Providing Military Supplies

"Thank you, Victor. I've been out here braving the elements lately, and these old bones of mine aren't quite up to it!"

Count Black said with a wry smile.

Victor didn't say anything, he just helped the Old Count to his feet.

When he was supporting the Old Count, he sensed that the Old Count was not as healthy as he appeared. The old count's arms under the chainmail felt very thin, and his hands were trembling as he supported himself on Victor.

Victor observed the Count's complexion more closely. His cheeks were flushed, but his skin looked dull and uncomfortable.

The Old Count noticed Victor's gaze, first chuckled awkwardly, then his lips drooped, and he said self-deprecatingly, "As expected of a general who wins with fewer troops, it seems I can't hide anything from you!"

Count Black pulled Victor away from both sides of the army and found a leeward spot. Count Black whispered, "My health is getting worse and worse. I thought I could hold on for a while, but this expedition has made me realize exactly what state I'm in!"

These past few days I've been relying on "Joy Grass" to relieve the pain all over my body; otherwise, I can't even eat.

"Golden Sunflower Boy—no, Viscount Golden Sunflower —I estimate I can't hold out much longer, I might not even make it to next spring. So I'm not going to put on a show for Silver Maple City anymore. I plan to withdraw my troops as soon as you release the two viscounts."

After hearing the Count's words, Victor was not surprised by the sudden change in the plan. Instead, he calmly said, "Count Excellency, you can proceed according to your own plan. Besides, I don't think anyone else in the Eastern Region has such high prestige as you to organize another punitive expedition."

"You just wiped out the forces of two powerful viscounts. I estimate that not many people in the east will dare to provoke you. As long as I talk to a few of my old friends, I should be able to temporarily put an end to your troubles!"

However, don't underestimate Silver Maple City. I went to great lengths to deceive that old man Lagos this time. Although he is very greedy, he is very shrewd and managed to smooth out the internal political environment of the duchy in a short period of time.

As far as I know, with his support, the expansion and recovery of the principality's several directly subordinate legions are going smoothly, and even military rations are not in short supply.

If Silver Maple City sends troops, things will get complicated!

Victor looked at the Old Count and suddenly smiled.

"My Count Earl, since you have come here to meet me, you must already have a suitable solution. I will listen to you!"

Count Black was speechless at Victor's words. He did indeed have a solution; he had simply been keeping it a secret.

"Well, you can't hide this from a smart person."

The method is simple: distract Silver Maple City. You remember our previous operation, right?

You mean Sextus County?

"Indeed, by cooperating with the Northern Frontier Allied Army, they helped us eliminate the interference of the Fifth Legion. In that case, why don't we repeat this method?"

"Not bad, the strategy is a bit old, but it works, that's enough!"

So where do you plan to attract Silver Maple City's attention again?

"You should already know what happened at the Noble Council!"

"I know. I received the intelligence through the Northern Frontier Chamber of Commerce a long time ago and have a detailed understanding of what happened during the entire meeting!"

Count Black nodded. "That's good. I don't need to explain anymore. You can now see how the Grand Duke of Silver Maple City views us local nobles, right?"

Victor thought for a moment, and finally replied, "Warning!"

"That's right, a good summary. Mora's ascension to the throne was illegitimate, and he was very sensitive to powerful independent nobles. If it weren't for Lagos's origin in the West and the Honeysuckle family's hard work in helping him ascend to the throne during the Civil War, he wouldn't have let the Western nobles go."

"Not to mention the Central nobles who were his enemies during the Civil War and the eastern nobles I led, he also targeted Colt and his Northern Frontier nobles who have now officially raised the banner of rebellion, and even the united Count Lloyd in the south."

Victor pondered Count Black's words and soon understood their hidden meaning.

"Southern nobles? Are they going to make a move too?"

This time, Count Black didn't mince words and spoke frankly, "Count Lloyd has not been placed under house arrest. He has escaped from Silver Maple City through his own means and returned to his territory safely!"

I heard he paid a heavy price to escape; even his shadow warrior died in battle. It seems he and Mora have officially broken off relations!

"Count Lloyd sent someone to contact you?"

Count Black looked at Victor approvingly. "It has to be you, you analyzed it so quickly!"

Victor asked curiously, "Aren't you worried that I might have learned about this from other sources?"

"It's not that easy. Even Yellen doesn't know about this. As the Count of the East, it's not difficult for me to cover up some information."

Victor nodded in agreement.

Count Black continued, "Yesterday morning, I received word that Viscount Ferry, one of Count Lloyd's confidants, came to see me in person!"

I sent men to secretly bring them to my camp. The only person in charge of this whole affair was my Personal Guard; even Yellen didn't know."

"So, Count Lloyd is indeed going to launch his attack?"

Count Black nodded. "Yes, Lloyd has been in a bad situation these past few years. He can't even control his own vassals anymore. Coupled with the farce at the Noble Council this time, he doesn't want to wait any longer. As far as I know, he should also be planning to marry Colt!"

"That's right, he wants to marry his daughter to Alexander!"

"The heir to the Iron Birch Territory? Actually, it might be better if Lloyd could wait until next year to make his move, but Mora has already started to act. Lloyd is a very cautious man, and he certainly won't pin his hopes on the enemy making a foolish mistake at this time!"

"So, Count Lloyd will definitely launch his attack before winter. Well, the climate in the Southern Four Counties is much warmer than ours, and they still have a month before winter officially arrives."

If Count Lloyd can secure advantageous terrain before winter arrives, he can hold out until Count Colt's formal attack!

"That's right. Lloyd sent someone here to ask me for help. He probably would have preferred to contact Colt, but the Northlands is too far away, so he sent someone to me."

"What do you need me to do, or what do you need me to provide?"

Victor calmly considered the problem and concluded that Count Lloyd's failure to launch an immediate attack, instead seeking help from Count Black, must mean he was lacking something, nothing more than war supplies.

"It's weapons and equipment that Lloyd and his vassals lack!"

"In recent years Silver Maple City has placed great restrictions on him, especially since one of his former vassals owned an iron mine. Under Silver Maple City's influence, the vassal betrayed him, leading to the blockade of the entire Ironvine Territory. Lacking steel and weaponry, he came to me hoping I could provide some for their emergency."

"I understand. I will allocate a portion of my weapons and equipment to Cornwall County and send them to the Count Lloyd to help him raise an army."

"Very well, that's what I've been waiting for!" Count Black turned to his men and called out, "Viscount Ferry, please come here!"