Lord of Winter: Beginning with Daily Intelligence - Chapter 414 - 270: Steam Engines and Knight Special Forces (Part 2)

Chapter 414: Chapter 270: Steam Engines and Knight Special Forces (Part 2)

They are powered by a magic energy core, combining alchemy and rune formations, with great power and wide-ranging uses. However, their deadly weaknesses are their exorbitant cost, scarcity, and difficulty in maintenance.

These magical artifacts often rely on high-tier mages for production, the core materials being extremely rare, and maintenance requires professional magicians. Each piece is a “custom product,” difficult to replicate on a large scale.

Even a simple magic-powered machine can cease operation due to insufficient power supply.

The steam engine is different.

It doesn’t require magic, just the burning of ordinary fuels like charcoal and coal, to release immense thermal energy to drive the machine.

With a structure composed of iron, copper, and wood, any blacksmith workshop can create and produce them en masse according to diagrams.

As long as there is sufficient water and fuel, it can operate non-stop day and night, undeterred by the cold winter, knowing no fatigue.

More crucially, it belongs to the common people, any literate artisan can operate and repair it with simple training, without relying on mages, free from the oppression of nobility.

And a single steam engine can replace dozens of laborers, it can pull hammers, drive wheels, power pumps, and run looms.

It could even, in the future, construct an entire industrial city that operates without magic.

Louis looked at the gradually enthusiastic gazes in the workshop, and he found his answer in his heart: the steam engine may not be more “miraculous” than magic, but it is more replicable and more suitable for this territory.

This will be the true starting point of technological independence for the Red Tide Territory, although it is not mature enough yet.

He withdrew his gaze, looked at Mike, and showed a satisfied smile: “You’ve done very well, continue to refine it completely.”

“Yes!” Mike immediately agreed, then chuckled softly, “But it’s not my credit.”

He pushed a boy of about ten forward from behind.

“It’s him—Hamilton. This kid is sharper than all of us, many of the precise structural calculations were first sketched by him.”

Louis looked down to see, it was indeed the genius mentioned by the intelligence system.

Hamilton’s face turned red, and he said softly: “I just… made a small contribution.”

Louis smiled and nodded: “No, having such talent at a young age is already no small feat.”

Saying this, he turned to Hillco: “I think this child’s talent is not low. If you don’t mind, would you consider taking him as a half-apprentice?”

Hillco blinked, a bit unresponsive.

“Me? Alchemy? …Ah… Of course, it’s possible. But whether he can learn depends on if his brain is capable enough.”

Louis turned to Hamilton, bent down, and asked: “Do you wish to learn?”

Hamilton looked at Mike.

Mike smacked the back of his head: “What are you standing there for? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, quickly thank Lord Louis and Lord Hillco!”

“Thank you, Lord Louis! Thank you, Lord Hillco!” Hamilton bowed deeply, his voice trembling.

……

After leaving the Artisan District, Louis hurriedly headed to the Red Tide Territory’s administrative building. He had more important matters to handle.

According to the agreed time, he entered the Tactical Chamber. The walls were adorned with the emblem and honor board of the Red Tide Knight Order, the atmosphere in the hall was solemn, and Lambert had been leading the subunit commanders waiting for quite some time.

Seeing Louis and Bradley arrive together, everyone immediately stood up and saluted, their eyes filled with respect and nervousness.

“Three months have passed, I want to hear about your latest achievements.” Louis stood firmly, his tone calm.

Lambert stepped forward, standing tall and steady, his tone stable: “Report to the Lord, the Red Tide Knight Order’s three subunits have completed reorganization, currently maintaining a size of four hundred to four hundred and fifty personnel each.

The main combat team of Red Tide has stabilized at over five hundred personnel, a cooperative combat mechanism has been established, all knights perform daily tactical drills and rotation assessments, significantly improving combat harmony and adaptability.”

He paused and continued: “Additionally, the honor board system has been implemented across the order. Every mission and victory is recorded and evaluated; rewards and penalties are clear, morale within the camp is unprecedentedly high, and the number of volunteers for combat has visibly increased.”

As his words fell, Louis nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

Lambert continued to report at a steady pace: “According to your strategic deployment, the Red Tide Knight Order has begun establishing multiple special combat units to execute key tasks such as reconnaissance, assault, and fire suppression.”

He first brought out the first scroll diagram:

“Frost Howl Group, integrated into the ’Frost Howl Unit.’ The mounts are giant snowfield wolves bred by the territory, faster than warhorses, capable of crossing forest snow and mountain paths.

Equipped with light lance and foldable wooden iron chevaux-de-frise, capable of high mobility in blockade and counterattack. The primary missions are quick strikes on enemy camps and decapitation of command.”

Those giant snowfield wolves were personally captured by Louis as cubs.

Now they have grown into toothy war beasts, after breeding and training, even spawning a new wolf pack.

And the largest, fiercest wolf “Leng Feng,” Louis did not tame as his personal mount.

Not because it was uncontrollable, but because… it was simply too uncomfortable.

The wolf’s back didn’t have the comfort and stability of a horse’s, its running was bone-jarringly bumpy.

He chose to let Leng Feng serve as the “Wolf Leader” of the entire wolf rider combat unit, leading its offspring to charge and kill enemies, which worked even better.

After all, speed was sufficient, ferocity was intense, and it could take orders; this is what the battlefield truly requires.

Lambert unfolded the second diagram: “Flame Breath Unit. The flamethrower knights, using improved backpack-type alchemy flame sprayers, fueled by naphtha oil and fire scale ointment, can form continuous firewalls at short range.

Originally a weapon against the Nest, now adjusted for human tactics, specifically used to breach enemy shield formations, clear obstacles, and incinerate Barbarian Race siege equipment.

And the Red Frost Unit. Magic Burst Bullet knights, equipped with shoulder-fired short-range launchers, firing magic burst bullet arrows, with both penetration and explosive effects, specialized in large enemy formations and magical beast groups.

Preliminary outfitting is complete, mass production is on track, filling the biggest gap in the Red Tide Army’s firepower support.”

He looked up at Louis: “The above three units are the currently formed special combat units, and there are two more units still in training.”

Louis nodded frequently, clearly very satisfied in his eyes.

These special forces are the core of the tactical reform he personally envisioned and promoted, now showing initial success.

Then Lambert reported the key achievements of this reform: “The special forces and main combat team have completed multiple rounds of actual combat drills.

In simulating Barbarian Race charge formations, the average time required was half of before to complete the rout task, significantly improving cooperative combat efficiency.

The honor board and reward system have inspired strong internal competition, and currently, thirteen knights have acquired the qualification of being stationed and self-sufficient at the border fortresses.

Regarding new equipment, cold iron weapons are sufficient, flamethrowers are adapted for knight usage, and magic burst bullets stabilize at a production rate of thirty per week, entering the practical phase.”

After hearing this, Louis spoke with certainty: “Very good, the Red Tide Territory’s Knight Order is becoming the Northern Territory’s sharpest blade.”

Upon hearing this sentence, the knights immediately felt a jolt in their hearts, their expressions full of excitement and pride.

Some unconsciously straightened their spines, while others clenched their fists, their combat boots lightly tapping the ground.

This was not a simple compliment, but a recognition, a sincere acknowledgment from the great Lord himself that their efforts, training, scars, and sweat were not in vain.

Some young knights murmured lowly: “The Northern Territory’s sharpest blade…”

Some looked passionately ahead, as if they had already envisioned that day of charging through the battlefield, achieving illustrious battle honors.

Louis slightly leaned forward, his gaze sharply sweeping across the entire room: “The next step——”

His tone was firm yet powerful: “Collaborate with the Artisan Division to advance the deployment of Iron Armor Beast combat vehicles in actual combat, as well as the crossbow magic burst arrow knight compilation plan.”

He paused momentarily, his gaze passing over Lambert and several officers: “Furthermore, dispatch a knight team to Mai Lang Territory to capture the Steel Frenzy Bull. That is our ideal power core for the ’Iron Armor Beast’.”

The room stirred slightly, everyone present had heard of that beast’s name, yet none backed down.

“Lastly, prepare for a real combat border cleanup drill. Next quarter, I want to see your new tactics, special units, and equipment innovations all realized on a real battlefield. Can you do it?!”

All the knight commanders resonated throughout the chamber: “Yes!!!”