In the hall, as the archduchess sat down, the twenty or so nobles in the hall also sat down.
Thanks to the archduchess, Thales had received a lot of Northland's characteristic noble education during his six years as a hostage. Compared to the knowledge that Gilbert taught him in a hasty month, which was so old that it had faded, he was actually very familiar with Eckstedt's glorious history.
For example, Dragon Clouds City's state affairs hearing.
It originated ninety years ago from the Archduke of Dragon Clouds City, the forty-third common-elected king, Nuven the Sixth, the grandfather of the late king, Nuven the Seventh. He was the one who started the heyday of the Walton Family's monopoly on the throne for three consecutive generations. He was a king worth remembering.
Under his rule, the Kingdom of the Great Dragon fought against Constellation several times at the border after the death of the 'Virtuous King'. Faced with the Northern Territory's Arunde Family, Overwatch City's Zemunto Family, and Lonely Old Tower's Friess Family, the king never suffered a single defeat. He pushed Eckstedt's southern border to the front of Broken Dragon Fortress, turning the Eastern and Western Pine Forests into Northlanders' exclusive land. He supported the new Alliance of Freedom in a few wars. Faced with the sudden rise of Camus Union, he forcefully stopped their momentum of expansion, and firmly controlled the eastern end of the Golden Passage. He even repaired the Glacial Quiquer Defense Line, and once again banished the glacial orcs to the north of the Thirty-Eighth Sentry Ground.
Internally, starting from the scheming Nuven the Sixth, it became a tradition for the vassals of Dragon Clouds City to regularly greet and report to the archduke. The vassals would show their loyalty to the archduke and report important matters of the territory to obtain the archduke's permission and support. The archduke would then display his majesty and benevolence on this occasion, listening to the general situation of his vassals and maintaining and strengthening the relationship between the king and his vassals. This was the state affairs hearing.
'It's also proof of the expansion of Dragon Clouds City's ruling power,' Thales thought.
'But now …'
The archduchess' voice rang clearly in the hall, pulling him back from his thoughts.
"Lisban, Karkogel, Nazir, Hearst, Lyner, Cotterson." Faced with so many people, even though she was pale, Saroma still called out the vassal families under her one by one according to the seating order. Every suzerain nodded slightly when they were called. "Banner, Hudson …"
Saroma called out the names of nearly twenty families in one breath. Among them, there were two families with the same name, and they had to be distinguished by territory.
Almost every noble who had a seat nodded respectfully or at the very least, respectfully.
'If this was Constellation …' Thales could not help but recall the grand occasion during the National Conference, the Six Great Clans, the Thirteen Distinguished Families, and the Jadestar Family's direct vassals. Just calling out the names of these families …
The prince sighed.
God, I hope they have a roster.
"Welcome, everyone." Under the sharp gazes of the Northland nobles, Saroma took a deep breath, glanced at Lisban, and said slowly, "Once again, on the glorious day of the state affairs hearing, all the great families of Dragon Clouds City have gathered together. Because of your arrival, the Cloud Dragon Spear has become sharper. With your loyalty, the Walton Family has become stronger."
The crisp female voice echoed in the stone hall, gradually fading away.
The moment the archduchess finished speaking, almost all the vassals solemnly raised their right fists and smashed their chests three times in a row, as if by prior agreement.
Dong! Dong! Dong!
In response to Feng Jun.
The dull sound resonated with each other in the hall. It was as if the entire Heroic Spirit Palace was shaking.
"See, you understand what I mean, right?" Beside him, Ian had a bored expression that said "I told you so". He made a gesture of hitting his chest and whispered in Thales' ear, "Gorilla …"
Thales raised his eyebrows.
Saroma did not move an inch in the midst of the banging, but Thales, who was very familiar with her, could feel that under the girl's calmness, there was a sense of nervousness and anxiety.
"The day of the state affairs hearing begins now." The archduchess cleared her throat. "Ciel?"
Sitting to her left, Count Lisban bowed slightly in his chair and turned his head to look at the audience.
The five counts at the forefront finally set their gazes on the regent. But Thales noticed that their gazes were not as friendly as he had imagined.
'Six years ago, at King Nuven's funeral … What was the attitude of these five important people?'
Thales recalled.
"As a rule," Regent Lisban's steady and gentle voice rang in the hall, just like how it had been for King Nuven countless times during the Imperial Conference over the past thirty years, "My lords, is there anything you would like to ask the Lady?"
No one spoke.
As far as Thales could see, the twenty or so vassals did not even whisper to each other.
They only fixed their sharp gazes on Lisban, as if they wanted to cut the old count apart, especially the five most powerful vassals.
Thales could not help but clench his fists.
Lisban looked around the hall. Still, no vassals answered.
It was as if they had planned it.
His expression gradually became unsightly.
"Courtesy is dead." Ian's annoying voice quietly traveled into Thales' ears. There was a faint hint of schadenfreude in his voice. "I guess no one wants to say 'hello' to the archduchess."
In the silence where a pin drop could be heard, Ian's words were a little grating.
Many Northlanders turned to look at him with cold gazes.
Ian put on an expression of someone who was caught doing something bad and smiled at them apologetically.
This was the first time Thales participated in a state affairs hearing in six years. It was also the first time he saw the suzerains of Dragon Clouds City's attitude toward their vassals. As he watched Saroma force herself to remain calm on the stage, Thales felt a stab of pain in his heart.
In the six years since he stepped into the Hall of Stars and became the Second Prince of Constellation, his journey had been very difficult.
But at this moment, compared to her, Saroma, and the first archduchess of Eckstedt, all the difficulties he thought he had faced …
"Very good. It seems that everyone is doing well. There's no bad news," Lisban said coldly. He bowed slightly at Saroma. "My Lady."
The gazes that were focused on Lisban turned to the archduchess in unison.
Thales looked at the lonely Saroma with pity. The girl cleared her throat unnaturally and subconsciously avoided the vassals' gazes.
"My … Ahem … Everyone, I know you don't like to talk nonsense." Saroma's voice was a little fast and trembling. "So, I'll get straight to the point …"
Compared to the silence in the hall when Lisban spoke, the moment the archduchess spoke, many of the vassals lowered their heads and whispered among themselves.
"This is a good sign. At least the archduchess has the ability to ease the atmosphere," Ian mocked in a low voice.
Thales sighed.
The archduchess continued speaking.
"I believe all of you already know that last month, the king's envoy came from Black Sand Region. A few days ago, the diplomat group from the City of Faraway Prayers also arrived in Dragon Clouds City —"
Someone interrupted her.
"Are you talking about that farcical audience, My Lady?" Cotterson, the Count of Phalen Castle, who was dressed in martial attire and sitting on the third seat to the archduchess' left, said coldly, "Of course, the dignified and entertaining Dragon Clouds City has been completely dominated by a young brat."
Count Cotterson's choice of words was very rude. Quite a number of people laughed softly, but even more snorted coldly.
Saroma's face became even paler.
Thales frowned slightly. He turned his head and saw that the Viscount of Dual Wind City, who was the culprit, was laughing foolishly without realizing it. He seemed to find this very entertaining.
"Is it funny?" Thales' gaze was as sharp as a sword.
After seeing Thales' displeased gaze, Ian, who realized something, instantly put away his smile. He coughed softly in a seemingly serious manner. "I'm sorry."
"Dragon Clouds City is faced with a choice." After the archduchess adjusted her breathing, she continued speaking. "And I respect all the suzerains who have served under my grandfather for many years. So, we will discuss our choice here, on the most important day of the council hearing."
Just when Thales thought the vassals were going to fall silent again, a clear male voice unexpectedly rang.
"We respect you, My Lady, just like how we respected your grandfather." The count who spoke was sitting on the second seat to Saroma's right. His tone was amiable and respectful, which was rare. His golden beard moved up and down as he spoke. "So, we are here in Flatiron County, responding to your summons."
Count Hearst from Flatiron County looked at the archduchess with a gentle gaze and said.
As if she had found her savior, Saroma smiled and looked at the person who spoke gratefully. "Thank you, Count Hearst."
Hearst, who was in his thirties, shook his golden beard and nodded with a smile.
Thales frowned. He looked at the enthusiastic Hearst and shifted his butt unnaturally.
'This damn chair is so hard to sit on.'
"My God, Thales, did you see the way he looked at that girl?" Ian interrupted at an inopportune moment. "I bet that every time he looks for a woman, he imagines her to be …"
Thales, who was in a bad mood, turned his head abruptly.
"Will you die if you don't speak?" the prince replied coldly.
Ian quickly raised his hands and stuck out his tongue innocently. Then, he opened his mouth, maintained his smile, and silently mouthed, "Yes."
Thales was so angry that he did not want to talk to him anymore.
Count Hearst's words seemed to have stirred up the vassals' conversation. Cotterson, who had just made a sarcastic remark, touched his chin and snorted.
"Phalen Castle is the same," Cotterson said slowly. "But I noticed that we are not the only ones who responded to the summons …"
Count Cotterson moved his finger and pointed at a corner of the hall.
'That is …'
Everyone's gaze followed his finger.
Thales' heart skipped a beat.
"Why is he here, My Lady?" Cotterson twisted his wrist and pointed coldly at the Prince of Constellation. "This person from the Empire is at the most important meeting in all of Dragon Clouds City?"
The hall immediately erupted in a lot of discussions, and there was even a clamor.
At that moment, Thales became the center of attention.
Worry and nervousness appeared on the archduchess' face. Lisban narrowed his eyes. Nicholas, who had been wearing a cold expression, furrowed his eyebrows.
'Alright, no matter how much I want to keep a low profile …'
Thales sighed.
"I am here at the request of the archduchess and the invitation of the heir of the City of Faraway Prayers," the Second Prince of Constellation said coldly. "As a third party, I am here to witness this meeting that concerns Eckstedt's honor."
After he finished speaking, the arguments in the hall became even louder.
Thales could even hear their discussions clearly.
"So, that is …"
"What a joke …"
"Take a guess. If he is here, that woman should also be here …"
"Dragon Clouds City … Haha, how ironic. Perhaps one day, the archduchess will have a young suzerain whose father is unknown …"
Thales clenched his fists.
Ian shook his head helplessly at him, looking as if he wanted to help but could not.
"I don't remember when we were in cahoots with the people from the Empire," Cotterson said coldly without even looking at Thales. "Chase him out."
A lot of noises of agreement erupted among the vassals.
"Order, my lords!"
Nicholas' voice interrupted the conversation. As the archduchess' Guard, the Star Killer looked down at the chaotic nobles from above. He was not polite at all.
"You are standing on Dragon Clouds City's land, Count Cotterson. You are standing in Raikaru's Heroic Spirit Palace, and this is the Hall of Heroes. In front of the archduchess …"
Nicholas' expression became stern. "It is not up to you to give orders."
Perhaps it was because the Star Killer was indeed famous, or perhaps it was because he had followed King Nuven for more than twenty years, but the hall slowly quietened down.
Then, Cotterson replied without giving any face.
"Shut up, Your Grace."
"You have no right to talk to me about f * cking order." Cotterson gritted his teeth and stared at the Star Killer on the stairs as if he was looking at an enemy. "King Nuven promoted the lowly you to be his personal guard and gave you the title of nobility. Yet, you repaid him with your negligence and incompetence. You caused His Majesty's death, and caused us and Dragon Clouds City to fall into this state."
At that moment, a rare flush appeared on Nicholas' pale face.
Thales had seen him like this before. It was a sign that the Star Killer was angry.
"If I were you, incompetent person, I would find a place with no one around and commit suicide as soon as possible, instead of shamelessly staying by the archduchess' side and pretending that nothing has happened." Count Cotterson's words traveled clearly into everyone's ears.
"The disgrace of the White Blade who killed the king!"
"Bah!"
Quite a number of Northland nobles snorted coldly in unison.
Nicholas lowered his head abruptly so that no one could see his expression clearly.
But he did not say anything.
Thales could see that his fists were clenched together and trembling violently.
The prince knew that the king's death under the protection of the White Blade Guards was the greatest trauma in the Star Killer's life.
In the hall, Nate Monty of the City of Faraway Prayers' diplomat group frowned. This' Raven of Death 'looked at Nicholas, who was behaving abnormally, and sighed softly.
"Enough, Cotterson."
The archduchess finally spoke. Her words were subconsciously laced with a hint of anger. "Lord Nicholas fought against the calamities until the last moment for the king. He does not deserve such an evaluation."
"Based on what my administrator told me, My Lady, this Prince Thales is perhaps the most troublesome person from the Empire in the world. He even caused the ugly brawl on the last day of the council hearing," the oldest Count Nazaire said slowly. His words sounded fair and rational. He brought the topic back to the prince.
"I sincerely suggest that when we discuss our own affairs, we show our 'hospitality' and let him rest in his room."
The old count narrowed his eyes slightly. "Do you know what the rumors outside are about you and him?"
All the gazes gathered on the prince again. They even moved back and forth between the archduchess and him from time to time.
Saroma's expression changed, and she was momentarily speechless.
Thales closed his eyes.
Beside him, Ian's expression was rich. He opened his mouth and was about to say something in Thales' ear.
"Not now, Ian." The moment Ian was about to speak, Thales' cold words froze his enthusiasm in his throat.
'They did it on purpose, the vassals of Dragon Clouds City.'
Thales remembered the filthy nobles in the Hall of Stars in Renaissance Palace six years ago. He told himself in his heart, 'So they're attacking the archduchess' prestige step by step. '
'And now …'
'No, I can't speak. I can't refute him. Otherwise, it will only make the situation worse.'
Thales clenched his teeth tightly.
"He is the lady's guest, Cotterson, Nazaire." Regent Lisban spoke in a timely manner. He stared coldly at the two counts. "This is the lady's promise, so he will stay. And if you can't stand him appearing in your sight and would rather ignore the lady's honor, then close your eyes or go out on your own. Choose one."
Cotterson snorted coldly. He seemed to be very displeased with the regent.
"Don't forget about your blood feud, Lady. The legal heir before you, Prince Moriah, died in Constellation. His body hasn't even gotten cold yet," Count Lyner, who was sitting on the third seat to the archduchess' left, said with an expressionless face. "Since then, all the tragedies were caused by this little prince."
"His body hasn't gotten cold yet, really?" Ian whispered unscrupulously again. "Six years. Even if it's a Great Dragon's corpse, it should be cold by now."
Thales could not even be bothered with him anymore.
Saroma inhaled sharply, as though she was adjusting herself.
"That tragedy has already been settled, Lyner." The archduchess glanced at Thales from afar. She gritted her teeth and said, "It happened when the late king was still alive. And Prince Thales is now our guest, and we should return to proper business."
"You think that the death of your own blood relative is not 'proper business'?" Lyner suddenly raised his voice.
"I have to say, you make me a little bitterly disappointed." Count Lyner's expression was still as cold as ice. His gaze did not waver, but his words, which sounded like a venomous snake hissing, were hard to ignore. "Honorable Lady Saroma Walton."
Saroma met his gaze. Her hand, which was on the armrest of her seat, trembled slightly.
In the hall, the discussions of the twenty or so nobles grew louder.
"Take back your words, Lyner." Regent Lisban's words were already laced with obvious emotions. He enunciated each word clearly. "Especially to the archduchess.
"How dare you say 'you make me a little bitterly disappointed' to King Nuven, to the granddaughter of the Born King?"
Lisban glanced at Count Lyner. "Since the days of the prince, His Majesty used thirty years to promote all of you and the Lyner Family, which was on the verge of decline …"
"This is what I am worried about, Lisban," Lyner replied without fear. "That King Nuven, who made people willing to die for him, that great Born King, is no longer here!
"Only old bones like us are left to guard a woman —"
"Lyner!" The one who interrupted him was still the golden-bearded Count Hearst.
Lyner paused for a moment. He glanced at the seated archduchess. After a moment of hesitation, he changed his words. "… to maintain the dignity of Dragon Clouds City."
The moment he said this, Saroma lowered her head and pursed her lips.
The hall was silent.
Count Hearst coughed softly.
"My apologies, My Lady." The Count of Flatiron County stared at the embarrassed Saroma and said gently, "But I think that Count Lyner just misses the former King too much, and values the future of Dragon Clouds City too much.
"But he respects you and your bloodline, just like I do." Hearst nodded slowly and respectfully. "My Lady."
"Eh." Ian put on a disgusted expression and whispered, "I'm going to vomit at this hero saving the damsel in distress seducing a girl.
"But it really works. Look at that girl's expression …"
'So f * cking long-winded.'
For the first time, Thales found that he really wanted to strangle Ian.
He wanted to make all of Ian's direct words stuck in his vocal cords.
The prince fixed his gaze on Saroma.
Saroma looked at Hearst, who had helped her out of the predicament, and even gave him a forced smile.
Thales furrowed his brows tightly.
"You are facing the bloodline left behind by the Born King, young Hearst." Lisban interrupted their eye contact. "There is no doubt that she will lead the future of Dragon Clouds City."
Hearst smiled and nodded slightly at the regent. "Of course."
"The more you speak, the more you sound like King Nuven, 'Prime Minister'." Count Lyner, who had been expressionless all this while but whose words struck at Thales' heart, slowly said, "Just like six years ago, you, the great regent, stood there, stood beside His Majesty's corpse, and told us in an unquestionable manner that the archduke had been replaced, and that we only needed to kneel down obediently."
"Don't bring your personal resentment here, Lyner." Lisban's face was livid. "This glorious hall should not have a place for selfishness and darkness."
Lyner curled the corners of his mouth in response.
"I'm starting to admire your little girlfriend a little." Ian sighed and patted Thales' shoulder. "How did she survive among these people for the past six years?"
"I don't know." Thales shook his head. He stared at the unruly counts and could not hide his worry. "This is my first time attending the day of state affairs hearing. In the past, the important counts sent their administrators here. I guess that their presence here personally made the situation more difficult."
Ian raised his eyebrows. "Oh, you didn't refute me?"
Thales, who was observing the counts, revealed a puzzled expression. "Refute what?"
"Nothing," Ian replied solemnly and shook his head seriously.
An old voice rang in the hall again.
"Relax, Lyner, show some respect." Nazaire, who was the most senior among them, sighed and said, "You're facing the most powerful count in Dragon Clouds City, the 'Eye of the Dragon' Lisban, who has controlled Dragon Clouds City for six years. You don't want to provoke the regent of Dragon Clouds City. He has countless ways to punish you."
Lisban and Nazaire looked at each other in the air. Even the air seemed to have turned cold.
Ian narrowed his eyes. "Oh, I think what he really wanted to say was, 'F * ck you, Lisban'."
Thales agreed wholeheartedly.
"Since he wants the Constellatiates here, let him be," Nazaire said softly. "After all, Dragon Clouds City is no longer what it used to be."
Lisban stared at Nazaire, who was the same age as him, and spoke softly, but very clearly, "Really, Nazaire, old friend?"
"My old friend died six years ago," Count Nazaire said unhurriedly. "He died together with His Majesty in the whirlpool of power."
During the time Lisban and Nazaire stared at each other, the counts did not utter a single word.
It was as if this was their arena.
Saroma, on the other hand, was at a loss.
"If I were to guess," Ian's whisper cut into the conversation at an inopportune time, "when they were young, one of them slept with the other's wife?"
Thales shook his head slowly. He lowered his head, looked at his right hand, and sighed.
'The situation is very disadvantageous. We can't go on like this.
'Go, Ian.
'We need you.
In the next moment, a scream suddenly rang through the entire hall.
"Ah —"
"Y-Y-You —"
The voice was so loud that it was like a whirlwind in the silent Hall of Heroes.
All the nobles, including Saroma and Lisban, turned their heads in bewilderment and looked at the source of the voice.
Among the hall full of nobles and vassals, one person suddenly jumped up.
The Viscount of Dual Wind City from the City of Faraway Prayers, Ian Roknee, was standing on a chair, holding his waist. His expression was contorted as he stared at the person beside him in disbelief.
Beside him, Prince Thales withdrew his hand expressionlessly and sat upright with a serious expression.
It was as if the person who had just grabbed Ian's waist and twisted it with all his might was not him.
Ian gritted his teeth in exasperation and mouthed, "How dare you?" at Thales.
But the prince did not move an inch, as if he did not know him at all.
Ian took a deep breath and raised his head.
It was only then that he noticed that all the gazes in the hall were focused on him.
The Viscount of Dual Wind City revealed an embarrassed smile. "About that …"
The five counts frowned at the same time.
"Sir Ian." Lisban's gaze moved back and forth on Thales before he returned to Ian without a word. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
Ian exhaled and glared at Thales with a murderous gaze.
The prince's expression was indifferent. He gestured a thumb at the side of his knee.
'Go for it. Good luck.'
Ian could only sigh.
With a reluctant expression, he first bowed slightly to the archduchess, then tilted his head to look at the counts. "Although I am very happy to enjoy the plot of Dragon Clouds City's internal strife, shouldn't we talk about serious matters first?" Thales' face was filled with reluctance.
Ian flashed his pearly white teeth and smiled faintly. "You know, lunchtime is very important. It cannot be delayed."
The attendants of the City of Faraway Prayers' diplomat group who were sitting together had ashen faces.
The vassals of Dragon Clouds City stared at him in surprise and bewilderment. It was the first time many of them had seen Ian in person.
"And where did you come from?"
Count Cotterson looked as if he wanted to eat someone alive. He cast a sidelong glance at Ian and sneered. "Clown?"
Ian blinked.
In the face of this insulting title, the smile on his face became even wider.
"Where did I come from?"
The viscount spread his arms and smiled like a child. "From the circus, of course!"
At that moment, Count Cotterson's cold smile froze on his face.
Thales exhaled. He felt that the oppressive atmosphere was instantly relieved.
"I have come to remind all of you that it is time. Everyone, take your positions."
Ian glanced at the archduchess on the stairs, then at Thales beside him. He shrugged and announced loudly to the hall full of vassals in high spirits.
"We are about to begin!"
On the other side of the hall, the people from the City of Faraway Prayers, led by Nate Monty, lowered their heads and let out a long sigh.
Their expressions were sorrowful.
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