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Clear and twinkling droplets of water gently slid off the vibrant red lychees, spreading a pleasant sweetness in the air.

Even though it was winter currently, the proud planting techniques of the half-elves made it possible to have off-season fruit like lychees in the royal palace.

Colin, at this moment, was enjoying being indulged on the half-elf throne, as Queen Isa tenderly fed him a peeled lychee.

A beauty in his arms, sweet words to his ears, and savory lychees in his taste.

Colin had to admit, the gentle township could indeed become a hero’s grave.

No wonder so many once dominant figures are eroded by the luxurious and corrupt lifestyle, losing their ideals and goals.

“Your Majesty, Viscount Auston has been brought here.” The attendant reported from outside the hall.

Only then did Queen Isa rise from Colin’s arms, elegantly adjusted her half-open clothes, and ordered in a calm, natural tone, “Bring him in.”

Colin also stood up from the throne, stepping down from the high platform.

Two guards escorted Viscount Auston into the hall from outside around the same time.

“It’s good, you can go.”

The guards acted according to the order and left the palace, leaving Viscount Auston hunching his back, saluting carefully to Queen Isa and Colin.

Once full of confidence, the Eastern Viscount, was nothing but pathetic now.

Colin came near Viscount Auston, greeted him with a smile and said, “Viscount, are you satisfied with your treatment these past few days?”

“Satisfied, satisfied! This humble one is impressed with His Majesty’s hospitality!”

Colin smelled the sour and rancid stench on the other party’s body due to several days without a bath, and quickly retreated a few steps to keep some distance.

“Glad to hear that. Today I’ve asked you here is to ask a few questions. If you answer well, His Majesty might consider letting you return to the East Territory.”

A hint of joy appeared on Viscount Auston’s face, and he nodded repeatedly, “Please ask! I will definitely tell the truth!”

“Who leaked the whereabouts of the Dark Cavalry to you?”

“This… I’m not quite sure. Really, Lord Angler, I’m not purposely avoiding the question, the military order to ambush in the Shadow Gorge came directly from Duke St. Prowse. Not just me, even the Marquis Vincent might not know the ins and outs of it.”

Viscount Auston was on a fix, as if worrying if because of not being able to answer the first question, the other party would think he is not cooperating. After pondering, he added:

“However, along with us to Shadow Gorge, there was also Mage Cusius, the Vice President of the Yevir Council, a powerful Tier 6 mage.

So, I suspect the battle at Shadow Gorge may have been instigated by the Yevir Council.”

Colin frowned instantly, the involvement of yet another mage force complicated the current situation.

However, Colin had this intuition that the Yevir Council may have participated in this incident, but they were definitely not the mastermind behind the scenes.

Noble families of the Empire were always repulsive and alert to these mages and could not allow them to lead them by the nose.

Seeing Viscount Auston in this state, there was no point in asking more questions.

So, Colin switched the topic: “Did you intercept any carrier pigeons from the North Territory during your time surrounding Silver Moon City?”

This time Viscount Auston resolutely nodded: “Yes. And, they were from Ice Rock City.”

Colin perked up, quickly asked, “Where’s the letter?”

“The letter… I don’t know where it is now…” Viscount Auston was again in a predicament but then hurriedly said, “I remember the general contents of the letter. I can recite them to you.”

“Go ahead.”

“All right. The letter mentioned three things.

The first one was about Duke St. Hilde. The letter stated that more than half a month ago, Prince of the North from the Troll Empire, the Holy Warrior Otto Volkin, appeared in Winterfell City and challenged Duke St. Hilde to a duel.

Duke St. Hilde immediately responded, and they fought day and night, obscuring daylight and moonlight, and finally ended in a draw…”

“A draw?” Colin exclaimed, “Are you saying that Duke St. Hilde is actually a Holy Knight?”

“I’m afraid so, otherwise he wouldn’t have been able to outmaneuver Holy Warrior Otto.”

Colin was astounded by the breaking news revealed in the first message of his letter.

Only now did he understand why Marquis Garcia remained reticent despite being betrayed by his own brother.

At first he thought the Marquis Garcia was unwilling to plunge the St. Hilde family into strife, but now it seemed likely that he knew the trump card his brother was holding!

This also explained why Duke St. Hilde, amidst unstable internal affairs, dared to marry Vera off to the Half-Elf Kingdom, attempting to gain influence over the Eastern Territory.

Suppressing his inner astonishment, Colin gestured to Viscount Auston to continue.

“The second matter is that the harvest in the North Territory was scant this year, and instances of slave rebellions have become increasingly frequent and severe. The Golden Lion Legion has been dispatched under the command of Duke St. Hilde to suppress this.”

“The final matter, concerns your Viscountship. There are food shortages which have also led to several rebellions, luckily, these were promptly suppressed and, for now, the situation is relatively stable.”

After hearing the three pieces of news contained in the letter from Ice Rock City, Colin fell into contemplation.

He now felt more strongly that a pair of mysterious hands were pulling the strings behind all this.

Previous doubts resurfaced once again.

Who was it who poisoned Marquis Adams to death at Lion Roar Castle?

Who instructed Cis Savoy to assassinate Vera?

Who instigated the Eastern Territory to ambush the Dark Cavalry in Shadow Gorge?

Who arranged for Holy Warrior Otto to challenge Duke St. Hilde?

And set it to coincide with the outbreak of rebellion in the North Territory.

Given some thought, even the current rebellion led by slaves in the North Territory was probably incited and guided by someone.

If Duke St. Hilde hadn’t intentionally hidden his power, he probably would have died in the duel with Holy Warrior Otto. On top of that, the North Territory would certainly be plunged into disorder without a leader.

Considering the ambush on the Dark Cavalry in Shadow Gorge, where one of the North Territory’s most solid military cornerstones collapsed, it can be deduced that the real goal of this mysterious manipulator is to plunge the North Territory into civil unrest!

With this thought, Colin couldn’t help but envision Count Uman’s grim face.

Back when the Trolls invaded, Colin had suspected that the ‘deceiving-enemy plan’ Count Uman presented to Duke St. Hilde was sinister in nature.

Could it be that Count Uman was behind all of this once again?

Colin’s silence made Viscount Auston nervous, and after a considerable pause, he cautiously asked, “My lord, do you have any other questions?”

Colin came back to his senses, shook his head, and said, “That will be all for now. As promised, I will send you back to the Eastern Territory, as long as you will deliver a message to Duke St. Prowse for me.”

“Please, speak your message.”

“Tell Duke St. Prowse, if he wants to ransom his son, he should trade him for Marquis Garcia.”

“Alright, I will make sure your message is delivered.”

With a wave of his hand, Colin signaled for Viscount Auston to withdraw.

Queen Isa saw Colin deep in thought. She seemed to realize something, then walked over to him and humbly asked, “Are you leaving?”

Colin nodded, “Yes, I must return to Ice Rock City as soon as possible. The North Territory is about to face a major crisis.”

Queen Isa didn’t press further. Instead, she embraced Colin, whispering, “If you need any help, please be sure to tell me.”

Colin, feeling the soft contours of the body in his arms and the fragrance in his nose, smilingly replied:

“I do, indeed, need your help.”