Arrival and Unexpected Events

The next morning, the fleet set sail along the coastline. Victor's mood brightened considerably as he took in the scenery. While two of the four eastern counties bordered the sea, Bole County was the furthest inland. This was Victor's first time by the sea since regaining his memories, and it felt remarkably different.

Heading north along the coast, the sea was much calmer than he had imagined. The deep blue water indicated a significant depth, suggesting favorable hydrological conditions with few hidden reefs.

Looking back from the sea towards the shore, beyond the dark grey rocks lining the coast, stretched an endless expanse of grassland. Although the grass had begun to turn yellow with the arrival of autumn, Victor could easily picture the beauty of the plains in summer.

The subsequent voyage became monotonous. Most people lost their initial excitement for the sea and looked forward to landing.

Three days later, in the morning, Victor gazed from the bow of the ship. They should have arrived near his territory by now, though he couldn't yet identify their location.

"As agreed, Jack's team should have found a suitable bay for the ships to dock and set up a simple watchtower on the shore," Victor mused, recalling his instructions to Jack.

However, they soon spotted a plume of smoke rising from the shore not far away.

As they drew closer, they saw a flag planted by the shore. It bore the Golden Sunflower emblem, indicating Jack's advance team.

Victor first sent word to the fleet to prepare to drop anchor, then took a smaller boat to shore. Upon landing, he saw Knight Jack waiting for him.

"Lord Victor, thank heavens you've finally arrived," Jack exclaimed, overjoyed, and immediately bowed before Victor.

Victor examined Jack closely and noticed he looked disheveled, his leather armor torn, suggesting he had been in a fight. He then looked at the other members of the team, who were similarly attired.

Victor asked in a deep voice, "What happened, Jack? Who did you fight, and what were the losses?"

Jack replied with shame, "I apologize, Lord Victor. I failed to complete your assigned task properly."

"After disembarking at Northwind City, we purchased supplies and traveled overland to your territory."

"Everything went smoothly at first. We reached an abandoned outpost and found that although abandoned, it was undamaged and its defenses were still intact. It only needed clearing to be usable. The entire outpost was a small earth and timber castle. It wasn't particularly sturdy, but it was sufficient to defend against Barbarians lacking siege equipment. There was also a water source inside the wooden fort, enough to house 200 people."

"So, I made this wooden fort our temporary base. I assigned men in groups of five to scout the territory, leaving half to guard the fort while I personally led a team to survey the coastline, searching for a suitable landing spot for the ships."

"The first two days were smooth sailing, and we quickly found a suitable spot. A simple wooden pier would be enough to make it usable. However, on the third day, while organizing intelligence and taking a headcount at night, I discovered one scouting party had not returned on time. To be safe, I didn't immediately search for them. Instead, the next morning, I organized a team of 40 men to search in the direction they had been scouting."

"Along the way, we reached the Great Fish River. By the riverbank, we found a Barbarian tribe crossing the river on rafts. There were about two to three thousand of them, mostly women and children, with fewer men. I judged them to be a defeated tribe fleeing their enemies and seeking refuge in our territory."

"After observing them for a day, I confirmed that they had very few young, able-bodied men, only about three to four hundred. However, with the women and children, their numbers were too great. I worried we might not be able to defend the outpost, so I decided to attempt a night raid. Even if we couldn't defeat them outright, we could inflict heavy casualties."

"So, I waited until nightfall and mobilized everyone left at the fort. Fortunately, the men you assigned me were all capable, and everyone was willing to try."

"Everything went smoothly afterward. The elite of this defeated tribe must have been wiped out. The remaining people couldn't resist our attack at all. We easily routed them, setting their camp ablaze. Perhaps because the grass had started to dry out, the fire spread rapidly. Many fled into the river and were swept away by the current. We didn't press the attack; once we confirmed they could no longer resist, we left and returned to the outpost to rest."

"However, our remaining scouts discovered another group of Barbarian cavalry on the other side of the river, numbering around five hundred. They were likely pursuers of the tribe we had encountered. They regrouped the survivors of that tribe and headed directly towards our outpost."

"What followed was a siege. We lacked troops and equipment, and they also lacked equipment. However, the Barbarian cavalry used the surviving elderly and weak as shields to assault our wooden fort. We held out for four days. Including the wounded, only half of our team members remained. I had no choice but to lead my men to abandon the fort. Fortunately, our warhorses were sufficient. We managed to escape amidst the chaos caused by setting the fort on fire."

"Afterward, I dared not retreat south, fearing our horses wouldn't last. I led them directly to the shore, continued building the watchtower, and waited here for reinforcements from the territory. Fortunately, we only stayed here for two days before your arrival."

"Jack, you did very well. In this situation, even I couldn't have done better. Don't blame yourself. I now want intelligence on that Barbarian cavalry. The Golden Sunflower Family will retaliate with tooth and blood. I am in need of enough pastoral slaves to raise livestock for me."

"Certainly, my lord. I've had scouts tracking their movements. It's almost time for their shift change. Please wait a moment, and we will provide you with firsthand intelligence."

Victor didn't want to wait too long. He immediately ordered the ships to dock and sent all the troops ashore to rest. Then, he summoned Ron, Santos, and James, all his commanders, to the shore to discuss the next course of action.

Soon, the scouts returned. Jack brought them before Victor and they reported directly.

"My Lord Baron, that group is still stationed near the outpost. They haven't sent anyone to search for us, possibly thinking we've fled. They are merely organizing the captured pastoralists to gather the scattered sheep disturbed by the commotion. However, they have sent several groups of cavalry north, though their purpose is unknown – whether to report or call for reinforcements. They currently have about 400 warriors. The captured pastoralists are mostly women and children, numbering around 1200," the scout reported on the Barbarian cavalry.

"It seems they are quite bold. Either they are ignorant of the danger, or they have something to rely on," Victor said, stroking his chin.

"Victor, do you mean there might be a larger force to the north?" Ron asked.

"There's a possibility, but I'm not certain. Santos, find 10 capable young men and arrange for a boat to take them along the coastline across the Great Fish River. They'll head north," Victor decided to proceed cautiously.

"Notify all troops to disembark as soon as possible. Regardless, we must fight. We'll deal with this crossing force first before facing our next opponent."

"Arrange for some serfs to build the simple pier first. It's too slow to unload cargo using small boats."

"Summon Captain Jack and Steward Powell." To avoid confusion, Victor had appointed the sailor Jack as captain and the former knight Jack was now referred to as Captain Jack.

Soon, Captain Jack and Powell arrived at the command tent.

"Steward Powell, I cannot allow the fleet to return yet. Firstly, unloading is not complete, and secondly, the upcoming battle may require the fleet's strength. I need you to organize men to complete the unloading as quickly as possible and construct a simple pier and storage area here."

"Captain Jack, find two ships that have completed unloading and have a shallow draft. Take them directly into the Great Fish River through its estuary. There's no time to survey the hydrological data now. I need a naval force to watch the north bank of the Great Fish River and to support my reconnaissance troops."

After giving his orders, Victor urged them to leave quickly and carry out their tasks.

"My knights, we need to make plans in advance. I believe we have the advantage in strength. With the advance team and James's troops, we have 150 cavalry and 600 infantry. Each of our cavalrymen has two horses and is well-equipped, making one of them equivalent to three Barbarian cavalry. Our infantry are all trained and led by veteran core members. Apart from a lack of experience, they are all qualified soldiers."

"The enemy has only 400 unarmored cavalry and 1200 women, children, and the elderly. The advantage is definitely ours, but we cannot act blindly. Our troops need to rest, at least one day before they can engage in battle. Now, I need a small cavalry unit to screen the battlefield and monitor the Barbarian cavalry. Who is willing to volunteer? Captain Jack, you are excused. You and your troops also need rest."

Ron immediately spoke up, "Leave it to me. I'm familiar with the northern grasslands, and I know some Barbarian languages."

James also wanted to take on the mission, but seeing Ron step forward first, he didn't press the issue. After all, Ron was more suitable in all aspects.

Santos stated that he would lead the infantry this time, and the cavalry would still be handled by Jack, James, and Ron.

Victor also felt this division of labor was appropriate. The main infantry force belonged to the Golden Sunflower Territory, and many veterans were Santos's and Ron's subordinates, making it easier for them to command. Ron was indeed more experienced and skilled in combat, making him more suitable to lead the cavalry. James could command his own cavalry troop more conveniently, and Jack's cavalry troop certainly needed rest.

"Alright, that's the arrangement. However, Uncle, don't rush. Take everyone to rest first and set off tomorrow morning. The same goes for the others. After disembarking your respective troops, set up camp and get some rest early, as the situation could change at any moment."

After assigning the tasks, Victor sent them back to gather their troops while he continued to formulate plans with Number 1 in the tent.

"Victor, I need the terrain data here. The calculation module can generate maps based on this, and the accuracy will be much better than the sketch you have," Number 1 suggested to Victor.

The map Victor held was drawn by Captain Jack using the initial reconnaissance data. Its accuracy was low and only served as a reference.

"Okay, Number 1, I'll go with Ron tomorrow. You can collect terrain data along the way. I need to find a suitable battlefield for the infantry to pursue."

"It would be great if there was a way for long-distance communication. I wonder where the Edelweiss Territory's cavalry has gotten to. They should normally arrive just two days after us. If they can make it, I'll only need 350 light cavalry to destroy the Barbarian cavalry, without needing to consider infantry coordination."

Victor was a little troubled.

"Victor, based on the information we've gathered, a method of long-distance communication like you described might exist. Many plants can communicate remotely by releasing chemical signals like tannins. We can find a magical plant that releases multiple chemical signals and create a simple communication device."

"Number 1, can something like that be achieved?" Victor was surprised.

"Victor, it's feasible. The plants in this world are peculiar; they must have undergone genetic modification and adjustment. If there are variants like the Silver Maple and Iron Birch, which are half-metal and half-plant, then optical and electrical signal communication could also be achieved. The calculation module can compile a dedicated communication language for it."

"That's amazing! I can't wait. If it can be realized, I think I can become the King of the World." Victor was very excited.

But he quickly calmed down. The King of the World was still a distant goal, but the battle at hand was imminent, and he had to be more cautious.

"Victor, you don't need to worry. The calculation module has calculated that with the strength you currently possess, defeating the enemy won't be difficult, and the losses can be minimal."

"Number 1, I know that too, but I want to annihilate the enemy as much as possible. I don't know the scale of the Barbarian tribes to the north or how many enemies there are. I also don't want my strength to be exposed to them prematurely. We must grasp every detail. Fortunately, I have you and the calculation module; I couldn't do it alone."

"Victor, you are the successor, and you are special. According to your culture, the Beacon Lighthouse chose you, meaning you are destined for greatness. You should be more confident."

"Perhaps. But my education and experiences tell me I'm not special, so I need to think more and consider everything, both for my dream and for this world."

"Alright, next I need to formulate a logistics plan. I must have a detailed understanding of how much material I can mobilize for this battle and what kind of readiness is needed by tomorrow morning. Number 1, get the calculation module working quickly. Let's go understand our unloading situation and speed now. Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win a hundred battles."

Victor walked directly out of the tent towards the temporary storage yard.