Indeed.

The blacksmith workshop in winter can be considered a sanctuary from the cold!

Seeing Ehrelo approach, Lynn directly dismissed him.

He went to the forging area on his own, took off his hooded cloak, and immersed himself in the forging of Zha Armor Plates.

With his left hand, he held a glowing red-orange iron piece with tongs, and with his right, he swung the iron hammer.

As his arm kept swinging, the iron hammer rhythmically struck the iron block.

Ding~

Ding ding~

Ding ding ding~

In the rhythmic clashing of metal on metal, every bit of experience steadily increased.

[Forging Experience +1]

[Forging Experience +1]

...

Time flew by quickly.

By evening.

Lynn put down the iron hammer in his hand.

With a thought, he opened the Heavenly Artifacts panel and took a glance.

[Forging: Level 2 (321/500)] (+)

After tirelessly grinding for quite some time, the forging skill had finally exceeded three hundred experience points.

At most, another four or five days of grinding, and it would level up to Level 3!

Once the Nine Great Skills are all upgraded to Level 2, he will unlock most of the functions.

What features will be unlocked at Level 3?

Hope and anticipation filled Lynn's heart!

He put on the hooded cloak that Red handed to him.

His whole body burning hot, Lynn stepped out of the blacksmith workshop.

The moment he stepped out of the workshop, a blast of cold air hit him.

Lynn immediately wrapped his hooded cloak tighter around himself.

The temperature inside and outside the workshop felt like two different worlds.

Walking the streets of the small town, children in twos and threes were rolling snowballs, playing and having fun.

Among these children was Gavin's son.

Compared to when he first arrived, he was noticeably much sturdier.

Their cheeks were plump and flushed, clearly from sufficient food.

On their innocent and simple faces, there was no trace of worry.

It's only here in his territory.

They need not toil for a living, nor worry about going hungry, and even have such good conditions to receive education.

Outside the territory, as children of free people or slaves.

They would have long been sent to various posts to labor.

To get food, they would need to work, or else face hunger.

The lord wouldn't care how old a child is; in the lord's eyes, they were just like human livestock, akin to cattle or horses!

Seeing Master Lynn passing by, the children immediately stopped.

Not even realizing the cold snowball tucked into their pants just moments ago.

A few children stood upright and said in unison to Lynn, "Lord."

Their voices weren't loud, but were filled with respect.

In their eyes, you could even see admiration and adoration.

Lynn didn't need to ask to know.

Such actions and expressions naturally came from their parents teaching them how to behave when they saw the lord.

Lynn nodded slightly, withdrew his gaze, and walked past them.

Seeing Master Lynn move away with Red, clad in armor.

A somewhat youthful voice rang out from one of the children.

"One day, I'll become a man like the lord!"

Another child replied, "Did you forget what Scholar Taylor said?"

"This continent will only have one Master Lynn, how does that saying go?"

"Unparalleled and unique!"

"Yeah, that's it."

"Then… I want to become a man like Red, the Guard Captain following Master Lynn!"

"That goal might be achievable…"

...

Crossing through the town.

Lynn arrived at the open square.

Night fell.

Groups of townsmen, finished with their day's work, orderly emerged from the fields and returned to the town.

Chatting and laughing, their expressions relaxed.

Despite a day's work in the icy snow, there was no hint of complaint to be seen.

And in that crowd, Lynn spotted a familiar face.

It was Colin!

Colin was followed by a group of apprentices from the Woodworker Workshop.

Under Lynn's gaze, Colin stepped forward to him.

Colin bowed slightly and said, "Master, the moat and chevaux-de-frise outside the city walls have been dug and completed."

"I had people test it; if cavalry falls into the moat, chances are high both horse and rider would die within."

"Even if by luck they aren't impaled by stakes, the trench height makes it hard to escape."

Lynn nodded, "Well done, go have a meal at the canteen and have a good rest tonight!"

"There are more important tasks awaiting you all."

Colin gratefully bowed again and led the three hundred carpenter apprentices towards the canteen.

Whether it was digging trenches, setting trap stakes, or making chevaux-de-frise.

With enough labor, iron tools, and all carpentry apprentices.

Finishing it all in a few days isn't too fast, nor is it slow.

The reason it seemed rushed before, needing Colin to take the group immediately, was due to Lawrence leading three thousand Sword and Shield Corps eyeing them intently.

Now that the Sword and Shield Corps had left, the crisis was temporarily averted.

Moreover, snow was everywhere, the ground icy, the temperature around freezing.

In such harsh weather, if an enemy were to attack…

To breach the walls, they'd need at least eight to ten times more soldiers than his domain's army.

And even then, ample logistics support would be necessary!

Otherwise, he had no fear.

Relying on the walls and harsh weather, they could at least stalemate the enemy until spring!

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