Although the main banquet has not yet begun, the early arrival of the two Dukes made the atmosphere in the banquet hall lively.
Outside the hall, the logistics officer Shi Tuo and the steward of the Mindis Hall counted the carriages and gifts against the list, arguing back and forth with the coachmen and waiters who spoke with various accents.
In the hall, the servants who came with the guests kept coming and going, and from time to time they quarreled with the servants in the hall because of the master's needs and their requests.
Gilbert had to arrange for clowns, dancers and minstrels to enter in advance, play music, and serve wine and food in order to repay (distract) the enthusiasm (attention) of the guests. It is said that many of them came in without being invited.
People who were unable to enter the venue also hurried to the scene, wanting to try their luck on this special day.
Mallos skillfully and professionally coordinated in the middle, arranging seats, managing servants, discussing on-site matters with the steward sent by Fuxing Palace, and handling unexpected emergencies (for example, a lower-level noble brought six daughters who were not on the list,
Another example is Jorge, who was spitting and excitedly chattering to everyone, "Do you know the famous Polaris?" He was rearranged from the foreign guests' seat to the honorable veterans' seat).
Thales could only complain secretly. Although as the nominal owner of the Mindis Hall, he should sit at the head of the hall and wait for the guests. However, he was as noble as a king and wanted to attend today's banquet. The second prince sat calmly.
This is inappropriate. Secondly, Tails has a special status and has not returned home for a long time. He needs to establish a good first impression.
So after the Seven Star Waiters and the Two Dukes, Thales had to continue dragging a large group of waiters and guards, following Mallos's arrangements and Gilbert's instructions ("Your Highness, come here quickly, Your Highness, hurry up and go")
"There, where has your Highness gone..." - Thales' private complaint), walking back and forth in the Mindis Hall, greeting designated important guests, appeasing guests who are dissatisfied with their seats, and responding to the people on the road (whether sincere or not)
The greetings were greeted with (certainly false) smiles and gifts in return to demonstrate the royal dignity and the "hospitality, cordiality and decency" of the new Duke of Xinghu.
"Your Highness, you look so good and look healthy."
Duke Bob Cullen of the Eastern Sea Territory, with his white hair and fat belly, greeted Thales with a glowing face, supported by two waiters.
Thales coughed:
"Welcome, Prime Minister, I'm glad to see you are in good health."
Duke Cullen stays in Yongxing City for three seasons of the year to recuperate. However, when we saw him today, he was still as rich and naive as ever, and he was still the good-natured roly-poly of the kingdom in my impression.
No, not quite.
Thales glanced down.
At least, his belly is more bulging.
"No, as soon as I learned that you had escaped from the den of those northern barbarians, my pain immediately improved."
The guardian of the East China Sea Territory looked at the portraits of the Three Star Kings and said with a smile:
"God bless the stars, I miss this mansion so much - when it was still open, I often came to visit, but I didn't know how to cherish it. On the contrary, now that I am old and have no chance, I feel nostalgic for the past."
Thales smiled, pretending not to understand the implication of the Duke's words, and stretched out his hand to indicate that he would accompany him to the banquet hall in a polite manner.
"You will definitely like my gift. I have brought you a lot of pearls that are special products from the shore of Huigang, as well as spices, tea leaves and cloth shipped from the East China. All kinds of good things are definitely better than those from the south coast. You know
, if we go eastward, the ocean currents and trade winds will be on our side..."
Compared to Zhan's insincere words and Coste's sharp words, Duke Cullen's chattering is probably unique in the kingdom. It just happens that they are all correct and good-natured nonsense, and you have nothing to say to refute and interrupt.
In the past, Thales might have regarded it as a routine matter and given gifts.
but now……
Thales sighed and had to forcefully insert the fat Duke's kind and gentle talk to himself.
"Just now, Jorge from Elk City, who is an official, wanted to introduce his master's three daughters to me."
Duke Cullen's steps paused slightly, and the Sun Sword and Shield family crest on his body shook slightly.
"daughter?"
He held on to the string of inlaid jewels around his waist, but was overwhelmed by the weight and saw that the expensive belt was about to be broken by his belly.
"Three?"
Duke Cullen paused, looked at Thales carefully from head to toe, and sighed deeply:
"It's great to be young..."
Thales smiled awkwardly.
But the old Duke continued, his tone full of nostalgia:
"Think about the time I had three in one night..."
"The brothel madam - ahem, I mean, the hostess of Laiya Club wanted to add another one for the sake of status and tips, but I sternly refused. After all, Sunset has taught us that as nobles, we
You must set an example, keep yourself clean, and be abstinent..."
The old fat man's ability to disrupt people's lives is probably one of the best among the stars.
"Of course, when it comes to this, he is still not as powerful as your father. It is said that he once fought thirty people in one night on Hongfang Street..."
Thales's face grew darker and darker as he listened.
He interrupted quickly:
"No, Elk City doesn't mean that. It doesn't mean three at a time, but once..."
The Duke of Donghai still looked at him with a smile.
The prince sighed and gave up his efforts to make the picture darker and darker:
"About this news and the marriage proposal in Elk City, do you have anything else to say?"
Cullen was stunned for a moment and seemed to be thinking seriously.
After a second, he suddenly realized.
"oh!"
"I'm so sorry. My daughters got married and had children a long time ago, and some of them have become grandmothers."
The Prime Minister's face was filled with regret:
"As for the granddaughters, well, wait until I get back and count them... Well, I still have to spend some time taking portraits, preferably full-body portraits. I will give you a list later... No matter which one you have chosen, or which ones...
…”
Thales closed his eyes and sighed deeply.
When he opened his eyes again, the prince interrupted the Duke unceremoniously:
"The coastline of Exeter is not short, and the maritime territory borders us."
"That includes Elk City."
Duke Cullen stopped moving forward.
He patted the attendant on the shoulder, and the latter bowed skillfully and backed away.
Thales felt relieved.
There is drama.
"Whether it's the Reconstruction Tower or the Glacier Sea, the former is limited by the Sighing Mountains, and the latter suffers from frozen coasts, and both lack good harbors."
"Only the Gadlo family in Elk City holds the only twin ports of Elk, which connects inland transportation and owns hinterland towns, which is enough to support a long-distance fleet..."
Thales slowly stated his key points:
"I have the qualifications and ability to set sail and end the sea with our stars..."
Thales turned his eyes and changed his tone:
"To be precise, it is to share the huge profits of the Eastern Route with the seven ports in the East China Sea under your command."
The Duke of Donghai straightened up steadily and smiled brightly:
"Did you do well in your geography class?"
Duke Xinghu took a deep breath:
"For a century, because of the unprecedented strength of Longxiao City, Elk City has been restricted in every way: they are eager for the support of the Palace of Heroes, but also fear the majesty of the king. They have always kept a low profile in Exeter and kept a low profile."
Cullen shook his head:
"Growing up in the North is also beneficial?"
Thales frowned.
Play dumb.
But he had no choice.
He must make the most of today's meeting.
The prince chose to go straight to the point:
"However, today, Grand Duke Gadlo took the initiative to send someone to visit Yongxing City to attend my banquet."
Cullen chuckled:
"Come to propose marriage to you as a sign of friendship?"
Thales shook his head.
"They came here, including the childish proposal of marriage, mostly to make a gesture to find out which direction the wind was blowing."
Duke Xinghu’s eyes flashed:
"For sale."
Duke Donghai paused for a few seconds.
When the owner of the Sun Sword and Shield spoke again, his tone was no longer muddled and slick, replaced by vigilance and shrewdness.
"Selling for the price...whose price is it for?"
Thales took a deep breath and chose the most appropriate wording:
"My Lord Duke, you have ruled the East China Sea and managed the Glorious Bay for nearly half a century."
"I believe you know the answer better than anyone else."
"I believe you understand better than anyone else what Elk City's actions today mean and what are the stakes."
Duke Xinghu looked straight at Cullen.
The fat old Duke was silent, with unclear emotions in his shrewd eyes.
After a long while, he slowly spoke:
"When King Nuen passed away, they were never in such a hurry..."
However, the next moment, Duke Cullen narrowed his eyes and looked sly:
"So, Longxiao City has been supplying them with resale goods and supporting their maritime plunder..."
"What's wrong?"
Thales sighed in his heart.
Damn old fox.
Thales had no choice but to show him the answer expressionlessly:
"The Free Alliance won."
"Rumba...maybe he's going to win too."
Duke Cullen's belly bulged out and he made an "ah ha" expression.
Thales observed the other person's expression and told what he had learned:
"Without the strong support of the Palace of Heroes, Elk City has returned to the prototype of the Yankees: there is no way to trade goods, and there is no basis for plundering."
"More importantly: they have no king behind them and no bottom in their hearts."
"The land route is blocked, and the sails will sink."
Cullen frowned deeply.
Before the death of King Nuen, Longxiao City used a moderately tolerant approach, sometimes generously, sometimes harshly, letting profits and accumulating power, limiting power and adding power, to keep the self-righteous Elk City, which relied on the sea route, in order, and did not dare to
rash.
The latter's rule over the Walton family was also full of ambivalence: he was greedy for the strong support of the king's central government, but he was also worried about the independent status of his important port in the North.
("Hmph, thinking about begging for food with a shameful face, but not bothering to reach out to hand over the bowl, how can there be such a good thing in the world! That goatee has no confidence and is unwilling to give up, so he only deserves to read "King of Longxiao City" in the letter)
Words like these are used to sarcastically, but your grandfather just laughed after seeing it, and then opened more supplies to the guilty Elk City and resold more goods." - Regent Lisban explained to the Grand Duchess one time.
Words blurted out during the history of the Northland)
But now, with the strong support behind them, not only are they no longer king, but they are even on the verge of collapse.
Thales said categorically:
"Elk City's business on the sea will definitely be affected."
Duke Cullen said nothing.
But Thales took a step closer and smelled the scent of exotic spices on the Duke's body:
"So, you don't have to be merciful. When Grand Duke Gadlo is worried about domestic politics and is indecisive..."
Thales' heart sank and he silently thought about his intentions.
When they were hesitating whether they should abandon Longxiao City and turn to King Charman...
While they were waiting for Xingchen's reaction to express their stance, and while they were waiting for Heisha Ling to win over him with an offer...
The second prince said decisively:
"Take the initiative to strike preemptively, and use the maritime interests we have lost due to the country's invincibility since the Year of Blood, and the profits from the trade routes that were diverted by the Northlander fleet..."
"Take them all back..."
Duke Cullen blinked his small eyes, looking kind and confused.
"Prove to those people with holes in their foreheads and those Yankees who think they can row an oar and sail: Who should be the boss of the sea?"
Thales' eyes were firm.
He didn't know how effective his words were today.
But if one sees even a hint of profit-seeking and aggravating attitude in the East China Sea Territory, then Elk City will soon understand:
Water far away cannot quench the thirst of the near, and the future will not be as good as the present.
Even if the dragon spear is worn out and the heroic spirit is dim...
But King Nun and Longxiao City can give them help and support, no matter how many King Charman and Black Sand Territory...
It can't be exchanged.
"I believe this is very much in line with the interests of the East China Sea Territory."
Thinking of this, Thales looked at Duke Donghai solemnly and returned his greetings to him:
"The opportunity has arrived, God bless the stars."
The voice fell.
Duke Donghai looked at Duke Xinghu blankly.
Slightly surprised.
It was like meeting Thales for the first time.
After a long while, the old Duke pressed his waist faintly:
"Tsk, tsk, take advantage of his illness and kill him..."
"You really hate the Northlanders, don't you?"
I hate the Northlanders so much.
Thales hesitated slightly.
He slowed down.
Thales recalled the faces of the past: first King Nunn who laughed and lured him in, and then King Charmaine who raised a glass to him coldly.
There are several high-ranking princes in the Palace of Heroes who all have their own agendas.
And the one who beat him to the point of severely injuring his limbs, causing him to die several times, and even leaving him permanently disabled - the Meteor Man.
Thinking of this, Thales turned his somewhat stagnant left wrist.
Fortunately, he eats with his right hand.
"Humph, you know, in the past six years..."
Thales, who was unhappy, subconsciously ground his teeth:
"I really hate those big guys from the north who like to bully children."
Duke Donghai was silent for a while.
For some reason, Cullen looked at him with a strange expression.
The Duke also subconsciously glanced at Thales' butt.
After being noticed by Thales with a frown, Cullen coughed a few times awkwardly and looked away:
"It's understandable, but..."
"Perhaps you should tell His Majesty about this?"
"After all, the East China Sea Territory is the throat of the stars and concerns the entire kingdom."
Thales was in a heavy mood.
He took a deep breath and chuckled:
"Yes, I should."
Thales looked at the innocent-looking Duke of Donghai:
"But I'm just his son."
He said seriously:
"And you are his prime minister."
"Lord of Jianhuigang City, and the lord of the entire East China Sea Territory."
Duke Cullen was silent for a long time before he replied.
But this time, he no longer had the attitude of making jokes and having nothing to do with himself:
"Thank you for the reminder, I will pay attention to it."
But the Duke of Donghai changed his eyes:
"But why? Why do you say this?"
for……
Serve the Kingdom?
Thales put away this lame excuse and sighed inwardly.
"To repay you."
In front of Thales's eyes flashed the slender figure who stood up from his seat when the crowd was raging and protected the Prince of the Stars at all costs.
He brought his thoughts back to the present and smiled leisurely at Duke Donghai:
"Thanks to you for waking up and voting for me at the National Assembly, we are where we are today."
"This is my reward."
Duke Cullen pursed his lips.
Suddenly I realized, this is right...
"Be careful, Your Highness."
He still looked at Thales with a smile, patted the latter's shoulder, as if looking at his beloved nephew, and said intentionally or unintentionally:
"The Mindis Hall is not like the Fuxing Palace. The carpets here are very new. Every step you take..."
"It's all very slippery."
Thales was silent for a while.
He thought of the little slipper whose whereabouts were unknown and whose life or death was uncertain.
But the next moment, what appeared in front of his eyes was Mrs. Eleanor, who was leading her foolish son and still stubbornly walked into the Mindis Hall with strange eyes.
Little iron thorn.
"But this is our family tradition, isn't it?"
Thales came back to his senses and said softly:
"Don't say the carpet is just slippery..."
He raised his gaze.
"Even if there are thousands of iron thorns hidden underneath it..."
Thales smiled:
"I also have to keep my expression unchanged..."
"Walking calmly."
As soon as these words came out, Duke Donghai's eyes lit up.
Duke Cullen laughed and raised his hand for the attendant to come forward, but waved his hand and refused Thales's companionship.
"As for their proposal of marriage, Your Highness, please remember that even if it is the north..."
Duke Cullen walked away without caring:
"Female sex is still harmful to the body."
Listening to the other party's other words, Thales' heart sank.
Little slippery head.
He looked at the retreating figure of Duke Cullen, silently lost in thought.
Now……
What I can do for you...
There are only so many.
"Wow, so that northerner is serious when he says he wants to introduce you to the Grand Duke's daughter?"
Doyle came up and put the cloak on Thales.
Thales pulled up his cloak and hummed absentmindedly.
d.d curled his lips:
"Your Highness, you know there is a saying among the Seven Shining Stars: Never marry a woman from the North."
Thales walked back slowly and said doubtfully:
"What's wrong?"
Doyle shrugged:
"It is said that this is how the 'Mustang' Barney family fell: Back then, the youngest son of the old lady Xiao Tieqi stubbornly wanted to marry a Northland woman. Xiao Tieqi firmly opposed it but to no avail. In the end, they removed him from the family tree
He was kicked out of the house, but the curse brought by this woman still affects the family - look at Barney now."
Stubbornly wanting to marry a Northland woman...
The family has been implicated...
Look at Barney now...
Thales felt heartbroken for a while and said displeasedly:
"Why don't you look at yourselves?"
Perhaps the prince's tone was too harsh, and Doyle was startled.
Glover took a step forward calmly, squeezing Doyle behind him who was trying to amuse the prince with a joke, but was disappointed.
Is it possible...
Doyle walked behind gloomily.
His Highness has stayed in the Northland for six years, and he really fell in love with someone...
Northland woman?
Oh my god, what about the mission assigned by dad?
You know, as a miser and miser, his father promised him a lot of pocket money this time!
At this moment, a low commotion came from outside the hall door, attracting everyone's attention.
Thales turned around and looked around, horrified.
A lonely man, with no loyal attendants to follow and only vigilant guards to accompany him, slowly walked into the hall door.
Although he was dressed in fine clothes, he looked very impressive.
But he was alone, with a deep feeling of twilight.
Along with the man came the rustling sound of metal.
It is out of place in the elegant and luxurious Mindis Hall and is particularly jarring.
People who didn't know what was going on were talking a lot, and the nobles who knew something about it were silent, but they all subconsciously made way for the new guests.
Mallos received the reward and hurried from the inner hall, just in time to see this special guest.
The watchman frowned and looked at the guest who was slowly approaching, focusing on the other person's hands.
There, there is a pair of dark-colored clothes locked with a chain that mops the floor...
shackles.
The guest raised his head, revealing a thin, weathered face and a beard that stretched down to his chest.
He looked dreamily at the brightly lit and bustling Mindis Hall in front of him.
Mallos stepped forward quickly and signaled the guards to take him through the door quickly to avoid countless curious eyes. At the same time, he held down the execution officer, Gray Patterson, who was leading the guests in.
"Gray, what's going on..."
"He refused." Patterson answered quickly, with an angry and helpless look on his face:
"No matter what we say, it's no use. He insists on attending the dinner in shackles."
The punishment officer said harshly:
"And that beard too..."
Mallos looked at the absent-minded guest and the troublesome shackles with a solemn expression:
"Won't you be tougher?"
Patterson shook his head in embarrassment:
"His Majesty has told me that if he wants to attend the banquet, there must be no injuries on his face."
"It's hard."
Mallos snorted unhappily:
"Find a piece of cloth to cover him and take him directly to the seat..."
"When the time is up, send him back."
Patterson nodded in agreement and turned to look at the new guest with a businesslike attitude:
"Lord Val, welcome to Mindis Hall, please follow me..."
But the silent new guest spoke up at this moment:
"When your house was still prosperous, Tormund Mallos..."
Mallos' expression changed and he turned to face the guest.
The guest's voice was obviously majestic and deep, but his tone was like that of a rogue who has been suffering from illness for many years, sounding old and lifeless:
"Your father once asked to marry the daughter of the Arend family for you."
Mallos frowned slightly.
"He probably thought that Nolan Nur will eventually inherit the family business, and my brother has a close personal relationship with the two princes. No matter who is the king, the Duke of the North will be popular. As for you, with the help of your in-laws who are high-ranking dukes,
Naturally, he has a higher status among the seven servants of the Brilliant Star."
As soon as these words came out, the guards responsible for guarding the guests froze and looked at the commander tentatively.
Mallos only paused briefly, then put on a smile and looked politely at this strange guest.
The guest smiled sadly, raised his hands, and caused the metal shackles and chains to ring again, mixed with the faint joyous music in his ears, like a touch of cold color injected into a spring landscape painting.
"Now... look at us."
"The family has become a shackled prisoner," the man slowly raised his head, looked at Mallos, and then at the Mindis Hall. The twitching of his lips caused the movement of his gray beard:
"A family has become a guard watching the shackles."
Look at the guards in chains...
Mallos frowned, forcing himself not to pay attention to the other person's implication:
"Your Excellency, we have arranged a seat for you in the banquet hall..."
But the guest's words carry the power accumulated over many years, and they always seem to interrupt him just right:
"You know, many years ago."
The man in rich clothes looked at the layout of Mindis Hall in ecstasy:
"My brother is just like you. As a glorious royal guard, he once stood here and fulfilled his duties to guard this virtuous king's mansion."
"And I walked past the garden countless times and watched that crazy girl running toward me."
The vicissitudes of life man put down his chains, his eyes confused:
"Now, Mindis Hall is reopened."
"My brother is no longer around."
Mallos said nothing.
The man hummed softly and looked up at the statue of the Three Star Kings high up, his eyes getting darker.
The king of bastards, the king of wives, the king of rotten debts - the man thought this and raised the corners of his mouth unconsciously.
But after a few seconds, the man's eyes turned cold.
"And he's not the only brother I've lost."
He looked at the Three Kings of the Stars and said disdainfully:
"no."
Mallos was silent for a while, then finally breathed out and looked at his subordinates.
"Go through the side door and invite the Duke into the banquet hall. Remember to be low-key and, of course, be polite."
His tone was cold and his eyes were stern.
Punishment Officer Patterson realized what the officer meant, and he waved his hands after being fed up with the anger along the way. The two men in the guard looked cold and were about to step forward to restrain the man.
But the man suddenly turned around and became angry!
"I am a descendant of Arlend, the master of Cold Castle, and the Guardian Duke of the North of the Kingdom of Stars!"
"And I saw the old fat man's carriage. This is where he entered! Upright and upright!"
The majesty he exuded at that moment made the people around him frown.
Arend looked at Mallos coldly:
"If your master wants to prove to the kingdom that I am still breathing and that he has not killed everyone, then at least he should respect the status of the Duke."
Mallos' eyes turned cold.
At this moment.
"Marios!"
A young but gentle voice sounded. Thales came from another side door and nodded to the watchman:
"I'll just come."
"You all go down."
Patterson looked at Mallos warily.
Marius paused, looked at Glover and Doyle behind Thales, and then nodded to Patterson.
"As you wish, Your Excellency the Duke." The executioner bowed to Thales and stepped aside with the guards.
Thales exhaled and walked towards the new guest.
"Long time no see, Duke Val."
From the moment Thales appeared, the guests' eyes were fixed on the young owner of Mindis Hall.
He looked at the figure of Duke Xinghu crazily, first surprised, then relieved.
"So you're back."
Val Arend—the Duke of the North, whose conspiracy was exposed six years ago and was imprisoned, looked at the second prince with complicated eyes:
"How's Exeter?"
How about it?
The prince looked at the other party and sighed slowly:
"The wind and frost are so severe that it is hard to shake its strength."
And Thales was also looking at Val carefully. He couldn't help but notice that Val's once majestic figure was much thinner, and he had a full beard.
Somehow, he suddenly remembered what Josh, the Sword of Disaster, said when he was still in the Prison of Bones:
[This is what imprisonment does to a person... no matter who you are, no matter how powerful you are.]
【They are forever lost in the lonely void, never to come back.】
Thales' eyes focused in front of him.
In the past, the impassioned and heroic Duke of the North...
No more.
Val pondered for a few seconds.
"Rumba, how is he?"
Rumba.
Thales' heart sank.
What was Val's mood when he met and cooperated with Charmaine Lombard, who was still just the Grand Duke of the Black Sands?
Six years later, the two of them were in completely different situations. I wonder what he was thinking?
"The wind and frost are severe," the prince said softly, and answered word for word:
"It's hard to shake its strength."
After the strange question and answer, Val fell silent.
But then he chuckled softly, moved forward, and walked to the banquet hall with ease.
Like a wanderer returning home.
Patterson and the guards belonging to the punishment wing immediately followed.
But when Val walked to Thales' side, he stopped.
Glover and Doyle moved forward nervously, trying to separate the Duke and Prince, but were held down by Marius again.
"Thank you."
Thales was slightly startled.
The thin Duke of the North didn't even look at Thales, but whispered:
"I was told."
"Six years ago, you did everything for my daughter on the territory of the Exeter people."
In the territory of the Exeters...
Miranda?
Thales thought of the Dragon Blood Night and the cold female swordsman, and sighed in his heart.
The imprisoned Duke turned his head expressionlessly:
"Just, please do me one more favor."
I saw Val's face darkened:
"Don't marry her."
Taylor was stunned for a moment.
"If you have to marry."
Val snorted softly, like a desperate gambler who has seen through everything after losing all his chips:
"Don't leave a seed in her belly either."
Thales's face turned red and he immediately adjusted his expression.
"Mila, she was unfortunate in her early life."
I saw Val looking at the ceiling and saying sadly:
"I've seen enough blood."
Thales looked stern when he heard this.
A second later, looking at the lonely Duke of the North before him, who looked like an old man in his twilight years, Thales sighed in his heart:
"I promise you."
Val smiled, lowered his head, and curved his wrinkled face:
"Thanks."
"You are different from him."
"You haven't...become him."
Not the same as him.
At that moment, Thales suddenly realized something.
He remembered that before parting ways at the Blade Tooth Camp, the former watchman of the Royal Guard, the Punishment Knight, Sak'el, also said similar words to him.
This made Thales, who had been greeted and sent off with a smile all night, realize that the man in front of him, who had gone through many vicissitudes of life and didn't care about anything, might be the only person who would tell him the truth in this night of laughter and laughter.
"Maybe."
Thales answered with a forced smile, hoping that his words could give some comfort to the hopeless person in life.
But Val shook his head, smiling desperately and sarcastically:
"Just like back then, he also thought that he was different from the owner here."
Thales' expression changed:
"What's the meaning?"
Val didn't answer him, just turned his head.
He looked at the noise and bustle outside the hall, at the bustling Mindis Hall with people coming and going:
"Did you see it?"
The Duke of the North looked at the grand scenery in front of him, listened to the lingering silk and bamboo, and was illuminated by the dazzling eternal lamp above his head. He seemed to have seen another scenery. He smiled for a long time and said:
"This scene……"
"The spectacle of hell."
hell?
Thales couldn't help but frown.
Val looked around with a crazy look on his face:
"Some people are hypocritical and pretend to be peaceful; some people hypnotize themselves and deceive themselves and others; some people hide their resentment and force themselves to endure; some people see through the world and watch with cold eyes."
"Under the light of the thick dark night, everyone pretended to be happy and having fun."
His sneers gradually increased, with a chilling meaning:
"I don't know, everyone is already in a urn."
"The fire cooks the oil."
Mallos coughed lightly.
Thales's face turned cold.
Recalling his experience after returning to the stars, he felt inexplicably heavy.
He knew that his conversation with the Duke of the North was coming to an end.
Thales knew, he knew what the Duke meant when he said these words.
Just like so many others.
And he won't be easily shaken.
but……
Thales gritted his teeth lightly.
Val lowered his head and sneered.
"Boy, you look a lot like me back then."
Thales's heart moved:
"Like? Like?"
"For example..." Val took over his words with misty eyes:
"For example, it seems that you have a deep relationship, have the same interests, and share the honor and disgrace. It's the right time."
"It is impossible for us to be enemies in this life."
Just the right time.
Thales couldn't help but think of what Viscount Patterson said to him before.
【The kingdom is young and the time is right.】
"But only you know..."
Val's words became profound.
Like a traveler looking for a way in a heavy fog, he has no future and is vain:
"In front of you are thousands of cliffs."
"Behind me is an abyss."
At this moment, there was a lot of noise and commotion outside the hall again.
Everyone in the hall moved. They had expected it and knew that they were ready to welcome the next important person.
However, this time, uniform footsteps, stern and solemn orders, and mixed excited noises all came at the same time, making it difficult to distinguish...
Marius was confused for a moment, then his expression changed.
Until an order full of majesty and momentum, with a meaning that cannot be disobeyed, was like an oracle from heaven, coming from afar and penetrating the wall:
"With the supreme king of the Kingdom of Stars, Kessel Shining Star——"
Thales' thoughts were gone.
The expressions of all the people present changed.
There were many muffled sounds coming from outside the hall.
"And the Supreme Queen, the name of Keya Bright Star——"
The herald's voice echoed throughout the hall.
Whether it was the cheerful music in the banquet hall, the heated arguments among the waiters in the corridor, or even the distant sound of horses from time to time, they all fell silent at this moment.
Everything was silent except for the flickering lights.
"Subjects..."
The power of breathing is completely surrendered to that majestic and boundless voice at this moment:
"To your Majesty the King and Queen——"
"salute!"
The herald's shouts of orders died out.
But it echoed endlessly.
Can't be dispersed.
The next moment, Mallos, Patterson, Glover, Doyle...
Whether they were royal guards or servants, nobles, bureaucrats or ordinary civilians, everyone present subconsciously adjusted their posture and held their breath.
Everyone stepped aside, got out of the way, and turned to look outside the hall solemnly and respectfully.
They knelt down on one knee.
Press your hands on your chest.
Lower your head.
It seems like this is an innate instinct.
B.
Take it for granted.
Only Thales stood blankly under the eternal lamp, looking at the deep darkness outside the hall under the gaze of the three kings of stars.
"And you have no way out."
Unknowingly, Duke Val's cold voice and the sound of shackles came from behind him at the same time, drilling into his heart:
"Only a sudden leap."
"Give it a try."
The herald's orders and the voice of the Duke of the North echoed at the same time, intertwining endlessly.