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“Master, what you have said  seems to make some sense ”

The butler Emon carefully chose his words.

But the doubt in his eyes made it clear to Colin that it was somewhat unrealistic for these people who did not understand the basic principles of genetics to comprehend the complex relationships within the heirs of the Uman Clan.

“Emon, if you have the time, you can try planting peas. See if two short-stemmed peas can crossbreed to produce tall-stemmed peas. Then, you will understand why I can say with certainty that Walra is definitely not Count Uman’s illegitimate son.”

“Yes, Master.” Emon respectfully noted this down, truly planning to research it later.

“As for what I have just said, whether you believe it or not, bury it in your heart for the moment and don’t spread it around. The development of the situation in the North Territory will likely confirm my deductions.”

“Yes.”

Colin raised his cup again, joining his three retainers in a toast before saying, “Alright, now we can discuss the situation in the territory.”

“Yes, Master.” Emon cleared his throat and then began to report on the development of the viscount’s territory during Colin’s absence.

During the more than four months Colin had been away, the territory’s fiscal situation had somewhat recovered from the disaster caused by the previous troll invasion. However, due to the recent food crisis, things remained far from promising.

Thankfully, Colin had brought back a large amount of food from Silver Moon City this time, which should rapidly change this situation.

The “Tax Reduction to Attract Merchants” measure implemented in Ice Rock City had been very successful. More and more merchants were now using Ice Rock City as a transit point for border trade.

Given Colin’s current influence in Silver Moon City, more Half-Elf merchants would come to Ice Rock City in the future, so, Quincy’s vision of the “First Trading City of the Border” seemed to be taking shape.

Of course, this distant solution couldn’t solve the immediate problem. Currently, the Angler family’s finances were still being supported by loans from the Tulip Chamber of Commerce.

However, after taking control of the wealthy Half-Elf Kingdom, as long as Colin didn’t immediately militarize the kingdom, Queen Isa could well maintain it.

Such are the benefits of being supported by a wealthy woman!

Yes, Colin felt that it was him supporting Queen Isa, not the other way around.

After all, Colin had personally helped Isa secure her throne, and this was indeed very reasonable.

After discussing the economic situation, they moved on to military matters.

The three thousand infantry trained by Baron Raymon were now basically combat-ready, while the thousand cavalry trained by Knight Shar were not yet quite there.

They could deal with a slave rebellion, but if they were to go onto the battlefield against a regular army, they still might struggle.

However, the six thousand Dark Cavalry that Colin had brought back this time could cause a significant change in the military power of the Angler family.

Adding to that, the half-elf Silver Moon Guards that could be dispatched for support at any time, Colin had now become an important military force in the Empire’s northern region.

Especially in the current situation where great chaos is expected, Colin holds even more weight.

“Emon, send someone to Winterfell City and ask Duke St. Hilde on my behalf to allow me to marry Miss Vera.”

“Master, it would be more appropriate if you went to Winterfell City yourself for such a matter.” Emon hesitated for a moment, but still advised.

“But I can’t leave. With frequent rebellions happening in the North Territory, it is more fitting for me to stay in Ice Rock City. Besides, I personally requested the Duke once before when I was at Lion Roar Castle. Even though the Duke didn’t agree, to bring up old matters now without me being present won’t be too rude.”

Emon thought for a while, feeling that what Colin said made sense, and no longer insisted, “Alright, Master, I will arrange it.”

Colin nodded in satisfaction.

He wouldn’t personally go to Winterfell City at this time. Besides needing to station himself at Ice Rock City, he was also worried that he might be plotted against by the scheming and gloomy Duke.

Under the current situation in the North Territory, both the St. Hilde family and the St. Sean family would need to win Colin over, as long as he held his ground.

Thus, Colin felt that if Duke St. Hilde is wise, he would definitely not reject his marriage proposal this time.

“Also, send people to monitor Marquis Dawson and Count Uman’s movements and report to me at any time.” Colin thought that the most powerful cards in the hand of the St. Sean family this time must be these two.

He just didn’t know if other families had joined in.

“Yes, my lord.” Emon nodded and reminded, “My lord, I’m afraid we also need to pay attention to the movements of the Trolls.”

“Trolls?” It suddenly dawned on Colin that he had almost overlooked this mortal enemy of the North Territory.

Although the main force of the Trolls had just been annihilated by the Dark Cavalry, with the depth of this empire, it wouldn’t be impossible to grit their teeth and cobble together a hundred thousand-strong army again.

Such force also held a significant leverage in the North Territory, where civil unrest was about to arise.

And Colin had already realized that the relationship between the St. Sean family and the Trolls was surely not simple.

In the first North Territory unrest, the Trolls were the biggest reliance of the St. Sean family.

And this time, Colin remembered clearly that the St. Sean family’s most important chess piece in Silver Moon City, Cis Savoy, was introduced to him by Prince Okamoto.

Thinking this way, the situation that Duke St. Hilde was about to face was much more severe than Colin had imagined.

“Hmm, also keep an eye on the Trolls and inform me if there is any news.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Shar, you train another three thousand cavalry for me. If the instructor is short-handed, you can find Knight Logh.”

“Yes, Viscount.”

“Once Knight Lyle returns to Ice Rock City, let him also recruit five thousand infantry for training.”

Colin was now increasingly feeling a sense of urgency. In order to ensure his self-preservation and even seize the opportunity in the upcoming North Territory unrest, he must hurry to expand his army.

Butler Emon frowned and advised, “My lord, this will put great financial pressure on our family.”

“You don’t have to worry about that!” Colin waved his hand grandiosely and said, “I have reached an agreement with Queen Isa. The Half-Elf Kingdom will support our army construction, and in return, I will help the Half-Elves defend against foreign enemies.”

“That’s great!”

The three of them, Emon, obviously didn’t understand the relationship between Colin and Queen Isa. But hearing this agreement that was so beneficial to the Angler family, they immediately showed an incredulous look of joy.

This agreement was basically saying that the Half-Elf Kingdom would fund the Angler family to maintain their army!

Colin smiled gracefully and then changed the topic: “Regarding this rebellion in Ice Rock City, what do you think, is someone manipulating from behind the scenes?”

Emon immediately said, “My lord, I suspect that the Tulip Chamber of Commerce is stirring trouble from behind. Although there’s no direct evidence, they were the first to start hoarding food, causing the food prices to skyrocket, thereby causing famine.”

“Then immediately detain the person in charge of their chamber of commerce in the city!”

“My lord, would this provoke Count Uman? After all, the president of the Tulip Chamber of Commerce is his lover, Penny.”

“You don’t have to use the reason of inciting rebellion to arrest people.” Colin suddenly remembered the method the old king of Silver Moon City used to deal with the Windbell Commerce Association.

“What reason should we use then?”

“Just say we suspect them of tax evasion.”