Chapter 778: Thales I (Part 2)

"Colleagues, worthies of Jade City, since things have come this far, give me the truth."

In the front row of the council hall, Trade Office director Viscount Deckman of Gathered Journey Fort watched Federico and the deputy chief priest attacking one another, sighed, and said quietly:

"Which of you had a part in today's grand show?"

Taking advantage of everyone else's attention being drawn away, City Hall chief Briotti leaned closer and whispered to the nearby high officials with whom he had good relations:

"Or has someone already reserved a seat in that damned council?"

Or even the position of regent?

"Nonsense," Didonato, chairman of the Eternal Oil Guild, shook his head. "This kind of thing can cost heads. Who would dare do it?"

"Then there are people who dare," Honorary Baron Amisarashvili snorted coldly. "After the duke lost power and the prince became regent, who privately came to find you?"

His gaze burned, without the slightest concealment.

"Or rather, whom did each of you go to find?"

Several high officials unconsciously turned their gazes aside, avoiding eye contact.

"No matter who arranged it, from the look of things now, it benefits those of us working for Emerald Palace, and even benefits most people in this hall, does it not?"

The highly respected Finance Director Lord Mylahovich sighed softly.

"Everyone always thought that if one iris fell, another new one could simply be exchanged in. No one expected reality to be this: once the iris falls, everyone wants to pounce on it and tear off a bite of meat."

Since the iris was going to fall, even if it returned, it would be difficult to restore the old appearance. The gap it left behind would have to be filled by someone, would it not?

"By forcing the prince to sign this covenant?"

Mayor Amisarashvili sneered disdainfully.

"Would it not be faster to go straight to the prince, or even throw yourselves to the king?"

City Hall chief Briotti laughed softly.

"How do you know no one has done that?"

At least in secret?

"Then naturally, they were not wanted."

Director Deckman pointed toward the Scarlet Iris beneath Thales and sighed quietly.

"Do you not see that a Cavendill is already standing beside him? He is skilled at pinning hats and inventing crimes. Add in the officials the royal capital is about to send, and where would there be room for anyone else, especially for us, to drink soup?"

Several high officials said nothing.

Just then:

"My lords... I merely, merely came late and had no choice but to sit here..."

The people in the two rows before and behind turned their heads together.

They saw Zelot, the local district Watch Hall chief sitting in the corner, squeeze out a smile and speak tremblingly.

"But are you all, perhaps, the deputy chief priest's accomplices?"

The high officials around him exchanged glances and remained silent, making Chief Zelot tremble slightly and turn his head away.

"The prince will not sign this covenant."

Watching the increasingly tense argument in the hall, Chairman Didonato suddenly spoke in a worried low voice.

"He is the second prince established by the National Affairs Conference, the reasonable and lawful heir to the king."

"Of course. Unless he goes mad and rebels," Amisarashvili shook his head coldly. "Otherwise, the collateral Jadestar cousins and relatives, even if the Pentagram of Glacier City changes its surname back to Jadestar overnight, even if it changes to the imperial surname Karother, will not be able to shake this prince's bloodline and legal standing."

Jade City's so-called support would not affect his coronation. To him, it was dispensable.

Lord Mylahovich stroked his beard, thoughtful.

But at this moment, Captain Cecil, commander of the Jade Legion, who had been silent, spoke.

"If the throne only looked at bloodline and law, then the supreme royal genealogy of the Stars should have been passed from father to son, connected in a straight line from top to bottom," the Extreme Realm knight said quietly. "But is reality like that?"

These words made several high officials and guild heads look sideways.

If that were so, how would there be so many brothers, uncles, cousins, clan nephews, even princesses who held great power, and bastards with doubtful legitimacy in the royal genealogy?

Speaking of bastards, coincidentally, the current Jadestar royal genealogy, at both head and tail...

"Oh, speaking of this, do you know that the Cavendills actually have no small amount of Jadestar blood?"

Hearing this, Chief Zelot, who had been suffering because he could not join the conversation, brightened.

"After all, their ancestors married so many generations of royal princesses, and formed marriages with quite a few collateral Jadestar branches that changed their surnames... At the National Affairs Conference eight years ago, if King Kessel had not suddenly produced a bastard and forced everyone to recognize him..."

"In any case, aside from calming the people before him, there is no greater benefit for the prince in signing this covenant," Mayor Amisarashvili ignored Zelot. "On the contrary, there are many disadvantages."

Seeing that he could not blend into the circle, Zelot could only close his mouth awkwardly.

"In short, if this prince does not create some strange incident, then his coronation and succession are only a matter of time," Chairman Didonato said softly. "He does not need Jade City's support, and there is no need for him to sign this covenant."

"But that is precisely the greatest problem."

Unexpectedly, the one who spoke was the usually quiet Acting High Judge Iboning.

"Time."

The eyes of several dignitaries moved slightly.

Damn it.

Thales watched Federico and the deputy chief priest attack and defend against each other while using the Hell's senses to observe the reactions of everyone in the hall. His brows furrowed slightly.

He had originally prepared to speak and interrupt, but when he heard Federico mention Thales's qualification to inherit, he could not help clenching his fist, remaining silent, and keeping his face solemn and calm.

Deputy Chief Priest Fable looked quietly at his former student.

Controversy, qualification, Jade City, kingdom, heir, support, coronation... every word in that sentence was a dangerous verbal trap.

No matter which point he entangled himself with or refuted, Federico would seize it and strike back at a vital place.

So, Fedi, did you use all the knowledge taught in scripture and grammar class back then here?

"By the Sunset above, as for this so-called support for His Highness's inheritance qualification..."

The old priest made a gesture of atonement and let out a long sigh.

"His Highness Thales serves as regent of Emerald Palace, has labored with great merit, and has won the willing obedience of all people. The people of Jade City are deeply grateful. Therefore, writing down their affection in black and white and expressing support for His Highness, what wrong is there in that?"

His gaze burned as he stared at Federico, skillfully avoiding the verbal trap.

"If in the future treacherous villains in the kingdom maliciously slander His Highness the prince's right of succession, then it is only natural and proper for us subjects to speak righteously on his behalf."

He really could talk.

Seeing the prey had not taken the bait, Federico snorted coldly. "What if His Highness does not agree to you?"

"Does Deputy Chief Priest mean that if His Highness refuses to sign this covenant according to your wishes, then his rule is not 'willingly obeyed by all people,' and you will not 'love and support' him, and may even indulge or join those 'treacherous villains' who slander him in the future?"

These words once again stirred an uproar throughout the council hall.

Thales helplessly closed his eyes.

He suddenly realized that he, who should have been the arbiter of Jade City's situation, had suddenly been dragged into the center of the storm.

Advancing would not do. Retreating would not either.

He sighed softly.

No, Thales, you must be careful. The voice in his heart was incomparably grave. This concerns ownership of Jade City's political authority. Whether Federico or Fable, their words are aimed at each other, but are actually spoken for the whole city to hear.

But once the prince personally enters the field and states a position, the situation becomes you facing the whole of Jade City, and even the entire kingdom.

This may be what they want, or at least what certain people want.

But it is absolutely not beneficial to you.

Truly not good, the voice in his heart quietly sighed.

Thales, originally, with a transcendent status and neutral posture, you used power to stand undefeated, reconcile the situation, balance, and mediate...

Just like the iris of years past.

But look now.

Just like Zayen before...

From when did you become your own prisoner, unable to advance or retreat?

"One might even say, if His Highness does not agree to your coercion today and refuses to sign the covenant, then what will you and the people behind you do?"

In the hall, Federico sneered.

"Stage another forced palace? Or a fire? Or some other disaster that throws people's hearts into panic and can ruin His Highness's reputation? Sacrifice another student for the great cause of faith and let him be assassinated?"

The old priest's expression changed slightly. He pointed at Federico, his finger shaking.

"No! You, slander, shameful..."

"Or simply incite the whole city to drive away His Highness Thales, Regent Thales?"

Federico gave him no opportunity to argue and spoke loudly.

"Thereby announcing to the entire kingdom: the heir of Renaissance Palace has neither the right nor the qualification to rule you, to rule Jade City?"

Look, how wonderful.

Thales's heart chilled, and he barely maintained the calm on his face.

Everyone in the hall again began whispering to one another, and many secretly looked toward the second prince on the seat.

The topic was growing more and more dangerous.

And drawing closer and closer to the origin of the storm.

It ignored rules and tacit understandings more and more.

Thales sighed softly, calculating and hesitating.

"This man is really f..."

Among the Star Lake Guard below Thales, Wya gnashed his teeth as he watched the Scarlet Iris speak righteously.

"Fine, I know he is arguing for His Highness and looking for an opportunity to deal with that old priest, but why do the words he says sound so strange..."

"Because his interests and His Highness's intentions have never overlapped."

Mallos stood beside Wya, narrowed his eyes as he observed Federico, and said quietly:

"His victory and His Highness's victory are not the same thing either."

"Then can we speak for His Highness..."

"No. The more it is a time like this, the less His Highness can appear to care, much less personally enter the field."

Wya could only grit his teeth and endure bitterly.

The focus returned to the hall, where Federico grew braver as he fought.

"Coercing the prince and recklessly discussing the throne! If this is not rebellion..."

He paused, gritted his teeth, and faced the whole hall.

"Then what is rebellion?"

As expected, the hall again burst into uproar.

There were supporters, and no small number of boos as well.

"Young Master Federico, why?"

The angry Deputy Chief Priest Fable took a deep breath and barely steadied his breathing.

"You deliberately twist my logic, fabricate the meaning behind my words, mislead the listeners' understanding, and even weave crimes..."

He looked at his former student with heartbreak.

"Is it just to prevent Jade City from supporting His Highness? Or can you not bear to see His Highness and us stand together? Is it to continue His Highness's reliance and dependence on you, to monopolize His Highness's trust and favor?"

The old priest's gaze was pained.

"Or is it so you can use the situation to threaten Jade City, frighten your political enemies, and seize the chance among the ruins to advance to duke?"

Federico trembled when he heard this.

"And your sin does not stop there!"

Federico abruptly turned back and roared, extremely rudely pointing at the deputy chief priest.

"You, Mr. Fable, you hold yourself noble and upright, and every word claims to be for Jade City..."

The Scarlet Iris sneered and turned toward the hall's guests.

"Yet you speak of signing covenants, dividing regency authority, supporting succession rights... Do you know how great an upheaval this matter will trigger across the kingdom, how many attacks and questions it will suffer at the royal council? A committee dividing regency authority? Recklessly discussing succession to the throne? Do you know how many disasters this will bring to our Jade City and South Bank Territory, and even to the Kingdom of the Stars?"

Fable felt his breath catch.

The Scarlet Iris pointed toward the highest seat in the council hall.

"You know. You know all of it, but you do not care at all. You insist on forcing His Highness to the limit, forcing him into a dilemma. You insist on pushing Jade City into the center of the storm, making it a stepping stone for the temple. You insist on bewitching everyone in this hall to die for you and charge ahead for your great cause of faith!"

The deputy chief priest's face paled as he listened.

"Or perhaps this is your true goal? Contradiction? Conflict? Internal strife? Civil war? Jade City facing catastrophe? Another Bloody Year?"

Federico sneered, and every sentence made cold sweat break out on the listeners.

"What, Sunset Temple? From the child sacrifice at the Ascension Rite to the dispute between sacrifice and religion, did more than two hundred years of religious bloodshed and the tragic sacrifice of countless people still fail to extinguish your ugly ambitions? You should know, the descendant of the 'Sun-Shooting Bow' sits here in this hall!"

The old priest trembled when he heard this, his expression ugly.

The listeners all turned their heads and saw Noah Havia, the head of the "Sun-Shooting Bow" family from Saltwall Harbor in the East Sea, looking solemn and saying nothing.

The council hall was stirred again.

"Time. Time is His Highness's best ally."

Amid the noisy chaos, Iboning quietly looked at the calluses on his fingers from years of holding a pen.

He only needed to follow the rules and wait patiently. No one could compete with him for the throne.

"But time, time is also his greatest obstacle."

The young judge clenched his fist, covering the calluses, and sighed.

"Before the time comes, he can forever only be a prince and a son, only the Duke of Star Lake, lacking power and influence."

In this corner, several high officials and guild heads exchanged glances.

City Hall chief Briotti stared at the second prince on the seat and said with interest:

"Indeed. Judging from the news from the royal capital, he is quite feared before the throne, repeatedly attacked, and perhaps risks losing power and influence."

"Oh, you have also heard that he was slapped publicly by the king?"

Chief Zelot, embarrassed because he had sat in the wrong place, jolted, finally finding a point he understood and struggling to join the conversation.

"Mm, was it a slap on the face or a spanking?"

No one paid attention to him.

Lacking power and influence? Losing power and influence?

Iboning shook his head.

"Power is formless, even illusory," Iboning said quietly. "It exists only when people believe in it."

Otherwise, an ordinary person who lived for years in a deep palace and communicated with the outside through words and letters, no, even an Extreme Realm master and undefeated general who fought on horseback for years and had the courage to withstand ten thousand men, on what basis could he command armies? On what basis could he rule countless lives?

On his courage to withstand ten thousand men?

Do not be ridiculous.

Iboning narrowed his eyes.

Withstanding ten thousand men and winning the hearts of ten thousand people were two entirely different things.

Otherwise, in the War of Eradication, Calamities should have ruled the world.

"Explain more clearly," Director Mylahovich said solemnly.

"My lords, the key point of this covenant is not whether Jade City's support is useful, or even whether Jade City supports him."

Iboning took a deep breath and looked at the iris and deputy chief priest confronting each other.

"The key is, once today's matter and today's scene spread, what will people think?"

This scene? Spread back to the royal capital, spread throughout the kingdom?

Several high officials were thoughtful.

"The deputy chief priest's paper covenant involves two matters: the ownership of the South Bank and succession to the throne."

Iboning's eyes were sharp:

The reason a crown is a crown is because people believe it is. Only then can it be.

After all, a king does not gain respect by virtue of his bloodline.

The expressions of several major figures grew stern.

"So, when people see this prince outside Emerald Palace, in Jade City, establishing a covenant with all the people, settling, or at least seemingly settling, the great authority of the South Bank and his qualification for the throne, while Jade City also 'willingly obeys as one'..."

The acting judge gently exhaled.

"Will everyone throughout the kingdom think..."

He closed his mouth and looked quietly toward his colleagues.

In the chaotic hall, Thales rubbed his temple with a headache. The Hell's senses delivered arguments flying like snowflakes from every part of the audience:

"The Scarlet Iris hit the main point: in this covenant, what happens to Jade City does not matter, but if it involves lordly rule and even succession to the throne..."

"I knew this old priest had no good intentions. He wants to bewitch us into confronting Renaissance Palace..."

The prince did not spend too much attention on the attacks and argument between teacher and student. Instead, he gripped the armrest of his chair tightly and relied on the Hell's senses to listen to the rustling discussions from different corners.

"No, whether the South Bank Territory endorses and supports him or not does not affect the second prince's order of succession. But if this causes estrangement between him and His Majesty..."

"Haven't you heard? The prince and the Ironfist King fell out long ago!"

Thales's heart tightened.

"Where did you hear that?"

"My cousin's uncle in the royal capital saw it with his own eyes. That night, the prince led soldiers with sword in hand and forced his way into the palace. The blood along the way, tsk tsk, I heard even the prince personally braved arrows and stones, was wounded, and bled..."

"Ah! Would that not be a military coup, a rebellion?"

"What do you think? If the guards had not fought to the death and loyal ministers had not remonstrated unto death that night, today we would be calling him Thales I..."

"Shut up! Do you want to die?"

"Damn, that happened?"

"Then why have I never heard about it?"

"How could this kind of thing be spread outside? Orders to keep silent were issued!"

"Then how did you know?"

"How could something like this be sealed? People have eyes and ears!"

"Then why have I never heard about it?"

"How could this kind of thing be spread outside? Orders to keep silent were... are you nesting me in loops?"

"I have a friend whose friend is a Watch officer in the royal capital. He also heard a little, saying that there was movement in Renaissance Palace that night, and even over the walls one could hear the killing cries shaking the sky..."

"Eh, let me cut in. I also have a friend, and he knows a friend whose relative was a royal physician summoned into the palace that night. It is said Renaissance Palace was covered with casualties, with more than a hundred corpses..."

"Heavens, things in the ancient kingdom of the Sunset are this exaggerated?"

"Eh, you guests from the Eastern Continent do not understand. When the Jadestar royal family kills its own relatives, that is when it is most ruthless..."

"Yes, yes, this humble servant Nausud, from Hanbol, indeed does not understand your country's traditions very well. May I ask one extra question, is this what Western Continent people call the 'Renaissance Palace inheritance law'?"

"Eh, that is called the 'Supreme Palace inheritance law,' also known as the 'Triumphal City coronation theorem.' It is a folk joke, and it refers to imperial times before the War of Eradication. It reflects a classic mathematical problem, namely what pattern changes in the imperial succession order follow..."

"Is that not still the business of their ancestors..."

"Tsk tsk, with that kind of scene, Prince Thales could still walk out of Renaissance Palace alive?"

"You should ask the reverse: after all that, His Majesty Kessel could still sit safely on the throne?"

"Shh, silence!"

Thales remained silently speechless.

The sources of these people's information were complicated, tangled, and absurd, yet they could represent the thoughts of a great many people.

"So think about how deep the water is here. He had already raised troops and rebelled, yet the king still did not dare kill him on the spot. How much fear must there be..."

"Did he not dare, or could he not?"

"Does this mean that even in the royal capital, the prince's strength stands equal to the king's and does not lose, making his father unable to turn hostile and act?"

"Very possible... otherwise, why could the prince leave Eternal Star City and go to Star Lake Castle? My guess is that the two sides were deadlocked and finally each stepped back, reaching an unwilling compromise..."

"Damn, exciting. That night, perhaps everyone in Eternal Star City was having nightmares..."

Thales closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"Once the news spreads, people will think the prince's wings have fully grown and that he is the one all hearts turn toward."

Director Mylahovich calmly picked up the judge's words.

"They will think he is even qualified to set Renaissance Palace aside, sign covenants and promises, and dominate the great governance of a region?"

Divide rights and endorse allies.

Draw power and influence, and endorse oneself.

Several local bureaucrats and guild heads frowned.

"And if he can do this in Jade City, and also have 'all people willingly obey,' then in the future, if he goes again to the East Sea, the Cliffs, Blade Fief, the Western Desert..." Iboning said softly.

"He has already gone there."

Captain Cecil of the Jade Legion said without changing expression.

"Do not forget, that old bone in the Western Desert even gave him the ancient sword of his house. The three great families and their vassals joined their forces and escorted him back to the royal capital, not hesitating to cross blades with the royal standing army for this."

Although the South Bank people had not seen that scene with their own eyes, they knew it was not common.

Just like the Bloody Years, when Sonia Sutherley led the Starlight Legion northward with the might of rebellion suppression, grandly entering the Central Territory and escorting the fifth prince into chaotic, masterless Eternal Star City, where nobles and vassals each harbored their own thoughts.

Then, the careless Prince Kessel became Kessel V, the one all hearts turned toward.

"In fact, Prince Thales does not even need to wait for Jade City's covenant to take effect. He only needs people to see his action of signing, see Jade City's attitude, and then believe he has such energy and courage..."

Director Mylahovich was thoughtful. "In that way, if there are vassals or even subjects within the realm who have different opinions about kingdom affairs but cannot obtain what they want in Renaissance Palace..."

Or even when someone wants to raise a flag in rebellion, but suffers from lacking proper name and sufficient reason...

"They will go to him," Viscount Deckman said, looking at Thales on the seat with a frown.

"Therefore, the benefit of this covenant and this transaction to him does not lie in what concrete support Jade City can provide."

He does not need that either.

Director Mylahovich narrowed his eyes, staring at the several protagonists in the hall.

"Rather, it is that with merely this piece of paper, the prince can gather people's hearts, exert authority, and immediately become, within the kingdom and outside Renaissance Palace..."

"A second king?" Captain Cecil suddenly said.

"Everyone!" Director Deckman was startled. "Careful with your words!"

Several high officials all came to their senses.

For the prince, the essence and greatest sweetness of this transaction was precisely transcending time, avoiding the wait, and cashing in early.

Escaping the restraints of systems, rules, and legal clauses.

So, Judge Iboning's face was expressionless, but he heard himself sigh inwardly:

Later recognition of power and the accomplished facts it creates.

City Hall chief Briotti realized something and was suddenly shocked.

"In that case, if this covenant is established, then in the kingdom, at least deep in many people's hearts, without needing coronation, he will already be, in fact..."

Director Mylahovich nodded.

"An uncrowned king."

He narrowed his eyes and carefully studied the prince seated at the highest place.

"Everyone!" Director Deckman looked left and right in fright and clenched his teeth in the small circle. "Lower your voices!"

"Or rather..."

Judge Iboning raised his head, his gaze burning.

"Thales I."

This small corner was quiet for a good while.

The few of them again exchanged several uneasy gazes.

"Yes, the first," Director Mylahovich looked at the young man on the seat, who was frowning in deep thought. "A true... first."

Everyone's hearts tightened.

"My lords..."

In the corner, Chief Zelot coughed and squeezed out a tearful smile.

"You really are the deputy chief priest's accomplices, aren't you? Right? Am I wrong?"

The others glared at him again, forcing the chief to turn his head back.

"Then... what should we do?" Director Deckman looked at the chaotic council hall and felt his mouth go dry.

Should they choose a side? Or should they run?

Or should they carry forward the fine tradition that South Bank bureaucrats had always upheld: turn a blind eye?

"Someone is gambling."

Director Mylahovich quietly watched that second prince and regent of Emerald Palace, who was worried to the point of exhaustion.

"Gambling?" Director Deckman asked in confusion.

"Gambling on whether this prince is truly, as rumor says, long at odds with His Majesty, and whether he has his own views on the kingdom's future."

The finance director nodded and sighed.

"Gambling on whether he has that kind of courage, whether he is willing, for his views, for the kingdom's future... to seize the opportunity."

Seize the opportunity?

"What if he does not?" Honorary Baron Amisarashvili said coldly.

Mylahovich laughed softly.

"Perhaps, perhaps what they are gambling on is precisely that he does not."

As soon as this was said, several high officials were all stunned.

"Right, Ibo."

Against the noisy, chaotic, and unbearably crude background, Director Mylahovich turned his head.

"Since old Brennan passed away and you took over your teacher's position as acting judge, we have not yet congratulated you on your new office..."

The director smiled at the young judge and extended his hand, ignoring the messy council hall behind him.

"Welcome to Emerald Palace."

Iboning looked expressionlessly at Mylahovich's smile.

A few seconds later, the acting high judge slowly extended his hand and clasped the other's palm.