Although he had not been away from Vortagenland for a few months, Arnold had returned to the place with no recognition at all.

The rugged mountain road has not changed, but the road has become infested with monsters, and even if Arnold was traveling with a large array such as half of the Blood Cross Knights, he was attacked several times.

The inns on the road as a relay point have also been abandoned, these hostels were originally established by the Rupert family, in the case of the extinction of the family and the change of territory, these hostels naturally cannot be supported, not to mention, the current Fotagan Territory has become rampant with monsters, and places outside the city of Fotagan may be attacked by monsters, who dares to stay in the hostel outside the city?

And when he arrived in the city of Vortagen, Arnold could not see the shadow of the rich and free city at all.

According to Arnold and Louis's agreement, the city of Vortagan and most of the interests of the Vortagen Territory were handed over to the Snowren Lord. Although he failed to find Ackerman in the end, Louis's determination to annex the Vortagan Territory did not waver, but due to the lack of conditions, his appearance could only be ugly.

The nobles and officials from White Horse City replaced the missing Rodney and others to directly give orders to the government affairs of Vortagan City, and the first thing these people did after coming to Vortagan City was not to restore the burned Black Stone Palace, nor to rebuild Vortagan City after the riots, let alone to help the displaced people in the city settle down.

Rather, it was transporting a large number of laborers into this desolate territory, increasing the production of the mines in the Vortagan Territory to the maximum.

The barren and monster-infested Vortagan Territory was nothing but the rich mineral deposits that the noble Tamska family could see, and the land, and its people, were of little value to Louis and the Snoren Lord.

"What a terrible scene. Arnold looked at the earthy yellow water in the city of Vortagen, sighed and said, "The prosperity of the past is gone, and the city is almost dead. ”

Titus and the others followed Arnold, silent and silent.

"Lord Arnold. ”

Father Watt walked over to Arnold and the others from a road full of Snowlen's soldiers.

"Mistress Louis was waiting in the church. ”

Arnold turned his gaze to the Vortagan Chapel.

"The presiding priest of that church is Father Puran, is it appropriate to put the meeting place there?"

"Hehehe. "You're right, but the diocese of Vortagan is also under the jurisdiction of Archbishop Benedict." ”

"So, the archbishop is here too?"

"Yes. Father Watt lowered his face, "Not as an assistant to Duke Louis, of course, but ...... As a clergyman, come and bear witness to the Alliance. ”

"Oh?" Arnold raised an eyebrow, "is this what Duke Louis meant?"

This is what the archbishop himself meant, and of course, in his words, this is the consciousness of those who serve the gods. ”

"Yes, the archbishop is such a man, and he is really religious. ”

Arnold could not say this positively, so Father Watt did not answer.

"Then I'll go meet Louie. Arnold stared at the church on the high ground and said, "Are the people from Northville coming?"

"It's not there yet. ”

"That's right. Arnold nodded, and then walked towards the church with Titus and the others.

The church was already surrounded by Snowlon's bodyguards, and the clergy of the original church were asked to leave to provide space for the meeting of the three dukes.

Of course, Fr. Puran is not among them.

As a once favored disciple of Archbishop Benedict and a contemporaneous figure of Father Watt, he remained in the church of Vortagan as a host to welcome Arnold and others who arrived.

Although he was somewhat reluctant in his heart, he was forced to put a smile on his face, and Arnold felt a little sorry for this upright and kind priest.

"Welcome, Lord Arnold. Puran greeted in a muffled voice, "Lord Duke Louis and Archbishop Benedict are waiting in the room. ”

Arnold stared at Father Puran for a moment, then walked straight inside.

In the hall of the church, three seats are placed opposite each other in a triangular pattern. Louis sat in a chair on the south side, and behind him stood Archbishop Benedict.

Arnold glanced at Louis, and then the realization shifted to Archbishop Benedict.

Although they had seen it from afar on the battlefield of the Forta Gen Territory, this was the first time they had officially met.

"Long time gone, Louie. Arnold walked over to the chair to the north and sat down, "How is my father doing with you?"

"Uncle Tegman is doing well, he's been enjoying fishing lately, after all, Lionheart doesn't have a view of the vast coastline of Whitehorse. Louis fiddled with the folding fan in his hand, and with a cynical smile on his lips, he said sarcastically to Arnold.

"Really?" Arnold glanced at the expressions of Titus and the others behind him, "So, what has my father learned lately?"

"A whale. Speaking of this, Louie's eyes jumped, "It's worthy of Uncle Tegman, and his bravery is awe-inspiring." ”

Arnold didn't say anything, so calm that no one could see his emotions.

In silence, Archbishop Benedict, who had been silent all along, spoke.

"Lord Arnold, this is our first official meeting, and it's an honor to meet you. ”

Arnold looked at Benedict, jealous of the man, but also full of respect for him. Regardless of the skill Benedict used to assist Louis, his talent and character are indeed worthy of Arnold's respect.

"Exactly, however, I have admired you for a long time, and it is my honor to meet you. ”

As Duke Arnold, such a tone is already very condescending, but it is not surprising to say this to Archbishop Benedict.

"You're welcome. Archbishop Benedict bowed his head and prepared his manners, "This covenant was made by the Northway family, and this meeting was proposed by you. So, Tamska is the host of this meeting, do you have no opinion?"

Arnold looked at Archbishop Benedict, then at Louie, and asked, "Excuse me, do you say this in the position of Louis's auxiliary minister, or in the position of the archbishop?"

"In this world, there is not a single piece of land on which everyone stands, and there will always be multiple positions, and these positions sometimes overlap. With the posture of a mortal, it is difficult to completely distinguish between positions, and everything we do inevitably carries with them biased, and I am no exception. ”

"I see. Arnold nodded, Benedict is indeed a real and cunning person, he admits that he will be biased against the Tamska family, and at the same time promise to be as fair as possible, such a truth, Arnold is also difficult to find fault, if he accuses Benedict of being unfair and clashing with the other party, it is too childish.

After all, this is a meeting of the alliance, and no one wants to make either side their enemy, and some inconsequential little things are not worth worrying about.

"Cousin Arnold," Louis began, waving a folding fan in his hand, "I have heard that you have brought Mademoiselle Mathilde this time, and not your two sisters...... Although you proposed this meeting, it seems that you did not bring much sincerity. ”

"This is just a meeting, the matter of the alliance has not been decided yet, isn't it because we want to discuss the affairs of the alliance, so we need this meeting?" Arnold replied expressionlessly, unlike the last meeting with Louis, this time the two sides were completely equal, and he didn't have any worries.

"Then why did you bring Mademoiselle Mathilde?" Louis did not relent, tapping his palm lightly with the folding fan in his hand, "do you want this alliance to be formed?

Louis said it very nicely, but the faint mockery on his face was not as righteous and awe-inspiring as his words.

"Is there a problem that I brought Mathilde here just because she wanted to see a different scenery in the Vortagan Territory?" said Arnold rather brazenly, "The Cold Mountain Territory is now covered with heavy snow, while the Vortagan Territory is still as hot as a summer, and the connected mountains, half covered in snow and half covered in heat, such a spectacle is not very valuable to appreciate?"

"Huh-" Louis shook his teeth, his face turning a little unsightly.

"So, Lord Arnold, do you agree to this marriage alliance, with Tamska and Northway?" asked Benedict, his question fair to the point of being a bit aggressive.

"I agree or not...... Arnold lowered his eyes, "it depends on the sincerity of you and Northway." ”

"Sincerity?hmph!" Louis' displeasure was undisguised before he asked them for sincerity, "Cousin Arnold, I've always heard that you're quite opposed to this alliance." ”

"This is purely a rumor from people with ulterior motives. Arnold said lightly, "Louie, where did you hear these rumors?"

"Cousin Arnold thinks these are rumors, but what you say is only your side. Louis curled the corners of his mouth, "Just like those people's words, simple words are not proof, you can't believe it, you can't not believe it, you can't not believe it, can it?"

"It's going on and on. Arnold shook his head, not intending to answer Louis's question directly, "Let's talk about something more practical, while Northville is still here." ”

"Oh-" Louis looked at Arnold with interest, but in the depths of those interested eyes, there was still displeasure with Arnold, "what are you going to say? ”

"Louie, what do you want from this covenant?" Arnold ignored Louie's provocation, "Do you know what Northway wants from this covenant?"

Louis narrowed his eyes and stopped fiddling with his folding fan.

"Yes, the so-called covenant is a contractual relationship entered into for each to take what he needs. Why, cousin Arnold, are you going to tell me that there is nothing in this covenant that you want?" Louis curled the corners of his mouth, and although he still smiled with the same cynical smile, his eyes were much more serious.

"Whether or not to accept the covenant depends on the comparison of interests, and if what is gained and what is lost is not equal, then I will naturally not accept it. ”

"Hah, what do you have to lose?" Louis spread his hands, his smile still as annoying.

Arnold glanced at the fan in his hand.

"You love this fan, don't you, Louie. ”

Louis glanced at the folding fan in his hand.

"Because it's a very precious foreign product...... Does this have anything to do with our topic?"

"If I say, you give me this fan, I agree with the alliance, are you willing to cut your love?"

Louis looked at Arnold strangely. "Of course...... If you're serious. ”

"If I say, you give me White Horse City, I agree to the Alliance, are you willing to cut love?"

The corners of Louie's mouth twitched. "Not kidding, right?"

"So......" Arnold smiled faintly, but ironically, as Louis as he did, "I see, cousin Louie, why did I choose that?" ”