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“Teacher! Are baby swans really ugly when they’re young?”

Princess Judy, who had just listened to the story of The Ugly Duckling, asked in her sweet voice.

Colin, unsure of the answer, tried his best to respond: “Some are ugly, some are beautiful, just like human infants. There are always differences in beauty and ugliness.”

“Then… do the pretty ones grow up to be even more beautiful?” Judy asked again, her big eyes sparkling.

Colin glanced at the little girl and seemed to see through her little thoughts. He nodded with a smile, “Yes!”

Judy instantly beamed with joy.

Vera, holding her husband’s hand, looked at the barely visible city across the lake and suddenly asked, “Colin, are we really not going into Swan City?”

Colin shook his head: “No, we should hurry back to Winterfell City. There’s still a pile of things waiting for us to deal with there.”

“Ok,” Vera nodded lightly.

She wasn’t a woman with strong opinions, especially after Colin had proven his abilities time and time again, Vera relied even more heavily on her husband.

They had left Crimson Flame Territory and entered the North Territory. Along the way, other than making a brief stop at Springs Town under the control of the Grant Family, Colin avoided entering any local castles and travelled through the wilderness instead.

Of course, the lords along the way, out of respect for the newly appointed Duke St. Hilde, sent envoys to issue invitations.

Just now, as they had settled down by the lakeside to set up camp, the envoy from Swan Castle arrived.

Moreover, this emissary held a special status, he was the eldest son of the Lord of Swan City, Count Schultz – Viscount Solon.

In the retinue system of the St. Hilde family, there are three major Count Families – the Uman Clan of Fallen Eagle City, the Morrison Family of Floral City, and the Schultz Family of Swan City.

Of course, there was also Count Dawson, but he was actually a vassal of Marquis Garcia. After the first North Territory rebellion, he was given the title of Marquis and became a vassal of the St. Hilde family.

Colin had already dealt with the Uman Clan and the Morrison Family and was less familiar with the Schultz Family, the last of the three Counts.

In fact, Colin had met Count Schultz once in Ice Rock City.

The meeting was at a Lord’s Conference where all the major families of the North Territory had joined forces to force Duke St. Hilde to revoke the inheritance rights of Marquis Charles.

Colin remembered that at that meeting, only the previous Count Morrison refused to sign the petition and was tragically killed, while Count Schultz and Count Uman had signed.

Latterly, the brutal refusal of the lords’ request by Duke St. Hilde caused the two parties to completely fall out.

The Schultz Family, of course, participated in the attack on the Golden Lion Legion, but their family’s army was shattered by the Golden Lion who had laid a trap in advance, causing heavy losses.

However, in the subsequent purge, Count Schultz seemed to have not received any punishment, at least his rank had not changed.

There were many speculations in the North Territory about why Duke St. Hilde had spared Count Schultz, with the most persuasive one being – that Count Schultz had married a good husband.

This husband of Count Schultz was named Lucien.

Yes, just the first name, no last name.

He was a commoner.

But at the same time, he was also a sixth level Warrior!

Just like the sixth level Warrior who became the son-in-law of the Uman Clan, Lucien also successfully married a Northern countess, achieving a class leap.

At that time, there were only two sixth level professionals in the North Territory, Lucien and Duke St. Hilde.

Whether or not Duke St. Hilde had advanced to the Holy Field at the time, no one knew, but even if he had, he probably didn’t want to expose his true strength.

Therefore, Duke St. Hilde deliberately spared Count Schultz, who participated in the lord’s rebellion, perhaps to avoid a direct conflict with Lucien.

However, the Schultz Family was not entirely unscathed. After all, the majority of their most elite forces were lost outside Ice Rock City, which can be described as a severe blow.

Therefore, during the second North Territory turmoil led by Mr. Ji, the Schultz Family could not participate due to lack of strength. They could only choose to remain neutral and be bystanders.

It is not entirely accurate to say they were completely neutral, as Count Schultz’s dominion was located in the southernmost part of the North Territory, bordering with the Crimson Flame Territory. The Marquis Menam, who was determined to establish a Dwarf Kingdom, would surely pass through Swan City on his way to invade the North Territory.

However, Earl Schultz took no action and directly let the Manam family’s army pass.

This was already a betrayal to the North Territory.

Colin was planning to settle the score with the Schultz family eventually, but he didn’t expect them to have the audacity to invite him over directly.

However, Colin had no intention of entering Swan City at this point.

It was not that he was afraid of that six-stage warrior, after all, unless Earl Schultz and Lucien had gone mad, they would certainly not dare to harm Vera, who had already become the Northern Duke.

He simply couldn’t be bothered to deal with Earl Schultz who had once betrayed the St. Hilde family.

“Honorable Duke, welcome to Earl Schultz’s territory! My mother has commanded me to come here and sincerely invite you to visit our Swan Castle!” said Viscount Solon, who looked to be only fourteen or fifteen, in a somewhat immature voice.

After speaking, he respectfully handed an invitation to Vera.

Vera took the invitation and looked hesitantly at Colin, only to see him slowly shaking his head.

Then, she gently declined, “Please convey my apologies to Earl Schultz. Because my time is so tight, I need to return to Winterfell City as soon as possible. I’m afraid I won’t be able to visit the Swan Castle.”

By convention, Viscount Solon should have excused himself and left politely at this point, but instead, he spoke up again to persuade her:

“Duke, please forgive my rudeness, but it is already late now. Isn’t your motorcade already encamped by the lakeside, preparing to rest here for the night?

Therefore, since you will be staying overnight anyway, why not come to Swan Castle?

We, the Schultz family, has prepared the most delicious food and the most luxurious room for your rest!”

Colin frowned, feeling that Viscount Solon was being too much. Vera had already refused, yet he insisted on detaining them further.

He wondered if this was Earl Schultz’s idea or just an act of cluelessness from the young viscount.

Vera’s face also turned somber as she shook her head firmly, “Sorry, maybe next time.”

Viscount Solon still didn’t give up, “Duke, I know that the Schultz family’s behavior during the turmoil in the North Territory didn’t make you satisfied, but please believe that we were also powerless at that time.

My mother’s invitation for you to enter Swan Castle this time is also to apologize to you face to face and ask for your forgiveness.”

Colin snorted softly and said coldly, “If Earl Schultz is truly sincere, he should go to Lion Roar Castle to beg the Duke for forgiveness.”

Viscount Solon was immediately taken aback. His expression changed for a moment before he finally gritted his teeth and said quietly,

“Duke, the real reason my mother invited you to Swan Castle is because she has some important matters to report to you.”

“What important matters? You can say it here.” Vera replied indifferently.

With no other choice, Viscount Solon lowered his voice and said, “The bishop of Swan City, John, has disappeared!”

“Disappeared?”

“Yes. Bishop John has been missing for three days, with no news. My father personally led a search party in and out of Swan City, but found nothing.”

Vera’s face changed slightly, and she looked at Colin with a serious gaze.

Colin also frowned.

The disappearance of a bishop could be a big deal or a small one, but as the Northern Duke, Vera, passing by Swan City and not asking about it would not be appropriate.

But Colin didn’t want Vera to have more contact with the Church. After all, he wasn’t sure how much influence the Pope’s divine power had on her.

Colin couldn’t help but wonder if this was a farce staged by the Church itself.

Thinking of this, Colin stepped forward and replied, “The Duke needs to rush back to Winterfell City, so she really can’t stay in Swan City. How about this, I’ll go back with you to see what’s really going on?”

Viscount Solon looked at the solemn-faced Colin, then at the silent Vera, and finally nodded and said,

“Alright, then I must trouble you, Sir Viscount!”

Colin nodded, turned around and whispered in Vera’s ear, “You guys take a rest by the lake tonight and continue your journey tomorrow. Don’t wait for me.”

Vera obediently nodded and said, “Alright, then you be careful.”