Count Brugen was taken aback for a moment before he understood what Count Evan meant.
Regaining his composure, he spoke in disbelief, âYou mean we donât need to concern ourselves with the main force of the Blood Knight Army? Even if they might breach White Dew City?â
Count Evan, suppressing a laugh, gestured for Count Brugen to calm down and patiently explained, âNot exactly ignore them. We can send a letter to White Dew City, alerting my father about the possible arrival of the Blood Knight Army. That will be enough.
Although the Blood Knight Army is invincible in open combat, they cannot easily conquer White Dew City if we are prepared.
Therefore, I said thereâs no need to worry about the main force of the Blood Knight Army.
Our real target should be Colin Angler from Riverside City!
Heâs positioned himself as bait to distract us, but imagine if we bite and swallow this bait whole!â
After hearing Count Evanâs words, Count Brugen became excited, pacing back and forth enthusiastically in his study.
He realized that indeed, this was an excellent opportunity.
Count Brugen understood very well just how important Colin Angler was to the North Territory.
The husband of Duke St. Hilde, the protector of the North Territory, the commander of the Blood Knight Army, and not to mention, almost solely responsible for maintaining the order in the North Territory currently.
The Half-Elf Kingdom was also considered his backyard.
If this man were to become a captive of the Eastern Territory, the current crisis in the East would be immediately resolved.
Count Brugen stopped pacing, seemingly determined, turned back and looked at Count Evan with a piercing gaze, asking,
âWhat is your plan?â
Count Evan smirked confidently and said, âSince the main force of the Blood Knight Army has gone to attack White Dew City, there must not be many left by Colin Anglerâs side.
However, he must have made preparations to flee at any sign of danger, and since cavalry can move as quickly as the wind, it would be difficult to stop him if he decided to leave.
Therefore, the most important thing if we want to capture him is not to startle him, we must block all his escape routes before delivering a deadly blow to keep him in the Eastern Territory!â
Count Brugen returned to the map, looked at Riverside Cityâs position, and said with a furrowed brow, âBut Riverside Cityâs position is not deep enough, itâs only two or three days away from Alfalfa City, it is hard for the Huorong Army alone to block his escape routeâ¦â
âNo! The Huorong Army must not move carelessly!â Count Evan immediately interjected, âMy dear father-in-law, the Huorong Armyâs reputation precedes it, and itâs definitely on the Northernersâ radar. As soon as we show any signs of leaving Huorong City, Colin Angler will surely be aware that his plot has been exposed. If he decides to retreat immediately, we would not even be able to catch up.â
âThen what do you suggest we do?â
âWe should coordinate with the lords around Riverside City to discuss a time to mobilize our forces together. Only in this way can we form an airtight encirclement around Riverside City and trap Colin Angler within it!â
Count Brugenâs brow furrowed even tighter, âIt wouldnât be easy to get the neighboring lords to send troops collectively. They are not my vassalsâ¦â
âI will personally write letters to persuade them!â Count Evan immediately responded, his tone filled with determination and confidence.
Count Brugen looked deeply into Count Evanâs eyes and nodded, âAlright, then I will be waiting for your good news.â
Count Evan nodded in acknowledgment, wasted no more time, and swiftly exited the room.
Watching his leaving figure disappear outside the door, Count Brugen was left deep in thought.
âFather, do you think Count Evan will succeed?â
Suddenly, a cool and tender female voice resonated within the study.
Subsequently, a young woman emerged from behind the bookshelf, holding a book in her hands.
She was clad in a light green, waist-hugging long dress, her radiant black hair casually cascading off her shoulders. Petite with an enchanting figure, with curves beautifully symmetrical, her delicate features were a touch childish. Coupled with her fair and moist skin, she was clearly a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl.
Youthful and immature, but already possessing a blossoming aroma.
The Count Brugen did not seem particularly surprised at the girlâs arrival. With a resigned yet loving tone, he said:
âGrace, why didnât you make a sound when you were reading in here?â
Grace laughed, stretching her back, a playful look on her face: âI saw that you and Evan were engrossed in conversation, I didnât want to intrude.â
Count Brugen gave a teasing smile, âReally? Here I was thinking you couldnât resist eavesdropping on your future husband.â
A rosy glow rose on Graceâs fair face. She avoided her fatherâs intense gaze and scurried to sit on the chair behind the desk, playfully twirling a wax seal while changing the topic:
âFather, you havenât answered my question yet!â
âWhat question?â
Grace playfully rolled her eyes, and had to repeat, âI just asked you, do you think Count Evan could persuade the surrounding lords to lash out against Colin Angler?â
Count Brugen laughed, âThat depends on what promises Count Evan can make to them.â
Graceâs lively eyes darted around before she asked again, âWhat about you, Father? If Count Evan can convince the surrounding lords, would you send the Huorong Army to help him corner Colin Angler?â
This time, Count Brugen did not reply instantly. Instead, he sat down opposite his daughter and asked with a playful smile, âWhat would you do if you were in my shoes?â
âOf course I would!â The girl retorted without hesitation, âYouâve already married me off to him, the Brugen family can only rise or fall with Count Evan.â
Count Brugen laughed heartily, âWhy do I sense a lot of resentment in those words?â
Grace puffed out her cheeks, grumbled, âI warned you not to rush to pick sides when Duke St. Prowse sent the letter proposing the marriage alliance, but you wouldnât listen. Now see, thereâs no way out!â
Count Brugen became serious, âGrace, you donât understand. Sometimes, if you donât pick a side, you seem flexible but in reality, you displease everyone.
The Brugen family holds the Huorong Army, the St. Prowse family wouldnât allow us to remain ambiguous.â
Grace still remained defiant, pursing her lips, âAnyway, I think youâve made a bad move!â
Count Brugen, somewhat helpless, asked, âDonât you like Evan?â
Grace nodded, âAt first I thought he was a candid and interesting nobleman, but now it seems heâs just a cold-blooded politician with nothing but profit on his mind!â
âWhy do you say that?â
Grace huffed, âIsnât it obvious? He knows Colin Angler from the North Territory aims at White Dew City, but instead of thinking about sending help, he racks his brain to plot against Colin Angler at Riverside City.
He puts up such a grand front for his reasons, but he just wants to capture Colin to wash away the shame of his defeat at Alfalfa City.
As for the safety of White Dew City, he isnât bothered at all!
Do you really want to entrust your daughter to such a ruthless person?â
Count Brugen sighed, âEvan has no other option. If he doesnât seize this chance to prove himself, not only would his inheritance be in jeopardy, but the East Territory could also plunge into chaos again.
Our Brugen family is already involved, and we can only follow his lead to the end!
Daughter, can you understand your fatherâs predicament?â
Grace didnât answer his question. She simply picked up the sheepskin book and left the study in silence.