TOV68

After the knighting ceremony, everyone left the church one after another.

The faces of most of the nobles were filled with joy. After all, this time conferring a knight was arguably the largest in recent years in the Northern Territory.

The generosity of the Duke of St. Hilde calmed down the nobles in the north from the turmoil that just ended.

They all firmly believe that the future of the North will be even better!

Colin didn't care about the excitedly chattering sister, deliberately lagging behind to talk to Marquis Garcia, to test the thoughts of the big brother.

Although the Marquis of Garcia did not have an on-the-spot attack, Colin knew that because Duke of St. Hilde made Adams his first heir he had completely angered the Marquis of Garcia.

If the two brothers were acting deliberately before, now, the rift between them is real and can no longer be easily bridged.

To be honest, Colin didn't understand the behavior of the Duke of Saint Hilde.

This was not because Colin felt that the opponent should follow the virtues of the knight.

He is not so naive.

An old politician who has ruled the Northern Territory for decades, expecting him not to lie is the same as expecting men not to steal.

What Colin didn't understand was why the Duke of Saint Hilde had to tear his face with his brother in this way at this time.

Too impatient, and too politically unwise.

If Colin was in the position of the Duke, even if he didn't want to pass the position of the Duke to Vera, he would not cross the river and demolish the bridge so quickly.

At least he will first grant the title to Vera, recognize her as the first heir, and stabilize Marquis Garcia first.

Then, whether it is to slowly weaken the Black Cavalry or to support another military force that can be contended, it is more comfortable.

After all, Vera inherited the position of Marquis, but not immediately became Duke of the North.

In the future, she can also be deprived of her title.

Why rush it now?

Of course, Colin didn't think that Marquis Garcia dared to really rebel at this time.

After all, most of the lords in the north have now been wiped out, and the rest have been reassured by the Duke.

The Black Cavalry's previous “fighting” behavior has given the Marquis Garcia the notoriety of “betrayer”.

Now even if he stood up to deal with his brother, no lord would respond to his call.

As for the Black Cavalry, they have also been drawn up by the Duke with the acquiescence of Marquis Garcia.

Will the vassals who have been loyal to the Marquis of Garcia, such as the Marquis of Dawson, willing to admit that he is a member of the Black Cavalry after swearing allegiance to the Duke?

Is it still the same as before, at the order of Marquis Garcia, he chose to follow without hesitation?

What's more, only a handful of people know about the fact that the Duke of St. Hilde broke his promise.

After all, the original transaction between the Duke of St. Hilde and the Marquis of Garcia was a secret. If Colin had not been regarded as the future son-in-law of the Marquis of Garcia, he wouldn't have learned the details of the transaction and be aware of the betrayal of the Duke of St. Hilde to his brother.

If Marquis Garcia chooses to rebel with troops, will he be regarded as a betrayal to his brother by the northerners instead? 

Will the Marquis of Garcia be willing to bear such infamy again?

"Master Marquis!" Colin leaned over to Marquis Garcia and greeted him in a low voice.

The Marquis of Garcia glanced at Colin, without speaking, and continued to walk outside.

Colin knew that the big man was in a bad mood, so he didn't dare to say more, and walked out of the church behind him.

When he got outside, Marquis Garcia immediately turned on his horse and glanced at the following Colin, and said indifferently: "Tell me, is your loyalty really irrespective of the reason, right or wrong?"

Colin's heart shuddered, and he cried out badly.

Facing a surprise attack by the Duke of St. Hilde before, Colin deliberately interpreted loyalty as unconditional obedience in order to please the Duke.

Unexpectedly, this was obviously misunderstood by Marquis Garcia.

But there is no way, how could Colin expect that the two brothers would break up again at that time.

At that time, he thought that the Duke of St. Hilde, who had cleared away the threats inside and outside the north, had undoubtedly become the real master of the north.

And if Colin wants to continue mixing in the North, grow the Angele family, and even marry Vera, he must be approved by the Duke of St. Hilde.

Therefore, Colin took the initiative to flatter.

Moreover, when he saw his new fiefdom, he was already aware of the Duke's plan. In addition, he had already had an antagonism with the Sudor family, and he was already mentally prepared to become a knife in the hands of the Duke.

But who knows, the Duke turned back on his promise to the Marquis of Garcia at this time.

This undoubtedly caused the worry of turbulence in the northern territory, which had just calmed down.

Therefore, Colin once again faced the choice of standing in line.

And this time, he really didn't know which side to choose.

Although from the bottom of his heart, he agrees more with Marquis Garcia.

This is not only because the Marquis almost gave himself a gift in the Icefield Battle, but also gave himself a retired Black Cavalry veterans to help the Angele family form a cavalry.

It was completely true to train Colin as a son-in-law.

Moreover, from a moral point of view, this matter is indeed the Duke of St. Hilde sorry for his brother.

He betrayed his promise!

However, facing the question of Marquis Garcia at this moment, Colin didn't know what to say for a while.

Do you simply admit that what you just said was fart?

In this way, wouldn't one's own "personal design" collapse immediately?

Who dares to trust someone who can throw away his vows at will?

Just when Colin was stunned, Marquis Garcia had already driven away.

Before leaving, he left one last sentence: "Go and understand the origin of your [Judgement Blade], and then rethink what true loyalty is!"

Seeing the distant back of Marquis Garcia, Colin stood for a while, at a loss.

Until his sister Caitlin walked over with a puzzled look, she led Colin back to the hotel.

...

For the next few days, Ice Rock City was calm.

The Marquis of Garcia also did not have any excessive actions, as if he had completely forgotten his brother's betrayal.

However, at the end of the ceremony, Marquis Garcia left Ice Rock City.

It seems unwilling to stay in this city for an extra second.

The departure of Marquis Garcia did not arouse too much attention, after all, the Marquis was used to coming alone.

Moreover, the true master of the North is still in the city at this time.

However, the Duke of St. Hilde did not stay in Ice Rock City for too long.

On the third day after the awarding ceremony, he set off to return to Winter City.

As the new owner of Ice Rock City, Colin certainly wanted to see him off.

It was a sunny morning, and a large number of northern nobles gathered outside the south gate of Ice Rock City.

Naturally headed by the Duke of St. Hilde.

Next to him was the newly promoted Viscount Angele to accompany him.

"Colin, are you satisfied with the new territory that I rewarded you?"

"Master Duke, of course I am extremely satisfied!"

Colin's words were not entirely flattering.

Because the current territory of the Angele family is indeed very large.

The original territory of the Sudor family was Ice Rock City and the surrounding area of ​​about 30 kilometers, but this territory did not directly border the original territory of the Angele family.

There are also two baronies in the middle.

However, the two barons were beheaded in the previous rebellion, so the Duke simply awarded the two territories together to Colin.

So, counting the original Greycastle Town, Colin's current territory is the sum of the original area of ​​one viscounty and three baronies.

This definitely exceeds the territory area of ​​the general Viscount.

If it weren’t for the fact that there was too much land in the northern border and too few lords, the Duke of St. Hilde would not be so generous.

"Ho ho, so, are you satisfied?" Duke St. Hilde asked with a smile.

Colin blinked and smiled: "Of course not. No lord will be satisfied with his territory!"

The Duke of St. Hilde laughed, seemingly satisfied with Colin's answer.

After laughing for a while, the Duke said again: "Do you know? My grandfather once said something similar."

He raised his whip and pointed to the east: "The ice field in the north is too cold and barren. But if you want to expand your territory, you can try to the east."

After finishing speaking, he didn't wait for Colin to respond, and immediately left with his whip and his horse.

Colin was stunned, thinking about what the last words the Duke said meant.

At this moment, a magnificent carriage from behind passed by Colin.

The curtain opened, revealing a beautiful face.

"Colin."

"Miss Vera."

"It will be my coming-of-age in one month, will you come?"

"Of course, it's my pleasure!"

Vera smiled and put down the curtain.

The convoy moved forward slowly and gradually disappeared into the horizon.

Colin stood outside the city gate for a long time, but instead of the team watching the Duke go away, he looked towards the east — the direction that the Duke of Saint Hilde had just pointed.

There is the eastern border of the empire.

And a small country sandwiched between the north and the east--

Half-elf kingdom.

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