The meeting hall was silent, except for the crackling of the brazier and the breathing of everyone at different rates.
At that moment, almost everyone was shocked by the king's decision.
The silence lasted for five seconds.
Until a young male voice sounded weakly:
"What are you doing?"
Everyone's eyes were swept towards the stunned Prince of the Stars, Thales Bright Star, who was standing aside.
Among them was King Nun's meaningful look.
Putilai behind him coughed, and Thales, who was stunned, finally reacted. He awkwardly pulled the corners of his mouth and showed an "sorry" smile.
But at this time, no one cared about the foreign prince's gaffe.
"Your Majesty," the tall Grand Duke Ronnie stood up suddenly and said with a stern face what most people were thinking at this time: "You must reconsider your decision. This is not only related to your family's revenge, but to the entire Egypt.
Kuster’s future!”
The members of the royal council beside the king looked panicked, and the officer behind him, Lord Michael, changed his face several times. He tried to get close to King Nunn and say something in his ear, but the latter just waved his hand casually and said to the minister.
My words to Michael were stuck in my throat.
"This is my decision." The king whispered to his ministers.
At that moment, Thales suddenly felt that the old figure of King Nun overlapped with the strong figure in the Fuxing Palace.
Thales noticed that among the people in the audience, only two people's expressions remained unchanged: the leader of the White Blade Guards, Fallen Star, still had an expressionless face, while the owner of the dark room, Scarlet Witch Cassan, still had a kind and kind smile on his face.
As for the newly arrived chief priest of the Bright Moon Temple, Jewel Holm, Thales couldn't see her true face behind the veil at all.
"How old is King Nun this year?" Thales turned back and asked Putilai behind him in a low voice.
"Sixty-nine, if I remember correctly," the person who answered was the Marquis Shres Bermula next to Putilai. This guest from Camas also frowned deeply, looking worried:
"And Archduke Perfit has just turned thirty-three this year, which is when he is in the prime of his life - damn, our mining contract has just been signed."
"The development of the situation has gone beyond imagination. Be careful, Your Highness," the thin deputy star ambassador's expression kept changing: "If King Nun insists on a duel..."
Thales nodded with an ugly face, he knew what Putilai meant.
If King Nun died here.
The peaceful understanding between Canxing and Walton will lose its most important fulcrum.
But in Longxiao City, in Exeter, he, the Prince of the Stars, will become isolated and helpless.
And the attitude of the princes towards him...
Not to mention, Archduke Perfitt, who seemed to be full of hatred for him... Thales gritted his teeth.
The next moment, King Nun walked out of his seat, walked forward slowly, and smiled at the grand dukes.
"What's wrong, noble and proud Ronnie," King Nunn's old but powerful voice spread throughout the hall: "Are you worried that I, an old man, can't defeat young people?"
The long-haired Archduke Ronnie kept silent, but his slightly shaking head said everything.
"You can't say that what he said is unreasonable, Your Majesty," the jar-headed Archduke Trudida rubbed his right hand with a gloomy expression. He glanced at the still shocked Archduke Perfitt: "It's not like fighting for a woman with a young man.
It's the same thing, but fighting to the death in the duel field..."
"Do you know your age, Your Majesty?" Archduke Olesiu's words were more direct: "Even if you directly order him to be detained, it would be a hundred times better than what we are doing now... Do you know the consequences of doing this..."
"This is the consequence!"
Nunn suddenly raised his voice and shouted angrily under the gaze of the whole hall: "This is the inevitable consequence when the Walton family is violated!"
Everyone in the hall was suddenly shocked.
Not good.
Thales watched their interaction with concern: Nunn VII, has been dominated by hatred and impulse?
The old king's angry eyes swept across the three grand dukes: "You know, if you provoke the Dragonlance family, you have to pay the price - Walton is willing to risk everything for revenge."
The three princes were speechless for a moment, their expressions changed, and they all turned their heads under the king's compelling gaze and stopped talking.
Like a lioness in a pride of lions, she bows her head to the head lion to show submission.
wrong.
Thales had some enlightenment, and he secretly thought: This is not just as simple as irrational revenge.
This is a warning.
From the king, from Longxiao City, from Walton.
"Haha," the oldest Grand Duke Lecco, who was sitting further away, smiled awkwardly: "Our king likes to joke a lot, doesn't he..."
King Nun turned his head and glanced at him.
Grand Duke Lecco's smile froze on his face unconsciously.
"joke?"
King Nunn snorted and walked slowly to Perfit, his eyes burning with infinite flames: "Tell me, Conkley Perfit, do I look like I'm joking?"
Everyone looked at the challenged Archduke Perfit.
"You, are you really crazy, dueling?" The young Grand Duke had a look of disbelief on his face. He trembled his lips, looked at the aging figure of King Nuen, and murmured: "For...even my own wealth and life...
…”
But King Nun quickly interrupted him.
"Then why are you so surprised?" The old king said coldly: "This is also your best chance - kill me, and you won't have to face all this, and all the charges will disappear."
Perfit was shocked and raised his head to look directly at King Nun.
"Of course," Nunn sneered, his eyes filled with hatred: "You can also admit defeat at the beginning of the duel and then admit your crime."
Without waiting for Perfit to respond, the king turned around and looked at the remaining four grand dukes.
"And isn't this the result you most hope for?" King Nun was like an angry dragon, he said loudly, "If I die here..."
The expressions of the several princes were stunned.
"You can save those overt and covert methods, right?"
King Nun looked around the audience and laughed loudly: "And it's time for Exeter to hold the King Selection Meeting again. It may be too hasty..."
"But the opportunity for you to ascend the throne and command the whole country," the old king narrowed his eyes slightly, "isn't it just around the corner?"
None of the Grand Dukes spoke, and almost everyone remained motionless, only breathing heavier.
"Of course, you are the king," Grand Duke Ronnie sighed: "Your choice."
King Nun responded with a majestic laugh, then turned around and looked at the chief priest of the Bright Moon Temple:
"Priest Holm?"
The officiant under the veil nodded slightly, and she raised her arms in an extremely solemn manner, with her left hand supporting her right elbow, and her right hand with the palm up, as if she was holding a plate.
Priest Holm closed his eyes and lowered his head.
Everyone closed their mouths and looked at the actions of the officiant seriously.
At this moment, a strange tinnitus sounded in Thales' ears.
Thales was shocked.
He has experienced this feeling.
That was in the Hall of Stars, in front of Priest Li Xia of the Sunset Temple, and before the Bloodline Ceremony.
But this time it felt much better, at least, he didn't react as violently as last time.
Could it be that...the prayers and rituals related to the gods will have an impact on him?
But just when he maintained his composure on the surface and secretly rejoiced, amidst the faint tinnitus...
"I'm watching you."
Thales raised his head suddenly.
But all I saw was an empty ceiling.
What?
He turned his head in surprise and looked around, only to see that everyone in the audience was seriously waiting for the officiant's ceremony to end.
Behind them, Putilai and Shless also looked solemn.
No one spoke.
Just now... Thales rubbed his head in confusion and looked around. With no results, he could only blow out a sigh of relief.
Well, tinnitus is a disease and needs to be treated...
"I warned you."
Thales' whole body trembled, and he subconsciously turned his head again, looking around nervously.
here we go again!
who?
who is it?
That's right.
He was sure that someone was talking to him - like whispering in his ear.
Thales couldn't remember the characteristics of that voice, but those words were extremely clear!
Could it be... Thales thought nervously: Is it Yodel? Is it the invisible masked guard?
No, it's impossible.
That voice... is completely different from Yodel's hoarse voice!
Thales was a little panicked.
After making sure that no one spoke, he looked at the chief priest of the Bright Moon Temple with his eyes closed in disbelief.
No way?
Thales' actions attracted the attention of others. Shless cast a curious look at him, while Putilai frowned and stared at him, seeming to scold him for his gaffe.
Thales was shocked when he came back to his senses. He quickly turned around and stood solemnly.
Finally, the strange tinnitus disappeared.
But the doubts and panic in Thales's heart only continued to rise.
"Haoyue has already responded," Priest Holm opened his eyes, and there was no fluctuation in his clear eyes: "The gods did not object."
In the hall, many people sighed, but the princes remained silent.
"In this case, a duel is inevitable," the officiant said calmly in a low voice, "and I will bear witness on behalf of the gods."
No one had any objections anymore.
The old king showed a satisfied expression and returned his gaze to his opponent.
In silence, Grand Duke Perfit gradually calmed down and eased his rapid breathing.
Then, when he looked at King Nun, a strange color appeared in his eyes.
"Haha... very good," the young Grand Duke showed a strange smile: "You said it too, didn't you?"
"The duel is issued in the name of the king..."
"I cannot and have no right to refuse."
Perfit raised his head with a sinister gaze: "Then what are we waiting for?"
King Nun also smiled, his eyes shining brightly.
But Thales was in a state of confusion at this time.
I'm watching you.
I warned you.
What does it mean?
Thales forcibly suppressed his thoughts and did not think about the abnormality he just heard.
He shook his head, as if he could get these words out of his head.
He has enough troubles already, he has to deal with them one by one.
Thales raised his head and watched blankly as the White Blade Guards personally left the stage and moved away the heavy long table in the center of the hall. Everyone retreated and dispersed, leaving enough space for the duel.
As the crowd retreated to a brazier, Thales discovered that there were five or six steps on the edge of the oval Hall of Heroes against the wall, and there was an open space in the center.
Just like the Colosseum in the previous life in the memory fragments - Thales suddenly had a thought in his heart: Could it be that this meeting hall in the Palace of Heroes was originally prepared for duels?
"I don't know if it's luck or misfortune," Putilai exhaled through his nose and said with an indistinguishable emotion: "When you visit Exeter for the first time, you can watch a rare duel."
Thales showed an unattractive smile: "Does the king have to go out in person?"
"According to regulations, you can seek an agent for duels in the imperial era," Putilai whispered: "But this is the Northland, the Northland after the collapse of the empire - the duel must be faced personally, even if you are the king.
Respect."
"Although I have heard about the custom of dueling in the North," Marquis Slys next to them sighed: "This is my first time to witness it. God, a seventy-year-old king versus a thirty-year-old grand duke,...
No matter what the outcome is, this will be enough to talk about for a whole year after I go back."
"Duels are not often held? Doesn't the King Selection end with a duel? Doesn't every Grand Duke who aspires to become a king have to prepare for a duel?" Thales continued to ask.
"The duel at the King Selection Conference is limited to the same number of votes and it is difficult to make a decision, and that situation has not happened for a long time." Putilai shook his head: "I heard that at the King Selection Conference more than 30 years ago, Nunn VII
With the support of six grand dukes, there is no chance of a duel."
"I heard that the Grand Duke of Lombard in the Black Sand Territory once defeated his brother in a duel and seized the right to inherit?" Watching the two people in the field taking off their robes, Lord Michael arranged the venue solemnly, Tai
Erls asked with a bad look on his face.
Putilai nodded.
"That duel made him famous. From then on, Charmaine Lombard's reputation spread throughout the country, and even the stars heard about it." Putilai's face was heavy: "Exeter has rarely seen such a bloody, violent, terrible, but
The lord who made his followers excited - Lumba was then entrusted with the important task of being an envoy to the stars."
"At the same time, the other lords are deeply afraid of him. After all, he is a terrifying person who can even attack his own brothers." Marquis Slys curled his lips: "This is the conclusion I got from visiting the cities in the North."
"But this duel is too hasty... Are all the people in the North crazy?" Thales gritted his teeth: "Hasn't he thought about the consequences of failure?"
At this moment, a cold voice came:
"In the North, duels are sacred rituals."
Nicolai the Fallen Star appeared beside them at some unknown time, staring intently at the two people confronting each other in the hall: "It can prove whether you are a selfish villain who only dares to hide among the army and guards, or you are a selfish villain who only dares to hide in the army and guards.
A strong hero who is willing to risk his life for the goal in his heart?"
Thales exhaled and shrugged.
In the center of the hall, King Nun was left with only a convenient and flexible tight-sleeved battle robe, embroidered with the emblem of the Dragon Spear in the Clouds. The same was true for Perfit opposite him, with the emblem of the Blood Shoe exposed on his left shoulder.
"I proposed the duel," King Nunn stared at Perfitt closely: "As for the weapons, it's up to you to choose."
Perfit took a deep breath and paused for a few seconds.
"Great axe."
The young Grand Duke raised his head and looked at King Nun calmly, "A double-sided giant axe, just like that."
King Nun's pupils narrowed slightly.
People in the hall burst into boos.
"Ha," Grand Duke Trudida smiled at Grand Duke Olesio: "Cunning boy."
Grand Duke Ronnie snorted disdainfully: "Coward."
"Giant axe? Is it what I thought?" Thales' heart moved and he turned around and asked.
"The double-sided giant ax requires extremely high endurance and strength, and the destructive power of cutting is astonishing. It once flourished in the war against the orcs," Nikolai said quietly: "But nowadays, this kind of ax rarely appears on the battlefield.
It’s a cumbersome weapon—even the axemen in the North prefer lightweight single-edged fighting axes.”
"Smart choice," Putilai narrowed his eyes and shook his head: "He is bullying King Nun's age."
Soon, weapons were delivered.
Thales looked at the two large weapons carried up by the guards in disbelief: the heavy two-hand handles were almost half the length of the body, plus two half-moon-shaped ax blades the size of chests, reflecting a ferocious metallic luster, and the top of the ax head also extended
The sharp blade used to thrust out all illustrates its power and terror.
Thales swallowed: the weight of this giant ax is probably twice his body weight.
He remembered that on the battlefield of Broken Dragon Fortress, one of the opponents Alaka faced used such a giant axe--although in the end, the wrath of the kingdom took away his weapon and hit the opponent's face with an axe.
Perfitt turned his eyes, glanced at King Nunn opposite, and chuckled.
He grabbed the giant ax handed over by the guard with one arm and tested the weight.
Immediately, the muscles of the young Grand Duke's arms trembled and he raised the giant axe.
Perfit showed a satisfied smile. He turned around and swung the giant ax back and forth. The sound of the ax blade breaking through the air was clearly audible.
Seems pretty easy.
Thales looked at his comfortable posture and was speechless.
"This thing is quite choking," Perfit put the giant ax on his shoulder. He raised his head and looked sharply at King Nunn, who was also standing in front of the weapon: "Be careful not to slip away, Your Majesty."
King Nun ignored him.
The old king just stretched out a hand, gently pressed on the ax handle, pinched it in several places, then took a deep breath and grabbed the ax handle with both hands.
Thales frowned.
What he was thinking was actually pretty much what Perfit said.
After all, King Nun is already seven...
Before he could finish his thoughts, the next second, he saw the old king clenching his teeth and steadily raising the giant axe.
King Nun even threw the ax lightly, and the ax blade turned over in the air and returned to his hand with the ax handle.
Thales looked at the old and strong Nun King and opened his mouth in surprise.
"Don't bother, when I'm fighting the orcs on the battlefield," King Nun also put the giant ax on his shoulder like Perfitt - it seems that this is the standard axe-holding posture - long
Exhaling, his eyes seemed to be brewing with a storm: "Your father is still nursing in your grandmother's arms."
King Nun showed a ferocious smile:
"Little brat."
Perfit's face darkened.
"It seems that our king's style is still the same," the bald Archduke Lecco sighed: "If it were me, I would have been given away by that ax..."
"Don't be too happy too early," Grand Duke Trudida shook his head with a strange expression: "What if our beloved king makes a mistake..."
"Isn't it exactly what you want?" Archduke Ronny stabbed them unceremoniously: "Damn the king."
Trudida turned her head in displeasure.
Archduke Olesiu trimmed his beard and frowned tightly: he remembered the succession duel in the Black Sand Territory twelve years ago.
While Thales was still worrying about "what if King Nunn loses", the High Priest Holm slowly walked to the center of the venue, attracting the attention of the entire hall.
Everyone's mood became tense at this moment.
Priest Holm stood in the middle of the two men and glanced at the two dueling men with his clear eyes behind the veil.
She raised her right hand and extended it to King Nun.
The officiant's cold voice slowly sounded:
"This person initiated a duel in the name of blood revenge."
King Nun stared coldly at his opponent.
The chief priest raised his left hand again and reached out to young Perfit.
"For honor and glory, this man will respond to the duel."
Perfitt exhaled a breath with a solemn expression.
"In the name of the sacred goddess of the bright moon, I will bear witness on my behalf," the chief priest began to retreat slowly, with a light posture, and each step was accompanied by one sentence:
"The sword dances in the moonlight."
"The blood reflects the glory of the gods."
"Courage burns a great life."
"Death is nothing but a return home after a long absence."
The expressions of King Nun and Grand Duke Perfit became serious at the same time. They both removed the giant ax from their shoulders and held it in both hands.
King Nunn lowered his body, widened the distance between his hands, pushed his left hand further and further, and even caught the connection between the ax handle and the ax blade; Grand Duke Perfitt pulled the ax diagonally to his side, and the ax blade rubbed against him
His face stopped in mid-air, assuming the most suitable posture for slashing.
Both sides looked at each other solemnly.
Thales squinted his eyes and read all the negative emotions that humans can have from their eyes.
The chief priest slowly retreated to the edge of the venue, took a deep breath, and raised his arms toward the sky, as if making a final prayer.
Everyone's breath was held at that moment.
The next second, the chief priest retracted his arms, gently pressed his shoulders with his palms, lowered his head, and faintly uttered the last words: