Lord: I can see loyalty.

Southern Border, Bordeaux Village, Lord's Mansion, Night.

Documents piled up on the long table, and candlelight flickered not far away. Vio, sitting in the lord's chair, gently rubbed his temples, looking slightly tired from the continuous battles and post-war work.

Now, the entire southern region is under his rule and is gradually stabilizing.

The number of militia members has also increased rapidly during this period, and now it has reached a scale of more than a thousand people.

Vio believes that the growth rate will only accelerate from here on out.

Vio is not worried about food issues at all, as he has already identified several people in the fields of agriculture and fisheries through the panel.

Relying on the farmland in fortresses and other places that has not been completely abandoned, it will not be long before production in the southern region can be restored, and even made more abundant.

Vio opened his eyes and looked at the flickering candlelight in front of him.

Beneath the weariness lay something more tangible: power. The entire southern territory was now under his rule!

Looking outside, more thoughts began to surface in his mind.

Perhaps we could establish a magic academy and a knight school throughout the Southern Territory...

thump.

A cup of hot tea was placed on the corner of Vio's table, and he looked up slightly at the owner of the cup.

"Does the injury still hurt?" Gina asked, looking at the scabbed wound on his arm. Her voice was softer than usual.

"It's just a minor injury." Vio looked up and met her gaze, which was illuminated by the candlelight.

"Hmm," she responded, her eyes sweeping over the documents piled on the table. "You looked very much like a lord in the main square during the day."

Vio twitched the corner of his mouth: "What? You didn't look like that before?"

"They're both similar." Gina smiled slightly, her head lowered, and after a pause, said, "Get some rest, Lord Vio."

She turned and left, her figure disappearing into the darkness of the corridor.

Vio sighed softly, picked up his teacup and took a small sip. A warm feeling welled up in his heart, and he looked out the window at the distant night sky.

……

Royal capital, Emerald Palace, late at night.

A figure was holding his forehead, with dark circles under his eyes, a sign of exhaustion.

He was none other than Albert, the King of the Kingdom of Rovia.

The steward, Harold, was standing close by, carefully handing the king what he needed, while Duke Herbert stood before them.

"...From now on, the slight unrest in the Eastern Territory and our Northern Territory has subsided. Congratulations, Your Majesty."

Albert waved his hand, showing no sign of joy, and asked, "How is the situation in the West?"

"The situation is not optimistic, Your Majesty," the steward beside him said in a calm tone. "The main ports have been occupied by a group of pirates who call themselves the 'Black Tide.' They haven't massacred civilians on a large scale, but trade routes and tax revenues have all been cut off... The troublesome thing is that several knights and nobles in the Western Territory seem to have some dealings with those pirates."

The king's face darkened, and he tapped his knuckles lightly on the table.

"What about the Southern Territory?" He had almost no hope; that barren and chaotic land was probably already rotten to the core.

“Even worse, Your Majesty.” Harold’s voice remained calm. “According to the latest intelligence, the bandit group ‘Cavill Wolves’ has almost taken over the entire territory. Only Cavill Fortress is still holding out, and now there has been no new news for months. I am afraid that their fate is sealed.”

Sure enough... Albert closed his eyes; the Southern Territory had probably become a living hell.

"Your Majesty, regarding the Southern Territory," Duke Herbert suddenly spoke, his voice carrying an unusual undertone, "I have learned some... different information through channels in a small town at the bottom of the Northern Territory."

"Speak," the king said, opening his eyes.

"Fort Cavill has indeed fallen. Count Felix abandoned the city and fled, and is now barely surviving under the protection of a certain count in the North."

Albert's heart sank to the bottom; it would have been better not to hear the news at all.

"But..." Herbert changed the subject, "there is another piece of news, which is not fully confirmed but comes from a reliable source: the banditry in the southern border has been completely eradicated."

"What?!" The king sat up straight, somewhat surprised.

"But the cleanup crew was not the kingdom's army, but a local lord of the South—Vio Ross of Bordeaux village, who is said to be the son of the late Baron Odom Ross."

"Baron Odom?" Albert quickly searched his memory, but only found a vague impression: an insignificant minor nobleman in the border region. As for Vio Ross? He had no clue at all.

"Reliable sources say that this person has consolidated the remaining forces in the South, not only defending Bordeaux but also launching a proactive attack to wipe out several major bandit groups, including their leader, 'The Wolf King' Malankik." The Duke continued, "Now, most areas of the South have restored basic order and re-established contact with the outside world."

Shock and doubt flashed in the young king's eyes, but then came a more complex mix of emotions.

While the kingdom was besieged and in disarray, a figure quietly emerged in that forgotten, barren land in the south, a man destined to quell the chaos? A baron's son whom he had never heard of before.

Is this a good thing or a bad thing...?

Chief Steward Harold, keenly sensing the king's mood, asked softly, "Your Majesty, how should we deal with this man?"

Albert fell into deep thought. A person who could fight his way out of that place and rebuild order was no ordinary person. Was he a hidden danger, or... a pawn?

Harold.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Bring me paper and pen."

In the candlelight, the king's voice was crystal clear:

"In my name, I draft a letter to Vio Ross, Lord of Bordeaux in the South."

To Vio Rose, Lord of Bordeaux in the Southern Territory:

"I've heard about what you did in the South."

"It's remarkable that you've eradicated the bandits and restored order. The kingdom now needs all the loyal and capable people it needs."

He paused, then changed the subject:

"Count Felix has abandoned Fort Carville and fled to the North, thus breaking his oath."

"The southern border cannot be left unattended. Since you have taken in the refugees and pacified the land, you shall temporarily assume the duties of the Earl of the Southern Border. I will bestow upon you the title of Earl."

"Treat the common people under your rule well, let them recuperate, let the farmland grow crops again, and let the trade routes be open again. You can also ask for any help you need."

"Finally, bring those who have rendered meritorious service in the suppression of the bandits to the capital. I will personally reward you. The kingdom will not forget those who have served it."

"King of Rovia, Count of Scias, Baron Ander, Knight of the Golden Crown, Albert Rovia."

He paused to examine the letter, confirming its contents once more, before finally handing it to the steward, who sealed it with wax bearing the royal coat of arms.

"Send someone to find Count Felix and bring him to the capital... No, from today onwards, he is no longer a count."