Winter Lord: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 44 Bloodstone

After Louis dealt with the problems caused by the 1500 slaves, the Red Tide Territory developed much more smoothly than expected.

New houses sprang up one after another in just one month, and barren fields were quickly reclaimed.

Hope finally returned to people's faces; the barren and desolate land was transforming into a true territory.

Louis sat in his office, looking at the territory intelligence data that Bradley had compiled, and nodded with satisfaction.

Great, the foundation has been laid, it's time to do something more important.

It's time to move on to the next step of the plan.

Louis picked up the bloodstone he had brought from the southeastern province. It was a deep red crystal with a strange luster on its surface, like blood that was still flowing.

This is a special magical ore that can test whether a person has the talent of a Blood Knight.

Only those with knightly blood can make it react.

Louis cut his fingertip with a dagger, and blood slowly dripped onto the stone.

The next second, the bloodstone trembled slightly and emitted a dark red glow.

This shows that Louis has the qualifications to become a Blood Knight.

Of course, this stone can only test one's aptitude to become a knight, but not how strong a knight's talent is.

But Louis wasn't worried about that because he had a daily intelligence system.

If there are children with strong talents, the system will eventually notify them, and then they can be given special attention and nurtured.

So how many children in the Crimson Tide Territory have the talent to become knights?
Louis planned to use this stone to select children from the Red Tide Territory, to find those with the potential.

To cultivate a bloodline knight who truly belongs to him and to the Crimson Tide Territory.

They were not knights sent by the family, but loyal knights personally selected, trained, and molded by him.

Knights belonging to Louis must be fanatical believers.

They should trust him, follow him, and be loyal to him without reservation.

It's not just about loyalty, but about seeing him as a true leader, even a belief.

…………

More than two hundred children, mostly under the age of fifteen, gathered in the square of the Red Tide Territory.

An inexplicable excitement filled the air; every child held their breath, waiting for something, their heartbeats quickening with anticipation.

Their eyes were fixed on Louis in the center of the square.

He wore a black cloak and the Calvin family crest on his chest.

Like the sun high in the sky, warm and dazzling.

Looking at Louis, a strong sense of admiration welled up in the hearts of every child.

Most of them were children of refugees and indigenous people, whose parents had been rescued by Louis from near starvation.

Through the words and deeds of teachers and parents, they developed immense respect and love for Louis.

Louis was like the sun in their hearts.

"Today, I will select some children to become knights," the sun announced.

As soon as he finished speaking, the square erupted in commotion.

"Does becoming a knight mean I can ride a horse and wield a sword?"

"Can you protect the Red Tide Territory like Lord Louis?"

"Can...can I become a knight?"

The children chattered excitedly, their eyes filled with surprise and excitement.

These children came from the lower classes and were very young; they had no idea what the word "knight" meant.

Their understanding was simple and direct. A knight was the closest warrior standing beside the great lord, his protector, a powerful and revered figure in the eyes of everyone.

To become a knight means to fight alongside the sun and stand in the most glorious place.

"Quiet down, one at a time."

The test officially began, and the knights and teachers started directing the children to line up, ensuring that each child went forward in order.

Louis stood on the high platform in the square, with the blood-dripping stone on the table in front of him.

The stone's surface shimmered with an unusual brilliance, its deep red sheen seemingly dancing, captivating the eyes of all the children.

One by one, the children stepped forward and, following Louis's instructions, gently made a small cut on their fingers and dripped blood onto the bloodstone.

All the children were excited when the test started, hoping for a miracle.

However, as most children's blood was dripped, the bloodstone simply remained still, without any reaction.

As time went by, the children's expressions began to show disappointment, and the atmosphere gradually became somewhat quiet.

Louis was also somewhat disappointed, but he did not show any frustration.

After all, such selection is inevitable; only a very small number of people possess the talent of a knight.

A little girl stepped forward and gently dripped blood onto the stone.

Suddenly, the bloodstone glowed faintly, then swayed slightly, emitting a dark red light.

In that instant, everyone held their breath and stared wide-eyed.

"It's her! She's the future knight!" the children whispered excitedly.

The little girl stood there, staring blankly at the blood-dripping stone, seemingly not fully understanding what had just happened to her.

Her eyes were filled with confusion and excitement, her legs trembled slightly, and she could not comprehend the miracle before her.

Louis gently patted her shoulder: "What's your name?"

The little girl seemed startled and stammered, "My...my name is Lilia."

“Congratulations, Lilia.” Louis looked at her. “You are the first knight trained by the Crimson Tide Territory.”

Upon hearing this, the little girl's legs went weak, and she could barely support herself; tears instantly welled up in her eyes.

She stood there, stunned, her eyes wide with disbelief that she could become a knight.

All the children in the square looked at her, whispering among themselves, their hearts filled with envy.

Hearing the envious words of her peers, Lilia finally stood up straight with pride.

Although her legs were still a little weak, the excitement in her heart made her feel like she was flying.

"I will become an excellent knight and protect the Red Tide Territory!" Lilia promised Louis.

Louis listened to the little girl's innocent words and smiled, "I look forward to that day."

The atmosphere in the square became even more excited as Lilia successfully passed the Bloodstone test.

Children are often blindly confident, believing that they are one in a hundred and will be chosen to become knights.

However, reality is always cruel.

Nearly half of the children have already stepped forward to take the test, but only three children have passed and have the talent to become a Blood Knight.

Among the crowd was a rather short child whose eyes shone with anticipation, yet also with a hint of fear.

He longed to become a knight, yet feared he lacked the talent.

He wanted to become a knight, to stand by Lord Louis's side, and to repay the lord's kindness.

His name is Welsh.

(End of this chapter)