Lord of Winter: Beginning with Daily Intelligence - Chapter 585 - 349: Merian and Kavier_2
Chapter 585: Chapter 349: Merian and Kavier_2
Louis sighed softly, as if in regret, yet seemingly unsurprised: “Then there’s no rush. You focus on other things first. When the conditions are ripe next year, we’ll discuss sampling again. Red Tide City has plenty of alchemy materials and manpower.”
His tone softened, becoming gentle: “I will prepare a laboratory, assistants, and resources for you. Here, you can continue your research without constraints. Red Tide respects knowledge and those who allow knowledge to blossom.”
Merian listened, but hardly absorbed a word.
At this moment, his mind was filled with only one thought—to survive. As long as he wasn’t thrown into the sea, he would nod and agree to anything.
He repeatedly agreed, bending slightly, as if afraid his voice might provoke the other.
Louis looked at him, smiled slightly: “Go rest, Master Merian. There’s no rush with the experiments.”
Once the door closed, Merian’s shoulders finally relaxed, as if all his energy had been drained.
He felt a sense of confusion, yet there was an absurd relief.
His life, after all, was preserved.
So be it, moving from one laboratory to another was merely changing locations to continue working.
As for the Green Tide Guild and the Jade Federation… he had never truly been attached to that place.
……
The night pressed down on the sea, waves battering the hull of the ironclad ship with a low echo.
A few lamps burned on the deck, their light flickering in the wind.
Kavier Ironjaw stood before the helm, half his face shrouded in shadow, the other half, a metal jaw, reflecting the cold light of the fire.
He silently bit on an iron pipe until there was a crack, and the pipe broke.
He casually tossed the fragments into the sea, his voice cold as the wind: “A week has passed, and not even a signal?”
The adjutant stood not far off: “Yes, sir. The sawbone unit has not sent back any signal.”
Kavier chuckled, a hoarse, brief laugh.
He bit down hard on his metal jaw with a cold clenching noise that made one’s heart chill.
Then he slammed a fist onto the railing, sending rust and splinters flying, making the adjutant instinctively step back.
“Possible?” he repeated in a low voice, yet without anger.
After a moment of silence, he looked up at the distant dark sea, his tone slowed, “What did I tell them before they set out?”
The adjutant hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice: “Retrieve the target, return immediately.”
“Then they didn’t die at the hands of the Empire,” Kavier said blandly.
He didn’t think a fool like Bag could cause any real trouble; if it was indeed his doing, there was no way he couldn’t even send a signal.
Moreover, the Northern Empire didn’t have any real naval power, or he wouldn’t have been able to roam here for so long.
The intelligence for this operation was provided by the Ashen Guild.
Those people had long planned in secret to seize the Great Alchemist from the Green Tide Guild and make him serve the Ashen Guild.
They gave Kavier the route, the ship type, and the operation window. If he could capture the target alive, he could exchange for more funds and port privileges.
The internal traitor in the Green Tide Guild was cooperating with this operation, leaking the Great Alchemist’s itinerary.
Numerous possibilities flashed through Kavier’s mind:
Was it the Empire’s doing?
Did another guild beat them to it? That would mean the Ashen Guild had leaked their own plans before acting.
Or was the Ashen Guild secretly erasing traces?
The more he thought about it, the more chaotic it became, his head aching as if struck by an iron hammer.
Kavier squinted his only eye, muttering: “Could the guild be playing me for a fool?”
The Ashen Guild, those merchants who claimed to control the Federation.
Kavier understood that his ascension as a mad king was not due to madness, but knowing whom to bow to.
His fleet, warships, and base all depended on the Ashen Guild’s support.
He was no more than a pawn on their chessboard.
If this mission failed, he knew what would happen; the guild would say “funding terminated.”
And so, funding would be cut, his selling points would vanish, and his subordinates would fall apart within months.
Kavier inhaled a breath of cold wind, his throat letting out a short metallic scraping sound, like a laugh that wasn’t one.
“Dispatch reconnaissance ships, search full line; even if it’s just a piece of sailcloth, find it for me.”
“Yes, sir!” The adjutant immediately bowed and retreated.
The wind blew stronger, swaying the deck lamps back and forth.
Kavier stood alone, fingers tapping lightly on the railing.
He knew he could not show unease.
The mad king could go wild, but could not show weakness.
With the wind whistling and the ship vibrating, no one dared look at him.
……
The administrative building of Dawn Port stood silently amidst the wind and snow.
Lights shone through the window panes, warming and brightening the conference hall, the air rich with a sense of accomplishment.
Louis sat in the main seat, his gaze sweeping over the few present, his expression calm.
He had stayed at Dawn Port for two months, and these two months of construction had brought new results to this new city; it was time for another meeting before his departure.
“We won’t beat around the bush, let’s talk about results directly,” Louis began.
Russell was the first to stand and report, his voice carrying a southern accent: “Ninety-nine percent of the port engineering is complete, the dikes, berths, and rail systems are all in use.
The cooling facility in the cargo processing area was topped out last night, only exterior decoration remains. The winter antifreeze layer on the tracks has been reinforced, and pressure testing has passed.”
Louis nodded slightly: “Safety first, check again.”
“Understood, sir,” Russell bowed in response, though his eyes held a hint of pride.
When it was Bernard’s turn to speak, the old craftsman tightened his coat slightly: “The series of ships for Dawn have all completed their trial runs, and the experimental ships Dawn and Tide are also assembled.
But due to the current sea ice not melting, trial tests have yet to be conducted; full tests are planned for the spring tides.”
Louis nodded, with a tone of appreciation: “Very good. Don’t rush to build new ships, you can rest a bit first.”
Bernard managed a slight smile, his tense shoulders relaxing a bit.
Eliot sat close to the fireplace and only stood up after listening to the reports of the two:
“The harbor defense fleet has completed three rounds of drills, mainly training for night battles and sea assaults. The cannon placements have been maintained, the sea defense line can withstand a medium-scale attack.”
“Excellent.” Louis smiled slightly, “Dawn Port’s stable winter relies on your preparations.”
Next was Reda’s turn, holding an account book, her speech clear: “The winter houses are all completed, the remaining materials have been transferred to the public warehouse.
Grain is sufficient, the transport ship from Red Tide City arrived at the port last night, and McDonald’s harvest has also arrived, enough to support the entire winter. The bathhouse, infirmary, theater, and laundromat are running normally.”
Louis leaned back in his chair, his expression relaxing a bit: “Very good, Reda, keep it up.”
She smiled slightly and solemnly replied, “Yes, sir.”
The atmosphere in the conference hall gradually lightened.
Russell was reviewing construction drawings, Bernard confirmed shipbuilding progress with his assistant in a low voice, Reda was organizing livelihood accounts.
Louis glanced around, sighing with satisfaction: “It seems that Dawn Port can finally settle down this winter.”
He stood up, draping his coat over, his tone as calm as ever: “Next year, we need more than just port construction. Once spring arrives, the merchant fleet must set sail. And if those pirates are still around then, we should deal with them.”
Eliot immediately rose and saluted: “We are ready at any time.”
“No need to be too tense,” Louis chuckled, “You’ll be busy when the snow melts.”
He paused, his gaze softened: “You’ve worked hard these two months. For the port to reach this point, it wasn’t through miracles, but through each of your hands.”
Everyone stood and saluted, their tone unified: “Yes, sir.”
After the meeting ended, everyone gradually departed.
Louis remained in the hall, gazing at the snowline outside the window.
The lighthouse beam swept over the sea, outlining the shape of Dawn Port.
He murmured softly: “Winter is approaching, it should Red Tide, otherwise Orsus might not recognize his father.”
