บท 78: The Queen, the Princess and Fate (Two)
บรรณาธิการ: EndlessFantasy Translation
Keya rose and put on a pleasantly surprised expression. "No, do not leave so soon. That's right! He has not met his brother and sister yet!"
Thales' heart shuddered.
"Keya!" Jines cried loudly. Her tone was filled with… panic?
However, Queen Keya only turned her head back and walked towards the large bed that was a distance away.
"Lydia and Luther will definitely be very happy to have a younger brother…"
Thales finally realized what was wrong with this room.
His pupils shrank rapidly. The gentle and considerate Queen Keya took out…
...two rag dolls from the bed.
On the other hand, Jines' face was pale.
"Look, Luther, this is your younger brother Thales. Quick, say hello!"
Keya happily played with the rag doll in her left hand. She raised its hand and waved it at Thales, flashing a joyful smile.
Thales furrowed his brows hard.
While speaking happily, Keya raised the rag doll in her right hand and moved its head towards Thales. "And you, Lydia. Sit properly. You cannot be naughty anymore. Quick, greet your younger brother!"
Keya was even laboriously swaying her own right hand, as if the rag doll in her bosom was struggling intensely. It was truly an extremely bizarre scene.
Thales' breathing was starting to become uneven. 'Could it be that…'
The prince was in disbelief. This beautiful and elegant queen was playing with the two… rag dolls in her bosom with a happy expression.
'This… this is…'
"Enough, Keya!"
Jines' breathing was rapid. She walked forward quickly, and the first thing she did was to pull Thales away.
But Queen Keya's expression quickly changed.
"Eh? Why?"
Keya looked at the rag dolls in her bosom, and then at Thales. Her expression suddenly became very strange, and her tone became a flustered one. "Why, Luther… Why are you not- not even as tall as your younger brother, Thales?"
Thales gritted his teeth and took a step back.
The next moment, as if she had seen something unbelievable, Keya's expression became frightened and terrified.
*Plop!*
The rag doll in her right hand fell softly on the ground, but it seemed that Queen Keya did not realize it at all.
She only looked towards the rag doll in her left hand with a pained expression filled with sadness and despair. She cried, "I know. You became shorter because you lack… lack…"
Gritting her teeth, Jines told Thales, "Go! Leave first."
However, Thales was already so stunned he could not move.
Keya gripped onto that rag doll tightly with her hands.
After a second, Keya began crying in agony. At the same time, she said something that made Thales absolutely terrified.
"Luther! Luther… head… head… you do not have a head! Luther, your head, where is your head? Where did your head go? Ah? Your head… fell?"
Keya raised her tear-filled face and yelled in panic. She laid face-down on the ground, looking around and fumbling about. "Quick! Quick! We have to look for your head!"
Watching this, Thales' blood froze.
Jines went forward straightaway and hugged Queen Keya, stabilizing the trembling queen with great effort.
Keya abruptly looked towards Jines with her eyes wide open. "You! Have you seen- seen Luther's head? It is about this big… It is round… and rolls… With two eyes…"
Thales watched the scene in front of his eyes in disbelief.
Keya abruptly began struggling, and waved her arms frantically!
"Do not! Do not stop me! I want to protect him! I want to protect Luther! My son!"
Jines gritted her teeth, desperately pulling her towards the bed. At that moment, a hand softly held Thales' arm from behind him.
Thales jumped in fright!
He—having yet to calm down from the fear he felt from what he had witnessed—turned his head abruptly around.
The one who held his arm was a stranger—a long-haired woman wearing a black robe and a velvet shawl. This woman in black had a delicate and pretty face, but that face carried a hint of sadness.
Panting, Thales finally calmed his breathing.
The woman—who wore black and had long hair—held his arm. "It is alright, let us leave first."
Puzzled, Thales turned towards Jines who was trying hard to subdue Queen Keya.
"Thales!" Jines yelled, gritting her teeth. "I will settle the matters here. Leave with the princess first. Quick, get out!"
'The princess?'
However, before Thales could think much of it, the long-haired woman clad in the velvet dress pulled him out through the door of the room.
Behind him, Keya struggled harder and harder. She was yelling madly, "Guards! Guards! Quick! There are assassins! Assassins!"
Pulling Thales whose face had paled, the velvet-clad woman quickly walked out, leaving only Keya's desperate voice ringing in the air far away behind them.
On both their sides, from time to time, maids and servants with solemn expressions would rush towards Keya's room.
It was as though they were used to such a scene.
Keya's shrill screams were still ringing in his ears, "Sob... My Luther- No, no! Your head… sob… Why can I not put it back? Why can it not be reattached? Why does it keep falling down? Why?!
"Glue it together! It will be alright if I glue it together! Luther, is this not right?"
Thales only walked forward with a pale face. He felt that what was happening behind him was too cruel. He did not dare to face it.
It was only until Keya's voice disappeared far behind them that the two of them stood still at the corridor.
Still in a state of shock, Thales looked behind him.
The woman said softly, "Sorry. Usually, Keya's attacks do not happen so soon."
Thales looked behind him in a daze. Puzzlement slowly began appearing in his heart.
Thales raised his head and looked towards the woman, then said with great effort, "That year, when Luther and Lydia… my brother and sister were assassinated… the queen and the others such as Madam Jines… were they there? Did they witness it with their own eyes?"
After staying silent for a few seconds, sorrow appeared in the eyes of the woman in black and velvet.
She said slowly, "Yes, that day, Prince Luther was... at the spot…"
The woman shut her eyes tightly. As she was immersed in her memories, she spoke with some breathing difficulties, "Jines and I rushed over after hearing the noise, but we were both too late. It was said that his head rolled under the bed…
"Princess Lydia was kidnapped. Jines snatched a horse and chased after her. I ran to notify the guards, leaving the stunned Keya alone in the room."
Thales exhaled deeply. He suddenly had the answer in his mind. 'I see. That day, we encountered assassins on the way to Renaissance Palace. Jines' reaction was so abnormal… She even startled the assassins—who were actually not targeting me—ahead of time.
'Is this the reason why? They all experienced… such a scene?
'This is why… Jines lost her composure to that extent, and hated assassins and killers so much.'
The woman gently smiled at him and said with great sentimentality in her voice, "But you do not have to be afraid, Thales... Queen Keya has been like this for many years. When she is sane, she is always hysterical, and full of hatred. In contrast, she is quiet and kind during her attacks. She would only think that Luther and Lydia are still beside her, hopping about and playing…"
The woman's expression slowly became dreary and grim.
"After the tragedy happened that year, the palace was in chaos. Even King Aydi and Prince Midier were… The guards were so anxious that they drew their swords out whenever they saw someone… So, no one was able to care about this place. All the servants had escaped.
"Only Keya desperately hugged the prince's dead body and refused to let go… It was said that she locked herself in the room…"
"I was forcefully kept apart in the safe house by the guards… The nobles were extremely frightened. They sealed up Renaissance Palace and locked up Eternal Star City… When King Kessel took control of the kingdom and stabilized the situation, it had already been two weeks later." The woman sighed and lowered her head.
Thales sighed softly.
"During those two weeks, Keya zealously defended the room, hugging the dead Prince Luther and crying, surviving on the water in the vase… You know, after two weeks, the prince's dead body had…"
Following the woman's description, Thales tried to imagine the scene from that time. A chill immediately ran down his back.
"When they broke open the door to the room two weeks later, we saw Keya. She was barely alive and almost unconscious, and in her bosom…" The woman heaved a long sigh. Her face was filled with trepidation. "That scene was practically like a nightmare."
Thales swallowed, not daring to imagine the scene anymore. 'For Jadestar Royal Family… The Bloody Year… Was something like this? To live for Constellation… is this the price?'
There was silence... until Thales suddenly registered the situation.
He raised his head and looked in puzzlement at the velvet-clad woman before him.
'Oh, yeah. Just now, Jines called her— The princess?
'Going by her age, she is probably not Kessel's daughter. So princess means that…
'But didn't I see the late king's youngest daughter, Kessel the Fifth's little sister, the eldest princess, Constance Jadestar in the Jadestar family tomb?'
Questions popped up in Thales' heart.
"So, may I know who you are..?" Thales carefully asked.
"Oh. The 'princess' title must have confused you." Being considerate, the velvet-clad woman resolved Thales' awkwardness. She lowered her head shyly.
"My family name is not Jadestar, and I am not a real princess." This 'princess' shook her head lightly.
"I am only the late king's adopted daughter. You can say that I am your half-aunt."
Thales opened his mouth in shock.
"I am Elise Sora, and am a little younger than Constance." Princess Elise smiled slightly. A charming dimple appeared on the side of her cheek. "However, I do not have the right to use the Jadestar family name… Sora, this is my husband's family name."
'Half… aunt?
'Why did no one mention it before this?'
"May I know who your husband…" Thales spoke in a stiff manner.
Hearing that, Elise sighed and spoke, "Count Sora… an honorary count from the late king's era. He just passed away a month ago."
'A widow?
'No wonder she's wearing black… Is she still mourning?'
Thales spoke in puzzlement, "A month ago? The passing of an honorary count? Was it because of illness…?"
However, Thales realized that he was a little rude. He immediately bowed and apologized. "Sorry, aunt Elise. It was presumptuous of me."
Princess Elise was at first stupefied. She then smiled bitterly and spoke, "No, there is nothing to hide…"
The adopted daughter of the late king, Princess Elise spoke slowly.
"He died in that huge explosion at the center of Red Street Market a month ago."
'Red Street Market… Huge explosion?'
Thales immediately froze.
'Could it be that…?'
"It was the night the gangs were fighting in XC District and Western District," Elise spoke sadly.
'Yes. I knew it.
'It was the explosion me, Yodel and Asda triggered.'
He immediately felt guilty.
Thales exhaled.
He forced down the unhappy feelings in his heart and asked slowly, "He... Your husband… why was he in Red Street Market that night?"
'Wasn't there a curfew that night?'
However, Elise obviously did not know much. She heaved a sigh.
"Our relationship is not really good. My husband… likes to seek pleasure in Red Street Market… A few days before he passed away, I went there to look for him and we had a huge argument. He did not come back for three days after that…
"I never thought that it would be the last time I saw him."
Elise shut her eyes, shook her head, and sighed.
She tugged the velvet shawl on her shoulders, which was used for keeping her warm.
However, at this moment, Thales' pupils suddenly contracted!
'That velvet shawl… looks a little familiar.
'Velvet… Woman… Red Street Market… A few days before the huge explosion... Looked for husband… argument…
'Could it be that she is…?'
Thales' entire body trembled greatly!
He looked towards his aunt Elise's face again.
This time, his aunt's delicate and pretty face completely overlapped with another face that seemed have come from an event that happened in the distant past.
'It seems like it had happened so long ago that I almost forgot.
'Yes. It's her.
'That female noble clad in velvet.'
Thales stared blankly at that princess.
'That day, it was her.'
She was the one who was clad in velvet and brought along twenty Swordsmen of Eradication. She met Thales, who was taking a risk and begging at Blood Bottle Gang's territory in Red Street Market.
She was the one who donated twelve coppers and… one silver coin on the spot to the unkempt Thales.
However, Thales' transformation was too great. She probably did not realize that the second prince in front of her was the same child beggar from a month ago.
Thales touched his chest.
The scar burned by Quide using that silver coin was there.
Because of that donation, the seriously ill Coria survived typhoid fever.
Because of that donation, Ned ratted them out to Quide.
Because of that donation… he… the child beggars… Quide… Jala… Red Street Market…
Because of that donation… everything else followed...
Thales heaved a deep sigh.
"What seems to be the matter?" Princess Elise looked curiously towards Thales, who had a complicated expression on his face.
"No, nothing much."
Thales raised his head and flashed a respectful but cautious smile.
This aunt suddenly seemed a lot friendlier in his eyes.
"I'm just a little emotional after meeting a relative."
Asda Sakern's smile flashed in front of his eyes again.
'Is this the coincidence you spoke of?
'Or-' The desolate figure of the robust Kessel in the royal family's burial ground appeared in front of Thales' eyes. 'Is this the will of fate?'
…..
XC District. Underground market. Sunset Pub.
"Cast it off.
"Just pretend that it is a piece of wood.
"Cast aside useless emotions and principles, and become a true Charleton!
"Cast it off!"
'No. No!'
Jala Charleton abruptly woke up from her nightmare!
She shot up from the bed gasping.
She remembered that after the three child beggars were taken away, she knelt down at Sunset Pub and did not get up for a long time until she lost consciousness.
And now…
"So disgraceful."
On the other side of the bed, which was the corner of the room, a hoarse voice that Jala was extremely familiar with rang up.
"Do you have that nightmare every single time you are upset?"
Jala sighed heavily.
"Old man, when did you come back?"
She shut her eyes and laid back down on the bed.
However, that voice did not have the intention to reply her.
"Jala Charleton, if you cannot look back and face your trauma from that year, you can only be a weakling forever."
Jala opened her eyes. She then pursed her lips and turned to face the wall, turning a deaf ear to the old man's words.
"Who would have thought that even Roda could render you powerless to fight back..? What a waste of those two good knives for killing..."
Jala thought of the three child beggars, who were taken away, as well as Coria's heart-wrenching plea.
"Sister Jala…"
She shut her eyes tight and fought back the tears in her eyes.
However, the old man's words were still travelling into her ears. "One single trauma made you shut yourself to this extent. You are just like that Quide… That year…"
The nightmarish memory came.
Jala could not take it anymore. She flipped out of the bed and yelled furiously at the corner.
"Enough! You don't have to remind me anymore!"
The old man laughed in a deep voice.
"Hehehe… remind you of what? Hmph, look, you are so traumatized that you don't even dare to mention it…" the old man continued mocking her.
A clunking sound rang, giving Jala a good scare.
She knew that it was the sound of the old man playing with the blade with his fingers.
Although she felt a little weak, Jala stood up indignantly.
"Hmph, you sound as though you are saying that if I mention it, I will immediately become a supreme class elite."
The old man continued speaking mysteriously, "Who knows? However, if you continue escaping from it, you will definitely not be able to reach supreme class… and what happened yesterday will still repeat itself.
"The Charleton family name will still imprison you all your life like a curse.
"Do you really want the nightmare of that man to rule you for the rest of your life or do you want to experience your powerlessness and weakness again?"
Jala opened her mouth and took in two deep breaths.
"How is this difficult?" She gritted her teeth. "It's just that incident."
"Oh? What incident?" The old man's voice started to gain a little lilt.
Jala's face was distorted. The room made of stone appeared before her eyes.
'It won't do.'
She started trembling.
'It won't do.'
Darkness and blood spread in front of her eyes like current.
'It won't do.'
Her teeth started chattering.
'It won't do.'
She almost could not breath.
'It won't do.
'I must not recall…'
However, the next moment, a small figure appeared before her eyes.
It was a cocky brat with black hair and gray eyes. Although his body was covered in wounds, he was over-confident and spoke firmly to her.
"I will go by myself."
Jala opened her eyes and sucked in a mouthful of air.
In her mind, she returned to that room made of stone.
Trembling, she started speaking.
"Twelve years ago, at Renaissance Palace…"
Her forehead broke out in cold sweat.
*Ting!* In the air, the sound of the old man flicking the tip of the blade rang.
The old man spoke coldly, "Continue speaking."
Jala grit her teeth hard. Her face became paler and paler.
"During my first- first mission…"
Jala's entire body started trembling uncontrollably.
However, the sight of Roda gripping her knife with a calm expression and taking away the three child beggars appeared before her eyes.
That was… Coria's pleading gaze.
"I…"
Jala shivered. She felt nauseous.
"I…"
Jala could feel that there was some liquid flowing out of her eyes.
"I…"
Everything in front of her eyes became bright red in color…
'So... scary…'
Jala stuttered. Her lips could not touch each other.
At that moment.
The old man yelled violently!
"Say it!"
Jala's whole body trembled greatly.
What followed was a streak of silver light that shot rapidly towards her!
*Clunk!*
A Wolf Limb Blade was embedded into the wall, half an inch away from Jala's left ear.
Jala shuddered violently!
All the scenery, people, sound, and colors from that day vividly appeared before her eyes again!
"That day, I-"
Her eyes were blank. She could not help but roar loudly.
"I beheaded a baby while he was alive!"
After roaring out those words, Jala panted and took large mouthfuls of air. She felt that the energy in her entire body had left her.
Twelve years had pass.
She managed to shout it out.
She finally managed to shout it out.
*Thump!*
Trembling, Jala directly threw herself on her knees. Covering her mouth and holding back the nausea and queasiness, she wailed.
At the corner, the old man's voice rang airily.
"Now, pick up your knife, your own knife.
"And not Charleton's knife."
บท 79: Diplomat Group
บรรณาธิการ: EndlessFantasy Translation
Three days later.
It was just snowing at Eternal Star City this morning. The roads of the city were stained with mud.
But the road in front of Mindis Hall was swept clean.
A few carriages were already arriving one after another.
"We are in a bit of a rush. People are saying that Archduke Lampard has yet withdraw his troops. He is still deploying his soldiers around the border. It is unknown if King Nuven has chosen to not restrict him or that King Nuven is unable to restrict him anymore."
Gilbert, along with the well-dressed Thales stood in the study room located on the second floor. They were both looking at the carriages coming through Mindis Hall's entrance from the window.
Gilbert said with a serious expression on his face, "It seems like conflicts aimed to test your stance cannot be avoided. Even though Baron Murkh and Lady Sasere are going to serve as garrisons in the forts while the Zemunto and Friess Family also promised to give their full support, I heard that after receiving news of the duke's imprisonment, Cold Castle and Arunde's vassals are in a state of chaos… It is better for us to arrive earlier in order to eliminate the disaster of war."
Thales lightly nodded his head as he listened to Gilbert's report in silence.
"According to usual practice, as Constellation's prince, Your Highness, you will need three instructors to respectively guide you on military affairs, political affairs and etiquettes. You will also need one attendant, who will usually become your assistant hereafter, and two protectors…
"But since your diplomatic mission will arrive soon… we can only keep everything simple and make up what you lack by the time you return to Constellation.
"Since the place you are heading to is the unfamiliar Eckstedt, and the aim of this trip is to apologize, we have no other choice than to reduce the number of followers you have. Apart from thirty Jadestar private soldiers lead by Chora, there are three special candidates.
"There is one instructor—I will introduce an extremely knowledgeable scholar to you later, as the vice diplomat of this trip; one attendant, which has already been chosen and is currently in the carriage; one protector—since your safety is very important, the protector must be an experienced supreme class expert…"
Thales could not help but to feel stunned when he heard this.
"The candidates for instructor and protector… Gilbert, do you mean that you, Yodel and even Jines… will not accompany me on this trip?"
Gilbert smiled at him helplessly.
He said faintly, "Yes. I am the signatory of the Fortress Treaty, and I have an infamous reputation in Eckstedt as a 'conspirator'... My appearance in Dragon Clouds City will only bring upon unnecessary troubles to you.
"As for Yodel…"
Gilbert shook his head. "For the past ten years in Northland, there have been five strong, supreme class warriors with outstanding reputation, commonly known as the Five War Generals. Each respectively worked under King Nuven and the few archdukes. Their status is similar to the Three Commanders of Constellation, who wield the legendary anti-mystic equipment. Your Highness, if you happen to meet any one of them, please do not mention the 'elite who wears a dark purple mask' and also the fact that he is now the secret protector of the Supreme King of Constellation."
Thales was momentarily stunned.
After a month of education, he knew about Constellation's Three Commanders… but as for Eckstedt's Five War Generals...
The former Foreign Affairs Minister sighed. "Yodel… has offended every single one of them…"
Thales spent a second to understand that sentence, then his face twitched as he replied, "Every… every single one of them? What kind of offense did he commit?"
Gilbert only glanced at him in silence.
Thales took a deep breath and put on a resigned smile. "Alright… I guess it is the kind that is more troublesome…"
Another question was added in the prince's heart.
Yodel's past.
What exactly did he do to provoke all of the Five War Generals at the same time?
It was just like a person who set himself against the Three Commanders at the same time… It was totally unimaginable.
Gilbert glanced out of the window and saw a few people walking down one after another from the carriage. "As for Madam Jines… Her identity is rather sensitive… you know, her relationship with the king…"
Thales sighed. "According to what you have told me, besides the 'allies' from Corleone Family, I probably will not see any familiar faces around me, am I right?"
Gilbert became reserved. "This is the exact matter I was about to bring up. Are you really going to bring members of the Corleone Family along with you?"
Thales replied with a solemn expression, "I have already made a promise with them. I do not like to go back on my word."
'Also, even though that old witch, Serena is annoying, she did use the Blood Clan's telepathic ability to help me during a crisis. It is not an exaggeration to say that she saved my life.'
Thales furrowed his brows. "After all, they have one supreme class expert and two supra class experts. Serena also hopes to realize the restoration of her position by relying on my status. These are all bargaining chips that I can take advantage of. On the way to Northland, they can hide among the followers by changing their appearance…" He paused slightly and thought of that robust figure. "Also…
"His Majesty has already agreed to this, did he not?"
Gilbert exhaled lightly. "Of course, that is the promise of Constellation's prince… It is Jadestar's promise. They will not dare to be too presumptuous when in Constellation as the king and our forces are always by your side, but when you are in Eckstedt… I hope they will not bring about any trouble.
"After all, Yodel and I will not be by your side." Gilbert furrowed his brows. "You have to be careful of that old butler, Chris… I always feel like I have heard of his name from somewhere."
Thales rolled his eyes at Gilbert. "Hey, do not forget who was the one who facilitated this alliance."
Gilbert gave him a perfect smile and tipped his hat.
Thales' expression became worried. "Also, Gilbert, the matter I mentioned to you yesterday… about Lower City District…"
Gilbert breathed out from his nose. "Yes, Your Highness, since your identity no longer needs to be kept a secret, and Mindis Hall has already resumed its free passage… I have already sent someone to Lower City District yesterday afternoon. We will get a report back, latest by tonight. It is not easy to blend into that place. People from the Secret Intelligence Department are more suitable than us in investigating the matter regarding those beggars and that female bartender.
"I will update you on the latest situation by corresponding with you. I believe you will already be on your way by that time. If possible, I will do my best in taking care of them, even if we almost have no manpower in Lower City District."
"Thank you." Thales looked at the former Foreign Affairs Minister gratefully. "This way, I have no need to go to Morat anymore."
"But you have to understand…"
Gilbert hesitated slightly, but he still lifted his head and said, "What the Black Prophet said was not entirely unreasonable, Your Highness. After all, you are different from them."
Thales' gaze became still for a moment.
"Furthermore, it may not be a good thing for them to be too close to you… Your help may be entirely useless to them. Worse, it may even bring upon disaster."
Thales kept quiet for a while before putting on an ugly smile.
"I know."
'I know.'
He nodded and exhaled, then he turned around and adjusted his collar.
"Midira! Are you ready? It is time to go."
A strange but faint noise of metal chafing against each other sounded through the door from outside.
Midira Ralf was walking on a pair of weird metal prosthetics when he staggered into their field of vision. He bowed slightly towards Thales in a manner that failed to meet the standard requirements.
Gilbert raised his eyebrows a little.
Half of Ralf's face and his neck were covered with a strange silver mask, and the mask shielded the knotted flesh on his throat as well as the tattoo on his face. However, what was even stranger were the pair of prosthetics underneath his knees.
Constellation had a good relationship with the dwarfs of Steel City, even the skills of Constellation's smiths had increased greatly thanks to them. It only took two days for the capable royal craftsman to build a pair of simple prosthetics for Ralf. The prosthetics were made of two pieces of durable and flexible steel plates of excellent quality. The steel plates were bent into an L-shape, then moulded into a flexible J-shape with Crystal Drops infused into the curves to strengthen those parts. A fixing plate was made to connect to the knee, and it was fastened onto his belt. This way, Ralf managed to walk without using his crutches.
Of course, his movements during a battle such as dodging and changing directions would have to depend on his own, wind-controlling psionic ability.
Thales raised his eyebrows. "Not bad, but the parts below your knees are very distracting… Next time, do cover them up with your pants."
Midira Ralf lowered his head and pulled out a stack of papers that were stapled together.
Gilbert suddenly realized that Ralf was not hesitating. Instead, he was flipping through the papers in his hands and searching for the right sign.
Ralf clumsily found the drawing he wanted. He then looked towards Thales and raised his right fist. At the same time, he bent his wrist and swung his hand down lightly twice.
'Yes.'
Thales smiled slightly. "Very good, what you still lack is proficiency in both your sign language and your prosthetics. As it happens, we can continue your course on the way there."
Ralf smiled and found another paper before making another sign.
'Thank you.'
Gilbert sighed. "Since you have already decided to follow His Highness to Northland, to Eckstedt… I hope you will learn about the difficulties of this current trip, and do your best in protecting His Highness."
Ralf lowered his head slightly. This time, he did not need to flip through his notes, instead, he remembered the right sign and gestured it.
Gilbert furrowed his brows in confusion and finally turned towards Thales, feeling clueless.
Thales laughed as he replied, "He said he will try his best."
Gilbert exhaled and shook his head in resignation. "Alright, at least, this is a good method to transmit secret messages…"
This Psionic with the background of a gangster who they rescued from Vine Manor… no, he was of supra class. Although he was still very immature in battle, but strictly speaking, he could already be considered as a Psionic Warrior… What exactly had happened that made him to submit to His Highness so compliantly?
Thales waved lightly and snapped his fingers.
"Very good, let us begin our journey."
….
The main entrance of Mindis Hall.
"How have you been recently, my old friend?"
Before a few carriages, Gilbert extended his hand and tightly shook hands with a thin man, who was the leader.
"Very bad." The thin man's expression was sour. "Eternal Star City's administrative efficiency is far behind Western Desert's frontline military camp. I came to the capital for the documents of the grand library, but I lost my senior pass one month ago. So, I could only wait in the capital until now… Then, they told me that it would take half a year to replace the pass."
"I guess you probably used up all of your travel expenses, which is the reason why you came to me…" Gilbert replied with a smile.
"But you have given me such a troublesome assignment…" The thin man sighed and sized Thales up with his gaze.
"You also do not want me to give you the money directly, am I right?" Gilbert moved sideways to reveal Thales' figure.
"This is Lord Putray Nemain from the Cawing Crow City of Western Desert Hill. We studied under the same home tutor before." Gilbert introduced the forty-year-old man, who spoke in a blunt manner towards Thales.
"Putray was once a bard who wandered and travelled across more than half of the world. He is very knowledgeable on the geography of peninsulas and also social customs of various countries. He also spent quite some time in Northland. Your Highness, you once complained to me that you did not know much about the world, so I believe Putray is a great candidate. He will be your vice diplomat as well as your instructor, and he will follow you on the way up north.
"Putray, this is the second prince, Prince Thales. His intelligence will surprise you."
From his expression, the thin man, Putray did not seem like he was happy about this. Nevertheless, he lifted up his right fist and placed it before his chest and bowed before Thales.
"It is a pleasure to have the chance to learn from you… Putray, can I call you by your name?" Thales returned the greeting with a smile on his face.
"Of course, you are the prince. You can call me whatever you want." Putray shrugged nonchalantly. He did not show any signs of excitement and respect in meeting Constellation's only prince.
"Sorry, he has quite the odd personality, but I believe you will admire his scholarly knowledge and his rich experiences," Gilbert laughed as he said to Thales. He was not even the least bit worried that his old friend's irreverent attitude would bring about the second prince's aversion.
Thales stared at the thin Putray, and then glanced at the highland boots on his feet. Thales did not show any emotions on his face, but he sighed deeply in his heart.
'This is fate. It is him.'
That day when Quide went mad, the people of the Sixth House met a thin man wearing highland boots at Western City Gate, whose face was sour. He was unwilling to give them money. Hence, Ryan and Kellet decided to teach him a "lesson" by stealing the only card he had on him.
It was the pass for the Jadestar Grand Library.
At the time, Thales thought he was an abject scholar.
Thales rolled his eyes out of the others' sight. 'I am really sorry, Sir Putray. Your library pass is currently in one of the abandoned houses in Lower City District.'
Gilbert led him towards the next person.
This person was a young lad, who was about twenty years old with a sword fastened to his waist. His expression was firm and he had a tall, straight build. His face was normal, but he had a penetrating gaze.
Gilbert stared at the young man in front of him, his eyes were filled with complicated and unreadable emotions. "This is a candidate decided by both His Majesty and me, and he will serve as your attendant, no matter in Northland's Eckstedt or after your return to Constellation. He just returned from the Tower of Eradication a few months ago—Wya Caso."
Thales reacted to this immediately. He stared at Gilbert in confusion. "Caso?"
"Yes, I hope this will not bring about aversion. After all, it is nepotism… But, I can vouch that he was the only elite left after going through many levels of screening." Gilbert sighed. "He is indeed also my son."
The young man, Wya Caso did not spare a glance at his own father as he bowed respectfully before Thales. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Prince Thales.
"My sword and intelligence will be used for you.
"For the rest of my life, I will serve you wholeheartedly."
Thales felt slightly awkward. Was it really suitable for someone to use the phrase 'for the rest of my life' during their first meeting?
Despite that, he still nodded in response with a joyful expression. "I will rely on you throughout this journey then, Wya."
Wya lowered his head in respect. "My life and my body are yours to use."
Thales once again rolled his eyes in his mind.
'Gilbert was obviously very good at socialising, but why is his son…
'His son is a little… should I say, too serious, or is he just plain silly?'
Nevertheless, he could also feel that Wya was seemingly not on good terms with Gilbert.
A cold father and son relationship?
Gilbert sighed and continued to move forward with Thales.
This time, Thales did not need any introduction when he saw the figure underneath the cloak. He yelled out in astonishment, "It is you!"
The petite figure underneath the cloak turned around with her hands on her waist.
"Yes," she replied in a carefree manner. Her response was not respectful or cold and callous, but it made people feel that she was genuine. "It is me!"
With his face devoid of any emotions (it appeared that he became this way after meeting his own son), Gilbert said, "You have probably met her before. Similar to Yodel, originally, she was one of His Majesty's secret protectors. His Majesty specially transferred her—"
"Hey, hey, hey! What do you mean by transfer! Kessel can never order me around!" The cloaked lady who hid her face cut Gilbert's speech off. With no trace of politeness, she walked towards Thales and stared at the dumbstruck prince. She patted his shoulder with her left hand as she pointed her right thumb towards herself.
"Brat, my name is Aida!"
"Aida?"
Thales was momentarily stunned. "Ada Wong [1]?"
*Thud!*
Under the sour expressions of Gilbert and the rest, Aida smacked Thales' head hard!
She blew a whistle as Thales rubbed his head, grimacing in pain. "What 'Wong'! I am not from the Mane et Nox Dynasty from the Far East… Listen closely, my name is Aida Laura Carter Gisele…"
Aida appeared to be encountering some obstacles. She could be seen desperately scratching her head for a few seconds.
Finally, the cloaked lady put down her hand powerlessly as she said in disappointment, "Haih, never mind, my name is far too long. Sometimes, I cannot even remember it… Just call me Aida, then."
Thales was flabbergasted as he stared at Aida.
He felt that his serious outlook on life was refurbished.
However, this feeling of being knocked on the head… was very familiar.
A few familiar figures appeared before his eyes. He did not know how Jala and those few children were doing. He had only received some vague news from Morat.
Gilbert's face became pale with anger. "Madam Aida, please be careful with your actions towards His Highness the next time around…"
Thales rubbed his head, which was gradually starting to ache less. He noticed that even though Gilbert was obviously dissatisfied, it did not seem like he was about to hold her accountable.
'So, he also silently consents to her hitting a prince's head?'
Aida said in dissatisfaction, "What is wrong again?! Do not tell me that I cannot knock his head. Back then, when I knocked Mindis' head, even Keira did not dare to have an opinion…"
Thales froze as he noticed that Gilbert did not refute her statement.
'Wait a minute.
'Mindis? Keira?
'Which Mindis in the royal family?
'Keira. Was that the Royal Family's supreme class expert, "Enemy of the Wolves" Keira Jadestar, who was around over two hundred years ago?
'Her voice seems young, but…'
Thales lifted his eyes and looked at Aida. 'How old exactly is she?'
Thales smiled with much difficulty.
"Madam Aida… Haha, you are really… you are especially lively."
"You are right!"
Underneath the cloak, Aida seemed to be very happy as she punched her palm. "My entire family also says the same thing!
"It is because of this that they kicked me out!"
Thales did not even bother hiding it when he rolled his eyes.
Gilbert forcefully coughed to attract the attention of the people around the carriages.
"Everyone, if there are no problems, you can get to know each other and acclimatize yourselves with one another during your journey… I believe everyone knows about the aim and mission of this trip.
"If there are no further questions, we shall proceed into the carriages now. His Majesty and a few dukes are waiting at the Northern City Gate to send the diplomat group off," he announced loudly.
Chora nodded and the thirty Jadestar private soldiers started busying themselves with their tasks.
Gilbert nodded towards Thales and sent him to his carriage.
The serious-looking prince's attendant, Wya Caso, was staring at the peculiar looking Ralf with an unpleasant expression. However, under the gaze of Thales' smiling face, he followed the Phantom Wind Follower and the second prince into the same carriage.
"Putray!"
Gilbert yelled at the thin man, who was boarding the carriage.
Putray turned around without any expression on his face.
The former Foreign Affairs Minister, Count Gilbert Caso, appeared solemn when he said, "I am handing over the prince and the whole of Constellation's future to you.
"You have traversed more than half of the world, from the battle of Crystal Wall City, the Bloody Year, the Desert War, the Alliance Civil War, the Riot between Steel and Tree, to Eastern Peninsula's Hanbol Inheritance War as well as the chaotic battlefield in Mane et Nox Regnum. You have seen numerous wars and chaotic battles. You know how brutal they were, and your current trip is to eliminate the threat of war on behalf of Constellation—"
"Enough!" Putray cut his old friend off.
This thin man still had a displeased look on his face, but his eyes were glinting with a bright light.
"I have already accepted it.
"It is just the same as twelve years ago."
Translator's Notes:
1. Ada Wong: A character from Resident Evil.
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