Thales followed Mirk and took many turns in the grand but monotonous Heroic Spirit Palace.
While avoiding the five archdukes' eyes and ears, Thales finally saw the two people he hated so much in front of an open-air observation deck.
"This calm demeanor … Looks like you've adapted quite well, young prince."
The leader of the White Blade Guards, Nicholas, who had long removed his cloak and veil, had his back to the scenery outside the observation deck. He looked at the Prince of Constellation, who looked like he was going to condemn him, with a calm expression.
"If you mean that I was almost forced to commit suicide by cutting my neck in front of six old men with a sword that I couldn't even lift …" Thales exhaled a long breath and said angrily, "Yes, I'm living quite well."
"Old men? I remember that Archduke Poffret of Beacon Illumination City is still very young, not old. "Nicholas chuckled in a mocking manner, making Thales even more displeased.
"I'm starting to wonder if what you're conveying is really King Nuven's will?" Thales, who had a bellyful of anger, looked at the two with an unfriendly expression. "Or is it that 'my life' is not within his consideration at all?!"
Marquis Shiles of Camus Union put on an embarrassed expression. "About this … I've reminded you before that King Nuven's attitude might be a little … forceful and rough …"
Thales turned his head abruptly and stared at him.
"Alright, from the looks of it, His Majesty might not only be tough, but he is also a little … erm …" Under Thales' angry glare, Shiles rubbed his staff and smiled awkwardly. After thinking for a while, he finally found two more appropriate words and blinked.
"Wild and uninhibited?"
Thales took a deep breath and resisted the urge to curse.
"Next time you encounter something like this, such as before you push me into a trap that will definitely kill me, please inform me using the standard human common language, which does not carry a Northland or Western accent, and which is in line with your rhetoric habits …" Thales' gaze was cold. He stared at the two of them and enunciated each word clearly. "Is this how you treat your collaborators and allies? Also …
"Forcing a seven-year-old child to commit suicide … Is there any honor in it?"
Nicholas and Shiles looked at each other. The former's expression did not change, while the latter leaned on his staff and bowed slightly politely.
"Force? Honor? I think you have misunderstood. "Marquis Shiles sighed and his expression became solemn." The archdukes … from the beginning to the end, what they were talking about was killing you, as well as the benefits and consequences that would be brought about. As for the method of killing you, and whether or not it goes against the honor, it's just a way for the chef to serve the dishes. It doesn't matter much. "
Thales furrowed his eyebrows tightly. "So, you actually knew what kind of situation I would face from the beginning?"
Nicholas shrugged.
"And something like a seven-year-old and a child," Shiles said solemnly, "I think perhaps you should experience it now."
"Because of your reputation and performance, no one dares to treat you as a normal seven-year-old child. Not only that …"
"In Eckstedt, you are a symbol, a symbol. In the eyes of many people, you are the 'heir of Constellation'." The marquis of Camus Union took a deep breath and stared at the floor tiles of Heroic Spirit Palace in a daze. "It is far more important than your age, your quality, your reputation, and even more important than yourself."
"No one cares if you are a child or not."
With complicated emotions, Thales' face twitched, and he could not help but laugh.
Damn it.
'These politicians.'
"Don't act like a wronged girl, young prince." Nicholas hugged his arms tightly and snorted coldly. "Courage and courage are the qualities that Northlanders admire the most. If you can't even pass the first test …"
"You know, not everyone is qualified to be His Majesty's ally."
Thales clenched his teeth.
"Heh." The second prince sneered. "This kind of examination method for the qualifications of an ally is really rare."
"It's right that it's rare." Nicholas shrugged and lowered his head to look at the Prince of Constellation. His eyes shone with a strange light. "Welcome to Northland."
The three of them were silent for a few seconds.
"So, did Nuven find his enemy? That collaborator and the one who framed Lampard? "Thales tried his best to calm down.
"At the same time, he is also your enemy." Marquis Shiles smiled softly. "Since we have met for the first time, the first step of the trap has been completed. Then, our follow-up plan is …"
"There is no follow-up."
Thales said flatly.
Shiles and Nicholas were both stunned.
Thales raised his head. The anger in his eyes had turned into determination.
'I must not follow their rules.
'Otherwise …'
The images of Serena Corleone and Chapman Lampard flashed before his eyes.
'I don't even know when I've been betrayed.'
"Nuven's plan ends here." Thales heard himself enunciate each word with suppressed emotions. "I am not that old man's puppet, to be manipulated by him."
Shiles flashed an unpleasant smile.
"What do you mean?" The warmth in Nicholas' eyes gradually cooled down.
"Listen, if Nuven wants my help, then he better respect my wishes and my life!" Thales was resolute and unflinching as he confronted Nicholas' fierce gaze. "From now on, all of you will do as I say."
The leader of the White Blade Guards shut his mouth and exhaled through his nose.
"Now is not the time for you to throw a tantrum, young prince." Nicholas narrowed his eyes as he stared at Thales. There was an eerie chill in his gaze, and his tone was horrified. "Don't forget that you are in Eckstedt, in Dragon Clouds City, far away from your father the king. Your attendants are not by your side.
"And Heroic Spirit Palace is very dangerous. Many of the supernatural stories that claim lives happen here." Nicholas' eyes were burning.
"I have no choice. After all, I am only seven years old." Thales did not care. He was determined to seize the initiative in his own hands. "You know, if I accidentally lose my life here, then all of you —"
Nicholas cut him off coldly. "We have countless ways to deal with disobedient children without endangering their lives.
"And don't forget." Nicholas tilted his head to reveal the strangely shaped hilt on his back. He did not hide his threat in the slightest. "I am very good at dealing with people with the surname Jadestar, especially those with the title 'Second Prince'."
Thales gritted his teeth secretly.
"Eleven years ago, you killed the Sword of Reversing Light on the battlefield. Are you so smug?" In Shiles' eyes, the prince retorted bluntly, "I have seen the battlefield, and I know that battle … He fell after being wounded eleven times. You were just one of the hundreds of people who surrounded him, and you just happened to deliver the final blow.
"Compared to forcing a seven-year-old to commit suicide, your glorious achievements are not much better."
Nicholas stared at him silently. He slowly put down his crossed arms, and the expression on his face slowly changed from threatening to murderous.
"Alright, alright." Marquis Shiles quickly walked between the two of them and tried to smooth things over with a smile. "As allies, we should not break our promise before we achieve our goal … This is not a good way to make a deal."
"Perhaps King Nuven should look for another ally," Thales replied coldly. "The kind who will give up their lives for him at any time."
"This is not Constellation where you can give orders, brat of the Empire," Nicholas said sarcastically. "You better understand this.
"You must carefully do as we say …"
"How about this?!" The second prince interrupted Nicholas.
Before Nicholas' terrifying expression, Thales could not help but laugh. His expression instantly turned cold. "I will look for the five archdukes and have a heart-to-heart talk with them."
Shiles furrowed his brows.
"For example, King Nuven is looking for the mastermind behind his son's death, and all of you are on his suspect list …"
Nicholas' and Shiles' expressions slowly changed.
Under Nicholas' murderous gaze and Shiles' tightly furrowed brows, Thales threatened faintly.
"And in the end, no matter who he confirms to be the mastermind, Nuven will pull out his tendons and skin him alive.
"What will happen then? By the way, the mastermind will be even more vigilant, and Nuven's revenge will fail … unless he wants to kill all five archdukes at the same time.
"The next day, the mastermind will return to his own territory and continue to roam freely. His hatred will only deepen.
"Then, in ten or eight years, when Nuven dies, when the King Selection Congress is held, when the new common-elected king is crowned …" Thales narrowed his eyes.
"I wish the Walton Family good luck. I look forward to representing Constellation in the future, establishing a good diplomatic relationship with the new king, and supporting him and the archdukes in dealing with Eckstedt's internal affairs.
"For example, giving Dragon Clouds City, which has no heir, to another ruling family?"
Nicholas and Shiles' expressions became increasingly unpleasant.
"So, it is best to respect the future Supreme King of Constellation, the Northlanders." Thales snorted coldly. "Using your words … Do as I say … carefully and according to my instructions …"
"Also, don't call me a citizen of the Empire. Every time you remind me, it makes me feel like I'm not in Eckstedt." Thales' expression was at ease. He raised his right index finger rudely and tapped the air lightly, leaving behind a sentence that made the leader of the White Blade Guards' face turn green.
"But in the great Empire's …
"Northland Province."
The Prince of Constellation no longer paid attention to the two men, who had interesting expressions on their faces, and turned to leave.
— — —
"What are you looking at?"
On the streets of Armor District, Miranda turned to ask Kohen.
"Nothing." Kohen retracted his gaze from the alley and muttered, "I saw a strange person in the alley just now. He had two swords on his waist …"
"Swords?" Miranda's expression turned cold. "Could he be our target? What does he look like? "
"He looks like … No, I didn't pay much attention to him just now." Kohen scratched his head desperately and furrowed his brows. "I can't remember his face …"
Miranda sighed. "Be more alert. Big Leather Belt said that there are some unfamiliar faces here recently."
'Just like us.'
The two of them turned a corner and arrived in front of a quiet butcher shop.
"Erm … Are you the boss here?" Kohen knocked on the big wooden window of the butcher shop and asked the busy Far Easterner inside, "Mister … Gu?"
The Far Easterner who was chopping meat slowly raised his head.
'Medium build, flat brows, straight hair, and black eyes. He's no different from the Far Easterners in Constellation,' Kohen thought.
The Far Easterner glanced at the two of them, then lowered his head again and continued with his meat.
Kohen was startled and continued to speak, "Hey …"
But the Far Easterner spoke directly and made him choke on his words.
"One silver coin in the city, two silver coins around the city, one more silver coin in the three upper districts, and one more silver coin for related nobles and officials." The butcher shop owner chopped a large piece of bone on his chopping board and skillfully said, "Two silver coins for counts and above. Two gold coins for archdukes, kings, and even temples."
"What?" Kohen showed a confused expression.
Miranda, on the other hand, looked at Gu's chopping board thoughtfully.
"The price of information." Without raising his head, Gu spoke in the common language with his unique Northland accent, "No bargaining."
"Huh?" Kohen frowned. "One silver coin?"
Gu ignored him and hung a piece of sliced meat on a hook. His words did not linger in the slightest. "It depends on who you offended. Nine silver coins for an ordinary person, one gold coin for Gleeward, two for Vlad, five for the merchants in Dragon Wings Square, two for soldiers, and three for nobles or officials. Those who are above the rank of count are powerless."
"If you offend the temple or the king …" Gu wiped his hands and glanced at the two of them with his gloomy eyes. "Hurry up and get lost. Don't bring bad luck here."
Kohen asked with a puzzled expression, "Why do merchants need five silver coins? Even higher than the nobles? You know … "
The next moment, Gu raised his right hand and stopped Kohen from speaking.
Then, the butcher shop owner quietly extended his left hand and spread it horizontally upwards.
Kohen was stunned again.
But before Kohen could respond, Miranda reached out and took the money pouch from Kohen's waist.
"We want to ask about what happened in this district recently. Two groups of swordsmen once fought here …" Under Kohen's resentful gaze, Miranda happily took out a Northland gold coin — a small metal disc with Raikaru's head and a dragon carved on it.
'That's the money I asked Kaslan for —' Kohen rolled his eyes.
Miranda calmly released two fingers and the gold coin fell into Gu's hand.
"Looks like a generous foreign customer." Gu narrowed his eyes and raised the gold coin in his hand. He flicked the edge of the coin and whistled. "If it's just information … I don't have change."
"Take the extra as a tip." Miranda's tone did not change, but her gaze was sharp. "As long as it's worth it."
'Tip?'
Kohen stared at the gold coin, then at Miranda. His eyes were filled with disbelief.
'Do you know how to count, my young mistress?!'
Gu chuckled, but his next words stunned both of them. "No."
Miranda furrowed her brows. "What do you mean?"
"The information you asked about swordsmen fighting, I've never heard of it." Gu shook his head.
"For the sake of the gold coin, you can change your question."
Miranda turned her head and pondered.
"Are there any new, strange swordsmen around?" Kohen recalled what he saw and muttered, "Right, I think I saw a swordsman with two swords …"
Gu's gaze froze.
'Two swords.
'Strange swordsman.'
He sighed in his heart.
'Could it be you?'
"No." Gu calmly put away the gold coin and lowered his head to continue his work. "Alright, the quota is used. You may leave."
Both of them were stunned.
The police officer and the young mistress looked at each other, baffled.
Miranda's eyes were filled with anger, while Kohen spread his hands.
'Equivalent exchange … This principle doesn't work everywhere.'
"You —" Miranda was about to speak, but Kohen stopped her.
The blond police officer exhaled and laughed.
In the next second, Kohen punched the window frame.
* Thud! *
Gu raised his head and looked at him with an unfriendly expression.
"I know that there's a rule in places where the situation is tense, such as on the battlefield, whether it's a bar or a shop," Kohen curled his lips and looked at the indifferent Gu with sincerity, "It's called 'First Lesson', right?"
Gu did not speak and only looked at him quietly.
"Newcomers and outsiders will be fooled the first time. They'll lose some money and learn a lesson." Kohen tapped the window frame lightly.
"At the same time, they'll test the newcomers' strength. Those who are strong and have a strong backing will come and make peace; those who are weak, "Kohen closed his eyes and nodded," suffer losses, and they'll be more polite next time. "
Kohen tilted his head and leaned against the window, revealing a smile.
He mimicked Gu and whistled.
"So, as a boss, you need to have a good eye."
"Don't look for the wrong person."
Miranda looked at Kohen's ruffian face and smiled in her heart.
'This idiot.
I've learned a lot in the Western Frontline. '
"Oh." Gu narrowed his eyes and curled his lips, "So, are you strong or have a strong backing?"
"Maybe it's both?" Kohen exhaled helplessly and flashed the sword at his waist, "Since you've already taken the money …"
Gu sneered and shook his head, "I've already given you an answer."
"That's not an answer we're satisfied with. It's perfunctory," Miranda said coldly, "We don't want to use force."
Gu raised his eyebrows.
From their actions, he could tell that both of them were ruthless characters.
The man was probably a warrior, skilled in frontal assaults and battlefield techniques. As for the woman …
'Strange, I can't tell.'
The people on the street were not blind — thieves, beggars, swindlers, they probably wouldn't dare to touch them.
However …
"I'll say it again. We're looking for a group of strange swordsmen around supra class." Kohen smiled, "They're related to the arms black market and are ruthless. Compared to the average swordsman … they might be slightly stronger."
Gu took a deep breath and sighed softly.
'A group of strange swordsmen.
'Really.
'I almost thought they were here for you.'
'Black Sword.'
The next moment, the Far Easterner smiled helplessly in Miranda and Kohen's eyes.
"Vlad is more familiar with the black market transactions than I am, but the group you're looking for …"
"Alright." Gu smiled as he calmly pulled out the boning knife from the chopping board, "Here …"
"There are indeed a few strange people … They have bad tempers and stay away from strangers …"
"Those who hold swords and use the Power of Eradication …"
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