"You know, I have a guess," Thales said absently: "The Year of Blood was a disaster that almost destroyed the stars. The entire kingdom was shaken by civil strife and contradictions, and was in danger."
He raised his eyes and his voice trembled slightly:
"Until you go south."
At that moment, Thales caught a glimpse of strange and doubtful light in the eyes of several grand dukes.
"What do you mean?" Olesiu asked coldly.
very good.
Thales said to himself silently in his heart.
Interests and Threats. The two main weapons used by Lomba to persuade other grand dukes are now gone. The grand dukes probably understand that to some extent, Lomba's threat is higher than the stars.
And now.
Thales glanced at Thelma. The girl held her slightly trembling fists and nodded slowly to him, with forced determination in her eyes.
Now he still has to convince the princes that the benefits promised to them by Lombard are not as good as imagined.
Thales raised his head.
"I have never seen the tragic situation twelve years ago," Thales said seriously, remembering Gilbert's narration of the Year of Blood, "But I can imagine from the old people's stories: The Bright Star Royal Family
The disaster has reached its peak: all nineteen vassals are in danger, rumors are spreading among the nobles, the army is leaderless, the people of the kingdom are furious, Yongxing City has entered the most urgent state, perhaps the Star Kingdom is on the verge of destruction."
Having said this, Thales sighed.
"Mindis III probably did not expect that the chess game he set would usher in such a storm more than a hundred years later."
The princes exchanged worried glances, and Lombard tightened his grip on his sword.
"But in the autumn and winter of twelve years ago, when Exeter's army went south for whatever reason, especially when the news of the fall of Broken Dragon Fortress came, the entire planet was probably shocked," Thales continued
:
"I guess the new war breaks the original situation and injects new excitement into the dying stars."
Grand Duke Lecco's cloudy eyes brightened slightly, and his expression became more serious.
Oratio and Trudida looked at each other in confusion.
"A full-scale invasion by Exeter, the most powerful person in the Western Continent, is nothing compared to the civil strife of the rebels and the assassination of the royal family."
"While trembling in fear, most people in the stars had to choose to compromise with the great vassals, small nobles, officials, merchants, armies, farmers, etc.," according to the known intelligence and the concepts recognized by the grand dukes, Tyr
Si deduced the logic step by step, thinking hard about the next sentence to make it sound more credible and convincing:
"Under the shadow of the dragon, they quickly reached a consensus: to end the current chaos as soon as possible, welcome the last prince back to the royal capital, and crown him amidst blood and death. The forces that should have been fragmented in the stars gathered into one, just for the sake of
Resist the greed of the dragon of the north."
Grand Duke Lecco's eyes shrank: "What do you mean?"
Thales took a deep breath and tried his best to look neutral and not care so much about the stars:
"It's ironic, but it is also very likely that it was Exeter's menacing invasion that forced us to bridge the internal contradictions and conflicts and saved the Star Kingdom from division and decline."
As soon as these words came out, the breath of all the princes changed.
Although their expressions remained unchanged due to their long-standing leadership, Thales still felt something strange in the air.
"You are older than me, wiser than me, and have experienced the past more personally. You might as well think about it again: If you had not gone south twelve years ago, what would have happened to the Star Kingdom, which had just lost its king and was leaderless and in chaos?" Tai
Else said calmly.
"And just now, Lomba persuaded you to blame Xingchen, and when he sent troops with him, did he also tell you by coincidence that Xingchen is in the most embarrassing and inconsistent stage, and the northern border is isolated and helpless, which is convenient for you to capture
it?"
"Unlike some grand duke who can't wait to tell you the answer and order you to do things," Thales nodded slightly to the grand dukes: "I have raised the question, but I will stop here. Please think and make your own decisions.
.”
A strange and complicated expression appeared on Lumba's face.
The princes all looked at him.
Thales breathed out in his heart, but there was a lingering haze: Regarding Exeter's invasion, what he just said was just a conjecture, just to make the archdukes think about the cost of invading the stars again.
But Thales kept trying to convince himself that this was just a conjecture. What if it was true?
What if Exeter's invasion did temporarily force the Star People to stand together again?
He couldn't help but think of the words of the natural king when King Nun told him about Suril's death last night:
[Tales, twelve years ago... we sent troops south to the stars, not without reason...]
[He is an assassin from your star...]
When Xingchen was most in danger, a strange assassination from Xingchen triggered Exeter's southward invasion.
King Nun mentioned the assassination...
Prince Suril died in that assassination...
In the negotiation between Nicolai and the Scarlet Witch, the assassination was mentioned...
Even Putilai hinted that he was related to the assassination when he parted with the prince just now...
What secret was hidden behind that assassination?
Thales clenched his fists slightly.
Lumba stared closely at the prince.
If his eyes could kill, then Thales would probably be dead.
But Taylor ignored him.
"So, I, the descendant of King Tormund of the Restoration, Thales Thranjelana Kessel Shining Star from the Kingdom of Stars..." Thales raised his chest, looked solemn, thinking in his mind
I imagined the scene in the Hall of Stars facing the vassals, and tried my best to show the momentum of a prince:
"I am standing here, with the most humble wishes and the most peaceful expectations, imploring you: reconsider the war between our two countries and think about the cost and meaning behind it."
At that moment, the four Grand Dukes Lecco, Ronny, Trudida, and Olesio looked back at him equally seriously, with serious expressions.
It was as if the child in front of him was not a frail child, but a ruler who could sit on an equal footing with them.
"You can't guarantee that it will definitely bring about the most desired results, either for you or for us." At that moment, Thales thought of the many people whose destinies were changed by the war and said lonelyly:
"No one can guarantee that."
The hall became quiet again.
The brazier went out again.
The princes all cherished their words and thought deeply. This time, they didn't even make eye contact.
Lumba didn't speak either.
But the knuckles on the back of his hand holding the sword were pale and the veins were protruding.
A few seconds later.
"That's it."
Grand Duke Lecco closed his eyes and sighed softly: "Please don't say any more, Prince Thales, I think we all understand what you mean."
Thales felt relaxed, his feet softened, and he swayed slightly.
Thelma held his waist from behind to prevent him from making a fool of himself on the spot.
Thales turned back painfully and gave her a forced smile.
"What do you say?" Archduke Lecco's voice echoed in the hall.
It seems hollow and tired.
"It's obvious, isn't it?" Grand Duke Ronny was the first to raise his head, his tone vague but decisive: "I would rather fight against a lion than a jackal in the same boat."
Lumba's brows frowned more and more.
these people……
"You know, Charmaine, although your conditions are very tempting," Trudida shrugged lightly, with a complicated look on his face: "But I don't want my descendants to wake up one day and find themselves lying in a
In the ruins, so..."
Lumba snorted expressionlessly.
these people……
Grand Duke Olesiu's expression was stiff for a long time. After a while, he opened his mouth and uttered a sentence bitterly:
"We should not have come today, let alone attend this damn ecumenical meeting."
Lumba slowly lowered his head.
These are the people...
Archduke Lecco knocked on the table.
"I see."
"No matter what we plan to do," the old Grand Duke's old face seemed to be more vicissitudes of life, "blaming the stars and sending troops to the north, let's put it on hold for the time being. Of course, today's matter must be handled properly."
"Especially, regarding the death of His Majesty Nunn."
His eyes refocused and turned to Lumba: "If we don't plan to blame the stars, we have to have a good reason."
Eyes cold.
At that moment, even Selma felt the atmosphere in the air solidify.
In the hall, everyone's positions have changed.
The four archdukes stood together unknowingly, with Ronny and Olesio in the lead, and Thales standing beside them.
Opposite them, Lumba stood alone in front of the brazier.
The firelight and shadow divided his face into two parts, one light and one dark, which was strange and disturbing.
Lumba slowly raised his head.
These people...are the obstacles to Exeter's progress.
He glanced at the several grand dukes one by one, and the latter responded to him with different expressions.
"You have all made your decision, haven't you." Lombard said in his most indifferent tone: "Four old and wise Grand Dukes of Exeter, the situation was turned around by a few words from a star kid, and you wavered in your position with just one mouthful of words.
.”
He snorted softly and glanced at Thales: "Pathetic."
Thales held Thelma's hand tightly and silently watched the interaction between the archdukes.
He gritted his teeth, knowing that the situation was irreversible.
"He can't turn the situation around with just one word," Archduke Lecco's tone also became colder:
"No one can."
The bald old man narrowed his eyes: "But isn't it you, Charmaine Lombard, who helped him convince us with actions and facts?"
Lombard said darkly and sarcastically: "So this is your answer?"
"First, for the sake of Exeter, we decided to cover up the death of the king together. After a few minutes of swearing an alliance, you rediscovered your conscience and decided to send me back to the execution platform of the regicide again?"
"We can still talk about this..." Trudida said gently.
Lumba's razor-sharp gaze pierced him.
The Jarhead lord choked.
Lumba turned his head again and scanned the lords over and over again, especially carefully.
It was as if he wanted to see through their souls.
These people, is it because of these people that Exeter got to where he is now?
ridiculous.
sad.
Finally, after a while, Lumba lowered his head and let out a chilling laugh.
"Ha ha ha ha……"
Thales felt uneasy, and he knew that the matter was far from resolved.
"Charmaine," Olesiu frowned and said only one word: "Don't."
Lumba raised his head sharply.
"Do you really know what you are doing?" Facing the Grand Dukes, Grand Duke Heisha's tone has never been so terrifying: "Your hesitation and retreat are allowing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to slip through your fingers."
"You also heard what he said, about the current situation of the stars," Archduke Lecco responded calmly: "Your plan may not be the best choice for Exeter."
"Boom!" Lumba's scabbard hit the ground again.
"Then do you believe him?" Lombard said coldly.
"Don't you understand? As long as we work together, power, wealth, status, and all problems can be made up for with the benefits stolen from our old enemies." His eyes seemed to be burning with fire: "For Exter, we must
…”
Grand Duke Ronnie suddenly changed his expression and spoke loudly, interrupting Lumba: "Listen up, regicide!"
"I am also the master of this country, and I also own Exeter." The long-haired Grand Duke stood in front of all the Grand Dukes like an iron warrior: "And you have neither the right nor the ability to tell me: for my
Country, what must I do?"
"Don't force the rest of the people to follow your methods and be loyal to 'your' Exeter."
Lumba clenched his fists.
"There are ten Exters among us," the Duke of Black Sand gritted his teeth: "That's the problem!"
Grand Duke Ronny sneered in response: "So you still admit that you kicked the rest of us out?"
Lumba's expression was as cold as ice, and he almost scratched the hilt of his sword.
Trudida sighed and interjected like a peacemaker: "Charmaine, you have to understand us: imagine that one day your son or grandson lives on the streets, like the meanest..."
"so what?"
Lumba suddenly spoke up, interrupting him like a furious lion: "Will it be worse than now?"
Trudida was speechless for a moment, and looked at Lumba with an increasingly weird expression.
The other princes frowned and looked at Lumba.
At that moment, the four Grand Dukes had a clear realization: this Grand Duke of Black Sand might not be of the same kind as them, but a completely different existence from them.
Ronnie took over the conversation coldly: "For those who benefit from it, of course it is better. Unfortunately, I am not among them."
silence.
Lumba took a deep breath, as if to suppress the rising anger.
"Hehehehe..." He let out an unsettling laugh from his nose:
"Six hundred years."
He glanced at everyone coldly, even Thelma:
"From the first second of birth, we are like hounds on a collar, racking our brains to scheming with vassals, and trying every possible means to fight openly and secretly with the king."
"Even if we become kings ourselves, we will just repeat the same fate in this sad yoke."
"For six hundred years, generation after generation, we have been spinning in circles like headless ants," Lumba twisted his face: "Don't you find it boring?"
"The oath of co-governance? In order to break this sad cycle and for the future of this country," Grand Duke Heisha gritted his teeth and said with trembling hands:
"I put everything on the line."
"In the end, I can only sit back and watch your selfishness and short-sightedness destroy Exeter's future."
The princes all looked at each other, with inexplicable feelings rising in their hearts.
At this moment.
"Your Excellency," Thales said softly, "please don't make excuses for yourself, as if you are so noble, selfless and great."
Lumba turned his head suddenly and shot his frozen gaze at the prince.
"If Exeter can be saved, why does it have to be you?" Thales said calmly: "Why can't it be someone else? For example...King Nun?"
Lumba's breath hitched.
The other princes also paused slightly.
"Yes, I realized later that you are not the only one who has clearly seen the current situation of the stars." The prince sighed, remembering the scene where King Nuen mentioned the wise king to himself a few minutes before his death: "Also
There is the supreme commander who led the army across the fortress, the natural king, Nun Walton VII."
"If you really only have the Kingdom of Exeter in your heart and nothing else, why don't you take advantage of the situation and hand over your authority to King Nunn?"
Thales looked at Lumba, whose face was distorted, and said word by word: "Accept the king's officials, accept the king's orders, accept the penetration of the royal power into the Black Sand Territory, and willingly become the next Fengzhao City."
"Let the entire Exter gather more closely under the banner of the Dragon Spear in the Cloud in Longxiao City," the prince suddenly raised his hand and pointed to the stone carving of the Dragon Spear in the Cloud on the ceiling: "By the most powerful natural king
, come and become the sole ruler of Exeter!"
The hall fell silent again.
Rumba's expression became increasingly cold.
"But you didn't want to, your family didn't want to," Thales replied softly, "That's why today's tragedy happened."
"You think that your past, the death of your brother and mother, gives you a reason to hate the oath of co-governance, which will make your actions different, become extremely prominent, become particularly tragic, and become interesting.
Is it heroic?"
Lumba paused and turned towards him.
His eyes were terrifying and his face was ferocious.
My past?
How dare he.
How dare!
For the first time, Thales faced the almost suffocating momentum of the Black Sand Duke without reservation.
But he just took a deep breath, gritted his teeth and raised his head.
At that moment, Thales remembered everything in front of Broken Dragon Fortress and the sacrifices of Araka and the Fury Guards.
He thought again of the tragedy in Longxiao City, of the destroyed Shield Area, of the fallen White Blade Guards one by one, and of their unyielding appearance.
"No, Rumba, peel off the shell and you are no different from anyone else."
"They are all just creatures who serve their own interests under the banner of 'for Exeter' and struggle for power."
"People who don't even care about the lives around them, don't even cherish the land they belong to, but talk about the country and the future," the prince said coldly:
"No noble qualifications."
The prince closed his mouth and finished his words.
At that moment, the eyes of the Grand Duke of Black Sand and the Prince of Stars met in the air. One side was overflowing with murderous intent, and the other side was unyielding.
Lumba stood there, the temperature around him seemed to be dropping sharply.
"you."
Lumba stared at Thales and spoke slowly, biting out the word from his teeth with full of hatred and coldness:
"you!"
Thelma was so scared that she shrank behind Thales.
But she failed because Thales grabbed her hand tightly, dragged her back to him, and forced her to look directly into Lumba's eyes.
"I don't call you 'you'," Thales responded coldly without showing any signs of weakness:
"Listen up, Charmaine Lombard."
"My name is Thales Brightstar."
Lumba's pupils shrank.
"He is a child who cannot drink." The prince took a step forward and said with a determined expression.