Thales never thought that the nagging Head Ritual Master's so-called 'time to make a decision' would come so quickly.
He knew that Asda would not give up so easily.
But unexpectedly, this fanatical and indifferent Mystic quietly appeared when he was at his most distressed and cornered. She descended as a savior and condescendingly proposed tempting conditions to him, causing him to sink into a struggle in his heart.
Just like a shrewd and cunning businessman.
Thales gulped in a daze and raised his head to look at the five archdukes who were staring at him with hostile gazes.
'With Asda's power … As long as they all die here, everything will be solved?
'Is that so?'
Countless people were fighting desperately on their respective battlefields, looking forward to his final results.
Thales heard his heartbeat speed up, and cold sweat trickled down his face.
'If there's really no other way, then as long as I agree to Asda's conditions and follow him to become a Mystic …
'Not only that.
'Almost endless power, endless life, the door to a new world … Reaping without sowing, everyone will be happy, and this is the' condition 'that everyone seems to dream of?'
Thales suddenly felt his mouth go dry.
'I just need to open my mouth …
'But …'
Thales' heart clenched.
He subconsciously tightened his jaw and clenched his teeth together.
'Is there really no other way?
'So many people have sacrificed themselves and fought so hard, but I have to accept such a terrible and irresponsible ending?'
Facing the gazes of the five archdukes and thinking of the voice behind his ears, Thales opened his mouth with difficulty.
At that moment, Thales remembered that sentence.
"Be careful of Asda."
What appeared before his eyes was the young girl with blood-red stripes all over her face. It was her almost liberated gaze.
"Being a Mystic … is not a gift or a blessing … It's a curse and misfortune …"
Thales furrowed his brows unnaturally. Between hesitation and uncertainty, his Adam's apple bobbed.
The archdukes were either puzzled, mocking, or disdainful as they stared at the dazed Thales, who was struggling internally. They watched his slightly trembling lips and tightly clenched fists.
It was as if they were watching a comedy.
At that moment, something unexpected happened to both Thales and the archdukes.
When the place fell into a tense silence …
A childish and weak voice cut into the tense conversation without warning.
"Perhaps, perhaps he has no right to question you …"
Thales was shocked and raised his head.
That was …
"But you, you …" The voice trembled uncontrollably. It was intermittent, as if it lacked confidence. "As Northlanders, as … as the great Archduke of Eckstedt, what right do you have …"
The archdukes were stunned. They looked around in surprise, trying to find the source of the voice.
"Based on what …" At the end of his sentence, the man's voice twitched. It seemed to carry a reckless courage as he suddenly raised his voice. "Based on what? Based on what? Discussing His Majesty's misfortune here!"
With the sound of firewood breaking, everyone in the hall found the source of the sound.
Under the astonished gazes of Thales and the archdukes, a frail and young girl covered in soot and dirt appeared in the fireplace.
The bespectacled girl hugged her arms tightly, her face full of fear and cowering.
However, after the girl saw Thales, she seemed to have made up her mind about something. She bit her lip hard and stepped on the broken firewood with trembling legs. She walked out of the fireplace unsteadily and stepped on the stone tiles of the Hall of Heroes.
The second prince stared blankly at the girl covered in soot, not knowing how to react.
How …
Why would she …
However, he immediately reacted and ran forward in two or three steps.
He even forgot Asda's voice at the back of his mind.
"What kind of drama is this?" Trentida looked at the girl in confusion, then at the archdukes. He spread his hands impatiently. "First it was the boy, then the girl …"
"Is no one taking care of the fireplace in Heroic Spirit Palace?"
Archduke Lampard furrowed his eyebrows tightly. He could not hide the shock on his face.
Archduke Roknee sighed. "Today is indeed special."
The other two archdukes looked at each other in confusion.
"What happened?" Thales grabbed Little Rascal's shoulder tightly, blocking the archdukes' line of sight. He asked anxiously in a low voice,
"Shouldn't you be taking refuge on the top floor? Why are you here? Where's Ralf? "
Little Rascal stared at Thales, whose face was covered in soot. She was slightly stunned.
After a few tenths of a second, she seemed to have found her backbone. Her breathing steadied, and she faced Thales' question with a wronged expression. "The enemy is at the top floor …"
"Ralf went to lure them away. I could only climb down … and then I heard, I heard you …" Little Rascal's voice grew weaker, like a child who had done something wrong.
Thales' heart sank.
'No.
'This time, Little Rascal is also in danger …'
Thales turned around and subconsciously shielded Little Rascal behind him. He looked at the archdukes anxiously.
"Alright," Lampard interrupted them coldly. "Ignorant brats' performance is an insult to today's meeting —"
"Wait," Roknee interrupted Lampard. The Archduke of the City of Faraway Prayers narrowed his eyes and carefully sized up the girl behind the prince. "Who are you, little girl? Don't tell me he just happened to appear here? "
Olsius glanced at the fireplace and snorted coldly. "The Constellatiates are really all-pervasive. How could they have crawled into such a narrow hole?"
Lampard noticed the archdukes' reaction and could not help but feel cold.
The other archdukes shot their gazes at him, full of vigilance and questioning.
Thales' heart tightened and he gritted his teeth.
'What should I do?
How should I answer?
How should I answer to ensure that Little Rascal can escape and not fall into their hands? '
But he did not have to worry anymore.
In the next second, the girl's shoulder trembled slightly. Then, unexpectedly, she broke free from his arm and revealed herself behind Thales.
"I …"
Under Thales' surprised gaze, Little Rascal raised her dusty face. In hesitation and fear, she spoke shakily.
"I'm, I'm …"
The archdukes' expressions became increasingly hostile. Lampard snorted coldly.
Little Rascal looked very nervous. Under the warning snort, she lowered her head and trembled slightly. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she could not continue speaking.
Thales sighed softly. He turned his head and was about to say something to divert attention.
But Little Rascal's action was once again beyond his imagination.
The frail girl stared at the stone tiles on the ground and gritted her teeth.
At that moment, the trembling girl shut her eyes tightly, then abruptly opened them again, forcing the tears that had blurred her vision to flow out of the corners of her eyes.
Little Rascal slowly raised her head and imitated Thales by taking deep breaths.
The fear and panic on her face had gradually faded.
At that moment, the girl looked as if she had just put down a heavy burden and crossed a chasm. She held back her strength and looked up.
Thales watched in surprise as Little Rascal reached her right hand into her pocket. He watched in surprise as she took out something without hesitation despite her trembling hand.
The second prince shuddered slightly.
The girl's crystal-clear gaze was forceful and forceful. She bit her lower lip hard and slowly raised her right hand, showing the thing in her pocket to everyone.
The archdukes were shocked the moment they saw the thing. Their gazes were locked on the girl's right hand.
Apart from Chapman Lampard, who had expected it, the archdukes cast shocked, probing, sizing up, or contemplating gazes at the girl at the same time.
Thales watched the scene in disbelief. He looked at the girl, who was still trembling and crying, but still persisted in raising her right hand.
He felt that something in the depths of Little Rascal's body — this little maid, this fragile girl — had changed.
The girl choked and sniffed. She slowly said, "This is my …"
At that moment, Archduke Lampard raised his head abruptly.
He shot a murderous and chilling gaze at the girl.
Little Rascal pretended to be strong and met Chapman Lampard's gaze in the air.
The unprepared girl shuddered. She seemed to have remembered something, and her words were stuck in her throat.
* Clink … *
Little Rascal's hand lost its balance for a moment. The thing fell to the ground with a clink.
Under the pressure of the Archduke of Black Sand Region, Little Rascal was like a kitten that was beaten back to its original form. She cried out in surprise, and even her glasses were shaken askew.
"I think we don't have to waste any more time." Lampard let out a faint sneer. His gaze was as sharp as a knife. "Unless you want to explain to Prime Minister Lisban why we only appeared in a hurry after so many corpses were left behind?"
But the other archdukes did not speak. They exchanged glances in silence.
Staring at Little Rascal before him, Thales, who had been silent all this while, suddenly noticed a problem.
After Little Rascal appeared, he had subconsciously thrown Asda's existence and the options he had given him to the back of his mind.
But for some reason, Thales felt a lot more at ease at that moment.
He no longer felt that inexplicable fear and hesitation when he was forced to make a choice.
At that moment, Thales knew his answer.
He lowered his eyes and flashed a bitter smile.
'Thales.
You've already made up your mind when you faced Giza, haven't you?
Never again …
Never again will you compromise your future! '
At this thought, the expressionless Thales suddenly stretched out his right hand.
* Slap! *
He grabbed the girl who was about to bend down to pick up the thing, preventing her from bending down.
Little Rascal came back to her senses in shock and looked at Thales.
Thales slowly turned his head and gave her a reassuring smile. He reached out and straightened her glasses.
Under the archdukes' solemn gazes, Lampard's murderous gaze, and Little Rascal's puzzled gaze, the Second Prince of Constellation, Thales Jadestar slowly bent down.
He extended his arm and picked up the thing at the girl's feet.
Thales straightened up and said slowly, "I guess you should be familiar with this thing. It's one of the proofs of King Nuven's power and status."
The archdukes frowned and looked at each other.
Looking at Thales, Little Rascal seemed to have returned to her normal self. She stared at him, not knowing what to do.
Thales' gaze slowly became resolute.
'Asda …
'Who do you think you are?
'I don't believe that you're a portable system that' exists to serve the host and will never harm the host '… Or one of those portable grandpas that' can I help you become something '…
'You want to control my fate and make me follow the path you've planned?
Just like those people — Rick, Quide, Kessel, King Nuven, and Lampard?
'F * ck you.
'The Air Mystic.
'Asda, you silly little thing?'
Thales sneered inwardly. At the same time, he solemnly raised the thing in his left hand and took Little Rascal's left hand in an indisputable manner.
The archdukes' gazes slowly changed as they looked at them.
Archduke Lecco was expressionless, but he clenched his fists.
"As you can see," Thales raised his head and said solemnly, "this lady is the current owner of this ring."
Looking at the ring, Lampard subconsciously placed his hand on the sword at his waist. His expression was complicated.
The second prince stared at the dumbfounded Little Rascal and grabbed her left palm without hesitation.
Then, with utmost solemnity, Thales put on Little Rascal's left thumb — the ring that carried countless burdens of history and represented several emperors and kings — 'Triumph'.
The archdukes stared at the black ring that they were all too familiar with. Habitual fear and vigilance appeared in their eyes.
"She's wearing the glasses once worn by the Queen of the Sky," Thales said softly as he adjusted Little Rascal's black-rimmed glasses. At the same time, he used his sleeve to wipe off a few stains on her face. "And this lady herself has even spoken directly to Her Majesty Clorysis!"
Archduke Olsius moved slightly. "What?"
Little Rascal was stunned. Then, her pupils shrank and she subconsciously trembled.
But Thales' gaze was firm. He suddenly tightened his grip on her left wrist.
Little Rascal was slightly startled.
"Her existence, compared to me, compared to you, compared to anyone else in this city and this country, has more power and more right to question the truth behind the king's death and interrogate the conscience of all of you here!" Thales enunciated each and every word in an extremely serious manner, as though this was the last time he would speak. "She has more power and more right to question the truth behind the king's death and interrogate everyone's conscience!"
Archduke Roknee crossed his arms. His expression was solemn.
The second prince stared into the girl's eyes with a serious expression.
At that moment, Little Rascal felt the nervousness in her heart dissipate.
"Please allow me to introduce the bloodline of Raikaru the Hero …" The second prince took a deep breath and turned around. He raised Little Rascal's hand and the Ring of Triumph high above her head.
Thales stood shoulder to shoulder with Little Rascal in the hall. Gritting his teeth, he said in a low voice, "Blood relative of Nuven the Seventh and Prince Soria, direct descendant of the Walton Family, the rightful heir of Dragon Clouds City and Cloud Dragon Spear …"
Trentida narrowed his eyes. His emotions were complicated.
Thales turned his head and nodded slightly at Little Rascal.
The girl stared back at Thales with her sparkling green eyes and nodded slowly.
Little Rascal took a step forward and raised the Ring of Triumph on her left hand high.
"I am …" The girl turned her head abruptly and forced herself to look straight into the five archdukes' awe-inspiring eyes. She gritted her teeth as if she was going all out. "I am Saroma!"
Out of the corner of her eye, Little Rascal caught a glimpse of the stone carving of the Cloud Dragon Spear above her head. She could not control the trembling in her voice, but she used her hoarse voice to cover up her panic and nervousness.
The archdukes' expressions were subtle. Their emotions were complicated. Under each other's strange gazes, they did not make a sound.
The girl took another step forward and left Thales' arm. She leaned her head forward and her face was contorted. She shouted with all her might, "I am the granddaughter of Nuven Walton, the Common-Elected King of Eckstedt and the Archduke of Dragon Clouds City!
"I am the only daughter of Prince Soria Walton and Adele Walton, the daughter of the Marquis of Vine City!"
Archduke Olsius lowered his head slightly. Archduke Roknee shook his head slightly.
In the Hall of Heroes, under the stone carving of the Cloud Dragon Spear, the girl shut her eyes tightly in front of the five archdukes of Eckstedt.
Tears flowed from her eyes and fell to the ground, shattering into countless teardrops.
Thales stood behind her and watched the girl's performance in silence. He had mixed feelings in his heart, and there was an indescribable stuffiness in his chest.
The next moment, the girl clenched her fists tightly and shouted at the top of her lungs, the brand that would accompany her for the rest of her life.
"I am Saroma!
"Saroma Alex Soria Walton!"
Her voice echoed in the hall. Even a low commotion could be heard outside the hall.
The archdukes' expressions were stiff. They did not say a word. Even Lampard's face was cold and motionless.
After she finished shouting, the little girl panted a few times and swayed as if she was exhausted.
Thales quickly caught up to her and supported her.
The silence lasted for a few seconds.
Only the girl's choking sobs and the archdukes' whispers could be heard in the hall.
The girl looked as if she had just made the biggest decision of her life. Her teeth chattered and she sniffed silently.
"It's okay now." Thales patted her shoulder gently and comforted her in a low voice. "Think about the scene when you faced the Queen of the Sky, and compare it to now …"
The girl's heart trembled. The image of the Great Dragon, which was dignified and elegant at the same time, flashed before her eyes.
She took a deep breath and slowly but firmly raised her head.
"Just as Thales said," Little Rascal — no, from now on, Saroma Walton. Saroma left Thales' arm with a face full of indignation, "I stand here, representing my bloodline, representing Dragon Clouds City, to question all of you …"
The girl, Saroma, fixed her gaze on the five archdukes. At that moment, it was as if she no longer cared about their gazes and dignity. She also forgot the fear and cowardice that once followed her like a shadow.
"Archdukes of Eckstedt, you obviously uphold the sacred Joint Ruling Pledge and protect this equally sacred land," Saroma said with a cold expression and a deep voice.
"But when the king slayer stands before you …"
The girl's gaze swept across the four archdukes, as if she was reading four thick books.
"Everyone, why do you protect the murderer?"
Her voice was very steady, and very cold.
The archdukes frowned and turned in unison to Archduke Lecco, who was the most qualified to speak.
But the old archduke stared straight at the girl and did not say a word.
Saroma gritted her teeth and took a step forward. She raised the ring and continued to speak.
"Why do you not distinguish right from wrong?
Why do you distort the truth?
Why do you conspire with evil?
Why do you wallow in the secret chamber and darkness? Why do you disregard Northland's dignity and traditions? Why do you cast aside Eckstedt's justice and honor? "
The archdukes stared at the girl in disbelief. Their gazes moved back and forth between her face and the Ring of Triumph. For a moment, no one refuted her.
In the hall, the girl's voice became louder and louder. Her face became redder and redder, and her gaze became aggressive.
Thales watched Saroma's performance in astonishment — just like a real inquisitor.
"How can you stand in Heroic Spirit Palace, which has been passed down from generation to generation in the Walton Family, and stand under the stone carving of the Cloud Dragon Spear that will live and die with Eckstedt without batting an eyelid …" The girl panted, cleared her throat, and continued to speak in a righteous and imposing manner. "How can you defile and humiliate my grandfather, your king's glory and honor, with a clear conscience?"
Saroma stared at the archdukes in front of her coldly.
"All of you archdukes who should shoulder the glory of Northland with faith and protect Eckstedt with loyalty …
"Answer me …" She leaned forward and said loudly without hesitation,
"Answer me!"
Her voice echoed in the hall.
Saroma lowered her arms and panted rapidly. She looked at the archdukes, and there was a nervous expression on her face, as if she had stage fright. It was as if she, too, was surprised by her performance just now.
Thales walked forward and pulled her back.
The archdukes looked at each other with different expressions. After a long time, someone spoke.
Archduke Lecco looked at Saroma, sighed, and said slowly, "Being questioned by a little girl in such a manner.
This is really awkward. "
"What about now?" Archduke Olsius said coldly to the old archduke, "Are we going to use force or soft tactics?"
Archduke Lecco snorted softly.
Behind him, Trentida leaned toward the frost-faced Lampard in dissatisfaction.
"I thought you already had her under control." Trentida gritted his teeth and cast a glance at Saroma, who was talking to Thales in a low voice. He whispered, "And she should be very 'obedient' and 'cooperative'!"
Lampard did not answer him. He only stared at Thales.
"The bloodline of Dragon Clouds City doesn't seem very cooperative …" Archduke Roknee was the one who answered him. The Archduke of the City of Faraway Prayers seemed to enjoy watching Trentida make a fool of himself. He shook his head in disdain. "It seems like it won't be that easy to get your new cultivated land, Porpheus."
In front of the archdukes, Saroma lowered her head in a daze. She extended her right hand to the 'Triumph' on her left thumb.
Her face was flushed, and she breathed in a daze.
The moment she touched the ring and felt the metallic sensation from it, Saroma's expression changed, and she shrank abruptly.
It was as if she had been scalded.
Saroma turned her head away, as if she did not dare to look at the ring.
But her left hand was immediately grabbed firmly.
Saroma raised her head in a daze.
"Well done." Standing beside her, Thales gave the girl an encouraging smile.
The redness on Saroma's face faded a little. Like a student who had been acknowledged, she nodded happily.
"By the way …" The smiling Prince of Constellation suddenly changed the topic and raised his eyebrows.
"Where did you recite those lines from?"
Saroma, who had been extremely excited, froze a little like a student who had been caught doing something wrong.
"I …"
Her small face drooped and she blinked behind her glasses. She lost all the power of her impassioned speech just now and stared at Thales pitifully.
Thales furrowed his eyebrows slightly. His gaze was filled with the word 'hmm'.
Looking at the prince's expression, Saroma subconsciously shrank.
A second later, she spoke weakly. Her chest rose and fell, and her small face was ghastly pale. "'The Drama of Elados', Chapter Ten, 'Death of the Black Knight' …"
Saroma pursed her lips and said in an aggrieved tone, "Elson Slade, Chief Judge of the Ancient Empire. This is the line to accuse the 'Black Knight' Yuseli Ander of the murder of the Supreme Emperor.
"I changed it a little …"
Thales was slightly stunned, then he immediately broke into laughter.
He subconsciously stretched out his hand and pinched Saroma's face.
The girl stared at him in a daze, not knowing how to respond.
At this moment …
"Lady Saroma," Archduke Lecco's voice rang out, attracting the two children's attention. "I offer my deepest condolences to the Walton Family and Dragon Clouds City for the loss."
The old archduke slowly walked to the long table and sat down. "His Majesty's misfortune is also Eckstedt's misfortune."
Saroma's face turned pale.
But Thales smiled.
The other archdukes looked at each other with different expressions. Only Lampard was expressionless. No one knew what he was thinking.
"But you are still too young to understand what happened." A strange light flashed in Archduke Lecco's eyes. The bald archduke spoke slowly with his unique, old, but honest voice. "I suggest that you do not listen to the one-sided story of the enemy kingdom's prince, such as His Majesty being assassinated."
Hearing this, Archduke Roknee snorted in a strange manner. Trentida immediately glared at him.
Saroma bit her lower lip.
"I-I stood on the land of Dragon Clouds City and watched Nuven's … His Majesty's … head fall to the ground with my own eyes." Recalling that terrifying scene, she tried her best to suppress her body from trembling. "I watched the Born King die from a despicable and clumsy assassination —"
"Child!" Archduke Lecco widened his eyes in anger and interrupted her. "Lady Walton!
"I respect your grandfather."
But please do not doubt our loyalty to Northland and Eckstedt. The reason why we are standing here is precisely for Eckstedt's future! " Archduke Lecco said coldly. "In front of that future, in front of Eckstedt, whether it is you or me, or even King Nuven, we are but a speck of dust in the desert. We are insignificant, even to the Walton Family!"
Saroma froze and was momentarily speechless.
Behind her, Thales sighed softly.
"Our decision was also very difficult." Archduke Trentida sighed and waved his hand in a seemingly pained manner. "One day, you will understand, but not now."
Roknee hugged his arms tightly. His expression was unpleasant.
"Of course, if you do not understand," Archduke Olsius said flatly with a hint of threat in his tone, "we have no other choice but to reluctantly persuade you to cooperate."
Lampard continued to stare at Thales without saying a word, as though Thales was his biggest threat.
The hall was silent again.
"Cooperate?" Saroma frowned. This was the first time she encountered such a situation. She was rather flustered and at a loss. "You …"
But she tightened her arms slightly.
Saroma looked at the prince strangely.
Beside her, Thales quietly watched the girl's flushed cheeks.
Saroma was a little embarrassed by his stare.
Thales slowly exhaled.
"Enough, my lady. You have done well enough."
In Saroma's eyes, the boy from Constellation flashed his brightest smile and gently shook his head. "What happens next …
"Leave it to me."
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