Filled with anger, Thales rode through the First Gatehouse under heavy protection and returned to Heroic Spirit Palace. His mind was shrouded in countless doubts.
According to Asda, there were only a few Mystics, but they were still divided into many factions.
The Extremists, led by B, who started the war, were once the most powerful faction, the real 'calamities' who had committed countless crimes. According to Asda, they were a bunch of complete lunatics who destroyed the world and themselves. But was that really the case? Thales always felt that even the unreasonable Giza did not seem to be such a crazy existence.
With Asda as their representative, the Moderates who rejected war. Asda described himself as a group of pacifists who stood aloof from worldly affairs, scattered in the world, and disunited. But from Thales' point of view, at the moment, whether it was controlling Constellation's underground world or pursuing Thales, the Air Mystic was the most proactive Mystic who wanted to change the current situation.
The two Obscurists who believed themselves to be humans and thus fought against the Extremists. Asda's attitude towards them was very strange. He neither hated them nor acknowledged them. Instead, his attitude was filled with pity. 'Where are they now? How are they doing? '
Thales' heart tightened when he thought of this.
'Blood Spike and Hellen.'
The traitors of the Mystics, known as the Magic Empresses, were shrouded in the most mystery. 'Why did they betray? How did they betray? 'Why does Asda hate them more than the Obscurists who stand on the side of the world? 'How are they now?'
Thales sighed and dismounted beside Heroic Spirit Palace's stable. He took out the book from the saddle and comforted the reluctant Jennie as he handed the reins to the groom.
Having just received his' first lesson ', the confusion in his heart did not diminish when he faced the world. The more he knew, the more questions he had.
While he was deep in thought, Wya, who was behind him, nudged the young prince. His tone was cautious and vigilant. "Your Highness."
Thales snapped out of his daze and looked up. He saw the person who made Wya and Ralf rather uneasy.
It was a pale man. He leaned against the side of the stable with his arms crossed. A black-hilted saber was strapped diagonally on his back.
He raised his head towards the prince and his entourage, revealing a sharp and unfriendly gaze. Including Lord Justin, the Grand Duchess' Guards and the palace guards all nodded at him in greeting. His entire body exuded a dangerous aura.
It was just like the first time Thales met him.
"It's already six o 'clock," the man said coldly, "and I said five o' clock."
Thales helplessly rolled his eyes at the setting sun.
"Aren't you supposed to be busy protecting the archduchess' safety?" The prince patted the dust off his body and bade farewell to Jennie. Once again, he watched how this beautiful girl caused a commotion among her peers after she was led into the stable.
"Why do you have the time to visit a powerless and useless foreign prince at this time?"
"Lord Nicholas?"
Soray Nicholas was the legendary commander of the Archduchess' Guards who had been demoted from the White Blade Guards to the Grand Duchess' Guards. He was almost middle-aged. After the drastic change six years ago, as the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes increased, the once most trusted personal guard of King Nuven became more stable and reliable, as well as more cautious.
Wya anxiously turned his head to look for Aida. But after a few seconds, he sighed and turned his head back. 'That shorty has probably left the prince behind and gone to the suburbs to fight on her own.'
The Star Killer snorted coldly.
"Others might think that you're inconspicuous, that you usually just read books and play chess. At most, you skip class and play hide-and-seek." As usual, Nicholas scanned his target with an unpleasant scrutinizing gaze. His tone was unfriendly. "But I know …"
The Star Killer lowered his arms. His gaze was sharp.
"You're the most troublesome person in Heroic Spirit Palace."
Thales sighed in resignation. He turned around and walked out of the stable, brushing past Nicholas.
"Thank you for your compliment. Forgive me for —"
At this moment, Thales' shoulder suddenly sank!
* Slap! *
The prince turned his head and looked at the Star Killer's hand on his shoulder. He frowned slightly.
Wya and Ralf reacted quickly and took two steps forward. The attendant pressed his hand on his single-edged sword, while the Phantom Wind Follower drew out one of the two short swords from his waist.
The people around them also reacted quickly. The Constellatiates consciously formed a semicircle and blocked the Northlanders, who had also become nervous.
"Let go of the prince."
Wya looked at them and warned them with a solemn expression.
"Relax, relax." Before the situation went out of control, Thales exhaled and waved his hand for his subordinates to retreat. "Lord Nicholas always likes to joke with me."
The prince stared at the Star Killer, who was still pressing down on his shoulder. He raised his eyebrows. "Right?"
Nicholas stared at him for a whole five seconds before he let go of the teenager in front of him.
Wya, who had been vigilant by the side, heaved a sigh of relief. The hostile atmosphere around them also eased up.
But the moment Thales shrugged, the Star Killer suddenly extended his hand again.
* Slap! *
Nicholas' movements were so fast, and the trajectory was so strange that the prince could not react at all. He could only watch as the Star Killer's hand thrust forward and retracted, forcefully snatching the thick, brown-covered book he brought out of the palace from his left hand!
But at that moment, Thales' expression changed drastically, like a lion cub whose fur had stood on end.
The Sin of Hell's River was like the most loyal companion. It rose from every inch of his body, surged up his left arm, and filled every joint from his shoulder, elbow, and wrist.
The moment the book left his hand, Thales' left arm swiftly grabbed it with a backhand movement that was several times more agile than usual!
* Thud! *
He grabbed the spine of the book in a death grip!
The Sin of Hell's River surged again and filled his arm muscles. It gradually increased the strength in Thales' hand, not letting go even the slightest bit.
The attendants pressed their hands on their weapons again. The tension in the air returned.
"Your Highness!" Wya shouted anxiously, "Be careful, you —"
"Stay back, Wya!" Thales spoke with a solemn expression, stopping his subordinate from drawing his weapon from his waist. "Lord Nicholas' joke is a little too big, that's all."
'Damn it.
'This guy …' Thales stared at Nicholas.
'He just won't let me go.'
The brown-covered book stopped in midair. The Prince of Constellation and the Star Killer each grabbed one side of the book, and they were in a stalemate.
"Oh, this is rare." Nicholas felt the strength in his hand gradually increase, and he could not hide the surprise in his eyes. "If you can perform like this in your daily sword practice …"
"Then I'll be f * cked even worse by you," Thales interrupted him coldly, unwilling to let go of the book in his hand.
Nicholas curled up the corners of his mouth.
"You know, I've always found it strange." There was a strange, cold glint in the Star Killer's eyes. "Don't you get tired of playing chess with yourself in an empty room for three years?"
"It can't be helped." Thales did not show any weakness. "It's your fault that you don't know how to play chess, and the archduchess's chess skills are a mess."
"Is that so?" Nicholas sneered. "There must be people in the Secret Intelligence Department who know how to play chess."
Thales gritted his molars. He had a bad feeling about this.
"Perhaps you shouldn't be so rude to me." The prince sighed. His arm, which had been trembling during the contest of strength, started to ache. "The archduchess —"
"The archduchess must remember how her grandfather passed away!" Nicholas interrupted him faster than he could. The expression on his face reminded others of a hunter.
"Isn't that so?"
Thales was instantly speechless.
In the next moment, Nicholas pushed the book in his hand and pulled it back!
Thales had no way of grasping his opponent's sudden change in technique and strength. The agility and strength brought about by the Sin of Hell's River were of no use at all. He could only stare at Nicholas as he snatched the book away.
"I didn't know that you were still interested in the Temple of Knights." Nicholas looked at the title of the book on the cover, then glanced at the Prince of Constellation, who had an unpleasant expression on his face. "But …"
The Star Killer patted the spine of the book with one hand. The book automatically opened to the page that the user most often opened. It lay flat on Nicholas' wide, calloused palm.
In the middle of the page, there was a thin piece of sky-blue paper.
Thales clenched his fists. His breathing quickened.
'That's …'
"Oh, that explains it …" Nicholas narrowed his eyes and curled up the corners of his lips. He gently picked up the thin blue paper and looked at Thales' livid face with interest.
"A message? Is this why you want to play chess? "
'That's an invitation.'
Thales said quietly. He suppressed the anxiety in his heart and stretched out his hand to stop his subordinate from moving.
"It's just a meaningless sentence on it," the prince said calmly. "You know …"
Nicholas interrupted him with a chuckle.
"Then let us take a look …" In front of the prince, Nicholas flung the thin piece of paper aside with a victorious smile and read the words written on it.
"Fall …"
But when Nicholas uttered the first syllable, his pale face changed slightly.
He raised his head abruptly and shifted his gaze from the thin paper to Thales.
Thales blinked.
"Is this some kind of joke?"
The Star Killer said coldly, "Young prince."
He turned the hard paper in his hand to the other side. The thin, sky-blue paper was spread out in front of Thales.
Wya and Ralf moved their heads forward.
There was only one line of neatly written words in the lingua franca on the thin paper in Nicholas' hand. It was written in standard patterns.
Ralf whistled and retracted his head.
Wya mumbled something and held back his laughter. He did not look at Nicholas' expression.
"Look, I said a meaningless sentence." Thales scratched his head awkwardly, using this action to relieve the soreness brought by the Sin of Hell's River. "You were the one who insisted on reading it."
Nicholas stared into the prince's eyes. His eyes were burning.
His assistant, Lord Justin frowned slightly and went forward to remind him, "Leader, it's getting late."
Only then did the Star Killer close his mouth in dissatisfaction and snort through his nose.
With an unpleasant expression, Nicholas crumpled the thin paper in his hand into a ball and threw the book back to Thales.
"Young prince, you'd better be careful."
"Use a new phrase next time." Thales caught the book and pretended to blow the dust off it. "I'm used to it."
"No."
Nicholas' gaze turned cold, and his words were profound. "What I mean is, be careful."
At that moment, Thales' pupils shrank.
"What do you mean?" the prince asked faintly.
Thales sensed something unusual in Nicholas' words.
"I mean it literally."
Nicholas tore the thin paper in his hand callously. "Dragon Clouds City hasn't been peaceful lately.
And you're the most interesting bargaining chip in Dragon Clouds City. "
The Star Killer tore the thin paper in his hand and walked forward slowly. He approached Thales' face with an oppressive force, and his tone became more and more frightening. "Of course, if you and the hand behind you want to do something …"
Thales furrowed his brows tightly.
At that moment …
"Enough!"
It was a clear and loud female voice. It sounded rather young, and it rose out of nowhere in the empty space outside the stable.
Thales exhaled. In response, Nicholas snorted coldly in displeasure.
Wya's expression relaxed. He turned around and mouthed to Ralf, "I'm saved."
Footsteps could be heard outside the stable.
A blonde girl in a dark brown one-piece formal dress walked to the front of the stable under the protection of the Archduchess' Guards on both sides. An old but rather dignified nobleman accompanied her with powerful steps. The old-fashioned Madam Ginghes and two maids followed behind them.
Beside the stable, both the Archduchess' Guards and the palace guards retreated in unison and bowed respectfully.
"Lord Nicholas." The young girl who suddenly appeared continued to speak with her bright voice. Her voice was like the soft cry of a skylark, and it made people feel as if the setting sun was rising again. "Prince Thales is our honored guest, and also Dragon Clouds City's ally. He represents the friendship between the Jadestar Family and Constellation.
"And you should display the bearing and actions that befit the honor of a Northlander, my personal guard captain."
The girl stared straight at Nicholas, who was confronting Thales. Her expression was calm, but there was an inexplicable sense of indifference.
"After all, we fought alongside him."
The Star Killer inhaled softly and glanced at the prince. Then, he took a step back and bowed slightly to the girl.
"Of course," Nicholas said coldly. "As you wish."
"Your Grace."
Thales shrugged. He turned around and flashed a friendly smile at the girl who helped him out of his predicament.
He did not know when it started, but the sloppy Little Rascal he knew six years ago had turned into a beautiful fifteen-year-old girl.
She was the current Archduchess of Dragon Clouds City, Saroma Walton, who amazed Thales, even though he saw her every day.
The girl blinked her green eyes, which were even more spirited than before. Her nose was curled up into an adorable arc, which made people want to reach out and pinch it. Her lips were slightly thick, but they had a unique texture. Her bright cheeks were flushed with a healthy red, which made the two strands of platinum hair that fell from her chest look even brighter.
The only thing on her body that ruined the brightness was probably the big, thick, black-rimmed glasses on her face.
"Good night, my respected and noble Archduchess of Dragon Clouds City, the beautiful and elegant Lady Saroma." Thales smiled in a relaxed manner. He raised his right hand at Saroma, pressed it lightly against his left chest, and performed an elegant, proper, and unmistakable bow. "Lord Nicholas was only joking with me. Please do not be too harsh on him."
The young Saroma stared at him quietly. No emotion could be seen in her eyes.
"But I still thank you for your concern, and I will keep this gratitude in my heart." The prince curled his lips into what Ginghes, the female officer, said was the best angle, and nodded slightly. "I hope you have a pleasant day today, My Lady.
"And the two of you, Count Lisban and Lady Ginghes." Thales raised his eyebrows. He watched as Lisban, who looked stern, and Ginghes, who looked calm, returned his bow.
Finally, Saroma furrowed her brows slightly and pursed her lips, which made her look even cuter. She walked forward slowly and looked at Thales at the same level.
The young girl walked in front of Thales. She pouted, extended her hands, and elegantly lifted the hem of her dress, revealing a pair of small deerskin boots and a pair of beautifully curved calves.
Thales straightened his back. He could not help but notice that the girl's once dirty hands had become white and smooth. They were lightly wrapped around her waist. Under the well-tailored formal dress, her neck looked slender, her waist was straight, and her slightly large breasts were tightly bound in her tight shirt. Her entire body exuded a youthful vigor.
However, just when Thales thought that the archduchess was going to lift her skirt and bow back to him …
* Thud! *
Thales cried out in pain. He took two steps back and crashed into the stable behind him.
He bent down in pain and rubbed the bone of his leg that was kicked.
Behind the young girl, Count Lisban and Lady Ginghes both frowned. A pair of maidservants covered their mouths and cried out in surprise at the same time. Nicholas scratched his neck and shook his head gently.
Saroma snorted coldly and retracted her boots. Her hands trembled, and she angrily flung her skirt down. As the archduchess moved playfully, the jeweled headdress on her full forehead shone brightly under the setting sun. Even the Cloud Dragon Spear emblem on her sleeve seemed to have gained a hint of color out of nowhere.
The Prince of Constellation, who had been kicked for no reason, raised his head with an incredulous expression.
"Hey." Feeling the pain in his leg, Thales protested in dissatisfaction, "Why?"
Saroma walked up to Thales. She was slightly taller than Thales, and she curled her lips as she stared at the guests of Constellation with a displeased expression.
Wya and Ralf looked at each other and wisely took a step back. They chose to abandon their duty and abandon their prince.
"From Constellation, respected, noble, handsome …" The girl's expression was ice-cold, and she emphasized the last two words. "Prince Thales! 'Highness' Thales! "
Thales sighed.
The Archduchess unhappily glanced at the Big Black Horse behind him, who was chewing on fodder and watching the show leisurely. She threatened him with her clear and bright voice, "If you speak to me in this tone again, I will …" She was very unhappy and glanced at the Big Black Horse, who was chewing on fodder and watching the show.
"Then don't live in the courtyard anymore. Come to the stable and sleep with your favorite Jennie!"
Saroma snorted softly. She turned around abruptly and stomped her deerskin boots on the ground. Her footsteps could be heard from twenty meters away, and she left angrily.
The young girl's long hair brushed past Thales' cheeks, and a delicate fragrance wafted into his nose.
But the unfortunate prince did not have the energy to care about these little charms. With a wronged expression, he raised his head and looked at the indifferent Count Lisban.
Madam Ginghes and the two maidservants hurriedly followed the archduchess. The former even glared at Thales with a frown, as if it was his fault.
"Ciel, I'm already very tired today." The archduchess' clear voice rang. She was respectful and polite, forming a stark contrast with her behavior just now. "Let's talk about it tomorrow. I'll leave the rest to you."
The Regent of Dragon Clouds City, Count Lisban, who was also dressed in formal attire, sighed and nodded gently at the young girl's back. "Of course, my Lady."
The Star Killer shook his head in disdain and followed the archduchess.
Saroma's footsteps faded into the distance.
Thales straightened his back and exhaled in dissatisfaction. He said to Lisban, "During today's state affairs hearing, who provoked her again?"
"No one." The regent shook his head without changing his expression. But then, he nodded with a conflicted expression. His expression darkened.
"Everyone."
Thales revealed a puzzled expression and said in dissatisfaction, "Then, do I deserve to be that unlucky target?"
Count Ciel Lisban, the Regent of Dragon Clouds City who was over sixty years old, probably did not like Thales very much from the first time he saw him. But this time, the count shook his head and apologized to him.
"On behalf of the Lady herself, I apologize for her behavior. Her behavior just now was indeed inappropriate, Prince Thales," Regent Lisban said solemnly. "When the time is right, I will advise her.
"Believe me, this is not her usual behavior."
Thales, who had suffered for no reason, rolled his eyes.
"Then I'll take my leave first, Prince Thales." Regent Lisban stared at the archduchess' back and said slowly, "Please convey my gratitude to Lord Putray."
Thales nodded in resignation.
Accompanied by his attendants, the regent turned and left.
Thales watched Lisban's retreating back and his heart sank a little.
'No one?
'Everyone?
What Lisban said … What exactly happened during the state affairs hearing?
'In addition to Nicholas's warning that Dragon Clouds City will not be peaceful, and his inexplicable search …'
'Also, Putray also rushed to Dragon Clouds City at this time.'
Thales, who was deep in thought, raised his head. He felt a little uneasy.
He needed to find Putray as soon as possible and listen to the lord's report.
The big black horse stuck its head out of the fence and playfully touched the prince's cheek.
"As expected." Thales put aside the complicated thoughts in his heart. He hugged Jennie's head and let out a long sigh. "You're still better, Jennie."
At this moment, Aida, who had disappeared for a long time, popped out of nowhere.
She held two dead rabbits in each hand and said cheerfully in front of the dumbfounded Wya and Ralf, "Hey, little Thales, it's okay. We don't want to eat that brat's dinner. We can start a fire ourselves …"
The prince turned to her sternly.
"Aida." Thales' expression changed. He put on a fierce expression and snorted coldly at the elf. "If you leave the group and run off to fight in the future …
"… don't stay in the courtyard.
"Move in here and sleep with Jenny!"
Aida froze on the spot.
At this moment, the archduchess' dissatisfied and angry shout came from afar again.
"Thales!
What are you still dawdling about for?!
Do you want to eat dinner or not?! "
Thales took a deep breath and tugged at his face, turning it from an 'aggrieved prince' to a 'happy teenager'.
'Dinner.
'Of course I do.
But I don't want to eat with a certain irritated lioness cub. '
The teenage prince could only look up at the sky and sigh. He muttered to himself, "She was so cute when she was young" and shouted, "I'm coming, I'm coming."
Thales turned around without hesitation and strode in Saroma's direction.
Leaving the confused Aida behind, he looked at Wya and Ralf in dismay.
In the stable, Jennie snorted and lowered her head to continue enjoying her feast.
"What's wrong with the two brats?" Aida looked at Jennie under the cloak and shook the rabbit in her hand.
"You know." Wya sighed and rubbed his nose.
"It's good to be young."
In the distance, Count Lisban stopped. He slowly turned around and glanced in the direction of the stable.
'Yes, you're being used by the archduchess as a target to vent her anger, Prince Thales.
'However.
She'll only use you as a 'target'.
'That's the problem.'
With a profound gaze, Regent Lisban turned around and left.
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.
