"That girl received help."
Solder Ryder went straight to the point.
"When she went missing on the battlefield, and it was unknown whether she was dead or alive."
Some of the doubts in the Imperial Conference disappeared, but more questions arose.
"Help?"
Viscount Kenney, the Minister of Trade, laughed, somewhat teasingly.
"Could it be the Great Dragon?"
Thales' mind raced as he recalled the scene of the unkempt and silly Little Rascal sitting in the ruins, staring silently at the huge and beautiful dragon head.
But Viscount Kenney soon realized that no one was laughing at his joke.
On the contrary, the ever-smiling Duke Cullen's expression froze, and the Chief of Finance, Kirkirk Mann, looked grim.
The Minister of Agriculture, Krapen, was startled awake again, his eyes bewildered. Stylia Nydus, who had been silent all this time, hung his head in deep thought.
Thales sat next to Gilbert, suppressing his curiosity and eagerness, and focused on the Foreign Affairs Minister frantically flipping through the documents in his hands.
At the end of the long table, the king's figure was motionless, like a stone statue.
The entire Imperial Conference was exceptionally silent.
Viscount Kenney's smile gradually faded.
"No."
Amid the silence, Advisor Solder made the final decision and ended Viscount Kenney's awkwardness.
"It's the Troubled Citizens."
The military advisor placed his hands on the table and looked at everyone.
Thales could sense that most of the ministers present breathed a sigh of relief after Solder said 'no'.
"The local Troubled Citizens of West Billow."
Solder frowned. His palm swept over the roads and towns on the map, and tapped lightly on the blank spaces without chess pieces.
"They helped the Archduchess, allowing her to survive on the battlefield."
"And eventually gathered and retrieved some of the elites belonging to Dragon Clouds City."
The military advisor picked up a few white chess pieces outside the map and placed them next to the White Queen.
Thales felt relieved.
So, with the help of the locals, Saroma safely survived the treacherous battlefield.
But then he felt something was amiss.
"Wait, didn't Count Caso say," Viscount Kenney asked, puzzled.
"Soria Walton once massacred Fort Liberté, and bore a deep grudge against the people of the Alliance of Freedom? If the Troubled Citizens knew of the Archduchess' identity, why did they … "
Many people looked at Gilbert.
The Foreign Affairs Minister raised his glasses with an unpleasant expression on his face. he flipped through the documents faster and faster.
"About that — sorry, give me a second — I remember it was on these pages …"
Solder coughed and looked at the man from the Secret Intelligence Department.
The scar-faced man moved forward calmly and relieved Gilbert of his awkwardness.
"The Secret Intelligence Department also thought so in the beginning — that the Troubled Citizens of the Alliance of Freedom and the Northlanders were mortal enemies."
"Only afterwards did we realize that the information we had was incomplete."
"Thus, we quickly contacted the local intelligence station and cross-referenced it with the historical records of the Foreign Affairs Division."
The Foreign Affairs Minister finally turned to the page he wanted. He exhaled and took over the conversation.
"Ahem, gentlemen, the situation in the Alliance of Freedom is rather unique."
Gilbert raised his head and turned back into the Cunning Fox of Constellation that Thales was familiar with.
"In fact, unlike the Troubled Citizens of the City of Faraway Prayers, most of the Troubled Citizens of the Alliance of Freedom — especially the ones Solder mentioned — mainly live in the suburbs and the countryside. They have low status, are extremely poor, and suffer from discrimination. Even if they enter Fort Liberté to make a living, they do the most menial jobs.
"The ones who hold a deep grudge against them are not the Northland invaders who target the nobles, but the upper-class people living in Fort Liberté."
Thales frowned. He remembered young Roknee hinting to him that the Troubled Citizens were one of the problems the City of Faraway Prayers faced. But he never knew that the problem of the Troubled Citizens was not limited to the City of Faraway Prayers.
"It's a little … complicated?" Viscount Kenney voiced his thoughts.
"No."
Everyone straightened their faces and puffed out their chests as they looked at the speaker.
"It's not complicated at all."
King Kessel stared at the ring on his finger, his gaze lingering on the brass-colored luster.
"Just like what happened last night."
'Last night.'
The Imperial Conference fell silent.
Thales subconsciously turned his head to avoid everyone's gazes.
Gilbert's words rang out at the right time, attracting everyone's attention and easing the atmosphere.
"A hundred years ago, the Camus Union implemented the 'Hundred Nations Trade Route' strategy and expanded their power eastward. The entire Golden Passage was in turmoil as a result.
"At that time, the ruler of Eckstedt was' Steel Breaker 'Nuven the Sixth, who had just succeeded the throne not long ago. He fought back and forth with the Camians, and finally reached a compromise: to support the local forces at the eastern end of the Golden Passage and build a country that opened up the trade route, but still worshipped Eckstedt as its suzerain."
Advisor Solder frowned.
"The Alliance of Freedom."
Gilbert nodded.
"As an intermediate product of the compromise between the two powers, the structure of the Alliance of Freedom was deformed to begin with. Its source of power and foundation of governance was not within, but outside. It did not respect those below, but only those above. Leveraging on the huge profits from the trade route, it developed in the cracks between the two powers."
Gilbert turned a page and said in an exceptionally serious tone,
"After nearly a hundred years of rule, the high-ranking officials, elders, and their influential families in Fort Liberté, although they share the same blood as the Troubled Citizens, are used to being superior, exploiting others, occupying important positions, and enjoying special privileges. They have long since ceased to see themselves as part of the Troubled Citizens."
Thales was relieved.
'So that's how it is.
The real reality is far more complicated and concrete than the dry sentence in the books, "The Alliance of Freedom resides west of Faraway Prayers, east of Good Stream, and enjoys the benefits of trade".
'As for Saroma, what she has to face is also much more difficult than what I have to face.'
"So, the lower-class Troubled Citizens in the Alliance are actually a local force that can be roped in to fight against the higher-ups in Fort Liberté."
Prime Minister Cullen scratched his chin and looked naive.
"It's just that for the past few decades, the Northlanders' attention has been on the nobles in the castle, on the regime that they supported by reaching a compromise with the Camians?"
Gilbert sighed.
"Don't even talk about the Troubled Citizens and nobles … To be precise, for the past few decades, the Northlanders have not paid any attention to the entire Alliance of Freedom."
The Foreign Affairs Minister frowned and said nothing. 'Didn't we also rush to update our intelligence after we received the battle report?'
Thales calmed himself down, but he could not stop another doubt.
'But, how did Saroma …'
"So, that girl managed to garner the support of a few waves of lower-class Troubled Citizens, but …"
'Money Bag' Kirkirk Mann narrowed his eyes and asked,
"We're talking about a real, costly war, not cutting down trees to open up wastelands or plowing fields."
"Can a group of ragged poor people really help her win?"
This question touched on the most puzzling point. Even though everyone present was well-mannered, they could not help but lean forward in unison in anticipation of the answer.
"No."
Solder's answer was as swift and decisive as ever.
"But at least we can give her a way to sneak into Fort Liberté that only the low-class Troubled Citizens who do the dirty work would know."
Thales' eyelids twitched.
"According to our intelligence, one night after the Alliance of Freedom returned victorious, the Archduchess of Dragon Clouds City led her elite Archduchess' Guards — many of whom were White Blade Guards from King Nuven's era — to quietly invade the inner city of Fort Liberté."
Thales subconsciously leaned forward and joined the ranks of the ministers, staring intently at the white chess piece.
Solder Ryder bent down and, on the battlefield where the white chess pieces retreated and the black chess pieces reestablished themselves, pushed the special white queen piece against the momentum but unstoppably towards Fort Liberté.
Like the sunlight that finally penetrated the clouds and pierced through the vault of heaven.
"With the help of a Troubled Citizen guide, she captured all the high-ranking officials of the Alliance of Freedom with just a few hundred soldiers without shedding a single drop of blood.
"And drew the curtains to the entire war."
Solder's voice trailed off.
There was a small gasp from the Imperial Conference.
Only Thales bit his lower lip.
He imagined the scene of that night.
A small number of elites sneaked in, captured the high-ranking officials without shedding a single drop of blood …
It sounded …
It sounded familiar.
Thales was a little lost in thought.
It seemed that he was not the only one who learned from Chapman Lampard's madness six years ago.
"From the governors and elders to the bureaucrats and generals."
Methodically, Solder took down the few remaining black chess pieces in Fort Liberté.
"Including the most crucial Josh Kenya, and Ivan Polado, who rose to fame at a young age.
"Not a single one was spared.
"All in one fell swoop.
"Captured in one night."
Solder retracted his finger and looked at the White Queen, who was the only one standing on the battlefield.
"Just as they were immersed in their victory and completely let their guard down."
The Imperial Conference experienced a long period of silence.
"What?"
After a long while, Viscount Kenney spoke in disbelief. He stared at the map with the chess pieces scattered all over it.
"So this war is all about setting off each other to see who is stupider?"
He did not know whether to laugh or cry, whether he was mocking or lamenting.
The others more or less felt the same way.
"If you go through the history of war, Your Excellency, you may find that many wars in history have been like this."
Solder replied coldly, clearly in a bad mood.
"Most of the time, the outcome of a war is not determined by how powerful the winning side is …
"But by how stupid the losers are."
Solder hung his head.
'Besides, the factors involved in a war are too complicated. There is too much chaos, too many coincidences, and too many unknowns.
'Even if we sit here and talk about it, it doesn't matter how well we plan.
'If we were to personally take the field and face reality …
'It probably wouldn't be much better.'
"At least, the Northlanders took Fort Liberté." Gilbert sighed and tried to smooth things over.
"They didn't embarrass the title of 'Invincible Head-On'."
Thales exhaled discreetly.
Duke Cullen raised his voice and asked,
"So she captured the higher-ups and took control of the inner city. But the rest of the soldiers and civilians in Fort Liberté …"
Solder nodded and turned to the scar-faced man.
The person from the Secret Intelligence Department stepped forward respectfully.
"With the rescue of Karkogel, the remnants of Dragon Clouds City quickly regrouped and the chain of command was restored.
"With the help of the Troubled Citizens, they entered the city in batches over the next few days and joined the Archduchess.
"In the end, they took down Fort Liberté without any mishaps."
Solder took over the conversation.
"Just like that, when Faraway Prayers retreated in defeat, Defense Force panicked, and Eckstedt lost its momentum, Dragon Clouds City emerged as a new force and turned the tide of the war.
"It shocked everyone."
The 'soldier' shut his mouth. There was silence around the table.
Everyone was immersed in the aftertaste of the battle on the table, immersed in different emotions and unable to recover for a while.
"Hmph."
The white-bearded Chief of Finance, Kirkirk Mann snorted disdainfully.
"They suffered a crushing defeat on the battlefield and had to rely on a woman to sneak around to salvage the situation.
"Even if they won the war, Eckstedt had lost all face and would probably become a laughingstock."
Everyone present had mixed feelings and no one answered for a moment.
Until a young voice spoke up.
"Sir Mann, this room is called 'Ballard Room', right?"
Everyone turned around in unison and was surprised to find that the person who replied was the Duke of Star Lake, the one who had been cautious and had never taken the initiative to speak up.
Kirkirk Mann did not dare to be negligent. He sat up straight.
"Of course, Your Highness. This is the great Ballard Room. So?"
Thales scrutinized him for a while, then smiled with his eyes narrowed.
"Nothing."
"Let's get back to that laughingstock country that relied on a woman to salvage the situation."
Kirkirk Mann was bewildered.
Everyone present had a variety of expressions.
Only Gilbert coughed softly and signaled to Thales with his eyes. Only then did the latter lean back and stop speaking.
"That's not all that the lady did."
Solder's words pulled everyone back into the conversation.
The military advisor looked up and gestured to the scar-faced man beside him, "The Secret Intelligence Department has more detailed information."
The spy from the Secret Intelligence Department bowed and switched to another document.
"Fort Liberté fell, the high-ranking officials were captured, the army was disarmed …
"The Archduchess of Dragon Clouds City, who was certain of victory, ordered: Starting from the governor-general of the Alliance, these captives, these betrayers of the Alliance of Freedom, the elders, high-ranking officials, generals, and soldiers, not a single one was spared …"
The scar-faced man looked up from the paper with a stern expression.
"Send them all to the guillotine."
Thales held his breath.
'What?'
Everyone in the meeting whispered to each other.
"Again?"
Prime Minister Cullen frowned.
"As expected of the bloodline of Nuven and Soria. Ruthless and ruthless, not inferior to his father and grandfather."
"Women, you know," Kirkirk Mann exhaled.
"They've always been narrow-minded, narrow-minded, and vengeful."
"With such a huge loss, I would have done the same if it were me," Viscount Kenney sighed.
"At least she was straightforward and didn't torture them."
Thales did not speak. He just frowned and pondered.
"How many?"
Gilbert turned his head and interrupted the discussion at the long table.
"How many did she kill?"
The scar-faced man from the Secret Intelligence Department glanced at the lords.
He was expressionless as he switched to another piece of paper and read out a surprising number.
"Zero."
The entire Ballard Room fell silent.
The lords widened their eyes and mouths in disbelief. They spent a few seconds digesting this information.
At an angle no one else could see, Thales curled the corners of his mouth slightly.
"W-what?"
The scar-faced man nodded in acknowledgment.
"On the guillotine, when the blade was about to fall.
"The Archduchess took off her helmet and armor."
The scar-faced man's words were calm and natural, but there was a strange power in them as he narrated the legend thousands of miles away.
"That young lady left the army, walked to the front of the stage, and announced to the trembling people below."
The man from the Secret Intelligence Department switched to another piece of paper. The lords in the room were all shocked, doubtful, disdainful, vigilant, and other emotions as they listened attentively.
"She said that there have been enough deaths in this war."
"Enough blood had been shed on both sides."
The vassals looked at each other, unable to understand.
"She said that the lives and livelihoods of millions of people, the children of countless people's families should not have to pay the price for the selfishness and mistakes of a few high-ranking people."
The scar-faced man looked up.
"She said that someone had told her before.
"War cannot bring peace, just like death cannot pay for life."
Thales' expression changed.
"And she, the ruler of Dragon Clouds City, will not repeat the mistakes of her grandfather and father."
At the end of the long table, the king suddenly moved. He raised his head and revealed his eyes in the shadows of the backlight.
"Amidst the heated discussion, in front of everyone, the Archduchess forgave and pardoned the prisoners of war on the guillotine. She even untied them one by one. In the end, she personally lifted the disheartened Ivan Polado and told him …"
The scar-faced man switched to the next document. His tone was solemn.
"'On the battlefield, you harmed my people. But as an answer,' Ivan the Surprised ', I will spare your life in exchange for an end to war and hatred.'"
The voice of the spy from the Secret Intelligence Department faded away.
The meeting room fell silent again.
A few seconds later, the emotional Thales sighed and said, intentionally or unintentionally,
"Small-minded and narrow-minded?"
Kirkirk Mann's expression became very unnatural.
"Ridiculous!"
Viscount Kenney could not help but speak.
"Small-hearted! She dares to release a tiger back into the mountains in a foreign land. Only death awaits her … "
But before he could finish, the spy from the Secret Intelligence Department flipped to the next document.
"The Archduchess also issued a 'peace order' in public.
"The entire army of Dragon Clouds City, whether generals or soldiers, are not allowed to kill or abuse prisoners of war while stationed in Fort Liberté. They are not allowed to harass and plunder civilians. They are not allowed to obstruct public security or affect the order of the people."
The scar-faced man looked up.
"Anyone who violates this will be severely punished in the name of the Dragon Spear Soul Slayer."
As soon as he said this, not only Viscount Kenney, but Duke Cullen was also stunned.
"It can't be?"
The Prime Minister frowned.
"Then can her vassals and her army tolerate it? How is she going to satisfy their greed? What do they spend money and food to travel through mountains and rivers for? Sightseeing? They've suffered countless casualties, how are they going to even things out? "
"Does she really think that the Alliance of Freedom will listen obediently if she doesn't kill dozens of their leaders as an example? Are there no smart people among her subordinates who will stand up against her? "
The ministers whispered among themselves. Many of them found it hard to understand.
Solder's steady voice rang out.
"After experiencing the previous fiasco, and facing the Archduchess' prestige in this battle, I'm guessing that her subordinates no longer have the guts to oppose her."
The scar-faced man from the Secret Intelligence Department nodded.
"As the deputy marshal, Karkogel, who has the highest status, was the first to kneel and obey the order.
"The rest followed suit.
"Do not dare doubt it."
It was as if he had returned to the day of the council hearing in the Hall of Heroes. There, Saroma was shouting weakly, but her vassals were all cold and unmoved.
"As for Fort Liberté …"
The scar-faced man read his intelligence.
"The Archduchess strongly suggests that the Alliance's governor-general should have the Alliance's elders donate their savings and land to help the Troubled Citizens.
"She could even adjust the laws, reduce military taxes, reestablish courts, and reopen old cases.
"At the same time, solve the 'food and lodging problem' of the Dragon Clouds City army."
The moment he said this, Gilbert, who was beside Thales, took a deep breath. His gaze was complicated.
"She? 'Suggested' the governor-general, 'suggested' the elders? "
Kirkirk Mann chuckled.
"Ha, either the Archduchess is sincere and touching, or the Alliance's elders are virtuous and listen to her advice …"
"I'm not sure about that," Gilbert said faintly.
"But I'm guessing that both the sword in her hand and the blade on the guillotine must be quite sharp."
"At first, there were some who weren't too enthusiastic and disobeyed this' suggestion '," the scar-faced man said with a frown.
"So, later, the Archduchess sent the Star Killer to have a sincere talk with the elders …"
'A sincere talk with the Star Killer …'
Thales felt a phantom pain in his left wrist.
"It's said that some of them were convinced by the Star Killer's eloquence and 'died of shame'. The rest …"
The spy from the Secret Intelligence Department raised his head and concluded, then retreated respectfully.
"They were much more enthusiastic."
The emperors in front of the emperor exchanged a look of understanding.
"Changing the law and setting up a court." The Minister of Trade, Kenney, frowned.
"Why didn't she just plant the Black Dragon Flag on top of the city wall, give it to a trustworthy Northlander, and announce that Fort Liberté would belong to Eckstedt from now on?"
Thales smiled.
"Because she, or the people under her, are smart enough."
Gilbert's expression was solemn.
"They know how to weigh the pros and cons to avoid the cons.
"That way, when she takes over, she won't have to bear the burden and pressure of ruling.
"When she leaves, she will only gain endless memories and fame."
* Thud. *
The king knocked his finger on the long table, startling everyone.
But he said nothing and continued to look at the military advisor.
Solder got the signal and cleared his throat.
"In short, the Troubled Citizens cheered and jumped for joy when the order was given.
"The Alliance's elders, on the other hand, were mostly emotionally stable.
"The army of Dragon Clouds City was also appeased.
"Just like that, Archduchess Walton used both carrot and stick, kindness and coercion. Coupled with the losses in the previous battle, the already exhausted Fort Liberté lost its last bit of strength and will to resist."
With a complicated sigh, Solder looked at the white chess piece that stood out like a crane among chickens.
"The 'Lady of Blazing Blood' effortlessly took over the city peacefully."
Unknowingly, Thales curled up the corners of his mouth.
But he knew that it must have been far from "effortlessly".
"The Lady of Blazing Blood?"
Viscount Kenney frowned.
"Really?"
Solder scoffed.
"That's what everyone calls her, or do you want me to call her the 'True Dragon Lady'?"
Kenney smiled and did not say anything else.
Solder continued.
"Now that the capital city has fallen and the Troubled Citizens have surged, the other cities of the Alliance of Freedom lost their will to fight and surrendered at the first sign of trouble.
"The Eckstedtians turned defeat into victory in such a dramatic fashion."
The military advisor slowly sat down, no longer moving the chess pieces that had already been decided.
The "Money Bag" minister coughed.
"My question is, she was lost on the battlefield and far from her own country. She was at her lowest, without soldiers or money. How did she manage to win over the support of the Troubled Citizens?
"She can't possibly offer herself up and sleep with all of them, can she?"
Thales glanced at Kirkirk Mann expressionlessly.
'This sir is really getting on in years …'
'Actually, he might as well retire early.'
That was what he thought.
The spy from the Secret Intelligence Department stepped forward again.
"I don't know, but we discovered that the nickname 'True Dragon of Blazing Blood' originated from these Troubled Citizens, and then spread to the Northlanders."
Kenney was puzzled.
"What's with this nickname?"
"She set herself on fire, then stood on a carriage and sped into the city?"
The scar-faced man shook his head.
"There are all kinds of versions. Some say they witnessed a flying dragon descending from the sky to help her seize the city …"
Kenney frowned.
"Was it really a dragon?"
But he noticed that many of the ministers present were shaking their heads at him.
"Impossible."
Solder Ryder spoke again, seemingly a little annoyed.
"You may have just joined the Imperial Conference not long ago, Viscount Kenney, so you don't know.
"But according to the secret agreement between 'Black Eye' John and the entire Kingdom of Eckstedt centuries ago," the military advisor scoffed.
"As an extraordinary being, the Queen of the Sky will only intervene in the affairs of the mortal world when the calamities reappear.
"Otherwise, we would have been reduced to ashes five hundred years ago."
Gilbert coughed, reminding his old friend to be careful with his words.
"Only cares about the calamities? I mean, it clearly appeared in Dragon Clouds Realm six years ago — "
Viscount Kenney seemed to have understood something. His face turned ashen.
"Oh, oh, I see …"
Thales recalled the scene of him dancing with the dragon six years ago, and the Queen of the Sky telling him that "you have a nice Draconic name". He could not help but glance at King Kessel in the distance.
But unfortunately, the king remained as steady as a stone statue and did not move an inch.
"Of course, Sir Kenney," the scar-faced man from the Secret Intelligence Department said knowingly.
"For centuries, we have also been constantly on guard against the possibility of that dragon breaking the oath.
"But so far, everything has been fine."
Kenney nodded awkwardly.
The scar-faced man continued.
"As for the Archduchess' nickname, some say that she can drip her blood into flames and burn her enemies to death. Some say that she can spread her dragon wings and stir up strong winds when she takes off her clothes. Some even say that she can turn into a dragon when she howls at the sky on a full moon …"
"The one on a full moon, that's the legendary werewolf," Solder could not help but interrupt as the stories became increasingly outrageous.
"She has long been wiped out by the Enemy of the Wolves and the Longevity Hunters."
The spy from the Secret Intelligence Department understood the military advisor's meaning. He stopped reciting the information and concluded.
"So, none of this is credible.
"The origin of this nickname is still a mystery."
The ministers whispered to each other again. Thales noticed that Gilbert gave Archdeacon Stylia Nydis a questioning look, but the latter shook his head.
At that moment.
"What kind of girl is she?"
A deep, thunderous voice rang out. The ministers stopped their discussions and looked towards the end of the long table.
The scar-faced man bowed to the king's shadow.
"According to our information, when she was one year old, her parents …"
But he was immediately interrupted.
"Thales."
The king's voice rang out slowly, startling Thales.
"I'm asking you."
Kirkirk Mann's eyes lit up.
"That's right, Your Highness lived in Dragon Clouds City for six years. You must be very familiar with her, perhaps even a friend …"
But the Chief of Finance immediately recalled the scene when the prince interrupted him.
After figuring out the cause and effect, Kirkirk's face paled and he quickly lowered his head, not daring to speak again.
'What kind of girl is she?
Was it the little girl in the library with her glasses and bright eyes, or the little girl in Heroic Spirit Palace who was dressed in rags and shivering?
'Is it the little girl who gritted her teeth and tried to drag me along in the ruins? 'Or is it the archduchess who glared angrily at me in the Hall of Heroes and raised her arm in a rallying cry?'
In an instant, Thales had mixed feelings.
The Duke of Star Lake took a deep breath, then looked towards the end of the long table and met the pair of eyes with extraordinary meaning.
"That girl looks calm and gentle, safe and harmless," the prince said faintly.
"Sometimes, she even looks a little … stiff.
"But little … Saroma?"
Recalling the scene when the girl refused to go with him, Thales lowered his head and unknowingly curled up the corners of his lips.
Gilbert furrowed his brows.
"She is a true fighter."
After recalling the past, Thales raised his head and enunciated each word firmly.
"No matter what she faces.
"Calamities, dragons, or … the king."
The ministers around them started whispering to each other.
Then, on the other side of the long table, the king said coldly,
"Is that so?"
Thales froze for a moment. Gilbert had nudged him with his elbow, which was neither too light nor too heavy.
The second prince came to his senses and coughed.
"Ahem … I mean, she may be a very troublesome enemy. Of course, she may also be a potential ally."
Faced with the scrutiny of the entire table, Thales said solemnly,
"Fortunately, my relationship with her is not bad … I mean, I can talk to her."
Everyone looked at each other.
The king was silent for a while before he spoke.
"Is there anything we can use against her?"
Thales' eyebrows twitched.
"There should be." His expression did not change.
"I'll go back and think about it."
Thales could not see King Kessel's face clearly, but the king's voice traveled steadily.
"She can be our ally?"
Thales' eyes brightened.
"Of course.
"She holds real power in Dragon Clouds City, and is not a puppet of her vassals?"
"Of course."
"Have you slept with her?"
"Of course —"
'Hmm?'
Before Thales' voice faded away, his expression changed. Once he reacted, he quickly followed up with a second sentence.
"… No."
The long table was silent for a moment.
For some reason, Thales felt his face burn in the face of the many ambiguous gazes in the meeting room.
A few seconds later, the king's scrutinizing gaze finally moved away from him.
He only left the teenager with a strange nasal sound.
"Hmph."
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