As soon as the bandit leader sensed something was wrong, he turned his head and saw that a large number of Soldiers had appeared in the forest behind him at some point, rushing towards them and surrounding them.
This was truly bad; even their retreat route back into the woods was cut off!
The golden-haired woman leading them, graceful yet exuding a chilling killing intent, was immediately recognized by the bandit leader!
"It's you! Lina! Damn it, you actually set up an ambush here so early!"
The bandit leader's eyes widened, his face filled with shock and rage.
"Hmph! You damned bandits, none of you will leave here alive today!"
Lina snorted coldly, a cold light bursting from her beautiful eyes, and the longsword in her hand gleamed with icy killing intent in the sunlight.
Vast fighting qi erupted from her body, surging like a tide and quickly gathering on the longsword in her hand. The sword instantly shone brightly, as if blazing flames were burning fiercely.
In an instant, Lina unleashed her terrifying golden-level strength without reservation.
Her figure moved like lightning, and her longsword, carrying a fierce wind, unleashed a powerful whirlwind slash.
Where the sword light passed, the air was torn apart, emitting a sharp whistling sound.
Six bandits who had surrounded them, attempting to gain an advantage through sheer numbers, were beheaded by this unstoppable blow before they could even react!
Their bodies were directly cut in half, and blood spurted out like a fountain, staining the ground beneath their feet.
"Die! You scoundrels!"
Lina's eyes were wide with fury, her stern shout echoing through the forest, like the pronouncement of death... In the study of the Lord's Mansion, Link leaned lazily in his chair, his gaze leisurely falling on the system interface, where the bika points value was continuously rising.
Seeing this, the corners of his mouth curved slightly, and he instantly understood that the bandit suppression operation at Thorn Ridge had begun.
Excellent!
Link was very happy now.
Another important thing had been confirmed: during battle, he didn't need to be present himself; as long as his forces were involved, the system could harvest bika points.
This was also one of the reasons Link didn't go with Lina this time.
This setting was simply tailor-made for him, a hands-off manager.
Link stretched leisurely, picked up the steaming coffee beside him, and took a sip. The rich bitterness spread on his tongue, then transformed into a hint of sweetness.
He leaned back slowly in his chair, in a relaxed posture, quietly waiting for Lina's good news.
Until dusk deepened.
Only then did Lina escort Old Slo's grain convoy back to Winterfell City.
As soon as the convoy entered the city, Lina swiftly arranged for personnel to deliver several carriages full of goods to the Lord's Mansion one by one.
Once everything was settled, she immediately rushed to the study to find Link and report the results of the battle.
"My Lord, I have not failed you!" Lina bowed slightly, reporting the results with a solemn expression: "In this bandit suppression operation, our army killed one hundred and seven bandits and captured sixteen. Guided by the captives, we successfully found their stronghold deep in Thorn Ridge and plundered numerous treasures and goods from it. Here is the detailed list, please review it."
Link took the list and slowly scanned it with his gaze.
On the list, in addition to a dazzling array of gold and silver coins, there were also many high-end goods such as silk and perfume.
These goods should have been stolen from passing merchants and they hadn't had time to sell them yet.
If these goods were sold, they would undoubtedly fetch a considerable fortune.
"What about the casualties?" Link put down the list, asking with a solemn expression.
"In this battle, our army had seventeen killed and thirty-nine lightly or seriously wounded." Lina's voice was a few shades lower.
Most of those who participated in this battle were City Guards, and since the bandits outnumbered them, the casualties were much higher than in the operation to eliminate Orlando a few days ago.
As for the Greck Cavalry involved in this operation, only one of them suffered a minor injury to his thigh from a sword cut during the charge.
"Arrange immediately that all fallen Soldiers shall receive assistance and support for their families according to the martyr subsidy policy."
Link said solemnly, enunciating each word: "For those with families, one gold coin will be issued as a pension. Thereafter, as long as their relatives are within Winterfell City, they will enjoy priority access to various support policies."
Hearing the pension amount of one gold coin, even the usually composed Lina couldn't help but be slightly stunned.
One must know, this was no small sum!
Especially in future wars, if the number of casualties is high, this money will certainly not be little!
"Only by ensuring that warriors have no worries about their families can they fight with all their might and bravely kill the enemy on the battlefield."
Link seemed to see through Lina's thoughts, smiled slightly, and then said, "Alright, Lina, I suppose you haven't had dinner yet, have you? Come, let's go together."
"Yes, My Lord." Lina replied respectfully.
Tonight's dinner was stir-fried dishes meticulously prepared by the maids.
As it was their first attempt at making such dishes, two of the dishes seemed to have a bit too much salt, making them slightly salty and bitter.
Link did not blame them.
For a first attempt at cooking, such results were already quite good. Link's own first attempt was even worse than theirs.
However, for Lina, who was tasting stir-fried dishes for the first time, this unique flavor greatly increased her appetite, and she actually ate several bowls of rice in one go.
Seeing this, Link couldn't help but laugh heartily: "Lina, if you want to eat this kind of stir-fry in the future, just come to the Lord's Mansion for a meal."
Thus, back and forth, the relationship between the two subtly grew much closer over these shared meals.
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