Indeed, Thales had not thought of this name for a long, long time.
Serena Corleone.
He even had to admit that most of the time, he deliberately sealed it in the depths of his memory.
He did not want to think of it, and he hated to think of it.
But when it rang again, he still felt the discomfort from the bottom of his heart.
"Betrayal is the true meaning of an alliance."
As the memory became clearer, just as that face was about to reappear in his mind, Thales suddenly looked up and focused his attention on what was in front of him.
"What do you want to do?"
The prince looked at Zayen suspiciously.
"Why mention her?"
In the center of the hall, the coronation ceremony was still in progress. From time to time, nobles walked up the steps and knelt in front of the king's seat.
The Duke of Iris Flowers smiled slightly and raised his glass to the youth.
"About this, Your Highness, you might as well consider it a … banquet gift from me."
Thales did not move, his gaze cold.
Zayen waited for a while, but the youth had no intention of raising his glass in response.
He did not take offense and put down his glass with a smile.
But Zayen immediately frowned and looked around.
"Is this my illusion, or are your guards really much more nervous and strict than usual?"
"Why, are you suspecting me of plotting against His Highness?"
Thales' heart tightened, but his expression did not change.
"My personal guard captain does things seriously and is strict."
Thales smiled at Mallos and Glover, and repeatedly gestured to their men not to be nervous.
The Duke of Star Lake turned around, his eyes burning.
"As for suspecting you … Well, you can't really blame them.
"You know, I still haven't digested the gift you gave me six years ago."
Zayen's lips curled up.
"Then you need this gift even more — it will help you digest the last one."
"What do you think?"
Thales snorted sarcastically.
With indescribable emotions, they looked at each other silently for a few seconds.
Finally, Thales said faintly,
"So, Serena, where is she?"
Zayen smiled.
He raised his hand gracefully and called for a waiter. Under Thales' displeased gaze, he ordered a portion of beef. Then, amid the soft clatter of cutlery and plates, he spoke unhurriedly.
"Ever since six years ago, that ruthless and ambitious schemer from the Night Nation has been recuperating in the Star Realm for a period of time, after bringing great losses to both you and me."
It was as if this was just an ordinary conversation.
Thales pondered for a moment.
"You really have guts."
"You've caused so much trouble and provoked so many people." Thales remembered the threat and harm she brought him and snorted coldly.
"She actually dares to stay in Constellation?"
But Thales immediately paused.
He looked up and stared at Jenn in disbelief.
Zayen picked up a piece of beef and looked back at him with a smile.
Thales understood something.
"You."
With slight surprise, Thales furrowed his eyebrows.
"I'm guessing that when you completely broke off relations with the Corleone Family, that ugly woman — I mean, Serena Corleone, who betrayed the family, became your natural ally?"
Zayen only tasted two pieces and did not continue. He maintained his smile and wiped the corners of his lips with a napkin.
"After you chased Lady Serena away, I did, um, offer her some shelter."
True enough.
The surprise on Thales' face slowly faded.
"I still remember someone telling me," the youth looked at him disdainfully,
"If you're in the same boat as a jackal and wolf, there's always the risk of your boat capsizing."
At that moment, Zayen's expression froze for a moment.
"Especially before you and Serena Corleone were so lovey-dovey."
Half sincere, half sarcastic, Thales snorted.
"Believe me, this is from experience."
Zayen was silent for a moment.
But in just a fraction of a second, the Duke of Iris Flowers looked up and returned to a decent smile.
"Yes, indeed," he said, bowing politely. "I found it myself afterwards."
Zayen's eyes were slightly cold.
"Especially after she broke free of her shackles, sucked a few of my men dry, and left without saying goodbye."
Broke free of her shackles …
Thales looked enlightened.
"It seems that the shelter you gave her was limited."
But, since it's Serena, put shackles on her …
Yes, little Zayen.
The prince gave him a silent thumbs-up in his heart.
Well done.
In the hall, the conferring ceremony finally came to an end.
The music started again and the performers returned to the stage. Liveliness and noise became the main theme of the banquet again. Perhaps due to the passage of time and the effects of alcohol, the guests were either calling their friends or in groups of three to five, becoming more and more unrestrained and free.
Thales also saw many male and female guests disappear from the same place one after another, and did not return for a long time.
King Kessel returned to his seat, but the queen was long gone, and he looked a little lonely.
The king's eyes glanced briefly at Thales before looking away.
The royal guards around him were as solemn as ever, but Thales, who knew the inside story, could clearly feel that they were relieved.
The assassin did not appear.
This was a good thing.
But also a bad thing.
Zayen raised his wine glass, his gaze subtle, dragging Thales back to the current conversation.
"The sea routes in the Eastern Peninsula are very profitable." The Duke of Iris Flowers smelled the wine.
"Since the misfortune six years ago, the Covendier family has been looking for an opportunity to mend their relationship with the Corleone family and make up.
"So I think the family criminal they are after may be a breakthrough."
Thales raised his eyebrows.
"Make up? After you tried to use the Night Queen's hand to kill the Prince of Constellation? "
The prince revealed the truth without any psychological burden, his tone sarcastic.
"I'm afraid it won't be that easy."
"We have to try." Zayen smiled again, perfect and elegant.
"Better to die for a friend than to perish for an enemy."
Thales shook his head disapprovingly.
But there was a small voice in his heart:
No.
If the Covendier family really tied up that ugly old witch and sent her to her sister as a gift …
Thales retracted his gaze from Zayen and frowned.
Perhaps, they might actually reconcile.
Fortunately, Serena broke free of her shackles and was not caught by Zayen.
Yes, an ugly woman.
Thales secretly nodded for his nemesis.
Well done.
The prince thought as he put a piece of lettuce into his mouth.
"But you said you have the latest news about her."
Zayen nodded.
"Anyway, after that, we paid extra attention to Lady Serena's whereabouts.
"In the past six years, the Night Kingdom's exile politician's whereabouts have been uncertain. From Revol City to Sanlast, she has been seen everywhere. Until a few days ago, someone saw her in the Alliance of Freedom. "
Since …
Thales froze for a moment, then immediately looked up.
"Where?"
Zayen smiled.
"That's right. The desperate Alliance of Freedom is doing everything possible to survive. They do not care about their dignity or the price they have to pay. Regardless of their origins or past, they are urgently asking for ambitious people from all walks of life to join the fight for justice.
"From criminals to mercenaries, from gangsters to thugs, they accept everyone and want everyone to resist the unjust invasion from Eckstedt.
"And Lady Serena is one of them. She is even treated as a guest of honor."
The ugly woman is … in the Alliance of Freedom?
Helping to resist Eckstedt?
The news that Gilbert brought about Eckstedt's defeat and the unknown whereabouts of the Commander-in-Chief flashed through his mind.
Saroma forced herself to endure. Her resolute and unyielding face also appeared before his eyes.
But what followed was the increasingly clear image of Serena Corleone, who simultaneously possessed seriousness and cuteness, beauty and viciousness, two faces, one big and one small.
Thales' heart sank and his chest was in chaos.
'No way?
'Old witch, it's you again?'
His neck, his wrist, the parts that had been bitten by the Blood Clansmen felt strange again.
"Of course, this involves Eckstedt. Perhaps you know more than I do. What do you think?" Zayen took a sip of wine.
Thales stared at the other party's wine glass and shook his head in disdain.
"Quenching thirst with poison.
"Anything that old witch has been involved in, no matter what, is bound to be bad."
Zayen raised his eyebrows and did not deny it.
Thales fell into deep thought. Zayen did not say anything. The two of them sat in silence for a while.
Until Thales came back to his senses.
"That's it? Nothing else? "
Zayen looked up at him.
"That's it."
Thales pursed his lips and nodded, intending to send him off.
"Then …"
At this moment, Zayen raised his arm and pointed at a noble in the crowd whose nose was red from drinking but was in high spirits, accepting the crowd's congratulations.
"Look, that's the Losinante family. After two generations, they've finally become hereditary vassals."
Zayen's tone was a little drawn-out.
"I just don't know how long it will last?"
Thales frowned slightly and pondered the other party's intentions.
But the next moment, the Duke of Iris Flowers' words surprised him.
"Thales." Zayen looked at Lord Losinante in the crowd with a deep gaze and a faint tone.
"Do you know how the relationship between a lord and a vassal came about?"
Thales was a little taken aback.
This was the first time the other party had called Thales by his name tonight, without any title or title.
The prince looked at the other party in confusion.
The Guardian Duke of South Coast seemed to be deep in thought.
"When humans had just emerged from the age of ignorance, when kings stood side by side and empires had yet to be born, the world was not peaceful.
"In the age of chaos and war, the weak would attach themselves to and surrender to the kings who had power, power, armies, and territory, seeking protection."
"And the people who were protected, in exchange, had to go to the land belonging to the king, lead their family and friends to farm, graze, work and produce, and work for the king in exchange for safety."
Zayen turned his gaze and looked at the groups of guests who came forward to see the king.
"Sharal, Northland, Rock Ridge, Rudor, Faraway Mountains, Thornland … All the ancient human kingdoms were built this way, without exception."
Zayen narrowed his eyes and looked at King Kessel in the distance.
"Safety is the king's duty and the vassal's right."
Safety.
Thales suddenly remembered the oath King Chapman swore in Heroic Spirit Palace when he was crowned:
"As a Northlander, I will bear this heavy responsibility. As the king of the entire territory, I will rely on my breadth of mind and wisdom to stand at the forefront of the kingdom."
As the king of the entire territory.
'Stand at the forefront of the kingdom …
'Is that so.'
Thales remembered that day when Chapman wore the blood-stained crown and looked down from the crowd who were shouting 'Long live the king'.
"Labor is the vassal's duty and the king's right."
Zayen chuckled, seemingly disdainful.
"See, the essence of the monarch and vassal order is actually just a transaction.
"I work for you, and you protect me."
He stared at the banquet hall below, at the guests who were drinking to their heart's content.
"If the vassal can no longer work, serve, or pay taxes, then the king has the right to drive the vassal away and take back the land."
He turned his head again and looked at the highest point of the banquet hall, at Kessel the Fifth, who was looking down indifferently.
"If the king can no longer defend against foreign enemies and ensure safety, then the vassal has the right to abandon the king and look for another master."
Thales frowned hard.
He knew what the other party was going to say.
Zayen turned his head and stared at the prince silently.
"This right and this matter is a matter of course and custom."
Thales had the illusion that the Duke of South Coast, who was originally amiable and approachable, was showing off his abilities at this moment.
"Vassals and their vassals, suzerains and their people, all of them are the same. This is the cornerstone of our rule, the contract, and more importantly, the covenant."
Zayen said softly,
"Two sides, two sides, two sides, two sides of the scale, two ends of the road.
"But when the scale tilts.
"You must increase the stakes on one side and return to balance."
Zayen stared at Thales. His tone was calm, his gaze indifferent, but for some reason, Thales still felt like he was being locked on.
The prince looked at the lively banquet hall, listened to the decadent music, and slowly inhaled.
"I can't say that you're wrong."
Thales looked back at Zayen and said seriously,
"At least, not completely wrong."
Zayen stared at him for a few seconds before he chuckled. It was unclear whether he was laughing at this sentence or at Thales himself.
The Duke of Covendier, who had a strict demeanor and a rather good reputation, turned his head and raised his goblet. His attitude slowly became casual and undisciplined.
"What's interesting is that, compared to us, in many places in the East, from Hanbol to Mane Ye, from Ligur State to Dacheng Khanate, the rulers there truly have absolute power. Their monarch alone is supreme."
"Close to godlike."
He took a sip of wine and said faintly,
"Even better than the Empire."
Thales exhaled.
"I remember now. You said that you once traveled through the Eastern Peninsula."
Yes, I'm a returnee.
Zayen snorted and swirled his wine glass.
Thales looked at Zayen's unusual casualness and raised his eyebrows.
"So?"
Zayen's eyes sparkled as he continued.
"From what I've seen and heard, the subjects there are simple and kind, but they are numb and tolerant. From top to bottom, they tremble in fear of supreme power, and are full of awe and even worship and appreciation.
"From when they were alive to when they died, they believed that the king who ruled them was incomparably holy. They believed that it was important to obey the traditions of their ancestors, and that as subjects, they only had the obligation to submit to adversity — or should I say, glory?"
Zayen's fingers squeezed the wine glass tightly.
"Among them, the widely respected morality is to hope that the high and mighty monarch is virtuous and benevolent, and to hope that the bureaucrats who ruled over the land are perceptive. If the ruler is not benevolent, the subjects will at most remonstrate with death, move the heavens and earth, and make the ruler change his mind — their books are full of such stories as a model.
"Someone told me that this is determined by their history and tradition, their nature and habits, and it has its reasons. Although I think most of the time, it's just helpless self-deception. "
Thales did not speak.
Zayen turned his head.
This time, he left his distant memories and looked seriously at Prince Thales before him.
"During the days of traveling, I couldn't help but think, in that kind of place, once the king goes against the law to the extreme, once the court is dark and filthy to the extreme, then the dissatisfaction of the subjects and servants is due to tradition and lack of evidence, so they become gentle, weak, and non-threatening?"
His tone turned cold.
"Or is it because they have been repressed for a long time and have nowhere to vent, so they become more violent and bloodthirsty, leaving no leeway?"
Thales shuddered.
At this moment, it was as if he had returned to Ghost Prince Tower, and the person in front of him was the repulsive Fakenhaz.
"A fierce horse will not succumb to an iron whip, and the rider will not give up whipping."
"Is it better than us?
"Or worse?"
Zayen stared at him, as if demanding an answer from the prince.
"Us and them.
"Which is more in line with the future of the world?"
Thales was silent for a long time.
During this period, he even forgot that he was still at the banquet, that the king was still at the table, that his loyal subordinates were still diligently investigating a possible assassin, and that thousands of miles away, the girl he once went through life and death with might still be in prison.
Zayen just waited quietly for him, his gaze deep and his intentions unclear.
Finally, Thales took a deep breath and slowly spoke.
"I don't think we are qualified, and we don't need, to judge and compare."
"Let alone talk about the future."
Zayen frowned, as if a little disappointed.
But Thales raised his head and looked at the endless stream of people coming and going in the banquet hall.
He said seriously, "But I believe that all things happen for a reason.
"I also believe that all things change and are not confined to one another.
"I also believe that all things come in different shapes."
Zayen's frown deepened.
"I believe even more that no matter when, where, what, and who," Thales looked at him, his gaze was firm.
"History itself will choose the most suitable future for itself."
Zayen thought for a moment and then smiled.
"History?
"You make it sound like it's a person and can decide for itself."
Thales raised his eyebrows.
"Isn't it?"
Zayen seemed puzzled.
But Thales just gently picked up a lettuce and looked at it attentively.
"The Age of Ignorance is over. The era of kings and the calendar of the Empire have long become a thing of the past."
He said in a seemingly casual manner.
"As the number of vassals increases and the land they rule expands, basic government affairs become more and more complicated. No matter how powerful a king is, it will be beyond his reach, let alone be able to take care of everything."
Thales suddenly thought of King Nuven.
However, he was not the domineering, experienced, and ruthless Born King.
Instead, it was the old man who sat on the steps with him after the duel, holding a cup of aged wine, lonely and dispirited.
"So many things on the land require the vassals to put down their shovels and make their own decisions."
Thales said quietly.
"And after the vassals die, the king does not have the energy to take back every piece of land, big or small, and enfeoff them again."
The prince looked up and gradually became serious.
"So, the land that was originally entrusted to the vassals gradually became inherited after the death of the father, passed down from generation to generation. The matters of the fief were decided by them themselves, and it gradually became a tradition.
"The property of the fief became the private property of the suzerain, and could not be easily stripped by the monarch or seized by others."
Thales looked at the Duke of Iris Flowers.
"Vassals and suzerains like you then stepped onto the stage and became the protagonist of history, competitive, pioneering and enterprising.
"So the kingdom developed, layers upon layers of jurisdiction, civilization expanded, and governance improved."
Thales said seriously.
"Then Constellation came to be today."
Zayen's expression also became serious.
But the Duke of South Coast did not know that at this moment, Thales was not thinking of Constellation.
He was thinking of Eckstedt.
If back then, when Raikaru the Hero founded the kingdom, he did not enfeoff the power to rule the kingdom to the other nine knights who were both talented and ambitious, and let them raise their flags and go out on their own to expand their territory in different directions, and spread the name of Northland …
Would Eckstedt still have its vast territory and illustrious reputation today?
Would there even be a kingdom?
Zayen snorted softly.
"Interesting. So you think that the autonomy and independence of us vassals is natural and natural?"
He looked at Thales with interest.
Thales came back to his senses and smiled.
"I'm not done yet."
"When the private property of the fief became a consensus, the power of the vassals reached its peak," Thales said slowly.
"Some of them were even able to stand up to the king of a country."
The scene of King Chapman's coronation appeared before his eyes again. The kinslayer king stood with his head held high, his eyes were like ice, but there was a fire burning in them.
The Dragonscale Crown stood firmly on his head.
But …
Thales looked up and pursed his lips.
In that scene, the one standing quietly in front of Chapman Lampard was not the former King Nuven.
Instead, it was the one towering at the peak of Dragon Clouds Mountain, which had not fallen after thousands of years of wind and rain, deep, dark, magnificent …
Heroic Spirit Palace.
Thales felt his breathing stagnate.
In front of it, King Chapman, who had once been incredibly terrifying, looked lonely, thin, and insignificant from the back.
Thales clenched his teeth.
"But it was precisely because of this trend that authority gradually collapsed, and tradition slowly changed. The fief was no longer a rigid entrustment in the hands of the king. It was liberated and turned into a title deed that could be circulated and changed in the hands of different people. It could affect the livelihood of countless people who had taken root in it, and incite endless disputes around power and interests.
"So the vassals had their own selfish desires, the people had their own masters, the suzerains fought against each other, and territories and borders were exchanged.
What flashed before his eyes were Archduke Poffret, whose neck had been broken in a duel, and King Nuven's head in a pool of blood.
There was also Chapman Lampard's cold and sparkling eyes.
"When the land disputes in the kingdom became more and more intense, when the boundaries between king and vassals became blurred, when the contract of safety and labor gradually became invalid, and when the last bit of traditional dignity disappeared, the kingdom on the land fell into a crisis."
He took a deep breath and continued.
"Just like that, the tradition and system that you said was born for the sake of safety, overdoing it is as bad as falling short, and harming itself …
"… put an end to safety."
In his mind's imagination, Thales quietly watched the terrifying king who faced Heroic Spirit Palace alone.
His footsteps were firm and never wavered, let alone weak.
'But, Chapman Lampard.
You have to face … '
But in the next moment, Thales was shocked!
For a moment, the scene before his eyes seemed to have changed.
The figure standing in front of him was no longer King Chapman.
Instead, it was another young man whom he had clearly never seen before, but was extremely familiar with.
The young man was tall and straight, but he was alone.
Thales was stunned.
He saw that on the other party's head, there was a glittering silver crown adorned with nine stars.
And in front of the young man …
Thales turned his gaze with difficulty.
He saw the domed thing in front of the young man …
It was a black pyramid that rose from the ground and reached the sky. It was quiet but dead silent, vast but heavy, magnificent but cumbersome.
Thales stopped breathing for a moment.
It was the one that endured and lay dormant under the starry sky, took root under the setting sun, and stood firm under the storm …
Renaissance Palace.
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