The Path to Lordship Begins in the North

Although Linde has always been reluctant to employ Lena's knights, it doesn't mean that these knights, who only follow Lena into the mountains to hunt and build waterwheels every day, are all incompetent.

On the contrary, these were all elites personally selected by Lena. In terms of class status, these knights were all nobles, people with real knightly titles, not ordinary soldiers.

Fifty professional heavy cavalrymen were a force to be reckoned with, even on the war-torn northern border.

Not to mention facing a group of defenseless refugees who couldn't even break through the knights' defenses.

So at that moment, Isa felt a deep sense of despair. These were not the half-baked mercenaries and black-gloved soldiers in Earl Jacob's castle, but real professional soldiers, the elite of the Lars family, the largest noble family in the North.

At this moment, the leading female knight also moved. Because she was wearing a helmet, Isa could not see the female knight's expression, but she felt that the female knight riding on the warhorse was extremely imposing.

"Listen up, all you traitors here!"

The female knight's voice, amplified by magic, resounded throughout the entire refugee camp.

“I am Rena Lars, the granddaughter of Grand Duke Lars. I am here on behalf of the lord of the Grey and White Collar to deliver a message to you.”

Because the knights' aura was so terrifying, the refugees dared not utter a sound. Even Isa was extremely nervous, especially when the leading female knight called the refugees traitors.

“Although you are rebels, you are also refugees. According to the relief decree issued by my grandfather, the Gray and White Collars are obligated to provide you with relief, so you can go to the Gray and White Collar camp not far away to collect relief food.”

Lena's words left the refugees completely bewildered. How could she have just called them traitors, and now she was telling them to go and collect relief food?

Before Isha could even step forward to ask, Lena continued, "Although you have been given relief food, you are, after all, rebels. Therefore, the lord of the Gray Collar has decided that after you finish receiving the relief food, you must stay and work in the Gray Collar to atone for your sins through labor."

“You will only be provided with two meals a day, and you will only be allowed to rest on the day of prayer each week. Only on the day of prayer can you drink meat soup.”

At this point, the entire refugee camp became so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Isa, who had wanted to say something, forgot to go forward and negotiate, and stood there dumbfounded.

But Lena hesitated. Although she had confidently assured Lind that she would deliver the task Lind had assigned her, she couldn't help but feel nervous speaking to over a thousand people.

Just then, Susan urged her warhorse to come to Lena's side and thoughtfully handed her a small note.

Lena didn't feel embarrassed at all and read the words on the note aloud.

"You shall work from the first crowing of the rooster in the territory until sunset, and as atonement, you shall only be allowed to do the jobs that others have rejected, jobs that pay little!"

"On the gray and white collar, all acts of theft, bullying and robbery are not allowed. Anyone who violates this rule will be treated as a traitor."

"I swear on the name of the Lars family that I will absolutely and resolutely carry out the above treaty. Anyone who wants to collect relief food should think it over!"

Lena tried her best to make her voice sound authoritative, and after she finished speaking, Susan quietly retreated, as if afraid that her behavior would affect the young lady's image.

In the North, Lars is an unavoidable surname. Having occupied the North for hundreds of years, Lars has accumulated profound prestige. Even illiterate farmers who have never left their villages know that Lars is the greatest nobleman in the North.

"Long live the Lars family!"

Long live the gray-collar and white-collar workers!

These refugees were simple and honest. As soon as Lena mentioned the Lars family's name, they immediately believed her. Even Isa's most loyal refugees were somewhat shaken because they had just heard Bruno say that the gray-collar workers not far away were indeed preparing relief food.

Seeing the refugees who had just looked so hopeless and helpless suddenly brighten up in their eyes, Lena was a little confused.

In Lena's opinion, Lind's conditions were far too harsh. What kind of life were the people in the gray and white collar living now?

Those who do heavy work get three meals a day, and can rest as long as they finish their work for the day. They also get extra bonuses and work points for extra work. On prayer days, they not only get to eat meat, but also receive awards for outstanding employees each week.

These refugees, who are about to enter the gray-collar and white-collar world, cannot enjoy these benefits; it is simply too harsh.

But the refugees didn't care about any of that, because Lena spoke in plain language, so they immediately understood: the gray-collar workers not only received relief food, but also had jobs that provided two meals a day!

This isn't a punishment, it's a reward!

Moreover, the female knight in front of us is the granddaughter of Grand Duke Lars. How could she be lying if she is using the name of the Lars family?

Seeing the increasingly frenzied and even somewhat out-of-control crowd, Isa looked at Old Jack with pleading eyes, and Old Jack nodded helplessly.

Food is everything; things have come to this point, so we can only take it one step at a time.

Isa could only hurry forward and walk up to Lena, saying, "Miss Lars, I am the leader of this group of refugees. I will help maintain order. Please take us to the Gray Collar relief center."

Isa then pointed to one side of the refugee camp and continued to plead with Lena, "Please forgive me, there are some wounded who cannot move and weak elderly people here. Could you please have someone bring some food over first? I will leave some people to guard the camp, and the rest of you will go to Gray Collar with you."

Lena nodded, looking with some sympathy in the direction Isa was pointing, where there were many thin, emaciated old people, women, and children.

"I'll have someone bake some bread over. There's no rush. The lord of the gray-collar workers said that people are the most important thing."

"You are the kindest and most generous nobleman I have ever met."

Isa solemnly bowed to Lena using the etiquette she had learned in the capital.

"It doesn't have to be this way."

Lena took off her helmet and said with some joy, "In the capital, I was even called a disgrace to the nobility. You are the first person to praise my kindness."

Isa paused, not knowing much about the nobility. She didn't know how many granddaughters Grand Duke Lars had, but the most famous one was definitely the one even Isa, who was studying with her head covered, knew: Lena, who had been abandoned by the fourth prince.

“I also heard rumors about you when I was studying in the capital. I am very sorry that I even slandered you at that time.”

Faced with Isa's sincere apology, Lena said calmly, "All of this is in the past, there's no need to take it to heart. One day, I will return to the capital and reclaim everything that belongs to me."