Return Reinforcements

The fact that the territory was attacked by enemy forces and that the Count Lloyd was still unaware of the specific details of the army was indeed quite surprising.

But he quickly calmed down and called to the messengers, "Quickly tell me what you know. Also, tell me the direction of the enemy's attack. Use this map."

After speaking, Count Lloyd placed the pen in his hand on the map in front of him.

One of the messengers stepped forward. "Count lord, I am Downs, and I belong to the First Garrison."

After introducing himself, Downs immediately began marking and drawing lines on the map, explaining to Count Lloyd as he drew.

"The first news of the enemy invasion came from the Sentry Post Number Three on the main trade route in the north. There was no news from the Sentry Posts Number One and Two, which were probably already captured by the enemy."

The garrison commander of the Sentry Post Number Three was killed in action immediately. It was the deputy outpost commander who sent two messengers to deliver the news of the invaders to Ironwire City. The two messengers were intercepted by the enemy Cavalry, one was killed and the other was seriously wounded. The seriously wounded one died shortly after arriving in Ironwire City.

However, before he died, he reported the news to the Eldest Young Master Lenster. The current intelligence he had was that the enemy numbered more than 10,000, were well-equipped, and had a considerable number of Cavalry.

Moreover, the enemy split their forces midway, capturing three towns along the northern trade route to the Green Forest River. They also carried out massacres, enraging the local troops, and the eldest prince only managed to calm them down with great difficulty.

At this point, Tangster also became somewhat saddened, and his voice choked with emotion.

Count Lloyd guessed that Downs might have relatives living in one of these three towns, so he went up to him, patted him on the shoulder, and continued to ask.

"What are Lenster's thoughts? Has he sent anyone to try and find out the enemy's strength?"

Tang Si Te nodded. "Before the eldest young master saw us off, he told me that he believed this army was the duchy's regular legion, but the territory had not received any news of the Duchy's Direct Legion south."

The eldest son suspected that it might be a legion that had secretly infiltrated. Based on previous intelligence on the Duchy's Direct Legion, apart from a few legions with clear locations, the sixth and Seventh Legion were the most likely candidates.

Considering the strength of these two legions, the eldest son has begun a full mobilization of his territory.

Count Lloyd also found Lenster's speculation to be very reasonable, believing that the Sixth Legion was more likely to arrive, based on previous intelligence.

The Sixth Legion was sent to garrison the Western Three Counties in place of the Fifth Army Corps, but they should have just departed from Milan County, if the Duchy Military Headquarters had anticipated the Ironvine Territory's actions.

It is indeed possible to have the Sixth Legion take a slight detour through Lincoln County.

Count Lloyd also admitted that he had underestimated the central government of the Duchy, and had actually sent a legion to secretly enter Cornwall County, north of Lincoln County, ahead of time.

However, this conjecture is not the same as the actual situation. After all, even the Duchy Military Headquarters, which was jointly commanded by Viscount Borey and Count Lagos, was unaware of the Sixth Legion's actions. It was entirely the Sixth Legion Commander Turas's unauthorized action.

If Count Lloyd knew about this, he could only admire the sheer audacity of this Legion Commander of Turas.

Count Lloyd did not delve too deeply into the army's intentions; he simply pondered the map alone, and no one around him dared to disturb him.

After a long silence, his gaze sharpened, and he immediately said loudly, "Immediately send someone to inform Viscount Ferry and Baron Kailan to abandon the occupied territories and retreat to the territories of the four traitors."

Viscount Ferry was put in charge of the defense of Raspberry Territory and Arrow Bamboo Territory, while Baron Nio drew two battalions from these two territories to return to Ironvine Territory with his main force.

Baroness Kailan was put in charge of the defense of Clear Camellia Territory and Tinder Grass Territory, while Baron Eamon also dispatched two battalions to return to Ironvine Territory with his main force.

"Let them garrison Red Mountain City and await my main force."

"Yes, sir!" After receiving the order, the officer left the tent immediately, and the others followed suit.

Count Lloyd rubbed his head, looked at the map in front of him, and muttered to himself, "This is going to be tough. The situation may be more serious than I thought."

His eyes were fixed on the Green Forest River ferry crossing in the middle of the territory, which was located right between Red Mountain City and Ironwire City, and was the biggest transportation hub connecting the two places.

The enemy split their forces midway, and based on this marching route, their final destination was likely to head south along the upper reaches of the Green Forest River to reach this crossing point and block his returning troops.

"However, this time the crossing is not defensible, and relying on the temporary defensive camps will not be enough to stop my army."

If this opponent intends to continue with such tactics, the number of troops that will try to stop me will likely be greater than I anticipate.

At this moment, Count Lloyd was caught in a dilemma. He stepped out of the tent. The Sun had already set and the sky was getting dark. Count Lloyd looked at the military camp shrouded in the sunset, which seemed to be soaked in a blood-red color. His premonition grew stronger.

"No, we can't wait any longer; we must act immediately."

He summoned the guards behind him and said, "Notify Battalion Commander to come to my tent for a meeting in a quarter of an hour. Tell them that the military situation is urgent and there must be no mistakes."

A quarter of an hour later, all officers of Battalion Commander and above entered his tent, filling it to the brim. Count Lloyd wasted no time and directly informed everyone of the fact that the territory had been attacked, causing an uproar among the crowd.

At that moment, Count Lloyd issued another order, commanding all troops to set off immediately and return to Ironvine Territory.

"Count Excellency, shall we double-check?"

"Yes, it's already evening. Why don't we set off early tomorrow morning?"

"Yes, it would be a waste to give up the Tyre City that we finally managed to capture. We should leave a portion of our troops here to guard it."

"Yes, that's what I think too."

"You've gone mad! Our territory is under attack! It's an emergency!"

"The eldest son still has three battalions under his command. Ironwire City has abundant supplies. Even if the enemy has tens of thousands of troops, it is impossible for them to take it easily in a hurry."

All the officers were talking at once, each thinking they were right, and the scene quickly became increasingly chaotic.

At this moment, Count Lloyd slammed his hand on the table. "I'm not discussing this with you, I'm giving you orders."

Everyone immediately returned to command the troops in preparation for evacuation, and set off two hours later, abandoning all but essential supplies.