"Can you tell me why?"
Locke's quiet question made the five battalion captains' hearts jolt. Cold sweat instantly drenched their backs.
What had they been doing just now?
They had actually shown dissatisfaction toward a man who had effortlessly killed two Sanctuary experts?
"We apologize, Lord Locke. We were out of line."
Realizing this, the five battalion captains immediately dropped to one knee before Locke.
Their sudden action only irritated Locke.
Nothing annoyed him more than people speaking in riddles.
Back when he was weak, he had no choice but to guess at the intentions of the strong. But now? Within the entire Wakanda Plane, the number of beings stronger than him could be counted on one hand.
Under these circumstances, Locke snorted coldly.
"I asked why you were angry. And that's all you have to say to me?"
"This…"
The five captains exchanged glances. Finally, the oldest of them stepped forward.
"Lord Locke, according to His Majesty Celes' decree, any territory reclaimed during the war against the Radiant Temple becomes the domain of the legion commander responsible."
"Every legion commander who achieves victory will be granted the title of Grand Duke by His Majesty Celes."
"As for us, as your subordinates, if we swear fealty to you, we can become your private forces."
"A Grand Duke has the authority to confer titles: two Earls, five Viscounts, and twenty Barons."
"We wish to join the Tsunami Legion and follow you in fighting the Radiant Temple… because we hope to secure a future."
"So when Lord Locke said this land would be governed by nobles appointed by His Majesty… we thought our efforts had become meaningless."
"With our humble backgrounds, we would never be appointed or valued by newly sent nobles…"
"I see."
Upon hearing his explanation, Locke finally understood.
The land taken during the war became the domain of the legion commander.
The legion commander would rise instantly to become one of the most powerful nobles in the entire Frostsnow Empire—second only to His Majesty Celes.
Their families would also gain noble status.
No wonder Bolton, after stepping into the Sanctuary, insisted on pushing the campaign against the Radiant Temple—even though twenty years ago the Frostsnow Empire had already lost one Sanctuary and a hundred thousand soldiers.
Unfortunately, each campaign could only create one new Grand Duke. That explained why Bolton had been so hostile when Locke arrived.
If Bolton couldn't defeat Locke before news spread that Locke had been appointed commander, then no matter how this war turned out, the title of Grand Duke would fall to Locke.
Bolton would at best receive the rank of Earl.
And although an Earl was only one step below a Grand Duke, their statuses were worlds apart.
Throughout the entire Frostsnow Empire, including Locke now, there were only seven Grand Dukes.
But Earls? At least a hundred.
If Bolton only wanted to be an Earl, he wouldn't have struggled so hard to build the Tsunami Legion.
Anyone who became Sanctuary and was willing to serve His Majesty Celes could be granted the rank of Earl.
So… was he stupid?
Why would he willingly become someone else's subordinate?
Locke rubbed his chin, thinking deeply.
Was he going to become the Grand Duke of this territory?
No. Grand Duke or not, it made very little difference to him.
In this dangerous world, only strength could protect him and those he cared about.
Whether he became a Grand Duke or not, Locke would still cultivate. He had zero interest in governing territory.
With that thought settled, Locke turned to the five battalion captains.
"I understand your concerns."
"And it is only from your explanation that I learned this territory even belongs to me."
"As for whether I accept the title of Grand Duke… I need time to consider."
"For now, raise the Frostsnow Empire's banners across the entire territory as quickly as possible."
"When I've decided, I'll summon you."
"Yes, Lord Locke!"
The five captains were overjoyed. From Locke's tone, they could tell he seemed inclined to accept the title.
They knew Locke had risen from the common people—not from any noble family.
If Locke became a Grand Duke, the Tsunami Legion would surely become his most trusted private force.
At that point, the title of Earl would be beyond their reach…
But those five Viscount slots?
They definitely had a chance.
Who didn't want their descendants to be born into a better future?
After the five left the tent, Locke glanced at the Knight Commander lying in the corner.
With his external wounds healed, the man's bones remained shattered with no signs of recovery.
Unless a Radiant-element Sanctuary expert arrived to cast a healing forbidden spell, Locke had no way of fully restoring him.
Not that he planned to.
He only needed the man alive—not functional.
Confirming that the Knight Commander wouldn't wake anytime soon, Locke instructed the guard outside the tent, then flew into the sky, heading toward Pu'er Village.
Looking down at the landscapes below, Locke recalled how, after fleeing this battlefield and waiting months in the Vidia Territory, it had taken him nearly three months by carriage to return to Pu'er Village in the Enzo Territory.
But now, as a Sanctuary, flying through the skies… it had taken him less than five days.
A difference no ordinary person could comprehend.
Locke's return caused a wave of celebration throughout Pu'er Village.
The villagers were proud—one of their own had become a Sanctuary expert.
Locke spoke with them warmly, not putting on any airs, treating everyone as elders and neighbors.
Only after the crowd dispersed did he approach his parents.
"Father, Mother…"
He told them about being summoned by His Majesty Celes, becoming commander of the Tsunami Legion, and claiming victory against the Radiant Temple.
"So, Father, Mother… I came here to ask you—would you be willing to leave Pu'er Village and become nobles?"
…
Sorry everyone, something came up for Wuyou today, so there's only one chapter.
(End of chapter)
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