Blade Fangs Camp was under curfew, and only the faintly discernible sound of the wind could be heard on the streets.
The two people in the small house looked at each other in silence.
"After I saw the tragedy of Black Sand Region, and after I returned from Beacon Illumination City, I returned to my old fief and locked myself up in the days when I was at my most dejected, dispirited, defeated, annoyed, and in constant conflict with my father."
Quick Rope stared at the flickering lights gloomily.
"In the wilderness of a remote country, I met Dana."
When he heard the unfamiliar name, Thales could not help but frown.
"Dana?"
Quick Rope still looked absent-minded.
"On the surface, she was just an ordinary shepherdess.
"That afternoon, I impatiently told her that I was a relative of the disciplinary officer nearby, that it was an accident that I broke into the sheep pen she guarded, and that it was impossible for me to steal her sheep. Her eyes immediately lit up, and she demanded twenty silver coins from me for scaring one of her milk sheep."
Quick Rope was immersed in the memories of the past. He snickered. "She lost a female sheep with milk, and turned around to extort a fat, rich sheep. Why not?
"That's how we met the domineering shepherdess and the sheep thief who gave up on himself."
Thales watched Quick Rope's expression and found that his gaze was incredibly gentle.
He could not help but ask, "What's so special about her?"
Quick Rope raised his head and curled up the corners of his lips.
"Oh, Dana was the most special." Quick Rope looked like a normal person who was showing off his virtuous wife to his neighbor. His expression was amused, and his tone was smug. "Especially after she was raised by a boorish old dwarf.
"She was always smiling, lively, and unrestrained, even after her adoptive father passed away. Even by the Northlanders' standards, she was very unreserved. Her dwarf adoptive father taught her how to herd sheep by swinging a hammer. God, it really hurt when she hit me with her shepherd's staff. "
Moriah, who had changed his name, was still smiling. Thales could read Quick Rope's unique relaxation from his grumbling.
Obviously, he did not hate Dana's staff as much as he said.
"Dana has two jobs. One is shepherding the sheep and milking the cows, and the other is helping out in the tavern. She's a smart girl."
When he talked about the girl, Quick Rope beamed with delight. "She once waved her staff and chased away five or six sheep thieves. She also beat up the village chief, who had a lustful heart, until he was scared out of his wits. She also used flowery words to coax the customers who tried to take advantage of her into emptying their wallets. She also knew how to use tricks to tease the tavern owner who deducted her wages. She also fought back against the owner's daughter who bullied her."
As he listened to her, Thales lowered his head and pictured this unusual shepherd girl in his mind. She was shrewd, cheerful, and the way she waved her staff was like a fierce and adorable wolf cub. She used her forelimbs to protect her food while she bared her fangs and brandished her claws at the people around her.
"She often counted the coins hidden under the bed with her eyes glittering, but she was not like the other girls in the village who only wanted to save their dowry and live the rest of their lives on a man who was willing to marry her. She did not dress up in the most glamorous way, hoping to become the mistress of a certain big shot.
"Because she always believed that her life would not be bound by anything."
Quick Rope's eyes dimmed. "She was the exact opposite of me."
He stared at the lights with an infatuated look. "She believed that one day, she would save enough money and board a carriage that would head out of the village. She would arrive at the port of Elaphure City, buy a ship, and become a female navigator who explored the world. She would travel around the world, and spend her life's brilliance amidst the stormy waves and mirages."
'A female navigator.'
Thales remembered something and subconsciously looked at Quick Rope.
"But she did not know that other than passengers, the sailing ships did not accept women. They thought that women on the sea were ominous." Quick Rope lowered his gaze, but the corners of his lips were still raised. "An old sailor told me that it was said that the Sea Shepherd Maiden did not like the same sex."
Thales did not speak.
"I do not know if it was love, or if it was just an inexperienced fondness, but at least when I lay beside Diana, smelled the scent of goat milk on her body, looked at her cheerful and lively smile, and even tasted the softness of her lips, I could forget a lot of unhappy things."
Quick Rope said in a daze, "In front of her, I was Moriah, not the heir of the walking dead. I could speak my truest desires and thoughts aloud. I did not have to tell her that my desire to travel around the world was a dream of becoming a mercenary, to show that I was a tough Northland warrior."
Quick Rope stopped, as if he was savoring his emotions at that moment.
The moonlight was shrouded by clouds. The low-quality lamp oil slowly ran out, and the simple house made of clay became darker.
But no one wanted to turn on the lights again.
"What happened after that?" Thales asked in the darkness.
Quick Rope sucked in a breath and changed his posture.
He seemed to have just snapped out of his daze and continued his story, "Just like that, I went back and forth between Dragon Clouds City and my fief. I witnessed the darkness and distortions of power, and at the same time, I felt Diana's happiness and gentleness.
"For Diana and her dream of traveling around the world, I tried to go against my will and cater to my father's requests, but I resisted his urging me to get married. I racked my brains again and again to convince him that the future Archduke of Dragon Clouds City must have a wife who was in line with his political interests, so I could not be hasty.
"My father was actually very pleased. He thought that I was enlightened and knew how to weigh the pros and cons for Dragon Clouds City. Even though he did not know the reason why I suddenly pulled myself together, he did not care about it. He probably thought that disciplining me was the same as disciplining Soria."
Quick Rope snorted. There was a faint hint of sadness in his laughter.
"But, of course, this could not last.
"My father still found a good candidate for a wife for me. He asked me to try to amend the Fortress Treaty, even though she and her family were in enemy countries."
"Fortress Treaty".
Enemy countries. '
At that moment, Thales suddenly raised his head. He could not hide the surprise on his face.
"So, the diplomatic mission you took six years ago …"
Quick Rope nodded and sighed quietly. "Yes, six years ago, according to the plan, after the treaty was amended, Dragon Clouds City was to propose marriage to Duke Arunde's only daughter, the Lampard Family's mortal enemy, who was a noble of the Empire."
He shook his head in disgust. "Even though Eckstedt had just hanged the old Duke Arunde in Cold Castle more than ten years ago …"
Thales furrowed his eyebrows. "Miranda? How is that possible? "
Quick Rope sighed.
"Whether it was the marriage proposal or the treaty, they were just means. My father did not want to let Constellation recover slowly after the war, and he also did not want Black Sand Region to use the fortress as an excuse to raise their army. He wanted to test King Kessel and the Arunde Family, and at the same time, strike Black Sand Region. The reactions of these three would tell us what to do next."
"So, this is the purpose of your diplomatic mission," Thales said in a daze.
"To prepare for the next war or negotiation, whether it be Constellation or Black Sand Region."
'New Star and Dragon's Blood.'
He tightened his arms.
Quick Rope snorted softly. There was a hint of sarcasm in his tone. "Yes, whether it was to rope in your Northern Territory, divide Constellation, amend the treaty to obtain benefits, suppress Black Sand Region, or at the same time accumulate prestige for me in the future king selection … My father was always so thorough in his plans. He killed many birds with one stone. He could play a simple matter in so many ways, and the meaning was far-reaching."
When King Nuven was mentioned, Quick Rope's mood became much lower.
"Don't play against him on the same chessboard, Thales, because you don't know how deep his methods are in this game, and how many cards he has up his sleeves." Quick Rope's expression was indifferent. "And those who are toyed with by my father and don't know it are extremely sad."
'Don't play against him on the same chessboard …
'Those who are toyed with by my father and don't know it …'
Thales' breathing quickened.
He remembered the conversation he had with King Chapman in the carriage.
When they talked about King Nuven, both he and Chapman could sense a hint of respect and chilliness in each other's eyes that came from the bottom of their hearts.
Who would have thought that a person who had been dead for many years could still make them so miserable?
Quick Rope's tone was filled with complicated melancholy. "I guess Chapman and Conkray finally realized this after countless failures against the king: don't play games with King Nuven."
Both of them were silent for a while.
"What happened next is probably the model for many knight novels and bardic poems." Quick Rope forced a smile. "My father finally found out that his son and heir was actually infatuated with a shepherdess from the countryside, and because of this, he resisted his mission."
Thales raised his eyebrows. "I guess the Born King wasn't too happy."
"Not too happy?"
Quick Rope sneered. There was faint resentment in his tone. "Your choice of words is too polite, Thales."
"And then?" Thales asked.
Quick Rope paused for a moment.
From this moment onwards, his silhouette in the darkness became bleak and desolate.
"My father sent someone to my fief, Thales."
Quick Rope said dejectedly, "He found Diana.
He found her. "
There was a long silence.
After a long while, Thales finally opened his mouth and asked with great difficulty,
"What happened?"
Quick Rope did not seem to have the motivation and desire to continue speaking, but he still spoke again. This time, his voice was hoarse.
"Diana died."
The person who spoke was like a walking corpse. He did not move, and there was no sign of life. "On the day I heard the news and rushed back to my fief."
Thales held his breath.
Quick Rope said dryly, as if he was narrating someone else's story, "I pushed the White Blade Guards away like a madman, but I could only find her body in the sheep pen, which had been cold for a long time. There was still a smile on her face.
"She was poisoned to death."
Quick Rope's voice trembled. There was fear and remorse in his voice as he sobbed.
"They told me that she committed suicide by taking poison, but … Thales …"
'Poisoned to death.'
At that moment, Thales remembered that night in Heroic Spirit Palace.
He remembered King Nuven's exquisite ring.
'Triumph.'
He remembered the girl he used to be, Alex.
Thales immediately shuddered.
The Prince of Constellation held back his words.
Only Quick Rope's pained panting could be heard in the house.
Finally, Quick Rope calmed down.
"Chains."
Thales snapped out of his daze. "What?"
"The chains of power, Thales." At some point in time, Quick Rope's voice became faintly resolute.
"That night, I stared at Diana's body in a daze, just like how I stared at Soria's body.
"I suddenly understood that I never broke free from it."
Thales listened quietly, but what appeared in his mind was the underground tomb in Renaissance Palace, and the stone jars and urns of various sizes.
Rayman Pass in Black Sand Region.
Ghost Prince Tower in Blade Fangs Camp.
* Thud. *
Quick Rope leaned back, and the back of his head hit the wall heavily.
"From the moment I was born, I was shackled like this. Regardless of whether it wanted me to restrain myself, be content with the status quo, and be an obedient and harmless viscount, or urge me to change my path and become an ambitious king who intimidates the people, I never escaped."
He gritted his teeth and said, "I'm deceiving myself as I'm being pulled by it one after the other, one after the other."
"I finally understand."
Quick Rope came to the edge of the bed. He put his legs on the ground, rested his elbows on his knees, leaned forward, and stared straight at Thales.
"I could either obey, submit, and let it lock my body and mind tighter and tighter." Quick Rope's tone made Thales' heart tense. "Or I could completely abandon it.
"And become my true self."
Thales was silent.
"Moriah died a long time ago, Thales. He did not die when he was assassinated by the Constellatiates, or when he fled Heroic Spirit Palace," Quick Rope said coldly, "Instead, he died when he began his life as Nuven's son and the Walton bloodline.
"And it was not until the night I climbed the Black Track with difficulty and crawled out of Dragon Clouds City that the man named Moriah came to life for the first time.
"On that day, I saw that I was truly using my own hands to save myself, to reverse fate, and to ruthlessly shatter all illusions and flukes." In the darkness, Quick Rope's eyes shone brightly.
"I completely spurned this power, but in reality, it was a chain that imprisoned me. I resolutely said 'no' to it and everything it represented, including the compulsion and restraint in the glorified name of 'responsibility', the hypocrisy and pretentiousness known as' virtue ', and the self-deception known as' righteousness'."
Quick Rope's voice faded away, leaving behind only determination and resolution.
After a long time, Thales, who was filled with emotions, finally spoke with difficulty.
"So, you chose to leave."
Thales sighed and said, "No matter what kind of infamy you might have to bear: a coward, a coward, or a shirker."
Quick Rope laughed disapprovingly. "You can think whatever you want, but I —"
But Thales' next sentence caused Quick Rope to be slightly stunned.
"Perhaps sometimes, compared to obeying the world's gaze and walking down the path that others expect, this requires more courage."
There was a hint of emotion in Thales' tone.
"Perhaps." Quick Rope's gaze on him slowly changed. It was no longer that faintly discernible playfulness, but seriousness and seriousness.
The moonlight peeked through the clouds again, and its silver glow shone down.
The two princes stared at each other quietly.
Thales sensed the determination and resolution in Quick Rope's eyes, as well as the faint hesitation and bewilderment.
Thales could not help but ask, "But how did you do it, Mo Quick Rope? How did you never turn back?
Can you really let go of those things so easily?
Have you never regretted it during the days you left? "
This time, it was Quick Rope's turn to be stunned.
He was deep in thought.
For a moment, Thales found a hint of struggle between his brows.
But in the end, Quick Rope relaxed his brows.
"Six years ago, when I came back alive from the sea and heard about the upheaval in Eckstedt and the death of my father … I was also shocked, despaired, and regretted it.
"But as I said," Quick Rope let out a long, deep sigh.
"My father's fate was set, regardless of whether I was there or not.
"As for Dragon Clouds City and Eckstedt … if I'm there, they might become better, but they might also become worse. But I don't think they will become better or worse just because of me."
At that moment, Quick Rope was like an old sailor who had experienced too many storms and waves. He was telling a story around the stove at dusk on the day he returned from his last voyage.
"I don't want to, and I can't, be too greedy to try to control things that are beyond my control. If there are two outcomes in history, should I cry because Dragon Clouds City will wither away without me, or should I cheer and jump for joy because Dragon Clouds City survived without me?"
Thales was stunned.
"The only thing I can do is to save myself.
That's all. "
He said faintly, "That's all.
"And here, in the desert and on the sea, I do my best to maintain the operations of a small fleet, the livelihood of a small shop, the survival of a small team, and help these nobodies who can be counted on one hand …"
Quick Rope looked through the window at the mottled walls and the desolate alley outside. "In fact, I don't think what I do here, and I don't think that the value I can find here is any more insignificant or lowly than when I'm in the secret chamber in Dragon Clouds City, moving my chips around like an immovable mountain, talking and laughing with the suzerains, talking about historical missions, the national economy, and the people's livelihood.
"I just … chose a life that belongs to me alone."
Thales listened quietly. He could not hide the surprise in his eyes.
In the end, the Prince of Constellation looked away and exhaled.
He looked as if he had just fought a big battle. He was a little tired.
"I'm sorry, Quick Rope." Thales leaned against the wall and relaxed. He smiled faintly. "Just now, I said some inappropriate and self-righteous things to criticize you. You know, when I suddenly met the culprit who made you a hostage in a foreign country for six years …"
Thales spread his hands.
Quick Rope looked up. There was a smile in his eyes. "I understand."
"So, you've calmed down? Is the interrogation over? "
The two of them looked at each other and smiled. The once unfamiliar hostility slowly disappeared.
"Yes."
"I understand. That was your choice," Thales said softly, letting go of the grudge in his heart. "And I have no right to comment on it.
"I respect your choice."
Quick Rope took a deep breath.
He said these two short words softly, but he could not help but feel sentimental. "Thank you."
"Don't misunderstand, I don't completely agree with your views." Thales twisted his waist to soothe his bleeding back. "Especially when it comes to the operation of history, or your opinion on responsibility."
Quick Rope blinked. "But you said that you respect my choice."
This is far more valuable than completely agreeing. "
Quick Rope quietly watched Thales' silhouette in the dark.
He smiled.
"Thank you."
Thales raised his eyebrows.
"Alright, I accept." He snorted softly.
But Quick Rope shook his head.
"No.
This' thank you 'is for Alex. "
At that moment, Thales froze.
Quick Rope looked at Thales seriously. "In your story about Dragon Clouds City, you talked about so many things that can be considered secrets. The duel, the calamity, Ruba, and the coronation. You seemed to have witnessed it with your own eyes, but you didn't mention yourself.
"Either you're purely boasting, like a street vendor who hears hearsay."
He narrowed his eyes. "Or you were in it at that time, Thales Jadestar.
"So, thank you for helping her, the current Archduchess of Dragon Clouds City, on that seemingly terrifying night."
Thales exhaled heavily.
Thales frowned and said, "Did you just say that your grades in politics class are very bad?"
Quick Rope shrugged and smiled again. "Of course I can't compare to a certain someone who slaughtered everyone in the National Conference …"
"No." Thales shook his head. Without waiting for him to speak, he answered his own question.
"I was thinking, Quick Rope, that you might be very smart.
Smarter than most of the nobles who seem to be shrewd and intelligent. "
Thales sighed.
"It's just that your teacher didn't notice."
Quick Rope's smile froze a little.
He sneered and continued with the topic just now.
"I know what that girl's personality is like," Quick Rope said faintly.
Quick Rope said faintly, "Although Alex is very annoying, aside from her mother's looks, she also inherited her father's pride and arrogance, but she's not a bad girl. It's just that she was a little arrogant during her childhood when she was undisciplined."
Thales felt as if his heart was being squeezed.
'Alex.'
As he listened to Quick Rope talk about the girl in his memory, his heart felt empty.
What appeared in his eyes was the painful convulsions before her death.
'No.'
Thales thought in a daze, as if his soul had left his body.
'No. Moriah.
I don't know.
I don't know … '
"I'm very relieved to have you watching over her."
Quick Rope snorted and laughed. "So, thank you, Thales.
Thank you for doing so much for her, whether it's what I know or what I don't know. "
'But.
'But she … But the girl in my memory is already …'
Thales clenched his teeth.
"Be careful, Thales." Quick Rope narrowed his eyes at him and changed the topic. "Although I've said it before, regardless of whether someone cares for you or someone cares for you …
"But the love between you might be more bumpy than mine and Dana's."
At that moment, Thales froze on the spot.
'Love?'
"Quick Rope, you misunderstood —" Thales sighed.
But Quick Rope interrupted him.
"Don't think that this is very far away from you, Thales. In this era, bloodline and family background are a curse."
Quick Rope placed his hands on his knees and pointed at Thales. His expression was solemn. "With your status, there will come a day when someone's family, friends, people with prestige, and people you trust will come to you and tell you righteously and sternly that for a greater benefit, for a greater number of people, and for a greater goal …"
"You must surrender yourself, including your love, your life, and your freedom. Surrender to them, become their captive, and join their game."
Thales was stunned.
"And your choice will determine what kind of person you are."
Quick Rope stared at Thales, making the latter rather uneasy.
Quick Rope's expression did not change. "But no matter what you choose, no matter what you sacrifice or leave behind, you have to make sure that this is your own choice, Thales.
"Don't let others decide for you."
The former Prince of Eckstedt's gaze tensed. "Never."
Thales stared at him in a daze.
At that moment, all sorts of feelings welled up in his heart. His entire mind was filled with pity for Alex, guilt for deceiving Moriah, worry for Little Rascal's future, lament for the chains of power, and not knowing whether to laugh or cry at the misunderstanding.
It was incredibly complicated.
He had nothing to say.
"As for me, don't worry." Quick Rope raised his eyebrows. His smile was sincere and simple. "Once I get rid of Dean, I will go far away. I won't return to Dragon Clouds City, and I won't show myself.
"I won't cause trouble for my niece. Of course, I won't cause trouble for you either.
"This is my promise, the promise of a Northlander."
The light was too dim, and he did not notice that Thales' expression was not quite right. He said seriously, "If you really love her, Thales, you and Alex …
"Then you will have my blessings, even though you cannot publicize Moriah Walton's blessings.
"Separation is only temporary.
"I hope that you will meet again soon, and that you will eventually be a family."
"I wish that … Alex and I …
'Meet again soon?
Where will we meet again? '
The teenager's face twitched slightly. He did not know whether he should expose or refuse.
In the end, he sighed and said nothing.
In the face of the hopeful Quick Rope, the Prince of Constellation forced an ugly and awkward smile.
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