next morning.
After Colin finished his breakfast, he came to the residence of Marquis Garcia.
Boom.
He reached out and knocked on the door twice, and when there was a sound of "come in", Colin pushed the door open and entered.
"Good morning, Lord Marquis."
"Good morning, Colin." Marquis Garcia showed a rare bright smile, and poured a cup of tea for Colin himself.
Colin knew in his heart that it was probably Marquis Garcia who was apologizing for what happened in yesterday's meeting.
Sure enough, I heard Marquis Garcia say:
"The matter of yesterday's meeting was not that I didn't want to help you, but that since the church had already heard the news of Vera's awakening, it was impossible to make too much concessions, and a stalemate would only waste time.
But now at this critical moment, the Glorious Empire doesn't have much time to waste. "
Ke Lin smiled and said, "I understand, Lord Marquis, it was actually my fault this time, and I believed someone who shouldn't."
Marquis Garcia's complexion suddenly became complicated.
He hesitated for a moment, but still reminded:
"Midella, it's not that you can't believe it, it's just...you'd better keep an eye out for her..."
"Why?" Colin asked immediately.
Marquis Garcia took a sip of tea before slowly saying:
"After all, Midella has already married into the royal family, and her heirs are all named San Lorenzo, so you can't expect her to consider everything for the interests of the Saint Hilde family."
This reason seems reasonable, but Colin always felt that the Marquis of Garcia still had something to hide, but when he was about to ask, he saw that the Marquis of Garcia deliberately changed the subject and asked:
"Okay, you came to see me so early, what's the matter?"
Seeing that Marquis Garcia didn't seem to want to talk about Queen Midella in detail, Ke Lin had no choice but to suppress the doubts in his heart and said:
"Lord Marquis, I'm here to discuss with you about sending troops to support the Western Territory."
"Oh? Do you have any suggestions for this dispatch of troops?"
Ke Lin considered his tone and asked, "Master Marquis, I want to know if you are going to lead the army yourself this time?"
Marquis Garcia looked up at Colin and said, "Yes. What? You want to grab the position of commander from me?"
Ke Lin touched his nose in embarrassment, and said with a smile: "Master Marquis, of course I dare not compete with you... The main reason is that I want to see the scene of a million-strong army fighting."
The Marquis of Garcia smiled slightly, as if he had seen through Colin's little thoughts, and said:
"This time to support the western region, let me lead the army. As for you, you should go back to the northern region. I am worried that the trolls on the sky ice field may take advantage of the weakening of the empire and go south again."
Seeing that Marquis Garcia was determined, Colin didn't say any more.
Although he also agrees with Duke St. Grian's concerns, he will certainly not intentionally offend Marquis Garcia for this.
Moreover, the commander-in-chief of the imperial coalition forces this time was Emperor Reinhardt, and Colin was unwilling to obey the command and dispatch of this idiot emperor.
Colin has never seen orcs before, and he doesn't know the strength of the orc army that invaded this time, but if they are really as fierce as recorded in history, Colin doubts that under the command of this idiot emperor, the human race Will the coalition win
Therefore, Colin's desire to go to the western region is actually not strong. As for Duke St. Grian's request, Colin can only ignore it.
"Okay, Lord Marquis, I'm going back to the northern border right away." Colin thought for a while, and then said, "By the way, are you going to take the Morrison family's army to the western border this time?"
Marquis Garcia shook his head and said, "No. Since they have pledged their allegiance to you, they should follow you. With the Swallowtail Army and the Blood Cavalry Army, even if the trolls really dare to go south, you can easily deal with them."
Colin hesitated for a moment, and persuaded: "Master Marquis, after all, the Morrison family has just lost their title. They have placed great hopes in this orc war. If we don't take them to the Western Region..."
"I will tell Mrs. Grace in person." Marquis Garcia seemed to have made up his mind and rejected Colin's proposal again.
Afterwards, he said meaningfully: "Besides, following you, the Morrison family may not have the opportunity to make meritorious deeds."
Colin was stunned for a moment, and just when he was about to ask, Marquis Garcia had stood up and said:
"Okay, you should return to the north as soon as possible. Help me take care of Vera."
"Yes, Lord Marquis."
After leaving the door, Colin looked back at the thin and lonely back of Marquis Garcia in the room, always feeling that the other party was planning something without telling him.
Moreover, his intuition tells Colin that the Marquis Garcia may also be pessimistic about this trip to the West...
"Count Angelet."
Colin didn't go far when he was interrupted by a cry.
Turning his head, he saw the swaying figure of Duke St. Gerian walking slowly from the other end of the corridor.
"Duke St. Grian, good morning." Colin smiled and greeted politely.
"Good morning, Count Angelet." The Duke of St. Grian walked a few steps closer and said, "I am very sorry about the meeting yesterday. Even if you speak, it will not change the situation."
Colin waved his hand and said, "Your Excellency, you don't have to feel guilty. I can understand your position, and I don't mean to blame you."
Hearing this, the Duke of St. Grian began to comfort Colin and said, "Count Angelet, although the northern border failed to take advantage of this meeting, the promise I made before is still valid."
Ke Lin's heart moved, and he immediately said: "Your Excellency, you mean... After this orc war, you are still willing to cooperate with the northern border and force Gregory to abdicate?"
Duke St. Gerian nodded seriously, and said: "Yes. What Gregory has done is not worthy of continuing to be the spokesperson of our Lord. We have the responsibility to drive him out!"
Ke Lin took a deep look at the duchess in front of him, hesitated for a while, and said frankly: "My lord, the commander of the northern army this time may also be the Marquis Garcia."
Duke St. Grian frowned and said, "Didn't you persuade him?"
Colin shrugged and said helplessly: "I have persuaded you just now, but the Marquis is firm. Moreover, he is worried that the trolls will take advantage of the emptiness of the empire and go south again, so he has asked me to return to Winter City immediately to take charge of the defense of the northern border. .”
Duke St. Grian was silent, as if he was thinking about countermeasures.
Colin then asked, "My lord, if I can't go to the western region, after this orc war, are you still willing to help me deal with Gregory?"
"Of course." Duke St. Grian said without hesitation, "This is my promise to you, not a condition of coercion."
Now Colin felt a little embarrassed. The kindness of Duke St. Grian made him feel that he was a little too narrow-minded before.
So, he began to persuade: "Don't worry, my lord, the military talent of the Marquis Garcia is far superior to mine, and it is actually more suitable for me to go to the western region."
The Duke of St. Grian was also a little helpless, so he nodded and said, "I hope so."
"Then I wish you success!" Colin was just about to leave, but was stopped by Duke St. Grian.
"Count Angelet, I have a small gift for you."
Colin took the small box from the Duke of St. Grian and asked doubtfully, "This is it?"
A blush appeared on Duke St. Grian's face, and he said, "It's the mistletoe from that ancient oak tree."
Colin blinked and said, "But... isn't it time for picking..."
"This is left over from last year. I asked the manor housekeeper to come and see you off." Duke St. Grian turned and left after saying this.
Ke Lin who was left in a daze was stunned for a long time.
(end of this chapter)