The ministers and lords in the hall began to whisper, and many people even smiled.
"Good girl," Duke Cullen smiled and whispered to the "undesirable" Duke Falkenhaus next to him: "Have you ever learned a sharp tongue from you?"
"Vicious tongue? What the hell," Cyril Falkenholz, who was smiling sinisterly, curled up his lips and said quietly: "But as far as I'm concerned, this is a natural ability of women."
In the hall, Russell's expression froze at first, and then his eyes flashed with anger: "Using this trick to drive a wedge between the kings and ministers of Exeter? It's really the Empire style of the stars - just like you shamelessly plotting against our country.
Just like Prince Morar!"
Thales's heart skipped a beat: The main dish is here!
After hearing this, most of the star nobles in the hall showed unwillingness and anger!
But a few people began to think deeply.
"That Duchess was really responsive. She had already struck back without even realizing it." Before Thales could react, Gilbert smiled approvingly: "Your Highness, Duchess Teback's...
One sword strike has already yielded results."
Thales turned to look at the beautiful duchess.
Lyanna seemed to feel Thales's gaze, and turned her head quickly, her eyes piercing like daggers!
Thales was startled, smiled quickly, and then glanced around as if nothing had happened - it seemed that he had just inadvertently glanced at the Duchess.
Gilbert chuckled: "This is not simply to sow discord, but to test whether the will and purpose of King Nunn and the Grand Duke of Black Sand are consistent in this crisis - this is very important!"
Thales' eyebrows jumped!
Gilbert said patiently: "And Russell hurriedly brought back the topic, which was the answer - obviously he himself knew that he could no longer dwell on the topic of who was stronger or weaker between the King of Nunn and the Grand Duke of Black Sand.
"
"In the first round of the sword fight, he was already the one forced to draw the sword first."
Thales suddenly realized, remembering Gilbert's previous inference in the carriage - the assassination of the Exeter Mission was also the wish of some people in their own country. It seems...
Although there is no evidence.
but no matter……
At least in the eyes of many people, the discord between the Grand Duke of Black Sand and King Nun is indeed not trivial.
The view returns to the hall.
"We are plotting to kill your prince?" the one-eyed dragon of South Trieste snorted: "Even a fool can see that the assassination of your mission is a conspiracy to provoke war between the two countries - that's what Exeter likes.
Are you being treated as a swordsman? Even my hunting dogs are not as obedient as you!"
"Star People, do you think we care whether you are innocents or messengers of the Lord?" Russell said slowly.
"Since you are not interested in the truth - why are you still here? Why don't you just cut off a few heads on the street and return them to King Nun?" Duke Zhann of the South Bank said with a sneer.
After hearing this, Russell's eyes flashed with anger and hatred. Under the gaze of the nobles in the hall, he took a step forward and raised the scroll of red dragon fire paint high in his right hand!
On the throne, King Kessel V clasped his hands, his chin was slightly lowered, and his eyes were gloomy and deep.
"Whoever despicably murdered His Royal Highness - we will cut him into pieces! Exeter will seek justice for himself, and there is no need to resort to false hands!"
"But our prince! The king of Exeter, the only son and heir of the Grand Duke of Longxiao City! He died in your kingdom of stars!"
Russell opened his arms, turned around suddenly, and glanced at every lord, noble or official in the hall with flaming eyes.
"His last blood fell on the land of the stars, the last thing he breathed was the air of the stars, and the last thing he saw was the scenery of the stars - he came to the stars with a well-intentioned mission, but you failed to protect him!"
"Whether it was intentional or not, it was your incompetence and connivance that killed him!"
"that's enough!"
"Xingchen must take responsibility and pay the price!"
Russell's eyes widened with anger, and he tore open the seal of the red dragon fire paint - and pulled the scroll violently!
"Both Exeter and King Nun must get an explanation from the stars!"
The six dukes frowned almost at the same time!
Thales's pupils shrank and he saw that there was no signature or seal at the bottom of the scroll full of text.
Some are just a handprint.
Bright red handprints.
Could that be the bloody handprint of King Nun?
The hall was suddenly in an uproar again!
"He didn't sign or seal it. I looked at him with my own eyes and cut my palm open and printed it!"
"This is the anger and despair of King Nun! Do you understand! Star People?"
Russell's last few words were spat out almost through gritted teeth.
The uproar in the hall began to slowly decrease.
Thales had only heard about the assassination of Exter's envoy before. To him, the strange foreign prince seemed indifferent - but now, he finally understood the seriousness of the matter.
Until the heavy voice of the Supreme King sounded again:
"I understand King Nun's anger and despair - believe me, I've known that feeling - and the stars will never shirk their responsibilities."
Kessel said calmly.
The one-eyed dragon Kuside clenched his back teeth imperceptibly.
The king is - is he going to give in?
How is it possible? If you don't pay enough to cut off a piece of meat from the north, how can the evil dragon in the north be satisfied?
If he gives in, Kessel V will not only gain a reputation as weak and incompetent, but he will also be doomed to have even worse relations with the already discordant Northern Territory.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but look at Val Arend across from him, but the man in military uniform just frowned and said nothing.
It's like the calm before a volcano erupts.
"Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty," Russell put down his hand and said coldly: "Yes, I remembered it. You, haha, of course I can understand what you said."
Many people looked strange.
But Kessel ignored his sarcastic words and said directly: "Save the nonsense - what are King Nun's conditions?"
Under everyone's complicated gazes, Russell snorted coldly, opened the scroll again, and began to read aloud.
"Everyone from Exeter, from His Majesty Nun to the nine Grand Dukes, after learning of the tragedy, with great reason, endured the terrible grief and despair, unanimously believed that the stars must bear the responsibility for the misfortune of Prince Morar.
Take responsibility."
After saying this, Russell raised his head and looked around.
Until Kessel nodded slightly:
"It is very reasonable. The misfortune encountered by the noble Prince Morar within the country is a shame to all Star people."
Russell's cold eyes shrank slightly, then he lowered his head and continued reading.
"First, appease the dead. The stars must return the remains of our envoys, especially the remains of Prince Morar, completely, decently, and honorably."
"Second, uphold justice. Help us identify and hand over the murderer and the mastermind behind it."
Falkenhausz snorted: "Assist them? God, it sounds like a superior shouting to a subordinate."
He seemed to be complaining and said to Duke Cullen beside him.
But the latter, who was worried, just stared at Russell solemnly.
The words of Exeter's emergency envoy continued:
"Third, rebuild honor. Please, Your Majesty Kessel, personally issue a public apology to the entire Kingdom of Exeter."
Thales' brows jumped.
Gilbert's words reappeared in his mind.
[Whether it is war or peace, Your Majesty will not be able to escape the accusations of being cold-blooded and ruthless, being inconsiderate of the people, being weak and easy to bully, and humiliating the stars. This will greatly damage the reputation and authority of Your Majesty and the Bright Star royal family in the country.]
But Russell’s coldly blunt words continued:
"Fourth, compensation for losses. Regardless of land or resources, we must receive corresponding compensation. Exeter should receive no less than the size of Pinecone County territory and two northern border counties adjacent to our country as compensation, or Xingchen Donghai
Either 30% of the priority quota of high-quality eternal oil from the whaling industry, or 20% of the priority quota of the first-grade lithium ore on the south bank of the stars, one of the three."
"Fifth, maintain fairness. Exeter and Xingchen must re-establish the "Fortress Peace Treaty", especially the unreasonable national borders twelve years ago - Pinecone County, Zaratan County, and Levo County
, Bear County and Luming County should return to the rule of Exeter unconditionally. The Earl of Watch City should withdraw their reclamation team in the northern Great Needle Forest, and the number of hunters and herdsmen put into the Great Needle Forest every year should be equal to that of the adjacent Black Forest.
After discussion, the Grand Duke of Sandland jointly decided that the Earl of Gulaota should withdraw their scout patrol line to six miles and no longer unreasonably block the Exters from entering the public hunting area."
The hall was so silent that you could hear a pin drop.
But Thales knew that this was just an appearance.
Russell gently put down the scroll.
"The above are the conditions of His Majesty Nunn and the Kingdom of Exeter."
The terrible silence in the hall was finally broken.
"What the hell are you talking about!"
Count Zemuto couldn't bear it anymore and roared angrily: "Watch City will not retreat even one step! Let alone give up Pinecone County and Bear County! Tell that bastard from the Black Sand Territory: If you want our territory,
Bring your own troops to get it!"
Earl Fores also said coldly: "The same goes for Luming County! Moreover, Gu Laota will patrol wherever he wants!"
But the Duke of the North, who had the most authority to speak, said nothing at this moment and just stared at Kessel V.
People in the hall with different expressions all looked at the Supreme King.
"Nunn, Nunn," Kessel stared at the steps at his feet with a calm expression, as if what happened was an insignificant thing: "Exter wanted to use a dead prince in exchange for our seven counties.
, too greedy."
Russell raised his head and stared at Kessel, saying without any sign of weakness: "What Exeter has lost is not just a prince, but also our glory!"
"I sent an envoy with good intentions, but I was treated like this! Who will wash away Exeter's shame? Who will appease the dragon's anger?"
"Moreover, Stars! What you have taken away is the only son of a father!" At this point, Russell gritted his teeth with anger and said: "The only legitimate heir of King Nun came to the Kingdom of Stars with friendship and peace, but he failed.
Died by a despicable assassination!"
"King Nun lost his blood relative, his only son, and his only heir! Exeter lost the next Grand Duke of Dragon Sky City and the future hope of the Walton family!"
In the end, Russell simply shouted:
"Under such a blow, King Nun did not raise an army in anger, but put forward conditions - isn't this the most restrained and rational choice?"
The hall was filled with the sound of the nobles' unwilling intake of breath.
Kessel's tone was still calm, but full of unquestionable meaning: "The first three items can satisfy you, but the fourth and fifth items..."
The king's voice sounded coldly in the hall: "The stars will not cede our land, nor are they prepared to hand over resource quotas - if I say this, what are you going to do?"
Val frowned slowly.
Duke Cullen sighed deeply, and Falkenholz laughed ugly.
Lyanna and Jayne both pursed their lips and said nothing.
Thales lowered his head bitterly: Is war still inevitable?
"Hahahaha, Your Majesty Kessel," Russell laughed angrily: "When we came to Yongxing, we also brought the requests of King Nun and the nine Grand Dukes, but King Eddy also rejected us.
"
"What happened next?" Russell spread his hands and looked around the hall.
Many of the older lords, nobles and officials present looked tense.
"Yes, we sent troops 'generously'."
"For what it deserves," Baron Russell's breathing quickened, his face grew colder, and he gritted his teeth and said:
"The dragon will get it himself."
Everyone in the big meeting hall began to think deeply about the consequences of this sentence.
Twelve years ago, the wars and disasters that affected most of the planet are still vivid in our minds.
"If justice cannot be served, fairness will unfortunately be in trouble."
Russell raised his right hand with a strong sense of oppression, and then slowly squeezed it: "Of course Exeter can only choose to use war to safeguard our honor and His Majesty's dignity."
Just listen to him threatening word by word:
"At that time, it will not be a problem that can be solved by a few counties or some eternal oil."
"enough!"
Kessel seemed to be full of meaning when he said:
"In your opinion, and in King Nun's opinion, is there no other way to resolve this matter honorably between the stars and the dragon?"
"Do you really want to see the citizens of the two countries bleed on the border?"
"War or peace, it depends on you, Your Majesty," Russell responded quickly: "Would you endure humiliation and show compassion for your subjects, or would you raise troops and go to war at all costs?"
He glanced coldly at the Xingchen ministers, especially Count Zemuto, and said with a sarcastic smile: "Especially, your northern border is not even strong enough to defend the Broken Dragon Fortress in front of the Black Sand Duke's army.
When the troops are strong.”
The Duke of the North clenched his fists.
"During the Year of Blood, the Northern Territory faced Exeter's most powerful army and suffered huge losses, second only to the Blade Territory in the southwest." Gilbert sighed in Thales' ear: "Once upon a time
There was a time when there were more widows than children in the North."
"You want me to make such a difficult decision?" Kessel snorted coldly: "Why don't you just let the stars be replaced by a king?"
"Your Majesty, you are the supreme king of the stars, and you are destined to shoulder such a responsibility." Russell raised his head and smiled softly:
"If you can't do it, then as you said - among the nobles in the hall, find a more responsible person to lead the stars. Exeter is also happy to see it happen."
The whole meeting hall was in commotion!
Many people yelled and cursed!
But Exeter's emergency envoy wasn't done yet!
"Anyway," Russell said viciously: "The next king of the stars is destined to no longer be named Canxing, isn't he?"
Many nobles looked at Kessel with strange expressions, and even more looked at Thales.
This envoy doesn’t know about the national conference?
Thales' brain suddenly clicked!
Sure enough, the envoy was assassinated, the lord forced the palace, the dragon came - all of these were connected. If he had not appeared, this would have been a carefully planned series of plots. As Gilbert said, in the stars and Aix
With the tacit understanding of each other's dedicated people, they intend to own the throne of the stars after the Iron Fist King.
But why did Kessel, his father, bring the conversation here?
The words that came to his ears made Thales tremble with fear:
"So, Exeter, or the nobles of Exeter," in the surprise of everyone in the hall, Kessel raised his head and looked at Russell coldly: "I prefer a certain star.
Noble, to be the supreme king of the stars?"
"With all due respect," Russell smiled contemptuously: "None of you here meet our expectations."
"The people of Exeter only admire heroes on the battlefield - even our enemies."
"Can any of you achieve such conditions?"
"Yes, my vassals are either too far away or unwilling to send troops," Kessel sighed inexplicably: "Those who can gain prestige and recognition on the battlefield..."
"The only one left is the one who has to fight for his own territory, right?"
The whole hall suddenly fell silent because of the king's incomprehensible words.
Russell realized something. He looked at a person and gradually showed doubts.
wrong.
King Kessel...
He is...
When everyone was confused, the fat Duke Cullen realized something. He sighed deeply and looked at the man with a look of pain on his face.
In Thales' surprised gaze, Gilbert let out a low cry as if he suddenly realized something, but then he gritted his teeth and sighed.
Amid the doubts and surprises in the hall, King Kessel V took a deep breath, closed his eyes and said:
"I see."
The king said silently:
"From colluding with careerists in Exeter, assassinating missionaries, and provoking conflicts."
"State the possibility of war in front of me and propose the issuance of a general edict."
"Then I instigate the lords who are ready to make a move, force me to appoint an heir, and watch us fight among ourselves with cold eyes."
"Until the Exeter envoy in front of me forced me into a dilemma, no matter which step I took, it would be the biggest blow to me."
"In the end, you succeeded in provoking a war and colluded with Exeter. Of course, you can easily gain prestige on the battlefield and force me to abdicate."
"For this reason, we even sacrifice our own land, our own people, and our own country."
"Yes, traitor."
The words of the High King are more frightening than the others.
Thales' breathing quickened as he listened to all this.
I saw the Iron-fisted King, Kaiser V, opening his eyes lonely and looking towards the side of the hall, a person who had been silent for a long time.
The king's eyes were filled with darkness at this moment:
"It is you."
He said slowly:
"The mastermind of all conspiracies."
In a low and turbid voice, the king spit out a name that no one expected: