Reilly pursed his lips tightly, and after a moment, he lowered his head and didn't speak again.

Arnold waved his hand casually. "Well, if you don't have any other problems, just get things in order, I don't want to see that bastard at my table. ”

"Yes, Lord Duke. Reilly whispered, his voice a little muffled, his tone indistinct.

Arnold picked up the papers again, but at this time, Reilly was still there, with no intention of leaving.

"What's the matter, don't I understand enough?"

"One more thing......" said Reilly, after a moment's hesitation, "the barons and squires of our crown territories would like to be able to pay a visit to you—it is a tradition that a new duke will succeed to the throne, and vassals must come to see the new duke. ”

"Hmm......" Arnold leaned back and leaned back in his chair, "I just got back to Lionheart yesterday, and here they are?"

"Some of them haven't arrived yet, but they're all rushing here. Those farthest from Lionheart would be three or four days away at the latest, though the counts might be slower. They've just returned to the territory, and they're going to need a little time to take care of their affairs. ”

"In other words, all of the Leng Shan Domain—or most of the vassals—will be here then, right?" Arnold was a little more interested when he heard Reilly say this, "It sounds like a big pomp. ”

"Yes. Reilly nodded, "Originally, there would have been a ceremony for the church to crown the new duke, but Lord Tegman rejected the church's proposal at that time. ”

"It's really my father's style. Arnold's fingers tapped on the table, touching his chin and thinking, "There's no hurry about this, we can talk about it then." However, if there is such a ceremony, then it will have to be more or less solemn, and the counts support me, but there are probably many people among the barons and squires who are not convinced by me, right?"

Reilly lowered his head and did not speak.

"In that case, send a formal letter to those people, and ask them to attend my succession ceremony at Lionheart Castle next time, when it is also winter, and the lords are somewhat more leisurely. As for those who have already arrived at Lionheart's Castle, let them stay, anyway, their territory should be very close, and it is very convenient to go back and forth. ”

"I see, Lord Duke. Reilly bowed slightly, and finally asked, "So, do you want to send letters to other lords, such as Duke Louis of Snowlon?"

"Louis will not come in person, but he will certainly send an envoy during this time. Arnold sighed, "It must be that man, Archbishop Benedict, the most feared guy in the eastern part of the Empire." ”

Hearing Archbishop Benedict's name, Reilly's face changed slightly. After a moment of silence, he bowed to Arnold again, then stepped back.

——————————————

By the time Arnold had finished dealing with all these affairs, it was already past two o'clock in the afternoon, and he didn't even have time to accompany Isabella to lunch, so he had to eat briefly in the study.

However, despite spending so much time on paperwork, his work is not over.

As soon as Arnold left the study, Funner and Titus came up together.

So Arnold met them in the lounge next to the study.

"What happened to Heathcliff?" Arnold poured wine for Fonner and Titus himself, but his brow furrowed as he finished the courtesy, "What's wrong with him?"

Fonner and Titus looked at each other, and finally Fonner spoke.

"Lord Duke, Knight Gallup is still imprisoned in your prison. ”

"Well, what's the problem?" Arnold put down the bottle and sat down in his chair, "I promised to forgive them for their hostile behavior with me, but he refused to accept my kindness, so I had to put him in prison. ”

"He is the head of the Knight of the Blood Cross Order, although he was hostile to you before, but after all, it was an act of loyalty to the lord, and now that you are the new duke, you can make him work for you. "Moreover, the Gallup Knight is highly respected in the Cold Mountain Territory in terms of strength and character, so I would like to ask you to forgive the Gallup Knight and give him a chance." ”

Sven shrugged, the expression on his face looking a little innocent. But he still won't bow down to me, and even if I give him a chance, he won't necessarily cherish it. ”

"I beg you to give me a little time to convince the Gallup Knights!" Before Funner could speak, Titus hurriedly said, "I have a deep friendship with the Gallup Knights, although he is stubborn, but that also reflects his loyalty, Lord Duke, the Cold Mountain Territory should not lose a talent like the Gallup Knights!"

Arnold pursed her lips and raised her eyes upwards to stare at the ceiling. "If you're going to see him, you can do it at any time, and I don't have any restrictions. You don't have to ask me for advice on such a trivial matter. Titus, and John, I have a lot of trust in you, I can't be a duke without you, you are the people I rely on the most, so please don't be so restrained, just do as you used to. ”

Titus was stunned, he wanted to say something, but he didn't know how to speak.

At this time, Fang Na took over the conversation at the right time. "Lord Duke, if you want to manage the mood of the cold mountain leader, we are no different from you, maybe for various reasons, we may not be able to coordinate with you very well for the time being, but please believe that we are wholeheartedly supporting you. ”

"I'm a firm believer in that. Arnold nodded.

"The same goes for the Gallup Knights. Fonner continued, "Given some time, I think he'll understand your intentions and return to the service of the Cold Mountain Leader." ”

"Then I'll leave this matter to you. Arnold picked up his glass and greeted Fanna and Titus, "As long as you have the heart, go and convince them to serve me." It's not that I can't understand what they've done before, but I also admire their loyalty, and it would be great if I could make them change their minds. ”

Titus breathed a sigh of relief, and with Arnold's reassurance, he finally put his mind at ease.

"Anything else?" Arnold turned his gaze to Funner, who noticed that Funner's expression did not appear relaxed.

"It's about Charlie......" Fonner looked at Titus, gritted his teeth, and finally made up his mind, "I would like to ask you to let him join the Knights of Titus." ”

Hearing Funner's words, not only Arnold, but Titus was also stunned, looking at Funner in surprise.

Fang Na sighed, lowered his head and said, "Although I have persuaded him several times, but ...... He's a stubborn young man, and I'm grateful for your forgiveness for that, but if he is allowed to go on like this, I think maybe it's better to make him a paladin, which is reassuring under Titus, and Charlie is working for you. ”

"Hmm-John, I think you don't have any children yourself, right?" Arnold stared at Funner, "I heard that you originally intended to make Charlie the heir of the Funner family, and now you are going to give up on him?"

"Fonner is a small family, and even the surname has only been acquired in recent generations. Fang Na shook his head, although there was sadness in his eyes, but his tone was very firm, "This is the best for him, and so is Fang Na." ”

Arnold put his hand on Titus and said, "John, I allowed Titus to become a paladin and form a paladin for him, and that was because he himself made this request. If it is my will, then I will definitely abide by it, and no matter what Charlie thinks of me, I will follow my own principles. And you're now saying it's for Charlie's good – and if it weren't his own will, I wouldn't grant your request. ”

Fonnard was stunned, and he looked at Arnold as if he had known the Duke for the first time.

"Oh, don't look at me like that. Noticing Funner's eyes, Arnold suddenly smiled, "John, did you think I was a thug who would do anything to achieve his ends?"

"No...... Fonna quickly lowered his head, "It's just...... Well, that's a bit different from what you've said before. ”

Arnold shrugged, picked up the bottle, and added some wine to Funner's glass.

"It may be hypocritical, but people always have to change with their status. When I seek the position of duke, I must be ruthless, or this position will never be my turn. And now, I am already a duke, so what I have to think about is how to govern my territory, and at this time, I should naturally be generous. ”

"So......" Fonner sighed, "what are you going to do with Charlie?"

"No, like Heathcliff. Of course, if you're still worried, then I'll give you another idea. ”

Arnold pushed the glass in front of Funner, who could not refuse the duke's kindness, and took a sip of the glass.

"You know Ozzy Pildenore, right?"

"Of course. Fonner nodded, "Master Tegman thinks highly of him, saying that he is the best of the younger generation. ”

Hearing this evaluation, Titus, who hadn't spoken for a long time, couldn't help but glance at Arnold more.

However, Arnold himself did not react, he just nodded, and then continued: "He is a young man who knows the times...... He was a man who knew the times, and although he was against me on the battlefield, he swore allegiance to me after returning to the Cold Mountain Territory, and in return, I promoted him. ”

Fonna blinked in a daze, but he still didn't react. "So, what does this have to do with Charlie?"

"John, oh, John!" Looking at Fonner's inexplicable look, Arnold couldn't help laughing, "Why, the wise general of the cold mountain leader, when he encounters something involving his nephew, his head is not good?"

The plan was a little embarrassing, he smiled bitterly twice, and said to Arnold: "I'm sorry, Lord Duke, I still don't understand. ”

"Charlie Pildenor was the most outstanding of the younger generation, not only because of his swordsmanship, but also because he was so knowledgeable and of good character—oh, and perhaps because he was handsome. In short, he was a man of great character in every way, so he was very popular among his peers, and everyone looked up to Ozzy Pildenor as a role model, and they admired him and even admired him. As a result, Oz's influence among his peers was very great. Now that he's allegiance to me, how do you think the young knights will react?"

"Without a spiritual leader, they should be shaken. Titus somewhat understood what Arnold meant, "If you let Pildenor convince the young knights, then there may be a lot of people who will fall against you." ”

Arnold nodded in satisfaction, then he looked at Fonner. "So, I'm going to put Charlie under Pildenol, and I just got him promoted, and he's still a little vacant. Although Charlie's stubbornness may not be appreciated for a while, let's believe in Pierdenor's ability. ”

"If he can do it, it would be great. Fonnar raised his glass, greeted Arnold, and drank the contents of the glass, "Regardless, thank you very much for your kindness and understanding, Lord Duke. ”

"You're welcome. Arnold smiled.