Witches: Starting as a Lord Marrying a Wife

David spent half the day organizing the refugee settlement.

With food and shelter now provided, the refugees settled into orderly routines. They had endured too much persecution and exile to risk losing this safe haven granted by a merciful lord.

In just a short time, David earned the respect and gratitude of every refugee. His reputation as a "merciful lord" spread quickly throughout the camp.

The refugees were so protective of their new sanctuary that any attempt at disruption would see them rise up in collective defiance. This vigilance unnerved the wandering knights and mercenaries hiding among them.

Their initial plan had been to incite the refugees to attack Frostwolf Ridge and use the ensuing chaos as cover for an assassination attempt. Instead, the situation had turned against them. The refugees' cooperation and mutual surveillance made it nearly impossible to infiltrate Frostwolf Ridge—or even leave the camp unnoticed.

Realizing this, the mercenaries exchanged glances and decided to act preemptively.

They planned to assassinate David during his trip to the wilderness with his knights. Success here would allow them to complete their mission early.

David, aware of their intentions, welcomed the opportunity.

"If they make a move, I won't hold back. I'll wipe them out completely," he mused with a cold smile.

After finalizing arrangements at the refugee settlement, David left with the Grey Wolf Knight and ten knightly attendants.

"Lord David, please be cautious," the Grey Wolf Knight said with concern.

He was aware of David's recent breakthrough to Tier 2 as a knight and his impressive combat skills, displayed during the rescue of Amy. However, using himself as bait to lure out mercenaries and knights remained a dangerous gamble.

"Don't worry," David replied confidently. "Unless a Tier 4 Earth Knight personally comes to kill me, there's no danger."

What he didn't mention was that even against a Tier 4 knight, he wasn't entirely without a chance. However, there was no need to reveal such details—or his full strength—to the Grey Wolf Knight.

---

Shortly after David's departure, several wandering knights and mercenaries discreetly left the refugee camp.

"They've started moving," Princess Crystal Song remarked, her expression tense.

She had long noticed the gathering of wandering knights and suspected their target was the Frostwolf Duke.

"Roman, stop them," she commanded her knight.

Roman hesitated, then shook his head. "Princess, it's too dangerous. If I intervene, we risk exposing ourselves."

"Besides, if the Frostwolf Duke can't handle these knights and mercenaries, he's not worth trusting. We might need to consider leaving."

Crystal Song Princess shook her head firmly. "I don't believe the Frostwolf Duke is unaware of this."

Her tone was resolute. The duke's calculated actions in managing the refugee crisis demonstrated his strategic foresight.

"This journey is clearly a trap," she continued. "He's using himself as bait to lure the knights and mercenaries out of hiding. From the moment he arrived, their fate was sealed."

Her analysis sent a chill through her companion. Even she couldn't escape the duke's web of control.

Now, proving herself different from the knights and mercenaries was essential. Helping the Frostwolf Duke eliminate his enemies was her only option to gain his trust.

"I understand," Roman said, deeply impressed by her reasoning.

---

David and the Grey Wolf Knight rode along a narrow road near Frostwolf Forest, heading toward a town on the ridge.

As they neared the forest's edge, both halted abruptly.

"This is the most likely ambush point," David remarked.

The Grey Wolf Knight stepped forward and called out calmly, "Show yourselves."

Silence.

With a smirk, the knight drew his bow, nocked an arrow, and fired into the forest.

A sharp whistle cut through the air, followed by a commotion among the trees. Moments later, over a dozen figures emerged.

Dressed as adventurers, they bore the unmistakable insignia of the Blood Moon Mercenary Corps, a notorious group in the north.

The Grey Wolf Knight's expression darkened. The Blood Moon leader, a Tier 3 knight, had joined the mission personally.

"So, it's you," the knight said grimly.

Without a word, the Blood Moon leader charged with his men. He moved to engage the Grey Wolf Knight, leaving the other mercenaries to attack David.

While he knew he wasn't a match for the Grey Wolf Knight, his goal was to hold him off long enough for two full-fledged knights to kill the Frostwolf Duke.

"Protect the lord!" 

The ten knightly attendants stepped forward, swords drawn, ready to defend David even at the cost of their lives.

But before they could engage, David moved.

In a flash, he bypassed his attendants and appeared before one of the knights.

With a single swing of his sword, David unleashed the full force of his Tier 3 strength. A head flew cleanly from its body, blood spraying in an arc.

The sudden, brutal display froze the battlefield in stunned silence. 

The mercenaries stared in disbelief. One of their vice-captains

—a full-fledged knight—had been decapitated in a single strike, unable to offer any resistance.