In the corridor of Kongming Palace, D.D was eating breakfast while listening to Piroga and Nixi's description of "the whole story of how the heroes of Beimen Bridge captured the murderer" last night. He sighed and came to his own conclusion.
Look at Prince Thales. Yesterday, on impulse, he had a huge quarrel with Miss Kevin Deere. It is said that he even made the girl burst into tears and rushed out of Kongming Palace shouting the most heartbreaking words.
.
In that scene, everyone looked sideways and sympathized, the dog was sad and the cat shed tears, and even Huaiya couldn't stop it!
No, the retribution has come even before the night has passed.
D.D sighed while eating:
If this security officer, who has experienced many battles and is well versed in human affairs, had been here last night, how could His Highness be stumped by such a problem and could only watch the eldest lady snatch away the prisoner?
Speaking of which, why didn't they ask me to go last night?
Ahem, no, it must be that the task of guarding Kongming Palace is also very important. No, the two Kevin Deeres are here. If something happens... you think so?
With a bang, the door belonging to Prince Thales opened:
Thales walked out of the room with a straight face, accompanied by the guards.
D.D and the other people on duty were so excited that they stopped eating quickly and stood up straight with their swords in hand.
Are you kidding me? At this moment, who doesn’t know that His Highness the Prince, who was humiliated and angry last night, is furious?
It would be bad if he caught someone's fault, pointed it out, and turned his anger on the people, right?
Hey, from this point of view, it was wise for me not to go last night, right?
It's not like those tough guys last night who stayed with the prince for a while but didn't say a word. When they came back, they were all dejected. Mallos was too busy to touch the ground, Wyatt looked guilty and embarrassed, there was no trace of the mute, and the zombies were nowhere to be seen. Miranda
They came and went in a hurry, and the little silly lion was sulking alone...
In short, some fell out of favor, and some were fucked hard by the prince...
Unlike my little D.D, who is still entrusted with the important task of guarding the key points that affect the situation in Emerald City!
Hum, hehe.
From this point of view, Uncle Honda Yinji is still very smart, very aware of current affairs, and in an invincible position...
However, Thales ignored D.D's complicated and changeable mood, and he glanced at the complacent latter ("How can he be so happy? Is he gloating that everything is going wrong for me?" Thales said to Waiya afterwards.
Complaining in a low voice), he waved his hand and asked someone to open the door and enter the "cell" of one of the prisoners.
"You didn't come in with soldiers, and you didn't escort me out without saying a word and pronounce the verdict."
In the room, Federico Kevin Dier calmly put down his tea cup.
"I guess: Your Highness, you have not yet chosen to make peace with Zhan En and sacrifice me in exchange for the tranquility of the Emerald City?"
Thales sat across from him and watched as the other person calmly put in a spoonful of sugar and slowly stirred it with a teaspoon to create a vortex.
"I failed to capture Lausanne II."
The prince spoke coldly, suppressing his anger.
Federico raised his eyebrows slightly and nodded immediately, seemingly unsurprised.
"That explains your anger."
He continued to stir the tea cup steadily, watching the vortex inside become deeper and deeper:
"You wanted to use this serial killer as a target to establish your authority to eliminate accidents and calm people's hearts, but your intention failed. Not to mention using him to threaten me into submission in order to gain room for maneuver in negotiations with Zhan En."
Federico raised his head and cast a shrewd look.
"Now, you are back to the starting point: Either completely fall to Zhan in the arbitration and let him take advantage of it in exchange for his helping Emerald City..."
Thales didn't speak, but his eyes became colder.
"Either, you completely place your bet on my side and firmly believe that we have the ability to take back the Emerald City and put Zhan En to death."
Feder took out the teaspoon from the deep whirlpool and tapped it gently on the rim of the cup:
"There is no third way."
Thales still didn't respond.
He just looked at the other person's cup coldly, waiting for the whirlpool inside to gradually subside.
"I guess this is why I can still sit here and drink tea, and His Highness still has time to chat with me."
Federico put down the teaspoon, picked up the teacup and took a sip, calmly.
The room was silent for a moment, like the deep seabed.
"You were right before, that killer is indeed not simple," Thales suddenly said, sneering again and again, "It's really a big surprise."
Federico put down the cup gently.
He was silent for a while and sighed softly:
"I have reminded you: No matter whether physically or mentally, this person cannot be treated with common sense, so please be careful."
remind?
Thales crossed his arms and sneered:
"Then why didn't you just tell me that he is a monster who goes crazy when he sees blood?"
Federico raised his head and took a deep look at Thales.
So he knows.
"If I say it, it will be tantamount to betraying the Kingdom of Night and the Corleone family," Feder said calmly, without any waves, "No matter what their intentions are, I am grateful to them for giving me a foothold and keeping their secrets.
, is the proper meaning.”
"I didn't know you were so committed to keeping your promises," Thales said.
"Furthermore, you yourself have found out the details about Lausanne II," Federico seemed not to have heard the irony in the prince's words and continued to drink tea calmly. "Otherwise, if you were as well-organized as you, you would not have rashly taken the risk to hunt.
he."
So slippery.
In a few words, the responsibility was cleared again.
Thales thought disdainfully.
It also seemed like he was so noble and honorable.
It is indeed Kevin Deere.
"You must be very happy to see that I failed outside and could only come back to you with a shy face?"
When Federico heard this, he made a move.
He was silent for a moment and sighed helplessly.
"I know you're in a bad mood, and I don't mean to offend you, but I can't deny it: I'm quite lucky to have saved my life."
Thales raised his lips.
"And I'm even more fortunate that you maintained your sense and restraint, spared Luosang's life at the right time, and didn't eat up my chips in anger, giving all the advantages to Zhan En."
Stay sensible and calm…
Stay safe at the right time and spare Luosang's life...
Thales frowned.
I have to say that he was quite frustrated last night, but after hearing these words, he felt much more comfortable...
Thales coughed, got rid of distracting thoughts, and looked solemn.
"Flattery cannot forgive you," the prince said coldly, "especially if you fail to report the knowledge and deliberately conceal it."
"I understand His Highness's anger," Federico was not intimidated by Duke Xinghu's aggressiveness. He explained slowly, "But we might as well think backwards: if you capture Lausanne II and carry his and my heads,
Is it necessarily a good thing to form an alliance with Zhan En?"
Thales narrowed his eyes:
"As a deal, he promised to compromise and give me a profitable Emerald City."
Although there are many prerequisites.
"An Emerald City that stays in words." Federico quickly retorted.
"It's better than an Emerald City that is bound to decline." Thales shot back.
"Believe me, Your Highness, working with Zhan is not a good idea."
Federico laughed:
"Once he knows that Lausanne II is no longer a threat, knows that I have no bargaining chip in the balance, and knows that you can only rely on his charity to reverse the situation, he will become even more aggressive - no matter what he promised in advance or how much he boasted,
He has promised you many seemingly advantageous benefits, whether it be military service, taxes, or profits from maritime trade, but when he takes back power and comes back to power, he will be ruthless and make you lose more than you gain."
"He is a dignified guardian duke," Thales frowned and glanced at the other person: "He is not a fugitive who is on the run with nothing and will do whatever it takes to get revenge."
"Oh, Your Highness, the Emerald City has benefited from the development of commerce and trade. There are many secretaries and clerks in the office who are good at chewing words, distorting terms, and discounting performance of contracts without breaking promises."
Thales couldn't help but frown as he thought of Zhan's "Replacement Petition" to the king and the "land without snow and ice" that Nekaru promised to the orcs.
Federico observed his expression:
"At that time, Zhan En will be able to escape the catastrophe and rule without worries, but you, you will have to bitterly bear the failure, frustration, and the anger of the Fuxing Palace."
Thales turned his head and snorted:
"Thank you for reminding me of that."
Having said this, Federico stood up, walked slowly to the window, and softened his tone:
"So don't be upset, Your Highness. It's not a bad thing for Lausanne II to escape capture. On the contrary, this matter can be used as a bargaining chip to give Zhan En, who thinks he has a chance of victory, more scruples, so that he can't unscrupulously manipulate you in negotiations with you.
And with Lausanne II outside, it makes him even more..."
"What I'm missing is," Thales interrupted him at this moment, "Losanne II did not escape."
Um?
Federico was looking at the blue sky outside the window and frowned when he heard this:
"he died?"
"Worse."
Thales hesitated for a moment, and finally sighed softly, choosing the most direct expression:
"He fell into Xilai's hands."
Federico was startled for a moment, then turned around suddenly.
"what did you say?"
Thales sighed painfully, grabbed his tea cup and took a long sip.
"That's right, she's your good cousin, the one you plan to use to threaten and plot against Zhan." Thales put down the tea cup and smiled ugly. He didn't know whether he was laughing at his own stupidity or the girl's fierceness. "
This is great, before I could do anything, she jumped out on her own and fooled me - she fooled everyone."
Federico looked at Thales and pondered for a long time, his expression changing several times along the way.
"I don't understand," his tone became solemn, "you have so many talented people and masters, and this is not the first time you are facing Lausanne II. It is impossible that your estimates and preparations are insufficient, how could you let a little girl..."
"She had an extreme knight who obeyed her and even put a dagger on her neck, right in front of my eyes."
"You should stop her."
"She also swore that anyone who stops her will be the eternal enemy of the Iris family."
"And you are soft-hearted and unwilling to give up?"
"Of course not, it's just..."
Thales subconsciously retorted and racked his brains:
"You know, if she accidentally dies on the spot, then I will be in big trouble. Even if Fede becomes the head of the Iris family in the future, I'm afraid you will have to take revenge on me, that is, on your mortal enemy for your cousin's oath.
, to protect the reputation of the Iris family.”
A certain hostage was in danger, and she swore that anyone who dared to hurt her would be the eternal enemy of a certain family, so no one dared to touch a hair of the hostage.
Damn it, if you replace the family with the country...does it sound familiar?
"Really? Is this what you're worried about?" Federico's eyes were suspicious and his tone was subtle.
"I……"
Thales coughed, raised the already empty tea cup again, and buried his face in it:
"You know, I am a prince, and I have to look at things from the perspective of the kingdom. I cannot let Canxing and the Kevin Deere family form a bloody feud easily."
But you are going to take away his Emerald City.
At this time, you are saying that you can’t make enemies easily?
Federico stared at him for a long time, then took a deep breath and put away his angry eyes:
"Forget it, the matter has come to this, there is no point in worrying about it."
Right, why bother with this.
Thales nodded generously in agreement:
"So, I have more to worry about: Lausanne II is in her hands, and whatever that guy knows - the truth, the inside story, or the fate you gave him, or the revenge list, I can only assume
Sooner or later, Xi Lai will find out and use it against us."
Federico frowned fiercely.
"Please rest assured, Lausanne II's knowledge is limited," he frowned, "and with his toughness, it's not that easy to get him to speak."
Thales put down his teacup and snorted coldly.
"Then you don't know something. That girl has much better ways of dealing with people who are unwilling to open their hearts."
More than you want to know.
Thinking of this, Thales subconsciously crossed his arms.
Federico pondered after hearing this.
"Not only that," the prince continued, "she also used this as a threat. She probably wanted me to release Zhan En, return the throne of the city lord, and restore everything to its original state."
"But one of your original intentions in pursuing Lausanne II was to show your kindness to Zhan and negotiate with him?"
"That's what I said, 'for Zhan's own good'," Thales leaned back in his chair, exhausted. "But she didn't believe it, so she was determined and insisted on taking the killer away."
Well, for her to have such an attitude, she has to blame me.
Blame me.
"Then you will have even fewer bargaining chips and room for negotiation with Zhan," Federico's tone became more and more tight, "It's even worse: at the precarious moment of the Emerald City, you were raped by an unarmed little girl... like this
Your failure will undermine people's confidence, make all parties in the city more suspicious of your skills and abilities, and aggravate the crisis. Her unexpected move has helped Zhan gain an absolute advantage, and you will have little room for mistakes."
Listening to his words, Thales's expression became even more ugly.
Well, he has a point, except...
A defenseless little girl?
Nonsense!
Thales resisted the desire to refute:
Does he know that that little girl is good at pretending to be a ghost and frightening people?
Or worse, she could attract ghosts!
What a ghost!
He is a terrifying and perverted villain, okay!
He was...he had no choice but to let her go!
Thinking of this, Thales was extremely upset and took over the conversation:
"And I don't have much time. The spare money I squeezed out of Zhan En is only enough to temporarily put out the fire. When this money is used up..."
Thales looked at the scattered and fading tea leaves in the cup and pursed his lips.
Damn it.
Why did this happen?
"But you have one last advantage."
Federico listened to his words and said calmly:
"Zhan is still under your custody. As long as the case of the Duke's assassination has not been decided and his suspicion of patricide has not been cleared, no one can threaten your rule."
Thales sighed and leaned back.
"You just can't forget your business, right? Even if the Emerald City is about to perish?"
Federico ignored Thales' words and just analyzed them wholeheartedly:
"At this moment, Zhan En probably doesn't know that his good sister is out there trying to win back a victory for him."
"And he will not and cannot know. This news cannot be leaked to his ears," Thales said with eyes wide open.
"But Xilai will use Lausanne II as a bargaining chip to bluff and force you to let Zhan go, or at least ask to see him, and once you do..."
"Don't worry, I'm not a fool." Thales said impatiently.
"That may not be the case."
"What?"
Federico turned around:
"On the contrary, Your Highness, we can just take advantage of this and return to the original plan."
Thales couldn't help but wonder:
"what's the plan?"
Federico showed a mysterious smile:
"Tell him, Your Highness, tell Zhan En that his good sister has caused a big trouble: she snatched the bargaining chip from you, damaged your prestige, hindered your plan, and destroyed your ability to compromise and cooperate with him to save the world.
The benevolent heart of the Emerald City..."
Thales couldn't help but frown.
"Then, you will demonstrate your thunderous wrath and declare that you will never compromise or fight to the death, even if you watch the entire Emerald City sink, unless," Federico paused and tightened his tone, "unless Xilai also
I will pay a heavy price for offending you.”
Thales's expression changed.
Federico smiled slightly:
"In this way, we put the problem back to him: sister, or Emerald City? Family affection, or power?"
At that moment, Thales looked ugly.
"It's the same trick again. Are you still going to use and plot against Xilai to force Zhan En to submit?"
Force people to make a choice: bad or worse?
Sure enough, it's Kevin Deere.
Federico lowered his head and was silent for a while. When he raised his head, his face was expressionless:
"No, this is even better than the original one, because this time Cecilia jumped out on her own initiative. You have no moral burden, and Zhan has no reason to doubt that this is yours..."
"He won't believe it."
This time it was Federico's turn to look up in confusion:
"Your Highness?"
"I don't want to say this, but Zhan knows me too well," Thales sighed in annoyance. "He knows that I am not the kind of person who would take advantage of or harm innocent people, let alone threaten him with his family, nor would I stand by and watch.
I don’t want the Emerald City to continue to collapse. On the contrary, he will know that I am bluffing, and he will not take the initiative to give in——"
"He will believe it."
Federico interrupted him firmly.
"First of all, His Highness has been tricked by a girl and his dignity has been damaged. Everyone knows that you are very angry at the moment and are not easy to mess with."
Thank you for reminding me of this again.
Thales said with a dark face:
"Okay. I'm very angry, but I'm not dizzy yet. I can still clearly distinguish between dignity and the Emerald City."
"Secondly, you just need to make Zhan believe," Federico ignored his excuse, "that what you are offended by Xilai is because you are more dignified than her, your dignity, your kindness, and even the Emerald City's
All people are important, enough to make you furious and desperate."
what?
Listening to his words, Thales frowned.
Enough to make me furious and desperate after being offended...
Something more important than my dignity, my kindness, or even everyone in the Emerald City...
"I, I still have this thing?"
Thales was very puzzled and extremely suspicious.
But at the same time, a small voice in his heart told him:
Of course you do.
Thales Brightstar.
It's just that you don't know.
Or don't want to admit it.
But you will know.
He will eventually admit it.
Sooner or later.
This is your destiny.
Federico faced out the window, looking at the bustling crowd below the city, and said nothing for a long time.
"You might not."
He spoke softly with a complicated tone:
"But he definitely has. So he will believe your threat, and that's enough."
Thales did not respond immediately. He looked at Federico and fell into deep thought.
After a while, his expression changed and he came to his senses.
It's...this thing.
"What if he sees through it?" he doubted.
"A guy who kills his father to seize the throne and buries the truth, if he really has that kind of thing," Federico shook his head. He looked back, with indescribable determination in his eyes, "he can't possibly see through it."
Looking at the other party's appearance, Thales was stunned.
"Tell me, Feder," the prince began tentatively, "how much do you hate him?"
Federico frowned.
"Your Highness?"
Thales sighed:
"I mean, do you hate Zhan as a person and what he has done...or do you hate everything he has that you don't have?"
Zhan En's cousin was stunned.
He opened his mouth to answer, but ended up silent.
"Consider my proposal, Your Highness," Feder turned away and avoided answering, "If you use this matter to influence Zhan En, you may be able to get a surprise."
Thales stared at him for a long time.
"not enough."
"Your Highness?"
Thales shook his head, his eyes wary and alert:
"Now in this city, the person who opposes me is not only Zhan, but also his crazy sister who plays tricks."
What?
Federico said in confusion:
"But even if Lausanne II is captured, Xilai may not be able to..."
"You have been away from home for so many years. Do you really know Xilai? I mean, grown-up Xilai?"
Federico paused.
Thales recalled the way someone threatened Zhan by threatening to dance, and couldn't help but be in a trance:
"Do you know what she cares about and what she doesn't care about? Under what circumstances will she do something terrible?"
Thales sneered:
"Unfortunately, I've seen it before."
And that's... what you don't want to see.
"I understand His Highness's anger towards her, but too much -"
Thales raised his hand to interrupt him:
"Guess what will happen to the Emerald City after that girl fights me so clearly and to the end? What will people think?"
Federico wanted to answer, but he remembered something and stopped talking.
Thales said coldly:
"For me, having one Zhan in Emerald City is enough."
Federico's eyes moved.
Thales leaned back in his chair and sighed.
"So, tell me, Feder, what was your plan from the beginning? How did it proceed? How many people were involved in the secret service? How many more people were killed? Who were provoked?"
Federico raised his eyes and said nothing.
"Well, let me put it another way. Apart from Corleone, who in the city is secretly supporting you? Who knows, who participates, and who acquiesces to watching? How much does Lausanne II himself know? How many things has he done? What's left?
How many things? If he is brought forward to testify against me, what should I worry about? If he tells everything, what is the worst possible consequence?"
Seeing that the other party remained silent, Thales' tone became more and more impatient:
"Is Zhan En going to bite back? Or are you suspected of instigating murder? Or is Prince Thales manipulating the shady secrets to try to get involved in the Emerald City, and he was fucked when he couldn't take off his pants? To be more exaggerated, the Bright Star royal family had ill intentions to embezzle the South Coast Territory, and lost the prince.
Losing money again? If the kingdom’s secrets are exposed, how much needs to be done to remedy it? Once public dissatisfaction boils over here, what price will the entire kingdom have to pay?”
Federico couldn't help but retort:
"Your Highness, what you are worried about is too far away..."
But Thales waved his hand and interrupted him, his expression extremely serious:
"The truth is, Jenn is predictable, but she's not, she's a piece off the chessboard and doesn't take the usual path."
Federico understood:
"You mean, she doesn't have 'that thing'?"
Thales nodded.
"So I have to prepare early, take precautions, and use all available power to prevent her from giving me another big surprise."
The prince said solemnly:
"Before that crazy girl knocks over the chessboard."
"How to do it?"
Thales was silent. He pondered for a while and then slowly spoke:
"Like Jenn."
Federico couldn't help but look sideways.
"No matter how unexpected Xilai is, he is still just one person," Thales thought carefully, "and I, I have a city."
"A disobedient city." Federico added with a frown.
"So I need your help," Thales raised his brows, "without reservation."
Federico said "Oh".
"That means, Your Highness, you have finally made up your mind to take sides and ally with me according to the wishes of Fuxing Palace?"
Thales sighed in his heart.
Are you really sure that Fuxing Palace is your ally?
He shook his head, stood up, and walked towards the door.
"Not yet, it's just because of a certain crazy girl that I have to think about it due to the situation."
But Thales paused.
"And of course, that depends on your attitude," he said coldly, "and Zhan's."
Federico's eyes moved when he heard this:
"Jenn?"
"Yes, I will go find Zhan right now and follow your method of using both soft and hard tactics, coercion and inducement." Thales pondered.
If he really has 'that thing'.
Federico's eyes lit up.
Thales pressed his hand on the doorknob:
"As for you, when did you figure it out? Tell them to find me."
"I don't know much, I'm afraid I can't satisfy His Highness..."
"Don't be in a hurry, think about it slowly," Thales shook his head, "I heard someone say that death on the rope loop is always extremely long."
He turned back with sharp eyes:
"You have plenty of time."
Federico clenched his fists: "Your Highness..."
"You said that if he knew that his sister was so promising, he could turn the situation around with one move..."
Thales ignored him, turned the doorknob, sighed, and felt mixed: