King of the North: My Lord's Diary Weekly Summary

Several new deep cuts appeared on the wooden stake. Ronald stood by with his arms crossed, watching and occasionally speaking to correct the angle of the force applied.

As his strength increased, the amplification effect of the Frostraven bloodline seemed to become more pronounced. Vayne could feel that the icy energy flowing in his bloodline also began to spontaneously help stabilize his body during intense exercise.

"good."

Ronald commented as Wayne sheathed his sword: "The transitions between the sword moves were smoother than yesterday."

However, the left flank defense still has a habitual tendency to protrude forward—experienced opponents will exploit this weakness and launch a fierce attack.

"I've got it."

Wayne wiped the sweat from his brow and put the slightly bent, fine iron sword back on the shelf: "We'll practice again this afternoon."

He went to the Ice River to fetch water and wash himself.

The cool river water splashed on my face, instantly invigorating me.

For the past five days, Wayne's daily routine has followed a fixed pattern:

He practiced swordsmanship with Ronald for an hour each morning, noon, and evening, and then practiced the control of the Frostraven bloodline alone—mainly the speed and shape changes of the ice claws.

Currently, he can condense a complete ice claw within two seconds, and maintain it for a maximum of about five minutes; if he condenses an ice blade, it only lasts for half a minute.

In the morning, I reviewed various progress reports.

Currently, the statistics work of Old Gordon and Tiki is basically completed: there are 38 habitable houses in the village, 21 houses that need to be rebuilt or repaired, and 25 new houses are planned to be built - enough to accommodate the existing residents.

In the afternoon, I followed up on territory matters.

This includes reviewing Gordon and Wright's plans for implementing subsequent policies within the territory, approving Emma's application to use the materials, listening to Anko's report on the recovery of the wounded, and considering longer-term plans.

For example, shipbuilding.

Wayne stood on the bank of a tributary of the Ice Scar River, looking at the river surface, which was not wide but had a rapid current.

He never forgot the large number of hidden iron ore deposits across the river.

Rivers in the North freeze over in winter, but small boats can pass through in spring and autumn.

If we could build a few more larger wooden boats, we could safely and efficiently transport people and supplies to the east bank—opening up the route for digging iron.

There's also the construction of ranches, quarries, and coal yards—winter isn't a good time to mine, but the establishment of this infrastructure is ideal.

Fortunately, the timber from the Northwest Fip Forest can also be utilized.

Wayne has not yet announced these long-term plans to most of his officers, as he knows that what the territory needs most right now is stability and recovery.

You have to eat one bite at a time, and you have to go step by step.

Wayne would occasionally visit the construction site of the new cabin.

The villagers had gotten used to his presence—they were a little reserved at first, but once they realized that the lord was really just looking around and asking questions, they relaxed.

After catching his breath, Wayne mounted his horse and headed towards the new construction area in the west.

Emma heard the horse's neighing from afar and went forward to meet it.

"Sir, we have built another wooden house."

At this rate, all the planned new houses will be completed in ten days.

Emma stood before him and reported, her face covered in sawdust but her eyes sparkling: "With the repairs to the old house, everyone will have a decent place to live by the end of the month."

"You've worked hard. If this job were handed over to someone else, they wouldn't have been able to achieve this pace."

Wayne smiled—he had heard too much talk about her from the craftsmen these days, mostly about how demanding she was: "Go tell the craftsmen that each of them will receive an extra half portion of salt as a reward after the work is finished."

"yes!"

Just then, the sound of horses' hooves came from the direction of the village entrance.

The sound of horses' hooves came from outside the village, which seemed extremely abrupt at the time when Ronald and Wright were both practicing their swordsmanship by the river.

Wayne turned his head to look.

As dusk fell, three riders came galloping from the northwest. The one in the lead was a woman—even from a distance, one could tell that she was agile and her riding movements were swift and skillful, typical of a soldier.

She reined in her horse at the village entrance, her gaze sweeping over the village as it was being rebuilt, finally settling on Wayne.

"Baron Wayne Lancaster?"

The woman's voice was clear and bright, with a hint of the rugged accent characteristic of people from the North.

"I am."

A thought struck Wayne, and he stepped forward: "Who are you?"

The woman dismounted, and her appearance gradually became clearer.

She had red hair in a high ponytail, and wore a leather armor over a dark blue cloak—she looked to be in her early twenties with striking features.

The woman had a curved knife hanging on each side of her waist, and a short bow hanging beside the saddle.

Like the two cavalrymen behind her, she wore the same standard leather armor with an insignia on her chest—a huge white wolf's head.

This is the emblem of the Duke of Quintu, which usually signifies his personal troops.

"Kayla Hawke, Vice Captain of the Northwest Frontier Guard Knights."

She gave a brief military salute and handed over a parchment scroll she had just pulled from her bosom: "I have come to deliver a message on the orders of Sir Rachel Winster."

coming.

Wayne understood. The news of the bandits' annihilation had indeed reached the northwest outpost.

The female knight, who had been "too busy to fight bandits," finally had time to "invite" him.

Wayne took the parchment and unfolded it.

The moonlight wasn't bright enough, so Emma immediately handed her a torch.

The document was very formal, stamped with the outpost's seal. The gist was:

In view of Baron Wayne Lancaster’s successful suppression of the Blackblade bandits entrenched in the North, proving his ability and willingness to safeguard the territory, the Northwest Border Guard, at the Duke’s behest, formally recognizes its legitimate rule over the region.

The Baron is requested to proceed to the Northwest Outpost within three days to sign the relevant agreement and collect the lord's certificate.

"Lord's credentials?"

Wayne replied calmly, "I've only been in office for two weeks, and I haven't even fully grasped this territory yet. How could I be granted a certificate so easily?"

"Excellent performance."

Kayla looked him straight in the eye: "You wiped out the Blackblade gang that had plagued the region for years, proving that you are capable of controlling this territory."

Rachel believes it's time to establish a formal contact and collaborative relationship with you.

That's well said: You've passed the test and are now qualified to sit at the table.

But Wayne understood the subtext: We have a task to assign you in advance.

Mountain bandits were never just a problem that border guards "had no time to deal with".

They are the isolation zone, the buffer zone, and also the most convenient and effective touchstone for new lords.

The Duke's side—or rather, the Knight Rachel, who represented the Duke in guarding the North—had clearly been observing whether this seventh son, exiled from his family, had the ability to survive and establish himself in the North.

Now that he has stopped, he has been invited.

Meanwhile, Rachel did not wait for Wayne to go to the Northwest region, but instead sent a person like the vice-captain directly, which was obviously to let him "enter the scene" quickly.

Therefore, along with this worthless piece of paper known as the "Lord's Certificate" came a whole host of troubles.

"Vice Captain Kayla."

Wayne didn't agree immediately, but instead glanced at the sky: "How long does it take you to ride here from the outpost?"

"An hour and a half."

Kayla immediately replied, "If we speed up, we can get there in an hour."

"It will take an hour and a half to get back."

Wayne nodded: "In other words, this round trip, plus the meeting time, will take me at least half a day."

"You're busy?"

Kayla squinted.

"Yes, I'm busy."