Winter Lord: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 136 The Conferment Ceremony
Inside the test site for the magic explosive bomb.

Hilko raised his hand and carefully showed Louis the palm-sized magic bomb, which was covered by a ceramic jar.

"This is the first-generation product." His voice trembled but was full of pride. "If you throw it, it can blast a three-meter-thick layer of rock into dust. Do you know? I even used the content of just one magic crystal."

As he spoke, he lit the fire, tossed it into the air, and heard a "whoosh" sound.

The magic explosive bomb traced a graceful arc and landed on a large rock in the distance, which had been used as a test target.

next moment--

"boom!!"

The blast whipped up rubble and dust, and the boulder shattered into pieces with a tremendous explosion.

“Give me just a little more time,” Hilko chuckled softly, a strange light gleaming in his eyes, “and I can find the perfect ratio, and then…maybe I can blow up the whole hillside in one go.”

“No problem.” Louis couldn’t help but smile as well.

That was the smile of a lord as he saw the first glimpse of a future war machine.

"Lord Lord!"

His excitement was interrupted by a call in a boyish tone.

Will came running from the end of the passage, his voice brimming with barely concealed excitement: "The Emperor's messenger has arrived!"

Louis did not turn around immediately, but simply exhaled softly, as if the news had been expected.

"Okay, I understand," he replied calmly, without any emotional fluctuation.

In fact, he did know all along.

Two months ago, he received a notification from the daily intelligence system:
The Imperial Central Committee has drafted a document elevating him from Baron to Viscount and plans to send a special envoy to read and confer the title.

Even more surprisingly, the capital city made an unprecedented decision to "promote the title on the spot".

Normally, even for those granted titles in the North, the emperor would have to travel to the capital in person for the ceremony presided over by an official in charge of ceremonies.

However, due to the ongoing unrest in the northern border and the dangers of the journey, the emperor personally ordered that a special envoy be allowed to conduct the ceremony on his behalf, as a sign of recognition for his military achievements.

Will lowered his voice and took a step closer, whispering, "Old Bradley is already waiting in the main hall, his face all wrinkled with smiles."

"Then let's not keep our distinguished guests waiting any longer." Louis then curled the corners of his mouth into a smile.

…………

When Louis pushed open the door, the envoy from the capital was already seated in the center of the hall.

He wore a knight's robe with purple and gold trim, and the cuffs and collar were embroidered with the imperial dragon emblem. His expression was calm and dignified, like a long sword standing still, exuding authority without anger.

Louis immediately recognized his extraordinary knightly strength and his badge as belonging to the Blood Dragon Legion.

A servant stood behind him, carrying a red lacquered wooden box.

The box lid was open, and inside was lined with imperial black velvet. In the center were two items: a scroll of appointment edict with gold embossing and a viscount's coat of arms that gleamed with silver light.

A deep, solemn voice echoed in the hall: "In the name of the Emperor, Louis Calvin is hereby granted the title of Viscount for his outstanding achievements in defeating the enemy in the North, protecting the land and its people."

Before the courtiers could say anything, the atmosphere in the hall had already exploded.

Bradley's old butler stood to the side, trying his best to maintain his composure, but the trembling at the corner of his mouth betrayed his inner excitement.

He had seen many ups and downs in his life, but he was still shocked that Louis had risen from an unknown northern frontier lord to where he was today in just one year.

“One year…it only took one year,” he murmured to himself.

Welz stood in the queue, his fists already clenched, as if trying to suppress the surging blood in his chest.

"Your Excellency Viscount...!" He murmured the new title, his eyes filled with respect and admiration, "Lord Louis is indeed very capable!"

Sif stood a little further away.

She didn't quite understand what a viscount represented, nor did she know if such a title meant any new responsibilities or crises.

But she knew that the way the man stood on the steps, contrasting with the golden banner, was so beautiful that it was impossible to look away.

She was genuinely happy for him.

And when everyone's eyes were on Louis.

He simply stood there, without panic or excitement, and even the smile on his lips was only faint.

It was as if all of this... had been under his control all along.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” he replied softly, his voice low but loud enough for everyone to hear. “I will continue to protect this land in the name of Viscount.”

Surprisingly, the investiture ceremony ended very quickly, and as soon as it was over, the envoy got up and prepared to leave without any delay.

There was no extra small talk, nor was there any indication of expecting a treat.

While everyone was still basking in the lingering joy, Louis had already quietly changed into a cloak and personally escorted the messenger to the door.

The snow was falling, and the wind in the North was as cold as ever.

Outside the castle, a carriage was already prepared, the horses' hooves leaving deep imprints on the snow.

Louis, draped in a wolf-skin cloak, walked steadily beside the messenger.

"Stay for dinner tonight?" he asked in a gentle and sincere tone. "We don't have any good wine here, but our smoked fish and monster meat are quite flavorful. You probably haven't tried snow wolf ribs before." Hearing this, the envoy flicked his cloak, smiled, seemingly pleased with Louis's gesture, but still shook his head.

"I have to rush to the next place of promotion." His tone was relaxed, yet carried a hint of the tact required in officialdom. "In the Northern Border, you are not the only one who has made meritorious contributions."

“Then I won’t insist that you stay.” Louis nodded, without forcing the issue.

He turned around and beckoned, and a knight carried out a heavy chest and placed it on the snow. As the lid was opened, a faint golden light shone through.

There were no elaborate gemstone carvings, only thick bags of gold coins neatly stacked, simple and easy to understand.

"Just some local specialties from the North, nothing special," Louis said frankly, his tone humble and polite.

The envoy glanced at the scene and was somewhat shocked. Were all the nobles in the North so direct in their bribery?
But he nodded, indicating that he was very satisfied.

"Give my regards to His Majesty," Louis said again in a low voice.

"I will," the messenger replied, mounting his horse with the same agility as before.

The horse-drawn carriage quickly drove into the snowstorm, its wheels grinding through the snow as it gradually disappeared into the distance.

Louis stood quietly in place, not in a hurry to return.

The wind whipped his cloak and ruffled his hair as he gazed in the direction the carriage had gone, his eyes showing little lingering affection.

…………

Frostspear City was not yet fully awake in the early morning.

The morning mist slid down from the carved railings at the top of the white pagoda, drifting into the garden as lightly as feathers.

In the greenhouse, a bunch of snow jasmine slowly blooms under the call of the new round of sunlight, pure white and fragile.

Emily stood in the center of the greenhouse, wearing a gray-blue morning gown, her long hair tied up, and a trace of dew clinging to her cuffs.

She looked down at the cluster of snow jasmine blooming almost stubbornly, as if she was lost in thought.

Her fingertips lightly brushed the petals, but her gaze had already drifted far away from the flowers.

The words my father Edmund spoke a few days ago still echoed in my ears.

His tone wasn't commanding; it even carried a hint of joking.

But she knew that this unquestionable statement made it seem as if her entire life had been meticulously planned and she only needed to follow the outline.

Emily was well aware of the responsibilities that noblewomen had to bear, but a wave of turmoil was rising in her heart.

She is not a fragile glass vase, and will not be easily placed in any corner, even if her father placed her there himself.

“Louis Calvin,” she murmured the name, a hint of doubt in her voice, “who exactly is he?”

Is he the legendary young hero who made great contributions on the battlefield?
Or was he some nobleman who rose to a high position by chance during the Northern War?

She was unwilling to build her future image solely on the praise she heard.

She wanted to see, hear, and judge for herself whether the man who might spend his life with her was worth her life's commitment.

“Nora,” she called.

A response came quickly from outside the door, and a maid in a gray dress walked lightly into the flower room, her tone respectful: "Miss?"

“I’m planning a long trip.” Emily’s eyes were calm, but there was a hint of stubbornness in her lips. “This time, for our ‘wonderful journey,’ we’ll take a slightly longer route.”

Nora was slightly taken aback; the "miraculous trip" was their secret code for sneaking out.

She immediately guessed Emily's thoughts: "Miss is... heading to the Red Tide Territory?"

"Shh." Emily held up a finger. "Don't tell anyone about this except you. I want to see for myself what kind of person he is, not just hear it from others or from Father's praise."

Nora hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded: "I understand, I will arrange the carriage and luggage."

"My clothes should be simple; I don't want to be recognized along the way." Emily turned and walked out of the flower room, the fragrance of snow jasmine still lingering on her fingertips.

As she walked through the white stone corridor, she glanced back. The morning mist had dissipated, and the sunlight was shining on the castle's eaves, as if igniting an unknown journey for her.

…………

As night fell, the lights of Frostspear City illuminated the towers.

By the fireplace, the Duke of Edmund sat quietly on one side of the long table, the sound of silverware lightly clinking against porcelain plates particularly clear in the silence.

He had no appetite today and only had a bowl of hot soup and a few slices of bread brought to him.

An old servant with a full head of silver hair approached, his steps very light.

"Miss left the city this morning, accompanied only by her personal maid, Nora, and headed south," the old servant said in a low voice. "Should I send someone to chase after her?"

“She finally couldn’t hold back anymore…” Duke Edmund said softly, his tone devoid of anger, but rather as if he had expected it all along. “Let her go. She won’t be satisfied until she sees it with her own eyes.”

Edmund turned to his bodyguard, who had been standing silently beside him, and ordered, "Send Victor to escort her secretly, without alerting her."

Victor is a guard with extraordinary knightly abilities and is trustworthy.

The knight immediately replied, "Yes, sir."

The firewood in the stove crackled, and the flames blazed brightly, illuminating a rare softness in the Duke's eyes.

(End of this chapter)