The hall fell into silence once again.
Thales closed his eyes, as if he was tormented by his own fate.
But no one knew that at the moment Count Lyner made his cruel suggestion, the Second Prince of Constellation finally figured out one thing.
'Connect.'
He said in his heart.
The fight in Black Sand Region, Constellation's interference, the Alliance of Freedom's rebellion, the war in the City of Faraway Prayers, the storm in Dragon Clouds City …
Most of the things were connected.
They all pointed to a key point.
That was …
Thales clenched his fists.
'Is it really as I thought?
'But if that's the case …'
At this moment, a clear female voice rang in his ears.
"No!"
This made the nervous Thales open his eyes and snap out of his daze.
He raised his head in shock and looked at the archduchess' throne at the highest point. Many other vassals did the same.
"No …"
A clear and decisive voice echoed in the hall.
It was Saroma.
At this moment, she gritted her teeth and looked conflicted. Her gaze kept moving between the vassals.
Count Lyner, who had threatened to release Thales in 'installments', was slightly stunned. "My Lady?"
Saroma stared at Thales in a daze. But after a few breaths, she seemed to have made up her mind. She turned her head and took a deep breath.
"Everyone, six years ago, before the king and the four archdukes, I made a promise in the name of the archduchess."
The archduchess seemed to be a little stuttering and nervous, a stark contrast to her previous unyielding attitude.
But she still tried hard to suppress her trembling and said anxiously, "I promised …
Thales … Thales will be Dragon Clouds City's guest … I will be responsible for his safety.
"In Dragon Clouds City, before my eyes." The young girl's face was taut, and she shouted with all her might.
"He won't, and he shouldn't be hurt!"
Once she said this, the vassals had different reactions. Among them, the six counts had the most complicated expressions.
'Promise?'
The archduchess.
Thales stared at Saroma, who was forcing herself to remain calm. He felt anxious and fearful.
'Saroma.
You … '
"Be responsible for his safety?"
Count Lyner seemed to be very dissatisfied with this sentence. His eyebrows were almost raised. "Forgive me for being blunt, my Lady, but what about our safety?
"What about the safety of those warriors who risked their lives to fight for your honor?"
The vassals seemed to resonate with Count Lyner's words. They all nodded and grunted in response.
Count Nazaire looked at the archduchess with a strange expression. He seemed to be hesitating about something.
Count Lyner said in an overbearing manner, "That's right.
"And where do you put these?"
Saroma's face turned pale.
"Don't tell me that in your heart, this Prince of Constellation is more …"
Lisban saw that the situation was not right and decisively reprimanded, "Lyner!"
Lyner snorted angrily. He turned his head around and looked at Thales with hostility again.
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became very awkward. No one wanted to speak.
Beside Thales, Ian looked at the situation in the hall and exhaled heavily.
The viscount knocked on the seat of his chair in dissatisfaction, venting his dissatisfaction with the unexpected situation. "Damn it!"
This was probably the only time he looked like a Northlander.
Thales only lowered his head and listened quietly. He did not pay attention to the argument in the hall.
After a few seconds, the embarrassed archduchess seemed to have adjusted her emotions.
"I will negotiate with Constellation," she said softly.
"But before that, my guests will not be harmed in any way."
"But before that, my guests will not be harmed in any way." The archduchess raised her head and gritted her teeth. "This is our bottom line."
The vassals frowned.
Thales sighed.
'This is bad.
Saroma, no.
If you insist on this … '
"Negotiate?" This time, the person who spoke was Monty from the City of Faraway Prayers.
"It will take about a month to travel from Dragon Clouds City to Eternal Star City." Monty crossed his arms and stood in the middle of the hall. He ignored the strange expressions of the nobles on both sides and said coldly, "And the military situation is urgent.
"And the military situation is urgent. You can wait, but my subordinates and comrades can't."
"Moreover, we cannot turn this war that we must win into a permanent burden and let the real enemy succeed."
He did not clearly state who the 'real enemy' was.
Saroma was instantly speechless.
The vassals began to discuss among themselves again.
Ian frowned and wanted to say something, but under Monty's fierce gaze, he did not speak in the end.
The pressure was back on Thales.
The mean Count Cotterson snorted softly and sneered. "Very reasonable.
So … "He shrugged and turned to Lyner." The simplest way is to send our attitude along with the letter. Are you sure that chopping off only one hand will work? "
Count Lyner smiled back at him.
Thales sighed. 'We're back to this topic again.'
"Someone must let them know that Northlanders do what they say —"
But they were interrupted by the archduchess once again.
"No!"
Saroma clenched her teeth. Beads of sweat could be seen on her forehead, as if she was going through a very intense struggle. "It's not that simple."
The vassals showed puzzled gazes again.
The young lady glanced at Thales. The anxiety and nervousness in her eyes did not decrease in the slightest.
The archduchess panted and tried hard to convince the men in the hall. "I remember that King Kessel once promised that anyone who endangers Prince Thales' safety will become Constellation's eternal enemy. His head will be the condition for the next King of Constellation to be crowned.
"We must be cautious."
This sentence seemed to have quite an effect.
At least, the vassals who had been glaring at Thales and speaking rudely stopped talking and began to think about more problems.
Thales was the only one who looked at the archduchess with a complicated expression. He felt rather upset.
'She's protecting me.
'Even if this will endanger the little bit of popularity she built up with great difficulty today.
'She's protecting me.
'But, Saroma …'
Finally, Count Lisban broke the awkward atmosphere.
"My lady's considerations are reasonable." The former prime minister and current regent, who had worked diligently for Dragon Clouds City for decades, coughed.
Lisban raised his gaze and swept his gaze across every vassal. "If that king is really cold-blooded and does not care about the kingdom's future or his son's life, then no matter how many times we 'release' this prince, the result will be the same.
"In the end, we will be the ones who will be forced into a dead end. Is Dragon Clouds City really prepared to take the prince's head and become the target of public criticism?"
The hall fell into silence again.
The archduchess cast a grateful glance at Lisban. "That's right, Ciel. I-I mean it."
Lisban only nodded mildly.
This made the other counts frown and cast dissatisfied glances at the regent.
But the girl still breathed a sigh of relief.
'Fortunately.
Thales doesn't have to … '
But then she was slightly startled. Thales was staring at her from afar.
The Prince of Constellation sighed. With a hesitant expression, he shook his head gently at her.
'No, Saroma.
'Don't.
Thales thought quietly.
Saroma was stunned in her seat as she watched the prince's actions.
She remembered what Thales said earlier.
"'Promise me, Saroma.
"'On the next day of the council hearing, no matter what happens, don't do anything stupid."'
She looked at Thales, who shook his head helplessly. She could not help but bite her lower lip.
"'Don't care about others. Don't care about anything else. Don't hesitate or hesitate."'
'In that case …
'You, Thales, are you the' other people 'you mentioned?'
The girl thought bitterly.
In the corner of the hall, Thales was still shaking his head gently.
"'Just choose the path that suits you and the archduchess the most. That's enough.
"'I will solve the rest of the problems."'
Saroma struggled to look at Thales.
'But, but Thales, the current you …
Can't even protect yourself. '
"Oh, my Lady."
This time, the one who spoke was Monty.
The vanguard of the City of Faraway Prayers' diplomat group deliberately raised his eyebrows. "But didn't you summon the vassals to Dragon Clouds City precisely to restore your father's glory and boldness and to prove that you are a qualified ruler?"
The Raven of Death clicked his tongue and said, "And now, in the face of the Empire's empty threats, you are backing down and afraid?
"Were all those words about protecting the family's honor just for fun?"
Dissatisfied discussions immediately rose in the hall. The vassals' expressions became much more unpleasant.
Saroma clenched her teeth again. Her face was tense.
"Show some respect, Raven of Death," the golden-bearded Count Hearst reprimanded in displeasure. "You once served in the White Blade Guards and received King Nuven's kindness. There is no reason for you to make things difficult for his granddaughter.
"Speaking of this, you must know that I left the White Blade Guards and Dragon Clouds City for more than ten years." Monty shook his head at the archduchess with a mocking expression. He did not hide his disdainful tone at all. "Compared to the past, all of you are really old and much more sentimental. I even suspect —"
Nicholas' expression changed while he stood beside the archduchess. He said in a deep and unquestionable tone, "Shut up, Monty."
When he heard his old superior's words, Monty immediately stopped talking.
He snorted softly and did not speak again.
Thales could not help but size up the Raven of Death with his fierce gaze.
'Something is not right.'
He once again felt that something was not right about this visitor from the City of Faraway Prayers.
'But … what exactly is wrong?'
At this moment, Count Karkogel, who had not spoken for a long time, suddenly raised his head.
"Then let's bring him along!"
The one-armed count said fiercely, "Bring him to the west!"
Everyone in the hall, including the archduchess, Thales, and Ian, was shocked!
The surprise lasted for a few seconds.
Count Lisban frowned and said, "Bring him along? Do you mean … "
The one-armed count nodded and said coldly, "We will march with this prince to solve the problem of the Alliance of Freedom!
We will bring him along to attack the city, bring him along to fight, bring him along to kill the enemy!
"We will leave the problem to the Constellatiates opposite Fort Liberté, who are holding the Double Cross-Shaped Stars Flag."
The archduchess trembled and cried out involuntarily, "What?"
The vassals' gazes were cast on Thales.
Thales was shocked. His expression changed slightly.
"We will let the possible enemies on the battlefield know that their prince is in our hands," Karkogel said coldly.
"If they do not want to see any tragedies or accidents happen, then it is best for them to know their place.
Wait for us to get rid of those cowards in Fort Liberté. "
The moment he finished speaking, it was as if the hall was covered with a layer of ice.
"Ha!"
Monty laughed out loud. "I like this idea! Things that cannot be solved at the negotiation table, of course, must be solved on the battlefield! "
Saroma revealed a look of disbelief. She subconsciously glanced at Thales, then at Karkogel.
Lisban and Nazaire glanced at each other, each deep in thought.
"Perhaps this is a good idea," the old Count Nazaire said faintly a few seconds later, "Indeed, My Lady, your promise back then is very important.
"It is also best for Prince Thales' safety not to be destroyed in our hands.
"Compared to an awkward negotiation that involves all parties and the outcome is unknown, bringing the prince to the frontline as a bargaining chip is more effective."
Count Lisban, who was listening by the side, sighed.
On the other side, Count Lyner's expression was still calm, but his words were sharp. He looked at Saroma's panicked expression and chuckled. "Very reasonable. If Prince Thales were to meet with an accident because of his battle with the Constellatiates, what would happen to him?"
"The responsibility will not be on our side."
Thales closed his eyes again and exhaled.
When the vassals agreed to send troops, there was a moment when he thought that they had already won.
However, accidents always come suddenly.
The archduchess widened her eyes and subconsciously shook her head. "You … How are you going to deal with him?"
Upon hearing the archduchess' words, the counts frowned.
Karkogel's deep voice seemed to have some kind of power that made people shudder. "If the other party restrains themselves, then we will act as usual. We will take him for a walk."
The hall was silent for a moment.
Saroma gulped. The archduchess' voice rang again. "What if the other party … does not restrain themselves?"
Count Lyner sneered, while Count Cotterson shrugged.
"Then we will do what we should do," Karkogel said coldly. "As long as we conquer Fort Liberté, everything will be over."
'What we should do?'
Thales lowered his head in silence and did not speak.
'What should I do?
'If I want to solve the current predicament … I must pay a corresponding price.
'The problem is …
'Do I have to take that step?
'That is …'
Count Hearst stared at the archduchess' expression. His golden beard trembled and he frowned. "I think it is feasible."
Saroma clenched her teeth.
"Ciel," she said to the last count with great difficulty, "do you agree as well?"
"My Lady." Regent Lisban looked at the young girl with a serious expression. "This is the best method for now.
"Countless people will rush to the battlefield for you, so you must consider their lives for the sake of the war."
"No problem." Ian appeared at this moment. His eyes brightened. He coughed softly and smiled again. "The City of Faraway Prayers will welcome Your Highness' presence."
Thales clenched his fists.
He raised his head and looked at Saroma nervously, waiting for her response.
Saroma also looked back at him hesitantly. Their gazes met in the air.
Thales sighed and shook his head gently.
'No.
'Saroma.
'Don't, don't do this because of …'
A few seconds later, the archduchess' expression became firm again.
She looked at Thales and shook her head too.
Thales' heart trembled. He understood her response.
'No.
'No …
"No!"
The archduchess raised her head abruptly!
"Thales, he must stay in Dragon Clouds City! Stay in Heroic Spirit Palace! "
Saroma's expression was firm as she said resolutely, "And I promise, I promise that I will personally write a letter to King Kessel and remind him that his heir is still with us. I will use all means to ensure that Constellation will not pose a threat to our war."
Thales closed his eyes.
The vassals' expressions changed at the same time.
They stared at their female ruler with unfamiliar and dissatisfied gazes.
The atmosphere in the hall seemed to have returned to the time before Ian proposed.
Thales heaved a long sigh.
'Saroma.
'If you do this …
'This will make our previous efforts …
'Haih.'
Thales opened his eyes gently.
He gestured at Ralf behind him.
"Go."
The Phantom Wind Follower was slightly stunned. He nervously looked at the various hostile gazes in the hall, but still bowed slightly and left with his back against the wall.
Thales exhaled.
'In the end, it still came to this.'
His fists were trembling.
"Well, My Lady, your relationship with him and this Prince of Constellation is quite good." Monty sneered. "Just like the rumors say."
These words were like pouring oil on the fire, making the atmosphere in the hall even more solemn and solemn.
Lisban saw that the atmosphere in the hall was becoming more and more off. He quickly coughed and interrupted the Raven of Death. "My Lady, I don't like to say this, but —"
But someone interrupted the regent even faster.
"For the sake of the Gods, you have said 'no' many times about this matter."
Across from Lisban, Count Nazaire frowned and spoke slowly.
"As the ruler, my Lady, of course you have the right to say 'no' and force us to carry out your will."
The old count enunciated each word, as though he cherished every word in his words.
"But please remember, every time you say it, you have to pay a price.
"It's just that some of the prices are visible and visible, while some are invisible." Under the archduchess' shocked gaze, Count Nazaire said flatly, "Unless you have the ability to fool your people again and again, otherwise, if you pay too many of these prices, one day, they will accumulate into a huge debt that even someone as noble as you cannot repay."
Saroma gathered her hands under her sleeves. Her expression was unpleasant. "Count Nazaire …"
Nazaire did not give the young girl a chance to speak. Instead, he spoke his words one by one.
Among the six counts, Nazaire's words were not as soothing as Lisban's, not as gentle and polite as Count Hearst's, not as ear-piercing as Count Lyner's, not as harsh and unpleasant as Cotterson's, and not as shocking and powerful as Karkogel's, but they seemed to contain a special power that could not be rejected.
They could not help but be moved.
"And those we are talking about, my Lady.
"Those are the soldiers of Dragon Clouds City," Nazaire said softly. "The decision we make here concerns their lives.
"Do you really understand the price of saying 'no' here?"
Saroma was stunned.
"Those are the sons of countless mothers, the husbands of countless wives, and the fathers of countless daughters." The old count spoke very slowly, but every word he said made the vassals consciously listen to him quietly. "They, these Northlanders, all left their homeland in response to your summons and rushed to other places."
Saroma's breathing became chaotic. She stared at Nazaire in a daze. She felt as if there was a heavy stone weighing a thousand pounds pressing down on her from the air.
Nazaire raised his head gently and said slowly, "And no matter what the reason is, you should not disregard your people who are loyal to you for an outsider, a hostage of an enemy country.
"And the price of doing so …"
He stared at the archduchess with a piercing gaze. "Perhaps it will make your people and all those who are willing to fight for you bitterly disappointed. Then, they will disregard you and their ruler."
Once he said this, the gazes of the vassals on Saroma instantly changed.
Saroma, on the other hand, stared at the count in a daze. She was drenched in cold sweat, and her lips trembled.
Old Count Nazaire sighed slowly. "Until one day, the accumulated debts of these prices exceed the grace you and your family have given us, and exceed our loyalty to you and your family.
"At that time, no one will be willing to fight for you anymore.
"Isn't that so?"
The hall became quiet. No one spoke anymore.
In the corner, Thales closed his eyes expressionlessly and shook his head slowly.
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