Zayen's expression was indifferent. "We just found out the truth about Vine Manor."
Thales' expression did not change.
After going through Morat's test, he could also become the leader of Yue Clan.
Zayen flashed his most perfect smile and continued, "We interrogated the gangsters at Vine Manor that night, and I have to say …"
"You played a beautiful move that day, Your Highness." Zayen stared at Thales with a ruminating gaze. "Even in a desperate situation, you could incite discord between the Blood Clan and Blood Bottle Gang to avoid being killed."
Thales sighed in his heart.
He still managed to find out.
But his mind was a mess at the moment, and he had no intention of dealing with the master of Tricolor Iris Flowers.
Thales spread his hands indifferently. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"But you're about to go on a long journey … You have to be careful, the immortals are not easy to deal with." Zayen placed his hands behind his back, his smiling eyes occasionally sparkled. "Before the Enemy of the Wolves and his Immortal Hunters Group killed their way to the peak of the Wild Vast Mountain and forced them to sign the 'Convention between the Human Kingdoms and the Immortals', they have been feeding on humans for countless nights."
"They must miss the taste of human blood to this day … In the human kingdoms, they will always bring trouble …
"If you are in the same boat as jackals and wolves, you will run the risk of capsizing."
'You're so righteous … But why did you say that …' Thales scratched his head.
"Returning the same words," Thales sighed and said, "The original employer of the Blood Clan."
Zayen stopped smiling.
The two stared at each other in silence.
Thales felt increasingly uneasy.
Zayen's gaze shifted, and he suddenly broke into a smile.
"But I do owe you a favor."
Thales frowned slightly.
Zayen smiled and said, "Thank you for the day of the assassination, even though I know you had no intention of shielding me."
Is he … trying to be friendly?
What day is it today? Why is everyone trying to be friendly to me?
Is it Children's Day?
"No need," Thales said listlessly, "You voted for me and supported my rights in return, didn't you?"
But Koshder's words immediately flashed through his mind.
"This is all for self-preservation by the suzerains!"
Thales suddenly raised his head and looked at Zayen in confusion. "What are you thinking? Why did you vote for me? You don't seem like the kind of person who would betray you just because of anger. "
"Even in that situation, letting Jadestar become the heir is not in line with your interests as a suzerain, right?"
Zayen stared at him for a full three seconds, then he raised his eyebrows slightly.
"Who knows?"
"In that case, I wouldn't have a chance anyway." Zayen chuckled. "Maybe I'm just thinking that compared to those old and cunning people, you, who are inexperienced, can be the heir to the kingdom …"
"More like a soft persimmon, easy to deal with?"
Thales furrowed his brows slightly.
These dukes — can you speak like a human being?
"Just kidding!" Zayen laughed.
Thales rolled his eyes.
"But before you leave, Your Highness, I have a gift for you. Please kindly accept it." Zayen waved his hand lightly. "That day at Vine Manor, this veteran from the Starlight Brigade recognized all of you, but it was precisely because he gritted his teeth that he allowed all of you to leave safely. Otherwise, what awaited all of you …"
"That means two Limiteer Knights."
Thales felt a chill in his heart. He looked into the distance and saw an exhausted man being violently pushed towards the Jadestar Private Army's fleet.
That was …
Who?
"Don't worry, he's my spy … Genard was once the Duke of Star Lake's personal guard." Zayen patted him on the shoulder and revealed a mysterious smile. "He should be of use."
Thales' face was filled with suspicion.
But he suddenly remembered Koshder's words.
"South Coast Hill suffered greatly due to family strife …"
"Duke Zayen," Thales muttered, "I heard that you've only been a duke for two years, right?"
Zayen frowned and nodded. "My father unfortunately passed away two years ago. I returned from my travels in the Eastern Peninsula and inherited the title."
Thales chose his words carefully. "It may be presumptuous of me to ask this, but I heard that … the old Duke of Iris Flowers, because of the family strife …"
Zayen gently held his breath and maintained the most perfect expression.
"Yes, a few uncles coveted his position and used the excuse that my father was too oppressive towards them … In the end, faced with failure, they lost their minds and took a risk out of desperation. They bribed an assassin with a large sum of money to assassinate my father."
Thales sighed. "So, this is why you said that 'Eternal Star City does not welcome murder' that day?"
Zayen gently inhaled and nodded slightly. "That can be considered one of the reasons."
Thales was slightly silent.
"Even the internal strife in the Covendier family two years ago had his shadow in it …"
"Your Grace, your father's death," the prince recalled Kessel the Fifth's tactics and means, and asked doubtfully, "Was it really just because of the internal strife in the family? Or is there another inside story? "
Zayen's heart jolted!
'He … This brat …'
"What do you mean?" the young duke could no longer maintain his expression and asked in return with an unpleasant expression.
Thales did not notice Zayen's expression. He lowered his head and continued to think about the possibility of the royal family interfering in the inheritance struggle.
"The nineteen noble families … will all be devoured …"
The prince muttered, "Is there a deeper, more essential truth behind the duke's death …"
"For the continuation of our family since the founding of the nation …"
"For example, the duke unfortunately died in order to protect the continuation of the family, the future of the next generation, and not be harmed by the outside world?"
Thales raised his head. His gaze was sharp as he tried to discern something from Zayen's eyes.
"What do you think?"
At that moment, Zayen felt as if thunder had exploded in his heart!
His heart raced, his breathing quickened, and his eyes widened as he stared at the second prince in front of him.
But in his mind, a storm had already been set off!
'Why did he deliberately mention my father's death?
'The continuation of the family …
'The survival of Iris Flowers. He's a member of the royal family, so he must know. The first Duke Covendier was the first Chief of Secret Intelligence and Chief of Intelligence of Constellation more than six hundred years ago, and also the person in charge of the "Project of World Cleansing" …
'So …
'The future of the next generation …
'The next generation of Covendier. Is he talking about me, or … Hillay?'
The weather was cold, but Duke Zayen Covendier, who had excellent self-restraint, was already drenched in cold sweat without realizing it.
'Damn it …
'About my father's death, about that matter …
'About — Zayen clenched his fists — Hillay's identity … What did he actually know?'
The young duke raised his head and looked at Thales' burning gaze.
'He's …
'Threatening me.
'Warning Iris Flowers.
'Damn it!'
Zayen's breathing became erratic.
Thales then noticed Zayen's livid expression and suddenly came to a realization.
'Uh … Asking about someone else's father's death early in the morning … Am I being a little too much?'
"Sorry," Thales smiled apologetically, "I was being too presumptuous."
In his eyes, Zayen took a deep breath and forced himself to squeeze out a submissive and ingratiating smile, which was a rare occurrence for him (usually, this was a piece of cake for him).
"No." Zayen felt bitter in his heart, but he immediately closed his eyes, bowed deeply, and said with difficulty,
"Your Highness Thales, Tricolor Iris Flowers understands … understands what you mean. From this moment onwards, South Coast Hill is willing to be at your beck and call without complaint."
'Why did he suddenly bow?'
Thales was shocked and took a step back.
'I didn't even say anything, why did he bow … And, he understood what I meant just like that?
His reaction … is so fast. '
Thales narrowed his eyes in confusion, "Sir Zayen, you really … understand what I mean?"
Zayen clenched his teeth tightly.
'Are you forcing me to make a promise?'
"What I meant just now was, if that family infighting wasn't that simple …"
"Yes! I understand now! "
Zayen raised his head abruptly, his gaze firm. "The Covendier family motto is very clear: It is better to die for a friend than to die for an enemy."
He looked at Thales seriously, "I just thought it through. You're right, if Tricolor Iris Flowers wants to flourish, it should indeed carefully choose its own allies … For example, you, the only qualified Prince of Constellation, with the royal bloodline."
'He … What's this?'
Thales frowned. 'Did he switch heroes?'
But in the distance, Gilbert's voice came — they should leave.
The second prince's convoy had gone far away.
But Zayen was still standing in the same spot, unmoving.
Butler Ashford, who walked up from behind, was about to say something, but Zayen raised his hand abruptly and stopped the butler from speaking.
Until the convoy went far away.
Zayen, who was breathing unevenly, nodded, "Alright, at this distance, even a vampire's hearing can't reach us."
Ashford frowned slightly.
'Something's not quite right with my master.'
"Did you manage to sound him out?" Ashford asked carefully.
Zayen frowned and nodded habitually, "When I asked about the Blood Clan, he subconsciously agreed.
"The vampires … are indeed traveling with them."
Zayen heaved a long sigh and murmured, "How bold and fearless."
Ashford said respectfully, "Then according to the original plan, inform Blood Bottle Gang, and start by ruining his reputation …"
"No!"
Zayen raised his head, his gaze determined.
And with a hint of determination.
Watching Thales leave, Zayen narrowed his eyes and made up his mind.
No one could hurt Hille.
No one.
Even the royal bloodline.
The young Jade City Master, Guardian Duke of South Coast Hill, master of Tricolor Iris Flowers, one of the Six Great Clans of Constellation, Zayen Covendier, whispered to the butler beside him.
"Pass the message. (send _ the _ words.) "
Ashford raised his eyebrows.
"That side?" Ashford asked softly.
Zayen closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled.
"That side," Zayen said quietly.
Ashford did not speak.
He was waiting for his master's final confirmation.
Zayen's voice came with difficulty.
"You know which part to pass."
Although Ashford was puzzled, he was good at reading people's expressions and immediately understood his master's meaning.
The old butler nodded, bowed, and left.
After a while.
Zayen opened his eyes.
He muttered to himself,
"The Prince of Constellation who I voted for … carries the war and peace of two countries on his back.
"At least, within the country, there should not be any suzerains of Constellation who would dare to endanger your life, right?
"Everyone … should be thinking the same thing."
"Then so be it."
—
The second prince's carriage drove to the North City Gate.
From afar, Thales saw an empty space separated by the guards through the surging crowd that came to watch the show.
The Supreme King of Constellation, Kessel Jadestar, stood among the three dukes and looked over silently.
"I will send you off here, Your Highness," Gilbert stood where he was and said sadly, "Be careful on your journey. I await your return."
Thales turned his head and looked at Gilbert.
"If you can only listen to the story of the tragic king and the resolute royal family described by the king's partisans, then you might as well dig out your own eyes and leave only your ears!"
Thales exhaled. "Thank you, Gilbert."
Then, Thales took a step back and bowed deeply.
"Thank you, teacher."
Gilbert leaned on his cane, lowered his head, and sighed. In the end, he did not say anything.
Thales exhaled. Accompanied by Putray and Wya (with Ralf's appearance, it was better for him to stay in the carriage, while for some reason, the lively Aida did not get off the carriage at all), he got off the carriage and walked towards his father, who was suspected of being a 'tyrant'.
The three dukes bowed to him.
He also returned the gesture with dignity.
The plump Guardian Duke of the Eastern Sea, Bob Cullen panted and praised, "Your Highness, although this is very unfair to you, I want you to know that I am extremely gratified by your courage."
Thales nodded absent-mindedly. "As the Prince of Constellation, it is only natural."
"The Eastern Sea Hill is so scared that it has become a coward." Koshder's other explanation of Constellation's current situation surfaced in his mind.
"Hehehe, I once hoped that my son would be as outstanding as you, Your Highness," the Guardian Duke of Western Desert, the terrifying Fakenhaz, continued to mock him, "But looking at it now, forget it … it is too dangerous."
Thales rolled his eyes in front of him.
"Thank you for your kind words," he said weakly.
"Western Desert is trying its best to protect itself with the importance of the western battlefront."
He walked in front of the young lady.
Lyanna Tabark, the delicate and pretty young duchess of Blade Edge Hill, looked at him with a cold expression.
"I think … we all know what kind of heavy burden it is to be the last person in the family," she said softly.
"But it is precisely because of this," the young lady said bluntly, but her words were sharp, "that we become stronger.
"How much of Blade Edge Hill is the territory of the king?"
Lyanna gently pressed the Blood Moon Pin on her chest and said softly, "Your Highness, we are about to part. I will give you the Tabark Family's language."
Thales was stunned.
The cold young lady bowed slightly and enunciated each word clearly.
"Only blood can sharpen the blade."
Thales stared at the fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl in front of him. After a few seconds, he reacted and nodded heavily.
"I will remember it, and dare not forget it," he said.
* Thud! *
The king's scepter was propped on the ground.
The three dukes — Cullen, Fakenhaz, and Lyanna — all retreated tactfully.
Thales took a few steps forward and bowed gently.
"You underestimate your father, underestimate the Iron Hand King, underestimate the fear he instilled in the entire Constellation."
"You have met Keya," Kessel the Fifth said quietly.
Thales nodded.
"Very good. Then you will know what kind of path we, you and I, are walking on." Kessel looked at him coldly.
"The Bloody Year changed him …"
"Our enemies are everywhere in this world." Kessel sighed and said quietly, "One careless move, and we will be doomed."
"He treats every suzerain as an enemy. He is merciless in suppressing and plotting against them. He treats Constellation as his personal carriage, and he has no control over his horsewhip and spurs …"
Thales inhaled. In Kessel's eyes, there was such determination in his gaze.
"Go on your way, young Jadestar," Kessel said slowly, "Bring glory to your country, bring glory to your family.
"Live for Constellation."
Thales raised his head and nodded lightly again.
Behind him, Jines Bajkovic could not help but take a step forward.
"Boy." The female official seemed a little awkward.
But Jines still took a deep breath and said with complicated emotions, "Remember to practice your sword.
Remember to practice your sword. "
Thales flashed a smile. "Yes, Madam Jines."
After Putray and Wya bowed to the king, the latter gave them a few words of encouragement. Thales knew that the time to depart had finally arrived.
However, at this moment, an unexpected person walked to his side with a cane.
"Your Highness," Morat Hansen said with a hoarse voice and an unpleasant smile on his face to the vigilant Thales, "When you reach Eckstedt, please help this old man pass a message to an old woman."
With a bad impression of the Black Prophet, Thales asked in bewilderment, "Which old woman?"
Morat grinned. "You will know when you see her."
Thales furrowed his brows deeply.
On the city gate, which Thales did not notice, a masked figure slowly disappeared into the air.
Hence, the fleet of carriages with the Double Cross-Shaped Stars Flag and the Nine-Pointed Star Flag slowly set off.
All the way north.
Thales leaned against the wall of the carriage and exhaled. "Wya, why do you think that when everyone said goodbye to me, it was as if they were bidding farewell for the last time?
"Will King Nuven really kill me?"
He did not expect an answer from Wya.
But the second prince's attendant, Wya Caso, who had been looking outside the carriage, actually raised his head slightly with a complicated expression.
"Your Highness.
"In the Tower of Eradication, my teacher once taught me a sentence."
In the next second, Wya said something that made Thales' eyes brighten.
Until a long time later, Thales would still occasionally think of it when he could not sleep at night.
Wya Caso said softly, "That's right.
"Treat every farewell as a final farewell. Treat every second of your life as a chance to survive …"
"This way, we will not miss out on our lives."
"Recently, some readers in the book comment section suggested that the protagonist is too much of a 'Virgin Mary'. I think I need to respond.
The following is my response:
'Oh.
'That is my response.
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