The setting sun slanted westward, its golden afterglow spilling across the calm sea. A few seagulls skimmed past, shattering the shimmering reflection on the water.
But Samwell had no mood to appreciate the beautiful view before him. Seeing Todd return once again, he asked,
"The sentries still haven't been found?"
"No." Todd's expression was just as grim.
"What about the savages who attacked us? Have you found any trace of them?"
"No. They won't confront us head-on. After the ambush, they vanish straight into the mountains and forests. We're unfamiliar with the terrain—we can't catch up." Todd clenched his teeth. "I'm going to take ten more men and search farther out. We'll find them."
Samwell fell silent at his words.
Todd thought the other party was refusing, and anger surged in his chest. He said sharply,
"My lord, I sent those sentries out. I must bring them back! Otherwise—"
"I'm not stopping you from searching," Samwell explained calmly. "I just want you to take more men."
Todd's expression eased slightly. He shook his head. "Ten men are enough. If we take more, I'm afraid the camp's safety won't be guaranteed."
Samwell smiled faintly. "I want the savages to think the same way."
"What do you mean?" Todd froze.
"You were right earlier. I underestimated the malice of those savages. Now it seems they won't communicate with us peacefully. If that's the case, then we must show our strength first."As he spoke, an undisguised killing intent flashed in Samwell's eyes. "You'll take all the Tyrell soldiers out of the camp, so the wildlings think it's empty and come to attack. I'll lead my men to hold them back and trap them all in the valley!"
Todd stared at the young knight in disbelief. After a long moment, he said,
"My lord, isn't this too risky? We don't even know how many savages there are…"
Samwell replied without hesitation, "A bunch of sneaking savages—what is there to fear? If they truly had the strength to fight us head-on, why would they rely on ambushes?"
Todd still hesitated. "Wouldn't it be better to first find out their numbers before dealing with them…"
"How?" Samwell cut in bluntly. "This is the Crimson Mountain Range—the savages' territory. Our men can't even catch a glimpse of their shadows here."
Seeing Todd fall silent, Samwell continued coldly,
"Don't hesitate. This is our best chance. Once the tower is built and the fences are set, if we try to lure the enemy with tricks, they may not dare to attack at all.
"At that point, relying on their familiarity with the terrain, they'll come and go without a trace, constantly harassing us. We'll be forced to stay holed up in the valley just to ensure safety. If this drags on, the construction of the territory will be severely affected, the entire pioneering team will panic, and in the end we may be completely trapped in this valley!
"Therefore, we must seize this moment, deliberately expose a flaw, lure the savages into attacking, and cripple them in a single decisive battle!"
Todd pondered for a long time. Finally, he gritted his teeth and nodded.
"Alright! Since you have such courage and trust me so much, my lord, I will not let you down!"
With that, Todd slammed his right hand heavily against his chest, performed a solemn knight's salute, then turned and left.
Samwell turned to look for his attendant, Gavin, intending to give further orders. Seeing Gavin hesitate as if he wanted to speak, Samwell asked,
"What's wrong?"
Gavin lowered his voice. "My lord, if you arrange it this way, aren't you afraid Todd Flowers might die without trying to save us?"
Samwell looked deeply at his young attendant and smiled.
"Don't worry. Todd Flowers is a smart man—he won't do anything foolish. Besides, all the supplies and food are here. If he watches us get defeated by the savages and then tries to escape with a hundred men and no provisions, can they really make it out of the Crimson Mountains? And even if they do, do you think House Tyrell would let him go?"
Gavin hesitated, then tried to persuade him again.
"My lord, I'm still worried. Even if Todd doesn't dare to abandon us outright, what if he deliberately delays and lets us suffer heavy losses fighting the savages? Why don't we switch roles—have Todd and his men defend the valley, and you personally lead the troops out, returning once the battle begins?"
Samwell shook his head.
"You're all new recruits who've never set foot on a real battlefield. It's better for you to stay in the valley, relying on defensive positions to fight a positional battle. The complicated maneuver of leaving and then turning back is better suited to Todd and his group of veterans."
Seeing that Gavin still wanted to speak, Samwell interrupted him directly.
"Gavin, do you know what the greatest taboo on the battlefield is?"
"My lord… what is it?"
"Internal discord and mutual suspicion." Samwell's expression turned extremely serious."No matter what conflicts Todd and I may have, when facing wildlings, we are comrades-in-arms on the same front. If we arrange things the way you suggested, Todd will immediately sense my distrust. Before the battle even begins, his morale will falter. And even if we win, from that point on there will only be wariness and suspicion between us."
"I understand, my lord." Gavin lowered his head and said nothing more.
Samwell's tone softened. "Alright. Go inform the brothers that wildlings may attack tonight. Tell them to eat early and rest early, but keep their armor on, weapons at hand, and stay alert for the horn. Also… go call Vito."
"Yes."
In truth, there was another crucial reason Samwell dared to trust Todd—
Margaery had warned him in a letter earlier not to kill indiscriminately, and that Todd Flowers would follow his arrangements from now on.
Those words made Samwell keenly aware that Lady Olenna's attitude toward him might have changed.
If Lady Olenna had once viewed him as a controllable puppet, then after he shed blood and grasped power, she must have adjusted her strategy and decided to give him a chance.
For now, Todd could still be trusted.
Of course, if Samwell's performance in developing the territory failed to satisfy her, Todd might step forward and contend for control of the pioneering team.
Samwell believed this firmly. After all, the "Queen of Thorns" was never a soft-hearted woman.
Therefore, this battle was critically important to him.
Likewise, it was critically important for the recruits under his command.
For over four months, Samwell had spared no expense piling equipment onto them, feeding them meat every day, and personally leading their training. Now, at last, it was time to test their quality.
As long as they won this battle, these recruits would complete their transformation.
And Samwell would officially possess his first true batch of elite troops.
As long as we win this battle…
Lost in thought, Samwell was interrupted when Gavin returned with Vito.
Samwell composed himself, explained his plan to Vito, and began discussing the defensive deployment.
There was no time to build a tower now, and even erecting fences was already too late.
Fortunately, in half a day that afternoon, the craftsmen had used the natural terrain to build a small earthen mound at the mouth of the valley.
With reinforcement and proper arrangement, it would serve as an excellent defensive position.
The valley entrance was originally narrow—only six or seven people could pass side by side. Once Samwell led his troops to line up atop the small mound, they would fully exploit the terrain.
After finalizing the plan, Samwell instructed Vito to prepare rolling stones and logs and pile them on the mound.
When the sun finally sank below the sea's horizon, Todd also departed the camp with his men.
The craftsmen began setting up the defenses, while Samwell and the soldiers turned in early to recover their strength.
Staring at the vast, brilliant star-filled sky, Samwell found himself unable to sleep.
The sound of waves crashing against the rocks echoed in his ears, and scenes from before his transmigration flashed through his mind. Though not that long ago, it felt like a lifetime had passed.
The night was deep and heavy, as though something unseen was brewing and gathering in the darkness.
...
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Here are a few fan-fic titles that I've recently uploaded on my Patreon:
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(End Chapter)