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 280 - Target
Chapter 280: Target
Translator:
EndlessFantasy Translation
Editor:
EndlessFantasy Translation
With anger burning in him, Thales rode past the First Gatehouse back to Heroic Spirit Palace under heavy protection. There were countless questions in his mind.
According to Asda, there were not many Mystics to begin with, but they still divided themselves into various factions.
The Extremists led by B started the war, and they were once the most powerful faction. They were the true “calamities” who had committed numerous crimes. According to Asda, they were a bunch of complete lunatics who destroyed the world and themselves at the same time. But, was that true? Thales had always felt that even the unreasonable Giza did not seem like such an insane existence.
Then, there were the Moderators who rejected war. Asda was one of them. Asda described themselves as a bunch of pacifists who remained detached from worldly affairs and were scattered around the world, disunited. However, from what Thales could see right now, be it controlling the underworld of Constellation or chasing after Thales, the Air Mystic was the most proactive one in his desire to change the current situation of the Mystics.
The two Obscurists who fought against the Extremists because they saw themselves as human… Asda’s attitude towards them was very strange. He neither despised nor approved of them. Instead, he was filled with strong compassion towards him. Where were the two of them now, and what was their current condition?
‘Lastly.’ Once he arrived at his next train of thought, Thales’ heart clenched.
‘Blood Spike and Hellen.’
The betrayers of the Mystics known as the Magic Empresses were the ones most shrouded in mystery. Why and how did they carry out their betrayal? Why did Asda’s hatred toward them exceed the hatred he felt for the Obscurists, who sided with the world? How were they doing now?
Thales sighed and dismounted next to Heroic Spirit Palace’s stable. He took out the book from his saddle and passed the reins to the horsekeeper as he pacified Jennie, who was reluctant to part with him.
After he attended his “first lesson”, the confusion in his mind regarding the world did not decrease. Instead, it increased. The more he knew, the more questions he had.
While he was deep in thought, Wya nudged the teenage prince from behind. His tone was careful and vigilant, “Your Highness.”
Thales snapped back to attention and raised his head. He then saw someone who made both Wya and Ralf rather unsettled.
It was a pale-faced man. He leaned against the stable with his arms crossed, and a saber with a black hilt was tied diagonally to his back.
He raised his head and revealed a sharp, hostile gaze to the prince as well as his entourage. The Archduchess’ Guards and the palace guards, including Lord Justin nodded their heads to greet him. His entire being radiated with a dangerous presence, which prohibited strangers from going near him.
It was just like the time he first met with Thales.
“It’s already six,” the man said coldly. “I said, five.”
Feeling resigned, Thales rolled his eyes at the setting sun.
“Aren’t you supposed to be busy protecting the archduchess from danger?” The prince swept the dust off his body, then bade farewell to Jennie. Once again, he saw the beautiful filly causing an uproar among her fellow horses after she was brought into the stable.
“Why do you have time to come and see a powerless foreign prince who has accomplished nothing, Lord Nicholas?”
Soray Nicholas, the legendary commander who was demoted from being a White Blade Guard to the Archduchess’ Guard was already a middle-aged man. After the events leading to the drastic changes six years ago, and as the wrinkles in the corners of his eyes increased, this personal guard whom King Nuven once trusted the most became even more level-headed and dependable. He also became more meticulous and careful.
Wya anxiously turned and tried to search for Aida’s figure. But a few seconds later, he turned back, sighing. That shorty probably left the prince behind and went by to the suburbs to hunt on her own again.
The Star Killer snorted coldly.
“Others may think that you’re an unremarkable boy who you only reads and plays chess, that at most, you’re either playing truant or a game of hide and seek.” As usual, Nicholas stared at his target with a repelling, scrutinizing gaze. His tone was unpleasant, “But I know…”
The Star Killer put down his arms. His gaze was sharp.
“You are the most troublesome person in Heroic Spirit Palace.”
Thales sighed helplessly and turned to walk out of the stable, brushing past Nicholas.
“Thank you for your praise, excuse me while I—”
At this moment, Thales’ shoulder suddenly sank!
*Slap!*
The prince tilted his head and stared at the Star Killer’s hand, which was pressed on his shoulder. He furrowed his eyebrows a little.
Wya and Ralf reacted quickly. The attendant placed his hand on his single-edged sword, while the Phantom Wind Follower pulled out a portion of the two short swords by his waist.
The people around them also reacted rapidly. The Constellatiates conscientiously formed a semicircle and blocked the Northlanders, who also became anxious as they stood outside the semicircle.
“Let go of the prince.”
Wya stared at them and warned with a grave expression.
“Relax, relax.” Before the situation got out of control, Thales exhaled and waved his hand, signaling his subordinates to step back. “Lord Nicholas often likes to joke with me.”
He then stared at the Star Killer, who still had his hand on his shoulder. The prince arched an eyebrow as he said, “Right?”
Nicholas stared at him for a whole five seconds before he released the teenager in front of him.
Next to them, the vigilant Wya heaved a sigh of relief. The aggressive atmosphere around them also eased up.
But the moment Thales shrugged, the Star Killer suddenly extended his hand again.
*Yoink!*
Nicholas’ movement was so fast that it was hard to follow. The prince was not able to react at all. He could only look on helplessly as the Star Killer extended his hand and snatched away the thick, brown-covered book he brought out of the palace!
At that moment, like a furious, young lion, Thales’ expression changed drastically.
Like the most loyal friend, the Sin of Hell’s River rose from every inch of his body and surged into his left arm, filling every joint from his shoulder and elbow to his wrist.
The moment the book left his hand, Thales rapidly stretched out his left arm. His speed was a few times quicker than usual, and he grabbed the book with a back hand.
*Thush!*
He had a hard grip on the book’s spine!
The Sin of Hell’s River surged again and filled the muscles in Thales’ arm, gradually increasing the strength of his hand. He did not relent at all.
The attendants placed their hands on their weapons again as the atmosphere became tense once more.
“Your Highness!” Wya shouted anxiously. “Be careful with your—”
“Step back, Wya!” Thales said with a solemn expression, stopping his subordinate from whipping out the weapon by his waist. “This is a very big joke from Lord Nicholas, that’s all.”
‘Damn it.
‘This man…’ Thales fixed his gaze on Nicholas.
‘He just refuses to make things easy for me.’
The brown-covered book hung in the air… The Prince of Constellation and Star Killer grabbed one side of the book respectively. Both of them refused to budge.
“Oh, this is quite rare.” Once he felt the strength in his hand increasing, it became difficult for Nicholas to hide the shock in his eyes. “If you could also display such a performance during your usual sword practices—”
“You would probably f*ck me up even worse,” Thales coldly cut him off, refusing to let go of the book in his hand even in the slightest.
The corners of Nicholas’ mouth curled up.
“You know, I have always been very curious.” The Star Killer’s eyes shone with a strange, cold light. “Aren’t you sick of playing chess by yourself in an empty box for three consecutive years?”
“What else am I supposed to do?” Thales showed no signs of weakness. “You can’t play chess, and the archduchess’ skills are awfully bad.”
“Is that so?” Nicholas sneered. “There are definitely people who know how to play chess in the Kingdom’s Secret Intelligence Department, right?”
Thales gritted his teeth hard and thought that things were progressing in a bad direction.
“Perhaps you shouldn’t act so boorishly towards me.” The prince sighed. Trembling in the trial of strength, his arm gradually started to ache. “The archduchess—”
“The archduchess definitely remembers how her grandfather passed away!” Nicholas cut Thales off with an expression akin to a hunter who had just succeeded in catching his prey.
“Right?”
Thales was immediately at a loss for words.
The next moment, Nicholas pushed the book in his hand, and pulled it again right after!
Thales could not get a grasp of his opponent’s abrupt change in technique and strength. The agility and force brought about by the Sin of Hell’s River were of no use at all. He could only stare helplessly as Nicholas snatched the book away once again.
“I didn’t know that you were still interested in the Temple of Knights.” Nicholas stared at the title of the book on the cover before he glanced at the pale-faced Prince of Constellation with considerable interest. “But…”
The Star Killer tapped the spine of the book with one hand, and the book automatically opened to the most-used page. It lay flat on Nicholas’ wide, calloused palm.
A thin, sky blue piece of paper was lodged in the middle of the page.
Thales clenched his fists hard. His breathing became more rapid.
‘That’s…’
“Oh, this explains it…” Nicholas narrowed his eyes and curled up the corners of his lips. He gently picked up the thin, blue piece of paper and stared at Thales’ livid expression, expressing some interest.
“A message? Is this why you wanted to go for a game of chess?”
‘That’s the invitation,’ Thales thought.
He suppressed the worry in his heart and extended his hand to stop his subordinates from taking action.
“There’s only a meaningless sentence on it,” the prince said calmly. “You know—”
Nicholas cut him off with a chuckle.
“Then, let us take a look…” With the kind of smile one had when victory was in one’s hands, Nicholas flung open the thin piece of paper right in front of the prince and read the words on it.
“The…”
But after he read the first word, the expression on Nicholas’ pale face changed a little.
He raised his head abruptly and shifted his gaze from the thin piece of paper back to Thales.
Thales blinked.
“Is this some kind of joke, Little Prince?” the Star Killer said coldly.
Nicholas turned the thick cover in his hand, and the thin, sky blue piece of paper lay open before Thales’ eyes.
Both Wya and Ralf extended their heads forward.
There was only a line of words on the thin piece of paper in Nicholas’ hands. It was in the common language, written neatly in standard decorative font.
[The Star Killer is an idiot.]
Ralf whistled and drew his head back.
Wya muttered something under his breath and restrained his smile. He did not look at Nicholas’ expression.
“See, I told you. It’s just a meaningless sentence.” Thales scratched his head in embarrassment, using this movement to relieve the ache caused by the Sin of Hell’s River. “You were the one who insisted on reading it.”
Nicholas stared into the prince’s eyes with a fiery gaze.
Nicholas’ assistant, Lord Justin furrowed his eyebrows a little. He went forward and reminded Nicholas, “Boss, it’s getting late.”
The Star Killer shut his mouth in dissatisfaction and snorted through his nose.
With an unpleasant expression, Nicholas crumpled the thin piece of paper in his hand into a ball and tossed the book back to Thales.
“Little Prince, you better be more careful.”
“Why don’t you say something else next time?” Thales caught the book and pretended to blow the dust off it. “I’m used to that line.”
“No.
“What I meant was,” Nicholas’ gaze became cold, and his words were profound, “be on guard.”
At that moment, Thales’ pupils constricted.
“What do you mean?” the prince asked faintly.
Thales sensed something unusual in Nicholas’ words.
“I meant what I said, literally.”
Nicholas calmly tore the thin piece of paper in his hand into pieces. “Dragon Clouds City hasn’t been very peaceful lately.
“And you’re the most interesting bargaining chip here.”
While he tore the paper, the Star Killer walked forward slowly and inched his face towards Thales’ in an oppressive manner, speaking in an increasingly scary tone, “Of course, if you and the hand behind you try to do something…”
Thales furrowed his eyebrows hard.
At this moment…
“Enough!”
It was a crisp and clear female voice. It sounded rather youthful, and it rang from the empty piece of land outside the stable.
Thales exhaled, while Nicholas responded with a cold snort of annoyance.
Wya’s expression relaxed. He turned and mouthed to Ralf that they were “safe now”.
Footsteps rang outside the stable.
A blonde girl in a formal, dark brown dress went up to the stable while she was protected by the Archduchess’ Guards on both sides. A noble who was old, but had a very regal bearing walked beside her with powerful steps, whereas the old-fashioned Madam Ginghes followed behind them with two maidservants.
Beside the stable, the Archduchess’ Guards as well as the palace guards stepped back in unison and saluted politely.
“Lord Nicholas,” the maiden who suddenly arrived continued to speak in a clear voice. She sounded like a softly-chirping skylark, giving off a feeling that the setting sun would rise again. “Prince Thales is our distinguished guest and Dragon Clouds City’s ally. He represents our friendship with the Jadestar Family and Constellation.
“You should show the bearings and behavior fitting to your honor as a Northlander and the leader of my team of personal guards.”
The maiden stared straight at Nicholas, who was in a stalemate with Thales. Her expression was calm, but there was a baffling apathy to it.
“After all, we once fought side by side with him.”
The Star Killer inhaled softly and shot a glance at the prince. He then took a step back and bowed slightly before the maiden.
“Of course,” Nicholas said coldly. “As you wish, Your Grace.”
Thales shrugged. He turned and flashed a friendly smile at the maiden who got him out of his predicament.
The slovenly Little Rascal he met six years ago had unknowingly become a bright and beautiful maiden who was about fifteen or sixteen years old now. Although as Prince Soria’s daughter in name, she was supposed to be eighteen years old.
Her transformation into the current Archduchess of Dragon Clouds City, Saroma Walton surprised even Thales, who faced her day and night.
The maiden’s bluish-green eyes were even livelier than they used to be. The curve of her nose was adorable, making it hard for people to resist extending their hands and pinching it softly; her lips were slightly thick with a special appearance; her bright and clear face also had a healthy, pinkish glow to it, making her platinum hair, which fell to front of her chest seem even brighter.
The only thing about her that ruined this brightness was probably the large and thick, black-rimmed glasses on her face.
“Good evening, my esteemed and noble Archduchess of Dragon Clouds City, the beautiful and elegant Lady Saroma.” Thales smiled, feeling relaxed. He raised his right hand at Saroma before placing it over the left side of his chest. Then, he bowed so elegantly and decently that no one could find any fault with it. “Lord Nicholas was only fooling around with me. Please do not be too harsh on him.
The maiden, Saroma stared quietly at him. The emotions in her eyes could not be deciphered.
“Nevertheless, I still thank you for your concern. I will keep this gratitude in my heart.” The prince curled up the corners of his lips to what Madam Ginghes called the optimum arc, and nodded slightly. “I hope you’ve had a good day today, My Lady.”
“As well as both of you… Count Lisban and Madam Ginghes.” Thales arched an eyebrow and looked on as the solemn-faced Lisban and calm-looking Ginghes returned his salute.
Finally, Saroma furrowed her eyebrows a little and pursed her slightly curved lips. This made her seem even cuter. She slowly walked forward and stared at Thales at eye-level.
Once she arrived in front of him, the maiden pouted and extended her hands to elegantly lift the folds of her dress. She revealed a pair of tiny, exquisite buckskin boots and a pair of splendidly curved calves in the process.
Thales straightened his body. He could not help but notice that the girl’s once dirty hands were now fair and smooth. They were resting lightly by the sides of her waist. Accentuated by her well-fitted formal dress, her neck looked slim and her waist seemed erect. Her considerably formed breasts were tightly bound by her tight undershirt. Her entire being just radiated with the vitality of youth.
However, just as Thales thought that the archduchess had lifted her dress to bow in return of his salute…
*Thud!*
Thales cried out in pain and took two steps back, crashing into the stable behind him.
He bent down in pain and rubbed the part of his leg that was kicked.
Behind the maiden, Count Lisban and Madam Ginghes furrowed their eyebrows in unison, while the two maidservants covered their mouths and cried out in shock. Nicholas scratched his neck and shook his head slowly.
Saroma snorted coldly as she drew back her extended boot. She shook her hands, then threw down the folds of her dress angrily. Complementing the archduchess’ mischievous movements, the tiara made of gemstones on her tall forehead glimmered under the setting sun. Even the Cloud Dragon Spear emblem on her sleeve suddenly seemed more colorful.
The Prince of Constellation raised his head with a look of disbelief after he was kicked for no apparent reason.
“Hey.” Feeling the pain in his leg and having a stomach full of bitterness, Thales protested in dissatisfaction, “Why?”
Saroma went up to Thales, and she appeared to be slightly taller than him. She curled up the corners of her lips and stared at the guests from Constellation with a look of annoyance.
Wya and Ralf stared at each other before they wisely took a step back in unison, choosing to abandon their duty and leave their prince behind.
With a cold expression, the maiden emphasized the pronunciation on some of her words, “Constellation’s esteemed, noble and handsome Prince Thales! ‘Your Highness’!”
Thales sighed.
Very unhappy, the archduchess shot a glance at the large black steed, who was peacefully chewing her fodder and calmly watching everything. She threatened Thales angrily with her crisp and bright voice, “If you talk to me in that tone again, don’t bother staying in the court anymore… Go to the stable and sleep with your beloved Jennie!”
Saroma snorted softly. She turned abruptly and walked away angrily, stomping her deerskin boots on the ground so hard that her footsteps could be heard twenty meters away.
The maiden’s long hair whipped past Thales’ cheek, and hints of fragrance traveled into his nostrils.
But the unfortunate prince did not have the energy to care about these little pleasantries at all. With a wronged expression, he raised his head to look at Count Lisban, who had an apathetic expression.
Madam Ginghes and the two maidservants hurriedly followed the archduchess. The former even shot a glance at Thales with furrowed eyebrows… as though everything was his fault.
“Ciel, I am already very tired today.” The archduchess’ crisp voice rang in a respectful and polite manner. It was a sharp contrast to her behavior earlier. “Let us talk about it tomorrow. I will entrust the rest to you.”
The Regent of Dragon Clouds City, Count Lisban, who was also clad in formal clothes, sighed and nodded lightly behind the maiden. “Of course, My Lady.”
The Star Killer shook his head in disdain and followed the archduchess.
Saroma’s footsteps receded.
Thales straightened his body and exhaled in dissatisfaction. He asked Lisban, “Who upset her again in today’s council hearing?”
“No one.” The regent shook his head without changing his expression. But then, he nodded contradictorily, and his expression darkened.
“Everyone.”
Thales revealed a puzzled expression and said in dissatisfaction, “In that case, do I deserve to be made the unfortunate target?”
Count Ciel Lisban, the Regent of Dragon Clouds City who was over sixty years old probably did not really like Thales since the very first time he laid eyes on him. But strangely this time, the count shook his head and apologized to Thales.
“I apologize for the lady’s behavior on her behalf… Her actions earlier were indeed inappropriate, Prince Thales,” Regent Lisban said earnestly. “I will remonstrate her at the right moment.
“Trust me, this is not how she’s usually like.”
Thales, who had just been put through a hard time, rolled his eyes.
“I shall excuse myself first, Prince Thales,” Regent Lisban said slowly as he stared at the archduchess’ figure from the back. “Please convey my gratitude to Lord Putray.”
Having no choice, Thales nodded.
Accompanied by his attendants, the regent turned and left.
Thales’ heart sank a little as he watched Lisban’s retreating figure.
‘No one?
‘Everyone?
‘What Lisban said… what in the world happened during the council hearing?
‘Nicholas also warned me that “Dragon Clouds City hasn’t been very peaceful lately.” Then there’s his rather baffling but hostile search too…
‘Putray has also come to Dragon Clouds City at this time.’
While deep in thought, Thales raised his head. He felt slightly uneasy.
Something serious had happened.
He had to find Putray as soon as possible and listen to the lord’s report.
The large, black steed extended her head out of the fence and nuzzled the prince’s cheek playfully.
“As expected.” Thales diverted his attention away from his complicated thoughts for the time being. He hugged Jennie’s head and heaved a long sigh. “You’re still the better one, Jennie.”
At this moment, after disappearing for a long time, Aida suddenly hopped out of nowhere.
She held two dead rabbits in each hand and spoke jubilantly in front of Wya as well as Ralf, who had their eyes and mouth wide open. “Hey, Little Thales, look what I caught. Tonight, we can light a fire. It will definitely—”
The prince turned solemnly towards her.
“Aida.” Thales’ expression changed. He revealed a fierce expression and snorted coldly at the elf. “If you leave us and go hunting again…
“…Don’t bother staying in the court anymore.
“Move here and sleep with Jennie!”
Aida froze where she was standing.
At this moment, the archduchess’ dissatisfied and furious yells rang from afar once again.
“Thales!
“Why are you dilly dallying?!
“Do you still want to eat dinner?!”
Thales inhaled deeply and tugged at his face with his hands to change his expression from that of a “wronged prince” to a “joyful teenager”.
‘Dinner?
‘Of course I want to.
‘I just don’t feel like eating with a certain angry, little lioness.’
The teenage prince could only look up at the sky and heave a long sigh. Muttering to himself about “how cute the archduchess used to be when she was young”, he shouted that he was coming, though it was done in a listless tone.
Thales turned without delay and walked in Saroma’s direction, leaving Aida behind. She was holding on to the rabbits with a baffled expression. She, Wya and Ralf just stared at one another.
In the stable, Jennie snorted as she lowered her head and continued to enjoy her feast.
“What’s up with the two kids?” Aida glanced at Jennie under her cloak and shook the rabbits in her hands.
“You know.” Wya sighed and touched his nose.
“It’s so good to be young.”
A distance away, Count Lisban stopped walking. He turned slowly and shot a glance in the stable’s direction.
‘Yes. The archduchess used you as a target to release her anger, Prince Thales. However, she only knows how to use you as a “target”.
‘This is where the problem lies.’
With a profound gaze, Regent Lisban turned and left.
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)
______