Chapter 79: Chapter 79: Merits
"The third merit — Baron Calvin, Louis Calvin."
As soon as the adjutant’s voice fell, the entire banquet hall seemed to have a magic explosion bullet thrown in.
The previously somber atmosphere was shattered, and the low whispers spread like an avalanche, quickly engulfing the entire hall.
"Him?! What a joke!"
"How old is he? Eighteen? Nineteen? How can he be listed as the third merit?"
"Did he... use some backdoor?"
"Don’t forget his last name is Calvin, which is one of the Eight Great Clans of the Empire."
"He hasn’t even rooted in the Northern Territory for half a year and he gets a medal? Who buys it?"
"Black box operation, it must be a black box operation."
Even though no one had spoken outright, the suspicion and hostility in their eyes were almost like a rain of arrows, shooting towards Louis seated in the front row.
However, the young man remained calm and composed throughout.
Until a shout of anger exploded in the hall: "Silence!!"
This was the voice of Duke Edmund.
All whispers and murmurs immediately came to an abrupt halt.
But he did not say another word, only raised his hand slightly, signaling the military commander beside him to continue.
The military commander cleared his throat, unfurled the battle scroll, and read aloud:
"Baron Calvin, ordered to scout Qingyu Ridge, discovered enemy movements, and took initiative.
At night, he stealthily advanced fifty miles, leading 130 knights to capture the enemy stronghold and seize Qingyu Ridge.
Then he set an ambush, using magic explosion bullets combined with mountain ambush tactics, inflicted heavy losses on 800 elite Wolf Riders, annihilating them completely without a single casualty on our side."
A gasp echoed through the hall.
Many nobles widened their eyes in shock.
"One hundred thirty against eight hundred? And not a single casualty?"
"Elite Wolf Riders? Isn’t that the elite unit of Snow Swearers?"
"He only brought one hundred thirty men?"
The military commander paused not, and continued to declare: "In the Battle of Qingyu Ridge, he successfully held the key pass to Ice Sea County, causing the enemy’s plans to completely fail.
This directly kept the main enemy forces out, stabilizing the northern defensive line.
According to the military department’s evaluation, although the results were not as large-scale as those of the previous two noble counts,
Under extremely scarce resources, lack of manpower, and no reinforcements, Baron Calvin achieved the most extraordinary success of the campaign."
Nobles exchanged glances, many showing complicated expressions.
They put themselves on that battlefield, in the shoes of the young noble.
Honestly, if it were themselves, it might be far from achievable.
Gradually, the whispers changed in tone.
"...He’s truly skilled."
"Being ranked third is deserved."
"Though young, his courage and judgment... are remarkable."
"Indeed, if Qingyu Ridge were lost, the entire campaign would have been even longer."
More and more nobles looked at the young man standing in front, with a bit of respect in their eyes.
And those who were previously disdainful quietly closed their mouths, changing to smiling faces.
Calculating in their minds, should they try to approach this young baron proactively at the ball later?
After all, a truly capable noble is welcomed anywhere as long as there’s no animosity.
However, a few still mumbled sourly.
"Hmph, it’s ultimately just good luck," a young noble coldly chuckled, "If I had this chance, I might have fought even better."
But before he could finish, an older Count beside him cast a cool glance, "Stop boasting, would you dare to lead your hundred men to charge Snow Swearers?"
The young noble turned red and dared not say another word.
As the crowd quieted down a little, the military commander continues to proclaim loudly:
"Baron Calvin, for demonstrating extraordinary bravery and strategy in the Battle of Qingyu Ridge, the Duke awards the following —
A ’Shield of the North’ military merit medal.
Twenty thousand Imperial Gold Coins as prize.
An additional one thousand square kilometers of fief, near the existing territory.
Eight hundred war horses, one thousand five hundred infantry standard spears, five hundred heavy shields..."
This announcement left the entire hall in silence.
Even those who had witnessed the rewards for the previous two counts couldn’t help but gasp.
"That’s way too much..."
"A new fief of one thousand square kilometers, that’s a scale even a Viscount might not have."
"And the Shield of the North? At this age, he gets this?"
Standing in the front, Louis listened to the rewards being read out, outwardly calm as water.
But under his sleeve, his hand quietly clenched.
A fief of one thousand square kilometers, that’s three times bigger than his Red Tide Territory, practically a potential Viscount starter pack.
As for the gold coins, warhorses, and weapons, they directly formed an elite force for him in terms of combat capability.
And that Shield of the North is no ordinary war trinket.
It’s awarded only to the nobles and leaders with outstanding battle achievements.
The family flag of the recipient would be hung in the Northern Battle Banner Gallery, remembered forever.
It’s a coveted honor symbol for all Northern Lords and officers, one of the highest honors in the North.
Its actual effects are notable too; holders of this medal can directly attend the war-time Noble Council in the North, even having a say, with treatment akin to that of a Count-level advisor representative.
Simultaneously, the Empire will provide military supplies to their fief as a priority.
Besides, each year they’ll receive an annuity of two thousand gold coins from the Empire’s finances, for fief development or personal use.
Perhaps it’s of little use to the two previous counts but to Louis, it represents the highest honor and reward.
Even though he was mentally prepared, he couldn’t help but admit, this reward was indeed too heavy.
No matter how turbulent Louis’s heart was, as he stepped onto the podium, his expression remained calm and composed.
Among the back seats, some nobles seeing him for the first time couldn’t help but exclaim softly.
"So young?"
"He actually looks younger than my youngest son."
"How did he manage it?"
Seated in the front, Lord Jorn listened to these whispers, a few gleams of pride on his face, "Baron Calvin is nineteen this year."
The expressions of those around subtly changed.
Nineteen years old, and he’s accomplished such merits...
On stage, Duke Edmund personally placed the ’Shield of the North’ medal on Louis’s chest.
The silver-blue shield-shaped badge glistened under the lights.
"Well done, Baron Calvin." Edmund patted him on the shoulder, "You’ve proven yourself with this victory."
He paused then added, "I’ve submitted a title reward application to His Majesty the Emperor for you, requesting a Viscount title."
Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent again.
Louis bowed slightly, "Thank you, Duke."
He didn’t show much emotion as if it all was just as it should be.