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Gloomy storm clouds shrouded the sky over Silver Moon City, occasionally filled with rumbling thunder.

It was about to rain.

Pedestrians on the street hurried, hoping to get home before the storm hit.

A small tavern in the east of the city had two special guests.

The tavern attendant, upon seeing the appearance and demeanor of these two guests, realized they must be nobles. He involuntarily bowed a little, respectfully leading them to a quiet spot near a window.

The two guests were a man and a woman.

The man seemed to be in his early twenties and sported radiant golden hair with ocean-blue eyes. His eyes were particularly deep like the ocean, giving anyone he was looking at a feeling of being seen through.

The woman was slightly younger, pretty with a bold spirit. She was petite and moved with agility. The broadsword she carried on her back was the most eye-catching thing about her.

Almost as tall as she was, the broadsword was ten inches wide with edges unfolding on both sides. It was engraved with complex arcane patterns; when in close proximity to it, one could even feel slivers of electric energy emanating from it.

The contrast between the massive broadsword and the petite woman was strikingly sharp.

The knob of the sword hilt was carved with a galloping steed.

If one was familiar with the badges of nobles in the Glorious Empire, they would immediately recognize it – a pure white heavenly horse, the emblem of the St. Prowse Family, rulers of the eastern part of the Empire.

“Thud!”

When the woman took her seat, she carelessly leaned the broadsword against the wall. The depth to which the sword tip was embedded in the ground, along with the thud sound, revealed its substantial weight.

“Big brother, why have you been spending the past few days sampling fine wines? Have you forgotten our mission in Silver Moon City?” she asked.

Instead of responding right away, the man smiled faintly. He received the wine from the attendant, poured some for himself and his sister, raised his glass, and said, “Why the rush? Let’s savor the wine of this place first.”

The woman reluctantly raised her glass for a toast.

As he lifted his hand to drink, three silver stripes sewn on the man’s sleeve were revealed – a mark reserved solely for a Count in the Empire.

Taking together that badge and the wide heavenly horse on the woman’s sword, it was clear who these esteemed guests were.

There is only one Count in the St. Prowse Family, the rulers of the Eastern Territory – Evan Sanctus.

Count Evan was the second son of Duke St. Prowse, a real Count.

He received his Count title at a young age, making it appear that the Duke’s second son was quite favored.

But those who really understood the situation would think otherwise.

Just like the North Territory, the rightful heir of the Duke of the Eastern Territory would also receive a nominal title of Marquis, which was without actual territory, since they would inherit the entire Eastern Territory once the Duke passed away.

When the Duke of the Eastern Territory awarded his second son Evan the title of Count. it was almost equivalent to saving.

This title of Count and this territory are for you to keep, but don’t get your hopes up for my Duke title.

The implication was clear.

After sipping his wine, Count Evan closed his eyes, taking in the fleeting flavors.

When he opened his eyes again, he met his sister’s relentless gaze.

Count Evan smiled wistfully, finally succumbing, “Alright, alright, Anna. Do you know why I am not rushing to meet the royal half-elf?”

‘Why?”

“Because, dear sister, it is a mission destined to fail,” Count Evan poured himself another glass of wine, “so rather than wasting time, I’d recommend sampling the fine wines of Silver Moon City. At least we won’t leave empty-handed.”

Anna furrowed her brows, puzzled, “Why do you think this mission is bound to fail?”

Closing his eyes, Count Evan savored the intoxicating wine in his mouth before replying.

“Father sent us to Silver Moon City in an attempt to prevent the Half-Elf Kingdom from aligning with the North Territory. But I believe it’s just about impossible because Duke St. Hilde possesses a guaranteed method to succeed!”

“Guaranteed victory?” Anna looked skeptical, “What methods can ensure that the North Territory certainly gains control of the Half-Elf Kingdom?

Even if Vera successfully marries Prince Topaz, that doesn’t necessarily mean she can control Silver Moon City, does it?

After all, Prince Topaz is the second in line for succession, and didn’t you say that the Half-Elf King is an expert at maintaining balance, and won’t arbitrarily favor any party?”

“Hehe, the Half-Elf King may be an old fox, but Duke St. Hilde is a lion.” Count Evan opened his eyes, a cold smirk appearing on his lips, “Want to know what this surefire method is?”

“What?”

“The method is—I’

Count Evan took another sip of wine, then said with an icy tone:

“Kill Vera!”

“Boom!” A flash of lightning pierced the sky outside the window, followed immediately by deafening thunder.

Anna’s eyes widened, she gaped in disbelief at her brother.

“You’re saying, if Duke St. Hilde kills his adopted daughter, he will definitely gain control of the Half-Elf Kingdom?”

“Exactly.” The bloodthirsty glint in Count Evan’s eyes grew brighter, “As long as Vera dies in Silver Moon City, then North Territory will have the excuse to send troops.

I suspect that the invincible Dark Cavalry of the North Territory are already waiting in the wings. It would probably take them only ten days to get to Silver Moon City.

Tell me, at that point, would the Half-Elf Silver Moon Guards dare to defend their city?

And our esteemed father, would he dare to send our army into the Half-Elf

Kingdom and wage a decisive battle with the Dark Cavalry on land?”

Anna was silent, unsure if she was scared by her brother’s insane idea or because she found the answer to the last two questions too hard to swallow.

If the Dark Cavalry were to charge all the way to Silver Moon City, in accordance with the “honorable traditions” of the Elf Clan, they would probably surrender without a fight.

And the Duke of the East Territory?

He probably wouldn’t dare to earnestly dispatch troops into the Half-Elf Kingdom to engage head-on with the Dark Cavalry, would he?

Don’t be fooled by the recent chaos and severe troop loss in the North Territory.

As long as that terrifying Dark Cavalry is still around, no one would dare underestimate the North Territory.

Moreover, it has been over a hundred years since the East Territory last experienced wars. Although we have substantial troop numbers, their combat effectiveness leaves something to be desired.

One cannot forge a strong army unless it has been tested by blood and fire.

If not for the geographical advantage offered by the Angry River, the troops of the North Territory would have charged in and driven out the St. Prowse Family from White Dew City a long time ago.

Anna sighed deeply and shook her head, “This is merely your conjecture, right?

Is Duke St. Hilde truly willing to sacrifice a daughter for the Half-Elf

Kingdom?”

“Adopted daughter.” Count Evan corrected, “Moreover, even if she was his biological daughter, what would there be that he couldn’t throw away?”

Anna gazed into her brother’s eyes and asked seriously, “If you were Duke St.

Hilde, would you do it?”

“Yes.” Count Evan answered without hesitation.

“I don’t believe you.” Anna shook her head, “Even though our father and eldest brother don’t like you, and feel that you’re unscrupulous, without any restraints or respect for knightly honor. But I do know that you’re not like that.”

Count Evan chuckled, “And how would you know what kind of person I am?” “By intuition.” Anna replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Count Evan was taken aback. He hung his head, a hint of warmth flickered in his eyes, but he sneered, “My dear naive sister, you’ll be deceived someday if you carry on like this.”

Anna snorted lightly, clearly dismissive of her brother’s warning, and asked again, “Is there really no way for us to stop the North Territory?”

Taking another sip of wine, Count Evan wobbled his head and said, “There is, in fact.’

Anxious, Anna immediately asked:

“What is it?”