"Master of Mountains?"
Thales was stunned. "How come I've never heard of it?"
"Because this god does not have a representative in the human world, it does not have a temple or a church," Putray explained with a chuckle. "There are even very few credible records of the Manifestation of Divinity. It only exists in the stories and legends that are passed down by the people. And for the travelers in the wilderness, worshipping the Lord of the Mountains is more of a kind of safety and peace of mind when traveling far away. The gifts from the mountains are more like a ritual to help the travelers overcome the harsh cold. "
"Passed down by word of mouth?"
"During the era of the Ancient Empire, the Master of Mountains was once the common belief of all humans. Not only us Northlanders, but also you — the Rudollians who built the empire at the center of the world, the Kalunzarians of the Southwestern Land of Thorns and Dragon-Kissed Land, the Barren Bone people of the Great Desert, the Neda 'robbers' of the Near East, the Kisseri who graze on the eastern plains, the dark-skinned Red Earthlings in the extreme south, and the Kassai who roam the islands. Other than the Far Easterners, almost all humans know and acknowledge the existence of the Master of Mountains."
The old Kaslan drank a mouthful of ale and said with emotion behind the bar counter, "But now, even in Northland, this simple belief can still be seen in the simple and honest countryside … The name of the Master of Mountains has disappeared, just like countless precious Northland traditions. All that is left are the great temples wrapped in power and money."
"The Rudollians and the Northlanders?" Thales curiously lowered his head and nibbled on the next piece of bread. "I remember the title of the Supreme King of Constellation …"
"Yes, we all know," Archduke Lampard's strategist, Viscount Kentvida said with a mocking laugh, "'The common ruler of the Rudollians and the Northlanders of the Western Peninsula'. But I sincerely suggest that you omit the latter part in Eckstedt. The Northlanders have never acknowledged your rule over us. "
"As far as I know," Putray retorted sharply, "Two-thirds of the Northland Province during the era of the Ancient Empire was in Eckstedt, while the remaining one-third was in the Northern Territory of Constellation. Those Constellatiates also called themselves Northlanders and acknowledged the Supreme King's rule over them."
"This is where the problem lies." Viscount Kentvida tapped the bar counter thoughtfully. "Northland has always belonged to Northlanders. Why should it belong to Constellation? Why should it belong to the rule of a Rudollian king?"
Thales suddenly understood. 'Northland' referred to the Northland Province during the era of the Ancient Empire a thousand years ago. It was a geographical concept, and 'Northlanders' referred to the human race that existed before the Empire was built. They lived on this land. As for 'Eckstedt', it was a country that was built after the Battle of Eradication. The weight it carried was far less than 'Northland', let alone 'Northlanders'.
Just like how Constellation was a country that only existed after the Battle of Eradication, the humans who lived in Constellation were known as the 'Rudollians' thousands of years ago. By the looks of it, they seemed to be the main race of the Ancient Empire.
Today, Northlanders and Rudollians had long since mixed together in Eckstedt's Black Sand Region and Constellation's Northern Territory.
Thales lowered his head and inadvertently saw the wheat residue that had settled in the wine cup. He suddenly remembered the Sunset Pub in the underground street of Lower City District of Eternal Star City, the careless female bartender Jala, the fierce-looking fat chef Edmund, and the owner of the pub who only showed up once or twice.
"Why? Because of history, "Putray said flatly," Today, whether it's Black Sand Region or the Northern Territory, the Rudollians and Northlanders have lived together for many years. There is no longer any distinction between them. "
"Hmph, that's the land and people you snatched from Northland," Kentvida retorted. "For example, Cold Castle four hundred years ago, and the Lonely Old Tower two hundred years ago. Your Northern Territory is our Southern Land!"
As the owner of the pub, Kaslan listened to the argument between Kentvida and Putray, he could not help but let out a loud laugh that no one else could understand.
Thales felt a chill in his heart. 'So this is how Eckstedtians think?'
He thought of the soldiers' attitude and behavior towards them when they first entered Lampard's camp. He immediately understood.
'Constellation wants to protect its northern territory, while Eckstedt wants to recover the Northlanders' territory.
'Both sides are fighting for justice. How ironic.
'These are all voices I can't hear in Constellation, right?'
When Putray said this, he chuckled softly. "If you really want to say that 'Northland only belongs to Northlanders', the Arunde Family of Constellation's Northern Territory used to manage the entire Northland Province for the Emperor, and they were a dukedom family for as long as a thousand years …"
"Hmph, Constellatiates are pointless proud." Viscount Kentvida snorted coldly and said, "In the end, all of you still want to go back to the Ancient Empire that perished a long time ago, don't you? Are you still reminiscing about the supreme authority and glory of the Pegasus Throne, the emperors who could make the entire world tremble with just a wave of their sleeves, and the era where the map of the country could be spread from one end of the room to the other?
"The Empire is undoubtedly the most precious legacy in human history, the most glorious page, and the most powerful existence." Putray answered coldly, "Even though it no longer exists, its glory has been passed down to this day and has never faded."
"Ha! I almost forgot! " Kentvida raised his hands and laughed mockingly at Thales. "'As long as Constellation exists, the Empire will last forever', right? Your Highness? "
Thales shrugged and responded to him with a smile.
"Don't make fun of the royal family," Putray said coldly. "His bloodline once stood at the top of the world and witnessed the rise and fall of mankind."
"Bloodline?" Kentvida snorted with a nasal voice.
"Northlanders do not believe in bloodlines. A hero who can shoulder the burden of the country and its people will naturally become a king." The next moment, the Viscount of Eckstedt narrowed his eyes and said sternly, "And listen carefully, Your Highness. The Empire ruled by the so-called Imperial Family that you were born in has only left the world a nightmare of chaos!"
"Uh, thank you for your reminder." Thales scratched his head awkwardly and laughed dryly. "What a novel point of view."
"Novel?" Kentvida stared at him and said flatly, "Have you heard of Quiso Lampard's story? Your Highness? "
"Quiso Lampard? The ancestor of the Lampard Family? The King of Rebellion? "Thales answered excitedly.
"You don't need to hear it from the subordinate of an archduke —" Putray was about to speak, but he noticed that Thales had raised his hand with great interest and stopped him from speaking.
"Please continue, Viscount Kentvida," Thales said with a smile. "I am very interested in all knowledge."
Putray and Kentvida glanced at Thales in surprise.
"Do you know Archduke Trentida of Reformation Tower? He is one of the ten archdukes of Eckstedt. "Kentvida pondered for a while and said quietly," Reformation Tower is adjacent to your Lonely Old Tower. It is ruled by the Trentida Family, a famous family of knights in Northland's history. Their family emblem is a radiant blade. "
"I don't know much about it. Sorry, I am only seven years old." Thales shook his head awkwardly. "But I am very willing to listen to your explanation. What about the Trentida Family? What does it have to do with Quiso Lampard? "
"It has nothing to do with the Trentida Family. It is their territory, Reformation Tower and its surroundings." Kentvida sighed and said, "That is the easternmost part of Northland. It is also one of the entrances to the Sighing Mountains. During the era of the Ancient Empire before the peninsula was split apart, Reformation Tower was once synonymous with barbarism and chaos. Do you know how Reformation Tower got its name?"
Thales shook his head cooperatively.
"It was once the Ancient Empire's penal prison and execution ground. Those who went there needed to be 'recreated'." Kentvida shook his head and said, "Reformation Tower … Unfortunately, most of the prisoners inside did not come out alive and their lives were recreated."
Thales nodded as if he was deep in thought.
"And during the Ancient Empire, there was a famous person imprisoned there — Quiso Lampard."
Thales frowned slightly.
'Quiso Lampard.'
He knew this person.
At least, he was mentioned in the world history that Gilbert made up for him. Quiso Lampard, Northland's' King of Rebellion '.
He was the man who started the first civil strife in the Ancient Empire.
However, in the books, he was a forest bandit who roamed the Northland Pine Forest. During a robbery, he accidentally killed an official official of the Empire, so he was captured by the Empire. His accomplices attacked the execution ground and rescued him.
The desperate Quiso knew that he could not escape the Empire's pursuit forever, so he decided to go all out. Taking advantage of the Northlanders' dissatisfaction with Duke Arunde's harsh governance, he spread rumors to divide Northland, stirring up a storm of chaos in Northland, and completely embarked on the path of rebellion against the Empire. In the end, his rebellion was easily extinguished by the Empire's army at Lonely Old Peak.
However, the Empire's first civil strife also broke out because of this, and it became more and more intense.
However, today, Kentvida told him a completely different story.
Kentvida said faintly, "It is said that the Lampard Family is the descendant of Takmu, the First King of the North, during the uncivilized era before the orcs invaded.
"More than one thousand and five hundred years ago, Quiso Lampard was just an ordinary lumberjack in the Northland Province of the Ancient Empire. However, he was highly skilled, forthright, and righteous. He helped the poor and the weak. He was very famous in the area. Even the Northland Province's duke family, Arunde, knew of him.
"That was the so-called Empire's most glorious era. The elves compromised with the Empire, the dwarves became craftsmen, the orcs fled to the glaciers, the dragons went extinct, and only the Far East remained unconquered.
"Therefore, when the Empire's campaign to conquer the Far East was in full swing, Quiso was enlisted into the army. With the glory and pride of fighting for the Empire in his heart, he gladly went to the battlefield. He fought bravely and was good at fighting. Due to his prestige in the hearts of the Northlanders, he was promoted all the way until the Empire conferred him the title of count and appointed him as the general of the Northland Army."
Thales' heart trembled.
This story was completely different from the one he had in mind.
"With the hard work of Quiso and the other armies, the Far Easterners retreated in defeat and were trapped in their isolated city. Only the Qilin Holy Capital, which was about to fall, was left with no soldiers and food supplies. The Empire's magnificent feat of unifying the world was about to be realized.
"The Emperor's desires became more and more excessive. His demands were endless. He never stopped conscripting laborers, and the amount of taxes increased. The Northland Province, as the best source of soldiers, was the first to bear the brunt of it.
"The Northlanders could not take it anymore. They began to resist taxes, escape from labor, and chase away the Emperor's tax collectors. They began to face the Empire's authority with anger and curses instead of enthusiasm and obedience.
"Therefore, Duke Arunde, the Emperor's servants, could no longer collect enough taxes and labor. There were even frequent cases of tax resistance. "The Empire's servants came up with a solution: they found the most famous person in Northland — the Northland Army's commander, Quiso, who was on his army's rotation break and had returned home to recuperate.
Kaslan sighed. Putray was silent.
Kentvida continued to speak.
"They persuaded Quiso to become their colleague and go with them to demand the payment of taxes and labor, but Quiso did not agree. They then persuaded Quiso to make an announcement to convince the Northlanders to submit to the Empire, but Quiso did not agree. They then used the Empire's name and ordered the Empire's general to help them find the Northland rebels, but Quiso did not agree either.
"Quiso said this: 'I am loyal to the Empire, but I am a Northlander.'
"In the end, the Emperor found out about this.
"The Emperor sent an edict. There were only two words on it." Kentvida's gaze became extremely cold.
He said flatly, "'Choose one.'"
Thales felt a chill run down his spine.
'Choose one.'
"The next thing the Northlanders knew was that Quiso was exiled to Reformation Tower until he proved his loyalty to the Empire again. The Emperor could not tolerate his general failing to do so.
"But for a whole year, Quiso did not relent. At the same time, the Northlanders who heard the news became even more resentful.
"In the end, the Emperor, who heard the complaints of the Northlanders, was fed up with Quiso's stubbornness and decided to make an example out of him. He used punishment and fear to intimidate the Northlanders and reassert the Empire's dignity.
"Hence, Quiso Lampard was escorted to the execution ground.
"There, he watched helplessly as his son was beheaded, his wife was hanged, his daughter was hanged, and his friends were whipped to death. Finally, when it was Quiso's turn, the furious Northlanders and Quiso's subordinates broke through Reformation Tower together. They fought their way into the execution ground, killed the Empire's soldiers, and rescued Quiso.
"When the news spread, the entire Northland was shocked. The people picked up their weapons again, put on their armor, and gathered around the dying Quiso. But this time, they did not serve the Empire, but to rebel against the Empire.
"Of course you know the story after that …"
Thales savored the story. It was too different from what was written in the books in Constellation.
"Yes," Thales said quietly as he pondered, "The King of Rebellion fought to the end, and his last three hundred men …"
But at the end of the story, Kentvida still surprised Thales.
"There's only one difference," Kentvida interrupted him, his eyes sparkling. "There's no such thing as' fighting to the end '."
Thales was stunned.
"Quiso had no intention of fighting at all. He dismissed most of the Revolutionary Army, and only led the last three hundred men who refused to leave and launched a final charge against the Three Great Armies from the side of Lonely Old Peak.
"This is more like a complaint against the Emperor, not a rebellion against the Empire he was loyal to all his life, isn't it?
"After he died, every Northlander lit candles in every household and honored him as king according to the ancient rites of the Age of Kings.
"This is the story of the King of Rebellion … Many Eckstedtians are familiar with it.
"Do you understand now, Emperor's descendant?" Kentvida said flatly, "What the Empire left for Northland?"
Kaslan watched Thales' reaction with interest.
Fortunately, the others were sitting at a round table some distance away from them. Otherwise, Thales reckoned that there would soon be another tavern brawl between Constellatiates and Eckstedtians.
"A story that has been meticulously embellished." Putray snorted and laughed. "I'm curious, though. How did you know the Emperor's edict so clearly? Are you sure that you didn't miss a single word?"
"Go ahead and be sarcastic, Citizen of the Empire. Anyway, your mind is only filled with the glory of the Empire." Kentvida's gaze was filled with disgust.
He continued, "What did the Empire give the world? Endless military conquests, unreasonable and harsh taxes, greedy and corrupt high-ranking officials of the Empire, cruel and oppressive rule by the ignorant people, ugly and dark religious oppression … Do you know that primitive beliefs like the Master of Mountains, the Maiden of the Sea, the Father of the Grasslands, and so on disappeared under the Ancient Empire's ban and the conspiracy of the Emperor and Bright God Church?
"And the Temple of Knights in the North that was forcefully demolished by the Emperor a thousand years ago … That was the cradle and sacred land of the knights, the legendary place where humans fought against the ancient orcs together in Northland!"
"Citizen of the Empire." Kentvida took a sip of wine and sneered. "Stop lying in the glory of the past and wallowing in it. You have no idea how ugly your positions are."
"Continue to hold onto that thought, but history cannot be changed. Even now," Putray said in disdain, "I only see your carriages running on the roads built by the Empire. Your currency is minted according to the gold, silver, and copper standards set by the Empire. No matter how many languages you speak, your northern accents and habits are still derived from the ancient and common language of the Empire. Your armies follow the Empire's system of regiments, brigades, guards, and squads. Your nobles follow the Empire's system of dukes, earls, viscounts, barons, and lords. Your paintings, poems, and music all draw nourishment from the glory of the Empire … Without the Empire, I'm afraid that Northland would still be a piece of scattered sand, backward, and barbaric land!"
"What can that prove?" Kentvida interrupted him rudely. "If we call the things that the Empire imposed on us with violence a gift and feel complacent about it …"
"Imposed?" Putray seemed to be enraged as well. "The knights of the Northland kings joined the Great Emperor Camelot Carrother almost at the same time as the Chauvinistic King's army. You are the Great Emperor's earliest supporters, the most active swords and blades when he built the Empire!"
"Very well," Kentvida said coldly. "Now, we, the children of the Northern Wind and the Dragon, no longer need that evil Empire. We are self-reliant. Please put away your pride in the Empire, citizens of the Empire."
"I have seen a lot of Northern Wind," Putray said flatly. "As for the Dragon, if you are referring to the one embroidered on Eckstedt's flag, hmm, the material is not bad."
"The significance of the Dragon on Eckstedt's flag does not lie in whether it exists or not. After all, we do not rely on a legendary beast to protect this country," Kentvida said solemnly.
"But it represents the beliefs and temperament when Eckstedt was founded. That is the revelation that Raikaru, the Northland hero, left to us during the Battle of Eradication. Strength, patience, strength, tenacity, pride, persistence, and …" Kentvida glanced at the people from Constellation, then picked up his wine cup and took a big gulp. With a rather profound smile, he said, "Never surrender … even if it is a colossus like the Empire.
"And what is left of all of you?" Kentvida sneered and said, "Constellation is just an antique. There is no meaning to its existence at all. The reason for its existence is only to testify to a piece of past history, to summon the soul of a country that has perished for a long time."
Putray was about to answer, but he heard Thales heave a long sigh at that moment.
"Do you know?"
Kentvida and Putray turned to the Second Prince of Constellation at the same time.
"Be it Putray or Viscount Kentvida," Thales sighed deeply and said, "Even though one of you is a Constellatiate, and the other is an Eckstedtian, in your unpleasant encounter, I found the two biggest similarities between the two of you."
Putray and Kentvida were stunned at the same time.
"So, what are they?"
The one who spoke was the owner of the tavern, Kaslan, who had been watching the show from the side. He tapped his chin with great interest and asked Thales, "Similarities?"
Thales raised his eyebrows and shrugged.
"When the two of you meet each other, even if you speak from your own standpoint, your minds will only be filled with the same thing.
"The most unoriginal thing."
Putray revealed a puzzled expression, while Kentvida frowned slightly.
"The Empire."
Thales said softly.
He took the last bite of the bread.
Putray and Kentvida were stunned at the same time.
"Hahahaha …" Kaslan clapped and laughed loudly. "What an interesting conclusion. What about the second similarity?"
"The second, hmm." Thales bit into the black bread and mumbled, "Even though the two of them talked so much about the Empire …
"But in truth, none of them have actually seen the Empire with their own eyes, whether it was the Final Empire six hundred years ago or the Ancient Empire more than a thousand years ago."
Kaslan's laughter grew louder.
Putray and Kentvida's faces darkened at the same time.
"Well said! The Second Prince of Constellation! " Kaslan slammed the table in extreme joy and laughed loudly as he looked at Thales. "They have never seen the Empire!"
"Thank you for your support." Thales shrugged. "On one hand, it shows that the Empire's influence is indeed far-reaching. On the other hand …"
He stared at the two quarreling men in resignation. "Both of you are arguing with each other's imaginations … Really?"
Putray and Kentvida turned their heads at the same time and no longer looked at each other.
"Get over it, boys."
The old Kaslan shook his head. "Who else remembers ancient legends, glorious past, lost history, and sacred traditions, other than the nobles who boast about their families and the stinky scholars? But this thing … "He pointed outside the door.
"The gifts from the mountains can prevent the young lads from freezing and starving to death when they go out in the cold winter … That's enough. It's useful to people, so it has its own meaning of existence. The Master of Mountains has not disappeared. It has always lived in the cracks of every Day before the Bitter Cold, and lives in the gratitude of travelers who pluck food from the trees.
"As for the Dragon and the Empire …" Kaslan sneered. "It's the same principle."
Putray and Kentvida did not speak anymore, but their expressions were unpleasant.
Thales flashed a bright smile.
* Bang! * Kaslan slammed a wine glass with a different color on the bar counter and pushed it in front of Thales.
"High-quality rye wine, specially provided by Hero Tavern!" Under Thales' astonished gaze, the old man said casually, "My old comrade in Prestige Orchid Region provided it with rye. There's a daily limit.
"It's not for the crude stuff they drink … This is for what you just said!"
Thales widened his eyes. He looked at the white-haired old man, then lowered his head to look at the wine in the glass.
"Don't hesitate, boy! Drink it up! " Kaslan showed off his powerful and vigorous right arm muscles, which did not show any signs of aging. "The standard to judge a good warrior is, firstly, whether he can swing his axe with enough strength, and secondly, whether he can drink to his heart's content!"
"Uh … I'm only seven years old …" Thales stared at the wine glass that was the size of his head. He widened his eyes and said awkwardly, "You know, kids can't drink. It's not good for their bodies …"
"That's nonsense!" Kaslan gave Thales a thumbs-up with his yellow teeth. He then slapped Thales' shoulder, causing him to stagger. "Only seven years old can drink!"
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