Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 316 Plan
Selma looked thoughtful.

The old count leaned back slightly and subconsciously looked up at the dragon spear carving in the clouds above his head.

"Gentlemen!" Nazel spoke loudly, drawing the attention of the vassals in the hall; he didn't seem like an old man at all.

"Six years."

"When the King of Heaven departed, for all sorts of flimsy reasons, the so-called balance and equilibrium of Dragon Sky City was disrupted," Nazel said wearily, as if talking to himself.

"It's already broken."

The hall fell silent; these words caused many to fall into deep thought.

"The six most powerful vassals have successively broken with each other over the power vacancy left by His Majesty Nuen."

The other four counts moved simultaneously, but apart from Count Kelke Gorky, the other three subconsciously avoided the gaze sweeping over them by Lisban.

"On one hand, we suspect that Lisban, who holds great power, is monopolizing the political situation, isolating the Grand Duchess, and attempting to undermine His Majesty Noon's great legacy."

"On the other hand, Lisbon sat high on the throne as regent, hating our disobedience and selfishness after the death of the late king."

Selma was stunned.

Nazel stared coldly at Risban, whose face was as cold as ice, his eyes revealing disappointment and hatred.

Smaller families, on the other hand, kept to themselves in their own territories, living cautiously and carefully in this standoff, fearing that they might make a wrong move.

The buzzing from the vassals subsided slightly.

"And the arrival of the Sky Queen, the sudden death of the Heavenly King, and the mysterious coronation of King Chaman here, have stirred up a storm throughout the kingdom, causing widespread panic?"

Selma bit her lower lip and subconsciously looked at Thales—but Thales just looked down at the floor tiles, despite Ian's repeated winks and hints.

Nazel's eyes flashed with pain and anger, making it difficult to discern whether they were genuine or not.

"What is even more heartbreaking is that, over the past six years, what people outside of Dragon City have seen is this fact: the direct bloodline of the once powerful and incomparable Walton family has run out of successors, except for an orphan girl."

"Therefore, after the joint throne was established and the people left Dragon City... Ambitious individuals like Chaman Lumba gradually became greedy, 'Long-haired' Kulikun Ronnie of Qiyuan City became increasingly arrogant, Fengzhao City, which had always been on good terms with us, turned a blind eye, and the attitude of Jieshou City and other places towards us was ambiguous. The various conflicts between us and the local nobles under the jurisdiction of the Grand Duchy, which bordered Dragon City, only became more and more frequent."

Count Nazel raised his head indignantly and straightened up from the back of his chair.

He said coldly, "Not to mention our imperial neighbors to the south, who have been secretly celebrating the fall of this city countless times."

Thales scratched his head, still pretending not to know.

Nazel's tone grew increasingly stern: "Madam, it's been six years. Without His Majesty Nunn, Dragonsreach City can no longer unite."

"Can't you really see any of our resentment and pain as we fall from the clouds?"

"Our so-called balance of power was shattered six years ago during the earth-shattering upheaval caused by His Majesty the late King!"

The atmosphere in the hall shifted from eerie to heavy.

Lisban's face darkened.

Thales let out a deep breath: This Earl Nazel…

He was indeed an outstanding figure under King Nuen.

If he wasn't on the opposite side.

Before the Grand Duchess's pale face and the pensive gazes of the princes, Nazar shook his head with a pained expression:
"Now, madam, do you understand what your marriage represents, what it means to have a strong and capable husband, and what it means to have a healthy and reliable heir for yourself and your family?"

Nazel's face was stern, his beard bristling with anger. His words left the Grand Duchess speechless, frozen in her previous expression.

"Is this a sacrifice and cost that is detrimental to you? Perhaps."

Nazel scanned all the vassals present:
"But is it something that absolutely must be done? Of course!"

Selma stared at Nazel in disbelief, seemingly unsure how to react.

“We respect you, madam,” Earl Nazel said, his expression returning to its respectful tone as he bowed to the Grand Duchess. “But I believe the best way to show this respect is to truly regard you as the ruler of Dragonsreach.”

"I will lay bare before you the facts that a duke of a city should face, the price and sacrifices he should pay, no matter how unpleasant or painful they may be, no matter what difficulties or obstacles they may be—marriage is just one of them."

Selma looked at Count Nazel, who seemed genuinely sincere, with a somewhat bewildered expression.

"Instead of treating you like a puppet on strings, fully decorated and then locked away in the deep palace."

“Instead of using the guise of 'for your own good,' assuming the role of a protective tree, and righteously severing all ties between you and the cruel side of this world,” Nazel said with a disdainful glance at the pale-faced Regent of Lisbon:
"What we need is a lord who can protect Dragonsky City, madam."

"Instead of being a vase held in the hands of others, a Grand Duke in name only, used to decorate Dragon Sky City."

"Nazere!"

Lisban's eyes sharpened:
"What did you say?"

“He has only spoken our minds, Your Excellency the Prime Minister,” Earl Linna replied coldly. “I simply cannot imagine what kind of regent would raise our lord as a princess for six years—she may be a girl, but she is the last of the Dragonlance family bloodline.”

Lisban clenched his fists, while behind him, the Meteorite guarding the Grand Duchess blushed.

Thales felt a weight on his shoulder: Ian leaned in.

“I think I’ve figured out the relationship between these six vassals,” Ian whispered in Thales’ ear.
"But, this Regent of Lisbon, for the past six years, has he been staying in Valhalla to shield your little girl from harm or to draw arrows?"

You've hit the nail on the head, Your Excellency.

Thales took a deep breath and forcefully suppressed the suspicion in his mind.

“Now, it is time to break that vase, madam,” Count Nazel said, ignoring Lisban. He bowed again to the Grand Duchess, his eyes gleaming. “The broken tiles may sting your skin, but only blood can cleanse the hearts of the Northmen—even if you are just a girl.”

As Thales listened to Nazel's words, a sense of familiarity suddenly welled up within him.

In that instant, he suddenly realized that perhaps this Earl of Nazel, or the other four vassals, were not, as Putilae had said, self-serving and powerful ministers, nor were they, as Risban had warned, princes who were eager to make a move after Nunn's death.

Thales's gaze swept over the cunning Risban, past the composed Nazel, the rather friendly Hearst, the silent Kierkegaard, the cold Linna, and the outspoken Curtson.

On the contrary, King Nuen may have left his successor a team capable of restoring Dragonstreet's glory.

However, this group of people experienced the greatest unexpected event left behind by King Nuen's untimely death...

A Grand Duchess.

Thales looked at Selma with concern.

The Grand Duchess simply stared blankly at the Earl.

They didn't seem to realize what was happening.

They seemed to have nothing to say.

“The Nazel family motto says: the noble bear responsibility, and the rulers must make sacrifices,” Nazel said coldly. “If you want to uphold the family’s honor and safeguard the prestige of Dragon Sky City, then the price is inevitable—that is you and your fate.”

"Ms. Selma."

At that moment, Prince Thales, who was completely focused, vaguely recalled that day many years ago.

He recalled that heavy, authoritative voice in that dimly lit tomb chamber:

Are you ready?

[From the moment it was given the name of Shining Star...]

Fight for the stars, die for the stars, and...

Thales suddenly opened his eyes!

Just as the entire hall fell silent after Count Nazel's words, a familiar cry of pain broke the silence once again.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts..."

All eyes in the hall turned in the same direction with a mixture of frustration and dissatisfaction: Viscount Ian Ronnie, the heir to the city of Qiyuan, was shouting exaggeratedly, rubbing his calves while looking at Thales beside him with resentment.

Thales silently withdrew his foot as if nothing had happened, as if he had never kicked Ian's leg at all.

"What's wrong with you?"

Earl Curtson's anger was almost overflowing: "Lord Clown?"

The Grand Duchess and her vassals also came to look.

Ian sighed, ignoring the coded signals the Qiyuan City delegation was desperately trying to send him, shrugged helplessly, and put on a relaxed smile.

“Excuse me for interrupting,” Lord Ronnie stood up, made a gesture to stop, and smiled apologetically, as if he were genuinely embarrassed.
"You're all talking so enthusiastically, but who remembers the original topic, the Freedom Alliance, remembers, remembers... that we are the key parties involved?"

The six earls were slightly taken aback.

“That’s right,” Ian said excitedly, looking at everyone in the hall. Like teaching a child vocabulary, he gestured wildly while mouthing the words: “Qi-Yuan-Cheng…”

On the other side, the members of the delegation from Qiyuan City sighed, lowered their heads, and gave up all hope.

Thales shook his head.

coming.

He looked up, met Selma's gaze on the steps, and returned her a reassuring smile.

It's fine.

Just like many years ago.

“Listen, clown,” Earl Curtson said curtly, unmoved by Ian’s supposedly humorous act, “you want our reinforcements?”

"Then shut your mouth and listen carefully!" The vassals looked at Ian, who stood upright, with cold eyes.

"Reinforcements?"

Ian raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised.

But the next second, he had an "I see" look on his face, and then grinned.

“Hahahaha,” Ian laughed, shaking his head and waving his hands as if he had heard the most unbelievable rumor: “No, no, no, I think that you all, including the Grand Duchess, may have misunderstood me.”

Below the Grand Duchess, the six counts all wore strange expressions, and the remaining dozen or so vassals also frowned.

“In fact, I never said anything about ‘sending troops’ from beginning to end,” Ian shrugged innocently, giving Thales a barely perceptible wink beside him:

“I am here on behalf of Qiyuan City, not to ask Longxiao City for help.”

The words fell.

Thales clearly saw that almost all the nobles in the hall were slightly taken aback.

Even the delegation from Qiyuan City was no exception; the Death Raven even spread its hands toward old Boni beside it, showing a puzzled expression.

This was also the Grand Duchess's reaction.

"What did you say?" Selma asked in surprise.

"We can handle the war ourselves," Ian said dismissively, waving his hand. "Otherwise, wouldn't it be a disgrace to the North if we couldn't even deal with those useless bastards from the Free Alliance?"

Everyone was stunned.

The nobles in the hall exchanged glances, seemingly unable to comprehend the meaning of those words.

The six most important earls fell into deep thought.

“But you are rallying allies across the land against the King,” Earl Nazel said thoughtfully.
“Once we get bogged down in war, all of the Duke of Qiyuan’s calls for a joint resistance against the king will become empty talk.”

“Oh, all I need is the Grand Duchess’s signature on the letter of condemnation,” Ian said with his smile, raising a finger and waving it in the air. “But believe me, we don’t need military support.”

Nazel instinctively looked toward Risban, only to find that his old friend and rival remained silent.

Something is wrong.

"Then Qiyuan City..." The Grand Duchess on the throne frowned slightly:
What brings you here?

Ian took a deep breath, his smile slowly fading, and he became serious.

He turned his head and glanced at the puzzled vassals.

Twenty years ago, when my grandfather was seriously ill...
When the fiefdom was unstable and my father was in a state of utter distress..."

Ian sighed softly, then spoke forcefully: "Faced with the rebellion of the Free Alliance, and under the immense pressure of the White Mountain and even the Cornish people's blatant intervention, it was His Majesty Nuen's wise decision that led him to send Prince Suril to lead troops westward to aid Qiyuan City without hesitation."

Ian, his expression sorrowful, bowed deeply to Selma, who was seated in the audience.
"The Ronnie family will forever remember this kindness and righteousness."

The vassals, observing the Viscount's unusual behavior, were filled with endless bewilderment.

Selma glanced at Thales.

Ian straightened up, his eyes shining like those of an enthusiastic bard:
"And that war forged the glory of the Walton family: faced with Exter's world-class army, the Free Alliance collapsed at the first touch, Cornmas' mercenaries were routed, and even the elite White Elves were no match for them!"

Thales felt a little embarrassed:
You speak as if you've witnessed twenty years in your life, Your Excellency Ian at nineteen.

“Madam, your father and grandfather,” Ian smiled slightly at the vassals, “you spread the fame of Dragonsreach along the Golden Corridor, intimidated Cornmas, and drove back the White Elves, the influence of which continues to this day.”

"That is the glory of your family."

Nikolai the Meteorite grinned slightly, while Monty the Death Raven below the stage shrugged in tacit agreement.

Count Nazel frowned: Why would he say such things...?

Is it...

“But now, the great Dragonsreaching City is in dire straits,” he said, his expression mirroring that of Earl Nazel, who had just been heartbroken.
"What you just witnessed deeply worries me: you want to protect the family's honor, but you are forced to make no progress due to the situation in Dragon Sky City."

"The Walton family has been unfortunately tarnished."

The expressions of the five counts, excluding Lisbon, grew increasingly grim, their eyes filled with growing suspicion.

"But it doesn't matter!"

Ian clenched his fist and swung it forcefully.

Without hesitation, the Viscount of Qiyuan City stepped forward: "I, Ian Ronnie of Qiyuan City, will make up for your regret."

The Grand Duchess looked at him, puzzled, and blinked: "Huh?"

Thales lowered his head:
Great, everything is going according to plan.

Hopefully nothing unexpected happens.

but……

Thales unconsciously clenched his fist, forcibly suppressing the inexplicable displeasure in his heart.

Ian's eyes were resolute, and his words were firm: "Selma, please grant me a battle flag of Dragon Sky City, so that I and Qiyuan City may represent you, lead the army on the path your father once traversed, fight against the Free Alliance, and protect the honor of your family!"

His sudden change in addressing the Grand Duchess surprised many people.

"I will recreate our history, and once again plant the banner of the Dragon Spear in the Clouds and the banner of the Knights' Code on the walls of Freehold, so that all the bards who can find it may sing of our great victory!"

“I will tell our enemy, you, Selma Walton, Grand Duchess of Dragonsreach,” Ian said, behaving like a fanatical recruit.

"The Dragonlance family's debts have been recovered!"

Faced with his aggressive gaze, the Grand Duchess appeared slightly flustered.

Realizing what was happening, Count Nazel gritted his teeth and said, "Enough, Lord Ian..."

But the Earl was unable to interrupt Ian.

"Rest assured, the glory of Dragon City will not be diminished by the absence of troops," Ian took a deep breath, his eyes filled with pride and excitement, "because soon everyone will know that the victory in this war belongs to both Ian Ronnie and Selma Walton!"

"It was Ian Ronnie of Qiyuan City who fought this war for Selma Walton of Longxiao City!"

The entire hall erupted in cheers!

Nikolai had to take charge again, suppressing the clamor of discontent and confusion among his vassals, even though he himself looked quite displeased.

"Wait a minute," the Grand Duchess seemed to finally sense something was wrong, and she stammered, "Your Excellency Ian, what is this...?"

“And after the glorious victory,” Ian ignored the astonished Selma, immersing himself in his own world, his tone warm and tender:
"At that time, please, kind sir, grant me, in my humble state, an excessive request."

“Please, request?” Selma’s face turned pale.

For the first time, she exchanged a glance with the six counts below her, whose faces were equally grim.

It was as if only at this moment did they stand together.

Ian extended both hands gently towards the Grand Duchess seated in her seat:
"This is Qiyuan City's way of giving back, and it is also my way of showing my sincerity, Selma."

“I am willing to use this victory to earn the right to approach you—at a time when vassals are disloyal and territories are in turmoil, I am willing to stand by your side and become the man who upholds the honor of your family and safeguards the prestige of your lord.”

Selma exchanged countless glances with the equally caught-off-guard counts, then looked up with difficulty and embarrassment, saying, "You mean..."

Beside Ian, Prince Thales stood with a stiff expression.

His fists tightened.

Ian took another step forward, gazing at Selma from afar, a strange expression on his face.

“Please let me continue to protect you, my dear girl,” Lord Ronnie said gently and tactfully, explaining his purpose: “forever.”

At this moment, the hall fell into a truly deathly silence.

The counts were ashen-faced.

With the most yearning and tender gaze, Ian's words trembled with excitement:
"The beautiful and noble Ms. Selma Walton".

Young Ian clutched his heart, struggling to suppress his emotions, and spoke softly:
"Marry me."

"Let the Ronnie family and the Walton family become one, and let Qiyuan City and Longxiao City be like brothers, jointly protecting our honor."

"Let me be your strongest support."

At that moment, the hall fell into a deathly silence.

From the Grand Duchess and the six Earls down to the other vassals and even the guards, everyone was dumbfounded and utterly astonished.

It was as if I had witnessed the most incredible scene in the world.

Except for Thales.

The Star Prince, with an icy expression, was staring intently at Ian's legs, his fists clenched.

I almost scratched my palms raw.

Never mind, I'll just post it directly.

(Clenches fist) From today onwards, I will become a diligent writer!
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(End of this chapter)