Winter Lord: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 79 Credit
"Third merit - Baron Calvin, Louis Calvin."

As soon as the adjutant finished speaking, the entire banquet hall seemed to have been hit by a magic bomb.

The solemn atmosphere was shattered, and hushed discussions spread like an avalanche, instantly engulfing the entire banquet hall.

"Him?! Are you kidding me?!"

"How old is he? Eighteen? Nineteen? How can he be ranked as the third meritorious service?"

"Did...you use some connections?"

"Don't forget his surname is Calvin, which is one of the eight great families of the Empire."

"People from the South haven't even been settled in the North for six months, and they've already gotten a medal? Who would believe that?"

"It must be a shady deal."

Even though no one had said it outright, the suspicion and hostility in their eyes were like arrows raining down on Louis, who was sitting in the front row.

However, the boy remained calm and composed throughout.

Until a furious shout rang out in the hall: "Quiet!!"

That's the voice of the Duke of Edmund.

All whispers and murmurs immediately ceased.

But he didn't say anything more, he just raised his hand slightly, signaling the military officer next to him to continue.

The military commander cleared his throat, unfurled the battle record scroll, and read aloud:
"Baron Calvin is ordered to go to Qingyu Ridge to scout out the enemy's movements and launch a preemptive strike."

They secretly traveled fifty miles at night, leading one hundred and thirty knights to attack the enemy stronghold and capture Qingyu Ridge.

Then, they set up an ambush, using explosive bombs in conjunction with the mountainside to launch a surprise attack, severely damaging eight hundred elite enemy wolf riders, wiping them out completely, while suffering no casualties themselves.

A collective gasp filled the hall.

Many nobles were astonished and their eyes widened.

"One hundred and thirty against eight hundred? And not a single person was killed?"

"Elite wolf riders? Aren't those the Snowsworn's elite troops?"

"He only brought 130 men?"

Without pausing, the military commander announced, "The Battle of Qingyu Ridge successfully defended the vital passage to Binghai County, thwarting the enemy's plans."

This move directly kept the enemy's main force out, thus stabilizing the northern defense line.

According to the Ministry of Military Affairs, the results of the battle were not as large as those of the two noble counts.

However, despite extreme scarcity of resources, insufficient manpower, and complete isolation, Baron Calvin achieved the most remarkable results of the campaign.

The nobles exchanged glances, many with complex expressions.

They placed themselves in that battlefield, in the shoes of that young nobleman.

To be honest, if it were me, I probably wouldn't be able to do that.

Gradually, the whispers took a turn for the worse.

"...You're really quite capable."

"Ranking this third in battle merit is not unfair."

"Although he is young, his courage and judgment are remarkable."

"Yes, if Qingyu Ridge is lost, the entire war will drag on for who knows how long."

More and more nobles looked at the young man standing on the stage, their eyes filled with respect.

Meanwhile, those who had initially been dismissive quietly shut their mouths and put on smiling faces.

She started to think about whether she should take the initiative to approach this young baron at the party later that evening.
After all, truly capable nobles are welcome anywhere, as long as they have no enemies.

Of course, there were also a few sour voices whispering among themselves.

"Hmph, in the end it's all about luck," a young nobleman sneered under his breath. "If I had the chance, I might have played even better."

Before he could finish speaking, a gray-haired count beside him gave him a cold look: "Stop bragging. Do you dare lead your hundred men to charge against the Snow Oathtakers?"

The young nobleman blushed and dared not speak again. The military commander waited until the crowd quieted down slightly before continuing to read aloud:
"Baron Calvin, for his extraordinary courage and strategy in the Battle of Qingyu Ridge, is hereby awarded the following by the Duke:"

Awarded the 'Shield of the North' medal for meritorious service.

A reward of 20,000 Imperial Gold Coins.

An additional 1,000 square kilometers of land was granted, located near the original territory.

The army was rewarded with 800 warhorses, 1,500 standard infantry rifles, and 500 heavy shields…

After the announcement was read, the entire hall fell silent.

Even those who had witnessed the previous two earls being rewarded couldn't help but gasp in astonishment.

"This is too much..."

"The new fiefdom is a thousand square kilometers, a scale that even a viscount might not have."

"The Shield of the North? Someone this age can get their hands on that?"

Louis, standing at the front, remained calm and composed as the awards were read out one by one.

But his hand, hidden beneath his sleeve, clenched tightly.

A fiefdom of 1,000 square kilometers is three times larger than his Red Tide Territory, practically equivalent to receiving a potential viscount position directly.

As for gold coins, warhorses, and weapons, they directly helped him build a formidable team in terms of combat strength.

That Northern Shield was no ordinary war souvenir.

It was awarded only to nobles and generals who had made outstanding contributions on the battlefield.

The recipient's family banner will be hung in the Northern Banner Gallery for eternal remembrance.

It is a symbol of glory that all the nobles and officers of the North dream of, and one of the highest honors in the North.

Its practical uses are also numerous. Holders of this medal can directly attend and listen to the wartime noble council held in the North, and even have the right to speak, with treatment equivalent to that of an earl-level advisor representative.

At the same time, the empire will provide its fiefdoms with priority in the supply of military equipment.

In addition, he can receive an annual pension of two thousand gold coins from the imperial treasury, which can be used for the construction of his fief or for personal use.

It might not have been of much use to the first two earls, but for Louis it was the highest honor and reward.

Even though he was mentally prepared, he had to admit that the reward was far too generous.

Even if Louis's heart was in turmoil, his expression remained calm and composed as he climbed the steps.

In the back row, some nobles who were seeing him for the first time couldn't help but exclaim in hushed tones.

"So young?"

"He looks even smaller than my youngest son."

"How did he do that?"

Lord Jon, sitting in the front row, listened to these whispers and couldn't help but show a hint of smugness on his face: "Baron Calvin is nineteen this year."

The expressions on everyone's faces changed slightly.

At the age of nineteen, he had already achieved such a feat of military merit...

On the stage, Duke Edmund personally pinned the "Shield of the North" medal on Louis's chest.

The silver and blue shield-shaped badge shone brightly under the light.

“Well done, Baron Calvin.” Edmund patted him on the shoulder. “You’ve proven yourself with your results.”

He paused, then added, "I have already submitted an application for an award to His Majesty the Emperor, requesting a viscount title for you."

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent once again.

Louis gave a slight bow: "Thank you, Your Grace."

He didn't show much emotion, as if this was how it was supposed to be.

(End of this chapter)