"What's there to be afraid of! Lord Link is incredibly powerful. He conquered the entire Northern Territory in just a few days. What are those two princes' armies compared to Lord Link? They have no chance of winning!" A strong young man waved his fist and said confidently.
As Safina delivered her speech, the residents in the audience were a mix of joy and sorrow.
Some people have absolute trust in Link and firmly believe that he can lead them to victory.
They thought that once the North became a key contributor to the Queen's ascension to the throne, they, the people of the North, could also rise to prominence and live a life many times better than they did now.
Meanwhile, another group of people were filled with worry about whether their sons and husbands, who were in the army, would be able to return safely from the upcoming battle with the two princes.
After all, war is merciless, and swords have no eyes; every expedition could mean life or death.
Yes, ever since Safina took out the old king's will, displayed it in public, and read it word by word from the proclamation of war against the traitors that Link had given her, it meant that the entire North had become the mortal enemy of the two princes.
The armies of those two princes were far superior to the ragtag hordes of the minor lords in the north.
They are well-trained and well-equipped; once war breaks out, their casualties will certainly be much greater than before.
However, Link showed no concern whatsoever.
Fear? That word simply doesn't exist in Link's dictionary!
After Safina finished reciting the proclamation against the traitors, Link strode steadily and powerfully up to the high platform in the square.
Before the assembled populace, he gently yet firmly took Safina's hand, then proclaimed loudly, "My brothers, my people! Recently, I've heard some rumors that our North is a barren land, that we Northerners struggle to make a living, and that we are cowards and want to stay out of this struggle for the throne, utterly lacking in fighting spirit. I tell you, all of these are utter nonsense!"
We Northerners have never been afraid of war! True Northerners have a love for the battlefield and the clash of swords flowing in their veins!
There are three reasons why we are going to participate in this battle.
Firstly, we fight to protect our homeland and our loved ones. Think about it: once the First and Second Princes finish this struggle, they will inevitably turn their greedy eyes to our Northern Border. They even dared to kill their own fathers; how can we expect them to be merciful to our Northern Border? At that time, it will be wishful thinking and absolutely impossible for us to remain uninvolved!
Secondly, we fight for honor! The North has suffered discrimination from the world for far too long! Listen to how others describe us Northerners: poor, cowards, weaklings, and despised wilderness villagers! We will use our strength to change all of this, to make those who once looked down on us look at us with new eyes, and to bring a better life to the people of the North!
Thirdly, we fight because you are true men! What true man doesn't want to shed blood on the battlefield and achieve great deeds? None of the men of the North are cowards, none are weaklings! That is why our Northern army has never suffered a defeat so far, and we will never lose in the future!
We are people of the North, true people of the North! In our minds, even the thought of defeat is hated to the core! We will win, and keep winning! Win all the good things in this world! Because we people of the North deserve it all!!!
"We must win—!!!!"
"Win everything good in this world!!!"
The crowd below was instantly ignited by Link's words, and their shouts resounded like thunder throughout the square, echoing for a long time.
......
After the speech concluded, the Black Knife assassins acted swiftly, carefully carrying the photographic stones that recorded Safina's speech to various towns in the human kingdom.
Before long, the news that Safina had resolutely joined the battle for the throne spread like wildfire throughout the streets and alleys of the human kingdom.
The rivalry between the eldest and second princes has now evolved into a three-way struggle, making the situation increasingly unpredictable and complex, like a tangled mess that is difficult to unravel.
It must be said that Link, with his extraordinary courage and strategy, single-handedly stirred up the already turbulent situation into an even more chaotic mess.
Especially when the eldest and second princes learned of this news, they were so angry that they almost fainted.
Listen to how their sister Safina described them in her speech: wolves in sheep's clothing, who would stop at nothing to seize the throne; sycophants, who would try to seize power through despicable means.
That wasn't all; Safina then dumped all sorts of accusations on them.
Take this year's drastic decrease in rainfall in the central plains, resulting in a sharp decline in grain harvest, for example. She claimed it was the wrath of the Earth Mother Goddess because of the two brothers' patricide. She also attributed the devastating famine, the displacement of people, and the widespread suffering to them.
In Safina's words, they were utterly wicked and heinous, their evil deeds unforgivable even by heaven and earth.
Of course, these were all added by Link.
However, this trick is obviously very effective.
The second prince, in particular, was not as legitimate as the first prince in his quest for the throne. He used all sorts of schemes and tricks, and was also very guilty. However, he was also suspicious and overthinking by nature, and tended to have all sorts of wild ideas when faced with problems.
When his subordinates reported that two lords had refused his invitation to cooperate, he was so enraged by Safina that he spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Damn Safina! She deserves to die! Cough cough—"
The second prince was pale, clutching his chest with both hands, coughing violently.
Upon seeing this, the servants around him panicked and hurriedly grabbed tissues to carefully wipe the bloodstains from the corners of his mouth.
"Send troops to the north! I will kill her to vent my hatred!"
The second prince was furious, his eyes were bloodshot as if they were about to spit fire, and he shouted hoarsely.
"Your Highness, you must not get angry over such a trivial matter!"
Several generals quickly stepped forward to persuade them, "The northern border is just a barren land. Even if they oppose us, they can't cause any major trouble. The most urgent matter right now is the Crown Prince's army! They are our biggest threat at the moment."
The two armies are now at a critical juncture in their standoff, where every bit of strength is crucial.
If we rashly divide our forces to attack the northern border at this time, it would be like picking up a sesame seed and losing a watermelon, a loss that outweighs the gain.
The second prince was naturally well aware of this as well.
At this moment, he could only slump helplessly in the chair, his eyes tightly closed, forcibly suppressing the anger in his heart and swallowing his anger back.
123. Steel Dragon
However, while the Second Prince's subordinates dared not rashly turn their attention to the North, this did not mean that the First Prince, Krend Garive, would easily spare his sister, Safina.
Deep within the magnificent yet oppressive palace of the capital, Krend sat in his spacious and luxurious study, surrounded by precious ancient books and ornate decorations. Yet, his eyes held no appreciation, only an intense thirst for power and greed.
Krend's desire for the throne was like a raging fire, burning intensely and impossible to extinguish.
That flame had burned in his heart for many years. From his youth, he had witnessed the power struggles and intrigues in the court, and he had seen the supreme glory and power that came with the throne.
He knew that only by sitting on that throne could he truly control his destiny and realize his ambitions.
Now he is thirty-seven years old, and he has coveted the throne, which symbolizes supreme power, for many years.
Time has left its mark on his face, but it has also made him more mature and ruthless.
In Krend's heart, the throne was as good as his own, and he would never allow anyone to take it from him, not even his own brother or sister who were his blood relatives!
He often sat alone in his study late at night, his mind filled with images of ascending the throne and imagining his majestic presence as a ruler of the world.
At this moment, an advisor cautiously approached and respectfully said, "But Your Highness, the most important thing right now is to deal with the Second Prince's army. The northern border is just a remote place and is not worth worrying about. Why be distracted at this time?"
The strategist lowered his head, a hint of worry in his eyes. He knew Krend's obsession with power, but he was also worried that he might get into trouble because of a momentary impulse.
Upon hearing this, Krend Garive's lips curled into a cold smile as he slowly said, "It's alright. Although our main force cannot be easily mobilized, the 'hyenas' I have carefully raised over the years can be put to good use now." His voice was deep and cold, like a demon from hell, sending chills down one's spine.
The strategist looked puzzled and pressed, "Your Highness, do you mean...?"
The strategist looked up, his eyes filled with confusion. He didn't understand what Krend meant by "hyena."
A ruthless glint flashed in Krend's eyes as he coldly said, "Send out wolf bandits to plunder the North. Tell Holmes that if he can deal with Safina and that Link, he will be the future ruler of the North!"
A hint of madness shone in his eyes; he was willing to sacrifice everything to achieve his goal, even if it meant causing innocent people to suffer.
At thirty-seven years old, Krend Garive was clearly more mature and experienced than the younger second prince, and his cunning was also more unfathomable.
He was well aware of the rules of survival in the palace and knew how to use the power of others to achieve his goals.
Wolf bandits were the "hyenas" secretly kept by Krend Garive.
The name itself hints at the strength of this powerful wolf rider legion.
Krend, taking advantage of his noble status as the eldest prince, had been secretly supporting them for many years.
He provided them with funds, weapons, and training grounds, allowing them to gradually grow into a fearsome force.
These wolf bandits were like Krend's shadow, specializing in handling his shady dealings and eliminating any potential rivals.
It should be noted that the old king had many children, but very few of them actually survived to adulthood.
In this era, it is common to die young from illness, but some of them also die from conspiracies and intrigues.
For example, some princes or princesses would travel to other cities to attend what seemed like an ordinary gathering, only to be attacked by bandits on the way and lose their lives.
Such incidents occur frequently. And in many of them, it is the wolf bandits who are behind the scenes.
They are like venomous snakes lurking in the darkness, ready to deliver a fatal blow to their opponents and clear the path for Krend to the throne.
Krend often observed all of this in secret, watching his brothers and sisters who had once vied with him for the throne fall one by one. He felt no pity, only an even stronger desire for power.
Clearly, the North might be in a bit of trouble.
......
Spring rain, like silk threads, falls gently from the clear, jewel-like blue sky, resembling a delicate and finely woven veil.
The fine, dense raindrops fell on the earth, nourishing every inch of land and making the whole world fresh and peaceful.
The rain fell gently and peacefully, accompanied by soft breezes that brushed against the cheeks, bringing a touch of coolness.
The air is filled with the fragrance of earth and the aroma of flowers and grass, making people feel intoxicated.
The horse's hooves pounded on the soft soil, splashing up specks of muddy water before quickly disappearing into the vast rain, leaving only a trail of hoofprints that gradually faded into the distance.
Link rode a tall, magnificent horse, galloping through the rain.
His face was filled with excitement and anticipation, as if he were about to embark on a grand adventure.
The reason Link resolutely rode away from Winterfell on this rainy spring day and headed to the distant forest was because he had drawn an extraordinary item today.
Do you remember the world of Monster Hunter?
In that world full of fantasy and adventure, the various powerful monsters and precious equipment are something to be longed for.
Today, Link seems to be blessed by Lady Luck, his luck is off the charts, and he directly draws one of the Elder Dragon species - Kushala Daora!
When he saw the result of the draw, he jumped up with excitement.
This is why Link insisted on coming to the outskirts of the city even though he was getting soaked in the rain.
After all, this is a giant dragon. If it were to manifest directly within the city, it would likely cause a major uproar.
He imagined the steel dragon's enormous body and immense power, and his heart was filled with anticipation.
Before Link's time travel, he hadn't played any of the handheld Monster Hunter games, only the PC versions of "World," "Rise of the Monsters," and the much-criticized "Wild West."
Kushala Daora has appeared in Monster Hunter: World.
Link was deeply impressed by it; the steel dragon had tormented him for quite some time.
Link went through a lot of trouble, and finally managed to pass the game by using the method of escaping class, which was to activate the Wind Spirit Moon Shadow.
After finally managing to craft the Steel Dragon set, he was able to finally shed his clown-like appearance in front of the Steel Dragon.
Simply put, in the game, if you don't fully understand the behavior patterns of the Steel Dragon, this guy is definitely a top-tier red-hot monster that will give you a huge headache.
Its attack methods are varied and its movements are agile, often making it difficult for players to defend against.
"I wonder what the Steel Dragon that will be summoned will look like?"
Link was filled with anticipation.
As he rode his horse, he imagined what the steel dragon would look like, and various images kept flashing through his mind.
Upon arriving at his destination, Link quickly opened the system and activated the manifestation function without delay.
His eyes revealed a hint of tension and excitement, unsure of what the outcome of this manifestation would be.
Soon, with a deafening roar, the dense forest in front of them was easily crushed by the enormous, silvery-white creature.
It raised its proud head, spread its enormous wings that were many times larger than its body, and terrifying air currents instantly swirled around its sides.
The airflow was like a gale, rustling the surrounding trees. Even a slight flap of its wings could create gusts of strong wind. Faced with this immense air pressure, it would be difficult for anyone to approach it easily.
"hold head high--"
As expected, with this earth-shattering dragon roar, not only people, but even the giant trees around it, which were as thick as several people could encircle, were uprooted in an instant by the surrounding air pressure.
The scene was spectacular, as if the end of the world had arrived.
In no time, a large open space was cleared around it.
However, it did not release airflow forward.
Because standing in front of it was its new master—Link!
The steel dragon slowly lowered its proud head, and the air currents that had been wrapped around its body quickly dissipated.
Its deep blue eyes revealed a hint of docility, as if it recognized its master.
At this moment, this legendary ancient dragon, which is said to be shrouded in storms and impossible for anyone to approach, and which always appears accompanied by raging winds and rain, was like a docile lapdog, constantly rubbing its huge head against Link's outstretched hand.
Link reached out and gently stroked the steel dragon's head, feeling its rough skin and powerful strength.
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