Winter Lord: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 180 Wedding Preparations
The first rays of morning light filtered through the window and quietly spilled into the room.

A thin layer of morning light cast soft, hazy shadows on the floor and the edge of the bed, creating a tranquil scene in the room that seemed as if time had stood still.

The lingering warmth of last night's fireworks hasn't completely dissipated, like the echoes left behind by a dream.

Louis slowly opened his eyes.

He didn't get up immediately, but subconsciously looked to the side.

Sif was quietly curled up in his arms, her posture somewhat cautious, yet revealing an unconscious dependence.

Her short, silvery-white hair was scattered on the pillow, like a layer of frost quietly covering the night.

Her eyes and brows were serene, her pale cheeks flushed slightly from sleep, and her breathing was steady and warm.

She didn't say anything last night. After the dance ended, she just silently stayed by his side without uttering a word.

Louise knew she had noticed her hesitation, ambiguity, and even avoidance.

She was too smart to not know that the fireworks weren't meant for her, nor would she misunderstand the nonchalant tone behind her "dance partner invitation."

But she still smiled and reached out her hand.

"Thank you for your hard work," he murmured, as if speaking to her, but also as if speaking to himself.

He slowly sat up, his movements extremely gentle, as if he didn't want to disturb the sleeping girl in his arms.

He gently raised his right hand and waved it.

With a soft "hum", a semi-transparent light screen slowly unfolded in front of him, revealing a familiar ice-blue interface.

[Daily intelligence update complete]

[1: The Supreme Mage decides to send three archmages and the elite Silver Mask squad to the northern border of the Ironblood Empire to investigate the insect-zombie attack.]

[2: Vic's investigation has revealed that the swarm has exhibited organized tactical behavior, suspected to be intelligent evolution. A team has been dispatched to investigate further.]

[3: Eduardo Calvin, under orders from the Bishop of the Golden Feather Papacy, travels to the North to investigate the disappearance of Archmage Jürgen Lorken.]

The blue light screen floating in mid-air trembled slightly in front of him, and lines of information automatically scrolled and refreshed.

Louis watched quietly, his right knuckles lightly tapping his knee, his emotions rising and falling with the three pieces of intelligence.

The first archmage and the Silver Mask Squad will personally travel to the Northern Territory to investigate the insect corpses.

His lips unconsciously curled up slightly; this was good news.

The fact that the Mage Forest could mobilize a "Grand Mage" level figure indicates that they have finally realized the seriousness of the situation.

This not only reduces his own pressure, but also means that a higher level of power has intervened, which can shield him from a lot of trouble and suspicion in a short period of time.

Furthermore, if the insect corpses can be eliminated by them, then there's no need to worry about them.
The second Vic discovered that the swarm was exhibiting organized behavior and tracked down the activity of the swarm corpses.

Louis nodded. It was another piece of good news, but there wasn't much to say. Hopefully, he could uncover more of the truth.

But at that moment, his gaze fell on the third piece of intelligence.

At that moment, his brows slowly furrowed.

Eduardo Calvin.

His third brother's name appearing on the intelligence list should have been perfectly normal. The problem, however, lay in the suffix to his identity.

"By order of the Golden Feather Flower Vatican Bishop".

Louis's gaze froze.

The Golden Feather Flower Church? ...That's the ruling institution of the Golden Feather Flower Church.

Everyone in the empire knows that the Theocracy and the Iron Blood Empire are at odds, and could even be considered the most important enemy faction.

Now, however, the Third Brother has appeared in the North as a "Bishop's Envoy," and happens to be investigating the disappearance of Archmage Jürgen Locken, who is closely related to him...

His fingertips twitched slightly, and the words on the intelligence screen were reflected in his eyes, but they could not hide the turmoil in his thoughts.

"When did he make contact with the Golden Feather Flower Vatican? Does Father... know about this?"

That was the first thought that flashed through his mind. It would be too dangerous if his father didn't know.

If my father knew, then this would probably be one of his backup plans.

After all... the emperor has become increasingly arrogant in recent years, forcing various noble families to prepare for their escape routes, either openly or secretly.

The Calvin family is probably no exception.

He wasn't sure whether his third brother was attending his wedding, investigating the Archmage, or using the Vatican's name to make moves in the North.

Perhaps all three are true.

However, such a person, appearing at this time, should not be ignored.

Not to mention that the person he was investigating was Jürgen Löcken.

The missing archmage, who died right before his eyes, was closely related to the primordial meditation technique in his mind.

“Alright…” He reached out and turned off the light screen with a finger, and the blue light slowly dissipated.

Louis intended to guide his attention to the insect corpses.

The more people he gets involved in the mess of the insect corpses, the safer he becomes.

The more people get involved, the more shields he has to protect himself from the elements.

Then, still somewhat disappointed, he glanced at the spot where the light screen had finally disappeared.

"Still no... direct information about the core of the insect corpse."

…………

Outside, the sky was tinged with red, like a gently crumpled red satin slowly unfolding along the contours of the distant mountains, shimmering faintly in the clean evening breeze unique to the North in July. Inside the Governor's Mansion's dressing room, a silver mirror hung high, and white gauze hung halfway down, like a stage curtain.

Emily stood in front of the mirror, her skirt swaying slightly, her fingertips gently tracing the neckline of her wedding dress.

This was her third and final attempt at wearing the dress.

The wedding dress was dark red with a fine, woven pattern. Gold thread meandered down from the shoulders, embroidering the eagle and cedar, symbols of the North.

A pale gold belt was tied around her waist, perfectly outlining her upright figure.

She stood there, like a crimson rose on a snowfield, upright, elegant, and with a chilling aura that kept people at a distance.

Emily has a typical Edmund family face, with sharp features, angular eyebrows, and calm, cold dark eyes.

Her hair color inherited her mother's softness; it was long blue hair, now styled into the "oath-style" bun of a Northern nobleman, with a few strands hanging down her neck, glowing golden in the candlelight.

She stared at herself in the mirror, her gaze focused yet complex.

The corners of his mouth were slightly upturned, but there was no smile in them, as if he was trying to adapt to a new identity.

“So it really is time to go…” she said softly, her voice like a feather brushing across a clean table.

Emily breathed a soft sigh of relief, turned around, and said to the maid beside her, "Put this wedding dress away carefully. We'll wear it tomorrow when we set off."

"Yes, ma'am."

It has only been three months since Emily decided to accept the engagement.

"How cunning! He only said 'Welcome to Red Tide,' but I started looking forward to him holding my hand and worrying that the headdress at the wedding would be too tacky."

She sat in the chair, hugged her knees, gently rested her head on them, and muttered softly.

"What color suit will he wear? Will he think my wedding dress is too formal? Or will he wait patiently for me to approach, then smile and take me away..."

As she pondered this, she glanced at the wooden chair with its vines not far away, where several half-written sheets of paper lay scattered.

She originally wanted to write something, either a letter home or a farewell speech before her wedding.

But when I pick up a pen, I feel that the blank space is far heavier than the words.

The closer the wedding got, the more lost she became, even though this wasn't her usual personality.

A soft knock came from outside the door.

"come in."

The door creaked open, and there stood her mother—no, her stepmother, though Emily never called her that.

To her, the woman who gently took her hand when she was six years old and has always stayed by her side is her real mother.

Are you all ready?

The mother wore a simple dark blue dress, and her hair was styled in a traditional Northern bun, making her look even gentler than usual.

“Hmm, more or less…” Emily nodded.

She stood up, obediently walked over, and sat down next to her mother.

Her mother gently tidied the few strands of hair that had been ruffled by the wind, and then handed her a cup of hot tea.

“I remember the first time you attended a court ball when you were little, you wouldn’t let me touch your hair, and insisted on combing it into a crooked braid yourself.”

"That's because I was afraid you'd comb my hair too 'well'!" Emily protested softly.

The mother smiled and gently tapped her forehead with her fingertips.

“From that moment on, I knew you were an eagle that would fly away. One day you would fly out of this castle and go your own way.”

“But this time it’s flying a bit far,” Emily said softly, but there was no hesitation in her voice.

"I... I've only met him once, but I know he's not the kind of person who lives off his family..."

"I believe he won't let me fall. Even if I fly far away, I'm not afraid."

The mother looked at her, momentarily dazed.

“You’ve grown into a woman, Emily. Faster than I thought.”

She gently embraced Emily and leaned her on her shoulder.

"If you ever feel wronged, no matter how far away you are, write back. Even if I can't do anything for you, I will let you know that you are not alone."

Emily hugged her mother tightly and nodded: "I won't feel wronged. I would never let you see something like that."

…………

The next morning, before dawn, the sounds of wheels rolling and horses' hooves pounding could be heard on the stone path in front of Edmund's House.

A grand procession of dowry carriages lined up in the morning mist, their red and gold curtains fluttering in the wind, with more than a dozen exquisite carriages in a row.

The boxes were stacked high like a small mountain, containing gold and silver utensils, ceremonial items, wedding dresses and accessories, and even Emily's sword.

The guards and servants each performed their duties, displaying an air of grandeur without being ostentatious.

Emily, dressed in a navy blue travel robe and cloak, slowly descended the stone steps.

Her stepmother took her hand, and the two walked side by side toward the motorcade, their hair damp with the morning dew, their expressions gentle.

“Father said he’ll leave a little later,” Emily said softly.

“He’ll make it to the wedding,” her mother said, tightening her grip on her hand.

As the bells rang, the convoy slowly set off, heading towards the Red Tide Territory.

(End of this chapter)