After an unknown amount of time, the suffocating silence in the tavern dissipated a little when an oil lamp on the wall began to flicker.
"Damn it, prince …" Tampa sighed in pain. "This … why am I so unlucky today …"
"Oh no, uh, this isn't a good sign …" Quick Rope lowered his head and muttered.
"You …" Marina widened her eyes and stared at Thales with her palm pressed against the hilt of her sword.
The mercenaries also began to whisper to each other.
"Quiet."
Klein ordered flatly. His gaze never left Thales, but his longsword was still pressed against Dean's chest.
Thales let go of all his worries and leaned against the chair as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders. He faced everyone's gazes calmly.
'Things have already progressed to this stage. What else can I do?
I might as well think about it. Next … '
"Do you really think you can smuggle the spoils of war out right under our noses, Dean?"
Lasalle Weider, the former special envoy of Eckstedt who was no longer a baron, snorted through his nose. He glanced at Thales and said coldly to Dean, "Especially with such a large portion?"
Dean pursed his lips in disdain. "You're just lucky, the king's lackey."
Lasalle gave him a scornful smile.
Ricky slowly walked forward and stood in front of Thales. He stared straight into Thales' eyes.
"Thales Jadestar?"
Ricky curled up the corners of his lips and sized up Thales with a slightly unfocused gaze. "You've really exceeded my expectations."
At that moment, his gaze became piercingly cold.
"Just like the other Jadestars."
Thales was a little stunned.
Whether it was Nicholas, Monty, Dean, or even Stake and Lasalle just now, when they sized up Thales, most of the time, it was as if they were sizing up a prey or a valuable treasure.
But strangely, Ricky's gaze when he looked at Thales did not have that kind of meaning. Instead, it was slightly perplexed.
It was as if he was looking at another person through Thales.
But Thales, who was in danger, could not think so much. He carefully thought about his own chances.
Thales first coughed, then took a deep breath. "The same goes for all of you, Disaster Swords.
"Choosing the most difficult path is really beyond my expectations."
Ricky retracted his gaze, pursed his lips into a smile, and turned around. His shadow on the wall swayed in the light.
"Looks like you completed your mission ahead of schedule, Stake." Ricky cast a sidelong glance at Stake in the distance. "It was easier than I thought, maybe too easy?"
Stake bowed from afar with a smile on his face.
"Thanks to everyone."
"Don't waste any more time," Lasalle interrupted them decisively. "This is the enemy's territory. We still have to arrange an evacuation."
"You guys are intercepting the Secret Room's …" Dean wanted to say something, but Klein turned his wrist slightly, and the threatening edge of his sword stopped the secret agent's words in his throat.
Ricky waved as he walked back. Clay and Masked Man nodded at him.
Thales observed their interaction. When he saw Ricky's gesture, he knew that he could no longer remain silent.
"I don't understand, Ricky." Thales cleared his throat and said loudly to Ricky's back, "I heard from an attendant that you are a group of swordsmen who are determined to overthrow the Tower of Eradication, right?"
Ricky stopped in his tracks.
"Of course, you've heard of us." Disaster Sword's' Crassus' sneered.
"But you don't know."
Thales snorted softly.
"Is it worth it?"
The prince stood up from his chair. The mercenaries beside him subconsciously changed into battle stances until Ricky waved them away.
"The Prison of Bones … is it worth it for you to give up everything and go against all of Constellation? Even to the point where you have to work with these people to kidnap me and turn yourself into Constellation's mortal enemy? "Thales said in a low voice.
Lasalle frowned in the distance.
"Don't waste your breath on him. This prince is used to inciting —"
But Ricky raised a hand and silenced the Eckstedtian's words.
The leader of the Disaster Swords turned around again and approached Thales step by step.
Compared to the others, who were either murderous or had a sharp, unapproachable presence, the leader of the Disaster Swords had a gentle gaze and a calm demeanor. He was not aggressive, but for some reason, there seemed to be a vortex around him that was slowly accumulating. It slowly built up with each step he took, and wherever he went, Thales could not help but hold his breath.
"As I said, you don't know."
He bent down and looked straight into Thales' eyes. "You don't know what we want."
Thales clenched his teeth and raised his finger.
"Listen, no matter what you want, or who you want to save in the Prison of Bones, I can satisfy you. You just need to give me a small order …"
The prince took a step forward and said firmly, "Don't forget, I am the Prince of Constellation, the heir to the kingdom. This is your best and safest chance, as long as …"
But Ricky only smiled mysteriously and shook his head.
Masked Man behind him said in a low voice, "You can't."
His tone was cold.
"Unless you are the king."
There was a negative emotion in Masked Man's tone that was difficult to get rid of, as if Thales was his enemy. This stunned the prince for a moment.
"But I will eventually be the king." Thales snapped out of his daze and tried his best to seize the opportunity.
"And all of you are destroying this opportunity —"
Ricky suddenly spoke up and interrupted him.
"I will become the king. I heard this from another Jadestar," Ricky said flatly. "Guess what happened to him?"
Thales was stunned for a second.
Ricky straightened his back and looked down at Thales. "Even if you really become king one day, Thales Jadestar, when that time comes, everything will change, regardless of whether it's us …"
His eyes dimmed slightly.
"It's still you."
"In comparison, I prefer to choose the present."
The melancholy in his tone made Thales fall into deep thought.
Ricky shook his head.
"Tie him up and pack him up." The leader of the Disaster Swords regained his calmness and mercilessness.
This made Thales nervous!
Oh no.
What to do?
Ricky glanced at Quick Rope beside Thales and frowned. "As for the other person …"
Quick Rope immediately sat up straight and pointed at Thales with a terrified and innocent expression. "No, no, no …"
"I swear, he paid me to do this. I really have nothing to do with this person —"
What? Thales raised an eyebrow.
Ricky snorted. "Very well, then kill him."
What? Quick Rope's throat felt as if it was instantly choked by someone. He froze on the spot along with his incredulous expression.
The two mercenaries behind Quick Rope drew their weapons and were ready to step forward.
Dean could not help but frown.
"Really, really have nothing to do with —" Quick Rope looked at the mercenaries and forced the word "relationship" to stay in his mouth. He repeated in shock and in a mechanical manner, "Really, really have nothing to do with —"
In the next second, the dumbfounded Quick Rope seemed to have made up his mind. He gritted his teeth, raised his voice, and instantly finished the words that he was still stuttering, "Really have no possibility of separating us!"
Under everyone's strange gazes, Quick Rope flung his arm away and looked like he was filled with righteousness.
He stood in front of Thales and shouted resolutely under the latter's dumbfounded gaze, "I, Wya Caso, must stay by Prince Thales' side!"
Quick Rope bravely raised his arm and pointed at the people around him. His tone was brave and fearless, as if he was facing death with equanimity.
"I swear in the name of my father, Gilbert Caso, don't even think about separating me from the prince!"
Dean stared at him in disbelief, as if this was the first time he got to know the newcomer in the group.
Thales' face twitched a little.
"Caso?"
Lasalle's expression changed a little, and he asked suspiciously,
"You're the son of the Cunning Fox of Constellation?"
Quick Rope, who was originally panicking, was elated when he heard that.
But he still kept a straight face and ignored Thales and Dean's strange gazes. He faced everyone's questions and finished speaking.
"Yes!"
Quick Rope said with a righteous expression, "Do you miss him, or do you miss the Fortress Treaty? Are you Northlanders who don't learn from your mistakes? "
Beside him, Thales could only cover his forehead and sigh deeply.
Lasalle stared at Quick Rope for a long time before he flashed a smile.
"Very good."
"Then tie this Young Master Caso up as well," Eckstedt's former special diplomatic envoy said with a sneer.
"It will be very useful."
Thales noticed that Quick Rope, who was beside him, secretly breathed a huge sigh of relief.
"Well done, my dear Wya Caso. I can't help but applaud you," Thales said mockingly without moving his lips. "What's next?"
Marina and Shawn gestured, and a few mercenaries immediately followed them. Klein sheathed his sword and retreated, allowing these people to approach Thales and the other two.
"What's next?"
Quick Rope raised his eyebrows. "We … Dean, do you still have any secret weapons?"
"No matter what weapon I have," Dean said sarcastically in a low voice as he suppressed his anger and watched the enemies get closer and closer, "After being strangled by someone and put into a sack, it's useless."
Quick Rope's expression was serious. He curled his lips to show that he understood.
Thales listened to their conversation and sighed.
'Then, all that's left is …'
"Wait a minute."
Thales raised his palm and blocked the mercenaries' path.
The Prince of Constellation raised his head, took a step forward, and said loudly to Ricky, "If I'm really that important, Ricky, are you going to hand me over to Shadow Shield or King Chapman?"
Thales glanced at Stake, then at Lasalle.
"For the smooth progress of your next operation, perhaps you should curry favor with Shadow Shield, right?
To prevent them from making things difficult for you? "
Ricky frowned at him.
Lasalle snorted angrily, but beside him, Stake smiled and shook his head, silencing the former's words.
"Your Highness, there is no need to worry. We have an agreement a long time ago." Stake spread his hands in the distance, as if he had seen through Thales' sinister intentions. "Under our careful protection, you will be a guest in our branch for a period of time. Once we clear up some misunderstandings, we will send you safely back to Eckstedt …"
Thales' nerves slowly tensed up.
But at this moment …
"No." Ricky looked up and interrupted Stake. He said coldly, "We will guard this prince."
His words seemed to freeze the atmosphere in the room.
Thales exhaled.
He achieved his goal.
Stake narrowed his eyes.
"What?"
Ricky's expression did not change. He calmly faced Stake's rhetorical question, as if the other party had not spoken.
Stake put on a puzzled smile. "I don't, I don't understand."
Lasalle also looked surprised and bewildered.
"He made it clear enough," Masked Man behind Ricky said to them bluntly, "Before we complete our goal, the prince must stay in our hands."
Stake raised his eyebrows. He seemed a little surprised.
"But this prince is our goal." He pointed at Thales with a smile on his face.
Ricky shook his head. "But not ours."
Stake and Lasalle looked at each other. Their expressions changed at the same time.
"That prince is a condition we agreed upon, mercenary." Lasalle maintained his composure, but even Quick Rope could tell that he was trying hard to suppress his emotions. "Once we get him, we will help you break into the Prison of Bones."
Ricky, Klein, and Masked Man exchanged glances, and they all smiled.
"But he is already here now."
"Your goal is close at hand, but our mission has yet to be completed," Ricky said steadily. A solemn look flashed in his eyes. "How do I know that you and the people you placed outside will keep your promise and carry out the agreement?"
He swept his gaze over Stake and Lasalle.
"How do I know that you will not burn the bridge after crossing it? How do I know that you will not turn against us, turn against us, use us as bait to lure the enemy away, and sell us out to the Constellatiates in the entire camp?"
Lasalle no longer cared about his image. He strode forward and glared at Ricky.
"You should not doubt Eckstedt's promise," the Eckstedtian said coldly.
But as if it was prepared for him, Masked Man took a timely step forward and blocked Lasalle's path.
The mercenaries became nervous again. They moved secretly to block the two guests' path.
"Just because of the Kinslayer King's character?" Masked Man answered with hostility, "Don't overestimate yourselves, Eckstedtians."
Lasalle looked around, and his gaze turned cold. "Aha, I smell the stench of Constellatiates."
Ricky clapped his hands gently to stop this small conflict.
"I do not doubt your promise, Baron Weider," Ricky said faintly, but he stared straight at Stake, who had a complicated expression on his face. "But I do not trust him.
I do not trust Teng's assistant and student.
And I do not trust a person who dares to betray Teng. "
Stake's expression froze for a moment.
"So this prince will remain in our hands. We will guard him until you complete the part of the cooperation.
"Until we get what we want."
Lasalle turned his head around and frowned at Stake, who was silent.
Stake sucked in a breath and curled up the corners of his lips.
"You know …
"Tonight, I gathered so many people at the last minute and took the risk to return to the camp to meet you at all costs. I did not do this to ruin your plan, or to cause both of us to suffer great losses."
Stake spread his hands and said with a smile that was filled with profound meaning, "I came here to prevent your plan from clashing with our goal … causing both sides to suffer a loss when both sides clash."
Ricky snorted softly.
"So?"
"So, honorable Crassus." Stake lowered his head. His tone slowly became tense, and his gaze gradually turned cold. "When you have our target in your hands, but refuse to let go of it, you are wasting my efforts today and destroying the bridge of our cooperation."
"And also bringing about the conflict between our goals.
"You know, we still have a lot of resources in our hands that can help you, such as the guards in the Prison of Bones."
Ricky's smile slowly disappeared.
"Threat?" Klein sneered and showed his sword hilt. "Very well, this is how you should act, Shadow Shield."
The atmosphere in the hall became tense again.
"Really? You? " Lasalle gritted his teeth when he saw that the situation was slowly turning against him. He slapped his thigh indignantly. "Oh, please!"
Thales gritted his teeth and observed the situation. He thought about how he could add fuel to the fire.
The alliance between Shadow Shield and Disaster Swords was not that stable. Just as Stake said, they had their own desires, and were wary of each other. That was why they temporarily made peace.
In fact, the former was calculating and using the latter's power, while the latter was constantly on guard against the former's retaliation.
'As long as I destroy the foundation of their cooperation …'
Ricky shook his head.
"The bridge of our cooperation?
"On the contrary, Stake. I am strengthening it." Ricky stared at him.
"Just waiting for your next brick."
"To ensure that our cooperation will not collapse because one side of the bridge is too heavy."
He slapped the table.
In the next second, the mercenaries around them, including those by the railings on the second floor, stood up and stared at Stake coldly.
Stake furrowed his eyebrows tightly.
He put his hand into his robe and clenched a secret signal whistle.
He knew that as long as he blew it, the assassins of Shadow Shield would invade the tavern from the weak spots around it.
'But …'
Stake looked at the mercenaries standing around him, and his expression grew paler.
'Damn it.'
The atmosphere became more and more oppressive. The two leaders of Shadow Shield and Disaster Swords exchanged glances countless times.
Finally, in the midst of the indescribable tension, Stake exhaled.
"You always like to have the initiative in your hands, don't you?" He put on a friendly smile again and faced Ricky.
Ricky snorted softly and did not answer.
Stake blinked and waved his hand in a seemingly resigned manner.
"I understand, honorable Crassus. If that's the case …"
He lowered his head and seemed to hesitate for a second.
In the next second, under everyone's worried, wary, puzzled, or fearful gazes, Stake raised his head and smiled brightly.
"I can vouch for you."
Ricky narrowed his eyes. "Vouch?"
Stake nodded with a smile and extended his hand to his chest. "I guarantee that once my people are lucky enough to invite Prince Thales over, they will not ruin your plans."
He brought out a short knife!
When they saw Stake's actions, the mercenaries nervously pressed down on their weapons to prevent any sudden attacks.
At that moment, Thales' heart sank, even though he thought that there was still a chance to turn things around.
An ominous feeling rose in his heart.
But Ricky raised his hand gently to restrain his nervous subordinates.
"What did I say?" Klein said coldly with Darklight in his hand, "They can hide a weapon even in their private rooms."
Stake smiled and swung his hand backwards. The blade moved inwards and cut a gap in his robe. Thales frowned slightly.
Thales frowned slightly. 'A mezzanine?
Perhaps to prevent any misunderstandings, Stake used two fingers to slowly scoop out a neatly folded piece of yellowed paper from the hidden layer of his robe.
Under everyone's gazes, he slowly walked forward with a smile on his face. He put the knife back into his robe with one hand, and with the other, he gently handed the paper to Ricky.
Ricky watched Stake's actions with a solemn expression. He also took the paper from Stake's hand in an extremely slow manner.
"What is this?" he asked with a frown.
Stake smiled.
"An old letter.
"It's a letter written to the person you love. It's sincere and moving." Stake's eyes shone with a rare light. "It's a pity that it will never reach the recipient's hands."
Almost everyone was stunned and dumbfounded.
'What?'
Ricky pursed his lips and shifted his attention to the letter.
"Be careful," Masked Man reminded him coldly. "They are also good at using poison."
Ricky nodded. He carefully grabbed a corner of the letter and shook it open.
From Thales' angle, he could see that it was a rather old piece of paper made from animal skin. It was obviously not something cheap.
As for the content of the letter, since it was too far away, Thales could only see it from the side when he used hell's senses. There were neat and beautiful black cursive words. Even if he only looked at the general outline of the text, he could still vaguely see the owner's care and seriousness when he wrote it.
'Letter?'
Thales was puzzled.
Ricky scanned the letter roughly, then immediately raised his head and frowned. "Why?"
Stake seemed to have expected Ricky's reaction. His smile remained, and he bowed as patiently as ever.
"Look at the signature."
Ricky cast a profound glance at Stake. It was clear that he was not very satisfied with Stake's deliberate mystification.
But he still looked at the letter.
"H. N. …"
Ricky's expression changed.
He raised his head and waited for Stake's answer.
In response to Ricky's question, Stake showed a smug and mysterious smile.
"That's right.
"H. N. Jadestar." He repeated each letter. His tone was ethereal, as if he was calling out a distant memory.
Stake took a deep breath and said softly,
"That's the writer of this letter.
"Herman Knight Jadestar.
"The former Fourth Prince of Constellation."
At that moment, only two people managed to react. Thales sucked in a sharp breath, and Masked Man widened his eyes.
But a few seconds later, many people's expressions changed.
Stake said darkly, "On that night eighteen years ago, I obtained this unmailed letter from him."
The assassin from Shadow Shield narrowed his eyes, as if he was savoring a delicacy that he had not tasted for a long time.
"Just after I sent Prince Herman from the tallest tower in Blade Fangs Camp …"
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