A strange smell wafted inside and outside the carriage, and a civil servant finally couldn't help but retch audibly.

Another carriage even tipped over in panic, spilling loosely sealed potions and fuel from its cargo.

Astha heard the horn of the personal guard ahead ordering the road to be cleared. It seemed today was the fifth stop.

He did not speak. He merely gently lowered the curtain, his eyelids drooped, his fingertips slightly clenched.

The Northern Territory was far more ruined than he imagined. This was not a land needing 'governance,' but a scorched earth left from destruction.

Astha had long known the war at the Nest was brutally fought, yet he had never anticipated it to be this severe.

This territory did not resemble a living domain but rather a desperate land forsaken by God.

The cold wind seeped through cracks into the carriage, he instinctively tugged at his cloak, yet his fingertips remained icy.

He realized his fingers were actually trembling slightly.

It wasn't from the cold, it was... fear.

A slow and sticky dread was spreading within his body.

He considered himself experienced with turbulent times, but the sight before him was far more terrifying than the open and concealed fights in the Imperial Capital...

This was not a chess game with pieces waiting for him, but a battlefield utterly destroyed.

He suddenly felt short of breath, as if a frozen rock was pressing upon his chest.

At this moment, he truly felt a strong urge to turn back.

"Perhaps, find an excuse... request the Emperor to reassess the situation? Or... claim insufficient supplies and return to the Imperial Capital to prepare for a while."

But as soon as this thought arose, Astha immediately bit his teeth hard.

"No." He hoarsely muttered two words to himself, as if suppressing that trace of weakness.

He knew that once he retreated, everything would truly be lost.

Not only the Empire's last shred of patience towards him, but also his inconspicuous fate throughout his life.

"If it were merely for me to hold the fort... a land capable of reconstruction should be given."

His thoughts abruptly stopped, he swallowed hard, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his chest.

The movement was subtle, but that moment of tightening seemed to drag him back to reality.

Astha didn't lift the curtain again, but he knew that the tide of corpses was piled high.

The air was thick with the scent of blood and the stench of decaying corpses, making it almost impossible to breathe.

A few days later, Frost Halberd City finally appeared in the sight of the convoy.

The once tall and imposing walls now full of cracks, large collapsed sections patched with wood and temporary rocks.

The city gates were wide open, and the pillars still had the black crystal shells left by the Nest's burning, giving off a faint scent of corrosive magic energy upon approach.

Inside the city, intentionally sprayed plant fragrances were occasionally present, but couldn't mask the lingering smell of scorching and the aftermath of insect swarms, instead making the smell more peculiar.

Astha arrived at the appointed station and had yet to remove his coat when he received notice.

"His Excellency the Governor requests the Sixth Prince to immediately meet at the Governor's Mansion."

With the dust and dirt of travel yet untouched, he could only change into the Royal Family's ceremonial cloak, lightly tidy his appearance, and follow the escort to the Governor's Mansion meeting room.

Governor of the North, Duke Edmund, was seated across from the fireplace, his visage aged yet still upright, sharp eyes unchanged.

The scar crossing his left cheek appeared deeper in the firelight than in paintings, yet lacked the harshness of youth, instead bearing a touch of solemnity.

He rose to greet, taking two steps forward willingly, his tone neither fast nor slow, carrying a noble stability: "Sixth Prince, your journey has been arduous."

Astha immediately bowed in salute, his tone respectful: "Father is concerned about the Northern Territory, especially dispatched me to participate in the reconstruction. Astha, lacking in talent, is willing to offer his meager assistance and weather the tough times with everyone."

Edmund nodded slightly, his gaze as calm as a deep well: "His Majesty the Emperor has profound foresight, and the entire Northern Territory is deeply grateful. Your visit here is the hope for the people of the Northern Territory."

The two exchanged brief pleasantries, both words were appropriate, yet neither spoke of sensitive topics like real power, governance, or military authority.

Mentioning, for example, that snow fell early this year, there were too many refugees on the road, and what's been happening recently in the Imperial Capital.

Edmund even casually brought up his war experiences with the Emperor when he was young, and Astha responded with a smile, circling back with news from the Imperial Capital, both sides were courteous, but not a single key issue was spoken.

Edmund seemed quite amicable, his speech neither rushed nor slow, yet impermeable, while Astha outwardly cooperated, inwardly growing more alert.

Shortly, Astha steered the topic to the main issue: "I'm tasked with stationing in the north, if the Royal territory could be established in the southwestern corner of the Northern Territory, near a transportation hub, it would facilitate administrative tasks and expedite rescue organization."

Edmund agreed with hardly any hesitation: "I have considered this matter a long time ago, the southwestern area has relatively stable terrain, accessible transportation, a suitable selection."

He gestured for the attendant to bring the map, directly circling a region on it, "Here, reserved for you."

Astha was slightly taken aback, too quick.

He had expected several rounds of probing, negotiation, and maneuvering, but didn't anticipate the other party directly marking out a piece of land without further inquiry.

"I appreciate the Duke's consideration." He bowed his head, his voice meek, yet stealthily harboring a trace of doubt.

Edmund then casually mentioned: "Coincidentally, tomorrow the Northern Territory Reconstruction Directorate's first plenary meeting will be held in Frost Halberd. At that time, thirteen legislators and the Empire's inspector will attend, also inviting His Highness to join."

Astha was suddenly greatly shaken.

He hadn't received any meeting notification.

Ordinarily, meetings of such status would at least send invitations and agendas a few days in advance, even if only symbolically prepared.

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