An hour later, the Star Prince, who had just finished dressing up in the Blood Courtyard, was walking on the corridor to the Hall of Heroes, accompanied by Rolf and Wyatt.
Thales took a deep breath and passed by a group of guards who were staring at him with ferocious expressions. He looked at the extremely familiar layout and furnishings in the Palace of Heroes and was filled with worry.
"Are you okay, Your Highness?" This was a slightly worried Huaiya.
"It couldn't be better," Thales replied with a straight face: "Why do you ask?"
"Because when we were outside just now, Lord Putilai said that little Ronnie was here to propose marriage... If this bothers you..." Wyatt stopped abruptly. He turned his head and saw Rolf holding his hands tightly.
He clasped the ground on his shoulders, looked sternly, and shook his head vigorously.
"Look, that's the problem," Thales exhaled: "Everyone is thinking in the same direction, even you."
Wyatt and Rolf looked at each other.
"But the real problem is," Thales turned his thoughts crazily and clenched his fists unconsciously: "This is simply impossible."
yes.
Proposal.
Are you kidding me?
Just when Huaiya and Rolf were becoming more and more puzzled, dense footsteps and chatter came from behind the corner ahead.
"Oh, the pattern of the five-headed flail carved on this animal skull? I know that it was a personal emblem passed down from Nun the Smiler to Solon Walton the Big Hand six hundred years ago. At that time
Walton's logo is not the Dragon Spear in the Cloud..."
This was a slightly frivolous young male voice, seemingly looking left and right as he walked:
"Ah, this weapon must be the black-patterned sword of the 'Armybreaker' Most Nagel more than three hundred years ago?"
The Star Prince stopped.
"That's..." Huaiya said doubtfully.
They will soon have no more doubts.
"That's just an imitation," this was Nicolai's voice, but he sounded uncomfortable: "The real one was buried with Most in the cemetery of the White Blade Guards."
The frivolous male voice sighed: "Yeah, I have to say, I'm a little disappointed... But it doesn't matter, anyway, we will soon see the long-awaited, famous Soul Killing Gun..."
Thales narrowed his eyes: Nicolai and a group of Grand Duke's guards came out from around the corner, accompanying another group of strangers.
The moment he saw Thales, the meteorite man frowned slightly and imperceptibly.
"This is..." Nicolai coughed.
Thales focused his eyes and looked at the conspicuous and special young nobleman among the strangers, who had a knight's code emblem embroidered on his shoulder.
"Thank you, Your Excellency, but I know very well who I am dealing with." In the mission of Qiyuan City, the neatly dressed and plainly dressed young man also turned his head and looked at Thales intently.
He was very young, in his early twenties at most, with ear-length curly hair. Compared with the long-haired Duke Thales had seen before, his face looked much softer, and there was a strange smile in his eyes.
So, it's him.
The man who claims to propose to Thelma?
The young man turned his hidden smile into an obvious smile. He took a decisive step forward and stretched out his palm under his robe: "This is the first time we meet, Prince Thales. I have admired your reputation for a long time."
As soon as these words came out, everyone in the Qiyuan City envoy turned their eyes to the prince in front of them, with all kinds of emotions in their eyes.
Thales chuckled in his heart.
It turns out that I also have a reputation.
"Thank you," Thales said, smiling and holding his hand: "Then you must be Grand Duke Ronnie's son..."
The opponent's palm was very strong, and there were thin calluses on the tiger's mouth and four fingers that Thales was all too familiar with.
A well-trained noble warrior perhaps just like his father.
but……
"Ian Ronny, as the Viscount of Fengcheng under Qiyuan City, is here as an envoy to Longxiao City," a young man named Ian interrupted him with a smile and introduced himself: "Father once said,
There were many things that left a deep impression on him during his trip to Longxiao City six years ago."
"None among them is the young and clever prince."
Thales's heart moved.
Apart from being polite, he grasped the key point: Viscount Fengcheng.
Ian Roney, he has his own title and fief.
Even so young.
Even though he is already the heir of Grand Duke Qiyuan City.
This explains something more or less.
Thales let go of the other party's hand.
"Please thank your father for me," Thales suppressed the feeling of disobedience in his heart and said calmly: "I am also deeply impressed by Grand Duke Ronnie, especially his fearlessness and perseverance."
After hearing this, Ian's expression suddenly became very strange.
He took a breath and stared at Thales sideways, half-smiling.
Thales narrowed his eyes.
"Hehehehehe..." Finally, Mr. Ronny laughed out loud.
He shook his head with an interesting expression and said something.
This sentence was spoken very fast, and the words were sharp and harsh. Thales couldn't understand it at all.
but.
"Excuse me?" Thales asked doubtfully, "I didn't hear what you were saying clearly."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Ian seemed to have just come to his senses. He spread his hands apologetically: "No, please forgive me."
"I have my mother's accent, so sometimes I'm not used to speaking with a Northland accent."
Thales's heart trembled.
Not used to the Northland accent...
But……
Ian laughed: "And what I just said is: thank you for your tolerance and generosity, so that you can describe my father's stubbornness and stupidity as fearless perseverance."
Thales was slightly startled.
Stubborn? Stupid?
It was not just Prince Xingchen who had such a reaction. Many nobles in the Qiyuan City delegation behind them had ugly expressions. There was also an older noble who coughed vigorously to remind their Lord the Viscount.
"Ah, we all know that you have a cough, old Bernie," Ian said loudly and unceremoniously without looking back, "But now that we are in Longxiao City, just restrain yourself, okay?"
"That's exactly what I want to say, little Ian," the old nobleman replied rudely: "Especially in front of Prince of the Stars."
Little Ronnie chuckled nonchalantly.
Nikolai frowned and watched the interactions inside Qiyuan City without saying a word.
"That's really... a novel comment," Prince Xingchen smiled slightly awkwardly, pretending not to notice the internal strife in the mission: "And it came from his son."
"It's not surprising. Thanks to your wit and righteousness six years ago, his stubborn head is still on his neck, instead of following His Majesty the late king to the Prison River to fulfill his loyalty and leaving Qiyuan City in the dust.
A mess," Ian laughed and waved his hands, showing a thoughtful expression:
"Of course, if it really happens, maybe I can inherit Qiyuan City earlier."
This sentence left Thales speechless again.
There was another undisguised cough in the mission, this time it was particularly loud and seemed to be very dissatisfied.
"But that's my father, a typical Northlander." Ian sighed with regret, and then immediately put on a smile: "And my mother used to say that Northlanders have all the marks on their foreheads.
There is a hole as big as a fist, facing the sky, filled with snow in spring and winter, but empty in summer and autumn, hahahaha!"
As soon as these words came out, both the Longxiao City people on both sides and the Qiyuan City envoys themselves became ugly.
Only Ian himself smiled happily.
Wyatt's eyes widened and he looked at Rolf, who made an "agree" gesture.
Thales's face twitched and he laughed out loud.
He had a feeling: This Ian Roney was really, how should I put it...
Cheating?
Thales thought of the heroic and courageous Grand Duke Ronnie, then looked at the frivolous and impetuous young man in front of him, and sighed in his heart.
"Hahahaha," the prince chuckled, "I have to say, you... really don't look like your father's son."
"ah!"
"Am I really my father's son?" Little Ronnie laughed heartily, and once again shocked everyone: "Well, this is also the doubt that has troubled my father for many years. Let me tell you, no wonder my mother died so early. Could it be for
cover up……"
Thales' smile froze on his face.
An unceremonious shout came from the mission: "Ian!"
Ian lowered his head slightly, and the light cast a shadow on his face.
Immediately, he smiled again.
"Hahahahaha!" Little Ronnie laughed and waved his hands behind him: "It was just a joke, look at your expressions!"
At that moment, Thales knew what that sense of dissonance was.
Ian Roney, this guy, the way he talks and the way he does things...
None of them look like one...
Northlanders.
"Gentlemen," Nicolai, who was the receptionist, looked at the two people who were chatting happily at least on the surface with vigilance: "Maybe we shouldn't keep the Grand Duchess waiting for so long?"
Ian looked at Nicolai's appearance and shrugged.
"Come on, prince," Mr. Ronny ignored the prince's embarrassed look and put his arm on his shoulder: "Let's talk while we walk. I believe we will become good friends."
Thales subconsciously tried to break free from his hand, but Ian just smiled.
"Believe me, Prince Thales," he said cheerfully but with deep meaning: "There are many things we can talk about."
"For example, the Grand Duchess's marriage."
Thales was stunned.
Nicolai frowned, his expression unwavering, but he didn't say anything in the end.
"Moreover," Ian pushed Thales and moved forward with him, smiling happily:
"Facing the people from the North... I think we will be able to chat."
No.
Thales gave up on getting rid of Ronnie's familiar move of hooking up and sighed.
For now.
Someone you can talk to...
Probably only Ada.
Thales gave the worried-looking Wyatt and Rolf a reassuring look and moved forward.
"According to what you just said, your mother is a foreigner?" The prince recalled the scene just now and asked keenly: "From Camas?"
"Oh, no, of course she is from Exeter," Little Ronnie replied in a brisk tone: "And she is from Qiyuan City itself."
"Local to Qiyuan City?"
Thales frowned slightly: "But you just said that her accent is not Northern..."
The young Viscount Fengcheng raised his eyebrows slightly, showing an expression of "Sure enough," he said.
They followed Nicolai and slowly approached the Hall of Heroes.
"You have never been to Qiyuan City, have you, Your Highness?"
"I haven't had that honor yet."
"No wonder." Ian shook his head thoughtfully and clicked his tongue.
He sighed: "When everyone talks about the Kingdom of Exeter, they always say: It is the Northland, and it is the country of the Northlanders. It seems that the Exeter people are the Northlanders."
Thales was intrigued by the follow-up question presupposed by this sentence: "But?"
"But, they have all forgotten," Ian turned his head and smiled: "There is at least one territory in the western border of the Kingdom of Exeter that does not belong to the old Northland, and its people are not only rough and fierce.
of the Northlanders.”
Thales moved slightly: "Qiyuan City?"
Ian nodded, his voice strong and firm: "Qiyuan City."
Whether intentionally or unintentionally, their footsteps slowly lagged behind Nikolai by a lot of distance: "As early as the Kings before the ancient empire, there was such a barren and barren land, starting from Xitao Cliff in the west and ending with Huangshi in the east.
The people who live on it have a difficult time making a living and are called 'poor people'."
"That land was designated by the ancient empire as their Xitao Province. It is completely different from the Northland Province in the east and the Tuotuo Province in the west."
Mr. Ronny raised his head and gently wiped the Knight's Code emblem on his shoulder.
"After the Ending War, the powerful general under the hero Nekaru, the 'Truth Seeker' Kurikun Roni, one of the Nine Knights, brought his sword and ax to the land called Xitao.
Conquer, expand territory, build castles, and finally declare to the poor people on the conquered land: From this moment on, they are all Exeters."
"He is the first Grand Duke of Qiyuan City," Ian said with a chuckle: "Unlike other Grand Dukes, the Truth Seeker is a Northerner and relies on the Northland's way to rule countless Xitao sufferings.
Lord Exeter of the people."
"So that's it," Thales said thoughtfully, "I don't often hear it in those 'Northern People's Unity' courses."
Ian shook his head and sneered: "Of course, outsiders rarely care about such a difference, even the Exeter people in other places are the same."
He raised his head with interest and looked at the Northland-style decorations all around: "It's no wonder that among the ten major territories of Exeter, the Outpost Territory and the Guard City are guarding the oldest defense line of mankind in the north.
; Glacier Sea and Elk City have threats from the east coast to worry about; needless to say, the three southern territories that are close to the northern border of Stars; and Longxiao City and Fengzhao City have been the center of the Northland since ancient times, and can be called the heart of the kingdom."
"In comparison, Qiyuan City, which is located in the west, has a vast territory and is sparsely populated, and can only deal with sand bandits and merchants. It seems particularly insignificant, doesn't it?"
Nicolai turned around and glanced at them with unclear meaning.
Ian immediately responded with a bright smile.
"But you are still a member of Exeter," Thales shrugged: "You have also been kings together."
Ian snorted lightly.
"Three hundred years ago, if it hadn't been for King Nightwing's heavy damage to the eastern part of the kingdom," he sighed, "it would never have been the Roni family's turn to hold the throne together, and it would not have been possible until King Elasa Roni came to Qiyuan City.
Crowned.”
"You can tell from the name that there are many Qiyuan cities, praying, far away," Little Ronnie patted the prince on the shoulder and said helplessly: "For Exter, Qiyuan City is just the far side of the territory, so far away that no matter how far away it is,
It doesn’t matter what happened in that wasteland, as long as the rest of the kingdom prays from a distance, it will be regarded as showing great mercy.”
Thales said nothing.
But his judgment of the situation and his estimate of Qiyuan City's intentions have changed many times.
But the next second, Ian lowered his head, leaned close to Thales's ear, and spoke softly:
"The most important thing is, since it is not the land of the Northerners, why should the Northerners pay attention to it and whether the poor people of Xitao above are dead or alive?"
Thales shivered slightly.
"You only need to know that it still belongs to the Kingdom of Exeter. When bragging to outsiders, you can still use that large territory to show the national strength of Exeter. That's enough, isn't it?" Ian still said
He raised a finger over his shoulder and whispered: "So, many Xitao people can't help but think: People in the North, maybe all they really care about is the Qiyuan City drawn on the map."
"And this, this is Qiyuan City, the problem that the Roni family, who are from the North, have faced in the past six hundred years."
"Sounds very difficult," the prince said in a low voice: "Presumably, your father often has to worry about the people under his rule who you call 'the poor people of Xitao'?"
Ian smiled slightly: "It's just like Longxiao City, isn't it."
Thales remained silent.
But he already heard something.
Little Ronnie raised his head again and raised his volume to a normal level so that everyone could hear: "It's so pitiful that for more than six hundred years, we have been taking care of ourselves."
Ian turned his head and smiled softly:
"Therefore, twenty years ago, when the natural king without hesitation ordered to use the name of the king and the power of the city to aid the west..."
"This kindness and love will always be remembered in the hearts of the Ronnie family..."
"That's why a loyal alliance can be formed." Little Ronnie winked lightly: "That's why, as subjects, we are willing to follow such a king until the end of his life."
Thales raised his brows and muttered: "I understand."
The prince thought about the other party's intentions.
The Viscount of Fengcheng seems to be frivolous and has no choice but to speak...
But……
From just now to now, under the words...
What he wants to convey is...
Thales raised his head and lowered his voice: "Why did you send a message to invite me, Your Excellency Viscount Windy City?"
"I'm just a prince from a foreign country."
Ian lowered his head and showed a mysterious smile:
"As I said, in order to propose to the Grand Duchess, I need a reliable witness."
Thales' expression remained unchanged, but he glanced at the people around him and walked faster on purpose.
He frowned slightly: "How do you know I'm reliable?"
Ian snorted slightly from his nose.
"Because if it wasn't reliable," Ian chuckled, "you wouldn't have come."
Thales was speechless for a moment.
After a few seconds, the prince said: "What if your estimate is wrong? What if you found the wrong person?"
"I may be wrong," Ian maintained a mysterious smile: "But the black sand collar will definitely not be wrong."
Thales fell silent.
"Are you serious about proposing to the Grand Duchess?"
Ronnie Jr. shrugged: "Of course."
"Otherwise, if the Grand Duchess marries someone else, what will we do?"
Thales frowned: "Us?"
Ian hummed softly, looked at him thoughtfully, stretched out his tone, and repeated the two words softly: "We."
Thales pondered for a while.
Ian relaxed his shoulders and looked around with interest.
"I understand," Thales pondered for a while and then whispered: "Is there anything important that will take time for your audience later?"
"Let me think about it," Little Ronnie scratched his forehead: "In addition to the hypocritical greetings, I also handed over my father's handwritten letter written in the style of ancient knight sentences, and wailed and begged Longxiao City to show mercy.
Send troops to rescue us who are in dire straits, and finally denounce the king’s crimes with gritted teeth and invite Longxiao City to join the righteous side’s camp..."
"Gone."
Thales nodded and suppressed his complaints about his series of words: "Then end it quickly."
"Tonight, I will invite the Grand Duchess to have a small gathering with you in the dining room to discuss truly important matters."
"Just the three of us and maybe the Regent of Lisban, if he persists as always."
At that moment, Ian's eyes lit up.
"I'm really looking forward to it," little Ronnie raised the corners of his mouth: "I promise it will be over as soon as possible."
The next second, they finally arrived at the door of the Hall of Heroes.
Everyone in the mission stopped in tacit agreement, adjusted their clothes, and then looked at Ian sternly.
The look in their eyes made Thales quite uncomfortable.
Ian could only exhale and flick the Knight's Code emblem on his shoulder.
"Are you ready?" Nicolai narrowed his eyes and observed everyone.
Then, he waved his hand.
Amid heavy rumblings, two guards pushed the door open steadily.
Revealing the rows of Grand Duke's personal guards inside, as well as the Grand Duke's throne at the end of the hall.
Including the ferocious black soul-killing gun behind the throne.
Everyone in the hall turned their eyes to the entrance of the hall and the visitors from Qiyuan City.
Ian squinted his eyes and looked at the ancient hall representing Longxiao City.
Under the illumination of sunlight and lights, the relief sculpture of the Dragon Spear in the Cloud on the top of the hall is extremely conspicuous, making the usually dark and heavy Hall of Heroes even more majestic and stable.
"Relax," Thales hit his shoulder and hummed, "You are much luckier than when I first came here."
The prince looked at the Hall of Heroes, thinking of his unlucky first visit, and couldn't help but lower his head and sigh.
"Really?" Ian snorted, stepped forward, and walked into the hall.
Boom, boom, boom.
Footsteps sounded.
"Guests from Qiyuan City..." the herald began.
But the next moment, he was immediately interrupted by a louder voice.
"Her Excellency, Grand Duchess Thelma Walton!"
While walking steadily on the stone ground, Ian shouted loudly over the voice of the herald: "My lord, Ian Ronnie."
"On behalf of my father, the Grand Duke of Qiyuan City, Kurikun Roni, I would like to extend my sincere greetings to you!"
What?
Everyone in the hall turned their heads in surprise and looked at Sir Ian Roney, who was walking slowly towards him, not treating himself as an outsider at all.
Thales sighed. He thought of Croache whom he had met before, and wondered why there were so many weirdos recently.
And they all like to introduce themselves to each other?
The prince subconsciously took a step back and distanced himself from Ian.
Under the strange gazes of the Grand Duke's bodyguards on both sides, the Earl of Lisban, the Viscount of Leiston and other Longxiao City nobles, and even Ned Monty who also came from Qiyuan City, Ian Ronny kept walking and was in high spirits. He looked at the Grand Duchess who was sitting high on the throne, sizing up her appearance: "This is my first time coming to Longxiao City, please forgive me for being so excited!"
On the seat, Thelma, who was dressed up for the occasion, seemed a little restrained. Her lips were pursed and her face was tense.
Thales clenched his fists unconsciously.
The Grand Duchess took a deep breath, nodded to Earl Lisban next to her seat, then cleared her throat and said, "Thank you Qi Yuancheng for your concern..."
But once again, Ian Roney from Qiyuan City exceeded everyone's expectations.
Under the surprised gaze of everyone in the audience, Ian Roney laughed and interrupted Selma's words without hesitation:
"On behalf of Qiyuan City, I hereby sincerely request Longxiao City to send troops decisively and join our war against the Freedom Alliance to protect the reputation of your grandfather and father... Also, we really hate that King Gongju who does not follow the rules. I believe everyone is the same," Mr. Ronny raised his hands and kept talking, and the words sloping down like a torrential river:
"So I also sincerely invite you, Grand Duchess Thelma Walton, to sign the joint proclamation that will be plastered across the country condemning the king's atrocities..."
While speaking without pause, Ian, who had a calm expression, did not forget to take out a roll of letters that was slightly deformed from his arms, blew on the obviously damaged paint on it, and handed it to Meteorite who was staring at him in confusion. By.
"...All the details are written in this letter from my father, but I sincerely suggest that you remove all the adjectives and read it again. It will be much smoother."
Ian let out a breath, seemingly happy that he had said such a long list of words.
After a few seconds, he showed a bright smile: "Then I guess our meeting is over?"
The voice fell.
The entire Hall of Heroes was silent and silent.
A few full seconds.
Finish?
What's the meaning?
It seemed that no one had reacted, and Thales also stared at Ian in stunned silence.
Soon, sighs came from the Qiyuan City mission behind Ian, one after another.
Thales also heard the voice of the old noble from Qiyuan City suppressing himself and saying angrily, "I knew this would happen."
Thelma reacted from the shock.
She seemed a little at a loss. She looked at Lisban, who was frowning more and more, as if asking for help, and then at Thales, who was covering his forehead: "Well, I think..."
"Just now!"
Ian raised his index finger and once again seized the right to speak in the hall. His tone was so happy that everyone in the audience was once again stunned:
"Prince Thales from the stars invited me to enjoy the star delicacies he brought tonight. To be honest, I can't wait anymore, so we might as well stop here?"
At this time, everyone's eyes turned around and stared at Thales.
Under the gaze of everyone, Prince Star scratched his forehead painfully.
He could only twitch his face and reveal an ugly and embarrassing smile.
Ian Roney.
This guy……
【I promise, it will be over as soon as possible.】
This guy……
Ian still kept a smile on his face and bowed deeply: "Thank you again for your warm hospitality! Dear Ms. Selma!"
After saying this, he turned around without hesitation.
He strode out of the Hall of Heroes.
On the way, he didn't forget to give Thales a thumbs up and show his neat white teeth.
Boom, boom, boom.
Just like when he came, Ian's footsteps gradually moved away.
Until I can no longer hear it.
He left behind a hall full of finely dressed nobles and guards in the city who were looking around in astonishment.
In the silence where the whole audience didn't know how to react, a clear cough resounded.
"This is really..." Regent Lisban's face turned very ugly, and he said cryptically: "It's surprising."
"that……"
"You know," "Dead Crow" Ned Monty, who had met Thales before, stood at the bottom, pouted his lips in embarrassment, spread his hands, and said with a smile to everyone in the audience.
:
"This is why His Excellency the Grand Duke sent me as the forerunner of the mission."
The Faller took the letter that Ian gave him and looked at Monty with an ugly expression.
I see.
Monty, you asked me to "entertain" Mr. Ian well, so that's what you meant.
"Also, let me introduce you by the way..."
"The person you just saw is Ian Ronny, the son of the Grand Duke and the Viscount of Windy City." As if to ridicule, Monty laughed and pointed in the direction Ian left: "The nobles gave him a gift.
Number……"
Monty shook his head and seemed to want to laugh:
"'Ian the Bitch.'"
The hall became quiet again, so quiet that Thales wanted to sneak away.
In the awkward atmosphere, a call suddenly sounded:
"Well, I'm sorry to bother you again."
Everyone turned their heads in unison.
Beside the gate, Ian Roney's face reappeared.
I saw him still smiling, saying to the wonderful people in the hall: