Although it was already spring, the Northern Territory remained bitterly cold, and even with a thick cloak, it was difficult to ward off the bone-chilling cold.
"Sir, we're almost there," a knight reined in his horse and reported in a low voice to the elder at the front of the procession.
Bradley nodded slightly, his expression unchanged, still riding silently across the frozen ground.
This procession traveled through the desolate lands of the Northern Territory in silence.
It wasn't because they had no complaints about this mission, but out of reverence for Bradley.
He was Duke Calvin's old butler, holding a high and powerful position, with a status within the Calvin Family that was even comparable to so collateral noble families.
Even if the knights had questions, they dared not speak freely in front of him.
Along the way, they passed through several frontier territories, all of which were dilapidated and desolate.
Even Frost Halberd City, where the Governor of the Northern Territory's Mansion was located, was nothing more than a shabby military outpost in the eyes of these southerners.
No one expected the Red Tide Territory to be any different.
Bradley was no exception.
In his impression, Louis was just one of the Duke's twenty-sothing children, with diocre talent, an honest personality, and even a bit boring.
He had been overlooked since childhood, and a few months ago, the Duke sent him to this harsh, cold land in the Northern Territory to fend for himself.
Now, however, in a letter to the Duke, he wrote that the frontier territory was well-governed, showing good developnt montum, and had even discovered a valuable essence of magic mine.
Bradley was skeptical about the contents of this letter.
A young man in his twenties, with almost no resource support, could manage a barren land in such an orderly manner?
That seed too exaggerated.
Moreover, the essence of magic mine had always been an extrely scarce resource for the Iron-Blood Empire, which relied almost entirely on imports from the Erald Federation.
And in his frontier territory, a large amount of essence of magic mine was actually discovered?
There was probably so exaggeration involved.
But no matter what, he still ca, without any complaints or the slightest slack.
Because he was Bradley, the most loyal butler of the Calvin Family.
He wanted to see if this young lord could truly live up to everything he described in his letter.
If Louis showed value worth cultivating, he would assist him with all his might.
If Louis disappointed him, he would not hesitate to withdraw all support.
In the cold wind, the outline of the Red Tide Territory gradually erged.
On the distant mountain path, Louis rode a black warhorse, wearing a thick wolf-skin cloak, his dark hair blown by the wind.
His appearance bore a seven-tenths resemblance to the Duke, but compared to him, he had less majesty and more delicate features.
Standing at his feet was a nimble Icefield Wolf cub, exuding an untad, wild aura.
This scene made Bradley's evaluation of Louis quietly rise a few points in his heart.
At least he was much stronger than the useless young master he had imagined.
The knights were also sowhat surprised; they had expected to be greeted by a disheveled and struggling young master trapped in a barren fiefdom, but they didn't expect the other party to be so calm and composed.
He had even tad an Icefield Wolf.
Louis rode forward and respectfully saluted Bradley: "Mr. Bradley, you've had a difficult journey. Welco to the Red Tide Territory."
Bradley returned the greeting with the standard butler's etiquette; his attitude, though not warm, was impeccable: "Young master is too kind. Duke Calvin sent with so support, hoping it can lend you a hand."
"My father's concern, I hold it deeply in my heart."
Bradley silently observed Louis, his opinion of Louis already sowhat changed.
After all, in this barren and cruel Northern Territory, maintaining such a composed noble deanor was not easy.
Louis slowly rode forward, his gaze sweeping over the procession and supplies Bradley had brought, and his heart stirred slightly.
Three Elite Knights, ten Formal Knights, thirty Apprentice Knights.
Dozens of craftsn, physicians, and other talents.
Several carts of grain, flour, dried at, pickled vegetables.
Seeds for cold-resistant crops, dozens of black-horned cattle, cold-region sheep, cold-resistant warhorses... He hadn't held much hope for his father's support, as he, this son, was not highly regarded.
But now, it seed this batch of supplies had far exceeded expectations.
The old man had still spent so gold, though this was just a drop in the bucket for the Calvin Family.
Bradley said in a calm tone: "Young master, these things are not much; consider it an opportunity for you."
He paused, repeating the Duke's original words:
"If you can govern your territory well, the family will increase investnt, but if you show any incompetence, the family will imdiately withdraw all support."
Louis, however, rely smiled: "I will cherish this opportunity."
While Louis observed the aid, Bradley was also observing the Red Tide Territory.
Upon first stepping onto this land, it appeared no different from other Northern Territory lands: desolate, barren, and lifeless.
Bradley nodded inwardly, it was indeed as he expected.
But as the procession went deeper, his expression gradually beca subtle.
The first things that caught his eye were large fields of thriving crops, as well as patches of wasteland currently being reclaid.
The villagers were full of energy, sweat mixed with dirt, yet there was no trace of complaint on their faces; instead, they exuded hope.
This wasn't right. How was this achieved?
Most other frontier territories in the Northern Territory were still in the sowing stage at this ti, but the crops in the Red Tide Territory were already nearing harvest?!
Even new reclamation work was proceeding simultaneously.
What did this an?
It ant that Louis was far ahead of other frontier lords in agricultural managent.
Bradley noticed the neatly arranged semi-subterranean longhouses on both sides of the road; these houses, though simple, were all new constructions.
Clearly, they had only been completed recently.
In other words, the Red Tide Territory had not only solved its survival problems but had also expanded its infrastructure in a short period.
This point was even stronger than so territories that had been developing for many years.
As he traveled, Bradley saw more and more things... various details made Bradley's brows furrow deeper and deeper.
But what {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} truly startled him were the villagers they passed along the way.
Their gazes towards Louis actually showed genuine love and respect!
It wasn't the awe of fearing a noble, nor the gratitude towards a benefactor, but a kind of almost devout faith.
"This kid, is he a born ruler?"
Bradley's heart trembled slightly, and he began to re-evaluate this unassuming young master of his.
It could be said that Louis's control over the Red Tide Territory was even more thorough than the Duke's rule in the south.
He said in his letter that he governed well, but now it seed he had said far too little!
Everyone had underestimated him, but it seed everyone had misjudged him.
Perhaps he couldn't inherit the Calvin Family, but his future achievents would certainly not be low!
Thinking this, Bradley's lips curved slightly, and he felt a little pleased.
"At least it won't be boring in the Northern Territory."
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