Promotion and Mission

As the setting sun bathed the moors of Durham County in a dark gold, Victor spotted the Allied Army banners on the horizon; they had finally reached the Allied Army encampment.

The Golden Sunflower battle flag fluttered in the north wind, its newly embroidered Viscount crest gleaming silver—two silver swords crossed behind a shield with Golden Sunflower emblem. This was Victor's newly designed coat of arms, which had already been reported to the Governor's Mansion.

"Nervous?" Viscount Benjamin's carriage pulled up from behind. He opened the window. "My brother-in-law is just that decisive. But on the battlefield, with so many soldiers and nobles as witnesses, this promotion ceremony will surely become a celebrated story among the Northern Frontier nobles."

Victor stroked the family crest on the hilt of his sword, a bitter smile playing on his lips. This sword was a gift from his father, Wembley, during his last visit to the estate. Before leaving, Wembley had instructed Victor: "... keep the blade sharp, and diligently pursue your title. Your mother has prepared twenty barrels of new Grape for our triumphant return..."

The sound of a bugle interrupted the recollection. Twelve red-armored Cavalry filed out of the Allied Army gates, their horse armor's Griffin emblem reflecting a cold light. The lead knight lifted his visor. "By order of the Governor-General, we respectfully welcome Viscount Golden Sunflower!"

Inside the central command tent, the charcoal brazier could not dispel the chill of the power struggle. As Victor knelt on one knee, he noticed the sapphire at the end of Count Colt's scepter—the size of a pigeon's egg, symbolizing the supreme authority of the Three Counties of the Northern Frontier.

"Baron Victor Golden Sunflower Baron, you have done well; your merits deserve a reward." The Count's voice was as warm as honey, his gray beard trembling as he spoke. He gestured for the scribe to unfold the parchment scroll. "According to the governor's duty, I hereby promote you to viscount."

Count Colt tapped his scepter lightly, and a servant presented a silver tray. The Viscount coronet, its velvet cushion gleaming with a blood-red light, held three obsidian stones atop golden sunflower petals. "Let our rising star wear it first."

The awarding platform was erected in the center of the garrison Main Camp, a deliberate arrangement by Count Colt. As Victor stepped onto the frost-covered steps, he felt the weight of the gazes behind him—the burning intensity in the eyes of his colleagues and subordinates from the Second Legion, the cold indifference of certain unfamiliar nobles, and the expectations that stretched hundreds of miles from the direction of Golden Sunflower Territory Boler County in the eastern Duchy.

"In the name of Grand Duke Silver Maple..." Count Colt struck the ground three times with his scepter, startling a flock of birds in the trees. The scribe's voice boomed like thunder. "... Promote Victor Golden Sunflower to Viscount, and grant him unlimited rights to develop the Great Fish River..."

The moment Victor received the crown, he suddenly recalled the scene from the night before he left home. His father had cut his palm with a dagger in the study, dripping blood into the family seal ring. "Remember, power is not inherited, it is stained with blood." At this moment, the weight of the crown pressing against his forehead overlapped with the warmth of his father's bloodstained palm.

"Your Excellency, it is time to take the oath," Baron Brown reminded him softly. The Northlands fox had changed into a serge-trimmed tuxedo before arriving at the encampment, but as the master of ceremonies for the promotion ceremony, he still carried a battle axe at his waist.

Victor turned to face the armored jungle, seeing the entire army standing on the Drill Ground pounding their chests in unison. The clang of metal shattered the last vestige of his daze. "I swear by my blood and the edge of my sword..." The north wind swept the oath across the wasteland, Golden Sunflower battle flag suddenly unfurled behind him, "This body is the border of the Duchy!"

As cheers surged across the wasteland, the faces of some nobles were even more grim than the mud trampled by warhorses.

After the promotion ceremony, the entire Main Camp began to bustle with activity. Victor needed to settle the Second Legion as soon as possible, find them suitable garrisons, and ensure that every unit had a place to stay. There would also be a banquet that evening, which he, as the main character, had to attend.

The bonfire at the banquet illuminated half the sky, but Victor glimpsed an undercurrent in the reflection of light in his crystal glass. Viscount Edmond of Crimson Maple Territory approached, raising his glass, the hilt of his malachite sword gleaming eerily. "I've heard that the sunflower seed oil from Golden Sunflower Ridge is the best in the East? I must buy some to try after the war."

"I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you." Victor swirled the iced wine in his glass. "To raise funds for expansion, we have pledged all of our production for the next five years to the Wright Trading Company. You can purchase directly from them."

Viscount Edmond had no choice but to leave dejectedly.

At this moment, Count Colt approached. "Your Excellency, would you like to accompany me to look at the stars?" The governor's ambergris masked the smell of burnt meat as he led Victor out of the banquet hall and onto the observation deck.

"Autumn in the Northlands has come earlier than expected. It's only the beginning of September, and the night wind is already so cool." The governor tightened his cloak to keep the night wind from getting in.

"The climate in the Northlands is indeed colder, but this also tempers people's minds and bodies. The warriors of the Northlands are more valiant and skilled in battle, and their will is more tenacious."

"Do you like it here, Viscount Victor?"

"Of course, Your Excellency, I have gained honors here and been promoted to viscount, so how could I not like it?"

"But I don't like it here anymore. The Iron Birch Family has reached the top. I've spent the first half of my life making it stand at the peak of the Northern Frontier, but it hasn't made any further progress. I don't want it to end here. Do you understand?"

"... I understand, Count Excellency. As you wish, the banner of the Golden Sunflower will follow your guidance without hesitation."

"Very good. If we can achieve our goal, I will not keep this glory to myself. The Golden Sunflower Family will also reach a height that you never imagined."

"Yes, Count Excellency." Victor knelt on one knee to show his loyalty.

The night wind on the lookout tower suddenly lifted Count Colt's cloak. "Three days from now, on September 5th, you will lead the main force of the Second Legion to the north side of Ice Wind Valley, establish a position northeast of Blackrock Mountain Hollow, and block the Barbarians supply route. I will lead the main force to try to contain the Barbarians force. Can you complete this mission well?"

Victor replied in a deep voice, "Count lord, the Second Legion will do everything in its power to break the deadlock, as long as it can be the key to breaking the deadlock."

"Then I'll leave it to you." The sapphire on the scepter in the Count's hand reflected a wolf-like eerie light. "Benjamin will cooperate fully with you. You can make any other requests you may have."

"Please hand over all the Heavy Crossbow units of the First Legion of Iron Birch Territory to me. I want a large number of wagons and to arrange for craftsmen to modify them."

"No problem. I will arrange for the commander of the Heavy Crossbow unit to report to you tonight. I will directly issue you the necessary permits for the carriages and craftsmen. You can just contact my logistics officer."

"Thank you, Count Excellency, this is enough."

As the morning star rose, the new viscount emerged from his tent. His Golden Sunflower emblem cloak, billowed in the wind, and the horizon began to lighten with the first light of dawn.

Although there were still two days before the mission, Victor knew that he didn't have much time left and he had to complete all the preparations before setting off as soon as possible.

To rouse himself, he gripped his sword hilt and headed for the Drill Ground. As per his instructions, the Heavy Crossbow unit of Iron Birch Territory had assembled, and he needed to quickly gather all the information about this unit.