After Chester finished speaking, the banquet hall fell silent, and the atmosphere suddenly became extremely solemn.
Not only the 20 northern city lords present, but also the other ladies and noble ladies who participated in the meeting were all frightened and began to look at each other in disbelief.
Didn’t the kind and wise Her Majesty Ariel and the respected Guest Minister just provide a large amount of food aid to the Northern Territory? Are they preparing to invade the Northern Territory again, bringing death and mourning?
But isn’t Her Highness Ariel known for her kindness and kindness? Why did she personally start the war again on this frozen soil that was once riddled with holes?
For a moment, pairs of wide-eyed and disbelieving eyes were cast on Ariel and Lei Xiao one after another, giving them a sense of being pointed out by thousands of people.
"I didn't expect that this guy, Chester, would actually point his sword at Ariel's kindness. Now things are getting a little troublesome."
Caroline, who had been paying attention to the development of the situation, couldn't help but tighten her slender eyebrows when she saw this.
You know, Ariel's dream has always been to let the people of Lengyan live and work in peace and contentment and completely eradicate slavery. In fact, this is exactly what she is trying to do.
If we send troops to the northern cities that remain neutral, it will mean that Ariel is personally spreading the flames of war that she least wants to see on this vast frozen land. This undoubtedly goes against Ariel's original intention.
Once these become established facts, coupled with Chester and others shouting that they are innocent, Ariel's reputation will probably plummet. No matter how you think about it, this is not a cost-effective deal.
"My sister, guest, the other party is trying to make a fuss in public opinion and put you and Ariel in an unkind and unjust situation. It depends on how you deal with it."
Thinking of this in her mind, Caroline crossed her arms and looked at Lei Xiao with interest.
You know, most of the northern nobles are stubborn by nature, but they also have the cunning and vision that nobles must have. They can be said to be a group of extremely difficult guys to deal with.
At the same time, Ariel on the side heard what Chester said and looked at Lei Xiao solemnly.
"Wanting an innocent neutral city to ignite the flames of war? Your Majesty the Marquis, isn't this a bit disgraceful?"
Noticing the gazes cast by the two princesses one after another, Lei Xiao's face was calm, and while walking towards the crowded crowd, he said calmly: "Everyone should know that except for the North, Lengyan has been ignited everywhere.
A war has started, or a war is about to break out.”
"Especially in the eastern and central regions, the people of Leng Yan there have already sunk into the whirlpool of blood and fire several times. It is not an exaggeration to describe them as starving to death."
"Under such circumstances, if the use of troops in the north can completely quell the war in Lengyan, then both Her Highness Ariel and myself will be willing to be the ones you say will bring down the flames of war."
As soon as Lei Xiao said this, Chester and other northern city lords, who originally thought things would turn around, couldn't help but look shocked. Apparently they didn't expect that Lei Xiao would continue to insist on his own approach.
"If we don't stop this, the war will eventually spread to the entire northern border, so we have no choice. There is an abyss behind us, and we have no way out."
Lei Xiao slowly walked up to the northern city lords, his voice getting louder and louder.
"Everyone, do you really think that as long as you remain neutral, you can survive alone? Don't you know that when the nest is overturned, how can the eggs be intact?"
"The three noble families that have always coveted the throne, once they successfully support the fourth prince to ascend to the throne, do you think they can really protect the Cold Flame Kingdom with one heart and one mind?"
Lei Xiao's words were sonorous and powerful, and every word shook the hearts of the northern lords.
"The answer is of course no. In order to compete for power and gain, the three aristocratic families whose power is growing more and more will inevitably drag the Cold Flame Kingdom into endless wars. The result is naturally very obvious."
"By then, the cities in the north will have only two endings: either they will become cannon fodder in the power war between the three giants, or they will be swallowed up by the resurgent Pars Empire, and there will never be peace from now on."
Lei Xiao's sharp eyes once again swept across the faces of the northern city lords, and he shouted softly: "Is this the future you want?"
"this……"
As soon as Lei Xiao finished speaking, both Zylvini and Chester and other northern city lords were speechless again and began to frown in thought.
As for the small group of northern city lords who already agreed with Lei Xiao and Ariel, they were already determined to swear allegiance to Ariel.
"So, Your Highness Ariel and I hope that everyone can recognize the reality and not rest on your laurels."
Seeing that the situation was beginning to reverse, Lei Xiao's voice became a little gentler.
"Now you swear allegiance to Her Royal Highness Ariel. You will fight for your future with the new king of Leng Yan. Once Her Royal Highness Ariel is crowned, you will all be the biggest contributors! Share the supreme glory with the new king!"
After Lei Xiao finished speaking, the small group of city lords could no longer bear it any longer, and they all knelt down on one knee and bowed to Ariel.
"Your Majesty, Roseborot, is willing to lead Frost City and swear allegiance to Her Royal Highness Ariel to the death!"
"Your Majesty, August Sack, is willing to lead Xueye Town to swear allegiance to His Highness Ariel to the death!"
"Your Majesty, Coldwes, is willing to lead the Ice Breaking Castle and swear allegiance to Her Royal Highness Ariel to the death!"
…
However, even though 5 Northern City Lords swore allegiance one after another, the other 15 were still hesitant, obviously not making up their minds.
After seeing this scene, Lei Xiao, who knew that he had already succeeded halfway, secretly breathed a sigh of relief and nodded to Caroline.
At present, the hearts of most of the northern city lords have actually been shaken.
In this case, as long as Caroline, who has a good reputation in the north, comes forward, our authority will undoubtedly be further strengthened.
"Everyone, if you really care about your fiefdom and people, you should take up arms and fight for your future with your own hands."
Caroline understood, took a step forward and said firmly with starry eyes: "I think many people present have guessed that due to some help from Your Excellency Ke Qing, the Buluo Fortress frontier army led by me also participated in the battle that just ended not long ago.
The Battle of Stargazer Corridor.”
"It was a blood-heated battle, and it also allowed me to see the long-lost dawn of the Cold Flame Kingdom."
While Caroline was sighing with emotion, her sassy voice became more determined.
"And now, I solemnly announce here that I have decided to lead the 50,000 frontier troops who will not leave the fortress, as well as the royal blade army, to form an alliance with my sister, the fifth princess Ariel, and we will live and die together from now on, until the end of my life!"
As soon as Caroline said this, she caused an uproar in the banquet hall.
This undoubtedly shows from the side that the third princess Caroline, who is also a member of the royal family, has completely stood on the side of Ariel and fully supports Ariel in ascending the throne of Leng Yan!
They all realized this in their hearts, and quite a few of the northern city lords who still remained neutral had their expressions loosened. Even the city lord of Silver Snow City, Cilvini, had a wavering look on her fair face.
"Everyone, it's time to make a choice."
Keenly aware of the changes in Cilvini and others, Lei Xiao struck while the iron was hot and said solemnly: "Whether you want to take up arms and fight for your future, or sit back and wait for the judgment of misfortune, if you choose the former, you will continue the family's legacy.
Glory, and if you choose the latter, you will be destroyed together with your city!"
Looking into Lei Xiao's shining dark eyes, I saw Cilvini's fair face finally no longer hesitated. Immediately, with a firm look on her face, she knelt down on one knee and said to Ariel: "Your Majesty, Cilvini Bingpo, is willing to
Lead Yinxue City and pledge allegiance to His Highness Ariel to the death! His Majesty Ariel will surely be crowned king!"
"Her Royal Highness Ariel will be crowned king!"
After Cilvini took the lead, the other nine northern city lords also knelt down and swore their loyalty to Ariel.
So far, 15 of the 20 northern city lords have sworn allegiance, leaving only 5 people including Chester, who have not expressed their attitude and seem to be still stubborn.
"I have focused on investigating Chester before. This guy is a typical northern nobleman. Although he is extremely stubborn and rigid, he is also an upright man who repays kindness and is deeply loved by the civilians under his rule."
Lei Xiao looked at Chester's burly and tall body, raised his eyebrows slightly, and said in his heart: "To deal with such a guy, I'm afraid we need some little seasoning."
"Your Majesty the Marquis, I once heard His Highness Ariel mention that an extremely brutal battle took place in Liubing City, your family's fiefdom, and only then did the Pars Empire's minions entrenched here be completely wiped out.
"
Lei Xiao nodded to Chester and chose a new topic.
"I didn't expect that Your Highness Ariel and Your Excellency Keqing would be involved in the history of Drift Ice City. I'm flattered."
Chester looked at Lei Xiao in surprise and caution. Although he didn't understand the latter's intention, he still nodded and said: "Yes, it was a battle like purgatory. My Lengyan soldiers fought with blood.
He melted the enemy's ice fortress with his hot blood, and finally opened the door to victory."
"In that battle, His Majesty King Steel Wrist's two main legions, one royal legion, and three resistance legions in our northern border, with a total of tens of thousands of soldiers stained the battlefield with blood, completely eradicated the 50,000 Pals entrenched in Ice Stream City.
The Si Empire defenders."
Chester sighed softly and said seriously: "We, the people of the North, will never forget His Majesty the King of Steel, nor will we ever forget the soldiers under His Majesty's command! Without their deadly battle, the North would still be the same as before.
Will be entrenched by the demons of Pars! It is because of them that our descendants and descendants of the Northerners do not have to continue to be slaves!"
"Then, Your Majesty the Marquis, it is obvious that they or their descendants are suffering from the ravages of war and are in the same situation as the Northern Territory back then."
Lei Xiao's tone was gentle, but revealed an undoubted power, and he continued to remind: "And Her Royal Highness Ariel is fighting to the death for them and their descendants, shouldn't you still stand by and watch?"
"this……"
After hearing Lei Xiao's words, Chester and several other stubborn northern city lords were speechless again, and then they all suddenly understood.
After looking at each other for a few times, there was finally no hesitation in the eyes of Chester and the other five people.
I saw Chester take a step forward, with a face full of gratitude and guilt, and said: "Your Excellency, please forgive me for being rude before. Thanks to your words that woke up the dreamer, we can truly recognize the reality!"
"Only by joining Her Highness Ariel's camp can we fight for the future and repay the friendship we owe in the past."
At this point, Chester knelt down on one knee and lowered his head to Ariel: "My servant, Chester Brooke, is willing to lead the Ice City to swear allegiance to His Highness Ariel to the death, and is willing to seize the throne for Her Royal Highness Ariel!
"
After Chester finished speaking, the other four northern city lords also knelt down on the ground with excitement on their faces, sincerely swearing their loyalty.
"Please get up, everyone. I have already felt your fiery hearts and high fighting spirit."
With a solemn expression on her face, Ariel helped Chester and the last five Northern City Lords up one after another, and then walked towards all the Northern City Lords, and said solemnly: "Everyone, your joining makes me feel very gratified, and it also makes me happy."
I saw the grace and unyielding spirit of the northern nobles."
"I believe that with your help, those young people who covet the throne will not be able to succeed!"
After Ariel finished speaking, the 20 northern city lords, led by Zilvini and Chester, knelt down on one knee again and said in unison: "Your Majesty, I am willing to fight for Your Highness Ariel. Your Majesty Ariel will definitely
Crowned as king!"
The other ladies and noble ladies were already kneeling on the ground with excitement on their faces, silently swearing their loyalty.
For a time, the banquet hall, which was originally bustling with turmoil, was already filled with people, and the atmosphere was exciting and warm.
Seeing this exciting scene, both Ariel and Caroline breathed a sigh of relief and at the same time looked at Lei Xiao who looked indifferent.
The former was naturally full of excitement and pride. After all, it was thanks to his lord that he was able to make 20 neutral northern city lords surrender without any bloodshed.
While the latter was excited, when he looked at Lei Xiao, there was a complicated and strange color in his eyes, and he felt that his heart was agitated like never before.
Apart from his father, I'm afraid no one else can do such an amazing thing, right?
Lei Xiao, who was the center of attention of the two Leng Yan Princesses, raised his eyebrows slightly.
Although he spent a little effort, he still achieved his set goal and successfully brought 20 northern cities under his control.
This brought the number of cities in the Cold Flame Kingdom under his command to 73.
At the same time, the entire northern territory has also entered its territory.
"Coupled with the eastern region and part of the central region, half of the Cold Flame Kingdom is completely in my hands."
Thinking of this with joy in his heart, Lei Xiao's face boiled with fighting spirit.
As for the next thing, it is naturally to prepare for the war with all one's strength and decide the outcome in a battle with the fourth prince.
"While preparing for the battle with all my strength, I still have an extremely important thing to do, which will determine the success or failure of the decisive battle."
Lei Xiao narrowed his eyes slightly and began to make secret calculations.