"What the actual hell you are saying?!"


    Archduke Roknee, who was recovering from his shock, could not suppress his anger anymore and yelled at Thales.


    Thales was adjusting his breath and watching Roknee calmly.


    The prince observed everyone’s expression and made a conclusion. ’They don’t like this suggestion.’


    It was not just Roknee. Other than Lampard, almost every archduke was extremely dissatisfied. Even the cunning Trentida gave a snort as an indication of his contempt.


    However, Thales had predicted their reactions.


    ’Next...’


    "In my opinion..."


    Archduke Olsius raised his heavy sword again. His eyes red. "How about we kill this little Constetiate viper first, then kill each other?"


    "Prince Thales!" Archduke Lo’s deep voice was severe. "I advise you..."


    Thales took a deep breath. Saroma was desperately shaking her head at him from a distance.


    "My two minutes are not over yet." The prince put on what he believed was his most solemn expression. "Keep your promise, let me finish—after that, you may chop me into as many pieces as you wish!"


    Archduke Lo fell silent with a furious look of disgust. Thales immediately turned around to Lampard, who gazed at him with aplex look.


    ’I have to find something we all care about,’ Thales said to himself.


    "If you be their king," Thales said firmly to Lampard, "even if you let them walk out of here alive, the archdukes will be unable to publicly defy you, unable toe up with excuses to challenge their king, because it will mean viting the Joint Ruling Pledge.


    "Other than being rid of their threat to you, you will obtain the status, prestige, and benefit of a king. You can continue to pursue your ambition in Eckstedt without having to face the wrath of Dragon Clouds City after the archdukes died."


    Lampard’s eyebrows furrowed and unfurrowed. He intended to speak, but hesitated in the end.


    "Impossible!" Archduke Roknee snapped, gnashing his teeth together. "I will never vote for a king yer to be king! This, in and of itself, is the most audacious vition and affront to the Joint Ruling Pledge!"


    ’I knew it.’ Thales thought. The boy had to close his eyes and inhale again before turning to them.


    "This is a necessarypromise!" the prince said firmly, "Archduke Roknee, I know there has been dissent among your vassals—Nuven saw it as an opportunity to interfere. Please consider this: if your Faraway Prayers City loses its suzerain today...


    "Now with that example in your head, think about what is happening to the current Dragon Clouds City!"


    Roknee was suddenly at a loss for words.


    Thales turned to look at the others with an anxious expression. His tone of voice was sincere and earnest.


    "Everyone, please discard unnecessary emotions and consider this with caution. It is so much better than your expected oue!


    "Imagine if I did not show up, what will your ending be? You will step right into Lampard’s ’Virtuous King’ trap unknowingly, get divided by power and gains during the war, weakened by his endless schemes, be a stepping stone for the Archduke of ck Sand Region to gain power, sacrifice your families, and be buried alongside the Joint Ruling Pledge.


    "And all of it is for the sake of building the foundation of the new Eckstedt where there will no longer be any archdukes existing in it." Thales was gasping for air. "You can only wait for theplete annihtion of your families and territories, unable to resist."


    Olsius’s face stiffened. He peered at the Archduke of ck Sand Region.


    Meanwhile, Lampard lowered his head upon hearing this. His eyes narrowed and his eyebrows wriggled, as though there was another storm brewing in him.


    "Now, you have prevented that oue, and received important intel," the prince’s voice echoed again, "but you n to die in vain in Heroic Spirit Pce, leaving Eckstedt heading towards an uncertain direction, allowing your families and territories to plunge into chaos?


    "ept my proposal, at least you can return to your own territories safely, go back to your families, see your siblings, wives, children, friends, and rtives. You can make meticulous arrangements, then stand together once more against your new king. Be vignt against the new threat in the dark!"


    Archduke Trentida suddenly snapped his fingers with a strange look on his face.


    Thales waited anxiously for the archdukes’ responses.


    Archduke Lo tried to control his emotions as he put down the actual meaning behind the prince’s suggestion word by word. "What you mean is... that you want us to bestow the power and status of a king on this king yer, handing the right to wage war to this traitor and even shield him in exchange for an ignoble existence...?"


    The bald old archduke’s tone changed. His gaze became razor sharp.


    "Then wait as he, ’the king’, annihtes us one after another so that he can rebuild his own kingdom?" The old archduke was like a volcano before its eruption. It was nerve-wracking. "You have underestimated us Nortnders, Prince Thales. We would rather die fighting here!"


    Lampard let out a coldugh right then and received furious res from the archdukes.


    Thales heaved an anguished sigh.


    ’These goddamned Nortnders. I have to address and resolve their concerns.’


    The prince closed his eyes, moved his head to the left as far as his neck would allow, then moved his head back swiftly.


    "No! Even if he bes king, he will not get what he wants." Thales squeezed his eyes shut and opened them again. His head ached. "At least you have known about Lampard’s schemes and ambitions. You know about his threats and guard against his presence. Even as his vassals, you can resist his influence with certain tactics..."


    In desperation, Thales recalled what Gilbert, Putray, and Little Rascal had told him about the current state of Eckstedt, trying to piece together a convincing argument. "Such as—"


    The prince’s words were stuck in his throat. He could not find a reason to persuade them in that moment.


    "Such as..."


    While Thales was stuck, a youthful girl’s voice chimed in.


    "You are not the dukes of Constetion. The archdukes of Eckstedt have far more power and higher statuspared to the guardian dukes."


    Thales was startled. Puzzled and astonished, the archdukes shifted their gazes in unison.


    Young Saroma’s voice trembled. Laced with a hint of timidity and rubbing the Triumph ring in her hand. She stuttered out, "Even if the king’s position is higher than yours, even if you have to pay him taxes... But just like before, you..."


    Saroma whimpered, but she then swallowed, clenched her tiny fists, and uttered with reddened cheeks, "In ordance with the seventh use of the Joint Ruling Pledge, ’I obey the order of the king. Mynd shall obey my will.’ As long as you have a legitimate reason, you may reject the king’s orders, refuse to execute hisws on yournd..."


    The archdukes were astounded.


    "ording to the fourteenth use, ’One shall not turn down a fight for righteousness.’ In other words, regarding wars that vite certain principles and virtues, as long as you have reasons to convince your vassals and citizens, you may reject the king’s call for military recruitment. Even if you have to send troops, the number of soldiers is entirely up to you."


    Lampard’s expression turned grim.


    Saroma continued timidly, "Besides, there are some records that are excluded from the pledge: If the king wishes to send officials to manage the internal affairs of your territories or the conflicts between suzerains, he must be a noble of significant status...


    "You may need to pay him taxes, but the amount is decided during your provincial meetings and depends on your ie and harvests of each year. This has been the tradition since the Tennon’s civil strife, proposed by the first Archduke Olsius."


    Archduke Olsius’ expression instantly changed into... something that was very interesting.


    "Therefore, you do not have to fear the king." Saroma inhaled deeply. "In Eckstedt, the king and the archdukes are the owners of thend. This is the rightmonly recognized by the archdukes under the Joint Ruling Pledge."


    Lampard squeezed his eyes shut. ’That is why the Joint Ruling Pledge must be decimated. With these limitations... Eckstedt will forever be a ten-headed dragon.’


    Saroma went on, "It’s just... For the past ny years, many archdukes did not dare to bring that up due to all kinds of pressure from Dragon Clouds City.


    "But ck Sand Region is not Dragon Clouds City. He doesn’t control your trade routes or your rations. He isn’t even rted to you by blood or marriage, which might have allowed him to interfere with your internal affairs."


    Saroma exhaled a light breath, her small face had reddened. After finishing her speech, she suddenly realized that all the archdukes were looking at her. The girl lowered her head nervously.


    The archdukes, including Lampard, gawked at her as though this was the first time they got to know her.


    ’That girl... What on earth...’


    Thales heaved a sigh of relief, casting a grateful nce at Saroma.


    "That’s correct!"


    Thales balled up his hands firmly and shook them in front of his chest. "Just like how you stood against King Nuven with the prestige and honor of archdukes; so what if he is the king? Can he send a warrant to order your surrender? Can the ck Sand Region, located at the border of Eckstedt, be worse than the mighty Dragon Clouds City?"


    Thales added agitatedly, "As Nortnders, are you terrified of ck Sand Region, or you are unwilling to part with that bloodymon-elected throne?"


    Roknee looked up sharply and gnashed his teeth angrily. "Say one more insult about the Nortnd..."


    Olsius added coldly, "And I will slice off your tongue."


    Thales shuddered.


    "Alright then." Thales swallowed, nodding. Compelled by his rationale, he did not continue the previous topic. "I know you do not fear death, butpared to your pointless deaths and leaving Eckstedt in chaos, plunging your territories into confusion... Is this solution not ten-thousand times better?


    "Living with hope requires much more courage and responsibility than dying in despair."


    Lo did not speak, he was deep in contemtion. Thales’ chest rose and fell. He let out a faint sigh of relief.


    However, this time it was Lampard’s turn to clench his fists and question the boy while shaking in hatred.


    "If that’s the case..." The Archduke of ck Sand Region wore a frosty expression. "Why should I let them go? Why should I ascend that dangerous, rickety throne and be a mere figurehead?


    "Why should I leave a potential threat untouched, allowing these mortal enemies with ill intentions to plot against me in secret, leading to imminent catastrophe?"


    Lampard’s expression turned grim. "I would rather behead them here and now than y cat and mouse with them."


    As he said that, the three men in the stalemate grimaced. The possibility of a fight resurfaced.


    Thales agonizingly raised his hand and furiously scratched his head.


    ’Ahhh! These bastards!’


    "Lampard!" Thales sucked in a sharp breath. "If you don’t do this, prepare to say goodbye to your future!


    "In one day, six archdukes die in Heroic Spirit Pce. Then you bring the army from inside the pce and try to exin your actions to Prime Minister Lisban’s army and an enraged Dragon Clouds City, saying that it was all the Constetiates’ doing and you were only a passerby?"


    Lampard snorted coldly. He tightened his grip around his sword hilt.


    ’This little sh*t. This... Bloody hell.’


    "As for the threat from the archdukes—are you not Chapman Lampard?" Thales suppressed his anger and said in a solemn voice, "Renaissance Pce, Broken Dragon Fortress, Shield District, and now this... We have shed several times, but you never gave in and managed to turn the tide at every dead end...


    "Can’t you muster the courage to take another risk? For your ambition, for your Eckstedt, ascend that unsteady throne, continue your perilous game of wit on the second battleground.


    "Die here in despair, or venture towards danger with a sliver of hope. Do you need me to tell you which to go for?"


    Lampard’s breathing became uneven. Thales thought of Lampard’s past and added instinctively,


    "Believe me, after killing several archdukes in a roll, your ambition will be put to an end! Your preparation and efforts for half a lifetime will all be lost in a moment, while the tragedy of your family will continue.


    "Think about your family, think about your subordinates. Are you satisfied?"


    Lampard froze. He gawked at the saber in his hand and fell into a long silence.


    ’Harold...’


    "Kid." Archduke Olsius wore a grim expression. "One moment it’s this, the next moment it’s another. Just whose side are you on?"


    Thales had to turn back to the four archdukes. He felt like a firefighter, running back and forth, utterly exhausted.


    "It doesn’t matter which side I’m on," Thales said tiredly. He sighed.


    "...But no one among you certainly wants an unstable Eckstedt—on the verge of copse, gued by chaos and uncertainty—whether you face it alone or leave behind, right?"


    The archdukes still appeared hesitant, but the eagle-eyed Thales noticed that anger had faded from Lo’s face and his hands were lowered. Trentida, on the other hand, stayed quiet.


    ’I need to work harder.’ Thales frowned as an idea came to him.


    "You might not understand it, but I can guarantee you that... My father... King Kessel will be d to an unstable Eckstedt." The callous image of the Iron Hand King was formed in Thales’ heart. He tried to search for the train of thought that would fit the archdukes’ the most.


    "As for whether he would whether he would mobilize his army and send them north when Constetion recovers and Eckstedt sinks into a terrifying internal strife after the death of six or perhaps seven archdukes so that he could use Eckstedt’s blood to unify the nobles in the country...


    "That’s not something I can imagine anymore, especially when it includes the three southern archdukes near Constetion." Thales narrowed his eyes.


    Olsius’ expression changed. Archduke Lo heaved a sigh and closed his eyes.


    Archduke Trentida, who had remained wordless for the past few minutes, abruptly said, "He has a point. It’s not worth it to die here, the consequences will be grave."


    Olsius shot him a stern re. "Porpheus!"


    Thales’ eyes gleamed, as though he had found the breaking point.


    "See, this is ourmon ground." The princended a punch in his palm and nced at everyone with a sharp look. "The development of this event has been quick. You are unprepared and left with no choice. You instead choose the hard way, intending to fight each other to death... But in actuality, none of you want such a cataclysmic oue!"


    Thales turned his head left then right, and earnestly said, "So, both sides will need a way to ease the tension, a choice that provides a path for retreat."


    Archduke Roknee calmed down. He shook his head. "Exchange our safety for the throne... This is not a choice; we can’t solve anything like this."


    Thales nodded, feeling a slight bitterness in his heart.


    "It may not be the solution to the problem, but please remember that in this round, no one surrenders, no one admits defeat, and no one turns his back on his principles and faith."


    Thales gazed at the archdukes who gradually quieted down, and said solemnly,


    "You have simply put aside the chessboard in the middle of a game, temporarily withdrawing the shing swords and des, put away your shing fists, and leave the oue to the next match."


    Archduke Olsius’s face contorted and a deep growl of frustration came from his throat. He thought of his Prestige Orchid Region and recalled his family dictum and tales told from generation to generation...


    ’This Jadestar brat... Jadestar!’


    Thales turned towards the seemingly hesitant Lampard.


    "This is my suggestion: You, Lampard... You will be the king, free of the crime of regicide and the threat of the archdukes, gaining a new power and status. Even though your future might be full of obstacles, you can still pursue your ambition rather than be trapped in Dragon Clouds City that’s fraught with danger."


    Lampard did not speak. Thales turned to then face the archdukes again.


    "You, the archdukes, will survive in this doomed circumstance, while at the same time realize what your real threat is, rebuild your alliance, return to your territories to protect your families, ensure that the Joint Ruling Pledge remains intact, and prevent Eckstedt from meeting its precarious fate."


    Thales was panting, praying to himself that the archdukes’ response will be what he hoped for.


    Archduke Lo slowly opened his eyes. He looked at Trentida, who gave a bitter smile.


    Olsius peered at Lampard, who stood before him. He squeezed out a few words from the gaps between his teeth.


    "To treat the king-selection like child’s y... This isn’t child’s y, it’s politics—"


    Unexpectedly, the person who interrupted him was Trentida. This cunning man narrowed his eyes.


    "It is a necessarypromise in exchange for profit."


    Like finding a life-saving straw to clutch at, Thales nodded gratefully. "You’re right, it is another way to fight. There is obviously a better choice, but instead, we choose to fight blindly, sacrificing our soldiers. That is foolish."


    Roknee turned to their ’traitor’, Trentida, with a grimace. "So you’re on his side now?"


    "If we all are killed right here by the ck Sand Region, then there is no side to take anymore," Trentida said soberly. "The same goes for Chapman: If he kills us, then he’ll be killed by Lisban."


    Archduke Roknee let out a deep growl, apparently he was rather unsatisfied.


    "Bow down to a king yer and vote for him—against our will—to take the throne." The archduke, his long hair tied in a ponytail, clenched his teeth with a dark look. "And stay quiet about his outrageous act... Can you imagine a worse way to vite the Joint Ruling Pledge?"


    The archdukes’ faces darkened. They exchanged nces with one another. The mood was quite solemn. Thales could only force himself to go on.


    "When you swore the oath under the Joint Ruling Pledge in the past, weren’t you also prepared to do this?"


    Thales adjusted his breathing to calm himself down. His palms were sweating. "When you were facing the threat from Constetion, you made a painful but necessary decision, I can understand that. Now that you are faced with Lampard’s threat, you, simrly, have to make that painful but necessary decision.


    "This is the responsibility and burden of a suzerain." Thales felt like he was about to faint from the exhaustion. His brain was overworked. "It is the duty you have to bear because of your positions."


    Thales shook his head helplessly and uttered a sentence that even he himself thought was ironic, "It is for Eckstedt."


    Hearing this, Lampard exhaled. He looked away, shing a wordless, mockful smirk.


    Thales finished hisst sentence. He felt drenched in sweat and was on the verge of copsing.


    He had done his best.


    ’If it still doesn’t work... Then next...’


    "Two minutes have long passed..."


    Archduke Lo, who had remained silent for a long while, opened his weary eyes as though he had just experienced an intense fight. "... Prince Thales."


    Olsius and Roknee raised their swords instinctively, watching the simrly alert Lampard.


    "Sorry about that." Thales swallowed painfully. His mouth was dry. "Maybe my perception of time is different from yours."