Saroma put on a contemplative look.
The old count leaned back gently and subconsciously looked at the stone carving of the Cloud Dragon Spear above his head.
"Everyone!" Nazaire spoke loudly, attracting the attention of the vassals in the hall. He did not sound like an old man at all.
"It's been six years. When the Born King's might was no longer there, due to all sorts of stupid reasons, the so-called balance, balance of power, peace, and tacit understanding in Dragon Clouds City were long broken." Nazaire looked exhausted, as if he was talking to himself.
The hall fell silent. His words made many people sink into contemplation.
"The six most powerful vassals broke off one after another over the vacant position of power left behind by King Nuven."
The other four counts moved in unison. Other than Count Karkogel, the other three subconsciously avoided Lisban's gaze.
"On one side, we, the counts, suspect that the powerful Lisban monopolized the political situation, isolated the archduchess, and attempted to overrule the great legacy left behind by King Nuven.
"On the other side, Lisban sat in the position of regent. He hated us for not listening to orders after the late king passed away, and for our selfishness and self-preservation."
Saroma was stunned.
Nazaire stared coldly at Lisban, whose face was as cold as ice. There was disappointment and hatred in his eyes.
"The slightly smaller families ruled conservatively in their own territories. They trembled in fear in this kind of confrontation. They benefited from both sides, and were afraid of taking a wrong step."
The buzzing noises from the vassals quieted down for a moment.
"And the arrival of the calamities and the Queen of the Sky, the sudden death of the Born King, and King Chapman's strange coronation in this place … How much of a storm have they stirred up among the people, causing them to panic?"
Saroma bit her lower lip gently and subconsciously looked at Thales.
Nazaire turned to the archduchess. His tone was rather awkward. "You are single and unmarried, and the Prince of Constellation, who has a sensitive status, often accompanies the palace. Who knows how many rumors have been stirred up, and how many people have been corrupted."
Saroma stared at Thales without moving. But Thales only looked down at the tiles, even though Ian winked at him a few times to hint at it.
Pain and anger flashed in Nazaire's eyes, making it difficult to tell whether he was telling the truth or not. "What's even more distressing is that, over the past six years, what the people outside Dragon Clouds City saw was the fact that the once powerful and unparalleled Walton Family's direct bloodline no longer had anyone to inherit it, except for an orphan girl."
"Hence, after the Common-Elected Throne left Dragon Clouds City, ambitious people like Chapman Lampard gradually became greedy. The 'Long-Haired' Kulgon Roknee of the City of Faraway Prayers became arrogant and unruly. Beacon Illumination City, which had always been on good terms with us, turned a blind eye to us. Defense City and other places treated us ambiguously. The conflicts between the local nobles under the archdukes' rule and our vassals only increased."
Count Nazaire raised his head indignantly, and rose from the back of his chair.
He said coldly, "Not to mention the Empire's neighbors in the south. Who knows how many times they've secretly celebrated the decline of this city."
Thales scratched his head, still pretending that he did not know.
Nazaire's tone became harsher. "My Lady, it's been six years. Without King Nuven, Dragon Clouds City can no longer be united. As an archduchess, can't you see the awkwardness, indignation, loss, and pain we experienced when we fell from the clouds to the bottom of the valley?
"Our so-called balance of power and power has long been completely shattered along with the late king during the world-shaking upheaval six years ago!"
The atmosphere in the hall turned from strange to somber.
Lisban's face darkened.
Thales exhaled deeply. 'This Count Nazaire …'
'As expected of a hero who served King Nuven for many years.
If only he wasn't standing against them. '
Under the archduchess' pale face and the contemplative gazes of the vassals, Nazaire shook his head with a pained expression.
"Now, my Lady, do you understand what your marriage means? Do you understand what it means for you to have a strong and powerful husband? Do you understand what it means for you and your family to have a healthy and reliable heir?"
Nazaire's expression was stern. His hair and beard flared up in anger. His words caused the archduchess to freeze on her last expression. She was rendered speechless.
"Is this a sacrifice and price that is disadvantageous to you? Perhaps. "Nazaire swept his gaze over the vassals in the hall." But is this something that must be done? Of course! "
Saroma stared at Nazaire in disbelief, as if she did not know how to react.
"We respect you, my Lady." Old Count Nazaire's expression became respectful again. He bowed to the archduchess. "But I believe that the best way to show this respect is to truly treat you as the ruler of Dragon Clouds City. We show you the facts that an archduchess of a city should face, the price that should be paid, and the sacrifices that should be made, no matter how unpleasant and uncomfortable it is, no matter whether it is a predicament or an obstacle. Marriage is just one of them."
Rather at a loss, Saroma stared at Count Nazaire, who seemed to be sincere.
"Instead of treating you like a puppet on strings, and locking you up in the depths of the palace after you are fully decorated.
"Instead of using the excuse of 'for your own good', claiming to be a tree that can shield you from the wind and rain, and cutting off all connections between you and the cruel side of the world in a righteous manner." Nazaire cast a scornful glance at Regent Lisban, whose face had turned green. "What we need is an archduchess who can protect and control Dragon Clouds City, my Lady.
"And not an archduchess who is used to decorate Dragon Clouds City."
"Nazaire!" Lisban's gaze became fierce. "What did you say?"
"He only spoke our minds, 'Prime Minister'," Count Lyner replied coldly. "I really can't think of any regent who would treat our suzerain and vassal as a princess for six years. Even if she is a girl, she is still the last direct descendant of the Dragon Spear Family."
Lisban clenched his fists tightly. Behind him, the Star Killer, who was guarding the archduchess, blushed.
Thales felt a weight on his shoulder. Ian had leaned over.
"I can finally see the relationship between these six vassals," Ian whispered into Thales' ear. "But this Regent Lisban, for the past six years, has he been staying in Heroic Spirit Palace for your little girl? Is he acting as a shield for her, or is he acting as a bait for her?"
'You've asked the most critical question, Your Grace.'
Thales took a deep breath and forcefully suppressed the conjecture in his heart.
"Now, it is time to break that vase, my Lady." Count Nazaire ignored Lisban. He bowed to the archduchess again, his eyes sparkling. "The shattered tiles may sting your skin, but only fresh blood can cleanse the heart of a Northlander, even if you are just a girl."
As Thales listened to Nazaire's words, he suddenly felt a sense of familiarity.
In that instant, he suddenly realized that perhaps this Count Nazaire, or the other four vassals, were not as Putray had described them to be, powerful ministers with selfish motives. They were also not as Lisban had been wary of, vassals who were eager to take action after Nuven's death.
Thales' gaze swept past the astute Lisban, the level-headed Nazaire, the rather friendly Hearst, the silent Karkogel, the callous Lyner, and the blabbermouth Cotterson.
On the contrary, what King Nuven had left behind for his successor might be a team that could continue the glory of Dragon Clouds City.
However, this team had experienced the greatest accident left behind by King Nuven's premature death …
An archduchess.
Thales looked at Saroma worriedly.
The archduchess only stared at the count in a daze.
She did not seem to have reacted.
Nor did she seem to have anything to say.
"There is a saying in the Nazaire Family: the noble bear responsibility, and the ruler must sacrifice," Nazaire said coldly. "You want to protect your family's honor and Dragon Clouds City's prestige? Of course, but at the same time, the price must be paid. This is you and your fate. "
"Lady Saroma."
No one knew that at that moment, Prince Thales, who was fully focused, gently closed his eyes.
He vaguely remembered that day many years ago.
He remembered the grave and awe-inspiring voice in that dark tomb.
"Are you ready?"
"From the moment you are crowned with the name of Jadestar …
"To fight for Constellation, to die for Constellation, and …"
Thales opened his eyes abruptly!
Just as everyone in the hall fell silent because of Count Nazaire's words, a familiar cry of pain broke the silence again.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch …"
The gazes in the hall were conflicted and dissatisfied as they looked in the same direction again. The heir of the City of Faraway Prayers, Viscount Ian Roknee, was yelling in an exaggerated manner. He rubbed his calf and looked indignantly at Thales beside him.
Thales quietly retracted his leg as if nothing had happened, as if he had never kicked Ian's leg.
"What now?" Count Cotterson's anger was almost overflowing. "Lord Clown?"
The archduchess and the vassals also looked at him.
Ian sighed and ignored the secret signals the City of Faraway Prayers' diplomat group sent him. He shrugged helplessly and put on a relaxed smile.
"I'm sorry to interrupt." The young Roknee stood up and gestured for them to stop. He smiled apologetically, as if he was really embarrassed. "All of you are having a heated discussion, but does anyone still remember the original topic? Remember the Alliance of Freedom, remember, remember … that we are the important parties involved?"
The six counts were slightly stunned.
"Yes." Ian was beaming with joy. He looked at the people in the hall and gestured with his hands and feet, as if he was teaching children words. "City of … Faraway … Prayers …"
On the other side, the members of the diplomat group from the City of Faraway Prayers sighed and lowered their heads. They no longer held any hope.
Thales shook his head.
'It's here.'
He raised his head and met Saroma's gaze on the stairs. He even gave her a reassuring smile.
'It's okay.
Just like many years ago. '
"No." Count Cotterson did not fall for Ian's self-proclaimed humor at all. "I only know that a conceited clown insulted all of Dragon Clouds City yesterday, and today, he came to us with a grin on his face to ask for our help, asking us to send troops to save them."
The vassals looked at Ian coldly as he stood in the middle of the square.
"Ask for help?
Save them? "
Ian raised his eyebrows, as if he was a little surprised.
But in the next second, he revealed a look of realization, as if he understood what was going on. Then, he grinned.
"Hahahahaha." Laughing, Ian shook his head and waved his hand, as if he had heard the most unbelievable rumor. "No, no, no. I think everyone, including the archduchess, may have misunderstood what I meant."
The archduchess and the six counts revealed strange expressions. The other dozen vassals also frowned.
"In fact, from the beginning to the end, I never said anything about 'dispatching troops'." Ian shrugged innocently and winked at Thales in a barely noticeable manner. "And I'm not here to ask for help from Dragon Clouds City on behalf of the City of Faraway Prayers."
As soon as he finished speaking …
Thales could clearly see that almost all the nobles in the hall were slightly stunned.
Even the diplomat group from the City of Faraway Prayers were no exception. The Raven of Death even revealed an exaggerated "what" shape with his mouth at Old Boney, who was beside him.
This was also the archduchess' reaction.
"What?" Saroma asked in surprise.
"We can solve the war ourselves." Ian waved his hand nonchalantly. "What you said is very reasonable. If we can't even deal with that bunch of trash from the Alliance of Freedom, wouldn't it be too shameful for the Northlanders?"
Everyone was stunned.
The nobles in the hall looked at each other, as if they could not understand the meaning of this sentence.
The six counts, who were the most important, sank into deep thought.
"But all of you are gathering allies from all over the territory and isolating the king." Count Nazaire seemed to be deep in thought. "Once you fall into a war that cannot be resolved quickly, the Archduchess of the City of Faraway Prayers' appeal to fight against the king together will become empty talk."
"Oh, I'm really just here to ask the archduchess to sign a letter of condemnation against the king." Ian was still smiling. He raised a finger and waved it in the air. "But believe me, we don't need you to send troops."
Nazaire subconsciously looked at Lisban, but he realized that his old friend and opponent was just keeping quiet.
'Something's not right.'
"Then, the City of Faraway Prayers …" The seated archduchess furrowed her brows slightly. "Why did all of you come here?"
Ian took a deep breath. The smile on his face slowly disappeared, and his entire being became solemn.
He turned his head and cast a glance at the puzzled vassals.
"Twenty years ago, when my grandfather was seriously ill, the feudal vassals were suspicious of each other, the fiefs were unstable, and my father was in a terrible situation …"
Ian sighed slowly, then said in a sonorous and forceful tone, "In the face of the Alliance of Freedom's rebellion, under the heavy pressure of White Mountain and even the Camians brazenly intervening, King Nuven made a wise decision. Without hesitation, he sent Prince Soria to lead an army to the west to help the City of Faraway Prayers in the war."
Ian's expression was sorrowful. He bowed deeply to Saroma, who was seated. "The Roknee Family will always remember this kindness."
The vassals stared at the viscount's unusual behavior, and endless puzzlement arose in their hearts.
Saroma swept a glance at Thales.
Ian straightened his body. His eyes were filled with reverence and excitement. "And that war forged the Walton Family's glory. Regardless of whether it was the Alliance of Freedom's army, the mercenaries secretly sent by Camus Union, or the elite troops of the White Elves, when they faced Dragon Clouds City and Eckstedt's powerful army, they were all defeated at the first touch. They were far from being able to withstand it."
Thales was secretly amused when he heard that. 'You speak as if you personally witnessed what happened twenty years ago, nineteen-year-old Sir Ian.'
Ian smiled at the vassals. "My Lady, your father and grandfather, oh, and also the families who joined the expedition to the west with you, spread the mighty name of Dragon Clouds City and the Dragon Spear Family throughout the Golden Passage. You intimidated Camus Union, forced the White Elves to retreat, and your influence has continued to this day.
"That is your grandfather's historical achievements, your father's military achievements, and the glory and honor of your family."
Nicholas the Star Killer grinned a little. Monty, the Raven of Death, shrugged in tacit agreement.
Count Nazaire furrowed his brows. 'Why did he say these things …
'Could it be …'
"But I can also see that the great Dragon Clouds City is in trouble." His expression was the same as Count Nazaire's, who was grieving just now. "The scene just now made me extremely worried. You wanted to follow in your father's footsteps and protect the family's glory, but you were forced by the situation in Dragon Clouds City, and it was difficult for you to do so.
"The Walton Family was helpless."
Aside from Lisban, the expressions of the five counts became more and more unpleasant. Their gazes became more and more bewildered.
"But it doesn't matter!"
Ian clenched his fists and waved them forcefully.
The Viscount of the City of Faraway Prayers took a step forward without hesitation. "I, the heir of the Roknee Family, Ian Roknee of the City of Faraway Prayers, will make up for your regret."
The archduchess stared at him, puzzled. She blinked. "Huh?"
Thales lowered his head. 'Very well, everything is going according to plan.
'I hope nothing goes wrong.
'But it's clearly a step in the plan …
'But what's with this slight displeasure in my heart?'
Thales subconsciously clenched his fists.
Ian's gaze was firm, and his words were sonorous. "Saroma, please be at ease. On behalf of the City of Faraway Prayers, I will lead an army to tread on the path your father took on his expedition. I will carry the Dragon Spear Family's flag, carry your family's glory, and fight against the Alliance of Freedom!"
His sudden change in how he addressed the archduchess shocked many people.
"In the name of the Walton Family and the Roknee Family, I will teach those useless Alliance of Freedom a lesson, and rewrite our history. I will plant the Cloud Dragon Spear Flag and the Knight's Law Flag on top of Fort Liberté once again, and let all bards recite the great victory that belongs to us and Eckstedt!
"I will tell our enemies that Saroma Walton, King Nuven's granddaughter, Prince Soria's daughter, has collected the debt that belongs to the Dragon Spear Family!" Ian acted like a fanatical recruit.
In the face of his aggressive gaze, the archduchess panicked a little.
Realizing something, Count Nazaire gritted his teeth and said, "Enough, Sir Ian —"
But the count could not interrupt Ian.
"Please do not worry. The glory of the Walton Family will not diminish just because Dragon Clouds City did not send troops." Ian took a deep breath. His eyes were filled with pride and excitement as he personally experienced the epic. "Because soon, everyone will know that this war is not just a war between Eckstedt and the Alliance of Freedom.
"It is also a war that I, Ian Roknee of the City of Faraway Prayers, am fighting for Dragon Clouds City's Saroma Walton!"
The entire hall burst into an uproar!
Nicholas had no choice but to maintain order again and suppress the vassals' clamor, which was filled with dissatisfaction and puzzlement. Even though his expression was terrible as well.
"Wait a minute." The archduchess seemed to have finally sensed that something was wrong. She stuttered and said, "Sir Ian, you are …"
"And after the glorious victory, I will return with the glory of recreating the achievements of your father and grandfather." Ian did not pay any attention to the stunned Saroma. He only immersed himself in his own world. He exhaled, and in an instant, he turned from a 'fanatical fighter' to a 'gentle poet'.
"Of course, when the time comes, please kindly agree to a request of mine, a request that makes me feel humble and unbearable."
"P-request?" Saroma's face turned pale.
For the first time, she exchanged glances with the six counts who also had unpleasant expressions on their faces.
It was as if they were only standing together at this moment.
Ian extended his hands and gestured gently at the seated archduchess. "This is the repayment of the City of Faraway Prayers, and also my sincerity, Saroma.
"I will use this great war to win the right to approach you. At this moment, when the vassals are at odds with each other and the territory is filled with internal strife, I am the only one who can protect your family's glory, and also the only one who can protect your prestige as an archduchess."
Saroma exchanged countless glances with the counts, who were also caught off guard. She raised her head with great difficulty and awkwardly said, "You mean …"
Beside Ian, Prince Thales' expression was stiff.
He clenched his fists tighter.
'This is just a plan.
'Nothing.
'This is just a plan.
'Calm down. Calm down.
He said to himself.
Ian took another step forward and stared at Saroma from afar. A dreamy longing appeared on his face.
It was as if that was his only pursuit.
"Let me continue to protect you from now on with glory, good lady," the young Roknee stated his intentions in a gentle and tactful manner. "Let the City of Faraway Prayers become your strongest and most powerful backing and trump card."
At this moment, the hall truly sank into a dead silence.
The counts' faces were ashen.
"Please let the Roknee Family and the Walton Family truly stand together, and restore their glory."
With the most longing and gentle gaze, Ian's words trembled with excitement.
"From now on, we will protect you and your family's glory together.
"The beautiful and noble Lady Saroma Walton." The young Ian tried his best to suppress his passion, but it was difficult for him to conceal it.
He stroked his heart and said softly, "Marry me."
At this moment, in the great Hall of Heroes, from the archduchess and the six counts to the rest of the vassals and even the guards, everyone was dumbfounded. They were inexplicably shocked, as if they had seen the most unbelievable scene in the world.
Except for Thales.
The Prince of Constellation stared at Ian's legs with a cold expression and clenched his fists.
He almost clenched his palms.
?
? Forget it, I'll just send it out.
?
? (Clenched fist) From today onwards, I will be a diligent person who writes!
?
????
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