Yinan arrived at the Rosen Territory, a domain considered upper-middle among viscounts, famed for its iron mines!
Inside the castle was a beautiful lady with golden hair and blue eyes. Luoling told him that she was Rosen’s wife…
Looking at the display showing a 3% loyalty level, Yinan couldn’t help but get excited, though there were still pressing matters to attend to.
The thief informed him that the nearby nobles were interacting more and more frequently, seemingly ready to assemble a large army at any moment under the banner of avenging Rosen and attack this place!
Having such an insider brought Yinan a bit of relief—he only hoped she wouldn’t get exposed.
At present, he had come to the prisoner-of-war camp, where all the former soldiers of Rosen Territory were held!
Dressed in black noble attire with gold trim, he stood out starkly against the filthy surroundings. The prisoners instantly noticed him and guessed his identity.
Is this the noble who captured Rosen Territory in just two days? How does he look so young?
Yinan felt the stares of the prisoners—surprised, curious, and of course, filled with hostility.
He stood on the platform, sweeping his gaze over the group of surrendered soldiers.
“I know what you’re all thinking!” Yinan’s voice wasn’t loud, but in the somewhat quiet camp it was crystal clear. “You think I’m an invader, a villain, and you believe I won’t let you go, right?”
The prisoners remained silent, but their complex gazes acknowledged Yinan’s words.
“The people of Storm Territory once thought the same… That land didn’t originally belong to me!” Yinan looked at them, his tone forceful. “But in the end, I let them live better lives!”
“Even the soldiers of Storm Territory took your heads in this war and traded them for the status of free men!” For the first time, Yinan saw hope for survival light up in the eyes of these prisoners…
“Believe me—even if other nobles occupied this territory, you’d still be slaves. Worse yet, you’d be sent to dig iron in the mines for the rest of your lives…”
Yinan’s words exploded like heavy bombs, setting off ripples in the hearts of the prisoners.
“Tell me—do you want to be mining slaves!?” Yinan’s gaze burned as he swept across the prisoners, raising his voice in pursuit.
His cry seemed to carry an invisible force, echoing through the stifling camp.
The prisoners were daunted by Yinan’s presence—no one answered for a moment… but their faces revealed their inner struggle and torment.
At last, a scrawny soldier stepped forward, clenching his fists, mustering up his courage to speak: “My lord, I don’t want to be a mining slave!”
Inspired by this soldier, others began to shout as well. Spending the rest of their lives in the mines—no one wanted such a fate.
Yinan waved his hand, and several able-bodied mining slaves from Rosen Territory’s mines were brought into the prisoner camp…
At that moment, the group of miners seemed to see daylight for the first time—the hope in their eyes grew fierce, and the atmosphere further ignited the prisoners…
“From today on, you will no longer be mining slaves!” As Yinan made this declaration, the group of miners seemed bewitched; they shouted, cheered, and knelt on the ground pledging their loyalty to the lord!
Seeing the miners kneel one after another, the other soldiers could only follow suit, one after another kneeling in allegiance to Yinan.
“Excellent…” Seeing this, Yinan waved his hand, signaling the servants to begin distributing food!
Aromatic bread and steaming stew were brought to the soldiers and miners one by one.
A piece of bread, a bowl of meat soup—these famished prisoners and mining slaves feasted greedily!
As if they hadn’t eaten in ten lifetimes!
Yinan stood to the side, silently watching them devour the food. Only after they had eaten did he continue.
“From now on, every meal will be up to this standard! Starting today, whoever kills an enemy on the battlefield, I will promise to restore him to the status of a free man!”
Amidst the revelry, Yinan walked to the carriage and extended his hand…
A soft, delicate hand landed in his palm, and its owner slowly descended from the carriage.
Freya looked at Yinan with complex emotions—this scoundrel actually threatened her with the lives of these soldiers…
And now, in their eyes, Yinan was even a good man!
Yinan led Freya onto the platform. All the soldiers recognized her—she was Rosen’s wife. Was this scoundrel going to publicly humiliate her!?
If that’s the case… I…
The former prisoners wrestled with their feelings…
Yinan gently held Freya’s hand, faced the crowd, and spoke loudly, “Everyone! I’m sure you all know this lady—she is Lady Freya, Rosen’s wife. I bring her here not to make things difficult for her, but to let everyone understand one thing.”
“From today on, she is also my wife, Yinan’s wife. I will marry her, though I cannot give her the position of primary wife, but she will still be my lady!”
“That’s right, I will respect her and cherish her! And she will protect your interests! For me and your lady—swear your loyalty!”
Yinan’s words instantly sparked a storm! The soldiers were stunned at first, then burst into a clamor of whispers…
Freya was even more shocked—she never imagined Yinan would announce this decision in public. She had thought she was doomed to a life of endless darkness…
After all, nobles never pitied an enemy’s wife—they would use any means to humiliate her!
But now the soldiers began to let go of some prejudices. After all… serving Lady Freya was not considered a betrayal, right? Besides, Lord Yinan seemed rather decent…
After finishing his announcement, Yinan left, leaving Youan’s lieutenant behind to train them intensively.
“Remember—have these miners talk about how miserable life in the mines was every moment, and stir up everyone’s longing to become free men!”
Youan’s lieutenant understood, and respectfully nodded in Yinan’s direction as he left.
Turning back, he swept his gaze over the group of miners and prisoners who had just found a glimmer of hope, and shouted, “You heard the lord! In the days to come, as long as you work hard, good food and drink are yours! But for now, training begins!”
Under the lieutenant’s urging, training proceeded in an orderly fashion.
“Move it! Don’t drag your feet—what do you think you look like? If you want to be a free man, you have to shed sweat!” The lieutenant shouted, his whip cracking crisply through the air…
At night, after their training, they sat in the tents listening to the miners’ bitter laments, spreading the word that Lord Yinan was their savior. The tragic tales of life in the mines terrified the former prisoners…
Those who had never experienced mine life listened to the miners’ stories of darkness, their faces filled with horror and sympathy.
Meanwhile, Yinan truly held a wedding in the castle. Not a single noble attended—the only one present to bless the newlyweds was Nancy!