"Looks like another empty city."
Ke Lin looked at the Silver Fox City in the distance and said with a smile.
Marquis Garcia nodded and said, "You've learned to be smart."
The northern army did not stay in Falcon City for too long. The day after Cardinal Mensay's visit, the army resumed their journey and continued southward.
But when they arrived at the next town, they found that the local lord had already fled with the family army.
Of course, the clergy of the local church basically ran away, probably because they were worried that they would become the next Bishop Danny.
The following two baronies are the same, and the current Silver Fox City under the Wesley family seems to be the same.
The previous lords are said to have responded to the call of Emperor Reinhardt's war order, and went to Yulong City to assemble and prepare to support the Western Territory.
This is of course nonsense.
The assembly time required by the war order is at the end of March, but it is still in February...
Moreover, in order to alleviate the financial pressure on the empire, Emperor Reinhardt re-issued the war order under the advice of the cabinet ministers, and instead assembled in two groups.
Before the deadline at the end of March, the major lords only need to send half of the rated troops.
Therefore, these lords who "fleeing at the wind" obviously did not want to respond to the call-up order, but they did not want to be coerced by the northern border and repeat the mistakes of Viscount Benson, the lord of Falcon City.
It can be seen that most of the lords are still unwilling to board the pirate ships in the northern border at this time.
Especially when Emperor Reinhard's attitude was vague, and he even faintly showed fear and dissatisfaction with the northern border.
But of course Colin would not shrink back because of this.
When doing great things, the most taboo thing is to look forward and backward.
What's more, Ke Lin still holds Vera's hole card in his hand, and he can stop this dangerous game at any time.
Of course, Colin would definitely not want to stop this game easily until he had not forced out a suitable bargaining chip for the Church.
"Isn't Viscount Wesley in the city?"
Walking into the open city gate, Colin asked the Wesley family steward who came to greet him.
"Respected Earl Angelet, my lord has already led the family army to the Yulong City to assemble in accordance with the requirements of His Majesty's war order, so he cannot greet you in person. If you don't mind, please let me take you to the bank Fox Castle takes a break!"
Ke Lin didn't make things difficult for an old housekeeper, nodded and walked into the city.
These lords dared to leave the city and run away because they knew that even if the northern army entered the city, they would not wreak havoc.
After all, the purpose of the Northern Territory this time is to force the Church to make concessions, rather than actually invade the Crimson Flame Territory.
If the army from the north really ran amok in these cities, it would be in the hands of the church.
The originally ambiguous royal family will never tolerate the behavior of the northern border, and I am afraid that they will also publicly declare the St. Hilde family as enemies of the empire.
After entering Silver Fox Castle, Colin washed up and changed into clean clothes. He was about to stroll around the castle, but just as he opened the door, he was told by an attendant that Queen Midella's car had arrived in Silver Fox Castle.
So, Ke Lin hurried back to the house to put on his armor, and went to greet him at the gate of the city.
When he arrived at the gate of the city, he saw that Marquis Garcia had helped Queen Midella get off the carriage, and then two smaller figures jumped out of the carriage—Prince Harrison and Princess Judy.
The northern lords who came with the army had already gathered at the gate of the city, and they all saluted the queen when they saw this.
Colin also stood at the front of the crowd, bowing in salute.
A gust of fragrant wind came, and Ke Lin straightened up, and saw that Queen Midella had already walked in front of him.
"His Royal Highness."
"Earl Angelet." Empress Midella's bright eyes seemed to be shining with a different light, "Harrison and Judy are talking about you all day long, it seems that you are a very competent teacher."
Colin smiled slightly and said, "It's my honor to be favored by Prince Harrison and Princess Judy."
"After that, you will need to worry more." Queen Midella said meaningfully.
Colin was thinking about what the queen meant when he saw Prince Harrison and Princess Judy coming to him, saluted and greeted him:
"teacher!"
Colin smiled and nodded at the two little guys, reached out and patted Prince Harrison on the shoulder, and rubbed Princess Judy's little head.
It may have messed up Princess Judy's hair, which immediately attracted a burst of coquettish anger from the little girl.
Everyone didn't stay at the gate of the city for too long, and soon returned to Silver Fox Castle.
Although Viscount Wesley ran away with the army, the family chef and attendants were still there. They held a grand welcome dinner at Colin's request.
I don't know if it was to vent his anger on purpose, but Colin ordered the soldiers to bring up all the good wine stored in the wine cellar of Silver Fox Castle, and let the northern lords have a good drink.
The Wesley family butler's mouth twitched in distress, but he didn't dare to say a word of objection.
After the banquet, everyone left one after another.
As soon as Ke Lin walked out of the hall, he was stopped by the maid sent by Queen Midella:
"Master Earl, Your Highness the Queen invites you to a tea party later."
"good."
Colin nodded, and led by the maid to a small room next to the banquet hall.
"Count Angelet, sit down, don't be restrained." Queen Midella leaned lazily on the sofa chair, smiling at Colin at the door.
"Yes, Your Highness the Queen." Colin responded, and stepped forward to sit down on the sofa chair on the right side of Queen Midella.
The Marquis Garcia was sitting opposite him, and when he saw Colin coming in, he just nodded silently as a greeting.
The maid walked lightly, presented scented tea and dried fruit, and then left quietly.
Ke Lin looked at the only three teacups on the table, and realized that there were only three of them in the tea party.
"How was your meeting with Mensay?" Queen Midella asked while reaching for the teacup.
Colin glanced at Marquis Garcia, seeing that he had no intention of answering, he said:
"Very unpleasant. Mensay's attitude was unexpectedly tough, as if he had no intention of resolving the matter peacefully."
"Do you know why Mensay is so tough?" Queen Midella took a sip of the tea, and the steaming mist in the cup made it difficult to see her face clearly.
Ke Lin thought about it and replied: "I guess he is acting tough on purpose, a means to lower our expectations, so as to facilitate subsequent negotiations..."
"So, do you think there is still something to talk about with Mensay?" Queen Midella asked with a smile.
Looking at the smile on the Queen's face, Ke Lin immediately realized that he might have missed something, and asked quickly:
"Could it be that Mensay is not pretending to be a gesture, but really does not want peace talks?"
Queen Midella put down the teacup, sat up straight, her face suddenly became serious, and said:
"That's right, you can't talk about anything with Mensay. He is probably the most hated person among the top church leaders."
(end of this chapter)