In the next half month, according to the instructions of the Duke of Berval, Diego began to expand the army of the county. Thanks to the lucrative benefits offered by the increasingly affluent Port of Long Beach, he now has enough money to do it.

The territorial guard, which was already close to 500 people, was expanded to the 1,000-strong Moon Creek Brigade this time - this number was given to them by the Duke of Bovar. In Diego's previous life, this force had been stationed in the Grizzly Hills during expeditions to the northern continent of Northrend, ensuring that the Coalition forces controlled the eastern part of Northrend and had stable logistical supplies. However, Diego did not intend to disband the temporary legion after the Battle of Thorn Valley, but instead intended to keep it as a standing army. Because he knew that in the next few years, Azeroth would face a series of natural and man-made disasters, and he must ensure that he had enough power in his hands to deal with these sudden disasters.

Harry Bogard, who had served as commander in the Kingdom's regular legions, was promoted to commander of the new army, while Huffman served as his deputy. At the same time, Diego transferred a large number of experienced veterans from the Storm Whip to fill the Moon Creek Brigade as a middle-level officer, as the backbone of this new legion, so in a short period of time, this legion has a good combat effectiveness. And these steadfast and loyal fanatical veterans also guaranteed Diego's absolute control over this legion.

As a free port, the residents of other races in Long Beach Port have also welcomed the expansion of the army, and many people have enthusiastically signed up, especially the minotaurs and trolls who sell coolies for a living on the docks, and are even more attracted by the lucrative salary of the Moon Creek Brigade - who doesn't want to live a good life? The dwarves, goblins, minotaurs, and trolls were mixed together by Diego into a reinforced company of more than two hundred men, with the dwarf Edith Blom as their company leader, and it only took a week for the grumpy dwarven shield defender to put the rabble in order.

It is worth mentioning that nearly a hundred tall and strong gnolls joined the new Moon Creek Brigade, but Diego was not stupid enough to form a separate company of these gnolls, and at his suggestion, these gnolls were broken up and mixed into various companies. To show his loyalty, the Gnoll Shaman Van Goray also personally led two of his Shaman apprentices to join the Mooncreek Brigade's team of spellcasters.

Speaking of spellcasters, Diego also planned to recruit a few mages from the Court Mage Society through the relationship of Archmage Marin, but in the impression of most high-level mages, the western wilderness was still that desolate and remote country, and they disdained Diego, a rural nobleman, and only one low-level mage from Moonstream Town returned to his hometown with two magic apprentices. However, the bustle of the port of Long Beach soon made his trip worthwhile, and the generous lord promised to serve the city for him after three years of service. Teach. District to build a mage tower. What's not to like about this? You must know that in Stormwind City, even mid-level mages, not everyone may have their own mage tower!

In addition, Diego ordered Grian Stallman to expand the security team in order to ensure the safety and stability of the harbor of Long Beach when the Moon Creek Brigade departs. The expanded security squad numbered 500 people, also staffed by Storm Whip veterans. However, their equipment was different from that of the Moon Creek Brigade, and they were mainly light infantry wearing leather armor.

Next, Diego selected the elite from across the realm, replenished the Storm Whip, which had been drawn nearly half of its staff, and expanded it to two hundred. Thanks to the example of the veterans of the Storm Whip who had been promoted to officers, almost all men in the territory who had some confidence in their skills participated in this selection, and the vacancies were filled in just three days. Christopher Farrar, who had served as Diego's captain during the expedition to the Dust Swamp, shone in this selection, defeating all competitors to become the commander of the Stormwhip.

At the end of this month, after completing the reorganization of the army, the Yuexi Collar conducted its first sealing ceremony since its establishment. Even if the Moon Creek Domain does not have so many cultivated lands and villages at present, Diego has to replace the real fiefdom in the form of a noble annuity, but the generosity of dividing the five barons at once is enough to shock everyone.

However, there are also speculations that with the strength of this lord, it is only a matter of time before he can make a meritorious achievement enough to become a duke and obtain the entire Western Wilderness as a territory, just as the territory of Duke Elo Eberlock encompasses almost the entire Twilight Forest.

On this day, the rising sun shines on the entire harbor of Long Beach, and the halls of the Lord's Castle are decorated with various emblems and flags, and the tapestries with the theme of the legendary deeds of the lords cover every inch of the walls. In the middle of the hall, directly opposite the main door, is a large Asnar family crest, which reflects the glittering light of the gold and silver thread woven by sunlight from the skylight.

Although it can't compare to the grand ceremonies held at the palace of Stormwind, it is grand enough for the people of Long Beach to be full of festive atmosphere.

To the left of the hall are rows of high-ranking officials from the realm and priests from various temples, altars, and churches. Most of them were dressed in ornate ceremonial robes and had solemn faces. On the other side of the hall stood mid- and high-ranking officers in armor and robes. It was difficult for almost everyone to hide the excitement on their faces, because they knew that the five people who were about to be knighted were their role models, and if they could make enough achievements, they would also stand in the center of the hall and become the lucky ones that everyone envied.

As the owner, Count Diego Asnar stood under the huge family crest and looked at the elite of these realms. On his side, he was his mage advisor and Brother Samuel. According to the kingdom's custom, the ceremony of the nobles must be witnessed by the servants of the Light, but the priest who presided over the local chapel in Long Beach Harbor was the lowest-ranking priest and could not support the scene at all, and the Cathedral of Light in Stormwind City did not treat him very well, so Diego had to invite Brother Samuel, who was familiar with him, from the Northshire Abbey.

"As you know, we are gathered today to witness the birth of five nobles of the kingdom in the light of the Holy Light." When the bell of the bell tower struck ten, Brother Samuel took a few steps forward and said in a loud voice. The originally noisy hall fell silent for a moment, and the monk nodded in satisfaction and continued, "Let's welcome today's protagonists, the five would-be nobles, to come forward and come to their lord!" ”

Amid a burst of applause and cheers, the tall wooden door of the hall was slowly opened inwards by the attendants, and under the watchful eye of everyone, the five ordained ones—Stallman, Van Cleeff, Burgard, Phillaren and Huffman—wore armor and robes, and walked in. This is also a tradition in the kingdom, and both civil and military personnel must wear armor when they are ordained nobles, because from the time of the Araso Empire, almost all nobles started their careers because of military exploits.

They walked through the straight passage of the crowd and stepped on the thick carpet to Diego, who was looking at them with a serious expression.

Five men lined up, swords in hand, landed on one knee and knelt in front of Diego. Behind them, the applause gradually quieted down.

Different from the viscount canonization ceremony that Diego personally experienced, Samuel on the side held the holy deed belonging to Diego, silently prayed to the holy light, and after a few minutes, he officially handed over the holy deed of the demon tyrannosaurus skin to Diego, and whispered: "You can start." ”

Diego nodded, holding the Covenant in one hand and the sword in Stallman's hand in the other, a gesture that implied acceptance of the loyalty offered by the other party.

He gently placed his sword flat on Stallman's left shoulder and asked solemnly.

"Grian Stallman, will you be loyal to me and protect my family and domain?"

"Till death, my lord!" Stallman replied loudly with all his might.

"Take the oath, Grian Stallman!" Diego withdrew his sword from his shoulder, pointing it down in front of Stallman.

"As you wish, my lord," Stallman bowed his head deeply, clasped his hands into fists in front of his chest, and then swore reverently, "I make a sacred oath before this sword!"

I swear allegiance to my lordship, remembering loyalty and valor;

I swear to shelter my people with justice and kindness;

I vow to turn away from pride and greed, and to keep the law and glory;

I vow to be kind to my friends and brothers, and to be humble and honest!

I hereby make this vow to defend it with my life and blood! ”

When he had finished taking his oath, Diego struck Stallman on each shoulder with his sword, then handed it to his attendants. This sword is to be collected in Diego's family showroom, which is also a reflection of the family history and heritage of an aristocratic family, and some of the old nobles who have lasted for hundreds of years, this sword of allegiance can even fill the entire showroom.

"In accordance with the sacred right of the lords, I, Diego Asnar, hereby canonize Grion Stallman as hereditary baron. Now, Stallman, stand up as a baron! ”

With Diego's loud announcement, the new baron stood up and turned to face the crowd.

"In the name of the Light, I witness with my own eyes that the man before me, Grian Stallman, becomes a hereditary baron!" On Diego's side, Brother Samuel shouted loudly.

Then, according to the custom of the kingdom, he waited quietly for a quarter of an hour, but no one questioned the canonization, and everyone was full of envy or jealousy of the recipient, but Stallman had done for all to see, and he deserved the honor.

Two minutes later, a loud trumpet sounded from the towers of the lord's castle, announcing the birth of a nobleman to the entire city.

On this morning, Diego accepted the allegiance of five vassals, while Brother Samuel shouted the Witness Declaration five times, and the trumpet on the tower sounded five times. On this day, a new noble group was born in the lands of the western wilderness, and it was in the eyes of later historians that the legendary hero Diego Aznar was able to save the world of Azeroth again and again.