Thales subconsciously turned his head to look around, but the narrow Ballard Room was still quiet. There was no movement at all.
The sun had set, and the lights were faint.
Only King Kessel's cold gaze pierced towards him from afar, like a knife to his throat.
"How nice."
Thales sighed and gave up on trying to find Yodel.
"He's never been so obedient when we were outside."
Thales narrowed his eyes and tried to adjust his mood, just like relaxing his muscles and joints before a big battle.
"But, are you sure he really left?"
But the Iron Hand King's answer was simple and direct, his tone cold and unhesitant.
"You have fifteen minutes."
Fifteen minutes.
Thales was silent for a second.
Clearly, this was not the time to talk about "a father and son reunion".
As he thought, he snorted and nodded.
"Not bad. You know, the Northland barbarians only gave me two minutes back then."
Kessel the Fifth snorted coldly.
"And you've already wasted half of it."
His tone made Thales feel pressured.
Listening to Kessel's merciless words, Thales had no choice but to take a deep breath and brace himself.
After all, he had already come so far and sacrificed so much.
To come to the windmill that belonged to him.
Wasn't it?
At this thought, Thales put away his expression and put on a stern face.
"After last night's banquet, you extorted this petition from Little Flower — I mean, the Duke of Iris Flowers, forcing him to pay taxes as a substitute laborer, and calling for the rest of the country to follow suit."
Thales leaned forward slightly and pressed the letter on the table.
"Now it seems that you did that to solve the problem of today's Imperial Conference — Lord Solder wants to expand the regular army, and is in urgent need of money and reputation."
King Kessel shifted his gaze to the 'petition' and did not say a word.
"That's why you and Adviser Solder are echoing each other in Ballard Room today," Thales said coldly with a cold gaze.
"Or rather, it was the two of you who communicated with each other in advance. He charged in front, and you sat in the tent, coordinating with each other from inside and outside.
But his words obviously did not have any effect.
"Ha, you must be a genius to have seen through the dark side of the kingdom," King Kessel mocked him expressionlessly, completely unaffected.
"Why didn't the other lords at the Imperial Conference think of this?"
Thales frowned slightly.
"Yes, this matter is very obvious. Perhaps even the Star Killer can see it. The ministers just don't want to expose it."
Or, he didn't dare to say it out loud.
In the next second, Thales' expression changed.
"But something isn't right."
The youth picked up Zayen's letter and leaned forward.
"Timing."
King Kessel narrowed his eyes. Thales fixed his gaze on him. Neither of them spoke.
The flame of the Everlasting Lamp flickered, and the entire conference room was illuminated by ripples. Shadows flickered.
It was as if he was at the bottom of the sea, enduring the surging undercurrents.
"An accident that happened last night has solved this morning's problem?"
Thales spoke slowly, his eyes never leaving the Iron Hand King's face.
"What a coincidence."
King Kessel did not react, as if this was just a bunch of nonsense to him.
Thales flung the letter in his hand and shook his head gently.
"But there are no coincidences in politics."
"You want it? Did you foresee and arrange the accident at the banquet in advance? Waiting for Zayen to come knocking on my door and offend me so that I can use him against me? Extortion. "
"You want it? Did you improvise and force Zayen to write the petition on a whim after the accident at the banquet? Instructed Lord Solder to propose it in front of the Emperor? Made a prompt decision and did it in one go. "
Ballard Room was silent for a moment.
"Self-righteous? Baseless assumptions. "King Kessel appeared disdainful.
"The Secret Intelligence Department's evaluation of you is indeed correct."
But Thales smiled lightly. He nodded.
"That's it.
"This letter? Whether it was premeditated or impromptu, I still feel that something is wrong. "
Thales' gaze froze.
"Until I obeyed your orders and went to the Secret Intelligence Department."
At that moment, the Iron Hand King frowned slightly.
Thales' speech sped up and became urgent.
"First of all, I confirmed that Anker Byrael's assault at the banquet was not instigated by anyone — at least not by you."
The motionless King Kessel made Thales feel as if he was talking to a stone statue.
But he knew that he was not.
"If I hadn't shouted in public, no one would have known that it was Zayen who brought the weapon."
"Putting the conflict between Byrael and Doyle on the table is not beneficial to the kingdom's governance, nor is it in your interest."
Thales shook his head and said with certainty,
"At least I can confirm one thing: the accident at the banquet was not part of your plan."
King Kessel did not comment.
He only added a few words softly.
"They're letting you meet the felon. The Secret Intelligence Department is too lenient with you."
Thales smiled politely in response.
"Secondly, let me go to the Secret Intelligence Department to take a look at my mess, so that I'll be more obedient."
The king snorted coldly.
"Obviously, you didn't learn anything."
Thales adjusted his breathing and looked down at the cut on his left hand. He recalled what the Black Prophet had said in the interrogation room.
"What's important isn't what you do, whether you do it or not, or whether you do it right or wrong. It's just that you are there. It's your position and existence."
"Under the power of power, your position is different from others, and the gap is set. No matter what you do in the upper reaches of power, what's bound to happen will happen."
Thales looked up.
"That's right. Sitting in this position, every move I make is of great significance and far-reaching."
"Whether it's because I don't like to drink, or only eat lettuce, or accept duels, or help the Northlanders smuggle … Whatever is good at the top is bad at the bottom. I should see, know, and be responsible for the consequences of my actions."
"Very well," King Kessel said with a light snort.
"Then have you thought about how you're going to be responsible for the prince's rebellion?"
But in the next second, Thales' expression turned serious and he changed the topic.
"But!"
'What's bound to happen will happen.'
Thales paused for a moment and said decisively,
"Later, someone told me, 'Do you know how many hurdles you have to go through, from finance to the market, from taxes to the budget, from administration to the people's livelihood, from top to bottom, from one end of the chain to the other?"
Thales sneered and pointed at the darkness outside the window.
"Do you think this is a marionette show, where the gangsters on the streets will start when the king moves his fingers?"
At that moment, the king's gaze flickered.
"Who said that?" he said coldly.
But Thales shook his head and did not answer.
"So, after connecting it with what I saw and heard at the royal banquet, I thought of more."
As Thales spoke, he propped himself up on the edge of the table and locked his gaze on the king.
"These days, the Central Territory, especially the agriculture, medicine, tobacco, alcohol, forging, leather, textiles, and other industries around the capital have all experienced a rare, substantial, and long-term upheaval.
"And that is not something that can be affected by Thales Jadestar's behavior alone."
At that moment, King Kessel raised his chin slightly.
Even though it was only for a moment, Thales captured this detail.
"So I began to suspect that behind the 'the prince likes lettuce, but the farmer starves to death' public opinion and propaganda …"
He took a deep breath and recalled the series of encounters from the banquet to the Secret Intelligence Department, to Red Street Market, and Lower City District.
Thales' gaze sharpened.
"What is the Secret Intelligence Department trying to hide?
"What is happening in the kingdom?"
Thales' voice faded away.
The cold wind poured into the room, blowing the flame of the Everlasting Lamp into a mess. The light and shadows were a mess.
What answered him was the king's snort.
"Groundless accusations and baseless conjectures."
King Kessel turned his head and buried one side of his face in the darkness. He seemed to be in low spirits.
"Are you done with the conspiracy theories?"
A wave of indignation welled up in Thales' heart. It was both familiar and unfamiliar.
"So I saw it!"
The teenager unconsciously raised his voice and spoke faster.
"Whether it is the gap between the supply and demand of food and wine production, or the unprecedented shortage of various medicinal herbs that has raised the market price of medicine, or the conflict between the criminal gangs that revolve around the imbalance of market interests, the Northlanders who want to privately buy food for the winter but run into trade barriers, the abnormal flow of people from the frontier to the inland, and the craftsmen of the foundry industry are constantly being secretly recruited by the army, and perhaps even more …"
Thales subconsciously clenched his teeth.
At that moment, it was as if he had returned to Heroic Spirit Palace and faced the six archdukes of Northland — and the archduchess.
"All of these, these tremors at the end of the power chain, they are not the normal state of the market, nor are they the effects of my 'A Prince Has a Thin Waist'. They are more like the mess left behind after a certain power intervenes in various industries: mass production, material hoarding, population movement, goods movement, centralized allocation … and they have to be carried out in secret to deceive the public …"
At this moment, the king suddenly spoke and interrupted him.
"Where."
Thales was startled.
"Where?"
King Kessel spoke faintly, his voice deep and powerful.
"After leaving the Secret Intelligence Department …"
His body leaned forward on the table and his face emerged from the shadows. Like a lion striding forward, he looked for the best position to pounce.
"Where else did you go? What did you do? Who did you meet?"
Each of King Kessel's words was slower than the last, but each was more urgent than the last.
There was a hint of danger.
Where did I go? What did I do? Who did I meet?
Thales paused slightly.
One Night of Romance, Laurel Club, Grove Pharmacy, Sunset Bar, Abandoned House …
Cohen, Sissy, Lillian, Tinker, Groff, Morris, Layork …
All of them.
His past.
Thales clenched his fists.
But he took a deep breath and dispelled the faint fear he had when facing the king. In its place was a hundredfold vigilance and carefulness in the face of a powerful enemy.
"Let me think … Hmm."
He leaned back in his chair and smiled. His voice was confident and relaxed.
"Red Street Market, Lower City District.
"Prostitutes, brawls.
"Men, women … Hmm, and people outside of these two."
King Kessel frowned.
Thales smiled as usual.
"If you ask Butt-Ass Leader or those who are following me in the dark, they'll probably tell you this."
The next second, the king's frown slowly relaxed.
"That beggar's den, right?"
King Kessel snorted softly, as if he was talking about a trivial matter.
"After so many years, you still belong there."
Beggar's den.
"Every time you're injured, you still run back, feeling wronged, like a cub returning to its mother's arms. You cry loudly and find your courage there."
As his voice faded, King Kessel turned his head and glanced at him lightly.
Thales shuddered slightly. He looked at the king's gaze and suddenly understood.
Thales knew where the indignation that was both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time came from.
The teenager recognized that gaze from the king.
Six years ago, he was brought back from the Abandoned House by Yodel. It was the first time he saw this dignified man in Mindis Hall.
At that time, the man had the same expression on his face.
Disdain.
Indifference.
Indifference.
Thales closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
But this time …
"A long time ago, the moment I was taken away by my grandfather, everything changed."
Glover's dejected words rang in his ears.
"We, Lilian, Tinker, I …"
"We can't go back."
"Forever."
The teenager opened his eyes abruptly!
"So, from the above, I've confirmed the second point!"
Thales' expression was cold and stern as he grabbed the letter from Iris Flower.
"What this letter involves is not something you came up with on the spur of the moment, father."
King Kessel frowned, as if he was surprised.
Thales enunciated his words clearly and his logic gradually smoothed out. He broke through the layers of awkwardness he once felt when he faced the king.
"Long before Lord Solder's radical proposal, the large-scale expansion of the regular army of the royal family had already begun in an orderly but unstoppable manner, in the entire Central Territory, and in all walks of life. Rations, supplies, equipment, weapons, logistics routes, and even possible future sources of conscription and garrisons, were already in full swing and were in full swing.
"If we take into account the time taken to conceive, plan, prepare, investigate, coordinate, mobilize, and take action, it may have lasted several months or even a year or two, and has far-reaching implications. It's almost like a war mobilization — just that it's more low-key, more sneaky, no loud outcry, no declaration of war, to avoid market turbulence, and to prevent anyone from noticing anything amiss."
Thales narrowed his eyes.
"So much so that the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department has no choice but to cover up leaks everywhere, and even use the prince's name."
King Kessel's gaze turned sharp.
"Smack!"
Thales slapped Zayen's letter onto the table.
"From this, it can be seen that Lord Solder's expansion proposal wasn't as simple as informing you and getting your approval."
He stared intently at the king's cheek and said coldly,
"You, and the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department, you must have been planning this for a long time, and determined to succeed!"
Ballard Room fell into a long silence.
"Hmph."
A few seconds later, the Iron Hand King's snort sounded faintly.
"In that case, you're not too stupid after all.
"At least a little smarter than the money-minded Kirke — why would Banker promote him back then?"
Seeing the king's reaction, Thales was even more certain of his judgment.
He chuckled, forgetting the previous oppressive feeling.
"That brings us to the next question.
"If Zayen's letter in support of the expansion wasn't premeditated by you, but the expansion proposal wasn't something you came up with on the spur of the moment …" Thales' expression turned serious.
His voice was slightly cold, "Then what exactly are you up to?"
In the face of the prince's questioning, King Kessel responded in silence, but his gaze grew sharper.
Thales pried open his fingers and began to speak.
"From secretly preparing for the expansion, to the accident at the royal banquet, to blackmailing Zayen's letter, to the debate at the Imperial Conference regarding the expansion, all these steps to achieve the goal, some were clearly planned and prepared, while others were purely coincidental."
He sneered.
"Don't tell me that when it comes to the politics of the kingdom, you can still plan half by chance, half by calculation, and half by luck?"
King Kessel responded with an equally cold smile.
"Isn't that what you're doing now," the king clicked his tongue, "Breaking into the palace to seek a voice, killing people to gain an audience.
"Half by calculation, and half by luck?"
Thales' words faltered.
He paused and exhaled softly, reminding himself not to fall into the other party's trap.
"Then, I remembered this morning's Imperial Conference."
"Today, Lord Solder spoke highly of the drawbacks of conscription and advocated for the expansion of the regular army, but met with unprecedented opposition.
"Starting from the prime minister, most of the people at the Imperial Conference were caught off guard and unprepared for this proposal, whether it was finance, diplomacy, agriculture, or production. The Department of Finance was short of funds and had no budget, public opinion and morality were not in their favor, and the various departments were complaining about the lack of resources."
King Kessel's gaze shifted.
Thales realized that although the statue-like king remained silent, he was no longer expressionless.
This discovery caused him to be extremely excited. It was as if an invincible and flawless formation had finally been broken through after a series of attacks.
"The conditions and situation were not sufficient. Even if everyone knew that this was your intention, Solder's proposal was met with heavy resistance. In the end, he could only lower his demands and make repeated concessions, limiting the reform of the military system to Eternal Star City and the Jadestar Private Army."
Thales changed the topic.
"That's why I'm even more puzzled: you, the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department, and Lord Solder had been planning for a long time, a large-scale national policy decision that had already been quietly rolled out in secret. Why didn't you inform your own people beforehand, and didn't you inform them at the Imperial Conference? So that when it came down to it, you ran into a situation where the kingdom was strapped for cash, and the vassals objected in unison. You lacked money, reputation, and manpower? "
Thales stared at the king, waiting for an answer.
"In the end, you still had to rely on an unlucky sucker, Zayen, who bumped into you yesterday, to wave the flag for you and provide the initial funds?"
Silence.
In that instant, King Kessel's eyes turned cold, as if Thales was the problem.
"Why?"
He restrained his unnecessary expression and said in an unfriendly tone,
"Because you know nothing."
Nothing.
Thales smiled.
He was even more certain of his guess.
"I really don't understand."
Thales said seriously,
"This initiative of yours was clearly prepared in secret for a long time, and you were determined to carry it out. But because of insufficient communication and coordination, and insufficient conditions and situation, you could only reluctantly take a step back, and rely on accidents and luck to fill in the gaps."
The teenager's expression turned cold.
"In this matter, your political skills are too lame and clumsy."
In that second, the Iron Hand King snorted softly, unsure if it was out of dissatisfaction or disdain.
Thales shook his head.
"No, this is not you, Iron Hand King, Kessel Jadestar the Fifth.
"This is not in line with your usual assertive and uncompromising character, nor does it conform to the Secret Intelligence Department's style of being prepared for anything. Look at 'Dragon's Blood'. Overnight, Northland collapsed, the Giant Dragon wailed, and Eckstedt declined due to internal strife. That is a classic example of your strategizing and stirring up a storm."
Kessel the Fifth was expressionless when he heard 'Dragon's Blood'.
Thales raised his head and straightened his clothes.
"There is only one explanation.
"First of all, you have indeed planned for a long time for the expansion of the regular army."
Thales said coldly,
"The regular army of the royal family, this chariot of the kingdom, is destined to roll forward unstoppably under your will."
King Kessel did not speak.
But sometimes, silence was the greatest response.
Thales continued in a low voice.
"However, this extortion letter was indeed an impromptu idea."
The prince smiled and said softly,
"Because in your original plan, the warhorse that was supposed to pull the kingdom's chariot for you accidentally ran out of control and lost its footing."
In that instant, King Kessel's fingers moved imperceptibly.
"So, you can only settle for the second best, making do with what's available. When you're hungry, you can't be choosy and use whatever you have at hand. Little Flower and his South Shore Hill are just like that. They're just a stupid pony that has lost its way. They walked into the stable in a muddle-headed manner, and you immediately put the bridle on them, nailed them to the saddle, and hurriedly pulled the cart."
Thales fixed his gaze on his father. He pushed Zayen's' Petition 'to the middle of the table so that the iris emblem was facing the king.
"Using shoddy goods to make up the numbers."
Thales waited for a few seconds after he finished speaking.
Until King Kessel's face finally showed a few unusual changes.
"Warhorse, pulling the chariot." The king snorted and reached out to pick up Zayen's letter.
"Interesting."
Thales took in the entirety of his expression.
The youth smiled slightly.
"But as I said, Little Flower is not a lamb waiting to be slaughtered."
The prince's smile faded and he said solemnly,
"It can be foreseen that this new fake horse is not only dispirited, but also unsteady in its steps. The boss is unwilling, and it will puff and puff when it pulls the chariot.
"At best, it can only be considered inferior."
Thales' tone changed.
"As for the original, the genuine horse …"
At that moment, King Kessel's gaze was like the edge of a sword.
The youth curled up the corner of his mouth.
"I guess, compared to Little Flower, who's just there to make up the numbers …
"It must have fewer problems. It's hale and hearty, and its hooves are sturdy, and it's hardworking and conscientious.
"It must be of superior quality."
The Iron Hand King did not speak. He just put down the letter and quietly waited for Thales' answer.
The prince's tone slowly rose, as if he was slowly unfolding a story.
"For example, it allows you to expand the regular army without having to worry about the shortage of money and food budget, without having to worry about the pressure of public opinion, and without having to worry about the ministers in the Imperial Conference. You don't even have to argue with the experienced departments of the kingdom."
Thales spoke slowly, but saw King Kessel's frown deepen.
"As long as you, Solder, and The Black Prophet are the three powerhouses of the king, the Ministry of Military Affairs, and the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department. That's enough to solve the problem.
"Safe, smooth, successful, low-key, and leave no room for future trouble. Expand the regular army of the royal family."
Thales exhaled and narrowed his eyes.
"Or more."
The Iron Hand King listened to the youth's words, but he did not respond immediately.
Ballard Room fell into a deep silence.
Even the lights seemed to have been frozen.
But Thales was very patient.
He was familiar with the battlefield he was in.
The Iron Hand King was silent for a long time before he spoke in a low voice.
"So, how did you find that genuine horse?"
Thales stared at him for a very long time before nodding slightly.
"I learned about the situation in the west from many sources."
The west.
King Kessel did not speak.
Thales said slowly,
"I know that since the Bloody Year, the western frontline has been maintained for so many years. The vassals of the Western Desert, led by Fakenhaz, are so experienced and cunning that they have long reached the peak. No matter how you try to comfort them, warn them, or even beat them up, it will be useless."
"But you can't risk universal condemnation and fall out with them. You can't let go of the Legendary Wing's vicious dog collar and let him carry out a bloody massacre. Treating the nobles the same way you treat the orc prisoners of war would cause the entire Constellation to boil out of control."
Thales became serious.
"So, it's very unreasonable for you to waste a lot of money and food a few months ago and send the regular army of the royal family to the quagmire of Western Desert.
"You're not there to beat the dukes, because it's useless.
"Nor to destroy their families, because I don't dare to.
"Nor to welcome the son of a thousand miles away …"
Thales' eyes flashed.
"Because in your eyes, I'm not that important."
It was getting colder in Ballard Room.
King Kessel's gaze slowly changed. He unknowingly left the back of his chair and leaned forward.
"That's right. Sir Solder's proposal this morning, such as reducing the Jadestar Private Army and experimenting with the expansion of the regular army in Central Territory, is just the tip of the iceberg.
"As for the months or even years of preparations in secret, it's not just for the expansion."
Thales' voice grew colder.
"A few months ago in Western Desert Hill, on the eve of my return to the kingdom …
"You dispatched the main forces of the three divisions of the regular army of the royal family to conquer the desert in the west regardless of the losses, for no other reason than …"
As the prince spoke, King Kessel's pupils slowly contracted.
Thales spoke softly, and in the calmest and most indifferent tone, he revealed the most shocking truth.
"Just to legitimately expand your regular army of the royal family on a considerable scale after the Desert War, during the most urgent and tragic invasion of the orcs and Barren Bone people.
"You had to seize the rare opportunity of the Western Desert's feudal lords gathering in one place and using all their assets to plunder their wealth, absorb their nutrients, and fill up the army.
"Then, take advantage of the moment when the feudal lords mysteriously lost the war and suffered heavy losses to disband their bloated and incompetent conscripted army in one go without any opposition."
The cold wind whistled and the shadows of the lamps swayed.
Thales' gaze froze and his heart was heavy.
"Based on the advantage that the western frontline has been under military control for a long time, implement a military reform on the spot, redesign the border defense, and re-establish rules and regulations.
"In the end, just like Blessings Town that has lost its autonomy, you had to abolish the independent military obligations and rights of the vassals of Western Desert from their roots."
King Kessel lowered his head slightly. The flickering lights reflected the shadows under his eyes.
Thales gritted his teeth.
"Power begins with violence.
"After Mindis the Third spent more than a hundred years to weaken their economic, political, cultural, diplomatic, and status privileges …
"You, Iron Hand King, Kessel the Fifth, you wanted to command the power of thousands of troops, the might of a thunderbolt, the speed of lightning, and the momentum of a tidal wave …
"On this piece of land in Western Desert, completely and thoroughly sweep the natural military rights of the feudal lords and feudal lords since the founding of the country into the trash heap of history."
Thales stared at the silent King Kessel, but could not help but think of Chapman Lampard, whom he had faced in Heroic Spirit Palace.
"Once you succeed, the Western Desert families as illustrious as Fakenhaz and as insignificant as Byrael will completely become rich men and landlords with empty titles and assets, leaving only their genealogy and history, but no longer able to resist the might of the king.
"And eventually expand to the whole country, forging a new normal of Constellation's rule."
Thales said faintly,
"Completing the Sage's Chess Game — the ultimate step."
King Kessel did not speak.
He just stared at the second prince with a profound gaze.
"All of this," Finally, after a while, King Kessel's voice came softly, "Did you think of it yourself?"
Thales' gaze shifted.
"Of course not.
"Someone told me."
King Kessel's gaze shifted.
"Who?"
Thales raised his head and accepted it calmly.
"Everyone."
King Kessel looked puzzled.
Thales showed a smile.
"From the nobles at the top, to the common people at the bottom.
"Even you."
"Your Majesty."
King Kessel frowned hard.
But Thales snorted.
"Do you remember what you said to me the first time I met you after returning to the country?
"That sword.
"And that it was because of that sword that I became the Duke of Star Lake."
King Kessel narrowed his eyes.
The Duke of Star Lake looked up, his eyes glowing.
"And the reason why you were so dissatisfied with me accepting Fakenhaz's sword …"
Thales said coldly,
"Not because of what has already happened.
"But because of the things that should have happened in Western Desert in your plan, but did not happen in the end."
King Kessel's eyes slowly widened.
"Yes, your operation in the West Barren failed. You didn't follow your original plan to complete your military reform in the West Barren under the rare conditions."
"And the horse stumbled and fell short of success, not because of anything else.
"It is precisely because …"
Thales raised a finger and pointed at himself gently.
"Me."
The prince's voice faded away.
Ballard Room was dead silent, and there was silence everywhere.
For a full ten seconds, the Iron Hand King did not respond at all.
But the way he looked at Thales slowly changed.
From the previous disdain and indifference.
It became …
"Now I know." Finally, Kessel the Fifth spoke softly.
"How did you survive in the north?
"Polaris."
'Polaris.'
Under the table, Thales clenched his fists tightly.
He was not mistaken.
At that moment, the king's eyes revealed a deep solemnity.
Unfamiliar.
And wariness.
Thales smiled faintly and spoke more briskly.
"Now, have I grown fast enough?"
King Kessel's eyebrows twitched.
"Enough to bear the weight of Constellation?"
Thales narrowed his eyes and sized up the king.
"Enough for me to participate in this game of chess?"
Thales' tone was relaxed, with a hint of mockery.
But at that moment, the Iron Hand King suddenly looked up, and his aura suddenly changed!
"From just now until now," Kessel's tone was extremely cold, and his gaze was incomparably sharp.
"Can these things you have said make up for the stupid consequences of your brazen intrusion into the palace?"
Thales was stunned.
"Maybe these are two things …"
But King Kessel snorted disdainfully and rudely.
"Then what's the use of saying these things?
"Bearing the weight of a few swords."
Hearing this vulgar response, Thales could not help but be stunned.
"I admit, your performance was quite good.
"But unfortunately, the fifteen minutes have been used up.
"Tell Vanguard Marico that I have granted him permission to carry out the prince's punishment — because he trespassed into the palace and committed the crime of treason."
After saying that, the Iron Hand King turned his head and coldly and rudely ended the conversation.
Thales frowned tightly.
As expected.
His father was not a man who would be easily shaken by accidents.
Even if he was facing …
His son.
But just a second later, Thales' expression relaxed.
"Do you want it?"
King Kessel furrowed his brows.
In the narrow, dark, and cold Ballard Room, Thales rubbed his arms and did not look at the other side of the long table.
"Do you still want it?"
The Iron Hand King did not look up, but there was a hint of doubt in his eyes.
Thales took a deep breath, pointed at the letter on the table, and said faintly,
"As I said, Zayen will not let you take advantage of him easily. This inferior horse will only walk into a pit, and is not easy to ride.
"But, do you still want it?"
At that moment, Thales recalled Stake's tone when he bewitched others in the tavern.
"Do you still want to complete it? Do you still want to complete the unprecedented change in the history of Constellation, or even the entire world of Errol?"
King Kessel's expression changed slightly.
The prince's voice grew quieter, and his tone was thought-provoking.
"Reform the military system, reverse the legal system, take in the soldiers of the feudal lords, and promote the army of the king.
"From then on, let the regular army of the royal family become the only, orthodox, legal, and powerful violent force in Western Desert Hill?"
Ballard Room returned to silence.
Until a few seconds later, the king's voice also rang out, hoarse, cold, and enunciating each word clearly.
"What, do you mean?"
Thales clenched his fists tightly.
At that moment, he suddenly felt that the pressure that the king had once brought him, that made him breathe heavily, had completely disappeared without a trace.
"If the answer is' yes'," Thales' voice was steady,
"Then …"
His gaze met King Kessel's in the air.
"I can help you."
'I can help you.'
At that moment, the Iron Hand King's gaze became dangerous, cold, and subtle.
He turned his head and faced Thales again.
"You —"
"Remember, father," Thales interrupted him, feeling that the air had never been so light, "when I said, 'I'm here to save you' …"
He smiled faintly, his eyes sparkling.
"I was serious.
"When you, Constellation's King of High Iron Wrist, can only ride Zayen, this inferior horse, wear a rusty armor, step on the uneven and bumpy road, and still have to pretend to be cool and domineering to pursue your dreams of Constellation."
King Kessel's gaze suddenly turned cold.
Thales burst into laughter and spread his hands.
"Why, do you really think that I care about that broken crown of yours?"
In Ballard Room, the two faced each other from a distance. The lights and the cold wind were their only audience.
The Iron Hand King was silent for a moment, but he shook his head firmly.
"It can't make up for the consequences of your foolish actions today. The Prince of Constellation plotted a rebellion to force the abdication, you can't escape punishment."
Thales' mood sank.
"I know, but that's another matter."
Thales looked back at him.
"What do you say, father?"
King Kessel did not speak. He just stared at him, unblinking.
Thales was the first to admit defeat in the stare.
"Alright, I know. Even if it's not Western Desert, there's still South Coast. Anyway, you'll have a way …"
He sighed, left his seat, and walked towards the door.
"Then I'll be leaving."
Thales indifferently waved behind him. "Put me under house arrest in Mindis Hall. Whether it's flogging or hanging, it's up to you … Wait, forget about hanging, I don't like the feeling of being strangled."
At this moment.
"Sand King."
Thales stopped in his tracks. His fingers stopped on the doorknob.
The Duke of Star Lake raised his head, but did not turn around. He only stared at the dark, cold stone door.
"What?"
The king's thunderous voice came from behind him. It was as cold as ever, and it was impossible to tell whether he agreed or refused.
"This is an action plan that Brother Midier, together with the Department of Military Affairs, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department, came up with a long time ago.
"Action codename: Sand King."
Midier.
Secret Intelligence Department.
Sand King.
Thales grasped the most crucial few words.
He took a deep breath, let go of the doorknob, turned around, and faced Kessel the Fifth again.
"Sand King, Sand King?"
Thales narrowed his eyes and searched for the royal family pedigree that Gilbert had explained to him.
"Are you talking about the Virtuous King's grandson, who went on an expedition to the desert in Year 552 of the Calendar of Eradication, but suffered a crushing defeat and had his blood stained the yellow sand? He was so terrified that he abandoned his vassals and subordinates, dug a hole, and fled in shame. He boasted that 'invisibility is equal to invincibility', and completely ruined the golden era of four former kings. He became the laughingstock of the Western Peninsula, the one with the same name as you —"
Thales paused and snorted softly.
"Kessel the Fourth?"
The Iron Hand King was silent for a while.
"No."
He denied it in an irrefutable manner.
"What I am talking about is that in Year 553, after he was betrayed by a vassal with real power and suffered a crushing defeat, he relied on a small mercenary group to survive in the desert. He worked hard to improve himself, learned from his mistakes, and bore the notoriety of being greedy for life, afraid of death, and extravagant. He wanted to keep that mercenary group in the capital, pay them a hefty salary, and provide them with expensive supplies. In the end, he created a professional army that was not governed by any vassals, territories, blood relations, or services. He was also the predecessor of the regular army of the royal family. He was that 'Sand King' —"
King Kessel's gaze turned fierce.
"Kessel the Fourth."
'Betrayed by a vassal with real power …
'Kept the mercenary group in the capital …
'Became the predecessor of the regular army of the royal family …'
Hearing this different biography, Thales seemed to be deep in thought.
"Now, sit down."
King Kessel said coldly, leaving no room for doubt.
"Let's talk."
'Talk.'
From an angle he could not see, Thales exhaled deeply and curled up the corners of his lips.
He slowly turned his head around.
"I thought that fifteen minutes had passed?"
King Kessel snorted coldly and glanced at him from afar.
"Yes.
"For you."
Thales steadied his expression, took a deep breath, pulled out the chair, and sat down again.
"Of course.
"Right, Vanguard Marico has a promising future and is trustworthy," the prince seemed to have suddenly thought of something and said gently.
"But I think it is better to let him take over as the chief penal officer and be in charge of punishing the members of the royal family?"
He smiled slightly and stared at King Kessel's expression.
"What do you think, Your Majesty?"
But at the end of the long table, King Kessel only looked at him quietly.
"Kid.
"Before I let Marico drag you out and hang you."
The Iron Hand King's gaze was dangerous and his tone was unfriendly.
"Put away that smug face of yours."
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