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The scale of the crowd present to send off the new Northern Duke and Protector of the North Territory was large, and the caste of those present was remarkably high.

Even Emperor Reinhardt and Pope Gregory came.

Today, Vera wore a light green travel suit. Her golden ducal badge shone brightly in the sun, her upright posture displaying her imposing spirit, while her sweet smile remained as gentle and pleasant as ever.

Colin was wearing a silver armor. Its surface shone with a cold gleam, mysterious and icy, like a knight from the underworld. The surface of his armor was covered with an intricate set of arcane runes. Anyone would have known at a glance that it was a valuable piece of enchanted armor.

In fact, this armor was delivered by Governor Sebas’s representative last night as a farewell gift for Colin.

Colin speculated that this expensive armor was likely given by the merchants backing Sebas. They likely realized the ultimatum they were facing and wanted to quickly rebuild relationships with Colin.

Colin didn’t refuse these merchants’ good intentions and even decided to wear the armor out today to assure them.

However, Colin certainly wouldn’t be won over by a single piece of armor. He is the Protector of the North Territory for heaven’s sake, so doing so would be beneath him.

This was just to deceive those merchants, so when he returns to the North Territory, Colin will make sure to teach these profiteers a harsh lesson.

Emperor Reinhardt stood at the very front of the farewell array, looking at the two pillars before him, he said with a smile:

“Vera, Colin, the northern regions of the Empire now depend on you to protect them. I hope you don’t fail my trust, and most importantly, don’t let the reputation of the St. Hilde family be tarnished.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Queen Midela, holding the hands of Prince Harrison and Princess Judy, stepped forward and said: “And these two, I hope they won’t cause too much trouble for you.”

“Of course not!” Vera quickly reached out and took Harrison and Judy from the queen. “We will surely take good care of them.”

Queen Midela had a look of reluctance in her eyes, but she didn’t say anything more.

However, Emperor Reinhardt emotionlessly instructed: “The young eagle must leave its nest and bear the baptism of wind and rain on its own.”

The two of them seemingly portrayed the perfect image of merciful mother and stern father, but Colin felt something amiss.

At this time, Pope Gregory stepped forward and proceeded to make the sign of the cross in front of Vera while softly praying:

“Your Grace, may the glory of our Lord illuminate the path you tread on.”

Vera hurriedly returned the gesture.

Colin was watching the Pope’s actions, fearing the old man would once again play some tricks.

He was now very alert towards this bald man.

Yet the spell the Pope had cast on Vera, Colin saw it as both good and bad.

The downside was, of course, that Vera would be influenced and gradually lean towards the Church.

However, this didn’t come without benefits.

At present, Colin understood that the Royal Family had crowned him the Protector of the North Territory with the intention for him to become the vanguard against the Church.

But Colin had no intention of becoming the Royal Family’s pawn, working for their interests.

Therefore, Vera being planted with the divine spell could be used as a great excuse.

Colin could then toggle between the Church and the Royal Family, and not naively become the latter’s chess piece.

The Pope then came before Colin and said cheerfully: “Viscount Angler, I can feel the holy light favoring you. I believe that you will achieve great things on the path of knighthood!”

Colin raised his eyebrows. He remembered the similar words the Archbishop Agani had said back in Winterfell City. He initially thought she was just flattering him, but now it seemed otherwise.

Could it be that the Blood Clan had any relation to the Lord of Glory?

Or was it that he had consumed too much holy water that led to this reaction?

“Your Holiness, this is all thanks to my Lord’s grace,” Colin replied, chuckling.

Pope Gregory regarded Colin with a meaningful glance but remained silent.

Colin, helping Vera, bid farewell one by one to the nobles that came to see them off. They then turned and walked back towards the horse-drawn carriage.

Before boarding, Colin scanned the accompanying guard. Sure enough, he saw Governor Sebas’s grandson – Knight Weber.

Seemingly living in fear of retaliation from Colin, this fellow was striving to lower his presence.

Colin merely smiled and paid no attention to him, helping Vera onto the carriage, and then hoisting up Prince Harrison and Princess Judy. He got aboard last.

Under the watchful gaze of the nobles of the Imperial Capital, the motorcade of the Northern Duke set off for the north.

It was now the late summer, with a pleasant scenery and sunshine flashing across the fields.

Inside the carriage, Vera had already pulled out The Holy Book of Glory to read.

Upon seeing this, Colin frowned secretly, uncertain whether it was the pope’s divine technique taking effect or Vera’s desire to better understand the church after her conversion.

The two little royal ones started off sitting upright, but quickly grew impatient.

Especially Princess Judy, her agile eyes spinning round and round, suddenly asked Colin, “Teacher, can you tell me a story?”

The royal princess, dressed in a pink floral long dress, with a bright and charming face, especially those sapphire-like eyes, had a hint of enchanting beauty. Perhaps it was inherited from her stunning queen mother.

Of course, in Colin’s impression, she was just a quirky little girl. He clearly remembered how coquettish she had been, constantly trying to step on his foot at the dance party.

Inclined to accommodate her, Colin nodded and said, “Alright, I’ll tell you a story.”

“Thank you, teacher!” Princess Judy gave a sweet smile.

Prince Harrison, a bit reserved on the side, was taken aback. Having learned a “painful” lesson last time, he knew that the teacher’s story was not so pleasing to the ear, and he might have nightmares again tonight after hearing it.

Thinking of this, he quickly said, “Sister Vera, Teacher, I … I want to get some fresh air.”

“Go ahead.” Colin nodded with a smile.

Prince Harrison, as if pardoned, ran out immediately.

Seeing her brother’s embarrassed figure, Princess Judy murmured under her breath, “Deserter!”

Colin glanced at the quirky princess, cleared his throat, and began to tell the tale:

“Legend has it that in the depths of the vast sea, there is a kingdom of mermaids. The king has six daughters, of which the youngest is the most beautiful and has the most enchanting voice…”

“What is a mermaid? Naga?” Princess Judy could not help interrupting.

“Almost, but a little more beautiful.” Colin casually explained, continuing the story, “The mermaid princess, at the age of fifteen, played on the surface of the sea and saw a handsome prince. She was deeply attracted. A storm destroyed the prince’s boat…”

With the development of the story, even Vera, who initially paid little attention, put down the Holy Book of Glory in her hand and listened attentively to Colin’s narration.

“…The mermaid princess found a witch… drank the elixir and turned into a human, but she was also cursed. The mermaid princess became mute, and every step she took was like stepping on a blade’s edge. If the prince did not marry the mermaid princess, she would become sea foam…”

By this time, both Vera and Judy were completely captivated by Colin’s story and began to worry for the mermaid princess.

“…She found the prince and danced for him the most beautiful dance, but sadly, the prince did not know the pain she was enduring, nor did he know that she was the one who saved him…”

“…The mermaid princess’s sisters couldn’t bear to see her die, so they went to the witch. The witch gave the mermaid princess a sharp blade. Only by killing the prince with this blade could the curse be lifted…

… However, the mermaid princess did not kill the prince. She just kissed Prince’s forehead, then jumped into the sea…”

“What happened next?” Princess Judy asked eagerly.

“And then…” said Colin, wistfully, “People could no longer find the mermaid princess, but they did find a patch of white foam by the sea.”

Having finished “Daughter of the Sea,” Colin took a sip from his water flask to moisten his throat.

However, the atmosphere in the carriage was incredibly heavy. The young girl was moved to the brink of tears by the tragedy of the mermaid princess, and even Vera had red eyes, looking at Colin with some disapproval.

It seemed she was reproaching him for telling such a poignant story.

“Did the mermaid princess… really die?” Princess Judy couldn’t help but ask timidly.

“Yes, she turned into sea foam.” Colin gave a cruel answer with a nonchalant face.

“Wa” Princess Judy couldn’t hold back any longer and cried out loudly.

Vera glared at Colin, hurried over to hold the little girl in her arms, and comforted her softly.

Colin touched his nose-tip, seeming to feel a bit too harsh…

Therefore, he quickly took out some small cakes prepared by Queen Midela before their departure and presented them to Princess Judy, saying, “Here you go, your favorite cake!”

Unfortunately, Judy ignored him, just burying her head in Vera’s arms, her shoulders shaking, looking incredibly sad.

Colin felt somewhat awkward.

Just then, the motorcade suddenly stopped, and Doan the Scholar’s voice came from outside the carriage, “Duke, we’ve encountered the Chairman of the Mage Council, Sir Ernest, who would like to meet you.”

Colin, feeling relieved, immediately stood up and said to Vera, “Since you have now converted to the Lord of Glory, it’s better not to become entangled with the mage, it may raise unnecessary gossip. I’ll go see him instead.”

Vera nodded.

Colin quickly got out of the carriage.

It was then that Princess Judy lifted her head from Vera’s arms, her face full of tear stains, it was heartrending to see.

Vera handed over a small cake, saying, “Do you want to have a bite?”

Princess Judy took the small cake and stuffed it into her mouth in one bite, her rosy cheeks puffing up.

The cake was fragrant and sweet, but even her favorite food now tasted somewhat bitter.