After Thales tried his best to reject the cup of rye wine, he breathed a sigh of relief under old Kaslan's regretful gaze.
They rested for a quarter of an hour. Viscount Kentvida turned his head and nodded at the Fire Knight, Tolja.
"Get ready!" Tolja ordered his soldiers. "We're ready to depart! We must reach Prestige Orchid Region before tomorrow night! "
Upon hearing their commanding officer's words, Eckstedt's officers and soldiers stood up in unison. They left behind their wine money and walked out of the tavern.
The Constellatiates looked at Thales.
Thales glanced at Putray, shrugged, and jumped off the bar counter.
But just as he waved at old Kaslan and was about to leave …
"Brat, wait!"
Kaslan left the bar counter and walked towards Thales.
Thales only then realized that this old man was extremely tall. Kaslan was almost seven feet tall. He had to raise his neck to an angle that he could barely look up at him.
Fortunately, Kaslan squatted down in front of him.
"You want to apologize to King Nuven, don't you?" Old Kaslan said slowly, "And I also heard that it is to repay Prince Moriah for his misfortune in Constellation."
"Yes." Thales exhaled. "Let's see if King Nuven will be interested in my head."
Kaslan's gaze on him changed slightly.
The old man sighed. "When I was your age, I only knew how to chase sparrows behind my brother's butt."
Thales smiled faintly.
But before Thales could speak, Kaslan continued, "Damn those messy political schemes of the nobles. They never show mercy, don't they?
"I don't care if you are seven or seventeen … God knows how Prince Moriah died. It's a pity, he was a good lad."
"This …" Thales looked surprised. "Thank you for your understanding … Sir Kaslan …"
"Listen," Kaslan said flatly.
"I once served under Nuven. To a certain extent, I am quite familiar with him."
'This tavern owner knows King Nuven?'
Thales was slightly stunned. He turned to look at Kentvida, who was not far away.
'Why did they bring me here? Is it really to rest in the middle of the journey? '
Kaslan sighed softly. "He was a good king when he was young, a typical burly Walton man."
"I still remember Nuven Walton standing at the Thirty-Eighth Sentry Ground, swinging his flail at the attacking orcs."
"At that time, he was generous, tolerant, and just. He could stand in front of an Orc's axe for a nobody. Every warrior thought it was an honor to die for him."
"Oh?" Thales' eyes brightened. "That's good. It looks like at least he won't be a king who will simply order me to be beheaded."
"But people change."
The old Kaslan exhaled. His gaze became misty and unfocused. "Nuven is also human. He will grow old. There will come a day when he will be bewitched by slander and women, and be controlled by desires and impulses."
"Although he has the blood of Raikaru Eckstedt, he is not a perfect dragon or hero."
"Especially … he's a father who lost his son."
Thales could not help but be stunned.
Kaslan lowered his head and stared at Thales. "Be careful, Constellation's Second Prince."
"Eckstedt uses the Great Dragon as its flag, but for the past six hundred years, we have only worshipped the Great Dragon's strength, learned the Great Dragon's pride, and cast the Great Dragon's wisdom and wisdom to the back of our minds.
"Although we claim to be the children of the Northern Wind and the Dragon, the shackles of the Empire on our shoulders are no less than Constellation's."
"What do you mean?" Thales widened his eyes. "Do you mean that Eckstedt's domestic situation may be worse than we think?"
"Child, take care." Kaslan only shook his head and gently placed his hand on Thales' shoulder. "Since you paid but did not drink, consider this a bit of advice from me."
Thales could only spread his hands. "Thank you for your advice …"
'Unfortunately, it's useless.
'What will come will come.'
No matter what, he had to face Nuven the Seventh.
"Right." Kaslan hesitated for a while and suddenly exhaled. He smiled and said, "If you run into any irreversible crisis in Eckstedt … when even King Nuven can't save you …"
'King Nuven can't save me?'
Thales was puzzled. 'What does that mean?'
"There is a butcher shop on Dragon Clouds City's Westbound Road. Its signboard is a dagger." Kaslan snorted. Under Thales' furrowed brows, he said in a low voice, "The boss is a Far Easterner with the surname Gu. He owed me a favor in the past. He is an extremely daring fellow and often does things that violate the law.
"If you want to ask him for help, just say 'six and a half dollars'."
Under Thales' astonished gaze, the old man Kaslan slapped him hard on the shoulder again!
The second prince staggered again.
As Thales grimaced in pain, the old man before him slowly stood up and laughed heartily.
"The next time you come, remember to drink my rye wine!
That is the symbol of a man! "
Thales smiled awkwardly and left before Putray revealed a murderous gaze.
Kentvida frowned as he watched Thales and the Constellatiates leave.
Then, he slowly walked to the bar counter and turned to the old man Kaslan.
"You saw it, right? The next King of Constellation." Kentvida's gaze was cold. "You saw how different he is. He has matured and changed. What were we doing when we were seven years old? What was King Nuven doing when he was seven years old? "
"Hmm." The old man Kaslan stared at the door of the tavern and said slowly, "This child's gaze is indeed different from other people's."
He could not see reverence or nervousness in the child's eyes, only interest and curiosity.
There was also an enigmatic confidence and determination, as if they had never wavered.
'This is not the gaze of a child who is thousands of miles away from home and afraid.'
"This is the next opponent that Eckstedt will face … I am almost certain that when he grows up, he will definitely become Eckstedt's greatest enemy." Kentvida curled up the corners of his mouth and knocked on the bar counter. "Unfortunately, the archduke cannot attack him directly.
"When did we Northlanders become cowards who would scheme against and fear even a seven-year-old child?" Kaslan said disdainfully in a low voice, "Maintaining a country amidst conspiracies and fear … This is something that only a shaky Empire would do."
"Of course," Archduke Lampard's strategist said softly, "For this, we need a better king, not an old and muddle-headed person who does not enjoy his position and does not have to be a hot-blooded person who is still wet behind the ears."
"Hmph." Kaslan grabbed two wine glasses and placed them in the window of the kitchen. "So, Chapman Lampard is really a good candidate?"
"I believe that you still love Eckstedt and the Dragon's Kingdom deeply." Kentvida fixed his gaze on him. "Even though King Nuven chased you out of the White Blade Guards."
"Hey!" The old man seemed to be particularly dissatisfied with this sentence. "Nuven did not chase me away!
I left on my own! "
Kentvida did not speak. He only stared at the old man.
'Really?'
After a few seconds, he said slowly, "So, you still don't agree?"
"So you still don't agree?"
Kaslan shook his head mockingly. "I am just a tavern owner. What can I agree to?"
"'Kaslan the Earthshaker', as the former leader of the White Blade Guards, your name still spreads among them. Your story is still being sung in the Thirty-Eight Sentry Grounds," Kentvida said slowly, "As long as you say the word …"
"Why? Do you want me to use my influence and connections to convince my old subordinates to stand on Chapman's side?" Kaslan snorted in disdain.
"I believe that you will make the best choice for Eckstedt." Kentvida's expression was indifferent, but his gaze was sharp. He stared straight at the old Kaslan.
"Kaslan Lampard …"
"You are, after all, the archduke's uncle."
Kaslan raised his head abruptly.
"And the most famous commander of the White Blade Guards since Eckstedt was founded," Kentvida said flatly.
"In the upcoming storm, you are destined to be unable to remain unscathed."
'Of course, it might not be just' convincing my old subordinates'.
'After all, the White Blade Guards are the king's personal guards. They are responsible for the safety of the common-elected king of Eckstedt …' Kentvida thought silently.
"Do you know what this reminds me of?" Kaslan interrupted his thoughts.
Kentvida curled the corners of his lips politely into a smile.
The old man stared at him coldly.
"Quiso Lampard was asked by the Empire to convince his fellow countrymen to cooperate with the Empire, pay taxes obediently, and stop resisting.
"If I say no, will that brat Chapman exile me to Reformation Tower as well?"
Kentvida frowned.
"Go back and tell my nephew," Kaslan said slowly but firmly, "Go to hell with Lampard."
"Go to hell with Rumba."
Kentvida sighed and shook his head as expected. "Then, you should at least be able to help me with the second favor."
Kaslan snorted coldly. "All of you are always concerned about benefits, aren't you?"
Kentvida narrowed his eyes. "This time, it has something to do with that prince."
Kaslan put away a few cups again and ignored the viscount.
"There are people in Eckstedt who want to assassinate that prince. Whether it's to frame the archduke or to mess up the situation," Kentvida said with a dark expression. "They even used the officer spy lurking in our Mystic Gun Unit."
"You know that I hate these dirty politics the most." Kaslan raised his head and said bluntly, "I don't want to know anything —"
"What happened next is related to you," Kentvida interrupted him in a deep voice. "The archduke sent a letter yesterday saying that we found a clue about the officer spy in the black market, but it was intercepted halfway."
"What does it have to do with me?" Kaslan said rudely.
"Those who intercepted the clue halfway used the sword style of the Tower of Eradication, an unusual Power of Eradication, and they were definitely not from the Tower of Eradication."
Kaslan was stunned.
"Go on." The old man became solemn. "What is the Power of Eradication?"
"I know you will care about it …" Kentvida said sharply, "It's the one you mentioned a long time ago, the frenzied and out-of-control Power of Eradication … I remember that you are still working for the Tower of Eradication?
"It's just to return a favor to Shao." A nostalgic look appeared in Kaslan's eyes. "After all, it's been so many years since I graduated …"
But he immediately looked at Kentvida seriously. "What else?"
"The supra class Swordsman of Eradication under us, Kroesch … Do you remember her? She's the daughter of your comrade, that strong little girl. She was heavily injured in their hands and almost lost her life.
"She's the only one who escaped."
Kaslan clenched his fists.
"The clues we've been pursuing have been cut off. The only clue we have left is that strange Power of Eradication …" Kentvida said sincerely, "We need your help … even if it's for the Tower of Eradication, not for Lampard.
"The person who is as famous as' Gray Sword Guard 'Shao, the pride of the Tower of Eradication, the pride of the White Blade Guards —' Ground Shaker 'Kaslan Lampard."
—
A few days later, in the lounge of the House of Legacy in the Tower of Eradication.
"We can be sure that the Disaster Swords do not have the complete inheritance of the Northland Military Sword Style." One of the supreme class inheritors, Zedi Taffner, sat on the table and said to his student, "Even if it's outdated, it's still a set of sword style meticulously researched by countless swordsmen and wizards … And the House of Legacy has the most complete security system.
"We can start from here …"
"Alright, alright, alright … Continue looking for books here, Zedi."
The exhausted Kohen Karabeyan leaned against the table and knocked on the table leg. He rubbed his reddened eyes. "I can't take it anymore. But I'll remember these good times, the days when I sneaked into the Truth Library with my teacher every night …"
Zedi's face instantly darkened.
"Are you giving up?" his teacher said in displeasure. "Are you giving up on the investigation of the Disaster Swords?"
"I'm not giving up," the blond police officer, Kohen said angrily. "But do you know how many books are in the Truth Library?"
"Then, I just received a letter from a beautiful lady yesterday …" Kohen ignored Zedi's unpleasant expression and yawned. "I'm going to return a favor."
'Jala.
'Is that her name?'
Kohen touched the letter in his arms and the corners of his mouth curled up into a smile.
'That cool girl with dual blades.'
However, at this moment, a stern and cold old voice came from behind the teacher and disciple.
"Zedi Taffner."
"Kohen Karabeyan."
Both Zedi and Kohen trembled at the same time!
* Thud! * Zedi jumped off the table in a fluster and fell to the ground due to a moment of carelessness.
* Thud! * Kohen nervously bounced up from the ground and ended up hitting his head on the table.
The two of them were in a flurry. One rubbed his knees and his face was contorted, while the other touched his scalp and grimaced in pain.
They stood up with difficulty and tried their best to stand straight. They put on their most obedient and friendly smiles and looked at the cold, gray-haired old man from the Far East who had appeared out of nowhere with a sword hanging from his waist.
"Ah! Shao! When did you come back? They all said that you went to Sharp Blade Valley for an inspection … "This was the heir of the Tower of Eradication, Zedi Taffner, who raised his hands and bowed with a face full of smiles.
"Master Shao! Ah, this time when I came back, I planned to visit you first. I even specially brought you Constellation's specialty … "This was Kohen Karabeyan, Constellation's police officer cum captain of the city defense, rubbing his hands together with a flattering expression.
But the gray-haired old man, Shao, ignored their smiles.
"The table in the lounge is not for dancing." Shao stared at Zedi, who had a flattering expression on his face. His cold voice made Zedi's smile even more awkward. "The heir must set a good example!"
"Of course, of course." Zedi Taffner nodded sincerely and humbly.
Then, he turned to Kohen. His steel-like stern face scared the latter. "Since there are chairs, don't sit on the ground."
"Hmm, yes, yes." Kohen listened to Shao's teachings seriously.
The two of them smiled and nodded repeatedly. They were as respectful as they could be.
What a joke, this was the master of the Tower of Eradication, the Gray Sword Guard!
The lightest punishment he could give his students was to stand upside down with one hand for ten hours!
And the crimes that were worthy of the lightest punishment — for example, taking too long steps while walking was not in a good posture!
The Gray Sword Guard stared at them coldly.
Zedi and Kohen stood straighter than the other.
Fortunately, Shao only snorted in the end and did not say anything else.
The two of them secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Until Shao said his next sentence.
"I heard," Shao said slowly, "that you have sneaked into the Truth Library many times these few days?"
Zedi and Kohen were petrified on the spot at the same time.
"This … listen to my explanation." Zedi smiled awkwardly. "That … you were not around, right? Kohen found some clues about the 'Disaster Sword', so …"
"This is for the Tower of Eradication, for the 'Purgers'." Kohen used the words he learned in the police station and patted his chest righteously. "We are for the 'Disaster Sword' —"
But Shao's solemn and deep voice rose slowly and interrupted them.
"Very well." The Gray Sword Guard's expression was solemn. "Kohen Karabeyan."
Kohen immediately puffed out his chest and raised his head solemnly. He stood straight.
"Go to Eckstedt immediately," Shao said slowly. "An old friend called Kaslan needs help."
"Huh? Kaslan? " It was Zedi. He looked at Shao in surprise. "You mean that drunken Northlander uncle who uses a sword as an axe?"
Shao turned to him. His cold gaze forced Zedi to shut his mouth.
"But …" Kohen scratched his head awkwardly. "I have to return to Constellation to help a friend first …"
"Kroesch, do you remember? She was in the same batch as you," Shao said in a low voice. "She was injured by the Disaster Sword … She might never be able to use a sword again in this life."
Kohen looked up with a stunned expression.
'Kroesch …'
The image of a Northlander girl with a buzz cut holding a sword and gritting her teeth under the scorching sun appeared in his mind.
And her white teeth.
"Alright." The police officer turned around without hesitation and said firmly to the two scions, "I will go and prepare immediately … How serious is the situation? Do I need to bring my family's private army? "
"Bringing a Constellatiate noble's private army into Eckstedt," Zedi said in a low voice. "Are you out of your mind?"
Kohen nodded in realization.
"You will not be the only one," Shao said in a low voice. "There is another person who will meet you on the way … She has just joined the 'Purgers'."
Kohen was instantly stunned.
—
Broken Dragon Fortress.
"Be careful on the way. Although Lampard has retreated and the war has not started, it is still Eckstedt." Sonia Sasere, the Fortress Flower, looked at Miranda Arunde, who was ready to go. She chuckled and said, "Although I really want to suggest that you bring the Arunde Family's private army …"
"This is the border between the two countries," Miranda said softly. "It is impossible to cross the border with the army."
'Moreover …
'Arunde …'
Miranda clenched the White Eagle emblem on her cuff.
The Fortress Flower looked at her subordinate and sighed. "It is good to go and hide. After all, your uncles and brothers from the Arunde Family are really annoying …"
Miranda bit her lip and did not say anything.
"This is not to hide," she said faintly.
"Alright, alright, alright." Sonia helplessly held her subordinate's shoulders. "This is for a friend, right?"
Miranda gently patted the white sword hilt at her waist and nodded.
'Kroesch.
'A girl who never gives up.'
"We are learning under the same teacher," Duke Arunde's daughter said coldly. "When she is in trouble, I must be by her side."
'I do not have much left in this world.
I must cherish it. '
Miranda recalled the light and bright figure in white in her memory, and his always cheerful and optimistic tone.
She could not help but smile.
She turned around and stepped into the stirrup.
"Don't worry, commanding officer. I am not some helpless little tabby cat.
"Besides, I won't be fighting alone." Miranda Arunde nodded at Sonia from her horse. "An old friend will be coming with me."
"Once the matter is settled, I will return."
She flung the reins and galloped out of the fortress's gate.
Sonia looked at Miranda's retreating figure and the faintly discernible White Eagle emblem on her back. She sighed.
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