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“Thud… thud…

A round head rolled to the ground.

The gushing blood painted the marble floor in a striking palette.

The whole room fell silent.

No one had expected that a simple ennoblement ceremony would turn out like this.

The command of Duke St. Hilde was abrupt.

And so was Colin’s execution of it.

In fact, Colin had anticipated the Duke’s command.

Because, the name of Ice Rock City was distinctly included in the newly granted fiefdom of the Angler family!

Since the Duke was already granting Sudor family’s territory to the Angler family, Colin was unsurprised that the Duke chose this moment to settle accounts with Cain.

However, for others present, it seemed as if the Duke and Colin had conspired together.

It was a sudden blow to Cain.

Even when Cain’s head fell to the ground, the confusion in his eyes hadn’t had time to turn into fear.

A heartbreaking cry shattered the silence.

It was Cynthia Sudor, rushing over like a madwoman, as though to avenge her brother.

After his sword’s strike, Colin immediately kneeled on one knee towards Duke St. Hilde, raising his sword with both hands above his head.

As for Cynthia, who was rushing towards him from behind, Colin simply ignored her.

Before Cynthia could reach Colin, she was stopped by a troop of guards.

“Why! Why! Your Grace, why? Colin! I will kill you, I will kill you…”

Once the hysterical woman was carried out of the hall by the guards, Duke St. Hilde finally smiled and said to Colin, “Very well, Knight Colin. I admire how you interpret loyalty.

The name of this sword is the Blade of Judgment.

Five years ago, I used it to behead the previous Troll Emperor.

Now, it’s yours.

I hope you treat it well, and live up to its name, and the honor it represents.”

Colin’s heart trembled as he took back the long sword and said loudly, “I am grateful for your Grace’s gift! I hereby swear, wherever your will points, that is where I will swing my sword!”

Duke St. Hilde, satisfied, nodded his head and signaled Colin that he could leave.

Following that, the ennoblement ceremony continued.

However, the eyes of all those present were occasionally glancing in Colin’s direction.

If one could say that gaining the rank of baron had only earned Colin some envious glances.

Then now, when he was bestowed the Blade of Judgment by the duke, everyone’s gaze turned unmistakably jealous.

No one expected that Duke St. Hilde would think so highly of Colin, a just-promoted baron!

Only the silent Marquis Garcia, upon seeing the long sword in Colin’s hand, slightly furrowed his brow.

After the last batch of newly elevated barons received their patents, the entire ennoblement ceremony was finally nearing its end.

However, Duke St. Hilde seemed in no hurry to end the ceremony right away.

The people present also did not seem surprised and were holding their breath, waiting for something.

“Charles. ”

Finally, Duke St. Hilde called out the name of his eldest son.

Marquis Charles, who had taken a back seat all this time, shuddered slightly at the sound of his name, then, like a person walking up to a death row, walked to the center of the hall and kneeled on one knee in front of his father.

“I heard you want to atone for the death of two hundred thousand warriors?” There was neither clear pleasure nor anger in Duke St. Hilde’s voice.

With his head lowered, Marquis Charles choked out, “Yes, Father! I, I have failed your expectations and I have failed the trust of the citizens of the North Territory and the two hundred thousand warriors!

Therefore, I willingly give up the title of the Marquis as atonement for my mistakes!”

Duke St. Hilde didn’t say anything, just coldly fixing his gaze upon his eldest son.

Charles had not raised his head, but it seemed he understood his father’s intent. He methodically removed his marquis signet ring, undid his ribbon, and finally took off his ceremonial robe that symbolized his status as a Marquis. He folded them carefully and placed them in front of him. “Please forgive my sins, Father!”

Charles knelt on the ground, awaiting his father’s judgment.

After a long silence, Duke St. Hilde finally spoke:

“Charles, from now on, the glory of the St. Hilde family has nothing to do with you.

You will head to the northern border as an ordinary soldier, fighting on the frontlines against the Trolls for the rest of your life.

Until the day when we capture the royal city of the Trolls!”

“Yes, father…”

Charles falteringly knocked his head, staggered back and left.

The once primary heir to the Lord of the North Territory had left the room in such a dejected manner.

The observing nobles continued to remain silent, not daring to make any move that would attract the duke’s attention.

Despite the Duke’s calm demeanor, those familiar with him knew that he was seething with anger.

Anyone would feel terrible if they were forced to depose their hand-picked heir, especially a duke of the North Territory who held the final say.

Clearly, this was a tremendous challenge to his authority.

But he had no choice but to swallow his fury.

The atmosphere in the hall became gradually heavier.

The ceremony was not over yet.

The Lord of the North Territory couldn’t be without an heir. If Charles was deprived of his noble rank, then naturally someone had to inherit the title of Marquis.

And that person…

Who could it be?

Colin maliciously glanced in the direction of Marquis Garcia.

During a hunting trip outside the city, Marquis Garcia had already informed Colin about his previous deal with Duke St. Hilde.

Thus, he knew clearly that the person who would inherit this Marquess title, unless something unexpected happens, should be Vera!

Although by law, Vera was behind the Duke’s other two sons in the line of inheritance, no one would dare oppose if the Duke insisted on making Vera the primary heir.

Oh no, the only one who would dare and had the qualification to oppose in the room, was Marquis Garcia.

However, obviously, Marquis Garcia would not oppose.

As for the Imperial Nobility Senate.

Perhaps they hold strong constraints on general nobles, but they would not dare to point fingers at the inheritance rights of the truly High Noble St Hilde family.

Even if Vera’s right to inherit was a bit against the law, as long as Duke St. Hilde came up with a plausible excuse, they would certainly have to reluctantly accept it.

Those excuses were easy to find, for example, the second son was too weak, the third son was too young…

In short, when Duke St. Hilde and Marquis Garcia reached a consensus, there were no issues in the North Territory that they wouldn’t be able to decide on.

However, just as Colin was expecting Vera’s name, the Duke uttered another name:

“Adams.”

Colin suddenly looked up, shocked at the figure in the center of the hall.

What is going on?

Shouldn’t it be Vera?

Upon hearing his father’s call, the Duke’s second son, Adams St. Hilde, suppressing his inner ecstasy, briskly walked forward, knelt down on one knee in front of the Duke.

“In the name of Duke St. Hilde, I now confer upon you the title of Marquis, I hope you shall prove worthy…”

Colin was no longer interested in what followed, and hurriedly looked in the direction of Marquis Garcia.

Then, he saw Marquis Garcia’s icy gaze.

Betrayal!

This was raw betrayal!

Marquis Garcia had withstood many temptations and ultimately stayed loyal to his brother.

But who would have thought, now he was betrayed by his own brother!

The nobles, ignorant of everything, continued to celebrate for the newly appointed Marquis Adams. Even naive Vera was happy for her brother.

Only Colin quietly lowered his head.

The turmoil in the North Territory, it seemed, was far from over..