Chapter 287: The Glory and Disgrace of the Giant Dragon (2)
"Intelligence from the West."
Cambida puffed up his chest and looked solemn:
"Three days ago, our Western 'little friends' held a closed-door secret meeting. At least three elders proposed that it was time to renegotiate and adjust the amount of goods and donations sent to the Kingdom of Exeter every year.
"
At the "west" moment, Lisban's eyes tightened: "You mean the Freedom Alliance?"
"The Freedom Alliance on the Golden Corridor on the southwest side of Qiyuan City?"
Hearing this word, Nicolai on the other side suddenly raised his head with an ugly look on his face.
Cambida nodded expressionlessly.
"Although the Freedom Alliance has not yet made a final decision, and the positions of several senators are also wavering," Cambida said coldly, with an awe-inspiring chill between the lines: "But there is no doubt that before they dare to start from that stupid and cowardly
This idea came to my mind, when I proposed a proposal at the round table where Prince Suril tried his knife."
"Exeter's dignity has been violated."
After Cambida finished speaking, he closed his mouth and waited quietly for a response.
Thales noticed that the people in the North, whether they were personal guards like Nicolai and Justin, or high-ranking nobles like Lisban, were slightly stagnant in breathing.
The air in the hall seemed to freeze for a moment because of these words.
but
Free League.
Not the Kingdom of Stars.
Thales let out a breath. Fortunately, it wasn't the part he was most worried about.
He cast a doubtful look at the Grand Duchess, but Thelma just shook her head silently with a hint of worry: Obviously, she knew something about this term.
A few seconds later.
The Earl of Lisban slowly raised his head, his gaze drifting into the distance, recalling the turbulent years in the past, but his words showed unquestionable power: "Twenty years ago, we generously 'taught' these children on the golden corridor:
Keep your duty."
"Under the dragon's wrath, even the self-proclaimed noble white elves were unable to protect the children of their alliance. Didn't they even learn this lesson?"
Cambida sneered, his eyes full of meaning.
"Obviously, compared to twenty years ago, children seem to have the illusion that the Kingdom of Exeter will be more benevolent without a natural king."
Viscount Cambida's eyes flashed coldly: "It's time to teach them again."
Behind him, Chloe chuckled.
The hall fell into silence.
what happened.
Exeter and the Free League?
Thales calmly recalled the geography knowledge he had learned from the Northland nobles' courses in the past six years. Of course, it was centered on Exter. The prince once jokingly called it "the world in Exter's eyes."
.
After the Ending War, the Western Frontier of the Great Desert of the Western Continent became a peaceful and pure land at the beginning of the Ending Calendar because it was far away from the disputes between the two new powers, Stars and Dragons. Countries and city-states of various sizes stood up, forming a line from north to south.
A long area spanning many powers in the Western Continent: to the desert interior and rock valleys in the east, to the North Sea Kingdom and the Northland, to the Devil's Sea and the Sea of Despair with countless ports in the west, to the Dragon's Kiss Land and Thorn Land on the promenade coast in the south.
, the southeast is connected to the Twin Seas of Mist and even the Kingdom of Stars.
Until the Conmas Alliance gradually emerged in several continental wars, this corridor was famous for the large number of small countries along the route. The various forces were separated and autonomous, far away from the influence of powerful countries. When several city-states further west, the Conmas people began to do business.
Mainland China, they call this intricate land corridor that connects various countries and is full of commercial goods the "Golden Corridor."
The Freedom Alliance that Cambida and Lisban talked about is located at the northeastern end of the Golden Corridor, adjacent to Qiyuan City in the west of Exeter to the east and Shanliu City of the Camas Alliance to the west. If you are bolder,
Going southeast through a section of desert, you can even reach the Western Wasteland Territory of the Star Kingdom.
For a long time, this land as the end point of the Golden Corridor was in chaos. It was not until after the Fourth Continental War that a political freedom alliance with compromise and co-governance by multiple forces emerged: In the past hundred years or so,
It barely continues its existence in a complex situation where many internal and external forces are intertwined.
Obviously, it can be heard from Lisbane's words: the Freedom Alliance fell to the Kingdom of Exeter in the latest struggle. The powerful Northlanders relied on their terrifying record of violently subduing the stars and Camus to seize the throne.
In order to gain influence and control over the Freedom Alliance, it also occupied a large amount of interests at the northernmost end of the Golden Corridor.
So, if the Freedom Alliance tries to break away from Exeter's control, Thales thought: Is Lombard going to start a war to the west?
But it is clear that people led by Grand Duke Ronnie are criticizing his rule. Does the king still hope to use this battle that is destined to be thankless to clear his reputation?
Ever since that scene six years ago, the conflict between the king and the princes has long been irreconcilable, right?
Viscount Cambida raised his head and looked at the thoughtful Thelma expressionlessly: "Madam, this is King Charman, and it is important information that His Majesty asked me to bring."
"The dignity of Northlanders can only be maintained with blood."
Cambida's eyes were focused, with a faint sense of oppression: "What is Longxiao City's attitude towards this?"
Facing Cambida's seemingly polite but aggressive question, Thelma frowned.
At that moment, Thales saw a flash of helplessness and hesitation in her eyes.
But the girl soon coughed lightly and looked at Regent Lisban out of habit.
The Earl of Lisbon pondered for a long time.
"It's really difficult for you to get the information." Finally, the regent raised his eyes with a profound look that seemed to have a huge weight: "The Black Sand Territory is clearly far away from the desert and the golden corridor."
"But for such a big thing, you actually responded earlier than Qiyuan City, which is located near the Freedom Alliance, and sent people to notify us earlier."
"Did Grand Duke Ronny make an oversight, or are you too thoughtful?"
Lisban especially emphasizes on "youxin".
As soon as he said this, Thales couldn't help but raise his eyebrows slightly.
Viscount Cambida couldn't help but change his expression slightly, and looked at the Earl of Lisban again.
It turns out that Prince of Stars figured out the suspicions of the envoys from the Black Sand Territory. This was not something they should be informed of, and they shouldn't be so enthusiastic.
Croash, who was behind Kambida, snorted softly and said coldly: "To serve a king who has ambitions everywhere, of course we must be worthy of his ambition and grand plans."
Cambida raised the corners of his mouth and nodded slightly to Croash, but the female warrior didn't even look at him, she just stared at the Grand Duchess.
Lisban snorted lightly.
"Leave aside Exter's influence on the Golden Corridor for the time being." Earl Lisban's waist straightened slightly and his tone was solemn: "The Freedom Alliance is connected to abundant goods and large profits, and is adjacent to Qiyuan City. Once it leaves us
Under his control, the person who suffered the most and was the most worried should be Archduke Ronnie, right?"
"You are so generous for working on his affairs."
In the increasingly depressing atmosphere of the meeting, the Earl directly pointed out the doubtful points.
Cambida smiled slightly: "The loss of the Ronnie family and Qiyuan City is the loss of Exeter."
But Lisban interrupted him loudly: "Even if Justice Ronny tirelessly and unequivocally denounces King Charmaine's rule? Even if he calls on us to refuse to pay taxes to the king, to that apostate who disrespects tradition?"
Cambida also seemed to be aroused, and his originally smiling expression turned cold: "The people of Exeter are indistinguishable from each other. One will be prosperous and one will be harmed!"
"This is the future that His Majesty the King hopes for and is working for. We certainly hope that Grand Duke Ronny can understand his painstaking efforts, and we also hope that you can understand."
"Ha! This is quite an anecdote." Count Lisban seemed ready to take off all the pressure from the other party, letting the overwhelmed Grand Duchess relax: "The parricide is actually a patriot!"
When Earl Lisban said that nickname without hesitation, Cambida and Croache's expressions both turned cold.
Thales sighed secretly: "Parricide, this is probably the stain and shadow that will linger in Lumba's life."
But Thales thought of Charmaine Lombard's expression in the firelight. Compared with other people's opinions, the bigger shadow should be in his own heart.
This can be said to be the mark left by King Nun on Lumba, which will accompany him throughout his life.
"Believe me, His Majesty Charmaine always keeps Exter's dignity and interests in mind," Cambida said with a cold face:
"I can't tell you how much your Majesty wanted to gather all the troops of Exeter and tear down the walls of the Free Alliance to build their tombstone the moment he received the news."
But Lisban snorted unceremoniously.
"Put away those beautiful words," the old regent's tone was very calm, but it seemed to contain breathless pressure: "When Grand Duke Ronnie of Qiyuan City leads the heroes in the public eye, he calls on the whole country to prepare for the king's attack.
"When the unjust acts of
"The Freedom Alliance west of Qiyuan City has become internally unstable for no apparent reason, causing trouble for Ronnie?"
Lisban's straightforward attitude made Thales frown.
But the prince couldn't figure out Cambida's purpose: this was a fight between the king and Ronnie, but why did he tell Longxiao City specifically?
Does King Charman still expect Longxiao City to be on his side?
"Ronnie has to choose, right?" Lisban took his hands out from behind, hugged his chest tightly, took a step forward, and looked at Cambida at the foot of the steps with great pressure:
"Under the righteousness, if he wants to solve the immediate worries and maintain his prestige as the Grand Duke of Qiyuan City, he must give up his protest and opposition to Charman, and even cooperate with the king, so that he can free up his hands and go all out
Deal with the civil strife in the Freedom Alliance and regain the interests belonging to Qiyuan City."
Cambida was silent for a few seconds: "I don't understand what you mean, Lord Count."
Lisban snorted coldly: "We are all from the North, so stop playing the imperial tricks of the Star People."
Star people?
Imperial power?
Thales couldn't help but raise his eyebrows: the prince swore that he saw the corners of Selma's mouth pulled upward.
"Tell me," Lisban said seriously: "If Ronnie doesn't make a choice that meets your expectations, how will King Charmaine react?"
Cambida stared at Lisban for several seconds.
Finally, the envoy from the Black Sand Territory laughed:
"I think your majesty still must respect the oath of co-governance: After all, the Freedom Alliance is closest to Qiyuan City, so he respects Grand Duke Ronny's attitude on how to deal with alliance matters, and he respects the interests and autonomy of Qiyuan City even more. He criticized those children
It is one thing, but it is undoubtedly unwise to meddle rashly in the internal affairs of the Grand Dukes."
"Hey!" Lisban shouted sarcastically: "At this time, our king actually remembered the oath of co-ruling, and remembered that this is the 'internal affairs of the grand dukes'."
Cambida did not answer, he just bowed slightly, and the regent also closed his mouth.
A strange calm returned to the hall: Thales saw Nicolai frowning, while Thelma seemed to be deep in thought.
strangeness.
In this weird interview, Thales quickly found out several doubtful points that he couldn't figure out:
The Black Sand Territory raised the issue of the Freedom Alliance, but according to Lisban, it was just a part of the game between King Charmaine and Grand Duke Ronnie and other opponents.
But, what does this have to do with Longxiao City? Why did Lumba send someone to inform Selma about this?
More importantly, what does this have to do with himself and Thales Bright Star?
If Gilbert's so-called "there are no meaningless words in diplomacy" and "testing our steps and falsehoods" are true,
Thales frowned: He had too little information.
After a few seconds, Earl Lisban's expression changed and he raised his gaze.
"I know why you came to Longxiao City," the earl said solemnly, "and what happened yesterday."
Lisban narrowed his eyes: "You sent Longxiao City into the center of the storm."
What?
Send Longxiao City into the center of the storm?
Thales was slightly startled, unable to follow their thoughts.
Apparently, he wasn't the only one who didn't understand Lisban's words: Thelma's eyes widened, as a girl usually does when she's confused.
The girl and the boy looked at each other and saw the confusion and confusion in each other's eyes.
"'Dragon Eye' Charles Lisban," Cambida's expression became completely serious, and he looked at his opponent again: "You are indeed worthy of your reputation."
At that moment, Thales had a feeling: today's meeting was a confrontation between Lisban and Cambida, a chess game that only they could understand.
"Let's end the meeting here, my lady." Lisban said coldly.
Thelma looked at Lisban blankly, but she still nodded submissively.
"Are you sure?" Cambida sneered: "This is about the honor and disgrace of the dragon, and your Majesty is waiting for the Grand Duchess's reply."
The Viscount added meaningfully: "Not the Lord Regent's reply."
Thales sighed in his heart.
"enough."
"You know better than anyone how this is going to play out."
Lisban looked at Cambida with a cold face, not even bothering to maintain the superficial friendliness: "Her Excellency the Grand Duchess will give you an answer, but not now."
The earl said coldly: "At least, not before the envoy from Qiyuan City comes to visit."
Cambida took a breath, returned to a calm expression, and bowed slightly.
"Then let's take our leave first, Your Excellency the Grand Duchess," the Viscount of the Black Sand Territory said softly, "By the way."
Cambida glanced at Thelma who was a little confused and said:
"The new glasses are beautiful."
Thelma couldn't help but change her face.
Thales felt a chill rising up: the regent's eyes falling on him were very oppressive.
Earl Lisban snorted coldly: "Enough said, Your Excellency Viscount."
Cambida smiled, bowed lightly to the Star Prince intentionally, and turned to leave.
At this moment.
"Meteor, my superior has sent his greetings." Croash, who had been silent, suddenly raised his head and looked at the soldier on the other side of Lisban: "'That knife is really difficult to use,' this is what he said
's original words."
Nicolai on the steps sneered.
"This knife is quite useful," Meteor Man shook his head: "It's a pity."
Croash nodded and turned to the Grand Duke's seat.
"Your Majesty the Grand Duchess, please take care of yourself."
She looked at Thelma with soft and hopeful eyes, which made Thales slightly startled.
"Ah, thank you for your kindness." Selma replied subconsciously.
"Please believe: your weight and value are far greater than you think," the female warrior seemed to just want to finish what she wanted to say, only to hear Croaich whisper: "No matter what, your existence is the most important thing in the world."
A miracle that the earth has not seen in thousands of years is the banner that allows us to move forward."
"Please seize your own power, be self-reliant and become a true Grand Duke of Exeter."
"Because you are no worse than anyone else."
After saying these words, Kroesi bowed deeply, then ignored Selma who had no reaction, decisively turned around and left, following Cambida's pace.