Cohen stretched lazily and yawned widely.
?
A young girl carrying a piece of cloth passed by and could not help but glance at the tall Cohen.
"Keep your movements down. An attendant should behave like an attendant." Raphael walked beside Cohen and frowned. "We're surrounded by Northlanders. It's inevitable that there are Lampard's spies around."
Cohen snorted in dissatisfaction, but he still lowered his head obediently and pressed down on his Northland linen cloak.
He rubbed his chin and sighed.
'The dark paint on my face … is airless and a little stuffy.'
The police officer looked at the carriage behind him and frowned. "Is this really going to work?"
Raphael ignored him and only glanced at the carriage behind him before he continued forward.
Soon, Raphael saw their destination.
'He's dreaming.
He knows. '
This time, he knew very clearly that it was a dream.
A dream that seemed familiar.
In the dream, he was still sitting leisurely and blissfully in the classroom.
"Poggi's book mentioned that on the way from feudalism to absolutism, the hierarchical state — that's a German word. Don't use your English-Chinese dictionary to look it up — is an important springboard that cannot be ignored.
"The emerging urban groups required a stable and safe political and economic environment. Obviously, this was incompatible with the traditional suzerain-vassal model, which was based on personal relationships. Therefore, for the sake of benefits, these urban groups began to cooperate with the rulers for a short period of time. They began to participate in the governance through hierarchical meetings and other methods. Their appearance in fact weakened the feudal elements, turning the dual feudal system of monarch-vassals into a complicated triangular relationship.
"But this is far from the centralization of power that we have in mind. This is just the process of achieving this result.
These third forces recognized and supported the special status of the rulers, and did not treat the rulers as peers like feudal vassals.
Through the implementation of various taxes through hierarchical meetings, the rulers strengthened themselves and strengthened their rule over the territories.
The rulers also used this opportunity to grant privileges to the commoners and recruit servants. In this process, a large, professional, prudent, and institutionalized public administration gradually revealed its embryonic form, and laid the foundation for the absolutism that followed.
"Bureaucratic system, bureaucracy, or bureaucratic system — although I don't really like this translation, it gives you some subjective bad impressions. This is a basic concept that you should have come into contact with from the textbooks when you were in university. Students who don't specialize in this field might want to read Weber's original work. Although it's hard to read, it's much more interesting than the second-hand summaries you get from textbooks … "
Dong!
A slight tremor woke Thales up from his deep sleep.
"What happened?"
In the Camian's carriage, Thales opened his sleepy eyes and wiped the drool from the corners of his mouth in a flurry. He looked at the other people in the carriage in a daze. "I … I fell asleep?"
Outside the carriages, the Northlanders who came and went looked worried. The White Blade Guards had already changed their attire and were dressed as ordinary Northlanders. The Constellatiates beside the carriages, including Kohen and Miranda, had changed into Camian attire, which matched the two Camian carriages that Thales and the others were riding on. The two carriages had the emblem of a dagger on them.
"Calm down, Your Highness." Putray, who was beside him, turned his head calmly. He politely did not look at the prince's embarrassment while he observed the situation outside the carriage. "It looks like we're reaching the First Gatehouse soon."
As expected, at the end of the road outside the carriage, the silhouette of the gatehouse and Heroic Spirit Palace had already appeared in their field of vision. Many curious commoners wanted to get closer, but they were chased away by the patrols under the gatehouse.
When Thales first came to Dragon Clouds City, he had stepped into the First Gatehouse.
But it was now in the hands of the enemy.
Heroic Spirit Palace was right behind it.
Thales breathed a sigh of relief. He calmed his pounding heart and chased the dream out of his mind.
He cast his gaze at the stern Nicholas opposite him.
"It's time." The Star Killer raised his head. "We'll part ways here. I'll go to the other carriage. We have to leave with Miss Walton …"
"As for you …" Nicholas narrowed his eyes. "Good luck."
Thales exhaled through his nose.
"Thank you and your brothers. Thank you for bringing us here." The prince looked out the window and at the carriage behind them. He furrowed his brows. "Take good care of her. Becoming a Walton is not a good thing in this situation.
"Leave the rest to us."
Nicholas' expression darkened.
But he immediately raised his head and looked at the captive beside him — Marquis Shiles. He said with hatred, "Be smarter, old friend. Otherwise … I promise you, you won't want to provoke the former commander of the White Blade Guards who is hiding in the dark."
Shiles, whose mouth was gagged and hands were tied behind his back, nodded and tried his best to put on a calm and polite smile.
Unfortunately, because his mouth was gagged, his smile looked a little awkward.
At this moment …
The carriage stopped.
Everyone in the carriage subconsciously looked out the window.
Outside the carriage, a dozen soldiers dressed in patrol uniforms waved at the group of carriages and walked towards them.
Behind them, there were at least a few hundred of their colleagues who were moving back and forth in all directions. They seemed to have surrounded the gatehouse and formed a line of defense.
"Patrol?" Thales was shocked. "Are they Lampard's men?"
"Ah, not only did they seal the gatehouse, they even set up a cordon so far away." Putray narrowed his eyes. "Looks like they're quite strict with their checks. Even though they know that it's fake, it looks like it's real.
"Get ready, it's about to begin."
Thales' heart trembled. He looked at the First Gatehouse in the distance and imagined Heroic Spirit Palace behind it, as well as the few figures in the palace. He could not help but clench his fists tightly. His gaze became determined.
'It's here.
'My battle.'
Opposite him, Nicholas' expression tensed.
The Star Killer cut the rope on Shiles' body and pulled out the cloth from his mouth.
Putray smiled at Shiles. "It's time for you to show your negotiation skills, Sir Marquis."
"Do you know what to do?"
Only then did Shiles breathe a sigh of relief. He leaned against the carriage. "The Lady of Harvest above, of course, but I have to say …"
In the next moment, the Star Killer's hand instantly grabbed Marquis Shiles' shoulder.
The latter immediately bounced off the carriage as if he had been electrocuted.
"Behave yourself." There was a faint threat in Nicholas' voice. "If I find out that you dare to play tricks …"
Shiles broke out in cold sweat from the pain.
"Relax, relax, Your Grace." The Camian shook his head awkwardly as he sweated. "If you want me to negotiate, you have to at least guarantee my safety, right?"
"I can't guarantee your safety," Nicholas said coldly. "But if something happens, I guarantee that you will die before us."
In this regard, the considerate Shiles could only express his' understanding 'with a face full of smiles.
Thales took a deep breath and gave Putray a reassuring smile.
More than ten patrol members entered the two carriages with the Camian emblem. They looked at the Northlanders and foreigners who surrounded the carriages with hostile expressions.
The carriage window was opened.
"Good day, diligent sir."
"I am Shiles Bamra from Good Flow City." The elegant Marquis Shiles with a blond ponytail nodded slightly to a nobleman who looked like a disciplinary officer under the carriage. His expression was at ease and his tone was relaxed.
He nodded slightly at a noble who looked like a disciplinary officer. "I am sorry, I have a very urgent matter to attend to. I need to enter Heroic Spirit Palace. Can you make an exception?"
The disciplinary officer was slightly startled. "A Camian?"
Everyone in the carriage was silent as they waited for Shiles to negotiate with them.
'If he suddenly goes back on his word, or …'
Thales sighed.
Nicholas touched the hilt of his knife gently and stared at Shiles' back.
"If you can't make the decision, I think your superior should know me. I mean, your 'immediate superior'." Shiles smiled and nodded.
The disciplinary officer who looked like a leader frowned. He turned around and patted the shoulder of a soldier beside him. He whispered a few words into his ear.
The latter seemed to have received an order and turned to leave.
"I have heard of your name, sir. You are one of His Majesty's distinguished guests." The disciplinary officer raised his head and nodded respectfully at Shiles. "But I am also very sorry. Every carriage that attempts to enter Heroic Spirit Palace and every noble that attempts to enter Heroic Spirit Palace must be inspected.
"This is an order from the prime minister."
The moment he finished speaking, everyone in the carriage was shocked!
Thales and Putray looked at each other and saw the surprise in each other's eyes.
'Prime minister?
'Not Lampard?
'This means …'
Shiles' expression was especially astonished.
"Wait, you mean …" Shiles furrowed his brows suspiciously. "This is an order from the prime minister?"
The disciplinary officer also seemed to be a little surprised by the marquis' reaction. He first looked at his colleagues and subordinates, then nodded at Shiles.
The marquis in the carriage opened his mouth wide. He looked at the patrols around him and asked nervously, "You mean, Count Lisban, Prime Minister Lisban?"
"Yes, all the patrols in the city are now under the direct command of the prime minister," the disciplinary officer replied with a solemn expression. "Is there a problem?"
Shiles stared at him in a daze. "Prime minister? Where is he? In the palace? "
The disciplinary officer shook his head.
"No, he's right here." The disciplinary officer pointed at a house guarded by soldiers on the street to his side. "He's working in the temporary stronghold behind us. I've already sent someone to invite him over. If you have any questions, you can ask him or ask him directly."
Shiles raised his head with a complicated expression.
"Gatehouse, the First Gatehouse." The marquis looked at the First Gatehouse in the distance. He looked at the vague figures on it and asked hesitantly, "It is already past time now. Why is it not open yet?
"Could it be that … something happened to Heroic Spirit Palace?"
The disciplinary officer's expression changed.
"Of course not." The disciplinary officer reacted quickly and shook his head. His expression was solemn and seemed to allow no doubt. "You know, the calamity has just descended last night. We will be more cautious during critical times, but please be rest assured that everything is under control."
Shiles narrowed his eyes.
He took a deep breath and looked at the house where the prime minister was.
The marquis asked keenly, "Then why doesn't the prime minister enter the palace to keep watch? Instead, he is temporarily stationed in a house? "
"Isn't the patrol on the gatehouse a little too far away from the cordon that you have set up?"
"Could it be that … all of you dare not go near the gatehouse?"
The disciplinary officer furrowed his brows imperceptibly.
"You misunderstand. We deliberately set up the line of defense a little further away from the gatehouse for safety," he answered very seriously, as if to cut off all unnecessary associations from the foreign noble. "Before ensuring safety, we have to stop all possible threats outside Heroic Spirit Palace. Of course, we cannot let our guard down even at the gatehouse."
Shiles raised his brows.
As he spoke, the soldier who delivered the order returned to the disciplinary officer's side and whispered a few words into his ear.
"Please follow us in your carriage." The disciplinary officer turned his head and nodded respectfully at the marquis. "The prime minister wishes to see you."
Shiles' expression changed.
"Oh." He nodded gently, concealing the turmoil in his heart with a smile. "Alright, we'll come right away."
Shiles first gestured at the coachman. Then, with a calm expression, he smoothly closed the window.
The carriage started moving again, moving forward slowly along with the patrol team.
He turned his head around to look at the people in the carriage.
The moment Shiles turned his head around, his expression had already become tense and solemn.
Everyone in the carriage also stared back at him with pale faces.
"These people, these soldiers …" Even though Shiles tried his best to control his emotions, Thales could still hear a hint of unexpected panic in his tone. "They are not Lampard's men, nor are they from Black Sand Region!"
Shiles' words became more and more hurried. He did not even care about the hilt of Nicholas' sword that was pressed against his back. He said in exasperation, "They are the real Dragon Clouds City patrol team, the army! They are directly under the disciplinary hall and the garrison officers, they are not fake!
"They are the real deal!"
Thales thought of something and looked at the solemn-looking patrols on both sides.
'The real deal?
In other words, these people are loyal to Dragon Clouds City and the Walton Family? '
"What's going on?" Putray asked calmly. "Did Prime Minister Lisban appear and control the situation?"
"I don't think so." Shiles shook his head. It was obvious that he was also thinking hard about the current situation. "I managed to find out. The gatehouse is still in Lampard's hands. Obviously, they are confronting each other and even negotiating."
The two carriages, along with the Northlanders and Constellatiates, were moving forward. The gatehouse was in front of them on the right, and Lisban's house was in front of them on the left.
Putray clasped his hands together and narrowed his eyes. "It seems that this person is more powerful than we thought. Judging by his posture, he has already noticed that something is wrong in the gatehouse and even in Heroic Spirit Palace. He has led his troops here."
Thales sighed softly. He looked at Nicholas with a firm gaze. "Now is a good opportunity. You can take advantage of the situation and evacuate with the Waltons … with Miss Walton. Go to your Prime Minister Lisban. You can either seek help or leave."
The image of the terrified little girl on the other carriage appeared before his eyes.
'We're going to part ways here.
'Little Rascal.'
Nicholas' expression changed.
"Of course it's convenient for the Northlanders, but the problem is, what about us?" Beside him, Shiles gritted his teeth and furrowed his brows. "When we see Lisban, what should we say? 'We want to save your country, please let us go'? "
Thales took a deep breath and pondered anxiously.
In the original plan, they had to rely on Shiles to deceive the Black Sand Region soldiers in the gatehouse. Then, Shiles would find a way to send them to Heroic Spirit Palace.
But now, right in front of the gatehouse …
'Lisban.
Prime minister?
What should I do?
How should I face him?
Or should I just not face him? '
When he thought of this, Thales raised his head and seemed to be deep in thought. "If we suddenly rush to the gatehouse now and let Shiles bring us in, will we succeed?
"Will Lisban and his patrol team intercept or even attack us?"
The carriage drove past another group of patrolling soldiers. They seemed to be more nervous than the other soldiers. They surrounded a noble and pointed at the gatehouse.
Putray frowned. "But if that's the case …"
He did not continue.
Nicholas' expression changed. He looked at Thales.
"You know, you can actually come with me to meet the prime minister. We will explain everything, work together with his forces, and act together," Nicholas said flatly. "With his cooperation, it will be more convenient for us."
As the Star Killer spoke, he glanced at Shiles. His gaze was cold. "Anyway, we have a 'zealous' witness from Camus Union regarding the plot to assassinate King Nuven."
The expression of the Marquis of Camus Union changed drastically!
Thales thought of something.
The prince nodded and asked Nicholas solemnly, "If we go to Lisban … is he trustworthy?"
Nicholas paused for a moment.
"Count Lisban is the prime minister of the kingdom. He has been His Majesty's right-hand man for many years." The Star Killer lowered his head and said softly, "And he is a direct vassal of Dragon Clouds City …"
Thales furrowed his brows. He felt that there was something wrong with Nicholas.
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