Blood-Colored Star Kingdom (Part 1)

Conspiracies and schemes, sin and ugliness—many are born in the dark, hidden chambers of the world.

But conspiracies can also be Created in broad daylight.

For instance, right now.

On the afternoon of November 16th, as winter approached, a stout, elderly nobleman dressed in a thick sable shawl stood in a spacious horse-training track, frowning under a parasol.

As he watched several horse trainers work in the arena, he listened tremulously to the words of another nobleman standing to his left.

After a long while, he let out a leisurely sigh, his lips curling as he watched an unruly horse in the distance.

"What kind of royal treasure could have gone missing to warrant our respected His Majesty locking down Mindis Hall indefinitely? It's a pity; I was planning to visit Mindis Hall next week to view Master Colvin's posthumous works."

The nobleman beside him was younger and slender, his expression relaxed. He picked up a sandalwood pipe and took a deep, effortless draw.

"Furthermore, Gilbert rushed to Mindis Hall overnight to report on the gang warfare in the Lower City District to His Majesty," he said cheerfully, exhaling a ring of smoke.

"Really? Since when has the respected Iron Fist King cared about the lives of the wretches in the Lower City District? If His Majesty had even half the benevolence and kindness of the Former King Eddie toward his subjects—" The fat, elderly nobleman touched his thigh in distress—the unruly horse had stumbled on its front hooves.

"—then why would we need to meet at a horse-training track?"

"The Royalist Party is definitely plotting something, I guarantee it's no small matter—perhaps a move to turn the tables in one fell swoop." The young nobleman smoking the pipe had bright, sharp eyes.

"Mindis Hall is truly a fine place. A lost royal treasure—I just hope it isn't one of Master Colvin's paintings—surely security there has been heightened." The elderly nobleman suddenly blurted out a sentence that seemed to have no beginning or end.

But the young nobleman nodded in understanding: "And I have news that Gilbert has been tasked with uncovering the truth behind the theft and will be frequently inspecting Mindis Hall. With that man there, even that White Eagle wouldn't be able to make a move."

"We can probe, but we mustn't go too far—we must use other methods to disrupt their footing."

The young nobleman took another drag of the top-tier Fessola tobacco, which only produced six hundred pounds a year, savored it for a moment, and then blew a perfect smoke ring.

"The Exeter Delegation will arrive within the country's borders next month," the old nobleman said, genuine worry appearing on his face. "Sigh, peace between the Star Kingdom and Exeter was hard-won, after all."

"Indeed," the young nobleman, less composed than his elder, showed his sharp edge and spirit: "If the delegation were to meet with an accident within our borders, facing both domestic and foreign pressure, our His Majesty would surely be in a very passive position."

"If His Majesty handles it poorly," the old nobleman watched the horse in the distance climb back up, breathed a sigh of relief, sipped his tea, and said helplessly, "Sigh, as expected, countries like ours with hereditary thrones are just backward."

Both fell silent for a while.

The elderly nobleman shifted his body and asked nonchalantly, "What is going on in the West Ring District?"

"Don't ask me, old sir. You know I hate Magic Users the most."

"Hmm, then let's talk about the Black Street Brotherhood?"

"Those guys still won't budge," the young nobleman's expression suddenly turned displeased. "Only about ten years, and they have such arrogance. I suppose their confidence in the backer behind them is greater than their confidence in our 'New Star'."

"Don't underestimate the young."

The old man grinned helplessly, his eyes flashing with shrewdness and sharpness:

"When children startle people—that is truly terrifying."

Compared to the hurried glimpse from last night to dawn, the Mindis Hall that Tales saw in the afternoon appeared larger, more magnificent, and, of course, emptier.

The first floor consisted of the grand reception hall, the grand banquet hall, and an open-air garden, equipped with a sizable kitchen, basement storage, and even an armory.

Aside from the open-air balcony that offered a panoramic view of the garden ("For your safety, I do not recommend you appear on the balcony or outdoors within the next month." —Gilbert), the massive second floor contained three large rooms with different functions: the noble banquet hall, the Council Hall, and the game room, along with various smaller chambers.

Although the corridors and entrances from the first to the second floor were filled with majestic armored guards standing at ten-step intervals, their faces hidden behind visored helmets, each one as terrifying as a statue ("Although they are the private Terminus Swordsman of the Crescent Star Family, I still do not recommend you try stabbing their abdomens, little sir." —Gilbert), the Mindis Hall still looked chillingly and frighteningly empty from afar.

However, Tales's living quarters and bedroom, including the dining room and the study for his lessons, were on the third floor. There was only one narrow staircase leading from the second to the third floor, and eight Terminus Swordsman in full gear guarded it twenty-four hours a day with total focus, rotating every six hours. As for outside the windows and on the roof, it was said there were also guards stationed in the open ("With Yordel here, please do not worry about threats from outside the windows." —Gilbert).

Every dish, from broccoli and bread to beef and water, was taken from the equally heavily guarded kitchen and the pre-stocked basement storage ("Please forgive me, I cannot guarantee their freshness." —Gilbert). From cooking to delivery, everything went through rigorous detoxification, poison-tasting, and testing procedures.

This really is, beyond imagination, security measures.

It seems I am much more important than I thought.

Should I say, as expected of the ruling class that holds power?

I wonder if, with Yala's skills, she could sneak in? What if it were a Magic User?

Speaking of which...

"No, absolutely not, I must refuse, little sir."

Tales looked up at Gilbert, revealing a confused expression.

"Everything about you, up to this point, is top secret," Gilbert shook his head firmly. "If I may be blunt, we have locked down Mindis Hall, and contact with the outside world is limited to a few trusted confidants—in this situation, for the royal family to suddenly send someone into the gangs of the Lower City District to look for three hiding beggars... whether for investigation or assistance, it would be extremely disadvantageous for both sides."

"The gangs are nothing to us, but overly flashy actions would alert our true enemies, giving them an opportunity to seize our weaknesses—do not underestimate the capabilities of those with ulterior motives. With just a single clue, they could peel back the layers and find the source." He said in a deep voice, "If you wish to help your old acquaintances, you must at least wait until... the appropriate time."

Tales sighed, frowned, and bit into the last piece of buttered bread. It was sweet and greasy, and he quickly picked up his cup to take a sip of black tea.

At least the food was much better.

"If you are satisfied with the afternoon tea," Gilbert, with impeccable etiquette, took the teacup from the flustered Tales and bowed slightly, "we shall begin our afternoon lessons."

In fact, Gilbert maintained an unchanging smile while thinking to himself: Perhaps we should start with table manners?

"What about Yordel? Where is he?"

"He is a competent guard; naturally, he is always guarding nearby."

Tales suppressed the urge to look around subconsciously.

Knowing that Yordel was nearby, he felt inexplicably much more at ease.

Thus, Tales tugged at the collar that was uncomfortably tight against his chest, and under the gaze of Gilbert's slightly furrowed brows, he followed the latter into the study.

"First of all, Tales, I spoke with Yordel last night."

Gilbert watched as Tales squeezed himself into a leather chair, looking around the study with curiosity, especially at the books filling the shelves on three sides.

"You are a special child; I could tell that from Yordel's assessment, and from the few short hours I have spent with you since we met."

Here it comes.

Tales maintained a look of curiosity on his face, but his heart grew vigilant.

"But this is only natural; the heir to Starfall is naturally special." Gilbert clasped his hands behind his back and walked slowly toward the desk engraved with the Nine-Pointed Star emblem.

His graying temples appeared solemn at this moment.

"I believe that since fate has sent you back to Starfall, she must have made arrangements."

Tales looked at this middle-aged nobleman without saying a word.

"I have a general understanding of your past. Life on the streets must have been difficult."

"But please, forget this past."

Gilbert picked up a book that had been prepared in advance from the black agarwood desk, turned around, and said sternly:

"You will have a new identity, a new life, and even a new name, but what truly matters is the future you are about to face and shoulder."

Gilbert's piercing gaze shot into Tales' gray pupils.

Forget the past.

Tales recited silently.

He looked into Gilbert's sharp eyes and nodded solemnly.

As if that were possible.

Tales scoffed inwardly.

"I understand. So," Tales weighed his words carefully and spoke slowly:

"As I am now, what do I need to know about myself and my past?"

Gilbert's expression remained unchanged, but he nodded slightly to himself: panic, fear, helplessness—the emotions a seven-year-old should have at this moment were nowhere to be found in this child.

There was only calmness and caution; even excitement was rare.

He really is extraordinary.

Is it the training from the Brotherhood? Yordel refused to go into detail, but that assassin held this child's performance in high regard. But could one really have such experiences in the gangs of the Lower City District?

Or is it that the royal bloodline of Starfall, passed down from the Ancient Empire for nearly three thousand years, truly has something remarkable about it?

Or perhaps, it is the other half of him...

Thinking of this, Gilbert frowned imperceptibly.

But the competent nobleman still bowed slightly.

"Tales, respected young sir, please allow me to address you as such for the time being."

"You are seven years old. On the night of May 25th, 665, you were born at the Mann Manor on the outskirts of Everstar City, the capital of the Starfall Kingdom." Gilbert said unhurriedly:

"Your birth mother was a noble lady whose name is inconvenient to disclose; she passed away from heavy hemorrhaging during childbirth. Before she died, she named you Tales after the Evening Star."

Tales' brows arched slightly.

"You grew up at the Mann Manor under the secret protection of the Crescent Star Family, and another Court Official and I would visit you from time to time."

"During this period, you grew up under the identity of an adopted child taken in by Lord Mann while he was out hunting, and you were unaware of your own identity."

"Last December, Lord Mann died in battle on the border of the Western Desert. Because he had no heirs, his property and territory were reclaimed by the royal family. At the same time, I brought you back to Mindis Hall in the Dusk Star District."

Tales remained silent, listening to this narrative to the end.

"And next month," Gilbert gripped the book in his hand tightly, "you will claim your birthright as the illegitimate son of King Kessel the Fifth, the legitimate royal blood of Starfall, and the only remaining descendant of the Crescent Star Family. You will be recognized by the royal family, the Sunset Temple, and the High Council of Starfall as—"

The look in Gilbert's eyes was heavy and serious, with a hint of worry and sorrow.

"—the heir to the Supreme King of the Starry Sky."

After a long while, Tales let out a soft breath.

It seems to be much more complicated than he had imagined.

"I understand. There are some parts I am still unclear about, but I will remember them firmly. I was Tales of the Mann Manor, and also the adopted son of Lord Mann." Tales' eyes flickered as he folded his hands.

His mind was arranging things rapidly, combining the existing intelligence with Gilbert's narrative to assemble elements into effective information.

Gilbert nodded and sat down in a leather chair opposite Tales.

"I will summarize the details of the remaining parts for you to memorize and familiarize yourself with."

"For now, this is your task, and it is all you need to know."

Indeed, even though he respects me.

But deep down, he still felt that there was no need to explain too much to a seven-year-old child.

Tales's eyes flickered.

"Next, I need to understand your basic foundation—"

Just as Gilbert was contemplating what lessons to provide for Tales next—whether basic etiquette or language and literacy—the future heir of Starfall Kingdom spoke up abruptly, cutting him off.

"So, we have settled on a unified story for the outside world," Tales said, lifting his chin from his hands as he curled up in the leather chair, his eyes gleaming with sharp intelligence. "Then it should be time to tell me the truth, shouldn't it?"

Gilbert was slightly taken aback.

"For instance, the identity of my biological mother, and why her identity is so... unspeakable."

"And the difficult current state of Starfall Kingdom, especially the series of problems triggered by the royal succession."

"Plus the predicament the King is in, as well as our common enemies and allies, both in the open and in the shadows?"

"Perhaps you should tell me all of this in detail. That way, I won't have any doubts during the upcoming lessons, and I can better choose and prioritize the knowledge I need to learn. I think this is the best choice for Starfall, and for your King."

The words fell.

The middle-aged noble's jaw dropped slightly, and he stared back at Tales in astonishment.

Had Yordel told him these things?

No, that was impossible.

Tales pulled his hands back, his expression calm, waiting for Gilbert's answer with a detached but firm demeanor.

In that instant, Gilbert felt as if he were looking at a young Kessel Edi Constellation.

Back then, the stars in Prince Kessel's eyes were still there, and the warm light had not yet turned into the biting north wind.

Gilbert was only dazed for a fleeting moment before he immediately regained his composure and let out a soft sigh.

An extraordinary child, indeed.

From the next moment on, the middle-aged noble began to answer his young master truly, respectfully, and with deference:

"I understand."

"I will answer you immediately."

"To save what little time we have, if you have any other questions, you may ask them all at once."

Tales frowned slightly.

"Very well," he said, bracing himself up from the comfortable but always unfamiliar leather chair. "Then I will be direct."

Tales unleashed his extraordinary mind, pulling up all the intelligence and information he had, and, just as he used to organize documents, he summarized the key points.

"You said that the Bloodline Lamp was a Divine Art cast twelve years ago, but I am clearly only seven years old. Why did you start preparing the means to find a bloodline descendant twelve years ago? I suspect this has to do with my unspeakable biological mother. Who exactly is she? Why did she leave me in the hands of a gang after giving birth to me seven years ago? These questions can be summarized as 'where do I come from?'"

"Also, Kessel—my father—is clearly still in his prime. What is the reason Starfall Kingdom has had no heir for twelve years? Why does all hope for a successor fall upon a bastard of unknown origin? My father's attitude toward me is not right. If it isn't a matter of personal character, then I must ask: what exactly is his relationship with my mother? Why must my identity be kept so secret? These questions are essentially 'who am I?'"

"Finally, what does my existence mean to Starfall Kingdom? What kind of problems would Starfall face without an heir? Who are our enemies, and who are our allies? According to what you've said, the Sunset Temple plays an important role in my affairs. What is their situation? If my identity is acknowledged, or even if I just make an appearance in the kingdom, what circumstances will I face? As a bastard, what are my rights? As an heir, what exactly am I inheriting? These questions, in summary, are 'where am I going?'"

"Where do I come from, who am I, and where am I going."

"Mr. Gilbert, please answer these three questions for me."

Time seemed to have frozen at this moment.

Gilbert stared fixedly at the boy before him.

For no reason, a sense of eeriness and fear welled up in his heart.

Ancient ancestors, former kings of Starfall.

He lamented in his heart.

Is this boy truly your descendant?

What kind of power is hidden within your bloodline!

It was a long while before the middle-aged noble managed to utter a sentence.

"Mr. Tales," he said, breathing with some difficulty as he organized his thoughts:

"You really don't sound like a seven-year-old child."

Tales immediately realized that his behavior just now had been inappropriate.

But he was already riding a tiger and could not get off.

So be it. A child prodigy who understands the ways of the world is better than an ignorant puppet, right?

"More than one person has said that. If you want to curry favor with me, Mr. Gilbert, you'll have to come up with something more creative." To soften Gilbert's expression, Tales made a rare attempt at humor, a smile blooming on his face.

Gilbert did not reply, only gazing at him deeply, his eyes lingering for a long time.

Just as Tales began to wonder if time had stopped, the statue-like middle-aged noble finally spoke, beginning to resolve his doubts.

"Respected Mr. Tales, first, where do you come from."

"Everything began twelve years ago."

"In March of the year 660, although the former king, Edi II, was old, he was still on the throne. His rule was long and stable, and he was known as 'The Steadfast King'."

"But suddenly, the entire Starfall Kingdom was plunged into unprecedented turmoil due to an escalating rebellion, one that even dragged the entire Western Continent into the fray."

"War, catastrophe, and famine—these were the themes of that year."

"Many people refer to that year as the Year of Blood."

"Amidst such chaos and bloodshed, King Eddie was assassinated, and the entire Radiant Star Royal Family was nearly wiped out."

"Of all the legitimate royal members, only his fifth son, the 35-year-old Prince Kessel the Radiant Star, survived and was eventually crowned king."

"That was your father, Kessel the Fifth, known as the Iron-Fisted King."