Winter Lord: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 146 Choosing a Territory

The howling north wind, carrying the still-unmelted snow and ice, swept across the open plains, lashing against the marching column and cutting at their faces like knives.

Pard pulled his cloak tighter and clicked his tongue: "This thing can really be called 'the beginning of spring'? I haven't seen a single blade of grass."

He rode a tall horse, his red and black cloak embroidered with gold emblems, making him particularly eye-catching.

Even in this desolate northern wilderness, he still maintained the air of a "noble young master on an outing".

Not far behind him, Willis lowered his head, wrapped his black cloak tighter, and rode on silently.

His eyes were constantly scanning ahead and around, taking note of changes in terrain, topography, climate, and marching speed, and even occasionally noting down collapsed sentry posts and traces left by wild animals along the way.

Pal never spoke more than a few words to him; in fact, he looked down on this "illegitimate son" at all.

Veris didn't intend to say anything to him. Although they were brothers, they weren't very familiar with each other. They were only traveling together because they could look out for each other.

Frostspear City finally appeared at the end of the snowfield.

The city walls are towering and majestic, the stone is rough yet heavy, and the mottled surface bears the marks of battle, as if they could raise their banners again and defend against the enemy at any time.

Two flags hung high on either side of the city gate, fluttering in the wind and snow. Though slightly faded, they were still recognizable as the silver eagle emblem of Frostspear City.

On the gate tower, guards stood holding halberds, their armor gleaming with an iron-gray sheen in the cold light, their eyes wary.

As they approached, a guard shouted, "Halt! Who goes there?"

With a casual air, Pal brushed the snow off his cloak and called out, "A member of the Calvin family. Pal Calvin, and this is Veris Calvin beside me, both are pioneering lords appointed by the Empire."

The guard sized the two up and down, his expression remaining serious. Upon hearing the name "Calvin," his gaze immediately hardened, and he turned and went inside to report.

A short while later, a reply came from the gatehouse: "Permission granted. Guests of the Calvin family, please enter."

The heavy iron gate slowly opened, emitting a low, metallic scraping sound.

The guard nodded to the two men, indicating that they could enter the city.

As Pal spurred his horse inside, he muttered to himself, "At least the door looks decent, but who knows what kind of monstrosity it is inside."

As soon as he entered, a middle-aged official wearing a heavy cloak quickly greeted him.

He bowed slightly to the two men and said succinctly, “I am an attendant sent by Duke Edmund. Please follow me to the Governor’s Palace. Duke Edmund is aware of your arrival.”

The two nodded and followed him, taking in the surroundings as they went.

The streets of Frostspear City were muddy, with snow and sewage mixed together. When the horses' hooves landed, they made a "squeak" sound, as if stepping into still-unmelted ice and bloodstains.

But unlike the messy, dirty chaos of slums in my mind, there are almost no idle people on the streets here.

On the contrary, soldiers and knights were everywhere.

They were clad in armor and helmets, with stern expressions and orderly steps. Occasionally, as they passed each other, they would subtly place their hands on the hilts of their swords at their waists.

Most of the buildings in the city are made of stone, with a rough and simple style. The stone walls are mottled and covered with frost marks, like the scars of an old soldier.

The timber was mostly weathered, the doors and windows were covered with iron plates or thick iron nails, and many roofs had collapsed.

It was temporarily supported by wooden planks and leather, with undried snow and frost still hanging in the cold wind.

These houses were clearly not built for "living," but for "preserving."

The guard towers along the street stand tall and silent, some angles slightly tilted, yet they still stand firm like mountains in the wind and snow.

There were no hawkers' cries, no cooking smoke, and no children chasing and playing.

Frostspear City lacks the bustling atmosphere of a typical "city." It's more like a slumbering suit of armor; while its appearance isn't impressive, it can withstand enemy attacks.

"Tsk, this isn't a city, it's clearly a frontline fortress."

Pal muttered under his breath, his tone revealing the disdain typical of a young nobleman.

He glanced at Veris beside him, seemingly waiting for a concurring response.

But Veris did not respond.

He simply gazed silently at the city, the street, and the soldiers moving about in silence before him.

A brief look of seriousness flashed across his eyes, as if he had finally understood something.

This is not desolation, but the remnants of war.

There is no chaos here, only an almost cruel order, a tranquility that can only be maintained through sacrifice and repression.

Veris lowered his head, tightened his cloak, and lowered his eyes.

This trip should not have been taken lightly in the first place, but now it seems he underestimated the weight of this land.

Of course, he did not respond to Pal's complaints, nor did he express his own concerns.

Seeing that he remained silent, Pal merely pursed her lips and rolled her eyes.

He was proud by nature and had no intention of lowering himself to ask what a silent person was thinking.

So the two walked side by side on this somber street, silent and lost in their own thoughts.

The accompanying secretary walked ahead and said in a calm tone, "The Governor's Mansion is just two streets away. Please be patient, gentlemen."

Soon the two arrived at a rough castle, which was the governor's mansion.

The doors of the Governor's Mansion opened slowly with a heavy creak, and upon entering, one was immediately struck by its solemnity.

There was no magnificent ceiling, no velvet carpet, no glass lamps, only a heavy long table, several old bookshelves leaning against the wall, and the only decoration on the wall was a dark blue military flag.

Below the military flag sat a tall, imposing man.

Duke Edmund, Lord of the North, the de facto ruler of the entire North.

His face seemed to be sculpted from rock, and the scar that snaked from the corner of his left eye to his jawline added a chilling killing intent.

Even when sitting still, there is an undeniable sense of oppression.

Pal's eyes narrowed, and he immediately abandoned his previous frivolity, replacing it with a well-trained smile. He bowed slightly and respectfully handed over the pioneer certificate sealed with the royal seal.

“Pale Calvin of the Calvin family, reporting for duty.”

Veris followed closely behind, moving swiftly but remaining composed, silently presenting his own documents.

“Wayne Calvin,” he said simply, without adding any further words.

Edmund took the document, glanced at the seal, raised an eyebrow, and his tone softened considerably: "Oh—it's from the Calvin family…it's Louis's brother."

For a fleeting moment, even that scarred face showed a hint of a smile.

In that instant, the hideous scar on his face seemed to soften a bit, and he even showed a rare smile.

Pal was stunned, and the corner of his eye twitched involuntarily.

He actually... called Louis by his first name? And he even recognized him as their brother?

He couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement. When did Louis become so close to this governor?

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Duke Edmund waved for someone to bring a detailed map of the North, which was spread out and almost covered the entire table.

“Apart from the area marked in red, you can choose anywhere else,” he said calmly.

Par's eyes lit up immediately: "This... there are so many places to choose from? I thought last year's group had already snatched them all up."

Duke Edmund smiled faintly, his tone tinged with coldness: "Indeed, quite a few 'pioneer nobles' came last year... Unfortunately, winter and war show no mercy. Most of them died."

Pal paused for a moment, wanting to say something, but in the end just awkwardly touched the tip of his nose.

Veris, however, remained calm, looking down intently at the markings on the map.

He knew Edmund was right.

These "optional areas" may seem tempting, but in reality, most of them are empty spaces left after being ravaged by blood and fire.

"These locations," Edmund pointed to several points in Snowpeak County with his thick fingers, "are close to your brother Louis's area, where resources are relatively abundant, so it's a good starting point."

He spoke casually, but it clearly implied that "you can give him priority consideration."

Because of Louis, he had a favorable impression of the Calvin family members and said a few more words to them.

Before even stepping into the governor's mansion, Pal had already studied the map of the North in his mind hundreds of times.

He didn't really care which land was more fertile, nor did he care which region had more resources.

For him, the most important thing is who controls the territory.

"Xuefeng County? Ha." He sneered inwardly, without even glancing at the area.

What a joke! How could I possibly go to Louis's territory?

Pal believed himself to be far superior to his brother. In terms of background, appearance, knowledge, and even his relationship with their father…

He always thought Louis was just a useless piece of trash that nobody cared about.

She was just lucky; she happened to catch the wave of the development policy and ended up in this freezing, desolate place, where she managed to get the title of princess.

If we're really talking about ability, how could he possibly be ranked below him?

"I came to the North to make a name for myself, not to be someone's underling."

Therefore, he set his sights on areas outside Xuefeng County, including Dongyan Valley to the east, Langyuan Slope to the northwest, and even Luowu Hill further afield.

These places are desolate and sparsely populated, but they mean freedom and opportunity.

Parr even envisioned that, if managed properly, his territory could become a new trade hub in the North.

Once the passage is open, coupled with his family background, he will be able to establish his own fiefdom and become a count within a few years.

By then, Father will probably look at me differently.

As for that so-called "princess's younger brother"?
He'll probably become a vassal of some nobleman, spending his life tending a few fishing villages and huts in the valleys. He'll be lucky to even break even.

As Pal thought this, a slight smile appeared on his lips, revealing an expression of "ambition reaching far and wide."
He zoomed the map in front of him, paused, and then decisively tapped on one spot: "This looks pretty good."

Edmund looked in the direction he was pointing; it was an area located south of the Cold Mist River, near Wolf Plains.

The terrain is slightly undulating, but there is a river to the south and mountains to the west. The mountains are said to have rich iron ore deposits, and the river leads to the more distant Frostwood Plains. It is a region with both resource and transportation potential. "Oh, this place..." The Duke nodded, his tone indifferent. "The Frostmist River is a good river, and there are many woodlands nearby, making hunting and logging convenient."

The mineral veins at the foot of the mountain... haven't been fully explored yet; perhaps we'll get lucky.

He didn't make a clear statement, but his tone revealed a hint of detachment, as if he were watching a young man eager to show his skills, but he didn't mention the risks involved.

He narrowed his eyes slightly and repeated in a slightly slow tone, "Are you sure it's here?"

A confident smile appeared on Pal's lips. He crossed his arms and nodded firmly: "Of course."

“Okay.” Edmund’s lips curled up slightly, his smile carrying a hint of deeper meaning.

He didn't comment on whether the choice was good or bad; he simply circled the area and marked it.

Then, he turned to Veris, who had remained silent, and asked, "And you? Have you made your choice?"

Veris did not answer immediately, but stood quietly in front of the map, his brow furrowed.

Like Pal, he originally intended to avoid Snow Peak County and find a secluded corner to start his own business.

He was not willing to submit to his brother.

But he saw far too much on his journey north: desolate villages, ruined fortresses, refugees frozen to death by the roadside, and skeletons gnawed by wild beasts.

The North is not a land suitable for development; it is a battlefield that devours the weak.

But Louis managed to establish himself in this land.

Veris was reluctant to admit it, but he understood one thing: those who could establish themselves in the North did not rely on bloodline or background, but on strength.

His younger brother, Louis, clearly possesses this ability.

Rather than clinging to vanity and fighting alone in the snowstorm, it's better to be pragmatic and at least survive first before making any plans later.

He gently raised his hand and pointed to a territory near the Ice Ridge Territory on the edge of Snowpeak County.

It was a slightly elevated area, near the Qingyan Rift Valley, with abundant forest resources nearby, and a tributary meandering through it.

The geographical conditions are considered quite good for the northern region.

Edmund glanced at him, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

He nodded and circled the area as well: "That was a wise choice."

Upon hearing this, Pal pursed his lips and said nothing more.

But Veris did not look at him, nor did he explain why he had chosen this territory.

The North is not a place for dignity, but a place for survival.

Only by having one's own resources and a powerful backer can one have a chance to survive.

Edmund reached for a heavy steel stamp on the side of the table. It was the seal of the Northern Province, representing the initial sovereignty over this wasteland.

He laid out the two documents bearing the royal seal on the table, his gaze pausing briefly.

"Now that you have chosen your territories, from this moment forward, you are barons of the North."

Before he finished speaking, he pressed the stamp down heavily, the metal striking the paper with a dull "click".

Both Veris and Pal were taken aback.

At that moment, they officially owned their own land and became true pioneering barons.

Even if this title has not yet brought them any real wealth, and even if the future is fraught with danger and unknown, this recognition means that they will be qualified to stand at the gambling table in the North and gamble on their own future.

Excitement, trepidation, ambition, and unease surged within them.

Edmund handed the documents back to them and casually said a few polite words: "The North is harsh and dangerous. May you build your own fortress soon, and may you live to see next spring."

He added with a half-smile, "Being able to survive here is respectable in itself."

He changed the subject, his tone casual yet concerned: "The Governor's Office has limited supplies for expansion. You can check the black market; you might find some useful early-stage survival supplies and slaves. Remember to bargain, don't be a sucker."

A hint of disdain flashed in Pal's eyes, after all, he had the powerful Calvin Trading Company behind him, but he still nodded in agreement.

Veris silently put away the documents and nodded solemnly.

As the two emerged from the governor's office, the sunlight streamed onto the cobblestone street, yet the air still carried a chill characteristic of the North.

Just as Pal adjusted his clothes and prepared to stride confidently onto the Baron's Road, a figure brushed past them.

She was a woman in a dark blue dress, with a graceful figure and dignified manners, seemingly radiating natural beauty.

Her blue hair shimmered softly in the sunlight, and her delicate, aloof features concealed an air of untouchable nobility.

Pal turned his head almost instinctively, his gaze fixed on the figure, and he was stunned for a moment before he came back to his senses.

He licked his lips and asked his attendant in a low voice, "Who is this lady?"

The accompanying officer glanced at him, his expression showing a hint of awe: "Duke Edmund's daughter, Lady Emily."

Upon hearing this, Pal's heart skipped a beat, and his mind immediately began to race.

Edmund's daughter?

That would be perfect!
Suitable age, noble birth, and matching family background.

By all accounts, he seems like the perfect marriage partner for her.

He had even started fantasizing about their future wedding and the name of their first child. Would "Arthur" be a better name?
However, the blue-haired woman never glanced at him once, and simply walked past him with the calm indifference of snow.

Their gazes remained fixed straight ahead, as if they were merely two inconspicuous stones on the street.

On the other side, Veris remained silent. His gaze did not linger on the woman; instead, he was lost in thought.

He knew that the person he should really focus on was Louis.

The younger brother whom he once looked down upon, but who has now gained a foothold in this wilderness and even won the Duke's approval.

How should I approach him? Should I honestly ask for his help, or approach him cautiously?
He raised his head, looking towards Xuefeng County in the distance, and silently made a decision in his heart:

If we can grasp that rope leading to the future, it's worth it even if we have to bow our heads a little.

Emily walked gracefully down the steps in front of the Governor's Palace, her boots making a series of clean, crisp echoes on the stone pavement.

She didn't look at anyone around her.

Including those two young people who had just been granted the right to explore and were at the most exciting moment of their lives.

For her, there had been far too many young nobles from her father's faction coming to register their fiefdoms and fawn over her during this period.

In Emily's eyes, those two were just two names that randomly popped up from her father's long list of "registered fiefs".

Especially since she had just returned from the Red Tide Regiment.

After seeing a man as stunning as Louis, all other men paled in comparison.

"Father," she said softly, bowing slightly.

Duke Edmund smiled as soon as she entered. "How was your trip to Red Tide Territory?"

“I’m just going to take a look around Frostspear City,” Emily replied somewhat reluctantly.

“Stop pretending.” Edmund picked up his glass, swirled it, and tapped the corner of the table lightly. “I know how many sets of casual clothes you brought. Did you really think I didn’t check anything?”

Emily coughed lightly, unable to hide the smile on her lips, and sat down opposite her father. "Alright, I just want to see him for myself."

"Tsk, daughters grow up and leave home," the Duke shook his head, his smile enigmatic. "Is my daughter about to be kidnapped?"

"Father!" She glared at him, a hint of embarrassment in her eyes, her cheeks flushing.

"Alright, alright." Edmund shrugged, his smile widening. "Then tell me, what exactly did you see on this trip?"

“Red Tide Territory is much better than I expected.” Emily’s tone became serious. “The streets are clean, the security is excellent, and the residents feel at ease. I see many people living with smiles on their faces…it’s not an act; they are genuinely trying to live their lives.”

"It sounds like a fictional place."

"No," she continued, shaking her head, her voice low yet burning with intensity.

“They called Louis ‘the sun,’ saying he was a man who brought hope. At first I thought it was propaganda, but their eyes didn’t lie. It was trust, and it was respect.”

Edmund stared at her for a few seconds, a half-smile playing on his lips. "You're quite observant. Looks like you're quite impressed with my prospective son-in-law?"

“I…” Emily lowered her head and said shyly, “He is indeed more reliable than I expected. He is courageous, patient, and knows how to manage.”

That land ravaged by war is slowly recovering. He... is a man who takes his work seriously.

"That's good." The Duke put down his wine glass. "Now I can rest assured that I'll marry you off to him."

“Who said I was going to get married?” Emily scoffed and turned her head away from him.

“If you don’t want to, can I force you?” Edmund shook his head with a smile. “But you’re saying that too late. Your little thoughts have been written all along.”

Emily bit her lip and didn't argue further.

The room fell silent for a brief moment.

“Father,” she suddenly whispered, “do you think…he’s someone I can entrust my life to?”

Edmund paused, looking at his usually calm and rational daughter, who was now showing a rare moment of wavering.

He sighed. “I don’t know what the future holds, but there’s no one in this world who is truly ‘worth’ it; it’s just a matter of whether you choose to believe in them or not. At least judging from your reaction this time, he’s doing a good job right now.”

Emily nodded, her feelings somewhat complicated.

Edmund leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on her, and sighed softly.

He knew, of course, that his daughter's words were tinged with subjective feelings, and might even be somewhat exaggerated.

But that's precisely why it shows how much she values ​​that young man.

Moreover, she wouldn't have made such a comment if Louise didn't actually have some skill.

"It seems this kid... won't let my daughter suffer." He thought to himself, his expression relaxing a bit.

(End of this chapter)