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 276 - A Game Of Chess (Two)
Chapter 276: A Game of Chess (Two)
Translator:
EndlessFantasy Translation
Editor:
EndlessFantasy Translation
After parting with Putray, who wore a strange expression, in Heroic Spirit Palace, following his habit for the past three years, Thales walked out of the narrow and desolate Blood Court with a book under his arm. He headed towards the stable in the company of his bodyguards.
Wya followed the group with a resigned expression, while Ralf quietly tailed the prince. It seemed like he was already used to this.
There were about a dozen Constellatiate soldiers behind them—most were men recruited from Broken Dragon Fortress years ago, including Genard the veteran and Willow, who was now no longer a new recruit. They had journeyed through countless hardships with the prince.
On the outer perimeter however, the personal guards of Dragon Clouds City’s Archduchess and the palace guards were sending messages back and forth. It was as if they were about to face a great enemy. Groups of soldiers departed to clear the path ahead of them every now and then. Lord Justin, who was leading the troops, wore a dark and tense expression. He was performing his duty meticulously—to ensure the safety of the special guest.
After all, it was an order from the archduchess.
“For your safety, I sincerely suggest that you postpone our trip outside the palace for a few more days, at least until the archduchess’ hearing on state affairs is over, Your Highness.” Wya was seemingly unable to accept the second prince’s leisurely steps. “By then, the White Blade Guards… I mean, the Archduchess’ Guards will have enough men to form your entourage, instead of putting their focus on the Hall of Heroes.”
Wya, the attendant glanced at the Northland soldiers around him—it was half the number of men during the prince’s usual outings. Many Dragon Clouds City vassals visited the day before and after the council hearing. A great portion of the Archduchess’ Guards, be it the remaining former White Blade Guards or the elite soldiers trained by the Star Killer for the past few years, were assigned to the archduchess’ side.
Thales pulled out the brown-covered book from under his arm, stroking the words on it, “The Light of Humanity: The Beginning and End of the Temple of Knights”. He whistled in the way Ralf had taught him to, with nonchalance.
Wya Caso had only returned to his country twice during his past six years of serving the prince in Eckstedt. Every time he came back, he appeared to mature even more. However, he was just as solemn and overly serious as before. That tense demeanor of his never loosened up.
‘That won’t do… especially when we’re facing opponents like that,’ Thales continued to smiled and speak to himself internally.
The prince then said in a relaxed manner, “The issue of my safety when it comes to assassins? The Northlanders are not idiots. If even a scalded kid is afraid of fire, it would be more so for a country whose king has been assassinated.”
Lord Justin, a former White Blade Guard, snorted loudly and mumbled something beside him. Thales, who had pretty good hearing, seemed to have heard him say, “Look who’s talking.”
Thales pretended not to hear it and shrugged. “Besides, it’s tragic enough to be put under house arrest in an adversary’s city like a prisoner. Do not strip away one of my very few forms of entertainment left.”
“Tragic? I find that you seem to be enjoying your ‘prison’ life.” Wya rolled his eyes. Now that he had become much closer to the prince, he retorted sarcastically, “Moreover, I have never seen any prisoner in such good terms with the ‘warden’, so much so that she promises you time to routinely get ‘fresh air’ every month as you please.”
Thales laughed. He waved at Wya without turning his head around. “Do not put it so simply. Playing chess outside the palace is the pitiable right I’ve earned from the owner of Dragon Clouds City as well as Count Lisban after putting in a lot of effort and suffering thorough humiliation in the process.”
‘Suffering from humiliation? Putting in much effort?’
Wya’s facial expression instantly became as sour as that of Lord Justin beside him.
‘Are you referring to the countless times you made the archduchess skip class with you and plunge the whole Heroic Spirit Palace into chaos?’
“Must it be today?” Wya’s submissive nature compelled him to suppress the urge to talk back. The attendant then said with a steely look, “If there is no other way, you can play chess in the palace—after all, you only play against yourself.”
Under King Chapman’s surveillance in the eerie Dragon Clouds City, and before the prince’s status, which was a basic guarantee for someone to be burdened with great responsibilities, what Eckstedtian noble would dare play chess with the sole heir of Constellation unless he or she was looking for trouble or harboring ill intentions?
“Chess is not the point, ‘getting some fresh air’ is, Wya.” Thales continued to walk without stopping, patting the book in his hand with his left palm. “I do not count on people like you, who can come and leave Dragon Clouds City freely, to understand my feelings as a prisoner.”
Wya shook his head in resignation, but just as he was about to speak again—
“Alright, Wya, please cut it out.” Thales waved his index finger behind him, ending the conversation coolly. “Learn from Midira. He never talks as much.”
Wya frowned. His skeptical gaze lingered on Midira Ralf, the Phantom Wind Follower.
As expected, the mute Ralf flipped him off emotionlessly without a word.
“I cannot deny that.” Wya sighed in pain. He looked down and rubbed his forehead. “He indeed doesn’t talk much.”
Thales whistled.
At that very moment, a youthful and loud female voice sounded above them.
“Oh-oh! Young Thales, are you leaving the palace again?”
Alarmed, a number of new guards appointed by the archduchess pointed their bows and arrows skyward. However, the other guards remained calm, seemingly used to it. Wya and Ralf rolled their eyes almost at the same time.
A thump sounded as a petite, hooded figure leaped down from a tree. She placed one hand on her waist and did a thumbs-up with the other hand while she tried to catch up to their pace. “No worries, with my presence, there will be no issues concerning his safety!”
“Why do you always crawl on the branches, Lady Aida?” Wya questioned the hooded lady, who was supposedly the prince’s chief protector.
“The sun’s too bright. Of course I have to stay under the shade!”
Wya lifted his head with a dubious look. He could not figure out how a shade had anything to do with tree branches.
“Sorry, Aida. I’m just going to play chess in Spear District.” Thales sighed, and said in frustration, “I’m not hunting hares in the outskirts of the city.”
“Huh?”
Aida placed her hands on the back of her head, walking backwards and facing him. The hood that covered half of her face could not mask the disappointment in her voice. “Can’t you… just take two more steps?”
“Two steps to get to the outskirts of the city from Spear District—do you mean the two steps of a great dragon?”
Aida said pitifully, “The food they serve in Heroic Spirit Palace is always cold. Don’t you think… Kid, think about the steaming hare meat!”
“The cold meals in Heroic Spirit Palace are for your safety. To inspect the food—”
“Speaking of safety…” Aida made a fist and lamented bitterly, “As your protector who follows you everywhere you go, I’ve fought a bloody battle. I was heavily wounded and I eventually saved all of you from the enemy as well as Dragon Clouds City… Now, I just want some hot meat to eat, but you can’t even grant me this small request…”
“Are you talking about a certain lady who rushed into Heroic Spirit Palace with a grease-covered mouth six years ago, only to find that everything was over? Then, she happily asked me for money to settle some bills to prove that she was not a chicken thief?” the prince replied calmly.
The next second, Thales turned on his heels, tilting his head in a practiced manner. He managed to dodge the finger of the angry and embarrassed elf lady, who had stood on her toes and attempted to poke him.
“Hey, hey, hey, you dodged it again! This is the third time!” The lady in the hooded cape froze in her place, lifting her right index finger and trembling. “Why are you so used to this?!”
Thales exhaled, shook his head, and kept walking. He left the mournful and helpless Aida (what happened to the adorable little Thales who could never evade my deadly poke?) as well as the countless soldiers and guards, who also ignored her while they walked forward.
During the past six years, everyone had already gotten used to the peculiarities of the protector. Wya cast her a sympathetic glance, whereas Ralf emitted a soft, quivering whistle as a foil to her current emotional state.
Thales sensed that the unique surge of power under his feet and on the side of his neck had slowly faded. He then felt a hint of weariness in his muscles. He frowned.
It was that familiar surge of power, which helped him evade Aida’s finger earlier.
The grim-faced Thales recalled the words of a man wielding a long, black sword on a certain bloody night many years ago.
‘”This is a cursed power… you can only upgrade it through a special method…”‘
‘It’s just as he said. It’s been six years since…
‘But the effects and price for using it…’ Thales clenched his fist, feeling the soreness in his legs and neck.
‘It has stayed the same.’
Thales strode into the stable beside Heroic Spirit Palace, and stomped on a stool to mask his intention of relaxing his leg muscles.
Surrounded by guards on both sides, the prince came to the paddock he was familiar with. A sturdy black horse stuck its head out of the fence, shoving its nose at him affectionately.
“Did you treat her well?” Thales stroke the black horse’s chin, smiling and checking her teeth. He said to the stableman beside him, “You know how Jennie likes to be clean.”
The professional stableman of Heroic Spirit Palace pounded his chest proudly, and promised the prince that his steed had never been healthier.
Jennie, the black horse—the prince’s ride was brought to Dragon Clouds City three years ago by the diplomat group from Constellation Kingdom. She was a good filly, chosen meticulously from hundreds and thousands of steeds. As a hybrid of a Northland war horse and a flatland stallion, she inherited her mother’s fiery temper as well as her father’s powerful leg strength; a lot of riders who tried to tame her had gotten a taste of both.
Surprisingly, Thales, who was particularly untalented in horse riding, got along with Jennie rather well. Even Viscount Kenney, the then-head of the diplomat group was in awe to see that.
Thales chuckled, shoving the book in his hand into a bag on the saddle. He untangled Jennie’s rein, while Wya and the other soldiers looked for their mounts.
“Good morning, honorable Prince Thales.” At that very moment, a gloomy but calm female voice sounded outside the stable. “As an elder in her fifties, I have the obligation to remind you to ensure your own safety during this trip.”
The soldiers and guards cleared a pathway, bowing to the visitor. The Constellatiates frowned in unison.
Thales shut his grinning mouth and sighed with his back facing the lady.
“Morning, Madam Ginghes.” He did not turn his head to look at her. He just carried on with preparations for his departure. “I thought you were supposed to be with the archduchess at this time, assisting Her Grace to present herself to the vassals and nobles in a formal, elegant fashion.”
Ginghes, one of the archduchess’ personal administrators, was a noblewoman in her fifties with the appearance of someone in her thirties. She was dressed plainly and she wore a simple headdress. She was proper, and often had an expression more serious than Wya’s. Her etiquette and language were impeccable.
Allegedly, she was a widow of King Nuven’s vassal. Six years ago, she was invited by Regent Lisban into Heroic Spirit Palace to take care of the archduchess as well as teach her some necessary rules of etiquette. Like Jines Bajkovic of Renaissance Palace, she was an excellent and responsible administrator—if only she did not demand the Prince of Constellation, who should have been reading and relaxing as he pleased, to also attend Northland etiquette lessons.
By the way, she was one of the reasons why Thales skipped class with the archduchess for the first time.
Madam Ginghes still spoke with a voice that made one nervous against their will. “On a side note, I have brought messages from some important people.
“I suggest you listen closely—even if you are from the South.”
Hearing that, Thales stopped what he was doing. He turned around and bowed before her.
Madam Ginghes nodded, feeling satisfied. She stretched her swan-like neck and cleared her throat.
“Her Grace of Dragon Clouds City instructed me to remind you that during the time of her hearing on state affairs,” the administrator said proudly, “the newly-arrived books in the palace—”
“Noted, Madam Ginghes.” Thales scratched his ears as he felt his head pound. “Please report back to Her Grace that I will wait until she comes back to open the gift.”
Madam Ginghes narrowed her eyes. Although her expression remained unchanged, Thales knew that she was not pleased with the prince’s interruption.
A few minutes later, the lady spoke again.
The administrator’s attitude softened a little, but she still stared into Thales’ eyes. “Regent Lisban also demanded me to remind you that, during his regency, for your safety and the reputation of Dragon Clouds City, please obey the king’s order—”
“Noted, Madam Ginghes.” Thales caressed Jennie’s head, comforting her of the displeasure brought on by her master not freeing her from her constraints. “Please thank His Grace, who still makes time to express his concerns despite being preoccupied with his duties, for me. Tell him that I will not leave Axe District and Spear District.”
Ginghes frowned slightly.
“Lastly…
“Commander Soray Nicholas demanded me to remind you to cooperate with Lord Justin and the personal guards, considering the unique circumstance of the council hearing,” The lady’s voice softened, but it still made one feel uneasy. “Also, due to your problematic record of returning after eight at night two months ago…
“This time, if you return later than five in the evening, he will withdraw your guards and lock the gatehouse. Meanwhile, he suggests that you to deal with your own problems regarding food and accommodation.”
Thales frowned before he took a deep breath and exhaled.
In his mind, he filtered out Madam Ginghes’ courteous wording. Instead, he visualized the displeased Star Killer with his folded arms and pale, dead face as he said, “You tell him, don’t bother to come back after five. Just let him die out there!”
The prince pushed open the fence, stepped on the stool, and then on the stirrup to mount the horse.
“Alright, Madam Ginghes.” The prince faced the stern-looking administrator as he contemplated his words for a few moments. “Again, please pass my word to that damn… to Lord Nicholas…”
Administrator Ginghes raised an eyebrow.
“Five in the evening?” Thales sighed and solemnly said, “How about he just go f*ck himself?”
The next second, Thales flung his reins without any hesitation. Amid Jennie’s loud neighs, they sped off!
The prince and his horse darted past the astonished administrator. They did not turn back. His personal guards and soldiers followed, including the resigned Wya, unfazed Ralf, and sulking Aida.
He flung the reins in his hands and dashed out of the plaza in front of Heroic Spirit Palace, heading towards the First Gatehouse.
…..
The trip from Heroic Spirit Palace to Spear District did not take much time. With the Archduchess’ Guards and patrol units cooperating, the traffic on the streets and roadways was smooth.
Thales had been honest about one thing when he teased Wya earlier: this was a hard-earned opportunity to get some fresh air—to play chess in Spear District near Heroic Spirit Palace.
On horseback, Thales controlled the rising and falling movements of his body as he watched Jennie’s ears and gleeful steps from behind. His lips curled up.
In the past six years, his horse-riding skills had improved drastically. In terms of culture and civility, Eckstedt may have been a cut below Constellation, but when it came to emphasis on military skills, even the most boorish and low-ranking Northland nobles could beat their Constellatiate counterparts by a mile.
Thales still remembered the outdoor lessons (to put it mildly), which he attended with the archduchess. When Nicholas, the “instructor” found out about his only two students—Thales’ horse riding skills were inadequate due to his “allergy” to equines; the archduchess refused to mount the horse out of fear—the Star Killer got himself some thick ropes. With a look of indifference, he tied the two of them onto the horses and ignited the horses’ tails.
The lesson took place once a day, two hours each time.
The results were quick to show. Ten days later, both he and the girl had become skilled, if not “expert” horse riders amid all the nausea and vomiting.
When this step was over, Nicholas untied them and began to correct their riding posture as well as techniques. He then introduced them to horse-riding equipment.
It was followed by lessons on how to wield weapons… then learning to hunt on horseback.
Later on, a former White Blade Guard secretly told Thales that standard horse-riding training for the White Blade Guards was twice the amount of lessons and duration. On top of that, the torch to ignite the horse tail was replaced with a beehive.
Once he thought of this, the prince could not help sighing.
A second later, Thales tugged at the reins in his hand. Then, with a bit of force, he sat back at the same time. His legs glided to the back, forming a relaxed posture.
The intelligent Jennie began to slow down immediately. Once he made sure of this, Thales loosened the reins just in time to imply encouragement, comforting the extremely excited and beautiful filly, craving to vent her energy. She let out a snort of dissatisfaction.
Jennie stomped her hooves on the ground, and few seconds later, she stopped before their destination.
Wya and Lord Justin’s horses also stopped.
Thales was stroking and praising the elated Jennie—she recently picked up the bad habit of whining to get her master’s attention. At the same time, he lamented the fact that equines were just as difficult to deal with as humans.
He recalled the hundreds of cavaliers in Black Sand Region. ‘God knows how much time, and energy was spent on producing just one skilled cavalier unit.’
Thales stepped down from the stirrups, handed the reins to Genard who was behind him, and looked up at his destination—a chess room in Spear District.
Reportedly, it was originally a wonderfully-furnished inn for aristocrats until its owner died in a robbery during the catastrophe that shook Dragon Clouds City six years ago. After that, a fellow Camusian bought the place and renovated it based on the original décor, turning it into a club exclusively for aristocrats. Business had been good, allegedly.
But surely, there was no way its business could be good in the present—ever since the Prince of Constellation selected the place to be the designated spot of his monthly outing three years ago, the chess room was forced to be cleared once a month for him. However, it turned out not to be a bad thing, because business improved instead of declining. Many people had rushed to visit the place where the mysterious prince in the palace ‘had fought’.
Amid the business owner’s flattery, Thales stepped into the chess room. Hundreds of the Archduchess’ Guards and patrol units had thoroughly inspected the place, quarantining it from the neighboring areas.
The prince looked at the empty hall and sighed.
He ambled up the stairs and came to the state room on the first floor. Guards including Justin, Wya and Ralf followed him closely.
Led by the business owner, Thales walked through a door, arriving at the largest state room—it was a spacious, semi-outdoor room. The balcony on the side was facing the street of Spear District. The prince’s seat was on the balcony, from which one could overlook the street.
From the balcony, Thales was not surprised to see countless personal guards and patrols on duty along the street and entrances of some nearby buildings. There were at least two hundred men with arrows on their bows. They patrolled the place routinely, vigilantly guarding it against any unexpected people. Almost every man was eyeing him closely on the balcony.
Considering such an arrangement and atmosphere, on top of the martial law, even if the number of guards were reduced by half, there would not be another tragedy like the one six years ago.
‘Once bitten, twice shy…’
The prince shrugged, sat down, and put down his book.
He shifted his gaze to the chessboard and chess pieces before him—”The Rise and Fall of the Empire” was still popular in the Western Peninsular and it spread through the peninsular from Alumbia Kingdom nearly a hundred years ago—the seat across the table, which was meant for his opponent was empty.
“Alright.” Thales gazed at the red king on the chessboard and cast a rather emotional look on the black as well as red chess pieces in the box while he spoke to Wya and Justin, who were tirelessly inspecting his surroundings, “You may go out. The door will be left open anyway. And there is a balcony. It will be the same if you stand outside the door or on the street.
“As usual, I want to be left alone.”
Behind Wya, Ralf nodded slightly. He put down a tray of examined food and water, grabbed the business owner who intended to fawn over them for a little longer and headed to the ground floor. Aida was nowhere to be seen. She was most probably on the roof.
“Prince Thales,” Lord Justin, the former White Blade Guard said cautiously, “as usual, three hours. If you need anything—”
The prince exhaled. “I will let you know first thing.”
Lord Justin nodded and exchanged glances with Wya. Then, together, they strode to the doorway ten meters away behind Thales. They guarded the entrance as they peering at the prince, who was reading and playing chess.
“It’s the same every time.” Thales shook his head and chuckled. He then continued to take out the chess pieces from the chess box before he arranged them on the chessboard one by one.
The state room and street fell back into silence. The only audible sounds were the soldiers’ footsteps and Wya’s muffled grumbles targeted at Ralf behind him.
‘Imperial guards, catapults, shield warriors, pawns…’
Just as Thales placed the second last chess piece, and reached for the last one, two fair and spindly fingers with beautifully-shaped nails emerged.
The fingers descended from above, pinching the black king and placing it onto Thales’ chessboard. They positioned it nicely and made sure it was perfectly aligned with the edge of the board before they turned its front to face the red chess pieces.
It was done in a meticulous, precise manner.
“Thank you.”
Thales raised an eyebrow. He looked up, unsurprised, nodding at the unexpected guest who appeared all of sudden.
It was a friend the prince had not met for a long time. The Air Mystic, Asda Sakern sat down elegantly and quietly in the chair across him. Then, he stared at the chess pieces on the chess board as his lips curled into a faint smile.
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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