King Chapman and his subordinates regrouped under the surprised gazes of the others. The king came before the Prime Minister — the former Prime Minister.
Count Lisban stood up from beside the archduchess and met the new king's gaze without showing any signs of weakness.
Saroma looked at the two nervously.
"Now, my people and I will leave Heroic Spirit Palace, the First Gatehouse, and even Dragon Clouds City." King Chapman's expression was cold. His left hand casually pressed against the saber at his waist, and his right hand tossed the Severing Souls Blade to Lord Tolja. "Count Lisban, the patrols under your command in the city won't stop us, will they?"
Count Lisban flashed a cold smile. His gaze swept past the soldiers of Black Sand Region, whose hostility did not diminish.
"How would we dare to obstruct His Majesty's journey?" the old count said flatly, "As long as the people of Black Sand Region can withdraw from Dragon Clouds City in a friendly manner."
Lisban narrowed his eyes. "Except for the most unreasonable lunatics, no one in this country dares to disrespect the king."
Chapman the First nodded slightly without any expression on his face, as if he did not understand the hidden meaning in the count's words.
"Then, I hope that you can provide supplies and a place for my people to stay so that they can face the coming Day Before the Bitter Cold Winter," the king probed, seemingly unbothered. "There should be no problem."
This time, the count refused very straightforwardly. "Forgive me, but I cannot comply."
King Chapman exhaled through his nose.
His eyes were filled with coldness.
"Due to certain 'reasons', Dragon Clouds City still has a lot of messes to clean up." Count Lisban, who was used to seeing storms, did not change his expression. He said nonchalantly, "I apologize for Dragon Clouds City's poor hospitality, but I must first serve my master before I can spare the energy to share the burden of the Northlanders' common lord.
"You know, I am no longer the kingdom's prime minister who serves the entire territory."
Chapman frowned in a barely noticeable manner.
He looked at the bespectacled little girl beside Lisban, and at her platinum hair, which was covered in stains.
Saroma crossed her arms anxiously.
King Chapman nodded slowly.
"In the end, even a king has to rely on himself, right?" Chapman said flatly, "We will find our own campsite."
Count Lisban moved lightly and stood in front of the archduchess with an unapproachable expression on his face.
Only then did the king retract his gaze.
"I wish you a smooth reign, girl," King Chapman said meaningfully. "After all, we are now bound together."
"I'll keep an eye on you, and I'll keep an eye on the boy."
The king said faintly, "Please remember, he is our bargaining chip against Constellation."
"And remember your vow to defend Eckstedt and Northland to the death."
Saroma's face instantly turned pale.
Without waiting for their response, King Chapman, who was wearing the blood-red crown, turned around and walked out of the palace while surrounded by his soldiers.
The White Blade Guards and the palace guards watched them leave coldly, but their fingers never left their blades.
In the crowd, the Fire Knight Tolja held the Severing Souls Blade and walked past the former commander of the White Blade Guards. His gaze was subtle.
"Take good care of it." Nicholas bandaged the wound on his arm and said without raising his head, "One Slash to Death. This is a great weapon that saved the Western Peninsula."
The Fire Knight furrowed his eyebrows slightly. He stopped and scrutinized the Severing Souls Blade in his hand.
"I'll send someone to deliver the 'Legend of the White Blade Guards' to Black Sand Region. Of course, you'll have to pay for the creation of the white blades." There was no emotion in Nicholas' words, as though he was doing the most boring and rigid job. "From now on, the spirit of the White Blade Guards will be passed on by all of you.
"Don't bring shame to its name."
'How f * cking ironic.'
The Star Killer thought coldly in his heart.
Tolja stroked the strange arc on the Severing Souls Blade.
'White Blade Guards.'
He raised his head.
The Fire Knight's words were rather aggressive and provocative. "Without this blade, what else can you do?"
"Star Killer?"
Nicholas stopped what he was doing.
His expression changed as well.
"Let me think …" Nicholas clenched his fists tightly and his gaze was cold. "For example, suddenly appearing from some unknown dark corner and beheading a king slayer?"
Tolja stared at him quietly.
"You know, among those in supreme class, the most effective identity is not that of a warrior," Nicholas said softly. "It's that of an assassin."
Tolja stared at him silently and allowed his subordinates to leave in droves behind him.
His expression was as cold as ice.
Nicholas did not seem to notice it. He continued to stare at his enemy without showing any signs of weakness.
A few seconds later, the Fire Knight laughed coldly.
"Hahahaha …"
Tolja hung the sheathless Severing Souls Blade on his waist and sized up the pale Star Killer with great interest.
Nicholas stared at him coldly.
But what happened next was beyond the Star Killer's expectations.
Without hesitation, Tolja grabbed the other weapon on his waist, pulled it out along with its sheath, and threw it forcefully!
Nicholas was shocked and instinctively stretched out his hand.
He caught the weapon thrown by the other party from afar.
A second later, he saw the weapon in his hand clearly, and his mouth fell open in surprise.
He turned around and stared at the calm Fire Knight.
"What is the meaning of this?" Nicholas gritted his teeth and stared at the Rising Sun Saber in his hand. His expression was indignant.
Tolja stared at his old weapon. There was attachment and nostalgia in his eyes.
"Take good care of it," the Fire Knight said softly. He seemed to be filled with endless emotions. "Compared to saving the Western Peninsula … this is a great weapon that saved the world."
Nicholas held the golden saber in his hand in a daze. He was momentarily at a loss for words.
"Remember, Star Killer." Tolja turned around and tapped the Severing Souls Blade on his waist. His voice was firm, and his gaze was subtle. "The victor between us has not been decided yet."
Dressed in his damaged armor, the Fire Knight strode away with steel-like steps without any reluctance to leave.
Nicholas stared at his retreating figure. He furrowed his eyebrows and clenched his teeth even tighter.
'Damn it.
'This …
'This guy …'
"A good man." Mirk came to his side with a walking stick. He stared at Tolja's figure and shook his head with a sigh. "It's a pity that he's standing in the wrong place."
Nicholas closed his eyes and exhaled heavily.
The Star Killer turned to his old friend.
"I'm here to say goodbye." Mirk patted Nicholas' shoulder. His expression was bitter. "We'll meet again, my friend."
He glanced at Archduchess Walton, who was surrounded by a crowd in the distance. His expression was hesitant.
"You know, you can stay," Nicholas said in a low voice.
"No."
"My story in the Legend of the White Blade Guards." In the end, Mirk sighed. He looked into the distance, turned around, and left with his walking stick.
"It truly ends here."
Nicholas stared at his back as he left, stumbling. He did not say a word.
He just put his hand into his pocket and grasped an ordinary stone.
Kentvida followed beside King Chapman among the crowd leaving Black Sand Region.
The viscount watched the Fire Knight catch up to him from behind. His gaze swept past the lone Severing Souls Blade at the latter's waist, and his expression was one of displeasure.
"That's the Rising Sun Saber we're talking about. Rumor has it that it's the first legendary anti-mystic equipment that changed the world," Kentvida said in dissatisfaction, but the latter ignored him. Hence, the viscount could only turn to the king. "You're just going to let him casually give away the sharpest weapon in the world as if it's a piece of trash, Archduke's — Your Majesty?"
Tolja snorted softly.
King Chapman did not even turn his head around. He just shifted his gaze slightly.
"The sharpest?" the new common-elected king muttered with his head lowered.
But Chapman the First only paused for a second before he raised his head again and regained his indifference and calmness.
"My sharpest blade." The king strode over the floor tiles of Heroic Spirit Palace in an imposing manner. He stepped over the simple and crude decorations and said slowly, "My sharpest blade.
"Aren't you standing behind me?"
Kentvida's expression froze for a moment before he furrowed his brows.
Behind the king, the tall and strong Lord Tolja lifted the corners of his mouth almost imperceptibly.
The viscount slowed down his footsteps and allowed the others to overtake him.
When Tolja passed by him, he nodded slightly at him.
"What a wastrel."
Viscount Kentvida stared at the king and the lord's backs. He closed his eyes and sighed softly.
"But it's precisely because of this that I'm willing to follow him and serve him as my king.
"Until the end of my life."
He crossed his arms. His expression was indifferent, but his gaze was sharp.
The corners of his mouth curled up into an amused arc.
"You deliberately posed for me when I came, then threw out such a cool sentence." Kroesch happened to be carried past Kentvida on the stretcher. The female warrior snorted coldly in disdain. "Isn't this too old-fashioned?"
Kentvida furrowed his brows.
"At least cooperate with me a little and say something along the lines of 'Ah, that's the reason we fight'." The viscount strode forward again and followed Kroesch's stretcher in dissatisfaction.
"Stop it." Kroesch interrupted him coldly. "Because of that boy, the Joint Ruling Pledge became even more stable. In the end, we're still back where we started. Nothing has changed.
"Toiling without gaining anything."
Viscount Kentvida raised his eyebrows and put on an amused expression.
"Toiling without gaining anything? Returning to where we started? Nothing has changed?" The viscount looked as if he had heard something funny.
He turned around and stared at the archdukes who were discussing something in low voices in the distance. "Only those who live in the past and are unwilling to wake up would think that way."
Kroesch stared at him, puzzled.
Kentvida turned his head again and chuckled softly. "In fact, everyone, including King Chapman, the archdukes, and that prince …
"They have changed everything."
The female warrior stared at Kentvida's profound expression and suddenly felt that this man had become a little scary.
"Believe me, from today onwards, the harsh cold will arrive." Kentvida sneered. His gaze swept past the countless decorations and furnishings in the palace that had a long history. He gently stepped on the floor tiles under his feet, which were unknown how many years old.
"Eckstedt …
"We can no longer return to where we started."
— — —
Archduke Lecco stood in front of the Prince of Constellation and stared at the listless boy. He sighed and said, "Rejoice, Prince Thales. If it wasn't for that young lady's insistence, you would have been staying in Black Sand City for a long time. Always being by the king's side, what a wonderful experience."
Thales' expression changed slightly.
He turned around and stared at Saroma, who was talking to Lisban in the distance.
The prince took a deep breath and turned around again. "He … King Chapman raised this order during the King Selection Congress as one of his conditions?"
"Oh, no." Archduke Lecco shook his head. His murky eyes shone with interest. "It wasn't him who raised the condition.
"It was all of us who thought that this would be safer.
"Your Honorable Highness."
Thales, who was preoccupied, was instantly rendered speechless.
A second later, the prince lowered his head as if he had deflated.
"All of you?"
"Is that so?"
He closed his eyes. His mood was gloomy.
'Yes.
'After I did that … regardless of the consequences.'
Archduke Lecco stared at him quietly.
"You know, Prince Thales.
"After today, aside from the threat of Constellation that Chapman mentioned …
"There will also be many people who will be wary of you, just like how they are wary of the Jadestar Family, which has produced many talented people over the years and has never declined."
'Of course, it's not just talented people who have produced many talented people.'
Archduke Lecco added silently in his heart.
'And lunatics.'
The old archduke's eyes brightened. His expression became lively. "But I am also looking forward to you."
Thales opened his eyes. "Looking forward to me?"
Archduke Lecco nodded quietly.
"I don't know how Chapman became like this." The old archduke watched the king's back slowly being drowned by the soldiers. He said solemnly, "But we can all feel that he is becoming more and more dangerous.
"The Day before the Bitter Cold Winter is coming," he sighed.
Thales pondered over this sentence.
"Perhaps one day, we will need to borrow your strength to fight against him." Archduke Lecco stared at Thales sternly. "Just like today."
Thales, whose emotions were in turmoil, did not know how to respond.
"Is it over?"
Archduke Olsius walked forward coldly and glanced at Thales. "I've had enough. I don't want to stay in this damned place for even a moment longer and put my life in someone else's hands."
In the distance, Archduke Roknee and Trentida watched them quietly. One was silent, and the other was grinning mischievously.
Lecco looked at the gradually departing Black Sand Region army and exhaled.
"We shall meet again. Take care of yourself, Prince Thales."
The old archduke said flatly, "Be careful of the king, and be careful of the archdukes."
He winked meaningfully. "And the archduchess."
Thales was immediately speechless.
Putray watched the archdukes and their personal guards leave. Frowning, he came to Thales' side.
"Your Highness, about your future …" The vice diplomat wanted to say something, but stopped.
"I know," Thales answered calmly.
"I am a bargaining chip, and a threat."
Putray put on an inquiring look.
"Amidst conflicts and compromises, the archdukes also have to hold on to their bargaining chips to contain threats." Thales thought through the cause and effect, then shook his head absentmindedly. "Restrain Constellation, and restrain Chapman …
"And restrain Dragon Clouds City."
Raphael came forward.
"In terms of effect, you made the ten archdukes wary of each other. This is very close to the Secret Intelligence Department's desired goal, and even more so.
"Perhaps you are more suitable to work in the Secret Intelligence Department." The cadre of the Secret Intelligence Department smiled mysteriously. "We shall meet again."
Thales rolled his eyes.
Putray did not know what to say. He could only pat the prince's shoulder.
"I will report to the kingdom as soon as possible and come up with a countermeasure."
He turned to the weak Raphael. "You know what to do, right?"
The cadre of the Secret Intelligence Department nodded lightly. "His Majesty and Lord Hansen will know everything that happened here in the shortest time possible."
Thales watched them distribute the work. He thought of what would happen to him in the next few years and felt depressed.
"There's one more thing." Putray came before Cohen and Miranda with a stern expression. "Both of you, even though your injuries are not light … you must immediately hide your identities and leave Eckstedt before the enemy intercepts you."
Cohen opened his mouth, while Miranda was deep in thought.
"As noble dependents of two great families, especially Lady Arunde, who holds the right to inherit the Guardian Duke of the Northern Territory, your value to Lampard — to King Chapman is immeasurable.
"This is Dragon Clouds City, and he has just been crowned, so he cannot act out directly. But once you leave Dragon Clouds City, he will definitely not let you go."
The deputy concluded with a few sentences.
Raphael's expression darkened as well.
"I will take them away immediately, while Nicholas' people are still friendly to us." Raphael coughed and said, "I know a secret passage from the pine forest back to the kingdom. We can hide it from Black Sand Region's eyes and ears."
Putray nodded at him. "Go."
Hence, under Cohen's resentful sighs and Miranda's troubled expression, they left with Raphael.
When they passed by Thales, Miranda glanced at him.
"Take care, Your Highness." The swordswoman's expression was a little conflicted. She frowned slightly. "Don't give up."
She endured the pain and said meaningfully, "You are a good prince, unlike the others."
Putray turned his head and pretended not to hear her.
Thales scratched his head. He was so embarrassed that he could only respond with a smile.
'The others?'
Cohen, whose face was bruised, moved closer to Thales.
"Your Highness." The police officer's robe was burned to the shoulder, and there was a terrible burn mark on his neck. Although he had used the Power of Eradication to treat it, it still looked very hideous. He seemed to be a little hesitant at first. "You … I just want to say …"
Cohen's mouth opened and closed many times. After a few seconds, he pursed his lips and nodded heavily. "Thank you."
Thales, who was feeling complicated, forced a smile.
"I should be the one thanking you, Cohen Karabeyan. Thank you for fighting endlessly."
The police officer blinked.
"No, no, Your Highness, we only fought a few times with our lives on the line." Cohen curled up the corners of his mouth and scratched his head. He seemed a little embarrassed. "But you …"
He seemed to be unable to find the right words for a moment.
After a while, Cohen, who was scratching his ears and cheeks, put on a straight face and said sincerely, "You saved the world."
"You're exaggerating." Thales burst out laughing. He was a little embarrassed. "I only tried my best to mediate a conflict. It's not my turn to save the world."
Cohen paused for a moment. His gaze flickered slightly.
He lowered his head.
Cohen's face darkened.
"Believe me, Your Highness." The police officer seemed to have thought of something. He said with some emotion, "For those who will be affected by the war …"
Thales cast a questioning look at him.
The police officer took a deep breath and revealed a row of shiny teeth and a bright smile again. He bowed slightly at Thales. "You have indeed saved the world.
It was my honor to fight alongside you. "
Thales looked at him strangely. He nodded subconsciously and watched him leave.
Raphael nodded at him gently. "Well done, Your Highness."
After sending off batch after batch of people, coupled with the fact that he was going to be placed under house arrest in Dragon Clouds City, Thales suddenly felt a sense of melancholy.
'Forget it.' He comforted himself. 'At least the outcome isn't too bad.
At least they're still alive …
'Hey, did I forget someone?' (In a certain corner of Dragon Clouds City, a short and small figure burped and sneezed loudly.)
At this moment …
"I'm sorry, I dragged you into this." The girl's voice came from behind him. "They, they insisted on keeping you here …"
Thales turned around and looked at Saroma, who had an apologetic look on her face.
"No, this is their benefit and scheme. It has nothing to do with you." The prince let go of the gloom in his heart and shook his head in relief.
'And …
'The people who were dragged into this …
'The people who should apologize …'
Thales shrugged dejectedly. "For King Chapman, the fact that I am under house arrest here and the Archduchess of Dragon Clouds City has a close relationship with an enemy kingdom's prince will weaken your prestige and reputation."
"To the archdukes, they would rather have me stay in the weakened Dragon Clouds City than let Black Sand Region control this bargaining chip.
"And to all of them …
"A prince who grew up in an enemy kingdom and has been held hostage all year round will be far away from the power and influence of Constellation." The prince shook his head. "If I return to the country one day to be crowned, I will definitely be a new king with unstable rule.
Even.
"This is in everyone's interest.
"So, I'm probably destined to be unlucky."
He raised his head in resignation, concluded his fate, and sighed dejectedly. "Besides, Lampard hates me to the core. He definitely won't want to see me go back alive …"
The muscles on Thales' arms tensed.
The prince stared at Saroma, who grabbed him, in surprise.
"No, I told them that you must stay in Dragon Clouds City." The little girl pouted and shook her head vigorously. "You're my friend, you won't be unlucky, you'll be fine."
Saroma pursed her lips, as if she was about to cry. Guilt and worry appeared in her green eyes.
Thales was speechless.
Saroma blinked her sparkling eyes and said in a trembling voice, "You'll live a good life here, you'll be fine … Lisban is a good person, he won't make things difficult for you, Dragon Clouds City will protect you!
"We …" As if to prove something, Saroma's eyes were filled with panic and she said anxiously, "We can …"
Behind her glasses, her eyes suddenly brightened.
"By the way, there are many, many books in Raikaru's library that I haven't read yet." Saroma's breathing quickened, as if she was afraid that Thales would be unhappy. "I remember that you're very interested in the Battle of Eradication …"
As he stared at the anxious little girl, Thales' gloomy mood seemed to slowly improve.
"Yes." The prince scratched his head and chuckled involuntarily. "I'm very interested …"
'Like magic.
'Like …
'Dragons.'
"So …" Saroma seemed to heave a sigh of relief. She asked carefully, "You'll be fine, stay in Dragon Clouds City, and follow me?"
Thales exhaled.
"Ah, yes." With a smile, he placed his hand on his chest and bowed slightly. "My lady."
Only then did Saroma slowly curl up the corners of her lips. As Lisban urged her to hurry, she turned around and left, occasionally looking back. The Phantom Wind Follower came before Thales.
"How do you feel?" Thales flashed a smile at the dispirited Ralf. "For the past month or so …
"Compared to your career as a gangster?"
The eyes on the half of the Phantom Wind Follower's silver mask moved slightly.
He gestured laboriously with his right hand, which was in the splint. "Very bad."
Thales raised his eyebrows.
Ralf shrugged and gestured again.
"But, it's also very good."
Thales chuckled softly.
The prince raised his head and looked at the sky of Dragon Clouds City outside the window with complicated emotions.
There was a sense of relaxation in his heart that he had not felt for a long time.
"Did you see that?" He parted his lips slightly and said faintly in the air in a low voice that no one could hear, "This is my answer."
This time, there was no sound in his ears.
* Whoosh … *
The snowstorm outside the window suddenly intensified. The cold wind howled, mixed with ice crystals, and blew against his face.
In his field of vision, Dragon Clouds City seemed to have darkened in an instant, becoming gray and hazy.
The Day Before the Bitter Cold that enveloped the entire Northland had officially arrived.
?
? The next chapter was the end of the book. It could be considered an Easter egg chapter.
?
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