Thales closed his eyes and seemed to be suffering from his fate.
But no one knew that at the moment Count Linna made his cruel suggestion, the second prince of the stars finally figured out something.
connect.
He said silently in his heart.
The struggle in the Black Sand Territory, the interference of the stars, the rebellion of the Freedom Alliance, the war in Qiyuan City, the storm in Longxiao City...
Most things are connected together.
They all point to a key point.
That is……
Thales clenched his fists.
Is it really as I suspected?
But, if this is the case...
At this moment, a clear female voice sounded in my ears:
"No!"
This made the nervous Thales open his eyes and come to his senses.
He raised his head in astonishment and looked at the Grand Duke's throne at the top, while many other vassals were doing the same.
"No……"
The clear and decisive voice echoed in the hall.
It's Selma.
At this moment, she was gritting her teeth, struggling, and her eyes were constantly wandering among the vassals.
Count Linner, who threatened to release Thales in "stages," was slightly startled: "Madam?"
Thelma looked at Thales blankly, but after a few breaths, she seemed to have made up her mind, turned her head and took a deep breath:
"Everyone, six years ago, in front of the king and the four Grand Dukes, I made a promise in the name of the Grand Duke."
The Grand Duchess seemed a little stuttered and nervous, contrary to her previous toughness.
But she still tried hard to overcome her trembling, and said anxiously: "I promised..."
"Tails, Tails will be a guest of Longxiao City... I will be responsible for his safety."
"In Longxiao City, in front of my eyes," the girl tensed her face and shouted as if she had exhausted all her strength:
"He won't and shouldn't be hurt!"
As soon as this statement came out, the vassals had different reactions, especially the six earls whose expressions were the most complicated.
promise?
Grand Duchess
Thales stared blankly at Selma, who was trying to keep herself calm, and felt uneasy in his heart.
Selma.
you……
"Responsible for his safety?"
Count Linna seemed to be dissatisfied with this sentence, and his eyebrows almost stood up: "With all due respect, madam, but where is our safety?"
"What about the safety of those warriors who risked their lives to kill the enemy for your honor?"
The vassals seemed to resonate with Count Linner's words, and they all responded with low-key nods, hums and other actions.
Count Nazaire looked at the Grand Duchess with a strange expression, as if he was hesitating about something.
Just listen to Count Linner's aggressive words:
"Where do you put these?"
Thelma's face turned pale.
"Don't tell me, in your heart, this prince of the stars is more..."
Lisban saw something was wrong and reprimanded decisively: "Linna!"
Linna snorted angrily, turned his head, and looked at Thales unkindly again.
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became awkward, and no one wanted to talk.
Ian next to Thales looked at the situation in the hall and exhaled heavily.
His Excellency the Viscount knocked on the seat of his chair dissatisfied, venting his dissatisfaction with the unexpected situation: "Damn it!"
This is probably the only time he looks most like a Northerner.
But Thales just lowered his head and listened quietly, ignoring the quarrel in the hall.
After a few seconds, the embarrassed Grand Duchess seemed to have adjusted her emotions.
"I will negotiate with the stars."
She whispered.
"But before that, my guests will not be harmed in any way," the Grand Duchess raised her head and gritted her teeth: "This is our bottom line."
The ministers all frowned.
Thales sighed.
Oops.
Selma, no.
If you insist on this...
"Negotiation?" This time, the person who spoke was Monty from Qiyuan City.
"It takes about a few months to get from Longxiao City to Yongxing City, back and forth," Monty stood in the center of the hall with his arms folded, ignoring the strange looks on the nobles on both sides.
, said coldly:
"As for the military situation, you can wait, but my boys and colleagues cannot wait."
"Furthermore, we cannot turn this inevitable war into a permanent burden and allow the real enemy to succeed."
He did not say clearly who the "real enemy" was.
Thelma was immediately speechless.
The ministers began to discuss again.
Ian frowned and wanted to say something, but under Monty's sharp eyes, he didn't speak after all.
The pressure returned to Thales.
The mean Earl Curtson hummed and sneered: "That makes sense."
"So," he shrugged and turned to Linna: "The easiest way is to send our attitude in a very clear letter with the letter. Are you sure that chopping off only one hand will be useful?"
Count Linner smiled at him.
Thales sighed: We are back to this topic again.
"Someone must let them know that the Northlanders do what they say..."
But they were interrupted again by the Grand Duchess.
"No!"
Thelma gritted her teeth, and beads of sweat could be seen on her forehead, as if she was going through a very fierce struggle: "It's not that simple."
The vassals once again showed doubts in their eyes.
The girl looked at Thales, the anxiety and nervousness in her eyes not lessening.
"I remember that King Kessel once promised," the Grand Duchess took a breath and tried hard to convince the men in the hall: "Anyone who endangers the safety of Prince Thales will become the eternal mortal enemy of the Kingdom of Stars.
His head is the condition for the next star king to be crowned."
"We have to be cautious."
This sentence seems to have quite an effect.
At least, the vassals who had previously looked at him with eager eyes and made rude remarks to Thales paused, put away their discussions, and began to think about more issues.
Only Thales looked at the Grand Duchess with a complicated expression, feeling quite uncomfortable in his heart.
She is protecting me.
Even if this would jeopardize the little popularity she had managed to build today.
She is protecting me.
But Selma...
Finally, the Earl of Lisban broke the awkward atmosphere.
"Madam's consideration is reasonable." The former prime minister and current regent who had worked hard for Longxiao City for decades coughed.
Lisban raised his eyes and scanned every vassal: "If that king is really ruthless and does not care about the future of the kingdom and the life of his son, then no matter how many times we 'release' the prince, the result will be
It’s the same thing.”
"We can only be the ones who are forced to a dead end in the end: Is Longxiao City really ready to take off this prince's head so that he can become the target of public criticism?"
The hall fell into silence again.
The Grand Duchess cast a grateful look at Lisban: "Yes, Charles, I, that's what I meant."
Risban just nodded mildly.
This made the other earls frown and cast dissatisfied looks at the regent.
But the girl still breathed a sigh of relief.
fortunately.
Thales doesn’t have to…
But then she was slightly startled: Thales was staring at her from a distance.
The prince of the stars sighed, looking hesitant, and shook his head slightly at her.
No, Selma.
Don't.
Thales thought silently.
Seeing the prince's actions, Thelma was stunned in her seat.
She remembered what Thales had said before.
【Promise me, Selma.】
[On the next government hearing, no matter what happens, don’t do anything stupid.]
She looked at Thales who shook his head helplessly and bit her lower lip uncontrollably.
【Don't worry about others, don't pay attention to others, don't have the slightest hesitation or hesitation.】
so……
You, Thales, are you the "other" you say?
The girl thought bitterly.
In the corner of the hall, Thales was still shaking his head gently.
[It’s enough to just choose the path that suits you best and the Grand Duchess.]
【I'll take care of the rest.】
Thelma looked at Thales strugglingly.
But, but Thales, you now...
You can't even protect yourself.
"Oh, ma'am."
This time, it was Monty who spoke.
The forerunner of the Qiyuan City Mission raised his eyebrows deliberately: "But didn't you summon the vassals to Longxiao City just to restore the glory and courage of your father and ancestors and prove that you are a qualified ruler?
?”
The Dead Horn Crow tutted: "And now, facing the empty threats from the Empire, you are shrinking back and being afraid?"
"Were those words about protecting family honor and the like before just for fun?"
Dissatisfied discussions immediately resounded in the hall, and the expressions of the vassals became much ugly.
Thelma gritted her teeth again, her face tense.
"Be respectful, Deathcrow," the golden-bearded Earl Hester reprimanded unhappily: "You also served in the White Blade Guards and were favored by King Nun. There is no reason to embarrass his granddaughter."
"Speaking of this, you must know that it has been more than ten years since I left the White Blade Guards and Longxiao City." Monty shook his head at the Grand Duchess with a sarcastic face, not hiding his contempt: "Compared to those years ago, you guys
You are really old and older, I doubt..."
Nicolai's expression next to the Grand Duchess changed, and he said in a low and unquestionable voice: "Shut up, Monty."
After hearing his old boss's words, Monty was speechless.
He hummed softly and said no more.
Thales couldn't help but look at the Death Crow with sharp eyes again.
Something is wrong.
He once again felt something was wrong with this visitor from Qiyuan City.
But...what exactly is wrong?
At this moment, Count Kierkegaard, who had not spoken for a long time, suddenly raised his head.
"Then let's take him with us!"
The one-armed earl said sharply: "Take him to the west!"
Including the Grand Duchess, Thales and Ian, everyone in the hall was shocked!
The surprise lasted for several seconds.
Earl Lisban frowned and said: "Take it with you? You mean..."
The one-armed earl nodded and said coldly: "We will march with this prince to solve the problem of the Freedom Alliance!"
"We take him to attack the city, take him to fight, and take him to kill the enemy!"
"Leave the difficult problem to those starmen holding the cross and double-star flag opposite Fort Liberty."
The Grand Duchess trembled and lost her voice: "What?"
The vassals all turned their attention to Thales.
Thales was startled and his face changed slightly.
"We will let possible enemies know on the battlefield that their prince is in our hands," Kierkegaard said in a cold voice:
"If they don't want to see any tragedy or accident happen, they'd better keep to themselves."
"Wait until we take care of those cowards in Freehold."
As his words fell, it seemed as if the hall was covered with a layer of ice and snow.
"ha!"
Monty laughed loudly: "I like this idea! Things that cannot be solved at the negotiation table must of course be solved on the battlefield!"
Thelma looked in disbelief and looked at Thales unconsciously, then at Kierkegaard.
Lisban and Nazer looked at each other, each thinking.
"Maybe this is a good idea," a few seconds later, the old Count Nazaire said calmly: "Indeed, madam, your original promise is very important."
"Prince Thales's safety is best not to be destroyed in our hands."
"Rather than involving all parties in awkward negotiations with unknown results, it is more effective to take the prince to the front line as a bargaining chip and make the opponent throw a trap on the battlefield."
The Earl of Lisban who was listening sighed.
"It makes sense: if Prince Thales had any accidents due to the battle with his own Star People," on the other side, Count Linna still had a calm expression, but his words were sharp. He looked at Selma's flustered expression and chuckled.
road:
"The responsibility is not on our side."
Thales closed his eyes again and exhaled.
When the ministers agreed to send troops, for a moment, he thought they had won.
However, accidents always happen suddenly.
The Grand Duchess's eyes widened and she shook her head subconsciously: "You guys, what are you going to do to him?"
Hearing the words of the Grand Duchess, several earls frowned.
"If the other side shows restraint," Kierkegaard's deep voice seemed to have some kind of power that made people shudder: "Then it will be the same as usual, just take him for a walk."
The hall was quiet for a moment.
Thelma swallowed her throat, and the Grand Duchess's voice sounded again: "What if the other side... doesn't restrain themselves?"
Count Linner sneered, and Count Curtson shrugged.
"Then do what we should do," Kierkegaard said coldly: "As long as we conquer Fort Liberty, everything will be over."
What to do?
Thales lowered his head silently and did not speak.
what to do?
To solve the current predicament... we must pay a corresponding price.
The issue is……
Is it necessary to take that step?
That's...
Earl Hester looked at the expression of the Grand Duchess, shook his golden beard, and frowned: "I think it's feasible."
Thelma gritted her teeth.
"Charles," she said with difficulty to the last earl, "do you agree?"
"Madam," Regent Lisban looked at the girl seriously: "This is the best thing to do at the moment."
"Countless people will rush to the battlefield for you, so you must consider the war and their lives."
"No problem," Ian came out at this time, his eyes lit up, he coughed slightly, and smiled again: "Qiyuan City will welcome His Royal Highness to visit."
Thales clenched his fists.
He raised his head and looked at Thelma nervously, waiting for her response.
Thelma also looked back at him hesitantly, and their eyes met in the air.
Thales sighed and shook his head gently.
No.
Selma.
Don't, don't do it just because of this...
After a few seconds, the Grand Duchess's expression became firm again.
She also shook her head at Thales.
Thales was shocked: he understood the other party's response.
No.
No……
"No!"
The Grand Duchess raised her head suddenly!
"Tiles, he must stay in Longxiao City! Stay in the Palace of Heroes!"
Thelma's expression was firm and she said categorically: "And I promise, I promise to write a letter to King Kessel in person to remind him that his heir is still with us, and to take all means to ensure that the Kingdom of Stars will not pose a threat to our war.
"
Thales closed his eyes.
The faces of the vassals all changed.
They looked at their female monarch with unfamiliar and dissatisfied eyes.
The atmosphere in the hall seemed to be back before Ian proposed.
Thales let out a long sigh.
Selma.
You are like this...
This will make our previous efforts...
well.
Thales opened his eyes gently.
He made several gestures to Rolf behind him.
【Go.】
Sui Feng Zhi Gui was slightly startled. He looked nervously at all the unkind looks in the hall, but still bowed slightly and left, leaning against the wall.
Thales breathed out.
In the end, is it still coming to this point?
His fists were shaking.
"Well, madam, your relationship with him and this Prince of the Stars is really good," Monty sneered: "It's just like the rumors."
These words seemed to add fuel to the fire, making the atmosphere in the hall more solemn and serious.
Lisban saw that the atmosphere on the court was getting worse and worse. He coughed quickly and interrupted the Dead Crow: "Madam, I don't like to say this, but..."
But someone interrupted the regent faster.
"For the love of the gods, you said 'no' a lot to this."
Opposite Lisban, Count Nazaire frowned and spoke slowly.
"As the ruler, madam, you certainly have the right to say 'no' and force us to carry out your will."
The old count spoke word by word, as if he cherished every letter in his words.
"But please remember, every time you say something, you have to pay a price."
"It's just that some costs are visible, and some are invisible," Count Nazaire said calmly under the astonished eyes of the Grand Duchess. "Unless you have the ability to fool your people again and again, otherwise, these prices will be much higher.
One day, it will accumulate into a huge debt that even a noble person like you cannot repay."
Thelma raised her hands under her sleeves and said with an ugly expression: "Count Nazaire..."
Nazer did not let the girl have a chance to speak, but continued to say his words sentence by sentence.
Among the six earls, Nazaire's words were not as soothing as Risban's, not as gentle and polite as Earl Hurst, not as harsh and sharp as Earl Linner, not as mean and unpleasant as Curtson, and not as shocking as Kierkegaard's.
It is powerful, but it seems to contain a special power that cannot be denied.
It makes people feel moved.
"And that's what we're talking about, ma'am."
"Those are the soldiers of Longxiao City," Nazer said softly, "The decisions we make here are related to their lives."
"Do you really understand the cost of saying 'no' here?"
Thelma was stunned.
"Those are the sons of countless mothers, the husbands of countless wives, and the fathers of countless daughters." The old earl spoke very slowly, but every word made the vassals consciously listen quietly, "They, these northern
People leave their homeland and go to other places in order to respond to your call."
Thelma's breathing was messed up. She looked at Nazaire blankly and felt as if there were thousands of pounds of rocks weighing down from the air.
Nazer raised his head gently and said slowly: "No matter what the reason is, you should not ignore the people who are loyal to you for the sake of an outsider, a hostage of an enemy country."
"And the price of doing this..."
He looked directly at the Grand Duchess with lucid eyes: "Maybe it will chill the hearts of your people and all those who are willing to fight for you, and thus they will ignore you and their rulers."
As soon as these words came out, the vassals looked at Thelma in a different way.
Selma, on the other hand, stared blankly at the count, dripping with cold sweat and trembling lips.
I saw old Count Nazaire sighing slowly: "Until one day, the debt accumulated by these costs exceeds the favor you and your family have given us, and exceeds our loyalty to you and your family."
"At that time, no one will be willing to fight for you anymore."
"Is not it?"
The hall became quiet and no one spoke anymore.
In the corner, Thales closed his eyes expressionlessly and shook his head slowly.