A Risky Gambit

When Victor saw Alex's serious expression, he was also startled. He knew that Alex would never propose changing the plan without a reason.

Alex handed the intelligence to Victor, saying, "Take a look at it first."

Victor took the intelligence report and read it carefully. Soon, his brows furrowed.

"How accurate is this intelligence?"

"We're 90% sure; this information came from our intelligence station in Silver Maple City."

Victor was surprised.

"How come it's so fast? Didn't this unit just leave Silver Maple City 6 hours ago?"

"Before I carried out this mission, I issued an order through the Chamber of Commerce's carrier pigeon to temporarily raise the intelligence level of several trading posts in the Western Three Counties. If there is important intelligence, the Silver Maple City intelligence station can encrypt the intelligence and send it to them. After I go to the trading post, show the token and provide the temporary password, the trading post here can translate the intelligence they receive and deliver it to me."

Victor looked amazed. He hadn't expected Alex's intelligence system to be so comprehensive, but this also meant the accuracy of the intelligence, which was not good news.

"A large battalion of the Imperial Guard Legion's Heavy Cavalry Regiment, that's quite a size."

"It might be worse than you think, Victor. This Rasul, according to the intelligence I had before, should be the youngest son of Viscount Borey, the Imperial Guard Legion. Viscount Borey likes him very much and has expressed his desire to make him an independent nobleman. This battalion might very well be the First Battalion of the Heavy Cavalry Regiment," Alex said with a wry smile.

Victor was a little curious about the meaning behind Alex's words.

"Is there anything special about this First Battalion?"

"Victor, you don't understand the Imperial Guard Legion. This Legion Commander has been stationed in Silver Maple City for a long time and has remained neutral in the Civil War, but we have been paying close attention to them. According to the intelligence we have, the Imperial Guard Legion is definitely the most powerful legion in the entire Grand Duchy."

While we can say the Iron Knight Regiment is the most powerful Heavy Cavalry force around the entire duchy, at the legion level, the Iron Birch Territory's legions are indeed inferior to this Imperial Guard Legion. Not only in numbers, but the Imperial Guard Legion is also incredibly formidable in terms of both soldier quality and equipment superiority; it is the sharpest blade in the Silver Maple Ducal House's hands, and the First Battalion of this Heavy Cavalry Regiment should absolutely not be underestimated.

Victor thought Alex's statement was an exaggeration, Alex, seeing Victor's dismissive expression, continued.

"The reason why the Imperial Guard Legion is known as the sharpest knife of the Silver Maple Ducal House is because the Duchy invests a lot of money and resources in this force every year. This investment is enough to support four ordinary legions. Although the Legion Commander is not a member of the Ducal House, four of the eight Regimental Commanders in the Imperial Guard Legion are from the Silver Maple Family branch, and they have always maintained firm control over the entire legion."

The Regimental Commander of the Heavy Cavalry Regiment was named Geis Silver Maple, the nephew of the previous Grand Duke and the younger brother of Grand Duke Mora. Every Regimental Commander of the Heavy Cavalry Regiment throughout history had been a member of the Silver Maple Family; none had ever left. The Silver Maple Family had also invested heavily in this unit, possessing their best warhorses and recruiting the finest soldiers from the directly subordinate to the Duchy counties. You can imagine just how powerful this regiment was.

"So, does that mean this First Battalion is also an elite unit of the Heavy Cavalry Regiment?"

"Of course, that's definitely true," Alex replied decisively.

"We have no chance of defeating an elite Cavalry force of 500 men, even if they are not fully armed."

Everything was planned perfectly, but then this huge unexpected event occurred. Victor and Alex could only stand there and sulk for a while, but in order to complete the mission, they still had to continue discussing the battle plan.

"Let's scrap the original plan! We need to think of a new approach."

"This is the only way."

"According to intelligence, at their speed, they should meet up with the Diplomatic Delegation at Woven Fern Territory. This is good news; we don't need to change locations."

"Yes, at their pace, if they travel day and night without rest, they should be able to reach Woven Fern Territory around 7 a. m. on the 16th, the day after tomorrow."

"It's 8 p. m. on the 14th now. The team transporting the secret pact will probably arrive at the Woven Fern Territory around noon on the 15th. So we only have time from noon on the 15th to the morning of the 16th."

Victor thought for a moment, and it seemed that there was only one choice left, no matter what.

"The window of opportunity is limited. Our only option is to attack the castle in the Woven Fern Territory at midnight. Other times are not suitable."

Alex felt a toothache and thought Victor's idea was far too far-fetched.

"We only have a little over 100 men, all Cavalry, and no siege equipment. Are you crazy to attack a baron's territory with at least 200 defenders?"

"I'm not crazy. Let me correct you. We're only attacking the territory's castle. The garrison is less than 200 men. A significant portion of the private army of the Woven Fern Territory is stationed at various checkpoints throughout the territory to prevent individuals or caravans from entering or leaving under cover of night to evade tolls. Furthermore, although our forces are small, they are all elite troops. Whether it's cavalry or infantry, we can say we've got them all under our control."

"Even so, Victor, they must have over a hundred men defending the castle, not to mention the guards of the Diplomatic Delegation carrying the secret agreement. According to our intelligence, there are at least sixty or seventy of them. Are we really asking too much of them to use half of our garrison to attack this small castle?"

"I think we have at least a 50% chance of taking this castle. During my reconnaissance, I discovered that the castle's defenses are very incomplete: for example, there is only one watchtower on the city wall, the walls are also very low, mostly only a little over two meters high, and some sections can be scaled over by sprinting. The moat is not even filled with water. It can be said that the entire castle's defenses are very poor."

"If that's what you're saying, then there is indeed a possibility of taking this castle. But Victor, we only have 10 hours to attack, from 8 pm on the 15th to 6 am on the 16th. Is that enough time to take this castle?"

"Of course I can. Now that I've chosen this method, I'm determined to take down this castle."

Alex rolled his eyes. "Do you think I believe that?"

"Believe it or not, Alex, I hope you will support me. We still have enough time. Please inform the Chamber of Commerce to help me prepare some supplies."

Alex sighed. "Since you insist, I will help you."