"Traitors! Traitors! You are all traitors!"

On the earthen fortress walls, Pascal looked around, meeting cold, unfeeling gazes. His eyes bloodshot, he glared at Stephen and swung his steel sword down with all his might.

At that moment, the soldiers behind Stephen immediately grabbed Pascal and pinned him to the ground.

A faint smile appeared on Stephen’s lips as he stepped forward and shouted to Simon below. "Your Highness, I am Stephen Goldwynd. We have captured Pascal. This incident was caused by Pascal and his brothers. I beg Your Highness to spare the others."

Everything that had happened on the fortress walls was witnessed by those below. Lancelot burst into laughter, while Zephyrus’s face turned ashen.

"A wise man knows when to yield. I will honour my promise." Simon said, his heart swelling with satisfaction. In warfare, the best victory is one achieved without bloodshed.

Although Simon was not afraid of a prolonged battle with the Goldwynd family, Brambleford was still in the process of rebuilding. Such a conflict would only weaken the region further.

Moreover, the information Cedric had revealed was shocking. If true, Simon would need to station heavy troops both to the north and south, one to defend against the reavers and the other to guard against Prince Gerad.

"Open the gates!" Stephen shouted. With a creak, the gates of the fortress slowly swung open.

"Advance!" Simon said excitedly.

This was his first experience with a cold-weapon battle, and the fact that he had resolved the Goldwynd family’s threat without shedding blood gave him a small sense of accomplishment.

Just as he was about to ride into the fortress, Lancelot suddenly stopped him, saying gravely. "My Lord, be cautious. There may be a trap. For safety’s sake, let me first disarm them."

Simon felt a pang of embarrassment. He was still inexperienced, and Lancelot’s concern was valid. If Stephen was feigning surrender, Simon could be walking into a deadly trap.

Staying put, he watched as Lancelot led a thousand soldiers into the fortress.

After half an hour, a line of soldiers took control of the walls, and one of them shouted. "Your Highness, the fortress is secure."

Relieved, Simon entered the fortress with Zephyrus.

The fortress was essentially a miniature city, self-sufficient but heavily focused on military purposes.

The Goldwynd family’s fortress was three hundred meters long and wide, roughly the size of a modern middle school. It contained granaries, armouries, and housing, allowing it to sustain itself for three months, or even half a year, if cut off from the outside world.

Inside the fortress, Simon saw Pascal, bound tightly, with Lancelot and Stephen standing on either side of him.

"Your Highness," Stephen said, stepping forward to bow as Simon approached.

Simon nodded at Stephen and said calmly. "The Goldwynd family should be grateful to you. You saved their lives."

"I merely trusted in Your Highness’s wisdom and integrity to keep your word," Stephen replied, though his heart was heavy with worry. With the Goldwynd family’s private soldiers disarmed, they would be defenceless if Simon decided to go back on his promise.

Simon smiled. "I always keep my word. I will not kill you."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Stephen said, letting out a slight sigh of relief. He hesitated for a moment before asking. "Your Highness, what about the Goldwynd family’s assets..."

Lancelot snorted coldly. "You’re quite greedy. Her Highness the Princess originally intended to execute your entire clan. It was only at His Highness’s request that she spared your lives. And now you dare to covet the Goldwynd family’s wealth?"

Stephen immediately apologised, a cold sweat breaking out on his back. "Captain Lancelot is absolutely right. This commoner was being greedy."

"However," Simon interjected. "I can allow you to reclaim the lands registered under your names, on the condition that you help me dismantle the fortresses in the other cities."

As soon as Lancelot finished speaking, Simon added his own terms.

Stephen’s eyes lit up. He understood Simon’s intention: to have him organise the Goldwynd family’s assets while disbanding the private soldiers in the fortresses of the other cities.

Over the years, Cedric and his sons had monopolised most of the Goldwynd family’s wealth, leaving little for the rest of the family. Even so, with the assets they could reclaim, they would be able to live comfortably for the rest of their lives.

Having grown accustomed to a life of luxury, being left with nothing would be a fate worse than death. This was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up, and he readily agreed.

"In that case, go and handle this matter. I will send people to accompany you." Simon said.

Stephen left with the other Goldwynd family members, and the fortress was officially taken over by the Brambleford army. Simon had to admit that, despite his disdain for the earthen walls, the fortress was otherwise well-constructed.

With some modifications, it could serve as another military camp.

After successfully taking the Goldwynd family’s fortress, Baldwin arrived upon hearing the news. He would handle the task of inventorying the remaining supplies.

"My Lord, achieving victory without bloodshed is truly remarkable," Baldwin said, impressed after learning the details.

Lancelot finally mustered the courage to ask. "My Lord, what was in those bottles you had us throw? They were terrifying."

"That’s sulfuric acid. You wouldn’t understand even if I explained it. Go ask James if you’re curious." Simon replied.

He then turned to Baldwin and spoke. "The Goldwynd family’s assets are extensive. Follow Stephen to take inventory and make sure he doesn’t tamper with anything, especially the Goldwynd family’s mines."

"Yes, My Lord. But aren’t you worried about Stephen helping the Goldwynd family rise again?" Baldwin asked.

"By the time the Goldwynd family could rise again, I could probably crush them with a single finger," Simon said with a laugh. "Besides, I’ve spoken to Richard. Stephen and the others are nothing like Cedric and Pascal. They have little loyalty to the family, and the assets under their names are minimal. At most, they’ll live as wealthy commoners, incapable of causing any major trouble. On the other hand, if I killed them, anyone with blood ties to the Goldwynd family would fight to the death."

Baldwin nodded, feeling reassured. Simon had truly grown a lot recently, learning to consider the bigger picture.

The Goldwynd family’s lands and businesses were one thing, but there was also the matter of their private soldiers.

These soldiers were slaves and servants purchased by the Goldwynd family, previously led by family members. With the Goldwynd family’s downfall, these people were left without a purpose.

After some thought, Simon decided to hand them over to Lancelot to be incorporated into the army, as they had already received some training.

"Thank you, My Lord. I’ll take these men with me." Lancelot said with a grin.

Since these people were still slaves and had no freedom, they had previously relied on the Goldwynd family for survival. Now, without the Goldwynd family, they had no idea how to fend for themselves.

Being drafted into the army was a relief for them, as it at least guaranteed them food and shelter.

The Goldwynd family’s private soldiers in the fortress numbered over two thousand. In peacetime, they were labourers, but in war, they became soldiers, a system not unlike a construction corps.

However, their loyalty might still be questionable. But with political officers in the army, that issue could be addressed.