Judgment Blade
The study was very quiet.
Only the sound of writing could be heard.
It was Colin writing a letter to Marquis Dawson.
After being reminded by Knight Charles, Colin immediately realized that if he needed war horses and armor, rather than Marquis García, he might as well look for Marquis Dawson.
This dwarf marquis was actually the head butler of the Black Cavalry, or at least he used to be.
Colin did not know if Marquis Dawson was willing to help him, but he had to try.
After writing a sincere letter, Colin dripped wax on the seal of the letter, stamped it with the Angele family badge, and handed it to Charles, "Send your men to deliver this letter to Ironforge."
"Yes, sir!"
After Knight Charles left, Colin couldn't wait to pick up the cup and drink the blood in one gulp.
Then, he waited patiently.
...
However, after waiting for half a day, he still did not feel the familiar warmth.
What was going on?
Could it be that the blood of a blood descendant was the same as a blood slave, and could not help him advance?
Colin was a little depressed.
But then, he remembered that he still had two high-ranking knights who weren't from the Blood Clan under his command.
Moreover, he was a third step knight.
As long as he could get his blood...
Colin paced back and forth in the study, thinking of how to "borrow" some blood from this big idiot.
Soon, he had an idea.
Opening the door, Colin called the guard at the door and ordered, "Go inform the Knight of Rego to accompany me to hunt in the suburbs tomorrow morning."
"Yes, sir."
After giving the order, Colin returned to the study.
For a moment, he did not know what to do.
After all, the task had been assigned, and he only needed to take care of the overall situation.
Being a leader was great!
Colin leaned on the back of the chair, crossed his legs, and looked around the study. Finally, his gaze fell on the [Judgement Blade] hanging on the wall.
Since he had nothing to do, Colin stepped forward and took the sword that the Duke had bestowed upon him. He examined it carefully.
This was a typical knight's sword.
The sword was about 80 centimeters long, and it was completely black. The sword was covered with flame-like patterns, which were engraved with an arcane spell that had a burning effect.
The blade was sharp and triangular. Under the sunlight, it emitted a chilling white light.
The handle could only be held with one hand, and there was a large ball. It was believed that it could be used in a horse battle.
Looking at this knight's sword, Colin suddenly remembered what Marquis García said to him after the Marquis ceremony.
At that time, Colin had just been conferred the title of Viscounts by the Duke St. Hilde, and he was given the [Judgement blade].
At that time, Colin swore an unconditional loyalty oath to the Duke in a fit of anger.
This obviously irritated Marquis García, who had just been betrayed by his brother.
Now that he thought about it, Colin suddenly felt that the reason the Duke St. Hilde treated him so well was probably to sow discord between him and Marquis García.
Of course, there was no point in regretting it now.
Colin was now thinking about the last words Marquis García said to him.
"Go back and understand the origin of the [Judgement Blade] in your hands. Reconsider what true loyalty is!"
The origin of the [Judgement Blade]?
Colin's interest was suddenly piqued.
Sheathing the sword, Colin immediately left the study.
He remembered that there was a special library in this castle.
After the Trolls attacked this place, they looted all the wealth of the Su Duo Family, but they did not touch the books in the library.
Obviously, books were not attractive to the Trolls.
"Sir Viscounts!"
After arriving at the library, an old man with white hair and a white beard immediately stood up and bowed.
"You are the caretaker here?"
"Yes, you can call me Quincy. Is there anything I can help you with? "
Colin waved the knight sword in his hand and asked, "Do you have any books about the origin of famous swords?"
"The [Judgement Blade]?"
"Oh? You actually recognize this sword? "Colin was a little surprised.
Quincy nodded and explained, "Yes, I was fortunate enough to see this sword in Winter City. At that time, it was still the sword of the Duke St. Hilde."
Colin narrowed his eyes.
To recognize the sword of the Duke St. Hilde, one would definitely not be able to squeeze into a crowd and watch from afar. One would have to be very close to it.
Colin did not believe that a mere caretaker of the library in the Viscounts Castle would be able to get so close to the Duke St. Hilde.
"Have you always been a caretaker here?"
"No, I used to be the tax officer of Icestone City."
Only then did Colin feel relieved.
In this world, the most important task for nobles to govern their territories was to collect taxes.
To be able to become the tax officer of Icestone City, Quincy could already be considered a core retainer of the Su Duo Family.
Of course, this was before he was transferred here to be the caretaker of the library.
"Then why were you transferred here?"
"Because I offended the Viscounts of Su Duo."
"How did you offend him?"
Quincy hesitated for a moment, but still spoke the truth, "I once suggested to the Viscounts of Su Duo to reduce the business tax of Icestone City. The Viscounts of Su Duo was furious, so he stripped me of my position and transferred me here."
"Reduce the business tax?" Colin was suddenly interested.
The nobles wanted nothing more than to increase the tax every day, but this former tax officer of Icestone City actually wanted to reduce the tax. No wonder he was fired by the Viscounts of Su Duo.
However, Colin felt that he might have found a treasure.
"Then tell me, why do you want to reduce the business tax?"
A glimmer of hope flashed through Quincy's eyes, and he said somewhat anxiously.
"Sir Viscounts, if you have seen the tax documents of Icestone City in the past, you will understand that in this city, the agricultural tax is not the biggest source of income, but the business tax!
Icestone City is located at the northeast corner of the Northern Frontier, so a large number of caravans traveling between the Northern Frontier and Sky Ice Plains will pass through here. This is the main reason why Icestone City is so prosperous.
However, Icestone City is not without competitors.
There are still two or three cities on the Northern Frontier that have the qualifications to compete with us.
Therefore, if you want more merchants to pass through here, then you must give them more benefits.
In other words, reduce the business tax! "
Colin smiled and asked in return, "But this way, won't my tax revenue also be reduced?"
"No! Although the tax rate is reduced, the base of the tax revenue will increase. The total amount of tax revenue won't necessarily decrease!
I have calculated before, as long as you do it properly, you don't have to worry about your tax revenue decreasing at all.
Moreover, more caravans will also mean that the hotels in Icestone City will be full, the taverns will be bustling day and night, and food, clothing, medicine, and so on will be in short supply! The local merchants will make a lot of money from these passing caravans, and the entire city will become more prosperous because of this!
Please believe me, there is not much potential left for the agricultural tax to be excavated!
However, the business tax is very promising!
If I were to do it, I am confident that I can double Icestone City's business tax revenue within three years!
Within ten years, this city will become the most dazzling jewel of the Northern Frontier! "
Colin looked at the flushed Quincy and didn't say anything else.
Quincy also gradually calmed down from his excitement.
Colin's silence made him think that he had failed again.
However, he was already used to it.
Asking the nobles to reduce their taxes was even more unbearable than killing them.
"My apologies, Sir Viscounts. Let me take you to find the books … "
Just as Quincy was about to give up, Colin's voice suddenly rang out:
"Alright, I will give you this chance."