Based on the location he had selected, Louis secured three hundred square kilometers of Northlands territory as his initial colonization domain.

He named it Crimson Tide Territory.

The name came from two sources: House Calvin's crest was a deep crimson red, and it served as a tribute to the homeland he could never return to.

In Duke Edmund's eyes, this patch of land was merely somewhat more livable than other parts of the Northlands.

But in the eyes of Louis, armed with the Daily Intelligence System, it was practically the Holy Land of the Northlands. A place blessed by luck itself.

First, the river running through the territory saw fish migrations every spring and autumn to spawn. The food supply was essentially guaranteed.

Fish were high-calorie, high-protein. Enough to feed his subjects and supply his soldiers as well.

He might even luck into magical fish like the Northern Crystal Cod.

Second, the territory had geothermal vents, a feature almost miraculous in the Northlands.

They would raise the soil temperature enough to grow hardy crops, and they could even help people survive the most brutal winter months.

These crops, combined with the fish, would be enough to feed his people with surplus to sell. Food, after all, was the single most expensive commodity in the Northlands.

And those geothermal vents also fed a few small hot springs.

While everyone else froze and shivered in the biting northern winds, he could soak in a hot spring and sip warm soup. Just imagining it felt good.

But what truly made his pulse race was the territory's mineral wealth.

Cold Iron deposits were unremarkable. Common enough in the Northlands and essential for forging weapons and armor.

What mattered was that a Mana Marrow vein lay hidden at the territory's edge, still undiscovered.

Mana Marrow was like sulfur from his previous life: the key ingredient for manufacturing explosives, highly sought after by alchemists.

Of course, he still lacked the capital to mine it, and his power was still too weak to fend off covetous eyes.

But one day, he would shake the world with this resource.

Blowing up knights with magical gunpowder. Now that would be something.

Rich food sources. Warm geothermal heat. Mineral veins. Mana Marrow. This place was a gift from the heavens. It didn't even feel like it belonged in the Northlands.

And his instincts told him the potential of Crimson Tide Territory went far beyond what he could currently see.

Duke Edmund watched Louis standing there, clutching his colonization permit with a grin that hadn't yet faded. "Why don't you stay for a meal?" he said, his tone amused.

Louis snapped out of his euphoric daze. He cleared his throat and composed himself.

But he had one more thing to do before leaving. He motioned for his knights to bring in two crates.

When the first crate opened, three live Northern Crystal Cod came into view, their silver scales shimmering with a faint glow in the firelight.

Duke Edmund's eyes lit up instantly.

Northern Crystal Cod. Even he, the governor of the Northlands, struggled to obtain such a rare treasure. And this kid had brought three at once.

The fish were not only exquisitely tender; more importantly, the essence in their bones could strengthen a knight's body and blood, especially for those stuck at a bottleneck.

His daughter happened to be stuck at the threshold of low-stage Elite Knight. With the aid of these fish, her chances of breaking through would skyrocket.

Before Edmund could even speak, Louis smiled and said, "These three fish are my gift to you, Your Grace. A gesture of goodwill."

Duke Edmund blinked, then looked at the young man with a complicated expression.

To give away something so precious without hesitation. Was this kid really that generous?

Even Edmund himself found such treasures impossible to come by, let alone casually give away.

But before the Duke could dwell on it, Louis opened the second crate, revealing another three Northern Crystal Cod.

Louis grinned. "These three are for negotiation."

"You cunning little brat." Edmund finally laughed, this time with genuine appreciation. "What do you want?"

Louis didn't hesitate. "I need people. Slaves, soldiers, craftsmen, and knights."

Those words confirmed something for Edmund: this young man hadn't come to the Northlands to drift aimlessly and wait to die. He was genuinely intending to build something here, to carve out his own power in this frozen wasteland.

Edmund's eyes glinted with amusement. "How many?"

"The more the better. Of course, I wouldn't want Your Grace to come out the worse for it."

"Ambitious, aren't you? Buy your own slaves at the market. For soldiers, I can give you fifty."

"One hundred and fifty." Louis held up his fingers.

"Too greedy." Edmund shook his head. "One hundred and twenty at most. I happen to have a batch of raw recruits who haven't finished training. I'm not giving you any veterans. Thirty craftsmen. Any more and you'd think I'm running a charity."

Louis sighed and nodded. "Fair enough. And knights? Preferably Formal Knights."

Edmund snorted. "Formal Knights? Dream on."

"Apprentice Knights, then?"

The Duke's fingers paused. He considered for a moment, then spoke. "Ten Apprentice Knights. Three Formal Knights. They'll follow your orders, but they still serve the Northlands."

Louis's lips curled upward. He extended his hand. "Deal."

Edmund glanced at him and shook his hand with a chuckle. "Cunning brat. Try not to die too fast."

After the bargaining, Louis had traded six Northern Crystal Cod for exactly the talent he needed most. He looked at the list in his hands, the corner of his mouth lifting.

One hundred and twenty soldiers. Raw, but usable. With proper training, they'd form a competent garrison.

Thirty craftsmen. Not many, but enough to build homes, roads, and infrastructure, laying the foundation of Crimson Tide Territory.

And ten Apprentice Knights plus three Formal Knights substantially reinforced his knight contingent.

The deal had succeeded beyond expectations. Duke Edmund was far more generous than Louis had anticipated.

Whatever the case, he now had what he needed most.

With the territory contract signed, Edmund looked up at Louis, still standing there. "The deal is done. What are you still doing here? Waiting for a farewell banquet?"

Louis smiled and made to leave.

"However." Edmund paused, his tone suddenly meaningful. "You'd best visit the slave market and buy some slaves. Given the state of your territory, relying on drifters alone won't be enough."

Louis raised an eyebrow. Even without the reminder, he'd planned to go. After all, two talented individuals were waiting for him at that market.

Edmund turned to an official standing nearby. "Take him there. Make sure the merchants don't try to fleece him."

"Yes, my lord." The official bowed, then gestured for Louis to follow.

Louis inclined his head. "My thanks for Your Grace's generosity."

The Duke waved a hand, dismissing him.