In an instant, the entire tent fell silent.
Kevin, who had followed Ethan from the Redstone Village coast and knew his personality best in the group, felt a sudden pang in his heart. He knew that although his teacher had a good temper and always suppressed his emotions—seemingly easy to bully—he would inevitably erupt in anger once the topic turned to atrocities against civilians.
Sure enough, Ethan looked up, took a deep breath, and asked in a suppressed voice, "What's wrong with this woman?"
The man with blood on his hands, mistakenly thinking Ethan was angry because his companion was injured, explained indignantly, "This stupid woman—we went to her house, and the men inside—I don't know if they were her husbands or her brothers—came out to stop us, so we killed them.
We were just going to play around with her and leave her a few more days to live, but she took advantage of our brotherly fun…"
Before he could finish speaking, a longsword sharper than he had ever seen before pierced his throat.
The other man, seeing this, asked in horror, "Captain Ethan, what are you doing?" Before he could finish speaking, he too was pierced in the throat.
The remaining bitten bastard lost his balance and collapsed to the ground.
He couldn't understand why Ethan, who was usually so good-natured, would suddenly become hostile, but his intuition told him that begging for mercy was the wisest choice at this moment.
"Captain Ethan, I don't know what I did to offend you, but please forgive me! I am a soldier of the Mormont family, and my countess has always admired you. Please!"
Ethan squatted down, gently lifted the woman's head, turned to the Northern Army soldiers on the ground, and coldly asked, "So, did she beg you?"
The Northern Army soldier shouted, "Captain Ethan, she is from the Westerlands, a civilian. I was just exercising my rights. We are comrades-in-arms, aren't we? Aren't we fighting together for the banner of the Ice Wolf?"
After hearing this, Ethan said nothing more. He stood up, crushed the wounded man's neck bone with one foot, then tore off the wounded man's clothes to wrap the head and tucked it under his arm.
He turned to the two students inside the tent, who were stunned by his actions, and said, "Kevin, close the tent, then send away everyone who hasn't been treated yet, telling them we've exhausted our strength for today. Afterwards, gather our men together, put away their weapons, and form battle formations. Tell them what you heard here, then wait for me to return."
Kevin, hearing this, chattered nervously, "Teacher, what are you going to do?"
Seeing Kevin's expression, Ethan knew he had probably misunderstood something, so he reassured him, "It's not what you think—I'm just going to ask for an answer. Jon, you're coming with me."
Although Jon still didn't know exactly what had happened, he could sense a suppressed, almost melting anger emanating from Ethan. "Yes, Teacher!" he replied.
At this moment, Ethan had already stepped out of the tent. Jon was about to follow when Kevin grabbed his sleeve. Kevin said urgently, "Jon, if Master does anything impulsive, you must stop him! Otherwise, none of us will survive!"
"Huh?" Jon was still confused, but seeing that Master had already left, he could only agree, "I understand."
Then he followed Ethan's back to where his mount was.
At this time, Ethan was already on horseback, waiting for him. Jon quickly mounted his own horse, and the two rode all the way to Oxcross Town, their hearts filled with doubt and unease.
The Oxcross Town he saw was completely different from the peaceful and tranquil town he had imagined.
As soon as he stepped into the town, Jon was immediately shocked by the scene before him. This once prosperous town was now shrouded in bloodshed and chaos.
On both sides of the street, the stone houses still stood, but the doors were open, and the blood slowly flowing from the houses told the tragic stories that had happened inside.
The residents of Oxcross Town were scattered everywhere, dressed in commoners' clothes, their faces twisted, their lifeless eyes accusing the cruelty of violence.
Jon's gaze swept through the crowd, landing on the Northern warriors carrying blood-stained weapons. They roamed about, their faces beaming with smug and arrogant smiles, loudly discussing the wealth they had plundered from the "brutal" Westerlanders.
Those words, those laughs, sounded so harsh and cruel to Jon. These were warriors loyal to his father, loyal to his brother, yet committing atrocities under the banner of the direwolves.
Jon's heart was filled with anger and grief. He couldn't imagine how this once vibrant and lively town had fallen to such a state in such a short time. He couldn't even imagine how those innocent civilians had lost their lives and dignity under the shadow of violence.
Meanwhile, Ethan had calmed down. He rode his horse slowly through the street, his thoughts drifting back to the horrifying scenes he had witnessed when he first arrived in this world in Redstone Village. Those memories made him acutely aware that the army he served was essentially no different from the pirates he had slaughtered.
After walking two streets, Ethan still hadn't found any civilians who needed his help. He stopped a soldier and asked, "Excuse me, have you seen where the Young Wolf is?"
The soldier quickly tucked a blood-stained gold chain into his pocket and replied suspiciously, "Young Wolf? He and the other officers are in that big house."
Ethan looked in the direction the soldier pointed and saw a two-story house with high walls. Based on his experience, he judged that it must be the residence of the local garrison commander—a guardian knight in the south.
So Ethan rode toward the house. Upon arriving, he asked the guard at the door, "Excuse me, is the Young Wolf here?"
The guard looked up and, seeing his appearance, smiled and said, "Captain Ethan, do you need to see the Young Wolf?"
Ethan replied, "Yes, please inform him."
He then tossed the guard a silver deer. The guard accepted the money and went inside to report. After a moment he came out and said, "The Young Wolf is discussing the next strategic move with the other generals. Please wait a moment."
Ethan nodded, and after a short wait, another guard came out and beckoned to him. The guard then said to Ethan, "It's all right, you can go in."
Ethan led Jon into the mansion, and as soon as they entered the gate, they noticed bloodstains on the floor. A middle-aged woman, one side of her face swollen, was kneeling on the floor wiping it with a rag.
Guided by his personal guards, Ethan and Jon entered a study. Robb was sitting in a cushioned chair in the study, resting with his eyes closed.
"Young Wolf," Ethan said.
"Captain Ethan, what is it?" Robb asked, opening his eyes.
"Your Grace," Ethan said solemnly, "I just entered the town and witnessed many local corpses. Our soldiers are looting and killing indiscriminately. This is extremely dishonorable. I implore you to immediately order a halt to the looting of civilians and to punish those soldiers who have committed murder!"
Robb stood up, looking intently at Ethan, and asked, "Captain Ethan, in what capacity are you speaking to me? Are you an envoy of Anshe, or just an ordinary mercenary?"
Ethan firmly replied, "Your Grace, we came south from the North seeking fairness and justice. Looting and massacring civilians is absolutely unjust."
Robb questioned, "Captain Ethan… don't you know the Westerlanders committed far worse crimes in the Riverlands? What these Westerlanders are experiencing today is merely a small punishment for their past sins! This is just one town; do you know how many villages in the Riverlands have suffered? How many people have died here, and how many have died in the Riverlands?"
Ethan argued forcefully, "But it was the noble cavalry who led their troops to ravage the Riverlands, not these innocent civilians who harmed the Riverlands."
Robb retorted, "What difference does it make? Aren't those serving in the army their fathers, brothers, sons, and nephews?"
Ethan firmly stated, "Your Grace, those who seek justice must not create new injustices!"
"Enough, Ethan! I am not your student, nor a follower of Anshe; I am your king. You only need to obey my orders. Now, please leave!" Robb's voice carried an unquestionable authority.
Upon hearing this, Ethan placed the bundle he was carrying on the table in front of Robb and lifted the tattered, blood-stained garment to reveal a head beneath, its expression forever frozen in fury. "This woman's family was murdered by your soldiers, and she herself was raped and beheaded. How are you any different from Tywin Lannister!"
Robb stared at the gruesome head on the table, his heart pounding. He drew his sword abruptly and roared, "How dare you speak to me like that?!
Guards!"
Instantly several guards appeared at the study doorway, the atmosphere tense and ready to strike.
Seeing this, Jon—who knew his teacher's strength well—immediately stepped forward and grabbed his brother's hand, his eyes filled with pleading. "Robb, no!"
Robb glanced at Jon, then, seeing this, took a deep breath, sheathed his sword, waved for the guards to leave, and coldly said, "You may leave, Ethan. Don't let me see you again."
Ethan stared intently at Robb's face, his eyes filled with disappointment and anger. He had never found this strong and handsome young man so repulsive.
He turned and pushed aside the guards blocking the doorway, striding out of the study.
In the study, Robb asked Jon, "Has your teacher gone mad? He dares to question me over the lives of a few civilians?"
Jon replied, "Robb, that's just my teacher's nature—he hates evil as if it were his enemy." He hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Did you really order the massacre of these people?"
Robb looked at his brother's face, slumped weakly into his chair, and said, "I didn't order the looting and slaughter; I just didn't stop it.
Jon, these warriors followed me from my homeland to the South, gathering under the banner of the Direwolves to fight for our family. I can't leave them with nothing. They could push me to the top…"
"The throne, of course, can also drag me down—I don't know what my father would do if he were still here, and I desperately wish he were by my side right now."
Jon listened, paused for a moment, and said, "Robb, I'm not you—I don't know what to do either, but let's end this as soon as possible."
Robb nodded. "Let them have their fun for one night. At dawn I will order a halt to all looting, and any further acts of violence will be treated as crimes."
At this moment lightning was already roaring downstairs. Jon knew that his teacher was calling him, so he bid farewell to Robb. "I'm going. Take good care of yourself."
"I will."
Robb waved, indicating that Jon could leave. Jon nodded to him and quickly went downstairs to catch up with his teacher.
When Jon caught up with his master Ethan on his mount, he found him still looking angry, so Jon quickly explained, "Master, Robb said he would order a halt to all looting at dawn!"
Ethan sneered and retorted, "So, are you reminding me that as long as the soldiers of the North kill all the civilians in this town before dawn, they won't have committed a crime?!"
Jon quickly shook his head to clarify, "That's not what I meant. Robb doesn't want to see that happen either. But as commander, he can't completely control everyone's behavior."
Ethan interrupted Jon, saying, "Since he is the commander…"
"Sir, then he must bear all the credit and blame.
Just like me."
Having said that, he gave Jon no further chance to explain, lightly lashing his whip to urge Lightning to speed back to camp.
Meanwhile, under Kevin's organization, Ethan's warriors were already lined up.
Conrad came over, took the reins for Ethan, and asked with concern, "Commander, what happened?"
Ethan dismounted and said in a deep voice, "The Northerners have looted this town."
Conrad's eyes widened in anger, and he shouted furiously, "Damn it! They went in and looted the town, but left us in this godforsaken place!"
Eddie walked over and patted Conrad on the shoulder, trying to soothe him. "There's nothing we can do about it. That's the rule.
Mercenaries like us can only go in after the nobles' regular soldiers have finished looting. If we go in now and a conflict breaks out, we'll be punished."
Ethan fell silent upon hearing the two vice-captains' words, a chill running through him.
"So, you want to go in and rob them too?" he asked in a low voice, his eyes filled with disappointment.
Eddie and Conrad exchanged a glance, then said doubtfully, "Commander, that's where our mercenaries' income really comes from. If we can't plunder, why would we risk our lives?"
Ethan smiled wryly. "I remember that in my military discipline, not plundering civilians is the second rule."
Eddie argued, "Ah, I thought that applied to the people under the rule of our allies. This is enemy territory!"
Ethan was taken aback for a moment, then burst out laughing. "So that's what you were thinking! I've been wrong all along!"
He turned to Kevin and ordered, "Pack our luggage."
Kevin replied dejectedly, "Yes, sir."
While Kevin busied himself packing, Ethan addressed the Silver Hand warriors standing in formation.
He said, "My initial intention in forming this army was never to plunder wealth or become noble.
I simply hoped to gather a group of like-minded brothers who could join together in the future to save the world and carry out Anshe's will.
Therefore, when Robb Stark invited me to join the Northern Army in the name of seeking justice and revenge, I gladly accepted. I thought I could seek justice in this war.
However, along the way—whether in the Westerlands army or the Northern army—I have not seen a glimmer of justice. What I have witnessed is only a group of high-ranking nobles wantonly manipulating power."
"A game."
Ethan's tone was filled with helplessness and disappointment regarding this war. "And those commoners who toil in the fields, earning a living with their own hands, have their lives used as bargaining chips by these nobles, ruthlessly placed on the gambling table.
I realize that seeking justice through the armies of these noble lords was my naïveté and a mistake. But I don't want to continue down this wrong path; I want to correct it."
At this point Ethan made a difficult decision. "I've decided to leave the Northern Army. Who among you is willing to come with me?!"
The entire warband fell silent; no one uttered a sound.
Ethan stared at the crowd, somewhat bewildered. He tentatively asked his vice-captain, "Eddie, don't you want to come with me?"
Eddie answered honestly, "Captain, I joined the Silver Hand to make money, not to be a good person."
Then Ethan turned to Conrad. "Conrad, what about you?"
A flicker of recollection crossed Conrad's eyes. "Sixteen years ago Duke Eddard led his troops into King's Landing. That night was known as the 'Night of the Wolves.'
Although I was young then, I was able to participate—compared to the cruelty of that night, what is this now?"
Ethan sighed helplessly and continued, "And what about you three—Vitaly, Fibert, and Cain—"
The three men, who came from mountain tribes and had been promoted to squad leaders by Ethan, answered in unison, "Commander, we came out of the Wolfswood to make money! As for who we kill, does that really matter?"
"Exactly, isn't the purpose of being a soldier and getting paid for money?"
Infantry and cavalry alike, free men and mountain tribesmen alike echoed.
Listening to their words, the light in Ethan's eyes gradually faded, leaving only a gloomy expression.
However, at that moment Morse—the long-range rifleman from the third squad—stepped forward and said firmly, "Commander, I'll go with you! You saved my life, you paid me, and you taught me how to fight. I don't understand why you value the lives of enemy civilians so much, but whatever you say, I'll do."
Tran, the soldier carrying a crossbow beside Morse, also stepped forward without hesitation, his voice firm. "Commander Ethan, you are the best and fairest leader I've ever followed. Whatever you tell me to do, I'll do."
Immediately afterward Martha, the captain of the medical team, also stepped forward, expressing her support. "Commander, what my brother said is what I also want to say."
Then several more people in the squad stepped forward, silently expressing their support for Ethan through their actions, though they remained silent.
Looking at the resolute expressions on their faces, Ethan's throat tightened.
Before this moment he had begun to reflect on his persistence and beliefs, questioning whether all of this was truly worth such sacrifice and loneliness.
However, it was the support and trust of these ten people that touched his heart like a warm current. He saw the brilliance of humanity and felt the warmth and strength from the souls of his companions.
The appearance of these supporters made him realize once again that although the road ahead was fraught with difficulties, he was not alone.
Thus the light of hope rekindled in Ethan's eyes.
He turned to his liaison officer and asked in a hoarse voice, "Lennar, what about you?"
The bard Lennar, from the Westerlands, answered without hesitation, "Ha—if I don't go with you, am I supposed to go with Lord Robb to rob my fellow countrymen?"
Finally Ethan's gaze fell on Jon. "Jon, it's your turn. Will you go with me, or with your brother?"
Jon struggled, saying, "Master, won't you reconsider? Robb—the Young Wolf—doesn't want to do this either—"
Ethan shook his head, saying nothing more.
Meanwhile Kevin had already packed the luggage and placed it on the packhorses, and Ethan ignored the warriors who had chosen to stay.
He mounted Lightning and galloped toward the River Road without a second thought.
At the same time the other eleven warriors—including Lennar—each carrying weapons and equipment, exchanged glances with their former comrades. They bid farewell, silently mounted their horses, and followed Ethan into the distance.
Once Ethan and his warriors had completely disappeared into the night, Eddie and the others who remained began to whisper amongst themselves.
Conrad seemed quite worried, concerned that the Northern Army's high command would hold a grudge against the remaining men for Ethan's departure. He asked anxiously, "Eddie, are we just going to let Ethan go like this?"
Eddie replied helplessly, "What else can we do? Can you or any of us stop him?"
Conrad pointed to the faintly visible town of Oxcross in the distance and suggested, "Should we report this to Derek?"
Eddie shook his head, refusing the suggestion. "Forget it. After all, we were once comrades. Let's part ways amicably."
In truth, from the beginning their choice to follow Ethan was based solely on his healing abilities, not on his beliefs or ideals.
Once a replacement for Ethan was found, his existence would no longer be so important, and might even become an obstacle to their progress.
Then Eddie turned to Jon and asked, "Jon, can you still cast your light spells? Ethan's fees were too low. If you were to perform, I think the price could be increased appropriately."
However Jon looked at the middle-aged man with indifferent eyes and replied, "Who said I would stay?"
With that he spurred his horse and, like an arrow released from a bow, swiftly charged into the deep darkness in the direction Ethan had gone.
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