The guests in the hall maintained a rare silence, as if everyone had forgotten how to breathe after the duel order was given.
Until Doyle suddenly reached out and picked up Taylor's wine glass!
Under the surprised eyes of everyone, he drank most of the glass of wine in one gulp.
d.d threw away the wine glass and took a deep breath amid the sound of the glass breaking.
As he gradually came back to his senses, he looked at Anke's dress.
The next second, Doyle showed no expression, but methodically removed the leather armor and protective gear belonging to the royal guard.
"Lao Pi, my sword."
Piroga hesitated for a moment, and then took the collected weapons under Mallos's eyes.
"This will not be a pure duel - both sides seek defeat rather than victory, death rather than survival."
Mallos walked to D.D., watched him make final preparations, and said softly:
"are you ready?"
Thales, who was sitting on his seat, clenched his fists.
Both sides are begging for death...
Why.
Why!
Doyle took off his arm guards and glanced at his superior indifferently.
"Lord, sir, or young Tormund."
Perhaps taking advantage of the drunkenness, or perhaps without any scruples, he called the other person casually:
"You know, you're such a bastard."
Little Tormund - Mallos frowned.
"That arrogant look doesn't even bother His Highness. He deserves a beating." D.D said and laughed to himself.
But no one else in the Guard smiled.
The watchman sighed:
"In the 'Qiangwei' lineage, backhand stabbing is a must-learn technique. It is known for its simplicity, sharpness, and cunningness. It is difficult for practitioners to get rid of it."
"If you find the right moment...it will be less painful."
Doyle's smile faltered.
He straightened up and looked at Grover on the other side, who was his partner the most, with a lonely expression.
"Zombie, I'm sorry to bother you with trash talk all the time, but my father told me... to have a good relationship with the Glover family..."
Glover nodded, still expressionless:
"I know."
d.d took a deep breath.
"Also, you never go to Hongfang Street..."
"So I've always wanted to ask," Doyle looked at everyone's gaze without any care and showed a pale smile:
"are you gay?"
There was a sudden silence in the guard.
Glover frowned, but still replied:
"no."
Doyle snorted lightly and shrugged:
"Okay, I want to say, it doesn't matter even if you are, I am very tolerant..."
"From the Doyle family," Anke in the middle of the hall interrupted D.D. He was so content that he ignored the eager guards around him:
"What are you still dawdling about?"
d.d laughed and turned around: "What?"
"Can't you wait to die?"
"Same as you," Anke looked at his duel opponent and also smiled:
"Each other."
They looked at both sides, but the smiles quickly disappeared from their faces.
Calm and indifferent.
Without warning, Doyle snatched the sword from Piroga's hand.
"Your Highness."
"I know that in order to please you these days, I have acted a bit exaggerated and used too much force, but," d.d hugged the scabbard tightly, like hugging a life-saving straw when drowning. He didn't look back and spoke as before.
Heartless laughter:
"You are a good person."
Thales moved.
Doyle looked at the dome and curled his lips:
"Compared to Fuxing Palace, it's very relaxing here."
His smile disappeared.
"If in the future my father...please think of today."
Thales opened his mouth subconsciously, but he just couldn't say the word "good".
He could only look at Doyle blankly.
"Your Highness has a kind heart," Mallos took over the conversation calmly to resolve the embarrassment at this moment:
"You know, he won't forget."
Doyle forced a smile and nodded understandingly.
A kindhearted person.
A kindhearted person...
At this moment, Thales only felt that this description was extremely ironic.
In the hall, Baron Doyle hugged his wife and sobbed quietly as no one else was watching.
d.d showed a helpless expression.
He no longer looked at Thales, but turned back to himself, picked up the weapon, and walked down the steps.
Walk towards his opponent.
His ending.
"Doyle..." Thales couldn't help but say something, but Mallos held his arm to silence the prince's words.
"He knows what he will sacrifice," Mallos said lightly:
"He knows better what he is trying to save."
The watchman turned to Thales:
"But the question is, you know what?"
Do I know?
Thales remained silent.
Will be sacrificed...
Thales looked at Doyle's back as he slowly walked down the steps. There was no relaxation and leisure as usual, only an incompatible and heavy trance.
To be saved...
Thales slowly looked at Baron Doyle who was lying on the ground with an ashen face, and the Baroness who was sobbing and shaking.
I will sacrifice.
I want to save it.
Thales looked at Anke, who was holding a dagger in his hand and looking calm, and was lost in thought for a moment.
His heart moved.
So, is this what it feels like?
Thales said to himself.
He is the second prince.
It's the Duke of Star Lake.
He should sit high up, look at the chessboard, and watch the chess pieces below fight back and forth to save the entire chess game.
Make strategic plans, point out generals and move soldiers.
He should just accept the sacrifice he deserves, watch d.d and the enemy in the duel, trying to die under the opponent's sword, no matter how ridiculous it is.
After that, according to the profit and loss, rewards will be given based on merits and crimes will be punished.
【Because if you want to enter this circle, Thales, even climb to the top.】
Kuai Rope’s words suddenly rang in Thales’ ears:
[The first thing to do is to surrender, open your mind and body, let their world and concepts rule everything about you, and turn you into someone you don't recognize yourself. Only in this way can you start playing this game.
Only by playing games can you have fun.】
Thales silently watched Doyle's retreating back.
"Remember."
Deputy Guard Captain Vogel caught up two steps and reminded softly behind Doyle:
"If you survive and he dies."
"Then the fate of both His Highness and your parents will be very bad in the future."
d.d's back was shocked.
Just as Thales also took a breath.
But unlike Thales, Doyle quickly calmed down and moved forward step by step.
It's like he has accepted his fate.
Like a...
piece.
At that moment, Thales suddenly understood.
[Think carefully, what did you become after you became a prince? 】
【Can you still choose your own path? Follow your own heart?】
Thales lowered his head gently.
Everyone is waiting for Doyle's footsteps to meet Anke's position.
[After becoming a prince, are you still yourself or Thales? 】
[Or has it... turned into something else? 】
"You are right, Mallos," Thales suddenly said quietly:
"d.d. He...he knew what he was going to sacrifice."
"And Anke, he also knows what he wants to save."
[What did you gain and what did you lose?]
Mallos tilted his head in confusion:
"Your Highness?"
Thales raised his head and his eyes became sharp.
"But you're wrong too."
He sat on his seat and looked at every face in the hall: worry, anxiety, panic, panic, elation, anticipation, sadness, plainness, gloating...
"He's not a pawn."
Thales said calmly:
"None of them."
He clenched his fists:
"No one is."
Maybe someone else can.
Move the chess pieces with peace of mind without any burden or scruples, or be willing to be a chess piece.
Maybe the Duke of Xinghu can, maybe the second prince can...
Maybe d.d can do it, maybe Anke can...
Maybe Mallos, maybe Vogel...
But he can't.
Because he is Thales Brightstar.
He is Thales.
Just Taylor.
"They are not chess pieces, but just D.D., just Anker, just... people."
Thales said profoundly:
"The purest yet most complex...person."
The watchman asked puzzledly:
"Your Highness, what do you mean?"
Thales took a deep breath, smiled and winked at the watchman:
"It means, go to hell with 'she pawn'."
Mallos finally felt something was wrong: at this moment, the prince's eyes lacked the embarrassment and anxiety before, and lacked the usual depth and bitterness.
Instead, there is unprecedented firmness and brightness.
"Wait a minute," Mallos' expression changed:
"You want to do-"
But by the time he realized what the second prince was going to do, it was already too late.
The next second, before Doyle was about to come to Anker, before the two people who hated each other finally faced each other fairly, and before the first debt of the two families was about to be settled with blood, Thales straightened his face,
Stand up proudly!
He shouted loudly:
"Wait a moment!"
The voice of Duke Xinghu spread throughout the hall.
In an instant, everyone looked sideways, and even Doyle stopped in his tracks.
Everyone looked at the prince strangely.
"Your Highness?" Anke frowned and asked subconsciously, worried that things would change.
Thales curled his lips and glanced at Mallos.
The latter felt uneasy for no reason, and even ignored Vogel's questioning look towards him.
"Just now, my guard captain told me!"
Thales spoke loudly and raised his arms:
"This duel, whether it's you, Anke, or you, Doyle."
He looked at the two of them with bright eyes and sharp sentences:
"He said you will all strive to die!"
Thales shouted:
"Dedicated to defeat!"
As soon as this statement came out, there was a sudden discussion in the hall.
Only those who had expected it, such as Earl Godwin, Duke Iris, Cyclops, Duke Val, etc., did not react silently, knowing what they knew.
Among the royal guards, Mallos and Vogel looked at each other, but they could only gain a sense of surprise from each other.
what happened?
Why, why do you want to do this in such a grand manner...
In the center of the storm, Anke and Doyle looked at each other, both at a loss.
"Use actual sacrifices to exchange for greater benefits or smaller losses."
Thales smiled, looked at the two of them respectively, and said in a bright and confident voice:
"Would you like to fight a losing battle?"
"can you!"
The prince's questions aroused growing discussion in the banquet hall.
Anke and d.d were both stunned for a few seconds and spoke almost at the same time:
"Your Highness——"
And the prince's smile cooled.
"But I don't like that!"
Thales roared angrily, interrupting the two people who were caught off guard.
"The Yankees may be barbaric," Thales raised an unknown wine glass and stretched it forward into the air, his eyes like daggers:
"But they never compromised."
Well, mostly uncompromising.
Thales gently let go and let the wine glass fall, shattering on the ground.
He looked at the hall full of people who were either surprised or confused, solemn or happy, and chuckled:
"So I want to add some bets to encourage that."
As soon as this statement came out, people in the hall were puzzled again.
Only Thales still smiled:
"Increase motivation for both of you."
A flash of light flashed in his eyes, locking the two duels within his field of vision:
"Make sure this is a thrilling, exciting and exciting game, and strive to win..."
"An unforgettable experience..."
Thales' smile turned into ice and his voice deepened:
"Duel to the death."
What?
The next second, when everyone from the nobles to the guard servants were surprised and failed to react, Thales shouted angrily:
"Ank Bailar!"
Anke responded nervously.
"I swear to the goddess of the setting sun in the name of the Duke of Star Lake, the second prince, Thales Bright Star!"
Thales's expression was solemn and indifferent as never before:
"If you win the duel, kill your opponent."
"My father, His Majesty King Kessel," Thales said coldly:
"He and I, we will fully support you, reopen the court for your family, and seek justice!"
Anke was shocked!
It wasn't just him, Mallos, Doyle, Vogel... After everyone reacted, they were all shocked and in disbelief.
Anke said in surprise:
"You... represent His Majesty?"
Thales sneered:
"It is the Bright Star royal family who will speak out for the Bailar family!"
"Until you are satisfied."
The guests in the hall suddenly burst into uproar, making noises one after another.
Anke was greatly surprised. He stared at Thales's expression, his breathing was disordered, and he couldn't help himself.
Full support……
Speak up for the Bailar family...
Doyle looked betrayed and looked at the prince he once served in disbelief.
Vogel was beside Mallos. He was frightened and angry and gritted his teeth and whispered: "Your Majesty...how can he represent your Majesty?"
"Still supporting Bailar... No, this is too reckless..."
Mallos frowned.
But Thales soon spoke again, his voice as serious as before:
"But, Anke, if you lose the duel, you will be defeated."
He said coldly:
"Then I also promise on behalf of my father and the Bright Star royal family."
"The controversy over the Bailar family..."
A cold light flashed in Thales's eyes:
"This is the end."
The meaning of this sentence was unclear, and the guests were puzzled for a while, until Anke, whose expression changed, tentatively spoke:
"Your Highness, I don't know..."
But Thales immediately raised his voice, interrupting everyone's thoughts.
"As a price for witnessing your glorious duel, as a punishment for your disrespect and transgression..."
Duke Xinghu’s voice echoed between the pillars of the Mindis Hall, making people stand in awe:
"If you lose."
"The case of the Bailar family will never be overturned, never retried, and there will be no objection."
Thales stared coldly at Anke, who was gradually becoming suspicious, and said in a voice as cold as ice:
"No matter how many grievances you have, how much legal evidence you have, or how much reason you have."
"The kingdom doesn't ask any questions."
“Let’s just turn it over.”
Amid the discussions among the guests, Anke was stunned on the spot.
It took him several seconds to understand the prince's "bet".
If you win the duel, give your full support...
If you lose the duel, the verdict will never be overturned...
Anke raised his head in a daze:
"But my family's land will never be overturned. I don't understand..."
Thales spoke coldly and interrupted his question:
"Anke, are you saying that you want to resort to a duel to recreate my legendary journey in the North?"
Anke frowned.
"Since you have chosen to solve the problem with the ancient imperial style, enjoy its convenience once and for all," Thales snorted coldly:
"We have to bear the price of its barbarism and backwardness."
Anke was stunned.
Thales raised his head and looked around at the people in the hall who were looking at him. Wherever his eyes went, the guests bowed their heads.
He said in a deep voice:
"This is the truth about dueling, the true ancient style of the empire and the way of the North."
Looking at the two duelists who were stunned at the same time, Thales curled up the corners of his mouth and showed a gentle smile:
"With such a bet, you will have the motivation to win, right?"
Discussions in the hall rang like buzzers, and everyone was wondering about Thales's intention.
"Okay, I think I understand a little bit."
Vogel thought hard and tried:
"His Royal Highness used the tyranny of royal power to block that guy's escape route. Now he must kill Doyle and give us the moral high ground in order to overturn the family's case."
The deputy guard captain looked at Mallos doubtfully:
"But His Highness is not afraid... the boy from the Doyle family, in turn, wants to kill the other party and settle the case in order to get the royal family to fulfill its promise?"
Mallos looked at Duke Xinghu's profile and lowered his head.
"No," the watchman whispered to Vogel:
"You don't understand."
The deputy guard captain was stunned for a while.
In the hall, after thinking about something, Anke and Doyle looked at each other.
"What's the matter, Bailar?"
Color reappeared in Doyle's eyes, transforming into eager flames:
"Are you afraid of losing?"
Anke didn't answer immediately.
He experienced a long silence before he sneered.
"Well, if that's what you want to see, Your Highness."
He raised his head and looked directly at Thales, his tone was as decisive as before, but with an added murderous intent:
"Come on, let the duel begin."
"Just please remember your promise, if I win..."
Thales chuckled:
"I guarantee that the royal family will fully support you!"
Vogel frowned when he heard this.
You guarantee...
Is it appropriate to say so?
"What does he want to do?" Vogel looked at the second prince unhappily.
Only Marius said calmly:
"Help."
Help?
Vogel was puzzled.
"When we are ready to 'give up'," Mallos turned his head, his eyes burning:
"He wanted to save lives."
"More than one."
Vogel's doubts only deepened.
But fortunately, he soon no longer had to wonder.
"Marius, since the duel is about to begin," Thales ordered loudly to his guard captain, which could be heard throughout the hall:
"Go get the 'Warner'."
Warner.
Hearing this name, many people in the banquet hall were moved.
Mallos frowned and said:
"Warning person? But Your Highness, isn't that..."
"Yes."
Thales interrupted him cheerfully, and the prince turned to the guests, his eyes like lightning:
"The ancient famous sword of the empire, given by the Duke of Xihuang and passed down by the Falkenhaus family, represents their infinite trust and loyalty to me. Should it be worthy of this duel?"
As soon as this statement came out, people were stunned.
"Your Highness?"
Anke from the Western Wilderness asked: "Do you want to lend your sword to one of us?"
He and D.D looked at each other, exchanging countless wariness and disgust.
Thales smiled, but he shook his head.
"You are from the Western Wilderness, Anke," he looked at Bailar calmly:
"Then you should know that the tribal leaders in the great desert always regard their guards as brothers and feet and as wings."
Anke nodded doubtfully, but after Thales' next words, his expression gradually changed.
"Challenging them in a duel is tantamount to challenging the leader himself."
Thales spoke indifferently. While causing a commotion, he remembered a certain orc war chief he had encountered and the opponent's "buy one plus two and get one free" duel rule that impressed him deeply.
"It's unfortunate," Thales said with an indifferent expression and spoke calmly, covering up the controversy:
"Danny Doyle happens to be me, the personal guard of the Duke of Star Lake."
"You challenge him."
"Just challenge me."
d.d stood there blankly.
Anke's eyes widened.
As soon as this statement came out, many people reacted:
"Your Highness——"
But Thales ignored it and just spoke loudly. For this reason, he did not hesitate to use the sin of the Hell River to try to drown out any sound:
"And Baron Doyle!"
He roared:
"You are my distinguished guest."
Thales looked gloomy and stretched out his hand to point directly at the stunned old Baron Doyle who fell into his wife's arms:
"Today, he will not be threatened, hurt or challenged by any means at my banquet and in my Mindis Hall."
"It's all an offense to me!"
The two dueling men were no longer the center of attention. All eyes were focused on the prince, with either surprise or fear, uneasiness or apprehension, admiration or disdain.
Until Thales looked around with a murderous look, forcing all the strange looks away.
"No -" Vogel subconsciously wanted to step forward to stop the prince, but his arm was firmly held by Mallos behind him!
"Star People, listen up!"
"As the master of Doyle, as the master of this banquet, and even more so as the master of this manor..."
Thales' expression was cold and solemn, his voice shook the ceiling, and his words were decisive.
"I, Thales Bright Star."
He stood on a high position in the banquet hall, raised one arm high, without fear of the eyes of the audience, and spoke in a loud and clear voice:
"I will carry out my obligations and rights as a master in accordance with the ancient customs of the empire!"
"I will represent Danny Doyle and accept the most legitimate duel challenge issued by Anke Bailar on his behalf."
Thales' eyes were cold, he lowered his arms and pointed directly at the two duelists who were speechless:
"Perform this duel of blood revenge."
"Until the winner is determined."
"Until life and death are revealed."
"Until the ancient ritual is completed."
After the words fell, the banquet hall fell into a long silence.
Thales lowered his gaze and sneered.
"Don't worry, Anke," he smiled and looked at the shocked Anke and the stunned D.D:
"The conditions and bets mentioned before are still valid."
Thales lowered his head slightly, and the firelight cast a dark shadow on his face:
"As long as you are in the duel..."
He put away his smile and said his last words coldly:
"kill me."
It’s the end of the month, I need a meal and a monthly pass! (Make a code sound)