Chapter 617: Empty Words Are No Proof

"Control?"

Gilbert's gaze changed several times, but with his rich experience, he kept his tone gentle and steady.

"Forgive my dullness. I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean."

Thales looked deeply at him.

"No, Gilbert." Thales smiled.

"You're the smartest person in this palace, smart enough to know when to be dull."

The corridor lights were dim, casting Gilbert's face as still as deep water.

"You know very clearly that from the moment you brought me into Mindis Hall, everything I possessed and achieved, whether borrowing the name of prince to make the Northland archdukes listen to me patiently, using interests to make Dragon Clouds City hesitate to act, or relying on status and identity to make a small group of people willingly obey my orders, including all the hardships I went through to stop conflicts, eliminate war, and help friends..."

Thales's smile gradually froze.

"All of this, when traced to the root, came from him."

Gilbert froze, wanting to speak but stopping.

Thales continued,

"And even more, it came from what he represents: the kingdom, the system, tradition... everything."

"That is why, facing Nuven, Chapman, and the Shadow Shield, I was calm and unafraid, yet only toward him was I wary. Afraid."

Thales took a deep breath.

"Because without him, without these things he gave me..."

"I would be beaten back to my original shape, turned back into that lonely and weak beggar boy in the abandoned house of the Lower City."

Thales clenched his fist.

He thought of the Night of Dragon Blood, inside the room in Heroic Spirit Palace, when Asda had questioned him with words that struck the point.

"I would be..." the prince said with difficulty,

"nothing at all."

Nothing at all.

"I know His Majesty Kessel has always been forceful," Gilbert tried hard to find a place to cut in and comfort him. "He is too strict in his demands of you, and that makes you distant from him, even afraid of him..."

"Strict?"

Thales repeated the word, gave a cold snort, and shook his head.

"King Nuven forced me, King Chapman used me, the Shadow Shield harmed me, but all of them had to raise a blade first, had to resort to the most direct and brutal methods."

"Only him. Him alone. What he uses to control me isn't some blade, some order, some threat, or even some direct, clear hierarchy, interest relationship, or chain of power."

Thales slowly turned, facing the shadows the corridor lights could not reach. His words were bitter.

"It's a towering web."

"Named 'the Constellation,' or 'this damned world.'"

Gilbert shook and blurted out,

"Your Highness!"

But Thales abruptly raised his hand, stopping what his teacher was about to say.

"And he stands at the top of this web. He doesn't need to say anything, do anything, or even appear. The existence and weight of the web itself, its airless structure pressing in from every direction, is enough to force me to lower my head, bend my neck, and stagger forward."

Thales's expression was dazed.

"Until the countless threads in the web bind and restrain me into the shape he, or it, wants."

"I understand!"

Gilbert could no longer endure it and anxiously interrupted.

"I understand, Your Highness! But you are father and son after all, connected by blood. You're also his heir, and your positions are aligned. As long as you resolve the conflicts and misunderstandings--"

"Resolve?"

Thales raised his voice and turned back.

He looked at the Minister of Foreign Affairs, a cold smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"Gilbert, you're a diplomat. You can untie a knot, a misunderstanding. You can resolve the enmity between two people, the contradiction between two groups. You can even break open the deadlock of war between two great countries."

"But how do you untie a web?"

Gilbert's eyes froze.

"That pharmacy owner, if he builds a good relationship with the gangs, perhaps he can pay less protection money." Thales took a step toward Gilbert, somewhat aggressive.

"But Gilbert, answer me: how does he escape that web? That cruel web he has long grown used to and numb toward, that one-sidedly emphasizes that people cannot have both freedom and safety, that they must abandon one, and thereby rationalizes violence, exploitation, and oppression?"

Cold wind slipped in through the cracks, icy to the bone.

Gilbert did not react. He stared blankly at Thales, unable to believe it.

"That good girl may find a so-called good man like me and live happily ever after," Thales stared fixedly at his teacher, determined to demand an answer no matter the cost.

"But Count Caso, answer me: how does she jump out of this web? That unjust web she has long seen through yet cannot do anything about, in which women are designed and disciplined so that they can only rely on and submit to another kind of person, can only trade skirts for bread, and otherwise will be punished until they cannot take a single step?"

The corridor lights flickered rapidly, shadows crowding like ghosts.

Seeing the prince like this, Gilbert's right hand trembled. His whole body unconsciously leaned on his cane, his breathing quickening.

"As for that disabled tough man, perhaps his old gang friends can help support his life," Thales gritted his teeth, his tone indignant.

"But Minister of Foreign Affairs, please answer me: how should he leave this web? That twisted web in which he has lived so long that he no longer smells its stench, that constantly repeats that what one gains is decided by strength and weakness, that falling behind means being beaten, that reverses cause and effect in logic and is full of holes, yet is rarely questioned?"

The palace stone walls quietly listened to Thales's questions, as always, silent and wordless.

Gilbert's chest rose and fell unevenly. He stared back blankly at Thales.

"Answer me, respected teacher. Answer me." Thales raised his voice.

"Use all your knowledge and cultivation in history, politics, grammar, and philosophy to answer me. These webs, how do you untie them?"

The echo spread through the empty, dark corridor, like a tiny stone thrown into a bottomless, boundless black gorge.

"Your Highness," Gilbert said, worried and anxious.

"I don't understand. What do the things you're saying have to do with us--"

But Thales interrupted him.

"Last night."

The prince stared tightly at the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

"I, the Duke of Star Lake, Prince Thales, clearly stood at the highest place in Mindis Hall, yet still felt helpless and unsupported, swaying as if about to fall. I wasn't even allowed to step back, turn away, or give up. Because the web that belongs to me had already bound me tight, sealed airlessly around me."

Hearing this, Gilbert's expression dimmed.

"Inside that web, I could only watch with open eyes as two living people fought to the death before me for a ridiculous reason. I could only sit helplessly while my subordinates sacrificed their lives, simply because it fit 'my' position, fit the kingdom's interests, and fit the best ending."

The scene at the banquet flashed before Thales's eyes.

"And as soon as I resisted, as soon as I tore at it, like last night, appealing to my humanity instead of interests, testing the edge of rebellion against the norm, this web would immediately call down punishment and countermeasures from top to bottom without mercy. Either it forced me to lower my head and become an obedient prince again, or it completely erased me and turned me into historical legend."

Legends and thrones.

Legend, or throne.

Those were all his choices.

"Gilbert, can you feel it?"

Thales's heart was bitter.

"Can you feel these webs that leave no trace in our lives yet are everywhere, so despairing and oppressive that people cannot breathe?"

"It is so impossible to resist and so difficult to notice that even the strongest, smartest, and clearest people I've ever seen will be unconsciously and gradually changed, becoming its most loyal and obedient slaves."

Gilbert said nothing. He sank into bitter thought.

"This, Gilbert, is what has frightened me all along."

Thales took a deep breath, stepped back twice, and rubbed his temple hard.

"As Zayen said: I returned to Constellation, but what I received was not only the kingdom's shelter."

"It was also the shadow of the throne."

The two fell silent.

After what seemed like a century, Gilbert finally let out a long sigh, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes distinct.

"I understand, Thales."

He was careful, as if comforting an injured small beast.

"I understand. Prince of Constellation is not an easy title, and the same is true of Duke of Star Lake and heir to the throne. You must bear not only your own life, but the future of the whole kingdom. But you've already done very well..."

"I also know that our kingdom is complicated. It isn't perfect, but flawed, and at certain times even terrible. We can only do all we can to make up for it and correct it as much as possible."

"And this is precisely where your wisdom is needed. But before that, you must hold great power and occupy a high position. Only then will you have the qualification and conditions to speak of solving..."

Thales pressed his lips together and shook his head.

No.

He did not understand.

Just like everyone else.

Gilbert's hopeful words continued.

"But I swear, on my honor and responsibility, I will do everything I can. Today's events will not happen again. I will advise His Majesty, and he will give you more time, more freedom and room, more..."

"I saw it, Gilbert." Thales's voice was low, cutting him off.

"I saw how you were careful as if walking on thin ice in the royal council, balancing between the king and the prime minister, between finance and military affairs, between moderation and radicalism, between humanity and interest."

Gilbert froze.

Thales laughed sarcastically.

"Even as a royalist, you don't agree with the king. At least, you don't approve of his methods and means: radical, domineering, inhuman, stirring complaints everywhere, entirely without the light touch Prince Midier had back then."

Gilbert's face tightened slightly.

"No, Your Highness, this is forced speculation..."

Thales shook his head, but his gaze was firm.

"But you're powerless."

"Because you, Gilbert Caso, creator of the Fortress Treaty, the sly fox of the Western Continent who once went north alone and forced back an army of a hundred thousand tigers and wolves, because like me, you are also inside this towering web, controlled by it, and powerless to resist."

The Minister of Foreign Affairs froze.

"Just ensuring your seat in the royal council, just protecting yourself from falling off a tilted scale, just maintaining yourself so that you aren't crushed and assimilated by it, has already used up all the wisdom of your life and all the strength in your body."

Thales stared at him, reached out with both hands, and gripped Gilbert's shoulders.

"Leaving not one extra measure of strength for yourself, for the ideals and ambitions you once held."

Gilbert's brow trembled slightly.

Thales slowly tightened his grip and gritted his teeth.

"So when, six years ago, you first discovered me, discovered that there might be another candidate for King of Constellation, you became so excited, as if you had found a treasure. You worked painstakingly and willingly as subject and aide, doing so many things for me before and after."

"Because you were counting on me, one day..."

"to take his place."

At that moment, Gilbert abruptly raised his head, shock filling his eyes beyond measure.

Thales smiled.

"Isn't that so?"

Silence. Suffocating silence. It lasted a full three seconds.

In the next moment, Gilbert reacted. In shock, he instinctively stepped back, breaking free from Thales's hands.

Thales gazed at him, holding both hands level, but there was only emptiness in his palms.

Gilbert stared at the student before him in shock, as if he no longer recognized this youth.

"You should be happy, Teacher."

"Because I will," Thales put away the disappointment in his heart and lowered his head to look at his empty palms, where the scars became even more obvious.

"Starting now."

Gilbert's expression abruptly changed.

"Your, Your Highness?"

He realized something and hurried forward, wrapping an arm around one of Thales's shoulders again.

"What are you saying? What are you going to do?"

Thales smiled.

"Gilbert, do you know why, after committing such a treasonous act, I could still walk out safe and sound?"

"Do you know, regarding this web we live in, what the most interesting point is?"

Facing Gilbert's shocked gaze, feeling the weight on his shoulder, Thales looked behind him, toward the dark corridor leading to the Ballard Room.

"It is this: in this country, the person bound by the web tighter, deeper, heavier, and more unable to break free..."

The youth's smile remained, his gaze deep and cold.

"is not me, and not you."

"It is someone else."

----

"How do I trust you?"

In the Ballard Room, King Kessel began eating again. His voice sounded lightly, with less edge but an added trace of coldness.

"How do I know what you say is true?"

Across the council table, Thales listened expressionlessly as the other party advanced step by step.

"How do I know you truly intend to be used by me, rather than secretly strengthening yourself, accumulating reputation, and gathering support?"

"How do I know this isn't raising a tiger to invite disaster, letting you become an unprecedented threat?"

"How do I know you won't profit from chaos, rise with the tide, and finally turn your spear back..."

In the next second, King Kessel's words grew cold, and killing intent suddenly appeared.

"to take my place?"

In this instant, the cramped secret room seemed even narrower, with no more room to maneuver.

Thales laughed coldly, feeling it absurd beyond measure.

"After saying things to this point, you're still worried about that?"

The king picked up a piece of meat with his fork and narrowed his eyes.

"If you can deceive lords like Fakenhaz, you can naturally deceive me."

"And how will you win my trust, guarantee that you'll fulfill your duty, become my sharpest longsword, my most loyal chess piece, my most trusted trump card?"

Thales was silent for a while.

At this moment, he finally discovered that he and King Kessel were seated in the same room.

Just like the words he had once used to threaten the Black Prophet in the Secret Intelligence Department.

He faced the Iron Hand King alone.

Face to face.

King to king.

Jadestar to Jadestar.

For this moment, how much had he sacrificed?

And how much would he lose?

Finally, the youth took a deep breath, his gaze pressing straight toward the king.

"First, no matter what my intentions are, facts speak louder than words. Process and reality can't deceive. Your power and interests will visibly and concretely expand through our cooperation."

"For example, this time, I will persuade the Western Desert nobles to reduce their troops and pay taxes in support of the standing army's expansion."

King Kessel did not answer. But after clashing with him so many times, Thales gradually figured out that this was the other party's best answer.

"Second, if you're worried I'll walk this road to the end and truly collude with the disloyal, defecting to the enemy..."

Thales's tone was steady, laying it out calmly.

"I believe you know why I made this proposal and why I set foot on this road."

"To meet you with weapons, fight in blood, until the kingdom is destroyed and countless people sacrificed, that goes against my original intention. It's the situation I least want to see."

King Kessel gave a snort, his emotion unclear.

"Third, as you said, there is a price for me taking this step."

Thales did not shift his gaze.

"If I still want to return to Renaissance Palace, walk into the royalists' main camp where they see me as an enemy, safely, peacefully, elegantly, and without bloodshed or killing wear the crown and inherit the throne, if I still want to ensure my head stays on my own shoulders, then I must count on your endorsement and recognition at the final moment. Only by taking the curtain call together with the king can I avoid having the audience below throw eggs at me."

This time, King Kessel frowned slightly and was silent for a long while.

"But what if you don't defect and betray openly, plunging lives into misery," the Iron Hand King's gaze turned.

"What if instead, you imitate your dearest northern friend, scheme in secret, and strike suddenly?"

His northern friend.

Thinking of Lampard's old sword and King Nuven's head rolling to the ground, Thales frowned.

"Experienced as you are, you fear assassins?" Thales said, not without sarcasm.

King Kessel's knife and fork paused in the air.

"You know, Yodel is gone," the king resumed eating, his voice as usual, seemingly unconcerned. "Now, to take my head..."

"there is still time."

Yodel is gone.

Thales's heart sank.

"Another day."

The prince looked at the cold meal before him and said lightly,

"This spoon... doesn't fit the hand."

King Kessel likewise laughed coldly.

"Even if your heart is truly blinded by lard at this moment, and you sincerely want to do this..."

The king said slowly,

"how can you guarantee that, if the situation changes in the future and time passes, you'll still keep your promise, remember our agreement, and cut through thorns for me, punishing evil and eliminating traitors?"

Cut through thorns, punish evil and eliminate traitors.

Thales laughed coldly in his heart.

"I don't know."

The youth did not show weakness and decisively struck back.

"I can't guarantee things that haven't happened yet, and I don't want to say pretty words about never changing my original heart."

King Kessel frowned.

Until Thales changed direction.

"But that depends on you."

The king's gaze moved.

"What?"

"Just like me, there is a price for you taking this step too."

Thales leaned forward, his words threatening.

"If you don't want me to one day despise and betray you, if you don't want to be forced one day to launch a civil war and crusade against your rebellious son, if you don't want me to use every method I have to mobilize the kingdom's heroes against you..."

"Then you'd better step onto the stage with me, cooperate in the performance, and take the curtain call together."

King Kessel listened quietly.

"Don't dominate the stage, don't cut corners, and don't alter the script, much less harbor ulterior motives to frame and crush me."

"As long as you don't get off the carriage first, I will behave and cut through thorns for you. Just as if I don't regret halfway, you will follow the rules and grant me the throne at the end."

The king's brow moved.

"What you want to say is..."

"The essence of politics is the binding of interests."

Thales said coldly.

"I think we both admit that this cooperation is only each of us taking what we need. It is destined not to be smooth sailing, loving, and sincere."

In the next second, Thales's gaze chilled and his tone grew severe.

"But we understand each other's nature even more. No matter who regrets first and betrays, no matter who moves first and turns hostile..."

"the other side can make him pay an unimaginable price."

Looking at Thales's expression, the corner of the king's mouth slowly lifted.

"On this war chariot, we're tied together."

Thales said with certainty,

"We ourselves are each other's guarantee."

This time, the Ballard Room was quiet for a long time.

Just as Thales thought the Everlasting Lamps were about to go out, the king's heavy voice finally sounded.

"Not enough."

Thales's brow moved.

Across the long table, the Iron Hand King pushed away his dinner plate, knife, and fork.

"You want to become the king's enemy?"

For the first time, Kessel Jadestar, who had always shown cold severity, raised his head and revealed to the youth a smile the latter had never seen before, bright, indifferent, and even carrying a trace of mockery.

"Empty words are no proof."