Chapter 736: No Claws, No Teeth

"You little bastard, are you fucking joking..."

Faced with Thales's strange sarcasm, Count Aichison Lassia could endure no longer and stood out of control.

"Father, sit down!"

At the final moment, the count's eldest son held back his father before he could fully lose control. With his gaze and tone, brooking no doubt, he pressed the latter back into his seat.

"You are a count. Let me handle the discourtesy."

Count Aichison's nostrils flared, his breathing rapid.

He stared at his eldest son in disbelief, then angrily looked toward Thales. With a furious snort, he flung his sleeve away and turned his head to the side.

Eddie's expression was stern. He nodded to his father.

This filial son and benevolent father, one after another, with the eldest son offering proper advice and the count following good counsel, made Thales deeply envious.

This should be treated as a father-son model, vigorously publicized and promoted throughout the country.

However, a tiny voice sounded again in his heart:

Do not be fooled, Thales.

First, perhaps they only act like this before you?

The prince's expression changed.

Second, what if they were not in the remote, rural marsh, and did not belong to the poor, weak Lassia family?

What if they belonged to another richer, stronger family or group, one with the power to leave more to its descendants and no need to worry over survival and self-preservation?

For example... the Jadestar family?

While he was thinking, the count's eldest son looked at him, his gaze sharp, and softly asked:

"Why, Your Highness?"

Why?

"Because you are accustomed to indirect provocation and releasing in order to capture."

Thales came back to himself.

"On the contrary, you could not commit such a crude, direct, low-level act as assassinating the old duke. It does not fit the four-winged giant lizard's philosophy of dealing with the world, and the aftereffects would be endless."

But Eddie continued staring at him. Expressionless, he shook his head.

"You misunderstand, Your Highness. What I ask is: whether in the past or now, what reason would we have to oppose the Covendier family and harm Jade City?"

Thales frowned slightly.

The count's eldest son said seriously:

"Lassia is also on the South Coast. For generations, we have farmed, woven, and labored here. Our clothes, food, and livelihoods rely on this land. We borrow Covendier's shelter. With Jade City, we prosper together and suffer together. Why would we shit on our own plate and plunge the South Coast into chaos?

"Moreover, you and I both know clearly that in this era, with His Majesty's temperament, even if Covendier loses power, the Lassia family, which lives in the marsh, could not possibly get its hands on Emerald Palace, let alone interfere in Jade City and South Coast Territory.

"And whether then or now, what the four-winged giant lizard most wishes to avoid is overestimating ourselves, fighting for power and profit, being dragged into dangerous political struggles, and ending miserably. Far away, there is Cold Castle's Arunde. Near at hand, there are the Seven Attendants of Jadestar. They are all lessons from overturned carts."

Thales looked back seriously at Eddie and was silent for a long time.

"I had the same confusion."

The prince spoke.

"No offense intended, but with the Lassia family's scale and ambition, you should have been satisfied with occupying one remote corner peacefully. Why do anything more and bring disaster upon yourselves?"

Count Aichison snorted unhappily.

Eddie said nothing, waiting for Thales's next sentence.

"So at first, I thought you did this because of old debts from the National Conference. The Lassia family participated in the New Star, and was also one of those who knelt collectively in the Hall of Stars, forcing the king to choose an heir."

Thales's words shifted as he observed the father and son's expressions.

"Perhaps my father used this matter to threaten you, forcing you to become inside helpers and overturn Zayen for him, seizing power in Jade City?"

Count Aichison became anxious when he heard this and was about to speak again, but Eddie was faster.

"Then perhaps Your Highness should ask His Majesty."

The count's eldest son spoke coldly.

"After all, apart from the stars in the sky, not everyone wants to dance with dragons at the top of the world."

Although Eddie was usually silent, his words at this moment were sharp.

"Let alone contend with gods."

Thales frowned tightly after hearing this.

He observed the other party for a while and shook his head.

"No. I have met quite a few dignitaries and nobles from all over the kingdom. They each harbor their own designs and are all difficult to deal with. Even if rulers force them with strong power and make them chess pieces, at most they only go through the motions and obey in public while defying in private."

In that second, many figures flashed through his mind.

"But you, Lassia, in this struggle, your methods are so beautiful and ingenious. The original position behind every move seems loyal to the duke, yet in result and effect, all of them disadvantage Zayen. If not for Judge Brennan's notes, outsiders would have no traces to follow and no evidence to point at..."

"Since Your Highness has no evidence and relies only on the subjective guesses in several old private notes concerning aged cases, it is rather chilling," Eddie said softly.

Count Aichison chimed in unhappily:

"Exactly!"

"But perhaps there is another explanation."

Thales's thoughts were clear and were not disturbed at all.

"In this political storm aimed at overturning Zayen, the energy and cost you invested were far greater, larger, and more complete than those people my father forced, who were unwilling and obeyed only on the surface."

Eddie's gaze shifted.

"You were not forced. You were spontaneous, active, eager, deliberate, and all-in. That is why you could make it so seamless, why even someone as cunning as Zayen found no clue, and why even when I investigated with all my strength, I could not grasp a handle."

Thales's words were firm.

Count Aichison had been aggressive before, but hearing this, his expression changed. He lifted his tea and buried his expression in the cup, so quickly that Thales did not even have time to remind him not to forget the sugar.

Eddie, however, snorted disdainfully.

"Since Your Highness has already decided we are the shadowy hands behind the curtain, you naturally will not lack excuses."

Thales fell silent and quietly met the dangerous gaze of the count's eldest son.

Only when Count Aichison finished the tea in his cup and remembered he had forgotten to add sugar did Thales smile faintly.

He drew several pages of documents from the drawer and pushed them before the two noble guests.

"This is a land survey certificate issued by Jade City's Notary Hall."

The Lassia father and son froze and both leaned forward.

The moment they saw the words on the paper clearly, their expressions changed slightly.

Thales tapped his finger on the certificate, and also on this piece of land that had almost been sold cheaply for money because of Jade City's financial crisis.

"This wasteland in South Coast Territory lies southwest of Sunflare Town. Its former lord failed in investment, piled debt upon debt, and unfortunately went bankrupt. Fortunately, the laws of the Kingdom of Stars are generous and civilized. They did not, according to the cruel and backward ancient imperial law, force his entire family to sell themselves into slavery and repay debt for generations."

Nor did they return to savage and ancient primitive customs and have him chop off hands and feet to pay debt.

At this point, Thales could not help thinking of the time when he was still in the Northland and almost had to repay debt in installments.

"And Jade City's advanced city law goes a step farther. Relevant departments receive applications, provide services, and help this lord sell the land to repay debt. Of course, it is sold to the great merchant group, great financier, perhaps even great noble, who offers the fairest price."

Thales's words carried no small amount of mockery, while the Lassia father and son had subtle expressions.

Privilege offsets debt, arrears are wiped away, the remainder ignored, and rotten accounts perfectly handled. Both humane and advanced.

As for how the income is distributed...

"But if my people did not make a mistake, this wasteland once, back when it was not yet wasteland, was a fief under your marsh."

Thales tilted his head.

"As for this bankrupt petty lord, perhaps if traced back a few generations, he was even related to you by blood or marriage?"

The Lassia father and son both froze.

Thales unhurriedly raised his teacup and very calmly observed them.

One second. Two seconds. Three seconds.

Finally, the count himself was the first unable to hold back. He said with difficulty:

"Actually, this piece of land long ago..."

But Thales set down the teacup with a thump, interrupting him.

"Queen's Day and the Emerald Celebration are grand occasions in the South Coast Territory's year. High officials and nobles from all routes attach great importance to them, socializing happily during the celebration. Everyone is quite delighted, except the Lassia family."

The Lassia father and son said nothing. Their expressions were stiff.

"You, who believe in the Joranz branch of the Setting Sun, are famously simple and plain, mysterious in your movements, poor at socializing, and dislike being in the limelight."

Thales looked at each of them.

"For every celebration over the past ten years, when you arrived in Jade City, apart from appearing at the Feast of Battles to greet the duke, going to the temple for prayer, and saying farewell when you left, at all other times you shut your doors to guests and lived so secluded that you were almost like temple monks. Until this year."

Thales smiled faintly. After smiling, he grew solemn.

"But this is not because your family temperament is mild and indifferent, not good at socializing, and it is even less because of some faith in hardship and endurance. That is merely an excuse deliberately created. As for the true reason..."

The prince looked at the certificate on the table and paused slightly.

"You are poor."

The prince sighed softly, full of genuine sympathy as if he felt it himself.

The study quieted again.

Both guests looked away.

Count Aichison pressed both fists against his knees, trembling as he clenched them.

Eddie lowered his head, his expression unreadable, and said nothing.

"From some unknown time onward, the marsh, once distant from the sky yet self-sufficient, began to decline. Annual income was insufficient, finances could not hold up, land was abandoned, labor flowed away, vassals and lords at every level could not make ends meet and could not continue, tearing down the east wall to repair the west until debts piled like mountains."

Thales spoke coldly.

Count Aichison's fists trembled even harder.

"As for a certain countly family, even one acceptable banquet outfit had to be rented for a short period. For the family's face, it had to be done secretly, without letting others know."

Eddie still did not speak.

"And the reason they were late just now was not because they were hunting outside the city."

Thales could not help sighing.

"It was because my invitation came too suddenly, urged too urgently, and gave too little time. They had to find an excuse and hurriedly scramble to gather the escort scale, clothes, and ornaments needed for an audience in the palace..."

Seeing that they had no reaction, Thales had no choice but to deliberately glance at the simple, rough traveling hunting clothes they wore.

"I guess, in the end, they did not gather enough."

Crash!

In this second, Count Aichison stood angrily, hair seeming to rise with fury.

"Even if you are Your Highness, you cannot insult us like this!"

Eddie rose immediately after him, his expression serious.

"Exactly!"

But after helping his father speak, he immediately pressed down on his father's shoulder.

"It is all right, Father. Sit."

Count Aichison's chest rose and fell. His expression was ugly. After glancing at his eldest son, he swayed and sat, seeming somewhat lost.

Thales did not answer. He only narrowed his eyes and continued observing.

The count's eldest son turned back, his words proper but his tone cold.

"Prophet Joranz said: thrift is a virtue and should not be ashamed of."

"I agree."

Thales nodded.

"But thrift is an active choice, while poverty is forced helplessness."

Seeing that Count Aichison again showed signs of erupting, Thales hurriedly yielded:

"Please forgive me. I am not deliberately exposing your shortcomings, nor do I intend to look down on your family, much less do I have the bad habit of measuring people by wealth and rank."

He sighed softly.

"But I guess that over these years, perhaps not only these years, South Coast Territory, as the hottest corner of the entire kingdom, has undergone rapid change under several generations of rulers, adapting to the times. Industry and commerce developed, immigrants gathered, commoners rose, new nobles emerged, land circulated, resources were developed, maritime trade burned hot, and finance and taxes doubled. As the main city, Jade City advanced even faster, growing wealthy and comfortable a hundred times beyond the past."

Thales paused and looked at the two guests.

"Yet the marsh, which lies southwest of Jade City, with complex terrain, dense forests, remote countryside, poor resources, naturally closed and conservative, compared with all that, has stood still, even declined step by step. Its former glory is gone."

At these words, the Lassia father and son both remained silent.

"That's right. In the case previously heard by the Judgment Hall, that Baron Trent, whose foundation had declined, whose house was bare, who fell so low that he had to sue the farmers of his own land over a few copper coins and ended with both sides wounded..."

Thales stuffed the certificate back into the drawer.

"Was merely the clearest and most typical reflection of your Lassia family among the lower nobles."

Thump!

Thales heavily closed the drawer.

As if closing the topic of this round as well.

At this point, Count Aichison closed his eyes desolately.

The count's eldest son bit his lower lip tightly and said nothing.

"But you are, after all, one of the Thirteen Great Houses. The four-winged giant lizard in the marsh can hide its claws and teeth, but it will absolutely not die of suffocation."

Seeing the timing was right, Thales immediately shifted the topic.

"Thus, eleven years ago, when Viscount Sonar represented the old nobles and old powers behind him and fiercely went to war against his ducal elder brother, you also became restless."

Count Lassia and his son raised their heads together, one with a wary gaze, the other with a complicated expression.

"I think the struggle between old Duke Lenster and his brother Sonar, if placed inside the Iris Flower family, was a sorrowful feud between brothers. But placed in Jade City and even South Coast Territory, it was a bloody power clash between different groups and different classes."

Thales's voice was certain.

Even more, against the background of South Coast Territory's rapid advance, it was a cruel elimination between different powerholders who were gradually walking farther apart, each for their own interests.

"But compared with the families that declined in that year's struggle, the four-winged giant lizard was cautious and careful. You never struck directly, only exerted force in secret. Along the way, you weighed left and right, thought repeatedly, and even after the old duke died, transformed yourselves in time and changed allegiance. In the end, you stood in the correct position. Although you did not win fully, at least you did not become enemies with the final victor and were not liquidated by the new duke afterward."

Thales slowly shook his head, shaking away the banter from before and also shaking away the Lassia family's final dignity.

"Unfortunately, whether because Zayen saw through your wavering and double-mindedness, or because the backward rule and way of life of the marsh lords truly could not keep up with the pace of the age, or because the Lassia family's predictions regarding the new duke's rule were wrong, you did not drink the celebratory wine after Zayen came to power."

Or perhaps, after drinking it, you discovered it was hard to digest.

The medicine did not match the illness.

"Even Walla Territory is gradually changing. Under the insistence of its young powerholders, the Karabeyan family has slowly ridden Jade City's convenience and grown wealthy. Yet the marsh remains as before. Perhaps outsiders do not know, but you, worsening with every day, have long since become the poorest and most glaring part of the kingdom's wealthiest South Coast Territory. The difference between poor and rich, high and low, is even greater than in famously poor corners or borderlands like the North, Cliff Territory, and Blade Territory."

At this point, Eddie suddenly gave a light snort, its meaning unknown.

"Therefore, when Federico returned with his target, especially when you learned that my father also stood behind him..."

The prince said in a deep voice:

"You, with the sun setting at road's end, had no other choice but to grasp this final straw."

Thales's voice fell.

Count Aichison finally loosened his fists and collapsed dispiritedly against the chair back.

"Of course, you inherited your family style and still did not personally enter the field or actively confront the enemy. You merely released in order to capture, acted against the obvious path."

Thales restrained his tone, trying his best to express understanding and sympathy.

"Thus you could maneuver freely. Even if you lost, you could stop losses in time, with limited injury."

Thales's tone shifted, his gaze burning.

"Of course, everything above is only my guess. If anything I said is wrong, please do not hesitate to correct me."

The Lassia father and son had stiff expressions and unfocused gazes. They were silent for a very long time.

Thales also did not speak, nor did he urge them. He only focused on reviewing the remaining official documents.

As if the conversation just now had not occurred, and the guests opposite him did not exist.

Leave the rest to time.

Finally, several minutes later, Count Lassia gave a long sigh.

"Your Highness, what exactly do you want us to do?"

Thales smiled.

In the end, it had succeeded.

He was just about to state his demand, but the count's eldest son beside him gave a cold snort.

"I remember Your Highness exercised noble arbitration authority, detained Duke Zayen, and investigated the old Covendier case. May I ask whether there has been progress now?"

Thales's expression tightened.

"And when exactly will the case close and judgment be declared?"

Eddie stared coldly at Thales.

"In the end, is Duke Zayen guilty toward family and kingdom, having failed the teachings of the Setting Sun, or is Young Master Federico delusional, reversing black and white?"

These questions were aggressive, and the topic sensitive, making Thales frown tightly.

"Son?"

Count Aichison also seemed rather surprised and quietly reminded him.

But his son did not even look at him.

It seemed it would not be that easy.

Facing the unfriendly question, Thales had no choice but to answer indirectly.

"The case is separated from now by a long time and is more complicated than expected. We need more time..."

But the count's eldest son gave him no face at all.

"Then Your Highness had best hurry, because this is the true proper matter concerning the kingdom's great policy."

Eddie's gaze burned.

"And the celebration is about to end. You do not have more time."

Proper matter?

Concerned with the kingdom's great policy?

Thales looked back at him gravely.

It seemed the other party knew where his weakness lay.

Only...

"Things have already reached this point, Eddie. Do you think what you face is still only a question of choosing Zayen or choosing Federico?"

His smile vanished.

"Do you think you can still act as before, exert force in secret, change heaven and earth, and wait for the winner to rise so you can offer loyalty and gain benefits?"

The two Lassias frowned together.

"Your Highness said, things have reached this point."

The count himself spoke carefully.

"What does that mean?"

Thales could not help laughing.

"Since you have seen it, do not pretend to be blind."

He turned his face sideways, showing his bruise.

"Guess who in Jade City struck me? Who has such courage?"

The Lassia father and son glanced at each other.

"Since Your Highness no longer has any possibility of reconciliation with Duke Zayen's side, why not make up your mind, conduct official business officially, and end things quickly?"

Eddie turned back and stared directly at the injury on Thales's face without the slightest concern.

"If Your Highness continues being delayed by feminine charm, I fear you will fail Renaissance Palace's heavy trust."

Delayed by feminine charm...

Thales took a deep breath.

He swore that this father and son had absolutely never seen that eldest miss's feminine charm when she turned into Faceless Cork.

"No. The one who slapped me was not Hil..."

Facing the two pairs of curious eyes opposite him, Thales had a flash of inspiration and simply changed his words, no longer explaining.

"It is too late. Renaissance Palace already knows. The second prince was played by a woman in Jade City, losing all dignity and sweeping his reputation to the ground."

His expression turned cold.

"And he is very unhappy. Not only with Jade City, but also with me, with my ability to rule, and even with my qualifications to inherit the throne."

The Lassia father and son both stiffened, their expressions grave.

Thales's tone was cold.

"Therefore, for me, everything that happens here has already exceeded the category of fighting for power and profit. It has begun to affect the kingdom's stability and the royal family's dignity."

His expression was solemn.

"So I have decided: Jade City must, as soon as possible, of course under my rule, and only under my rule, return to normal order."

His Highness the Prince's words made the two guests feel as though they sat on needles.

"Before this goal, whether Zayen, Federico, or even Emerald Palace, none of them matter. At least, they no longer matter."

"But His Majesty..."

"There is no but!"

Thales's tone was decisive.

"As long as Jade City has not recovered its old appearance, then those two Covendiers can remain locked inside Emerald Palace. Locked until the Emerald Celebration ends, locked until Revival Day arrives, locked until Absolute Sun's severe cold descends, locked until they die of old age and their bones turn to ash."

The Lassia father and son abruptly changed expression.

"And whoever it is, no matter their position, if they dare obstruct this goal, then they are the kingdom's enemy, which means they are my enemy."

The Duke of Star Lake coldly glanced at the two guests.

"Do you understand?"

The prince's forcefulness made the two guests silent for a long time. Their expressions were complicated, and they repeatedly exchanged glances.

The unwilling Eddie took a deep breath and prepared to answer, but this time, his father spoke first.

"Your Highness and His Majesty are not on the same side, are you?"

Thales's eyelid jumped.

Count Lassia himself sighed.

"Does he truly know and permit you to fool around like this?"

Thales's heart sank.

"His Majesty is my father. Of course I am on the same side as him."

Thales's answer was flawless, but midway, his words shifted.

"But what His Majesty wants is absolutely not a broken and ruined Jade City, at least not under my rule."

At this point, Thales sternly swept his eyes over the two Lassias.

"Otherwise, I would not need to meet you at all. I would only need to let you obstruct things in secret, push the situation to the limit, force everyone loyal to Zayen to stand opposite me, and completely cut off the possibility of Zayen's return. Now, will you help me?"

The prince's words were aggressive, and the study quieted again.

The Lassia father and son exchanged glances.

Finally, the count hesitated and said:

"Your Highness is of heavenly noble blood. I fear it is very difficult for you to understand our position and situation..."

But Thales gave him no chance to bargain.

"But I at least know one thing. In this tug-of-war over South Coast Territory that has lasted more than ten years, even a hundred years, the key is not any particular person in power."

Count Aichison's brow moved.

"Even if you replace him with another conservative and stubborn new duke who tries to force everyone back into the old age, that still cannot solve the problem."

In the next second, the second prince's tone softened.

"But I promise you that after this matter is over, no matter who comes to power in South Coast Territory, you will be given an opportunity."

Thales tried to make himself sound more sincere.

"An opportunity to keep up with the new age and not be eliminated."

The count's eldest son's gaze shifted.

"New age."

Eddie weighed the words, his eyes fixed on Thales.

"Does Your Highness mean the age of the new king?"

Thales's fist tightened.

He took the bait.

The voice in the prince's heart said softly:

Then give it to him. The bait he wants most.

Just like what everyone else wants.

No.

Thales took a deep breath and tried hard to suppress that floating "yes" from leaving his mouth.

No.

"I said, the key does not lie in any person in power."

He said gently:

"Even if that person is the king."

Eddie did not receive the answer he wanted and was not very satisfied.

"Your Highness said you will give us an opportunity."

The count's eldest son pressed:

"What kind of opportunity? Like the protection from guilt you granted the Doyle family? Or what you granted Karabeyan? Arunde? The Black Lion family? Four-Eyed Skull?"

Every question from the other party made Thales frown. He was about to explain, but the count himself pressed down on his son's shoulder and interrupted the conversation.

"Son. Your Highness. Enough."

Aichison Lassia sighed dispiritedly.

He had always shown joy and anger plainly, but at this moment, his face and expression seemed to have aged ten years.

"Your Highness, since you know the past of the Lassia family's rise, do you know the truth behind it?"

"The truth?"

Aichison nodded, his words faint.

"Our ancestor Bodeman was the student and subordinate of Halva Karabeyan, the Wise Chancellor of the kingdom in those years. Six centuries ago, Black Eyes marched north against Eckstedt and took away most of the kingdom's young and strong men, so when the marsh fell into disorder and the South Coast grew unstable, Stars had no troops to use."

Thales frowned slightly.

"The Wise Chancellor, acting as regent, had no choice but to name Ancestor Bodeman and send him as envoy to the marsh, to pacify and rope them in, seeking stability. Ancestor also remembered his teacher's grace, so he took his whole family there, prepared to face death."

Count Lassia sighed lightly.

"Fortunately, from the Wise Chancellor to Jade City, from the kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department to the royal guards, from intelligence to resources, from authority to titles, Renaissance Palace gave him the greatest support and convenience. In the end, Ancestor did not fail his mission and stabilized the situation."

Thales was not clear on the other party's intention and could only praise him at the proper time:

"The Giant Lizard had extraordinary talent. If placed in the present, he would presumably also be a famous minister like Gilbert Caso."

But Aichison gave a cold laugh.

"But the good times did not last. John the First, who was campaigning outside, returned to court."

John the First.

"Black Eyes?"

Aichison nodded, his expression grave.

"Worse, he lost the war."

Of course.

Thales knew this piece of history.

Confident and ambitious, intending to begin from the Northland and recreate the empire's conquest, the iron cavalry of Stars suffered countless deaths and injuries beneath Cold Castle, returned covered in dust and unable to continue, and could only withdraw in gloom.

And the seemingly divided Kingdom of Eckstedt not only remained safe and sound, the ten archdukes reunited as one and became even more united and intimate than before.

However...

"How could the powerful and proud Black Eyes tolerate defeat? How could his warlike pursuit, regardless of cost, return with nothing to show?"

Count Aichison said mockingly:

"How could the reputation left by the northern expedition be only, 'Why did the king not listen to the chancellor'?"

Thales frowned.

"What do you mean?"

The one who answered him was the count's eldest son.

"In outsiders' eyes, Black Eyes's northern expedition could not have gained no merit at all."

Aichison nodded, his gaze complicated.

"And at that very moment, Ancestor Bodeman had just made merit."

"Black Eyes..."

Thales reacted.

"He attributed the merit of subduing the marsh upward to the throne and took it for himself? That is the truth?"

Eddie coldly shook his head from the side.

"If only that were all."

Seeing the other party's expression, Thales understood something.

"The Wise Chancellor?"

The count nodded.

"Someone had to bear the blame for the failure of the northern expedition."

The increasingly aged Aichison spoke faintly:

"It is said that Black Eyes had an alien mistress with the heart of a snake and scorpion. She slandered before the king, telling Ancestor Bodeman, who had gone as envoy, made merit, and received praise, to cut ties and write a memorial accusing the chancellor. He was to push all blame for the war's failure onto the chancellor, arguing that the northern expedition failed just short of success because Halva advocated peace, hated war, was not diligent while overseeing the state, and failed to support the rear properly, thereby delaying military matters..."

Thales froze.

"But..."

The prince spoke subconsciously.

"Ancestor did not want to do this," the count's eldest son shook his head.

"Of course. Who is born wanting to be a traitor?"

Count Aichison said mockingly.

"Moreover, the Wise Chancellor had recognized and supported him, a kindness like father and son. And at that time, Halva was already in the twilight of life and had little time left..."

"But what choice did he have?" the count's eldest son shook his head.

Facing Thales's frown, Aichison slowly explained:

"At that time, Ancestor had just established himself in the marsh and barely escaped pursuit. His family servants had scattered, and of his four sons, only one survived. And facing strong enemies all around, whether to barely protect himself, use schemes and plans, or do his utmost to persuade the great tribes to submit to the kingdom, Bodeman needed resources from court, funds from Renaissance Palace, authorization from the king, support from the kingdom's Secret Intelligence Department, the backing of the army, and even more, the iron-blooded majesty represented by the Crossed Twin Stars flag..."

"He had no choice," Eddie said coldly.

No choice.

Thales frowned.

"If I remember correctly," the prince could not help saying, "John the First himself was also taught and raised by Halva from childhood, and could be considered the Wise Chancellor's student?"

"Correct."

The count's eldest son said disdainfully:

"But teacher-student affection cannot compare with pillow whispers. Truth is always more absurd than common sense."

Thales was silent after hearing this.

Count Aichison slowly nodded, full of emotion.

"And so, in the history books, Ancestor Bodeman ultimately subdued the marsh, established his foundation, and became a famous minister of his age.

"Only, his achievement was quietly rewritten, as if from the beginning it had been John the First's wise plan to specially dispatch him to break apart the marsh tribes and open territory.

"Yet the Wise Chancellor Halva was accused of wavering as a minister, failing to properly assist, surrendering and advocating peace, becoming the root of the northern expedition's failure.

"Only, Black Eyes was greatly merciful. For the sake of old teacher-student affection and Halva's many years of service to the late king, he spared Halva punishment and did not strip his title. He merely dismissed him from the chancellorship and let him return home to retire."

Greatly merciful...

Thales's expression was serious.

"And so, Halva, the Wise Chancellor who had witnessed the War of Eradication and served two generations of kings, alone, muddled and weak, lay in a shabby carriage hurried along by an old servant. Amid the curses and rotten eggs of thousands upon thousands of citizens lining the road, he died of illness halfway home."

The count sighed faintly.

"Karabeyan declined from then on. Only when the Peaceful King succeeded and cleared the old minister's name did it recover its strength and restore the family reputation."

The count's eldest son laughed coldly.

The count shook his head.

"Although Ancestor said that in his final letter, Chancellor Halva did not blame him, Bodeman still felt guilty over it all his life. On his deathbed, tears filled his face, and he regretted it deeply. Only then did he establish a will recording the truth, hoping to restore his teacher's innocence after Black Eyes died, and also redeem himself."

Although Black Eyes's cold character and lack of affection had long since become historical consensus...

Although Halva being dismissed by his king in his final years and causing people to sigh was no secret...

This truth, even if only the truth told from the Lassia family's perspective, still left Thales slightly dazed.

And filled with emotion.

What a pity.

Thales thought silently.

What a pity that several centuries later...

Some remembered only that Black Eyes chose talent and seized the marsh with cleverness; remembered Black Eyes raising the army north to recreate conquest; remembered Black Eyes's bravery and skill in war, suppressing the heroes of the Northland; remembered Black Eyes's elegant charm and countless lovers.

Some worshiped only Black Eyes's keen judgment and surpassing wisdom. Some were infatuated with Black Eyes's masculine spirit and extraordinary greatness. Some praised him for bearing imperial golden blood and not betraying former glory. Others said he went a step farther than his father, forged the Nine-Star Crown, suppressed Stars, intimidated the mighty, and displayed the final majesty of the empire.

Thales sighed softly.

Yet no one remembered anymore that in that unimaginably mad age, in order to conceal Black Eyes's militarism and arbitrary conduct, in order to satisfy the king's self-will, obstinacy, and love of grand achievements, in order to decorate John the First's court reputation and royal dignity...

More unfortunate people, in truth, had no choice.

Thales closed his eyes.

Just then, the voice in his heart quietly spoke:

But that is the most complicated and most interesting part, is it not?

In that position, wrong and right are no longer the key.

Great and small, victory and defeat, strong and weak become the final masters.

Thales shook his head and stopped thinking of these things.

In the study, Count Aichison shook his head and sighed.

"Whether six hundred years ago, when Ancestor faced Black Eyes, faced the Wise Chancellor, faced Renaissance Palace, faced the savage tribes of the marsh..."

"Or now, facing Jade City, facing His Majesty, facing... you," the count's eldest son said coldly.

Aichison nodded.

"The Lassia family long ago grew used to maneuvering back and forth between those who can pinch us to death, seeking a chance to live, and also understands how to move among those we must pinch to death, searching for a chance to win."

He stared fixedly at Thales.

"Because this is our family's ancestral teaching and destiny."

Thales was momentarily speechless, not knowing how to respond.

But the count clearly did not need him to answer.

"People often say that the Cullen family of the Eastern Sea historically danced with long sleeves, moving freely among the great powers..."

Count Aichison's tone became increasingly mocking.

"But if I occupied the kingdom's fertile lands, if I held the seven ports of the Eastern Sea, if I commanded the Polar Sun Fleet that crossed the Seven Seas, then naturally I too could dance with long sleeves and move freely. I guarantee I would dance better than Anlenzo's dancers and move faster than fine northern horses. Even if I pledged loyalty back and forth between two kings, rebelling four times and returning three, there would still be people politely treating me as an honored guest. Historians would write betrayal as shrewdness, faithlessness as judging the times, and fickleness as flexible conduct."

"But we do not have that," the count's eldest son suddenly said, like a basin of ice water poured over the head.

Count Aichison slowly nodded and looked toward Thales with a bitter smile.

"And Your Highness said earlier that the key to this tug-of-war does not lie in who holds power?"

Thales wanted to speak but stopped, and could only squeeze out a smile.

The count clicked his tongue and shook his head.

"A noble person like Your Highness, bearing imperial blood with a crown above your head, naturally stands high and sees far, and does not care who holds power here."

"But we are not," the count's eldest son said again.

Count Lassia nodded.

"We are only lizards living in the remote marsh, without claws or teeth. When the grass stirs and the wind moves, we can only dive deep beneath the swamp or hide high among the branches, avoiding danger. We can only sit by and watch predators fight each other, stealing peace and feeding on carrion. We can only anxiously spread four wings and pretend our bodies are large, forcing up appearances."

Thales's smile gradually vanished.

"When you do not have enough chips, you have no choice, and you cannot care whether the posture of your struggle is beautiful or not."

The count sighed long.

"Just like six hundred years ago, when Ancestor Bodeman was named by the Wise Chancellor and sent to the dangerous, unknown marsh, he had no choice but to go."

Listening to the other party's explanation full of meaning, Thales was silent for a long time.

"Then what you mean is, in this Jade City incident..."

Before he could finish, Count Aichison interrupted him with a cold snort and looked toward his son.

Eddie's face was stiff. He too was silent for a moment before, under his father's gaze, speaking coldly:

"The Lassia family will do as Your Highness says. We will faithfully carry out your orders and defend your dignity, in order to seek Jade City's stability."

Thales's breathing halted. But before he could begin to rejoice, the count added:

"We only hope Your Highness can keep your promise and give us an opportunity."

Thales hurriedly restrained his emotions and sat upright.

"I certainly will."

But Count Lassia smiled.

His smile was very sorrowful, yet also very open.

"It is fine. Even if Your Highness does not keep it, it is fine."

Thales could not help being astonished.

"Because we are long since used to it."

The count's eldest son added expressionlessly:

"When people in power speak, it is like farting. The higher the position, the more so."

Thales could not help freezing and chewing over the meaning behind these words.

But Count Aichison had already stood, bowed, and respectfully said farewell.

"Your Excellency Count."

The prince returned the salute with a complicated mood and did not forget to ask one final question.

"Zayen's father, Duke Lenster Covendier, whose hand did he die by in the end?"

Aichison did not answer. He only looked deeply at him.

Unable to obtain an answer, Thales could only change the question.

"Then, the publicly recognized mastermind, Viscount Sonar Covendier, what was strange about his death?"

The count was silent.

"I do not know, Your Highness."

Only after a while did he speak in a deep voice.

"Only one thing is certain."

Thales hurriedly focused.

Aichison Lassia slowly raised his head.

"Like many people, they both died in Jade City."

Thales's heart stirred.

"This Queen's City, City of Wealth, City of Dreams..."

The head of the four-winged giant lizard's expression gradually turned cold.

"Is also a cursed city."

This answer seemed like nonsense, but after hearing it, Thales fell into thought.

In the next second, Count Aichison walked out of the study without reluctance.

His eldest son was originally following him out, but halted at the final moment.

"Our family motto is: the marsh giant lizard hides killing intent, Your Highness."

Eddie turned back and said coldly:

"As for no claws and no teeth, that was only a drunken joke from Black Eyes."

Thales raised his eyebrows and nodded seriously.

"Of course."

"Because lizards are not without claws or teeth. It is only that their claws are too fine, their leverage too slight, and can only be used to climb and grasp, maintaining their fragile bodies on cliffs and sheer walls."

The count's eldest son looked expressionlessly at the prince behind the desk.

"And their teeth are too small and hidden too deeply. Only when they are certain prey is already in their mouth can they reveal them fully and tear at the meat."

Before he had time to consider the meaning of these words, Thales first sat upright and answered solemnly:

"Of course. I will remember."

"It is fine even if Your Highness cannot remember."

Eddie Lassia turned toward the door.

"Because we will remember."

Thales could not help stiffening.

"Forgive my discourtesy, but I should go order a new pair of boots."

Eddie stepped through the door.

"May the Setting Sun illuminate Your Highness's road ahead."

The door closed.

Thales looked in the direction the Lassia father and son had left and remained dazed for a long time.

Very good, Thales, a voice in his heart quietly concluded.

Just like this, you won.

You only need to keep going. The goal is close at hand.

Thales lowered his head in melancholy.

That's right.

Reason told him that in this round of contest, he had won.

He had obtained what he wished.

But emotion, or perhaps a different kind of instinct, told him in the unseen dark:

He had not won.

Far from it.