Chapter 580: Chapter 580: 578 Request for help_1

Lion Roar Castle, study room.

The young maid quietly brought in two cups of coffee, placed a plate of desserts and a plate of fresh fruit on the desk, and then quickly bowed and retreated.

Colin stirred his coffee with a silver spoon, his gaze fixated on an oil painting hanging on the left side of the fireplace.

He didn’t remember seeing this painting before.

The subject of the painting was a knight in full vigor, holding a blood-dripping long sword, standing over the corpse of a white wolf.

The knight’s figure was fully armored, obscuring his face, but the badge on his chest plate was a roaring bear’s head.

Moreover, the style of that armor was strikingly similar to what Colin commonly wore.

Obviously, the knight in the painting was supposed to be Colin.

And the white wolf was an incarnation of the God of War worshipped by the Troll Clan.

Therefore, the symbolic message of the painting was quite interesting.

What’s more interesting was the fact that Vera chose to hang this provocative painting in the study room during the visit of the Troll Emperor to Lion Roar Castle…

However, Colin quickly grew suspicious — given Vera’s gentle nature, she wouldn’t do such a thing.

If it wasn’t Vera, then who hung it up?

Could it be someone trying to stir up conflict between the North Territory and the Trolls?

…

As Colin was lost in thought, Okamoto must have noticed Colin’s gaze and asked with a smile:

“Count Angler, do you like this painting?”

Colin took a sip of his coffee, and took this opportunity to carefully observe Okamoto’s expression. He found no anomalies and replied lightly:

“I come from a humble background and don’t quite understand art appreciation.”

Okamoto slightly smiled, and said:

“Count Angler, you are too modest. Actually, this painting is my visiting gift to Duke St. Hilde. I wonder if it suits your taste?”

Colin was stunned.

Looking at the Emperor Troll with a servile smile on his face, the words “shameless” were stuck in Colin’s throat, narrowly avoiding being spit out.

Through their previous encounters, Colin had already experienced the Troll Emperor’s “flexibility,” but only now did he realize that he had underestimated the other’s audacity.

It wasn’t enough to give a prince hostage, he even handed over such a handle to the St. Hilde family.

With such a humble attitude, Colin felt that even if he wanted to send troops to Sky Ice Plain, he couldn’t find a valid reason.

Given the identity of the Troll Emperor, if news of a painting blaspheming the divine beings were to leak back to the Troll Empire, the furious Trolls might tear Okamoto apart.

“Ahem.” Colin put his coffee down and said pretentiously, “This painting is not bad. Although I don’t know much about art, I can tell this must be a masterpiece passed down through the ages. Otherwise, with Vera’s taste, she wouldn’t hang it in this particular spot.”

“I’m glad you like it.” Okamoto chuckled and then immediately changed the topic, saying, “Lord Count, the main reason for my visit to Winterfell City this time is actually to seek your assistance.”

Colin’s expression stiffened, aware that the real purpose was about to be revealed.

“What do you need?”

Okamoto’s expression became especially solemn as he said:

“Count Angler, I want to ask you to help me kill someone!”

“Who?”

“The White Wolf Witch King, Squein!”

The so-called White Wolf Witch King was somewhat equivalent to the Pope of the Glorious Church, the religious leader of the Troll Empire.

Surprised, Colin asked, “Why do you want to kill Squein?”

Okamoto gave a bitter smile and said, “Lord Count, I think you can understand my motive best, especially since you almost led your army up the Holy Mountain before.”

“What did he do?”

“He wants to assassinate Okamoto!” Colin said through gritted teeth.

Colin nodded, hardly surprised by this.

As a religious leader in the Troll Empire, it would be understandable for him to be unable to tolerate the first heir to the Empire being a Half-Troll.

Colin stroked his chin and asked, “Do you not fear divine punishment for plotting against a White Wolf Witch King, Your Majesty Okamoto?”

“Divine punishment?” Okamoto said, chuckling dismissively. “My Lord Count, do you know? The God of War has not absorbed the power of faith from the Troll Clan for over a thousand years. I suspect that the divine beings no longer direct their gaze onto this world.”

At this, Colin’s gaze flickered.

The God of War, whom the Trolls worship, much like the Lord of Glory worshipped by humans, was also missing.

Reason?

What had happened to these deities?

What about the gods worshipped by the other races?

Had they all gone missing too?

…

Seemingly guessing Colin’s thoughts, Okamoto asked, “My Lord Count, if I’m not mistaken, the Lord of Glory has also stopped absorbing the power of faith from humans, hasn’t he?”

Colin hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded.

A thin smile appeared on Okamoto’s face as if he expected this, and he continued:

“My Lord Count, I suspect that it’s the same for the God of Destruction worshipped by the Orcs and the Goddess of Fate worshipped by the Elves.”

This would explain why the Orc clans have been fractured for so long, continually warring against each other, and rarely unified.”

And why the Elves, faced with the collapse of their faith, have chosen to seclude themselves in the Bright Moon Forest.”

It is clear from this that there are no more divine signs in this world!

“Then why should we still fear these high-ranking clerics, allowing them to dictate terms to us in the name of divinity?”

Looking at the flushed and agitated Okamoto, Colin finally understood why the other party had sent such a blasphemous oil painting.

It was initially believed to be a token of trust for the North Territory, but now it seemed more like a declaration of war.

A declaration of war against the White Wolf Church!

Having just had a row with the Glorious Church and still nursing resentment about it, Okamoto’s timing was perfect, providing an outlet for Colin’s anger.

However, Colin didn’t commit straight away and instead asked coolly:

“Your Majesty Okamoto, why should I help you?”

Okamoto immediately revealed an earnest smile, saying, “My Lord Count, the Volkin Family is willing to pay 1.5 million gold coins as your remuneration.

“In addition, the Troll Empire will continue to provide the North Territory with 300,000 young slaves as free labour over the next three years!”

After pondering for a moment, Colin added, “I also want to ensure that the Troll Empire abolishes customs duties on North Territory merchants, and that the Glorious Church is allowed to preach freely on the Sky Ice Plain.”

Okamoto gave Colin a puzzled glance, asking, “My Lord Count, I don’t really mind the Glorious Church preaching in the Ice Plain, but are you sure that is what you want?”

“Certainly,” Colin confirmed, nodding.

He was well aware that this would enhance the power of the Glorious Church, but it was the ideal method for assimilating another race through religion.

However, such religious assimilation would take time and would also face fierce retaliation from those against the new religion.

The Glorious Church, if it wanted to spread the gospel of the Lord of Glory throughout the Sky Ice Plain, would need strong support from the North Territory.

This would provide Colin with an opportunity to infiltrate the Glorious Church.

Colin was confident that he would be able to fully suppress the Glorious Church in this process and make them a supplementary tool to help human nobles strengthen their rule, rather than the supreme overlords.

Seeing Colin’s determination, Okamoto pondered briefly before finally agreeing.

“Fine!”