While Thales watched the people from Black Sand Region leave amidst Wya's grumbles, the hurried sound of horse hooves rang out behind him.
The vigilant Wya and the others instinctively blocked the prince, but Thales, who had expected it, sighed and turned around calmly.
'They came so quickly.
And so impatient. '
As the horses neighed in dissatisfaction, the person got off his horse. Accompanied by his attendants, he passed through the personal guards and walked towards Thales with a stiff expression. Beside him, Lord Justin bowed respectfully.
It was Count Lisban.
The old but still spirited regent of Dragon Clouds City stood in front of Thales with an unhappy expression.
"Your Grace." The prince's gaze swept past the group of Dragon Clouds City patrols who came with the count, and he politely nodded at Count Lisban, as if he was not surprised by his sudden appearance. "Should I be surprised that you are so concerned about my itinerary?"
But the count, who had rushed over after hearing the news, had a dark expression on his face. He had no intention of exchanging pleasantries with the prince. "Do you know how arbitrary and reckless this is? Directly boarding Black Sand Region's carriage? "
Thales shrugged helplessly and walked towards Jennie with Lisban. Wya, Ralf, and the others were a step behind them, maintaining a distance that was neither too far nor too close.
The former prime minister's gaze became solemn as he looked around. The personal guards, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, became nervous again. "What happened?"
"What did Black Sand Region say to you?"
'What did they say?'
The prince remembered the secret King Chapman told him, and he could not help but feel gloomy.
'Moriah …
Saroma … '
"They are very interested in Dragon Clouds City, but they can't contact the archduchess directly." Thales gestured in the direction where the people from Black Sand Region left with a relaxed expression. "For this reason, they want to rope me in."
Lisban's gaze changed a few times.
"You? They tried to rope you in?
"Do you need me to remind you of the relationship between Dragon Clouds City and King Chapman? Or what role you played in the storm six years ago? "
Thales blinked.
"I don't think that Black Sand Region would place their hopes on a foreign prince who is almost their mortal enemy without any assurance." The count's expression was gloomy. "Or do they have a very good reason to talk to you?"
Thales clenched his fists slightly in his sleeves and began to size Lisban up again.
How sharp.
"So, Prince Thales, is there anything I can help you with?" Lisban's tone was polite but compelling.
Thales could not help but feel wary.
How credible was Lampard's words?
In Dragon Clouds City, who were the enemies and who were the friends?
How should he choose?
Thales took a deep breath. He could not help but think of the terrifying secret Lampard had mentioned.
A gift from the late king.
The prince looked at the count in front of him with complicated emotions. His gaze swept past his white temples.
During these six years, what kind of emotions did the most powerful minister in Dragon Clouds City harbor as he watched Saroma grow up?
What did he think of Saroma, his titular ruler?
Archduchess? The wife of the future Grand Duke? An inexperienced little girl?
Or …
"Yeah."
The prince sighed slightly. "They gave me a very convincing reason."
The count listened attentively.
Thales raised his head and said without batting an eyelid, "They said that as long as I can help them, King Chapman will personally give the order …"
The prince paused for a moment before he said softly,
"Let me return to my country."
In that second, the old regent's gaze froze on Thales' face.
Thales forced a smile and spread his hands.
"Is that so? Interesting." After pausing for a few seconds, the count pursed his lips. His tone was thought-provoking. "Then, how did you answer?"
Thales stood in front of Jennie and looked at the girl's joyful expression. He was deep in thought.
"I need to think about it," Thales answered very slowly.
"This is my answer."
Lisban did not speak.
After a few seconds, the regent raised his eyebrows slightly. "You know that you are in Dragon Clouds City."
Thales nodded. "I know."
Lisban looked at him with a piercing gaze. "You also know that the Archduchess is protecting you."
Thales took a deep breath. "I know.
But you still need to know … "
This time, Count Lisban raised his voice slightly. There was a fierce look in his eyes. "Six years ago, during the King Selection Congress, when the five archdukes agreed unanimously to not let you leave Eckstedt …"
"How the lonely Lady Saroma stood in the Hall of Heroes and threatened the archdukes in front of High Priestess Holme that if she was not allowed to keep you in Dragon Clouds City, she would refuse to be chosen as the king and be destroyed in Dragon Clouds City with the five of them."
Thales was stunned.
He lowered his head and stared at the ground with a dazed expression. He remembered how Archduke Lecco patted his shoulder earnestly and told him to take care of himself in Heroic Spirit Palace.
"About this, I really don't know," the prince said absentmindedly.
Lisban looked at Thales' expression and nodded slightly. "Please don't let her regret that decision."
"You should return to the palace. You don't want to offend Lord Nicholas at this time. You have an outdoor class tomorrow." After the regent finished speaking, he glanced at the prince, who was deep in thought, and turned to leave.
"Regent Lisban."
Thales stopped the count. "Will you miss him?"
Lisban turned around and looked at the prince expressionlessly. He raised his eyebrows slightly.
"Will you miss King Nuven?" Thales added. "You know, the Born King, the real tough guy from the Walton Family."
The prince's expression was slightly gloomy. He looked like a sentimental poet. "Thinking about how good it would be if he was still around?"
This time, the silence between the two lasted for a long time. It was so long that Wya, who was a few steps away, could not help but signal Thales, but he was stopped by Ralf.
After a long period of silence, Count Lisban finally spoke calmly, "Every day, I miss him, especially when there are mountains of documents and chores piled up on the table again."
"You can't imagine how deep our friendship is."
Thales stared at him. "Yes."
"You know, when King Nuven was still around, Dragon Clouds City and even Eckstedt were far from being like this." Thales sighed. "The vassals were in their positions, and their actions were orderly. The subjects had their own duties, and everything was in order."
Thales stared at the count's face and said with a faint sigh, "But after he left, during the archduchess' reign, the entire Dragon Clouds City was in turmoil, and the people were in a state of panic.
"Now, even Black Sand Region dares to come to Dragon Clouds City to contact me."
Lisban looked at him without moving.
"She has not ruled for long, and the people are not used to it yet. We need time and patience," the count answered without missing a single detail.
Thales narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Yes. Perhaps to Dragon Clouds City, a weak and powerless girl is still a notch below Archduke Walton's position." The prince shook his head faintly. There was a hidden meaning in his words.
"Perhaps she is still far from having the right to rule Dragon Clouds City."
Lisban frowned slightly and said in a displeased tone, "Please do not interpret my words as you wish, Prince Thales."
Thales closed his eyes and heaved a long sigh.
"Your Grace," the prince asked in a seemingly nonchalant manner, "if one day, the Dragon Spear Family's bloodline is cut off, and the Waltons have no successor …"
Count Lisban's expression froze.
"What will you and your family do in Dragon Clouds City?"
Once he said this, Lisban gave him a profound look.
"Even if we are allies, your words just now can still easily cause misunderstandings, Prince Thales, especially after your meeting with the emissary of Black Sand Region." The count's words were already laced with politeness but unquestionable sternness. "Even now, six years later."
Thales smiled apologetically. "Please understand that the current situation in Dragon Clouds City worries me, whether it is the Alliance of Freedom and the City of Faraway Prayers in the west, or the emissary of Black Sand Region in the city, and of course, the vassals of Dragon Clouds City. I have to think more and plan ahead."
Lisban stared at him firmly and did not move.
"Dragon Clouds City will always belong to the Walton Family," the count said slowly. "Raikaru's descendants have ruled this land for nearly seven hundred years, but it is not without reason that the Cloud Dragon Spear Flag is still passed down to this day."
"There will be news from both the Alliance of Freedom and the City of Faraway Prayers."
"Please don't worry too much."
Thales stared at Count Lisban for a long time. A myriad of thoughts ran through his mind.
"I understand."
The prince said meaningfully.
In the next second, he nodded slightly and got on Jennie's saddle without hesitation. He spurred the horse and left, leaving Count Lisban and the group of patrols far behind.
After entering the First Gatehouse, Thales was not surprised to see Nicholas at the palace gate. However, the Star Killer only cast him a glance from afar before he turned around and dismissed the Archduchess' Guards, who had just gathered together, as if they were facing a great enemy. He then turned around and left.
They …
The prince frowned.
Thales did not fall asleep that night.
For the first time, he felt that the walls and floor tiles of Dragon Clouds City were exceptionally hard, and his back hurt when he knocked against them.
— —
"Let me sum it up."
In the archduchess' study room, Meryl Hicks, the Old Crow, sat in his favorite seat. Just like before, he neither used a book nor a pen. He only leaned on a walking stick, smiled shakily, and nodded gently at his two students.
Thales rested his chin on one hand and looked at Hicks in a seemingly serious manner.
"My dear Saroma has given us many interesting and powerful explanations about how the Joint Ruling Pledge was formed. For example, why Nuven the First, who was the most powerful, was willing to compromise."
'The most powerful …
'Nuven …
'What is that terrifying old king thinking?'
Hicks' voice continued to travel, "For example, the prestige of King Raikaru and the Queen of the Sky is still deeply rooted in the hearts of the people."
'Raikaru's descendants …
'Prestige …
'In Dragon Clouds City, how much prestige does Saroma need to have in order to stabilize her rule? Even her bloodline …'
"For example, the defense line at Glacier requires power that far surpasses that of an archduke to maintain."
'An archduke …
'How will the game between the archdukes affect Saroma's rule?'
"For example, as we mentioned in the first lesson, the boundaries of governance. If we do not maintain the system in which the major vassals open up their own territories and govern themselves, Eckstedt will find it difficult to maintain and protect this vast territory that stretches from West Billow to Northland, across the Four Great Ancient Provinces, and is second only to the Ancient Empire …"
'The boundaries of governance …'
At this moment, Thales felt a pain in his ribs!
He turned his head in a daze and watched Saroma pull her elbow back as if nothing had happened.
Thales stared at her in a daze.
'What's wrong?'
Until …
"I'm sorry, I have to repeat myself."
Hicks stared straight at the Prince of Constellation.
The Old Crow said with a smile, "Do you have anything else to add about the achievement of the Joint Ruling Pledge, Thales?"
Thales snapped out of his daze.
He had unknowingly become absent-minded. He hurriedly flipped open his notes, shook his head apologetically, and nodded. "I'm sorry, I … Yes, I have something to add about how Eckstedt's Joint Ruling Pledge was achieved …"
Hicks raised his head slightly, showing an interested expression.
"Constellation."
Thales raised his head and answered, "The achievement of the Joint Ruling Pledge is largely thanks to Constellation's contribution."
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