"That's it? So … Your Highness, did you succeed? "
Wya glanced at King Chapman from afar in disbelief. "And, are we … really going to Black Sand Region?"
Only this time, Ralf, who disliked him, did not retort with his actions or snort.
The prince raised his head and forced a smile.
But he was not done yet.
"You've surprised me again, Your Highness."
Lisban walked straight up to the prince with a solemn expression.
Thales exhaled, closed his eyes and said, "Me too."
Lisban snorted softly.
"You already knew that the king is in Dragon Clouds City," the regent said with certainty.
The regent said with certainty, "When you boarded the Black Sand Region's carriage, you knew."
Thales did not speak.
Lisban stared at him with a sharp gaze. "But you did not tell us or Dragon Clouds City.
"You just waited quietly for today."
Lisban cast a glance at King Chapman, who was still standing leisurely in the middle of the hall and receiving all sorts of gazes, as if he would only stop after he finished touring the hall. "You and him."
Thales remained silent.
Lisban sighed. "As the lady said, Dragon Clouds City will remember everything that happened today, Your Highness."
Thales finally spoke.
"Yes, me too," the prince said in a low voice. "I will remember and watch you, Your Highness."
Lisban gave him a profound look.
In the end, the count did not say anything and turned to leave.
He was not the only one.
The acerbic Count Cotterson did not say anything. He only gave Thales a warning gesture of slitting his throat before he left, along with a hateful gaze.
Thales responded with a faint smile.
"You have guts. You colluded with Black Sand Region and betrayed all of Dragon Clouds City?" This was the cold Karkogel. "You know, people with guts usually die faster."
"Congratulations, Your Highness." When Count Lyner passed by, he said softly, "Do you think Lampard is a good person?"
"Bah, ungrateful and repeatedly treacherous." Count Hearst spat in disdain as he left. "A coward of the Empire."
Thales could only smile in the face of these gazes and words.
It was as if he did not care.
But another person's words were exceptionally different.
"Is she worth it?"
Thales was slightly startled.
It was Count Nazaire.
The doddering count stood a step away from him and sighed. "Is it worth your sacrifice?"
Thales furrowed his brows slightly.
"I do not understand you, count."
"Hmph, I'm old, but I'm not blind." Nazaire smiled and shook his head. "Perhaps what others saw was you colluding with Lampard, betraying Dragon Clouds City, and fleeing to Black Sand Region, but what I saw …"
He cast Thales a profound glance with an unclear meaning. "You cooperated with the City of Faraway Prayers beforehand so that she would not be forced into marriage. You interrupted us three times during the meeting, but each time, you saved the girl from her predicament."
Thales' face stiffened.
"As for your collaboration with Black Sand Region …"
"That girl." Nazaire paused and said softly, "Is she really worth it?"
Thales' face was livid. He did not speak.
When Nazaire saw this, he only sighed wordlessly. He patted Thales' shoulder gently and left slowly.
Thales watched the old count's footsteps with complicated emotions.
Was she worth it?
At this moment.
* Slap! *
Thales was shocked. His shoulder had already been unceremoniously grabbed by someone!
"You …"
It was Ian.
"Lampard is the backup you mentioned, isn't he?" At that moment, the Viscount of Dual Wind City's eyes were bloodshot. He gritted his teeth and looked at Thales with resentment and anger.
Thales stared at the person in front of him in a daze.
He had never seen Ian like this. It was as if the young Roknee, who had been chatting and laughing with him, was already dead.
Thales sighed and waved Ralf and Wya away, who were about to step forward.
"From the beginning to the end, did you look like you were watching a show?" Ian's breathing quickened. His gaze was resentful. "You cooperated with me on the surface, but sold me out like a clown behind my back?
"It's very interesting, isn't it?!"
Thales was silent.
After a long while, he forced out a sentence, "I'm sorry."
"Sorry?"
Ian seemed to be angered by this sentence. His lips trembled. "The City of Faraway Prayers … The City of Faraway Prayers was betrayed just like that … We … You … You … Traitor!"
Ian's gaze became more and more terrifying. His grip on Thales' shoulder also became stronger.
"You think this is very smart? You have the king's protection, and the archduchess has the support of the vassals? "
Thales did not speak.
He turned his head away unnaturally to avoid Ian's gaze.
'I'm sorry.
I didn't have a choice. '
His attitude seemed to have angered Ian. The latter growled hatefully, "No, no, no!
You can't run away!
"I promise that one day, all of you will regret this."
Ian gritted his teeth. His expression was a little crazed as he vowed, "One day …"
"All of you will pay the price." Ian turned to the motionless archduchess on the stairs and threatened sternly, "Especially your little girlfriend!
"You take good care of her, huh? Very well, then I will — "
Thales tensed up!
He flung Ian's arm away abruptly, causing the latter to be stunned.
"Before you threaten me with something senseless —"
"You'd better take care of yourself first, Ian Roknee." Thales' expression turned cold. He met the extremely resentful Ian's gaze. "You and your sister."
Ian was slightly startled.
"You know, even if your sister got zero points in Defense City …" Thales said softly, "it's still better than a certain someone getting negative points in Dragon Clouds City?"
Ian widened his eyes. His expression became more and more unpleasant. "You —"
"That's right, Ian.
A long time ago, a terrifying and ugly old witch taught me. "Thales' gaze became sharp." Betrayal is the true meaning of an alliance. "
Ian glared at him, as if this was the first day he met Thales.
"Today, I will teach you this sentence.
"Free of tuition."
Ian's expression changed. He was about to flare up, but his shoulder was held down tightly by another person!
"A loss is a loss." Monty, the Raven of Death, stood behind Ian and said coldly, "Ian, at least act like a man."
Ian glanced at Monty in disbelief.
"This isn't over." Finally, Ian gave up on pestering Thales. He approached him and stared into his eyes. "Thales Jadestar.
"Now I know … Lampard isn't the only opponent I have …
"And you."
Thales continued to stare at him coldly, not showing any signs of weakness.
In the next second, Ian angrily flung Monty's hand away. With a dark expression, he brushed past Thales and turned to leave.
Thales stared at Ian's back and sighed in his heart.
'What an honor.'
'Ian.'
Monty snorted softly. He glanced at Thales and flashed a somewhat ferocious smile.
His malevolent gaze made Thales feel uncomfortable.
The Raven of Death walked past him and said lightly, "As expected, you live up to your reputation, Your Highness."
Thales gulped uncomfortably.
But the complicated gaze he saw next made Thales feel uneasy.
Accompanied by Nicholas, the young girl silently walked towards the main door.
When the archduchess passed by Thales, the rhythm of her footsteps paused slightly.
Thales closed his eyes.
A furious voice traveled into his ears, but it was not her.
"How did you do it?"
Thales took a deep breath and opened his eyes.
The Star Killer stood in front of Thales. There was no longer any anger in his gaze.
There was only coldness and hatred.
"You've lied to us about Lampard for so long, but …"
"From Axe District to here, there are at least three layers of guards." Nicholas sneered. "How did Lampard arrive at the entrance of the hall without any obstruction, and then appear at the right time to cooperate with your act?"
Thales had no choice but to wave his hand again to signal Wya, Ralf, and the others not to come forward.
Saroma stood not far from them and did not turn her head around.
Thales exhaled.
At this moment, he truly felt a heaviness in his heart.
"The diplomat group from Black Sand Region has been in Dragon Clouds City for a long time," Thales said flatly. "Viscount Kentvida came in the name of meeting the archduchess. As long as no one knows the king, they can smoothly pass through the patrols at the First Gatehouse.
"As for Heroic Spirit Palace … Today is a special day. The elite Archduchess' Guards are all around the Hall of Heroes to protect the nobles. So, the palace guards are in charge of guarding the palace gate, and they have to receive the suzerains' attendants who are waiting outside."
Thales said quietly, "So, as long as we know their shifts in advance, Ralf's psionic ability and Wya's identity work together … Lampard can avoid the palace guards and reach the entrance of the hall, leaving only your Archduchess' Guards in front of him."
Nicholas narrowed his eyes. "The palace guards' shifts?"
Thales nodded with a gloomy expression. "The Archduchess' Guards can't avoid them, but Lampard doesn't need to face them directly. He only needs to have Kentvida find the herald at the entrance and have him inform Count Lisban in the hall that the king is here."
Nicholas furrowed his brows.
"The archduchess was already at the end of her rope at that time." Thales sighed. "What I need to do is to intensify the conflict and push the terrible situation in the hall to a point where no one can handle it. Count Lisban, who knows how to judge the situation, will know what to do.
"He's very good at making choices."
Not far away, Saroma's shoulders trembled slightly.
Thales finished speaking.
Nicholas stared at him coldly.
"The palace guards' shifts?" Nicholas' voice became more and more terrifying. Every word he uttered was laced with danger. "That's a secret that is rearranged every month.
"Which rat betrayed us?
"There's no need to disturb the others." Thales shook his head. "That head chef's son, Joseph. Do you remember him?"
Nicholas furrowed his brows, as if he was trying hard to search for this name in his mind.
"He's very lonely in the palace." Thales flashed a bitter smile. "I often practice my sword skills with him when he comes to the courtyard to deliver food."
Nicholas seemed to have figured something out. His face turned pale. "The scullery?"
"Of course I can't get my hands on the monthly shift arrangements." Thales nodded slowly. "But the palace guards also need to eat. The scullery's daily cooking arrangements are fixed. For example, when they need to make bread for a small team, where exactly to send it …"
Nicholas' expression became more and more unpleasant.
"Don't make things difficult for Joseph." Thales shook his head. His tone was flat. "He's still young. He thinks it's just idle chatter during sword practice.
"So, some of your actions in the palace over the past six years, whether it was skipping classes to read books in various corners, talking to animals out of boredom, lowering your status to meddle with the servants' work, or chatting with the servants and guards in a friendly manner …" The Star Killer let out a faint sneer, but for some reason, it made people feel a chill run down their spines.
"Were they all to gather information, or to test our defenses?
"And you've behaved yourself for the past six years … all of it was an act?"
In the distance, Saroma's back stood still. The Archduchess' Guards waited respectfully around her.
Thales' breathing froze for a moment.
Nicholas and Thales were silent for a few seconds.
Most of the nobles in the hall had left. Only the stern King Chapman, accompanied by Kentvida and Kroesch, was watching from afar with interest.
"I talked to animals because I was really bored. As for the rest …"
The second prince inhaled and squeezed out a gloomy smile. "I have no choice."
"No choice?"
Thales turned around and stared at the Soul Slayer Pike on the shelf. He could not help but sigh as he reminisced. "It's been six years in Dragon Clouds City …
"Every letter I wrote had to be opened and checked. Every destination I went to had to be searched beforehand. Every person who spoke to me had to be interrogated three times. Even the paper I used in class had to be inspected. Every book I touched had to be recorded by someone specially assigned to record it. If there was anything wrong with my daily schedule or actions, you, Lisban, or Madam Ginghes would interrogate me. Then, I would be grounded …"
Saroma's back trembled slightly.
Thales sighed and said, "My every move was under your surveillance. If it weren't for the Archduchess' special permission, I wouldn't even be able to step out of Heroic Spirit Palace.
"As for Wya and Aida, every Constellatiate who leaves the palace, not only do they have to be searched, but there are also scouts following them. Even if they throw a copper coin to a beggar, you will catch the beggar and lock him up for two months. Even the diplomatic groups from the kingdom who come to visit me are restricted and monitored …"
Nicholas still stared at him silently with a terrifying gaze.
"I know that you used King Chapman's name to lock me in this palace, cut off all contact with the outside world, cut off the normal education I should have received, and expect me to muddle through a meaningless life, to become a canary that can only cry in a cage …"
Nicholas was silent.
Thales lowered his head and said dejectedly, "Constellation, the Secret Intelligence Department, and I did bring you great trouble and even disaster six years ago, but at least we fought side by side …
"Is this necessary?"
This time, the silence lasted for a long time.
Nicholas let out a cold laugh.
"Not only is it necessary …
"In my opinion, this is far from enough," he said resolutely. "Justin is still too lenient with you. He should never have let you come into contact with the people from Black Sand Region.
"That's why you got the chance to betray us.
"You betrayed all of us. Did you think that you would be safe after escaping to Black Sand Region?"
Nicholas' gaze was cold. "Remember this well, little prince of the Empire."
Thales furrowed his eyebrows slightly.
"With just you? Forget it. "The prince shook his head slightly." Don't overestimate yourself just because someone calls you the Star Killer, Dead Face.
"You and I … were never on the same level."
Nicholas' expression froze.
"Very well," the Star Killer said hatefully. "Be careful, you better not fall into my hands.
"When that time comes … you won't even have the chance to regret it."
Nicholas gave him a fierce glare, caught up with the archduchess' team, and strode away.
'Thank you, Dead Face.
'I will be careful.
As always. '
The archduchess did not stop. Her figure stepped out of the main door.
She did not look back.
As he listened to the footsteps leave his ears, Thales sighed. There was an indescribable heaviness in his heart.
"Aren't we leaving?"
As he watched wave after wave of important people make harsh remarks, Wya, who came up to him, did not even dare to breathe loudly. "Your Highness?"
Thales shook his head.
'No.
'There's still one more.'
Finally, the sound of heavy footsteps approached.
Wya and Ralf immediately felt as if they were facing a great enemy.
"How do you feel?" King Chapman's deep and slightly hoarse voice rang out.
Compared to his earlier awe-inspiring tone, his tone was now less domineering and more playful.
But Thales did not answer directly. He gestured for Wya to step down.
"You reacted very quickly." Thales turned to the king and sincerely sighed with emotion. "I only mentioned a little about Constellation sending troops to the Alliance of Freedom, and you seized the opportunity."
King Chapman snorted in disdain. "Same here."
The prince faced the king and took a deep breath. "But just now, you said that you have already won against Black Sand Region and those vassals who oppose you?"
The king's gaze shifted slightly. "Why?"
Thales narrowed his eyes. "You also said that Archduke Trentida will send troops with you to deal with them?"
King Chapman raised his eyebrows.
Thales stared at him, his gaze unwavering for a long time.
After a while, the prince laughed out loud.
"Stop joking." Thales shook his head and said, "We all know him — Trentida of Reformation Tower. Will he help you?"
"What's the big deal?" King Chapman snorted softly. "Everyone knows that Porpheus Trentida has always been indecisive, treacherous, and cunning."
Thales ran his fingers through his hair in resignation and recalled the Archduke with the bowl cut who had a glint in his eyes.
"That's right, but let me put it this way. If you invite Trentida to hunt deer with you, he will definitely not agree." Thales sighed and said, "Unless he knows beforehand that the deer he wants to hunt is already dead, and all he needs to do is to drag the venison back …
"Only then will Trentida look forthright, generous, tragic, and generous. Like a hero who will never return, he will carry his bow and arrows on his back, and ride out on his horse."
The two of them stared at each other in silence.
After a while, King Chapman laughed.
"Hahahahaha, 'a hero who will never return'." This time, Lampard laughed in an exceptionally carefree manner. Contrary to his previous sneer and mockery, it was as if he was truly happy at this moment. "I have to say, it's very vivid and appropriate!"
Thales laughed as well. His shoulders trembled slightly.
But his smile disappeared very quickly. "So, even though Trentida makes it sound nice, he will never go out with you.
The smile in Thales' eyes was replaced by graveness and seriousness. "If your vassals gather together, shed all pretenses of cordiality, and fight to the death against the Lampard Family, it will be hard to tell who will emerge victorious between you and them."
King Chapman's laughter also stopped.
Thales stared at him coldly. "Your claim that 'the outcome of the chessboard has already been decided' is just empty talk.
That's why you came here personally. "
'Just like six years ago.'
King Chapman neither denied nor admitted it. He only stared at Thales with a mysterious expression.
Thales looked in the direction of the door and sighed. "Ian is still a little too young. He still lacks the experience to face you, that's why he was so easily frightened by you. If it were his father, that resolute, resolute, stubborn, and callous warrior cum Archduke of the City of Faraway Prayers, Kulgon Roknee …"
King Chapman sneered. "You have quite a high opinion of him."
Thales snorted.
"Looking at Lisban and Nazaire's expressions, I'm afraid that they have doubts in their hearts." The prince exercised his aching shoulders and said softly, "It's just that they're wary of your relationship with Constellation and don't have confidence in Trentida. They're afraid that you'll really promise him something he can't refuse. That's why they don't dare to bet with you."
King Chapman shook his head in a seemingly casual manner. "Not everyone has the wisdom to see through the bet and have the courage to make a bet with me."
Thales shook his head and snorted softly.
"But very soon, everything that happened in this hall — whether it was the City of Faraway Prayers' great defeat in the confrontation with the king, or the news that Dragon Clouds City did not join the alliance to denounce the king and handed over the Prince of Constellation to the king in the end — will spread throughout Eckstedt, especially to Black Sand Region."
Thales suddenly felt exhausted, as if the morning meeting had drained his energy.
"The moment the archduchess agreed to hand me over, you truly won," he said, a little dispirited. "What happened before was just a bluff.
"Are you satisfied now?"
The two of them stared at each other silently in the middle of the hall.
Their delay also caused the Archduchess' Guards who were still guarding the hall to frown, but Kentvida's smiling face and Kroesch's cold expression effectively stalled them.
"But you did not leave empty-handed, Thales." After a while, King Chapman said quietly, "First of all, you yourself. Not only did you avoid the fate of being dragged into the war, you also broke free from Dragon Clouds City's evil clutches."
"Is that so?" The prince yawned as if he did not care.
"Forgive my poor eyesight, but I can't tell what a good thing this is."
But the king ignored him. He only said in a slightly cold tone, "And, according to the conditions we agreed upon …
"I also gave that girl a chance to cultivate her prestige so that her vassals would no longer be her enemies."
This sentence instantly caused Thales' unfocused gaze to focus.
"Under the pressure of a certain terrifying king, the Archduchess of Dragon Clouds City will not lose their support, at least for the short term, and will not be forced to marry. Under external forces, they will instead be more united.
"Isn't this what you want?"
Thales furrowed his brows.
"But she is still a girl," Thales said after a few seconds. "No matter what, her existence will make many people in Dragon Clouds City feel uneasy and indignant."
King Chapman raised his eyebrows. "Then I can't do anything, unless you turn her into a man?"
Thales looked up.
"So …" The prince stared into King Chapman's profound eyes with certainty and certainty. "You must help her gain a firm foothold, no matter what method you use."
The king seemed to be a little amused. "Must I?"
Thales nodded.
"As the King of Eckstedt," he said calmly, "it is in your interest to let an archduchess who is controversial and a girl who subverts tradition continue to rule Dragon Clouds City, which is full of capable people and has a strong foundation.
"You also don't want to see an Archduchess of Dragon Clouds City who is as watertight as Lisban, as cunning as Nazaire, and as unyielding and upright as Karkogel, right?"
King Chapman's expression froze for a moment.
Thales stared at him without blinking.
A slight ripple appeared on the king's rugged face. "Indeed, we don't need a second King Nuven."
Thales breathed a sigh of relief.
"For this, you even have to help her obtain a considerable amount of power." The second prince's tone became heavier and faster. "Don't forget, as an archduchess, the obstacles she faces are similar to the problems you face to a certain extent. For example, the tradition in Northland that has lasted for thousands of years …"
When King Chapman heard this, the interest in his eyes grew stronger.
"Moreover, she is the archduchess whom you acknowledge, and you are also voting for her —"
Thales suddenly stopped talking.
'Moreover, you still have a trump card that can kill her.
Her throne is tied to your crown. '
Thales put on a stern face and did not speak again.
King Chapman exhaled slowly.
"I have a feeling, Thales." The king curled up the corners of his lips. Coupled with his gaze, it gave people a slightly prickly feeling. "During the time you are in Black Sand Region, we will get along very well."
Thales' expression darkened.
"Is that so?"
Both of them sank into silence again.
After a long while, King Chapman said meaningfully, "The same old question: How does it feel?"
Thales responded with a cold snort. "How does it feel?"
King Chapman took a deep breath. His expression was joyful, as if he was enjoying the beauty of Dragon Clouds City at this moment.
"From the City of Faraway Prayers to Dragon Clouds City, from Lisban to the archduchess, you are a traitor who betrayed everyone, or at least, that's what they think.
"Carrying everything on your shoulders and moving forward alone?"
King Chapman's gaze became sharper as he stared at him. His words were forceful.
"How does it feel?"
Thales was silent.
He lowered his head and did not speak for a long time.
The prince suddenly remembered how he sat in the carriage of the marquis from Camus Union six years ago. When he angrily questioned the then Archduke of Black Sand Region, who later became King Chapman, the other party's cold reply.
'"Child, you don't know anything.
'"Black Sand Region and I … are already beyond redemption."
King Chapman stared at him and shook his head in what seemed to be disdain. He turned around and left.
The moment he turned, the Prince of Constellation's voice came from behind him.
But it was gloomy, gloomy, and cold like never before.
"This feeling …"
Thales stared at the ground. Without raising his head, he said hoarsely, "This feeling is like … Chapman Lampard."
The king's body froze in the middle of his stride.
In the quiet air, Thales snorted softly.
With his usual expression, he called for Wya and Ralf and walked towards the door.
When the prince reached the entrance of the hall, he paused for a moment.
He stared at the rough floor tiles, which were slightly uneven, and curled up the corners of his lips.
Six years ago, he met the Born King, whose name shook Northland for the first time in this place.
Six years later …
In the next moment, Thales resisted the urge to turn around. He took a deep breath.
'Damn it.'
Thales lifted his foot without hesitation.
'Six years later, my foot.
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