Lord of Winter: Beginning with Daily Intelligence Chapter 717 - 402: Major and Minor Meetings

A biting wind swept into the council hall, but the nobles present felt a more profound chill emanating from Louis's pronouncements.

Each declaration landed like a splash of ice water, chilling them to the bone.

"Civil war engulfing the Imperial Capital... vital supply lines severed... the ore market collapsing... burdensome taxation..."

These issues, once distant political whispers from the capital, now felt like a tightening noose around their very existence.

The Northern Territory, a desolate land enduring for centuries on the Empire's grain shipments, what fate awaited it if abandoned?

It would be akin to casting a frail, aging soul into a frigid snowdrift.

The hall erupted into pandemonium, a cacophony of fear and despair, as if the Empire's final hour was already tolling at the gates of Frost Halberd City.

Louis, however, remained composed, observing the escalating chaos with a serene expression. He raised a hand, bringing it down twice on the table, the sharp sounds cutting through the din and commanding instant silence.

He rose, his hands resting on the long table, his posture as unyielding as a mountain. "To the lords who have embraced the Red Tide initiative, fear not. Your dividends shall continue, and we shall navigate these impending challenges as one."

A collective sigh of relief swept through the assembled nobles affiliated with the Red Tide.

Some even flushed with emotion, their faces reflecting a sense of profound rescue.

The sheer profitability of the Red Tide was indeed remarkable; even a fraction of their current returns would be a godsend.

"A reduced share is perfectly acceptable given the extraordinary circumstances... we all understand."

"Continuing to receive dividends is an immense blessing in these times."

"Lord Louis's benevolence is truly beyond measure."

Tears welled in the eyes of some, overcome with gratitude.

Conversely, the visages of the lesser lords, those who had not yet aligned with the Red Tide, were etched with a grim despair.

Some were already teetering on the brink of financial ruin, holding out hope that this meeting on the Northern Territory's reconstruction would be an opportunity to gain Louis's favor and join the Red Tide for a share of its prosperity.

The prospect of Imperial chaos left them utterly adrift, with no clear path forward.

Others depended heavily on trade routes from the south or directives from the Imperial capital for their very survival.

Should the Empire fracture, their territories would be instantly choked, rendering even basic sustenance a daunting challenge.

The atmosphere within the meeting hall fractured into two distinct camps: one, though still apprehensive, found a measure of comfort in the Red Tide's stability, even harboring a flicker of smug satisfaction.

The other group descended into utter disarray, their panic palpable as they scrambled toward Louis, their pleas for survival and self-preservation spilling forth like a desperate tide.

Louis offered no immediate response.

His gaze swept across them, calm yet penetrating, eliciting a pang of anxiety in their chests.

Then, a faint smile touched his lips. "I am not a charitable man."

This statement sent a shiver down many a noble's spine.

Yet, his next words dawned like the first light of a winter sunrise: "However, I am prepared to offer you one final opportunity."

A hush fell over the assembly; all eyes were fixed upon him.

" following this meeting, you may present the resources of your territories to Bradley. Should they prove valuable... you may then seek to join the Red Tide system.

But understand, the terms will not be as advantageous as they once were. As I have stated previously, the earlier your commitment, the more favorable the conditions."

His tone then shifted, sharp and chilling as a winter blade under the moonlight: "As for those lacking in valuable resources... consider carefully your own intrinsic worth.

Your time is rapidly dwindling. You may choose to fade into obscurity with the Empire's demise... or you can follow me, and face this chaotic world with your dignity intact."

For a prolonged moment, an absolute silence reigned in the hall.

One by one, the nobles lowered their heads.

Yet, within their hearts, a single, unified thought took root: "How can we best align ourselves with this ascendant Lord of the North?"

With the stage meticulously set, the astute minds among them grasped the undeniable truth: By raising the Red Tide's banner, even if half the Empire crumbled, they could secure their sustenance and survival.

Remaining loyal to the Empire? That path now led only to inevitable ruin.

Within the expansive confines of the council hall, a solitary figure remained unfazed by the prevailing fear and desperation.

Louis reclined in the primary seat, much like a grandmaster surveying a concluded chess match, a subtle smirk gracing his features.

This entire proceeding, from the initial outburst of unrest to the current profound stillness, had unfolded precisely according to his design.

Seizing the moment of tightly controlled tension, Louis rose, adjusting the cuffs of his sleeves.

Even this minor gesture caused the assembled nobles to instinctively straighten their postures, their attention now fully captured."There is one more thing," Louis declared casually, his words sending subtle waves through the hushed atmosphere of the assembly hall. "As I've already stated, the Empire is rapidly descending into the chaos of civil strife. The Northern Territory, inevitably, will not escape its grasp." His pronouncement caused the formerly eased expressions on the faces of the nobles to tighten once more. Louis placed his hands firmly on the table, his voice gaining an edge of unyielding resolve. "To ensure the flames of conflict from the south do not engulf us, and to preclude the emergence of further Ackmans, I motion for the establishment of the Northern Joint Defense Corps." His gaze, sharp as a drawn blade, swept over each noble present. "I pledge to safeguard the security and prosperity of every one of your domains." At these words, the assembly hall was plunged into an unnerving silence. It was readily apparent to all that Louis's ambition extended beyond mere cooperation; he sought absolute military authority over the entirety of the Northern Territory. This would inevitably mean subsuming control of each family's knightly order... placing them all directly under his command. Such a consolidation of power had not been witnessed in the Northern Territory for an entire millennium. Knights were intrinsically linked to a noble's honor, serving as a potent symbol of their standing and their ultimate means of defense. To relinquish control of them would leave these noble families feeling as vulnerable as toothless tigers, mere hollow figures.