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 557 - Relieved
Chapter 557: Relieved
Translator:
EndlessFantasy Translation
Editor:
EndlessFantasy Translation
In the empty banquet hall, Thales and Zayen faced each other from afar.
In the distance, the crowd thinned as guards and servants were still seeing off the nervous guests, whom from time to time looked over cautiously but in awe.
“Now?”
Zayen’s surprise lasted for only a second before his genteel upbringing restrained his expression.
The Duke of Iris Flowers did not speak, and ignored the few anxious glances cast at him from a distance. He merely paced through the mess on the floor towards Thales.
Thales looked at him coldly.
Until Zayen stopped in front of the short sword.
“So you just took a shot in the dark, bluffed, and tried your luck?”
The master of Covendier looked at the short sword on the ground, calm and half-smirking.
He appeared leisurely and contented, without any trace of losing his composure nor consciousness that accompanied one’s conspiracy being revealed and scheme being exposed—just like at the National Conference six years ago, when Thales uncovered “New Star’s” plan.
This made Thales doubly uneasy.
“I wormed it out of him,” Thales said without a change in expression.
“That this sword was given to him by a certain guest, and not obtained by some other unknown means.”
The prince glanced towards a few exits.
“Unfortunately, the security for tonight’s banquet was strict.
“And there were hardly any guests who were allowed to enter without being searched.”
Zayen suddenly said, “Why is it me then?”
He seemed genuinely curious. Someone who did not know any better would think the two dukes were talking about some interesting anecdote.
And not a disturbing political conspiracy.
Thales furrowed his brows slightly.
The youth suddenly realized that, compared to his impression of the newly promoted, young and promising Duke of South Coast from six years ago, Zayen’s aura now was much more reserved, and his build had become much sturdier too.
‘He’s changed,’ Thales silently told himself.
He was a little less lively and dazzling, and a little more somber and staid.
A thought flashed across Thales’ mind: his experience in the North might have made him stronger, sharper and more capable.
What about Zayen, who had been in Constellation for the past six years?
“Our talk collapsed,” Thales said calmly as he maintained the sophistication and decency of the Duke of Star Lake, “Before the banquet started.”
Zayen’s gaze shifted.
“But halfway through the banquet, you impatiently came over to chat about political gains and losses.”
Thales stared directly into Zayen’s eyes. “Or, put more simply…
“You were looking for a conversation when we had nothing much to talk about.”
There was a brief silence.
Thales looked towards the pillars of the hall in the distance, at the blurred figures of servants who were hurrying about to clear up the aftermath of the banquet.
“I know you’re polite, Zayen. And that you’re shameless.
“But not to this extent.”
Zayen nodded slowly and his lips curved upwards, as if he was savoring a glass of fine wine. “Couldn’t I just have wanted to chat with you…”
Thales interjected coldly, “You noticed it.”
Zayen’s gaze froze.
“You noticed that the royal guards were frequently shifting about to strengthen security. You realized that someone had unexpectedly discovered Anker’s existence in advance.”
The youth stared at the solitary short sword lying on the ground, and strode forward. “You couldn’t sit still.
“You had to hold me back, to ensure that the plan went smoothly, to ensure that, even after the king left, Anker’s target would still be present.
“That was your most glaring mistake.,”
Zayen did not speak.
“And in my experience, every time you fishily come over to make a good impression, something bad happens.”
Thales stopped in front of the short sword and looked directly the Duke of Iris Flowers as he called him by name, “Zayen Covendier.”
‘Old friend,’ Thales silently said to himself.
Zayen laughed, seemingly unperturbed.
“You’re too mistrustful, Your Highness.
“Perhaps because you’ve been schemed against and harmed by various people?”
Schemed against, harmed by.
Thales brushed off the images of Nuven and Chapman in his mind, as well as that of The Black Prophet, and chuckled, “And perhaps you didn’t realize, Zayen, the topics you mentioned tonight when we had nothing to talk about…
“King and vassals? Land and security? Governance and resistance?”
There was sarcasm in Thales’ words. “They reflected your thoughts.”
Zayen’s smile faded slightly.
“Before today, you’ve probably long agonized over the matter between Crow Caw City and Mirror River, and the grievances between Byrael and Doyle, as well as how to profit from this opportunity.
Thales ignored Zayen’s expression. He looked around at the countless furniture and dinnerware broken as a result of the commotion caused by Anker. He scoffed. “And all this—jeopardizing the authority of Renaissance Palace, driving a wedge between the Seven Jadestar Attendants, provoking conflict between nobles, revealing contradictions in governance…
“Is just to give me trouble?”
In the distance, Glover and Procca, who had just seen the last batch of guests off, was about to enter when they were halted by Mallos.
The watchman looked at the two who were confronting each other and shook his head.
The lights were still bright and Mindis Hall was quaint as ever, but compared to the lively scene before, the banquet hall was now quiet, cheerless, and empty.
Only Thales and Zayen were left, silently facing each other.
Lying horizontally between them was the short sword and its sharp blade.
After a long while, Zayen walked towards a long table nearby, picked up the wine glass left for him by his butler, and filled it with the renowned wine from Sera Dukedom. “Like most people from Western Desert, Anker Byrael is both realistic and pragmatic, and not someone who can easily be swayed by words.”
Thales frowned as he observed Zayen’s actions.
Zayen raised his wine glass, leaned on the long table and turned around.
“How were you so sure that he would give up?”
He appraised Thales carefully, as if trying to fit the youth in front of him with the boy from six years ago.
“And not go for broke in a fit of rage, go on a rampage and cause bloodshed?”
Anker Byrael.
Thales turned his head sideways; a shadow flashed across his face.
“Because he’s just like you,” he said solemnly.
Zayen swirled the wine glass in his hand then smelled the wine. “Oh? How so?”
Thales looked at the wine glass in Zayen’s hand and felt that he, too, was thirsty.
“Before becoming a chess piece, he was a person.
“He’s a person. A very complicated, yet very simple person.”
The Duke of Star Lake reached another long table, swept the obstructing debris away, and picked up a random wine glass.
He did not care who had drunk from it before. With a flinging motion, he poured away the remaining liquid in the glass behind him.
The wine hit the floor and a few drops splashed onto Zayen’s boot, causing the master of Iris Flowers, who was savoring the aroma of the fruit wine, to frown.
Thales grabbed a jug of water, leaned similarly on the long table and turned around.
“Regardless of who instigated him, influenced him, or what compelled him, all his thoughts and actions, ultimately, stem from himself.”
Zayen quietly moved from his original spot.
“You were previously acquainted?”
“No,” Thales filled his glass, “But the intel report mentioned that he has a younger brother and three younger sisters, all of whom are still young and live in Crow Caw City,”
Thales’ gaze was fixed on the wine glass in his hand.
“That made me think: if he dies avenging his father, what will happen to them?”
Zayen looked at him and grinned slightly.
Thud.
Thales put the jug down forcefully.
“Charge in here alone to air his grievances, kill his enemy and avenge his father.
“It sounds grand and satisfying,” Thales said solemnly as he stared at his reflection on his wine glass, “But in reality, this doesn’t solve anything: the royal family will not tolerate the assassination. His act will only be regarded as a crime committed in contempt of order, and as a bad example which ruins stability, attracting severe punishment to serve as a warning to others.
“As a Byrael, this will only cause their family that’s already in dire straits to perish.”
Zayen smiled even more subtly.
And Thales’ gaze gradually froze into ice. “But when I thought of him having to duel against Doyle, I understood.
“Anker did not want to kill anyone, nor even seek justice. Perhaps revenge was merely a pretext.”
Thales looked up suddenly.
“Under the trifecta of stress from his father’s huge debt, the betrayal of his vassals, and Doyle’s plot, he—inexperienced and at his wit’s end—merely wanted to fight for the last bit of security for his family: win public sympathy, force the royal family to act and guarantee that his family can safely survive this adversity, so that they won’t go bankrupt, lose their land, and be entirely ruined.”
Zayen was still calmly savoring the aroma of the wine, but did not drink it.
The prince’s tone started to become tense. “He took the risk, not for revenge, not for justice, but merely to fight for a future.
“And in order not to leave any loose ends and achieve his goal perfectly…”
Thales clenched his teeth.
“He had to die.” Zayen looked up and finished Thales’ sentence coldly.
Thales suddenly became distracted; he recalled Doyle’s decisive expression before the latter went into the duel.
The Duke of Iris Flowers’ voice lingered in the hall. It was faint yet mysterious. “He could only use the justifiable revenge and justice as excuses, bear everything, and use his death to erase all the blame and hatred.
“It would be even better if he could die honorably. It would attract praise and be dramatic and memorable.
“Like a hero.
“Becoming a blameless, perfect victim, only leaving behind yearning and sympathy.”
Zayen observed Thales’ expression and said musingly, “Only then can the cruel, selfish and hypocritical crowd be at ease and allow themselves to feel empathy.
“Only then will the royal family and the kingdom, under pressure, after this tragedy, have no alternative but to offer assistance and take care of his destitute family, salvaging them from ruin.”
Ripples started to form on the water in Thales’ wine glass.
Like waves on the ocean.
“Anker Byrael.”
Thales was expressionless. “He’s not the type of selfish hero in legendary stories that everyone likes, the type who, out of anger, sacrifices himself for a righteous cause and leaves his family behind to mourn for him.
“Neither is he the type of scum that sees red and kills everyone in a rampage just because he feels trapped or because of some bullshit idea.”
Zayen stared silently at Thales; there were no ripples in his glass.
The prince gradually looked up. His gaze was deathly still. “He is just a run-down gentleman from the countryside with a family, with siblings.
“Bearing responsibility and suffering in silence in his difficult life.
“Someone who, under domineering power, struggles tirelessly to support his family and seek a lifeline for his loved ones…”
Thales’ breathing quickened. “An ordinary person.”
‘That’s why Anker was willing to back down,’ Thales thought bitterly.
‘He had to back down.
‘Because he was not alone.
‘He wasn’t living only for himself.’
At this thought, Thales could no longer suppress his anger. He raised his voice, “And you, Covendier, you took advantage this, took advantage of his humanity, took advantage of his purpose in life, the things that he cared about and were most fundamental to him.
“And made him your chess piece.”
Thales words were chilling. “To get at me.”
Zayen looked at him silently, and only breaking into a smile after a long while.
Like a warm spring breeze.
“Weren’t you the same?”
Thales shuddered.
Zayen gently swiveled his wine glass and watched the liquid inside rotate orderly and smoothly in one direction. “Did you not also take advantage of this and ostensibly ‘persuaded’ him, but actually compelled him?
Zayen’s smile turned cold.
Thales’ wine glass trembled.
“Not long ago, when Byrael came to me,” Zayen’s tone was casual, “I saw a pitiful man who was scared and desperate, who wanted to seek help from the Iris Flowers family, well-known to be approachable.”
A flash blazed across the eyes of the Duke of Iris Flowers. “He needed hope.
“So I gave him hope.”
Zayen paused and raised his eyebrows. “Maybe even relieving him of the weight he was under.
“I told him that if he wanted to reverse his family fortunes, there was only one person he could turn to.
“Someone who has returned with a godsend halo. A ‘newbie’ who was different from the kings on thrones and the rulers in power.”
Thales gritted his teeth and stared at the water in his wine glass sloshing around.
Zayen walked away from the long table towards Thales, and continued in a pleased tone, “Until you decided to duel.
“Until you smothered his hope with power: regardless of whether he wins or loses in the duel, lives or dies, whether he kills the prince or never gets the case retried, his family will never see the light of day.”
Thales shuddered and closed his eyes.
The master of Covendier scoffed, “You took advantage of his humanity and forced him to give up on the duel, even forcing him to drag out an ignoble existence. The extent of your selfishness deprived him the mercy of death.
“The extent of your cruelty only surpassing mine.”
Thales was speechless.
The Duke of South Coast strode forward leisurely and stepped across the short sword on the floor.
“Do you know what future he will face after he walks out alive tonight?”
Thales’ breathing stopped.
Covendier reached Thales. His smile was enigmatic as he swiveled his wine glass. “Who’s the ruthless one now, Your Highness?”
Thales was silent for what seemed like an eternity.
He merely stared at his own wine glass.
He watched the water in the glass transition from rolling endlessly to wild waves then returning once again to calm.
Just when Zayen put away his smile and was about to turn around…
“Aren’t you going to drink it?”
Zayen frowned.
Thales looked up. His expression was indifferent as he stared at the wine glass in Zayen’s hand.
Perhaps he was slightly surprised, but the Duke of South Coast looked at the wine in his hand and still replied cheerfully, “In terms of aroma, it’s not as good as Jade City imports.” Zayen shook his head and looked regretful as he swirled his glass. “But to drink…
“It’s not, not my preferred taste.”
Thales said nothing but merely scoffed.
In the next moment, he raised his wine glass and downed the water in it.
All of it.
The Duke of Star Lake finished his drink and relieved his dry throat. He wiped the corners of his mouth, unbothered by the optics of such inelegant behavior, then flung the remnants in the wine glass.
Zayen stepped back silently as water droplets splashed towards him.
Thales stood upright and left the long table!
“Why?”
Thales strode forward and interrogated coldly, “Just because I did not agree to your terms earlier? To collude lovingly with you?”
Zayen stood firm, but he frowned and realized: Thales was striding forward, straight at him.
“Or did you make up your mind to fall out with me and fight me till your last breath?”
Thales walked towards Zayen until they were within a foot of each other. The short sword was left emanating a cold gleam on the ground.
It was as if there were sparks when their gaze met.
Zayen glared at Thales, his leisurely expression slowly fading.
“This is a warning.”
Thales scoffed. “Warning?”
Zayen grinned and addressed him directly by his name, “At the banquet, I came to you on purpose, Thales.
“To be honest, I wasn’t afraid that you would find out it was me. No. I should say, I wanted you to find out.”
Thales frowned.
“It wasn’t just to create an opportunity for Byrael,” Zayen sneered, “but to give you a last chance, Thales.”
Zayen lowered his wine glass and leaned in towards the dejected Thales. “Byrael’s actions were all spontaneous. I merely guided him towards a clear path, gave him a slight nudge, and in passing, play a chess move.
“But you’re having a tough time handling it as it is.”
He pressed close to Thales’ ear, whispering like a lover, but in a chilling tone, “Can you imagine the scenes when the chess game gets serious?”
Thales did not reply, but merely clutched his wine glass tighter.
“I want you to know, Thales, I want to teach you: this is my response.”
The Duke of South Coast’s tone was uncharacteristically harsh, “My response to you offending me, rejecting me, and even threatening me after six years.”
Thales froze.
Zayen’s breath left his earlobe.
The person before him morphed back into that affable, warm and youthful Duke of Iris Flowers.
But after a short few seconds, Thales took a deep breath.
He chuckled.
“Me? Reject you?”
Thales’ expression changed. He carefully sized Zayen up from head to toe.
Upsetting the latter.
Until the prince jested sarcastically, “Sorry, I didn’t know you like men.
“My dear Zayen.”
At that moment, Zayen’s eyes suddenly turned cold.
But Thales was unfazed. He even raised his left hand, gently put it on Zayen’s right shoulder, then similarly leaned close to the latter’s ear, shook his head and tutted, “Otherwise I would have been a little more gentlemanly when I rejected you earlier.”
Zayen stopped smiling.
He did not move, nor look at the hand on his shoulder. He merely stared coldly at Thales.
“If you choose war, Thales, and are determined to be my enemy.
“Then this chess move is just a beginning.”
Zayen looked at Thales as if he was looking at a corpse. “Prince of Constellation? Duke of Star Lake? Protection under royal power? Good reputation? Loyalty of subjects? Experience in the Northland? Noble stance?” he asked rhetorically with a frigid and flat tone.
In the next moment, Zayen raised his left hand and held on to Thales’ left hand!
“I can destroy them,” there was viciousness the Duke of Iris Flowers’ every word, “One by one.”
Feeling the force from Zayen’s wrist, Thales pursed his lips.
“Here, on a chessboard familiar to me, I can make you wish you were dead.”
Zayen’s gaze was so sharp it could cut through flesh and pierce a heart. “When we stop pretending to be cordial to each other, when that time comes, even if I sacrifice everything, I can and will make you pay the most bitter price.”
The Duke of South Coast scoffed and moved Thales’ palm.
But to his surprise, instead of letting go, the prince who had kept silent swiftly grabbed Zayen’s wrist with a countermove!
Zayen’s gaze froze.
But what made him displeased and disgusted was not this act itself.
“Was it because of that conversation?” Thales asked softly.
“Six years ago, before I was about to leave Eternal Star City for the North, our parting conversation.”
Six years ago.
Leave Eternal Star City…
Conversation.
One second, two seconds.
Zayen’s gaze, initially bewildered, sank into deep frost and finally emanating indignance.
“Because I asked about your lineage, your family?”
Thales’ voice was faint. It flowed into Zayen’s ear like poison flowing into blood vessels. “And the secret about their misfortune?”
Whatever expression Zayen had instantly vanished from his face.
In that moment, the Sin of Hell’s River within Thales stirred for no apparent reason!
Almost making him lose his composure.
In that same moment, Thales knew, he had made the right move.
This was it.
Thales restrained the impulse of Power of Eradication, looked at the Duke of South Coast again and said through gritted teeth, “See?
“In a way, there’s not much difference between you and Anker.”
Thales felt a resisting force against his arm, trying to struggle free, but he clutched on tightly to Zayen’s wrist with no intention of relaxing his grip—at least he could not let the ever-elegant Zayen break free elegantly.
“Yet you ask me who the ruthless one is?”
Thales glared at Zayen, at his vacant expression, at his Blood Clan-esque grim face.
“It’s up to you.
“Zayen Covendier.”
Silence.
Deathly silence radiated from their indifferent gazes.
In the hall, the atmosphere between them finally plunged to freezing point.
The royal guards waiting outside while the dukes were negotiating seemed to sense something and wanted to rush over, but were halted by Mallos.
Finally, Zayen turned around, avoided Thales’ gaze and stopped struggling to break free.
Instead, he laughed.
“You know.
“From John the Black Eye, to Herman the Southerner, Alan the Ascension King, Midier the Oath Keeper, Erica the Conqueror of the North…” Zayen again became leisurely and artful, but the immense coldness of his gaze revealed the truth, “In history, many Constellation kings have punished Eckstedt.
“And do you know what I’ve learnt about dealing with Northlanders?”
Thales frowned.
Zayen stopped pushing Thales away, but instead pulled him closer and whispered calmly, “Before they fuck you…
“Fuck them to death.”
Thales’ gaze turned cold.
“Stop copying what I said.”
But Zayen grinned.
“You think, after you’ve survived the Born King, that you are entitled to be complacent and egocentric?
“Polaris? Hahahaha…”
The master of Iris Flowers continued softly, “Trust me. Emulating Nuven the Seventh’s ways in Constellation will only make you die a faster, more miserable and more bizarre death.”
Thales felt a chill in his heart.
This version of Zayen was more disturbing than the brooding and sullen Duke of South Coast.
In the next moment, Thales’ wrist flexed as Zayen shook it off forcefully!
“Manage your men well, Your Highness.”
The Duke of Iris Flowers was beaming. “Like I said, times have changed.
“Things are not as before.”
Thales said nothing.
His threats…
Were ineffective.
Or…
Were they too effective?
Zayen took a step back and brushed his shoulder nonchalantly, like there was a smudge. “You wouldn’t want to be fucked to death by me, Your Highness.
“Before you encounter a real enemy.”
Thales’ expression changed.
He slowly looked up.
“The only enemy I can see, so far, is you.”
Zayen burst out laughing as if he heard a funny joke.
“The art of choosing friends and enemies is a skill, Your Highness.
“Constellation is peaceful and prosperous, with a bright future ahead of it,” his smile remained, but his words became more subtle, “Those in view are friends.
“Those whom you can’t see, are enemies.”
Zayen raised the wine glass in his hand. There was still wine in it, its color still fresh.
“Let us rather die for friends than perish as foes,” he said warmly.
He smiled, then immediately loosened his grip.
Thales pupils narrowed.
Crash!
The wine glass hit the floor and shattered to pieces, scattering glass everywhere.
Every piece of broken glass reflected the light in the hall and cast curious glimmers and shadows.
Zayen did not linger; he turned around to leave.
“That’s my property,” behind Zayen, Thales uttered coldly as he looked at the broken glass.
“Indeed,” Zayen replied without turning back around, “That’s why you’re distressed about it.”
Thales frowned.
“Aren’t you afraid?”
Watching Zayen walk further away from him, Thales could not help but yell, “Acting like this in Eternal Star City—openly challenging the authority of the royal family, driving a wedge between Jadestar and their vassals, damaging the relationship between Renaissance Palace and Western Desert, endangering the heir of the kingdom.
“Or are you still banking on the Jadestar royal family dying out so that you can succeed the throne?”
Thales stared at Zayen’s back and continued in a hushed tone, “My father won’t be happy.”
Zayen sneered.
“After this incident tonight, you’ll probably have your hands full tomorrow.”
Even then he did not look back, leaving his back to face Thales as he answered loudly, “But if you have time, you should visit Byrael in jail.”
Thales was stunned.
“Trust me, His Majesty will be pleased.”
Zayen’s voice became more and more distant as it echoed, “You might be the only one who’s unhappy.”
Thales pondered, “Why?”
“I told you, this is just a warning.”
Zayen’s strides were graceful as usual, and his posture was composed and elegant. “So I left you a little surprise reward.”
Thales was confounded.
“Be smarter, Your Highness. Know your place.”
Emotion gradually faded from the Duke of South Coast’s voice, “I told you, the next time will be a declaration of war.”
What?
Declaration of war?
Thales looked at Zayen incredulously; his annoyance, fury, and loathing was concentrated on the latter.
‘What the hell is this damned, pompous f**cker up to?’
Next time?
Did he still think that it was Thales who offended him tonight?
Shocked and infuriated, Thales wasn’t sure whether to laugh or to be angry.
Zayen’s figure exited the hall as he rejoined his butler.
“It’s over?”
Thales heard Mallos’ footsteps behind him.
The prince sighed.
No.
It’s just the beginning.
At the thought of the ordeal he experienced today, and what he would face tomorrow…
This was only the first day, the first banquet.
After forcing himself to put up a poker face for the entire night, Thales exhaled and sat down exhaustedly. He said indignantly, “I still don’t understand why he hates me so much.”
Thales scoffed. The more he looked at the broken glass on the floor, the more he felt disgruntled, to the point that he wanted to smash the empty glass in his hand to vent his anger.
But halfway through the motion, the distinguished and affluent Duke of Star Lake took a few deep breaths and, bitterly but rationally…put the glass back down on the table.
“As if I ruined his entire family,” Thales said glumly.
Mallos arrived behind Thales and nodded silently. “Did you?”
The prince turned around and rolled his eyes.
“I relieved Doyle in advance. He has to go back and settle his family down,” Mallos seemed to have gotten used to the duke’s death stare, as he continued to report calmly, “Of course, tomorrow…”
Tomorrow.
Oh no.
Thales covered his face and groaned, interrupting his personal guard captain.
“By the way, Mallos.”
The watchman pricked up his ears.
“Your ad-hoc sniper squad,” Thales looked up wearily, “They haven’t been relieved, have they?”
Mallos glanced outside.
“No. Why?”
Since they haven’t been relieved…
Thales scoffed and cast a glance towards the Duke of South Coast.
His expression was somber and his words were chilling, “So if I order them to stealthily track and assassinate Zayen Covendier…”
“No,” Mallos replied instantly.
Thales frowned. “Why?”
“Because,” Mallos turned around and replied casually and unabashedly, “They have been relieved.”
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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