Thales gritted his teeth fiercely and controlled his body's movements.
'Calm down!
Calm down, Thales!
This is not a battle to the death! '
* Bang! *
In the next second, Nicholas skillfully avoided Thales' shield and struck his weapon with his sword!
Thales felt the longsword in his hand tremble violently, and it instantly flew out of his hand.
* Clang! *
Thales' longsword fell to the ground.
He sighed and faced Nicholas' heavy sword, which was placed horizontally on his shoulder. He spread his arms to show his surrender.
The battle was over.
"You really like to be absent-minded." The Star Killer withdrew his heavy sword and sneered mockingly. "Just like in the past, you enjoy being absent-minded during battles?"
Thales flashed a resigned smile and did not retort.
Only he knew that 'that' had come again just now.
A year ago, Thales had encountered a similar situation during his training.
A Northland warrior who was his sparring partner used a battle axe to split his shield. The fragments hit the prince's chin and neck.
At that moment, when the artery on his neck was threatened, the Sin of Hell's River surged out like a startled hedgehog!
It made Thales, who was originally dizzy, quiver.
He instinctively knew how to counterattack. He quickly threw away his longsword, turned around, and moved forward. At the moment the axe blade grazed his cheek, he squeezed to the side of the enemy, and at the risk of being cut by the axe blade, he punched the enemy's throat!
At that moment, Thales was like an enraged beast. There was only one thought in his mind: to fight.
With the support of the Sin of Hell's River, he might have been able to severely injure the opponent's throat cartilage with one punch.
Then, the opponent's axe blade would have cut into his ribs.
If Thales had not snapped out of his daze halfway through and given up on attacking.
In the end, the warrior apologized profusely for not being able to control his strength and cutting the prince's arm. Everyone thought that it was a mistake during training.
But at that time, only the frightened Thales knew that it was not a mistake.
It was his own, a dangerous counterattack that he did not carry through to the end.
At that moment, the frightened Thales deeply understood the nature of the Sin of Hell's River for the first time. He had a preliminary understanding of Black Sword's words: Do not treat it as a tool, but as a companion you can talk to.
From then on, Nicholas decided to personally become Thales' sparring partner. Compared to other people, a supreme class fighter could control the rhythm and strength of a fight more perfectly, so that no unnecessary injuries would occur.
From then on, Thales began to consciously be on guard against similar situations to prevent them from making a huge mistake.
Back to the present. Thales touched his heart anxiously. He felt his blood surge, and he could not calm down.
Just now, when the wind generated by Nicholas' sword swept past his forehead, the Sin of Hell's River was as restless as a wild beast whose territory had been invaded. It filled his leg muscles in a frenzy while it surged to his brain at high speed to numb his fear. It seemed to be urging him to throw away the shield and move his feet!
Borrowing the agility released in that instant, he turned around and faced the enemy's blade.
Take the risk to counterattack!
As long as I counterattack … I can …
Can …
Thales pressed his forehead and let out a long sigh.
But he couldn't do that.
The way he thought at that time, the way he fought …
It was too exaggerated.
It was simply a lose-lose situation.
Black Sword didn't seem to have mentioned that the Sin of Hell's River had this kind of "wildness" when the Power of Eradication that never improved was activated.
Thales shook his head and averted his gaze, trying to get rid of the thoughts in his mind.
"Hey!"
The Star Killer's dissatisfied voice traveled into his ears again.
"You'd better focus," Nicholas scolded coldly.
"Stop looking at her."
The Star Killer's gaze was especially cold.
Thales was shocked. Only then did he realize that he had unknowingly shifted his gaze to another pair of people who were practicing outdoors.
Not far away from them was the Archduchess of Dragon Clouds City, Saroma Walton. She was dressed in a light hunting suit and was learning how to use a dagger to defend herself under Lord Justin's guidance. Her cheeks were sweaty and slightly red because of the exercise.
Thales sighed. He knew that Nicholas had misunderstood the reason for his absent-mindedness.
'But …'
Thales remembered the second to last paragraph in Gilbert's letter.
"… Also, although I am very pleased with your political efforts to strengthen the diplomatic relations between the two countries, I would still like to remind you that in your interactions with Madam Walton, please clearly separate politics and personal feelings. If you can deepen your friendship with the Archduchess of Dragon Clouds City through this, then no matter how expensive the hand-ground spectacles from Master Punke's workshop are, they will still be worth it. However, if this friendship goes to a higher level, then it will be worth discussing. You must know that friendship is beautiful, but love is terrifying … "
'Damn you, Gilbert …
'Isn't he far away in Constellation? What kind of ridiculous rumors did he hear …'
However, Thales remembered what Putray said yesterday and felt a little gloomy.
"'That poor little girl …
"'Is about to get married.'
Thales slowly bent down and picked up the sword on the ground.
"Why?"
Nicholas narrowed his eyes slightly. "What?"
"Six years ago, when King Nuven passed away, why were you still willing to be loyal to …" Thales swung the sword in his hand and remembered that fateful night. He said solemnly, "She was obviously not … You know what I am referring to."
'Saroma's identity …
'Saroma's marriage …
'The vassals of Dragon Clouds City …
'My identity …'
After thinking about what happened yesterday from start to finish, Thales felt that there was something fishy about it.
Nicholas' expression changed.
"Be careful with your words, young prince."
The Star Killer's cold tone began to be laced with faint hostility. "Especially in a city that is filled with hostility towards you."
"Thank you for the reminder."
Thales shrugged nonchalantly and raised his longsword again. "So, King Nuven can be considered to have succeeded. Now, the Walton Family still rules Dragon Clouds City, and you and Lisban surround the archduchess.
"But Saroma is an archduchess with insufficient prestige … She will even be forced by the local vassals to marry her and give birth to a local Walton heir?" The prince gritted his teeth. "Is this really what you, Lisban, and King Nuven want?"
The next moment, Nicholas suddenly struck with his sword!
Thales, who was prepared for this, calmly took a step back and prepared to deflect it with his shield. 'Huh?'
This time, Nicholas' heavy sword was eerily deflected before it hit the shield!
It was as if he did not use any strength at all.
* Bang! *
With a great force, the back of the sword swept Thales' left knee violently!
Thales, who lost his balance, staggered and felt that he was about to fall to the ground. He was instantly shocked.
The Sin of Hell's River surged up with a bang!
But unexpectedly, long before the Sin of Hell's River took effect, the merciless Nicholas decisively threw away the heavy sword that had lost its momentum and punched him in the ribs!
Sharp pain shot through him.
It was followed by numbness.
* Clang! *
Thales' shield and longsword both fell to the ground.
* Thud! *
His body also fell to the ground with a bang.
Wya and the others who were watching the battle cried out in surprise.
Thales, who was holding his abdomen, lay on the ground, drenched in cold sweat. His face was contorted and he curled up.
Before the Sin of Hell's River could react, he had completely failed.
He instantly lost all ability to fight back.
At that moment, Thales' hope of getting lucky, along with his pride, vanished.
His little self-consolation of 'I only suppressed the Sin of Hell's River' was crushed under Nicholas' merciless attack.
"That's all for today." With a terrifying expression, the Star Killer snorted rudely and said, "Your movements are still a mess.
"There is no student more stupid than you.
"Also, what happens to the archduchess has nothing to do with you."
Nicholas threw down his last sentence, turned around coldly, and left.
Wya and Ralf quickly followed him and helped Thales, who was drenched in cold sweat and whose lips had turned blue.
"He used his Power of Eradication in that last attack, right?"
'That guy … did it on purpose!'
Thales rubbed his ribs, which were aching badly, and said with difficulty, "Is that considered cheating?
Bullying me because I don't have a Power of Eradication? "
Wya and Ralf looked at each other.
"When I have a Power of Eradication …"
Wya sighed softly.
"With all due respect, Your Highness, the Northland Military Sword Style is still a little … ancient. Under normal circumstances, if you cannot awaken a corresponding Power of Eradication before the age of eighteen …
"Besides … even if you awaken a Power of Eradication, when you face an existence like the Star Killer, most likely …"
The unlucky Thales could only sigh.
After the outdoor training ended, Thales went to Saroma's side in a few steps.
As he stared at the red-faced girl who had just finished training, the prince once again ignored the dissatisfied gazes from Ginghes the female official and the two maidservants. He moved closer to her ear.
"Saroma, listen," Thales said solemnly and gravely, "We need to talk in the afternoon.
"It's in the library."
Saroma, who was tidying up her clothes, frowned. She habitually lowered her head and whispered,
"Talk about what?"
"It's about our … ahem, actually, it's about your marriage. I keep feeling that there's something …"
Saroma's expression instantly became unpleasant. The pince-nez on her face trembled slightly.
The girl pouted and looked at Thales in dissatisfaction.
"What's there to talk about? This has nothing to do with you …"
At this moment, a low and gentle voice that was filled with charisma came from behind him.
"My Lady! Your Grace! "
Regent Lisban's tone was so solemn that Thales could sense it even from ten steps away. "I'm sorry to disturb you."
Accompanied by his entourage, Regent Lisban, whose hair was white but his footsteps were still steady, slowly walked over with a solemn expression.
The old regent stopped steadily in front of them.
The count first swept a scrutinizing gaze over Thales, who was beside the archduchess. The profound meaning in his gaze made the prince feel a chill run down his spine.
Lisban then retracted his gaze and bowed respectfully to Saroma. Then, he nodded gently at Ginghes the female official. "Please change your clothes immediately. You need formal attire."
Saroma frowned slightly. "Now?"
Lisban nodded. "We have a very important guest who needs to be received immediately."
Thales' heart sank. He subconsciously felt that something was wrong.
Saroma took a deep breath. Following her habit of six years, she also respectfully returned the salute. "Of course."
Thales shut his mouth. He was a little annoyed. 'Looks like I can only wait until the afternoon …'
But his thoughts were interrupted.
"Please change your clothes immediately, Prince Thales." Regent Lisban's gaze fell on him again.
Thales' heart almost skipped a beat.
"What?" The prince widened his eyes in surprise. "I have to go as well?"
This time, Regent Lisban's gaze seemed to have softened a little. It was no longer the polite but indifferent scrutinizing gaze from before.
Instead, it was a reminder and warning filled with worry.
"The guest this time has specifically requested to meet you," Lisban said casually.
"Who?" Thales narrowed his eyes.
Lisban's expression did not change, but he clenched his fists tightly. "I believe that you are no stranger to them."
The count enunciated each word clearly.
"The second assistant advisor of the Imperial Conference, King Chapman's goose-keeper, Viscount Lassa Kentvida of the City of Halton.
"The king's personal guard and administrator, the deputy commander of the White Blade Guards, Lady Kroesch Mirk.
"Both of them have arrived at Dragon Clouds City this morning."
At that moment, Saroma and Thales' expressions changed.
When they heard the count's words, Nicholas, who was wiping his hands in the distance, Ralf and Wya, who were leaning against the wall and chatting, were all stunned.
"They brought King Chapman's greetings and concern, as well as important information." Lisban's words were filled with coldness and wariness.
"They want to convey the message to you in person."
At that moment, Thales, who could not hide the strange expression on his face, subconsciously turned his head and looked at Putray, who was beside him. He wanted to ask for his opinion.
However, the thin lord was still smoking his pipe leisurely. His expression did not change.
He did not seem surprised.
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