In the manor hall, Gang Le hadn't finished his report when Luo De interrupted with a gesture.

"Gather everyone in the town, assemble at the town center square."

Luo De ordered without hesitation, "Arrest that Nisha and her wild man, bring them to the town center."

"Understood!"

Gang Le promptly complied, personally leading people to bring Nisha and the wild man Rand to the square.

At this moment, all the townspeople and slaves had gathered in the square, the soldiers stood neatly in line on one side, and the entire square was densely packed with over a thousand people.

The wild man couldn't understand, so Luo De had Us translate his words.

Frost Leaf Town had not yet built decorative structures like statues or fountains on its square; it was just an open space, with a notice board on one side and a simple wooden platform constructed nearby.

The platform was specifically for conveying messages, and today Luo De stood on it, with Or lying on a stretcher beside him.

The crowd automatically made way, and Nisha with her wild man were brought up.

Luo De retracted his gaze, and addressed the crowd calmly,

"Citizens of Frost Leaf Town, I promised you that if you pay your taxes and work diligently, I will protect your lives."

"So far, I have not broken my word."

"We now have over a thousand residents in our entire town, and I alone cannot safeguard everyone's safety."

"Therefore, I recruited soldiers, have them charge into battle, to protect Frost Leaf Town, and to guard Black Pine Ridge."

"The soldiers risk their lives to protect Frost Leaf Town, so I must ensure their well-being, let them be at ease."

Luo De's tone remained calm, but his voice grew louder, "Do you agree?"

"Yes!"

A unified shout immediately rang out from the orderly standing soldiers beside.

The civilians also nodded, their voices of agreement somewhat chaotic, but it did not affect their support for Luo De's words.

"Of course, they are my soldiers, fighting for me, I do not expect everyone to care for them."

Luo De's face instantly turned cold, sternly saying, "But I will not allow anyone to insult them!"

"Ah?"

"Who dares to bully the soldiers?"

"What happened?"

...

Everyone discussed, not knowing what had happened for the moment.

Soldiers have strength and weapons, who would dare to belittle them?

"Bring them up!"

Luo De shouted a stern command, Gang Le grabbed Nisha and her wild man, Rand, each by an arm, and brought them up.

Nisha and Rand were already so terrified that their legs went limp, sprawling on the ground, trembling all over.

When Luo De was angry, it was not just fury he possessed, but also the aura of a Dragon Slayer.

"This woman is the wife of my soldier; after my soldier was injured and disabled, not only did she abandon him, but she also robbed him of his food!"

Luo De's face was grim, his eyes as cold as an icy pond, looking down at the two kneeling on the ground.

"There is no religion here, I am not interested in dealing with your adulterous affairs."

Luo De's voice was leisurely, yet imbued with unquestionable authority.

In this era, affairs were not uncommon; not just commoners, even nobles who had married politically often sought solace elsewhere when emotions soured.

Only those countries under religious rule considered this a severe crime, punishing it harshly.

In the Broken Rock Empire, there were no laws against affairs, typically managed by the lord's decree.

"But your current behavior insults my soldiers, plunders their property!"

"That was the subsidy I gave them for risking their lives for me!"

"Your actions are despising your lord!"

Nisha and Rand were pale-faced, trembling as they knelt on the ground.

"Sorry, my Lord! We... we didn't know..."

Rand kowtowed repeatedly, begging for mercy in terror.

Nisha was so frightened she couldn't speak, only crying incessantly.

"You didn't know?"

Luo De's tone was as cold as a blade, "Do you think that because he lost his legs on the battlefield, I would leave him unattended?"

Luo De was not a stuffy traditionalist; as long as this Nisha could take good care of Or, many things were not important.

"Your behavior is plundering, a disrespect for the lord's credibility, a contempt for the nobility!"

"You must accept punishment!"

Luo De lifted his gaze to the gathered crowd, "Does anyone have any objections?"

The square was dead silent, not a sound.

The watching crowd glanced at each other, no one daring to speak.

The soldiers' eyes were fervent, firmly fixed on Luo De, their respect growing stronger!

They knew very well that the lord was protecting their interests!

This was also the purpose behind Luo De dramatically gathering all the townspeople!

Luo De wanted to tell everyone that no one could insult the soldiers of Frost Leaf Town.

All the soldiers might be injured at any time, or even end up disabled like Or.

If even Or could receive such assurance, it meant their future was secure!

Luo De wanted to demonstrate through action to make all soldiers understand, you charge into battle for me, I will ensure your well-being!

"Very good, no one has any objections."

Luo De's gaze fell on the two of them, "I haven't issued a decree before, so I'm not going to take your lives, but your status as free people is gone."

Luo De announced to everyone, "These two will have all their property confiscated and be turned into slaves, moreover,"

"Guards, hang them up and flog them fifty times!"

The soldiers immediately stepped forward to restrain the two.

"No, my lord, have mercy!"

Rand screamed, begging for mercy, fearing he could not survive fifty lashes!

"No!"

Nisha also cried out for mercy, but Luo De was unmoved.

Nisha then rushed toward Or,

"Or! I'm pleading with you, don't let me become a slave! I'm willing to stay, I'm willing to serve you, take care of you... please!"

Or looked at her with a complex expression.

The woman he once loved, now after betrayal, was kneeling at his feet begging for mercy.

"Or, do you still want her?"

Luo De waved his hand, frowning slightly, "I can replace her with a new wife for you."

Or remained silent for a moment, then finally shook his head, "My Lord, I beg you to find me a new wife."

Nisha instantly collapsed to the ground, as pale as a sheet.

Luo De nodded with satisfaction, waving his hand.

The soldiers understood, quickly taking the two to the execution site, their screams soon echoed from afar to the square.

The soldiers performing the execution showed no mercy.

Luo De turned to Us: "Among those captured from the Wilderness Tribe, there are quite a few suitable women, pick one for Or."

"Yes, my Lord!" Us replied.

"Thank you, my Lord." Or also nodded and saluted.

Luo De returned his gaze to the square, slowly speaking,

"Today, everyone present, listen carefully!"

"From today onward, I establish a decree - anyone daring to commit adultery with my soldiers' wives will be hanged and displayed!"

The people in the square changed their expressions, yet the eyes of the soldiers carried fervent respect.

"I don't want to see this happen again. Otherwise - you will witness my cruelty firsthand!"

"Understood, my Lord!"

The soldiers shouted in unison, their vows resonating through the square!

Or sat up straight, his eyes moist, pounding his chest hard to express his respect for Luo De!

Luo De said nothing further, jumped off the platform, and left the square.

Behind him, a cheer erupted instantly.

Gang Le looked at the excited soldiers, and sighed: "These guys will be the lord's die-hards in the future."

"They won't be more loyal than the knights."

Durant replied calmly, loudly commanding: "All soldiers, return to your posts, continue training!"

With that, he turned and left with the soldiers.

Gang Le suddenly realized,

"Why do your words sound so harsh? We're all loyal to the lord!"

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