As the voice fell.
An exceptionally tall and burly Northern soldier strode forward.
Taking off his slightly loose helmet, he revealed a weather-beaten face with hard lines. Behind him, four other soldiers followed.
Seeing this, the corners of Corleone's mouth rose slightly.
His actions just now were not aimless. Relying on [Insight Lv1], he had long noticed that this group of Karstark soldiers was not a monolith.
Whether during the previous battle, rest, or even watching the interrogation just now, there were always these three or five people subconsciously keeping a certain distance from the majority of their companions.
Their expressions were cold, even carrying a trace of imperceptible contempt.
When Corleone proposed using Arya to threaten the Hound, disgust and indignation clearly flashed across these few people's faces.
Having disagreement meant there were cracks to be exploited.
"Let's see!"
The tall soldier's voice was loud and clear, looking around mockingly: "What great deeds the brave soldiers of House Karstark are doing!"
"Gathering to bully a defenseless little girl?"
His expression was utterly disdainful. Hearing this, Ragg immediately stepped forward, blocking the other's path.
"Stop, Halson!"
"We are interrogating for the whereabouts of the Gold Dragons!"
"If you're willing to take a share, then watch quietly. If you're stupid enough not to take money, don't dictate here either!"
The tall soldier named Halson scoffed again upon hearing this: "Really smart, Ragg!"
"Because of a few inexplicable words from a stranger, and those ethereal Gold Dragons, you can lay hands on a defenseless little girl?"
"Look clearly, her name is Arya Stark, the biological sister of the King in the North. Stark blood flows in her veins. They have ruled the North for ten thousand years, respected by all Northern people. How can your filthy hands touch her!"
"Truly fucking shameless!"
His tone was stern. This righteous questioning instantly choked Ragg into silence, his face flushing red.
"You..."
"I'm doing this for the brothers. What do you know? How can this count as bullying!"
Then came stammering words like "honor," "Gold Dragons," and the like, filling the woods with an awkward atmosphere.
Seeing this, Halson sneered. Just as he was about to provoke again, a more sinister voice came from behind.
"Quite the majestic air, Halson."
He turned his head, only to see Stole, who was originally taking care of Hogg, had walked over at some point. Pacing forward, he stood face to face with Halson, his face gloomy.
The two were similar in build, and their auras were neck and neck.
"What, became a squad leader and think you're so tough? If you become the captain of Karhold's guards in the future, won't you even disregard House Karstark?"
Stole spoke again, pressing a step closer. His voice was lowered but more threatening: "Don't forget, you pledged loyalty to the White Sunburst, not the Direwolf of Winterfell!"
"What has House Stark given us?"
"That damn bastard personally chopped off Earl Rickard's head!"
Hearing this, Halson narrowed his eyes slightly, meeting Stole's gaze unflinchingly: "Of course I haven't forgotten!"
"I dare not forget Earl Rickard's vengeance for a moment!"
But then he changed the subject: "You want revenge on the Kingslayer, I'll follow. You want to take Lady Stark to force Robb Stark to admit his mistake and repent, I can ignore that too!"
"But under my nose, using such despicable means to insult and torture a little girl, a Stark, is not okay!"
"The honor of Karhold warriors cannot be sullied like this!"
"Honor? Hahaha!"
Stole seemed to have heard a huge joke: "Since we left Karhold and headed south, you repeatedly stopped brothers from seizing spoils, saying slaughtering those damn commoners wasn't honorable."
"Fine, it's just a little money, I endured it!"
Suddenly, his voice became shrill: "But today, these forty thousand Gold Dragons concern the future livelihood and capital for revenge for all of us. That money is enough for me to buy a large territory, even exchange for an earldom!"
"I'm taking the gold. Even the Seven Gods can't keep it, I said so!"
Seeing Stole reveal his true colors, Halson stared dead at those eyes filled with greed and reprimanded: "I saw it long ago, Harrag Stole."
"You claim it's to avenge Earl Rickard, but in reality, it's purely for money!"
Schwing!!
Seeing the facade torn and Halson still unwavering, Stole's patience finally ran out.
He suddenly drew the blade at his waist, pointing straight at the other: "Do you want to test if the sword in my hand is sharp?"
"My sword isn't dull either!"
Simultaneously, Halson also drew his longsword to confront him.
Swords drawn, bows bent!
The soldiers behind Stole drew their weapons one after another, and Ragg impatiently raised his sword.
Behind Halson, four soldiers also unhesitatingly drew their blades and stood by his side. Although outnumbered, their momentum wasn't weak at all.
In an instant, the air seemed to solidify.
Cold light reflected constantly between swords, illuminating faces on both sides, seeming to reveal a hint of fighting to the death.
However, Corleone noticed a trace of hesitation flash in Stole's eyes.
Well, looks like they won't fight.
He shook his head slightly in disappointment, but on second thought, it felt reasonable.
After all, they were now south of Harrenhal, likely to encounter Lannister armies at any time. As the captain, unless Stole was stupid to the extreme, he wouldn't choose to have internal strife at this time.
"Stop!"
Although slightly regretful, Corleone still took the initiative to step forward and speak.
"None of your business here, shameless fellow!"
Halson glanced at him and roared low: "One more word and I'll chop you too sooner or later!"
At the same time, Stole also glared at Corleone, but one could clearly feel a sense of relief in his eyes.
Meeting everyone's gaze, Corleone was fearless, just spreading his hands slightly: "I just want to say, I have a method that satisfies both sides."
"What method?"
Before Halson could react, Stole took the opportunity to back down very readily, sliding his blade back into his waist and asking eagerly.
"Let me return to my camp."
Corleone spoke calmly: "In my pack, there are some special potions. They can pry open the toughest mouths."
"In other words, I can use them solely on the Hound, without needing to touch Lady Stark even once."
Saying this, Corleone looked at the two: "This way, Captain Stole can get the wealth he dreams of, and Lord Halson..."
"You maintain your honor without hindering your companions from obtaining their deserved 'spoils.' How about it?"
As soon as these words came out, the scene fell silent again for a long time. Expressions of wavering began to appear on the faces of both groups.
This proposal was simply too tempting, almost perfectly resolving the deadlock before them.
Especially for Stole.
Since Earl Rickard was executed, he had managed to gather this unit with great difficulty relying on the slight authority he had accumulated before. These days, he had also tasted some sweetness of being the "shot-caller."
Now that there was a decent alternative, he naturally didn't want to see his team fall apart.
As for Halson, he fought to stop atrocities and maintain honor, not intending to insist on bloodshed just out of anger.
"If I see you planning to lay hands on Lady Stark again, you know the consequences!"
Dropping a harsh word, Halson said no more, turning to leave with his men and sitting back down where they were earlier.
Considering it giving Stole a step down.
"Doctor, well done!"
After people left, Stole slapped Corleone's shoulder heavily, praising with satisfaction: "Your brain is simply sharper than Maester Vyman's!"
Saying this, without waiting for Corleone's reaction, he turned and waved to Ragg: "You, take four men to accompany him back to get the medicine, now!"
"Yes, Boss!"
Ragg responded excitedly.
Hearing this, Corleone felt assured. Without wasting words, he turned to leave.
However, the moment he turned and took the first step, Stole's voice sounded behind him again, this time with a hint of suspicion.
"Wait! Doctor."
Corleone paused, slowly turning around, just the right amount of doubt on his face.
He saw Stole narrowing his eyes, sizing him up, seemingly sensing something, and questioning: "Doing all this... what exactly is it for?"
This was undoubtedly a fatal question.
If not answered well, all previous groundwork might be wasted.
But Corleone could always give a perfect answer.
"Ha!"
Under everyone's gaze, Corleone smiled. The previous calmness and focus on his face turned into a smile mixed with a bit of mercenary calculation.
Only, this expression appearing on his seemingly harmless face seemed exceptionally persuasive.
"Forgot to tell you, Captain Stole."
"I am a person who loves discussing business with others the most, whether treating Hogg or solving some problems within my ability for you."
"But let me say this upfront, I don't work for free."
He paused, meeting Stole's gaze and giving a reason no one could doubt.
"If I really find out the whereabouts of those forty thousand Gold Dragons, the two hundred Gold Dragons you promised me earlier won't be enough."
"...Gotta pay more!"