Lampard heaved a long sigh.
Chapter
"More than a hundred years ago, the first lowly merchant who lent money to King Mindis," the Archduke of Black Sand Region said quietly, "His descendant is one of the Thirteen Distinguished Families of Constellation today, the wealthy 'Sunflower Family', the Seucader Family who holds the title of Count of Forever Island."
There was another period of silence.
But the air seemed to be much colder than before.
Even the color of the flames in the brazier was much weaker.
After a while, Archduke Olsius spoke with difficulty.
"Constellatiates are better at currying favor under the table. Just like the Ancient Empire of the past, this doesn't mean anything." The archduke with the bowl cut shook his head solemnly, as if trying hard to convince himself.
"We are still the victors of the war twelve years ago."
The other archdukes looked at him. Trentida looked hesitant, while Lecco remained silent.
"Currying favor under the table?" Lampard's gaze sharpened as he mulled over this sentence.
He then snorted coldly. "I bet that even if you go back a thousand years, to the Ancient Empire's most powerful period, you won't be able to see Constellation's current situation.
"Moreover, the victors twelve years ago?" Lampard straightened his back, his gaze sharp. "Really?"
He said coldly, "Twelve years ago, Constellation was in a state of civil strife. It could barely fend for itself, and its soldiers and food supplies were depleted.
"We used the power of the entire country to attack the dying and dying Constellation." The veins on Lampard's hand were bulging. He was almost clawing through his scabbard.
The archdukes' expressions became very unpleasant.
Lampard's expression was absent-minded, as if he had returned to the battlefield that year. "At that time, none of us doubted that the Eckstedt Army, known for its ability to conquer and invincible in the Western Peninsula, would wipe out their futile resistance in a few short months.
"Just like the past centuries.
"Our cavalry would break through their every formation, the catapults would break through every gate, and the heavy infantry would tear apart every southerner who tried to resist.
"We would effortlessly conquer the Northern Territory, the Land of Cliffs, and enter Eternal Star City.
"At the very least, you have to be like Kahn Trentida, the Great Spirit Archduke from four hundred years ago. You have to drive your army to the foot of Eternal Star City, plunder every village, plunder every bit of wealth, and stick the Red Dragon Flag with a black background in front of Eternal Star City before leaving!"
Lampard raised his head abruptly as if he had just come back to his senses.
"What was the result?"
The Archduke of Black Sand Region's expression was extremely pained. His next words seemed to have been squeezed out through gritted teeth.
"We spent a few months under the fortress. Not only did we suffer heavy casualties, even our pitiful supply line was riddled with holes by that Constellation Butcher. It was only when the traitor betrayed Horace Jadestar and paid the price of the death of an archduke that we used his might to take down the fortress."
Olsius lowered his head, as if remembering something.
Lampard took a deep breath, as if he was trying his best to suppress his emotions. "It's the start of spring. We're heading south to the Northern Territory. Eckstedt's absolute advantage in military strength is a guarantee of invincibility. Aside from slightly increased casualties, our journey from Cold Castle to Ice River City was smooth."
Trentida sighed.
"Then," Lampard said absentmindedly, "was the Starlight Brigade."
Lecco snorted softly. His expression was complicated.
"Although the overall situation of the war was advancing, as the battlefront grew longer, our supplies became more unfavorable, and our military strength became more scattered. We were dragged into a muddy mess by those child soldiers, and it was difficult for us to advance or retreat. This made the bold claim of taking down Eternal Star City within a year seem like a joke.
"Soon, we had no choice but to dispel the idea of fighting on multiple fronts and launching an all-out invasion. Instead, we concentrated our military strength and charged straight at Central Territory and Eternal Star City in an attempt to subdue the enemy in one strike." Lampard took a deep breath and said solemnly, "We did not succeed.
"So, we had no choice but to turn into Land of Cliffs Region and try to open up another battlefield."
Lampard clasped his hands together, the veins on the back of his hands bulging slightly.
"At the same time, our casualties kept increasing, the pressure on our logistics increased, and the Starlight Brigade became more difficult to deal with each time."
At this moment, Archduke Lecco added in a hoarse voice, "Not only that, but they were also recruiting locally. As they fought, they replenished their numbers, and as they fought, they replenished their numbers."
Lampard nodded with a solemn expression.
The Archduke of Black Sand Region sighed and said, "What's worse is that after just a few months, our supplies ran out."
Trentida furrowed his brows. "We've always planned to replenish our supplies on the spot, haven't we?"
Lampard snorted angrily.
"Forget it. Constellation has been in ruins for a long time. It's impossible for us to replenish our supplies on the spot," he said coldly. "The sowing and grazing of livestock in the spring have been delayed. The country is complaining incessantly, and the vassals are in conflict. In addition to our terrible transportation, the expedition of one hundred thousand people is even more terrifying than the arrival of a disaster for Eckstedt's logistics."
Archduke Olsius clenched his fists tightly.
"When even transporting the supplies to Broken Dragon Fortress becomes a problem, when the soldiers can no longer snatch enough food, when even the most valiant troops are no longer in a complete formation, when our invincible army has nowhere to exert its strength, and when the results of the war are not impressive for a whole month …" Lampard's expression was extremely gloomy.
"That's right. Constellation was the first to propose peace talks. It seems that they're asking for help everywhere, using foreign interference to beg for peace, admit defeat, and beg us to let them go."
Trentida of Reformation Tower narrowed his eyes. "His Majesty Nuven once said that the threat of the allied forces of the various countries made him suspicious. He was worried that after the annexation of Constellation, our empty and unstable state would become a target for all …"
"The various countries' diplomatic mediation?" Lampard punched his scabbard fiercely. "What are those forces of power that are like flies to Eckstedt?"
"Camus Union? We've taught them a lesson countless times in the Golden Passage! Hanbol? They've been defeated by us in three Peninsular Wars! Mane of Night? It takes months for their army to cross the sea!
"As for the Sacred Tree Kingdom, Steel City, and even the Cunning Fox of Constellation who came to negotiate? Hmph! "Lampard clenched his teeth.
"With my uncle's temper, when did you think he would ever back down because of diplomatic means outside the battlefield?!"
Trentida did not speak anymore.
Lampard exhaled and said painfully, "Admit it. The reason we're willing to negotiate is because we've already used up all our cards in that war and exhausted our strength. Even if we still have some strength left, we have no confidence in continuing the war.
"Compared to Constellation, which has suffered countless casualties and is on the verge of collapse, we're only a little better."
Listening to all this, Archduke Roknee closed his eyes.
"King Nuven is a smart man." Lampard shook his head weakly. "He's fought more wars than anyone else. He knows when to stop is the wisest choice. He can use this as a stepping stone to retreat so that things won't be too ugly in the end."
Olsius raised his head and stared blankly at the pattern of the Cloud Dragon Spear above his head.
Archduke Lecco continued Lampard's words with a sorrowful expression. "That's why there's the 'Fortress Treaty', and the humiliation we've been cursing for twelve years."
Lampard nodded heavily.
"But only a few people, only a few people know." Trembling, Lampard lowered his head. In the darkness where the light from the fire could not reach, he said with difficulty, "The real humiliation …
"It's our powerful and proud Eckstedt Kingdom …"
Trentida turned his head and no longer looked at them.
"Faced with the calamity that befell the royal family, the instability of the new king, the Constellation that used up the last drop of blood due to internal and external troubles, and the Kingdom that trembled in fear …"
Olsius' expression was gloomy. He remained motionless.
"Faced with the unprecedentedly weak Constellation that could not even muster a complete army, and could only rely on a group of child soldiers to fight …"
Archduke Roknee looked at Lampard in disbelief, then at Lecco.
Lampard said with a ferocious expression, "We, the seven archdukes, a hundred thousand soldiers, and the power of the entire country, led the invincible Eckstedt warriors, but even Shepherd's River, which separated the Northern Territory and the Central Territory …
"We couldn't fight our way through."
Everyone was silent for a long time.
Only the light from the fire flickered.
After a long time, Lampard sighed.
"I believe that all of you more or less felt it during the war that year. It's just that your pride, your honor, and your arrogance made you afraid, unable, and unwilling to admit it."
'No.
There's someone else who felt it earlier than all of you.
'But …'
Lampard glanced at the seat of honor on the long table and clenched his fists.
"What about the other party?" he seemed to ask subconsciously.
"After the tragedy of the Bloody Year, Constellation …" Lampard frowned. "The population was empty, and it was difficult to recover from the heavy losses, but …"
Archduke Roknee raised his head. His eyes flickered.
"But five years ago, Kessel the Fifth led the sickly kingdom to fight the Desert War." The Archduke of the City of Faraway Prayers crossed his arms and trembled slightly. "According to the intelligence we sent back from the desert, his military strength was insufficient, and his combat power was not good. Even his main force was almost destroyed in the desert. We mocked him for overestimating himself."
Lampard shook his head. His tone was weary. "He was reminding us."
The Archduke of Black Sand Region turned to Roknee.
"Kulgon Roknee, when you faced the Great Desert," he said faintly, "Could you lead the army deep into the heart of the desert, maintain supplies and logistics all the way in the harsh desert conditions, and return safely after a series of bloody battles with the orcs and Barren Bone people?"
Roknee fell silent.
But everyone knew the answer.
"Forget about you." Lampard's words sounded pained and powerless. "That was the Great Desert that even the powerful Ancient Empire had a headache over for thousands of years, and their army of a hundred thousand was helpless …"
"But Constellation did it," the archduke said softly, seemingly very indignant. "No matter the outcome, they did it. They went in, and came out with the skulls of countless orcs and Barren Bone people."
"Remember one of King Kessel's titles?" Lampard said with a desolate expression, "'Conqueror of the Dragon Skeleton Throne and the Desert God's Altar'. Do you still not understand?"
The four archdukes exchanged glances in silence.
"Wake up, everyone," Lampard said softly, as if he was murmuring beside their ears.
"Whether you admit it or not.
"Constellation.
"It's no longer the same."
Under everyone's complicated and subtle gazes, Lampard's expression darkened. He leaned back in his chair, as if he had no strength to get up.
"During Mindis the Third's era, almost no one understood his actions. Some even openly opposed him, even until now.
"The nobles looked down on the king's behavior of losing money and his depraved behavior. The commoners, on the other hand, saw him as a kind and benevolent monarch, and fought to take advantage of him."
Archduke Roknee and Archduke Olsius looked at each other, their emotions complicated.
"Mindis the Third passed away in obscurity amidst the nobles' mockery and the commoners' tears of gratitude."
"The benevolent 'Virtuous King' who was good at compromise and mediation?" Lampard raised his head and met the eyes of the four archdukes. His expression was solemn, and his tone was cold. "This title is half mockery, and half sincerity.
"Other than a few artists who were grateful for his kindness and wrote biographies and paintings for him, no one cared about the kind 'Virtuous King' who was praised by the people, but secretly disdained by the nobles, and these minor episodes in history."
Lampard narrowed his eyes and gripped his saber tightly. "But what about now, more than a hundred years later?"
No one spoke.
The atmosphere was very solemn.
A few seconds passed.
"This is the Virtuous King, Mindis the Third." Lampard collected his emotions and said faintly, "The more I know about him, the more shocking and terrifying I feel."
Archduke Lecco stared at the brazier in the distance in a daze. His gaze did not shift for a long time.
Roknee hugged his arms tightly, almost crushing his teeth.
Trentida furrowed his brows tightly. Contrary to his usual cunning and cunning self, he was extremely worried.
As for Olsius, he only stared at Lampard, as if he wanted to see more things from his face.
"It's been more than a hundred years. Although he died, his officials built Constellation into a steel chariot of excellent quality and complete parts. We only noticed it slightly twelve years ago."
Lampard shut his eyes tightly. His shoulders seemed to tremble uncontrollably.
"To me, Mindis Jadestar the Third is a terrifying chess player rarely seen in the world," he said with difficulty and pain. "More than a hundred years ago, he placed his chess pieces in a seemingly casual manner. However, the royal power, the vassals, the people, the country, and history were all in his inconspicuous chess game.
"He used a long-term game of chess that even his own grandson would not be able to see. He made Constellation, which was originally at a disadvantage against us, be reborn. Before we knew it, we had already left Eckstedt, which we were so proud of, far behind."
"Even 'Great Emperor' Kessel Carlose the First, who conquered the world more than a thousand years ago, could not compare to him."
Lampard sighed deeply. His gaze was dreary and misty. "Compared to the chess game Mindis set up for Constellation for a hundred years, and the intricate chess pieces he placed in a continuous chain …
"Tormond's great cause of restoring the country was crude and ugly. Raikaru's victory was also so superficial.
"As for the calamities' endless power and destruction, it was as despicable and laughable as a stronger baby wielding an iron hammer.
"What Mindis the Third cared about was not the victory or defeat of a day or a night or a place." Lampard's expression was desolate. His emotions were actually a little hopeless. "Nor was it the loss of a family, a clan, a city, or a territory.
"He used the country as a chess piece, the world as a chessboard, billions of lives as his wager, and the foundation that would last for ten thousand years as his victory."
The brazier crackled.
The archdukes were silent.
Finally, Lampard closed his eyes and sighed softly.
"Once he placed his chess piece, he played the game for a hundred years."
The hall fell into a deathly silence.
After a while, Lampard 'came back to life' from the almost dead atmosphere. He started to breathe again and started to speak.
"So, more than a hundred years after the Virtuous King passed away."
Lampard left his seat, or rather, Archduke Camarron's seat.
"I, Archduke of Black Sand Region, Chapman Solon Holt Lampard." He walked towards the four archdukes step by step.
"Kinslayer and kingslayer." Lampard's face darkened. For the first time, he said these words with a trembling face.
The archdukes' expressions changed slightly.
"As a Northlander and an Eckstedtian," Lampard clenched his teeth and swept his gaze over every single Eckstedtian archduke who held military power and power in their hands, "I stand here and plead to all of you, to all the archdukes of Eckstedt, to the suzerains who hold the future of the Kingdom of the Great Dragon in their hands."
His voice was as sonorous, hoarse, and full of vicissitudes.
"Stop your meaningless internal strife and suspicions, let go of your inextricable family grudges and conflicts, do not fall into the trap of the Joint Ruling Pledge, which protects unity but encourages division. Do not be like King Nuven, who is muddleheaded and unable to extricate himself from his bloodline and family.
"Let us stand together again and face the terrifying chess player from a hundred years ago, and face the terrifying Constellation a hundred years later."
The archdukes responded solemnly. At that moment, even Trentida, the most eloquent of them all, felt extremely heavy.
"Because in this duel of life and death between us and Constellation, between Northlanders and the Empire, no matter how noble a family is, it will appear lowly; no matter how powerful an army is, it will be extremely thin; no matter how valiant a king is, it will be weak; no matter how vast the land is, it will be empty and poor."
Lampard exhaled slowly.
"And I have a hunch." Under the archdukes' solemn gazes, the Archduke of Black Sand Region narrowed his eyes. "It's been more than six hundred years. What we are facing now …
"I'm afraid it will be this duel's …"
Lampard clenched his fists, his voice desolate.
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