Kingdom’s Bloodline

Time seems to have passed for a long time. m..

But Thales still stared at Putilei blankly, unable to say a word.

Puttilai gave him a smile full of vicissitudes and wrinkles.

"So, it's all for me," Thales said slowly, with a touch of surprise and sadness in his eyes: "The whole star is up and down, the army mobilizing troops... the Liberty League that provoked the nerves of the whole country of Exeter The chaos... the sudden frequent communications from the Kingdom's Secret Division are all, all..."

Thales stared blankly at the surrounding dusty inner walls.

connected.

Everything is connected again.

King Charman's centralization of power, internal strife in Longxiao City, provocations in Qiyuan City, and the sudden emergence of the Freedom Alliance... Baba insisted on holding the bargaining chips in the western war not just in his hands. Thales took it to Heisha collar.

Because he might have guessed it, maybe he guessed it the moment he heard that Xingchen marched into the desert...

Apart from the chaotic and complicated relationship between Dragon Cloud City, Heisha Ling, and Qiyuan City, the factors that really brought Star Kingdom into this foggy chess game and attracted Xilu Shield to enter the game...

It was himself - the second prince, Thales Canxing.

Thales fell silent.

Raphael looked at the appearance of the prince, and snorted softly through his nose: "Why, are you flattered?"

Puttilai coughed and cast a dissatisfied look at Raphael.

Thales took a deep breath and came back to his senses.

"Yeah, a little bit."

"Even though it's strange to say that, but..."

Thales leaned against the wall slowly, as if to ease his ups and downs. He smiled reluctantly, as if talking to the air that didn't exist: "Hehe, it's been six years since I became a certain unlucky prince. I really didn't expect..."

"I can also have such a grand day."

Thales, who slid on the ground, squeezed the corner of his mouth absently: "Hehe."

Listening to Thales' tone full of complex emotions, Puttilai frowned slightly.

"In short," Puttilai continued nonchalantly, "after dark, we will start from..."

But Thales suddenly raised his head and interrupted him.

"So," the prince sighed slightly: "Secret Division sacrificed almost all the intelligence resources in Dragon Clouds City, and perhaps a lot of human lives."

After hearing this, Raphael frowned more and more.

"The kingdom even sent thousands of elite troops to clean up the desert like never before, just to clear the way for me to go home alone."

Thales' rather blunt tone made it difficult for Puttilai to adapt for a while.

Thales, who was sitting on the ground, slowly raised his head, with an unknown light in his eyes.

"Besides, at this time, you are sending troops into the desert and approaching the border of Qiyuan City," the prince took a breath slowly, his face returned to normal, but it made the other two feel even more uneasy:

"It's like helping Rumba: not only did he escape, but he also defeated Qiyuan City, conquered the black sand collar, frightened the dragon kingdom, and obtained the entire Extri, which the other nine princes could not match. that power."

"And as a result..."

Thales tightened his expression and looked solemnly: "The real enemy of the stars——Charmain Lumber, that ambitious and terrifying monarch, the co-king who aims to rebuild Exeter and break through the Star Kingdom, never Starting today, it will become stronger and stronger than before."

"Intelligence, military, politics, diplomacy, and even the future... so many sacrifices, just to get me out, a transparent prince who has been silent in a foreign country for six years?"

At that moment, Thales seemed to be talking to himself:

"Is it worth it?"

The prince turned to the two courtiers with calm eyes.

Raphael's face tightened, while Putile lowered his eyebrows and lowered his eyes, without saying a word.

The silence lasted for a long time.

The shadows reflected by the non-extinguishing lights sway back and forth on the wall, showing the atmosphere of this moment.

"snort."

The skeleton man from the secret department shook his head disdainfully.

"Since the accident six years ago," Raphael looked at the prince who was not very easy to deal with six years ago, and said in a cold voice, "we have been very clear: if we want to pay no price, we will treat you and influence you." It is simply impossible for the future sole heir of the kingdom to return from Exeter."

He changed the subject:

"However, after so many sacrifices, we got to this point, but in return you said: Is it worth it?"

Thales' face darkened slightly.

Raphael folded his arms, his eyes were sharp, and he glanced at him condescendingly: "Don't you think, this is too disturbing..."

But Puttilai suddenly spoke and cut off Raphael's words.

"I have no idea."

Both of them were attracted by Putilei, and looked at him suspiciously.

I saw Putilei still lowered his head, but spoke slowly in his rare serious tone: "But you need to ask yourself."

"Ask yourself, Thales Canxing."

Thales paused slightly.

"You used the six wasted years of being a hostage alone in exchange for the lives and well-being of tens of thousands of people on the border between the two countries, making a living, and in exchange for the long-term stability and recuperation in the kingdom," Puttilai sighed:

"Is it worth it?"

Thales was stunned, he looked at Puttilai, trying to see something from his face.

The former Deputy Envoy of the Mission raised his head slowly. Under the dim light, Putilei's face looked serious and sharp.

It's not at all like the old-fashioned, ruthless, and eccentric middle-aged uncle in the past.

"Similarly, only you can answer the question you just asked."

"Yes, in order to save you, we paid a very high price, and facing these unnegligible costs," Puttilai stared at him brightly: "If you feel puzzled, regretful, or hesitant, I even felt guilty."

"Then it's up to you to tell us."

Thales' breathing became slower and slower.

"It's up to you to tell us people in the future..."

Putilei's tone was serious: "Tell those who died in Dragon Clouds City, tell those who swore to die to go deep into the desert, tell the entire Star Kingdom and even the whole world..."

"Tell us, that summer, countless people worked hard and wasted money, suffered casualties, gave up everything, abandoned their eyes and ears, and even raised tigers to make them a powerful enemy in the future. They also had to start from the besieged Longxiao City. The matter of rescuing Prince Thales Canxing from Extri, which was cast in copper and iron..."

Thales held his breath subconsciously, sat up straight, leaned his back against the cold and rough earth wall, and stared closely at Putillai.

Puttilai took a deep breath and said decisively:

"It's the most rewarding thing we've ever done in our lives."

The tone is heavy and meaningful.

Thales' expression froze at this moment.

On the other side, Raphael lowered his eyelids, pursed his lips, and said nothing.

The familiar silence returned to the passage.

————

"If you leave the boundary of Dragon Clouds City safely according to the plan, our local support will meet you at the border between Qiyuan City and Dragon Clouds City, and he will protect you all the way to the southeast, beyond Qiyuan the wasteland of the city, until it sends you into the great desert..."

In a secret room at the end of the passage, Raphael laid out a yellowed map on a dusty triangular wooden table, and explained his next journey to Thales by the dim light.

Puttilai leaned against the door silently, watching the prince listen carefully to their next plan.

Raphael's finger was pulled downwards, and the tip of the finger was closer to the Kingdom of Stars in the lower right corner.

Thales' eyes moved accordingly.

"When you enter the great desert, your biggest enemy is no longer the pursuers, but the weather and geography," Raphael's eyes showed an imperceptible strangeness:

"But don't worry."

"For one thing, the northeast end of the great desert has been cleared on a large scale by the expeditionary forces that went deep into the desert from the stars. No bone tribe, orcs or sand bandits with more than 20 people dare to stay within our sweeping line, at most There are still a few unlucky ones who can't escape in time; secondly, the supporters from the Star Country will also go north to meet you at the border between the Great Desert and Qiyuan City, and you will then go south to the desert..."

Handover?

Thales let out a sigh of relief.

So, am I really some kind of cargo?

Raphael was still talking, and didn't notice Thales' unnaturalness: "We will ensure that you have trustworthy forces and human protection all the way from outside Dragon Clouds City to the Great Desert—of course, The number of people will not be too many, but they are all rare elites in the world, to ensure that accidents that slip through the net in the desert will not pose a threat to you..."

"In the great desert, our cavalry will patrol day and night, sweeping away threats, and at the same time maintain the supply lines between several large oases." Raphael tapped the map, and drew a dotted line on several small green dots: "touch To them, as long as you show your identity, you can be escorted to the nearest military camp or supply point. Don’t worry if you don’t meet them. The person who escorts you knows the route. As long as you go one by one as planned, stay in our oasis. Within the patrol range, it is safe..."

"Until you are escorted back to the Saber Dunes - the farthest point of the western front of the Kingdom of Stars, one of our largest military strongholds in the desert, which is already our territory, and further east, you will enter the Western Wilderness Territory .”

Raphael raised his head, and a gleam flashed in his red eyes: "Your Majesty has already negotiated with the three major Western Wilderness families headed by Duke Falkenhauser, from Saber Dune to the ruins, from Wing Fort to Hero Soul Fort, You can get all the help you need from the three major families to their vassals - the safe return of the prince is their top priority."

Hearing this, Thales' eyes froze slightly.

Falkenhauser.

The Guardian Duke of the Western Wilderness, Lord of the Ruins, Cyril Falkenhauser.

His memory went back to the Hall of Stars a long time ago, the middle-aged duke who limped and walked in with a cane, with thinning hair, haggard, almost ghostly face, and his dark and creepy smile, cold and sharp. Voice and deadpan sarcasm.

It's the "persona non grata".

"...going east through the ruins, the royal guard and part of the standing army will meet you on the East-West Avenue of Gifts and escort you back to Eternal Star City safely. Are there any questions?" Raphael ended his words.

Thales nodded.

"You mean, the most mysterious four-eyed skull family among the six giants, the Falkenhaus of the ruins?" Thales pulled his thoughts back to his eyes and said solemnly:

"Are they trustworthy?"

Raphael's moving fingers stopped on the map.

Thales twitched the corner of his mouth: "Maybe they don't welcome me as much as they thought?"

"I still remember when I set off six years ago - His Excellency Jann Cavendir, who is also the sixth Duke, he was so friendly and even came to see me off on a special trip."

The prince raised his eyebrows, slightly sarcastic: "Puttilai, do you still remember?"

Putilai laughed dumbfounded.

Raphael paused slightly.

"Your Majesty will ensure this," but the skeleton man paused for less than a second, his tone was very firm:

"The lords of the Western Wilderness—whether it is Falkenhauser, Bozdorf, or the Chromar family can be trusted. Their soldiers are also in this group of troops that went west to the desert. Only the royal family in the Saber Camp A standing army is not enough to sweep the desert."

"Can you trust them all?" Thales shrugged noncommittally: "It's not often heard."

Raphael frowned.

Puti Lai smiled lightly.

"Thales, I know that six years of special career has made you quite cautious." Putillai interrupted the conversation.

"It's not unreasonable—after all, the heir's return to the country not only affects you, but for the whole country of Xingchen, it is not stingy with a political storm, affecting all parties."

Thales snorted softly.

The thin Lord slowly said: "But, please believe me, in order to let you return to the stars safely, the nobles in Yongxing City who are hiding behind the scenes and playing games back and forth are no better than the rough and tough men in Dragon Clouds City. Effortless and simple - Gilbert was in it."

Hearing the familiar name, Thales moved slightly.

I saw Puttilai looking at him seriously: "They have paid a lot of effort, and even a great price, to ensure that Xihuang is completely on our side."

"And what you need to do, what you need to worry about the most at the moment..."

Putilai didn't continue.

Thales looked at him from afar and was silent for a few seconds.

The prince nodded and closed his eyes.

"I see."

Desert and nobility.

this trip...

He sighed inwardly.

Raphael and Putillai glanced at each other, but said nothing.

"Very well, the rest is how you want to get out of the city, this is the top priority," Raphael said lightly: "Your Excellency will tell you in detail, after all, it is his way."

Raphael glanced at Putilei: "Should it be reliable?"

Puttilai lightly took out his pipe, sneered helplessly and shook his head.

The skeleton man turned his head back.

"Then, I think, it's time we say goodbye."

Thales was still thinking with his eyes closed, and was taken aback when he heard this, and quickly looked at Raphael:

"Now? Are you leaving?"

But Raphael ignored the prince's surprise, he still had that relaxed smile on his face, as if he didn't care.

"Your Highness, although I always say that nothing will happen," Raphael tightened his collar and pulled his sleeves up a little more: "However, based on your personality and experiences over the past few years, in case you If you really encounter an accident in the desert, that's not an accident..."

Thales' face immediately darkened.

wait.

What do you mean by "It's not unexpected when you encounter an accident?"

He muttered silently.

Raphael obviously smiled, but Thales was speechless for a while.

"but……"

"Since the age of the empire, there has been a saying in the great desert."

Thales was stunned for a few seconds.

"Words spread in the great desert?" Thales looked at the red eyes of the other party, and his limited knowledge and doubts flooded his mind: "Is it the proverbs and legends of the bone man? It is your hometown..."

Putile coughed inexplicably.

Raphael seemed to have just recovered, and his frozen expression moved again: "No, the Great Desert is not anyone's hometown—anyone is just a passerby to the desert."

"If you are going to the desert, Your Highness, please remember," Raphael changed the subject, his tone became colder, his eyes were sharp and fierce:

"There is no disaster in the desert god, all disasters in the world, no forgiveness in the desert god, forgiveness in the desert."

What?

Moshen?

Thales blinked, trying to understand.

"Listen...it doesn't look like a common language," Thales searched for this special sentence in his mind, and suddenly found some familiarity that he only had when he was studying in Mindis Hall: "Uh, it's very similar to the What about the ancient verse, what does it mean?"

Raphael smiled slightly, and put his hand into his pocket, with a slight sense of melancholy in his eyes: "Moshen, this is one of the most primitive beliefs in the desert, and it represents the legendary cold existence that is one with the desert. It is loved and hated, revered and feared by its inhabitants."

Puttilai was coughing again.

The bone man's dark red eyes slowly focused, but the next moment he lowered his head slightly, and covered his eyes with the hands stretched out of his pockets:

"The weak fear disaster, and the lucky seek forgiveness."

"Only those who abandon weakness and luck at the same time can find a foothold in the ruthless desert."

After the words fell, Raphael slowly raised his head.

Thales was shocked:

The moment Raphael put down his hands, the strange red eyes of the bone man had turned into the most common dark brown, bland and impermanent.

"Your Highness, see you in Eternal Star City."

In Thales' slight astonishment, Raphael, with a pair of camouflaged, brand-new brown eyes, turned and left without hesitation, leaving only a white robe behind, which gradually disappeared in the darkness.

Quietly, as if unreal.

Just as he appeared.

"Young people, always like to pretend to be cool and deep..."

Putile shook his head, took out the flint and muttered to himself: "Don't imitate him, Thales, or you deserve to be single on Singles' Day..."

Thales ignored Puttilai.

He frowned, looking at the darkness that engulfed Raphael.

"It's so dark around here, and that guy doesn't even turn on the lamp, how can he see the road?" the prince complained in a low voice.

Thales originally thought that no one would hear his complaints.

Until in the deep darkness, Raphael said with a smile: "As long as you eat more liver and fruit... You can also find light in the dark."

Thales' smile froze on his face.

Oh shit.

It is not funny.