Is this cheat code from Bika? Just do it!

"Shiranui, take these two prisoners back to Lord Link first."

"Alright." Shiranui responded playfully, then spread her hands, picked up a prisoner in each hand, and in a flash, she took off and disappeared from everyone's sight.

"Was there any damage to the granary?" Ashaki then asked with concern.

"We protected the granary very well; it was undamaged, but..."

The squad leader lowered his head, his voice choked with emotion, his grief overflowing: "These guys took advantage of the shift change, disguising themselves as civilians asking for directions. Once they got close, they suddenly pulled out daggers and attacked. Harry, Reeves, and Norman, they all... they deserve to die! Harry had just gotten married last week, and before he died, he was enthusiastically giving them directions, and those heartless bastards cruelly slit his throat with a dagger!"

Following the squad leader's gaze, Asagi looked at the three corpses wrapped in white cloth behind the city guards and remained silent for a long time.

Then, she slowly raised her hand and gently patted the squad leader's shoulder, comforting him, "They are heroes of Winterfell, and Winterfell will remember them forever. As for the two who are still alive, don't worry, what awaits them is a pain worse than death."

......

Link entrusted the task of extracting confessions through torture to Adoris Cusha.

That night, in the dark and damp dungeon of the city guard headquarters, a brutal torture began.

Screams and wails mingled together, incessant and deafening, sounding particularly mournful in the silent night, like the lamentations of hell.

Before even a day had passed, under Adoris's skillful and ruthless interrogation techniques, the two prisoners couldn't hold on any longer and confessed everything like beans spilling from a bamboo tube.

Contrary to Link's initial assumptions, the incident was not the work of the minor lords; the mastermind behind it was Turs Garr, the largest grain merchant in the North.

It turned out that Link's large market initiative had greatly impacted Turs Garr's grain business, causing his previously substantial profits to shrink significantly and resulting in severe losses.

Harboring resentment, he bribed some thugs to burn down Winterfell's granaries as revenge against Link.

"Hmph, I knew it. If they were lords, they would never hire these thugs to cause trouble. Such behavior is beneath their dignity and is too degrading."

Upon learning the truth, Link snorted coldly, his eyes filled with icy intent. "Lina, hang those two attackers immediately. As for that Turs Garr, send out the Black Knife assassins. I want to see his head!"

That afternoon, two more bodies appeared on the gallows.

By this time, the two had been tortured beyond recognition.

One of them had his eyelids cruelly cut off, his eyeballs drooping out, looking extremely terrifying; the other was beaten black and blue, his face swollen like a fathead fish.

Their fingers were cut off, their tendons were severed, and their bodies were covered in wounds. Their pitiful appearance sent chills down one's spine.

As they were led to the gallows, they were surrounded by an angry mob, many of whom threw rotten eggs at them to express their resentment.

Link had already made the whole story public. During last night's defensive battle, three city guards sacrificed their lives to protect Winterfell.

The people of the North are known for their fierce nature and hatred of evil. Moreover, these attackers came to harm Winterfell and the interests of everyone, so no one felt any pity for their miserable state. On the contrary, they wished for them to die even more tragically.

As the gallows mechanism was activated, the two men struggled in the air for a few moments before gradually becoming still.

Afterwards, their bodies were carelessly buried in the woods outside the city, and no one paid any attention to them, as if they had never existed in this world.

In stark contrast, the funeral was held in the evening.

The common people of Winterfell spontaneously came to the cemetery, and the area around the tall monument was already crowded with people who came to pay their respects.

With solemn expressions, they held flowers in their hands, silently offering their sincerest respect to the fallen city guards.

"These heroes sacrificed their precious lives for Winterfell, for us. They will live forever in our hearts," an old man said, his voice trembling.

“Yes, they are the pride of Winterfell, and we will never forget them,” someone nearby chimed in.

People stepped forward one by one, placing the flowers they held in front of the monument, their eyes filled with grief and respect.

A gentle breeze blows, and petals drift down softly, as if in response to the spirits of heroes in heaven.

At this moment, everyone in Winterfell remembers the sacrifices of these heroes, whose heroic deeds will forever shine brightly in the annals of Winterfell's history.

Before long, the squad leader of the city guards stepped onto the platform.

"First, let us remember our loyal and fearless soldier, Reev. He was not only a brave and highly skilled warrior on the battlefield, but also a pillar of strength as a father and a tender and caring husband. During his service, he always fulfilled his duties, taking the peace of Winter City as his responsibility, and interpreting loyalty and commitment with his life..."

On the stage, the city guard squad leader solemnly read the eulogy in a deep and powerful voice.

Every word is filled with respect and sorrow for the deceased.

108. Seize the opportunity

Many people in the surrounding crowd recognized Reev.

They knew that Reev had a warm little family, with a virtuous wife and two lovely children.

The older child seemed to be only six years old, a time of innocent joy, while the younger child had just learned to walk, and their wobbly appearance evoked pity.

In the past, Reev's departure would have been a devastating blow to the family.

In these difficult times, how difficult life must be for a woman raising two children?

Perhaps she could find another man to live with, but who would be willing to take in two young children? After all, these two children would be like two heavy burdens, dragging down a new family.

If she is unwilling to abandon her child, she may have no choice but to go to a bar and make a living by soliciting prostitution.

However, such a life was full of humiliation and danger, and in the end, she would likely die from various strange diseases, leaving her two children alone and helpless.

Thinking of this, the people around them couldn't help but feel grateful to their Lord Link once again.

If it weren't for Lord Link keeping his promise and establishing such a generous compensation policy for the fallen in Winterfell, this family might really be finished.

Now, those who die in battle not only receive their full salary, but also an additional compensation, namely a pension.

Moreover, the compensation amounted to several gold coins, which was undoubtedly a huge sum for an ordinary family.

In addition, a fixed amount of food and charcoal would be distributed every month, which meant that even if Reev's wife did not go out to work, she could survive with these pensions and supplies.

In this era, everyone can say nice things, but very few can actually put them into practice.

These real gold coins represent Lord Link's most sincere concern for the fallen and their families.

The spies from other cities were particularly shocked by what they saw.

They witnessed the city guard squad leader on the platform solemnly handing the heavy gold coins to Reye and his wife after reading the eulogy.

Reev's wife accepted the gold coins with trembling hands, tears welling up in her eyes. Those tears contained the grief of losing her husband, as well as gratitude towards Lord Link.

Cole stood in the crowd, his eyes fixed on the scene, and a strange sense of envy welled up in his heart.

He envied Reev, who, even in death, was able to leave such a substantial guarantee for his family.

But soon, he shook his head repeatedly, banishing these foolish thoughts from his mind.

He didn't want to die and benefit his wife, because given his current situation, even if he died, his wife would likely become someone else's wife.

However, the next sentence read by the city guard squad leader stirred a surge of warmth in his heart: "We will forever remember the sacrifices made to protect Winterfell, to protect our loved ones and the innocent."

These words were like a ray of warm sunshine, illuminating the corner of his heart that had once been shrouded in gloom.

"So that's how it is," Cole thought to himself.

Since arriving in Winterhold, he seems to have gradually changed.

He used to only think about how to fill his stomach and how to earn more gold coins, serving as a slave and lackey for those high-ranking noble lords, with no dignity whatsoever.

But now, he seems to have some other pursuits.

He began to ponder why he lived and why he fought.

The final step is the burial.

Harry, Reeves, and Norman's urns were carefully placed into the dug pit.

The city guard squad leader, with a solemn expression, instructed everyone to line up. Each member of the squad, whether a regular or a substitute, solemnly took turns stepping forward and using a shovel to fill a small patch of soil into the soil.

Each handful of soil carries with it their deep affection and endless sorrow for their comrades.

Finally, the families of the victims slowly stepped forward to offer their final condolences.

Some family members wept uncontrollably, while others shed silent tears; the scene was heartbreaking to witness.

The three men's tombstones are pure white rectangular stones, with their names engraved on them, along with the word "heroes".

The white tombstones stood out prominently in the setting sun, as if telling the story of their heroic deeds.

As everyone gradually left, Cole saw the city guard squad leader again, who was holding a jug of ale and slowly pouring it onto the three tombstones.

The beer flowed down the tombstone, as if it were the soldiers' favorite drink in life, accompanying them in their eternal sleep.

If this place could become his final resting place, it didn't seem so bad, Cole couldn't help but think.

When people start thinking about who they are fighting for and why they are fighting, the entire team undergoes unimaginable changes.

They may have once fought simply for survival, for meager rewards. But now, they have higher aspirations and stronger convictions.

For Cole, however, the significance of this change is even more profound.

When honor is no longer the exclusive privilege of nobles, and ordinary people with nothing can also gain honor by defending their homes through training and education, the sense of accomplishment is simply indescribable.

He began to understand that he was not just an ordinary person struggling to survive; he could also be a hero, not just a slave and lackey to those high-ranking nobles.

A public funeral gives everyone a sense of collective honor, which acts like an invisible bond, tightly connecting everyone together.

Establishing military flags and songs, setting up heroic role models, and other measures are all continuously strengthening everyone's beliefs.

No spirit comes from nothing; only by persisting in this approach day after day and constantly instilling the concept will it gradually become effective.

“Lord Link,” Lina said, following Link from a distance in the cemetery, her voice tinged with self-reproach, “I’m so sorry, Lord Link. If I had been more careful, those three might not have perished…”

“This is not your fault. Asagi has already investigated the whole story.”

Link reached out and gently rubbed Lina's slightly tense face, his gaze tender yet firm. "The casualties were caused by those attackers who disguised themselves as civilians to ask for directions, then launched a surprise attack upon getting close. In such situations, no one can guarantee absolute safety, can they?"

"Lin... um—"

Lina wanted to say a few more words of self-reproach, but unexpectedly, Link suddenly lowered his head and kissed her red lips.

That tender and affectionate kiss, like a spring breeze, instantly dispelled Lina's self-reproach and unease.

"Mmm—" Lina let out a soft moan, her cheeks flushing red.

"Don't be so tense, my Captain Lina." Link looked up into Lina's eyes, a wicked smile playing on his lips. "Relax, how about some lovemaking?"

Link skillfully used erotic magic to unleash aphrodisiac effects.

Lina quickly felt hot all over, her body weak and sore, and collapsed into his arms.

A wicked smile crept across his lips as he picked up Lina and carried her straight back to the room.

He had harbored feelings for Lina for a long time, and now he finally had the opportunity to get close to her.

Link was secretly delighted and couldn't wait to taste Lina's flavor.

Back in the room, Link tossed Lina onto the bed, and soon he easily removed her armor and shirt.

What was exposed were enormous breasts that Link had never seen before. The huge breasts, like two large balls, were now freed from their restraints, bouncing joyfully and exuding an alluring charm.

"With two such big lumps stuffed inside the armor, it must be so stuffy, right?" Link joked.

His voice carried a hint of flirtation, making Lina even more shy.

She kept her eyes tightly closed, letting Link do as he pleased. Her alluring moans echoed in the room, filled with endless temptation and provocation.

Link cupped the pair of full breasts firmly in his hands, his eyes filled with fervor and greed, and then opened his mouth wide and took them in without hesitation.

He sucked and nibbled with gusto, his tongue darting nimbly. Soon, the room was filled with Lina's exquisitely beautiful and alluring moans, a mixture of pleasure and uncontrollable gasps, echoing in the quiet room and adding to the ambiguity and intimacy.

109. Artillery

A few days later, sunlight streamed into the workshop's backyard, bathing this slightly messy yet vibrant land in a golden glow.

As the number of muskets gradually met the needs of the musketeers, Hannah's creative heart began to stir again.

She was no longer content with simply manufacturing muskets, but turned her attention to larger and more powerful weapons—cannons.

In the courtyard, Hannah had already directed the blacksmiths to dig two deep holes in the ground.

Each hole is a perfect circle, narrow at the top and wide at the bottom, resembling two giant funnels inverted on the ground.

The front inner diameter is about 20 centimeters, while the rear inner diameter is expanded to 26 centimeters. This design was not arbitrary, but rather the result of Hannah's careful consideration.

These holes were the molds that Hannah had carefully planned to use for casting the cannon blanks.

Hannah put a lot of effort into ensuring the quality of the mold. She personally baked the inner wall of the cave with charcoal fire, the scorching flames licking the soil, gradually sintering the surface into a whole, as if it had been covered with a hard shell.

This outer shell not only ensures that the mold will not deform during the casting process, but also improves the surface quality of the gun blank.

When casting cannons, having the powder chamber facing downwards is a crucial design element.