Lord of Winter: Beginning with Daily Intelligence - Chapter 594 - 353: Winter and Spring Festival (Part 2)
Chapter 594: Chapter 353: Winter and Spring Festival (Part 2)
The maid quickly stepped forward and handed the child a bowl of hot soup.
The nuns in the courtyard were orderly distributing food, with the fire burning in the center.
Several older orphans were reading with the younger children, from the “Alphabet Book” compiled by the Red Tide Academy.
Wooden plaques hung on the walls, engraved with the motto: “Everyone is a child of the Red Tide.”
Alina stood for a long time. This was Louis’s instruction, that all orphans should receive basic education and, if they wished, could enter various fields of the Red Tide in the future.
At this moment, a little girl ran over, holding a garland in her hands, her eyes sparkling: “Madam! We bought this flower with today’s snack money!”
Alina paused for a moment, took the garland, and smiled as she patted her head: “Thank you, it’s really beautiful.”
At this moment, she remembered how Emily used to smile when she was young, with the same expression.
Afterward, she walked into the storeroom, checking the distribution of charcoal and blankets.
Upon finding the supply insufficient, she immediately turned to the steward responsible for supplies and said: “Add thirty more heating stoves, and install two additional heaters in the children’s ward. Replenish the medicine and alcohol by tomorrow morning.”
The steward hurriedly nodded: “Yes, Madam! Red Tide will not let the children freeze, I’ll adjust the supplies right away.”
Alina’s expression was gentle, yet her eyes were resolute: “No matter how tight the budget is, the children must not go hungry.”
The wind and snow intensified outside, but the courtyard grew more lively. The children’s laughter, the crackling of the fire, and the rustling of book pages intertwined into a warm symphony.
As night fell, Alina returned to her residence in Red Tide City.
The fireplace cast a gentle glow, Isaac lay by the window watching the snow, his face warmly lit by the orange light.
She sat at the desk, unfolded a letter, and began writing to an old friend from Frost Halberd, who was also a Northern Territory noble lady:
“You asked if I regret leaving Frost Halberd? No. Louis has not betrayed the Duke’s trust…
What he seeks might not be limited to the Northern Territory… but in his order, even winter is warm.”
The ink dried slightly as the firelight flickered.
She sealed the envelope and looked out at the snowy night, hoping that everyone could fare better this cold winter.
……
Winter finally passed, and the snow on the streets gleamed faintly in the sunlight.
The market in Red Tide City was being decorated with ribbons and flags, the air thick with the aroma of hot soup and bread.
Since Louis arrived, the Red Tide community has celebrated the Festival of Spring Opening every year at this time, honoring the end of winter and giving thanks for the past year of hard work and harvest.
This was the fourth Festival of Spring Opening in the Red Tide Territory, but it was Kosa’s first.
The morning mist had yet to clear, and the whole city was draped in festive colors.
On the main street, flags and floral fabrics fluttered along the road, craftsmen were laying the pavement, and children were building snowmen by the roadside, their laughter echoing in the cold air.
Today he had a task, to represent the Knight Order in the parade.
Though he had whispered complaints the night before, asking, “Why do I have to do such pointless tasks?”
But the thought of riding through the whole city and having their formation seen by the people filled his heart with a secret thrill.
He got up early, washed, put on a clean knight uniform, and adjusted the emblem on his chest.
His reflection showed a slightly nervous expression, and he exhaled softly, checking his sword and belt, then turned to tidy the corners of his knight’s cape.
The sound of knocking came, “Kosa, hurry up!”
In came Gray, the gray-haired youth.
He was a year older than Kosa, came from a refugee family from the Northern Territory, and had been in the Red Tide for three years now. He was extremely gifted, already possessing the skills of an Official Knight.
The two trained together, got scolded together, and even sneaked food from the kitchen stew together, being the best of friends.
“If you don’t come out now, breakfast will be cold.” Gray laughed and tossed a piece of bread to him.
“I haven’t fastened my cape yet.” Kosa caught the bread, replied sullenly, but the corners of his mouth slightly lifted.
They munched on their bread as they walked to the training camp’s dining hall.
The table was set with a breakfast special for the festival: rye porridge, stew, and warm milk.
Gray ate and spoke, “I heard today’s floats can move automatically, the craftsmen used a steam engine. I’m betting one of them will break down.”
“Quit being a jinx.” Kosa glared at him, but couldn’t help but laugh.
After eating, they donned their capes and rushed to the assembly point.
On the training field, a dozen knights were ready to go, with Instructor Bruch standing in front of the squad.
His voice was deep and powerful: “Remember, the knight formation is a symbol of the Red Tide. Today, while it’s not a battle, we must show our spirit to the public and make them feel secure.”
“Yes!” everyone responded in unison.
The horse hooves trotted on the cobblestones, creating a steady rhythm.
The main street of the city was already packed with people, children holding small flags, elders holding red ribbons.
The wreaths hanging on the street corner swayed gently in the wind and snow, with a faint charcoal scent in the air.
The knight phalanx was at the forefront of the procession, riding on horses, uniform yet not rigid.
Today was not a military parade, but a celebration, so they were allowed to relax a bit, smiling in response to the crowd on both sides.
A child ran to the roadside, reaching out to touch the horse mane, and Grey leaned down, smiling as he handed him a small badge.
Kosa gripped the reins tightly, his heart racing faster than the drums.
At first, he was a little reserved, but as the cheers of the crowd rose one after another, the light in those gazes made him slowly straighten his back.
He looked at Grey, who grinned back at him.
“Long live the Red Tide!” Grey shouted.
Kosa couldn’t help but join in, “Long live the Red Tide!”
At this moment, flags danced in the wind and snow, the clamor and laughter merging into one.
The cold winter had passed, and for the first time, he truly felt he belonged here.
The end of the parade was just the beginning. The square was bustling with voices, and the aroma of grilled fish, stewed meat, and wine filled the air.
Street vendors lined up with stalls, craftsmen busy displaying their skills, and children weaving through the crowd, holding activity passports covered with stamps, their faces flushed with smiles.
Grey dragged him into the crowd: “Come on! Builder Challenge, we’re a team!”
They stood shoulder to shoulder, completing the balance on a wooden bridge, relay races, and assembling models, finally earning a Red Tide Emblem at the finish line.
Grey laughed like a child, shaking the medal at him.
Then they moved on to the handicraft stalls in the artisan workshop to forge iron.
Kosa’s first piece of steel was crooked, but the master patted his shoulder, “Not bad, strong.”
He scratched his head a bit shyly, but couldn’t stop his lips from curling upward.
In the afternoon, they sat on a roadside bench eating a festival meal of roast meat, hot soup, and sweet bread, all free of charge.
In the distance, children were singing around a bonfire, and the windows of every household were lit.
At night, a huge bonfire was lit at the center of Fierce Tide Square, the flames painting the entire night sky red.
Snowflakes melted into mist in the heat, landing on faces with a hint of warmth.
Thousands of people formed concentric circles, layer upon layer, children rode on their fathers’ shoulders, craftsmen and soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder, and the old street vendors paused their work to look up at the platform.
Louis and Emily ascended the platform side by side.
The firelight glinted off their cloaks, the golden thread flashing like meteors.
Louis raised his hand, and the clamor instantly fell silent, only the crackling of the bonfire could be heard.
“The Red Tide belongs to everyone who contributes,” his voice steady and powerful, echoing in the wind and snow.
After a moment of silence, the entire square exploded with cheers like mountains roaring and seas surging.
The crowd shouted in unison, “Red Tide! Red Tide!”
Flags fluttered, the sound of the wind and the shouts merging into a deafening anthem.
Kosa stood at the end of the knight phalanx, his gaze fixed on the main flag. The firelight reflected on his face, his young eyes filled with fervor.
At this moment, he almost forgot where he came from; he was simply one of the Red Tide.
Next to him, Grey patted his shoulder, “Hey, don’t zone out. We need to shout too.”
Kosa took a deep breath, raised the flagpole in his hand, and shouted with the crowd, “Long live the Red Tide!”
The shouts echoed in the night sky, the distant snowy mountains sending back waves of sound.
At that moment, the cold night was no longer cold, and the firelight illuminated every young face.
Just a few months ago, Kosa felt like an outsider, but now he could laugh and celebrate with everyone.
Back home, he took out a letter and wrote a few lines:
Father, the winter in the Red Tide is warmer than I thought.
The people here are equal, enthusiastic, and everyone can change their destiny through hard work.
The instructor said I have a chance to become an Official Knight next year. I am doing well, so please don’t worry.
A few days later, he received a reply.
His father’s handwriting was as it always was, rugged yet gentle:
Good child, live well in the Red Tide. It’s a blessing to be in such a place.
Don’t get into trouble, study well. Maybe I can come to visit when the snow melts in spring.
After reading the letter, Kosa was silent for a long time.
In the night, as streetlights and bonfires intertwined, he suddenly understood that this sense of belonging was no longer given by others, but something he had walked into with his own hands. Now he was truly a Red Tide person.
