...

...

In the blink of an eye, the clean wilderness outpost was stained with blood, the air thick with a scent of carnage.

"Check all the bodies, leave no survivors."

Coming down from the mountain, the team was led by a young boy.

After instructing his subordinates to clean the battlefield, he walked towards the middle-aged man expressionlessly,

"I am the captain of the Black Pine Ridge Knight Squad, Sao Gray Stone."

The boy's Imperial speech was correct and clear, but extremely mechanical, making it somewhat awkward to hear.

"It seems you are the team we're supposed to meet."

Sao looked at the convoy, "Where is our mission target, Amina and her family?"

The middle-aged man didn't dwell on the boy's accent and answered directly, "I am a subordinate of Baron Halon, Engle, Lady Amina and her family are in the carriage."

"My mission is to escort them safely out of White Rock Canyon and then return to Border City via the Black Pine Ridge trade route."

Engle was Baron Halon's spy, but his presence had already been exposed here, unable to return the way he came, forced to leave and hide elsewhere for a while.

Sao nodded, then gestured to signal the soldiers to lead the way.

"Continue forward, I'll lead my team behind you."

Sao looked at his own squad.

Forty elite from Black Pine Ridge, along with an experienced Knight Squad, gave him ample confidence.

"Alright!"

Engle nodded heavily, ignoring the corpses on the ground, and rapidly gathered his guards to step into White Rock Canyon, disappearing in the vast snow.

Sao ordered the soldiers to strip the armor off the bodies, taking it all away with the weapons.

The wooden house at the outpost was also set on fire, consumed by flames.

After completing these tasks, Sao gazed towards Eagle Ridge, seemingly waiting for something.

But the road remained devoid of any appearance.

"Unfortunately, our ambush seems to be wasted."

Sao shook his head.

The main task for the Knight Squad this time was to assist Chris's family.

An additional task was to ambush the pursuing soldiers, exterminating more troops from Eagle Ridge.

At this moment, at the exit of White Rock Canyon, there were more than a hundred Wild Spear Throwers ambushed on the mountain slopes on both sides.

Unfortunately, the additional task was going to fall through.

"Retreat."

In such cold weather, the Wildmen couldn't stay ambushed in the snow for long.

Sao did not wait any longer and led the team away.

He did not know that the Count's Chief Knight was watching everything from a corner.

The previous incident with Knight Chris had made Balrog extremely cautious.

When Balrog saw Sao lingering leisurely at the scene after killing, he sensed something was off and did not proceed further.

More importantly, Balrog felt it was pointless.

...

...

At Black Pine Ridge, in Winter Manor's hall.

Luo De, Avril, and Rein were refining the Bow and Arrow crafting manual.

Not only did it have written explanations, but also illustrations, all drawn by Avril bit by bit.

In the future, when the territory grows populous, Luo De will start printing. This manual will be the master copy and must be meticulously compiled.

"Currently, this manual uses animal sinews as bowstrings; if they break, they can only be replaced, not repaired."

After the manual was completed, Rein proactively suggested, "I believe it's worth adding a method for using flax strings as bowstrings inside."

"Although flax bowstrings have slightly lower strength, they can be repaired, making them a good choice for regular bows."

"Flax bowstrings are also easy to make, and processing the material isn't as complex as sinew."

Rein was thinking long-term.

Obtaining animal sinews still poses some difficulty, flax bowstrings are easier to acquire.

Luo De nodded, agreeing with Rein's suggestion.

"Alright, write it all down."

The two then looked towards Avril.

Avril paused for a moment, sighing involuntarily.

The pen she had put down was picked up again, despite herself.

"Lord Baron, everything went smoothly!"

Just as Rein was describing the flax bowstring fabrication method, Durant ran in.

He bowed and saluted, happily reporting, "They've returned!"

"Mmm."

Luo De responded lightly.

He knew Durant was referring to Chris's family.

"Only it's a bit unfortunate the Spear Throwers didn't catch any enemies."

"No matter, that was extra preparation for the assist; it doesn't impact the main goal."

Luo De wasn't concerned, instructing, "Leave it all to Lawrence now, have him arrange a room for Chris's family, let them reunite well."

"Yes, Lord Baron."

Durant nodded respectfully, then hesitated a bit before asking, "Will you not speak with Chris first before letting them meet?"

"My meaning is, are you not going to discuss terms with Chris?" Durant added.

Luo De shook his head lightly, saying meaningfully, "If he is someone who needs me to use family as leverage to understand all truths, then I think he is not worth my effort."

"He is smart, you need not emphasize anything, just let them meet."

"Alright, Sir."

Durant answered, about to turn away when he stopped as if recalling something, and asked quietly:

"Lord Baron, I have one small inquiry..."

"Hmm, speak." Luo De nodded.

"Why is Baron Halon helping us so much? Are we allies with them now?"

Durant explained, "Baron Halon's people followed us to Frost Leaf Town. I don't know how to treat them, what should be provided?"

Durant frowned slightly, lowering his voice,

"Could he have left some tricks on Chris's wife?"

"You seem to have grown more suspicious now."

Luo De nodded lightly, thinking for a moment, with deep eyes, "It shouldn't be, because we are somewhat allies with Baron Halon, though not formally agreed."

He paused, saying meaningfully, "Baron Halon is waiting for opportunities, accumulating strength, seeking timing."

"He sees the Count's relationship with us as hostile, so he wants to keep us in his grip."

"When the time is right, he will use us, and then I will also give him a hand."

"So before Baron Halon's goal is achieved, we're still allies."

Luo De said calmly, "But whether we'll be allies or enemies in the future, nobody knows."

Right now, Luo De still doesn't know if Baron Halon is truly a trustworthy ally.

After all, every favor from Baron Halon now has a purpose, just like a merchant doing business.

Durant nodded, "Yes, my lord, I understand."

Can be trusted, but not fully.

...

...

In the slave quarters of Frost Leaf Town, inside a solitary wooden house.

The warmth of the furnace dispelled the chill.

On the heated brick bed, the long-separated couple embraced tightly.

"You have suffered."

Amina held Chris's face, her eyes full of heartache.

The once clean and handsome husband was now dirty all over, covered in grime.

The sharp and proud gaze he once had was now dim and dull.

Amina's tears began to flow uncontrollably, glittering drops sliding down her cheeks.

"It's okay, at least I'm still alive, and I've seen you all."

Chris was calmer than expected.

The trials at Black Pine Ridge over the past few months had made him steadier, no longer carrying the arrogance he once had.

Amina looked at her expressionless husband and suddenly felt a bit angry,

"We went through so much trouble to come here, narrowly escaping danger, and this is how you react?"

Amina broke free from Chris's embrace, turned her head away, her shoulders trembling slightly,

"If I had known you'd be so indifferent, I wouldn't have come at all!"

Chris sighed, hugging Amina from behind, kissing her hair,

"Of course I miss you, I miss you all, but… you shouldn't have come."

"What do you mean by 'shouldn't have come'?"

Amina suddenly lifted her head, her eyes flashing with bewilderment and anger,

"If I hear you're suffering here, shouldn't I be heartbroken, shouldn't I come to see you?"

Those words from Chris really angered Amina.

"You don't understand,"

Chris's voice was filled with helplessness as he hugged Amina tightly,

"The risk of you coming here is too great."

"Staying at Eagle Ridge, you could perhaps live a stable life. But if you come here…"

Chris sighed, a flash of pain in his eyes,

"I'd have to submit to Baron Rod, bearing the title of 'traitor', and become a sworn enemy of Count Hawk."

"That's also why I can't return."

"No, I don't think that's it."

Amina suddenly sat up, speaking firmly, "The reason you can't return is because you're not important enough to Count Hawk."

Chris gave a bitter smile, "Count Hawk once sent people to ransom me back, but Baron Rod refused."

"I know."

Amina said, "But I also know that Count Hawk only offered ten gold coins to ransom you, so Baron Rod refused. Baron Halon told me everything."

"Think about it, if Count Hawk had offered twenty gold coins, thirty, fifty, or even a hundred, would Baron Rod still refuse?"

Amina wiped away her tears and gave a light snort,

"It's because you're not important enough. I think if Balrog were captured, Count Hawk would definitely pay a higher price."

Chris sighed, unable to deny that his wife was correct.

"And do you know how many people Baron Rod sent to meet me and the children?"

Amina's eyes widened as she said, "Dozens of elite soldiers clad in full armor, along with over a hundred militia armed with long spears!"

Amy didn't recognize the spear throwers, but Chris did, and he couldn't help but feel surprised on his face.

"So many?"

"Look how much Baron Rod values you!"

Amina nodded emphatically, then persuaded, "And at Eagle Ridge, you're just an ordinary knight. Count Hawk has five knights like you."

"Above you are Knight Balrog, Knight Engel, and Sigrud."

"Below you are more than ten knights, you'll never be heavily utilized."

"But it's different here!"

Amina said softly, "There's only one knight here, you have many opportunities!"

Chris looked at his wife, stunned,

"You, where did you hear all this?"

"I already asked around when I came."

Amina sighed slightly, "I thought, you wouldn't want me and the kids to suffer, right?"

"What you said, I know it all."

Chris already had a decision in mind, "I will give you and the children a prosperous life."

For his wife, he had decided to submit to Baron Rod.

"Alright, I believe in you!"

Amina contentedly nestled into Chris's embrace, "Oh, and my brother Igel, help him get a job too."

"Mm."

Chris responded softly.

However, to his surprise, in the following week, the summons order Chris was waiting for never came.

Lawrence merely had him continue doing labor, allowing him to reunite with Amina on weekends.

There were no extra words.

Chris began to feel a bit restless.

Could it be that Baron Rod doesn't care about him at all?

But why would Baron Rod go through such effort to bring his wife and kids over?

Has the Baron forgotten about him?

Chris felt a constant itch in his heart.

Originally intending to make a great effort, he suddenly felt a sense of frustration.

And it grew stronger.

Finally, losing his patience, Chris approached the overseer after breakfast,

"I request an audience with Lord Baron."

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