"Lord Louis has arrived," the attendant softly reported from outside the door.

Before she could respond, the door gently opened.

Louis Calvin came through the snow, draped in a black cloak, with a fur armor and badge still hanging on his shoulders, snow clinging to his boots as if he had just stepped in from the cold wind.

His gaze was steady, his robes neat, only the trace of fatigue in his eyes betrayed his long journey.

"Sorry to disturb your rest," he nodded slightly in greeting, his voice gentle yet restrained.

Flora lifted her eyes, her weary face showing a hint of a smile.

"You've come at the right time; these old bones of mine could use a thank you." She spoke softly.

"There's no need," Louis stood by the bed, his tone polite yet sincere, "The Red Tide merely fulfilled our duty. That we could save you was pure luck."

Flora shook her head, a solemn look appearing in her eyes.

"It wasn't luck, it was a lifesaving grace.

If your knight squad hadn't shown up in time… we all might have been buried beneath the Icefield by now. You saved us… Louis, I owe you my life."

She paused for a moment, then revised her words: "No, we all owe you."

At that moment, as she looked at Louis, there was no trace of defense in her eyes, only genuine gratitude and respect following their ordeal.

Louis slightly bowed his head, did not interrupt, but walked to her bedside, glancing at the notebook she had placed there.

It was covered with dense sketches and annotations: the structures of the Nest cocoon, the trajectory of magic power fluctuations, patterns of broken threads, and a few indistinct peculiar talismans.

"…I know it's a mess," Flora said softly, "but I'm afraid I'll faint someday and forget it all, I write down as much as I can."

Louis nodded slightly: "It's very valuable. More meaningful than many 'complete reports.'"

Flora glanced at him, somewhat surprised; she had expected the young lord to make a few courteous remarks and let it go, not to take it seriously.

She suddenly smiled: "The Mage Forest over there has already received the distress signal I left. A batch of more powerful mage support is on the way, and will directly contact the Governor's Mansion."

"That's good news for the entire Northern Territory…" Louis lightly responded, his tone a bit more relaxed.

Flora leaned gently against the cushion, looking at him, suddenly saying: "You are a special young man. To be able to guard a territory like this amidst such turmoil… I truly hadn't expected it."

She regarded him without any doubt or caution, only pure admiration.

"Perhaps, this truly is the Northern Territory's fortune."

Louis smiled slightly but did not say more, only carefully folded the sketch of the Nest and tucked it into his cloak's inner pocket.

He stood up, nodded towards her: "Rest well. I've arranged for healing and protection, the Red Tide will do our utmost to take care of you."

Reaching the door, he paused, quietly adding:

"Flora… Red Tide will not forget all that you have brought back, nor the price you have paid."

Louis closed the door, his footsteps echoing down the corridor.

He did not look back, only gently let out a breath.

"Successfully built up goodwill… right?"

He wasn't here to open his heart; he was a knight but not the kind that charges with righteousness.

Today, he came to plan.

Flora was alive, which meant the door to the Mage Forest was still open.

The Red Tide saved her, she had to repay the favor. And what he wanted was precisely this favor.

And if he could gather a few more Grand Mage units to support the Northern Territory, even with personal motives, it was still welcome.

To understand the magic structure of the Nest, it was a sure win without any loss.

"More combat power means a higher chance of victory."

"The sooner we solve that issue… the sooner the Northern Territory can survive winter."

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