As the sun set, more than a dozen white swans flew across the rippling surface of the golden lake, shattering the reflections in the lake.
"Teacher! Are the baby swans really ugly when they are young? "
Princess Judy, who had just finished listening to "The Ugly Duckling", asked in a delicate voice.
Colin did not understand this, so he could only answer casually, "Some are ugly, some are beautiful, just like human babies. There is always a difference between beauty and ugliness."
"Then … does it mean that those who are beautiful when they are young will be even more beautiful when they grow up?" Judy's big eyes suddenly sparkled as she asked again.
Colin glanced at the little girl and seemed to have seen through her little thoughts. He smiled and nodded. "Yes!"
Judy immediately beamed with joy.
Vera held her husband's hand and looked at the city on the other side of the lake. Suddenly, she asked, "Colin, are we really not going to Swan City?"
Colin shook his head. "No, let's not go. We have to go back to Winter City as soon as possible. There are still a lot of things waiting for us there. "
"Okay." Vera nodded gently.
She was not a very opinionated woman, especially after Colin proved his ability time and time again. Vera was even more dependent on her husband.
They had now left the Flaming Flame Territory and entered the Northern Frontier. However, along the way, other than stopping at Winterspring Town of the Grantu Family, Colin took the wilderness path when passing by other territories. He did not enter any of the lords' castles along the way.
Of course, the lords along the way would send envoys to invite the new Duke Of St. Hilde out of respect.
Colin and the others had just stopped by the lake and were about to set up camp when the envoy from Swan Castle arrived.
Moreover, the identity of this envoy was not ordinary. It turned out to be the eldest son of Count Schultz of Swan City — Viscounts Thorin.
In the vassal system of the House of Saint Hilde, there were three major count families: the Ullman family of Fallen Eagle City, the Morrison family of Floral City, and the Schultz family of Swan City.
Of course, there was also Earl Dawson, but he was actually a vassal of Marquis García. After the first Northern Frontier Rebellion, he was conferred the title of Marquis and became a vassal of the House of Saint Hilde.
Colin had already dealt with the Oman Family and the Morrison Family. Only the Schultz Family was unfamiliar to Colin.
Actually, Colin had met Count Schultz once in Icestone City.
At that time, during the Suzerain's Conference, the major families of the Northern Frontier joined forces to force the Duke Of St. Hilde to depose Marquis Charles.
Colin remembered that during that meeting, only the previous Count Morrison had refused to sign the petition and had been killed. Count Schultz and Count Oman had both signed the petition.
Afterwards, the Duke Of St. Hilde had rudely rejected the request of the Suzerains, causing the two sides to fall out completely.
Of course, the Schultz Family had also participated in the attack on the Golden Lion Legion. In the end, the Schultz Family's troops were scattered and scattered by the Golden Lion Legion and the Black Cavalry, suffering heavy losses.
However, in the great purge that followed, Count Schultz didn't seem to have been punished. At least, her title didn't change.
As for why the Duke Of St. Hilde let Count Schultz go, there were many speculations in the Northern Frontier. The most convincing one was that Count Schultz had married a good husband.
This Count Schultz's husband was called Lucien.
Yes, he only had a given name, but no surname.
He was a commoner.
But at the same time, he was also a warrior of the sixth step!
Just like the other warrior of the sixth step who became the son-in-law of the Oman Family, Lucien also successfully married a count of the Northern Frontier, successfully achieving a leap in rank.
At that time, there were only two sixth-step professionals in the Northern Frontier, and they were Lucien and the Duke Of St. Hilde.
At that time, no one knew whether the Duke Of St. Hilde had become a saint or not. But even if he had, he probably didn't want to reveal his true strength.
Therefore, Duke St. Hilde spared Count Schultz, who was involved in the lord's rebellion, probably because he did not want to have a direct conflict with Lucien.
However, the Schultz Family didn't come out unscathed. After all, more than half of their most elite troops were killed outside Icestone City. It could be said that the Schultz Family suffered a great loss.
Therefore, in the second Northern Frontier Rebellion caused by Mr. Shing, the Schultz Family was no longer able to participate. They could only choose to be neutral and watch the whole process.
It wasn't accurate to say that they were completely neutral, because Count Schultz's territory was located in the southernmost part of the Northern Frontier, bordering the Flaming Territory. If Marquis Menham, who was determined to build a kingdom of dwarves, wanted to send his troops to the Northern Frontier, he would definitely pass through Swan City.
However, Count Schultz did not do anything and directly let the troops of the Menham Family pass through.
This was actually a betrayal of the Northern Frontier.
Colin was planning to take his time to settle the score with the Schultz Family, but he did not expect that they would have the nerve to take the initiative to send an invitation.
However, Colin did not plan to enter Swan City at this time.
It was not that he was afraid of the tier-six warrior. After all, as long as Count Schultz and Lucien were not crazy, they would never dare to do anything to Vera, who had become one of the Dukes Of The North.
He was just too lazy to pay attention to Count Schultz, who had once betrayed the House of Saint Hilde.
"Your Grace, welcome to Count Schultz's territory! Mother ordered me to come here and sincerely invite you to Swan Castle! "Viscounts Sorin, who looked to be about fourteen or fifteen years old, said in a slightly childish voice.
After that, he respectfully handed an invitation letter to Vera.
Vera took the invitation letter and looked at Colin hesitantly. However, Colin slowly shook his head.
Therefore, she gently refused, "Please apologize to Count Schultz for me. Due to the urgency of the situation, I have to rush back to Winter City as soon as possible. I'm afraid that I won't be able to visit Swan Castle."
According to the usual practice, Viscounts Sorin should have left at this time. However, he opened his mouth again and tried to persuade Vera.
"Your Grace, please forgive my rudeness, but it's already late. Isn't your convoy camping by the lake and preparing to rest here for the night?
So, since you are going to stay here for the night, why don't you come to Swan Castle?
The Schultz Family has already prepared the most delicious food and the most luxurious room for you to rest in! "
Colin frowned. He felt that this Viscounts Sorin was too much. Vera had already rejected him, but he still wanted to force her to stay.
However, he did not know if this was Count Schultz's idea or if this young Viscounts was just being immature.
Vera's face also became gloomy. She firmly shook her head and said, "I'm sorry. Next time."
Viscounts Sorin did not give up. "Your Grace, I know that the Schultz Family's performance during the Northern Frontier's turmoil did not satisfy you, but please believe that we were unable to do anything at that time.
This time, my mother invited you to Swan Castle to apologize to you in person and ask for your forgiveness. "
Colin snorted and said coldly, "If Count Schultz is really sincere, then please go to Lion's Roar Castle and ask for the Duke's forgiveness."
Viscounts Sorin was stunned. After a while, he finally gritted his teeth and said in a low voice.
"Your Grace, in fact, my mother invited you to Swan Castle because she has something important to report to you."
"What is it? Just say it here, "Vera replied coldly.
Viscounts Sorin was helpless. He lowered his voice and said, "Bishop John of Swan City has disappeared!"
"Disappeared?"
"Yes. Bishop John has disappeared for three days without any news. My father personally led a team to search Swan City, but they did not find anything. "
Vera's face changed slightly. She looked at Colin with a grave expression.
Colin also frowned.
The disappearance of a bishop could be a serious matter. However, Vera was one of the Dukes Of The North. Since she was passing by Swan City, it would be inappropriate for her to not ask about it.
However, Colin did not want Vera to have too much contact with the Church. After all, it was hard to tell how much the Pope's theurgy affected Vera.
Colin could not help but wonder if this was a trick directed by the Church.
When he thought of this, Colin stepped forward and replied, "Your Grace, you need to hurry back to Winter City. You really can't stay in Swan City. How about this? I will go back with you and find out what happened. "
Viscount Thorin looked at the calm Colin and then at the silent Vera. He could only nod and say, "Yes.
"Okay, then I will have to trouble you, Sir Viscounts!"
Colin nodded. He turned around and whispered in Vera's ear, "You can rest by the lake for the night. You will continue your journey tomorrow. Don't wait for me."
Vera nodded obediently and said, "Okay. You be careful too."
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