Imagine leading an army like a steel torrent, sweeping across the land, dominating all in its path, encountering no worthy foes—this has always been the ultimate dream of every ambitious lord.
Now, although Lord Link is still a long way from that ultimate goal, compared to when he first arrived in this world and became the Winterfell City Lord, he has undergone a tremendous transformation, with a qualitative leap in strength.
Recalling when he first transmigrated, Winterfell City was nothing more than a dilapidated, strife-ridden, and disunited barren territory.
Buildings in the city were in ruins, the common people starved, bandits ran rampant, and surrounding lords often coveted it, attempting to annex it.
However, as time passed, under Lord Link's unremitting efforts and careful management during this period, the situation has undergone earth-shattering changes.
He successively slew two powerful enemies, Bear Peter and Carter Zane.
Each victory was like a heavy hammer, striking hard at the hearts of those with ill intentions.
He led his army, like a tiger descending from the mountain, freely traversing the territories of many nearby lords; wherever they went, no one dared to block their advance.
The uniform, thunderous hoofbeats of the Gryphon heavy cavalry seemed to be the most terrifying war horn in the world; wherever they went, all living beings in their path were filled with awe.
They all lowered their heads, their eyes full of fear and submission, not daring to meet Lord Link's army's gaze for a moment.
It was not until Lord Link led his army further and further away, disappearing from sight, that those people dared to slowly raise their heads.
They gazed at the receding figures of the army, the lingering awe in their pupils like an imprint carved deep into their hearts, impossible to erase.
"Gray Valley County, it's about to change hands!"
A small noble lord near Gray Valley County, after Lord Link led his army out of his territory, finally dared to raise his head, wipe a bead of sweat from his forehead, swallow, and say with a trembling voice.
"Lord, is this Winterfell City Lord really that powerful? He actually wiped out Lord Carter Zane's army?"
The butler standing behind the lord also swallowed, his face full of disbelief, and he asked cautiously.
"Idiot! Carter Zane's head is hanging up there, so tell me, was he wiped out or not?"
The lord widened his eyes, cursing, feeling extremely annoyed by the butler's ignorance.
"Then in that case, Lord Carter Zane's territory will all be taken over by this Winterfell City Lord, right? Should we make plans early and try to get on good terms with this Winterfell City Lord?"
The butler's eyes darted around, thinking himself clever, and quickly reminded, trying to show off in front of the lord.
"Good terms my ass, idiot!"
The lord glared at the butler, his eyes wide with anger, and shouted, "Are you trying to get this lord killed? Don't you even look at the current situation!"
"Lord, I... I was only thinking of you! Now that Carter Zane is dead, this Winterfell City Lord is essentially our new superior. Getting on good terms with him now would benefit you in the future, wouldn't it?"
The butler said aggrievedly, feeling that he was clearly offering advice for his lord, yet he was being reprimanded like this.
"You short-sighted fellow, this lord tells you, whoever gets closest to this Winterfell City Lord now will die the most miserably, understand?!"
The small lord's voice was slightly trembling with fear as he said, "Although this Winterfell City Lord won and killed Carter Zane, you must also consider who Carter Zane was working for! Carter Zane, while he could lord it over us, was merely a dog working for The Terror Duke. And now, The Terror Duke's dog has been killed. What do you think The Terror Duke's reaction will be when he finds out about this?!"
"The Terror Duke…"
Hearing the small lord mention that name, the butler's expression immediately became one of immense fear and reverence, and his body involuntarily trembled.
Compared to Lord Carter Zane, The Terror Duke's name clearly instilled more fear; it was a deep-seated awe, etched into the very soul.
And thoughts such as these appeared in the minds of almost every small lord near Gray Valley County.
Anyone capable of being a local lord was not truly a fool; they all possessed keen political acumen and long-term vision.
All these small lords felt that Lord Link was on the verge of disaster, and being close to him at such a time was undoubtedly seeking death, as if they were impatient to die.
The best choice was to remain silent, stay away from this Winterfell City Lord, as if avoiding a plague.
After The Terror Duke's wrath descended, they would then assess the new situation in Gray Valley County and make a decision.
It was precisely for this reason that when Lord Link led his army to Gray Valley County, what awaited him was the desolate scene of an empty city.
The entire Gray Valley County was utterly silent, like a dead city.
The city gates were wide open, the flat and spacious roads were devoid of any human figures, and the shops and merchants on both sides of the road had all tightly shut their doors and windows, with no one appearing. Only the closed doors and windows made faint sounds in the breeze, as if narrating fear and unease.
"Are these timid fellows all scared out of their wits?"
Lina stood before the empty city gates, looking at the desolate scene, extremely displeased, and said loudly, her voice echoing through the silent streets.
"Awe is a good thing. Let's go to the City Lord's Mansion and see what gifts Carter Zane left for us."
Lord Link wore a faint smile, his eyes revealing confidence and composure. He led his horse forward first, heading towards the City Lord's Mansion, his horse's hooves clattering particularly clearly on the silent street.
In front of the City Lord's Mansion, the gates stood wide open, as if telling of its former splendor and current desolation.
The male and female servants inside had all scattered like birds and beasts after learning of Carter Zane's death, not a single one remaining.
The empty City Lord's Mansion was even more like it had been ransacked, with all valuable possessions taken away by the fleeing servants and guards.
Furniture was overturned in disarray, and some worn-out clothes and sundries were scattered on the floor.
"These hateful guys! They deserve to die!"
Seeing the empty City Lord's Mansion, Lina angrily raised the longsword in her hand, its blade glinting coldly in the sunlight. She wanted to lead Winterfell City's warriors to kill the guards and servants who had fled with the valuables, to vent her anger.
However, Lord Link stopped her.
"We circled around for a long time, deterring those small lords, and it did take too long. Those guys have clearly been gone for a long time, where would you find them? Forget it, a few valuables are nothing," Lord Link said dismissively, waving his hand.
If Carter Zane truly had any treasures, he likely offered them to The Terror Duke in exchange for his support.
Now, the things that could be taken by those guards and servants were probably just some gold coins, silver coins, and jewels. To Lord Link, these were merely external possessions, and he naturally wouldn't care too much about them.
"Lina, Sterula, Lucrezia, Agnes, you all go and take care of Gray Valley County's defense, ensuring the city's safety and stability. Asaji, search the City Lord's Mansion for any secret doors or passages. Don't leave any hidden dangers, to prevent anyone from using them to cause trouble later."
Lord Link arranged methodically, his voice steady and strong.
"Yes, Lord Link!"
The women nodded, each accepting their orders and quickly going to their respective duties.
Their figures moved through the City Lord's Mansion, like bright lines of scenery.
Lord Link, meanwhile, arrived in Carter Zane's luxurious study.
The study was filled with a faint scent of ink, and the bookshelves were packed with various books, as if recounting its past glory.
Lord Link pulled over the soft, comfortable chair with a fur cushion, sat down, and began to tally the bika points he had acquired this time, and proceeded to draw.
His eyes sparkled with anticipation, as if awaiting an unknown surprise.