A full month had passed since Vaerik arrived at the Crimson Tide Domain.
He now stood on a temporarily built wooden platform, looking down at the gathered people below.
Twelve knights in iron armor were arrayed on both sides, deliberately maintaining uniform postures, making the lord's figure appear more majestic in the firelight.
"Woo!"
As the horn sound broke through the night sky, the Crimson Tide Domain's comndation ceremony officially began.
Over thirty Crimson Tide Domain knights knelt on one knee.
They pressed their left fists to their chests, right hands gripping their knight swords, and recited in unison the oath that Vaerik had written in advance:
"We believe in the Dragon Ancestor and follow the Lord of the Crimson Tide!
Loyal to Vaerik Tudor, we swear with blood and sweat to defend the glory of the Crimson Tide!"
The powerful oath resounded throughout the square.
Then the entire square erupted in deafening cheers. Soldiers beat their shields, farrs raised their hoes and wooden staves, and even children excitedly shouted along.
Vaerik raised his hand slightly, signaling for quiet.
The clamor gradually subsided, and all eyes focused on the young lord.
Only then did Vaerik slowly begin: "We have been in the Crimson Tide Domain for a month now. A month ago, this was still a barren, desolate land.
We faced challenges of poverty, hunger, snow, and wild animal attacks."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the residents present.
"But now we have passed the first stage of crisis, thanks to all of you.
It was you who built the first cold-resistant houses, preventing children and the elderly from sleeping exposed to wind and snow.
It was you who caught the first river fish, filling the stomachs of our brothers and sisters.
It was you who reclaid the first farmland, sowed the first batch of seeds, giving this barren land hope."
"All of this is because of you!" Vaerik said passionately. "It is your sweat that has begun to bring life to this frozen land!"
In the crowd, most people clenched their fists upon hearing this, their eyes reddening with emotion.
When had they ever heard a lord attribute rit to commoners? In the past, not being whipped was already the greatest fortune.
Vaerik's gaze swept across the people in the square: "Of course, rit deserves reward. In the Crimson Tide Domain, no matter who you are, if you are hardworking enough, loyal enough, you will receive the reward you deserve.
Next, I will comnd those heroes who have made outstanding contributions to the Crimson Tide Domain."
As his words fell, the entire square instantly quieted, everyone holding their breath, their eyes fixed on the figure on the high platform.
"Agricultural Officer Mike."
The middle-aged man who always hunched his back stumbled forward, his old leather boots, dotted with mud, slipping on the wooden steps.
But when he looked up at the lord, his spine, which hadn't straightened in decades, beca perfectly straight.
"Mike, you optimized the land cultivation thods, bringing life to this barren land."
Vaerik pointed toward the already substantial farmland in the distance.
"Therefore, I officially promote you to Agricultural Superintendent, giving you greater authority over farmland, and grant you an additional plot of land for experintal planting."
Tears fell from Mike's face: "Thank you, my lord."
Enthusiastic applause erupted from the crowd, with many farrs excitedly cheering.
"Craftsman representative Mike."
An old man with skin blackened by the sun strode onto the stage, his face full of pride.
"You have demonstrated extraordinary talent in architectural design, making the houses of the Crimson Tide Domain sturdier and warr, laying the foundation for the territory's developnt."
Vaerik pointed toward the rows of semi-subterranean communal dwellings surrounding the square.
"Therefore, I have decided to grant you the authority to lead a team of craftsn, along with more financial support."
Mike trembled with excitent: "I will not disappoint your expectations!"
"Fishing Officer Luke."
...
More than ten people were subsequently called to the stage, with various identities—knights, craftsn, hunters, farrs...
Most of these people ca from humble origins, so even slaves.
Vaerik stepped forward, personally hanging a specially made labor dal on each award recipient.
Due to limited conditions, it was just a wooden dal carefully carved by a carpenter under Vaerik's direction.
However, the recipients held them carefully, afraid they might fall to the ground.
After the awarding was complete, Vaerik shouted to those below the stage: "These people have contributed sweat and blood to the prosperity of the Crimson Tide Domain, making enormous contributions. Let us thank them with applause!"
"Clap, clap, clap!"
Thunderous applause suddenly erupted, echoing throughout the square.
These award recipients straightened their backs, their eyes filled with emotional tears, their dals reflecting dazzling light in the bonfire's illumination.
They were just ordinary fishern, hunters, craftsn, even slaves of low status.
But at this mont, they stood under everyone's gaze, receiving the highest comndation of the Crimson Tide Domain.
This was a feeling they had never experienced in their lives.
If Vaerik asked them to climb mountains of knives or dive into seas of fire at this mont, they would not hesitate.
"Of course, there are others who have equally put in effort, and we also give them applause."
As soon as his words fell, applause erupted again, this ti not just for those on the high platform but for everyone present.
Because everyone was, in their own way, making the Crimson Tide Domain stronger.
Then Vaerik's gaze slowly swept across those in the square who wore tattered clothes and still bore slave brands.
They lowered their heads, their eyes flickering with light, their hearts filled with unease and expectation.
"Today I will also fulfill another of my promises."
The slaves' hearts suddenly raced, the air seemingly solidifying for a mont.
"The following people..."
Vaerik began to read a series of nas, all slaves who had perford excellently in labor, construction, and pioneering over the past month.
Those whose nas were called had faces filled with disbelief.
Only when pushed by those beside them did they react, trembling as they walked onto the stage.
"Today you officially gain your freedom."
Vaerik waved his hand, and knights ca forward to burn their slave certificates with fire.
They imdiately wept, kneeling and kowtowing to express their gratitude for Vaerik's kindness.
But at the sa ti, those slaves who had not yet been liberated had complex lights flickering in their eyes.
There was envy, regret, but more importantly, hope.
If they perford just a bit better, it would surely be their turn next ti.
"Loyalty and talent are more important than bloodline," Vaerik's voice echoed across the square.
"From today onward, the Crimson Tide Domain will establish a regular reward system. Anyone who contributes to the territory can receive corresponding rewards!"
These words made the square boil with excitent, with hope shining on everyone's faces.
Changing one's class was no longer an unreachable dream but a reality that could be achieved through effort!
"To the prosperity of the Crimson Tide Domain, cheers!" Vaerik raised his cup.
The strong liquor, reflecting the bonfire, was tinged with a layer of firelight.
"Cheers!"
Everyone raised their cups, letting out deafening cheers.
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