A row of simple large pots was set up on burning firewood, with the faint aroma of wheat porridge permeating the air.
The slaves lined up in a long queue, holding rough wooden bowls, waiting for the porridge to be distributed.
Their eyes were full of gratitude. In past days, they had struggled with hunger every day.
Even a bit of leftover food had to be fought over. Now, having hot porridge to drink was already a great blessing.
Lord Vaerik's kindness is beyond repayment!
Standing behind the stove, George scooped porridge with a huge wooden ladle while worriedly muttering:
"My Lord, if you keep cooking like this, I'm afraid there won't be enough food... If one day the shortage becomes too large, we'll..."
His words were cut off by Vaerik's casual wave.
"When people are hungry, they need to eat. Just cook when I tell you to. Why so much nonsense?"
George opened and closed his mouth, but finally just sighed and resigned himself to continue scooping porridge.
His new master was good in every way, except for being too generous, not taking food seriously at all.
"Hmph, at this rate, in less than half a year, I'm afraid I'll be back at the slave market..." George felt a surge of sadness.
Since that was the case, he might as well secretly eat two more bowls of porridge now, or he might go hungry one day.
Vaerik didn't care about this at all.
He wasn't worried about not having enough food; with the rich resources of Crimson Tide Domain, they wouldn't starve no matter what.
This was the confidence given to him by his cheat ability.
Just in time, today's daily intelligence was updated:
[1: Baron Hayes died of excessive drinking and freezing on his way to his territory.]
[2: The Northern governor's youngest daughter—Emily Edmund, broke through to the initial rank of elite knight.]
[3: A pack of 70 hungry dire wolves, following the scent of food, are lurking in the valley ahead, waiting for an opportunity to attack the caravan.]
The first two pieces of intelligence were of little importance to Vaerik, at most he felt a bit of regret for Baron Hayes's death.
But the third piece of intelligence made his expression grave!
Seventy dire wolves, even with his current military strength, he wouldn't fear them, but if he was slightly careless and suffered losses from these ferocious beasts' surprise attack, it would be a net loss.
He immediately summoned Knight Captain Lambert and ordered solemnly:
"Have the knights form groups of five and scout the area around the valley for any unusual situations."
Lambert nodded without hesitation to accept the order.
The knights quickly formed groups and galloped towards the valley.
The cold wind howled, with a hint of gloominess in the valley.
The knight squad moved slowly along the snow, with an unpleasant stench permeating the air.
It smelled like rotting flesh mixed with the odor of wild beasts, making people instinctively frown.
Lambert dismounted, crouched in the snow, and extended his hand to brush away the thin snow, revealing chaotic paw prints underneath.
The imprints were deep, indicating these wolves were extremely hungry, not even having the patience to cover their tracks.
He raised his head, his expression solemn: "There's something here."
They quickly returned to Vaerik's side and reported their findings in detail.
After listening, Vaerik didn't show any panic: "Very well, since they've come to us, let's show them who the prey really is."
He immediately ordered traps to be set in the valley to lure the wolf pack into the ambush.
Hungry dire wolves lay in the snow, their green eyes fixated on the distant caravan.
Their fur was thick and coarse, in color between gray-white and dark blue, blending with the snow, making it easier for them to hide in this cold wasteland.
Hunger made their forms appear even more emaciated, but one could still see the terrible explosive power hidden beneath those bones.
The wind carried an enticing scent—that of their coveted prey!
"Awooo!" The alpha wolf let out a low howl.
Dozens of dark shadows instantly rose from the snow, like ghosts, silently stalking, gradually approaching the caravan.
Closer and closer...
"Bang!"
A dull explosion tore through the night, and a giant wooden stake mechanism suddenly sprung up, sharp spears piercing several wolves at the front, blood instantly dyeing the snow red!
The wolf pack, startled by the sudden trap, scattered in all directions.
Soldiers who had been hiding in the periphery quickly drew their bowstrings, and arrows rained down like a storm!
"Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!"
The sound of arrows cutting through the air, dire wolves unable to dodge in time, immediately filled with agonizing cries. Several wolves had their throats precisely pierced, rolling onto the snow, blood quickly staining the white snow red.
"Now!"
Lambert's sword drew a silver arc in the air.
The knights launched a simultaneous attack, and fierce battle energy instantly ignited the battlefield!
A knight suddenly leaped up, his battle spear gathering a red glow, fiercely piercing an dire wolf that was pouncing.
The explosive energy pinned the wolf's carcass to the snow, creating a huge crack!
Another knight wielded a heavy sword, with crimson battle energy flames wrapping around the blade.
He jumped high and slashed down, the flames splitting the night, cutting in half a giant wolf trying to ambush them!
Warm blood blossomed into crimson flowers on the snow.
The wild nature of the wolf pack could no longer suppress the fear in their hearts, and they scattered in flight.
"Close the net!"
The knights adjusted their formation, surrounding the wolf pack.
They unleashed their battle energy, each strike taking a wolf's life.
Accompanied by the sound of swords cutting through flesh, the wolf pack was completely slaughtered amidst a series of miserable howls.
In the end, only the alpha wolf stood alone on the blood-stained snow plain, blood soaking through its thick fur.
Its green eyes stared fixedly at Lambert, revealing a final ferocity.
"Awoooo!"
The alpha wolf roared, its massive body suddenly pouncing toward Lambert, its claws sweeping with a chilling force capable of tearing apart steel!
But Lambert merely sidestepped, battle energy condensing into a light blade instantly covering his sword, red light flaring up!
"Slash!"
With his low shout, the sword light fell like lightning.
It directly separated the alpha wolf's head from its body, hot blood spurting, the wolf's carcass crashing to the ground!
The battle ended faster than imagined, with the knight brigade suffering almost no damage.
The ground was covered with the corpses of dire wolves, the bloody snow bearing witness to the cruelty of this battle.
Lambert didn't even pant as he turned to look at Vaerik, who was approaching on horseback.
"My Lord, the wolf pack has been completely eliminated."
The knights quickly organized the spoils of war—seventy dire wolves, all eliminated!
The loot was also quite considerable.
Seventy thick wolf pelts, sharp wolf teeth, and most importantly, that mountain of wolf meat!
Vaerik looked at the spoils, nodding with satisfaction: "Good, skin the wolves, and distribute the meat among the brothers for an extra meal."
The soldiers immediately cheered. In this cold northern region, being able to eat a hot meal of meat was a dream come true!
Moreover, wolf meat was not inedible. If properly handled, it might not even taste worse than ordinary wild beast meat!
"The Lord is truly generous..."
At this moment, the eyes of the newly joined soldiers looking at Vaerik had changed from simple obedience to genuine approval from the heart.