Chapter 10 Deterrence
The forest suddenly became quiet.
Carter's painful gasps became crystal clear—like someone trying to drink up the ocean through a tiny straw.
Soon, Carter's futile struggle ceased in desperation.
Only the sound of blood dripping to the ground remained.
The next moment, Todd's angry voice sounded again:
"Master Caesar, do you know what you are doing!"
Gavin and the others saw this and hurried forward, ready to stop Todd.
Looking at the menacing Todd, Samwell knew that he couldn't show his timidity especially at this time.
So instead of retreating, he advanced, and angrily said:
"Todd Flower! What do you want to do? How dare you draw your sword at me!"
Todd stopped immediately after pulling out half of the long sword.
Seeing this, Samwell took another step forward and said:
"What did Carter do that you really don't know?"
Todd's mouth moved, and before he could say anything, Samwell, who was opposite him, took another step forward and said:
"Why should I kill Carter, you don't know in your heart?"
"How dare you swear to the Seven Gods that you have no knowledge of what Carter did?"
"Lady Olenna asked you to serve me, and that's what you did?"
"Come on, draw your sword! Draw out your sword, we will never die tonight!"
Facing Samwell's pressing step by step, Todd lost his momentum at the beginning. The long sword in his hand seemed to be stuck in the sheath, and he never pulled it out.
Seeing this, Samwell secretly heaved a sigh of relief.
He knew that the most dangerous moment tonight was over.
Todd's sword was not drawn out just now, and it will never be drawn out again.
After relaxing, Samwell felt his violent heartbeat and churning in his abdomen. He put his hands trembling from the first murder behind his back, and tried his best to keep calm.
Although the risk is great, Carter must die!
Otherwise, he will lose the initiative to develop the team, and even lose control over his own life.
This is absolutely intolerable to him.
Todd also calmed down, but seeing Carter hanging upside down to die, he still felt an uncontrollable anger rising in his heart, as well as a touch that he didn't even want to admit—
Fear!
After getting along for more than a month, Todd of course already knew that the rumored useless eldest son of the Tully family was not a waste at all.
But he didn't expect this person to be so ruthless and decisive.
Todd took a deep breath, let go of the hilt, and said in a deep voice:
"Lord 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 be willing to sincerely assist you to open up your territory when they are angry. Some irrational guys may even come to To trouble you, you must know that we are now in the wilderness, not in the castle."
Samwell said in a relaxed tone:
"What's so difficult about it? Just say that Carter was caught in a bandit's trap and unfortunately died, isn't that all right?"
Todd snorted softly and said:
"My lord, as a knight, you should understand that honesty is a virtue!"
"Really?" The corners of Samwell's mouth curled up, "Then, honest Knight Todd, please tell me, what is the purpose of Madam Olenna sending you here?"
Todd choked for a moment and stopped talking.
Samwell continued with a smile:
"Actually, if you don't tell me, I can guess."
Todd glanced at Samwell, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Samwell came to Todd and whispered a word in his ear—
"Pirates."
"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.
"You should be the illegitimate child of the Redwyne family, right?"
"That's right." Todd finally said, "My father is Sir Desmond."
This is not a secret, and it is not difficult to guess.
After all, "Queen of Thorns" Mrs. Olenna was born in the Redwyne family of Arbor Island, so it is reasonable to send an illegitimate son of the family to follow Samwell to develop.
Samwell said with a smile: "When Mrs. Olenna asked me to come here to open up, I had a big doubt - that is this new territory, what will I do for a living?"
Todd seemed to understand a little after hearing this.
Samwell continued:
"The land in the Crimson Mountains is barren, and it is certainly impossible to grow livestock for a living, and it is not like Casterly Rock City, which has gold mines under its buttocks. So, what should people in this new territory do for a living?
Mrs. Olenna said that this place is near the sea and can do trade. Hehe, she really deceived me like a fool.
What do I trade with? Do you sell rocks?
Immediately, I noticed that the new territory Mrs. Olenna had drawn for me was just near the mouth of the Turbulent River.
The three territories on the upper reaches of the Turbulent River—Starfall City, High Hidden City, and Bremen City—are all Dornish territory!
Moreover, it is also close to the southern end of Redwyne Strait, where one of the busiest ocean trade routes leading to Dorne passes.
In this way, Dornish merchant ships can be seen everywhere near the pioneering land, whether it is the ocean or the river. Do you think I will not be able to guess what Madam Olenna wants to do? "
Hearing this, Todd couldn't hide the panic in his eyes.
Samwell still said to himself: "What's more, I have already guessed that you are from the Redwyne family on Arbor Island, and what this family lacks most are warships and sailors. Madam Lianna sent you to follow me to develop an important reason.
Even better, if this matter is exposed, I, the pioneer lord, will bear the charges, so as not to damage the reputation of the Tyrell family and the Redwyne family. This is really a good idea! "
Todd lowered his head, as if he didn't dare to face Samwell's eyes that seemed to be able to penetrate people's hearts.
Samwell sighed, patted Todd on the shoulder, and lowered his voice again:
"But have you ever thought about it? If this kind of thing is really exposed, as a knight who came to pioneer with me, even if you are not the main culprit, you can avoid the death penalty, but can you get a good reputation?"
Todd still doesn't speak.
Samwell spoke again, with a serious expression:
"I am a waste abandoned by the family, you are an illegitimate child who is not valued, we are the ones who are in the same situation! Mrs. Olenna's plan is betting on the reputation and future of both of us. Tell me, are you really Are you willing to be a marionette in her hands?"
Todd finally raised his head and said with a cold smile:
"Do we have a choice? If we don't fight hard, how can I get ahead? And you, hehe, really think that you can complete the development by yourself without the help of the Tyrell family?"
"So we should cooperate more sincerely!" Samwell tried to grab Todd's shoulder, but the other side dodged it.
Todd said flatly: "We are now cooperating to open up new territories."
"You know that's not what I meant."
"I know. But we have no choice." A trace of pain flashed in Todd's eyes, "Just like what you analyzed before, to come to this barren land to develop, besides doing what Mrs. Olenna asked, we have to Is there another way out?"
"Of course."
Todd suddenly looked up, staring at Samwell: "What way out?"
"A legitimate and legal way out." Samwell smiled mysteriously, "If you want to know, you have to swear allegiance to me first."
Todd snorted and stood still.
Samwell shrugged, not surprised.
If Todd really accepts the head and bows, he will doubt the loyalty of the other party.
After all, he is just a pioneering knight who doesn't even have a territory. It is a bit whimsical to expect the illegitimate son of Qingting Island to be loyal with a few words.
The words he said, including the previous act of killing Carter, seemed to be to deter and win Todd, but in fact, they were all for the old lady behind Todd to see.
So, seeing that Todd was unmoved, Samwell didn't feel embarrassed, and still smiled and said:
"Think about it yourself. Do you want to gamble your reputation and future to do some illegal activities, or follow me to develop and make money seriously."
After saying this, Samwell returned to the camp with his men.
Leaving Todd standing there, lost in thought.
(end of this chapter)