Lord of Winter: Beginning with Daily Intelligence Chapter 741 - 413: Battlefield Situation

Twilight's glow cast itself upon the watchtower of Silver Creek Mines, highlighting the ornate pipe Albert, the Count, held.

His fingers traced the carvings on the pipe as his gaze drifted past the eaves, down to the bustling mine plaza below.

Two distinct armies were repositioning their guards.

One was the combined force of the Red Tide and Northern Army, their dark uniforms resembling the Grim Reaper against the setting sun.

Witnessing this, an indescribable feeling washed over Albert.

Merely months prior, he had feared the Red Tide's rigid methods would crush the Northern men's fighting spirit.

Yet, through their shared battles, he discovered not a subdued force, but a disciplined pack of wolves.

This transformation brought him solace, yet it also conjured memories of that rainy night ten days ago—their very first engagement.

It was then the true prowess of Louis's contingent became apparent.

Torrential rain cascaded from the heavens like a waterfall.

Amidst the flashes of lightning, Albert recalled standing in the sodden ground outside Black Pine Fortress, casting a doubtful glance at Lambert beside him.

Louis entrusting command to an inexperienced youth? Utterly rash.

Capturing Black Pine Fortress's terrain, let alone achieving zero casualties, seemed impossible.

He had even resolved to seize command himself if Lambert's strategy faltered.

However, the young man never afforded him the opportunity.

With a mere glance at the letter penned by Louis himself, which he held, Lambert raised his hand, indicating a nondescript section of Black Pine Fortress's northwest wall.

Swiftly, several knights, appearing like specters conjured from the night, ascended the wall in silence.

Albert distinctly remembered only a few muffled crossbow shots, followed by a deafening "boom" that echoed with the thunder.

As flames erupted, that very section of the wall crumbled, dislodging stones that tumbled down.

In that instant, he was left speechless.

It was as if Louis had pre-analyzed the fortress, identifying the weakest stonework and anticipating the guards' negligence on a rain-soaked night.

A preposterous thought entered Albert's mind: "If I were defending this city, I wouldn't even know how I met my end."

Even more astonishing than breaching the fortress were the actions of the Red Tide Army in the aftermath.

The treasury was blown open, wage chests spilling their contents in a dazzling golden display.

The Northern knights, acting on instinct, lunged to claim the riches.

He found no fault in their actions; in the unforgiving Northern Territory, exchanging one's life for wealth was hardly considered shameful.

Yet, he would forever etch Lambert's figure into his memory.

Confronted by a mountain of treasure, the young commander, without a moment's hesitation, simply raised his hand.

The Red Tide Knights bypassed the wealth, not a single soldier reaching for even one coin.

Albert remained frozen, his chest feeling as though struck by a heavy blow.

What he had perceived as Northern pride dissolved, revealing itself as mere pretense.

Louis had forged a different kind of army, one capable of maintaining composure amidst a windfall, though learning of the Red Tide Knights' subsequent rewards lessened his surprise.

He unfurled the Gray Rock map, revealing that a quarter of Gray Rock Province was now shaded with the color of the Red Tide Legion.

A shiver traced its way up his spine.

He entertained a terrifying hypothetical: "What if I were Raymond's subordinate... or if a civil war erupted in the Northern Territory, and I sided against Louis...?"

Visions flashed through his mind:

He understood all too well the consequences of being on the opposing side; intelligence would be utterly compromised, all deployments laid bare like an open book to his adversary.

Their clandestine strategies would inevitably be exposed before long.

The city walls would scarcely withstand the initial volley of the Magic Explosion Bullet, and his own knights would likely be annihilated by the relentless onslaught before they could even react.

Albert's throat constricted as he arrived at an inescapable conclusion: "We wouldn't last a day. No... not even half a day. My head would be displayed on the flagpole."

The burning tobacco singed his fingertips, jolting Albert from his reverie.

"Count," Lambert announced, pushing open the door, the scent of smoke clinging to him, "Silver Creek Mines are secured. As per your instructions, the communal tents are erected, and the oppressive mine overseers face a public trial. Your knights... performed admirably this time."

A smile touched Albert's lips, surprisingly pleased to receive praise from someone of humble origins and significantly younger than himself.

Steeling himself against the inner chill, he addressed Lambert, "Lambert, where is our next objective? Shall we aim for Red Leaf Town ahead, or White River Crossing? My knight order is eager to spearhead the assault."

Lambert did not immediately refuse. Instead, he approached the map, procured a red marker, and systematically placed crosses beside several frontline strongholds.

His voice remained even and courteous. "Count, under normal circumstances, I would undoubtedly endorse you taking the vanguard. However, Lord Louis has apprised me that the present circumstances have shifted."

Albert's brow furrowed. "The surrounding towns are as barren as a dried-up well. My men could select any one at random, charge in, and seize it without delay."

"Precisely because of this,