Kingdom Bloodline

The deputy priest's startling remarks sparked a heated debate throughout the hall.

Some people loudly opposed it, while others clamored for it, leading to a heated argument among the audience. They debated back and forth, and the chain reaction caused the council chamber to become noisy and chaotic.

"Therefore, the prince signed a treaty in Emerald City, relinquishing autonomy in exchange for support..."

Amid the commotion, Lord Myrahovic, the treasurer of Emerald City, sat in the front row, deep in thought. He leaned back in his chair and whispered to the person behind him:

“Ibo, you are the acting Grand Inquisitor. Legally, is this feasible?”

The young judge sitting to his side and slightly behind him, Ibonin's eyes flickered.

"Be careful, Ibo."

To Ibonin's left, Viscount Deckman, the Director of Commerce, spoke quietly, carefully observing the audience, especially the reaction of the second prince seated in the audience:

“This contract, no matter which of the four points… concerns the entire kingdom.”

The high-ranking officials and dignitaries around them remained expressionless, but unconsciously glanced in their direction.

Judge Ibonin looked at the deputy high priest and Federico, who were still arguing in the hall, and remained silent for a while.

"My lords, is this approach feasible...?"

The acting Grand Judge took a deep breath and responded in a low voice:
"It also depends on what kind of law it is, when it was enacted, and at what level—whether it's a sacred covenant or a contractual law, an inheritance law or a master-servant law, a feudal law or a city-state law—"

“Ibo, you’re still young, can you stop with all this bureaucratic nonsense?” To the judge’s right, the city hall chief, Briotti, interrupted him in a low voice, looking impatient.

Ibonen pursed his lips and remained silent.

No, he cannot, nor dare he.

The mayor of the town of Shuri, honorary baron Amisarashvili, who was in the front row, didn't turn his head, but spoke coldly:
“He’s not his teacher, not the respected Grand Inquisitor Brennan.”

Upon hearing the teacher's name, Ibonin's eyes flickered slightly.

“Mayor,” Superintendent Myrahovic gently prompted his colleague.

But Amisarashvili simply shook his head and continued speaking:

"He was just an assistant; he didn't have the decisiveness to make the final decision and then take full responsibility for the consequences."

The young acting judge stared intently ahead, offering no response.

"But he is now acting Grand Inquisitor."

Mairahovic sighed, seemingly unintentionally:

“If we want to remove the ‘agent’, he must have it.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the high-ranking officials in the small group turned their attention back to the debate in the hall and ignored the young colleague who had taken over as acting head of the group after his teacher's death.

Acting Grand Inquisitor Ibonin simply clenched his fists, remained expressionless, and stood motionless amidst the heated debate in the hall.

"Regarding your questions, sirs."

A second later, Ibonen suddenly spoke.

He stared intently at the deputy high priest and Federico, who were arguing heatedly in the hall, and whispered:
"At Dragon Kiss Academy, there is a group of legal scholars who believe..."

“Oh, more nonsense…” Mayor Amisalashvili shook his head unhappily.

But Ibonen ignored his disappointment and finished speaking:

"...All laws and regulations in this world are results, and only results."

Several high-ranking officials from Emerald City were taken aback upon hearing this.

The young Ibonin turned around, his sharp gaze sweeping over his seniors and colleagues:

"They are all merely people's...post-hoc recognition of power and its established facts."

The colleagues were all taken aback.

"Oh? What fact?"

Only Lord Myrahovic smiled:

"What happened afterward?"

Ibonen did not reply.

Amidst the doubts of his seniors, he slowly turned his head and looked at Prince Thales, who was sitting with his head tilted to the side and his brows furrowed, his gaze solemn.

This conversation between several high-ranking officials of Emerald City was accurately captured by Hell's Senses and clearly transmitted to Thales' ears.

Duke Starlake's brow furrowed more and more deeply.

Damn.

Amidst the clamor of the crowd, Thales slowly exhaled and gently raised his hand.

The Kongming Palace Council was experienced in political affairs. Without waiting for Marius and Wyaia's attendants to relay the message, the ceremonial officials and guards present stepped forward in accordance with regulations, reprimanded the entire audience, and restored order by maintaining silence.

This made Thales, who was having a headache over the current situation, feel a little better.

The South Bank remains the South Bank, and Emerald City remains Emerald City.

If it were a rough, uncouth northerner like Exter, the lord himself would probably have had to shout himself hoarse or even brandish weapons to keep order. Of course, on the Grand Duchess of Dragonsreach's day of regency, the Grand Duchess's guards were in a complete mess, and Nikolai almost smashed his Rising Sun Saber to pieces, but he still couldn't keep order—until Chaman Lumba stepped into the hall.

As for the imperial council in the Fuxing Palace, that was a completely different scene.

If the person on the throne were to raise even a finger, the Barad Chamber, no matter how noisy or chaotic, would fall silent within three seconds.

When will Thales—the voice in his heart sighed helplessly—be able to speak with such effectiveness, so that he doesn't end up in this predicament?

Do you want to be trapped in this predicament of being coerced and schemed against, racking your brains to escape, never to be free?
Is this the destiny of Thales Star?

"Your Excellency, Deputy High Priest."

Seated beneath the iris-adorned banner, Thales withdrew from his complex thoughts, his voice echoing through the council chambers of Kevin Deer, passed down through generations:
"Your proposal... it involves putting the regency into writing, a council, and a deadline for handing over power. Hmm, it sounds novel."

Or, it sounds outdated.

Under the gaze of the entire hall, Thales looked at Federico, whose eyes seemed to be spitting fire, and then at the deputy high priest Fabul opposite him, whose expression was calm but whose eyes were hopeful.

"But...why?"

The second prince gazed at the old priest with a melancholy expression, as if he could see countless threads extending from behind the other:
Why you?

The Temple of Sunset is arguably the oldest and most conservative force in the kingdom.

The priests of the temple have always maintained close ties with the old nobility, especially the powerful local lords. The chief priests in various places are mostly from wealthy and powerful families with hereditary titles and noble families. In contrast, the priests and monks of the Sunset Church automatically gravitate towards the new rich and powerful, including the newly appointed lords and even industrialists and merchants who emerged in large numbers after the Bloody Years.

Given this, it is perfectly normal for the high-born temple priests to be unhappy with the suppression of Iris by the royal power supported by the new elites, to be displeased with the Starry Sky royal family extending their reach into the South Bank Territory to control the Sky Palace, and to be displeased with the impending changes in Emerald City.

However, for this reason, he did not hesitate to take the lead himself, to throw caution to the wind, to divide the regency in order to win over the people, to include everyone in Emerald City, to offend the Palace of Restoration in his words and actions, and even to use the sensitive issue of succession to the throne as a bargaining chip, which was intended to sow discord, but was still too extreme.

As for why they were willing to go to such lengths to carve out a large chunk of power and profit from the vacant position in the Kongming Palace...

As for how much uncertainty this will bring to the situation, and to Thales's mediation plan to stabilize the Palace of Restoration, preserve the Emerald City, and quell the conflict or even the war...

"Because I am in this city."

The solemn expression of the deputy high priest, Fabre, brought Thales back to reality.

“I know, Your Highness, everything that happened in Emerald City has exhausted you, both physically and mentally. Believe me, it has exhausted me too,” the old priest patted his chest, his expression pained, “and Emerald City as well.”

He turned around and looked at the crowd in the hall, his annoyance and weariness resonating with many.

"Therefore, I have come here to share Your Highness's burdens: as long as you sign this agreement, proving that you have no desire for power and position, and are even willing to allow the people of Emerald City to participate in politics... then the people's hearts will be at ease, the problem will be solved, and you can act freely without any scruples."

The old priest waved his hand decisively, his gaze toward Thales unwavering:

"Even if Emerald City suffers another misfortune, it will not be your fault, nor will it damage your reputation. We are only grateful to you and admire and respect you—whether you are still the regent of Kongming Palace or not."

To share His Highness's burdens...

As long as this contract is signed...

Solve the problem yourself...

Whether you are still here or not...

At that moment, Thales suddenly felt like laughing.

He seemed to have returned to the Ballard Chamber in the Palace of Restoration, where he coldly and seriously pointed out the truth and mistakes of "Operation Sand King" to the Iron-Fisted King, offered his suggestions, and also claimed to help the King "share the burden," to be the vanguard for the King, to share the weight of the crown, and also to make a pact with the King...

Finally, he received a ring.

Faced with the complex gazes of the room, Thales gritted his teeth.

So that's how it felt. That's exactly how King Catherine V, who was sitting opposite him, felt back then.

"This is outrageous!"

In the first row of the hall, Count Lacia was furious:

"Old man chanting scriptures, you're extorting His Highness!"

"of course not."

Fabul remained calm and didn't turn his head: "This is just a humble request. Whether it is granted or not is entirely up to Your Highness."

The deputy high priest raised his head and looked directly at Thales:

"After all, force can buy obedience, but it can't make a deal."

These words sparked a lively discussion among the attendees, with increasingly louder voices of agreement.

transaction.

Thales took a deep breath and looked at the equally calm and composed old priest before him, and couldn't help but feel a little more understanding of the person involved:

It seems that the Iron-Fisted King didn't immediately order himself dragged out, shoved headfirst into the toilet, and flushed away because he really has a good temper.

only……

Thales pondered in his heart: Your father had that ring, that power, and the courage to make the deal.

But what do you, Thales, have?
What gives you the right?
"You old man, you son of a bitch—" Count Lacia, feeling humiliated by the insults, was about to unleash a torrent of curses when he was interrupted by another voice.

Is that you?

Everyone turned their gazes, and there stood Federico, who had been silent for a long time, his eyes cold as he spoke in a low voice:
"Mr. Fabre, are you behind everything?"

The old priest frowned.

"The person assassinated was your student, and you were the one who staged the audience and forced your abdication. Your demands weren't for a thorough investigation of the murderer or for compensation, but rather for this kind of contract, some kind of committee for regency oversight..."

Federico snorted coldly, looking warily at the guests filling the hall:
"You've been plotting this so-called 'contract' to fish in troubled waters and erode the Duke's power for a long time, haven't you, High Priest? When did it start? When my cousin fell from power? Or before that, when my uncle was in power?"

The scarlet iris revealed a fierce look:

"Is this opportunistic looting, or a power grab and rebellion?"

His shouts echoed through the hall, and for a moment no one dared to utter a word. Even Count Lacia was held back by his eldest son, hesitant to speak.

“Young Master Federico, you flatter me.”

The old priest sighed softly, turned to face the guests, and made a gesture of apology in prayer:
"The people can come to the court to participate in government affairs. This has a precedent in Kongming Palace. 'The Duke of Kosa consulted the people on government affairs, treated the virtuous and learned people with respect, and treated the common people well, thus achieving great order.' This precedent is not new today, nor is it something I created alone."

more importantly……

Fabre slowly turned his head, looking sadly and pityingly at the people who had come to attend the audience that day.

He looked at them, their expressions ranging from confusion to excitement, tension to greed, but lacking only a resolute and indignant one.

No.

The deputy high priest closed his eyes.

The sun is setting; it's not time yet.

Perhaps someday, perhaps very soon, but...

Not now.

The old priest turned around:

"Furthermore, as I said: the validity of this contract between us and His Highness will only last until the end of the regency transition and the return of power to Iris."

The deputy high priest sighed and performed a prayer:

"And the Temple of Sunset guarantees that, whoever it may be, after the temporary regency ends, the Emerald City Lord and even the Duke of the South Bank will ultimately return to the Kevindir family—provided, of course, that a qualified and suitable person is chosen, without compromising legitimacy." Without compromising legitimacy…

As soon as he finished speaking, Thales saw many listeners in the hall breathe a sigh of relief, especially the nobles, both large and small, who owned land and property.

The choice for Duke has returned to the Kevin Deer family…

These words caused Federico to pause his attack. He frowned slightly, observed the guests in the hall, and quickly began to make plans.

"orthodox?"

Thales suddenly spoke up:
"By then, even within the Kevindir family, shouldn't the decision of who is qualified, who is competent, and who is the rightful candidate for Duke of the South Bank be made by you, the High Priest, and the Sunset Temple, with their endorsement and neutrality?"

Federico's expression changed upon hearing this.

“No,” the old priest said solemnly to the audience, “to be precise, it is to be decided by the council or committee established in the contract, in accordance with His Highness Thales’ promise and in a manner that is in the best interests of the entire city.”

Thales frowned.

A decision to be made through public discussion?

These words sparked a lively discussion in the council chamber, with many expressing excitement and agitation.

Deputy High Priest Fibour calmly accepted the prince's questioning gaze.

Of course, the will of the Sunset Temple and even the "divine oracle" are also a crucial and even indispensable part of the "public discussion".

The deputy high priest continued:

"After that, the councils or committees established for the temporary transition shall be dissolved, and the position of regent shall also be abolished..."

"What if a suitable candidate cannot be found?"

Thales coldly interrupted the old priest, recalling the current state of 'military control' in the Western Wilderness:

"Will the council you proposed and the regent it appointed continue to govern Emerald City until you find someone you are satisfied with, or rather, until someone wins your approval?"

Federico and many others looked grim.

"Your Highness has a good question!"

Count Lacia understood something and shouted:
"So, this contract might just be a scam, a trick to seize power and then never relinquish it!"

The deputy high priest frowned.

Thales remained expressionless.

"Your Excellency, Deputy High Priest!"

In the hall, Federico whirled around, staring intently at the old priest:
"I couldn't help but notice that in your contract, whether it was the division of responsibilities, the formation of a committee, the selection of a regent, or even supporting His Highness's coronation, every clause emphasized that the Sunset Temple should guarantee the countersignature and even supervise the execution?"

Priest Fabul's eyelids twitched.

He then raised his hand to the sky, making a gesture of utmost devotion in prayer:
"The guarantor and witness should remain detached. But Goddess above..."

“The goddess is omnipresent,” Federico interrupted him rudely, retorting sharply, “but High Priest, are you truly acting so righteously for the Emerald City?”

Under the watchful eyes of countless people, he pressed closer and closer:
"Is it still for the Temple of the Setting Sun, for your long-lost secular power?"

Deputy High Priest Fiebel's expression turned cold.

"So that your priestly colleagues in the temple can seize the opportunity to regain power, and in the name of faith, coerce the nobility and oppress the common people?"

Federico narrowed his eyes, and his words once again caused a stir and uproar among the audience:
"Your Excellency, you asked His Highness to sign a pledge to prove his sincerity, but have you done it yourself?"

Federico loudly questioned:

"By the goddess above, have the priests of the Emerald City accomplished their task?"

The old priest turned pale and his fingers trembled as he was refuted. He subconsciously looked down at the book "Sunset Doctrine" lying on the ground.

"That makes sense!"

Federer's questioning received sporadic support from the audience, especially from Count Lacia:

“Deputy High Priests, isn’t it a bit unseemly for you to nominate yourselves to act as guarantors and oversee the execution?”

Amidst a chorus of doubts and questions, Thales remained silent, simply observing the old priest's response.

Finally, under the watchful eyes of the audience, each with their own thoughts, the Deputy High Priest remained silent for a long time, hesitated several times, and then let out a long sigh.

“Your Highness, young master Federico is right,” Priest Fibble turned to Thales and bowed deeply. “Then let’s change it.”

what?
Many viewers were startled, and Thales also frowned.

change?
“To avoid any appearance of impropriety, let’s replace the Sunset Temple in the contract with other knowledgeable individuals,” the deputy high priest said quietly. “For example… our missionary colleagues, the Sunset Church? How about they sign it, taking on the responsibility of guaranteeing, countersigning, and supervising?”

"what?"

The representative from the Sunset Church, sitting in the middle corner, was surprised when he realized what was happening. The Vice-Bishop Ledouy, who had been lost in thought, suddenly came to his senses.

But he was immediately overjoyed, forcing a tight smile, and stood up, rubbing his hands together:

"Me, do I have to sign too? Well... then our Sunset Church will certainly uphold justice..."

Amid the murmurs of the crowd, Thales frowned deeply.

strangeness.

too weird.

Even in the religiously tolerant Emerald City, the priests and clergy of the Temple of the Setting Sun and the Church of the Setting Sun have completely different backgrounds and distinct positions, especially when it comes to reputation and faith, they are unwilling to give an inch to each other.

As for giving this great gift out of thin air to a rival within the same church that shares the same origin... well, you should know that centuries ago, the high priests of the temple referred to these "missionary colleagues" as "heretics".

But this only made Thales more suspicious of the vice-priest's intentions.

Could it be... that he really is the kind of selfless idealist who speaks out for the people?
"Does it have to be your line of work, Mr. Fabre?"

After his initial surprise, Federico looked at Deputy High Priestess Fabre and Deputy Archdeacon Ledoux with a complex expression.

"For example, how about replacing the Sunset Temple in your contract with a highly respected, conferred count—the Count of Lacia, or the Count of Kalabyan?"

The archdeacon Ledoux's smile faltered.

"what?"

Count Lacia was startled and stood up, forcing a smile as he straightened his collar:
"Oh dear, what are you saying... Supervising and even recommending a regent is a serious matter, not an easy task... Speaking of which, the four-winged giant lizards have served as the Emerald City's shield for generations, working tirelessly and without complaint, enduring any hardship..."

"Father!"

But before the old count could finish speaking, his eldest son interrupted him and forcefully stopped him.

“Be careful,” the eldest son of the Lassia family whispered, but Thales’s hellish senses overheard him. “He might be testing us.”

Count Lacia's expression changed slightly as he glanced at Federico, whose gaze was gloomy.

But the voices of another pair of sisters rang out cheerfully:

"I can't accept this!"

Kasha took a deep breath, fanned herself, and struck a dignified pose:
"But since Your Highness has shown such favor..."

Qina sighed, her expression one of absolute certainty:

"If Emerald City is entrusted with a heavy responsibility..."

"Let's ask our dad to sacrifice his reputation a little..."

"It's not that it's impossible..."

"After all, the Kalabyan and Kevin Deer families have been related for generations..."

"So adorable..."

"Back to Kongming Palace..."

"It feels just like coming home..."

The smiling Karabyan sisters were about to open their folding fans when they met Thales's scrutinizing gaze.

The next second, the two girls choked on their words, sat down with fake smiles, and suddenly became interested in the skylights around the council hall.

"Of course!"

Deputy High Priest Fibrill spoke loudly:
“The Sunset Temple, the Church, the Earl, and other insightful individuals who care about Emerald City and can represent it can all shoulder this important responsibility.”

His words sparked another round of whispers, with many people eager to try it out.

"Since that's the case, Your Highness, this contract..."

With countless gazes from the audience behind him, the old priest turned to Thales on the high seat, this time with a resolute air of relief:
Are you willing to sign?

Thales frowned deeply.

He suddenly had a strange feeling:
Every strange gaze, filled with complex emotions, cast from the audience behind the deputy high priest was a part of the old priest.

They originated from one place, piled up together, densely packed, blinking like waves, carrying countless unspeakable thoughts and desires, and staring intently at Thales.

Their countless eyes were irregularly piled up around the deputy priest, front, back, left, and right, forming a dense, impenetrable, flesh-and-blood, endlessly blinking, hundred-eyed monster.

This sent chills down Thales' spine.

“But please rest assured, Your Highness, once this agreement is signed, you will have nothing to worry about,” perhaps noticing his own aggressive tone, the deputy high priest paused for a moment before speaking gently, “because from then on, Emerald City will know: you are not our enemy.”

Because the enemy is someone else.

Thales took a difficult breath.

"enemy?"

Federico scoffed:

"Absurd, who is the enemy?"

He stepped forward, waved to the audience, causing the monstrous, blinking hundred-eyed monster to tremble and avert its eyes.

"Or perhaps, by saying this, you're trying to create some kind of enemy for us?"

Who is the enemy?

But the old priest was not intimidated at all:
"Whoever has been stirring up trouble in Emerald City, who has abandoned the livelihoods of the common people for personal gain, who has ruined His Highness's efforts to achieve peace, who intends to turn the South Bank Territory into a stepping stone for his ambitions, whoever cannot stand to see His Highness and us working together—whoever is the enemy of Emerald City and the people of the South Bank!"

These words were righteous and stern, yet they also contained a hidden allusion. Unsurprisingly, the hall erupted in another uproar and heated debate.

Even Thales had to close his eyes and rub his forehead, pretending to be tired.

At the same time, avoid the imagined hundred-eyed giant monster.

I wish you were the one to hear these words, Your Majesty.

Instead of leaving the mess of taking over Emerald City to the heir and saying, "You figure it out."

"you……"

Federer was stunned, both shocked and furious:
Do you know what you're saying?!

“I know what I’m talking about more than ever,” Fabre said firmly, yet earnestly. “And you, Ferdi? Are you ready? Have you truly identified your enemies and allies?”

The old priest's words left Federico silent for a long while.

The latter looked at his former teacher with a complicated expression, as if he no longer recognized him.

“When Jen was still in power, wielding absolute authority, teacher,” Federico’s tone was tinged with pain and disappointment, “why didn’t you have the courage to speak out for justice?”

The deputy high priest trembled slightly.

“So he got what he deserved,” Fabre turned his head, his voice weary. “Now, it’s the others’ turn.”

Federico stared at him for a while before taking a deep breath and making up his mind.

"You just mentioned the fourth point, sir."

Federer turned around, facing the doubtful and nervous audience, and resumed his role as the ruthless schemer:
"You mean you want to support His Highness's coronation as king?"

I meant if he were willing to sign—

"His Highness Thales is the undisputed heir to the throne."

Federico coldly interrupted him:
"And what right do you, the Deputy High Priest, or anyone else in this hall, or even the entire Emerald City, have to presume to comment on the qualifications of the next king?"

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent; you could hear a pin drop. (End of Chapter)