Kingdom Bloodline

Chapter 68 The capable shall occupy the position

When most Star People think of the Exter people, their first reaction is always: "Sturdy and cold-resistant".

The second reaction will be different.

Commoners would scratch their heads in confusion and say "barbaric" or "rude," while merchants would probably chuckle and say "honesty makes for good business," and mercenaries and adventurers would smile mysteriously and tell you that they are the first choice whether charging or covering the rear.

The veterans who had fought them would frown, sigh deeply in their deepest memories, amidst the soda and tobacco, and leave with the words: They are not to be trifled with.

But based on the continental history and geography that Thales had read, at least the nobles and lords of the Stars had a completely different and complex impression of their powerful northern neighbor.

As the strongest nation in the Western Continent, Exter possesses a formidable and powerful army with an astonishing record of victories. It is both a reliable and steadfast ally during the continental wars and a terrifying and ferocious dragon in the struggle between the three powers of the Western Continent.

Compared to the orderly and refined Star Kingdom, this is a powerful nation full of romantic spirit and rebellious heart, with a martial spirit and heroic sentiments. Its long traditions even predate the ancient empire.

From the distant, primitive era, from the "Alliance of All Beasts" forged between the Northern King Takmu and the Orcs, to the Iron King's heroic sacrifice as humanity's "last line of defense" against the Orcs, this northern territory of humanity has witnessed the fiercest winds that once swept through, awakening humanity from its weak and primitive state.

Then came the Age of Kings, the Battle of Quel'Guir, where two thousand human cavalry charged fearlessly against twenty thousand orc heavy infantry in the "Battle of the Saints," and the mighty knights of the North gathered under the Emperor's banner, conquering all sides in sword and fire, establishing an ancient empire. The northern lands witnessed how humanity's single sword became the sharpest blade in the world.

During the Imperial Age, the righteous act of the "Rebellious King" Quesor of the Northern Province against the tyrant was not well-known in the Star Kingdom, which considered itself the legitimate successor to the Empire. However, Thales had read that the Rebellious King, with only three hundred men left, charged into the three major legions of the Empire on the side of Lonely Peak and died in battle. This heroic act awakened the deep-seated ailments and hidden wounds within the seemingly powerful Empire, thus setting the stage for the Empire's first civil war.

The closest to the contemporary Kingdom of Exter is the "Reversal of the Cold Winds" battle, a cataclysmic final war in which the hero Nekaru and his knights descended from the sky in the darkest and most desperate moment, rushing straight to the heart of the enemy army. This battle ignited the hope of resistance in the northern provinces and even the entire world, saving the precarious northern and western war zones. Not to mention the chaotic post-war continental fragmentation, he and his nine loyal knights together created the legendary founding of Exter.

More recently, the legendary adventures of Sara, the hero from Exter, Midil, the Oathkeeper of the Stars, and Kempon, the prophet, and their heroic battle against the Eastern Continental Alliance during the Third Continental War, are still stories that people in the world of Errol talk about today—at least in the Western Continent.

Compared to the Star Kingdom, which is like an old gentleman burdened with the heavy orthodoxy of the empire and whose founding story is filled with tragedy and bitterness, the Kingdom of Exter is full of heroism and resistance. It is more like a young warrior full of hope and passion, who will forge ahead with his sword and die without regret.

Just like the Exter man that Thales saw before him.

Baron Russell Vida, Exter's urgent envoy, stood proudly in the council hall of the Palace of Restoration, second only to the Hall of Stars, completely unconcerned about the hostile gazes of the Star Officials and nobles filling the hall.

He stood casually with his arms crossed, looking down at the ground, only occasionally glancing around, yet he didn't appear inelegant or rude at all, as if this was his true nature. It was the faint smile on his lips that made onlookers frown.

Russell looked to be only in his early forties. Holding the scroll sealed with the Crimson Dragon Lacquer Seal, he showed no fear whatsoever, but rather an air of arrogance. When his warlike eyes swept over everyone in the hall, they all had the illusion that they were not looking at this envoy, but rather that this Exter man standing in the council hall was arrogantly looking at them.

Under these circumstances, Thales pursed his lips tightly and stood with Gilbert, hidden inconspicuously beside the Star Throne several steps above.

Inside the hall, from the six dukes of the great families with their varying expressions, to the heads of the thirteen noble families, to the members of the royal council: Chief of Intelligence Morat Hansen, Minister of Finance Joker Mann, Military Advisor Sodor Red, and so on, all stood quietly beside the throne.

The highest power center of the entire Star Kingdom was waiting for King Kessel V on his throne to speak.

Meanwhile, King Catherine V's sky-blue eyes were carefully scrutinizing the urgent envoy sent by Exter after the assassination of Prince Morar.

The fact that the envoy could travel from Longxiao City to Yongxing City in just six days after the incident demonstrates the urgency of the situation and his attitude.

"What have you brought, messenger of the Northern Dragon?" Kessel's voice echoed.

"Me? Hmph, I brought nothing with me personally." Russell, the urgent envoy of the Exter people, chuckled, his eyes instantly turning cold: "But soon, the entire nation of Exter will be filled with their sorrow, their despair, and..."

"Their anger!"

The entire hall fell silent.

Baron Russell stared directly into King Kessel's eyes, showing no sign of backing down.

In the suffocating silence, Thales was wondering which side should bring up the main topic first.

King Catherine V broke the silence.

"I recognize you."

The king spoke slowly, his deep voice echoing throughout the hall: "Twelve years ago, the current Grand Duke of Black Sands, then Earl of a city, Chaman Lumba, visited Starfall as the son of the Grand Duke, representing Exter—you were in that delegation, leading his horse."

"Ok?"

Russell frowned, somewhat surprised by Kessel's memory.

But he then chuckled softly.

“What an amazing memory, Your Majesty,” Russell’s smile was filled with an unsettling irony. “I also remember clearly that Your Majesty was just the fifth prince back then, standing alone in a corner.”

He put his hands behind his back, took a step forward, and continued:
"...Looking at Charman Rumba, he 'strongly' suggested to the white-haired, frail, and deeply troubled King Eddie that the five counties of Exter, which rightfully belong to us Northmen, should be returned to their rightful owners..."

“Extreme would then generously send troops south to help his neighbor of over six hundred years quell the escalating rebellion.”

Many people frowned. Suffering deeply from the rebellion—the Bloody Year? Thales recalled this.

But Thales noticed even more that the envoy placed "we Northmen" before "Exter".

what does this mean?
“I remember that King Eddie politely declined the so-called ‘proposal’ of the Duke of Lombard,” Duke Falkenhaus chuckled, “but even so, you still ‘generously’ sent troops south… What a touchingly good neighbor!”

Russell smiled mysteriously and didn't reply.

“Grand Duke Lomba probably doesn’t know how to read,” Count Zemuto said, his eyes blazing. “The five counties you mentioned are ruled by the Aarond, Zemuto, and Fores families, respectively. Our ancestors have owned them since the founding of Star Kingdom—they are Star Kingdom’s territory, without a doubt.”

To Thales' surprise, Russell chuckled.

Amidst the angry glares filling the hall, his light chuckle gradually turned into a loud, hearty laugh.

“In recent years, the winds in Exster have become stronger and more biting. Our shepherds and hunters have to grit their teeth and brave the freezing cold to go out. When they come back, they have to keep rubbing their frozen hands with snow to prevent their hands and feet from freezing off.”

Amidst the puzzled looks of the crowd, Russell sneered, "It will take years, decades, for us to transform a pair of trembling hands that hold a bow and whip into a pair of strong and sturdy hands suitable for wielding a greatsword."

Russell paused for a moment, looked around, and laughed loudly without any restraint: "In comparison, the climate of the stars is only getting warmer and more comfortable, especially suitable for weaklings who can only pant on women's bellies—this is the descendant of 'Oathkeeper' Midil!"

The hall erupted in an uproar!
Thales' eyes widened: an envoy who refused to get to the point, yet whose very second sentence was an insult to the country he was visiting?

But he quickly realized that in the matter of the prince's assassination, Starry Sky was completely at a disadvantage, and in terms of military strength, Starry Sky could only muster a handful of troops at present—just look at the state affairs conference a few days ago.

Whether to hold someone accountable, when to hold them accountable, and how to hold them accountable—the entire initiative is in Exter's hands.

Thales sighed softly.

Count Fores snapped his hand to the sword at his waist, his voice blazing with anger: "What do you mean by this!"

But Catherine V calmly raised his hand and waved away many of the angry nobles who had stepped forward.

“I mean—since when has even the lame reason of ‘my grandfather once owned that land’ become a standard for dividing territory?”

Russell strode around, his gaze fixed on the nobles and lords of the stars with unwavering intensity.

“Whether it’s Exter or Star, every inch of land is conquered. The strong take the spoils and leave, while the weak hand over their resources to protect themselves. This is the law of the world,” Russell said coldly, his face grim and unfriendly. “Just as the Eastern Continent’s King Chen Jian said: Only the capable shall rule.”

Only a few people, including Gilbert, narrowed their eyes slightly, pondering his intentions, while King Kessel looked at the nobles filling the hall, his eyes filled with deep thought.

“Please be careful, Your Highness Thales,” Gilbert whispered to Thales, “In diplomacy, there are no pointless arguments or words—this is a probing and a shift in stance before a duel. The other side is testing our steps and strengths, preparing for the final moment of the sword strike.”

"His reluctance to get straight to the point suggests that he may not be confident about directly stating his terms, or he may have found a better negotiating angle."

“But so far, this is his trick: by provoking us, he’s steering the conversation toward military matters, manpower, and the laws of strength and weakness, planting a seed in our minds, and watching our reactions to gauge the direction of his next move,” Gilbert whispered. “And once he brings up the real issues, we’ll unconsciously start to think about war, about the cost of war—while relatively ignoring other options.”

Thales frowned: Do we have any other options?
Russell stepped forward, his gaze fixed intently on King Kessel: "And the Stars, are they capable of defending your so-called territory?"

The anger of the nobles in the hall had reached its peak!
Count Zemuto of the North, his anger flaring, slapped his northern armor and roared, "Let your army pass!"

But he was immediately interrupted by a more powerful and steady voice!
"OK--"

Val Arend smiled calmly, his deep voice echoing throughout the hall, overpowering Zemuto: "Perfect timing. As the Duke of the North, I also worry that our territory isn't big enough! Grand Duke Lomba wants our five northern counties, while I yearn for his Black Sand Territory—how about we each send out our troops and exchange territories based on our own abilities?"

Hearing the Duke of the North's rebuttal, Exter's urgent envoy frowned slightly, but then smiled broadly.

“The Duke of the North handled it very well,” Gilbert said solemnly to the second prince of the Stars, “but Count Zemuto’s words earlier may have revealed some information to the other side.”

Thales nodded, he understood: Faced with provocation, Zemuto angrily told his opponent to come at him, while Val smiled and said that he also wanted the other's territory—the hidden meanings and realities behind the words, the attitudes and determination in the face of invasion, immediately revealed the difference in their strengths and weaknesses.

Just then, a young girl's voice broke into the conversation.

"The capable shall rule—in that case, your Grand Duke of Black Sand should raise an army sooner rather than later, kill your King Nuen, and take the throne for himself."

Just one sentence was enough to make Russell's face change color instantly!
“Because I think he’s already stronger than King Nuen, isn’t he! To the south you have to face a whole country, but to the north you only have to face a single king… Why not give it a try… Maybe you’ll succeed.”

Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, the fifteen-year-old Duchess of Blade's Edgelands, Lyanna Tebak, stood gracefully among the male lords like a lone flower on a cliff, and coldly said:
"You might as well take this sentence back to Grand Duke Lombard of Black Sand Territory—just as Feng Wang Chenjian said: Only the capable shall rule."

I spent the whole day moving and didn't sit down until 10 p.m.

Thank you to reader "Adil Emil" for the 100 Qidian Coins reward!
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(End of this chapter)