The sun shone brightly.
A group of knights arrived at their destination at the South City Gate of Dragon Clouds City.
When the thin man stepped into this famous Northland city again and looked at the bustling crowd at the city gate, his heart was filled with endless emotions.
Even after going through that disaster, Dragon Clouds City still appeared dignified, grand, boorish, and shocking. Even the quarrels of the passersby had a sonorous tone to them.
'Those days …'
But he still forcibly suppressed the surging thoughts in his heart and retracted his gaze from the towering statue of Raikaru.
He still had things to do.
The thin man lowered his head and pulled the reins to urge his horse forward.
The thin man calmly said to the dozen knights behind him, "Get ready, we have a long slope to climb."
The knights seemed to be used to his indifferent tone. They did not say a word and just followed quietly.
This was a low-key group. There were no flags, decorations, or emblems to show their identity. There were only luggage and miscellaneous items on the horses, as well as the hurried expressions on everyone's faces.
It was obviously the first time a few of them came to Dragon Clouds City. They looked around in surprise.
"This is Dragon Clouds City?" a young attendant asked, puzzled. "Didn't they say that it was almost destroyed by the calamity? Why is it so complete? "
"What destroyed Dragon Clouds City was a rumor, not a calamity," the thin man replied in a relaxed manner. "Wash your brain, Mark."
A few minutes later, a Northland noble with a military aura came up to welcome them with a few cavaliers. After a brief meeting, he led them away from the queue to enter the city.
They walked past the empty space in front of the city gate and began to ascend the slope.
"I'm flattered that the Chief Garrison Officer personally came to welcome us," the thin man greeted them faintly. "Viscount Leisdon."
"Unfortunately, the archduchess is in the Hall of Heroes. Today is the day of her council hearing. Regent Lisban is also inside." The Northland noble named Leisdon appeared to be very capable and courageous. With a few gestures from him, the patrol team began to operate in an orderly manner.
He nodded slightly at the thin man on his horse.
"Lord Putray Nemain, who came all the way from Constellation Kingdom."
Constellation's Lord Putray nodded in response.
Viscount Leisdon, Count Lisban's trusted old subordinate, who remained as Dragon Clouds City's garrison officer after the archduchess succeeded to the throne, looked at the group of travel-worn Constellatiates and nodded slightly. "But I believe that all of you must want to meet the prince first."
Constellation's attendants looked at each other. Their eyes were filled with anticipation and curiosity.
That prince.
The legendary second prince.
"Exactly." On the bustling Northland street, Putray's thin face revealed a smile. "Please bring us directly to the Blood Court."
Leisdon raised an eyebrow.
Blood Courtyard …
"Of course. The Blood Court, the most remote and dilapidated corner of Heroic Spirit Palace, houses a special guest." Leisdon sighed softly. "Please follow me."
The viscount frowned and waved his hand. A messenger immediately understood and set off. Ten seconds later, a patrol team in front of them immediately changed direction and headed in the direction of Heroic Spirit Palace.
"You are a sensible man, I admire you — unlike your former receptionist." Putray nodded approvingly and took out his pipe.
Viscount Leisdon snorted and rode beside Putray.
"Former receptionist?"
Leisdon's lips curled up. "I heard about him secretly obstructing the diplomat group from contacting the prince. After that, he was found to be in close contact with a count from Black Sand Region.
"That's why I took up the post myself this year." Leisdon coughed with an unpleasant expression. "After he was hanged — ahem, replaced."
Putray took a puff of his cigarette and watched the smoke ring change on his horse. He said with a sigh, "Thank you for understanding our anxiety."
"It's my pleasure." Leisdon nodded slightly as if he was deep in thought. "This is Dragon Clouds City, after all, not Black Sand City."
Putray narrowed his eyes and said, "King Chapman still sends a special envoy to 'offer his condolences'?"
Speaking of the common-elected king, disgust and disdain appeared on Viscount Leisdon's face. "Three times a year, and never late."
"If it's possible, he probably even wants to bribe the messenger crows flying above Dragon Clouds City to monitor our every move." Leisdon glanced at Heroic Spirit Palace, which was located at the side of the mountains. "Especially the whereabouts of those two."
Putray exhaled a smoke ring. "But I heard that your king has been in big trouble recently?"
"Isn't that so." Leisdon snorted softly, as if he was very happy. "Chapman Lampard's troubles have never stopped since he was crowned."
Hearing that name, the faces of the Constellatiate attendants tensed up. They immediately pricked up their ears and paid attention to the new king who had not ruled for long in Eckstedt.
"Half a month ago, led by the four archdukes in the north and west, they launched a boycott against the king's persecution of the nobles in the region. In the name of the Joint Ruling Pledge, they called for tax resistance in solidarity with the old nobles of Black Sand Region who were stripped of their titles. They also called for others to join them and oppose the king's atrocities.
Viscount Leisdon's lips curled up.
'Of course.'
He could boldly and confidently save a sum of money, and he could also see the king in a terrible predicament. Why not?
"I suspect that Dragon Clouds City will soon receive an invitation to sign their joint condemnation letter." Leisdon exhaled softly. "You know, the reputation of the 'kinslayer' is already bad enough."
"Chapman the Kinslayer." Putray whistled. "It's really harsh to call your own king that."
"I heard that it was Roknee the 'Long Hair' from the City of Faraway Prayers who first called him that." The garrison officer laughed happily. "It's the worst nickname for a king in Eckstedt's history. You know, even Jacob the First, who married his own aunt and became his queen, was only called the 'Degenerate'."
Putray chuckled and did not comment.
'Bad reputation …
'But it doesn't mean that his methods are bad.'
"I heard that Constellation isn't stable either?"
"I heard that the plague in the southwest, which was finally quelled, is showing signs of relapse." Viscount Leisdon naturally changed the topic. "And King Kessel has already sent three waves of regular soldiers to Blade Edge Hill?"
Putray narrowed his eyes slightly. "The old wounds are too deep. It won't be easy to heal them.
"Just like you."
Leisdon and Putray looked at each other. The Dragon and Constellation duo nodded with their own thoughts in mind.
The group of people walked past the lively Dragon Wings Square, the messy Bow District, Axe District and Spear District where the upper-class people stayed, all the way to the upper part of Dragon Clouds City.
Finally, the First Gatehouse, which separated Axe District and Heroic Spirit Palace, appeared before the group of people.
Putray looked at the towering gatehouse and sighed again.
Viscount Leisdon negotiated with the patrols guarding the gatehouse for a few minutes with a serious expression on his face before the Constellatiates were allowed to enter the gatehouse.
Immediately, many patrolling soldiers walked forward with hostile expressions and searched them from their bodies to their luggage. This made many Constellatiates feel indignant.
"Calm down, this is a necessary procedure. Oh, the gift for the archduchess is in that box. Please put it carefully."
Putray habitually raised his hands and waited for the body search. He comforted the unhappy Constellatiates and asked them to endure the Northlanders' murderous aura and brutality. Then, he said to Leisdon, who was waiting by the side, "Looks like your security measures have been improved a lot."
Leisdon's expression tensed.
"We added three more passwords, and built many more sentry posts in front. Even if it's an emergency warrant issued by the archduchess herself, there are corresponding safety measures. We even tried to recruit Psionics, which are rarely seen in the Northlander army. It was said that it was the prince's suggestion." Leisdon's tone became very stiff, as if he was suppressing something. "The gatehouse is always a strong wall that separates danger.
"The story of being tricked into opening the gatehouse by a reputable high-ranking officer and a traitor among the soldiers will not repeat itself."
Putray sighed in response.
Finally, after a complicated search, the group of Constellatiates passed through the gatehouse and arrived at the empty space in front of Heroic Spirit Palace.
Putray looked at the eight big furnaces that were both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time in front of the palace gate with complicated emotions. He remembered the scene of that small figure walking through the palace gate alone and could not help but let out a long sigh.
Groups of palace guards on patrol looked at them in an unfriendly manner.
They got off their horses and allowed the guards to lead their mounts away.
"The Blood Court is this way. Please follow me." Viscount Leisdon led them away from the grand palace gate of Heroic Spirit Palace and into a remote winding corridor.
The road under their feet became narrower and even overgrown with weeds. However, the number of guards on the road gradually increased.
"How is he doing?" Putray looked at the guards coming and going. His emotions were complicated.
The Constellatiates' attention was attracted by this question.
Leisdon furrowed his brows.
'How is he doing?
This question … '
"Everyone has a different evaluation of him." The garrison officer chose his words carefully. "But if you ask me …
"That prince is very quiet."
The Constellatiates nodded at each other. This was in line with their judgment of the prince's youth and maturity.
Only Putray was shocked. "What do you mean?"
'That guy …'
Putray recalled the image of that young adult who spoke with fervor and assurance and made people speechless from time to time.
'Quiet?'
He found it unbelievable.
"Most of the time, he sits quietly and reads by himself. Sometimes, he talks to himself or even recites in a low voice. It can be said that he forgets to eat and sleep. And every time, his position is different, from the corner of the courtyard to the Cliff of the Sky, worrying his guards …
"Every month, he goes out of the palace to Spear District to play chess. He likes to stay in his private room and play chess with himself. He sits there for a few hours until his attendants remind him that the archduke's personal guards need to eat …
"He does not care much about the disputes in Dragon Clouds City. Whether it is palace banquets or hunts, he declines all of them, even if the nobles' eyes are on him. Instead, he is very familiar with the servants in the palace. I heard that he likes to smile, and even greets messenger crows when he sees them.
"There are many teachers who have taught him and the archduchess. Half of them did not last for two months, saying that they 'could not agree with the prince's style'. Count Lisban is very troubled …"
"Ah." Putray shook his head, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "I am here to solve this problem."
Viscount Leisdon's expression was strange.
"But his relationship with the archduchess is very good. The two of them often stay in the library from morning to afternoon. This has made him many enemies among the nobles in Dragon Clouds City." When he said this, Leisdon lowered his voice and said, "Count Lisban is very dissatisfied with him because of this."
'That's not all.
It has also attracted a lot of dissatisfaction and protests from the archduchess. '
Leisdon said quietly.
Putray knew what was going on and nodded slightly.
After passing through countless porches and layers of guards, they finally arrived in front of a dilapidated and old three-story building that almost didn't have a hall. There were still many palace guards standing there, scanning them with vigilant and fierce gazes.
"It's like being in a prison … You know, there are prison guards everywhere …" a Constellatiate attendant whispered to his companion.
A man who was obviously the leader of the palace guards walked out. He was tall and had a sharp gaze. At his waist was a longsword.
Viscount Leisdon greeted the captain of the guards.
"Lord Justin." The viscount nodded politely. He extended his hand to the Constellatiates behind him and introduced, "This is …"
The former deputy commander of the White Blade Guards, Lord Justin, who once defended the palace under Black Sand Region's attack, nodded with a calm expression. His gaze circled the guest.
"Putray Nemain. I recognize him."
Putray smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I want —"
However, Lord Justin obviously did not like to talk too much. He remained expressionless and cut straight to the point. "I know why you're here."
He is in the backyard. Follow me. "
Putray smiled slightly, thanking him for his understanding.
"I will wait for you here." Leisdon put his hands behind his back and stood on the spot. He pursed his lips and nodded. "The archduchess' hearing will take a while."
With anticipation, the Constellatiate attendants looked at each other and followed Putray through the first floor of the building to the backyard.
Even under the sun, the backyard, which was shrouded by a canopy of trees, still looked gloomy and dilapidated, as if no one had lived there for a long time. The tiles were uneven, and the ground was covered in broken tree roots. The pale tree trunks and the cracked walls of the courtyard were almost one. The walls were desolate, and shadows were everywhere. There was an ominous atmosphere in the air, making people feel gloomy at first sight.
More than ten Constellatiate soldiers stood in the dilapidated courtyard, guarding the entrance and exit.
A young Constellatiate man in his twenties saw them from afar. His eyes immediately brightened and he hurried over to welcome them.
"Oh, what a surprise." The young man was tall and straight. His face was ordinary, but he had a pair of sharp eyes. "His Highness said … I thought you would only arrive a week later."
The young man came before Putray. The Constellatiate attendants could not help but notice that there was a longsword without a sheath at his waist. It was single-edged.
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Putray exhaled a smoke ring without hesitation and raised his eyebrows. "Attendant Wya Caso."
Hearing this surname, the guests from Constellation cast a strange look at Wya.
'So that's the Cunning Fox's …'
But the prince's attendant did not seem to like this kind of gaze. He turned to the side and revealed the scene behind him.
The guests were immediately attracted by the strange man leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. He had light, short hair and a silver mask that covered the area from his throat to his nose. Only the upper half of his tattooed face was exposed. He sized up the guests with a cold and vigilant gaze, as if they were intruders.
It made them feel uncomfortable.
'He's probably not very friendly,' many people thought.
* Bang! *
A muffled sound was heard.
The guests from Constellation immediately shifted their gazes to the source of the sound — the two people who were practicing swordsmanship in the field.
The one who caught their attention was the seven or eight-year-old boy.
He held a sword in one hand and a shield in the other. He was drenched in sweat, but his expression was firm as he gritted his teeth.
He withstood the guard's attacks again and again.
"Raise your arms. Pay attention to the rise and fall of my shoulders. Predict the next attack and defend in time …" The guard who was training with him was not tall to begin with. He deliberately lowered his posture to take care of the boy's movements and height. The wooden sword knocked on the boy's joints from time to time, forcing the boy to retreat.
* Bang! *
Another muffled sound was heard. The boy fell to the ground in a sorry state.
He bit his lower lip, wiped the sweat off his forehead, rubbed his aching knees, and looked at the guard in dissatisfaction. "Do you have to do this?"
"Stand up!" The guard shook his head. His tone was stern and uncompromising. "Raise your sword!"
Wya frowned and looked at the seven or eight-year-old boy. He seemed to be reluctant, but in the end, he did not say anything.
Beside him, Putray narrowed his eyes and stared fixedly at the training in the field.
The people of Constellation craned their necks and looked at the little boy on the ground who was gritting his teeth and enduring the pain with a tough expression.
That was …
Constellation's only prince?
The one who was a hostage in the enemy country and used his life to maintain the peace between the two countries …
'But …'
The guests looked at the boy who was struck down by a sword, and their hearts dimmed.
The little prince looked at his hands and legs and sighed heavily. He got up listlessly. "But this is too much …"
"If you still want to inherit your father's position and take over his heavy responsibilities, isn't this necessary?" The guard's stern words came from behind the helmet. It was frightening to hear. The people around them shook their heads. "A sharp blade may be able to tear flesh, but if it's held in a pair of unstable hands, you won't even be able to cut through the most fragile reed!"
The prince, who was still a weak boy, could only take a deep breath and hold back his emotions. He focused his attention again and raised his sword and shield.
Many of the onlookers could not bear to watch. Many of them cast a strange glance at the newcomer, Putray.
The sparring began again.
"You know the main points of this sword style." Although the guard who looked like an instructor was strict, he still dutifully taught the boy and guided his movements. "Your footsteps must be steady, but not too tight. Control your center of gravity. This is especially important when you switch between offense and defense …"
However …
* Bang! *
The third time, the strong but weak boy fell to the ground violently. The wooden sword fell to the ground.
He could not fight back at all.
Behind Putray, the attendants of Constellation looked at each other in disappointment and retracted their gazes from the boy.
Obviously, the prince was not talented in martial arts, to the point that he did not know anything about it …
It made their feelings of anticipation a little complicated.
'If this is Constellation's future …'
"Enough." Wya, who was watching from the side, could not stand it anymore. The prince's attendant crossed his arms and said to the boy's instructor in dissatisfaction, "He's only eight years old!"
Ralf, who was leaning against the wall, whistled softly and made a gesture that no one else could understand.
The little prince on the ground took a deep breath, clenched his fists, and punched the ground fiercely. However, he still looked at his instructor, unwilling to admit defeat.
"Eight years old?"
The guard snorted coldly. He lowered his head and looked at the boy.
"When I was his age, the enemies I faced were far less merciful. They even gave you a second — no, a twelfth chance to stand up!"
The little prince's face turned pale as he stood up.
"You do not need me to tell you how special your identity is."
The guard's words were merciless, and it made the boy with the special identity feel a little embarrassed and ashamed.
But the boy still refused to admit defeat. "But I am smarter than all of them …
"This is not a matter of whether you are smart or not!"
The guard's voice became sterner.
"Every single one of your opponents is much older than you, much stronger, and much more experienced! Without a strong will and a strong body, how are you going to climb to the highest position in the future? How are you going to control the entire — "
At this moment …
"Your Highness!"
An extremely loud shout rang through the entire area, even attracting the attention of the palace guards in the distance.
The entire area fell silent.
Putray took a step forward and patted Wya's shoulder, gesturing for him to step back.
The visitors from Constellation looked at the leader of their trip, hoping that he could bring some changes to the seemingly weak prince.
'After all, he is the future of Constellation …'
It was only then that the seven or eight-year-old boy noticed Putray's arrival. He scratched his head in embarrassment.
When the onlookers saw this, they all had strange expressions on their faces.
The thin lord stared at the scene with a sharp gaze.
A second later, he sighed softly.
"Your Highness, stop fooling around." Putray put away his stern expression. With a profound gaze, he said helplessly, "Be more mature.
"You should grow up."
The boy blinked and looked around anxiously, as if he was a little afraid.
A few seconds later …
The guard in front of the 'prince' moved slightly and threw down the wooden sword in his hand.
He stood up straight and turned his head.
The guard pulled his shoulders, and as his joints cracked, he took off the protective gear and gloves on his arms. "Ah, you are still the same. Your sense of humor is lacking."
A muffled voice came from behind the helmet. It was as unpleasant as a drake's voice.
The people around them, whether it was Ralf or Wya, all looked at the 'guard' in resignation.
Putray rubbed his forehead. He felt as if his head was about to explode.
The new attendants from Constellation looked at each other in surprise. For a moment, they could not react.
The stern 'guard' took off his helmet, revealing a delicate and pretty face of thirteen or fourteen years old.
The teenager shook his sweaty face under the helmet. He walked forward and tossed the helmet to Ralf beside him. He smiled heartily at Putray, who was half a head taller than him.
Under everyone's gazes, the real Second Prince of Constellation, Thales Jadestar, who looked like a teenager, punched Putray's shoulder in a straightforward manner, just like a normal Northland man.
"It's been a while, Putray."
Putray, who was knocked back a step, shook his head in resignation. "To think that they said you were very 'quiet'."
'He really is a' quiet prince '.'
Thales laughed heartily and patted Putray's shoulder. He flashed a refreshing and relaxed smile at the people behind him, making them feel that he was very close to them.
"My friends from my hometown, welcome to Northland." The prince happily thumped his chest and said loudly with a muffled sound in his chest, "Welcome to Northland!"
Under the stupefied gazes of the attendants, Putray gritted his teeth as if he had a headache. He gestured with his lips. "What's up with that boy?"
Thales then patted his head and turned around.
"Joseph, I met an old friend." The prince changed from his stern demeanor just now. He squatted down and said gently to the boy, "Let's call it a day. You can go back now. Your father is probably anxious from waiting."
"Don't be nervous. My teacher told me that to learn this sword style, you must first learn how to take a beating."
The boy exhaled as if he had been pardoned. He rolled his eyes and took off his protective gear. "I thought it was over for today."
Thales laughed heartily.
The teenage prince turned his head and raised his eyebrows at Putray, whose face was almost as black as charcoal. "This is Joseph, the head chef's son. His dream is to take over his father's position, become the head chef of Heroic Spirit Palace, and be in charge of the entire scullery … His identity allowed him to participate in the chef's apprenticeship at the age of eight. But you know, the competition in Heroic Spirit Palace's scullery is fierce, and he's the worst at cutting meat, so he needs special training when it comes to using a knife …"
"Alright, alright …" Putray sighed helplessly and flicked away the remaining smoke from his pipe. "I'm glad to see that you have become more cheerful in the past six years."
"Your Highness."
He was no longer the damn child with a stern face in the past.
Thales' expression froze for a second.
He stood up and stopped smiling.
As the prince's expression changed, the atmosphere among the guards and attendants also turned cold.
"No," he said faintly, "it's not six years."
Putray responded with a puzzled look.
"I remember it very clearly." The prince raised his head and said with a slightly sentimental tone, "Today is the 14th of June, Year 679."
Thales looked at the sun in the sky and sighed with a complicated gaze.
"It's six years and one hundred and sixty-seven days.
I'm already almost fourteen years old. "
?
? Boohoo … Boohoo …
?
?
Thales … Boohoo … You've finally grown up.
?
?
I thought … I thought … Boohoo …
?
?
Hurry up, everyone! ' Those who tipped, those who voted, those who left messages (Swordless, who was sobbing uncontrollably). Otherwise, what if he woke up in the next chapter and realized that he was still seven years old?
?
????
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
