Outside the city of Fortagen, an army of more than 50,000 people is facing each other, and if this battle breaks out, it will be the largest decisive battle within the empire in the past ten years, even the battle between Duke Tegman and the Holy Helm Leader eight years ago is not as large as it is now.

And in the center of the battlefield, where all eyes are on it, is reserved for six people.

Louis rode the white horse of Alwin, the symbol of Snowlen's collar, and walked leisurely towards Tegman's side with Rees and Arnold, who were also riding horses. Louis was wearing no armor, still wearing a light silk shirt, and his trademark orange brown hair was casually draped over his shoulders. He rode his horse very freely, as if he had not come to fight, but to go on an outing.

Reese behind him was still so serious and stereotyped, without any expression on his face. And, like Louie, he was only dressed in a black suit and had no armor. As for Arnold, who was beside him, he saw his father again after many months, and even though he was prepared in his heart, the expression on his face inevitably revealed his inner emotions.

However, such emotions were not manifested in Tigerman's face, as a father, he seemed to be really hard-hearted, and he didn't even look at his son, just stared at Louis in front of him.

Compared to Louis, who traveled lightly, the three Tegman were fully armed. Despite the hot weather in Vortagen's territory, Tiger still added a piece of chain mail under his cloak, as well as wrist and shin guards, and with the equipment he had now, it was enough to join a fierce battle right away. And not to mention Titus behind him, who was originally preparing to be the commander of the front line, wearing the same full-body plate armor as when he and Arnold met, and even the horses under his crotch were also wearing armor, as if he was a heavy knight. Relatively speaking, Funner had less armor on his body, after all, he had only returned to Tegman's barracks last night, and there was no combat mission for him today, but even so, he had a leather armor.

Except for Titus's somewhat strange expression, which seemed to be hesitating about something, Tigerman and Fonner were expressionless, but they were very similar to Reese on Louie's side.

When both sides reached a distance of only about 100 meters from each other, they dismounted and walked slowly towards each other.

The arid and hot climate of the Vortagan Territory has left its land barren and desertified in many places. As the six of them walked towards each other, they stepped on the yellow sand under their feet, and from time to time the wind blew down from the Black Rock Peak in the distance, raising the sand and dust in the center of the battlefield, adding a bit of gloomy and desolate atmosphere to this meeting.

When the two sides walked to a distance of about 50 meters from each other, they could already see each other's faces clearly. Tiger Man still didn't look at his son, just stared at Louie, and at the same time raised his head slightly, with a smile on the corner of his mouth, making it difficult to understand his thoughts.

Louis, who faced his uncle for the first time, was not timid, he also held his head high and had a smile on his face, but the meaning of his smile was more direct than that of Tegman, and it was still his usual mocking style.

Both Reece and Fonner walked towards each other with expressionless faces, except that one was expressionless because of his rigor, while the other was expressionless because of his depth.

Compared to his companion who is difficult to guess his thoughts through his expression, Titus's expression is much more revealed, he looks at Arnold with a complicated expression, there is obviously a struggle in his eyes, if Tigerman turns around to look at him at this time, he will definitely find the problem immediately, but it is a pity that now Duke Tigerman's thoughts have been taken away by another duke.

And Arnold, as the most delicate person in the six, kept his head down, and his bangs covered his expression, even Reese next to him couldn't see Arnold's eyes clearly.

In the end, they walked in front of each other, the yellow sand flew on the land they walked through, behind them was an army of more than 20,000 people, this negotiation, has set up the table and chairs, kicked off the prelude to the game, now, it depends on the cards in everyone's hands.

"Louie, this is the first time I've seen you. "Tagman's tall body stood in front of Louie as if it were a mountain, and if their positions were reversed, with Tagman on the side with his back to the sun, then Louis would probably be shrouded in the shadow cast by Tagman by now.

"Ah—yes, my dear uncle. Louis opened his mouth, and the tone was exaggerated and frivolous, "To be honest, if I can change the meeting place, then I will be very happy to meet you, after all, you are also my dearest!"

"You picked the place to meet, so put away your complaints now, and let's get down to business. Tegman shook his horsewhip and pointed to the 26,000 army behind Louis and said, "There are more than 50,000 spectators watching us here, and no one wants to be too ugly in front of their own soldiers, right?"

"I'm sorry, I probably don't quite understand what you mean. Louis asked knowingly, "Excuse me...... What do you mean by 'too ugly'?"

"If I declare the negotiations broken down now, and I want to take you hostage, do you think you will look ashamed - especially when I hold you like a child on your waist. Tegman looked at Louie with contempt, patted the saber on his waist, lowered his head and said in Louis' ear, "If Benedict might be better here, you should think the same way, right?"

The smile on Louie's face was a little stiff, and his face, which always had a sarcastic smile, was now a little more ugly. Not because of Tegman's threat, but because he hated the feeling of being slighted.

"That's not good. Louis replied in Tigerman's ear, "If you do, what will Cousin Arnold do? ”

"That's not a problem. Tegman laughed as he reached out and ruffled Louie's long hair, "I never pay attention to the details of what I do, and if the people behind you are not convinced, I will let my people convince them." ”

As he spoke, Tegman's eyes suddenly became dangerous. "With words or with swords. ”

Louis pouted, his expression sneering and stubborn. "Uncle, don't you plan to say a word to Cousin Arnold?"

"He?" Tiger snorted dismissively, but turned his head away, "Shameless of the Fegraf family, honestly, I don't really want to see it. ”

Arnold looked up, his empty eyes looking at Tegman.

"Father. ”

But Tegman ignored him and turned his gaze back to Louie.

"Well, Louie, don't delay me with those inconsequential things, you should know very well that once the war really starts, you are no match for my army at all. Of course, we are relatives after all, and I am not going to fight you here to hurt the relationship between the two families, and no matter what, our neighbor to the east with the surname Northville can always make us sleep. Hand Arnold over to me, and then the interests of the Vortagan Territory can be divided equally between our two families. Don't think it's unfair, if you really want to fight, then you won't get anything at all if you divide it according to each other's military strength. ”

As he spoke, Tiger Man sneered and said in a disdainful tone: "After all, if there is a real war, I don't guarantee that I will leave you with a few people." ”

Although he knew that Tiger was just exaggerating to gain an advantage in the negotiations, his tone still made Louis quite unhappy, and the last thing he liked was for others to put on a arrogant appearance in front of him.

Because he himself likes to belittle others in order to exalt himself.

"It's a shame you say that. Louis endured the hatred of Tagman in his heart, and said lightly, "The Lordship of Vortagan does not belong to you or to me, and now that its owner is missing, no one can give evidence that Count Vortagen and his son Ackerman have really left this world, so why do you say that you want to divide it equally?"

Louis deliberately turned his head and posed as if he admired the Black Rock Peak in the distance. "It's a little wild, but it's such a beauty, it shouldn't be treated so roughly, does it?"

"If you like women so much, why don't you put on women's clothes and feel for yourself, and feel whether those guys who can only have children like to be treated roughly?" Tagman's tone became more and more unpolite, he didn't seem to be here to negotiate, but deliberately came to quarrel with Louie, "Don't pretend, boy, this is my last question, will you agree to my terms?" You'd better not have too many illusions, because the more you fantasize, the more painful it will only be when I tear up your dreams with my own hands!"

Louis knew that Tagman was testing himself, and he had been using very unkind and even vulgar language to intimidate himself, all in order to test the bottom line of the Snowman Collar, if he showed weak concessions, then Tagman would really eat the Snowlen Collar like a hungry tiger. Under normal circumstances, Louis would never back down at this time, and once one side made the first concession in the negotiation, the other side would definitely chase after him in order to earn greater benefits. But now, Louie wants Tagman to show his fangs.

"Ah—since you've said so, there's no way around it, just for the sake of my relatives, I can give it to you, cousin Arnold. Louis shrugged his shoulders and said helplessly, "However, I must be compensated for the distribution of the Vortagan Domain, otherwise, even if I am willing to accept the offer of equal division as a relative, my vassals will not agree, and this time they have also sent a considerable amount of manpower." ”

"Deucing is already lifting them up. Tagman said in a low voice, as if it were all coming out of his throat, "But, seeing that you're willing to hand Arnold over to me, maybe I can think about it." ”

Tagman turned his head and glanced at Fanna and Titus. "In order to avoid trouble, Arnold, I will let them take it back first, and how to distribute the Forta Gen Territory, perhaps we can go back to discuss it with our retainers. ”

"No!" Louis replied flatly, "either the two things should be decided together, or Cousin Arnold should be left with me." ”

Titus couldn't help but glance at Arnold behind Louis, he didn't know how Arnold would feel now. It must be a very uncomfortable feeling that I am being tossed around as a bargaining chip.

Arnold just kept his head down and didn't say a word, and no one could see his expression through the bangs that covered his face.

Tiger Man glanced at his son as well, but his eyes didn't look like he was looking at his own flesh and bones, as if he was just looking at a commodity.

"In any case, handing over Arnold to me is a necessary prerequisite, without which no cooperation can be discussed. Of course, if you are worried, I can stay here and continue negotiations with you, but Arnold must be sent back to my barracks first, he is a traitor, and I must punish him. ”

Louis turned his head and glanced at Arnold, but there was no regret or sympathy for his cousin on his face, only a faint sneer.

"In that case, well. Louis raised his hand and made a "please" gesture, "I'm sorry, cousin, although I am more than happy to fight for you, my uncle is not very easy to convince." ”

Arnold didn't say a word, just took a step forward, walked over to Funner and Titus, and let the two of them clasp their hands left and right.

Seeing that Arnold was already in his hands, Tegman immediately waved his hand and motioned for Funner and Titus to take him back.

"Now......" Instead of looking at the three people who were far away, Tiger Man looked at Louis with a smile, "We can have a good talk." ”

"Of course......" Louis also smiled all over his face, "my dear uncle." ”