Except for the Qiyuan City envoy who was extremely familiar with Ian, almost everyone, including the six Earls, stared in disbelief at the man who was standing on the seat with a big smile and raised his arms.
His Excellency Viscount Ronny Jr.
It's like looking at something strange.
Thales had to lower his head and cough lightly, then poked Ian's leg.
Ian, who was immersed in his own world, moved slightly and seemed to finally realize the awkwardness of the situation.
He retracted his arms angrily, jumped off his seat, and waved to the entire hall with a stiff smile: "Hey, everyone?"
Only then did the nobles in the hall recover from their jaw-dropping surprise, and they all turned their heads or coughed unnaturally.
He seemed deeply ashamed of this scene in the Hall of Heroes.
The five Earls, who had been so aggressive before, said nothing. They just sat there with ugly expressions on their faces and looked at each other.
Thales, who was watching, chuckled in his heart: Well done, Ian, for interrupting their increasingly aggressive questioning.
Faced with such unreasonable people and such inexplicable situations, how should they react?
"Did this clown get your permission to stand here and insult all of us?" Count Curterson turned to the Grand Duchess, his eyes were cold and his expression was stiff. Combined with his military uniform, he looked like an ice wall:
"Miss?"
Thelma was about to answer.
"Madam, ladies and gentlemen," Old Boney, the nobleman from the Qiyuan City mission who had reprimanded Ian, suddenly stood up tremblingly and bowed to the Grand Duchess in his seat with a tragic and heartbroken look on his face.
Bowed: "This is just a joke. On behalf of Qiyuan City, I will treat Ian's behavior..."
But before he could finish his words, Monty, the Death Crow beside him, suddenly stretched out his big hand, grabbed his shoulder, and forcibly pressed down the confused old Boney.
Ian blinked and nodded slightly to Monty, whose lips were slightly raised.
At this moment, the Grand Duchess in the seat finally seemed to be unable to stand it any longer, and she coughed.
"Everyone," Thales could see that Thelma was looking at the livid faces of the earls and holding back a smile when she spoke: "This is Mr. Ian Ronny from Qiyuan City, Ronny
The eldest son and heir of the Grand Duke, Viscount Fengcheng."
"He came with the mission of Archduke Ronnie."
Ian smiled friendly and bowed slightly to the Grand Duchess.
The earls all looked at Ian, but no one showed surprise. Instead, they were more relieved that "it's true", which made Thales think: maybe they already knew who Ian was.
"Qiyuan City, Ronnie," Cotson looked at Ian from a distance, and there was a slight solemnity in his eyes: "I have met your father, 'Long Hair' Kulikun is a respectable man, what he said
More trustworthy than a long sword, I also respect the Ronnie family, the model knights of the Northland for thousands of years."
The corners of Ian's mouth moved slightly, half-smiling.
"But when I saw you, boy?" Earl Curtson shook his head disdainfully: "I am so ashamed of your father and family."
There were bursts of laughter among the vassals.
Thales saw Ian's eyes flash slightly.
"Both each other," Qi Yuancheng's heir sat down in the most relaxed manner, "When I saw you, I was also ashamed of Longxiao City and Her Excellency the Grand Duke."
Ian snorted: "A count who hides outside the city when disaster strikes. When his master dies in battle, he is unscathed."
Earl Curterson's face turned cold.
"If I were you, coward," Ian pretended to yawn, repeating what Curtson had just accused the Fallen Stars of: "I would have found a place where no one was around to commit suicide as soon as possible, instead of staying shamelessly next to the Grand Duchess.
, pretending nothing happened."
The Fallen Starman beside the Grand Duchess frowned slightly.
This sentence is like the momentum thrown into the lake, creating huge waves.
The whole hall of nobles instantly became excited!
The nobles, especially the five earls, stared at Ian with a nonchalant expression, as if he was their father-killing enemy.
Thales breathed a sigh of relief: Hey, this little Ronnie is really talented.
"Say it again, Viscount," Earl Curterson gritted his teeth, highlighting the other party's title: "Then you and me, we can duel."
Ian laughed.
"certainly!"
He waved his hand boldly: "Duel!"
Thales was shocked: Wait, Ian is...
But before he could figure it out, the heir of Qiyuan City snapped his fingers, turned over his hands without any scruples, and pointed at the Qiyuan City envoy with a relaxed expression: "And I will name Ned from Qiyuan City.
Lord Monty, let him fight you with full authority on behalf of my honor! Life or death!"
"How about it?"
In the distance, Monty, who was scratching his neck, froze instantly.
The counts stiffened their expressions again and looked at Ian.
Ian maintained a smile on his face.
In a duel, looking for an agent?
Is this guy... really from the North?
Thales exhaled: Fortunately, Ian is still the same Ian and will not suddenly turn into a heroic and heroic man who regards death as his own.
"In the face of a duel, you hide behind the Death Horn Crow?"
Earl Curtson looked at Monty, who looked helpless, and then at Ian, with unbearable anger in his voice: "Cowardly, you are really a disgrace to us Northlanders."
The nobles in the hall all snorted, laughed, or even cursed with disdain.
But Ian was happy with these looks, as if he didn't feel anything.
"Thank you," Ian crossed his legs, crossed his arms, and shrugged: "It's my honor to bring shame to you."
The atmosphere in the hall was detonated again, and protests and curses from the people of the North came in like a tide.
Thales sighed softly and patted Ian on the shoulder.
You're good at it, man.
At this moment, when the order was about to get out of control, the clear and sweet voice of the Grand Duchess suddenly sounded in the buzzing hall.
"Everyone, everyone!"
Among the low protests from a row of men, Thelma's high-pitched female voice seemed extremely special: "Now is not the time for us to fight among ourselves!"
Boom!
Nicolai punched the wall next to him with a fierce punch!
The sound in the hall gradually became quieter.
Following the movements of the Fallen Star, the Grand Duke's guards in the hall all raised their weapons as if they had been rehearsed, and smashed the wall next to them with a straight face.
Boom!
The dull but deafening sound resonated in the hall, causing all the angry nobles to quiet down.
People couldn't hide the expressions on their faces and all looked at the highest seat.
Thelma glanced at Regent Lisban, and after getting his approval, she tried to finish what she wanted to say: "No matter how we view Sir Ian, we cannot ignore the most important thing at the moment."
"Qiyuan City brought bad news on the Golden Corridor," the Grand Duchess took a breath: "Twenty years ago, the Freedom Alliance, which bowed its head before the former king's soldiers, recently tore up the agreement signed with my grandfather."
"Everyone, the dignity that we personally regained for Exter twenty years ago has been violated again."
The Grand Duchess's voice fell.
Ian snapped his fingers, spread out his hands in a disdainful look, and made a "that's it" gesture.
No one spoke.
Thales closed his eyes: Here we come.
Real drama.
They all seemed to be thinking.
Until the old Count Nagel spoke slowly.
"The cowards in the west finally got tough again," the Earl of Rock Hill and Hatting County sighed: "However, history always repeats itself again and again, and people still fail to remember the lessons."
Perhaps Exeter's state affairs seemed to have attracted the attention of the earls a little, or maybe it was related to their past wars. In short, the earls were no longer obsessed with the "shame of Qiyuan City", and even Earl Curterson also
He just snorted and turned his head.
It seems... Thales observed everyone's expressions and his heart sank:
They all know their priorities clearly.
However, for the earls, the truly important matter may not be just the Free Alliance.
"Freedom League."
"Those cowards don't dare to do this alone. Who is behind them?" The one-armed Earl, Kierkegaard, who had been silent all this time and seemed to have nothing to do with him, frowned: "Again.
Those with long ears?"
"No," Ian seemed to have regained his form a little, which made the Qiyuan City envoys relax a lot: "Baishan is very peaceful, and we have not received any abnormal information about the white elves."
"I still remember twenty years ago," Count Linner said without changing his expression: "Those cowards in the Alliance only had mercenaries to help them fight. It was easier to tear apart their battle formations than to tear paper. To break through their walls was just to climb up.
Ladder Kung Fu.”
"Qiyuan City can completely solve it on its own."
"As long as they don't send clowns to fight." Count Curterson added disdainfully.
Ian smiled.
"We don't have to do this pretentious show anymore, everyone." The regent of Longxiao City, Earl Lisban, clapped his hands. He spoke solemnly and spoke loudly: "I believe that you are not fools. You know very well that the outcome of this chess game is
The key is that you know even the people behind the Freedom Alliance."
The five earls all narrowed their eyes and stared at Lisbane.
Ian coughed.
"Everyone, I believe you all know..."
"King Charman is oppressing and abusing the nobles in his territory," His Excellency the Viscount from Qiyuan City sighed: "Qiyuan City, as well as our like-minded companions, such as Jishou City and Elk City, are working for this
Running out of misfortune.”
Ian raised his eyebrows: "And now, we need the support of Longxiao City to tell the entire kingdom: the king cannot do whatever he wants."
"The incident of the Freedom League is an episode, but it cannot be ignored."
"That's why I'm here."
There was silence in the hall for a moment, and everyone looked at the six earls at the front.
But the answer Ian received was not so positive.
Count Linner said coldly: "Then go to the king. Maybe if you give the king what he wants, the Free Alliance will bow its head obediently."
Ian frowned slightly.
"Don't disturb Longxiao City," Curtson snorted coldly, "This is not our war, at least not now."
Thales frowned: They all can see it clearly.
They just...
The Earl of Lisban spoke at the right time: "But this is our war, and we cannot escape it."
The former prime minister, who had accumulated power for decades, made everyone look at him solemnly.
Only to hear Lisban say solemnly: "Twenty years ago, Longxiao City responded to the rebellion of the Freedom Alliance with blood. This is the glorious past of the Dragonlance family, and it is the majestic proof of the late King Nun that we are the leaders of Exeter.
, there is no shirking the responsibility.”
Count Nagel looked at Lisban who spoke solemnly and couldn't help but narrow his eyes.
Old friend.
"What's more, it involves the dignity of the Walton family and the honor of the born king," Lisban said coldly: "When the West changes again, the Walton family cannot sit idly by and ignore it."
"Don't forget, we are from the North."
"He's from the north of Longxiao City!"
"We never run away! Because we value honor more than life and interests!"
The hall fell silent.
Thales saw from the corner of his eye that Ian snorted disapprovingly.
Thelma, who was full of pressure, finally smiled and looked at Lisban gratefully.
"You're right, Charles, we need to send troops to the west just like we did twenty years ago to revive the great reputation of Longxiao City," the Grand Duchess seemed to breathe a sigh of relief: "As for King Charman..."
At this moment.
"certainly!"
Opposite Count Lisban, Count Nagel, who was first on the right hand of the Grand Duchess, spoke.
"Of course we are willing to fight for Exeter's honor and your honor, madam."
His old voice did not diminish his majesty, and for a moment it even reminded Thales of the former Ascended King.
Like a senior elder, Najir said in a persuasive manner: "But as a vassal who is deeply favored by the late king and loyal to the Walton family, I have the responsibility and obligation to remind you: think one more step."
Thelma's face tightened.
Thales clenched his fists, an ominous premonition came over him.
"Following the footsteps of my father and ancestors and sending troops to the West may indeed make people praise you, and even make it a good talk."
"But after the battle, what happens after we win and tear down the walls of the Freedom Alliance again?" Najir looked around the audience and said softly: "We, Longxiao City, are just a group between Qiyuan City and Heisha.
He is just a chess piece that is swayed back and forth between leaders and is being used by others."
Ian raised his eyebrows.
Thelma's face tightened and she was a little anxious. She was about to speak: "But..."
"Yes, maybe you have protected the dignity of Longxiao City and made people praise it as 'not bad'," Najir interrupted his lord unhurriedly: "But what Longxiao City can really get,
What is it again?"
All the nobles in the hall listened to his words quietly.
Especially the other five Earls Lisban looked particularly ugly.
Nagel continued: "Reinstate the power of Exeter?"
"Or the trophy jewelry sent by Qiyuan City?"
"Or is it a certificate of commendation from the king from the Black Sand Territory?"
His voice echoed in the hall.
Nagel stared at the Grand Duchess with electric eyes.
Thelma bit her lower lip and glanced at Thales for help.
But there was nothing Taylor could do at this moment.
"Twenty years ago, my grandfather did this, and he gained..." The Grand Duchess was a little flustered.
She was interrupted again.
"He was the king then, your grandfather, Nunn and we all represented the whole of Exeter," Najir said slowly: "Now?"
Nagel let out a long sigh, stood up tremblingly in the solemn eyes of everyone, and looked at the soul-killing gun behind the Grand Duchess.
His eyes were filled with sadness and nostalgia.
"This is not twenty years ago anymore, ma'am."
His tone was understated, but with a sadness that was hard to ignore: "Longxiao City has been without a king for a long time."
At that moment, Thales looked at the old Earl again, with warning signs in his heart.
He had a premonition of where the conversation was going.
Oops.
This guy……
He is definitely a ruthless character who is not inferior to Lisban!
"We have already suffered all the hardships brought by outsiders," Najir turned around and his voice became cold: "Why bother to be a vanguard and wade into this muddy water again?"
There were many people whispering in the hall.
The Grand Duchess was at a loss.
"Suffered a lot? Old friend," Lisban stared at Najir: "What do you mean?"
The person who took over his words was Count Linner.
"Didn't he make it clear enough?" Linna's heart-wrenching words were as always: "Six years ago, the new king, together with the four grand dukes, almost forcibly determined the ownership of Longxiao City.
The first female Grand Duchess in history.”
All eyes are focused on one seat.
There, Thelma's face became increasingly pale.
Nazer shook his head.
"I don't mean any disrespect, ma'am," he showed an apologetic smile to the girl on the seat, with disappointment in his tone: "But we are no longer the powerful Longxiao City."
"In the past six years, the morale of the vassals has been low, the morale of the army has been disorganized, and the nobles have been scattered, making it difficult to unite."
"And rivals like Black Sand Territory and Qiyuan City can now walk into the city to spy on us and insult us in the Palace of Heroes."
Ian was about to say something, but Thales grabbed his shoulder.
"No," the prince frowned, "it's not the time yet."
Count Nazaire clasped his hands with a solemn expression: "From that day on, the whole of Exeter looked down upon us: a girl sat on the throne of the Grand Duke, and together with us, helplessly watched the king go through the disaster.
After the raging foreign troops, the dilapidated and desolate Longxiao City."
The Grand Duchess bit her lip and said nothing.
Opposite him, Lisban's gaze was so sharp that it could almost emit lightning.
"You want us to send troops to safeguard Walton's dignity, restore the prestige of Longxiao City, and regain our place in Exeter, of course."
"This must be the case," Nazer nodded, regaining his respect and indifference: "But you may have overlooked the greater crisis we are facing, and you have also ignored the way to truly regain our prestige and stabilize Longxiao City.
."
"What are you talking about?" With the eyes of the whole hall, the Grand Duchess said with difficulty: "The real method?"
Nazer shook his head and said nothing.
"I think the earl is saying... Six years have passed. In the eyes of others, the Grand Duke of Longxiao City is a young and weak orphan, with neither husband nor heirs. The Walton family is in shaky state..." Ke
Tesen said sarcastically: "Even we, the vassals of Longxiao City, feel that we are like the setting sun..."
The atmosphere in the hall is getting more and more uncomfortable.
Thales looked at Thelma on the stage with her lips moving helplessly, like a fish struggling helplessly on the chopping board.
His teeth clenched tighter and tighter.
"Are you accusing me?" Thelma said with difficulty.
Snapped.
Nazer clapped his hands.
"No, we care about you, ma'am."
Nazer said in a gentle tone: "Just as we love Longxiao City and are loyal to His Majesty the late King."
"So we need you to be strong."
"Longxiao City can no longer waste away in weakness and turmoil, and I am tired of the endless confrontation with Ciel. We were once friends who depended on each other for life and death, but now we are enemies of each other because of you."
Nazaire and Lisban looked at each other.
Both sides saw the fear of each other in the other's eyes.
and disappointment.
"You, Count Nazaire, you mean..."
The Grand Duchess's words were somewhat intermittent. She lowered her head and pressed her arms tightly on the seat.
"Yes, ma'am," Nazaire turned around and suggested calmly and rationally, as if he were a most competent adviser: "I think you need a husband."