The next morning, after the speech from the night before, the knights' demeanor had noticeably shifted.

They no longer went through the motions mechanically. Their movements were sharper, and a new spark of determination glinted in their eyes.

Some took the initiative to inspect their gear. Others debated the situation in the Northlands. A few even started thinking about how to fortify the camp.

The dream Louis had painted still seemed distant, of course.

But compared to drifting numbly toward death, having a goal to chase was far better.

Louis knew full well that a passionate speech alone wouldn't permanently change their mindset.

Without tangible rewards, their morale would burn out just as quickly as it had flared up.

He needed to deliver real benefits, now, and give these knights genuine hope.

…

The ice river stretched ahead, the bitter wind slicing across its surface.

The knights stared down at the thick sheet of ice beneath their feet, exchanging doubtful glances.

"Can we really catch fish here?" someone muttered.

"The lord said so. Might as well try." Lambert hefted his iron hammer and brought it crashing down against the ice.

Many of the knights laughed inwardly.

Did their lord actually believe you could just pick any river, crack open a hole, and pull out fish? Far too naive.

But no one dared defy Louis's orders, so they followed his instructions. Weapons rose and fell, shattering the ice.

*Thud! Thud! Thud!*

Before long, a narrow fissure split open, and dark, freezing river water surged up through it.

A large net was lowered into the depths. Everyone held their breath, eyes locked on the crack.

Then the rope snapped taut.

"Pull!"

Silver light flashed. A Northern Crystal Cod burst out of the water and thrashed wildly across the ice.

"Heavens above. There really are fish!"

"Quick! Haul them in! Don't let them escape!"

The knights threw themselves into the work, shouting with excitement as they hauled at the nets.

Cast after cast, fish after fish. Gleaming silver Northern Crystal Cod were dragged onto the ice, their scales flashing brilliantly in the morning sun.

Someone counted. Twelve in total.

At that moment, a more seasoned knight shouted with excitement, "These are Northern Crystal Cod! A treasure found only in the most frigid waters! Their bones can purify a knight's bloodline and enhance their strength!"

The knights' breathing quickened.

They understood exactly what that meant: not just an immediate boost in power, but an expansion of their potential as knights.

This was the kind of treasure even nobles might only taste a handful of times in their entire lives. If they could just have a sip…

And then, just as they were lost in that fantasy, Louis's casual voice cut through the air. "Half of these are for you. We'll make fish soup."

Those few words hit the ranks like a thunderclap.

This was something none of them had ever dared to dream of. Knights like them, exiled to the Northlands—when had they ever received such generosity?

The knights erupted.

"My lord, are you serious?!" One knight's head snapped up, his voice shaking. "This… this is Northern Crystal Cod! Nobles in the south might go their whole lives without ever tasting it!"

"Long live the lord!"

Excitement, shock, disbelief. Every emotion swirled together and burst out as a chorus of praise.

Before long, a large pot was set over the bonfire. The bubbling fish soup churned and frothed, releasing a rich, savory fragrance.

Once fully cooked, the soup took on a faint silver-white hue, with tiny motes of light drifting through the broth.

When it was rich and ready, bowl after bowl was ladled out and pressed into the knights' hands.

"Can we… really drink this?" One knight clutched his wooden bowl, his hands trembling—not from fear, but sheer disbelief.

"Quit talking and drink!" Louis grabbed his own bowl and downed it without hesitation.

The hot liquid slid down his throat, and energy surged from his stomach outward through every limb. An invisible warmth scoured the impurities from his bloodstream.

Seeing this, the other knights could no longer hold back. They raised their bowls and gulped down the broth.

The moment that heat hit their throats, every one of them stiffened. Something inside them had awakened.

Without a word, they dropped into seated positions, closed their eyes, and began cycling their Breathing Arts with fierce concentration. They absorbed every wisp of that strange energy, terrified of wasting even a single drop.

Some shuddered as they felt the deepest layers of their bloodline being cleansed, a lightness spreading through their bodies that they had never known.

Others clenched their jaws against the searing heat roiling within them, their very bones seeming to be reforged.

The camp fell utterly silent, save for the steady rhythm of breath after breath, building into an unseen resonance.

Then a sudden cry shattered the stillness.

"M-my body…" A young Apprentice Knight's eyes flew wide open. Within his pupils, a strange radiance flickered.

*Boom!*

A pale silver aura erupted from his body. The knights froze. "The presence of a Formal Knight! He… he broke through!"

The words hadn't even faded when another Apprentice Knight shuddered violently. Light spilled from him as well. He too had crossed the threshold.

Dead silence. Then chaos.

"This is insane!"

"Just one bowl of fish soup, and you can break through directly?!"

The way the knights looked at Louis transformed completely.

Just hours ago, they had questioned what right this worthless lord, exiled to the Northlands, had to lead them. Was his promise even real? Was the dawn he spoke of just another empty dream?

But now, every shred of doubt had melted into boundless reverence.

They had witnessed it with their own eyes: two Apprentice Knights breaking through to Formal Knight in a matter of minutes.

In the southern noble territories, that would have taken years of grueling cultivation and an enormous investment of resources. Here, it had taken nothing but a single bowl of soup.

And even those who hadn't advanced outright had still seen their strength climb significantly.

It defied belief. And it had all come from a simple gesture of Louis's hand. He had pointed, and treasure had materialized.

They had no way of knowing about the Daily Intelligence System. To them, Louis himself seemed blessed by divine providence.

But what struck them most deeply, beyond even the miracle itself, was that Lord Louis had so freely shared these Northern Crystal Cod with them.

A treasure even nobles could barely dream of touching, and he had handed it over without a second thought.

At that moment, gratitude swept through every knight present.

No one questioned the dream he had spun the night before. All their doubts had been swept aside. Now, a single purpose united them all: to rally behind Louis and march toward the bright future ahead.

"Long live the lord! Long live Lord Louis!" The knights roared in unison, their voices echoing across the frozen Northlands.

Lord Louis's generosity would never be forgotten!