Free Web NovelThere was much to do, far too much.
Lord Louis dressed, quickly washed his face, fastened his cloak, and strode into his office with urgent steps.
Before the door had fully closed, he spoke, "Summon Lambert."
As soon as his words fell, his attendants immediately rushed out.
A moment later, Lambert entered quickly, and before he could speak, Lord Louis issued his command:
"Take one hundred Red Tide Knights and immediately set up an ambush outside the main gate of Red Tide Territory. The enemy is the Snowsworn elite."
He narrowed his eyes, his voice as cold and sharp as a blade: "Find the right moment and overwhelm them with a human wave attack. You may keep a few captives for questioning; kill the rest /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ without mercy."
Lambert’s heart jolted, but he did not hesitate: "As you command!"
The second command followed immediately: "Call three more Knights and two Physicians, bring these guides, and immediately proceed to Han Shan Territory."
An attendant took the few pages of handwritten drafts he had tossed onto the table; even the handwriting was messy.
"The most important thing is isolation," Lord Louis said, pointing to the first command on the draft. "Allocate manpower in Han Shan Territory to immediately begin constructing a batch of sealed small huts that can retain heat.
Anyone showing symptoms of drowsiness must be centrally managed there, isolated, and forbidden from wandering or hiding. Those who violate this will be killed without mercy."
What he had just thrown out was his hastily written "Health and Hygiene Operating Guidelines."
For example, the "Boiled Water Method" was to be implemented throughout the territory, requiring all drinking water to be thoroughly boiled.
Everyone was to be given a piece of cloth to cover their mouth and nose. No matter how coarse, it was to prevent droplet transmission.
The guards, having received Lord Louis's command, immediately set off to carry out the task.
The third command was also swiftly issued from Lord Louis's mouth: "Summon some hunters and Knights, and prepare to depart. The target is Fireback Turtles, located in the Red Tide Geothermal Springs.
Capture them if possible; if not, kill them. Their shells are of great use. We don't need too many, six or seven will suffice."
The attendants responded briefly and then immediately dispersed to carry out their respective duties.
And just as Lord Louis had issued his last command, he was about to take a brief rest.
A guard quickly pushed open the door and entered, slightly out of breath: "My Lord, a group of people has arrived outside."
"Oh?" Lord Louis raised an eyebrow.
The guard quickly added: "The leader claims to be Baron Vera, saying he wishes to visit you."
Lord Louis was momentarily stunned. He arrived so quickly?
At this point, he suddenly felt a slight interest: "Let him in, but only allow two others to accompany him. Also, tell Lambert to act immediately once those three are inside."
The guard bowed in acknowledgment and quickly withdrew.
Fifteen minutes earlier.
Outside Red Tide Territory, a carriage slowly came to a halt.
Baron Vera, dressed in noble attire, wore a triumphant smile.
But as soon as he dismounted, he saw several fully armed Red Tide Knights blocking the road ahead, barring passage with their swords, their expressions unyielding.
"Stop," the leading Knight said in a deep voice. "State your name and purpose."
"Hmph," Vera raised his chin, his tone arrogant. "I am Baron Vera, here to visit Lord Louis, the Red Tide Lord." The Knights exchanged glances, and one immediately turned and rushed into the city to report.
Not long after, the man returned, panting: "Report! Lord Louis has agreed to an audience!"
Vera nodded with satisfaction.
"However," the Knight paused, "only three of your people may enter. The rest must wait outside the city."
Upon hearing this, Vera's expression soured slightly, but he managed to suppress it, gritting his teeth: "Understood, I will discuss it."
He turned his horse and led his entourage aside to whisper.
When facing the Snowsworn, the arrogance on Vera's face instantly vanished, replaced by an extremely fawning smile, his back almost bending into a bow.
"Your Excellencies, rest assured," he said ingratiatingly, "I will lure Lord Louis out, and then it will be an easy capture once we act. We won't even need to attack the town."
The female Snowsworn, dressed in standard noble Knight's armor, had cold and sharp eyes.
She pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly: "Very well."
Then she chose the most composed-looking Snowsworn Knight to accompany Vera.
Vera walked with his head held high, his gaze filled with disdain for the Red Tide Knights.
The three rode their horses, slowly approaching the Red Tide city gate.
However, not long after they left, the Red Tide Knights, who had been in ambush, surged out like a tide.
About a hundred fully armed Red Tide Knights quickly surrounded the Snowsworn, who had not yet reacted, catching them squarely.
After a brief skirmish, the ground was stained with blood.
These Snowsworn elites fought desperately, but under absolute combat power suppression, all their struggles were futile.
The Red Tide Knights had initially intended to leave at least a few alive, but these Snowsworn, knowing they couldn't escape, directly activated Boiling Blood to try and take more lives.
But the numerical disparity was too great; they were simply worn down and killed.
Moreover, a group of bound nobles, twelve in total, were rescued in the chaos. Although suffering from frostbite and fright, they were all still breathing.
On the other side, Vera and his two companions, led by Red Tide guards, slowly made their way through the town streets.
They were completely unaware that their contingent behind them had been annihilated in the cold wind, and blood was now staining the barren earth.
And the guards accompanying them were no ordinary escorts; they were all elite Knights.
Outwardly, they appeared to be respectfully leading the way, but in reality, they were constantly vigilant, ready to strike and kill at the slightest sign of trouble.
On the streets, smoke curled from chimneys, pedestrians were neatly dressed and walked briskly.
Children's laughter echoed, and old people sat by their doors basking in the faint winter sun. Occasionally, passing teenagers would respectfully bow to the Knights.
Vera looked at the smoke and smiling faces on the street, but his heart was filled with intense disgust.
He absolutely could not bear to see these commoners live good lives.
In his eyes, these lowly people should be groveling in the mud, not like the people here, wearing clean clothes, free𝑤ebnovel.com
and smiling while basking in the sun.
Their smiles stung his eyes.
Vera sneered inwardly, Lord Louis was truly an incompetent Lord, completely unaware of how to utilize his commoners.
But on the surface, he still forced a nonchalant expression, continuing forward with the Red Tide guards.
And the Snowsworn female leader beside him also slightly lowered her head, a hint of disgust and distortion flashing in her eyes.
As a Snowsworn, she wished she could kill all these people.
Finally, they were led to a castle.
And this castle far exceeded their imagination; thick cylindrical pillars stood, the overall structure was a crude and rough stone, ugly yet exuding a chilling sense of oppression.
If one were to attack such a place, who knew how much they would have to pay to take it down.
The female leader couldn't help but grit her teeth, her mood growing even heavier.
She decided that as soon as she had the chance, she would kill Lord Louis, just in case he hadn't been lured out.
