The first snow of the Cold Mountain Territory arrived as scheduled in November, and for the next three or four months, the mountain territory would be closed by heavy snow, making it difficult for ordinary people to travel through the mountains except for experienced messengers.

In previous years, at this time, the people of the cold mountain territory should prepare for the New Year's festival, and they would give some of the food left over to the mountain father, praying to him for peace and peace in winter.

However, this year's situation was very different from previous years, the messengers of the various lords came and went, and the knights themselves acted as messengers, delivering important letters to all corners of the cold mountain territory. And this busy scene gave the people of the Cold Mountain Territory a sense of unease, even in the era of Tegman, there were almost no soldiers in winter, and it was the first time in thirty years that the lords communicated so frequently.

What those people didn't know was that the last time Lengshan Ling was so nervous in the middle of winter was when the Baidi people invaded the south thirty years ago.

The four counts of the northern part of the Cold Mountain Territory after Arnold succeeded to the throne, they were proud of their merits and treated the duke quite arrogantly, and refused Arnold's summons for various reasons, as if they wanted to weaken the authority of the duke, which was forged by Tegman. But this time, they hurried to Lionheart's Castle and tamed Arnold as they did in front of Tegman.

They were afraid, the horror of the Baidi people was deeply engraved in their bones, thirty years ago, when the Baidi people invaded the south, they only sent a partial division to plunder the Qinghe Territory in the north of the Lengshan Territory, and only a few thousand people wiped out the 13,000 reinforcements sent by the four counts, and even the Count of Walkertulun, who led the army at that time, died in the battle. Therefore, their fear of the Baidi people is in their bones, and the four earls deeply understand that they alone cannot deal with the Baidi people, and in the winter when the cold mountain people dare not send troops, the Baidi people can gallop in the cold storm and snow like an outing, and this alone, they can't compete with the Baidi people.

This time, however, Arnold did not see them immediately, and he was busy greeting another guest.

Father Watt from Snowlon.

This priest had a relationship with Arnold in the incident of Vortagen, and Arnold also accepted his affection, if it weren't for Father Watt's help, I am afraid that he would not have so much confidence to deal with Rodney in Vortagen City, and he would not be able to get the help of Snowlen in the future.

Because of this relationship, Arnold was particularly hospitable to Father Watt, as if Archbishop Benedict had come in person, and all the treatment was enough for Father Watt and Snowlen.

Perhaps Arnold just wanted to use this way to tell outsiders that the relationship between the Cold Mountain Collar and the Snowren Collar was intimate.

"It is a great honour for us to be welcomed. ”

Father Watt smiled at Arnold, the luncheon just now was so sumptuous that Father Watt hiccuped unceremoniously at the official audience.

Of course, with the current relationship between the two families, Arnold naturally doesn't care about this unintentional faux pas.

"If only you're satisfied. Facing Father Watt, Arnold also showed a rare smile, whether it was sincere or not, at least Arnold had already expressed his attitude, "It's snowing in the cold mountain collar, I think it's hard for you to come all the way." You've only been brought back to Whitehorse from Furtagan last month, and you've been coming to me all the time. ”

"With the protection of the archangels, the journey is not very difficult. Father Watt bowed his head slightly, perhaps because the luncheon was too stretched to bend over, and his etiquette was a little inadequate, "Moreover, to be able to receive such a grand reception from the Duke, the wind and snow on the road are naturally nothing." ”

Arnold smiled slightly, as if pleased with Father Watt's attitude.

"If you like it, how about staying in Lionheart Fort for a few more days? Although it is not as prosperous as White Horse City, our Cold Mountain Territory also has its own unique scenery, at least this snow scene is not seen in White Horse City, right?"

"That's true. Father Watt couldn't help but laugh out loud, "If it weren't for the business, I would indeed be willing to stay here for a while and enjoy the scenery of the cold mountain collar." It's a pity that the matter is urgent, and I can only thank the Duke for this kind intention. ”

"Is Louie also worried about His Majesty's summons?" Arnold's mind appeared with a sneering smile on the corner of Duke Louis's mouth, although he had only met that cousin once, but the other party left a deep impression on him, "I thought that a territory like White Horse City, located on the south coast, would not worry about the threat of the White Ground people at all." ”

"The White Ground people are a threat to the whole empire, and of course the Duke will not ignore them. Father Watt replied with a smile, of course he understood the meaning of Arnold's words, and understood why Arnold said this, "The Duke is indeed very worried about the possible invasion of the White Landers, which will cause misery after all, which is also something that we do not want to see. However, at the moment, His Majesty the Emperor's convening is also very worthy of attention, and the Duke believes that it is necessary for the three of us to discuss this matter together. ”

"'The three of us'?" Arnold said, noticing Father Watt's words.

"Yes, actually, the messenger of Northville has already been to Whitehorse. ”

Arnold frowned, Northway, this sword-wielding lion in the eastern part of the empire, just being a neighbor with them is enough for the cold mountain leader to have a headache.

"Does Northville have any proposals?" Arnold only listened to the little bit of information revealed by Father Watt to understand the crux of the matter, since the envoy of the Eastern Territory Territory has already been to Whitehorse City, then Father Watt's envoy is very likely to be Northway's proposal that the Cold Mountain Leader has to be involved.

"Actually, it's a good thing. Father Watt's smile was even louder, and it could even be said to be very courteous, "His Excellency Duke Æthelwolf I of the East sent an envoy to White Horse some time ago to ask for the marriage of his eldest son, Alfred, to Tamska. In addition, the Duke of Æthelwolf also made a suggestion: he wanted the three families to form a marriage alliance, and if the cold mountain lord agreed, then Northville was willing to marry the eldest daughter of the Duke of Æthelwlwlf to you, and the Duke of Louis was willing to marry your sister. ”

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard a "bang", and the silver cup in Arnold's hand was touched to the ground.

Father Watt couldn't help but look surprised, not because he was startled by the sound of the silver cup falling, but because Arnold's face changed a few words that made him feel bad.

At this moment, Arnold couldn't restrain his expression, gloom and anger appeared on his face without reservation, this was the only thing he couldn't restrain himself, and it was also the last thing he wanted to restrain himself.

Arnold took a deep breath and tried his best to calm himself, though Father Watt must have seen something, but he still didn't want to be too rude.

"Father, I don't want to talk about this for the time being. ”

"I see...... I'm very sorry, Lord Duke. Father Watt bowed his head and apologized very wisely, and wisely did not mention anything, and at once he found an excuse to leave, and walked away from Arnold as if he could not stand the cold of the cold mountain collar.

It took Arnold a while to calm down. No matter who tried to take Serena and Isabella away from him, Arnold would never allow it.

Even if it would bring him great benefits, Arnold would not allow it, even if it would give up a three-way alliance that would be of great benefit to the Cold Mountain Territory, even if it offended Northville and Tamska this time, Arnold would not regret it.

Because he had to hold on to the only thing he had left.

However, if the alliance proposed by Father Watt just now was not at the cost of marrying his sister, then Arnold had to admit that the proposal was quite tempting.

The three Dukes of the eastern part of the Empire, Duke Northway of the Eastern Empire, Duke Tamska of Snowlon, and Duke Fegraf of Cold Mountain, if the three of them can join forces, then the eastern part of the empire will almost completely belong to their sphere of influence, and there is no major conflict of interests between the three families. The goal of the Norsvier generations was to annex the Askar Alliance, and that goal seemed very achievable at the moment, while the Snowren Lords were trying to move eastward, having peacefully annexed the Favot Territory in the days of the first dukes, and now they were looking further east to the Sriven Realm, and Tamska seemed to prefer peaceful annexation rather than hard-line warfare, which was slower but not likely to be a hindrance.

As for the Cold Mountain Collar, in the Tiger Man era, the goal of the strategy was placed on the Holy Helmet Domain, and this goal was successfully achieved. Now that Arnold has replaced Tegman, he is temporarily focusing on governing the territory and consolidating his rule, at least for a while, he will not clash with Northway and Tamskara.

In this way, the three families have no conflicting interests, and this pact can also allow each to get rid of worries for a while and concentrate on their own goals. As for what the future will be, for the three dukes who have different dreams in the same bed, they have naturally thought about it for a long time.

While thinking about the news brought by Father Watt, Arnold walked into a side room on the fifth floor of the main castle, this small secret room was inconspicuous, but at this moment, almost all the heavyweights of the Cold Mountain Collar gathered inside.

The Earl of Niland City, the Earl of Visaburg, the Walkertum, the Earl of Cabeau, the Pontière, the Earl of Cabeau, the Count of Greytower, the Romsirion family, and the four Earls of the North of the Cold Mountain Territory all gathered here, and they were hung by Arnold for a while, but now the four Counts did not have any dissatisfied, they were all gathered around the fire, and their eyes were set on him when Arnold walked in.

Fonner and Titus were there, too, and they knew who Arnold had just gone to see.

The young duke walked silently over and walked past the four counts who were older than him, and the thoughtful expression on his face also aroused the reverie of the four counts.

"Your Excellency. Seeing Arnold's expression, Titus couldn't sit still at first, "Snowlon's messenger ......"

Arnold glanced at Titus and didn't let him finish his question.

The six pairs of eyes in the chamber were staring at Arnold, but Arnold did not speak immediately, but closed his eyes and was silent for a long time.

Titus was anxious, Fang Na was thoughtful, and the four counts were each behaving in their own way.

But before Arnold could speak, they could only hold back their emotions and didn't say anything.

It was a long time before Arnold opened his eyes and exhaled.

"Tamska has sent an emissary to convey to me the intention to form an alliance. ”

The four counts looked at each other, Arnold's mother was the aunt of Duke Louis, and the alliance brought about by the natural kinship of the two families was brought about by the relationship, why did Duke Louis propose an alliance again?

Arnold saw the confusion on their faces, and he continued: "This pact is not only for Fegraf and Tamska, but for Northville as well. ”

At this moment, the four counts, even Titus and Fonnar, couldn't help but be moved.

"Lord Duke, did this Tamska or Northvi do you?" Fanna asked immediately, his eyes serious and intense, and he seemed to be very concerned about this.

"Northville. ”

"Northway...... he lowered his eyes, a light of unease flashed in his eyes, "There is no doubt about the strength of the Northway family, whether it is the Duke of Erren or the Duke of Æthelwolf, they are rare British lords to see today. Now Northvi must have a special purpose in making such a proposal, and it is probably very important to them, otherwise Northville would not have made this request for an alliance through Tamska - in doing so, they would have been completely determined to succeed!"

"So," Arnold said earnestly, staring at Funner, "do you think I should accept their offer?"