Kingdom’s Bloodline

Text 125. Chapter 125 Queen of the Sky

"Boy, I know what you're thinking. But if you keep looking at me with that weird look..."

Ada was walking on the side of Thales's mount. She clenched her fists and protruded the knuckles of her index finger. Her tone was extremely impatient: "You know what will happen."

"Okay." Thales, full of curiosity, stuck out his tongue and turned his head away.

"It's fine if you don't want to answer."

Ada exhaled lightly, re-sealed the memories of the past in her heart.

bright star.

Damn Canxing.

"But speaking of it, Ada, how did you become the secret guard of the Canxing royal family?" Thales looked at the blurry mountains gradually revealed in front of him, and asked faintly: "How could an elf be employed by the star kingdom of humans?" ?”

"I heard that they are all extremely proud, and they are unique in serving humanity."

Ada lowered her head slightly.

"Hey, boy," the elf's voice sounded a little awkward: "I told you, I'm not your family's guard."

"and……"

Ada crossed her arms and said with disdain in her tone, "As a kid, how much do you know about elves?"

Thales could only stick out his tongue and shook his head helplessly.

Just after the team crossed a snow-covered hillside, Puttilai steered his mount and came to Thales' side, and saw the thin deputy envoy with a solemn face, pointing his finger in the direction they were heading: "We are here. "

Thales came to his senses, raised his head quickly, and looked down the hillside.

In the blurred vision of the snowy sky, a silver and black giant appeared in front of the mountains.

No, not giants.

Its outline in the snow appeared hazy in the distance—it was a majestic city built against the mountains.

Red and black flags were faintly visible flying over the city.

Its gray and black walls are dotted with silver-white falling snow, and the highest point of the city just falls on the top of the mountains. From a distance, it looks like a giant leaning on the snow-capped mountains, surrounded by many villages and small towns. In the arched guard, it stands on the land in the north.

Thales signaled Wyatt to stop his restless mount.

He took a deep breath of the unique cold wind in the north, quietly looking at the thick and powerful city in the distance, feeling a little excited in his heart.

This is the Northern Dragon, the capital of Exeter Kingdom?

Before they knew it, they had crossed the Weilan Snowfield and entered a new territory.

"It's the first time I've seen such a magnificent scene." Nicolai came to them on horseback, with the corners of his mouth raised, his face full of nostalgia and reverence: "With the huge city on its back, the largest, most majestic, and The most magnificent and long-standing city."

"The holy place in the heart of the people of the Northland."

"Dragon Clouds City."

At this time, there was an untimely hum from the side.

"It wasn't originally called Dragon Clouds City. As early as the ancient empire era, it was the central provincial capital of the northern province of the former empire," Putilei accepted Nicolai's words with a blank expression:

"The fortress built on Daoyi Mountain, originally named Fort Aaronde, was the residence of the Aaronde family who ruled the Northland for generations under the order of the emperor. After the collapse of the empire, it fell into chaos and power alternation for three hundred years. Until One day the armies of Nakaru and Tormund joined forces nearby, and won the first victory of the War of the End."

"It was Nakaju who led the army and rushed to the rescue of the precarious Tormund," Nikolai shook his head indifferently, and used his own opinion to 'correct' the words of the Starman: "That's why that battle was called 'Reversing the Cold Wind'— —It is said that in a clearing near here, Nakaju's troops marched with great speed, almost as if falling from the sky, and smashed the enemy from the rear."

Thales pouted helplessly.

Well, there's that little "difference of opinion" between the Exeters and the Starmen, the Northlanders and the Imperials again.

And—although they are all from the Northland, Nicolai seems to be more stubborn than Cambida.

Sure enough, Puttilai let out a sigh of relief, with disapproval on his face.

"so,

How did this place become the capital of Exeter? Thales immediately spoke appropriately, interrupting the "intense discussion" that the two were about to start again.

Nikolai signaled them to move on, and the commander of the White Blade Guard began to ride like a real receptionist while riding, and said slowly:

"This piece of land centered on Dragon Clouds City belongs to the Walton family - the family from which King Nun VII was born. It is also Exeter's most prestigious ruling family, and has inherited the title of Grand Duke of Dragon Clouds City from generation to generation."

"The human hero, Nakaru Ax, became the lord of this place more than six hundred years ago. He formed an alliance with the Nine Knights here and vowed to guard the Northland and their hometown together in the chaos after the War of the End. , to regain the pride of the Northlanders."

"Since then, the proud Northlanders have called the new country 'Exeter', and the Exeter Alliance was born from this."

"In the following year, the Nine Knights, who had opened up the territory and expanded the territory, returned to this place, and jointly held Necaru Aix, the king who was sincerely convinced and followed by the people of the Northland. The Nine Knights led the parties and defended Dragon Clouds City."

"This is the end of the history of the Alliance, and the beginning of the history of the Kingdom of Exeter."

"Adhering to the spirit of ruling by turns and fairness, the supreme ruler of Exeter, that is, the king of all, was elected among the ten grand dukes, and the rest obeyed his authority and orders—this was the time when Nakaru The oath of co-governance shows that his prestige and influence continue to this day."

At this moment, a messenger from the black sand collar struggled through the obstacles of the White Blade Guard and came to Nicolai, asking him to meet with Viscount Cambida.

After Nicolai left, Thales turned his head and looked at Putillai.

"You have something to say." The traverser said with certainty.

"Of course," the deputy envoy shook his head disdainfully: "Don't believe our enthusiastic friend from the Northland, his nonsense about 'ruling by turns and governing by fairness' can be used to deceive the people of the Northland. , in the North—or anywhere in the world, power always speaks, and strength reigns supreme."

"Oh?" Thales laughed softly: "Since that passionate friend from the Northland has left, would you mind talking more about it, my knowledgeable deputy, the versatile Mr. Beiditong ?”

Putilei stretched his hand into his bosom, wanting to take out the pipe, but he didn't know whether it was pity for the lack of tobacco or his conscience. After hesitating for a few seconds, the former bard withdrew his hand back with a painful expression on his face.

He immediately said to the second prince: "I don't know if you have noticed, but the first ruler of Dragon Clouds City, the first co-king of Exeter, is Nakaru Ax. But what we are talking about now The Dragon Clouds City you see is under the rule of Nun Walton VII."

Thales quickly realized: "Aix and Walton, these are two surnames—that is to say, after Naikaru, it is not his direct blood relatives who inherit his name and title?"

Puttilai raised his eyebrows and nodded: "The real history, or the history recorded in the records that can be found in the stars is: Naikaru who died young did not give birth to any heirs, and the dragon Xiao left behind after his death The position of city lord will be inherited by his nephew, Nunn Walton."

"That is the first Nunn after the Walton family became the ruler of Dragon Clouds City, Nunn I."

"But the bloodline of Nuen I caused the lords to covet the co-king position—no matter how many times he emphasized that his mother was Naikaru's sister, so Nunn himself is the closest to the former king Naikaru The orthodox heirs can't extinguish the ambitions of the nine lords, even if they were models of knights who were loyal to Nakaru back then."

Thales frowned slightly.

At this moment, what he thought of was not Nakaru and his nine knights, but the huge portrait in the center of the Mindis Hall: under the setting sun on the battlefield, the scarred young knight, accompanied by six people Under the fearless charge.

The revival king of the stars, Tormund Canxing I, and the six knights around him, that is, the prominent duke family and the six wealthy families today.

Even the thirteen noble families.

Were they also "loyal" to Tormund back then?

Just like the nine knights and nine lords behind Naikaru?

"For the orthodox succession to the throne of Exeter, Nunn I of Dragon Clouds City and the Nine Knights and their descendants broke out in fierce conflicts." Putilei continued: "After the war, the stalemate among the major lords The confrontation between China and the United States lasted for decades, and at that time, Exeter was almost ten pieces, called a country, but in fact they were enemies and incompatible with each other."

"During this period, the originally insignificant new country established by the remnants of the final empire on the banks of the Muhe River in the south, on the territory of the former Chauvin Province, began to rise slowly and continued to expand towards the surrounding area."

Thales responded understandingly: "Tormund I, the revival king?"

"Yes," Puttilai nodded, with strange colors shining in his eyes: "The Kingdom of Stars."

"In the end, under the pressure of the emerging Star Kingdom, Nun I and the nine lords reached the last and most embarrassing compromise."

"Under the joint support of the nine lords, Nunn Walton inherited the throne. And Nunn I, in the name of the great former king Nakaru, redefined the territory of Exeter and divided ten The ten lords, including himself, were canonized as the orthodox ten grand dukes of the Kingdom of Exeter. However, after the death of Nun I, the position of king had to be re-elected among the ten grand dukes, and they voted for a new one. Take the king together, and then rule for life, and so on and on, Exeter's king election system was established and implemented for 600 years."

"This is the so-called 'Naikaru's co-governance oath'-because it was an oath made by ten people in the name of Naikaru, under the signature of Naikaru. Ironically, it has nothing to do with Naikaru at all. No connection."

"Wait," Thales was stunned when he heard this: "Choose the king... I just watched a rough show in the Mindis hall... Ten people voted together to choose one of themselves? "

"What if someone happens to have the same number of votes? Is there a mature system and system to determine the smooth birth of the king at the king election meeting?"

Thales remembered a magical movie in his previous life, in which the pirates elected the Pirate King, but in the end, every candidate voted for him.

"Yes, and it is simple, direct, and effective." Puttilai whispered: "Inherited from the empire, inherited from the customs of the glorious age of knights, and continued to be used in Exeter, so that when the princes have difficult opinions , to determine the ownership of the king."

"Inherited from the customs of the empire, determine the ownership of the king?" Thales clenched the reins tightly. He remembered what he heard in Kaslan's Hero Tavern, and couldn't help being surprised: "You mean..."

"Well," Puttilai nodded, with complicated eyes, he gently uttered a powerful word:

"duel."

Thales was stunned.

"When the holy king-chooser cannot make the final decision, the different king candidates, regardless of their age or status, must prove themselves in the duel."

"Prove that you have the courage to be worthy of a king, the courage to lead the people of the Northland, the fearlessness to look down on life and death in a duel, and the victory in the final battle in the duel."

Hearing this, Thales suddenly saw the flickering face of Grand Duke Charman Rumba of the Black Sand in the firelight, and the worn old sword on his table in Thales' mind.

After all, they are from the North.

Thales suddenly realized that this powerful and iron-blooded country in the Northland was much more complicated and strange than he had imagined.

And he was about to face them.

"Continue," Thales frowned solemnly: "Before meeting them, I want to know about the Grand Dukes of Exeter."

"For example, their relationship with King Gongju?"

Putilei just paused for a moment, then nodded and continued: "The Grand Dukes of Exeter have absolute autonomy in their own territory, and they only have the obligation to obey the king and send troops in wartime, but they don't have to Taxes are paid to the king, and the affairs of the territory are purely self-determination. As for whether to accept and implement the king's decrees throughout the territory, it depends entirely on the wishes of the princes themselves."

"The Grand Duke Exeter's power is a bit too great." Thales showed surprise on his face, and he took a slight breath during the march: "Is it a miracle that Exeter has not been split up to now? "

"Yeah, that's why they're called 'Archdukes', not dukes in the Empire era," Puttilai sighed: "In a way, the Exeter born out of compromise , the degree of division is even greater than that of our Star Kingdom."

"Their autonomy in their own territory is far greater than that of the dukes of the stars. At least, no matter how stingy and reluctant, Duke Cullen will allocate a batch of money from the East China Sea Territory every year to pay a sufficient amount to Eternal Star City and His Majesty The taxation. The appointment and removal of important officials of the stars and the relegation and transfer of nobles must comply with the "Sacred Stars Covenant", and even be reviewed by the Supreme King's warrant. Therefore, if the dukes want to interfere in the kingdom's politics, the fastest way is to intervene in Eternal Star City central departments, or to infiltrate the kingdom's magistrates through their territorial influence."

Thales shook his head: "Then what is the meaning of the existence of the king? If he can't even restrain the grand duke under him, why should he become the king?"

Puttilai thought for a while, and answered him seriously: "For the lofty prestige, the obedience of the lord, and the name of orthodoxy."

Thales frowned again.

"This stuff is much more useful in the Northland than in the stars. No matter how uneducated a Northlander is, he also knows that the authority of the joint king cannot be violated, and the oath of Nakaju cannot be violated," Puttilai recalled himself knowledge, continued:

"Historically, the Grand Dukes of Exeter rebelled three times because they were dissatisfied with the joint king, but each time ended in failure, because no matter how the grand dukes who raised the flag against the joint king argued, once they openly If they flout Nakaru's oath, they will lose the popular support of their subjects, and even the greediest Northlanders are unwilling to fight for them—some grand duke families have even withdrawn from Exeter's ruling history forever because of this. "

"It's too simple." Thales said flatly.

"Huh?" Puttilai showed a puzzled expression.

"I mean, to attribute the stability of Exeter to the prestige of Nakaru and the character and tradition of the Northlanders--such an attribution is too simple." Thales lowered his head, thinking carefully by:

"Human behavior and social power structure always influence each other. It is impossible to only have the situation where the behavior unilaterally consolidates the structure, but the social structure has no effect on human behavior—no matter how noble and noble the Northlanders are, Respecting ancestors and respecting traditions cannot sustain such a state system."

"A power structure that is destined to split and collapse will only have the same impact on the people of the Northland. They are destined to be under different lords, different interests, and different institutional structures. Generation after generation of people die and are born , Social changes, evolved behaviors and motivations that conform to the structure of the times."

"Under the strange split system of Exeter, it is very difficult for the Northlanders not to be enemies and fight each other."

right.

Thales nodded secretly.

This is the society he knows.

Exeter, however...

"Do you have any more ideas?" Puttilai asked with narrowed eyes.

The second prince pondered for a moment, then pronounced: "Stars."

Thales raised his head and said affirmatively, "The Kingdom of Stars."

Puttilai's eyes flashed, waiting for the prince's answer.

"As you said just now, the expansion and strength of the stars should also contribute to the stability and unity of Exeter to a certain extent." Thales patted the mount under his crotch, which caused a commotion on the other side, and Wyatt hurriedly Controlling the mount, Thales gave him an apologetic smile.

Thales turned his head and continued: "With such a huge monster in the south, it is impossible for any grand duke or lord of Exeter to face it alone. They must sit down, coordinate their own contradictions, and unite against the enemy. .”

"This is a good angle," Puttilai nodded approvingly: "Indeed, the existence of the stars has largely restrained and diverted the conflict between the king and the grand duke."

Thales took a deep breath.

Conversely, the existence and threat of Exeter, isn't it the external cause of gathering the internal power of the stars?

No.

Thales looked at the city that was getting closer and clearer, and lowered his head slightly.

Interaction between stars and Exeter?

Even this analysis is not enough.

This is not the main reason why Exeter has maintained so far, and the power of the joint king is so stable.

What kind of power is it that maintains the kingdom of Exeter, which should have been scattered, all the way to this point, stable and strong?

Thales stared at the red and black flag in the distance, narrowing his eyes.

————

They encountered the first checkpoint of Dragon Clouds City ahead, and the white blade guards were negotiating with each other. At this moment, Thales ushered in the escorts of these days.

"The farthest we can send you is here, Your Highness Thales." The Viscount Cambida of the Heisha collar was gathering his troops. He looked at Dragon Clouds City, which was close at hand, and sighed: "Fortunately, the journey was safe and sound."

"Thank you for your escort all the way—even though we didn't ask for it," Puttilai sighed, with a cold face: "Thank you also for the welcome ceremony."

Canbida didn't care about Putile's attitude, nor did he pay any attention to the unfriendly eyes of the nearby white-bladed guards. Canbida nodded to Tuleha behind him, indicating that he was ready to leave, then turned his head and said to Thales. :

"Then say goodbye, and wish you all the best in Dragon Clouds City."

Thales looked intently at the think tank of the Grand Duke of Lombard.

A few seconds later, he suddenly said, "Why didn't Your Excellency come?"

Viscount Cambida was taken aback.

"King Nunn sent invitations to all nine Grand Dukes of Exeter, didn't he, but Lumbard didn't come," Thales recalled the discussion with Putile just now, and said silently: "You know, he might I want the whole of Exeter to see how the King of Kings handles the Prince of Stars—starting with a friendly welcome from the White Blades."

At this moment, what appeared in Thales's mind was not the two actual people, Nun and Lunba, but the two concepts of "combined king" and "grand duke", each representing different powers in the same social structure And rank, game with each other.

"The Grand Duke has his own reasons," Viscount Canbida reacted quickly, and he responded lightly: "I believe the Grand Duke has told you before that both you and the Grand Duke are in danger, and only yours collaboration……"

"King Nun hates him, right?" Thales interrupted Cambida under Puttilai's strange gaze.

Cambida stopped talking, expressionless.

"I guess, the matter in the Star Palace has already spread to Longxiao City. Although there is no evidence, the Grand Duke Heisha has been inseparable from the death of Prince Moral, just like the cold-faced meteorite What you said..." Thales said word by word:

"Sooner or later, King Nuen will find him to settle the score."

"And what is Rumba going to do?"

Thales stared carefully at Cambida's expression, trying to find something out of it.

Viscount Cambida first frowned slightly, then shook his head slightly, with a strange smile on the corner of his mouth.

Instead of using a polite and distant tone, he responded with serious and serious words:

"The Black Sand Territory is based on the border between Exeter and the Stars. It has been confronting the northern border for hundreds of years. It is not as weak as you imagined," Your Excellency the Viscount said with deep meaning: "And His Majesty Nunn, including Wall The power of the Dun family cannot be extended to the Black Sand Territory."

"What's more, Exeter is a royal election system." Cambida showed a strange smile: "The Grand Duke is still very young, and His Majesty Nunn..."

Thales' eyes moved slightly.

"Very good." He muttered intentionally or unintentionally, "Because I am also very young."

Cambida stared fixedly at Thales.

"Before leaving, the Grand Duke asked me to bring you a word."

Thales raised his head.

"Please choose your enemies and friends carefully," Cambida smiled again, knocked on his heart, and said, "Love and mercy are not the king's shortcoming."

"However, ignorance of things is the king's taboo."

Thales frowned and snorted softly.

"These words," the second prince shook his head, "you should teach me when Your Excellency the Grand Duke himself becomes king."

Cambida nodded with the same smile: "I will bring the exact words."

at this moment.

"People from Heisha collar—why don't you leave?" Nicolai came to them and said bluntly, "Why, do you still want to take two thousand people to visit Longxiao City?"

The Marquis of Shiles followed lightly, and laughed: "Don't mind, I think, Lord Nicolai's words are just special."

"Go shopping?"

"How dare you, after all, this is the territory of the Dragonlance family, and it is also the place where the king is held together," Canbida said with a wry smile, "We will leave early tomorrow morning... If His Majesty is as generous as always, he can provide us with some..."

"Then get out—if you don't want to freeze to death in the extreme cold," Nikolai's face turned cold, and he interrupted Cambida: "Unless you let Luba come here by himself."

"Otherwise, His Majesty is not in the mood to entertain you."

Cambida froze for a moment and didn't speak any more after all. He bowed slightly on the horse and left calmly.

Along with him was the army of Heisha collar that stretched for hundreds of meters.

For a while, Thales was only surrounded by the mission and the White Blade Guard.

Facing the majestic Dragon Clouds City.

Thales exhaled, turned his head, and looked at Dragon Clouds City, which was getting closer and closer. Suddenly, he frowned.

"That huge cliff—why is it so flat and empty?" Thales looked at a stone bridge connecting the top of Dragon Clouds City, wondering.

The stone bridge hangs in the air, and the other end leads to a huge cliff. The cliff is flat and wide, but unlike other cliffs in Longxiao City that are full of buildings, although the cliff is not small, it is empty. one thing.

besides……

"And the big cave behind it, which seems to have been dug out by hand?" Thales narrowed his eyes and looked from a distance.

Shiles jumped over several people and came to the front of Thales.

"That's the legendary 'Cliff of the Sky'." The Marquis of Comus looked at the huge cliff, frowned and shook his head: "Although I have been here many times, the story of that place, alas— —I heard that it is the exclusive territory of their queen, His Majesty."

"Your Majesty the Queen?" Thales, who was observing the cliff, was taken aback for a moment, and asked subconsciously, "What queen?"

"What queen?" Nicolai turned his head, with a strange expression on his face, as if slightly dissatisfied:

"Are you joking?"

Thales shrugged, wanting to exchange a look with Putillai, but the latter just remained silent with deep meaning.

"In this regard, I have heard a little bit about the sky cliff in Longxiao City." At this time, the attendant Huai Ya who had been silent for a long time suddenly said: "I heard that it is the residence of the 'First Queen'?"

"The first queen?" Thales was even more puzzled. He let out a breath and looked at Nicolai.

Use the desolate and empty cliffs as a palace?

Ascetic?

"Whose queen is it?" Thales asked impatiently.

"I thought the prince of the stars should at least have some knowledge," Nicolai sarcastically said, "Of course he is the savior of the end battle, the greatest hero in the history of mankind, the founder of Exeter, His Majesty Nakaru Exeter ...is his queen!"

Thales was stunned.

"Queen of Nakaru?"

Thales frowned slightly. He raised his head and looked at the cliff, the cliff of the sky.

etc.

The queen six hundred years ago?

"Hmm." Nikolai nodded with a solemn and respectful look.

"Exeter's legendary first queen."

"In the battle of the end, the most reliable existence behind His Majesty Nakaru."

"His ally, his love, and when he is crowned king, queen forever and ever."

"It is also the most noble and perfect symbol in the hearts of people in the Northland for six hundred years."

Nicolai showed a look of reverence.

Although the White Blade Guards covered their faces, Thales still felt their emotions, exactly the same as Nicolai.

I saw the leader of the White Blade Guard said indifferently:

"Although she quietly left without a trace after His Majesty Nakaru passed away, her legends and myths will always remain in the hearts of every Exeter."

Nicolai said softly:

"In the battle of the end, the legend of the red wings and blue flames on the battlefield."

"The Queen of Sky (the_Queen_of_sky)—Her Majesty Croresis."

Thales frowned.

Why the sky?

Could this queen still fly...

etc.

Thales looked at the huge cliff and opened his mouth wide.

meeting……

fly……

"What you just said was... Red Wing Cangyan?" Thales turned his head with a livid face, and stared at Nicolai dumbfounded: "That is to say...you mean..."

"Ah, that's right."

Nicolai grinned rarely, this man who was usually cold and serious, with a pale face, was full of glory and pride at this moment:

"In the battle of the end, the great hero, His Majesty Nakaru Ax..."

Nikolai raised his hand proudly, pointing to the Exeter flag flying across the sky in the distance.

"...a knight."

Thales turned his head and stared blankly at the black flag, on which a scarlet beast was facing the wind, baring its teeth and claws.

"Fighting side by side with his beloved queen of the sky..."

Nicolai's words sounded in his ears:

"Dragon Rider."