"Boy, I know what you are thinking. But if you continue to look at me with that strange look..."
Ada was walking beside Thales's mount. She clenched her fists, protruded the knuckles of her index fingers, and said in an extremely impatient tone: "You know what will happen."
"Okay." Thales, who was full of curiosity, stuck out his tongue and turned his head.
"Forget it if you don't want to answer."
The traveler sighed slightly in his heart.
Ada let out a breath and resealed the memories of the past in her heart.
Bright star.
Damn bright star.
"But speaking of which, Ada, how did you become the secret guard of the Bright Star Royal Family?" Thales looked at the blurry mountains gradually revealed in front of him and asked quietly: "How could an elf be employed by the human star kingdom?
?”
"I heard they are extremely proud and their service to humanity is unique."
Ada lowered her head slightly.
"Hey, kid," the elf's voice sounded a little awkward: "I told you, I'm not your family's guard."
"and……"
Ada crossed her arms and said with disdain in her tone: "As a little brat, how much do you know about elves?"
Thales could only stick out his tongue and shook his head helplessly.
This elf who is full of doubts, this elf who may have lived for hundreds of years, and has met the former sage Lord Mindis and Prince Keira, must have a rich and colorful story.
It’s just my personality...
Just after the team crossed a snow-covered hillside, Putilai drove his mount and came to Thales' side. The thin deputy had a solemn face and raised his hand to point in the direction they were heading: "We are here.
"
Thales reacted, quickly raised his head, and looked down the hillside.
In the blurry vision of the snowy sky, a silver and black giant appeared in front of the mountains.
No, not a giant.
Its outline in the snow appeared dimly in the distance - it was a majestic city built on the mountain.
The red and black flags are faintly visible flying over the city.
Its gray-black walls are dotted with silvery white snow. The highest point of the city just falls on the top of the mountains. From a distance, it looks like a giant leaning on the snow-capped mountains. There are many villages and small towns around it.
Standing on the land in the north among the guards.
Thales signaled Wyatt to stop his restless mount.
He took a deep breath of the cold wind unique to the north and quietly looked at the thick and powerful city in the distance, feeling a little excited in his heart.
This is the Northern Dragon, the capital of the Kingdom of Exeter?
Unknowingly, they had crossed the Welland Snowfield and entered a new territory.
"It's my first time to see such a grand scene," Nikolai rode up to them, his lips raised, his face full of nostalgia and reverence: "This huge city with mountains on its back is the largest and most majestic in the North.
The most magnificent and oldest city."
"The holy place in the hearts of Northlanders."
"Longxiao City."
At this time, an inappropriate snort came from the side.
"It was not originally called Longxiao City."
Nicolai turned his attention to the star guest who interrupted.
"It has been established as early as the era of kings and is one of the northern gathering places of mankind. In the ancient empire era, it was the central capital of the northern province of the original empire," Putilai took Nikolai expressionlessly.
if:
"The fortress built on the mountain was originally called Fort Allende. It was the residence of the Allende family who governed the Northland under the emperor's orders for generations. After the collapse of the empire, the place fell into chaos and power transitions that lasted for three hundred years. Until
One day, the armies of Nekaru and Thomund met nearby and won the first victory of the End War."
"It was Nekaru who led the army and rushed to the rescue of Tormund, who was in danger." Nikolai shook his head indifferently and used his own opinions to 'correct' the Starman's words: "That's why that battle was called 'Reverse the Cold Wind' -
—It is said that in an open space near here, Nekaru's troops marched so fast that they almost seemed to fall from the sky, defeating the enemy from the rear."
Thales curled his lips helplessly.
Okay, another little "difference of opinion" between the Exeters and the Starmen, and the Northlanders and the Imperials.
And - even though they are both from the North, Nicolai seems to be even more stubborn than Cambida.
Sure enough, Putilai exhaled with disapproval on his face.
"So, how did this place become the capital of Exeter?" Thales immediately spoke up at the right time, interrupting the "heated discussion" that the two were about to start again.
Nicolai motioned for them to continue marching. The commander of the White Blade Guards rode his horse and began to speak slowly like a real receptionist:
"This piece of land centered on Longxiao City belongs to the Walton family - the family from which Nunn VII was born. It is also the most prestigious ruling family in Exeter and has passed down the title of Grand Duke of Longxiao City from generation to generation."
"The human hero, Nekaru Akers, became the lord of this place more than 600 years ago. He formed an alliance with the Nine Knights here and vowed to jointly guard the North and their hometown in the chaos after the End War.
, to regain the pride of Northlanders."
"From then on, the proud Northlanders called the new country 'Exter', and the Exeter Alliance was born."
"And the next year, the Nine Knights, who opened up the territory and expanded the territory, returned here with unstoppable power, and jointly raised Nekaru Akers, the king who was sincerely convinced by the people of the North and followed them to the death. The Nine Knights led all sides and defended him.
Longxiao City.”
"The history of the Alliance ends here, and the history of the Kingdom of Exeter begins here."
"Adhering to the spirit of taking turns to rule and governing fairly, the supreme ruler of Exeter, the king of co-existence, was elected from among the ten grand dukes, and the rest obeyed his authority and orders - this was the time of Nekaru
The vow to make an appointment to govern together shows that his prestige and influence continue to this day."
"Because His Majesty Nunn also holds the title of Grand Duke of Longxiao City, Longxiao City has become the capital of the entire Exeter."
At this time, a messenger from the Black Sand Territory struggled to overcome the obstacles of the White Blade Guards and came to Nicolai, asking him to go over and meet with Viscount Cambida.
After Nikolai left, Thales turned his head and looked at Putilai.
"You have something to say." The time traveler said affirmatively.
"Of course," the deputy envoy shook his head with disdain: "Don't believe our hot-blooded friend from the North. His nonsense about 'rule by turns and rule by fairness' is just used to deceive the people of the North. The facts are
In the Northland - or anywhere in the world, power has always spoken, and strength has always been king."
"Oh?" Thales chuckled softly: "Since that enthusiastic friend from the North has left, would you mind telling me more about my knowledgeable deputy, the versatile Mr. Northland Pass?
?”
Putilai reached into his arms and wanted to take out his pipe, but whether because of his pity for the lack of tobacco or because of his conscience, the former bard withdrew his hand with a look of pain after hesitating for a few seconds.
He then said to the second prince: "I wonder if you have noticed that the first ruler of Longxiao City and the first co-king of Exeter was Nekaru Ex. But what we are talking about now
The Dragon Sky City I saw was under the rule of Nun Walton VII."
Thales quickly reacted: "Akers and Walton, these are two surnames - that is to say, after Nekaru, the people who inherited his name and title are not his direct blood relatives?"
Putilai raised his eyebrows and nodded: "The real history, or the history recorded in the records that can be found in the stars, is: Nekaru died young without giving birth to an heir, and the dragon dragon left behind after his death
The position of Lord of the City will be succeeded by his nephew, Noon Walton."
"That was the first Nunn after the Walton family became the lord of Dragon Sky City, Nunn I."
"Since then, the Walton family, marked by the Dragon Spear in the Cloud, has taken over this land and this city and has ruled it to this day."
"But the bloodline of Nun I caused the lords to question his legitimacy, and also aroused the lords' covetousness for the position of king - no matter how many times he emphasized that his mother was Nekaru's sister,
Therefore, Nun himself is the closest orthodox heir to the late king Nekaru, and he cannot extinguish the ambitions of the nine lords - even if they were all knight models who were loyal to Nekaru."
Thales frowned slightly.
At this moment, what he thought of was not Nekaru and his nine knights, but the huge portrait in the center of the Mindis Hall: under the sunset battlefield, the scarred young knight, accompanied by six people
Charge fearlessly.
The resurrected king of the stars, Tormund Brightstar I, and the six knights around him, are today's most prominent duke families, the six wealthy families.
Arend of the White Eagle, Cullen of the Sun Sword and Shield, Kevin Dill of the Tricolor Iris, Falkenhausz of the Four-Eyed Skull, Nantryster of the Giant-horned Deer, and Teback of the Blood Moon.
They, even the ancestors of the thirteen noble families, fought by Tormund's side back then.
Were they also "loyal" to the King of Revival back then?
Just like the nine knights and nine lords behind Nekaru?
"For the orthodox inheritance of the throne of Exeter, a violent conflict broke out between Nun I of Longxiao City and the Nine Knights and their descendants." Putilai continued: "After the war, the stalemate between the major lords
The confrontation lasted for decades. At that time, Exeter was almost composed of ten fragments. They were called one country, but in fact they were enemies of each other and were incompatible with each other."
"During this period, the originally insignificant new country established by the remnants of the final empire on the banks of the Mu River in the south, on the territory of the former Shavin Province, began to slowly rise and continue to expand to the surrounding areas."
Thales responded knowingly: "Tormund I, the Revival King?"
"Yes," Putilai nodded, his eyes shining with strange colors: "Kingdom of Stars."
"In the end, under the pressure of the emerging star kingdom, Nun I and the nine lords reached the last and most embarrassing compromise."
"With the joint support of the nine lords, Nun Walton succeeded to the throne of the co-king. And Nun I re-demarcated the territory of Exeter in the name of the great former king Nekaru, and divided the ten
The lords, including himself, were canonized as the ten orthodox grand dukes of the Kingdom of Exeter. However, after the death of Nunn I, the king's position must be re-selected among the ten grand dukes, and they will vote for a new one.
They elected a king together and ruled for life. In this way, Exeter's kingselect system was established and lasted for six hundred years."
"This is the so-called 'Nikaru's Co-Governance Oath' - because it was an oath sworn by ten people in the name of Nikaru and under the signature of Nikaru. The irony is that it has nothing to do with Nikaru at all.
No connection.”
"Wait a minute," Thales was stunned for a moment after hearing this: "The King Selection... I just saw a rough idea in the Mindis Hall... Do the ten great people vote together to choose one of themselves?
"
"What happens if someone happens to have the same number of votes? Is there a mature system and method to determine the smooth birth of a king at the king selection meeting?"
Thales recalled a magical movie from his previous life, in which the pirates elected the Pirate King, but in the end, every candidate voted for themselves.
"Yes, and it is simple, direct, effective, and full of the romantic color of the Northlanders." Putilai whispered: "The customs inherited from the empire, inherited from the glorious age of knights, are continued to be used in Exeter,
In order to determine the ownership of the king when the princes have difficult opinions."
"The custom inherited from the empire determines the ownership of the king?" Thales tightened his grip on the horse's reins. He remembered what he heard in Kaslan's Hero Tavern and couldn't help but be surprised: "You mean..."
"Well," Putilai nodded, with complicated eyes, he softly uttered a powerful word:
"duel."
Thales was stunned.
"When the sacred king selection meeting cannot make the final decision, the king candidates with the same votes, regardless of age or status, must personally prove themselves on the duel field."
"Prove that you have the courage to be a co-king, the courage to lead the people of the North, the fearlessness to ignore life and death in a duel, and the victory to stand till the end in the duel."
Upon hearing this, Thales's mind suddenly pictured the face of the Grand Duke of the Black Sands, Charmaine Lumba, flickering in the firelight, and the worn old sword on his desk.
They are Northerners after all.
Thales suddenly realized that although he had set foot in the territory of Exeter in the north, his understanding of them was still at the primary stage.
This country in the north, known for its toughness and iron-bloodedness, is much more complicated and strange than I imagined.
And he is about to face them.
"Continue," Thales frowned solemnly: "Before meeting them, I want to get to know the Grand Dukes of Exeter."
"For example, their relationship with King Gongju?"
Putilai only paused slightly, then nodded and continued: "The Grand Dukes of Exeter have absolute autonomy in their own territories. They only have the obligation to obey the king and send troops in wartime, but they do not have to Taxes are paid to the king, and territorial affairs are purely self-determined. Whether to accept and implement the king's decrees throughout the territory depends entirely on the wishes of the princes."
"The power of Grand Duke Exeter is a bit too great," Thales said with surprise on his face. He inhaled slightly as he walked: "Exeter has not split up yet. Can it be said to be a miracle? "
"Yeah, that's why they call it 'archduke', not the duke of the imperial era," Putilai sighed: "To a certain extent, Exeter was born from compromise. , the degree of division is even greater than that of our star kingdom.”
"Their autonomy in their own territory is far greater than that of the Dukes of the Stars. At least, no matter how stingy and reluctant, Duke Cullen must allocate a batch of money from the East China Sea Territory every year to pay a sufficient amount to Yongxing City and His Majesty. Taxation. The appointment and dismissal of important officials in the stars and the promotion, demotion and promotion of nobles must comply with the "Holy Star Covenant" and even be reviewed by the Supreme King's order. Therefore, if the dukes want to interfere in the kingdom's politics, the fastest way is to intervene in Yongxing City the central department, or infiltrate the local officials of the kingdom through the influence of the territory."
Thales shook his head: "Then what is the significance of the existence of King Gongju? If he can't even restrain his subordinates, why should he become King Gongju?"
Putilai thought for a while and answered him seriously: "For the high prestige, the lord's obedience and the name of orthodoxy."
Thales frowned again.
"This thing is much more effective in the Northland than in the stars. No matter how uneducated the Northlander is, he knows that the authority of the King of Gongju cannot be violated and the oath of Nekaru cannot be violated," Putilai thought about himself knowledge, continued:
"Historically, the Grand Dukes of Exeter launched three rebellions because they were dissatisfied with the common king, but each time ended in failure, because no matter how the grand dukes who raised the flag against the common king defended themselves, once it was openly
If they flout Nekaru's oath, they will lose the hearts and minds of their subjects, and even the most greedy Northlanders will not want to fight for them - some grand duke families even withdrew from the history of Exeter's rule forever because of this.
"
Thales looked at Longxiao City in the distance, slowly exhaled a breath of hot air from his cold hands, and thought carefully.
High prestige.
The name of orthodoxy.
People's allegiance.
The traditional culture of Northland?
"It's too simple." After a few seconds, Thales said calmly.
"Huh?" Putilai looked confused.
"I mean, attributing the power to maintain the stability and unity of Exeter to the prestige of Nekaru and the character and tradition of the Northlanders - such an attribution is too simple." Thales lowered his head and looked carefully.
Think about it carefully:
"Human behavior and social power structure always influence each other. There cannot be only one situation where behavior unilaterally consolidates the structure, but the social structure has no effect on human behavior - no matter how noble the Northlanders are,
Respecting ancestors and respecting traditions cannot sustain such a national system."
"A power structure that is destined to split and collapse will only have the same impact on the people of the North. They are destined to be born under different lords, different interests, and different institutional structures. They will die and die generation after generation.
, in social changes, behaviors and motivations that conform to the structure of the times evolve."
"Under this strange divided system like Exeter, it is difficult for the Northlanders not to become enemies of each other and fight each other."
right.
Thales nodded secretly.
This is the society he knows.
However, Exeter...
"Do you have more ideas?" Putilai squinted his eyes, thinking carefully about Thales's words, and asked: "Why don't you tell me and listen?"
The second prince pondered for a moment and then said: "Stars."
Thales raised his head and said definitely: "Kingdom of Stars."
Putilai's eyes flashed, waiting for the prince's answer.
"As you just said, the expansion and power of the stars should also contribute to the stability and unity of Exeter to a certain extent." Thales patted the mount under his crotch, attracting the horses that were not dealing with him.
There was a commotion.
Huaiya hurriedly controlled the mount, and Thales gave him an apologetic smile.
Thales turned his head and continued: "With such a behemoth from the south, no Grand Duke or Lord of Exeter can face it alone. They must sit down, coordinate their own contradictions, and unite against the enemy.
.”
"This is a good angle," Putilai nodded approvingly: "Indeed, the existence of the stars has greatly restrained and diverted the conflict between the King and the Grand Duke."
Thales took a deep breath.
On the other hand, isn't Exeter's existence and threat the external cause that brings together the internal power of the stars?
No.
Thales looked at the city that was getting closer and clearer, and gently lowered his head.
The interaction between stars and Exeter?
Even this kind of analysis is completely insufficient.
This is not the main reason why Exeter has maintained his power and position as king so stably to this day.
What kind of force is it that maintains the Kingdom of Exeter, which should have been in disarray, so that it remains stable and strong?
Thales stared at the red and black flag in the distance and narrowed his eyes.
————
They encountered the first checkpoint of Longxiao City ahead, and the White Blade Guards were negotiating with the opponent. At this moment, Thales welcomed the escorts he had been escorting for the past few days.
"The furthest we can send you is here, Your Highness Thales." Viscount Cambida from the Black Sand Territory was gathering his troops. He looked at Longxiao City, which was just around the corner, and sighed:
"Fortunately, the journey was uneventful."
"Thank you for escorting us all the way - even though we didn't ask for it," Putilai sighed with a cold face: "Thank you for the welcome ceremony."
Cambida didn't care about Putilai's attitude, nor did he pay any attention to the unkind looks of the nearby White Blade Guards. Cambida nodded to Tuleha behind him, indicating that he was ready to leave, then turned around and said to Thales.
:
"Then goodbye. I wish you all the best in Longxiao City."
Thales looked intently at the think tank of the Grand Duke of Lombard.
The ability and efficiency he displayed while commanding the army along the way, the sharpness of his words and the uniqueness of his thoughts as demonstrated in the Heroes Tavern impressed Thales deeply.
A few seconds later, the second prince suddenly said: "Why doesn't Your Excellency come?"
Viscount Cambida was stunned.
"His Majesty Nunn sent invitations to all nine Grand Dukes of Exeter, right, but Lumba did not come," Thales said silently, recalling the discussion he had just had with Putilai:
"You know, King Nun may want all of Exeter to see how King Gongju dealt with the Prince of the Stars - starting with the friendly welcome from the White Blade Guards."
At this moment, what appeared in Thales's mind was not the two actual people Nunn and Lumba, but the two concepts of "shared king" and "grand duke". In the same social structure, each represents different power.
and rank, playing games with each other.
"The Grand Duke has his own reasons," Viscount Cambida responded quickly, and he responded calmly: "And I believe that the Grand Duke has told you before, both you and the Grand Duke are in danger, and only your
collaboration……"
"King Nun hates him, right?" Under Putilai's strange eyes, Thales interrupted Kambida.
Cambida stopped talking and showed no expression on his face.
"I guess that what happened in the Star Palace has spread to Longxiao City. Although there is no evidence, the Grand Duke of the Black Sand Territory is already inseparable from the death of Prince Morar, just like the cold-faced Fallen Star
What I said..." Thales said every word:
"King Nun will come to settle accounts with him sooner or later."
"And what is Rumba going to do?"
Thales stared at Cambida's expression carefully, trying to find something from it.
Viscount Cambida frowned slightly at first, then shook his head slightly, with a strange smile on his lips.
He no longer used a polite and distant tone, but responded with serious and serious words:
"The Black Sand Territory is based on the front line of the border between Exeter and the Stars, and has been at odds with the North for hundreds of years. It is not as weak as you think," His Excellency the Viscount said with deep meaning: "And His Majesty Nunn, including Wall,
The power of the Dun family cannot yet extend into the Black Sand Territory."
"What's more, Exeter has a king-selecting system." Cambida showed a strange smile: "The Grand Duke is still very young, and His Majesty Nunn..."
Thales' eyes moved slightly.
So confident.
Charmaine Lombard.
He recalled the conversation between the two in the Lombard camp.
Is it this kind of person who can be called a "gambler", making even the flowers of the fortress like Sonia fearful?
"Very good." Thales muttered intentionally or unintentionally: "Because I am also very young."
Cambida stared at Thales steadily.
"Before leaving, the Grand Duke also asked me to bring you a message."
Thales raised his head.
"Please choose your enemies and friends carefully," Cambida smiled again, tapped his heart, and said, "Benevolence and mercy are not the shortcomings of a king."
"But seeing things unclearly is a taboo for a king."
Thales frowned and snorted softly.
"These words," the second prince shook his head, "it's better to wait until His Excellency the Grand Duke becomes the king, and then teach me about them."
Cambida nodded without changing his smile: "I will bring you the exact words."
At this moment.
"People from the Black Sand Territory - why don't you leave?" Nicolai came to them and said rudely: "Why, you still want to take two thousand people to Longxiao City for a stroll?"
Marquis Slice followed gently and laughed: "Don't mind, I think Lord Nicolai just speaks in a special way."
"Walking around?"
"How dare you, after all, this is the territory of the Dragonlance family, and it is also the place where the king is jointly held," Cambida said with a bitter smile: "We will leave early tomorrow morning... If your majesty is as generous as ever, you can provide us with some..."
"Then get out of here - if you don't want to freeze to death in the extreme cold," Nicolai's face turned cold and he interrupted Cambida: "Unless you let Lumba come here on his own."
"Otherwise, Your Majesty will not be in the mood to entertain you."
Cambida hesitated for a moment, and finally did not speak any more. He bowed slightly on his horse and left with a calm expression.
Following him were hundreds of meters of troops from the Black Sand Territory.
For a time, only the envoy and the White Blade Guards were left with Thales.
Facing the majestic Longxiao City.
Thales exhaled, turned his head, and looked at Longxiao City, which was getting closer and closer. Suddenly, he frowned.
Thales looked at a stone bridge connecting the top of Longxiao City.
The stone bridge hangs in the air, and the other end leads to a huge cliff. The cliff is flat and wide, but unlike other cliffs filled with buildings in Longxiao City, although the cliff is not small, it is empty.
One thing.
He wondered: "Why is that huge cliff so flat and empty?"
besides……
"And the big cave behind it, it seems to be man-made?" Thales squinted his eyes and looked from a distance.
Shless passed several people and came to the front of Thales.
"That's the legendary 'Sky Cliff'," the Marquis of Camas looked at the huge cliff, frowned and shook his head: "Although I have been here many times, the story of that place, well -
—I heard that it is the exclusive territory of their Queen, Her Majesty."
"Your Majesty the Queen?" Thales, who was observing the cliff, was stunned and subconsciously asked: "What Queen?"
"What queen?" Nicolai turned his head, with a strange expression on his face, as if he was slightly dissatisfied:
"Are you joking?"
Thales shrugged and wanted to exchange a look with Putilai on the side, but the latter just remained silent with profound meaning.
"I have heard a little bit about this, about the Sky Cliff in Longxiao City." At this time, the attendant Huaiya, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly said: "I heard that it is the palace of the 'First Queen'?"
"First Queen?" Thales was even more confused. He exhaled and looked at Nicolai.
Use a desolate and empty mountain cliff as a palace?
Asceticism?
"Whose queen is she?" Thales asked impatiently.
"I thought the Prince of the Stars should at least have some knowledge," Nicolai said sarcastically: "Of course he is the savior of the End War, the greatest hero in human history, the founder of Exeter, His Majesty Nekaru Ex
...is his queen!"
Thales was completely stunned.
"Queen of Nekaru?"
Thales frowned slightly, raised his head and looked at the cliff, the Cliff in the Sky.
etc.
The queen from six hundred years ago?
"Yes." Nicolai nodded, his expression solemn and respectful.
"The legendary first queen of Exeter."
"In the final battle, the most reliable existence behind His Majesty Nekaru."
"His comrade in arms, his beloved, and when he is crowned king, his eternal and eternal queen."
"It is also the most noble and perfect symbol in the hearts of the people of the North over the past six hundred years."
Nicolai showed a look of reverence.
Although the White Blade Guards had their faces covered, Thales could still feel their emotions, which were exactly the same as Nikolai's.
The leader of the White Blade Guards said calmly:
"Although she left quietly without a trace after His Majesty Nekaru passed away, her legends and myths will always remain in the hearts of every Exterian."
Nicolai said softly:
"In the final battle, Red Wing Cang Yan's battlefield legend."
"The Queen of Sky (the_queen_of_sky)—Her Majesty Croxis."
Thales frowned.
Why the sky?
Could it be that this queen can still fly...
etc.
Thales looked at the huge cliff and opened his mouth.
meeting……
fly……
"What you just said was...Red Winged Blue Flame?" Thales turned his head with a livid face and stared at Nicolai in stunned silence: "Queen of the Sky, that is to say... that is to say, she is a..."
"Ah, that's right."
Nicolai gave a rare grin. This usually cold and serious man with a pale face was actually full of honor and pride at this moment:
"In the final battle, the great hero, His Majesty Nekaru Ex..."
Nicolai raised his hand proudly and pointed to an Exeter flag flying across the sky in the distance.
"...He is a knight."
Thales turned back and stared blankly at the black flag, on which a giant red dragon faced the wind, baring its teeth and claws.
"Together with his beloved Queen of the Sky, soaring in the sky and fighting side by side..."