Lord of the Frozen Winter: Starting with Daily Intelligence Reports

The banquet hall was dimly lit, with several gold-edged banners hanging on the walls, attempting to create a sense of aristocratic solemnity.
However, the wooden beams of the ceiling were exposed, the carpet on the floor was noticeably faded, and while some tables and chairs had carved decorations, they still couldn't hide their rough craftsmanship.
The main course was a whole roasted wasteland boar, accompanied by a few plates of ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ simple vegetables and common wild game.
It was evident that the owner of this banquet hall had tried their best to convey a sense of aristocratic extravagance, but in the resource-scarce North, they were still somewhat out of their depth.
Zachary Diaz sat at the head table in the center of the banquet hall, swirling a glass of wine transported from the South.
Six or seven pioneer nobles, their faces full of flattering smiles, clustered around him.
"Your Excellency Diaz, this gathering is truly meaningful!"
A noble raised his glass, his tone fervent: "These Northern barbarians are too overbearing; us nobles from the South must stick together. It's truly fortunate for all of us that you can step forward and preside over the situation!"
"Exactly, Your Excellency Diaz. As long as we pioneer nobles unite, the Northern barbarians may not be able to suppress us."
Another person nodded in agreement, a hint of flattery in his eyes.
Zachary raised his wine glass and gently swirled it: "Unity is certainly a good thing. After all, the rules are set by them. If we don't want to be exploited, then we must fight for ourselves."
The nobles beside him nodded repeatedly, taking the opportunity to agree: "Your Excellency is right! Rather than waiting for them to bestow scraps, it's better for us to take the initiative."
Zachary held his wine glass, quite pleased with the flattery.
Most of the pioneer lords from the South of Snowpeak County had already arrived.
This achievement was enough to prove his influence.
These individuals fought alone, without foundation or background, and were easily bullied by the local Northern nobles, so they desperately needed a backer.
And his identity as a member of the Diaz family was their best choice.
If he could make these nobles dependent on him, then a true force could be formed, and he could also have a certain level of influence in this area.
As for those who were unwilling to obey, he would use schemes to offer "suggestions" to Earl Firth, sending these people to charge into battle.
On the battlefield, there were always some sacrifices needed.
Just then, a noble tentatively asked: "Your Excellency Diaz, do you think we should act together in this extermination of the Snowsworn?"
Zachary narrowed his eyes: "Of course we must unite, that way there will be a proper order for who goes first and who follows."
The banquet hall fell silent for a moment.
The nobles present exchanged glances, a hint of understanding flashing in their eyes, but no one exposed it on the spot.

No one wanted to be the first to charge, but if someone went to their death, they would be happy to see it happen.
And the person most likely to be pushed to the front was Louis Calvin.
Louis, also one of the Empire's Eight Great Families, not being present at such a banquet, spoke volumes.
Zachary was very wary of Louis's identity as Duke Calvin's son.
But he didn't care much for Louis himself; in his opinion, he was merely a high-born but unresourceful good-for-nothing.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have let himself get a head start in contacting Earl Firth, or in gathering so many pioneer nobles.
He even wondered if this uninvited fellow might have already died somewhere in the wasteland?
Just then, a commotion suddenly erupted outside the banquet hall.
"Bang--"
The large doors were pushed open, and a cold wind rushed in.
Louis stepped inside, followed by Yoen.
The nobles present were stunned, especially Zachary, but he quickly regained his composure, putting on an elegant smile.
Louis scanned the room, feeling much relieved.
Ha, a meeting of rotten fish and shrimp.
A smirk played on his lips: "What, am I not welcome?"
Zachary stood up, feigning enthusiasm: "Your Excellency Calvin, welcome, welcome."
Louis slowly walked towards the banquet table: "Yoen told me there was a banquet here, so I came for a stroll after dinner."
His gaze fell on the roasted wasteland boar on the table, his tone indifferent: "This is the main course?"
Yoen, on the other hand, was completely unreserved. He casually picked up a piece of meat, took a bite, and frowned: "Hmm... the taste is mediocre, worse than what we feed our slaves."
The air instantly fell silent for a few seconds.
Some people's expressions were subtle, while others lowered their heads, pretending to drink wine.
Zachary subtly frowned, then smiled and raised his wine glass: "Your Excellency Calvin's presence truly illuminates the banquet."
"Illumination is a bit much."
Louis casually pulled out a chair and sat down, "I'm just curious why there was no invitation for me for this occasion?"
Zachary's expression remained outwardly calm: "It must have been an oversight by my servant."
Louis chuckled softly: "No matter, I came shamelessly anyway."
Zachary was unwilling to delve deeper and immediately changed the subject: "Your Excellency Calvin, since you're here, why not go to Snow Eagle City together?
We pioneer nobles from the South must unite, otherwise the old nobles of the North will sooner or later consume us entirely."
Louis smiled faintly: "Oh? It sounds like you want to be the leader of this alliance?"
Zachary's smile froze for a moment, then he chuckled: "Of course not. I just think that only by working together can we avoid being suppressed by those old nobles."
Louis raised his eyes and scanned the nobles present, his gaze passing over each face, finally returning to Zachary: "Yes, indeed, we must work together. It's just a matter of who charges first, who covers the rear, and who makes the decisions."
He pointed to the roasted boar on the banquet table: "For example, with this pig, there are rules for who cuts first and who eats later."
Several nobles exchanged glances, their expressions becoming subtle.
Zachary's smile tightened slightly: "Your Excellency Calvin, what do you mean by this?"
"Meaning?" Louis gently put down his wine glass, his tone casual, "No other meaning. I just think that what you say doesn't count."
The banquet hall fell silent for a moment.
Some nobles looked hesitant, others frowned, as if they had thought of something.
Zachary's eyes darkened slightly: "Exterminating the Snowsworn is a dangerous task. It's always a good thing for us to stick together, so we won't be completely devoured."
"Of course." Louis's lips curved slightly, "However, we are members of the Empire's Eight Great Families, of noble status, and by rights, we should lead the charge onto the battlefield."
He paused, his voice tinged with regret: "Or are you just hoping for others to charge into battle, and then you come to claim the spoils after the fighting ends?"
The air became even more stagnant.
The expressions of several nobles gradually changed, and they all quietly looked at Zachary.
Zachary tightened his grip on the wine glass, his gaze chilling slightly, but the smile on his face remained: "Your Excellency Calvin misunderstands. We pioneer nobles should be united against outsiders, not fighting amongst ourselves."
"Indeed, we shouldn't fight amongst ourselves." Louis chuckled and shook his head, "It's just that your methods are unsettling."
He stood up and casually straightened his clothes: "The wine is good, the food is mediocre, and the people..."
He paused, seemingly thinking seriously, then smiled faintly: "They're just so-so."
With that, he turned and ambled out of the banquet hall.
From his arrival to his departure, it was only about ten minutes, as if he truly had just come for a post-dinner stroll as he claimed.
Yoen shrugged, casually grabbed the last piece of meat, and mumbled indistinctly: "Waste is shameful." Then he followed him out.
The door was pushed open, cold wind rushed in, and then it was closed again.
The banquet hall was silent.
Zachary's face was ashen, and the wine glass in his hand was almost crushed.
The nobles inside the banquet hall were all quietly looking at him now, their gazes complex.
Perhaps Diaz was not as reliable as they had imagined.