Is this cheat code from Bika? Just do it!

Next, Link decided to test the barrel strength using different propellant charges.

Although he knew that doing so might damage the artillery, it was a necessary test.

Only through continuous testing can we understand the limits of artillery, thereby improving and using it more effectively.

He first loaded the standard propellant into the gun barrel, and then ignited and fired.

The shell whistled through the air and hit its target precisely.

Then, he gradually increased the amount of propellant, making everyone extremely nervous with each launch.

After adding more than three packets of propellant, the muzzle began to rise and the gun carriage shifted when the cannon was fired.

Surprisingly, the barrel showed no obvious deformation. It seemed the cast steel barrel performed exceptionally well in terms of strength, and Link breathed a sigh of relief.

Finally, Linke determined the standard propellant charge to be 1.2 times the experimental charge. Only by determining the appropriate propellant charge could the stability and safety of the artillery during firing be guaranteed.

The rest is just selecting gunners and having them practice repeatedly.

“Lord Link, this weapon is indeed powerful, but it is too heavy. It can be immobilized by just a mud pit.”

At this moment, Inessa immediately noticed the shortcomings of the new weapon. She frowned and said with a worried expression.

"Moreover, each round of firing requires cleaning the barrel, loading propellant, and reloading the shell. In addition, gunpowder and shells are much heavier than those used in muskets, so it's likely that just one cannon would require five to six people to operate." Inessa continued her analysis, her eyes revealing her consideration of the potential problems that might arise in the practical application of artillery.

"Indeed, but it was all worth it."

Link smiled and said, "As long as we equip ourselves with a few cannons like these, against ordinary enemies, a few volleys can disrupt their formation, and then the cavalry can charge in to finish them off. The enemy will have no chance to fight back."

Everyone nodded in agreement after hearing Link's words.

111. Dramatic Changes in the Capital

On the central continent, the capital of the human kingdoms—King's Landing—has always been a prosperous city, rife with intrigue and power struggles.

However, at this moment, a suffocating and oppressive atmosphere permeated the city.

King Kalifa III, gravely ill, lay weakly on an exquisitely carved and ornate bed. His gaze was heavy as he looked at the secret letter delivered by the black raven, his eyes revealing endless worry and exhaustion.

Meanwhile, the armies of the eldest and second princes were already poised and ready in the southern and western borders, sharpening their swords in anticipation. Several dukes in the eastern border, also harboring their own ambitions, were secretly recruiting soldiers, hoping to gain a share in the impending struggle for the throne. The entire kingdom was like a volcano about to erupt; the situation was on the verge of exploding.

“Ahem… Tamanna, indeed, my two sons are both ambitious wolf cubs…” King Garif III turned his head slightly, looking at the beautiful woman beside him. He slowly raised his withered hand and handed her the envelope.

Tamanna took the letter with trembling hands, carefully read its contents, and tears welled up in her eyes.

The letter stated that the king's trusted advisor, who was also the tutor of both the eldest and second princes, was hanged on the city wall yesterday by order of the second prince.

The reason was that the old minister tried to persuade the second prince to give up the struggle for the throne, so as to avoid plunging the entire kingdom into the disaster of war.

"My king, you..."

Tamana's voice trembled slightly. She knew the current situation all too well: the eldest prince and the second prince were irreconcilable enemies, with no possibility of reconciliation.

King Galif III shook his head slightly, his voice weak yet resolute: "There's nothing to be sad about! I raised these two sons into what they are today with my own hands. Only the most ruthless and cunning king can rule all of Statila. But... cough cough... I never expected..." His voice grew weaker, and his body trembled slightly with exhaustion.

Seeing this, Tamanna quickly picked up the teacup, intending to offer it to the king to help him relieve his cough.

However, King Kalif III suddenly grabbed her hand, a hint of stubbornness in his eyes: "Cough cough... Don't give me water! Give me wine!"

He knew in his heart that his time was running out and he had to arrange everything properly in this limited time.

“Cough cough...So, I will pass the throne to...cough cough..." Galif III said with difficulty, his voice broken and intermittent.

"Your Majesty..." Tamana's voice carried a hint of pleading; she simply couldn't bear to see the king in such pain.

King Garif III took a deep breath, as if using all his strength: "When I ascended the throne, I personally killed my mad father. I knew then that I might not have a good end either. But you... you've been with me from the beginning, yet you've never had a single day of peace... Tamanna... I've made arrangements. Go and prepare immediately, take Safina and Falashia out of the city to the North. Remember, you must leave... cough cough... otherwise... those two wolf cubs will never let you go... cough cough!"

His voice grew softer and softer, like a candle flickering in the wind, ready to be extinguished at any moment.

"Listen up, everyone! I am going to pass the throne to the second princess! To Safina! She will be the first queen of the entire kingdom! I..."

Before he could finish speaking, King Kalif III suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood and fainted.

The bright red blood quickly stained the white sheets, like a blooming poppy, as if it were the last mark he left in the world.

King's Landing was instantly thrown into chaos.

Inside the palace, the ministers were in a panic, looking at each other blankly, completely unsure how to deal with this sudden turn of events.

The question of succession to the throne, the fierce struggle for power—all of these things, like the thick, oppressive clouds before a storm, heavily shrouded the entire city of King's Landing.

Once the eldest and second princes learn of this, they will certainly not let it go.

Their respective armies may soon engage in a thrilling battle outside King's Landing.

Meanwhile, the dukes of the East will also seize the opportunity amidst this chaotic situation, attempting to gain even greater benefits.

Tamana suppressed her grief and, following the king's instructions, began preparations to leave the city with Safina and Farahia.

She knew that the journey would be fraught with difficulties and dangers, but for the king's entrustment and for the safety of her two children, she had to bravely continue.

In the chaotic court, the ministers each harbored their own thoughts.

Some ministers supported the eldest prince, believing him to be brave and skilled in battle, possessing the demeanor of a king; others favored the second prince, thinking him to be resourceful and more capable of governing the country.

As for the second princess, Safina, although the king passed the throne to her, in the eyes of these ministers, it was no easy task for a woman to rule the entire kingdom.

The entire city of King's Landing seemed to be gripped tightly by an invisible hand, and everyone was struggling in this tense and oppressive atmosphere.

The struggle for the throne and the allure of power transformed the once bustling city into a battlefield rife with intrigue and bloodshed.

And all of this is just the beginning. Where will the human kingdom go from here? No one knows...

......

That afternoon, a group of black-cloaked assassins with black knives galloped towards the gates of Winterfell.

The sound of horses' hooves broke the silence, raising clouds of dust.

They dismounted and went straight to the city lord's mansion, handing Link a wooden box and a piece of intelligence.

The intelligence report clearly stated the king's death, and inside the wooden box was the head of Turs Garr.

Link merely glanced at the wooden box, without opening it to examine it, and casually tossed it aside.

In his eyes, Turs Garr was nothing more than a self-important merchant who was not worth mentioning.

What really concerned him was the message conveyed by this intelligence—the king had passed away!

Link unfolded the letter, his eyes quickly scanning its contents. After reading it, he held the letter close to the candle flame, watching the flame gradually consume the paper until it slowly burned to ashes. Then, a barely perceptible smile slowly appeared on his face.

"That old bastard is finally dead," Link muttered to himself.

With the old king dead, a struggle for the throne is inevitable, plunging the entire human kingdom into chaos.

In this chaotic situation, no one would turn their attention to the barren and frigid north.

This was the moment Link had been waiting for; his plan could finally begin to be implemented.

Link had long coveted the territories, resources, and populations of the minor lords surrounding the North.

In his view, the fastest way to accumulate capital is through plunder.

The second batch of black-knife assassins that had been sent out earlier were meticulously prepared for this day.

"Immediately notify all departments!" Link's expression was serious, and his tone was firm. "Greyvale, Thorn City, and Winterfell are to enter a state of full war. All departments must immediately check their supplies and prepare their troops to ensure they are ready to march at any time! Also, inform the Blackblade assassins that they can begin preparing for their assassination missions!"

"Yes, sir!" The attendant beside him acknowledged the order and left.

Link had made thorough preparations for this day.

A considerable number of light and heavy cavalry were deployed in all three cities. These cavalry were mainly Grek's heavy cavalry, each well-trained and well-equipped.

Linke planned to draw on the tactics of the German Blitzkrieg and make full use of the cavalry's speed and flexibility.

He planned to launch a swift cavalry attack to disrupt the enemy's deployment through a surprise assault. Simultaneously, he planned to coordinate with assassins lurking within the enemy city to launch a coordinated attack from within and without, ultimately defeating the enemy by surprise.

By using cavalry units to quickly cut off the enemy's main force and disrupt their battle rhythm, the desired combat effect can be achieved.

Link knew that this battle between the two kings was a huge opportunity.

Various factions are vying for the throne, and he intends to gain a share of the spoils in this chaotic situation.

In his eyes, the minor lords around the North were nothing more than lambs to the slaughter.

He believed that with his own planning and strength, he would surely rise to the top in this conflict and realize his ambitions.

At this moment, a tense atmosphere permeated the air in Winter City.

Departments at all levels sprang into action, soldiers were fully equipped and ready to go, and the black-knife assassins were also eager to prepare for the upcoming battle.

Link, on the other hand, stood on the city wall, gazing into the distance, pondering his future plans, as if he could already see the dawn of victory.

112. The war begins

Tonight, the moonlight is gentle and soft, like a thin veil gently falling upon the world.

A bright, flawless full moon hangs high in the vast night sky, pouring down its silvery light without reservation, draping everything in the world in a dreamlike silver coat.

Such a beautiful time and place makes it the perfect moment to admire the moon, as if the whole world is immersed in this tranquil and wonderful atmosphere.

Not far from Greyvale County, in Svenburg, the sounds of insects used to rise and fall every night, weaving together a cheerful nocturne that echoed through the night sky. Those clear, melodious sounds, like a beautiful symphony played by nature, added a touch of life and vitality to the tranquil night.

However, tonight was different. The surroundings were unusually quiet. The chirping of insects, which should have been lively on weekdays, had disappeared without a trace, as if they had been mercilessly swallowed up by the tranquil night, leaving only a deathly silence that sent chills down one's spine.

Beyond the castle's backyard wall lies the rolling hills behind it.

There is a vast forest on the mountain, but it is now the time of autumn and winter, and the leaves have all fallen, leaving only bare tree trunks, like silent guardians, standing there quietly, protecting this land.

The ground was covered with yellow leaves that no one cared about. They rustled gently in the breeze, as if telling the story of the passing years.

A winding stream meanders down from the back mountain, like a graceful ribbon, passing through the woods and finally flowing slowly into the castle.

The babbling brook makes a clear and melodious sound, like a beautiful symphony played by nature.

Bathed in moonlight, the water shimmered like a silver ribbon, sparkling with a captivating light and adding a touch of dynamism and vitality to the quiet night.

Just then, on a small hill not far away, under the dim moonlight, several figures quietly appeared.

They were draped in black cloaks, moving silently like ghosts in the night.

These were the black-blade assassins that Link manifested; they were agile and nimble, seemingly blending into the night.

“I have thoroughly investigated this castle. The breakthrough point is in the castle’s backyard. As long as we follow the stream in the back mountain, we can enter the castle without anyone noticing.”

One of them spoke slowly, his voice clear and melodious, like the song of a nightingale, especially beautiful in the quiet night.

Presumably, hidden under the hood is a beautiful yet aloof face.

"Remember, no survivors in this operation. After eliminating the target, set this on fire inside the castle, then evacuate immediately!"

The leader of the black-knife assassins had a cold expression, and his eyes revealed a sharp killing intent.

She took out several explosive charges from her bosom and distributed them to her colleagues with swift and decisive movements, without the slightest hesitation.

Before long, the figures of the group disappeared into the vast darkness, as if they had never existed, leaving only the still-flowing stream and the silent forest, as if nothing had ever happened.

Inside the castle, patrolling knights passed by in twos and threes.

In the quiet night, their conversation was exceptionally clear, breaking the original tranquility.

"You know what? A new girl has arrived at the brothel in the north of the city. She's all pink and tender, and her appearance is incredibly alluring. If I weren't on duty tonight, I would definitely go and enjoy myself." A knight muttered regretfully, casually swinging his longsword in his hand, seemingly nonchalant, but his eyes were full of desire.

“Unlike you, all you do is hang out in brothels. Be careful you don’t catch some disease, then your thing will be ruined. If you ask me, those women in Winterfell are much better. I saw those women when the Winterfell army patrolled through our castle before, they were all big-breasted and plump, they looked like they could have children!” another knight said with a wicked grin, his eyes revealing a lewd glint.

"It's true, I've seen them too. Those women are a thousand times better than those in brothels. If I could get my hands on one of them, hehe—"

The two exchanged a smile, chatting as they strolled along, completely unaware of the approaching danger.

Suddenly, from beneath the ground where he had just stepped, a hand slowly emerged from Huang Ye's body, and like a ghost, abruptly grabbed the knight's ankle.

Before the two knights could even cry out in alarm, they were punched in the throat, and then their heads were twisted by a powerful force, instantly turning in a different direction. With a "crack," their necks were snapped.

The two corpses, their necks snapped, were silently dragged into a magically constructed pit beneath the black-knife assassin.

Then, the black-knife assassins flashed toward their next target, their movements clean and swift, without any hesitation, as if none of this had ever happened, leaving only the faint smell of blood still lingering in the air.

......

"I'm going to take a piss, I've had too much ale." One of the knights waved to his companions, indicating that they could go ahead, and then walked behind a tree, his steps unsteady, clearly having drunk quite a bit.

"We'll be going now. Hurry up and catch up, or we'll dock your pay if you're slow."

"Keep your bladder out of the wind when you pee, or a stray dog ​​might bite your dick! I heard there are stray dogs around here!" another knight joked, a mocking smile on his face.