System: Build My Own Territory

Red and Rose couldn't help frowning.

They heard disrespect in Mike's words.

Lynn didn't say anything, he just looked at the bedraggled Mike.

Mike's tone changed, becoming somewhat angry.

"Master Lynn, you have so many soldiers, why can't you go rescue Master Boer?"

"He has been captured by bandits! If we don't rescue him, there really won't be any hope left."

"Although Master Boer reassured me that Ryan and the others retreated in the opposite direction, I'm not stupid!"

"They're staying put, guarding the carriage, and surely... surely the bandits have killed them!"

"Master Lynn, you..."

Lynn interrupted him, "I can't go!"

Mike's eyes instantly widened, his face full of confusion, "Can't go? Master Lynn... why can't you go?"

"You have well-trained armored soldiers and so many warhorses; as long as you're willing to send them, Master Boer is sure to be rescued!"

Lynn nodded, "I know, but I still can't go."

Listening to Lynn's calm words, Mike's chest began to heave rapidly.

He stared at Lynn, his heavy breathing audible from his open mouth.

"Master Lynn, aren't you and Master Boer partners?"

"In Master Boer's time of crisis, you're choosing to evade, to hide behind these walls?"

"It's a shame that Master Boer trusted you so much, yet you're choosing to betray him?"

Hearing this.

Red and Rose couldn't help but step forward to try to stop Mike's indiscriminate words, but Lynn stopped them with a raised right hand.

Lynn remained calm, "I betrayed him?"

Mike naturally saw the two burly men in front of Lynn, and he responded nervously: "Isn't that the case?"

"Master Boer tirelessly transported large amounts of grain from Morgan Town to Kakasong City, then brought it to your frontier land."

"As a Lord, you only know how to hide in your mansion, indulging in pleasures, how would you understand the hardships?"

"As a Lord, you only know how to hide under the protection of guards, how would you know that Master Boer faced difficulties from peers and was pursued by bandits on his journey?"

After saying this.

Mike breathed heavily, his anger slightly subsiding.

Lynn stared at Mike, "Finished speaking?"

"Since you're idle, let me explain to you."

"Firstly, I admire your courage in daring to confront a Lord with guards so boldly."

"Just with what you've said, I could behead you at any time."

Mike's face stiffened, he then remembered, standing before him was Lord Lynn, the lord of this land, the lord of these soldiers!

Lynn continued, "But that's all there is to it... just a useless hothead with a big mouth!"

Mike's eyes instantly widened.

"You abandoned your own master, traveled mountains and rivers to my territory, and with your speech about moral obligations, demanded rescue, as if not assisting would betray Boer's trust..."

"Whether or not I go for the rescue, how is it any of your business?"

"Since you're so righteous, why didn't you stay by Boer's side to protect him?"

"Instead, you abandoned him to seek so-called rescue?"

"Boer's life is worth saving, but aren't the lives of these soldiers under me worth the same?"

"They also have wives and children, they also have their own hopes, and they too... want to live!"

"Just because of your words, must I risk the lives of those who've never experienced war to storm into the battlefield and court death?"

Mike's face turned shocked, and his gaze shifted to the distance.

He saw soldiers nearby, also staring at him wide-eyed.

In those pairs of eyes, there were different colors.

Resentment, confusion, unwillingness, determination...

Only then did Mike remember, these soldiers were living people like himself.

Mike lowered his head in shame.

Looking at Mike's reaction, Lynn shifted his tone and asked, "Repeat exactly what Boer said to you."

Hearing this.

Mike raised his head, recalling slightly.

"He said... I want you to tell Master Lynn that Boer was captured by the bandits of the Iron Blood Brotherhood..."

Lynn responded, questioning, "Do you know why Boer only asked you to tell me he was captured by the bandits of the Iron Blood Brotherhood?"

"But didn't mention a single word about rescue?"

Mike thought for a few seconds, indeed it was as Lynn said, and he curiously looked at Lynn.

Lynn said, "Because he's afraid, and not worthy to ask me for rescue!"

"I gave him fine salt to trade, which allowed him to earn more profits, letting him change clothes, change carriages."

"I gave him more Gold Pounds, to hire guards like you."

"I made him no longer just an ordinary local crop merchant; with the wealth he accumulated, he formed the local Merchant Guild and became its president."

"Without me, the current Boer would still be troubled over how to handle a few thousand pounds of barley."

"Because of me, Boer has all of this!"

"Do you think Boer is qualified to ask me for help?"

Hearing this, Mike finally understood.

Master Lynn and Master Boer were partners.

However, Master Boer was merely a partner chosen by Master Lynn.

As long as Master Lynn wished, he could discard Master Boer at any time!

Mike hung his head low, not daring to say anything more.