This was the first time Thales saw King Nuven with a dark golden crown on his head. Dressed in a golden-red outfit that was both solemn and imposing, he walked down the stairs with his ministers surrounding him. He walked towards the long table in the middle of the meeting hall and sat on the common-elected king's seat of honor.
In Thales' eyes, the nearly seventy-year-old old man was no longer as gloomy and obscure as he was when he first met him. Instead, it was replaced by an unprecedented majesty and boldness, like a silent and terrifying lion in a pride of lions.
Nuven Walton the Seventh stood tall and upright. He held onto the arm of the chair, his eyes shining brightly as he looked into the hall. Under the king's undisguised scrutiny and disdain, the four archdukes turned their heads or averted their gazes in an unnatural manner.
Administrator Mirk stood behind the king with a solemn expression. Dozens of elite White Blade Guards guarded every corner of the meeting hall, vigilantly pressing down on the hilts of their white swords. There were even more unfamiliar faces that Thales had never seen before. They were dressed in the attire of nobles and had different expressions on their faces as they stood on both sides of the king, exchanging glances openly.
This was also the first time Thales saw King Nuven's close vassals, the court of Dragon Clouds City.
Compared to the orderly and disciplined Constellation Palace, the Eckstedtian monarch and vassals exuded a fierce, boorish, dignified, and wild aura from deep within their bones in terms of their standing, posture, movements, and expressions. They appeared casual and crude, making anyone who saw this scene for the first time feel uneasy. It was as if they were standing among a group of dangerous carnivores that were ready to bite them at any time.
Thales could not help but glance at Putray, who nodded slightly at him.
"Wait?"
In the meeting hall, the long-haired Archduke Roknee asked the question in his thunderous voice, "What do you mean, Your Majesty?"
No one answered him.
"Hey, Your Majesty!" Your Majesty, "Archduke Trentida said with a pale face as he glanced at the few close vassals standing beside King Nuven. Some of them had grizzled hair, while others had gleaming eyes." I don't know what you're trying to do, but from Chief Administrator Sorb to Count Siler who is in charge of foreign affairs, and now … you're bringing half of the Imperial Conference to us? "
"Are you going to discuss with us why the wine at the banquet earlier was so sour?" he asked in a sarcastic and accusatory tone.
Beside him, Archduke Olsius also looked at the king rudely.
Thales watched the scene worriedly. 'How is this going to end?
"It seems that His Majesty's long tolerance has spoiled all of you."
"Listen up, Your Excellencies, Archdukes of Eckstedt." One of King Nuven's vassals, who was more than fifty years old, replied rudely to the Archduke of Reformation Tower. "The king you swore to be loyal to, the lord whom the Northlanders swore to follow with their lives, is ordering you …"
"Wait!"
The old official's face was cold as he reprimanded him without giving him any face.
Archduke Trentida and Archduke Olsius's faces immediately turned cold, while Archduke Lecco looked pensive.
Only Archduke Roknee's expression did not change as he sat on the left side of the long table — just like the first time he met Thales.
A few seconds later, Grand Duke Lecco of Defense City let out a long sigh and slowly sat down. "You should at least tell us what this lousy trap is for, Your Majesty."
Archduke Olsius also sat down in his seat and immediately said coldly, "Colluding with Constellation's brat to toy with the archdukes under him, I feel that my dignity has been greatly insulted."
At this moment, a series of knocking sounds came from the hall.
* Knock … knock … knock … *
The four archdukes turned their heads in unison and looked at the main seat at the end of the long table.
There, Nuven the Seventh, who had a stern expression on his face, was slowly knocking on the table with his right hand.
* Knock … knock … knock … *
Thales narrowed his eyes. He noticed that King Nuven wore a peculiarly shaped ring on his right little finger. The center of the silver-white metal ring was inlaid with a black gemstone.
The king was using that gemstone, seemingly absent-mindedly knocking on the table.
"Dignity does not give you the right to question the king, Reybien," King Nuven said slowly. His gaze was fixed on the table, as if he was particularly interested in the part of the table he was knocking on. "There is only one thing you need to do, boys. Just like what you did more than ten years ago.
"Obey me."
King Nuven slowly raised his head. There was a stern glint in his eyes that left no room for argument. He looked at the archdukes.
"Just like a long time ago, when your father obeyed my father, and later on, he obeyed me …
"At least at that time, we lived in harmony.
Do you understand? "
The archdukes held their breaths in unison.
A few seconds later, Archduke Lecco sighed and was the first to speak. "According to what that child said, you used lies to test our loyalty? And we are far away from our own guards and attendants. This really makes me worry about my own safety … "
King Nuven suddenly raised his voice, causing Lecco to be speechless. "If I really want to take your lives regardless of the consequences, old baldy, do you think that you can walk out of Heroic Spirit Palace alive, or even Dragon Clouds City, with just those useless soldiers by your side and that supreme class axeman behind you, do you think you can walk out of Heroic Spirit Palace alive?
"This is not your Defense City."
The archdukes frowned at the same time.
"At least tell us, what are you waiting for?" Roknee pushed aside his long hair and snorted coldly.
"Your Excellencies, His Majesty the King has already shown great kindness. Please do not be impatient. However, if you have some understanding of each other's identities and duties …" On King Nuven's left, another minister with a pondering expression replied with a smile and a profound meaning, "Find your own positions and sit tight."
No one said anything else.
The hall fell into a moment of silence. There was also an unknown wait.
A few minutes passed.
In the end, Thales, who could not sit still any longer, rolled his eyes in embarrassment and glanced around.
He attracted the attention of the bearded archduke.
"After this matter is over, brat." Olsius cast his gaze on Thales with a fierce expression. In an instant, the other archdukes also looked at him. "I will dig out your heart as the price for challenging our dignity."
Roknee, Lecco, and Trentida also cast him different gazes. There was vigilance, contemplation, and suspicion.
Thales closed his eyes and heaved a long sigh.
'Damn it.
'I thought this would be easy … Find out the mastermind. King Nuven will wave his hand and fire ten thousand arrows at once. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a tooth for a tooth, a tooth for a tooth, and a tooth for a tooth.
'But for now, at least based on Olsius' performance, the side effects and sequelae are huge. '
"Save your energy, Your Excellency," Thales heard himself say listlessly, "Don't always talk about things you can't do …"
He did not want to argue anymore.
Olsius clenched his teeth. But just as he was about to speak, a newcomer joined the meeting hall.
Following the sound of messy footsteps, a brown-haired young man wearing a heavy robe embroidered with a blood-red horseshoe walked into the crowded meeting hall.
The Archduke of Beacon Illumination City, the young Conkray Poffret, stood in front of the crowd, accompanied by his entourage.
Thales took a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh.
'Finally …'
"Very good!"
Seeing Poffret's arrival, Archduke Trentida's eyes brightened. He looked around at the people in the hall and smiled brightly.
Only Archduke Roknee furrowed his brows tightly, while Archduke Lecco revealed a surprised expression.
"Now that we're all here, the five archdukes invited by Your Majesty are gathered here under the watchful eyes of the White Blade Guards." The Archduke of Reformation Tower raised his eyebrows. "Here comes the question. What exactly do you want to do? Are you going to use the laughable crime of conspiring to get rid of us all, or … "
Trentida's voice came to an abrupt halt.
The rest of the words were choked in his throat.
Like a crossbow arrow that snapped its bowstring when the trigger was pulled.
The Archduke of Reformation Tower stared blankly at Poffret and his entourage, who were walking towards them.
They did not look well, their figures were in a sorry state, and their hands were empty. A warrior beside Archduke Poffret even held his shoulder with a pale face. Blood seeped out from between his fingers.
Around them was a circle of White Blade Guards with unsheathed sabers. Their blades gleamed coldly as they stared at them.
The 'Star Killer' Nicholas was the last to walk in with a chilling aura around him. He bowed to the king.
Trentida came to a realization.
Poffret and his entourage were escorted in by the White Blade Guards after they were disarmed.
Archduke Poffret himself stood expressionlessly. His body was still cold, and snow dripped from his brown hair.
"Is that enough?" The young archduke's gaze was sullen. He raised his head and looked around at the people in the hall. "A noble archduke should not be treated like a criminal in the king's palace and castle!
"What are you trying to do by forcing me to come to the meeting hall by force?
"This is a challenge to our ancient Northland tradition, and a disregard for Raikaru's Joint Ruling Pledge!"
King Nuven narrowed his eyes.
The four archdukes had different expressions.
Thales raised his eyebrows at an angle that no one could see.
'Tonight is finally coming to an end.'
"Is this what you wanted us to wait for, Your Majesty? You used all kinds of means to gather the five of us here. "Archduke Lecco looked at the disheveled Archduke Poffret and said flatly in a helpless tone," Now, can you tell us the ins and outs of all this? "
Olsius said angrily, "Don't tell me that we really have to wait for Lampard to come with us, just like that brat said?"
Trentida chuckled in a low voice.
Under everyone's gaze, the old king of Eckstedt paused for three seconds before he slowly opened his mouth.
"Very well." King Nuven clasped his hands. His expression was solemn, and his gaze was sharp.
But what he said next made almost everyone reveal a surprised expression.
"Little Thales, my clever guest."
King Nuven slowly turned to the side and looked at the Prince of Constellation beside him.
Thales, who was ready to watch a good show, was completely stunned.
'What?
Little Thales?
Do I know you that well? '
"Come, tell my loyal archdukes why they are here."
As King Nuven's voice fell, his eyes flashed.
"Tell them … the so-called truth."
Everyone's gazes were filled with hesitation, surprise, gloominess, and other different emotions. In that instant, they all turned to the Second Prince of Constellation.
Thales froze on the spot for a moment.
'Damn it.'
He reacted quickly and put on an ugly smile. He raised his hands and spread them out horizontally.
"I don't want to get involved in Eckstedt's internal strife, Your Honorable Majesty," Thales said with a smile. "You can settle the internal affairs on your own. This is —"
But he could not finish his sentence.
"You are already involved, Thales." Nuven's deep and aged voice was accompanied by the king's profound gaze. He interrupted him. "You have been involved for a long time, unable to extricate yourself, future King of Constellation.
"And you promised to complete this task for me. It is your promise, isn't it?"
Thales gritted his teeth.
The archdukes' gazes on him slowly turned from doubtful to solemn.
Thales gulped and furrowed his brows.
'Nuven, this damned old man.
Is he trying to show the archdukes that the heir of Constellation is on his side? '
Thales' frown deepened.
King Nuven's gaze became sharper.
"Go on. What are you waiting for, little prince?" Olsius continued to glare at him fiercely. "After you tricked us all with your ridiculous words … To be honest, I thought Lampard would come with us."
Thales ignored him.
Finally, after Putray reminded him in a low voice, he exhaled in resignation.
'Alright.'
Thales took a step forward as he met the gazes of almost everyone in the hall.
"My apologies, Your Excellencies." Thales braced himself and said under the hostile gazes of the five archdukes, "Most of what I said to you tonight was a lie. Only one thing is true.
"Prince Moriah was assassinated in Constellation." Thales sighed. "One of the masterminds behind the scenes is among you."
The moment he finished speaking, the five archdukes frowned simultaneously.
The close vassals beside the king began to whisper to each other.
The second prince ignored the noise that began to increase in the hall.
"And King Nuven asked me to find the mastermind who conspired with Lampard to murder Prince Moriah," Thales said expressionlessly.
"Haih, I knew it …" The bald Archduke Lecco sighed. "He didn't invite us here just to deal with the Prince of Constellation."
Archduke Trentida turned his head and shook his head disapprovingly. "The mastermind who conspired with Lampard? Ha, I get it. "
"But this is not an easy task …" Thales turned to the five archdukes and nodded. "Almost all of you are suspects."
The five archdukes turned their heads away unnaturally to avoid Thales and King Nuven's gaze.
"The facts have proven that all of you are indeed restless." Thales chuckled and continued, "To be honest, I really didn't expect that my words would attract all four of you here … I thought it would be one or two at most."
"My loyal archdukes, the co-rulers of Eckstedt," King Nuven said slowly, "It seems that all of you have great ambitions."
The hall was instantly filled with whispers again.
Olsius and Lecco's expressions became extremely awkward. Roknee still had a cold expression, Trentida clicked his tongue and giggled, and the young Poffret's expression was still gloomy.
King Nuven quietly watched everything in the hall with his hands clasped together.
"So, it's almost impossible to find the mastermind from you lot by following the rules …" Thales sighed.
"I can only find another way out. I give up on starting from the suspects, and start from the truth of the matter, from how the murderer would react after knowing the truth." Thales nodded at Putray and smiled. "Since we can't retreat, why not go forward with all our might?"
"I see," Archduke Roknee of the City of Faraway Prayers said sternly. "Everything you said was false … There was no secret meeting between Dragon Clouds City and Black Sand Region, nor was there any collaboration between the Waltons and Lampard, was there?"
Thales shook his head. "Of course not, I made it all up. His Majesty will not form an alliance with an enemy who killed his blood kin."
At the long table, King Nuven's gaze flickered strangely.
"I understand," Archduke Lecco said with a lisp. "The key lies in Lampard, right? Because the so-called mastermind who murdered Moriah is secretly collaborating with Lampard? "
"Hmph." Olsius snorted coldly. "What a lousy scheme. To convince us and the mastermind at the same time that Lampard and His Majesty are collaborating? To make him think that Lampard will betray the identity of the mastermind to His Majesty? "
"The trap is so straightforward." Archduke Trentida leaned back and giggled. "Will anyone really fall for it?"
Thales stared at the three of them. His gaze moved back and forth for a few seconds.
Until the second prince chuckled.
"No." Thales' expression became solemn and he shook his head firmly. "It's not that simple.
"Don't forget what I told you. Perhaps the innocent archdukes will believe me when I said things like 'Lampard is not the murderer, but the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department has designated him as the murderer'," Thales continued with a serious expression.
"But only he, only the mastermind, will definitely not believe this. As Lampard's accomplice, only he knows that Lampard is indeed one of the murderers! Lampard cannot be cleared of the suspicion of murdering the prince, so it is impossible for Lampard to collaborate with His Majesty. Hence, it is impossible for him to betray His Majesty. "
"Only Black Hand himself knows." Thales turned around and looked around to observe the effect of his words. "The so-called 'alliance between the Waltons and Lampard' that I mentioned was simply an exaggeration to scare people. It is impossible for Lampard to seek an alliance with His Majesty."
"Then what exactly did you mean by what you said last night?" The bald Archduke Lecco's eyes shone brightly. "You said a lot about His Majesty abandoning hatred and choosing benefits. But if you cannot convince the murderer that Lampard and His Majesty are collaborating …"
"I did not intend to let him believe this. I only wanted to tell him," Thales said flatly, "His Majesty suspects that Lampard is not the murderer and is still trying to contact him."
At the head of the long table, King Nuven revealed a faint sneer.
"Moreover, from the moment Nicholas went to fetch me, it is very likely that both parties have been contacting each other for a long time."
Archduke Olsius said impatiently, "You just said that Lampard is the murderer. He does not dare and will not collaborate with His Majesty. You cannot dig out the name of the mastermind from Lampard —"
"I am not finished!"
"King Nuven's investigation also discovered a key point," Thales interrupted him coldly, causing Olsius to be stunned. "The mastermind also did something else!
He also participated in the murder of me and the Prince of Constellation! "
The whispers in the meeting hall instantly stopped.
"During the game between him and Lampard at Broken Dragon Fortress, he bribed a group called Disaster Sword and used Lampard's Mystic Gun Unit to assassinate me. He tried to frame Lampard with this." Thales sucked in a deep breath and enunciated each word clearly.
"This is what I want him to know!
I want the mastermind to know that King Nuven already knows that the mastermind who murdered Prince Moriah is also the person who framed Lampard! "
Behind Thales, Putray sighed. Beside him, Marquis Shiles had a smile on his face.
"So, at the end of the day, I only wanted to tell you two things after talking so much nonsense to all of you tonight." Thales shrugged. "One, His Majesty is contacting Lampard. Two, His Majesty knows that the mastermind who murdered Prince Moriah is also plotting against Lampard."
Under everyone's puzzled gazes, Thales nodded slowly.
"In that case, whether His Majesty can reach an agreement with Lampard is no longer important. The important thing is, when His Majesty contacts Lampard, in order to confirm the truth behind Moriah's murder, will he inform Lampard of this matter?"
The archdukes were instantly shocked!
They had already figured out the cause and effect of the matter.
"And this is possible! After all, according to what I said, King Nuven has already contacted Black Sand Region through Nicholas a few days ago …
"The mastermind not only murdered His Majesty's son, but also betrayed Lampard. In the face of such a possibility, he will definitely feel uneasy … Will His Majesty, in order to gain Lampard's trust, tell him that the person who framed Lampard is also the person who murdered Moriah?
"And Lampard happens to be the person who knows the truth behind Prince Moriah's murder and the identity of the mastermind!
"So, the key does not lie with His Majesty, but with Lampard himself." Thales looked at everyone's reaction and sighed deeply. "If the answer is' no ', then he is lucky. But will this luck last forever? Will the next communication between the two parties bring up this matter?
"If the answer is' yes', then Archduke Chapman Lampard will know that his long-time collaborator planted a mole in Black Sand Region's army and framed him in Broken Dragon Fortress!
"This is a betrayal!
"At that time, if I were Lampard, the first thing I would do would be to immediately inform His Majesty of the identity of the culprit." Thales' eyes shone with an affirmative light as he said resolutely,
Thales' eyes shone with certainty as he said resolutely, "With the help of the Dragon Spear Family, this collaborator who dared to betray, betray, and frame him will pay the heaviest price in Dragon Clouds City!"
Hearing this, King Nuven suddenly threw his head back and laughed loudly in his seat.
His laughter grew louder.
However, the others in the meeting hall did not say a word. They just quietly watched the king laugh.
Then, King Nuven stopped laughing and looked at one of the five archdukes.
"Continue." King Nuven's gaze was extremely sharp. He looked at the silent archduke and his aged voice was filled with murderous intent. "We are all looking forward to him."
Thales turned his head and nodded at the old king.
He exhaled through his nose and raised his head.
"Once this happens, the identity of the mastermind and the things he has done will be exposed in front of Lampard and His Majesty!"
"Once he thinks that his identity and crimes could be leaked by Archduke Lampard to King Nuven through correspondence at any time …
"Once he thinks that the chances of him being exposed increase with every minute he stays in Dragon Clouds City …
"Once he thinks that King Nuven has nowhere to vent his anger for revenge …"
Thales walked to the center of the hall and let out a long sigh. He looked at the archduke who was different from the others and said slowly, "How can you sit still, eat well, and sleep soundly?
How can you possibly sit still, eat well, and sleep soundly? How can you not rush back to your own territory as soon as possible and defend yourself behind the high walls? "
The five archdukes had different expressions.
However, four of them knew what was going on and cast their gazes at the archduke who had been different since he arrived.
"Is that so …" Thales said slowly.
Thales spoke slowly. He turned his gaze and looked at that person.
The person who was gentle, fair, and warm-hearted when they first met in the meeting hall. But tonight, he did not say a word and responded with silence.
The youngest archduke whose clothes were embroidered with bloody horseshoes.
"His Majesty, Lampard, and I have a common enemy: the mastermind who murdered Prince Moriah, my enemy who tried to assassinate me, Lampard's collaborator and traitor …" Thales flashed a friendly smile.
"Can you tell me why, at four o 'clock in the morning, when the sky is not bright, when the banquet is in full swing, when the palace and the city gate are opened for the first time, when I bring up such shocking news and suggestion and expect you to come and meet me …"
"You couldn't even make it in time to bid farewell. You were about to leave Heroic Spirit Palace in a hurry, get on a carriage, drive to the city gates, and leave Dragon Clouds City without a care for anything else?"
Thales shook his head and recited his name with mixed feelings.
"The honorable Archduke of Beacon Illumination City, Conkray Poffret?"
At this point, the hall was already silent.
Then, the prominent brown-haired young man, who was covered in cold air and snow, slowly raised his head and looked at the Prince of Constellation.
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