Chapter 10

The forest fell silent suddenly, and Carter's gasps became crystal clear, like someone trying to drink up the ocean through a tiny straw. Soon, his futile struggle ceased, and only the sound of blood dripping to the ground remained.

  Todd's angry voice sounded again, breaking the silence, "Lord Caesar, do you know what you are doing?"

  Seeing this, Gavin and the others rushed forward, ready to stop Todd. Samwell knew he couldn't show his timidity, especially at this moment. He went forward and angrily said, "Todd Flower! What do you want to do? You dare to draw your sword at me!"

  Todd stopped immediately after pulling out half of his long sword. Samwell took another step forward and said, "You really don't know what Carter has done?"

  Todd moved his mouth, but before he could say anything, he saw Samwell taking another step forward and asked, "Why did I kill Carter, and you don't know?"

  "You dare to swear to the Seven Gods, you don't know what Carter did?"

  "Madame Olenna asked you to serve me, and what have you done?"

  "Come on, draw your sword! Draw your sword, and one of us will die tonight!"

  Facing Samwell's pressing step by step, Todd lost his initial momentum, and the long sword in his hand seemed to be stuck in the sheath and never got out.

  Samwell breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that the most dangerous moment tonight had passed. Todd's sword hadn't been drawn just now, and it couldn't be drawn out again after that.

  After relaxing, Samwell felt his violent heartbeat and churning in his belly. He put his hands, trembling from the first murder, behind his back and tried his best to keep calm. Although the risk was great, Carter had to die. Otherwise, he would lose the initiative to develop the team and even lose control over his own life. This was absolutely intolerable to him.

Todd also calmed down, but after seeing Carter hanging upside down and dying, an uncontrollable anger still rose in his heart, as well as a touch of emotion that he didn't even want to admit to himself

- fear!

After spending more than a month with Samwell, Todd knew that the rumored useless eldest son of the Tarly family was not a waste at all. However, he did not expect this person to be so ruthless and decisive. Todd took a deep breath, let go of the hilt of his sword, and said in a deep voice:

"Master Caesar, even if Carter was at fault first, you shouldn't have killed him. This will anger my soldiers, and it may be difficult for them to follow again."

Samwell's tone was relaxed as he listened ,

"I am still willing to help you sincerely to expand your territory but some irrational guys among us may come to trouble you, but you must know that we are in the wilderness now, not in a castle. "

"What's so difficult about it? You just say that Carter fell into the trap of bandits and was killed. Isn't that all right?"

Todd snorted softly and said, "My lord, as a knight, you should know that honesty is a virtue!"

Samwell asked with a smile, "Really? Then, honest Knight Todd, please tell me why Madam Olenna sent you here?"

Todd choked for a moment and stopped talking. Samwell continued with a smile, "Actually, even if you don't tell me, I can guess."

Todd glanced at Samwell, his eyes full of disbelief. Samwell then came closer to Todd and whispered a word in his ear - "pirate."

Seeing Todd's eyes widen suddenly and his breathing quicken, Samwell knew that he guessed it right. "Do you want to know how I guessed it?"

Todd stared closely at Samwell's eyes. Although he didn't speak, the expression on his face revealed his curiosity.

"Are you the illegitimate child of the Redwyne family?" Samwell asked Todd.

"Yes,"

Todd confirmed, "My father is Sir Desmond." The information wasn't a secret and easy to guess, especially given that Mrs. Olenna, the "Queen of Thorns," hailed from the Redwyne family of Arbor Island.

It made sense for her to send an illegitimate son of the family to follow Samwell and develop the new territory.

Samwell smiled and recalled his initial doubts when Mrs. Olenna asked him to come to the new territory. "What will I do for a living here?" he had wondered, considering that the land in the Red Mountains was barren and couldn't support livestock.

Unlike Casterly Rock City, which had gold mines, This had nothing of value to trade. Mrs. Olenna had suggested that the new territory was near the sea and could be used for trade, but Samwell was weirded by the idea as what to trade ?

Rock?!!

However, when he realized that the new territory was located near the mouth of the Turbulent River and close to three Dornish cities which include Starfall City, High Hermitage , and Blackmont City upstream, he understood that it was an ideal location for looting.

What's more, the southern end of the Redwyne Strait, one of Dorne's busiest ocean trade routes, passed through the area.

In this way, Dornish merchant ships can be seen everywhere near the pioneer land, whether it is the ocean or the river,

So did you think I won't be able to guess what Madam Olenna wants to do?

Todd couldn't hide the panic in his eyes as Samwell spoke, revealing his knowledge of the Redwyne family's potential involvement.

Samwell continued to mull over his thoughts, "Moreover, I've already deduced that you hail from the Redwyne family on Arbor Island. And given that they don't lack resources like battleships and sailors, I believe this was a key factor in why Lady Olenna sent you to accompany me on this expedition."

He paused, pondering over the gravity of the situation. "Furthermore, if this plot were to be exposed, as the lord leading this endeavor, I would be held responsible and it would not sully the reputation of both the Tyrell and Redwyne houses. It's truly a clever plan," he chuckled.

Todd hung his head, seemingly unable to meet Samwell's penetrating gaze.

Sighing, Samwell placed a hand on Todd's shoulder and spoke in a low voice. "But have you considered the implications? As a knight who joined me on this pioneering mission, even if you aren't the main culprit, will your reputation remain intact? Is this the kind of legacy you want to leave behind?" Todd remained silent.

With earnest sincerity, Samwell spoke again, "I was abandoned by my family and left to rot, while you were an unwanted bastard. We share a similar plight. But Madame Olenna's scheme puts both our reputations and futures in jeopardy. So I ask you, are you willing to be her puppet?"

Todd finally raised his head, a cold smile playing on his lips. "Do we have a choice?" he asked. "If I don't fight hard, how can I get ahead? And you, do you really think you can develop this land without the help of the Tyrell family?"

"We should cooperate sincerely," Samwell said, trying to grab Todd's shoulders, but he evaded him.

"We are cooperating now, to open up new territories," Todd replied flatly.

"You know that's not what I mean,".

"I know," Todd said, a hint of pain flashing in his eyes. "But do we have another choice? As you analyzed before, besides doing what Mrs. Olenna asked, do we have another way out?"

"Of course," Samwell said smiling. "But if you want to know, you have to swear allegiance to me first."

Todd snorted and stood still, unconvinced.

Samwell shrugged, not surprised.

He knew it was fanciful to expect the illegitimate son of the Redwyne family to be loyal with just a few words. The words he spoke, including the previous act of killing Carter, were meant to deter and win Todd, but in reality, they were all for the old lady behind Todd.

Seeing that Todd was unmoved, Samwell continued, "Think about it for yourself. Do you want to gamble your reputation and future to do illegal activities, or follow me in a legitimate and legal way and develop this land to make money?"

With that, Samwell returned to his camp with his men, leaving Todd standing there lost in thought.

[END]