Concealing Their Tracks

At 3 a. m., Victor and Alex appeared at the gates of Iron Mountain Fortress with 120 soldiers in their interception squad. Count Colt personally saw them off.

"Alex, and Victor, this interception operation depends on you two, but safety comes first, and there's no need to force things if they can't be done."

Count Colt patted the two men on the shoulder.

"Look, these are the mounts I've prepared for you to cross the mountains," Count Colt said, leading them to the herd of horses beside him.

After examining it carefully, Victor said with slight surprise, "This is the Aran Horse from the Scorching Sun Islands?"

Count Colt nodded approvingly. "Yes, this is a unique horse breed of the Scorching Sun Islands. The Iron Birch Family has been working to improve existing horse breeds, so through our caravans we have collected many horse breeds that are unique to other places. These horse breeds have a certain population within the Iron Birch Territory."

Although Victor had heard about this, and the Two Rivers Territory had obtained many special warhorses used by the Iron Knight Regiment from the Iron Birch Territory, he did not expect that the Iron Birch Territory could improve and breed horses to this extent.

There are more than two hundred Aran Horse horses in front of us. Judging from their size and condition, they are all specially selected warhorses. This means that the Aran Horse herd in Iron Birch Territory has at least several thousand horses. Otherwise, it would be impossible to select so many excellent horses.

Judging from this point alone, the overall strength of the Iron Birch Territory is far beyond what ordinary noble families can match; it is truly unfathomable.

However, Victor still had some questions, which he asked Count Colt directly.

"These Aran Horse are enough for us to quickly cross the Carson Mountains, but once we enter York County, these horses are not suited for running on the plains. They are not as fast or as endurance as the Wind Howler Horse. How should we solve this problem?"

Count Colt didn't answer, but looked directly at Alex.

Victor understood what he meant; it meant that Alex could answer the question.

Alex said smugly to Victor, "I will be in charge of the Northern Frontier Chamber of Commerce's business. The Northern Frontier Chamber of Commerce's biggest business in the Grand Duchy and the surrounding areas is the sale of horses. They have trading posts all over the country, and these trading posts store a lot of horses for trade. There is a trading post near Haiden City in York County that stores more than four hundred warhorses, which is enough for us."

"But now that Grand Duke Mora has mobilized his army to take action against us, won't these trading posts be affected?"

"We had this in mind as early as when we were planning to launch our uprising. These trading posts were nominally sold to some nobles and chambers of commerce in the mainland two years ago, but in reality, they are still operated and managed by our people, who also collect intelligence."

"Then I have no further questions." Victor was no longer concerned after learning that Iron Birch Territory was already prepared.

"Victor, don't worry about the Golden Sunflower Territory in Boler County. I've been sending ships out to deliver your letter in time and bring your father and other relatives back to the Two Rivers Territory. I've also prepared a letter for Count Black, who will stop the Duchy's actions against the Golden Sunflower Territory if necessary."

"It's alright, Uncle, I'm not worried. The Duchy's direct legions are severely understaffed right now, and Mora simply doesn't have the manpower or ability to deal with Golden Sunflower Territory. Besides, even the loyal nobles in the eastern counties won't get involved in this mess until the situation becomes clear."

Count Colt nodded. The Northern Frontier Noble Alliance was indeed unprepared and was now facing a crisis; but Grand Duke Mora was equally unprepared, and his crisis was even greater.

As long as Grand Duke Mora cannot prove that Count Colt has rebelled, he can only rely on the Duchy's Direct Legion to deal with Iron Birch Territory and the Northern Alliance Army, and the loyal nobles will only support him in spirit.

Alex and Victor bid farewell to Count Colt and left Iron Mountain Fortress with their troops.

"May everything go well for them!" Count Colt said softly as he watched them leave.

He then returned to Iron Mountain Fortress, as there were still many important things to do; the war had already begun.

Alex and Victor led their team into the Carson Mountains, guided by guides sent by Iron Birch Territory.

Thanks to Aran Horse's excellent mountain walking ability, they marched very quickly, and by 3 p. m. on the 12th, they had already crossed the ridge, and what awaited them was a long downhill stretch.

They stopped at a high-altitude meadow near the mountaintop. The horses were driven aside by the Cavalry to graze and drink, while the others organized their weapons and equipment, preparing for battle at any moment.

Just in case, everyone put on the half-body armor that had been prepared in advance. Fortunately, the armor made of Iron Birch bark was not heavy and did not have much impact on everyone's physical strength.

Alex and Victor are discussing the map and route with the guide.

"My lords, there are two routes down the mountain. One leads to Avis Town in western York County. The slope is gentle, but the journey is long and will take about eight hours. The other route leads to Lack City behind Carn City. The slope is steeper, but the journey is shorter and will only take four hours. I recommend the first route, as it is safer."

Victor looked at the map. "These two places are about the same distance from Haiden City. If we want to get to Haiden City faster, I suggest choosing the second option. As long as we calculate the time well and enter York County under the cover of night, we should not be discovered by the garrison of Carn City."

"Let's do as Victor says, let's take the second route."

After confirming with the guide that there was nowhere suitable to rest along the route, the group decided to rest for an hour in this alpine meadow before descending the mountain after 8 p. m. and marching quickly to the trading post Haiden City.

After arranging the sentries, Victor also rested for a while, fully clothed.

Around 9 p. m., a battle had just taken place by a small river in Lack City York County, where seven or eight Cavalry wearing leather armor with Silver Maple crests lay dead on the riverbank.

"I didn't expect that. As expected of Count Carter, he is indeed experienced. He has even deployed so many sentries behind the Carn City."

Alex, wiping the sweat from his forehead, said to Victor.

When the two sides met, the Second Legion's scouts tried to talk to them to confirm the code, but Victor immediately launched an attack.

In just three minutes, all eight members of this small Light Cavalry squad were killed by them.

Alex was ordering his men to clean up the battlefield when Victor stopped him.

"There's no time. These scouts must have fixed patrol routes and codes. If they don't report on time, the Second Legion's patrols will definitely find them."

"Then what should we do? Aren't we just going to clean it up?"

"Just cover them with soil and throw all the bodies into the river. Anyway, there are still eight hours until dawn. They won't find them in a short time, which is enough time for us to reach Haiden City and change horses."