Rise of the Northern Warlord: Starting with Daily Intelligence

After Vaerik dealt with the problems brought by 1,500 slaves, Crimson Tide Domain’s development went much more smoothly than imagined.

New houses continuously rose from the ground within just one month, wasteland was rapidly reclaimed.

People’s faces finally showed hope, and the barren, desolate land was becoming a true territory.

Vaerik sat in his office, looking at the territory intelligence materials Bradley had organized, nodding with satisfaction. ƒгeewebnovёl.com

Good, the foundation was laid. It was time to do more important things.

Time to begin the next phase of the plan.

Vaerik picked up the blood-dripping stone he had brought from the Southeastern Province. This was a deep red crystal stone, its surface flickering with strange luster, like blood still flowing.

This was a special magical ore that could test whether someone had knight bloodline talent.

Only those with knight heritage could make it react.

Vaerik used a dagger to cut his fingertip, fresh blood slowly dripping onto the stone.

The next second, the blood-dripping stone trembled slightly, glowing with dark red radiance.

This indicated Vaerik had the qualifications to become a bloodline knight.

Of course, this stone could only test the qualifications to become a knight, not measure how strong a knight’s talent was.

But Vaerik wasn’t worried about this, because he had the Daily Intelligence System.

If there were children with strong talent, the system would eventually alert him, and he could focus on cultivation then.

So, how many children in Crimson Tide Domain had the talent to become knights?

Vaerik planned to use this stone to select children in Crimson Tide Domain, seeking those with qualifications.

To cultivate knights who truly belonged to him, belonged to Crimson Tide Domain.

They weren’t knights dispatched by the family, but loyal knights personally selected, personally trained, personally shaped by him.

Knights belonging to Vaerik should be fanatical believers.

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

Not merely allegiance, but viewing him as a true leader, even as faith itself.

...

Over two hundred children gathered in Crimson Tide Domain’s square, mostly under fifteen years old.

The air was filled with inexplicable excitement. Every child was holding their breath, waiting for something, their heartbeats quietly accelerating with anticipation.

Their gazes were locked tightly on Vaerik in the square’s center.

He wore a black cloak with the Tudor family emblem on his chest.

Like the sun hanging high in the sky, warm and brilliant.

Looking at Vaerik, every child’s heart surged with strong admiration.

Most were children of refugees and original residents. Their parents had all been saved by Vaerik from near starvation.

Through their teachers’ and parents’ words and example, they held immense respect and love for Vaerik.

Vaerik’s image in their hearts was the sun itself.

"Today, I will select some children to become knights." The sun spoke.

As soon as the words fell, the square immediately erupted in commotion.

"Becoming a knight means we can ride horses and hold swords?"

"Can we protect Crimson Tide Domain like Lord Vaerik?"

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

The children chattered excitedly, their eyes full of surprise and excitement.

These children came from the bottom rungs of society and were all young, having no idea what the two words "knight" meant.

Their understanding was simple and direct.

Knights were the warriors closest to the great lord, his guards, the powerful and noble existence in everyone’s eyes.

Becoming a knight meant fighting alongside the sun, standing in the most glorious place.

"Quiet, one at a time."

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

Vaerik stood on the square’s platform, the blood-dripping stone placed on the table before him.

The stone’s surface flickered with strange radiance, its deep red luster seeming to pulse, attracting all the children’s attention.

The children walked forward one by one, following Vaerik’s instructions to lightly cut their fingers and let blood drop onto the blood-dripping stone.

When testing began, all children were extremely excited, anticipating miracles.

However, as most children’s blood dropped down, the blood-dripping stone merely remained quietly unchanged, showing no reaction.

As time passed, the children’s expressions began showing disappointment, the atmosphere gradually becoming somewhat subdued.

Vaerik was also somewhat disappointed, but he showed no dejection.

After all, such screening was inevitable—only very few people could have knight talent.

A little girl walked forward, gently letting her blood fall onto the stone.

Suddenly—

The blood-dripping stone glowed slightly, then gently shook, emanating dark red radiance.

In that instant, everyone held their breath and widened their eyes.

"It’s her! She’s a 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 flickered with confusion and excitement, her legs trembling slightly, unable to comprehend the miracle before her.

Vaerik gently patted her shoulder: "What’s your name?"

The little girl seemed startled, stammering: "I... I’m called Lilia..."

"Congratulations, Lilia." Vaerik looked at her. "You are the first knight cultivated by Crimson Tide Domain."

Hearing this sentence, the little girl’s legs went weak, barely able to support her body, tears instantly flooding her eyes.

She stood there dazedly, her eyes full of amazement, unable to believe she could actually become a knight.

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

Hearing her peers’ envious words, only then did Lilia proudly straighten her body.

Though her legs still felt somewhat weak, the excitement in her heart made her feel like she was flying.

"I... I will become an excellent knight and protect Crimson Tide Domain!" Lilia promised Vaerik.

Vaerik listened to the little girl’s innocent words and smiled: "I look forward to that day."

With Lilia successfully passing the blood-dripping stone test, the atmosphere in the square became even more excited.

Children were always blindly confident, believing they were that one-in-a-hundred person who could be chosen to become a knight.

However, reality was always cruel.

Nearly half the children had come forward for testing, but only three children had passed with the talent to become bloodline knights.

In the crowd, there was a rather short child whose eyes flickered with expectant light, yet also carried a trace of fear.

Hoping to become a knight, yet fearing he lacked talent.

He wanted to become a knight, wanted to stand beside Lord Vaerik, wanted to repay the lord’s kindness.

His name was Weir.