Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 314 For Dragon Sky City

The Hall of Heroes was completely silent.

Apart from the Qiyuan City delegation, who were extremely familiar with Ian, almost everyone, including the six earls, stared in disbelief at Viscount Ronnie, who was standing on his chair with a beaming smile and his arms outstretched.

It's as if I'm looking at something strange.

Thales had to lower his head, cough lightly, and nudge Ian's leg.

Ian, who was lost in his own world, stirred slightly, seemingly finally realizing the awkwardness of the situation.

He awkwardly withdrew his arms, jumped off his chair, and waved to the entire hall with a stiff smile: "Hey, everyone?"

The nobles in the hall finally snapped out of their astonishment and awkwardly turned their heads or coughed lightly.

They seemed deeply ashamed of what had happened in the Hall of Heroes.

The five previously aggressive counts remained silent, sitting in place with grim expressions, staring at each other.

Thales, watching from the sidelines, chuckled to himself: Ian had interrupted their increasingly forceful questioning.

How should they react to such an unreasonable person and such a bizarre situation?
"Did this clown receive your permission to stand here and insult all of us?" Earl Curtson turned to the Grand Duchess, his eyes cold and his expression stiff, which, combined with his military uniform, made him look like an ice wall: "Madam?"

Selma was about to reply.

“Ladies, Your Excellencies,” among the delegation from Qiyuan City, the old nobleman who had reprimanded Ian suddenly stood up shakily, bowing deeply to the Grand Duchess with a sorrowful and pained expression: “It was just a joke. On behalf of Qiyuan City, I express my condolences for Ian’s actions…”

But before he could finish speaking, the raven-like Monty beside him suddenly reached out and grabbed his shoulder, forcibly pressing down the bewildered old Bonnie.

Ian blinked and nodded slightly to Monty, whose lips were slightly upturned.

Just then, the Grand Duchess on the throne seemed to finally lose patience and coughed.

“Gentlemen,” Thales could tell that Selma was suppressing a laugh as he looked at the counts’ ashen faces, “This is Lord Ian Ronnie from Qiyuan City, the eldest son and heir of Grand Duke Ronnie, Viscount of Wind City.”

"He came with a mission from Grand Duke Ronnie."

Ian smiled amicably and bowed slightly to the Grand Duchess.

The counts all looked at Ian, but none of them showed surprise. Instead, they seemed relieved, as if to say, "I knew it." This made Thales think that perhaps they already knew who Ian was.

“Qiyuan City, Ronnie,” Kurtson glanced at Ian from afar, a hint of seriousness in his eyes: “I have met your father, ‘Long-Haired’ Kuricun, a respectable man whose words are more trustworthy than a longsword. I also respect the Ronnie family, the model of knights in the North for thousands of years.”

Ian's lips twitched slightly, a half-smile playing on his lips.

“But when I see you, boy?” Earl Curtson shook his head dismissively. “I am truly ashamed of your father and family.”

Laughter rippled through the vassals.

Thales noticed a slight flicker in Ian's eyes.

“Likewise,” the heir of Qiyuan City sat down with the most relaxed posture. “When I saw you, I also felt ashamed for Longxiao City and Her Excellency the Grand Duchess.”

Ian scoffed: "A count who hides outside the city when disaster strikes, and remains unscathed when his lord dies in battle."

Earl Curtson's expression turned cold.

“If I were you, you coward,” Ian yawned dramatically, repeating what Curtson had just said to the Meteorite: “you should have found a secluded place to commit suicide instead of shamelessly clinging to the Grand Duchess and pretending nothing happened.”

The meteorite beside the Grand Duchess frowned slightly.

This statement is like a force thrown into a lake, creating huge ripples.

The hall was instantly filled with excitement among the nobles!

The nobles—especially the five earls—stared intently at Ian, who looked completely nonchalant, as if he were their father's killer.

Thales breathed a sigh of relief: "Wow, this little Ronnie really has guts."

“I’ll say it again, Viscount,” Earl Curtson gritted his teeth, emphasizing the other’s title, “and then you and I, we can duel.”

Ian laughed.

"Of course!"

He waved his hand boldly: "Duel!"

Thales was startled: Wait, what is Ian doing...?

But before he could figure it out, the heir of Qiyuan City snapped his fingers, flipped his hands without a care, and pointed at the Qiyuan City delegation with a relaxed expression: "And I hereby designate Lord Ned Monty of Qiyuan City to represent my honor in a duel with you! To the death is no question!"

"How about it?"

In the distance, Monty, who was scratching his neck, froze instantly.

Ian maintained his smiling expression.

The counts' faces stiffened once again as they stared at Ian.

In the duel, searching for an agent... Is this guy really from the North?
Thales breathed a sigh of relief: Thankfully, Ian is still Ian, and won't suddenly turn into a fearless and heroic man.

"When faced with a duel, you hide behind the Deathrattle Raven?"

Earl Curtson glanced at Monty, who looked helpless, then at Ian, his voice filled with barely suppressed rage: "Coward, you are a disgrace to us Northerners."

The nobles in the hall all snorted or laughed disdainfully, and some even cursed.

But Ian seemed to relish these stares, as if he felt nothing at all.

“You flatter me,” Ian said, crossing his legs, crossing his arms, and shrugging. “It is my honor to bring you shame.”

The atmosphere in the hall was ignited once again, with protests and curses from the people of the North flooding in like a tidal wave.

Thales sighed softly and patted Ian on the shoulder.

You're really something, buddy.

Just then, as order was about to spiral out of control, the Grand Duchess's clear and melodious voice suddenly rang out in the buzzing hall.

"Everyone, everyone!"

Amidst the low protests of a row of men, Selma's high-pitched, shrill voice stood out: "Now is not the time for us to fight amongst ourselves!"

Boom!
Nikolai slammed his fist into the wall next to him!
The noise in the hall gradually subsided a little.

As the Fallen One moved, the Grand Duke's guards in the hall, as if they had rehearsed, simultaneously raised their swords and slammed them heavily to the ground.

Boom!
The dull yet deafening sound resonated in the hall, silencing all the indignant nobles.

People couldn't hide their expressions as they all looked towards the highest seat.

Selma glanced at Regent Risban, and only after receiving his confirmation did she manage to finish what she was saying: "Regardless of how we view Lord Ian, we cannot ignore the most important matter at present."

“Qiyuan City has brought bad news from the Golden Corridor,” the Grand Duchess took a breath: “The Free Alliance, which bowed down to the late king’s military might twenty years ago, has recently torn up the agreement signed with my grandfather.”

"Gentlemen, this is a provocation, and even more so an infringement—the honor that Dragon Sky City gained there twenty years ago has been violated."

The Grand Duchess finished speaking.

Ian snapped his fingers, spread his hands amidst a chorus of disdain, and made a "that's it" gesture.

Thales closed his eyes: Here it comes.

No one speaks.

They all seemed to be thinking.

Until the aged Earl of Nazel spoke slowly.

“The cowards in the west have finally stood up for themselves again,” the Earl of Rocky Hill and Hardingshire sighed. “However, history always repeats itself, and people still don’t learn from their mistakes.”

Perhaps Exter's state affairs had slightly attracted the earls' attention, or perhaps it concerned their past wars; in any case, the earls no longer dwelled on the "disgrace of Qiyuan City," and even Earl Curtson merely snorted coldly before turning his head away.

"The Freedom Alliance".

"Those cowards wouldn't dare do this alone. Who's supporting them?" The one-armed count, who had remained silent and seemingly indifferent, frowned. "Those long-eared ones again?"

“No,” Ian seemed to regain his composure slightly, which relieved the members of the Qiyuan City delegation considerably: “White Mountain is calm, and we have not received any unusual information about the White Elves.”

“I still remember twenty years ago,” Earl Linna said, his expression unchanged, “Those cowards in the alliance only had mercenaries to fight for them. Tearing apart their battle formation was easier than tearing paper, and breaching their city walls was just a matter of climbing a ladder.”

"It's nothing serious, Qi Yuancheng can handle it himself."

Ian smiled.

“The pretentious act will have to continue, gentlemen,” Count Lisban, Regent of Longxiao City, clapped his hands and spoke solemnly, his words resounding: “I believe that none of you are fools. You know very well where the key to this game lies, and you even know who is behind the Free Alliance.”

The five counts narrowed their eyes and stared at Lisban.

Ian coughed.

"Everyone, I believe you all know..."

“King Chaman is oppressing and abusing the nobles in his territory,” the viscount from Qiyuan sighed. “Qiyuan, and our like-minded companions, such as Jieshou and Elk, are working to avenge this misfortune.”

Ian raised his eyebrows: "And now, we need the support of Dragonsky City to tell the entire kingdom: the king cannot do whatever he wants."

"The Freedom Alliance incident was an episode in the story, but it cannot be ignored."

That's why I'm here.

There was a moment of silence in the hall, and everyone turned their attention to the six earls at the front.

But the response Ian received was not so positive.

Count Linna coldly said, "Then go find the King. Perhaps if you give him what he wants, the Free Alliance will obediently bow down."

Ian frowned slightly.

“Stop bothering Dragon Sky City,” Kurtson sneered. “This is not our war, at least not now.”

Thales frowned: They all understand.

They are just...

Count Lisbon spoke up at the opportune moment: "But this is our war, and we cannot run away from it."

The former prime minister, whose prestige had swelled for decades, drew solemn glances from everyone. Risban solemnly declared, "Twenty years ago, Dragonsword responded to the Free Alliance's rebellion with blood. This is the glorious past of the Dragonlance family, proof of the former King Nunn's majesty—we are the leaders of Exter, and we bear an inescapable responsibility."

Count Nazel narrowed his eyes as he looked at Risban, who spoke with a stern expression.

Old friend.

“Moreover, this concerns the dignity of the Walton family and the honor of the born king,” Risban said coldly. “When the West changes again, the Walton family cannot stand idly by, and we are all vassals of the Walton.”

"The Free Alliance may think that since the Heavenly King is no longer here, there is nothing to fear in Dragon Sky City, and tearing up the agreement from twenty years ago is nothing."

The five counts stared at Lisban with varying expressions.

"They were wrong."

"And it is up to us to tell them this!"

Lisban's voice echoed in the hall, and everyone fell silent.

Out of the corner of his eye, Thales saw Ian give a dismissive snort.

Selma, who was under immense pressure, finally smiled and looked at Risban with gratitude.

“That’s right, Charles. We need to do what we did twenty years ago: send troops to the west to restore the illustrious reputation of Dragonsky City,” the Grand Duchess seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. “As for King Chaman…”

Just now.

"Of course!"

Opposite Count Lisbon, Count Nazel, the first rank to the right of the Grand Duchess, spoke.

“We are certainly willing to fight for Exster’s honor and for your glory, madam.”

His aged voice did not diminish his majesty in the slightest, and for a moment it even reminded Thales of the former born king.

At that moment, Nazel, like a wise elder, patiently advised, "But as a vassal deeply indebted to the late King and loyal to the Walton family, I have a responsibility and an obligation to remind you: think one step further."

Selma's face tightened.

Thales clenched his fists, a sense of foreboding washing over him.

"Following in the footsteps of your father and grandfather, you have sent troops to the west. This may indeed earn you praise and even become a celebrated story."

"But what happens after we go into battle, after we win and tear down the walls of the Free Alliance again?" Nazel looked around the room and said softly, "We, Dragon Sky City, are nothing more than pawns that are swayed back and forth between Qiyuan City and Black Sand Territory, and are used by others."

Ian raised an eyebrow.

Selma's face tightened, a hint of anxiety in her eyes. She was about to speak when she said, "But..."

“Yes, perhaps you have protected the dignity of Dragonrise City, earning praise such as ‘not bad,’” Nazel interrupted his lord unhurriedly, “but what has Dragonrise City truly gained?”

The nobles in the hall listened to him in silence.

The other five counts, in particular, looked especially grim.

Nazel continued, "To reclaim Exter's authority?"

"Or were these spoils of war sent by Qiyuan City?"

"Or perhaps a certificate of commendation from the King of Black Sand Territory?"

His voice echoed in the hall.

Nazel stared intently at the Grand Duchess with eyes that seemed to pierce the air.

Selma bit her lower lip and looked at Thales for help.

But Thales was powerless at that moment.

“Twenty years ago, my grandfather did the same thing, and he reaped…” The Grand Duchess was somewhat flustered.

She was interrupted again.

“Back then he was king, your grandfather, Nunn, and we all represented all of Exter,” Nazel said slowly. “Now?”

Nazel sighed and, amidst the solemn gazes of everyone, stood up shakily, looking at the Soul-Slaying Spear behind the Grand Duchess.

His eyes were filled with sorrow and longing.

“It’s not like twenty years ago anymore, madam.”

His tone was understated, yet carried an undeniable sadness: "I hate to say this, but this cannot be ignored: Dragon City has long since lost its king."

At that moment, Thales took a second look at the elderly count, a sense of unease creeping into his mind.

He had a premonition of how the conversation was going.

Oops.

This guy……

She's definitely a formidable character, no less so than Lisban!

“We’ve already suffered enough at the hands of outsiders,” Nazel turned around, his voice turning cold. “Why should we become pawns again, using our blood to wade into this mess?”

Whispers could be heard from many people in the hall.

The Grand Duchess was at a loss.

"The suffering brought by outsiders? Old friend," Lisban stared intently at Nazel, "what do you mean by that?"

The person who took over the conversation was Earl Linna.

“Wasn’t he clear enough?” Linna’s words were as piercing as ever: “Six years ago, the new king, along with four grand dukes, almost forcibly determined the ownership of Dragonstreet, making her the first female grand duke in Exter’s history.”

"And we... the late king's most trusted ministers only received the news on the second day and entered the city to pay our respects."

All eyes were drawn to one seat.

There, Selma's face grew even paler.

Nazel shook his head.

“I meant no disrespect, madam,” he said, giving the young woman in the seat an apologetic smile, his tone tinged with disappointment, “but we are no longer the mighty Dragoncity we once were.”

"Over the course of six years, the morale of the vassals was low, the army was disorganized, and the nobility was a disorganized mess that was difficult to unite."

"And adversaries like Black Sand Territory and Qiyuan City can now swagger into the city to spy on us and insult us in the Hall of Heroes."

Count Nazel clenched his fists, his expression grave: “From that day on, the whole of Exeter looked down on us: a girl sitting on the Grand Duke’s throne, helplessly watching Dragonstreet City, desolate and ruined after the disaster, the death of the king, and the ravages of foreign armies.”

Ian was about to say something when Thales grabbed his shoulder.

“No,” the prince frowned, “it’s not the right time yet.”

The Grand Duchess bit her lip tightly, remaining silent.

Opposite him, Lisban's gaze was so sharp it could almost unleash lightning.

"You want us to leave our homes and fight a war far away for others."

“I understand your feelings. As the successor to the late king, you bear unimaginable pressure,” Nazel nodded, regaining his respect and composure. “But you may be overlooking the greater crisis we face.”

"What are you saying?" Under the gaze of everyone in the hall, the Grand Duchess spoke with difficulty: "An even greater crisis?"

Nazel shook his head and remained silent.

“I think the Earl was saying… for six years, in the eyes of others, the Grand Duchess of Dragonstreet is a young and weak orphan, without a husband or children, and the Walton family is on the verge of collapse…”

"Even we, the vassals of Dragonsky City, feel that we are like the setting sun..." Kurtson said sarcastically.

The atmosphere in the hall was becoming increasingly unpleasant.

Thales looked at Selma on the stage, her lips moving weakly, like a fish helplessly struggling on a chopping board.

He clenched his teeth tighter and tighter.

"Are you accusing me?" Selma asked with difficulty, "Accusing me of letting Dragon City..."

Snapped.

Nazel clapped his hands.

"No, we care about you, we value you, and we understand you, ma'am."

Nazel said gently, "Just as we love Dragonsky City and are loyal to His Majesty the late King."

"So we know what difficulties you are facing and what pressure you are under."

“We want to help you, madam. You and the Walton family both need to become stronger.”

"Only by sending troops to the west can we act without any scruples."

Nazel coughed and sat back down in his seat.

He raised his head and looked at his former colleague across from him: "At the same time, Dragon City can no longer afford to waste its time in weakness and turmoil, despising itself in the eyes of the entire Exeter. I am also tired of the endless confrontation with Charles. We used to be friends who would entrust each other with life and death, but now we are enemies because of your matter."

Nazel and Risban exchanged a glance.

Both sides saw the apprehension in each other's eyes.

And disappointment.

“You, Count Nazel, you mean…”

The Grand Duchess spoke haltingly, her head bowed, her arms pressed tightly against the seat.

“Yes, madam,” Nazel turned around, speaking calmly and rationally, like a highly competent advisor, “we want to help you secure that position.”

“I think it’s time for you to need a husband.”

"For Dragon Sky City."

(End of this chapter)