As the sun set, a dozen white swans flitted across the rippling lake, breaking up the reflections in the lake.
"Teacher! Was baby swan really ugly when he was young?"
Princess Judy who just finished listening to "The Ugly Duckling" asked softly.
Ke Lin didn't understand this, so he had to deal with it casually: "Some are ugly, some are beautiful, just like human babies, there is always a difference between beauty and ugliness."
"Then... isn't it true that she was beautiful when she was young, and she will be even more beautiful when she grows up?" Judy asked again with her big eyes blinking.
Colin glanced at the little girl, seeming to see through her little thoughts, and nodded with a smile, "Yes!"
Judy suddenly smiled.
Vera held her husband's hand, looked at the city that was faintly visible on the other side of the lake, and suddenly asked, "Colin, are we really not going into Swan City?"
Colin shook his head: "Don't go. Hurry back to Winter City as soon as possible, there are still a lot of things waiting for us to deal with."
"Okay." Vera nodded slightly.
In fact, she is not a very independent woman, especially after Colin has proved her ability time and time again, Vera has become more dependent on her husband.
They have now left the Crimson Flame Territory and entered the northern border. However, on the way, except for a stop at Winterspring Town of the Grant family, when passing through other territories, Colin always took the wild road and did not re-enter the road along the way. Lord's Castle.
Of course, out of respect for the new Duke of St. Hilde, the lords along the way would send envoys to extend invitations.
No, just now when Colin and the others stopped by the lake to set up camp, the envoy from Swan Castle arrived.
Moreover, the emissary's identity is not ordinary, it turned out to be the eldest son of Earl Schultz, the lord of Swan City - Viscount Sorin.
In the vassal system of the St. Hilde family, there are three earl families, the Uman family of Fallen Eagle City, the Morrison family of Huayu City, and the Schultz family of Swan City.
Of course, there was an Earl of Dawson originally, but he was actually a vassal of the Marquis of Garcia. He was canonized as a Marquis after the first Northern Rebellion, and thus became a vassal of the St. Hilde family.
Both the Uman family and the Morrison family, Colin, have dealt with each other before. Only the last Schultz family, Colin, is still relatively unfamiliar.
In fact, Colin once met Earl Schultz in Ice Rock City.
At that time, at the meeting of the lords, the major families in the north united to force the Duke of St. Hilde to abolish the Marquess of Charles' succession.
Colin remembered that at that meeting, only the previous Earl Morrison refused to sign the petition and was killed in the end, while Earl Schultz and Earl Uman both signed.
Later, the Duke of St. Hilde rudely refused the request of the lords, causing the two sides to completely tear their skins apart.
Of course, the Schultz family also participated in the attack on the Golden Lion Army. As a result, the family army was rushed to pieces by the Golden Lion Army and the Black Cavalry Army who had already secretly set traps, and suffered heavy losses.
However, in the subsequent purges, Earl Schulz did not seem to be punished, at least her title remained unchanged.
As for why the Duke of St. Hilde let Earl Schulz go, there were various speculations circulating in the north at that time, and the most convincing one was that Earl Schulz married a good husband.
The husband of Earl Schulz was named Lucien.
Yes, only first name, no last name.
He is a commoner.
But at the same time, he is also a Tier 6 fighter!
Just like the sixth-rank warrior who became the son-in-law of the Uman family, Lucien also successfully married an earl of the northern border, successfully achieving a class leap.
At that time, there were only two sixth-tier professionals in the northern border, namely Lucien and Duke St. Hilde.
At that time, no one knew whether the Duke of St. Hilde was promoted to the sanctuary, but even if he was promoted, he probably didn't want to reveal his true strength.
Therefore, the Duke of St. Hilde deliberately spared Earl Schultz who participated in the lord's rebellion, perhaps because he did not want to have a direct conflict with Lucien.
However, the Schultz family was not unscathed. After all, most of the most elite troops of their family were damaged outside Bingyan City, which can be said to be seriously injured.
Therefore, the Schulz family was unable to participate in the second northern rebellion caused by Mr. Xie, so they could only choose to be neutral and watch the whole process.
It is not accurate to say that it is completely neutral, because the Earl of Schultz is located in the southernmost part of the northern border and borders the Crimson Flame Territory. The Marquis of Menam, who is determined to establish a dwarf kingdom, must pass through Swan City if he wants to send troops to the northern border. .
However, Earl Schultz did not take any action, and directly let the Menam family's army go.
This is actually a kind of betrayal of the northern border.
Ke Lin was still planning to settle the score with the Schultz family in the future, but he didn't expect that the other party would have the nerve to extend an invitation.
However, Ke Lin is not going to enter Swan City at this time.
It wasn't that he was afraid of that sixth-level warrior. After all, as long as Earl Schultz and Lucien were not insane, they would never dare to do anything to Vera, who had become the Duke of the North.
He just didn't bother to pay attention to Earl Schulz who had betrayed the St. Hilde family.
"Dear Duke, welcome to the Earl of Schulz! My lord mother ordered me to come, and sincerely invite you to visit Schwanstein Castle!" Viscount Sorin looked only fourteen or fifteen years old, with a slightly immature voice Said.
After speaking, he respectfully sent an invitation letter to Vera.
Vera took the invitation letter and looked at Colin hesitantly, but Colin shook his head slowly.
So, she declined in a gentle voice: "Please apologize to Earl Schulz for me, because time is urgent, I need to return to Winter City as soon as possible, I am afraid I can't go to Swan Castle as a guest."
According to the usual practice, Viscount Sorin should take his leave and leave at this time, however, he persuaded again:
"My lord, please forgive my rudeness, but it's getting late now, isn't your convoy already camped by the lake, are you going to rest here for the night
So, since it's all about staying for one night, why don't you come to Schwanstein Castle
The Schultz family has prepared the most delicious food and the most luxurious room for you to rest! "
Colin frowned, thinking that this Viscount Thorin was too much. Vera had already refused, but he still insisted on staying.
I just don't know if this is what Earl Schulz meant, or if the young viscount is not sensible.
Vera's face also darkened, she shook her head firmly and said, "Sorry, next time."
Viscount Sorin still didn't give up: "Your Excellency, I know that the Schulz family's behavior during the turmoil in the northern border was not satisfactory to you, but please believe that we were also powerless to deal with the situation at that time.
This time my mother invited you into Schwann Castle, and she also wanted to apologize to you in person and ask for your forgiveness. "
Colin snorted softly, and said coldly: "If Earl Schultz is really sincere, please go to Lion's Roar Castle and pray for His Excellency's forgiveness."
Viscount Sorin choked for a moment, his expression changed for a while, and finally he gritted his teeth and said in a low voice:
"My lord, in fact, mother invited you into Schwann Castle because she has something important to report to you."
"What important matter? Let's talk about it here." Vera replied coldly.
Viscount Sorin had no choice but to lower his voice and said, "Bishop John of Swan City is missing!"
"Missing?"
"Yes. Bishop John has disappeared for three days, and there is no news. Father personally led a team to search the city and outside of Swan City, but found nothing."
Vera's face changed slightly, and she looked at Colin solemnly.
Colin also frowned.
The disappearance of a bishop can be a big or small matter, but as the Duke of the North, since Vera is passing through Swan City, it is really inappropriate if she doesn't ask anything.
But Colin didn't want Vera to have more contact with the church. After all, how much influence the Pope's magic had on Vera is still hard to judge.
Colin couldn't help but wonder, wouldn't this be a trick directed and performed by the church
Thinking of this, Colin stepped forward and responded: "The Duke needs to rush back to Winter City as soon as possible, and it is really impossible to stay in Swan City. How about this, I will go back with you and see what happened?"
Viscount Sorin looked at the calm-faced Colin, then at the silent Vera, nodded and said:
"Okay, I'll trouble you then, Lord Viscount!"
Ke Lin nodded, turned around and whispered in Vera's ear: "You guys rest by the lake for one night, and continue on the road tomorrow, don't wait for me."
Vera nodded obediently, and said, "Okay, then you should also be careful."
(end of this chapter)