There was a lot to be done, too much.
Louis dressed, quickly washed his face, fastened his cloak, and with urgent steps, walked into the office.
The door hadn’t fully closed when he spoke: "Call Lambert."
As his words fell, the attendants immediately rushed off.
Mere moments later, Lambert strode in quickly, and before he could speak, Louis issued his orders:
"Take a hundred Red Tide Knights and ambush outside the main gate of the Red Tide Territory. The enemy is the Snow Swearer Elites."
He squinted, his voice as cold as a blade: "Find the right moment, overwhelm them with sheer numbers, leave a few prisoners for questioning, kill the rest without exception."
Lambert’s heart shuddered, but he didn’t hesitate: "Yes, my lord!"
The second order was immediately given: "Then, call three Knights, plus two physicians, take these guidelines, and head to the Cold Fir Territory immediately."
The attendant took the few handwritten drafts he tossed on the table, even the handwriting was quite sloppy.
"The most important thing is isolation," Louis pointed to the first order on the draft, "allocate manpower in Cold Fir Territory to immediately build a batch of airtight rooms that can trap heat.
Anyone showing symptoms of drowsiness must be concentrated there for management, ensure isolation, no running around, no hiding, violators to be killed without exception."
What he had just thrown out was his temporarily written "Guidelines for Health and Hygiene Operations."
For example, the "Boiling Water Method" should be implemented for all territories, drinking water must be boiled thoroughly.
Everyone is to be given a piece of grass cloth to cover their mouth and nose. No matter how rough, it must prevent droplet transmission.
The guards, upon receiving Louis’s orders, immediately proceeded to assign the tasks without stopping.
The third order was quickly issued from Louis’s mouth: "Summon some Hunters and Knights, prepare to set off. The target is the Fire-backed Turtle, located in the geothermal zone of the Red Tide hot springs.
If you can catch them, catch them, if not, kill them. Their shells are of great use, six or seven will do."
The attendants gave a short acknowledgment and each quickly went on their way.
Just as Louis issued the last order, intending to take a small breather.
A guard briskly pushed the door open, slightly out of breath: "My lord, a team has arrived outside."
"Hmm?" Louis raised a brow.
The guard quickly added: "The leader claims to be Baron Vira, saying he’s here to visit you."
Louis was taken aback for a moment, arrived so soon?
At this moment, he suddenly took a slight interest: "Let him in, but only allow two people with him. Also, tell Lambert to take action as soon as those three come in."
The guard bowed and swiftly retreated.
Outside the Red Tide Territory, a carriage slowly came to a halt.
Baron Vira, dressed in noble attire, wore a smug smile on his face.
But as soon as he got off the carriage, he saw several fully armed Red Tide Knights blocking the road ahead, their swords horizontal, and their expressions unkind.
"Stop." The lead knight said sternly, "State your name, what business do you have?"
"Heh." Vira lifted his chin, his tone arrogant, "I am Baron Vira, here to visit Red Tide Lord Louis."
The knights exchanged glances, and one immediately turned and ran into the city to report.
Soon after, that person returned, breathless: "Report! Lord Louis agrees to see you!"
Vira nodded in satisfaction.
"However," the knight’s tone paused, "Only three of you can enter. The rest must wait outside the city."
Upon hearing this, Vira’s face didn’t look good but he held back, gritting his teeth: "Understood, I’ll go discuss this."
He turned his horse around and led his entourage aside to whisper.
When facing the Snow Swearer, the arrogance on Vira’s face vanished, replaced with a fawning smile, his waist almost bent like a bow.
"Rest assured, my lords," he said obsequiously, "I’ll lure Louis out, then when action is taken, it’s a sure catch, not even needing to fight the town."
The female Snow Swearer, clad in standard armor of a noble knight, had a cold and sharp gaze.
She pondered for a moment, then lightly nodded, "Alright."
She then selected a Snow Swearer Knight who looked the most composed, to follow behind Vira.
Vira rode with his head held high, his eyes filled with disdain for the Red Tide Knights.
The three of them rode slowly towards the gate of Red Tide City.
However, not long after they left, the Red Tide Knights, hidden in ambush, surged forth like a tide.
About a hundred fully armed Red Tide Knights quickly encircled the unsuspecting Snow Swearer.
After a brief skirmish, the ground was stained with blood.
These Snow Swearer elites fought fiercely, but under the overwhelming force, all resistance was futile.
The Red Tide Knights intended to leave at least a few alive, but the Snow Swearers, realizing escape was impossible, initiated the Blood Boiling Frenzy to try and take down more.
But the numerical gap was too great, they were worn down to death.
Moreover, a group of bound nobility was timely rescued amidst the chaos, twelve in total, suffering from frostbite and fright but still alive.
Meanwhile, with Vira among them, the trio were leisurely making their way through the town streets under the escort of Red Tide guards.
They were completely unaware that the team behind them had already perished in the cold wind, and the earth was stained with fresh blood.
And the guards beside them were not ordinary attendants, but all Elite Knights.
Appearing respectful and guiding the way, they were actually constantly on guard, ready to act swiftly and kill at any sign of unease.
On the streets, smoke curled from the chimneys, people dressed neatly, their steps light and brisk.
Children’s laughter echoed, old folks sat by their doorsteps basking in the feeble winter sun, occasionally passing youths and maidens would respectfully salute the knights.
Watching the smoke and smiling faces on the street, Vira felt a strong surge of disgust within.
He couldn’t stand seeing these commoners living good lives.
In his eyes, these lowly people should be struggling in the mud, not like the people here, dressed cleanly and smiling at the sun.
Their smiles stung his eyes.
Vira sneered internally, thinking Louis was an incompetent lord who didn’t know how to utilize his subjects.
But on the surface, he maintained a facade of indifference, following the Red Tide guards onwards.
And the female Snow Swearer leader beside him also slightly lowered her head, a flicker of disgust and distortion in her eyes.
As a Snow Swearer, she wished she could kill everyone here.
Finally, they were brought to a castle.
This castle was far beyond their expectations, with massive cylindrical columns standing tall, constructed of rough and simplistic stone materials, ugly yet exuding a heart-stopping oppressive feel.
To attack such a place would undoubtedly cost dearly.
The female leader couldn’t help but grit her teeth, her mood growing heavier. Chapters fırst released on 𝗇𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗅•𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝗇𝖾𝗍
She resolved that if an opportunity arose, she would kill Louis at once, in case he was not lured out.