Is this cheat code from Bika? Just do it!

“Yes,” Henrietta replied quickly, carefully taking the paper and sealing it together with the written instructions.

She knew she would hand over these instructions to Lina later. Lina was more experienced in this area; she had personally overseen projects like the livestock farm and greenhouse vegetables. The main reason was that Winterfell had relatively few people skilled in planting and animal husbandry, and Henrietta didn't know much about it either, so she trusted Lina to handle this matter.

"Phew..." Link breathed a sigh of relief. He had indeed overlooked the crucial factor of fertilizer. It's important to know that the yield of crops grown with and without fertilizer can differ by several times. Sufficient fertilizer allows the soil to regain its fertility, providing ample nutrients for crop growth and thus leading to a significant increase in yield.

His fertilizer formula is actually a traditional method, mixing manure with a certain amount of soil for composting, which involves letting the manure ferment in the soil. During this process, physical and chemical reactions make the soil fertile. Then, some grass and wood are added, and after drying, it becomes organic fertilizer.

This kind of soil fertilizer, because it contains soil components, will be easily absorbed by plants after application. This is the fertilizer suitable for this otherworldly era. Of course, the production process of such fertilizer is quite complicated and requires a lot of manpower, but Link knows that as long as the fertilizer can be successfully produced and food production increased, then all the effort will be worthwhile. After all, food is the foundation of people's livelihood, and only by solving the food problem can Winter City develop more stably.

On the vast continent, in the north of the kingdom lies a mysterious and turbulent region, known as the Land of Chaos. This land is like a stubborn rock repeatedly scorched by war, having endured countless years of vicissitudes and hardships.

The Chaotic Lands are the heart of the conflict between the three duchies of Mulin, Manr, and Chama. Every inch of this land is stained with blood, and every gust of wind seems to carry the smell of gunpowder.

A duchy is a political entity subordinate to a kingdom. Historically, the lands encompassed by these three duchies originally belonged to a single, prosperous kingdom. At that time, the kingdom boasted vast territory, abundant resources, and a people living in peace and prosperity. However, the wheels of fate are always relentless, and at the crucial moment of the transition between old and new monarchies, a sudden rebellion swept in like a storm.

This rebellion was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples. Several ambitious dukes seized the opportunity, their hearts burning with an intense thirst for power, hoping to gain even greater benefits from the chaos. These dukes raised the banner of rebellion, leading their armies in a fierce attack on the royal family. In an instant, the kingdom was plunged into unprecedented turmoil and chaos, and the flames of war quickly spread to every corner of the kingdom.

In the fierce struggle, the once-solid kingdom crumbled, shattering into countless fragments. The conflict between the several dukes intensified; each fought their own battles, each vying to destroy the other and establish their own new kingdom on this land. After countless bloody battles and negotiations, a three-way balance of power emerged. These three duchies, like three ferocious beasts, confronted each other on this land, none willing to yield easily. Their struggle never ceased, each harboring the ambition to one day annex the other and achieve their grand goal of unifying the world.

Besides these three major duchies, several other relatively weaker noble factions, such as dukes and marquises, existed in this chaotic land. Taking advantage of the kingdom's fragmentation, they each carved out their own territories, establishing their own small domains. These small domains were scattered like stars around the three major duchies, forming a complex political landscape.

In this land rife with war and conflict, a woman named Bella harbors a grand and ambitious plan. Bella knows all too well that the orcs have long lived a life of dependence and discrimination in human territory. She is determined to change all that and secure a space of their own for the orcs. Thus, she sets her sights on the lands divided among the weaker noble powers.

Bella plotted in her mind that if she could acquire these lands, she could provide the orcs with a place to settle down. Then, using this land as a foundation, she could slowly develop and expand her power. As time passed and her strength became sufficient, she could launch an attack on the three duchies, eventually annexing them and establishing a new kingdom for the orcs. This plan was repeatedly conceived in Bella's mind, and every detail was carefully considered.

Of course, all of this is currently just a grand plan in Bella's mind. At this moment, she and her group of men are setting up camp on a remote hilltop in this chaotic land. Although the camp is simple, Bella and her men have arranged it in an orderly manner, making it their temporary stronghold in the chaotic land.

The atmosphere in the stronghold's main hall was slightly heavy. Bella sat quietly in the main seat, her eyes slightly closed, her posture upright, her expression revealing an innate authority. She slightly raised her chin and asked in a calm tone, "How's the intelligence I asked you to gather coming along?"

Bella and her men had been in this chaotic land for some time. During that time, they had been secretly observing everything on this land. However, their biggest problem at present was the lack of intelligence. Bella knew that only by understanding the situation here could she formulate a reasonable strategic plan and arrange for her men to attack and plunder resources. After all, in this dog-eat-dog world, resources were the foundation of survival and development. With sufficient resources, they could strengthen their knightly ranks, increase their strength, and then seize noble territories. Otherwise, with their current numbers, even if they were lucky enough to occupy a small noble territory, they wouldn't have enough strength to defend it, and the territory itself would restrict their actions.

“Big Sister Bella, the viscount we’ve got our eye on is a nobleman from the Duchy of Chama.” A small but sharp-eyed orc immediately stepped forward and reported respectfully, “He has two hundred knights in his territory, but only a little over a hundred of them are equipped with iron armor; the rest are just wearing leather armor.”

Bella slightly opened her eyes and calmly asked, "Have you found out how much wheat is in the granary?" In her mind, this number of men was nothing to worry about. What she truly cared about was the amount of wheat in the granary; after all, for orcs, food was life. And it was winter now, and the wheat they had brought was almost gone. If they didn't scavenge some more wheat soon, they feared they would starve to death on the streets before achieving their grand goal. If that golden-haired lionwoman and flat-chested woman found out, they would laugh their heads off. Thinking of this, Bella secretly resolved that even if their goal couldn't be achieved, she absolutely couldn't let her men starve.

"Enough for us to eat as much as we want for a month!" a rat-orc shouted excitedly, his voice sharp and urgent, as if he could already see the mountain of wheat.

Bella's eyes lit up immediately, and she secretly calculated in her mind: This amount is great! As long as I don't eat excessively, I can last for two months. If I'm even more careful, could I make it through three months? Thinking of this, she couldn't help but smile.

"Yay!" The orcs cheered upon hearing the news. Their faces beamed with excitement and anticipation, as if they could already see the dawn of victory. However, if they knew that Bella had no intention of letting them eat as much as they wanted, would they still be so excited?

"Get ready, we're leaving at noon." Bella waved her hand and shouted excitedly, "Let's go get the wheat back!" Her voice was full of strength and determination, as if victory was already assured.

"Tap tap tap..." However, before everyone could cheer, a panicked shout suddenly came from outside: "Big Sister Bella, something bad has happened, something bad has happened..."

"Stop, shut up! What's wrong with me?" Bella glared angrily at the boar-man who rushed in, her deep brown vertical pupils widening. "I've told you before, don't panic no matter what happens. What kind of behavior is this, jumping around like this!"

Although she said that, Bella had a bad feeling. She had a vague feeling that what was about to happen might not be simple.

"Big Sister Bella, that...that viscount has been snatched away by someone else!" the pig-man cried out in a panic, his voice trembling with fear.

"What?" Bella jumped to her feet, staring blankly at the pig-man, wondering if she had misheard. The news struck her like a bolt from the blue.

"It's true, that viscount was just robbed this morning," the boar-orc said earnestly, his eyes filled with anxiety and helplessness.

"I..." Bella cursed inwardly. What was going on? She was just about to make a move when someone else beat her to it? How could she accept this?

"Huff, huff..." Bella took a few deep breaths, trying to calm herself down. She said coldly, "Who stole it? How dare they touch our prey?"

“Big Sister Bella, it was the knights of the Duchy of Man’er who did it. I recognize their banner,” the boar-man said with certainty, his tone filled with anger and resentment.

The orcs exchanged bewildered glances, their faces showing surprise and disappointment. What the hell? Had they been happy for nothing?

"..." Bella slumped back into her chair, a moment's thought clearing that the battlefield was about to escalate. Moreover, this incident indicated that these duchies were also running out of food; otherwise, they wouldn't be raiding for supplies. She inwardly groaned. With only three hundred orc knights, how could she possibly contend with thousands of knights from a single duchy? For now, she had to keep a low profile; any high profile would invite an attack, which would be a huge problem.

"Let's stop this operation. Everyone, conserve your wheat," Bella said helplessly, waving her hand. "Have someone continue searching for targets, even those of a lower rank." She didn't want to go robbing merchants at auctions anymore; she felt it was too low-class. For a duke's daughter to rob small merchants would be incredibly embarrassing. Actually, what she really wanted to rob were princes, dukes, and other high-ranking nobles—that way she could obtain far more resources and wealth.

"Yes," the beastmen replied listlessly. The feast was over, their excitement was dashed, and everyone left the hall dejectedly.

Bella watched the orcs' retreating figures, feeling a sense of helplessness. It seemed she had oversimplified things; now they couldn't even manage a simple robbery. She couldn't help but begin to doubt the viability of her plan.

"Am I really going to have to slink away like this?" Bella grabbed her long green hair with both hands, scratching her scalp vigorously, her heart filled with resentment and anger. She shouted, "How can I just leave like this? I must take over a territory!" Her voice echoed in the empty hall, as if she were encouraging herself.

“But how should we develop our territory? Must we just keep robbing?” Bella frowned, deep in thought. She knew that robbing could only solve the immediate problem, not the root cause. To truly grow and strengthen her power, she needed a long-term development plan.

"Or maybe we could try cooperating with the humans? Deceive them a little?" A thought flashed through Bella's mind, but she quickly dismissed it. "No, the humans are too cunning." She rejected several options in a row, feeling utterly lost.

"I wonder how Tess is doing, and whether that woman Avery found the flat-chested woman yet? And where is that lion woman..." Bella muttered to herself, resting her chin on her hand. After arriving in the Chaotic Lands, she discovered it was even more chaotic than she had imagined. Most importantly, she lacked supplies—food, necessities, clothing, weapons—all were completely unavailable. Without these basic necessities, her plans were utterly impossible to implement.

If someone were to support her materially, she could unify the three duchies and establish an orc kingdom within a few years. However, reality is cruel; she can only rely on her own strength to fight her way up. Ultimately, she's used all her intelligence in warfare, and is truly lacking in political and developmental abilities. Who told her father not to teach her? Thinking of this, Bella couldn't help but feel a pang of loss and helplessness. But she didn't give up. She knew her road was long, and she had to persevere.

243. Arrange

Night fell, like a vast black ribbon, slowly and heavily pressing down on the earth. Winterfell was shrouded in profound silence in this deep night; the streets were deserted, save for the occasional gust of cold wind that gently rustled the bare branches of the roadside trees. Yet, amidst this stillness, the study of the Winterfell lord was like an island ignited by light and vitality. Brightly lit, the light streamed through the windows, casting a warm golden glow on the snow outside, exuding an unusually lively atmosphere.

Inside the study, everyone sat in a circle, the atmosphere both lively and tense. Their eyes were all focused on the central topic, chattering excitedly about the upcoming grand event—Lord Link's latest journey. This time, his destination was the distant and mysterious Eagle City, a place legendary for its wealth and the unknown, where towering buildings were said to reach the clouds and streets paved with glittering jewels, but also concealing countless dangers and challenges.

This trip is vastly different from the previous five-day journey to Northwind City. The last trip was like a leisurely stroll, while this time, the round trip will take fourteen days. In these fourteen days, they will traverse vast snowfields, cross raging rivers, and pass through a mysterious forest said to be inhabited by ferocious beasts. If the time spent in Eagle City is included, it will take at least seventeen or eighteen days. Such a long separation weighs heavily on the hearts of everyone who cares about Link, causing them great anxiety. The question of who will be fortunate enough to accompany Link on this journey has become the focus of debate. Everyone hopes that they, or someone they recommend, can stay by Link's side to protect and care for him.

Link sat at his desk, an old-fashioned and heavy desk piled with documents and maps. His elbow propped on his chin, his gaze gentle and deep as he slowly swept over the row of beautiful girls before him. Some stood, some sat, each with a different posture: some stood with their hands on their hips, their eyes resolute, as if demonstrating their ability to protect Link; some bit their lower lip, their faces showing worry, concerned that Link might encounter danger on his journey; others were full of anticipation, their eyes sparkling, eager to follow Link in exploring the unknown world. This vivid scene, in his eyes, was undeniably charming—like a vibrant, colorful painting, showcasing the girls' diverse personalities and emotions.

“Lord Link, I believe Lina must accompany you.” Jin Meiting spoke first. A straightforward girl, she crossed her arms, her tone resolute and unwavering. Her eyes shone with confidence, as if she firmly believed her recommendation was the right one. “In case of an emergency, Lina’s magic will surely be of great help. Her magic is like a magnificent rainbow, illuminating your path in the darkness and dispelling enemies in times of danger.”

Jin Meiting didn't plan to accompany him this time. After all, the affairs within Winterhold were numerous and complex, like a tangled mess, with many details that even Link himself wasn't as familiar with as she was. Since Link entrusted her with some administrative matters, Jin Meiting had demonstrated extraordinary talent. Like a shrewd housekeeper, she managed affairs large and small meticulously, earning the trust of everyone. Every day, she handled all sorts of documents and arranged various affairs within the city, personally overseeing everything from food distribution to soldier training, ensuring the smooth operation of Winterhold.

“No.” Link shook his head gently, his tone full of tenderness and determination. He looked at Jin Meiting’s pouting lips, which resembled a lovely cherry, and couldn’t help but reach out and gently rub her cheek, smiling as he said, “Lina needs to stay and protect you. Besides, with Luca here, what do I have to worry about? Luca is like a loyal guardian; he will use his sword to pave a safe path for me.”

The girls always overlooked his fighting prowess, frequently offering plausible excuses like nobles shouldn't act rashly for fear of losing face. But Link knew in his heart that true strength lay not in showing off, but in protecting others in crucial moments. Like a lighthouse silently shining in the darkness, unassuming yet guiding people in times of crisis.

Upon hearing this, Jin Meiting pouted and remained silent, secretly thinking to herself: It's when Lord Link is traveling that he needs protection the most. What danger could we possibly face inside the castle? The castle is like a sturdy fortress, protected by high walls and loyal guards; it's very difficult for enemies outside to breach it.

“I think Asagi and Bernice should go with the adults,” Henrietta suggested at the opportune moment. She was a gentle and kind girl, her voice soft as a spring breeze. “This trip is so long, the adults need someone to take care of them. Asagi is like a caring older sister; she will take meticulous care of the adults’ daily needs. Bernice is like a brave knight; she can protect the adults’ safety.”

“Indeed.” Jin Meiting nodded in agreement. When it came to attentiveness and caring, if Asagi was second to none in the entire castle, no one would dare claim to be first. Asagi always noticed every detail of Link's life, from his favorite foods to his usual clothing; she knew it all perfectly. Moreover, Asagi was gentle and refined, and with her by his side at noble auctions, those nobles would certainly not dare to underestimate Lord Link. She was like a blooming flower, exuding elegance and charm.

As for Bernice, her martial arts skills were superb, making her perfectly suited for the guard duty. Her sword was like lightning, capable of instantly repelling enemies. This arrangement was flawless.

Upon hearing this, Link frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then turned to look at Asagi and Bernice. Asagi was looking at him nervously, her eyes filled with expectation and tenderness, like a clear lake that could captivate anyone. Bernice, on the other hand, had her hands clenched tightly, her knuckles white from the force, clearly extremely nervous. She was like a warrior about to go into battle, full of fighting spirit.

“Okay, Asagi and Bernice will come too.” Link nodded with a light laugh, his heart filled with warmth. Asagi had always supported him unconditionally, never vying for anything, yet taking meticulous care of him, making him even more comfortable than when he was a prince. She was like a warm spring breeze, gently caressing Link’s life, making him feel incredibly at ease.

Furthermore, with the equally attentive Fiona in the castle, taking Bernice out wasn't a bad idea. After all, he had long since grown accustomed to being cared for by Bernice. Bernice was like a loyal companion, always by his side, helping him through his troubles.

"Really? Lord Link, can I really come along?" Bernice clenched her fists even tighter, her knuckles almost bleeding. She looked at Link nervously, afraid it was just a joke. Her eyes were filled with longing and unease, like a child anticipating receiving a beloved toy.

“Really.” Link smiled gently, his eyes full of affection. “You’ll have to work hard while you’re away from home.” His smile was like a ray of sunshine, illuminating Bernice’s heart.

“No, it’s not hard at all.” Bernice smiled and shook her head. “For Lord Link, no amount of work is too hard.” Her smile was like a blooming flower, full of sincerity and determination.

"Ashaji, I'll leave the clothes and such to you," Link said softly. His clothes were now all taken care of by Asaji; he even had to search for where they were. Sometimes, he wanted to find a specific piece of clothing but couldn't locate it, and Asaji would eventually find it for him in a corner of the closet.

“It is my duty,” Asagi shook her head and replied obediently, “I will make the arrangements now.” Her voice was soft and melodious, like a beautiful piece of music.

After saying this, Asagi, clutching her skirt, gave a playful curtsy and walked out with light steps. She was already planning what to take with her from the inner treasury, and also needed to properly prepare Link's clothes. She imagined Link wearing the clothes she had carefully chosen and arranged for his journey, and a happy smile appeared on her face.

“Dilva can go too, she’s very strong.” Henrietta smiled wryly, then turned and offered another suggestion, “She can help carry things.” Dilva was a very strong girl; she could easily lift heavy boxes as if they were feathers.

Link was taken aback by her words. He turned to look at Dilva, who was tugging at Henrietta's clothes, gazing at him expectantly. Dilva's eyes were large, like two bright stars, filled with longing for the outside world. Seeing this, Link chuckled and said, "Dilva, if you keep tugging, you'll tear Henrietta's clothes off..."

Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look, only to see Henrietta with a pained expression, her clothes torn askew, revealing her fair and slender neck. A look of embarrassment crossed her face, like a flower ruffled by the wind.

"Uh..." Dilva's hand froze, and seeing everyone's gazes, she awkwardly lowered it. She actually really wanted to go out for a stroll; after all, she had been in Winter City for so long and was getting a bit bored. She was like a little bird trapped in a cage, longing to fly out into the sky.

“Next time, let’s just take Luca, Asagi, and Bernice this time,” Link said softly. He also wanted to take everyone on a trip, but Winterfell needed someone to keep order. The city also needed Dilva’s protection; after all, Dilva was quite famous in Winterfell now. Wherever there was trouble, she was often the first to rush in and knock someone unconscious with her club. She was like a righteous heroine, maintaining order in Winterfell.

“Okay,” Dilva replied obediently. She was always so straightforward and naive with Link; if he said next time, she truly believed him. Her eyes were filled with trust, like a child trusting their parents.

As night deepened, moonlight streamed through the window, draping the world in a silvery veil. The discussion in the study gradually subsided. Everyone dispersed, their hearts filled with both anticipation and reluctance for tomorrow's journey. They were like a group of friends about to part, their hearts brimming with curiosity about the unknown journey and a deep sense of loss for one another.

Link sat alone at his desk, his heart filled with turmoil. He was filled with curiosity and longing for Eagle City. Compared to Winter City, what would Eagle City be like? He imagined its towering buildings, bustling streets, and mysterious nobles. He was about to come into contact with these powerful nobles, and what reactions they would elicit was entirely unknown. It was like groping forward in the dark, not knowing what lay ahead.

He knew that this journey was not just a simple trip, but a test that presented both challenges and opportunities.

Phuket, a bustling metropolis known as the Earl of Phuket, may not rival megacities with hundreds of thousands of inhabitants, but it still boasts a population of twenty to thirty thousand, making it a sizable city. As night falls and the city lights come on, it should be displaying its unique vibrancy and bustle. However, tonight, something seems amiss.

The night was deep, like a giant black cloth tightly enveloping the entire city. A cold wind howled, carrying a biting chill that seemed to rip layers of flesh from a person's body. It was around midnight, and the streets were deserted; not a soul could be seen. The surrounding houses were pitch black, without a single light, as if everyone had fallen asleep, except for those with ulterior motives, like Charlotte.

"It's so cold! These damn bounty hunters, why do they have to pick this time to take on jobs? Are they out of their minds? Can't they choose a warmer time?" Charlotte clutched his animal skin coat tightly, trying to ward off the biting wind, but even so, he couldn't help but shiver. His teeth chattered, making a "clucking" sound, as if expressing his dissatisfaction and complaints.

Charlotte was filled with dissatisfaction and resentment. He had gone to great lengths to find the place where the bounty hunter accepted the job. He had searched for many days, asking almost every street and alley in Phuket, and spent a considerable amount of money before finally getting some leads. However, when he finally received definite news today, he discovered that things were far more complicated than he had imagined.

It turned out that the bounty hunter's place not only only accepted jobs at night, but also required the client to come in person; otherwise, they couldn't even get in the door. This made Charlotte feel extremely helpless and angry; he felt like a pawn being manipulated and controlled at will.

244. Fear

Of course, this might also be related to Charlotte being a novice. The profession of bounty hunter and assassin has always been secretive and mysterious. They can't openly welcome customers like ordinary shops. If they weren't discreet and the timing wasn't special, they might be wiped out by the local nobles. After all, assassins are dangerous individuals, and no noble or city lord would want such people in their territory. They might suddenly be surrounded and killed by a group of knights, which would truly mean a gruesome death.

"Tap tap tap..." All around was pitch black, save for the chirping of night insects and the heavy sound of Charlotte's footsteps. The sound was particularly jarring in the silent night, causing Charlotte to shrink back, a nameless fear rising within him. He couldn't help but turn his head to look into the darkness behind him, as if some unknown danger lurked there.

"Are they following us or not?" Charlotte muttered softly, his voice trembling slightly. Not far from him followed several knights, his bodyguards. However, in the darkness of the night, they were like ghosts, silently following Charlotte, filling him with both a sense of security and fear.

"Huff, huff, huff..." Charlotte gasped for breath as he strode toward the place he remembered. His heart was filled with tension and anticipation; he hoped to find the bounty hunter's location as soon as possible, yet he was also afraid of encountering danger. However, fate seemed to be playing tricks on him; after walking for a short while, he arrived at a remote part of Phuket City.

There was a tavern here, a very secluded tavern, and one that was already closed. Charlotte stared at the tavern's door, a surge of suspicion and anger welling up inside him. "Did that bounty hunter lie to me? Sell me false information?" he gritted his teeth, his voice filled with rage and resentment. He looked at the tavern's door; there wasn't a ray of light peeking through, and clearly no one was inside.

Moreover, he remembered this tavern; wasn't it open during the day? It was a perfectly normal tavern, so how could it be a place where bounty hunters and assassins took orders? This left him extremely confused and puzzled.

"You wretched bastard, how dare you cheat me out of a silver coin! If I ever catch you, I'll chop you up and feed you to the wolves!" Charlotte stomped his foot angrily, his voice filled with rage and threat. He felt betrayed, and betrayed by a bounty hunter he despised at that. This filled him with utter humiliation and fury.

At this hour, he should have been sleeping in a warm house with his concubine, not wandering aimlessly in the cold night searching for a place that might not even exist. However, fate always seems to enjoy playing tricks on people. Just when he felt desperate and helpless, a voice suddenly broke the silence of the night.

"Who is it?" Suddenly, a hoarse voice echoed through the silent night, startling Charlotte so much that he jumped back in panic, staring in terror at the tavern. His eyes widened as if he had seen something terrifying.

A soft "click" came from the rooftop, where a man dressed in black stood, bow drawn and arrow nocked, aimed directly at Xia Luo. His figure appeared exceptionally mysterious and dangerous in the moonlight, sending a chill down Xia Luo's spine.

"Click!" Just then, the tavern door suddenly opened, and a hoarse voice came from inside: "Did you place an order? If so, please come in." The voice seemed to have a magical power, making Charlotte walk forward involuntarily.

"Yes, yes," Charlotte replied hastily. He clearly saw that the longbow in the man's hand on the rooftop was bent even more, as if he would be shot dead the moment he said no. This filled him with fear and helplessness, and he could only grit his teeth and move forward.

"Go in." A cold voice from the man in black came from the rooftop, as if it came from hell, sending a chill down Charlotte's spine.

"Yes." Charlotte rushed inside in a panic, vowing that as long as he completed his father's mission, he would send knights to wipe out the tavern. He was filled with anger and resentment, feeling like a pawn being manipulated at will.

"Tap tap tap..." Charlotte groped his way into the tavern in the dark, but after only a few steps, the door was slammed shut. Before he could turn around, he felt something pressing against his waist, followed by a hoarse voice from behind: "Let's go." The voice filled him with fear and helplessness, and he could only obediently continue forward.

"Yes." Charlotte's face was deathly pale. This was the first time he had experienced something like this, and his mind was still reeling. He didn't know what he was about to face, or whether he would be able to leave this place alive. However, he knew he had no choice but to grit his teeth and move forward.

Charlotte groped his way forward in the dark. A flickering candle illuminated only a few meters ahead of the liquor cabinet. The light seemed weak and helpless in the darkness, as if it might go out at any moment. When he got closer, he saw that the liquor cabinet was surrounded by people, all wearing either face coverings or animal skin masks; not a single person's face was visible. Even a naive Charlotte would understand what was going on at this point.

That damn bounty hunter screwed him over! It was just one less silver coin, and he didn't even tell him he needed to disguise himself at the tavern—basically, wear something to cover his face. No wonder he was treated like this; he was clearly an amateur. Charlotte was filled with anger and resentment, feeling like a fool who had been deceived.

"Hmph... a newbie, huh?" Laughter and sarcasm came from all around, filling Charlotte with humiliation and anger. He almost ground his teeth to powder; these damned rats dared to mock him.

"Cough cough cough..." Just then, a coughing sound came from behind the liquor cabinet. Instantly, the entire tavern fell silent, and all the chatter ceased. It was as if the cough possessed a magical power, instilling a sense of awe and fear in everyone.

"Bring him in." An aged voice came from behind the wine cabinet, as if it came from ancient times, filling Charlotte with a sense of mystery and awe.

"Let's go," a hoarse voice urged from behind, as if he'd been stabbed in the waist. This caused him pain and helplessness, and he could only obediently walk forward.

“Okay.” Charlotte obediently walked forward, around the liquor cabinet, and found a small door. Urged on, he pushed the door open and went inside, only to find it completely dark, with another small candle. But this candle was even smaller, illuminating a smaller area, and half of it was blocked. He could vaguely see a person sitting behind the candle, a person who seemed to be the master of the entire tavern.

"Viscount Charlotte, please have a seat." The aged voice rang out, seemingly carrying an irresistible force.

"Okay." Charlotte nodded and sat down in the chair. He was a little reserved, trying to see the other person clearly but unable to. The candlelight was too bright in front of him, making him feel uncomfortable and helpless.

"Viscount Charlotte, what brings you here at this hour?" the aged voice asked, as if it had already seen through Charlotte's intentions.

"I'm here to find an assassin," Charlotte said solemnly, his voice carrying a hint of determination and resolve. He knew why he had come, and he knew what his mission was. He had to complete his father's task, or he would face severe consequences.

"Alright." The aged voice showed no surprise, as if it were used to such requests. Nobles were the ones who hired assassins the most; most people in this profession served the nobility. This had become an unspoken rule, an unchangeable fact.

"Who to kill? What price?" the old man asked briefly, as if everything was under his control.

“Kill a baron named Link, the lord of Winterfell City in the west,” Charlotte said hastily, her voice filled with urgency and anticipation. “I need to hire one of the top 100 assassins.” He knew who his target was and what his requirements were. He needed to hire a sufficiently powerful assassin to complete his mission.

"A baron? A top 100 assassin?" The old voice was full of surprise, as if he had heard something unbelievable. "A top 100 assassin isn't cheap. Are you sure?" His voice carried a hint of doubt and inquiry, as if he were confirming Charlotte's determination.

"How much?" Charlotte asked, afraid of being ripped off. Hiring a top ten assassin could be deadly. He knew he didn't have the financial resources to hire one, so he had to proceed with caution.

"The lowest price for assassins in the top 100 is 130 gold coins," the old voice said calmly, as if the price meant nothing to him. However, for Charlotte, this price shocked and frustrated him.

"This..." Charlotte was stunned. Why was the price so much higher than he knew? From what he knew, this price could hire an assassin ranked 80th or 90th, and this was the lowest price? This left him confused and bewildered, wondering what the old voice was up to. However, he knew he had no choice but to accept the price, even if it seemed unreasonable.

In the dimly lit tavern, candlelight flickered, casting shadows that danced on the mottled walls, as if telling untold secrets.

"Would you like to place an order?" An aged voice came from the corner, hoarse and weathered, as if worn smooth by time. The speaker was hidden in the shadows, making it difficult to see his face. He keenly noticed the fleeting surprise on Charlotte's face, but in his view, there was no need to explain. His prices had always been the same: fair and honest, whether to place an order or not was entirely up to the customer.

Charlotte paused for a moment, then gritted her teeth, her eyes revealing determination: "Yes." She had come all this way specifically for this matter, and if she didn't place an order, wouldn't all her long journey have been pointless?

"Pay up the coins." The aged voice rang out again, flat and indifferent, as if stating something utterly ordinary. In his view, his role was that of a middleman; the coins were held in his custody until someone completed the task and came to him with a receipt to collect their coins.

Moreover, he takes a commission of one-tenth of the profits. To outsiders, this is a truly exorbitantly profitable brokerage, yet no one dares to object. After all, in this world full of danger and the unknown, having a relatively reliable broker is already considered good. Of course, there are exceptions, namely the top ten assassins. For these top assassins, brokers usually only take a symbolic commission; after all, no one wants to offend these exceptionally skilled and ruthless individuals.

"Mission deadline?" the old voice asked calmly, as if everything was under his control. "If time is tight, then we'll have to add more gold coins."

"This..." Charlotte's face turned pale when he heard that more gold coins were needed. He quickly shook his head and said, "I want to see his head in at least two months."

In his plan, two months was just the right amount of time. By then, he would have already integrated the people of the western lands, and then he could take over Winterfell, enslave the orcs, and thus realize his ambitions.