Deployment Adjustments
"Father, are you saying that Edmund might have also been deceived by Silver Maple City?"
Count Colt shook his head. "I can't be sure, but it's also possible that Silver Maple City is just creating a smokescreen."
Colt stood up and walked to the window. The study was located on a high point on the east side of Iron Mountain Fortress, and from this window, one could see the military camp not far away.
Inside the military camp, a Cavalry unit of about a hundred men was training. Led by their officers, the Cavalry charged toward straw targets.
The knights gradually accelerated, and as their horses grew faster, they raised their lances. In the blink of an eye, the Cavalry had cleared the straw target.
Several straw targets were shattered. The charging Cavalry circled around, pulled on the reins, turned their horses around, and began to charge again, but their formation remained intact.
Count Colt was very satisfied with what he saw, and he asked Alex, "What do you think of this newly trained Cavalry of the Fourth Legion?"
Alex looked in the direction his father was facing and said, "Very good. As expected of Cavalry drawn from vassal tribes, each one is skilled in archery and horsemanship, coupled with our rigorous training."
This Cavalry is already considered a competent elite force. Once they don their armor, their charge will be far beyond the capabilities of those mediocre cavalry from the interior. Even the Iron Bone Tribe's golden-armored cavalry could hold their own.
"Then what do you think we should worry about? We are so well prepared that even if the Iron Bone Tribe really marches south, we can hold them off for a long time with the troops stationed in our homeland."
Alex nodded, agreeing with his father's assessment that the Iron Bone Tribe was indeed not a cause for concern.
"However, just in case, I had previously planned to build a second Allied Army legion, centered around the armies of Edmund and Crimson Maple Territory, and send it to garrison the Khatyn Mountains."
It seems best to let Benjamin go.
Alex, you and your men go to Crimson Maple Territory and Golden Pear Territory and tell them my plan.
"Yes, Father, I will depart shortly."
"Alex, be careful on the way. Just in case, remember to bring a squad of Iron Guards. That so-called Silver Maple Secret Guard might not have left yet."
"I will be careful."
When Alex left Iron Mountain Fortress, he encountered several Iron Birch Territory troops that were training. Swords and spears filled the air, and banners covered the sky. The entire Iron Birch Territory had now become a huge military camp.
"With so many troops, even if that Silver Maple Secret Guard really came, he wouldn't dare to get close."
After mentally complaining for a moment, Alex led his guards away.
Although Count Colt trusted Viscount Edmund, out of caution, he adjusted his troop deployment, except for his plan to bring the Crimson Maple Territory Army to the front lines.
After Alex left, Count Colt ordered the Fourth Legion of Iron Birch Territory to move west and be deployed directly to Enzo City, the county seat of Durham County, taking over the northern defenses of Durham County from the Coalition of Nobles.
This time, in the northernmost part of the three counties of the North, Count Colt deployed an entire legion of troops. Meanwhile, in the adjusted plan, the Third Legion of the Allied Army, commanded by Viscount Benjamin, would only deploy its headquarters and two regiments on the north side of the Khatyn Mountains, together with the Third Legion of the Iron Birch Territory, to guard against the Duchy's Duchy's Direct Legion Carn City.
The remaining forces of the Allied Army Third Legion were deployed in the northwest of North York County, in coordination with the Iron Birch Fourth Legion in Durham County, to defend against any possible Barbarians invasion forces from the south.
If Silver Maple City's plan is indeed to tie down the forces of the Northern Coalition of Nobles, it can be said to have been a success. The Northern Frontier Allied Army has already deployed eight regiments on the border, a massive force of nearly 100,000 men.
In the Two Rivers Territory, Victor is training with his soldiers in the military camp.
A group of soldiers tried to surround Victor with long weapons, but Victor simply parried a few times with his longsword, deflected the hail of bullets, and used the momentum to run away, easily escaping.
Just as Victor was about to turn around and retaliate, a staff officer ran over.
"My lord, there is a letter from you, it seems to have come from the Iron Birch Territory."
Victor dropped his weapon, took the letter from the staff officer, and began reading it quickly.
After reading it, Victor frowned slightly, notified the troops to continue training, and then left the camp with his guards.
He personally went to the General Staff to retrieve the latest batch of intelligence data on the Northland Barbarians.
According to his findings, no unusual activity by the Iron Bone Tribe or any changes in other Barbarian Tribes were discovered!
"It seems the intelligence from Crimson Maple Territory is inaccurate. Well, we can't be careless. We're on the edge of the grasslands, so we should have a more accurate grasp of the movements of these Barbarian Tribes."
Victor directly sent messengers to inform Jell and Luda of the Horseshoe Tribe, instructing them to strengthen patrols along the border, especially to monitor the Iron Bone Tribe and their ally Horned Wolf Tribe.
If it weren't for the fact that winter is really unsuitable for sending out caravans, Victor would probably have arranged for Luda to continue posing as the caravan leader and leading the caravan on intelligence gathering missions.
Just in case, Victor also ordered the Intelligence Department to send a select group of people to work with two Dark Night Watch squads to conduct reconnaissance and patrols deep into the grasslands, using the border outpost at the former site of the Blazing Fire Tribe as a base.
"Orlando, the Intelligence Department will be fully responsible for the logistical support of this reconnaissance team that has penetrated deep into foreign territory. If there are any problems, report to me or my father immediately."
"Yes, Your Excellency, please leave it to me!"
Despite making many preparations, Victor was not worried that the Barbarian Tribes would choose his direction to invade. If they were to plunder or interfere with the southward advance of the Northern Frontier Allied Army, the Iron Bone Tribe's first choice should still be the salient between the Great Fish River and the Shattered Ice River in Durham County.
That was the only convenient route into the Three Counties of the Northern Frontier, which is why Count Colt deployed the Fourth Legion on the northern border of Durham County.
After doing all this, Victor still focused on army training, since time was still quite tight.
At the end of December, Alex finally returned to Iron Mountain Fortress.
"Father, I have met with Viscount Benjamin and Viscount Edmund separately, and they have both agreed to your plan. Viscount Benjamin's army has already begun its redeployment."
Viscount Edmund agreed to your arrangement, but he requested a handover with Viscount Benjamin. He would bring his troops to Iron Mountain Fortress once Viscount Benjamin's forces arrived.
Count Colt nodded. "Does Viscount Edmund have any other plans?"
Alex shook his head. "No, Viscount Edmund was very welcoming to me, but when I arrived, Viscount Edmund stayed directly in the military camp. He was still very worried about those Silver Maple Secret Guards."
I comforted him, saying that things would be better once we reached Iron Mountain Fortress. Three legions were stationed nearby; not even a fly could escape.
"Living in the military camp? That's typical of him. Hmm, Benjamin should be fine. Since you've already spoken to him, he'll stay on guard."
"You mean? I don't think Viscount Edmund would be that bold, but ultimately we'll never know whether the so-called Iron Bone Tribe's invasion of the south is true or not!"
"Those things don't matter. Even if the Barbarians south, they still can't stop our actions."
I simply want to know what Silver Maple City's intentions are. Our informants in Silver Maple City have provided us with information on the Duchy Military Headquarters's military deployment, and it seems they are still preparing according to their original plan!