Chapter 707: 705 Enter the city_1

“Do you think Huorong City might be a trap?”

Riding his horse, Colin gazed at the distant city of Huorong, whose outline could already be discerned, and suddenly asked Scholar Yerug.

Upon hearing the question, Scholar Yerug nodded and replied,

“My lord, there is indeed this possibility. After all, anyone would know that Miss Grace is your lover, and the news of her engagement came too coincidentally.

It seems like a deliberate attempt to provoke you, luring you to Huorong City.”

Colin laughed and then asked again,

“So do you think I should go?”

Scholar Yerug hesitated for a moment, and then carefully answered,

“My lord, I believe you should indeed go.

Firstly, Huorong City holds an extremely strategic location, being the sole land route connecting the north and south of the East. Controlling Huorong City is crucial to your plan of taking over the East.

Moreover, Miss Grace is your lover after all. Regardless of personal feelings or for the sake of your dignity, you must strongly counter this open provocation.

Furthermore, even if Huorong City is a trap, with your current strength, as long as you respond carefully, there is truly no force in the East that could threaten you.”

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Just as Colin was about to speak again, he noticed an orderly from the front approaching rapidly, reporting:

“My lord, the people of Huorong City have actively opened their gates, surrendering to us!”

Colin glanced at Scholar Yerug and laughed,

“It’s beginning to look even more like a trap.”

Scholar Yerug pondered for a moment, then suggested,

“My lord, if you are worried Huorong City is a trap, why not leave part of the Blood Knight Army outside the city? In case of any changes within the city, they could serve as a backup.”

Colin stroked the tip of his nose, seemingly finding the idea appealing, so he nodded in agreement.

Immediately, he ordered for ten thousand men of the Blood Knight Army to set up camp outside the city, while the remaining twenty thousand men would enter the city with him.

…

At the city gate of Huorong City,

The Brugen Family members were gathered in their finest attire, as if welcoming an esteemed guest from afar.

Grace was standing at the forefront of the welcoming party. She was wearing a light yellow dress that hugged her body tightly, meticulously outlining her voluptuous chest, delicate waist, and tantalizing hips, displaying a breathtaking somewhat provocative curve.

Such bold and seductive attire undeniably attracted the gazes of nearly all the men present.

However, when Colin, riding a white horse, appeared and walked towards the city gate, everyone was immediately forced to shift their gaze.

They were all too aware that this captivating Huorong flower was Duke St. Chapman’s exclusive possession, not to be defiled by anyone else.

“Honorable Guardian of the Empire, Duke St. Chapman, welcome back to Huorong City!”

As Grace curtsied, Colin, seated high upon his horse, could clearly see the tempting cleavage revealed by her dress, causing his gaze to linger for a while.

Having not met for a year, the once somewhat naive girl had amazingly become so alluring.

Colin studied the girl in front of him with appreciative eyes, jesting:

“Miss Grace, we haven’t seen each other for quite a while now, but you are just as beautiful. No wonder so many men want to propose.”

“Oh, my lord, you do like to tease,” Grace lifted her head, rolled her eyes adorably and coquettishly said. “I have no intention of marrying Camila St. Prowse. It was my grandfather who rashly agreed on my behalf. However, he has already paid the price for this …”

As she was talking, she signaled for someone and an attendant carrying a square wooden box came forth.

Colin quickly got the hint, but asked in surprise,

“Is that your grandfather?”

“Yes”, Grace answered with an innocent smile, confidently saying, “I once saw him meeting Mr. Ji. Although I did not hear the details of their conversation, he forced me to marry Camila shortly afterwards, which clearly indicates they had reached an agreement.

I conjecture, Mr. Ji has probably prepared to have my grandfather facilitate the sacrifice of Huorong City in order to deal with you.

Someone who betrays his family, Huorong City, and the glorious Empire truly deserves to be beheaded!”

Colin looked intently at Grace.

Even though he had long known that Grace was not the biological daughter of Count Brugen, meaning she had no real blood ties with this “grandfather”, seeing her so decisively kill her nominal grandfather sent chills down his spine.

After all, people were not aware of Grace being an illegitimate daughter; killing her grandfather would certainly destroy her reputation.

A year ago, when Colin had asked Grace to kill her then fiance, Count Evan, to prove her loyalty to him, she was terribly scared and refused to do it.

Now, she had no hesitation in killing her grandfather to show her determination to Colin.

But it indeed was a substantial endorsement.

“If it’s really as you said, then he deserves to die.” Colin nodded gravely, expressing his support for Grace.

Grace immediately broke into a smile, then continued,

“My lord, I suspect Mr. Ji might still be hiding in the city. Therefore, I request that you dispatch the Blood Knight Army to help capture him as soon as possible.”

“Alright.” Colin naturally had no objections and immediately ordered Knight Logh to personally oversee the capture of Mr. Ji.

Having made these arrangements, Colin then offered his hand to Grace.

Getting the hint, Grace blushed slightly but decisively grabbed Colin’s hand, mounted the horse, and rode together with Colin.

Holding the soft, delicate body of this young lady, Colin could not help but laugh heartily. Then, with a squeeze of his horse’s belly, he entered the city.

The main road within the city was already crowded with people who had come to greet them. The soldiers of the Blood Knight Army had to make an effort to maintain order.

Colin initially thought these people were “plants” by the Brugen Family, but after watching for a while, he realized they were not.

The admiring looks these people gave him were genuine. The Brugen Family could not have possibly hired so many talented actors.

Colin suddenly felt that he may have underestimated the impact of the Luwal Valley battle.

To most Easterners now, he probably wasn’t seen as an invader but as a hero of the Empire.

Of course, the reason for this was that during his last entry into Huorong City, he refrained from massacring people and did not violate any of the civilians.

Therefore, as far as the common people were concerned, Colin’s reputation was not poor.

Especially after the fall of the Huorong Army, the civilians of Huorong City became especially insecure, desperately seeking new protection.

At this time, seeing Colin riding with Grace through the streets emboldened the civilians’ hope of protection onto him – this Guardian of the Empire, this newly appointed Holy Knight.