Due to his family's demands and the psychological closeness, Naina had become quite close to Count Tangerine during this period of time.
Finally, when he was invited to visit his residence, Lord Kaki's Castle, for the second time, the noble inadvertently revealed that he had a foothold in every country on the continent, and he hoped to have a similar place in the northern countries. He wanted to obtain a fiefdom.
This was an opportunity.
Naina seized on his words and went with the flow. He frankly told him that the Brendel family was in a long and drawn-out war with the tyrannical Duke Lionheart. Even though they were gradually winning, they were unable to chase the Laiyin army out of the Kaki's territory due to the lack of supplies.
He took out a map and showed it to Tangerine. The Kaki's territory occupied half of the entire Laiyin Kingdom. Everyone knew that there was something fishy going on, but he insisted that the Brendel family was only defending one side.
Naina said that if Count Tangerine was willing to provide assistance, the Brendel family would definitely not forget their friendship. If they won the war in the future, Count Tangerine could draw any territory on the map, and Count Tangerine would definitely agree to it.
However —
"Oh?
So you're not the Lord of Kaki, and your father has the authority to decide? "
Tangerine seemed to have focused on the wrong thing. His undisguised frivolous words pierced Naina's heart deeply.
The Count's eldest son was annoyed. He did not expect Brendel to say such words. It was difficult to believe that such words came from the mouth of a noble who was born in a noble family.
But even though the words were crude, the truth was there, and he could not refute it.
"It must be those despicable and vulgar races. After interacting with them for a long time, even the most noble and elegant humans would become unbearably crude."
Naina cursed in his heart, but at the same time, he smiled and said: "You're right. My father is strong and quick-witted, but I'm a beginner and ignorant. There are still many things that I need to learn, and naturally I'm unable to take over the Kaki's affairs."
There were thorns in his words. These words were actually meant to mock Tangerine for his ignorance of the etiquette of the nobles of the Northern Lands. His words were sharp.
However, Naina regretted it as soon as the words left his mouth. In terms of status, he was inferior to the other party to begin with. Moreover, now that he had a favor to ask of the other party, how could he speak ill of him?
"Be rational, Naina."
He said to himself, "You are no longer a condescending aristocrat, but a sincere person asking for help."
The Earl's eldest son was more knowledgeable than Roy. He knew that his words might offend the Earl, but he urgently needed the Earl's help. So Naina waited for the Earl's reprimand. If possible, he was willing to apologize loudly like a nun.
"For Brendel."
Naina comforted himself. If he could get the help of this noble, even if the other party punished him by making him chew on black bread that was like sawdust or drink the soup of flies and maggots, he would gladly accept it and ask for another bowl.
Fortunately, Count Tangerine didn't seem to notice the subtext in his words. He didn't answer him. Instead, he took two steps forward and looked at a mural hanging in the main hall of the lord's castle.
There were three men dressed in typical northern noble clothing. Two of them were young, one on the left and the other on the right. They were hugging a middle-aged noble with gray hair who was full of vigor.
He recognized the two young men as Naina and Roy. The middle-aged man in the mural was undoubtedly Count Brendel himself.
This was the first time Caesar had seen the supporter behind Roy. They stared at each other across space and time. The other party was an iconic Northland noble full of power. He had thick eyebrows and a pitch-black beard. His white hair, which was cut into a military style, exuded a strong heroic aura. He did not look like a noble but more like a general.
However, Brendel's face looked ordinary, but his thick eyebrows were filled with a hint of gloom that could not be dispelled. It was vividly copied by the artist, and it made Caesar feel a little uncomfortable.
Seeing Naina walk up with a solemn expression, Caesar asked knowingly, "This is the real Lord Kaki?"
"Yes, my lord."
Naina smiled and introduced: "This is my father, Count Brendel."
"He guarded the borders for the Rhine Family for his entire life, and never left his fief. However, Duke Lionheart spread rumors for the sake of ambition and greed, and started a war regardless of right or wrong. He wanted to take back the fief that the Brendel Family had for thousands of years. In order to survive, we had no choice but to resist."
"I believe in your words, my lord."
Caesar nodded solemnly. The mockery and sarcasm in his words was something that only the gods could understand: "Please believe that I sincerely want to lend a helping hand to a friend in danger, but … …"
"But?"
"But I hope to visit Count Brendel and have a chat with him.
You must know that it's not that I don't trust you, but only when I see Lord Brendel can I understand the situation and provide assistance to the Brendel Family, isn't that right? "
"This —"
Naina did not immediately agree to Tangerine's request.
The suggestion seemed simple and reasonable, but it was not the case at all. The Brendel Family was at war with Duke Lionheart, and as the commander of the Kaki Family, Count Brendel and Roy had to be careful of countless plots and traps, and guard against all possible assassinations and sneak attacks.
Their whereabouts could not be easily exposed.
Back then, the Green Dragon's assassination of the Northern Alliance's commander was a good example. Even now, no one knew that the Brendel Family was the mastermind behind it. Naturally, they had a deeper impression of it than others and were extremely vigilant against it.
In the current situation, Naina was the one who was pushed to the front. Everything that needed to be handled by the Brendel Family would be handled by him, while Count Brendel and Roy were completely hidden behind the scenes.
"As you know, the frontlines are currently at war. Count Brendel is leading the army to resist the Rhine Family's attack. The battlefield is extremely dangerous, and I cannot let the Brendel Family's friends be in danger."
Naina bowed: "For your safety, please forgive me for not being able to facilitate this meeting."
"Is that so?"
Count Tangerine sighed and ended the topic: "I have to say, this is really a pity."
He saw Naina's eagerness and vigilance. At this time, there was no need to push too hard. Going too far was as bad as not going far enough, and if he was too eager, he might give himself away.
Caesar had made sufficient preparations in advance and understood the Brendel Family's current situation.
Now that Duke Lionheart had turned from offense to defense, if this dragged on, when the Northern Alliance's reinforcements arrived, the Brendel Family would be destroyed without him doing anything.
That was why they urgently needed external help to eliminate the Rhine Family as soon as possible, swallow the entire Duchy, and stabilize the situation before negotiating with the other countries.
Unfortunately, the Green Dragon was already dead.
The Green Dragon Kingdom had turned into Blackwing's Nest, and this leg was completely gone. Without reinforcements, the Brendel Family would not be able to continue the war.
And at this time, Count Tangerine's sudden appearance would be the last straw. Although the overwhelming pressure would not make them lose their minds, it would make them willing to take the risk.
Caesar only needed to start the conversation, and in a few days, Naina would probably take the initiative to come to his door and bring him to meet with Count Brendel.
After preparing for so long, Caesar could still afford to wait.