Lord of Winter: Beginning with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 434: Chapter 279: War Council

In the study room of the castle, the fire lightly flickered, casting a warm glow on a corner of the stone wall.

Outside the window was a street freshly after snowfall, where the commoners were methodically shoveling snow and tidying up, maintaining orderly conduct.

Thanks to thorough preparations, this winter was particularly calm, with almost no major incidents occurring.

Louis sat at the long table and finished the last report, exhaling a long breath.

During the winter, he usually remained in the study to work, no longer venturing out for inspections.

This was not merely because he was lazy but also because he knew the foundation he had laid was enough to sustain a peaceful winter.

At this moment, the door was gently pushed open.

Sif walked in, draped in a thick woolen cloak, with a smile in her eyes: “Would you like to take a look at the greenhouse? We’ve… cultivated something quite different.”

She smiled mysteriously, her tone unconcealing a hint of playfulness.

Louis was taken aback, already having some suspicions in his heart.

But he feigned ignorance, gently closing the pages of his book, unable to suppress the smile at the corners of his lips: “Alright then, now that the work is done, let’s consider this a bit of relaxation.”

……

Inside the greenhouse, a faint scent of mint and soil permeated the air, radiating warmth.

This greenhouse was personally transformed by Emily, used for indoor flower cultivation, with flowers and trees interspersed and vines growing along the framework—it was also her little world.

Emily stood in front of the flower rack, holding a small bundle wrapped in plush cloth. She appeared unusually nervous, lightly pressing her lips together as if awaiting some “correct response.”

Upon entering, Louis played dumb completely: “What’s happening? Did you really cultivate some new variety of flower?”

Sif chuckled, moving aside the potted plant beside her: “Why don’t you open it and see for yourself?”

Louis took over the bundle, his eyes showing a cooperative performance of confusion.

Upon gently unveiling it, he saw a baby embroidered square towel, a pair of plush soft boots, and a hand-drawn paper note.

The paper depicted the silhouette of a family of four, with a small question mark drawn on the baby’s head.

Emily’s voice was as soft as a whisper, but her eyes were filled with gentle light: “We’re… going to have a child.”

Though he had foreseen this prophecy, hearing Emily say it still stirred his emotions vigorously.

A second later, Louis suddenly lifted Emily entirely, spinning around in the greenhouse like a triumphant youth returning home.

“What did you say? Say it again!”

Emily blushed as red as a ripe apple: “I’m pregnant… it’s true.”

He was so excited that he was almost incoherent: “I, we, you… this is wonderful, truly wonderful!”

After putting her down, Louis maintained a light protective gesture over her belly, his eyes red.

Sif stood to the side, originally intending to make some jest, but upon meeting those reddened eyes, her smile paused.

Suddenly, Louis pulled her into his embrace too, holding both of them tightly.

Sunlight penetrated through the glass dome of the greenhouse, cascading onto their shoulders.

Outside the winter, spring had quietly planted its seeds.

……

Louis didn’t make a big deal of the child’s news.

He only informed three people, the first two being Duke Edmund and Duke Calvin.

Mainly to announce the continuation of family blood and to see if he could secure some gold coins.

The third person informed was Bradley, the old butler, to arrange some related matters.

Louis was more aware than anyone that behind this joy lay a heavier responsibility.

He was no longer just an administrator, a fighter, but now also a father.

The world had finally birthed someone he must protect, no matter what.

Yet, as the Daily Intelligence System continuously updated, the situation in the North became increasingly clear and more unsettling.

He compiled and categorized weeks’ worth of intelligence, finally outlining a portrait of the core figure: Titus Frost Fierce.

Originally the leader of the Frost Fierce Clan, he ascended through a bloody coup, forcibly integrating the Broken Axe, Red Rock, Blazing Tooth, and Mystic Horn four major barbarian tribes.

He has formed the “Frostfire Legion,” with manpower conservatively estimated between thirty to forty thousand.

The troops are characterized by extremist faith, highly centralized, with a strong military style and high combat will and emotional appeal.

This kind of efficient recruitment and “legionized barbarians” with transformative capabilities is unprecedented.

Moreover, he seemingly acquired unknown spiritual powers—the “Burning Pain Vine Court” support, capable of influencing subordinate mental states.

The intelligence concerning it is still somewhat scant, pieced together only by the content of multiple intel reports…

It resembles an ecological structure, nourished by emotions, spreading with anger, gradually eroding the minds and beliefs of creatures.

Manipulating emotions, infecting exotic beasts, commanding Frost Giants…

The more Louis read, the colder his expression became.

Between spring and summer, a true large-scale war was certain to unfold.

Perhaps Titus would charge straight from the frost plains into Empire-controlled regions, disrupting what remained of order in the Northern Territory.

Regardless, Red Tide Territory must protect itself.

……

In the stone-built operations room, the brazier burned with the scent of pine resin and wolf oil, casting flickering shadows under the candlelight.

In front of the long table covered with sheepskin maps, Louis was using a feather pen to mark and outline on the rough map.

“…They’re itching for action.”

He straightened up, speaking in a deep tone, scanning the captains and lieutenants of the Red Tide Territory army standing on each side.

“Most Northern Frost Fierce tribes have completed integration. Broken Axe, Red Rock, Blazing Tooth, Mystic Horn… all have been incorporated. Based on intelligence estimates, the Frostfire Legion already has more than forty thousand troops.”

At this point, he set down the feather pen, pressing heavily on the northern border of the map.

“This can’t possibly be a common barbaric raid.” He slowly looked at everyone, “It’s war, a long-prepared full-scale war.”