Early in the morning, Ackerman was called up by the maids, although the maids were very frightened of disturbing the young master's dreams in the early morning, but the reason they gave also made Ackerman unable to attack - the messenger led by Snowman had arrived in Vortagen City late last night, and Rodney was already receiving them, as the only representative of the Rupert family, Ackerman must appear.

Although Ackerman was very unhappy to be awakened from his dream, considering the importance of the matter, he patiently put on the most formal attire and prepared to go to the Blackstone Hall to receive an audience from the Snowman Consulate.

"This time the envoy of the mission is Father Watt of the Grand Sanctuary of Prosi, who is a protégé of Archbishop Benedict, and this time Archbishop Benedict has gone north because of the sudden change of the cold mountain leader, so this priest will be the envoy in his place. ”

While the maids were sorting out Ackerman's tedious attire, Rodney gave him an overview of Snowlon's mission.

"It seems that our weight is not heavy enough, as soon as we heard that something had happened to the cold mountain leader, Archbishop Benedict immediately turned north, and sent only one priest to deal with us. Ackerman chuckled a few times, laughing a little self-deprecatingly.

"That's not the case, for the Tamska family, what happened to the Cold Mountain Leader is even more worthy of their attention. Rodney explained to Ackerman without hesitation, After all, that means that the next Duke of the Cold Mountain Territory will not have the blood of Tamska on his body, so the marriage between Tamska and Fegraf will lose its meaning, which is absolutely unacceptable to the Snowman Lord, they have spent more than twenty years maintaining a friendly relationship with the Coldmountain Lord, and they still support them like that when Duke Tiger attacked the Holy Helm Lord, this is all to let the next generation of the Duke of Coldmountain carry their blood, so as to ensure that the position of the Coldmountain Lords and the Snowlen Lords are consistent for generations. Seeing that such efforts are now going to be wasted, how can they be willing?"

"But, speaking of which, isn't that Mr. Arnold in Vortagen?" Ackerman said, holding up his hand and asking the maids to pin their ribbons, "is that of great use to us?"

"Definitely. Rodney nodded, although the arrival of the Snowren mission was expected by him, but the matter of Arnold was somewhat unexpected to him, so, in this situation, he had to deal with these foreign affairs first, put Ackerman's affairs first, what is needed now is for them to work together to deal with the Snowren mission, no matter what Rodney's purpose is, his foothold is the Vortagan Territory, and he and Ackerman are consistent in this matter.

"However, please don't give this information to the other party later. ”

"Why?" Ackerman turned his face in surprise and looked at Rodney with a puzzled expression.

"It's so that we can take the initiative. Rodney lowered his head and replied with a very respectful look, "After all, our strength cannot be compared to that of the Snowren Lord, and if we can't have an advantage in intelligence, then we have no advantage." ”

Ackerman nodded in understanding.

"In that case, what attitude should I have towards the Snoren Lord's envoy later?" he asked, a question that Ackerman hadn't asked the last time Arnold had visited.

"I suppose the purpose of the Snoren Lords is nothing more than to inquire about the Earl, and whatever they say, you just need to keep the grief you deserve. ”

"Grief should be expressed...... Really?" Ackerman was silent for a moment, then laughed, "I see. ”

As he spoke, he immediately restrained his smile again, pulled his face down, and his eyes were full of sorrow.

Just in the blink of an eye, Ackerman put on a sad face.

"It's a bit too superficial, though...... But that's fine. Rodney didn't show any surprise at Ackerman's sudden change of expression, but just nodded lightly, "The other party is a clergyman, so Father Puran from the Vortagan Church will also accompany you, please be prepared." ”

"Whew-" Ackerman let out a long breath, "it's always coming!"

After getting dressed and groomed, Ackerman followed Rodney to Blackstone Hall.

Just like Arnold's last visit, Ackerman's side was ready, and the guards opened the door to the Blackstone Hall and invited Father Watt and others in.

"Good day, Lord Ackerman. Fr. Watt folded his hands across his chest and saluted Ackermann respectfully, "I have been appointed by Duke Snowlen as a messenger of goodwill to send you my sincerest greetings and comforts, and wish your father, His Excellency Nefarian Rupert, Earl of Vertagen, on his speedy return." ”

"Oh, it's been a hard journey. Ackerman lowered his eyebrows, his expression a little wilted, "On behalf of the Rupert family, I would like to thank you and Duke Louis for your concern, and if you have the opportunity, please tell Duke Louis that I am deeply touched by the friendship of the Tamska family, and I hope to repay this friendship one day." ”

"I will convey it. Father Watt bowed again.

After exchanging pleasantries, Ackermann turned his gaze to the two men behind Father Watt, one of whom he was familiar with, Father Pullan, the leader of the church in Vortagen, and the other young man in his early twenties.

Noticing Ackerman's gaze, Father Watt took the initiative to introduce: "This is Andrew, the eldest son of Gunther Fergus, Count of Rota, who has been appointed to escort the mission. ”

Ackerman nodded, although he had not heard of Andrew, but he had heard of his father, Gunther, Count of Rota, who was a powerful vassal of the Snowren Domain, two years ago, the Duke of Snowland and his eldest son suddenly died mysteriously at the same time, this count once supported the half-brother of Duke Louis, but in the end Duke Louis still won the duke with the help of his mother and Archbishop Benedict, but because of this, the relationship between Count Rota and Duke Louis was not very good.

Hearing that this was the eldest son of Count Rota, Rodney couldn't help but look away. "Count Rota is indeed the first minister of the Snowen Lord, and Duke Louis really trusts him. Rodney said unhurriedly, his slightly old eyes fixed on Andrew, "Mr. Andrew can take on the heavy responsibility of escorting the mission at such a young age, and he is indeed a young handsome." Presumably, when he inherits the throne of Count Rota in the future, he will be able to serve Snowlan like your father, right?"

Rodney's gloomy words suddenly changed the atmosphere, and the atmosphere that was very friendly just now became cold in the blink of an eye.

Andrew, who was standing behind Father Watt, was a little younger, and when he heard Rodney's obvious provocation, he immediately frowned and opened his mouth to refute.

But Father Watt stopped him.

"Director Rodney is right. Father Watt said with a smile, as if his mood was not affected by the sudden coldness, "As a retainer, the most important thing is loyalty, and I believe that Mr. Steward has done a good job of this, right?"

The corners of Rodney's mouth moved, but he didn't speak, but Ackerman, who was sitting on the stone seat, couldn't help but sneak a glance at Rodney, with a forced smile in his eyes.

"Lord Ackerman, Father Watt. Father Puran, who had never had a sense of presence, suddenly spoke, "Since the envoys of the Snoron Leader are present this time, why don't we discuss how to find Lord Nefarian." Our church is also very concerned about the disappearance of His Excellency the Earl, after all, the safety of the Earl is really related to the stability of the Lordship of Fortagen. ”

"Father Pullan is right. Rodney agreed, "We would appreciate any information from Snowlon. ”

Because Rodney suddenly snatched the words away, Father Watt was a little difficult to answer, originally he hoped that the other party could provide information, but he didn't expect Rodney to say this first, so Father Watt had to think of another explanation.

"We are outsiders, how can we know any news?" Father Watt pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said, "The information we know is all from the city of Vortagen, and there is still a lot of information that we can't tell whether it's true or not, and it's certainly not as clear as you know, and there are some things we hope you can help us solve." ”

"That's a pity, because the mercenaries in the city have been disrupting the order of the city, and it is difficult for us to determine whether some of the news is true or false. As soon as Father Watt finished speaking, Rodney immediately opened his mouth and blocked Father Watt's continued questioning.

Andrew frowned tightly, now he understood why Father Watt said he didn't want to see Rodney, this old guy was really difficult to deal with.

"That's a pity—" Father Watt sighed, then turned his gaze to Ackerman, "It seems that we can't help much in this matter, but if you need any help, please let us know, and we will do our best." ”

"Thank you very much for your kindness. Ackerman still lowered his eyebrows and looked sad, "At such a time, I can still get the help of a kind person like you, I think my father will be very happy if he comes back to learn about it in the future." ”

"I hope that His Excellency the Earl will return soon. Father Watt comforted.

Andrew, who had been only listening, couldn't help gritting his teeth, the two sides exchanged words back and forth, but in the end there was no substantial progress, he could feel that the Vortagan and Rupert families were not so friendly and enthusiastic about their arrival.

Although they didn't come here with complete goodwill.

"Lord Ackerman. Andrew took a step forward, "While it is a pity that I cannot help you in the affairs of His Excellency Earl Vertagen, if there is any other need, please do not hesitate to ask, such as ......"

He glanced at Rodney, a faint hint of defiance in his eyes.

"Mercenaries in your territory. ”

Ackerman's eyelids jumped, but he didn't speak, although he had expected that Snowlon's people would mention this, but it was so explicit that Ackerman was a little surprised. After all, this is the internal affairs of the Vortagen Territory, and even if the Snowen Territory wants to get involved, it shouldn't be said so directly.

He couldn't help but compare the Mr. Andrew in front of him with Arnold yesterday, and the son of the Count of Rota seemed too composed, and the city was much inferior.

Both Rodney and Ackerman remained silent, just staring at Andrew in silence. Father Watt was surprised by Andrew's sudden voice, he turned his head and said with a slight reproach: "Andrew, Lord Ackerman is now worried and grieving about the disappearance of Count Vertagen, and you should not mention this at this time. ”

"I'm so sorry, Lord Ackerman, that I was rude. Andrew immediately bent down and bowed to Ackerman in apology.

Regarding his attitude, Ackerman felt that maybe the other party did not say that because he was young and vigorous.

Thinking back to the relationship between the Count of Rota and the Duke of Louis, especially the unpleasantness that occurred between the two parties two years ago, Ackerman seems to understand a little.

"Yes, I appreciate your kindness, but this is really not the time to discuss this. As he spoke, he looked at Rodney, "Steward, please help me prepare a feast, and I will entertain my friends from Snowlon's Territory at noon." ”

"As you wish, Lord Ackerman. Rodney bowed and watched Ackerman leave.

When everyone was bent over, Rodney quietly raised his face and looked at Andrew, the meaning in his eyes was really intriguing.