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Boom!

Lightning split the sky, and the rainstorm over Winterfell City became increasingly fierce.

After the banquet, Colin returned to his quarters. The moment he closed the door, Scholar Doan immediately said:

“My Lord Viscount, choosing to march out of the city to fight at this time is not a wise decision.”

Colin did not immediately respond to Scholar Doan. Instead, he calmly undid the tightly fastened collar of his shirt, took off his coat, and threw it over the back of a chair.

Then he laughed and asked, “Why do you think Count Uman proposed to march out of the city with me to meet the enemy?”

Scholar Doan was slightly startled, evidently not expecting that Colin ignored his advice and instead was dwelling on this matter.

However, he still patiently explained, “Firstly, Count Uman certainly does not want the Golden Lion Legion to enter the city, which is the bottom line. After all, the Golden Lion Legion has more people and stronger combat power than Uman Clan’s army. If they enter the city, the power in Lion Roar Castle will surely change hands.

As for why he insists on departing the city to fight the enemy, it should be because he wants to use this opportunity to establish military merits.”

“Although the St. Hilde Family has currently accepted Count Uman’s surrender and forgiven his previous betrayal, this is due to the fact that they are currently facing a formidable enemy. If the North Territory is pacified in the future, the Uman Clan may not escape the reckoning.”

“There is even no need to actively seek an excuse for the reckoning. According to the Lord’s Law, the Uman Clan has lost their fiefdom, thus their nobility can naturally be stripped away. Furthermore, Fallen Eagle City has been burnt to ashes. Count Uman can’t possibly reclaim his fiefdom.”

“Under such circumstances, his only means of self-protection is to establish military merits in the process of suppressing the rebels, thereby safeguarding his title and position.”

“So, he will not accept our proposal to merely defend the city, let alone the suggestion of negotiating peace terms with the dwarves.”

Colin nodded, agreeing with Scholar Doan’s judgment, and then asked another question:

“What then, after defeating the rebels? If we do have a battle with the Dwarf Legion outside of the city, well, even if we win, how does Count Uman plan to wrap things up?

Is he planning to continue blocking the Golden Lion Legion outside of the city? Hehe, isn’t he afraid I could easily take care of him?”

“I’m not clear about how Count Uman and his people exactly planned this,” Doan Scholar shook his head, his expression grave, “However, I guess they probably still want to use the Duke’s remains.”

Colin also squinted his eyes, realizing that this should indeed be their biggest vulnerability at present.

Scholar Doan continued his analysis: “The substitution of the Duke’s remains is full of doubts, I even suspect that the Morrison Family has already sworn allegiance to Joyce in advance.

Of course, the Church might have facilitated it.

This Archbishop Agani… I can’t quite see through her.

Imagine, if at the Duke’s funeral, Agani suddenly questions the authenticity of the remains, it would be a lethal blow to the reputation of both Vera and you!”

Colin stroked his chin, feeling that there was indeed such a possibility. After thinking for a moment, he asked again: “So, can this Archbishop Agani be persuaded to our side?”

Scholar Doan shook his head solemnly.

Colin asked curiously, “Why? Doesn’t the Church just want to see an obedient Northern Duke? Whatever Joyce can give, Vera can give too.

Moreover, I can persuade Vera to openly express her faith in the Lord of Glory.

Wouldn’t the Church be tempted by such a propaganda feat as a Mage converting to the Lord of Glory?”

Nevertheless, Scholar Doan still shook his head and asked in return: “My Lord Viscount, do you know why the Church sent such a young and beautiful Archbishop to the North Territory?”

“Why?”

Scholar Doan didn’t answer directly but ask again: “Do you know Lady Kate?”

“Who?” Colin was completely puzzled.

“She is the wife of the Eastern Count, a Priest, and the Eastern Archbishop!”

“Hehe.” Colin instantly understood the intention behind Scholar Doan’s words.

The Church had actually employed a beauty trick.

“So, you’re saying that Archbishop Agani’s real intention is to marry Joyce and become the Duchess of the North Territory?”

Scholar Doan nodded, “Yes, because of Lady Kate, the Church has heavily infiltrated the East Territory, and they can even influence some of the decisions made by the Eastern Duke.

After tasting the benefits in the East Territory, the Church has been trying to extend their influence in the secular world in the same way. This time, the target of Archbishop Agani should indeed be Joyce!”

Colin couldn’t help but chuckle, employing a beauty trick on a child of just ten years old; the Church really was capable of such a thing.

However, this ploy might actually work. With Archbishop Agani’s charm, controlling a young boy would be incredibly easy.

Looking back, Colin noticed that Joyce was intently watching Agani during the entire banquet, clearly attracted to her.

Given this, the Church would definitely choose Joyce over Vera.

A converted Mage, who could compare to a Duchess?

Sigh

Colin breathed out, then returned to the matter at hand: “Do you have a good solution now?”

Scholar Doan perked up and quickly persuaded, “Lord Viscount, our original strategic goal should not change!

The act of fighting outside the city may not ensure a victory and even if we prevail, the victory might end up being snatched by Joyce’s clan. So, we must insist on our initial principle –

Avoid a direct confrontation with the rebel army, defend Winterfell City, then slowly infiltrate and win over others, to dissipate the rebel forces!”

Colin spread his hands in helplessness, “But they won’t agree to let the Golden Lion Legion into the city now.”

Scholar Doan’s eyes flashed with a severe look, he stated sternly, “Lord Viscount, then we have to resort to emergency measures!”

“Oh? What emergency measures?” Colin immediately seemed interested.

Scholar Doan stated word by word: “Forceful entry!”

“How do you plan on doing that? Surely, not through a forced attack?”

“No.” Scholar Doan shook his head, “Currently, the gate of Winterfell City is still controlled by the city defense force. If we can persuade Knight Thomas, we can open the city gate and let the Golden Lion Legion into the city.

Once the Golden Lion Legion is in the city, if Count Uman is wise enough, he will obediently give up his power and aim for reconciliation with us.

Of course, even if he wants to fight till the end, with the Golden Lion Legion and the city defense forces present, we’ve nothing to fear.”

Colin leaned forward a bit, and hastily asked, “Are you sure you can persuade Knight Thomas?”

Scholar Doan confidently nodded, “I noticed at the banquet, the relationship between Knight Thomas and Count Uman’s group is not very close, he appears to have been forcibly drawn in.”

Colin frowned, “But he’s already on board, it’s gonna be hard to make him disembark.”

Scholar Doan gave a mysterious smile, “That’s where Miss Vera’s background comes into play.”

“What do you mean?” Colin’s eyes flashed and he suddenly seemed to understand something.

“Do you know who Vera’s real father is?”

Colin, looking at Scholar Doan’s mysterious face, started to laugh heartily.

Scholar Doan was puzzled, and then, realizing why, he belatedly laughed, “Lord Viscount, it seems like you already know.”

Colin nodded, “I got to know from Marquis Garcia, how did you find out?”

“Duke St. Hilde told me.”

Colin looked somewhat surprised, it seemed like the Duke really trusted Scholar Doan, even telling him such a secret.

“Do you know who Vera’s biological mother is?” Colin asked curiously.

Unfortunately, Scholar Doan shook his head, indicating that he did not know either.

Colin was a bit disappointed, then suddenly curious, “Vera’s biological father is Marquis Garcia, what does that have to do with Knight Thomas?”

Scholar Doan gave a slight smile and said, “Lord Viscount, you might not know this, but Knight Thomas was once a member of the Dark Cavalry, following Marquis Garcia in his fight on Sky Ice Plain for over a decade, deeply admiring the Marquis.

So, if he finds out that Vera is Marquis Garcia’s biological daughter, he will certainly help us!”

Only then did Colin understand, so this was to exploit the crazy fan of Marquis Garcia.

But thinking about it, it made sense. Given Marquis Garcia’s prestige in the military at the time, it’d be strange if he didn’t have fans.

“Good, you go find him now!”

“Yes, Lord Viscount, please wait for my good news!”

Scholar Doan chuckled confidently, and then left the room, picking up his raincoat to head into the rain.