Galinthea's general calendar was also divided into twelve months. However, the general calendar combined the advantages of the elven calendar and the magic calendar, making it convenient for people to use and keep records. Every month on the general calendar had thirty-five days, and the three extra days were arranged at the end of May, the end of September, and the end of December, which meant that each of these three months had thirty-six days. These three days were recognized by all the regions and countries of Galinthea, commonly known as the Bathing Festival, the Harvest Day, and the New Year Celebration.
Because Loriste had promised to turn Viscount Edis, Viscount Schindler, Baron Claus, and Baron Wade, these four nobles that originally belonged to the Iberian Kingdom, into vassal families of the Norton family, this added a lot of administrative trouble for Fatty Shi. Not only did he have to confirm the transfer of the four territories, but he also had to arrange the order of the conferring ceremony for the upcoming New Year's Celebration. He was so busy that he didn't even have time to attend the luncheon that Loriste was hosting for Duke Kempis, Count Phelim, and Count Shahin. Faced with Shi Huade's summons, Fatty Shi's face darkened. He only said, "I'm not free, just bring me something to eat."
It wasn't until the morning of the 36th of December that Fatty Shi finished everything. Exhausted, he collapsed on the sofa and told Loriste, who was reading documents, that if there was a next time, he would definitely resign. He was always working overtime, and it was all the work that Loriste suddenly added on a whim. It was really unbearable.
Loriste smiled and pointed at him. The New Year's Celebration would be held at seven in the evening, and there was still some time. Fatty Shi should immediately go home and sleep for a few hours before bathing and dressing up. He still needed to attend the banquet in high spirits. Not only was he the host of the banquet, but his name was also on the list of newly conferred nobles. He believed that he wouldn't want to appear at the banquet in a terrible state and become the object of ridicule in front of everyone …
Fatty Shi jumped up from the sofa and ran as he said, "Yeah, it's done. What am I still doing here? I'm going home first."
Loriste smiled at Shi Huade. "He even complained to me that he's exhausted. Look at how fast he runs. He's obviously full of energy."
Today, both the front and back walls of the Monolith Castle were decorated with lanterns and streamers. The road leading to the central castle was very clean, and there were all kinds of colorful flags on both sides of the road. The weather was also very good. Not only was there no snow, even the sky was blue and clear, and the silver moon had already revealed a crescent moon in the sky.
"If it wasn't too cold, today would be perfect," Duke Kemus said.
At this moment, he, Laurist, Count Phelim, and Count Shahin were all standing on the balcony of the castle's top floor, watching the luxuriously decorated carriages moving along the main road towards the central castle. Behind them, Schwald and his fiancée, Count Filim's beloved daughter, Katerina, were huddled in a corner, whispering to each other. Their young faces were filled with sweet smiles.
Duke Kemus had already transferred his family's territory to the Sigler province. At the same time, he had also transferred the five former Northern Lords that his family supported to the Norton family. Since he had nothing better to do, he purposely came over to join in the fun. He even invited Count Filim and Count Shahin to witness the Norton family's first New Year's celebration and conferring ceremony in the name of Laurist.
"In my opinion, this Monolith Castle is too small. It's not worthy of your status as the Duke of the North. After all, it was originally designed as a checkpoint. Now that it's the capital of the North, it's too small, "Duke Kemus commented.
Laurist nodded. "Yes, I'll move to Gildusk City at the beginning of spring. This will make it easier for me to control the war situation in Winston and the southern provinces. Baron Schreid has already asked Master Siroba to redesign the southern parts of the North and Gildusk City next year. The only problem now is that Master Siroba has made an embarrassing request. "
"Oh, what is it?" Duke Kempis, Count Phelim, and Count Shahin were very curious. Everyone knew that Master Siroba was now the chief architect of the Norton Family. Almost all construction projects had to go through his design and approval before they were presented to Lollister.
"Uh, this guy said that Gildusk City was named after the two painters and engineers who designed and built the city, Gil and Dusk. He thinks that he is greater than those two, so he wants the redesigned city to be named after him. Otherwise, he refuses to redesign Gildusk City. Don't you think it's weird to call it Siroba City? " Laurist frowned. He was obviously very distressed by Master Siroba's habit of naming projects after himself.
"Hahaha …" Duke Kemus and the other two burst into laughter.
"Uh, Locke, tell Master Siroba that when I return to the southern province, I want to build a family castle. If he's willing to design and supervise the whole project, I'm willing to name the family castle after him, "Baron Filim said.
"Are you crazy?" Duke Kemus rolled his eyes. "Last time, you said that your family castle would be called Pegasus Castle. That was the name of the first castle your ancestors built. Later, it was destroyed by Chrison IV during the New Moon War. Now that your Filim family has been wandering for nearly a hundred years, and you're finally going to reclaim your family's territory, you want to call it Siroba Castle instead of Pegasus Castle? Hmm, the name Siroba Castle is a bit weird. It's really weird … "
"Haha, I'll carve the name of the castle very small and put a huge pegasus statue on top of the castle wall. That way, everyone will think of my castle as Pegasus Castle and not notice if the castle below is named Pegasus Castle or not," Count Filim said with a proud smile. "Do you think I'm that stupid?"
Count Kemus was dumbfounded. "You … Aren't you cheating?"
"What are you talking about? I'll really carve his name on the castle. Of course, it's because his eyesight isn't good. It's none of my business. The Filim family would never lie," Earl Filim defended himself.
"Alright, don't waste your time. I'll ask Master Siroba to design and build a new castle for you. I'm sure he'll be very interested in building a legendary castle. There's no need to name it after him, just build a statue of him in front of the castle after it's completed. That'll be enough to make him famous, "Laurist said with a smile.
"Locke, more and more people are coming. The square below is full of carriages. Finally, we can see the lively scene of guests gathering again. Think about it, how many years has it been since I've attended a New Year's party like this since you defeated the second prince? "Duke Kemus turned to look at the square below the castle and murmured.
"If you like it, why don't you hold your own New Year's party? In terms of title, you're an official duke of the Andinac Kingdom after today. Sirograd province is your family's territory, so you have the right to hold a party. Don't tell me your family is out of money … "Laurist said with a smile.
"Sigh …" Count Kemus sighed. "I really don't have anything to say to a banquet idiot like you. Do you know the most important thing about holding a New Year's party? The more people, the merrier! How can you hold a party without many subordinates, knights, and vassal lords? What's the point of just having your own family here? "
"Then you can appoint them. No one will stop you from promoting a few of your family's knights to vassal lords …"
"They don't have the right, and they don't have the credit. Besides, my father said that the Kemus Family only has what it is today because of the Norton Family and a bit of luck. From now on, he should just do his own thing and manage his own territory. The Norton Family will take care of the big things outside. As long as we maintain our alliance and contribute more, you'll naturally repay our family. "
"I have to say, your father is really cunning. He's pushing the Norton Family to the front as a shield. Even if you don't get to eat the meat, you can at least get a few mouthfuls of soup …" Laurist sighed.
"That can't be helped. The Norton Family is the strongest. If you don't take the lead, who will? Don't you think so? "Count Kemus said confidently, trying to find an alliance for himself.
Both Count Filim and Count Shahin chuckled. Without Laurist, there wouldn't be a four-house alliance. Without the four-house alliance, they wouldn't have risen to their current power and official titles in the Andinac Kingdom. Thinking about it carefully, Duke Kemus's words did make sense. Just like how the four families worshipped Laurist as their leader, the leader naturally had to stand up for his subordinates in times of trouble.
"I think it's about time. Should we go down?" Shahin said as he looked at the square full of carriages.
"Alright, go and get ready. Don't let your female companions wait too long," Laurist said readily.
Laurist's female companion today was Miss Tracey, who had just returned from Nicol Academy. She'd brought his two precious daughters back with her. Laurist was shocked when he saw her. How could she be so thin? After asking, he found out that apart from taking care of her two daughters, Miss Tracey's heart and mind were completely focused on Nicol Academy. She woke up early and slept late, so naturally, she was slimmer.
"Locke, I wouldn't leave Nicol Academy if today isn't the day I'm conferring my title. My time is too tight, and there are too many things I need to do, so don't try to persuade me. This is my own choice … "Miss Tracey said.
"Sigh …" Laurist sighed deeply. He walked over and hugged her tightly in his arms. "My dear, the sea of knowledge is boundless. You should take care of your body even if you are roaming in it …"
Duke Kemus's female companion was a plump noblewoman. According to him, she seemed to be a countess. Of course, the countess was long gone.
Count Filim's female companion was his beloved daughter, Katerina.
Shahin's female companion was his beloved concubine, who was also Duke Kemus's cousin. It seemed that this beauty of the Kemus family was very likely to be made official by Shahin.
Laurist walked at the front with Miss Tracey's arm. When the four heads of the four prominent families appeared at the banquet hall with their female companions, thunderous applause and cheers rang out incessantly.
First, Fatty Shi, who hosted the banquet, welcomed all the guests on behalf of the Norton family. After that, Laurist went up and gave a passionate speech. The gist of it was that in the face of changing circumstances, the Norton family had the confidence and strength to welcome the arrival of victory with all those who bravely took on the responsibility and mission, and that the Norton family would also give their loyal friends a satisfactory explanation. After coming down, Laurist complained to Fatty Shi. Who had written this speech? It was so illogical that it made him feel awkward reading it up there.
Fatty Shi rolled his eyes and said, "I didn't sleep last night to rush it out. Didn't you say that you wanted to edit it yourself when I handed it to you this morning?"
Laurist wiped the sweat off his forehead. "Damn, how would I know that you wrote it so badly? I forgot about it immediately. No one reminded me to take a look …"
Fatty Shi spread his hands. "Forget it. No one is in the mood to listen to what you have to say. It's nothing more than a cliché. Right now, everyone is more concerned about the conferring ceremony. Since you've already read it, you can't blame anyone else. "
The conferring ceremony soon began. The first to be conferred were the seventeen former Northern Lords who had their titles reduced or transferred to the Delemark province, followed by the five Northern Lords who received the same treatment from the Kemus family. Then came the two former nobles from the Madras Duchy. The two beauties from their family were Laurist's new sweethearts, and the families of these two beauties also took this opportunity to change sides. Fortunately, they became the Norton family's vassal family. Next was Viscount Eddis and the other three. They had transferred from the Iberian Kingdom to Laurist's side. The last one was Baron Dina. Laurist's lover, Aridoli, had come to receive the title in place of her underage brother.
The ceremony was very simple. Fatty Shi read out the names and titles of the conferred nobles loudly. The conferred nobles came up and bowed. Then, they received a silver plate from Schwald. On the silver plate were the proof of their titles and territories, as well as Laurist's personally signed order of conferring, as well as the family insignia and proof of the conferred nobles.
Laurist casually sat at the head of the table. He placed the sword in his right hand on the ground and extended his left hand. This was the standard posture that a superior lord would take when accepting the allegiance of a subordinate lord. The extended left hand represented acceptance and bestowment, while the sword in his right hand represented warning and authority. Every conferred noble took the silver plate and swore allegiance to Laurist. Then, they kissed the back of his extended left hand and bowed again.
After these vassal families received the conferring ceremony, it was the turn of the 14 new lords. First, Master Sid and Master Fallin accepted the conferring of viscount with tears in their eyes. They knelt in front of Laurist and expressed that their descendants would only obey the Norton Family. Laurist spent a lot of effort to pull the two up. He was a little regretful that the conferring was too high for the two masters' hearts to take. They were also old, and he hoped that nothing would happen to them …
Next, the conferring of Boffinger, Ferocious Tiger Ross, and the others went very smoothly. Only Fatty Shi's father was so excited when he received the conferring ceremony that he fainted on the spot, making Fatty Shi feel very awkward.
After the conferring of the 14 new lords, it was the turn of the honorary nobles. Other than Governor Hickford, who was in the Haneabada Archipelago, who was absent, the other five accepted the conferring ceremony.
Some were proud, and some were disappointed. In addition to these nobles who had been conferred titles, there were also more than 30 nobles from the Duchy of Madras. They had been deprived of their territories, and when the Norton Family destroyed the Iberian Kingdom and occupied the Winston Province, these nobles who had surrendered would also have their titles reduced and be transferred there. At present, they were like the former Northern Lords, waiting silently in the North.
In addition to these nobles, high-ranking knights, and high-ranking civil officials who came to participate, there was also a large group of high-ranking people who came to receive the conferring ceremony. In the Norton Family's territory, these people were just rich people who opened various factories, mines, and businesses. However, to the entire North, they were all nobles because they all had noble titles and proof of identity. Even Laurist did not expect that there would be so many honorary nobles in the North. Most of the noble identity certificates were issued by the few small duchies that had been destroyed by the Trade Alliance.
Of course, the Norton Family could refuse to recognize their noble status, but their usual practice was neither to admit nor deny it, tacitly agreeing that they were qualified to participate in the noble gathering. However, if they wanted to get an invitation, they still had to pay a price, such as a banquet sponsorship.
Duke Kemus was the one most familiar with these so-called honorary nobles. Watching him mingle with the ladies like a fish in water, it was clear that this was going to be a happy night for him. Looking at the tired Miss Tresti, Laurist said with concern, "Let's go, dear. I'll take you to rest first. You look very tired."
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