"Hehehehe …"
That laughter sounded like a person covering his mouth and trying his best to hold back his laughter in the crowd.
The embarrassed archduchess was instantly stunned.
'Who is it?'
The Northlanders, who were already feeling restless amidst the indescribable conflict, turned their heads to look for the source of the laughter.
They soon found their target.
Not far from Viscount Ian, a teenager sat on a chair with his arms on his knees and his chin propped up. He looked at the people and things in the hall with interest and chuckled softly.
Many people saw his face clearly.
Many people's expressions changed when they saw the emblem on his robe.
"Northlander?" The teenager with the nine-pointed star emblem chuckled softly. From time to time, he imitated the archduchess' tone and said, "'Are you guys coming? Are you guys coming? '"
"Hahahaha …"
With a mocking gaze, he looked at the Northland men in the hall from afar. He looked back with an indifferent expression.
"Are you guys coming? Hahaha … "
The teenager's delighted laughter continued to spread.
It made many people's faces turn extremely livid, and he also attracted many hostile gazes.
Even the Archduchess' Guards beside him looked at him indignantly.
"F * ck!
"Damn it!"
Some of the vassals cursed in low voices from the corners of the hall.
Ian widened his eyes and stared at the teenager with the nine-pointed star emblem. He watched as he rocked back and forth with laughter, and saw the undisguised contempt on his face.
It was as if he could not react to it.
The archduchess also stared blankly at the teenager who was laughing at her. She subconsciously retracted her arm that was holding the ring, and subconsciously pressed it against her chest.
Her expression was blank, as if she was a helpless and lost person.
Finally, a heavy, muffled sound rose with a loud bang.
* Thud! *
Like a heavy hammer, it shattered the oppressive atmosphere.
A majestic roar exploded on the ground.
"Enough!"
Thales' laughter died down.
The hall suddenly fell silent.
Everyone turned their gazes in the direction of the archduchess, and they were all stunned.
'It's him.'
Thales calmed his muscles, which were stiff from laughing, and thought of something.
The one who interrupted him was one of the six counts, the usually taciturn one-armed count.
I think his name is …
The one-armed Count raised his head. His eyes were cold, and his body exuded the bravery of a veteran.
He turned to the archduchess on the steps.
"My lady, I don't know you," the one-armed count said softly. His tone was cold. "Pardon me, but I don't expect much from you when I met you six years ago or when I came to attend the hearing today."
His words echoed on both sides of the hall, containing a kind of majesty that made people involuntarily turn to look at him.
"King Nuven is dead, and we have to rely on a little girl from now on? Hmph! "
Saroma's expression froze.
The one-armed count's eyes were fixed on the archduchess, completely ignoring the gaze of Earl Hearst, who was beside him.
But a few seconds later, he spoke again.
"But I still remember the day we ascended Fort Liberté.
"I led the vanguard and rushed to the frontline against the pouring kerosene. I lost an arm because of it." The one-armed count raised his left upper arm, which was only left with half. With a profound gaze, he said in a deep voice, "But in return, the warriors of the Karkogel Family were one step ahead of Prince Soria's White Blade Guards. They were the first to plant the black dragon flag on top of Fort Liberté's city wall."
Saroma was slightly stunned.
'Fort Liberté? 'That's …'
"It's been twenty years. My broken arm still hurts." The one-armed count turned his head abruptly and looked at the vassals in the hall. "But I have never regretted it."
Beside him, Earl Hearst opened his mouth in surprise.
"It's been six years." The one-armed count's voice made many people straighten their backs. "Perhaps many of us have forgotten that we are nobles and vassals, but we are also Northlanders.
"We are still far from degenerating to … the state we once hated the most."
The other five Earls frowned one after another.
Thales looked at the count, listened to his words, and smiled.
"With the honor of the Karkogel Family as my witness."
The one-armed count turned to the archduchess coldly. His steely voice struck everyone's heart like a heavy hammer. "Since you have given the order, My Lady, we will respond!"
Saroma trembled violently!
Count Karkogel's expression was cold, but he raised his remaining right arm without hesitation. "I promise that every man of age in Hunt County and Origami County will pick up a weapon. For the honor of your family, for the dignity of Dragon Clouds City, for your late grandfather …
"And for the Archduchess of Dragon Clouds City, we will send troops to the west!"
Only the sound of the vassals inhaling could be heard in the hall.
* Thud! *
The count's right arm struck his chest fiercely!
"Northlander Kahn Karkogel," the one-armed count's resolute voice exploded in the air. "I fight for you!"
His voice reverberated between the stone walls and shook the hall.
The other five counts did not seem to have reacted to the situation. The other vassals were also discussing among themselves.
But Saroma stared at the one-armed count in a daze. Her gaze gradually became lively again.
'He …
'He …'
"Count Karkogel." Saroma could not hide the excitement in her eyes. She stuttered, "I —"
But she was quickly interrupted.
"I'm sorry, ma 'am," Before the shock from Karkogel faded away, another hesitant male voice spoke.
The golden-bearded Count Hearst sighed and said, "Please understand, the counts. They hope that you can lower yourself to marry into a local family like us. That's because … because we are the ones who truly stand on the same side as you."
Hearst, who was in his thirties, was the youngest among the counts. He raised his eyes and stared at Saroma with sincerity and slight pain. He stared at the archduchess, who pressed the ring tightly against her chest. "The people of Dragon Clouds City are the ones who truly … care about you."
Saroma moved slightly.
"My Lady, I also want you to know." Hearst stared at his lady with a complicated expression. "The people who can bring you glory are definitely not just outsiders from the City of Faraway Prayers."
Saroma could not get over her shock. She stuttered, "Hearst —"
* Thud! *
Without waiting for her to speak, Hearst thumped his chest with a resolute expression!
"The entire Flatiron County will respond to your call," Count Hearst said loudly with a solemn expression. "Your Grace, the Hearst Family will fight for you!"
Saroma stared blankly at the second count who spoke.
A few seconds later, she snapped out of her daze.
"Thank you, Count Hearst." Saroma tried hard to hide her excited expression. "I will remember this."
Hearst did not speak. He only bowed deeply with a resolute expression.
Beside him, Count Cotterson coughed softly.
"What you said was very reasonable, My Lady. Dragon Clouds City's glory and victory can only be defended and won by us."
Count Cotterson stared at Ian in disdain. "So, let this conceited clown from the City of Faraway Prayers go to hell."
He sneered and said, "Prepare the place and supplies. We, Dragon Clouds City, are going to save you, whether you f * cking want to or not."
Ian blinked and revealed a helpless, embarrassed expression.
Cotterson turned his head and looked at Saroma expressionlessly.
Count Cotterson's voice was flat, but there was no hesitation. "So, Phalen Castle will follow your orders and go to war. We will fight for you, My Lady."
Saroma calmed down. She smiled and nodded slightly. "Count Cotterson."
Thales looked at Saroma from afar and exhaled.
'If that's the case.
'Accident …
'I've pretty much ruled it out.'
"Hmph." Count Lyner cut in. His words were as unpleasant and harsh as ever. "You know, My Lady, there's no need to make the atmosphere so solemn and tragic. It feels like we're going to hold your funeral in the next second."
Ian snickered without any sense of propriety.
"It's the same for Wild Woodland. The Lyner Family will fight for you." Count Lyner's eyes flashed. He glanced at the insensible heir of the City of Faraway Prayers and said coldly, "That's all."
Saroma smiled awkwardly. "Thank you, Count Lyner."
After the four counts, the vassals turned their gazes to the last two people, who were also the most important ones.
"As usual, the Lisban Family will stand beside the Walton Family." Regent Lisban was as gentle and polite as ever. "Wherever you look, we will follow."
Saroma put on her usual trusting expression. "Ciel …"
At this moment …
"Hahahahaha." Across from Lisban, Count Nazaire did not bother to hide his exaggerated laughter. He slammed his chair so hard that it creaked. "I see."
The archduchess and the count stared at him, puzzled and nervous.
But Nazaire's laughter soon died down.
The old count stared at Saroma quietly. For the first time, recognition appeared in his eyes.
"Well done, My Lady." Nazaire nodded slowly and looked at Ian with a profound gaze. "Not a bad move, young Lord Roknee from the City of Faraway Prayers.
"I just realized it now."
Saroma was slightly stunned. "Huh?"
Ian sat back on his chair indifferently. His expression was still that hateful disdain.
The observant Thales sighed. 'This old man …
'He probably saw through it a long time ago.'
Nazaire sighed. "I showed you the cruel side of the world, My Lady, and you immediately returned the favor."
Saroma was a little surprised. She anxiously replied, "Count Nazaire, I didn't —"
Nazaire raised his hand and cut her off.
"That's enough, My Lady. You have indeed exceeded my expectations." The old count sighed and looked at his old colleague. "Isn't that right, Ciel?
I guess you didn't expect it either? "
Lisban only cast a cold glance at his old acquaintance.
"Hmph, old man full of nonsense." The regent displayed a rare indifference. "Just shut up and send your troops."
Nazaire opened his mouth and laughed loudly again.
"Hahaha." The old count spread his hands and looked at the archduchess with a rather sentimental expression. "Then, the Nazaire Family of Rubble Hill and Harting County will also respond to your summons and follow your flag to the west.
"Holt Nazaire," he said with a smile, "fight for you!"
As he said this, the archduchess suppressed the last bit of nervousness in her heart.
"Thank you, Count Nazaire."
"Be careful, Saroma." Nazaire put away his smile and sighed. "The road ahead of you is full of traps, and we, Dragon Clouds City, are your best weapon and final reliance."
Saroma stared at the old count in a daze. She pursed her lips, as if she had understood something.
"Thank you for your reminder, Count Nazaire."
Nazaire fixed his gaze on Saroma.
"But I will still pay attention to your marriage." The old count curled up the corners of his lips. "Don't think of me as a good person so quickly, My Lady."
Saroma snickered.
But what made Thales shudder was that when no one was paying attention, Count Nazaire actually glanced at him, intentionally or otherwise.
It made the prince anxious.
Soon, as the six counts expressed their stance one by one, the other seventeen vassals also reacted.
Their expressions gradually changed from puzzlement to determination. As they whispered to each other, their opinions slowly came to a consensus.
Finally, the vassals raised their heads in unison and thumped their chests.
"The Banner Family will respond to your summons and head to the Alliance of Freedom, My Lady!
"The Hudson Family of Sunset Snow River will fight for Dragon Clouds City!"
The declaration of the six vassals was like the first wave. What followed was another wave. The vassals on both sides of the hall expressed their stance one by one. They would respond to the summons and head to the Alliance of Freedom.
"The Stil Family will immediately start mobilizing!
"A thousand soldiers of the Dilion Family will be on standby!
"The Hudson Family of Spear City will be loyal to you!"
Saroma sat back in her seat. After her nervousness and excitement, her small face was flushed red.
Thales looked at her quietly. He let go of the stone in his heart and smiled.
'Very good.
'Saroma.
'You succeeded.
'We succeeded.'
The voices rose and fell in the hall. Thales and Ian looked at each other and sighed in relief.
"Alright, Dragon Clouds City will send troops to the City of Faraway Prayers," Thales said in a low voice. "With this powerful reinforcement, you can end the war against the Alliance of Freedom in a short time.
"And at least before the war ends and we decide who is stronger in our fight against the king, your little girlfriend won't have to worry about being forced into marriage or being kicked off the throne halfway." Ian patted his chest. He looked like he had just seen a ghost after a big battle. "How about it? My plan is not bad, right?"
"A part of it is due to the Northlanders' sense of honor." Thales released his palm, which had fingernail marks on it. "But a bigger part of it is probably due to their disgust towards you, suitor from outside."
Of course, there was also a part of it …
It stemmed from the fear that Dragon Clouds City might be controlled by an outsider, and the power in their hands might be interfered with by outsiders.
"Thank you for the compliment." Ian smiled smugly.
'Yes.
It's actually not that complicated. '
Thales sighed. It was just like the so-called self-defeating lesson they had in the Old Crow a few weeks ago.
At the beginning of the kingdom's establishment, Constellation's northern invasion brought the divided and warring Eckstedt together, which facilitated the unification of the strongest country in the Western Peninsula.
During the Bloody Year, Eckstedt's large-scale invasion to the south caused the tottering Constellation to fight desperately. Amid suspicion and blood, they re-established their royal family and continued the kingdom.
Thales looked at the vassals in the hall and said quietly, 'One of the ways to bring divided groups and forces of power together is to stimulate them strongly from the outside.
'For example …'
When he thought of this, Thales glanced at Ian Roknee, the heir of the City of Faraway Prayers.
"Anyway, I'm here to be a bad guy. I don't expect to get a wife." The viscount flashed a mischievous smile, which immediately turned into a sympathetic one. He patted Thales' shoulder. "You, on the other hand, tsk tsk. So pitiful."
Thales' expression froze.
'What?'
Regent Lisban's voice rang. "Then, we will discuss the specifics of sending troops with the City of Faraway Prayers …"
The prince coughed unnaturally. Before Ian said anything strange again, he changed the topic.
"You know, I just thought of an interesting point."
Ian raised his eyebrows.
"Once the vassals are stubborn and refuse to send troops," Thales sighed. "Maybe you can really get a fiancée from Dragon Clouds City?"
The prince's gaze was a little solemn. "Then, won't you be happier?"
At that moment, it was as if someone had snapped a string between the two teenagers.
The atmosphere between them became tense.
The viscount was silent for a second before he revealed his usual smile.
"Haha." Although Ian was smiling, his eyes were slowly focusing. "Oh, then you misunderstood my sincerity."
Thales narrowed his eyes. "That's good. She's not a bargaining chip that you can easily use."
Ian clicked his tongue.
"But I'm also very curious. If the plan doesn't succeed, and the conflict between the archduchess and the vassals can't be resolved, what will you do? Elope with her? "
This time, it was Thales who raised his eyebrows.
"Hey, about that." The prince shrugged. "You know, a long time ago, a friend from Camus Union told me that even if it's a business deal that's in the bag, you must leave a backup plan."
Ian furrowed his brows.
Thales exhaled. 'Eckstedt, or rather, Dragon Clouds City's politics are really straightforward.
'At least …'
'Northlanders are Northlanders, after all.'
Thales glanced at the seats of the six counts. Everyone put their bargaining chips and attitudes on the table, which made things much simpler.
'Unlike …'
At this moment, the side door of the Hall of Heroes suddenly opened.
A noble dressed in the City of Faraway Prayers walked in with an anxious expression.
Many of the vassals, who were quietly listening to Regent Lisban's arrangements, noticed this.
The noble walked to the seats of the diplomat group from the City of Faraway Prayers, took out a letter, and handed it to the knight sitting at the first seat — the Raven of Death, Nate Monty.
Monty immediately attracted a lot of people's attention. He tore open the letter, and his expression changed drastically.
"Hey." Thales frowned. He nudged Ian. "What's going on?"
"That's the messenger in charge of transmitting military intelligence." Ian also watched the scene over there with a solemn expression. "Judging by his expression, there's been a change in the war."
'War?'
Thales was shocked. "The Alliance of Freedom?"
Ian nodded uneasily. "Where else could it be?"
More and more people in the hall noticed the newcomer.
In the next second, Monty's expression changed drastically, and he stood up abruptly!
This made everyone in the hall, who was discussing whether to send troops, pause.
"Sorry for the interruption."
The Raven of Death waved his hand at the astonished Regent Lisban in a rather rude manner. He then looked at Ian with a solemn expression and strode forward.
Nicholas, who was on the stairs, watched his old friend's actions. His pupils shrank.
Monty was a scout, and he carried out the most dangerous missions during wartime.
'Something that can make him lose his composure like this …
'Not much.'
Under the puzzled gazes of the archduchess and the many vassals, Monty strode over to Ian, who did not know what was going on. He handed over the letter and said coldly and loudly, "You need to read this immediately and explain to Dragon Clouds City."
When he said this, Monty's cold gaze swept over Thales.
Thales shuddered. The feeling of being watched rose in his heart again.
The prince smiled awkwardly, raised his hands, and took a step back. 'Alright, alright, I won't read it.'
But things were not that simple.
"No." Ian read the letter in his hand and raised his head with a pale face. "This is …"
Monty nodded expressionlessly. His gaze, like that of a hunter, never left Thales.
It was as if he wanted to skin him alive.
Ralf sensed that the situation was not right. He took a step closer to the prince.
The other vassals in the hall exchanged puzzled glances. Lisban coughed.
Ian put down the letter with trembling hands. Thales only then noticed that he was already drenched in cold sweat.
Ian raised his eyes and looked at the seated archduchess. Then, he turned to Thales in panic. "You know?"
His gaze was very complicated. There was suspicion, anger, and even conflict in it.
The puzzled Thales raised his eyebrows. "Know what?"
Ian took a deep breath and shook his head, as if he wanted to wake himself up.
"If you don't know …" The heir of the City of Faraway Prayers gritted his teeth. "Alright, Monty, I will tell the archduchess later —"
* Slap! *
His shoulder was immediately seized by the Raven of Death!
Ian shuddered and looked up at Monty in shock.
"Now is not the time for you to be willful, Ian." Monty's voice was very gloomy, and there was a sternness that allowed no refusal. "Dragon Clouds City has just promised to send troops, so they must know!
This is not something that can be hidden from the public! "
Ian hesitated. "But …"
Monty did not waste any more words. He snatched the letter from Ian's hand without any hesitation. "Alright, then I'll do it.
Wait — "
Without waiting for Ian to speak, Monty pushed the bewildered Ian down from his seat.
The latter's struggle was completely futile against the knight.
From the beginning to the end, Thales watched the scene in the City of Faraway Prayers in shock and bewilderment.
Monty's gaze still made him feel fearful.
'What's wrong?
That letter, what exactly is … '
At this moment, Regent Lisban's voice traveled into their ears from afar.
"Lord Monty, we have heard of your reputation for a long time.
"However, this is Heroic Spirit Palace's Hall of Heroes." The regent attracted everyone's attention. He asked faintly, "Is there anything we need to know?"
Monty glanced at Thales again, then turned around abruptly to face the hall.
"Yes." The brunette knight raised the letter in his hand and said coldly,
"An urgent military intelligence just came from the City of Faraway Prayers."
Count Nazaire's gaze froze. "Military intelligence?"
Monty nodded and strode forward.
Thales noticed that Ian was clenching his fists tightly. His gaze moved back and forth between him and the archduchess.
"A few days ago, we detected a third army in the desert to the south of the City of Faraway Prayers." The Raven of Death's expression was horrified, as if he saw the Day before the Bitter Cold Winter coming. "Four to five thousand light cavaliers, maybe more. We are certain that they are our enemies, and they are here for the Alliance of Freedom."
The hall instantly fell silent.
Thales also frowned. 'For the Alliance of Freedom?
'Wait, twenty years ago, Camus Union and White Mountain supported the Alliance of Freedom, which means …'
But the suzerains who were familiar with military affairs immediately grasped the main point.
"Cavaliers in the desert? Five thousand? "
Count Karkogel was shocked. He slammed his remaining right arm on the chair. "How is this possible?"
Monty snorted coldly. "Not only that, they are all elites. They are skilled in galloping, and they come and go like the wind. They are eyeing us covetously between the City of Faraway Prayers and Fort Liberté."
Almost all the vassals furrowed their brows.
The archduchess looked at her regent with a bewildered expression.
"It is impossible for the desert bandits, Barren Bone tribe, and orcs to have cavaliers of this scale. The direction from Camus Union is not right. The Golden Passage does not have such a force …" Lisban, who was familiar with the geography, looked at Monty with a solemn expression. "Where did these cavaliers come from?"
The Raven of Death exhaled and clenched his teeth. His expression was ferocious.
"This is what I want to say." Monty raised the letter and said through gritted teeth, "They should have come from the southeast and crossed a part of the desert."
The vassals were all shocked!
Thales frowned and quickly recalled the geography of the continent. To the west of the City of Faraway Prayers is the Alliance of Freedom, and to the south is the Great Desert. If the cavaliers who appeared in the desert came from the southeast …
'Wait, southeast?
Crossed a part of the desert?
'Isn't that …'
But before he could straighten out his thoughts, Monty snorted angrily with a fierce expression, "The flags of those cavaliers are blue with white edges …
"Silver Cross Double Stars."
At that moment, Thales clearly felt his heart tremble.
* Thud! *
The hall fell silent for a moment.
In the next second, Regent Lisban, who had always been steady, could no longer maintain his image. He shuddered and cried out to Monty, "What?"
In a split second, the gazes of the archduchess and the vassals in the hall, the gazes of the City of Faraway Prayers' diplomat group and the guards of Heroic Spirit Palace instinctively turned to Monty!
They turned to the only guest who did not fit in with the hall.
Monty's next words sounded faintly in Thales' ears, as if they came from the horizon. "That's right, things are already very clear.
"The powerful support behind the Alliance of Freedom, including the mastermind behind their rebellion against Eckstedt …"
The Raven of Death said faintly,
"Constellation."
At that moment, he faced countless shocked, puzzled, and hostile gazes …
The dumbfounded, absent-minded, and stiff Prince of Constellation could only hear his own heart beating …
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