Tales looked at the nobles' quarrels openly and secretly indifferently, and lowered his head sadly.
Power, procedure, war, military strength, throne.
He sighed softly.
Is this the future I have to face?
He suddenly felt that the unknown and strange world that reminded him of his infinite curiosity had become a bit boring.
"Cyril," Duke Cullen on the side glared at Falkenhaus dissatisfied. "Do you have to be so straightforward every time?"
On Star Gathering Plaza, a thundering roar came from far away. The sound was so noisy, mixed with anger and fanaticism that it was hard to hear clearly.
In Hall of Stars, the civilians and minor nobles who were watching directly erupted in a flood of protests!
"Shameless lord! This is usurping the throne!"
"But we need an heir! If something happens to the king on the front line..."
"Death to the traitor! Brilliant Star is our king, that is a sacred oath!"
"This is all for the Star Kingdom! We must stand together and fight against Exeter!"
Dukes exchanged glances in silence, while Counts whispered.
"Quiet! Quiet!" Gilbert tried his best to maintain order, but with little success.
Until Supreme King of Starfall, Kessel the Fifth's eyes glowed.
He grasped the mysterious scepter shining with stars and stood upright from the throne!
He shouted angrily in a majestic voice:
"Heir?"
The Hall of Stars suddenly became quiet, and everyone stared at the king's strong figure.
"What a great time! It just happens that Star Kingdom is in trouble and we must cooperate to fight against the enemy!"
The king put his hands on the scepter and stared at Kosted·Nanshuister in front of him with sharp eyes.
I saw One-Eyed Dragon slowly raising his hands to his chest and kneeling on one knee in front of the king.
"Forgive me, His Majesty, but this is a test," Kosted said steadily and seriously, making people feel the sincerity in his words, "I believe that Star Kingdom's originally weak and scattered strength will be united again in the confrontation between Dragon and Starfall."
"Everyone knows that forcing the first adviser to establish a successor will be punished by the wrath of the public."
"But am I doing it for myself and for Nanshuister to ascend the throne?"
Kosted raised his head, with clear eyes in his one eye:
"His Majesty, you can exclude Nanshuister from being the successor."
"Everything is for the Star Kingdom-please designate a successor, or at least determine the method of selecting a successor-that way, Star Kingdom will surely return to the top of the Western Continent, and even regain the glory of the empire."
Kessel walked slowly in front of him and sneered, "Kosted, sometimes I can't tell whether your righteousness is sincere or fake."
"But it's good for the Star Kingdom," One-Eyed Duke replied calmly, "It doesn't matter if it's true or false."
"I have also imagined this situation - but it is in a high-level meeting, and it does not need to be so ugly," Count Dastan's voice came. He stood up steadily, walked behind Kosted, and also knelt down on one knee. "But His Majesty, your National Affairs Conference, turned this legitimate remonstrance into a public conflict, which is like forcing the emperor to have an abortion."
"But we all have valid reasons," Count Sorrel came from behind, knelt down on one knee, and said solemnly, "For the rejuvenation of this once great country that is now riddled with holes."
"Just by changing the king?" Gilbert was so angry that his face deformed. "If you put on the crown, Star Kingdom can become an empire?"
"It's not that simple," Count Bozdov also walked forward gloomily and knelt down steadily. "It's about turning the king, who was originally aloof and able to do whatever he wanted, into one of us, thinking what we think and doing what we do. The monarch and the nobles were originally one, but were separated due to the power... Now, we are back together."
"Cavendil has been following Brilliant Star since the Ending War, and this vow will never change," Jann bowed his head deeply and said sadly, "But I think that maintaining the safety and future of the Star Kingdom is also Tomond I His Majesty's wish, and he will understand."
Tricolor Iris Duke stood up decisively and joined the kneeling crowd.
Falkenhaus's untimely laughter sounded again at an inappropriate time, "You mean to implement the king selection system? Ha, it really is 'let us share the burden of His Majesty'! Just like Exeter?"
"Better than Exeter - we have a thousand-year empire heritage." Count Lacia of Southbank Territory glanced at Duke Jenn with a complex expression, then stepped forward and knelt down.
Kohn looked at his father Old Karabiyang Earl in disbelief, and silently knelt down after Count Lacia.
Kessel the Fifth looked down at these Duke and Count coldly, and knelt down on one knee one by one.
"This is not Radiant Star Royal Family's fault, but that crown's fault, that throne's fault, that scepter's fault." Duke Cullen sighed at this time, "Since the royal line has been severed, for the Star Kingdom's plan, His Majesty chooses a successor, which is not a bad thing."
East Sea Territory's two Count, Havia and Amond also silently stepped forward and knelt down after Duke Cullen spoke.
"It's obviously shameful to force a woman to conceive," one of the Royalist Party people, Count Godwin, said through gritted teeth, "How do you do it and still be so confident and upright?"
"Can't you still see?" Deler·Kloma Count calmly left his seat and knelt down. "This is the general trend."
Under the Revival Palace, the noise in the crowd became louder and louder.
"Boom!" Val punched the armrest of the stone seat with a fist, his eyes turned cold. "Sometimes, I feel really sick for you."
He clenched his fists, lowered his head and said, "The incredibly clever war, the incredibly clever admonishment... and the sacrificed Northern Territory..."
Kessel the Fifth looked straight at him, his eyes unique and difficult to understand.
Under the king's unclear gaze, Duke of the North closed his eyes tightly and took a breath.
His brows were surging, as if he was fighting fiercely.
Finally, as if he had made up his mind, he opened his mouth to Kessel.
But Val didn't look into the king's eyes. The heroic Duke of the North said lonely and disappointed at this moment:
"But if this can be exchanged for Northern Territory, Star Kingdom's stability and security..."
"Kay, maybe you should think about it."
His two subordinates, Northern Territory Count, both lowered their heads and remained silent.
Kessel the Fifth's eyes dimmed.
He turned around and no longer looked at his old friend.
Seeing Val's hesitation and guilt, Cyril·Duke Falkenhaus laughed sharply again.
"It seems, His Majesty, your only choice is to directly elect a successor, or establish a king-selecting system."
Only Kessel the Fifth stood above the ministers with an expressionless face.
The only thing he holds tightly in his hand is a scepter.
Tales Suddenly felt that his father was so lonely.
If you hadn't found me, what would the situation be like today?
Tales, who was watching all this, suddenly felt dizzy.
Here we go again.
A memory from the past came to him:
Wu Qiren was sitting in a very small classroom, reporting to a professor and two classmates in front of him:
[Poggi inherited the German academic tradition of Weber, focusing on power and examining the formation of feudal countries...]
No! Not now!
Tales pressed his temples hard to suppress the memory flashback.
But when Tales's attention returned to Hall of Stars, Kessel the Fifth's calm words finally came to his ears:
"It seems that if I don't establish a successor, I won't be able to fight the war."
"Okay."
"Then I will establish an heir."
Jann's brows furrowed slightly - the feeling of unrest was getting stronger and stronger.
Kessel the Fifth sat down slowly without looking at the nobles on the ground.
The words Tales have been waiting for, finally sounded:
"Let him meet everyone, Gilbert."
Coming.
Tales's mind went blank.
He forced himself to swallow.
He looked at Gilbert and waved his hand.
In the dark room, a secret door suddenly opened in front of me, and there was a long staircase leading to nowhere.
There was a lot of discussion in Hall of Stars.
Duke and Count both remained calm, but when they looked at each other, they saw doubts in each other's eyes.
Tales straightened his bow tie.
[Tales.]
The boy calls out the name of his world.
[It's time.]
Tales stepped down the steps decisively.
[Just think of it as another game.]
One step.
One more step.
"I'm sorry I don't understand what you mean, His Majesty..." Count Dastan on the ground raised his head and looked directly at Kessel: "The heir you chose is not among the nobles in this hall?"
Supreme King just looked at him coldly and said nothing.
In the narrow passage, Tales clutched his forehead tightly.
The memory flashes back again.
But he still gritted his teeth and walked forward firmly.
Open your eyes, it's Hall of Stars.
When you close your eyes, it is another self, living in Fragments of memory.
[The bond between the lord and his vassals is filled with strong personal feelings and private colors... The struggle for power gradually deteriorated, order collapsed, coordination was unstable, and periodic episodes of chaotic violence... The unified feudal system eventually fragmented...]
[But the rise of feudalism is still a valuable effort in our attempt to stabilize public rule...]
[Poggi also believes that in this process, the legitimacy of power, the limits of the monarch's rule, the responsibilities and traditions of the country, and even the importance of law have all entered the historical perspective and been recognized - this is the most precious legacy left by the feudal system to subsequent countries...]
[But we still have to ask, what exactly is missing from Poggi's observations and analysis?]
What exactly is missing?
"His Majesty, have you chosen your heir?" One-Eyed Dragon, Kosted·Nanshuister raised his meaningful one eye and looked around. "It seems that Terbach Family and the two prominent families in the southwest are not here?"
Supreme King still ignored him.
Tales came to a side door and could already see the civilians outside Hall of Stars.
No, not the side door.
He realized that the door in front of him was leading to the center of the hall - Twenty Stone Seats.
It's the main entrance.
The guards had serious expressions, but some couldn't help but look at him and the badge on his body.
The moment they saw it clearly, many people's breathing quickened, and some even leaned forward uncontrollably.
But a guard who looked like a leader sternly scolded them back, then respectfully saluted Tales and made way to the hall.
However, just when Tales was about to take a step forward.
"Go ahead."
"You'll be better than him."
Tales looked up suddenly!
All I saw was that the guard had turned and left.
A silhouette of a man wearing armor was left behind.
Yordel.
Tales Clenched his fists.
Is it you?
Similarly, civilians outside the hall have already seen the little boy outside the door.
They began to whisper and signal to each other.
The memory flashbacks dispersed like a tide.
The boy felt as if there was an extra force in his body, making him more energetic.
Tales Take three deep breaths.
Just another game.
It's just another thesis defense.
Tales Clear away all emotions and expressions and step onto the carpet with star blue patterns.
Start his journey.
He moved forward, stepping past the ordinary civilians on the outermost edge.
A suburban squire dressed a little rustically poked a friend next to him who was running errands between the city and the countryside.
"Who is that?"
"Can children come in too?"
"Maybe a noble?"
"So small?"
"Hey, did you see that? That kid is so beautifully dressed."
"It's time to catch up with the lady from Baron's family."
Tales looks steadily.
He moved forward and stepped on the steps and seats composed of Merchant, craftsmen, farmers, and Guild Master.
A fat carriage Merchant was a little surprised.
He pulled the arms of his two colleagues.
"Look at that kid!"
"Is it a late noble?"
"This costume is not as simple as that of a little noble!"
"Do you recognize that emblem on his body?"
"It looks familiar. I had a group of guests before, and the scrolls they held had that mark."
"Why are you coming in at this time?"
Tales keeps walking.
He moved forward, stepping past the seats composed of honorary servicemen and government bureaucrats.
Magistrate from a small village in the suburbs saw him.
He frowned, lowered his head and whispered in the ear of another City Hall Signing Officer.
"Look at that family crest."
"That was... oh my god!"
"How is that possible?"
"I don't think it's possible either. You won't admit your mistake, right?"
"I have handled hundreds of king's warrants! How can I admit my mistake!"
Tales ignored it.
He moved forward, stepping on the helpless stone seats of Lord, Baron and other low-ranking nobles.
Baron, who was smoking a pipe, had a flash in his eyes and almost bit the pipe in his mouth.
He leaned forward and patted his friend on the shoulder.
"Is that...Nine-Pointed Star?"
"What? This..."
"Do you think the same as me?"
"Almost."
"Then now..."
"Yes, it is indeed Iron-Fisted King."
Tales doesn't care.
He moved forward and stepped on the stone seats of the Viscount, Count and other middle-ranking nobles.
One Honor Count opened his mouth in disbelief.
He does not need to inform others, many nobles have already seen Tales.
"That's..."
"Your Majesty... how will this end?"
"No, there's been no news at all for so many years..."
"Could he be an illegitimate child living outside..."
"Then lords..."
"Oh, this pool is too deep..."
"Just wait and see the good show."
The chatter, noise, and noise of the crowd grew louder and louder, and finally turned into a commotion and a roar.
People stood up one after another, leaned forward, and rushed to look at the mysterious boy wearing Gold and Silver Nine-Pointed Star.
In the stone seat in the center, Kohn turned his head strangely and looked at the source of the commotion.
A boy dressed in aristocratic clothing and wearing a Nine-Pointed Star pin came forward with a serious face.
Kohn looked at that Nine-Pointed Star and froze on the spot.
Why does that boy... have the clan emblem of Brilliant Star on his body?
Tales stepped onto Thirteen Stone Seats without changing his expression.
Gilbert winked at him.
The three sitting Duke saw clearly the boy walking step by step in front of them.
They can no longer remain calm.
Val looked at the boy approaching in shock, clenching his fists.
"Are you kidding me?"
Kurun frowned and leaned forward with his fat body.
"That boy... the emblem on his body..."
Cyril grinded his terrible teeth, twitched his eyebrows, and bit out a few words.
"Ah... this is really... unexpected."
Supreme King raised his head slightly, with a cold light and smile coexisting in his eyes.
Just listen to him chuckle and say:
"Everyone, come and meet Tales."
The lords who knelt on one knee turned around one after another.
The moment they saw the boy's face clearly, Duke of the Southern Shore Guardian, Jann·Cavendil's pupils immediately expanded and contracted.
Him.
Him?
Him!
Kessel started stroking his scepter again, and once again spoke words full of authority and weight:
"He is my son."
"Radiant Star Royal Family's only blood descendant."
Tales Put your right hand forward and your left hand behind your back, bowing deeply to the king.
He turned to the lords of the land.
"Good day, my lords."
Tales heard himself say this.
That was the first time Tales spoke to the noble lords in the Star Kingdom who held heavy troops and dominated the kingdom.