Lord of Winter: Beginning with Daily Intelligence Chapter 777 - 430: Red Tide Assistance

~2 minute read · 404 words
Previously on Lord of Winter: Beginning with Daily Intelligence...
Lord Louis's strategic meeting addresses significant challenges in Gray Rock Province. Mike commits to developing the crucial alchemy furnace mix within a month, while Cyril outlines a severe public health crisis and proposes immediate sanitation laws and initiatives. Green details plans for mass resettlement and management through Red Tide ID cards. Various issues concerning mineral transport and public security are raised and decisively resolved by Louis. He then personally encourages Green, newly appointed as Provincial Governor, to manage the province without fear, emphasizing his authority.

Thorne's horse moved forward, its hooves sinking into the moist, yielding black soil with a muffled sound.

Blighted Mire Town lay ahead, a region notorious for its low elevation.

The murky gray-black water reflected an oily iridescence, skeletal remains of trees jutted from the muck, and the air, thick with the stench of decay, compelled one to hold their breath.

Thorne's gaze fixed upon the swamp for an extended period.

He had once been a knight.

His past included donning pristine armor, wielding a polished sword, taking solemn vows, and holding unwavering faith in the principles of honor and protection.

However, Duke Raymond's subsequent decree for a punitive military expedition against the vassals led Thorne to refuse his signature on the order.

Consequently, his knighthood was revoked, his military salary ceased, and his steed was nearly seized to settle his debts.

His survival, he owed to the swift southward advance of the Crimson Tide army, which had unexpectedly intervened.

It was this very turn of events that led him to his current location.

Within the assessment report submitted by the Inspection Department, his evaluation was laconic: "A former knight who prefers starvation to the exploitation of vassals."

Swiftly, the water within the cavernous pot reached a vigorous boil.

An iron cauldron rested upon a makeshift stone hearth, flames greedily consuming the fuel at its foundation.

Cubes of cured pork, dried vegetables salvaged from the aftermath of Red Tide, and finely milled oats were introduced into the churning liquid.

Billowing steam surged upwards, rapidly obscuring the entirety of the exposed environs.

The savory aroma of cooked meat permeated the atmosphere.

Within this desolate marshland, perpetually reeking of decay, such a scent struck a discordant note, almost jarringly potent.

It was not a scent of celebration, but rather a long-forgotten emanation of vitality.

Behind Pete, Thorne observed the bubbling cauldron, his brow knitting with increasing intensity.

He finally articulated his thoughts, his tone laced with uncharacteristic gravity: "Esteemed Pete, with the deepest respect, the meat contained within this pot of gruel possesses a value equivalent to the lives of every soul in this settlement."

Pete’s gaze remained fixed upon the pot, his head unmoving.

Thorne pressed on: "Granting them meat today necessitates the same provision for tomorrow, and the day after. Regardless of the abundance within Red Tide's stores, such generosity cannot sustain a place such as this indefinitely."