"Kid, I know what you're thinking. But if you continue to look at me with that strange gaze … "
Aida rode beside Thales' mount. She clenched her fists, the knuckle of her index finger sticking out. Her tone was extremely impatient. "You know what will happen."
"Alright." Thales, who was bursting with curiosity, stuck out his tongue and turned his head.
"Forget it if you don't want to answer."
"Anti-theft. At the same time, you might as well read this chapter."
The prince sighed softly in his heart.
Aida exhaled softly and sealed the memories of the past in her heart again.
'Jadestar.
'Damn Jadestar.'
"Speaking of which, Aida, how did you become a secret protector of the Jadestar Royal Family?" Thales looked at the blurry mountain range that gradually appeared in front of him and asked faintly, "How could an elf be employed by the human Constellation?"
"I heard that they are all extremely arrogant, and that they are the only ones who serve humans."
Aida lowered her head a little.
"Hey, kid." The elf's voice sounded a little awkward. "I've said it before, I am not your family's protector.
"And …"
Aida crossed her arms and said disdainfully, "As a brat, how much do you know about the elves?"
Thales could only stick out his tongue and shake his head helplessly.
This elf with many suspicious points, this elf who may have lived for hundreds of years and met the former Virtuous King Mindis and Prince Keira, must have a rich and colorful story.
'But her personality …'
After the group crossed a snow-covered hill, Putray rode his mount to Thales' side. The thin vice diplomat had a solemn expression as he raised his finger and pointed in the direction they were heading. "We're here."
Thales reacted and quickly raised his head to look down the hill.
In his blurry vision filled with snow, a silver-black giant appeared in front of the mountains.
'No, it's not a giant.'
Its silhouette in the snow appeared hazily in the distance. It was a majestic city built against the mountains.
A red and black flag could be vaguely seen fluttering above the city.
Its grayish-black walls were dotted with silver-white snow. The highest point of the city was at the peak of the mountains. From afar, it looked like a giant leaning against a snowy mountain, surrounded by many villages and small towns, standing tall on the northern land.
Thales gestured for Wya to stop his restless steed.
He took a deep breath of the cold wind unique to the north and quietly looked at the majestic and powerful city in the distance. A little excitement surged in his heart.
'This is the Great Dragon of the North, the capital of Eckstedt?
Unknowingly, they had already crossed the Prestige Orchid Snowfield and entered a new territory.
"It's the first time you've seen such a grand sight, right?" Nicholas rode to their side. The corners of his lips curled up, and his face was filled with nostalgia and reverence. "A huge city with mountains on its back. It's the biggest, most majestic, most beautiful city in Northland. It's also the city with the longest history."
"The holy land in the Northlanders' hearts."
"Dragon Clouds City."
At this moment, an untimely snort came from the side.
"It was originally not called Dragon Clouds City."
Nicholas cast his gaze at the guest from Constellation who interrupted him.
"It was established during the Age of Ancient Kings, and it was one of the human settlements in the north. During the era of the Ancient Empire, it was the central provincial capital of the original Northland Province of the Empire, "Putray continued Nicholas' words expressionlessly.
"That fortress built against the mountain was originally known as Arunde Castle. It was the residence of the Arunde Family, who ruled Northland under the Emperor's orders for generations. After the Empire collapsed, this place sank into three hundred years of chaos and alternation of power. Until one day, Raikaru and Tormond's armies met nearby and won the first victory in the Battle of Eradication. "
"It was Raikaru who led the army and rushed to the aid of Tormond, who was in imminent danger." Nicholas shook his head nonchalantly and used his own understanding to 'correct' the Constellatiate's words. "That's why that battle was called 'Reverse Cold Wind'. It was said that in an empty space near here, Raikaru's troops marched at lightning speed, as if they had descended from the sky, and defeated the enemy from the rear."
Thales pursed his lips in resignation.
'Alright, it's another small' difference of opinion 'between Eckstedtians and Constellatiates, Northlanders and the Empire.
'Besides, even though we're both Northlanders, Nicholas seems to be more stubborn than Kentvida.'
As expected, Putray exhaled with a disapproving expression.
"So, how did this place become Eckstedt's capital?" Thales immediately spoke at the perfect timing, interrupting the two men's' intense discussion 'that was about to begin again.
Nicholas gestured for them to continue moving forward. The commander of the White Blade Guards started to act like a real receptionist while he rode on his horse.
"This piece of land with Dragon Clouds City as its center belongs to the Walton Family — the family from which Nuven the Seventh was born. It is also the most famous ruling family in Eckstedt, and has the title of Archduke of Dragon Clouds City passed down through generations.
"The hero of mankind, Raikaru Eckstedt, became the suzerain of this place more than six hundred years ago. He formed an alliance with the Nine Knights here and swore that in the chaos after the Battle of Eradication, they would guard Northland and their homeland together, and regain the pride of Northlanders.
"From then on, the proud Northlanders called the new kingdom 'Eckstedt', and the Eckstedt Alliance was born.
"The following year, the Nine Knights, who had expanded the territory and were unstoppable, returned to this place. Together, they elected Raikaru Eckstedt as the king whom the Northlanders trusted wholeheartedly and swore to follow until death. The Nine Knights led their respective territories and guarded Dragon Clouds City.
"The history of the Alliance ended here, and the history of Eckstedt began.
"In the spirit of taking turns to rule and ruling fairly, the supreme ruler of Eckstedt, the common-elected king, was chosen from among the ten archdukes. The rest of the people obeyed his authority and orders. This was Raikaru's oath to rule together in the past. It shows that his prestige and influence continue to this day.
"Because King Nuven holds the title of Archduke of Dragon Clouds City, Dragon Clouds City has become the capital of all of Eckstedt."
At this moment, a messenger from Black Sand Region passed through the heavy obstacles of the White Blade Guards with great difficulty and came to Nicholas' side, inviting him to meet Viscount Kentvida.
After Nicholas left, Thales turned his head and looked at Putray.
"You have something to say," the prince said with certainty.
"Of course." The vice diplomat shook his head in disdain. "Don't believe our hot-blooded Northlander friend. His nonsense about 'taking turns to rule and ruling fairly' can only be used to deceive the Northlanders. In fact, in Northland, or anywhere else in the world, it has always been power that speaks, and strength that rules."
"Oh?" Thales chuckled softly. "Since that hot-blooded Northlander friend has left, do you mind telling me a little more, my knowledgeable assistant, the versatile Northlander?"
Putray reached into his bosom, wanting to take out his pipe. However, the former bard hesitated for a few seconds, then withdrew his hand with a pained expression. It was unknown whether it was because he regretted that he did not have much tobacco left, or because he found his conscience.
He then said to the second prince, "I don't know if you have noticed, but the first ruler of Dragon Clouds City, the first common-elected king of Eckstedt, was Raikaru Eckstedt. But the Dragon Clouds City we see now is under the rule of Nuven Walton the Seventh. "
Thales quickly came to a realization. "Eckstedt and Walton are two surnames. In other words, after Raikaru's death, the one who inherited his title and title was not his direct blood relative?"
Putray raised his eyebrows and nodded. "The real history, or rather, the history recorded in the records that Constellation can find, is that Raikaru died young and did not give birth to any children. After he passed away, the suzerain position of Dragon Clouds City that he left behind was inherited by his nephew, Nuven Walton."
"That was the first Nuven after the Walton Family became the suzerain of Dragon Clouds City.
"From then on, the Walton Family, marked by the Cloud Dragon Spear, entered this land and this city, and has ruled it ever since.
"But Nuven the First's bloodline caused the suzerains to question his legitimacy. It also evoked the suzerains' desire for the common-elected king's throne. No matter how many times he emphasized that his mother was Raikaru's older sister, and that Nuven himself was the rightful heir closest to the late king, Raikaru, he could not extinguish the ambition of the nine suzerains. Even though they were all model knights who were loyal to Raikaru in the past."
Thales furrowed his brows slightly.
At this moment, he did not think of Raikaru and his nine knights. Instead, he thought of the huge portrait at the center of Mindis Hall. Under the setting sun on the battlefield, a young knight covered in wounds charged fearlessly, accompanied by six people.
Constellation's King of Renaissance, Tormond Jadestar the First, and the six knights beside him. They were the illustrious duke families and the Six Great Clans of today.
Arunde of the White Base Eagle, Cullen of the Sun Sword and Shield, Covendier of the Tricolor Iris Flower, Fakenhaz of the Four-Eyed Skull, Nanchester of the Great Deer Horn, and Tabark of the Blood Moon.
They, and even the ancestors of the Thirteen Distinguished Families, fought beside Tormond in the past.
Back then, were they also "loyal" to the King of Revival?
Just like the nine knights and suzerains behind Raikaru?
"For the legitimate right to inherit the throne of Eckstedt, Dragon Clouds City's Nuven the First had a violent conflict with the nine knights and their descendants," Putray continued. "After the war, the stalemate and confrontation between the suzerains lasted for decades. At that time, Eckstedt was almost like ten fragments. They were a kingdom in name, but in reality, they were enemies and could not tolerate each other." Putray continued to speak.
"During this period, the survivors of the Final Empire built a new, insignificant country by the Shepherd's River in the south, on the territory of the former Chauvinistic Province. It began to rise slowly and continued to expand to its surroundings."
Thales understood tacitly and replied, "Tormond the First, the King of Renaissance?"
"Yes." Putray nodded. His eyes shone with a strange light. "Constellation.
"In the end, under pressure from the new Constellation, Nuven the First and the nine suzerains reached the final and most awkward compromise.
"With the support of the nine suzerains, Nuven Walton inherited the common-elected king's throne. In the name of the great former king, Raikaru, Nuven the First redefined Eckstedt's territory and conferred the title of the ten suzerains, including himself, as the ten legitimate archdukes of Eckstedt. However, after Nuven the First's death, the ten archdukes had to choose a new common-elected king. They would vote for the new common-elected king, who would rule for the rest of his life. Thus, the system of Eckstedt's King Selection Congress was established and implemented for six hundred years.
"This is the so-called 'Raikaru's Joint Ruling Pledge'. It was an oath made by ten people in Raikaru's name with Raikaru's signature. Ironically, it has nothing to do with Raikaru at all."
"Wait a minute." Thales was dumbfounded as he listened. "The king selection … I only saw a rough outline of it in Mindis Hall … Ten archdukes voted together and chose one of them?" Thales was stunned.
"What if someone happens to have the same number of votes? Is there a mature system and style to determine the smooth selection of the common-elected king in the King Selection Congress? "
Thales remembered a magical movie from his previous life. In the movie, pirates elected a pirate king, but in the end, every candidate voted for themselves.
"Yes, and it is simple, direct, effective, full of the romance of the Northlanders," Putray said in a low voice. "It is a custom inherited from the Empire and the knights' glorious era. It continues to be used in Eckstedt to determine who the king belongs to when the archdukes are in a dilemma."
"A custom inherited from the Empire to determine who the king belongs to?" Thales tightened his grip on the reins. He remembered what he heard in Kaslan's Hero Tavern and could not help but be shocked. "You mean …"
"Yes." Putray nodded. With a complicated gaze, he softly uttered a word that was rather forceful.
"Duel."
Thales was stunned.
"When the sacred King Selection Congress cannot make the final decision, the candidate with the same number of votes, regardless of age or status, must prove himself in the duel.
"They must prove that they have the bravery worthy of being the common-elected king, the boldness to lead the Northlanders, the fearlessness to face life and death in the duel, and the final victory in the duel."
When he heard this, the Archduke of Black Sand Region, Chapman Lampard's flickering face in the firelight and the old, worn sword on his table suddenly appeared in Thales' mind.
'After all, they are Northlanders.'
Thales suddenly realized that even though he had set foot in Eckstedt's territory in the north, his understanding of them was still at a rudimentary stage.
The Northland, a country known for its toughness and toughness, was much more complicated and peculiar than he had imagined.
And he was about to face them.
"Continue." Thales frowned solemnly. "Before I meet them, I want to understand the archdukes of Eckstedt.
"For example, their relationship with the common-elected king?"
Putray only paused for a moment before he nodded and continued, "The archdukes of Eckstedt have absolute autonomy in their own territories. They only have the obligation to obey the common-elected king and send troops during times of war, but they do not have to pay taxes to the common-elected king. Territorial affairs are purely up to themselves. As for whether to accept and implement the king's orders throughout the territory, it is entirely up to the archdukes themselves."
"Isn't the power of the archduke of Eckstedt a little too much?" Thales was surprised. He inhaled slightly as he walked. "Can it be said that it is a miracle that Eckstedt has not been divided until now?"
"Yes, this is why they are called archdukes and not dukes, as they were during the Age of the Empire." Putray sighed. "To a certain extent, Eckstedt, which was born from compromise, is even more divided than Constellation." Putray sighed.
"They have much more autonomy in their own territories than the dukes of Constellation. At least, no matter how stingy and unwilling Duke Cullen is, he must allocate a sum of money from Eastern Sea Hill every year to pay a sufficient amount of taxes to Eternal Star City and His Majesty. The appointment and dismissal of Constellation's important officials and the demotion and demotion of nobles must comply with the 'Holy Constellation Covenant'. They must even be reviewed by the supreme king's warrant. Therefore, if the dukes want to interfere with the kingdom's politics, the fastest way is to interfere with the central department of Eternal Star City, or use the influence of their territories to infiltrate the local officials of the kingdom. "
Thales shook his head. "Then what is the meaning of the common-elected king's existence? If he cannot even restrain the archdukes under him, why does he still want to become the common-elected king? "
Putray thought for a moment and answered him seriously, "For the sake of high prestige, the suzerain's obedience, and the name of orthodoxy."
Thales frowned again.
"This stuff is much more useful in Northland than in Constellation. No matter how uncultured a Northlander is, he would know that the common-elected king's authority is inviolable, and Raikaru's oath is inviolable," Putray recalled his own knowledge and continued.
"In history, the archdukes of Eckstedt rebelled three times because they were dissatisfied with the common-elected king, but each time, they failed. Because no matter how the archdukes who raised their flags against the common-elected king tried to justify themselves, once they openly flouted Raikaru's oath, they would lose the hearts of their people. Even the most greedy Northlanders were unwilling to fight for them. Some archduchy families even withdrew from Eckstedt's ruling history because of this."
Thales gazed at Dragon Clouds City in the distance. He slowly exhaled a breath of hot air between his cold hands and thought carefully.
'High prestige.
The name of orthodoxy.
The people's loyalty.
'Northland's traditional culture?'
"It's too simple," Thales said faintly after a few seconds.
"Hmm?" Putray revealed a puzzled expression.
"I mean, attributing the power to maintain Eckstedt's stability and unity to Raikaru's prestige and the Northlanders' character and tradition — this attribution is too simple." Thales lowered his head and thought carefully.
"Human behavior and the structure of social power always affect each other. It is impossible to have a situation where one's behavior strengthens the structure while the social structure has no effect on human behavior. No matter how noble the Northlanders are, how they revere their ancestors, and how they revere their traditions, they cannot maintain such a state system.
"A power structure that is destined to split and collapse will only bring the same effect to the Northlanders. They are destined to be under different suzerains, different interests, and different institutional structures. As generations of people die and are born, and as society changes, they evolve behaviors and motivations that fit the structure of the times.
"Under Eckstedt's strange split system, it is very difficult for the Northlanders not to be enemies and kill each other."
'Right.'
Thales nodded secretly.
This was the society he knew.
'But Eckstedt …'
"Do you have more ideas?" Putray narrowed his eyes and thought about Thales' words carefully. He asked, "Why don't you tell me?"
The second prince pondered for a moment before he said, "Constellation."
Thales raised his head and said with certainty, "Constellation."
Putray's gaze flickered as he waited for the prince's answer.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
