The Wedding

Above the Black Raven Dunes.

"Kill!"

Thousands of troops fiercely intertwined, erupting in a brutal slaughter.

Unlike the usual entanglements, today, Theodore Sothos, upon discovering that the enemy was truly beginning to retreat, immediately launched a fierce attack.

And achieved remarkable results.

As the sun set in the west, the battlefield was covered in blood, tattered banners fell askew, resembling the end of an era.

"This time, it is ultimately our Sothos Family that has emerged victorious in the war!"

Theodore rode on his horse, inspecting the battlefield, and said smugly.

"And Alan, his intelligence was very useful... Mhmm... He also has credit for holding Widow's Bay."

Theodore muttered to himself, and then saw a slightly sullen look on his eldest son's face.

However, he didn't say anything.

At this moment, a scout brought over a messenger from the Davis Family.

"Honorable Lord Theodore, I bring my master's goodwill; he hopes to reconcile, acknowledges defeat, and is willing to cede part of the territory."

The messenger was a fat man with a fawning face, kneeling directly on the ground as he spoke.

"Seeking peace?"

Theodore was momentarily hesitant.

Although he wanted to annihilate the Davis Family, it was not something that could be accomplished overnight. If the opponent resisted desperately, relying on the castle, even a few hundred people could hold out for a very long time.

At this moment, a raven flew down, was caught by Knight Turner, and he took the letter tied to it.

He glanced at it, his expression changed immediately, and he found Theodore, handing the letter over: "Lord, this is an urgent letter from Young Master Alan."

"What?"

Theodore took the letter, his eyes widened instantly, then he looked at the fat man kneeling and walked forward to give him a hard whip: "Are you deceiving me?"

"My lord, I dare not, my lord!"

The fat man rolled on the ground, his luxurious robes covered in filth, loudly pleading for mercy.

"My son has already breached your castle, destroyed the drawbridge and gate, and even set fire to your stored grain!"

Theodore laughed loudly: "Andrew sent you to seek peace, perhaps just to buy time to rebuild the castle, right?"

"What?"

Colin was shocked: "Alan actually... breached a castle?"

Previously, there had been a report that Alan killed a knight, which had already surprised him greatly. Was this still the same low-key, barely noticeable brother of his?

'Could it be...'

An urgent sense of pressure was deeply embedded in Colin's heart.

"Pass down the order, attack! Attack! Attack!"

Theodore roared loudly: "I want to take the Davis Family's castle, unify the Green Forest! I want only one voice in the northern forests of Kagash!"

...

Several days later, Alan received the news.

Theodore Sothos had captured Davis Castle, beheaded the Davis Family's patriarch, Andrew, and his heir, young Andrew, and completely occupied the upper Green Forest territory.

From now on, the entire Green Forest territory will be flying the green banyan horn flag of the Sothos Family!

"The war... is finally over."

Alan sighed: "At least... the minimum goal is achieved, and we managed to survive..."

...

A month later.

Inside the Green Banyan Tree Cavern.

Due to the victory in the great battle, Theodore believed it to be a blessing from the 'Green Banyan Tree Grandmother' and insisted on holding a grand ceremony.

During this ceremony, Alan saw the heads of Andrew and young Andrew, as well as even more bloody and brutal human sacrifices.

When the flesh and entrails filled the sacrificial stone platform and the flag representing the Davis Family was burned to ashes, Theodore finally announced the end of the ritual.

The group walked out of the cavern. Alan took a deep breath, suppressing a slight feeling of nausea.

Killing during wartime and slaughtering after the war are two entirely different things.

"My son, you did very well."

After removing his ceremonial robe, Theodore casually threw the robe to Colin and rarely showed a smile to Alan: "Tell me, what reward do you want?"

"How about a piece of fief?"

Alan and Theodore exchanged looks; Alan replied without hesitation.

In the past, it was nearly impossible to redistribute the Lower Green Forest. However, after acquiring the Upper Green Forest, carving out a few knightly fiefs as rewards for meritorious service was a strong possibility.

Additionally, this was also his way of signaling to Theodore that he had no intention of competing for the heir's position.

After all, no matter how well he performed, he might not win Theodore's favor and replace the original heir.

For all he knew, this request might even be a test.

Upon hearing Alan's answer, Theodore's expression tensed, then immediately returned to a smile: "Good, you will be an excellent vassal."

"It is only right for a sovereign to grant land to a vassal and for the vassal to repay with loyalty."

Alan showed a faint trace of excitement.

This era's feudal nobles were entirely different from those in China.

In the later period of China's feudal era, titles such as duke, marquis, viscount, and baron were merely names, having neither true fiefs nor private armies, and thus were entirely at the mercy of the emperor.

In the west, however, even a king could not execute a baron with a single command.

From Alan's perspective, the kingdoms of the west were like companies, with the king being no more than a weak chairman who could easily be ousted by the board of directors at any time...

In the Green Forest, once he became a knight, even if Colin came to power, it would be difficult for him to do anything against Alan.

Theodore said a few more words, then looked at Colin: "The Upper Green Forest has been under the rule of the Davis Family for generations. Now, with a sudden change in rulership, those people are bound to resist. What should be done?"

"Father, I am willing to be your sword and clear all obstacles for you." Colin replied without hesitation.

But Theodore seemed a bit disappointed and looked at Alan.

"At this time, the focus should be on placating the Upper Green Forest. We can acknowledge the legality of the surrendered knightly fiefs. Besides... while the direct lineage of the Davis Family is dead, Silvia still lives..."

Alan's smile contained a hint of amusement: "Why not uphold the previous marriage arrangement, let Colin marry Silvia of the Davis Family, and declare their child as the future heir to the Green Forest. How about that?"

"A good tactic, showing great wisdom in governance!"

Theodore's face broke into a joyful smile: "Did you hear that, Colin...? Immediately prepare to marry Silvia, and the celebration must be grand!"

Colin looked as though he had been punched.

He absolutely did not want to marry the woman who had brought him such shame. Furthermore... who knew what had happened to that woman while she was in Alan's hands!

But this was a political marriage; even if Silvia were a sow, he would have to marry her!

Moreover, this was to solidify his position as the heir.

As long as he married Silvia and had children, neither Alan Sothos nor Sean Sothos could compare to him!

Extra chapters will be added after publication

(End of Chapter)