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Clop, clop, clop …

With a light gait, Kathy enters the dining room, refills the drinks for the two conversing gentlemen, then quietly slips away.

After the room was again closed off, Doan, the scholar, astoundedly said, “Viscount, in truth, between Miss Vera and Joyce, Emperor Reinhardt is certainly inclined towards Miss Vera.”

“Oh? Why is that?” Colin’s interest was piqued, and he quickly asked.

Doan, the scholar, leisurely took a sip of coffee before he replied:

“Do you know, Viscount, why the St. Lorenzo family tolerated the St. Sean family’s usurpation of the North Territory this time, even secretly instigating the Menam family to attack the Golden Lion Legion?”

“They probably wanted to use this opportunity to divide the North,” Colin hazarded.

“Indeed, the Menam and Dawson families wish to establish a Dwarf Kingdom, causing a split in the North Territory. However, do you truly think that because of this, the St. Lorenzo family would neglect the marital bond with the St. Hilde family to aid a family with whom they have old grievances, the St. Sean family, in seizing the North Territory?”

“The St. Sean family must have offered other conditions.”

“Yes, I had guessed as much before. However, the Duke’s death immediately let me realize what conditions the St. Sean family had tethered.”

“Which is?” Colin found himself pricked by curiosity.

Rather than give a direct answer, Doan, the scholar, questioned, “Viscount, what do you think killed the Duke?”

“A forbidden spell of sorts, I’d assume,” Colin replied.

“I had the exact thoughts. Moreover, I speculate that this forbidden spell was Mr. Ji’s masterpiece, from the St. Sean family, although I’m uncertain what sort of price he paid for it.”

Upon hearing this, Colin found himself reminded of Fallen Eagle City during a firestorm and the figure of Mr. Ji wrapped in green smoke.

He had intended to inform Doan of the incident at Fallen Eagle City, but on second thought, decided against it.

It’s only been a day since the incident at Fallen Eagle City. Given the world’s rate of information dissemination, it would have been impossible for Colin to have caught word this early.

In order to keep his treasured secret intact, Colin couldn’t risk anyone knowing he is aware of the situation at Fallen Eagle City, at least for a couple more days.

“Viscount, you must have heard of Prince Lexie?” Doan, the scholar, unaware of Colin’s internal struggle, asked again.

“Yes, the only surviving Holy Knight of the Royal Family,” Colin replied.

“That’s right, although Prince Lexie is indeed a Holy Knight, his status within the St. Lorenzo family prior to reaching the Holy Field was not highly regarded; he even found himself on the receiving end of humiliation over the distribution of training resources.

This caused a rise in Prince Lexie’s sense of superiority after he became a Holy Knight, engulfing him in a deep desire for power with little regard for the main branch of the St. Lorenzo family.

Thus, while Emperor Reinhardt found him useful, he was also wary of him. I suspect that the latter feeling may even prevail.

Prince Lexie’s strength and influence made him a force not to be reckoned with. Even Emperor Reinhardt had no choice but to bear his arrogance quietly.

So, when I witnessed Duke St. Hilde being struck by some unknown forbidden spell, it became clear to me what the St. Sean family promised in exchange for the Emperor’s support.”

At this point, Colin also came to understand: “You mean, the St. Sean family earned Emperor Reinhardt’s favor by forfeiting their unique forbidden spell that is capable of killing a Holy Knight?”

Doan, the scholar, nodded: “Yes, Emperor Reinhardt is wary of Prince Lexie’s martial prowess. If the St. Sean family could provide a spell capable of killing a Holy Knight at such a juncture, Emperor Reinhardt would undoubtedly be tempted.”

Without thinking, Colin found himself nodding, agreeing to Doan, the scholar’s speculation.

However, he followed it with a question: “What does this have to do with Emperor Reinhardt supporting Vera to become the Duchess of the North?”

Doan, the scholar, gave a faint smile before continuing:

“I believe that Emperor Reinhardt, in fact, does not wish to kill Prince Lexie.

The St. Lorenzo family need such a figurehead, a power to deter in all directions. Still, the Emperor certainly does not want this sharp sword to harm himself, hence, he requires a counterweight to the Holy Knight, which is the St. Sean family’s forbidden spell.

However, to unleash this spell, Emperor Reinhardt would need the assistance from a mage.

But due to the profound animosity between the imperial nobility and the Mage Council, Emperor Reinhardt dare not openly collude with Yevir, hence, he requires a mage partner…”

Upon hearing this, Colin quickly caught on.

Mr. Ji is such a partner, but Veera can also be this partner!

She is a descendant of the Holy Knight Family and a mage.

She’s even more suitable to be drawn in by Emperor Reinhardt than Mr. Ji!

So, if one has to choose between Joyce and Veera to become the Northern Duke, Veera would definitely be the first choice in Emperor Reinhardt’s heart.

Colin felt excited in his heart. He was initially worried that it would be challenging for Veera to inherit the position of Northern Duke, but after Scholar Doan carefully analyzed the situation, he had an epiphany—

Compared to Joyce, Veera was the one with the absolute advantage!

Thinking this, Colin’s gaze toward Scholar Doan became increasingly intense.

Indeed, this man was a truly remarkable talent!

He has intelligence, connections, and a superb understanding of the Empire’s nobility.

If he could gain the help of Scholar Doan, Colin would undoubtedly become much stronger.

Although he intended to win him over, Colin was not in a rush.

Scholar Doan was a retainer of the St. Hilde family. As long as Veera successfully inherited the dukedom, he would naturally become Colin’s ally.

Of course, all these were under the premise of taking down the St. Sean Family.

If Mr. Ji were to become the Northern Duke, both Veera and Joyce might as well give up and play with mud.

However, according to Scholar Doan’s previous analysis, as long as the Golden Lion Legion held on to Winterfell City, and the battle evolved into a stalemate while they steadily divided the St. Sean Family’s allies, the chaos in the North would naturally calm down.

“Very good, Scholar Doan. After I reorganize my army, I will personally escort Veera to the base of the Golden Lion Legion and persuade them to defend Winterfell City!”

Upon hearing his statement, Scholar Doan laughed with delight and said, “Viscount, you’ve made the wisest choice! However, the Menam family’s army has already reached the Golden Lion Legion; you must consider every second before the other party cuts off the Golden Lion Legion’s retreat.”

“Alright, I’ll set off early tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

Afterwards, the two chatted casually for a while before Scholar Doan excused himself and left.

Colin was left alone in the restaurant, drinking his coffee that had long gone cold, lost in thought.

After a while, Kathy came in to clean up and asked, “Master, do you need anything else?”

Colin shook his head and commanded, “No need, I’m full. Send Emon to me.”

“Yes.”

Before long, Butler Emon hurried into the restaurant, “Master, you called for me?”

“Yes, I recall that Scholar Doan isn’t a commoner, right? What’s his surname?”

“Master, the scholar’s full name is Doan White.”

“White…,” Colin was suddenly taken aback, “Is this a Northern family?”

Luckily, Emon had some knowledge about this family and quickly explained, “Master, the White family are Royal subordinates of the Empire. Their nobility rank is Viscount, and their territory is the Crimson Flame. However, Scholar Doan is not the eldest son and does not have the right to inherit the title.”

“A subordinate of the Royal family?” Colin’s eyes lit up with surprise.

A scholar from a family under the Royal subordinates was being treated as a trusted retainer by Duke St. Hilde, there must be a reason for this.

After a moment, he gave another order, “Send someone to investigate this White family. I need more detailed information.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Also, notify Knight Logh to assemble a thousand Dark Cavalry. I will be setting off to war at dawn.”

“Yes.”