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 254 - The Black Knight’S Death
Chapter 254: The Black Knight’s Death
Translator:
EndlessFantasy Translation
Editor:
EndlessFantasy Translation
Thales never thought that the moment, which the High Priestess spoke of, would arrive so quickly. He had to decide.
He knew that Asda would not give up so easily.
But what exceeded his expectation was the fact this zealous and indifferent Mystic would appear when he was in his greatest predicament, when he was forced into a corner. He appeared quietly like a savior, offering him an extremely tempting offer with the mannerisms of a person who regarded himself superior above others. This led him to an internal struggle.
He was just like a shrewd businessman.
Thales gulped while he was in a daze. He then lifted his gaze to the five hostile archdukes.
‘With Asda’s strength, as long as they die here, everything will be solved?
‘Of course, once that’s done, there will be no turning back for me as well.
‘Is that how it’s going to be?
‘But countless people are struggling on their own battlefields, looking forward to my final victory.’
Thales could feel his heartbeat increase as cold sweat started to slide down his face.
If there was really no other way, he had to accept Asda’s condition. He had to become a Mystic like him…
This could get rid of all his struggles, such as the enigmatic Secret Intelligence Department; his future, where his fate was undecided; the calculative king; and much more…
That was not all.
He would have nigh infinite power and immortality. He could open the door to a new world. He could obtain all of this without any effort, and all parties concerned would be satisfied. Was this not a “condition” all people could only dream of obtaining?
Thales suddenly felt tongue-tied.
He only needed to say those words…
But…
Thales got nervous.
He subconsciously clenched his jaw and ground his teeth.
Was there really no other choice?
So many people sacrificed so many things, and they went through such a difficult struggle, but he still had to accept this terrible and irresponsible ending?
Thales parted his lips with difficulty. With that thought in his head, he met the gazes of the five archdukes.
At that moment, Thales recalled those words.
‘”Be careful of Asda.”‘
The memory of the maiden with bloody patches all over her face, and also her liberated gaze appeared before his eyes.
‘”Being a Mystic….is neither a gift, nor a blessing… It is a curse and a bad fortune.”‘
Thales furrowed his eyebrows. He gulped while he was caught in a state between hesitation and uncertainty.
The archdukes all had different expressions. They were doubtful, contemptuous, or derisively staring at Thales struggling in his heart while he appeared dazed. They were watching his quivering lips and clenched fists.
It was as though they were watching a comedy.
Something unforeseen occurred at that moment, and it was unexpected to Thales and the archdukes.
Just as they descended into an intense silence…
Without any warning, a young and weak voice interrupted their increasingly hostile conversation.
“Maybe, maybe he has no right to question you…”
Thales was shocked and looked up.
It was…
“But all of you, all of you…” this voice was shaking uncontrollably. She spoke falteringly, as if she lacked confidence. “All of you, as Northlanders, as-as Archdukes of Eckstedt, by what right…”
The archdukes were momentarily startled and looked around in surprise. They were searching for the source of the voice.
“By what right…” When she said the last words, the voice seemed to speak out with courage and desperation, and her voice grew louder. “By what right do all of you have to discuss His Majesty’s misfortune?”
As the sound of firewood breaking shot into the air, the people in the hall found the source of the voice.
Under the gazes of Thales and the archdukes, a thin, young girl covered in charcoal and dirt emerged from the fireplace.
The girl with glasses wrapped her arms around herself. She looked afraid, and her body was shivering.
But after she looked at Thales, the girl seemed to make up her mind. Biting her lips and squirming around on the broken wood, she walked out of the fireplace unsteadily before she stepped on the stone tiles of the Hall of Heroes.
The second prince stared blankly at the girl, who was covered in ashes. He did not know how to react.
‘How…
‘Why is she..?’
However he immediately snapped out of his daze and ran to her.
He had even forgotten about Asda’s voice, which was at the back of his mind.
“What’s going on now?” Trentida stared at the girl with a puzzled gaze, then looked at the archdukes. He threw his hands wide open impatiently. “First, a boy, now a girl…”
“Is there no one guarding the fireplace in Heroic Spirit Palace?”
Archduke Lampard frowned. He could not hide the shock and bewilderment on his face.
Archduke Roknee sighed. “This is a really special day.”
The remaining two archdukes looked at each other in confusion.
“What happened?” Thales anxiously whispered as he clutched Little Rascal’s shoulders, blocking her from the archdukes’ view.
“Aren’t you supposed to stay at the top to be away from all danger? Why are you here? Where is Ralf?”
Little Rascal looked at Thales, who was covered in dust, and slightly hesitated.
After a split second, she found her courage. Breathing calmly, she spoke to Thales with a hurt expression, “The enemy was at the top…”
“Ralf distracted them and I only had one way: to climb down. Then, I heard your conversation…” Little Rascal’s voice sounded weaker than before, like that of a guilty child.
Thales felt his heart sink.
‘No.
‘Now, even Little Rascal’s in danger.’
Thales turned and subconsciously kept Little Rascal behind him. Looking at a few of the archdukes, he felt anxious.
“Enough,” Lampard interrupted them coldly, “these ignorant little devils have insulted our meeting today with their performance—”
“Wait,” Roknee interrupted Lampard’s sentence. The Archduke of the City of Faraway Prayers narrowed his eyes as he observed the girl behind the prince. “Who are you, lassy? It can’t be that you came here by coincidence.”
Olsius took a glimpse at the fireplace and harrumphed coldly. “Constellatiates really get into every nook and cranny they can find, hmm?”
Lampard noticed the archdukes’ reactions and could not help but display a steely expression on his face.
The rest of the archdukes had alert and questioning gazes.
Thales was nervous. He clenched his teeth.
‘What do I do?
‘What should I say?
‘What should I say to prevent Little Rascal from falling into their hands?’
But he did not have to worry about it any longer.
The next second, the girl shook her shoulders a little and she unexpectedly broke free of his arm. She stepped out from behind Thales and revealed herself.
“I…”
Under Thales’ astonished gaze, Little Rascal lifted her dust-covered face and spoke while shuddering in hesitation and fear.
‘I am-I am…”
The archdukes had hostile looks on their faces, while Lampard snorted coldly.
Little Rascal looked really nervous. With the snort acting as a warning, she lowered her head, trembling a little as a few crystal clear tears collected in her eyes. She was unable to say the rest of her words anymore.
Thales sighed. He turned his head and was about to say something to divert their attention.
However, Little Rascal’s next move was once again beyond his imagination.
The tiny and weak girl stared at the stone tiles as she clenched her teeth.
In that split second, the cowering girl forcefully shut her eyes before she opened them again, all of a sudden. She cleared her blurry vision by forcing the tears to flow to the corner of her eyes.
Little Rascal slowly raised her head and observed Thales’ face. Then, she took a deep breath.
Her fear and panic gradually faded from her face.
At that moment, the girl felt as if she had just laid down a heavy burden and crossed a great ravine. She summoned her courage and lifted her head.
Thales was shocked when he noticed Little Rascal insert her hand into her pocket. She trembled, yet she did not hesitate to pull out the object from her pocket.
The second prince was momentarily startled.
There was a fierce glare in the girl’s crystal-like gaze. She bit her lower lip and slowly raised her right hand to show everyone the object in her pocket.
The archdukes were surprised when they saw it, and their eyes were locked on the girl’s right hand.
All except Chapman Lampard, who had already guessed it. The other archdukes cast their gazes on the girl with shocked, probing, scrutinizing, or contemplative looks.
Thales was in quite a state of disbelief in regards to the situation. Even though she was still trembling and still crying, the girl still chose to raise her right hand.
He felt that something within Little Rascal, this little maid, this vulnerable girl, had changed.
The girl sighed and sniffed before she parted her lips, “This is my…”
Just then, Lampard lifted his head.
His eyes were full of cold, murderous intent when he looked towards the girl.
Little Rascal pretended to be brave and met Chapman Lampard’s gaze.
The unprepared girl trembled, and the words were stuck in her throat as though something had crossed her mind.
*Ding-a-ling…*
Little Rascal’s hand became unstable for a while, and the object slipped to the floor, causing clattering sounds to ring from the floor.
Against the pressure brought on by the Archduke of Black Sand Region, Little Rascal looked as if she had been beaten back to her original state—a little kitten. She sighed, not knowing what to do next. Even her glasses were knocked askew due to her trembling.
“I don’t think we need to waste any more time,” Lampard said with a faint sneer. His gaze was as sharp as blades. “Unless you intend to go and explain to Prime Minister Lisban yourselves on why we only appeared in a hurry after so many corpses appeared?”
However, the other archdukes did not utter a word. They only communicated with each other silently through their gazes.
Thales, who was staring at Little Rascal in silence, suddenly noticed a problem.
After Little Rascal appeared, he had subconsciously put Asda’s presence along with the options he offered Thales to the back of his mind.
But for some reason, Thales felt a lot calmer now.
The inexplicable fear and uncertainty he felt when he was forced to make a choice were gone.
At that very moment, Thales what choice he would make.
He lowered his gaze and showed a bitter smile.
‘Thales.
‘When you faced Giza, you already made up your mind, didn’t you?
‘No matter how tempting it is, how easy it is to get something…
‘You should never…
‘Never…
‘Never give up on your future!’
Once he thought of this, the expressionless Thales extended his right hand!
*Clap!*
He grabbed the girl who was about to bend over to pick up the object, preventing her from doing so.
Little Rascal looked back at Thales in shock.
Thales slowly turned his head, and gave her a reassuring smile. He stretched his hands out to straighten her glasses.
Under the archdukes’ grave looks, Lampard’s murderous gaze, and Little Rascal’s puzzled eyes, Thales Jadestar, the Second Prince of Constellation slowly bent down.
He reached out and picked up the object by the girl’s feet.
“I guess you should be familiar with this. It’s one of the proofs of King Nuven’s power and status,” Thales straightened up as he spoke languidly.
The archdukes frowned and looked at each other
When she saw Thales’ actions, Little Rascal seemingly regained to her normal composure. She looked at him, not knowing what to do next.
Thales’ gaze slowly became firm.
‘Asda…
‘Who do you think you are?
‘I don’t believe you to be that sort of portable systems in those sci-fi novels where they constantly declare themselves to only serve their host and would absolutely do them no harm… or those old men who act like butlers in those novels set in medieval times who constantly talk about how they will help me in doing so and so…
‘You want to control my destiny, you want me to follow your plan?
‘Just like them? Rick, Quide, Kessel, King Nuven and Lampard?
‘F*ck you!
‘Air Mystic.
‘Stupid Asda.’
Thales sneered in his heart while he solemnly raised the object in his left hand. He pulled Little Rascal by her left hand without any hesitation.
The archdukes gazes towards them changed.
Archduke Lecco was expressionless, yet his fists were tightly clenched.
Thales looked up and solemnly said, “As you can see, this lady is the current owner of this ring.”
Looking at the ring, Lampard unconsciously pressed down on the saber located by his waist. His expression was complicated.
The second prince looked at the dumbstruck Little Rascal and did not hesitate to grab her left hand.
Then, with an extremely solemn expression, Thales put ‘Triumph’, which carried important and dark history that represented the rule of many emperors and kings in the past, on Little Rascal’s left thumb.
The archdukes stared at the black ring, which they were familiar with. Their gazes were filled with wariness and guardedness.
“What she’s wearing are the glasses that the Queen of the Sky wore,” Thales whispered. He helped to lift Little Rascal’s black-rimmed glasses, while he wiped off some of the stains on her face with his sleeves. “And this lady herself even had a conversation with Clorysis!”
Archduke Olsius shifted a little. “What?”
Little Rascal was stunned. Her pupils shrank and she started to instinctively shiver.
But Thales gaze was determined. The hand he used to hold her left wrist suddenly tightened.
Little Rascal was startled.
“She has more authority here. She is more qualified to question the truth behind the king’s death, and question every single one of you on your morality,” Thales said each word in a serious tone through clenched teeth as if they were his last words. “More than me, more than you, more than this city and more than every other person in this kingdom.”
Archduke Roknee folded his arms and had a solemn expression on his face.
The second prince looked directly into the girl’s eyes.
At that moment, Little Rascal felt her nervousness gradually fade.
“Please allow me to introduce all of you to the blood descendant of the Hero Raikaru…” The second prince took a deep breath, turned around, and raised Little Rascal’s hand, along with Triumph, high above her head.
Thales and Little Rascal stood in the hall side by side. He gritted his teeth, and in a deep voice, he said, “The blood relative of Nuven the Seventh and Prince Soria, a direct descendant of the Walton Family, the most legitimate heir of Dragon Clouds City and Cloud Dragon Spear…”
Trentida narrowed his eyes. There were mixed feelings in his heart.
Thales turned his head to the side and nodded slightly at Little Rascal.
The girl stared back at Thales with crystalline green eyes, then slowly raised her head.
Little Rascal took a step forward and raised the Ring of Triumph in her left hand high above her.
“I am…” The girl turned her head swiftly and forced herself to stare at the mighty as well as stern gazes from the five archdukes. As if she was ready to risk everything, she gritted her teeth and said, “I am Saroma!”
Little Rascal saw the stone carving of the Cloud Dragon Spear from the corner of her eyes. She controlled the tremor in her voice, shouting loudly so that she could hide her own panic and nervousness.
The archdukes had profound expressions and complicated emotions. While they had strange looks in their eyes, they remained silent.
The girl took a step forward again, leaving the support provided by Thales’ arm. She pushed her chest out, and with a distorted expression and loud voice, she shouted, “I am the granddaughter of Nuven Walton, the Common-Elected King of Eckstedt and the Archduke of Dragon Clouds City!
“I am the daughter of Prince Soria Walton and the daughter of Marquis Gestad of Vine City!”
Archduke Olsius lowered his head slightly, while Archduke Roknee shook his head a little.
The girl shut her eyes in the Hall of Heroes, under the stone carving of the Cloud Dragon Spear and right in front of the five Eckstedtian archdukes.
Tears fell from her eyes and landed on the ground before they shattered into countless droplets.
Thales stood behind her and quietly stared at the girl’s performance. He had mixed feelings in his heart, and there was an indescribable, heavy sensation in his chest.
The next moment, the girl clenched her fists tightly and shouted the one name that would accompany her for the rest of her life.
“I am Saroma! Saroma Alex Soria Walton!”
Her voice echoed throughout the hall. In fact, there were even muffled rings of her voice beyond the hall.
The archdukes’ expressions were stiff. They did not speak. Even Lampard had a cold expression on his face as he remained motionless.
Once she finished shouting this sentence, the girl quickly panted a few times. Shortly after, she swayed a little as though she had been drained of strength.
Thales quickly went up to hold her.
Silence lasted for several seconds.
Only the girl’s sobs and the archdukes’ whispers could be heard in the hall.
The girl looked as if she had just made the biggest decision in her life. Her teeth chattered, and she sniffled without a sound.
“It’s okay now,” Thales gently patted her on the shoulder and comforted her with a low whisper. “Think of the scene when we met the Queen of the Sky, and compare it to now…”
The girl’s heart trembled. The image of the huge dragon, which possessed an awe-inspiring air as well as elegance flashed before her eyes.
She took a deep breath, then slowly but determinedly raised her head.
Little Rascal… No, from then on, she was Saroma Walton. Saroma left Thales’ arm and with a face full of indignation, she said, “It is just as Thales said, I stand here to represent my bloodline and Dragon Clouds City to inquire all of you…”
Saroma fixed her stare on the five archdukes. In that moment, she felt as if she could no longer be bothered by their gazes and might. She had also forgotten about the fear and cowardice that had been constantly following her.
“My fellow Archdukes of Eckstedt, all of you clearly uphold the sacred Joint Ruling Pledge and protect this similarly sacred land.”
With a cold expression, Saroma said with a dark tone, “But, when the king slayer stands before you…”
The girl’s gaze swept past the four archdukes as if she was looking at four thick books.
“…why do you still protect the murderer?”
Her voice was very steady and callous.
The archdukes frowned, then turned their heads simultaneously towards Archduke Lecco, who was the most qualified to speak among them.
Nevertheless, the old archduke stared at the girl without a single word.
Saroma gritted her teeth and took a step forward. She raised the ring and continued speaking.
“Why do you not distinguish what is right from wrong? Why do you overthrow justice? Why do you associate yourself with evil?
“Why do you make yourselves fall willingly into the chambers and into the dark? Why do you misrepresent Northland’s dignity and traditions? Why do you throw away Eckstedt’s sense of righteousness and glory?”
The archdukes stared at the the girl in disbelief. Their gazes moved back and forth from her face to Triumph. For a period of time, no one refuted her.
The girl’s voice grew louder in the hall. Her face turned redder, and her gaze was also aggressive.
Thales stared at Saroma’s performance in shock. She seemed like a real inquisitor.
The girl panted and cleared her throat. In a just, forceful and formidable manner, she spoke, “How can you stand in Heroic Spirit Palace, which has been passed down through generations in the Walton Family; stand under the stone carving of the Cloud Dragon Spear, which will rise and fall with Eckstedt… and have no qualms about humiliating my grandfather, your king’s glory and honor, all while keeping a straight face?”
Saroma stared at the archdukes in front of her coldly.
“You are all archdukes who should protect Eckstedt with your loyalty, who should shoulder the glory of Northland with your conviction…
“Answer me…” She tilted her body forward, then cried out without hesitation, “Answer me!”
Her voice echoed throughout the hall.
Saroma put down her arm and panted rapidly. She stared at the archdukes. There was a slight nervousness on her face due to her stage fright, but she also seemed like she was very surprised by her own performance.
Thales walked to the front and pulled her behind him.
The archdukes stared at each other, speechless. Their expressions were different, and only after a long while did someone speak.
Archduke Lecco stared at Saroma and sighed before he said languidly, “How awkward, to be questioned by a little girl.”
“What should we do now?” Archduke Olsius said to the old archduke coldly, “Should we be aggressive or gentle?”
Archduke Lecco snorted softly.
Behind him, Trentida moved in displeasure towards Lampard, whose face was as cold as ice.
“I thought you already had her under your control,” Trentida hissed through gritted teeth. He cast a glance at Thales, who was speaking softly with Saroma. He then whispered, “She should be a girl who knows nothing of the world. She’s supposed to be very ‘obedient’ and ‘cooperative’!”
Lampard did not answer him. He only glared at Thales.
“If the blood descendant of Dragon Clouds City doesn’t ‘cooperate’… it looks like you’ll have some problems when it comes to getting new, cultivated land, Porpheus,” the one who answered him was Archduke Roknee. This archduke from the City of Faraway Prayers loved watching Trentida make a fool of himself. He shook his head in derision.
Saroma lowered her head in a daze in front of the archdukes. With her right hand, she reached out for Triumph, which was on her left thumb.
Her face was flushed, and she breathed absentmindedly.
At the instant, she touched the ring and sensed the metallic sensation from it. Saroma’s expression changed, and she quickly pulled back her hand as if she had just been scalded.
Saroma turned her head around, seemingly too scared to look at the ring.
But her left hand was subsequently seized in a tight grip.
Saroma raised her head in a daze.
“You did well.” Thales stood beside her and gave the girl an encouraging smile.
The flush on Saroma’s face faded away slightly. She then nodded her head happily like a student who had just been acknowledged.
“One question.” Smiling with his eyes, the Prince of Constellation suddenly changed the topic and lifted his eyebrows.
“Where did you memorize those lines from?”
Saroma was originally very excited, but right then, like a student who had just been caught doing something bad, she froze a little.
“I…”
She pulled a long face, and blinked behind her glasses.
The girl seemed to have instantly lost all the awe-inspiring presence brought on by her impassioned speech as she stared at Thales pitifully.
Thales furrowed his brows a little, and his gaze spoke of only one word. “Well?”
When she saw the prince’s expression, Saroma instinctively shrank back.
A second later, her face turned stark pale. She pouted, then spoke feebly, “‘Erados’ Collection of Plays’, Chapter 10: The Black Knight’s Death…”
Right before his eyes, Saroma pursed her lips and said pitifully, “They’re the words Head Inquisitor Elson Slade used to denounce the ‘Black Knight’, Yousley Ander for killing the Supreme Emperor of the Ancient Empire… I changed it a little…”
Thales was momentarily stunned before he broke into chuckles.
He instinctively extended his hand and happily pinched Saroma’s cheek.
The girl stared at him blankly, not knowing how to respond to him.
At that moment…
“Lady Saroma, I am deeply sorry for the loss suffered by the Walton Family and Dragon Clouds City,” Archduke Lecco’s voice traveled into their ears, attracting the two children’s attention to him.
The old archduke slowly walked to the long table and sat down. “His Majesty’s misfortune is also Eckstedt’s misfortune.”
Saroma’s face turned pale.
But Thales only smiled.
The other archdukes glanced at each other. Their expressions varied. Only Lampard remained expressionless, and no one knew what was going on in his mind.
“But, you are still too young, and you cannot understand all that has happened.” A strange glint flashed in Archduke Lecco’s eyes. The bald archduke used his unique and old, but sonorous voice to slowly say, “I suggest that you do not believe in the words of the enemy kingdom’s prince alone, especially when it comes to who assassinated His Majesty.”
When he heard this, Archduke Roknee let out a peculiar snort, immediately receiving an angry glare from Trentida.
Saroma bit her bottom lip.
“I-I stood in Shield District, and on the land belonging to Dragon Clouds City. I personally saw… King… Nuven’s… head fall to the ground.” When she remembered that terrifying scene, she had to use every bit of her strength to stop herself from trembling. “I watched the Born King die-die from a despicable, lowly assassination—”
“Child!” Archduke Lecco widened his eyes in rage and interrupted her. “Lady Walton! I respect your grandfather…
“…but do not suspect our loyalty towards Northland and Eckstedt. We stand here right now because of Eckstedt’s future! It does not matter if it is you or me, or even King Nuven, or the entire Walton Family, before that future and before Eckstedt, we are only dust in the desert!” Archduke Lecco said coldly.
Saroma was stunned and momentarily speechless.
Behind her, Thales sighed softly.
“We too, have to make a very difficult decision.” Archduke Trentida sighed and waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. It looked as if his heart was aching in pain. “One day, you will understand, but not now.”
Roknee folded his arms across his chest. His expression was incredibly sour.
“Of course, if you do not understand, we have no other choice but to resign to persuading you to cooperate with us while enduring the pain of doing so.”
Without a word, Lampard continued to glare at Thales as if he was his greatest threat.
The hall fell into silence again.
“Cooperate?” Saroma frowned. Since this was her first time running into such a situation, she was quite alarmed and she did not know what to do. “You…”
However, she felt the grip over her arm tighten.
Saroma looked at the prince curiously.
Next to her, Thales stared at the girl’s red face quietly.
Saroma felt a little embarrassed by his stare.
Thales exhaled slowly.
“Enough, My Lady. You have done well.”
Right before Saroma’s eyes, the boy from Constellation gave her his most brilliant smile and shook his head gently. “Leave everything else to me.”
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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