The semi-underground homes on both sides may not be luxurious, but they are orderly and unified, with dried herbs hanging on the window sills to repel insects and keep the cold at bay.

A group of simply dressed yet spirited children were playing around the well, while an elder sat chatting in a high-backed wooden chair by the door, his gaze gentle and fearless.

In the distance, a few patrolling knights with red and black capes were slowly making their rounds, their warhorses steady and their armor neat.

"Louis' territory is incredible..." Willis muttered to himself.

He had come all the way from Snow Wind Ridge.

Along the way, he had seen too many lords cloaked in nobility whose lands were like cesspools.

Forcibly recruiting labor, slaughtering common folk, with golden goblets and fine wine inside the castles while littered with corpses outside the city walls.

But now he witnessed with his own eyes a territory where people lived peacefully in the snow.

"This guy… actually managed to transform this barren wilderness into this state within a year?"

He tightened his grip on the reins, his brows furrowed, not in anger, but in deep admiration.

"I really underestimated him before."

He gazed at the castle, looking like it was clad in armor and entrenched in the snow, and exhaled a soft breath of white air.

"If I hadn't seen it myself, I could hardly imagine this was done by someone who a year ago was considered 'family dregs'."

As he marveled, a young guard in a red and black uniform approached.

He spoke with respectful and unassuming tone: "Lord Calvin, the Lord invites you to enter."

Willis nodded, said nothing more, just retied his cloak and rode forward.

As he ventured deeper into the core of the Red Tide Territory, the scenes within the city continued to astonish him.

Along the streets, neat wooden railings guided pedestrians, and the snow was cleared regularly.

Residents walked the streets without panic but with a peace in their expressions that seemed incongruous with the snow and wind of the Northern Territory, as if accustomed to the order and warmth of this place.

The castle of the Red Tide Territory loomed in front of him.

It was not as opulent as the family's southern mansion, nor did it have high towers or flying eaves, but its robust and solid construction was nonetheless impressive.

The castle gates slowly opened, and a faint warmth poured over him.

His heart trembled.

A fortress in the Northern Territory being able to achieve such room temperature?

Walking into the main hall, he felt his clothes stir; he sensed no cold, only a startling warmth.

The floor was covered with clean planks, the walls had warm tunnels, and a gentle fragrance wafted from a brazier not far away.

A few maids in Red Tide uniforms were bustling about in an orderly manner, not panicking, and even had the energy to nod and smile at him.

"No wonder even the Governor remembers him."

He finally realized that what he was facing was no longer a piece of family dregs, but a ruler who could truly create order and bring hope to the Northern Territory.

As he was examining the details of the hall, he heard gentle footsteps ahead.

Willis raised his head.

The person wore a simple dark suit and walked steadily, neither fast nor slow.

He saw the familiar yet unfamiliar face, eyes clear, expression calm, but accompanied by an undeniable solemnity and steadiness.

A stark contrast to the silent, always downcast little brother he remembered.

"Willis." Louis spoke, his voice calm and deep, "Welcome to Red Tide Territory."

Willis paused for a moment, then straightened his back and nodded slightly.

Louis was also watching him.

His gaze calm, but in his mind rapidly flipping through the fragmented information he had.

Willis Calvin, son of a household maid, from the periphery, always outside the core of power.

Steady and pragmatic, he made a mark in the military exams through self-study and hard work, one of the few in the family who built a foundation on his own merit.

This little information, but the Willis standing before him now had undergone a change hard to ignore from the details in his memory.

That face still held familiar contours, but there was a weariness in his brows, clearly having arrived after a long journey.

Louis squinted slightly.

It seemed he came prepared this time.

As for his intentions... that would depend on the conversation to follow.

Willis bowed his head in salute, with a courteous yet slightly reserved smile: "Long time no see, Louis... or rather, I should call you 'Lord Governor' now."

Then, almost inadvertently, his tone carried a tinge of emotion: "Red Tide Territory is truly an admirable place. Along my journey, among all the Northern Territories I've seen, none, big or small, compare to here. You've achieved more than anyone else."

As the conversation shifted, his voice lowered, carrying a bit of tentativeness: "The truth is, I came this time to seek a favor from you.

I am now considered a Pioneer Lord in the Northern Territory. My land is on the fringe of Snow Peak County, which, in the end, is still under your jurisdiction."

Willis raised his eyes slightly, his expression complex, pausing as though choosing his words carefully.

Then his tone softened: "I won't hide it from you, Louis, my territory... is terribly barren, the surrounding environment harsh, and both materials and manpower are scarce. It's the beginning phase now, with many difficulties...

Can you lend a hand at this critical moment, to help stabilize the initial situation? Be it resource allocation or any other support, I would be immensely grateful."

His words sounded humble, showing the helplessness and restraint of a Northern Lord forced to bow before reality.

Louis raised an eyebrow slightly, a little surprised.

Willis' attitude was much more low-key than he had expected, without a hint of provocation or pretended strength.

This made him quietly breathe a sigh of relief.

At least today wasn't for trouble.

He chuckled, his tone also easing: "Willis, no need to be so formal, what 'seeking a favor'—we're family, of course, I'll help with such matters."

He paused, his eyes becoming serious: "Your territory is just starting, it's understandably tough.

I'll arrange for craftsmen and teams to come over these days to help you set up the basics; let me know anything specific you need."

"Really... thank you, Louis." Willis visibly relaxed, the defenses on his face melting away, and a long-lost sense of relaxation and gratitude appeared in his eyes, "I owe you one."

"No need for so many formalities," Louis waved his hand, a smile at the corner of his mouth, "It's tough for everyone, and you building up a land is also helping me."

He stood up, patting Willis on the shoulder: "Do well, once you're stable over there, I'll come visit personally."

Willis nodded vigorously, his voice deep: "Alright, for sure!"

In the time that followed, the two chatted about some childhood family stories.

Though few, those shared memories eased the tense atmosphere somewhat.

"Do you remember when we sneaked to ride horses in the backyard and got caught by the old groom?" Willis shook his head with a smile, with a hint of self-mockery, "We were so naive, thinking hiding behind the firewood pile would keep us from being found."

Louis also chuckled: "I remember, you fell hard that day, but I was the one who got scolded in the end."

The two shared a glance, their laughter carrying a hint of complexity, not quite intimate, but at least there was a sense of long-missed familiarity.

As dusk fell, Willis originally intended to return the same night.

Louis said it naturally: "No need to rush, stay over tonight for a hot meal and leave tomorrow."

Willis hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "I'll take you up on that."

The atmosphere at the dinner table was much more relaxed than before, though not entirely heartfelt, at least without the previous barriers.

Looking at this brother he hadn't interacted much with in a long time, Louis surprisingly felt a touch of warmth in his heart.

After dinner, he leaned back against his chair, squinting slightly, and a thought suddenly crossed his mind.

With new lords like Willis arriving one after another, perhaps... it's a good time to hold a meeting.

Gather all these pioneers in Snow Peak County to formally establish his authority as Prefect?

His eyes lit up slightly, his fingers gently tapping on the table, and he began to calculate in his mind.

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