Kingdom’s Bloodline

Chapter 49: Counterbalance

The negotiation atmosphere in the Hall of Heroes began to become delicate.

"A war of revenge?"

Grand Duke Lecco, who was sitting at the rectangular table, had his gaze slightly concentrated, and his knuckles in his clasped hands moved slightly.

"So, this is the reason why you spread rumors before the arrival of the Star Mission, exaggerating the discord between King Nun and Prince Star," Grand Duke Lecco's mouth slightly pulled up: "And the reason why you blamed the king's death on the stars .”

"I'm tired of repeating," Rumba glanced at him, his tone cold: "This is not a rumor."

Not at all.

He stared at the four grand dukes silently.

"Then what?"

Trudida showed an amused smile: "Do you think the whole of Exeter will believe in you? Headed to war regardless of the cost?"

"War always has a price—I remember that was the family motto of a certain Imperial family."

"Nantrist," Grand Duke Ronnie raised his gaze, and said slowly, "There must be a price for war."

Rumba left from Grand Duke Olsio's side and turned to Trudida and Ronnie, with a cold and resolute expression and an unquestionable tone.

"They will believe it," Grand Duke Heisha said decisively, "The missing Prince Xingchen is in my hands, why not keep him missing forever."

"And I'm still pinching the heir of the Arend family—as the current criminal who assassinated the king."

Grand Duke Olsio couldn't help but startled slightly when he thought of that special boy.

"Even the heir of the White Eagle family..." Grand Duke Weilan narrowed his eyes: "It's really well prepared."

Rumba ignored the faint sarcasm in his words.

"Even if we don't have these chess pieces," the Grand Duke glanced at the other people coldly, "As long as we have your endorsement, we can mobilize our army in the name of the king's revenge and project the anger of the whole country to the stars—to tear up the "Fortress" They are the people of the Peace Treaty."

The four Grand Dukes silently agreed.

"The mourning army is heading south. We will mobilize the most abundant troops since the War of Glory. The five of us plus Dragon Clouds City and Beacon City, seven or more Grand Dukes will gather under the banner again."

Rumba took a step forward and slowly raised his right hand with a gloomy voice.

"And the Star Kingdom?"

"Their northern territory is unstable, their fortresses are empty, and their troops are scarce." Lombard's eyes became more and more terrifying, as if he saw the future he expected: "The most powerful army in the world is rolling forward in the fire of revenge. Neither the fortress nor the northern border can stop us, and we will be as strong as a broken bamboo—as strong as Eternal Star City, and it is not impossible to see it."

Grand Duke Trudida coughed softly:

"What does this have to do with taking down Dragon Clouds City?"

Rumba turned around.

"War will change everything," he said flatly, even the four grand dukes who had been in high positions all year round couldn't help but feel chills when they heard the coldness in his tone: "Including the vassals under the Walton family."

Hearing these words, Grand Duke Aurelius sighed softly.

"If the lord is to be avenged," Charmain Lombard clenched his fists, "In terms of emotion and reason, public and private, both Dragon Clouds City and Fengzhao City must be the main force of the Southern Expedition Army."

He turned around slowly, facing the empty gun rack on the fireplace, with inexplicable emotions burning in his eyes: "We are the leaders of the coalition forces - and the stubborn nobles of Dragon Cloud City and Fengzhao City will only During the war, along with their army's decline or even obliteration, the Walton family's bargaining chip has since been completely lost."

Grand Duke Ronnie frowned fiercely.

"When we returned triumphantly with the prestige and war power that we missed twelve years ago..." Lunba said coldly, "They will no longer be troublesome."

"At that time, who else dares, who else can, who will give instructions to Longxiao City and Fengzhao City under your common rule?"

"Even the prime minister of Lisbane couldn't disagree - he was no longer prime minister by then."

"When everyone swallows their anger and acquiesces to this situation, and when the orphan of Walton dies early, no one will remember the Walton family except historians."

Rumba turned sharply,

The tone is decisive:

"The co-governance oath is still valid, but the covenants have become eight grand dukes."

"Just like the eleven signatures on the co-governance oath, the signatures of Tan En and other famous families are still there, but they have disappeared into history forever."

"But we, Exeter, can only become stronger."

The hall fell silent.

Rumba waited silently for the reply from the Grand Dukes.

He knew it was a good sign: the princes knew his plan would work.

only……

"You know, that's an interesting proposition." Trudida shook her head.

"Hey!" Grand Duke Ronnie interrupted him unhappily: "What you are talking about is the abolition of a sacred territory since the founding of Exeter! It is the imperial seal of Naikaru!"

"Then go talk to that female dragon," Rumba replied coldly, "maybe it will fly down to fight for Walton."

Ronnie suddenly scowled.

"Pay attention to your words, Charmain," Grand Duke Lycco frowned, "That respectable lady just arrived last night."

Rumba's expression changed.

"My dear lady?" he said sarcastically.

"Except for the mascot on the national flag," the Grand Duke of Lombard pointed out the window with cold eyes: "for six hundred years, that dragon has been nothing to us."

"Its mission is nothing more than to guard against the coming disaster."

"It doesn't care about Exter's life or death at all!"

The faces of the four princes all became very ugly.

"Back to the topic," Trudida coughed and exhaled:

"I have to say, a bold layout and an ambitious plan."

"But we can completely abandon you and do it ourselves," he smiled again: "Maybe we can also take the ownerless black sand under our command."

Grand Duke Ronnie laughed angrily: "That's a good idea."

"Give us a reason, Charmain, a reason why you must be included." The Grand Duke of the Reconstruction Tower whistled.

Rumba narrowed his eyes.

"If you are going to stubbornly push the death of King Nun to my head," Grand Duke Heisha said calmly, "you will lose the excuse to attack the stars, lose the name of calling the whole country, and lose the right to go south to the stars through Heisha , thus losing the excellent opportunity to use war to cleanse Longxiao City, expand the territory, and deter disobedient subjects."

"Don't forget, whether it is the Prince of Stars or the members of the Arend family, they are all in my hands."

"It's also lost to turn the current chaotic situation into a bad situation." His speech speed began to slow down: "I lost the only chance to make arrangements for my own stability and for Exeter's strength."

The other princes looked at each other.

"But what about you, Charmain?" Trudida tilted his head with a sly smile and stared at Rumba with a subtle expression.

"You must have something in mind, right? I don't believe in such a big game of chess. You just want us to endorse you to get rid of your crime?"

Rumba frowned.

"Let me guess," Trudida chuckled, and the ridicule in his eyes became more and more intense: "Join the king together?"

Grand Duke Ronnie snorted softly.

But to their surprise, Rumba's brows loosened.

"No," he said lightly, nonchalantly said: "The position of the king is held together, you can fight for it, I don't care."

"Actually, I don't care who is king at all."

The four princes were all taken aback.

"Olsio, Ronnie, Lecco, even if Trudida is the co-king, I have no objection."

Trudida snorted softly, "Why did you list me after 'even if'?"

Looking at his expression, Rumba shook his head slightly in his heart.

"As long as you agree to send troops to win this battle for Exeter... I can pay a price that you can't even imagine."

"I can even give up the Heisha collar," the Grand Duke of Heisha said softly, "Olsio and Trudida, if you are not at ease, share it equally—if it can strengthen your will."

As soon as this remark came out, the venue was silent for a full five seconds.

"What?" Olsio of Wellandland asked in disbelief, "You want...to give up the black sand collar?"

Trudida seemed to have forgotten to smile, he just frowned and stared at Rumba.

Nope.

The kin-killing beast in front of me...

The only one who cares is the Grand Duke of Heisha?

"I only have one condition," Grand Duke Heisha said decisively and firmly: "When we win the battle - I only want the northern border, and even the land around Cold Castle."

"Hold the southern border for Exeter."

"I won't bother you again."

All the princes were stunned.

half an hour.

"I don't understand," Grand Duke Lecco exhaled deeply and sighed, "What kind of lord would give up his family's territory?"

Of course you don't understand.

Rumba said silently.

As long as one of them understands...

"What do you say, gentlemen?"

Lunba said indifferently: "Guarantee that Exter will return to stability, get rid of the shackles of the kingship, and even strengthen himself, and even win the chance to win the stars..."

The flame of ambition burned in his eyes: "It's right in front of you."

Rumba waited quietly for a few people's responses.

The faces of the Grand Dukes began to surge.

"What do you think?" Olesiu looked at the other three with a worried expression on his face.

The Grand Dukes looked at each other, and Trudida even whispered in the ear of Grand Duke Lecco.

Olsio's expression kept changing, and Grand Duke Ronnie stabbed him coldly from time to time.

Rumba stood aside silently, looking at a dragon spear flag in the cloud on the wall.

He knew that maybe this was the final decision.

The moment that determines the future of Exeter.

finally.

A few minutes later, the four Grand Dukes nodded tacitly at the same time.

They all raised their heads together and looked at Grand Duke Lombard with different expressions.

Rumba also turned his head, looking back at them solemnly and seriously.

Trudida blinked, Olsio sneered slightly, and Ronnie remained expressionless.

But Rumba just kept his eyes on one guy, the oldest guy.

Grand Duke Lycco stared at Rumba silently.

For several seconds.

Finally, a smile appeared on the old man's stingy face: "That's a good idea, Charmain."

"Very creative 'deal' too."

Charmain Rumba smiled too.

It's like seeing the dust settle and hearing the sound of the hammer.

Until Grand Duke Lecco, with his usual smile, spoke softly as usual:

"so……"

"We refuse."

Rumba's expression froze on his face.

————

Thales stood quietly in the courtyard belonging to Shiles, meditating while watching the people around him clean up the scene—if the "contact person" that Shiles said was true, they must be in the Get out of here as soon as possible before Lumba notices it.

"Do you have an answer?"

A voice came.

"Well," the prince nodded slightly, then turned his head back without looking behind him: "What about you, Putillai?"

Xingchen's deputy envoy came to stand beside him, frowning as he watched the two white-bladed guards push the heavily bound Shiles onto the carriage.

"To be honest," Puttilai sighed, "I don't quite understand what Shiles just said."

"Why does Rumba think that Exeter's biggest threat is..."

Thales shook his head.

"It doesn't matter," the prince said calmly with misty eyes, "Believe me, Rumba has a very good reason, so good that even the four wily grand dukes have to be convinced."

Puttilai frowned: "You know?"

"It's not knowing," Thales shrugged: "It's just understanding."

"Then what are you going to do?"

Thales raised his head and looked at the sky in the Northland with a complicated expression.

"Do you still remember what I said before I set off?" the prince said lightly: "Which is the strongest chess piece in both camps?"

Putilei raised his eyebrows.

"Charmain Rumba," Puttilai pursed his lips slightly, his tone hesitant, obviously not convinced: "And..."

"Your Highness?"

Thales glanced at him.

"I'm not kidding."

"After hearing what Shiles said just now, I've confirmed this even more," Thales showed a wry smile: "Rumba is simply too powerful and terrifying."

Putile pursed his lips.

Thales lowered his head and said silently: "I have seen those four princes: the old-fashioned Olsio, the cunning Trudida, the resolute Ronnie, and the old and tough Lecco. Together, it's simply overwhelming."

Putilai nodded.

However, the prince sighed: "But do you believe..."

"They faced Charmain Rumba."

"It will only be eaten clean."

"Not even the bones will remain."

Puttilai showed a thoughtful expression.

"Puttilai," Thales said faintly, "Will you follow me?"

Puttilai raised his eyebrows: "You want to ask again? Really?"

Thales shrugged: "The next thing will be a little crazy."

Puttilai frowned: "Is that what I think? You want to..."

"Believe it or not, Putillai," Thales sighed, smiling forcedly, "I figured it out: on that unique battlefield, only I can contend against him."

Putilei showed a surprised expression.