Reinforcements

With the benefits of the alliance, the meeting went very smoothly. According to the agreed-upon profit-sharing ratio, each party would contribute an equivalent number of troops.

The longer time dragged on, the more variables there would be.

The four of them agreed to meet at the border of the Barony of Cleveland in five days, combine their forces, and attack the Pioneer Knight's territory to seize the rich iron ore deposit.

These past few days, Velin had been actively preparing for the battle.

On the morning of July 23rd, a well-equipped army entered the Lake of Star Prayer from the south.

Upon receiving the news, Velin led his men to welcome his cousin.

"Velin, I've arrived."

A handsome and dashing knight approached, it was his cousin, Brian.

"Cousin, welcome."

The knights from both sides paid their respects to their respective lords and followed them into the Lake of Star Prayer.

"In less than three months, you've managed to develop this area so well. You're much better than your cousin." Brian said with emotion as he toured the territory, recalling his own early days of pioneering.

"Cousin, you flatter me. This is all thanks to the 'assistance' from Sir Brandon next door, which provided me with ample manpower for my next plan," Velin replied with a smile.

As they talked, everyone arrived at a wide grassland where a lavish spread of food and wine had been laid out. Many knights began to feast.

During the banquet, Velin introduced the surrounding situation to his cousin while explaining his plan.

"Velin, I don't think all this fuss is necessary. Your cousin here has brought fifty Bronze Knights, two hundred Knight Squires, and six hundred elite warriors. We'll just charge straight ahead and force them to submit."

Brian rubbed his throbbing head, waved his hand to interrupt Velin's lengthy explanation, and proposed the simplest and most brutal plan.

"Cousin, doing it that way will result in many casualties. After all, they aren't pushovers. Using some strategy appropriately will help us reduce casualties and gain greater benefits," Velin said, looking at Brian speechlessly, and advised him.

"Alright, alright, I'll listen to you." Seeing Velin about to continue, Brian waved his hand, picked up a glass of wine, and drank it in one gulp.

"Forget it, cousin. Let your Guardian Knight communicate with me."

Velin covered his face as he looked at this drunkard. He truly didn't know how his cousin had managed to conquer and meticulously manage a territory twice the size of the Barony of Cleveland in just six years.

By 3 PM, the banquet ended, and many drunken knights collapsed on the spot, fast asleep.

Velin had no choice but to ask Orlando to bring some blankets to cover them.

"Lord Velin, I am the liege's Guardian Knight and Chief Executive Officer. You may call me Adrian," a young man dressed in fine attire appeared before Velin.

Sensing the aura emanating from him, Velin exclaimed in surprise, "Magic Knight?"

"You have sharp eyes, my lord," the young man replied politely and elegantly.

Now, Velin understood why the Ridge Territory was managed so well. The root cause was likely this person.

Magic Knights were knights who wielded magic energy, possessing the advantages of both a mage and a knight. They were known for their power and intelligence.

Subsequently, Velin led Adrian to a wooden cabin, spread out a map, and began to explain his plan.

"In this battle, we will face attacks from four territories. I estimate the enemy's strength to be around three thousand men, with sixty percent being serfs. This means we will only face twelve hundred regular troops."

"The Lake of Star Prayer can deploy three hundred infantry and fifteen Bronze Knights to hold the front line and attract the enemy's attention."

"As for you, the enemy is unaware of your presence beforehand, so you can lie in ambush in the flank area. Wait for my signal, attack from the rear, raid their command center, and crush their core strength."

After hearing this, Adrian asked with doubt, "Lord Velin, forgive my presumption, but can your three hundred men withstand the frontal assault of their three thousand?"

"You don't need to worry about that. I have my own ways of dealing with it," Velin said with a mysterious smile to Adrian.

This action piqued the Magic Knight's curiosity, making him eager to know how the other party intended to stop three thousand men with only three hundred.

After entering the Lake of Star Prayer, he had already confirmed that there were no Silver Knights present.

"Knock, knock, knock."

Hearing the knock, Velin said, "Come in."

Orlando pushed open the door and reported, "My Lord, we've apprehended six runaway serfs. They were all slaves traded back a week ago."

"Demote them to third-class slaves. After the war, they will be assigned to the Salt Mine."

"Yes."

After Orlando left, Adrian naturally understood that these people were likely spies planted in the Lake of Star Prayer. Upon learning of the arrival of unfamiliar troops, they had eagerly attempted to escape and report back.

However, comparatively, he was very interested in this young knight.

At the young age of thirteen, he was already a Mid-Bronze Tier Knight, possessing astonishing talent.

July 25th, the sun was shining brightly.

The four lords, along with their subordinates, gathered at the border of the Barony of Cleveland.

Sixty Bronze Knights, three hundred Knight Squires, one thousand warriors, and three thousand serfs formed the main force of this expedition.

Violet, Cesley, and Barry were all high-spirited, as if they could already see the dawn of victory.

With such a powerful force, they couldn't believe that a newly emerged Pioneer Knight could resist them.

However, Brandon felt something was amiss. None of the spies he had placed among the slave teams had returned, which made him uneasy.

"This time, we will definitely eliminate that young upstart and avenge Brandon, hahaha." Violet looked at Brandon arrogantly and said it openly in front of everyone.

Violet's subordinates raised their weapons, looking provocatively at Brandon's army and boasting of their bravery.

"My lord, they..." a Knight said angrily to Brandon, pointing at Violet.

"Forget it. I feel something is wrong. Let our people slow down."

Brandon wasn't angered by Violet's petty trick and instead gave orders to the Knight.

He was long past the age of hot-headedness; why would he fall for such a provocation and become cannon fodder?

Seeing this, Violet wisely stopped, scolding his subordinates to shut up.

"Advance."

Under the command of the temporary overall commander, Violet, the main force began to move forward towards the camp where the Mithril Ore was located.

As agreed, Violet's troops marched at the front, followed by Cesley's and Barry's armies in order, with Brandon's army bringing up the rear. Together, they numbered only around five hundred.

Due to heavy losses in the previous battle, he didn't have enough money and equipment to rebuild his forces in such a short time.

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