While Thales was still in a daze, as if he had grasped something, Putray took out his pipe again and began to fill it with tobacco.
"As you said, once the staunch Archduke Roknee does not compromise with Black Sand Region, does not rely on the king's conscription order, and does not rely on King Chapman's name, and decides to clean up the mess in the Alliance of Freedom on his own," Putray said straightforwardly, facing the prince's gaze. "But if he wants to continue denouncing and fighting against King Chapman …"
Thales took a deep breath.
"Roknee will have to find additional helpers to take down the Alliance of Freedom at the lowest cost." The logical clues in the prince's mind became clearer. "For example, Dragon Clouds City, and the Walton Family, who once sent troops to support the City of Faraway Prayers."
Thales looked up with a solemn expression. "I'm starting to understand."
Putray nodded and lit his pipe.
"As long as Roknee obtains Dragon Clouds City's support, as long as the archduchess promises to send troops to support the City of Faraway Prayers' battle, just like she did twenty years ago," Putray said calmly, "Then Roknee can confidently reject Lampard's ill-intentioned scheme. He can deal with the Alliance of Freedom with ease while saying 'no' to the king without flinching."
"I understand now. After Roknee makes his choice," Thales thought of the young archduchess and pinched his chin, feeling a headache coming on. "Then it will be Saroma's turn to choose whether to support Roknee and join him in fighting against the king."
Putray snorted softly.
"But this time, it's completely different compared to the simple show of support. Supporting the City of Faraway Prayers means that she has to put up a bargaining chip, pay a price, and make a promise: if necessary, recruit troops, march westward on a large scale, and fight against the Alliance of Freedom and its supporters.
"The current situation is like when Prince Moriah was assassinated, and King Kessel was faced with the choice of whether to fight or to make peace." As he puffed out smoke, Putray let go of the pipe in his mouth. "The archduchess of Dragon Clouds City has to make a decision on behalf of Dragon Clouds City: to fight or to make peace? To pay the price and resolutely support the City of Faraway Prayers in dealing with the alliance, or to stand by and watch the situation develop? "
The prince slowly raised his head.
'The choice King Kessel faced when Prince Moriah was assassinated?'
Thales recalled the Supreme King of Constellation who coldly raised the scepter in his hand when he was pressured by the vassals in Renaissance Palace six years ago.
"Wait, it would be fine if it was someone else." Thales recalled what Putray had told him about the feud between the two countries and the past. He could not help but be slightly shocked. "But Dragon Clouds City …"
"Ah." Putray was a little surprised by the prince's reaction, but he still nodded expressionlessly. "For an ordinary Eckstedtian, when faced with the Alliance of Freedom, this is just a question of 'fight or not'."
"But for Dragon Clouds City and the Walton Family, this isn't just about the Great Dragon's honor, it's also about the family's dignity.
Putray exhaled a puff of smoke. His gaze was sharp. "Twenty years ago, on the day the Alliance of Freedom's governor-general's rude letter arrived in Dragon Clouds City, before the snow on the envoy's boots had dried up, Nuven the Seventh blew the conscription order of the kingdom without hesitation."
"Attack the Alliance of Freedom!"
Thales' expression became extremely solemn.
"A year later, King Nuven's eldest son, Soria Walton, chopped off the Alliance's governor-general's ten fingers one by one in Fort Liberté, which had surrendered, in front of the shivering elders of the alliance." Putray's tone also slowly became solemn. "It was said that every time he chopped off a finger, he would loudly ask one of the elders, 'Do you know how to write a letter?'
"After chopping off the last finger, Prince Soria threw the disrespectful letter back to the almost fainting governor-general.
"'No, you don't,' Soria said with a smile. Then, he hanged all the elders who did not answer 'no'."
"Soria Walton." Thales furrowed his brows. "Sounds like a brutal commander."
Putray narrowed his eyes and lowered his head slightly. "But he also succeeded in making the Alliance of Freedom remember the Great Dragon's anger and terror. During those years in the Golden Passage, Soria's name was more useful than King Nuven's. Even Camus' Vine City, which was the Walton Family's in-laws, benefited from it. Even their most hated enemy in the alliance did not dare to make things difficult for their goods."
Thales clenched his fists.
"Do you understand now?" Putray stared at the prince. "King Nuven ordered to send out his troops, and Soria won. Just like that, the Walton Family protected Eckstedt's dignity.
"And twenty years later, if the archduchess, who has been criticized and questioned by the people, chooses to remain neutral and watch from the sidelines when faced with the Alliance of Freedom, chooses to retreat and avoid war when faced with the same problem …"
Thales exhaled. He had figured out the crux of the matter.
"She had no choice." The prince said firmly, "In order to prove that she did not let down her father's honor, and to protect the Dragon Spear Family's dignity and rule, Saroma had to send out her troops.
"So, in the game between King Chapman and Archduke Roknee, which was triggered by the instability of the Alliance of Freedom, Dragon Clouds City is the key. The archduchess is not only a chess player who has to join the game, but also a turning point that can help Roknee turn the situation around and make King Chapman return to his awkward position."
Thales furrowed his brows tightly. "So, Black Sand Region sent someone to Dragon Clouds City because it is indeed in the eye of the storm. It is a vital point in the game between several great forces."
However, Putray shook his head at this moment. "If only things were that simple."
Thales raised his head in surprise. "What do you mean?"
"As I said, this situation is very similar to the predicament King Kessel faced in the past."
Putray took a puff of his cigarette. There was shrewdness and vigilance in his eyes. "If the archduchess made a promise to the City of Faraway Prayers and supported Roknee's expedition to the west against the Alliance of Freedom at the critical moment … the problem is, how many vassals in Dragon Clouds City will support her? How many soldiers can be enlisted and should be enlisted? How will the benefits and costs be distributed? If only the direct territories of the Walton Family are willing to respond, then should this war be fought? If an army is enlisted, which noble and respected vassal should lead the army? "
Thales was stunned.
'Compared to the predicament King Kessel faced in the past …
'What Kessel faced …
'That means …'
A terrifying thought rose in his mind.
"If the archduchess cannot make a promise to the City of Faraway Prayers, she will only gain the reputation of being 'indecisive and hesitant'." Putray's words were intermittent, and there was a rhythm that made people uneasy. He continued, "But if the archduchess makes a promise, but is unable to fulfill it at a critical moment due to internal reasons in Dragon Clouds City, such as opposition from the vassals, a lack of soldiers, a lack of resources, or even the army recruited by Dragon Clouds City returning in failure due to low quality …
"Then, under the eyes of all of Eckstedt, the impact of this matter on the archduchess' rule will be devastating."
Thales frowned. "If Saroma only sends the direct troops of the Walton Family, and does not rely on the power of the vassals …
Putray snorted coldly and shook his head. "When a powerful archduke who has countless vassals under his command can only send his direct subordinates to the battlefield alone, then in the eyes of countless people, that archduke's reign will soon come to an end." Putray snorted coldly and shook his head.
Thales heaved a deep sigh.
Finally, with Putray's help, he found the clue that ran through the front and back.
'So …'
"In short, all the problems can be summed up in one sentence." Putray took a long drag on his pipe. The wrinkles on his thin face slowly tightened. "Is the current Dragon Clouds City still like the Dragon Clouds City under King Nuven's command in the past? Is it still like the Dragon Clouds City under King Nuven's command in the past? Is it still a unified entity, is it indestructible from the inside out, and is united?
"At the moment when the reputable Dragon Clouds City and the Walton Family need to stand up, the archdukes are watching her, and the vassals are also watching her. The time to test the archduchess' prestige has arrived."
Putray snorted coldly and said, "To protect the family's reputation, to protect the country's dignity, and to fight against King Chapman, the archduchess must represent Dragon Clouds City to make a promise, and ensure that this promise can be fulfilled."
Thales stared at Putray, dumbfounded.
Putray's gaze was focused on Thales' gray eyes. His tone was frightening. "And to ensure that the vassals will support this promise, the archduchess who has been in power for six years …
"And how much is she willing to pay?"
Thales took a deep breath and clenched his fists.
Thales exhaled and said with great difficulty, "Pay a price?"
"For example …"
Putray nodded. He silently observed the prince's expression. While sighing, he said softly, "For example, is she willing to show her sincerity and trust to the vassals?
"For example, if the archduchess marries one of the vassals …
"To maintain the cohesiveness of Dragon Clouds City in exchange for the vassals' trust and cooperation.
"With the support of her husband and the inheritance of her bloodline, she will break away from the 'archduchess' and become the 'archduchess' to restore the glory of the Walton Family."
Putray's voice was very soft, but in the prince's ears, it was so heavy that it sounded like thunder.
Thales closed his eyes helplessly.
He furrowed his eyebrows and clenched his teeth.
The Little Rascal from six years ago appeared before the prince's eyes …
He remembered that day six years ago, when the dirty little girl was engrossed in reading books in the library.
He remembered that in the Hall of Heroes, when the tear-stained girl shivered and looked helplessly at the Ring of Triumph on her finger.
He remembered that in the streets of Shield District, when the little girl screamed and desperately tried to pull him away from the tentacles.
He remembered …
"Tell me, Putray." Thales opened his eyes and said helplessly, "When the fight between the king and the archdukes becomes more and more intense, when the Alliance of Freedom is in chaos, when the City of Faraway Prayers may ask Dragon Clouds City to send troops, when Saroma needs the vassals' support the most …
"During the day of Dragon Clouds City's state affairs hearing, someone took the opportunity to cause trouble. He raised an issue regarding the archduchess' marriage, reminding everyone that their suzerain is unmarried …"
Thales raised his head and said faintly as he sighed in exhaustion, "Is this really a coincidence?"
Putray did not answer immediately.
He turned his head gently and looked at a towering tree in the courtyard. He looked at its roots, which had already begun to rot.
Finally, Putray sighed. "There is a saying that may be arbitrary, but most of the time, it is correct. Please remember it."
"That is …" The lord clenched his pipe tightly. His gaze was cold.
"There are no coincidences in politics."
Thales lowered his head dejectedly.
A breeze blew through the Blood Court. In the distance, Wya seemed to be complaining to Ralf about something. The Phantom Wind Follower crossed his arms again with a look of disdain.
"So that's how it is," the prince said softly. "Everything is connected now."
He raised his head and looked at the sun above his head.
"From the City of Faraway Prayers denouncing the king, to the troublesome King Chapman, to the disturbance during the state affairs hearing, to Kentvida's envoy, to the Alliance of Freedom …"
Putray stared at the prince quietly and listened to his words.
"Outside, this is the conflict of interest between the Alliance of Freedom and Eckstedt, which was triggered by the Kingdom of the Great Dragon's internal strife during the past six years."
Thales said faintly,
"In essence, this is the rift left behind by the special King Selection Congress six years ago. It is a game of chess between Chapman and Roknee, between Black Sand Region and the City of Faraway Prayers, between the common-elected king and the archdukes …"
Thales pressed his hand on his saber and took a step forward. His expression was unpleasant.
"Inside, this is the turmoil in Dragon Clouds City caused by Nuven's death, the disturbance caused by Archduchess Walton's succession to the throne, and the waves that were suppressed by Lisban's prestige and the archdukes' endorsements are surging back in a frenzy six years later." The prince gritted his teeth, and his tone gradually became nervous.
"Lisban must be very angry. Someone, no matter who, bypassed him, the archduchess' highest vassal and the regent who was actually in charge of Dragon Clouds City, and attempted to interfere with the succession of power in Dragon Clouds City."
Putray stood behind him, and the corners of his lips curled up in a barely noticeable manner.
"You can see it very clearly.
"Even if someone might be making things difficult for us, this is indeed the seed we sowed when we ran amok in Dragon Clouds City and Heroic Spirit Palace six years ago," the thin lord said with a sigh. It was as if he had returned to the days when he fled for his life in Dragon Clouds City and survived in a desperate situation.
"The backlash six years later."
Thales' face was tense. He clenched his teeth so hard that he almost broke his fists.
'F * ck.
'This is not the end.
'The poison-like dragon blood …
'Not only has it not dried up.
'Also.
'It is still flowing.'
Silence fell between the two of them again.
Just when Putray thought that the prince's emotions had become agitated because of the sudden information …
"There is one more thing that I don't understand." Thales turned his head and looked at Putray. He asked abruptly but calmly,
He asked abruptly but calmly, "Why me?"
The lord stared at Thales' expression in surprise.
Contrary to what he had expected, the prince was not panicking, agitated, or even overly emotional. He did not even seem nervous.
'This young man …
'Compared to six years ago …'
Thales pursed his lips. His eyebrows moved slightly, as if he was thinking about something seriously.
"This is the battle between King Chapman and Archduke Roknee. It's a storm that Dragon Clouds City is embroiled in." Thales' gaze became sharp, making Putray uncomfortable. He even had the urge to turn his head away. "But why?"
Thales asked succinctly, "Why did Kentvida request to meet me? To meet a Prince of Constellation? "
Looking at the prince's gaze, Putray inhaled, raised his stiff hand, and held his pipe in his mouth.
"I don't know." Putray blinked and tilted his head.
"Maybe it's a coincidence."
'Coincidence?'
At that moment, Thales narrowed his eyes.
It was as if he wanted to see something from the man's eyes.
Putray smiled and took a deep puff. The old pipe smoker, who treated tobacco like his life, suddenly realized that his pipe had been extinguished.
He sighed. "I suggest that you pay less attention to these matters in Dragon Clouds City. To be honest, because of the storm the other day, you are now in an awkward position.
"After all, this matter has nothing to do with you for now." Putray shrugged. "Unless you can't bear to watch your little lover's —"
Thales was slightly stunned.
Putray smiled faintly.
The prince's expression was unpleasant. He frowned and looked at the lord. His face was full of suspicion. "Little lover?"
Putray blinked again. "It's just a joke, Your Highness."
Thales crossed his arms and snorted in dissatisfaction.
But he was immediately stunned.
"Wait, Putray.
"The words you used just now …"
The prince stared at the thin lord with an unpleasant expression. His tone was full of doubt. "What do you mean by …
'For now' has nothing to do with me? "
Under Thales' questioning gaze, the thin lord coughed. His expression was solemn.
"It's time for you to meet the archduchess. You should go to the library," Putray said with a serious expression.
"I can't let the archduchess wait for too long."
Thales was instantly stunned.
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