Is this cheat code from Bika? Just do it!

Bathed in sunlight, the golden edges shimmered with dazzling light, making the legion appear like gods descended from heaven, sacred and inviolable.

In their hands, they gripped long, two-handed swords, each blade as tall as a person, sharp and radiating a chilling aura. Behind them, they carried iris shields, their surfaces intricately patterned.

Just looking at this set of excellent equipment, it's hard to imagine that even ordinary cities could produce such a standard.

If Lina's city guards were summoned at this moment, the difference between the two would be immediately apparent; it would truly be a case of the small fry compared to the big fish.

21. Stockholm

However, this is by no means to say that the city guards under Lina's command were weak; it's just that the 300 men in front of them were far too powerful, unlike any ordinary army.

"Go and summon Commander Lina. From now on, these 300 heavily armored shield infantry will be under her command."

"Yes, my lord!"

Link entrusted this heavily armored shield infantry unit to Lina's command, which was naturally due to his deep-seated motives.

Firstly, he intended to use this opportunity to observe what choices Lina would make after gaining control of this elite force and her power increasing daily.

At the same time, this unit will also become Link's "eyes and ears" in the army, constantly transmitting intelligence back to the camp.

In short, it's surveillance.

These soldiers will only follow Link's orders, are absolutely loyal, and would never betray him.

If Lina harbors any ill intentions, Link can use these soldiers to quickly ascertain the situation within the camp.

Even if there is an emergency, with him in charge of overall coordination and flexible scheduling, there is absolutely no need to worry about the situation getting out of control.

Secondly, it was also to enhance his relationship with Lina.

In Winterfell at present, Lina holds the position of Legion Commander and is the Minister of the Military Affairs of Winterfell. Although Agnes is involved in some military affairs, she mainly serves as Link's attendant, and her core responsibility is to protect him.

If these 300 elite heavy armor shield soldiers are held tightly in their hands and not handed over to Lina's command for a long time, it will only make Lina suspicious and feel that Link does not trust her.

Instead of hiding it like this, it would be better to take the initiative and hand over this elite force to Lina.

I want to show my trust in her through my actions, and also take this opportunity to further deepen our friendship and understanding.

as predicted.

When Lina heard that Link was going to entrust her with the command of these 300 elite heavily armored shield soldiers, she was overjoyed and couldn't contain her excitement.

He immediately patted his chest and swore an oath, willing to give his life for Link.

Lina's eyes were sharp, and she knew in her heart that although this team only had 300 people, as long as they were commanded properly and used skillfully, they would probably be no less capable than the enemy with more than a thousand men, and might even be able to win with fewer men and shine brightly.

"Work hard and don't slack off. Old Slo should be back with the grain tomorrow. Don't let me down or betray my trust," Link said calmly.

"Rest assured, sir, I will do my utmost this time to give you a satisfactory explanation and will not let you down."

"Okay, go ahead. You'll have to keep an eye on the new recruits too."

Link nodded slightly, signaling Lina to step back.

After watching Lina's figure gradually disappear into the distance, Link and Agnes went for a stroll in the city.

In just a few days, Winterfell had completely transformed.

In the past, filth was everywhere in the streets and alleys, and a pungent smell permeated the air, making people nauseous. Now, the streets are clean and tidy, and those unsightly filths are no longer visible.

The once uneven, muddy ground has been completely transformed into cobblestone paths.

Although the carriage still makes a clattering sound when it passes by, it is a world of difference compared to the bumpy and difficult conditions of the past.

"Yes, this city is gradually transforming in a positive direction."

Agnes tilted her head slightly, gazing at the scene in the city, and murmured softly.

Link and Agnes carefully inspected the progress of the city's reconstruction. After confirming that all the work was proceeding in an orderly manner, they slowly turned around and strolled towards the city lord's mansion.

......

As night fell, the training in the bedroom continued.

After spending so much time together, Olivia had come to understand one thing: only by acting in accordance with the wishes of the man before her could she achieve good results.

Therefore, she put aside her former pride and became very cooperative and compliant.

No matter what pose Link asked her to pose, even those humiliating poses that made her ears burn with shame, she suppressed her inner resistance and did as he asked.

Link, like a demon, relentlessly humiliated her with words, using vicious terms like "bitch" and "slave" as cold, sharp blades to stab at her self-esteem time and time again.

Link wanted to use this subtle approach to gradually break down her defenses and erase the image of that once elegant and noble lady from the depths of her soul.

Once the training was over, he would then feign tenderness, gently embracing her and softly comforting her, whispering in her ear that as long as she behaved, everything would be alright and a bright future awaited her.

Afterwards, he would either feed her dinner by hand or allow her daughter Isabel to come out of the dark and damp dungeon for some fresh air, giving her a glimmer of hope.

In the field of psychology, there is a condition called Stockholm syndrome.

It describes how, in the process of being harmed by the perpetrator, the victim initially feels conflict, hostility, fear, and dread. However, as time goes by, the victim becomes dependent on the care shown by the perpetrator, gradually develops goodwill towards the perpetrator, and even sympathizes with and identifies with the perpetrator's situation. Ultimately, the victim forms an alliance with the perpetrator, forming a harmonious and friendly relationship.

Everything Link is doing now is a meticulously planned scheme, pushing Olivia step by step into this dangerous abyss.

Indeed, it is intriguing to gradually distort a person's thoughts in such a slow and subtle way.

How can the kind of method that uses superpowers like hypnosis to instantly change someone's mind compare to the stimulation and fun of this kind of slow and steady torment and manipulation?

Just thinking about it makes me feel like that's so boring, doesn't it?

22. Maid Della

The next morning, as dawn broke, the people of Winterfell keenly sensed something unusual.

Today, the gates of Winterfell are tightly closed; entry is permitted, but exit is not.

Around seven o'clock in the morning, Lina led a group of city guards and Link's squad of Grik cavalry out of the city in a grand procession.

Such a large-scale troop deployment caused quite a stir, and naturally, it did not escape the notice of certain people with ulterior motives.

Therefore, all entrances and exits of Winterfell were surrounded by city guards like an iron barrel, and were strictly guarded.

Faced with the citizens' questioning questions, they simply replied that it was the lord's strict order that Winterfell was only open to those entering and not leaving today.

Anyone who dares to force their way in will be killed without exception.

The reasons are self-evident.

Link's actions were precisely to guard against the presence of bandits' spies hidden within the city. If they were allowed to leave the city and tip off the bandits, today's efforts would be in vain.

Link himself did not go with Lina.

After getting up in the morning, he went straight into the kitchen of the city lord's mansion and started preparing ingredients with the maids, intending to teach them how to cook.

In this respect, he could be considered a semi-expert.

After graduating from university, he began living alone, taking care of all his meals by himself.

There's no other way; if I don't cook for myself, I can only order takeout and eat pre-made meals, which aren't cheap.

So I decided to learn to do it myself. Buying groceries and cooking for myself is more economical. As I kept doing it, I developed the skill.

While the taste certainly can't compare to that of hotel chefs, it's far better than the culinary disasters of this world.

There are now seven maids in the city lord's mansion. They are all quite good-looking, with slender figures, and each one is pleasing to the eye.

Among them, the head maid is named Della. She is a tall and beautiful woman with the air of a friendly older sister. Her long, slightly wavy brown hair is tied up behind her head. In particular, her dark green eyes are like gems set in the deep night sky, sparkling with every glance, making her so beautiful that they are mesmerizing.

Putting everything else aside, Link's judgment is truly top-notch.

The kind that's ugly is definitely not acceptable.

anyway.

In this era, cooking methods were quite monotonous. The dishes commonly found on the table were mainly boiled or roasted, and occasionally fried, but the taste was really not good, far inferior to the fried chicken of my previous life.

Fortunately, as the lord of the city, Link's kitchen was fully equipped with all kinds of cooking utensils, as well as plenty of seasonings. Fresh vegetables filled the corners, and there was also lard and butter.

As for soy sauce and such, don't count on it.

So when I make it, the taste will still be a bit worse, and Link had that expectation in mind.

Link found a suitable-sized, well-shaped iron pot, placed it steadily on the stove, and then began to patiently and meticulously teach the maids how to cook.

Link personally demonstrated the stir-frying motions, controlling the heat and the order in which the seasonings were added, with the spatula flying up and down in the wok.

Della and the other six maids watched Link's every move intently, afraid of missing any detail, and studied very diligently.

Until the end of the course, Link showed off his skills, cooking seven dishes and a soup in a row.

“You’ve all seen the steps just now. Now, each of you take a small bowl and taste the food. From now on, I will be in charge of cooking lunch, and you can observe and learn carefully. In the evenings, you will each cook one dish, and I will evaluate your skills one by one. The one with the best skills will be in charge of my meals.” Link said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, the maids nodded in agreement. Then, each of them picked up a small bowl, filled with curiosity, carefully scooped up some food, gently put it into their mouths, and chewed and savored it slowly.

Although Link's cooking skills were not superb, compared to the bland food they usually ate, the taste of this stir-fry was like a feast for the taste buds, which surprised the maids who were tasting it for the first time, and their eyes sparkled with excitement.

In this medieval Europe, a place considered a culinary wasteland, a culinary revolution has begun.

"Thank you, Lord Link."

After calling Agnes down to have lunch with them, Della, having finished clearing away the dishes, came to Link with heartfelt gratitude, bowed slightly, and thanked him sincerely.

"Why thank me? It's just to satisfy my picky palate," Link replied casually with a lazy smile.

"You taught us these brand-new cooking methods. Even if we leave the city lord's mansion in the future, we can open a bustling tavern and start our own business with just these excellent culinary skills. Della will always remember your great kindness and never forget it." Della raised her eyes, which sparkled with sincerity and anticipation.

"Oh, so you're already thinking about opening a tavern? Is your job at the city lord's mansion getting boring?"

Link raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on his lips, deliberately teasing and joking.

"No, no!" Della panicked, waving her hands frantically as she hurriedly explained, "I had no such intention. It is my greatest honor to serve Lord Link, how could I possibly feel dissatisfied..."

Link suddenly reached out and gently lifted Della's chin, a playful glint in his eyes, and said with a wicked grin, "Since you're so honored, how about you serve me tonight, Della?"

23. Suppressing Bandits at Thorn Ridge

"Lord Link... please don't joke with me like that... I... I..."

Faced with Link's sudden teasing, Della blushed instantly.

Her face flushed like a ripe apple, and she lowered her eyes in a panic, stammering as she responded, her heart pounding like a drum.

"What, do you have a boy you like?"

Link leaned closer, his gaze fixed intently on Della.

"No... not yet..."

Della's voice was barely audible, and she lowered her head even further, a few strands of hair falling beside her cheeks, making her look even more pitiful.

"Without a man by her side, Della must be lonely and sleepless at night, right?"

Link leaned forward again, so close that they could feel each other's breath.

Della felt Link's hot breath, which gently brushed against her snow-white neck, tickling her and teasing her.

Ultimately, he couldn't resist such intense provocation.

Della closed her eyes tightly, her long eyelashes trembling slightly. With a sob, she frantically clutched the hem of her skirt with both hands, turned around, and ran away quickly like a startled deer, leaving only a flustered silhouette behind.

"Sigh, never mind, I'd better go find Olivia to calm down."

Link gazed in the direction Della had gone, shook his head helplessly, but a faint smile still lingered on his lips.

......

The area around Thorn Ridge.

A convoy of thirty horse-drawn carts, laden with grain, was moving slowly along the winding paths through the fields, resembling a long, meandering dragon.

Old Snow looked somewhat nervous, his gaze frequently sweeping over the rolling hills on either side of the road.

Link had already told him the plan without reservation. To put it bluntly, the convoy was bait to lure the bandits out to rob them.

At the time, he patted his chest and agreed decisively without the slightest hesitation.

But now that they were getting closer and closer to the area where the bandits frequently appeared, Old Snow's worries surged like a tide.

Looking back on my youthful days, I recall how I dared to confront three or four ferocious goblins head-on with just a wood-chopping knife in hand.