KB2 - Chapter III - Scarlet Star (Part 1)

Chapter III: Scarlet Star (Part 1) – Book 2: Dancing with the dragon


Conspiracy and scheme, crime and wickedness, many of them were born within the darkness of countless secret chambers.

But conspiracies can also be created in broad daylight.

For example now.

After the winter came, at noon on November 16, in a vast horse ranch, a wealthy and obese old nobleman, dressed in a thick weasel suede cloak, frowned under his umbrella.

While watching the horse training by several trainers in the field, his body shivered as he listened to the words of another nobleman on the left.

After a long while, he uttered a sigh of relief. Looking at a disobedient horse in the distance, his mouth folded.

"What kind of missing royal treasure worthy of our respected Majesty to indefinitely seal off the Hall of Meredith? Such a pity, I also intend to visit to the Hall next week to see the paintings of late Master Colvin."

The nobleman next to him was relatively younger and slender. Having a leisurely compose, he naturally and comfortably grabbed the agarwood pipe in his hands and took a deep breath.

"Also, Gilbert rushed to the Hall of Meredith overnight and reported to his majesty about the gangs’ war in Undercity Districts." He let out a smoke ring and jauntily said.

"Really? Our dear Majesty ‘the King of Iron Fist’, when did he care about the lives and deaths of those commoners in Undercity Districts? If only he has half the love and kindness of late king Eddie for the people --" The obese old nobleman groaned painfully as he rubbed his thigh – the front hoof of that disobedient horse.

"- So why do we meet at the horse ranch?"

"The royal faction is definitely planning something, I can guarantee that it will never be only trivial matter – it maybe a move that can turn the table with one swipe." The young nobleman who smoked pipe had his eyes filled with witty lights.

"Seem like the Hall of Meredith is really a good place to lose confidential royal treasure - I hope that it is not the painting of Master Colvin – They must have raised the alert." The old nobleman suddenly spoke a sentence that came out of nowhere.

But the young nobleman understood the hidden meaning and nodded: "And I have news that Gilbert was ordered to find out the truth of this thievery case. Recently, he will frequently investigate the Hall of Meredith – If that man is there, even the white eagle cannot handle this."

"We can test them, but don’t overdo it - we will use other methods to disrupt their stances."

The young nobleman inhaled another mouthful of Fisorah tobacco, which only has 600 pounds of them produced each year, indulged for a moment, then let out a perfect smoke ring.

"Exeter envoy will arrive in our country next month." At this time, the old nobleman showed a sincere concern. "Alas, the peace between Stella and Exeter is hard to come by."

"Yeah," compared to his predecessors, the young nobleman was still lacking impatient, clear sharpness and temperaments could be seen from him: "If the envoy meets an accident in our country, presumably our Majesty will be very passive when facing both domestic and foreign pressure."

"If our Majesty cannot properly deal with them in time," the old nobleman looked at the distant horse finally letting the trainer climb on, he uttered a sigh of relief and drank a cup of tea, then said helplessly: "Alas, with this kind of hereditary monarchy, we are still a backward country after all."

Both of them were silent for a while.

The old nobleman moved his body and asked casually: "What happened in West Ring District?"

"Don't ask me, my old gentleman, you know that I hate those magi the most."

"Well, let’s talk about the Black Street Brotherhood then?"

"Those fellows still not give up," the expression of the young nobleman suddenly became unhappy. "Only ten years and they already have such an attitude. The faith they put in their backers must be much greater than the faith they put in us 'new stars’, I presume."

"Don't underestimate young people."

The old man grinned helplessly, yet his eyes were shrewd and sharp:

"When children manage to scare adults – that is something I call terrifying."

—————————————————

Compared to the glimpse from last night and the dawn, the Hall of Meredith that Thales saw in the afternoon was even larger and more beautiful.

Of course, it was also emptier.

On the first floor are the main saloon, grand ballroom and outdoor garden, equipped with a fairly large kitchen and basement stockpile, and even storage for military equipment.

In addition to the open-air balcony that offers an unobstructed view of the outdoor garden (“For your safety considerations, I don’t recommend that you appear on the balcony or outside in a month.” – Gilbert), such an enormous second floor has three large rooms, each with different functions: aristocratic ballroom, conference room, recreation room, and various other rooms of all sizes.

Although from the first floor to the second floor, the corridors and every single entrances and exits were full of imposing armored guards standing still in accordance with the rule of “ten steps - one sentry”, while their faces were hidden behind helmets and everyone were as intimidating as some huge sculptures ("Although they are house Brightstar’s private Termination swordsmen, but I still do not recommend you to poke their abdomen, my little gentleman." - Gilbert), but looking from afar, the Hall of Meredith is still terrifyingly cold and empty.

But Thales’ living room and bedroom, including his dining room and study room, are on the third floor. From the second floor to the third floor, there is only one narrow staircase that is passable, and eight Termination swordsmen were fully armed and concentrating on guarding it 24 hours a day with six hours shift. As for the windows and the rooftop of the Hall, Thales heard that there were also guards and outdoor sentries ("With Joel here, please don't worry about any threat from the window." - Gilbert)

Every dish, from broccoli, bread, beef, to clean water, was taken from the same tightly secured kitchen and the well-prepared underground storage ("Please forgive me, I can't guarantee their freshness." - Gilbert), from cooking to food delivery, it had undergone strict procedures for poison removing, poison searching and poison testing.

This is really an unimaginable security measure.

It seems that I am much more important than I thought.

So it’s just like they said, this is the power of the ruling class huh.

I don't know if I can sneak in with Yara's skill? What if I’m a magus?

Sighed and frowned, Thales bit the last bite of the sweet and greasy butter bread, then quickly took the cup and drank a gulp of black tea.

At least the food is much better.

"If you are satisfied with the afternoon tea," With impeccable etiquette, Gilbert took the teacup from the flustered hands of Thales and humbly bowed: "We are going to start the afternoon course."

In fact, when Gilbert was maintaining a constant smile, he silently said in his mind: Maybe we should start from table manners?

"And Joel? Where is he?"

"As a competent bodyguard, he is always watching in the vicinity."

Thales pressed down the instinctive idea of looking around.

After knowing that Joel was nearby, he inexplicably felt a lot more relieved.

Thales then pulled the uncomfortably tightened bow on his chest for a bit, and under the slightly frowned eyebrows of Gilbert, he followed the latter into the study room.

"First, Thales, as I talked to Joel last night."

Gilbert watched as Thales stuffed himself into a leather chair, curiously looking at the decor around the study room, especially the full collection of books on three sides.

"You are a special child. I have been able to see it from Joel’s judgment and just a few hours since I met you."

Here it goes.

Thales still maintained a curious expression, but his mind was wary.

"But as matter of course, the heir of Stella is naturally special." Gilbert folded his hands slightly and walked slowly to the study desk engraved with the nine-pointed star crest.

His ash gray sideburns appeared solemn and respectful at this moment.

"I believe that since destiny has sent you back to Stella, she must have her own arrangements."

Thales looked at the middle-aged nobleman and didn’t say a word.

"I have a general idea about what you have gone through. Obviously the days on street are bound to be uncomfortable."

"But please forget this passed past."

Gilbert picked up from the black agarwood desk a note he had prepared, then turned and solemnly said:

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

Gilbert's shining and expressive gaze pointed directly toward Thales' gray pupils.

Forget the past.

Thales silently said to himself.

He looked at Gilbert's sharp eyes and also nodded with a solemn expression.

How can it be.

Thales smiled in his heart.

"I understand. So," Thales considered his own words and slowly said:

"Now, I need to know at least something about myself and my past?"

Gilbert’s expression didn’t changed, but his slightly nodded in his mind: panic, fear, helplessness, all the emotions that a seven-year-old should have had in this moment did not appear in this child.

Only calm and cautious, even excitement is very minimum.

He really is not ordinary.

Is it the experience in the Brotherhood? Joel refused to elaborate further, still, that assassin highly praised the performance of this child, but can the criminal gang in Undercity Districts really have this kind of experience?

Or should I say, passing down since the ancient empire, the Stella royal bloodline that lasted almost three thousand years really has something extraordinary in it?

Or maybe, it’s the other half of him...

Thinking of this, Gilbert’s eyebrows frowned for a tiny bit.

But this competent nobleman still bowed slightly.

"Thales, my honored little gentleman, please allow me to call you this for the time being."

"You are 7 years old this year, on the evening of July 25, 665, you were born in the Mann Manor on the outskirts of Eternal Star, the capital of Stella Kingdom." Gilbert said:

"Your mother is a noble lady who is incapable of revealing her name. She died of bleeding when you were born. Before her death, she named you Thales, in the name of a star."

Thales frowned slightly.

"You grew up at the Mann Manor under the secret care of house Brightstar. I would visit you from time to time with another court lady."

"During this period, you have been growing up with the identity as a child adopted by Lord Mann when he was outside hunting, and you did not know your real identity."

"In December last year, Lord Mann died when fighting in the western desert border. Because there is no heir, his property and territory were taken back by the Royal Family. At the same time, I escorted you back to the Hall of Meredith in the Evening Star District."

Thales was silent and listened to this narrative.

"And next month," Gilbert squeezed the note in his hand. "You will be the illegitimate son of King Kaiser the Fifth, the only remaining bloodline’s descendant of Stella Royal Family and House Brightstar. You will claim that you have the birthright to be recognized by the royal family, the Sunset Temple, the Upper House of Stella Senate as --"

The look in Gilbert's eyes was dignified and serious, with slight worries and sorrow.

"--the heir to the High King of Stella."

After a long time, Thales uttered a small breath.

It seems to be much more complicated than I imagined.

"Although some places are still unclear, but I will keep in mind that I used to be Thales of Mann Manor and the adopted son of Lord Mann." Thales flashed his eyes and put up his hands.

His mind rapidly arranged and combined the existing information from Gilbert's speech which would be used as excuses, then composing the elements to become effective intelligence.

Gilbert nodded and sat down on a leather chair opposite to Thales.

"About the rest, I will sum up the precise details so you can memorize them."

"At the moment this is your mission, knowing this much is enough for you."

As expected, although he respects me very much.

But in his mind, he still feels that there is no need to talk too much to a seven-year-old.

Thales's eyes flashed.

"Next I need to know your relevant basic -"

Just as Gilbert thought about what course he should offer to Thales in the next step, whether it was basic etiquette or language, the future heir of Stella suddenly opened his mouth and interrupted him.

"So, we have set a unified excuse of my existence for the public," said Thales, from curling up in the leather chair, he lifted his chin by his hands. His eyes were flashing with radiance: "It should be the time to tell me the truth right?"

Gilbert looked a bit astonished.

"For example, the identity of my biological mother, and why it is so – incapable of revealing."

"There is also the difficult state that Stella Kingdom is in, especially the series of problems caused by the inheritance of the royal family."

"Plus the king’s predicament. Who are our common enemies and allies, who are out in the light or hiding in the dark?"

"You should tell me all of the above in precise details so that I will no longer have doubts in the upcoming course. And also, it can help me choose and focus on the knowledge I want to learn. I think, for Stella and for your king, this is the best choice."

The voice went down.

The middle-aged nobleman slightly lowered his chin and looked back at Thales in surprise.

Did Joel say this to him?

No, it is impossible.

Thales put back his hands, his expression was calm and indifferent, but he waited steadily for Gilbert's answer.

At that moment, Gilbert felt as if he had seen the young Kaiser Eddie Brightstar.

Back then, the stars in the eyes of Prince Kaiser still remained, and its warm light had not yet turned into the bone-chilling northern wind.

Gilbert was only slightly lost in thought for a moment. He immediately recovered his attention and uttered a sigh.

An extraordinary child huh?

After that moment, the middle-aged nobleman began to genuinely and orderly, as well as respectfully and courteously answer this little master of him:

"I understand."

"I will answer you right away."

"In order to save the little time we have, if you still have any questions, you can ask them together."

Thales frowned slightly.

“Very well,” he said, standing up from the comfortable leather chair that he was still not accustomed. “Then I will be direct.”

The transmigrator let go of the abnormal though processing in his brain, pulled out all the intelligence and information, and just like when he adjusted his literature works in the past, he focused on the key points.

"You said that the Lamp of Blood is a divine miracle that was laid out 12 years ago, but I am only 7 years old. Why did you already start preparing for the method to search for bloodline’s descendants 12 years ago? I think this probably has something to do with my unidentified mother, who is she really? After she gave birth to me seven years ago, why did I stay in the hands of a criminal gang? These questions can be attributed to 'where did I come from?'"

"And moreover, King Kaiser - my father is still in his prime, what is the reason why Stella Kingdom still has no heirs in twelve years? Why do all the hopes for an heir fall on an illegitimate child of unknown origin? The attitude my father has against me doesn’t seem right. If it is not his personality problem, then I must ask: What is the essential relationship between him and my mother? Why is my identity so confidential? These questions are probably 'Who am I?'

"Finally, what is the real meaning of my existence or nonexistence to Stella Kingdom? What kind of problems a Stella without heirs will face? Who are our enemies and who are our allies? Listening to your statement, the Sunset Temple plays an important role in my affair. What is their situation? If my identity is legitimated, perhaps barely get to the public of this kingdom, what will be the situation then? As an illegitimate child, what is my right? As an heir, what will I inherit in the end? To sum it up, 'Where am I going?'

"Where did I come from, who am I, where am I going."

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

Time seemed to be stopped at this moment.

Gilbert stared at the boy in front of him with intent gaze.

Without any particular reason, his heart was full of bizarreness and fear.

My last prince of the ancient empire, my late kings of Stella.

He exclaimed in the bottom of his heart.

This boy is your descendant?

What kind of power lies within your blood!

For a long while, words finally came out of the middle-aged nobleman’s mouth.

"Mister Thales," Still having a little difficult when uttering a sigh, he organized his own language:

"You really don’t resemble a seven-years-old child."

Thales immediately realized that what he had displayed just now didn’t appear to be very normal.

But he had already ridden the tiger.

Fine, it’s better to be an all knowing genius than an ignorant and confused puppet right?

"Well, this is something that more than one person has said to me. If you want to please me, you have to change your statement to be more creative, Mr. Gilbert." In order to ease Gilbert’s expression, Thales made a rare humorous gesture and a blooming smile on his face.

Gilbert didn't answer, only looked at him deeply as his eyes never moved from the boy.

Just when Thales suspected that the time had really stopped, the petrified middle-aged nobleman suddenly opened his mouth and began to answer his doubts.

"My honored gentleman Thales, first of all, where did you come from?"

"Everything started 12 years ago."

"In March of 660, even though King Eddie the Second was old, he still reigned as his rule was long and stable. The people called him "the long reign King."

"But suddenly, the entire Stella kingdom, because of a more and more intensified rebellion, has fallen into an unprecedented turmoil and even implicated the whole Western Continent."

"War, catastrophe, famine, those are the themes of that year."

“Many people call that year the 'Year of Scarlet.'”

"In such chaos and bloodshed, King Eddie was murdered, and the entire Brightstar royal family was massacred with almost no one left alive."

"Of all legitimate members of the royal family, only his fifth son, the 35-years-old Prince Kaiser Brightstar, was fortunate enough to survive and eventually crowned in the royal ceremony."

"That is your father, Kaiser the Fifth, who is also known as the 'King of Iron Fist.'"

End of chapter III

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Translator’s note:

About the name of this chapter, it actually has a lot of meaning and foreshadowing

- A scarlet Star is a star with the bright red color, or you could say, the color of blood. It’s commonly considered a bad omen as the sign of disaster and bloodshed.
- Since Star is also Stella, the title could be “Scarlet Stella” meaning “Bloody Stella”, implying the events happened 12 years ago, which include a bloody rebellion and all that disasters.
- The royal family of Stella is house BrightSTAR, so the title could also point to the massacre of the members of the royal bloodline 12 years ago.