Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Jon walked step by step towards the most arrogant noble youth.
At this moment, he still maintained his smug posture, watching Jon approach him.
But as the distance between them grew shorter, an ominous premonition suddenly arose in his heart.
It was as if the one walking towards him was not a bastard like himself, but a beast with only its prey in its eyes.
Jon walked towards him, step by step by step, his footsteps firm, but his face expressionless.
The man desperately maintained his posture, knowing that Ramsay was behind him, and that Roose Bolton might be nearby.
'I must not back down! Absolutely not!'
'Wh-what...'
The guy found his body seemed to disobey him, and he unconsciously took a step back.
A poison named fear was seeping into his bones.
Bolton, who was watching, suddenly realized that the purest killing intent was surging from Jon.
'He's going to kill someone!?'
Roose Bolton narrowed his eyes; if that were the case, he would gladly take command of the army.
A human life in exchange for command of the army was simply too good a deal.
Jon's black long staff swept out like lightning, striking the thick-necked man's forehead.
Thwack!
The sound of the wooden staff colliding with the skull was unexpectedly crisp.
It was like a drumstick hitting the rim of a drum, but heavier.
This striking sound was like a kind of rest, the surrounding sounds abruptly ceased, leaving only the whistling wind.
The youth who was struck on the head only felt his vision go black, then his whole body went limp, collapsing to the ground like rotten meat from which the bones had been extracted.
Thud—
This insolent fellow was dead.
Before Roose Bolton could do anything, Ramsay ran to the man and said:
"Jon Snow! You dare to kill someone! Tie him up for me!"
As soon as Ramsay finished speaking, the surrounding soldiers were about to swarm forward.
Only a small portion of the Winterfell soldiers tried to stop them.
Although it was satisfying to beat people up with Jon and gain the affection of the surrounding commoners, he had now killed someone, and the nature of the situation had changed.
Jon, seeing this scene, said nothing; this was the disadvantage of not having his own direct lineage.
A true direct lineage would stand by their master no matter what the situation.
These people were, after all, only lent to him by Robb Stark.
Seeing the people around him approaching with ropes, Jon pointed at Ramsay and said:
"He insulted my mother!"
"Then you still can't kill him! His crime isn't punishable by death!" Ramsay's voice was full of indignation, but his heart was filled with wild joy.
He had completely won this round of the game!
"That's right, you can't kill anyone no matter what."
"We demand justice!"
"Yes! Justice!"
"Punish him!"
The soldiers Ramsay had arranged beforehand began to clamor loudly.
Rickard looked at Jon, shaking his head repeatedly.
Roose Bolton, seeing that his prey had entered his trap, spoke:
"I apologize, Ser Rickard, but I think I must first deal with this matter; the man killed by Eddard's bastard was my vassal."
"Hmm."
Rickard nodded slightly.
He also thought Jon's actions were a bit excessive.
Having left the Wall, he should have kept a low profile.
Now that he dared to kill someone in front of others, he had to be prepared to pay the price!
After speaking, he walked towards Ramsay and Jon.
"the Earl of Dreadfort, Lord Roose Bolton arrives—"
With a cry, the soldiers retreated, clearing a path for Roose Bolton.
Jon also looked at the newcomer, seeing him to be around forty years old, with a somewhat sickly pale complexion.
Blue veins could even be seen beneath his eyelids.
Roose Bolton looked considerably younger than his actual age.
His black pupils contrasted sharply with his pale skin, as if countless schemes were hidden within them.
"Fa—, My Lord."
Ramsay had not yet been formally recognized as Roose Bolton's heir, so he could not address him as father in public.
Roose Bolton nodded, seemingly very pleased with Ramsay.
He then looked at his retainer and calmly said: "Someone, tie up this murderer for me."
With their own Lord backing them, the Dreadfort soldiers gained more confidence.
The Winterfell soldiers guarding Jon also dared not obstruct any longer.
Just then, Jon suddenly spoke:
"I am here enforcing the law by order of Robb Stark, the acting Lord of Winterfell, by what right do you arrest me!"
Roose Bolton sneered:
"Jon, you killed someone! Did Robb Stark also permit you to kill people?" In his opinion, Jon bringing up Robb Stark was merely the death throes of his prey.
"So Lord Bolton believes I am guilty?"
"Isn't that so?" Ramsay interjected, "You should be beheaded, no, you should be hanged!"
Hanging was specifically for punishing commoners, while beheading was a privilege of nobles.
Rickard, not far away, looked at Jon and found him to be unusually calm.
Standing in the eye of the storm, he resembled Eddard more than ever, which made Rickard quite nostalgic.
However, Jon was in serious trouble now; there was a good chance he would have to pay with his life.
This made Rickard feel a bit regretful, but it was not something he could control.
All of Rickard's good feelings towards Jon came from his appearance, and nothing more.
Just as Jon was about to be bound, he suddenly looked directly at Roose Bolton with a pair of grey eyes, then spoke:
"Since you believe I am guilty, then I demand trial by combat!"
Trial by combat!
Upon hearing this term, Ramsay's pupils constricted.
The surroundings erupted in an uproar.
Trial by combat is an ancient tradition of Westeros; if, according to law, someone is found guilty.
Or if someone is accused of being guilty.
Then at this time, he can prove his innocence through trial by combat.
Win and be acquitted, lose and be beheaded on the spot.
Of course, it sounded more like cheating.
In Jon's view, this was also one of the means by which nobles oppressed commoners.
In trial by combat, a noble could choose someone to be his champion.
Just as Tyrion chose Oberyn Martell for trial by combat in the original story.
However, those were all measures that the parties involved had to resort to when pushed to a desperate situation.
In Jon's current situation, if Robb Stark was willing to intervene, his life could still be saved.
Roose Bolton was somewhat surprised by his demand.
No wonder Robb Stark sent him to do such an offending task; he was truly reckless.
However, Jon's demand excited both Roose Bolton and Ramsay.
As long as he was defeated, then they would completely gain the moral high ground.
Robb Stark's use of Jon as a tool to rectify military discipline could then be seen as displeasing the gods.
He would gain an even greater advantage.
In Roose Bolton's view, command of the army was beckoning to him.
However, at this time, some stance should still be made; Rickard was watching from the side.
He spoke:
"Jon, think carefully, swords have no eyes, and trial by combat cannot be withdrawn from. You might be killed directly.
Conversely, if you confess, you might still keep your life."
Jon retorted: "If the gods believe I am guilty for killing a man who insulted my mother's honor, then I am willing to die."
Jon's words were forceful, and even the whistling north wind seemed to cheer him on.
Ramsay, on the side, sneered, thinking, 'If that's the case, then go die.'
Just then, everyone heard another announcement:
"Lord Robb Stark arrives—"
Everyone turned their heads; surrounded by guards, Robb Stark came before them.
This was the first time the Young Wolf had appeared before everyone since the army had gathered.
Tall, handsome, and with an upright posture, Robb Stark was indeed impressive, but in Rickard's opinion, his only flaw was his reddish-brown hair, which was not like a Northman's.
However, everyone present still bowed to him in salute.
Bolton, however, did not care.
If Robb Stark were to protect Jon today, the ultimate result could only be a complete loss of face!