Early in the morning in Dragon Clouds City, a two-wheeled carriage drove along the messy streets, shuttling back and forth skillfully.
As the carriage moved forward, the indignant shouts outside the window gradually lessened.
In the carriage, Marquis Shiles turned his head and looked at Thales, who did not say a word.
The marquis shook his head silently in his heart.
'After all …'
"Are you alright, Your Highness?" the marquis of Camus Union asked tentatively.
Thales raised his head as if he had sensed something and glanced at Shiles in a daze.
Little Rascal, who was beside him, sensed that the atmosphere was not right and secretly inhaled.
Under the marquis' subtle gaze, Thales sighed after a while.
"Yes.
"I'm just a little tired."
Shiles gripped his cane, his expression was solemn.
"What are your plans, Your Highness?"
Thales closed his eyes and took a deep breath, expelling all the fear and uncertainty in his heart.
'I have to pull myself together.
'At times like this …'
The prince clenched his fist and felt the wound on his palm caused by the dagger.
'It hurts.
'But …'
"I seem to understand a little." He opened his eyes and his gaze was firm. "We must hurry to Heroic Spirit Palace as soon as possible about why Lampard dared to take the risk to assassinate His Majesty and even brought his army to Dragon Clouds City.
"It's war again, right?" Marquis Shiles sighed.
He turned his gaze to the street outside the window. At first, he looked hesitant, then worried.
"Is there any other circumstantial evidence about His Majesty's assassination?"
The figures of the White Blade Guards charging forward one after another appeared before Thales' eyes. He remembered how they used their bodies to block the arrows for the two children.
He remembered the last White Blade Guard's twisted face as he struggled to turn around to face the enemy.
'The Dragon's Imperial Guards.'
Thales snapped out of his daze and shook his head. "Maybe not. With Lampard's personality, he will probably handle it very cleanly. Is there any news about Nicholas or the others? The people in Shield District? "
"As far as I know, there isn't." Marquis Shiles tugged at his cuff gently and sighed slightly. "It seems that things are a little troublesome."
"Yes." Thales' voice was low as he quickly thought about the situation before him. "No one expected Lampard to use such a swift, intense, and extremely effective method … I'm afraid there aren't many cases of the Eckstedt king being killed by his subordinate archdukes.
"Not one."
A young female voice rang out in the carriage.
Thales and Shiles were stunned. They turned to look at Little Rascal.
"About two hundred years ago, the Tannon family of Prestige Orchid attempted to assassinate the common-elected king at that time. In the end, their plot was exposed. King Xhosa gathered the armies of the other archdukes and marched to the Tannon family's castle. They erected the Roknee family's' Knight's Canon 'flag."
After Little Rascal said this, she blinked and touched her head, as if she was trying to recall.
"On the seventh day, 'Mourning Archduke' Amos Tanen, who violated the Joint Ruling Pledge, was tied up by his subordinates and the disgruntled people and taken out of the city." The girl raised her head and said with certainty, "In front of everyone, King Xhosa personally pierced the traitor's chest with the Soul Slayer Pike."
"Jacob Olsius was the first person to escort the Mourning Archduke out of the city. Later on, he became the first Archduke of Prestige Orchid with the surname Olsius."
Thales and Shiles frowned as they listened to Little Rascal with strange expressions on their faces.
Only then did Little Rascal notice the other two's expressions. She blushed and immediately lowered her head timidly.
They exchanged a glance.
"You said that she's your maid?" Marquis Shiles was a little puzzled.
"Yes, that's what I like about her." Thales touched his head, feeling a little awkward. He secretly poked Little Rascal, causing the latter to lower her head even more. "Hehe."
"Is that so?" Shiles cast a profound glance at Little Rascal and flashed a sly smile. "I see."
Thales quickly changed the topic. "So, whether it's regicide or rebellion, it seems to be a terrible crime in Northland."
Shiles nodded and sighed. "If that's the case, the Northlanders will not allow a regicide … How did Lampard have the guts to do so?"
Thales put his hand down. His expression was solemn.
He thought of Viscount Kentvida of Black Sand Region and the Fire Knight, one of the Five War Generals.
"I'm afraid we've all underestimated Lampard," he said quietly.
Thales suddenly raised his head.
"But Lampard still has a barrier that he cannot bypass." The prince narrowed his eyes. "If his intentions are indeed what I think they are."
Shiles' gaze rested on his staff. "Such as?"
"Too many things are still shrouded in mystery. There's a need to reorganize the clues." Thales shook his head. His expression became more and more solemn, and his brain worked frantically. "When did Lampard start planning, and how did he carry out all of this?"
The carriage turned a corner.
"Is this important? The situation has already worsened to this extent. "Marquis Shiles took out an exquisite pocket watch with a copper chain." Forgive me for being blunt, other than clarifying the truth, perhaps you should consider how to escape. I can provide some ways … "
"This is very important." Thales nodded slowly, arranging his thoughts step by step. "The reason why the situation is so bad is because we've underestimated Lampard."
"I'll ask you again." Shiles' expression was serious. "Now, I can send you out of the city quietly, and even back to Constellation. Are you sure you want to return to Heroic Spirit Palace?
"Return to that unfathomable vortex?"
Thales did not seem to hear him. He continued, "We still don't know the full picture of Lampard's plan. Then, we might as well go back to the beginning of his plan …"
Shiles silently observed the young prince. His evaluation of him rose slightly in his heart.
'Under such circumstances, how many people can still restrain their fear and think calmly?
'What a pity.'
The marquis sighed silently in his heart.
The prince's gaze suddenly froze.
"Your Grace," Thales thought of something and asked subconsciously, "Why did King Nuven look for Poffret and Lampard's collaborator?"
"Huh?" The Marquis of Good Flow City raised his eyebrows.
'Why did King Nuven … look for Poffret?
Is there a need to ask this question? '
"Because Archduke Poffret coincidentally killed his son?" Shiles' eyes turned, as if he did not quite understand the prince's question. With a strange expression, he answered tentatively, "And King Nuven coincidentally discovered this?"
Thales shook his head.
"Because King Nuven obtained information about Lampard's investigation — Disaster Sword, remember?" Thales' gaze became clearer. "This information linked Prince Moriah's assassination and my assassination in front of Broken Dragon Fortress together.
"That's why you concluded that Lampard had a collaborator, and why King Nuven wanted revenge."
A world of ice and snow appeared before Thales' eyes.
It was what Nicholas and Shiles told him a few nights before he arrived at Dragon Clouds City.
Shiles did not answer immediately. He paused for a moment and said thoughtfully, "You mean …"
Thales exhaled slowly. There was a solemn look in his eyes that had never been seen before. "I'm afraid that when I set off from Black Sand Region, when Nicholas received news from the Disaster Swords, and when King Nuven decided to take revenge, we all fell into Lampard's trap."
He lowered his head slightly. His expression was unpleasant. Beside him, Little Rascal saw his expression and did not dare to breathe loudly.
'No.
'Not enough.
'We still lack some clues, some crucial clues.'
"To be able to carry out such a large and long-lasting plan," Thales murmured, "From planning to execution, from Black Sand Region to Dragon Clouds City, from assassination to troop transport, from operation to secrecy — it's definitely not something a remote archduke can do alone. Lampard must have a mole as a helper."
"Regarding this, I agree with you." Marquis Shiles nodded with a solemn expression. "I think Lampard does have a helper to pull off such a big thing."
"You have a wide network of connections. Do you have any clues?" Thales' eyes brightened.
"In your opinion, who is the most suspicious?"
At this moment …
Little Rascal suddenly raised her head as if she had sensed something. She stretched her head out to look outside the window.
Her face paled and she nudged Thales.
Thales only noticed that their carriage had stopped without them noticing.
Marquis Shiles put the pocket watch that he had been stroking for a long time into his pocket and sighed. "Your Highness, we've arrived."
Thales thought of something. "So fast? I remember that Heroic Spirit Palace is — "
"Heroic Spirit Palace is still a little short," Shiles interrupted him and blinked. "For the rest of the journey, another lord will escort you."
Thales was slightly startled.
'What?'
In the next moment, their carriage door was opened.
A rough voice that made Thales' expression change traveled into the small carriage.
"Your Grace, thank you very much for your help."
A middle-aged nobleman in military attire, whom Thales was very familiar with, held the carriage door with one hand and pressed his saber with the other. Under the protection of a dense group of soldiers, he boarded their narrow carriage.
"Otherwise, we would have to spend a lot of time looking for this guest."
The newcomer sat down heavily. His sharp, sword-like gaze swept past Thales and Little Rascal.
Thales felt as if he had been struck by lightning. His heart felt as if it had fallen into an ice cave.
Little Rascal was so frightened that she covered her mouth. Her eyes were filled with terror.
The ruler of Black Sand Region, Archduke Chapman Lampard, sat next to the smiling Marquis Shiles and closed the car door in a calm and composed manner.
Marquis Shiles put on the friendliest smile in front of Archduke Lampard, just like the first time he met Thales.
The marquis leaned forward slightly and said respectfully, "It's my honor."
Lampard snorted softly. He turned his head and glanced at Thales with a pair of cold eyes. "You're really good at running, Your Highness."
Little Rascal recalled the bloody scene just now and was already shivering in fear.
The prince only stared blankly at the Archduke of Black Sand Region in front of him. He did not move.
Fear and panic instantly climbed into his heart, but he forcibly suppressed them.
'No.
'Chapman Lampard.
'Shiles Bamra.
'This means …'
A few seconds later, Thales snapped out of the shocking scene in front of him.
"Shiles Bamra, you!" He turned his head and looked at the Marquis of Good Flow City in disbelief. "You betrayed us!"
Lampard did not say a word. His expression was as cold and stern as ever.
"Don't be so surprised, Your Highness." Marquis Shiles sighed regretfully and shook his head slowly. "This does not match your usual genius image. Besides, I did not betray you."
"You did not betray me?" Thales was so angry that he laughed. "Don't tell me that from the beginning, you …"
Thales paused, and his expression changed.
'It can't be.'
At that moment, he realized that he might be right.
"You are the helper." Thales looked at the smiling Marquis Shiles and said in disbelief, "From the beginning, you were in cahoots with Lampard?"
"You came to your senses very quickly, Your Highness," Lampard said sarcastically.
A second later, Thales bellowed in shock and anger, "Shiles, you betrayed King Nuven!"
Little Rascal trembled slightly.
Lampard chuckled disdainfully.
Marquis Shiles frowned.
Thales clenched his trembling fists and stared angrily at the soldiers of Black Sand Region who were dressed in patrol uniforms outside the window.
They fell into Lampard's hands again.
This time, it was more hopeless and worse than the last time.
"Tsk, tsk." The Marquis of Camus Union shook his head as if he disliked Thales' words. "Don't say that. I hate betrayers and despicable people the most. I have never betrayed King Nuven."
Thales desperately suppressed his impulse and anger. "I thought you had an agreement with King Nuven!"
"Of course, he needs to take revenge on the culprit who betrayed Moriah." Shiles shrugged as if he did not care. "For this, he needs a third party candidate like me, who can move freely among the archdukes without arousing suspicion."
The marquis blinked. "Using the Crystal Drop Mine contract in exchange for revenge, this is very fair."
Thales panted and glanced at the unsmiling Lampard. "But you betrayed Nuven!"
"No, no, no, Your Highness." Shiles sighed, raised a finger and shook it gently. "You misunderstood."
Shiles opened his eyes. His eyes were filled with shrewdness, but there was a hint of indisputable sincerity in them. "I am a man of integrity and I keep my promises. The spirit of a contract is my first creed."
"The spirit of a contract?" Thales clenched his fists and gritted his teeth in anger.
"Yes." Shiles nodded and spread his left hand. "I faithfully fulfilled the agreement with King Nuven and helped him find and kill his enemy. He was very satisfied, and I was also very happy."
Shiles raised a finger, raised his eyebrows and shook his head, as if he was blaming Thales for doubting him. "The spirit of a contract."
The marquis' gaze was very clear.
There was not even a hint of guilt or awkwardness.
It was as if this was his true nature.
Thales took a deep breath.
The Sin of Hell's River surged into his head at the right time.
Finally, Thales slowly slowed down his breathing and his brain began to calm down.
Marquis Shiles continued to smile amiably and winked. "As for now, I am only fulfilling another contract with Sir Lampard.
"As always, I keep my promise. Look, it's still the spirit of a contract."
Thales unclenched his fists and looked at Lampard's hand, which was placed on his saber. He gave up on the idea of touching his dagger.
"How much have you done for Lampard?" Thales said coldly. "Help him prepare resources? Or directly kill the king? "
Shiles exhaled and met Lampard's gaze. The latter's eyes were filled with coldness.
"Let me think, it's actually not much." The marquis drew out his staff and smiled faintly. "Provide the archduke with some news from Heroic Spirit Palace, regarding the king's whereabouts and the progress of his plans …
"Mobilize some of Camian's business connections, use conventional channels to deliver information and items, and cover up some news …
"Prepare some weapons and send some manpower into the city with His Majesty's special pass …
"Of course, as for disguising and replacing them with the patrol team, that's Mister Vlad's task …"
As he listened to Shiles spew out one chilling news after another, Thales raised his head abruptly.
"Since when?"
"When Nicholas came looking for me? When I entered Dragon Clouds City? "the prince said indignantly," Or were you Lampard's spy from the very beginning? "
Marquis Shiles smiled and said nothing.
"Enough," Lampard said from the side. His tone was cold as he glanced at Shiles mercilessly. "Our time is tight."
But Thales did not have the slightest intention to pay attention to his enemy.
"What did he give you to make you risk the greatest taboo to work with a king slayer?" the prince said angrily. "Contract? Money? Power? After deducting the price you paid, could it be more than what King Nuven gave you? "
Shiles shook his head.
"No, the problem is not what Sir Lampard gave me." The marquis smiled apologetically at Archduke Lampard, then turned to Thales and said, "You can't just look at profits and numbers when doing business. Sometimes, you have to build up some reputation and connections.
"King Nuven is a good collaborator, but even if it's the most surefire business deal, you have to leave a backup plan."
Thales was stunned when he heard that, then he sneered.
"So, Lampard and Black Sand Region are the backup plan you prepared outside of King Nuven and Dragon Clouds City?"
Marquis Shiles turned his head. He pushed open the carriage door and tapped his cane on the pedal.
"You're wrong again. A backup plan is not a 'prepared' person or thing, it's a concept." Shiles turned around and smiled faintly. He gestured at Lampard with his palm. "The archduke has proven his value and potential. So, when he appeared in front of me, even if we didn't agree on it beforehand, he would naturally become my backup plan."
Thales sneered disdainfully.
"Shiles Bamra." His gaze moved back and forth between Lampard and Shiles. He gritted his teeth and said, "What about after Lampard? Have you prepared a 'backup plan' for him?"
Lampard raised his head slightly and cast a chilling gaze at Thales.
It was as if he was looking at a dead man.
Thales' heart tensed up.
"If I were you, Your Highness," Shiles stepped down from the carriage without turning his head and said with a smile, "I would start thinking of a way to get out of this, instead of trying to sow discord in vain."
Lampard snorted coldly. "Very reasonable."
Thales clenched his fists and said no more.
Once again, his gaze swept past the densely packed soldiers outside the window.
At that moment, his heart was filled with despair.
Behind him, Little Rascal hugged his arm tightly.
"Then, I'll leave the rest to you." Marquis Shiles turned around and bowed slightly to Archduke Lampard on the ground. He then flashed a smile at Thales. "Please rest assured, Your Highness. As I promised, the archduke will send you to Heroic Spirit Palace."
"Thank you." Thales snorted in disdain. "Thank you for the spirit of the contract."
Marquis Shiles had a smile on his face. He did not look offended at all.
Lampard extended his hand and slowly held the handle of the carriage door.
"After I'm done, I'll send someone to send the carriage back." Lampard exhaled deeply and nodded slightly at Shiles with a cold expression. "I'll remember the friendship of Good Flow City."
Shiles exhaled a hot breath and watched as his coachman stepped down from the driver's seat. Another soldier from Black Sand Region took his place.
"No, there's no need for that." The marquis shook his head. With a profound gaze, he swept past Lampard and the two children. His tone was full of pity. "I think I don't need this carriage anymore."
The few of them were silent for a few seconds.
"Farewell, Your Grace." Marquis Shiles tidied up his luxurious clothes, which were wrinkled from getting up and down the carriage. He straightened his top hat and said respectfully, "I wish you all the best and that all your wishes come true."
Lampard was about to close the carriage door when he suddenly stopped. The Archduke of Black Sand Region paused for a moment. He turned his head and stared at Shiles with a stern gaze.
"All my wishes come true?"
"Do you think I'll succeed?" Lampard said flatly.
Thales thought of something.
'Succeed?
What do they want to do? '
"Of course, you have a unique vision and bearing." Marquis Shiles exhaled with a rather emotional sigh. "To be able to witness such an important, crucial, and magnificent history, I share the honor."
Lampard sneered.
Holding his cane with both hands, Shiles nodded slowly. The smile on his face was as humble and respectful as ever. "I have no doubt about your future."
The Archduke of Black Sand Region's gaze was complicated. He stared at the marquis with a subtle expression. After a few seconds, he nodded in response.
"Good day, Your Highness." Shiles turned his head and looked at Thales, who had an unpleasant expression. He also gave his blessings respectfully. "I also wish you and your maid …"
But his words made Thales feel extremely sarcastic.
"All the best and that all your wishes come true."
The carriage door closed and the carriage moved.
But this time, the person who stared coldly at Thales in the carriage was Chapman Lampard, who had a cold expression on his face.
"Little prince, I still don't know." Under Thales' murderous gaze and Little Rascal's fearful gaze, Archduke Lampard gently drew out his old saber. He turned his frightening gaze towards the prince and the girl beside him.
"Since when did you have a maid?"
Facing the cold gleam of the blade, Little Rascal trembled slightly.
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