The Earl of the Marsh, Achison Lacia and his eldest son were sitting in the study dusty with travel. They were wearing simple but durable hunting clothes, and they had not even untied the straps on their legs.
"When Your Highness wrote the letter, we were hunting outside the city. The journey was far away and we had no time to return home and change into formal attire for the audience," Earl Achison coughed. "It is really a sin to be so rude."
The eldest son of the earl nodded slightly.
The second prince behind the desk waved his hand.
"The Lacia family believes in the Julands branch of the Sunset Temple. They are simple, hardworking, and ascetic. How can I not know that? How can I be blamed?"
Thales didn't raise his head. He was flipping through a thick "Chronicle of Important Events of the Princes of the South Bank" with gusto. The page stopped on a family tree with a four-winged monitor lizard.
"It's because I sent out the invitation in a hurry and pushed it too hard... Ah, I didn't notice it before, but it turns out that the Lassia family has a glorious history and outstanding achievements, and it can be traced all the way back to the founding of the country in the stars?"
Lacia and his son looked at each other.
Thales turned to the next page with relish and unfolded the history of the Lassia family:
Six hundred years ago, not long after the End Sea was first formed, the swamp forest south of the Emerald City was located in a remote area with complex terrain. In addition, the tribes in the swampland who used lizards as their totems resisted stubbornly. Therefore, the transformation of the king was not smooth and the government orders were difficult.
Pass.
At that time, John I, the warlike 'Black Eyed', was leading his army to the northern expedition to Exeter. After receiving the news of the disobedience of the Marshland, he refused the angry request of his subordinates to fight. On the contrary, Black Eyed unexpectedly asked for disobedience.
The swampland dispatched a little-known grain supervisor who had no ability to restrain a chicken.
With little backup, the petty official took the king's orders and went deep into the swamp with his four sons.
In the first year, he never came back and there was no news from the land.
Two years later, letters were sent from the Ze area: each tribe began to send envoys to the royal capital, and one after another they became vassals.
Within five years, the petty officials were awarded titles of nobility, built forts in the center of the swamp, opened up wasteland, and established villages and towns.
In the past ten years, the four most powerful tribes in the Zeland have all declined due to vendetta against each other.
Thirty years later, the population of the Marshland increased greatly. The people all obeyed the banner of the lord, knew the power of the king, and spurned the barbaric and bloody past.
At this point, Zeland has truly and completely become the territory of the stars.
Therefore, as conceited and harsh as John I, he laughed at his mistress on the throne and then sighed: "Although the swamp monitor lizard has no teeth or claws, it has hidden murderous intentions!"
In this way, the former grain superintendent and the newly named Earl of the Swamp, "The Monitor Lizard" Bodman Lacia, used the four-winged monitor lizard as his emblem and the king's golden words ("The monitor lizard, hidden in the Swamp"
"Murder") is a clan slang, creating a foundation and a family in the swampland.
Although he has experienced many ups and downs in the past few hundred years - he suffered heavy losses in the civil war between the two stars, he was almost wiped out in the continental war, he once attacked each other with the Blade Leader princes, and he almost lost his title during the Red King period.
He was also named and reprimanded by the wise king as an example of nepotism in the famous "General Rules for the Selection of Officials in the Kingdom" - but the Lacia family, which was ranked as the thirteenth noble family and was granted the title of powerful earl, has finally been passed down to this day and is present at the Nineteen Stone Seat in the Hall of Stars.
"Tsk, tsk, it's really amazing. I moved around among the many lizard tribes as I wished, and conquered the land without even using a single soldier." Thales sighed with emotion. "If I were Black Eyed, I would simply kill the 'Monitor Lizard'."
'Forget about sending it to Exeter, then maybe the cross and double-star flag flying at the top of Longxiao City today..."
"Thank you, Your Highness, for teaching us the history of our family's fortune," Earl Aitchison interrupted impatiently, "but I guess you invited us here this time because of Kevin Di..."
"Although Your Highness is lenient, I have to say something," the earl's eldest son suddenly said, holding Acheson down, "Father, it's all your fault for chasing that wild boar, and we didn't even have time to prepare to change our clothes. It's really rude.
."
"Well, I was... okay, okay, good son, you are the heir, you are right." Earl Achison backed down.
The eldest son of the earl nodded.
Thales looked on in amazement.
"Look, Your Highness, he has such a bad temper," Earl Achison said helplessly, "Hitting and scolding is useless. If you don't get oil and salt, it will only make people angry."
It's a good thing that oil and salt are not allowed to enter.
Maybe even toothless and clawless.
Thales had no choice but to start the topic himself:
"Very good. Do you know why I asked you to come?"
"Your Highness, please make it clear." The eldest son of the earl said respectfully.
All right.
Looks like he has to be the one to talk nonsense.
Thales sighed:
"A few days ago, Zhan was accused at the general election. Count Aitchison, you stepped out to support the Duke and loudly condemned Federico..."
Earl Achison frowned at first, then puffed up his chest after hearing this.
"In the subsequent meeting hall, you first insisted that Zhan En should return to power in the Kongming Palace, and then you supported Shi Lai to rule on his behalf..."
The count's eldest son showed no emotion.
"I heard that you have recently been contacting some adults who are thinking about Zhan En's old love, and want to gather momentum to take back the 'Nan'an for Nan'an people'?"
Thales put down his book, frowned and shook his head:
"This series of actions is really, oh, very disrespectful to me."
Lacia and his son looked at each other and their expressions darkened.
But as the thirteenth noble family, they are not so easy to give in.
"I know what you are going to do, Your Highness."
Earl Acheson suppressed the blush on his face and hummed:
"Huh, I know, there are rumors in the entire Emerald City now that you have completely fallen out with Duke Zhan and his sister, and you were even beaten up by the two brothers... It is conceivable that now you either
Put them to death, or they will be in despair——"
"But the Lassia family also has our dignity." The count's eldest son spoke in a deep voice, interrupting his father's unbridled speech.
Earl Acheson nodded with a hum:
"Yes, if you want to force us to change our family and betray Duke Zhan, that is absolutely impossible..."
Thales resisted touching the wound on his face and interrupted with a voice:
"The iris was robbed and fell into such a miserable state, but the earl remained loyal as before. It's really touching."
Earl Acheson pouted and said:
"That is, the four-winged monitor lizard and the iris have had a deep friendship for hundreds of years, and they have been advancing and retreating together..."
"I didn't ask you to change the court," Thales calmly closed the "Chronicle of Important Events of the Princes of the South Bank", "I just think it's a little strange."
The count and his son were both startled.
"Dear Earl Acheson, you were filled with righteous indignation and roared out of control at the election venue," Thales said softly, "But when I think about it, if you hadn't shouted so loudly as an imperial Earl, then what would have happened?
Maybe Federico still couldn't find a way to continue the conversation, and the audience's reaction was far less enthusiastic."
Earl Achison felt his eyelids twitch.
"Later, you took the lead in the meeting hall where the city lord was elected, and you were the first to speak out loudly in support of Zhan En and against my administration," Thales continued, "but because your attitude of confrontation with the royal family was too clear and radical, it made sympathizers
The protesters were hesitant to speak out, which in turn aroused protests from many opponents..."
The count's eldest son, who was sitting at the bottom, heard this and his expression became more serious.
"As for you at this time - I have just been punished by the Zhan brothers and sisters, and I am angry - you have united with all the forces loyal to Zhan in the South Bank Territory and declared that you want to take back the 'South Bank of the South Bank people'..." Thales
His words became more and more aggressive, "Wouldn't it be counterproductive to pull them out and make them into targets for me to hit?"
The prince raised his head, his eyes were as bright as swords.
"Looking at it this way, Lord Acheson," he tutted, "you are really doing Zhan a disservice."
"you--"
Earl Achison's expression changed and he became angry, but was held down by his eldest son.
"The land is in a remote place, and I have been blessed by civilization for a long time. My father is dull and dull, and he acts impulsively. He often has good intentions and bad deeds, which is self-defeating." The eldest son of the earl explained in a deep voice, "In fact, our family has discussed it internally - father, please shut up - whether
We must deprive him of his right to speak to the outside world."
Earl Acheson was shocked and angry. He pointed at his eldest son in disbelief, but his words were a little less powerful:
"Hey...how can you tell this matter outside..."
"But my father is grateful for the old Duke's grace, and everything he says and does is due to his loyalty to the Emerald City. I believe that Your Highness can understand." The eldest son of the earl ended his explanation.
Thales turned his head and looked carefully at the eldest son of Lassia, who was usually taciturn but seemed to be the real leader of the family.
"Sorry I forgot...what's your name?"
The eldest son of the earl frowned slightly.
"Eddie, Eddie Lacia," the speaker was Earl Aitchison, he said bitterly, "This was the name given by his grandfather when he was still alive. Of course it was out of respect, but for some reasons later..."
"After the Year of Blood, people rarely call me by my first name anymore," the Earl's eldest son explained.
Thales raised his eyebrows in understanding.
"Very good—Eddie."
Aitchison and Eddie both frowned.
"Indeed, everything you have done recently - whether it is taking a stand, speaking out for Zhan, condemning Federico, or forming a clique to oppose my monopoly of power - seems to be seamless and consistent with your status as an important local official on the south coast.
What you should do is be honest and honest, and don’t appear to be a hypocrite.”
Thales smiled slightly.
"As for every time, every time you move, you add fuel to the fire and make the situation go in the direction that is not good for Zhan... It may be just a coincidence," at this point, Thales changed the subject.
, "But if it wasn't a coincidence, it would be interesting."
The eldest son of the earl frowned and was about to reply, but Thales didn't give him the chance and continued to speak:
"For example, when I first arrived in Emerald City, a case came to the court, which was related to a grain tax dispute between a local baron and farmers in his territory. Thanks to Zhan En's personal presence at the scene and his eloquent words.
The late Judge Brennan acted appropriately and impartially, which helped to calm down more disputes and prevent the situation from escalating."
As soon as these words came out, Earl Achison's expression changed slightly.
"But the matter is not over yet. My people persevered to investigate, and found out that someone had secretly made a plan. He did not show up, but let the greedy Grain Merchants Guild come forward and hired street gangsters from the Blood Bottle Gang to provoke those people.
A baron and his peasants intensified their conflict until the situation intensified and broke out in the Kongming Palace, tearing apart the contradiction between the new system and the old aristocracy in the South Bank Territory bloody."
Thales sneered:
"No matter who is behind the scheme, they must have a good understanding of how the finance, taxation, and money operations between local lords and farmers work. They may even have personal experience and empathy, so that they can accurately intensify conflicts. But the most powerful thing is that they are hiding behind the scenes.
, the entire relationship was borne by the parties concerned, and even the profit-seeking Grain Merchants Guild—even Judge Zhane and Judge Brennan didn’t notice anything was wrong.”
If Glover and Rolf hadn't crashed into the meeting of the Blood Bottle Gang and happened to hear some inside information, and the dear prince's attendant is an obsessive-compulsive person who likes to chase people, take notes word by word, and then comb through the details of the investigation.
Strange, I'm afraid Thales may not be able to find out.
Thinking of this, Thales shook his head:
"He really has a 'no teeth, no claws, but hidden murderous intent' demeanor."
Hearing this, Earl Acheson couldn't hold it in any longer. He gritted his teeth:
"Your Majesty, if you continue to be so eccentric -"
"Father!" Eddie interrupted the count at the right moment.
He slowly raised his head and looked directly at Thales.
"Your Highness's accusation is very dangerous."
"That's not all."
Thales shook his head slightly.
"In order to arbitrate for Zhan and Federico, I had to look through old cases: when Iris was fighting among themselves, the Lacia family in the Zeland was in a dilemma and could only remain neutral. Until the old Duke of Leinster was unfortunately assassinated and died.
The Rashia family chose to take sides and surrendered to Zhan, who returned to power. He was the murderer behind the death of Sona Kevindir..."
At that moment, Count Lassia's expression stiffened visibly.
Thales shook his head, as if talking about a trivial matter.
"What happened next was much simpler: He was involved in a political dispute and was accused by thousands of people. The most suspected Sona Kevin Deer was sent to the dock and accused of committing the crime of brother-killing. But before the case was concluded, Sona
I left a note in prison and committed suicide out of fear of crime."
"This was the case at the time, and the evidence is conclusive."
Compared to his father, Eddie replied in a deep voice, cleverly avoiding the trap in Thales' words:
"The Lassia family just made the most realistic, wisest and most conducive choice to the stability of the situation on the south coast and the peace of the kingdom."
Thales nodded.
"So later, when young Federico avenged his father and tried to seize power in Gonghai City and rebel against the new Duke, you were the first to learn about it and informed Kongming Palace, allowing Zhan En to send troops to Gonghai City to annihilate Sona.
The remnants of the Viscount captured Federico... and the matter ended here. The Emerald City and the South Bank have overcome the chaos of the change of rule and restored the tranquility and peace of the past."
Thales looked sharply at the father and son:
"Tsk, tsk, the Laciya family always stands in the right direction at critical moments, plays a role, and turns the tide. They are truly a pillar of the kingdom and a pillar of the South Bank."
Facing the increasingly obvious yin and yang, Earl Achison clenched his fists in anger, but his eldest son held his wrists firmly, so he remained silent.
"It's just that you may not have thought that in these years, besides Federico who has been on the run, there is another person in the Emerald City who is brooding about the past and cannot resolve his doubts."
Thales' face darkened:
"That's right, the judge of the old Duke's murder case was Grand Inquisitor Brennan, who unfortunately passed away a few days ago."
As soon as these words came out, both the earl and his son changed their expressions!
Thales opened the drawer and slowly took out letters and notes one after another, laying them out on the table in an orderly manner.
"The unfinished case became a worry that Brennan couldn't let go of for many years. It was written in his letters and diaries - even if the victim was the old Duke who knew him well, even if the defendant who committed suicide was
For Sona, his most hated political opponent, even if the case is closed, it is the most realistic, wisest and 'most conducive to the stability of the situation in the South Bank' option."
"Brennan? That old guy, huh," Earl Acheson looked at the letters on the table and snorted, "Who in the right mind keeps a diary?"
Thales shook his head:
"So Brennan has been relentlessly investigating for many years: the Iris civil strife that year involved many parties and different forces, but a certain family claimed to be neutral, but it was just a pretense."
Earl Aitchison wanted to speak again, but his eldest son slowly shook his head.
So Thales chuckled and continued:
"In fact, they actually formed an alliance with Viscount Sonar early on and helped him fight against the old Duke of Leinster: encouraging the old nobles to squeeze out the new nobles, oppressing merchants and craftsmen, opposing new systems and businesses, and inciting farmers to be dissatisfied and rebel against Shangguan officials.
, and even secretly spread rumors that the old Duke is insane, superstitious and unable to govern..."
"Your Highness——"
This time, there was no need for his eldest son to comfort him. Thales himself did not allow the earl to interrupt, and was determined to finish the sentence at once:
"But the death of the old Duke was unexpected. The family felt that something was wrong and were afraid of being suspected, so they immediately openly sided with Zhan En.
"In the trial hall back then, in full view of the public, it was the head of that family who was the first to stand up and accuse Viscount Sonar of murdering his brother. This forced the grumpy Sonar to become so angry that he knocked out two of Viscount Sonar's teeth.
, which not only made the trial unsustainable, but also made people think that Sona was so angry that he was suspected, while the count was upright and innocent.
"Brennan guessed afterwards that it was just a show. The earl probably made a deal with Viscount Sonar: the latter made a fuss in court to delay the trial and buy time to commit suicide, while the former fulfilled his promise to deal with Sonar's affairs -
—Later Federico managed to steal his life on the high seas and took refuge in the Kingdom of Darkness, which probably stemmed from this."
Having said this, Thales didn't look at the faces of the two people in front of him, he just closed his eyes and sighed.
"Yes, these days, I have been thinking: Federico dares to return after many years for revenge, subvert and seize power in the Emerald City, which is run by Zhan without leakage. He is by no means alone, and there must be his internal agents in the local area.
"
Thales opened his eyes and looked at the earl who was gritting his teeth and trembling, and the earl's eldest son who had a cold expression.
"But I kept guessing the wrong person."
Not Hilley.
Nor is it the secret science of the kingdom.
"Because his allies are hidden here too deeply, too closely, too innocent, too irrelevant, too harmless, yet the things they do are not noticeable at all."
Thales picked up the thick "Chronicle of Important Events of the Princes of South Bank" and carefully wiped the old cover:
"Just like the conquest of the swampland in history, the function, attitude and stance of the four-winged monitor lizard must not be taken at face value."
He looked at the two people in front of him with interest:
"No claws or teeth, but hidden murderous intent."
The descendant of the four-winged monitor lizard, Count Lassia and Eddie did not speak. The latter held his father's shoulders tightly.
"etc."
Thales seemed to have thought of something and blurted out like a joke:
"You wouldn't happen to be the murderers who killed the old Duke, right?"
Not satisfied that this was enough, he continued to ask with a smile:
"No way, right?"
The study room is very quiet.
No one answered him.
At this moment, compared to Earl Acheson who was furious and almost lost his temper, Eddie himself was calm and quiet.
Only the eyes staring at Thales.
Deep and complex.
"Hey, don't be angry."
After a few seconds, Thales, who had had enough testing, let out a sigh and took back the book:
"I'm just kidding."
————
"Kasha Karabyan of Volaland."
"Kina Karabyan of the Two Towers Swordsman."
With their hair tied up and their makeup set, two girls, one on the left and one on the right, one purple and one yellow, dressed in solemn formal attire, came to Thales - to be precise, Zhan -'s study.
"Meet the new acting city lord of Emerald City..."
"And the Chief Regent of South Bank..."
Kasha and Qina looked serious, bent their knees deeply, and moved in unison, as if they were carved from the same mold:
"The noble and wise His Highness Thales!"
Their formal etiquette and gestures made Thales quite uncomfortable.
It seems that a change in status can make even the devil twins act out of character.
Thinking of this, the young man frowned slightly and waved the attendants to leave.
"Okay, no need to be polite, just sit down."
The two earls and daughters then stood up respectfully and took their seats dignifiedly.
But more than that, they all opened two luxurious and exquisite folding fans. On the fans were neat and solemn ancient imperial inscriptions, one of which read, "The prince rules, and his fame will be passed down through the ages." The other said, "The prince governs the world and benefits all the people."
Thales's expression darkened.
Well, some things never change.
"Well, actually I want you to come today..."
Kasha looked solemn:
"Of course, the Emerald City is in deep trouble right now. It affects the entire South Bank and affects the kingdom's political affairs. How could we not know?"
Qina nodded, her eyes sharp:
"Your Highness is worried about this all day long, has trouble sleeping and eating, and is anxious. As subjects, how can we not know this?"
Thales was stunned for a moment.
strangeness……
The Karabyan sisters looked at each other, seemed to have reached some consensus, and nodded vigorously.
"Although Kara is weaker than the lower class of Yang, it is a drop in the bucket..."
"Even though we are still young and shallow and incompetent..."
The two sisters spoke firmly and resolutely:
"But it is also obligatory..."
"Working hard without caring about one's own safety..."
"No matter what lies ahead is a mountain of swords and a sea of fire..."
"There are still thousands of troops..."
"The boundless river of hell..."
"Wedding Hall..."
The two ladies turned over their fans in unison, reading one book "Turn the Tide" and the other "Turn the Tide", and said in unison:
"I am willing to go through fire and water for His Highness Thales!"
The study became quiet.
wrong.
Thales frowned hard as he looked at the passionate and resolute postures of Kasha and Qina.
strangeness.
He stared intently at these two ladies, who couldn't even find fault with Aunt Valencia.
Although the two of them still have a good understanding of each other, each saying half of a sentence...
But it always feels like...something is missing?
However, the two Karabyan ladies, with their well-made makeup, dignified postures, and unsquinting gazes, calmly and calmly endured the prince's suspicious looks.
Um?
Thales suddenly had an idea.
"Don't be nervous, Mira is not here," Thales coughed, "She has other important matters."
As soon as the words fell, the two sisters' eyes lit up!
They looked at each other, exhaled in unison, and put away the folding fans with a snap.
"Hey, if you had told me earlier, you would have saved yourself so many protective pads..."
"It's so hard that people don't even dare to eat more meals..."
"This posture really strangles me..."
"I should change to a pair of boots that are good for walking..."
"Hey, it feels wrong if I don't have a whip..."
"And my cute iron-shod boots..."
One of the demon twins led by Walla rubbed his waist and the other beat his calf. Their expressions were exaggerated and their movements were casual. They no longer had the same pretentious feeling as before.
Thales coughed again:
"that……"
But before he could finish speaking, Kasha immediately raised her head with a smile as bright as a flower:
"Oh, my beloved Highness!"
Qina raised her eyebrows and tutted:
"Ah, my lovely prince!"
Thales narrowed his eyes and nodded, bent his elbows and raised his head to wait.
Let me just say...
Something is missing.
"In a turbulent era, he sat alone on the throne of the leader..."
"I work hard to protect the well-being of everyone..."
Kasha and Qina went back and forth, expressing emotions at the same time:
"Only forgetting his own life-long events and personal happiness..."
"It's both heartbreaking and endearing..."
"It makes us think about it day and night, so how can we forget it?"
The two girls had sad eyes and desolate voices:
"We can only accompany you silently!"
"Follow me to the death!"
"Even if there is a separation between yin and yang..."
"I will never forget it in this lifetime!"
Seeing this situation, Thales rubbed his chin and sighed:
Right, this is the right taste.
These were the devil twins he knew.
In the long harmony between the two sisters, Thales coughed and forcibly interrupted:
"Very good, I guess you already know what happened... Well, don't be surprised about the injury on my face..."
Not surprisingly, he was interrupted again.
"Oh, my poor little darling, this world is too difficult and too bad..."
"There was a weirdo and evil woman before him, which made him lose his authority."
"He was deeply affected by the rumors that followed."
"All your hard work only resulted in bruises all over your body."
"The once famous city has become depressed and dilapidated."
Kasha danced on the spot, making a shaky heart shape, and Qina took out the blood-red petals at the right time and threw them all over the sky:
"But he is still determined to make progress and struggles hard..."
"If this is the price of wise rule..."
"Then I hope the setting sun will give him a wise and virtuous wife..."
"Let the hard-working young man who has been miserable all day smile again!"
The two sisters quickly put away the old folding fan and shook out a new folding fan that came from nowhere. It was also written in beautiful imperial cursive script, with the words "I am Xu Guo" written on the left and "Also Xu Qing" written on the right, showing
In front of Thales.
Thales sighed and continued:
"Therefore, in the Emerald City now, there is a small group of people - led by Zhan En's sister - who oppose my rule and cause trouble for me..."
But Kasha and Qina seemed still immersed in the two-person theater, arguing with tears in their eyes:
"Wait a minute, sister, which good wife are you talking about just now?"
"Which one did you say it was?"
"Really let me say it?"
"Okay sisters, then two?"
"two!"
"snort!"
"cut!"
Boom, boom, boom!
"And I've had enough!"
Kasha and Qina both turned pale.
Thales impatiently knocked on the table and raised the volume to interrupt their terrifying superimposed chanting:
"It's time to act decisively, solve the problem, and return the Emerald City to normalcy - do you support me?"
The two girls came together in a swish, with their fans turned over ("Follow the prince", "My heart will be known to His Highness"), covering their lips, and whispered to each other:
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, sister, he actually asked us if we support..."
"Of course I support it!"
"How can the vassal not support the prince?"
"How can a mistress not support her lover?"
"Sister, is this how the word is used?"
"Ahem, the usage is wrong, but the content is correct..."
"Ah, sister, he is still secretly looking at us... so embarrassed..."
"Believe me, sister, don't be ashamed, it all depends on who is more shameless..."
Thales had to cough loudly again and pull them out of the air booth of the double theater.
So the two girls looked back sternly, one with a domineering look, the other with a shy look:
"Oh my God, Your Highness, you still need to ask this question..."
"It shows that we usually don't get close enough..."
"So that I can teach you how to know..."
I saw Kasha and Qina, one on the left and one on the right, throwing off their dancing sleeves and crying blood:
"We have no regrets for our love until death!"
"Hmph, let that ugly monster Xi Lai die!"
"The bright star will win!"
"Your Highness is the most handsome!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Thales endured the embarrassment and cheered with all his strength, applauding hard:
"Okay! Very good!"
His Highness the Prince put on an expression that was not only serious but also perfunctory, he also said in a false and genuine manner:
"How about we start with you Karabyan first?"
The study was quiet for a moment.
But soon, Kasha's complexion changed drastically, her face turned pale, and she covered her face in an exaggerated manner:
"What?"
Qina had an extremely tacit understanding, and she also pulled away, clasped her hands, and spoke tremblingly:
"What?"
"You want to start with us first?"
"He's going to attack us!"
The two sisters looked at each other with surprise and a hint of excitement:
"Are you finally going to attack our sisters?"
"He is finally going to attack our sisters!"
"oops……"
"Ouch..."
They both nodded, swayed from side to side in sync, and said excitedly:
“I’m so looking forward to it!”
boom!!!
"Okay! That's enough!"
Thales punched the table with his fist, hurting himself while he roared:
"Don't do this to me again!"
"Yes, yes, don't do it all..."
"Less on foreplay and start directly..."
"It will definitely make you feel happy and satisfied..."
"Who to start with? Up or down? Inside or outside? Gentle or rough?"
A deep groove was visible to the naked eye in Thales's brow.
But the sins of the Prison River surged up, helping him to build up a thick skin, desperately resisting his opponent's terrifying and shameless song and dance off-topic offensive:
"It's because of Cohen, right?"
Thales rubbed his forehead and gritted his teeth and said:
"Because of him, you have to do this."
The Karabiyan sisters were shocked and quickly covered their mouths in aggrievedness:
"of course not!"
"We volunteered!"
But the topic went further and further away again:
"I'm not forced to cater to the superior officer and devote myself to your highness for the sake of my brother's career!"
"For the sake of the family, I lost myself to the overbearing prince and signed an unequal contract that was embarrassing, intimate and ready to be moved!"
Kasha blinked:
"I accept the favor and am powerless to resist..."
Qina is looking forward to:
"But it finally melted the heart of the Iceberg Prince..."
"Take over the kingdom after his unfortunate death..."
"Become a generation of iron-blooded queen!"
"Shh! He doesn't need to know this..."
"Ahem, yes... eh, sisters, but this kind of plot is not popular in theaters nowadays..."
"I know, but it sounds more exciting, doesn't it?"
"Is it the domineering prince part or the iron-blooded queen part?"
"All of them!"
"Hey, your thoughts are so dirty..."
“But I can’t stand it and everyone likes it!”
Thales sighed slowly. As he became accustomed to their speaking style, he automatically ignored the meaningless jokes and went straight to the topic.
"Actually, I can understand."
Amidst the unstoppable chatter between the two of them, Thales said in a deep voice:
"That fool Cohen, out of loyalty or stupidity, was kept in the dark and broke into the Fuxing Palace with me, thus offending His Majesty."
In other words, His Majesty needs to be offended by this matter.
The sisters' chirping disappeared instantly.
Thales clearly saw in the hell sense that Kasha and Qina's breathing was stagnant.
But the next second, the two sisters changed their faces again.
"Oh my god, he really threatened us with his stupid brother!" Kasha looked surprised and panicked.
"Here it comes, the miserable heroine was betrayed by her father and brother, and had to sell herself to save her family, and got involved with the evil, charming and crazy prince..." Qina looked expectant and surprised.
It is full of emotions, flows naturally, and can be described as seamless.
But Thales no longer accepts this trick:
"After all, Cohen is the heir to the Twin Towers Sword, which puts the Karabyan family in danger, and with my father's character, he will not let this go."
I won't miss the opportunity to take advantage of this.
Thales raised his hands:
"Therefore, as an apology and compensation, the king requires you to fully cooperate in this coup in Emerald City - such as standing by and watching when Zhan lost power, or even nodding and acquiescing, adding fuel to the fire."
Thales' eyes were like daggers, and he glanced at the two sisters.
"So you, the two of you, will replace Count Turami Karabiyan and come to the Emerald City to witness this power-seizing coup."
Kasha and Qina were stunned for a second.
The two stopped their exaggerated movements and quickly got together, shivering to keep warm in the cold winter:
"Ouch!"
"He suddenly became very scared."
“It’s delicious…”
"Afraid again?"
Thales sneered:
"But to be honest, the Emerald City has changed hands under the pressure of the royal power. You don't like this, and it is not in the interests of the Twin Towers Long Sword. So you are listless and passive. This is understandable."
The next second, Thales suddenly raised his head, his eyes looking directly at the two sisters:
"Until I discovered that what you, Karabiyan, have done these days is actually far more than that!"
The Karabyan sisters both trembled:
"Aaah!"
"He looks like he is suddenly smart and capable!"
"And shrewd..."
"Forced again?"
"What kind of force?"
"What are you forcing yourself to do?"
boom!
Thales slapped the table with a cold face ("It hurts me so much." - the expressionless little Thales in his mind), stopping their conversation that had no content but no intention:
"You two, from the first day you arrived in the Emerald City, have seemed to be incompatible with Hille Kelvindir..."
The two sisters’ chirping explanations sounded at the right time:
"Because it's really not tolerated!"
"With her or without me..."
"With me or without her!"
"Unless you speak first?"
Thales was not disturbed and just faced the topic head-on:
"You seem to care about eating, drinking and having fun, but are indifferent to government affairs..."
"Because Emerald City is really delicious and fun!"
"Why else are we here?"
"Do you think we are men of steel?"
"What's the point of worrying about men's affairs?"
Thales gritted his teeth and kept thinking about the chaotic Emerald City these days:
"You also seem to be admiring me and trying to please me in every possible way..."
"Because I really admire you so much..."
"It's also because I'm really greedy..."
"I can't wait to please you and then eat it in one bite!"
"Eat it, eat it, eat it and wipe it clean!"
Boom!
Thales punched again and banged the table belonging to Zhan:
"After the election incident, you still stood up to support me and supported me as acting city lord and regent of Kongming Palace..."
"Of course we support you!"
"Are we going to support that bitch and ugly Heeley?"
"The boy will eventually become the king!"
"We must be queens!"
"Inheriting the king's inheritance - Oops, I let it slip again..."
Thales took a deep breath:
"Even when I came to the audience just now, I showed myself to be loyal and obedient..."
"I don't want this either! Who wants to be so humble in front of the one they love..."
"Although we are from a girl's family, we still have dignity and should be reserved!"
"But if not, how will I catch you... wu wu..."
"If not...you don't even want to look at us, then what should we do? Wuwu..."
Thales slowly grasped the trick, cleared his mind amidst the eye-catching exaggerated performances of the other two, and spoke calmly.
"But behind the scenes, you have been hinting, acquiescing, and conniving with your vassals and cooperative partners to secretly resist all the governance affairs after I took over the Kongming Palace.
Thales' eyes turned cold:
"Form an alliance with Zhan En, go in the opposite direction, and disobey the king's order."
At that moment, the two girls, who had been chattering at first, fell silent.
But they looked at each other and spoke in unison one after another, in a cute and pitiful way:
"I'm afraid! What His Highness said is too complicated..."
"We are just two innocent girls..."
"We don't understand anything, we don't know anything..."
"I just want to marry a good husband, a good husband, a good man..."
"In order to inherit his legacy... bah bah!"
"We mean, take care of his life!"
"Let him concentrate on doing great things, making achievements, and becoming a man!"
After the two of them finished speaking, they looked at Thales with admiration.
But Thales had already found the main point. He found that the theme of the two sisters' gags began to tilt in his direction.
"Your father, Count Turami, is the ruler of the Vola Territory. This is correct."
Thales leaned back.
"But in fact, a long time ago, he took care of many matters - taxation, legal affairs, industry and commerce, production... especially all kinds of businesses that can bring in money and increase income, which are incompatible with the old castles and estates, but are closely related to the new commerce and trade.
I’ll leave all the business to you two, Kasha and Qina Karabiyan, to take care of it.”
Thales narrowed his eyes:
"That's right, I don't know since when, you - the demon twins of the Karabiyan family - are the real people in charge and the people in power of many affairs in the Vola Territory."
Kasha and Qina looked at Thales who was confident and relaxed behind the desk, and the smiles on their faces gradually solidified.
"As one of the three pillars of the South Bank, the Karabyan family is an indispensable part of the expansion and development of Emerald City. Your disciples, old officials, capital business, all over the city and even the whole territory: food, textiles, building materials
...A considerable number of these industry businesses involving fundamental people's livelihood and even strategic resources are under the banner of the Karabyan family, or they cooperate with the Twin Towers Long Sword."
A family traitor like Cohen who ran away from home can get at least two hundred and fifty gold coins as pocket money...
Thales shook his head:
"Not to mention anything else, the shops and stores that responded most favorably to the panic in the Emerald City after the coup are inextricably linked to you, or at least to your businesses."
Kasha put away the folding fan and resumed her dignified and serious sitting posture.
Qina sneered and moved her neck bones from left to right.
Just as expected.
"It's not by chance that your chamber of commerce gave my guards free custom-made dresses at the battle dinner, and it's not for publicity," Thales said slowly, "It's because you 'finance' it through these food and clothing expenses.
In this way, I got close to my people early and found out my details - including how much money I have, how wide my connections are, who my subordinates are, how many resources I have, how to deal with crises and problems, and what kind of things I can get from Yongxing City.
Support and assistance.”
Thales raised his cold gaze:
"That's why after Zhan En was forced to step down, his countermeasures seemed so smooth, efficient and beautiful: finance, taxation, market, public security, commerce and trade, officials, the army... It seems that someone clearly knows where my weaknesses and shortcomings are.
So every shot hit a painful spot where I was stretched thin.”
Kasha and Qina haven't spoken for a long time.
"Because starting from the selection, the chess player sitting across from the chess game, holding the Emerald City tightly with both hands, and not letting me get even half a point, has been replaced by Zhan En."
Thales slowly raised his finger, pointed at one person, and then pointed at another person:
"Kasha Karabyan, China Karabyan."
The two people being pointed at did not answer.
They just calmed down and looked at Thales quietly.
As if waiting for the artist to paint for them.
"Tell me, why has sea trade been declining day by day since the Kongming Palace changed hands? Why is the market in constant chaos? Why is the confidence of various resource industries dampened? Why are the bigwigs so panicked? Why are government agencies so listless? Why are there so many rumors in the market? Even...
What does the mysterious fire that caused so much trouble in countless departments and made me lose face a few days ago have anything to do with you?"
The prince leaned forward and narrowed his eyes:
"Wola, the Karabyan family's devil twins?"
It was extremely quiet in the study room, and you could hear a needle drop.
Until Kasha and Qina slowly turned their heads and looked at each other.
Qina smiled slightly:
"It's disgusting, sister, he's calling us that nickname again!"
Kasha covered her mouth and shook her head:
"Although I'm not wrong..."
"Ah sister, why do you say that..."
Thales sighed and waited for them to finish the scene.
clang!
Kasha coldly knocked on the arm of the chair, causing Thales, who had just closed his eyes, to quickly look up in shock.
"Because he has already come to us."
After hearing this, Qina's expression also changed.
I saw Kasha slowly turning her head and staring fiercely at Thales behind the desk:
"If you have a good father, you will always feel handsome..."
Qina quickly took over her sister's words and sneered again and again:
"The admiration and pursuit of us feels like it is natural and should be..."
"It seems very annoying, painful, and impatient. I want to run away quickly..."
"Actually, I am very proud and enjoy my life. I also want to show off to everyone that a girl wants to cheat on me."
I saw Kasha and Qina narrowing their eyes, shaking their heads and uttering vulgar words:
"He finally got it."
"I'll wait till my pen is almost dry."
Thales frowned.
Um?
At this moment, the two Miss Karabiyan smiled as usual.
But Thales saw a hint of coldness and death in those two pairs of crescent-shaped eyebrows.
It's chilling.
In the ominous silence, the two girls waved their arms and waists, and coldly pulled out two new dark black folding fans.
The fan bone is strong and crisp.
On the unfolded fan, facing Thales, were the vicious simplified portraits of Kasha and Qina (with small fangs), as well as short sentences full of South Coast slang flavor: