When Thales finally stepped into Dragon Clouds City, the first thing that attracted his attention was not the ancient city's crude and bold architectural style.
In fact, unlike Eternal Star City, which relied on the city district and city walls to build its buildings, Dragon Clouds City was built on a gentle slope of a mountain peak. The layout of the city was based on the mountain's topography, stretching all the way up, appearing natural and smooth.
Similar to his experience in Lampard's military camp, what left a deep impression on Thales was the Eckstedtian citizens of Dragon Clouds City who fought to surround the city gate to watch the Prince of Constellation.
"The Prince of an Empire!" A rough shout rose from the crowd, immediately triggering a noisy and chaotic response.
According to Putray, this place should be filled with citizens who were busy preparing for the winter, preparing to enter the city for their last exchange, sale, and purchase goods.
But he just happened to be here.
Thales could only lower his head and sigh.
It had been a long time since he was so 'popular'.
Although the citizens' emotions were much better than the soldiers', and the people of Dragon Clouds City did not hate Constellation as much as Black Sand Region, the news of the heir of Dragon Clouds City being assassinated in Constellation had obviously spread.
This caused Thales and the others to suffer from another round of discussions, abuse, and even rubbish flying towards them. The Eckstedtians were much more 'passionate' than the Constellatiates.
"If that king has the guts, then don't send …" An angry voice rose from the crowd. Thales could not see it clearly. Before he could hear the second half of the voice, he was hurriedly escorted away by his attendants.
He could only vaguely hear the words' let that coward come himself ', as well as countless responses of praise and rebuttal, rising from behind him.
"Maintain order! Separate the crowd! We need to get to Heroic Spirit Palace as soon as possible! " Nicholas reprimanded his subordinates and soldiers without holding back. "You know what to do with those who barge into the city without permission!"
Fortunately, the White Blade Guards and the soldiers of Dragon Clouds City separated the crowd, or else the Prince of Constellation would have fled into Dragon Clouds City pathetically.
Although it was not much different now.
Thales looked at Wya and Ralf, who looked as if they were facing a great enemy. He sighed helplessly on his horse. "Their unhappy expressions make it seem as if I killed their prince."
"Put yourself in my shoes and think about it. If you died in Northland today, and Eckstedt sent someone to Eternal Star City to apologize tomorrow … I think I would probably have a displeased expression on my face as well." Putray spoke loudly in the noisy environment.
The latter did not seem to care about the prophecy he had just made for the prince.
"Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Deputy." "If you lose your job in the future, I suggest that you try your luck in Western Desert. Duke Fakenhaz should be able to get along well with you."
"The head of the Four-Eyed Skull, that 'Unwelcome' Guardian Duke of the Western Desert?" Putray snorted. "Thank you for your recommendation."
Thales could only snort coldly.
But both of them knew that the true test was far from here, not on these simple commoners.
"Are you ready? Citizens of the Empire? "Nicholas' voice came from the front. There was disdain in his voice." This will be very tiring. "
"What?" Thales raised his head in shock.
Soon, he knew why.
Dragon Clouds City was built according to the mountain's topography and slope. It was built in layers and spiraled upwards.
They had to climb all the way in the city, passing through layers of barriers that were separated by thick inner city gatehouses. There were seven or eight such inner city gatehouses between each region.
"I've heard about the structure of Dragon Clouds City." Wya gritted his teeth and observed his surroundings vigilantly. "It is said that this kind of inner city structure is easier to defend. Even if the enemy breaks through the main gate of Dragon Clouds City, the archers on the city walls and gates can turn around and attack the enemies who charge in. The warriors are able to block the waves of attacks from the enemy behind the gatehouses.
"And because of the slope, the invaders have to face the disadvantage of attacking from the back, which will consume a lot of energy.
"I dare say that this structure helped us a lot when we were surrounded by the Eastern Peninsula's army during the Third Peninsular War."
"In that case, this city is not much inferior to Broken Dragon Fortress." Thales helplessly looked at the panting horse as it sat down. The noisy onlookers outside the guards' separation line also made him frustrated. "The citizens have to climb all the way up just to take a walk, let alone the enemies who are attacking us.
"And the nobles now have an excuse and a reason to hide in the city and shiver in fear." Aida stepped on the stone bricks under her feet. Her figure was light, but she still snorted in dissatisfaction. "They let their people suffer outside the city."
"I think the first batch of people built this city purely for military purposes, but no one expected that it would one day become the capital of Eckstedt." Thales glanced at the passersby who stopped walking. "Don't the people who live here feel tired?"
"To a certain extent, this city also naturally repels merchants. This kind of structure is neither suitable for peddlers nor shops, whether it is for transporting goods or expanding business. Can you imagine the cost of transporting one load of firewood into the inner city as much as carrying three loads of firewood?" Marquis Shiles of Camus Union seemed to be used to this kind of road, but he still shook his head and clicked his tongue. "Of course, this is the time for us Camians to take the field."
"So, the higher up we go in the inner city, the more powerful and influential people can live there, right?" Thales sighed. "It's really a clear and easy to understand social stratification." Marquis Shiles of Camus Union seemed to be used to this kind of road.
"Compared to a few years ago, there shouldn't be any major changes. In fact, I suspect that there hasn't been any major changes in Dragon Clouds City over the past one hundred years." Putray introduced the place to them. On their way, they passed through quite a number of distinct areas: Shield District, which looked like a slum; Hammer District, which was where the commoners lived; Sword District, which was where the bazaar and square were located; Bow District, which had all sorts of miscellaneous items; Arrow District, which was where the temples and religious places gathered; Spear District, which was where the courts, prisons, and other departments were located; Armor District, which was where the workshops and shops gathered; Axe District, which was where the nobles lived; and so on.
"Why don't they just build another area and call it the 'Mystic Gun Area'?" Thales grumpily complained about the areas in the city that were all named after weapons.
"I think, when Raikaru renamed and renovated Dragon Clouds City, the Mystic Gun probably hadn't been invented yet," Putray answered nonchalantly.
"Then, when was the Mystic Gun invented?" Thales rolled his eyes. "Who invented it? Why was it named this way? "
"The Mystic Gun has been around for almost three hundred years. The other parts are easy to obtain." Putray seemed to know what he wanted to ask, but deliberately went against him. He smiled and said, "Only the core part is a strategic resource. As for its source … you will know sooner or later.
"As for the naming … no one knows."
Thales pursed his lips.
'Mystic Gun …
'Mystic.
'Mystic.
'Magic.'
He suppressed the doubts in his heart and tried hard to shift his attention to the matter at hand.
"Alright … the names that the Eckstedtians gave to the city are really lacking in imagination.
"If they don't have enough material to name the city, I have another suggestion." As he watched his steed climb arduously, even Thales could not help but feel a little tired. He exhaled deeply. "The legendary anti-mystic armed forces area."
Putray finally took out his pipe again and looked at Thales with a slightly profound gaze. He took a deep breath and calmly said the truth, "If you ask me, you have been chattering nonstop since just now. It's because of the situation that we're about to face …
"And you're nervous?"
Thales was immediately at a loss for words.
'Damn it.'
Under the gaze of the other people in the diplomat group, Thales shut his mouth in embarrassment.
They finally "climbed" out of the last section of the road in Axe District.
No matter where Thales went, the flag with the Double Cross-Shaped Stars on a sky-blue background, which was held by Genard, would always be the biggest target of all the onlookers. Along the way, there were crowds of people who came to watch him. The soldiers in charge of maintaining order in Dragon Clouds City were overwhelmed. The Northlanders' naturally loud voices and fiery personalities made the scene even more chaotic.
This gave Thales no chance to carefully observe the appearance of Dragon Clouds City. He was escorted by the White Blade Guards all the way to the highest point of the inner city. The gatehouse was closed, isolating the surging crowd outside.
Thales frowned and took a deep breath.
With Wya's help, he dismounted from his horse and stepped on the rough and solid black stone tiles of Northland. He slowly raised his head.
Before him was a palace.
'So, that's …' Thales thought in a daze.
"Allow me to bid you farewell here, my dear Prince Thales." Before he had the time to carefully observe the palace, Marquis Shiles of Camus Union came before him. He humbly lowered his head and said in a low voice, "You must be mentally prepared."
"According to the plan …"
The marquis of Camus Union chuckled.
"King Nuven might be a little … rough to you.
"Rough."
Thales smiled awkwardly. He then inhaled a deep breath of cold air and nodded.
'Rough?
'Of course.'
Thales secretly rolled his eyes in his heart.
'I've never been to this world.
'Has anyone ever been gentle to me?
I almost thought that this was a torturing novel, alright?
Marquis Shiles and Nicholas looked at each other. They then led Camus Union's men and left in another direction.
Just as Thales was about to raise his head and take a good look at the palace that might be Eckstedt's Royal Palace, the palace gate slowly opened.
A group of Northlanders, who were dressed rather elegantly and neatly but still fully armed, walked out of the palace gate in a single file.
Thales could not help but feel his heart tighten.
As expected, a loud and clear voice rang out from the group of people.
"In the name of the Common-Elected King of Eckstedt, King Nuven Walton the Seventh …"
"I am here under orders to welcome the foreign guests."
A man with a crew cut, a tough appearance, and a cold expression pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes as he scrutinized Thales for a few seconds.
"His Majesty is looking forward to your arrival."
"The Prince of Constellation."
Thales clenched his fists.
Here it comes.
Nicholas laughed heartily and went forward to hug the leader of the group.
"Have you completed your mission, my dear leader of the guards, my friend Nicholas?" the man asked softly, seemingly with a profound meaning.
"Of course," Nicholas also said with a hidden meaning in his words, "The Prince of Constellation we want is already here."
Thales furrowed his brows and watched the exchange between the two.
Then, the leader of the men with a crew cut came before Thales and bowed to him.
"Welcome to Eckstedt and its most brilliant pearl — Dragon Clouds City, Your Highness Thales from Constellation."
Thales remembered Gilbert's teachings and Putray's advice on the way. He immediately smiled and returned the greeting.
'He looks like a bureaucrat, but his physique …' Thales thought, 'is more like a warrior'.
'Or should I say, almost all Northland men look like warriors?'
"I am Lord Byrne Mirk." The Northland man with a crew cut was about forty or fifty years old. He was dressed in a thick robe and had a serious expression on his face. "Before I received my title, I was once a member of the White Blade Guards. Now, I am King Nuven's administrator. I will be responsible for your reception in Dragon Clouds City."
"Thank you for your reception, Lord Mirk." Thales nodded and confirmed his judgment in his heart.
"Allow me to introduce to you, as this is your first time here." Mirk turned around with a straight face and raised his hand at the towering palace behind him. "This is the residence of the suzerains in Northland since ancient times. From the shabby houses in the mountains during the era of kings, to the stone fortresses during the era of the Empire, to the majestic palaces today.
"For thousands of years, it has witnessed the history of Northland, the rise of Eckstedt, and the prosperity of the children of the North Wind and the Dragon."
Mirk said solemnly, "That's right.
"Heroic Spirit Palace."
'Heroic Spirit Palace?
The meaning of this name …
'Is it really suitable for a living suzerain to live in?'
Thales was startled. He then slowly raised his head.
It was a huge palace with a simple style but heavy colors. It had a grand layout and a rough design. It was built against the mountain. Even if he were to count the ground of the inner city where he was standing, it would still be eight or nine stories high. The building materials were quite unique as well. Huge wood, rough stones, animal skins, and metals were all present. Many parts of the palace were even crudely polished.
It was a typical Northland style: vigorous, powerful, bold, and wild.
In front of the huge palace gate stood ten pillars that were more than ten meters tall. They supported the lofty palace roof. The pillars were carved with the stories of Northland's past heroes. The style of the carvings was simple and bold.
The path from the inner city to the palace gate was lined with eight furnaces that were a few meters tall. Even in broad daylight, they were still burning fiercely. It was as if they were illuminating the small square in front of the palace gate all day long.
The area around him was filled with tall, fierce-looking White Blade Guards and Dragon Clouds City guards. Unlike Constellation's guards, who were orderly and strictly distributed, their positions seemed to be scattered, and they patrolled without any pattern. But after Aida's reminder, Thales was stunned to realize that they were 'lax on the outside but tight on the inside, and they did not leave any blind spots'.
Compared to Constellation's Renaissance Palace, which had a rather creative design and looked like half a pyramid, the palace of Dragon Clouds City looked more like a grand palace in a story, from the architectural style to the personnel inside.
The flag with a red dragon on a black background fluttered high above.
Below the national flag was another flag: a dragon spear that pierced out of the clouds. It was the emblem of the Walton clan, the Cloud Dragon Spear.
Red and black, coupled with the color of snow that naturally fell from the sky. In Thales' impression, there was no other palace that resembled a place where heroic spirits returned to.
Thales shook his head. 'Heroic Spirit Palace lives up to its name.
And the suzerains, archdukes, and kings who live here … '
At this moment, Thales' gaze was suddenly attracted by the top of the palace. He could not help but raise his head.
A stone bridge stretched out from the top of the palace and led to another mountain peak.
Thales' gaze froze.
It was that stone bridge.
The stone bridge that led to the Cliff of the Sky — the temporary imperial residence of the Queen of the Sky.
Only then did he notice that there was a huge statue erected at the starting point of the stone bridge. He could not see it clearly from afar, perhaps because of the limited field of vision.
It was a huge black stone statue of a male warrior.
The warrior on the statue was full of heroic spirit and awe-inspiring presence. He held a terrifyingly long spear in both hands, his armor was neat, his muscles were strong, and he looked majestic as he looked down at Heroic Spirit Palace.
'Presumably,' Thales thought, from that angle, he could have a panoramic view of the entire Dragon Clouds City.
Lord Mirk, who was in charge of the reception, was very patient. He waited quietly for the foreign prince until he noticed Thales' gaze.
"That is the stone bridge that leads to the Cliff of the Sky. There is a statue of Raikaru the First standing on it. It was built after Raikaru passed away more than six hundred years ago." Mirk raised his head and introduced seriously, "It was just renovated a week ago."
Thales' expression froze.
'That is …' He looked at the valiant man in the stone statue.
'The human hero of the Battle of Eradication …
'One of the people who defeated the calamities and the Mystics.
'The founder of Eckstedt and its first monarch.
'Raikaru Eckstedt?'
The warrior on the statue was covered in snow. His movement of holding the spear was full of strength, and there was a sense of tension and beauty.
'For more than six hundred years, Raikaru must have looked down at his people, his land, and his country with a resolute and deep gaze.'
Thales nodded slightly at Mirk.
A cloud floated past, and the direction of the sunlight changed a little.
From afar, the expression of the Eckstedtian hero's statue seemed to change from resolute to sorrowful.
Thales narrowed his eyes and praised the craftsmanship of the sculptor from six hundred years ago in his heart.
'It was just renovated a week ago. Was it to welcome me?
'Unlikely.
'Perhaps the Eckstedtians are still hoping that the legendary Great Dragon Queen, who disappeared without a trace after the Battle of Eradication, will come back to visit her husband's statue?
'To visit the country that left her portrait on the national flag, and to take care of the Western Peninsula's Blade that she and Raikaru left behind?
"Heroic Spirit Palace has prepared a room for you. This will be your temporary residence during your stay in Dragon Clouds City." Mirk raised his hand towards the palace door and gestured for Thales to move forward.
Thales smiled. "Of course. Thank you for your hospitality, King Nuven.
"And please come with me." The man with the crew cut did not change his expression, but what he said made the hearts of all the Constellation Diplomat Group sink.
"King Nuven and the five archdukes are waiting for your arrival in the Hall of Heroes."
Thales exchanged a glance with Putray.
'It has begun.'
But just as Thales, Putray, and Aida were about to move forward, Mirk raised his hand gently and stopped the skinny vice diplomat.
"His Highness' attendants, please follow my subordinates to your room," Mirk said softly.
"I don't understand." Putray stopped and looked at Mirk calmly. "I am His Highness' assistant on this trip. I have to follow His Highness."
"I understand your duty …" Mirk said slowly without any expression on his face, "but this invitation is limited.
This is a noble conversation between suzerains and suzerains, and the royal family to the royal family.
"Jadestar to the Walton Family and the five Great Clans. His Majesty and the five archdukes only wish to see His Highness, just as His Highness will only see His Majesty and the five archdukes.
"Therefore, please attend alone, Your Highness of Constellation."
Thales' expression changed.
'Alone … against Nuven the Seventh and the five archdukes?'
"As far as I know," Putray said flatly, "this is not the usual etiquette between the two countries."
'Although we have reached a preliminary agreement with King Nuven …
'But we must not risk the prince's safety …
'Constellation has learned its lesson in this regard.'
"This is a critical period." Mirk shook his head.
"You want us to hand over Constellation's only heir, give up on protecting him, and let him be isolated and helpless under your control?" Putray cleverly pointed out the most crucial point.
Behind Thales, Aida, Wya, Ralf, and the others became nervous and subconsciously reached for their weapons.
Nicholas raised his hand gently. The White Blade Guards slowly surrounded them.
The Star Killer's face grew paler. "Just as you said before, you still don't have much of a choice, don't you, young prince?"
Thales narrowed his eyes.
"Please believe me, this is necessary." Mirk stared at Thales with a burning gaze. "And speaking of being isolated and helpless, forgive me for being blunt …
"The moment you step into Eckstedt's borders …
"Aren't you already isolated and helpless?"
Thales sighed softly.
Putray did not speak again.
This made the prince realize that his hunt with Nuven had already begun.
'Alright.
'King Nuven is said to be very' violent ', huh?'
Thales smiled indifferently in his heart.
'Just wait and see.'
Under Putray's livid face and Mirk's uncertain expression, Thales suppressed the uneasiness in his heart and revealed a smile.
"Alright, I really can't wait to meet King Nuven."
Thales turned his head, looked at his companions, and nodded lightly.
"Don't worry.
I'll be back soon. "
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