"At that time, my uncle was still the honorary viscount of Gonghai City. This title was to Kongming Palace, just like the Duke of Xinghu was to Fuxing Palace. He had a special and prominent position."

Amid the cheers, Zhan sat in the stands, applauding and nodding to a proud vassal in the next stand - the warrior the latter sponsored had just won.

"Like the Duke of Star Lake?"

Thales also applauded the winning contestant. He smiled and said, looking like he was chatting with the Duke of South Bank: "So special?"

Hilley glanced at him, as if he thought he was not modest enough.

"My father once relied on my uncle as his right-hand man and asked him to take charge of government affairs. You can imagine the trust Sona received, as well as his position in the family and his power and energy," Zhan En said amid the cheers.

, "And his weight in the hearts of people in the Emerald City and even South Shore."

And his weight in his father's heart.

Zhan En said silently.

"Let us welcome Bischoff's opponent for this round: the God-blessed warrior from clay! Warriors do more blue! It's time to place your bets!"

Another competition began, and a strong female warrior named Dosalan—a rare sight—stepped onto the field, and the audience cheered loudly.

In this way, Sona was once deeply trusted and even wielded power - Thales was thoughtful until he was interrupted by the sound of drums that started the battle.

After a series of battles, the contestants who were chosen to stay grew stronger and stronger, and the bloodshed and intensity also increased linearly, but Thales was already tired of it - whether he was forcing himself to pretend to be watching with gusto, or

Enduring some bloody and cruel scenes that always inspire cheers, or worrying about the future and fate of the Emerald City.

In contrast, Zhan, who was the focus of the audience, always maintained a decent posture and a friendly smile. He applauded and even called people to place bets from time to time. Depending on the battle process and the outcome of the victory, he showed expectations, excitement, pleasure, and regret at the right time.

Surprise and other emotions, but also need to interact with vassals and guests in different stands. Once the host mentions it ("Look, this backhand stab is shocking! Even Duke Zhan is amazed!"), you have to get up and respond.

Every move of the audience showed the Duke of South Bank's concern and enthusiasm for the election, which made many spectators who came for the fierce fighting more relaxed and unscrupulously immersed in their own hobbies.

With such cultivation, Thales could only sigh at himself.

"I remember that Uncle Sona was very strict with outsiders, and many people were afraid of him," Shilai said suddenly, with a lot of emotion in his words, "But he has never been cruel to me. On the contrary, uncle is very good to me and treats me as his own."

Out, sometimes even better than his father - maybe because he doesn't have a daughter of his own."

Thales subconsciously glanced sideways, while Zhan frowned.

"When I got into trouble and offended the Karabyan sisters because of 'misbehavior,'" Hilley was immersed in the memories, "it was my uncle who rushed back to stand up for me and confronted Mrs. Karabyan, and he also confronted his father about this.

Have a big fight."

"But he could neither prevent you from being sent to the temple for 'education', nor could he persuade your father not to marry you to the Pintor family," Zhan glanced at his sister, "It's just a pretense."

"Of course, that was... in the past." Xi Lai noticed his brother's eyes and gave him an intriguing smile.

Thales had a panoramic view of the interaction between the two.

"He also supported me a lot. When I was studying in the Eastern Continent, I often corresponded with him and relied on his connections." Zhan En coughed and his voice was serious, "So, when I became a father ten years ago - no, it was already my tenth year.

One year ago - he was unfortunately killed, and when the murderer turned out to be my uncle, the entire South Coast Territory and even the Kingdom of Stars were shocked."

Both Zhan and Sheilai were silent for a while.

"Look! It's so thrilling!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

In the arena, the female warrior was so powerful that she killed the clumsy black-armored enemy in front of her in a hurry. With victory in sight, the voices in the stands became more and more fanatical and rhythmic.

"If Viscount Sonar is so close to your father and deeply trusted, and is almost the Duke's deputy, then why would he..." Thales asked tentatively.

Zhan En snorted softly upon hearing this.

"If I told you that my uncle is coveting the position of Duke according to the official statement, you would probably not believe me?"

"Not necessarily," Thales said carefully, "but these years of experience have taught me that everyone is complicated."

"It's political differences." Healy sighed.

Thales' eyes moved.

The Duke nodded with complicated eyes: "Even if they are brothers who share the same blood and embroider the same family emblem, when the subjects standing behind them are different, everything will be different. Emotions will give way to reason, and blood will

I can’t resist the benefits.”

Listening to their words, Thales was slightly distracted, remembering the words of Falkenhauser and King Kessel:

[You know, when your vassals and subordinates are angry and the public opinion is high, standing in front of the wave, you don’t have much choice but to follow the trend. 】

[What if you act so well, hide your secrets, convince everyone, and successfully transform into the savior of princes and vassals... the people who are deceived by you and support you will form a rolling wave and use their reputation, position, and camp to

, interests, relationships, situations, use everything to coerce you forward, not allowing you to protest, not being under your control, and not allowing you to regret it - they will love you even more than they hate me.】

"I was still very young back then. I had a bad temper and didn't like to meet outsiders. I didn't pay attention to these things. I can't remember some details clearly." The eldest lady shook her head, her expression tense, "But my father and Uncle Sona, they never paid attention to the outside world.

I take things home with me, and I have never blushed or had a quarrel in front of my family at the dinner table.”

"That's the problem." Zhan interrupted coldly.

Thales and Hilley looked at the Duke at the same time, but the latter had a different look:

"My mother once said: Compared with family members, only guests never quarrel at the dinner table."

Xi Lai frowned upon hearing this.

"Then based on this, there is no doubt that Your Majesty and I are truly father and son."

Zhan En and Xi Lai both turned to the prince.

"Don't mind, it's just a casual comment," Thales coughed, "So?"

"So what happened later," Zhan En spoke faster, as if he didn't want to say more, "Although he couldn't avoid the disaster, his father had anticipated it before he was killed, so he took precautions: As soon as something happened, the Emerald Legion would arrest him

I killed Sona and his gang, and by the time I returned to the Emerald City after a long journey, the case had almost come to light."

"In the end, Uncle Sona confessed to the crime and committed suicide in prison, while his followers fell apart and sought justice."

Hilley's expression was tense and he stared intently at the duel in the field.

"So soon?" Thales rolled his eyes, "Even before you return to the Emerald City?"

"To be precise, it was before the central royal family sent an envoy to Emerald City," Zhan En said calmly, "I think there is no need to explain some things too clearly."

Thales was stunned.

He suddenly remembered the words left by the Duke of Cliffland, the One-eyed Dragon Costard, before he left for Exeter:

[He even wants to intervene in the inheritance of the six wealthy families and the thirteen noble families... He was involved in Kevin Dill's family infighting two years ago.]

"What's more, the Emerald City has a complete system and has its own laws," Zhan En said calmly, "The matter involved Iris' family affairs. In order to avoid suspicion and to calm people's hearts, the case of Sona's brother-killing rebellion was handed over to the city's public office - Jeff

Rene was the Director of Security in the Canal Zone at the time and was known for his impartiality and few omissions. Slimani was his right-hand man. They were both involved in the case at that time."

Thales and Hilley looked at each other: "Ah, so that's the reason."

Jenn continued:

"And the Kaguire security officer who was killed this morning. He was one of the guards at the prison when my uncle was imprisoned eleven years ago - I guess the enemy has a revenge list and crosses names off it one by one."

"What about the others? The wine merchant? And the wool merchant?" Healy asked.

Zhan En shook his head: "Before his downfall, Uncle Sona held a very high position. He was in charge of intelligence merchants and secret accounts in the Emerald City and even the South Coast Territory, and even the monitoring of civil society organizations - such as the Blood Bottle Gang."

Xi Lai's expression changed:

"Dagory Moss, and Diop?"

"They all served Sona," Zhan En nodded, "Although they were all minor figures at that time, my uncle may not remember them."

"Wait a minute, they were all your uncle's subordinates, but you still feel free to use them until now?" Thales couldn't believe it.

"Uncle Sona's relationships and connections in the South Bank Territory are intricate. Even Ashford once did things for him under his father's instructions. If I want to purge everyone who has bowed and reported to Sona,

Then the entire Emerald City will be unavailable."

At this point, Zhan leaned forward and applauded enthusiastically for the attack of the contestants on the field, forcing Thales to also lean forward, pretending to be excited to watch the game, and trying his best to hear clearly among the cheers.

Jenn’s words:

"What's more, in the hands of the people who served my uncle back then, Moss and Diop were relatively new recruits and were already considered to be less involved. That's why they were promoted after the major rebellion and achieved their current status.

.”

Thales reacted and took over the conversation:

"So, they are the beneficiaries who were promoted after Sona's fall?"

"Or traitors," Healey affirmed. "Maybe that puts them on the revenge list."

Thales narrowed his eyes.

Then Waiya's guess is right: Rene, Slimani, Kaguire, including Little Bolwin, who was implicated by his father, they were indeed targeted for the same thing - Sona's rebel party

The old troops are making a comeback and want to avenge their master?

"But it's much more than that."

Zhan's expression was grim as he watched a contestant being knocked down severely:

"The wine merchant Moss is one of our intelligence dealers stationed abroad. It would be fine if he died, but if the news spreads that he died of rebelling and seeking revenge, his colleagues will be in danger; Diop manages the secret account
To be continued...