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 391 - Happily Ever After
Chapter 391: Happily Ever After
Translator:
EndlessFantasy Translation
Editor:
EndlessFantasy Translation
Under night curfew, only the barely discernible sound of the wind could be heard in the streets of Blade Fangs Camp.
The two people in the small house stared at each other in silence while immersed in their own thoughts.
“After witnessing the tragedy that hit Black Sand Region, as well as the changes that transformed Beacon Illumination City, I sank into a period where I felt the most dejected, depressed, defeated, and fed up. I even argued constantly with my father during those days. I returned to my old fiefdom and locked myself up there.” Quick Rope silently watched the flickering light from the lamp. “Then, in a field belonging to a remote countryside, I met Diana.”
Thales could not help but frown when he heard the unfamiliar name. “Diana?”
Quick Rope remained absent-minded. “She seemed to be a shepherdess that was very plain and common.
“That afternoon, I told her impatiently that I was the relative of a nearby disciplinary officer, and that breaking into her goat pen was just an accident. I also told her that I would never steal her goats. Her eyes immediately sparkled and she asked for a compensation of twenty silver coins for her frightened dairy goat.”
Quick Rope was immersed in reminiscing about his past, he giggled. “She lost a female nanny that was producing milk, but immediately afterwards, she went towards extorting a fat wallet with loads of money. Why shouldn’t she?
“Just like that, we got to know each other, a domineering shepherdess, and a goat-stealing thief who abandoned himself to despair.”
Thales observed his face and saw that his eyes were filled with incredible tenderness. He could not help but ask, “What’s so special about her?”
Quick Rope lifted his head and curled the corner of his lips.
“Oh, Diana was the most special girl I had ever seen,” said Quick Rope with an interesting face. He sounded smug, just like a man bragging to his neighbor about his wise and kind wife. “Especially since she was raised by a vulgar, short, old man with a quick temper.”
“She was always smiling, lively and wild, even after her adoptive father passed away. Even in the eyes of the Northlanders, she was not reserved. The dwarf she had for an adoptive father taught her how to herd goats by waving a hammer. Oh lord, it was painful when she struck me with her shepherd’s crook.”
Moriah (not really, since he changed his name and abandoned his family name) was still smiling. Thales could feel the relaxed tone that was unique to Quick Rope as he grumbled. Obviously, he did not dislike Diana’s crook as much as he said it.
“Diana was working on two jobs, one was herding and milking the goats, and the other at the inn. She was a smart girl who couldn’t be bullied.”
When he spoke of the girl, Quick Rope beamed with joy. “She once brandished the cane and chased five or six thieves away. She also beat the sh*t out of the dirty-minded village chief. She also once used her flowery words to coax the guests who molested her into emptying their pockets. She knew how to trick the master of the inn, and even fought back against the master’s daughter who bullied her.”
As Quick Rope described her, Thales looked down and formed a picture of the unusual shepherdess in his mind. Fierce and cheerful, waving the crook in a way that made her seem like a fierce and adorable wolf cub, using its forelimbs to safeguard its food by baring its teeth and brandishing its claws.
“Often and with glistening eyes, she counted the coins that were hidden under the bed, but that money wasn’t her dowry, she didn’t keep one like what the other girls did. She did not rely on some man who was willing to marry her or make do with spending the rest of her life with him, neither was she dressed up to the nines, hoping to be some big shot’s mistress… because she always believed that her life would not be restrained by anything.
“She was just the opposite of me.” Quick Rope’s eyes dimmed. He watched the light with an infatuated expression. “She believed that one day, she would earn enough money and ride a horse carriage that would carry her away from the village and lead her to the harbor in the Elaphure City. She would buy a boat and become a female seafarer who would explore the world, spend the rest of her life in perilous situations and mirages.”
‘A female seafarer.’ Thales thought of something and instinctively glanced in Quick Rope’s direction.
“But she didn’t know that, other than passengers, sailing boats would never admit women as they think women on the sea are an inauspicious sign.” Quick Rope looked down, the corners of his lips remained curved up. “An old sailor told me that the Maiden Guardian of the Ocean does not like her kind.”
Thales did not say a word.
“I’m not sure if it was love or not, or if it was only naive affection, but at least when I lay down next to Diana, sniffed the sweet smell of goat’s milk from her body, watched her cheerful and lively smile, or even when I tasted the softness on her lips, I could forget a lot of things that didn’t turn out as I had wished.”
Quick Rope said with a blank face, “It was only in front of her that I was Moriah, and not the heir who was a walking dead man. I could say my real wishes and thoughts out loud, I didn’t have to disguise my globetrotting dream as wanting to become a mercenary to show that I was a tough Northlander warrior.”
Quick Rope stopped talking, as if he was remembering how he felt at that moment.
The moonlight was hidden behind the clouds, the low-quality lamp oil was slowly burning away, the simple and crude house made of clay slowly became even darker in the night.
No one wanted to reignite the fire.
“What happened afterwards?” Thales asked in the darkness.
Quick Rope inhaled and changed his posture. He looked as if he had just snapped out of his daze and continued his story.
“Just like that, as I traveled between Dragon Clouds City and my fiefdom, I witnessed the dark twistedness of power while I basked in Diana’s cheerful gentleness.
“For Diana’s sake, for her dream to travel around the world, I went against my heart and did as my father asked except for his requests for me to get married. I tried my best to convince him again and again that the future Archduke of Dragon Clouds City must marry a wife that matches our political interest, so we couldn’t rush the matter of my marriage.
“My father was actually pleased with me. He thought I had finally come to my senses since I knew that I had to weigh what was good and bad for Dragon Clouds City. Even though he didn’t know the reason behind my sudden motivation in this game of power, he couldn’t care less. He probably thought it was just the same as teaching Soria.”
Quick Rope snorted, there was a faint hint of sorrow in his laughter.
“But, of course, this couldn’t go on forever. My father still got me a potential wife who wasn’t bad in his eyes. He wanted me to see her in the name of revising the Fortress Treaty, even though she and her family lived in the land of our enemies.”
‘Fortress Treaty… Land of the enemies.’
In that second, Thales looked up abruptly. He could not hide the surprise on his face. “So, your diplomatic mission six years ago…”
Quick Rope nodded and sighed quietly. “Yes. Six years ago, according to the plan, after revising the treaty, Dragon Clouds City was to propose to the noble descendant of the Empire, Duke Arunde’s only daughter, who was also the Lampard Family’s enemy for generations.”
He shook his head in disdain. “Even though we hanged the former Duke Arunde in Cold Castle around ten years ago.”
Thales frowned. “Miranda? How can that be?”
Quick Rope sighed. “Be it the marriage proposal or the treaty, both were only part of his strategy. My father didn’t want to let Constellation recover slowly after the battle, neither did he want to allow the Archduke of Black Sand Region to use the fortress as an excuse to arm his forces and refuse to listen to his orders. He wanted to test King Kessel and the Arunde Family, and provoke the Archduke of Black Sand Region. The reaction of these three people would tell us what step to take next.”
“So this was the importance of your diplomatic mission,” Thales said dazedly.
“To prepare for the next battle or negotiation, be it with Constellation or Black Sand Region.”
New Star and Dragon’s Blood. He tightened his hold on his arm.
Quick Rope snorted coldly. His voice was filled with sarcasm. “That’s right. Regardless of if it was to bring the Northern Territory to our side, to cause division to Constellation’s internal structure, to revise the treaty for personal interests, or to suppress Black Sand Region and take the opportunity to add to my prestige in the selection of the future king… My father… he always planned so well. He aimed to kill more than two birds with one stone. He could turn a simple matter into something else filled with all sorts of traps, and there will always be a profound and long-lasting significance behind each of his actions.”
When King Nuven was mentioned, Quick Rope became quite low-spirited.
“Don’t play against him in a game of chess, Thales, because you will never know how deep and profound his tricks are in the game. You wouldn’t know how many trump cards he has up his sleeves either.” Quick Rope looked indifferent. “As for the people who are wrapped around my father’s finger and are completely ignorant about it… Well, they are incredibly sad existences, aren’t they?”
‘”Don’t play against him on the chess board… wrapped around my father’s finger and are completely ignorant about it…”‘ Thales’ breathing quickened.
He recalled his conversation with King Chapman in the horse carriage. When King Nuven was mentioned, both he and Chapman could see the reverence and fear in each other’s eyes, from the bottom of their hearts.
Who would have thought that someone who died years ago could still put them in such a difficult situation?
Quick Rope’s words were filled with complicated sorrow. “My guess is that Chapman and Conkray finally realized this one point in their countless fights against the king: do not play against King Nuven.”
Both men were silent for a little while.
“What happened next could probably be the template for a lot of knight’s tales and bardic poems,” Quick Rope said with a reluctant smile. “My father finally realized that his son and heir actually fell head over heels in love with a shepherdess from the countryside, and fought against his mission over this.”
Thales raised his eyebrows. “So the Born King was not too pleased with this, I suppose?”
“‘Not too pleased’?” Quick Rope snorted coldly and said with faint resentment, “Your choice of words are too polite, Thales.”
“What happened after that?” asked Thales.
Quick Rope paused for a while. In that moment, his silhouette in the darkness became desolate and mournful.
“My father confidentially dispatched his men to my fiefdom, Thales.”
Quick Rope said in a dejected tone,
“He found Diana. He found her.”
There was a long period of silence. It was quite a while before Thales managed to open his mouth to force the question out of his mouth. “What happened?”
Quick Rope did not seem to have the motivation and desire to go on, but in the end, he spoke again. This time, his voice was hoarse.
“Diana died.”
The man who spoke sounded like a walking corpse. He did not move and seemed lifeless. “She died on the day I received the news and rushed back to my fiefdom.”
Thales held his breath. Quick Rope continued emotionlessly, as if he was narrating a story about another man, “I pushed the White Blade Guards away madly only to see her body, left out cold for a long time in her goat pen; there was still a smile on her face. She was poisoned to death.”
Quick Rope’s voice quivered. There was a slight hitch to his voice and it was filled with fear and regret.
“They told me that she took her own life by taking the poison, but… Thales…”
Poisoned.
In that moment, Thales recalled that night in Heroic Spirit Palace.
Thales thought of King Nuven’s exquisite ring, Triumph. He thought of the girl who once lived, Alex.
Thales immediately felt a chill crawl down his spine. The Prince of Constellation held back from saying anything.
Only Quick Rope’s agonized panting could be heard in the house. Finally, he calmed down his emotions.
“Shackles…”
Thales came around. “What?”
“The shackles of power, Thales.” It was unclear when it started, but there was faint determination in Quick Rope’s voice. “That night, I stared at Diana’s dead body dumbly, just like when I had stared at Soria’s dead body, and…
“…I suddenly understood that I never managed to free myself from those shackles.”
Thales listened quietly, but the underground tomb of Renaissance Palace rose in his mind, along with the large and small pots and jars made of stone.
Raymond Pass in Black Sand Region.
Ghost Prince Tower in Blade Fangs Camp.
*Thud.*
Quick Rope leaned back, the back of his head hit the wall heavily.
“Ever since I was born, I was controlled by this pair of shackles. I was shackled when it wanted me to control myself to behave, when it wanted me to be content with the present situation and be a compliant and harmless viscount. I was also shackled when it pushed me to change the way I lived and become an ambitious king who intimidates all my people. I never escaped.”
He gritted his teeth and said, “The shackles were loose at one time, then tightened at another. It dragged me forward and backward, and the whole time, I deceived myself and others into thinking that I was free from them… I finally understood.”
Quick Rope came to the edge of the bed. He put his legs on the ground, his elbows were on his knees as he leaned forward and fixed his eyes on Thales.
Quick Rope’s tone caused Thales’ heart to tense up. “I had to either obey, yield, and let it chain my body and mind tighter and tighter, or abandon it entirely so that I can maintain my true self.”
Thales stayed quiet.
“Moriah was long gone, Thales. He did not die when he was assassinated by the Constellatiates, or when he fled from Heroic Spirit Palace,” Quick Rope said in a freezing tone, “He died when he became King Nuven’s son and began his life as part of the Walton bloodline.
“So that night, I climbed the Black Track laboriously out of Dragon Clouds City. There, the man named Moriah was brought to life for the first time since he was born. He no longer lived for others, and he no longer lived as the version of the person he was supposed to be in another person’s eyes.”
In the darkness, Quick Rope’ eyes sparkled. “On that day, I saw myself use my own hands to save myself and change my fate, and once I had shattered all my delusions and escaped out of pure luck, I completely abandoned those shackles which were called power but was imprisonment in reality. I said ‘no’, loud and clear, to it and everything it represented, including the restraints forced on me disguised under the pretty name of ‘responsibilities’; including the hypocrisy and pretentiousness that were claimed as ‘virtues’; including deception regarded as ‘righteousness’.”
Quick Rope’s voice faded away, only his determination and resolve remained in the air. After quite some time, deeply moved, Thales forced words out of his mouth.
Thales sighed and said, “That’s why you chose to leave… even if you may have to bear the bad names of being a coward, a weakling, or a deserter.”
Quick Rope laughed disapprovingly. “You may think whatever it is that you like, but I—”
However, the next words from Thales stunned Quick Rope a little.
“Maybe sometimes, compared to submitting to the gazes of those from the world and taking a path that is planned by others for you, forging your own path may require even more courage.”
There was some semblance of sentimentality in Thales’ voice.
The way Quick Rope looked at him changed slowly. There was no longer a barely discernible mocking look in his eyes, but seriousness and solemnity. “…Maybe.”
Moonlight pierced through the clouds, casting silver rays on the ground. The two princes watched each other in silence.
Thales could feel resolution and determination in the other man’s eyes, along with some barely noticeable hesitation and bewilderment.
Thales could not hold himself back from asking, “But how did you do it, Mo-Quick Rope? How did you keep yourself from turning back? Those… Can you really let go of it that easily? After you left, have you ever regretted your decision?”
This time, Quick Rope was the one who was taken aback by his question. He sank into deep thought. There was a moment where Thales could see a bit of conflict in his eyes.
At last, Quick Rope managed to unfurrow his brow.
“Six years ago, when I survived the sea and heard about the upheaval in Eckstedt, and the news of my father’s death… I was indeed shocked. I fell into despair and regretted my decision.”
Quick Rope let out a deep sigh. “But as I have said before, my father’s ending was destined, with or without my presence.
“As for Dragon Clouds City and Eckstedt… If I was there, they could have been in a better situation, but they could also be in worse. I don’t think that they would become better or worse solely because of me.”
In that second, Quick Rope was like an old sailor who had been through countless trials and hardships, and was telling his story around the fireplace at sunset after he had returned from his final voyage.
“I do not want, and cannot be too greedy. I can’t attempt to control matters that are beyond me. If there could be two outcomes in history, should I be weeping bitter tears over the devastated Dragon Clouds City in my absence, or should I be cheering excitedly because Dragon Clouds City survived, because I wasn’t there?”
Thales was stunned.
“All I could do was this: I could only save myself. Only this. And that is enough,” Quick Rope said airily.
“And I was here, either in the desert or at sea. I tried my best to keep the small crew fully operational, I helped maintain the business of a small tavern, I helped a small group of mercenaries survive, I helped these small groups of people whose numbers I can count with one hand.”
Quick Rope glanced through the window at the mottled wall outside the house and the somber alley. “As a matter of fact, I don’t think what I’m doing here, or the values I can find here, would be more insignificant or less valuable than acting like a powerful person who can’t be affected in any way while I moved my bargaining chips around in the secret chambers of Dragon Clouds City. I do not think that the values I gain here are less important than the ones I would gain when I chat frequently with the suzerains on topics related to history, our mission, the kingdom’s welfare and the people’s livelihoods.
“I have merely… chosen a life that belongs only to me.”
Thales listened quietly, the surprise in his eyes could not be concealed. Finally, the Prince of Constellation looked away and let out a long breath.
It was like he had just fought a hard battle and became somewhat tired.
“I’m sorry, Quick Rope.” Thales leaned against the wall and smiled a little as his whole body relaxed. “Earlier, I said some inappropriate and presumptuous words to criticize you. You know, when I suddenly met the culprit who caused me to be held hostage in another country for six years…” Thales spread his arms.
Quick Rope looked up with smiling eyes. “I understand. So, have you calmed down? Is the interrogation over?”
The two men looked into each other’s eyes with a smile, the once unfamiliar enmity between them dispersed slowly.
“Yes. I get it now, it was your choice,” Thales said softly as he let go of the grudge he held in his heart. “And I have no right to comment. I respect your decision.”
Quick Rope took a deep breath. He opened his mouth and said two words, but there was a wave of sentimentality that he could not hold back in his voice, “Thank you.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I don’t fully agree with your opinion”—Thales moved his waist to ease the pins and needles in his back caused by the lack of blood flow—”especially about how history works or how you think of responsibilities.”
Quick Rope winked at him. “But you said this: you respect my decision. This is far more precious than a complete agreement.”
Quick Rope stared quietly at the features on Thales’ face in the darkness. He smiled. “Thank you.”
Thales raised his eyebrows. He hummed softly. “Alright. I’ll accept it.”
However, Quick Rope shook his head. “No… That was for Alex.”
At that moment, Thales stiffened.
Quick Rope stared at Thales with a serious expression. “In your stories about Dragon Clouds City, you mentioned many things that are regarded as secrets. The battles, calamities, Lampard, the coronation… and you spoke of them all as if you personally saw them, but you never mentioned yourself.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Either you are bluffing, just like those vendors by the streets who hear all sorts of rumors… or you are Thales Jadestar, who was personally involved in all of it at the time.
“So, thank you for helping the current Archduchess of Dragon Clouds City during that horrifying night.”
Thales let out a deep breath. He scowled and said, “Didn’t you just say that your results in Politics class was very bad?”
Quick Rope shrugged and smiled again. “Naturally I can’t compare to a certain person who slaughtered everyone with his words during the National—”
“No.” Thales shook his head. Before Quick Rope could speak, Thales already answered his own question, “I’m thinking, Quick Rope, that you’re probably very smart, smarter than most of the nobles who look very conniving and sly.” He continued with a sigh filled with emotions, “But your teacher never noticed.”
Quick Rope’s smile froze a little, then he sniggered before continuing with the earlier topic.
“I know how that girl is,” Quick Rope said faintly. “Other than her mother’s looks, she also inherited her father’s pride and arrogance. Alex might have a hateful personality, but she isn’t a bad girl. Since no one controlled her behavior when she was a child, she became a little willful.”
Thales felt his heart clench. ‘Alex…’
As he listened to Quick Rope speak of the girl in his memories, Thales felt that his heart had become empty. What he saw before his eyes was how she had spasmed in pain before she passed away.
‘No.’ Thales felt as if his soul had left his body as he thought in a daze. ‘No, Moriah… He still doesn’t know. He doesn’t know…’
“I feel relieved knowing you’re protecting her.” Quick Rope chuckled. “So, thank you, Thales. Thank you for doing so many things for her, be it those that I know of, or those that I don’t.”
‘But… but she… the girl in his memories has already…’ Thales gritted his teeth.
Quick Rope narrowed his eyes and looked at him, then changed the topic of conversation. “Be careful, Thales. I may have just said that regardless of whether someone cares about you, or whether you care about someone in your heart… but the love between you two is even more difficult than the one between me and Diana.”
During that instant, Thales was frozen. ‘Love?’
Thales said with a sigh, “Quick Rope, you’re mistaken—”
But Quick Rope interrupted him, “Don’t think that this won’t affect you, Thales. In this era, bloodlines and family backgrounds are a curse.”
Quick Rope placed a hand on his knee, and pointed at Thales with the other. His expression was stern. “With your status, someday there will be someone, be it your family, friends, someone with a great reputation, or someone you trust, they will come before you and tell you in no uncertain terms that, for a greater benefit, for the greater good of more citizens, and for a grander goal, you must give yourself up along with your life, your love life, your freedom, and that you must submit to them; that you have to become their slave and join their games.”
Thales was stunned.
“And your choices will determine who you are.” Quick Rope stared at Thales, making the latter incredibly uneasy. His expression did not change. “But no matter what you choose, no matter what you sacrifice or keep, you have to make sure that they are your decisions, Thales. Don’t let others make them for you.”
The former Prince of Eckstedt narrowed his eyes. “You absolutely must not let them make those decisions for you.”
Thales stared at him in a daze. At that moment, he had mixed feelings in his heart. His mind was filled with pity for Alex, guilt for lying to Moriah, worry for Little Rascal’s future, the myriad of emotions towards the shackles of power, and not knowing whether he wanted to laugh or cry from this misunderstanding. These emotions were stacked together so tightly that they filled his mind.
He felt incredibly complicated and had no words for it.
“As for me, don’t worry.” Quick Rope quirked an eyebrow, and his smile was simple and sincere. “Once I settle matters with Dean, I’ll go far, far away. I won’t return to Dragon Clouds City, nor show myself. I won’t cause trouble for my niece, and of course I won’t cause trouble to you. This is my promise to you, the promise of a Northlander.”
The light was too dim. He did not notice the awkward look on Thales’ face and said seriously, “If you truly love her, then Thales, you and Alex will have my blessing, even though I can’t say it out loud, you have Moriah Walton’s blessing.
“Separation is just temporary. I hope the two of you will meet each other soon, and that everything will end well for you.”
‘Hope that… Alex and I… will meet each other again soon? Meet where, exactly?’
The boy’s face twitched slightly. He did not know whether he should tell Quick Rope the truth or reject his blessing. In the end, he sighed and did not say anything.
In the face of the hopeful Quick Rope, the Prince of Constellation forced an awkward grimace.
“Thanks… Thank you, I guess.”
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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