Deploying Troops

The captain of the secret guard looked at the three and a half people in front of him. Originally, they were a full squad when they set off from Silver Maple City, but now more than half of them were gone.

The Silver Maple Secret Guard consists of only five squads, all of which require special training to form. The selection process involves multiple rounds of selection and costs a lot of money, making each member extremely valuable.

Given the devastating losses suffered during this mission, it's foreseeable that he will face dire consequences upon returning to Silver Maple City.

"Captain, what should we do? Should we request backup?"

"Support my ass, there aren't that many people!"

"How much of your secret medicine do you still have? You haven't used it all up, have you?"

"I still have more than 30 doses of hallucinogenic drugs, 14 doses of hypnotic drugs, and 3 doses of bloodthirsty drugs. I have recovered all the drugs from the bodies of my fallen brothers."

One of the team members answered.

"Cough cough! You still have so much? I only have 15 doses of hallucinogenic drugs left, 3 doses of hypnotic drugs left, and I used up all the bloodlust drugs when I broke through.

Ahem!

One of the guards interjected, but judging from his pale face and constant coughing, he must be in very poor health.

The other half of the guards replied that the two of them were a team, "51, 25 and 8 respectively, and we recovered all the potions from another team."

After listening to the team members' report, the captain's eyes flickered behind his mask, and he suddenly thought of a solution.

"Let's go, let's leave the Iron Birch Territory first. I don't believe that the defenses of the entire Three Counties of the Northern Frontier are this tight."

After saying that, the captain took the lead and led the group away from Iron Birch Territory.

Soon, Silver Maple City received the message from the secret guards: the entire Three Counties of the Northern Frontier had been mobilized, and a large number of noble private armies were beginning to gather in Iron Birch Territory.

Iron Birch Territory was heavily fortified, making the original assassination mission impossible, but this secret guard did not request reinforcements.

Besides sending back intelligence, all they did was submit a request to the Grand Duke, asking for permission to launch a mission to attack all the Northern Frontier nobles.

After receiving the intelligence, Mora immediately convened a meeting in front of the palace.

Count Lagos and Viscount Borey both arrived at the Maple Leaf Palace, along with the head of the secret guard, who brought all the intelligence with him. Mora had the two of them review this important intelligence on the spot.

"Your Majesty, it seems the Northern Frontier Allied Army has begun its final mobilization. I believe we cannot lag behind. The Imperial Guard Legion should be ready to march to the front lines at any time. Please give the order, Your Majesty!"

Viscount Borey was excited. He had been waiting for this day for a long time. Since he became Imperial Guard Legion, he had been firmly locked into this position. Although he seemed to have a high position and great power, he actually had very little influence over the entire duchy. He could be said to be very marginalized.

However, since Mora won the Civil War and became Grand Duke, Borre gained Mora's trust, and his status in the military system began to rise.

However, he had always lacked an opportunity to prove himself, and he took this opportunity to come to the battlefield and let people see his ability to command large troops.

Mora understood Borre's thoughts, and he also believed that Borre had the ability and agreed with his idea of sending troops as soon as possible. However, he felt that it was making a mountain out of a molehill to send the Imperial Guard Legion now.

At this moment, he looked at the Count Lagos, believing that the Count Lagos would have a good suggestion.

Count Lagos noticed Grand Duke Mora's gaze and quickly understood Mora's thoughts.

Count Lagos spoke up, "Lord Borei, I agree with your view. We should indeed make some adjustments to our forces and prepare for a response."

Viscount Borey was surprised that Count Lagos had so readily agreed with his idea. Just as he was about to express his gratitude, he heard what he was about to say next.

"However, according to our previous plan, the Imperial Guard Legion should have been protecting His Majesty the Grand Duke on his journey north. It would be making a mountain out of a molehill to use the core force of the Imperial Guard Legion now."

I think it's good that the current number of the Duchy's Direct Legion have been reorganized, so we can send one or two legions to the Northlands first.

On the one hand, this would reduce our losses, since it's still winter and it would be quite costly to mobilize troops to the front lines now; on the other hand, although we have obtained part of the Northlands rebels' plans and know that they intend to use Sextus County as their main point of attack, their main force is only currently assembling and has not yet begun operations. I suggest we wait until the intelligence is confirmed before taking action."

Viscount Borey was about to retort when he heard this, but Count Lagos hadn't finished speaking, "The intelligence sent by the Secret Guard also said that the Northern Frontier nobles are beginning to gather in Iron Birch Territory. Besides passing on this intelligence to us, the Secret Guard probably wants His Majesty the Grand Duke's approval for their plan, which is to attack the territories of the Northern Frontier nobles, assassinate their officials and even their relatives, thereby creating trouble for the Northern Frontier nobles and letting them know the consequences of betraying the Duchy."

Hearing this, Mora nodded. He had also seen the secret guard's plan and was eager to agree. After all, he had no good feelings towards the traitorous Northern Frontier nobles and wished their entire families would die.

Viscount Borey curled his lip after hearing this. He was not particularly fond of such assassination tactics and believed that this method would only provoke the Northern Frontier nobles to unite against him.

Count Lagos, seeing Viscount Borey's expression, knew that his method of changing the subject had worked. "Your Majesty, I think I can agree with the suggestion of this secret guard leader, but not entirely. After all, as far as I know, the secret guard you sent only consists of a small squad."

Relying on such a small team, even if they were to carry out an assassination, how many people could they actually kill? Moreover, the independent nobles in the Northlands mostly lead their troops personally. Assassinating their relatives might shake their will, but it could also incite their hatred. It is truly a double-edged sword.

I think this secret guard squad can carry out assassinations on a few individuals depending on the situation, but not too many. They can continue to remain undercover and gather intelligence for us.

After all, according to our plan, the 2nd and 6th Legions, along with the Coalition of Nobles in the western region, were to set off from Carn City and make a breakthrough in the Carson Mountains.

The Northern Alliance Army forces opposite the Carson Mountains are quite large; currently, in addition to an army from the Iron Birch Territory, there is also a Northern Frontier nobles army there.

There are two legions whose numbers we can find, so even with our numerical advantage and the help of an inside agent, breaking through won't be easy.

I suggest Your Majesty order your secret guards to proceed to the vicinity of the Carson Mountains and, as our forces begin their offensive, to selectively assassinate officers of the Northern Alliance Army' defensive units, thus aiding our breakthrough."

Mora found Count Lagos's suggestion very reasonable. After all, according to their plan, it wouldn't be easy to win on the main battlefield, but there was a high probability of a breakthrough along the Carson Mountains, since an inside agent had already been arranged.

Breaking through the Carson Mountains would also have an impact on the Northern Frontier Allied Army and would be beneficial to the main battlefield.

Viscount Borey also believed that there was no problem with Count Lagos's statement. After this period of understanding, the original mystery of the Silver Maple Secret Guard had been unveiled.

The Silver Maple Secret Guard are indeed very special. They undergo special training methods and use some precious drugs unique to the Guards, making them completely elusive. This unit is extremely effective in infiltrating to gather intelligence and carrying out assassinations.

Rather than letting them create chaos by assassinating nobles' relatives, it would be better to let them play a greater role.

At this moment, Viscount Borey spoke up, "I also agree with Count Lagos's suggestion. They can play a much greater role and should not waste their time on such petty gains."

Furthermore, Your Majesty can proceed according to our previous plan, allowing these secret guards to continue spreading rumors of the Barbarians' southward advance. The previous results were quite good, directly forcing the Northern Alliance Army to reinforce the border."

Mora thought Borei's words made a lot of sense. "A very good suggestion, Lord Borei. I will give the secret guard team orders to prepare according to this plan later."

Count Lagos smiled and nodded, successfully diverting Viscount Borey's attention from the original plan to send troops to how to use these secret guards.

Even Mora has now forgotten the topic at the beginning, but the Count Lagos knows that even so, now that he knows the movements of the Northern Frontier Allied Army, the Duchy should also take action. Even if he does not send out the Imperial Guard Legion, he can at least send a portion of his troops to Sextus County to prepare for the next battle.

"Your Majesty and Minister Bolei, regarding the previous plan to send troops, I still hold the same attitude. It is indeed not appropriate to send out the Imperial Guard Legion, but the 1st, 3rd and 7th Legions are already ready."

We could easily send them to reinforce Sextus County, making a preemptive move to force the Northern Alliance Army to retaliate.

Viscount Borey then remembered the matter of sending troops, but he had already been persuaded by Count Lagos that the Imperial Guard Legion was indeed not suitable to be dispatched too early. In any case, there was still more than a month until spring, and there would be no problem in setting off with Grand Duke Mora at that time.

"These three legions are indeed ready. They have all completed replenishment and training and are fully ready to be deployed."

"Your Majesty, I also believe that even if the Imperial Guard Legion doesn't deploy, we should still send troops. This would allow us to disrupt the rebels' troop deployment and greatly benefit our next phase of operations."

Mora nodded. "Then it's up to you, Minister Borei. Let your War Department decide how to deploy troops and mobilize them according to your plan."

As for the Imperial Guard Legion, they can escort me north then. I'll have to rely on you then, Lord Bolei!

Viscount Borey pounded his chest. "Leave it to me, Your Majesty the Grand Duke."

The meeting before the palace concluded, and Count Lagos and Viscount Borey left Maple Leaf Palace together.

"Count Lagos, I plan to send the Third Legion and Seventh Legion to Sextus County. Do you have any suggestions?"

The two walked and talked.

"The Third Legion has already assembled in Blackwater City, which is relatively close to Sextus County and also has the Duchy's reserves."

I will arrange for someone to open the warehouse and send these supplies directly to the front lines, with the Third Legion acting as their escort.

In this way, the Seventh Legion wouldn't need to bring too many supplies; they could simply collect them upon arrival in Sextus County.

"Sure, I'll write to the Third Legion and ask them to help with the escort. The Seventh Legion is still in Milan. I'll have the War Department headquarters order them to set off later."

At this moment, Viscount Borey paused for a moment and then continued, "Count Lagos, I heard that the Sixth Legion has been replenished. War Department let Turas off the hook because of your request. Now it is time for him to show his sincerity. I hope he can lead the Sixth Legion north to Carn City as soon as possible."

Count Lagos was listening to Viscount Borey's arrangements for the Third and Seventh Legions, but unexpectedly, Viscount Borey suddenly mentioned the Sixth Legion and Turas.

Count Lagos frowned, stroked his beard, and asked, "Turas and the Sixth Legion are definitely fine. I really have to thank you for what happened before. Otherwise, if Turas had acted on his own, he would have been badly injured, if not killed."

Since this is your request, I will write to Turas and Count Sibeth later, asking them to hurry to Carn City as soon as possible.

But why the rush? According to the plan, the operation in Carn City shouldn't start until at least June.

Viscount Borey sighed, "Count Carter has fallen seriously ill and is bedridden. Currently, the defenses of Carn City are leaderless, and the Legion Deputy Commander of the Second Legion lacks sufficient prestige to maintain order."

Why didn't you tell His Grace the Grand Duke about this earlier?

"Prime Minister Excellency, as you know, because of that incident, the Grand Duke and Count Carter's relationship is not very harmonious."

If the Grand Duke knew that Count Carter was in poor health, he would definitely demand that the War Department replace the Legion Commander of the Second Legion immediately.

But as you know, the War Department is in a difficult situation. Where are we going to find a suitable Legion Commander? Moreover, most of the officers in the Second Legion are Count Carter's old subordinates. If Count Carter leaves the army, many of them may also leave with him.

It's already hard to find Legion Commander, so where are we War Department to find so many officers?

Therefore, don't let Turas and Count Sibeth set off together. Let the Sixth Legion depart first for Carn City. Tulas is considered Count Carter's apprentice and can help Count Carter command the troops.

"Okay, I will explain it to him properly."

A few days later, Iron Mountain Fortress received intelligence from the mainland.

The Seventh Legion stationed in Milan County and Notting County, the Third Legion stationed in Blackwater City, and the Sixth Legion stationed in Lavork began to leave their posts and move north.

After receiving this information, Alex immediately went to Count Colt.

"Father, intelligence from the duchy indicates that three legions have left their garrison and are heading north."

After reviewing the intelligence, Count Colt immediately checked the map of the duchy. "They probably aren't planning to take action; they're just putting pressure on us."

However, since that's the case, we can't remain silent; pass on my orders.

The Iron Birch 1st and 2nd Legions immediately set off for Bria County to join Viscount Horns's Fourth Legion Allied Army.

A further letter was sent to all the Northern Frontier nobles: "Civil War is about to begin; I urge you all to advance bravely."

"Yes!"