Chapter 419: 417 Harmonization_1
The night was deep, and the hunting festival banquet finally came to an end, with the guests excusing themselves one after another.
Viscount Fein also bid farewell to Queen Isa, but just as he was preparing to leave, an attendant blocked his path:
“Viscount, Prince Harrison invites you to a tea party later.”
Viscount Fein turned back with surprise, and saw Prince Harrison not far away watching him. He quickly nodded in acknowledgment and said to the attendant: “Alright, it’s my honor.”
Then, under the guidance of the attendant, Viscount Fein arrived at a lounge.
The lounge was lavishly and magnificently decorated, with a distinctive style.
Three crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their light refracted through the pure crystals, becoming dazzlingly radiant and filling every corner of the lounge.
Prince Harrison had not yet arrived, and Viscount Fein walked around the lounge, taking interest in the mounted beast skulls and the uniquely designed decorative weapons on the walls.
This bold and lavish style certainly didn’t match the temperament of Half-Elf nobles; it must have been specially redecorated for Prince Harrison.
Thinking about how the royal prince had just slain a brown bear with his own hands at the hunting party, it was clear that despite his peaceful appearance, the young prince had a heart full of martial spirit.
While contemplating, Viscount Fein heard footsteps approaching, he quickly turned around and saw Prince Harrison entering.
“Prince…Earl Angler?”
Viscount Fein thought Prince Harrison had invited him alone, but surprisingly, Colin Angler was also present.
But, he wasn’t too surprised.
After all, Colin was Prince Harrison’s teacher, so it was probably not Prince Harrison who wanted to see him privately, but Colin!
Viscount Fein quickly processed several thoughts, yet he maintained a graceful and calm demeanor, greeting the two men who entered.
Prince Harrison took the main seat, and then Half-Elf maids swiftly entered, serving them flower tea and honey.
While savoring the flower tea in his hand, Viscount Fein occasionally glanced at Colin, trying to glean some insight from his face.
Alas, he found nothing.
Prince Harrison put down his teacup, cleared his throat, and said in a slightly immature voice:
“Earl Angler, Viscount Fein, I’ve invited the two of you here to share an unfortunate piece of news.”
Viscount Fein was taken aback, quickly glancing at Colin across from him, who also looked confused, so he continued to listen to Prince Harrison:
“I’ve just received a letter from Dragon City. Our expeditionary force sent to the west of the Sky Breaking Mountain Range in the Westland has encountered an accident. The Glorious Empire might be threatened by the orcs once again…”
“What?!” Viscount Fein was obviously startled by this news, exclaiming involuntarily.
At this point, he was no longer bothered about the conflict with the North Territory, immediately asking: “Your Highness, are you saying the Orc Empire has been reunified?”
Colin also wore a shocked expression and asked solemnly: “How bad is the Western Expedition’s casualties? And what about Duke St. Gregorian? How is she now?”
Prince Harrison’s eyes flickered slightly, he gave a slight cough and said: “Both of you, I’m not clear about the specific situation at this point. However, my father has already asked me to return to Dragon City immediately.
Before I leave, I hope the East and North territories can resolve some misunderstandings and conflicts. After all, the threat of the orcs is too great. It requires the unity and sincere cooperation of all the lords in the Glorious Empire to overcome this crisis.”
Viscount Fein gradually calmed down from his shock, his first thought was, could this be a conspiracy by the North Territory?
After all, Colin Angler is the tutor of Prince Harrison, could he intentionally instigate Prince Harrison to deceive the East with a false news?
But soon, Viscount Fein dismissed this guess.
Firstly, the fake news was too easily exposed, and the St. Prowse Family is not foolish, they would definitely go and verify it themselves.
Secondly, according to the previous inference made by Count Evan, Colin Angler’s current strategy should be to stall for time and wait for the reinforcement of the Northern Army to arrive at Silver Moon City. Then, he would confront the East by declaring the death of Marquis Vincent.
In this way, even if the East wanted to avenge, they would not dare to cross the Angry River easily and engage in a battle with the Northern Army within the territory of the Half-Elf Kingdom.
The St. Prowse Family would have no choice but to accept this humiliating outcome.
So, this time Viscount Fein was tough from the beginning, and he deliberately made trouble at the Hunting Party, knowing that at this point Colin Angler was essentially bluffing. Before the Northern Army arrived, he did not dare to fall out with the East.
Thinking in this way, Colin Angler would not need to risk the fabrication of such a lie that could likely be exposed in order to forcefully stop the East’s revenge.
However, if the Orcs were really about to invade, then it would indeed be a big help for the North Territory.
A hint of concern rose in Viscount Fein’s heart, and he looked up at Colin Angler opposite him, only to see that the other’s face was also solemn. The news about the Orcs seemed to have taken him by surprise.
Therefore, Viscount Fein tentatively said, “Your Highness, as I have always emphasized, the East has no intention to be enemies with the North, or the Half-Elf Kingdom. Let alone, at a time when the situation is critical, we are certainly willing to make efforts to eliminate misunderstandings between the two sides and achieve reconciliation.
So, as long as Earl Angler agrees to release Marquis Vincent, then we in the East would surely not provoke any further and cause more problems.”
Prince Harrison nodded in satisfaction, then turned his gaze to his tutor.
With a gloomy face, Colin said coldly, “Marquis Vincent’s actions in Silver Moon City have caused great harm to the North and half-elves. If you Easterners do not show enough sincerity, I will not release him easily!”
Viscount Fein immediately said, “Earl, the Duke St. Prowse has already stated that he is willing to exchange Marquis Vincent for three heavy battleships, fifty sail-oar warships, and one hundred logistics transport ships.”
“Not enough!” Colin refused decisively.
Viscount Fein sneered in his heart, thinking that at this point, this Northern Earl was still holding on stubbornly, he said with a difficult face:
“Earl, this is the maximum sincerity we in the East can offer.”
“Add three more heavy battleships and twenty transport ships!”
“This…” Viscount Fein hesitated for a moment, then acted as if he had made a great resolution, “Alright, Earl, I will report back to Duke St. Prowse immediately, I hope he agrees.”
Prince Harrison hurriedly said, “Please hurry, after all, the situation in the Westland is critical, we need to solve this problem immediately.”
“Yes, Your Highness!” Viscount Fein bowed to Prince Harrison, then wasted no more time, and turned to leave immediately.
As Viscount Fein’s figure disappeared outside the lounge, Prince Harrison stood up, walked to Colin, and asked, “Teacher, how did I do?”
“Not bad.” Colin chuckled, patting Prince Harrison’s shoulder.
Prince Harrison was overjoyed, after laughing for a while, he asked, “Teacher, why did you have me give this news to the Easterner?”
Colin gave a faint smile, “Because the same piece of news, said by different people, would have completely different effects.”
Prince Harrison wrinkled his brows, not quite comprehending his teacher’s intent. Just as he hesitated and was about to ask further, he heard Colin say:
“See more, think more, ask less. Because the answer you get could be a lie, but a person’s actions cannot pretend.”
“Alright, teacher.” Prince Harrison nodded thoughtfully.