A different world game? A different world game!

Outside the defensive line.

Commander Carol crossed his arms and stared at the scene before him with a grim expression.

Especially when he saw the Night's Watch warriors, as if they were superiors, naturally and smoothly assigning tasks to several squad leaders of guards without any room for doubt.

His brow furrowed very subtly, almost imperceptibly, and a deep displeasure settled between his brows.

He genuinely disliked this scene.

Those guards belonged to the kingdom and to the lord of this land.

In his view, the Night's Watch had no right to overstep their bounds and give orders.

This would give the impression of blatant interference in the military affairs of other countries.

These guards, however, accepted orders without any problem, worked exceptionally smoothly, and executed them meticulously.

They seemed completely unaware of who their real superiors were.

The heavy armor creaked slightly with his movements. He finally spoke, his tone filled with naked, undisguised dissatisfaction and a hint of deliberate provocation:

"Hmph, Lord Alfred, look at this. These Night's Watchmen have gone way too far."

"They now truly act as the masters of this land, ordering your guards and people around like their own servants."

"The kingdom has its own laws, and the affairs of the territory should be decided by you and your vassals. When did it become the place for these ignorant outsiders to give orders?"

His voice was low, but clear enough for Alfred to hear clearly. His gaze swept across the Night's Watch officers below with sharp, scrutinizing eyes, like those of a hawk.

Count Alfred's smile remained gentle, but deep in his eyes was a chilling coldness that seemed to freeze the air.

How could he not hear the naked, malicious provocation and the deep-rooted, stubborn conservatism of the aristocracy in Carroll's words?

Moreover, he realized that his recent actions of getting closer to the Night's Watch had clearly aroused the dissatisfaction of certain conservative forces in the capital.

Or rather, as time went on, many nobles began to openly or secretly defect, leaning towards or even directly siding with the Night's Watch.

This aroused dissatisfaction among the kingdom's conservative faction.

He is now showing such signs, a subtle provocation, a delicate reminder, and a stern warning.

But now, he felt only the deepest gratitude for the Night's Watch, and his confidence in their future became ever stronger.

They were filled with an indescribable, almost overflowing, contempt for these royal knights who arrived late and were arrogant and bossy.

Perhaps this situation was normal in the past among the nobility, but now he was used to the Night's Watch's efficiency and pragmatism, and looked down on them somewhat.

But he didn't directly refute her. Instead, he calmly turned his gaze to the bustling reconstruction scene below, seemingly ignoring Carroll's complaints, and said in a calm yet resounding tone:
"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. The Night's Watch's efficiency has indeed saved countless lives, including mine and those of my soldiers."

"They are experienced, they know what to do, and they know how to do it quickly and effectively."

He didn't look at Carroll, but his words clearly and explicitly expressed his attitude—he fully approved of the Night's Watch's actions.

Carroll was met with a rebuff, and his face darkened, as if covered with a layer of frost.

Moreover, these words almost explicitly indicate that the nobleman in front of them has become yet another figure to side with the Night's Watch.

This made him increasingly irritable and uneasy.

He was about to start arguing again.

Alfred, however, had already decisively refused to give him another chance. He quickly and efficiently turned to his young assistant, Edmund, who had been respectfully following him, and said:
"Edmund, the affairs here are entirely in your hands. Make sure to cooperate fully with the Night's Watch and ensure that the core of the fortifications is reinforced before nightfall."

"You will also be responsible for coordinating the treatment of the wounded and subsequent rotations of defense personnel. Contact me immediately in case of any emergency."

"Yes, Your Excellency! Please rest assured!"

Edmund straightened up with a snap, loudly and forcefully accepting the order, his eyes flashing with unwavering determination.

His admiration for the Night's Watch was equally evident.

Having given his orders, Alfred turned back to Commander Carroll, his face instantly regaining its standard, near-perfect, impeccable aristocratic social smile:

"Commander Carol has come from afar, and he must be very tired. It's best to leave this to the younger generation."

"Please come with me back to the castle to rest for a while, so that I can show you some hospitality. We can then sit down and give you a detailed report on the situation here to the capital."

……

Count Alfred and Commander Carroll rode side by side along the wide, winding slope toward Eagle Castle, which stood between the mountain walls.

The golden glow of the setting sun bathed the castle's towering stone walls in a warm golden-brown hue, further enhancing its majestic grandeur.

This rock-solid fortress was built against a steep mountainside, with its main body situated on a huge natural rock platform halfway up the mountain, resembling a giant eagle proudly perched on the cliff, overlooking all directions.

The only long ramp leading to the main gate of the castle is a carefully designed zigzag shape, completely exposed to the dense arrow holes in the city wall and the relentless range of catapults from the towers, fully illustrating the meaning of "easy to defend and difficult to attack".

It is said that, in order to prepare for a long siege, Alfred's ancestors even spent a huge sum of money to carve an extremely hidden secret tunnel inside the solid mountain.

The path leads to a secluded, rarely visited canyon behind the mountain, ensuring a reliable route to survival even in dire circumstances.

Horseshoes clattered on the cobblestone slope, their clear, resonant sound echoing through the valley.

Passing through the heavy, iron-clad oak gate, one enters the spacious inner fortress courtyard.

The guards stood at attention like statues and saluted. Alfred merely nodded slightly before leading Carroll off his horse.

Just then, a butler hurried forward and respectfully whispered:
"My lord, Earl Raymond Plantagenet has arrived and is waiting in the reception room."

"Golden broom?" Alfred and Carroll both showed a hint of surprise.

The Golden Plantagenet family is a wealthy and influential noble family in the south of the kingdom, renowned for its astonishing wealth and extremely shrewd business acumen.

The family crest is a golden bird with outstretched wings perched on a branch of blooming broom flowers.

Count Raymond is also a key figure in the family's political circles in the kingdom.

His uninvited and sudden visit was quite unexpected. What was even more surprising was that, although they were on good terms, he was not deeply involved in political factions.

Furthermore, given that the other party has certain connections with the royal family, they have consistently maintained neutrality.

His long-standing commitment to neutrality, coupled with his own substantial strength, has made others unwilling to pressure him.

The two hurried to the elegantly decorated reception room.

A middle-aged nobleman, dressed in a dark green velvet coat with intricate broom patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs, was calmly and leisurely sipping tea.

He was slightly overweight but well-maintained, with a shrewd smile on his face that seemed to know everything, typical of a businessman.

"Lord Alfred! Commander Carroll! What a coincidence!"

Count Raymond put down his exquisite teacup, rose warmly, and opened his arms.

"Hearing that there were unusual movements in the void rifts at the border, I happened to be patrolling my family's trade routes nearby, so I thought I'd come and see if my old friend needed any help."

"I didn't expect that Commander Carroll would arrive so quickly."

His words were smooth and diplomatic, and his gaze swept over Alfred's slightly disheveled armor and Carol's spotless silver armor like a searchlight.

"Lord Raymond, you are too kind. Thank you for your concern."

Alfred bowed slightly in return, his tone filled with heartfelt gratitude.

"The crisis has been successfully resolved, thanks to the timely and miraculous assistance of the Night's Watch warriors. Commander Carroll has also just arrived to assist with the cleanup. It is my honor to have you here."

Carol nodded reluctantly in acknowledgment, but inwardly wondered what the shrewd old fox, the merchant count, meant by appearing at the border at this moment.

With the Night's Watch growing increasingly powerful, the lack of unity among nobles and officials in various regions is always frustrating.

After some necessary pleasantries, Alfred excused himself to change and wash up, while Carole and Raymond were led to their respective comfortable rooms to rest.

Soon, the three changed into luxurious and comfortable casual clothes and gathered in the magnificent dining room with a huge fireplace and high vaulted ceiling in the main building of the castle.

A snow-white linen tablecloth covered the long dining table, with a gleaming silver candlestick and blooming flowers placed in the center.

At this moment, the dazzling array of food on the table truly reveals its astonishing abundance.

A whole suckling pig, roasted to a golden brown and crispy perfection, with an aroma so enticing it makes your mouth water.

Grilled lizard tail, with its incredibly tender meat, is carefully prepared using expensive southern spices.

Steamed trout from northern glacial rivers, its scales shimmering with a cold, silvery light.

Stewed venison served on a huge silver platter, drizzled with a rich amber gravy.

Colorful seasonal fruit tarts.

There were also baskets of freshly baked white bread and soft pastries, emitting an enticing aroma of wheat.

It is further adorned with rare crystal grapes from the elven forest, as clear as gemstones, and spicy and potent dwarven liquor.

The rich aroma of food mingled with the intoxicating fragrance of fine wine, filling the brightly lit hall.

Count Raymond gazed at the lavish banquet, its extravagance rivaling that of a royal palace feast. A subtle, appraising glint flashed in his eyes before he smiled with genuine admiration and raised his glass, brimming with deep red wine.

"Lord Alfred, the lavishness of your banquet surpasses even the grand banquet hall of the capital. Such a gathering of delicacies from all over the world is truly an eye-opener."

Alfred also raised his glass, responding with a calm and composed smile.

"Lord Raymond, you flatter me. I am ashamed to say that I also have to thank the Night's Watch. If it weren't for their extensive and efficient logistics network..."

"The unprecedented abundance of resources brought by the expansion of the continent of Taril, as well as the technology brought by those miraculous blessings, have revolutionized the production of basic crops and reduced transportation costs. How can a small border lord like me, located in a remote and barren area, afford such frequent and lavish banquets?"
"At least, the prices of many ingredients that were once rare are now affordable for ordinary families."

His words were frank and direct, highlighting the fundamental and enormous impact of the Night's Watch system on the flow of goods and the improvement of people's livelihoods.

Earl Raymond smiled and nodded in agreement with these words, clearly one of the beneficiaries, as his family business became even more prosperous as a result.

But Captain Carroll's hand gripping the wine glass tightened slightly without him realizing it, and his face darkened noticeably, as if covered by a storm cloud.

His family's roots were in the kingdom's "granary" province, where they had accumulated an enviable fortune by monopolizing the grain trade and land rents.

The Night's Watch's efficient agricultural technology and smooth trade network caused a precipitous drop in the prices of food and other basic commodities, directly and severely impacting the old nobility like him who had relied on traditional land revenues and trade barriers for generations.

Alfred's words undoubtedly hit him where it hurt.

The three took their seats, and the waiters, well-trained and respectful, served them food and poured them wine.

The initial conversation revolved around trivial matters such as the weather, anecdotes about the capital, and Count Raymond's observations on his trade routes, and the atmosphere was superficially harmonious.

But as the drinks went on, the conversation inevitably veered into a more sensitive area.

Carroll put down his knife and fork and symbolically wiped his mouth with a napkin.

His gaze, sharp as a sword, fell upon Alfred, who sat in the main seat, his tone carrying a barely perceptible, almost accusatory tone:

"Lord Alfred, today on the battlefield, I noticed that your guards and the Night's Watch were working together...almost too closely."

"The command and control seem to be as unified as one. Forgive my bluntness, but have you already... become more inclined to accept the Night's Watch's system entirely?"

He omitted the word "inverted," but the meaning couldn't be clearer.

Alfred slowly and methodically sliced ​​the tender venison on his plate, calmly glancing up at Carol:

"Commander Carol, ingratitude is not a knightly virtue. If it weren't for the Night's Watch warriors' swift reaction and their thunderous suppression of those two legendary Devourers capable of destroying everything, my territory would likely have been reduced to scorched earth. My soldiers and civilians would have suffered immeasurable sacrifices, with corpses strewn across the fields."

"They saved my land, my people, and even my life. Isn't it the most basic human instinct to repay such kindness and express goodwill?"

He paused, his tone carrying a subtle, sharp sarcasm.

"Moreover, compared to some support that 'rushes through the night' after the alarm is sounded, 'encounters obstacles,' and only arrives 'timely' after the dust has settled, isn't the efficiency of the Night Watchmen something I can trust and rely on?"
"The kingdom's administrative efficiency... well, sometimes it is truly regrettable."

Carol's face instantly turned a deep, purplish-red. Alfred's counterattack struck at his belated sore spot and his weak, feeble excuse. (End of Chapter)