An hour later, the Prince of Constellation, who had just finished dressing up in the Blood Court, was walking along the corridor towards the Hall of Heroes, accompanied by Ralf and Wya.
Thales took a deep breath and walked past a group of guards who were staring at him fiercely. He looked at the familiar layout and furnishings in Heroic Spirit Palace, and his heart was heavy.
"Are you alright, Your Highness?" This was the slightly worried Wya.
"I can't be better," Thales replied with a straight face. "Why do you ask?"
"Because when we were outside just now, Lord Putray said that young Roknee is here to propose … If this bothers you …" Wya abruptly stopped talking. He turned his head and saw Ralf clasping his hands tightly on his shoulders. Ralf's gaze was stern as he shook his head forcefully. "That's because when we were outside just now, Lord Putray said that Roknee is here to propose … If this bothers you …"
"See, this is the problem." Thales exhaled. "Everyone is thinking in the same direction, even you."
Wya and Ralf looked at each other.
"But the real problem is …" Thales' mind raced and he subconsciously clenched his fists. "This is impossible."
'Yes.
'Propose.
'What kind of joke is this?'
Just as Wya and Ralf became more and more puzzled, the sound of footsteps and conversations came from behind the corner in front of them.
"Oh, the pattern engraved on this beast's skull — Five-headed Flail? I know, this is the personal emblem passed down from 'The Smiling' Nuven to 'Big Hand' Shawlon Walton six hundred years ago. At that time, Walton's symbol was not the Cloud Dragon Spear … "
This was a slightly frivolous young man's voice. He seemed to be looking around as he walked.
"Ah, this weapon must be the 'Army Crusher' Monster Nazaire's Black-Striped Greatsword from three hundred years ago?"
The Prince of Constellation stopped in his tracks.
"That is …" Wya said doubtfully.
Soon, they no longer had to wonder.
"That is just an imitation." This was Nicholas' voice, but he sounded a little uneasy. "The real one was buried with Monster — in the White Blade Guards' cemetery."
The frivolous man sighed. "Is that so? I have to say, I am a little disappointed … but it's okay. Soon, I will see the long-awaited, famous Soul Slayer Pike …"
Thales narrowed his eyes. Nicholas and a group of Archduchess' Guards accompanied another group of strangers as they walked out from the corner.
The moment he saw Thales, the Star Killer furrowed his eyebrows in a barely noticeable manner.
"This is …" Nicholas coughed.
Thales focused his gaze and looked at the eye-catching and unique young noble among the strangers. He had the emblem of the Knight's Canon embroidered on his shoulder.
"Thank you, Your Lordship, but I know very well who I am dealing with." Among the diplomat group from the City of Faraway Prayers, the young man dressed in neat and simple clothes also turned his head around and looked at Thales with a spirited gaze.
He was very young, in his early twenties at most. He had curly hair that went past his ears. Compared to the long-haired archduke Thales had met before, his face appeared much gentler, and there was a strange smile in his eyes.
So, it was him.
The man who claimed to propose to Selma?
The young man's hidden smile turned into an obvious one. He took a resolute step forward and extended his palm under his outer robe. "Nice to meet you, Prince Thales. I have heard a lot about you."
As soon as he said this, the people in the diplomat group from the City of Faraway Prayers turned their gazes to the prince in front of them. Their gazes contained all sorts of emotions.
Thales chuckled in his heart.
'So, I have a reputation to speak of as well.'
"Thank you." Thales suppressed the worries in his heart and shook the young man's palm with a smile. "Then, you must be Archduke Roknee's son …"
The young man's palm was very strong. There were thin calluses on his purlicue and four fingers that Thales could not be more familiar with.
He was a well-trained noble warrior, perhaps just like his father.
'But …'
"Ian Roknee, I am the Viscount of Dual Wind City under the City of Faraway Prayers. I have specially come to Dragon Clouds City as an envoy." The young man named Ian interrupted him with a smile and introduced himself. "My father once said that there were many things that left a deep impression on him during his trip to Dragon Clouds City six years ago.
"One of them was none other than that young and witty prince."
Thales thought of something.
Aside from the pleasantries, he caught the main point — the Viscount of Dual Wind City.
'Ian Roknee. He has his own title and fiefdom.
Even though he is so young.
Even though he is already the heir to the Archduke of the City of Faraway Prayers. '
'This more or less means something.'
Thales let go of the young man's hand.
"Please thank your father for me." Thales suppressed the strange feeling in his heart and said without batting an eyelid, "I also have a deep impression of Archduke Roknee, especially his fearlessness and fortitude."
After hearing this, Ian's expression suddenly became very strange.
He sucked in a breath and stared at Thales from the corner of his eye. He had the ghost of a smile on his face.
Thales narrowed his eyes.
"Hehehehe …" Finally, the young Roknee laughed out loud.
He shook his head with an amused expression and opened his mouth to say something.
This sentence was spoken very quickly, and his enunciation was sharp and piercing. Thales could not understand it at all.
'But …'
"Forgive me?" Thales said doubtfully, "I didn't hear what you said clearly."
"Oh, sorry." Ian seemed to have just come to his senses. He spread his hands with an apologetic look on his face. "No, please forgive me."
"I inherited my accent from my mother, so sometimes I am not used to speaking with a Northland accent."
Thales felt a chill in his heart.
'Not used to a Northland accent …
'But …'
Ian laughed. "And what I said just now was: thank you for your magnanimity. That's why you described my father's stubbornness and stupidity as fearlessness and fortitude."
Thales was slightly stunned.
'Stubbornness? 'Stupidity?'
The Prince of Constellation was not the only one who reacted this way. Many of the nobles in the City of Faraway Prayers' diplomat group behind them had unpleasant expressions on their faces. An old noble who was more experienced coughed loudly to remind their viscount.
"Ah, we all know that you have a cough, old Barney," Ian said loudly and rudely without turning his head. "But since you're in Dragon Clouds City, restrain yourself a little, okay?"
"That's what I wanted to say, young Ian," the old noble retorted bluntly, "especially in front of the Prince of Constellation."
The young Roknee snorted nonchalantly.
Nicholas frowned as he watched the interaction within the City of Faraway Prayers. He did not say a word.
"That's really … a novel comment." The Prince of Constellation smiled a little awkwardly and pretended not to see the internal conflict in the diplomat group. "And it came from his son."
"That's not surprising. Thanks to your resourcefulness and righteous act six years ago, his stubborn head is still on his neck, instead of following the late king to Hell's River to show his loyalty and throw the City of Faraway Prayers into a mess." Ian swung his hand with a playful smile and put on a thoughtful expression.
"Of course, if that really happened, I might have inherited the City of Faraway Prayers earlier."
This sentence made Thales speechless again.
Undisguised coughs came from the diplomat group again. This time, they were especially loud, as if they were very dissatisfied.
"But that's my father, a typical Northlander." Ian sighed in a seemingly regretful manner. Then, he immediately put on a smile. "And my mother used to say that all Northlanders have a hole the size of a fist on their foreheads, facing the sky. During spring and winter, it's filled with snow, and during summer and autumn, it's empty. Hahahaha!"
As soon as he said this, the expressions of the people from Dragon Clouds City on both sides and the people from the City of Faraway Prayers' diplomat group became unpleasant.
Ian was the only one who smiled happily.
Wya widened his eyes and exchanged glances with Ralf. The latter made a gesture to show that he agreed.
Thales' face twitched and he laughed dryly.
He had a feeling that this Ian Roknee was really a little, how should he put it …
A scam?
Thales thought of the bold and courageous Archduke Roknee, then looked at the frivolous and impetuous young master in front of him. He sighed in his heart.
"Hahahaha." The prince chuckled. "I have to say, you … are really not like your father's son."
"Ah!
Am I really my father's son? " The young Roknee laughed heartily, and his words shocked everyone once again. "Hmm, this is also the suspicion that has troubled my father for many years. I say, no wonder my mother died so early. Could it be that she was trying to cover up —"
Thales' smile froze on his face.
A rude and low shout came from the diplomat group, "Ian!"
Ian lowered his head slightly. The light cast a shadow on his face.
Then, he flashed a smile again.
"Hahahahaha!" The young Roknee laughed and waved behind him. "I was just joking. Look at your expressions!"
At that moment, Thales knew what that slight feeling of incongruity was.
'Ian Roknee, this man, the way he speaks and the way he does things are …
'Not like a …
Northlander. '
"Sirs." As the receptionist, Nicholas looked warily at the two people who were chatting happily — at least on the surface. "Perhaps we shouldn't let the archduchess wait for too long?"
Ian looked at Nicholas and shrugged.
"Come, prince." The young Roknee ignored the prince's awkward expression and put his hand on the latter's shoulder. "Let's talk as we walk. I believe we will become good friends."
Thales instinctively wanted to break free from his hand, but Ian only smiled.
"Trust me, Prince Thales." He looked elated, but there was a profound meaning in his words. "There are many things we can talk about.
For example, the archduchess' marriage. "
Thales was stunned.
Nicholas frowned. His expression was unhappy, but he did not say anything in the end.
"Also …" Ian pushed Thales and moved forward with him. He smiled happily and said, "What's more …
He smiled happily and said, "When facing Northlanders … I think we will definitely get along well."
'No.'
Thales gave up on getting rid of Roknee's arm around his shoulder. He sighed.
'Based on the current situation.
'Someone who can get along well with you …
'Probably only Aida.'
Thales gave Wya and Ralf, who had worried expressions on their faces, a reassuring look before he walked forward.
"Based on what you said just now, your mother is a foreigner?" The prince recalled the scene just now and asked keenly, "From Camus Union?"
"Oh, no, of course she is an Eckstedtian," the young Roknee answered briskly. "And she is a local from the City of Faraway Prayers."
"A local from the City of Faraway Prayers?"
Thales frowned slightly. "But you just said that her accent is not Northlander …"
The young Viscount of Dual Wind City raised his eyebrows slightly and put on an expression that said, "I knew it."
They followed behind Nicholas and slowly approached the Hall of Heroes.
"You have never been to the City of Faraway Prayers, have you, Your Highness?"
"I have not had that kind of honor."
"No wonder." Ian shook his head in a slightly profound manner and clicked his tongue.
He sighed. "When everyone talks about Eckstedt, they always say that it is Northland, the kingdom of Northlanders, as if Eckstedtians are Northlanders."
Thales' interest was piqued by the follow-up question in this sentence. "But?"
"But they have all forgotten." Ian turned his head and smiled faintly. "At the western border of Eckstedt, there is at least one piece of territory that does not belong to the old Northland. Its people are not just rough and hot-tempered Northlanders."
Thales was slightly moved. "The City of Faraway Prayers?"
Ian nodded. His voice was steady and powerful. "The City of Faraway Prayers."
No one knew whether it was intentional or not, but their footsteps slowly fell behind Nicholas. "Long before the Ancient Empire, there was a barren and barren land like this. The land stretched from West Billow Cliff in the west to the Land of Barren Rocks in the east. The people who lived there struggled to survive, and they were called 'Troubled Citizens'."
"That land was designated by the Ancient Empire as their West Billow Province. It is very different from Northland Province in the east and Toto Province in the west. The difference is obvious."
The young Roknee raised his head and gently touched the emblem of the Knight's Canon on his shoulder.
"After the Battle of Eradication, Kulgon Roknee, the Truth Seeker, one of the Nine Knights and a capable general under Raikaru the Hero, brought his sword and axe to the land called West Billow. He went on a punitive expedition, expanded the territory, built castles, and finally announced to the Troubled People on the conquered land that from that moment on, they were all Eckstedtians.
"He was the first Archduke of the City of Faraway Prayers," Ian said with a chuckle. "He was different from the other archdukes. The Truth Seeker was a Northlander. With the Way of Northland, he ruled over countless Troubled People of West Billow."
"I see." Thales seemed to be deep in thought. "I don't often hear about this in the 'Great Unity of Northlanders' classes."
Ian shook his head and sneered. "Of course, outsiders rarely care about this difference. Even the Eckstedtians from other places are the same."
He raised his head with great interest and looked at the decorations around him that were full of Northland's style. "It's no wonder. Among the ten great territories of Eckstedt, the Sentinel Region and Defense City are on guard against the oldest line of defense of mankind in the north. Glacier Sea and Elaphure City have to worry about the threat from the East Coast. There's no need to mention the three territories in the south, which are near the Northern Territory of Constellation. Dragon Clouds City and Beacon Illumination City have been the center of Northland since ancient times. They can be said to be the heart of the kingdom.
"In comparison, the City of Faraway Prayers, which is located in the west, has a vast territory and is sparsely populated. It can only deal with desert bandits and merchants. It seems especially insignificant, doesn't it?"
Nicholas turned around and gave them an indecipherable look.
Ian immediately responded with a bright smile.
"But you are still a member of Eckstedt." Thales shrugged. "You even had a common-elected king."
Ian snorted softly.
"Three hundred years ago, if the Night Wing King had not dealt a heavy blow to the eastern part of the kingdom," he said with a sigh, "the common-elected throne would never have fallen into the hands of the Roknee Family. They would not have been able to wait for King Lhasa Roknee's coronation in the City of Faraway Prayers."
"You can tell a lot from the name — City of Faraway Prayers, praying, faraway." The young Roknee patted the prince's shoulder and said with a resigned expression, "To Eckstedt, the City of Faraway Prayers is just a faraway part of their territory. It's so far away that no matter what happens in that wasteland, the other people in the kingdom only need to pray from afar, and it'll be considered that they've shown great mercy."
Thales did not speak.
But his judgment of the situation and his estimation of the City of Faraway Prayers' intentions had changed many times.
But in the next second, Ian lowered his head and moved closer to Thales' ear.
He whispered, "Most importantly, since it's not the land of the Northlanders, why would the Northlanders pay attention to it? Why would they care about whether the Troubled Citizens of West Billow are dead or alive?"
Thales shuddered a little.
"They only need to know that it still belongs to Eckstedt. When they boast to outsiders, they can still use that huge territory to show off Eckstedt's national strength. That's enough, isn't it?" Ian still had his hand on Thales' shoulder. He raised a finger and said in a low voice, "So, many people of West Billow can't help but think that perhaps the Northlanders only care about the City of Faraway Prayers on the map.
"And this is the City of Faraway Prayers. This is the problem that the Roknee Family, as Northlanders, has faced for the past six hundred years."
"It sounds very troublesome," the prince said in a low voice. "Presumably, your father often has to worry about the doubts of the people under his rule, the so-called 'Troubled Citizens of West Billow'?"
Ian smiled faintly. "It's just like Dragon Clouds City, isn't it?"
Thales did not say a word.
But he could already tell what was going on.
The young Roknee raised his head again and raised his voice to a normal level so that everyone could hear him. "The heavens have taken pity on us. For more than six hundred years, we have been taking care of ourselves."
Ian turned his head. His smile was gentle.
"Therefore, twenty years ago, the Born King did not hesitate to give the order to aid the West in the name of the king and with the power of the entire city …
"Only then will the Roknee Family remember this kindness forever …"
"Hence, a loyal alliance can be formed." The young Roknee blinked lightly. "So, as vassals, we are willing to follow a king like that until the end of his life."
Thales raised his eyebrows and said in a low voice, "I understand."
The prince pondered over Ian's intentions.
'This Viscount of Dual Wind City seems to be frivolous, meddlesome, and speaks without thinking …
'But …
'From just now until now, beneath the surface …
'What he wants to convey is …'
Thales raised his head and said in a low voice, "Why did you send a message to invite me here, Viscount of Dual Wind City?"
"I am just a prince of a foreign country."
Ian lowered his head and revealed a mysterious smile.
"As I said, in order to propose to the archduchess, I need a reliable witness."
Thales' expression did not change, but he glanced at the people around him and deliberately walked faster.
He frowned slightly. "How do you know that I am reliable?"
Ian snorted through his nose.
Ian chuckled and said, "Because if you are not reliable, you would not have come."
Thales was speechless for a moment.
A few seconds later, the prince said, "What if your estimation is wrong? What if you are looking for the wrong person? "
"I may be wrong." Ian maintained his mysterious smile. "But Black Sand Region is definitely not wrong."
Thales fell silent.
"Are you serious about proposing to the archduchess?"
The young Roknee shrugged. "Of course.
"Otherwise, if the archduchess marries someone else, what will happen to us?"
Thales frowned. "Us?"
Ian snorted softly and looked at him meaningfully. He stretched out his voice and repeated the two words softly, "Us."
Thales pondered for a while.
Ian let go of his shoulder and looked around with interest.
"I understand." Thales pondered for a while and said in a low voice, "Is there anything important that will take up a lot of time in the audience later?"
"Let me think." The young Roknee scratched his forehead. "Other than the hypocritical greetings to each other, there will also be a personal letter from my father written in the style of an ancient knight, and a crying plea for Dragon Clouds City to be merciful and send troops to save us, who are in a terrible predicament. In the end, I will grit my teeth and criticize the king's crimes, and invite Dragon Clouds City to join the camp of justice …
"That's all."
Thales nodded and resisted the urge to ridicule him. "Then hurry up and end it.
"Tonight, I will invite the archduchess and you to the dining room for a small gathering to discuss the truly important matters.
"Just the three of us, and perhaps Regent Lisban, if he insists as always."
At that moment, Ian's eyes lit up.
"I look forward to it." The young Roknee curled up the corners of his lips. "I promise, it will end as soon as possible."
In the next second, they finally arrived at the door of the Hall of Heroes.
The members of the diplomat group tacitly stopped in their tracks, tidied up their clothes, and looked at Ian sternly.
Their gazes made Thales feel rather uncomfortable.
Ian could only exhale and flick the emblem of the Knight's Canon on his shoulder.
"Are you ready?" Nicholas narrowed his eyes and observed the group.
Then, he waved his hand.
Amidst the heavy rumbling, the two guards pushed the door open steadily.
Rows of Archduchess' Personal Guards and the archduchess' throne at the end of the hall were revealed.
Behind the throne was the ferocious, pitch-black Soul Slayer Pike.
Everyone in the hall turned their gazes to the entrance of the hall and looked at the guests from the City of Faraway Prayers.
Ian narrowed his eyes and looked at the ancient hall that represented Dragon Clouds City.
Under the illumination of the sun and lights, the relief sculpture of the Cloud Dragon Spear at the top of the hall was extremely conspicuous. It made the usually dark and heavy Hall of Heroes look even more dignified and steady.
"Relax." Thales punched his shoulder and snorted. "You're much luckier than I was the first time I came."
The prince looked at the Hall of Heroes and remembered his unlucky first visit. He could not help but lower his head and sigh.
"Is that so?" Ian snorted softly and walked forward into the hall.
* Thud, thud, thud. *
The sound of footsteps rang.
"Guests from the City of Faraway Prayers —" the herald said.
But in the next moment, he was immediately interrupted by an even louder voice.
"Honorable Archduchess Saroma Walton!"
Ian walked steadily on the stone floor and shouted loudly over the herald's voice, "I am Ian Roknee.
"On behalf of my father, the Archduke of the City of Faraway Prayers, Kulgon Roknee, I extend my sincere greetings to you!"
'What?'
Everyone in the hall craned their necks in surprise and looked at Ian Roknee, who was walking over slowly and did not treat himself as an outsider at all.
Thales sighed. He thought of Kroesch, whom he had met before, and wondered why there were so many strange people lately.
'And all of them like to introduce themselves?'
The prince subconsciously took a step back and widened the distance between him and Ian.
Under the strange gazes of the Archduchess' Guards, Count Lisban, Viscount Leisdon, and other nobles of Dragon Clouds City, as well as Nate Monty, who also came from the City of Faraway Prayers, Ian Roknee did not stop walking. He looked at the archduchess on the throne with great interest and sized up her appearance. "This is my first time in Dragon Clouds City. Forgive me for being unable to contain my excitement!"
In her seat, Saroma, who was dressed to the nines, seemed a little restrained. She pursed her lips and tensed up.
Thales subconsciously clenched his fists.
The archduchess took a deep breath and nodded at Count Lisban, who was sitting beside her. She then cleared her throat and said, "Thank you for the concern of the City of Faraway Prayers —"
However, once again, Ian Roknee from the City of Faraway Prayers exceeded everyone's expectations.
Under the astonished gazes of everyone present, Ian Roknee laughed and interrupted Saroma without hesitation.
"On behalf of the City of Faraway Prayers, I sincerely request Dragon Clouds City to send troops decisively and join our war against the Alliance of Freedom to protect your grandfather and father's reputation … Also, we really hate that common-elected king who doesn't act according to the rules. I believe that all of you feel the same." The young Roknee raised his hands and did not stop talking. The words that came out of his mouth flowed down like an endless river.
"So, I also sincerely invite you, Archduchess Saroma Walton, to sign on the joint notice that will be pasted all over the country to condemn the king's atrocities …"
While he spoke without pause, the indifferent Ian did not forget to take out a slightly deformed letter from his bosom. He blew on the obviously damaged seal and handed it to the Star Killer, who stared at him in puzzlement.
"… All the details are written in my father's letter. But I sincerely suggest that all of you remove all the adjectives in it and read it again. It will be much smoother."
Ian exhaled, as if he was happy that he had said such a long string of words.
A few seconds later, he flashed a bright smile. "Then, I guess, our audience this time is over?"
His voice faded away.
The entire Hall of Heroes was silent. Not a single sound could be heard.
For a few seconds.
'Over?
What does he mean? '
No one seemed to be able to react. Thales also stared at Ian, who stood in the hall, dumbfounded.
Very soon, sighs rose and fell in unison from the City of Faraway Prayers' Diplomat Group behind Ian.
Thales even heard the exasperated voice of the old noble from the City of Faraway Prayers suppressing himself. "I knew it would be like this."
Saroma recovered from her shock.
She seemed to be at a loss. She looked at Lisban, who was frowning more and more, as if asking for help. Then, she looked at Thales, who was holding his forehead. "Erm, I think …"
"Just now!"
Ian raised his index finger and once again snatched the right to speak in the hall. His happy tone made everyone in the hall speechless again.
"Prince Thales from Constellation invited me to enjoy the Constellatiate delicacies he brought. To be honest, I can't wait anymore. So, why don't we stop here?"
At that moment, everyone's gazes turned to stare at Thales.
Under everyone's gaze, the Prince of Constellation scratched his forehead in pain.
He could only show an ugly and awkward smile with his twitching face.
'Ian Roknee.
'This guy …'
"I promise that it will end as soon as possible."
'This guy …'
Ian maintained the smile on his face and bowed deeply, "Thank you again for your warm hospitality! Honorable Lady Saroma! "
Once he finished speaking, he turned around without hesitation.
He strode out of the Hall of Heroes.
On the way, he did not forget to give Thales a thumbs-up, revealing his neat white teeth.
* Thud, thud, thud. *
Ian's footsteps gradually faded away, just like how he came.
Until he could no longer be heard.
He left behind a hall full of well-dressed nobles and guards in the city who looked around in astonishment.
In the silence of the crowd, who did not know how to react, a clear cough rose.
"This is really …" Regent Lisban's expression became very unpleasant. He said vaguely, "What a surprise."
"About that …"
"All of you know …" Nate Monty, the Raven of Death, who had met Thales once before, stood at the lower end of the hall. He seemed to be a little embarrassed as he pouted. He spread his hands and chuckled at the people in the hall.
"This is why His Grace sent me as the diplomat group's vanguard."
The Star Killer held the letter Ian shoved into his hands and stared at Monty with an unpleasant expression.
'I see.
'Monty … So this is what you meant when you asked me to properly' entertain 'Sir Ian.'
"Also, let me introduce you …"
"Everyone, the person you saw just now is Ian Roknee, the Archduke's son and the Viscount of Dual Wind City." Monty laughed and pointed in the direction where Ian left, as if he was trying to dispel his mockery. "The nobles gave him a nickname …"
Monty shook his head. He looked like he wanted to laugh.
"Ian the 'Nuisance'."
The hall became quiet again. It was so quiet that Thales wanted to sneak away.
Amidst the awkward atmosphere, a voice suddenly called out to him.
"Um, sorry to disturb you again."
Everyone turned their heads in unison.
Beside the door, Ian Roknee's face reappeared.
He still had a smile on his face as he spoke to the people in the hall, who had very interesting expressions on their faces.
"Excuse me, where is my room?"
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