Winter Lord: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 78 Rewards based on merit
The war in the North finally subsided slightly in the autumn wind.

As the imperial army advanced step by step, Duke Edmund had achieved his strategic objectives.

Clear out the remaining Snowsworn in the Empire's controlled areas, stabilize the northern defense line, and gradually drive the enemy to Icesea County and Snowfall County.

Those two counties will become the main battlefields for the decisive battle next year.

Now is the time to summarize the results and reward those who have made contributions.

All the dukes, generals, and nobles gathered in Frostspear City, marking a temporary end to this war that had lasted for two or three months.

Louis arrived in Frostspear a day earlier than scheduled.

As soon as he entered the city, he was summoned directly to the conference hall inside the main castle.

This was his second meeting with the Duke of Edmund.

The last time was half a year ago when he came here to register his land information and went through the process.

Edmund treated him with only a perfunctory attitude.

In my mind, this young nobleman was just a slightly ambitious kid, a little better than those good-for-nothing sons from the south.

But this time, the atmosphere was completely different.

Even though the boy in front of them looked the same, his cultivation level was still low.

But as he stepped into the hall, Edmund smiled with satisfaction: "Well done in the Battle of Qingyu Ridge."

He walked up to Louis himself and, unusually, patted him on the shoulder.

Normally, he would only do this to the legion commander or his trusted advisors.

"Leading over a hundred knights, they launched a night raid on a strategic pass and wiped out eight hundred wolf riders—all elites of the Snow Oath."

Luring the enemy, setting an ambush, using magic explosives, collapsing mountains—your tricks are getting increasingly ruthless.

As he said this, a hint of amusement crept into his voice, "This is not something someone your age should be doing."

Faced with this praise, Louis did not show any excitement, nor did he display the arrogance typical of young people.

He merely bowed slightly: "If Qingyu Ridge is lost, the rear will surely be in chaos. I have only done what I was supposed to do."

He was humble in attitude, but his inner confidence was impossible to hide.

This pleased Edmund even more.

"Bond and Gibson both praised you in their letters as 'the future pillar of the North,' and 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 any better."

Edmund paused for a moment, a wry smile playing on his lips.

"It seems my old eyes are really going blind. I almost categorized you into that group of spineless aristocrats who only know how to put on airs."

"Baron Calvin, you've really been a great help to me this time."

After saying that, he reached out and patted Louis on the shoulder again: "I think you will like the reward I have prepared for tomorrow's awards ceremony."

…………

The banquet hall of Frostspear City is dressed in its finest attire for today.

The battle flags of the Northern nobles hung on the surrounding walls, fluttering in the wind, silently proclaiming their respective glory and heritage.

As the bugle sounded, the hall doors slowly opened.

The silver-armored knights marched in from outside the door, stepping into the hall in unison, their solemn steps pushing the atmosphere to its peak.

Duke Edmund entered the hall under the gaze of everyone, his tall figure resembling a city wall.

He slowly walked onto the main stage, and everyone spontaneously stood up to pay their respects.

The commendation ceremony has officially begun.

In the front row of the audience, a boy sat quietly.

Louis Calvin, the pioneering baron from the South. The only young nobleman from a non-Northern family in the front row of the hall.

Next to a group of long-established nobles were counts and viscounts with large fiefs and seniority.

Louis thus appeared unusually abrupt.

"Who's that? A kid from the south?"

"The Pioneer Baron? He can sit here too?"

Whispers flowed like an undercurrent among the guests.

Some nobles from the North cast appraising glances at him.

Some expressed contempt, some doubt, and some even showed undisguised disgust.

They were unwilling to admit that a boy with no roots in the North had been arranged to be their equal.

However, Louis remained completely unmoved by the stares and whispers.

He just sat there quietly and unassumingly.

Edmund stood on the high steps of the main stage, his voice echoing throughout the banquet hall:
"In the name of the Empire, and as the Governor of the North, I thank every general, every soldier, and every citizen who has never retreated."

You defended the North with your blood and iron will.

He walked slowly forward, his tone gradually becoming more animated.

"The Snow Oath people burn cities, kidnap people, and slaughter the innocent. They attempt to awaken the spirits of the old Snow Kingdom and tear apart the empire's borders."

But they were wrong. It was you who used swords and blood to tell them that the North would not yield!
It is your unity and hard work that has allowed the empire's military flag to continue flying over the snowy plains.

I am proud of you!
Next year we will put an end to them in Icesea County and Snowfall County!

Today we must remember those brave individuals and reward them for their contributions.

Because the empire will never forget the warriors who fought for it!

As the Duke of Edmund took his seat, a military officer ascended the steps, unrolled a long scroll of parchment, and announced in a loud voice:
"Based on the results of the Frostspear City military review, the list of those commended for their contributions in the campaign to eliminate the Snowsworn is now being read!"

The hall fell silent instantly, everyone held their breath and turned their attention to the main stage.

The military commander announced loudly: "First merit—Earl Abette."

Leading the Third Army Corps to clear out the Snow Oath guerrilla forces on the southern front, annihilating 3,700 enemy troops, capturing three enemy strongholds, and consolidating the Wind Cape Canyon defense line...

He was awarded the 'Shield of the North' medal, a reward of 30,000 gold coins, an additional 2,000 square kilometers of fiefdom, and 1,600 warhorses…

The burly Earl Abette, in his forties, rose from his seat and walked up the steps expressionlessly.

He knelt on one knee, and Edmund personally pinned the Shield of the North to his chest.

The entire hall fell silent; no one questioned his contribution.

Because he mobilized a full four thousand men to wipe out the remnants of the enemy, he achieved great military exploits.

Then the military commander continued reading: "Second merit—Earl Grant."

In conjunction with local forces and the First Border Legion, they wiped out the Snowsworn forces lurking in Fogpine County, destroyed seven enemy strongholds, and captured twenty-one traitors...

He was awarded the 'Shield of the North' medal, a reward of 15,000 gold coins, and an additional 1,500 square kilometers of fiefdom…

This time, an elderly nobleman with snow-white hair stood up, his expression solemn, and slowly walked up the steps to receive the award.

He enjoyed great prestige in the North and personally mobilized the troops of a county to stabilize the Northwest front.

Whether considering qualifications or achievements, it is only natural that he stands on this step.

The audience burst into applause.

Just then, the military commander looked up and uttered the third name.

This shocked and confused everyone present.

(End of this chapter)