Colin retracted his aura and turned around to see a tall and thin old man standing behind him.
The old man was wearing a simple black casual outfit and had a head full of white hair. However, his spirit was hale and hearty, and his body was strong and straight. At first glance, he looked like a soldier who had been on the battlefield when he was young.
"Grandpa!" Wilbur quickly struggled to get up and greeted him.
Colin then realized that this old man was the target of their visit – Governor Sebas.
"Hmph! Is this how you greet your distinguished guests? "Sebas glared at Wilbur and reprimanded him.
His imposing manner made the temperature of the room drop by several degrees.
"Grandpa, I was wrong." Wilbur, who was originally arrogant and domineering, was now completely like a quail in front of Sebas.
When Vera saw this, she smiled and said, "Grandpa, you don't have to blame my cousin too much. He was just playing around with Colin."
Sebas looked at Vera and smiled. He nodded and said, "Vera, I haven't seen you for many years. You have grown so much. I heard that you are already married?"
"Yes, grandpa." Vera came to Colin's side and held his arm. She smiled sweetly and said, "Colin Viscount Angley is my husband."
"Greetings, Your Excellency Consul!" Colin hurriedly bowed.
"I have heard a few things about you. You are very good. You are indeed a young hero! "Sebas nodded at Colin and praised him.
Colin said a few words of modesty.
However, the other party's gentle and friendly attitude did not make Colin feel relieved. Every old fox in the political circle would not lack this kind of superficial skill. However, they would only show their true side when it came to the other party's interests and political position.
After some small talk, the atmosphere suddenly eased a lot. Sebas also enthusiastically led Vera and Colin into the main castle's living room.
The decoration style of this living room was a good example of what it meant to be extremely luxurious.
The curved dome was made from hundred-year-old paulownia wood from the Dark Forest. It was covered with gold leaf and inlaid with gemstones of various colors. The crystal candlesticks hanging from the ceiling emitted soft light, reflecting on the exquisite murals and sculptures. It appeared magnificent and full of an elegant and noble artistic aura.
Sebas sat down on the main seat. Soon after, several young and beautiful maids took small steps forward and presented various fruits, desserts, and purple-gold wine jugs. They filled the wine cups of every guest with transparent wine, and a fresh, elegant, mellow, and sweet exotic wine fragrance spread throughout the hall.
Even Colin, who did not know much about wine, could tell that this was definitely an expensive wine. It was even better than the one at the palace banquet last night.
Sebas raised his glass and said with a hearty laugh, "This is a gin that I've collected for eighty years. Come and have a taste!"
Colin and Vera quickly raised their glasses to return the gesture.
While tasting the wine, Colin looked around.
He had to admit that Senator Sebas' wealth was beyond his imagination.
It must be known that although Sebas had a noble status, he didn't have a noble title or land, so he didn't have a fixed tax income. If he only relied on the salary of a senator, Colin couldn't imagine how he could build such a luxurious manor.
In the past, he had always heard that the senators had a 'big appetite'. However, now it seemed that Colin had underestimated the grey income of these senators.
He suddenly felt very fortunate that he had been dissuaded by Eamon when he wanted to change the family emblem. Otherwise, if the senate was really alarmed, then the Angele family would have to pay a lot of money.
Sebas put down his glass and asked, "Vera, I heard that your father left behind a will?"
"Yes, granduncle." Vera immediately took out the will and handed it to Sebas.
Sebas opened it and looked at it. There was no joy or anger on his face. He then returned the will to Vera and said, "Since your father has appointed you as the marquis of the Northern Frontier, then I have no objection to you inheriting the position of the Dukes Of The North.
However, at this time, if you want to smoothly accept the conferment from His Majesty, then there is one more thing that you need to do. "
"What is it?"
"Accept the baptism!"
Colin's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly asked, "Your Excellency, there is no rule in the Lord's Law that states that one must be a knight to accept the title of a duke of the empire, right?"
"Indeed, there is no such rule." Sebas nodded, but then he frowned and said, "However, the situation in the imperial capital is quite special now. Vera's identity as a sorcerer will cause her to suffer a lot of criticism, and it might even cause her to be unable to smoothly inherit the position of the Dukes Of The North."
Vera said in a dignified tone, "Is it because Prince Lexi is preparing to start a war against Yewel?"
Sebas nodded and said, "Yes."
Colin considered his tone and said, "This matter is still at the proposal stage, and it may not be implemented yet."
Sebas smiled and said confidently, "Believe me, the empire will soon declare war against Yewel."
Colin's heart sank.
Since a consul of the Council of Elders had said so, it meant that Prince Rhich had successfully won the support of the majority of the elders. He was very confident that the proposal could be passed by the Council of Elders directly without Emperor Reinhardt's objection.
The situation was not good.
"Granduncle, do you also support the declaration of war against Yewel?" Vera could not help but ask.
Sebas looked into Vera's eyes and sighed before he said, "Vera, I know that you have feelings for Yewel, but I still advise you to change your stance as soon as possible and convert to the God of Light. Do not let yourself go against the nobles of the empire."
Vera shook her head and said, "Granduncle, in fact, I have already converted to the God of Light a long time ago. However, I have always believed that mages and knights are not natural opposites. I can also feel the guidance of the God of Light when I am pursuing the truth of the arcane!"
Sebas had a serious expression on his face as he said, "Vera, if you are willing to serve the God of Light wholeheartedly, then you must give up the path of the arcane. Otherwise, it will be blasphemy against the God of Light!"
When he saw that Vera was about to argue again, Colin quickly held her hand and shook his head slightly.
Vera understood and suppressed the dissatisfaction and grievance in her heart. She did not say anything else.
Colin smiled as he eased the heavy atmosphere in the hall and said, "Let's not waste time.
"Your Excellency, Vera is still a little unfamiliar with how to serve the God of Light, but please believe that she is sincere in her desire to convert to the God of Light. We will also contact the church as soon as possible to arrange the baptism ceremony."
"Well, that would be for the best." Sebas's expression softened a little. "After Vera is baptized, I can also put the matter of the succession of the Dukes Of The North on the agenda of the senate meeting. However, if you want this matter to be passed smoothly, you will have to prepare some lobbying funds. "
Lobbying funds?
Isn't this just bribery …
Colin was speechless when he saw that the other party was accepting bribes so openly. Moreover, the bribe was even from his own grandniece.
At the same time, he also had a deeper understanding of the senate.
"Your Excellency, how much lobbying funds do you need?" Colin asked carefully.
Sebas picked up his glass and took a sip of wine before he said lightly, "Five million gold coins."
When he saw that Colin and Vera were staring at him, he immediately added, "Don't make a fuss. This is the cost that I have to personally help you with. If it is someone else, it will cost even more!"
Colin sighed and made a difficult expression. "Your Excellency, it is not that we do not believe in you, but the Northern Frontier has just experienced a great chaos. The House of Saint Hilde is unable to raise such a huge sum of money in such a short time."
Sebas glanced at Colin and said lightly, "Viscount Angley, didn't you defeat the Giant Demon Empire and force them to sign a peace agreement? You also received a large sum of war reparations and slaves, right?"
Colin's heart was filled with anger. This old man was actually scheming against him!
"That is indeed the case. However, I am afraid that you do not know that the Giant Demon Empire's finances are also quite difficult. The war reparations are paid in installments. As for the slaves, I am afraid that they will not be able to gather them in such a short time."
Sebas slammed his glass on the table and said coldly, "Viscount Angley, if you are not willing to show the sincerity that you deserve, I am afraid that you will not be able to move an inch in Imperial Dragon City!"
Colin pretended to be in fear and trepidation as he replied, "Your Excellency, you have misunderstood. I just want to confirm with Icestone City that the reparations from the Giant Demon Empire have been received. I will give you a reply when I have the exact information. "
Sebas's smile returned to his face as he nodded and said, "That is right. The two of you are still too young and do not understand the political rules of the capital. It is inevitable that you will make some mistakes and offend people that you should not offend.
Therefore, from now on, if you have any problems, you will first ask for my opinion. As an elder, I will naturally give you the help that you deserve. "
Colin and Vera quickly stood up and thanked him.
After chatting for a while, the two of them said goodbye and left.
After leaving the manor and boarding the carriage, Vera's face turned from bright to gloomy as she asked, "Colin, do we really trust Sebas?"
When Colin heard the change in the way that Vera addressed Sebas, he laughed in his heart and said, "You should already know the answer, right?"
Vera nodded and frowned as she said, "I do not like this person."
"Then there is no need to care about him." Colin said lightly.
Vera was still a little hesitant, "Then … will this anger the Senate?"
"Sebas alone can't represent the Senate!" Colin said coldly, "Moreover, he might have forgotten that it was the House of Saint Hilde that pushed him to the position of Senator.
It is he who needs the House of Saint Hilde!
It is not the House of Saint Hilde who needs him! "
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