Winter in the Northern Frontier was always exceptionally long. Even at the end of February, the heavy snow and howling cold winds still showed no signs of abating. The spring that many people were looking forward to was nowhere to be seen.
Icestone City, city gates.
"Colin, you can stop here." Caitlin reached out to hug her brother and even helped him fix the collar of his shirt. She reminded him, "When you're free, you must come visit me at Eaglefall City!"
"Of course, of course." Colin nodded with a chuckle. "You must be careful on the way as well."
Knight Valla bowed solemnly to Colin. "Lord Viscounts, don't worry. I will protect Caitlin well. Also, I will pass on the words you told me to Lord Father! "
"Mm. You must let the Lord Count feel my goodwill. The friendship between the Angele family and the Oman family will last forever! "Colin said seriously.
"Yes!"
The two of them exchanged a tacit glance and finally waved goodbye.
After sending off Valla and her husband, Colin had just returned to the Red Castle. Before he could sit down and rest, he saw Butler Eamon hastily walk over.
"Master, there's another letter from Pine Town."
Colin received it with a frown. He opened the letter and scanned through it. Then, he actually laughed in anger. "Heh! This Baron Lomba, he really isn't going to let this slide! "
Pine Town was located to the west of Icestone City and was Baron Lomba's territory.
This Baron Lomba had once asked Colin to buy food. However, he wasn't as easy to get rid of as the young and immature Count Morrison. He haggled with Colin for a long time and annoyed Colin so much that they almost parted on bad terms.
Although he finally accepted Colin's condition of paying in installments, he was obviously very dissatisfied with the result.
As the news of Icestone City having enough food spread, the slaves in the vicinity flooded into Colin's territory and provided a large amount of labor for Colin.
On the other hand, the surrounding territories of the Viscounts began to show signs of population loss.
At first, they were only slaves. But later, as the famine deepened, the high price of food made it impossible for many commoners to afford food.
These civilians who had run out of food also began to pack up their belongings and head towards Icestone City with their families.
Of course, Colin didn't refuse anyone.
He was well aware of the importance of population in this era, and Icestone City, which possessed a large amount of food, could continue to receive an influx of people.
However, this obviously made the surrounding lords anxious.
However, although they were anxious, they did not dare to do anything to Colin.
After all, the Black Cavalry was in Icestone City. Although they were only remnants of an army, they were still not something that the surrounding minor lords could fight against.
What's more, Colin had just defeated the famous Pegasus Legion in the Battle of Silvermoon City. Many people regarded him as the next rising star of the Northern Frontier after Marquis García.
Of course, there were always fools in this world who did not know the immensity of heaven and earth.
For example, Pine Forest Town's Baron Lomba.
He had sent letters many times asking why Colin had taken in his citizens and even requested that Colin return all of Pine Forest Town's citizens.
This attitude clearly angered Colin.
Casually tearing up the letters and throwing them into the fireplace, Colin turned around and ordered Eamon, "Write a letter for me.
"Help me draft a reply letter. Tell Baron Lomba that I can't recognize any of the citizens of Pine Forest Town. If he wants his citizens back, then he has to personally come to Icestone City."
"Yes, Master."
Just as Eamon was about to leave, he was stopped by Colin, "Wait, is there still no news from Winter City?"
"None. It is said that the Duke Of St. Hilde was injured in the duel with the Paladins of the Troll Empire. Until now, he has not been able to receive the marriage proposal envoys we sent. "
Colin laughed coldly, clearly not believing the duke's excuse.
At this moment, he suddenly realized that Pine Forest Town's Baron Lomba might be a good opportunity to test the duke …
Thinking of this, a cold glint flashed through Colin's eyes. He immediately said to Eamon, "I will personally write a letter for Baron Lomba."
After saying this, he sat down in front of the desk, picked up a quill, and quickly finished writing a letter.
Eamon, who understood Colin's temperament very well, had already guessed that the wording of this letter might not be to Baron Lomba's liking …
On this side, Colin had already sealed the letter and handed it to Eamon, "Send it to Pine Forest Town."
"Yes, Master."
… …
Five days later, that Baron Lomba really did personally come to Icestone City.
At the same time, he also brought over a thousand soldiers. His murderous appearance made Knight Roger, who was on the city wall, laugh.
"Who are you trying to scare with such a small number of people?" Knight Roger shook his head and laughed at the squire beside him as he ordered people to open the city gates and welcome Baron Lomba in.
Baron Lomba was a middle-aged man with a sturdy figure and a rough face. The beard on his face was connected to his hair, making him look like an irritable gorilla.
"Where is Viscount Angley?" Baron Lomba's voice was very loud, causing the snow on the city gates to rustle down as soon as he opened his mouth.
Knight Roger gave a perfunctory salute and replied with a smile, "Lord Baron, our Viscounts is waiting for you at the Red Keep."
Baron Lomba's expression became even more gloomy. He was clearly dissatisfied that Colin didn't greet him at the city gates.
However, Colin's title was higher than his, so Baron Lomba couldn't really say that Colin was being rude.
Of course, Baron Lomba wasn't afraid of Colin.
After all, he wasn't Colin's vassal. Although there was a difference in their titles, they didn't have a subordinate relationship.
He followed Knight Roger all the way to the Red Keep and saw that Colin was already waiting in front of the castle.
Only then did Baron Lomba's expression soften slightly, but his attitude was still as cold as ever.
Colin didn't seem to mind the other person's coldness and continued to smile as he greeted Baron Lomba. He even pretended to be affectionate as he pulled on the other person's arm and walked with him to the castle.
Baron Lomba couldn't help but feel disdain in his heart. He originally didn't think highly of Colin, this rapidly rising Viscounts. He thought that the other person had only followed Marquis García to the Sky Icefield for a stroll and gained some merit to be promoted to Viscounts.
Now that the two sides had a conflict over population, Baron Lomba disliked Colin even more.
This time, he came to Icestone City because he was determined to bring back all the citizens that originally belonged to Pine Town.
Otherwise, there would probably be no one to help him with the upcoming spring plowing.
Just as Baron Lomba was pondering how to open his mouth, he suddenly noticed that someone was quickly approaching from behind.
He turned his head in confusion and saw an armored knight wearing a horse-face mask dashing towards him, the longsword in his hand glinting with a chilling light!
"Assassin!" Baron Lomba immediately yelled. He was about to draw his sword to meet the enemy when he suddenly realized that his right arm was tightly gripped by Colin and couldn't move at all.
Baron Lomba was so scared that his soul almost left his body. He immediately realized that this was a trap, "Angus …"
Before he even finished speaking, the strange man wearing the horse-face mask had already rushed in front of Baron Lomba.
The blade flashed and Baron Lomba's head was instantly chopped off. However, his body was still standing there, blood spurting out from his neck like a fountain.
The Lomba Family's guards were stunned by this sudden turn of events. They never would have thought that their lord would encounter an assassination at the entrance of the Red Keep!
Until Colin's sharp voice rang out, "Catch him, don't let the assassin escape!"
Only then did the Lomba Family's guards wake up from their daze and chase after the assassin who had already run far away.
Knight Roger stared blankly at this scene and seemed to understand something. He carefully asked, "Sir, should we chase after him?"
Only now did Colin let go of Baron Lomba's right arm and carefully avoided the blood spurting out from the other party's neck. He righteously ordered,
"Of course we should chase! Baron Lomba died in Icestone City. We are duty-bound and must capture the assassin! "
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