Winter three years ago.
A snowy night.
Marquis Garcia hurried back to Winter City.
All the way into Lion's Roar Castle, the Marquis went straight to the Duke's study without even changing his clothes.
"Boom boom."
"Come in."
Marquis Garcia opened the door and entered, only the Duke of St. Hilde was in the study.
"It's been a rough ride. Sit down and have a glass of ale to warm you up."
Marquis Garcia took the glass from his brother and drank it down.
The wind, frost and cold along the way were completely expelled from the body.
"Why are you looking for me in such a hurry?"
"How's the situation at the front?"
"It's still the same. Gambik has been scared by me, and he huddled in the military castle and dared not come out to fight in the field."
"Hehe, that old turtle!"
Marquis Garcia poured himself another glass of ale, sipping it while waiting for his brother's next words.
He knew very well that the Duke was in such a hurry to call him back, definitely not because of the few questions just now.
"Someone suggested to me a trick that can help you lure Gambik out of the turtle's shell."
"Oh? Tell me!" Marquis Garcia suddenly became interested.
"First, you must step back from the front."
"I'm afraid this alone is not enough."
"Well, your black cavalry is also withdrawn."
"Then who will the defense of the frontline be entrusted to?"
"Charles."
Hearing this, Marquis Garcia frowned immediately, he hesitated for a while, and said in a deliberate tone, "Charles... I'm afraid he still lacks some experience."
"Hehe, if you don't let a boy go to the front, how can you let Gambik get out of the turtle shell?"
"But war is not a child's play. If you do this, you may be self-defeating and bring a fiasco to the northern border!"
"Success always comes at a price!" Duke St. Hilde's eyes were extremely firm. "This time, I'm ready to ruin an army!"
"What?" Marquis Garcia was inexplicably horrified, almost thinking his brother was crazy.
But the serious expression of the Duke of St. Hilde didn't look like he was joking at all, and he continued to say:
"Let me ask you, if the black cavalry army encountered Gambik's troll army in the wild without any precautions, how sure are you of winning?"
"If Gambique is unprepared, if there is no nearby castle to hide from, then I am very sure!" Marquis Garcia's tone revealed strong confidence.
"Okay! Then let's do our best!" The Duke of St. Hilde slammed the table heavily, and said decisively, "I've had enough of those lingering trolls. The claws of the environment!
So, you come down, put Charles up.
Just let him lose one game, let Gambik experience the taste of victory.
After the trolls plundered the northern border, they would naturally return to the troll king's city with their treasures and glory.
At that time, you can lead the black cavalry to catch up and kill them by surprise! "
Marquis Garcia still frowned: "Even if you are willing to bury an army and send the city in the north to the trolls to loot, how can you guarantee that the trolls will be defenseless when they retreat? "
"This requires us to put on a play."
"How?"
"I transferred you away from the front line. If you fall into the eyes of someone with a heart, you will definitely think that I am starting to be afraid of you. Therefore, you can also show some dissatisfaction with me at the right time...
In addition, there will be a large number of the lord's private army in the army that Charles buried The lords want to fight my situation.
At this time, the troll will definitely feel that we are too busy to take care of ourselves and will not take precautions... "
"Did you forget a key question?" Marquis Garcia interrupted suddenly.
"what is the problem?"
"Am I really dissatisfied with you?" Marquis Garcia's eyes flickered, "If Charles really loses miserably on the front line and ruins a large northern army. At that time, wouldn't my Black Cavalry be even more invincible? ?”
The Duke of St. Hilde suddenly smiled: "Do you know, when Talos Uman proposed this strategy to me, I also considered whether you might have the possibility of making a fake show."
"Is this a strategy proposed by Earl Uman? Well, what do you think? Will I make a fake show?"
The Duke of St. Hilde did not directly answer this question, but continued with what he said just now: "At that time, I was thinking that it would be fine if Talos didn't expect that you might make a fake show.
If he thought of it, but deliberately left it out...
Then either, he has great confidence in our relationship and thinks it is impossible for us to turn against each other, or he is hiding evil intentions and pretending to deal with trolls, but in fact he wants to trigger civil strife in the northern border! "
Marquis Garcia froze for a moment, then looked down at the wine glass in his hand, as if he was also thinking about Earl Uman's true intentions.
But the Duke of St. Hilde did not give his brother more time to think, and directly expressed his thoughts:
"No matter what Talos Uman's true intentions are, I know that you will not betray me."
"Are you so confident?" Marquis Garcia looked indifferent, "How can you be sure that I won't be tempted when I have the power to control the situation in the northern border?"
"Of course you will be tempted. However, betrayal is just that the price tag of loyalty is not enough. Therefore, I will increase the price of your loyalty!"
"Add what code?"
"After Charles is defeated, he will be deprived of the title of Marquis."
"That's it?"
"Of course not." The Duke of St. Hilde smiled and continued, "Vera will inherit the position of Marquis!"
Marquis Garcia stared.
He was finally moved.
But immediately, he felt deeply puzzled: "In order to eliminate the threat of trolls, are you willing to pay such a high price?"
"No. It's not just the threat of trolls." The Duke of St. Hilde shook his head grimly.
"Who else?"
"Do you know where the biggest threat to our northern border comes from?"
"Isn't it a troll?"
The Duke of St. Hilde shook his head again, and said in a deep voice:
"Threats from outside only make us stronger and more united, they don't break us.
Only threats from within can truly corrode the foundation of the St. Hilde family's rule! "
Marquis Garcia was stunned for a moment before realizing what his brother said: "You mean, those lords in the northern border?"
"That's right!" the Duke of St. Hilde gritted his teeth, "Do you know how many territories directly belong to the St. Hilde family
Do you know how many years the family has been living beyond their means
You know why I keep refusing to ban trade with trolls
Don't I know that this kind of trade is actually capitalizing on the enemy
But what can I do
The family needs this profit!
It looks like the entire northern border is mine, but now, I hesitate to confer a little baron again!
And you!
My good brother!
You've kept the trolls out of the North, which is certainly a good thing.
However, this also completely blocked the replacement of the old and new lords in the north!
If the trolls can't get in, no one will be deprived of their titles because they lost their territories. Therefore, there are more and more nobles in the northern border, but the land under the family name is getting less and less!
You always complain that I don't want to award meritorious officials under your command, but you don't even think about it, what should I award
Or I will give you the duke position!
You take care of this northern border! "
Marquis Garcia looked at his angry brother and didn't know what to say for a while.
During the silence, an abnormal redness flashed across Duke St. Hilde's face, which was caught by Marquis Garcia: "Brother, your injury..."
"I can't die for the time being!" The Duke of St. Hilde gasped, "But it won't be long."
Marquis Garcia looked sad.
"Brother, help me this time!
All the price, all the notoriety, will be borne by me!
As long as you are willing to help me, the St. Hilde family will be reborn from the ashes!
And this northern territory that is about to take on a new look will also be handed over to your biological daughter! "
Marquis Garcia did not speak.
The Duke of St. Hilde still stared into his brother's eyes, as if he would never stop unless he agreed.
There was a long silence in the room.
The only sound was the crackling of firewood in the fireplace.
After an unknown amount of time, Marquis Garcia finally let out a long sigh:
"Okay, I'll help you."
(end of this chapter)