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The next morning, as Colin walked into the restaurant with Vera, he found that Duke St. Hilde was already having breakfast.

Next to him was Scholar Doan.

“Your Grace!”

“Father!”

“Hmm, sit.”

The two took their seats as told, and the half-elf maid Kathy immediately served a breakfast that had already been prepared.

Charcoal-grilled steak, fried eggs, chickpeas, cream strawberries, as well as milk and spirits.

No one spoke during the entire meal, the only sound being the clinking of cutlery and plates.

After breakfast, Duke St. Hilde spoke, “Colin, you go and prepare for the wedding. Scholar Doan is here to help. Vera, walk with me.”

“Yes.” Colin gave Vera a reassuring look, then got up and left the restaurant with Scholar Doan.

Vera looked down at the silver candlestick on the table, without a word.

An awkward atmosphere hung between the father and daughter.

After quite some time, it was Duke St. Hilde who broke the silence.

“I heard Charles fell in the battle of the expedition to the Troll Empire?”

“Yes.” Vera nodded, sadness filling her eyes.

Duke St. Hilde was silent for a moment before opening his mouth expressionlessly, “Where is he buried now?”

“He is buried in the public cemetery of the Angler family’s army.”

“Take me there.”

“Alright.”

Vera then got up and led Duke St. Hilde outside.

The public cemetery was not far behind the Red Castle. The people of this world didn’t have too many taboos about graveyards, even thinking they were the closest place to heaven where they could feel the breath of the Lord of Glory.

Therefore, the surrounding area of the graveyard was not remote, nor did it give off a sense of terror.

Charles was buried in the most conspicuous position in the first row of the cemetery. His full name was inscribed on the tombstone, as well as a sentence written by Colin himself

“Here rests a St. Hilde, he lived for the North Territory and died for the North Territory.”

Duke St. Hilde stared down at Charles’ tombstone, in silence for a long while.

A breeze stirred a few fluttering petals, which danced like butterflies, sweeping past Charles’ tomb.

The mourning father and daughter did not know that buried in the tomb was actually an empty coffin.

After a good while, Duke St. Hilde finally lifted his head, looking at Vera by his side.

He had surely felt Vera’s aloofness towards him for some time now, and he had a good guess where this estrangement came from.

“You resent me,” Duke St. Hilde said plainly, using a declarative sentence.

Vera, still immersed in the sorrow of losing her brother, sniffed at his words but did not respond.

“Is it because I arranged for your marriage to Silver Moon City?”

Vera shook her head, and after a moment of silence, she finally asked, “Was the Savoy family’s assassination attempt on me in Silver Moon City orchestrated by you?”

“No.” Duke St. Hilde said emphatically, “It was a conspiracy of the St. Sean family.”

However, Duke St. Hilde continued, “But the Savoy family had secretly contacted me, so I knew about this conspiracy.”

Vera’s eyes widened, she was either astonished by Duke St. Hilde’s sincerity or relieved that her inner doubts were finally answered.

“So you didn’t stop it?” For a moment, she seemed reluctant to face this real answer. Perhaps, she would have preferred a lie from the Duke’s mouth.

“No.” The proud Duke seemed unwilling to lie to his daughter, “Because, I too needed you to die in Silver Moon City!”

Two streams of clear tears slid down from Vera’s eyes. The girl’s face turned extremely pale, her lips quivered, but she couldn’t utter a word.

Duke St. Hilde continued expressionlessly, “Don’t resent me, it’s our destiny as the St. Hilde family.”

He pointed at Charles’s tombstone, his voice grave, “Born for the North Territory and dying for it too, that’s the duty and obligation ingrained in our bloodline, from which you cannot escape.”

But Vera shook her head while crying, “No, it shouldn’t be this way.”

“How could it not be?” Duke St. Hilde looked serious, “You are enjoying the offerings of the people of the North Territory, living a life of luxury, and inheriting the glory brought by the sacrifices of previous generations of St. Hilde. You are the center of attention all the time. Do you think all these privileges come without a price?”

“I am willing to fulfill the obligations of a St. Hilde, but this doesn’t mean that you can use me as a tool, as a tool to maintain your rule over the North Territory!”

“Rule the North Territory?” Duke St. Hilde chuckled, “Vera, the mission of the St. Hilde family is to protect the North Territory, not to rule it!”

Before Vera could respond, Duke St. Hilde undid his shirt.

A grotesque wound stretched from his left shoulder to his right hip. One could clearly see his internal organs twitching and his golden blood through the unhealed wound.

The area around the wound was marked with various cross symbols, but even this holy power could barely prevent the wound from worsening.

“Do you see it? This is the price I paid.” Duke St. Hilde’s face was solemn, “Five years ago, when the Troll Emperor Murdoch challenged me to a duel, did I retreat? Last year, when Prince Otto the Holy Warrior invaded Winterfell City, did I hide?

I am ready to lay down my life to protect the North Territory at any moment!

You, Charles, Garcia  all St. Hilde members are the same!”

Perhaps frightened by the horrifying sight, Vera opened her mouth wide, remaining speechless for a moment.

After Duke St. Hilde buttoned up his shirt, she slowly shook her head and said firmly, “I don’t deny your sacrifices for the North Territory, but what you have done cannot and will never receive my forgiveness.”

“I don’t need your forgiveness.” Duke St. Hilde said coldly, “Perhaps to you, the title of Lord of the North Territory represents ultimate power and glory, but unless you assume this position yourself, you will never understand the burdens it carries.

I of course hope that all of you could live your lives in peace and happiness. Unfortunately, being born into the St. Hilde family, you must be prepared to dedicate everything you have to the cause, including your life.”

Vera gently wiped away her tears, seemingly having regained her composure.

However, the indifference in her eyes was now even more intense, “When you sacrifice your life for the North Territory, that’s devotion. But when you use authority or conspiracy to force others to do the same, that’s sacrificing them!

No reasons can justify your actions to me anymore.

This is the last time I sincerely call you    father.

I have neither the right nor the ability to judge you.

But the all-powerful Lord of Glory will, in time, provide a just judgment for your actions!”

After saying this, Vera drifted away, seeming unwilling to stay near her father for one second longer.

Duke St. Hilde stood alone in front of Charles’s tomb for a long time, and finally, with a sigh, he said:

“Do you also resent me like this?”

No reply could be expected to this rhetorical question. Only the gentle breeze stroked his face, carrying his whispered words to an unknown place.