Ke Lin restrained his breath, and when he turned around, he saw a tall and thin old man standing behind him.
He was wearing a simple black casual suit, with white hair all over his head, but he was hale and hearty, with a strong and straight body, and he looked like a soldier at a glance. He should have been on the battlefield when he was young.
"Grandpa!" Weber hurriedly struggled to get up and greeted.
Only then did Colin know that this old man was the target of their visit—Sebas Consul.
"Hmph! Is this how you greet distinguished guests?" Sebas stared at Weber and reprimanded him.
The sudden change of momentum made the temperature on the scene seem to drop several degrees.
"Grandpa, I was wrong." Weber, who was still arrogant and domineering, has completely turned into a quail in front of Sebastian at this moment.
Seeing this, Vera smiled and said, "Uncle, you don't have to blame my cousin too much, he was just playing around with Colin."
Sebastian looked at Vera, a smile appeared on his face, and he nodded, "Vera, I haven't seen you for many years. You have grown up so much. I heard that you are already married?"
"Yes, uncle." Vera came to Colin, took his arm, and said with a sweet smile, "This Viscount Colin Angelet is my husband."
"Hello, Your Excellency the Consul!" Colin hurriedly bowed to salute.
"I've heard something about you. Very good, you are indeed a young hero!" Sebastian nodded to Colin and praised.
Colin said a few words modestly.
However, the gentle and friendly attitude of the other party did not let Colin feel relieved. This kind of superficial skill is not lacking in every old fox in the political arena, but only when it involves the other party's vital interests and political positions, they will show their true side.
After exchanging pleasantries, the atmosphere suddenly eased a lot, and Sebastian enthusiastically led Vera and Colin into the reception room of the main castle.
The decor of this living room is a good example of what it means to be extravagant.
The curved dome made of hundred-year-old paulownia wood from the dark forest is covered with gold leaf and inlaid with various gemstones. The hanging crystal candlestick chandelier exudes soft light, reflecting on the exquisite and unique murals and sculptures, which looks magnificent and full of elegance. Noble artistic atmosphere.
Sebastian sat down on the main seat, and then several young and beautiful maids took small steps, presenting various fruits, desserts and purple-gold jugs, and they filled each guest's glass with transparent wine , a fresh, elegant, mellow and sweet strange wine fragrance spread in the living room.
Even Colin, who doesn't know much about wine, can tell that this is definitely a high-value wine, even better than the one at the palace banquet last night.
Sebastian raised his glass to salute, and said with a hearty smile: "This is the gin I have collected for eighty years, come and taste it, both of you!"
Colin and Vera quickly raised their glasses in return.
While tasting the fine wine, Colin looked around.
He had to admit that the Sebastian Consul was rich beyond his imagination.
You know, although Sebastian has a noble status, he has no title and fief after all, so he has no fixed tax income. If he only relies on the salary of the consul of the Senate, Colin can't imagine how he can afford to build such a building. It can be called a luxurious manor.
I have always heard that the elders of the Senate have a "big appetite". Now it seems that Ke Lin feels that he still underestimated the gray income of these elders.
He was suddenly very glad that when he wanted to modify the family crest, he was dissuaded by Butler Aemon. Otherwise, if the Senate was really alarmed, the Angelet family would probably bleed heavily.
Sebastian put down his wine glass and asked, "Vera, I heard that your father left a will?"
"Yes, Uncle." Vera immediately took out the will and sent it to Sebas.
Sebastian opened it and looked at it. There was no joy or anger on his face. Then he returned the will to Vera and said in a deep voice, "Since your father made you the Marquis of the Northern Territory, you will inherit the title of Duke of the Northern Territory." , I also have no comment.
However, at this time, if you want to successfully accept His Majesty's canonization, you need to do one more thing. "
"What's up?"
"Accept baptism!"
Ke Lin's heart moved, and he asked quickly: "Your Excellency, the Lordship Law does not stipulate that you must be a knight to accept the title of the empire, right?"
"Indeed not." Sebas nodded, but then frowned, "But the current situation in the imperial capital is quite special. Vera's status as a mage will make her suffer a lot of criticism, and even make her unable to successfully inherit the Duke of the Northern Territory. place."
Vera asked in a solemn tone, "Is it because Prince Lexi is planning to launch a war against Yeville?"
Sebastian nodded, "That's right."
Ke Lin considered his tone, and tentatively said: "This matter is still in the proposal stage, and it may not be implemented."
Sebastian smiled lightly, and said to himself: "Believe me, the empire will soon declare war on Yevil."
Colin's heart sank.
A consul of the Senate has said this, which shows that Prince Lech has successfully won the support of the vast majority of the elders, and he is very sure that the proposal can skip Emperor Reinhard and pass directly through the Senate.
The situation is very bad.
"Uncle, do you also support declaring war on Yevil?" Vera couldn't help asking.
Sebastian looked into Vera's eyes and sighed: "Vera, I know you have feelings for Yevil, but I still advise you to change your position as soon as possible, convert to the Lord of Radiance, and don't let yourself go to the opposite side of the imperial nobles. .”
Vera shook her head and said: "Uncle, in fact, I have already converted to the Lord of Radiance, but I have always believed that mages and knights are not naturally opposed, and I can also feel the guidance of the Lord of Radiance on the path of pursuing arcane truth! "
Sebastian straightened his face and said in a concentrated voice: "Vera, if you are willing to serve the Lord of Radiance wholeheartedly, you must abandon the path of arcane magic, otherwise, it will be a blasphemy against the Lord of Radiance!"
Seeing that Vera still wanted to defend herself, Colin quickly held her hand and shook his head slightly.
Vera understood, suppressed the dissatisfaction and grievance in her heart, and said no more.
Ke Lin smiled, eased the slightly dignified atmosphere in the hall, and said:
"Your Excellency the Consul, Vera is a bit unfamiliar with how to serve the Lord of Radiance after all, but please believe that her heart of conversion to the Lord of Radiance is sincere, and we will contact the church as soon as possible to arrange a baptism ceremony."
"Well, that's naturally the best." Sebastian's face softened slightly, "After Vera is baptized, I can also put the issue of the succession of the Duke of the North on the agenda of the Senate meeting. However, if this matter is passed smoothly, You also need to prepare some lobbying funds."
Lobbying money
Isn't it just a bribe...
Ke Lin was speechless when he saw that the other party was accepting bribes so openly, and the target was still his grandniece.
At the same time, I have a deeper understanding of the Senate.
"Your Excellency the Consul, do you know how much money you need for lobbying?" Colin asked cautiously.
Sebastian picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and said calmly, "Five million gold coins."
Seeing that Colin and Vera's eyes widened, he immediately added: "Don't make a fuss, this is the cost of my lobbying for you in person, if you change someone, it will only cost more!"
Colin sighed and made a look of embarrassment: "Your Excellency, it's not that we don't believe you, but that the northern border has just experienced a great chaos, and the St. Hilde family is really unable to make such a sum in a short time. huge sum of money."
Sebastian glanced at Colin, and said calmly, "Viscount Angelet, didn't you defeat the troll empire, force them to sign a peace agreement, and get a large amount of war reparations and slaves?"
Anger rose in Ke Lin's heart, this old guy actually plotted against him!
"It's true. However, I'm afraid you don't know that the Troll Empire's finances are also quite difficult. The war reparations are paid in installments. As for the slaves, I'm afraid they won't be able to get them together in a while."
Sebastian put the wine glass heavily on the table, and said in a cold voice: "Viscount Angelet, if you don't show your due sincerity, you may be unable to move forward in Yulong City!"
Ke Lin pretended to respond with fear and trepidation: "Your Excellency, you have misunderstood. I just want to confirm with Ice Rock City the status of the Troll Empire's compensation. I will reply to you when I have definite news."
The smile returned to Sebastian's face, and he nodded, "That's right. You two are still too young to understand the political rules of the imperial capital, so you will inevitably make some mistakes and offend people who shouldn't be offended.
So, from now on, you all come to consult me first if you have anything to do. As an elder, of course I will give you due help. "
Colin and Vera hurriedly stood up to thank them.
After chatting for a while, the two left.
After leaving the gate of the manor and boarding the carriage, Vera's face turned cloudy and she asked, "Colin, do we really have to trust Sebastian?"
When Colin heard Vera's change of address to Sebas, he secretly smiled and said, "You should already have the answer yourself."
Vera nodded, frowned slightly, and said, "I don't like this person."
"Then don't worry about him." Colin said lightly.
Vera still hesitated: "Then... will this anger the Senate?"
"He alone, Sebastian, can't represent the Senate!" Colin said coldly, "What's more, he may have forgotten that it was the St. Hilde family who pushed him to the position of consul.
It was he who needed the St. Hilders!
Not that the St. Hilde family needs him! "
(end of this chapter)