City Hall.

David saw Reina deep in thought.

"What's the situation now?" David asked directly.

Just recently, he had received news that the Marquis of Mu Gui at the Northern Fortress was seriously injured.

"The Marquis of Mu Gui is not in good shape."

Reina spoke gravely.

From the information they received, it seemed the Marquis of Mu Gui's old wounds had flared up.

Although the people of the Dusk Turtle Clan are long-lived, they have numerous hidden ailments from years on the front lines.

"I need to make a trip to the Northern Fortress." David spoke solemnly.

The Marquis of Mu Gui is the commander of the Northern Fortress; he must go there to stabilize the situation.

Reina listened, her face showing concern.

She always felt things weren't that simple; the timing of the Marquis of Mu Gui's fall was too coincidental.

"Don't worry."

"I already have a plan."

David had naturally thought of this and began further collecting information from various places.

...

Three days later.

David stealthily headed to the Northern Fortress.

As he approached the Northern Fortress, he felt the aura of the Ice Barrier.

Utilizing his control over the Ice Barrier, David quietly entered the Northern Fortress without attracting any attention.

Then, David infiltrated the residence of the Marquis of Mu Gui.

Now, the entire residence was filled with patrolling knights; normally, no one could enter the Marquis of Mu Gui's room.

David went to find the eldest son of the Marquis, now the captain of the Dusk Turtle Knight Order.

"Lord Duke!"

The Captain Mugu looked surprised to see David.

David nodded and entered the knight camp to inquire about the Marquis's condition.

The Captain Mugu shook his head; his father's old wounds indeed flared up.

But these injuries should have long since healed, it was unclear why they suddenly erupted.

David nodded thoughtfully.

Then, without saying much, he directly took out the Oath of Loyalty.

"Lord Duke, this is..." Captain Mugu was somewhat puzzled.

David spoke solemnly: "Now with the Marquis of Mu Gui seriously injured, I intend to let you manage the Northern Fortress for now."

"Thus, I need you to reaffirm your allegiance to me."

Upon hearing this, Captain Mugu's expression turned serious, as he began to read the Oath of Loyalty.

"I swear to the Lord, to offer my loyalty and life..."

"No matter what enemies and challenges I face, I will fight for the Lord, never retreating."

"If I break my vow, let the Power of Contract take away everything..."

After confirming there were no issues with the Oath of Loyalty, he began pledging allegiance and signing his name.

"I accept your loyalty."

As David's voice fell, the contract was fulfilled.

The Heart of Contract within him surged, intertwining between his and Captain Mugu's souls.

The Marquis of Mu Gui was startled, vaguely sensing an indescribable bond formed between him and the Lord.

David nodded satisfactorily, rolling up the scroll, "Good, from now on, you are the new commander of the Northern Fortress."

Captain Mugu bowed and said, "Thank you for trusting me, Lord Duke."

"Next, summon the other nobles and officials here."

"Oh, and don't inform them of my presence at the Northern Fortress yet."

Following the instructions, Captain Mugu obliged and withdrew.

Soon, nobles and officials arrived, all very surprised to see David.

"Lord Duke." They all knelt on one knee in respect.

David nodded and directly took out an Oath of Loyalty, asking these nobles to sign it.

This time coming to the Northern Fortress, he was fully prepared, waiting for these nobles to pledge their loyalty.

Possessing the Heart of Contract, once the contract is fulfilled, it cannot be violated!

All that was needed was for every noble and official in the Northern Fortress to sign an Oath of Loyalty, and he could completely control the situation there!

This was not difficult.

Though these nobles and officials were puzzled by the Lord Duke's actions, they all eagerly signed the Oath of Loyalty.

Before signing, they also checked and found nothing wrong with the Oath of Loyalty; some could even recite it backward.

Certainly, some nobles and officials were very apprehensive, but in such circumstances, refusal was impossible, or they'd be openly betraying.

Facing the Lord Duke, whose power reached Tier Six, even the slightest insinuation meant they couldn't leave this meeting room.

Simultaneously, they instinctively felt the oath was no big deal; taking the oath was one thing, adhering to it was another.

"Alright, now that everyone has signed the Oath of Loyalty, we can talk."

David's gaze swept over the nobles present, "Speak, who among you has chosen to pledge allegiance to the Silver Moon Royal Family."

Upon hearing him, the nobles in the hall were all tense, clearly not expecting Duke Frost Wolf to ask directly.

Everyone remained silent, with some genuinely unaware and others having suspicions.

Another portion indeed had guilty consciences, thinking that not speaking would leave Frost Wolf Duke with no recourse against them.

Some were even angry.

The Northern Lands rightfully belong to the Silver Moon Kingdom, including Duke Frost Wolf, who should naturally pledge allegiance to the Silver Moon Royal Family.

But just as the thought flashed in their minds, suddenly they felt a tightening in their hearts, as though an invisible force was suppressing their souls!

As David consciously activated the Heart of Contract, this sensation became even more palpable in their minds.

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