Kingdom’s Bloodline

An hour later, Prince Star, who had just finished dressing up in the Blood Garden, was walking along the corridor to the Hall of Heroes, accompanied by Rolf and Wyah.

Thales took a deep breath, passing by a group of guards who were staring at him fiercely, looking at the very familiar layout and furnishings in the Palace of Heroes, feeling very worried.

"Are you alright, Your Highness?" It was Huai Ya who was slightly worried.

"It couldn't be better," Thales replied with a straight face, "Why do you ask that?"

"Because when we were outside just now, Lord Putillai said that little Ronnie is here to propose... If this bothers you..." Wyatt stopped abruptly, he turned his head, and saw Rolf holding his hands tightly Clutching his hands firmly on his shoulders, with stern eyes, he shook his head vigorously.

"Look, that's the problem," Thales exhaled. "Everyone thinks in the same direction, even you."

Wyah and Rolf looked at each other.

"But the real problem is," Thales frantically turned his mind and clenched his fists unconsciously: "This is simply impossible."

yes.

Proposal.

What are you kidding?

Just when Wyatt and Rolf were getting more and more puzzled, there were rustling footsteps and conversations coming from behind the corner ahead.

"Oh, the five-headed flail engraved on the skull of this beast? I know that it was a personal emblem passed down from Nun the Smiler to Solon Walton the Big Hand six hundred years ago. At that time Walton's logo is not Dragon Spear..."

This is a slightly frivolous young male voice, who seems to be looking around on the way:

"Ah, this weapon must be the black-striped greatsword of 'Army Breaker' Moster Nagel more than three hundred years ago?"

Star Prince stopped in his tracks.

"That's..." Wyatt wondered.

They will soon have no doubts.

"It's just an imitation," Nicolai's voice sounded uncomfortable, "the real one was buried with Moster in the White Blades cemetery."

The frivolous male voice sighed: "Yes, I have to say, I am a little disappointed... But it doesn't matter, anyway, I will see the long-awaited and famous Soul Slayer soon..."

Thales narrowed his eyes: Nicolai and a group of Grand Duke's personal guards accompanied another group of strangers and came out from around the corner.

The moment he saw Thales, the meteorite frowned slightly imperceptibly.

"This is..." Nicolai coughed.

Thales focused his eyes and looked at the conspicuous and special young nobleman among the strangers, who had an emblem of the Code of Knights embroidered on his shoulder.

"Thank you, Your Excellency, but I know very well who I am dealing with." In the mission of Qiyuan City, the neatly dressed and plain young man also turned his head and looked at Thales intently.

He was very young, in his early twenties at most, with curly hair over his ears. Compared with the long-haired grand duke Thales had seen before, his face was much softer, and there was a strange smile in his eyes.

So, it was him.

The man who claims to propose to Selma?

The young man turned his hidden smile into an obvious one. He took a decisive step forward and stretched out his palm under his robe: "Nice meeting, Prince Thales, I have admired your reputation for a long time."

As soon as these words came out, all the people in the Qiyuan City mission turned their eyes to the prince in front of them, with various emotions in their eyes.

Thales chuckled inwardly.

It turns out that I also have a reputation to speak of.

"Thank you," Thales suppressed his thoughts and held his palm with a smile: "Then you must be the son of Grand Duke Ronnie..."

The opponent's palm was very strong, and there were thin calluses on the tiger's mouth and four fingers that Thales was all too familiar with.

A well-trained noble warrior may be just like his father.

but……

"Ian Ronnie, as the Viscount of Fengcheng under Qiyuan City, he is here to send an envoy to Dragon Clouds City," the young man named Ian interrupted him with a smile, and reported his family: "Father once said,

During his trip to Dragon Clouds City six years ago, there were many things that left a deep impression on him. "

"Among them is the young and witty prince."

Thales' heart skipped a beat.

Apart from the politeness, he caught the key point, the Viscount of the Windy City.

Ian Ronny, he has his own title and fief.

Even so young.

Even though he is already the heir of the Grand Duke of Qiyuan City.

This more or less explains something.

Thales let go of the opponent's hand.

"Please thank your father for me," Thales suppressed the sense of disobedience in his heart, and said calmly: "I am also deeply impressed by Grand Duke Ronnie, especially his fearless fortitude."

After hearing this sentence, Ian's expression suddenly became very strange.

He took a breath, and stared sideways at Thales with a half-smile.

Thales narrowed his eyes.

"Hey hey hey..." Finally, His Excellency Xiao Ronnie laughed out loud.

He shook his head, with a funny expression on his face, and said something.

This sentence was spoken extremely fast, with sharp and piercing articulation, Thales couldn't understand it at all.

but.

"Excuse me?" Thales asked puzzled, "I didn't hear what you were talking about."

"Oh, I'm sorry." Ian spread his hands apologetically as if he had just realized it just now, "No, please forgive me."

"My accent follows my mother's, so sometimes I'm not used to speaking with a Northern accent."

Thales' heart trembled.

Not used to the northern accent...

But……

Ian laughed: "And what I just said is: Thank you for your tolerance and generosity, so I can describe my father's stubbornness and stupidity as fearlessness and fortitude."

Thales was slightly taken aback.

stubborn? madness?

It wasn't just Prince Xingchen who had this reaction. Many nobles in the Qiyuan City Mission behind them had ugly expressions on their faces, and an older nobleman coughed vigorously, reminding their Lord Viscount.

"Ah, we all know that you have a cough, old Bernie," Ian said loudly and unceremoniously without turning his head, "It's just that since you've arrived in Dragon Clouds City, please restrain yourself, okay?"

"That's exactly what I want to say, little Ian," the old noble replied rudely: "Especially in front of the Star Prince."

Little Ronnie snorted indifferently.

Nikolai frowned and watched the interaction inside Qiyuan City, without saying a word.

"That's really... a novel evaluation," Prince Xingchen smiled a little embarrassedly, pretending not to see the internal strife in the mission: "And it came from his son."

"It's not surprising, thank you for your wit and righteous deeds six years ago, so that his stubborn head is still on his neck, instead of following His Majesty to the Prison River to be loyal, and throwing it to Qiyuan City by the way." Mess," Ian laughed and shook his hands, showing a thoughtful expression:

"Of course, if it really happens, maybe I can inherit Qiyuan City earlier."

This sentence left Thales speechless again.

There was another undisguised cough from the mission, this time it was louder, and it seemed very dissatisfied.

"But that's my father, a typical Northlander," Ian sighed regretfully, and then put on a smile immediately afterwards: "And my mother used to say that Northlanders have a lot of money on their foreheads." There is a pit the size of a fist, facing the sky full of snow in spring and winter, but empty in summer and autumn, hahahaha!"

As soon as this remark came out, both the people from Longxiao City on both sides and the members of the Qiyuan City Mission became ugly.

Only Ian himself had a good laugh.

Wyatt's eyes widened, and he looked at Rolf, who made a gesture of "agreement".

Thales twitched his face and laughed dryly.

He has a feeling: This Ian Ronny is really a bit, how to say...

Cheating?

Thales thought of the heroic and courageous Grand Duke Ronnie, and then looked at the frivolous and impetuous son in front of him, and sighed in his heart.

"Hahahaha," the prince said with a chuckle, "I have to say, you... you really don't look like your father's son."

"ah!"

"Am I really my father's son?" Little Ronnie laughed heartily, and once again shocked everyone: "Well, this is also the suspicion that has plagued my father for many years. Let me tell you, it's no wonder my mother died so early. cover up……"

Thales' smile froze on his face.

There was an unceremonious shout from the mission: "Ian!"

Ian lowered his head slightly, and the light cast a shadow on his face.

Immediately, he smiled again.

"Hahahahaha!" Little Ronnie laughed and waved his hands behind him: "Just kidding, look at your expressions!"

At that moment, Thales knew what that sense of disobedience was.

Ian Roney, this guy, the way he says and does things...

Nothing like a...

Northerners.

"Gentlemen," Nicolai, who was the receptionist, looked warily at the two people who had a pleasant conversation, at least on the surface: "Maybe we shouldn't keep the Grand Duchess waiting?"

Looking at Nicolai's appearance, Ian shrugged.

"Come on, prince," His Excellency Ronnie put his arm on the prince's shoulder regardless of the prince's embarrassment. "Let's talk while walking. I believe we will become good friends."

Thales subconsciously wanted to break free from his hand, but Ian just smiled.

"Believe me, Prince Thales," he said cheerfully, but with deep meaning: "There are many things we can talk about."

"For example, the marriage of the Grand Duchess."

Thales was stunned.

Nikolai frowned, his expression unchanged, but he didn't say anything after all.

"And," Ian pushed Thales, walked forward with him, and smiled happily:

"Facing the northerners... I think we will be able to talk."

No.

Thales gave up the familiar movement of getting rid of Ronnie's shoulder hook and back, and sighed.

For now.

someone you can talk to...

Probably only Edda.

Thales gave the worried Wyatt and Rolf a reassuring look, and stepped forward.

"According to what you said just now, your mother is a foreigner?" Recalling the scene just now, the prince asked sharply, "From Kangmas?"

"Oh, no, of course she's from Exeter," Little Ronnie replied briskly, "and she's from Qiyuan City."

"Local Qiyuan City?"

Thales frowned slightly: "But you just said that her accent is not from Beidi..."

The young Viscount Fengcheng raised his eyebrows lightly, showing an expression of "as expected".

They followed behind Nicolai and slowly approached the Hall of Heroes.

"You haven't been to Qiyuan City, have you, Your Highness?"

"I haven't had that privilege yet."

"No wonder." Ian shook his head meaningfully and clicked his tongue.

He sighed: "When everyone talks about the Kingdom of Exeter, they always say: it is the Northland, the country of the Northlanders, as if the Exeters are the Northlanders."

Thales was aroused by the follow-up question preset by this sentence: "But?"

"However, they have all forgotten," Ian turned his head and smiled slightly: "There is at least one piece of territory in the west of the Kingdom of Exeter that does not belong to the old Northland, and its people are not only rough and violent. Northlanders."

Thales moved slightly: "Qi Yuan City?"

Ian nodded, his voice faltering and forceful: "Qi Yuan City."

Whether it was intentional or unintentional, their footsteps slowly lagged behind Nikolai by a considerable distance: "As early as in the Kings Period before the ancient empire, there was such a barren and barren land, from Xitao Cliff in the west to the barren rocks in the east. land, and the people living on it struggled to survive, and were called the 'bitter people'."

"That piece of land was designated by the ancient empire as their Xitao Province. Whether it is the Northland Province in the east or the Toto Province in the west, it is completely different and clearly distinguished."

Lord Ronnie raised his head, and gently wiped the emblem of the Code of Knights on his shoulder.

"After the battle of the end, one of the Nine Knights, the 'Truth Seeker' Kurikun Ronnie, a powerful warrior under the hero Nakaru, brought his sword and ax to the land called Xitao, up and down Conquer, expand territory, build castles, and finally announce to the poor people on the conquered land: from this moment, they are all Exeters."

"He is the first Grand Duke of Qiyuan City," Ian said with a light smile, "Different from other Grand Dukes, the truth-seeker is a native of the North, and by virtue of the way of the North, he ruled countless Xitao sufferings." Lord Exeter of the people."

"So that's how it is," Thales said thoughtfully, "I don't often hear it in those 'Northern National People's Congress Unity' courses."

Ian shook his head and said with a sneer, "Of course, outsiders rarely care about such a difference, even the Exeters in other places."

He raised his head with great interest, and looked at the surrounding decorations full of northern style: "It's no wonder that among the ten territories of Exeter, the Sentinel and the Guard City are guarding the oldest human line of defense in the north. ; Glacier Sea and Elk City have threats from the east coast to worry about; needless to say, the three southern territories that are close to the northern border of the stars; and Dragon Clouds City and Fengzhao City are the central areas of the Northland since ancient times, and they can be called the heart of the kingdom."

"In contrast, Qiyuan City, which is located in the west, has a vast land and few people, and can only deal with sand robbers and businessmen, seems particularly insignificant, isn't it?"

Nikolai turned his head and glanced at them with unclear meaning.

Ian immediately responded with a bright smile.

"But you are still a member of Exeter," Thales shrugged: "You have also held the king together."

Ian snorted lightly.

"Three hundred years ago, if it weren't for King Nightwing's heavy damage to the eastern part of the kingdom," he sighed, "It would never have been the Ronnie family's turn to hold the throne together, and it would never have been the turn of King Elassa Ronnie in Qiyuan City. Coronation."

"From the name, we can tell that there are many Qiyuan cities, praying, far away," Little Ronnie patted the prince's shoulder, and said helplessly: "For Exeter, Qiyuan City is just a distant place in the territory, far away no matter what It doesn't matter what happens in that wasteland, the rest of the kingdom just need to pray from a distance, and it will be regarded as being mercifully taken care of."

Thales didn't speak.

But his judgment of the situation and his estimation of Qiyuan City's intentions have changed many times.

But in the next second, Ian lowered his head, leaned close to Thales' ear, and said softly:

"The most important thing is, since it is not the land of the people of the North, why should the people of the North pay attention to it, and whether the bitter people of Xitao above are alive or dead?"

Thales shivered slightly.

"It's enough to know that it still belongs to the Kingdom of Exeter, and when bragging to outsiders, you can still use that large territory to show the national strength of Exeter, isn't it?" Ian continued. He raised a finger on his shoulder and said in a low voice: "So, many Xitao people can't help but think: Beidi people, maybe what they really care about is the Qiyuan City drawn on the map."

"And this, this is Qiyuan City, the problem that the Ronnie family, who are from the North, have faced in the past six hundred years."

"It sounds tricky," the prince said in a low voice, "Your father must have had a headache from time to time about the people under his rule who you called 'the bitter people of Xitao'?"

Ian smiled slightly: "It's just like Dragon Clouds City, isn't it?"

Thales remained silent.

But he has heard something.

Little Ronnie raised his head again, and the volume was raised to a normal level, so that everyone could hear: "God is sorry, for more than six hundred years, we have taken care of ourselves."

Ian turned his head with a soft smile:

"Therefore, twenty years ago, when the King Born of Heaven ordered without hesitation to use the name of the king, to use all his might to aid the west..."

"The Ronnie family will always remember this kindness and affection..."

"That's why a loyal alliance can be formed." Little Ronnie blinked slightly: "That's why, as subjects, we are willing to follow such a king until the end of his life."

Thales raised his eyebrows and said in a deep voice, "I understand."

The prince thought about the other party's intentions.

His Excellency, the Viscount of the Wind City, seems to be frivolous, and speaks without choice...

But……

From just now until now, literally...

What he's trying to convey is...

Thales raised his head and said in a low voice, "Why did you send a message to invite me here, Your Excellency the Viscount of Wind City?"

"I'm just a prince in a foreign country."

Ian lowered his head and showed a mysterious smile:

"As I said, in order to propose to the Grand Duchess, I need a reliable witness."

Thales' face remained unchanged, but he glanced at the people around him, and deliberately walked faster.

He frowned slightly: "How do you know I'm reliable?"

Ian snorted lightly through his nose.

"Because if it's not reliable," Ian said with a chuckle, "you wouldn't have come."

Thales was speechless for a moment.

A few seconds later, the prince said: "What if your estimate is wrong? What if you find the wrong person?"

"I may be wrong," Ian maintained a mysterious smile: "But the black sand collar must not be wrong."

Thales fell silent.

"Are you serious about proposing to the Grand Duchess?"

Little Ronnie shrugged: "Of course."

"Otherwise, if the Grand Duchess marries someone else, what shall we do?"

Thales frowned: "Us?"

Ian snorted softly, looked at him meaningfully, elongated his tone, and repeated the two words softly: "We."

Thales pondered for a while.

Ian let go of his shoulders and looked around with interest.

"I understand," Thales pondered for a while, then whispered, "Is there any important matter that takes time for the audience later?"

"Let's think about it," Little Ronnie scratched his forehead, "In addition to the hypocritical mutual greetings, there are also handwritten letters written by my father in the style of ancient knight sentences, and crying and pleading with Dragon Clouds City to show mercy." He sent troops to save us who were in a state of distress, and finally gnashed his teeth to reprimand the king for his crimes and invited Dragon Clouds City to join the camp of justice..."

"Gone."

Thales nodded, and resisted making complaints about his series of words: "Then finish it quickly."

"Tonight, I will invite the Grand Duchess to have a gathering with you in the dining room to discuss the really important things."

"It's just the three of us and maybe the Regent of Lisbane, if he insists on it as always."

At that moment, Ian's eyes lit up.

"I'm looking forward to it," Little Ronnie raised the corner of his mouth, "I promise, it will end as soon as possible."

The next second, they finally came to the door of the Hall of Heroes.

Everyone in the mission stopped in tacit understanding, adjusted their clothes, and then looked at Ian sternly.

The look in their eyes made Thales quite uncomfortable.

Ian could only let out a breath, and flicked the emblem of the Code of Knights on his shoulder.

"Are you ready?" Nicolai narrowed his eyes and observed everyone.

Then, he waved his hand.

Amidst the heavy rumble, two guards pushed open the door steadily.

The rows of Grand Duke's personal guards and the Grand Duke's throne at the end of the hall are exposed.

Including behind the throne, the ferocious and pitch-black Soul Slayer Spear.

All the people in the hall turned their eyes together, looked at the entrance of the hall, and at the visitors from Qiyuan City.

Ian narrowed his eyes and looked at the ancient hall representing Dragon Clouds City.

Under the sunlight and lights, the relief of the Cloud Dragon Spear on the top of the hall is extremely conspicuous, making the dark and heavy Hall of Heroes even more majestic and stable.

"Relax," Thales thumped his shoulder and snorted, "You're much luckier than when I first came here."

Looking at the Hall of Heroes, the prince could not help but bow his head and sigh as he remembered his unlucky first visit.

"Really?" Ian snorted softly, stepped forward, and walked into the hall.

Boom, boom, boom.

Footsteps sounded.

"Guests from Qiyuan City..." the herald said.

But the next moment, he was interrupted by a louder voice.

"Honorable Her Majesty the Grand Duchess Selma Walton!"

While walking steadily on the stone ground, Ian overwhelmed the voice of the herald and shouted loudly, "My lord, Ian Ronnie."

"On behalf of my father, Grand Duke of Qiyuan City, Kurikun Roni, I would like to extend my sincere greetings to you!"

What?

Everyone in the hall raised their heads in surprise and looked at His Excellency Ian Ronnie, who was walking slowly, not treating himself as an outsider at all.

Thales sighed. He thought of the Croyce he had met before, and wondered why there were so many weirdos recently.

And they all like to report themselves?

The prince took a step back subconsciously, distanced himself from Ian.

Under the strange gazes of the Grand Duke's personal guards on both sides, the Earl of Lisbane, the Viscount of Reston and other nobles of Dragon Cloud City, and even Ned Monty who also came from Qiyuan City, Ian Ronnie kept walking and was full of interest Looking at the grand duchess sitting high on the throne carefully, sizing up her appearance: "This is the first time I come to Dragon Clouds City, forgive me for being too excited!"

On the seat, Thelma, who was all dressed up, seemed a little restrained. She pursed her lips and her face was tense.

Thales clenched his fists unconsciously.

The Grand Duchess took a deep breath, nodded to the Earl of Lisbane beside her seat, then cleared her throat, and said, "Thank you Qiyuan City for your concern..."

But once again, Ian Ronnie from Qiyuan City exceeded everyone's expectations.

Under the amazed gaze of the audience, Ian Ronnie laughed and interrupted Selma without hesitation:

"On behalf of Qiyuan City, I sincerely request Dragon Clouds City to decisively send troops to join our war against the Liberty Alliance to protect the reputation of your grandfather and father... Also, we really hate that co-judging king who doesn't follow the rules I believe everyone is the same," His Excellency Little Ronnie raised his hands and kept talking, and the words he said slanted down like a torrential river:

"So I also sincerely invite you, Grand Duchess Selma Walton, to sign the joint notice that will be plastered all over the country condemning the king's atrocities..."

Ian, who was speaking non-stop, with a calm face, did not forget to pull out a roll of letters that were squeezed and deformed from his arms, blew on the obviously damaged wax paint, and handed it to Meteor, who was staring at him puzzledly. By.

"...all the details are written in this letter from my father but I sincerely suggest that you remove all the adjectives in it and read it again, it will be much smoother."

Ian let out a breath, as if he was happy that he had said such a long series of words.

A few seconds later, he showed a bright smile: "Then I guess, our meeting is over?"

The voice fell.

The entire Hall of Heroes was silent and silent.

For a good few seconds.

Finish?

What's the meaning?

It seemed that no one had reacted, and Thales also stared at Ian in the field dumbfounded.

Soon, the Qiyuan City Mission behind Ian heard the same sighs one after another.

Thales also heard the voice of the old nobleman of Qiyuan City suppressing himself and exasperated, "I knew it would be like this".

Thelma reacted from the shock.

She seemed a little overwhelmed, and looked at Lisban, who was frowning more and more, as if asking for help, and then at Thales, who was covering his forehead: "Um, I think..."

"Just now!"

Ian raised his index finger and once again took the right to speak in the hall, his tone of voice was so happy that everyone in the audience was dumbfounded again:

"Prince Thales from the stars, invited me to enjoy the star food he brought tonight. To be honest, I can't wait now, so why don't we stop here?"

Now, everyone's eyes turned around in unison, staring at Thales.

Under the gaze of the audience, Prince Xingchen scratched his forehead in pain.

He could only twitch his face and reveal an ugly and awkward smile.

Ian Ronnie.

This guy……

[I promise, it will end as soon as possible. 】

This guy……

Ian still kept a smile on his face and bowed deeply: "Thank you again for your hospitality! Dear Ms. Selma!"

After saying that, he turned around without hesitation.

He strode out of the Hall of Heroes.

On the way, he didn't forget to give Thiers a thumbs up, showing his neat big white teeth.

Boom, boom, boom.

Just like when he came, Ian's footsteps gradually receded.

until it can no longer be heard.

The nobles and guards in the city who were all dressed in hardcover and looked around in astonishment were left behind.

In the silence where the audience didn't know how to react, there was a clear cough.

"This is really..." Regent Lisbane's complexion became very bad, and he said cryptically: "It's surprising."

"that……"

"You know," Ned Monty, the "Death Crow" who had met Thales before, stood at the bottom, pursed his lips in embarrassment, spread his hands, and said with a smile to the audience :

"That's why, Your Excellency the Grand Duke has appointed me as the first officer of the mission."

The Meteorite held the letter that Ian had slipped into him, and looked at Monty with an ugly expression.

I see.

Monty, you asked me to "entertain" Your Excellency Ian well, so that's what you meant.

"Also, by the way, let me introduce..."

"Everyone just saw Ian Ronnie, the son of the Grand Duke and the Viscount of the Windy City," Monty laughed as if to ridicule him, and pointed in the direction where Ian left: "The nobles gave him a diplomat." Number……"

Monty shook his head, as if he wanted to laugh:

"Ian 'Damn'."

The hall became quiet again, so quiet that Thales wanted to sneak away.

In the awkward atmosphere, a call suddenly sounded:

"Well, sorry to bother you again."

Everyone turned their heads in unison.

Beside the gate, Ian Ronnie's face reappeared.

I saw him still smiling all over his face, and said to the people in the hall with wonderful expressions:

"Excuse me, where is my room arranged?"