Lord of Winter: Beginning with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 595: Chapter 354: Yorn’s Happy Days

One week after the Spring Festival, just after morning exercises had ended, and the mist had yet to dissipate, steam rose from the training grounds of the Red Tide Knight Training Camp.

Instructor Bruck stood on the platform, holding a parchment scroll in his hand: “Every year, Lord Louis selects a few young knights to join his personal guard, which signifies trust, as well as a test.”

The training grounds fell silent, dozens of eyes fixated on that scroll.

Bruck unfolded the list with a slight smile, lifting his chin: “This year, the chosen ones are… Kosa Coldfang, and Gray Harlow.”

At that moment, it felt as if the air stood still.

Kosa was initially stunned, stuck in mid-air, not even clearly hearing his own name; by the time he realized it, his palms were already sweaty.

Next to him, Gray slapped him so hard it almost knocked him off balance: “Did you hear? We made it into the personal guard!”

Applause and cheers erupted in the training ground, with their companions gathering around to tease and pat them on the back, even excitedly lifting them up and tossing them into the air a few times.

Although a few glances bore envy and jealousy, most were filled with genuine laughter.

Bruck shook his head with a smile from the platform: “Perform well, it’s not just an honor, but also a responsibility. Remember, standing by Lord Louis’s side is a rare opportunity in one’s life.”

That night, Gray tossed and turned, unable to sleep, occasionally turning over and throwing a pillow at the bed next to him: “Hey, Kosa, can you sleep? I’m already imagining myself riding a warhorse, guarding Lord Louis.”

“Shut up.” Kosa turned his back to him, but didn’t close his eyes either.

The moonlight outside the window mapped into the dormitory, and he stared at that patch of pale light, a surge of indescribable emotion welling up in his heart—pride, excitement, and a bit of unease.

……

Early the next morning, they were summoned to report at the Red Tide City Main Castle.

Weir personally received them.

This legendary figure of the Red Tide was among the first knights trained by Louis, having joined the camp at twelve years old, and reaching the transcendent realm in just five years, a genius among geniuses, known as the “Shield of Red Tide.”

Kosa and Gray were so nervous before him that they nearly forgot to breathe.

Weir, however, approached with a smile, patting them on the shoulder: “Welcome to the personal guard. Don’t be too nervous, the lord doesn’t bite.”

In a gentle tone, he bent down like an older brother and added: “Remember two things by the lord’s side—heed orders and stay composed. Besides, he is more gentle than you imagine.”

Gray couldn’t help but grinned, and even Kosa relaxed a bit.

They could hardly believe that the legendary figure before them was so approachable.

“Let’s go,” Weir turned to lead the way, “Lord Louis is waiting for you in the conference hall.”

The two followed behind him, their hearts pounding more fiercely than battle drums.

They had actually met Louis at the training camp and were personally praised for their achievements.

But this time was different; this time, they were meeting Louis alone to become true members of the personal guard.

The door to the conference hall was gently pushed open, and warm light spilled onto the stone floor.

Louis was discussing the schedule with Bradley and several councilors, and looked up with a smile when he heard their footsteps.

“Kosa, Gray, right? I remember you two.”

The two instinctively straightened up and saluted, their hearts pounding wildly.

Gray’s hands were almost clenched into fists, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

Kosa only felt his chest heat up, nearly choking on his voice.

They had never imagined that the Lord they discussed countless times at night would call out their names himself.

Gray couldn’t help but puff out his chest, his tone brimming with unstoppable excitement: “Yes, absolutely!”

Kosa followed suit, his voice trembling but extremely firm: “I will not fail in my duties!”

Louis looked at the two, a hint of a smile on his face, and said calmly: “Learn more, observe more. The future of the Red Tide requires young people.”

The two almost spoke in unison: “Yes, Sir!”

Watching them leave, Louis smiled gently: “Young people are great.”

Bradley and several councilors echoed, some smiling and sighing: “Their spirit really is nostalgic.”

Another councilor joked: “It looks just like you a few years ago, Weir.”

Weir, pretending to act like a veteran, commented: “Full of vigor, but their eyes are steady enough, young people should be like this.”

Louis couldn’t help but laugh, turning his head to jest: “Aren’t you only sixteen?”

Weir coughed, his expression slightly stiff, and laughter burst out, lightening the atmosphere considerably.

As the laughter faded, Louis eased his smile and returned to the main topic, standing with Bradley over the open map.

Louis tapped the map’s Frost Dragon Territory, his gaze calm: “In this meeting, the Sixth Prince wants to intervene in Northern Territory affairs under the guise of reconstruction; we all know this. What he wants is nominal control, while what we need is the real setup.”

He paused, his fingertips sliding along the lines, “The grain routes, the ledgers, and the protocols, we’ve already mastered them. The loyalty test will proceed as planned: voting, grading, marking lines. Who is genuinely loyal, and who is feigning allegiance will become very clear by then.”

Bradley smiled slightly: “Coincidentally, we also need such a scene to test the loyalty of each territory. Following the previous approach, it’ll be evident who truly stands with us.”

Louis nodded, his tone mild: “With the grain routes and ledgers in our hand, his so-called special envoy title is naturally empty.

The meeting process is under our control, and if the Sixth Prince wishes to participate, he’ll have to move within our framework.”

Bradley responded: “This time, it’s merely about confirming the outcome.”