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 570 - What Do I Need You For
Chapter 570: What Do I Need You For
Translator:
EndlessFantasy Translation
Editor:
EndlessFantasy Translation
In the swaying carriage, Thales and Raphael sat across from each other wordlessly.
Thales appraised the Secret Intelligence agent who had been through thick and thin with him in Dragon Clouds City and recalled their previous farewell in the tunnel.
Raphael looked content. His dark red eyes seemed somewhat cheery.
Like how he was at their first encounter, confident and wise.
‘Why is he always so confident?
‘But then he always carries out messy and appalling work that require others to clean up after him.’
At this thought, the youth who had left Ballard Room not long ago became gloomier.
“Shouldn’t you be playing cat and mouse with Star Killer in the north? When did you return?” Finding Raphael’s mysterious smile unbearable, Thales broke the silence.
The corners of Raphael’s lips curved upwards as he looked out the window. “Recently.”
‘Look at that. What an answer.
‘Could he have responded any more ambiguously?’
Thales coughed. “Those who are still at Dragon Clouds City, Wya and Ralf, and Putray…”
“Safe.”
Raphael’s reply was concise, not revealing much.
Thales frowned.
“Gilbert said he couldn’t find you for the past few years in the Secret Intelligence Department…”
“Confidential.”
“So at the Imperial Conference earlier, you disguised yourself…”
“Concealment.”
“So why are you bringing me to the Secret Intelligence Department?”
“Important matter.”
After a few rounds of back and forth, Thales, who felt like he was conversing with Yodel, chuckled out of exasperation, and asked sharply, “Can’t your answers be longer?”
Finally, Raphael turned to face him. There was profound depth in his red eyes.
“But you were the one who told me earlier, that if I spout another word of nonsense…
“You would ask Miss Miranda for her hand in marriage?”
Thales choked. After a few seconds, he sighed and felt both mentally and physically exhausted.
‘How petty.’
Thales waved a hand resignedly and quit the game. “I was just kidding, alright?”
Raphael chuckled and leaned on the wall of the carriage comfortably.
“I know,” he replied cheerily, “Me too.”
Thales forced a half-smile.
“Is there a point in being so flippant?”
“Nope.” Raphael appraised the prince’s speechless and disgruntled face. “It’s just fun.”
Thales was stumped for words, so he merely sighed.
After a few minutes.
“Raphael, have you seen Miranda in the past six years?”
Raphael raised his eyebrows. “You want to know the truth?”
“Of course.”
“I’ll have to lie then.”
Thales took a few seconds to digest this information. “Oh.”
The prince nodded. “What about…seeing Kohen?”
“Who is that?”
“…”
The carriage continued to sway for a few more minutes. Thales let out a sigh.
“Raphael, if you plan to never leave the Secret Intelligence Department.”
The prince cast a serious look at the Barren Bone man. “What does she mean to you, then?
“And how do you face her?”
Raphael looked up to reveal his pair of ruby eyes. “Why are you asking this all of a sudden?
“And showing interest in a subordinate’s love life.”
Raphael smiled sarcastically.
“What about you?” he asked in return, “What does she mean to you, Your Highness?”
Thales leaned on the wall of the carriage and sighed, “I told you I won’t marry Miranda…”
But what Raphael said next silenced Thales. “But I’m not talking about Miranda.”
Silence filled the air.
The scenery outside the window changed gradually from city streets to country roads.
Thales remained wordless.
“In Dragon Clouds City, you shared a close relationship and were inseparable.”
Raphael looked northwards and continued in a brisk tone, “Can you really give up this relationship?
“And become strangers from here on out?”
Thales clenched his teeth.
“Stop diverting the topic, Raphael,” the prince chided, “I have nothing to do with her.”
Raphael chuckled, unperturbed.
“If you are destined to become king of Constellation, Your Highness, and orchestrate everything from Ballard Room…”
From what Thales could tell, the Barren Bone man’s words had become sharp as a blade.
“How are you going to face…her?
“Face your beloved?”
Thales was annoyed.
“I’m only going to say it once, Raphael,” the prince turned around and sneered, “We’re not that kind of relationship. Absolutely! Not!”
“What kind of relationship?”
“Why do you care.”
“But…”
“No buts!”
“I just want to say…”
“Don’t!”
After a series of back and forth, Raphael let out a long sigh and surrendered. “Alright.”
Thales scoffed and crossed his arms.
The Barren Bone man lamented, “It’s just such a shame that you don’t like her…”
Thales turned further away.
“You know, after much effort, we selected the finest grains for her and prepared to bring her home…”
Thales froze momentarily, then looked over.
“Finest grains, bring her home? Wait a minute, who are you talking about?”
“Who else?”
Raphael turned around.
“The fine steed that the Secret Intelligence Department carefully chose for you out of thousands of candidates…”
Raphael flashed a wide grin. “Jenny, of course.”
Thales was silent for a good ten seconds. He leaned against the carriage as it swayed with the wind.
Then he raised his middle finger expressionlessly.
‘F*ck you.’
Raphael was amused by his expression.
Thales swore crossly, that if Raphael tried a joke like that again, when he became king, his first order would be to marry Miranda.
Ah, god knows how much he missed Kohen in that moment.
Raphael sat back in his seat.
“Feeling better?”
“Not at all.” Thales looked dispirited. “But thank you anyway for providing such a lively atmosphere.”
“You’re welcome.” Raphael was unbothered by the resentment in the prince’s words. “In any case, you’re only going to feel worse later.”
Thales’ mood that had slightly improved took a nosedive again.
“Is this related to the incident last night?”
A shadow was cast over Raphael’s face.
“What else?”
When the topic reverted to official matters, the relaxed atmosphere disappeared completely.
The Barren Bone man sighed.
“Fourteen hours ago, when I was busy organizing reports about the Alliance of Freedom war, I received news of an incident at the royal banquet—it seems that you are capable of stirring up trouble wherever you go.”
Raphael shook his head and clicked his tongue.
Thales grunted irritably, “Depose me then. Change my identity and let me disappear. Do you believe I can be a law-abiding citizen for the rest of my life?”
Raphael cast a sideways glance at him.
“You? Law-abiding citizen?
“Do you believe it yourself?”
Thales was temporarily at a loss for words.
“So about last night,” Thales steered the conversation back to the topic of concern, “The grievances between Crow Caw City and Mirror River, that is, between Byrael and Doyle, what is the truth behind it?”
Raphael was silent for a few seconds.
“His Majesty has ordered the court and Nobility Affairs Center to take charge of the case.
“Out of the principle of neutrality, I suggest that you not get involved…”
Thales yawned loudly.
“To be honest, Raphael, why do you think I’m not dancing with the fair ladies at the banquet until dawn, but inhaling the stench of your sweat in this shoddy carriage?”
Raphael adjusted his posture and took a whiff of his own collar inconspicuously.
“Or do you think I’m as gullible as Kohen, or as forgiving towards you as Miranda?”
Thales winked at him. “Why don’t you think of it as giving me some… insider information?”
Raphael frowned.
Thales raised an eyebrow. Half intentionally, he allowed his gaze to fall on Raphael’s sleeve.
The latter’s forearm was as fair and perfect as ever.
It was hard to imagine that that was once…
The Barren Bone man was silent for a moment, and instinctively adjusted his cuff.
“You shouldn’t drag personal relationships into this.” His red eyes sparkled. “You’re the prince, I am a servant, we have to handle things by the book.”
‘Huh, who was the one that kept implicating personal relationships along the way earlier?’
“If it was someone else, perhaps.
“But you’re different, Raphael,” Thales coaxed, somewhat sincerely, somewhat routinely, “That night in Dragon Clouds City, was different.”
Raphael turned to look at him.
“By the way,” Thales added, “If we are to cooperate for the next fifty to sixty years and see each other at the Imperial Conference, it’s best that we learn how to get along from now onwards.”
Possibly persuaded by the last sentence, Raphael took a deep breath and sat up straight.
He said with a serious expression, “From the information gathered by the Secret Intelligence Department, this incident was an unfortunate tragedy.”
That’s right, tell me something I don’t know—Thales nodded humbly as he shoved this sentence back down his throat.
Raphael continued, “Baron Doyle is a bungling oaf through and through. His biggest merit is shamelessness.
“Contrarily, he has been lucky in that he got remarried to a business expert. For these past years, she has excelled in managing the household and accumulating wealth—or should I say, in speculating and toadying and raking in wealth from various sources—so as the Doyle family grew richer, they have become more daring, and have extended their reach further and further, unbridled…”
Thales recalled Baron Doyle and his wife, and nodded with a shudder.
Raphael scoffed. “On the other hand, the governors of Crow Caw City aren’t saints either. They were already harboring ulterior motives when they took out the loan.
“Old Byrael is poor with finances and management, but is an expert in traditional noble skills like coercion, intimidation and extortion. The number of victims of his defaults, fraud and threats for these past years—who can only suffer in silence—is sufficient to form a team of guards, and perhaps have a few leftover to join the reserves.”
Thales frowned as he listened to all this.
“It’s only been a day since the incident. The Secret Intelligence Department has already managed to investigate to such depths?”
Raphael burst into laughter and shook his head.
“Of course not.
“But we realized that there has long been a record of one of the parties in this case at the Department of Finance: Master Kirkirk Mann has been monitoring the Doyle family and their gray income for some time, waiting for the pigs to fatten before slaughtering them.”
‘Chief of Finance Kirkirk Mann has been monitoring the Doyle family for some time?’
Thales gradually understood.
Raphael continued disdainfully, “So there was no need to investigate. Overnight, our men simply transferred the monitoring reports and investigation dossiers that have been accumulated over the years—of course, the people at the Department of Finance might not be too happy about being intercepted.”
‘Department of Finance, overnight, intercepted…’
At this point, Thales had an odd expression on his face.
He recalled how Kirkirk Mann lost his composure when rejecting the budget proposal in the conference that morning.
Now that he thought about it, Kirkirk Mann didn’t lose his composure at all…
He literally lost a fortune!
The fact that he didn’t flip the table over was considered courteous.
“That’s how the stinking rich and greedy Doyle encountered the brusque and unscrupulous Byrael…”
Thales let out a sigh and said resignedly, “They’ve really met their match in each other.”
Raphael nodded.
“Normally it wouldn’t have been a big deal. After nobles clash, brawl and cause a ruckus, both families will generally, according to custom, turn up at the negotiation table when they are at a stalemate…”
Raphael glanced at Thales.
“But it was then that Legendary Wing left Blade Fangs Camp and the orcs and Barren Bone people launched a surprise attack, leading to the unfortunate death of Old Byrael who was stationed there.
“The balance was now in disequilibrium.”
Thales pressed a palm to his forehead in frustration.
‘Why is it me again?’
But Raphael continued narrating, “On top of that, the social-climbing Baron Doyle of Mirror River has recently managed to associate himself with a bigshot in the royal family that has recently returned to Constellation, so he’s been able to swagger around the capital and hold his head up high.”
Thales was visibly upset.
But Raphael had to elongate the words as he repeated, “Big—shot—in—the—ro—yal—fa—mi—ly. Get it?”
Thales sighed.
‘Why is it still me?’
“If that was the case, it would have been fine. It would have just been one side winning over another, one family benefiting and another declining.
“But Byrael’s eldest son returned from Tower of Eradication—as you’ve witness, he’s a reckless fool.
“With a brain full of radical ideas that are not held by traditional nobles in this country, he decided to make news at a banquet.”
Thales withdrew to a corner of the carriage and mashed his lips together numbly.
‘Why is it always me?’
Raphael ended helplessly, “That’s why, Your Highness, you have to inhale the stench of my sweat right now.”
After he said this, both of them sighed and crossed their arms.
“So, Anker Byrael, how is he now?”
“We are still interrogating him according to procedure, from his motives, to the process, to the mastermind behind this,” Raphael replied calmly, “From how I see it, of the ‘guests’ that the Secret Intelligence Department has received, that kid is pretty tough.”
‘Interrogating…’
Thales felt a gloom in his heart.
“What else is there to interrogate about,” the prince said indignantly, “the mastermind is Zayen Covendier. That guy admitted it to me directly last night.
“He should be the one bearing the stench of your sweat right now.”
Raphael revealed a peculiar expression when he heard this name.
“I think you should probably know, Your Highness…
“The Guardian Duke of South Coast, Zayen Covendier has left the capital for Jade City this morning due to urgent family matters.”
Thales was initially shocked, before comprehending.
‘He’s slipped away fast.’
“Of course. As the mastermind, he has to save his own petty life,” Thales sneered with arms crossed, “I’d call that urgent.”
‘If the then Archduke of Beacon Illumination City knew to sneak away like Zayen did, perhaps he could have avoided having his neck broken by King Nuven.’
But Raphael’s tone turned somber. “Before he left, Duke Covendier sent His Majesty the ‘Petition of Jade City on Alternatives to Service’.”
Thales did not understand. “What?”
Raphael glanced at Thales. “He applied to His Majesty for vassals under Iris Flowers to voluntarily pay new taxes every quarter according to their needs, and thereby be relieved from military service and labor service—Jade City is a prosperous commercial city, many suzerains are willing to do so—so the Covendier family will lead by example and contribute taxes to the royal family as an alternative to service, to make up for the deficiency in the kingdom’s recruits by subsidizing the regular soldiers of the royal family.”
It took Thales a few seconds to wrap his head around this.
‘What?
‘Covendier family will lead by example…
‘Contribute taxes…
‘Alternative to service…
‘Subsidizing the regular soldiers of the royal family…’
In the next instant, Thales sat up in shock.
“This issue was just discussed at the Imperial Conference… But this seems…too fast?”
‘And it was a major issue that involved the rule of the suzerains of South Coast.
‘Unless beforehand, it was…’
Raphael shrugged. “The official announcement will likely arrive this afternoon.”
‘This afternoon.’
Thales remembered what his father said in Ballard Room.
“We’ll continue in the afternoon, and discuss how to help Kirkirk solve the budget issue.”
‘In the afternoon.
‘Budget.’
In that moment, something clicked.
“Zayen. Him and my father, they’ve…” Thales was incredulous. “F*cked,” he swore heatedly.
The prince turned to the Barren Bone man in disappointment.
“So our Duke of South Coast won’t be held accountable, will he?
“At least not for instigating an assassination and threatening the Duke of Star Lake?”
Raphael patted his shoulder sympathetically.
“Not only that. The Secret Intelligence Department has to allocate manpower to ‘dispel rumors’.” Raphael was disgruntled. “Someone is spreading ignorant ravings that ‘the Duke of Star Lake accused Covendier publicly last night.”
‘Ignorant ravings…’
Thales took a long time before he put away his expression of disbelief.
‘Surely not.
‘Is it not enough to benefit in reputation and wealth…
‘He wants to manipulate public opinion?’
“So I’ve messed up your affairs again?” Thales asked dully.
“It’s alright,” Raphael replied dejectedly, “The Secret Intelligence Department is used to it anyway.
“Six years ago I established a special emergency response team. You are their favorite by far—you’ve greatly increased their sense of existence and budget quota.
“By the way, their nickname is ‘The Prince’s Ass’…”
Thales, who was deep in depression, frowned.
“The prince’s what?”
The Barren Bone man raised his chin listlessly.
“You know, every time you finish pooping,” Raphael shot a cheeky wink at Thales, “You have to wipe your ass.”
Thales was dumbfounded and speechless.
Rafael gave him another flippant smile.
“Alright, Covendier…”
The prince seemed to have figured something out. He sighed in exasperation and buried his face in his palms.
“I really should have ended him last night…”
“What did you say?”
“Nothing.” Thales removed his head from his palms and asked solemnly, “Anker Byrael, what will happen to him?”
Raphael put away his look of suspicion and replied, “If His Majesty has no other opinion on the matter, the court will convict him…
“But as far as the facts are concerned, he barged into the royal banquet, harmed his noble peers, threatened the Duke of Star Lake, attempted to assassinate a member of the royal family, treated the authority of the royal family with contempt…”
Hearing Raphael list the crimes, Thales felt heavyhearted recalling Anker’s look of despair and their last conversation.
“If I let go, what should I do?”
“I don’t know, but I’ll try my best.”
“I tried my best.”
“No, you didn’t. You haven’t met me.”
Thales clenched his fist subconsciously.
“What about his family? His relatives?”
Raphael gave him a look but did not respond.
Thales sighed.
But his gaze quickly turned incisive. “Listen up, Raphael.
“If I say, with your help, the Duke of Star Lake has to intervene and influence a certain result, is that possible?”
A gleam flashed across Raphael red eyes.
“Depends on what you intend to do,” the Barren Bone man replied cautiously, “Different options yield different results.”
Thales was silent for a moment.
“Alright then, from the hardest to the easiest.”
The prince gave it some serious thought and posed three questions tentatively, “Prison break?”
“Release?”
“Or at least—avoid death?”
Raphael repeated these three options in his head, then gave a convivial smile.
Without beating around the bush, he gave three corresponding answers empathetically, “Impossible.
“Impossible.
“And—impossible.”
Silence lingered within the carriage for a full minute; only the grinding sound of the wheels could be heard.
“Raphael Lindbergh.”
“Your Highness?”
“What do I need you for!”
“Alright, there’s one last option.”
“What?”
“Get crowned as king.”
“This isn’t funny.”
“I know.”
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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