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In late June, the triumphant Dark Cavalry finally returned to the North Territory.

The army followed the same route it took northward and returned to the large camp outside of Ice Rock City.

Colin looked at the familiar scenery before him and it seemed as if it was only yesterday when he had attempted to dissuade Marquis Garcia, alongside Vera, just two months prior.

The scenery remained the same, but many things had changed.

At least, the three hundred thousand Troll Army was long gone.

However, this did not mean that the North Territory had settled down.

Even though Colin had not entered the city, he had already sensed a heavy atmosphere looming over Ice Rock City.

“The summers in the North Territory are always stormy.”

Earl Dawson, standing next to him, looked up at the gloomy sky and remarked suggestively.

Colin took the wine pouch offered by him, took a hearty gulp, and passed it back: “Who between Ice Rock City and the Golden Lion Legion do you think will send people to our camp first?” “I guess it’s Ice Rock City. What do you think?”

“I also guess it’s Ice Rock City.”

“Boring!” Earl Dawson rolled his eyes.

Colin glanced at the dwarf Earl next to him with amusement and suggested:

“Well then, let’s guess which side the Marquis will accept the invitation from?”

“I’m not guessing this!” Earl Dawson rolled his eyes once more, remaining wary of this cunning son of the Baron.

Despite not eliciting Marquis Garcia’s leanings from Earl Dawson, Colin remained undeterred, continued to probe:

“Then, tell me, how should the Duke reward the great achievements of the Dark Cavalry this time?”

Earl Dawson chuckled, seemingly unaware of Colin’s probing, stroking his bushy beard and said:

“There’s nothing left for the Marquis to reward, I believe the Duke will most likely distribute this merit to the various leaders of the Dark Cavalry. Perhaps, we may have another Marquis amongst us.”

Upon hearing the sensitive phrase “There’s nothing left for the Marquis to reward”, Colin carefully observed the face of the dwarf Earl, but could not discern anything. It seemed like it was just a casual term.

“Then I should congratulate you in advance! If they have to award a Marquis among the leaders of the Dark Cavalry, it would certainly be you!” Colin congratulated with a laugh.

Earl Dawson shook his head, gave a light smile, but did not continue the conversation.

Colin wondered if he was acting modest or if he simply had no regard for the potential reward.

But Colin had understood Earl Dawson’s intentions.

The Earl had clearly guessed the Northern Duke’s possible handling of the Dark Cavalry – sweeping divisions and alliances.

If Earl Dawson were indeed bestowed the title of Marquis, while it would be a great honor, it would mean his separation from the Dark Cavalry.

Moreover, being equal in rank as Marquises, the Dawson Family undoubtedly would no longer pledge loyalty to Marquis Garcia. Their loyalty would shift towards the Northern Duke.

As such, the Dark Cavalry might well split into two.

If Earl Dawson could guess the possible tactics of the Duke, could Marquis Garcia not anticipate it?

And, how would he respond?

Colin suddenly felt that despite their great victory, the clouds of doubt lingering over the North Territory had not dissipated. Instead, it was making the imminent storm all the more potent and dangerous.

“Marquis!”

Lost in his contemplation, Colin was abruptly brought back to reality by Earl Dawson’s sudden call.

Turning around, he saw Marquis Garcia leading a group of people behind them.

“Marquis!” Colin quickly turned around to salute.

Marquis Garcia nodded to the two men, then pointed at a middle-aged man behind him and said to Colin:

“Colin, this is Knight Shar. He, along with the other twenty-seven warriors behind him, sustained heavy injuries in this battle and are about to retire.

“But, I hope you can provide them with jobs, so they don’t waste the rest of their lives in the fields.

“Of, of course! It would be my honor!”

Colin felt a surge of intense joy shoot straight into his brain, making everything before his eyes seem somewhat unreal.

The worth of veterans, especially those who have retired from the Dark Cavalry, cannot be measured in gold!

Colin had already realized that if he wanted to carve out a place for himself in this world, he needed to have an elite army.

After this baptism of war, Colin had become completely enamored with the cavalry.

However, although he had followed Marquis Garcia and gained some experience with the workings of the cavalry, when it came to training the cavalry, Colin was at a loss.

It was at this moment that Marquis Garcia presented him with such a generous gift!

These twenty-eight veterans might not be able to go to the battlefield, but they are fully capable of becoming cavalry instructors.

They were the seeds of the elite cavalry that Colin had been dreaming about!

Until Sir Shar had sworn his allegiance to Colin at the indication of Marquis Garcia, Colin was still immersed in his excitement and had not yet fully come back to reality.

It was then that he noticed that Sir Shar’s right thumb was severed at the root; this injury was not particularly serious, but for a knight, it marked the end of their career.

Without his thumb, he was unable to firmly grasp any sword.

“Nick! ”

Colin drew his sword and gently tapped it on Sir Shar’s shoulder, accepting the latter’s allegiance.

He was not disappointed that Sir Shar could no longer wield a sword, on the contrary, he regarded the knight as invaluable.

Even if there were a group of fourth or fifth rank knights standing before him now, he would choose Shar.

Earl Dawson watched all of this quietly, his eyes full of deep meaning.

By the time Colin had reassured Sir Shar, and the other twenty-seven retired soldiers, he finally regained his calm.

At this moment, that nagging thought that had been troubling him resurfaced.

This time, he was no longer able to suppress it, but directly asked Marquis Garcia:

“Marquis, your assistance to me is beyond reciprocation! But, I want to know…why would someone of my insignificant stature, the son of a Baron, be worthy of your consideration?”

Hearing this question, both Earl Dawson and Sir Shar tactfully retreated.

Marquis Garcia looked at Colin’s solemn face, chuckled, and said something completely unrelated: “Vera seems to have quite a fondness for you.” “Huh?” Colin was taken aback.

“I saw her diamond earring in your hand, she gave it to you didn’t she?”

Colin blinked in surprise, remembering that he had taken out that pair of earrings to play with during his march with the Dark Cavalry, but he hadn’t expected that Marquis Garcia had seen it.

Apparently, Marquis Garcia had misunderstood.

But, Colin would not tell him that the earring was a keepsake he had tricked from Vera on the pretext of “being on the verge of death,” not a love token given to him by her.

Seeing no response from Colin, Marquis Garcia assumed his silent confirmation and pressed, “So, do you like her?”

Colin was taken aback.

He never expected that this god of death who had just single-handedly buried a troll army of three hundred thousand would suddenly be interested in such trivial romantic affairs.

Thinking that Marquis Garcia, as Vera’s uncle, might be just showing concern for his niece, Colin nodded and said, “Lady Vera is of noble birth and kind-hearted. Naturally, I hold her in high regard.”

Marquis Garcia’s smile had a complicated undertone and he quietly dropped a line:

“I am Vera’s biological father.”

“Huh?”