Two of the braziers in the Hall of Heroes had been extinguished.
But at this moment, no one in the stone hall cared about the temperature anymore.
"Lampard didn't just want to assassinate King Nuven."
Thales managed to regulate his breathing with much difficulty. The Prince of Constellation's voice rang softly. "He also wanted to maximize King Nuven's death to achieve his goal!"
The prince raised his head and looked at the four archdukes, who had strange expressions on their faces. "You can imagine: King Nuven had just executed one of the five archdukes in the name of revenge, and in the blink of an eye, he died beside the other four.
"What would the situation be like?"
Archduke Lecco clasped his hands together. His gaze was frozen.
'What would the situation be like?'
The old archduke looked at Lampard, his thoughts churning.
In contrast, Lampard's gaze on Thales had returned to a deathly stillness, causing the latter to feel creeped out.
Thales appeared unusually calm. He continued, "I don't know Lampard's specific plans, but in his imagination, you would probably be the prime suspects. Unable to defend yourselves, you would be badly battered, and you would be in an unfamiliar Dragon Clouds City. The smart and capable Prime Minister Lisban would probably not be easy to deal with."
The prince recalled the information and truth he had gathered bit by bit during the tense and thrilling escape from the assassination. He sighed softly. "Next, with the Secret Room's' help ', Prime Minister Lisban and the four' suspects' of regicide will inevitably clash.
They will force you to the opposite side of Dragon Clouds City! "
The hall fell into a subtle silence.
The archdukes looked at Lampard in unison, thinking about Thales' words with different expressions.
Thales walked to the long table. Under Archduke Roknee's displeased gaze, he jumped onto a chair and met Archduke Lecco's gaze. "I just heard that even now, Prime Minister Lisban is besieging the gatehouse?"
Lampard turned his head away without saying a word, as if he was not the main character of the conversation.
"At first, I didn't understand why Lampard brought his army along when he assassinated the king." Thales took a deep breath and recalled the soldiers who disguised themselves as patrols. He also remembered his suspicions in the prison cell. "Now, I believe that Lampard's army intervened in the conflict when things got out of hand and rescued the archdukes."
Trentida raised his head.
"Why?" The Archduke of Reformation Tower asked solemnly, "Assuming what you said is true, why did Lampard do this?"
Thales froze for a moment.
"To convince you," he said expressionlessly.
"What?" Archduke Trentida exclaimed instinctively.
"All of you, who are suspected of regicide and are at loggerheads with the prime minister, will definitely accept Lampard's suggestion to protect yourselves. You will willingly and eagerly push the blame of the king's death onto Constellation and me."
When he said this, Thales' expression darkened.
"All of you will volunteer to become Lampard's accomplices. You will attack Constellation with Lampard. Not only will you end King Nuven's threat, but you will also fulfill his long-cherished wish." Under Saroma's strange gaze, Thales sighed softly.
"This is Lampard's real plan. He used schemes and framing to tie his allies to his side."
The archdukes' gazes kept moving back and forth between Lampard and Thales.
The Archduke of Black Sand Region remained motionless. His eyes grew calmer and calmer.
Thales exhaled and leaned back against the chair in exhaustion. At the same time, he watched strangely as Archduke Roknee's expression became increasingly unpleasant.
'Did I provoke him?'
Archduke Olsius knocked on the square table with a solemn expression. His deep voice rang. "If this was Chapman's original plan, why did he change his mind?"
Thales clenched his fists and recalled Putray's words.
"Contrary to Lampard's expectations, the assassination went awry," Thales replied calmly. "King Nuven did not stay in Heroic Spirit Palace as he expected.
"Lampard had no choice but to expose himself and enter the city ahead of time to personally witness Nuven's death in Shield District."
The prince raised his gaze. His gray eyes swept across each of the archdukes.
"He lost his leadership and control over the situation. He could no longer frame all of you. He could no longer use the situation and danger to force all of you to form an alliance with him.
"That's why this scene is happening now.
"Lampard had no choice but to take down the gatehouse and personally enter Heroic Spirit Palace to convince all of you to let go of the mysteries surrounding Nuven's death and work together with him."
Thales exhaled slowly. "This is different from his previous plan of using the situation to coerce you. This time, he wants to use a reason that you cannot refuse to convince all of you to join his grand plan."
His voice faded away.
He left the silence in the hall.
The archdukes' expressions were very interesting.
"Is this what you want to say?"
Archduke Lecco pondered for a while. "Chapman originally intended to use some dishonorable means to pull us into his chariot?"
Lampard snorted coldly.
"Nonsense." The Archduke of Black Sand Region's tone was full of disdain and indifference. "And there are many suspicious points."
Thales gritted his teeth.
But Trentida interrupted his rebuttal.
"Our Archduke of Black Sand Region is very scheming." The Archduke of Reformation Tower smiled slightly. "But so what?
"Even if he was originally prepared to scheme and frame us, it's too late now." Archduke Trentida turned to the others and spread his hands gently.
The archduke turned his head slightly and looked at Thales.
At that moment, Trentida's eyes shone with a cold light. "For Eckstedt, we still have to do what we have to do.
"You can't change anything."
Lampard's expression was still indifferent, but the Archduke of Black Sand Region still turned his head and nodded slightly at Trentida.
Thales was slightly startled.
He observed the expressions of the archdukes and found that they seemed to be indifferent.
Worried, Saroma came forward and tugged at the corner of his torn shirt.
But Thales smiled.
In front of the archdukes, the prince revealed a relieved smile.
"My dear archdukes.
"How did Chapman Lampard convince all of you?" Thales swept his gaze over these powerful suzerains one by one and pursed his lips. "What kind of irresistible reason did he give for all of you to cooperate obediently?"
The archdukes' expressions became a little unpleasant.
"It doesn't matter." Thales closed his eyes and sighed. "Actually, I've already guessed some of it on my way here."
Lampard's pupils froze slightly.
Thales straightened his back and faced the archdukes sternly. "Did he tell all of you that, compared to Lampard's disobedient actions, a more terrifying threat is rising in the country to the south? That even a country as strong as Eckstedt cannot withstand it? "
At that moment, the archdukes more or less behaved a little unnaturally.
It was as if they were not used to this coming from the Prince of Constellation's mouth.
Lampard snorted softly.
But Thales ignored the Archduke of Black Sand Region.
'This is my turn.'
Thales clenched his fists lightly.
"Did he tell all of you that the country after the Empire is undergoing an unprecedented transformation?" Thales' gaze became sharper and his voice slowly rose. "Their entire country's power is converging into one in an unprecedented manner, becoming more and more efficient, and they can command it with ease?"
Saroma revealed an astonished expression.
"Did he tell all of you that Eckstedt can only fight its way out by striking first, using war and violence to kill that threat in the cradle at all costs?"
Archduke Olsius and Trentida exchanged a glance. They were both astonished.
"Did he also tell all of you that if you don't do this, then the day will come when your territory will be seized, your clan will be destroyed, your bloodline will be severed, and everything you possess will be annihilated and cease to exist?"
Archduke Lecco's eyebrows twitched. Veins popped up on his hands again.
Thales took a deep breath and said his last sentence, "Then did he also tell all of you that everything Chapman Lampard did, whether it was the coup d 'état or the instigation of war, was because he was forced to make a choice, because he had no other choice, because he was willing to bear the burden of being tarnished, because he was courageous and ambitious, and because he sacrificed himself for the country?"
Once he finished speaking, Thales felt Lampard's gaze on him grow colder and colder.
"Alright." Archduke Trentida sighed slightly. "For these few words, you have indeed lived up to your reputation, boy."
Archduke Roknee furrowed his brows.
"Who told you that?"
"That's not important. But this is how he convinced all of you, right?" Thales clenched his teeth and ignored the archdukes' strange expressions. "You acknowledged his reason, agreed to cover up the truth of the king's death, were willing to go south with him to Constellation, and accepted his condition of gifting the ownerless Dragon Clouds City."
"Just for Eckstedt?"
Just as the archdukes were in a state of shock and bewilderment, Thales raised his head abruptly and said through gritted teeth, "But don't you find it strange?"
Thales stood up abruptly from his chair and placed his hands on the square table. His expression was solemn.
"If he could rely on himself to convince all of you, just like what he is doing now, then why did he have to go through so much trouble to scheme and frame all of you in the original plan, forcing all of you to go against Dragon Clouds City?"
The prince clenched his fists. "Why didn't he swagger in and tell all of you, 'For the sake of Eckstedt, so that everything you have will not be destroyed by the future Constellation, please understand his difficulties and cooperate with his selfless act?'"
Trentida raised his head and glanced at Lampard, who had stopped talking. He curled the corners of his lips. "That's what he is doing now, isn't it?"
Thales stared at Lampard, watching as his hand pressed on the saber at his waist.
"I just said that he was forced to do this now. This is the backup plan," the prince said softly.
"Otherwise, unless it was absolutely necessary, Lampard would never use this reason to convince you. He did not intend to tell you about the threat of Constellation, nor did he intend to tell you about the drastic changes in that country. He did not intend to tell you about his true intentions either.
Archduke Lecco frowned slightly. 'True purpose?'
Thales rested his fist on the table and recalled what Shiles said. "Lampard would rather you join his team because you are against Dragon Clouds City than because you sensed the threat of Constellation and joined forces with him."
"Why?" Archduke Roknee said impatiently. "Just say it. Northlanders hate to beat around the bush."
Thales turned to him.
"Why?" The Prince of Constellation narrowed his eyes. "Because these are his heartfelt words.
And because he is afraid. "
At that moment, Thales finally saw Lampard, who had been expressionless all this while, slowly raise his head.
The Archduke of Black Sand Region looked at him. The coldness in his eyes turned into deathly stillness.
Thales stared back at him without flinching and gritted his teeth.
'This is a battle between us.
It is also the fairest battlefield.
'Are you ready, Lampard?
'And now, it is my counterattack.'
"Afraid?" Trentida asked, puzzled.
Thales nodded slowly and firmly.
"He is afraid that you will find something wrong with his words."
Thales Jadestar took a deep breath. "He is afraid that once you begin to think about it carefully, you will discover the cruel truth behind the reason 'Constellation is a threat'."
"Truth?" Archduke Roknee repeated with a murmur.
In the next second …
"My fellow archdukes!" Thales straightened his body and stepped on the chair. His expression was solemn. "Once you accept Lampard's suggestion today and swallow Dragon Clouds City …
"Dispatch troops to the south and invade Constellation."
Archduke Lecco sat up straight without realizing it.
Roknee raised his chin.
Trentida and Olsius' expressions were solemn.
As for Lampard, his pair of deathly still eyes had not moved for a long time.
But Thales had no time to care about his opponent.
"In the future, each of your families, territories, and archdukes …" Thales clenched his teeth and swept his gaze across each archduke solemnly. He saw that their expressions were becoming more and more complicated and subtle. "… will be in an unstoppable storm …
"Disaster is upon us, and we will be doomed eternally!"
The wind from the sword attacked!
It went straight for the back of the Fire Knight's neck!
At that critical moment, Tolja, whose right hand was clamped down by Raphael, made a prompt decision. He resolutely released his left hand and Wya, who was struggling increasingly weakly.
The Fire Knight swung his remaining left arm back!
* Clang! * A piercing sound rang out!
* Rip! * Bright red appeared on Tolja's neck.
Kohen's powerful and heavy sword hit Tolja's armguard in the air!
The tip of the sword cut the Fire Knight's neck and pierced his skin.
Blood slowly flowed out of the knight's neck. He let out a low, muffled groan.
A crack appeared on Tolja's armguard from Kohen's sword. Blood seeped out of the crack.
The police officer felt a chill in his heart. 'The other party still managed to fend off a fatal blow.'
"Gamble with your life? You bunch of potted plants in a greenhouse. "Tolja resisted the longsword on his left arm. Feeling the waves of pain in his arm, he ignored the blood on his neck and said in a low voice," You are not worthy. "
Kohen held the longsword tightly and slashed down with force again. Tolja's armguard groaned as it deformed.
Raphael gritted his teeth. The strange muscles in his arm rapidly swelled up again. He held the enemy's right arm and weapon tightly in an attempt to create another opportunity for Kohen.
Feeling his opponent's extraordinary strength, Tolja turned his eyes and shot a dagger-like glare at Raphael.
"Young masters."
Tolja's expression was ferocious. His right arm was locked in a dead angle with Raphael, whose strength had suddenly increased, while his left arm withstood Kohen's power, which was mixed with the Power of Eradication. "When your father was giving out rewards for your mother's bulging abdomen, I was shivering in the snow in the wild beside my mother's hardened corpse, struggling to get through another damn winter!"
* Crack! *
The Power of Eradication burned his entire body like flames. Tolja roared and turned his neck.
He pulled back his armguard and broke free from Kohen's longsword. Blood gushed out.
The injured police officer lost his balance, and his legs wobbled.
The next moment, Tolja let go of the Rising Sun Saber in his right hand.
The Rising Sun Saber fell to the ground. The blade lost its heat and clanked as it bounced off the ground.
Raphael watched as his opponent's weapon fell beside him. He was suddenly alarmed!
'This is bad.'
Sure enough, without the saber holding him back, Tolja no longer tried to wrestle with the ridiculously strong Raphael. Instead, he lowered his body and slammed his right shoulder into Raphael!
Raphael felt his body sway. Then, his back trembled!
* Bang! *
Before Kohen could react, Raphael was slammed against the wall by the Fire Knight.
Raphael's face turned pale. He coughed in pain, but he still held onto his opponent's right hand tightly.
Tolja burned his Power of Eradication and held Raphael firmly against him. His gaze was terrifying. "When all of you were crying in your luxurious swaddling clothes, I was bleeding all over and covered in cuts and bruises because of a mouthful of moldy bread in the dust of the countryside."
Kohen's heart tightened. He thrust his longsword forward!
With a fierce expression, Tolja turned sideways and dodged Kohen's sword aimed at his chest.
* Rip! *
Kohen's longsword cut through Tolja's shoulder armor. Shards flew out, and sparks flew as the blade scraped against the wall.
But Tolja ignored the injury on his shoulder. He slammed Raphael, who was pinned against the wall, with his shoulder again!
* Bang! *
He slammed into Raphael's chest!
Raphael groaned in pain and finally let go of his opponent's right arm.
"When all of you were leisurely reading and learning to read in the study room," Tolja retracted his right hand and said coldly, "I dragged my scarred shoulders and transported the most smelly garbage and feces, learning to count from the crisp sound of copper coins."
The Fire Knight turned around abruptly and grabbed Kohen's sword in midair!
* Clang! *
The blade and Tolja's iron glove produced a sharp friction.
Blood flowed from between the knight's fingers.
The police officer stared at the beast-like Fire Knight in shock. He wanted to withdraw his longsword.
"When you were learning how to wield a wooden sword in the manor," Tolja punched Raphael's abdomen with his right hand, causing him to lose consciousness and bend over. "I was on the vast glacier, wrapped in my wounds and used the last of my strength to fight against wild beasts, my peers, the weather, the terrain, and all my enemies!"
The Fire Knight grabbed Kohen's sword and turned around to charge back!
Kohen wanted to raise his arm to defend himself, but Tolja suddenly kicked his knee!
* Bang! *
The police officer's longsword slipped from his hand and fell to the ground.
"When you were having sex with girls at the banquet …" Tolja stretched out his right hand and pried open his shattered shoulder armor and vambrace.
The Fire Knight coldly flung away the burdens, including his robe, to reveal his exposed flesh. From his neck, shoulders, and arms, his body was covered in severe burn scars. His body was full of bumps and hollows. It was a horrifying sight.
Tolja's expression was as cold as ice, and his gaze was like fire. He threw away Kohen's bloodstained longsword.
He turned around and threw a punch!
* Bang! *
Raphael, who had just stood up and was ready to launch a sneak attack, was punched in the head by the Fire Knight and slammed into the wall again.
"I crawled out from under the burnt corpses, covered in burns and groaning in pain. I looked forward to seeing the sun rise the next day."
Anxious and angry, Kohen gritted his teeth and got up. He roared and charged at his enemy, throwing a punch with shocking force.
* Bang! *
The fist hit the knight's cheek!
The latter was stunned.
But Tolja only roared and bent down, withstanding Kohen's charge. He did not care about the police officer's punch on his face.
It was as if it was the most insignificant mosquito bite.
"It was formed by burning in a hell of blood and fire." He reached out with his hands and grabbed Kohen's arm with great experience. He pinned Kohen's legs and lifted Kohen's body onto his shoulders.
"This is the origin of the Fire Knight!"
The next second, Tolja, who had a crazed expression on his face, exerted force with his hands and turned around abruptly. He lifted the struggling Kohen into the air and slammed him hard onto the ground!
* Bang! *
The tall police officer landed on his back and fell heavily to the ground.
Kohen felt intense pain all over his body. He felt dizzy and all his strength left him.
"Risking your life?
"You little young masters will never understand."
Tolja straightened his body and shook the side of his face that was slightly red. He spat out a bloody tooth without a care in the world. "In order to stand in the same manor as you, I crawled all the way through mud and blood. I have already gambled with my life in the endless hell many times."
Tolja was half-naked. His eyes were filled with wounds and blood flowed all over his body. His expression was hideous and terrifying.
The Fire Knight turned around coldly and looked at Raphael, who stood up again. "Even if we are in supreme class, our lives are still far from yours."
Raphael wiped the blood off his forehead. Enduring the waves of dizziness, he pulled out the broken longsword from his waist.
"You are a very terrifying warrior." The young man from the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department swung his sword forcefully. He glanced at the dying Kohen and frowned. "As one of the Five War Generals, you live up to your reputation."
Tolja turned his head and glanced at the Rising Sun Saber on the ground. It was still some distance away from him.
"But with your skills," Raphael said in a low voice, "why bother following Lampard and embarking on this path of no return?
"So that I can experience more hell?"
The Fire Knight snorted coldly. He kicked Kohen's longsword, 'Load-Bearer', grabbed it in his hand, and tested its weight and length.
The next second, Tolja roared and rushed in front of him!
Raphael's pupils froze.
* Clang! * The two swords clashed and Raphael blocked his opponent's horizontal slash.
However, Tolja had no intention of competing with his opponent in swordsmanship. Like a real beast, he pressed his left arm against the back of the sword and pushed Raphael against the wall!
* Bang! * Raphael blocked the knight's sword and was slammed against the wall. His own longsword was even pressed against his chest.
Tolja's expression was ferocious. He suddenly raised his left elbow, and the two longswords that were in a cross were spun into an 'X' shape!
The Fire Knight's left arm pressed against the upper part of the 'X', pressing against Raphael's throat so hard that he could not breathe.
Tolja gritted his teeth and said, "When all of you carried swords and glory around the world, I stood in front of a barren village, on a barren land that could not even grow weeds. I cried my heart out for the first property and the first title of nobility that I exchanged for thirty years of my youth and life."
Raphael struggled in pain. He could not breathe, but Tolja continued to press against his sword in an unstoppable manner. His elbow pressed against Raphael's windpipe.
The Fire Knight gritted his teeth. There was a mixture of pain and hope in his eyes. "After going through all of this, I can stand here and face all of you prodigies. I can raise my weapon and compete against them.
"You ask me, why do I follow the archduke?"
* Bang! * The Fire Knight roared furiously and headbutted Raphael's forehead.
* Clang! *
Raphael's longsword loosened and fell from his hand.
The young man from the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department seemed to have lost consciousness. He slid down the wall weakly and was grabbed by the collar by Tolja.
* Bang! *
The knight turned around and kneed Wya, who had just gotten up from the ground, so much so that he vomited blood and fell back.
"All of you don't understand." Tolja panted and swung the sword in his right hand out of habit. The Load-Bearer was obviously not the weapon he was used to using.
He looked at Kohen, who was struggling on the ground, and said through gritted teeth, "The Archduke of Black Sand Region …"
"The archduke … he …"
"What he sees in his eyes is a long-term future." The Fire Knight took a deep breath, and a fascinated expression appeared on his face. "An unprecedented new world. Over there, everyone can have their own future."
Tolja panted heavily. He extended his left arm, grabbed Raphael's neck, and lifted him up.
"For the archduke's ideals, and even more so for the future he promised." The Fire Knight licked the blood at the corner of his mouth, pulled the enemy closer to him, and looked straight into Raphael's eyes.
"No matter the price, I am willing to pay."
The Fire Knight exhaled laboriously.
Raphael only clenched his teeth tightly. His gaze was unfocused, and he looked powerlessly into his enemy's eyes.
"No matter what obstacles there are …" Tolja raised Kohen's sword and stared at Raphael with a serious and zealous gaze.
"… I must crush them."
At that moment, the little girl from many years ago appeared before Raphael's eyes.
'Mira.'
He thought vaguely and closed his eyes.
'I'm sorry.'
In the next second, the Fire Knight thrust the sword in his hand without hesitation.
* Rip! *
The blade pierced Raphael's heart.
It came out from his back.
All that was left was blood all over the ground.
And Kohen's heart-wrenching screams.
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