The Hall of Heroes was silent for a few seconds. Everyone was thinking about the meaning of this sentence.
Lampard did not speak, but he looked at Thales, unable to hide the shock on his face.
'Price.
'Could it be that this boy …
'No, how would he know, how would he understand …
'Something that even these archdukes who have been immersed in power for their entire lives cannot see …'
The Archduke of Black Sand Region subconsciously tightened his grip again.
"What exactly are you talking about?" Trentida gritted his teeth, his gaze moving back and forth between Lampard and Lecco. "What change? What price?"
Thales lowered his head and looked at J's dagger lying quietly on the ground after he flung it away.
His gaze drifted into the distance.
The handwritten letter from his teacher, Gilbert Caso, suddenly appeared in his mind.
'"Eckstedt's political system … is completely different … King Nuven is not only the king … but also the archduke of Dragon Clouds City … The interests of Eckstedt and the Walton Family are completely different to him …
'I see.
'You're not just talking about King Nuven, but every archduke's family.
'The interests of Eckstedt are completely different from the interests of the archdukes themselves.
'Thank you, Gilbert.
'I understand now.'
Thales' gaze was like a torch as he swept his gaze across the family emblems of the archdukes.
"Lecco of the Silver Chain …
"Roknee of the Knight's Canon …
"Olsius of the Ancient Sand Emblem …
"Trentida of the Shining Sword …"
As he named them one by one, the archdukes turned their heads and looked solemnly at the prince of a foreign country.
At some point in time, their habit of looking down on this boy had completely disappeared.
Thales said softly, "The reason you are willing to work together with Lampard and even cover up his crimes is to decisively get rid of the threat that has yet to take shape and protect your future before Constellation becomes powerful."
The prince sighed and immediately became serious. "But please believe me, before Eckstedt and Constellation, which are of equal size, completely decide who is superior and who is inferior, and settle their grudges …"
The archdukes stared at Thales without blinking.
Only Lampard stared at the sword in his hand. His attention seemed to be completely attracted by the sword.
"Your Excellencies, the families that you value and value, the bloodline that you are proud of, the lofty and honorable status, the territories that you protect with great effort, and the stable and long-standing rule …" A hint of emotion appeared in Thales' eyes, which immediately turned into flames of determination.
He said in an unquestionable tone, "Everything that you are currently enjoying and taking for granted will be completely annihilated and cease to exist."
At that moment, all the archdukes held their breaths and widened their eyes.
It was as if he had heard the most absurd news.
Thales' voice continued to ring. "From the moment you accepted Lampard, your respective families … no longer had a future."
With a soft sound, another brazier in the hall went out.
A thick chill came out of nowhere.
It was so cold that Saroma hugged herself tightly behind him.
Olsius opened his mouth in astonishment and exchanged glances with Trentida. Lecco sighed slowly, as though he already knew something.
Lampard closed his eyes.
An indescribable emotion came from his chest.
"Speak clearly, kid." Archduke Roknee extended his hand and touched the wound on his neck caused by Kroesch. The wound, which had been doused with strong alcohol, still hurt. He said solemnly, "What do you mean by cease to exist?"
'A family bloodline that has been passed down for hundreds or even thousands of years, and a vast territory that can rival a country …
'How could it be …'
Thales exhaled and watched as it turned into white fog in front of him.
"Once you follow Lampard south, the Joint Ruling Pledge will only exist in name. In the face of war and interests, the balance of power between you will definitely be out of balance. It will be too easy to bring about conflict between you." Thales gritted his teeth and said, "When you think that you have suppressed Constellation and begin to fight each other, it will be the time for him to quietly start a revolution. It will not be as simple as building Eckstedt's Starlight Brigade."
He suddenly felt a little dizzy.
It was that familiar feeling.
"I don't know how much Lampard has told you about the Virtuous King." The prince rubbed his hands together and placed them under his chin, exhaling hot air.
"Efficient management, refined authority, increased taxes, and standardized systems." Thales' dizziness grew stronger. He had no choice but to extend his right hand and press against his forehead. At the same time, he closed his eyes. "All of these come with a price.
The moment he closed his eyes, he felt as if he had left the Hall of Heroes.
Before him was a row of familiar white tables and chairs. There were seven or eight laptops placed in front of them, and their respective owners were sitting quietly.
He cleared his throat and lowered his head. In his hand was a neatly printed report.
'"So, from his point of view, as a transitional stage between the old feudal rule and the absolutism rule, a hierarchical country was formed at this time …"
Wu Qiren's voice rose slowly, gentle and calm.
'"The city is an autonomous political entity. It is an aggregation formed by the wishes of the powerless. As a new political force, they entered the lord-vassal model, causing the typical feudal relationship to no longer be a purely dual power framework. In other words, the rise of the city supports the ruler to fight against the feudal vassals …"
In the next second, Thales opened his eyes and returned to Errol's Dragon Clouds City. He returned to this dim hall illuminated by braziers.
"Whether it's professional officials, qualification tests, or the National Conference, all of them mean …
"First of all, the low-level nobles and commoners in the city and the suburbs …" Thales covered his forehead and said with a trembling voice, "The best of them … will climb the ladder of the new nobles with money, skills, knowledge, and desire for the future … The king will be overjoyed at their arrival. He will be able to command their power like an extension of his arm, and he will point his spear at his domineering vassals."
Trentida lowered his head thoughtfully.
The light and shadow in the hall changed again. Thales sat in the bright classroom again. He moved the mouse, and his mouth did not stop moving.
'"The city groups will form a new political organization using the hierarchical conference as an example. The king's intention is to collect taxes, and they intend to supervise the use of this tax, thereby restricting the feudal nobles' power financially …" '
Thales resisted the dizziness caused by the switching between the two scenes. He continued in pain, "Take Constellation's National Conference as an example.
The new stage for the commoners to participate in politics will include the handicrafts, commerce, the army, the new nobles, and other groups. It will become the king's home ground, greatly reducing the power and prestige of an archduke or count of a city. The king will obtain the greatest convenience, whether it is the implementation of tax laws or the declaration of war. "
When he heard this, Archduke Olsius could not help but cast a glance at Lampard.
'"The universities in Europe were the earliest nutrients. The Germanic monarchs hired these university students as officials in order to shape the bureaucracy. Among them, the Prussian Institute of Education and Institute of Education were the most efficient, but they did not serve the people. They only served the country, and also served power …
"More and more new officials will enter the king's field of vision. Their qualifications will replace the bloodline of the nobles. They will fight against generality with prudence, cover their origins with professionalism, and gradually take over the authority within the country." Thales panted, experiencing the strange feeling of having pieces of memory enter his brain. He thought of the former tax collector of Constellation called Vlad. "So, the old nobles, including your relatives, will no longer be put in important positions. Their privileges in taxation and administration of justice will be gradually stripped away. Even you will have to admit that they are no longer suitable."
Archduke Lecco sat motionlessly in his seat and listened quietly.
'"What the citizens require is to establish the conditions and legal environment to ensure the development of the city's industry, commerce, and economy. It is a peaceful ruling order. And these are not satisfied by the feudal system based on the manor economy and the small market. This requires the ruler to expand his power and centralize it to ensure the interests of the so-called' bourgeois' …"
"Similarly, the king will allocate funds from the increasingly abundant treasury to support and expand the regular army, and maintain the domestic order and border security on his own." Thales swayed slightly. Saroma quickly held him up. "He will no longer rely on the conscripted army in your territories, no longer rely on the self-sufficient supplies in your manors and fields, and no longer have to listen to the archdukes' opinions."
Roknee suddenly thought of Broken Dragon Fortress. He frowned deeply, and his gaze as he looked at Thales became strange.
'"With the development of time, the feudal nobles in the hierarchical countries found it difficult to maintain their livelihood, and they also lost their military significance. They were unable to maintain their political influence, and they also lost their ruling power. Under such circumstances, they had to draw closer to the ruler and fulfill their duties according to the latter's conditions. In other words, the rise of cities brought about a destructive impact on the feudal system … '"
Finally, those strange fragments in his mind calmed down and stopped making waves.
Thales panted slightly and patted Saroma's hand.
At that moment, he suddenly realized that Lampard was looking at him with a gaze that was a mixture of surprise, doubt, pain, hatred, relief, and other strange emotions.
"Do you feel it? Once this change progresses over time, whether it is you, the archdukes who rule over a region, or the traditional counts in each city, from taxes to the army, from the judiciary to talents, from privileges to status … "As the archdukes' expressions became increasingly unpleasant, he turned his head with great difficulty and looked at the archdukes." The premise that you rely on for a living will slowly melt away, and your advantages will gradually disappear.
"All the means and changes that Lampard envisioned, regardless of the original intention, will lead to one result."
Thales took a deep breath and said with a serious expression, "And that is all of you, the other nine famous archdukes who jointly rule Northland. It is the beginning of the loss of your power and the decline of your families."
Archduke Lampard's expression was as calm as still water. His gaze as he looked at Thales became more and more complicated.
The archdukes were as still as stone statues. No one knew how much they had heard.
"There will come a day when all of you will turn from great vassals who rule over a region to great nobles who only have glory left. Then, you will become millionaires who only have wealth left, and you will even become commoners who have nothing left. In the end, you will be reduced to the point where your descendants can only dig up the history of your families from the ashes …
"And Raikaru's Oath, which has protected Eckstedt from being divided for six hundred years and stipulated that the ten archdukes jointly rule Northland, will become the oldest page of history in the museum." Thales sighed deeply and shook his head.
"Just like your families, it will slowly turn yellow with time and will never return.
"This is the price Lampard has to pay for 'saving Eckstedt'."
After Thales finished speaking, he slowly raised his head.
At that moment, the archdukes finally came back to their senses from their stone-like state. However, there was a subtle change in their expressions.
Lampard lowered his head and stared at his old saber.
Trentida cast a questioning glance at Olsius and Roknee in disbelief, but the master of Prestige Orchid Region only shook his head quietly. The suzerain of the City of Faraway Prayers' expression darkened and he did not ask any questions.
"Chapman." Archduke Lecco's gaze seemed to regain its murkiness. The old man spoke in his deepest and hoardest voice that day, "Tell me, all you want is an army that can defeat Constellation, don't you?"
"Have you never thought of anything else?
"Such as the Joint Ruling Oath?"
The archdukes' gazes shot towards Lampard in unison.
One second.
Two seconds.
The Archduke of Black Sand Region finally lifted his gaze from his saber.
He first forced a smile, then turned it into a chill.
"Everything this brat has said is based on a deeply selfish lie," Lampard, who had a complicated expression on his face, said in an unpleasant tone, "As long as he arouses even the slightest doubt in your hearts, he will win. He will sow discord between us, destroy our efforts to fight against Constellation together, and give Constellation a breathing space, which is growing stronger by the day!"
Thales sighed silently in his heart.
"Cast aside his bewitching words, cast aside all sorts of inexplicable assumptions that have never happened, don't you think it's ridiculous?" Lampard gritted his teeth as if he was insulted. "For Eckstedt, all the archdukes united as one and went south to fight against Constellation together. Is this the cause of our own destruction?"
When the archdukes heard Lampard's words, their expressions became doubtful and they began to think.
Saroma was shocked when she saw the archdukes' reactions.
At this moment …
"Inaccurate."
The prince's words traveled steadily.
Lampard frowned. "What?"
"'Our' own destruction?" Thales exhaled and said with a serious expression, "Only the other nine archdukes will seek their own destruction.
"In this game of change initiated by Lampard, Eckstedt is like a Great Dragon with ten heads, devouring each other in the turbulent waves." Thales sighed. "If everything goes smoothly, only one of its heads, which is also the most powerful archduke, who is the most well-prepared, adaptable to the situation, and has the fastest reaction, will survive until the end." Thales sighed.
Archduke Lecco raised his head abruptly and stared at Thales.
Archduke Roknee's expression froze.
"Just as I said, he will restrain his power as the final ruler. Then, he will take advantage of the ferocious momentum after the reformation to devour the other nine archduchy territories as nourishment and food. With that, he will forge his unprecedented and supreme Eckstedt crown."
Thales' eyes were shrouded in a haze that was rarely seen by ordinary people. He said gloomily, "In Lampard's plan, who do you think is the only person, the person who is closest to the truth?"
He looked at the archdukes' expressions and shook his head slightly. He walked to the brazier that had just been knocked down and slowly squatted down.
The prince reached his hand into the cooled firewood and fiddled with it. He fished out the dagger that had been thrown.
"But regardless of whether Lampard succeeds or not, other than the last ruler in the new Eckstedt, there will be no place for the other nine people to stand." His words continued to travel into the archdukes' hearts like a hammer.
Thales shook JJ's dagger. Without changing his expression, he removed the sheath that Yodel gave him from his belt and blew on it gently.
"Please remember, everyone. It may take more than ten years, or decades, or even a hundred years …
"But if there comes a day when your families become dim and disappear, your descendants become homeless, and your status no longer exists …" Thales slowly stood up and turned to the archdukes.
"That day will definitely start from today, from the moment you agree to Lampard's conditions."
Thales' eyes brightened. He suddenly inserted the dagger into its sheath. * Clang! *
Amidst the clear sound of metal scraping against each other, the archdukes stared at him with gloomy expressions.
"This is the answer to the riddle," Thales said in a low voice. "This is why Lampard was unwilling to reveal his true motives to all of you in the beginning. This is the cruel truth behind why he gathered all of you without hesitation to 'save Eckstedt'.
"In order to defeat Constellation, Lampard worked together with all of you," he finished his words softly. "But the irony is that right before Constellation was defeated, all of you will be reduced to ashes."
There was another period of silence in the hall.
"Chapman, I have to say, this is really …" Trentida's face was filled with disbelief. He wanted to say something but stopped himself. In the end, he sighed. "Forget it, I don't know how to describe this feeling.
It's really unsettling. " Archduke Roknee added coldly and looked at Lecco, who was the leader. The latter only furrowed his brows and said nothing.
Archduke Olsius crossed his arms and propped up his chin. With great difficulty, he opened his mouth, "Chapman …"
But Lampard's words were faster.
"They are all groundless nonsense. They are all things that have never happened. They are all alarmist speculations!"
"But he used them as a reason? And all of you really believed him? " The Archduke of Black Sand Region's voice was still cold, but his irritation could already be heard. "Don't forget, the threat of Constellation is real!"
Lampard strode forward and pressed his hand on the square table. His expression was as cold as ice. "Haven't you seen everything we saw and heard twelve years ago, and King Kessel's actions over the past twelve years?
"Why would all of you rather be swayed by vague words than act on unquestionable facts?"
The person who answered him was still Thales.
"Unquestionable facts?" the prince said faintly.
This time, Lampard turned his head. His eyes were filled with resentment and murderous intent.
Thales did not pay attention to his gaze. He asked softly, "Your Excellencies, if your attack on Constellation is successful, what does Lampard plan to do after that?"
The archdukes looked at each other, their emotions unclear.
Lampard's gaze froze and he clenched his fists.
"He wants the Northern Territory of Constellation," Archduke Roknee said softly.
"He wants to guard the borders for us, monitor and suppress Constellation," Roknee's words were slow and cold, but they were filled with force. "For this, he can give up the common-elected throne or even Black Sand Region."
Thales exhaled softly.
"That's simple." The prince flashed a malicious smile and stared at the ashen-faced Lampard. "Archduke of Black Sand Region, if you think that my words are unreasonable, then prove it with unquestionable facts."
"For Constellation, the Northern Territory is a region of unfinished change. Traditional power and old habits still shroud it. But for Eckstedt, the Northern Territory, which is also part of the Great Northern Region, has already begun to show signs of change. It is the best base for change."
Thales said flatly, "Archduke Lampard, for the sake of your unity, give up the Northern Territory as a spoil of war and give it to someone else."
Lampard raised his head abruptly and stared at him.
The archdukes also raised their heads with different expressions.
Thales still had a calm expression. He learned this from Raphael. That pretty boy's attitude could always infuriate people to death.
Shiles had complained that among the many conditions Lampard had given him, whether it was tariff concessions or resource contracts, the Northern Territory was excluded.
'Isn't this obvious?'
"Of course, you can also make a guarantee." The corners of Thales' lips curled up as he continued, "Whether it's imitating the Virtuous King's reform or endangering the archdukes' families … it won't happen in your hands.
"This way, you won't have any soil and opportunities in your hands. You won't be able to start a change that might bring about a catastrophic disaster. You'll also be cleared of suspicion." Thales' expression became solemn. "The other archdukes can rest assured and continue working with you, right?"
As soon as he said this, the hall welcomed the longest silence.
Lampard froze on the spot.
His hand was unconsciously on the hilt of his sword, and he did not move.
The archdukes exchanged information with each other's gazes.
No one moved or made a sound.
A gust of cold wind blew into the hall. As the flames flickered, everyone's shadows swayed.
Saroma bit her lower lip and anxiously stared at the archdukes, who had different expressions on their faces.
Finally, as if a few centuries had passed, a voice broke the silence.
"Actually, we're willing to believe you, Chapman." Archduke Lecco's gloomy voice rang. "But I have to admit that this child's words make me very worried."
Trentida shrugged. "There's some truth to it."
Lampard raised his head slightly. Under the shadows, his stiff face looked even more weathered.
"Tell me, Chapman.
"As our sworn alliance, in order to refute the words of this arrogant prince, in order to let go of our worries and wariness, in order to prove that we are still united," Archduke Lecco stared straight at Lampard and sighed softly. "In the upcoming war, the Northern Territory …
"You don't have to take it anymore."
Lampard did not speak. He only stared at Lecco in a daze.
"Of course, we will compensate you with a considerable amount of land and benefits to express our apology. Olsius, Trentida, and even my land will do. You can pick any land you want, only more, no less." The old archduke coughed. He seemed to be a little sad. "You know, the responsibility of establishing a foothold in the Northern Territory, guarding the borders, and monitoring Constellation can also be assumed by others."
As soon as he finished speaking …
Lampard raised his head and swept his gaze across each of the archdukes with the most incredulous gaze.
Thales pursed his lips and fixed his gaze on Lampard.
He stared at Lampard's seemingly frozen face.
Lampard clenched his teeth and furrowed his brows deeply. Anger erupted from his eyes.
Olsius' expression was unpleasant. He shook his head apologetically. "I know this is too much, but … I swear, as long as you prove yourself, I will personally take action and make this poisonous snake of Constellation pay the price."
'Poisonous snake of Constellation?'
Thales raised his eyebrows slightly.
Lampard's face twitched slightly. It looked like a smile, but at the same time, it did not look like a smile.
At this moment, Archduke Roknee raised his gaze. His gaze was sharp. "You know, this is for Eckstedt."
Lampard clenched his fists.
Trentida shrugged and avoided Lampard's gaze. He did not say anything.
Only Archduke Lecco stared at Lampard without flinching from the beginning to the end.
"How about it, Chapman?" The old archduke's bald head was particularly eye-catching. His voice was soft and slow, but it had an aggressive momentum. "Your answer?"
Lampard parted his lips and clenched his teeth, like a beast demonstrating its might before pouncing on its prey.
"Chapman." Trentida's tone was very conflicted. He seemed to be very nervous. He pursed his lips slightly. "One word is enough."
Thales frowned. He saw Lampard's fists on his waist begin to tremble.
The Archduke of Black Sand Region's expression became more and more unpleasant, like a lion whose territory had been invaded.
Thales' heart also sank along with his expression.
Finally, after a few seconds, Lampard closed his eyes and let out a long sigh.
The archdukes stared at him without blinking.
It was as if that was the most important moment in the world.
In the next second, Lampard opened his eyes and spoke.
But what he heard was not a single word.
"Hahaha …"
Lampard raised his head, parted his lips, and let out a sorrowful and irrepressible laugh.
"Hahahahaha …"
His laughter grew louder.
The archdukes' gazes gradually dimmed as they watched his performance.
Thales gently extended his hand and held the flustered Saroma's hand.
Lampard's laughter finally stopped.
"Forget it." Lampard turned his head and revealed an indifferent and relieved expression. "No matter what I say, it doesn't make a difference, does it?"
The Archduke of Black Sand Region turned and looked at his saber. His tone was cold. "Even if we fight our way to Eternal Star City, all of you will continue to monitor me and be vigilant of my every move, afraid that I will affect your interests.
"All of you will also not allow any so-called seeds or flames of change to appear on Eckstedt's soil."
Archduke Olsius gritted his teeth indignantly. "So, your choice …"
"I just find it ironic." Lampard's expression changed and he suddenly raised his voice. "Why don't all of you understand?
"The opportunity of a lifetime is clearly right in front of us. The opportunity to defeat Constellation and change history is clearly within our reach." Lampard clenched his teeth and looked at every archduke's solemn expression. He growled in a suppressed voice, "Why are all of you behaving like cowards?"
Lampard turned around abruptly and faced the four archdukes. His face was full of disbelief. "The ending hasn't happened yet. Things haven't even reached the final step. All of you are just listening to a child spouting nonsense, and all of you are scurrying around like a group of frightened antelopes."
The archdukes looked at each other, speechless.
"All of you are so stupid that you can't even see the truth that a little boy knows, and so cowardly that you don't even dare to touch the most worn-out rules …"
"Then get out of the way!" Lampard's face was contorted. He abruptly raised his scabbard. "The Joint Ruling Pledge, the destruction of families, the severing of bloodlines, the loss of power, the decline of status … What kind of f * cking reasons are these?!
"What exactly is Eckstedt in your eyes?
"Aren't we Northlanders?" The Archduke of Black Sand Region gritted his teeth and waved his scabbard, causing his cloak to flutter. "We don't ask whether we can do it or not, we only ask whether we should do it or not. We Northlanders are more afraid of failure than we are of death!
"Aren't we?!"
His voice, pained and strained, echoed in the hall.
"It seems that the result is very clear." Archduke Lecco sighed softly and closed his eyes.
Trentida covered his forehead and heaved a long sigh.
Roknee let out a faint chuckle.
On the other hand, Olsius looked sorrowful.
Thales closed his eyes gently. He felt that the huge rock that had been pressing down on his heart had been lifted.
He stared at Lampard, who had an unusual expression on his face, and heaved a sigh of relief.
'The chess piece has been placed in this round.
'Checkmate.
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