Night Battle for the City (I)

Although Alex had his doubts, Victor's long-standing performance convinced him to trust Victor. Following the list of supplies provided by Victor, he personally led a group to the trading post to prepare the supplies.

After Alex left, Victor waited until around 10 p. m. before leading a few guards into the Woven Fern Territory again. To avoid the checkpoints along the way, they chose to walk along mountain trails.

Fortunately, the terrain of the Woven Fern Territory is relatively flat, with not many mountains and forests. Even without torches, they can make out the general terrain by moonlight and starlight.

The entire Woven Fern Territory has been developed for nearly 20 years. Due to its convenient location, the toll fees alone have brought considerable wealth to the Weaver Fern family. The territory has been developed quite well. Although the territory area is less than 300 square kilometers, the total population is around 300,000, making it a rich land.

The land here is typical of the land along the Blackwater River, all excellent fertile soil rich in organic matter. Dense bushes grow on the banks of the river, Victor led a few people through them, trying to find a narrow path through which people and horses could pass.

It was autumn, and the bushes were full of plants like burdock and cocklebur. Victor and his men had only walked for about ten minutes when they were covered in seeds. They came to a clearing by the river, and Victor frowned as he brushed the seeds off his body. Horses couldn't possibly pass through such terrain.

Just then, Victor noticed the river reflecting the moon. The terrain was flat, and the river was calm without a ripple. The water was shallow along the banks, and even under the moonlight, the sand and stones at the bottom of the river could be seen.

Victor seemed to suddenly remember something. He found a small tree next to the open space, cut off a branch about 1.5 meters long with the half-handed sword he was carrying, and walked directly into the river with the branch.

Several of his guards tried to follow him into the river, but Victor stopped them all by reaching out.

It's already autumn, and the nighttime temperature in the Western Three Counties is only seventeen or eighteen degrees Celsius, but the river water isn't cold. Victor felt his ankles, which were already submerged in the river, and the water temperature was about twenty degrees Celsius. The weather in the Western Three Counties has been quite good during the day, with long hours of sunshine, so the river water can maintain this temperature at night.

Victor walked more than three meters toward the center of the river, tapping the riverbed with the branch in his hand as he went. The water was not deep near the bank; even after walking three meters, the water only reached below Victor's knees.

After getting the answer he wanted, Victor called a few guards to go into the river with him, and everyone headed along the riverbank toward the castle in the center of the Woven Fern Territory.

They waded through the river for about four kilometers, which took them more than an hour, and finally reached the dock near the castle. Victor estimated the distance between there and the castle, and then returned directly along the same route.

On the return journey, Victor did not continue walking in the river. When there was an open area on the riverbank, he led his men ashore. Victor went back and forth across the river repeatedly, memorizing all the information about the route.

When he returned to his post, it was already 5 a. m. on the 15th, and the sky was just beginning to lighten. Victor and the others dried their clothes, and after making some modifications and markings to the map, he went to sleep fully clothed.

At 10 a. m. on the 15th, Alex led a cavalry back to the temporary camp and settled the supplies.

Alex went to Victor's tent to find him. When he opened the tent and saw Victor still sleeping, Alex did not wake Victor. Instead, he picked up the map next to him and started looking at it.

At this moment, Victor was awakened by the sound of Alex entering the tent. When he opened his eyes and noticed someone entering the tent, he immediately gripped the longsword at his side and turned to look at the person who had entered.

When Victor saw that the person who came was Alex, he breathed a sigh of relief and took his hand off the hilt of his sword.

He noticed Alex was looking at a map and said directly, "Last night I went to Woven Fern Territory to check out the route and found a suitable road for nighttime infiltration. By taking this route, we can easily avoid the villages and outposts along the way."

"Is this route along the river?" Alex asked, pointing to the route markers on the map.

"Pretty much, part of it is in the river, and part of it is on the riverbank."

"Do we have to go into the water again? Our men and horses can't stay in the river for too long, otherwise they won't be able to exert their strength in battle."

Victor understood what Alex meant; he was referring to the sluggishness of animals after they lose their temperature. After all, this was an objective phenomenon that many armies had observed during marches. A qualified officer would be well aware of this knowledge, and Alex naturally knew it as well.

"Don't worry, we won't be walking on the river for long. We can wrap the horses' hooves and calves tightly with thick fur, which will be enough to keep them in good condition. I remember these were among the supplies I requested."

"Yes, I've brought all these supplies back from the trading post, along with over fifty packhorses. Just in case, I took 1.5 times the usual amount of supplies."

"That's enough. As long as these supplies arrive, we will definitely be able to take this castle."

"So, what should we do now?"

"Let everyone get some rest, and then prepare a hearty dinner."

"Okay, I'll go arrange it right away." Alex turned to leave.

"Wait, Alex, remember to have someone scout out the Diplomatic Delegation carrying the secret pact. Make sure they get into the castle in the Woven Fern Territory. Let me know immediately if there are any changes."

"OK."

Around 7 p. m., the temporary encampment was filled with delicious aromas. Alex had prepared a sumptuous dinner for the evening: white bread, butter, roasted beef, and creamy garlic soup. All the soldiers ate with relish, knowing that a major battle awaited them after nightfall. These battle-hardened elites knew that replenishing their strength was of utmost importance at this time.

By 10 p. m., under the moonlight, all traces of human presence at the temporary encampment had been erased.

Everyone in the team was fully armed. Their mouths were covered with thick linen under their helmet visors, and the horses were all carrying wooden sticks. Both men and horses had their legs bound tightly with thick fur from the calves down.

With this treatment, even a marching force of this size will make very little noise, minimizing the chance of being discovered.

The open space was quiet. Victor looked at the ready troops and said nothing more than, "Let's go!"

Under his leadership, the group filed out and headed west.