Early the next morning, the fleet set off along the coastline. Looking at the scene before him, Victor felt much lighter. Two of the Eastern Four Counties bordered the sea, while Bole County lay farthest from it. Since awakening his memories, this was Victor's first time seeing the ocean, and it felt especially different.
Heading north along the coast, the sea was far calmer than expected. The deep blue water also proved that the seabed here was deep. At the very least, the hydrographic conditions were good, with few hidden reefs.
Looking from the sea toward the shore, beyond the black-gray coastal rocks stretched an endless grassland. The grass had begun to yellow after autumn arrived, but Victor could easily imagine the prairie's beauty in summer.
The voyage then became tedious. Most people had lost their initial fascination with the sea and instead looked forward to reaching shore and setting foot on land.
Three mornings later, Victor stood at the bow and gazed into the distance. They should have reached the vicinity of his territory, though he still could not identify it.
"According to our arrangement, Jack's squad should have found a bay suitable for ships to dock in and built a simple watchtower on the shore." Victor considered the instructions he had given Jack earlier.
Before long, however, they spotted a column of smoke rising from the shore in the distance.
As they drew closer, they saw a flag standing nearby, bearing the Golden Sunflower Crest. It was Jack's advance squad.
Victor first sent word to the fleet to prepare to drop anchor and dock, then had a small boat take him ashore. Once he landed, he saw Knight Jack waiting by the coast.
"Lord Victor, thank heavens, you've finally arrived." Jack was overjoyed and immediately ran forward to salute Victor.
Victor carefully examined Jack and found him looking bedraggled, with damage to his leather armor, as though he had been through a battle. He looked over the other squad members as well, and they were dressed much the same way.
Victor asked in a grave voice, "What happened, Jack? Who did you fight? What were the losses?"
Jack looked ashamed. "I'm sorry, Lord Victor. I failed to properly carry out the task you assigned me."
"After we disembarked at Northwind City, we bought supplies and traveled overland directly to your territory."
"Everything went smoothly at first. We reached the abandoned outpost and found that although it had been deserted, it was undamaged and its defensive facilities remained intact. It only needed to be cleaned up before use. The entire outpost was a small earth-and-timber fort. It was not especially sturdy, but it was enough to defend against Barbarians lacking siege equipment. There was also a water source inside the wooden fort, enough to station two hundred men."
"So I used that wooden fort as our temporary base. I arranged for men to scout the territory in groups of five, left half the men to guard the fort, and personally led a team to survey the coastline for a place where ships could conveniently dock and land."
"The first two days went smoothly, and we quickly found a suitable anchorage. It only needed a simple wooden pier to be usable. But on the third night, while I was organizing intelligence and counting our personnel, I discovered that one squad had not returned on time. To be safe, I did not search for them immediately. Instead, early the next morning, I organized a forty-man squad to search along the direction they had scouted."
"We searched all the way to the Great Fish River, where we found a Barbarian Tribe crossing the river on rafts. There were perhaps two or three thousand of them. Their population was not large, and most were women and children, with relatively few men. I judged that they were a defeated tribe that had fled into our territory to escape their enemies."
"After observing them for a day, I confirmed that they had very few able-bodied adults, only around three or four hundred. But with the women and children included, there were simply too many. I feared we might not be able to hold the outpost, so I wanted to attempt a night raid. Even if we could not crush them in one blow, we could still deal them a severe blow."
"So I waited until nightfall and mobilized everyone left behind at the fort. Fortunately, all the men you assigned me were capable, my lord, and everyone was willing to give it a try."
"Everything went smoothly afterward. The elite warriors of that battered tribe had likely all been spent in battle. The people left behind were completely unable to withstand our attack. We easily routed them and set their camp ablaze. Perhaps because the grass had begun to dry out, the fire spread fiercely. Many fled into the river and were swept away by the current. We did not linger in battle. Once we confirmed they had lost the ability to resist, we withdrew and returned to the outpost to rest."
"However, the scouts we left behind discovered another force of Barbarian Cavalry on the other side of the river, around five hundred strong. They were likely the pursuers who had come after that tribe. They gathered the tribe's survivors again and headed directly for our outpost."
"What followed was a defensive battle. We lacked manpower and equipment, and so did they, but that Barbarian Cavalry used the surviving elderly, weak, women, and children as human shields to assault our wooden fort. We held out for four days. Including the wounded, only half the squad remained. With no other choice, I led the men in abandoning the fort. Fortunately, our warhorses were still in good condition. Using the chaos caused by setting the fort on fire, we managed to escape."
"Afterward, I did not dare retreat south. I feared our horses would not last, so I led the men straight to the shore, continued building the watchtower, and waited here for the territory's follow-up forces. Fortunately, we had only been here for two days when you arrived, my lord."
"Jack, you did very well. Under such circumstances, even I could not have done better. Don't blame yourself. I want intelligence on that Barbarian Cavalry now. The Golden Sunflower Family answers tooth for tooth and blood for blood. I happen to be short of enough herding slaves to tend my livestock."
"Understood, my lord. I have kept scouts following their force. It is almost time for the shift change. Please wait a moment, and we will bring you the freshest intelligence."
Victor did not intend to wait long. He immediately ordered the ships to dock and had all the troops sent ashore to rest. Then he summoned Ron, Santos, James, and all the commanders to the shore to discuss the next battle.
Before long, the scout returned. Jack brought him before Victor and the others to make his report.
"My lord Baron, that force is still camped near the outpost. They have not sent anyone to hunt us down, perhaps believing we have already fled. They are merely ordering the captured herders to gather the scattered sheep that were frightened away. However, they have sent several groups of Cavalry north. I do not know whether they are reporting in or calling for reinforcements. They currently have a little over four hundred warriors. The captured herders are mostly women and children, around twelve hundred in total." The scout reported on the Barbarian Cavalry's situation to Victor.
"It seems they are quite bold. Either they are fearless through ignorance, or they have something to rely on." Victor said, stroking his chin.
"Victor, you mean there may be a larger force to the north?" Ron asked.
"That is possible, though I cannot be certain. Santos, find ten capable young men and arrange for a ship to take them across the Great Fish River along the coastline. Have them head north and take a look." Victor decided it was better to be cautious.
"Tell all troops to disembark as quickly as possible. No matter what, we must fight a battle. We need to swallow this force that crossed the river first before we can deal with the enemies behind them."
"Assign some serfs to build the simple pier first. Unloading by small boat is too slow."
"Call Captain Jack and Steward Powell over." To make things easier to distinguish, Victor had directly appointed sailor Jack as captain, while the former knight Jack was called Captain Jack.
Captain Jack and Powell soon arrived in the command tent.
"Steward Powell, I cannot allow the fleet to return yet. First, unloading is not complete. Second, the coming battle may require the fleet's strength. I need you to organize the men to complete the unloading as quickly as possible, then build a simple pier and storage yard here."
"Captain Jack, find two ships that have finished unloading and have shallow drafts. Send them directly into the Great Fish River from its mouth. There is no time to survey the waters now. I need a naval force to watch the north bank of the Great Fish River and receive my scouting party."
After making the arrangements, Victor had the two men leave at once to carry out their tasks.
"My knights, we need to make plans in advance. I believe our strength gives us the advantage. Including the advance squad and James's troops, we have one hundred and fifty Cavalry and six hundred infantry. Each of our cavalrymen has two horses and good equipment. One of ours can match three Barbarian Cavalry. Our infantry have all completed training, with veteran soldiers serving as their backbone. Other than lacking experience, they are qualified warriors."
"The enemy has only four hundred unarmored cavalrymen and twelve hundred elderly, weak, women, and children. The advantage is absolutely ours. But we cannot act blindly. Our troops need rest and will not be ready for battle for at least a day. I now need a small cavalry unit to screen the battlefield and keep watch on the Barbarian Cavalry. Who is willing to volunteer? Captain Jack is exempt. You and your men need rest as well."
Ron spoke up directly. "Leave it to me. I am familiar with the Northlands Steppe, and I know some of the Barbarians' language."
James also wanted to compete for the task, but seeing Ron step forward first, he did not continue. After all, Ron was more suitable in every respect.
Santos stated that he would lead the infantry this time, while the cavalry could remain under Jack, James, and Ron.
Victor also felt there was no problem with this division of duties. The infantry's main force came from Golden Sunflower Territory, and many of the veterans had once served under Santos and Ron, making them easier for Santos to command. Ron was indeed more experienced and highly skilled in combat, making him better suited to lead the Cavalry. It was also more convenient for James to command his own cavalry unit, while Jack's cavalry truly needed rest.
"Good. We'll arrange it that way. But Uncle, do not rush. Lead everyone in resting properly, then set out tomorrow morning. The rest of you as well—after arranging for your troops to disembark, set up camp and get to sleep early. The situation may change at any time."
After assigning the tasks, Victor had them return to gather their troops, while he remained in the tent and continued working with Number 1 on a plan.
"Victor, I need terrain data from this area. The Calculation Module can use it to generate a map, and its accuracy will be far better than the sketch in your hand," Number 1 suggested.
The map Victor held had been drawn by Captain Jack using the initial scouting reports. It was not very accurate and could only serve as a reference.
"Alright, Number 1. Tomorrow, I'll go with Ron. You can collect terrain data along the way. I need to find a battlefield suitable for infantry deployment and pursuit."
"If only we could find some means of long-distance communication. I wonder where the Edelweiss Territory cavalry is now. Normally, they should only arrive two days later than us. If they can make it here, I would only need three hundred and fifty Light Cavalry to destroy the Barbarian Cavalry. There would be no need to consider infantry coordination."
Victor felt troubled.
"Victor, based on the information we have collected, the long-distance communication method you mentioned may exist. Many plants can communicate remotely by releasing chemical signals such as tannic acid. We could find a magical plant capable of releasing multiple chemical signals and create a simple communication device."
"Number 1, can something like that really be done?" Victor was greatly surprised.
"Victor, it is feasible. The plants in this world are unusual and must have undergone genetic modification and adjustment. If there are mutant species like the Silver Maple and Iron Birch, half metal and half plant, then photoelectric signal communication can also be achieved. The Calculation Module can compile a dedicated communication language for it."
"That's incredible. I can hardly wait. If it can be achieved, I think I could become king of the world." Victor was excited.
But he soon calmed down. Becoming king of the world was still far away, while the battle before him was imminent. He had to be even more cautious.
"Victor, you need not worry. According to the Calculation Module's calculations, with the forces in your hands, defeating the enemy will not be difficult, and losses can be kept very light."
"Number 1, I know. But I want to annihilate the enemy as completely as possible. I do not know how large the Barbarian Tribes to the north are or how many enemies remain. I also do not want our strength exposed to them too early. We must grasp every detail. Fortunately, you and the Calculation Module are here. I could not do this alone."
"Victor, you are the inheritor. You are special. In the terms of your culture, the Beacon Lighthouse chose you, so you are a person favored by destiny. You should have more confidence."
"Perhaps. But my education and experiences have taught me that I am not special. That is why I must think more and consider more, whether for my dreams or for this world."
"Alright. Next, I need to formulate a logistics plan. Before tomorrow morning, I must clearly understand how many supplies I can mobilize for this battle and how much military preparation we need. Number 1, get the Calculation Module working at once. Let's go see how unloading is progressing and how fast it is going. Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated."
Victor walked straight out of the tent toward the temporary storage yard.
Before you continue