The flames of war in the Northern Territory finally subsided with the autumn wind.As the Imperial Army advanced step by step, Duke Edmund had achieved his strategic objectives.These objectives included clearing the remaining Snowsworn within the Imperial controlled areas, stabilizing the northern defense line, and gradually driving the enemy into Ice Sea County and Snowfall County.Those two counties would become the main battlefield for the decisive battle next year.And now was the time to summarize the results and bestow rewards.All dukes, generals, and noble lords gathered in Frost Halberd City to mark a temporary end to this war, which had lasted two to three months.Louis arrived in Frost Halberd City a day earlier than scheduled.As soon as he entered the city, he was immediately summoned to the conference hall within the main castle.This was his second meeting with Duke Edmund.The last time was half a year ago when he came here to register his territory information, going through the process as required.At that time, Edmund had merely entertained him perfunctorily.His internal assessment of this young noble was simply that he was a little ambitious, a bit stronger than those useless scions from the south, nothing more.But this time, the atmosphere was completely different.Even though the young man before him looked the same and his cultivation was still low,when he stepped into the hall, Edmund smiled with satisfaction: “That was a splendid job at Qingyu Ridge.”He personally walked up to Louis and, uncharacteristically, patted him on the shoulder.Normally, this gesture was reserved only for his legion commanders or trusted advisors.“Leading over a hundred knights, launching a night raid on a vital pass, completely wiping out eight hundred wolf riders—those were all elites of the Snowsworn.Luring the enemy, setting an ambush, Magic Bombs, collapsing mountains—your tactics, young man, are each more ruthless than the last.”As he said this, a hint of amusement entered his tone, “It’s not at all what someone your age should be doing.”However, Louis did not show any excitement or the usual youthful arrogance in response to this praise.He merely bowed slightly: “If Qingyu Ridge were to fall, the rear would surely be in chaos. I merely did my duty.”His attitude was humble, but the inherent confidence in his bones could not be hidden.This point made Edmund even more satisfied.“Bond and Gibson both praised you in their letters as ‘the future pillar of the Northern Territory.’ I initially thought they were just flattering you.But now I admit,” he nodded slightly, his expression becoming serious, “even I, in your position, might not have done better.”Edmund paused for a moment, a smile of emotion appearing at the corners of his mouth.“It seems my old eyes are truly going blind; I almost lumped you in with that group of spineless nobles who only know how to put on airs.”“Baron Calvin—you truly helped me a great deal this time.”After speaking, he again reached out and patted Louis’s shoulder: “Tomorrow’s commendation ceremony, I think you’ll like the reward I’ve prepared.”The banquet hall in Frost Halberd City was splendidly arrayed today.Battle flags of the various great nobles of the Northern Territory hung on the walls, fluttering and silently proclaiming their respective glory and heritage.A horn sounded, and the hall doors slowly opened.Silver-armored knights marched in formation from outside the door, stepping in unison into the hall, pushing the atmosphere to its peak with their solemn rhythm.Duke Edmund entered the hall under the gaze of everyone, his tall figure like a city wall.He slowly walked onto the main stage, and everyone spontaneously rose to salute him.The commendation ceremony officially began.And in the front row below the stage, a young man sat quietly.Louis Calvin, an open up Baron from the south.He was the only young noble in the front row of the hall who was not from a long-established Northern Territory family.His seat was nestled among a group of old-established nobles, all earls and viscounts with large fiefs and extensive experience.Thus, Louis appeared exceptionally out of place.“Who’s that? The kid from the south?”“An open up Baron? He can sit here?”Whispers flowed like an undercurrent among the seats.Some Northern Territory nobles cast appraising glances.Some were disdainful, some questioning, and some even carried a hint of undisguised aversion.They were unwilling to admit that a young man with no roots in the Northern Territory was arranged to sit as their equal.However, facing the various gazes and whispers, Louis’s expression remained completely unperturbed.He simply sat there quietly, without any ostentation.Edmund stood on the high platform of the main stage, his voice echoing through the banquet hall:“In the name of the Empire, and as the Governor of the Northern Territory, I thank every general, every warrior, every citizen who never retreated.You have defended the Northern Territory with your blood and iron will.”He walked slowly forward, his tone gradually rising.“The Snowsworn burned cities and abducted people, massacring the innocent. They tried to awaken the specters of the old Snow Country and tear apart the Empire’s borders.But they were wrong! It is you who, with your swords and blood, told them that the Northern Territory will not yield!It is your unity and fierce fighting that keep the Empire’s military banner still flying over the snowfields.I am proud of you!Next year, in Ice Sea County and Snowfall County, we will utterly destroy them!And today, we shall remember those brave individuals and bestow rewards for their merits.Because the Empire will not forget the warriors who fought for it!”As Duke Edmund took his seat, a Military Affairs Officer walked up the steps, unrolled a long parchment, and announced in a booming voice:“According to the review results of the Frost Halberd City Military Affairs Council, the commendation list for the phase of the Snowsworn annihilation campaign is now being announced!”The hall immediately fell silent, everyone holding their breath, their gazes fixed on the main stage.The Military Affairs Officer read aloud: “First Merit—Earl Albert.He led the Third Legion’s southern line in clearing out Snowsworn guerrilla units, annihilating three thousand seven hundred enemies, capturing three enemy strongholds, and consolidating the Wind Cape Canyon defense line…He is specially awarded the ‘Shield of the Northern Territory’ medal, thirty thousand gold coins, an additional two thousand square units of fief, and sixteen hundred military warhorses…”Earl # Nоvеlight # Albert, a burly man in his forties, rose from his seat and walked up the steps with an impassive expression.He knelt on one knee, and Edmund personally pinned the Shield of the Northern Territory medal to his chest.The entire hall was solemn; no one questioned his achievements.Because he had mobilized a full four thousand men, sweeping away enemy remnants, and his military accomplishments were illustrious.Then the Military Affairs Officer continued to announce: “Second Merit—Earl Grant.She united the local forces and the First Border Legion to clear out the Snowsworn units lurking in Mist Pine County, destroying seven enemy strongholds, and capturing twenty-one traitors…She is specially awarded the ‘Shield of the Northern Territory’ medal, fifteen thousand gold coins, an additional one thousand five hundred square units of fief…”This time, an old noble with snow-white hair stood up. Her expression was solemn, her eyes sharp as knives, and she slowly walked up the steps, bowing to receive the medal.Her prestige in the Northern Territory was extremely high, and in this campaign, she personally mobilized the forces of an entire county, stabilizing the northwestern front.Whether by qualification or merit, her standing on this platform was entirely justified.The hall erupted in thunderous applause.Just then, the Military Affairs Officer raised his head and uttered the third name.It stunned and confused everyone in the hall.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.