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The winter of the North Territory is always exceptionally long. By the end of February, spiraling snow and whooping winds show no sign of reducing, with the much-anticipated spring nowhere in sight.

Ice Rock City, at the city gate.

“Colin, I’ll see you off here,” Kaitlin hugged her little brother, straightened his shirt collar and instructed, “Make sure you visit me in Fallen Eagle City when you have time!”

“Certainly, certainly.” Colin nodded with a grin, “Take care on your journey.”

Knight Walra gave a formal salute to Colin, “Don’t worry, my lord. I’ll protect Kaitlin. And, I’ll convey your words faithfully to my father!”

“Good. Make sure the Count knows of my goodwill. The friendship between the Angler family and the Uman Clan will last forever!” Colin spoke gravely.

“Yes!”

Both exchanged a knowing look and then waved their goodbyes.

After seeing off Walra and his wife, Colin returned to the castle. Before he could sit down for a rest, his butler, Emon, hurried over.

“Sir, there’s another letter from Pine Forest Town.”

Colin frowned as he took the letter and scanned it quickly, then burst into laughter, “Ha! This Baron Lomba, he really won’t let it rest!”

Pine Forest Town is located to the west of Ice Rock City and is Baron Lomba’s territory.

Baron Lomba, like others, had approached Colin to buy grain. But unlike the naive young Count Morrison, Lomba was tougher to deal with. After much haggling, which annoyed Colin, they almost parted on bad terms.

Despite eventually accepting Colin’s terms of installment delivery, he was clearly unhappy with the outcome.

As news spread of the abundance of grain in Ice Rock City, a large number of slaves flooded into Colin’s territory, providing him with ample labor force.

Conversely, the surrounding territories began to experience population outflow.

At first, it was just slaves. But as the famine deepened, coupled with soaring grain prices, even the commoners could no longer afford food.

These starving commoners began to pack up their belongings, bringing their entire families towards Ice Rock City.

Colin accepted everyone who came.

He understood the importance of population in this era, and as long as Ice Rock City had enough food, he could continue to accept more refugees.

This, however, clearly began to worry the surrounding lords.

Still, despite their worries, they didn’t dare to challenge Colin.

Afterall, the Dark Cavalry was in Ice Rock City. Even as a battered army, they were not something that the surrounding minor lords could resist.

Moreover, Colin had just defeated the renowned Pegasus Army at Silver Moon City. This accomplishment made many consider him the rising star of the Northern Territory’s military force after Marquis Garcia.

Still, there are always some fools in this world.

Like Baron Lomba of Pine Forest Town.

He had written many letters to Colin, questioning him for accepting his subjects and even demanding Colin to return all the residents of Pine Forest Town.

This attitude clearly infuriated Colin.

With a wave of his hand, Colin tore the letter into pieces and threw it into the fireplace. He then turned to Emon and ordered:

“Draft a return letter for me. Tell Baron Lomba I can’t distinguish which of the residents are from Pine Forest Town. If he wants his people back, he can come to Ice Rock City personally.”

“Yes, sir.”

Just as Emon was about to leave, Colin called him back, “Wait, has there been any news from Winterfell City?”

“Nothing. I heard that Duke St. Hilde was injured in a duel with a Holy Warrior from the Troll Empire and has been unable to receive our envoy seeking marriage ties.”

Colin sneered, clearly not buying the Duke’s excuse.

At that moment, he realized that Baron Lomba of Pine Forest Town might be a good opportunity to test Duke St. Hilde

Thinking of this, a cold chill gleamed in Colin’s eyes, and he immediately said to Emon, “Let me personally write the reply for Baron Lomba.”

After that, he sat down at the desk, picked up the goose feather pen, and quickly wrote a letter.

Emon, who knew Colin’s temperament very well, had more or less guessed what would be in the reply letter wouldn’t please the Baron Lomba

Colin had already sealed the letter and handed it to Emon, “Mail it to the town of Pine Forest.”

“Yes, sir,” replied Emon.

Five days later, Baron Lomba himself arrived at Ice Rock City.

He also brought more than a thousand soldiers, their intimidating appearance amused Knight Logh who was patrolling the city wall.

“With such few people, who are they trying to scare?” Knight Logh laughed at Lancaster as he gave the order to open the city gates and welcome Baron Lomba.

Baron Lomba was a sturdily built middle-aged man with a rugged face. His sideburns merged with his hair, making him resemble an agitated gorilla.

“Where is Viscount Angler?” Baron Lomba’s voice was quite authoritative, as soon as he spoke, he shook off the accumulated snow on the city gate.

Knight Logh paid a token courtesy and replied with a smile: “Baron sir, our viscount waits for you at the Red Castle.”

Baron Lomba’s face darkened, clearly upset that Colin had not met him at the city gate.

However, Colin’s rank was higher than his after all, so Baron Lomba couldn’t accuse Colin of being rude.

Of course, Baron Lomba was not afraid of Colin either.

After all, he was not Colin’s vassal, and while there was a gap in their nobility, there was no subordination.

Following Knight Logh to Red Castle, lo and behold, Colin was already waiting by the castle gate.

Baron Lomba’s grimace softened just a bit, but he still had a frosty demeanor.

Colin didn’t seem to mind the other’s indifference and greeted Baron Lomba with a broad smile. He even cozily grabbed his arm and walked him towards the castle.

Baron Lomba felt somewhat disdainful inside. He had never esteemed Viscount Colin, who he felt was quickly rising in the ranks for no apparent reason. He thought that Colin was only a flatterer who managed to share in the glories during the journey with Marquis Garcia to the Sky Ice Plain, thereby raising his nobility.

Now with the conflict over population, the Lomba had grown further dislikable to view Colin.

This time to Ice Rock City, he was determined to take back all his subjects from Pine Forest Town.

Otherwise, there may not be enough people who could help him to farm in the upcoming spring.

As Baron Lomba pondered over what to say, he abruptly realized that there was someone rapidly approaching from behind.

He turned back in surprise only to see a knight in armour wearing a horse face mask sprinting towards him, a longsword in hand exuding a bone-chilling light!

“Assassin!” Baron Lomba cried out, but as he prepared to draw his sword, he was horrified to find his right arm being firmly grasped by Colin, rendering him immobile.

Baron Lomba’s face turned white with fear. He instantly realized it was a trap: “Angler ”

Before he could finish his sentence, the figure in the horse mask reached him.

A flash of the sword, Baron Lomba’s head was instantly severed from his body, which still stood upright, his neck spurting blood like a fountain.

The assassin taking the Lomba family by surprise, left them stunned. They never expected their lord to be assassinated right at the door of the Red Castle!

Only when Colin’s sharp voice rang out, “Catch him, don’t let the assassin escape!” did they come to their senses and chase after the assassin, who had already fled deep into the distance.

Knight Logh watched this scene dumbfoundedly, seeming to understand something, he cautiously asked, “Sir, do we join the chase?”

Colin then let go of Baron Lomba’s right arm, carefully sidestepping the blood gushing from his severed neck, he ordered righteously:

“Of course, we chase! Baron Lomba died in Ice Rock City, we have the duty to capture this assassin!”