When most Star People think of Exeter people, their first reaction is always: "tough and cold-resistant".
The second reaction will be different.
Most civilians will scratch their heads in confusion and say "barbaric" or "rude", while businessmen will probably laugh and say "honesty, easy to do business", while mercenaries and adventurers will smile mysteriously and tell you that no matter whether they charge or not
After the break, they were all the first choices.
The veterans who have fought against them will frown, sigh deeply in the ale and tobacco in the deep memories, and leave a sentence: they are not easy to mess with.
But judging from the history of the continent that Thales had read, at least the nobles and lords of the stars had a completely different and complex impression of their powerful neighbor in the north.
As the most powerful country in the Western Continent, Exeter has a formidable and powerful army and amazing achievements. It is not only a trustworthy and solid ally during the continental war, but also a terrifying evil dragon with a ferocious appearance when the three powers in the Western Continent compete.
Compared with the well-paced, orderly and exquisite Kingdom of the Stars, this is a powerful country full of romantic spirit and rebellious spirit, as well as martial arts and heroic plots. Its long-standing traditions even predate the ancient empire period.
From the distant era of ignorance, the "Alliance of All Beasts" concluded by Tamu, the king of the north, and the orcs, to the "human last line of defense" where the Iron-Blooded King made heroic sacrifices to resist the orcs. In this northern territory of mankind,
The coldest wind ever blew, awakening mankind from a weak and ignorant era.
In the period of kings, in the decisive battle of Quegur, two thousand human cavalry marched forward, launching a desperate attack on the 20,000 orc heavy infantry formation in the "Battle of Chasing the Saints". Then the powerful knights in the north gathered under the emperor's banner,
Conquer all directions with sword and fire and establish an ancient empire. The land in the north witnesses how the single thin sword of mankind has become the sharpest blade in the world.
In the empire era, the "Rebellion King" Queiso of the Northland Province resisted the tyrant. Although he was not well-known in the Star Kingdom, which considered itself to be the orthodox lineage of the empire, Thales had read that the rebel king was on the side of Gu Lao Peak.
The heroism of attacking the three major armies of the empire with only 300 men, and finally dying in the military formation, aroused the seemingly powerful empire, and the accumulated diseases and hidden wounds in the body opened the prelude to the empire's first civil strife.
The closest thing to the contemporary Kingdom of Exeter is the earth-shattering final battle. In the darkest and desperate moment, the hero Nekaru and his knights descended from the sky, rushed straight into the center of the enemy's army, and ignited the Northland Province and even the whole country.
The "Reverse Cold Wind" battle in which the whole world resisted hope saved the precarious northern and western theaters, not to mention the chaotic post-war continental fission. He and his loyal Nine Knights jointly created Exeter's
Founding legend.
Speaking more closely, the legendary adventures of Sarah, the hero born in Exeter, Midir, the Oath Keeper of the Stars, and the prophet Kai Peng, as well as how they joined hands to fight against the Eastern Continent during the Third Continental War.
The coalition's efforts to turn the tide is still a story that is talked about in Errol's world - at least in the Western Continent.
Compared to the Kingdom of Stars, which is like an old gentleman, burdened with the heavy orthodoxy of the empire, and whose founding story is full of tragedy and bitterness, the Kingdom of Exeter is full of heroism and resistance, and is more like a mature warrior full of hope and passion.
Wherever the edge of the sword points, move forward indomitably. Wherever you are sharp, you will have no regrets even if you die.
Just like the Exeter man that Thales saw in front of him.
Exeter's emergency envoy, Baron Russell Vader, stood proudly in the meeting hall of the Renaissance Palace, second only to the Hall of Stars, and did not care about the unkind looks of the star officials and nobles in the hall.
He stood casually with his arms folded, looking down at the ground. He only occasionally raised his eyes to glance around, but he did not appear indecent or rude at all, as if this was his true nature, but his mouth was
The faint smile on his face made the bystanders frown.
Russell looked to be only in his early forties. He was holding a scroll with a red dragon lacquer seal in his hand. Not only did he show no fear, he even had an arrogant expression on his face. When the people in the hall were swept by his war-filled eyes, they were stunned.
There was an illusion: it was not they who were sizing up the envoy, but the Exeter man standing in the meeting hall, who was sizing them up arrogantly.
In this situation, Thales pursed his lips tightly and stood together with Gilbert, hidden next to the Star Throne several steps above, inconspicuously.
In the hall, from the six wealthy Dukes with different looks, the heads of the earl families of the thirteen noble families, to everyone in the Royal Council: Intelligence Director Morat Hansen, Finance Minister Juke Mann, Military Advisor Thordo Red
Waiting, they all stood quietly beside the throne.
The highest power center of the entire Star Kingdom is waiting for Kessel V on the throne to speak.
And the sky-blue eyes of Kessel V were also carefully looking at the emergency envoy sent by Exeter after Prince Morar was assassinated.
To be able to cross the border from Longxiao City to Yongxing City without stopping within six days of the incident shows the urgency of the matter and the envoy's attitude.
"What have you brought, messenger of the northern dragon?" Kessel's voice spread.
"Me? Humph, I personally didn't bring anything." Russell, the emergency envoy of the Exeter people, chuckled, and his eyes instantly turned cold: "But soon, the entire Exeter people will bring
Their sorrow, their despair, and..."
"Their rage!"
The whole hall fell silent.
Baron Russell looked directly at King Kessel without flinching.
In the suffocating silence, Thales was wondering who would bring up the topic first.
Kessel V broke his silence.
"I recognize you."
The king spoke slowly, and the thick voice spread throughout the hall: "Twelve years ago, Charmaine Lombard, who is currently the Grand Duke of Black Sand and was still the Earl of the First City at the time, visited Star on behalf of Exeter as the son of the Grand Duke -
—You led his horse during that mission."
"Um?"
Russell frowned at first, a little surprised by Kessel's memory.
But then he chuckled.
"What an amazing memory, Your Majesty," Russell's smile was full of uncomfortable irony: "I also remember very clearly that at that time, Your Majesty was only the fifth prince, standing alone in the corner.
"
He put his hands behind his back, took a step forward, and continued:
"...Looking at Charmaine Lombard, he strongly suggested to King Eddy, who was white-haired, old and suffering from the rebellion, that as long as we, the people of the North, belong to Exeter,
The territories of the five counties will be returned to their owners..."
"Exeter will generously send troops south to help his neighbors for more than 600 years quell the growing rebellion."
Many people frowned.
Suffering from the rebellion - the Year of Blood? Thales thought of this.
But Thales noticed more that the envoy put "we Northlanders" before "Exter".
what does that mean?
"I remember that King Eddie politely rejected the so-called 'proposal' of the Grand Duke of Lombard," Duke Falkenhauser chuckled: "But even so, you still sent troops to the south 'generously'... It's really touching."
Neighbors!"
Russell smiled mysteriously and didn't reply.
"The Grand Duke of Lombard is probably not very literate," Count Zemuto said with fire in his eyes: "The five counties you mentioned are ruled by the Arende, Zemuto and Fores families respectively. Our ancestors have been from the beginning of the Star Nation.
, just own them - that is the territory of the stars, irrefutable."
Contrary to Thales' expectations, Russell actually chuckled.
Amid the angry stares in the hall, his chuckle gradually turned into laughter,
"In the past few years, the cold winds in Exeter have become stronger and biter. Our shepherd boys and hunters have to grit their teeth and go out in the cold that can freeze their tears. When they come back, they are constantly brushing against the snow and are almost frozen.
Only by using your hands can you prevent your hands and feet from freezing and falling off."
Under everyone's puzzled gazes, Russell sneered and said: "In this way, for several years and decades, we can turn a pair of trembling hands capable of holding a bow and wielding a whip into a pair of strong and solid hands suitable for wielding a sword.
"
Russell paused, looked around, and laughed without any scruples: "In comparison, the climate in the stars is only getting warmer and more comfortable, especially suitable for weak people who can only pant on a woman's belly - this is'
Descendants of Oathkeeper Midir!"
There was an uproar in the hall!
Thales' eyes widened: An envoy who refuses to get to the point but insults the visiting country in the second sentence he speaks?
But he immediately realized that Xingchen was completely at a disadvantage when it came to the assassination of the prince. In terms of military strength, Xingchen could currently gather as many troops as he could - just look at yesterday's state affairs meeting.
Whether to hold accountable, when to hold accountable, how to hold accountable, the initiative of the whole matter is in Exter's hands.
Thales sighed softly.
Count Forrest clicked the sword on his waist and said angrily: "What do you mean?"
But Kessel V raised his hand with a calm look and waved away many nobles who came out in anger.
"I mean - since when can even the lame excuse of 'my grandfather owned that land' become the standard for demarcating territory?"
Russell strode around in a circle, looking back at the nobles and lords of the stars with stern eyes.
"Whether it's Exeter or Star, every inch of land is conquered. The strong get the spoils and leave, and the weak hand over their chips to protect themselves. This is the law of the world," Russell said coldly.
Authentic, with a cold and unkind look on his face: "As the leader of the East Continent, Chen Jian, said: Only those who are capable can live here."
Only Gilbert and a few others narrowed their eyes slightly, thinking about his intentions, while King Kessel looked at the nobles in the hall with deep thought in his eyes.
"Please pay attention, Your Highness Thales," Gilbert whispered to Thales: "In diplomacy, there are no meaningless quarrels or words - this is a test and a change of pace before the sword fight.
They are testing our steps and strength, for the final moment of drawing the sword."
"He did not rush to get to the point, indicating that he may not be sure about directly raising conditions, or he may have found a better negotiating point."
"But so far, this is his trick: by irritating us, turning the topic in the direction of military affairs, military strength, and the law of strength and weakness, planting a seed in us, and at the same time judging our next sword by watching our reaction.
direction," Gilbert whispered: "And when he brings out the real issues, we will unconsciously start to think about war and the cost of war - and relatively ignore other options."
Thales frowned: Do we have any other options?
Russell took a step forward and looked at King Kessel with burning eyes: "And Xingchen, are you capable of guarding your so-called territory?"
The anger of the nobles in the hall has reached its peak!
Count Zemuto from the north slapped his northern military uniform angrily and shouted: "Let your army pass by -"
But he was immediately interrupted by a more powerful and calm voice!
"OK--"
Val Arend showed a steady smile, and his rich voice overshadowed Zemuto and echoed throughout the hall: "Just as it happens, as the Duke of the North, I am also worried that our territory is not big enough! The Grand Duke of Lombard wants us
He has five northern counties, but I also miss his Black Sand Territory - how about we each send out troops and exchange territories based on our abilities?"
Listening to the Duke of the North's rebuttal, Exeter's emergency envoy frowned slightly, but then smiled.
"The Duke of the North has dealt with it very well," Gilbert said solemnly to the traveler: "But Count Zemuto's previous words may have exposed some information to the other party."
Thales nodded, and he understood: Faced with the provocation, Zemuto angrily asked his opponent to come over, but Val smiled and said that he also wanted the opponent's territory - the hidden meaning and reality behind Ci Feng.
His attitude and determination towards the invasion suddenly became clear.
At this moment, a young girl's voice intervened in the conversation.
"Is there a place for those who are capable? In this case, your Grand Duke of the Black Sand Territory should raise his troops as soon as possible, kill your Nun King, and sit on the throne himself."
Just one sentence made Russell's face suddenly change color!
"Because I think he is already stronger than King Nunn, isn't he? You have to face a country to the south, but you only have to face a king to the north... Why not give it a try... Maybe it will succeed."
Under everyone's surprised gazes, the fifteen-year-old Duchess of the Blades, Lyanna Teback, stood like a lone flower on the cliff among the male lords, and said coldly:
"You might as well take this sentence back to the Grand Duke of Lumba in the Black Sand Territory - just as Feng Wang Chenjian said: Only those who can live in this place."