In all fairness, Sidd is not a very talented general. He may be a great warrior, but his knowledge of leading armies is limited by the years of peace that Logres once enjoyed. Inexperienced, coupled with his straight-forward character makes him an honest, even reliable, person but he is an easily read commander.

Tommy, however, did not agree with the princess.

The fall of Logres cannot be one man’s fault. And the reason why Astolat fell so quickly, wasn’t it because they surrendered immediately?

Moreover, Logres held the high grounds, had better equipment, and tons of resources. Even a third-rate commander could hold the fort against the nomads’ hastily pieced together army.

If his father is mediocre at leading armies, then couldn’t they assign to him a brilliant strategist together with a capable tactician team to remedy his flaws?

After all, there are no perfect persons around.

Lastly, saying that the praises are stolen by his father is even more ridiculous.

Able to greet even the lowliest servant by their names is enough for Tommy to tell that his father truly deserves his status as the commander-in-chief of Logres.

Moreover, Sidd rushed back to aid them when his son went missing. Who can say that he is shamelessly amassing praises?

For a father, there is nothing more painful than to drop his family in its lurches but in the face of the fall of his own nation, he decided to return. Tommy never blamed his father for this decision, in the first place there is nothing to blame when his father left followers to continue looking for him and afterwards, he continued the search himself for years on end.

Such a general, even if he is lacking in tactical talent, his heart is in the right place.

In fact, Sidd’s greatest flaw of having little tactical talent is rather common among all the Commander-in-Chief. The tactician teams and strategists are there for a reason.

Most importantly, as a martial officer Sidd had proven his combat prowess. Everything else can be substituted only combat strength is the one thing required for a general.

Tommy quickly blabbed everything he thought without mincing words.

His father looked at him with pride and worry in his eyes. This child, he might have caused a big oopsie. He sighed internally, at least he is a filial one. Later on, when the king burst into rage, he will cover his son’s rashness.

The king however looked emotionlessly at Sidd and Tommy as if nothing happened.

The princess, on the other hand, opened her mouth then closed again, but no words came out.

What did he mean by Logres’ years of peace made Sidd and all the generals inexperienced, that the fall of their kingdom cannot be one man’s fault?

How could he say that Astolat fell quickly because they surrendered immediately?

Throwing his father’s inexperience to the lack of a good tactician team and a good strategist… Excuses!

Unfortunately, despite loathing to agree, Luftie found nothing she can refute so she said, “Avalon belongs to my family. We, the Pendragon, provided a haven for our citizens. Your father, a mere subject, should be thankful to have a place here, but he unabashedly received the praises of our people. If that is not called shameless then what is it?!”

A dangerous green glint flashed across the king’s eyes. What his daughter said, he wholly agrees, so why should he stop her?

“No wonder Logres fell so swiftly,” Tommy answered, “Instead of seeking improvements, the princess’ concerns are placed on who receives praises? If this is all Avalon can offer, I regret to say that the Snowdrifts do not require your aid.”

The moment he said this, an ugly rage flashed on king Lufter Pendragon’s face, but he quickly suppressed it and smiled, “My daughter had been rash. Lord Tommy Styrkur, please play it no mind. We will take your position into consideration.”

Tommy’s eyebrow arched a little at his title being changed from ‘Sir’ to ‘Lord’.

Lufter still dreams of Logres’ past glory returning, no matter what he cannot offend the Snowdrifts.

Avalon seemed like an iron-forged stronghold, but they do not have an army that could fight their wars nor the resource to fund it.

Don’t think that they have plenty of weapons, armours, and food stockpiled, that is because those items are unneeded when Astolat and other Logres’ cities were prosperous.

Things like precious ores, gems, silk, and other expensive goods had all been squandered over the years in their merrymaking.

If Logres wants to get out of hiding in their turtle shell, there will be things to buy and people to pay. These are funds that Lufter Pendragon knows their kingdom cannot afford.

Now the fat sheep that is called Snowdrifts had wandered into their valley, there is no way Lufter will it flee.

Of course, to accept the terms of letting Tommy have two first ladies is still up in the air.

The king stared warningly at Luftie, but the princess who had been spoilt for years did not pay him any heed and stared unblinkingly at Tommy.

Tommy met her challenge and asked, “The princess does not agree?”

Forced to stop any further clashes, the king quickly interrupted, “Luftie, is this how we taught you to treat our guests? Quickly apologise to Lord Tommy Styrkur.”

“But father…”

“Your majesty,” the king corrected.

“Yes, your majesty,” Luftie softened her tone and turned to Tommy, “Sir Tommy, I had spoken without thought.”

She paused trying to control her temper, only the anger inside would not die down, “However, first you must past my tests…”

Her voice trailed off and she refused to speak further. What she left unsaid is her promise to make him pay.

Tommy scratched his head in frustration. He is aware that he does not have much glib, for the proposition to reach this stage is already the best of what he can do.

Fortunately, he is not fighting alone.

“Your majesty, with your permission we will excuse ourselves.”

“Of course. The princess shall make arrangements for her tests and contact you.”

“By your leave.”

The king nodded, stood up and walked out of the throne room through his personal exit. The princess stared at Tommy once more, ignored Sidd, then left the hall from the main door.

Once they left, Sidd and Tommy headed back.

When Snow heard of what happened in the throne room, she was happy and worried at the same time.

None of the things they need had been met and it is almost certain that the princess Luftie will place plenty of obstacles in front of Tommy.

Yet, she found her lips uncontrollably curved upwards into a smile when she heard her tactless boyfriend placing her before a princess.

Not all men can withstand the allure of fame, power, position, and fortune that comes with marrying a crown princess.

Fewer dared bear the hatred of one.

If, because of her, the negotiation is stalls then she will be the one who remedies it.

Regardless, there is no need to fight alone. Snow quickly called forth her team, the twins Small and Smaller, her cousin Leaf, and she invited Luciette and George over as well.

After they heard the situation from her, the six of them cobbled up a simple but solid negotiation strategy and sent a sealed letter to Avalon.

It quickly reached the king’s hands who after a short consideration decided to call for another meeting.

This time, Snow went alone to meet the king.

The message they sent was nothing special, in the letter they mentioned the current problems that plagued Logres and how everything can be resolved with the Snowdrifts’ help.

Though the princess’ tests cannot be avoided, negotiations should be concluded as early as possible. The king also agrees with this view and sent for a representative to discuss the terms.

Snow confidently entered the throne room to meet with King Lufter Pendragon. Alone, she faced the officials, consuls, and knights fearlessly. Only when she stopped before the king did she slightly lowered her head to curtsey. Her boldness earned her the respect of many of the knights. Any girl her age would have cowered when entering such a grand place and shivered when surrounded by so many powerful figures. Moreover, she is here to discuss terms that would concern the benefits of two different forces, the burden she carried cannot be understated.

"Your majesty,” Snow greeted, “I am Snow of the Autumn Blossom clan. I have heard of your majesty’s great wisdom and fairness in all matters. News of your majesty’s generosity had reached far, especially your just treatment towards our Great General, Tommy Styrkur, despite his demanding requests. Your patience and tolerance are examples for all to learn and today I am fortunate indeed to witness this myself. I represent my guild, Snowdrifts, and the Saint Empire, to thank you for this meeting. Surely, our cooperation will bring a new chapter to both our countries.”

If her friends were here, their jaws would have dropped to see the normally stern and sober Snow talk with such eloquence. Although it is obvious that it was flattery, the king was delighted to hear so many praises from an outsider. Words from those of his court cannot be fully trusted, after all every one of them wants to get into his good book.

His expressions changed for a slight moment as his eyes brightened slightly despite trying to remain unreadable.

Snow noticed the fleeting look on the king and scoffed in her heart. As expected of the king that nearly ended a kingdom.

Just a few flowery words are enough to make him lose his senses.

Lufter raised his face slightly from all the flattery, then with his eyes looking down at Snow said, “You are an observant one. Logres and Snowdrifts are certainly the solution to each other’s problems. How do your side wish to proceed?”

“We need rations, weapons, shields, and full sets of armour for two million. We can offer you abundance of spirit stones, talismans, and stratagem plates.”

Lufter knitted his brows and then said, “I recall your guild produces Star Rune Weapons?”

“Your majesty is sharp indeed to go straight for the prize. As you have heard, we have fire and ice enchanted weapons that could store your Ki within and produces powerful elemental attacks at your will.”

Snow catching the king’s fondness towards the finer things quickly made use of it to trade for large number of resources that the guild needed.

Very quickly she promised each of the royal guards will be equipped with a Star Rune Weapon handcrafted personally by their guild leader, Kairos.

Of course, the king does not know that all the Star Rune weapons are made by Kairos. The blacksmiths can create the weapon but, Kairos is the only one who can complete the enchanting part .

After exchanging ten thousand swords for resources needed for half a million soldiers, Snow brought up the more exclusive triple and quadruple elemental Star Rune Weapons.

Most Star Rune Weapons have either Fire or Frost enchantments but there are plenty that has both. Fewer also includes a third Lightning Element, and only a couple has the fourth Metal Element but not many knows they have this variation.

When Snow suggested the king to get some triple elemental Star Rune Weapons so he could gift the descendants whom he favours, the king immediately hopped onto the idea and traded another half a million resources.

As for the quadruple elemental Star Rune weapon, when Lufter greedily asked if it exists, Snow looked everywhere but at the king.

Of course, nothing could hide from the ‘intellectual’ Lufter who pressed Snow into admission.

The flattery never stopped, and finally, the king exchanged another half a million soldiers’ worth of resources for one sword with four elemental enchantments.

For the king who wanted this weapon as heirloom, promising yet another half a million swords, weapons, and rations to feed so many people are inexpensive.

The equipment is, of course, one set per person, whereas the rations are enough to feed each person for a year. The food needed for following year will be met after the Snowdrifts had setup their base camp and have their farms running.

As for the weapons wielded by the leaders of the Snowdrifts, while they tell others it is four elemental Star Rune Weapons, in truth, those weapons hold a fifth – Time Element.

Besides having quintuple enchantments, they should be called True Star Rune Weapons, because the greatest ability of this weapon series is not the ability to store ki or to unleash powerful elemental attacks but the elemental dragonlings sealed within each weapon that could repair and upgrade the weapon’s materials.

This modification ability is only enabled for the weapons held by those who are close to Kairos, hence technically, the weapons should have a different name.

Without this ability, the dragonlings sealed within will quickly grow within their weapon vessel and one day break out from their cage and return to the Astroire Manor.

How quickly this happens depends on two things. First, the number of dragonlings within a weapon. Just like a pot of plants, the more plants there are the less nutrients they share and thus they will grow slower.

Second, the more elemental enchantments are in a weapon, the more durable the materials are and less likely for the dragonlings to break their cage. The reason Kairos made things this way is of course because it can sell more expensively.

Therefore, Snow does not need to worry the quadruple elemental Star Rune Weapon that Lufter wants to keep as heirloom to be easily broken and it can truly become a national treasure to be handed down a few generations.

Not even an hour passed, and Snow had secured two million sets of equipment and rations. The king signed a contract with her, and she politely excused herself, not forgetting to throw a few more flattery at the king claiming him to be a shrewd negotiator.

When her fellows found out she used some spirit stones, talismans, and stratagem plates to trade at market price for half a million resources, they were overjoyed. After all, they are the producers for those talismans and stratagem plates, and Snowdrifts have abundance of spirit stones. This means that market value is profitable for them.

When Snow told them she had traded ten thousand single and double enchanted Star Rune Weapons, a dozen triple enchanted Star Rune Weapons, and a single quadruple enchanted Star Rune Weapon respectively for half a million sets of resources each, everyone glared at Tommy.

Their expression asked him what he achieved during his meeting compared to Snow.

Tommy says he concluded that the princess Luftie will give him obstacles.

Alan patted Tommy on his back and sighed, telling him to listen to Snow from now, at least she resolved all their problems while Tommy created more problems for them.

Tommy blushed and nodded.

They estimate by next year to have a million soldiers, but they only have a little more than five hundred thousand now. Yet Snow already exchanged for them two million.

Not only that but she also reserved a hand for future. The Origin Cultivation method – Basic, Intermediate, and Advance Series are manuscripts for members of the Snowdrifts and things that are not for trade. But if needed, those items could still be used as chips to get more benefits from Logres.

Snow had left it unsaid, but one day when the king finds out he could live longer and look younger from practicing the Origin Cultivation Method, at that time, the ball will be in her court.

The princess quickly decided on Tommy’s first test.

He is to lead a group of soldiers and clear out a monster den.

The target is the nest of a dangerous beast, the Winter Drake. These creatures could grow to become Double SS beasts and are one of the most menacing threats around Avalon.

Besides having razor sharp claws, fangs, can burrow, and have much higher muscle density compared to humans, the Winter Drakes are naturally talented with its element like all dragonkin.

With such advantages, one of it could take on ten or more cultivators of the same rank.

To examine Tommy’s ability to command, he will be given ten squads of the rowdiest men to clear out the den.

Each squad in Logres is a hundred warriors, whereas the winter drakes’ nests could range from a small brood of around a dozen to a large brood of a thousand drakes.

Their destination is two weeks away on horseback, where a medium brood of a hundred drakes were sighted.

On paper, the medium brood of drakes will be an even match with Tommy’s soldiers, but the princess requires a decisive victory to pass her test.

After some clarifications, he understood the conditions.

First, Tommy has two weeks to train his soldiers for the hunt.

Second, he himself cannot directly participate in the hunt.

Third, if a single soldier retreats the test is considered a failure.

Fourth, besides what they are carrying and the ration they need, the Snowdrifts cannot supply the troops with any supplies like stratagem plates or talismans.

Fifth and lastly, their casualties must not number more than a-fifth of their total.

With those in mind, Tommy set forth to meet his assigned men.