Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 526 The Addition of New Players and the Absolute Confidence of the Black Forest Territory

Under the intense gaze of everyone, Zoe Ramsey met Su Li's scrutinizing gaze. Her expression remained unchanged, as if what she was about to say was not a plan that could cause widespread devastation, but merely a routine business proposal.

Her voice was steady and cold, carrying a deep-seated pragmatism and ruthlessness: "Lord Su Li, those bureaucrats in the Electoral Council who haven't completely lost their minds have provided us with some interesting intelligence."

"Mudcrown Castle didn't just disappear and reappear out of thin air. It's more like... it became one with the entire swamp. According to records, when it needed to move, the entire castle would slowly sink into the ground, completely enveloped by thick silt and swamp material, forming a huge, magically protected 'mud bubble'."

"Then, this 'bubble' will 'drift' along certain specific, energy-rich underground water currents or ley lines deep in the swamp until it reaches the next preset 'node' before it rises again."

To help Su Li understand better, Zoe used a vivid and slightly gory analogy: "My lord, have you ever seen blood flowing in blood vessels? A tiny virus, if it hides inside a red blood cell, can follow the blood circulation and reach any corner of the body, making it difficult to detect. Mud Crown Fortress is like that virus hiding in the 'red blood cell'—that is, the mud bubble that envelops it—and the entire intricate underground water system and energy network of the Green Moss Swamp is the 'vascular system' on which it moves."

Su Li frowned. This analogy allowed him to grasp the key point instantly, but it also made him feel an even greater sense of difficulty: "You mean, as long as it's still in this 'circulation system,' it will be difficult for us to lock onto it?"

“Exactly.” Zoe nodded, then changed the subject, a cold glint in her eyes. “But how do we break through this concealment? The method is simple—either drain the blood, or… let the blood boil and overflow, completely destroying the original circulatory system.”

Su Li immediately caught the chilling implication in her words, his brows furrowing: "You mean, to completely disrupt the swamp's water system balance? How far will this go? It probably won't just be Litanel's army..."

Zoe's lips curled into a faint, almost cruel smile: "Affect? ​​My lord, you're underestimating it. What we need to do is flood thousands of miles, turning the core area of ​​the Green Moss Swamp into a complete wasteland."

She continued speaking nonchalantly, as if stating a given fact: "Yes, this means that the swamp will become deep water, and the depressions will become lakes. The swamp monstrous lairs that cannot escape will be submerged, and any creature that depends on the swamp for survival, whether it be monsters or... any human villages that may exist and are too foolish to leave, will bear the wrath of Mannan along with Litanel."

“This is a thorough reckoning, a destruction of the entire ecosystem. Only in this way can we ensure that the ‘virus’ hidden in the mud has nowhere to hide, either being forced out or… forever sinking into the ‘water tomb’ we have prepared for it.”

The logic is simple: a swamp fortress can move freely through swamps, but it can never move freely through oceans or lakes.

So, Zoe took out a velvet pouch from her bosom and poured it onto the table beside her. Dozens of longan-sized, deep blue beads rolled out, their surfaces smooth, their interiors seemingly surging with the tides, emitting a moist mist and a faint salty, fishy smell.

“This treasure is called ‘Heart of the Tide’,” Zoe introduced, her tone tinged with pride. “They contain a trace of the divine power of Mannan, the Lord of the Ocean. A single one might only create a small wave. But if a large number of them are buried in key water vein nodes of the Green Moss Swamp and activated simultaneously… the quantitative change will lead to a qualitative change. They will resonate and vibrate, guiding the underground water veins to run rampant, diverting the melting snow from the Mourning Mountains, and ultimately… unleashing a massive, man-made tide.”

"You must have seen how summer floods occur. If a large amount of water flows out simultaneously within a given time period, exceeding the drainage capacity of an area, it can cause a widespread flood."

“Our Ramsay family has sailed the Central Sea countless times and accumulated a wealth of knowledge. We have at least 3 of these beads.”

She gently plucked a "Heart of the Tide" with her fingers, its blue glow illuminating her expressionless face: "In this world, apart from the lizardmen's Slanm priests, no one can alter the topography of a continent, or single-handedly change the geography and water patterns of a thousand miles of territory. But through precise calculations and enough 'seeds,' we can guide the power of nature to our own advantage. This is the 'sincerity' we bring, and the only way to ensure that 'swamp rat' is completely submerged from its burrow."

Then Zoe's finger steadily tapped the core area of ​​the Green Moss Swamp on the map, her voice still devoid of any emotional fluctuation.

"Once the plan is launched, 30,000 'Hearts of the Tide' will be activated simultaneously at preset nodes. They will forcibly draw water from the underground water veins and swamps of the Cloud Crown Mountains, triggering a flood. In fact, the water is still the same water, and the total amount has not changed. It's just that they are activated at the same time, forming a large number of tides and waves that erupt instantly, exceeding the drainage speed limit of this environment."

"Initial estimates suggest that the water level in the central area of ​​the swamp will rise by an average of more than ten feet in the first twelve hours."

She looked up at Su Li, her gaze eerily calm: "This means that all depressions, caves, nests, and villages and fortifications built on relatively 'solid' ground below this height will be directly submerged. The water will become turbulent, carrying mud, broken wood, and uprooted strange plants, forming a devastating torrent."

"The field fortifications and most of the surface camps of the Litanel army will disappear. The habitats of creatures that rely on the shallow waters and mudflats for survival, whether they are swamp monsters or other monsters, will be completely destroyed. A large number of creatures will not have time to adapt to this drastic change and will die from the flood or the subsequent environment."

She paused slightly, then added the more strategic destructive effects: "More importantly, the flood will completely destroy the swamp's original topography. The 'blood vessels' that Mudcrown Castle relies on for movement—those hidden underground waterways and energy channels—will be washed away, silted up, or have their flow completely altered by the raging torrents. The energy balance of the entire swamp will be broken, and its unique, sheltered environment will cease to exist. At that point, Mudcrown Castle will either be forced to remain fixed in one place, exposed to our view; or it will be permanently trapped in the deep water, along with the 'mud bubbles' that envelop it, becoming a true underwater tomb."

"As for the people living there," Zoe's tone remained unchanged, as if she were talking about something unrelated to herself, "whether they are the humans who depend on Litanel or those swamp demon slaves, even if they didn't die in the first wave of the flood, they will struggle to survive due to the destruction of their habitat and the loss of their food sources. After the flood recedes—if it can recede any further—this area will be a wasteland of mud, plague, and death for years to come."

The tent was silent, save for Zoe's icy voice. She used no exaggerated rhetoric, but rather the simplest language to paint a picture of despair, of a vast, swampy land where countless lives were lost.

This plan will not result in a triumphant victory, but rather a cold and thorough destruction of the entire region's ecology and the foundations of its civilization.

Su Li remained silent for a moment. The darkness and cruelty of this world were on full display at this moment. For victory, these powerful and wealthy people could sacrifice countless lives without hesitation, turning thousands of miles of territory into a swamp. He couldn't help but think of the infamous ruthless strategists from his hometown, and sighed inwardly: These people are all like Jia Xu and Cheng Yu, ruthless in their actions, and they are against the natural order.

Even these ruthless individuals seem harmless in this world.

He took a deep breath and raised his final question: "Ms. Zoe, this action... will likely cause countless innocent casualties and is also morally reprehensible. Isn't there a more... precise way?"

“Precise?” Zoe seemed to hear a naive word. She shook her head, her tone carrying an almost arrogant “realism”: “My lord, hesitation only leads to more trouble. Litanel is deeply intertwined with the swamp; conventional methods are already ineffective. As for the innocent?”

She let out a short, cold laugh. "On this land, to live by evil is itself a sin. Cleansing the filth will inevitably harm the moss clinging to it. This is the necessary price, and the quickest and most thorough solution. Do you wish for this war to drag on for years more, sacrificing the lives of even more warriors of the Black Forest?"

A heavy silence fell over the tent. Zoe's words, like cold iron, struck everyone's hearts, yet strangely, no one could utter a word in rebuttal.

In this world, death and destruction are never taboo words; sometimes they are even praised for a cruel "necessity." To associate with corruption, depravity, chaos, or other dark forces is the truly unforgivable and absolute evil. Human survival is built upon an endless and brutal war against internal and external corruption.

Marshal Erstein broke the silence, his voice deep and firm, carrying the almost ruthless pragmatism characteristic of an Imperial veteran: "Senator Zovie's words, though cruel, are true to reality. The witch hunters and battle priests of the Imperial State Church have burned entire villages to the ground more than once because a chaotic evil book appeared in a village, or because a farmer showed obvious signs of mutation. They do not, and cannot, distinguish whether there are any 'innocents' among them. Fire purifies everything; it is better to kill a thousand innocent people than to allow even a trace of corruption to spread. This is the ironclad rule upon which the Empire survives."

He looked at Su Li, his eyes unwavering: "The swamp demons who allied with Litanel are themselves an ancient, alien race that served Chaos. Litanel himself has also undergone inhuman mutation. They, and the swamp they rule, are, in the definition of the Imperial doctrine, the embodiment of 'corruption' and 'evil.' To completely eliminate them by any means is in accordance with the greater good."

"To hesitate in the face of such a momentous matter of right and wrong, for the sake of possible collateral casualties, is to betray the Empire and humanity. We praise the lives given to cleanse corruption, whether those lives belong to warriors or... those affected. For their sacrifice prevented a wider depravity and destruction."

Hilde nodded slightly, her voice clear and cold, carrying the decisiveness of a legendary knight surveying the battlefield: "My lord, war itself is destruction. We pursue victory, but victory often comes at a price. Compared to sending our soldiers deep into this life-devouring swamp for a bloody war of attrition that could last for years, this plan... though extreme, is indeed the fastest and most thorough way to end the threat. In the long run, the sacrifices may be smaller."

Zoe listened quietly, her face showing no surprise, as if she had already expected such support. She simply added, tearing away the last veil of pretense: "Lord Su Li, you must understand that the Empire will sing praises to the soldiers who bravely die on the battlefield, and will also give sacred meaning to the 'purification' operation carried out to eliminate corrupt strongholds."

"History is written by the victors. When we succeed, everything that happens here today will not be called a 'massacre' or a 'disaster,' but will be recorded as a great 'purification,' a complete eradication of the lair of evil. All sacrifices will be imbued with the colors of 'necessity' and 'glory.'" Su Li's gaze swept over his marshal and knights, then looked at the expressionless Zoe, and finally settled on the "Heart of the Tide," which radiated destructive energy. At this moment, he felt more deeply that in this desperate and dark world, to survive and rise, one sometimes had to embrace this cold-blooded "necessity," burying one's inner hesitation and tenderness deep within.

Such was the empire's philosophy of survival—in the eternal war against pervasive corruption and darkness, absolute "purity" and "loyalty" were paramount, and no price was too high to pay for them.

He slowly closed his eyes, took a deep breath of the chilly air, and when he opened his eyes again, all that remained was a resolute determination as firm as ice.

“I understand.” Su Li’s voice was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger. “Then let’s begin preparations. We need the most precise node layout diagram, as well as a plan to ensure that these ‘Hearts of the Tide’ can be activated simultaneously.”

At the same time, he made a concerted effort to minimize casualties in the darkness: "This plan can be carried out, but the scope must be strictly controlled. Flooding for thousands of miles is absolutely not allowed. The target should be limited to the core area of ​​the Green Moss Swamp, compressed to within a few hundred miles as much as possible. At the same time, we should do our best to evacuate the remaining civilians in the area to reduce unnecessary casualties."

The generals and knights inside the tent bowed their heads and replied in unison, "As you wish, my lord."

However, as everyone stepped out of the tent and the cold night wind brushed their faces, their superficial obedience vanished like mist. Marshal Orstein's initial respect quickly disappeared, replaced by his usual coldness. He turned to his waiting adjutant, the handsome Gilles, and issued the order in a flat, emotionless voice:
"Pass down the order: execute the deployment plan according to 'Heart of the Tide.' As for the 'relocation of human civilians' mentioned by the lord..." He paused slightly, a cold, undeniable glint in his eyes, "Deep within the Green Moss Swamp, those humans who have lived among alien monsters and been immersed in darkness for so long have long since strayed from the light of the Empire. It's questionable whether their souls can still be called 'human.' To ensure thorough purification and avoid any potential corruption, implement the 'scorched earth cleansing' strategy. Leave no one alive."

The handsome Gilles understood immediately and, without question, turned to convey this more ruthless and substantive order.

Orstein stood alone, gazing at the distant, mist-shrouded swamp, muttering to himself, as if trying to convince himself, or perhaps stating an undeniable truth: "The Lord is deeply inspired by the Sun Goddess, harboring ideals of mercy and glorious war—this is his nobility. But reality is cruel. While the Sun Goddess's radiance certainly promotes civilization and glory, the Empire's millennia-old survival rules tell us that any mercy shown to those who are corrupt and associate with darkness is a betrayal of the entire human race."

"Those mired in the swamp are no longer civilians in need of protection, but disease foci that need to be eradicated. Only complete destruction can bring true rebirth and stability. Let us soldiers bear this sin."

His words dissipated in the wind, carrying the unique weight and resolve of an Imperial Knight who viewed cruelty as a necessary responsibility.

In the eternal war against chaos and darkness, the logic of empires is often like this: for the sake of the so-called "greater good" and "purification," the lives and mercy of individuals can and must be sacrificed.

Su Li's idealistic directives, before even leaving the command tent on this cruel land, were crushed by the iron hooves of reality.

Soon, the war machine of the Black Forest Territory was running efficiently, and began to carry out strategic deployments according to the "Heart of the Tide" plan. The entire army understood that this was the key to ending the war. However, their opponents were clearly not sitting idly by.

The eerie third eye on Litanel's forehead could pierce through the fog and distance, and he almost immediately sensed the deadly deployment underway by the Black Forest Territory targeting the very foundation of the swamp. Driven by panic and madness, he ordered all available forces under his command to launch a near-frenzied, reckless attack on the Black Forest Territory's defenses, attempting to disrupt this process.

But soon, the frontline commanders of the Black Forest, especially the tactical and experienced Chosen Knights like Orstein and Hilde, keenly realized that the changes in the enemy forces were far more than just "madness".

“Something’s not right,” Erstein said in a deep voice in front of the sand table, his brow furrowed. “The way these monsters are fought… has changed.”

Hilde nodded solemnly: "In the past, the attacks were more like enraged beasts, relying on brute force and numbers to rush in, attacking haphazardly and without any strategy. Litanel himself is good at patience and intrigue, but in terms of actual battlefield command, he is at best an average person. His rise is more due to the powerful characteristics of the swamp monsters and his personal tenacity."

This is precisely the common perception of Litanel and his army—ignorant, barbaric, and lacking in genuine tactical skills, which also aligns with the Old World's "stereotypes" of many alien or chaos forces.

“But now,” Erstein pointed heavily at several spots on the sand table, “you see their choice of attack routes, their timing, and the coordination between them…it has become more refined, more rational, even…full of calculation.”

This change might not be obvious to ordinary people, but for commanders of Orstein and Hilder's caliber, it was as striking as a torch in the night. The enemy seemed to have suddenly gained a mind truly proficient in military strategy.

The most obvious example soon arrived. The Swamp Territory planned and launched a campaign codenamed "Dance of the Mist." Instead of concentrating their forces to attack a single point, they divided their forces into ten routes, launching swift and precise strikes at several relatively weak points along the Black Forest Territory's long defensive line.

This move was extremely ruthless, perfectly targeting a key advantage and weakness of the Black Forest Territory—its powerful air cavalry force was limited in number and unable to cover all battlefields simultaneously.

When the commander of the Black Forest Territory identified the main threat and mobilized the main force of its air cavalry to provide reinforcements, an astonishing scene unfolded: the swamp demon troops in that direction, as if possessing precognitive abilities, proactively activated some kind of amulet they carried before the Black Forest Territory's air cavalry even reached the battlefield. Instantly, dense swamp mist, imbued with magical energy, appeared out of thin air and quickly enveloped a large area.

The attacking swamp monsters, using the fog as cover, did not linger in battle, quickly and orderly disengaging and retreating, disappearing into the mist and the depths of the swamp. By the time the air cavalry managed to cross or dispel the fog, only insignificant traces remained on the battlefield.

The enemy used this precise tactic of "you come, I go; you go, I harass" to successfully contain and exhaust the mobile forces of the Black Forest Territory, especially the precious air cavalry, greatly delaying the deployment of "Heart of the Tide" and buying valuable time for Litanel.

Orstein looked at the battle report with a grave expression and said to Su Li, "My lord, there must be a mastermind behind our opponents. This tactic could not have been devised by Litanel or those swamp demon leaders. They are trying to disrupt our rhythm, and we must find the 'brain' hidden behind the scenes. Otherwise, even with the 'Heart of the Tide,' our plan may still encounter unexpected complications."

The balance of power on the battlefield seems to have begun to tilt subtly due to the introduction of an unknown variable. The Black Forest Territory is no longer facing an opponent relying solely on terrain and brute force, but an enemy that has suddenly learned to use intelligence and surgical tactics.

Su Li's mastery of the macro strategy of "a grand and righteous posture" is now facing a treacherous and efficient tactical challenge.

So Su Li couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, a smile of absolute confidence playing on his lips. His gaze fell on the shrinking green area on the military map that represented the Swamp Territory, as if he were watching a trapped beast struggling for survival.

"Oh?" He let out a long sigh, his tone carrying a hint of amusement, as if he had met his match. "This battle is getting more and more interesting."

He stood up, strolled to the map, and lightly tapped the green area with his finger. His voice was steady and powerful: "It seems our opponent isn't content with the status quo and has brought in a new player. But so what?"

His gaze swept over the generals in the tent, a confidence built on absolute strength that left no room for doubt: "The Black Forest Territory's long-accumulated power is eager for a real test to prove its edge. Do they think they can turn the tide by changing tactics? Little do they know that in the face of absolute strength, any tricks are nothing but futile struggles."

His tone shifted, becoming almost gleeful with decisiveness: "If they want to play, then we'll play along! Their splitting into ten groups is just what I wanted! I've been worried they wouldn't come out of their shells, and this is the perfect opportunity for us to smash their suddenly 'clever' claws piece by piece!"

Su Li looked at Orstein and Hilde, his command clear and decisive: "Order the entire army to adjust their deployment. Since they want a full-scale battle, then so be it! Engage them on all sides, using our fortifications as fulcrums. Have the Chosen Knights stationed at various fortifications, and then use the air cavalry as mobile iron fists, employing the [Sky Horn] to crush them all! Crush every enemy force that comes out! Let them see what true 'majestic power and upright banners' really are! Let that new 'chess player' understand that on this chessboard, it is always us, the Black Forest Territory, who hold the pieces!"

His words were devoid of any hesitation, revealing only a powerful confidence in the fruits of his agricultural labor and the strength of his army. Regardless of who stood behind the enemy, or how tactics might change, he firmly believed that the Black Forest Territory's military might was enough to crush all obstacles. In his eyes, the enemy's proactive attacks were merely catalysts hastening their own demise.

(End of this chapter)