Kingdom’s Bloodline
chapter-612

“Really?” King Kessel’s voice, icy and distant, echoed from across the long table.1

“Is this the thing that’s been bothering you?” The King’s silhouette stretched out on the wall behind him, bathed in the warm flicker of the firelight, and a faint trace of mockery played in his eyes.

“Your... mother?”

Thales locked eyes with King Kessel. TherrenGirana

Head Ritual Master Liscia, Queen Keya, the Old Crow, Gleeward—just about everyone who knew his mother had vastly different opinions about her.

So, what about his father?

“Don’t forget,” the Prince said in a low voice, “1 inherited her name.”

‘Maybe even more.’

The King let out a quiet scoff.

“Gilbert shouldn’t have let you choose that middle name.” His words were slow, but icy.

“Doesn't mean much.”

Thales also cracked a faint smile and shook his head.

“As far as I know, you were the one who told Gilbert her name.”

“So, what were you really expecting?”

The King didn’t waste time, coming in with a cold tone,

“So, you thought your mother was some extraordinary woman, huh? A brilliant scholar, a highborn lady, or a brave and fearless warrior, perhaps? Someone to be proud of and rely on?” Thales watched King Kessel’s expression closely and found it surprising that this topic could trigger such a lengthy response from the King.

So, the Prince ventured, “Was she?”

The King sneered, but his smile quickly faded.

“She was a prostitute, a whore.”

Thales’ face showed a hint of surprise.

“Pretty much like most women in that trade,” King Kessel said indifferently, with no subtly scornful touch.

“She was greedy and deceitful, putting on airs in front of clients, selling herself for money—right up to her last breath. I can’t even remember her face.”

After absorbing the King’s words, Thales fell into a long silence.

“Prostitute?”

Thales muttered, spellbound.

“A whore?”

As those words reached his ears, he first thought of the desert slave Old Crow Hicks talked about— the mysterious Therren.

Soon after, his mind drifted to the portrait he had glimpsed in the Secret Intelligence Department— the ‘Eastern Beauty’ Elva.

However, he also couldn’t shake off the memory of‘The Flowery Heart’, Felicia, from his time there, with her enticing and clever moves under Raphael’s watch.

“That’s right.”

“All these questions and expectations? Pointless,” the King’s tone was apathetic. “You won’t find any comfort or peace of mind in her.”

“To her, you were nothing more than a fluke after some deal.”

a fluke after some deal

Thales couldn’t help but clench his fists.

All of a sudden, he thought of Quick Rope back at the Blade Fangs Camp and the way his eyes lit up when he talked about the girl he liked.

"That woman... ”

“She's not a whore, ”

“She isn't.

“And your whole ‘fussy and wishy-washy’ act,” King Kessel said with a cold edge, “is, frankly, a shame for the royal family.”3

Thales took a deep breath and relaxed his clenched fist.

“You’re right, Father.”

“Gilbert’s biggest mistake was letting me keep her name.”

The King’s expression stayed the same.

“Well, because...” Thales’ gaze turned icy.

“If she were just another run-of-the-mill prostitute, and you wouldn’t even bother to remember what she looked like.”

Thales lifted his head, stared his father in the eye, and said, “So why do you still remember her name?”

At that moment, King Kessel’s eyes widened ever so slightly.

Thales locked eyes with his father and muttered that unique name softly.

“Therren... Girana.?”

As soon as the words left his lips, Thales felt an eerie shift.

It was as if a sudden cold front had swept through the Ballard Room. The temperature dropped, and the air stood still.

Even the flickering lights came to a standstill.

And the source of this unsettling atmosphere was right at the end of the long table.

The uncomfortable silence lingered for a full ten seconds.

“I gave you a chance, child,” the King’s voice returned to its usual stern and aloof tone.

“And you ruined it.”

He stared deep into Thales’ eyes, his own eyes empty of any warmth.

The Sin of Hell’s River, coursing through Thales’ veins, as if it were about to break through the frozen tension.

In that moment, the young man had a gut feeling that the King’s patience had run thin. His next words could very well be a call for the guards.

So Thales was quicker.

“Amos.”

The Prince spoke softly and successfully drew the King’s gaze from making its way towards the door.

King Kessel looked back at him. “Amos?”

Thales took a deep breath and nodded.

“Yes, Amos Town in the Western Desert.

“It’s ruled by the Amos family, and it has quite a history. The suzerain’s last name is where the town gets its name.”

King Kessel’s brow wrinkled slightly.

Thales remembered what he had learned from the two Western Desert locals, Derek Kroma and Anker Byrael, and began to share the story at a steady pace,

“A few years ago, the town’s master, Baron Amos, was in an unfair situation. He sought help from the Renaissance Palace, aiming to make his case to the King.”

“But sadly, he met with a tragic incident on the way, and his whole family fell victim to an epidemic.”

Thales closely watched King Kessel’s reaction. The King stayed silent, allowing him to continue. In the next moment, Thales changed his tone.

“In reality, Baron Amos, a legitimate vassal of the Kingdom, didn’t die of an illness.” Thales clenched his teeth.

“He and his family were ambushed and silenced by the combined forces of his fellow subjects and peers—the three major ruling families in the Western Desert: Fakenhaz, Kroma, and Bozdorf.” Both of them sat in silence for a few moments.

“Interesting,” the King commented after thoughtful consideration.

“Where did you hear about this?”

Thales’ expression darkened.

As if in the confines of the Secret Intelligence Department’s prison, he could still hear Anker’s pained voice echoing in his ears.

“They also said that if Ifailed, if I had to use this key... I had to give it to you. ”

“And only to you. ”

Thales paused, taking a deep breath.

“To be honest, that’s not important,” he calmly transitioned to the immediate concern.

"What really matters is...”

Under the King’s burning gaze, Thales spoke clearly and evenly.

“In the year 414, ‘creditor’ Herman the Second issued the ‘No Bloodshed Order’, which basically forbade vassals within the Kingdom from settling personal scores with bloodshed...” His tone turned serious.

“However, the vassals in the Western Desert acted without restraint.”

“As vassals, they misused their right to self-defence, and they gruesomely murdered Baron Amos out of a personal vendetta.”

As Thales delved into the events in the Western Desert, he kept his gaze fixed on the Iron Hand King’s face.

“Their methods were brutal, and their crimes were nothing short of horrifying.”

The Iron Hand King’s eyes sparkled, and a faint smile formed on his lips.

Thales’ gaze sharpened.

“This reason, this leverage, this horse—are they enough to make the ‘Sand King’ a reality?” As Thales’ voice trailed off, the room’s Everlasting Lamps flickered.

He kept his steady gaze locked on the King.

King Kessel stayed silent for quite a while, his eyes reflecting the light fluctuations.

After a few seconds, the King gently closed his eyes, burying his emotions deep within.

“But we can’t use it,” King Kessel whispered softly. “The epidemic in Amos Town is old news, and the Western desert-dwellers covered it up well. After all, dead men tell no tales.”4 Seeing the reaction, Thales couldn’t stop himself from chuckling.

“Maybe,” he said confidently, “ maybe the dead tell no tales, unless...” Thales’ words came to a sudden halt.

“Wait,” he said, studying King Kessel’s unconcerned expression, realisation sinking in.

The young man’s expression shifted slightly, disbelief creeping in.

“You knew,” Thales said, staring at Kessel with a puzzled frown. “You already knew about Amos Town and this case long before?”

In the next moment, King Kessel gently reopened his eyes.

The King’s face remained unreadable, and he offered no response.

But Thales had already found his answer.

Thales furrowed his brow.

“When?”

King Kessel gave a calm response, “Right when it happened.” Thales found himself baffled. “What? Why?”

Thales noticed that, at some point, his conversation with King Kessel had become uncannily intuitive. For instance, he no longer needed to complete sentences like “Why did it happen?” King Kessel simply gazed at Thales with serenity.

“A few years back, the ‘Tax Exemption for the Opening Up of Border Counties’ ruffled some lords’ feathers.”

“Baron Amos from the Western Desert was one of them,” the Iron Hand King narrowed his eyes and added, “and the most impatient one at that.”

“A little nudge was all it took, and he took the bait.”

Thales was left flabbergasted.

a little nudge...

he took the bait...

In that instant, the words of ‘Raven’ Derek Kroma echoed once again in Thales’ mind.

“Based on what he said, the countless parvenu nobles, who were born because of this order, encroached upon his benefits every day. They seized his people and cut off his means of surviving. "5

From the depths of the Secret Intelligence Department’s prison, Anker Byrael’s despairing words also came to mind.

“It is clear that Baron Amos could not bear the pain—the King's decree had dealt him a devastating blow..."

King Kessel sighed casually. His next words had a hint of wistfulness.

“But that Western Desert yokel gets jumpy about the slightest hiccup near his territory.”

“Before he could reel in the catch, the line snapped.”

Thales stood there in a state of disbelief.

reel in his catch...

line snapped...

Derek and Anker’s words continued to linger in his mind.

“That man enlisted soldiers and mobilized an army. He intended to move past Western Desert and bring about great news...a protest against the King and the kingdom."

"... such that he planned to abandon the agreement with the Three Great Clans and act alone..." Thales sat frozen in his seat.

5 Official translations, chapter 497. This and the below.

“You?” he said, puzzled.

Thales’ voice was barely above a whisper as he continued, “Did you have something to do with Baron Amos’ decision to raise an army? Were you quietly pushing him to rebel? All to find an excuse for meddling in the Western Desert?”

The Iron Hand King snorted in response.

“As I said, he’s just one of them.”

one of them

In that very moment, Thales found it impossible not to think about Anker, the man who had been brutally tortured within the Secret Intelligence Department, and his lover, whose life had been torn apart and forced into hiding.6

“So, the tragic end of Baron Amos, silenced, along with his entire family,” Thales’s voice grew raspy, “it was you who set it all in motion.”7

Thales stared blankly at the table before him, the King’s silhouette cast darkly on the opposite wall—a looming and oppressive presence.

These people.

Their misfortunes.

Are nothing but...

The dust crushed under the wheels of power.

“You’re giving me too much credit,” the King’s tone remained calm, as if he didn’t care.

“I didn’t tell those yokels to carry out these killings. Nor did I order them to be merciless enough to wipe out everyone in the castle, right down to the militia and the maids, leaving not a living soul—it seems like they learned a thing or two from William.” to carry out these killings wipe out everyone Amos Byrael

And that unfortunate family in Blessings Town, whose name slipped his mind...

And that night in Blade Fangs Camp, where countless families met a tragic fate...

“Nobles, nobles. Ha, these scums, what sort of motherfucking rotten beings are they? ” The Raven

of Death’s words in the Land of Barren Rocks rang in his ears.8

With these thoughts came an inexplicable sense of weariness.

Almost suffocating.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady his emotions.

The Prince lowered his head, avoiding the King’s gaze and holding back his disgust within his words.

“I see, a well-thought-out move.”

“No, not quite.”

But King Kessel’s voice continued to cut through, unstoppable.

“We underestimated the Western desert-dwellers—their sharpness and decisiveness. Not only did we end up with a baffling case and no evidence, but we also alerted them, making them even more vigilant.”9

The King’s gaze became keener.

“Until now.”

Thales trembled slightly.

King Kessel suddenly looked up. “So, this is not a tale only told by the dead, is it? There’s actual evidence.”

“And you have that evidence,” he stated firmly and without doubt.

Thales felt his arm tense.

evidence

The haunting words of Anker returned, faint but clear:

"In any case, getting this key piece will certainly make His Majesty very pleased. ’’ “Indeed, very pleased... ”

Thales took a deep breath and swallowed the lump in his throat. He mustered the strength to raise his gaze and lock eyes with the King. Yet, in that moment, all he saw in Kessel’s eyes was a profound abyss.

A few seconds later, the young man summoned every ounce of strength to utter two words through clenched teeth, “I have,”

His voice carried the weight of sheer exhaustion. “An ironclad evidence.”

ironclad evidence

The words hung in the air.

“Not bad,” King Kessel maintained his composure and said calmly, “I’m listening.”

I'm listening

Thales took a deep breath, but as he attempted to speak, he found himself pausing.

"And what would have been the cost, Your Highness? ” Anker’s voice, filled with despair, seemed to come out of nowhere.

Thales forced a cough and pressed onward.

“In that tragic event, there was one more person..

“And Tina, Tina... ”

“She will never, ever, ever forgive me. ” Thales faltered once more.

“There was another person...”

Thales struggled to put his thoughts into words.

But then it struck him.

If he revealed this, what would become of the girl? Anker’s lover, whose life had been shattered by the harsh grasp of power, and Anker’s younger siblings, left orphaned and stranded in the Western Desert. What kind of future awaited them?

How many lives would be forever changed because of his words?

Thales took a moment to breathe, deep in thought, while the King observed his uncertainty with a frown.

“Thisgirl, Tina... How is she?" “The best."

A face, drained of colour and marked by torment, came into view.

Anker Byrael.

The young man who, caught in a whirlwind of despair and dire choices, had considered making a life-altering gamble, only to face heart-wrenching defeat.

Thales found himself wondering what had been going through Anker’s mind when he entrusted him with this bargaining chip.

“However, it doesn't matter now, ”

"It no longer matters."

Thales inhaled deeply, swallowing hard.

Use it.

He had to use this bargaining chip. It was what Anker had chosen, and something he had foreseen.

Wasn’t it?

And if he didn’t stick around to bring this matter to a close...

Thales’ gaze shifted to the table, to the letter offering Iris Flowers’ willingness to pay taxes and put an end to conscripted labour.

The wheels of the Kingdom would keep turning.

If this horse wouldn’t run, King Kessel would seek another.

Even if it led to more bloodshed.

Thales tightened his grip into a fist.

So he had to keep going. He had to.

Thales met the King’s gaze and steeled himself to appear resolute.

“Baron Amos, who met an unjust end, left behind an orphaned daughter.”

The King’s eyes sparked with interest.

“That unfortunate girl bore witness to a terrible tragedy, narrowly escaping death. Her survival was a stroke of luck.”

Thales clenched his teeth, masking his bewilderment and dejection.

“Her identity and experience will stand as undeniable evidence of the severe wrongdoings by the most powerful families in the Western Desert.”

“And the reform of the military system at Renaissance Palace, meant to prevent vassals from misusing their military authority, is not only just but pressing.”10

As he trailed off, Thales heaved a deep sigh, his eyes reflecting his sorrow.

But he had voiced it nonetheless.

The King’s eyes gradually shifted in hue.

He stared carefully at the Prince across the long table, as though assessing a finely crafted weapon.

Finally, King Kessel laughed.

His laughter was light and understated, yet it significantly lightened the mood in the room.

“The surviving orphan girl.”

The Iron Hand King leaned slowly back, his tone at last growing calm and relaxed.

“Where is she?”

where is she?

Thales couldn’t refrain from noticing that the King hadn’t even bothered to ask for her name.

But.

But...

“...think carefully about what sort ofperson you've become after taking the role of a prince... ” Once again, in that little cabin, Quick Rope’s words came flooding back.

“Can you still choose your own path and do what you want to do? ”

Thales’ arms quivered slightly.

“. ..are you still yourself? Are you still Thales? ”

“Or have you... become something else? ”"

“I’m all ears,” the King said, expressing his interest.

“Duke Thales.”

Thales took a deep breath and steadied himself, letting go of his doubts.

“You’ll come to know,” he said, determination in his eyes.

“But first, everyone who came with me to the palace today must go free; no charges.”

“And, to be honest, I’d rather not feel the sting of Marigo’s whip, even though he’s just been dutiful.”

At the end of the long table, King Kessel stayed silent.

Thales let go of his inner unease and said firmly,

“Secondly, open up Mindis Hall, release my guards, and from now on, if there’s an issue, come to me rather than making things difficult for them.”

The King still didn’t utter a word, just lightly tapping his fingers on the table.

11 Official translations, chapter 390.

“Also, Anker Byrael, who barged into the banquet with a sword and offended the royal family,” Thales said, frowning. “You must pardon him, set him free, show some kingly mercy, and this also means properly resolving his conflict with the Doyle Family.”

But when it came to this point, Thales hesitated.

‘Anker, no matter how the King forgives him...’

“She ’ll never, ever, ever forgive me. ”

Thales hung his head with a heavy heart.

“Before you lay your cards on the table,” King Kessel snorted lightly, as if in a good mood, “you’re asking for quite a lot.”

Thales exhaled and forced himself to look up.

“I’m not done."

“Finally, about ‘Sand King’.”

Sand King

King Kessel’s gaze shifted.

In that moment, Thales’ expression was resolute and cold.

“The plans for expanding in the Western Desert and how to deal with the regional lords, I must personally take care of it, through all of it.”

A heavy thump, a rather foreboding sound, resonated as the Iron Hand King’s fingers struck heavily on the council table.

The King slowly raised his head, locking eyes with Thales.

And the Prince didn’t flinch, returning the gaze with unwavering determination.

“Say, it, again,” the King said softly.

His voice was raspy, lacking warmth.

Thales stood tall and looked his father in the eye.

“Yes, I’ll personally write to the Duke of the Western Desert and others. I’ll use this case, this leverage, to pressure them into submission,” Thales stated firmly.

“I promise, Cyril Fakenhaz and his vassals will listen patiently and be open to cooperation. They’ll align with Renaissance Palace’s schedule and fully support the Military Affairs Officer’s

moves.

“They will reflect on the oversight of their own military system and gradually reduce the number and frequency of conscription.

‘They will accept your regular army stationed there, accept the restructuring of the Western Desert’s defences, and willingly support the day-to-day operations of the Legendary Wing. They’ll pay taxes to fund the regular army’s expansion, filling the financial gap while safeguarding our borders.”

Thales took another breath.

‘The Western Desert will become a reliable warhorse, and your ‘Sand King’ plan won’t be wasted.”

He added solemnly, "The Kingdom’s progress will keep moving forward.”

The room fell silent again, but this time, the silence carried an ominous weight. A few Everlasting Lamps burned to the end, jusl like the King’s gaze—losing its fire and taking on a deep darkness. “You?”

He eyed the Prince from afar, bls lone carrying a playful hint.

“Will you take this on?"

Thales nodded decisively, "Me.”

“I will.”

King Kessel’s gaze became more piercing.

“Why?"

Thales gathered bis thoughts and responded solemnly.

“Because of that orphan girl. 1 understand this bargaining chip better than anyone and how to make the most of it."

He paused for a moment, gritted his teeth, and affirmed to both his father and himself, "Because it's the only way.” ihe only way

King Kessel didn't respond right away.

He sat in silence, like a statue come to life.

A few seconds later, the King spoke calmly.

‘Tell me, how did you find out about the orphan girl’s whereabouts?"

Thales hesitated briefly.

With a composed expression, he answered without giving away any loopholes, T have my sources—”

"Fakenhaz."

King Kessel spoke softly, cutting off Thales.

Fakenhaz

The mere mention of that name startled the Prince.

The King just scoffed and glanced elsewhere, his tone piquing curiosity.

“He gave you more than just a sword, didn’t he?”

Thales didn’t show any change in his expression, but he couldn’t help but let out a sigh inside.

‘He knows.’

The King spoke in a matter-of-fact way,

"The reason you had the guts to storm into the palace today is thanks to his ‘gift."’

Thales held back his words, keeping his lips sealed.

It was true; the King saw right through him.

And he did it with just a few words.

From the start until now, all his little tricks were laid bare in front of him, much like before.

Yet...

Thales took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“Yes,” he conceded.

Thales locked eyes with the King.

His tone was steady and unattached, and his manner unwavering.

'The whole Amos Town affair, including this key piece, was, in fact, handed to me by the Duke of the Western Desert—by some means or another."

The King chuckled knowingly, like he saw this coming.

“And you fell for it, bought into that old fossil's charms, and showed up here thinking you could haggle with me," he remarked.

Without waiting for a reply, King Kessel shook his head slowly,

"That's jusl plain foolish.”

"Beyond belief."

Thales clenched his fists under the table.

Sure, threats, persuasion, flattery, or deceit—none of it could rein in the unyielding Iron Hand King.

But so what?

He wasn’t that shivering beggar in the Abandoned Houses anymore.

Not by a long shot.

And King Kessel wasn’t that distant, imposing figure he could only watch from afar in Mindis Hall six years ago.

To take on an opponent like King Kessel, he didn't need lies, hiding, or excuses.

He needed to rise to the occasion.

Thales looked straight into the King’s eyes.

“In that case, it’s even more reason for me to reach out and send a letter to the Duke of the Western

Desert, Father,” he said.

Leaning closer, he spoke earnestly.

“So Ihal we can all find common ground and solve this issue in a way that works for all parties.

‘The new ‘Sand King’ might not act as quickly, and it could take months or even years, but it won’t be as tragic, and we won’t face unmanageable consequences.

“You'll still achieve your goal, and there won’t be a need for bloodshed."

The Iron Hand King let out a dry laugh.

He looked down, and darkness slowly veiled his face,

"Why?”

Thales raised an eyebrow in confusion.

“I’ll bring out the key witness for this case and have her testify. That’ll sow discord among the Western Desert lords, making them an easy target for public outrage...” he explained.15 The King’s gaze turned icy,

“And then, 1’11 just have to deploy Ihe royal army into the Western Desert to deal with the culprits.” 'That should do the trick, doesn’t it?”

Thales was taken aback.

“That's right.” The young prince continued, trying to keep the conversation on track.

“But, forgive my frankness, Fakenhaz’s reason for offering this deal was to show goodwill by humbling himself and taking the lead in showing vulnerability, in an attempt to defuse the growing tensions between the Renaissance Palace and the Westen, Desert suzerains..."

"He's not that .saintly!” King Kessel suddenly leaned forward, shouting angrily, taking Thales by surprise.

"And you’re the only one gullible enough to think otherwise!”

The King fixed a stern gaze on his son.

“Fakenhaz gave me this key piece to bring order to the Western Desert, reform the Kingdom, and reach my goals...” He changed the gears,

“But can it only be done through... you?”

Thales stared at the King, his thoughts whirling.

The Iron Hand King leaned back in his chair, his lips curving into a wry smile,

“No, he went to great lengths, even shedding his own blood, just to hand you that sword, that bargaining chip."

"It wasn’t for you to play the peacemaker, that’s for sure.”

A chill ran down the young man’s spine.

King Kessel squinted, his gaze as sharp as a freshly honed blade.

“He did it to show you that the power and opportunities you’ve been denied for the last six years are right at your fingertips.”

“All you have to do is grab that chip and stand in front of me and..."

The King spoke softly, each word dripping with a frosty edge.

"Raise your sword,” he said.

Thales tensed up, trying to explain, “Father, I’m not here to be your enemy, nor do I wish Io threaten—"

“Then why didn’t he come directly to me?” King Kessel interrupted.

“If you intend to bow your head and show vulnerability, why not turn towards the throne?” he added.

Thales fell silent, the room’s lights blinking rapidly, creating a chaotic play of shadows.

“You think I don’t know what you’re up to, huh?" King Kessel the Fifth locked eyes with Thales, his gaze cutting right through.

“Why won’t you just come clean about your plans and tell where that orphaned girl is? Why the need for this secretive, wait-for-the-right-moment approach? And why insist on personally taking on the ’Sand King’?”14

Thales found himself shuddering at these words, a cold feeling gripping his heart.

The room fell back into an uneasy silence.

“Because, deep down, you know it too, don’t you?” The King's voice softened, but there was a dangerous edge to it.

“Because you’ve become quite attached to the sword he gave you, and you can’t bear to part with

"It’s a bind you can’t free yourself from.” Thales grimaced, his fists clenched on his knees.

“As the Prince of Constellation, the Duke of Star Lake, and the Kingdom’s heir," King Kessel continued, his voice now cold, “you’re being played by an outsider. And what’s worse, you're oblivious, believing yourself untouchable.”

“You’ve brought shame to the Jadestar Family," the King declared sternly.

Thales suddenly looked up.

'That's exactly it!”

The Prince's voice was filled with frustration.

King Kessel was taken aback by Thales' impassioned response.

“1 know,” Thales said, his breath quickening as he fixed his gaze on the King.

“1 know exactly what Fakenhaz is planning. I’m not hiding it, nor do I want to argue about it.” Thales suddenly stood up, placing his hands firmly on the table.

"Exactly, empower me, support me, and help me. The goal? To grow strong enough to stand up to you, to pose a threat, and to thwart your plans. That’s exactly what Fakenhaz is hoping for.”15 “It’s as simple, direct, and clear as it gets.”

The King's expression turned even darker.

"But believe me, Father.”

The Prince locked eyes with the King and spoke earnestly, “If you really want Io succeed—not just with the ‘Sand King’ or in the Western Desert, but throughout the entire Kingdom, within and beyond Constellation, and bring your grand and insane plans to life..."

King Kessel’s gaze changed subtly as he listened.

Tf you’re truly committed, Father, if you’re willing to ‘live for Constellation’ at any cost."

At that moment, a cold draft swept through the Ballard Room, sending shivers down their spines.

Yet, Thales felt a burning tlame within.

Thales took a deep breath and stated firmly, "Then this is the only way, and there’s no belter choice."