Just as Link and the little maid were immersed in a warm moment, enjoying their intimate time together, a significant matter was being carried out in the territory with great urgency.
Newly manufactured stoves were continuously being distributed to every corner.
These stoves were not only sent to Winterfell City, but also to Thorn City, which Link had only recently occupied, and they were also properly arranged.
With the distribution of the stoves, Link's prestige among the people grew vigorously, like young seedlings in spring.
Now, whenever Link's name was mentioned, the people in the territory would praise him unanimously, calling him benevolent and kind.
Even the common people of Thorn City were grateful to Link, their eyes filled with respect and gratitude.
Recalling the past, although Link had successfully occupied Thorn City, the people there were filled with awe and fear towards him.
They lived in constant anxiety, fearing that Link would turn them into slaves to be driven at will, making their lives even darker than before.
However, Link did not let the people's worries become a reality.
On the contrary, he successively implemented benevolent policies in the territory.
He exempted the people from many complicated taxes, reducing their burden of living; he also built houses for them, providing them with warm shelters from wind and rain; and he actively organized personnel to clean the territory, improving the people's living environment.
Now, in the most unbearable winter for the people, he had again sent life-saving stoves, allowing the people to feel genuine care and warmth.
This series of measures completely subjugated the people of Thorn City to Link, their new lord.
Their original fear and unease were gradually replaced by trust and reliance, and Link truly became a trustworthy lord in their hearts.
However, fate always seems to play tricks on people. Just when Link thought everything was developing in a good direction, things went from bad to worse again.
The entire Northern Territory was covered by heavy snow; the world, adorned in silver, seemed peaceful and serene, but in reality, undercurrents were surging.
At this moment, the Black Blade Assassins who had been dispatched earlier brought Link some bad news.
"Lord Link, according to the intelligence obtained, the lord of Gray Valley County, Carter Zane, also covets our wealth and intends to send troops to plunder us after the winter ends."
A Black Blade Assassin knelt on one knee, reporting respectfully.
Link listened, stroking his chin slightly, pondering to himself.
First Bear Peter, then Carter Zane. Indeed, in this world, if you do something out of the ordinary, it's easy to attract others' attention!
"Carter Zane, the lord of Gray Valley County, is a powerful and cruel lord!"
Old Slo, the butler standing behind Link, heard this name and his expression became solemn.
He knew Carter Zane's prowess well, and understood what this news meant for Link.
Through Old Slo's narration, combined with the intelligence compiled by the Black Blade Assassins, Link gradually learned about Carter Zane, the lord of Gray Valley County.
Carter Zane started by selling slaves from the Northern Territory, and with ruthless methods and extraordinary courage, he accumulated considerable wealth and influence.
Later, he was noticed by Norton Gregg, known as The Terror Duke, and was appointed as the lord of Gray Valley County.
The background of Norton Gregg, The Terror Duke, alone was enough to deter many people.
As a Duke, Norton Gregg's power goes without saying. The key is that he is also the First Prince's most trusted confidant and father-in-law.
Currently, the First Prince has the highest probability of succession, and Norton Gregg, as a member of the royal family, holds an unshakeable position.
To dare to provoke him would undoubtedly be like having one's head caught in a door, tired of living.
Even putting aside Norton Gregg, The Terror Duke, Carter Zane himself possesses considerable power.
He commands a cavalry legion of five hundred well-trained and well-equipped riders, an infantry legion of eight thousand men, serving as Carter Zane's solid backing. In addition to these, there are two thousand slave warriors who, for their survival, are forced to fight for Carter Zane, and their combat effectiveness should not be underestimated.
Such formidable power was enough to deter the lords, big and small, around Gray Valley County.
Moreover, Carter Zane was also a very cold-blooded and cruel lord.
The minor lords near Gray Valley County were required to pay tribute to Carter Zane annually to ensure their safety.
According to Old Slo, there was once a lord who grumbled a few times at his own banquet, expressing his dissatisfaction, and the next day, his head was hung on the city gate of Gray Valley County to warn other lords.
For this lord of Gray Valley County, the surrounding lords were filled with both awe and helplessness.
Even if these lords were to unite, their strength would exceed Carter Zane's, but no one dared to even think of doing so.
Because in addition to Carter Zane's own powerful forces, there was an even more terrifying Terror Duke standing behind him.
One must consider the owner when beating a dog. Whoever dared to touch Gray Valley County, dared to touch Carter Zane, would be slapping The Terror Duke's face, and the consequences were naturally imaginable.
After listening to Old Slo and the Black Blade Assassin detail Carter Zane's strength and background, Link's somewhat playful thoughts instantly vanished, and he became more alert, his gaze filled with a touch of solemnity.
Compared to Bear Peter of Iron Hammer Territory, this Carter Zane was clearly much stronger and more difficult to deal with.
Although Bear Peter also had some influence, compared to Carter Zane, he was merely a small fry.
However, Link's thoughts shifted, and he became confident again.
He knew well that in war, quantity does not represent everything; quality will overwhelm all.
Previously, when dealing with Bear Peter, he, with only three hundred cavalry, routed the opponent's three thousand troops, leaving them in disarray and fleeing in defeat.
That battle fully demonstrated the power of elite troops.
Plus, with Agnes as his backup, what did he have to worry about?
Moreover, the intelligence clearly indicated that all signs pointed to Carter Zane launching an attack after the winter ends.
"Winter ends?"
Link sneered, calculating in his mind.
As long as he was given time to gather strength, the power he possessed would become even stronger.
He did not fear this new enemy.
In Winterfell City and Thorn City, everything proceeded as usual, with no signs of an impending major war.
The people continued their peaceful lives, with crowds coming and going on the streets, vendors enthusiastically hawking their wares, and children wrapped in thick coats laughing and playing snowball fights in the streets, as if everything was as usual.
However, as time slowly passed, the atmosphere within Gray Valley County began to surge with undercurrents.
Inside the magnificent and luxurious City Lord's Mansion, Carter Zane was comfortably reclining on a lounge chair covered with soft fur, enjoying the gentle massage service from two maids around him.
He had his eyes slightly closed, a hint of contentment on his face.
In front of him, a ridiculously funny-looking fellow, less than one and a half meters tall, like a dwarf, was respectfully prostrating himself at Carter Zane's feet.
If Old Slo were here, he would certainly not be unfamiliar with this dwarf-like fellow, for he was Molson, Bear Peter's most loyal servant, who had been personally beheaded by Link!
As a servant, Molson did not participate in the great battle of Iron Hammer Territory.
So on that day, before Link entered the city, he secretly slipped out of the city amidst the chaos, luckily preserving his life.
After escaping, Molson lived in constant fear, dreading that Link would come looking for trouble.
But he had no idea that Link had never even noticed him; in his eyes, Molson was nothing but a clown, so what good was escaping?
And Molson, during this time, suffering from hunger, grew increasingly hateful towards Link.
It was Link who had reduced him to his current state, stripping him of his former glory and wealth, forcing him to flee like a stray dog.
Now, this Molson had actually sworn allegiance to Carter Zane, the lord of Gray Valley County, hoping to use Carter Zane's power to take revenge on Link.
"My Lord City Lord, you absolutely must not underestimate the lord of Winterfell City!"
Molson prostrated himself at Carter Zane's feet, saying with extreme deference and flattery, "Lord Bear Peter was easily annihilated because he underestimated him too much. He is an incredibly insidious fellow; you must be on high alert and not underestimate him!"
Carter Zane glanced at Molson, who was prostrate at his feet, and said indifferently, "A mere Bear Peter is not worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as this lord?"
With that, he kicked out, and Molson's body flew out in response, hitting the wall.
The feeling was like a toad stuck to the wall, incredibly comical.
Molson, who was kicked away by Carter Zane, ignored the pain in his body and quickly crawled back to Carter Zane's feet, fawningly saying, "Great Lord of Gray Valley, how can a mere Bear Peter be compared to you? Although the lord of Winterfell City defeated Bear Peter, under the illumination of your magnificent glory, he is still like an ant, insignificant. You only need to slightly lift your foot to crush this ant!"
Carter Zane listened to Molson's words, a sneer appearing on his face.
He didn't take Molson's words completely to heart; in his opinion, Link was just a lucky lord, not worth fearing at all.
"Heh heh, you clown-like thing, you are somewhat interesting."
Carter Zane lazily glanced at Molson, his eyes filled with disdain and contempt.
Molson hurriedly lowered himself, his face full of flattering smiles, and said, "Great Lord City Lord, as long as you command, this humble one will do his utmost."
Carter Zane's lips curled slightly upward, revealing a chilling smile, and he said, "How about this, since you wish to pledge allegiance to this City Lord, this City Lord will give you this opportunity. Now, you represent this City Lord and go to Winterfell City, tell the lord of Winterfell City to bring all his secrets and wealth to Gray Valley County and offer them all to this City Lord. In doing so, he will gain my, Carter Zane's, friendship and become my best friend. If he disobeys, then he will be my, Carter Zane's, enemy, and Bear Peter's fate will also be his fate!"
By the end, Carter Zane's voice had become chillingly cold, as if emanating from an ice cellar.
Although the cold winter in the Northern Territory was not suitable for large-scale offensives, and his officials had all advised him to wait until after winter to act, Carter Zane no longer wanted to wait.
He knew well that a revolution was about to sweep through the kingdom, and the throne was about to change hands.
He wanted to acquire the elves' wealth in the shortest possible time, then offer it to The Terror Duke, in exchange for more slaves and to expand his own power.
Time was pressing; he had to seize every moment to gain more benefits in the coming upheaval.
"Great Lord City Lord, humble Molson is very willing to serve you!"
Upon hearing Carter Zane's words, Molson's eyes instantly lit up, as if he had seen the dawn of revenge.
The previous disastrous defeat at Iron Hammer Territory at Link's hands was like a nightmare, constantly haunting Molson's mind.
Now, he had pledged allegiance to Carter Zane, the lord of Gray Valley County, who was far more powerful than Bear Peter, and his heart was filled with smugness and a thirst for revenge.
This time, he vowed to make the lord of Winterfell City taste bitterness, and see how arrogant he could still be!
Thinking of the lord of Winterfell City's terrified, panic-stricken, and kneeling plea for mercy upon hearing Carter Zane's name, Molson's body trembled with excitement, as if he had already seen the scene of victory... Three days later.
Inside the Lord's Mansion of Winterfell City, the dwarf Molson stood in the center of the hall, hands on his hips, arrogantly shouting at Link, "Lord of Winterfell City, these are the exact words of the great Lord Carter Zane, and I have delivered them without a single omission! Choose to surrender, hand over all your secrets and treasures, and only then can you live!"
However, what puzzled Molson immensely was that after he announced Carter Zane's name, the lord of Winterfell City—Link—still maintained an unperturbed expression, his eyes calm and indifferent, as if he didn't even realize what the words "Carter Zane" truly meant.
Was he scared silly?
Molson speculated self-importantly.
He felt a bit displeased, thinking that Link hadn't shown the appropriate fear, so he continued to threaten, "Humble Lord of Winterfell, there is only one chance, you must seize it well. The power of Lord Carter Zane is beyond your imagination. Now, obediently kneel on the ground and beg me! After I am satisfied, I will convey your humility and submission to Lord Carter Zane. Otherwise, I will incite Lord Carter Zane to dispatch a large army and completely destroy your Winterfell City!"
As Molson spoke, he stared intently at Link with his small eyes, trying to find a trace of fear or wavering on his face.
But Link merely sat there quietly, a hint of mockery and disdain in his eyes.
Looking at Molson, who was performing with all his might like a clown, Link sighed, feeling a bit amused.
He waved his hand and instructed the guards beside him, "Take this fellow down, hang him on the city wall to air-dry, and after he dies, send him back to that... what's-his-name, Carter Zane. A mere remnant of Iron Hammer Territory, daring to threaten me here. He doesn't even look at what kind of trash he is."
The guards acknowledged the order and immediately stepped forward to seize Molson.
Molson then awoke as if from a dream, realizing he had gotten into big trouble. He struggled desperately, shouting, "You can't do this to me! I am Lord Carter Zane's envoy, you will enrage him!"
But Link merely gave him a cold glance, not saying another word.
The guards dragged Molson out, and the hall returned to quiet.
If a storm is brewing, then let it come.
"I actually hope you all come, so I can turn you into points in the system."
Link put down his teacup, and snorted coldly with an indifferent expression.