Snowflakes were flying and the biting cold wind was constantly washing over the entire Maribo area.

The breath of war also lurked temporarily under the white snow.

In Brenner Castle, about ten miles away from Maribo City, it is as warm as spring.

The fireworks in the fireplace crackled and sparks splashed from time to time, spreading the temperature to every inch of the room.

Lu Qi, wearing a black top, was sitting at the desk, holding a quill in his hand and writing something on the paper.

Half a month has passed since the Battle of Maribo.

As the Nilfgaardians retreated to the Soden region, the King of Temeria, who was leading the expedition in person, was finally able to lead his royal guards back to Vizima to meet the incoming Royal Army of Redania.

As a result of summoning the vassal troops, Field Marshal John Natalis, who was belatedly arriving, took over the defense work in the Maribo and Soden areas and began to build fortifications and repair the city walls in preparation for the war after the spring.

.

Lu Qi, who came to Brenner, also began to adapt to the life of a medieval noble lord.

When the elders of the towns and villages came to see the new lord, he issued his first decree-to exempt all the people in the Barony of Brunner from taxes for one year!

This act of kindness immediately won him the support of the people in the territory.

He did this not because he was a philanthropist, but for a reason.

In the past few months, a war tax has been levied on the people of Maribor due to the Nilfgaardian invasion.

If it were levied again now, the people would definitely suffer miserably.

Anyway, the money he has, plus the gold rewarded by the king, is enough for him to use for a while.

Therefore, he followed the trend and exempted taxes. On the one hand, it allowed the people to recuperate and recuperate. On the other hand, he could also gain a wave of public support, killing two birds with one stone!

Immediately afterwards, Lu Qi took advantage of the situation and issued a recruitment notice and began to recruit troops.

The name "Black Hawk of Temeria", coupled with generous benefits, has attracted mercenaries from Temeria, even Redania, Kaedwen and other places.

In just one week, the two thousand members of the Black Hawk Knights were quickly recruited.

Next, there is rigorous training to combine these mercenaries who are accustomed to fighting in small groups into an army that obeys orders.

For Lu Qi, mercenaries with rich combat experience are more useful than new recruits who need to grow up.

Anyway, once the battle begins, formation, tactics, etc. are not important at all. They only need to follow closely behind him, charge towards the enemy, and then harvest the heads...

You know, Lu Qi at this time has become much stronger than when he first came to the wizarding world.

He can be 100% sure that without the participation of warlocks, no army can resist his sword!

Of course, he won't stop growing stronger just yet.

That's why he planned to write to Keira and invite her to come to Brenner as a guest...

Shaking his head, Lu Qi suppressed the thoughts in his mind, folded the paper he had written, put it into an envelope, and sealed it with wax, when suddenly there was a knock on the door.

"Your Excellency, it's me."

"Come in."

As soon as he finished speaking, a bald man wearing brown light armor with a black eagle emblem embroidered on his chest pushed open the door and entered.

The person coming is none other than the former captain of the Yellow Thorns Mercenary Team, the current Temerian Knight and the deputy leader of the Black Hawk Knights, Jillian!

When he came to the desk, he paused and bowed to Lu Qi. Then the deputy leader looked at the black-haired man who was ten years younger than him with eyes full of respect:

"Sir, what do you want from me?"

"Yes, a very important thing..."

While muttering, Lu Qi put down his quill, slowly raised his head, looked directly into the man's eyes with his deep black eyes, and said in a deep voice:

"Tell me, Jillian, do you crave power?"

As soon as these words came out, the bald deputy leader was stunned, with a look of confusion on his face:

"Sir, what do you mean? I don't quite understand."

"You should know that I can use magic, right?"

As he spoke, Lu Qi snapped his fingers, and an orange flame suddenly appeared on his fingertips, dancing nimbly.

Seeing this, Jillian couldn't help but swallowed his saliva, then nodded and said:

"I know."

Getting up from his seat, Lu Qi left the desk, walked slowly towards him, and continued without forgetting:

"Not long ago, I developed a very precious magic potion. With just one dose, ordinary people can undergo huge changes and gain more powerful power."

After a pause, Lu Qi's hand suddenly changed and he took out a transparent red potion from the [Item Space].

In the last [clearance lottery], in addition to a useless item, he also drew a box of A virus.

There are five A-viruses stored inside, which can turn five people into biochemical warriors whose strength and speed exceed human limits.

Taking out the A-virus and creating biochemical warriors was an idea that Lu Qi had long had after coming to the Wizarding World.

It's just that I haven't found a suitable candidate, so I put it on hold.

Now, he has become a baron of Temeria, and also has his own fief and an army under his command.

The power has begun to take shape, and it is time to cultivate its own direct lineage.

After all, as the boss of a powerful force, he can't do everything by himself...

Most importantly, after observing closely, he finally found the right person he could trust.

That is the bald man in front of him who knows how to repay his kindness, is capable and responsible, and obeys his words!

"So, I want to ask you, do you want to be like me and have invincible power on the battlefield?"

Hearing this, having seen Lu Qi's invincible heroic appearance on the battlefield, Jillian almost got excited and agreed immediately.

However, his reason still allowed him to calm down a little, and then he asked:

"Sir, may I venture to ask, does this medicine have any side effects?"

Waving his hand, Lu Qi responded casually:

"I understand your concerns, but don't worry, it won't make you look like a monster, nor will it make your brain stupid. It will only make your body stronger. As for the side effects...

."

Touching his smooth chin, Lu Qi continued: "In a sense, you are no longer an ordinary human, but a mutant."

"Mutants...you mean beings like witchers?"

"That's right, but your appearance won't change in any way,"

Hearing this, Jillian, who was somewhat hesitant, immediately made up his mind.

I saw him with a solemn expression, kneeling on one knee, raising his head, and said with great seriousness:

"In this case, I am very happy to accept the power you give me!"

Seeing this, Lu Qi raised the corner of his mouth, walked forward slowly, unscrewed the A virus potion in his hand, handed it to Jillian's hand, and said in a deep voice like a devil whispering:
Chapter completed!