Gilbert cast Thales a profound glance.
"I cannot make a rash judgment."
Even though the two of them were facing each other, the Foreign Affairs Minister's choice of words was still strict and restrained.
"Perhaps they do indeed have an old grudge, perhaps they do not obey each other, or perhaps it is just an accident that the king's orders have not been carried out smoothly in Western Desert over the years and have been greatly discounted …"
But Gilbert narrowed his eyes.
"But from the perspective of your father and your rule, Your Highness, did they collude, or was it a coincidence? Or was it both? Or was it just a tacit understanding?
Is this still important? "
Thales was stunned when he heard this.
Gilbert took a deep breath and spoke in an incredibly serious tone.
"The Western Desert is like a cake that is uneven, soft, and hard. Sometimes, it is slippery, and sometimes, it is stubborn. It is hard enough for the teeth to crack, but it is also sticky enough to be cut. Whether you chew it slowly or eat it quickly, it is difficult for you to swallow it from any angle, much less digest it.
"Compared to this, be it Arunde, who took a risk in the Northern Territory, Nanchester, who is easily broken in the Land of Cliffs, or Covendier, who is young and full of vigor in the south …"
Gilbert shook his head. The wariness and worry in his eyes increased instead of decreasing.
"So, do you understand the meaning behind Baron Williams?"
Thales, who had yet to register the situation, stared at him in a daze.
Gilbert chuckled softly.
"Indeed. Compared to his fame in the desert, those who have truly come into contact with the inside story know that the Legendary Wing is arrogant, egotistical, difficult to get along with, has countless enemies, and disdains making friends."
His choice of words was precise and direct.
"Even Renaissance Palace looks down on him. He has no respect for nobles in his eyes, and he does not care about tradition. When he is angry, he can mobilize an army, and when he is pleased, he can destroy a city. He is stubborn, and it is difficult to control the king's orders …
"Naturally, he does not care about the petty political tricks in Western Desert."
Thales froze.
The image of Roman coldly grabbing Norb and openly threatening to invade Renaissance Palace appeared in his mind.
There was faint disdain in Gilbert's tone.
"And with the support of the royal family and the army, he is even more fearless. Be it the Black Lion's toughness, the Crow's shrewdness, the Four-eyed Skull's unpredictability, or the Legendary Wing's uncontrollable madness and fierceness overnight after the Desert War, all of them pale in comparison."
Gilbert's eyes shone with the excitement of a fox catching its prey.
"Therefore, I became a fiendish demon who didn't even listen to the king, and took root in the complicated, chaotic Western Desert …"
He did not continue speaking. He only looked at Thales with a smile.
On the contrary, Thales looked at him in surprise.
"So, what you need is not a West Desert that is at odds with each other, but a West Desert that is forced to unite under the heavy pressure outside the rules?"
"So that you can hold the end of the rope and grasp the key, and you can solve the problem once and for all. Trapped beasts in a cage?"
"And Williams is that pressure?"
In front of him, Gilbert still had the same smile as before.
Williams, Fakenhaz, Kroma, Bozdorf …
And now, it was Gilbert, and …
Kessel the Fifth.
Thales leaned against the chair weakly and rubbed the space between his eyebrows in distress. He felt as if his brain was about to explode.
After a while, he put down his palm.
"But is it useful?"
"The nobles in Western Desert, even the most radical ones, will not obediently surrender just because there is a madman causing trouble at their doorstep. On the contrary, they will only be angered, and become even more …"
Thales could not find any good words, so he decided to use an example to explain.
"Just like this time, Gilbert. The arrogant Williams almost burned through half of Blade Fangs Camp and took away all the supplies the suzerain of Western Desert placed here, but they …"
But at this moment, a terrifying thought flashed in Thales' mind.
He continued to speak, but he had unknowingly slowed down.
"They … they … he …"
The prince's words came to a halt.
He stared at Gilbert in a daze.
"Gilbert, if the Legendary Wing is part of your plan …"
Thales stared at his former teacher in disbelief.
"Then, how do you expect Western Desert to react?"
Gilbert seemed to have realized something, and his smile slowly disappeared.
"Your Highness, it is getting late …" He cleared his throat.
But Thales seemed to be immersed in his own world. He continued to speak absentmindedly.
"I always thought that Blade Fangs Camp was not your target, but a bait.
And the nobles of Western Desert suffered great losses and had to give up the camp. That is your result.
But what if I am wrong? "
Thales stared at the shattered food on his plate.
Gilbert did not speak. He only looked at him worriedly.
"What if Blade Fangs Camp is not even bait? What if it is just a gambling table with rules written on it? What if the nobles of Western Desert, who think they understand the rules, carefully place their chips?"
Thales slowly organized his thoughts. As he deduced, he narrated. The more he spoke, the more shocked he became.
"Until their chips were eaten by Williams, who ignored the rules. What if this is the real bait?
What if the result you want is not just to make the suzerains of Western Desert give up Blade Fangs Camp?
What if what you want is for them to fight back when they are fooled and severely injured, and when they are forced to lose their composure under heavy pressure? "
Gilbert frowned and shook his head.
"You are overthinking this, Your Highness. Why should we —"
But Thales interrupted him again.
"Gilbert."
Thales stared at his plate in a daze.
"The thousands of regular soldiers of the royal family who were mobilized from the inland, the Northern Territory, and Central Territory along with you and Mallos …
"They are not going to relieve Blade Fangs Camp, nor are they here to welcome me, right?"
Gilbert pulled up his face, and his smile was a little forced.
"I do not understand what you mean. Of course they are here to welcome the heir of the kingdom."
Thales continued to stare at his plate in a daze. He subconsciously shook his head.
"Or perhaps they are here to fight against the nobles of Western Desert who intend to counterattack after a night of despair."
This time, the silence around the table lasted a little longer.
Thales was just stunned in his seat. He did not move.
When he saw the second prince's expression, Gilbert sighed heavily.
"You think too much, Your Highness. The nobles are not that stupid, nor are they that impulsive. Even the most radical of them all, Bozdorf."
Gilbert coughed violently.
"They do not have the confidence to defeat the Legendary Wing on the battlefield, and they do not have the bargaining chips to force Renaissance Palace to give up on Blade Fangs Camp. Why would they do something so unwise?"
When he finished speaking, Gilbert stared at the prince worriedly.
This time, Thales stared back at him in a daze.
Six years ago in Mindis Hall, compared to Yodel, who did not show himself, and Jines, who spoke bluntly, the polite and amiable Foreign Affairs Minister was one of the few people he trusted wholeheartedly and admired from the bottom of his heart. During his six years in Northland, every time he thought about the time he spent in Mindis Hall, he would have a clearer sense of belonging to his hometown and the path back, which had gradually become blurry.
But for some reason …
After six years in Northland, after the halo of meeting his old friends faded away …
For some reason, he felt that Gilbert's gaze had suddenly become a little unfamiliar.
"Yes, you are right."
Thales stared at the edge of the table in a daze. He spoke mechanically, as if he was repeating Gilbert's words.
"Even if they suffered such a great loss, the Western Desert people do not have bargaining chips. They will not be so unwise as to give the royal family a reason to punish them for no reason and completely seize power from them."
The Western Desert people do not have bargaining chips.
Bargaining chips.
A bargaining chip to tempt the nobles of Western Desert to counterattack.
At that moment, he suddenly understood.
Thales looked up and stared straight at Gilbert. He forced himself to curl up the corners of his lips.
"I was thinking too much."
Gilbert avoided Thales' gaze, which seemed to be able to see through him, and said stiffly,
"My young sir, your dinner is about to get cold, and we still have to continue our journey tomorrow …"
Thales' heart beat rhythmically.
At that moment, he felt that his heart was beating very, very slowly.
Very slowly.
"Your Highness?"
Thales snapped out of his daze.
He forced himself to smile, took a deep breath, and started eating again.
The Foreign Affairs Minister seemed to have sensed something, but he only opened his mouth hesitantly. He did not say anything.
"Why, Gilbert?"
Gilbert lifted his head.
Thales was cutting his food absentmindedly, and he was in low spirits.
"Why did the Duke of Western Desert give me a sword that has been passed down in his family?
Why did the Legendary Wing fly into such a rage when he saw it?
"Why? The Count of the Single-Winged Crow came in person and politely sent me on my way home."
It was clearly a question, but there was no questioning tone in it.
When he saw Gilbert's dumbfounded and hesitant expression, Thales understood something.
Gilbert paused for a moment before he explained patiently and gently, "About this …"
But Thales could no longer hear what he said.
He remembered the story the watchman told Derek when he first met Mallos yesterday.
'So …
'That is not just a story.'
Thales lowered his head and stood rooted to the ground.
'The ugly old thing was right.
'My father is indeed a genius.
'Isn't he?
'But.
'But …'
Thales tightened his grip on the knife in his hand.
"… So, this is a common tactic used by nobles to curry favor and draw people to their side."
Gilbert finished his words amiably and pulled Thales out of his silent thoughts.
The prince raised his head like a rusty doll and forced a smile.
"Yes."
"So, very soon, the entire kingdom will know that the Duke of Western Desert and the returning Prince of Constellation were chatting and exchanging gifts in Blade Fangs Camp."
Thales said bitterly,
"And the small conflict between the Baron of Blade Fangs Camp and the suzerains of Western Desert that happened the night before has disappeared without a trace.
Their goal … has been achieved. "
He did not continue asking.
Gilbert stared at Thales' bitter expression. In the end, he did not say anything. He only exhaled and turned his head away.
"So, do you understand now?"
The Foreign Affairs Minister lowered his head. His expression was unreadable, and his tone was low.
"It is better to return that sword."
Thales' hand, which was holding the knife, froze for a moment.
He took a deep breath.
The lights in the main hall dimmed.
"No."
"You said it during the National Conference six years ago, Gilbert."
Thales stared at his plate. His heart was filled with complicated emotions.
"In politics, when you face your opponents, kill them to your heart's content and leave no room for negotiation. This is not a wise way to govern.
"During these six years, I have gained a deeper understanding of this principle."
Gilbert furrowed his eyebrows.
Thales took a deep breath.
When the prince raised his head, his smile had already become indifferent and natural again.
"I think it is better for me to keep it.
If such a day really comes, I want to leave some room for negotiation for both parties who have nowhere to retreat to. "
Gilbert was slightly surprised.
"As for this sword, no matter what the intentions behind it are …" Thales' eyes dimmed a little, but they immediately returned to normal.
"At least, it has the possibility of becoming that room."
Thales said absentmindedly.
"As long as there is a glimmer of hope, I do not want to give up."
His voice faded away.
The silence in the main hall lasted for a long time.
After a long while, Gilbert let out a long sigh.
"Your Highness." The Cunning Fox of Constellation looked at Thales with a gratified expression.
"You have grown up."
Thales curled his lips and forced himself to be spirited.
"You have said this once."
Gilbert smiled, but it was obvious that his smile was a little forced.
"Yes, Your Highness, but …"
Gilbert stared straight into Thales' eyes and sighed again.
"You have really grown up."
This time, Thales did not refute him. He only smiled again and shifted his gaze back to his plate.
Just as the two of them looked at each other in silence …
"Gilbert."
Has my father ever thought about it? "
The prince slowly chewed on a piece of food that he did not even notice.
"What if I die on this journey?"
Gilbert's expression became tense.
"Your Highness, the entire kingdom will do everything in its power to protect your safety …"
Thales hummed in acknowledgment and curled up the corners of his lips in anguish.
"Yes, you have said this before."
"Six years ago."
The Foreign Affairs Minister was instantly rendered speechless.
A few seconds later, Gilbert continued the conversation in a very unnatural manner.
"Th-this is also the reason why Yodel has been by your side throughout the journey."
He forced himself to speak.
"His Majesty is concerned about your safety, so he sent his most trusted secret protector …
"He believes that Yodel can protect you, just like how he believes that he can protect His Majesty himself."
Once he finished speaking, Gilbert turned his head around and scanned the air beside him, as if he was confirming something.
"Am I right, old friend?"
But there were only two people at the dining table in the main hall.
There was only the sound of knives and forks clashing against plates in the air.
There was no response.
Gilbert's smile slowly froze.
Thales looked up and stared at his former teacher with an indecipherable expression.
Gilbert exhaled.
"Perhaps Yodel is not here right now." The Foreign Affairs Minister smiled bitterly.
"Or perhaps he is just …"
Gilbert looked around him. In the end, he lowered his head awkwardly and sighed in resignation.
"… does not want to talk to me."
At that moment …
"The latter," a hoarse voice suddenly rose.
The Foreign Affairs Minister was shocked.
Gilbert instinctively turned his head around, but what he saw was still empty space.
Thales curled up the corners of his lips.
"Alright."
Gilbert felt sorrowful.
"By the way, you have completed your mission, old friend.
You did not let down His Majesty's trust in you. You protected his heir's safe return. "
There was still no response.
Gilbert could only sigh and turn his head around resentfully.
But Thales suddenly put down his knife and fork and stared at the air.
"What is it?" Gilbert asked in concern.
Thales did not look at him. He only grabbed a spoon and scooped up a spoonful of beans.
"Nothing, it's just …"
Thales stared at the beans in a daze. He subconsciously twitched the corners of his lips.
"I miss Northland a little."
'Especially …'
'During mealtimes.'
Gilbert raised his eyebrows in realization.
"You know, after eighteen years ago, there was quite a long period of time …"
The Foreign Affairs Minister nodded. His tone was filled with endless nostalgia.
"I think so too."
The old man and the young man were immersed in their own memories by the dining table.
A few seconds later, Thales snapped out of his daze and put down the spoon of beans gently.
He grabbed the knife and fork that were difficult to use.
The second prince flashed a fitting smile at Gilbert and ate a piece of meat covered in sauce with perfect etiquette.
Gilbert gave him a gratified smile in return.
But only Thales knew.
That piece of meat had been left for too long.
Bitter.
Stiff.
— — —
Under the dim light, Count Bozdorf stepped into the room, looking travel-worn.
A guard with the emblem of a four-eyed skull on his armor rushed forward, but he was pushed away rudely.
The guard was enraged. He was about to draw his sword.
"It's fine." A sharp and cold voice rose in the room, causing the guard's arm to stop.
"He can come in."
Count Bozdorf did not even look at the guard who was ordered to retreat. He strode straight to the owner of the sharp voice and stared at the man who was eating.
"You came in without announcing yourself." Cyril Fakenhaz swallowed a mouthful of fruit. He then raised his terrifying face and narrowed his eyes at the guest.
"If Gotham was here, he would have beaten you to death.
With his fists. "
But his threat did not seem to work on the guest.
"My father respects you, Cyril," the master of the Black Lion, Lewis Bozdorf said coldly.
"I do not."
The Duke of Western Desert sneered.
"Coincidentally, I also respect your father." He shifted his attention away from the plate in front of him. His tone was cold.
"But not you."
Bozdorf snorted angrily.
"You were the one who asked the crow to travel day and night to rush to the camp to fetch him?"
Count Lewis gritted his teeth. The anger in his eyes almost overflowed.
"You?"
The Duke of Western Desert chuckled again and did not answer.
But Bozdorf was not prepared to let him go just like that.
* Thud! *
He punched Fakenhaz's dining table with his iron-gloved fists, causing a plate of fish to flip over. Juices splattered everywhere.
The Duke of Western Desert did not panic or become angry.
He only quietly took out a handkerchief and wiped his face, which had been splashed by the juice.
The Count of the Black Lion bent his elbow, and his upper body slowly pressed down on the duke.
"I even prepared the boy's family flag. It's very big." Lewis' gaze was as sharp as a knife.
He gritted his teeth and said, "All I need to do is to 'welcome' him."
The Duke of Western Desert snorted.
"Really?"
Count Bozdorf stared at the seemingly indifferent duke. Then, he curled up the corners of his lips.
He looked as if he was so angry that he laughed.
"In Blessings Town, that boy was right in front of me. He was as close as I am to you right now.
"He could slit his throat with one slash."
Bozdorf tilted his head. There was a fierce glare in his eyes. He met the Duke of Western Desert's eyes, which were sometimes murky and numb, and sometimes clear and sharp.
"And he was still as self-righteous as he was six years ago. He proudly showed off his ridiculous eloquence to me, completely unaware that he was only one foot away from disaster."
Fakenhaz did not realize that he was being threatened at all. Instead, he laughed.
"You have to admit that the boy does have some eloquence, don't you?"
Bozdorf did not seem to have heard him. He gritted his teeth.
"And that damn crow and his equally damn crow whelps are standing there, between him and me. They are within the reach of my army. They are smiling at me, like a god's personal bodyguard."
Bozdorf's voice was cold, and his words were suppressed.
"Because, of, you."
Fakenhaz's smile slowly faded away. He seemed to be in deep thought.
"Hmm, that Derek did a pretty good job.
Thank the Sunset Goddess, he is a good crow, isn't he? "
* Bang! *
Lewis slammed his fists on the dining table again!
"I could have taken him down!"
This time, Count Bozdorf could no longer suppress his anger.
"You knew that my army, the Black Lion Infantry Regiment, which is best at breaking through enemy defenses and destroying cities, had already arrived at Blessings Town. You knew that I was far away from Blade Fangs Camp, from him …"
Bozdorf could not contain his anger. He panted a few times before he finished speaking.
"… There is only one day left.
One day. "
He gritted his words.
Fakenhaz also seemed to have become serious. He snorted in disdain.
"And then?"
Bozdorf stared at the Duke of Western Desert.
"That is Renaissance Palace's lifeline, the foundation of their rule, and our best bargaining chip over the past ten years."
The Count of Black Lion was aggressive. The anger in his eyes could be seen clearly.
"We can take back Blade Fangs Camp and even chase that sissy away.
"At least, we can tell them our attitude …"
But the Duke of Western Desert, who had been calm, suddenly raised his head and said firmly,
"Then, there is only one day left before the Bozdorf Family of Brave Souls Fort is destroyed!"
His words were as fierce as a cold wind, and he was not polite at all.
The conversation between the two stopped for a few seconds.
This time, it was Bozdorf's turn to sneer.
"Do you know what happened in Blade Fangs Camp?
"The duke who has been pampered all his life?"
The Count of Black Lion straightened his body and distanced himself from Bozdorf, but the sharpness in his eyes only increased.
"Byrael lost an entire year's income, and a lot of it was borrowed; Emory lost their family heir; New Offering Land also lost this season's autumn harvest manpower.
"And Toth said that he will never join our military expedition again.
"Lugo even bet everything of his entire family."
Fakenhaz turned his head to avoid the count's gaze.
Bozdorf's question sounded as if it was ground out.
"This is us.
"Destroyed today, destroyed tomorrow. Is there a difference?"
Fakenhaz raised his head slowly.
"Of course there is."
At this moment, the Duke of Western Desert's gaze became profound.
"Destroyed today, and you will have nothing."
Fakenhaz narrowed his eyes.
"Destroyed tomorrow, and you will at least have tomorrow's hope."
Lewis Bozdorf's lips parted, and he laughed coldly.
Two seconds later, his laughter came to an abrupt halt.
"Tomorrow's hope?
"All the things you've done …"
His smile turned into ice.
"For the so-called … hope?"
Cyril Fakenhaz paused for a moment.
"No."
He turned his hand to his walking stick. His gaze was fixed on the empty hook where a longsword was originally hung.
"For …"
With the most complicated and indescribable emotion, the duke said flatly,
"Tomorrow."
:. :
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