Odin did not take off his wet robes, and the prince was not polite, but invited him to sit on a log chair that did not even have a backrest. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ

In fact, there are only four-legged chairs left in this dilapidated shop.

Odin didn't mind, he patted the drops of water on his body and sat down in front of the prince.

"Friend, you're right, you are indeed an important pawn. But one thing you are wrong, you are not my pawn. Odin took off his hood and revealed a saint-like countenance.

"You are a pawn in social change. People always need to see the truth about the sanctuary that rules them, and the true face of this ruling group of conflicting interests, deceitful people, and freedmen like ants. And one day, perhaps much later, they will take power and let the class that once oppressed them disappear into history. ”

Odin looked at Arthur with black eyes.

"We are unfortunate -- or fortunate to have opened the curtain of history -- to take the first step, that the apostate must first convince the world of the falsehood of the true God. Friend, you have wasted half your life, and now you have the opportunity to become the messenger who steals the fire and sends it to mortals, even if you end up tied to the cross, will you refuse?"

Although he has an unparalleled mind, because of the education he received since childhood, the environment he has been exposed to, and the experience of never really getting involved in the chains of power, Prince Arthur has always had a sense of compassion and nobility that is detached from the world.

This kind of feeling can easily lead him into melancholy and impulsiveness, and the contradiction between reality and ideals always makes him feel that life is meaningless - so it is more important to let him fall into this idealistic impulse than to induce profits. Odin knows this very well.

"To have a noble bloodline, to do nothing means to turn your back on responsibility. With your status, it is clear that you can do more for the people of the empire, and you can be regarded as fulfilling the last wish of your brother and friends. Otherwise, standing in front of their tombstones, you don't even know what to say to them. ”

Odin did not hesitate to uncover the scars that had caused the prince pain, so that he could sink into the great cause he had wove into. In fact, even if the mob were to sit on the throne, it would only become a new sanctuary, and they would only be a powerful force hidden behind the empire's inheritance. History repeats itself.

"Well, if there's anything you want, Mr. Diggs, your words are poison to me. Arthur's brow furrowed even deeper, and in the flickering firelight, it looked like a wax figure.

"You must also know about the massacre at Midsummer - the Queen Mother brought blood and chaos to the country. Odin said.

"Not the Queen Mother, but you, Mr. Diggs, who single-handedly contributed to their deaths. Arthur retorted.

"Arthur, you are a chess piece, and so am I, and chess players are invisible history. Odin comforted him: "I said that there is no change that does not shed blood. We are not here to argue about these things today. ”

"Today some of the Silver Eagle and the royal estates were smashed, Viscount Carlos was assassinated, and the Lion Legion and the Military General Staff of Cisse City left the imperial capital. Odin whispered, discovering that Arthur was aware of the news - the prince, who was actually under house arrest, had developed his own eyeliner in a short period of time.

If the prince's health was not so bad, if he had been in power for a long time, he might have been a threat to himself. But right now, his cleverness brings great convenience.

"Something I heard. Arthur Stanley replied.

"That means I'm going back to the south. Odin spread his hands: "What I am doing in the imperial capital - oh, there is still one last crucial link, and it is about to be completed." The people of Paliwa City are still waiting for me. ”

"You mean, is the royal family about to go on a campaign?" Arthur asked.

"Yes, the throne of the little king Liepon is about to fall. Now the roots of the tree have been shaken. Now the royal family can only take advantage of the majesty of the Sanctuary - but they know that the true God has never favored them, and that the Sanctuary is only using them as a tool to suppress the freemen and grab money. Odin smiled again, looking a little frightening in the firelight.

Arthur finally couldn't help it, turned his head and coughed violently: "I'm sorry, sir, the cold you brought made me uncomfortable. ”

"It can't be done - it's the rain. Who would have thought that there would be cold rain in the middle of summer. Odin patted the water stains on his body, and in fact his robes were dripping water.

"I'm guessing you're going to tell me next - I'm in danger. Arthur responded with a smile, but the smile was horribly pale.

He had guessed from the beginning that he had to be careful when talking to this prince, Odin thought to himself.

"That's right, but I'm telling the truth. The alliance between the Deep Valley and the Ice Soul will not let you hold real power, and Silver Eagle and Cisse are eager for you to die - so that they can ascend to the Golden Throne after Liepon falls. Even if you become a king, you will face the fate of assassination and house arrest, because you have no power. Odin made no secret of it.

"I understand that a rabbit without claws occupies a lion's nest, and the consequences can be imagined. The prince replied with his eyes closed.

"Then there is no point in you ascending to the throne - are you struggling to regain the throne just to be assassinated?" Odin tapped the table, and dust splattered, causing Arthur to cough again.

"I can tell the world the true cause of my brother's death and restore Haisa's honor. The prince said with a frown.

"Do you want to do only for the dead, but not for the living?" Odin asked.

"There's nothing I can do - I don't want to get blood on my hands. Arthur sighed.

"It's late, from the moment you enter the maelstrom of power, the blood is already on your hands, friend. You are the prince of Swancastle, the uncle of the king, not the seminarian, the child who was protected by his brother and embraced by his mother, and you have to face it all up and not run away from it. "Odin didn't care about Arthur Stanley's pain in the slightest.

"So what do you want me to do?" Arthur covered his face with his hands, trembling slightly.

"Negotiate terms with Elio Paton and Bailey Sieri and let them support you on the throne. Odin's voice was calm and firm.

"Do you want me to betray the Deep Valley Alliance?—I should have guessed a long time ago!" Arthur's voice trembled, his education not allowing him to betray his reputation. However, what is the difference between what he is doing now and the wolf and tiger people in the empire!

"It's not a betrayal - they never saw you as an ally. You need to protect yourself, you need to maneuver, find your place in this battle between wolves and lions, seize power, and protect the people of the empire. Odin tapped the table again, causing Arthur to shrink back subconsciously.

"So you have to use some subordinate means?" Arthur buried his head deeper, his pale fingers digging deep into his hair.

"As long as the purpose is noble - bound by dogma and morality, it is the work of cowards. Odin criticized mercilessly.