Standing on the platform, he looked down at these residents who belonged to him, his heart filled with emotion.
To be honest, this was his first time facing so many people, and moreover, the fate and future of these people were now firmly in his hands.
Link took a deep breath; the air was filled with an unpleasant smell, but he ignored it, trying to calm himself down.
"I, Link, am the Lord of this city. Commander Lina of the Knight Order prepared a brilliant speech for me, but at this moment, I don't want to say those flowery, insubstantial words. What I want to do more is to genuinely change you, and change the current situation of Winterfell City!"
The cold wind brushed his cheeks, bringing a touch of coolness. Link had long since cast aside the speech Lina had prepared.
He knew in his heart that at this moment, it was not the time for pretty words.
The residents below yearned for real action.
Below, the people of Winterfell City listened quietly to the young man on the stage, their expressions solemn and serious, without a trace of impatience.
They could genuinely feel his sincerity and determination in Link's words.
This young Lord seemed truly different from before.
"Before explaining the upcoming arrangements, I am willing to offer one silver coin to hire one of you to carry that fallen dead tree in front of the North Gate into the North Gate. Who is willing to take on this task?"
Link raised his hand, took out a silver coin from his pocket, and placed it steadily on the front edge of the platform.
In an instant, the crowd erupted into a clamor.
They had never seen such a strange Lord, who would pay to hire someone to move wood.
"What? Did I hear that right? Carrying that dead wood into the North Gate gets me one silver coin?" A young man's eyes widened, his face full of disbelief.
"That's one silver coin! Spend it carefully, and you'll have enough food for the week!" A woman's eyes sparkled with excitement, her hands unconsciously clenching.
"It can't be a trick, can it? Could this Lord be so kind as to give us silver coins for free?" An old man frowned, his eyes full of suspicion.
The noise below was deafening, yet no one was willing to step forward and accept this seemingly simple job.
Everyone believed Link was toying with them, making fun of them.
In their ingrained perception, these Lords and nobles had always been high and mighty, viewing commoners as mere grass, so they would never do such a thing.
Seeing this situation, Link raised his hand again, holding out several more silver coins.
"Five silver coins! Who is willing to do this job for me!" Link raised his voice, which boomed like a bell.
For merely moving a log, he offered five silver coins as reward. Instantly, the platform erupted, and clamor rose from all sides.
Everyone felt there was something fishy about this matter; something out of the ordinary must mean trouble. Yet, no one was willing to step forward.
They were filled with apprehension, deeply fearing that this was a trap set by Link, afraid of falling into a snare and becoming a laughingstock.
However, a great reward always brings brave men. A burly man slowly emerged from the crowd.
He was tall and robust, with dark skin, and his eyes showed an honest and simple nature.
He looked at Link on the high platform, then glanced at the silver coins in his hand, hesitated for a moment, and finally mustered the courage to walk towards Link.
"I'll do it!"
This deep and powerful shout, like a heavy hammer, instantly shattered the continuous doubts from the surroundings.
After speaking, the burly, muscular man strode towards the dry wood lying on the ground outside the North Gate.
Although the dry wood was not large, its twisted shape and hard texture made it quite difficult for one person to lift.
But when the strong man came to the dry wood, he squatted slightly, firmly gripped one end of the wood with both hands, and with a low shout, easily hoisted it onto his shoulder.
"What great strength!"
Someone in the crowd was the first to exclaim, and then, praises rose like a tide.
Although the dry wood was not heavy, it was quite strenuous for an ordinary person to lift, yet the man carried it on his shoulder with ease.
However, the only flaw was that the strong man's right leg seemed to have a hidden ailment; he limped when he walked, and his body would sway slightly with each step, but even so, he still walked steadily, carrying the dry wood forward with firm steps.
"Very good! What is your name?"
On the high platform, Link stood with his arms crossed, his gaze full of admiration as he watched the strong man.
"Reporting, my Lord," the strong man placed the dry wood steadily in the designated spot, then turned to face Link, bowing respectfully and saying in a loud voice, "My name is Raymond, and I once served as a Squad Leader in the City Guards."
"You once served as a Squad Leader in the City Guards? With such great strength, why did you not continue to serve?"
Raymond awkwardly patted his leg and said, "Previously, when we were Suppression ing mountain bandits nearby, I was unlucky enough to take an arrow to the knee. Although the injury was not fatal, my right leg was left disabled, so I left the City Guards."
An arrow to the knee?
Why did that sound so familiar... "Hmm," Link patted his shoulder lightly, took out the five silver coins, "Very good, this is your reward!"
"Thank you, my Lord!"
A hint of surprise flashed in Raymond's eyes. He took the silver coins with both hands, clutching them tightly, as if holding all the hope of his life.
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