My mom is waiting for treatment, and you're summoning me to be a hero?

As Horn finished speaking, the soldiers secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Many people even felt their legs were a little weak.

The tense atmosphere seemed to relax almost instantly.

At least, I don't have to face that terrifying butcher anymore.

However, Liu Yishou, standing on the city wall, frowned deeply.

He kept pondering the surname after hearing Horn's real name.

"Astark...Astark...One of the three giants of the Holy Ancient Empire's military, the Crown Prince's staunchest supporter, a top-tier clan known for its protectiveness and domineering nature...Horn is actually from this family?"

Liu Yishou suddenly realized something.

After entering the city, he had heard about Lin Mo's deeds.

However, they also believe that Lin Mo's method is not problematic.

After all, any ordinary city lord would most likely hand over the potion directly in the face of such a problem.

Horn, however, preferred to hold out to the death, and at the time he felt that this was probably more than just the stubbornness of a soldier.

Considering the recent power struggle between the two princes, it is highly likely that this was an order given to him by his family.

As Liu Yishou pondered to himself, the atmosphere inside and outside the city had already eased somewhat.

Just then.

"Oh."

A scornful laugh suddenly came from mid-air.

"What a fine 'Thank you for your help in protecting my city'!"

Everyone was startled and looked up.

A circular magic array, about ten meters in diameter, was seen floating in the air dozens of meters above the city gate.

The magic circle shimmered with light, emanating stable spatial fluctuations and immense magical power.

There were more than a dozen people standing in the formation.

They were dressed in fine, dark blue clothing.

The cuffs, collar, and hem of the garment are all embroidered with a striking emblem in silver thread.

Above the crossed swords and scepters, a star floats.

This is the coat of arms of the Astark family.

The leader was a man who looked to be close to forty years old. His face resembled Horn's somewhat, but he was more mean and arrogant.

He held an open sheepskin scroll with a portrait of Lin Mo in his hand!

He was comparing the portrait with Lin Mo below the city.

His lips curled into an undisguised sneer.

Horn's pupils contracted sharply upon seeing the man: "Dick...cousin?"

The man known as Dick put away the portrait and looked down at Horn.

His gaze was as if he were looking at a disappointing, flawed product.

"Horn, my dear cousin."

Dick's voice trailed off, carrying a hint of mockery.

"Upon receiving your plea for help, our family rushed day and night, activating a precious, one-time-use long-range group teleportation array to come and rescue you. But what did we see?"

He extended his white-gloved fingers and pointed them at Horn, who was still bowing.

He then pointed at Lin Mo.

"We see that the garrison general of Ash Keep, a member of the Astark family, is turning against an invader who... blows up the walls, storms the camp, slaughters Imperial soldiers and heroes, loots churches, and is nothing short of a traitor—"

His voice suddenly rose, becoming sharp and oppressive:

"Salute! Acknowledgements!"

"Horn Astark!"

Dick shouted angrily, his eyes filled with disappointment and disdain for his incompetence.

"Are you kneeling before the enemy on behalf of the Astark family?! Are you using the family's honor to glorify this murderer?!"

Every word was like a whip lashing at Horn.

He swayed slightly, his arm trembling as he offered his greeting, but he stubbornly refused to lower it.

But he didn't offer any explanation; he simply closed his eyes, his face ashen.

The soldiers on the city wall, who had just relaxed, tensed up again, staring blankly at the menacing reinforcements in the air.

Seeing this, Dick snorted coldly, his tone shifting to a condescending command: "Fine, considering your hard work in defending the city and your momentary lapse in judgment, I'll give you a chance to make amends."

His gaze locked onto Lin Mo like a venomous snake, and a cruel smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Take up your sword, Horn. In the name of Astark, in the name of Imperial General, I command you to immediately capture or expel this Imperial wanted criminal! Use his blood to wash away your recent disgrace and prove your loyalty to the Empire and your family!"

The dozen or so family members behind him also wore expressions of anticipation, as if they were watching a good show.

Someone even gave a flippant whistle.

"Lord Dick is right, Horn, don't bring shame upon the family!"

"Why be polite to this kind of thug? We were just using him to fend off the dark elves; now it's time to settle accounts!"

"Hurry up and do it, we can put in a good word for you within the family, hahaha!"

……

Harsh, arrogant, and condescending.

They even trampled on En's dignity.

They ignored the fact that Lin Mo had just saved the city.

They are only concerned with saving face for their family and cleaning up their stains.

This attitude made many of the guards frown, but they dared not speak out against it.

"These people have gone too far."

"Don't get agitated. The Astark family is not someone we can afford to offend."

"That man just now seemed to be General Horn's cousin. General Horn is actually from a noble family? How come I didn't know that?"

"Don't even mention it, I've been following the general for three years and I didn't know this either."

"We're all from the same family, is it really necessary to act like this?"

"We can't possibly understand the minds of these nobles."

……

In fact, in such a large family, all the promising and talented children are kept in the family and nurtured with all their might.

They will never be sent to develop within the military.

Horn has never mentioned this matter, because he considers it a disgrace.

At this moment, Yin Xue sat on Lin Mo's shoulder, her little face full of excitement: "These idiots are much more interesting than the dark elves!"

Mianmian also raised her head, her compound eyes coldly sweeping over the group of people in the air.

At this moment, all the pressure fell on Horn.

On one side were the people who had just protected the city.

On one side is the will of his family, which holds the power to determine his future and even his life and death.

Should he draw his sword?

Horn slowly opened his eyes and looked at Lin Mo.

He looked up again at Dick and the others in the air, their faces full of impatience and urging.

Lin Mo remained calm throughout, observing the entire scene as if the turmoil he had caused had nothing to do with him. He even had the leisure to gently pat the overly excited Yin Xue on the shoulder, signaling her to quiet down.

He is waiting.

Waiting for Horn's choice.

How will this disgusting farce end?

Or rather, wait until he loses his last bit of patience.

Finally, Horn moved.

He slowly raised his right hand and finally placed it on the hilt of the sword at his waist.

Seeing this, the soldiers and civilians present all showed expressions of disappointment.

Meanwhile, Dick, suspended in mid-air, slowly nodded, revealing a smug expression.

"That's right, cousin. The Astark family doesn't need someone like that for help. You just need to obey the family's orders."

Then Horn suddenly drew his sword.

Then, with a bloodshot expression, he pointed the sword tip directly at Dick in mid-air!

"I am Horn, the lord of Ash Keep! Ash Keep's decisions are none of the interference of outsiders!"