McKinney trembled as he pushed open the heavy wooden frame and peered outside.

In an instant, his whole body froze.

In the distance, on the snowy field, a cavalry unit in black and red was rapidly approaching the castle, their armor glinting coldly in the dim light.

Of course, most conspicuous were the flags fluttering in the wind, with red backgrounds and golden sun emblems.

These were indeed the flags of Red Tide Territory!

"This... this can't be!" McKinney's throat went dry, his eyes locked firmly on the cavalry unit.

"How could it be them... how could they have been discovered!" His voice carried a slight tremor, even his legs seemed to weaken.

At that moment, the hall was already in chaos, with knights scrambling to their feet, hurriedly grabbing weapons, creating a scene of utter confusion.

A flash of madness crossed McKinney's eyes as he cursed under his breath, "Damn it... this has blown up..."

As the cavalry from Red Tide Territory drew closer, McKinney finally reacted, gritting his teeth and waving his hand, shouting, "Raise the flag! Get everyone on the walls! Quick!"

Moments later, the tall tower above the castle raised a blue and gold flag symbolizing the McGinnis Clan.

The guards hurried to bolt the castle gates, hauling up the drawbridge, and frantically setting up defenses with bows and crossbows.

Meanwhile, McKinney, with a few of his personal guards, quickly ascended the walls, taking a deep breath, trying hard to make his voice sound calm and composed.

"Yo, isn't this my esteemed neighbor, Lord Calvin of Red Tide Territory!" He leaned out, feigning enthusiasm, "Coming for a visit, why didn't you send word ahead?"

No sooner had McKinney finished speaking than a knight urged his horse forward from the Red Tide formation below the castle.

He shouted angrily, "Baron McKinney! Stop pretending, your people stole our Red Tide Territory's grain, killed our Red Tide soldiers, and the blood of the supply convoy hasn't even dried! And now you dare talk tough?!"

He drew his longsword, the blade flickering with fighting energy, pointing directly at the top of the wall: "Lord Louis has personally led the force to make you pay this blood debt!"

As soon as the words fell, hundreds of Red Tide Knights behind him shouted in unison, their murderous intent soaring to the sky.

The army, in the black and red, advanced like a raging tide, causing the ground to tremble faintly.

Seeing this scene, McKinney's heart sank, he forced himself to reply loudly, "What supply convoy? I know nothing about this!

Lord Calvin, you can't just accuse me without any proof! I am a legitimate Baron of the Empire!"

By the time he finished speaking, his voice had already changed tone, his eyes fixed firmly on the army opposite.

But this time, no one responded to him; the Red Tide Cavalry kept advancing, menacingly, with the pounding of hooves acting like heavy hammers on people's hearts.

"Quick, archers to the walls! Push the oil barrels up, block the southern gap!" McKinney quickly turned back and gave orders in a low voice.

His face looked so grim that it seemed he could drip water, cursing in his heart: Damn it, this posture is for real... but as long as we hold out for one night, they will have to retreat! We have to withstand it!

In fact, he still held out a slight hope.

We're all nobles of the Ironblood Empire, aren't we? Surely there must be some formalities, say a few words before the battle, put on a show, and then give a speech, maybe we can bluff through.

But he hadn't expected that Louis couldn't even be bothered to respond to him.

His cold eyes were like a butcher looking at a prey ready to be slaughtered, not showing any interest in replying.

Louis simply raised his hand and commanded calmly, "Attack the castle."

In just those two words, when they dropped, it was like a thunderclap!

"Yes!!" The Red Tide Knights roared in unison, their momentum heaven-shaking.

The orderly formation of knights spread out like a torrent, with dozens of knights in the front quickly loading magic explosion bullets made from demon marrow and petroleum onto the launchers.

"Fire!"

With a shout, the magic explosion bullets shot through the air like meteors, trailing flames as they hurtled toward the walls!

"Boom!!!"

The violent explosion seemed to tear the world apart, with fire and stones intertwining in the air like an apocalyptic scene.

The wall McKinney imagined to be impregnable was smashed open by this horrific impact, like a gaping bloody mouth.

Amidst the violent shock, McKinney clutched the battlements desperately, surrounded by the roar of explosions, his heart pounding as if it would burst from his chest.

"How... how could this be...!!"

He stared at the crumbling corner of the wall, frozen in place, cold sweat trickling down his neck, his mind blank.

This isn't a threat... this is an annihilation of me!!

Behind the gap, Red Tide Knights stormed in like a pack of enraged wolves, the thunderous sound of iron hooves smashing against the snowy ground, the cries of killing filling the air.

The defenders didn't even have time to organize an effective resistance before their lines collapsed, defeated like a landslide.

"Hold them! Quickly, reinforce the breach!!" McKinney's face turned pale as he shouted hoarsely.

But seeing the situation completely out of control, he stumbled, crawling and tumbling away into the interior.

He stumbled and crashed into the back hall, looking around in terror, finally diving headfirst into the castle's deep wine cellar.

He leaned against walls lined with barrels, shrinking terrified into a ball.

Outside the door, screams and cries resounded, mixed with the clash of weapons and the wails of despair.

These sounds were like a net of death, tightening evermore.

These knights, who usually only knew how to drink and revel, could not be a match for the disciplined and decisive Red Tide Iron Cavalry.

The sounds of battle came closer and closer, until the cellar door was violently kicked open.

"Ah! No! Don't come near! I, I'm nobility! I'm a Baron!!"

McKinney was seized by a few Red Tide Knights, who yanked him out of the shadows like a chick, throwing him onto the cold snowy ground.

He still tried to struggle, but was kicked over, his knees slamming heavily into the snow.

He lay sprawled, pressed down in front of Louis, with a cold blade resting against his neck.

"Uh... urgh..." McKinney shivered, hurriedly looking up, forcing a ghastly smile on his face.

"Lord Calvin... no, esteemed Red Tide Lord!" His voice trembled, on the verge of breaking, "This, this is all a misunderstanding! It's a misunderstanding!!

We're neighbors, allies! You want money? I'll give you however much you want! Women? As many as you want!

Just say the word and I'll share everything in my territory with you! We can talk, I promise, there will definitely not be a next time..."

McKinney's forehead thudded against the snow repeatedly, sneaking glances at Louis's expression.

Though he appeared frightened, inside he was sneering.

Hmph, acting all cold, this guy, no matter how arrogant, wouldn't dare really kill a noble.

McKinney bowed his head, a fierce glint in his eyes, as his mind already plotted his next steps for revenge.

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