Chapter 46: Destroying the Snowsworn

Upon waking, Louis habitually opened his daily intelligence system.

Recently, the daily intelligence updates hadn't offered much direct help. He sighed, wishing the great intelligence system would finally provide some information of real value.

Daily Intelligence Update Complete:Due to the increasingly rampant Snowsworn organization, Duke Edmund has decided to summon his vassals and eradicate the Snowsworn in one fell swoop.Knight reserve Weil has activated his bloodline and officially become an apprentice knight.A group of Ice Armor Bears will pass through the northern part of Red Tide Territory tomorrow afternoon.Louis's gaze swept over the three entries. Today's update finally seemed useful.

The first item instantly caught his attention: Duke Edmund had decided to eradicate the Snowsworn in one decisive operation.

The news stirred a sense of satisfaction in him, though it was tinged with anxiety.

The Snowsworn had become the largest terrorist and rebel faction in the Northern Territory, their influence and brutality growing rapidly. Recently, they had launched multiple attacks on small territories, kidnapping nobles and knights alike for horrific sacrificial rituals.

So far, these incidents had not directly affected Red Tide Territory, but what if the Snowsworn's reach extended further?

The scale of their operations and their fanatical methods deeply unsettled Louis. Red Tide Territory's current military strength was simply insufficient to confront such a formidable threat.

Still, Duke Edmund's plan to eliminate them was, without question, good news for the region.

Louis's expression grew somber. According to the Northern Territory Development Order, he was technically one of Duke Edmund's vassals. In fact, the entire Northern Territory fell under Edmund's jurisdiction.

"I'll be expected to answer the call," Louis muttered.

The Northern Territory was in chaos. As a vassal, he would have no choice but to send troops if summoned. However, Red Tide Territory had only recently stabilized. Its forces remained weak, and deploying them would inevitably lead to casualties and potential instability at home.

Then, a thought struck him: he still had the daily intelligence system.

This powerful tool had already seen him through numerous crises. With it, he could anticipate battlefield threats and steer clear of direct confrontation. More than that, he might even be able to seize rare opportunities during the conflict, securing resources to strengthen Red Tide Territory.

"When soldiers come, we'll block them. When water flows, we'll cover it with earth," he said softly, a faint smile curling at the edge of his lips. The old proverb brought him comfort.

His mood lightened, and he turned to the second piece of intelligence.

"Weil has officially become an apprentice knight and activated his bloodline."

Louis paused. A flicker of admiration passed through his eyes.

He had long foreseen this with the help of the system. More importantly, Weil's future wasn't limited to being a mere apprentice knight—he was destined to become one of the strongest fighters under Louis's banner.

"As expected of a future Peak Knight," Louis murmured with satisfaction.

Finally, his gaze fell on the third intelligence item.

"Ice Armor Bears have awakened from hibernation and are expected to pass through the northern part of Red Tide Territory tomorrow afternoon."

Adult Ice Armor Bears were extremely dangerous magical beasts. They stood at an imposing height of 7.2 meters, their hides encased in natural layers of ice crystal armor that repelled most attacks. Their forepaws sported half-meter-long cold iron claws, capable of unleashing freezing pulses that could instantly halt a victim's blood.

Yet Louis showed no trace of worry. Instead, a faint grin appeared on his face.

"This is actually a blessing," he whispered.

Despite their fearsome reputation, Ice Armor Bears were no longer a significant threat to his current combat capabilities. More importantly, their meat held immense value. Consuming it could greatly enhance a knight's physical strength and battle qi.

For Louis, this was the perfect reward to boost morale among his knights and the eight knight reserve trainees under his wing.

The bears' arrival also presented an opportunity to provide real combat experience—something the young warriors sorely lacked. Their appearance could inspire not just fear but a burning desire for strength and improvement.

Without hesitation, he summoned his steward.

"Lambert, gather all knights and archers. We head north for a hunt."

Lambert didn't ask for details. He bowed, turned, and left to carry out the command.

Far to the north, in Frost Halberd City, an urgent report was delivered to Duke Edmund's study.

"Report: A territory in the Northern Territory was attacked by the Snowsworn. All civilians were killed. Nobles and knights were abducted."

The stark lines on the page exploded in the Duke's mind like a grenade.

This marked the sixth such incident in just two months.

The Snowsworn's brutality was worsening. Panic and unrest gripped every corner of the Northern Territory.

"Damn the Snowsworn!"

Duke Edmund leapt to his feet and slammed the papers off his desk in a rage.

Once remnants of the fallen Snow Country, the Snowsworn had transformed over time into a cult of violence and vengeance after the Empire's conquest. Now, these madmen were stoking the flames of revenge, unleashing them across the Duke's lands.

"These are no longer just bandits. We must strike hard and without hesitation!"

Rage burned through him. This scourge needed to be eradicated if there was to be any hope of peace in the region.

Even if total extermination was impossible, their power had to be broken—cut off at the root so they would never again have the strength to launch raids inside imperial borders.

That evening, Duke Edmund convened an emergency meeting with the senior members of his family, his most trusted strategists, and high-ranking generals.

"We can't afford to wait any longer," he said grimly. "Mobilize all vassals. Assemble the army. Divide our forces and eliminate the Snowsworn's strongholds one by one. Leave nothing behind."

Everyone present understood the urgency. The meeting quickly entered a tense phase of strategic planning.

"We'll deploy three primary forces," one strategist suggested. "The first will strike key strongholds, the second will act as reserve support, and the third will guard the northern border to prevent opportunistic invasions from the tribes."

Duke Edmund nodded. "Good. Our movements must be swift and precise. No stronghold must escape."

He then turned to a messenger. "Send word to all vassals. Begin assembling the troops at once. They must depart without delay."

As the meeting wound down, a younger strategist hesitated, then asked, "My Lord, should we include the new pioneer lords from the south in this operation?"

A sneer twisted across Edmund's face.

"All of them!" he snapped. "Pioneer lords from the south? Bah! They're nothing but useless noble offspring. Their deaths won't make a ripple in the south. Let them join this expedition—and die if they must!"

His voice was filled with disdain, his contempt for the southern nobles barely concealed.

The Emperor's Development Order had been a farce in Edmund's eyes. The empire had only sent underwhelming young lords with little experience or value. They were not meant to succeed, only to satisfy the appearance of control.

Since that was the case, Edmund decided it was time to put them to good use—if only as cannon fodder.

After the meeting concluded, orders were dispatched with lightning speed.

Duke Edmund's personal knights carried sealed commands to every vassal lord, ensuring that preparations for war would begin immediately.

The entire Northern Territory stirred like a slumbering beast. Quiet villages and fortress cities alike began to rouse, weapons drawn, soldiers called to arms.

A bloody battle was coming—and all knew it.

From atop the high tower of Frost Halberd City, Duke Edmund looked down at the lands below.

A cold wind howled across the city's spires, but the fire in his heart burned hotter than ever.

The land was about to ignite.

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