Chapter 166: Chapter 127: One Against Ten Thousand, Advancing to Gold
In less than two hours, he returned to Iron Blood Castle from the Morning Star Plain and ordered Matthew to prepare a hot bath.
Matthew, who just yesterday had been loyal to the Ironblood Duke, carried out Roy’s order immediately and without any hesitation.
Not only that, but he also took matters into his own hands, arranging for two maids in the bathroom—both with lovely faces and voluptuous figures, clad only in flimsy clothing that perfectly showcased their alluring curves.
Upon seeing the maids in the bathroom, Roy spoke to Matthew in an icy tone, "When I give you an order, you do exactly as I say. Don’t take matters into your own hands."
The fawning smile on Matthew’s face vanished in an instant. He replied quickly, "You are right to reprimand me, my lord. It will absolutely not happen again."
As he answered Roy, Matthew immediately signaled for the maids to leave the bathroom.
Only after they had all left did Roy enter the bathroom, close the door, remove his mask, shed his armor and clothes, and lie down in the brand-new bathtub.
The bathroom he was now in was the one inside the Ironblood Duke’s bedroom.
Aside from replacing the bathtub, all the furniture and items in the bedroom and study had also been replaced with new ones that very morning.
After soaking in the tub for twenty to thirty minutes and washing away the psychological stench of blood, Roy got up, took out a brand-new set of Hunter’s Clothing from Chaos Square, and put it on.
Once dressed, he put his mask back on and left the bathroom.
...
「Noon, one week later.」
「The study.」
"My lord, are you really going to give the Reilly Clan’s territory to Roy?"
Tony, clad in his Silver-White Armor, sat across from Roy and spoke.
"The announcement has already been out for a week. Do you think I would go back on my word?"
Roy used Fighting Qi to alter his voice as he slowly replied.
"I know you think highly of Roy, my lord, but this is the territory of a Duke Clan, after all."
Tony continued.
"I don’t go back on my promises."
"Also, Roy should have told you before to expand the Wesley Clan’s forces to a standard befitting a Duke Clan as much as possible."
"I didn’t originally intend to interfere so much, but to allow Roy to focus on his Cultivation, I, as his teacher, had no choice but to step in and resolve his worries."
"Everything stated in the announcement is true. I will give the Reilly Clan’s territory to Roy, and I will also support the Wesley Clan in becoming the new Lord of the North."
"As for the non-aggression pact between myself and the Kalin Kingdom, that was also to ensure he won’t be distracted by family matters in the future."
Roy said unhurriedly.
Three days ago, King Hiram Thompson of the Kalin Kingdom had issued an announcement that he would not invade the Northern Territory.
When the announcement reached the Northern Territory, Roy—under the name of the Dark Night Knight—also declared that he would not make an enemy of the Kalin Kingdom.
In addition to that, he had also publicly announced a piece of news yesterday: Margery had become the Dark Night Knight’s second student.
Yesterday morning, he had received a message from Catherine, sent by a raven, saying that Margery had arrived at Rock Lion Castle and was properly settled in.
Tony was silent for a few seconds, then continued, "Is it alright to ask where Roy is now? If possible, I’d like to see him."
"He’s in seclusion, breaking through to the Great Knight realm. It will probably take one or two months."
"Once he comes out, I will have someone notify you."
Roy had long guessed that Tony would ask this, so he replied with perfect composure.
It had been almost half a month since he left Ice Wolf Castle.
’If Tony hadn’t asked by now, he wouldn’t be the doting brother he is.’
Hearing Roy’s answer, Tony said slowly, "Then, my lord, how do you need me to assist you? Or, is there anything you need me to do?"
"First, go find Ward Brown and Robert Jenkins. Take over the Iron Blood Castle Guard and the Ice Wind City Guard as soon as possible."
"I’ve already had the families in Green Province loyal to the Ironblood Duke dealt with."
"As for the vassal families in the other four provinces, you can deal with them as you see fit."
"To put it simply, starting today, you are to fulfill the duties of the Lord of the North."
"Also, I’ve left 100,000 Gold Coins for you in the warehouse of the Ice Wind City Lord’s Mansion as start-up capital. How you use this money, and how you bring the Northern Territory under the Wesley Clan’s control, is all up to you. You don’t need to ask me."
Roy looked at Tony and said unhurriedly.
Although the situation in the Northern Territory was still somewhat chaotic, it was not dire.
Aside from the vassal families who had been loyal to the Ironblood Duke and had yet to officially declare their new allegiance, the only remaining problems in the Northern Territory were the Eldest Prince’s Royal Army and certain royal families that needed to be dealt with.
As for the Giant Blade Duke of the Eastern Territory and the Holy Shield Duke of the Western Territory, as long as they weren’t fools, they wouldn’t dare make a move on the Northern Territory at this time.
News that the Dark Night Knight had single-handedly faced ten thousand men and utterly annihilated the Reilly Clan’s forces, leaving no survivors, had already spread throughout the entire Kingdom.
Not unless the Giant Blade Duke and the Holy Shield Duke had a death wish.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t have the guts to invade the Northern Territory.
"Yes, my lord! I will not fail to live up to your expectations!"
Tony replied with a serious expression.
"Whether or not you live up to my expectations is not important. What is important is whether *you* truly want the Wesley Clan to become a Duke Clan."
"There is nothing else. Go to the City Lord’s Mansion and get to work."
Roy said slowly.
"Then I shall take my leave."
Tony stood up, gave Roy a respectful bow, then turned and left the study.