Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 567 Bewitched

When will you finally understand that your father's skill in manipulation has nothing to do with the outcome he stubbornly pursues?

A familiar, shrill voice echoed in my memory.

[And it wasn't just him; countless others, whether they sided with the king like the royalists or opposed him like Gosthenes, their escalating conflict would bring unforeseen consequences.]

Thales sat quietly in his chair, staring intently at the map before him, trying his best to banish from his mind the words Falkenhausen had spoken on the Ghost Prince Tower.

Is this the kingdom he is about to face?
At this moment, all the people in front of the emperor were extremely cautious.

“Do you know, Sodor, that it is not even possible to implement it?”

At the council table, Prime Minister Kulun resembled an elderly person suffering from a serious illness, his voice weak and feeble.
"Just the fact that your words today have been leaked out, do you think it will cause a huge uproar throughout the kingdom?"

The military advisor scoffed and shook his head.

He was about to speak when he was interrupted by the Foreign Minister beside him.

“It’s one thing for us to scrimp and save, supporting the royal standing army on our own,” Gilbert said, his tone still mild, but the warning was clear.
"As for issuing a nationwide decree to reduce the lords' power to conscript armed forces?"

“Sodor, that’s a different story.”

Sodor frowned, seemingly disapproving.

But out of his long-standing respect and admiration for Star Fox, he did not immediately refute it.

Seeing that someone was speaking up for him, Prime Minister Kulun gave the Foreign Minister a grateful look.

“Take Yongxing City as an example: the Royal Standing Army and the Brilliant Star Private Army, one is responsible for this, and the other is conscripted during the service period.”

The Prime Minister nodded and smiled at the shadows cast against the light on the throne.

"Although they come from different sources, they are all powerful tools in His Majesty's hands."

The lord of Brightport, a man of noble birth and nicknamed "Sword of the Gulf," turned to look at Sodor. His eyes no longer held the greasy, agreeable air of a good-natured man, but rather a hint of the earnestness of a negotiating businessman.

"The same is true in various parts of the world: lords usually command a small but professional elite bodyguard, and if needed, they will conscript the vast majority of their people to serve as the main force on the battlefield."

"One strategy, one conventional, working together. One recruitment, one conscription, operating on two parallel tracks."

"This is a common practice in the kingdom, a long-standing tradition."

Treasurer Joker Mann gave a soft hum, Viscount Connie narrowed his eyes, and Lord Clapham simply continued to daydream.

"But it is precisely this dual-track recruitment system that has severely hampered our army!"

Despite his thinning hair and still vigorous appearance, Sodor paid no attention to the stares of others and retorted loudly:

"Reality has proven that the lords' private conscripts, even the private armies of the Shining Star family—no offense, Your Majesty—are poorly organized and of mixed quality, let alone comparable to the elite royal standing army."

King Kessel shifted his posture in the shadows, his face remaining indistinct.

Thales' eyes flickered slightly as he recalled that years ago, the guards protecting the long-closed Mindis Hall were the Starlight Private Army, recruited from his family's territory.

"That's why he could never be granted a noble title..."

Across from him, Joko Mann shook his head dismissively at Sodor while gesturing and complaining to the Prime Minister:
"Every time the atmosphere is good, this damn soldier has to cause trouble, ruin the mood, and mess everything up."

Consultant Sodor turned around abruptly, his eyes sharp.

"And every time it comes to a crucial moment, you're always there, being sarcastic and cynical, clutching your purse tighter than your own treasure."

He retaliated like a general on the battlefield, coldly and decisively:

"That's probably why you've never been granted a noble title, you moneybag."

Joker Mann blushed.

But a few seconds later, facing Sodor's piercing gaze, the resentful treasurer lowered his head.

He was muttering something unintelligible.

In his Hellish Senses, Thales heard Joko muttering something like, "You talk like you don't need to poop."

Having won a minor verbal battle, Sodor no longer looked at Juke, but turned to everyone else:

“Since its establishment during the era of the ‘Sand Kings,’ the Royal Standing Army has undergone decades of development and testing, and has been proven to be a reliable and professional elite force. From recruitment to training, from maintenance to combat, its significance and status far exceed that of ordinary lords’ guards.”

He spoke out generously:
“Take the three guards as examples: Baron Mu’s Fury Guard is a world-class army that excels in fighting tough battles, and is fearless and indomitable, no less than Ext’s heavily armed elite.”

"Lady Satherley's Star Guard guards are stationed at Dragonslayer Fortress. They are experienced, bear heavy responsibilities, and are particularly adept at defense, attrition, and blocking under pressure."

"Baron Williams' Stardust Guard is the sharpest spearhead on the western front, with light cavalry as fast as lightning, covering thousands of miles, and is renowned for its prowess."

Thales recalled the three commanders of Starry Sky and their elite troops, lost in thought.

Sodor's turn to the Duke of Cullen carried a somewhat challenging tone:
"Could the Starlight Private Army, which consists of conscripted soldiers, possibly accomplish all of this?"

"Even the professional personal guards of a few lords—the Black Lion Infantry of the Western Wilderness, the White Eagle Scouts of Arend, the Mountain Walkers of the Giant Horned Deer family—could they possibly do it?"

The king's figure shifted slightly, revealing the sunlight behind him, which shone directly on Sodor.

The military advisor appeared to be upright and imposing at this moment.

Duke Cullen remained silent for a moment.

A moment later, the Prime Minister picked up his teacup and took a small sip:
“When it comes to fighting, Sodor, I am no match for you.”

"But armed self-defense is the natural right of lords, and assisting their lord in battle is their traditional obligation, a normal state that everyone is exposed to from birth."

"From the Central Territory to the Blade's Edge Territory, the conscripted soldiers under the command of the thousands of lords of the Starry Sky account for 90% of the kingdom's total military strength. And the command and leadership responsibilities of their respective sons are related to the promotion and demotion of countless people and the local legitimacy."

Kulun looked intently at Sodor:

"Territory, population, fiscal output, and governance of a region are all contained within this."

"This should not be taken lightly."

However, he did not receive the response he wanted.

"Ninety percent of the kingdom's total military strength?"

Sodor snorted softly:
"Are those the few hundred people you and your loyal lords painstakingly gathered at the national conference six years ago?"

Faced with Sodor's cold gaze, Prime Minister Cullen paused slightly in the hand holding his teacup.

“Sodor, we are in a royal council,” Gilbert spoke up promptly, his tone carrying a warning, which calmed the tense atmosphere somewhat.

"Be careful."

Facing the Foreign Minister, Sodor toned down his fighting spirit and said slowly:
“I’m sorry, Count Cassel.”

The military advisor turned to the others, his expression resolute:

"Your Majesty, gentlemen!"

"His Highness Thales has returned home, the Fortress Treaty is now a dead letter, and there is no longer any room for political compromise between us and Exter!"

Thales frowned.

Gilbert gave him a reassuring look, indicating that there was no need to be nervous.

"The awkwardness of the lords discussing the number of troops to send in the Hall of Stars six years ago is still vivid in my mind."

Sodor did not look at the Prime Minister, but he could not stop everyone else from glancing at the Duke of Cullen.

The latter merely swirled the teacup gently, seemingly unaware of anything amiss.

"That's why I tirelessly moved detailed battle reports to Ballard's room."

The military advisor looked deeply saddened.

"The Star Kingdom cannot withstand another bloody year."

Suddenly, it seemed as if someone abruptly turned off the sound in Ballard's room.

Not even a breath could be heard.

The tabletop, the palm of one's hand, the documents, the teacup—all the courtiers seemed to have found something more interesting, but no one dared to look at the throne at the end of the long table.

Thales took a deep breath and caught a glimpse of it out of the corner of his eye:
King Kessel remained calm and composed, as if he were merely an observer of the meeting before him.

He was just a bystander in that disaster more than a decade ago.

"Enough! Stop spreading alarmist rumors!"

A few seconds later, the financial manager, Joker Mann, who had long harbored opinions, finally couldn't help but speak up:
"Earl Casso just made it very clear: Exter is plagued by internal strife and is declining!"

Sodor's face turned cold, and he quickly retorted:
"Therefore, the balance is broken, and the situation is in turmoil!"

"We need a strong army more than ever!"

Qiu Ke looked disdainful and was about to retort, but before she could speak, her expression changed.

“Ah, Sodor, I understand.”

The treasurer savored the local flavor:

"Are you so enthusiastic about this because you're about to retire...?"

"So you want to give your own people a final push, so that those lowly soldiers in the regular army, including those little vampires in the military affairs department, can be promoted and ennobled, and rise to high positions?"

Joker Mann squinted and clicked her tongue:
"Just like you are now?"

Sodor's expression changed.

“In the eyes of a merchant who sees everything in terms of profit,” he snorted and turned his head away, extremely annoyed, but unlike before, he was not as magnanimous and generous:
Even the sunlight smells of money.

Joker Mann sneered:
"The smell of money?"

"After all this rambling," the treasurer slammed his hand on the table, gritting his teeth as he pointed directly at Sodor, his imposing manner in no way inferior.
"Isn't your goal to siphon money from the national treasury?"

"Sunset is here. Ever since Williams made such a mess of the Western Wilderness, I was hoping that your Military Affairs Department could keep a low profile!"

Sodor took a deep breath, as if about to explode, but ultimately held back under Gilbert's gaze.

As Thales watched the two argue and observed the attitudes of the others, he gradually grasped the rhythm of the Imperial Council.

"It was what happened in the Western Wilderness that strengthened my resolve."

The military advisor's voice trembled slightly, clearly indicating that he was suppressing his anger with great willpower:
"It goes without saying that conscripted militia members who are required to serve in the military face the predicament of lax discipline, inefficient organization, and an awkward position on the battlefield."

“Although the number of standing professional soldiers is small but they are good at fighting, if they only obey the orders of an arrogant lord, it is easy for internal command problems to arise when they cooperate in battle, which is even more harmful than conscripted soldiers.”

"Just like the chaos at Baki's camp, and Exter's defeat."

Sodor said solemnly:
"We thought that running both recruitment and conscription systems would bring the benefits of both, but in reality, we suffered from the drawbacks of both!"

"Whether for war or for politics, whether for standing armies or conscripts, reform is urgently needed."

His words were well-reasoned, lacking the previous spite and accusations. Even Qiu Ke, who disliked Sodor, was unable to refute him for a moment.

Surprisingly, it was Gilbert who spoke this time.

"Not to mention expanding the royal standing army around Yongxing City," the Foreign Minister pleaded earnestly.
"But Lord Sodor, in the eyes of many, interfering with the autonomy of local vassals, especially restricting armed conscription, will be seen as the persecution of freedom by the monarchy."

Perhaps not expecting his old friend to remain unsupportive, Sodor snorted angrily this time, showing no respect for Gilbert:
"Does that mean if we keep quiet and keep backing down, they won't understand it that way?"

Gilbert's expression darkened.

“Look at last night,” the military advisor said coldly.

"An accident that occurred at a royal banquet."

"Whoever dares to reach out to the heir to the kingdom, we must respond!"

Thales remained expressionless, pretending not to see the looks on everyone's faces.

But in his mind, the words of the Duke of the Western Wilderness echoed louder and louder:
But haven't you noticed? Compared to six years ago... both Father and the current feudal lords are acting far too aggressively...

Ironically, do they really think that such a so-called victory can erase their opponent's ambition and hostility?

Sodor's words echoed in reality, perfectly complementing Falkenhausen's words:
"Even for the sake of our descendants, we will eventually have to disband those so-called local conscripts who seem impressive in scale but are actually incompetent and deadly in critical moments!"

Thales gently closed his eyes.

No, they will only push each other further into a worse situation, until the final step... either now or later.

Sodor surveyed the entire room, gritting his teeth as he said:

"Those antiques that are destined to be phased out."

On the other side, Qiu Ke finally grew tired of arguing with him, her face showing impatience:
"Then go tell them!"

The treasurer slammed his fist on the table without any decorum, causing Gilbert and the others to frown.

"Lord Kulen is sitting right here. Tell him to his face, tell the Seven Star Attendants, the Six Great Families, the Thirteen Noble Clans, and countless lords, that the kingdom is going to abolish their conscription system and strip them of their conscription rights!"

"The children and nephews in the family no longer need to take martial arts lessons, no longer need to train knights according to tradition, everyone can concentrate on farming and no longer need to serve in the army—and all the money and taxes originally used for conscription should be handed over to the tax office to support our royal standing army?"

Sodor seemed quite accustomed to the verbal sparring he engaged in with Juke in the royal council:

"I don't think you understand basic cause and effect, money bag."

The military advisor replied coldly:

"It's not because they pay enough taxes that we can afford a standing army."

"And it is precisely because we maintain a standing army that they pay enough taxes!"

These words, perhaps revealing something, caused many people to have strange expressions.

The Duke of Cullen, whom Juke used as an example, was particularly egregious.

"Hahaha!"

The finance director laughed three times sarcastically, then said in a sinister tone:
“You know, thanks to you, soldier, when people outside are indignantly saying, ‘Oh, those royalist traitors, they’re deceiving the king and persecuting the loyal again in the dark,’ I think: maybe we’re not so innocent after all.”

"Then perhaps you, innocent as you are, and your bunch of accountants, should join the camp of the 'loyal and virtuous'," the military commander retorted sarcastically.

Thales scratched his head:
He suddenly realized that the small but efficient Starry Sky Imperial Conference was not necessarily clearer and simpler than the large-scale National Affairs Conference or the rough and unrestrained hearings in Dragon Sky City.

"Watch out, Sodor."

Prime Minister Cullen sighed, reluctantly interrupting the argument before Juke could find new words to retort:

"Some things, once said..."

“There’s a price to pay.”

Sodor averted his murderous gaze from Juke and responded to Cullen:
"So, are you saying this as Prime Minister, or as the Duke Protector of the East Sea Territory?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Prime Minister Kulun's face turned ugly.

"Sodol!"

Gilbert sternly interrupted his aggressive old friend:
"enough!"

The Foreign Minister clearly wielded considerable influence at court, and his words promptly prevented his colleagues' argument from escalating into a petty squabble.

The meeting room was quiet for a while.

A few seconds later, Kulen let out a long breath, quite moved.

"I didn't expect to say this here, but please understand, Advisor..."

The portly Lord of Huigang City leaned against the table, his expression sincere:
"At the Royal Council meeting, I held the dual positions of Prime Minister and Guardian Duke..."

"At this moment, this is far more important to the Star Kingdom than I am one of its members."

These words startled all the officials present, including Sodor.

Even Thales couldn't help but raise his head and look at the usually shrewd Duke.

“Though you come from humble beginnings, you now hold a high position, Lord Sordor Red,” said Bob Cullen, the Kingdom’s Prime Minister, looking directly at Sordor.

"He should understand this better than anyone else."

Sodor remained silent for a long time.

A few seconds later, he unexpectedly bowed to Duke Cullen:
"My mistake, Your Excellency."

I understand your difficulties.

This improved Thales's opinion of him considerably.

Finally, a serious voice rang out in Ballard's room.

"What Bob said makes sense."

Everyone turned solemn and looked toward the end of the long table.

King Kessel raised his head, revealing his profile in the light, which exuded a rather fierce aura.

“It would be unwise to rashly interfere with the vassal’s military power.”

"Rumba is a cautionary tale."

These words seemed to set the tone for the argument that had just taken place.

Prime Minister Cullen breathed a sigh of relief:

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

As if by unspoken agreement, the subordinates breathed a sigh of relief.

"Ok."

“Since you put it that way,” Sodor said, his face displeased and seemingly unwilling, but he still yielded:

"I am withdrawing my proposal to reduce the national conscription."

Prime Minister Kulun curled his lips into a smile, transforming back into the smug Duke of the East Sea:

"Thank you for your understanding."

The treasurer also leaned back in his chair, looking as if he had just escaped a great difficulty:

"Thank God."

Gilbert pursed his lips and smiled at his colleagues. At that moment, Thales, gazing at the king at the far end of the long table, suddenly realized:
The Imperial Council is different.

At least, at the national conference, King Kessel could not possibly have the power to overpower the six great families and thirteen noble clans with a single word.

On days when she held court, the Grand Duchess had to be extremely careful, even when facing her own vassals.

Only here, in Ballard's Chamber, no matter how loudly the courtiers argued...

The iron-fisted king always sat at the far end of the long table.

“But Your Majesty,” Sodor’s words interrupted Thales’ thoughts:

"You can start by piloting the program in Yongxing City, setting an example by reducing the number of regular-serving Radiant Star private soldiers. Surely that's achievable?"

Everyone was stunned.

Kessel, however, pondered for a few seconds and said slowly:
"If it doesn't involve other regions..."

"Perhaps there won't be much opposition."

The military advisor's eyes lit up:
"very good."

"We can select the best from the disbanded Starlight Private Army to expand the royal standing army..."

The king pondered for a moment.

A few seconds later, King Kessel spoke again, his tone leaving no room for argument:
“Alright, Sodor, Joker, Clapham, you guys finalize the details.”

"Start with the Starlight Private Army, begin to reduce the conscription period, and carefully replenish the royal standing army."

"Let's see how it goes."

Apart from Qiu Ke's drastic change in expression, the others present hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not interrupt.

The military advisor looked pleased:

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The next second, Joker Mann spoke up urgently!
"Wait—wait a minute!"

The finance steward, who had been looking relieved, sprang forward from his chair, pointing incredulously at Sodor:

"Expansion—how did we end up back here again?"

The military advisor's eyebrows twitched slightly, but he remained silent.

The treasurer glanced at the king, then at Sodor, his expression shifting.

"I understand, soldier, you did it on purpose!"

He was horrified:
"All this talk about reducing the military strength of the feudal lords is just a pretext—you were determined from the beginning to ask for the moon and then negotiate the price down!"

Juke pointed incredulously at Sodor, his finger trembling:
"It's all about making money to expand the army!"

Sodolf, having achieved his goal, remained calm.

“I have already conceded, His Majesty has approved, and no one else has any objections,”

Qiu Ke looked around and was surprised to find that Cullen's expression was silent and Gilbert was speechless—no one was objecting as before.
"You think I'm easy to bully, don't you!"

Sodor gave a soft hum:
"After the expansion is completed, the Military Affairs Department will give you a new list of personnel salaries and material procurement."

"Money bag."

Now it was Joker Man's turn to be in an uproar.

"Damn 'soldier'!"

The treasurer adopted a fierce expression, like a dog guarding its food, and spoke slowly and deliberately:
"I'll mercifully repeat myself—just as I've said countless times on countless occasions last year—the maintenance costs of the Royal Guard are already severely, heavily, and excessively high!"

"I strongly suggest you take a good look at last year's financial statements. If your brain isn't up to the task, at least look at the previous quarter's!"

"If you still insist on expanding your standing army after that, I suggest you find your own source of funding—by the way, it's all the rage on Red Street to do business with wealthy ladies, and your strong, muscular soldiers with six-pack abs are in high demand!"

Solon frowned slightly:

"How did you know?"

Lord Juke Man blushed and coughed:
"Managing finances, coordinating taxation, and formulating economic policies naturally require expertise in that, that... all walks of life."

In the awkward silence, a trembling voice rang out:
Can I say something?

Everyone turned their gaze and saw Lord Clapham, the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, cautiously forcing a smile:

"My lords, I read Lord Sodor's draft proposal to expand the army last year. Although our grain and goods production has recovered well, but..."

"Throughout the country, the amount of farmland, pastureland, mines, forests, and towns reclaimed in the last decade has fallen far short of the rate at which the army has expanded and titles have been conferred..."

He smiled ingratiatingly and tentatively asked:

"Everyone, do you know what this means?"

Juke Mann seemed encouraged; he shrugged his shoulders and raised his arms:
"Look at this! A soldier!"

But the person who replied immediately was not Sodor.

"This means we can't just cut costs; we need to increase revenue as well."

Qiu Ke turned her head and saw who was speaking:

"Viscount Connie?"

The well-mannered Minister of Commerce, Viscount Connie, gave him a slight bow.
"The internal strife and decline of Exster will inevitably lead to turmoil in the surrounding areas. Unfortunately, their territory is vast, and nearly a third of the trade routes in the entire Western Continent will be blocked. Merchants and goods will have to find other ways to go, which may even affect transoceanic trade between the East and West Continents."

The newly appointed Grand Chancellor observed the expressions around him, trying to seize this hard-won opportunity to speak:

"If we can seize the opportunity while the Northerners are preoccupied with their own problems, deploy our forces and launch an aggressive attack, such as taking control of the three major trade routes in the Great Desert, reclaiming the Misty Sea Corridor, and even further influencing the kingdoms of Dragon's Kiss and the Long Corridor sea route... to gain more benefits from the outside world?"

Gilbert frowned, and Prime Minister Cullen grinned.

Even the king's eyes flickered.

“Did I hear that right, Connie the Pointy-Faced?” Joker Mann said incredulously, “Sodor wants money to expand his army, fine…”

"You fucking want to go abroad and fight a war?"

Viscount Connie offered a friendly smile, but unfortunately, it had little effect on his pointed face:

"Manager Qiu, we're talking about absolute control over key trade routes, strategic strongholds, resource-rich areas, and massive transoceanic trade. That's a huge sum of money—if we succeed, I guarantee you'll never have to worry about finances again."

But the treasurer only heard one key word, and he looked on with suspicion:

"if?"

Viscount Connie's smile remained unchanged:

"To achieve this, perhaps—and I mean perhaps—the size and armaments of the standing army could indeed be temporarily increased..."

Qiu Ke gritted her teeth:

"Maybe?"

Connie coughed:
"Yes, but there is no doubt that as the kingdom gradually recovers and its commerce and trade flourish again, it needs trade routes, markets, gold and silver, exchange, and more opportunities, which in turn will provide considerable tax revenue for the country. This will be a sustainable virtuous cycle..."

Qiu Ke's face contorted, and her complexion grew increasingly worse:
"continued?"

Viscount Connie shrugged:

"In short, Advisor Sodor, Steward Juke, how about we reconsider the next expedition?"

Juke Mann understood what the other party meant, and his gaze kept shifting back and forth between the Minister of Commerce and the military advisor.

Sodor pondered for a moment:

"It's not impossible, but we should find some time to look at the map and find potential targets. The royal standing army needs to train..."

Just now.

"Go yourselves if you want to go!"

The ministers were startled and turned their heads.

Qiu Ke had somehow stood up, her lips trembling, her anger barely contained:

"You bunch of good-for-nothings, you're a waste of money!"

This stingy steward was not stingy at all:
"Don't even think about getting a single penny from me!"

"One penny! One! Penny!"

Before everyone's astonished gazes, the Money Bag Lord spat angrily:
"You make it sound so easy, why don't you go to the Wang family bank yourselves, fawn over all the big tycoons and invite them to Red Street, give them the best food and wine, and treat them to whatever they want, like prostitutes, begging and pleading, just so they can extend the repayment period and lend us more money to make up for the financial deficit?"

Gilbert coughed lightly, as if to remind Qiu to be careful with her words.

But Qiu Ke seemed completely oblivious, continuing to grin and grimace.

"And then back to the government office, waiting for vampires like you and Dabing to chase after them like overgrown brats, crying and begging for money, turning the hard-won, beautiful financial statements back into a bottomless pit?"

Qiu Ke kept rambling on and on, getting angrier and angrier, with a hint of despair in her tone:
"The kingdom's treasurer? Bah!"

Perhaps it was because she was feeling sad, Qiu Ke slammed her hand on the table!

"I'm just a shameless male prostitute! I lie on the bed, forcing a smile as I get fucked by the customers, and before I can even warm the money I've just put in my ass, I have to get up and hand it over to the madam! And I even have to pay for the lubricant myself!"

With his eyes closed, Joker Mann frantically clenched his fists in front of his chest, enunciating each word clearly:
"Damn it, it's like this every year!"

"Every year!"

Every single year!

Thales was utterly shocked.

Even the king looked strange.

A few seconds later, Gilbert coughed loudly:
"Qiu Ke, the occasion!"

The finance director took a few breaths before he came to his senses and was immediately startled.

"Ahem, well," he bowed to the king, utterly embarrassed.

"I... I was just using an analogy, a rhetorical device, a rhetorical device..."

The imperial council fell silent for a moment.

“I know this is difficult, Joker,” the king finally offered a rare word of comfort:

"That's why I need you in this position, more than anyone else."

King Kessel stared at Joker from afar:

"This is a job that even the most noble people cannot do."

The treasurer trembled slightly, his expression instantly becoming deeply moved.

"Of course, Your Majesty, of course."

Upon receiving the King's encouragement and approval, Joker Mann looked grateful.

"It is my honor to serve you..."

“Here we go again,” said the military advisor Sodor indignantly.
"That's how he managed to renege on so many budget proposals..."

Juke simply gazed faithfully at the king, seemingly oblivious.

King Kessel raised his hand and rubbed his forehead:
"That's enough, let's rest."

"The meeting will be held again this afternoon to discuss how to help Qiu Ke solve the budget problem."

These words were like the ringing of a school bell, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Only Sodor and Joker, who were at the center of the discussion, exchanged a glance and turned their heads away with disdain.

Cullen, Clapham, Stiliandes, the scarred man from Miko... everyone bowed respectfully and rose from their seats.

Thales also breathed a sigh of relief, stood up with Gilbert, and helped him tidy up his notes and materials.

until--

"You stay."

Thales froze.

The king didn't even open his eyes.

But everyone knows who he's talking about.

The prince sighed inwardly and then sat down again.

Ok.

What's meant to happen will happen.

The ministers all glanced at him, their expressions varying.

“Relax,” Gilbert patted his shoulder and said softly.

Just answer truthfully.

Sodor made a special trip through Thales to pay his respects to the Duke of Starlake:
"I hope I haven't frightened you, Your Highness."

“It’s a pity. If the war in the Western Wilderness could continue,” the military advisor sighed, “it would further prove that the lords’ private armies are useless and pose a serious threat.”

"The proposal to gradually reform conscripts into a standing army is even more convincing."

He glanced at Thales with regret:
"Your Highness, I wish you could stay in the desert a little longer..."

A little longer.

Thales froze for several seconds.

Something about that sounds a bit odd.

A few minutes later, as the stone gate closed, only he and the king remained at the royal council meeting.

The narrow Ballard Room felt much more spacious.

However, the atmosphere became heavy.

Thales remained seated, trying to suppress his anxiety, watching King Kessel rub his forehead.

suddenly.

Do you love her?

Thales was puzzled:
"What? Love what?"

But the king did not ask him what he meant at all.

"Whenever that girl is mentioned."

King Kessel lowered his hand, revealing a pair of cold eyes from the shadows:
"You're like a mother hen protecting her chicks."

Thales was shocked, but he tried his best to keep his expression normal.

After last night's unexpected events, he considered the possible reasons why King Kessel might have sought him out: assassination, duel, wager, acting on his own initiative...

But this...

"I have a good relationship with her."

Thales frowned and said:

"But no."

Duke Starlake chuckled and shook his head:
"She is the Grand Duchess of Dragon Sky City."

"I don't love her."

"It's impossible for me to love her."

After saying that, King Kessel stared at him for a long time.

Thales felt a chill run down his spine.

"Then why at last night's banquet?"

The king spoke softly, each word carrying immense weight:
“Gilbert, East Sea Territory, Cliff Territory, Deer City, Reconstruction Tower, you cry and beg for help from everyone you can find, wagging your tail and pleading for mercy…”

"Just to help her out?"

what?
At that moment, Thales' heart skipped a beat.

How could he...?

No.

Thales frowned, trying to explain:

"I don't understand. I saw a lot of people last night, but..."

But the king used an affirmative statement, leaving him no room for argument.

"You were terrible last night."

Iron Fist King leaned back, sinking completely into the darkness of Ballard Chamber. A hint of disdain lingered in his voice:
"Lord Polaris".

Polaris.

For some reason, the way this northerner addressed Thales sent a chill down his spine at that moment.

"So, the heir to the throne of the Star Kingdom fell in love with a girl from the North of the Walton family."