Winter Lord: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 68 Murder and Arson

Barnes' forces arrived at the outskirts of Snow Eagle City and completed the encirclement of the city in just one night.

The gate was sealed off on three sides, leaving only a small gap on the west side.

But they didn't attack the city immediately; they seemed to be fiddling with something.

…………

In the same military camp, the nobles of Xuefeng County gathered once again.

Unlike the previous lighthearted and comical atmosphere, a somber mood permeated the hall this time.

Count Firth, who had previously gone on a drunken rampage at the meeting, was now completely silent.

He huddled in the chair like a quail, barely daring to breathe.

Viscount Webster sat in his armor, his face grave.

“The Snow Oath people are coming with great force, estimated to number around two thousand, but the advantage lies with us,” Webster said, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

"The Snow Eagle City garrison numbers two thousand, with over a thousand knights capable of fighting. We still have a chance of winning in a head-on battle."

But I suggest we play it safe and defend the city.

He paused for a moment: "I have sent a letter to Duke Edmund requesting assistance, but it is estimated that the army will take ten days to arrive here."

But we have enough provisions and our city defenses are strong. As long as we hold out, reinforcements will arrive.

Everyone nodded in agreement, since there was no better solution.

“Next, divide the defense into zones.” Webster spread out a map of Snow Eagle City.

"Although the south wall is old, the terrain is open. If the enemy's main force dares to launch a strong attack from here, we can annihilate them in one fell swoop."

I suggest that the nobles who have established themselves in the south be stationed here. They are new, fast-moving, and quick-reacting, making them perfect for guarding this place.

He then changed the subject and looked at several northern nobles: "The north and east walls are close to the granaries and the inner city, so it is even more necessary to have people familiar with the terrain to oversee them."

Established families' private armies know these areas best and are easy to mobilize.

His words were logically sound and seemed impeccable.

But the southern nobles looked at each other in bewilderment, their expressions changing instantly.

This is clearly giving them the most dangerous, thankless, and difficult position.

But no one spoke up among the northern nobles.

They seemed to have known each other all along, simply nodding quietly and accepting the Viscount's favoritism.

Several young noblemen who had ventured out to the south opened their mouths as if to say something, but ultimately swallowed their words.

There was a moment of silence in the tent.

Everyone understands, but no one says it out loud.

Count Firth, seated at the head of the table, seemed not to hear and lowered his head even further.

The meeting continues.

Viscount Webster then outlined the other defense details:

"The crossbows in the arrow towers need to be recalibrated, and checked at least twice a day."

"Prepare the molten oil and rolling stones in advance, and assign experienced personnel to manage them to prevent any mishaps."

"The frequency of shift changes on the city walls has increased, especially around the West Gate area."

……

The meeting finally came to an end after the last order was issued.

Outside the hall, the cold wind howled.

Several southern nobles walked out of the camp together, their faces ashen.

"What do you mean by 'new people and fast horses'?" one of them sneered. "That sounds nice, but anyone with eyes can see that they're pushing us into a fire."

“Those old foxes in the North, they’re all so protective of us, tsk… they really treat us like outsiders.”

"Ha, as long as people are alive, their lives must be protected."

Although his words were harsh, he dared not speak too loudly, and could only vent his anger by complaining a few times in the cold wind.

But on that very night, many noble families quietly began to stir.

Someone was quietly checking the saddle and reins in the stable.

The guards on the city wall changed shifts, but someone slipped them a few gold coins.

People began to investigate the more secluded passages near the city gates and the sewers behind the fortress.

They are making arrangements for their own escape route.

The Snow Oath warriors have besieged the city; Snow Eagle City has not yet fallen, but those defending it are already harboring their own ulterior motives.

Night fell, and all was quiet.

"Do it."

Louis gave the order in a low voice.

More than a hundred Crimson Tide Knights quietly rose and, using the mountain path as cover, approached the Snow Oathkeeper camp from behind.

The scouts had already drawn the enemy patrol lines, and Louis chose the weakest point and broke through in one fell swoop.

The vanguard squad stormed into the camp and set it ablaze, pouring out fuel and launching rockets in unison.

Several tents were instantly engulfed in flames, and as the flames leaped up, chaos immediately descended upon the enemy camp's rear.

Behind the camp, a red figure streaked in like a shooting star.

Lambert led the way, followed closely by ten elite Red Tide knights.

The battle qi intertwined to form a crimson channel, piercing straight towards the central command tent of the Oathbreakers.

Inside the main tent, the Snow Oath Guardian general was suddenly awakened. Hearing the commotion outside, he frowned, grabbed his battle axe, and rushed out.

"An enemy attack? How is that possible! How did they find it..."

Before he could finish speaking, the sword was already upon him.

He instantly parried with his axe, his fighting spirit bursting forth, and he met Lambert's attack head-on, causing Lambert and his warhorse to stagger back several steps.

His overwhelming fighting spirit caused the tent to tremble and the tent cloth to fly away, demonstrating his profound strength.

Unfortunately it's of no use.

Ten elite Red Tide warriors silently infiltrated, their armor illuminated by the firelight, making them appear like death itself.

The defending general roared and swung his axe, the wind from which was fierce and forced the two men back.

However, the Red Tide Knights coordinated perfectly, launching a relentless and relentless offensive.

Lambert steadied himself and thrust his longsword out again, which the defender managed to block with great effort.

He tried to retaliate again, but was slashed in the shoulder and arm by two knights from the flank, and blood splattered everywhere.

Immediately afterwards, a flash of cold light appeared behind him, and a steel spear pierced through his chest.

As the axe fell to the ground, the Snowsworn general stared wide-eyed, still filled with disbelief before his death.

Outside the camp, the firelight illuminated the valley, and screams erupted.

The Crimson Tide Knights split into several teams, like streams of flame emerging from the night, weaving through enemy camps and setting fires everywhere.

Of course, they weren't just left anywhere. For example, granaries and treasure troves weren't burned down; instead, people were stationed to guard them.

Flames soared into the sky, plunging the enemy army into complete chaos.

The Oath-Swearing were caught completely off guard; their commander was dead, and their adjutant was beheaded without warning.

The soldiers fled in the darkness and firelight, some in armor, some barefoot, shouting all around.

"Enemy attack! Which way!"

"The rear! It's the rear, no, there's one to the north too!"

The shouts were mixed together, and no one could say for sure how many enemies there were or where they came from.

The Red Tide Squad repeatedly broke in and withdrew, each time engaging in combat for only a few breaths before shifting their target.

Before the enemy could organize a counterattack, the next camp was already on fire.

The battle lines were quickly completely severed.

The main force of the Red Tide Knights finally launched their attack, with teams of thirty men emerging from various parts of the mountains and forests.

A single charge tore apart the densest part of the camp.

The Snow Oath warriors barely managed to organize a resistance before being scattered by the horses' hooves, their spears torn apart, and their fighting spirit burning them.

Some squads attempted to form a battle formation, but were completely suppressed before they could even assemble one.

Ordinary soldiers fled, stumbled, screamed, and trampled over each other's corpses as they ran into the woods.

However, he was killed in the forest by the Red Tide Knights who were lurking in the shadows.

The entire camp seemed to have been swallowed by hell; the land was stained red by fire, and mud mixed with blood flowed underfoot.

"The hunt begins."

Louis stood beside the burning arrow tower, the red light reflecting in his eyes, a subtle air of arrogance on his face.

(End of this chapter)