Lord Wyman Manderly's full and formal titles were:
Lord of White Harbor, Warden of the White Knife, Shield of the Faith, Defender of the Dispossessed, Lord Marshal of the Mander, and Knight of the Order of the Green Hand.
The Order of the Green Hand was founded by House Gardener of the Reach, named after the mythical First Man of the Reach, Garth Greenhand.
It was one of the most prestigious knightly orders in Westeros during the Andal era!
Successive lords of House Manderly had been inducted into the Order of the Green Hand by virtue of their illustrious lineage, noble character, and martial prowess.
This title had thus become a hereditary honor for House Manderly.
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Lord Wyman shook his head and smiled:
"It's just a similar title, no need to make a fuss over it."
He paused, scanned the room, and continued:
"What is the stance of the hedge knights, sellswords... and the merchants in the city?"
"The hedge knights and sellswords are all very eager, they've all agreed to participate," someone replied.
"As for the major merchants, their attitude is also very positive. They all expressed support for Your Lordship's decision.
"And once the smaller merchants catch wind of this, they surely won't dare ignore it either!"
Lord Wyman nodded, then turned his gaze to a knight standing over six feet tall with an incredibly solid build, instructing in a deep voice:
"Marlon, I want you on high alert. Keep an eye out for any signs of pirate raids coming from the Three Sisters."
The knight was Lord Wyman's cousin, Ser Marlon Manderly, the Commander of the City Watch of White Harbor and the supreme commander of the garrisons at the New Castle and the Wolf's Den.
Ser Marlon had a beard as gray as the winter sea and deep gray eyes.
Hearing this, Ser Marlon immediately replied:
"Yes, My Lord!"
But he quickly added:
"Would those 'Sistermen' really have the guts to raid us? Aren't they afraid of Lord Jon Arryn's wrath?"
Someone nearby sneered:
"Those greedy, wicked, and treacherous 'Sistermen' lost their reputation a long time ago.
"Who can predict the actions of degenerates! It wouldn't even be surprising if they openly rebelled against the Iron Throne right now!"
The Three Sisters—the most infamous pirate nest, smuggler's haven, and cutthroat sanctuary in the Bite.
A place renowned throughout the Seven Kingdoms for its depravity and greed.
Lord Wyman spoke slowly:
"House Bolton is stirring up trouble again. Though there's no solid proof, that market raid in the Cerwyn lands not long ago was likely the Boltons' doing.
"And the 'Sistermen' might have had a hand in it too!
"The North might be heading for unrest again. We can't worry about every other region.
"But here in White Harbor, I will absolutely not tolerate anyone who comes to pillage or destroy!
"And we will not lower our guard against anyone harboring ill intent!"
He paused, then finalized his orders:
"Marlon, tighten the defenses! The moment you spot a pirate sail, wipe them out!
"Wylis, gather the men and wipe out the raiders around White Harbor.
"We've ignored them for too long, and I hear they've caused quite a bit of trouble. This time, we exterminate them completely!"
"Yes, My Lord!"
"Yes, Father!"
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Don Quixote looked over Cole, who had visibly bulked up, and asked:
"Cole, how is your grasp of the breathing technique coming along?"
Over three months ago, he had started teaching Cole the basic knightly breathing techniques.
And a month ago.
Cole had finally managed to complete a proper cycle of the breathing exercise on his own.
After that, Don Quixote let Cole practice independently.
Combined with the effects of over a dozen Blood Apples.
Cole was no longer the scrawny kid he used to be.
Hearing the question, Cole couldn't hide his excitement and immediately replied:
"My Lord, I've made huge progress! I can enter the meditative state five out of ten times now!"
Don Quixote nodded approvingly:
"Good. Keep working hard!"
Hearing this, Cole grew even more excited.
A moment later, he thought of something, reined in his excitement, and said hesitantly:
"My Lord, Alden has been acting strangely lately. I think... I think it's because of my progress."
In the beginning, the two of them were roughly at the same level. If anything, Cole's foundation had been a bit worse.
But now, Cole was confident he could take on three Aldens at once!
Don Quixote thought for a moment before saying:
"I don't demand much from you two. Just two things!
"First, loyalty. Loyalty to your knight!
"Second, loyalty. Loyalty to the knight's vows!
"If he can't understand that, then let him keep copying and reciting the vows! He shouldn't expect any further instruction from me until he does!
"Cole, go tell him: if he still doesn't understand what loyalty is within a year, I might just send him back to Cerwyn!"
The only reason Don Quixote was giving him this much leeway was because Alden was still a kid—his thoughts were still easily influenced and molded.
If it were a grown man.
Don Quixote wouldn't have the patience to spend time teaching someone with wavering convictions or easily swayed loyalties.
Even if it was just basic knightly skills.
Cole didn't dare say more and bowed deeply:
"Yes, My Lord. I will remind Alden!"
Just as Cole was about to leave the room, Don Quixote suddenly added:
"Cole, once this sweep of the raiders around White Harbor is finished, I'll have men escort you and Alden back to Cerwyn for a visit.
"Lady Nadine is getting on in years. You should go back and visit your grandmother every now and then.
"And once you meet my standards, you'll be able to travel safely between Cerwyn and White Harbor on your own.
"I won't restrict you. Whenever you want to return to Cerwyn, you can."
Hearing this, Cole's eyes grew slightly red.
He gripped the hilt of his sword tightly and bowed deeply to Don Quixote:
"Thank you, My Lord!"
Don Quixote smiled and said seriously:
"So, you need to train harder in your knightly skills and your breathing techniques. Soon enough, I'll be arranging some real combat experience for you!"
Cole straightened his back. Without a shred of hesitation, his voice was steady and firm:
"My Lord, I will never betray your teachings or your trust!"
Shortly after Cole left, Adele walked into the room, smiling:
"My Lord, they've all arrived."
Don Quixote nodded, standing up as he asked:
"Adele, how is your task coming along?"
Adele thought for a moment and quickly replied:
"My Lord, a third of the people on the list have already received your generous help.
"They... some have regained their hope for the future, some safely made it through a crisis, and others have seen their businesses start to recover."
She paused, her face glowing with admiration and joy:
"And they all told me!
"They said they will be forever grateful for the timely help you provided, My Lord, and that if they ever have the chance, they will absolutely repay your kindness!"
"There is nothing more worthy of respect than a grateful heart," Don Quixote smiled.
"A person who accepts charity with gratitude has already repaid the most important part of that debt.
"Tell them not to feel burdened by it. Living well is the greatest repayment they could give me."
A single act of kindness, a lifetime of gratitude.
Don Quixote hadn't forgotten the commoners of White Harbor.
Almost every night when he had free time, he would stay in different parts of the city, using those opportunities to sniff out the commoners who possessed true gratitude and loyal convictions.
No matter the world, it was always the lowest class of commoners who faced the most hardship.
And their hardships were often the most direct and brutal.
It was always a struggle for raw survival.
So Don Quixote sought out those commoners who would remember a single act of kindness for a long time.
Offering them help for free, or with incredibly minor conditions attached.
Right now, these people might seem insignificant.
But when the time came, in certain situations, they could become the most critical and valuable source of power.
Where the hearts of the people go, the tide of the world follows!
...