Victory Banquet
On August 16, the battle flag bearing the Golden Sunflower Crest was planted atop the highest point of Hot Water Fortress, a testament to Victor's authority as the supreme commander of the battlefield.
Victor listened to the clerk's report on the battle results: 36,000 Barbarians soldiers on the right wing were annihilated, 18,000 were captured, 13,000 warhorses and more than 18,000 inferior horses were seized, and the cattle and sheep accompanying the army totaled nearly 50,000 head.
After the battle, Victor led his men to clear out the surrounding Barbarians camps, acquiring a large number of livestock and horses. These prisoners and livestock alone were worth nearly 100,000 gold. A qualified warhorse was worth at least 2 gold, and a Barbarians soldier could be used as a war slave, worth between 1 Silver Maple and 2 gold. This spoils could be directly distributed by the Second Legion.
Victor did not wait for the troops transporting the spoils and prisoners, but returned to the border town from Hot Water Fortress first. After all, according to tradition, a victory banquet should be held, and he, as the commander of this battle, had to attend.
Regarding the distribution of spoils, he directly had Number 1 prepare a distribution plan, and he had the right to make suggestions on it. As long as the distribution was not too outrageous, he believed that Legion Commander Benjamin would definitely approve it.
On August 17th, at the victory banquet that night, Baron Brown, drunkenly patting the Golden Sunflower Crest on Victor's suit, said, "Boy, now the Barbarians of the wasteland all know the name of the Golden Sunflower Family!"
Viscount Benjamin injuries had mostly healed, also appeared at the banquet. He raised his hand to Victor and said, "Kid, you did an even better job than I expected. We not only ended the battle earlier than the end of August as planned, but we also controlled the losses very well and gained so many spoils. Even I couldn't have done better than you."
Benjamin paused. "I already sent a letter to Count Colt. My body is not yet able to withstand intense combat, so I suggested to Count Colt that you be appointed as the Acting Legion Commander."
"Lord Benjamin, this is not appropriate. I am too young, and neither my title nor my experience is sufficient to qualify me as a Legion Commander."
"There's nothing wrong with it. Northern Frontier nobles only obey the one with the sword. We will obey whoever is strong and can bring victory. As long as we can defeat the Barbarians and lead us to expand our land and defend our territory, that's fine. It used to be Grand Duke Silver Maple, now it's Count Colt, and it might be you in the future."
"Lord Benjamin, I am very grateful for your high regard, but I don't think Count Colt will necessarily agree to this."
"Therefore, my suggestion to Count Colt is that you, as the acting Acting Legion Commander, actually command the legion in battle, while I, as the Legion Commander, will assist you. I'm sorry to take credit for your efforts. I've also submitted the application for merit to Count Colt. If all goes well, your Baron-level war merit will be approved ahead of schedule, which will be enough for your Golden Sunflower Family to be promoted to viscount. As the governor of the Three Counties of the Northern Frontier, Count Colt has the right to confer viscount titles. He only needs to report to the Grand Duke and the Noble Council after the war, and soon you can also be called Viscount."
This news pleased him even more than the appointment of Victor as acting Acting Legion Commander. Although as a transmigrator, he did not value family honor as much as the natives, he had been influenced by his father since childhood and regarded the promotion of family titles as his short-term goal.
"Thank you, Lord Benjamin. The Golden Pear Family will always be friends of the Golden Sunflower Family, I assure you."
Benjamin patted Victor on the shoulder. "So the matter of the Acting Legion Commander is basically settled. You are a viscount and have experience commanding legions in battle, so Count Colt will agree." After saying that, he pulled Victor to the center of the banquet hall.
The tallow torches at the victory banquet illuminated the banquet hall. Viscount Benjamin's injured arm was still strapped to his chest, but his voice had regained its former thunderous force. "Gentlemen!" The iron-inlaid scepter abruptly silenced the musicians' lutes.
"Effective immediately," Benjamin's gaze swept across the suddenly silent hall, "Baron Victor Golden Sunflower Baron will serve as the Acting Legion Commander of the Second Legion. Governor Colt's appointment letter will arrive shortly." A silver goblet slammed heavily onto the oak table. "No objections, is there?"
Battalion Commander Raymond took the lead in hammering the armor, the booming sound of the iron gauntlet striking the breastplate causing the candlelight to flicker.
Baron Brown rose, swirling his wine glass, his silver fox fur cloak slipping halfway down. "The lads from the Two Rivers Territory may be a bit green..." he deliberately drawled, until Viscount Hawke's forehead was beaded with cold sweat, "But they're still better than some good-for-nothings who only know how to drink ale." The room erupted in laughter.
As Victor rose, the Grape rippled in his glass. He could clearly feel the gazes gathering behind him: these Northern Frontier nobles were like wolves in the wilderness, submitting only to true hunters.
"I am deeply grateful for the kind words of Count Colt and Viscount Benjamin." Victor raised his glass to Benjamin, deliberately letting the stag hilt of his sword clink against the edge of the table. "But I am still inexperienced and need your support and guidance even more..." He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over Baron Brown's sly smile, "..."
Viscount Hawke suddenly staggered to his feet, his gold-plated belt buckle hanging loosely on his belly. "I... I'll punish myself with three cups!" His fat fingers crushed the ceramic cup, and ale mixed with blood dripped onto the embroidered tablecloth. "Lord Victor is the true Northlands... uh... Northlands Eagle!" This nobleman, who had once led the opposition, tilted his head back and downed the wine. "It's my fault for being blind before, not recognizing a true hero. From now on, please give me whatever you need, and I will not hesitate."
The banquet reached its climax when the whole roasted lamb was brought to the table. As Victor cut into the leg, he overheard the two viscounts whispering behind him:
"I heard that the Golden Sunflower family only has two small towns in their territory in the mainland?"
"So what? The Northlands only recognizes merit in battle..."
After the banquet, Victor returned to his quarters and leaned against the window. The smell of hay from the stables wafted in the cold wind, mingling with the lingering aroma of roasted meat from the feast, creating a strange odor. He unfolded a parchment, dipped his quill pen three times in the inkwell, and finally wrote, "To my esteemed father..."
"... The Northern Frontier nobles, though rough as sand and gravel, are far more worthy of friendship than the poisoned blades wrapped in velvet from the interior. Viscount Benjamin's injuries are no longer a major concern, and this morning he formally bestowed upon me the Legion Commander's Scepter, as the officers of the First Regiment pounded their armor in unison. Here, warriors do not value lineage, but only merit in battle..."
The pen suddenly stopped, Victor recalled a scene from the victory banquet: when he left his seat to change, he stumbled upon two knights from the Fourth Regiment arguing behind a pillar.
"He's just a nouveau riche who got rich by sheer luck." The Light Cavalry tugged at his embroidered gold scarf. "When my grandfather fought in the Battle of Blackrock, his family was still selling oil!"
The older knight pressed his hand on his companion's sword hilt. "But your grandfather failed to bring back Chieftain Bloodhoof's battleaxe." He pointed toward the hall, "And that axe is currently hanging outside Lord Victor's tent."