McKinney crouched on the hill, squinting, so excited that his breathing became heavy.

Over on the other side of the valley entrance, a convoy escorting grain slowly made its way in.

Twenty or so knights led the way, followed by more than sixty soldiers, each one alert, guarding over a dozen grain-laden carriages.

The heavy wheels creaked as they rolled over the snow.

"Heh heh, we're going to be rich... There's more than I thought..." McKinney licked his lips, squinting at the convoy ahead.

Behind him, more than seventy knights wore rough black cloth masks, like a pack of bloodthirsty wild dogs, itching for action.

"Listen carefully!" McKinney lowered his voice but couldn't suppress his sheer excitement. "There are only twenty something knights on the opposite side; we have more men, and our equipment isn't lacking. With one charge, they'll break!"

"Hahaha!"

"Lord McKinney is wise! Watch you lead us to fortune!"

McKinney was immensely pleased, the deep blue fighting energy on him flickering faintly, his entire presence like a beast that couldn't be restrained.

He raised his longsword, taking a deep breath of the cold air, and growled in a low voice: "Brothers, it's time to make our fortune!! Charge!!"

In the next instant, the hillside erupted in bursts of fighting energy light; the knights charged down like a flood of deep blue, filled with excitement and murderous intent!

McKinney charged first, his eyes fixed fiercely on those slowly advancing grain carriages, already planning his evening's entertainment in his mind.

"Enemy assault!!"

Almost simultaneously, the knights of the escorting convoy sensed the anomaly.

Only to see a large group of knights charging out from both sides of the valley, wearing thick cloaks and rough black cloth masks, revealing only their sharp eyes.

"...Bandits?" the leading red-cloaked knight exclaimed.

"Something's wrong, this fighting energy...!" the deputy exclaimed.

Among those "bandits," everyone had suddenly ignited deep blue fighting energy, charging forward with a suffocating oppressive aura!

The red-cloaked knight's face changed, and he shouted sharply: "Everyone be on guard! Protect the carriages! Soldiers, retreat first!"

"But, sir..."

"This is Lord Louis's order! Protecting lives is the top priority!"

Without any hesitation, the red-cloaked knight swung his sword sharply, and a blistering red fighting energy instantly exploded around him, rushing forward like ignited flames, with a scorching shock wave.

Dozens of soldiers immediately received the order, carrying shields, guarding the grain carriages, and quickly retreating towards the mouth of the valley.

"Don't let them escape!!" McKinney immediately saw through the opposite party's intent, and exploded in anger, "Charge! Seize all those grain carriages!"

McKinney charged into battle, deep blue fighting energy exploding with force. Sword energy tore through the air with a suffocating pressure.

The knights behind him yelled as they charged, fighting energy entangled in chaos, instantly turning the scene into a mess.

"Hold the formation! Cross-defend, cover the retreat!

Knights, follow me!"

The Red Tide Territory's red fighting energy spread out on the snow like flames.

The leading red-cloaked knight swung his sword and led the charge to block the advancing enemy.

They didn't recklessly engage in battle but maintained a defensive arc, guiding the enemy to both sides, fiercely guarding the escape route for the grain carriages.

Although McKinney's men had the numbers, they were impulsive and reckless after drinking, shouting and killing without any sense of order.

For a while, the fighting energies of both sides intertwined, with constant "bang bang" sounds of collision on the battlefield, the snow exploding into splashes.

"Die!!" McKinney roared, sweeping his longsword, the deep blue fighting energy surged like a giant wave, forcing back three Red Tide Territory knights.

But as he sought to pursue further, he found that the opponents had already pulled away, quickly regrouping to close in, guarding tightly, even killing a few of McKinney's knights.

"Damn it!!" McKinney angrily kicked over one of his fallen comrades' corpses, "Those bastards!"

A few of his knights began to clamour: "Sir, they retreated too fast, we only got half of the grain!"

"Shut up! Keep looting, load everything we can take!"

In the chaos, a few soldiers from the Red Tide Territory couldn't retreat in time and were swiftly cut down by the masked enemy knights, leaving streaks of glaring red lines of blood on the snow.

Even so, the Red Tide Territory knights maintained their footing, strictly executing their tactics, protecting the majority of the soldiers, and quickly retreating from the battle zone.

"Hurry, protect the grain carriages, retreat in batches!"

After a series of rapid commands, the transport convoy disappeared into the distance at the valley entrance, leaving behind only a few seized grain carriages and a lingering scent of blood.

"Hahahaha!"

McKinney, panting, stood before the seized grain carriages, with a look on his face that mingled glee with menace, staring at the sacks of grain with eyes flickering with greed.

"Hmph... See that? Even so, I made off with the goods, didn't I?"

He slapped the grain carriage forcefully, his voice carrying a hint of wild arrogance:

"What's Calvin anyway? No thorn is hard enough to stop Baron McKinney from looting grain!"

The surrounding knights laughed heartily, some waving their swords and hurling curses:

"Ha ha! Are Red Tide knights only this good? They run at the first sight of battle!"

"Exactly! If they didn't retreat fast, they'd be dead by now, ha ha ha!"

A few apprentice knights stood proudly by the grain carriage, like bandits drawing their long knives, with a few clangs they unfastened the ropes tied around the sack mouths.

"Come, come, let's see what goodies these Southern folks have sent!"

One of them squatted down, pulled open the sack, and a familiar smell wafted out immediately.

"Oh, we're in luck this time!"

His eyes brightened, reaching in to grab a fish: "Smoked fish!"

Another knight peeled open the sack beside it, loudly announcing: "There's dried vegetables here! And fresh vegetables too! Damn, where'd they get fresh vegetables!"

"Look at this barrel, smoked fish! Perfect with strong liquor!"

"Damn, there's cured boar meat too! A big piece, with this fat, it's definitely salted to perfection!"

They rummaged around the grain carriage like kids searching for treasure, mouths oily with delight.

Some even impatiently bit into dried meat, crunching noisily.

"There are just a few of us, this is enough to overfeed us till spring!"

McKinney also walked over and glanced, clicking his tongue twice: "Tsk, wine, meat, and smoked fish, these folks are living well... Now, all this is mine."

He said so, but the corners of his eyes twitched slightly, a ripple of uncontained unease flashing in his eyes.

Something's not right...

The initial plan was to kill off the escorts in the chaos, leave no one alive, and ideally burn the bodies clean.

That way, even if the Red Tide Territory suspected something, they wouldn't find any leads.

But this time, they only cut down a few minor soldiers, while most were protected by those damned Red Tide Knights who fled.

"Damn it..." he cursed inwardly, staring fiercely towards the valley entrance, gnashing his teeth.

If that group figured something out after returning and pointed the blame at me...

McKinney's mind flashed with memories of those knights' red fighting energy and the young prefect's reputation.

He knew very well that he was not a match for the Red Tide Territory.

The cold wind howled through the valley, making McKinney shiver instinctively.

But soon, he shook his head forcefully, as if to shake that unease from his mind, his lips curling into a sinister smile again.

"Ha... What's there to fear? I'm wearing a mask. How can they recognize a damn thing!" he said, raising his head, then suddenly shouted, "Load the carriages! Back to celebrate!!"

Cheering erupted once more, the looters laughing more and more arrogantly as the cold wind blew.

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