Kingdom’s Bloodline

A few minutes later, another special room.

I am truly sorry, Your Highness Thales,

Federico's voice was as calm, cold, and ruthless as ever.

He raised his head and looked at Thales quietly.

Judge Brennan is an old man from back then. He is indeed on the list. I also have a plan to question him. Lausanne II is acting according to this. Federico shook his head, But I assure you, apart from questioning Besides, I never gave the order to kill him.

Thales frowned, looking suspicious.

But as far as I know, your father had a history of discord with him, and even attacked each other, and Brennan was the one who convicted your father.

Thales narrowed his eyes:

Maybe in your opinion, his death is what he deserved?

On the contrary.

Federico's voice was calm:

My father doesn't like Lord Brennan, but they only talk about business affairs and never have any personal grudges. In fact, my father respects Lord Brennan quite a lot. He said to me in private: Emerald City has the least selfishness and the least possibility of betrayal. Kevin Dill's is Inquisitor Brennan.

As for Brennan's conviction of my father, with Jen's ability to forge evidence, I think the judge can only follow the rules.

It's just like the saying of the Yangjiao Gong back then: those who can see are friends, and those who cannot see are enemies.

Thales didn't answer, but just took a sip of tea and watched Federico carefully.

But at least on the surface, he couldn't see any flaws.

What about Lausanne II? The killer?

Thales said:

You are sitting here, but he is still active in the city, running errands for you?

Forgive me, Federico said solemnly, since I surrendered to the Emerald City, I walked into Jann's chessboard and lost all initiative: so I have to keep the pieces outside the chessboard, even if I am trapped In prison, he can also act alone, Lausanne II is one of them.

Then who is Lausanne II? What's the secret? What's the purpose? Thales warned,

Why did you come to the Emerald City with you? And you took such a big risk for you?

I don't know much about him, but I can say this: Lausanne II is a very special person, or rather, a very special sword.

Thales raised his eyebrows.

Obviously, Thales was silent for a while, a tool that is mentally deficient, moody, ruthless, and kills innocent people indiscriminately.

Federico was silent for a moment, then shook his head.

Believe me, Your Highness, in essence, he is very similar to us: every moment, he is fighting cruelly and desperately with fate. Many things, he has to do.

Us? Thales was deeply suspicious.

Federico slowly raised his head and nodded slightly:

us.

Our ass.

Then you call him back, now, Thales didn't want to talk nonsense with him anymore, put your hands together, obey the law, and abolish your meaningless 'outside chess piece'.

Your Highness has a life, and I can do whatever I want. But unfortunately, since I walked in here, since I was imprisoned, I can no longer control him—in fact, I have never completely controlled him.

Thales frowned:

Lausanne II personally told me that he was employed by Kevin Dill—is that you?

Indeed.

So you think I look like a fool?

Federico shook his head in denial:

Forgive me, Your Highness. I have absolutely no intention of being disrespectful, but there is absolutely no falsehood.

So you're like a fool, you can't even control your hounds?

Federico laughed, shaking his head.

Your position is as high as your Highness. No one has ever dared to disobey orders. It should be that everyone is restricted by power and status, and obeys orders, just like hounds and pawns.

Federico's eyes flickered, as if feeling emotional:

But believe it or not, Your Highness, there is always a kind of people in this world. They are not bound by the world and rules. They are dangerous, but they are also more useful because of this-people who act according to free will are bound to be better than those who have to according to rules. people, more efficient.

When I hired him here, I made a promise to Lausanne II: I will not treat him like the previous owner. He has always been free with me. I promised him to bring him out of the mire of sinking , take him to see the scenery at the top, see what kind of power it was back then, and knock him down to the bottom.

Thales didn't answer, but just stared at each other carefully.

Federico came back to his senses:

If it weren't for this, even if you are as unruly as him, you wouldn't be willing to cooperate with me.

That is to say, no matter what he does in the future, it has nothing to do with you?

Of course it is, but I don't know what he will do, whether he will keep his promise to me-if so, the to-do list I gave him is also very long, depending on how he chooses.

Thales looked at him more and more coldly.

Slick tongue, the prince said softly, With a few words, you can clean yourself up completely, and put the responsibility on Lausanne II alone.

That's the truth.

Thales sneered.

Not too long ago, he almost killed me.

Federico frowned.

I regret.

Is that all you can say?

I once clearly ordered Lausanne II not to hurt a single hair of your hair, and I never asked him to kill Brennan, but even so, he still brought unexpected damage. I am duty-bound to this.

Federico nodded slowly, then shook his head again.

For this, I am ashamed and very sorry.

When Thales heard this, he remembered Mallos' words.

Chivalry.

【Except for Brennan himself, no one in the whole mansion was injured...】

[Brennan committed suicide by taking poison in his study...]

But in the next second, Federico changed the topic:

But since he did this to you and killed Brennan, it can only prove one thing.

What's up?

Lausanne II, Federico sighed softly, he lost control again.

Thales frowned slightly:

again?

He suddenly remembered the experience of meeting Lausanne II in the ghoul's tunnel, and the other party's state of being like two different people.

Your Highness, do you know the relationship between Lausanne II, the Blood Bottle Gang, and the Emerald City?

Know a thing or two, Thales came back to his senses, They are Kevin Dill's white gloves for doing dirty work.

Not only, Your Highness, not only, Federico shook his head, For more than a century, when the ancestors of Emerald City, especially Kevin Dill, decided to learn from the wise king to transform themselves, set rules, and divide traditional rights When giving more inferior people who are more in line with our interests and who are more able to work for us, to stimulate vitality and decompose and regenerate muscles, some people propose that someone must be responsible for monitoring and restricting these upstarts who rose overnight—officials, businessmen, Artisans, farmers, scholars, landless knights...

Having said that, Federico's eyes moved:

Of course, I believe that during your time in power, no matter in daily government affairs or market business, you must have experienced the obedience and ignorance of these people.

Thales snorted lightly, noncommittal.

As for the candidates to restrict them, the fat-headed nobles and relatives have no hope. They can only choose mud-legged, shabby, and hard-working people who are even lower than them. Therefore, the Blood Bottle Gang came into being. They were born outside the rules. Enemy of the law - only to restrain those who are within the rules, and may one day eat away at the law.

Federico continued:

They are our invisible tentacles, touching the darkness that no one cares about, so that when we can't come forward, we can use more violent and unreasonable methods that are more effective and will not affect Kevin Dill's reputation and interests. Correct the direction of the Emerald City.

That sounds nice. Thales said disdainfully.

In this way, with the acquiescence and even support of the Emerald City, the Blood Vial Gang has gradually expanded, gradually growing, and even spread to the whole country, Federico gradually became fascinated. The blood relationship can still be connected to an illegitimate son of Kevin Dill a few generations ago.

So that one day, my uncle realized that this group of people was getting out of control.

Taylor's eyes moved.

They have learned, and they even collude with high-ranking officials and nobles everywhere. They began to deliberately move closer to the rules, use the rules, and even began to find more backers—the opposite of what we originally expected them to do.

Federico's words were cold:

And in this one, the Turnbull gang has a lot of talent and wants more.

Turnbull and the Vial Gang.

Thinking of something, Thales narrowed his eyes slightly.

So one day, my uncle and father decided in Kongming Palace: A stable, unified, and powerful Blood Bottle Gang is no longer in our interests.

Thales frowned and said, Did they bring down the Blood Bottle Gang?

Federico smiled and shook his head.

Actually, Kevin Dill didn't do anything. Uncle and father, they just hinted to the vicious puppies who have been staring at the dog pot: From now on, they can grab the big dog's food.

Thales' eyelids twitched.

He thought of Catherine, the Phantom Blade, of her and all kinds of blood bottle gangs, and of the scene where they fought to the death for power, status, profit, or even just for the sake of face and breath in the street.

All of this, the life of these gangsters...

And so the end of Turnbull came.

Federico concluded lightly:

Lausanne II, no matter how good his sword skills are, no matter how many kills he has, he is just a bland supporting role in that unavoidable fate.

No, not just them.

Black Sword, Morris, Chinza, Rhoda, Morris, Leyock, and even Quaid, who had been dead for a long time...

Thales suddenly felt a sense of sadness in his heart.

I tried to make him understand and accept this, to see a higher picture and a bigger world, Federico shook his head, regretting, Unfortunately, he neither understands nor agrees with Lausanne.

Thales clenched his fists.

So these people get out of control. And when they get out of control, Federico sighed quietly, it needs correction.

Correction.

Jane declined.

Thales was expressionless, and suddenly spoke.

Federico didn't react, his face was puzzled.

Whether Brennan died or I threatened him with his sister, Thales shook his head, he refused to compromise.

Perhaps because of the mention of that name, Federico's eyes lit up instead of his previous calm and understatement.

Uncompromising? Yes, there is no sign of loosening? For example, Zhan En is willing to spend some money to give Emerald City a few days' grace?

【I will write a letter right now... to the Boppong family who are in the funeral business...with a withdrawal of 10,000 gold coins...】

Thales looked at him and shook his head slowly:

No.

Federico frowned suddenly:

Or, did he put forward conditions to you in turn? For example, if he gave up the arbitration, or even handed over me, he would agree to make concessions?

[Federico, must-must-die. 】

Thales' eyes remained blank, and he continued to shake his head:

No.

Federico frowned tightly upon hearing this, feeling uncomfortable for a long time.

Yeah, I underestimated him...

Thales didn't speak either.

He just carefully observed Kevin Dill in front of him, comparing him with another iris.

Red and black.

After a long time, Federico raised his head and his eyes sharpened.

That's right, he's been a duke for so many years, he's used to being dictated by high positions, and he will never give in easily... Federico made up his mind and was eager to try, Your Highness, maybe we haven't pushed him hard enough...

There is no 'us', only you. Thales interrupted him.

Federico was taken aback for a moment.

Tell me, Thales leaned forward, other than letting Lausanne go to Brennan, what other means are you preparing? To force me to act, to force Zhan En to make concessions?

Your Highness...

Tell me, why are you so confident, Thales pressed on, Do you think Jann will give in? What else are you hiding from me? What do you want to hold on to Jann?

Federico's expression moved slightly:

Forgive me for not knowing...

Whether it's Hilley, Brennan, or the old case, but Thales didn't listen to his defense at all. What is it that makes Zhan En so jealous? It's really because he killed his father. , are you afraid of sin and compromise?

Federico's eyes flickered when he heard this.

But after only a few seconds, he regained his composure and smiled appropriately.

I understand, Federico said, Your Highness, Jann gave in, right?

Thales frowned.

Federico's eyes lit up when he saw this:

He compromised.

And the reason why you are worried and refuse to tell me directly...

Federico raised an eyebrow.

Ah—he wants me.

Kevin Dill, known as Scarlet Iris, stood up and paced back and forth, with excitement faintly visible in his steps.

Or, he wants you to sacrifice me, so as to prevent the arbitration and let you give up the investigation, he gritted his teeth, give up the investigation of his crimes.

Thales didn't speak.

Snapped!

Federico high fives!

That's great, Your Highness! He glanced sideways with sharp eyes, If he is willing to give in, it means that you have caught his pain point!

But your Highness, you must also be vigilant. You can make false claims with him, but you must not agree to him easily! Zhan En seems to be obedient, but in fact he is advancing by retreating. Once you give up pursuing the old case, you will lose the biggest bargaining chip against him. ...

Federico Kevin Dill!

Thales interrupted him sharply, giving Federico, who was immersed in the pleasure of revenge, a meal.

The prince stood up slowly.

You haven't answered my question yet. Thales stared at him coldly. What is the truth behind the old case back then? What are you doing that you are still hiding from me?

Federico looked back at Thales in a daze.

And when you came back to Emerald City, you were thinking hard and taking every step, was it really just to seek justice and avenge your father?

The two looked at each other silently, one was aggressive and the other was hesitant.

After a long time, Federico took a deep breath.

I don't know, Your Highness, and I don't know the truth of the old case, but I know that no matter what it was, Jann was very nervous.

He showed an ominous smile:

And I'm looking forward to excavating with you, Your Highness.

I knew it.

Then you don't have to look forward to it. Thales said coldly.

Federico paused.

Because tonight is the end of Lausanne II—and perhaps your other allies.

At that moment, Thales' words made Federico's expression change drastically!

Your Highness...

Your chess move outside the chessboard ends here, Thales said in a cold voice, not allowing him to interrupt, As for the question just now, I hope you will have a better answer when I come back—you know, otherwise A Kevin Deere is just across the door.

Federico's expression changed several times.

And he looks more cooperative, Thales walked towards the door without looking back, and he has more money.

But it's more dangerous! Federico said suddenly.

Thales stopped in his tracks.

Federico gritted his teeth and said:

Please, Your Highness, don't promise him, don't give up the chips, and don't let Zhan En get the chips back—otherwise we will all regret it.

Thales chuckled disdainfully:

There's no 'we', just me.

He turned around and said:

You were dead at that time, how can you regret it?

Federico frowned.

The two looked at each other quietly.

Let me see him.

A few seconds later, Federico spoke again.

But this time, his words were particularly difficult:

Before you make a decision, please let me see Zhan En. Of course, you can watch from the sidelines.

Thales frowned and said:

That's it? Nothing else to tell me?

Federico took a deep breath and nodded with difficulty.

Thales saw that he had nothing else to say, so he hummed and shook his head, and continued to leave.

Your Highness!

Thales paused.

Changed your mind?

Federico took a deep breath, his eyes hesitating.

After a few minutes, he finally spoke slowly.

Lausanne is different from ordinary people and cannot be treated with common sense, Federico squeezed out a smile, but what he said disappointed Thales, Please be more careful.

Thales frowned fiercely.

This time, he didn't look back and left the room straight away.

Jann and Federico.

Emerald City.

Hilley.

King's expectations.

So many factors, so many options, how should he choose?

Ignoring the awe-inspiring eyes of the guards, Thales walked into the corridor, forcibly suppressing the resentment and irritability in his heart.

Your Highness?

Seeing the prince coming out, Wyatt hurriedly followed Thales:

How about it?

It's not bad, Thales said confidently without changing his expression, I squeezed out something for the two honored guests.

That's good... But Your Highness, you don't seem very happy? Wyatt asked tentatively.

Thales frowned.

At that moment, he was suddenly a little bored.

He's clearly smiling, isn't he?

How did this guy figure it out?

But Thales turned his head and saw Huai Ya with a worried face, he couldn't help but sighed.

I don't know, Thales shook his head, I just always feel...whether it's Zhan En's compromise or Federico's attitude, I always feel that their reactions don't seem like I deserve it.

Ah? You deserve it? Wyatt was confused, Your Highness, I don't know—

not understand?

Thales took his words, not only speaking to Wyatt, but also speaking to himself:

It's okay, I don't understand either.

Wyatt was even more confused.

But before he could answer, Thales patted the attendant on the shoulder:

Go and tell the logistics wing to prepare a good dinner for the brothers in the guard—the most expensive kind.

As you ordered—oh, the most expensive?

Huai Ya half-spoken, suddenly changed color:

But the logistics wing said...

The meal payment will be reported when I come back, Thales pulled out the envelope in his arms, calm and confident, after I go to talk to some big dogs.

Uh, yes... yes?

Huai Ya twitched his eyebrows, doubtful.

What's wrong, Your Highness?

Report to him?

No - since when did His Highness take charge of reimbursement?

He probably didn't know that it was his money, right?

After dinner, the whole team is ready to set off.

Yes—Your Highness, where are you going?

Thales' smile disappeared instantly.

Emerald Suburb.

He looked into the depths of the endless corridor, with murderous intent in his eyes:

North Gate Bridge.