The four archdukes looked at Lampard with different expressions. Olsius furrowed his brows tightly, his face full of shock and bewilderment. Trentida tilted his head and sized him up with great suspicion. Archduke Lecco's gaze did not move, as though he was frozen on the spot. Roknee clenched his fists tightly, his eyes full of disdain.
(…)
After a long while, Archduke Olsius softly asked the question on everyone's mind, "Are you crazy?"
* Crackle. *
The six braziers, mixed with Eternal Oil, firewood, and other fuels, burned even more vigorously.
At this moment, half of the Archduke of Black Sand Region was hidden in the darkness, while the other half was illuminated by the firelight in the hall.
Lampard turned around and looked at the empty seat at the end of the long table. His thoughts moved slightly.
The scene of him playing with Harold here when he was young seemed to reappear before his eyes.
He subconsciously placed his hand on the saber at his waist.
"Who knows?" Lampard's expression was indifferent, his gaze cold. "Probably."
Olsius' expression became more and more perplexed. His brows began to tremble slightly.
At this moment, Trentida, who had been sizing up Lampard with narrowed eyes, snickered.
The other archdukes looked at him.
"Dragon Clouds City, hahaha … Dragon Clouds City." Trentida placed his right hand on his crossed left arm and supported his chin. His shoulders trembled as he laughed, and the shining blade embroidered on his chest also swayed up and down. "Divide it?"
The Archduke of Reformation Tower chuckled again, as though he had just heard a good joke.
Obviously, his sense of humor did not affect the other four archdukes. They stared at Trentida quietly, their expressions cold.
"Sorry … haha …
"Forgive my loss of composure, everyone." Archduke Trentida grinned and shook his head. With his right hand still resting on his left arm, he casually waved at the archdukes.
But there was not a hint of apology in his words.
"Sitting in the seat of an archduke, it's rare to hear such shocking words." Archduke Trentida's smile slowly faded, but it remained on his face. There was a profound look in his eyes.
"Especially when it comes from another archduke."
Lampard stared at him and snorted softly. His expression was unfathomable.
"Very well," Archduke Olsius of Prestige Orchid interjected coldly. "We will take over Dragon Clouds City's vast land and countless subjects, then we will eat and drink our fill …"
"Then, they will let you off lightly, right?" He seemed to be deep in thought, but his gaze became increasingly hostile.
"Like a good business?"
"The king's territory in exchange for the king's life?"
Lampard did not even look at him. He stared at the sky and said, "Don't read too much into what I mean, Reybien. You've been prejudiced against me since you were young."
Olsius sneered, his expression ugly.
Archduke Lecco, the only one sitting, heaved a long sigh.
"Ignore King Nuven's assassination, ignore someone's domineering and betrayal?" The oldest archduke shook his head, a rare solemn expression on his face. "This is not a good suggestion."
Lampard looked at Lecco, and his gaze sharpened.
"I believe that this is a good suggestion, Rogers, respected elder," he said respectfully and sternly. "Dragon Clouds City is located in the heart of Eckstedt. It has countless important roads, abundant resources, vast territory, fertile land, and many subjects."
Lampard's gaze flickered slightly. "It has a natural suppressive advantage over other territories.
"During the days when Nuven was in power, all of you suffered a lot. Troops passing through borders, setting up checkpoints, cutting off supplies, storing up food, migrating, opening up wastelands … He had plenty of ways to deal with us."
Archduke Lecco sighed. His gaze was misty.
"So, to get rid of Dragon Clouds City …" Lampard extended his right hand and looked around at the archdukes. He slowly clenched his fist. "This is so that the shackle known as the Walton Family will no longer exist. It is to free all of you … who are here."
He glanced at the other four archdukes.
But the other archdukes were unmoved.
Only Archduke Roknee raised his chin slightly. He first revealed a faint smile, then his gaze turned cold.
"How interesting …" he said in a low voice.
"After you did all this, after you shamelessly killed the king, after you brought your troops to Heroic Spirit Palace, you actually wanted to use the late king's interests and territories in exchange for our understanding and our accomplices?" Roknee's voice gradually revealed his suppressed anger. "You actually wanted to use the late king's interests and territories in exchange for our understanding and our accomplices?
"And you're still speaking in such a dignified manner …
"As if you're on our side and have no choice but to do this for us."
Archduke Roknee spat coldly in front of Lampard. "Go to hell, Lampard."
Lampard stared back at him expressionlessly.
Although Kulgon Roknee of the City of Faraway Prayers was bold, straightforward, and uncompromising as the rumors said, this was the first time he met him.
'Maybe it'll be troublesome.'
Archduke Lampard closed his eyes, then slowly opened them.
"I have to reiterate, although King Nuven and I have an unresolvable misunderstanding, and even a grudge," he said slowly, "But the whole tragedy last night …
"It's all the Constellatiates' plan. You've all heard of the Secret Intelligence Department's methods. Some of you may have even seen it.
"The reason I'm here is to save ourselves before the trauma they left on the Kingdom of the Great Dragon worsens."
Olsius rudely cut him off.
"So, what is this?" The Archduke of Prestige Orchid tilted his head and glanced at Lampard. His expression was unpleasant. "Find a good enough price, then bribe us to endorse your words?
"So, you're saying that you're treating this glorious hall …" Olsius' voice suddenly rose, and his face was filled with anger. "Is this a market where lowly people shout and bargain?
"Do not tarnish our dignity, Your Grace."
Lecco coldly watched the conversation between the few people and did not speak.
Lampard's expression darkened. He lowered his head slightly and exhaled slowly.
"So, you don't accept this price?" His voice was a little low. "The same thing happened once before. Three hundred years ago, if it weren't for Chara's regency, the Waltons would have lost their rule over Dragon Clouds City because their suzerain died.
"In other words …
"This is a once-in-three-hundred-years opportunity for you …"
Hearing this, Roknee could not take it anymore. He slammed the table and shouted angrily,
"This is impossible!"
With an offended expression on his face, he shouted angrily, "You want us to abandon ourselves, to collude with the kingslayer, to cover up and tolerate the evil that should have been committed by you, the evil consequences that you left behind?"
"You're insulting us and Eckstedt!"
Trentida laughed.
"Divide Dragon Clouds City? God, I can't believe I'll actually hear this in my lifetime — on the day the old king passes away, "he said gloomily, his beady eyes darting back and forth.
"But this cannot be a reason for us to clean up your mess." Archduke Trentida retracted his gaze from Lampard and said with a smile, "It's also not a good way to bargain."
Lampard looked back at the Archduke of Reformation Tower. His expression changed.
"Is that so?"
"Trentida, no matter how much you explore the Sighing Mountains, the barren Reformation Tower will always lack a new piece of arable land." Lampard turned to face Trentida. His words made the latter slightly startled. "But if you have two or even three counties southeast of Dragon Clouds City, you won't have to feign civility with those mountain barbarians anymore. You won't have to worry about the food shortage every Day before the Bitter Cold Winter."
Trentida narrowed his eyes.
"Are you talking about the two enclaves that don't border my land?" The cunning archduke sneered faintly. "Who will benefit more?"
Lampard curled up the corner of his lips.
"Since you said so," the Archduke of Black Sand Region said something chilling, "Poffret of Beacon Illumination City has just passed away, and his territory is too close to Dragon Clouds City."
The four archdukes' gazes flickered again.
"I thought that his young brother wasn't strong enough to take on such a big responsibility." Lampard concluded coldly. "This will also solve the predicament of Reformation Tower. Of course, in this case, the division of Dragon Clouds City's ownership will be different. The City of Faraway Prayers and Prestige Orchid Region will both get a bigger share."
Trentida was stunned. He stared at Lampard in a daze, as though he was seeing him for the first time.
When Archduke Roknee heard this, he cursed with a terrifying expression, "Damn it!"
* Thud, thud, thud. *
Archduke Lecco tapped his fingers on the table. His gaze was subtle.
"From young Chapman, who used to follow behind his elder brother in a daze, to the infamous Archduke of Black Sand Region today …" His voice was drawn-out and steady. "I've really underestimated you in the past. It seems like there's a reason why the old man chose you instead of the popular Harold."
Lampard's pupils constricted slightly.
The scene from twelve years ago appeared before his eyes again.
'Harold.
'His elder brother.
'His destined lord.'
He seemed to see the man lying on the ground, coughing up blood in pain while smiling at his tearful and wailing self.
'Chapman.
'Remember.
'We will never give in.'
Lampard's gaze froze in the air.
The bald old archduke sighed. "How ambitious. You want to swallow up the two most central archduchy territories in the country?"
'My ambition?
'No.'
Lampard said quietly.
'You can't bear my ambition.'
Trentida rolled his eyes.
"You speak as though the nobles and other archdukes in these fiefs are dead." The Archduke of Reformation Tower seemed to be mocking him. "Elaphure City must be very unhappy. Beacon Illumination City is closer to that goatee, isn't it?"
Lampard brought his attention back to reality.
"It's Archduke Drocet's loss that he didn't come," Chapman Lampard said seriously, as though he was seriously discussing, "But if you're worried, we can also negotiate with him. We can all achieve a good result."
Trentida chuckled. His intentions were hard to decipher.
'Clap, clap.'
Olsius clapped his hands twice.
"That's enough," the bearded archduke said coldly. "Do you still remember who you are?"
Lampard's gaze flickered.
"I know that Prestige Orchid Region does not lack land, and the Olsius Family's reputation in the Northlanders' hearts is not to be underestimated." The Archduke of Black Sand Region nodded and said to Olsius, "But if you accept this condition, you won't have to be careful between the king's urgent orders and Constellation's roaming sentries because of Pine Forest's border defense.
"And you, the upright and plainspoken Roknee." Lampard looked at the long-haired visitor from the City of Faraway Prayers.
"With these new citizens, the City of Faraway Prayers will have the best source of recruits in the world. Eighty percent of the people will be able to fully equip themselves. This way, when you face the turmoil in the desert and the Golden Passage again, you will be full of confidence. At least, you won't have to be so nervous, as if you're facing a great enemy."
Roknee did not say a word. He only stared at him coldly.
"As for Defense City …" Lampard turned to Lecco, whose face was deeply wrinkled. "The rich mines in the north of Dragon Clouds City … Why not add a large piece of territory with rich Crystal Drop mineral deposits for no reason?
"The next time Archduke Schustel or the new king forces you to mobilize the entire territory and fill up the glacier defense line, you can throw a bunch of gold coins at them to shut them up."
Archduke Lecco did not comment.
"Enough." Archduke Olsius interrupted Lampard's one-man show. He shook his head. "Don't test our patience. We're not here to chat and boast with you.
"You should be glad that we're still willing to listen to your nonsense here," Roknee added rudely.
"But you still don't seem to understand the situation you're facing," the long-haired archduke said angrily.
"You, you're our biggest problem!
"The regicide Chapman … or at least the Chapman who's suspected of committing regicide?"
Lampard frowned slightly. He glanced at the expressions of the other three archdukes.
None of them objected to Roknee's words, not even the stingiest, stingiest, and calculative Trentida.
Lampard sighed secretly in his heart.
"You just can't understand, can you?" He closed his eyes, raised his right hand, and rubbed the space between his eyebrows. He seemed very tired.
"Even though I'm so sincere and sincere in giving you my proposal?" Lampard opened his eyes, raised his eyebrows, and suddenly raised his voice. "Even though these conditions are actually beneficial to you?"
"Come on!" Olsius interrupted him loudly.
The bearded archduke snorted and said, "On the morning after the king's death, five archdukes coincidentally appeared together and told them, 'I'm sorry, but Dragon Clouds City is no longer the Walton Family's territory, and you now belong to us. From now on, you have to pay us taxes and accept our conscription?'"
Beside him, Trentida hummed in agreement. Roknee, on the other hand, hugged his arms tightly, as though he was suppressing his anger.
"If you didn't treat the four of us as fools …" Olsius's gaze focused and he continued.
"You must have treated the subordinate nobles of Dragon Clouds City as blind, and the citizens of Dragon Clouds City as fools!"
Lampard stared at him in silence.
"Even if you look down on those ignorant and boorish commoners, the counts of Dragon Clouds City are not easy to deal with." Archduke Trentida, who was watching from the side, sighed.
"They're Northlanders. They're only loyal to the Waltons."
"Divide Dragon Clouds City? That's just a joke. "
The Archduke of Reformation Tower shook his head and spread his hands. "Without that family name, we'll never be able to rule this land."
"Bribing us with a piece of sweet cheese that we can't even eat, to cover up your filthy deeds?"
Trentida rolled his eyes and revealed a smile. "You can't convince us on this point."
Lampard furrowed his brows tightly.
Archduke Roknee, who was in front of him, snorted loudly.
"And all of Eckstedt. What do you think they'll think of us?" Archduke Lecco spoke slowly. Occasionally, a bright glint flashed across his eyes. "After the five archdukes conspired to kill the king, they divided his territory?"
Lecco shook his head and did not continue speaking.
Roknee took a step forward. He narrowed his eyes and spoke to Lampard's face in an almost rude manner, "Perhaps you can be shameless and kill your kin as well as your king."
Lampard's expression changed.
"And you're even proud of it …
"But remember, we're Northlanders, Eckstedtians," the Archduke of the City of Faraway Prayers said coldly. "We have our own dignity and pride. If you're really 'for Eckstedt's future' …"
Roknee furrowed his brows as though he was filled with disgust. "Stop talking like a Camian. It disgusts me."
Lampard closed his eyes. He turned around and took a few steps forward. His chest rose and fell.
He was suppressing it.
He was suppressing his increasingly impatient anger.
Even though he had rehearsed it thousands of times and had some expectations of the archdukes' reactions.
But …
'Enough.'
Lampard opened his eyes abruptly.
'Archdukes?
'These short-sighted, stupid vermin behind me.
'They think they're noble and proud.
'They're completely unaware of the imminent crisis.
'They turn a blind eye to the most terrifying threat.
'They've never realized where the terrifying existence that truly decides their life and death is.
'One day …'
Lampard suddenly turned around. His expression was firm and resolute.
He seemed to have made a decision.
The four archdukes could not help but tense up a little.
But Lampard did not do anything that would overturn the chessboard.
"I understand." Within a few seconds, he exhaled deeply. His expression became calm again. "I understand what you mean."
The four archdukes exchanged a few glances.
"First of all, do you think that we can't successfully take down Dragon Clouds City without any hidden dangers?"
Trentida snorted. The others did not comment.
"Secondly," Lampard continued, "according to Roknee, as Eckstedtians, you have your own creed?"
Roknee's expression was fierce. He made a biting gesture at Lampard. His eyes were filled with deep disdain.
Lampard took a deep breath. His gaze was as firm as steel as he swept his gaze past each of the Eckstedtian archdukes.
At that moment, Lampard remembered what happened twelve years ago.
The him at that time.
He was still young, but his heart was already dead. He had tasted the vicissitudes of life. The young count who did not know where his future lay.
The heir of Black Sand Region — this nightmarish title.
At that time, he was also like this. With great determination and determination, he stood in Constellation's Renaissance Palace, in the Hall of Stars, and faced the hostile gazes of the Constellatiates.
He faced the old Supreme King of Constellation, Aydi Jadestar, whose eyes were filled with a meaning that made people feel uneasy.
He faced the murderous Sword of Reversing Light, the Butcher of Constellation, Horace Jadestar, who was filled with blood debts.
He faced the king's eldest son, who sat at the seat below the king.
Midier Jadestar, who always had a smile on his face, spoke in a humble tone, and made people unknowingly calm.
And …
Lampard clenched his fists.
And the woman who sat beside King Aydi.
That woman.
Lampard could not quite remember her face.
For some reason, when he thought of that woman, who was steady, magnanimous, and whose expression was as calm as water, Lampard felt the same as he did in the past.
He knew that it was nervousness that came from the bottom of his heart.
And fear.
Lampard exhaled and focused his gaze again.
"If this is what you are worried about," he said to the four archdukes flatly, "I can solve it."
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