Ackerman was looking out the window.

The conversation with Rodney just now made him very unhappy, but there was nothing he could do, except for patience, he really couldn't do anything about this "domestic servant".

Rodney has been the head of the Black Rock Palace for more than 20 years, both in terms of prestige and skill, he controls the Black Stone Palace, like an eagle watching over his nest hanging on the cliff, whoever wants to do anything in his nest will be immediately detected by him, and then be subjected to sharp retaliation.

Even Ackerman himself was obscured by Rodney's eagle wings, unable to see the sky or the sun, and even Ackerman sometimes wondered if he was a young eagle in an eagle's nest, or ...... What food will be fed to the eaglets?

There was a knock on the door, and Ackerman turned his head impatiently and shouted at the door, "Come in!"

The door was cautiously pushed open, and one of Ackerman's attendants cautiously poked his head in. "Lord Ackerman, Chief Rodney...... Director Rodney wants you to go to the Blackstone Room, and there's a guest who wants to see you......"

"Guest, what guest!" Ackerman frowned, seemingly very displeased, but his heart moved, "Why do you want me to come forward, he can't handle it himself!"

"This ......" the attendant was so nervous that he couldn't help wiping the sweat from his forehead, "it is a very distinguished and important guest, if you want to arrange a formal meeting, only if you are present, can you be equal to the other party......"

"Alright, no more talking!" Ackerman interrupted with a sudden wave of his hand, "What a trouble, can't you give me a little time to paint quiet......ly?" Hmph, who knows!"

The attendant bowed his head, not daring to answer at all.

Ackerman got up, grabbed the silk shawl he had thrown on the bed, and draped it casually over his body.

"By the way, what's the name of that guest. As he reached the door, he casually asked the attendant who had stepped aside on his own initiative.

"Arnold Svan Fegraf. The attendant replied with his head bowed.

Ackerman's eyes jumped twice.

——————————————

Arnold stood on the porch, admiring the paintings on the walls.

It has to be said that the Rupert family is indeed financially rich and has a rich collection of artworks, many of which are extremely rare treasures. For example, the portrait of Hernout the Great, which now hangs on the porch, is one of the masterpieces of the famous painter Edgeworth Raphael at the beginning of the Second Age. Of course, the preciousness of this painting is not entirely due to the fame of Edgeworth himself, but more importantly, it is the only one that has been handed down by a painter who saw Hernut the Great himself.

The painting of Cnut the Great is very different from other works, including those from the Storian royal collection, which are considered to best match the works of Henut the Great himself, and Winifred Stordo's Portrait of Henut the Great. The Emperor Henut in this painting looks very short, without the majesty of an ordinary king, nor the domineering spirit of the founding lord, but the emperor's expression is very tired, as if he is preoccupied.

"Do you like painting?" said Rodney as he walked up to Arnold, who was a cut taller than Arnold, thus making the contrast particularly stark.

"Actually, I prefer words to paintings. Arnold's gaze remained on the painting, his eyes were very focused, "Although painting is an intuitive art form, sometimes it cannot express the unfinished beauty like words, and it does not give people enough space for reverie." So, I prefer to read on a warm balcony on a slightly stiff but silky paper rather than admiring a painting. ”

"It must have been a great treat. Rodney nodded, noncommittal, "However, I don't agree with your statement that painting can't express unfinished beauty like words." ”

Rodney pointed to the painting on the wall and said to Arnold: "You see, the face of Henut the Great in the painting is sad, as the founder of the empire, the first emperor in history, why did he show such a look, don't you think this is a kind of reverie that the painter deliberately left for people to think about?"

Indeed, as you said, the painting is famous not only for its brushwork or its authorship, but more importantly for the inscrutable myths it expresses. Arnold agreed with Rodney's words, and did not seem to provide support for what he had just said.

"So, what do you see in this painting, and what kind of person is Hernut the Great in your eyes?" asked Rodney reluctantly, "since you have just said this, it is not that you have no thoughts of your own about this painting. ”

Arnold pursed his lips as if he was smiling, but Rodney couldn't tell the expression on his face.

"Mr. Steward, have you ever been painted?"

Rodney was slightly stunned, he didn't quite understand Arnold's intention by asking this question.

"Of course, Mr. Figraf. Rodney replied, how could a young master with such a hobby, or even a penchant for painting, not have the experience of being used as a model?

"Then imagine if you were the Supreme in the painting, who would you be facing at this time?"

Rodney followed Arnold's train of thought. "When you paint a portrait, you must be looking at the artist. You mean, Henut the Great in the painting is looking at Edgeworth Raphael?"

"That's right. Arnold turned and looked at Rodney with a smile, "I guess the emperor must have been secretly worried about what to do if this painter painted himself ugly." ”

"Haha......" Rodney couldn't help but laugh after listening to Arnold's explanation, "Your explanation is really interesting...... However, while others are speculating about how such an extraordinary figure as Emperor Henut could have been, perhaps your speculation is closer to the true thoughts of the Emperor himself. ”

"After all, as long as it's a human being, there are traces of ideas. Arnold lowered his face and whispered.

Rodney gave him a deep look.

"Looks like it's almost time, please come in. Rodney seemed to have no intention of continuing the conversation, reaching out and making a "please" gesture while motioning for the guard at the door to push open the door to the Blackstone Hall.

"Please come in, Mr. Figlaf. ”

"Thank you. Arnold nodded, then turned and walked into the Blackstone Room.

The hall was evidently the place where the Count of Vertagen held meetings and official meetings with diplomatic envoys, and upon entering, along the crimson wool carpet on the marble floor, Arnold could see directly the high-backed bronze pedestal at the other end of the room, and the young man seated on it.

The knights, clad in full-covered plate armor, stood on either side of the carpet, as motionless as the pillars around them. The whole blackstone room was particularly solemn, and when the Earl of Vertagen came to meet with the diplomatic envoys, he could create a general majesty to frighten his opponents and then take the initiative in the conversation.

However, it is not Nefarian Rupert, Count of Vortagen, who now sits on the bronze pedestal, but Ackerman Rupert, who has no name or power.

Walking to the center of the hall, Arnold stopped and bowed. "My best greetings to you, Lord Rupert, I am Arnold Svan Feglaf from the Cold Mountain Realm. ”

"Hmm. Ackerman nodded solemnly, his appearance was really clear-eyed, "It's a pleasure to meet you, but you just said that you are from the Cold Mountain Territory, but I heard that you recently raised an army against your father, the Duke of Cold Mountain, and disappeared after the defeat, so I have some doubts about whether you are here on behalf of the Cold Mountain Territory." ”

With that, Ackerman glanced at Rodney, who was standing aside.

Arnold didn't seem to notice his gaze, and replied very calmly: "I think it is necessary to clarify this matter in the future. This rebellion was not my idea, but because of the treacherous tricks of Harper Davide, the Baron of Hankston, my father and son turned against each other, and as you can see, now Davide has stolen my original fiefdom, Fort of Gloomy, which shows that everything is a conspiracy of this man. ”

Ackerman didn't answer right away, but looked at Rodney first.

However, Rodney was much more experienced than Ackerman, and he looked up as if there was some particularly noteworthy pattern on the ceiling, and he didn't even look at Ackerman.

So Ackerman stopped looking at Rodney and said, "I have heard about it, and although I had doubts before, I am willing to believe what you say." After all, I don't think he'd lie to me, much less a gentleman of all rightement. ”

Gentleman of Integrity...... Huh?

Arnold couldn't help but chuckle twice in his heart when he heard Ackerman's evaluation of himself, and at the same time he also quietly glanced at Rodney on the side, he believed that the old gentleman must have a different opinion.

"I don't dare to be your praise, I can't hide it, I came to see you this time, I hope you can give me some help without expense. ”

Hearing this, Rodney's eyes finally stopped hanging from the old god, he moved his gaze, squinted, and looked at Arnold carefully.

"What kind of help do you need?" Ackerman also knew that the most important part was about to come, and he couldn't help but straighten up and looked at Arnold with interest, "If it's something that the Ruperta family can do, I'm more than happy to help you." ”

"I don't think it's a hassle for you. Arnold smiled, and at the same time turned his face slightly sideways, looked at Rodney and said, "I think that this time the confrontation between me and my father is completely due to a misunderstanding, as long as the misunderstanding is resolved, these problems can be solved, so I would like to ask you to explain to the Duke of Lengshan on my behalf and convey my heart, as long as my father understands the truth of the matter, then I should be able to return to Lengshan Territory, and at that time, I will definitely remember your kindness forever." ”

"I see, this is indeed ......"

"Lord Ackerman. Rodney, who had not spoken for a long time, finally spoke up at this time and interrupted Ackerman's words, "Although I am happy to help Mr. Figlaf, the mercenaries in our territory are still making trouble at the moment, and because of your actions in the morning, things have become more complicated, I am afraid that we need to focus on the handling of problems in the territory for the time being, and it is not suitable to get involved in the affairs of other parties." ”

Seeing Rodney pouring cold water on himself, Ackerman couldn't help frowning. Although it was only a flash, the dissatisfaction that flashed in his eyes was keenly grasped by Arnold.

"On this matter," Arnold preemptively said before Ackerman could speak, "I have an idea that will solve your problem as well as my own needs. ”

Rodney grimaced, but Ackerman preemptively said, "In that case, please speak up and listen." ”

Arnold glanced at Rodney, and seeing that the other party did not mean to continue speaking, he cleared his throat and said loudly: "I think that the current mercenary problem in the Forta Gen Territory is very easy to solve, and only if you are willing to give those mercenaries corresponding compensation, then these people will naturally retreat." Moreover, Vortagan has always been known for its wealth, and I don't think it's much of a burden to you. ”

"I beg your pardon, Mr. Figlaf!" Rodney interrupted Arnold loudly, "I don't think what you're saying is appropriate, it's not something you should talk about, it's an internal affair for us to be in the Vortagan Territory. ”

"So how about I put it another way?" Arnold said with a slight smile, not arrogant, "It is up to me to hire these adventurers and mercenaries as the mercenaries I returned to the Cold Mountain Territory, and to hire them for their expenses...... Even if it's a loan I borrowed from you, how about it?"