Witches: Starting as a Lord Marrying a Wife

As winter passed, Frost Wolf Ridge's envoys set out to the various territories.

But even faster than the envoys was the news of Duke Frost Wolf's attack on Eagle Wing Castle, where he killed the Eagle Wing Viscount and claimed the castle.

A Grand Knight!

Duke Frost Wolf had become a Grand Knight!

The news upended many assumptions.

No one could have anticipated that the "waste" duke, long unable to awaken his Frost Wolf bloodline, would ascend to such heights. Many believed that his prior weakness was merely a ruse, hiding his true strength.

This revelation sent chills down the spines of the nobles, who now feared Duke Frost Wolf's cunning.

To watch his family's vassals betray them, allowing Frost Wolf Ridge to splinter without retaliation, only to act decisively after ascending to Grand Knight, was a strategy that unnerved all who heard of it.

Duke Frost Wolf's sudden elimination of the Eagle Wing family—root and branch—showed a ruthlessness that left the region's other nobles trembling, worried that their families might be next.

Thus, when Frost Wolf Ridge's envoys arrived, these lords displayed exaggerated enthusiasm. Despite knowing the impossibility of meeting the extortionate tax demands, none dared to voice opposition.

The envoys' demands were clearly a test. Any refusal would undoubtedly summon Duke Frost Wolf himself, accompanied by his terrifying wolves.

Paying the taxes not only demonstrated loyalty but reaffirmed their status as vassals under Frost Wolf Ridge's protection. The exorbitant demands were framed as penalties and reparations.

So, despite straining their resources to the limit, these lords complied, personally delivering the taxes to Frost Wolf Ridge to pledge renewed allegiance to their new liege.

Five noble lords came forward. Their offerings were accepted, and Duke Frost Wolf formally recognized their renewed fealty.

---

In Silver Fox Town, the Silver Fox Baron had already caught wind of these developments.

His expression darkened with indecision, betraying a mix of doubt and unease.

While Eagle Wing Castle's fall and Duke Frost Wolf's supposed ascension to Grand Knight had reached his ears, he remained skeptical.

Given what he knew of the Frost Wolf family's resources, their capacity seemed sufficient only to cultivate a Tier-3 Knight. Advancing to Grand Knight would require a Tier-4 Frost Wolf Elixir, which the family likely couldn't afford.

After all, Frost Wolf Ridge's trade routes had been severed, and the key ingredient for the elixir—high-grade wolf blood grass—had long been monopolized by the other houses.

Being naturally cautious, the Silver Fox Baron neither outright refused the envoy's demands nor hastily complied, opting instead for a delaying strategy.

Even if Duke Frost Wolf had indeed become a Grand Knight, the Ice Bear family wouldn't stand idly by.

As a self-proclaimed neutral faction, the Silver Fox family aimed to weather the conflict by exploiting the gaps between the major powers.

But this time, the baron had gravely miscalculated.

Duke Frost Wolf gave the Silver Fox family three days to comply. When the deadline passed, he led the Frost Wolf Knights and his wolves directly to Silver Fox Town.

He wasted no time, cutting down all resistance. Knights who stood in his way fell to his blade, their blood staining the streets.

"This town belongs to Frost Wolf Ridge. You would dare defy your rightful lord?"

Holding his bloodied sword, Duke Frost Wolf decapitated a Silver Fox knight in full view of the townsfolk.

The Silver Fox knights, witnessing the slaughter, were paralyzed with fear, daring not to lift their weapons against him.

When the Silver Fox Baron finally emerged from his castle, he found Duke Frost Wolf and his wolves already at the gates, the corpses of his guards scattered around.

"Duke Frost Wolf," the baron greeted with a strained smile, his voice trembling.

Duke Frost Wolf fixed him with a cold gaze. "Kill every last member of the Silver Fox family."

Hearing this, the Frost Wolf Knights erupted with fervor.

Every traitor to Frost Wolf Ridge would face justice. This was the true power of the once-dominant family!

"Duke Frost Wolf, what are you doing?"

The baron's face turned ashen, his voice dropping in panic.

"Don't waste your breath."

"Your three days are up. You've made your choice—now face the consequences."

With those words, Duke Frost Wolf swung his sword, unleashing a powerful aura of battle energy toward the baron.

"Battle energy!"

The Silver Fox Baron recoiled in terror.

He hadn't believed Duke Frost Wolf was truly a Grand Knight, let alone one so relentless.

All he had done was delay his response, yet the duke was bent on eradicating the entire Silver Fox family.

"Duke Frost Wolf, you misunderstand! I've been gathering taxes to deliver to Frost Wolf Ridge—"

Desperation overtook him as he groveled.

"Misunderstand?"

"Explain it to my father in the afterlife."

With a cold snort, Duke Frost Wolf closed the distance in an instant, his Frost Wolf bloodline surging with icy power.

The Silver Fox Baron's face twisted in horror. Activating his own bloodline, he tried to flee, his speed boosted by his Silver Fox heritage.

But against a Grand Knight, even a Tier-3 Knight's agility was meaningless.

As the baron's knights threw themselves at the duke to buy time, they were met with a wall of frost.

Duke Frost Wolf's blade cut through them effortlessly, freezing their bodies and shattering them into pieces.

Moments later, the Silver Fox Baron's flight ended with his decapitation.

"Some people are just too clever for their own good."

Duke Frost Wolf dismissed the corpse col

dly, turning his gaze toward the castle.

He wondered what treasures the Silver Fox family's vault might hold.

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