Kingdom’s Bloodline
chapter-602

Twilight District, Eternal Star City

“Wait, Your—Wya, please wait!”

Glover dodged an oncoming cargo mule cart, hastening his steps to catch up with the relentless stride of Thales up ahead.

“Sir, sorry to ask, but have you decided on a course of action?”

Kohen trailed closely behind, his conviction that his role held purpose seemingly boosting his spirits,

“Don’t sweat it, that’s Prin—Wya for you; just like back in Eckstedt, he’s got it all figured out; we just gotta go along with it—”

“I haven’t really thought about it.” Thales’ voice suddenly broke in.

Kohen choked on his words.

Thales forged ahead without so much as a glance backward.

“Oh, and by the way, back in Eckstedt, I didn’t really know what I was doing, either.”

Kohen blinked, staring at the Prince’s back like he couldn’t believe what he just heard.

Glover sighed.

“Your Highness, if I may be honest,” he said, catching up with the young man’s brisk pace, “No matter the task at hand, it might be wise, as Lord Mallos suggested, to first reach out to Lady Jines...”

Mallos

A memory stirred in Thales’ mind, causing him to pause mid-step.

Glover and Kohen came to a sudden stop, narrowly avoiding running into the teenager’s back.

It was only then that they realised they were standing on a street corner, facing the bustling Renaissance Avenue that ran north and south across the Kingdom.

Taking a right would lead them back to Mindis Hall. And as for the left turn...

“Zombie,” Thales voiced,

“So, Kommodore said earlier that Mallos made arrangements before we even entered the palace? He found a way to get you out of Mindis Hall and meet me outside the palace, right?” Kohen, still bewildered, asked,

“Mallos—oh, the big guy I met last time in Mindis Hall?”

Paying him no mind, Glover didn’t hesitate and nodded,

“Lord Mallos emphasised that the events at the banquet were quite significant. Once you step into the palace, we should expect the unexpected.”

“He had to prepare for the worst-case scenario, making sure you have reliable support on your side so you’re not left high and dry while the rest of us are clueless without a leader.”Thales was initially surprised, then he grinned.

“That guy, even though he’s always butting heads with me, still has his moments, doesn’t he?” Glover nodded thoughtfully.

“Before he became watchman, His Lordship was the herald of the Command Division. He’d be the one running Chief commander Adrian’s orders to all the divisions. Often enough, his words are pretty much the Lord Adrian’s own.” Thales let out a dry chuckle.

“Yeah, that guy looks like he... knows a bit of this and hides a bit of that.”

‘He truly lives up to the title of the Watchman.’

Deep in his heart, Thales couldn’t stop himself from sigh.

“Zombie, how long have you been in the Royal Guards?” he asked.

Glover paused for a moment but then replied, “Not too long, Your Highness, just shy of six years.” With a jumble of feelings, Thales’ eyes scanned the bustling street, finally resting on the far end. As the sun dipped low, that massive, imposing, dark pyramid stood there, tall and silent. It was like a gigantic lock dropped from the heavens, keeping a tight grip on the heart of Eternal Star City and the entire Constellation.

“What about Mallos?” Thales inquired.

Glover’s expression turned stern as he replied, “Lord Mallos, Your Highness, was among the first batch of personnel to be reorganised into the Royal Guards after His Majesty, King Kessel’s coronation. It’s been over a decade, and the Royal Guards has seen its share of changes, but Lord Mallos has been a constant presence.”

Thales nodded, his thoughts clear.

“Eighteen years,” he murmured to himself.

“So, he has been serving by the side of the throne, circling around the Renaissance Palace for eighteen years, to be this skilled, this composed, this calm, and this... forward-thinking.”Under the hood, Thales calmly observed that ancient, foreboding palace.

“Be it stopping me from standing out as we entered the city, handling matters at the royal banquet, or preparing for impending crises,”

“As if it’s a second nature to him, his way of life—he sees, adapts, and accepts, countering as needed.”

Just like a seasoned actor who’s grown used to the stage, reciting the same lines over and over. Kohen, bored out of his mind, stared at the Renaissance Palace at the far end of the road. He didn’t bother to hide a yawn, “Uh, it’s getting pretty late...”

Thales suddenly spoke up, cutting him off,

“Do you know what we’re dealing with right now?”

Glover raised an eyebrow in confusion.

Thales took a moment, then said,

“Strings.”

Glover and Kohen both looked puzzled,

“Strings?”

Thales nodded, clarifying,

“Yes, like on a puppet, with one end over there and one end here. They’re pulling the strings of not just me but also Mallos and everyone else, controlling every move we make.” Thales stared in wonder at the distant, majestic pyramid.

When he was young, that palace had been like the ethereal layers of clouds in the sky. Untouchable, yet it always compelled people to look up, to gaze in wonder.

Now, as the moment arrived when he could finally reach out and touch it...

Thales slowly extended his left hand, fingers curling as he cradled the distant Renaissance Palace between them.

In that instant, it seemed delicate and intricate, completely under his control.

However, no matter how tightly he closed his fingers, all Thales could sense was a fleeting autumn breeze brushing against his palm, leaving no trace behind except for a lingering chill.

“Just like in Dragon Clouds City, Blade Fangs Camp, and even in the Prison of Bones,” the young man wrinkled his brow in thought.

“In every single thing that’s occurred,” he continued, “there’s always this unseen string, connecting all events and coming together into a powerful current.”

Kohen, trying to make sense of it, latched onto something familiar, asking, “Wait, you’ve been to the Prison of Bones? That place you can get into but not out of?”

Following Thales’ gestures, Glover looked towards the distant Renaissance Palace, and he grew alert. “Strings—Are you saying, sir, that whether it’s the incident at the banquet or today’s commotion, someone’s been pulling your strings and controlling you?”

Kohen shot a wary look at Zombie and became equally vigilant. “What banquet? What incident? What commotion?”

Thales gave a subtle shake of his head.

“No,” he said. “In the past, whenever I could pinpoint that thread, see it for what it was, catch hold of it, and cut through it, I could find my way out of the maze—even if there was another maze waiting beyond the exit.”

But now Thales’ expression deepened.

“However, this time,” the teenager said with a weighty tone, “this time is a bit different.”

He looked at the seemingly tiny Renaissance Palace resting in his hand, feeling it grow unreal and far away.

Glover listened earnestly, choosing not to speak.

Then, as the golden rays of the setting sun shone through Thales’ fingers, they illuminated the scars on his palm, scars that had become permanent from countless cuts.

As he thought of this, his palm tingled with a hidden pain, replacing the earlier sense of cold emptiness.

“It’s not as clear-cut, not as specific, and definitely not as obvious—the other end of those strings, sometimes it’s not even tied to a specific person,” he explained.

“Sometimes, I even start to think maybe it’s all in my head, that there’s no such thing as strings.” He lowered his hand and let out a breath.

“But that’s not the truth.”

“The threads are still there; it’s just that they’re a mess—too many, too tangled, too thick and dense, twisted into such a knot that I can’t even begin to untangle, and sometimes, I can hardly even see them.”

Kohen listened with a grimace, but seeing that Glover was just as puzzled, he immediately felt much more at ease.

“Because back in the day, all I had to worry about was just one string,” Thales’ eyes were burning, “the Second Prince’s right to the throne, King Nuven’s wrath, Lampard’s ambitions, the Archduchess’ rule...”

“Simple, easy, and clean.”

As evening approached, Renaissance Avenue started filling up with people—those getting off work, going to the market, changing shifts, out for a leisurely stroll, rushing to their destinations. The street buzzed with activity, with a continuous stream of carts and pedestrians. The distant Renaissance Palace occasionally disappeared from view, playing hide and seek with the light.

But Thales remained fixed on its silhouette, his gaze never wavering, undistracted by the palace’s intermittent vanishing act.

“But now...”

“Who controls Blade Fangs Camp, the Western Desert’s resistance, the hidden currents within Mindis Hall, the shadow over the Renaissance Palace, the actions of the Kingdom’s Secret Intelligence Department, the Seven Jadestar Attendants’ stance, and the significance of the Star Lake Guards,” with each set of words, Thales’ expression turned graver,

“Since I returned and set foot in Constellation’s territory, it’s not just one thing, one hand, or one person that’s been entangling, constraining, and oppressing me.”

“What I need to untangle goes far beyond just one string.”

The chaos in the Western Desert, Mallos of the Royal Guards, the watchful eyes from the throne, Iris Flowers’ enmity, the surprising events at the royal banquet, the conflicts in Eckstedt, the agenda of the Imperial Conference, the encounter in the Secret Intelligence Department...

As Thales gazed ahead, a multitude of people moved by, almost like the stream of images flowing through his mind,

“You know, with every strand I untangle, it’s like I’m getting myself even more caught up in this mess—the Kingdom, noble titles, history, power, and whatnot.”

He paused, taking a deep breath.

“I can’t pinpoint when it changed, but what I’m dealing with now isn’t just strings anymore.” “It’s like I’m caught in this massive web made up of countless strings, a whole intricate network.” As the words faded, Thales couldn’t help but notice that the Renaissance Palace in the distance was changing. It was like stepping out of a dream, becoming more real with clear edges.

Glover was trying hard to understand what the Prince meant.

Kohen was drowsy from listening and let his mind wander elsewhere.

“So, it’s like this mysterious thing that’s hard to grasp, just floating around without any real shape in the clouds and mist.”

“But then it gets heavier and more suffocating, making you feel like you’re being crushed.”

“The worst part is, it’s got this tight grip on everything you do—every move you make, every word you say, and every thought you have.”

As he stared at the Renaissance Palace in front of him, Thales felt the solid weight of reality becoming sharper, as if honed to a cutting edge, leaving him feeling uneasy.

“And under the shadow it casts, I’m not the ‘me’ I used to know, no longer that Thales Jadestar who survived in the harsh north.”

“I can’t move without it holding me back; I can’t make choices without feeling stuck.”

Thales put his hand on his chest.

“Even as I tried to take out my sword and figure out what to do, that’s when confusion set in. I don’t know where to strike.”

Thales let out a breath, his gaze becoming even more piercing.

“Net—sorry if I’m slow here, Your Highness,” Glover shook his head.

“I didn’t quite get it,” he admitted.

“Ha, you didn’t get it?” Kohen snapped out of his daze, suddenly bursting into laughter.

“I was just—” Thales gave him a sideways look.

“Oh, so you get it?” Catching that glance, Kohen’s tone immediately turned awkward.

“Well, um, you see...” Kohen stumbled over his words.

“Alright, alright,” Thales said, raising an eyebrow.

“I had a feeling you’d get it.”

Kohen’s expression froze on his face.

“Too bad, though,” Thales sighed,

“No one else gets it.”

Glover looked from one person to another, thoroughly confused.

“It’s okay, we do; that’s enough,” Thales reassured Kohen with a pat on the shoulder and a pleased smile on his face.

In response, Kohen could only muster an awkward yet polite smile.

A few seconds later, Thales erupted into laughter.

“Okay, enough with the jokes—honestly, all of us have been in that spot at some point, though we often don’t recognise it.”

Thales’ tone turned serious.

“Let’s say you, Zombie, for example. You’ve risen to noble status, serving the throne. But in the past, you faced your share of struggles, mired in difficulties. These two paths are like a tangled web. Every time you reached out for one, the other surged forward like a wave, engulfing you completely.”

Glover’s face showed a hint of change,

“Just like you, Kohen, you’re out there on the battlefield all by yourself, with only one sword. You’re facing all kinds of obstacles and challenges head-on. But as you keep going, you realise that what lies ahead is not just about dealing with crime and order in the city’s underbelly. It’s everything that makes up the Lower City.” Kohen paused, and he fell into deep thought.

“Much like me, what you all are up against is a vast, interconnected web.”

Thales let out a deep sigh and turned around, facing the endless expanse of Renaissance Avenue and the Renaissance Palace hidden amidst the bustling crowds.

They stood in silence for a moment.

“Then,” Glover’s voice sounded strained and heavy, as if he had encountered a difficult obstacle, “what should we do?”

Thales’ pupils slowly narrowed. The image reflected in his eyes, though, had the Renaissance Palace tightly trapped.

“According to the leader of the Black Street Brotherhood...”

“First,” Thales remembered the chaotic events of the Dragon’s Blood night, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth,

“We need to change our mindset.”

Glover’s expression remained unchanged, his eyes flickering.

Kohen was puzzled.

“Change our mindset—how?”

Thales lowered his head, looking again at the scar in the palm of his hand.

“The net we’re dealing with can never be broken, escaped from, let alone unravelled.”

As Thales spoke, he slowly reached his hand towards the Renaissance Palace, fingers spread out, covering every corner of the ancient building.

“And it’s also because of this,” the Prince said softly, almost in a whisper, “that you, me, him, them—everyone caught in it...”

The young man’s tone was cold, and his eyes distant, giving Glover a slight shiver down his spine.

“Long held in its grip...”

Thales clenched his fist tightly, fully gripping the Renaissance Palace in his palm.

“—are unable to break free.”

In the next moment, Thales decisively stepped around the street corner and walked onto Renaissance Avenue.

Glover and Kohen looked at each other, both puzzled, but Thales had already gone ahead, so they had no choice but to hurry after him.

Just then,

“Your...Wya!”

The three of them all turned their heads at the same time, only to see another figure in a cloak hurrying towards them from across the road.

As the figure got closer, Thales saw his face clearly and exclaimed in surprise, “Kommodore, you woke up?”

They saw Jean Luca Kommodore—the second-class protector of the Royal Guards who had been brought down by both Kohen and Glover at the Laya Club—panting heavily and trembling with excitement, looking like he had escaped a dire situation,

“I was so freaked out! When I woke up, y’all were nowhere to be found, and then there was this guy pulling down his pants in front of me...”

Kohen furrowed his brow and glanced at Glover. The latter was expressionless.

Kommodore’s eyes welled up with tears,

“I went back to Mindis Hall, and you guys weren’t there. I went to the Renaissance Palace, and the guards said you were yet to show up. So I could only run to Eastern City District to call for help...”

Kommodore suddenly spotted Kohen and gritted his teeth.

“Hey, you’re that bastard...”

Kohen was startled and quickly pulled down his hood,

‘"Ahem, Lorbec, 1 am Lorbec Deira...”

“Lorbec Deira.

Kommodore muttered the name, and his face suddenly changed. “You dare!”

He grabbed Kohen by the collar.

“You fucking dare to pretend to be Western City Police Station’s Director Lorbec!”

At a loss for what to do after his identity was exposed, Kohen was pulled forward and his head lowered,

“Let me tell you. I’m an inner City police officer. I know very well about the personnel matters of the police station...”

Thales listened, feeling a headache coming, and cleared his throat, “Karabeyan.”

“This guy is the heir of Walla Hill and the Sword of the Twin Towers, Kohen Karabeyan. He is now a police officer in the capital.”

Kommodore paused for a moment, taking a few seconds to process the significance of the name.

“Oh, I see, so it’s Young Master Karabeyan!”

The protector instantly became enthusiastic, his smile brightening. He loosened his grip on Kohen’s collar and smoothly transitioned into straightening his clothes,

“What a coincidence! Uh, I used to be a police officer too. We’re colleagues, you know. Oh, it’s just a misunderstanding. If I had known you were here for a secret visit...”

Kohen stared at him blankly, unable to react.

But the next second, another voice with a teary tone came from far away, “Your Highness!”

All of them were startled: another man in casual clothes, with a stiff posture, hobbled towards them, drawing the attention of people passing by.

Glover recognised the man’s face and winced.

Thales furrowed his brows,

“Aren’t you supposed to be resting?”

Beside Thales, a first-grade protector, Danny Doyle, rushed up to the young man with tears in his

eyes,

“Yes, Your Highness! But Kommodore came to my house looking for me, and I heard about what happened at Mindis Hall—”

“Be quiet!”

Glover unceremoniously pulled D.D. up and took him to a street corner, all the while keeping a wary eye on their surroundings. He whispered.

“Wya. His Highness is going by the name Wya now.”

D.D. blinked, then quickly caught on,

“Oh, I see. Got it, Wya! Kommodore was all over the place with his words, saying something about you guys going to find a woman but ending up with someone who's not quite a man or a woman. Then a beefy guy showed up, and he passed out in pain, and you guys disappeared—” “Hey. D.D! Long time no see!” Kohen appeared next to Doyle, all excited, and gave him a hearty pat on the back!

“Argh!” Doyle let out a pained cry and practically threw himself into Glover’s arms.

“Eh, what’s wrong with you?” Kohen asked, his hand still hanging in the air, looking baffled, “What’s with the duck-like walk, and why are you reacting so strongly to a little pat?”

D.D. toughed it out through the stabbing pain in his back, propped himself up on Glover, and gave him a quizzical glance.

“What’s the deal?”

Doyle's face twisted in frustration as he pointed his thumb at Kohen and asked Glover in a low voice, “Why’s it gotta be this guy?”

Glover calmly moved him off of himself.

“You know, one of the fools by His—Wya’s side took time off, and we couldn’t find another fool, so we had to have him fill in.”

Doyle let out a weak groan, then looked puzzled.

“Oh, a stand-in for the fool...wait, who’s the fool that took time off?”

Glover pursed his lips tightly.

“Hey, you two!”

Kohen waved his hand with indignation from the side.

“Don’t talk crap about me behind my back—I can hear you! I, hear! You! Hear! Got it? I can hear you! Did you hear me?”

Glover just shrugged at D.D.

D.D. gave Kohen a sceptical look, then glanced at Glover, who had gone back to being his usual cold self. He finally sighed and shook his head.

“Alright, whatever, a leopard can’t change its spots. Maybe I'm really the fool here,” Doyle said.

giving Kohen’s shoulder a half-hearted pat.

“Anyways, thanks for covering for me and being by His Highness’ side.”

Now it was Kohen’s turn to be surprised.

“Hey? What’s gotten into you today? You’re acting kind of differently than usual. Why aren’t you talking back?”

“No big deal, just that before I do something now,” Doyle tightened his grip on the fabric behind his back, grinning through the pain.

“I have to think things through first.”

With that said, even Glover had to give him some credit.

“Holy shit!” Kohen looked at Doyle in shock.

“Mr. Playboy...you’ve matured!”

Doyle responded with a wistful smile.

So Kohen, feeling pleased, delivered a hearty slap on D.D.’s back once again without holding back.

Listening to Doyle’s painful cries and watching their reunion, Thales curved his mouth into a smile, suddenly feeling like that day wasn’t so terrible after all.

But at that moment, an indistinct unease welled up within him.

‘Huh?’

Thales instinctively turned around, looking towards the crowd behind him. Just as he turned his head, the people on the street suddenly began to stir. “It’s so loud back there.”

“What’s going on?”

“Did a cart crash or something?”

The rest of the Star Lake Guards also couldn’t help but notice the commotion, and they all turned around.

But soon, the commotion took a different turn, and hushed whispers of panic started to spread through the crowd.

“Quick, duck!”

“Whose horse is freakin’ out?!”

“Why’s it goin’ nuts all of a sudden?!”

“Someone, grab the darn thing!”

Thales’ expression quickly turned grim as that strange sensation grew stronger.

In the next moment, a massive shadow appeared in the marketplace, charging through the crowd! Drawing nearer by the second.

Glover, Kohen, Doyle, and Kommodore shared the same view; their faces paled.

“It’s coming this way!”

“Run, quick!”

The frantic whispers morphed into terrified screams as people in the street scattered, desperately avoiding the approaching shadow.

The sheer chaos whipped up strong winds, and it was heading straight for Thales and his group at a rapid pace, and there was no time to think!

“Watch out—”

Before Thales could react, Glover tackled him to the ground, securing him there. “What the—”

D.D. barely got his surprised words out before Kohen and Kommodore lunged at him, bringing him down too.

Thales could only sense the immense shadow sweeping over his head, dragging with it a gust of wind sharp enough to make their cloaks flutter wildly.

That sensation of otherness had reached its peak.

As the shadow landed behind them and its rhythmic footsteps echoed, gradually receding into the distance.

“Your Highness, are you alright?” Glover hurriedly got to his feet.

“That darn beast!”

Thales, getting another taste of the ‘top-notch service’ from the Royal Guards, spat out dirt in disgust. He only had time to stick his head out of Zombie’s clutches.

Doyle shoved aside the two burly men weighing him down, wincing from the welts and bruises.

“Where the heck did that critter come from, having the guts to crash into the Royal—” He cut himself off. “Oh, dang, it's back!”

The sound of horses’ hooves, urgent and rapid, rang out once more, jolting everyone:

In the distance, the massive shadow made a sudden turn and then charged back towards them! “Whose dumb horse is this, tearing through the busy streets? I’m gonna give ‘em a piece of my— ” Kohen grumbled, rolling up his sleeves.

“No way, a regular scaredy-horse wouldn't be this stubborn. It might be drugged and out for His Highness!" Kommodore cautiously analysed.

“Oh, come on, hold off on the chit-chat for a sec. Can someone give me a hand here...” D.D. groaned in pain.

Glover’s ruthlessness got the best of him as he leaped up, teeth clenched, drawing his sword and declaring, “Kill it!”

“Wait a moment.” But then Thales suddenly reached out and firmly restrained Glover's sword, standing up.

The young man took a deep breath, rushed forward a few steps, and opened his arms wide towards the oncoming shadow!

Glover instinctively reached out to stop the Prince but missed his grasp.

A collective gasp escaped from everyone present.

With breath-taking speed, the dark figure swept up dust and charged towards Thales!

“No, no, no, no—” D.D. watched in sheer horror, his heart pounding in his chest.

In the blink of an eye, the dark figure’s hooves pounded the ground repeatedly, slowing down drastically and kicking up a cloud of dust into the air!

Before the bewildered crowd’s eyes, the once-rushing shadow morphed into a brisk walk, then a casual stride, and eventually, it began taking graceful, dainty steps until it stood before Thales, meekly lowering its head.

“Nice job; you didn’t crash into anything, and you’ve got those obstacle-jumping skills down pat,” Thales said with a grin as he extended his hand to pet the black horse.

“Such a good girl,” he praised.

The black horse’s eyes sparkled, and it let out a cheerful snort.

It leaned in, gently placing Thales between its chin and neck, rubbing affectionately against him. “Yeah, I know; I missed you too,” Thales chuckled, a bit overwhelmed by the horse’s affectionate ‘embrace’. But deep inside, the anxiety faded, replaced by a soothing feeling. He softly stroked the horse’s mane and whispered, “Jennie.”

The Star Lake Guards, and even Kohen, were left dumbfounded by this sight.

“What the heck. D.D., you're the bookworm here; tell me, what’s this all about?” Kohen prodded Doyle in bewilderment.

“Give me a sec, and quit poking my back—let me think,” Doyle said, his brow furrowed as he watched Thales, lost in his own happiness and seeming to have forgotten about them.

“Found himself a new flame, maybe?” he finally suggested.

Kommodore assessed the situation and waved his hands, shooing away the curious onlookers who had gathered to witness the commotion.

“Alright, that’s enough; everyone scatter. The police officers are here! What’s there to see? Haven’t you seen a rich kid race—ride—before?”

His stern warning had some impact, causing the crowd to gradually disperse. However, it was nowhere near as effective as Glover’s quick actions. With a serious expression, he walked up and unceremoniously snatched Doyle’s pouch from his waist. Without hesitation, he ripped it open, sending coins and banknotes flying into the air.

Amidst Doyle’s protests and the commotion in the crowd, Glover and the others escorted Thales and his new steed away from the ‘crime scene’.

But they hadn’t gone far when Glover turned around, alert and watchful. A few figures, paying no attention to the scattered coins on the ground, pushed through the crowd and came running towards them, panting heavily.

“Mister, it’s right there, just up ahead!”

“Easy there, boy. Where did we put that lasso?”

“That thing’s useless, I tell you! Remember the last time? The Mute tried it and ended up flying it like a kite for the whole afternoon...”

“Hmph.”

“Maybe we should bribe it with some good horse feed!”

“Or wear His Highness’ clothes...”

“Damn it, how many times has this happened? It picks on the weak and backs off from the tough ones—when that grumpy guy was around, it never dared to act up like this...”

“Nobody better try to stop me this time. I swear, I’ll chop this crazy horse up and let the Mute have a go at it—”

“Hmph.”

The Star Lake Guards were on high alert, forming a defensive line to block the path of the newcomers.

Conversations that had been going on suddenly fell silent as the newcomers, dusty and battleready, halted in their tracks, casting wary glances at the Star Lake Guards.Glover furrowed his brow,

There were four of them, and although they were travel-worn, they were fully geared up. The eldest among them carried a sword and shield, while the younger one had twin pikes slung across his back. One of them even wore a strange mask that covered the lower half of their face, from the chin down.

Their leader, however, was a rugged-looking young man with a longsword hanging from his waist. He stared in astonishment at the black horse, which was becoming quite friendly with Thales.

But what heightened Glover’s vigilance even more was their expert positioning, spreading out strategically to cover each other’s blind spots.

These weren’t your typical street thugs; they were battle-hardened veterans who had seen their fair share of combat.

“Ah! Ah! Ah!”

Kohen suddenly exclaimed in surprise, his face beaming with joy as he rushed over to the space between the two groups of people.

The unfamiliar newcomers had a range of reactions when they saw Kohen—some were pleasantly surprised, some seemed unimpressed, and others went from delight to just plain indifference. “Hey, uh, I know this guy! I know them!” Kohen blurted it out excitedly.

Kohen’s excitement was palpable as he opened his arms towards the young man leading the group.“Let me introduce you to my—”

But the young man simply passed by Kohen, completely ignoring his attempt at an embrace. Kohen found himself awkwardly hugging thin air, his outstretched arms a testament to his embarrassment.

Until he saw the next person.

Before him stood a mysterious figure wearing a silver mask, who let out an annoyed grunt and shot a glare at the police officer.

“My...”

Kohen’s smile turned into an uncomfortable grimace, his arms dropped, and his voice wavered, “...friend?”

On the other side, the young man with a strong presence began to breathe heavily, his chest heaving as he approached Thales step by step, his face filled with disbelief.

“Your... Your Highness?”

Thales, with one hand still holding Jennie, turned to look at him and offered a slight smile.

“Wya.”

The rugged-looking young man, Wya, whom they hadn’t seen in a long time, took a deep breath. His emotions shifted from disbelief to pure joy as he rushed forward.

“Your Highness, it’s you; it’s really you^

But Glover coldly raised his arm, barring the way between Wya and Thales.

Wya snapped out of his reverie and came to a sudden stop in front of Thales.

Casting a glance at Glover, he forced himself to remember the long-forgotten Constellation’s formalities. With a touch of embarrassment, he straightened his dishevelled appearance, which had become unruly after days of travelling, and bowed respectfully and formally.

Thales parted his lips, managing to utter just a few words,

“Yes, it’s me.”

Wya blinked hard, caught his breath, and turned back with excitement.

“I was just talking with the Mute about...”

The masked stranger let out a hoarse, disdainful snort and turned away.

Wya ignored him, too caught up in his excitement, as he continued, stumbling over his words,“You have no idea, sir, when you were kidnapped in Dragon Clouds City... Mister Genard said it was all part of your plan, but I couldn’t believe it...”

The older man, carrying a sword and shield on his back, wore a faint smile.

“The Star Killer checked each and every one of us... until he returned to Dragon Clouds City, covered in wounds...”

Wya was so overwhelmed with emotion that his words became jumbled.

“...until news of your return to the Kingdom reached us, we—”

Thales smiled warmly and with relief.

In the next moment, he stepped past Glover and bridged the gap between him and Wya. With pure delight, he extended his arms and, to the surprise of the attendant, gave Wya a heartfelt embrace. The expressions of everyone present changed all at once.

“Thank you, Wya.”

Thales rested his chin on Wya’s shoulder, trying to steady the quiver in his voice.

“Thank you for all of you coming back.”

Wya was equally stunned, witnessing the Prince’s unseemly and sincere gesture, unsure of where to place his hands.

“Your... Your Highness?”

Thales took a deep breath, suddenly feeling that the web he was trapped in wasn’t as heavy and suffocating anymore.

“You can’t imagine; you don’t know what this means to me.”

Wya hesitated for a few seconds, but eventually he smiled and embraced the young Prince, gently patting his back.

“I do know, Your Highness, I do know—just like before.” ‘Yes.’

Thales closed his eyes.

‘Just like before.’

“Dang!” D.D. was now the one left wide-eyed. He stared intently at the new arrival, who was being embraced by the Prince.

“What’s going on now?”

Kohen sighed, thinking back to his time in the military, and he said with a nostalgic tone, “Unfinished business.”