Saroma frowned, and impatience reappeared on her face. "You must have a very good reason for returning to this topic."
Thales coughed unnaturally. "Saroma —"
But before he could finish his sentence, Ian chuckled.
"I didn't mean to offend you. Don't think too highly of yourself, Madam." The heir of the City of Faraway Prayers raised a finger and shook his head slightly. "You have to know that not everyone will cry and fight to the death to marry you."
Saroma's expression changed.
Ian abruptly turned his head and looked at Thales with a mysterious expression. "Am I right?"
Thales became embarrassed. He coughed unnaturally again. "Saroma, he means —"
"I know what he's talking about." Saroma stared coldly at Ian, then turned to Thales. A slight contortion appeared on her fair face. "He's right, isn't he? Obviously, I can't make people who don't like me fall head over heels for me. I'm not the main character in a legend. "
'Oh my God.'
Thales lowered his head stiffly.
As if he had discovered a new world, he suddenly realized that the food on the table was delicious.
Ian curled up the corners of his mouth. He looked at her, then at Thales, and smiled. "Neither of us is the main character in a legend.
Unless we write our own legends. "
Thales retracted his outstretched hand, which was about to reach for the food. Saroma exhaled, suppressed the displeasure in her heart, and looked at the rude guest.
The archduchess raised her eyebrows. "And that is?"
However, Ian only smiled meaningfully before his expression turned solemn.
"My Lady, Your Highness, we are now facing the same problem." Ian looked particularly special when he was serious. His facial features, which were slightly different from the traditional Northlanders, made people unable to help but stare at him. "A few months ago, our respected king, Chapman Lampard, issued a new enfeoffment law in Black Sand Region."
Saroma and Thales put aside their awkwardness with great difficulty and listened attentively.
The dining room seemed to have become a war room at this moment.
Ian imitated Thales and knocked on the table. "Do you know what this means?"
He tilted his head, his expression serious.
The archduchess frowned slightly, then nodded, unable to hide the displeasure in her tone. "Yes, I've heard about it. Everyone is saying that he's imitating the cruel laws of the Empire, eliminating dissidents. For example, setting the standards for a commoner to become a noble …"
The King's decree.
The standard of nobility.
The prince suddenly remembered some knowledge that should not exist in this world. He also remembered the discussions he had with Hicks over the past few days, as well as Putray's advice, both overtly and covertly.
Thales sighed, shook his head, and interrupted Saroma. "No, Saroma, the laws are just the surface. It is not important whether they are strict or not. The real key is the flow of power behind the scenes."
Saroma gave him a questioning look.
"King Chapman wrote all the traditional noble rules that have been passed down since before the 'Joint Ruling Pledge', whether they are obscure or not, written or unwritten, habitual or not, compromising or not compromising, secret or not, and placed them in front of his own city gate."
The prince remembered Lampard's words on the carriage. He remembered the courage and will of the terrifying King Chapman, who held the chess piece called Eckstedt in his hand and played a game of chess with the Sage of Constellation from more than a hundred years ago. He could not help but feel sentimental. "He tried to superimpose the authority of the king on the autonomy of the nobles, and put the interpretation and implementation of the 'Joint Ruling Pledge' in his own hands. He offended the old nobles and vassals who have a long history, and who have even supported the Lampard Family to rule Black Sand Region since the beginning of the kingdom's establishment. If the decree comes into effect, it means that Chapman's will will overshadow the traditional customs and rules. The lives and power of the vassals will no longer belong to them, and they will no longer even be shared with the king. They will only belong to the king. "
Saroma did not say anything.
Ian sneered and shook his head. The corners of his lips curled up. "In other words, he made a huge mess.
He made him face the most difficult situation since his coronation. "He looked at Thales.
"There is always a price to pay for change. He wanted to challenge the natural rights of the vassals, but he was also shaking his own natural rights and eroding the foundation of his rule.
"The old nobles and vassals in Black Sand Region objected in unison. Count Mend made a public announcement and fiercely rebuked his suzerain. The Devenson Family said that as long as the king did not revoke the decree, the tax resistance of all the vassals in their county would be extended indefinitely. Count Peruno went to Black Sand City in a high-profile manner to confront the king. The Ica Family even recalled the nine hundred warriors who were stationed at the border and guarded Broken Dragon Fortress according to their duty. The entire Black Sand Region became King Chapman's enemy overnight." The heir of the City of Faraway Prayers smiled.
"The second prince had lived in Heroic Spirit Palace for a long time. Although he had heard that Lampard had encountered a lot of trouble, this was the first time Thales heard about the specific predicament Lampard was facing.
'It sounds terrible.'
He recalled the king's complicated gaze on the carriage, and his sentimental words.
Thales thought of something. He was about to speak, but the archduchess beat him to it.
"How strange." Saroma furrowed her brows. "Ciel told me before that the vassals each have their own interests and schemes. They will not easily show their blades to the king, and it's also very difficult for them to gather their standpoint and come together. What's more, they're facing Lampard, and he's also the king. Without external help and trump cards, those opponents in Black Sand Region might not be so confident, organized, and coordinated."
In the face of the archduchess' question, Ian put on a rather profound expression.
The dining room was silent for a few seconds.
"Wait, it's you guys?" Soon, the archduchess moved a little and said in sudden realization, "It's you, the archdukes, who are supporting their opposition to the king, and even making a promise?"
Thales' gaze shifted.
Perhaps, as the Archduchess of Dragon Clouds City, she had improved in the past six years.
'It's just that I never noticed it in the past.'
Ian bowed slightly in his chair, displaying a perfect etiquette. This was indeed rare among Northlanders.
"How can we miss this opportunity?"
Ian straightened his back, looked at the frowning Saroma, and chuckled. "It's not just us, Defense City and Elaphure City are also helping."
The viscount nodded complacently. "Other than the Archduke of Beacon Illumination City who hasn't inherited the throne for long, and the Stustel Family of Sentinel Region who remains neutral as usual, the Archduke of Glacier Sea has also expressed his willingness to join. Soon, Prestige Orchid Region and Reformation Tower, who are also in the south, will also send a reply.
"This is a collective conspiracy. The king in Black Sand Region, who is different from the rest, is our target."
Looking at Saroma's unmoving expression, Thales knew that she was thinking of that day six years ago.
That black ring.
That blood-stained crown.
That howling girl.
Thales' heart was filled with an inexplicable emotion.
In the dining room, Ian was like a hunter with a bow and arrow in hand. He flashed a confident smile. "The arrow has left the bow, and the sword has been unsheathed.
"Lampard's bargaining chips are disappearing. His vassals are dissatisfied. His people are suspicious. His taxes are decreasing, and his army is loosening … In the Lampard Family which is famous in Northland, the Uprising King, Quiso, and one of the Nine Knights, Holt, the Boiling Blood, have left their descendants a legacy of prestige."
The Prince of Constellation carefully recalled Lampard's character and methods. Suppressing his subconscious disapproval, he listened to Ian quietly.
"Before long, perhaps in half a year, or even a few months, the king's rule will be shaken. The natural authority of the Iron Fist Family will dissipate. His decrees will no longer be able to leave the castle. He will become a powerless, lonely king who will obediently endure in his own castle until the next king selection."
Ian took a deep breath and suddenly changed the topic.
"However, when everything was going according to plan and we were only one step away from success, a small accident happened," he said, somewhat vexed.
Saroma lowered her head and pondered. "You mean, a crisis broke out in the Alliance of Freedom, and they tried to break away from Eckstedt?"
Ian flashed a smile of approval.
"And in this accident, the City of Faraway Prayers happened to be the first to bear the brunt," the archduchess said slowly. "Was this really an accident?"
Ian exhaled and nodded. "It's understandable that there will be bumps in the road to the top. Even a mongrel orc who is on the verge of death has the power to fight back, let alone a usurper who killed his elder brother and the king." Ian sighed and nodded.
Hearing Ian's words, Thales could not help but frown.
During these few minutes, Thales did not interrupt. He quietly watched the conversation between Saroma and Ian, but he suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of unfamiliarity.
'That Little Rascal who hid behind me and wiped her tears, Saroma who has been sitting on the archduchess' seat with fear and trepidation all these years …
'When did she become an existence who can play chess with her opponent at the negotiating table, and conspire with her ally?'
Sentimental, gratified, disappointed, frustrated … Complicated thoughts formed by countless emotions surged into his heart.
'Why didn't I realize it in the past six years? 'Why now, when I'm about to …'
But Thales immediately clenched his fists.
'No.
'This is not enough.
'Her opponent …
'Her ally …
'This is far from enough.'
"It's precisely because of the archdukes led by the City of Faraway Prayers and their external support and guarantee that the old nobles in Black Sand Region can rebel against the king without hesitation." Ian sighed. "But we can't turn a blind eye to the Alliance of Freedom. To be honest, based on the information I recently received, the situation in the Alliance is already irreversible. A peaceful solution is impossible.
"But if the army of the City of Faraway Prayers is busy on the campaign, and the Roknee Family's hands are tied to the stake known as the 'Alliance of Freedom' …"
He spread his hands and shrugged.
"Then, to the king's opponents, the promise of the City of Faraway Prayers will not be so reliable." Thales snapped out of his thoughts and quietly took over the conversation. "At the same time, it will be easier for the king to suppress the opponents who are isolated and helpless, get through the crisis, and even further consolidate his authority and rebuild Black Sand Region that belongs to him."
* Clap! *
Ian clapped his hands lightly.
"If Lampard gets through this storm … Believe me, for us, it won't be as simple as a failed hunt." Ian put on his most sincere expression, sweeping away the frivolity and deliberate provocation from before. He slowly said, "That's something we don't want to see."
As for what exactly it was that "we don't want to see", he did not say it out loud.
Saroma paused for a moment and asked in puzzlement, "So, that's why Dragon Clouds City is so important in this storm?"
"That's right." Ian looked at the archduchess with a certain gaze. "Among the Nine Great Territories, Dragon Clouds City is the closest to us. It's also the only archduchy that has surplus military forces, financial resources, and an undeniable reason to send troops to fight the Alliance of Freedom with us."
"The closest? The only one? "
"I can read a map." The archduchess put on a disapproving expression. "Do you think Archduke Lecco of Defense City is a dead man?"
"Hmph, that old bald man who plays it safe?" Ian sneered. "He's not much different from a dead man."
Saroma raised her eyebrows slightly.
"Saroma," Thales organized his thoughts and said, "The City of Faraway Prayers and Black Sand Region, Archduke Roknee and King Chapman are on opposite ends of a scale known as the 'Alliance of Freedom Crisis' or the 'King's Decree Crisis'.
"You are the supreme suzerain of Dragon Clouds City. Your decisions, your army, and your vassals are the biggest bargaining chips in this game of chess."
The prince looked at Ian cautiously and said, "If Dragon Clouds City promises to send troops to the west and help the Roknee Family conquer the Alliance of Freedom, Ian and the others' chances of toppling the king will be greatly increased. If you stand by and do nothing, the pressure on King Chapman will be greatly reduced."
Saroma pondered quietly.
"But …" Thales took a deep breath. "Once you send out your troops, your vassals …"
Saroma raised her head. The coldness in her eyes startled both of them.
"About my marriage," the archduchess said flatly. "I understand."
Ian and Thales exchanged glances and nodded.
"Lampard must have done something. That's why your vassals are revealing their desire for power and disrespect for the archduchess at this moment.
"Once you decide to send troops, they will use this as a threat and force you to marry." Thales' expression became more and more serious. "And you will be forced into a dilemma because of your family's honor. If you want to send troops, you must agree to their request and marry. But after you marry, Dragon Clouds City will fall into a vortex of power imbalance. Who knows what kind of trouble will be waiting for you."
"A suzerain and vassals threatening each other." Ian snorted coldly. "Truth be told, this is nothing new in the City of Faraway Prayers.
"At the same time, King Chapman will use all sorts of methods to eliminate and get rid of his opponents in his territory." Thales sighed. "One by one, day by day, until no one dares to oppose him and the king's decree.
"This is what Lampard thinks.
"This is also the reason why I came here." The heir of the City of Faraway Prayers sat up straight and waited solemnly. "My Lady, whether it's to fight for Dragon Clouds City, redeem the Dragon Spear Family's reputation, or lend a helping hand to the City of Faraway Prayers to thwart the king's rebellious actions, this is a war you have no choice but to fight."
Ian's eyes were bright. It was hard to believe that a few hours ago, he was still the maverick and infuriating descendant of the archduchess.
"We are on the same side in this game of chess, facing the same opponent."
Saroma did not say a word, but the seriousness in her eyes was unprecedented.
She cast a glance at Thales, and the second prince returned her gaze with encouragement.
"But we also saw that Lampard used your vassals to hold back Dragon Clouds City's Black Sand Region's envoy. He did not come to Dragon Clouds City because he was bored," Ian said seriously. "After the City of Faraway Prayers, the Dragon Spear Family's hands are also tied.
"So, the City of Faraway Prayers did not just come here to ask for help. It is unrealistic to ask for help from a person whose hands are tied."
"So …" Saroma took a deep breath. "What you mean is …"
Ian nodded gravely.
"We are here to help. If the City of Faraway Prayers and Dragon Clouds City are two people whose hands are tied at the same time, then what we have to do next …" He made a knife-like gesture with his hand. "I will first help you untie your hands, then you will help me cut the rope."
The Viscount of Dual Wind City and the other two exchanged glances. "Then, stand up together and beat up the person who tied us up."
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