The extreme pain from the inside out had already disappeared from Thales' body.
Thales covered the wounds on his left arm and shoulder and panted laboriously as he looked at the young noble in front of him.
"Thank … Thank you."
In the distance, Lord Seychelles' sword suddenly flashed and neatly disposed of the last assassin.
Near the overturned carriage, Jines shrugged off Seychelles' supporting hand and walked coldly towards the assassin who was still alive on the ground. Under the knight's frown, she exerted great force and stabbed her sword between the assassin's eyes.
The unrelated passersby had already fled. Thales did not find the Masked Protector's figure amidst the chaos and corpses on the street. He could only hope that he survived the magic sounds and arrows. After all, Yodel was a supreme class elite.
Gilbert, who was lying on the ground, looked anxiously in Thales' direction.
But from the moment he saw the Iris Flower Emblem, Thales knew that his top priority was to deal with the young noble in front of him, who had saved his life, and his knight follower, who was obviously not a simple character, who was at ease among the assassins.
Iris Emblem — Gilbert had not had the time to teach Thales the art of heraldry, but this did not stop him from understanding the meaning of the emblem.
When he was captured by the Blood Clansmen, the fluttering flag on Vine Manor told the prince that the family represented by the flower probably had a limited liking for the Jadestar Royal Family.
"… Those people …" Thales' face was filled with fear. Like a standard seven-year-old child who was still in a state of shock after encountering a crisis, he said timidly, "Those people suddenly pounced on us …"
'This child can travel with the king's lover, his closest attendant, and the former Foreign Affairs Minister …' Zayen thought to himself, 'He was even assassinated on the way to the Central District. Who is he?
Could it be an accident that affects the plan? '
"Child, do not be afraid, everything is fine now." The young, round-faced noble smiled and sheathed his sword.
He looked at the seven-year-old boy and said elegantly, "Assassins are creatures that live in the dark. Once they leave the dark, they are no threat and useless.
"I am Zayen Covendier. As one of the millions of nobles in the kingdom, as long as I am present, I will not let them harm you."
"So, child, who are you?" Zayen asked politely and raised his eyebrows.
'I am …?'
Thales took a deep breath under his trembling exterior and thought about the current situation.
'I have yet to make my official debut and have yet to be acknowledged as a Jadestar, but I will definitely be a thorn in the side of the nobles who have the potential to be crowned.
Before reaching the palace, he could not reveal his identity.
Thales looked at Gilbert.
Gilbert saw Zayen, who had even dropped his top hat. The former Foreign Affairs Minister was covered in wounds and swaying, but he still managed to support himself with the help of his cane as he limped over from afar.
'He's still a distance away. He can't help me explain,' Thales thought quietly.
And in front of them …
He looked at Zayen, who was waiting for his answer with hesitation in his eyes.
Looking at the silent Thales, Zayen's suspicions grew.
The young duke swept his gaze and saw Gilbert in the distance.
Was he hesitating? Or was there really something fishy about his identity, and he was waiting for Caso to come and help him out?
"Are you waiting for Count Caso?" Zayen smiled. "To be personally escorted by the most outstanding diplomat in the history of the kingdom, it seems like you have quite a story behind you, child."
Sensing Zayen's suspicions, the prince knew that he could no longer bluff his way through.
Otherwise, even if Gilbert helped him conceal his identity, the nobles with the Iris Emblem would not easily believe him.
"I am, I am Thales." Thales searched for the identity in his memories and combined it with his current situation. With the fear unique to a seven-year-old child, he slowly said, "They all say that I am … Lord Mahn's illegitimate son."
"Mahn?" Zayen raised his eyebrows. "The hero of the kingdom in the Desert War, Lord Sauron Mahn who died at the Western Frontline a year ago?"
'The illegitimate son of the' Stormer 'Mahn?
Haven't Mahn's territory and manor been taken back? ' He frowned slightly.
Thales' palms slowly sweated. Gilbert only told him the basic situation of Mahn Manor, and did not tell him what kind of person Lord Mahn was.
"I don't know. They didn't tell me much about … Father," Thales lowered his head and said dejectedly.
Gilbert finally arrived in front of the two of them. The former Foreign Affairs Minister's face was filled with surprise and worry. He trembled as he bowed to Zayen. "Thank you for your generous help. I did not expect to see you here, Duke Covendier."
Zayen quickly stepped forward and supported Gilbert, who was covered in wounds and on the verge of collapse. This time, his gaze was especially serious.
"Count Caso, I would rather meet you on another occasion and talk over a cup of wine," he said sincerely, "than lend a hand in a despicable assassination."
'Count Gilbert Caso …' Zayen silently recalled this person's identity.
'The Cunning Fox of Constellation.'
This was how the various countries led by Eckstedt addressed Count Caso after the 'Fortress Treaty'. At that time, he was still Viscount Caso, who had just inherited his father's title. It was enough to prove this person's wisdom and means.
Twelve years ago, it was he who acted as Constellation's negotiator and maneuvered through the various countries' negotiation tables. He almost single-handedly defeated the Great Dragon of the North's ambition to invade the south.
He was also the first noble in Constellation's history to be promoted from a viscount to a count just based on his diplomatic achievements.
When the news of the victory in the negotiations spread, almost all of Constellation was celebrating wildly, celebrating the final end of the Bloody Year.
If it was not for political reasons, he, who was highly sought after in the political arena back then, would almost certainly be the next Prime Minister of King Kessel.
How would it be Cullen's turn?
He is a rare talent in Constellation. 'If there comes a day when I …' Zayen thought to himself. 'He will be a powerful helper.'
He immediately put on a stern and serious expression. "I will instruct the police station that no matter the reason for this despicable assassination, it cannot be forgiven! The mastermind must pay the price! "
Just like him, Gilbert was also speculating about this young duke in front of him. He was one of the Six Great Clans, the Covendier Family, who had just been promoted for two years.
Two years ago, when the old duke passed away in that regrettable family tragedy, everyone thought that the declining Covendier Family and the wealthy South Coast Hill would be torn apart in the endless civil strife.
Even His Majesty had written an edict and reached an agreement with the other clans to intervene in the family's internal strife in order to reap benefits.
That was until this young duke, who was rumored to be at odds with his family, returned from his travels in the distant Eastern Continent across the sea.
Facing pressure from his three powerful cousins, Zayen reunited Tricolor Iris Flowers and South Coast under the surprised gazes of all the nobles, becoming one of the noblest and wealthiest families in Constellation.
"Sir Covendier," Gilbert chose his words carefully, "I will remember your righteous deeds, but before that, I must …"
At this moment, Thales suddenly spoke up and interrupted their respective thoughts.
"Sir Caso." In their eyes, the seven-year-old Thales lowered his head dejectedly and said reluctantly, "I — I do not want to inherit Mahn Manor anymore."
The exhausted Gilbert's gaze shifted.
'Thales, he is reminding me,' he thought to himself.
"I am just an illegitimate child who has not even seen my father's face a few times. I do not have any rights to begin with, and …" Thales raised his head while trembling, his eyes filled with tears of fear. "I do not want to experience what happened just now again! I just want to be that Thales without a surname again!
"Child, I understand your feelings. Being caught in the whirlpool of inheritance is never a pleasant memory. Thank you very much, Your Grace. But … "Gilbert sighed. With Zayen's support, his eyes lit up." But this is His Majesty's order. "
"We have to rush to Renaissance Palace immediately, Your Grace!" Jines bandaged her wounds and walked forward with a hostile expression, interrupting their conversation. She did not dare to look at Thales and Gilbert, and only insisted on leaving in a rude and unreasonable manner.
But when she was about to pull Thales' arm, Seychelles stopped her in midair. The latter looked at the young duke expressionlessly and waited for his decision.
Zayen narrowed his eyes and said in a rather gentlemanly manner, "So, this … Thales is the one who is going to inherit the Mahn Family?"
Gilbert looked at Thales with a complicated gaze.
"This is His Majesty's mission, and it should not be disclosed so easily. But since the master of Tricolor Iris Flowers has asked …" Gilbert sighed and nodded. "His Majesty has ordered to bring this child to him so that he can hand over his father's inheritance, including Mahn Manor.
"You know, Lord Mahn rose to power during the Desert War and had a deep friendship with His Majesty when he was alive. After he died in battle, his land and property were all entrusted to the royal family … "Gilbert continued to weave lies without changing his expression." Until someone discovered his illegitimate child. "
"Obviously, someone is not satisfied with Lord Mahn's heir …" Gilbert looked at the assassins' corpses all over the ground, and a worried expression appeared on his face. "You must know, that is a very large manor, and after Lord Mahn rose to power, he gained many relatives out of nowhere."
Zayen looked at Thales, and his gaze froze for two seconds.
'A hero's illegitimate child and orphan?
'Enter Renaissance Palace? 'Accept His Majesty's edict and inherit his assets?
'At this time?
'And …' He glanced at Jines.
'Traveling with the chief female official of the palace, His Majesty's lover?'
Bustling noises could be heard from afar, as well as the sound of orderly footsteps.
The City Defense Team and the Police Station finally arrived late.
Anxiety was already showing on Jines' face. Gilbert's expression did not change, but Thales knew that he definitely did not want to expose himself to the public.
Even if it was as' Lord Mahn's illegitimate child '.
"I see, no wonder His Majesty places such importance on this." As the remaining three people waited anxiously, Zayen suddenly flashed a smile. "Lord Mahn was not only His Majesty's comrade-in-arms, but also Constellation's hero. His bloodline should not be left behind in an ugly conspiracy."
Thales secretly sighed in relief.
Zayen then said worriedly, "But the two of you are badly injured. Fortunately, the City Defense Team and the Police Station are here. The two of you can get medical treatment and assistance from them, and you must also clearly explain what happened before and after the assassination.
"As for this child, since he is His Majesty's imperial order, you can hand him over to me. I am about to head to Renaissance Palace," Zayen said plainly.
Gilbert and Jines' expressions changed.
"Your Grace! This is too much trouble for you! "Gilbert's expression was solemn as he said decisively," And this is my mission … "
"The child's safety is the highest priority! He has already experienced an assassination! And … "Zayen said emotionally. He knelt down on one knee, tore off a piece of cloth from his sleeve, and bandaged Thales' wound." … A hero's orphan is worthy of me doing this. "
Thales' expression stiffened.
'Too clumsy,' Zayen thought coldly in his heart.
'Sending his most trusted attendant and his lover to pick up the orphan of a low-ranking noble at such a critical moment?
Even if that noble is a comrade who went through life and death with the king on the battlefield!
There must be something wrong with that boy! '
Zayen smiled and nodded at them, showing an expression that told them not to worry. "With the name of Tricolor Iris Flowers and Seychelles' ability, there is no need to worry about his safety."
Sensing Zayen's gaze, a chill ran down Thales' spine.
"Zayen Covendier!" Jines took a step forward angrily, but was firmly blocked by Seychelles and his sword.
"Step back, Madam." Seychelles did not back down from the supreme class knight. His gaze was cold. "This is the duke's will, and also my mission."
Gilbert's brows were furrowed as tightly as they could. Facing a duke and a supreme class knight, he anxiously thought of a countermeasure.
"Sir Covendier! This is not appropriate! This is His Majesty's … "Gilbert had never spoken in such a stern tone.
"No one can doubt my respect for His Majesty!" Zayen said loudly, his gaze fixed on Thales. "But it is obvious that my carriage and guards are more suitable for His Majesty's mission than you, who are covered in wounds."
Zayen turned his head, and his words were daunting. "Or is there something else you are hiding from me?"
Gilbert was momentarily speechless. Jines' gaze was cold as she tightened her grip on the hilt of her sword at her waist. She was already prepared to risk her life to snatch Thales away.
Thales became anxious as well.
'Leave with this guy?
Impossible! '
But with Yodel's disappearance, using force would only be counterproductive.
'What should I do?'
Thales frantically thought of all the solutions he could come up with. He even considered the power in his body.
'What should I do?'
"Child, there is no need to be nervous. His Majesty Kessel is known for being impartial and strict." Zayen saw the three people's reactions and was even more certain of his thoughts. He smiled with slight mockery. "Moreover, since you are of Lord Mahn's bloodline, isn't it only right and proper for a son to inherit his father's assets?
"You should be proud of your father. It was his decisive charge during the Battle of the Altar that saved the entire Desert War.
"Please allow me to escort you away as a sign of my respect for the hero."
Looking at Zayen's bright smile, Thales felt his scalp go numb.
He could not think of a countermeasure.
The solemn Gilbert and anxious Jines also seemed to be at their wits' end.
The corners of Zayen's lips curled up. He stood up and raised his right hand. "Please, this is … young Sir Thales?"
Thales took a deep breath and glanced at the middle-aged noble and the female official.
'Looks like there's no other way.'
At this moment, the owners of the orderly footsteps finally entered everyone's sight!
At least dozens of elite warriors, equipped with iron armor, longswords, silver shields, steel helmets, and even portable Mystic Guns and special crossbows for infantry, marched in orderly steps and surrounded everyone present!
Everyone's expressions changed!
Seychelles was the first to see the warriors' equipment and ornaments clearly. He approached the duke with an unpleasant expression and said in a low voice,
"It's not the police station or the city defense team!
It's the Royal Guards! "
Zayen's expression suddenly became extremely unpleasant.
Gilbert and Jines saw clearly the leader of this group of murderous elite warriors.
Both of their expressions relaxed.
It was a short and small figure wearing a cloak. His head and face were tightly covered.
"With Constellation —"
Thales suddenly realized that the voice under the cloak was that of a young woman.
The short and small figure took a step forward and scratched her head.
"With that supreme king —"
However, the voice seemed to be a little confused and out of practice.
She continued to shout:
"Kay — Kay — Kessel — That — Can — Oops, that's a mouthful!"
"Anyway! In the name of your king! "
Under Thales' dumbfounded gaze, the short figure placed his hands on his hips, raised a hand, and pointed at the people in the hall one by one.
"Get Madam Jines, that gray-haired uncle, and that brat —"
"Send them all to his palace!"
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