* Clap, clap, clap, clap … *
A lonely but ear-piercing clap rang in the hall.
The nobles frowned and turned their heads. The king was relaxed. He raised his hands calmly and clapped softly.
It was as if he was enjoying a theatrical performance.
Thales felt a wave of discomfort in his heart. He remembered the bloody dawn six years ago.
At that time, Lampard was the same. He clapped softly, walked out of the murderous army, and walked towards Thales and Little Rascal with victory in his grasp.
"Indeed, thank you for reminding me, Ian Roknee," King Chapman said flatly as he clapped. "My vassals have been a little restless lately.
"Many people have nowhere to vent their energy." The king inhaled and exhaled slowly. His gaze was cold.
"So, this is the best opportunity, isn't it?
"I will provide them, who can't suppress their passion, with a chance to serve the country. This is the right time."
Behind the king, Kentvida crossed his arms and chuckled.
Ian slowly came to his senses and stared at the king in a daze.
He seemed to have expected it, but he still refused to believe the facts he deduced. "Wh-What do you mean?"
King Chapman did not speak. He only curled the corners of his lips and revealed a vulture-like cruel smile.
Viscount Kentvida, the second assistant advisor of Eckstedt's Imperial Conference, stepped forward gently. "Just as His Majesty said, from the moment the Prince of Constellation opened his mouth to confirm … No, it should be from the moment the Constellation army appeared, this was no longer a local conflict."
"In fact, it's no longer about who the Alliance of Freedom, who broke the treaty, is loyal to. It's no longer as simple as a dispute between Eckstedt and its tiny affiliated kingdom."
He grinned and revealed a bright and relaxed smile, but his words contained a message that made the nobles frown. "What the City of Faraway Prayers is facing is the honor and humiliation of all of Eckstedt. It's our national dignity in the face of our mortal enemy, Constellation.
"As I said to the archduchess in this hall a few weeks ago," Kentvida said slowly, "In the face of Eckstedt's honor and humiliation, our internal disputes become insignificant."
Saroma recalled the meeting a few weeks ago, and her face immediately turned pale.
Kentvida snorted softly and said, "Regardless of whether it's a small misunderstanding between archdukes or the vassals' small dissatisfaction towards the king, they should all be put aside, shouldn't they?"
He gently spread his hands. "This is the supreme name, the war of the country, and the unavoidable righteousness of the Joint Ruling Pledge."
"Some of the vassals of Black Sand Region, in the face of righteousness, if they dare to reject His Majesty's conscription order, if they are unwilling to recruit soldiers, if they are unwilling to mobilize, if they are unwilling to obey orders, if they are unwilling to come …"
Viscount Kentvida seemed to be very happy to see the people from the City of Faraway Prayers suffer. He shrugged and deliberately chuckled in a low voice. "Heh, heh, heh —"
Bang!
Behind Kentvida was Kroesch, who had disliked him since a long time ago. She mercilessly knocked on the assistant counselor's head. "Speak properly."
Viscount Kentvida rubbed his head indignantly and did not say anything else.
But no one was paying attention to them anymore.
King Chapman's voice rang out again, and this time, it was especially chilling.
"Northlanders don't need cowards."
"Especially those people."
"Those who refuse to put aside their internal disputes, their dissatisfaction towards the king, their passion to go to war, and their willingness to die in the face of the righteousness of the country are cowards." The king looked around at the people in the hall. His eyes shone with a cold glare.
"What other reason do they have to occupy the name of nobility, the benefits of titles, and drag out an ignoble existence in the world?
"And as their suzerain, what other reason do I have to be soft-hearted towards them?"
Sighs rose and fell in the hall, along with exhales of indignation.
Thales watched all of this coldly from the sidelines. His heart was heavy.
'Using the name of defending against foreign enemies to eradicate dissidents …
'As a ruler, you're really straightforward, Lampard.'
At least the rulers of other places would put in effort to whitewash it a little.
Saroma thought about her current situation, and then thought about the king's current situation. She could not help but be shocked when she understood something.
Ian's expression froze for a moment.
The next moment, he swayed violently, as if he was hit head-on by a carriage weighing a thousand pounds.
The Raven of Death frowned and supported him.
"No, no …" Ian's breathing quickened. He was drenched in cold sweat. "Y-You want to use this war against the Alliance of Freedom to purge your vassals?
"Is this the purpose of issuing the draft order because of Constellation's interference?"
'No.'
Ian thought in despair.
'It can't be.
How can it be like this? '
At the other end of the hall, the diplomat group from the City of Faraway Prayers was immersed in sorrow.
The six counts of Dragon Clouds City stared at King Chapman. The cautiousness and wariness in their eyes had never been seen before.
But in the next second, Ian suddenly raised his head. His eyes were filled with anger.
"Do you think you will succeed? Lampard?
"Your vassals, they are all nobles, elites among men. It is because of their support and loyalty that the Lampard Family can sit firmly in the archduke's position." He gritted his teeth so hard that he almost crushed them. He did not even care about how he addressed the king. "But now, you want to attack them. Do you think they will sit quietly and wait for the Lampard Family's army to storm their castles, rob them of their wealth, and strip them of their titles? Do you think the warriors who are loyal to you can really handle the entire Black Sand Region — "
However, what interrupted him was the king's faint sneer.
"Ha, ha, ha, ha …"
At this moment, King Chapman turned his neck slightly and looked at the archduchess on the stairs.
The Star Killer frowned. He blocked Saroma's path without showing any sign of weakness. The hatred in his eyes never diminished.
When he saw that Saroma looked as if she was facing a great enemy, King Chapman narrowed his eyes and shook his head.
He said in a mocking tone, "Didn't I tell you?
The Archduke of Reformation Tower has already expressed his stance. If Constellation really interferes with the Alliance of Freedom … then he will definitely not stand by and do nothing. "
His words made many nobles tense up again.
"Porpheus Trentida is a man of great righteousness. He will be very willing to send troops to aid the City of Faraway Prayers.
"He and his army will come to Black Sand Region and meet up with me and the warriors of the Lampard Family."
King Chapman spoke very slowly, almost enunciating each word softly, "Then, we will see which traitors in Black Sand Region are unwilling to serve the country."
Ian was stunned again.
'What?
Reformation Tower and Black Sand Region?
'That means that if Lampard wants to get rid of the nobles in my region, whether it's in name, strength, or timing, it's already …'
"Reformation Tower, Trentida?" Ian remembered something and sighed.
In the end, he closed his eyes in pain. "That bastard."
"Reformation Tower is the closest to us," Kentvida added with a smile. "Of course, they will understand our intentions the best."
He remembered the cunning noble with the bowl cut, the glint in his eyes, and the provocative words he used.
'The Archduke of Reformation Tower.
'Porpheus Trentida.
'Even during the most critical moment in Heroic Spirit Palace, when the battle between Roknee, Olsius, and Lampard was on the verge of breaking out, the archduke only held a short knife and hid safely in the distance.
'Him.
'Has he already sided with Lampard?'
"You've planned this from the beginning, haven't you?" Ian's face was ashen. "When you issued the new decree and the families of Black Sand Region first objected …"
King Chapman and his two subordinates stared at him coldly.
"You didn't care how your vassals would object to your decree, and you didn't care whether they would contact external help like the City of Faraway Prayers, because you didn't want to waste time with them and play this political game with them."
Ian said sadly, "In fact, the Alliance of Freedom's move was not to hold the City of Faraway Prayers back, nor was it to weaken the opposition's confidence in external help …"
King Chapman stared at the people in the hall with a focused expression, as though he was watching an interesting play.
"You didn't even care whether Dragon Clouds City would send troops, didn't care about the outcome of the war, and didn't care whether the City of Faraway Prayers could end the war quickly.
"From the beginning, you made up your mind," Ian muttered to himself. "You wanted to use the most direct, brutal, and simple method to get rid of those disobedient old vassals.
"What you lack is just a name, a reason, a grandiose excuse written in the Joint Ruling Pledge that will not incite the people's anger, and that will have the least consequences …" he said his next sentence with a pained expression.
"Such as … Constellation."
Ian looked at Thales in despair, but the prince only shook his head.
The viscount slumped into his chair in dejection and no longer looked at anyone.
He was like a defeated fighter in a colosseum.
'We, the City of Faraway Prayers …
'We foolishly roped in the archdukes and prepared to condemn the king together.
'We naively made promises to the inferior nobles of Black Sand Region, hoping that they would destroy Lampard's prestige and destroy the king's authority.
'We turned him into an empty king.
'Now, from the looks of it, we lost this game from the beginning?'
Beside Ian, the Raven of Death sighed softly. He glanced at Thales with a deathly still gaze.
Lisban heaved a long and heavy sigh. "So, if your vassals were to accept the conscription, it would mean a huge expenditure and countless manpower. And the expedition to the West would mean handing over the population, combat power, heirs, supplies, and rear to you. These nobles' lifelines would be handed over to you.
"Perhaps by the time they return, their territories will have been turned upside down. Perhaps they will never be able to return …"
"Don't make it sound so bad," Viscount Kentvida said, as if he was having a headache. "At the end of the day, His Majesty is only conscripting the army in his territory to go to the Alliance of Freedom to regain his dignity."
Lisban shook his head. "However, if His Majesty's vassals refuse to be conscripted, you have the right and reason to use the combined might and military power of the Lampard Family and Reformation Tower to deprive them of their titles and even purge their families in the name that no one can object to.
"You will truly turn Black Sand Region into your own territory."
The regent sighed in a low voice. "Isn't that right, Your Majesty?"
Thales looked at Ian's absent-minded expression and at Lisban's face, which seemed to have aged a few years in an instant. He felt dejected.
'Yes, I know this feeling. I have experienced it before, and I will never forget it.'
The argument earlier was just an appetizer for Chapman Lampard.
But the truly terrifying thing about the kinslayer was his methods.
The bloody siege in front of Broken Dragon Fortress, the terrifying attack on the Night of Disaster …
As always, he was as swift as lightning, direct, violent, cruel, decisive, and effective.
What was left for the enemy was only shock and regret.
King Chapman snorted softly.
"It's not that they don't have a choice."
King Chapman turned his gaze and met the old Lisban's eyes.
"They can choose to be loyal to the king, obey the decree, choose to continue loving Eckstedt, and everyone will be happy," the king said coldly.
His sharp eyes seemed to hide an unstoppable blade. Wherever he looked, the nobles averted their gazes. "Instead of secretly interacting with the forces of power other than their vassals, hoping to escape their inevitable fate.
"Of course, this is also a warning to those who stick their hands into my territory and meddle in other people's business — know your place, or I will come for you." As he said this, King Chapman swept his cold gaze over the people in the hall again.
He was like a fierce beast patrolling its territory.
The iron fist emblem on his outer robe that represented the Lampard Family was very eye-catching at that moment.
Aside from the nobles' indistinct breathing that varied in speed, the hall was silent.
Thales quietly watched the dejected Ian, and a chill rose in his heart.
Regent Lisban sighed softly before he said with a solemn expression,
"You have no intention of holding back at all, and neither do you have the shame and bottom line of a noble, right?"
Lisban, the former Prime Minister of the kingdom, faced the king's gaze, which was even more powerful than before, and called out his name without fear, "Chapman Lampard?
"In the face of those traditional families who oppose your expansion of power, you not only faced the difficulty head-on, but also counter-attacked.
"Mende, Devinson, Peruno, Ika, these Northland families in Black Sand Region that we are familiar with. These are illustrious surnames that have been loyal to the bloodline of the Rebellion King and the Lampard Family since Raikaru's era. They have a history of hundreds and thousands of years," Lisban said in a pained tone, "They thought that they could force the suzerain to retract his decree by working together to force the king to abdicate, as they usually did …
"But times have changed.
"In the face of your cruel methods and your merciless conscription order, they either have to acknowledge your decree, lower their heads, compromise, and obey your orders …
"Or they have to shed rivers of blood and be reduced to ashes."
With a hint of melancholy and hatred, Lisban's words also caused the nobles to feel anxious.
Thales exhaled slowly and sank into deep thought.
In Dragon Clouds City, Saroma trembled with fear because of her status as an archduchess. She struggled to maintain what little prestige she had in exchange for the vassals' cooperation and obedience.
In Black Sand Region, however, Lampard bore the infamy of a kinslayer and a reformer. He was merciless and used blood to clear his path, leaving the vassals to lower their heads and obey him.
'Which side is better?'
King Chapman's left hand pressed on his old saber and he sneered.
"There are many people who want to serve the country, and most of them do not have fiefs or titles." Even though it was midsummer, the king's voice seemed to be as cold as a cold wind. "My right-hand man, Lord Tolja, told me …"
He faced all the nobles in the hall and said something that made them shudder. "In this world, there are still too many people who occupy high positions but do not do anything.
"It's not without reason."
Lisban closed his eyes and did not answer.
The hall was quiet for a long time.
The counts of Dragon Clouds City had solemn expressions on their faces. Even in the face of the archduchess' willfulness and recklessness, they did not show even a hint of it.
"My God, what a King stands there," said the Earl of Hearst, pale, "and what a King it is."
"The worst kind." Count Lyner clenched his fingers tightly. "The worst kind."
"Hmph." Cotterson shook his head in disdain, but his eyes were filled with wariness. "What a scum."
Count Nazaire stared at the king silently, but he would occasionally cast his gaze at Prince Thales in the corner with a contemplative look.
"Dragon Clouds City, do you understand now?"
King Chapman did not care about the people in Dragon Clouds City discussing his words. "If the City of Faraway Prayers really prepared an open letter and asked all of you to sign it, instigating some unwise idiots in my territory to continue opposing me …"
The king raised his head and looked at the highest seat.
The girl who had been staring at him quietly without saying a word for a long time.
"What a pity." The corners of King Chapman's lips curled up in delight. "Because it's meaningless now."
Ian lowered his head and stared at his knees. He did not seem to notice the gazes around him.
King Chapman shook his head. "I even want to suggest that there is no need for you to get involved in this war. Black Sand Region has already taken over. There is no need for you to send troops."
At that moment, the three people from Black Sand Region stood proudly in the hall, as if this was their home field.
The vassals of Dragon Clouds City clenched their fists again. Indignation and indignation burned in their hearts.
"Because no matter how long the Alliance of Freedom's war lasts …
The king's expression was a little ferocious. "The outcome on the chessboard has already been decided."
Thales shook his head.
'So, as expected, you seized the opportunity, Lampard.
'You got what you wanted.
'Then …'
From this moment on, Thales fixed his gaze on King Chapman.
'Where is your reward?'
In the next second, King Chapman seemed to have sensed Thales' gaze. He turned his head and looked at the prince, who gradually became more cautious from his expressionless face. He frowned slightly.
Thales still stared at him coldly.
The king pursed his lips a little.
King Chapman exhaled a long breath. "As for this prince, don't bother sending him to the City of Faraway Prayers. Send him to Black Sand Region. As the person who truly mediates with Constellation, it is only natural for me to entertain Prince Thales."
Thales closed his eyes and heaved a sigh of relief in his heart.
At that moment, even though he was in the Walton Family's Heroic Spirit Palace and Raikaru's Hall of Heroes, King Chapman acted like a true master and arrogantly spoke to the vassals in the hall.
"Is there anything else?"
No one answered.
"Are we really going to Black Sand Region?" Wya's expression changed drastically as he looked at Ralf. "This …"
Thales chuckled softly in the corner and comforted the two people behind him in a low voice. "Calm down, it's not over yet."
'I called him here,' the prince silently thought. 'I'm not planning to be a guest in Black Sand Region.'
But he also noticed that Nicholas' gaze was getting colder and colder.
Since just now, the Star Killer's gaze had never left the prince.
It was as if he knew Thales' role in this.
The hall was very quiet. No one spoke.
In the chill brought by the king, everyone was thinking about the consequences of this sudden accident.
The outcome of the game between the City of Faraway Prayers and Black Sand Region seemed to be in sight.
'What should Dragon Clouds City do?'
Then, a clear and pleasant voice suddenly rose into the air.
"Yes."
King Chapman's expression changed slightly. He turned towards the direction where he originally thought there would be no accidents.
Saroma Walton, the highest ruler of Dragon Clouds City in name, lowered her head and said weakly,
"As you said, Your Majesty.
"I will not send Prince Thales to the west, to the City of Faraway Prayers."
The vassals of Dragon Clouds City frowned.
King Chapman put on an approving expression. "You are a smart girl."
But in the next moment, the archduchess suddenly stood up.
"But listen carefully, Your Majesty Chapman.
"He will not go to the City of Faraway Prayers." Under everyone's puzzled and surprised gazes, the archduchess' expression became stern, and her tone quickly changed. "But he will not go to Black Sand Region either."
Thales smiled.
'Yes.
She is a smart girl. '
King Chapman was slightly taken aback.
"Thales is a guest of Dragon Clouds City. This is the common agreement made by the six archdukes in this hall six years ago," Saroma said coldly.
"He will stay in Dragon Clouds City and will not go anywhere.
Anywhere! "
King Chapman's expression turned cold again.
Just like six years ago.
But against the king's expectations, the girl who still trembled under his gaze six years ago now had a steady expression and a determined gaze.
In the silent confrontation, Viscount Kentvida furrowed his brows, but Kroesch smiled.
"The common agreement made by the six archdukes?"
King Chapman snorted softly. "You are very mischievous, girl.
"You have a lot of ideas.
Not only that. "Saroma shook her head without showing any signs of weakness." You need to know one more thing.
"Regardless of the City of Faraway Prayers' attitude, regardless of your attitude, Dragon Clouds City will send troops to conquer the Alliance of Freedom, just like how my father and grandfather personally pacified the Alliance of Freedom twenty years ago. This is the responsibility of the Walton Family, and it is the dignity of Dragon Clouds City."
With a taut face, she said unyieldingly, "It will not change because of one person, regardless of whether he is a king or a beggar."
The atmosphere in the hall turned completely cold.
The counts watched the confrontation between the king and the archduchess with complicated emotions.
King Chapman pressed down on his saber again and pursed his lips.
Saroma, on the other hand, met his gaze without flinching.
Finally, after a few breaths, the king laughed coldly.
"An unmarried little girl is going to shoulder the honor of the Dragon Spear?" King Chapman looked around. "Do your experienced and powerful vassals also agree to this?"
Saroma took a step forward. Her expression did not change. "My vassals, every single one of them …
"… support my decision."
Under the king's gaze, the vassals of Dragon Clouds City frowned and looked at each other.
At this moment, Regent Lisban took a step forward without hesitation.
"The archduchess' will is our mission," Count Lisban said coldly. "She said that Prince Thales will not go to Black Sand Region."
"Then he won't go." His old colleague, Nazaire sighed softly. "The problem is solved."
Count Cotterson also snorted coldly.
"The Lady also said that we are going to help the City of Faraway Prayers, kinslayer." Cotterson grinned savagely. "Then we will sharpen our axes and bring our swords."
King Chapman frowned. He raised his head to look at Saroma, who was standing high above. The archduchess was still staring at him with a determined expression. Her gaze did not waver in the slightest.
Count Hearst stared at the archduchess and nodded heavily. "The Lady's attitude is Dragon Clouds City's attitude.
"It doesn't matter what kind of bullsh * t order that bullsh * t king gave us.
"If that king has the guts, he can bring his army and his lackeys to Dragon Clouds City to deprive us of our titles," Count Lyner said sarcastically. "Who knows, maybe I will obediently hand it over."
Karkogel's gaze was cold. His words were short and clear. "Welcome to Dragon Clouds City, Your Majesty."
As the archduchess and the counts spoke, the vassals of Dragon Clouds City reached a consensus as they stared at each other.
With the same cold and hostile gaze, they stared at the king.
"You heard what they said." Saroma still stared at King Chapman coldly. "Do you have any questions, Your Majesty?"
For the first time, King Chapman looked at the young girl seriously.
It was as if he was sizing up a weapon.
"Not bad at all, girl," he said softly.
With a deep chill, King Chapman said softly, "But regarding the agreement made by the six archdukes six years ago, you are still wrong about one thing, girl."
In the next second, King Chapman turned to Thales and revealed a strange expression.
Thales could not help but tense up.
Saroma was stunned for a moment. "What?"
King Chapman swung his arm, turned around abruptly, and faced the puzzled gazes of the entire hall.
"Why do I remember?" The king's bone-chilling voice echoed between the pillars. "Six years ago, in this hall, the truly legitimate, reasonable, and legitimate archdukes …
"What if there are only five?"
Saroma's expression froze.
At that moment, Thales' cheeks stiffened. His pupils slowly shrank.
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