"Soldiers, money, equipment, food, intelligence, morale, support, and maybe government officials who won't hold us back. Although from my experience, the last one is basically impossible."

Thales frowned, lowered his head, coughed, and waved his hands to disperse the smoke.

Sure enough, it was not as simple as her going back to her hometown for a vacation, nor was it as coincidental as just passing by your castle.

A voice said in his heart: Everyone has their own plans and desires.

Even the flower of the fortress, which is cheerful and generous, and is famous for its reputation, is not immune to vulgarity.

Thinking of this, Thales's mood dropped a bit.

Sonia is asking for something from you, then you should promise her, at least leave some words and see what can be discovered in the future. He whispered in his heart, even if this is just a short exchange, this is in line with the agreement you and the king have made.

Covenant, use the rift between your father and son to illuminate every crack in the kingdom.

Even the flower of the fortress.

but……

"Sorry, you have found the wrong person," after a moment, Duke Xinghu said solemnly: "I am just an exiled and disgraced prince, with no soldiers, no power, and extremely poor."

Sonia stared at him for a while before turning to the direction of Star Lake.

"It doesn't matter. Nineteen years ago, when I led my troops north to Yongxing City, when I met your father in a group of refugees, he was about the same."

The Fortress Flower took another puff of cigarette:

"In fact, Kessel had just escaped from the hunt and was in a daze and trembling. However, he was much more miserable and miserable than you are now."

Hearing this name, Thales frowned.

"Then maybe you should ask my father for help."

"If I can, numb," Sonia swore and pointed a cigarette butt at the moon to complain, "Since he sat on the throne, your father has become less and less cute and less well-behaved. It doesn't look like he is fighting.

When we first met, if we asked him to kneel down, he would kneel down, if he was asked to strip naked, he would strip naked, if he was forced to dance, he would dance, if he was told to be a king, he would cry and crawl to be crowned..."

Thales frowned deeply after hearing these disrespectful words.

Why did she say that?

Your father is becoming less and less lovable...call him a king and he will be crowned...

Why did she say this to herself?

Sonia Satherre, she was supposed to be the backbone of the royal standing army, the northern barrier of the kingdom, and the sharp sword in the hands of the iron-fisted king, wasn't she?

Why?

But Thales didn't show it on his face. He only teased one word in the other person's sentence: "Take off your clothes, really?"

Sonia waved her hand and ignored her:

"Anyway, I don't expect you to do anything now, given your pitiful little body, but I can wait, wait."

In the confusion of smoke, the flower of the fortress smiled at him.

But at that moment, Thales only felt empty inside.

wait.

What are you waiting for?

What else, another voice in his heart whispered, between you and the king, what else can she wait for?

But, no, Sonia, she...

Thales suddenly panicked. He subconsciously touched the bone ring in his pocket, remembering his agreement with King Kessel.

Sonia changed her hand to hold the cigarette and sighed a little: "As for you, just take what I say to heart. There is something going on in the kingdom, and it must be in the north. You have to make preparations for the future."

Thales swallowed.

Be prepared for the future.

future?

No, it's impossible, Thales dismissed the inappropriate thoughts.

Sonia is the commander of the fortress. All she cares about is the threat of Exeter and the defense of the northern kingdom. If something happens, it must be in the north. This is the key to her words.

So what? Another thought popped up in her heart again. The reason why she said this was because as the defender of Broken Dragon Fortress, she had to say this.

Because the enemy in the north is her capital: the threat of the Kingdom of Exeter directly affects Sonia's safety and future, affects her standing army, affects the resources she can obtain, affects the degree to which she is seen and taken seriously, and

her position of power in the kingdom.

Because she is also caught in the net.

Can't extricate myself.

Isn't it? Isn't this the truth that you have experienced in the political games over the past few months and used it to oppose the king's army?

And you, Thales, you must see through this, her request for help is not that simple!

Thales closed his eyes and interrupted his thoughts.

He thought too much. Sonia, the Sonia he knew, was not that kind of person.

"Why, why me?"

Thales opened his eyes, looking slightly tired:

"I believe that there are other knowledgeable people in the capital who can give you more substantial help."

Sonia took a sip of tobacco and pondered for a moment:

"Perhaps, because you are special? For example, you dare to break into the palace to rebel and threaten your father with a sword?"

Thales turned back sharply!

The Flower of the Fortress raised the cigarette in her hand: "Don't look at me. Rumors spread very quickly. It was definitely not told to me by Old Man Sodo."

But Thales's mood sank.

Look, you're right, Thales.

She came to you because you broke into the palace to rebel but left safely, because you proved your worth and became the second pole after the Supreme Throne.

As a result, the situation in the kingdom changed drastically. Even the seemingly valiant and generous flower of the fortress, she saw, she knew, and she felt that just as the king and Thales had foreseen, Thales might be able to compete with Kessel.

king.

So here she comes.

Not just for returning home, not just for the north, not just for my pitiful personal friendship with you.

Thales looked at Sonia silently, feeling restless.

Sonia didn't notice the change in Thales' eyes. She was smoking her cigarette, immersed in the hazy smoke, feeling extremely comfortable.

"Perhaps it's also because you are one of the few people who can cure Lombard? According to Miranda, seven years ago, you gave up the opportunity to escape, decisively returned to the Palace of Heroes, and used your freedom to extinguish the looming conflict between the two countries.

The flames of war.”

Thales took a deep breath.

seven years ago.

It was seven years ago again.

Seven damn years ago.

He suddenly lost interest in the conversation in front of him.

Whether it is for the defense of the fortress or the future of the kingdom, in the final analysis, she is here to show friendship, win over, ask for help, take sides, or any other pleasant or unpleasant synonyms.

She, the owner of the Supreme Shield, Sonia Satherley, who once saved her life, is actually not much different from the Duke of Xihuang.

[The powerful nobles and lords will rush to find you, win over the prince who has just returned home, and use every method to win you to their side...]

Sonia, even Sonia, is the same.

Thinking of this, Thales only felt deeply disappointed.

And he, Thales Bright Star, could no longer speak frankly and open his heart to this savior like he did when they first met.

"So I think, that child," Sonia took a puff of cigarette and sighed, but her eyes were pointing. "The child who balanced forgiveness and justice under the gallows, the child who dared to charge at Lombard and swing the sword at his father.

, there should be some hope?”

At that moment, Thales tightened his grip on the "covenant".

"Hope?" Thales repeated mechanically.

Sonia, she is not the first, nor the last. In the future, more people will do the same thing. Starting from a certain point, the calculations and interests in the words of the person talking to him, the purpose and

Desire will only increase.

Until nothing else is left.

Thales subconsciously clutched the covenant in his pocket.

But you know, Tails.
To be continued...