Kingdom’s Bloodline

"Blood of the Kingdom ()" Find the latest chapter!

Hearing Prime Minister Cullen's pointed words, all the ministers shuddered.

Gilbert could not help but feel anxious when he heard the implication:

"Master Prime Minister!"

Just then, a third voice joined the discussion.

"In fact, if the kingdom really has no other choice but to bite the bullet, maybe..."

Unfamiliar voices attracted most people's attention.

The ministers turned to the interlocutor, who was also the only participant in the imperial meeting who did not speak—the vice-bishop of the Sunset Church, Styrianides.

Styrianides nodded slightly:

"Can I try to persuade the Sunset Church to contribute to solve the problem of expanding the standing army?"

Many people frowned.

"What? You?" Thor Duo doubted.

At the corner of the discussion table, the archdeacon smiled and nodded humbly:

"Guy Styrianides, the vice-bishop of the Central Diocese of the Sunset Church, attended the imperial meeting today in place of Archbishop Zenon who was on sick leave..."

"I know who you are, boy," the Thord advisor interrupted him roughly:

"You said, can you find the money we want?"

The archdeacon named Guy smiled slightly, then closed his eyes and made a prayer: "I can't guarantee it, do my best."

Seeing the other party being so forthright, Consultant Soduo looked suspicious:

"If I remember correctly, in the central sunset temple of the king's capital, the priest Diallo is the person who most opposes the standing army system. He once said: the standing army fights for money, greed is despicable, conscripts wield swords for duty, sacred and respectable ?”

Guy spoke modestly:

"Yes, most of the officiant priests of the Sunset Temple are from noble backgrounds, they go in and out of the castle court, and they have close relationships with nobles and princes from all over the world."

"But we are different, Master Thoreau," the archdeacon said firmly:

"The Church of the Setting Sun, not the Temple of the Setting Sun."

Sunset Church.

Soduo was silent for a while, he restrained his emotions, and looked at the priest's eyes seriously:

"You just said, who are you?"

On the other side, Prime Minister Cullen had a clear expression: "Ah, the dispute between the temple and the church, the Ministry of Priests and the Ministry of Missions, the priest and the bishops?"

The archdeacon turned to the Prime Minister with a warm smile:

"No, it's not about faith, it's about politics and positions."

"The temple is close to the princes, and the church is close to your majesty. It's that simple."

"If the influence of the temple side can be weakened by reducing the conscripts and increasing the standing army, the bishops in the church will be happy to see it."

Hearing this sentence, many people began to think.

Cullen's eyes moved slightly:

"Oh, as a believer in the setting sun, are you really—unabashed?"

"cover up?"

Guy shook his head indifferently:

"No faith exists independently of politics, and no religion is not about power struggles."

"If you avoid politics and talk about faith, you will put aside humanity and only ask about divinity. This is a cover-up and pretense, it is negligence and contempt for faith, and it is disrespect and dishonesty to the goddess of the setting sun."

As soon as these words came out, even the king at the end of the long table raised his eyes slightly.

Hearing these unorthodox words, Cullen was taken aback, then raised his eyebrows and said:

"I think I know why Gilbert recommended you. Compared with those priests who are full of holy teachings, you are indeed a bit interesting."

Gilbert forced a smile.

Archdeacon Guy sighed:

"Thank you for your approval, but this truth is not universal, especially the priests on the side of the temple."

"Therefore, it is inconvenient for the church to intervene in the kingdom's military in the form of direct funding."

Su Duo, who was most concerned about this matter, turned cold instantly:

"Then what do you mean?"

Guy turned to him and said seriously:

"To support the expansion of the standing army, the Church of the Setting Sun must have a legitimate reason."

reason.

Many people's expressions changed slightly.

Guy looked at the end of the long table respectfully:

"If your majesty can change the tradition and let our priest brothers enter the royal standing army,

I would be more confident in convincing the bishops to fund it. "

Su Duo was startled:

"But we already have military priests. Every time there is a war, the temple will send a qualified priest to preside over the expedition ceremony..."

Guy curled his mouth and nodded calmly:

"Expel them."

"What?" Su Duo couldn't believe it.

"I suggest, Lord Sodor, expel the priests accompanying the standing army and let the priests accompanying the army replace them," Vicar Guy explained very patiently:

"What the temple can do for the standing army, the church can do the same, and even more."

Suo Duo understood the other party's words, and his expression changed back and forth in those few seconds.

Others in the meeting looked at each other.

The king's eyes were still distant and strange.

Prime Minister Cullen snorted:

"The priests of the Sunset Temple will definitely not like it."

Guy turned his head and spoke sharply:

"The Temple doesn't like many things."

"Like the royal standing army."

"But it's just a political issue. If you do it like this, it will become a religious contradiction." Cullen shook his head.

Guy replied calmly:

"Yes, it is also a tradition, just as the lords regularly call up the militia-until the royal standing army turns out."

Soto twitched his eyebrows.

The archdeacon looked at the listless treasurer:

"And if there are priests accompanying the army, the Church of the Sunset will be able to allocate a permanent fund from the donations of the believers, which can justifiably subsidize part of the cost of the standing army and relieve the pressure on the Finance and Taxation Department."

"This is something that the self-proclaimed orthodox temple cannot do."

"Hmm..." Qiu Ke, who was originally bored, suddenly cheered up, her small eyes sparkled:

"It's not impossible to think about it?"

On the other side, the military advisor was quiet for a few seconds and asked cautiously:

"So, the Church of the Sunset can fund the expansion of the standing army, but the premise is that His Majesty will allow your priests to enter the royal standing army to replace the priests accompanying the army, right?"

The archdeacon smiled: "Of course not."

But his eyes changed:

"But without this bargaining chip, my confidence in persuading the Bishops' Conference is really not that great."

Suo Duo snorted coldly:

"This is blackmail, taking advantage of the fire."

"It's more for the kingdom." Guy shot back at his words very quickly:

"The priests of the temple are basically of noble birth, and they are related to the princes from all over the world. They are born to be alienated from the standing army, and joining the army is just a false story."

"And most of us priests come from poor backgrounds. We are used to educating the lower class. We will be more competent, more capable, more enthusiastic than the priests, and more suitable for the standing army."

"Yes, that's exactly what I'm worried about." Su Duo sneered.

Hearing this, King Kessel suddenly snorted, the meaning was unknown, but thought-provoking.

"I say, Guy, you are a priest in the service of the gods."

Prime Minister Cullen on the other side narrowed his eyes:

"It's too vulgar to be full of benefits and counting chips?"

"Vulgar?"

Stylianides smiled slightly:

"The faith mentor and close comrade-in-arms of the King of Restoration, the Prophet Brother Mohasa has a famous saying: Theology is the knowledge of people."

Gilbert moved slightly.

"Divinity exists in humanity, and humanity has its own divinity. Only by exhausting every corner of humanity can we hope to find that little bit of divinity."

Guy smiled and said:

"Who says the world is not holy? There is a heaven in the world."

"Ah, you're not just interesting, Guy," the Prime Minister's tone changed:

"You're still scary."

The archdeacon made another prayer, very pious:

"The goddess sent down tests, always making the path of truth look rough and rugged."

"No."

After several times of hesitation, Soduo figured out the way to go, and resolutely refused:

"The standing army of the royal family does not need priests to accompany it."

He said decisively:

"The standing army cannot be controlled by forces other than His Majesty, especially economic sources."

After saying this, Sodor glanced at King Kessel, but to his disappointment, the king remained indifferent.

Guy didn't take it for granted, and continued the discussion:

"If it is limited to the form of payment, we can discuss it. For example, the church donates the money to the Finance and Taxation Department, and then the Finance and Taxation Department allocates it to the budget of the Military Affairs Department..."

"sure!"

The treasurer's eyes lit up:

"If it works, you've saved my life, Guy!"

Styrianides nodded politely:

"Goddess of Grace, dare not take credit."

But Thoreau's attitude remained the same: "What's the difference?"

"It took the stars five hundred years, sacrifices, and bloodshed to drive religion and theocracy back to the temple."

"As long as I am in charge of the Military Affairs Department for one day, history will not go backwards."

Su Duo was categorical and uncompromising.

"That's not necessarily the case," Qiu Ke murmured from the side: "Based on your posture just now, if anyone can help you expand the standing army, you are probably willing to appoint him as Prime Minister."

Su Duo's face froze.

"Then I'm thankful." Prime Minister Cullen sighed, and moved his big butt that covered the entire chair:

"Please do it, Vicar Guy?"

Archdeacon Guy smiled modestly at them.

"I understand your concern, Lord Sodor, but what you said is an ancient lesson: the priests of the temple fell into the way of self-righteous young children, aloof and corrupt, allowing selfish desires to overshadow public hearts, and conniving lies to cover up the truth , False gods and powers seek common interests, use faith to fight for power, and you will never return if you go astray."

Vicar Guy nodded, as gentle as ever:

"And my ancestors, the priests of the Ministry of Missions, just because they saw their mistakes, broke down from the temple to stand on their own, uphold the goddess's true teachings, and built the Sunset Church by themselves. It has been nearly four centuries since the past. Not affiliated, the Ministry of Sacrifice and the Ministry of Propaganda abide by the boundaries, we do not..."

Su Duo interrupted him impatiently:

"The temple or the church, the priest or the priest, in my opinion, there is no difference, they are all the same."

"When you are weak, you have to ask for others, so of course you will be obedient."

"When you are strong, you will not be greedy enough, and you will definitely make progress."

He warned:

"Times have changed—the setting sun temple has unlimited authority, and it responds to every call, even daring to challenge the Fuxing Palace and intervene in the succession of the throne. Gone forever."

This remark made the entire imperial meeting tremble.

Guy let out a long sigh, not hiding his disappointment.

"I understand, Master Thoreau, it seems that the wish of the priests to serve the country can only be realized in the future."

At the end of the long table, the king's cold gaze was once again covered by the setting sun.

"So, in the face of such a predicament, it is impossible to forcefully push forward the reform of the military system." As the host of the imperial meeting, Prime Minister Cullen sighed.

After hearing this, Suo Duo glared at Qiu Ke again.

"Don't look at me, you want money, Guy and the church have it!"

Qiu Ke knew what the other party was thinking and didn't care at all:

"As for whether you want it or not, you can decide for yourself..."

"It's not just a matter of money." Unexpectedly, Prime Minister Cullen spoke again, interrupting the military financial dispute that was about to erupt again.

This caught the attention of all the ministers.

"Actually, when I mentioned the prince's banquet just now, I thought of something else."

Duke Cullen's eyes were burning:

"Last night, the little noble from the Western Wilderness made a big noise at the royal banquet, but was saved by the Duke of Thales."

Gilbert frowned fiercely.

"This can't help but remind people that His Highness returned home under the protection of the Western Wilderness Army, and the sword of Falkenhauser. This can easily give people wrong expectations, and it can even be interpreted as the royal family's position. Trouble, especially at this moment..."

Cullen shook his head as he spoke, seeming extremely regretful.

"Your Excellency!" Gilbert reminded sharply.

Cullen trembled slightly, as if he had just realized, and smiled apologetically.

But after listening to the prime minister's words, many people nodded thoughtfully.

"By the way, the Doyle family involved," Lord Clapham, the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry who hadn't spoken much all day, made a rare voice:

"Their Jinghu area has been a large grain-producing area in recent years, and it is also an important source of soldiers for Canxing's private soldiers and the central standing army. Moreover, they belong to Canxing's seven servants, which may affect the attitude of other families."

"This will affect the process of military system reform."

He glanced at everyone cautiously:

"I think we need to characterize the case as soon as possible, sort out the clues, and make a judgment..."

"It's true. What happened at the royal banquet has brought us a lot of trouble, whether it's the subsequent reform of the military system or this letter."

The figure of King Kessel moved slightly on the throne.

Viscount Coney glanced in the king's direction, saw that he didn't respond, and cleared his throat:

"Forgive me, but I heard that Mindis Hall has become a new place that everyone in the capital is flocking to. Look at Doyle's house, which was saved by His Royal Highness after making a big mess...I'm not To blame the Duke of Thales, but his posture at the banquet is sometimes easily misunderstood..."

"Connie!"

Feeling the direction of the meeting, Gilbert was startled and angry.

"His Royal Highness handled the royal banquet without any problem! He is kind, generous and impartial!"

Chief Qiu Ke shrugged:

"But now, looking at this letter, kindness and generosity are the last thing we want."

Viscount Connie nodded in agreement and added:

"And impartiality."

Gilbert was anxious:

"Leaving aside the consequences, His Highness saved two lives and two families with his skillful skills, avoiding a worse situation!"

"But in the barbaric way of bloody duels," came another voice:

"May the setting sun forgive him."

Gilbert turned his head in disbelief, looking at his best friend.

"Guy?"

Archdeacon Stylianides nodded apologetically:

"Before I entered the palace, the bishops were talking about this matter."

The ministers exchanged glances and understood each other.

The archdeacon made a ritual of atonement:

"Witnessed by the setting sun, the Duke of Xinghu personally fought a duel and resorted to the barbaric and heretical ancient rituals. That is really a bad signal and demonstration."

"No, that's what happened at night," Prime Minister Cullen snorted sarcastically:

"It should be said: Polaris Witness."

All the courtiers bowed their heads.

Gilbert took a deep breath and explained to his friend:

"Guy, my friend, as far as I know, the duel was unreasonably proposed by the other party, and Prince Thales, out of compassion, agreed to the duel and risked himself, it was just a stopgap measure."

Guy nodded in understanding:

"Of course, I understand the prince's difficulties, and I also appreciate his kindness and generosity, wisdom and wisdom."

"But what do you think, after this story spreads throughout the kingdom," Duke Cullen shook his head:

"When people mention a duel, the first thing that comes to mind is the prince's kindness and generosity, or Can Xing's violent duel?"

Gilbert frowned.

The archdeacon also laughed:

"Master Cullen's words are not unreasonable, just like the bishops of the church are also very worried: In the Northland, although the Exeter soldiers passed on His Highness's spiritual courage to fight to the end, they also numb His Highness in the violence and blood. His thinking made him not reject the barbaric and backward ancient rituals."

Gilbert looked deeply at his friend, unable to hide his disappointment.

And the king remained motionless.

"If things go on like this, His Royal Highness, as the heir to the kingdom, has never avoided heretical beliefs and etiquette..."

Guy's tone became worried:

"This will have a profound impact on people's attitudes and ways of doing things. It will make young people bloody, desperate people will take risks, and imitators will continue to follow suit. The goddess will not be pleased, and neither will her followers."

Earl Clapham looked at everyone's appearance, and also interjected with great interest:

"That, I think too..."

"enough!"

The foreign minister gave a rare gaffe and shouted, and stopped the chattering crowd.

"Everyone!"

"Your Majesty didn't call us into this room to let us judge right from wrong and hold us accountable!"

Gilbert was short of breath. He stood up and glanced angrily at each of his colleagues:

"Suo Duo, I know that the standing army's trip to the Western Wilderness has worked hard and mobilized everyone, but it has not been fully accomplished. You have unspeakable sufferings, and you are deeply worried about it."

The military advisor pursed his lips.

"Boss Qiu Ke, I also understand that the accident at the banquet caused the Finance and Taxation Department to lose a considerable amount of fines and confiscations, which caught you off guard."

The treasurer folded his arms in displeasure.

"As for the Prime Minister, you want to do your best to avoid unnecessary conflicts between the Fuxing Palace and the vassals, so you take His Highness as a target to divert the focus."

The old fat duke smiled indifferently.

"Viscount Coney, please rest assured that no matter how popular your Highness is, no matter how talented you are, it will never affect your position as the backbone of the royal party."

When the Minister of Commerce and Trade heard this, his face was a little ugly.

"As for Guy, old friend, I swear to you that your failure to become the prince's theology teacher is definitely not the responsibility of His Highness, nor does it mean that His Highness is getting closer to the side of the temple."

The archdeacon closed his eyes and bowed his head.

"And Lord Clapham, you've been silent for a whole day, and you're already smart enough. It won't make you look smarter if you boo at the end!"

The Minister of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry coughed in embarrassment.

After keeping the imperial court officials silent one by one, Gilbert took a deep breath to calm himself down.

He couldn't resist looking at the figure at the end of the long table.

"That's right, I can feel it, I know it, you all have reasons of one kind or another, thoughts of one kind or another, resentment of one kind or another..."

The foreign minister said solemnly:

"But, gentlemen, I implore you to put yourself in the shoes of the prince and understand the prince's situation."

"Then you will understand that for the sake of the kingdom, His Highness Thales often has no choice, many things have to be done, and many encounters are beyond expectations."

"And those tasks that should be completed by him, he has achieved his ultimate."

Gilbert slowed down his speech, unknowingly carrying a trace of emotion.

"From the National Conference to Dragon Clouds City, from the Great Desert to Mindis Hall, facing the covetous northern princes and the turbulent domestic politics, any one of us, even His Majesty, even Midil back then Your Highness, it is impossible to do better than him!"

His voice was so high and impassioned that it shook the Ballard room.

"Not to mention that we all owe him a favor—whether it's preventing the northerners from going south, or stabilizing the Canxing royal family and the Xingchen political situation."

On the throne, King Kessel leaned back in the chair again, but his eyes were gloomy and he didn't know what to think.

"As for the other unforeseen consequences caused by Thales' actions, whether it is the chaos in the Western Wilderness, the Doyle case, whether the duel is controversial, or this damn letter and the predicament it brings, in fact It’s all the result of our lack of consideration and planning, which is the negligence and inefficiency of our servants, and it’s our own responsibility.”

Gilbert exhaled, paused, and looked at everyone.

Everyone turned their heads to avoid meeting his gaze.

When Gilbert said this, he was heartbroken:

"Shift the blame to His Highness? This will neither cover up our incompetence nor solve more problems, and the child should not be responsible for the mistakes he did not know about."

At this moment, Duke Cullen suddenly said:

"Even if he is Canxing?"

Gilbert's complexion changed, and he suddenly looked back, showing no sign of weakness:

"Because he is Canxing!"

Prime Minister Cullen frowned.

After a pause for a few seconds, the Prime Minister sighed:

"I know, Earl Caso, you are his teacher..."

But Gilbert interrupted him very quickly:

"I say this not only because he is my student!"

Gilbert turned his head and faced the other colleagues, categorically and without doubt:

"It's more because of His Royal Highness Thales himself."

"Whether it's his courageous feat of going north, his journey back home from thousands of miles away, or the courageous means he used to save people at the banquet, they all prove that he is worthy of being the empress of Canxing, worthy of being the Duke of Xinghu, and worthy of being the blood of the kingdom."

Having said that, Gilbert's voice trembled slightly:

"We should all be honored and proud to have such a prince."

"We should be swords in his hands, not stones in his boots."

"We should help him!"

"It's not hindering him!"

After the words fell, Gilbert raised his hand to press his eyes, and took deep breaths continuously.

The imperial meeting was silent, and the king's gaze was still radiating cold light like a sharp edge in snow.

Archdeacon Guy sighed, patted Gilbert's arm, and motioned him to sit down:

"Gilbert."

Gilbert swung his friend's arm away and took a deep breath.

"Please forgive me, gentlemen," he tried his best to adjust his emotions and calm down his tone:

"As His Majesty said, I am also tired and old."

There was silence in the Ballard room.

"At least you're not fat."

Prime Minister Cullen took the conversation, a little decadent and emotional:

"Won't get in someone's eyes."

This sentence has a profound meaning, and no one dares to answer it.

Until the Star King tapped his finger, breaking the dull atmosphere.

"Gilbert," King Kessel V's gaze hit him straight, unable to hide the complexity and subtlety in his tone:

"Old friend."

But Gilbert suddenly looked up.

"And you, Your Majesty!"

The foreign minister suddenly raised his voice!

Many people were taken aback.

Gilbert stared straight at the king's stressed eyes, his chest heaving:

"Excuse me, but..."

"but……"

Gilbert raised his right arm, as if pointing at something, but gave up halfway through.

He gritted his teeth, his cheeks were tangled:

"But as of today, all the unfair scrutiny, accusations, criticisms, and embarrassments that His Highness Thales has received after returning to the country..."

Facing King Kessel's sharp eyes, Gilbert made up his mind and said:

"It's all because of your attitude to him."

As soon as this remark came out, all the officials in front of the imperial court changed their colors!

"Gilbert!"

Guy warned sharply.

Prime Minister Cullen's face was tense, lost in thought.

But His Majesty the King just looked back at Gilbert quietly, without making a sound.

Only Gilbert swallowed his throat, closed his eyes and sighed:

"To be honest, Your Majesty, whether as a subject or as a father, I am not very competent, and I am not qualified to teach you a lesson."

"But as a friend," Gilbert opened his eyes sincerely and seriously:

"Kai, Your Highness, the Fifth Prince."

These titles made everyone's minds move.

King Kessel did not speak.

But at that moment, his finger tapping on the table stopped.

"You should really be proud of having such a son, for his consciousness and ability, for his character and intelligence, for his strength and optimism, and for him not to collapse under the heavy burden of the entire kingdom... be proud and comfort."

Gilbert looked at him from a distance:

"I believe it, and it's not just me, we all believe it from the bottom of our hearts."

"Prince Thales, he will be the future we all look forward to."

At this moment, no one spoke at the imperial meeting.

The silence lasted a full ten seconds.

"You give him lessons every day, Gilbert," came the king's thick voice, without distinguishing emotions:

"You're too close to him."

Gilbert paused first, then smiled.

"No, you are too far away from him."

"Just like the previous king."

At that moment, Iron Fist King's eye sockets moved.

It's like the first gap in the flawless iron wall.

"But at that time, you still had the Mindis Hall."

Gilbert looked at the throne faintly, but seemed to be looking at something else.

"And now, he has nothing."

King Kessel seemed to be fixed on the chair, and he didn't even move his eyes.

"Close to him, Sire, at least try to be near him."

"At least, talk to him."

Gilbert took a deep breath and sat down tremblingly. He pressed his eyes and smiled ashamedly at his surroundings:

"Sorry, everyone."

The Ballard Room seemed to have sunk into an ice cellar.

All the monarchs and ministers were silent, or bowed their heads in silence, or looked at each other in blank dismay.

Only the sound of breathing remained.

After a long, long time.

"Everyone."

Everyone trembled slightly.

King Kessel's voice was like the first ray of sunshine breaking through the ice, breaking the dullness.

"Don't worry about my son, I've already talked to him."

At the end of the long table, the Iron Fist King slowly raised his head, but he didn't look at anyone.

"He won't be trouble."

He closed his eyes and exhaled lightly:

"Everything is under control."

The voice fell.

Prime Minister Cullen curled up his lips.

Gilbert gave a hard smile.

Others reacted differently, feeling sorry for each other.

Duke Cullen picked up his teacup, sat upright, and performed his duties:

"Okay everyone, now, back to us just now..."

But the Prime Minister's words stopped abruptly.

Everyone looked around suspiciously, only to realize that Cullen's expression had changed.

The Duke of Donghai was staring at the teacup in his hand.

There, tiny water waves are rippling.

Almost at the same time, the officials in Ballard's room felt strange and all turned their heads.

"Step! Step! Step!"

Groups of footsteps came from outside, causing obvious vibrations.

This is a rare situation, and the court officials looked at each other in blank dismay, not knowing why.

"There are at least 30 people in this footsteps." As a military adviser who has served for many years, Soduo raised his head vigilantly:

"what happens?"

But no one answered him.

On the contrary, different voices of orders pierced through the crack of the door, faintly coming from outside the door.

"The vanguard gathers reinforcements...run, run, run, run!"

"The situation is unknown..."

"The guard wings are deployed on the spot..."

The situation was wrong, and the officials were in shock.

The king also frowned.

"Strange," Gilbert frowned:

"Are there any drills by the Royal Guard today? Near the Ballard Room?"

In the next second, a rapid and piercing bell pierced through the wall and rang in everyone's ears!

"Ding--"

Many people were taken aback and looked around in panic.

"This is, this is the royal guard..."

Consultant Soduo was stunned.

He blinked, looked at the dark stone gate, and couldn't believe his deduction:

"Emergency alarm?"

The king remained calm, but his brows were furrowed more tightly.

The scar-faced spy from the secret department was the first to make a move, reaching out to the door.

But before he could touch the handle, the door to Ballard's room was flung open!