Proactive Offensive Plan

After hearing Ron's words, Victor pulled on the reins, and the horse came to a complete stop.

The combat force in the Two Rivers Territory now exceeds 10,000, not including the Logistics Department. Although this army size had been estimated before, hearing this definite answer from Ron now left Victor somewhat astonished.

However, Victor quickly realized that they were still on the march, so he spurred his horse forward again, this time taking the initiative to ride alongside Ron.

"When the army marches south next year, one detachment from each of the three regiments will remain in the territory."

Including the troops stationed in Black Pine Territory, there are approximately 2,000 troops remaining in the area surrounding Two Rivers Territory. This, combined with the territory's militia, should be sufficient for defense.

Victor his horse, he pondered the military deployment for the territory next year after the troops sent south had been withdrawn.

"After we finish defending the two territories, we still need to go to Iron Mountain Fortress when we return to the Northlands. The combat troops going south alone will exceed 8,000. If we include the Logistics Department, the total strength will be enough. I feel that even with the transport capacity of the Iron Birch Territory's fleet, it won't be enough."

Suddenly, Victor remembered something and turned to look at Ron.

"You also traveled south by sea along the Iron Birch Fleet route, right? Did you attract the attention of surrounding merchant fleets when you entered the Blackwater River from the estuary of Sunset City?"

Ron replied in a teasing tone.

"Victor, I didn't expect you to only remember this now. You've always been so shrewd!"

"Don't worry, no one will notice. After all, our fleet is special; even without our emblems, we'll still be noticed."

Victor raised an eyebrow. It seemed the matter had been resolved. Such a large fleet couldn't possibly be hidden. The best method was to block the waterway, preventing other ships from appearing at the Blackwater River estuary during that time. Only...

"Count Black helped?"

"Impressive, as expected of you, you guessed it so quickly."

It seems that Count Colt had already sent someone to inform Count Black, Count Black personally arranged for the fleet to blockade the sea and waterways near the estuary. He also had us temporarily display the coat of arms of the Great Oak Family, disguising ourselves as a fleet from the Great Oak Territory, which is why we were able to sail upstream so smoothly."

Victor nodded. Count Black had indeed been a great help, but this method could only keep it a secret for a while. Once Silver Maple City sent its internal guards to investigate, they could easily find out who had helped the southward-bound fleet by bribing a few ordinary soldiers.

However, Victor also understood that Count Black probably didn't care, as long as they could keep it a secret before winter.

Based on his understanding of Count Black, this battle to defend the territory might be partly because Count Black wanted to test his strength, and partly because Count Black intended to take the opportunity to weaken the loyal noble forces of Boler County, thus killing two birds with one stone.

This battle will end before winter, and even if Silver Maple City finds out, there's nothing they can do about it, including for him and Count Black.

"That old fox is truly resolute; he doesn't seem worried at all that I might fail."

That's true. Even if I were to lose, it wouldn't affect him much. At worst, I could just entrust Brando to Count Colt. At most, the Great Oak Territory would suffer a significant loss.

In any case, through this battle, he can achieve his goal of weakening the loyal nobles. Even if I lead the troops south again next year, the Northlands troops, without a base of operations, will no longer be able to regain leadership in the eastern theater and will have no choice but to obediently remain under the control of Great Oak Territory.

Although Victor was only guessing, based on his understanding of Count Black, it was probably pretty close to the truth. After all, this was a completely open scheme, and he had no choice but to fight this battle.

However, this shows that Count Black has made up his mind to stand on the side of the Northern Alliance Army led by Count Colt.

However, since that was the case, Victor did not intend to just wait for Count Black to come to his door with his army. He turned to Ron and asked.

"Take your troops and get some rest tonight. Tomorrow, select one of your best-performing detachments to come with me."

Ron was very curious.

"I remember the letter Count Black sent us said they wouldn't be gathering in Dos City until the 10th. Is it really necessary to move out so early?"

"Why am I so passive? It's because I didn't have enough troops and I couldn't leave my territory too empty."

Now that we have the troops you brought, I've already reserved two detachments for mobile operations. Adding the detachment you choose tomorrow, those three detachments are enough to wreak havoc. The remaining troops can stay in our territory to rest and reorganize; their support in defense will ensure we have no worries about our rear.

After listening to Victor's words, Ron also felt that they made a lot of sense.

"So where is our destination? We can't possibly head straight for Dos!"

"Don't worry, I've already made arrangements. After all these days, how could I just sit quietly in my territory and wait?"

In the past few days, Victor has personally led his guards to scout the vicinity of the two territories. After all, before the Noble Council convenes on the 5th, he can still travel freely through the territories of various independent nobles as a noble.

There are four independent noble families surrounding these two territories. Two of them border Golden Sunflower Territory and Green Oak Ridge: one is Baron Charles Persian, located to the east of Golden Sunflower Territory, and the other is Baron Red Ginseng Freyzer Red Ginseng, located to the west of Green Oak Ridge and Golden Sunflower Territory. The rest of the area is wasteland.

As for why wasteland still exists, this is due to the special national conditions of the Grand Duchy of Vera. The first Grand Duke Silver Maple established a law that no one would be granted a title without merit. Only nobles who made enough contributions could exchange for ownership of wasteland from the duchy for development.

These wastelands do not belong to anyone; only Grand Duke Silver Maple has the right to allocate them. However, after years of development, there are not many such wastelands left in the three noble counties in the east, and those with good natural conditions have been allocated to various noble families.

According to Victor's understanding, in places like Cornwall County and Hampshire in the south, which were developed earlier, even the worst plots of land were granted by successive Grand Dukes, so there is no such wasteland.

Victor had arranged for surveyors to map these areas long ago, and they already had a very accurate map.

During this time, Victor spent his time with a map, scouting around and looking for a suitable pre-planned battlefield.