In the back hall of Bright Moon Temple.
In the not-so-wide hall, the Prince of Constellation stood calmly in the center.
Under the illumination of the Everlasting Lamp, Thales stared at the Bright Moon Goddess statue in the darkness from afar. He quietly observed the Bright Moon Goddess' indifferent expression.
Behind him, Little Rascal propped up her glasses and looked around nervously. She said timidly, "If we just sneak out like this … Nicholas and the others will …"
"Ah," Thales said flatly, "I know. They're probably on their way to find you."
Little Rascal's face paled. "Then we —"
Thales interrupted her softly.
"Little Rascal." The Prince of Constellation stared at the Bright Moon Goddess in a daze. "I want to do something, but I need your help."
Little Rascal was slightly stunned.
"What is it?" she asked curiously.
Thales did not speak. He only clenched his fists lightly.
"You've read a lot of books, but do you know what we went through last night?"
Little Rascal's expression froze slightly.
She lowered her head and recalled everything in Heroic Spirit Palace and Shield District. She subconsciously clenched her teeth.
Alex's limp hand.
The king's ring.
The calamity's presumptuous laughter.
The civilians running around, wailing, and dying in despair.
A second later, Little Rascal blinked her bloodshot eyes and nodded silently.
Thales turned his head and looked at Little Rascal. He flashed a gentle smile.
"The soldier just now, Willow Ken, do you know his story?"
Little Rascal looked puzzled and shook her head.
"He was originally a civilian in the Northern Territory. Although he wasn't rich, he had a cute younger sister and healthy parents." Thales recalled the story in the snow and said absentmindedly, "But in the winter twelve years ago, he suddenly learned to fish, learned to use a spear, learned to survive with difficulty, and learned to bear the loss of his family."
Little Rascal was slightly stunned.
"It's not just them." Thales sighed.
"That veteran by the name of Genard was probably a commoner when he was young, but it was twelve years ago that he became what he is today." Thales narrowed his eyes and recalled the veteran who struggled to follow him. He felt a little sentimental. "To him, he is still living in the years of war. He can't wake up, and he doesn't want to wake up."
"That big sister called Miranda. Twelve years ago, her family was wiped out, and she spent her childhood in the Tower of Eradication."
Thales lifted his head and stared straight at Little Rascal, who was at a loss for words.
"It's not just Constellation either." The second prince uttered a name flatly. "Byrne Mirk."
Little Rascal remembered something, and her face instantly turned pale.
"Don't be afraid." Thales walked forward and held her small hand. Feeling the coldness and trembling in his palm, he said sincerely, "I'm here. No one can hurt you."
Little Rascal's breathing gradually calmed down.
"But you heard it with your own ears. Twelve years ago, he lost his vow to protect and the love of his life. Since then, he has fallen into the boundless hell, struggling to catch his last breath.
Thales stared at her quietly.
"And Chapman Lampard." Thales' eyes dimmed. "Twelve years ago, his hands were stained with his elder brother's blood. In the whirlpool of his father's generation and power, he transformed into the current Archduke of Black Sand Region."
With a solemn expression, Thales let go of the girl's hand, but held her shoulders.
Little Rascal could only stare at him blankly.
"Look, so many people's fates have been decided just like that." Thales' voice was a little intermittent, sometimes soft, sometimes heavy. "It's all because of that incident twelve years ago."
Little Rascal inhaled and stared back into the prince's gray eyes. "The Bloody Year?"
Thales stared at her seriously and nodded.
"The Bloody Year."
Little Rascal's gaze was conflicted. She nodded slightly, as if she understood.
Thales first closed his eyes and inhaled deeply.
Then, he opened his eyes. With a solemn expression that he had never shown since he arrived in this world, he said with a straight face,
"Little Rascal.
"Everything we've seen and heard tonight is not just a family drama between a few people, but a major event that concerns the future of millions of people in two countries."
Thales stared at the girl's blank eyes behind her glasses with a solemn expression.
He clenched his teeth.
In that second, the Potemkin Village that he saw after leaving the capital appeared in front of his eyes. The majestic star-shaped fortress, Broken Dragon Fortress, the Northland villagers in the Mountain Pass Village, and the black stone at the Rayman Pass — the place where Horace died.
"There might be tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions of people whose fates will change because of this," Thales said with difficulty. "No, in Dragon Clouds City, the fates of countless people have already changed. Many of them have even reached the end."
Thales lowered his eyelids and said dejectedly, "Like Alex, and the Shield District that we passed through.
"Like ourselves."
Little Rascal was stunned for a second.
"If we just walk away like this and leave everything behind …" Thales sighed. He felt that his chest was heavy. "That kind of burden will make me feel like I can't breathe."
Little Rascal bit her lower lip.
"Causing thousands of people to suffer and lose their homes." Thales tried his best to put on an ugly smile. "That's too unbearable."
His hands, which were clasped around Little Rascal's shoulders, trembled slightly. "We can't go, we can't escape —"
Little Rascal sniffled lightly and interrupted him.
"I understand." The girl opened her mouth with difficulty, her platinum hair was particularly eye-catching. "You want me to …"
With a sorrowful expression, she did not continue. She seemed to be hesitating.
Thales gulped and nodded. "I want to make up for everything, avoid the worst consequences, and mend the wounds we left behind — whether it's our responsibility or not."
Little Rascal seemed to have figured something out. Her face was pale.
"I understand. What you need is not Little Rascal." She trembled and stared at Thales in disbelief. "What you need is Saroma Walton.
"You want me to become her, to become His Majesty's … granddaughter."
In that instant, Little Rascal's eyes turned red.
Thales froze for a moment. For a moment, he could not continue.
He lowered his head and remembered their conversation in the butcher's shop.
"Choose who you want to be."
But now …
Thales gritted his teeth. He felt as if his tongue weighed a thousand pounds.
"No." A second later, he raised his head abruptly and stared straight into Little Rascal's eyes. "What I need is still Little Rascal, not Saroma!"
Little Rascal widened her eyes in shock.
"That Little Rascal who accompanied me through all the disasters, who never left me," Thales said seriously, enunciating each word. "That silly little girl, the little girl who did not know how to hide when she was in danger.
"I need her to accompany me for one more time." Thales stared at her quietly, his gaze gentle.
"Although this request might be too much."
Little Rascal stared at him blankly, as if she had forgotten to think.
"I know you're afraid." Thales' hand on Little Rascal's shoulder unknowingly clenched into a fist. "I know you want to escape from all this.
"But …"
Thales' face contorted, but after a few seconds, he raised his eyes again and stared straight into Little Rascal's eyes.
"Raise your head and face it, just like how you faced the Great Dragon."
Little Rascal did not answer.
She only stared at Thales with tears welling up in her eyes.
A few seconds later, tears flowed uncontrollably from her eyes.
"There's nothing like this in the books," Little Rascal said fearfully, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I don't know …"
She bit her lips, tears flowing down her cheeks.
Thales sighed in his heart.
"Maybe there is," Thales said softly, "It's just that we don't know."
Little Rascal sniffled.
"If there really isn't …" Thales sighed and moved his hands to her head. "That would be even better."
Thales stretched out his fingers and gently wiped away her tears.
Then, he held her black-rimmed glasses and gently straightened the crooked and damaged glasses.
He stared at Little Rascal with a solemn expression and a stern tone.
"After reading so many books and reading so many other people's stories, it's time for you … to write your own story."
Little Rascal subconsciously let out a sob.
The girl stared at Thales with a dazed expression and a blank gaze.
It was as if she was flipping through a random book instead of staring at a determined boy.
A few seconds later, Little Rascal pursed her lips and slowly opened them.
She said softly, "Will you always be by my side?"
"Yes." He nodded.
Her eyes brightened. "Will you face all of this with me?"
"Yes." He flashed a smile.
Her expression changed and she gritted her teeth. "You will protect me."
He sighed, raised his head and touched her forehead.
Through the glasses, their eyes met.
The boy spoke softly, his tone was resolute.
"I will."
At this moment, Thales heard footsteps behind him.
He gently let go of the dazed Little Rascal and turned to the person.
"You better have a good explanation, little prince." The Star Killer's pale and cold face appeared before him. His expression was unfriendly and his tone harsh, "About abducting the Walton Bloodline …"
Soray Nicholas cast a glance at Little Rascal, who was deep in thought. "Come back with us. You shouldn't have too much contact with this dangerous prince, my lady."
Little Rascal pursed her lips and hid behind Thales.
Nicholas furrowed his brows.
Thales took a deep breath and raised his head to look at Nicholas.
And Mirk, who was behind him.
Thales ignored the Star Killer and said softly to Mirk, "Lord Mirk, I'm sorry. I'm still used to calling you lord."
The listless Mirk was a little startled.
Nicholas, on the other hand, was slightly startled.
"Why did you come back to help the Walton Family?" Thales looked at Mirk calmly. "You're no longer an administrator. I remember that King Nuven has exiled you forever."
Mirk's expression became sorrowful and desperate.
His muscles tensed up without him realizing it.
"In King Nuven's eyes, you're the sinner who killed his son, aren't you?" The prince said flatly, "He took your child away because of this … He treated you like this, so you should treat him fairly."
Mirk shuddered violently.
Nicholas stared at his former colleague, and his expression changed.
"Hey, you, little prince," the Star Killer said decisively, "If you —"
Someone interrupted him, but it was not Thales.
"Yes."
Mirk trembled and raised his head. His eyes burned with a strange and complicated emotion.
"But that's his opinion," he said painfully, "But I will always belong to the White Blade Guards. My duty is to be loyal to the king."
The former administrator clenched his teeth.
"No matter how he treats me."
Thales' eyes brightened.
Mirk's hands were trembling. He seemed to be remembering many things in the past.
"This has never changed.
I fulfill my duty. That's all. "
Finally, the former administrator clenched his teeth and looked back at Thales with determination.
Nicholas stared at his comrade in a daze.
Thales smiled faintly.
"Not only that," the prince said softly, "It's also because of Prince Soria, right? You've always felt guilty towards him."
Mirk swayed a little.
Thales observed his expression, lowered his head, and sighed slowly. "You did your best to do one thing, but fate played a joke on you. You made a huge mistake and committed a great crime." Thales observed Thales' expression and sighed slowly.
"But you can't undo it."
Mirk tilted his head and closed his eyes. He looked like he was struggling.
"So you want to make up for it," Thales said regretfully. "You want to atone for it."
Nicholas took a step forward impatiently. "Enough."
I don't know why you're saying these meaningless things, but — "
At this moment, Thales raised his head abruptly. His gaze was sharp!
"Because this is what we're facing now!" Thales almost interrupted Nicholas with a roar.
The Star Killer was stunned. He stared at the Prince of Constellation with a shocked and bewildered expression.
Thales panted slightly to calm his aching throat.
"Look around us." He clenched his teeth. "King Nuven's skull and blood are spilled on his own land. Lampard walks openly in Dragon Clouds City. His palms cover the sky of Northland. Calshan, Shiles, and Kaslan greet us with smiles in the dark."
Nicholas listened to Thales' words quietly.
But his eyes were gradually burning with anger.
"War and disaster are coming. Countless people are about to be killed and destroyed." Thales exhaled laboriously. "And we're like stray dogs, running for our lives and fleeing in panic.
"Hiding in a corner and comforting ourselves with 'this is the only thing we can do.' Then, we sleep with a clear conscience, as if nothing happened in our dreams."
Mirk heaved a sigh and looked panicked.
Nicholas clenched his fists tightly.
"Hmph." He snorted coldly. "It's all thanks to your Secret Intelligence Department."
Thales ignored him and only shook his head. His gaze was sharp. "But, is this all?"
Nicholas furrowed his brows.
"Is this the end?" The prince raised his hands and waved them forcefully in the air. "Are you satisfied just like that?"
"Nicholas, the Star Killer?"
He brazenly called Nicholas by his nickname.
Nicholas' expression was sullen. His nails dug into his palms, and he finally exhaled through his nose.
"Then what the f * ck do you want?" The Star Killer gritted his teeth and said hatefully, "Poor little prince?"
Thales raised his head. His expression was solemn and stern.
"I want to change, I want to redeem myself," he said sternly. "I want to do something.
"I want to fight back."
Nicholas' gaze froze. He lowered his head and met the prince's gaze in silence.
A few seconds later …
"Ha." Nicholas laughed out loud. His tone was full of mockery. "Very humorous."
Thales narrowed his eyes.
"Laugh all you want," the prince said softly.
"But this is my decision," Thales said in a firm and unquestionable tone, "and what I'm going to do next … I'm just informing you.
"Do you want to come together?
"Northlanders?"
Hearing this, Mirk's expression changed.
Nicholas' expression froze.
"If you ask me, this is indeed not a good idea."
A steady and mature male voice traveled into their ears.
"If this is the reason why you summoned us, Your Highness." Together with Ralf, Wya, Willow, Genard, and the others, Putray appeared in their line of sight.
The vice diplomat nodded slightly at the prince.
His eyes were filled with worry.
Thales turned to his entourage of the diplomat group.
"Putray."
Thales heaved a sigh of relief. His expression softened a little. "You have followed me all the way here and witnessed so many things. I am very grateful.
"Without your strategies and suggestions, I would not have been able to come this far."
Putray frowned. He wanted to take out his pipe, but he only raised his hand halfway before he put it down.
He stared at Thales with an extremely complicated gaze.
"Do you understand what you are saying?" The vice diplomat said hesitantly, but there was a profound meaning in his words, "I know that you are very unwilling, but I have the duty to advise you to give up on this unwise decision."
Thales forced himself to laugh.
"Thank you."
But no matter how hard he tried, his laughter still sounded very forced and desolate.
"But I do not want to disappoint them."
Putray looked up slightly. "Who?"
"A lot of people," Thales seemed to be a little absent-minded.
He subconsciously said, "Do you remember, Putray, Wya, Ralf?
"Do you remember that most of the Jadestar Family's private soldiers died in the birch tree forest, under the claws of the Blood Clan and the conspiracy of the nobles?
"Do you remember that Baron Murkh carried me on his back and charged into the enemy's formation? Do you remember that the Kingdom's Wrath Guards sacrificed countless lives in front of the fortress?"
Thales subconsciously clenched his fists. Countless figures flashed before his eyes. "All to send me into Eckstedt's territory.
"To eliminate the scourge of war.
"To stop those scumbags who cheered for war but were indifferent to life.
"For a stable Constellation."
Putray lowered his head and let out a long sigh.
"I also remember the White Blade Guards, the many people I did not know, but they gave up their lives for me." Thales snapped out of his daze.
"And Dragon Clouds City, the people in the Northern Territory who will be implicated by our failure, and the people who will be destroyed again because of the war in the future.
"We can't even protect ourselves." Putray unconsciously pinched three fingers on his right hand, as if he was pinching a pipe. "Any impulsive action may cause us to once again fall into the dangerous situation we escaped from with great difficulty and make the situation worse."
Thales looked at his instructor quietly and remembered the first time they met next to the carriage.
Oh, no, it was the second time they met. The first time they met was at the Western City Gate. The child beggars took away Putray's Grand Library Pass.
Thales smiled.
"But we can't get any worse, can we?"
He said softly.
"Don't forget, I am the murderer who 'killed' King Nuven."
Putray's expression froze.
"We have already ruined the kingdom's hard-won peace and pushed it into the abyss of war." The second prince shrugged and laughed mockingly. "Just as you said, when I return to the capital, the Northlanders will be marching southwards in large numbers."
"The fortress will be burned, the land will be trampled, and human lives will be mercilessly harvested like straws.
"Millions and millions of people will curse all of our names."
Willow, the new soldier, trembled slightly when he heard this.
Thales shook his head slightly. "And once we lose the Northern Territory and our greatest barrier, very soon, I will have to face a weak kingdom that is in danger, full of grief, covered in wounds, and in danger for the rest of my life."
"I will become a mediocre and muddle-headed king, guarding a weak kingdom, and wait for the day when the name of Constellation ends in my hands," Thales concluded dejectedly.
"As the king of a fallen kingdom …
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