Chapter 43 - 43: 043 Vera’s Request_l
News about Duke’s military order spread quickly through Ice Rock City.
The city was in a state of jubilation.
Everyone believed that with Marquis Garcia at the helm, victory in the upcoming war of vengeance was almost guaranteed.
Of course, saying “almost” was quite downplayed.
After all, since the formation of the Dark Cavalry, they had never tasted defeat.
However, Colin wasn’t quite as pleased.
Furthermore, as the days passed, his worries grew deeper.
Because it seemed that Marquis Garcia had no intention to lead his troops northwards.
The private armies of the northern lords were continuously assembling in Ice Rock City, almost turning the entire city into a massive military camp.
As more and more soldiers poured into Ice Rock City, the confidence of the people grew ever higher.
In their eyes, the assembly of men and cavalry under the banner of Marquis Garcia was in response to his summons to unite and aid the Dark Cavalry in striking back at the Sky Ice Plain.
However, Colin, who was aware of the original text of the duke’s military order, wasn’t as optimistic.
Because he clearly remembered Knight Blis telling him that Duke’s command was for Marquis Garcia to lead the Dark Cavalry in pursuit of the trolls, without any instruction to assemble the private armies of various lords for a joint attack!
Could it be that Marquis Garcia falsely spread the Duke’s military order?
What was he planning with such a large assembly of troops?
Was he truly planning to invade the Sky Ice Plain?
Or…
Colin’s foreboding became more intense.
For ten consecutive days, there was no movement from the Dark Cavalry, while the private armies of various Northern Lords kept increasing.
Just as things were slipping towards the most dangerous abyss, Ice Rock City was almost on the cusp of becoming a powder keg, and Colin was planning his escape.
Then, he unexpectedly received a message from Vera.
“Miss Vera wants to see me?”
“Yes.”
Under the gaze of the maid, Colin hesitated for a long time, finally letting out a sigh: “Alright, lead the way.”
The maid led Colin through the castle of the Sudor Family, finally stopping at a
garden in the backyard of the castle.
In the garden, Colin immediately spotted Vera.
She looked much thinner than he remembered.
It seemed that she too was concerned about the current tense situation.
“Colin, you’re here!”
Under the morning sun, Vera appeared calm and tranquil.
She wasn’t dressed in noble attire today, but a simple casual outfit.
A thin white shirt on the top and a black skirt on the bottom, with a small rose embroidered on the left breast of the shirt and the corner of the skirt.
However, even such a simple outfit couldn’t hide her stunning beauty.
When Colin entered, she was attentively caring for a plant in the garden.
Seeing Colin, Vera smiled and waved at him, reminiscent of a young girl greeting her first love.
For some reason, just seeing Vera calmed Colin’s anxious heart. He walked over and bowed: “Good morning, Miss Vera.” “Good morning, Colin. Have you had breakfast?”
“Yes, I have.”
“Would you like something to drink?”
“Coffee.”
Vera signaled the maid to bring a cup of coffee.
Colin thanked her and took it, taking a light sip.
The rich bitterness turned into a gentle aftertaste after its entrance, carrying a soul-stirring fragrance.
“Not bad, right?” Vera smiled slightly upon seeing Colin’s satisfied expression,
“This is a treasure from the Sudor Family.”
“Haha, then I am indeed enjoying your privilege.”
Colin cradled his cup of coffee, crouched down beside Vera, and looked at the plant in front of her, asking, “Did you plant this flower?”
“It’s not a flower.” Vera shook her head, “It’s Twin Grass, extremely valuable to a mage. Also, I didn’t plant it. Knight Cain gave it to me.”
“Really? Knight Cain is indeed generous! ”
He gifts coffee, expensive plants. Has Cain emptied the Sudor Family’s resources to win Vera’s heart?
Regardless of the praise on the surface, Colin was already cursing inwardly Pah, a sycophant!
This kind of sycophant is a public enemy to all men, because their actions raise women’s expectations, significantly harming the interests of other men.
For instance, Colin, he was somewhat unsure of what gift to give to Vera. Something too plain wasn’t worth presenting, while something better…
seemed out of his price range.
Vera was oblivious to the guy’s mental churnings. She stared at the Twin Grass in front of her, sighed, and said leisurely:
“Do you know? This Twin Grass plant appears as one, but it is actually a pair.
From the moment of birth, the Twin Grass twines around each other, supporting each other, but the twining is so tight that they torment each other.
See that droplet of pale green juice?
That’s the juice squeezed out by their entwined branches.”
While she was speaking, the droplet of juice gradually formed and suddenly dropped.
It fell into the soil but didn’t seep in, instead, it turned into a green gem like amber.
Vera carefully picked up the green gem, explaining, “This is the crystallized juice of Twin Grass, an extremely valuable material for spellcasting. However, it is also the tears of blood they shed when tormenting each other.”
This was the first time Colin had seen such a magical plant, and he couldn’t help but take a few extra glances out of curiosity.
But then, he realized that the phrasing of Vera’s words seemed to imply something.
Duke St. Hilde and Marquis Garcia, isn’t their relationship between the two brothers just like this Twin Grass plant, mutually supporting but also opposing each other?
Vera put away the crystallized Twin Grass carefully, turned around, and said to Colin, “You should know that my father and uncle are having some discord now. So, could you persuade them?”
There is more than just some discord between your father and your uncle right now…
Colin was speechless in his mind, but he comforted her on the surface, “Don’t worry, it will be fine. But as an outsider… it’s not easy for me to intervene. Have you tried persuading them yourself?”
“Of course, I have.” Vera puffed her cheeks, seemingly somewhat angry, “But my uncle won’t listen to my persuasion at all. As for my father, I have already sent two letters to Winterfell City, but it’s like stones dropped into the sea.” Colin fell silent.
Vera seemed anxious, “Did you know? I’ve recently received news that the Golden Lion Legion has started mobilizing. It seems like they have intentions to head towards Ice Rock City!”
Colin was taken aback.
If the Golden Lion Legion, which was the Hilde Family’s main army, was also mobilized, didn’t that imply that Duke St. Hilde had taken an uncompromising stance, and was even prepared for devastating consequences?
“Colin, you can always find a way out of desperate situations. This time, please help me!”
Faced with Vera’s soft plea, Colin found himself unable to refuse.
At this moment, he finally understood what is meant by “causing trouble with charms”.
“Alright. I’ll go with you to see Marquis Garcia.”
“Thank you, Colin!”
“You shouldn’t be too happy yet, I can only do my best to persuade him, whether it can be successful…”
“Regardless of the outcome, I’ll always be grateful!”