Thales did not have any distractions in his mind. He focused on walking into a dark room.
Outside the hidden room, there was a buzzing sound that was unique when a crowd gathered. It was noisy and disturbing.
This reminded him of the football team he once supported in his previous life. It was probably the same feeling when he first entered the stadium.
Amidst the buzzing sound outside the hidden room, a young and cheerful male voice suddenly came.
"Hey, old man! Director Lorbec! I'm here, I'm here! Hey, mister, you look a little familiar. "
"Wait … You're Kroma Family's … cousin Derek! God, I haven't seen you for so many years. How did you end up like this?! Kesha and Gina will definitely cry! "
Thales suddenly reacted. He took a few steps forward and looked outside through the one-way glass in the hidden room. Indeed, diagonally below him was the entire Hall of Stars.
The Hall of Stars was a semi-open-air oval hall. It was at least a dozen meters tall and could accommodate at least a thousand people. There were no walls in the direction of Star Plaza. There was only a protruding balcony, which made the hall look like an irregular wide cylinder with one side cut diagonally from the top to the bottom. Or rather, it looked like a half-covered, oval trash shovel. When he thought of this, Thales could not help but smile.
At that moment, the hall was already half filled with people. They were either sitting or standing. There were at least a few hundred of them.
The closer it was to the center, the sparser the crowd. They were dressed in expensive clothes, quiet and composed, and basically all had seats. These were the nobles.
In the center of the hall was a spacious round platform. Around it were seven stone seats of different sizes.
The unique stone seat was the throne, and the six seats around it belonged to the six guardian dukes. Surrounding the six stone seats were another thirteen stone seats, which belonged to the thirteen Distinguished Families. They formed a semicircle.
The six stone seats were still empty, but the thirteen stone seats were already occupied. They were all men between the ages of twenty to sixty. They wore different emblems and had different expressions. Behind each seat stood a few attendants with tense expressions.
The voice he heard just now came from the thirteen stone seats. Behind one of the stone seats stood a handsome blond man dressed in an astral blue police uniform. He was handsome and had a defined face. Compared to the feminine Mystic Asda and the 'pretty boy' Istrone, he appeared more energetic and masculine.
However, this handsome man was viciously hit on the head with his cane by an exasperated middle-aged noble with grizzled hair who was walking towards him!
The middle-aged noble's clothes were embroidered with the symbol of two towers and a longsword.
"Cohen Karabeyan, where is your noble upbringing? Do you know how to speak human language? Derek is not only your cousin, he is also the master of the Kroma Family, one of the Thirteen Distinguished Families! The Lord of Wing Castle, a Count of the kingdom! Show some respect! "
The stunned Thales looked at the kingdom's police officer, Kohen Karabeyan. Gritting his teeth, he covered his head and roared at his father, "Old man, the Stage of Eradication is right in front of us anyway! Knock one more time, and we'll fight on the stage! "
Many people turned their heads in that direction, but when they saw that it was the seats of the 13 Distinguished Families, they shook their heads and ignored them.
'Why is this noble family so … weird?'
"Haha, Cohen and I are familiar with each other. This is the best way to show our closeness …" Derek, who was standing at the side, seemed to know about his uncle and cousin's daily life. He quickly waved his hand to smooth things over. On the other side, Lorbec was busy holding back the old Count Karabeyan, who was about to swing his staff angrily a second time.
"By the way, Cohen, although you are the eldest son of the Karabeyan Family … your father is not here yet. How did you get in?" Lord Lorbec Deira, the head of the Western City Police Department, quickly changed the topic.
"I'm not too sure either." Cohen scratched his head and frowned. "I just recovered from the injuries I received in Red Street Market a few days ago. Old man, put down your cane. We'll talk about this when we get home. I received the order to be on duty. When I arrived at the gates of Renaissance Palace, the City Defense Team and the police saw that I was one of them, so they let me in. When the palace guards heard that I was Karabeyan, they led me into the Hall of Stars."
His father, the Suzerain of Walla, the old Count Karabeyan, was stunned when he heard this.
The old count did not ask any more questions. He and Count Derek Kroma sat down on two stone seats respectively. A few attendants, knights, Cohen, and Lorbec stood behind him.
Thales listened to their conversation and roughly guessed that these two families were members of the Thirteen Distinguished Families.
At this moment, the noisy crowd suddenly fell silent.
Thales shifted his gaze in another direction.
In the distance, two unforgettable figures walked into the Hall of Stars on the blue star-patterned carpet, escorted by two groups of attendants.
The people on the road naturally made way for them. They either bowed to greet them or whispered to each other.
Among the two figures, a plump and noble-looking old man smiled honestly and occasionally responded to the people on both sides. A sword and a shield were embroidered on his back, intersecting against the background of the red sun.
That was the Prime Minister of the kingdom, the suzerain of Splendid Port City, and the Guardian Duke of the Eastern Sea, Bob Cullen.
Beside him was a middle-aged noble dressed in martial attire and exuding a murderous aura. He did not even look at his surroundings. He only strode forward with a cold expression.
On the middle-aged noble's chainmail shirt, a sharp-eyed falcon could be seen clearly. It held a branch in its beak and spread its wings against the white background.
This was the suzerain of Cold Castle, the Guardian Duke of the Northern Territory, Val Arunde, who had arrived at the capital a day ago.
The Sun Sword and Shield and the White Falcon — their emblems respectively represented the two most powerful families among the Six Great Clans.
"National Conference? This is child's play! "
The Duke of the Northern Territory, Val, who had a scar on his chin, had an indignant expression. He did not bother to hide his volume.
He said angrily to the plump old man beside him, "He personally signed the general edict! But he suddenly … let those people get involved. This is a betrayal! As the Prime Minister, you should stop him! "
Around them, the middle and small nobles who heard the conversation between the two dukes quickly lowered their heads or turned to leave. What a joke. Who would dare listen to the Six Great Guardian Dukes criticize the Supreme King of Constellation!
The white-haired, broad-minded, and plump Duke of the Eastern Sea, Bob Cullen, puffed up his red cheeks. He wore an expensive mink fur shawl and had a protruding belly. He said in resignation, "Although I also feel that it is inappropriate, I am powerless to stop His Majesty's will."
Val snorted in dissatisfaction. He was very dissatisfied with the Prime Minister's evasions.
The fat old man who rode on the fence and swayed with the wind — how did he become known as the Sword of the Bay when he was young?
They walked past the thirteen stone seats. Every noble sitting there stood up and bowed to show their respect. Even the old Karabeyan and the young Kroma were no exception.
"Even if he is the king we swore to serve, he cannot humiliate us like this!" Val landed on the ground and flung his cloak down. He tossed it to the attendant behind him, who was obviously a warrior. Then, he sat down on the seat with a flourish.
This was a man with a scar on his chin who had gone through the vicissitudes of life. The white eagle on his chest exuded a chilling aura. Dressed in a chain-mail military uniform, he propped up his left hand in a grand manner. His entire body exuded a sharp and unapproachable aura unique to Northlanders.
He did not hide his disgust towards the king. "I really want to knock that bastard's front teeth out! Just like forty years ago! "
Kohen whispered behind his father's seat, "Even if he is the Duke of the Northern Territory … How can he speak of His Majesty like this without hiding it?"
Count Karabeyan replied in a low voice, "If you grew up with His Majesty and almost married your sister to him, you would be able to speak of His Majesty like this."
"Be careful with your words. The guards will soon start passing down the message. At that time, every word from the twenty stone seats will be passed down to Star Plaza." The old Duke Cullen watched and sighed softly. With the help of his attendant, he sat on one of the six stone seats. "After all, he is our king! We can only hope that our remonstrations will be effective. "
'These Northlanders … It has been fifty years, and they have not improved at all.' The old duke shook his head in his heart.
At this moment, there was an uproar in the crowd. The noise formed by the gathering of whispers grew louder and louder!
Gilbert's familiar voice rang out.
"In the name of the Supreme King of Constellation, Kessel Jadestar …
"Subjects of the kingdom, pay your respects to His Majesty!"
Thales raised his eyebrows. A group of people walked in from the other side door of the Hall of Stars.
Like a rolling wave, the crowd knelt down on one knee and only stood up after the king was far away.
The robust Kessel the Fifth still held onto his scepter with one hand. His expression was cold and dignified as he stepped into the Hall of Stars.
Eight members of the Royal Guards guarded closely behind him.
The king instantly became the center of attention. Even though he was kneeling on one knee, the whispers in the crowd did not decrease. Instead, it became more intense.
The Duke of Eastern Sea patted his plump face and said with a smile, "His Majesty is here. Why don't you raise your suggestion to him in person?"
"Hmph," the Duke of the Northern Territory snorted in disdain, "As if he will listen to me as long as I speak."
King Kessel strode towards the stone seat. At this moment, he suddenly raised his head and glanced at the secret room, intentionally or unintentionally.
Thales clenched his fists lightly.
He adjusted his breathing and calmed his mood.
'Calm down, Thales.
The main show has not started yet. '
Behind the Iron Hand King's cape, a group of people led by Gilbert entered. The mature and tall Jines was among them.
Thales only saw Gilbert's family emblem now. It was a book with two sides open.
"Ah, it's our Constellation's Cunning Fox, Count Caso." The big-bellied Duke of Eastern Sea, Cullen smiled and said, "There's also Count Godwin, Viscount Kenney, Baron Garce, Lord Krapen … They're all the kingdom's future hopes … and our alert and intelligent female official, Lady Jines."
"The king's partisans." Val shook his head in disgust from the stone seat. "I hope they understand soon that the best way to support the king is to think of ways to prevent their king from doing crazy things, and not to attack the nineteen nobles who are the kingdom's arms. As for that b * tch, every second she's in the palace is an insult to the Arunde Family."
* Hoo … Hoo … *
"King … King …"
At this moment, an even louder cheer surged into the Hall of Stars from the open air outside!
The hall was instantly filled with deafening cheers that came from afar.
Many of the nobles' expressions changed. Many of the commoners with status whispered excitedly to each other, some even cheered along.
Thales came to a realization. 'These are the cheers of the people in Star Plaza.'
Duke Cullen pursed his lips. "I'm guessing that the guards have already begun to pass the message down to the plaza?"
Val turned his head, his face ashen.
Kessel arrived in front of the thirteen stone seats and looked at his vassals.
The thirteen Distinguished Families got up early and lined up in front of him. One by one, they knelt down on one knee to prove their loyalty.
Kessel expressionlessly extended his right hand and passed it to the first noble with a pentagram as his emblem, allowing him to kiss the ring on it.
"Bern Talon, you are the first," the king said flatly. "You are still the first. You are always the first. "
"Blood is thicker than water, Your Majesty. The Talon Family is a branch of the Jadestar Family, just like how the pentagram will always be a part of the nine-pointed star." That nobleman in his prime lowered his head respectfully.
Kessel's brows furrowed imperceptibly, but he still nodded and walked to the next noble.
"Smith Sorel." His dignified voice spread and gathered everyone's gaze. "I heard that you and your territory have been persistently opposing the 'Border County Expansion Tax Exemption Order'?"
"Of course, Your Majesty!" A middle-aged noble with a golden sun emblem kissed the king's ring and shook his head firmly. "How can the blood of nobles be tarnished?"
Kessel snorted softly.
"Lewis Bozdorf." The king extended his hand to a noble who had a black lion on his chest, baring its fangs and brandishing its claws. "Will the warlike black lion still fight for the pride?"
The noble kissed the king's ring, smiled, and answered cunningly, "I swear to fight to the death, Your Majesty. As long as the lion remains wise and brave, it will remember the pride."
Kessel nodded and continued to walk forward.
"Turami Karabeyan." Kessel walked up to Count Karabeyan and showed a nostalgic expression. "I remember that you were once a member of the Starlight Brigade and risked your life for John.
"I risked my life for my hometown," Count Karabeyan said solemnly and kissed His Majesty's ring. "Everything is for the stability of Constellation."
Kessel nodded while deep in thought.
"Derek Kroma, you look smarter than your father." Kessel continued to walk forward and said meaningfully to the young Derek, "Is the crow that wants to save its master even if it only has one wing? Is it still in Wing Fort?"
Derek Kroma, who had a tattoo of a single-winged crow on his body, cleverly enunciated each word and kissed the king's ring. Expressionlessly, he replied, "That crow has been saved and nurtured by its master. That is why it risked its life to save its master. Of course, that crow will forever remain in Wing Fort."
Kessel patted his shoulder and walked towards a half-bald noble. He extended his right hand.
"Hodge Dastan." This time, the noble had two longswords embroidered on his body, forming a cross. Kessel said coldly, "I still remember that your clan's motto is' forward or backward, survive or fall '. Have you chosen the direction you should take this time?"
"The direction has always been there." The half-bald Hodge Dastan lowered his head and kissed the king's ring so that no one could see his expression clearly. "But those who stand too high cannot see clearly."
Kessel snorted coldly and angrily. He did not hide his dissatisfaction towards this person at all.
"Wilkos Zemunto, Polite Friess." This time, the king extended his hands and faced the two resolute nobles with white bears and iron-colored long walls as their emblems. "Wilkos Zemunto, Polite Friess. Will Overwatch City and Lonely Old Tower be able to withstand the northern cold winds?"
"Cold winds?" The bearded Count Wilcos Zemunto kissed the king's ring and said heroically, "For Constellation, Overwatch City can even withstand the Great Dragon's wrath!"
The bald Count Porritt Friess was not to be outdone either. He kissed the ring and his eyes shone. "Although the Lonely Old Tower stands in the howling cold winds, no matter how bitterly cold it is, the furnace in the tower will still burn without end."
Under the king's signal, the two northern nobles slowly stood up.
Kessel walked past all the thirteen Distinguished Families present and walked towards the two dukes.
He waved his hand and stopped Bob Cullen, who was swaying and trying to stand up. "Forget about the prime minister, your stomach is practically heavier than my scepter."
The Duke of the Eastern Sea was all smiles, as if he did not understand the hidden meaning in Kessel's words. He only nodded and thanked him.
Jines, who was beside him, took off Kessel's cloak and let the king sit on the highest stone seat.
Kessel glanced at Val and shook his head nonchalantly. "As for you, I guess that you have a strange disease that prevents you from bending your knees?"
"Yes," Val Arunde said carelessly. His eyes were burning with anger. "Regardless of whether I am facing Eckstedt or Constellation's royalty, I have this strange disease!"
Kessel shook his head. "It has been forty years, but your sense of humor is still as bad as ever."
After greeting each other with a slightly deeper meaning of their allegiance, the nobles of the thirteen Distinguished Families returned to their seats.
"Two of the six guardian dukes are present, while eight of the thirteen Distinguished Families are present," Gilbert reported with a solemn expression. "Your Majesty?"
"Wait for a while more," Kessel said calmly.
Once again, deafening cheers rose from Star Plaza.
Amid the cheers, Val said disdainfully, "Suddenly announcing that the Higher Parliament will be changed into a National Conference and convening it ahead of schedule … Do you think those nobles who are too far away will be able to make it in time? At the very least, we can forget about Blade City's Tabark Family! "
Kessel shook his head with an expressionless face. "This is the chess game of the heroes of Constellation. The players have long been determined, and the game has long begun."
"Looks like that crown has not only turned you into a king, it has also turned you into a third-rate bard." Val Arunde said indignantly, gritting his teeth. Only the Duke of Eastern Sea smiled and tried to smooth things over.
Thales, who was in the secret room, felt his heart clench. He saw an old man in a black robe, holding a cane, standing at the very end of the 'king's supporters' group. The people around him tried their best to avoid this old man. Only a young man in a white robe, who was similarly dressed in a simple white robe, followed behind him.
'That is …'
"Morat Hansen. Why is he here? "Beside Cohen, Lord Lorbec looked at the figure in the black robe and frowned." I feel cold all over when I see that poisonous snake. "
"He is the Kingdom's Chief of Intelligence and attends the Imperial Conference. Of course he has to come." Cohen also frowned, obviously not too fond of this person. "But according to what the director said, His Majesty and Prime Minister Duke Cullen, who see him every day, have long frozen to death … Hmm?"
Cohen raised his eyebrows, revealing a look of disbelief.
"That is?"
Under the astonished gazes of his father and the director, the golden-haired Police Officer Cohen Karabeyan suddenly strode forward. With an angry and indignant expression, he walked towards —
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