Winter Lord: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 127 Breaking the city!

McKinney trembled as he pushed open the heavy wooden frame and peered out.

For a moment, he froze.

On the distant snowfield, a black and red cavalry unit was rapidly approaching the castle, their armor gleaming coldly in the dim light.

Of course, the most eye-catching thing was the banners fluttering in the wind, each bearing a red background and a gold sun emblem.

This is indeed the flag of the Red Tide Territory!

“This…this is impossible!” McKinney’s throat was dry, his eyes fixed on the cavalry.

"How could it be them... how could they have been discovered!" His voice trembled slightly, and even his legs felt weak.

The hall was now in complete chaos. The knights rose to their feet and frantically grabbed their weapons, creating a chaotic scene.

A glint of madness flashed in McKinney's eyes as he muttered a curse under his breath: "Damn it... this is really bad..."

As the Red Tide cavalry drew ever closer, McKinney finally reacted, gritting his teeth as he waved his hand and roared, "Raise the flag! All of you, get to the city walls! Now!"

Moments later, the blue and gold flag symbolizing the McKinney family was raised on the tower above the castle.

The guards frantically sealed the castle gates, pulled up the gate bridges, and nervously deployed their bows and crossbows.

McKinney, accompanied by several bodyguards, quickly climbed the city wall, took a deep breath, and tried to make his voice sound calm and composed.

"Oh, isn't this my esteemed neighbor, Lord Calvin of the Red Tide Territory!" He poked his head out, feigning enthusiasm. "Why didn't you let me know you were coming to visit!"

No sooner had McKinney finished speaking than a knight from the Red Tide army below the city spurred his horse forward.

He roared at the top of his lungs, "Baron McKinney! Stop pretending! Your men stole our Red Tide Territory's grain, killed our Red Tide soldiers, and the blood of the supply convoy hasn't even dried yet! And you still dare to talk back?!"

He drew his longsword, its blade gleaming with battle aura, and pointed it directly at the city wall: "Lord Louis has personally led the troops here to make you pay for this blood debt!"

As soon as he finished speaking, hundreds of Crimson Tide Knights behind him shouted in unison, their killing intent soaring to the sky.

The red and black military formation advanced like a raging sea, causing the ground to tremble slightly.

McKinney's heart skipped a beat when he saw this scene, but he forced himself to shout back, "What grain transport team? I know nothing about this!"
"Lord Calvin, you can't just accuse me of it without evidence! What proof do you have? I am a legitimate Imperial Baron!"

By the end, his voice had trembled, and his eyes were fixed on the enemy army.

But this time no one responded to him. The cavalry of the Crimson Tide Territory continued to advance, their killing intent palpable, the sound of their hooves striking people's hearts like heavy hammers.

"Quickly, all archers, get on the wall! Push the oil tanks up to block the breach on the south side!" McKinney saw this and quickly turned around to give the order in a low voice.

His face was so pale it was almost dripping with sweat. He cursed inwardly: Damn it, this is for real... But if we can hold out for one night, he'll have to retreat! We must hold on!

Actually, he still had a sliver of hope.

We're all nobles of the Iron-Blooded Empire, right? We have to go through the motions first, say a few words in front of the stage, put on airs, and then give a speech. Maybe that will fool us.

But to his surprise, Louis didn't even bother to say a word to him.

Those cold eyes looked at the prey waiting to be slaughtered, showing no interest whatsoever in responding.

Louis simply raised his hand and calmly commanded, "Attack the city."

Those two short words, once spoken, resonated like a thunderclap!
"Yes!!" The Crimson Tide Knights roared in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.

The orderly knight formation spread out like a torrent, with the front ranks of dozens of knights swiftly loading magic-explosive bombs, made from magic marrow and oil, onto the throwing racks. "Fire!"

With a loud shout, the magic explosion bombs streaked across the sky like meteors, leaving trails of flame as they crashed into the city wall!

"boom!!!"

The violent explosion seemed to tear the heavens and the earth apart, with fire and debris intertwining in mid-air to create an apocalyptic scene.

The seemingly impregnable city wall that McKinney had imagined was blasted open by this terrifying impact, leaving a gaping, bloody gash.

Amid the violent shaking, McKinney clung tightly to the edge of the barricade beside him, the deafening roar of explosions filling his ears, his heart pounding as if it would burst from his chest.

"H-How is this possible...!!"

He stared at the crumbling corner of the wall, frozen in place, cold sweat streaming down his neck, his mind blank.

This isn't a threat...this is an attempt to destroy me!
After some gaps appeared, the Crimson Tide Knights swept in like a pack of rabid wolves, their iron hooves thundering on the snow and their battle cries deafening.

The defending troops had no time to organize an effective resistance, and the defensive line collapsed instantly, resulting in a crushing defeat.

"Block it! Guard the breach!!" McKinney roared hoarsely, his face ashen.

Seeing that the situation was completely out of control, he stumbled and scrambled to escape inside.

He stumbled and staggered into the back hall, looked around in horror, and finally plunged headfirst into the wine cellar deep inside the castle.

He huddled in a ball, trembling, with his back against the wall full of wine barrels.

Screams echoed from outside the door, mingling with the sounds of weapons clashing and desperate cries.

These sounds are like a net of death, tightening ever tighter.

How could these knights, who only knew how to drink and make merry, be a match for the disciplined and ruthless Red Tide Iron Cavalry?
The sounds of fighting grew closer, and soon the cellar door was kicked open with a bang.

"Ah! No! Don't come any closer! I... I'm a nobleman! I'm a baron!!"

McKinney was grabbed by several Red Tide Knights, dragged out of the shadows like a chick, and thrown onto the cold snow.

He tried to struggle, but was kicked to the ground, his knee slamming heavily into the snow.

He was forced to lie face down in front of Louis, the cold blade pressed against his neck.

“Uh…uh…” McKinney shuddered, quickly looked up, and forced an awkward smile.

"Lord Calvin... no, Your Excellency Crimson Tide Lord!" His voice trembled, almost breaking into a sob, "This, this is all a misunderstanding! It's a misunderstanding!!"

We're neighbors, we're allies! You want money? I'll give you as much as you want! You want women? I'll give you as many as you want!

"Just say the word and I'll give you half of everything in my territory! We can talk this over, and there will absolutely, absolutely never be a next time..."

McKinney's forehead thudded in the snow as he secretly glanced at Louis's expression.

Although he appeared surprised, he was inwardly sneering.

Hmph, what's with the cold-blooded act? No matter how arrogant this guy is, he wouldn't dare to actually kill a nobleman.

McKinney lowered his head, a cruel glint in his eyes, already plotting his next act of revenge.

(End of this chapter)