Lord of Winter: Beginning with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 739 - 412: Duke Calvin’s Stroke of Genius

The Governor’s Mansion in the capital of the Southeast Province was temporarily transformed into the command center of the New Empire.

The hall was suffused with heavy religious incense, and the Holy Emblem of the Golden Feather Flower Church Court nearly covered the entire wall, glaringly prominent against the various gilded tableware stacked on the table.

The hall door was abruptly pushed open.

Fifth Prince Lampard, now self-proclaimed as the founder Emperor of the Holy Eastern Empire.

—He entered the hall with rapid steps, not so much a hasty leap but an uncontrollable joy leaking from his footsteps.

"Duke! Duke Calvin!" His voice echoed under the gilded dome, slightly raised, "A miracle...this is simply a revelation from the Father God!"

Duke Calvin’s tea cup, just raised, quivered slightly, and in the next moment, Lampard gripped his arm.

An impulsive gesture, carried with the eagerness to share the excitement with someone.

The tea spilled on the sleeve made the old Duke slightly dazed, yet he maintained the noble smile cultivated over the years.

Lampard’s voice was somewhat impatient: "You are truly the pillar of the Empire... Without you, today’s situation would be impossible to discuss! Duke, this is a great trend, it’s destiny standing by our side!"

The old Duke’s smile trembled, for he really had no idea what the Fifth Prince was talking about.

Lately, he’s been all agitated and troubled, with chaos being far too overwhelming.

The Southeast Province originally revered the Dragon Ancestor, but now the Golden Feather Flower Church Court forcibly promotes its doctrines, the provincial nobility are sidelined, and his family’s enterprises are being eroded bit by bit.

But what could he do?

Those old fellows in the Imperial Capital had been hanged by the Second Prince, while those who sided with the Fourth Prince are likely buried in anonymous graves.

Now, he can only hope that his third son climbs up the ranks in the Church Court quickly enough to someday become the Pope, thus leaving a path for the Calvin Clan.

Thinking of this, he barely managed to stabilize his smile: "Your Majesty, calm down... May I ask, what exactly happened?"

Lampard nearly laughed himself into madness, shoving the battle report into his arms: "Louis Calvin led the Northern Territory army south, launching a raid on Gray Rock Province!"

Duke Calvin’s fingers trembled, and the tea cup nearly fell to the ground.

Continuing with excitement, Lampard paced in the hall: "Raymond’s lair has been pierced through! Hahaha! That old wolf is still stuck in the Imperial Capital posturing, while his back is burning!"

The nearby bishop twisted his Holy Emblem, his tone both heavy and laden with deep meaning: "Without the Duke’s consent, would he dare to attack the Empire’s Grand Marshal’s territory?

This is not only a declaration of war against Raymond, but also the Calvin Clan’s strongest pledge to the Eastern Empire."

The Duke sat steadily, like a well-trained statue, yet his back was already soaked in cold sweat.

Everyone thought this was his command.

But he knew that the letter sent to Louis probably hadn’t even had its seal broken.

That rebellious son headed south not to save him nor to swear allegiance to the Eastern Empire.

He smelled blood, sensed opportunity, and took a bite.

Whether it’s Raymond’s territory or the foundation of the Calvin Clan, in Louis’s eyes, it’s all just prey.

Since the last failed attempt to integrate the Red Tide into the clan’s system through trade routes, Louis had seemingly been erased from the Calvin lineage.

The caravans stopped passing through the Calvin Commerce Association, and the trade route originally belonging to the Calvin Family was severed by him, now completely tilted towards the Northern Territory.

He no longer responds to family orders nor seeks protection, as if he’s thrown the name "Calvin" into the trash heap forever.

Nowadays he... seems more like an heir of the Edmund Family.

He behaves like a beast nurtured on the Northern Territory’s icefield, with eyes fixed on wider lands.

But if at this moment he denies, telling Lampard "I can’t control my son either"

The Calvin Clan’s status in the Eastern Empire would collapse instantly.

He would be seen as incompetent, as a liar, as utterly worthless to the New Empire.

Duke Calvin slowly stood up, supported by a scepter, approaching the Southeast battle map, pointing steadily at Gray Rock Province.

His voice was calm, as if he had no doubt from the start: "Indeed, Your Majesty, this is my directive. Raymond’s main force is absent, if we do not strike now, then when?"

Lampard’s eyes flashed with fervor: "I knew it! The Duke is indeed farsighted!"

Since the misunderstanding has arisen and brought immediate benefits, the old fox knew he must continue wearing this outer garment.

"Your Majesty is too kind." Duke Calvin’s voice was steady and unhurried, devoid of any emotional fluctuation, "That child Louis may be stubborn, but he carries the Calvin family blood. In the grand scheme, he knows where his teeth should land."

His tone showed no sign of guilt: "This is simply... a part of my arrangement."

As his words fell, Duke Calvin was already quickly calculating the next step in his mind.

"Since my son is bleeding on the front line, the rear supplies cannot falter. Your Majesty, the batch of steel and Magic Crystals seized by the Church Court at Vero Port, please unseal it immediately. I must transport it to the Northern Territory to support the war."

Lampard and the bishop exchanged glances.

Though they disliked being led by the Calvin Clan, under the premise of "the Northern Territory Wolf King acting under the Duke’s command," they had no choice but to agree.

The moment they nodded, the Duke clearly realized he had won a round.

Yet this didn’t make him relaxed.

Later, he returned to his study, closing the heavy door.

In the flickering candlelight, he stared at the half-written letter on the table meant to barter interests to disrupt the Northern Territory, yet he hadn’t expected Louis to achieve such a feat himself.