Iron Mountain Fortress Garrison Corps

The next morning, Victor sent one of his personal guards to inform the group. After the group met outside Northwind City, they went directly to Iron Mountain Fortress with Alex.

The road from Northwind City to Iron Mountain Fortress was very well constructed. It was 12 meters wide and paved entirely with large stone bricks, making it very smooth. There weren't many people around, so the procession moved very quickly. Victor estimated that they would arrive by noon.

Along this road, soldiers from the Iron Birch Territory are on guard every five kilometers or so. Alex explained that his father, Count Colt, believed that vigilance should be maintained at all times, and the entire Iron Birch Territory maintained a state of outward relaxation but inward tension.

Victor was also very curious about this and asked Alex in detail about the Iron Mountain Fortress garrison, including its size, patrol routes, and rotation times.

Alex told him everything he knew, but he also said that the Iron Mountain Fortress Garrison Corps was in charge of the matter and that it needed to be adjusted every now and then. Only Count Colt and the Garrison Corps commander knew the specific plan.

Victor thought to Number One, "It seems that the operational plan for the surprise attack on Iron Mountain Fortress is very difficult. Let's put it on hold for now and focus on drawing up a high-precision map first."

"Victor, Alex trusts you a lot. You can ask about the troop strength of the Garrison Corps. I don't think anyone would think that you are asking about these things to your advantage against the Iron Birch Family."

"Sure, even if we don't need this plan in the future, understanding the configuration of the Iron Mountain Fortress Garrison Corps can serve as a reference for the configuration of the Two Rivers Territory Garrison Army."

Victor asked Alex the question directly.

"The Iron Mountain Fortress Garrison Corps should be an understrength regiment, with two full-strength regiments on standby and three regiments with only a quarter of the normal strength. The regiment has about 10,000 men, and the Legion Commander is my third uncle, Haines Iron Birch."

"This kind of organization is a bit special. Few nobles would use an understaffed organization. Why is the Iron Birch Territory set up like this?"

"Iron Birch Territory has always done it this way. My father explained that it was for wartime expansion. Except for the First Legion, which is always at full strength, the Second Legion and the Iron Mountain Fortress Garrison Corps are also configured in this way. Our border defense forces in Iron Birch Territory are stationed at various key points along the border in the form of independent brigades. When needed, these independent brigades will be incorporated into the Second Legion and the Garrison Corps, at which time both corps can be at full strength."

Victor felt that this organizational structure looked familiar, so he simply asked, "Does that mean that the number of officers in each legion is also more than that of a normal legion?"

"Victor, how did you know that the officers of the First Legion and Second Legion each have one captain and three deputies? Father's idea is that these officers can start their own troops if necessary, so as to facilitate the expansion of the army."

Upon hearing this answer, Victor inwardly scoffed, "Isn't this just the Shadow Legion? Double the number of officers, and when needed, they can promote deputies to full officers, add some veterans, fill in Auxiliary Troops, recruit new soldiers, and directly start another legion."

"From this perspective, the Iron Birch Territory has a more solid foundation than we imagined. It has three standing legions, two shadow legions, a total strength of 100,000, and at least 40,000 to 50,000 professional soldiers. In addition, it has dozens of vassal tribes and can raise at least 20,000 to 30,000 Barbarian Cavalry."

"No wonder Count Colt had ulterior motives. With this strength, even without the help of other Northern Frontier nobles, he could give Grand Duke Silver Maple a hard time. You should know that before the Civil War, the entire Ducal House only had seven directly subordinate standing legions and one Imperial Guard Legion. There were also a considerable number of auxiliary troops, and the number of professional soldiers was only about 80,000 to 90,000."

"Victor, it seems that there must be a large number of hidden people in Iron Birch Territory. The 800,000 people that are publicly announced cannot support such a large army. The population of Iron Birch Territory may have doubled."

"Number One, you're right. Perhaps I was too arrogant. There are countless heroes in the world. Even if they are not as knowledgeable as me, there are definitely many who are more intelligent than me. I should be more cautious in the future."

Victor didn't ask Alex any more questions after that. He already knew what he wanted to know, and Alex probably wouldn't know much more anyway, because he hadn't become the heir to the Iron Birch Territory yet.

At noon, the group arrived at Iron Mountain Fortress. Alex wanted to take Victor directly to pay his respects to Count Colt, but Victor refused. He said that the Count had just finished lunch and might need to rest for a while, which would give Victor time to tidy up his appearance and prepare a gift for the Count. He would visit the Count a little later.

Alex agreed with this, so he didn't try to persuade Victor any further. He returned to the Iron Mountain Fortress and told Victor that he would wait for him to visit with his father in the inner fortress.

After dealing with Alex, Victor washed up at the accommodations arranged for him at Iron Mountain Fortress, changed out of his hunting clothes into formal attire, and had his guards prepare gifts for Count Colt.

After everything was settled, Victor submitted a request for an audience with the reception manager of Iron Mountain Fortress, following the proper etiquette for formal audiences with high-ranking nobles.

The request for an audience was quickly approved, and Victor entered the inner fortress with the steward in charge of receiving guests.

The receptionist left immediately, and the steward of the inner fortress continued to lead Victor to pay his respects to Count Colt. The group followed him to the entrance of the reception hall, handed over all their weapons, and then entered the reception hall.

Count Colt was already waiting in the main seat of the reception hall, with Alex standing behind him.

Victor walked directly to the seat below the main one and bowed to Count Colt.

"Victor Golden Sunflower pays his respects to Colt Count Iron Birch. I am grateful for your patience and it is my good fortune to see that you are in good health."

"Viscount Victor, every time I see you, I have a different feeling. The first time I met you, you were resolute and courageous, daring to challenge difficulties, and you were not afraid of the Barbarians siege. The second time I met you, you were cautious and careful, and you were very polite and well-mannered when you greeted me. You are indeed very outstanding to be recognized by the nobles of Dongjun. If you were my son, I would not have hesitated so much in choosing who to choose as my successor."

"Count Excellency, you flatter me. Alex and John are both very talented; I am far inferior to them."

"You're quite cautious. Alex told me you have a gift for me, and I'd like to see what it is that makes you so confident."

Victor immediately ordered two of his men to carry the boxes they were carrying into the reception hall. Victor stepped forward, opened the boxes, took out two small jars, and handed them directly to Alex. Victor then opened the remaining jars himself, which contained a white solid.

"Count Lord, this is the gift I want to give you, and I will name it White Sugar."