Lord of Winter: Beginning with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 598: Chapter 355: Warm Welcome

The evening sky was dyed red by the flags, the snowstorm had just stopped, but there were still ice flakes swirling in the air.

The sound of heavy iron hooves came from the end of the mountain path, orderly and rhythmic, like distant thunder.

Louis’s convoy slowly pressed up the hillside.

Vanguard knights lined up, draped in crimson cloaks, forming a steel torrent with the supply carts and heavily armored guards behind, filling the mountain pass.

The city gates were adorned with flags bearing the dueling emblems of Red Tide and the Harvey Clan, symbolizing the fusion of nobility and new order.

The bell tower had long been ringing, and the entire Silver Ridge Hill was boiling.

Yorn originally commanded people to arrange a ceremony, but it proved unnecessary as the people had already gathered spontaneously.

Miners threw down their hammers, children held hand-painted Red Tide flags and sang, women swept the streets and scattered ashes to prevent slipping, and the elderly brought out homemade wine.

The whole city had been bubbling since morning, with no one forced.

Why were they so excited?

Because for two years, they heard the bards sing “Song of the Red Tide” every day.

At night by the campfire, they listened to the theater troupe perform “Dawn Port” and “Light of the Snowfield,” watching actors with masks depict how the young Lord saved the Northern Territory.

The children found it amusing, but the adults listened and wept because they knew there would be no Silver Ridge Hill today, no stable life for themselves, without Louis.

Torches lit up on both sides of the street, illuminating the giant iron carriage, with the Red Tide emblem engraved on the door, looking like a burning sun.

The elderly bowed their heads with canes, craftsmen raised their hammers and shouted, miners lit torches, students sang loudly, women stuffed baked bread into the knights’ arms, and children jumped with flags.

A young mother held her baby, telling him, “Look, that’s Lord Louis.”

“Long live Lord Louis! Long live the Red Tide!” The shouts formed a tidal wave.

The procession of Red Tide Knight Order moved forward with the cheers, their steps like a torrent flowing into the city gates, shaking the snow loose.

Yorn rode at the forefront, wearing the most splendid formal attire he specially prepared.

Over his gold-embroidered knight armor, he wore an embroidered cloak, with a medal from Duke Edmund pinned on his chest.

To show his esteem for Louis, he polished his helmet to shine, and his sword’s strap was newly replaced.

He looked majestic yet slightly comical due to the thick armor making him appear round, riding on horseback.

Seeing the carriage slowly approach, Yorn’s heart beat fiercely with the drumbeats.

Two years of construction were finally being showcased in front of the leader.

Yorn originally worried that the preparations might not be thorough enough, but seeing the street’s jubilant populace now, surpassing his plan’s grandeur, he couldn’t hide his smile anymore.

He smiled so broadly that his eyes squinted, delighted both for Louis’s arrival and his successful preparations.

Around him, the knights shouted and miners called out, the lively atmosphere making his chest burn.

As the convoy gradually slowed, Louis sat in the carriage, fingers lightly tapping the armrest, with a somewhat helpless expression.

He originally intended for a low-key inspection of Silver Ridge Hill’s governance, checking if the mines, warehouses, and schools operated adequately, but now it seemed everything would have to be rescheduled.

Through the window, he saw the torches, flags, and countless excited faces lining the street, the continuous shouts blending together, enveloping him with a fervent warmth.

He sighed, but his lips still curled upwards involuntarily.

This feeling of being eagerly watched, even though he was accustomed to it, was impossible to completely reject.

Louis slightly leaned out, snowflakes falling on his shoulders, he stretched his gloved hand, waving to the crowd.

Just a simple gesture instantly ignited the entire street.

The shouts surged like a tsunami, banners raised in unison, drums sounded again, children screamed, women waved, and men doffed their hats in tribute.

Even the distant bell tower quivered in response, the air suffused with fervor.

In the midst of the procession, Kosa and Grey were also overwhelmed by the commotion, riding on horseback, witnessing for the first time the sight of the lord’s arrival.

Countless flags and cheers dazzled them, just one wave from Louis could ignite the entire territory.

Grey murmured softly, “This is the Red Tide… this is the master of the Northern Territory.”

Kosa tightened the reins, chest burning, suddenly understanding the instructors’ words from the training camp: “Red Tide is a belief.”

Looking at the people on the street, their fervor and reverence was nearly akin to when they prayed.

The difference was, this faith had flesh and blood, it had warmth.

The convoy halted, guards opened the carriage door, Louis extended that hand again, stepping onto the ground.

The crowd’s roar instantaneously became a tide, even the bell tower’s chimes became muffled.

Yorn almost ran forward, kneeling with one knee, the armor crashing into the snow: “All of Silver Ridge Hill’s people welcome the Red Tide Lord!”

Louis bent over to lift him up, smiling and patting his shoulder, “Yorn, let me see the city you’ve guarded.”

Yorn grinned, nodding repeatedly, speech so rapid it was somewhat stuttering: “Everything’s according to your directives, the ore output has doubled, three academies built, no one’s going hungry… you’ll be satisfied!”

Louis nodded slightly: “I can see you’ve done very well.”

“Boss, you’ve had a hard journey.” Yorn walked slightly ahead, his smile wrinkling his eyes, “I’ve already prepared a banquet long ago, wine from the South, tonight you must drink to your heart’s content.”

Louis chuckled, glancing sideways at him: “You’ve always been willing to spend on wine.”

Yorn laughed heartily, taking the opportunity to move closer, whispering: “It’s not just drinking, it’s respect, and also wanting to chat freely with you. If you don’t come, I’ll be sick with impatience.”