Sure enough, as Colin expected, the dwarves sent envoys into Winter City again the next day.
It was still an old acquaintance—Count Anka.
Both times, people from the Menam family came to Winter City to negotiate, which is enough to see that the Marquess of Dawson has been marginalized in the dwarf army at this time.
This time Vera and Colin met Earl Anka in the greenhouse.
Of course, it was Colin who actually led the negotiations. Vera was concentrating on playing with the blood rose she had just planted recently.
"Viscount Angelet, I have conveyed Miss Vera and your wishes to my father. My father can also understand your concerns.
However, please believe that our dwarf family has no intention of being an enemy of the St. Hilde family.
However, our will to build an independent country is equally firm!
In order to make up for the loss in the northern border, my father is willing to cede part of the territory... "
Having said that, Earl Anka took out a marked map of the northern territory and showed it to Colin.
"From the River Running River to the poplar forest area, we are willing to transfer it to the St. Hilde family unconditionally.
In addition, the dwarf kingdom will sign an alliance treaty with the northern border. As long as the Duke of St. Hilde is ordered, the dwarves will definitely send troops to assist!
Moreover, the Menam family will hand over 1.5 million gold coins to the St. Hilde family every year!
Viscount Angelet, this is the tax that a normal marquis pays to the lord every year.
Therefore, apart from not swearing allegiance to the St. Hilde family, the Menam family has basically fulfilled the obligations of a northern vassal.
You can even think that the dwarf kingdom is still part of the north, and we dwarves are still the people of the north! "
Colin rubbed his chin, lost in thought.
It has to be said that the Menam family has indeed made great concessions in order to reach a settlement with the St. Hilde family.
However, Colin was still not satisfied.
Whether it's the so-called alliance agreement, the annual offerings, or even the ceded territory, nothing can change the fact that the dwarves want to split the northern border!
As long as the dwarf king does not swear allegiance to the Duke of St. Hilde, then the St. Hilde family has no binding force on the dwarves, and the dwarf kingdom will still be a separatist force.
"These conditions are not enough." Colin shook his head indifferently.
Earl Anka pursed his lips and asked patiently: "Then what else do you want, we can talk about it."
Colin said lightly: "I want the dwarf king to accept the canonization of the Duke of St. Hilde and swear allegiance to the Duke of St. Hilde."
"It's impossible!" Earl Anka refused without hesitation, "The dwarf king will only swear allegiance to Emperor Reinhardt."
Colin shrugged, spread his hands and said, "Then there is no need to talk."
Earl Anka resisted the urge to beat Colin violently, took a few deep breaths, and said in a deep voice: "Viscount Angelet, we dwarves came here with kindness, but I didn't expect you to ruin our kindness wantonly!
You know, we dwarves have been waiting for thousands of years for the founding of our country!
Please don't underestimate our determination!
Don't even think that dwarves will only compromise!
Our axes are still sharp, and our warriors still thirst for blood! "
Ke Lin quietly looked at Earl Anka who was on the verge of going berserk, and suddenly said with a smile: "Is Mr. Li dead?"
Earl Anka was suffocated for a moment.
His big round eyeballs rolled around a few times before he nodded helplessly and said, "Yes."
Prince Leahy killed Mr. Xie in public, so he must not be able to hide it. Earl Anka also knew that the news would be known to Winter City sooner or later.
But I didn't expect it to be so fast.
The reason why the Menam family wanted peace talks so eagerly was that they hoped to settle everything before the news of Mr. Xie's death was known to the St. Hilde family.
Unfortunately, it's still a step too late.
Earl Anka sighed inwardly, and finally understood why Colin was so tough.
Seeing that the other party's face was getting gloomy, Ke Lin smiled and took the map of the northern territory, drew a circle on it again, and said:
"I can agree to the founding of the dwarves, but the territory you promised to cede just now is far from enough. I want this one!"
Count Anka looked over quickly, but then frowned tightly, and said hesitantly: "Viscount Angelet, the area you drew...is the Marquis of the Dawson family?"
"That's right." Colin took it for granted.
Earl Anka narrowed his eyes, shook his head and said, "This is impossible, the Dawson family will not agree to such a condition."
Colin chuckled and said, "But it's not the Dawson family who are negotiating with me now."
Earl Anka finally understood what Colin meant. He was encouraging the Menam family to betray their allies!
The dwarf earl bowed his head in silence, struggling in his heart.
Seeing this, Colin said again: "Fran Dawson betrayed the Marquis of Garcia and betrayed the Black Cavalry. The St. Hilde family cannot forgive such hatred!
Therefore, in order to reach an agreement with us, the Marquess of Dawson must be handed over!
Moreover, presumably such a traitor, you dwarves must be deeply ashamed.
Could it be that the Menam family is going to build a dwarven kingdom with such a person
Oh, by the way, I also heard that Marquis Dawson claimed to be the successor of the Solingch family, the former dwarf king. Could it be that you are going to push him to be the dwarf king? "
"What qualifications does he have to be the dwarf king!" Earl Anka blurted out with disdain.
Colin smiled triumphantly: "Then why are you hesitating?"
Earl Anka was silent for a while before he spoke again: "If we hand over the Marquis of Dawson and cede the Marquis, will the St. Hilde family agree with the Menam family to establish a dwarf kingdom?"
"That's right." Colin nodded seriously.
Earl Anka seemed a little worried, so he turned his gaze to Vera.
Vera just turned around and said in a deep voice, "Yes, Count Anka, this is our condition. Marquis Dawson must pay the price for his betrayal!"
Earl Anka finally settled down, but he didn't dare to agree to such a condition for a while.
However, judging by his reaction, he didn't resist too much.
After all, it was the Dawson family that had been betrayed, and the interests of the Maynam family were not harmed. Instead, they lost a competitor.
Seeing this, Colin felt confident, and then spread out a piece of parchment, wrote down the content of the agreement, and handed it to Earl Anka, saying:
"You can take this peace agreement back to the Marquis of Menam, and if you agree, you can sign it."
Earl Anka put away the parchment, nodded in agreement, and left in a hurry.
In the flower room, Vera put down the potted plant in her hand, and asked with a little worry: "Do you think the Marquis of Menam will agree to such a condition?"
Ke Lin smiled and said, "Whether he agrees or not, I have a way to deal with it."
Only then did Vera feel relieved.
She has almost blind confidence in Colin. After all, no matter what problems he encounters, Colin has a way to save the day and solve them smoothly.
"I hope father can personally execute Marquis Dawson." Vera gritted her silver teeth and said angrily.
The father she mentioned here, of course, refers to Marquis Garcia.
"Of course no problem. After the dwarves are settled, it's almost time to exchange prisoners with the East Territory. You should be able to see Marquis Garcia again soon."
"En." Vera fiddled with the rose petals in front of her, thinking about her father surging in her heart.
Today's Vera is wearing a creamy white tube top pleated skirt, her bright golden long hair has many mischievous twists at the end of her hair, and is held in place by the girl with a red headband.
Ke Lin stepped forward and hugged Vera into his arms, without saying a word, just stroking the back of his beautiful wife.
Vera also wrapped her arms around Colin's waist, and buried her face in his fiery chest.
Neither of them spoke, quietly enjoying this sweet and warm moment.
…
On the other side, Earl Anka hurried back to the dwarf camp outside the city.
"Father, this is the condition of the St. Hilde family." Earl Anka handed over the agreement to the Marquis of Menham, and lowered his voice, "They want the Marquis of Dawson..."
The Marquis of Menam stared at the parchment in his hand, his expression changed drastically, and finally he snorted angrily:
"A clumsy provocation trick!"
Earl Anka was stunned for a while, apparently he did not expect his father to react like this, and he said after a while:
"Father, what do you mean? It may not be impossible to hand over the Marquess of Dawson to the St. Hilde family..."
"Idiot!" the Marquis of Menam cursed bitterly, "If we really sell Marquis Dawson, the dwarf coalition army will fall apart immediately, and our Menam family will also become a disgrace to the dwarves!
At that time, without the support of the Dawson family, will we be able to deal with the relieved St. Hilde family alone? "
When Earl Anka heard this, a bone-chilling chill suddenly rose in his heart, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and he stammered, "Then...then what shall we do?"
The Marquis of Menam's eyes flickered, and he said decisively:
"Follow me to meet Lord Dawson!"
(end of this chapter)