The commoners and small and medium-sized nobles in the Hall of Stars suddenly became commotion in panic, and the guards had to shout loudly.
"You really dare to say that, Cyril." Duke Val of the North looked at Cyril deeply: "Thanks to you, no one should talk about returning to a closed, small conference room anymore, right?"
The imperial earls on the stone throne responded in silence.
"It's bound to happen sooner or later," Duke Falkenhauser's eyes were gloomy, and even in the laughter, his sharp voice was still: "Hey, I just removed your luck and fear."
"The 'undesirable' at the banquet," Duke Cullen sighed: "He is truly worthy of his name."
Zhan En, like most of the earls from the Thirteen Noble Families, had a gloomy face and said nothing.
Ten seconds later, what was heard from the Star Gathering Square to the Hall of Stars was the panicked and chaotic hum of the general public, which was getting louder and louder.
The news of the upcoming conflict between Exeter and Xingchen has now been fully disclosed.
Count Sorel's eyes were unkind and he looked directly at the king: "Your Majesty, you have announced this coming disaster to the people. The effect you wanted has been achieved. The question is, how will it end now?"
The icy-faced Kessel V did not speak, but only glanced at Sorel, who was still stubborn in response.
"It's quite simple," Count Talon stared at Sorel unceremoniously: "Do you want to fight or talk? If you want to fight, everyone can go back to their territories and blow the call."
"We still have the opportunity to negotiate. We have allies. Just like twelve years ago, we can ask them to mediate." Zhan slowly raised his head and looked at the lords and princes: "The war may not break out, as long as a certain price is paid.
…”
"The prince they died in the mission was the only son of King Nunn and the only heir of the Walton family." Falkenholz interrupted the young duke, and he said in a sinister way: "Pay the price? That's right, which piece to give?"
The northern territory is ceded to Exeter, and that’s probably it.”
"We will not give up an inch of territory in the north," Count Zemuto said coldly: "That is the land our family has protected for generations."
"But that prince did die within your jurisdiction, didn't he?" Count Dastan sneered: "This is your responsibility, and of course you have to pay the price."
"If you are not joking, Dastan," Count Forrest raised his head with a fierce look in his eyes: "Then we can go to the final platform to duel now."
"Okay, okay, then give them 20% of the supply of Eternal Oil in the East China Sea?" Duke Falkenhauser pretended to be thoughtful. He looked first at Duke Cullen and then at Zhan, showing that he didn't think so.
He smiled thoughtfully: "Or how about the luciferin mine in the south?"
"There is a limit to joking, Cyril." Duke Cullen responded with a rare seriousness.
Zhan En showed him a friendly smile and shook his head slightly.
At this moment, King Kessel V lightly tapped the scepter.
All the nobles calmed down and looked at him.
Under the king's gaze, Gilbert nodded and took a step forward:
"According to the secret department's channels, Longxiao City knew the news of the prince's death in the stars yesterday," he frowned: "And the Grand Duke of Black Sand was faster than their king. He had already started recruiting soldiers and mobilizing the army two days ago.
The other two Grand Dukes in the southern part of St. Petersburg are half a day slower than him, but they are generally the same."
There was an uproar in the hall!
"Quiet!" Gilbert shouted seriously.
Amid the mixed emotions in the hall, the Supreme King could only be heard saying in a low and deep voice: "If the two countries go to war, the royal family and the Talon family will do everything they can to support the North."
Earl Tallon nodded firmly.
The king looked at the Duke of the North with a dull expression: "Val, how many troops and supplies can you provide?"
"How many troops? Are you kidding?" Val Arend responded seriously: "I have summoned all the vassals, 15,000 infantry, 1,000 archers, 500 heavy cavalry, and even a small number of magicians.
They can shoot! They will reinforce Broken Dragon Fortress in the shortest possible time and take orders from Lord Sonia Satherley."
"That's our territory! Once war breaks out, even women and children will take up arms!"
"As for supplies, it depends on how much land we can hold."
The two Earls Zemuto and Fores nodded firmly in agreement:
"The 3,500 people who guard the city will fight to the death."
"Gu Lao Pagoda only has two thousand infantry, but we will fight to the last soldier."
"We can withstand the pressure of the three Grand Dukes of Exeter, but if it is the whole country of Exeter..." The Duke of the North straightened up and glanced at every noble with his piercing eyes: "We need the power of the entire star."
Cohen, who was standing behind old Count Karabiyan, scratched his head and whispered in confusion:
"Isn't this a state meeting for all the people? How can the deployment of troops be announced like this?"
Old Count Karabyan gently closed his eyes and sighed imperceptibly.
"Don't you see?" He lowered his voice and told his son with a tired look on his face:
"This attitude of the northern nobles is for Exeter to see."
"Do you believe that Duke Arend can summon ten thousand people? The stars have never recovered from the bloody years. I doubt that one-third of the force claimed by the lords would be good."
Cohen was stunned for a moment.
He looked in disbelief at the pattern of double stars the size of a silver cross on the top of the hall.
As a descendant of the Empire and the Shield of the Western Continent, has the Kingdom of Stars become so weak?
King Kessel V nodded slightly, then turned to the scary-looking Cyril: "Where are the lords of the Western Wasteland?"
Cyril Falkenhausz tilted his head back, closed his eyes and said: "Desolate Ruins can only send out a thousand infantry. The Desolate Bone Tribe has started to stir up trouble again recently. As for the magic guns, we don't even have enough of them ourselves."
"The Wing Fortress is not known for its military prowess," the young Count Dele Chroma muttered, "but we can send out the best one hundred Crow Whistle light cavalry."
Bozdov also frowned fiercely: "The area around Heroes Castle has been uneasy recently. There is an orc who is regarded as the leader. He is gathering the power of various clans. The Black Lion Clan can only send two hundred people."
The stingy decision of the nobles of Xihuang made all the nobles present begin to whisper.
Cohen frowned. He had served on the front line of the Western Wilderness and in the purge campaign after the Desert War, but as far as he knew, the military strength of the Western Wilderness was by no means so thin.
"It was quite positive to reveal the secret just now," Val looked at Falkenholz coldly: "When it comes to recruiting troops... hum."
Another burst of shouts from the Stars Square reached the Hall of Stars. This time it was excited cheers, including many fanatical voices.
"Alas," Earl Talon touched his five-pointed star brooch and sighed: "I bet that the guards just passed on the news about the strength of the troops in the north, and they haven't had time to pass it on to the Western Wilderness."
Kessel V remained calm. He turned to ask Cullen: "What is the attitude of the Sun Sword and Shield family and the entire East China Sea Territory?"
"Your Majesty, most people in the East China Sea rely on the sea for their livelihood. We don't have enough troops, but we can pay and recruit mercenaries to fight." The Fat Duke said with a smile: "If a full-scale war breaks out, as long as it doesn't winter and the offshore sea doesn't freeze, we can
The fleet can also raid the east coast of Exeter."
On the stone seat next to the Duke of Donghai, Count Noah Havia and Count Clark Almond looked at each other and nodded in unison.
Duke Falkenhauser said solemnly: "Thank you very much for reminding us that it happens to be December and winter has begun."
King Kessel V knocked on his stone throne and asked with a hint of meaning: "So there are no people, only money? I remember when we were fighting in the desert war, the Prime Minister told me that if you don't need money, you can just get people."
Is it a bit far to transport troops from the East China Sea to the Western Wasteland?"
"Five years ago, people didn't know how to go out to make money, so there were people who didn't have money. But now people have gone out to make money, so no one has money." Duke Cullen replied with a smile, his face not red and his heart not beating.
The king sneered slightly, and the Duke of the North looked extremely ugly.
King Kessel turned his head to the nobles in the south.
"There are no usable cavalry in the entire South Coast Territory. The Kevin Deere family can summon two thousand infantry from around the Emerald City, and they also have some magic guns." Zhan replied worriedly before His Majesty asked him: "But the long march to the north
In combat, acclimatization is a problem, and my vassals will definitely not be happy because they cannot guarantee the quality of the soldiers."
Old Count Karabiyan also had a serious look on his face and spoke at the right time: "The same goes for the Vola Territory. Even with the addition of vassals, I am not confident that we can even recruit 300 troops."
Cohen, who was behind the count, lowered his head and sighed softly.
He still remembered that the last time his two sisters went abroad to visit friends, his father directly sent 500 troops to escort them.
Count Lacia was even more straightforward: "Soldiers from the marsh are not suitable for fighting in the north at all."
Kessel V did not speak anymore, but just breathed out softly: "The Guardian Duke of Cliffland and the Guardian Duke of Blade Territory have not arrived yet, but I estimate that they, as well as the remaining four families, probably have the same attitude.
?”
As nobles of the Cliff Territory, Count Sorel and Count Dastan both turned their heads and remained silent.
On the contrary, the leaders and businessmen who were watching were whispering. They were more worried about the coming war.
"Is this how you repay the stars?"
The Duke of the North's face was ashen. He stood up suddenly, pointed at the double cross star above his head and said angrily: "This is the country you swore allegiance to, and it was the greatest country in human history! Even if the North is not your territory, it is
But there is also a cross and two-star flag flying! It’s the same as your land!”
"Your Majesty the Duke, I also fought for the stars five years ago," Count Dastan said coldly: "As a result, I lost my eldest son forever in the Western Wasteland. I guess you can't understand without a son..."
"Bullshit!" Val's eyes widened angrily, and he turned his head abruptly: "My only daughter, the heir of White Eagle, is now at the Broken Dragon Fortress on the border between the two countries, under the command of the flower of the fortress, Lord Sonia Satherley!
Her life or death depends on the victory between the dragon and the stars!"
After hearing this, Cohen couldn't help but lower his head, sighed, and looked at Raphael behind the Black Prophet.
"Perhaps there is no need to go to war. We can choose to negotiate. Even if Exeter sends troops, it will only be for profit." Duke Cullen shook his head and sighed.
"And then force the North to give up its own territory?" Val looked like a predatory eagle, glaring at everyone who answered with sharp eyes.
"Now, we all know the chips in hand and the number of troops." At this time, Zhan En raised his head with firm eyes and looked at the king: "Whether it is war or peace, it depends on His Majesty's will."
Everyone's eyes instantly shot to Kessel.
Val's eyes were eager and intense, Cullen's eyes had a complicated smile, Cyril's eyes were playful, and Zhan's eyes were as plain as water.
"So, this is my country?" Kessel slowly raised his head, his eyes like knives, cutting at each lord.
"The king can only bring his own standing army and direct vassals to face the entire army of another country?"
"Otherwise, I will represent Xingchen and accept their possible conditions in humiliation?"
Cyril Falkenhausz said with a sinister smile: "Hey, without troops, we can't fight, but the dignity of the royal family can't be discussed..."
"It seems like what Suye said," Kaiser V sighed: "Kings are all lonely people."
At this time, a loud and angry voice came from the door of the Hall of Stars!
"Your Majesty, please take back these words!"
"With us here, you will never be alone!"
"As nobles of the stars and descendants of the empire, how can we retreat even half an inch?"
Amid the commotion in the hall, a middle-aged nobleman whose left eye was covered by a terrible scar, wearing a yellow and black cloak with a figure of a deer with upright antlers, walked up to the six steps with coldness and arrogance.
Big stone seat.
Some of the nobles and commoners in the field began to applaud enthusiastically, while others sneered or shook their heads and sighed.
Duke Cullen showed a helpless smile, and Val and Zhan both responded solemnly.
"The Cyclops of South Trist," laughed Cyril Falkenholz, "I thought you arrived at night!"
The Lord of Junglin City and the Guardian Duke of Cliffland, Coste Nantriest said with a stern look on his face:
"Compared to this... look what you have done?"
He kissed Kessel's ring, but did not sit down on the stone seat. Instead, he turned towards Waldau:
"Lord Arend, please don't worry!"
"The entire Junlin City army will march out! Go north to Broken Dragon Fortress!"
But under Val's surprised and complicated gaze, he immediately changed the subject and looked at Kessel V:
"Facing this nationwide war! As long as Your Majesty can make his followers feel at ease, I can't think of any reason to back down!"
Almost all the nobles in the venue frowned.
Give followers peace of mind?
"Kost," Kaiser V said slowly, "What do you mean?"
"Your Majesty, don't you understand yet?" Costard said sternly: "A total war is imminent, but the nobles are panic-stricken and push back and forth!"
"In this situation, you are the only one who, as our lord, is enduring the torment of war or peace!"
"That's not fair to you!"
"But why do you think that is?"
Coster closed his one eye tightly, took a deep breath, and then said firmly:
"The Iron-fisted King, His Majesty Kessel!"
"The lords and nobles dare not follow you!"
"The stars are in panic...Twelve years have passed since the tragedy, and the bones of the late king have been buried! But we still don't know what you are thinking!"
"We don't know what kind of king we are following!"
For a moment, the nobles were silent.
Gilbert and Jenny frowned at the same time.
Kessel gently squeezed the scepter and looked at Kousted with a complicated expression.
But Coste still said without flinching: "We are all afraid that you don't know what kind of things a king who is alone in the world and has no scruples, the last person of the Bright Star, will do!"
"What's more, this is war!"
Costard turned around, scanned every lord with his sharp one eye, and said word by word:
"Your Majesty! The blood has faded, but the stars remain."
"But why do you have to endure the suspicion of the nobles even for an obvious war decision?"
Kaiser V's eyes became colder and colder.
The four dukes invariably avoided his eyes.
Coste pointed at the double cross star on the top of the hall and said loudly:
"Your Majesty, for the benefit of the stars and the dignity of the Bright Star royal family, we cannot hesitate in this crisis!"
"Therefore, Your Majesty, please share the burden of the stars on our shoulders!"
"War or peace, let all of us bear the price of this decision."
"If the stars are stable, the future is clear, and the royal family is not cut off, I think no one will shrink from such a national war!"
At this time, many people had already smelled something.
Morat Hansen lowered his head and raised the corners of his mouth silently.
coming.
so fast.
Zhan pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes.
coming.
Hope it goes well.
Cullen watched Coste's performance with a smile.
coming.
interesting.
Val stared blankly at the guardian duke of the cliff, gritting his teeth.
Is this their purpose?
Kai and I are both prey?
The earls were whispering to each other on the stone seats. Some were worried, while others nodded frequently.
Only many civilians who were listening were still whispering in confusion.
But everything in the Hall of Stars continues.
"Your Majesty, you will soon be forty-eight years old!"
"On the eve of the war between dragons and stars!"
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, they saw Kousted throwing off his cloak, with a stern expression on his face, and waving his arms towards the nobles in the hall:
"Please choose the heir to the kingdom among us nobles!"
"Tell the nobles with actions that you still care about the stability and survival of this kingdom, and that you still trust these lords who are your arms!"
"At that time, we will fight for the dignity of the stars! Fight for the glory of the bright stars!"
“No complaints!”
"Never back down!"
Dead silence.
Absolute silence.
A suffocating silence.
No one dared to be the first to speak out after these words.
Until a sharp and unrestrained laughter broke the dead silence.
"Hahaha……"
Duke Falkenhaus opened his mouth wide and laughed wildly under everyone's surprised gazes. His scattered teeth looked particularly terrifying:
“What’s that phrase called Far East?”
"Open the map and the dagger is exposed?"
"Your Majesty? Want to fight a decent battle? Use the throne in exchange! Hahahahaha..."