Chapter 14

This year, winter in Visas was peaceful and tranquil.

Heavy, goose-feather snow arrived as expected.

In just one night, Visas had become a vast expanse of white. Glittering snowflakes covered the streets, rooftops, and treetops, while distant Par Mountain was similarly draped in silver. The sight possessed a unique beauty.

Early morning.

Old Andrew pushed open his door, exhaled a puff of white breath, rubbed his chilled palms together, and took out a shovel to clear the snow piled outside.

Before long, Mock, who lived next door, came out as well. After greeting each other, they began shoveling snow while chatting.

Their conversation was nothing more than their usual work and how their sons were doing at the Soldiers' Training Camp.

Salt was dried in summer, alkali gathered in winter.

The Cogit Sea remained vast and magnificent, while the salt-drying fields along the shore were still busy.

However, the recent heavy snow had temporarily halted work at the salt-drying fields, reducing the workload on the production lines as well.

Although he could not go to the salt-drying fields because of the snow, Old Andrew was not worried in the slightest.

His wife had become a cook at the relief station. Her wages were paid daily, and she brought home two copper coins every evening.

Moreover, volunteers who went to work at the relief station were given two warm outer garments on their first day.

The thick coat he was wearing had been brought back by his wife.

Mock sighed. "I heard Count Bevis Elliot ordered Komoy Fort's gates shut again. No one can get out now, and no one can get in... Luckily, we left Komoy Fort early."

Old Andrew truly felt immensely fortunate.

If his son had not secretly stolen money to pay the head tax and then run off to enlist, he would not even dare dream of such a wonderful life now. He would probably be regretting it like the slaves trapped in Komoy Fort.

Thinking of his son, Old Andrew also remembered that the once-every-three-months drill assessment was about to arrive.

"Mike said when he came back last time that this quarter's assessment will involve live combat drills on the northwestern side of Par Mountain. The two officers have already taken people there to survey the terrain in advance. When the time comes, the lord will go with them."

Mock had indeed heard about it from his son, Myle.

The northwest of Par Mountain was remote and dangerous. People had disappeared there before, and some had even been dragged away by brown bears... Almost no commoners or slaves went there.

Ever since learning the news.

Mock had been somewhat worried.

Old Andrew took it in stride. "What danger could there be? Everyone from the Soldiers' Training Camp is going, and Knight Commander Daina will be leading them. Even wolf packs would have to avoid them."

Mock nodded, feeling somewhat relieved.

He said enviously, "Your Mike is really promising."

"Not only did he take first place in the last drill and receive a reward, but he also became a squad leader. I heard Knight Commander Daina values him greatly now."

Old Andrew said proudly, "He has always had his own ideas and worked very hard."

Three days before the winter drills were due to begin.

Komoy Fort.

Bevis Elliot's castle welcomed a guest.

The guest was a count from the Gaina Kingdom—Matthew Luke.

The enormous profits from selling salt were enough to make anyone covet them.

Even though Cyrus had yielded sixty percent of the profits to the king, what remained in his grasp was still enough to stir greed in those with ulterior motives.

After Bevis Elliot sent word.

Bass Riches once again began entertaining thoughts of taking Visas for himself.

But this time, they could not simply send knights disguised as bandits to carry out an assassination as they had before.

They needed a thorough plan.

Thus, Bass Riches secretly contacted a highly ambitious marquis from the Gaina Kingdom.

This marquis was a direct descendant of the King of Gaina and possessed succession rights, though his chances of inheriting the throne were slim.

Bass Riches offered bait: once Visas belonged to him, refined salt would be sold to the marquis at the lowest price. The marquis could then sell it at a high price and profit from the difference.

The marquis agreed to Bass Riches's plan and ordered the closest lord neighboring Komoy Fort to cooperate—the Count Matthew Luke, who had been granted his title by the marquis.

Bevis Elliot had long since learned that Desinia would also be going to Par Mountain for the winter drills.

The knights Matthew Luke brought would meet up with the knights Bevis Elliot sent on the northwestern side of Par Mountain. They would set traps and lie in wait, ensuring Desinia went there but never returned.

After killing Desinia, Matthew Luke would lead his men in a feigned assault on Visas, while Bevis Elliot would lead people to rescue it. The two would put on an act, and Visas would smoothly be taken over.

But when Bevis Elliot thought of the number of people in the Soldiers' Training Camp, unease rose in his heart.

"Have you arranged the ambush? That little brat Desinia is bringing quite a few soldiers. What if..."

Matthew Luke snorted. "What are you worried about? They are merely a ragtag bunch of lowborn trash. What does it matter if there are more of them?"

"Didn't you investigate it all already? They have only trained for six months. Do you really think lowborn trash can contend with knights?"

"Lord Marquis places great importance on this cooperation. He has even dispatched a squad of knights from his own territory. We will not be at a disadvantage in numbers... Knight Commander Daina, where did you set the ambush?"

Behind Matthew Luke stood a knight commander under the marquis. He stood tall and straight in heavy armor, his face hidden beneath his helmet.

After ordering the ambush to be prepared, the knight commander had returned to Komoy Fort to report. Hearing this, he answered in a muffled voice, "In the narrow valley on the northwestern side of Par Mountain."

Matthew Luke said to Bevis Elliot, "Just wait. Three days from now, during the drills, we will kill him on Par Mountain. This time, nothing can go wrong."

With money and the foundation of an army in place.

Cyrus decided to use the winter drills as a practical combat exercise on the northwestern side of Par Mountain, taking the opportunity to locate the natural asphalt deposit.

Visas's streets, homes, and other structures all needed to be rebuilt.

Mining and construction would begin in spring, moisture would disperse through summer and autumn, and the project would be completed before next winter—just in time for people to move in.

Cyrus's little calculations clicked away merrily.

Fearing that the weather might be unpredictable, he moved the originally scheduled drill date up by a day. After having the Soldiers' Training Camp pack the necessary supplies, they set off for the northwestern side of Par Mountain.

Some of the knights remained behind in Visas, while all the rest accompanied them.

After crossing the southeastern side of Par Mountain.

They arrived at a flat valley between two mountain slopes. Before them lay a frozen lake, surrounded by broad grasslands that were now coated in ice and snow.

Cyrus ordered them to camp beside Par Lake and rest.

The coming drills would begin from there as well.

The snow had not completely melted, and the ground was muddy. Carriages could not enter the mountains, so they could only travel on horseback or on foot.

Therefore, Cyrus was wrapped up tightly and held against Judas's chest as they rode up the mountain.

Gibran and Toby had not come with them. Instead, they remained at the castle.

Judas dismounted first.

He then reached out and carefully lifted Cyrus down from the horse, carrying him into the tent the soldiers had already set up. Shortly afterward, Ferdinand and Walker entered as well, carrying a small brazier, warmed rations, and water.

Cyrus said, "I don't know whether the ice on the lake is thin or thick. Tell the soldiers to stay away and not go over there."

"Yes, my lord."

Walker William glanced outside, and Taylor Kennedy turned to leave, going to pass on the order.

Cyrus sipped the hot water bit by bit, warm all over as he nestled beneath a thick wool blanket, unwilling to move.

He looked outside through a small gap in the tent. A vast winter mist filled the mountains, slowly dispersing as the wind blew through it. Frost on the treetops glistened brilliantly, trembling faintly...

Cyrus thought wistfully that the valley of Par Mountain would surely be beautiful in spring. With its emerald lake, grasslands stretching across the mountains, layers upon layers of lush green, and long forests like green carpets... The place was open and spacious enough.

He stared blankly for a while when an idea suddenly surfaced in his mind.

The castle stood on the cliffs beside the Cogit Sea. Although the high ground offered an unobstructed view, the seashore was damp after all, and especially cold in winter...

Furthermore, there was enormous room for development around the Cogit Sea, with plenty of value yet to be uncovered. The salt-drying fields alone occupied only a small portion of the coastline.

If he wanted to continue developing the maritime economy, then keeping the castle by the sea in the long run was truly not a good choice.

Why not rebuild the castle in Par Mountain instead?

For example... on the shore of Par Lake?

The deeper Cyrus thought about it, the more he felt it was a good idea.

At that moment, surprise and astonishment suddenly flashed through his eyes.

He then calmly told Judas that he wanted to take a nap.

After Judas and the others left.

Cyrus's eyes curved as he smiled. "098, you're back from your trip."

The system interface had just chimed. A stick figure with the number 098 above its head appeared after knocking on the cosmic mailbox.

[Surprise, Host. 098 has returned with a gift.] The stick figure made a heart gesture at Cyrus.

Cyrus asked, puzzled and curious, "What gift?"

System 098 said, [It is a very surprising gift. It is inside the cosmic mailbox. Host, why not guess first? Then 098 will let it out.]

Cyrus said, "...Give me a hint."

This Zen System could actually tease its host.

098 said, [Fierce, cute, and rolls around.]

"...Something furry? Your cosmic mailbox can even transport living creatures?"

[Yes. Is it convenient around Host right now? 098 can place the gift near Host.]

Cyrus's thoughts shifted. "Wait for now. I need to find an appropriate time."

[Okay. 098 is not in a hurry.]

After resting.

Ferdinand Edward announced the specific details of the winter drills.

The winter drills would be entirely different from the previous ones.

The regular soldiers and reserve soldiers would battle each other as enemies. Each person would carry a small flag: blue flags for the regular soldiers and red flags for the reserve soldiers.

Based on the map, both sides would occupy their own respective bases, with a narrow valley between them.

After planting their flags at their respective bases, the soldiers' task was to use any means necessary to infiltrate the opposing base and seize the other side's flags.

They would then bring the captured flags into the narrow valley to defend them. Within the allotted time, whichever side captured more flags would win.

This kind of practical combat drill not only tested the soldiers' infiltration and combat abilities, but also their ability to devise strategies on the fly.

Whether seizing flags or defending them, the soldiers needed seamless cooperation and flexible minds to overcome difficulties.

Cyrus had devised the format for the winter drills.

Ferdinand and Walker had led knights to survey the terrain in advance and draw a map.

The narrow valley in the middle of the map was where the natural asphalt deposit was located.

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