After I died, my personal maid rebelled.

In December, heavy snow fell from the sky, and steam rose from the hot water rooms in the ice city, adding a touch of warmth to the bleak snowstorm.

In winter, as fat sheep from pastures are transported to the ice city, the square transforms into a large slaughterhouse, instantly enlivening the city. Residents come and go, and the aroma of mutton soup lingers in the streets and alleys.

Inside the Duke's mansion, the annual financial surplus had been roughly calculated, and when everyone received the financial statement, they were all incredulous.

Even excluding the overflowing grain reserves, the taxes collected this year alone far exceed those of the heyday when the Northern Territories were established.

In just one year, the Northern Territory, after experiencing several major upheavals, quickly emerged from its decline and regained its vitality.

Once development was on track, Oswald's administrative reforms also began.

Besides the loyal subjects of the Northern Territory, the brave Thorne and Hughes, the former Marquis of the Southern Commercial District who had been thrown into the construction team, were also invited to the Duke's office.

Everyone gathered together, and Oswald took off his pipe and looked at the four teams in front of him.

The members of the Secretariat and the Tax Department, represented by Elena, along with Paul; military generals, represented by Red; nobles, represented by Lisa, Morpheus, and Peter; and the smallest group at present, the consuls, represented by Jacob.

These are the four forces that support Oswald's administration of the territory. In the capital, Elene's family naturally holds absolute power, while in the provinces, the eastern and southern regions are currently governed by the military, while the northern and western regions are still managed by nobles loyal to Ice City.

Because the Northern Territory is currently somewhat unclear in terms of management authority and responsibility, Oswald decided to have people representing different factions form a political center similar to a cabinet, so that it would be easier to carry out collective punishment in the future.

Oswald had already planned the location of the office area. As long as the residences of the southern nobles in the northern territory were connected, it would be enough to accommodate several hundred people for living and coming and going.

Although this system will not cause much of a problem in the short term, the Northern Territory can still concentrate its resources to accomplish major tasks.

But things could change in the long run; at the very least, the military couldn't interfere too much in politics. Oswald was quite troubled by this, because he couldn't yet use the civil service examination system to select officials.

Firstly, the basic needs of the common people have only just been met, and in recent years, there haven't been many newborns in the entire northern territory. He needs to provide the common people with a stable environment and time to get married and have babies.

Oswald had experience with this; you can't force things. You have to appease people with words, and people with words with words. You can't go against the natural order, where a word from above fills the stomach, the land grows crops, and the next generation can be raised.

Secondly, the people of the North value bravery and martial prowess. Just like the college entrance examination in the previous life, you can say that many people died on the battlefield, but you can't deny that most people changed their fate by joining the army.

Oswald can't just keep shouting, "Good men, follow me to conquer all corners of the world!"

Then he added: "If you learn martial arts but not literature, you're not worthy of being a northerner!"

"Jacob, Luna told me that you've traveled all over the country these past few years and met quite a few scholars?"

The crowd, still circulating this year's tax report, looked up and all turned to Jacob. Jacob, puzzled, was about to step forward to bow when Oswald waved him off.

"You understand what I mean. Getting things done depends on how you use people. I can't help you recruit men for your governing departments, but I can lend you Yongzhe. He has many friends, all of whom are pretty young girls who studied at the Central Academy of Fine Arts."

Upon hearing this, Thorne shuddered, unsure whether to laugh or cry. So, he was called to the meeting just for this?

Oswald, with a pipe dangling from his lips, waited for the smoke to dissipate before slamming his hand heavily on the table.

"In addition, bring Hughes along. Luna will be setting off with the Second Regiment in half a month to fight against the Southern Territory alongside the Central Army. In the meantime, you need to quickly set up the governing team for the Southern Commercial District."

Jacob remained silent. The lack of talent was indeed a major problem. He stroked the half-finger-long beard that had grown on his chin, and bowed solemnly, saying, "Sir, is any method acceptable?"

"Report to Elene if you need anything." Oswald didn't answer directly, but with a faint smile on his face, he added.

"If you need to mobilize troops, you can contact Commander Red."

……

In Wangcheng, Frank was in high spirits. This year had indeed been tough, but thankfully they had made it through.

As expected, the Southern Territory was also severely affected by the plague, and it was not until November that the Southern Territory was able to replicate the antidote for the plague.

He was determined to win this southern expedition.

"The Northern Territory's army, commanded by Lady Luna, will arrive at the capital in about three days; the Eastern and Western Territories' armies may arrive a few days later."

Medivh respectfully reported that the Northern Territory had about five thousand soldiers, plus five thousand soldiers from the Western Territory and ten thousand soldiers from the Eastern Territory. The King could send a knightly order and local troops to form an advance force to take the lead in attacking the Southern Territory.

Frank nodded. "How's the labor mobilization going?"

"The contracts have been awarded to the earls in the southern part of the central district. They are currently conscripting laborers and grain on a large scale within their territories to ensure that the logistical supply of His Majesty's army will not be affected."

"Very well, the task of leading the vanguard will be assigned to Benjamin. He is the commander of the Second Knights, and now his sister is a queen and pregnant with my child. I can forgive and forget what happened in the past, and let him do more for the kingdom in the future."

Frank just found the mention of Benjamin amusing.

As one of Barbara's supporters and one of the people who embarrassed him on their wedding day, Benjamin's attitude towards Queen Barbara completely changed after he learned that his sister was pregnant.

He used to be head over heels in love with Queen Barbara, but now he wishes she would just die suddenly.

Frank, in any case, dared not summon Benjamin to the palace, fearing that the knight commander would kill Barbara with a single blow.

"What have the papal archbishops and saints been up to lately?"

Medivh immediately replied, "The archbishop is staying indoors, while Saint Jane has been visiting various villages, treating the villagers' illnesses free of charge."

"And then, is she still cursing us?" Frank chuckled. He didn't know why the newly appointed Holy Maiden had so much dissatisfaction with the powerful and influential people in the royal city.

It's your business to have ideals, but you can't expect me to kill all the powerful and wealthy just because of them! After all, not everyone can do what Oswald did.

Does someone who can become a saint not understand what a country relies on to function?

Frank got the answer from Medivh's silence, and simply smiled and sighed.

He also had ideas for reform, but the time was not yet ripe. Once the problem of the Southern Territory was resolved, he would have to sit down and have a proper talk with Duke Oswald.

"What's the Mage's Guild up to? What's their activity?"

Despite the king's continued questions, Medivh felt somewhat gratified and continued to answer respectfully.

"Most of the key members of the Mage's Association, including Sophia, have secretly returned to their headquarters, and there has been no further action taken yet."

Their expressions gradually turned serious. Frank put down his book and rubbed his temples.

Curses, heroes, demon kings, dukes—their fates are intertwined, yet without exception, they are all their own enemies, whether overt or covert.

What's most infuriating now is that the Mage's Association and a certain great sage clearly don't respect royal authority, as if they don't care about anything else in this world except for heroes and demon kings.

Frank lowered his gaze, suppressing his anger. "By the way, is the Great Sage still unwilling to come to the palace?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. And it's not just us; Archbishop John has also sent men to keep a close watch on the Great Sage's movements. We need to be prepared, Your Majesty; this is a struggle we cannot escape."

……

Three days later, the northern army came and camped outside the royal city. Just like visiting a neighbor, Luna leisurely went to the palace alone.

Although it was said to be a large-scale military campaign, her elder brothers had told her beforehand that she shouldn't be fighting any tough battles. They said it was just a piece of easy prey, and she should just pounce on it, take a bite, and leave without worrying about winning or losing.

While preserving their own interests, the best outcome would be to drag both sides into a protracted war. If the Southern Territory could not withstand the pressure, it would have to withdraw in time and find a reason to leave before the war ended.

On the surface, Luna only brought her personal guards and the Second Regiment, but in reality, Paul and Lisa were hidden in the team.

Paul and the elf seemed to have another mission, and soon after Luna entered the palace, they quietly headed east towards the kingdom.

As for Lisa, her duty is to protect Luna in critical moments.

Knowing the palace layout perfectly, Luna was quickly led by her attendants to an open-air balcony.

Frank, dressed in noble and elegant attire and leading a group of artists, had been waiting for Luna for quite some time.

After Luna finished her greetings, she looked at the painters who were ready with a puzzled expression. Perhaps Frank wanted to leave behind a few portraits; it seemed that nobles all had this kind of hobby.

I don't know who I'm drawing this for.

"Luna, these are the kingdom's top painters, especially skilled at portraiture." Frank set down his scepter and extended his hand, inviting, "Since we've got nothing else to do, how about I paint one for you too?"

Upon hearing this, Luna's expression instantly turned wary, and she said in a deep voice.

Is it free?

Frank raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly. "Otherwise, I don't need to guess to know that you don't even have enough copper coins to give a beggar in your pocket."

"How could Your Majesty slander someone's innocence like this!" Luna quickly ran to the balcony and stood there, striking a pose while taking out three copper coins from her pocket.

Under Frank's speechless gaze, she raised her chin, held up her hand, and proudly pinched the coin between her fingers.

"Draw it, draw me and my money together."