Compared to yesterday evening's overcast sky, where the outlines of the small town couldn't be clearly seen.
Now, Ackman observes closely from a near distance, only to realize the scale of this small town!
Entirely built from uniform red bricks, all of the same size.
A group of townspeople are emerging from the red brick residential areas, merging into a dining hall.
To start enjoying their breakfast.
The sheer number of people and the scale, Ackman feels dazzled and finds it impossible to count!
At least in the thousands.
After leaving the town, Ackman notices carts loaded with coal being driven in from afar.
No oxen or horses needed for traction, only the workers on the carts continuously cranking handles to drive them along the tracks.
Such ingeniously crafted carts, Ackman sees for the first time!
And alongside them lies a vast expanse of cultivated fields, planted with crops!
Long and orderly rows extend into the distance...
Ackman can't even see the end of these fields!
As he learns more about this territory, Ackman's heart grows increasingly fearful of Lynn.
With fully armed soldiers as sharp blades, possessing walls as solid shields, protecting this land.
With abundant labor force and strange planting techniques, cultivating crops to fuel the territory's advance.
Is such a territory something a mere small Manor Lord like Aiden Morrison can provoke?
As Ackman ponders continuously, he traverses the fields into the woods.
Finally, under the watchful eyes of soldiers on the walls, he departs from the walls, heading into the distance.
Inside the castle.
Lynn watches the squad on the holographic map leave his territory and vanish into the darkness outside the walls.
With a thought, he closes the holographic map.
Lynn turns his gaze to Red beside him, speaking in a low voice, "Gather all the guards, head to the walls!"
With those words.
Lynn strides toward his room.
Watching Lynn's departing figure, Red's expression turns resolute, without hesitation, "Yes, Master!"
Red calls a few guards, instructing them to convey Master Lynn's command.
Horse after horse gallops out of the castle, heading toward various parts of the territory.
After a dozen or so minutes.
Draped in black scale armor with a chain lining, helmeted Lynn emerges from the room.
With each step, a metallic clink resounds on the ground.
Simultaneously, the black cloak on his back flutters behind him...
As Master Lynn passes by Red, Red follows closely without hesitation.
Arriving on the first floor of the castle.
Lynn mounts his horse, straddling Mo Ying.
With a nudge to the horse's side, Mo Ying instantly understands, letting out a neigh before galloping out of the castle.
Red leads the guards, urging their mounts to follow.
Da da da~
Da da da~
The sound of galloping hooves reverberates on the wide red brick roads of the small town.
Drawing the gazes of townsmen walking by on either side, watching that familiar yet unfamiliar silhouette.
They can't help but bend slightly, saluting.
They naturally know, at the forefront riding is their Lord — Lynn.
Though sometimes they don't see their Lord, they see the Lord's statue in Lord's Square every day!
As the cavalry passes, more and more townspeople watch Lynn riding away from the town.
In their eyes lay worry, joy, and anticipation...
They are just ordinary townspeople of the small town, without great ability.
After Master Lynn leaves the town, all they can do is continue working diligently in their respective positions.
The journey from the town to the walls, twenty miles long, takes only a little over ten minutes for a top-tier warhorse like Mo Ying.
Looking ahead, under Rose's command, the guards and soldiers are lining up.
Lynn pulls the reins, slowing Mo Ying down.
The thunderous sound of horse hooves naturally captures the attention of all present guards and soldiers.
They widen their eyes, looking upon their Lord.
Upon reaching the lined-up soldiers, Mo Ying halts, and Lynn leaps off the horse.
Rose, stepping briskly, comes to Lynn's front, immediately reporting, "Master, as per your instructions, the total of eight hundred soldiers have gathered."
"Two hundred heavy cavalry, three hundred heavy infantry, two hundred archers."
"The remaining one hundred light infantry, one hundred guards, and one hundred archers are stationed on the walls."
Lynn acknowledges, striding toward the crowd in front.
Rose and Red follow closely behind.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Lynn gazes directly at them, scanning over their faces one by one.
Seeing eight hundred soldiers clad in standard plate armor, helmeted.
At a glance, a menacing sense of black and gray metal kills the visceral feel.
On their faces, there is tension, anxiety, pressure...
But what Lynn sees most on their faces is excitement and anticipation!
They crave a war.
Perhaps due to the mission-driven identity of a soldier, or maybe like Earl, they wish to prove themselves through war.