On the afternoon of the tenth day, the snow line gradually receded, revealing patches of exposed dark brown earth amidst the mountain forests.
The caravan finally ca to a halt, the wheels making a dull sound as they sank into the snow’s edge.
The heavy carriages lined up alongside the mountain road, more than fifty in total.
The massive guard unit dispersed to patrol the surrounding area.
The accompanying families also disembarked to help with the work, as this was their rare chance to step down from the carriages each day.
Mary carefully descended from the carriage, carrying a small jar.
Her skirt was soaked with snow water, but she disregarded it, holding her three-year-old daughter Yini in one arm and helping other won set up the cookware in the snow with the other.
"Did you hear? Even the Red Tide Territory is quite cold."
"I heard they made the land there by force, and all the houses were burned..."
"However, there hasn’t been a lack of food along the way; there was even at in the porridge yesterday."
"It’s just... we keep heading south endlessly, feeling almost aimless."
Mary tore a piece of dry flatbread to feed her child, pausing briefly, and didn’t respond.
She was also uncertain about where this road was ultimately leading.
All she knew was that it was Duke Edmund’s decision that sent the entire Broken Blade Knight Order and their families to follow Louis.
In fact, she harbored so small complaints in her heart but dared not voice them, as Duke Edmund was practically a god-like figure to them.
Honestly, this migration was far more dignified than the exile she had initially imagined.
Not only were thick blankets laid in the carriages, but clean water bags and wooden bowls were distributed.
Three fixed distributions of hot porridge occurred daily, and knights lit lanterns for nightly patrols to ensure freedom from beasts and bandits.
Even though she still had her doubts, it indeed felt less like banishnt, more like a well-organized welco.
Mary sat leaning against a tree root with Yini in her arms, the child resting sleepily on her shoulder, her eyes still holding a timid half-awake gaze.
"...I really don’t know what lies ahead," she murmured softly.
"Clip-clop, clip-clop, clip-clop." Suddenly, the sound of hooves approached from afar.
Mary instinctively looked up to see a young black-haired knight appearing in view, accompanied by a few guards.
He rode a snow-white warhorse, draped in a dark red cloak, without armor, only wearing a sharply tailored riding outfit that accentuated his slender form.
Following closely was another woman.
She rode a chestnut warhorse, with blue hair tied behind her head, her riding gear clean and elegant, exuding a graceful yet cold temperant.
It was Emily, Mary recognized, the Duke’s Daughter of Frost Halberd City and wife of the Lord of the Red Tide.
"Stand up! Everyone stand up!"
"It’s the Red Tide Lord... Lord Louis!"
"And his wife! It’s Emily, the Duke’s Daughter!"
A soft commotion erupted near the carriages, the people around the cooking fire rising quickly and paying their respects, hurried yet respectful in their movents.
Even just a distant glance at the red cloak and blue-haired figures was like two flas on the snowy ground, instantly drawing all eyes.
Mary slowly stood up as well, instinctively holding her daughter tighter, finding herself unwittingly holding her breath.
She was not unfamiliar with nobility; during her ti in Frost Halberd City, as the wife of a knight squad leader, she had been fortunate enough to attend a few winter feasts with Smith, eting many nobles, even exchanging a few pleasantries with Emily.
Yet her impression of nobility was nothing more than two types.
One was like a general, rough and hearty, often accompanied by the sll of alcohol, speaking in a gruff voice.
The other was high above, often carrying an air of arrogance and indifference.
But the young lord in front of her, said to have defeated the barbarian king, was completely different from the nobles she had t before.
His attire was simple, without a sword or armor, surrounded by only a few guards.
Yet, as he slowly walked into the crowd, he seed to carry an invisible ripple, causing everyone to instinctively step aside and look up to him.
It was a kind of... like the surface of a lake at night.
Seemingly calm and unruffled, yet beneath those tranquil brows and eyes lay unmistakable hidden currents.
Louis was long accustod to the imperial air he naturally carried, so he felt no discomfort from these curious glances.
He simply swept his gaze over the crowd softly, occasionally nodding, occasionally smiling at the children, like a foreman inspecting workshops at a market, without a hint of superiority.
As people gradually gathered in the camp, low murmurs and gazes flooded in like tides.
Louis stood atop a slightly elevated snow mound, without a speech draft, speaking off the cuff: "I’ve indeed been too busy to co see you all sooner. Now that I’m here, I feel guilty.
I know for most of you, the na Red Tide Territory is unfamiliar. So of you worry about the future, which is normal.
But what I can tell you is, you don’t need to worry about these things, because you’re already part of the Red Tide."
Louis slightly turned, his hands naturally behind him.
"Each family will be allocated independent housing, completed no later than three days.
If you’re willing to work and have skills, we’ll assign you positions based on your expertise, ensuring no idleness and avoiding undue force.
Additionally, upon arriving at the Red Tide Territory, each household will receive fifty gold coins as your settlent fee."
He paused briefly, with a slight apologetic smile at the corner of his lips: "Although it’s not much, consider it a small token of my personal goodwill."
Softly, there was a barely perceptible rustle from the crowd, and Mary heard a woman beside her quietly gasp.
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