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“Knock knock knock.”

“What’s the matter?”

“Viscount, Duke St. Hilde has arrived at the Red Castle and is waiting for you in the lounge.”

A sudden exclamation came from the bathroom:

“Who? Duke St. Hilde?”

“Yes, my lord. Duke St. Hilde has personally come to the Red Castle.”

The guard confirmed once again, then heard a flurry of hurried noises from inside.

“Please ask the Duke to wait, I’ll be right there!”

“Yes!”

In the bathroom, a bare-bottomed Colin hurriedly wiped the water off his body, his mind still jumbled.

Duke St. Hilde has come to the Red Castle!

This surprise attack really caught Colin off guard, and at this moment, he felt a bit bewildered.

A wet little head peered out from behind the shower curtain: “Colin, why would my foster father appear in Ice Rock City at this time?”

Colin shrugged, looking speechless: “I don’t know, let’s see him first.”

Vera’s face was red, as if the water was hot, or as if she’d just experienced some rigorous exercise

She said softly: “Should I  go see him?”

“He probably knows that you are in Ice Rock City, but it doesn’t matter if you don’t see him tonight. I’ll tell him you’ve already gone to sleep.”

“Okay.” Evidently, Vera wasn’t prepared to meet her foster father. Her worries seemed to lift at his words, and her head retracted back behind the curtain.

As Colin was dressed and ready to leave, she popped her head out again, reminding: “Colin, be careful.”

Colin looked back and gave her a reassuring smile: “Lay off, he’s the Northern Duke after all, and I’ve just slain the Troll Emperor, big hero that I am. He can’t do anything to me, can he?”

Vera nodded and watched Colin leave.

As soon as he stepped out, the smile on Colin’s face disappeared. Taking a deep breath, he strode toward the lounge.

Passing through the dark corridor, Colin saw Scholar Doan standing at the door of the lounge.

Colin had seen him at Vera’s coming-of-age ceremony, and he knew that this man was one of Duke St. Hilde’s most trusted advisers.

“Scholar Doan, why don’t you come in and have a seat?”

“Viscount, the Duke would like to have a private conversation with you. Please.”

“Alright.” Colin gave Doan a smile, then collected himself and entered the room.

Inside the lounge, Duke St. Hilde stood with his hands behind his back, smiling kindly as he watched Colin approach.

It has been a long time since he saw the Northern Duke, who still had the appearance of a middle-aged uncle: a round face, a protruding belly, and a thick beard, connected straight up to his hair, appearing harmless to both man and beast.

But Colin dared not to underestimate him.

He’d experienced the Northern master’s means before, and the mere memory of it sent chills down his spine.

Moreover, this is a Holy Knight!

Even injured, he probably could squish Colin as easily as one would an ant.

Colin approached Duke St. Hilde and bowed respectfully, “Your Grace, I’m honored by your visit to the Red Castle. Please excuse any shortcomings in the hospitality.”

Duke St. Hilde approached with a hearty laugh, then suddenly reached out and unsheathed Colin’s sword on his waist.

Clang

The Blade of Judgment left its scabbard, gleaming dangerously under the light.

Colin’s heart rose into his throat, but his body remained still.

“Soaked in the blood of another Troll Emperor, haha, this sword seems to have become sharper,” Duke St. Hilde played with the Knight’s Sword in his hand and laughed.

Without missing a beat, Colin immediately declared: “Your Grace, all who harbor evil in their hearts cannot escape the judgement of justice!”

“Hahaha!” Duke St. Hilde laughed even more heartily.

He paused for a moment, then solemnly said to Colin:

“Very good, you are indeed worthy of wielding the Blade of Judgment! However, remember, while the sword may be sharp, it is the one who wields it that matters most. I do not wish to see the day when you use it to slash the skull of a righteous person.”

Colin knew what Duke St. Hilde was implying and quickly expressed his loyalty: “Rest assured, Your Grace! Your will is the direction of my sword!”

Duke St. Hilde nodded in satisfaction and placed the Blade of Judgment on Colin’s shoulder.

Feeling the sharp blade only a few centimeters away from his neck, Colin silently swallowed, thinking –

Could it be another promotion?

Considering Colin’s considerable military contributions during the expedition to the Troll Empire, it wouldn’t be too much to promote him to count.

However, this would mean the Angler family’s rise had been alarmingly fast.

In just two years, they had risen from baron to count, setting a record for the fastest promotion in the Glorious Empire.

Just as Colin was hesitating whether or not to kneel on one knee, Duke St. Hilde spoke:

“Colin, given your significant achievements, I could have conferred upon you the title of Count.”

On hearing this, Colin understood that he didn’t have to kneel, so he slightly bowed and patiently awaited the Duke’s “but”.

“However, the civil unrest in the North is not yet settled. Even if I granted you new territory, you wouldn’t be able to manage it. Therefore, let’s discuss your promotion after this rebellion is over.”

“Yes, Your Grace.” Colin could only swallow the Duke’s enticing promise.

The Blade of Judgment still rested on Colin’s shoulder. Duke St. Hilde continued, “You shouldn’t feel like I’m placating you. I have an idea about your new fiefdom, which would be Fallen Eagle City.”

Colin blinked, cursing inwardly –

He’s trying to encourage me to deal with Count Uman.

Despite knowing that Duke St. Hilde was deliberately baiting him, Colin had to don a sycophantic front: “Thank you very much for your graciousness, Your Grace!”

“Hmm.” Duke St. Hilde pulled the Blade of Judgment from Colin’s shoulder and sheathed it again, “Even though you have shown great merit, it seems improper to not award you anything.

“Let’s do it this way. You’ve always wanted to marry Vera, right? I’ll betroth her to you now.”

Colin’s eyes lit up, and he sincerely said, “Thank you for your grace, Your Grace! I swear that I will do my utmost to guard Vera for a lifetime!”

“Good. The situation in the North is unstable, so you both should get married as soon as possible. Let’s set the ceremony for five days from now, and I will host the wedding.”

“Five days?” Colin blinked, surprised at the Duke’s haste.

“What, not enough time to prepare?”

“It is a bit rushed, but I will have the butler start preparing immediately.” Colin knew that since the Duke had proposed the wedding to be within five days, there would be no chance for him to object.

Actually, he also felt it was better to get married sooner rather than later, lest any unexpected complications arise. Besides, being a man, he didn’t particularly care about the scale or formality of the ceremony.

“Very good.” Duke St. Hilde patted Colin’s shoulder and his tone turned warmer, “After our grand wedding, we, as father and son-in-law, will jointly deal with those pesky troublemakers.”

“Yes, Your Grace!” Colin could only nod in agreement, but he remained wary of the Duke, who was soon to become his father-in-law.

He realized now that Duke St. Hilde had personally come to Ice Rock City intending to firmly bind the Angler family to his chariot.

He couldn’t deny that such straightforwardness was tough to refuse.

Fortunately, Duke St. Hilde turned out to be somewhat considerate by allowing Vera to marry Colin and painting him the grand imagery of becoming a Count. He didn’t leave Colin empty-handed.

Actually, from Colin’s perspective, he didn’t want to see the St. Hilde family driven out of the North Territory.

However, he was wary of this deep and calculating Duke.

If the Duke intended to push the Angler family into a life-and-death struggle against the rebels while staying aside and reaping the benefits, Colin would not fall for it.

“Your Grace, a few days ago, the Menam family sent representatives to Ice Rock City. It is said that they will soon send troops to the North Territory.” Colin saw that he inevitably had to jump onto Duke St. Hilde’s ship, and hoped that it would not sink too soon.

At Colin’s reminder, Duke St. Hilde nonchalantly chuckled and said confidently:

“There is no need for concern about these matters. As long as I’m here, the North won’t be overturned!”

All at once, an overwhelming sense of power emanated from Duke St. Hilde, stirring Colin’s urge to bow in respect.

There was a golden light in the Duke’s bright blue eyes, as if they contained destructive force, causing Colin’s eyes to hurt with unbearable pain. His eyes filled with tears, and he couldn’t look up straight anymore.

Colin quickly composed himself, lowered his head, and respectfully said:

“Yes!”