Chapter 559: Chapter 559: 557 Union_1

Colin thought he had heard wrong.

Only when Duke St. Gregorian let go of Anna and returned to sit at the long table did he realize that the other party truly had no intention of fighting anymore.

Thud, thud, thud!

The sound of knocking suddenly rang out, accompanied by an anxious voice from outside:

“Count, are you alright?”

Obviously, previous noises had alarmed the guards outside.

Colin immediately shouted in response, “I’m fine, just receiving a visiting friend. You all can retreat.”

“Yes, sir!”

Only when the footsteps outside retreated, did Colin approach the table and sit down opposite to Duke St. Gregorian.

The holy knight, who was just shouting and wanting to kill, had now restrained her aura. In the blink of an eye, she transformed from a powerful woman warrior to a beautiful noble lady.

This drastic change left Colin momentarily disoriented.

Yet, he recognized that the change in Duke St. Gregorian’s demeanor occurred only after she discovered the real identity of Anna St. Prowse.

This made Colin speculate wildly — did Anna have some special relationship with Duke St. Gregorian?

Could Anna actually be Duke St. Gregorian’s illegitimate daughter?

But such conjecture felt absurd. If that were true, then wouldn’t Duke St. Gregorian want to seek revenge for her old lover, Duke St. Prowse?

Moreover, Duke St. Gregorian was still unmarried, without any heirs. If Anna were her daughter, how could she allow her to remain in Eastland? She would surely bring her back and establish her as the heiress of Westland.

Just as Colin was lost in his thoughts, Duke St. Gregorian spoke:

“Count Angler, I have brought the information about the formal dispatch of the Orc Empire. I believe you understand that the Empire can’t afford to fall into civil unrest at this time. Therefore, reconciliation with the Church is the only way!”

Colin collected his thoughts and nodded, “I am also inclined towards reconciliation with the Church, but I will never forgive Gregory’s actions. Therefore, unless the Church agrees to the two conditions we have laid out, there is nothing to talk about!”

Duke St. Gregorian quietly looked at Colin for a while. Unlike before, she didn’t get angry due to Colin’s stubbornness. Instead, she fell into deep thought, considering whether the Church might accept Colin’s conditions.

A moment later, she spoke again:

“Count Angler, I truly sympathize with Duke St. Hilde’s situation. If possible, I would also like to purge the blasphemers from the Church and restore our Lord’s glory.

However, both you and I understand that this is impossible.

At least, it’s not a goal that can be achieved in a short time.”

Rash actions without considering the consequences will only worsen the situation in the Empire.”

Colin could sense the sincerity in Duke St. Gregorian’s tone. Although he did not know why she had made such a drastic change in attitude, he was willing to continue such a conversation.

“Your Grace, please understand my position, understand the rage of the Northerners. If we let the Church get away with it easily without paying the deserved price, they will only become more rampant in the future! I also cannot explain it to the citizens of the North.”

“I certainly do not want the Church to get away easily.” Duke St. Gregorian carefully replied, “However, the conditions you propose are indeed too harsh. Especially the demand for Gregory to abdicate… This will only provoke Gregory’s desperate counterattack.

Believe me, a desperate counter attack by a Pope would certainly plunge the Glorious Empire into extreme turmoil.

If it were in any other time, it would be manageable, but now, it is a consequence that no one can withstand!”

In fact, a previous warning from Queen Midela had already made Colin realize that it was probably impossible to force Gregory to abdicate at this time.

However, Colin wouldn’t easily yield to Duke St. Gregorian. He wanted the Duke to exert pressure on the Church, and perhaps squeeze out more concessions. Therefore, he insisted:

“Your Grace, I certainly don’t want the stability of the Empire to collapse, but these two conditions are the bottom line for the North Territory. Even if I want to agree with you, the Northerners may not. Therefore, I suggest you try the Church. Perhaps …”

“Gregory won’t agree to your conditions …”

“I didn’t mention Gregory,” Colin hinted.

Duke St. Gregorian quickly understood Colin’s intention. He was inciting her to provoke internal strife within the Church. But after a moment of consideration, she frowned again and shook her head:

“No, any attempt to force Gregory to abdicate will inevitably cause civil unrest. This risk is too great, and the current situation of the Empire is unbearable.”

She earnestly looked into Colin’s eyes, and sincerely continued: “I can help negotiate the independence of the Northland Diocese, but Gregory’s abdication … this is absolutely impossible. Not under the current situation, at least.n

If you believe in me, I can solemnly promise you that after defeating the Orc Empire, I can join hands with the North Territory to deal with Gregory!”

Colin was visibly moved by Duke St. Gregorian’s proposition.

And to tell the truth, reaching a compromise now and settling the score with Gregory after the war is the most prudent course of action. Forcing the Pope into a dead end at this juncture would indeed be reckless.

But he still feigned agonizing over the proposition for a while, as if he were in the throes of a fierce internal debate, before finally gritting his teeth and saying:

“Your Grace, your sincerity is indeed very touching. However, I still hope that Gregory should at least publicly apologize for his erroneous actions. Only then would I be able to answer to the people of the North Territory.”

“A public apology?” The beautiful sword brows of Duke St. Gregorian wrinkled again. She seemed troubled by Colin’s request and somewhat helplessly replied, “I can only promise to try my best to fight for this condition, but I can’t guarantee anything.”

“I understand.” Colin laughed and joked, “But I also hope Your Grace understands the current decision-maker in the North Territory is not me. Therefore, my previous words were merely a personal intention, not a promise from the North Territory.”

Duke St. Gregorian chuckled, “Lord Angler, do you know why I came to you instead of going to Marquis Garcia?”

“Why?”

“Because in my eyes, you are the most suitable person to take over the North Territory.” Seeing Colin frowning, Duke St. Gregorian explained further, “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to incite dissension. It is just that I know Garcia; he is brilliant in war, but somewhat immature in politics. Obstinately tough and inflexible. If he were to govern the North Territory, well…”

With that, Duke St. Gregorian got up and waved at Colin, saying:

“Well, I won’t say more on the matter, just wait for my good news. I hope in the meantime, you can persuade the lords of the Northland, especially Marquis Garcia, not to act impetuously.”

“I’ll do my best.” Colin nodded.

Duke St. Gregorian took a few steps, but then stopped next to Anna. She suddenly went up to her ear and whispered something.

Colin tried to transfer his consciousness over to Anna, eager to hear what Duke St. Gregorian had said. However, by the time he got there, the Duke was done speaking.

Although he was full of curiosity, Colin couldn’t exactly ask directly. Plus, after becoming a blood slave, Anna wouldn’t be able to share what Duke St. Gregorian had said.

Consequently, Colin could only watch as Duke St. Gregorian gracefully departed, in a state of profound confusion.