A full month had passed since Louis first set foot in Crimson Tide Territory. Now he stood atop a hastily constructed wooden platform, looking down at the gathered crowd below.

Twelve knights in iron armor flanked him on both sides, their disciplined posture making their lord's figure all the more imposing in the firelight.

*Hwooo!* A horn blast split the night sky. Crimson Tide Territory's commendation ceremony had officially begun.

Over thirty knights dropped to one knee, left fists pressed to their chests, right hands gripping their swords. In unison, they recited the oath Louis had drafted in advance:

"We believe in the Dragon Ancestor and follow the Lord of the Crimson Tide! Loyal to Louis Calvin, we swear by blood and sweat to defend the glory of Crimson Tide!"

The solemn words thundered across the square, and the crowd erupted in a deafening cheer. Soldiers pounded their shields. Farmers raised hoes and staffs. Even children joined in the fervent roar.

Louis raised a hand. The clamor subsided, and every pair of eyes fixed on the young lord.

Only then did Louis speak.

"It has been one month since we arrived at Crimson Tide Territory. One month ago, this land was barren and desolate. We faced poverty, hunger, blizzards, and wild beasts."

He paused, his gaze traveling across the faces of his people.

"But now, we have weathered the first crisis—thanks to all of you. You built the first shelters, so that children and the elderly no longer sleep exposed to the wind and snow. You hauled the first river fish from the water to fill your brothers' and sisters' bellies. You broke ground on the first fields and sowed the first seeds, planting hope in this barren soil."

His voice swelled with conviction. "All of this—because of you! Your sweat has brought this frozen land back to life!"

In the crowd, many clenched their fists, their eyes reddening with emotion. When had they ever heard a lord credit his people with the glory? In the past, not being whipped was already a blessing.

Louis swept his gaze across the square. "And of course, merit deserves reward. In Crimson Tide Territory, no matter who you are—if you work hard enough, if you are loyal enough, you will receive what you are due. Now, I will honor the heroes who have made outstanding contributions to this land."

Silence fell. Every breath was held.

"Agricultural Officer Mick."

The perpetually stoop-shouldered middle-aged man stumbled forward, his mud-stained boots slipping on the wooden steps. But when he raised his eyes to his lord, the spine that had been bent for decades straightened.

"Mick, you optimized our farming methods and brought life back to this barren soil." Louis extended a hand toward the fields already taking shape in the distance. "I hereby formally promote you to Chief Agricultural Supervisor, granting you greater jurisdiction over our farmland and an additional plot for experimental cultivation."

Tears slid down Mick's face. "Thank you, my lord."

Thunderous applause erupted. Farmers cheered with fierce pride.

"Craftsman Representative Mac."

An old man, his skin darkened by the sun, strode onto the platform with pride written across his face.

"You have demonstrated extraordinary talent in architectural design, making our homes sturdier and warmer, laying the foundation for our territory's growth." Louis gestured toward the rows of semi-sunken dwellings surrounding the square. "I grant you authority to lead the craftsman teams and allocate additional funding."

Mac trembled with emotion. "I will not let you down, my lord!"

"Fisheries Officer Luke…"

One by one, over a dozen individuals were called to the platform—knights, craftsmen, hunters, farmers. Most had been born lowly, some even slaves.

Louis personally pinned a hand-carved wooden medal onto each recipient. The materials were crude, given their limited resources, but every honoree cradled the medal like the most precious thing in the world.

"These people have poured their sweat and blood into Crimson Tide Territory's prosperity. Let us honor them with our applause!"

The ovation crashed like thunder.

Those honorees straightened their backs, tears of pride glistening in their eyes as the firelight caught the gleam of their medals. They were ordinary fishermen, hunters, craftsmen—even lowly slaves. And now they stood before the eyes of all, receiving the highest praise Crimson Tide Territory could bestow. A feeling they had never experienced in their entire lives. If Louis asked them to walk through fire right now, they would do it without hesitation.

"And for everyone else who has contributed," Louis continued, "you too deserve our recognition."

Applause swelled once more—this time not just for those on the platform, but for every soul present. Because each of them, in their own way, was making Crimson Tide Territory stronger.

Then Louis's gaze swept over those still wearing slave brands—ragged and anxious, with fragile hope glimmering in their eyes.

"Today, I will also fulfill another promise."

The slaves' hearts hammered. The air itself seemed to freeze.

"The following individuals…" Louis read out a list of names.

Those called stood frozen in disbelief until someone beside them nudged them forward. They ascended the platform, trembling.

"Today, you are officially granted your freedom." Louis gestured, and knights stepped forward to burn their slave documents.

The newly freed dropped to their knees, sobbing, smashing their foreheads against the ground in gratitude.

For the slaves who hadn't been called, complex emotions flickered in their eyes—envy, regret, but above all, hope. *If I perform just a little better, next time it'll be my turn.*

"Loyalty and talent matter more than bloodline," Louis declared, his voice ringing across the square. "From this day forward, Crimson Tide Territory will establish a regular reward system. All who contribute shall receive what they are owed!"

The square erupted. Climbing out of their station was no longer a distant fantasy—it was within reach.

"To Crimson Tide Territory's prosperity—cheers!" Louis raised his cup, the liquor catching the firelight.

"Cheers!" A thousand voices answered as one, shaking the night.