As the bandits attacked, women and children screamed in terror and scattered, while the elderly in line were knocked to the ground.Amidst the chaos, these refugees didn't know what to do.Just at this critical moment, a warhorse suddenly leaped out of the command tent.The knight on horseback, draped in a crimson cloak, spurred his steed with heavy boots, and the warhorse neighed, charging directly through the crowd.The knight's battle aura surged like flames, flowing from his shoulders to the tip of his sword, igniting with a crimson glow!"Anyone who dares to steal grain will be killed without mercy!" His voice, like rolling thunder, pierced through the chaos, shaking everyone.Immediately following, two more warhorses charged out, and three Red Tide Knights quickly fanned out into an encircling formation.One in front and two on the sides, they surrounded the bandits within a semi-circular area at the edge of the camp!"Charge! There are only three of them!"Someone shouted, and the hot-blooded bandits raised their swords and axes, yelling as they rushed towards the three knights!Then they saw the difference between a knight and ordinary people.The leading knight raised his longsword and, with a sweeping arc, directly cut three charging bandits in half at the waist!Limbs tumbled in the air with fiery battle aura, blood splattered on the muddy ground, carrying a fishy smell."Wh-what's going on!" One person just opened his mouth in a startled cry,The second knight spurred his horse forward, its front hooves raised high, and the instant acceleration of its charge sent a bandit flying three zhang away.Then another knight followed up with a sword thrust, piercing through the chests of two nearby individuals, pulling the sword out abruptly, and blood sprayed!With a horizontal swing of his longsword, a mangled corpse flew out, knocking down a third person who was still trying to advance.Then he turned and directly cut a bandit attempting to flank him in half from shoulder to belly, a gruesome death."Run, run now!!!"Finally, someone realized something was wrong; these knights were simply monsters to them.Unfortunately, it was too late.The three knights galloped, and amidst the roaring battle aura, they began their hunt.Every chop was accompanied by a battle aura explosion, severing bone and flesh as easily as chopping firewood!Someone tried to climb over the wall to escape, only to be pinned to the wall by a sword.Someone threw down their weapon and knelt, begging for mercy, but no one paid attention, and their spine was crushed by a horse's hoof.In just a few minutes of 'slicing melons and dicing vegetables,' over twenty of the thirty-odd bandits had fallen.The remaining few were deliberately left alive, bound hand and foot, and dragged to an open space outside the camp.That evening, a simple wooden platform was erected in the camp square.Torches burned brightly, illuminating the entire open area.Seven bandits were bound hand and foot, kneeling on the platform, each with a deathly pale face, trembling.Their former ferocity, when they threatened their compatriots with short knives, had long since vanished.The square was surrounded by people, easily over a hundred, mostly common folk who had just struggled out of hunger and war.Everyone's face was etched with exhaustion, but at this moment, they all stood tall, staring angrily at the few bandits."Everyone is working honestly, why did you steal grain!""Good days are just starting, and they want to cause trouble? They deserve to be executed!""Lord Louis truly won't tolerate bad people!"The presiding magistrate read aloud: "According to the Red Tide Law, those who rob grain, attack the camp, or intentionally injure others are beyond redemption and are sentenced to death!"A clamor erupted below the platform, but it was not of doubt, but of relieved cheers.A few of the seven began to cry loudly and beg for mercy, while others tried to explain or plead for clemency."Have mercy! I, I just followed to watch the excitement, I didn't steal anything at all!""I have an eighty-year-old mother—please, don't kill me!"A younger bandit struggled desperately, tears streaming down his face: "I, I will definitely turn over a new leaf and be a good person from now on!"A Red Tide Knight stepped forward and said expressionlessly: "Forgiving you is the Dragon Ancestor's business. My duty is to send you to him." He drew his sword and advanced step by step: "Execute!"The sword flashed, a head fell, and blood splattered on the yellow earth.The same action was repeated seven times, and the entire square was silent.When the last head fell, someone, no one knew who, shouted first:"Well done!""Yes! They should be killed!""This is great, no more worrying about someone stealing my porridge!"Cheers erupted one after another, and some even clasped their hands together and bowed in respect to the crimson flag.From that day on, no one in the camp dared to steal anything again.This was Lord Louis's previous order: if there were troublesome bandits, deliberately leave a few to be publicly tried and beheaded."The war has just ended; rules must be established," he said.He wanted everyone to see with their own ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) eyes that in his territory, robbery and murder were capital offenses.And those refugees who obediently registered and worked diligently could now eat three meals a day, no longer had to sleep rough, and had clean straw mats and blankets at night.And just this was the life they dreamed of.Under the guidance of the craftsmen sent by the Red Tide Territory, semi-subterranean dwellings rose from the ground.Ian was among the first group of craftsmen to participate in house building.Although he was tired from work every day, his heart felt secure. The foreman distributed meals on time, and in the evening, he could listen to people playing music and singing by the campfire.Mia also gradually recovered, and color returned to her face.Although still frail, she could now stand steadily and even run a few steps and play in the camp.She always liked to follow behind Ian, sometimes helping to pick up wood scraps at the construction site, or poking small stones on the ground with a small stick.Her co-workers, seeing her well-behaved and sensible, often chatted with her and occasionally slipped her some food."You little girl, you're much more diligent than your dad," someone said with a smile.Hearing the teasing, Mia blushed and ran off.Ian grinned at the sight, but his eyes welled up with moisture.He watched his daughter's lively figure, feeling a release in his heart.Just a few days ago, he had to wake up every night to check her breathing, fearing that he would lose this child forever if he woke up.Now he no longer had to humble himself for a bite of food, nor madly cross mountains and ridges for a bit of herbal medicine.Though the porridge was plain, it was always filling, and there was even some pickled vegetables.Though the house was simple, it kept out the wind and rain, had charcoal fire, blankets, and people to talk to.Ian held his coarse ceramic bowl, looking at the rising smoke, and silently murmured in his heart: "Thank you, Lord Louis."Not just Ian, but the people in the camp gradually regained some vitality.They had food to eat, work to do, a place to sleep, and most importantly, a sense of security."As long as you follow the rules, you'll have food to eat; as long as you're willing to work, you'll be protected."Such a slogan began to quietly spread in the camp, like a simple but true creed.No one thought it was false, because this was what they had seen and experienced firsthand.Gradually, this belief took root and sprouted among the ruins after the war.And that crimson flag, unfurling in the morning light, had a sun on it that grew brighter and brighter, as if truly dispelling the gloom over this land.

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