Winter three years ago.
It was a snowy night.
Marquis García hurried back to Winter Castle.
Along the way to Lion's Roar Castle, the Marquis didn't even change his clothes and went straight to the Duke's study.
"Knock knock."
"Come in."
Marquis García pushed open the door and entered. There was only the Duke Of St. Hilde in the study.
"It must have been hard on you. Have a seat and have a cup of ale to warm yourself up. "
Marquis García took the cup of ale handed by his brother and drank it in one gulp.
The wind and frost of the journey were completely expelled from his body.
"Why did you call me back in such a hurry?"
"What's the situation at the front line?"
"It's the same as before. Gombic is scared of me and is hiding in the castle, not daring to come out for field battles."
"Hehe, that old tortoise!"
Marquis García poured himself another cup of ale and sipped it while waiting for his brother to continue.
He was clear that the Duke didn't call him back in such a hurry just to ask him a few questions.
"Someone suggested to me a plan that can help you lure Gombik out of the turtle shell."
"Oh? Tell me about it! "Marquis García was immediately interested.
"First, you have to withdraw from the front line."
"I'm afraid that's not enough."
"Yes, your Black Cavalry should also withdraw."
"Then who will be responsible for the defense of the front line?"
"Charles."
Hearing this, Marquis García suddenly frowned. He hesitated for a long time and said in a deliberative tone: "Charles … I'm afraid he still lacks experience."
"Hehe, if I don't send a brat to the front line, how can I lure Gombic out of his shell?"
"But war isn't a child's play. If you do this, it's very likely that you'll overreach yourself and bring about a crushing defeat to the Northern Frontier! "
"There's always a price to pay for success!" The Duke Of St. Hilde's eyes were unusually firm. "This time, I'm prepared to bury an army!"
"What?" Marquis García was inexplicably horrified, almost thinking that his brother had gone crazy.
But the Duke Of St. Hilde's serious expression didn't seem to be joking at all.
"Let me ask you, if Black Cavalry were to encounter Gombic's troll army in the wild without any preparation, how confident are you in winning?"
"If Cambuque is not prepared, and if there are no castles nearby that we can hide in, then I have full confidence!" Marquis García's tone revealed a strong confidence.
"Good! Then let's finish it in one fell swoop! " The Duke Of St. Hilde slapped the table hard and declared resolutely, "I've had enough of those haunting trolls. I'm going to completely cut off their claws that extend into the Northern Frontier!
So, you come down and take Charles's place.
Let him lose this round and let Gombik have a good taste of victory.
After the trolls have wantonly plundered the Northern Frontier, they will naturally return to the troll capital with their wealth and glory.
At that time, you can lead the Black Cavalry to chase after them and catch them off guard! "
Marquis García was still frowning, "Even if you're willing to bury an army and let the trolls loot the northern cities, how can you guarantee that the trolls will be unprepared when they retreat?"
"This requires us to put on a show."
"How?"
"If I transfer you away from the frontlines, in the eyes of others, they will definitely think that I'm starting to fear you. So, you can also show some dissatisfaction with me at the right time.
In addition, the army that Charles will bury will have a large number of private armies. This will definitely arouse the dissatisfaction of the various families in the Northern Frontier. When the time comes, someone will instigate it, and it will easily create a situation where you try to gather the dissatisfied lords to fight against me.
At this time, the trolls will definitely think that we can't take care of ourselves and won't be on guard … "
"Have you forgotten an important problem?" Marquis García suddenly interrupted.
"What problem?"
"Will I really be dissatisfied with you?" Marquis García's eyes flickered, "If Charles really loses at the frontlines and buries an army in the Northern Frontier. At that time, won't my Black Cavalry be even more unstoppable? "
"You know, when Talos Oman suggested this plan to me, I also considered the possibility that you might pull it off." Sanhild suddenly smiled. "You know, when Talos Oman suggested this plan to me, I also considered the possibility of you pulling it off."
"This is Count Oman's plan? Alright, then what do you think? Will I turn the act into reality? "
The Duke Of St. Hilde did not directly answer this question. Instead, he continued, "At that time, I was thinking that if Talos did not think that you might turn the act into reality, it would be fine.
But if he thought of it, but deliberately left it out …
Then, either he is extremely confident in our relationship and feels that we won't turn against each other, or he is harboring evil intentions and pretending to deal with the trolls, but in reality, he wants to cause internal strife in the Northern Frontier! "
Marquis García was stunned for a moment, then lowered his head to look at the wine cup in his hand, as if pondering Count Oman's true intentions.
But the Duke Of St. Hilde did not give his brother more time to think, and directly said his thoughts.
"No matter what Talos Oman's true intentions are, I know that you will not betray me."
"You are that confident?" Marquis García's expression was cold, "When I have the power to influence the situation on the Northern Frontier, how can you be sure that I will not be tempted?"
"Of course you will be tempted. But betrayal only means that the price of loyalty is not enough. So, I will increase the price of your loyalty! "
"Increase what price?"
"After Charles is defeated, he will be stripped of his marquis title."
"That's it?"
"Of course not." The Duke Of St. Hilde smiled and continued, "Vera will inherit the title of marquis!"
Marquis García's eyes narrowed.
He was finally moved.
But immediately, he felt deeply puzzled, "In order to eliminate the threat of the trolls, you are willing to pay such a huge price?"
"No. The trolls are not the only threat. "The Duke Of St. Hilde shook his head with a serious expression.
"Who else?"
"Do you know where the biggest threat on the Northern Frontier comes from?"
"Is it not the trolls?"
The Duke Of St. Hilde shook his head again and said in a deep voice,
"External threats will only make us stronger and more united, but they will not destroy us.
Only internal threats can really corrode the foundation of the House of Saint Hilde's rule! "
Marquis García was stunned for a moment before he realized what his brother was talking about, "You mean the lords of the Northern Frontier?"
"Yes!" The Duke Of St. Hilde gritted his teeth and said, "Do you know how many territories the House of Saint Hilde has under its name?
Do you know how many years the family has been unable to make ends meet?
Do you know why I have been unwilling to ban the trade with the trolls?
Do you think I don't know that this trade is actually helping the enemy?
But what can I do?
The family needs these profits!
It may seem that the entire Northern Frontier belongs to me, but I am hesitant to even confer a title to a small baron!
And you!
My good brother!
Of course, it is a good thing that you have blocked the trolls from the Northern Frontier.
However, this has also completely blocked the replacement of the lords of the Northern Frontier!
If the trolls cannot invade, no one will be deprived of their title because of losing their territory. Therefore, there are more and more nobles in the Northern Frontier, but the land under the family's name is getting smaller and smaller!
You always complain that I am not willing to reward your meritorious subordinates, but why don't you think about it? What can I do?
Why don't I give you the title of Duke?
You take care of the Northern Frontier! "
Marquis García looked at his angry brother and did not know what to say for a moment.
In the silence, the Duke Of St. Hilde's face flashed an abnormal dark red, which was caught by Marquis García, "Brother, your injury …"
"I won't die for the time being!" The Duke Of St. Hilde gasped for breath, "But I won't be able to live for long."
Marquis García's expression was gloomy.
"Brother, help me this one time!
I will bear all the costs, all the infamy!
As long as you are willing to help me, the House of Saint Hilde will definitely rise from the ashes!
And this Northern Frontier, which is about to be renewed, will also be handed over to your biological daughter! "
Marquis García did not speak.
The Duke Of St. Hilde still stared at his brother's eyes, as if he would not give up until he agreed.
The room fell into a long silence.
Only the crackling of the firewood could be heard from the fireplace.
After an unknown period of time, Marquis García finally let out a long sigh.
"Alright, I will help you."