Chapter 553: Chapter 553: 551 Empty City_1

“It looks like it’s another deserted city.”

Colin gazed at Silver Fox City in the distance and laughed.

Marquis Garcia nodded and said, “They’ve all become clever.”

The Northern Army didn’t stay in Falcon City for long. The day after Cardinal Mensai’s visit, the army set out again, continuing to head south.

However, when they arrived at the next town, they found that the local lord had already fled with his family’s army.

Of course, the local church’s clergy had also mostly fled, probably out of fear of becoming the next Bishop Denny.

It was the same for the subsequent two baronies, and it seems like it’s the same for Silver Fox City under the governance of the Wesley Family.

It’s rumored that the previous lords all responded to Emperor Reinhardt’s War Order, rallying in Dragon City in preparation to support the Westland.

That’s obviously nonsense.

According to the War Order, the deadline for assembly was set for the end of March, but it is still February now…

Moreover, in order to alleviate the pressure on the imperial treasury, Emperor Reinhardt issued a new War Order under the advice of his cabinet ministers, calling for a two-wave assembly.

Before March deadline, all the Lords only need to send half of their designated troops.

Thus, these “flee-on-any-sign-of-danger” lords, clearly did not wish to respond to the call-to-arms order, but rather to avoid coercive measures from the North, and following in the footsteps of Viscount Benson, the Lord of Falcon City.

This indicates that most lords are still unwilling to hop on the bandwagon of the North at this time.

Especially when Emperor Reinhardt’s position is ambiguous and he even vaguely shows a fear and dissatisfaction with the North.

But of course, Colin is not going to back down because of this.

The most disadvantageous thing about achieving great things is hesitation and delay.

Moreover, Colin still has Vera as his trump card and can stop this dangerous game at any time.

Of course, before forcing out a suitable bargaining chip from the church, Colin certainly does not want to easily stop this game.

“Isn’t Viscount Wesley in the city?”

Stepping through the open city gate, Colin asked the Wesley Family’s Butler who came to greet him.

“Honorable Count Angler, my master has already left to gather in Dragon City in response to His Majesty’s War Order, so he is unable to personally welcome your arrival. If you don’t mind, please let me take you to Silver Fox Castle for a short rest.”

Colin didn’t give the old Butler a hard time and nodded as he walked into the city.

These lords dare to abandon their cities and escape because they know that the Northern Army will not create major destruction upon entering.

After all, the North is trying to pressure the Church to make concessions, rather than invade the Flame Region in earnest.

If the Northern Army really behaves recklessly in these cities, it would play right into the hands of the Church.

Even the vacillating royal family would not tolerate the actions of the North, and they would probably have to declare the St. Hilde family as the common enemy of the Empire publicly.

Entering the Silver Fox Castle, Colin freshened himself up, put on some clean clothes, and was about to look around the castle when he was informed by his Attendant that Queen Midela had arrived at Silver Fox City.

So, Colin quickly returned to his room to put on his armor, and went to the city gate to greet her.

By the time he got to the city gate, he saw Marquis Garcia helping Queen Midela out of the carriage, and two smaller figures also emerged from the carriage – Prince Harrison and Princess Judy.

All the lords of the North who had come with the army had gathered at the city gate, and they all saluted and greeted the Queen when they saw her.

Colin also stood at the front of crowd, bowing his head in tribute.

With a gust of fragrant wind, Colin stood up straight and saw Queen Midela had already come forward.

“Your Highness the Queen.”

“Count Angler.” Queen Midela’s bright eyes seemed to gleam with a different light, “Harrison and Judy have been talking about you all day long, it seems you’re doing a great job as their tutor.”

Colin gave a subtle smile, “To receive Prince Harrison and Princess Judy’s affection is my honour.”

“Then I’ll need you to work harder in the future.” Queen Midela said meaningfully.

As Colin was pondering the Queen’s words, he saw Prince Harrison and Princess Judy approach and greet him:

“Teacher!”

Colin nodded to the two youngsters with a smile, patting Prince Harrison’s shoulder and ruffling Princess Judy’s hair.

Possibly because he messed up Princess Judy’s hair, he immediately drew her playful scolding.

The crowd didn’t stay at the city gate for long, quickly returning to Silver Fox Castle.

Although Viscount Wesley had fled with his army, the family’s cooks and attendants were still there. At Colin’s request, they held a grand welcome banquet.

Perhaps out of spite, Colin ordered the soldiers to bring up all the fine wine stored in the Silver Fox Castle cellar, giving the Lords of the North Territory a hearty feast of drink.

The Wesley family’s butler winced at the sight, but he didn’t dare utter a word of dissent.

After the banquet, everyone dispersed.

As Colin stepped out the door, he was stopped by a maid sent by Queen Midela:

“My Lord Count, Her Highness the Queen invites you to a tea party shortly.”

“Alright.”

Colin nodded and followed the maid to a small room next to the banquet hall.

“Count Angler, sit down, relax.” Queen Midela leaned lazily on a couch, smiling at Colin who entered the room.

“Yes, Your Highness the Queen.” Colin replied and sat down on the couch to the right of Queen Midela.

Marquis Garcia sat across from him, just silently nodding at Colin as a greeting when he entered.

With graceful steps, the maid presented flower tea and dried fruit, then quietly left.

Colin took note of the three tea cups on the table and realized that the attendance for this tea party only included the three of them.

“How did your meeting with Mensai go?” As she picked up her tea cup, Queen Midela asked.

Colin glanced at Marquis Garcia, seeing that he wasn’t going to answer, he said:

“Quite unpleasant. Mensai’s attitude was surprisingly tough, as if there was no desire for a peaceful resolution.”

“Do you know why Mensai is being so stubborn?” Queen Midela took a sip of the tea, the steam rising from the cup obscured her features.

Colin deliberated his reply: “I suspect he’s intentionally acting tough, as a means to lower our expectations and facilitate subsequent negotiations…”

“So you think there’s still something to negotiate with Mensai?” Queen Midela asked with a smile.

Upon seeing the Queen’s smiling face, Colin immediately realized that he may have missed something and quickly asked,

“Could it be that Mensai is not posturing, but truly has no interest in negotiations?”

Queen Midela put down her cup, straightened her body, her face suddenly turned serious and said,

“Exactly, you can’t get anything out of negotiations with Mensai, he’s probably one of the highest-ranking people in the Church with the most resentment towards the North Territory.”