System: Build My Own Territory Chapter 927 - 280: Offering Loyalty (10,000 Words)_6

The defenses of Morgan Town, even with the garrison prepared for construction, would prove useless!

Grayson nodded, a hint of confusion on his face.

He didn't quite grasp what 'sulfur' Master Lynn was referring to, but since Master Lynn had already made plans concerning the waterfall, he felt no need to fret.

After Lynn escorted Grayson to the Lord’s Square, Grayson bid him farewell. "Master Lynn, there’s no need to see me off further. Let’s stop here?"

Lynn gave a nod. "Safe travels, Mr. Grayson."

Grayson offered a smile. "Rest assured, Master Lynn, I still have significant tasks to attend to."

"Naturally, I won't perish easily!"

The farewell concluded.

Grayson approached the horse, placed his left foot on the stirrup, and with a swift movement, vaulted into the saddle, astride the horse.

After waving to Lynn, Grayson departed from the Lord’s Square with his convoy.

Setting a course towards the distant mountain forest pass.

Only when Grayson's carriage team had completely vanished into the mountain's shadow did Lynn finally withdraw his gaze.

He cast a look at the sky, which was progressively darkening.

Returning to the castle with Red, they passed by a cluster of red-brick houses.

At the castle entrance, greeted by the respectful salutes of several guards, he re-entered the structure.

Inside the grand reception hall.

The tall oil lamps lining the walls had already been ignited.

Their steady flames cast a warm, yellow luminescence.

A peculiar scent, reminiscent of burning hair, permeated the hall.

The lamp oil itself was a concoction of animal fat and resin.

Although the incomplete combustion of the oil resulted in black smoke and an odd odor,

in this era devoid of electric illumination,

oil lamps remained an essential source of light.

Furthermore,

given the town's current limited production of lamp oil,

essentially only his castle, the night school, the blacksmith's workshop, the textile workshop, and a few other critical facilities were supplied with oil lamps.

The townsfolk, lacking adequate lighting,

were compelled to retire for the night or engage in other nocturnal activities.

After partaking in dinner with Kuisi and the serving maid,

while awaiting the preparation of hot water, Lynn took a moment to rest on the lord's throne.

With a mere thought, he summoned the [Resident Information Column], reviewing the 800 war prisoners Grayson had delivered that day.

As he continued his perusal,

the individual data of each prisoner scrolled past his vision.

Just as he had observed previously,

this contingent of war prisoners indeed possessed superior physical conditioning!

Apart from Tyrone, who boasted {Talent} and {Skills},

he also identified several prisoners exhibiting Weapon Mastery.

These individuals could be groomed to serve as junior or senior banner leaders for smaller detachments.

Having scanned through all the war prisoners, Lynn was about to dismiss the panel.

He then noticed something.

A portion of the war prisoners, whose Loyalty Values were initially at 0%, had now registered at 1% or even 3%!

Lynn’s lips curved into a slight smile.

The transformation and escalation of these prisoners' Loyalty Values occurred considerably faster than he had anticipated.

However,

Lynn reconsidered, perhaps it wasn't entirely surprising.

Considering the standard of living within his territory and the comparatively relaxed work schedule,

it was unlikely anyone would wish to depart after experiencing it firsthand.

Just as he closed the panel, the faint sound of footsteps reached his ears from a distance.

Accompanying them was Janet’s audibly nervous voice.

"Master Lynn... the hot water is ready. You can... you can prepare for your bath now."

Lynn replied, "I am aware."

Rising from the lord's throne, he proceeded towards the adjacent private chamber.

As Lynn neared Janet, he observed her instinctively hunch her back.

Her posture seemed to convey an attempt to evade something.

Unwilling to let the matter drop, Lynn instructed her audibly.

"Accompany me inside."

"I've been quite fatigued lately and require a massage."

Hearing Lynn’s directive, Janet quickly lifted her head.

Her gaze shifted to Lynn's imposing figure, her eyes conveying a sense of reluctant exasperation.

She fully understood that when Lynn requested a massage, it was rarely a simple application of pressure.

What's more crucial,

was the fact that earlier this very morning... he had been rather 'assertive' with her!

Within the private chamber, the hot water in the bathtub swirled like gentle waves.

Amidst stifled moans, the night deepened considerably.

Beneath the evening sky, overlooking the Lord's Square,

sturdy figures were gathered around a crackling bonfire.

To ward off the ground's dampness and enhance their comfort while resting,

Rose had thoughtfully arranged for soldiers to provide barley straw for these 800 war prisoners.

The bonfire, constructed from sturdy logs, possessed the capacity to burn for hours on end,

sufficient to shield them from the chill of the night dew.

Within the assembly,

several robust individuals, bending low, navigated through the seated ranks to reach a reclining middle-aged man.

Without any preamble or courtesy, they settled down heavily beside him.

They surveyed their surroundings.

Observing the armored soldiers holding torches, diligently patrolling the perimeter.

Not a single scolding or restriction was issued, even as they moved about.

One of the burly men turned his head, his gaze settling on the middle-aged man before him.

With deep respect, he inquired, "Commander Tyrone, what are our orders now?"

Another man chimed in, his voice echoing the first, "Indeed, Commander!"

"We are all aware that your pledge of allegiance to this lord is merely a temporary arrangement."

"As soldiers of Portlands, it is unheard of to swear fealty to a lord from another land."

"If our comrades in Portlands were to discover this, how would the Pan Rock Iron Guards face them?"

Resting upon a mound of barley straw, Tyrone slowly opened his eyes.

His gaze swept over the two burly men.

"Who informed you that my allegiance to this lord is merely a temporary arrangement?"

The eyebrows of the two burly men shot upwards in surprise.

"Not temporary?"

"Then... then, Commander Tyrone, you genuinely intend to pledge allegiance to a foreign lord?"

"You... this is an act of betrayal against the Portlands Empire!"