Seeing Orlando's corpse, Lina seemed to instantly understand the whole story.
Indeed, as the commander of Winterfell City's military forces, she could not have been completely unaware of Orlando's private misdeeds.
She walked directly up to Link, knelt on one knee, and said respectfully, "Lord City Lord, Lina is late. I hope you will forgive me!"
Link merely glanced at her, not immediately responding, but instead turned his gaze to Agnes beside him.
Agnes stood quietly at Link's side, like a silent and resolute guardian.
The Greck Cavalry were the same; they stood upright beside Link, like statues forged of steel, silently awaiting Link's command.
At this moment, no one dared to underestimate this blood-soaked City Lord.
The Soldiers behind Lina, who had previously harbored doubts about him, had thought he was just a frivolous second-generation heir, merely inheriting the old Lord's legacy, but now, their eyes were filled with awe.
In this cruel world, strength and courage are the only passports to respect.
"What are the casualties?" Link asked softly beneath the curtain of rain.
"Lord Link, in this battle, our side had a total of four dead and fourteen lightly or severely wounded!"
Agnes quickly replied.
Where there is war, there is death. It was normal for the Greck Cavalry, who had been charging at the front, to suffer casualties.
In fact, for two armies to clash in such a narrow street and only incur such casualties was already quite remarkable.
Link frowned slightly and remained silent for a moment.
Finally, he sighed deeply and slowly said, "The fallen must be given a proper burial! The wounded must also receive the best treatment. If anyone becomes disabled due to the battle and faces inconvenience in their future life, tell them that I will find them a respectable job, ensuring they live a life free from worry!"
In this world, the dead cannot be resurrected; sacrifice is truly the end.
All Link could do was to make everyone present feel his care and responsibility.
"Yes!" Agnes bowed, responding respectfully.
After dealing with this matter, Link finally approached Lina.
Link drew the blood-stained knight's sword from his waist again and, under the nervous gazes of the Soldiers, gently rested the sword on Lina's shoulder.
"Swear allegiance to me, or die here."
Link offered a choice.
The cold words, coupled with Agnes's chilling gaze, made Lina's hair stand on end.
Today's Link felt like a completely different person from before.
Not only did he have such an elite cavalry force, but he also had such a powerful being protecting him closely.
Could it be that this City Lord had always been playing the pig to eat the tiger, waiting for Orlando and his ilk to expose themselves, and then harvesting them all at once?
Lina had no doubt that if she refused, this City Lord would truly kill her, given the intimidating pressure he exuded!
"Lord Link, from today onwards, Lina is willing to become your Guardian Knight, to fight on the battlefield for you and achieve great deeds!"
Lina said without hesitation.
She was truly worried that a slight delay would cost her life here.
"I am willing to fight on the battlefield for you and achieve great deeds!"
Under the beating and witnessing of the cold rain, the Soldiers Lina had brought with her also knelt on one knee, completely swearing allegiance to Link.
"Very good! Now, Captain Lina, go and bring Orlando's family to me. As for all of Orlando's property and assets, they will all be confiscated. I will be waiting for your good news in the City Lord's Mansion. Don't disappoint me."
"Yes, Lord!"
Lina quickly lowered her head. Only after Link and the troop of cavalry had ridden far away did Lina stand up.
"Confiscate all of Minister Orlando's properties! Fully apprehend Olivia and Isabelle!"
"Yes!"
...Upon returning to the City Lord's Mansion, Link began to settle the Greck Cavalry.
He arranged for everyone to stay in the barracks closest to the City Lord's Mansion, and all their treatment was to be carried out according to the standards of the Lord's personal guards, ensuring that these cavalrymen felt sufficiently valued and favored.
As for Agnes, Link was even more decisive, directly assigning her the secondary bedroom next to his own.
In Link's mind, Agnes possessed extraordinary strength. Link estimated that Agnes's combat power could at least rival that of a late-stage Hero.
Such formidable strength was undoubtedly a trump card for saving his life, and having her by his side, constantly guarding him, allowed him to feel at ease.
After all, life is precious and only comes once.
Link had also considered whether to directly send Agnes to assassinate the early-stage Heroes, but after some thought, he decided against it.
The Heroes had not yet been selected; in game terms, players hadn't even created their characters yet.
The uncertainty was too great, and an unexpected turn of events could easily lead to a loss of both personnel and resources, making it difficult to resolve.
After arranging accommodations for everyone, Link then summoned the maids in the City Lord's Mansion to prepare a good bath.
He soaked in the warm bathtub, enjoying the maid's gentle shoulder massage and back rub, closing his eyes contentedly, his thoughts drifting far away.
The general worldview of this world was quite similar to "Warcraft" which he had played in his previous life, with a civilization level roughly equivalent to the Middle Ages, yet many aspects differed from a normal medieval era.
For example, Battle Aura and magic.
Author's Note:
Author's Note: PS: Olivia and Isabelle are from the game "Hypnotic Noble."