Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Forced Taxation
When the Frosty Winter passed.
The emissaries of Frost Wolf Ridge also set off one after another, heading towards each territory.
And faster than the emissaries, was the news that Duke Frost Wolf, with his pack, attacked Eagle Wing Castle, killed Viscount Eagle Wing, and occupied the castle.
Earth Knight!
Duke Frost Wolf turned out to be an Earth Knight!
This news truly overturned many people’s knowledge.
Nobody imagined that the worthless Duke, who had never been able to activate the Frost Wolf Bloodline, could be an Earth Knight, hidden so deeply!
No one would believe that Duke Frost Wolf was just a Knight’s Attendant half a year ago, so it was naturally assumed that he had been hiding his strength all along!
This made these nobles gasp for breath, feeling a chill from the bottom of their hearts, sensing the terrors of this Duke Frost Wolf.
That Duke Frost Wolf could watch, with open eyes, as the vassal clans of the Frost Wolf Clan betrayed, and the territories belonging to Frost Wolf Ridge split away, without taking action.
Then, after breaking through to Earth Knight, he swiftly and directly killed the strongest vassal clan of the Frost Wolf Clan, the Eagle Wing Clan, annihilating Viscount Eagle Wing along with the entire family and all related persons.
This ferocity scared many nobles out of their wits, fearing they might be Duke Frost Wolf’s next target, and their entire family would perish.
Therefore, when the emissaries from Frost Wolf Ridge arrived, these lords showed great enthusiasm, and in regards to the enormous taxes that Frost Wolf Ridge demanded from the territories, although they knew it was impossible, they dared not voice any objections.
They all knew it was a probe from Frost Wolf Ridge; right now, it was just emissaries, but if there were any objections, it would be Duke Frost Wolf, the Earth Knight himself, leading a vast wolf pack next time!
If they handed over the taxes, it would mean they still acknowledged their territories being under the rule of Frost Wolf Ridge, and their family was still a vassal clan of the Frost Wolf Clan. The extra taxes could be seen as punishment and fines.
Thus, even if it was extremely taxing, these lords scraped together the required taxes.
And personally delivered the taxes to Frost Wolf Ridge, intending to meet the new Duke Frost Wolf and continue swearing allegiance to this new Earth Knight level lord!
A total of five lords came to pledge allegiance, and seeing the taxes they brought, David received these nobles and accepted their allegiance.
...
Silver Fox Town.
Baron Silver Fox had already received the information.
His expression changed unpredictably, a look of suspicion in his eyes.
Eagle Wing Castle was indeed finished, but he’s always been skeptical, leaning towards the possibility that Duke Frost Wolf becoming an Earth Knight was fake.
Judging by the Frost Wolf Clan’s situation, their resources were only enough to cultivate a Tier Three Knight.
And to break through to Earth Knight, one must have Tier Four Frost Wolf Secret Medicine for assistance, something the Frost Wolf Clan likely found challenging.
After all, the Frost Wolf Clan’s trade routes had long been severed, and the most crucial high-quality Wolf Blood Grass for making Tier Four Frost Wolf Secret Medicine had long been monopolized by their families.
But Baron Silver Fox was naturally a cautious person.
He did not hurry to refuse the emissary from Frost Wolf Ridge, nor did he respond immediately, choosing a delay tactic.
Even if Duke Frost Wolf truly became an Earth Knight, the Ice Bear Clan certainly wouldn’t stand by and do nothing.
The Silver Fox Clan had always been neutral, so in this situation, there was no way they would rush to pick a side, survival in the cracks to maximize benefits.
However, this time, Baron Silver Fox evidently miscalculated.
David set a deadline for the Silver Fox Clan of three days; once the time was up, David directly led the Frost Wolf Knight Order and the Gray Wolf Pack to Silver Fox Town.
Afterward, without saying a word, he charged directly in, killing all knights who dared to block his path under the sharp swords of the Frost Wolf Knights.
"Silver Fox Town is also territory of Frost Wolf Ridge, do you want to stop your true lord?"
David, holding a blood-stained sword, directly beheaded an Official Knight of the Silver Fox Clan.
Seeing this scene, all the Knight’s Attendants of the Silver Fox Knight Order were scared out of their wits, none dared further to stop David.
By the time Baron Silver Fox received the news and came to greet him, David, with the Gray Wolf Pack, had already reached outside the castle and killed the knight guarding the castle gate.
"Duke Frost Wolf." Baron Silver Fox’s eyelid twitched.
David glanced coldly at this crafty old man, "Leave no one from the Silver Fox Clan."
Upon hearing his words, the Frost Wolf Knight Order suddenly felt a surge of excitement.
All those who dared to offend the Frost Wolf Clan would certainly face the reckoning of the Frost Wolf Clan, this was the true uncrowned king ruling the Northern Lands!
"Duke Frost Wolf, what do you want to do?"
Baron Silver Fox’s face changed completely, speaking in a low voice.
"No need for further words."
"The three-day period has ended, since you’ve made your choice, you can die with peace of mind."
David said coldly, and with a slash of his Knight’s Sword, a slash of Fighting Qi shot straight towards Baron Silver Fox, the Tier Three Knight!
"Fighting Qi!"
Baron Silver Fox was horrified.
He didn’t expect that Duke Frost Wolf was indeed an Earth Knight, moreover acting so unpredictably.
He merely hadn’t given a reply within three days, and this Duke Frost Wolf actually wanted to destroy the Silver Fox Clan entirely!
"Duke Frost Wolf, you’ve misunderstood."
"I’ve been gathering the tax lately, just waiting to deliver it to Frost Wolf Ridge."
Pressed by the situation, Baron Silver Fox immediately conceded, "The Silver Fox Clan has always been a vassal of the Frost Wolf Clan."
"Misunderstanding?"
"You can explain it to my dead father."
David clearly held a posture of settling both new and old scores, with a flash of his figure, he came up to Baron Silver Fox.
Once the Frost Giant Wolf Bloodline was activated, terrifying Ice Power spread out.
Baron Silver Fox’s expression changed drastically, never did he imagine this Duke Frost Wolf would be so powerful and act so unreasonably.
But now saying anything was evidently too late, he could only activate the Silver Fox Bloodline within him, rapidly increasing his speed to escape.
Even though he was a Tier Three Knight, he was absolutely not a match for an Earth Knight, the gap between them was too vast, like a chasm impossible to cross.
And as David made his move, the knights of the Silver Fox Knight Order did too, charging towards David, trying to buy time for the lord’s escape.
David slashed out with a sword, and the intense cold directly froze the incoming knights.
With his action, these ice seals shattered one after another, the knights charging forward dying in droves.
Finally, Baron Silver Fox, in endless regret, was cut down by David with a single sword stroke.
"This person, don’t be so scheming."
David coldly snorted, his gaze resting on the majestic castle before him, wondering if there might be any good things in the Silver Fox Clan’s treasury.