Chapter 560: Chapter 560: 558 Persuasion_1

“…the situation is generally as I’ve described.”

In the room now devastated from the recent fight, Colin explained to Marquis Garcia and Queen Midela the agreement he had reached with Duke St. Gregorian.

“I believe this is currently the best solution!” Queen Midela declared immediately.

She had been against the idea of forcing Gregory to abdicate from the very beginning, believing it would trigger a massive disaster. Hence she decisively left Dragon City, choosing to evade what seemed to be an inevitable storm.

Now, Duke St. Gregorian’s early intervention had brought about a turning point in the predicament.

However, clearly Marquis Garcia was not satisfied with these terms. His face remained cold, and he was silent.

As Vera’s father, Marquis Garcia’s determination to avenge his daughter was more resolute than anyone else’s.

“Garcia!” said Queen Midela, speaking up again, seeing this, “We are only sparing Gregory temporarily. Duke St. Gregorian has promised, as long as we defeat the Orc Empire and resolve this most pressing crisis, she is willing to join forces with us and bring Gregory to justice!

So, for the sake of the entire Empire, can’t you endure for a little while longer?”

Marquis Garcia finally lifted his head, looking at his sister, he said, “If I say I can’t, will you think I’m being irrational?”

Queen Midela initially wanted to shy away from the question, but after a moment of deliberation, she honestly replied:

“Garcia, you are indeed irrational in this matter. You must know, the crux of politics lies in compromise…”

“I must confess, I’m not very well-versed in politics.” Marquis Garcia calmly interjected, “But my years on the battlefield have taught me a basic truth – opportunities for victory are often fleeting. Once missed, we may entirely lose our chance to defeat the enemy.”

Queen Midela tried to argue, “The political arena and the battlefield are not the same…”

“How different could they be?” Marquis Garcia retorted resolutely, “Can you guarantee Duke St. Gregorian will keep her promise in the future?

Even if she were willing to keep her promise, how can you know she won’t die in this war?

Even if she doesn’t die and is still willing to honor her promise, the Westland will definitely be devastated after this war, will she have any spare strength to help us then?

The Eastland currently stands on our side, but what about after this war?

The Lords’ power will inevitably be heavily hit during this war, but the Church wouldn’t suffer as much damage, and Gregory can even take this opportunity to expand the Church’s influence when the Lords are distracted.

By then, the Empire’s situation will have changed completely, are you sure we can successfully hold Gregory accountable?

Moreover, if we achieve a reconciliation with the Church now, we will no longer have this excuse to confront Gregory in the future.

If we miss this golden opportunity, perhaps we will forever lose the best chance to defeat Gregory.

I indeed don’t understand politics, but I do know that wasting an opportunity on the battlefield equates to handing over the chance for victory, as the enemy does not simply wait for you to find another opportunity. They are also constantly looking for your weaknesses, and when they find them, they will not show mercy!”

Queen Midela opened her mouth, but for a moment didn’t know how to refute Marquis Garcia.

Seeing this, Colin sighed to himself.

He knew the only thing that could make Marquis Garcia change his heart at this point was the news that Vera had already awakened.

So, Colin had to say:

“Your Highness, the Queen, Marquis, there is a piece of news that I have been concealing from you…”

“What?”

Colin touched the tip of his nose, confessing frankly, “Duke St. Hilde has actually already awakened…”

“What?!”

Both Marquis Garcia and Queen Midela cried out in surprise at the same time, their gazes fixed intensely on Colin, seeking to confirm that he wasn’t joking.

Colin chuckled a bit guiltily, explaining, “Of course, I didn’t mean to hide this from you. However, when Duke St. Hilde awakened, we had already declared war on Gregory. If this news was made public at that time, wouldn’t the morale we’d just raised in the North Territory completely deflate?

We would then no longer have the reason to unite the lords and citizens of the North, let alone forcing the Church to compromise.

So, after considering all aspects, I decided to conceal this news.

I am extremely sorry for the trouble this may have caused you…”

After saying that, Colin immediately bowed deeply. Even with his head lowered, he could feel Marquis Garcia’s intense gaze burning into the back of his head, as if he was trying to sear a hole through it…

Queen Midela giggled, “Count Angler, you have really played this game well!”

“Ah, it’s nothing…” said Colin, grinning awkwardly, “This is just a precautionary measure to square off the situation if it ever really gets out of control. Now that the Orc Empire has officially committed troops, it’s not quite appropriate for us to continue tangling with the Church.

Moreover, with the mediation of Duke St. Gregorian, I think we should shift to a more peaceful strategy…”

“Indeed.” Queen Midela seemed to have shaken off her previous melancholy, her whole demeanor becoming more spirited, “Garcia, since Vera is alright, there’s no need for you to rush into a revenge against Gregory, right?”

Marquis Garcia threw a glance at Colin without responding to Queen Midela’s question, but his previously flared aura had significantly receded, indicating his silent agreement through this newfound calmness.

Colin exhaled quietly, assuring, “Don’t worry, Marquis. We were forced by circumstances to let Gregory off the hook this time. But, rest assured that we will settle this score with him in the future.”

Queen Midela, hand propped against her cheek, chimed in, “However, I think Garcia, your point just now does make sense. Even if we let Gregory off this time, we can’t allow him to seize the opportunity to expand the power of the Church, and even deliberately sabotage during the impending Orc war.”

After some thought, Colin proposed, “We can involve the Church in this war, such as the Holy Temple Knights. We can ask this Church-controlled regiment to accompany the Empire’s Army to support the Westland.”

Queen Midela furrowed her eyebrows, expressing some concerns, “It’s a good idea to get the Church involved, but the problem is whether Gregory, who has been greatly offended by the North this time, would let the Holy Temple Knights engage in any irrational actions out of exasperation at a critical moment?”

Colin flashed a wry smile, revealing his eight gleaming white teeth, and assured, “Don’t worry, as long as the Holy Temple Knights march to war, I have a way to handle them!”

Looking at the overwhelmingly confident Colin, Queen Midela replied with a smile, “Alright, you’re the expert on battlefield matters, so let’s proceed this way. The two conditions you previously asked Duke St. Gregorian to pass on, the independence of the Diocese in the North should not pose a problem. Even if Gregory is reluctant, he will probably have to lick it up.

However, the matter of him publicly apologizing seems a bit difficult as it would, after all, cause a devastating impact on his personal authority, and even on the Church’s prestige.

Therefore, during the formal negotiations, we can change this condition to deploying the Holy Temple Knights, something that Gregory should presumably not oppose.”

“Alright.” Colin nodded, then he suddenly realized something, “Your Highness, it seems like you’re not planning to return to Winterfell City, are you?”

“I’m not.” Queen Midela gave Colin a flirtatious glance, “Since Vera has awakened, there is no need for me to look after her.”

Colin responded with a warm smile, secretly musing to himself—

You just think that the danger has been averted, so you’re reluctant to leave the political center of the Empire, aren’t you?