Winter's First Snow

As Victor traveled, he found that Sunset City was well-ordered. Although the weather was getting colder, the crowds were not thinning. In fact, the city was more bustling than when he had visited Sunset City the previous two times.

Before he could even ask a question, Yellen preemptively answered, "Thanks to that operation, we cleaned out most of the scourges in the territory, and the rest have become obedient. While I was away on campaign, Steward Magnus managed the territory very well."

After you led your troops to conquer Blackwater City, in order to trade with the Blackwater City merchants, Sunset City, as a distribution center for goods from various noble territories in the Eastern Region, attracted many small and medium-sized caravans.

Moreover, after the end of the Civil War, trade routes in various places were reopened, and a new batch of ocean-going merchant ships that had been built while the Old Count was still alive began to be completed.

With the help of the new ocean-going merchant ships, Steward Magnus organized two more fleets heading north before winter. Because these merchant ships also had better self-sufficiency, the sea routes to the south were also expanded.

There are now more caravans in the city than before, and with the Civil War, many newly wealthy territories also need to purchase supplies, making the city much busier than it used to be at this time of year!

After listening, Victor nodded. Magnus and Yellen were both trusted advisors of Count Black, and indeed, their abilities were beyond question, and they managed their territories very well.

Afterwards, Gaita can communicate with him more and use Sunset City's trade system to purchase some scarce resources from the south.

The two soon arrived at the lord's manor Sunset City. In order to welcome Victor, and considering Victor's low-key habits, Great Oak Territory specially arranged a welcome dinner at the manor.

As expected, Magnus, who had already received the news, greeted Victor and his group at the manor gate with Brando.

By this time, it was already dark, the Sun had long since set, and the sea breeze was so cold that even Victor, wearing a cloak, felt a chill, while Brando's little face was flushed red from the cold wind.

Victor greeted Magnus first, then bent down, took off his cloak, wrapped it around Brando, and casually touched Brando's little nose.

"Brando, how have you been lately?"

Brando nodded quickly. "Teacher, I'm fine. Congratulations on your promotion to Marquis. Uncle Magnus told me to address you with a respectful title. Should I call you Marquis from now on?"

Victor chuckled and ruffled Brando's hair, jokingly saying, "Yes, Brando! If you don't call me Your Excellency the Marquis, I'll punish you and shave your head bald!"

Upon hearing Brando quickly covered his hair and looked at Victor with a frightened expression.

"Hahaha!" The people around burst into laughter.

Victor laughed for a while, then said to Brando, "Don't worry, why would I shave my lovely student's head bald!"

After the laughter subsided, the group entered the manor, where Victor presented the gifts and letters of appointment to Brando and Magnus respectively.

Magnus wanted to refuse the Baron's letter of appointment, but Victor had already used the same excuse he used against Knight Yellen to deflect it.

It was Count Black's original request to secure titles for the two men. The Old Count initially thought it would be very difficult, since Victor still needed to rely on military merits to be promoted. If the military merits were divided, they might not even be enough for Victor to be promoted. Therefore, it was an agreement that was dispensable.

But who could have imagined that Victor would fight in numerous battles during the Civil War, eventually becoming the commander of the entire Allied Army and accumulating a wealth of military achievements?

Knight Yellen led the private army of Great Oak Territory and fought alongside Victor throughout the entire battle, earning a great deal of merit. These merits were enough for Yellen and Magnus to bestow noble titles with some left over. The remainder was recorded by Victor on Brando's behalf, which could be considered a gift to Brando.

The dinner wasn't large, but everyone had a good time, and even Brando had a great time and went to bed early because he was so tired.

The next day, Victor bid farewell to Brando and the others from Great Oak Territory and left the manor.

Just as he boarded the ship to set sail, it suddenly started snowing!

Victor watched the falling snowflakes with deep emotion. When he left the Northlands, winter had just ended, and now, as he was about to return home, the first snow of winter had arrived.