There are three, six or nine levels of people.
Nobles are no exception.
There are great nobles, minor nobles, and knights who are nobles but not quite nobles.
This banquet of the Suduo family differentiated into such distinct classes.
Marquis Garcia, Marquis Charles, and Vera, these three are the core circle at the banquet.
Countless people squeezed their heads to get in, but they only dared to step forward briefly to say hello, and did not dare to stay for a long time. Otherwise, it would be disrespectful and overestimating one's capabilities.
Outside the innermost small circle, there is a circle headed by Earl Uman.
Three earls gathered here, as well as the hosts of this banquet, the Sudor family.
Further outside, there are a group of viscounts and barons.
The last circle, and the largest one, were the knights including Colin.
In fact, strictly speaking, Colin is also qualified to go to the Baron's circle. However, he has now realized that this banquet is not as simple as it seems on the surface, and he has begun to deliberately lower his sense of presence.
Be prepared to be a good bystander.
Even though Colin seemed to be sympathetic to Marquis Charles before, if the Marquis was really in trouble, then Colin would never let himself be dragged into the water just to help him.
If it were Vera, then Colin might also consider how to be a hero to save the beauty, but that Marquis Charles who likes to hold people's hands, loves to cry and loves to perform, haha, just ask for your blessings...
The banquet was still going on, but the atmosphere seemed to have quietly changed.
The music continued, but the middle of the dance floor was already empty.
Even though he was in the outermost circle of the banquet, Colin could already feel that the atmosphere around him was starting to become solemn.
With his hearing enhanced at night, Colin eavesdropped on the discussions of the knights around him.
I don't know when, everyone stopped talking about this "victory" that could be called a fluke, and instead turned the topic to their own losses.
Indeed, the series of defeats commanded by Marquis Charles almost destroyed the 200,000-strong army in the north.
Of course, half of them are the direct line troops of the Saint Hilde family, but the other half are the private armies of the major lords in the north.
In addition, large areas of territory near the front line have been captured by trolls. Even if they have been recaptured now, the trolls will not return empty-handed.
So this time, the major lords in the north suffered heavy losses.
There must be someone responsible for such a heavy loss.
As a result, the topic gradually began to turn somewhat unfavorable to Marquis Charles.
Of course, the St. Hilde family's prestige was still there, so everyone did not dare to speak out and angrily, but only made some insinuations and complaints.
In Colin's view, such complaints cannot harm the foundation of Marquis Charles at all. At most, they will make his reputation worse.
It may also make the St. Hilde family feel guilty for this tragic defeat, and they may make some compensation to the major lords later, but that's all.
If Earl Uman hadn't been bluffing before, this little gesture probably wouldn't have been the "main course" of this banquet.
So, Colin continued to wait.
Sure enough, Colin then waited for a truly explosive news.
"Did you hear that? This time Marquis Garcia led the Black Cavalry to support the front line without getting any orders from the Duke!"
"What do you mean? Are you saying... that Marquis Garcia sent troops privately?"
"That's right! That's why the Marquis stopped in Ice Rock City. He is waiting for the Duke's military order!"
"Ha! He has already launched an army privately. Why are he waiting for military orders..."
"Shh! Why are you so loud? You are looking for death!"
…
Colin was speechless for a while. These people seemed to be discussing in a low voice, but in fact they didn't hide it too much at all.
What's more, he has discovered that this "gossip" has spread almost throughout the entire banquet.
At this time, he suddenly realized what this hidden undercurrent was about.
There is no doubt that Marquis Charles is still the real target of these people.
However, he was the eldest son of the Duke after all, and the prestige of the St. Hilde family was unparalleled in the north. The lords and nobles who had suffered heavy losses only dared to be angry with Marquis Charles but dared not speak out.
However, it's different if someone takes the lead.
This person has actually made his position clear long ago!
The first time he saw Marquis Charles after his defeat, he whipped him in public.
Before tonight's banquet, he once again interrupted a performance carefully planned by Marquis Charles.
This "he" is naturally the commander-in-chief of the Black Cavalry Army, the number one man in the Northern Army, and the Duke's younger brother, Marquis Garcia!
Only when Marquis Garcia clearly showed his displeasure with Marquis Charles, did the other nobles dare to follow suit and complain.
But originally, it was just complaining.
However, when everyone learned that Marquis Garcia had secretly dispatched the Black Cavalry without the Duke's order, the situation changed again.
Although the Black Cavalry Army is the private army of Marquis Garcia, in name, of course, it is at the command of the Marquis.
However, this is the north after all.
Duke St. Hilde is the real owner here.
What's more, the Black Cavalry Army has already left the Marquis Territory, shouldn't it be necessary to obtain the Duke's approval first?
Therefore, this "grapevine" that was spread widely at the banquet for some unknown reason vaguely revealed a signal.
A dangerous signal——
The Marquis of Garcia is at odds with the Duke of Saint Hilde!
In fact, smart people should have noticed the Duke's fear of his own brother from the time Duke St. Hilde hid the Black Cavalry three years ago.
However, at that time, Marquis Garcia did not disobey his brother's orders.
But now, could it be that after the disastrous defeat of Marquis Charles, Marquis Garcia finally became dissatisfied with his nepotistic brother and began to actively resist?
You know, the Black Cavalry is an extremely terrifying army.
Although there were only 50,000 men, no one doubted that in the hands of Marquis Garcia, it could sweep across the northern border.
What's more, due to a series of disastrous defeats by Marquis Charles, the military strength of the North is now severely weakened.
In this way, the Black Cavalry becomes even more terrifying.
That's why this "gossip" has such a terrifying impact.
When Marquis Garcia repeatedly "humiliated" Marquis Charles, did he really want to teach the younger generation who made mistakes, or did he want to take the opportunity to express his dissatisfaction with Duke St. Hilde?
Think again of Count Uman's hints and the undercurrent currently raging in the banquet.
Colin suddenly realized that a terrible storm was brewing.
Once it takes shape, it will have terrifying power sweeping across the entire North!
Just as the atmosphere at the banquet became more and more solemn, Knight Karn Sudor suddenly appeared in front of Marquis Charles.
He first bowed respectfully, then raised his head and asked righteously:
"Your Majesty the Marquis! I would like to ask, should anyone be held responsible for such a disastrous defeat in the Northern Territory this time?"
Marquis Charles was stunned on the spot.
Marquis Garcia's face was expressionless.
The whole place was silent.
The storm is officially coming!