Before Thales could react, the attendants and guards behind him took a step forward without hesitation and shielded him behind them.
In the next moment, the sound of swords being unsheathed rang out incessantly!
* Clang! *
Wya unsheathed his blade without hesitation. The tip of the blade was pointed at Nicholas' throat. His gaze was solemn.
* Swoosh! *
Ralf's remaining hidden blade also popped out of his sleeve. The blade was pointed at Nicholas' heart. The upper half of his face, which was not covered by the silver mask, had an unpleasant expression.
* Clang! Clang! * Clang! *
These were the White Blade Guards behind Nicholas.
These tall and sturdy masked Northland elites were equipped with lightweight iron-colored arm shields in their left hands, and with their right hands, they pulled out specially shaped swords from their waists. The hilts were snow-white and slender, and could be held with both hands. The blades shone brightly, and their curves were beautiful. They did not look like the rough and forceful Northland style.
Their movements of pulling out their swords were orderly and heavy. Their gazes beyond their masks were murderous. At some point in time, they had spread out in a semicircle and surrounded the Constellation Diplomat Group from three sides.
The remaining dozen or so soldiers of Constellation, such as Genard and Willow, pulled out their weapons without hesitation and stood at the frontline to confront the White Blade Guards.
"Judging by their movements and the look in their eyes … these are true elites. Our Royal Guards are nothing more than this." Aida's voice traveled into Thales' ears. "They are even more powerful than the Black Sand Region's army. Even if they were to go up against the vampires' Sacred Blood Army, they would probably not be inferior."
Thales stared in disbelief at Nicholas, who had a cold smile on his face.
'What's going on?
'Tie me up and bring me to Dragon Clouds City?'
It was not that he did not anticipate what he might encounter in Eckstedt … In fact, it was very normal for King Nuven, who had lost his beloved son, to be angry, ridiculed, ridiculed, and humiliated him. Even if the Jadestar Royal Family and the Walton Family had the same interests when it came to avoiding a war between the two kingdoms and restraining Black Sand Region's ambitions.
But Thales did not expect that this humiliating 'welcome' would begin before he even reached Dragon Clouds City.
'Do I really have to let them tie me up and bring me to Dragon Clouds City?
'If we refuse …' Under the moonlight, Thales felt his skin crawl as he looked at the White Blade Guards' shining white swords and estimated the difference in strength between them and the enemy. 'What will happen?
"How absurd!" Putray's stern and angry voice rang out. He anxiously thought about the situation before him and said in a flustered and exasperated manner, "Tie me up? Never before had an envoy from one country been treated like this. This was an insult to King Nuven the Seventh's reputation and the honor of the Kingdom of Eckstedt! This will not bring any glory to your king! "
If he was King Nuven's man, he would have to be mindful of Eckstedt's reputation and dignity as the common-elected king, unless …
Around them, the Eckstedtians from Black Sand Region watched everything in the field with puzzled expressions. The dozens of White Blade Guards and the dozen or so Constellation Diplomat Group faced off against each other with their weapons drawn.
"Hmph." The corners of Nicholas' lips curled up to reveal an ominous, cold smile. "This will indeed not bring any glory to His Majesty …"
"But it can make him happy …"
"That will be enough."
Putray tightened his grip on the longsword in his hand. Thales could not help but frown.
In the next moment, without any instructions or orders, the eyes of the masked soldiers of the White Blade Guards turned cold and they took a step forward together!
* Thud! * Their heavy footsteps on the snow-covered ground were like a heavy hammer that struck the hearts of the Constellatiates.
Willow Ken, who was watching the enemy tensely, shook his shoulders and was about to thrust his spears forward!
* Slap! * A strong hand reached out from the side and grasped the young spearman's right hand tightly, stopping the tip of his spear from thrusting forward.
Willow was shocked. He turned his head and found that it was the veteran, Genard.
"Steady yourself! Ignore their footsteps, pay attention to their shoulders! "he said calmly.
After the tragic and bloody battle with the Blood Clan in the birch tree forest, the private soldiers suffered heavy casualties. The heavily injured leader, Chora, stayed in the fortress. The veteran Genard, who was once the duke's personal guard, relied on his experience on the battlefield and the skills he gradually regained to become the leader of this small group of Jadestar private soldiers, veterans of the fortress, and recruits from the Northern Territory.
However, in the face of the extremely tense atmosphere before him, the veteran could not help but break out in cold sweat.
"Is this King Nuven's will and order?" Thales tried his best to speak calmly.
"Oh, of course it is." Nicholas ignored the two halves of the blades that were pointed at his throat and heart. He said darkly, "He just didn't say it out loud."
A second later, Nicholas moved. He suddenly took a step forward and walked towards Thales!
Thales was shocked!
Wya and Ralf gritted their teeth and brought out the weapons in their hands in an attempt to force Nicholas to retreat.
But in the next moment, a cold glare flashed on Nicholas' face, and his body moved.
In the blink of an eye, the pale-faced Star Killer instantly moved sideways and into the gap between the two swords!
* Clang! * Wya's single-edged sword, which was aimed at his throat, struck the white hilt that extended from behind Nicholas' shoulder. Sparks flew!
* Clang! * Nicholas' right hand flicked his finger nimbly and hit Ralf's hidden blade, which was aimed at his heart.
At that moment, under Wya and Ralf's indignant gazes, Nicholas broke through their defense without changing his expression. He squeezed into the gap between them and extended his left hand towards Thales!
'Damn it!'
Thales gritted his teeth and quickly took a step back to avoid Nicholas' hand. At the same time, he pulled his left hand up and touched the dagger at his waist with his right hand. He put on the Northland Military Sword Style's Iron Body Style.
But he was surprised to see that the moment he retreated, Nicholas' hand changed direction at the same time, as if he had foreseen it. He extended his hand towards the direction where he dodged!
That fluctuation surged into Thales' brain in time and slowed down the scene in front of him to the greatest extent possible.
In Thales' field of vision, Nicholas moved slowly, like an existence that flashed with silver light. However, every flash of light in his body brought about a change in Nicholas' figure.
'Is this his Power of Eradication?' Thales' expression was tense as he thought carefully.
The Star Killer's figure, movements, speed, changes, and trajectory all entered Thales' consciousness at that moment.
After a moment of estimation, a pessimistic conclusion surged into Thales' mind.
'No matter how I dodge … I can't avoid Nicholas' grasp.
'Fortunately, I still have her …' Thales felt the change in the aura of the cloaked person behind him.
* Clack! *
When Nicholas' hand was halfway to Thales, a short and small figure in a cloak grabbed his wrist.
"Be polite, boy." Aida grabbed Nicholas' wrist tightly and said coldly, "At least say 'hello' or 'please'."
Thales exhaled deeply.
Only then did Wya and Ralf's swords catch up with him in a hurry and press against the Star Killer's neck.
"Oh." Nicholas seemed to be a little surprised, but he still did not care about the two swords that were pressed against his vitals. Instead, he frowned and looked at his wrists that were being grabbed. He then said to Aida with great interest, "A woman … saw through my actions?"
The dozens of White Blade Guards around Nicholas did not seem to be worried about their leader who was in danger. Their gazes were still cold, and their killing intent overflowed as they continued to oppress the Constellatiates.
"What is the meaning of this, Lord Nicholas? This is not in line with convention, nor is it King Nuven's order … "Putray's face was livid." Your private action is almost no different from an assassination! "
"Assassination, assassination?" Nicholas muttered the word in a low voice. He raised his head and his expression became extremely terrifying. "Are you talking about what you Constellatiates did to our Prince Moriah in your country?"
"Assassination?"
Nicholas glared at Thales with eyes burning with anger. He enunciated each word clearly, "What you did to His Majesty's only son, to the Prince of Eckstedt, to the heir of Dragon Clouds City, to my student?"
"That kind of cowardly action?"
Putray was stunned at first. Then, he came to his senses and said without hesitation, "That should be King Nuven's decision!"
'Damn it.'
Thales panted softly and bit his lower lip.
He looked at Nicholas, who was being held back by Aida and had Wya and Ralf's swords pressed against his throat. He gritted his teeth. 'This situation … How should I deal with it?
Force Nicholas to retreat? '
Thales took a deep breath. He raised his hands at the pale man, indicating that he was a harmless little boy. Nicholas, on the other hand, sneered maliciously.
"Your Excellency, Viscount Kentvida and Lord Tolja!" The Second Prince of Constellation turned his head and shouted at the army of Black Sand Region, "Your mission of escorting me to Dragon Clouds City is almost complete! I believe that people will praise the Archduke of Black Sand Region's loyalty to King Nuven, and King Nuven will also be satisfied with your loyalty. At the same time, I am also very grateful for your escort!
"You can leave now!"
Thales' voice faded away.
Putray raised his eyebrows, while Nicholas was slightly stunned.
Viscount Kentvida, who was watching everything with a frown in the distance, sighed deeply.
However, in the end, Kentvida only nodded at Tolja, who was frowning deeply, and strode forward.
'This child.
What is he saying? '
[Your mission of escorting me to Dragon Clouds City is almost complete]: Before I reach Dragon Clouds City, Black Sand Region is in charge of my safety, but I have yet to reach Dragon Clouds City.
[I believe that people will praise the Archduke of Black Sand Region's loyalty to King Nuven]: Everyone will know that King Nuven kidnapped the Prince of Constellation from the army of Black Sand Region as if no one else was around.
[And King Nuven will also be satisfied with your loyalty]: No matter how obedient you are, the relationship between King Nuven and the Archduke of Black Sand Region will not get any better. Dragon Clouds City will still view Black Sand Region as a thorn in its side.
[At the same time, I am also very grateful for your escort]: A chance to win the friendship of the Prince of Constellation is right before your eyes.
[You can leave now]: Hurry up and help us out!
"Lord Nicholas!" While Viscount Kentvida spoke, he reevaluated whether Putray had taught the second prince these words. "This is, after all, the camp of Black Sand Region's army. The Archduke has given us the mission to protect Prince Thales' safety, and your actions now … are undoubtedly very unwise."
Nicholas flung Aida's hand away, still ignoring the blade on his neck. He said coldly to Kentvida, "I thought that you are also Eckstedtians.
"Of course we are Eckstedtians, but we are also Northlanders … And Northlanders cherish their reputation, just like how Snow Eagles cherish their wings." Kentvida walked in front of Nicholas and looked at the two parties who were at each other's throats. His gaze paused for a moment on Thales and Putray. "Your Grace … I believe that King Nuven did not give you the order to 'kidnap the prince and bring him to Dragon Clouds City'."
Behind him, under Tolja's signal, the soldiers of Black Sand Region slowly surrounded them.
Nicholas fixed his gaze on Kentvida.
Then, he flashed a faint, cold smile.
"What if I say 'no'?" The man's face turned even paler. "What will you do? The Viscount of Black Sand Region? Will you let your army get rid of us, His Majesty's personal guards?
"Is that so, warriors of Black Sand Region?" Nicholas swept his gaze across the surroundings. He glanced at the elite regular army that the Archduke of Black Sand Region had specially allocated and smiled softly.
Thales' heart sank.
'This is bad.
'Looks like even two thousand soldiers of Black Sand Region … can't intimidate Nicholas and his White Blade Guards.'
"There are less than fifty of you." Tolja walked out from behind Kentvida. Staring at the white weapon behind Nicholas, his expression was solemn. "Even with the Severing Souls Blade, you can only hold on for a few more minutes … You're not Arracca Murkh, and you don't have his Motionless Bow."
Kentvida fixed his gaze on Nicholas' face. "Of course, we definitely don't want to be enemies with the famous White Blade Guards … Especially when we fought together twelve years ago."
"The face-changing game of 'good guys and bad guys' is no longer popular," Nicholas said nonchalantly. "I've said it before, His Majesty will get even with Lampard … Before that, you won't want to provoke his personal guard captain."
Thales thought of something.
'White Blade Guards.'
He remembered what Putray had told him about Kaslan's identity.
'Kaslan retired twenty years ago … so …'
"You know," Thales said slowly, attracting everyone's attention, "we just passed by Kaslan's Hero Tavern a few days ago."
Thales noticed that the moment he finished speaking, Nicholas' expression suddenly changed.
Even the eyes of the White Blade Guards around them, who were confronting them, sparkled.
'Kaslan … looks like that old man means something to them.'
Thales nodded in his heart.
"Kaslan treated me to a glass of rye wine, the limited edition kind," Thales continued to say calmly. "He's a wise and open-minded old man … But I don't think you know him, Lord Nicholas?"
A complicated expression appeared in Nicholas' eyes.
"Because …" Thales sighed. "The White Blade Guards led by someone like him must be different from you."
Nicholas stared at him without saying a word.
In the next moment, Thales first gritted his teeth, as though he had made up his mind.
Then, under everyone's shocked gazes, the second prince shouted, "Constellatiates, put down your weapons!"
Wya and Ralf looked at Thales in shock. Even Aida let out a surprised gasp under the cloak.
The Constellatiates looked at the White Blade Guards around them, who were glaring at them fiercely. They looked at each other in bewilderment, not daring to believe the prince's order.
Only Putray looked pensive.
Kentvida and Tolja frowned at the same time.
Nicholas stared at him with an indecipherable expression.
"This is an order from your second prince, the heir to the throne of Constellation!" Thales repeated with a firm expression.
Putray was the first to sheathe his sword and take a step back.
Then, Genard sheathed his sword without hesitation.
Wya glanced at the prince in disbelief. Under the latter's unquestionable gaze, he gritted his teeth and withdrew his sword from Nicholas' neck.
Then, it was Ralf, then the fifth, the sixth … until all the Constellatiates sheathed their weapons.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Thales took a step forward, passed Wya and Ralf's protection, and arrived in front of Nicholas.
"You should have done this a long time ago." Nicholas lowered his head and looked at him expressionlessly. "The earlier you submitted, the less pain you would have suffered —"
"Enough, Your Excellency," Thales interrupted him coldly.
"I don't know why you insist on bringing me back to Dragon Clouds City with you tied up. Whether it's a new grudge or an old one, whether it's Prince Moriah or Prince Horace," Thales suppressed the trembling in his voice. "But before I complete my first mission, I will only answer to King Nuven."
Nicholas stared at the Second Prince of Constellation in astonishment.
"This will be a conversation between the future King of Constellation and the current King of Eckstedt." Thales took a deep breath. "But before that, you want to humiliate me, who is about to talk to King Nuven?
"There is no doubt that your actions are tarnishing King Nuven's honor … Does a father who has lost his only son no longer need to care about his own honor?
"Ask yourselves, White Blade Guards, Northlanders!" Thales turned to the White Blade Guards around him. "His personal guards, the White Blade Guards, the Dragon's Imperial Guards! Humiliatingly tying up a seven-year-old child and bringing him to Dragon Clouds City … Let everyone know the magnanimity of Eckstedt's common-elected king, Raikaru the Hero's successor, and the ruler of the Northlanders, King Nuven the Seventh! "
The gazes of the White Blade Guards became unfocused beyond the veil covering their faces.
"Kaslan told me that whether it is the history of the Empire or the symbol of the dragon … these are not important. What is important is whether the Northlanders can still persevere and live their lives well." Thales turned around and spread his arms. He raised his head and stared at Nicholas with a steady gaze. "Over the past few days, we have eaten the Northlanders' food and drank their wine. According to Northland's customs, we are now King Nuven's guests. We are guests in the land under his rule."
"Now, we are finally about to reach his doorstep. Let us Constellatiates, the so-called descendants of the Empire! Let us see the magnanimity and glory of the Northlanders, and whether it is worth it for us to take this dangerous journey. "
The White Blade Guards quickly exchanged glances, then looked at their commander in unison.
Kentvida's gaze kept shifting between Thales and Putray. He seemed to be deep in thought.
Wya looked worriedly at the Star Killer in front of him.
And the most crucial decision maker, Nicholas, slowly narrowed his eyes.
After a few seconds …
"Very good, Thales Jadestar." He looked at Thales and smiled faintly. "You and your uncle … are not that far apart."
Thales was stunned.
"Put away your weapons, my brothers." Nicholas looked at Thales with a complicated expression. "Let His Majesty decide who our guest belongs to … even if his hatred for us runs as deep as the sea."
Upon receiving the order, the White Blade Guards sheathed their swords in an orderly manner.
Thales finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The people of Constellation, including the two commanders of Black Sand Region, also breathed a sigh of relief.
At this moment …
"Alert!" Outside the camp, the soldiers of Black Sand Region once again let out an alarming shout.
Everyone's attention was instantly drawn to the area outside the camp.
Under the moonlight, a new group of cavaliers appeared before their eyes and headed towards the camp.
Kentvida narrowed his eyes and asked Nicholas, "Your companions?"
Nicholas did not answer him.
The sound of hooves could be heard from outside the camp.
It was a dozen cavaliers. Carrying a strange flag, they slowly headed towards their camp.
It was a flag with a white background. A golden ear of wheat with an arc was drawn on it. It stretched from the upper right corner of the flag to the lower left corner, and crossed with an equally golden dagger.
"Good night, everyone." An unfamiliar male voice traveled into their ears from afar. "Praise be to the Lady of Harvest and the Maiden Shepherd of the Ocean. May they bless all of you with no worries about food or clothing and a prosperous life!"
Kentvida took a few steps forward. Looking at the flag with the ear of wheat and the dagger, he slowly frowned.
"I am Lhasa Kentvida, the Viscount of the City of Light Town. This is the military camp of the Archduke of Black Sand Region," Viscount Kentvida said loudly. "Who goes there?!"
Under the protection of a dozen cavaliers, a middle-aged man with a golden ponytail slowly rode out from the crowd. He was dressed in a gorgeous coat and a top hat embedded with jewels to keep out the cold.
"I am Shiles Bamra, the Honorary Marquis of Good Flow City." The middle-aged man stopped his horse. He took off his hat and placed it on his left chest. With a friendly and humble smile on his face, he bowed slightly in Kentvida's direction. "I am from the friendly and generous Sixteen City-States Alliance of Camus Union. I am a member of the thirty-six seats in the Camus Union Parliament.
"I am representing the Alliance's Good Flow City on a diplomatic mission to Eckstedt. I heard that Constellation's Second Prince is here, so I specially came to meet you."
—
Midnight, Dragon Clouds City, Westbound Avenue.
He was a black-haired, black-eyed Far Easterner. He was about thirty or forty years old. The Far Easterners aged at a different rate compared to the Rudollians and Northlanders. It was not easy to tell their age from their appearance.
Holding an Everlasting Lamp, he walked steadily in the dark and cold underground cellar, intending to start his day's work.
But in the next moment, he frowned, as if he sensed something.
He stopped in his tracks. In the silence and darkness, his eyes carefully swept across every corner in front of him. His ears listened to all the movements in the cellar.
There was nothing.
But he did not let his guard down.
Because he trusted his instincts more.
Most of the time, danger could not be detected with eyes and ears.
Most of the time, instincts were the last things one could rely on in life.
Like now.
He clenched his teeth and furrowed his brows, revealing a ferocious expression in the darkness beyond the light.
Just like a wolf that sensed danger, it sharpened its fangs and claws and remained vigilant of the danger in the darkness.
Immediately, the Far Easterner moved. He raised the Everlasting Lamp with one hand and pressed his other hand against his waist when he crouched down.
He turned sideways to face the left, the wall, and the darkness behind the corner.
"Who's there?" the Far Easterner asked calmly.
There was no answer.
"If you're here to steal some money, bro." The Far Easterner spoke the lingua franca with a Northland accent. His feet moved slowly and rhythmically. "Then you've come to the wrong place."
There was still no answer.
The Far Easterner narrowed his eyes.
The next moment, his figure flashed!
He covered a distance of more than ten steps in three steps!
The Far Easterner turned the corner. The light from the Everlasting Lamp illuminated everything in the corner.
But the Far Easterner let out a surprised "huh?"
There was no one around the corner in front of him.
A few seconds later, the Far Easterner breathed a sigh of relief.
'Am I being too paranoid?'
The Far Easterner carefully checked the corner and confirmed that there were no traces left behind by anyone.
He shook his head, shrugged, and patted his head.
'It seems so.
'It's an old habit that I can't get rid of … In the end, I'm still paranoid even when I'm sleeping.'
'The wolf doesn't sleep because it's vigilant.' This was the first lesson his master had taught him a long, long time ago, when he had left him on the Northern Plains and let him live alone for three days.
He sighed.
'I really hope that one day, I can sleep well.
Forget all the past. '
The Far Easterner laughed at himself, then turned around and walked back the way he came.
The light also turned with him.
It illuminated another person behind him.
A person who suddenly appeared.
The Far Easterner's pupils shrank!
He instinctively raised his hand at his waist!
* Thud! *
The Far Easterner was shocked to find that his right hand, which was holding the dagger, was firmly grasped by the uninvited guest who suddenly appeared!
He could not move.
"Long time no see, Gu."
The other party said slowly.
The Far Easterner suppressed the shock in his heart, the trembling of his body, and the instinctive urge to activate his Power of Eradication to break free.
He stared at the man who suddenly appeared.
The ordinary-looking man.
"Yes, long time no see," the Far Easterner, Gu, replied bitterly.
"Black Sword."
Black Sword let go of Gu's wrist.
"Lance asked me to look for you," the man known as Black Sword said coldly and briefly.
'Still the same as before.'
Gu put the dagger back at his waist and frowned.
Simple and direct.
It chilled his heart.
"Yes." Gu took a deep breath, got rid of all unnecessary emotions and memories, and said seriously, "I found him."
Black Sword did not speak.
After a few seconds, Black Sword slowly said, "Are you sure?"
Gu exhaled deeply. "Although I've never met him directly, it should be him. I can't be wrong."
Black Sword was silent.
'Strange.'
Gu thought to himself, 'Why is he so calm? Shouldn't he be … '
"I'll look for you again tonight to ask about the details." Black Sword turned around and said flatly, "I still have some matters to attend to."
'Look for me again?'
Gu could not help but frown as he recalled the other party's elusive figure.
"Alright." Gu recalled his past memories and only felt a wave of irritation and panic. He said helplessly, "I have to do business first anyway."
"Business?" Black Sword furrowed his brows as he recalled Gu's notorious past.
His figure once again disappeared into the darkness beyond the light. "What other business can you do?"
"What business?" Gu Shuang exhaled unhappily. He walked to the side of the table and fiercely lifted the layer of oilcloth on it, revealing a boning knife and a chopping board. Then, he said angrily,
He then said angrily, "This is my butcher shop!"
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