The commoners and small and medium-sized nobles in the Hall of Stars suddenly became commotion in panic, and the guards had to shout loudly.

"You really dare to say that, Cyril." Duke Val of the North looked at Cyril deeply: "Thanks to you, no one should talk about returning to a closed, small conference room anymore, right?"

The imperial earls on the stone throne responded in silence.

"Sooner or later, something will happen," Duke Falkenhauser's eyes were gloomy, and even in the midst of laughter, his sharp voice remained: "Hey, I just removed your luck and fear."

"The 'undesirable' at the banquet," Duke Cullen sighed: "He is truly worthy of his name."

Zhan En, like most of the earls from the Thirteen Noble Families, had a gloomy face and said nothing.

Ten seconds later, what was heard from the Star Gathering Square to the Hall of Stars was the panicked and chaotic hum of the general public, which was getting louder and louder.

The news of the upcoming conflict between Exeter and Xingchen has now been fully disclosed.

Count Sorel's eyes were unkind and he looked directly at the king: "Your Majesty, announcing this coming disaster to the people has achieved the effect you wanted - the question is, how will it end now?"

The icy-faced King Kessel V did not speak, but only glanced at Sorel, who was still stubborn in response.

"It's quite simple," Count Talon stared at Sorel unceremoniously: "Do you want to fight or talk? If you want to fight, everyone can go back to their territories and blow the call."

"We still have the opportunity to negotiate. We have allies. Just like twelve years ago, we can ask them to mediate." Zhan En slowly raised his head and looked at the lords and princes: "The war may not break out, as long as a certain price is paid.

…”

"The one they died in the mission was a prince - the only son of King Nunn and the only heir of the Walton family." Falkenholz interrupted the young duke and said in a sinister tone: "Pay the price? That's right.

Whatever northern territory is ceded to Exeter, that's probably it."

"We will not give up an inch of territory in the north," Count Zemuto said coldly: "That is the land our family has protected for generations."

"But that prince did die within your jurisdiction, didn't he?" Count Dastan sneered: "This is your responsibility, and of course you have to pay the price."

"If you are not joking, Dastan," Count Forrest raised his head with a fierce look in his eyes: "Then we can go to the final platform to duel now."

"Okay, okay, then give them 20% of the supply of Eternal Oil in the East China Sea?" Duke Falkenhauser pretended to be thoughtful. He looked first at Duke Cullen and then at Zhan, showing that he didn't think so.

He smiled thoughtfully: "Or how about the luciferin mine in the south?"

"There is a limit to joking, Cyril." Duke Cullen responded with a rare seriousness.

Zhan En showed him a friendly smile and shook his head slightly.

At this moment, Kaiser V lightly tapped his scepter.

All the nobles calmed down and looked at him.

Under the king's gaze, Gilbert nodded and took a step forward:

"According to the secret department's channels, Longxiao City knew the news of the prince's death in the stars yesterday," he frowned: "And the Grand Duke of Black Sand was faster than their king. He had already started recruiting soldiers and mobilizing the army two days ago -

The other two archdukes in the south of Exeter are half a day slower than him, but they are generally the same."

There was an uproar in the hall!

"Quiet!" Gilbert shouted seriously.

Amid the mixed emotions in the hall, the Supreme King could only be heard saying in a low and deep voice: "If the two countries go to war, the royal family and the Talon family will do everything they can to support the North."

Earl Tallon nodded firmly.

The king looked at the Duke of the North with a dull expression: "Val, how many troops and supplies can you provide?"

"How many troops? Are you kidding?" Val Arend responded seriously: "I have summoned all the vassals, 15,000 infantry, 1,000 archers, 500 heavy cavalry, and even a small number of magicians.

They can shoot! They will reinforce Broken Dragon Fortress in the shortest possible time and take orders from Lord Sonia Satherley."

"That's our territory! Once war breaks out, even women and children will take up arms!"

"As for supplies, it depends on how much land we can hold."

The two Earls Zemuto and Fores nodded firmly in agreement:

"The 3,500 people who guard the city will fight to the death."

"Gu Lao Pagoda only has two thousand infantry, but we will fight to the last soldier."

"We can withstand the pressure of the three Grand Dukes of Exeter, but if it is the whole country of Exeter..." The Duke of the North straightened up and glanced at every noble with his piercing eyes: "We need the power of the entire star."

Cohen, who was standing behind old Count Karabiyan, scratched his head and whispered in confusion:

"Isn't this a state meeting for all the people? How can the deployment of troops be announced like this?"

Old Count Karabyan gently closed his eyes and sighed imperceptibly.

"Don't you see?" He lowered his voice and told his son with a tired look on his face:

"This attitude of the northern nobles is for Exeter to see."

"Do you believe that Duke Arend can summon ten thousand people? The stars have never recovered from the bloody years - I suspect that one-third of the strength claimed by the lords would be good."

Cohen was stunned for a moment.

He looked in disbelief at the pattern of double stars the size of a silver cross on the top of the hall.

As a descendant of the Empire and the Shield of the Western Continent, has the Kingdom of Stars become so weak?

King Kessel V nodded slightly, then turned to the scary-looking Cyril: "Where are the lords of the Western Wasteland?"

Cyril Falkenhausz tilted his head back, closed his eyes and said: "Desolate Ruins can only send out a thousand infantry - the Desolate Bone Tribe has started to be in commotion again recently. As for the magic guns, we don't even have enough of them ourselves."

"The Wing Fortress is not known for its military prowess," the young Count Dele Colomo mused, "but we can send out the best one hundred Crow's Whistle Cavalry."

Bozdov also frowned fiercely: "The surrounding area of ​​Heroic Soul Castle has been uneasy recently. There is an orc who is regarded as the leader. He is gathering the forces of various clans - the Black Lion family can only send two hundred people."

The stingy decision of the nobles of Xihuang made all the nobles present begin to whisper.

Cohen frowned. He had served on the front line of the Western Wilderness and in the purge campaign after the Desert War, but as far as he knew, the military strength of the Western Wilderness was by no means so thin.

"It was quite positive to reveal the secret just now," Val looked at Falkenholz coldly: "When it comes to recruiting troops... hum."

Another burst of shouts from the Stars Square reached the Hall of Stars. This time it was excited cheers, including many fanatical voices.

"Alas," Earl Talon touched his five-pointed star brooch and sighed: "I bet that the guards just passed on the news about the strength of the troops in the north, and they haven't had time to pass it on to the Western Wilderness."

Kessel V remained calm. He turned to ask Cullen: "What is the attitude of the Sun Sword and Shield family and the entire East China Sea Territory?"

"Your Majesty, most people in the East China Sea rely on the sea for their livelihood. We don't have enough troops, but we can pay and recruit mercenaries to fight." The Fat Duke said with a smile: "If a full-scale war breaks out, as long as it doesn't winter and the offshore sea doesn't freeze, we can

The fleet can also raid the east coast of Exeter."

On the stone seat next to the Duke of Donghai, Count Noah Havia and Count Clark Almond looked at each other and nodded in unison.

Duke Falkenhauser said solemnly: "Thank you very much for reminding us that it happens to be December and winter is about to begin."

King Kessel V knocked on his stone throne and asked with a hint of meaning: "So there are no people, only money? I remember when we were fighting in the desert war, the Prime Minister told me that I don't need money, but people can -

Is it a bit far to transport troops from the East China Sea to the Western Wasteland?"

"Five years ago, people didn't know how to go out to make money, so there were people who didn't have money. But now people have gone out to make money, so no one has money." Duke Cullen replied with a smile, his face not red and his heart not beating.

The king sneered slightly, and the Duke of the North looked extremely ugly.

King Kessel turned his head to the nobles in the south.

"There are no usable cavalry in the entire South Coast Territory. The Kevin Deere family can summon two thousand infantry from around the Emerald City, and they also have some magic guns." Zhan replied worriedly before His Majesty asked him: "But the long march to the north

In combat, acclimatization is a problem, and my vassals will definitely not be happy - the quality of the soldiers cannot be guaranteed."

Old Count Karabiyan also had a serious look on his face and spoke at the right time: "The same goes for the Vola Territory. Even with the addition of vassals, I am not confident that we can even recruit 300 troops."

Cohen, who was behind the count, lowered his head and sighed softly.

He still remembered that the last time his two sisters went abroad to visit friends, his father directly sent 500 troops to escort them.

Count Lacia was even more straightforward: "Soldiers from the marsh are not suitable for fighting in the north at all."

Kessel V did not speak anymore, but just breathed out softly: "The Guardian Duke of Cliffland and the Guardian Duke of Blade Territory have not arrived yet, but I estimate that they, as well as the remaining four families, probably have the same attitude.

?”

As nobles of the Cliff Territory, Count Sorel and Count Dastan both turned their heads and remained silent.

On the contrary, the leaders and businessmen who were watching began to whisper - they were more worried about the upcoming war.

"Is this how you repay the stars?"

The Duke of the North's face was ashen. He stood up suddenly, pointed at the double cross star above his head and said angrily: "This is the country you swore allegiance to, and it was the greatest country in human history! Even if the North is not your territory, it is

But there is also a cross and two-star flag flying! It’s the same as your land!”

"Your Excellency, I also fought for the stars five years ago," Earl Dastan said coldly: "As a result, I lost my eldest son forever in the Western Wasteland - I guess you can't understand without a son..."

"Bullshit!" Val's eyes widened angrily, and he turned his head abruptly: "My only daughter, the heir of White Eagle, is now in the Broken Dragon Fortress on the border between the two countries, in the flower of the fortress - Lord Sonia Satherley.

Subordinate! Her life or death depends on the outcome of the dragon and the stars!"

After hearing this, Cohen couldn't help but lower his head, sighed, and looked at Raphael behind the Black Prophet.

"Perhaps there is no need to go to war, we can choose to negotiate - even if Exeter sends troops, it is only for profit." Duke Cullen shook his head and sighed.

"And then force the North to give up its own territory?" Val looked like a predatory eagle, glaring at everyone who answered with sharp eyes.

"Now, we all know the chips in hand and the number of troops." At this time, Zhan En raised his head with firm eyes and looked at the king: "Whether it is war or peace, it depends on His Majesty's will."
To be continued...