The Hall of Heroes was silent.
Aside from the City of Faraway Prayers' diplomat group, who knew Ian very well, almost everyone, including the six counts, widened their eyes in disbelief as they stared at the young Viscount Roknee, who stood on the chair with a smile and raised his arms diagonally.
It was as if he was looking at something strange.
Thales had no choice but to lower his head and cough softly. He nudged Ian's leg.
Ian, who was immersed in his own world, moved a little. He seemed to have finally realized the awkwardness of the situation.
He withdrew his arms resentfully and jumped off the chair. With a stiff smile, he waved at the entire hall. "Hey, everyone?"
The nobles in the hall recovered from their dumbfounded shock. They turned their heads away unnaturally or coughed softly.
They seemed to be ashamed of the scene in the Hall of Heroes.
The five counts, who had been aggressive before, did not say a word. They just sat where they were with unpleasant expressions and stared at each other.
Thales chuckled in his heart as he watched from the side. 'Good job, Ian. You interrupted their increasingly aggressive questioning.
How should they react when faced with such an unreasonable person and such an inexplicable situation? '
"Did this clown get your permission to stand here and insult all of us?" Count Cotterson turned to the archduchess. His gaze was cold and his expression was stiff. Together with his martial attire, he looked like an ice wall. "My Lady?"
Saroma was about to answer.
"My Lady, my lords." Among the diplomat group from the City of Faraway Prayers, the noble who had reprimanded Ian, Old Bonny suddenly stood up shakily. With a tragic and pained expression, he bowed to the archduchess on the chair. "This is just a joke. On behalf of the City of Faraway Prayers, Ian's behavior …"
But before he could finish speaking, Monty, the Raven of Death, suddenly extended his hand and grabbed his shoulder. He forcefully pressed the bewildered Old Bonny down.
Ian blinked and nodded slightly at Monty, who had his lips curled up slightly.
At this moment, the seated archduchess finally could not stand it anymore. She coughed.
"Everyone." Thales could tell that Saroma was holding back her laughter as she looked at the counts' ashen faces. "This is Sir Ian Roknee from the City of Faraway Prayers. He is Archduke Roknee's eldest son and heir, the Viscount of Dual Wind City.
"He came with a mission from Grand Duke Roknee."
Ian gave a friendly smile and bowed slightly to the archduchess.
The counts looked at Ian in unison, but none of them looked surprised. Instead, they looked relieved, as if they had expected this. This made Thales think that perhaps they already knew who Ian was.
"City of Faraway Prayers, Roknee." Cotterson sized up Ian from afar. There was a slightly solemn look in his eyes. "I've met your father before. 'Long Hair' Kulgon is a respectable man. His words are more trustworthy than a longsword. I also respect the Roknee Family. They are the model knights of Northland for the past one thousand years."
The corners of Ian's mouth moved slightly, forming a faint smile.
"But when I look at you, boy?" Count Cotterson shook his head in disdain. "I really feel ashamed for your father and family."
Laughter came from the vassals.
Thales saw Ian's gaze flicker slightly.
"Likewise." The heir of the City of Faraway Prayers sat down in the most relaxed manner possible. "When I see you, I also feel ashamed for Dragon Clouds City and the archduchess."
Ian snorted softly. "A count who hid outside the city when calamity befell, and was unharmed when his king died in battle."
Count Cotterson's expression turned cold.
"If I were you, coward," Ian yawned pretentiously and repeated the words Cotterson used to criticize the Star Killer just now, "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 happened."
Beside the archduchess, the Star Killer furrowed his eyebrows slightly.
This sentence was like a wave that was thrown into a lake, and it caused a huge ripple.
The nobles in the hall instantly burst into an uproar!
The nobles, especially the five earls, stared at Ian, who had a nonchalant look on his face, as if he was their father's murderer.
Thales breathed a sigh of relief. 'Ha, this young Roknee sure has guts.'
Count Cotterson gritted his teeth and emphasized Ian's title. "I'll say it again, viscount. Then, you and I can duel."
Ian laughed out loud.
"Of course!"
He waved his hand boldly. "Duel!"
Thales was shocked. 'Wait, Ian is …'
But before he could understand what was going on, the heir of the City of Faraway Prayers snapped his fingers, flipped his hands without any qualms, and pointed at the diplomat group from the City of Faraway Prayers with a relaxed expression. "And I will appoint Lord Nate Monty of the City of Faraway Prayers to represent my honor in a duel with you! Life or death!
What do you think? "
In the distance, Monty, who was scratching his neck, instantly froze.
The counts' expressions stiffened again as they looked at Ian.
Ian maintained his smiling expression.
'Looking for a representative in a duel?
Is this guy … really a Northlander? '
Thales exhaled. 'Fortunately, Ian is still Ian. He won't suddenly become a heroic man who is unafraid of death.'
"You're hiding behind the Raven of Death in the face of a duel?"
Count Cotterson looked at the resigned Monty, then at Ian. His voice was filled with unbearable anger. "Coward, you're a disgrace to us Northlanders."
The nobles in the hall snorted disdainfully, sneered, and even cursed.
But Ian gladly endured these gazes, as if he did not feel anything.
"You flatter me." Ian crossed his legs, crossed his arms, and shrugged. "It's my honor to bring shame to you."
The atmosphere in the hall exploded again. The Northlanders' protests and curses surged forth like a tidal wave.
Thales sighed softly and patted Ian's shoulder.
'You're really something, bro.'
At this moment, when the order was about to go out of control, the archduchess' clear and pleasant voice suddenly rose in the buzzing hall.
"Everyone, everyone!"
Saroma's high-pitched and shrill female voice stood out among the row of men's protests. "Now is not the time for us to fight amongst ourselves!"
* Thud! *
Nicholas punched the wall beside him fiercely!
The noise in the hall gradually became softer.
Following the Star Killer's actions, the Archduchess' Guards in the hall raised the weapons in their hands and smashed them against the wall beside them with straight faces, as if they had rehearsed it.
* Thud! *
The dull but deafening sound resonated in the hall, causing all the enraged nobles to quieten down.
They could not hide the expressions on their faces. They all looked at the highest seat.
Saroma glanced at Regent Lisban. After receiving his affirmation, she tried her best to finish what she wanted to say. "No matter how we view this Sir Ian, we cannot ignore the most important matter at the moment.
"The City of Faraway Prayers has brought bad news from the Golden Passage." The archduchess inhaled. "Twenty years ago, the Alliance of Freedom, which bowed to the late king's army, recently tore up the agreement they signed with my grandfather.
"Everyone, the dignity we took back for Eckstedt with our own hands twenty years ago has been violated again."
The archduchess' voice faded away.
Ian snapped his fingers. Under the disdainful gazes, he spread his hands and made a gesture that said, "That's how it is."
No one spoke.
Thales closed his eyes. 'It's here.
The real drama. '
They seemed to be thinking.
Then, the old Count Nazaire spoke slowly.
"The cowards in the west have finally become strong-willed for once." The Count of Rubble Mausoleum and Harting County sighed. "However, history always repeats itself, and people still don't remember their lessons."
Perhaps the state affairs of Eckstedt seemed to have attracted the counts' attention a little, or perhaps it was related to the war they once fought. In any case, the counts no longer bothered about the 'disgrace of the City of Faraway Prayers'. Even Count Cotterson only snorted coldly and turned his head around.
'It seems like …' Thales observed everyone's expressions, and his heart sank.
They all knew what was important and what was not.
However, for the counts, the truly important matter might not just be the Alliance of Freedom.
"The Alliance of Freedom.
"Those cowards would not dare to do this alone. Who is supporting them from behind?" The one-armed count, Karkogel, who had been silent all this while, as if this matter had nothing to do with him, furrowed his brows. "Those long ears again?"
"No." Ian seemed to have regained his composure. This made the diplomat group from the City of Faraway Prayers feel much more relaxed. "White Mountain is very peaceful. We have not received any abnormal information about the White Elves."
"I still remember twenty years ago." Count Lyner's expression did not change. "Those cowards in the alliance only had mercenaries to fight for them. Tearing apart their battle formation was easier than tearing a piece of paper. Breaking through their city walls was as easy as climbing a ladder."
"The City of Faraway Prayers can completely solve this on their own."
"As long as they don't send clowns to fight," Count Cotterson added in disdain.
Ian flashed a smile.
The Regent of Dragon Clouds City, Count Lisban, clapped his hands and spoke with a solemn expression. His words were powerful and resonant. "I believe that all of you are not fools. You know very well what the key to this game of chess is. You even know who the person behind the Alliance of Freedom is."
The five counts narrowed their eyes and stared at Lisban.
Ian coughed.
"Everyone, I believe that all of you know …
"King Chapman is oppressing and abusing the nobles in his domain." The Viscount from the City of Faraway Prayers sighed. "The City of Faraway Prayers and our like-minded companions, such as Defense City and Elaphure City, are working hard because of this misfortune."
Ian raised his eyebrows. "And now, we need Dragon Clouds City's support to tell the whole kingdom that the king cannot do whatever he wants.
"The incident with the Alliance of Freedom is an interlude, but it cannot be ignored.
"That is why I am here."
The hall was silent for a moment, and everyone looked at the six earls at the front.
But the answer that Ian received was not so positive.
Count Lyner said coldly, "Then go to the king. Perhaps if you give the king what he wants, the Alliance of Freedom will obediently lower its head."
Ian frowned slightly.
"Don't bother Dragon Clouds City." Cotterson snorted coldly. "This is not our war, at least not now." Thales frowned.
Thales furrowed his eyebrows. 'They can all see it.
They are just … '
Count Lisban spoke in a timely manner, "But this is our war. We cannot run away from it."
The former prime minister, who had accumulated decades of prestige, made everyone look at him solemnly.
Lisban said solemnly, "Twenty years ago, Dragon Clouds City responded to the Alliance of Freedom's rebellion with blood. This is the Dragon Spear Family's glorious past, and proof of the late King Nuven's authority. We are the leaders of Eckstedt, and we are duty-bound."
Count Nazaire stared at Lisban, who spoke sternly. He could not help but narrow his eyes.
'Old friend.'
"Besides, this concerns the Walton Family's dignity and the Born King's honor," Lisban said coldly, "When the West changes again, the Walton Family cannot sit by and do nothing.
"Don't forget, we are Northlanders.
"And Northlanders of Dragon Clouds City!
"We never run away! Because we value honor more than lives and interests! "
The hall fell silent.
Thales saw from the corner of his eye that Ian snorted disapprovingly.
A smile finally appeared on the stressed Saroma's face. She looked at Lisban gratefully.
"You're right, Ciel. We need to dispatch troops to the West, just like we did twenty years ago, and restore Dragon Clouds City's illustrious reputation." The archduchess seemed to heave a sigh of relief. "As for King Chapman …"
At this moment …
"Of course!"
Across from Count Lisban, Count Nazaire, who was the first to the archduchess' right, spoke.
"Of course we are willing to fight for Eckstedt's honor, and for your honor, Madam."
His old voice did not diminish his dignity. For a moment, it even reminded Thales of the former Ascendant King.
Nazaire was like an experienced elder. He said patiently, "But as a vassal who has received the late king's kindness and is loyal to the Walton Family, I have the responsibility and obligation to remind you to think one step further."
Saroma's face tightened.
Thales clenched his fists. An ominous premonition rose in his heart.
"Following in your father's footsteps and dispatching troops to the West, perhaps you can indeed be praised by others, and even become a good story.
"But after we go to war, after we win and tear down the walls of the Alliance of Freedom, what will happen?" Nazaire looked around the hall and said softly, "We, Dragon Clouds City, are nothing more than a chess piece that swings back and forth between the City of Faraway Prayers and Black Sand Region, used by others."
Ian raised his eyebrows.
Saroma's face tightened. She was a little anxious. She was about to speak, "But —"
"Yes, perhaps you protected Dragon Clouds City's dignity, and people praised you as' not bad '," Nazaire interrupted his vassal calmly. "But what can Dragon Clouds City really get?"
All the nobles in the hall listened to him quietly.
Especially the other five counts. Lisban's expression was especially unpleasant.
Nazaire continued, "The authority to command Eckstedt again?
Or the spoils of war sent by the City of Faraway Prayers?
Or a certificate of commendation from the king from Black Sand Region? "
His voice reverberated in the hall.
Nazaire stared at the archduchess with an electrifying gaze.
Saroma bit her lower lip and glanced at Thales for help.
But Thales was powerless at this moment.
"Twenty years ago, my grandfather did this. He reaped —" The archduchess was a little flustered.
She was interrupted again.
"At that time, he was the king. Your grandfather, Nuven, and we all represented all of Eckstedt," Nazaire said slowly. "Now?"
Nazaire let out a long sigh. Under everyone's solemn gazes, he stood up shakily and looked at the Soul Slayer Pike behind the archduchess.
His gaze was filled with sorrow and nostalgia.
"Now is not twenty years ago, My Lady."
His tone was light, but there was a sadness in it that was difficult to ignore. "Dragon Clouds City has long lost its king."
At that moment, Thales sized up the old count again. The warning bells in his heart kept ringing.
He had a premonition of the direction of the conversation.
'Sh * t.
'This guy …
'He's definitely a ruthless character who won't lose to Lisban!'
Nazaire turned his head around. His voice became cold. "We've already suffered enough at the hands of outsiders. Why should we be the vanguard of others and get involved in this mess?"
Many people in the hall started whispering to each other.
The archduchess was at a loss.
"Suffered a lot? Old friend. "Lisban stared at Nazaire." What do you mean? "
The person who took over his words was Count Lyner.
"Was he not clear enough?" Lyner's words were as piercing as ever. "Six years ago, the new king, along with four archdukes, almost forcefully confirmed the ownership of Dragon Clouds City. The first archduchess in Eckstedt's history."
Everyone's gazes were focused on a seat.
There, Saroma's face grew paler.
Nazaire shook his head.
"I don't mean to be disrespectful, My Lady." He flashed an apologetic smile at the young girl on the seat. There was disappointment in his tone. "But we are no longer the powerful Dragon Clouds City.
"In the past six years, the morale of the vassals was low, the morale of the army was low, and the nobles were in a state of disunity. It was difficult for them to unite.
"And now, opponents like Black Sand Region and the City of Faraway Prayers can swagger into the city to spy on us and humiliate us in Heroic Spirit Palace."
Ian was about to say something, but Thales grabbed his shoulder.
"No." The prince frowned. "It's not time yet."
Count Nazaire clasped his fists tightly. His expression was solemn. "From that day onwards, all of Eckstedt looked down on us. A girl sat on the archduchess' throne with us, powerlessly watching the dilapidated and desolate Dragon Clouds City after the calamity, the death of the king, and the invasion of foreign armies."
The archduchess bit her lip hard and did not say a word.
Opposite her, Lisban's gaze was so sharp that it could almost shoot lightning.
"You want us to send troops, protect the Walton Family's dignity, restore Dragon Clouds City's prestige, and win back our place in Eckstedt. Of course we can."
"It is also necessary." Nazaire nodded, regaining his respectful and indifferent demeanor. "But you may have overlooked the greater crisis we are facing, and also the way to truly restore our prestige and stabilize Dragon Clouds City."
"What are you talking about?" Under the gazes of the entire hall, the archduchess said with difficulty, "The real way?"
Nazaire shook his head and did not say anything.
"I think the count is saying that … it has been six years. In other people's eyes, the Archduchess of Dragon Clouds City is a young and weak orphan girl. She has neither a husband nor children, and the Walton Family is on the verge of collapse …" Cotterson said sarcastically, "Even we, the vassals of Dragon Clouds City, feel that we are like the setting sun in the west …"
The atmosphere in the hall became more and more unbearable.
Thales stared at Saroma, whose lips were wriggling weakly on the stage, like a powerless fish on a chopping board.
He clenched his teeth tighter and tighter.
"Are all of you criticizing me?" Saroma said with difficulty.
* Clap. *
Nazaire clapped his hands.
"No, we care about you. We care about you, My Lady."
Nazaire said in a gentle tone, "Just like how we love Dragon Clouds City and are loyal to the late king.
"That is why we need you to become strong.
"Dragon Clouds City can no longer waste away in a state of weakness and unrest, and I am also tired of fighting against Ciel endlessly. We were once friends who trusted each other through life and death, but now, because of you, we have become enemies."
Nazaire and Lisban exchanged glances.
Both of them saw the wariness in each other's eyes.
And disappointment.
"You, Count Nazaire, are you saying …"
The archduchess' words were a little intermittent. She lowered her head and pressed her arms tightly against the chair.
"Yes, Madam." Nazaire turned around. Unhurriedly, like the most competent advisor, he calmly and rationally suggested, "I believe you need a husband."
For Dragon Clouds City. "
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
