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Under the glow of the sunset, the majestic Lion Roar Castle seemed even more desolate.

On an open-air balcony of the main castle, Colin and Vera stood shoulder to shoulder, admiring the beauty of the sunset.

Today, Vera was dressed in a court-style strapless dress, revealing her round shoulders and slender neck. Her golden hair was casually tied up, and her fair and smooth skin made one want to kiss.

The glow of the setting sun outlined her perfect side face, which made Colin a little dazed.

“What are you looking at?” Vera turned her head and smiled sweetly at her husband.

“I’m looking at the future Northern Duke!” Colin joked with a smile.

Vera rolled her lovely eyes and her voice was slightly worried, “The North Territory is still in rebellion! Besides, I don’t know if His Majesty the Emperor and the Senate will agree to my inheritance of the title of Duke.”

Just as Colin was about to comfort his wife, he heard footsteps behind him.

Immediately, the new butler of the St. Hilde family – Basti – arrived on the balcony, bowing and reporting:

“Miss, Viscount Angler, the Dwarf envoy has been brought in.”

Vera slowly turned around and nodded, “All right. Please bring him in.”

Colin also turned his head, just in time to see a familiar dwarf walk in.

“Honorable Miss Vera, Viscount Angler, Anka, son of Marquis Menam, extends the sincerest greetings to you!”

Upon hearing the other party’s name and introduction, Colin remembered having met this Count Anka in Ice Rock City.

He had just returned from the Troll Empire and met this Dwarf Count at the triumph banquet, who had proposed to swap some Menam family territories in the Crimson Flame Territory for lands of the Angler family.

“Count Anka, please sit,” Vera returned the courtesy, then invited him to sit at a small round table on the side of the balcony.

The maid timely brought coffee and dessert.

Colin also sat down at the table, sipped his coffee lightly, and asked with a smile, “Count Anka, did you come here this time about the land swap?”

Count Anka faltered slightly and then shook his head slightly, embarrassed, “No. Besides, land transactions should be mutually voluntary. If you disagree, my Menam family certainly won’t force you.”

Colin’s eyebrows rose, surprised at Count Anka’s weak attitude.

At Ice Rock City, this Dwarf Count had been quite arrogant, constantly promising not to let the Angler family lose out and claiming that the Menam family’s army was about to arrive in the North Territory. He had even nearly forced Colin to sign the agreement.

Now that Count Anka’s attitude had changed, there must have been a reason. Had the Dwarves realized that they couldn’t take Winterfell City and now wanted to negotiate?

“So, what brings you to Winterfell City?”

Count Anka glanced at Vera, who had been silently sipping her coffee and nibbling on her dessert, appearing uninterested in the conversation.

Such an attitude immediately revealed to Count Anka that Viscount Angler was the real lord of Winterfell City at the moment.

“Miss Vera, Viscount Angler, this time, I hope to reach a peace agreement with you and bring an end to the chaos in the North Territory.”

“A peace agreement?” Colin’s eyebrows rose again, looking seriously at Count Anka.

The dwarves really wanted to negotiate.

Colin started thinking.

Actually, at this point, Colin was torn between war and peace.

Initially, Scholar Doan had proposed a mature and conservative plan. But after severely weakening the Dawson Family at the Ben Liu River and gaining the Uman Clan’s army in Winterfell City, Colin had begun to have the confidence to fight the Dwarf Legion.

That’s why he wrote to Ice Rock City, asking the main Dark Cavalry and Silver Moon Guards to hurry over.

But unexpectedly, just as he was leaning towards a decisive battle with the Dwarves, they suddenly backed off.

This made Colin feel like he was punching the air, creating a feeling of stifled frustration.

“Let’s hear your terms,” Colin decided to assess the situation first.

Count Anka perked up and immediately said, “Viscount Angler, the Menam family has no intention of being enemies with the St. Hilde family and would very much like to see a peaceful and stable North Territory!

So, as long as you agree to our demand for an independent kingdom, the dwarf army outside the city will immediately retreat!

The St. Hilde family will also gain the everlasting friendship and gratitude of the Dwarf clan!”

Colin rubbed his chin. He was of course not surprised by this condition. Wasn’t this the objective the Dwarves had pursued since they joined Mr. Ji’s rebellion?

However, why would they abandon the St. Sean family and start seeking cooperation with the St. Hilde family now?

Colin immediately realized that something must have changed in the opposing camp.

Otherwise, the dwarves wouldn’t have just laid siege to the city, without making any tentative attacks, but are already considering a truce.

“Do you intend to form an independent kingdom in the North Territory?”

“Yes.”

“What about the extent of the territory?”

Count Anka was well prepared and immediately took out a map from his waist, spread it on the table and introduced:

“Miss Vera, Viscount Angler, here is the planned territory of our Dwarf Kingdom.

It includes the current territory of the Dawson Family, as well as the territories of the Lomba family, Billy family…

Please rest assured, apart from the Dawson Family, the other Northern lords have agreed to exchange territories with the Menam family…”

“Wait!” Colin immediately interrupted Count Anka, questioning, “Agreed? Who agreed to exchange territories with the Menam family?”

Count Anka’s heart jumped, and he cautiously said: “Viscount Angler, these lords have all agreed, and, we have also obtained the permission of Emperor Reinhardt.”

Colin, however, was unmoved, retorting coldly: “What about the St. Hilde family? Have you forgotten who is the master of the North Territory?”

Count Anka apologetically said: “That’s why I came to Winterfell City, to seek the approval of the St. Hilde family.”

Upon hearing this, Vera didn’t raise her head, seemingly uninterested in Count Anka’s proposal.

Colin slammed his coffee cup on the table and said discontentedly: “Count Anka, as soon as your Menam family arrived in the North Territory, you planned to establish an independent kingdom by annexing a large amount of territory. It seems you never considered the St. Hilde family at all.”

Count Anka’s mouth twitched slightly, seemingly suppressing his inner anger, but still forced a smile to explain:

“How could it be! The Menam family has always held the St. Hilde family in high regard. The establishment of the kingdom has been approved by Emperor Reinhardt, and, after the establishment, the Dwarf Kingdom will be a forever partner of the St. Hilde family!”

“Partner?” Colin sneered coldly, “But the St. Hilde family doesn’t require such a partner. We might consider it if you were a vassal. How about this: the Menam family swears allegiance to the St. Hilde family, and then the North Territory might consider letting you settle here.”

The face of Count Anka also darkened, it seems he lost his patience with Colin, so he turned to Vera and asked directly:

“Miss Vera, is this your sentiment too?”

Only then did Vera lift her head, looking solemnly at Count Anka, she nodded earnestly: “That’s exactly my sentiment, and the will of the St. Hilde family!”

At last, Count Anka was infuriated. He stood up immediately and loudly said:

“I came here with goodwill for peace, but all I’ve received is hostility!

Miss Vera, Viscount Angler, I understand your sentiment, and I will inform my father to make the decision.

Thank you for your hospitality. I will take my leave!”

After saying this, Count Anka perfunctorily gave a bow, then turned around and left briskly.

Watching his retreating figure, Colin frowned and said to Vera beside him:

“I think that maybe something has happened among the dwarfs. Otherwise, they wouldn’t come to negotiate peace with us so early. And from the beginning, their attitude was extremely subservient. I intentionally provoked them a few times, before finally managing to infuriate him.”

Vera chuckled, patted Colin’s arm, and laughed: “I found it strange too. Weren’t the dwarfs famous for their fiery temper? They actually endured you for so long.

It seems they are really in a hurry to negotiate peace with us.”

Colin yawned, casually saying, “Let’s not rush. Let’s take our time. After all, we can’t let our enemies succeed with their plans so easily!

If they really intend to negotiate peace, they will come again.”

Vera’s eyes twinkle, thought about it then said, “I think, the situation with the dwarfs might have something to do with the arcane fluctuation I perceived this morning.”

“Oh?” Colin was interested, “Then have you figured out what happened outside the city this morning?”

“It’s too far away, I have no idea what it was.” Vera shook her head, but then she suggested: “Maybe we could ask the teacher.”

“Mage Cusius?” Colin thought for a while, then nodded,

“Alright, I’ll go see if he knows anything.”