The next day, Father Watt and Father Puran still seemed so unnatural towards Arnold, they seemed to have some doubts, especially Watt, who wanted to ask something several times, but in the end he wanted to stop talking, and it was clear that the miracle of Jerald had really touched them, so that the two priests had to hide their suspicions and could not speak.

Funner, on the other hand, left the church after Arnold woke up and spoke to him, and was not seen by the two priests for several days. However, at this time, they can't take care of it, and another very important matter is in front of them.

The 5,000 troops led by Lord Titus Leslie had arrived less than thirty kilometers from the city of Vertagen, and the main force of Snowlon's leadership was also under the command of the Duke of Louis, and the vanguard of Gunther, Count of Rota, and also camped less than thirty kilometers from the city of Vertagen.

The 60 kilometers in between are the buffer zone between the two sides, and although it only takes half a day to complete this journey, no one dares to take this step first.

As agreed, Father Watt arranged a meeting between Arnold and Duke Louis in the barracks on the side of Snowlon's army outside Vortagen.

Arnold waited in the tent for a long time, and the Duke of Louis was late.

"Ah, I'm sorry, it's so hot here, it's making me sweat and uncomfortable!" said Duke Louis, fanning his little fan, and complained loudly, "Ah, cousin Arnold, I'm sorry to keep you waiting." ”

Duke Louis sat down on the throne, although he said apologetic words, there was not much sincerity on his face, but there was a faint smile that made people feel mocking.

Arnold frowned, Louie, this guy, the first impression is very annoying, especially that kind of smile, Arnold doesn't like it from the bottom of his heart.

"When I first came here, I wasn't used to it. Although he was very dissatisfied with Louis in his heart, Arnold hid his inner thoughts well on his face, "It's really too hot here, but fortunately, the city of Fotagan is still cool." ”

"Haha, of course. Duke Louis laughed, then threw the fan to the servant beside him, reclined in his chair, his eyes narrowed slightly, and looked at Arnold, "This is the first time we have met, I'm Louis Philippe Tamska." ”

"I'm Arnold Svan Fegraf. Arnold nodded at Louie, "Although it is the first time we have met, I don't think there is any need for extra greetings on such an occasion." ”

"Is it so straightforward? Ha, that's good, it saves me money. Louis propped his temples with the back of his hand, and his brown hair hung down like a waterfall, "I'd naturally be happy to see my cousin become the Duke of Cold Mountain, but my retainers are still a little hesitant, they are a little worried about whether you will become another Duke of Tigerman and pose a threat to the Snowman Lord." ”

"I have already discussed the details of the cooperation with Father Watt, and since he has full authority to represent you, I think your worries are unwarranted. ”

"Oh yes, I'm not worried, I just have to explain it to the retainers, and you know, those guys are always able to find a lot of reasons to oppose your idea, like a swarm of flies in your ears, it's annoying...... Oh, you're not a duke yet, so I'm afraid you don't have that kind of trouble. ”

The corners of Arnold's mouth twitched slightly, and he always felt that Louis had said this on purpose.

"This is a matter for the Figlaf and Tamska families, who are not in a position to be beaked, and if anyone wants to bother you with my affairs, I am willing to explain, and I am sure that Archbishop Benedict will be able to help you as well. ”

Louis stared at Arnold with a smile on his face for a moment, then nodded slowly.

"Since you say so, then I'll believe you. Duke Louis tilted his neck and looked at Arnold from the side, "I see that the clothes you are wearing seem to be a little shabby, and it seems that you have been having a bad time this time, so why don't you go to Whitehorse City for a while to rest after the disaster in Vortagan City? ”

Arnold's face changed suddenly, if he went to Whitehorse City, he would really become a puppet in the hands of the Tamska family.

"That's not what we said we were going to work together. Arnold stared at Louis tightly, his eyes becoming a little dangerous.

"Yes, however, when you talked to Father Watt about working together, you didn't behave like that. ”

Duke Louis still had a smile on his lips, and the mockery that seemed to be there showed his natural superiority, as if he should be superior.

"Cousin Arnold, since you were so direct at first, let's just do it now. You put on a pitiful look and ran to the church of Vortagen to ask for our help, and Father Watt was a little convinced of your performance at first. However, your plan is too big for you to hide. At the very least, I have every reason to believe that you have a part to play in the chaos in Vortagen. ”

As he spoke, Louis scoffed, not knowing who he was laughing at.

"Maybe I should thank you, thanks to your help, I'm only here to get wet, otherwise the fat of the Forta Gen would be really hard to eat!"

"You're welcome. Arnold squeezed those two words out between his teeth.

"The fire in Blackstone Palace has burned down the Rupert family and all the officials of Vortagen...... In short, I find it hard to believe that there could be such a coincidence, why is it that at such a time, the administrative system of Vortagen City is completely paralyzed, giving me such a good opportunity for the Snowren and Cold Mountain Lords?

Arnold had a calm face, and his face was very ugly.

"If you don't want to, forget it. Seeing that Arnold was silent for a long time, Louis was not embarrassed, "I'll change the question, how do you want to win my trust?

"I think that most of the proceeds of the Vortagan Territory will go to you, and my father will also give it to you, and I think such a guarantee is sufficient. Arnold's tone was a little stiff, in the conversation with Louie, he had always been out of the favor, not only because Louie had seen through him too much, but more importantly, Louie had been provoking him, and he had to be patient.

The former may be the credit of Archbishop Benedict, while the latter is probably Louis himself's style.

"No, that's not enough. Louis shook his head decisively, and the smile on his face was gone, "Uncle Tiger is not a hostage of sufficient weight, you want him to die, if I do kill him, it will be a good thing for you." You'll even get the rightful name of sending troops to the Snowlen Territory. ”

"Then you can change the conditions. Arnold leaned back and leaned back in his chair, fed up with the feeling of being constrained, "Yours to have the initiative, anyway." Cousin, since you and I would like this conversation to be more direct and straightforward, I am not going to engage in meaningless nonsense. You can't directly annex the Cold Mountain Territory, the Snowren Territory doesn't have this appetite, so you have to let a Feglaf be the Duke of Cold Mountain, and there is no doubt that the most suitable person is me. We are mutually beneficial, which is the basis and guarantee of our cooperation. ”

"However, our efforts and benefits are not proportional to each other's efforts. Louis smiled and shook his head, the mockery in the smile on his face seemed to be even stronger, "You just moved your lips to get the cold mountain collar." And I sent more than 20,000 troops, spent a lot of money and food to help you, and maybe even blocked the threat of a war, and the final gain was nothing more than a not necessarily reliable ally, I will not be reconciled to such a comparison, you should be able to understand, cousin?"

Arnold took a deep breath, then slowly pressed the air out of his chest. He deeply felt that Louis was tricky, although he was young, but he was even more difficult to deal with than Funner and Watt.

"I would not be at all surprised if I met Archbishop Benedict today, however, it is you who sit before me today. So, I don't think your worries are unwarranted, and if I become a duke, I should have a headache for your neighbor. ”

"Oh?" Louie's narrow eyes showed a not friendly smile, "Are you so sure that you can become a duke? You know, I can't just choose a deal with you, maybe Uncle Tiger will want to redeem his son?"

"Then he went to Whitehorse City to buy some goods, and with his character, he probably would be happy to move the whole of Whitehorse back to Lionheart Castle. Arnold replied with a straight face.

"I'm afraid that Lionheart Castle can't fit the prosperity of White Horse City. ”

"Then he can reward the generals, so that the army of the Leng Shan Leader will leave a good impression on White Horse City. Arnold smiled at Louis's expression, "It's a good impression." ”

Louis looked at Arnold silently for a moment, then exhaled.

"Well, cousin, one thing you are right about is that I can really only choose you to be the Duke of Cold Mountain. But you can't let me go back empty-handed, or I will have a hard time explaining to my retainers, especially that Count of Rota, Gunther, who has sent troops this time, and I have to have something to appease him. ”

"Isn't it enough to lead the Forta Gen?" Arnold asked rhetorically, and although Louis's tone softened, Arnold felt that this was a concession he had prepared in the first place, in order to get Arnold to give more in return.

"In what name shall I occupy it?" Louis did not agree so easily, "and that is not your territory, and you cannot make it a condition for someone else's things." Even if I could temporarily control the Vortagan Territory, the Norsviers would oppose it. ”

"As it happens, I have something that will make it easy for you to control the Furtagan Collar. Arnold suddenly showed a mysterious smile, and even Louis was a little puzzled, not quite understanding what kind of medicine was sold in Arnold's gourd.

"You were right to say that you didn't believe that the fire at Blackstone Palace burned the Rupert family and the officials of Vortagan City to death. Arnold pulled something out of his bosom and threw it to Louis, "You are right to say that I was involved in the rebellion in the city of Vortagen. However, I was only a small, inconspicuous supporting character in a drama that shocked the entire empire, and although I was lucky enough to get some crucial things, I was not really able to control the fate of the Lords of Vortagan. ”

Louis frowned at what Arnold had thrown over, and when he released his palm, he saw that it was a badge engraved with the Crest of the Rupert family.

"Now," Arnold said, looking at Louis, "the fate of the Vortagan Territory is in your hands. ”

Louis looked up, looked at Arnold, then glanced down at the badge in his palm, and quickly, he reacted.

"Ackerman Rupert in your hands?"

"In your hands. Arnold pointed to the badge in Louis's palm and said, "It's in your hand soon, as long as it ......."

"As long as I agree to cooperate with you, I will help you become the Duke of Shanglengshan. Louie smiled, but this time, there was no annoying mockery in his smile.

"Exactly. Arnold also smiled slightly, although it was a little difficult to deal with, but fortunately, his cousin was on his side from the beginning.