Link's decision, like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, stirred up ripples in Winterfell City, and the news spread like wildfire.
Many residents shook their heads upon hearing this, their faces full of disapproval.
"I think the Lord must have lost his mind, daring to go to war with Iron Hammer Territory. Isn't this just seeking death? Can he even win against them?"
"Even the once-famous Old City Lord didn't dare to easily conflict with Iron Hammer Territory, did he?"
"Yes, I also heard that Bear Peter, the Lord of Iron Hammer Territory, is simply a demon who kills without batting an eye. If he really takes Winterfell City, will we still have good days?"
"No, I must leave quickly. I don't want to go to my death with this muddled Lord!"
After the crowd dispersed, similar discussions rose and fell in the streets and alleys of Winterfell City, lingering for a long time, and many people began to entertain the idea of fleeing Winterfell City.
However, more people chose to stay resolutely.
"Leave? Why leave! Only cowards like you who are as timid as mice would think of running away!"
A farmer, who looked about forty years old and had an honest, simple face, instantly flared up, his face turning red like a ripe tomato, when confronted by someone urging him to leave Winterfell City.
"If it weren't for the Lord, could you live such stable lives today? The Lord built us wooden houses to shelter from wind and rain, built toilets to solve hygiene problems, built stone roads for convenient travel, and also waived so many heavy taxes, allowing us to live comfortable lives. Do you really want to give up so easily?!"
His words immediately resonated with the surrounding populace.
"I heard that Bear Peter is extremely cruel and makes his residents work day and night mining for him in the mountains. I heard many people died of exhaustion in those dark mines. My life was given to me by the Lord, so even if I die, I will die here in Winterfell City. I will not go and be a slave for that Bear Peter and be worked to death!"
"That's right, we've all seen the development of Winterfell City during this time. It is precisely because of the Lord's diligent management and selfless help that we can live with dignity like human beings. What's so scary about Iron Hammer Territory? At worst, it's just death! If I have to go back to those hellish, dark days, I might as well die sooner!"
"Yes, damn Iron Hammer Territory! Damn Bear Peter! If you want to destroy Winterfell City, you'll have to step over my corpse first!"
There's a saying: I could have tolerated the darkness if I had not seen the light.
Link allowed them to live comfortable, good lives, allowing them to live stably and peacefully in Winterfell City like human beings.
Whoever wanted to take all of that away, whoever wanted to turn them back into slaves, they would fight with all their might!
..."What? What did you just say? Repeat it to me again!"
Inside the Lord's manor of Iron Hammer Territory, an enraged roar exploded like thunder.
Bear Peter's eyes were bloodshot, as if they would spew fire. He slammed a palm onto the armrest of his chair. With a "crack," the sturdy chair instantly shattered into several pieces.
He glared, his eyes wide, staring intently at the kneeling servant below, his voice full of anger and disdain.
"Great Lord, that Lord of Winterfell City is truly ignorant of his own limitations, daring to openly declare war on us. Such an arrogant act clearly shows he doesn't put you in his eyes!"
The servant trembled all over with fear, prostrating on the ground, stuttering as he mimicked Link's words, trying to make Link's "arrogance" as vivid as possible.
"Good, very good! It has been a long time since I have been so angry!"
Bear Peter panted heavily, his eyes glinting with a sinister light, like a hungry wild bear in winter, exuding endless danger.
"It seems I haven't asserted my authority for too long, making them forget my methods. Now, they dare to provoke me like this! Issue the order, immediately gather all the armies in the territory. I, Bear Peter, will personally lead a large army to flatten Winterfell City! My authority must not be trampled upon by anyone!"
With Bear Peter's command, the entire power of Iron Hammer Territory began to mobilize rapidly.
The army began to gather quickly, the sound of hooves, footsteps, and shouts interweaving. A tense and oppressive atmosphere filled the air, as if a storm was about to arrive.
Days passed, and the atmosphere in Winterfell City grew increasingly heavy.
The invisible scent of gunpowder in the air seemed ready to ignite at any moment.
In just these two short days, more than twenty residents of Winterfell City had quietly packed their bags and left without saying goodbye, seeking refuge in other cities.
They feared the impending war, feared becoming its casualties.
"Lord, aren't we going to stop these people from leaving? If we just let them go, I'm afraid more people will leave later," Lina said, looking at the retreating figures with concern.
Link, however, merely smiled faintly, his expression calm: "It doesn't matter, let them go if they want to. People who choose to flee in times of crisis are useless in Winterfell City. Winterfell City needs people who can share weal and woe and overcome difficulties with it, not those who desert in battle."
He paused, his gaze fixed on the distance.
Let those who choose to betray go.
He just hoped that when the war between Winterfell City and Iron Hammer Territory truly erupted, they wouldn't regret their choice today.
After all, the brutality of war was far beyond their imagination. And Winterfell City, in this storm, would usher in its own turning point of fate... Time quietly flowed, and the shadow of war finally enveloped this land.
In Iron Hammer Territory, Lord Bear Peter sat atop a tall warhorse, looking down at the neatly arrayed army in front of the Lord's manor.
His fat face was now filled with self-satisfaction and arrogance.
To establish his authority through Winterfell City and demonstrate his inviolability as the Lord of Iron Hammer Territory, Bear Peter had almost exhausted all of Iron Hammer Territory's resources in these two days.
In addition to the original 1,700-plus regular Soldiers, he had temporarily armed over a thousand young men in just two days.
These young men were forcibly conscripted to follow the army to the battlefield where Winterfell City would be annihilated.
The nearly three-thousand-strong army, almost every man wearing iron plate chainmail, though only covering vital areas like the chest and abdomen, showed that Iron Hammer Territory's strength was considerable, being able to equip nearly three thousand men with such iron armor.
However, in this seemingly vast army, true elites were few and far between.
Bear Peter's two hundred or so personal guards were the core strength of this army.
They stood tall, well-equipped, their eyes showing absolute loyalty to Bear Peter.
As for the other Soldiers, their discipline was lax, their steps disordered, and whispers and laughter occasionally echoed through the ranks.
Author's Note:
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