Half a month at Blackrock Pass flew by, as if Roderick had imbued it with some magic.
Under his leadership, the entire territory was changing with each passing day.
On the training grounds, the shouts of drills echoed through the sky.
Captain Beren, with the assistance of Shadow Guard One, integrated the old guard and the newly recruited laborers.
Roderick personally revised the training plan, moving beyond mere physical exertion to focus more on teamwork and practical combat skills.
New recruits were divided into small teams for simulated combat, learning how to fight in complex terrain and how to form defensive formations with shields.
Most excitingly, under Roderick's guidance, the blacksmiths under Greg successfully mass-produced the first batch of "Blackrock Fine Steel" weapons.
These weapons were not only sharper than before, but their toughness also saw a qualitative improvement.
Each longsword was repeatedly quenched, and each shield was inlaid with stronger metal strips.
When these brand-new, gleaming weapons were distributed to the guards, everyone's morale reached an unprecedented peak.
[System Mission: Forge the first batch of "Blackrock Fine Steel" weapons and equip at least 50 soldiers.]
[Mission Complete! Reward: Overlord Points x100, unlock "System Shop" intermediate weapon and equipment options.]
A prompt appeared in Roderick's mind, and he quickly opened the system shop. Sure enough, it now contained many blueprints for intermediate weapons, armor, and siege engines, and even some basic gunpowder formulas and ballista designs.
He was secretly delighted; these were all capital for future expansion.
At the mine, the air was bustling with activity.
With the help of the "Basic Mining Tool Blueprints" provided by Roderick, the miners used more efficient picks and supports, doubling their excavation speed.
An endless supply of iron ore was transported out from the depths of the mine and sent to the blast furnace ironworks.
The chimneys of the ironworks billowed smoke day and night, transforming iron ore into high-quality pig iron, which was then forged into fine steel by the blacksmiths.
The number of displaced people in the territory was also continuously increasing.
Roderick's previous words, like sweet rain in the desert, attracted people from the surrounding areas who were plagued by war and poverty.
They came to Blackrock Pass, where they not only had food to eat and work to do, but also received fair wages.
Roderick had also specially established "public canteens" to ensure that all laborers working for the territory could eat a full meal. This was an incredible act of kindness in the current Westeros.
[Public Sentiment Growth: Blackrock Pass Territory Public Sentiment +8.]
[System Prompt: Your territory's public sentiment has reached the "Steady Improvement" level, gaining Overlord Points x80.]
Roderick knew that the influx of these displaced people not only provided valuable labor but also laid the foundation for his future expansion of the army and territory population.
They would develop a strong sense of belonging and loyalty to the Blackrock family because Roderick had given them hope for survival.
He paid particular attention to the young women who came to enlist.
While ensuring they received proper resettlement and job opportunities, Roderick also showed his unique gentleness and care.
He would personally inquire about their current situations, solve any difficulties they encountered, speaking in a gentle and charming manner.
Some young and beautiful displaced girls were already looking at Roderick with a hint of admiration and dependence.
"My Lord, the delegation from Riverrun has arrived at the southern mountain pass of the stronghold!"
Steward Roland's voice roused Roderick from his contemplation.
He stood on the castle's watchtower, watching a magnificent convoy slowly approach along the winding mountain road in the distance.
Banners fluttered, horses were strong, and the accompanying guards were well-equipped, clearly the elite of House Tully.
"Finally, they're here," Roderick's lips curled into a slight smile. He had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
He descended from the watchtower and personally went to the city gate to greet them.
In front of the city gate of Blackrock Pass, the atmosphere was solemn.
One hundred elite Blackrock guards, fully clad in newly forged fine steel armor, holding fine steel longswords and shields, stood proudly, their eyes like torches.
Behind them, one hundred old guards and new recruits led by Captain Beren, though slightly less equipped, had a completely new spirit, their ranks orderly and morale high.
Captain Beren and Shadow Guard One stood at the forefront, like two iron towers.
Roderick, on the other hand, wore a well-tailored black silk robe, embroidered with the Blackrock family crest in gold thread, and carried his father's heirloom sword at his waist.
He stood at the very front of the formation, his back straight, his eyes deep and calm, exuding an innate nobility and majesty.
When the Tully convoy stopped, a lavishly dressed young knight dismounted from beneath the banner of Riverrun at the front.
He had the distinctive auburn hair of House Tully, a slightly pale face, and a hint of superiority in his eyes.
This was Ser Hould River, a trusted confidant of Lord Edmure Tully, and the "representative" he sent – Captain of the Knights.
Hould's gaze swept over the walls of Blackrock Pass.
He had expected to see a dilapidated, sorrowful castle of a minor house.
However, what met his eyes were newly repaired walls, and those two hundred well-equipped, imposing guards.
Especially the one hundred black-armored fine steel guards standing behind Roderick, which made his heart clench.
Their armor and weapons were even a cut above those of ordinary Riverrun guards, and that aura of iron and blood could definitely not be cultivated overnight!
He had thought that House Blackrock, after the death of the old lord Huldman, would become even weaker and ripe for the picking.
However, everything before him completely exceeded his expectations.
"Lord Roderick, it's been a long time," Hould suppressed the shock in his heart, walked forward with a feigned composure, and performed a somewhat informal peer's bow, his tone carrying a hint of arrogance, "I am Hould River, sent by Lord Edmure Tully to offer condolences to House Blackrock and assist you in managing family affairs."
Roderick's eyes slightly chilled. He knew the other party was playing hard to get, intending to display House Tully's suzerain status, and also as a test.
He subtly raised his hand, signaling Hould not to bother with formalities, but he himself did not bow. This was a silent confrontation.
"Ser Hould, you must be tired from your long journey," Roderick's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable strength, inconsistent with his young age, "The affairs of House Blackrock are handled entirely by me. I appreciate Lord Edmure's kind intentions."
He looked directly into Hould's eyes, speaking with a double meaning, directly rejecting the other party's attempt to interfere with family affairs.
Hould felt somewhat breathless under Roderick's imposing presence.
He felt as if he was not facing a young man who had just taken over as lord, but a seasoned superior who had seen many battles.
"Lord Roderick, your father, Lord Huldman's sudden passing, deeply saddened Lord Edmure. Therefore, he specially entrusted me to see if you needed any help, for example, a slight adjustment in taxes, or military support..."
Hould continued to probe, his words subtly implying an intention to control House Blackrock.
Roderick smiled faintly, his smile carrying an inexplicable sense of oppression: "Thank you for Lord Edmure's concern. House Blackrock is doing well. We have ample food, newly discovered mines are being exploited, and there is enough wealth to support the family's development. As for military strength..."
Roderick turned around, pointing to the two hundred waiting soldiers behind him, especially the one hundred Blackrock Guards.
"My House Blackrock's guard is improving daily, well-trained, and well-equipped, more than enough to defend Blackrock Pass. Any jackals daring to covet Blackrock territory will be broken and bloody under these fine steel blades."
His voice was resonant, echoing in front of the city gate.
The guards straightened their backs in unison, and their longswords were drawn with a low clang.
The uniform sound was like an invisible sledgehammer, striking Hould's heart fiercely.
Hould's face completely changed.
He saw the gleaming fine steel longswords in the guards' hands and felt the powerful aura emanating from this unit.
These were not things a poor family that had just lost its old lord could possess.
Clearly, he had been outmaneuvered, or rather, the Roderick Blackrock before him was completely different from what he had expected.
Roderick stepped forward, almost face to face with Hould. His eyes surged with ambitious light, yet without the slightest fear: "Ser Hould, you can truthfully relay everything you have seen and heard to Lord Edmure. Tell him that Blackrock Pass is as solid as a rock. House Blackrock will never betray the expectations of House Tully, nor will it allow anyone with ill intentions to set foot on our land."
These words were undoubtedly a naked warning and a show of force.
Sweat beaded on Hould's forehead, his arrogance in his heart long since shattered by intimidation.
He had already realized that this young lord before him was not someone he could easily manipulate.
His brought "condolences" and "assistance" were simply a joke.
"I... I understand, Lord Roderick. I will truthfully report to Lord Edmure." Hould bowed, and this time, his tone lacked arrogance and held more respect and a hint of fear.
Roderick then showed a satisfied smile: "Very good. Ser Hould has traveled a long way, why not rest at the pass for a few days, sample the Blackrock family's special ale, and then depart?"
This was a retention with an underlying pressure.
Hould knew that Roderick wanted him to gain a deeper understanding of the changes at Blackrock Pass, and then convey these changes more vividly and in detail to House Tully and even the entire Riverlands.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Lord Roderick. I... I gladly accept." Hould replied with a wry smile.
He now only wanted to complete his mission as quickly as possible and then return with these astonishing tidings.
Roderick turned to Roland and instructed: "Roland, Ser Hould is a distinguished guest who has traveled a long way, make sure he is properly accommodated. Let him feel the sincerity of House Blackrock and... our strength."
Roland understood, bowed, and replied: "Yes, my Lord."
Hould's arrival, and everything he saw, quickly spread within Blackrock Pass and the surrounding areas.
The strength House Blackrock displayed in such a short time unsettled many nobles who had previously underestimated Roderick.
Roderick, meanwhile, used the system's [Intelligence Insight] function to monitor Hould's actions and psychological changes within the pass in real-time.
[Character: Hould River]
[Loyalty: To Edmure Tully: 80; To Host: -10 (Fear) -> 0 (Awe)]
[Potential: Mediocre]
[Strengths: Horsemanship, Message-carrying]
[Weaknesses: Cowardice, Arrogance]
[Affection: To Host: -5 -> Fear (+10) -> Awe (+15)]
Seeing the data changes on the intelligence panel, Roderick sneered inwardly.
Hould's "awe" had begun to replace his initial "negative affection."
This meant that his show of force had worked. This man would make a very good mouthpiece.
However, Roderick knew that the threat from House Tully was just the tip of the iceberg.
The grand game of Westeros had only just begun. He had to accelerate his pace and transform Blackrock Pass into a true fortress before the War of the Five Kings truly erupted.
He returned to his study, sitting at the large oak table.
On the table, on the crude map of Westeros, the symbol of Blackrock Pass stood out prominently.
He reached out, his finger gently tracing over this once barren and almost insignificant territory.
His eyes reflected the blood and fire, glory and power that might emerge in the future.