In the early morning of Longxiao City, a two-wheeled carriage was driving on the messy streets, weaving skillfully.
As the carriage moved forward, the indignant shouts outside the window gradually became less frequent.
In the carriage, Marquis Slys turned his head and looked at Thales who said nothing.
The Marquis shook his head silently in his heart.
after all……
"Are you okay, Your Highness?" the Marquis of Camus asked tentatively.
Thales raised his head as if he was aware of it, and glanced at Slys in a daze.
The little slipper on the side felt something was wrong in the atmosphere and secretly took a breath.
Under the subtle gaze of the Marquis, Thales sighed after a long while:
"Yes."
"Just a little tired."
Shless squeezed his cane and looked solemn.
"What are your plans, Your Highness?"
Thales closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and expelled all the fear and shaking in his heart.
I have to cheer up.
The more times like this...
The prince clenched his fists and felt the wound made by the dagger in his palm.
It hurts.
but……
"I seem to understand a little bit," he opened his eyes with firm eyes: "As for why Lomba dared to risk assassinating His Majesty and brought his army to Longxiao City in person - we must rush to the Palace of Heroes as soon as possible."
"It's war again, right?" Marquis Slys sighed.
He turned his gaze to the street outside the window, his expression hesitant at first, and then he said worriedly:
"Is there any other circumstantial evidence regarding the assassination of His Majesty the King?"
In front of Thales's eyes, the figures of the White Blade Guards came one after another, and he remembered the scene when they used their flesh and blood to block the crossbow arrows for the two children.
I remembered the image of the last white-blade guard with a distorted face, struggling to turn around to meet the enemy.
Dragon Guard.
Thales came back to his senses and shook his head: "Maybe not. With Lumba's character, he will probably handle it very cleanly - is there any news about Nicolai or others? People in the shield area?"
"As far as I know, there is no such thing." Marquis Slys gently pulled his sleeves and sighed slightly: "It seems that things are a bit troublesome."
"Yes," Thales said in a low voice, thinking quickly about the situation in front of him: "No one expected that Lombard would use such a fast, fierce and extremely effective method... King Exeter was killed by his subordinate Grand Duke.
I’m afraid there aren’t many examples.”
"not even one."
A young female voice sounded in the carriage.
Thales and Shless were both startled, and turned to look at the little slippery head.
"About two hundred years ago, the Tann family in the Welland Territory tried to assassinate the then king of Gongju. As a result, the conspiracy was exposed. The Xhosa king gathered the armies of other grand dukes and marched to the castle of the Tann family.
Raise the banner of the Ronnie Family's 'Knight Code'."
After Xiao Huantou said this, he blinked and touched his head, as if he was recalling carefully:
"On the seventh day, the 'Mourning Archduke' Amos Tann, who violated the political oath, was bound out of the city by his subordinates and the resentful subjects." The girl raised her head and said affirmatively: "In front of
In front of everyone, the Xhosa King himself pierced the traitor's chest with the soul-killing spear."
"Jacob Olesio was the first person to escort the deceased Grand Duke out of the city. Later, he became the first Grand Duke of Welland with the surname Olesio."
Thales and Slys frowned and listened to the little slippery man with strange expressions.
Only then did the little slipper notice the expressions of the other two people, his face turned red, and he quickly lowered his head timidly.
They looked at each other.
"You said she is your maid?" Marquis Slys was a little confused.
"Yeah, that's what I like about her," Thales touched his head, a little embarrassed, and secretly poked Little Slippery, making the latter's head lower: "Hey."
"Is that so?" Shless glanced at the little slicker with deep meaning and smiled slyly: "That's it."
Thales quickly changed the subject: "So, whether it is regicide or rebellion, it seems that they are both serious crimes in the North."
Shless nodded and sighed: "If you put it this way, the Northlanders will not allow a regicide... How can Lumba have such courage?"
Thales put down his hands and looked heavy.
He thought of Viscount Cambida from the Black Sand Territory and the Fire Knight, one of the five generals.
"I'm afraid, we have all underestimated Lumba." He said silently.
Thales suddenly raised his head.
"But Lumba still has a level of difficulty that cannot be bypassed," the prince narrowed his eyes: "If his intention is indeed what I think."
Shless's eyes stayed on his cane: "For example?"
"Too many things are still shrouded in mystery. It is necessary to reorganize the clues." Thales shook his head, his face became more and more serious, and his brain was running wildly: "When did Lumba start planning, and how did he implement it all?"
."
The carriage turned a corner.
"Is this important? The situation has gotten so bad." Marquis Slys took out a delicate pocket watch with a copper chain: "With all due respect, in addition to clarifying the facts, maybe you should consider how to escape. I can provide some
The way…”
"This is very important," Thales nodded slowly and straightened out his thoughts step by step: "The reason why the situation is so bad is because we underestimated Lumba before."
"I'll ask you again," Shles said with a serious expression, "Now I can send you quietly out of the city, or even back to the stars - are you sure you want to return to the Palace of Heroes?"
"Go back to that unpredictable whirlpool?"
Thales seemed not to have heard what he said and said to himself: "We still don't know the full extent of Lumba's plan, so we might as well go back to the beginning of his plan..."
Shless observed the young prince silently, and his evaluation of him rose slightly in his heart.
Under such circumstances, how many people can restrain their fear and think calmly?
What a pity.
The Marquis sighed silently in his heart.
The prince's eyes suddenly paused.
"Your Majesty the Marquis," Thales thought of something, and he asked subconsciously: "Why did King Nunn find Perfitt and this Lumba collaborator?"
"Ah?" Marquis Zenliucheng raised his eyebrows.
Why does King Nun want... to find Perfit?
This question still needs to be asked?
"Because Grand Duke Perfitt happened to kill his son?" Shles rolled his eyes, as if he didn't quite understand the prince's question. He had a strange expression on his face and tentatively replied: "And His Majesty Nunn happened to
Did you discover this?"
Thales shook his head.
"Because King Nun obtained the investigative information on Lomba - the Sword of Disaster, remember?" Thales' eyes became clearer and clearer, "This information led to the assassination of Prince Morar and my death in front of Broken Dragon Fortress.
Assassinations are linked.”
"That's why you concluded that Lumba has a collaborator, and that's why King Nun wants revenge."
A land of ice and snow appeared in front of Thales' eyes.
Those were the words that Nikolai and Shles said to him a few nights before arriving at Longxiao City.
Shless did not answer immediately. He paused slightly and thought thoughtfully: "What do you mean..."
Thales exhaled slowly, and his eyes were solemn as never before: "I'm afraid, when I set off from the Black Sand Territory, Nikolai received the news about the Sword of Disaster, and when King Nun decided to take revenge, we will all
Fell into Rumba’s plan.”
He lowered his head slightly, with an ugly expression on his face. Seeing his expression, the little naughty boy on the side didn't dare to say anything.
No.
not enough.
There are still some clues missing, some key clues.
"To be able to execute such a big and long-term plan," Thales murmured: "From planning to execution, from the Black Sand Territory to Longxiao City, from assassination to troop transportation, from operation to confidentiality - it is absolutely impossible.
If a remote archduke can accomplish this on his own, Lombard must have someone to help him."
"On this point, I agree with you," Marquis Slys nodded solemnly: "To accomplish such a big thing, I think Lombard does have help."
"You have a lot of connections, do you have any clues?" Thales' eyes lit up:
"In your opinion, who is the most suspicious?"
At this moment.
Little Huantou suddenly raised his head and looked out the window.
Her face turned pale and she poked Thales.
Only then did Thales notice that their carriage had stopped unconsciously.
Marquis Shless put the pocket watch he had been rubbing for a long time into his pocket and sighed: "Your Highness, we are here."
Thales's heart moved: "So fast? I remember that the Palace of Heroes is..."
"The Palace of Heroes is still a bit short," Shless interrupted him and blinked: "Another adult will escort you on the next journey."
Thales was slightly startled.
What?
The next moment, their car door was opened.
A rough voice that made Thales change his color with horror came into the small carriage:
"My Lord Marquis, thank you very much for your help."
A middle-aged nobleman in uniform, whom Thales was very familiar with, held the car door with one hand and pressed his sword with the other. Under the protection of dense soldiers, he boarded their small carriage.
"Otherwise, we will have to spend a lot of time looking for this guest."
The visitor sat down heavily, and his sharp sword-like eyes swept over Thales and Little Slippery:
Thales felt as if he had been struck by lightning, and his heart felt as if it had fallen into an ice cave.
The little slippery man was so frightened that he covered his mouth, his eyes full of fear.
I saw the ruler of the Black Sand Territory, Grand Duke Charmaine Lombard, sitting peacefully next to the smiling Marquis of Shres and closing the car door leisurely.
Facing the Grand Duke of Lombard, Marquis Slice smiled the friendliest smile, just like when he saw Thales for the first time.
The Marquis leaned forward slightly and said in a respectful tone, "It's my pleasure."
Lumba snorted softly, turned his head, and glanced at Thales with a pair of cold eyes: "You can really run, Your Highness."
The little slippery man was already trembling with fear when he thought of the bloody scene just now.
The prince just stared blankly at the Black Sand Duke in front of him, motionless.
Fear and panic instantly came to his mind, and he suppressed them forcefully.
No.
Charmaine Lombard.
Shless Bermula.
this means……
It took a few seconds for Thales to react to the shocking scene in front of him.
"Shles Bermula, you!" He turned his head and looked at the Marquis of Zenliu City in disbelief: "You betrayed us!"
Lumba said nothing, his face as cold and serious as ever.
"Don't be so surprised, Your Highness," Marquis Slys sighed regretfully and shook his head slowly: "This does not fit in with your usual image of a genius. Besides, I didn't betray you."
"Didn't you betray me?" Thales laughed angrily, "Don't tell me, from the beginning..."
After Thales finished speaking, his expression changed.
No way.
At that moment, he realized: he might be right.
"You are the helper," Thales looked at the smiling Marquis Slys and said with disbelief: "Have you been with Lumba from the beginning?"
"You wake up so quickly, Your Highness," Lumba said sarcastically.
A second later, Thales shouted in shock and anger: "Shles, you betrayed King Nun!"
The little slippery head twitched slightly.
Lumba chuckled disdainfully.
Marquis Slys frowned.
Thales clenched his trembling fists and looked angrily out the window at the soldiers with black sand collars wearing patrol uniforms.
Once again they fell into the hands of Lombard.
More desperate and worse than last time.
"Tsk, tsk," the Marquis of Camas shook his head, seeming to dislike Thales's words: "Don't say that, I hate betrayers and repeat villains the most - I have never betrayed His Majesty Nunn.
"
Thales tried his best to suppress his impulse and anger: "I thought you had an agreement with King Nunn and were doing things for him!"
"Of course, he needs to take revenge on the black hand who betrayed Morar," Shlais shrugged, as if he didn't care: "For this, he needs someone like me who can move freely among the Grand Dukes without arousing suspicion.
third-party candidate.”
The Marquis blinked: "It's fair to exchange the limestone mine contract for revenge."
Thales gasped and glanced at the unsmiling Rumba: "But you betrayed Nunn!"
"No, no, no, Your Highness," Shless sighed, raised a finger and shook it gently: "You misunderstood."
Shless opened his eyes, his eyes were full of shrewdness, but with a hint of sincerity that was irrefutable: "I am a person of integrity and promise-keeping. The spirit of contract is the first creed of the Bermuda family."
"Contract spirit?" Thales clenched his fists and gritted his teeth in anger.
"Yes," Shless nodded and spread his left hand: "I have faithfully fulfilled my agreement with His Majesty Nunn and helped him find and kill his enemy. He is very satisfied and I am also very happy."
Shless raised a finger, raised his eyebrows and shook his head, as if accusing Thales of doubting him: "Spirit of contract."
The Marquis's eyes were very clear.
There is no trace of guilt or embarrassment.
As if this is his true nature.
Thales took a deep breath.
The sins of the prison river rushed to his head at the right time.
Finally, Thales slowly eased his breathing and his brain began to calm down.
Marquis Slys continued with his friendly smile and blinked: "As for now, I am just fulfilling another contract with Lord Lombard."
"And I keep my promise as always - look, it's still the spirit of the contract."
Thales loosened his clenched fists, looked at Lumba's hand that had been resting on the sword, and gave up the intention of touching the dagger.
"How much have you done for Lumba?" Thales said coldly: "Help him prepare supplies? Or just kill the king directly?"
Shless exhaled and looked at Lumba, whose eyes were full of coldness.
"When I think about it, it's actually not much." His Excellency the Marquis took out his cane and smiled slightly: "To provide His Excellency the Grand Duke with some news from the Palace of Heroes, about the King's whereabouts and the progress of the plan..."
"Activate some of Conmas's business connections, use regular channels to deliver news and items, and cover up some news..."
"Take your majesty's charter, prepare some weapons, and transport some men into the city..."
"Of course, as for disguising and replacing it with a patrol, that is Mr. Ullard's task..."
Listening to Slys telling one piece of chilling news after another, Thales suddenly raised his head.
"Since when?"
"When Nicolai came to see me? When he entered Longxiao City?" the prince said angrily: "Or should you just be Lumba's internal agent from the beginning?"
Marquis Slys smiled and said nothing.
"That's enough," Lumba on the side said. His words were cold and he glanced at Slice mercilessly: "We are very pressed for time."
But Thales had no intention of paying attention to his enemy.
"What did he give you to risk the biggest taboo and cooperate with a regicide?" The prince said angrily: "Contract? Money? Power? After deducting the price you paid, it can be better than what King Nun gave you.
There are more?”
Shless shook his head.
"No, the problem is not what His Excellency Lombard gave me," the Marquis said with an apologetic smile to Grand Duke Lombard, then turned to Thales and said: "In business, you can't just look at profits and numbers. Sometimes you have to build some reputation and connections.
"
"His Majesty Nunn is a good collaborator, but even if it is the most certain business, you must have a backup plan."
Thales was stunned when he heard this, and then sneered:
"So Lumba and the Black Sand Territory are your back-up plans outside of King Nun and Longxiao City?"
Marquis Slys turned his head, opened the car door, and touched his cane on the pedal.
"You are wrong again. The backhand is not a person or thing that is 'prepared', it is a concept." Shless turned around and smiled softly, and gestured to Lumba with his palm: "His Majesty the Grand Duke has proved his worth and potential.
, so when he appeared in front of me, even if we didn't agree in advance, he would naturally become my backup."
Thales sneered disdainfully.
"Shles Bermula," his eyes went back and forth between Lumba and Sles, and he gritted his teeth and said, "What about after Lumba, have you prepared a 'backup' for him?"
Lumba raised his head slightly and cast a chilling look at Thales.
It's like looking at a dead person.
Thales's heart tightened.
"If I were you, Your Highness," Shless stepped out of the carriage without looking back and said with a smile, "I would start thinking about ways to escape instead of sowing discord in vain."
Lumba snorted coldly: "That makes sense."
Thales clenched his fists and stopped talking.
His eyes once again glanced at the densely packed soldiers outside the window.
No.
They have no chance.
His heart was filled with despair at that second.
The little slipper behind him held his arm tightly.
"Then the next thing will be left to you," Marquis Shles turned around, bowed slightly to the Grand Duke of Lombard on the ground, and smiled at Thales: "Don't worry, Your Highness, as I promised
Yes, His Excellency the Grand Duke will take you to the Palace of Heroes."
"Thank you," Thales snorted disdainfully: "Thank you for your spirit of contract."
Marquis Slys smiled with no intention of being offended at all.
Lumba stretched out his hand and slowly grasped the car door handle.
"After we're done, I will send someone to send the carriage back," Lumba exhaled a cold breath and nodded slightly to Slash with an indifferent expression: "I will remember the friendship of Zenliu Castle."
Shless exhaled a breath of hot air and watched his driver step down from the driving seat, and another soldier from the Black Sand Territory stepped forward.
"No, it's not necessary," the Marquis shook his head, his eyes passing over Lombard and the two children with deep meaning, and his tone was full of regret: "I think I don't need this carriage anymore."
Several people were silent for a few seconds.
"Farewell, Your Majesty the Grand Duke," Marquis Slys tidied up his gorgeous clothes that were wrinkled from getting in and out of the carriage, straightened his hat, and said respectfully, "I wish you all the best and all your wishes will come true."
The car door that Lumba was about to close suddenly stopped, and the Grand Duke of Black Sand paused slightly. He turned his head and looked at Shless with a stern look.
"May all your wishes come true?"
"Do you think I will succeed?" Lumba said calmly.
Thales's heart moved.
success?
What exactly do they want to do?
"Of course, you have a unique vision and magnanimity," Marquis Schles exhaled with emotion: "I am honored to be able to witness such an important and critical, magnificent and magnificent history."
Thales's heart grew tighter and tighter.
Important and crucial.
Magnificent and majestic...
history?
Lumba sneered.
"As for your future," Shless held his cane with both hands and nodded slowly, with the smile on his face as humble and respectful as ever: "I am fully confident and have no doubts."
The Grand Duke of Heisha looked at the Marquis with complicated eyes and a subtle expression, and then nodded in response after a few seconds.
"Good day, Your Highness Thales," Shless turned his head, looked at Thales who looked ugly, and also respectfully sent his blessings: "I also wish you and your maid..."
But his words made Thales feel extremely ironic:
"Everything goes well and all your wishes come true."
The doors are closed and the carriage is moving.
Only this time, the person staring coldly at Thales in the carriage was replaced by Charmaine Lombard with a cold face.
Thales took a deep breath, tried his best to be in the calmest and best state, and turned to face the Black Sand Duke.
"Little Prince, I still don't know, since when?" Under Thales's murderous eyes and the fearful eyes of Little Slippery, the Grand Duke of Lombard seemed to be absentmindedly pulling out a section of his old sword.
, his scary eyes immediately turned to the prince and the girl beside him:
"You have a maid?"
Facing the cold light of the sword blade, the little slipper's head trembled slightly.