Lord of Winter: Beginning with Daily Intelligence - Chapter 570 - 342: Knight Candidates (Part 2)
Chapter 570: Chapter 342: Knight Candidates (Part 2)
You can return to your village in three years, armed with knowledge and power, becoming supervisors, or you can stay and become part of the Red Tide, becoming knights, craftsmen, or civil servants.
Every path is open, without any limits, but how far you can go depends on yourselves.
He paused for a moment, and finally said, “Red Tide does not nurture the lazy, but never fails those who are willing to work hard.”
The young men exchanged glances, seemingly understanding, remained silent for a while.
Someone lowered their head, poking their toe, while another moved their mouth, as if wanting to speak but held back.
The most direct reaction came from the youngest in the group, who whispered, “I, I will work hard.”
Immediately after, another older boy beside him nodded, “We won’t disappoint you, sir.”
The words were awkward, slightly stammered, but compared to the wary and cautious looks when they first entered the city, there was now a spark in their eyes.
And Kosa stood at the back of the crowd, looking at the short figure in front, feeling a slight heat in his chest.
If I really strive for it, maybe I can live a different fate.
Kosa wasn’t sure how far he could go, but he was certain he wanted to give it a try.
Just then, a gentle female voice sounded in Kosa’s ear.
The young men instinctively turned to look.
It was a young woman standing beside the political hall, with a tall, straight figure and distinctive attire.
On the Red Tide styled long dress, the Barbarian Race patterns were faintly embroidered, and a silver feather amulet was worn at her waist.
The silver-white long hair and high nose deep features made every young man from the Snowfield recognize her almost at a glance.
Sif, Princess of the Cold Moon Clan.
A name from the old tribal legends, now standing in the political hall, looking at them with a gentle expression.
Her gaze swept over each person, her tone warm, “I was once one of you, born in a clan, never thought I would stand here one day.
I know, having just arrived in this city, you must feel uneasy, confused, perhaps even defiant.
But you don’t need to rush to change anything. As long as you’re willing to learn, willing to keep moving forward, there will always be a place for you here.”
She paused, her eyes earnest, “Red Tide won’t look down on you because you’re from the Barbarian Race, nor will it strip away your deserved future because you come from a clan.
If you encounter any unfairness in Red Tide, you can come directly to me.
No one should be born inferior here.”
This statement, though not loud, dropped like a stone into the lake, jolting every young man’s heart.
Kosa stood in the crowd, looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar figure, suddenly at a loss for words.
He did not shout slogans, nor did he loudly declare.
He simply bowed his head slowly, his right hand touched his chest, and his left hand on his heart, performing an old ritual belonging to the Barbarian Race.
A few young men followed suit, which was the highest etiquette towards this Barbarian Race princess.
After the young men had left, the room returned to a brief silence.
Louis stood by the window, watching the departing figures: “How do you see these few?”
“They have potential.” Bruch held his hand behind his back, “Especially Kosa, his training record is the most stable, combat technique correction speed is fast, and fighting energy runs most smoothly; there’s hope for him to advance to Transcendent level.”
Halom nodded in agreement, “He basically wakes up on time, organizes his belongings, follows the schedule. I let them try leading the new recruits, and they performed well.”
Louis gently hummed, then turned around, looked at the two:
“Pick a few to focus on training, directional guidance. Add a junior-level political knowledge course, give them a chance for field patrol training.
If they persist, they can become a captain, an instructor, the next Halom.”
Bruch raised an eyebrow, “…Are you planning to let them join the headquarters?”
“I want to try.” Louis looked at him, “But the premise is their loyalty to Red Tide. Not the kind spoken out loud, but the kind in critical moments, without hesitation, unwavering.”
Sif, who had been silent, walked over, gently added a sentence, “Then you must let them know that Red Tide will accept them, not just as tools, nor just as test subjects.”
Her tone was very calm, yet seemed to fill in the unspoken half of what Louis hadn’t said.
Halom and Bruch quickly responded, “Yes, sir.”
Louis casually picked up a booklet recording the training camp’s attendance, casually asked, “Bruch, besides these Barbarian Race trainees, what about the overall training of other Apprentice Knights?”
Bruch was prepared and took a roster from his waist pouch, respectfully handed it over: “Just summarized, sir.”
“According to the Blood Stone assessment, as of this month, across the whole Red Tide territory, including offspring of newly joined knights, and some refugee children, there are a total of 139 of age young properly confirmed with knight lineage.”
“Among them, 34 have successfully entered the introductory stage of Fighting Energy, categorized as junior apprentice knights. The rest are in basic training.”
Louis nodded, “…Stable advancement, no premature elongation, right?”
“None.” Bruch replied crisply, “All according to progress classified training. For those with slow progress, we arranged enhanced boarding and night classes.”
Halom added from the side, “There are also a few children from knight families, who perform well…but there are no policy preference. Treated equally with those from commoners and refugees.”
Upon hearing this, Louis raised his eyes, looked at him, “Let them know, advancement depends on ability, not on surname.”
Sif glanced at him, without interrupting, just lightly nodded.
Bruch then folded his arms and replied, “Understood.”
Louis closed the roster in his hand, calmly said, “Keep it up.”
After Bruch and Halom withdrew, the study was quiet for a moment.
Louis sat by the table, reopened the training camp booklet, drew red lines under two names inside it, these two were seedlings with Transcendent potential as suggested by the Daily Intelligence System.
He slightly raised an eyebrow unconsciously, his fingertips lightly tapping the paper.
Since stepping into the Northern Territory, he has known, relying solely on himself cannot rewrite the situation.
Continuously cultivating apprentice knights, promoting genuinely loyal new Red Tide forces.
This is the most basic and indispensable bargaining chip in this era.
After all, knights are the true decisive factor on the battlefield in this world.
Even though the Red Tide now possesses new weapons like Magic Explosion Bullets, they are merely means in the end.
The ones who operate them are still people.
And in a world governed by Fighting Energy and Transcendence, knights are the finest weapon operators.
No matter how peaceful the surface of the Northern Territory appears, the sky of the Empire has already begun to cloud.
In the daily intelligence system reports over the past two months, the “keywords” regarding the Imperial Capital are becoming increasingly dense: military department factions, church fund movements, the prince privately mobilizing knights, council abnormal motions…
These events are unfolding, possibly culminating in a colossal upheaval larger than the Northern Territory.
“If self-preservation is possible, it’s certainly best.” He muttered, “But if not…”
Then Red Tide must also possess the qualification to protect itself.
His gaze swept over the list, showing a faint smile on his lips.
In these years, more than one transcendent seedling like those circled on this roster has appeared.
Even if they are just in embryonic form, they already represent Red Tide gradually nurturing its own “heritage.”
Suddenly, a thought crossed, he turned his head to look at the close guard Weir beside him, the only Peak Knight seedling.
“What realm are you in now?”
Weir seemed taken aback, hesitated, “Sir, are you asking me?”
“Yes.”
Weir appeared slightly awkward, softly said, “Elite Knight High Tier, nearing the limit… feels like, another step and I’m Transcendent.”
“You should have said earlier.” Louis raised his eyebrow.
“I… you’ve been busy recently, I thought I’d wait a bit.”
“You really are too honest.” Louis chuckled and shook his head.
“But don’t delay any longer, come with me to the Shadow Trial Arena once.”
Weir was surprised, “Sir is going?”
“Yes, on the way to Dawn Port, might as well check the results.”
Weir straightened his posture, “Yes, sir.”
