The Cold Mountain army that had left Vortagan returned to Brookwood three days later, and before the Burning Knight and the Gloomy Raven's banner appeared in the border town, Rayleigh and the other garrisons who had been left behind by Tiger Man were unaware of the change of Duke Cold Mountain.

Unlike his father, Tiger Man, Arnold was not accustomed to life in the barracks, and he chose to stay in a hostel in the town.

The Tavern of the Sleeping Giant is the same one he first met Lily.

The governor of Fort Lionheart, who was in charge of the army's material dispatch, was almost escorted by Fangna to meet Arnold.

"Mr. Reilly Clive, how long have we not seen each other?"

Arnold looked at the familiar and somewhat unfamiliar old man in front of him, without any expression on his face.

"It's been about half a year. Reilly kept his head down, trying to control his emotions.

"Compared to the number of years you have been with our Figlaf family, half a year doesn't seem like too long. Arnold glanced at Funner, who was standing behind Reilly, "Give Reilly a chair, after all, Reilly is old." ”

Funner pulled a chair over and pushed it behind Reilly. Reilly glanced at Fonner's expressionless face and didn't thank him.

"How's Lionheart now?"

Reilly was stunned, after he left Lionheart with Tegman, he was entrusted with the responsibility of material dispatch by the Duke, and did not pay attention to the problems of Lionheart.

"It should be the same as before. Reilly thought for a moment and had to reply.

"It's the same as before? No, it's not the same now. Arnold shook his head, the expression on his face made it impossible for Reilly to read his thoughts, "Now that Lionheart has changed owners, how can it still be the same as before?"

"That's what you're saying. Reilly's expression darkened for a moment, "Well, please appoint another Governor of Fort Lionheart, I can't continue in this position." ”

"Because of my father?" Arnold stared at Reilly's vicissitudes of life.

"Just because I'm old. Reilly lowered his head.

"Really?" Arnold nodded, noncommittal, "So, do you have any candidates you can recommend? I don't want to make a mess of Lionheart, especially at this time." ”

Reilly just kept his head down and didn't speak.

"No, since there is no suitable candidate, please continue in your position as Governor of Lionheart, at least I don't want you to retire until a suitable successor is found. ”

Reilly looked up and looked at Arnold in surprise.

"What?" Seeing Reilly's expression, Arnold suddenly laughed, "Do you think I have other intentions? No, don't misunderstand, I became a duke because the vassals of the Cold Mountain Domain agreed that I should be in charge, and this is an inheritance to my father, not a usurpation, so I will not drive you away because of your close relationship with my father." ”

Reilly lowered his head again.

"Thank you for your generosity, but ...... I think it's better for me to resign as the manager. ”

"Why?"

"It is because you have graciously allowed me to continue in my position as Steward, that I have the audacity to make this request to you: I wish to go to Lord Tegman's side and continue to serve my lord. ”

Reilly bent down deeply, and from his tone, Arnold could tell that the old man really wanted to continue following Tagman.

"What if I refuse?"

Reilly didn't speak, just continued to bend over.

"Then I'll refuse. Arnold stood up and walked out of the room, "While I appreciate your loyalty, I can't allow any cold mountain man to come to my father's side. It's up to you whether you want to continue as the head of Lionheart or not. ”

Arnold walked out of the room, and Fonner followed him with a blank face.

"How's Charlie?"

Arnold wandered casually through the quiet corridors, and because she learned that it was the new duke, the hostess of the inn decisively drove out all the drinkers who had been here all day.

"It's fine. Funner replied lightly.

Arnold was tempted to ask how good it was, but he thought about it and gave up on it.

"What are you going to do now?"

"Huh?" Funner didn't seem to come to his senses, looking at Arnold blankly.

"You, Titus, and Heathcliff, have all been different from what I used to be when I banished my father. I can understand Titus and Heathcliff, but I can't understand your feelings except you. ”

Arnold stopped, turned to look at Funner.

"Now that I'm the Duke of Lengshan, what are your plans?"

Fonner lowered his head, not looking into Arnold's eyes.

"I heard that yesterday Titus made a request to you, he wanted to give up his current position and take the oath to become a paladin, while the fief and title of the Leslie family were inherited by his eldest son. ”

"Yes, and I agreed. Arnold nodded, "I'm going to set up a Paladin Order, and he will be the head of the Order." Therefore, although Titus will serve as a priest in the future, he can still serve the cold mountain leader. ”

Fonnar raised his head slightly, glanced at Arnold, and he sensed that Arnold was quite sophisticated in dealing with these matters, just like the diplomatic skills he used when he exiled Tagman, and it seemed that Arnold was very good at taking advantage of the relationship between others.

"And how are you going to arrange for the Gallup Knights?"

"It's the same as Reilly. Arnold pointed to the room they had just walked out of, "I don't care about their hostility to me on the battlefield, that's their duty, and the loyalists have nothing to blame." ”

"And what kind of punishment should be given to those who are disloyal?" Funner raised his head completely, staring straight into Arnold's eyes.

Arnold didn't answer right away, but looked at Funner.

Fonner's eyes didn't flinch.

Arnold suddenly laughed.

"Be a duke. ”

"What?" Fang Na was stunned, but did not react.

"Be a duke. Arnold shrugged his shoulders, "Just like me." ”

Fang Na was stunned for a long time, and then he sighed, looked at Arnold helplessly, and said, "It seems that your mentality has recovered well, and you can still joke with me." ”

"Because I still have Serena. Arnold looked at Funner seriously, "I still have Isabella. Although I banished my father and was destined to be despised and scolded by the world, it didn't matter, because I still had the people I cared about the most. ”

Fonner stared blankly at Arnold, then lowered his head.

"It's the same with Charlie, I don't care about his actions against me, even if he doesn't want to work for me in the future, it doesn't matter, you have done so much for me, I will at least give the Fonner family a baronial title, and you can place him. ”

Arnold turned around and chuckled. "Actually, even if you don't count the work you have done for me, the exploits you made when you were under my father alone are enough for you and Titus to each get the title of an earl. ”

But Titus wouldn't accept it. Fonner shook his head, looking at Arnold's back very firmly, "Again, I don't want to accept this reward. ”

"Then I'll give it to you later. Arnold didn't say much on this topic, and hastily brought over, "Is there any more problem? I hope you can work for me without hesitation, after all, I can't do many things well, and I need the help of you and Titus." ”

"You're a good duke now. Fonner bent down and said respectfully, "However, I do have one more thing to ask: what are you going to do with the Davide family?"

Fonner noticed that Arnold's hands clenched immediately at the sight of the name.

"Did you send a messenger to Harper?"

"Not yet. Fonner shook his head, "I've ordered news of Lord Tegman's banishment to be blocked, and neither Gloomy Castle nor Fort Hotu should know about it yet. ”

"You're really reassuring. Arnold breathed a sigh of relief, his clenched palm slowly loosened, "Payne is dead, I can give Harper a chance." Let him come to me, and if he comes, I can be lenient with the Davide family. ”

Fang Nadi lowered his gaze, and he could hear that Arnold's sense of the Davide family was still very poor, and his attitude towards other people was different after all. Perhaps, it was because the Davide family gave Arnold the most fatal betrayal, so it carved a lingering shadow in Arnold's heart.

"And what about Baron William?"

"William?" Arnold sneered, his face suddenly becoming very gloomy, "John, you did a good job. ”

Fonnar raised his gaze, looking at Arnold's side face suspiciously.

"Keep the news tightly sealed, hmph, I'll give this bastard a good look!"

Fonner sighed helplessly, if Arnold treated the Davide family differently because Harper's betrayal hurt him too deeply, then the hatred of William was completely Arnold's personal flaw.

However, how could he ignore such a thing? After all, it was a matter within the Figlaf family, and at such a sensitive time now, no one dared to speak more for William.

Especially him John Fonner.

"I see. Fang Na bowed, ready to retreat.

"John. As Fonnar turned to leave, Arnold suddenly stopped him again.

"Is there anything else, Lord Duke?"

Arnold stared into Fonner's eyes.

"It's nothing, take care of yourself, you look a lot older these two days. ”

Fonnard looked deeply at Arnold.

"Thank you for your concern, I'm fine. ”

——————————————

Although Arnold kept the news within the confines of Brookwood Town to avoid Harper and William from knowing, there were some people he was eager to inform. He wanted them to know that he was back.

Lionheart Castle, the late autumn sun is as bright as ever, but the bright sunshine is gradually infected with the cold of winter. When winter comes, the cold mountain collar will show its true cruelty.

Isabella was still huddled in her room as usual. Although there were many of her peers in the castle, Isabella didn't want to be with the children at all.

Because there will always be two of them, Edward and Albert.

Like her older brother, Isabella hated her half-brothers. Perhaps this was what Arnold had inadvertently taught her, and Isabella was very fond of referring to Edward and Albert by the word "mongrel", even though the maids repeatedly advised her not to say it.

Isabella was bored on the windowsill, and it was a very frustrating thing for an eight-year-old like her not to be able to play outside.

However, it seems that God also intends to make her more uncomfortable, and even the window, the last piece of heaven that belongs to her, will appear in the figure of the guys she hates the most.

Edward and Albert and their henchmen were playing around in the outer court of Lionheart, and although they were next to the mage tower of the court mage of the Duke of Cold Mountain, these guys had no scruples at all. Because Tegman himself despises the relationship between magic, the status of the mages in the cold mountain collar has not been very high, even if Edward and Albert disturb the research of the court mages, the white-bearded old scholar does not dare to do anything to the two lord's sons.

Maybe it's because he has no scruples, or maybe it's because the child's genius *** Dehua grabbed the hair of a child who was two years older than them, and beckoned his companion to beat him together. Although the child who was beaten was older, he had no power to fight back under the beating of so many people.

"Hmph, uneducated bastard!" Seeing this scene, Isabella scolded with disdain.