Unexpected Surprise

When Theon, Blood Wind, and the others returned to Winterfell after completing their mission, half a month had already passed since their departure.

Eddard was still accompanying Robert along the King's Road to King's Landing, while Winterfell's military authority had already been firmly seized by Robb in both name and reality.

At that moment, Robb was taking Daisy to Maester's Tower near Hunter's Gate, west of Winterfell.

Maester Luwin stood before them, introducing the medical supplies on the table. "Milk of the Poppy and Dreamwine. These two potions are used to relieve pain. However, some people with weak wills may become addicted to them.

"This Myrish Ointment contains Mustard Seed, Nettle, and Bread Yeast. It can be applied to wounds to prevent infection.

"Willow Bark and Silk Thread are generally used to stitch larger wounds. These are the medicines we can use on the battlefield."

"Thank you for the explanation, Maester Luwin!

"How much do these medicines cost? Can they be used on a large scale for soldiers?"

Robb patiently listened to Maester Luwin finish his explanation before bringing up the matter he cared about most.

"Milk of the Poppy and Dreamwine are relatively expensive, so they cannot be used for ordinary soldiers. They are only suitable for officers and knights.

"Myrish Ointment is not expensive, but the sea route from Essos to Westeros is long. If we want to place a large order, we will need a great deal of time.

"As for Willow Bark and Silk Thread, they are inexpensive. Using them for all the soldiers will not be a problem."

Maester Luwin answered Robb's questions tirelessly.

"Hmm, Maester Luwin, I feel that our army's post-battle treatment is far too backward. The mortality rate among the wounded is too high.

"Many people suffer sword wounds and simply have boiling water poured over them to stop the bleeding and prevent infection.

"So I want to establish a dedicated Battlefield Medical Corps to handle post-battle treatment."

Robb voiced his idea. After all, when it came to experience and knowledge, the maesters had certainly seen and learned far more.

Maester Luwin nodded, thought for a moment, and said, "The south has the kind of Battlefield Medical Corps you described, but they are rare in the North. Perhaps to the impoverished nobles of the North, these medicines are worth more than the lives of wounded soldiers.

"If you want to establish such a Battlefield Medical Corps, I can teach them some first-aid and suturing techniques.

"As for the ointment, you can write to Earl Wyman Manderly of White Harbor and ask him. As 'the Mouth of the North,' White Harbor trades with all nine Free Cities of Essos."

"Thank you for your answer. I will recruit Battlefield Medical Corps soldiers. When the time comes, sorry for the trouble of having you train them."

"It is only right, Lord Robb!"

"Then we will take our leave for now, Maester Luwin."

After bidding farewell to Maester Luwin, Robb had just led Daisy down from Maester's Tower when he saw Theon and the others approaching to report to him.

The swift Blood Wind darted to Robb's side at once, skillfully burrowing his head into Robb's arms and waiting for him to scratch him.

Robb naturally did not disappoint him. While using both hands to serve Lord Blood Wind, who had returned from a long journey, he asked Theon and the other two about their condition.

After listening to Theon's briefing, Robb nodded and said, "Thanks for your hard work, all three of you. The armies of Winterfell are now commanded by the Wolf Guard, and I arranged your positions long ago. Get a good rest today, then perform your duties properly starting tomorrow."

"Robb, what positions did you arrange for us? How many troops will we command?"

Theon had been weary and travel-worn, but the moment he heard this, his spirits soared. He asked without the slightest hesitation.

"You and Owen are the two commanders of the Archer Infantry. Little Jon and Eddard will command the cavalry. Toren will oversee the Logistics Support Unit.

"As for the numbers, the Archer Infantry consists of 500 archers, 700 pikemen, and 1,500 ordinary infantrymen.

"The cavalry consists of 300 lancers, 200 horse archers, and 800 light cavalrymen. Finally, there is the 300-man Logistics Support Unit.

"By the way, we will also be adding a special Battlefield Medical Corps later. I just finalized it with Maester Luwin."

Robb was quite patient with his main commanders, explaining the troop composition of the units under their command.

"I will definitely train them well!"

Theon had always been a marginal figure in Winterfell. Now that he had command of so many troops for the first time, his blood boiled with excitement. He could hardly wait to win a battle and prove himself.

Owen and Little Jon were equally excited, both wearing expressions that said they would gladly die for someone who appreciated them.

"All right, get a good rest today!"

"Then I'll be going first!"

"We will take our leave, Lord Robb."

Only after Robb persuaded the exhausted Theon and the other two to go rest did he finally have time to examine Lady and Nymeria, whose fates had been changed.

Perhaps Blood Wind had disciplined them thoroughly during the journey back. The two Direwolves, each the size of an adult wild wolf, sat quietly nearby like two well-behaved Alaskan malamutes.

"Lady, Nymeria, come here! Here, here!"

Robb called out to the two of them.

However, the two aloof Direwolves showed no reaction whatsoever.

"Make them come over!"

Robb stopped scratching Blood Wind after a long while and spoke to him.

"Woof!"

Having been thoroughly pampered, Lord Blood Wind raised his head and growled at them. The two immediately scampered over to Robb's side.

It seemed they only obeyed the leader of the pack—Blood Wind!

Robb nodded inwardly and reached out toward Nymeria's fluffy head.

However, no Blood Script appeared!

He extended his other hand and stroked Lady's head, but the result was the same.

After that incident, Robb now regarded the Three-Eyed Crow as an enemy. At present, the only thing that might be capable of dealing with supernatural power was the Blood Script Cheat.

That was why Robb had thought of changing Lady and Nymeria's fates to trigger a new change in the Blood Script Cheat.

The result proved that he had been overthinking it!

But when he focused on Blood Wind, he discovered an unexpected surprise.

[Name: Blood Wind, Contract Holder: Robb Stark]

[Physique: 11, Speed: 10, Strength: 10]

[Species: Warg Direwolf (6)]

[Wolf Pack: Soldier Wolf: Nymeria, Servant Wolf: Lady.]

[Blood Contract Points: 5]

The Blood Script Contract had gained a new Wolf Pack category. Judging from the literal meaning, Blood Wind had taken Nymeria and Lady into his own wolf pack.

The other three wolves who still had owners under the species category could not be incorporated into the wolf pack.

Robb already had an answer to this. Not long ago, when he visited Brandon, he had stroked his Summer.

Rickon had also been in the room with Shaggydog at the time, and Robb had stroked him as well.

However, their names were not in Blood Wind's wolf pack today. As for Jon's Ghost, that was even more impossible.

As for the meanings of Soldier Wolf and Servant Wolf given by the Blood Pact, Robb guessed that they probably referred to their positions within the wolf pack.

Although he did not yet know what use this wolf pack had, the Blood Pact would not do something pointless. He would slowly figure it out.

In any case, the function of Robb's Cheat had been completely discovered through his own gradual experimentation.

Ahem, as for the current recommendations, I would like to ask for your votes and continued support. Thank you!

P.S. The pace has been relatively gentle over the past few chapters, serving as buildup for the plot. The passionate war arc will come next.

Guess who it is targeting!