Rise of the Northern Warlord: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Clop clop clop—!

Urgent hoofbeats thundered like war drums shaking the earth.

Snow Swearer captain Haskell jerked his grizzled head up sharply, his wolf-sharp gaze burning with predatory intensity as it fixed upon the distant rolling dust clouds that billowed and churned like angry storm fronts across the horizon. His weathered face, scarred by countless battles, tightened with grim recognition as his experienced ears parsed the sounds carried on the bitter wind.

Those weren’t fleeing horses, but uniform cavalry sounds!

They were coming.

Next moment, warhorse neighing pierced the smoke as crimson figures charged from the dust.

Crimson Tide knights’ armor reflected cold radiance in the setting sun, like sharp blades slashing from the abyss!

"Warriors, form ranks!" Haskell suddenly raised his battle axe, roaring.

Snow Swearer warriors quickly maneuvered—shields raised, spears thrust out, axes gripped diagonally, their eyes flashing with alertness as sweat trickled down their foreheads.

But Crimson Tide knights gave them no respite!

Swoosh!

Air was torn as sharp short spears and arrows poured down like sudden rain!

Ranged throwing weapons!

They want to wear us down like this!

Haskell’s pupils contracted as his heart sank.

He immediately realized this was a carefully planned hunting tactic.

These knights planned to first use ranged attacks to tear apart defensive lines, then cut in when formation loosened.

"Shield wall! Quick!"

Snow Swearers immediately raised heavy shields, then heard a series of dull impacts.

"Ugh ah!"

However, one young Snow Swearer warrior moved too slowly.

He screamed and staggered backward, chest pierced by a short spear, blood spurting.

He opened his mouth unwillingly but only spat foamy blood before heavily collapsing, immediately convulsing and falling silent.

"Damn! Cursed knights!" the warrior beside him roared angrily, eyes flashing with violent killing intent.

"Don’t rush! Hold formation first!" Haskell gritted his teeth and roared.

Unlike Haskell’s imagined strategy, Crimson Tide knights’ first harassment squad showed no attachment to battle—after throwing short spears, they withdrew like ghosts.

Raising rolling dust clouds, making Snow Swearers’ vision blurry.

"These bastards..."

Before they could adjust, another knight squad was already attacking from the flank!

Neigh—!

Warhorses screamed wildly, iron hooves churning!

Crimson Tide knights’ second squad burst into the battlefield, spears carrying blazing crimson battle energy, charging straight at Snow Swearers’ flank!

"Their main attack is here!" a Snow Swearer exclaimed, instinctively moving toward the flank.

"Don’t move! Don’t be fooled!" Haskell shouted harshly, but it was too late.

Crimson Tide knights’ second tactic succeeded!

The flank assault wasn’t the main attack—it was to disrupt formation!

Crimson Tide knights charged through, blades and spears flashing crimson battle energy light as they weaved through enemy ranks!

Swoosh!

Blood spurted as a Snow Swearer warrior’s throat was pierced by a spear, blood splashing!

In mere seconds, the defensive line was torn apart!

Haskell’s brow furrowed deeply, teeth nearly grinding to powder.

He finally realized this was like a carefully prepared hunt, and they were merely toyed-with prey!

"Damn..." He gripped his battle axe tightly, eyes growing increasingly grim as deep blue battle energy churned around him.

But just then, Crimson Tide knights’ third squad quietly appeared.

"Kill!"

A low, cold voice rang out, accompanied by thunderous hoofbeats hammering the ground.

Haskell spun around sharply.

"Charge!"

Lambert led elite knights and high-rank formal knights in a squad charging from the dust!

They moved faster than previous knights, cavalry lances pointed forward, sweeping into battle like a hurricane!

Bang!

One Snow Swearer warrior couldn’t even defend before being pierced through the chest by a crimson battle energy-wrapped lance blade.

His entire body was viciously pinned to the ground, blood slowly sliding down the lance blade as battle energy burned and corroded his wound—even his corpse trembled slightly!

"Bastard!" Haskell roared, deep blue battle energy surging as his battle axe swept with violent wind!

Clang—!

The lance blade precisely blocked the axe as crimson and deep blue battle energy collided violently.

Intense energy impact spread outward, creating violent air waves!

Surrounding warriors were all knocked back—even the earth showed cracks!

"Interesting." Lambert’s lips curved slightly, but his eyes carried coldness.

He backhand-swept his spear horizontally, the blade cutting air in a sharp arc!

Swoosh!

A Snow Swearer attempting a sneak attack had his throat slashed by the lance blade, clutching his neck in painful gasps before falling into a dusty pool of blood.

"Damn..." Haskell growled.

As knights continued their assault, blood splattered on earth, staining shattered armor red.

Now the Snow Swearer warriors had suffered over half casualties.

Haskell knelt on one knee, breathing like bellows.

His battle axe was already chipped throughout, armor shattered and soaked with mixed blood.

His gaze swept around—only a dozen-plus Snow Swearers still stood, but everyone’s eyes had grown cloudy.

Legs trembling constantly—not from fear, but because strength was nearly exhausted.

They had been forced into desperate straits by Crimson Tide knights.

"Already... at the limit?"

Haskell gritted his teeth, face so grim it seemed blood might drip.

His fists clenched, nails digging deep into palms until pain cleared his mind.

No, they hadn’t lost yet!

He slowly stood, surveying his remaining comrades.

"Snow Swearers..." his voice was hoarse and low, "Fight to the last man! Make them pay in blood!"

"Fight to the last man!! Make them pay in blood!!" the remaining Snow Swearers roared in response.

Though already covered in wounds, in this moment, mad battle intent reignited in their eyes.

"Kill—!"

Haskell took a deep breath, raising his battle axe.

Instantly, blood-red totems lit up on his chest!

This wasn’t ordinary battle energy, but a life-burning curse—Boiling Blood!

BOOM!!

Scalding blood boiled in their veins, madly burning their bodies as muscles instantly swelled, blood vessels twisted and bulged under skin, pupils becoming crimson flames!

Over ten Snow Swearer warriors simultaneously activated Boiling Blood Berserk—their aura instantly surged.

A wave of mad killing intent shot skyward, making even the air seem to tremble!

"Hahahaha!"

Haskell laughed maniacally, blood continuously seeping from his eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.

But he still gripped his battle axe tightly, battle energy surging as he charged at Lambert!

"Come! Let you experience our Snow Swearers’ hatred!! Let’s go to hell together!!"

"Retreat!" Lambert saw this and decisively shouted.

Crimson Tide knights immediately scattered, but it was too late!