Camille Solin, a civil servant in the Imperial court, from the Inspectorate, currently serving as "Northern Territory Inspection Envoy."
In na, it is dignified, but in reality, it’s a thankless task. Just ask, which official in the Imperial Capital would want to co to the Northern Territory now?
But many years ago, he didn’t think this way.
Back then, Camille was just a bright-eyed young man in the Inspectorate, copying volus, auditing accounts, writing reports, busy day and night.
He believed in the system, and with loyalty to the Emperor and his own efforts, he believed he could correct the course of power.
Until the first promotion was upon him, Camille saw the crack in that door, gleaming within, but what shone was not loyalty to the Emperor, but gold.
"Without this money, you won’t even get on the candidate list," his superior patted his shoulder.
Camille wavered for three days, finally pushed open the inconspicuous little shop in the eastern alley of the Imperial Capital, where he had drunk with the owner several tis.
Later he knew, that small shop was the Jade Federation’s Silver Plate Guild’s organization in the Imperial Capital.
The loan was just a small amount, enough to buy so decent jewelry to gift his superiors, and thus he smoothly got promoted.
From then on, the crack of the door to power was completely pried open.
Spices, treasures, indulgence on the soft couch, like effortless waves, pushed him from the shore into warm deep waters.
"There’s nothing wrong, everyone does it." He convinced himself.
Later, the Silver Plate Guild began asking him to pass along a letter casually, or to let a page of accounts go...
He beca the first link in the Silver Plate Guild’s chain within the Empire.
And the power of money turned him from an "unknown little civil servant" into an "honorary viscount burning hot in the Imperial Capital."
The higher he climbed, the tighter the Silver Plate Guild squeezed.
Account books, receipt lists, private etings, the singer’s na log from that night.
Any one page could pull him from the splendor to the endless abyss within.
Just months ago, news arrived that the forr Northern Territory Inspector i Si was dismissed from the Dragon Throne eting due to "insufficient toughness towards the native nobility."
The Silver Plate Guild’s contact laughed at Camille: "The opportunity has co. We will provide money and connections for you to beco the permanent Northern Territory Inspection Envoy."
Leaving the gentle embrace of the Imperial Capital, heading to the permafrost where only desolation and broken walls exist?
A nightmare of heavy snow, beasts roaming, and Barbarian Race howling surfaced in Camille’s mind.
That’s not a world where a dignified person can survive.
But he knew well that refusing the Guild had never been his option.
The Silver Plate Guild held his leverage tightly, he could only swallow his reluctance and wear a mask of "willing to serve the Guild."
Camille regretted, deeply regretted, but this road had no return, he could only keep going through the dark.
The street-level contact painted him a picture before departure: "As long as you handle this beautifully, you’ll be freed, maybe even get a position as a senior council mber in the Jade Federation."
Senior council mber of the Jade Federation...
That would be a position on par with, if not more solid than his post now as Special Envoy.
More importantly, in such a position, he could openly lead a lavish life, instead of today’s sneaky existence.
Camille clutched onto this promise, as if a drowning man grasping the last straw.
He repeatedly painted that beautiful future in his mind, so he wouldn’t completely collapse on this journey through the icy and snowy lands.
Before departing, the contact specially instructed him on the details of the rendezvous.
"This ti, the person responsible in the Northern Territory will et you in Red Tide City."
Then handed over a sketch portrait of a slim person, eyes cold, like a snake hiding in a cellar away from light for years.
Camille stared at the portrait for a long ti, silently committing it to mory.
......
The wheels of the carriage rolled over the official road, accompanied by the heavy rhythm of hooves, the outline of Red Tide City finally erged from the distant morning mist.
Camille lifted the curtain, eyes haughty, a cold smirk on his lips.
Is this what they call the "Northern Territory miracle"?
It’s just a newly built city, how can it compare with the splendor of the Imperial Capital? How can it be on par with the flourishing port cities of the South?
But as the convoy approached, his cold smile gradually froze.
The walls thick, towers densely packed, red flags waving briskly.
Streets straight, stalls orderly, citizens smiling, everything in perfect order.
Though it doesn’t match the Imperial Capital, on this permafrost, this city indeed... stands out uniquely.
Cannot tell it’s been newly built just a few years.
Camille was secretly surprised yet imdiately raised his chin, covering that bit of emotion under arrogance.
"Humph, just so." He humd softly, as if talking to himself.
Bradley personally greeted him at the city gate.
The old butler stood straight, his etiquette flawless.
But Camille rely nodded lightly, not lifting his eyelids a fraction.
A re servant dares to pose like this?
In his eyes, no matter how well-mannered the Northern People were, they were just barbarians.
But the next mont, a group of children jumped out, holding flowers, shouting in unison: "Welco, Envoy Sir!"
Camille’s heart ward slightly, such ceremony was quite to his liking.
Although Louis did not appear personally, this kind of reception did bring him so face.
After arriving in Red Tide City, Camille first enjoyed a period of attentive hospitality.
The roads within the city had long been swept clean, the stone slabs gleaming faintly in the morning light.
The room in the inn burned warm charcoal, the bed covered with silk sheets, even the curtains were newly woven fabric, with stitching impeccable beyond criticism.
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