As Derek watched the barbarians retreat, he finally let out a sigh of relief. Soon, the noble landowners returned, bringing with them newly formed troops to reclaim lost territories. Naturally, some would face unfortunate consequences—titles might be stripped, lands seized, depending on the circumstances.
In the future, no one would dare underestimate the barbarians, and border defenses would be significantly strengthened. For now, the Second Legion's several thousand-man squads took over the defense, guarding against any further barbarian invasions.
Derek's future looked bright. The other captains he handed over to had been exceedingly accommodating. Everyone knew that their statuses would soon change. Upon returning to Iron Wall City with his orders, Derek was met with great acclaim. Two thousand-man squads were even allowed to enter the city and attend a feast. In a way, he had saved the city.
The adulation was overwhelming, and Derek felt somewhat elated. However, his memories of the past life continually reminded him that the more celebrated the moment, the more humility was required. With the spotlight on him, jealousy was inevitable. While the current admiration was blinding, it might bring trouble once the attention waned. Humility and discretion could help avoid many problems. Yet, youth and ambition required their own assertion.
Perhaps this was the essence of acting prominently in deeds while remaining modest in demeanor? Derek constantly reflected on this, adjusting his approach based on his past experiences, which earned him much praise.
This moment of acclaim reached its peak when he was received by Governor Jeffery. The war had ended, and the halo of the North's leading figure had returned to the Governor, who was the ruler of millions in the North and could influence the fate of any individual. Even powerful earls had to bow to him.
Legally, he was the kingdom's governor, the highest authority in the region. He controlled the military, managed civil affairs, collected taxes, and even exercised the king's right to summon nobles. Despite his high status, the Governor was still just a court noble, a check and balance imposed by the king. While he held power, maintaining that prominence after stepping down was difficult.
Derek did not need to consider these matters now; his fate was in the hands of the Governor. Therefore, he remained humble, showing a respectful and fearful expression when greeted by the Governor.
"Knight Derek, I have already dispatched a letter of commendation to the capital by express courier. Your rewards will be issued soon. For now… let me host a banquet in honor of the Northern heroes."
"Not at all, not at all. This victory is not mine alone. It is thanks to the assistance of the First and Second Legions, the steadfast defense of the Iron Lion Legion and the City Guard, and the support of the Northern nobles. This is the achievement of all, not just mine."
Derek's humble response was surprising. His previous display of grandeur at Iron Wall City led many to think him arrogant. Although a bit of arrogance could be accepted given his achievements, long-term arrogance might breed resentment. Instead, his humility won smiles from all present.
Regardless of the reality, Derek's words suggested that everyone had contributed, which could mitigate the penalties for the defeated nobles, possibly reducing them to fines. Derek's share of the credit would not be diminished, and people would even hype up his achievements to ensure he received his due recognition.
Governor Jeffery gave Derek a deep look, increasing his grip slightly. "Well said. I've heard of the Northern knights' prowess, and today I have witnessed it myself."
The Governor warmly led Derek into the banquet, personally placing him at the guest of honor's seat and helping him remove his armor. This political display was also a notable event for Derek, who naturally cooperated throughout.
"Everyone, thanks to the Northern forces and Knight Derek's assistance, we repelled the barbarians. Let's drink to that."
The Governor, a seasoned politician, managed to spin the narrative into a positive light. To outsiders, it might seem like the Kingdom of Loch had invaded the barbarians. Everyone was eager to cooperate, especially since the early war was embarrassing, and the current focus was on covering it up.
Amid the celebration, Derek gained more insight into politics. Sometimes, what appears negative might be perceived differently, and understanding this is crucial for gaining real power. Achievements and fame are valuable, but they are not the sole keys to power. Mastery of the world's rules requires gradual learning and adaptation.
The banquet concluded in a warm and festive atmosphere, with the Northern province enjoying a state of peace. Recent war scars seemed to have been completely erased. People were keen to downplay the conflict's impact—some unfortunate souls had perished, and a group of peasants had been taken away. The nobles remained nobility, and the Northern province continued as it was.
Derek finally met his second brother, who had been quickly appointed as a centurion, crossing the threshold of lower officer ranks. The Iron Lion Legion, the standing army of the Northern province, had expanded from three thousand to five thousand and was likely to expand further.
Sergei still had a chance to advance further, depending on the efforts of Baron Ferreira. For now, he was more concerned about his brother.
"Derek, you've truly become famous this time. Everyone is asking about you," Sergei said excitedly, sharing in his brother's success.
He inquired in detail about the war and praised Derek's strategic acumen, noting how Derek had led the barbarians into a trap and his troops' unexpected combat effectiveness. From the post-war analysis, it was clear the barbarians had suffered a significant defeat.
"I think the war isn't over yet. The barbarians' actions are very strange; there might still be trouble ahead. Brother, don't be careless," Derek expressed his concerns.
Sergei took Derek's warning seriously, recognizing that Derek was no longer a mere child. He trusted Derek's judgment but was uncertain about the barbarians' plans.
The brothers discussed the situation thoroughly but didn't come to any concrete conclusions. Soon after, a shocking piece of news arrived, followed by two consecutive orders from the capital.
The Holy Cross Kingdom had suffered a devastating blow. The barbarians launched a full-scale attack, annihilating the forces of Saint Milian Province. An entire province, with a population exceeding a million, had fallen into barbarian hands.
While the barbarians had faced setbacks in their campaign against the Lokian Kingdom, their triumph over the Holy Cross Kingdom was undeniable. In theory, this news should have been met with glee from their enemies, but from the perspective of the Southern Three Kingdoms, there was little cause for celebration. After all, the Southern Kingdoms shared the same ancestral roots—this was essentially a civil war. The barbarians, however, were a foreign threat.
The actions of the Barbarian Kingdom were shocking and unexpected. In just thirty years, the North had seen the rise of a new power. With two brutal wars and tens of thousands dead, the barbarians had firmly established themselves. The northern province's nobles and officials were still reeling from the news when two swift orders arrived from the capital.
The first order formally rewarded all those who had distinguished themselves in battle. The king's generosity was apparent. Derek was granted a hereditary barony, a court viscount title, and command of the newly formed Saint Milian Legion, consisting of 5,000 soldiers. However, these troops were merely carved out from the existing Second Legion, making the title largely symbolic. Still, the title alone made it clear what the king had in mind.
Moreover, Derek's fief was located in the Holy Cross Kingdom and was even larger than the lands held by the Ferreira family. Derek wasn't the only one to receive such rewards—many nobles and soldiers of merit were granted fiefs within the Saint Milian province. If one were to look at the map, nearly half of the province's land had been promised away by the king.
Before the northern nobles could voice their outrage, a second royal decree arrived: the Barbarian Kingdom's sovereignty was to be formally recognized, and diplomatic relations established. In exchange, the barbarians would cede control of the Saint Milian province to the Lokian Kingdom. It was now clear that the barbarian envoys had been waiting in the capital for some time.
Had the northern province fallen instead, it would have likely been the Holy Cross nobles receiving that land. But before Derek could reflect on the implications, both the king's envoy and a representative from the Noble Senate arrived. The royal envoy hastily performed the investiture ceremony, sparing Derek from the need to travel to the capital. The Senate also presented him with the insignia and crest that had been prepared in advance. When Derek first registered his title of knight, he had chosen the symbol of a two-headed dragon. At that time, he had only been permitted to use a triangular or swallowtail banner. Now, as a noble, he was entitled to the square flag of a baron.
The titles granted by the king were now formal: Derek was made Court Viscount and Baron of Augusta. Henceforth, he would be known as Feng Ferreira Augusta Derek, with the Augusta surname to be passed on to his descendants. His fief was located in the Augusta region of Saint Milian province. But with the imminent counterattack by the Holy Cross Kingdom, it seemed likely that this fief would soon be lost. That prospect was maddening.
"Viscount Derek, you must depart immediately. His Majesty eagerly awaits good news," the royal envoy pressed him. In reality, the Lokian Kingdom had little time. The Holy Cross Kingdom had been preparing its counteroffensive since the barbarians first invaded. They hadn't expected to be routed so badly, nor had they anticipated the Lokian involvement. Regardless, the Saint Milian province had to be reclaimed, and the burden of doing so now fell squarely on the Lokian Kingdom—or more specifically, on unfortunate souls like Derek.
Frankly, the king's tactics were less than honorable. Initially, the barbarians were the intended target. But with Saint Milian province suddenly within reach, the focus shifted. The barbarians clearly intended to play both sides, hoping for a fight between two powerful enemies. But once that struggle began, it couldn't be easily stopped.
That evening, the governor called for an urgent meeting with the nobles and officials. Many looked at Derek with pity—they had already heard the news. While it was uncertain whether the Saint Milian province could be retained, a prolonged war seemed inevitable. The Holy Cross Kingdom would not simply accept this loss.
The governor cleared his throat, visibly uneasy. The king's sudden change of plans had caused him significant trouble. His gaze swept across the room, from the generals to nobles like Derek. Some faces were filled with rage, while others remained expressionless.
"Ahem, the fall of Saint Milian province was indeed unexpected, and it's clear what the barbarians are aiming for. But this is an unprecedented opportunity. If not for their surprise attack, Saint Milian province would never have fallen so easily," the governor began.
He wasn't wrong. Had the Lokian army mobilized earlier, Saint Milian would have been better fortified. Only the barbarians, long ignored by the greater powers, had the chance to strike such a blow. Indeed, this was a rare and invaluable opportunity. Yet the king's actions had been less than fair.
Facing the room's silent tension, the governor awkwardly pressed on. "Rest assured, for the next three years, no governor will be appointed to Saint Milian province, and no taxes will be collected. The kingdom will fully support the region with food, supplies, and population replenishment."
The kingdom clearly understood that the barbarians would not make this easy. Food, people, and all kinds of resources would need to be supplied by the crown. Yet compared to what was to be gained, this investment was worthwhile. The nobles' expressions softened somewhat.
Earl Pereira gestured for Derek to approach him. "This time, I will be leading the expedition, merging the First and Second Legions into one force. Combined with your Saint Milian Legion and the private armies of the other nobles, we'll have around 20,000 to 30,000 men. But we'll be facing the first wave of the Holy Cross Kingdom's counterattack. Our reinforcements from the kingdom won't arrive for at least three to five months. What are your thoughts?"
The pressure on Earl Pereira was immense. One misstep, and the Saint Milian province would be lost. Derek thought for a moment before responding cautiously, "I'll need to assess the situation once we arrive in Saint Milian province. But we must also be prepared for the possibility of the barbarians turning on us."
"Indeed, we cannot rule out the chance of the barbarians making a sudden move. However, we must also take swift control of Saint Milian province and prepare for what's to come."
The possibility of the barbarians switching sides and attacking the northern province was very real. Even if the handover went smoothly, there was little time to prepare for the inevitable counterattack from the Holy Cross Kingdom.
Derek had already steeled himself for what was to come. "If the barbarians refuse to cooperate, we'll have to show them we're not to be trifled with. They want to pit us against the Holy Cross Kingdom to create space for their own expansion. But if that's their plan, they won't dare provoke us outright."
The barbarians had their own fears, and Derek intended to exploit them. His strategy was always sharp and decisive. Earl Pereira hadn't considered this angle, but now, he smiled. "Very well. I'll hand over the troops to you as soon as possible. You'll head out ahead of us and weigh the strength of the barbarians for me."