampard, all of Northland is living economically and stockpiling food to prepare for winter. Besides…” Archduke Trentida who sported a bowl cut narrowed his eyes and stood up. He watched the anxious Prince Thales from afar.
“The purpose of this banquet is to welcome the unwelcomed Prince of Constellation!”
One by one, the nobles beside him stood up and booed at Thales.
Thales and everyone else from Constellation frowned almost simultaneously.
“Lastly, Reybien Olsius, while you are living in someone else’s castle and palace, eating and drinking what’s theirs… hehe, and perhaps even f*cking what’s theirs”—Archduke Trentida glanced at a plump-bottomed servant girl and flashed an interesting smile—”it’s better not to criticize the host’s arrangements.”
Some of the Northland nobles let out cryptic laughs. Olsius shook his head in contempt and sat back down on his chair.
Thales finally arrived in front King Nuven. He bowed slightly.
King Nuven gazed closely at Thales. His dark green eyes were filled with complicated emotions. It made Thales very anxious.
From the moment he stepped into Eckstedt, every single suzerain he encountered was no simpleton—Archduke Lampard, Viscount Kentvida and even the five archdukes present today. However, having gone through a lot of trials and tribulations, Thales was able to calmly face their hostility, intimidation, oppression, and even murderous intentions…
…because Thales had a clear idea of what they wanted.
The only person he could not understand was this old king who was already at the peak of power in Eckstedt.
Even though they exchanged few words between them, Thales could not help but shudder at the strange emotions that shone through the king’s eyes, how he forced Thales to partake in his revenge, and his behavior in the meeting hall.
Unpredictable people were always fearsome.
King Nuven rose slowly and raised his hand, gesturing to the leader of the White Blade Guards, Nicholas.
Nicholas nodded and walked towards Thales. “Please be seated. Your seat is the last one to King Nuven’s left.”
Thales turned his head and looked at the seat at the end of the long table that nobody cared about.
‘Even though it’s on the same row as the king, it’s… really far away from King Nuven. It’s almost in the corner.’
Standing behind him, Putray sighed. Thales shrugged and nonchalantly walked to his seat. Ralf and Wya followed him closely.
However, before he could sit comfortably, a hoary and old voice that sounded strange yet familiar rose in the hall.
“Raise your goblets, everyone!”
Thales turned his head dazedly. Beside him, Putray remained composed. With considerable experience, he handed Thales a metal goblet of black ale.
“A toast,” the gaunt vice diplomat said coolly.
Thales turned and watched as King Nuven—who had just lost his son—left his seat. He raised his wine goblet high and spoke to the crowd in a loud voice.
“Let us welcome our guest… the Second Prince of Constellation, Thales Jadestar!”
The hall, where noise had previously rose among them again, fell silent once more.
The king slowly walked away from his seat and went to the front of the hall. Like an old lion that walked from its territory with menacing steps into land that belonged to other prides.
The five archdukes fixed their gazes on him and raised their goblets. Their expressions were varied.
“May the Northern Wind test his courage, and may the snow polish his determination!
“Due to reasons known to all of you, I am unable to welcome him with a joyful heart.” Looking around, King Nuven spoke with a firm expression and cold voice. “But, since he is already here…”
All the nobles listened quietly to their king. Many of them were watching Thales.
“We must not let anyone doubt the Northlanders’ hospitality and the Eckstedtians’ hardiness. Even if that person is our mortal enemy!” King Nuven tapped his goblet. There was a hint of authority on his wrinkled face, and some of the heartiness of his younger days was noticed in his tone.
“Even if we fight to the death tomorrow, we must first honor our tradition!”
All eyes were on him, King Nuven shook his goblet and roared furiously. “For Eckstedt!”
At that moment, every single person in the hall raised their goblets together and bellowed.
“For Eckstedt!”
King Nuven’s gaze was sharp. He shouted once more. “For Northland!”
The guests roared and responded with grandiosity. “For Northland!”
Thunderous roars filled the entire hall like a tidal wave. It was deafening. Then, King Nuven finished his drink in one swift movement.
The expressions on all the nobles in the hall became solemn with the king’s action. They started drinking and for some time, numerous grunting sounds echoed in the banquet hall.
Thales creased his brows. Holding the heavy metal goblet in his hands, Thales forced himself to take a sip while under the gazes of many of those people behind him.
Upon finishing his drink, King Nuven turned to the table and slammed the goblet on the long table with a furious expression.
Bang!
The nobles in the hall also slammed down their goblets in unison.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
King Nuven raised his head and roared under the various gazes of the crowd.
“Bring it on! Eat! Drink! Fight! Copulate! Do whatever you want!”
During that second, Thales was completely stunned.
‘Just what the hell… is with this toast?’
Nuven the Seventh had a spirited expression on his face. With his sonorous but old voice filled with a Northlander’s accent, he shouted to all his guests in the entire hall in the common language, “Drink until all of you are laying, rolling, sprawling, crawling, or carried out of my palace!
“You bastards!”
A second later, a similarly passionate shout erupted from all the guests in the hall in response, and it was like the sound of a loud tidal wave echoing in the entire banquet hall!
Quite a large number of the Northlanders waved their fists and roared like wild animals to show their support for the king’s feast.
The guests returned to toasting with each other and fell into a state of drunken ecstasy.
The entire hall instantly went back to a state of chaos filled with loud noises and bustling activity. The sound of human voices bubbled into a deafening pitch, and it was even louder than before!
Putray whispered softly beside Thales’ ear, “A unique toast. This is a specialty in the north.”
Thales rolled his eyes and put on an expression as if he could do nothing about the situation. “I do not need you to remind me of that, I can tell.”
At that moment, King Nuven suddenly whipped his head around when he returned to his table and cast a profound look at Thales.
Thales’ heart froze. He read the message behind the king’s gaze. He also knew that King Nuven absolutely did not intend for him to enjoy the feast.
However, before he could turn his head around to discuss with his subordinates, an unexpected guest first arrived in front of his seat to visit the Second Prince of Constellation.
Thales was stunned.
Standing before him was a… kind-looking old woman dressed in a red robe.
“Good evening, esteemed Prince Thales.” She squinted to look at him. Her voice was incredibly gentle, and her smile was filled with a warmth that could ease people’s hearts. “My name is Calshan.”
Thales flashed her an amiable smile, though he was completely lost as to what was going on.
But before he could answer, Putray spoke up first beside him, “Excuse me, madam, but is there anything special you want with us?”
During that instant, Thales noticed that Putray’s expression had turned incredibly sour by his side. In fact, his body had become rigid as he glared at the old woman in front of him.
The Attendant Wya’s breathing also froze while he stood behind Thales.
A question popped up in Thales’ head. ‘They seem to know… this old woman—this Calshan.’
Before Putray finished speaking, his face turned pale, as if even breathing was a chore, and he opened his mouth to speak, “Your Excellency… Esteemed Red Witch?”
‘Red Witch?’ Thales stared at the kindly old woman in front of him, bemused. ‘Witch? What the heck?’
“Oh, it’s just some emotions of mine acting up. I came specially to ask you a question, Your Highness.” The kind-looking Calshan squinted her eyes further and shook her head slightly, as if she was slightly embarrassed. “How is my son faring lately in Constellation?”
‘Son?’
Thales was stunned again.
“Err…” The second prince employed the perfect smile he had learned from a certain young duke and answered faintly, “May I know who your son might be?”
The Red Witch Calshan smiled amiably.
“Ah! How forgetful I am, I completely forgot to mention it. My son is known in Constellation as…”
In the next second, under Thales’ puzzled gaze, this gentle old lady Calshan started rubbing her hands together nonstop, as if she was afraid of the cold, and then…
She said a name that instantly caused his expression to change.
“Yodel… Yodel Cato.”
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)
______