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The Viscount Fein pulled a scroll from his bosom, took a couple steps forward, and slowly unfurled it before Colin.

It was a map.

Colin leaned slightly forward, focusing his gaze on the map.

He wasn’t concerned about Viscount Fein playing any tricks. After all, Viscount Fein’s power was inferior to his own, and even if Viscount Fein had the audacity to plunge a dagger into Colin’s chest, well, that wouldn’t kill a member of the Blood Clan.

“My lord Earl, please look here. This city on the east bank of the Angry River is called Rock City. It covers about 150 square miles and is home to 180,000 citizens. With an annual tax revenue of over 200,000 gold coins, it is a quite prosperous city. ”

The Duke of St. Prowse promises that if you release Marquis Vincent, then Rock City shall fall under your rule!”

Colin looked at the point circled on the map by Viscount Fein with an expressionless face and couldn’t help but sneer.

A city, in exchange for a person.

That seems like a very profitable deal.

But to Colin, it meant nothing.

Despite its virtue, Rock City was an enclave.

As long as the Angry River remained in the hands of East Territory, Colin would not be able to transport a large army there to defend Rock City.

Without a large army to maintain order, how could security be enforced? How could it be managed? How would taxes be collected?

In that case, this city would, in name, belong to Colin, but in reality, it would still be under the control of East Territory.

Which meant that East Territory would retrieve Marquis Vincent while surrendering nothing in return.

What wishful thinking!

Therefore, Colin impatiently sneered, “I don’t want your East Territory cities, let’s discuss the warships instead.”

However, Viscount Fein shook his head resolutely, “I’m sorry, my lord Earl, but the Duke of St. Prowse could never agree to exchange warships with you.”

“Is he trying to fool me with the cities of East Territory?” Colin was no longer polite; the opposite party was clearly playing him for a fool.

“My lord Earl, if you are not satisfied with Rock City, we can offer a larger city…”

No need! Even if you offered White Dew City, I still wouldn’t trade!”

Colin suddenly rose from his throne, briskly descended the stairs, and stood before Viscount Fein. Looking intently into his eyes, he said coldly,

“It seems that the Duke of St. Prowse doesn’t want to swap his son back then. If so, there’s no point wasting words.”

“Let Marquis Vincent be my guest in the North Territory once more.”

Seeing Colin’s resolute attitude, Viscount Fein could no longer maintain his previous calm and dignity and hastily interjected, “My lord Earl, we could always negotiate the terms of the ransom, why the hurry?”

Colin drew a cold smile, “I simply don’t wish to waste time with insincere people. Go back and tell the Duke of St. Prowse that unless he presents warships, he can keep all his miscellaneous stuff along with his son!”

Upon seeing Viscount Fein’s troubled expression, Colin softened his tone a little, “Of course, the quantity and tonnage of the warships, we can discuss slowly.”

Viscount Fein had no choice but to nod, “Yes, my lord Earl, I will deliver your message to the Duke of St. Prowse.”

Having finished, he bowed and excused himself.

Once out of the Royal Palace, Viscount Fein boarded a luxurious horse-drawn carriage.

The carriage headed south out of Silver Moon City, stopping in front of an inconspicuous villa in the suburbs.

Viscount Fein disembarked from the carriage and was led into the villa by a butler.

Seeing Viscount Fein enter the room, Haver quickly got up from behind his desk with a sycophantic smile and bowed, saying, “Honorable Viscount Fein, I hope you won’t mind the frugal conditions here.”

Viscount Fein nonchalantly waved his hands to indicate that he did not mind; at the same time, he sat down at the table.

Haver, the legendary Half-Elf merchant, seemed like a hardworking servant at this time, diligently serving tea to Viscount Fein.

Viscount Fein took for granted all of this, asking, “Haver, is your news accurate? Why does Colin Angler seem so confident?”

Haver stood by respectfully, answering humbly, “My Lord, I would never lie to you! As for the accuracy of the news… May I ask, did you see Marquis Vincent at the Royal Palace just now?”

“Indeed, I did not.”

“That explains it!” Haver slapped his hand, “If Marquis Vincent was truly alive and well, why wouldn’t Colin Angler let you see him? As for the Northern Earl’s attitude, it must have been put on! If he showed any weakness at this time, wouldn’t you see through it?”

Viscount Fein chuckled noncommittally, saying, “What does he achieve by doing this? Even if the ransom terms are agreed upon, without seeing an unharmed Marquis Vincent, the Eastern Territory would never give anything to Colin Angler.”

After thoughtful consultation, Haver said, “Maybe he wants to buy time. After all, if Duke St. Prowse knew about his eldest son’s death in the Half-Elf Palace, perhaps the Pegasus Navy’s warships would already be outside Silver Moon City along the Crystal River.”

And after the major chaos in Silver Moon City, the Silver Moon Guards had heavy casualties, and even the Northern Blood Knight Army suffered significant losses. Colin Angler surely wouldn’t want to face the Eastern Army at this time.”

So, he sealed off the news and even deliberately showed a tough stance in front of you, proposing extremely harsh ransom terms, intending to buy as much time as possible.

I suspect that the Northern Army has already begun to mobilize and is ready to reinforce Silver Moon City at any time.

When the Northern Army arrives at Silver Moon City, then Colin Angler will probably no longer hide the news of Marquis Vincent’s death.”

Viscount Fein appeared thoughtful upon hearing this.

Sensing this, Haver lowered his voice and once again advised, “My Lord, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! If it’s missed…”

“Are you teaching me what to do?” Viscount Fein shot a stern glance at Haver.

Haver flinched, shaking his head vigorously, “My Lord, I didn’t mean that, I did not…”

Viscount Fein snorted coldly, saying, “Haver, you, a petty merchant, should not offer unsolicited advice about matters of war. Be careful with your words, or else, hmpf!”

Haver looked distressed, repeatedly apologized and explained, “My Lord, I just got carried away because I was too eager! Colin Angler is trying to bring the entire Half-Elf commerce under his control, turning us all into puppets in his hands!

We just cannot stand such humiliation!

“So, I had a slip of the tongue, please forgive me!”

Viscount Fein waved his hand, saying, “Fine, just be careful with your words in the future. It isn’t your place to speculate on how the Eastern Territory will decide on this matter. Now, there’s only one thing you need to do.”

Haver perked up and quickly asked, “My Lord, please command!”

Viscount Fein’s eyes flickered, and he said solemnly:

“Whatever the cost, find out whether Marquis Vincent is dead or alive!”

“Yes, my Lord!”