The Witcher: Start with the Lord Marrying a Wife.

Chapter 44: Forced Taxation
When the winter is over.

The envoys from Frostwolf Ridge also set out and headed towards the various territories.

Even faster than the messengers came the news that Duke Frostwolf led his wolf pack to attack Eagle Wing Castle, killed Viscount Eagle Wing, and occupied Eagle Wing Castle.

Earth Knight!

Duke Frostwolf is actually an Earth Knight!
This news really overturned many people's cognition.

No one had expected that the useless Duke who had never been able to activate the Frostwolf bloodline would actually be an Earth Knight. This was too well hidden!
No one would believe that the Duke of Frostwolf was just a knight's squire half a year ago, so naturally everyone thought that the Duke of Frostwolf was hiding his strength!

This made these nobles gasp, and a chill rose from the bottom of their hearts. They felt the horror of the Frostwolf Duke.

The Duke of Frostwolf could actually watch the vassal families of the Frostwolf family betrayal and the territory belonging to Frostwolf Ridge split away, but he never took any action.

Instead, after breaking through the Earth Knight, he swiftly killed the Eagle Wing Family, the strongest vassal family of the Frostwolf Family, and killed Viscount Eagle Wing along with the entire family and all those involved.

This ferocity also frightened many nobles, who were afraid that the next target of the Duke of Frostwolf would be themselves, and then the entire family would be destroyed.

Therefore, when the envoys from Frostwolf Ridge arrived, these lords were very enthusiastic. Although they knew that the huge taxes owed by the territories listed by Frostwolf Ridge were impossible, they did not dare to raise any objections.

They all knew that this was a test from Frostwolf Ridge, and that the people sent by Frostwolf Ridge were envoys. If they had any objections, the people who would come would be the Frostwolf Duke, the Earth Knight, and the huge wolf pack he led!

If they pay the taxes, it means they acknowledge that their territory is still under the rule of Frostwolf Ridge and their family is still a vassal family of the Frostwolf family. As for the extra taxes, they can be regarded as punishment and fines.

Therefore, even if it meant heavy losses, these lords still raised the required taxes.

He also personally transported taxes to Frostwolf Ridge, intending to meet the new Frostwolf Duke and continue to swear allegiance to this new lord of the Earth Knight level!

There were five lords who came to pledge their allegiance. In view of the taxes they brought, David met with these nobles and accepted their allegiance.

……

Silver Fox Town.

Baron Silver Fox had received the message long ago.

His face was somewhat uncertain, with suspicion in his eyes.

Eagle Wing Castle was indeed finished, but Duke Frostwolf had been promoted to Earth Knight. However, he had always been skeptical and was more inclined to believe that it was fake.

Judging from the situation of the Frostwolf Family, the resources they had were only enough to train a third-level knight.

In order to break through the Earth Knight, one must have the assistance of the fourth-level Frostwolf secret medicine, which should be difficult for the Frostwolf family to satisfy.

After all, the Frostwolf family's trade routes had long been cut off, and the high-quality wolf-blood grass, which was the most important ingredient in the fourth-level Frostwolf secret medicine, had long been monopolized by their families.

But Baron Silver Fox is a naturally cautious person.

He did not hastily reject the envoy from Frostwolf Ridge, nor did he respond directly, choosing instead to delay.

Even if the Frostwolf Duke has really been promoted to the Earth Knight, the Ice Bear Family will definitely not sit idly by.

Their Silver Fox family has always been neutral. In this situation, it is impossible for them to rush to take sides. Only by surviving in the cracks can they maximize their interests.

But this time, Baron Silver Fox obviously miscalculated.

David gave the Silver Fox family a deadline of three days. As soon as the three days were up, David brought the Frostwolf Knights and the Gray Wolf Pack directly to Silver Fox Town.

Then, he charged in without saying a word, and all the knights who dared to stop him were killed by the swords of the Frostwolf Knights.

"Silver Fox Town is also the territory of Frostwolf Ridge. Do you want to stop your real lord?"

David held a bloody sword in his hand and directly cut off the head of a formal knight of the Silver Fox family. Seeing this scene, all the knights and attendants of the Silver Fox Knights were frightened and did not dare to stop David.

By the time Baron Silver Fox received the news and came out to greet them, David and his pack of gray wolves had already arrived outside the castle and killed the knight guarding the castle gate.

"Duke Frostwolf." Baron Silver Fox's eyelids twitched.

David glanced at the cunning old man calmly and said, "No one from the Silver Fox family will be left alive."

After hearing his words, the Frostwolf Knights suddenly felt their blood boiling.

Anyone who dares to anger the Frostwolf Family will surely be punished by the Frostwolf Family. This is the uncrowned king who rules the North!
"Duke Frostwolf, what do you want to do?"

Baron Silver Fox's expression changed completely, and he spoke in a low voice.

"No need to talk nonsense."

"The three days are up. Now that you have made your choice, you can die in peace."

David spoke coldly, and with a swipe of the knight's sword in his hand, a stream of fighting spirit slashed directly towards the Silver Fox Baron, the third-level knight!

"Grudge!"

Baron Silver Fox was shocked.

He didn't expect that the Frostwolf Duke was indeed an Earth Knight, and that he played so unconventionally.

I just didn't give a reply within three days, and this Frostwolf Duke actually wanted to destroy the Silver Fox Family directly!
"Duke Frostwolf, you misunderstood."

"I've been collecting tax money lately, waiting to send it to Frostwolf Ridge."

Forced by the situation, Baron Silver Fox immediately admitted his mistake, "The Silver Fox Family has always been a vassal of the Frostwolf Family."

"Misunderstand?"

"You should go and explain to my dead father."

David made it clear that he was going to settle both old and new accounts, and in a flash he appeared beside the Silver Fox Baron.

After the bloodline of the Frost Giant Wolf was activated, the terrifying power of ice spread.

Baron Silver Fox's face changed suddenly. He had never expected that the Frostwolf Duke would be so strong and unconventional.

But it was obviously too late to say anything now. He could only activate the silver fox blood in his body and speed up suddenly to escape.

Although he was a third-rank knight, he could never be a match for an Earth Knight. The gap between the two was too huge, like an insurmountable chasm.

When David made his move, the knights of the Silver Fox Knights also made their move, charging directly towards David to buy time for the lord to escape.

David swung his sword, and the powerful cold air directly froze the knight who was rushing up.

As he moved, the ice shattered again, and in the blink of an eye, a large number of knights who rushed up were killed.

In the end, Baron Silver Fox was killed by David with a single sword in endless regret.

"This person, don't be so cunning."

David snorted coldly and looked towards the majestic castle in front of him, wondering if there were any good things in the Silver Fox family's treasure house.

(End of this chapter)