The suppressed commotion in the Hall of Stars officially turned into an uproar!
Be it the commoners, officials, or nobles, everyone rushed forward, wanting to catch a glimpse of the Jadestar descendant who had not appeared for twelve years.
Under Gilbert's command, teams of guards, who had been prepared since a long time ago, hurriedly entered the scene. They formed a human wall and raised the anti-charge shields and electric batons that were borrowed from the police station in an emergency. They tried their best to block the crowd and maintain order.
"Step back! Otherwise, you will be punished for disrespecting the royal family! "many guards shouted with all their might.
Even though these guards frequently turned back to look at the boy of only six or seven years of age with a special identity, Thales stood calmly.
Thales stood calmly and calmly in the face of all the gazes in the hall.
'This is what I have to face, everything I cannot choose.'
He could not muster up any energy. Even though he was under countless gazes, he was extremely calm.
Especially the gazes of the dukes and counts. Doubt, surprise, anger, indignation, contemplation, and obscurity coexisted. Then, they turned into scrutiny and vigilance in unison, cutting at him like a sword.
And … the complicated gaze from Zayen Covendier.
Zayen felt as if all the blood in his body was flowing against the flow and pounding against his brain.
Trembling slightly, he slowly stood up and looked at Thales in disbelief.
'It's that boy.
'How?
'That so-called illegitimate son of Lord Mahn.
'Him?
'What's more ironic is that I just saved his life from the assassin yesterday.
'If I had insisted yesterday … or simply not intervened and let him die under the assassin's sword …'
He clenched his fists tightly and gritted his teeth.
'No, they haven't lost yet.
'There's still a chance!'
However, louder, noisier, and more deafening cheers came from Star Plaza.
The news of the Jadestar descendant was finally announced to the entire kingdom.
"Return to your seats, my lords," Gilbert said coldly, "I believe His Majesty will humbly accept your advice and accept your suggestion to appoint an heir."
"Why does this boy have the Nine-Pointed Star … It's been twelve years … Your Majesty …" Count Sorel could not hide his astonished expression and sat back on his stone seat in a daze.
"We have never heard of Queen Keya having a third child … Who is this unknown child …" Count Dagestan muttered. He sat back on his stone seat and frowned in deep thought.
"Your Majesty, we still need an explanation!" The One-Eyed Dragon Duke of Nanchester, Koshder lowered his head so that no one could see his expression under the shadows. However, his tightly clenched fists never loosened.
He suddenly raised his head and glared at Kessel the Fifth with his single eye that was filled with rage. "At this moment, a boy wearing the Nine-Pointed Star emblem appeared … Are you making a fool out of us?!"
Kessel the Fifth did not even spare him a glance. He only stared in another direction.
"Kiah, I understand. That's why you're here." Val furrowed his brows and exhaled softly. He said in a low voice, "Just like this group of disgusting people, you've also planned this a long time ago. Today's National Conference was not held to deal with Eckstedt … but for this child."
The Duke of the Northern Territory leaned back and looked at the expressionless Thales, then at the silent king. He said dejectedly, "All of you take me for an idiot, don't you?"
"Ha, after all this time, no one cares about Eckstedt and the war except for the Northern Territory itself." He laughed sarcastically. "Look, this is the glory of Constellation, the afterglow of the Empire."
Kessel the Fifth ignored him. The suzerains also avoided his gaze.
The plump Duke Cullen furrowed his brows, which was a rare sight. He pondered seriously and solemnly without saying a word.
"Don't be surprised. This is the Jadestar Royal Family and the nineteen nobles." Duke Fakenhaz laughed dryly. He did not care if he was also scolding himself. He mocked, "The pillars of Constellation!"
Zayen Covendier, who had calmed down, exchanged a glance with Koshder. They tried to communicate with Duke Cullen, who was sitting on another stone seat. However, the latter only lowered his head and pondered, as if everything in the outside world had nothing to do with him.
'Damn old man.'
The young Duke of South Coast and the one-eyed Duke of Land of Cliffs cursed in their hearts at the same time.
He was the initiator of 'New Star' and the one who approved the plan, but he was always the fastest to retreat when an accident happened.
Gilbert watched the counts and dukes return to their seats and replied coldly, "Everyone has heard His Majesty's words. Today, at the National Conference, His Majesty will recognize this boy as his bloodline."
The middle-aged noble took a step forward and tried his best to suppress his excitement. "The Jadestar Royal Bloodline will be reborn here …"
"Wait!" The Duke of Land of Cliffs, the One-Eyed Dragon Koshder, seemed to have just recovered from the shock of losing his composure. He loudly interrupted Gilbert, "We all know that His Majesty had two children who unfortunately died twelve years ago, but we still do not know where this boy came from!"
'Perhaps it will have little effect, but we must stop this no matter what.
'Otherwise, after planning for so long …'
Thales sighed and looked at Koshder.
'Are they the ones who, like Gilbert said, look forward to a sudden crisis to change the situation of the kingdom and seize power and benefits?'
He swept his gaze across Koshder, Zayen, and the counts.
Thales lowered his gaze and shook his head slightly.
'It's like a farce in a market.
But it decides war and peace, and the future of countless people in this kingdom. '
Count Godwin, a member of the king's party, said loudly in dissatisfaction, "Who gave you such power to interrogate His Majesty's son's identity in front of him at the National Conference?"
Count Lascia received Duke Zayen's gaze and slowly said, "This concerns the succession of the throne and the future of Constellation. Every noble in Constellation has power. How can this be treated as a child's play?"
Fakenhaz clapped his hands and laughed sinisterly. "Great, just now, the Jadestar Royal Family was a historical antique that was about to be swept into the trash heap. Now, everyone is concerned about the future of the kingdom."
Koshder and Zayen simultaneously glanced at Fakenhaz in dissatisfaction.
"Let this damned farce end quickly." Val held his forehead and suppressed his anger. "No matter what the outcome is, the Northern Territory is still facing the threat of war.
"Although I know that all of you do not care, and even this crisis is … Anyway, let it end quickly." At the end of his sentence, the Duke of the Northern Territory, whose eyes were burning with anger, shook his head slightly and said mockingly, "Whether it's the king or the suzerains … The Northern Territory should never have counted on you."
The suzerains looked at each other and were silent for a while.
The voices in Star Plaza grew louder again, spreading all the way to the Hall of Stars. But this time, the reason was unknown.
Kessel the Fifth tapped his scepter lightly, attracting everyone's attention. The Iron Hand King's expression was calm and indifferent.
"Thales, let everyone see who you are." The king's tone was calm, but his words shocked everyone. "Sooner or later, they will all kneel before you, swear allegiance, and become your arms and the pillars of the kingdom."
A few counts turned their heads without batting an eyelid, completely giving up on the idea of speaking.
'Yes.
'If this boy really becomes the Supreme King of Constellation in the future …'
Zayen clasped his hands together without batting an eyelid, quickly calculating the day's situation.
'If the Higher Parliament, formed by nineteen nobles, does not recognize this child's identity … Then …
'Even if it will damage our popularity … This damned National Conference …'
The sound of footsteps rang.
Everyone on the stone seats turned their heads and watched the boy walk to King Kessel's side.
The boy who looked thin and pitiful under the gaze of everyone present, but his expression remained calm, even a little absent-minded.
He sighed.
"I am Thales."
In the noisy background, the prince said softly.
So, the people in the hall quickly quietened down to hear his words.
This was also a technique he learned from giving speeches in his previous life. When speaking in a noisy place, to make others quiet down, not louder than them.
Instead, it was to make others have no choice but to shut up so that they could hear him clearly.
"I am a bloodline descendant of Jadestar. My father is the Supreme King of this country, King Kessel Jadestar. My grandfather is the former king of this country, the King of Eternal Rule, King Aydi Jadestar."
He swept his gaze across every suzerain in front of him.
He saw the Duke of the Northern Territory sitting alone with a gloomy expression and his head hung low.
Val Arunde.
And the two Counts of the Northern Territory sitting behind him.
He also saw the aggressive One-Eyed Nanchester, Zayen, who was staring at him and shaking his head slightly, Fakenhaz, who had a contemplative look in his eyes, and Duke Cullen, who was smiling with his head lowered.
All the counts had different expressions, but they all had ulterior motives in their hearts.
Even Kessel the Fifth, who was holding his scepter with an indifferent expression.
Thales suddenly came to a realization.
His identity, the succession of the royal family, and even the upcoming war and the safety of Constellation.
These were probably never in the consideration of this group of people.
As for the casualties in the war …
The sense of powerlessness and boredom in the prince's heart grew heavier.
Logically speaking, he should follow the instructions and finish talking about his' life experience 'in Mahn Manor, then wait for the king and the king's party to finish the rest.
But Thales only felt that he was a little dispirited. He did not want to follow the routine anymore. He had had enough of all this.
The prince's brain began to spin.
'"The formation of a feudal country … the king and his vassals … strong personal feelings and personal color … the struggle for power … the gradual deterioration …"
Then, he slowly opened his eyes and looked at the suzerains. The corners of his lips curled up.
Everyone saw the boy close his eyes. A second later, he opened his eyes and chuckled.
Gilbert saw Thales' sneer and the fact that he stopped talking. His heart instantly turned cold.
'Could it be?'
Although this young man often gave him quite a few surprises, it was better to have fewer surprises on such an important occasion.
Thales blinked and spoke slowly.
"I can prove that I am of Jadestar's bloodline, but …
"Forget it." Thales swept his gaze over the nobles who were eyeing him covetously and said quietly, "Anyway, even if I can prove that I am a descendant of Jadestar, all of you will still have reasons to object."
"Child," Koshder said coldly, "Do you know what you are saying? If you can't prove that you are … "
"The Guardian Duke of the Land of Cliffs, Koshder Nanchester," Thales said coldly, "Isn't everyone well aware of the reason why all of you object so fiercely for Constellation and the Royal Family, or for your people to be able to wear that crown?
"This is the National Conference. Everyone in the capital city is listening. Who do you think you can fool with your righteous' I am doing this for Constellation 'look?"
The crowd in the hall immediately burst into an uproar.
Gilbert began to panic. This was not what he had planned. He was about to speak, but Jines pulled him from behind.
Jines stared at Thales and said in a low voice, "Let him finish. He doesn't look like he has no plan."
Koshder, who was sitting on the stone throne, glared at him with his single eye. However, Thales could feel that the Duke of the Land of Cliffs' breathing had begun to quicken.
Thales strode towards Koshder and stared fearlessly into his single eye. "You entered the Hall of Stars with the slogan of supporting the Northern Territory and uniting the kingdom. However, you asked for an heir of your own kingdom as a prerequisite. Otherwise, you refused to send troops and would rather watch the Northern Territory fall. Of course, perhaps the decline of the Northern Territory is a good thing for all of you."
Val, who had his head lowered all this while, raised his gaze and looked at the boy.
Koshder's single eye was still fixed on Thales, like a Mamba observing a snake before it launched an attack.
However, Thales had not finished speaking. His eyes were ablaze, as though they contained the deepest anger within.
"But everyone knows that this is not about righteousness, but about a deal! What you care about is not Constellation, the Royal Family, or the people, but yourself! You are not a lone hero who is willing to suffer criticism for the sake of the kingdom's interests! What you want is a satisfactory heir of the kingdom, but you insist on using righteousness to cover up your desires and interests! "
Thales coldly concluded with the knowledge he had learned over the past twenty days. "In the Far East, they call this' saying what one desires to do, one must do '. When translated, it means: One-Eyed Dragon, you are a hypocrite, and you disgust me."
There was only coldness left in Koshder's single eye.
The suzerains looked at each other and saw the shock in each other's eyes.
Even though this was an inside story that all smart people knew, to say it in public … This was too …
"Wow." Fakenhaz clapped his hands as if he wished for the world to be plunged into chaos. He laughed sinisterly and said, "At least your eloquence is not bad, child."
Kessel the Fifth stroked his scepter lightly, his gaze deep.
A few seconds later.
The crowd began to stir. There were even people shouting from the seats where the commoners and minor nobles were seated.
"Are you done speaking?!"
Gritting his teeth, Koshder stood up abruptly!
He walked to an inch in front of Thales and looked down at him condescendingly. With an oppressive force, he said, "Damn brat, you think you can change the topic by spouting nonsense —"
"Shut up, hypocrite." Thales suddenly raised his head and interrupted him coldly, "I am not done speaking!"
"The one standing in front of you is the Jadestar bloodline, the descendant of Tormond the First. You and every generation of your ancestors have knelt down and sworn loyalty to the bloodline!" Thales stared straight at the Duke of the Land of Cliffs without showing any weakness.
Thales stared straight at the Duke of the Land of Cliffs and said mercilessly, "Even if you want to usurp the throne, for the sake of your ancestors, show some respect."
Koshder's single eye widened as he stared incredulously at the child who was only six or seven years old in front of him. The child had used the Jadestar status that he had yet to obtain to humiliate him in front of him. For a moment, he even forgot to retort.
A loud cheer came from the square again. The words' Jadestar 'and' prince 'could be faintly heard.
"This is bad. It seems that the message has been passed down," Thales sneered and repeated mercilessly, "Hypocrite Duke."
Without waiting for Koshder's reaction, he turned around abruptly and swept his gaze across the suzerains.
"You have a private deal, don't you?" the prince said calmly and loudly.
"A group of nobles whose goal is to become the next king. They intercepted the Eckstedt Diplomat Group, instigated a war, and caused the fall of the Northern Territory. Some received territories and resources, some received promises and benefits, and some …" Thales slowly turned around and looked at the young Duke of South Coast.
He enunciated each word calmly and said, "Perhaps get that crown."
"Is that so, Duke of Iris Flowers?"
Many people turned their heads in unison and followed Thales' gaze to look at Duke Zayen Covendier.
Under Thales' and the crowd's gaze, Zayen felt very uncomfortable.
The fact that he inadvertently saved and let go of the boy yesterday only to spoil his plan made him very angry.
But his long-term strict upbringing and aristocratic manners allowed him to maintain his best demeanor without showing his emotions.
"Child, random guesses will not help confirm your identity," Zayen flashed a friendly smile and said calmly, "If you do not intend to explain your background and provide proof, then we need to send an investigation team to spend some time to thoroughly investigate your past, and then …"
Thales abruptly changed the topic and interrupted him!
"When I was on my way to Renaissance Palace yesterday, I encountered an assassin." Thales looked at the suzerains seated in the hall and saw the changes in their gazes. He said calmly, "Thanks to you, Guardian Duke of South Coast Hill, Zayen Covendier, who intervened midway, I managed to escape.
Gilbert and Jines looked at each other and saw the worry in each other's eyes.
Hearing the news of the assassin, the crowd started whispering again.
Thales nodded at him with a serene expression.
"A life was saved, but someone lacked a word of thanks."
Zayen suppressed the anger in his heart.
'This guy knows that I let a big fish like you escape, so …
'Is that why he purposely came to anger me?'
"You're welcome." On the surface, Zayen smiled and nodded gracefully. "Every passing noble is obliged to lend a hand. Besides, you already thanked me yesterday. But even if you were assassinated, it does not prove that you …"
But Thales did not let him continue.
"No, Sir Covendier." Thales raised his head coldly. "You misunderstood me."
Thales walked towards Zayen step by step and spoke slowly. Words spoken this way could give people the greatest sense of oppression and persuasiveness.
"I remember very clearly that the moment those assassins saw me, their leader was very surprised. He even shouted 'no'." Thales walked to Covendier's stone seat and said slowly, "Gilbert might have always been wondering why I would encounter assassins.
'Gilbert might have always found it strange. My whereabouts were not leaked, so why would I run into an assassin?'
Zayen looked at Thales in front of him, puzzled.
'What is he trying to do?'
"As their assassination target, I was also very puzzled. At that time, almost no one knew who I was. Even if you, who were promised that crown or related benefits, encountered me, you would not stab me without explanation.
"Until just now, when I saw Sir Covendier and your accomplices speaking in unison about choosing an heir, I finally understood." Thales lowered his head and sighed deeply.
"They were not here to kill me.
They were here to kill someone else. "
Zayen's expression finally changed.
Thales looked at Zayen's doubtful and then shocked gaze, and enunciated the rest of his words.
"Their target was another important figure who was also heading to Renaissance Palace and was destined to pass through that street. He was also traveling in secret, keeping a low profile, and had few guards."
Zayen was so shocked that he could not speak.
"Yes, Duke Covendier."
Thales' gaze was steady and his words were cold. He looked at Zayen, who was already stunned in his seat, and grinned.
"Yesterday, it was my passing that alerted them to the assassination attempt."
In a corner where no one was paying attention, Jines lowered her head and closed her eyes tightly.
"Your Grace, it's me. It's me. It's me. It's a group of ten or so professional assassins. They're well-trained, well-coordinated, and well-hidden. They have Psionic Humans with them, and they're equipped with military crossbows. They're protected by supreme class elites, and they're professional assassins.
Thales narrowed his gray eyes and spoke softly.
"… saved your life."
He placed his last chess piece.
"So, you owe me a word of thanks, Duke Covendier."
'Checkmate.'
Zayen seemed to have figured something out. His face gradually turned pale, and his back subconsciously leaned against the stone seat.
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