Extreme Cold Era: Shelter Don't Keep Waste
Chapter 120: Enfeoffment Ceremony

Chapter 120: Chapter 120: Enfeoffment Ceremony

Although everyone at the Eagle’s Beak Cliff forward base was gathered, making it look lively, from the standpoint of scale and the identity of participants, Perfikot’s Northern Guardian enfeoffment ceremony seemed especially humble and improper.

According to the tradition of the Victor Empire, such a ceremonial enfeoffment of guardianship should take place in the Imperial capital with Her Majesty the Empress personally attending and reading the enfeoffment document to be deemed formal.

Those eligible to attend such a ceremony are, if not ministers of the Empire, at least nobles with prestigious titles.

Yet, although there were many Knights present, esteemed nobles with significant status, apart from Perfikot herself, were only the court envoy there to read the enfeoffment document, who himself simply held a knight’s title.

However humble and improper this enfeoffment ceremony might be, as long as the enfeoffment document is genuine, once read publicly, it goes into effect, imbued with all the power conferred by the Empire’s law.

Perfikot formally became the youngest guardian in the history of the Victor Empire, endowed with power over life and death throughout the Northern Territory.

But for Perfikot, such power holds little meaning and is not her focus.

As the newly appointed Northern Guardian, her primary concern was how to advance her plans and manage the Northern expansion plan imposed on her by the Crisis Management Committee.

Despite thoroughly planning her original strategies, the imposition of the Northern expansion plan disrupted all her arrangements.

In response, Perfikot adjusted her plans to minimize the adverse impact this so-called Northern expansion plan might have on her strategies.

The Eagle’s Beak Cliff base, originally built under the guise of "Arctic research" as an outpost for studies related to survival in extreme cold environments, despite an anticipated expansion in Perfikot’s plans, would not become a significantly large town.

Its scale isn’t suitable as the residence for the Northern Guardian, nor could it serve as the administrative hub for the Northern Territory.

Yet, Perfikot doesn’t plan to change the existing layout of Eagle’s Beak Cliff, knowing the surrounding terrain and resources preclude its expansion into a major town with administrative capabilities.

The future administrative capital for the Northern Territory must be located elsewhere.

Thankfully, Perfikot never intended to settle for just one city; designated sites from previous explorations could now be utilized.

She plans to build a city with administrative functions to oversee the region, serving also as a hub for transporting Empire immigrants and support materials across different Northern outposts.

Moreover, she needs a fortress to house troops, factories to produce various goods, and greenhouse farms for food supplies...

In Perfikot’s vision, future survival functions wouldn’t converge into one city but distribute across several, keeping control over each.

Regarding the Northern expansion plan, she only needs to issue expansion documents, allowing those holding the documents to establish new settlements, sourcing resources from these cities.

This way, none could exist independently, reliant on others, and by controlling these key cities, Perfikot could govern the entire Northern Territory.

In Perfikot’s scheme, the Eagle’s Beak Cliff base maintains its original design, merely repurposed as a research center.

After unveiling her vision for the Northern Territory’s future to everyone, Perfikot turned to Oliver, who had been waiting for some time, and said, "Oliver White, please step forward."

Upon Perfikot’s call, Oliver hurriedly approached her, then knelt on one knee.

Perfikot drew the ceremonial sword signifying her Northern Guardian authority, placed it upon Oliver’s shoulder, and proclaimed, "By the power vested in me by Her Majesty the Empress, I, Perfikot Brandelis, Guardian of the Northern Territory, Count of Exploration, hereby knight Oliver White as Pioneer Knight of the North.

Let all bear witness! I grant you the sword, not to incite slaughter, but to remind you of your duty to the country.

I grant you the ring, not for profit, but to remind you of your noble identity.

Today, I entrust you with my utmost trust, granting you not only supreme power and status but irreplaceable responsibility.

May you fulfill your duties for the Victor Empire and contribute to the Northern Territory!"

"I, Oliver White, solemnly vow: loyalty is my honor, justice is my mission. My honor lies not in coronation but in sacrificing for my country; my duty lies not in monetary gain but in combatting rogues for my beliefs. Today I swear, and throughout this life I shall uphold." Despite being a practical man usually, Oliver delivered his oath with solemnity in this dignified setting.

Perfikot tapped Oliver’s shoulder twice with the sword, then handed the ceremonial sword to the elderly steward nearby, extending her right hand adorned with the emblem ring towards Oliver.

Understanding Perfikot’s nature, Oliver didn’t feign excessive gratitude, but solemnly kissed the face of the emblem ring without touching her hand.

Perfikot was pleased with Oliver’s astuteness, promptly withdrew her hand, stamped her emblem ring onto the prewritten expansion document’s wax seal, and handed it to Oliver.

Witnessing this scene, the others present couldn’t help but envy.

Becoming a Pioneer Knight meant inheritable lands, a significant allure for nobles.

Even the court envoy nearby couldn’t resist asking Perfikot, "Count, if it’s possible, could I inquire whether you need a court advisor?"

"A court advisor?" Perfikot paused at the envoy’s inquiry, then nodded, saying, "Though my elderly steward is loyal and trustworthy, I indeed need an advisor versed in court etiquette and noble lore. Would you be interested in the role?"