Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Sir. "Coming from outside the door was one of the two guards Rodney had sent to him," Rodney Steward has come to visit you. ”

Arnold and Lily glanced at each other, just now he said that someone would come to the Blackstone Palace today, but he didn't expect Rodney to come in person so soon.

"Okay, I'll go downstairs and ask Rodney to wait a moment. ”

After sending the guards away, Arnold thought about it, but did not leave immediately.

"Do you have any doubts?" asked Lily, seeing Arnold pondering.

"I'm wondering......" Arnold muttered, "Rodney, will you tell me that the Snowren mission has arrived in Vortagenterritory?" ”

"Don't you already know?" said Lily casually, "Or do you think Rodney would want to use you to make a deal with Snowlon?"

"That's almost certain, Rodney, no, even a stupid person would not let go of such a good opportunity. Arnold tilted his head sideways and looked at the door, as if he wanted to see through the door the situation on the first floor of the hostel, "The point is what Rodney would want from Snowlon, and what price Snowland would be willing to pay." ”

"Why, do you want to estimate your price?" heard Arnold say this, and Lily couldn't help but joke along with his words.

But Arnold didn't have any smile on his face.

"It's time to meet him. Arnold opened the door and prepared to go downstairs, "If I can know what they want from each other, then the opportunity of this gamble will all fall into my hands." ”

While Arnold was speculating about Rodney's intentions, the head of the Blackstone Palace was also downstairs, patiently waiting for Arnold.

The hostel was quiet today, with few people coming in and out, and in the restaurant on the first floor, Rodney was the only one sitting at the table, quietly waiting for Arnold.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Arnold walked over to the table where Rodney was sitting and turned his head to scan the dining room, "It seems deserted, don't you like the noise?"

"I do prefer to be quiet if I can. Rodney said, but the semantics were vague.

Still, Arnold nodded, perhaps understanding what Rodney meant.

"So," Arnold sat down, "what are you doing today?"

"I'll come over and see if there's anything you need here. Rodney crossed his fingers in front of him, leaned his back on the backrest, and said lightly, "By the way, let's also come to see your residence, if the guest stays too bad, it will be rude to us." ”

"It was very comfortable to stay here, the service in Vortagan City was very pleasant, and thank you for your concern. Arnold politely replied, "By the way, I don't know what news there is from the Snowren Territory." ”

"Huh?" Rodney frowned slightly, "What do you mean?"

"On the Snowren Territory's side, there should be a reaction to the matter of the Cold Mountain Leader, right? Arnold smiled and said, "I don't have access to the news after all, if you know anything, can you tell me?"

"Since it is your request, I will naturally not refuse. Rodney said very generously, "As far as I know, Duke Louis has sent Archbishop Benedict to Leng Shan Ling to negotiate with Duke Tagman about your matter, perhaps, there will be progress soon." ”

Hearing Rodney say that his affairs would soon be progressing, Arnold couldn't help but smile with joy. "If that's the case, that's great! Pardon me, if you can, let me leave for Snowlon's territory as soon as possible?"

"Are you in such a hurry to leave, do you think we are not being well entertained?" Rodney asked rhetorically.

"Oh no, I don't mean to, please don't get me wrong. Arnold hurriedly waved his hand, "It's just that I'm more anxious—if I can explain the truth to Duke Louis during the negotiations between Snowlen and my father, then I can tell my father through the mouth of Archbishop Benedict, so that my father can understand that I am not the one who betrayed him." ”

"You have a point. Rodney nodded, "However, I think it would be better for us to inform Duke Louis through an official envoy first, please forgive me, after all, we also have our own position." ”

Standpoint...... Does it mean to be neutral? Arnold knew in his heart what Rodney meant by that.

"In that case, well, I'll wait for you to inform Duke Louis first. Arnold nodded in agreement, "Anyway, I'm please." ”

"Rest assured, we will do our best to help you. Rodney said calmly, "There is one more thing, maybe I want your consent. ”

"Speak. Arnold said casually.

"It's about Lord Ackerman, who is willing to help you in any way he can, because your character and family background are very admirable, and we would be happy to see that you can maintain a friendly relationship with the cold mountain leader. This is a rare opportunity, so I would like to ask you one thing. Rodney looked at Arnold's eyes, which made Arnold feel a little uneasy in his heart, "I heard that you have two younger sisters, you see, Lord Ackerman's age is also the time to marry, if he can marry one of your sisters, wouldn't this not only take care of the friendship between you and Lord Ackerman, but also be very beneficial to the friendly relationship between the Cold Mountain Collar and the Fotagan Collar?"

Arnold's hand under the table suddenly clenched, and at this time, where could he hide his face. Not only was he angry at Rodney's proposal, but he was also jealous of why he knew him so well, Arnold didn't believe that Rodney could investigate himself so clearly in a day's work.

Seeing Arnold's suddenly unsightly complexion, Rodney's heart suddenly became clear.

"Your expression doesn't look like it's too happy...... Did I provoke you? If so, allow me to apologize to you. Rodney said, pretending to be frightened.

Arnold took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down, but the anger and resentment that had accumulated in his chest could not be completely eliminated, even if the heart in his chest no longer beat.

"I can't give an answer to this matter for the time being, after all, my sisters are in Lionheart, and I have no right to decide their marriage. Arnold's tone trembled slightly, as if his teeth were holding back anger, "If you want to talk about this, let's wait until I contact my father through the Snowlen Territory." ”

Rodney stared at Arnold's face for a long time, the wrinkles in the corners of his eyes and the indistinct smile on his face made Arnold's heart inexplicably ignite.

"That's right, I'm sorry I was abrupt. Rodney apologized, but the smile hidden in his apologetic face made Arnold's anger even more intense, "However, just now I also thought of another way, it is better for our Vortagan Leader to send an envoy to the Cold Mountain Leader in the name of Lord Ackerman's proposal, so that we will not directly intervene in the internal affairs of the Cold Mountain Territory, and we can guarantee our position." At the same time, after meeting Duke Tagman, you can also take the opportunity to bring up your matter and tell the truth to Duke Tagman, what do you think?"

Arnold was shocked, and his heart was filled with anger, and it was only now that he really understood the power of Rodney. It was difficult for Arnold to refuse, and if things really went according to Rodney's proposal, then Arnold had no position to continue to ask to go to the Snowren Territory, or establish contact with the Tamska family, and the Vortagan Territory could justifiably control him in his hands. And Rodney said that this idea was just thought of by him, which was obviously a pretext, and he must have thought of this method a long time ago, but he deliberately said it just now, in order to mislead Arnold, as for the purpose of misleading Arnold, it may be to deal with the Snowren mission.

At this time, Arnold had to rejoice, if Lily hadn't immediately told him that the Snowren mission might have arrived in Fotagen City yesterday, then now he was afraid that Rodney would really take the initiative and lead him by the nose.

"I shouldn't have refused your kindness, but ......," Arnold considered his words, and seemed to think quite seriously, "but I heard that yesterday the messenger led by Snowon arrived in Vortagen?"

Rodney's face showed surprise for the first time, apparently, he didn't expect Arnold to know the news.

His face twitched, then he asked, "Where did you hear that?"

Rodney did not admit or deny the truth of the news, but only asked Arnold about the source of the news.

"When the Emissary entered the territory of Vortagan last night, he happened to be met by a friend of mine. Arnold replied with a smile, "He's a fun-loving man, and he couldn't get to be fascinated by the bustling scenery of Vortagan, so he came home late last night and happened to see that scene." ”

Rodney immediately thought of who Arnold was talking about.

"Do you have friends in Vortagen?" Rodney asked, frowning, "I thought you came alone, and you said the same to Master Ackerman yesterday. ”

"It was a friend I met by chance in the city of Vortagen, and because it was very funny, I made more contacts. Arnold's smile remained unchanged, as if the anger he had just had completely vanished.

Rodney closed his mouth and pondered. Of course, he knew that Arnold was unlikely to tell the truth, but even a lie could reveal part of the truth, such as whether Kelsusa was really that solid.

Pondering every word Arnold had just said, Rodney's mind raced into action.

Is it trying to trick me into suspecting Kelsusa? But this lie is too obvious, and perhaps he doesn't know Kelsusa's true identity, but just wants to use it to confuse me. But even so, there are too many things that cannot be explained, first of all, it is difficult to answer the question of how he knew that Kelsusa was in contact with me, or is it that he actually doesn't know anything about Kelsusa's identity, but simply feels that there is something wrong with this person, so he deliberately deceived me?

The questions quickly passed through Rodney's mind, and after a few moments, his eyes refocused and fell back on Arnold.

"I see, but please don't spread the word for now. ”

"No problem. Arnold readily agreed, "But can you tell me why?"

"Because of our position, it is not appropriate to announce to the outside world at this time that we have received the news of the Snowlen Leader's envoy. "You can understand that Lord Vortagan must remain neutral, and if the Earl's whereabouts are unknown, it will cause unnecessary and troublesome speculation, even if it is only a courtesy visit, it will be used by people with ulterior motives, so I don't want this information to be made public." ”

"I see. Arnold nodded, "So, may I meet with all of you in the Mission?" I think it is necessary for me to meet with the envoys of Snowlon, and to inform Duke Louis of some information. ”

"Well......" Rodney hesitated, he really didn't have any reason to refuse now, "Okay, I'll arrange it, please wait a while." ”

Rodney said, having to revise his original plan.