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 146 - The Culprit
Chapter 146: The Culprit
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
It was the first time Thales saw the dark gold crown atop King Nuven’s head. The king was adorned in a golden red ensemble, which was both solemn and impressive. With his own backing as a robust king and while being surrounded by his vassals, he descended the steps and walked towards the meeting hall’s central long table. He sat on the throne exclusively for the common-elected king.
In Thales’ eyes, this nearly-seventy-year-old man had lost his dull, cryptic first impression. What replaced it was an unprecedented prestigious spirit, like a silent yet frightening lion in its pride.
Nuven Walton the Seventh had a tall, straight back. He supported himself with the armrest as he shot his bright, expressive eyes across the hall. Under the obvious scrutiny of the king, the four archdukes unnaturally turned their heads and averted their gazes.
Lord Mirk stood behind the king with a serious expression on his face. Dozens of elite warriors from the White Blade Guards stood at every corner of the meeting hall, vigilantly holding on to their white sword handles. There were more unfamiliar faces for Thales; the king was flanked by two rows of men, who had mixed expressions on their faces and wore robes supposedly meant for noblemen. They exchanged undisguised glances among themselves as well.
This was also Thales’ first time seeing King Nuven’s personal vassals from the Royal Court of Dragon Clouds City.
Compared to the neat and regulated Royal Court of Constellation, whether it be their placement, posture, movement or expression, Eckstedt’s ruler and his vassals had a certain fierce, rough, and wild aura that seemed to seep through from their bones. It made them appear casual and unrefined. This disturbed people who witnessed the scene for the first time—it felt like they were standing in the midst of carnivorous animals.
Thales could not help but glance at Putray. He received a slight nod in return.
“Wait?”
In the meeting hall, the long-haired Archduke Roknee expressed his doubts in a muffled, rumbly voice, “What do you mean, Your Majesty?”
Nobody answered him.
Archduke Trentida glanced at the white-haired, bright-eyed vassals by King Nuven’s side. His face paled as he said, “Your Majesty! I do not know what you are trying to do. But from the presence of Count Lisban, the chief of governmental officers to Count Siler, who handles foreign affairs… Have you brought half the Imperial Conference here before us?
“Could it be that you want to discuss why the wine at the banquet was so sour earlier?” he asked half sarcastically, half accusingly.
Archduke Olsius, who stood by his side did not hesitate to stare at the king as well.
Not without concern, Thales took in the scenario before him. ‘How will things end?’
“It seems like all this while, my leniency has spoilt the lot of you.”
There was an elderly vassal, who was half-a-century old next to King Nuven. He replied the Archduke of Reformation Tower with no trace of politeness, “Listen well, Your Excellencies, Archdukes of Eckstedt. The king you vowed to be loyal to, the common master the Northlanders swore to follow is commanding you—”
“Wait!”
The old vassal’s face was ice-cold as he reprimanded them without even caring about even the slightest bit of paying respect to them.
Archduke Trentida and Archduke Olsius’ complexions turned frigid, whereas Archduke Lecco just looked pensive.
Only Archduke Roknee, whose expression remained unchanged sat at the left end of the long table. He appeared the same as when he first met Thales.
“Your Majesty, at least tell us your intentions behind this lame trap?” A few seconds later, Archduke Lecco of Defense City let out a long, extended sigh and slowly sat down.
“Conspiring with this rascal from Constellation to taunt the archdukes…” Archduke Olsius also sat down in his own seat. He icily continued, saying, “I feel like my dignity has been greatly compromised.”
At this moment, a wave of knocking sounds reverberated across the hall.
Tap… Tap… Tap…
The four archdukes collectively turned their heads towards the head of the table.
Nuven the Seventh had a stern expression on his face. He was knocking on the table steadily with his right hand.
Tap… Tap… Tap…
Thales narrowed his eyes. He noticed a unique looking ring on King Nuven’s right pinky. A black gemstone was embedded in the center of the silvery-white metal ring.
The king was nonchalantly knocking on the table with that very gemstone.
“Dignity does not give you the right to question your king, Reybien,” King Nuven said in a steady voice. His gaze was locked on the table, as if he was particularly intrigued by the spot he was striking. “There is only one thing you brats need to do, the same as it was a decade ago.
“Obey me.”
King Nuven gradually raised his head. A stern look radiated from his eyes, and it was a look that did not tolerate other opinions as he addressed the archdukes.
“Just as your forefathers obeyed my father a long time ago, and later on obeyed me…
“At least then, we lived together in harmony.
“Do you understand now?”
The archdukes held their breaths simultaneously.
A few seconds later, Archduke Lecco sighed. He was the first to say, “According to that boy, you used a lie to test our loyalty? We are now out of reach from our entourage and guards, this is really making me question my safety…”
“Old bald man, if I really disregard the consequences and take your life, you think you can walk out of Heroic Spirit Palace—not to mention Dragon Clouds City—alive; plainly on the basis of those petty soldiers of that supreme axeman behind you?” Lecco was stunned speechless as King Nuven abruptly raised his voice
“This is not your Defense City.”
The archdukes all frowned at the same time.
“Can you at least tell us what we’re waiting for?” Roknee brushed his long hair aside and snorted coldly.
On the left of King Nuven stood another minister with a seemingly contemplative expression. With a meaningful yet smiling expression, he said, “Your Excellencies, Archdukes, His Majesty has demonstrated extreme altruism. Please do not worry. However, if you are aware of each other’s identity and duties… find yourself a seat and sit down properly.”
Nobody said a word.
The hall suddenly sunk into a silent, purposeless wait.
A good few minutes passed.
Finally, the restless Thales rolled his eyes in embarrassment as he observed his surroundings.
He caught the bearded archduke’s attention.
With a violent expression on his face, Olsius cast his gaze upon Thales. In that instant, the others successively threw their gazes in his direction as well. “Brat, I will dig your heart out after this. That’s the price you will pay for taunting our dignity.”
Roknee, Lecco and Trentida all looked at him with varying expressions. There was alertness, thoughtfulness and also doubt.
Thales closed his eyes and let out a long sigh.
‘Damn it.
‘I thought things would be really simple… Identify the mastermind and with a wave of King Nuven’s hand, arrows will soar, vengeance will be taken. Then, I can just slip away and be done with it.
‘But now, from the looks Olsius is giving me, the side effects and consequences seem grave.’
“Your Excellency, just save some of your energy,” Thales heard himself saying dispiritedly. “There’s no point in mentioning things you cannot fulfil in the first place…”
He no longer wanted to explain himself.
Olsius gritted his teeth. Just as he was about to start speaking, yet another newcomer joined them in the meeting hall.
Following the sound of cluttered footsteps, a young brunette appeared. He was clad in a heavy, long robe with a blood red horseshoe embroidered on it. He walked into the crowded meeting hall.
Escorted by his entourage, the Archduke of Beacon Illumination City, the young Conkray Poffret stood before the crowd.
Thales took a deep breath and exhaled with a heavy sigh.
‘Finally…’
“Wonderful!”
Upon Poffret’s arrival, Archduke Trentida’s eyes lit up. He surveyed the people in the hall and revealed a big smile.
Archduke Roknee was the only one scowling. Archduke Lecco on the other hand, looked surprised.
“Now, we’re all here: the five archdukes invited here by Your Majesty, together all at once under the attentive watch of the White Blade Guards.” The Archduke of Reformation Tower twitched his brows. “Now, the question comes, what is it that you’re planning to do? To wipe us all out by the ridiculous criminal charge of plotting a conspiracy, or…”
Trentida’s voice abruptly stopped.
The rest of his speech was cut off in his own throat like the sudden rupture of a bowstring.
The Archduke of Reformation Tower stared blankly at Poffret’s line of followers.
His men were disheveled and empty handed, they did not look good. The warrior next to Archduke Poffret himself had to be propped up. Blood flowed down between his fingers as the pale-faced warrior was held up by his shoulder.
Around them, the cold glimmer of the White Blade Guards’ unsheathed battle swords guarded them intently.
The Star Killer, Nicholas had a chilly air about him. He was the last to enter the hall and saluted the king once he was there.
Trentida then came to his senses.
Poffret and his men were disarmed as the White Blade Guards escorted them here.
Archduke Poffret himself stood with a vacant look on his face. His body was still chilly as snow trickled from his brown hair.
“Are you done?” the young archduke raged. He raised his head to address the people. “A noble archduke should not be receiving such criminal treatment in the king’s palace and castle!”
“What exactly are you trying to do, forcing me to this meeting hall by military force?
“This is a challenge to our ancient Northland tradition, a disregard to Raikaru’s joint pledge!”
King Nuven squinted his eyes.
The four archdukes had mixed expressions.
In a hidden blind spot, Thales’ brows twitched.
‘It’s finally ending tonight.’
“Your Majesty, this is what you wanted us to wait for? To watch you utilize all means in gathering the five of us together?” Archduke Lecco looked at the disheveled Archduke Poffret. Indifferent, he grudgingly said, “Now, can you tell us the whys and wherefores of this already?”
“Could it be as the rascal mentioned, that we still have to wait for Lampard to come along?” Olsius raged.
Trentida let out a muffled laugh.
Under everyone’s gaze, the old king of Eckstedt paused for three seconds before gradually saying, “Very well.” King Nuven folded his arms together. He looked stern as his eyes shot sharp rays across the room.
But his following words surprised almost everyone.
“Little Thales, my clever guest.”
King Nuven slowly turned to the side to look at Constellation’s prince.
Thales, who was prepared for a good show got startled.
‘What?
‘Little Thales?
‘Have we become this chummy now?’
“Come, enlighten my loyal archdukes. Tell them why they’re here.”
As his voice fell, a spark glimmered in his eyes.
“Tell them… the so-called truth.”
In that instant, there was a mixture of doubt, surprise and gloom in everybody’s eyes. They turned towards the Second Prince of Constellation.
Thales stood blankly in his place.
‘Damn it.’
Thales reacted hastily and put on an ugly smile. He raised his arms and spread them out on both sides.
“I have no intention of embroiling myself into Eckstedt’s internal strife, Your Respected Majesty.” Thales smiled. “Internal affairs are to be resolved by yourself. This is—”
He could not finish his speech.
“You have already been embroiled in it, Thales.” Nuven’s deep, old voice accompanied by his profoundly meaningful eyes, interrupted him. “You involved yourself a long time ago. You cannot run now, future King of Constellation
“And you promised to finish this for me. You gave your word, did you not?”
Thales gritted his teeth.
The archdukes were looking at him and the doubt in their eyes slowly turned heavy.
Thales swallowed and frowned.
‘Nuven, this damned old man.
‘Does he intend to demonstrate to the archdukes that the successor of Constellation has stood by his side?’
Thales’ brows were locked tighter together.
King Nuven’s eyes sharpened.
“Go on. What are you waiting for, little prince?” Olsius resumed his fierce glare at him. “After fooling us with your ridiculous words, tell us the truth. I thought Lampard would show up just now.”
Thales ignored him.
At the nudging of Putray’s whispered reminder, he exhaled helplessly.
‘Alright.’
Thales finally stepped forward to meet the eyes of almost everyone in the hall.
“My apologies, Your Excellencies.” Shouldering the unfriendly gazes of the five archdukes, Thales summoned up his courage and said, “Tonight, most the things I say will be fake, only one thing will be true.
“Price Moriah was assassinated in Constellation.” Thales sighed. “One of the masterminds behind it is among you.”
As soon as his words dropped, the five archdukes collectively scowled.
The king’s intimate vassals started whispering.
The second prince ignored the noise, which erupted in the hall.
“King Nuven had me find the culprit who worked with Lampard in the murder of Prince Moriah,” Thales said expressionlessly.
“Haih, I knew it…” The bald Archduke Lecco sighed. “The purpose of inviting us over was not just to deal with the Prince of Constellation.”
Archduke Trentida turned his head and shook it disapprovingly. “The culprit working with Lampard? Hah, I know now.”
“But this wasn’t exactly a good assignment…” Thales turned to the five archdukes and nodded. “Almost all five of you are suspects.”
The five archdukes turned their heads awkwardly to avoid the double line of sight from Thales and King Nuven.
“Reality has also proven that you indeed do not know your place.” Thales laughed lightly and continued, “Frankly speaking, it really did not occur to me that those words could have lured the four of you here… I thought it would only be two of you at the most.”
“My loyal archdukes, the joint rulers of Eckstedt, it seems like you are all harboring great goals and ambition,” King Nuven slowly said.
Whispers and murmurs rang throughout the hall again.
Olsius and Lecco’s facial expression changed in embarrassment, while Roknee maintained his cold facade. Trentida giggled, whereas the young Poffret remained gloomy.
King Nuven observed the floor silently with his hands folded together.
“So, since it is almost impossible to identify the culprit among the lot of you by acting according to customs…” Thales sighed.
“I had to find another way out. I stopped investigating the suspects first. I decided to act from the reality of the matter, from how the murderer would act in accordance to the current situation.
“I see, so that’s the case,” Archduke Roknee of the City of Faraway Prayers said. “Whatever you said previously was false… There’s no such thing as a secret meeting between Dragon Clouds City and the Black Sand Region. There is also no alliance between Walton and Lampard, correct?”
Thales shook his head. “Of course not. I invented this crazy nonsense—His Majesty would never join forces with a blood enemy who murdered his kin.”
At the long table, a strange gleam flashed across King Nuven’s eye.
“I got it,” Archduke Lecco mumbled. “The key lies in Lampard, does it not? Because the so-called culprit who murdered Moriah secretly conspired with Lampard?”
“Hmph, what a lousy scheme—trying to convince us and the culprit at the same time.” Olsius snorted. “Lampard working together with His Majesty? Leading him to think that Lampard would betray him and reveal his identity to His Majesty?”
“The scheme was executed so bluntly.” Archduke Trentida leaned back and laughed. “Will someone actually be fooled by it?”
Thales stared at the three of them. His gaze wandered back a forth for a few seconds.
Eventually, the second prince chuckled.
“No”—Thales shook his head sternly—”it is not that simple.”
“Don’t forget the words I’ve spoken to you: those about Lampard not being a murderer, but only being identified as one by the Secret Intelligence Department.
“Maybe the innocent archdukes would believe this,” Thales continued resolutely, “but only him, the culprit would not. As Lampard’s accomplice, only he will know that Lampard was indeed one of the murderers! Lampard will never be cleared as a suspect in the prince’s murder. It is then impossible for Lampard to be working with His Majesty, hence making it impossible for him to betray him.
“Only the culprit himself would know.” Thales turned and looked around to assess the reactions to his speech. “The so-called ‘Walton and Lampard alliance’ I was talking about was just to alarm people. Lampard would never seek an alliance from His Majesty.”
“Then, what did you actually mean that night?” The bald Archduke Lecco glared at him. “You said a lot of things about how His Majesty would put hatred aside and favor his interests. If you cannot convince the murderer of the alliance between Lampard and His Majesty—”
“I never prepared for him to believe it,” Thales said fully. ” I only wanted to tell him, His Majesty suspects that Lampard was not the murderer and he is still attempting to contact Lampard.”
At the head of the long table, King Nuven let out a cold-blooded laugh.
“Moreover, if I had started this from when Nicholas picked me up, their liaison would have begun a long time ago.”
Archduke Olsius impatiently said, “You just said that Lampard was the murderer. He wouldn’t have the guts or desire to work with His Majesty. And, you haven’t been able to draw out the name of the culprit from Lampard—”
“I wasn’t finished!”
“Through King Nuven’s investigation, we also realized one key point,” Thales interrupted him ruthlessly, startling Olsius. “The culprit also did something else!”
“He also participated in my attempted murder, the assassination of Constellation’s prince!”
The whispers in the hall ceased instantly.
“While Broken Dragon Fortress and Lampard played their little games, he bribed an organization called the Disaster Sword. They utilized Lampard’s Mystic Gun Unit to murder me in an attempt to frame Lampard,” Thales took a deep breath and said each word severely.
“This is what I wanted him to know!
“I want to let the culprit know that His Majesty, King Nuven is now aware that the murderer of Prince Moriah is the same person who framed Lampard!”
Behind Thales, Putray sighed. Marquis Shiles however, stood smiling by his side.
Thales just shrugged. “At the end of the day, amid all the nonsense I told you this evening, I only wanted to make two points: one, His Majesty is contacting Lampard; two, His Majesty knows that Prince Moriah’s murderer is also plotting against Lampard.”
Under everyone’s doubtful gaze, Thales slowly nodded his head.
“If that’s the case, it doesn’t matter if His Majesty is able to work with Lampard anymore. What’s important is that when His Majesty contacts him to confirm Moriah’s murder, will he also reveal this fact to Lampard?”
The archdukes were instantly shaken!
They now understood the causes and effects of this incident.
“And this is very possible! After all, just as I have theorized, His Majesty, King Nuven has already contacted the Black Sand Region through Nicholas…
“In the face of such a possibility, the culprit who has murdered His Majesty’s son and betrayed Lampard would surely be quaking in his boots by now… In order to gain Lampard’s trust, would His Majesty reveal the fact that the person who framed him is the same person who murdered Moriah?
“And Lampard just so happens to be the one who knows the truth behind the murder of Prince Moriah, and the identity of the culprit!
“Therefore, the key does not lie with His Majesty, but with Lampard himself.” Thales gauged everyone’s reaction and released a deep sigh. “If the king does not mention it, then he will be considered lucky. But how long will this luck last? Will this matter be mentioned in the next correspondence?
“If the king mentions it, then Chapman Lampard will know that his accomplice stationed a traitor within the Black Sand Region Army, and framed him for crime in Broken Dragon Fortress!
“That is betrayal!
“In that moment, if I were Lampard, the first thing I would do is reveal the culprit’s identity to His Majesty,” Thales’ eyes shone with certainty as he spoke firmly.
“By the hands of the Dragon Spear Family, let this preposterous betrayer and accomplice pay the heftiest price in Dragon Clouds City!”
Upon hearing that, King Nuven suddenly threw his head back in laughter.
His laughter grew louder as time went by.
Conversely, everyone else in the meeting hall remained speechless. In silence, they watched as the king laughed.
Once King Nuven stopped laughing, he cast his gaze on the archdukes—one of them specifically.
“Go on.” At this point, King Nuven’s eyes were piercing as he stared at the speechless archduke. His elderly voice now clouded with a murderous intent, “We are all looking forward to it.”
Thales turned around and nodded at the old king.
He breathed out through his nose and raised his head.
“Once that happens, the culprit’s identity and misdoings will never be concealed from Lampard and His Majesty’s eyes!
“The thought of Archduke Lampard revealing his identity and crimes through their correspondence…”
“The thought of how his every minute in Dragon Clouds City increased his chances of exposure…
“The thought of King Nuven’s inability to vent the raging fire of his vengeance…”
Thales strolled towards the center of the hall. He sighed and looked at the outstanding archduke.
“How could you sit still, eat well, or even sleep well? How could you not flee to your own territory and pray for safety within its secure walls?”
The five archdukes displayed various expressions on their faces.
But the four of them had their knowing gazes cast on the one archduke who had always stood out from the beginning.
“So, this is how it is…” Thales slowly said as he adjusted his line of sight to look at this person.
When they first met in the very same meeting hall, this person was kind, fair and passionate. Tonight, he did not say a word. He only replied with silence.
It was the youngest archduke, who had a crimson horseshoe embroidered on his robes.
With a friendly smile, Thales said, “His Majesty, Lampard and my mutual rival—the murderer of Prince Moriah, my attempted murderer, Lampard’s accomplice and betrayer…
“The banquet was going swell, and the palace as well as city gates were opened for the first time. I suggested such a brilliant proposal and awaited your arrival. Can you tell me why, at four in the morning, before the light of dawn even filled the sky…
“You could not even make it for a goodbye, but hurried to leave Heroic Spirit Palace? You ascended onto your carriage and galloped towards the city gate without a care for Dragon Clouds City…
Thales shook his head and with mixed feelings, he read out the culprit’s name, “Your Excellency, the respected Archduke of Beacon Illumination City—Conkray Poffret?”
By this time, the hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Then, the young brunette, whose identity was being celebrated looked up. His body was covered in chills and snow as he looked at the Prince of Constellation.
There was only numbness in his eyes.
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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