Lord of Winter: Beginning with Daily Intelligence Chapter 762 - 424: Dividing the Spoils

Even after the bloody aftermath at Grey Rock Castle, the stench of gore lingered.

Outside, the arduous task of cleaning up continued relentlessly. Monster carcasses were carted away from the main square, and industrial flamethrowers and high-pressure water jets worked in tandem, attempting to scour the deep crimson paste from the very cracks in the stone paving. The air hung heavy, a suffocating blend of blood and acrid sulfur. Each gust of the chilling wind seemed to carry a phantom chill, as if drawn from some unplumbed, ancient abyss.

Despite the grim surroundings, Louis had decreed that the council for merits and rewards would convene within its walls. Grey Rock Castle, once the heart of the Remont Clan's strategic discussions and distribution of spoils, was now repurposed. A different assembly convened within, under a new and powerful banner.

As the grand doors of the Platinum Assembly Hall were swung open, a wave of comforting warmth seemed to surge outwards. Within, a roaring hearth cast a lively glow, and rows of candlesticks illuminated the space, their soft light dancing against the stark white stone pillars. Bottles of the Remont Clan's fifty-year-old amber-gold wine were uncorked, their precious contents poured into waiting goblets, shimmering with an enticing, mellow hue. The former family crest adorning the wall had been removed, replaced by the imposing flag of the Red Tide.

Dominating the center of the long table was a colossal parchment, a map that encompassed nearly the entirety of Gray Rock Province. It was densely peppered with a multitude of small, colored flags, as if a new division of territory was about to unfold.

The Northern Lords, their cloaks still faintly damp and carrying the residual scent of battle, took their places one by one. Yet, their attention was already captive, rigidly fixed upon the map before them.

Count Albert clutched his goblet, his fingers betraying a slight tremor. This seasoned nobleman, a fixture in the Northern Territory for over six decades, found his gaze locked onto a vast swathe of land marked in crimson. His Adam's apple bobbed erratically as he swallowed. This was the Red River Valley, a region of unparalleled fertility within Gray Rock Province, its annual harvest equivalent to three years' total output from his own northern domains.

Louis had subtly alluded to this distribution earlier, in a private word before the formal council. The amber-gold wine in Albert's cup quivered, threatening to spill with the movement.

A profound silence descended upon the hall as the allocation of lands commenced. Louis, positioned at one side of the long table, held a pointer—a tool perfectly suited, much like a fine dining knife, for the task at hand. His gaze swept across the map, then settled on the assembled faces, alight with anticipation and restless ambition.

"Count Albert," Louis said, his pointer lightly tapping the map. "Your cavalry fought valiantly; this Red River Valley fief is now yours."

A discernible hitch in Albert's breath followed the pronouncement. He nearly sprang to his feet in reflex. Though his voice wavered slightly, it resonated with unwavering conviction: "I shall gladly perish in service to the Red Tide!"

Louis shifted the pointer. "Viscount Yorn, the Iron Rock Mine fief to the west shall be placed under your name."

Yorn almost vaulted from his seat, his goblet shaking so violently that it threatened to slosh. He took a deep gulp, his voice muffled but charged with an uncommon sincerity: "Boss... I—I, Yorn, will be with you until the very end!"

"Viscount Brom, the Bridgeport fief on the southern bank will pass into your stewardship."

"Count Henderson, the Arabek fief falls under your jurisdiction."

...Once the territories of the Northern Lords had been meticulously assigned, the pointer paused briefly before moving to the opposite side of the table. Seated there were not nobles, but Knights bearing the distinctive Sun insignia—many of them individuals who had pledged their allegiance to Louis since his very arrival in the Northern Territory.

"Lambert."

Lambert snapped to attention, his chest instinctively puffing out. His breathing quickened audibly for a moment, his eyes blazing with an intense brightness. "The Violet Valley fief, situated in the northern expanse of Gray Rock Province, along with its accompanying farmlands, is temporarily entrusted to your care."

No noble title was bestowed, yet a substantial tract of land was granted nonetheless. Lambert opened his mouth as if to speak, but ultimately could only nod emphatically, his throat tight with emotion.

"Remore, the Jade River fief will fall under the purview of the Defense Bureau; you will be responsible for its garrison."

...The Knights whose names were called rose in succession. They were not granted titles, but rather responsibilities, territories—promises that Louis was diligently fulfilling. Most of these men had possessed nothing when they first followed him into the Northern Territory. Now, both within the North and across Gray Rock Province, they had established domains that were rightfully theirs. As for titles, such honors could only be conferred by the Emperor himself. No one at the table voiced this, for they understood implicitly that it was merely a matter of time.

With each movement of the pointer, a ripple of barely contained excitement surged through the assembled hall.

The distinct sound of gulping and the rapid clinking of glasses filled the air.

They all grasped the significance of the moment.

These were not mere symbolic gestures of reward; these represented actual territories, rich mineral deposits, rights to collect taxes, and populations to govern.

These were portions directly extracted from the fallen Remont Clan.

Louis’s actions were deliberate and precise, cutting with an assurance that left no room for doubt.

As the final territory was allocated, the pretense of composure vanished within the grand Platinum Assembly Hall.

Wine was swiftly consumed, and eyes darted between the map and Louis, a silent acknowledgment of his authority.

A singular thought resonated deeply within every noble and Knight present:

Aligning with Louis offered more than just survival—it promised immense prosperity.

Yet, each individual understood with stark clarity that the most substantial portion was conspicuously absent from the table.

The most significant share was not laid out for division.

The control over Gray Rock Province’s core taxation, the vital port infrastructure, and the ultimate authority over the primary ore veins remained firmly within Louis’s grasp.

These critical assets, pivotal for shaping the province’s future for the next decade, were never considered for negotiation from the outset.

Their collective understanding was that without Louis, this very assembly and the day’s proceedings would have been utterly impossible.

The conquest of the southern regions and the complete subjugation of Gray Rock Province, let alone the capture of Gray Stone Fortress alone, was a feat none of them would have dared to contemplate.

Glasses were raised in succession, with Count Albert initiating the toast.

The seasoned nobleman stood tall, his posture unwavering, a palpable sense of relief evident in his eyes. "My lord, without your intervention, I would never have envisioned setting foot within the gates of Grey Rock Castle in this lifetime."

Viscount Yorn followed suit, his round face flushed with emotion. He practically drained his goblet in a single motion.

"A stronghold the Remont Clan held for three centuries, vanquished by you in a single campaign—for this, I, Yorn, readily acknowledge your leadership."

Count Brome simply lifted his cup, clinking it with Louis’s from a distance before emptying its contents. "Reaching this point represents the most astute decision of my life. My gratitude to Lord Louis."

"Lord Louis's benevolence shall not be forgotten." Several Knights, already granted their new territories, echoed the sentiment, rising to their feet.

Lambert remained silent, but his head bobbed in a firm nod, his hand unconsciously clenching at his side. The sheer exhilaration of the moment coursed through him, difficult to suppress.

As the wine flowed, their breaths grew heavier. Some repeatedly lowered their gaze to the map, their fingers tracing the markings as if to confirm the reality of their newfound ownership.

They were all acutely aware that they were witnessing, firsthand, the establishment of a new order, solidified upon that very table.

Louis remained seated, his expression one of quiet composure.

Only after the murmurs naturally subsided and a sense of calm returned did he speak again, "Regarding the administration of these newly acquired territories..."

Before he could elaborate, Count Albert raised his cup once more. "My lord, whatever your decision, please spare us the burden of direct management."

The old nobleman's words were unusually direct, yet carried a deliberate undertone of strategic deference. He recognized that Louis would never have sanctioned their self-governance from the start.

"Now that the inhabitants of Gray Rock Province fall under our dominion, the Red Tide Code must be implemented without delay. Any postponement risks sowing seeds of future unrest."

Viscount Brome swiftly added his perspective, his honesty apparent. "To speak plainly, our true desire is to manage these lands ourselves."

He paused, then inclined his head slightly towards Louis.

"However, entrusting these territories to my unaccomplished sons would undoubtedly lead to rampant corruption and eventual rebellions, leaving you to rectify the ensuing chaos.

My lord, I implore you, dispatch Red Tide commissioners to oversee governance. We shall reap the profits, while you maintain order—a mutually beneficial arrangement that saves us all considerable trouble."

His pronouncement brought a palpable sense of relief to the assembly hall, with several nobles murmuring their assent.

It wasn't that they lacked the desire for governing authority. Every person present had, at some point, privately contemplated the advantages of direct administration.

However, even voicing such a thought aloud would never have secured Louis’s approval.

His objective was provincial stability, not merely replacing the old guard with a new set of nobles destined to repeat the same errors.

Furthermore, the burdens of self-governance were immense, offering little reward. They would be compelled to maintain forces to quell dissent, face diminishing tax revenues due to widespread corruption, and bear the brunt of public discontent.

Entrusting matters to Red Tide, however, presented a completely different scenario. The Agriculture Bureau demonstrated greater professionalism than specialized farmers; the Trade Bureau excelled at selling goods at elevated prices; and the Defense Bureau was tasked with maintaining public order and quelling any disturbances... all potential risks were meticulously segregated. The ledgers were transparently maintained, dividends were fixed, and settlements were consistently punctual. All that remained was to await the outcome. Through years of building trust, Red Tide's reputation had become more robust than gold. Louis observed all of this, exceptionally pleased with the Northern Lords' current disposition. His gaze briefly passed over the map, yet within his mind, he was already calculating the primary benefits acquired from this undertaking. Firstly, there was the acquisition of territory and population. The integration of Gray Rock Province into the Red Tide system effectively saw the actual dominion of Red Tide Territory expand twofold in a single night. More significantly, however, was the acquisition of an extensive expanse of contiguous plains. From this day forward, Red Tide would no longer be hampered by the severe cold of the Northern Territory or its reliance on grain imports. In his grasp now lay one of the western Empire's most dependable sources of sustenance. This transcended mere sufficiency in food; it represented the very cornerstone upon which prolonged warfare could be sustained. Next, the matter of population. The hundreds of thousands of farmers, artisans, and displaced individuals within Gray Rock Province would, after being absorbed by the Red Tide system, soon be transformed into a productive labor force. People would cease to be a limiting factor for Red Tide. Then came the seaports and trade arteries. Once Gray Rock Province's harbors were seamlessly integrated into the Red Tide network, commodities from the Northern Territory and Red Tide's manufactured goods would find an immensely broader outlet for distribution. And the treasury bequeathed by the Remont Clan served as the most immediate source of funding. Accumulated over centuries—gold, Magic Crystals, and rare materials were piled high like mountains. This immense wealth was sufficient to equip the Red Tide Legion for the subsequent phase of Magic-guided Industry advancements: the mass production of steam war chariots, the enhancement of artillery, the improvement of steamships, and even the provision for more ambitious, long-term strategies. Furthermore, at the crack of dawn today, the "Daily Intelligence" had already pinpointed additional concealed resource locations for him. These included unexploited veins of hidden magic ore, nests of Magical Beasts of particular significance, and several subterranean installations intentionally sequestered by the Remont Clan. The development of these assets was now merely a question of time. Finally, and most crucially, was the intact corpse of the Ancient Dragon—lifeless, yet preserved. This represented a formidable power not to be trifled with lightly. However, Louis was determined not to emulate the Remont Clan's error by employing it for perilous human experimentation. Nevertheless, an artifact of such magnitude was an incomparable treasure in its own right, and he intended to entrust it to Merian's alchemy division for further research and development. The benefits reaped from this endeavor were truly substantial. While Louis maintained a composed demeanor, inwardly, he was experiencing an overwhelming surge of elation.