Black Pine Territory (I)

"It seems that the Honeysuckle family will have a very miserable future."

"I can't believe it, "Victor remarked.

"The more miserable they are, the more likely they are to compromise and be turned by us."

Alex didn't take it seriously.

"Then you'd better be careful not to let Count Sibeth make a quick and decisive move that completely cripples the Honeysuckle family and causes Viscount Taros to lose control of the army. Otherwise, your partnership will be completely useless."

"Don't worry, although the Honeysuckle family has fallen, Count Sibeth is not able to bypass the Grand Duke and directly interfere with the direct legion. He would need Count Lagos's connections to make a move. My spies will inform me in time."

"I was just reminding you, you'll have to do the rest. Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. When are we leaving Blackwater City?"

"Everything's settled here. Just like you said, things can get complicated if we wait too long. We'll set off this afternoon."

"Don't we need to purchase supplies? The Northlands from Blackwater City to Northwind City is against the current, and it will take at least five or six days."

"I can't believe it, "Victor asked curiously.

"No need. We won't be taking the inland rivers this time. I've already sent a message through the Blackwater City Merchant Guild. We'll continue east to Suffolk County, where the Iron Birch Territory's fleet will be waiting for us."

"Returning to the Northlands by sea? That would certainly be safer. There are several places where you could be intercepted if you go along the inland waterways."

Victor for a moment and made a decision. He said to Alex, "In that case, please take me back to Golden Sunflower Territory. I plan to stay in Boler County for a while."

"Sigh, aren't you planning to go back and take charge of the territory? I reckon my father will convene a meeting of Northern Frontier nobles to announce the secret agreement and discuss the next steps for sending troops."

Victor shook his head.

"Before I left Iron Mountain Fortress, didn't I ask Count Colt to send a letter to my father, asking him to go to the Two Rivers Territory to take charge of the work?"

With him there, there won't be any problems in the territory. I plan to go to Golden Sunflower Territory to make some preparations. When Count Colt next year, I want to apply to lead troops to the Eastern Region to open up a second front.

Besides, it's only mid-September, and there's still a month until the end of October. I won't stay here for too long; I'll be heading back to the Northlands before winter. I don't think Count Colt will hold its conference anytime soon either.

After listening, Alex shrugged and said, "Okay, since you've thought it through, I'll listen to you. Let's separate for now."

I imagine Veronica will be heartbroken. What was supposed to be a few days apart from her new husband has turned into over a month.

Victor blushed. "Veronica will understand. You should think about your fiancée, and what about Count Lloyd in the south?"

"My father should have already made arrangements. My most important task now is to send the secret agreement and Baron Rossi back so that he can understand the information and make the right decision."

"By the way, Alex, don't take those wounded soldiers from the ship. Put them in Golden Sunflower Territory."

Their bodies can't withstand sea voyages. Let them recuperate with me, and I'll take them back to the Northlands in a month."

"Then I'll leave it to you to take good care of them."

"They are all brothers who fought together, and I will give them the best treatment."

After discussing and reaching an agreement, Alex ordered the fleet to continue eastward. At this speed, Victor estimated that they would reach Golden Sunflower Territory in two days.

"I wonder if Father has arrived in the Two Rivers Territory yet. The letter sent on the 12th was supposed to arrive on the same day by carrier pigeon. I guess Father set off with the whole family on the 13th. Today is the 18th. Using the territory's fast ship, we should arrive in the Two Rivers Territory today or tomorrow."

In Northlands North York County, in the upper reaches of the Great Fish River, Santos's suppression forces have entered Black Pine Territory.

A fleet of dozens of boats of various sizes sailed upstream, while on the south bank, a large number of Cavalry and mounted infantry sailed parallel to the fleet in the river, heading west.

Santos stood at the bow of the ship, looking ahead. Since they entered Black Pine Territory this morning, they had not encountered any Black Pine Territory troops, only a few scattered scouts observing the main force of the Two Rivers Territory from afar.

Santos led five detachments, along with the Logistics Department and the territory's river fleet, totaling nearly 4,000 men, including regular soldiers, Auxiliary Troops, and laborers—a truly massive force.

Santos didn't think Black Pine Territory would dare to launch a direct attack, but the current state of silence made him very uncomfortable. He had a premonition that this suppression operation wouldn't be so easy.

At that moment, inside the Black Pine Territory Viscount's Castle, Lord Macut was pacing anxiously back and forth in his study when someone pushed open the study door.

Upon seeing the newcomer, Markut immediately cried out anxiously, "Father, you must think twice before you act. The troops of the Two Rivers Territory are not so easy to deal with. Even if it's not Victor leading the army, I think we should try to communicate with them first."

Viscount Black Pine, Ross Blackpine, looked at his son with some anger in his heart. "Enough, Markut, I don't remember raising you like this. I know you've been immersed in the territory's trade work these past few years, but I didn't expect your courage to have been worn down to this extent."

"Our Black Pine Territory has been invaded by the enemy, and you're already thinking of negotiating? This is not the behavior of a proper Northern Frontier nobles. We must resolutely and forcefully retaliate and make them realize their mistake."

"Father, there might be some misunderstanding here. After the army from the Two Rivers Territory entered the territory, they didn't attack our villages or towns. I have a good relationship with Viscount Victor and know the main officers of the Two Rivers Territory. I can go and find out the situation first. Just give me some time. If we make the first move, there will be no room for reconciliation."

"You still don't understand. The Northern Frontier nobles are not barbarians. We don't attack others without reason. But if the enemy has already taken hostile actions, we should not remain calm. We should only retaliate in kind. You should think about this carefully in your study."

After saying this, Viscount Ross left the study, locked the door, and arranged for two guards to stand watch at the entrance.

"Father, just give me a few minutes, Father... Father... Damn it." Markut kept calling out, but Viscount Ross had already walked away.

"Victor, why did you do this?"

"Your Excellency, are you not going to tell the young master the truth?" After Viscount Ross left the room, a middle-aged knight asked him in a low voice.

"How should I put it? Should I say that Viscount Black Pine is a loyal subject of the Duchy and that I am going to raise an army to punish the Iron Birch Family for their rebellion? Never mind, as long as the Duchy has one loyal subject like me, I will fulfill my duty."

"What about the young master?"

"Markut knows nothing. If I lose, the other side will let him go because of his friendship with Viscount Golden Sunflower."

As for the family and titles, Count Colt was a shrewd man; in order to consolidate the power of the Three Counties of the Northern Frontier, he would ensure the Blackpine family's continued existence.

Viscount Ross and the knight talked as they walked until they left the castle.