The Ten Commandments of Magnus

The system ignored Magnus Valorion's complaints and displayed the enlarged, clear image of the winning wheel segment. Indeed, the pointer had landed squarely on paraquat, skipping past the Gothic plate armor.

Still unconvinced, Magnus grumbled, "You control the wheel. It lands wherever you want it to!"

The system, in a haughty tone, replied, "Take it or leave it," before ceasing further communication, leaving Magnus to stew alone.

Had he won the Gothic plate armor, his army's defensive capabilities would have significantly improved. But now, all he got was paraquat. At that moment, Magnus felt like shouting to the heavens, "What use do I have for this paraquat!"

To Magnus, any other prize, even fruits and vegetables, would have been ten or even a hundred times more valuable than this toxic herbicide. What use was paraquat? In the entire Fierce Lion Province, there hadn't been rain for six months. All the weeds were already dead from the drought, rendering the herbicide useless.

Moreover, paraquat was highly toxic, lethal to humans with no antidote. Ingesting it would result in certain death within days.

"Poison? Highly toxic, lethal herbicide?" Suddenly, a vicious plan formed in Magnus's mind. "The Crimson Vultures! Since you've chosen to be my enemy, you'll regret having the audacity to rob Magnus Valorion!"

As he solidified his plan, Magnus began to laugh, starting with a soft "hehehe," which soon turned into a sinister "muahahaha."

Meanwhile, in Willowbrook Town, John Falstaff, having received Magnus's pigeon message, immediately ordered an investigation into The Crimson Vultures.

In Greenwood Town, the Blackthorn family, upon hearing about John Falstaff's predicament, laughed uproariously. Edmund Blackthorn, head of the family's grain business, was praised by Victor Blackthorn, the family patriarch: "Well done! Now that grain store manager is scrambling to find out about The Crimson Vultures!"

Edmund laughed heartily, saying, "How could they not be panicking after losing so much grain, especially fine grain at that? I've also learned their grain stores won't last more than a few days!"

Victor nodded appreciatively, "Indeed, their fine grain is delicious; even Lucius Blackthorn was highly impressed!"

Lucius Blackthorn, who had conspired with Chancellor Alp Arslan to assassinate Magnus, was a sinister and dangerous adversary.

Victor continued, "Go, give that John Falstaff some information about The Crimson Vultures. I'd like to see how they handle this mess!"

Edmund, following orders, feigned urgency and hurried to John Falstaff to divulge details about The Crimson Vultures' stronghold.

Tuco, the leader of The Crimson Vultures, was once a low-ranking officer in Greenwood Town. After a disastrous defeat, he turned to banditry, occupying Shadowpeak Mountain. Leveraging his personal strength, he gathered other defeated soldiers and vagabonds, making a living by raiding merchant caravans and local villages.

The Crimson Vultures were no small band; they numbered around two to three hundred men. Magnus's previous two transports had been lucky not to encounter them. Had Neil Thompson assigned guards this time, the losses could have been even greater.

Upon learning this, John Falstaff thanked Edmund profusely before sending a pigeon to relay the information back to Green River Town.

Meanwhile, Magnus took full control of the City Guard and Security Corps and issued "The Ten Commandments of Magnus" to all his soldiers:

Do not harm civilians. Do not kill prisoners. Treat everyone fairly. Protect the weak and helpless. Show courage and bravery in battle. Obey orders in all actions. Maintain honor in all deeds. Be loyal to Magnus and the army. Be honest and upright; do not deceive or betray. Resolve conflicts peacefully whenever possible.

Magnus's soldiers, mostly poor farmers who had suffered under the corrupt soldiers of the Great Latium Imperium, wholeheartedly embraced these commandments.

Once his soldiers had memorized "The Ten Commandments of Magnus," Magnus ordered them to soak sacks of rice in barrels of paraquat, then spread the rice out to dry.

Initially, the soldiers thought the barrels contained some beneficial substance until Magnus force-fed a chicken the liquid, causing it to die swiftly. They then understood the barrels contained deadly poison.

This, combined with the news of their grain being stolen by The Crimson Vultures, made the purpose clear. Fortunately, the weather remained sunny and dry, facilitating the poisoning and drying process.

When John Falstaff's information arrived, Magnus understood why the system hadn't provided him with weapons. The Crimson Vultures had two to three hundred men. Despite Magnus having three to four hundred soldiers, he was reluctant to risk his valuable troops in direct combat.

"Using this colorless, odorless paraquat is indeed much more convenient!" Magnus thought, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.