Leaving the cluttered laboratory of Hillco, Louis donned his cloak, walked along the stone path through the city gates, and arrived at the knight training ground outside the boundaries of Red Tide Territory.

This place was originally a simple training ground, but now it has expanded into several interconnected military training camps.

The morning frost had not yet dissipated, and the air was filled with the smell of grass, iron, and steel mingling together. In the distance, the dull thud of fighting energy clashing could be heard.

Standing in a pavilion overlooking the high ground, Louis scanned the entire training grounds with his eyes.

"Hah—!"

A battle cry tore through the air as dozens of apprentice knights were practicing in formation, the red fighting energy faintly visible in the gaps of their armor, burning like fierce flames.

They were engaged in daily training routines like sprint formation, shield wall training, and fighting energy trials.

Now, under Red Tide Territory's banner, there were already one thousand two hundred eighty-three knights gathered.

Among them, there were one hundred seventy-three elite knights.

This number would already be enough to keep other local lords of the Northern Territory awake at night with jealousy.

What's more is that the average age of the Red Tide Knight Order is still a cycle younger than regular noble knight orders, filled with fervent fighting spirit and refined martial skills.

The most important thing is their obedience, unity, and loyalty.

However, for Louis, this was still far from enough.

With the current territorial expansion and border pressure, to truly cover all areas, the number of combat forces needs to be multiplied several times at least.

After all, this land would not give him a chance to catch his breath, which is why he must continue recruiting.

After the locust disaster and snow disaster, there was a plethora of wandering knights scattered through the Northern Territory.

For this reason, Red Tide Territory has been recruiting aggressively:

On one hand, actively absorbing wandering knights displaced by the locust disaster, many of whom lost their former lords and now need someone new to pledge their allegiance to.

And Louis' good reputation and knight nurturing system naturally became the most attractive option.

On the other hand, he established a specialized apprentice training system, converting children selected for aptitude from the local community into apprentice knights.

Using systematic fighting energy training and resource allocation, proactively cultivating new grassroots leaders.

There were even some knights from other lands within the Northern Territory, without family allegiance for the time being, who began secretly defecting over upon hearing of the generous treatment and comprehensive training system of the Red Tide Knight Order.

"Of course, their loyalty... perhaps still needs time for verification."

Louis was not oblivious to this, nor to the daily intelligence tips suggesting it.

However, he neither openly exposed it nor ordered their forced expulsion.

He merely said softly, "Special times require special treatment."

Now is the window for post-disaster reconstruction; the Northern Territory is chaotic, and the hearts of people everywhere are unsettled. Rather than empty talk of loyalty, what Red Tide needs more is knights capable of executing orders.

And Louis himself had adequate acumen and daily intelligence systems to ensure that these individuals "dared not betray," eventually hoping they'd truly wish to stay.

"The lord of Red Tide Territory spares no resources, offers high welfare..."

This evaluation has quietly spread across the Northern Territory, with new knights continuously coming to join.

As Louis walked down the stairs of the training ground, a familiar figure was already waiting there.

"Lambert." He smiled slightly, raising a hand in greeting.

That was a man with a stern countenance, eyes sharp as a falcon, yet upon seeing Louis, a restrained and respectful smile appeared.

Lambert was the Guardian Knight Louis had known since childhood.

In Louis's youth, he was Louis's personal guard, and now he's the Commander-in-Chief of the Red Tide Knight Corps, holding real power over the entire military.

Though he still chooses to often be by Louis's side, acting as the most personal guard and deputy general.

But within the entire Red Tide Legion system, everyone knew Lambert represented the prestige and iron rule of the "First Knight of Red Tide."

In fact, those original knights who initially followed Louis to the Northern Territory are now entrusted with significant responsibilities, defending key positions, training camps, or intelligence agencies, each bearing duties.

Their strength is now incomparable to the past.

Under Louis's resource rivalry, breakthrough fighting energy potions, enhanced training systems, and updated equipment, nearly everyone has made leaps of two levels or more.

This advancement isn't just theirs as knights—it's also the fulfillment of a promise.

"The glory brought by the Sun, I will share with you."

It was the pledge Louis gave when he first arrived in the Northern Territory, addressing the knights who followed him.

And now, he has achieved that.

It's not just honor, but also land, family status, training resources, opportunities for advancement, and an even broader stage.

They once were a pitiful band exiled to the Northern Territory, and now each has become an indispensable backbone of the Red Tide system.

Louis and Lambert arrived at a pavilion near the western side of the training grounds.

Inside the pavilion, Louis sat down on a chair, laying out an unfinished manual.

Lambert remained standing, straight and tall; he did not take a seat, leaving only a half-empty tea on the stone table.

In the distance, knights were charging in formation on the training ground, the sound coming from far away.

Louis glanced over briefly, then softly began, "1,283 men, sounds like a lot at first. But Lambert, we both know that this number is starting to stretch thin to hold these territories."

Lambert did not rush to answer, taking a moment to think, then responded in a low voice, "Especially since most of the main forces are concentrated within Red Tide City.

The other territories are under-manned, and at this rate... gaps will only grow larger."

He paused and added, "The knight system ordered personally by the lord only suits small teams. We are no longer the mere dozens of the old Red Tide."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.