Kingdom’s Bloodline Chapter 7: Hometown

Blue sky, white clouds, sunny day, breeze.

Under the banner of the flying double cross star, the standing army belonging to the central collar neatly bypassed the city wall to the military camp in the southern suburbs of the capital.

Dozens of riders wore cloaks, surrounded by a carriage, and left the team early to go to Wing Star City.

The city gate, the city defense team that was notified acted early, restricted the flow of people, cleared the passage, and drove the people who were accustomed to the road to the other side of the road in accordance with the rules of opening the way for special messengers. The city defense officer had seen the leader's warrant After getting the badge, respectfully welcome these dozens of hidden knights into the city in a low-key manner.

From the leisurely horseman to the hurried businessmen, many passers-by were curious to point to this group of people-especially the carriage in it, but no one was particularly surprised.

Compared with the local people, the residents of the royal capital are well-informed, and they are not surprised at all. They are naturally superior. They even experienced the great event of the second prince recognized by the Star Nation in the meeting. What are the rare things? Can you disturb them?

So, the carriage surrounded by the knights passed the city gate smoothly, entered the main road, and continued to move forward in the curious eyes of the people on the side of the road.

In the team, a figure who appeared thinner than the others stuck his head in the saddle.

"Your Highness," Gilbert slowly caught up and nodded empathetically:

"Welcome back to Yongxing City."

"Welcome home."

The thin figure did not answer, but trembled slightly.

Eternal Star City.

Home.

He stared at the city defense tower flying over his head in a daze, and sighed under the cloak.

A few seconds later, Thales turned his head and squeezed out a slightly disoriented smile:

"Thank you."

The team of knights hurried forward, the prince under the cloak stopped talking, and the witty Gilbert also kept silent.

Home.

Tyles felt the tremor of the horse's hoof stepping on the gallop, and in the gap of the royal guard's figure, silently looked at everything around him:

The main road that connects countless lanes and forks, rows of cut houses like pastries, and various shops opened under wind-swaying signs...

Citizens chattering around the municipal bulletin board, women heading to Muhe Huanyi with a wooden basin in one hand, outsiders standing in the middle of the road with big eyes and ignorant...

The chariot driver who was hurriedly hurried with anger, standing on the corner wooden box with red ears and working hard to preach the sacrifice, the neatly organized security team and police officers...

It's like a frozen scene.

But...

"Strange..."

Tyles subconsciously uttered. He felt his eyebrows heavier and his lips tightened subconsciously.

A strange and unspeakable feeling rushed to my heart irresistibly, but it broke halfway just before the gushing out.

It's like a bucket that draws water up to the edge of the well with a sudden knock, loosens the lanyard, and falls back into the well.

Only countless water splashes, and the echo is empty.

Let him fail.

After experiencing the scene of "Send the Sword", the royal guards around him—including the glib Doyle and the expressionless Glover—have become vigorous, straight, and with Tyre. Separated from a long distance, Si no longer sneaked at the Duke of Star Lake from time to time like on the road.

Only Gilbert remained beside him, speaking softly:

"Lord Duke, you have lived in the north all year round, and your memory of Yongxing City has faded. This is normal..."

Thyls awoke from the complex thoughts.

Gilbert still looked calm and continued:

"For example, the road where we enter the city, it belongs to the section of Grace Avenue, which is a bit messy because it is closer to..."

Just now.

"West Gate."

The voice of His Royal Highness came slowly:

"I know."

Gilbert spoke.

Thyls slowly raised his head and looked into the distance with feelings he couldn't understand:

"This is close to the West Gate..."

West Gate.

The voice of the Duke of Star Lake is like the reverberation of the empty valley, Qingxi Soseki.

With an inexplicable melancholy.

Gilbert was slightly startled.

To his surprise, the Duke only paused for a while before snorting.

"It can be regarded as the most interesting place in Yongxing City—farmers, vendors, messengers, officials, police officers, soldiers, sacrifices, beggars, brave adventurers, curious tourists, despicable outsiders..."

"You can find everyone in the royal capital here."

Tyles stared at both sides of the road, avoiding the crowd of knights like them, as if looking at the most interesting story book, the corners of his mouth were slightly raised:

"But be careful, don't accidentally squeeze into the clean and tidy main path, and still refuse to leave."

"Otherwise, the dedicated city defense team and the security team will tell you what the king’s authority is."

"Because on this, even a mane of a famous horse may be more expensive than a life of a stray child."

Or more than one life.

Thyls looked at the floor tiles under the horse's hoof dreamily, his thoughts faint.

At that moment, Gilbert looked at Thales with a complicated expression.

"There..."

Tyles pointed to a fork in the distance with an imperceptible smile:

"I remember, that direction leads to down town."

The Duke’s voice sounded faintly:

"If you go that way, you will arrive at the Grand Bazaar first."

Gilbert frowned slightly, and stopped talking.

But Thales just stared in that direction idiotically:

"The price is cheap and the goods are diverse. It is a paradise for the local poor to discuss life, but it also has its own rules. The inside story is quite deep. It is the **** for the first time outsiders."

"The road to the Grand Bazaar is not easy to follow, the geography is messy, and the layout is complicated. Many hawker stalls have taken root on the ground and turned into nails, but on the other hand, it is easier to hide and hide, of course, including barricades. ."

"Half of the regular vendors are in contact with the Black Street Brotherhood, and some are secretly communicating with the Blood Bottle Gang, because the source of the goods is complicated and difficult to trace, and the big bazaar deals with illegal goods and sells stolen goods in vain. The best channel for ."

It is also the place with the most tourists and fat sheep.

Thyls thought silently.

"Your Highness..." Gilbert was about to say something, but Thales interrupted him again.

"If you continue north, there will be a dirt road going down after the big bazaar, leading to stinky ditch and sewer."

The sentimental memory of Thales’ eyes:

"The site belonged to the Iron Bat Club. The earliest members came from the bottom-level cleaners and canal diggers. They sought a living in the sewer network all over the city. By virtue of their geographical advantages, they did everything possible for human trafficking, smuggling and trafficking. The secret affair of drug trafficking."

Thyls said in confusion:

"But they are very knowledgeable about current affairs. They were one of the first gangs to surrender to the Black Street Brotherhood, and they have survived until today. If you have illegal goods and are not afraid of death, you may be able to get them from them. Good price."

Or deep regret.

The team turned a turn and turned to another avenue. The bustling noise in front of them became louder and louder, with rhythmic music and eager shouts.

"Run! Ignorant northerners! Run! Because you will all be destroyed here! Because I have come and bring disaster!" A high-pitched voice rang through the crowd.

A row of stone tall houses appeared in front of the royal guards. There was a stage on the square in front of the tall house. Many people gathered around the stage and pointed to the actors on the stage.

"The Temple of Dark Night," Thales crossed the backs of several knights, watched the hard performance of the actors on the stage, listened to the passionate music in his ears, and looked at this place nostalgic for worshipping idols again. A temple dedicated to funerals and funerals:

"In Yongxing City, the only temple outside the Morning Star District."

This time, Gilbert listened quietly.

"Their dramas have never been cost-effective, and they are renovated every year. From stage sound effects to props and actors are great, and there is no shortage of audiences-there are too many people in Wangdu who like to watch the excitement."

But Thales snorted:

"Unfortunately, the actors are all rotten books. Either Mingye goes down to save mankind inexplicably, or Mingye will eventually rule the world. Maybe the Mingye church thinks that as long as it is repeated too much, the world will take this as The truth."

Of course, maybe they are right.

Wait.

Speaking of which, Thales looked at the fat actor on the stage with a pile of red tentacle costumes, who looked like an octopus, sweating but still struggling to raise his voice, and noticed something was wrong:

"What is acting today?"

At this time, a peaceful, indifferent male voice inserted into their conversation:

""Long Xiao at Night"."

Tyles and Gilbert turned their heads together, and saw the leader of the team, Lord Mallius, the watchman, riding a horse to their side:

"Today is Monday, they are going to perform some big scenes."

Malos looked calmly at the crowded theater stage:

"The show is on an unknown continent, where disasters are present, ravaging the north and even killing a king."

Disaster.

North.

The king.

Tyles' face changed slightly.

Malos looked at the funny actor dressed as a big octopus and continued:

"At the last moment, the **** of dark night descends, it manifests power and summons the dragon, so at the end of the night, the disaster is also defeated and disappears without a trace."

Thyls raised his eyebrows.

The dragon.

End of night.

"Really?" The prince frowned.

Malles hummed softly, and Gilbert took over:

"A few years ago, when the news of Longxiao City's change reached the capital, there were all kinds of rumors."

The foreign secretary shook his head helplessly:

"From then on, disasters and eschatological dramas have become popular again."

Disaster.

The end of the world.

Thyls looked at the big red octopus "killing" on the stage:

"Then, the Temple of Dark Night thinks that the disaster is the monster, the Hydra?"

Malles was silent.

The stage was thrown behind them, away from sight.

One second later, the watchman nodded and glanced sideways at the prince:

"Otherwise?"

Thyls had to avoid his sharp eyes suddenly and nodded:

"That's right."

Malos still has that calm look:

"And if you don't mind, Your Royal Highness, Lord Duke."

Thyls slowly raised his head.

"After six years, you shouldn't have such an understanding of Yongxing City, especially Xiacheng," Mallos was expressionless, but his words were quite meaningful:

"After all, everyone knows that you were raised by Lord Mann."

After saying these words, Mallos halted the horse, leaving them alone.

I shouldn’t have such knowledge of Yongxing City...

Looking at the watchman ahead, Thales's gaze became serious:

"Does he know?"

"My past?"

Gilbert seemed a little embarrassed, he coughed:

"Lord Mallos is assigned as your personal guard, leading your guards, Your Majesty...Naturally trust him."

Lead my guard.

Yes.

Your Majesty trusts him.

Your Majesty.

Thyls still stared at Mallos's back, slowly speaking after a while:

"Really."

Thyls pulled the horse's rein tight.

"So..."

"He is Thales' guard."

"Or the prince and the duke's...guard?"

As soon as this remark came out, Gilbert was at a loss for words.

His face became ugly.

But the Secretary of Foreign Affairs just bowed his head and said nothing after all.

The royal guard's team continued to advance, and after crossing an uphill, they came to another street.

The strange thing is that this street is obviously wide, but the street in broad daylight is empty, with only a few people walking in a hurry.

It is reminiscent of the Ghost Prince Tower.

But...

Why is this place so...

This time, Thales was stunned.

At that moment, countless memories flooded into his mind.

"I know this place, Gilbert."

The young man looked around, feeling authentic:

"Go in through that opening, and inside is..."

Thyls was shocked and authentic:

"It's..."

Gilbert looked at the direction of Thales’s fingers, and his face blushed:

"Your Highness, you may not know..."

Thyls shook his head.

"I know." The Lord Duke retracted his finger and calmly looked at the shadowy houses in the depths of the street: "That is..."

"Red Square Street."

Thyls just felt his blood flow stopped for a moment.

"It is divided into two banks of the Shepherd River and Linhe Street. It is the southernmost street in the Western Ring District. Although the location is not good, it is the most frequent place for officials and dignitaries to visit in the middle of the night.

He dumbly said:

"At one time, the Blood Bottle Gang almost monopolized the business here."

"Until six years ago."

Gilbert took a deep breath, then sighed slowly:

"Your Highness, Lord Mallos just reminded..."

But Thales ignored him at all.

The young duke stared at the opening that was getting further and further away, unconsciously pressing his chest, his eyes blurred:

"In the past, with luck, beggars could get unexpected gains here."

For example...

One enough to change your destiny...

Silver coins.

Gilbert sighed helplessly again, and no longer persuaded the prince who was inundated with emotions, but curbed his expression and listened quietly.

The knights kept moving forward, and soon, there were more and more things that caused Thales' emotional upheaval.

"Did you know, go straight in this direction, and after three living blocks crowded with inferior people, you will be in Xiacheng District."

Thyls gestured towards a tattered doorway in the distance:

"Then you will see the black street."

The legendary black street.

Facing the silent Gilbert, Thales shook his head slowly, his tone low:

"The people who want to make a home there are either hot enough or brave enough."

Or... desperate enough.

"There is a low-lying street not far from it. Everyone calls it an underground street."

The underground street.

Thyls breathed in a trance, unknowingly the object he was telling had left his eyes:

"Every time it rains, it will be flooded, so there is always a musty smell in the houses and shops there, including the Grove Pharmacy on the corner."

Grove Pharmacy

The more Thales went on, the more chaotic his mood became.

"Except for the Sunset Bar-it has the highest and best location. It rarely floods except for a back alley that is often filled with rubbish, but what is better is that few people dare to go wild there, just be careful. Don’t mess with the wrong people."

Sunset Bar.

The boy paused, choking a little for a while.

Before a certain graceful figure entered his mind, he kept his emotions in time:

"And beside the underground street..."

Tyles took a deep breath and looked at the streets of Wing Star City, only feeling his right hand trembling slightly.

Gilbert next to him pressed his lips tightly.

"Next to..."

Tyles swallowed his throat.

"That is an abandoned stone house."

His voice became a little trembling.

"Gathered in half of the city, homeless..."

"Wandering children."

The horseshoes of the team remained the same, and the guards remained vigilant.

But the Duke of Star Lake in the team slowly sank his head.

Even Gilbert has a solemn expression.

In a few seconds.

"Gilbert, I didn't have time to ask before."

The young man’s voice sounded faintly immediately:

"But about what I asked you to do in the past six years..."

Gilbert's face changed slightly:

"Oh, of course, your collection of certain books, including gifts for the Grand Duke..."

But Thales interrupted him:

"No, Gilbert."

The prince raised his head, his gaze was slightly in a trance, but he regained his clarity after a few seconds:

"You know what I'm talking about."

Thyls stared at Gilbert closely, as if that was the way out for the lost.

Gilbert sighed.

"Lord Mallos just said..."

But the Duke interrupted him again.

"Gilbert."

"I'm begging you," Thales' eyes were slightly eager:

"Please."

The team is still advancing, unknowingly it has left the west of Wing Star City, the messy paths and forks are gone, replaced by wide, flat, horizontal and vertical avenues.

"No, Your Highness."

Finally, Gilbert exhaled, unable to hide his exhaustion:

"I'm sorry."

Thyls didn't speak.

He just waited quietly.

"I asked the City Hall and even the Security Department several times for the favor, and asked them to launch several raids against the Xiacheng District and West Ring District in the name of Qingshi and Jingjie..."

Sure enough, Gilbert spoke, with shame in his words:

"But as you know, at that time, apart from catching out a few ‘dark forces’ to reassure the people and let people continue to admire social stability and a better life..."

Gilbert paused:

"Overnight, those ugly people and things disappeared strangely, and there is no way to find out."

Thyls stared at the ground.

Gilbert looked at the boy’s expression, and some did not dare to face him:

"My friend, they especially swept what you said-underground streets and abandoned houses."

Gilbert shook his head disappointedly:

"Of course, as usual..."

"On that day, the underground street became an all-encompassing antique shop and burial area, as well as foul-smelling garbage dumps. The eyes of grave diggers and people carrying corpses were ignorant and sincere and innocent. At most they caught some trivial thieves, and led to a large number of poor people struggling to get enough food and clothing, complaining, and forcing the official to stop."

"And the abandoned house, similarly, just like the dozens of inspections by the city hall before, it has become an empty garbage dump and an ominous corpse dumping site, leaving only a dozen homeless people and talking Crazy who can't tell."

"No one was found."

Thyls clenched his fists.

At that moment, he only felt that his chest was aching.

It seems that the wound six years ago is still burning.

The team passed by a crowd who seemed to gather to watch juggling, and the prince's mount neighed, causing the horses around to become restless.

The royal guard quickly calmed down the commotion among the mounts, changed their formation, and stayed away from the juggling group.

But Thales didn't care about it.

He thought about other things.

In the face of power, whether the Black Street Brotherhood or the Blood Bottle Gang, they have their own way.

Split into parts, dock your tail to survive.

Wait until the wind has passed, then go out of the nest.

And business as usual.

Thyls is breathing hard:

"So...Red Square Street?"

Gilbert had another meal.

"My lord, I'm afraid," Count Caso shook his head:

"My friend's level of power is not enough to openly investigate Red Square Street...it is involved..."

Tyles closed his eyes and lowered his head.

"I see, Gilbert."

The teenager opened his eyes:

"You need people who are knowledgeable, you need people who really understand the market, not the lords who are superior and do not know the suffering of the people."

Gilbert didn't answer immediately, as if he was thinking about something.

But after a few seconds, he still spoke:

"My friend did suggest to me, Your Majesty, if you put up a bounty on the black market that they dream of-and of course it is insignificant to us-then there will be no months, useful clues Will spring up on your table like bamboo shoots after rain."

But Gilbert's eyes changed slightly:

"And that also means that it will leave traces that can't be concealed for those interested in us."

Thyls frowned:

"We discussed this six years ago."

Gilbert nodded decisively, his eyes serious:

"The conclusions made at that time are also applicable today."

Thyls sighed.

Gilbert's words continue in a low voice:

"It’s not good for your friends to get in touch with you with your status today—their best ending is to drown in a crowd that no one can find and forget everything about you Thing."

At the end, Gilbert's tone became more and more serious.

But Thales was so confused that he couldn't hear it.

"Where is the secret branch?"

Thyls ignored the other party’s words and asked:

"Have you looked for them? They are the best people to do this."

Gilbert frowned.

"Gilbert?"

Thyls urged.

After a few seconds, the foreign secretary finally sighed and replied:

"In the past few years, when you were not expecting to return home, and the wind was not loud, I tried to ask Lord Hansen for help."

Lord Hansen.

Hearing the name, Thales felt uncomfortable out of thin air.

"In the past few years, his infrequent appearances have decreased significantly, and he has almost never appeared-even the Imperial Conference."

Thyls' brow furrowed and tightened:

"Then try the one from Mikori..."

Not waiting for him to finish asking, Gilbert took his words:

"Young Desolate Man, your troubles are old?"

Tyles glanced at him and nodded.

"Tried."

Gilbert shook his head blankly:

"But from the top to the bottom of Secret Science, everyone who could reach them all denied that they had a cadre named Rafael Lindbergh."

Thyls was startled.

"Deny?"

"Even if he made his public appearance in the Hall of Stars six years ago?"

Faced with the prince’s incredible rhetorical question, Gilbert still shook his head:

"At least in Yongxing City, this person does not exist."

"Or not allowed to exist."

Thyls understood what he meant.

The boy asked incredulously:

"Secret Branch rejected you?"

Gilbert sighed slightly:

"Not exact."

"What do you mean?"

Gilbert patted the horses under him, as if he wanted to find an entry point to a topic:

"You know, Your Highness, spying on intelligence and planning operations are Putilai's specialty, but my specialty is paying attention to the people who do these things... And I can see from their attitude and behavior, Kingdom Secretary Ke seems right..."

Gilbert half raised his head and glanced at Thales:

"Have deep...prejudices against you."

Thyls was stunned.

"Me?"

"Prejudice?"

The prince reacted. At that moment, he had a sense of ridiculous laughter:

"What are you kidding?"

"I am the poor man who was killed by them for six years!"

But Gilbert just shook his head worriedly:

"I don't know what they think, but your highness..."

"Excuse me once again, in the history of the stars, every worthy king has maintained a good relationship with his intelligence chief and the Kingdom Secret Division..."

The team continues, but Gilbert's words have floated out of Thales's ears.

I saw the Duke scratching his neck unhappily, angrily:

"But all I want is to find a few people..."

Gilbert shook his head:

"Are you talking about a few vagrants who have been missing for six years, no one is paying attention, and have no name in the chaotic night in the notorious Xiacheng District?"

At that moment, Thales looked up suddenly!

"Yes."

He looked at Gilbert seriously, with seriousness in his eyes, making the foreign secretary startled slightly:

"And...a female bartender."

Gilbert raised his eyebrows and nodded kindly:

"And a female bartender."

There was a few seconds of silence between the two.

Missing for six years.

No one is following.

No name and no last name.

Tyles repeated Gilbert's words silently in his heart.

"And they are not unattended," Thales whispered:

"It's not anonymous or surnamed."

A few small figures appeared before his eyes.

The way Gilbert looked at him, there was both relief and regret in his eyes:

"His Royal Highness, with all due respect, it is easy to find their whereabouts-as long as we have enough movement."

Thyls looked up.

"But, what about after you find it?"

Gilbert's face became serious:

"Have you ever thought about how your rewards, repaying, or even secret observations might affect them?"

"It is easy to do one thing, but it is extremely difficult to handle the countless consequences of it perfectly."

Thyls wanted to say something, but was at a loss for words.

Gilbert solemnly and authentically:

"Especially after your highly anticipated return, if you continue like this, sooner or later someone will notice your actions-and we cannot count on their kindness and principles."

"No matter which side it is, this is not a good thing."

Tyles closed his eyes in pain.

"Maybe the day you found them," the foreign secretary's tone became tense:

"The day you killed them."

Find them.

Kill them.

Just listen to Gilbert's heartache:

"So I sincerely suggest you, Your Highness, for your own sake, give them more~IndoMTL.com~ Give up."

"Stop the investigation anymore."

Give up?

Give up.

After a while, Thales opened his eyes.

He watched the ground slowly fall back under the horse's hooves, and he couldn't help feeling a little sluggish.

"Gilbert."

Thyls spoke slowly, his voice hoarse:

"You knew it from the beginning, right?"

Kilbert Strange Way:

"What do you know?"

Thyls sighed.

"Six years ago, when I was in Mindis Hall...you told me that when the door is unlocked, I can go find my friends..."

Gilbert's expression changed slightly.

"And after I became a prince, you said that you have to wait for the limelight to pass before you can find my friends..."

The foreign secretary was silent.

"I arrived in the Northland, you wrote to me, you said, you have found a few useful clues and are looking for..."

Tyles took a deep breath.

"At that time, I believed in you, but now..."

The Duke of Xinghu raised his head and looked straight at the silent Gilbert, affirming:

"You already knew."

With feelings that Thales himself didn't know, the prince said hoarsely and plainly:

"From the very beginning, when I came to Mindis Hall, you knew that I couldn't find them anymore."

"So at that time, you were just...just..."

Thyls choked for a while and didn't say anything.

At that moment, six years ago, everything in Mindith Hall suddenly became strange.

Gilbert closed his eyes and turned his head.

No answer.

Tyles also lowered his head, without further questioning.

But he knows.

Eternal Star City.

Abandoned house.

Mindith Hall.

Those familiar hometowns...

He has...

Can't go back.