Witches: Starting as a Lord Marrying a Wife

"I'll leave this matter in your hands, Uncle."

David agreed without hesitation. He had no objections to the suggestion.

For now, he still wasn't entirely certain of his system's capabilities.

If the system truly allowed him to bind multiple partners and gain bloodline strength through dual cultivation, then finding additional wives would be a necessity.

Of course, not just any woman would suffice. The system's requirements meant intimacy was inevitable, so his wives needed to be obedient and understanding. A stable household would ensure he could focus on cultivation and dealing with powerful enemies without distractions.

"Understood," said the Grey Wolf Knight with a nod.

Even though David had awakened the Frostwolf bloodline, producing an heir as soon as possible remained essential to preserving the family's lineage.

"Has anything significant happened near the territory recently?" David, feeling slightly awkward about the earlier conversation, changed the topic.

"Winter is approaching. Beyond the threat from northern nobles, the greatest concern right now is the influx of refugees from the far north. It's likely that rogue knights will disguise themselves among them and launch an attack on Frostwolf Ridge," the Grey Wolf Knight warned.

Every winter, the Frost Kingdom further north would face devastating cold waves. Reports suggested that this year's cold wave might be even more severe, inevitably leading to a surge in refugees. These displaced people represented a volatile and unpredictable threat.

Additionally, there was good reason to suspect that the northern nobles might hire rogue knights or mercenaries to blend in with the refugees and attack Frostwolf Ridge.

With the death of the old duke and the Frostwolf family in decline, many other families were eager to seize their opportunity—chief among them, the Icebear family, which had long coveted the Frostwolf family's position.

David's brow furrowed. The situation was dire. The Frostwolf family was teetering on the brink of survival, particularly with the Silvermoon Kingdom embroiled in internal strife due to the king's illness.

The Frostwolf family could become collateral damage in the power struggles at any moment.

The only solution was to quickly grow stronger, shattering his enemies' plans through sheer force. Only then could he protect Frostwolf Ridge and ensure his safety.

Thankfully, it was still early autumn, leaving some time before winter's arrival.

"Uncle Leo, I'll dedicate myself to mastering the Frostwolf Breathing Technique. I'll also need more Frostwolf Elixirs to expedite my progress."

While the breathing technique primarily relied on one's bloodline power, elixirs could significantly enhance its efficiency, accelerating his cultivation.

This was why commoners rarely became knights. Training a knight required an extraordinary amount of resources, making it a privilege exclusive to nobility.

Even the Tier 1 Frostwolf Breathing Technique required Wolfblood Grass, a plant infused with the blood of supernatural wolves. While the grass's quality wasn't critical, its stringent growth conditions made it prohibitively expensive. The monthly tax revenue of a small lord could only afford a single plant. For the Frostwolf family, even gathering the necessary materials had become a challenge.

"Don't worry," said the Grey Wolf Knight. "The Frostwolf family has continued collecting ingredients for the elixirs, though it has become much harder due to the Icebear family's interference."

David clenched his fists, fully aware of the difficulties.

In any world, the weak were destined to be trampled upon.

After the Grey Wolf Knight left, David practiced the Frostwolf Breathing Technique again before heading back to the castle.

A sense of urgency pressed on him—he needed to fully understand his system's functions and grow stronger as quickly as possible.

---

Sweat-soaked from training, David instructed a servant to fetch water. He planned to take a bath and relax before devising his next steps.

Splash!

Using a ladle, David poured water over himself, washing away the day's exertions.

Suddenly, his movements halted. His voice dropped into a cold command. "Who's there? Come out."

At his words, a young maid timidly stepped forward. Though it was autumn, she was lightly dressed, her cheeks flushed.

"Master, I'm here to assist with your bath…"

Her nervousness was evident, but she bravely moved closer.

David's expression darkened slightly. This maid, Jessie, had been subtly trying to catch his attention for some time. And now, she had boldly stepped forward.

While David wasn't particularly fond of scheming women, the thought of testing his system made him reconsider. "Come in," he said.

Jessie's eyes lit up, and she quickly moved to help him wash.

"You wish to serve me?" David asked bluntly.

Jessie understood the implication and nodded without hesitation.

Moments later, David carried her from the bath to the bed, intending to see if his system reacted.

---

[You have completed a session of cultivation.]

To his surprise, while the system acknowledged the session, no improvements were gained.

"So, the system has requirements for its targets?"

"Leah carried a trace of Frostwolf bloodline, allowing her to help me awaken and strengthen my bloodline. But Jessie is an ordinary human. Even with cultivation, she can't provide any benefits."

David's expression grew serious as he confirmed his theory.

Jessie lay beside him, utterly spent but filled with smug satisfaction. In her mind, she had taken a significant step toward securing a place in the Frostwolf family by proactively presenting herself.

"Go rest," David said calmly, standing and dressing.

"Thank you, Master."

After Jessie left, David sought out Leah.

"There's a maid named Jessie in the castle," he began. "Have the butler arrange for her to live in the Frostwolf family's old estate."

Leah froze, momentarily unsure how to respond. Such arrangements were typically made for personal maids after their master came of age—a recognition of their service.

This meant David had entrusted her with the responsibilities of the castle's mistress. 

"Is there a problem?" David asked.

"N-No, I'll see to it immediately," Leah replied, her tone serious.

"And make sure to remind the other maids of their place," David added.

He intended to use this opportunity to curb any inappropriate ambitions among the staff. A stable household was crucial for his long-term success.