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For a moment, it still didn’t feel real, even though these two items existed tangibly in her hands.

From tonight onwards, the Morland Village where she was born, along with five nearby villages, would be her territory.

Perhaps some people would be unhappy about this, but the appointment letter bearing the Blood Vulture Clan’s great seal held considerable sway in the Transia region. As long as the Blood Vulture Clan remained here for a day, that place would be under her jurisdiction!

Thinking of this, Miriam couldn’t help but tighten her grip on the appointment letter.

A surge of excitement welled up within her.

At the young age of 24, she had already outpaced her peers’ career paths by at least forty years, if not an entire lifetime or two.

It was a pity that with her parents deceased and few friends, Miriam didn’t know who to share this joy that had fallen from the heavens.

“Tsk, I can’t help but feel like I’ve sold myself by the pound just for these two broken things.”

In the quiet night of the city, Miriam evaluated her decision earlier with a touch of sarcasm.

Afterwards, she took a deep breath, retrieved a plain small box from her spirit bag, and took out a somewhat dull silver-white bracelet, holding it before her eyes.

“Mom, I did it!”

Miriam stared at the bracelet, the only thing left by her mother, as it reflected a beautiful halo in the moonlight. After a few seconds, she pressed it to her forehead and said with a hint of weeping:

“I’ve finally made a name for myself! Although I haven’t risen to great heights, I’ve achieved half of the wish you had before you passed away. If you could see this, please share in this joy with me.”

“I say, do you Transians worship your ancestors by just praying anywhere you feel like it? Miss, would you mind looking around to see if anyone’s nearby before conveying your heart to your mother next time?”

A rather familiar voice, tinged with a hint of awkwardness, sounded from beside Miriam, causing the red-haired girl, who had been shedding tears, to start.

As she turned around, her hand now held a crimson hand cannon.

This was the weapon Murphy had previously obtained from Adele and given to her for self-defense.

With the gun barrel pointed at him, Lieutenant Frayzer raised his hands in resignation. Ignoring the danger before him, he calmly explained:

“I have to leave here tomorrow afternoon, so I must finish writing my investigation report tonight. But your celebration was quite noisy, so I had to find a quiet place to write it up. By rights, I found this spot first.

So, the one being disturbed isn’t you, Miss Miriam.”

“Sure enough, the Goldflower Kingdom is teeming with sneaky types like you.”

Miriam snorted, lowered her gun, then bent down to retrieve what had fallen to the ground. Lieutenant Frayzer politely stepped forward to help.

But when he saw that bracelet, the lieutenant’s brow suddenly furrowed.

That style… it felt somewhat familiar.

As an intelligence officer, Lieutenant Frayzer didn’t show his surprise.

He picked up the bracelet from the ground, carefully examined the style, committing it to memory, then returned it to Miriam, along with the Crimson Regent’s seal in his other hand. He joked:

“It seems that Lord Murphy has seen your potential and decided to promote you. If I’m not mistaken, you’re holding a peerage appointment letter there. It’s an ancient style. I vaguely remember our family library containing similar letter samples from around 400 years ago.

So, what should I call you now? Lady Miriam?”

“Whatever, I’m in a good mood today, so I won’t make a fuss with you.”

Miriam had no goodwill towards this man who had once tried to cause trouble in the camp she was managing, but her status as a fellow student prevented her from lashing out, so she could only respond coldly.

However, perhaps due to his impending departure, Lieutenant Frayzer seemed quite enthusiastic about conversing tonight. He politely gestured with a “please” motion and said to Miriam:

“I’m heading back to the camp. Why don’t we go together? It’s unbecoming for a lady to walk alone in such a night. I’ve heard that vampires are the race that values etiquette the most, but my observations these past few days seem to contradict that rumor.”

“That’s only because you’ve been observing the wrong subjects.”

Miriam replied casually:

“Lord Murphy and Lady Tris are not ‘normal’ vampires, but Miss Femis is the most well-mannered lady I’ve ever seen, a true model.

It’s a pity you came at the wrong time.

Speaking of which, Lieutenant, you’re not the type of man who can’t walk properly when he sees a lady, yet tonight you’re being so attentive towards me.

Is it because you’ve noticed my change in status and realized that I will be taking on more important responsibilities under Lord Murphy, so you’re trying to get on my good side in advance to make it easier for you to extract information from me in the future?”

“You are a most discerning lady, and I will not deny my intentions,” Frayzer chuckled lightly.

He glanced at the peerage appointment letter in Miriam’s hand and said:

“There is another reason, although the Carpe family has been rooted in the Anju region for over three hundred years, our ancestors were once a count in the Transia region, one of the 134 nobles during the founding of the Portia Federation.

No need to laugh, but our family still holds the land deed to a small forest bordering the northern Transia region and the Ice Bay region.

For this reason, the Carpe family is quite sensitive to changes in Transia’s nobility lineages. If nothing unexpected happens, you may see a representative from my family in the next few months.

I hope you’ll put in a good word for me then, and not give them too much embarrassment.

This does not represent any political intentions, merely a friendly liaison between families.

During the Blood Vulture Clan’s 400-year rule over these lands, the Silan nobles have maintained ties with this land in the shadows, an ancient tradition.

Moreover, Lady Tris firmly stated that my grandfather’s rise had something to do with her as well. I cannot confirm these rumors, but it does not prevent me from taking a personal interest in the newly-formed Blood Vulture Clan.”

“I see.”

Miriam nodded in realization.

She had heard some rumors about this before, but her commoner status had previously prevented her from accessing this level.

After the introduction from Frayzer, the heir of a great family, she finally understood how Kadman City of the Blood Vulture Clan could still receive a steady stream of supplies from outside, despite being surrounded by the entire Transia region.

These nobles really played their games elaborately.

And now, she too would be stepping into this circle, a thought that gave her a headache.

“In my opinion, you should seek advice from Professor Malcolm on this matter. His area of research can offer you many good suggestions.”

Lieutenant Frayzer continued:

“I can actually understand your choice.”

“Oh?”

Miriam blinked and asked, “Let me hear it, let me see what image you have of me.”

“It’s not as bad as you think, so you need not lace every sentence with thorns. The war is over, theoretically we are no longer enemies, and with the looming Black Disaster, we may even join hands to fight the enemy in the future.”

The lieutenant waved his hand and spoke loudly, as if chatting with a friend:

“In my view, your decision to serve Lord Murphy is quite a good one, because as far as I know, the employment prospects for graduates of Shaldor Academy’s School of Administration in recent years… well, to be frank, are not optimistic.

Especially for a human like you.

It’s very difficult to find a ‘professionally relevant’ job in the environment of the Ten-Year War. I’m also a student at Shaldor Academy, although I dropped out, but I’m quite familiar with that city.

While halflings revere technology, they do have a degree of ‘racial bias’. As far as I know, there are hardly any non-halflings among the senior officials in that prosperous port city, no, in all the towns and cities big and small across the Genoa Peninsula.

If you stayed in the halfling city, at most you’d be assigned by the academy to some street management office as a low-level clerk or posted to some remote border town as an assistant, wasting your youth climbing up bit by bit.

Even after decades, there’s no guarantee you’d make it into the upper echelons of the city.”

“Hmm, a very accurate assessment.”

Miriam nodded in admiration, for Lieutenant Frayzer’s words were quite precise.

In fact, before accepting Murphy’s job offer, she had also considered this aspect. As they walked away from the ruins, she continued where the lieutenant left off:

“If I wanted a better future, my best choice after completing my studies would be to go to the reform-minded Goldflower Kingdom. Your young and vigorous King Louis wants to reform the kingdom’s governing system to achieve centralization, and he needs a large number of administrative assistants in this process.

If I could catch this wave, I might secure some minor official position.

However, I am from Transia.

My status as a visitor from an enemy nation would severely limit the political prospects I could obtain in your country.

If I couldn’t go to the Goldflower Kingdom, then my second choice would be to head north to those Nordic kingdoms and try my luck there.

But the problem is that the military reforms in the Kingdom of Nordtov have only just begun, and it will take at least ten years to complete, even with the successful experience of the Goldflower Kingdom as a reference.”

At this point, Miriam sounded like she was back in the academy, analyzing the continental situation with her classmates during their weekly debate sessions, just like in her own class.

Under Frayzer’s slightly surprised gaze, the red-haired girl tossed her short hair and said softly but with firm conviction:

“However, the biggest problem with the Kingdom of Nordtov is not its military, but rather its poor administrative system which is still hampered by a rather backward serfdom.

I don’t want to overstate my abilities, but the fact is that for ‘high-end talent’ like myself, the best outcome in those barbaric northerners’ territory would be to enter the court as a tutor or become an administrative advisor to some landed nobleman.

For me, the situation there would be even worse than staying in Transia.

It’s like a stagnant pool.

And that young Wolf Queen may never be able to stir up the waves she desires in this quagmire in her lifetime.

I don’t even need to ponder further.

I only need to compare the different choices I might have in the future, and I can easily arrive at a rather horrifying conclusion.

That is, although I am currently serving a vampire lord in my closed and dark homeland, staying here is actually the most promising future for me.

The knowledge I have learned can be perfectly utilized.

Most importantly, in my observation, the degree of autonomy Lord Murphy has delegated in terms of power can currently be described as ‘indulgent’.”

Miriam shook her head.

She realized she seemed to have said too much.

So she ended with a joking quip, caressing the peerage appointment letter in her hand, and said:

“I vaguely remember a certain administrative course instructor with work experience sighing more than once, ‘If you can meet a lord or superior who understands ‘delegation of authority’, cherish it well.’

So from a job seeker’s perspective, I feel I’m really quite fortunate.”

She looked at Lieutenant Frayzer. “Why aren’t you saying anything, sir?”

The latter was observing this commoner lady with a surprised and appreciative gaze. He mused:

“Your analysis of your situation has shown me the formidable ability of Shaldor Academy’s alumni from the School of Administration. Perhaps I should suggest to my Sovereign to recruit more talents like you.

But I must pose a new question, why did you get involved in this series of events?

A gifted scholar-in-waiting and an ambitious vampire lord seem like people from two different worlds.”

“The answer to that question is quite mundane,” said Miriam as she exited the city ruins.

She stood on the city wall she had helped Murphy’s warriors establish during the Astral Realm disaster, gazing back at the silent ruins behind her.

With a sense of silent reminiscence and mourning, she said softly:

“Half a month ago, while I was preparing for final exams, my village chief father, a vampire worshipper, summoned me home with a letter arranging for me to marry the son of a wealthy merchant in Kadman City.

As I boarded the steam train leaving Shaldor Port, all I could think about was how to escape this cursed fate. But the unpredictability of life prepared a surprise for me that I could never have imagined.

It took away everything I was familiar with!

And then, through Lord Murphy’s hand, it generously bestowed upon me everything anew.”

“How fortunate,” Lieutenant Frayzer marveled.

“Not only for you, but equally so for that wealthy merchant’s son who perished in the disaster.”

“Hmm?” Miriam eyed Frayzer suspiciously.

The latter shrugged and said softly, with a morbid sense of humor:

“I don’t believe an ordinary merchant’s child could suppress a remarkable lady like you in marriage, just as I don’t believe a blood servant village chief living in the Transia region could have nurtured such an outstanding character as yours.

Your mother must have been an equally remarkable lady.

A pity I couldn’t pay her a visit.”

The lieutenant’s gaze inadvertently fell on the familiar silver bracelet in Miriam’s hand. He narrowed his eyes, then smiled and said:

“I look forward to the day when all your potential is uncovered. I believe by then, you will have made a name across the continent! Although you have chosen Transia to showcase your talents, please do not forget that in the not-so-distant Anju region, you have a friend like me who may not be very close, but at least can converse with you.

Of course, if you have a second plan for your life, then I can guarantee you on behalf of the Carpe family that the Goldflower Kingdom can provide for you.”

“No need, thank you for your kindness, regardless of what reasons prompted your invitation,” Miriam politely nodded to Lieutenant Frayzer.

But she unhesitatingly declined:

“I have chosen my sovereign, and his ambitions and will shall shape the direction of my future life, just as you have your king, and I have my lord. Lord Frayzer, you are a true gentleman.

Therefore, when your life requires a second choice, do not forget that you also have a friend like me in Transia who can generously arrange a security job for you.

I believe, with your talents, you would undoubtedly become the finest security personnel on these lands.

Second to none!”

“Hahahahaha!”

Such a biting response left the lieutenant dumbfounded before bursting into laughter. Miriam let out a light chuckle, preparing to bid farewell.

But in the next moment, Lieutenant Frayzer made a unique gesture. He took out his masterwork dwarven trench gun and solemnly offered it to Miriam with both hands, saying:

“The ancient nobles of the Transia region had this custom before the first Black Disaster, they would present weapons capable of protecting their friends as a starting point for friendship with those they valued.

You and I are both aware of the impending Black Disaster. Lady Miriam, I believe you will need this ‘Iron Sentinel’ more than I do.”

“I do indeed need it. My homeland has left me without much sense of security until now. But to take without giving would be rude.”

Miriam did not refuse, but instead took out the crimson hand cannon from her spirit bag and offered it to Lieutenant Frayzer.

She said softly:

“Putting politics aside, you are indeed a decent alumnus. May it protect you as it has protected me.”

Lieutenant Frayzer accepted the exquisite six-shot vampire-style hand cannon with an odd look in his eyes.

Inspecting the fine weapon, he said:

“In the past, my juniors would blushingly give me roses. Now my juniors solemnly give me guns. Hmm, it seems the students of my dear Shaldor Engineering Academy remain abundant in martial virtue.

Does it have a name?”

He asked.

Miriam rolled her eyes, turned gracefully and mounted the warhorse brought by the guards, saying:

“It’s just a weapon, it doesn’t need a name. Lieutenant, read fewer third-rate knight novels, the romantic style of knights is no longer suitable for this era.

Good night.

And may you have a smooth journey home.”

With that, Lady Miriam departed under the escort of four camp guards, disappearing into the night.

Lieutenant Frayzer watched his remarkable and dashing junior depart. He glanced at the exquisite hand cannon in his hand, shrugged, and said to the ornate and somberly elegant weapon:

“Well, I shall entrust my safety to you from now on, Miss Miriam.

Allow me to borrow the strange Lord Palanno’s catchphrase to end our conversation tonight. Hmm, what a beautiful rose blooming on these dark lands.”